Sporting Kansas City will look to write another glorious chapter in club history on Wednesday when the New York Red Bulls visit Children’s Mercy Park for the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final, slated for 8 p.m. CT on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.
In our 21-day Countdown to Cup, SportingKC.com is highlighting the most relevant storylines, historical narratives and statistical trends surrounding the Open Cup Final, U.S. Soccer’s National Championship.
Sporting Kansas City is seeking the club's fourth U.S. Open Cup title on Wednesday night, having previously lifted the trophy in 2004, 2012 and 2015.
Among a fan base that has grown substantially since the turn of the decade, the few and proud who have attended all three of Sporting KC's Open Cup final victories will hope to experience another euphoric evening in roughly 72 hours' time.
With three days to go until the championship, we caught up with three long-time Sporting KC supporters who attended the 2004, 2012 and 2015 finals. Their bright memories of these glory-stricken nights will kindle excitement and anticipation for Wednesday, when Manager Peter Vermes' men lock horns with the New York Red Bulls.
We begin with Sam Pierron, pictured above right, who led the "I Believe" chant in a 2-0 win over FC Dallas on Aug. 19. Season Ticket Members Bobby Poole and Mark Edson then share their recollections of each nail-biting victory.
Sam Pierron
On the 2004 Open Cup Final, a 1-0 win over the Chicago Fire...
"Of all the finals, it was far and away the least stressful. Unlike most of our big wins, it was a nice night. It was at home, no travel, small crowd, very low-key, though the match was tight. The previous two rounds had been at home and played at Blue Valley Northwest rather than Arrowhead, so the midweek, low-key Open Cup fixture was in rhythm.
"The 2004 Wizards aren't the best-remembered club we've had, but they were very good, and they stayed good through some bad injuries, so good that they came within three goals of winning the domestic treble. Under 2004 MLS rules, we lost the Supporters' Shield to the Crew on the second tie-breaker: goals scored. Both teams were even on the first tie-breaker: goal differential. One more regular season goal, or if MLS had used the current tie-breaker of wins, and we take the Shield. In the MLS Cup final, two more goals, and we take that home as well. One heck of a season, but I digress."
On the 2012 Open Cup Final, a penalty shootout win over Seattle Sounders FC...
"It was our first final of any sort since the 2004 MLS Cup final, and I think all of us were still amazed that we were, yes, hosting a final at one of the best soccer-specific venues in the country. I was able to watch all of the penalty kicks, but it was, yes, awful. Nothing went through my mind when Johnson missed. Just joy! The rest of the night, particularly Puma (Jimmy Nielsen) going up and painting the wall, was a time for reflection, to be sure. That was a real crowning moment for the stadium and the organization's transformation.
On the 2015 Open Cup Final, a penalty shootout win at the Philadelphia Union...
"I missed the first two rounds in which we played in 2015 due to work, but was able to attend the quarterfinal and semifinal. I actually booked flights and hotel for both Philadelphia and Chicago on the day of the draw, a week before the semifinal. Traveling for a final was kind of a novelty, as the last few had been at home. Travel had become a significant part of the Sporting KC fan experience, so it was not surprising, but still amazing, that so many other people (approximately 800 fans) came along, including most of the club staff, which I thought was really great.
"Jordi (Quintilla) winning it was delightful, but this was really the first final without any kind of dread or existential angst. As fans and as a club, we knew who we were. Being a strong presence and winning a trophy, that was just a part of who we were at that point. The celebration was fun, but not life-affirming or cathartic. In other words, appropriate for sports!"
Bobby Poole
On the 2004 Open Cup Final...
"My reaction afterwards was being excited about winning a championship. Having been a fan since 1999, I didn't feel I deserved the 2000 championship as I hadn't been a 'real' fan that long."
On the 2012 Open Cup Final...
"The weather sticks out because I was helping with the Cauldron tailgate and when the storm moved in, the people who were still around were rushed onto the bus for cover. I remember Eddie Johnson's penalty kick via the videoboard replay, because I could not watch the PK in real time because it was too hard and stressful. I watched most of the PKs, but once it got down to the deciding ones, it was hard to watch those.
On the 2015 Open Cup Final...
"When we qualified for the semifinals, I decided if we won the semifinals I would go to the championship match. Once we won, my girlfriend at home had all the information ready to click "buy" to make sure I got the flight. So by the time the team finished celebrating with the Cauldron and turned to section 131, I already had my confirmation email.
"Once we got to Philadelphia, I do remember the highlight of, before the match during tailgating, doing an Irish Car Bomb with the legend Jimmy Conrad.
"I just remember it being a cool rainy night, not much offense from either side. Both defenses were strong. When it came to the shootouts, I remember the feeling of the crowd ramping up with each taking of a PK. Hearing the excitement from the SKC fans when we scored and initially hearing the dejection from the Philly fans around us at the same time. And when Jordy scored, me along with fellow Emeritus members were screaming, jumping up and down and hugging one another. Then just celebrating with other fans and friends."
Mark Edson
On the 2004 Open Cup Final...
"The golden goal and the crazy way it went in. We can’t seem to win in an Open Cup final in regulation. I think it was Josh Wolff that was fouled and Igor Simutenkov, who was my wife’s favorite player at the time, stepped up and took the shot. It was the coolest ending. They don’t have the golden goal anymore but that was such a cool way to end a game. It went in and that was it, game over."
On the 2012 Open Cup Final...
"Everybody lost track of the ball on Eddie Johnson's missed penalty in the shootout, and it took a second for it hit me. Jimmy (Nielsen) came running out and the stadium just exploded. That’s the loudest I’d heard it up to that point.
"It was just a dream come true to have my wife and oldest son there with me to share it with them. To be there and share it with them, jumping up down and hugging and screaming, it was unreal. It really was. It felt so much better than in 2004 just for the atmosphere, the crowd and the support the team has now."
On the 2015 Open Cup Final...
"There was no question I was going, not at all. After missing the 2004 MLS Cup and we lost, I was never going to miss a Cup Final again. For that final we ended up with almost 1,000 traveling fans. It was amazing.
"To have the whole team come over and raise the cup in front of us and pass it off to another guy who would raise the cup and going nuts, that was special. It was a crazy night even long after we left the stadium."
