The US Open Cup Quarterfinals saw record crowds (overall) and unprecedented drama in every game. It was the first time in the Modern Era that all four games were decided in the 86th minute or later. Thanks to that, there are a number of great individual performances to choose from for TheCup.us Player of the Round.
ANSWER: John McCarthy of Philadelphia Union was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round
Take a look at the list below and tell us who should be the Player of the Round and why. And if there’s a player not on the list, make your case for him in the comments.
Aaron Maund (Real Salt Lake)
Maud scored the game-winning goal in the 87th minute in Real Salt Lake’s 1-0 home win over the Los Angeles Galaxy. He was also part of a defensive effort that shutout the Galaxy, who featured a strong lineup that included Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard (in the 2nd half) and others.
Jeff Attinella (Real Salt Lake)
Attinella, filling in for Nick Rimando who was on national team duty, made four saves and faced 16 shots as Real Salt Lake shut out the Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
John McCarthy (Philadelphia Union)
McCarthy made nine saves (faced 34 shots) while the Union played with 10 men from the 40th minute through extra time. He allowed an equalizer in the final minute of second half stoppage time to make it 1-1 but in the PK shootout, he made a dramatic save on Lloyd Sam which proved to be the difference in the 4-3 win at Red Bull Arena.
Dom Dwyer (Sporting KC)
Dwyer scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 86th minute and then assisted on Krisztian Nemeth’s insurance goal two minutes later in Sporting Kansas City’s 3-1 home win over the Houston Dynamo who played with 10 men for the majority of the match. (beginning in 30th minute)
Krisztian Nemeth (Sporting KC)
Nemeth assisted on what proved to be the game-winner by Dom Dwyer in the 86th minute and then scored the insurance goal (assisted by Dwyer) two minutes later in Sporting Kansas City’s 3-1 home win over the Houston Dynamo who played with 10 men for the majority of the match (beginning in 30th minute).
Benny Feilhaber (Sporting KC)
Feilhaber scored an impressive game-tying goal in the 71st minute and was an offensive threat throughout the game in Sporting Kansas City’s 3-1 home win over the Houston Dynamo who played with 10 men for the majority of the match (beginning in 30th minute)
Kennedy Igboananike (Chicago Fire)
Igboananike came off the bench in the 66th minute and scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal in the 87th minute and then put the game away with a second goal in second half stoppage time in Chicago’s 3-1 home win over Orlando City.