What Is 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final

Overview

The 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final was the 97th edition of the oldest ongoing soccer competition in the United States. It featured Seattle Sounders FC and Columbus Crew, with the Sounders aiming to defend their 2009 title and the Crew seeking their first Open Cup victory.

Played on October 5, 2010, at Qwest Field in Seattle, the match highlighted the growing popularity of Major League Soccer and domestic cup soccer in the U.S. The Sounders emerged victorious with a 2–1 win, cementing their status as a dominant force in American soccer during that era.

• Seattle Sounders FC claimed their second consecutive U.S. Open Cup title, becoming the first MLS team to do so since 2003.
• The final was held at Qwest Field, now known as Lumen Field, with a crowd of 31,311 in attendance.
• Fredy Montero opened the scoring in the 56th minute, marking his fifth goal of the 2010 Open Cup campaign.
• Jeff Cunningham equalized for Columbus Crew in the 71st minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse.
• Blair Tennent scored the winning goal in the 75th minute, redirecting a cross from Mauro Rosales to secure the victory.

How It Works

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament open to all affiliated U.S. soccer teams, from amateur to professional levels. It follows a single-elimination format, with teams progressing through rounds until the final match determines the champion.

• Eligibility: Any U.S.-based team sanctioned by U.S. Soccer can enter, including MLS, USL, and amateur clubs. This inclusivity makes it one of the most democratic tournaments in American sports.
• Format: The tournament uses a single-elimination structure, where one loss eliminates a team. Upsets are common due to the mix of professional and amateur sides.
• Seeding: Higher-division teams enter in later rounds. In 2010, MLS teams entered in the third round, giving lower-tier clubs early opportunities to advance.
• Hosting: The team with the higher seed typically hosts the match. In 2010, Seattle hosted due to their higher regular-season standing and previous title win.
• Prize: The winner earns $250,000 and a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League, providing international exposure and financial incentive.
• History: First held in 1914, the Open Cup is the oldest ongoing national championship in U.S. soccer, predating MLS by over 80 years.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 2010 final to previous editions reveals trends in attendance, team performance, and tournament significance.

The 2010 final saw the highest attendance of any Open Cup final since 2000, reflecting the rising popularity of MLS and the Sounders’ strong fan base. The consistent 2–1 scoreline in recent finals suggests tightly contested matches, often decided by late goals or defensive errors.

Why It Matters

The 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final was more than just a title match—it symbolized the growth of professional soccer in the United States and the increasing competitiveness of domestic tournaments.

• Seattle's back-to-back wins established them as a model MLS franchise, combining strong fan support with on-field success.
• The tournament gave lower-division teams a rare chance to compete against MLS clubs, fostering excitement and underdog stories.
• Winning the Open Cup granted Seattle a spot in the 2011–12 CONCACAF Champions League, increasing their international visibility.
• The match drew national TV coverage, helping to grow the sport’s profile during a critical period of MLS expansion.
• Attendance of over 31,000 demonstrated the commercial viability of soccer-specific stadiums and fan engagement.
• The Open Cup honors Lamar Hunt, a key figure in American soccer, whose legacy includes founding MLS and the Kansas City Wizards.

As MLS continues to grow, the U.S. Open Cup remains a vital platform for competition across all levels of American soccer, preserving tradition while embracing modern growth.