Dirty TackleClint Dempsey scores US Open Cup decider, wins first trophy of his club career
The Seattle Sounders have won their fourth US Open Cup in six years of existence after beating the Philadelphia Union 3-1 in extra time. Philadelphia's Maurice Edu opened the scoring in front of the home fans in the 38th minute, but Seattle's Chad Barrett equalized shortly after halftime. The score held at 1-1 until extra time, when Sounders captain Clint Dempsey put them ahead in the 101st minute. Obafemi Martins then finished the game off with Seattle's third goal in the 114th minute.
This marks the first trophy in Clint Dempsey's decade old club career, having previously won the 2005 and 2007 Gold Cups with the U.S. team. In 2010, the U.S. captain helped Fulham make an unlikely run to the Europa League final, but they lost to Atletico Madrid. Now, perhaps fittingly, he has lifted his country's 100-year-old domestic cup.
With one cup now in the cabinet this season, Seattle turn their attention back to MLS, where they top the Western Conference and have already clinched a playoff spot. A domestic treble of the US Open Cup, MLS Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup wouldn't be a bad way to round out Dempsey's first full season with Seattle.
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