SEATTLE, WASH. – U.S. Soccer today announced that Seattle Sounders FC is set to visit Sacramento Republic FC in the Fourth Round of the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, June 6. Kickoff time, broadcast and ticketing information are to be finalized at a later date.
A draw to determine the Fourth Round pairing was held earlier today by U.S. Soccer, with the home venue determined by coin flip. Sounders FC is 23-4-4 all-time in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play, a domestic knockout tournament Seattle has won four times since joining MLS in 2009 (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014). If Brian Schmetzer's side advances past Sacramento, Seattle's Round of 16 opponent and location is set to be determined via a draw following the Fourth Round.
This marks the first time Sounders FC has faced Sacramento Republic FC in Open Cup play. Seattle traveled down to Papa Murphy’s Park in February for a preseason match vs SRFC, which the visitors won 3-1. Sounders FC 2 has dropped both matches so far this season against Sacramento in USL league play, a 1-0 road loss on April 7 and a 2-1 home defeat on May 6. SRFC currently sits third in the USL Western Conference standings with 21 points (6-2-3).
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – the oldest continuous soccer competition in the United States and the third-longest domestic cup competition globally – is open to all United States Soccer Federation (USSF) affiliated teams. Winner of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2014, Sounders FC is tied with the Chicago Fire for the most titles in the tournament among MLS clubs. Maccabi Los Angeles and Bethlehem Steel FC hold the record with five wins apiece, but both clubs are no longer active. In 2011, Sounders FC became the first team since 1968 to win three consecutive Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championships.
After a bye week from MLS play, Sounders FC returns to action on Saturday, May 26 against Real Salt Lake on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field (2:00 p.m. PT / JOEtv, YouTube TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).
