soft.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-left" width="350"><p>Not trying to complain but WTF - why is it 100 degrees in KC in Aug? Makes it pretty tough to leave 70 degree Seattle. You guys need a dome</p>&mdash; @602Sounder (@602Sounder) <a href="https://twitter.com/602Sounder/status/223266651439767553" data-datetime="2012-07-12T04:04:52+00:00">July 12, 2012</a></blockquote>
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4 times?

Sporting KC tops Philly, secures spot in Cup final

For the first time since 2004 — back when they were known as the Wizards — Kansas City will have a team playing for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Jacob Peterson’s header in the 65th minute off a free kick, which snapped a scoreless tie, proved decisive, before Graham Zusi’s goal from long distance in stoppage time clinched a 2-0 win over a revitalized Philadelphia Union team that had come to life after a recent coaching change.

Not only that, it avenged a 4-0 embarrassment here June 23 versus the Union.

Instead, it will be Sporting KC, currently tied for first in the MLS Eastern Division, going for the glory at Livestrong Park, either August 7 or 8 against the winner of Wednesday’s Chivas-Seattle Sounders game. For coach Peter Vermes and his jubilant players, the day can’t get here soon enough.

“It will be a big day in Kansas City,” predicted goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen, who was called upon to make just one save after facing an onslaught in that 4-0 debacle. “Livestrong (Stadium) will go crazy for that game.”

It’s a goal Vermes had pointed to from the start of the season, knowing the Cup winner gains entry into the Champions League tournament in 2013.

“It’s huge,” said Vermes, who’ll have to play without defender Aurelien Collin in the title game, after Collin received his third yellow card of the tournament. “Our fan base has turned into a cult following.…

“Now it’s up to us to bring a home a Cup.”

To have that chance, they had to first take care of the Union, brimming with confidence since assistant John Hackworth replaced Peter Nowak behind the bench. Sure enough, Philly controlled play most of the first half, yet never mounted a serious threat on goal. Eventually, that turned to frustration, opening the door for Sporting KC.

“I think we created some chances the second half,” said Peterson, who cashed in when he redirected Zusi’s pass off the hand of Union keeper Zac MacMath, who seemed to react late. “They had more of the play and a lot of possessions in the first half, so the key for us was coming out more aggressive.

“We were all embarrassed by that (4-0) game. It’s not a good feeling to lose like that. But at the end of the day, we both wanted to win a trophy.

“Playing at home will mean a lot. This fan base deserves this. For us as a team we want to be loyal to those fans and put on a show in a couple of weeks.”

Sporting KC has seven games prior to the Cup final, meaning they’ll have to bottle that energy for a while “We have a bunch of games before that,” said Nielsen, who credited improved defense for making his rather uneventful night. “Right now we have to it a little bit in back of our head

“But I think we played a very smart game tonight, We learned a lot from last game here when we tried to drive the game and made a lot of mistakes.

“Today we were able to limit those mistakes.’’

Which means in less than a month, the big prize will be on the line before the home folks. For Sporting KC it will be a moment to treasure.

I'm going to do everything I can to be at that game. Hopefully you all don't treat me like a Raiders fan for wearing neon green. :)

Prob won't be too bad but there are only 2 teams who could be met with hostility at LSP and you would be wearing the colors of one of em. LMAO

I don't have nearly the soccer acumen that you do. Explain this weird rivalry to me. I've never heard anyone speak poorly of Sporting KC in Seattle, why are we hated there? Am I having my Chiefs Broncos moment? I know a guy who roots for both teams, and it's beyond me...

The KC\SEA rivalry I think is in the growing stage...I do not think it is there though this Cup final may boost that big time when it is combined with the fact that their last game was this year in Seattle and *really* chippy and physical. It ended in a 1-1 draw.

Last game.

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KC\SEA games are always close and they almost always end in Seattle getting some goal in the very last seconds of the game. KC fans don't appreciate that but I think the hostility would come more from something that doesn't really have to do with KC but moreso a sense that SEA fans smell their own farts.

MLS fans feel like they have this unjustified arrogance and the running joke is that they think they invented soccer. lol

Seattle has quite a fan base and a good think going up there and even though they have had US Open Cup success a lot of people feel like they talk a lot of shit for not having yet one a single MLS Playoff game.

In short they have a NY Yankees attitude without the NY Yankees success.

The cup final is going to be an ugly game. I'm predicting no fewer than four yellow cards.

Oh ****, I agree with that wholeheartedly. My favorite and least favorite part about being a Sounders fan is my fellow fans. They are hungry, and passionate, and love their team. They also think they are better, more knowledgeable, and more deserving than everyone else.

At this point, I'm not picking sides. I'm thrilled with this US Open cup final and will be a winner either way.

Collin won't be in the final because of USOC yellow card accumulation. Also how Honduras plays in the Olympics will decide if Espinoza plays.

The Sounders fanbase (well, a segment of them at least) have been very vocal on social media this season about how SKC fans are a bunch of frontrunners who don't deserve LSP or any success or etc.

Edit: No fewer than three yellow cards. :D

Yea so aside from that fan culture Seattle always finds some weird way to win in the end...it is almost silly. They also gave SKC their first ever loss in LSP in that fashion last year by getting 2 goals in stoppage time.

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They feel entitled to be hosting this game as well.

Another interesting thing when these two teams played this year KC went into their house and earned a draw which was impressive considering the reserve heavy squad we started because of schedule congestion.

That team included Harrington, Thomas, Joesph, Olum, Saad. Having said that we have really good reserves and Olum might be stepping up once again.