MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Jaqua, Zakuani Lead Sounders to Open Cup Title Berth

Published on September 2, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


TUKWILA, WASH. - Nate Jaqua scored two goals and Steve Zakuani had two assists as the Seattle Sounders FC advanced to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championship with a 3-1 victory over Chivas USA in a semifinal match on Wednesday night at Starfire Sports Stadium.

Fredy Montero scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 58th minute, giving Seattle a 2-0 lead in front of a capacity crowd of 4,547.

Sounders FC will host the Columbus Crew in the Open Cup final on October 5 on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. Columbus defeated D.C. United, 2-1, in extra time on Wednesday night in the other semifinal match.

Tickets for the Cup Final will go on sale on Tuesday, September 7, at 10 a.m.

Jaqua staked Seattle to an early lead with a goal in the 11th minute. A Montero pass put Zakuani behind the Chivas USA defense on the left flank and he cut to the end line. Zakuani's cross met Jaqua in front of goal for a one-touch shot that beat keeper Zach Thornton.

It was the first time Sounders FC scored against Chivas USA. It was scoreless in four previous MLS matches.

The second goal was also created by Zakuani, who juked his defender and drove the ball low across the middle. Montero tapped it past Thornton from six yards out for his 12th goal in all competitions.

Chivas USA pulled a goal back in the 68th minute when Jesus Padilla converted on an assist from Justin Braun. Padilla had come on as a substitute 14 minutes earlier.

In stoppage time Jaqua sealed the victory with his second goal of the game and fifth of the tournament. Roger Levesque, who entered the match as a substitute in the 82nd minute, served a cross from the right flank that Jaqua headed home past a helpless Thornton.

Seattle held a commanding 19-10 (9-6 on goal) advantage in shots and 10-7 in corners. Kasey Keller made five saves in goal. Thornton stopped six shots.

Sounders FC is bidding to become the first repeat winner since 1982-83. It is undefeated (6-0-0) in competitive matches at Starfire Sports Stadium. It was the first win over Chivas USA in competitive play.

Sounders FC travels to Foxborough, Mass. on Saturday to face the New England Revolution in an MLS match at 4:30 p.m. PT. Sounders FC is back home on September 9 to play reigning MLS Cup champion Real Salt Lake in a nationally televised contest on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field.

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 2, 2010


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