SOUNDERS FACE HOLLYWOOD UNITED AT STARFIRE IN SECOND ROUND OF LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP



(Seattle, WA)- United Soccer League First Division Seattle Sounders play Hollywood United of the U.S. Amateur Soccer Association and the Coast Soccer League in Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 24 at Starfire in second round action of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Kickoff is set for 8:00 pm.



In round one of the U.S Open Cup played on June 10, Seattle survived grueling extra time against the Arizona Sahuaros (USASA) with Kenji Treschuk’s winner in the 118th minute, and a 1-0 victory.



The Sounders look to repeat success of the 2007 Open Cup, where they defeated Banat Arsenal (USASA), Portland Timbers (USL-1), Major League Soccer’s Chivas USA and Colorado Rapids in route to a birth in the semi-finals, eventually losing 2-1 to Dallas FC in extra time.



Tickets for second round action of the U.S. Open Cup are $13 in advance through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 206-628-0888. Tickets are $15 at the gate. $13 group tickets are available by calling 206-381-7908.

ABOUT HOLLYWOOD UNITED

Though an amateur side, Hollywood United is made up of several former professionals including eight-year MLS journeyman Brian Dunseth. The club started in the late 1980s by Anthony LaPaglia (“Without A Trace”), a former professional goalkeeper before he began his acting career. Lapaglia also is a part-owner of Sydney FC in the Australian professional league, the A-League. The team is coached by former English professionals John Gerrard and Ian Carrington.

HOW THEY GOT HERE

For the first time in club history, Hollywood United advanced out of USASA Region IV and onto the knockout stages of the U.S. Open Cup with a pair of 2-0 victories over the Santa Cruz County Breakers and San Diego United. They also defeated Banat Arsenal 3-1 in qualifying.

Now they find themselves in round two after stunning the Portland Timbers, 3-2, in the lone upset of the first round. Former MLS player Matt Taylor converted two penalty kicks, and former Derby County youth academy player Earl Alexander’s winner in stoppage time proved to be the difference.



SOUNDERS TIES



Featured on the Hollywood United roster are former Sounders midfielders Jason Boyce and Alex Bengard. Boyce played for Seattle in 2002 appearing in 15 games, scoring one goal and assisting on three. A member of the 2003 squad, Bengard saw time in 23 games and tallied three goals and two assists. Raul Palomaires was on trial with the Sounders this season and appeared in the Sounders exhibition match against Seattle Pacific University.



POTENTIAL ROUND 3 FIXTURE



Victory means Seattle will face Chivas USA of Major League Soccer at Starfire in round three scheduled for July 1.



*The Sounders submitted a bid to U.S. Soccer to host the July 8 quarterfinal round at Qwest Field.