Sacramento Republic FC will try to claim another major home victory in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as it plays host to four-time title winner Seattle Sounders FC on Tuesday night at Heart Health Park.

Here’s what you need to know about the Quarterfinal clash.

Sacramento Republic FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC

Venue: Heart Health Park
Kickoff: 11 p.m. ET
Broadcast: AppleTV+

The Lowdown: Sacramento Republic FC will pursue a repeat of its trip to the 2022 U.S. Open Cup Final when it plays host to Seattle Sounders FC. The clash will be the second time the sides have met in the Open Cup all-time, with Sacramento having claimed a 2-1 victory after extra time when the sides met in the Fourth Round of the 2018 tournament.

Republic FC was the last undefeated team standing in the Championship as it reeled off a 13-game undefeated run across all competitions to start the season, but since then the side has hit a patch of up-and-down form. That has coincided with injuries to midfielder Rodrigo Lopez and forward Russell Cicerone, with Republic FC having gone 2-3-1 since its first loss of the season on June 1. The hosts are coming off a 1-0 defeat at home to Las Vegas Lights FC last Wednesday night in its last league outing to drop to third in the Western Conference standings.

The Sounders, meanwhile, have seen a recent uptick in form after a slow start to the campaign. Seattle has won four of its last five league outings after a 2-0 victory on Saturday night against the New England Revolution that saw Jordan Morris and Albert Rusnak find the net. The run of results in its last five games accounts for half of the Sounders’ wins this regular season, with the side currently seventh in MLS’s Western Conference.

How They Got Here

Sacramento Republic FC – Republic FC took a comfortable 2-0 victory against NorCal rival Monterey Bay F.C. in the Fourth Round as Kieran Phillips found the net and goalkeeper Danny Vitiello posted a four-save shutout. Sacramento then claimed an epic 4-3 victory after extra time against MLS’s San Jose Earthquakes, rallying from a goal down at halftime of extra time as Luis Felipe Fernandes and Sebastian Herrera scored a minute apart to swing the game its way for a second consecutive win against the Quakes in the tournament.

Seattle Sounders FC – A young Sounders lineup survived a late comeback from Louisville City FC in the Fourth Round that saw the USL Championship side score twice in the second half to level the game before goalkeeper Andrew Thomas stepped up in a penalty shootout, making crucial saves and the game-winning spot kick to send the side through 5-4 from the spot. The Sounders then rallied against Phoenix Rising FC in the Round of 16 as Alex Roldan converted a penalty kick before Kalani Rienzi scored with two minutes to go to earn a 2-1 victory at Starfire Stadium.

Spotlight Players
Sacramento Republic FC – Luis Felipe Fernandes: The central midfielder was one of the key figures in Sacramento’s Open Cup run two years ago and scored another crucial goal in the past round against the Quakes. His all-around game in midfield will need to be on point against a talented Sounders squad.

Seattle Sounders FC – Raul Ruidiaz: The veteran forward has been coming off the bench of late for the Sounders, but has eight goals in 19 appearances this season and could be in line to start as Seattle continues its bid to equal the record for the most Open Cup victories in the tournament’s history.