The 2009 U.S. Open Cup, officially the 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, was the 96th edition of the United States Soccer Federation's annual knockout cup competition. The tournament took place between May and September 2009 and featured 40 clubs from across the American soccer pyramid, including teams from Major League Soccer (MLS), the United Soccer Leagues (USL) First and Second Divisions, the Premier Development League (PDL), and various amateur leagues.
Format and Participation
- Entry: Clubs entered at different stages according to their league affiliation. Amateur and lower‑division teams began in the first round, while MLS clubs entered in the third round.
- Structure: Single‑elimination matches were played; tied games after regulation proceeded to extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shoot‑out.
- Number of Teams: 40 clubs competed in the main tournament bracket.
Key Outcomes
- Champion: Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) captured their first major trophy by defeating D.C. United 2–1 in the final.
- Runner‑up: D.C. United (MLS)
- Final Venue: RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C., on September 2, 2009.
- Top Scorer: Nate Jaqua (Seattle Sounders FC) led the tournament in goals with four. (If additional verification is required, the exact goal‑scoring tally may be noted as insufficient encyclopedic information.)
Significant Notes
- The victory marked the first time an MLS expansion team won the U.S. Open Cup in its inaugural season.
- The tournament maintained its status as the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the United States, with the 2009 edition continuing the tradition of open participation across professional and amateur levels.
Legacy
Seattle Sounders FC's triumph contributed to the growing prestige of the U.S. Open Cup among MLS clubs and highlighted the tournament's role in providing lower‑division teams opportunities to compete against top‑tier opposition. The 2009 competition is frequently cited in discussions of MLS clubs' early success in domestic cup play.