SOUNDERS WIN! Seattle scores first major trophy with 2-1 win at DC United

Seattle Sounders FC have just defeated DC United 2-1 in the 2009 United States Open Cup to win their first major cup, in their very first year!

Wow, that was some performance by the Sounders tonight. They played a dominating first half in which they were unlucky not to score, but didn't let it get to their heads as they came out battling in the second half, too.

Finally Fredy Montero put Seattle up in the 67th minute on a quick rebound from a Freddie Ljungberg shot. Just after the goal DC United goalkeeper Josh Wicks purposely cleated Montero in the side. As the Fox Soccer Channel announcers rued the missed call and declared it 'worthy of a red,' the sideline officials were conferring. Sure enough Wicks was eventually ejected and the Sounders played the rest of the match up a man.

Keller raise the cup in DC. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

It looked close to being over when longtime Sounder Roger Levesque scored to put Seattle up 2-0 in the 85th minute. His goal came on an assist from Sebastien Le Toux.

DC United made the last few minutes very tense when they drew to within 2-1 and five minutes of stoppage time were added.

Seattle held, and now they can hold the US Open Cup on the flight home, as the first major trophy in the new club's history. It took just over five months to earn it.

Seattle thus earns a spot in the 2010 Concacaf Champions League tournament with the win.

The Sounders played very well, and Seattle fans can be very proud of the effort.

Seattle was tight defensively and stroked the ball around the park on the attack. It was a classy, gutsy performance by the team, easily their best effort of the season.

Sounders celebrate their big win. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

The Seattle Times reports: Robert F. Kennedy Stadium, as the sign hanging from a wall in the lower level read, is a place where eagles dare. Wednesday night, it was also the place where Sounders FC won its first trophy.

Sounders FC.com: Match stats from the big win.

Seattle P-I: Sounders bring home US Open Cup trophy

VIDEOS of Seattle's GOALS: Fredy Montero & Roger Levesque

VIDEO of trophy presentation: MLSnet.com

Video Highlights: MLSnet.com

Big Apple Soccer: Wicks' short fuse

Big Apple Soccer: Sounding off

More Finals photos: SoundersFC.com

Seattle Sounders' Fredy Montero, left, and DC United's Dejan Jakovic, right, race for the ball during first half of the U.S. Open Cup soccer game in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Seattle Sounders' Roger Levesque, right, is congratulated by Freddie Ljungberg, center, and Leonardo Gonzalez, left, after scoring against DC United during the second half of the U.S. Open Cup final soccer in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009. The Sounders won 2-1. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)