What Is 2009 lamar hunt us open cup

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was the 96th edition of the tournament, won by Seattle Sounders FC who defeated D.C. United 2–1 in the final on September 2, 2009, marking their first title in their inaugural MLS season.

Key Facts

Seattle Sounders FC won the 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in their first MLS season
Final match was held on September 2, 2009, at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
Seattle defeated D.C. United 2–1 in the championship game
The tournament began on June 16, 2009, with 40 teams participating
Fredy Montero scored the winning goal in the 72nd minute of the final

Overview

The 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was the 96th edition of the United States' oldest ongoing national soccer competition. It featured teams from all levels of American soccer, including amateur, professional, and Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs, competing in a single-elimination format.

This year was particularly historic as expansion team Seattle Sounders FC captured the title in their debut MLS season. Their victory made them the first expansion team to win the Open Cup since 1968, showcasing their immediate impact on American soccer.

Seattle Sounders FC entered the tournament as an MLS expansion team and advanced through five rounds to claim the championship.
The final was held on September 2, 2009, at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., drawing an attendance of 22,653 fans.
Seattle defeated D.C. United 2–1, with goals from Lamar Neagle and Fredy Montero securing the win.
The tournament began on June 16, 2009, starting with lower-division teams before MLS clubs joined in later rounds.
A total of 40 teams participated, including clubs from USL, PDL, NPSL, and MLS, reflecting the competition’s inclusive structure.

How It Works

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup operates as a knockout tournament open to all affiliated soccer teams in the United States, regardless of professional or amateur status. Entry is tiered based on league level, ensuring competitive balance as teams progress through regional and national rounds.

Eligibility: Any team affiliated with U.S. Soccer can enter, including amateur, semi-pro, and professional clubs. This inclusivity is central to the tournament’s identity and tradition.
Qualification: Lower-division teams qualify through league performance or regional tournaments, while MLS teams enter in the third or fourth round based on scheduling agreements.
Format: The competition uses a single-elimination structure, with matches progressing from local qualifiers to a national final hosted at a predetermined venue.
Hosting Rules: The higher-seeded team typically hosts matches, though exceptions occur based on stadium availability and league agreements, especially in MLS matchups.
Prize: The winner earns $250,000 in prize money and qualifies for the CONCACAF Champions League, offering international exposure and competition.
Historical Significance: First held in 1914, the Open Cup is the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the U.S., named after soccer pioneer Lamar Hunt in 1999.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of key aspects of the 2009 U.S. Open Cup with recent editions to highlight structural and competitive trends.

Year	Champion	Runner-Up	Final Venue	Attendance
2009	Seattle Sounders FC	D.C. United	RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.	22,653
2010	Colorado Rapids	FC Dallas	CenturyLink Field, Seattle	21,674
2011	Seattle Sounders FC	Chicago Fire	CenturyLink Field, Seattle	35,548
2012	Sporting Kansas City	Seattle Sounders FC	LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, Kansas City	19,243
2013	DC United	Real Salt Lake	RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.	17,277

This table illustrates how Seattle Sounders FC emerged as a dominant Open Cup force starting in 2009, with multiple appearances and wins in the early 2010s. Attendance peaked in 2011, reflecting growing fan interest in the tournament, especially in Seattle. The shift in final venues from neutral sites to home stadiums of finalists also marks a strategic change in hosting decisions over time.

Why It Matters

The 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was a landmark moment for MLS and American soccer, demonstrating the potential for expansion teams to succeed immediately. It also reinforced the tournament’s role in bridging amateur and professional soccer across the U.S.

Historic achievement: Seattle became the first expansion team to win the Open Cup since the 1968 New York Generals, breaking a 41-year drought.
MLS growth: The Sounders’ success highlighted the viability of expansion teams in MLS, encouraging future league growth and investment.
Grassroots inclusion: The tournament allowed amateur teams like the Des Moines Menace to compete against MLS sides, preserving its democratic spirit.
International qualification: Winning granted Seattle a spot in the 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League, elevating their global profile.
Financial incentive: The $250,000 prize provided crucial revenue for clubs, especially smaller-market or expansion teams.
Legacy of Lamar Hunt: Naming the cup after Hunt honors his contributions to U.S. soccer, including founding MLS and the U.S. Open Cup’s modern revival.

Overall, the 2009 tournament not only crowned a champion but also symbolized the evolving landscape of American soccer, where new teams and traditional structures coexist in a competitive national framework.