The Sounders face FC Dallas in the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup. Seattle has won the past two Cups.
The victor in tonight’s game plays either the Chicago Fire or USL-Pro Richmond Kickers for the championship. If the Sounders win, the Open Cup final would be played in Seattle for the second year in a row.
Since the U.S. Open Cup began in 1914, only one team has lifted the trophy three consecutive years. New York Greek-American did so from 1967-69.
While perhaps road weary, FC Dallas has been playing well. The Hoops are 8-2-3 in their past 13 overall matches, with one of their two losses coming Aug. 20 at home to Seattle (1-0). That was the Hoops’ only home date in their past six games.
The Sounders have been unstoppable in Open Cup play, with a record of 11-0-1, including play-in matches. At home, they have gone 9-0-0 and outscored visitors 20-6. Eight of those home dates have been played at Starfire, where Seattle defeated the PDL Kitsap Pumas, 2-1, and the L.A. Galaxy, 3-1, in the third round and quarterfinals, respectively, this summer.
Seattle’s four-game overall win streak is two victories short of the six-game run of last September and October. However, the Sounders are one victory from tying both their MLS (14) and overall (19) win totals of 2010.
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