Next year's big thing in Major League Soccer, the Seattle Sounders, served notice on what's in store by dumping an MLS team out of the U.S. Open Cup for the second successive week. They beat Kansas City on penalty kicks after what Matthew Gaschk describes as "an action-packed, competitive game" at Qwest Field Tuesday.
The teams failed to provide a goal from open play despite 37 shots in "back-and-forth action" throughout the game. The shootout was no less thrilling, heading into sudden death after the first five kicks ended at 4-4. Seattle coach Brian Schmetzer praised the mental strength and fearlessness of Zach Scott, who scored the winning kick.
But Schmetzer took to paraphrasing English poet John Donne when he added, "No one man can win championships. It requires a team." Then it was back to frank soccer analysis: "We're lucky to get out of that with a win." The Sounders travel to the Charleston Battery for the semifinal game Aug. 12.
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