Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid wants to set a new MLS standard in the U.S. Open Cup competition. Should Seattle advance to the finals and win, they would become the first MLS side to win the Open Cup three years in a row. The Greek American Atlas Astoria from New York won three consecutive cup starting in 1967.
“I think it’s a game of massive importance but we want to accomplish something that no MLS team has done by winning three in a row,” Schmid said. “We’ve already got something with two in a row but anytime we can make an achievement that sets us apart it’s important to our club.”
The veteran manager will face the Dallas side twice in ten days. He acknowledged the challenged associated with such a busy fixture schedule. The match on Tuesday will be Seattle’s fourth since August 20.
“There’s probably in the past week has been a little more hectic than ours because of the situation in Toronto.” the veteran manager said. “But you’re looking at two teams that have played a lot of games in the last three weeks so it might be a battle of attrition at the end of the day.”
Should Seattle win, the Sounders will host the final irrespective of the Chicago Fire and Richmond Kickers game.