Battling Sounders find a way to advance in Open Cup

SAN FRANCISCO – Cordell Cato scored his first goal to lead Seattle Sounders FC past the San Jose Earthquakes, 1-0, in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal match at Kezar Stadium on Tuesday night.

Sounders Press Release

 

Sounders FC advanced to the semifinals where Seattle will host Chivas USA on Tuesday, July 10, at Starfire Sports Stadium in Tukwila, Wash. Chivas USA scored a stoppage-time winner to beat the Charlotte Eagles, 2-1, on Tuesday night.

Seattle remains unbeaten (16-0-1) all-time in Open Cup play. The club is vying to become the first team in the 99-year history of the tournament to win four consecutive titles.

Cordell Cato scores the winner early on and the Sounders battled past the San Jose Earthquakes into the US Open Cup semifinals Tuesday night in San Francisco. (Sounders Facebook)

Cato became the youngest player to score for Sounders FC when he struck in the 18th minute. Cato made a dangerous run up the right side, took the ball to the end line and, from a difficult angle, slid a powerful shot inside the far post.

The goal was Cato’s first as a member of Sounders FC, and the 19-year-old Trinidadian has now scored (one) or assisted (two) in all three Open Cup games this season.

Sounders FC goalkeeper Andrew Weber picked up his first win and shutout in his first Open Cup start with Seattle. Weber made 4 saves, including two stops in the 32nd and 34th minutes on a deflected shot and a Shea Salinas breakout, respectively.

Cato created a number of other scoring chances as Sounders FC looked to increase its lead. In the 37th minute, he got to the top of the box and sent a left-footed shot just wide of the far post for a goal kick. A minute later, he found Sammy Ochoa for a shot at the top of the box, but Quakes goalkeeper David Bingham made the save.

Over 7,000 fans showed up at ancient Kezar Stadium. (Sounders Facebook)

In the 46th minute, Cato got off a strong shot from the top right corner of the box but Bingham made a diving save.

 

Seattle has now outscored opponents 11-1 so far in the 2012 U.S. Open Cup. It was Seattle’s first road match and MLS opponent in this year’s tournament.

In other Open Cup play Tuesday night, Sporting KC defeated the Dayton Dutch Lions, 3-0, and the Philadelphia Union beat the Harrisburg City Islanders, 5-2. The Union will host Kansas City at PPL Park in the other Open Cup semifinal match on Wednesday, July 11.

Sounders FC returns to action Saturday with a road contest against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. PT on KONG 6/16.

Scoring Summary:

SEA – Cordell Cato 18′

Life imitates…life: The long tunnel at Kezar was not unlike the long stretch of seven matches without a win for the Sounders. In the end Seattle not only reached the end of the tunnel, but saw light with the victory. (Sounders Facebook)

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