The 103rd edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup wrapped up with FC Dallas lifting the trophy for the second time in club history. But before we shift focus to 2017 US Open Cup qualifying, which is already underway, let’s take a look back at some of the top individual performances from 2016.
Every year, TheCup.us honors the overall and the lower division Player of the Tournament.
Here are a list of nominees for the 2016 TheCup.us Player of the Tournament. The award is voted on by the staff at TheCup.us and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters. But, if YOU had a vote, who would you vote for?
David Accam (Chicago Fire)
Round 4: 1-1 home draw (4-3 PK win) vs. Indy Eleven (NASL)
– Started, played 120 minutes and scored a 111th minute equalizer in a 1-1 home draw vs. Indy Eleven (NASL). Accam also scored the winning goal in the PK shootout which the Fire won 4-3
Round 5: 2-1 home win vs. Columbus Crew
– Started, played 69 minutes and scored both goals (7th, 30th mins.) in a 2-1 home win vs. Columbus Crew (MLS). He was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round for his efforts.
Quarterfinals: 3-0 home win vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL)
– Started, played 72 minutes and scored a goal and assisted on another in a 3-0 home win vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL).
Semifinals: 3-1 road loss at New England Revolution (MLS)
– Started, played 90 minutes and scored a 40th minute equalizer in a 3-1 road loss at New England Revolution (MLS).
Mauro Diaz (FC Dallas)
Round 4: 2-2 home draw (6-5 PK win) vs. Oklahoma City Energy (USL)
– Started and played 120 minutes in a 1-1 home draw vs. Oklahoma City Energy (USL) and scored a PK in the penalty shootout
Round 5: 2-1 OT home win vs. Colorado Rapids (MLS)
– Started and played 120 minutes and scored a 64th minute equalizer in a 2-1 OT home win vs. Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Quarterfinals: 1-0 road win at Houston Dynamo (MLS)
– Started and was subbed out in 2nd half stoppage time in a 1-0 road win at Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Semifinals: 2-1 OT road win at Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
– Started, played 120 minutes and assisted on a 116th min. equalizer and the stoppage time game-winner in a 2-1 OT road win at LA Galaxy (MLS). Diaz was named TheCup.us Player of the Round.
Final: 4-2 home win vs. New England Revolution (MLS)
– Started, played 82 minutes and scored a PK goal and assisted on three other goals in a 4-2 home win vs. New England Revolution (MLS). Five points (1g, 3a) and three assists breaks the Modern Era record for a US Open Cup Final. He was named TheCup.us Player of the Round
Diego Restrepo (Fort Lauderdale Strikers – NASL)
NOTE: Restrepo was voted 2016 TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament.
Round 3: 1-1 draw (2-0 PK win) at home vs. Richmond Kickers (USL)
– Made 3 saves in 120 minutes and then saved 3 of the 4 attempts in the PK shootout (NOTE: It was just the second time in Modern Era that a team was shutout in a PK shootout) – he was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round for his efforts
Round 4: 0-0 draw (4-3 PK win) on the road vs. DC United (MLS)
– Made eight saves in 120 minutes and then made one save in the PK shootout as the Strikers eliminate a MLS team for the first time in club history (Est. 2006). Finished runner-up for TheCup.us Player of the Round by one vote.
Round 5: 2-1 OT win at Orlando City SC (MLS)
– Made eight saves in 120 minutes as the Strikers defeated a MLS team and also won a road game for the first time in club history (Est. 2006)
Quarterfinals: 3-0 loss at Chicago Fire (MLS)
– Made four saves in the losing effort
Je-Vaughn Watson (New England Revolution)
Round 4: 1-0 OT road win at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
– Did not play
Round 5: 3-2 road win at New York Cosmos (NASL)
– Started and played 90 minutes in a 3-2 road win vs. New York Cosmos
Quarterfinals: 1-1 home draw (4-2 PK win) vs. Philadelphia Union (MLS)
– Started and played 120 minutes, scored a goal, and scored the match-winning PK shootout goal in a 1-1 home draw (4-2 PK win) vs. Philadelphia Union (MLS)
Semifinals: 3-1 home win vs. Chicago Fire (MLS)
– Started and played 87 minutes and scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal in the 42nd minute.
Final: 4-2 road loss at FC Dallas (MLS)
– Started but was subbed out just before halftime.