DENVER (Tuesday, July 13, 1999) - The Colorado Rapids defeated the A-League Seattle Sounders, 1-0, on Tuesday night in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup in front of 20,376 at Mile High Stadium. Matt McKeon scored on a rocket from 35 yards out to give the Rapids all the offense they needed as goalkeeper Ian Feuer turned in the shutout.
With the win, the Rapids advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament. The final eight teams will be bracketed by a random draw in early August, with the quarterfinals set to begin in mid-August.
Coming in as the clear-cut underdog against the top team in Major League Soccer, the visiting Sounders assumed a bunker mentality for much of the night, packing several players behind the ball and attempting to shut down the potent Colorado attack.
But with the defensive shell, midfielder Matt McKeon found a way through, or actually over, in the 26th minute. Taking a pass from Kevin Anderson a good 35 yards from goal, McKeon unleashed a missile that found the top, right corner of the net to give the Rapids the lead they would never relinquish.
As the game wore on, despite the clogged defense of Seattle, the Rapids would have a few chances, with Jorge Dely Valdes firing off the left post in the second half and Marquis White mis-hitting a close-in chance from 10 yards out.
Seattle's best chance of the game actually found the back of the net in the 85th minute, when forward Erik Storkson jumped to try and reach a cross, but realizing he could not get to it with his head, stuck his hand up and punched the ball into the net. Referee Richard Heron was not fooled, nor amused, as the goal was disallowed, and Storkson was shown a yellow card.
Ian Feuer, Peter Vermes, Jason Bent, David Vaudreuil, Tahj Jakins, Ross Paule, Matt McKeon, Joey DiGiamarino, Kevin Anderson (Darren Sawatzky 58), Wolde Harris (Marquis White 71), Jorge Dely Valdes.
Preston Burpo, Bernie James, Jason Annicchero, Craig Weibel, Scott Jenkins, Oliver Heale, Shan Gaw, Ian Russell, Kieran Barton, Peter Hattrup (Erik Storkson 51), Mark Baena.
Referee: Richard Heron Attendance: 20,376 LINESCORE 1 2 FINAL Seattle 0 0 0 Rapids 1 0 1 SCORING SUMMARY: TEAM MIN GOAL ASSIST Rapids 26th McKeon Anderson SUBSTITUTIONS: TEAM MIN IN OUT Sounders 51st Storkson Hattrup Rapids 58th Sawatzky Anderson Rapids 71st White Harris BOOKINGS/EJECTIONS: TEAM MIN PLAYER C/E REASON Sounders 69TH Jenkins C Hard Tackle Sounders 72nd Annicchero C Hard Tackle Rapids 72nd McKeon C Unsportsmanlike Conduct Sounders 85th Storkson C Intentional Handball TEAM STATISTICS: RAPIDS SEATTLE SHOTS 21 7 SHOTS ON GOAL 3 2 SAVES 1 2 FOULS 13 12 OFFSIDE 0 2 CORNER KICKS 6 2