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It was the Sounders’ third consecutive Open Cup championship. No Major League Soccer team had ever done that, and no team of any kind has ever won more consecutively.
Seattle won in 2009 over D.C. United, and in 2010 against the Columbus Crew.
“Obviously we’re very pleased to win three in a row. It was a hard-fought game,” said Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid.
Their three-peat against the Fire came after controlling the game everywhere but on the scoreboard for most of its length. Despite that, the clubs remained scoreless until Fredy Montero sent in a goal in the 78th minute.
Osvaldo Alonso provided an insurance goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
Around the 77th minute, the Sounders unleashed an offensive flurry with several good chances on the attacking third. That sequence led to the corner kick that proved to be the difference.
Eric Friberg sent the ball into the middle of the box, where defender Jeff Parke headed it on goal. Chicago keeper Sean Johnson made the save but couldn’t control the carom. The ball made its way to the foot of Montero, who sent it into the back of the net. Parke was credited with an assist.
Alonso settled it in the final seconds, working his way through the box and finally sending the ball into an open net past Chicago defenders and the keeper Johnson, who had been caught out of position.
Earlier, Seattle had a quality look in the fifth minute when Fucito got into the penalty area and sent a shot into the side netting. Late in the first half and early in the second, Montero sent balls off the uprights.
It continued that way, with the specter of added time and perhaps penalty kicks looming, until the breakthrough in the 78th minute.
The game was played in front of a U.S. Open Cup record crowd 35,615. The previous record was 31,311, set in the 2010 final in Seattle.
“To be able to win a cup at any time is a tremendous feeling. … Whenever you get a chance to lift a cup, you know it’s a special occasion,” said Sounders goalkeeper Kasey Keller.
With the result, the Sounders get their third major trophy – all Open Cups. They remain in contention this season for MLS Cup, Supporters Shield and CONCACAF Champions League. They also own the supporters-sponsored Cascadia Cup for winning the round robin between themselves, the Portland Timbers and the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Their Open Cup victory is expected to again earn their entry into the 2012 Champions League.
The Sounders return to MLS regular-season play at 7 p.m. Saturday when the Philadelphia Union visits CenturyLink.
Don Ruiz: 253-597-8808 don.ruiz@thenewstribune.com twitter/donruiztnt blog.thenewstribune.com/soccer
