Sebastian Le Toux continued his recent scoring binge and the Seattle Sounders scored four first half goals in a 4-1 win over the Banat Arsenal, representing the united States Amateur Soccer Association from Phoenix Arizona, in an opening round US Open Cup match.

Le Toux notched a superb match-winning goal in the 32nd minute and added another shortly after in the 37th minute. In addition, Nathan Knox and Greg Howes each scored and assisted on one goal in a class performance by the Sounders squad. The Sounders next Cup match is against the Portland Timbers at Starfire Sports and Entertainment Complex on June 26. Ticket information will be released later in the week through SeattleSounders.net .

Playing a clever one-two pass with Roger Levesque at the top of the box, Le Toux calmly lofted the ball over the Arsenal goalkeeper for the game-winning goal. Minutes later, Le Toux completed a quality passing sequence by the Sounders midfield by smashing a short pass from Howes into the back of the net.

The heavily favored Sounders quickly asserted themselves when Knox opened the scoring with a tight-angled shot from the left side of 6 yard box in the 9th minute. Banat Arsenal surprisingly equalized in the 16th minute against the run of play. A quick counter attack by the Arsenal appeared to catch the Sounders’ backline off guard as Maurice Hughes hammered home a volley off a short cross from Ty Hibbert.

Howes completed the Sounders’ scoring off a short through ball from Knox.

Banat Arsenal kept numbers back on defense early in the game in an effort to keep the game close against the speedier and stronger Sounders. As a result, the team managed only six shots in match and struggled to produce a consistent attack.

The Sounders, in contrast, controlled the ball and constantly probed the Arsenal defense. Quick midfield passing among Leighton O’Brien and Howes opened up holes in the Arsenal defense early and often for the speedy forward tandem of Le Toux and Knox.

The victory continued the Sounders’ recent success in the US Open Cup. The team has qualified for the tournament in 10 of the past 12 years. The 2003 squad is especially notable for beating the MLS San Jose Earthquake on its way to the quarterfinals. The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the oldest cup competition in United States soccer and is open to all teams in the country.

Next up for the Sounders is a nationally televised match on Friday June 17th with the Carolina Railhawks that will air on Fox Soccer Channel at 5pm Pacific Time. Join the Sounders fans at Kell’s Irish pub to watch the match.