Wait a minute! WHO is almost leading U.S. Open Cup scoring?

Want more evidence of how valuable Osvaldo Alonso is to the Seattle Sounders?

Check out the list of scorers, and consider that he has a chance to become the goals leader of the entire 2012 tournament.

• 5 – Brian Shriver (Carolina RailHawks)
• 4 – Danny Barrera (Cal FC)
• 4 – Osvaldo Alonso (Seattle Sounders FC)
• 4 – Francisco Lopez (Ventura County Fusion)
• 3 – Artur Aghasyan (Cal FC)
• 3 – Nate Thornton (Charlotte Eagles)
• 3 – Aly Hassan (Fort Lauderdale Strikers)
• 3 – Brian Ombiji (Harrisburg City Islanders)
• 3 – Sainey Touray (Harrisburg City Islanders)
• 3 – Freddy Adu (Philadelphia Union)
• 3 – Sammy Ochoa (Seattle Sounders FC)
• 2 – 28 players tied*

On the one hand, U.S. Open Cup play has always brought out the best from the Cuban defector, going back to his days with the Charleston Battery and a do-all night as his second-tier side battle D.C. United in the 2008 final at RFK Stadium.

On the other hand, the man is a holding midfielder for Pete’s sake! Holding mids don’t challenge to lead in scoring – not in any competition.

Tomorrow’s final from Livestrong Sporting Park, Sporting Kansas City vs. Seattle, begins at 8 p.m. CT, live on GolTV.