UPDATE: All three Major League Soccer teams were eliminated by their NASL opponents tonight. The New York Cosmos dominated the Red Bulls 3-0, while the Carolina RailHawks eliminated Chivas USA for the second time in the last three years, this time by way of PK shootout. And finally, last year’s runner-up, Real Salt Lake followed up their best tournament run in team history by losing to the Atlanta Silverbacks 2-1 on a 90th minute goal by Kwadwo Poku.
Check back with TheCup.us for details …
For the first time since 2003, the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup will feature tournament games on a Saturday. Three Major League Soccer (MLS) vs. North American Soccer League (NASL) matchups are on the schedule with the headliner featuring a game two years in the making with the New York Cosmos hosting the New York Red Bulls. The other two games are rematches from a year ago as the Carolina RailHawks welcome Chivas USA, and the Atlanta Silverbacks will host Real Salt Lake. Both games from last year went to extra time with the MLS team emerging victorious in both contests.
NY RED BULLS AT NY COSMOS
Over the years, the tournament, as is the case in many domestic cup competitions around the world, holds their games midweek to minimize the impact on league schedules. Since 1995, there have only been 50 Open Cup games that have been played on Friday (19), Saturday (11) or Sunday (20) out of the 742 (6.7%). The reason a weekend date was made possible was because of the MLS break during the FIFA World Cup. The last Saturday game was a 2003 First Round game where a young Clyde Simms and the Raleigh CASL Elite (PDL) defeated DS United (USASA, FL), 4-1.
MLS will attempt to keep their perfect record so far in 2014 as the Houston Dynamo and San Jose Earthquakes emerged victorious on Wednesday night. The Dynamo edged the PDL’s Laredo Heat 1-0, while the Earthquakes eliminated USL PRO expansion team Sacramento Republic 2-1.
All three games on Saturday night are scheduled to be streamed live online, with the Cosmos-Red Bulls being chosen as US Soccer’s ‘Game of the Round.’ The other two games will be broadcast live on NASLLive.com.
As always, fans can follow and use the hashtag #USOC2014 on Twitter for the latest updates and discussion from all three games. Be sure to follow all the latest news with the tournament on Twitter at @USOpenCup.
Here is a preview of each of the three Saturday games:
New York Red Bulls (MLS) at New York Cosmos (NASL)
Shuart Stadium (Hofstra Univ.); Hempstead, NY – 8:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Video (YouTube)
NEXT: Winner will play at Philadelphia Union or host Harrisburg City Islanders
New York Red Bulls Open Cup records
Overall: 15-15-1 (1-0 PKs) | Away: 8-9-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. Div. 2: 4-4-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 4-2 at New England Revolution of MLS – Round 4)
Best finish: 2003 Runner-Up (Lost 1-0 vs. Chicago Fire of MLS)
How they got here … First game
New York Cosmos Open Cup records
Overall: 1-0-0 | Home: 1-0-0 | vs. MLS: N/A
Last entry: First entry
Best finish: N/A
How they got here …
Round 3: 2-0 home win vs. Brooklyn Italians (NPSL)
By Mike Anderer
Since the official announcement that the Cosmos would be joining the NASL for the fall 2013 season, New York soccer fans have been waiting for one game; The New York Cosmos versus the MLS’s New York Red Bulls. The Cosmos entered the NASL openly commenting that they preferred the league structure of the second division as opposed to the stringent rules in MLS. The Cosmos fans reveled in the rebellious move of their team, while Red Bull fans chuckled and made small market jokes about the NASL. Saturday night, the two teams clash in Shuart Stadium in Hempstead, NY.
Both teams come into the match on the heels of award winning seasons. The Red Bulls won the MLS Supporters’ Shield, awarded for most points in the regular season. Cosmos are reining NASL Soccer Bowl champions, though some critics argue that they had an advantage of only playing half of the NASL split season. Equally, both teams are suffering from underwhelming play in the beginning of their 2014 campaigns.
Although the Cosmos finished second in the Spring Season, their 14 goals scored over nine games tied them for third in the scoring category despite upgrading their offense in the off-season. It would be three goals, the only three the defensive-minded team gave up all season that ended costing them a total of 8 points. Those 8 points, or even just three of them, would have secured a position in the new NASL post-season playoff. Now, Cosmos find themselves still fighting to defend their title.
The Red Bulls find themselves fifth in the MLS’s Eastern conference at the halfway mark of the season. The team has played some hard-fought matches and owes a fair amount of credit to the outstanding play of goalkeeper, Luis Robles. The Red Bulls also has the offensive firepower of players like Thierry Henry, Tim Cahill and one of the league’s breakout stars of 2014 in Bradley Wright-Phillips. Their Achilles’ heal has been their road play. They have only two wins out of nine road games this season and are minus three in goal differential.
One thing that will dampen some of the excitement surrounding the game will be the line-ups. Although neither side has released their 18 for the match, there are some notable Red Bull players unavailable. First is captain, Thierry Henry. Red Bull manager Mike Petke commented earlier in the week that he is not using field turf as the reason, but the 36-year-old striker does not play in away games on artificial surfaces like the turf at Shuart. Additionally, midfielder, Tim Cahill and defender, Roy Miller are away representing their country’s at the FIFA World Cup. Cahill, since arriving last season, has been a fan favorite and in many people’s opinion the MVP of the club.
Petke did say to reporters on Thursday that he does expect to rest goalkeeper, Luis Robles, and give the start to Ryan Meara. Meara was sidelined in 2012, his rookie season, with a hip injury and has not played in an MLS game since July of that year.
Cosmos’ manager Giovanni Savarese is notorious for keeping his lineup a secret to the very end although a few positions are locks for Saturday. Norwegian striker Mads Stokkelien will play his first game against an MLS side. Defenders Hunter Freeman and Carlos Mendes are no strangers to MLS or the Red Bulls having played for the club previously. Also in the backline for the Cosmos is Seattle Sounders’ loan player Jimmy Ockford and from Spain and La Liga, Ayoze.
Savarese also has history as a player with the Metrostars organization and is currently ranked third in goals scored. Savarese has been very vocal about the excitement he feels about the game, likening the matchup to a derby. Petke on the other hand has downplayed the event saying that because the teams lack history and play in two different leagues that the competitive relationship needs time to build.
Either way, fans are sure to get a great match on Saturday, a perfect way to end a soccer-filled day. Even US Soccer is taking note of the event, carrying the broadcast stream on USsoccer.com for fans from across the country to see.
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Chivas USA (MLS) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, NC – 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Video (NASLLive.com)
NEXT: If Chivas USA wins … play at Los Angeles Galaxy or Arizona United SC
If Carolina wins … will host Los Angeles Galaxy or Arizona United SC
Chivas USA Open Cup records
Overall: 7-7-1 (0-1 PKs) | Away: 5-7-0 | vs. Div. 2: 2-4-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 3-1 in OT at Carolina RailHawks of NASL – Round 4)
Best finish: Semifinals (2010, 2012)
How they got here … First game
Carolina RailHawks Open Cup records
Overall: 14-5-1 (0-1 PKs) | Home: 14-2-1 (0-1 PKs) | vs. MLS: 4-4-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 3-0 at Real Salt Lake of MLS in Quarterfinals)
Best finish: 2007 Semifinals (Lost 2-1 in OT at New England Revolution of MLS)
How they got here …
Round 2: 2-0 home win vs. Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO)
By Neil Morris | @ByNeilMorris
Two years ago, a Chivas USA lineup that included Juan Agudelo, Juan Pablo Angel and Danny Califf visited Cary, NC and knocked the Carolina RailHawks out of the 2012 US Open Cup. A year later, the RailHawks returned the favor, netting two goals in extra time to eliminate the Goats from the tournament.
Today, the RailHawks host Chivas USA for the third consecutive Open Cup, this year in the tournament’s Fourth Round. However, Chivas USA comes to Carolina this time with a full week of rest and no looming league games. In their previous two Cup ties, Chivas had to fly to Carolina for midweek matches bracketed by weekend MLS engagements.
While Chivas USA is currently mired at the bottom of the MLS Western Conference, the league’s break during the group stage of the FIFA World Cup affords the Rojiblancos the opportunity to field a near-full strength squad, if for no other reason than to maintain match fitness. That said, manager Wilmer Cabrera also said that he intends to rest some of his top players during the break from league play.
So, it remains to be seen whether Cabrera will field leading goalscorer Erick Torres, who has nine goals through 14 league matches, the third-most in MLS. Mauro Rosales has 5 assists since joining Chivas USA this year following three seasons with the Seattle Sounders. Former US National Team defender Carlos Bocanegra anchors the backline. And goalkeeper and team captain Dan Kennedy is in his seventh season with the Red-and-White.
Another possible lineup inclusion is Leandro Barrera. The 23-year-old forward, on loan from Argentinos Juniors, has started all but one match this MLS season but hasn’t yet notched a goal.
Meanwhile, the RailHawks enter the match with two distinct advantages. The first is their tremendous Open Cup success under manager Colin Clarke, including wins over the LA Galaxy in 2012 and 2013, plus the victory over Chivas USA last year that advanced Carolina to the tournament quarterfinals. Overall, the RailHawks are 6-2 in Open Cup play since 2012 under Clarke.
The other is the RailHawks’ 21-game home unbeaten streak, a run that comprises both North American Soccer League (NASL) and Open Cup competition. Carolina has not lost a competitive match at WakeMed Soccer Park since October 12, 2012.
With the NASL also on break until mid-July, the RailHawks will certainly field a full-strength starting XI. Ty Shipalane and Cesar Elizondo, who scored the equalizing and game-winning goals, respectively, against Chivas USA last year, remain the team’s most potent attacking playmakers. Shipalane is hoping to duplicate his tournament performance from last year as he was named TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament.
Helming the midfield is team captain Jun Marques Davidson, who spent the last two seasons with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald has three clean sheets out of Carolina’s four home games this season. And Mike Grella has become ensconced as the team’s target man since signing with Carolina three games into the 2014 season. Grella, the former Duke University standout, spent the last five seasons in Europe, including three years with Leeds United, before joining Carolina.
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Real Salt Lake (MLS) at Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks Park; Chamblee, GA – 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Video (NASLLive.com)
NEXT: Winner plays at Colorado Rapids or Orlando City SC
Real Salt Lake Open Cup records
Overall: 6-5-0 | Away: 0-2-0 | vs. Div. 2: 3-2-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 1-0 vs. DC United in US Open Cup Final)
Best finish: 2013 Runner-Up (Lost 1-0 vs. DC United in US Open Cup Final)
How they got here … First game
Atlanta Silverbacks Open Cup records
Overall: 8-9-2 (1-1 PKs) | Home: 4-3-0 | vs. MLS: 0-4-1 (0-1 PKs)
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 3-2 in OT at Real Salt Lake of MLS – Round 3)
Best finish: 2004 Fourth Round (Lost 4-1 vs. Kansas City Wizards of MLS)
How they got here …
Round 3: 5-0 road win at Chattanooga FC (NPSL)
By Josh Hakala
For the second year in a row, the Atlanta Silverbacks will be the first opponent in Real Salt Lake’s US Open Cup run. Last year, in the first of five straight home games, RSL got extra time goals from Devon Sandoval and Khari Stephenson to lead the MLS side to a 3-2 victory. It was the beginning an impressive journey for the Utah club as they reached the championship game for the first time, only to fall to DC United in the Final, 1-0.
RSL will play their first road game since 2011 as they look to get back to their winning ways as the club is on a three-game winless streak (0-2-1) after starting the 2014 campaign on a 12-game unbeaten streak (6-0-6). The MLS side will be without the services of U.S. internationals Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando, as well as Costa Rican striker Alvaro as they are competing in the World Cup in Brazil. Alvaro Saborio is also out for the next 3-4 months suffered while getting ready for the World Cup with Costa Rica. RSL’s depth under new head coach Jeff Cassar will definitely be tested.
RSL will look to carry the momentum from their first successful Open Cup run, after years of disappointment. Prior to reaching their first title game last year, the Sandy, Utah-based club had never won multiple games in the competition, suffering two upset loses to Division 2 teams (Minnesota Thunder, Minnesota United FC) and failing to even qualify for the tournament from 2007-2010.
The Silverbacks will need to keep an eye on diminutive forward Joao Plata, RSL’s leading scorer. Jeff Attinella, who made his professional debut against Atlanta in 2011 as a member of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, is likely to get the nod in goal.
The Open Cup has not been kind to Atlanta over the years as the club is under .500 in club history (8-9-2, 1-1 in PKs). They have only won multiple games in one tournament once in franchise history (2007).
Atlanta is currently in 8th place in the NASL Spring Season with a 3-5-1 record. For the third year in a row, the Silverbacks defeated an NPSL team on the road to kick off the tournament, but will look to upset their first MLS team and avoid their third straight loss to a team from the top division. This year, Atlanta kicked off their tournament with a 5-0 win over Chattanooga FC (NPSL) with Junior Burgos leading the way with two goals and one assist. Junior Sandoval, Deon McCauley and Jaime Chavez also scored for the Silverbacks.
This will also be the first home game for the Silverbacks since 2007, and will be the first time they will host an MLS team in the Open Cup. In 2012, they were awarded a home game against the Seattle Sounders in the Third Round, but agreed to sell their hosting rights to the eventual champions. This was an unpopular decision among Atlanta fans, and signalled the end of the practice of selling hosting rights as the US Soccer Federation outlawed the practice the following year.
Silverbacks head coach Eric Wynalda has been trying to shake up the lineup recently in an effort to spark the team’s offense, and he saw his lineup shakeup pay off with three goals against the Indy Eleven last week. However, they would give up a late equalizer and finish the game at 3-3. Chavez has been responsible for give of the team’s nine goals in league play, while Eric Ati anchors the defense in goal. Both will need to contribute if the club wants to defeat their first pro club since 2007.
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2014 US Open Cup Fourth Round Schedule
Laredo Heat (PDL) 0:1 Houston Dynamo (MLS)
BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, TX – June 11 at 10 p.m. ET
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Sacramento Republic (USL PRO) 1:2 San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Kezar Stadium; San Francisco, CA – June 11 at 10:30 p.m. ET
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Real Salt Lake (MLS) 1:2 Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks Park; Chamblee, GA – June 14 at 8 p.m. ET
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Chivas USA (MLS) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, NC – June 14 at 8 p.m. ET
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New York Red Bulls (MLS) 0:3 New York Cosmos (NASL)
Shuart Stadium (Hofstra Univ.); Hempstead, NY – June 14 at 8:30 p.m. ET
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DC United (MLS) at Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO)
Sahlen’s Stadium; Rochester, NY – June 17 at 7 p.m ET
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Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
PPL Park; Chester, PA – June 17 at 7 p.m. ET
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Indy Eleven (NASL) at Columbus Crew (MLS)
FirstEnergy Stadium (Univ. of Akron); Akron, OH – June 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET
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San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) at FC Dallas (MLS)
Toyota Stadium; Frisco, TX – June 17 at 9:00 p.m. ET
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Orlando City SC (USL PRO) at Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, CO – June 17 at 9 p.m. ET
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Orlando City U23s (PDL) at Portland Timbers (MLS)
Providence Park; Portland, OR – June 17 at 10:30 p.m. ET
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New England Revolution (MLS) at Richmond Kickers (USL PRO)
Richmond City Stadium; Richmond, VA – June 18 at 7 p.m. ET
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Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO) at Chicago Fire (MLS)
Toyota Park; Bridgeview, IL – June 18 at 8:30 p.m. ET
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Minnesota United FC (NASL) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Sporting Park; Kansas City, KS – June 18 at 8:30 p.m. ET
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PSA Elite (USASA) at Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, WA – June 18 at 10 p.m. ET
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LA Galaxy (MLS) at Arizona United SC (USL PRO)
Peoria Sports Complex; Peoria, AZ – June 18 at 10:30 p.m. ET
2014 US Open Cup Fifth Round Potential Pairings
New York Red Bulls (MLS) at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
PPL Park; Chester, PA – June 24, 7 p.m. ET
OR
New York Cosmos (NASL) at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
PPL Park; Chester, PA – Date TBD, 7 p.m. ET
OR
Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) at New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Red Bull Arena; Harrison, NJ – June 24, 7:30 p.m. ET
OR
Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) at New York Cosmos (NASL)
Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.); Queens, NY – June 24, 7 p.m. ET
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New England Revolution (MLS) at D.C. United (MLS)
Maryland SoccerPlex; Boyds, MD – Date TBD, 7 p.m. ET
OR
Richmond Kickers (USL PRO) at D.C. United (MLS)
Maryland SoccerPlex; Boyds, MD – June 24, 7 p.m. ET
OR
Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO) at New England Revolution (MLS)
Stevenson Field (Brown Univ.); Providence, RI – June 25, 7:30 p.m. ET
OR
Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO) at Richmond Kickers (USL PRO)
Richmond City Stadium; Richmond, VA – Date TBD, 7 p.m. ET
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Indy Eleven (NASL) / Columbus Crew (MLS) winner at Chicago Fire (MLS)
Toyota Park; Bridgeview, IL – Date TBD, 8:30 p.m. ET
OR
Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO) at Columbus Crew (MLS)
Columbus Crew Stadium; Columbus, OH – June 25, 7:30 p.m. ET
OR
Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO) at Indy Eleven (NASL)
Carroll Stadium; Indianapolis, IN – June 25, 7:30 p.m. ET
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San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) / FC Dallas (MLS) winner at Houston Dynamo (MLS)
BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, TX – Date TBD, 8:30 p.m. ET
OR
San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) / FC Dallas (MLS) winner at Laredo Heat (PDL)
Texas A&M International Univ. Soccer Complex; Laredo, TX – Date TBD, 9:15 p.m ET
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LA Galaxy (MLS) / Arizona United SC (USL PRO) winner at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
WakeMed Soccer Park Field 2; Cary, NC – June 24, 7:30 p.m. ET
OR
Chivas USA (MLS) at Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
StubHub Center; Carson, CA – June 24, 10:30 p.m. ET
OR
Chivas USA (MLS) at Arizona United SC (USL PRO)
Peoria Sports Complex; Peoria, AZ – June 24, 10 p.m. ET
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San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) at Seattle Sounders (MLS)
Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, WA – Date TBD, 10 p.m. ET
OR
Sacramento Republic (USL PRO) at Seattle Sounders (MLS)
Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, WA – June 24, 10 p.m. ET
OR
PSA Elite (USASA) at Sacramento Republic (USL PRO)
Bonney Field (Cal Expo); Sacramento, CA – June 24, 10:30 p.m. ET
OR
PSA Elite (USASA) at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Buck Shaw Stadium; Santa Clara, CA – Date TBD, 10:30 p.m. ET
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Real Salt Lake (MLS) / Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) winner at Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, CO – Date TBD, 9 p.m. ET
OR
Real Salt Lake (MLS) / Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) winner at Orlando City (USL PRO)
ESPN Wide World of Sports; Kissimmee, FL – June 24, 7:30 p.m. ET
Orlando City U23s (PDL) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Sporting Park; Kansas City, KS – Date TBD, 8:30 p.m. ET
OR
Portland Timbers (MLS) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Sporting Park; Kansas City, KS – Date TBD, 8:30 p.m. ET
OR
Orlando City U23s (PDL) at Minnesota United FC (NASL)
National Sports Center Stadium; Blaine, MN – June 25, 9 p.m. ET
OR
Portland Timbers (MLS) at Minnesota United FC (NASL)
National Sports Center Stadium; Blaine, MN – June 24, 9 p.m. ET