Ever since entering MLS in 2009, Sounders FC has been synonymous with success in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. After winning the country’s oldest soccer competition in its first three years as an MLS club (2009-11), the Rave Green tied the MLS record last season when it took home the trophy for a fourth time, defeating the Philadelphia Union 3-1 at PPL Park in the final. Sounders FC has only failed to miss the final once (2013), after falling on penalty kicks to Sporting Kansas City in the 2012 championship match.
On Thursday, U.S. Soccer announced that Sounders FC would take on rival Portland Timbers in the Fourth Round (when all MLS teams enter) of the 2015 tournament on Tuesday, June 16 at Starfire Stadium. This marks the fourth time Sounders FC has taken on the Timbers in Open Cup play since 2009, and the second with both teams in MLS. Last season, Seattle took down Portland 3-1 in the Quarterfinal thanks to extra-time goals by Kenny Cooper and Marco Pappa. Previously, Sounders FC beat the USL Timbers 2-1 in the 2009 Third Round and advanced via PKs following a 1-1 draw in the 2010 Third Round.
The Rave Green are 15-0-1 all-time in Open Cup matches at Starfire Stadium. The lone draw came in last year’s Fifth Round against the San Jose Earthquakes, but Sounders FC would advance via penalty kicks. Overall, Seattle is 21-1-3 all-time in the USOC.
