The Seattle Sounders (8-5-4, 28 pts.) host Chivas USA of Major League Soccer (7-5-3, 24 pts.) this Wednesday July 18th at Qwest Field in a third round U.S. Open Cup match.

The Sounders fell to Chivas USA 3-1 on a game-winning goal by former Sounder Maykel Galindo in an exhibition match earlier this season at Qwest Field on June 2. The winner of the match moves on to face the Colorado Rapids in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup.

The Sounders come into the match on a four game winning streak and will look to become the fifth USL team to knock out an MLS team in an upset-filled 2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Defender Zach Scott, who missed the last Sounders match due to suspension, will be back and available to play against Chivas USA, presenting Coach Brian Schmetzer with a plethora of lineup options.

The addition of 2005 USL Defender of the Year Taylor Graham has further strengthened a formidable Sounders defense, which has recorded three consecutive league shutouts and five in their last six games. Standout goalkeeper Chris Eylander ranks second in USL First Division in wins, saves and shutouts.

Forward Sebastian Le Toux has emerged as an offensive difference-maker for the Sounders and moved into the top ten in points and goals among USL First Division players after notching his fifth goal of the season in Seattle’s 1-0 victory against Vancouver July 12. It was the French striker’s second consecutive game-winning goal and fourth of the season.

Chivas USA, which is currently in third-place in the MLS Western Conference, features two former Seattle Sounders in forward Maykel Galindo and goalkeeper Preston Burpo. Cuban-born Galindo has excelled in his first season in MLS with a team-leading seven goals as well as four assists. Burpo helped lead Seattle to its 2005 USL Championship and ranks second all-time in minutes played in Sounders history, but lost his starting position at Chivas USA this season to U.S. National team goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Goalkeeper Brad Guzan and defender Jonathan Bornstein were members of the U.S. National team that played in the Copa America tournament in July. Bornstein was the 2006 MLS Rookie of the Year and was recently named as a starter in the 2007 MLS All-Star Game against Scotland’s Celtic FC.

Chivas will look to improve on its first two U.S. Open Cup appearances. Last year, Chivas USA became the first MLS team to lose to an amateur club in U.S. Open Cup history following a penalty-kicks elimination at the hands of amateur side Roma FC in a Third Round tie in Santa Barbara on July 12, 2006, after a 0-0 draw in regulation. In 2005, its inaugural Open Cup appearance, Chivas USA fell 5-2 to the Los Angeles Galaxy at The Home Depot Center in the Fourth Round.

Next up for Seattle is a road match on July 21st against the Rochester Raging Rhinos. The Sounders then host Preston North End of England’s First Division in an exhibition match on Monday July 23 at 7 PM.