Sounders earn U.S. Open Cup berth

SEATTLE — Kevin Forrest scored on a header in the 62nd minute to give the Seattle Sounders a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids Tuesday night in a U.S. Open Cup play-in match.

The victory earned the Sounders (4-2-4 MLS, 6-2-4 overall) a spot in the 40-team Open Cup bracket. They will not play until the third round, which is scheduled for June 30.

The Rapids (3-2-4 MLS, 4-3-4 overall) were denied a berth for the second straight year.

A long throw-in deep in the Colorado end of the field on the right-wing side started Seattle’s scoring play. Roger Levesque flicked the ball across the box with his head, and Forrest ran to it, sending a diving header past Rapids goalkeeper Preston Burpo into the back left corner.

Forrest has yet to play in a Major League Soccer game. He has played in three Sounders reserve team games this season.

Kasey Keller picked up the shutout in goal for the Sounders. He made four saves, including one on a 25-yard blast by Colorado’s Michael Holody in the 87th minute to preserve the win.