2009 U.S. Open Cup final
Event | 2009 U.S. Open Cup | ||||||
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| |||||||
Date | September 2, 2009 | ||||||
Venue | 2010 → |
The 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final was played on September 2, 2009, at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C. The match determined the winner of the 2009 U.S. Open Cup, a tournament open to amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation. This was the 96th edition of the oldest competition in United States soccer. The match was won by Seattle Sounders FC, who defeated D.C. United 2–1. Clyde Simms scored D.C. United's only goal. Fredy Montero and Roger Levesque scored Seattle's two goals as the club became the second expansion team in Major League Soccer (MLS) history to win the tournament in their inaugural season.
D.C. United entered the tournament as the competition's defending champions. They had previously won the tournament in 1996 as well. Both Sounders FC and D.C. United had to play through two qualification rounds for MLS teams before entering the official tournament. Prior to the final, there was a public dispute between the owners of the two clubs regarding the selection of D.C. United to host it at their home field, RFK Stadium.
As the tournament champions, Sounders FC earned a berth in the preliminary round of the 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League. The club also received a $100,000 cash prize, while D.C. United received $50,000 as the runner-up.
Road to the final
The U.S. Open Cup is an annual American soccer competition open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League Soccer (MLS), which has teams in the United States and Canada. In 2009, Major League Soccer was allowed to enter eight of its U.S.-based teams in the tournament. The top six MLS teams from the previous season qualified automatically, while the remaining two spots were determined by preliminary qualification matches. The eight MLS entries began play in the third round of the tournament.[2]
In 2009, MLS expanded into the Seattle market adding a new team to the league, Seattle Sounders FC. As an expansion team, they had to play through the qualification matches before entering the tournament.[3] Likewise, D.C. United did not finish among the top six 2008 MLS teams, and therefore had to play through qualification rounds before entering the official tournament.[4]
Sounders FC
On April 28, 2009, Sounders FC defeated Real Salt Lake 4–1 in their first qualification match.
On July 1, 2009, Sounders FC traveled to Portland and defeated the
D.C. United
MLS clubs were first included in the U.S. Open Cup tournament in 1996. D.C. United won the tournament that year, and repeated their success in 2008.[12] In 2009, the club began its title defense in the MLS qualification rounds.[13] This meant that they had to win six games instead of the four needed to obtain the cup in 2008.[4]
In their first qualifying match on March 28, 2009, they hosted
On June 30, 2009, D.C. United began official cup competition against the
Pre-match
Venue selection
Both Seattle Sounders FC and D.C. United submitted bids to U.S. Soccer to host the final. D.C. United's bid included a proposal to host the match at RFK Stadium, their home stadium in Washington, D.C. with a capacity of 45,596. Sounders FC's bid proposed to host the match at Qwest Field, their home stadium in Seattle, with a capacity of 32,400 for soccer matches. The procedure for selecting the winning bid was kept private.[12] When D.C. United's bid was chosen,[21] Sounders FC general manager Adrian Hanauer expressed skepticism that it had been better than the Seattle bid. He further noted that if Seattle had hosted the match, it likely would have sold out.[22] This prompted a reply from D.C. United president Kevin Payne, who argued that D.C. United had won the bidding process fairly, and said that he was offended by Hanauer's comments.[23] Following this public disagreement, D.C. United launched a marketing campaign to sell more match tickets, which included a new web site, WeWinTrophies.com, which chronicled the club's history of titles as an original MLS franchise. The campaign also included an open letter in local newspapers stating that Sounders FC and its fans did not think D.C. deserved to host the match and declared D.C. fans as "the standard" for support in the league. Videos from local celebrities were posted on the team's official blog urging fans to attend the final. Ticket discounts and special pricing on concessions for the match were also announced as part of the special marketing effort for the cup final.[21]
Analysis
I think both teams are coming into the game with an attacking mindset and I think the strength of both teams lies in the attacking part of the field. We expect a game that's going to be entertaining and open.
Sigi Schmid, Seattle Sounders FC Head Coach[24]
Prior to meeting in the U.S. Open Cup final, Sounders FC and D.C. United had met only once, on June 17 at Qwest Field in Seattle.[25] In that meeting, Sounders FC squandered a 3–1 second half lead by allowing D.C. United to score two goals late in the match. It ended in a 3–3 tie.[26]
Since 1996, when MLS teams were first included in the tournament, the home team had won nine times and lost only twice in the final match.[25] Commenting on what his team brings to the game, Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid stated, "We bring a clean slate. We haven't had any negative experiences in championship games, so we want to just build up a positive legacy for our team and we know we have a chance to make some history for our team. Every player knows that and that's something we want to try and do."[24] D.C. United had previously won the U.S. Open Cup twice in 1996 and 2008 and this was their fourth appearance ever in the tournament final.[26] D.C. United president Kevin Payne simply stated, "We want to win anything we enter."[27]
Sounders FC general manager Adrian Hanauer commented on his club's desire to win the cup and a berth into the
Match
The 2009 U.S. Open Cup Final was played on September 2 at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C.
First half
Both clubs had used a mix of reserve players and starting (first choice) players in previous tournament matches, but for the final neither team used reserve players in their starting lineups. Seattle took the field in a 4-4-2 formation while D.C United was in a 3-4-3 formation.[31] The match kicked off at 7:37 pm local time.[28]
Five minutes into the match, D.C. United first-year player Chris Pontius had the first chance of the evening as he pushed past Sounders FC defender
Second half
As the players took the field for the second half, D.C. coach
Despite being down a man, D.C. United controlled possession of the ball as the match progressed towards full-time.
In the end, Sounders FC was able to withstand D.C.'s late push for a 2–1 victory, becoming the second MLS expansion team in league history (
Match details
D.C. United | 1–2 | Seattle Sounders FC |
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Simms 89' | Report | Montero 67' Levesque 86' |
Washington, D.C.
D.C. United
|
Seattle Sounders FC
|
|
|
Man of the Match:[34]
Referee:[1]
|
Statistics
- Overall[28]
D.C. United | Sounders FC | |
---|---|---|
Goals scored | 1 | 2 |
Total shots | 18 | 15 |
Shots on target | 7 | 7 |
Saves | 5 | 6 |
Corner kicks | 5 | 5 |
Fouls committed | 4 | 13 |
Offsides | 1 | 2 |
Yellow cards | 0 | 3 |
Red cards | 1 | 0 |
Post match
In the post-game press conference, Josh Wicks discussed his ejection, saying: "It was a mistake on my part and I've got to learn my lesson. The fourth official made a call and the ref made the final decision. That was it. I've got no excuses for it. Tremendously, very, very disappointing."[35] One month after the stomping incident, U.S. Soccer announced that Wicks would be suspended from the U.S. Open Cup tournament for five matches.[36]
After the victory, many Sounders FC fans gathered at
By winning the U.S. Open Cup tournament, Sounders FC earned a berth in the preliminary round of the 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League.[1] Seattle also received the winner's $100,000 cash prize, while D.C. United received $50,000 as the tournament runner-up.[39] Kevin Forrest, whose game-winning goal against Colorado allowed Sounders FC to qualify for the tournament, received a share of the prize money and a medal, despite being released by the team before the final.[40]
In January 2010, the club's success in the U.S. Open Cup tournament was listed among the many reasons the Washington State Senate passed a resolution honoring Sounders FC.[41]
On October 5, 2010, Seattle returned to the
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Seattle Sounders FC Become Second MLS Expansion Team to Claim U.S. Open Cup Crown". United States Soccer Federation. September 2, 2009. Archived from the original on June 1, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2009.
- ^ "First And Second Round Pairings For 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Announced". United States Soccer Federation. May 27, 2009. Archived from the original on May 31, 2009. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
- ^ "Sounders FC to Host Real Salt Lake in Open Cup Play-In" (Press release). Sounders FC Public Relations. March 9, 2009. Archived from the original on March 12, 2009. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ a b Haydon, John (April 22, 2009). "United faces long road". The Washington Times. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
- ^ Romero, José Miguel (April 27, 2009). "Sigi Schmid quotes, 4–27–09". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2009.
- ^ Johns, Greg (May 7, 2009). "Colorado coach miffed at Sounders' playing facility". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Archived from the original on May 31, 2009. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
- ^ Winner, Andrew (April 29, 2009). "Sounders FC defeat RSL in US Open Cup qualifier". Major League Soccer. Retrieved April 9, 2010.
- ^ Gaschk, Matt (May 26, 2009). "US Open Cup – Colorado Rapids Match Report". Seattle Sounders FC. Archived from the original on October 16, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ Romero, José Miguel (July 2, 2009). "Sounders FC cuts down Portland 2–1 in spirited battle of Northwest rivals". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ Romero, José Miguel (July 8, 2009). "Sounders FC earns 1–0 victory over Kansas City Wizards in Open Cup". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ Romero, José Miguel (July 21, 2009). "Sounders beat Dynamo in Open Cup semis, 2–1". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ a b Goff, Steven (September 2, 2009). "United, Sounders Add Heat to U.S. Open Cup Final". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ "D.C. United set to host U.S. Open Cup play-in game" (Press release). D.C. United. February 25, 2009. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ Snear, Chris (April 22, 2009). "FC Dallas fall to United in Open Cup play-in match". Major League Soccer. Retrieved April 9, 2010.
- ^ Boehm, Charles (May 20, 2009). "United earn 2009 US Open Cup berth". Major League Soccer. Retrieved April 9, 2010.
- ^ Goff, Steven (July 1, 2009). "D.C. United Scrapes Past Ocean City in U.S. Open Cup Match". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
- ^ Boehm, Charles (June 30, 2009). "Substitutes lead United past Barons". Major League Soccer. Retrieved April 9, 2010.
- ^ "Official Match Information – Harrisburg City Islanders at DC United". United Soccer Leagues. July 7, 2009. Archived from the original on May 8, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ Daly, Danny (July 22, 2009). "Late goal lifts United". The Washington Times. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
- ^ Boehm, Charles (July 22, 2009). "Late goal lifts United into Open Cup final". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on July 25, 2009. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ a b c Romero, José Miguel (August 31, 2009). "U.S. Open Cup has been battle, and that's just on final site". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 10, 2009.
- ^ Ruiz, Don (July 22, 2009). "Hanauer defends Sounders' failed Open Cup bid". The News Tribune. Archived from the original on September 17, 2009. Retrieved September 11, 2009.
- ^ Steve, Goff (July 23, 2009). "Payne Responds to Sounders". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 2, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2009.
- ^ a b "Seattle Sounders Head Coach Sigi Schmid Pre-Match Quote Sheet". United States Soccer Federation. September 1, 2009. Archived from the original on June 1, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
- ^ a b "2009 U.S. Open Cup Final-Seattle Sounders vs. D.C. United Game Notes". United States Soccer Federation. September 1, 2009. Archived from the original on June 1, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
- ^ a b "Sounders, DC United vie for US Open Cup". Major League Soccer. September 2, 2009. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
- ^ a b Romero, José Miguel (September 1, 2009). "Sounders FC playing for U.S. Open Cup trophy". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Gaschk, Matt (September 2, 2009). "U.S. Open Cup – DC United Match Report". Seattle Sounders FC. Archived from the original on September 4, 2009. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Sounders top United 2–1 to win Open Cup Final". AmericanSoccerNews.net. September 3, 2009. Archived from the original on September 9, 2009. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ Steinberg, Dan (September 3, 2009). "Sounders Fans Take On D.C." The Washington Post. Retrieved April 16, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Boehm, Charles (September 2, 2009). "United falls to Sounders in Open Cup final". D.C. United. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ Romero, José Miguel (September 2, 2009). "Sounders FC win U.S. Open Cup". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 10, 2009.
- ^ a b Romero, José Miguel (September 2, 2009). "Tonight's lineups: Le Toux, Vagenas start". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ Hakala, Josh (September 14, 2009). "Kasey Keller named TheCup.us Player of the Tournament, Fredy Montero MVP of Final". TheCup.us. Archived from the original on October 26, 2009. Retrieved October 11, 2009.
- ^ Romero, José Miguel (September 2, 2009). "Reviewing tonight's Open Cup match". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 28, 2010.
- ^ Goff, Steven (October 5, 2009). "Wicks Suspended 5 Games". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ Romero, José Miguel (September 4, 2009). "Sounders FC fans welcome the team home from Open Cup". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ Romero, José Miguel (September 16, 2009). "Sounders FC practice, 9–16–09". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
- ^ Bell, Jack (September 3, 2009). "Sounders Grab a Trophy". The New York Times. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ Romero, José Miguel (October 9, 2009). "Kevin Forrest gets medal from Sounders FC". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ "Senate Resolution 8667" (PDF). Washington State Legislature. January 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 19, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ Mayers, Joshua (October 5, 2010). "Sounders FC keeps U.S. Open Cup". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on October 9, 2010. Retrieved October 9, 2010.
- ^ Mayers, Joshua (September 13, 2010). "You've done it again – 22,000 tickets sold for Open Cup final". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on September 15, 2010. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
External links
- Video Highlights on YouTube
- Sounders FC Video Report