The Sounders advanced to their first US Open Cup semifinal for the first time in ten years with a 2-1 away victory against the Sacramento Republic, looking to become the first club to win five US Open Cup trophies. The head referee for the match was Ted Unkel. Sounders fans will notoriously remember him after his prior performances were met with mass disapproval, particularly after the 2023 Western Conference Final against LAFC. The tournament also implemented VAR starting from the quarterfinals round.
The Sacramento Republic support was electric, particularly in the second half as the game became a closer competition. Head Coach Brian Schmetzer emphasized that the victory in Sacramento was not a simple task: “I was happy with the performance because they [the players] overcame some adversity. They’re coming together as a group. That wasn’t an easy game.”
Maciek Gudrymowicz / Sounders FC Communications
Josh Atencio, who was recently called up to represent the United States in the Paris Olympics, commented on the atmosphere in Sacramento: “I haven’t played in Sacramento in a long time, but the fans are loud and the announcer does a good job getting the fans into the game. It’s a cool atmosphere.”
The California Highway Patrol made an unforgettable entrance when they delivered the match ball, coming in high on a helicopter with a trooper sliding down on a rope. After the trooper delivered the match ball, the advertising boards were blown over by the helicopter returning to pick him up.
Andrew Thomas made an almost-costly blunder in the opening minutes when the ball was at his feet but recovered the ball well after regaining possession with his hands from the Sacramento player. Thomas took no prisoners when retrieving the ball as well, going in aggressively in order to swiftly make up for the error.
The opening goal came at the 15th minute, where, following a Sounders cross, Josh Atencio struck the ball from 20 yards away and found a kind deflection to beat Sacramento goalkeeper Danny Vitello. Sacramento followed with a response that almost led to a goal, with the ground-shot going barely past Thomas’ left post.
The Sounders went on to double the lead with quick Jordan Morris, while on the run, beating Vitello to find an easy passing finish into the goal. The initial ball was sent from Reed Baker-Whiting, marking a beautiful assist. Yeimar almost found the third goal within first half stoppage time off a free kick that was crossed into the box. Finding the free header, Yeimar forced a fantastic save from Vitello, which kept Sacramento in the game going into the halftime break.
Maciek Gudrymowicz / Sounders FC Communications
The second half was a much closer contest than the first. Four minutes after the restart, Sacramento’s Jack Gurr pulled a goal back off a corner, putting Sacramento within touching distance of the Sounders. The unchallenged header bounced past Andrew Thomas and revived hope for Sacramento Republic supporters. The home supporters got louder, and the atmosphere was intensifying as momentum shifted towards Sacramento after their goal.
“They put us under pressure because of their endeavor, but we controlled some good possession sequences, we had some unbelievable chances,” said Brian Schmetzer after the game, giving credit to Sacramento Republic’s will to fight.
Schmetzer responded by substituting Raúl Ruidíaz onto the pitch, and with about 20 minutes to go until the 90, he forced Vitello to another world-class save off a header. Sounders began to shift more defensively after the opportunity, and saw out the 2-1 away victory, thus advancing to the US Open Cup semifinals.
Thomas delivered his thoughts on the entire team’s performance in this year’s Open Cup journey after the victory: “I think just about everyone has gotten on the field at some point, so this is a collective fight and something that everyone be proud of if we can get to the end, but it’s a game at a time.”
The Sounders are set to host LAFC in the US Open Cup semifinals in late August, who beat New Mexico United a day later.
Cover Photo: Maciek Gudrymowicz / Sounders FC Communications
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