When the dust settled on the Round of 16, just eight teams remained to advance to the Quarterfinals of the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. A pair of four-time champions, a pair of one-time champions, a pair of teams seeking their first title, a two-time champion looking to win the tournament for the first time in over a decade, and one lower division club.
The lone Cinderella story is the Fort Lauderdale Strikers who made history with a 2-1 upset of Orlando City SC. They will move on to play the Chicago Fire who, along with the Seattle Sounders, have their sights set on a record-tying fifth Open Cup title.
Here is a brief recap of each Fifth Round game with links to the full match report (Check back as more will be added):
A lovely David Accam brace powered the Fire to another home US Open Cup win with goals in the 7th and 29th minutes. Ethan Finley’s 79th minute penalty was only consolation for a Crew side that has lost six games in as many tries against Chicago in Open Cup play. Chicago advances to the quarterfinals to play the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]
Tyler Miller, making only his second career start for the Sounders, saved two penalties in a shootout while Erik Friberg provided the final kick in Seattle’s shock win over a Real Salt Lake side that fielded a first choice lineup at home. Joao Plata took the deserved lead for RSL on a 43rd minute penalty. The lead was given back on an error between RSL goalkeeper Jeff Attinella and centerback Justen Glad, allowing Nelson Valdez to stab home a 51st minute equalizer. Seattle moves on to play the LA Galaxy in the Quarterfinals. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]
Mauro Manotas bookended the scoring as Houston knocked out the defending US Open Cup champions at BBVA Compass Stadium. Manotas scored goals in the 7th and 84th minutes but it was Alex who would provide the winner in the 55th minute. Brad Davis, playing against his longtime former team, pulled one back in the 61st minute but it would not be enough. The Dynamo move on to an intrastate quarterfinal battle against FC Dallas. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]
With goals in the 55th and 60th minutes, Chris Pontius rescued Philadelphia’s bid to reach their third consecutive US Open Cup Final. Mike Grella of the Red Bulls opened the scoring in the 17th minute, and the away side were looking like the much better side in the first half. Alas, the Union recovered, took the lead, and held on, advancing to a Quarterfinal match with the New England Revolution. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers shocked the hosting Orlando City in the 120th minute as the NASL side pulled their second consecutive Open Cup upset of an MLS team. Over 100 minutes separated the game’s second and third goals, as Jose Angulo opened the scoring for the visitors in the 12th minute before Orlando’s Kevin Molino responded just three minutes later. The game was marred in the 67th minute when both Molino and Ft. Lauderdale’s Maicon Santos were both ejected. For the Strikers it marks the first road win in tournament history and the first victory over a MLS team. Fort Lauderdale moves on to play the Chicago Fire in the Quarterfinals. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]
The Revolution came from behind twice on the road to knock out their second consecutive NASL opponent in the New York Cosmos. Ruben Bover opened the scoring for the hosts in the 38th minute, but Teal Bunbury equalized quickly in the 43rd. Sebastian Guenzatti gave the home side hope again in the 56th minute until Kei Kamara would tie it up in the 75th minute, setting up for Teal Bunbury’s second of the game in the 83rd minute to win it. The Revolution move on to host the Philadelphia Union in the Quarterfinals. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]
Maxi Urruti gave Dallas the win in the 96th minute of the their Round of 16 match played in Frisco, Texas. MLS-leading Colorado Rapids took the lead in the 38th minute as Dominique Badji poked home a Marlon Hairston cross. The hosts responded in the 64th minute as the Dallas power couple of Fabian Castillo and Mauro Diaz combined, with the latter scoring. FC Dallas moves on to a bonus edition of the Texas Derby against the Houston Dynamo in the Quarterfinals. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]
The visiting Los Angeles Galaxy rode a lineup half-filled with prospects to a determined one-goal win at Providence Park in Portland. Raul Mendiola finished an Emmanuel Boateng cross in the 5th minute and the Galaxy held on for dear life from there. Not even the introductions of Diego Valeri, Fanendo Adi, and Luca Melano could power the hosts to an equalizer. The Galaxy move on to play the Seattle Sounders in the Quarterfinals. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]