2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Semi-Finals

August 12, 2014 -- FC Dallas versus Philadelphia Union

On August 12, 2014, FC Dallas played the Philadelphia Union in the Semi-Finals of the 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Quite an intense and stressful game. Philadelphia's Amobi Okugo scored the first goal of the game in the 47th minute, and the Union kept their lead until a slip up by Zac MacMath (GK), which led to a goal from FC Dallas's Fabian Castillo. Besides that mistake, MacMath played excellently the entire game!

It eventually went into penalty kicks after 120 minutes where MacMath saved shots from Perez and Ulloa. Because of those two saves, the Philadelphia Union won the match 4-3 in penalty kicks and advanced to the US Open Cup Finals.

August 13, 2014 -- Seattle Sounders versus Chicago Fire

The Seattle Sounders greatly passed my expectations for their US Open Cup Semi-Final against the Chicago Fire on August 13, 2014. Five minutes into the match, Chad Barrett of the Seattle Sounders scored the first goal! Andry Rose (SEA) then scored two goals, followed by one from Obafemi Martins and two from Kenny Cooper.

Chicago's defense held up better during the first half and the team as a whole started the second half aggressively, but the defense completely broke down during the last twenty minutes by allowing three goals in quick succession. The match ended with Seattle beating the Chicago Fire 6-0. Seattle Sounder's Insider Matt Gaschk provided some interesting statistics about the game in his Match Profile.

Looking Forward: US Open Cup Final
The US Open Cup Final will be held on September 16, 2014 between the Philadelphia Union and the Seattle Sounders. Personally, I'd like to see the Sounders win it. It's hard to compare the two Semi-Final matches because of the differences in the teams, but I think Philadelphia will give Seattle a run for their money.

I'm looking forward to the match! Hopefully, it will again be broadcast on the US Soccer website and/or the Philadelphia Union and Seattle Sounders websites.