Sounders Open Cup dreams fade in Penalty Kicks

Photo courtesy of Charleston Battery.

In a dramatic but not overly well-played semifinal match the Charleston Battery beat the Seattle Sounders 4-3 in penalty kicks after the clubs drew 1-1 through 120 minutes.

Seattle had a great chance to take a 2-1 lead in the first overtime when Kevin Forrest hit the corner where the goal post meets the crossbar. The rebound was put back on goal but cleared away by the Battery defense.

In penalty kicks it went 1-1-0-1-1 for Charleston and 1-0-1-1-0 for Seattle.

Other match reports will give you the other details, so I thought I'd just pass along some impressions from watching the match on internet video:

* Sounders players and fans can hold their heads high. Great effort by our guys tonight and in the cup run all summer long.

* Charleston were fair winners. I don't think either team really distinguished itself over the other.

* Kevin Forrest played very well for the Sounders and caused trouble for the Battery back line.

* Danny Jackson was my Seattle "Man of the Match" for his back line work.

* The match was a 'let down' from an entertainment standpoint. Neither team managed very many 'flashy' plays or bits of 'magic.' It was played very conservatively.

* Sebastien Le Toux missed his PK try, just as he did against Kansas City in the last round.

* The Sounders didn't score a goal. It was a Charleston own goal that gave Seattle a short 1-0 lead in the first half.

* Even more than the loss to FC Dallas in the Cup semis last year, this elimination has a feel of finality to it. For a club that had based its season on this result, it will be a mighty struggle to regain interest in the final seven home matches and the playoffs in the USL.

* I certainly go away from this wishing Charleston well in the Final at DC United. The Battery were class and here's hoping they take the cup.

The Seattle Pitch: Sounders fall in Cup semis
Seattle Sounders: Open Cup run ends
Charleston Battery: Battery in Cup Final after shootout
USOpenCup.com: Battery edge Sounders to reach USOC Final
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