2012 U.S. Open Cup final
Event | 2012 U.S. Open Cup | ||||||
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2013 → |
The 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final was played on August 8, 2012 at Livestrong Sporting Park, now known as
The Seattle Sounders FC were in their fourth-consecutive U.S. Open Cup Final, a feat that had not been accomplished since 1937. Seattle won the cup in its previous three appearances and was attempting to win a fourth consecutive championship.[1]
As Open Cup champions, Kansas City earned a $100,000 cash prize and a berth into the
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). The 2011 tournament was the 98th edition of the oldest soccer tournament in the United States.[2]
In contrast to previous years, for the 2012 edition of the tournament, all US-based MLS teams qualified automatically for the tournament.[2] Previously, only 8 teams from MLS could qualify for the tournament, six automatically based on the previous year's league results, and two more via a play-in tournament.[3] Both Seattle Sounders FC and Sporting Kansas City were automatically entered in the tournament for 2012.
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC won the
Sounders FC began their title defense against the
In the fourth round, Seattle faced amateur side Cal FC, coached by former U.S. national team star Eric Wynalda.[9] Cal FC had qualified for the tournament through the USASA regional qualification process. In the tournament they upset several teams, including the Portland Timbers of MLS–shutting them out 1-0–prior to facing Sounders FC.[10] The fourth round match was played on June 5, 2012 at Starfire in front of a crowd of 3,894.[11] Because of the uniqueness of an amateur team making it so deep in the tournament and then facing the 3-time defending champion Seattle, the match was televised nationally on Fox Soccer.[10] Cal FC kept the game close during the first half keeping the score 0–0 at halftime. However, Seattle would not be denied in the second half finally taking the lead in the 50th minute on a penalty kick by Osvaldo Alonso. Sounders FC went on to score 4 more goals with forward Fredy Montero scoring two, Andy Rose with one, and Osvaldo Alonso with his second of the game. The match ended with a final score of 5–0.[11]
Just the chance isn't good enough for us .... We want this one, so let's make history.
Brad Evans, Sounders FC midfielder[12]
In the quarterfinals, Sounders FC went on the road to face MLS side
In their semifinal match, Seattle hosted Chivas USA of the MLS at Starfire on July 11, 2012 in front of 4,500 spectators. Sounders FC forward Eddie Johnson scored the only goal of the first half off of a well placed pass through the Chivas back line. Shortly after the second half kicked off, Seattle forward Fredy Montero was pulled down in the box and a penalty was awarded. Osvaldo Alonso took the penalty kick and scored by chipping the ball over the diving goal keeper. Chivas brought the difference back to one goal in the 74th minute when forward Cesar Romero scored. However, Seattle sealed the win with two more goals by Brad Evans and Sammy Ochoa. The final score of 4–1 ensured that Sounders FC would return to the U.S. Open cup final for the fourth straight year.[15]
Sporting Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City previously had won the U.S. Open Cup in
Like Seattle and all fellow MLS sides, Kansas City began their Open Cup campaign on May 29, 2012 playing in the third round proper. Sporting hosted
One week later, Sporting Kansas City would play host to fellow MLS side, Colorado Rapids for the fourth round fixture of the Open Cup. Played in front of an announced crowd of 14,868, the June 5 affair saw Kansas City come away as 2–0 victors over the Rapids. The first goal for Sporting came in the 27th minute off of an own goal from Colorado goalkeeper, Matt Pickens. Late in the second half, a 79th-minute strike from Sporting's Teal Bunbury gave Kansas City the insurance goal to secure themselves a berth into the quarterfinals of the competition.
Pre-match
Venue selection
With the rule changes for 2012, through the semifinal round of the tournament the home team was determined by coin flip if both teams had facilities available that met tournament standards.[16][17] However, hosting rights for the semifinal and final rounds of the tournament were determined through a blind bid process.[16] Prior to the semifinals, it was announced that if Kansas City and Seattle both won their semifinals (which they did), that Kansas City would host the final at Livestrong Sporting Park.[18] It was later reported that the Kansas City and Seattle bids to host the final had been "identical" and that a coin flip had been used to determine hosting rights.[19] Seattle's CenturyLink Field had been used to host the 2010 and 2011 finals and had set the attendance record for the final at 36,615 in 2011.[20] By comparison, Kansas City's Livestrong Sporting Park has a capacity of 18,467.[21] It was reported on the day of the final, that the stadium had not yet sold out.[22]
Match
The match was televised live on GOL TV.[22]
Seattle took the field in a 4-4-2 formation while Sporting KC was in a 4-5-1 formation.[23]
Following a half-hour extra time period, the two sides went into a
Match details
Sporting Kansas City | 1–1 | Seattle Sounders FC |
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Kamara 84' (pen.) | Report | Scott 86' |
Penalties | ||
Kamara Espinoza Besler Zusi Nagamura |
3 – 2 | Evans Burch Alonso Tiffert Johnson |
Sporting Kansas City[24]
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Seattle Sounders
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Man of the Match:[25]
Referee:[24]
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References
- ^ "Sporting Kansas City, Seattle Sounders FC Advance to 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final". US Soccer Federation. July 11, 2012. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
- ^ a b "Format, Composition and Schedule Finalized for 99th Edition of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup". US Soccer Federation. January 11, 2012. Archived from the original on May 16, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
- ^ Nelson, Mark (March 28, 2011). "MLS 101: A primer on the 2011 tournament structure". Portland Timbers. Archived from the original on April 1, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
- ^ "Seattle Sounders Win Third Consecutive Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in Front of Record Crowd". US Soccer. October 5, 2011. Archived from the original on January 21, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
- ^ Mayers, Joshua (July 10, 2012). "Sounders play for chance to get into fourth consecutive U.S. Open Cup final". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 17, 2012.
- ^ Johns, Greg (May 7, 2009). "Colorado coach miffed at Sounders' playing facility". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Archived from the original on May 31, 2009. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
- ^ Mayers, Joshua (May 22, 2012). "Update: Sounders to host NASL's Atlanta Silverbacks in U.S. Open Cup third round". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 17, 2012.
- ^ Mayers, Joshua (May 30, 2012). "Ochoa's 2 goals power Sounders 5–1". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 17, 2012.
- ^ Mayers, Joshua (June 4, 2012). "Upstart Cal FC seeks another win against Sounders FC in U.S. Open Cup". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
- ^ a b Creditor, Avi (June 5, 2012). "Cal FC is a classic U.S. Open Cup success story, but not the only one". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
- ^ a b Mayers, Joshua (June 5, 2012). "Sounders roll past Cal FC, 5–0, in U.S. Open Cup play". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
- ^ Mayers, Joshua (July 12, 2012). "Brad Evans: "Just the chance isn't good enough for us ... We want this one, so let's make history."". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
- ^ a b Marcus, Richard J. (June 26, 2012). "Sounders fight their way to U.S. Open Cup win". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
- ^ Mayers, Joshua (June 25, 2012). "Sounders' quick recovery key to winning U.S. Open Cup game at San Jose". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
- ^ Mayers, Joshua (July 12, 2012). "Sounders FC routs Chivas USA in U.S. Open Cup semifinal". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
- ^ a b "Format, Composition and Schedule Finalized for 99th Edition of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup". US Soccer. January 11, 2012. Archived from the original on May 16, 2013. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
- ^ "2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal Possible Pairings Announced". US Soccer. June 2, 2012. Archived from the original on August 6, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
- ^ "2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Possible Pairings and Locations for Final Announced". US Soccer. July 6, 2012. Archived from the original on August 10, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
- ^ Mayers, Joshua (July 6, 2012). "GM Adrian Hanauer discusses Open Cup bids, poor league form and testing fans' patience". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
- ^ "Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup-Record crowd". FOX Chicago News. October 5, 2011. Archived from the original on October 21, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
- ^ "Sporting Club and Cisco Unveil Next Generation Fan Experience at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park". LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. June 7, 2011. Retrieved June 10, 2011.
- ^ a b Gooch, Charles (August 8, 2012). "U.S. Open Cup Preview: 8.8.12". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
- ^ "Matchcenter:Starting Formations". Major League Soccer. August 8, 2012. Archived from the original on August 14, 2012. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Open Cup After Penalty Shootout Victory Against Three-Time Defending Champion Seattle Sounders FC". U.S. Soccer. August 8, 2012. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
- ^ Hakala, Josh (August 16, 2012). "Matt Besler leads Sporting KC defense to US Open Cup title, lands TheCup.us Player of the Round honor". TheCup.us. Retrieved September 3, 2012.