MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC Falls to Sporting KC in U.S. Open Cup Final

Published on August 9, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


KANSAS CITY, Kansas - Sounders FC fell to Sporting Kansas City in penalty kicks, 3-2, in the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. Zach Scott scored the lone goal in regulation for Seattle as the club's attempt at a record fourth straight Open Cup title was denied.

After Brad Evans and Marc Burch converted the first two penalty kicks, Sounders FC failed to convert their final three attempts. Seattle goalkeeper Michael Gspurning appeared to save Sporting's final attempt by Paulo Nagamura, but was whistled for coming off the line and Nagamura netted the retake.

Kansas City scored first in the 84th minute on a Kei Kamara penalty kick after Seattle was whistled for a hand ball in the box. Kamara converted low and to the left to give Sporting a 1-0 lead.

Just two minutes later, Seattle equalized when a Mauro Rosales free kick found Scott in the box, who rose in traffic and headed it into the back of the net. It was Scott's first goal in 11 Open Cup games for Sounders FC and the first career assist in Open Cup play for Rosales.

Following 30 minutes of scoreless extra time, Seattle advanced to penalty kicks for just the second time in franchise history. Seattle defeated Portland, 4-3 in penalties, in the third round of the 2010 Open Cup.

Kamara converted Kansas City's opening kick despite Gspurning getting his hands to it. Roger Espinoza's low shot was smothered by Gsrpurning, Matt Besler converted, and Graham Zusi's sailed high before Nagamura was able to convert his second of two chances.

After Evans and Burch converted, Osvaldo Alonso sailed his shot over the crossbar. Sporting keeper Jimmy Nielsen then stopped Christian Tiffert's low attempt, and Eddie Johnson blasted the potential game-winner over the goal.

The last Open Cup final decided by penalty kicks was in 1997 when the Dallas Burn topped DC United in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Gspurning made five saves in addition to not allowing an open play goal. In the 94th minute, Kamara got off a hard shot from outside the box on the left side, but the six-foot-five Austrian punched it away.

Sounders FC returns to action this Saturday when they travel to San Jose to take on the league-leading Earthquakes. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. PT at Buck Shaw Stadium.

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Major League Soccer Stories from August 9, 2012


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