For the second year in a row and the third time in four years, the Harrisburg City Islanders of the USL Second Division pulled off an upset of an MLS club in the third round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. This year, they added another MLS upset to their US Open Cup resume with a 1-0 overtime win over the New York Red Bulls, as Dominic Oppong scored the game-winning goal in extra time.
The Red Bulls controlled play early, however Harrisburg was able to counter, though neither side could find the netting. Play evened out and maintained through the first 90, as neither side could make much out of their opportunities.
New York had their best opportunity to win in the first half of extra time, as Vince Petrasso collected a clearance and rocketed it on goal, but the ball hit the right goalpost. Harrisburg sent in a last attempt at 117′ as Kai Kasiguran hit a shot from the left at goal. New York’s Greg Sutton saved the shot, Geoff Bloes collected the rebound and forced another Dawson save, but the clearance was intercepted by the City Islanders’ Jason Pelletier. He fed the ball back to Bloes, who got the ball to Oppong to slide in on the right side to clinch the game. The goal ties Oppong with Bloes for the Open Cup team lead at 2, also the most by any players still active in the Quarterfinals.
Harrisburg will head to the capital to play DC United in the Quarterfinals. The game will take place on July 21, and will be the last game in the round.
SCORING:
HAR- Oppong (Bloes) 117′
DISCIPLINE:
NY- Chinn 11′ (yellow, Reckless foul)
SUBSTITUTIONS:
HAR- Petrasso for Jafta, 65′
NY- Tchani for Agudelo, 66′
NY- da Luz for Garcia, 76′
HAR- Oppong for Hotchkin, 80′
NY- Ream for Nielsen, 80′
HAR-Kasiguran for Williams, 101′