Sounders Host The Kansas City Wizards Qwest Field In Quarterfinals Of Open Cup

July 7, 2008 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Seattle Sounders News Release


(Seattle, Wa)- The United Soccer League First Division Seattle Sounders return to Qwest Field for the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer, Tuesday, July 8. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

The Sounders advanced to their second consecutive U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal by defeating MLS' CD Chivas USA in round three, 2-0, behind a Taylor Graham header from a Josh Gardner corner in the 43rd minute. Sebastien Le Toux provided the cushion in the 80th, beating the onrush of goalkeeper Brad Guzan to place the ball in an empty net. The goal was Le Toux's tournament-leading fifth. Chris Eylander, who had six saves in the shutout, has yet to give up a goal in this year's tournament.

In the 2007 quarterfinal played at Qwest Field, Seattle defeated the Colorado Rapids 5-0. It was the worst loss suffered by an MLS team in the Open Cup.

Tuesday night's match marks the second all-time meeting between Kansas City and Seattle. In a friendly played April 7, 2007, Kansas City defeated Seattle, 3-2.

In round three, the Wizards rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat the USL-1 Carolina RailHawks in extra time, 4-2. Forwards Ivan Trujillo (Michael Harrington, 68; Claudio Lopez, 94) and Lopez (penalty kick, 82) starred in the victory after coming on in the second half.

Tickets are on sale at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are $17 in advance of the game, and $20 on the day of the game. $15 group tickets are available by calling 206-381-7908.

About the Kansas City Wizards

The Kansas City Wizards enter their thirteenth season in Major League Soccer looking to continue the attacking mentality brought to the team in 2007 and playing for the first time outside of Arrowhead Stadium, at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, KS. Going into 2008, the team continues the new direction of both the business side and the soccer side of the team under Technical Director Peter Vermes, Head Coach Curt Onalfo and OnGoal LLC.

Kansas City is currently in last place (4-5-5, 17 points) in the Eastern Conference of MLS; a conference that features only four teams over .500 in MLS (New England, Columbus, D.C. United and Chicago). The team most recently drew 1-1 with FC Dallas on Saturday night.

Forward Claudio Lopez leads the Wizards in points with three goals and two assists. In goal is Kevin Hartman, who in 2007 broke Tony Meola's all-time MLS shutouts record. Hartman also has the most victories of any goalkeeper in MLS history.

U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal Capsules (PST)

Crystal Palace Baltimore (USL-2) at New England Revolution (MLS) Veterans Stadium, Willow Brook Park; New Britain, Conn. - 4:00 p.m.

Chicago Fire (MLS) at DC United (MLS) Maryland SoccerPlex; Boyds, Md. - 7:30 p.m.

Charleston Battery (USL-1) at FC Dallas (MLS) Pizza Hut Park; Frisco, Texas - 8:30 p.m.

Kansas City Wizards (MLS) at Seattle Sounders (USL-1) Qwest Field; Seattle, Wash. - 10:00 p.m

Things you should know about the Quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup

In 2007, the USL-1 had three teams in the quarterfinals (Carolina, Charleston, Seattle), the most ever. That same year, only three MLS teams advanced to the quarterfinal round, which was the fewest in the tournament's history. Also for the first time ever, two USL-2 teams (Richmond Kickers, Harrisburg City Islanders) made the round of eight.

The Carolina RailHawks and the Seattle Sounders won their quarterfinal matches in 2007, marking only the second time two USL First Division teams had made it to the semifinals in the same year. In 1999, the Charleston Battery and the Rochester Raging Rhinos both made the semis, with Rochester eventually winning the tournament.

The USL First Division has been represented in the quarterfinals by at least one team in all but two tournaments (2000, 2006).

Sounders Ties

Sounders defender Taylor Graham was drafted 33rd overall in the 2003 MLS Super Draft by the Wizards, and was signed to a developmental contract. He played two seasons (2003-04) with the team.

Seattle Sounders FC of MLS technical director, Chris Henderson, played for Kansas City (1999-2000) and returned as an assistant coach last season (2007). He was a key member of the 2000 MLS Cup champion Wizards team, scoring nine goals and nine assists.

Potential Semifinal U.S. Open Cup

Victory means the Sounders will face the winner of the MLS FC Dallas vs. USL-1 Charleston Battery in the semifinals August 12. If FC Dallas wins, the game will be played in Seattle at Qwest Field. If the Battery wins, the game will be played in Charleston.



USL First Division Stories from July 7, 2008


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