CHESTER, Penn. - Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins scored in extra time as Sounders FC captured the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title with a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park. Seattle has now won four U.S. Open Cup championships in its six-year history, tying the Chicago Fire for the most among MLS teams.
The Union got on the board first in the 38th minute when Cristian Maidana's free kick found Maurice Edu in the box for a header past Stefan Frei.
Sounders FC equalized just after the half when Chad Barrett knocked in a rebound attempt for his second goal of the tournament. Brad Evans' corner kick was popped up into the air in the box, and Chad Marshall rose above the crowd to head it on frame. Zac MacMath made the save, but Barrett was there amidst the crowd to head it in.
Seattle nearly took the lead in the 76th and 77th minutes. Dempsey shot it just wide in front of an open net on a ball from Marco Pappa, then Martins pulled an attempt just wide after receiving a ball from Andy Rose in the box.
Vincent Nogueira nearly gave Philadelphia the winner in the 90th minute when he collected a ball over the top in the box and smashed a shot off the post, keeping the game at 1-1 and forcing extra time.
Seattle took the lead in the 101st minute when Martins slid a pass into the box for Dempsey, who slotted a shot past MacMath to break the tie. It was Dempsey's first Open Cup goal for Seattle.
Pappa nearly scored in the final moments of the first extra-time period when he launched a shot from the top of the box that hit the crossbar.
In the 114th minute, Martins put Seattle up 3-1 when he chipped the onrushing MacMath after getting behind the defense, marking his second straight Open Game with a goal.
Sounders FC returns to MLS action on Saturday with a road match against the New York Red Bulls. Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. PT at Red Bull Arena.
Scoring Summary:
PHI - Maurice Edu (Cristian Maidana) 38'
SEA - Chad Barrett 47'
SEA - Clint Dempsey (Obafemi Martins) 101'
SEA - Obafemi Martins (Leo Gonzalez) 114'
Seattle Sounders FC - Stefan Frei; DeAndre Yedlin, Chad Marshall, Zach Scott, Leo Gonzalez; Brad Evans (Gonzalo Pineda, 94), Osvaldo Alonso, Andy Rose, Lamar Neagle (Marco Pappa, 74); Clint Dempsey, Chad Barrett (Obafemi Martins, 60).
Substitutes Not Used: Marcus Hahnemann, Jalil Anibaba, Micheal Azira, Kenny Cooper.
TOTAL SHOTS: 19; SHOTS ON GOAL: 7; FOULS: 7; OFFSIDE: 2; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 4.
Philadelphia Union - Zac MacMath; Sheanon Williams (Fred, 105), Carlos Valdes, Ethan White, Raymon Gaddis; Sebastien Le Toux, Maurice Edu, Vincent Nogueira, Cristian Maidana; Andrew Wenger (Danny Cruz, 81), Conor Casey (Pedro Ribeiro, 78).
Substitutes Not Used: Rais Mbolhi, Danny Cruz, Michael Lahoud, Amobi Okugo.
TOTAL SHOTS: 19; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 12; OFFSIDE: 2; CORNER KICKS: 12; SAVES: 3.
Misconduct Summary:
SEA - Osvaldo Alonso (caution) 25'
PHI - Conor Casey (caution) 57'
Referee: Armando Villareal
Referee's Assistants: Peter Manikowski, Corey Parker
4th Official: Jose Carlos Rivero
Attendance: 15,256
Weather: Clear and 72 degrees