Things you should know about the Semifinals of the US Open Cup
Posted on 03. Jul, 2012 by Chuck Nolan Jr. in 1995 - Present (Pro Era), Semifinals
Since 1996, only 12 non-MLS teams have advanced to the Semifinals.
2011 – Richmond Kickers (USL Pro – 3rd Division)
2009 – Rochester Rhinos (USL First Division)
2008 – Charleston Battery (USL First Division)*, Seattle Sounders (USL First Division)
2007 – Carolina RailHawks (USL First Division), Seattle Sounders (USL First Division)
2005 – Minnesota Thunder (USL First Division)
2004 – Charleston Battery (A-League)
1999 – Charleston Battery (A-League), Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League)*
1997 – San Francisco Bay Seals (USISL Division 3 Pro League)
1996 – Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League)*
* Advanced to the Final
Since 1996, only seven teams have advanced to the Semifinals after beginning play in the First Round. The Richmond Kickers (2011), Rochester Rhinos (2009), Charleston Battery (2008), Carolina RailHawks (2007), San Francisco Bay Seals (1997) and the Seattle Sounders who did it twice in 2007 and 2008. San Francisco and Richmond are the only Third Division clubs (now called USL Pro) to advance to the final four during that span.
Before the Charleston Battery eliminated the Seattle Sounders in the 2008 Semifinals, the Rochester Raging Rhinos in 1996 and 1999 were the only USL teams to win a Semifinal match. The Rhinos were the only non-MLS team (since 1996) to win the title when they defeated the Colorado Rapids 2-0 in 1999.
2008’s Semifinal match between the Charleston Battery and the Seattle Sounders ended in a 1-1 draw, and then went to penalties where the Battery moved on 4-3. It was the first time a Semifinal game went to penalties during the Modern Professional Era (1995-present) and the first time two non-MLS teams met in the final four.
The Chicago Fire entered Major League Soccer as an expansion team in 1998, and won the US Open Cup (and MLS Cup) in their inaugural season. Since then, they have participated in 10 tournaments, and have advanced to the Semifinals eight times. They are tied with DC United for the most appearances during the Modern Professional Era.
After Major League Soccer debuted in 1996 (1996 doesn’t make sense to include, since every Semifinalist was in their inaugural season that year), only four teams have advanced to the Semifinals in their inaugural season. The Fire (1998), Houston Dynamo (2006 – although they were essentially the San Jose Earthquakes, but they were still technically a ‘new franchise’), Carolina RailHawks (2007) and the Seattle Sounders MLS franchise in 2009.
In 2010, the Seattle Sounders MLS franchise became the first expansion team to win a Semifinal match in each of their first two seasons as a franchise. They also won a Semifinal match in their third year (2011), and their fourth year (2012).
Semifinal appearances by MLS teams:
Chicago Fire – 8 (6-2 record)
DC United – 8 (4-4)
FC Dallas – 7 (3-4)
Los Angeles Galaxy – 6 (4-2)
New York Red Bulls – 4 (1-3)
Columbus Crew – 4 (3-1)
Seattle Sounders – 4 (4-0)
New England Revolution – 3 (2-1)
Colorado Rapids – 2 (1-1)
Sporting Kansas City – 3 (2-1)
Chivas USA – 2 (0-2)
Houston Dynamo - 2 (0-2)
Miami Fusion – 1 (1-0)
San Jose Earthquakes – 1 (0-1)
Philadelphia Union – 1 (0-1)
Portland Timbers – 0
Real Salt Lake – 0
Tampa Bay Mutiny – 0
Note: The New York Red Bulls (Metrostars) have the most semifinal appearances (four) without an Open Cup championship.
Consecutive Semifinal appearances:
Seattle Sounders (USL/MLS) – 6 (2007-2012) — won in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Chicago Fire – 4 (2003-06) — won in 2003, 2006
Los Angeles Galaxy – 4 (2000-03) — won in 2001
Dallas Burn (FC Dallas) – 3 (1996-98) — won in 1997
DC United - 3 (2008-2010) — won in 2008
DC United – 2 (1996-97) — won in 1996
Columbus Crew – 2 (1998-99)
Chicago Fire – 2 (2000-01) — won in 2000
Los Angeles Galaxy – 2 (2005-06) — won in 2005
New England Revolution – 2 (2007-08) — won in 2007
The most popular Semifinal matchup in the Professional Era has been the Chicago Fire against the Los Angeles Galaxy who have played each other three times.
2000: Chicago Fire 2:1 (ASDET) Los Angeles Galaxy (at Los Angeles)
2001: Los Angeles Galaxy 1:0 (ASDET) Chicago Fire (at Los Angeles)
2003: Chicago Fire 3:2 Los Angeles Galaxy (at Chicago)
Interesting that in the Consecutive Semis appearances, only Chicago won it all the last year they were in the Semis. In all other cases, the team won in their first or second year of making the semis — if they won it.
Also, shouldn’t Seattle be in there? They won it all last year, so they have to have been in the semis, and they are again this year. And they continue the trend of winning their first year of making the semis. Expect them to not win it this year.
…though, checking Wiki, Seattle fans could argue that Seattle actually has a run of 2007-2010 going, the USL1 Sounders having made the semi in ‘07 and ‘08.
That’s very true, you could make the argument, but we’ve been told multiple times that the MLS Sounders are considered to be a “new franchise” … which is unfortunate, I think, because we’re trying to establish some history and tradition in (North) American soccer, and it would be nice if teams like Portland, Vancouver, Montreal and Seattle held on to their USL roots. I’ve never had anyone give me a good explanation as to why they don’t.
And you were right about Seattle being in there, I forgot to add them when I updated this article for 2010. Thanks.
I believe that the Sounders FC has embraced their roots. They have hung a banner for the USL championships that were won by the previous Sounders at Xbox Pitch.
I am happy for the richmond kickers but in all earnest the us open cup needs a new direction. The Concacaf champions league 4 us entries should be the supporters shield winner and runner up and the mls cup winner and runner up. Plain and simple.
Since relegation and promotion do not exist, in all earnest, the us open cup is in an awful place in the scheme of things it needs freeing.
click my name above for my suggestion and please tell me what you think?
I absolutely disagree. First off, remember what happened a few years ago when Red Bull NY made the MLS Cup final? They had a lucky streak, but were really a mediocre team, and that showed when they got hammered in the qualifier round in the CCL. At least with the Open Cup, it requires a bit more than just a week or two of luck, since it’s a tournament over an extended period of time.