[VIDEO] The Seattle Sounders handed MLS’s Colorado Rapids the worst defeat any MLS team has ever suffered in the U.S. Open Cup against any opposition when the USL First Division club won, 5-0, in quarterfinal action on Tuesday night.
The Sounders advanced with early goals by defenders Taylor Graham and Zach Scott — both on free headers off set pieces — followed by an own goal by the Rapids. Seattle added second-half goals by Josh Gardner and Frenchman Sebastien Le Toux to complete the rout to the delight of 6,619 fans. It is the second consecutive victory over an MLS club for Seattle, which knocked out Chivas USA, 3-1, in the previous round.
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Argentine Facundo Erpen‘s cleats-up tackle into the thigh of Roger Levesque resulted in a yellow card, his second of the game, and a red card that left Colorado playing with 10 men for the final 42 minutes of the game.
The historic victory gave USL two semifinalists for only the second time in the history of the tournament as the expansion Carolina RailHawks defeated the defending USL Second Division champion Richmond Kickers with a 1-0 decision that saw the home side need two goal-line clearances by field players Chris Carrieri and Frankie Sanfilippo. Connally Edozien scored the game’s only goal in the 64th minute.
Last year it took FC Dallas penalty kicks to get past the Charleston Battery in the Open Cup after a 3-3 draw. This year, the Hoops made it a little easier on themselves — but not by much, needing an overtime goal by Arturo Alvarez to advance to the semifinal round in a 2-1 victory Tuesday night at Blackbaud Stadium.
The Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2) meet the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium Wednesday.