Sounders FC vs. Philadelphia Union
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final
Tuesday, September 16; 4:30 pm PT; PPL Park
TV: GolTV
Sounders FC is on the road in pursuit of the U.S. Open Cup title on Tuesday night against the Philadelphia Union.
Here are three things to know before the final kicks off at PPL Park.
OPEN CUP SCORING KINGS
Since 1996, no player has scored more goals in U.S. Open Cup play than Philadelphia Union forward Sebastien Le Toux. The former Seattle player with both the USL and MLS Sounders scored 11 of those goals in a Seattle uniform – 10 in two seasons in the USL and one in MLS. However, Sounders FC forward Kenny Cooper shares the MLS record with 13 goals in 13 appearances in the Open Cup. Those two, who played together in 2012 with the New York Red Bulls, have both found great success in the Open Cup tournament. However, Cooper is still looking for his first Open Cup title, while Le Toux won the tournament in 2009 with Sounders FC.
RECORD-TYING OPPORTUNITY
Sounders FC won three U.S. Open Cup titles in the club’s first three seasons. That success put Seattle second among MLS clubs behind just the Chicago Fire’s four championships. A win on Tuesday would equal that total, but would also do so while playing in five championship matches over six seasons, whereas Chicago took nine seasons to win its fourth Open Cup title.
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
Sounders FC supporters always travel en masse to road matches from coast-to-coast. The Open Cup final is no different, as 250 fans in Rave Green are expected at PPL Park to support Sounders FC in its quest to lift the Open Cup a fourth time. Back home in Seattle, there are plenty of places for fans to congregate and watch the final as well. Sounders FC is hosting its official viewing party at Market Arms in Ballard, but that’s far from the only event in town. ECS will have viewing parties at Temple Billiards, Fuel Sports Eats and Beats and The Atlantic Crossing; Gorilla FC will be at 95 Slide; Eastside Supporters will be at Snoqualmie Falls Brewing Company; and there will be more at Doyle’s Public House in Tacoma, George And Dragon Pub in Seattle, Fado Irish Pub in Seattle and the all-ages Rookies Bar and Grill in Seattle.
