TUKWILA, WA–The Sounders played another closely-contested US Open Cup evening against a USL-Championship side, where Defiance man Kalani Kossa-Rienzi bagged in the winner at the 88th-minute. Kossa-Renzi was acquired by the club as the first round pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, and signed to the Tacoma Defiance on March 7, 2024.
“Certainly the kid was extremely happy," said Head Coach Brian Schmetzer, emphasizing “he made everybody happy” from the bench, each Starfire Stadium stand, as well as the group of observing first-team players.
Earving Marquez / Area Sports Network
Similar to the starting lineup against Louisville City FC, the Sounders deployed a lineup against the Phoenix Rising, giving Defiance players like Georgie Minoungou and eventual goal-scorer Kalani Kossa-Rienzi another chance to play on the first team. Young reserve players that are also involved with the Defiance earned a start against the Phoenix Rising, notably Stuart Hawkins at centerback and forward Paul Rothrock, who scored in the last Open Cup game.
Seattle began the game with the majority of possession, playing more conservatively before exploding with momentum when they found an opening. Nouhou, the left-back, notably executed a series of skillful moves deep in the Rising’s final third to win a close-range freekick.
Danny Musovski had a close chance after breaking through the Phoenix back line, but he could not finish in front of goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky. The striker went down shortly after the opportunity, with a possible tweak in the leg, but he carried on. Defender Jonathan Bell, however, went down due to an unrelated incident with an apparent muscle injury and could not continue.
Earving Marquez / Area Sports Network
Three minutes into first half stoppage time, Phoenix Rising won a penalty when Danny Leyva committed a foul from behind—a tackle that Leyva did not need to put in. Rémi Cabral stepped up and sent Andrew Thomas in the opposite direction, resulting in a firm low penalty on the right-hand side of the net. The Rising went into halftime one goal ahead.
The Sounders picked up in the second half, looking to respond to going a goal down against the USL Championship side. The Rave Green found many shots from inside the box, but the Rising defense met them with numerous blocks.
In the 66th minute, a distance shot from João Paulo struck the arm of Swedish Defender John Stenberg inside the Phoenix Rising penalty area, awarding the Sounders a penalty. Alex Roldan, an unexpected player to step up for a penalty, leveled the score by slotting the penalty to the goalkeeper’s right side.
As Starfire prepared for another night of extra time, an unexpected hero in the dying minutes came big for the Sounders. Kalani Kossa-Rienzi managed to control the ball off a passed header from Danny Musovski and send a close-range rocket into the top-right corner of the goal. Kossa-Rienzi hit an Obafemi Martins-style flip celebration as he sent the Sounders into the US Open Cup quarterfinals. After the game Kossa-Rienzi specified that his inspiration for the celebration was built from his love of gymnastics and always flipping when younger, saying “I did it [gymnastics] for 3, 4 years. Competed a bit, but nothing crazy in like 7th and 8th grade.”
Earving Marquez / Area Sports Network
Kossa-Rienzi said after the game he is “confident and feels good coming into these games,” as well as giving recognition to Danny Musovski’s fantastic heading ability to set up teammates. As the ball was in the box, Kossa-Rienzi read the potential of the situation and shuffled around the backside “waiting for the ball to come.”
The Sounders will travel to the Sacramento Republic for the quarterfinals of this year’s US Open Cup, and despite there being potential scheduling conflicts on the Republic’s side, the game is expected to kick off on July 9th. Per the official US Open Cup draw, which took place on Wednesday evening, the winner will host either LAFC or New Mexico United in the semifinals.
Cover Photo: Earving Marquez / Area Sports Network
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