Lamar Neagle (middle) celebrates after scoring the Seattle Sounders' last CONCACAF Champions League goal on April 9, 2013, at Santos in Torreon, Mexico. (Photo: Mexpsort)
SEATTLE, Washington -- For the fifth time in six years, the Seattle Sounders find themselves in familiar territory -- in the final of the Lamar Hunt/U.S. Open Cup.
If Seattle defeats the Philadelphia Union next month, it will qualify for its fourth CONCACAF Champions League and become the first team to book a place in the 2015/16 competition.
The six-goal margin of victory was the most in all competitions in club history and tied the record for most goals scored in a game.
"Sometimes, when it rains, it pours, they say," Seattle head coach Sigi Schmid said.
In an end-to-end, entertaining affair in which both teams had several opportunities, the Sounders made the most of theirs. Andy Rose and Kenny Cooper each scored a pair of goals, while Chad Barrett and Obafemi Martins chipped in with one apiece.
“It’s fantastic,” Schmid added. “It’s something that we took seriously.
“Like I say, if you enter it, try and win it.”
The Sounders were just glad to be back and get an opportunity for domestic glory this year and perhaps some international success in future years. Seattle secured Open Cup titles in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and played in subsequent editions of the CCL.
“It’s not every year you get that," Rose said. "My first year we lost to Kansas City on penalties and that was heartbreaking. Last year we didn’t do the business. Now to get back, you know what it means a little bit more. We understand how important it is. The fans out here were incredible. We understand what it means for them. We want all the silverware we can get this year and the first opportunity is the Open Cup.”
If Seattle wants to return to the CCL, it will have to clinch a spot on the road when it faces Philadelphia for the Open Cup crown at PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, on September 16.
"We won our first Open Cup [title] on the road in D.C.," Schmid finished. "We'll be ready for it. It's what we want to do."
