2009 US Open Cup Final – Match Recap – Seattle Sounders FC defeat DC United 2-1
The longest running soccer competition in the United States is the Open Cup which allows teams from Major League Soccer and the United Soccer Leagues to challenge for the Lamar Hunt Trophy. The 2009 Final took place at RFK Stadium with DC United challenging the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday September 2, 2009.
Here’s a full recap of the the final.
Seattle Sounders defeat DC United 2-1
The first half was scoreless as neither team could score but both did get chances. Seattle had the better chances including one by Steve Zakuani but DC goalkeeper Josh Wicks was there everytime. It would remain 0-0 after 45 minutes. The second half was picked up with more intensity as both teams looked to get an advantage. Both goalkeepers were playing solid until the 70th minute when the match turned.
Freddie Ljungberg got behind the defense, took a shot on goal that Wicks just saved and Fredy Montero followed the rebound for a 1-0 Seattle lead. Wicks couldn’t get to the ball quick enough before Montero and ended up taking him out after he got the shot off which seemed like a yellow card. As Montero was laying down after scoring and getting tripped up, Wicks stepped on Montero in a very poor sportsmanship move. The referee consulted with the other officials as he didn’t have a clear view and ejected Wicks with a red card. Looking back at the replays, it was a fair call as Wicks clearly stepped on Montero even if he tried to say it was accidental.
After the goal, DC scrambled to get the equalizer which led to a frantic last 15 minutes. Seattle continued to get chances with the man advantage as United struggled to find Emilio in the attack. There were a few chances for DC including a shot by Quaranta that Keller saved. Only a minute later, Seattle clinched the win with another goal. On the counterattack, Sebastian Le Toux sent a pass into the box to a wide open Roger Levesque who made it 2-0 for Seattle. Just when DC appeared dead in the water, a free kick resulted in a goal for the home side to make it 1-2.
Quaranta took the free kick just outside the box as it went low and into the penalty area and deflected to Clyde Simms who put it past Keller to cut the lead in half just before stoppage time. The goal came just before the 90th minute as DC seemed to have all the momentum despite being down a player. There would be five minutes of stoppage time as Seattle had everyone back to play defensively. The last try for DC came from a Moreno free kick that went wide as Seattle would win the 2009 US Open Cup.
| SEA 2 |
90:00 Final |
DC 1 |
| Scoring: | ||
| SEA — Fredy Montero 1 (unassisted) 67 | ||
| SEA — Roger Levesque 1 (Sebastien Le Toux ) 86 | ||
| DC — Clyde Simms 1 (Rodney Wallace ) 89 | ||
| Discipline: | ||
| SEA — Patrick Ianni (caution; Tactical Foul) 24 | ||
| SEA — Leonardo Gonzalez (caution; Tactical Foul) 49 | ||
| DC — Josh Wicks (ejection; Violent Conduct) 69 | ||
| SEA — Peter Vagenas (caution; Tactical Foul) 79 | ||
| Game Stats | ||
| Seattle Sounders FC | D.C. United | |
| Total Shots: | 15 | 18 |
| Shots on Goal: | 7 | 7 |
| Total Saves: | 6 | 5 |
| Fouls: | 13 | 4 |
| Offsides: | 2 | 1 |
| Corner Kicks: | 5 | 5 |
