TUKWILA, Wash. — The Seattle Sounders will defend their US Open Cup. The defending champions overcame Chivas USA 3-1 in Wednesday's night's semifinal in front of a sold-out crowd of 4,547 at the Starfire Sports Complex, booking themselves a return trip to next month's final.
Nate Jaqua and Fredy Montero, off assists from Steve Zakuani, scored Seattle’s first two goals. Jesus Padilla pulled one back for Chivas USA before Jaqua closed the scoring in stoppage time.
For the second consecutive year, two MLS teams will face each other in the final. The Columbus Crew await Seattle after defeating D.C. United 2-1 on a Guillermo Barros Schelotto goal in the first overtime period in Wednesday's other semifinal.
In Tukwila, the home of Seattle’s training grounds, both Chivas USA and Seattle fielded full-strength starting lineups. The only major changes for the Sounders came in the center of defense, where Taylor Graham and Tyrone Marshall stepped in for Jeff Parke and Patrick Ianni. Nate Jaqua started for Blaise Nkufo, who was not in the 18-man roster.
In the 10th minute, Jaqua scored Seattle’s first goal off an assist from Zakuani. After his initial run towards goal was redirected, Zakuani beat his defender by tip-toeing along the Chivas USA touchline. A short cross to Jaqua was sent home from only a couple yards away.
Seattle had the better of the game early. Chivas USA goalkeeper Zach Thornton had to dive to his right to deny Zakuani a goal, palming away a shot in the 26th minute. Seattle had another good chance in the 29th, but Álvaro Fernández mishit his shot wide.
Even with Braun in the starting lineup, Chivas failed to mount a consistent offensive attack in the first half. They did not record a shot until the 38th minute, when Braun picked off a Seattle pass and tried his luck from a sharp angle. Ante Jazic had a header a few minutes later, but it was saved by Kasey Keller.
Seattle almost got a second goal before halftime. Thornton failed to handle a Seattle free kick, but the ball trickled just wide with Montero and Jaqua in pursuit. The Chivas USA netminder was under pressure again in the 44th, denying James Riley at the near post.
Jonathan Bornstein came off at halftime, replaced by Michael Lahoud in the right midfield. Marcelo Saragosa came off in the 54th for Padilla. The moves corresponded with some better spells of possession for the visitors. Neither team could really keep the ball for long stretches, but perhaps that was a reflection of the compressed dimensions of the playing surface.
Chivas USA’s task became tougher after Seattle doubled their lead in the 58th minute. Zakuani set that goal up with another strong run down the left against Goats’ defender Mariano Trujillo, sending in a cross that was finished by Montero.
The visitors pulled one back on a first time finish from Padilla in the 68th. The midfielder ran on to a chested through ball from Braun to finish in the penalty area.
Zakuani had a chance to add an insurance goal after a nice run from substitute Michael Seamon, but his header went just wide. Jaqua, however, didn't miss in stoppage time, converting a cross from second-half substitute Roger Levesque.
The Sounders will host Columbus in the final at Qwest Field on Oct. 5, at 11 p.m. ET.
