Fire’s defense goes up in smoke in 78th minute
Two late goals gave the Seattle Sounders a 2-0 victory against the Chicago Fire in the U.S. Open Cup championship match Tuesday night in Seattle.
A 78th-minute goal by Fredy Montero broke a scoreless tie for the Sounders, frustrated all night by a Fire defense that held tough in the face of a withering attack. Montero scored off a rebound following a good save by Chicago goalkeeper Sean Johnson. Osvaldo Alonso added an insurance goal in the sixth minute of extra time.
The Sounders drew more than 35,000 fans at CenturyLink Field to see them win their third straight Open Cup.
The Fire struggled without central midfielder Sebastian Grazzini, who did not start due to a hamstring injury. Grazzini entered the game in the 84th minute for right back Dan Gargan. The Sounders went without Mauro Rosales, also because of injury.
The Sounders held much of the possession and outshot the Fire 14-4 and 8-2 in shots on goal. Kasey Keller earned the shutout in goal for Seattle, which qualifies for the CONCACAF Champions League next year with the championship.
The Fire was trying to win its fifth Open Cup title, the most in MLS. Only two other U.S. clubs have won five Open Cups, a tournament run by U.S. Soccer that dates to 1914.
Follow Orrin Schwarz on Twitter @orrinsoccer.