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SEATTLE - The Seattle Sounders FC will return to the CONCACAF Champions League for a third straight year next season, claiming the first berth in the 24-team field Tuesday night with a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Fire to win a third consecutive U.S. Open Cup.
Fredy Montero converted a rebound in the 79th minute and Osvaldo Alonso added a goal in injury time to assure the Sounders of a place in the Champions League Preliminary Round.
Seattle, which didn't get past the Group Stage last season, already has clinched a quarterfinal berth this year with one round remaining, one of two teams to guarantee itself of advancing.
Chicago was trying to become the 12th different team from Major League Soccer to play in the Champions League since its inauguration in 2008.
Before a record crowd of 35,613m, the Sounders are the third team and first since the New York Greek Americans in 1969 to win three straight U.S. Open Cup titles. Chicago was seeking to become the third team to win a fifth crown.
The LA Galaxy missed a chance to become the first team to earn a spot in the Group Stage as the MLS Supporters' Shield winner when it lost to the New York Red Bulls 2-0 Tuesday night. It will try again on October 16 when it hosts cross-town rival Chivas USA.
It also could clinch on Saturday if Seattle fails to defeat the Philadelphia Union.
