After traveling across the country for its lone match in the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Sounders FC got word on Tuesday that it would host its first two matches in the tournament if Seattle can advance past PSA Elite in the fourth round on June 18.
If Sounders FC tops the USASA club in their meeting at Starfire Sports Complex, Seattle will host the winner of the match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Sacramento Republic in the fifth round on June 24.
Both coaches of potential fifth-round opponents have ties to the Puget Sound, as San Jose's Mark Watson played for the Sounders in the A-League in 1997, while Sacramento Head Coach Preki was a legend with the Tacoma Stars from 1985-1990.
Limited tickets remain available for Seattle's fourth-round match with PSA Elite.
Sounders FC has won the U.S. Open Cup three times from 2009-2011 and appeared in a fourth final in 2012.
OBA EYES PLAYER OF THE MONTH TITLE
After Clint Dempsey won Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month honors for April, Seattle forward Obafemi Martins is up for the award for May. Martins had three goals and two assists to help Sounders FC to a 4-1-1 record in the month to strengthen its hold on first place in the race for the Supporters' Shield.
Fan voting at MLSsoccer.com remains open until 11:59 PT on Wednesday and the winner will be announced on Thursday.
The other four players nominated are Sporting Kansas City's Dom Dwyer (6 goals in 7 games, though KC went just 2-3-2), D.C. United forward Fabian Espindola (3 goals and 2 assists in 6 games, going 3-2-1), New England's Diego Fagundez (4 goals and 2 assists in a 4-1-0 month) and Javier Morales (4 goals and 3 assists for 3-1-1 Real Salt Lake).
FROM SPORTING KC TO SPORTING LISBON
One year after signing Sounders FC forward Fredy Montero, Sporting Lisbon has dipped into the MLS pool again, this time signing Sporting Kansas City midfielder Uri Rosell on Tuesday.
Rosell, 21, came to Kansas City late in the 2012 season and played 43 matches there over three seasons. He becomes the second mid-season transfer for KC in as many seasons after Kei Kamara left for Middlesbrough in England last year.
INJURY UPDATE
Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid gave an injury update at training on Tuesday as Seattle prepares for the last match leading up to the World Cup break on Saturday against the Chicago Fire.
Three players were injured in a Reserve League match against the LA Galaxy II and defender Djimi Traore remains out for Saturday's match after straining an adductor against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on May 24.
Andy Rose had surgery on Tuesday to repair his meniscus, according to Schmid, and should be out for 3-6 weeks. Dylan Remick pulled an adductor and isn't likely to return until after the World Cup break, and Tristan Bowen suffered a concussion and is going through the league's protocol.
