"This was a huge win for us," said Sounder head coach Brian Schmetzer. "Our guys played hard and really wanted this game. We hope that the next round is in Seattle and that soccer fans come out to cheer us to victory over the Earthquakes."

Kyle Smith scored the game winning goal in the 50th minute of play. Andrew Gregor drove a long ball into the Thunder six-yard box. Jason Farrell was there and headed the ball across the goal mouth to Smith, who tapped in the strike.

The Sounders defense continues to impress. Without starting defenders Danny Jackson and Ryan Edwards, who did not travel due to injury and suspension, respectively, the Sounders improved their shut out streak to four games and have not been scored on in the last 427 minutes. Rich Cullen registered his 11th shut out of the year.

Due to prior scheduling conflicts in Seattle venues, the 4th round of the Open Cup is currently scheduled to take place in San Jose on August 5th. However, the Sounders front office is busily working to bring the game to Seattle and should know the results of their efforts in the next few days.

Earlier this year, the Sounders and Earthquakes played to a 0-0 draw in an exhibition game at Seahawks Stadium.

Match report from the Minnesota Thunder (with a markedly different description of the goal):

The Minnesota Thunder fell victim to the Seattle Sounders for the second time in two weeks, losing 1-0 Wednesday at the National Sports Center in a third round Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match, the oldest cup competition in U.S. soccer.

The Thunder was unable to avenge a 3-2 loss to Seattle on July 4, although this match did not count in A-League play.

"It was a very disappointing loss. We really wanted to go on to play San Jose. We had better chances, but they got the goal," Thunder head coach Buzz Lagos said. The Thunder held a decisive edge in shots Seattle 16-8.

Seattle leading scorer Kyle Smith led the way scoring the game’s lone goal cleaning up a loose ball rebound in the 60th minute. Smith leads the Sounders with six A-League goals this season.

Neither team was able to put together a sustained offensive attack through the first 45 minutes. The Thunder mustered a handful of opportunities, which generated a 6-3 shot advantage, and a decisive 5-1 corner kick edge but was unable to capitalize.

Minnesota saw no change of luck in the second half as the Sounders were able to fight off each Thunder attack. Seattle's game winning goal scored by Smith was compliments of fellow forward Jason Farrell. After receiving a long ball inside the goal area from midfielder Viet Nguyen charging down the right sideline Farrell sent a ferocious blast with his right foot at keeper Joe Warren from 10 yards out. Warren's sprawling save attempt left the loose ball trickling around the goal line where Smith tapped it home for the game winner.

The Thunder's best equalizing opportunity arose in the 88th minute off a corner kick. The long cross sailed to midfielder Marco Ferruzzi whose lazer shot from 15 yards out beat goalkeeper Rich Cullen but was headed out by Sounders defender Sean-Michael Callahan who was well positioned on the near post. Midfielder Amos Magee's header deflected off the goal post in the ensuing moments.

With the win, the Sounders advance in Open Cup play and will travel to face the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer Aug. 6.

"Being out of the Cup disappoints us, but we’ll be back," Lagos said. "Our goal is to win the league title."

Dating back to 1914, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the oldest cup competition in United States soccer and is among the oldest in the world. Open to all affiliated amateur and professional teams in the United States, the annual U.S. Open Cup is a single-elimination tournament. The tournament's eventual winner takes home an estimated $100,000.

GAME NOTES:

• Defender Steve Shak returned to the starting lineup after sitting out Friday's 3-0 victory over Cincinnati. Shak was sidelined due to illness. Prior to Friday's match, Shak had logged every minute. Newly wed Johnny Menyongar returned to the lineup and entered the game in the 57th minute, replacing Marshall Morehead.

• Seattle defender Ryan Edwards was ineligible to play in tonight's match due to a red card violation in the third round of the Open Cup in 2002. Edwards scored the game-winner against the Thunder in Seattle's 3-2 victory on July 4. Defender Danny Jackson did not make the trip to Minnesota.

• Midfielder Kevin Anderson was injured in the 53rd minute and replaced by Greg Wheaton in the 56th minute.

Statistics:
        Minnesota  Seattle
Shots:      16         8
Saves:       0         3
Corners:     7         7
Fouls:      10        17
Offsides:    3         0

Misconduct:
29' SEA - Scott cautioned
52' SEA - Velez cautioned
83' MIN - Shak cautioned

Referees: Brian Hall; Siahosh Rahimi, Fotis Bazakos; Jeff Filipeck
Attendance: 3,182