Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy looks on as Sounders striker Eddie Johnson celebrates after scoring for Seattle against Chivas USA Wednesday in a U.S. Open Cup semifinal (AP Photo).
Former Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid, who grew up in Torrance, is aiming for a record fourth consecutive U.S. Open Cup after the Sounders defeated Chivas USA Wednesday in a semifinal that was closer than the 4-1 scoreline suggested.
Here’s the view from Seattle.
The first half was very even,” said Chivas USA defender James Riley, who formerly played with the Sounders. “We were very unfortunate to give up that goal to Eddie [Johnson]. Eddie on a breakaway is exactly what we were trying to prevent, but our lines were a little off and he finishes so well that he was able to put it in. To go down one nil at the half is very unfortunate, because we really wanted to go in tied. Then when they got a goal one minute into the second half, it was obviously a dagger. It was difficult to come back against a quality team like that, especially at Starfire. We had an uphill battle. We got it to two to one, and obviously at two to one we thought we had a chance to equalize because it is the hardest lead to defend in soccer. We thought we could have had it, but they won the critical moments on offense and defense tonight.”
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