May 23, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release
Seattle Sounders FC on game night
(Seattle Sounders FC)
TUKWILA, WASH. – Sounders FC defeated Phoenix Rising FC 2-1 in the Round of 16 of the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday evening at Starfire Stadium. Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, making his first start for the First Team via Short-Term Loan, found the late-winner as the Rave Green advanced to the Quarterfinals. After the visitors took an early 1-0 lead, Alex Roldan equalized via a second-half penalty kick before Kossa-Rienzi’s winner. Per a draw held by U.S. Soccer earlier this evening, Sounders FC will travel to face Sacramento Republic FC in the Quarterfinals, with further details forthcoming. Brian Schmetzer’s now shifts its focus back to MLS regular season play with a road match at St. Louis CITY SC on Saturday, May 25 at CITYPARK (5:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360 AM).
MATCH NOTES
With the result, Sounders FC advances to the Quarterfinals to face Sacramento Republic FC, who defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 4-3 yesterday in its Round of 16 matchup.
Sounders FC is now 25-7-6 all-time in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play, including a 21-2-3 mark at home.
Kalani Kossa-Rienzi scored his first goal for Seattle in the 88th minute. The University of Washington product was Sounders FC’s First Round draft pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft in December and is currently signed to Tacoma Defiance.
It was Kossa-Rienzi’s first start for Seattle, previously making a substitute appearance the Rave Green’s Round of 16 match against Louisville City FC. Both appearances came via a Short-Term Loan.
Alex Roldan’s penalty-kick goal in the 68th minute was his first Open Cup tally with Seattle, coming in his fourth appearance in the competition since joining the club in 2018.
In addition to Kossa-Rienzi, two additional Tacoma Defiance players made appearances via Short-Term Loans tonight: Georgi Minoungou and Snyder Brunell. Minoungou started the match at right wing, while Brunell made a substitute appearance in the 62nd minute. Defiance forward Osaze De Rosario was also available on the bench this evening.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 2 – Phoenix Rising FC 1
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Venue: Starfire Stadium
Referee: Brandon Stevis
Assistants: Hunter Zachwieja, Miles Crumley
Fourth Official: Chris Calderon
Attendance: 3,314
Weather: 60 degrees and clear
SCORING SUMMARY
PHX – Remi Cabral (penalty) 45’+5′
SEA – Alex Roldan (penalty) 68′
SEA -…
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