Things you should know about the Semifinals of the US Open Cup
Posted on 01. Sep, 2009 by Josh Hakala in 1995 - Present (Pro Era), Feature, Semifinals
Since 1996, only 11 non-MLS teams have advanced to the Semifinals.
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 six teams have advanced to the Semifinals after beginning play in the First Round. The 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 remain as the only “third division” club (now the USL Second Division) 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. They 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 Professional Era 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 seven times, the most of any MLS team.
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.
Semifinal appearances by MLS teams:
Chicago Fire – 7 (5-2 record)
DC United - 7 (4-3)
Los Angeles Galaxy – 6 (4-2)
FC Dallas – 6 (3-3)
New York Red Bulls – 4 (1-3)
Columbus Crew – 3 (2-1)
New England Revolution – 3 (2-1)
Colorado Rapids – 2 (1-1)
Kansas City Wizards – 2 (1-1)
Houston Dynamo - 2 (0-2)
Miami Fusion – 1 (1-0)
Seattle Sounders FC – 1 (1-0)
San Jose Earthquakes – 1 (0-1)
The New York Red Bulls (Metrostars) have the most semifinal appearances (four) without an Open Cup championship.
Consecutive Semifinal appearances:
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 - 2 (2008-2009) — 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 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)