2017 US Open Cup Round 5 review: FC Cincinnati, Miami FC steal the show with thrilling upsets

FC Cincinnati drew 32,287 fans to their Round of 16 match against the Chicago Fire (MLS). Only one game in the Modern Era (2011 Final - 35,311) has drawn more. Photo: Erik Schelkun | FC Cincinnati — FC Cincinnati drew 32,287 fans to their Round of 16 match against the Chicago Fire (MLS). Only one game in the Modern Era (2011 Final – 35,311) has drawn more. Photo: Erik Schelkun | FC Cincinnati

When the dust settled on the Round of 16 of the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, there were two clear-cut headliners. Somehow, FC Cincinnati (USL) and the Chicago Fire (MLS) managed to have the game live up to the hype without scoring a single goal. The game was broadcast live on ESPN in front of a record crowd of more than 32,000 (the second largest crowd of any kind in the Modern Era) and Cincinnati prevailed in a penalty kick shootout.

Elsewhere, Kwadwo Poku of Miami FC (NASL) scored the game-winning goal on what was essentially the final kick of the game to upset Atlanta United (MLS).

Wednesday night's US Open Cup action, headlined by FC Cincinnati's upset on ESPN was trending nationally on Twitter. — Wednesday night’s US Open Cup action, headlined by FC Cincinnati’s upset on ESPN was trending nationally on Twitter.

Two lower division teams will take part in the Quarterfinals and thanks to the way the bracket shook out, they will play each other in the next round. This guarantees that there will be a lower division club in the Semifinals for the first time since 2011 (13th time since 1996).

Joining them in the Quarterfinals are six MLS teams: Three-time winner Sporting Kansas City, two-time winner and defending champion FC Dallas will square off, while the California Classico will return to the Open Cup as the Galaxy will travel to San Jose to take on the Earthquakes. The last game features an original MLS matchup between the New York Red Bulls, who are seeking their first Open Cup title and the Revolution, last year’s runner-up who hasn’t lifted the trophy in a decade.

Here is a brief recap of each Round of 16 game with links to the full match report (Check back as more will be added):

FC Dallas advanced to their 16th Quarterfinal appearance with a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids in the Round of 16. Mauro Diaz scored a penalty kick to put Dallas ahead just before halftime, but Micheal Azira pulled Colorado level just after the break. Ryan Hollingshead put Dallas up ten minutes later, and Javier Morales put the game away with a minute remaining. FC Dallas will travel to Children’s Mercy Park to face Sporting Kansas City in the Quarterfinals on July 11. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

After missing out last season, Sporting Kansas City will make a return to the Quarterfinals after a 2-0 Round of 16 win over the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston. Ike Opara’s goal in the 61st minute was backed up by Gerson Fernandes’ clincher in second half stoppage time. SKC will host the defending champions FC Dallas on July 11. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Overcoming an early 1-0 deficit, the New England Revolution pushed past their MLS Eastern Conference rivals D.C. United 2-1 in their Round of 16 match at Harvard University’s Jordan Field. Jose Guillermo Ortiz put D.C. on top in the 7th minute, but the lead only lasted until just before halftime when Diego Fagundez tied the score for New England. The Revs took for good two minutes after the restart on Brian Wright’s first career goal. New England advance to the Quarterfinals where they will return to Jordan Field to host the New York Red Bulls on July 13. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

A dramatic stoppage time winner from Kwadwo Poku vaulted the NASL’s Miami FC to an upset win over Atlanta United in their Round of 16 contest at Miami’s Riccardo Silva Stadium. After Brandon Vasquez gave Atlanta the lead in the 35th minute, Poku helped TheCup.us Player of the Fourth Round Stefano Pinho equalize two minutes later. Eight minutes into the second half Rhett Bernstein gave Miami a 2-1 lead, but with fifteen minutes remaining Poku committed a foul that allowed Julian Gressel to level the score for Atlanta from the penalty spot. Three minutes into stoppage time Poku took a pass from Vincenzo Rennella and broke away to beat Atlanta GK Alex Kann to send Miami to the Quarterfinals, where they will host FC Cincinnati on July 12. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

After a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes, the New York Red Bulls reached the Quarterfinals via penalty shootout over the Philadelphia Union at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. Sacha Kljestan gave the home team a 1-0 lead just before the break on a Bradley Wright-Phillips assist. Philadelphia denied New York a regulation time victory with a Roland Alberg goal in the 86th minute. After 30 minutes of scoreless extra time, the Red Bulls converted on all five of their penalty attempts, while Ryan Meara saved an attempt from Fabrice-Jean Picault, to gain a measure of revenge for Philly eliminating the Red Bulls in the same fashion in the 2015 Quarterfinals. The Red Bulls advance to a July 13 Quarterfinal date with the New England Revolution at Harvard University’s Jordan Field in Boston. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

In front of 32,287 and a national television audience on ESPN, the USL’s FC Cincinnati advanced to the Quarterfinals after a thrilling 3-1 penalty shootout victory over the Chicago Fire. In a back and forth game in which both teams had excellent scoring chances thwarted, it was Cincinnati’s Mitch Hildebrandt rising to legend status in the Queen City. Hildebrand and the Cincy defense held a strong Fire lineup at bay for 120 minutes with 10 saves from 26 shots to force a penalty shootout, although Andrew Wiedeman’s goal in the 109th minute was called back on a very close offside call. After Aodhan Quinn missed Cincinnati’s first attempt with a high shot, Hildebrandt saved three of Chicago’s four penalty attempts, his final stop against Juninho sending the Nippert Stadium crowd into hysterics. Cincinnati, who has yet to allow a goal in the 2017 tournament will face fellow underdogs Miami FC (NASL) in the Quarterfinals on July 12 in Miami. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Danny Hoesen’s goal with six minutes remaining in regulation helped the Quakes edge a 10-man Seattle Sounders team in Wednesday night’s Round of 16 matchup in the US Open Cup. Shea Salinas gave San Jose a 1-0 lead just six minutes into the match, but Aaron Kovar equalized for the reserve-laden Sounders in the opening minutes of the second half of new San Jose head coach Chris Leitch’s first competitive match as the head brass. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

A Galaxy side compromised mostly of LA Galaxy II players scored two goals in the first four minutes of the second half to end Sacramento’s Open Cup run, 2-0 Wednesday night at StubHub Center Track and Field Stadium. After a scoreless first half, Ariel Lassiter scored the go-ahead goal for Los Angeles, which fielded a lineup of only four players with MLS experience. Bradford Jamieson IV also scored for Los Angeles in the 49th minute, and goalkeeper Jon Kempin earned the shutout. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT