TUKWILA, Wash. — Playing time has been hard to come by for Marcus Hahnemann this season.
So it probably makes sense that he’s making the most of the time he does get.
The veteran goalkeeper was credited with three saves during the run of play in Tuesday’s US Open Cup match against the San Jose Earthquakes, but it was his stop of JJ Koval in the penalty shootout that all but assured the Sounders’ place in the quarterfinals. That comes on the heels of a shutout in the previous round.
“It’s awesome,” said Hahnemann, who enjoyed a celebratory beer on the field. “I felt like I was at fault for the first goal that I let in: just got wrong-footed by [Steven] Lenhart, and he put a good shot and I couldn’t even get after it. It was past me, and then you’re sitting there going — the worst thing you can do is try and make up for it.
"So I didn’t come and chase many crosses and do anything stupid like when I was 22 years old, what I would have done. You have a little bit more experience when you’re 42.”
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Aside from Lenhart’s blast, Hahnemann was only rarely tested prior to the shootout. He did need to make one big save in order to get get the game there, though. The Earthquakes won a free kick just outside the penalty area in the 110th minute, and the big-footed Khari Stephenson stood over it. Stephenson’s low shot got through the wall, but Hahnemann dove to his right and parried it away.
Once in the shootout, Hahnemann showed he still has a bit left in the tank even at 42. With the Sounders already holding a 3-1 advantage after Alan Gordon had put his attempt off the post, Hahnemann dove to his right and stuffed Koval’s attempt. Hahnemann held the ball for a second and kissed it before tossing back onto the field.
Lamar Neagle officially clinched the win on the following kick.
“Marcus, even in training, he’s great at PKs,” Neagle said. “So I was pretty confident going in, even though I didn’t really want to [have to go to the penalty shootout].”
The Sounders will now face the Portland Timbers in the quarterfinals on July 9, the first time the rivals have met in the Open Cup since Portland became an MLS squad in 2011.
