If the Seattle Sounders beat FC Dallas on Tuesday in their U.S. Open Cup semifinal, they would host the championship game on Oct. 4 at CenturyLink Field. Their winning bid was announced on Friday, when it was also revealed that the Chicago Fire would play host to FC Dallas in that eventual matchup and FC Dallas would host the Richmond Kickers if that came to pass.
U.S. Open Cup: Seattle Sounders Win Right To Host Final
The Sounders could potentially be going for a third straight Open Cup title against a Fire team that will be trying to match Bethlehem Steel’s all-time record of five titles.
The Open Cup employs a blind bidding process for each of their games. Teams are encouraged to give some kind of financial guarantee for the right to host. Other aspects taken into consideration are the size of the venue and potential broadcast rights.
Since joining MLS, the Sounders have been among the more aggressive bidders for the right to host Open Cup games. They have been forced to go on the road just twice in three years and this year’s path to the final will have been played entirely at home. They have put that home-field advantage to good use, as they have never lost in the tournament since joining MLS -- repeating as champions in 2009-10. Dating back to their days as a USL team, they have a 12-match winning streak at Starfire Sports Complex, where Tuesday’s semifinal will be played.
The Sounders will be looking to become the first team to win three consecutive Open Cups since the New York Greek-Americans did it from 1967-69. They could potentially face a Fire team that will be trying to tie Bethlehem Steel’s all-time record of five Open Cup titles. The Kickers and FC Dallas will both be trying to win their second Open Cup titles.
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