Tukwila, WA – The Seattle Sounders were eliminated in the US Open Cup round of 32 by the San Jose Earthquakes. The match was level after 90 minutes, and then again after two 15-minute extra time periods. We went to a penalty shootout, and after five rounds it still was not enough. In sudden death, the eleventh round of the shootout, Stefan Cleveland had his penalty saved. Earthquakes keeper Matt Bersano buried his penalty, and San Jose eliminated Seattle.
Homegrown player Dylan Teves made his first team debut in the match
Defensive lapses apparent early
The Sounders, playing with a roster mostly made up of their bench and depth, made several defensive lapses throughout the match. The Earthquakes first goal was the result of a penalty kick, scored by Jack Skahan. The penalty was drawn as a result of a play where Seattle center back Jackson Ragen over pursued a ball. With Ragen up, an opening appeared for San Jose. AB Cissoko was one on one with Benjamin Kikanovic thanks to great service, and Cissoko essentially hip checked Kikanovic. The second Earthquakes goal was scored when the Sounders could not clear the ball from their half following a goal kick. San Jose kept the ball in Seattle’s half, AB Cissoko missed on a header, and Cade Cowell had a golden opportunity. The 18-year-old Earthquakes midfielder shot between Seattle keeper Stef Cleveland’s legs, and the San Jose lead was doubled in the 49th minute.
San Jose has beaten Seattle in head to head competition in the past two matches
Sounders come alive late to send the match into extra time
Following the second Earthquake’s goal, things did not look good for Seattle. Although the Sounders had some dangerous chances, nothing really challenged San Jose goalkeeper Matt Bersano. Seattle’s fortune began to change in the 54th minute. Seattle drew a foul from San Jose’s Eric Remedi, creating a set piece. Jimmy Medranda would fire a shot on net, and Bersano’s save attempt could not keep the ball out of the net. In the 77th minute, Kelyn Rowe received the ball in the box, and whipped it in near the goal line. Sounders all-time leading scorer Fredy Montero was waiting back post, and all he had to do was lightly head the ball in to equalize.
Fredy Montero continues to have a solid season for Seattle
Penalty shootout heartbreak
After the two 15-minute extra time periods saw no goals, the match went to five initial rounds of penalties. The contest would need those five rounds and more, heading into sudden death. The only players to miss their penalties in the first five rounds were Leo Chu for Seattle in the third round and San Jose’s Jackson Yueill in the 2nd round. Both sides would convert all the way until the 11th round of the penalty shootout. Sounders keeper Stefan Cleveland’s kick was stopped by Matt Bersano, and Bersano’s penalty found the back of the net. San Jose had beaten Seattle in back-to-back competitions, this time in a tournament.
Seattle keeper Stefan Cleveland had his penalty kick stopped.
Too early to panic about Seattle?
I’m not hitting the panic button on the Seattle Sounders. A week off of a Concacaf Champions League Final victory. Playing most of their bench and depth. It would have been historic to see Seattle win Concacaf Champions League, US Open Cup, and MLS Cup. But, the Sounders have already achieved a huge goal. With two tournaments now out of the way, Seattle can fully turn their attention towards MLS competition. That being said, the road will not be easy for the Sounders to get back into playoff positioning. The loss of Joao Paulo to a season ending ACL tear will likely loom large.
What’s next for Seattle?
The Sounders next contest comes on Sunday, May 15th against Minnesota United. The two clubs have met already this season, a 2-1 victory for Seattle on April 2nd in Minnesota.
Thank you to Maddy Grassy for the photos used in this article! Thank you Maddy!
Seattle Sounders FC
San Jose Earthquakes
