Sounders FC Advances Past San Diego with Thrilling 5-4 Win in Third Round of 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

April 27, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Seattle Sounders FC News Release

Seattle Sounders FC’s Obed Vargas celebrates win
(Seattle Sounders FC)

TUKWILA, WASH. – Sounders FC advanced past San Diego Loyal SC in the Third Round of the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a thrilling 5-4 win after extra time on Wednesday evening at Starfire Stadium. Fredy Montero recorded a brace – including a game-winning penalty at the death – and Ethan Dobbelaere, Paul Rothrock and Reed Baker-Whiting added goals as the Rave Green move onto the Round of 32. A draw to determine Seattle’s next match is being held tomorrow by U.S. Soccer.

Montero opened the scoring for Seattle in the 15th minute with his ninth career Open Cup goal, the most in club history (MLS era). After a Seattle player was fouled inside the area, the referee signaled for advantage, leaving the ball open in the box for the Colombian to stab home. Dobbelaere made it 2-0 in the 26th minute with his first career goal for the First Team. After a looping cross deflected off the hands of the San Diego goalkeeper, Dobbelaere pounced on the loose ball and smashed it into the back of the net.

San Diego pulled one back in the 53rd minute courtesy of a penalty kick. After a Seattle foul was called inside its own area, Joe Corona slid the ensuring spot-kick past the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland.

After coming on as a substitute in the 46th minute, Rothrock made it 3-1 in the 55th minute of play with a low shot from distance that was mishandled by the goalkeeper. Rothrock was one of four Tacoma Defiance players who played for the First Team this evening, joining Cody Baker, Travian Sousa and Hal Uderitz.

Corona completed his own brace in the 73rd minute, firing a free kick from distance into the top corner of the net. Kyle Adams then scored the equalizer for San Diego from outside the area in the third minute of second-half stoppage time to send the match into extra time.

Baker-Whiting made it 4-3 in the 101st minute, cutting in from the right flank and launching a left-footed shot from outside the area into the top corner of the near post. It was Baker-Whiting’s first career goal for the First Team.

The visitors equalized in the 115th minute courtesy of a header from Jackson Kasanzu, with Corona assisting. Montero completed his brace and found the winner in the 123rd minute of the match, converting a penalty after Sousa drew a foul inside the 18-yard-box. Montero’s 10 Open Cup goals are the…