The mighty Seattle Sounders in the A-League West has been eliminated from US
Open Cup Qualification by the Portland Timbers losing both  aggregate
matches by a goal. Playing all their home matches at Seahawks Stadium the
Sounders were always a shoe in to reach the US Open Cup by taking out the
Portland Timbers every year they faced them.

Sadly enough losing to the Timbers in qualifying and losing in the winning
percentage race to make it as secondary qualifiers the Sounders have lost
now additional money when hosting matches in US Open Cup play. They generate
at least $100,000 a year when they are in US Open Cup play and for the first
time in a long time they will be playing for the A-League Championship only.

In a way it's sad to not see the Sounders in the US Open Cup. Last season
they advanced all the way to the Quarterfinals facing off against the Los
Angeles Galaxy, scored the first goal of the match till LA struck back and
won the match five goals to one and met the Chicago Fire in the Semi-Finals.
Next year right now is a long way for the Sounders to try again and qualify
for the 2005 US Open Cup.

But let's look on the bright side of things. The Portland Timbers have
qualified for their first US Open Cup Tournament and let's hope that they
have a good campaign this season as they will be planted in the 3rd round of
the 2004 Cup. Well we see first time jitters with the Portland Timbers?, or
will they become upset makers just like any of the lower division squads.
Good luck to the Portland Timbers. Let's see how far they go.