Sounders play PSA Elite in U.S. Open Cup fourth round

TUKWILA, Wash. – An exciting World Cup continues, but the break is over for Sounders FC.

After a brief respite, the team returns to action today, not in MLS but the U.S. Open Cup. Three-time tournament champion Seattle enters this year’s knockout-style competition in the fourth round against amateur team PSA Elite, a 7 p.m. home game at a sold-out Starfire Stadium.

The Sounders won their first three Open Cups as an MLS franchise, claiming a historic three-peat from 2009 to 2011, but the past two editions have seen some disappointing ends.

The 2012 final against Sporting Kansas City ended in frustrating road defeat via penalty-kick shootout. Last year, Seattle was upset in its first game against the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the second-division North American Soccer League.

Safe to say, the Sounders say it’s time to restore order.

“We definitely want to get our title back,” said midfielder Lamar Neagle, a Federal Way, Washington, native.

The Sounders will turn to an old hand to lead the trophy pursuit in the Open Cup, as coach Sigi Schmid revealed this week that backup goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann will start throughout the tournament. Hahnemann, a Seattle native who turned 42 Sunday, hasn’t played a minute this season behind Stefan Frei.

“Just the chance to put on the jersey one more time for real, I cherish every moment you get a chance to do that,” said Hahnemann, who began his professional career with the lower-league Sounders in 1994.

Seattle, the top team in MLS by a significant margin, will be a huge favorite against PSA Elite.

Schmid likened PSA Elite to a college all-star squad.

“This is the game of their lives,” Schmid said of the underdog opponent.

The reality is Seattle blasted the last amateur team it faced in the Open Cup, cruising to a 5-0 win against Cal FC in 2012. The Sounders are also 14-0 in the tournament at home, with a 37-8 goal differential – not ingredients for an upset.

Notes

Several injured Sounders will be unavailable:  Djimi Traore (adductor),  Dylan Remick (adductor), Andy Rose (knee) and  Tristan Bowen (concussion). Veterans  Obafemi Martins and  Osvaldo Alonso aren’t expected to be available so they can rest. … The winner will face the San Jose Earthquakes in the fifth round Tuesday. If Seattle wins, the game will be at Starfire Stadium at 7:30 p.m.