Seattle Sounders Win 2014 U.S. Open Cup Over Philadelphia Union

Sep 16, 2014; Chester, PA, USA; The US Open Cup before the start of the U.S. Open Cup final between the Philadelphia Union and the Seattle Sounders FC at PPL Park. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports

It took them 120 minutes and stoppage time, but Sigi Schmid’s Seattle Sounders took the first step towards completing a possible treble with a 3-1 win over Jim Curtin’s Philadelphia Union in the 2014 U.S. Open Cup Final at PPL Park in Chester, Pa. This is Seattle’s fourth-ever U.S. Open Cup, putting them one behind Bethlehem Steel and Maccabi Los Angeles for the most Open Cups in the history of the competition.

Let’s take a look at six things we learned, followed by player ratings, for the U.S. Open Cup Final between the Seattle Sounders and Philadelphia Union.

1. Maurice Edu starts things up

In the 38th minute, Maurice Edu opened up the scoring for the Philadelphia Union thanks to a set piece from Cristian Maidana. Unfortunately, this would be the only goal the Union would have, due to failing to seal the match late in stoppage time.

2. Chad Barrett playing the Rave Green janitor

In the 47th minute, Chad Barrett scored the equalizer for Seattle, and it was on a set piece, like before. However, it wasn’t as clean and it was Barrett who was forced to clean up the mess to make it 1-1

3. Clint Dempsey delivers in extra time

If there was one person that knew how to delivered in extra time, it was Clint Dempsey. Seattle had to thank their lucky stars that Philadelphia’s finishing was insipid in stoppage time; it allowed them to regroup and come up with a big sequence in the 100th minute of play.

4. Obafemi Martins slams the door shut

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In the 114th minute, Obafemi Martins, who came off the bench to replace Barrett at minute 60, received a present from Leonardo Gonzalez and won a 1-v-1 to chip onew one past Zac MacMath and deliver the final result. Okay, so it wasn’t 4-1 like we were hoping, and it wasn’t in regulation, but this scoreline in extra time was close.

5. Seattle dominate the statistics

Take a look at the match statistics in this match. The Sounders had better passing accuracy, possession, duels won, tackles won, saves and clearances. The Sounders were organized in the back with their defending and had solid composure to prevent some big plays from the hosts. Of course, the woodwork also played a factor in the outcome, but that’s a different story.

Team Statistics

Philadelphia in blue, Seattle in green

6. Seattle make a march towards history

The Seattle Sounders are tied with the Chicago Fire as the most successful Major League Soccer club in the U.S. Open Cup with four titles. If they can win the U.S. Open Cup next year, the Sounders will be the most accomplished MLS club in the Open Cup. This is a team that takes the competition very seriously, and it’s only fair that the best team in Major League Soccer returns to the CONCACAF Champions League with a vengeance.

Champions by number of titles

MLS Honors

Philadelphia Union Player Ratings

Zac MacMatch 4, Carlos Valdes 4, Ethan White 4, Raymon Gaddis 4, Sheannon Williams 4, Andrew Wender 3, Cristian Maidana 4, Maurice Edu 6, Sebastien Le Toux 4, VIncent Nogueira 5, Conor Casey 3.5, Pedro Ribeiro 3, Danny Cruz 3, Fred NR

Seattle Sounders Player Ratings

Stefan Frei 9, Chad Marshall 7, DeAndre Yedlin 7, Leonardo Gonzalez 8, Zach Scott 7, Andy Rose 7, Brad Evans 6, Lamar Neagle 5, Osvaldo Alongso 6.5, Chad Barrett 8, Clint Dempsey 8, Obafemi Marting 9, Marco Pappa 5, Gonzalo Pineda 4