With the eight now down to four, normality has started to creep into the US Open Cup as only Major League Soccer teams remain in the competition after the Quarterfinals.
The current challengers are all looking for their first Open Cup trophies and are all less than a decade old. Of the last six MLS expansions, three still remain in the competition. This includes the entire 2017 class (Atlanta United FC and Minnesota United FC) while the 2015 group of New York City FC and Orlando City FC faced off for the chance to advance. The Portland Timbers are the elderly members of the final four coming in at a whopping eight years old.
Across the country the results came in one by one to set the picture. Both New Mexico United and St. Louis FC, the last USL Championship teams left in the tournament, fell by multiple goals. Minnesota continued to show its’ high offense form, Atlanta scored a pair in the second half, and Portland upset the league leader LA on the road with a late game goal coming off a defensive error. Meanwhile, Orlando City SC, only a few unsuccessful seasons into its’ MLS life, has out-achieved what the previous USL team achieved by reaching the semifinals.
Included are the brief summaries and links to game recaps for all four quarter final matches.
#USOC2019 ESSENTIALS
2019 US Open Cup Schedule/Results (with links to every match report
2019 US Open Cup statistical leaders (Goals, Assists, GKs)
2019 US Open Cup bracket (TheCup.us)
2019 US Open Cup Round 1: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 3: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 4: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round of 16: Game-by-game review
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US Open Cup histories of the eight quarterfinalists seeking a first title and the cities they represent
NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference currently ineligible for 2020 US Open Cup
Every US Open Cup game to stream on ESPN+ in multi-year media rights deal
THECUP.US PLAYER OF THE ROUND
Round 1: Charles Boateng – Richmond Kickers
Round 2: Bryant Martin – Florida Soccer Soldiers
Round 3: Blake Frischknecht – Orange County FC
Round 4: Teal Bunbury – New England Revolution
Round 5: Sam Fink – Saint Louis FC
#USOC2019 QUALIFYING
2019 US Open Cup qualifying schedule/results
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 3 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round game-by-game review
Florida Soccer Soldiers qualify for first time after America SC withdraws
More pros, less amateurs, an extra sub in 2019 US Open Cup format
Chattanooga FC qualifies for 2019 US Open Cup, but opts out
Bavarian SC qualify for 2019 US Open Cup by winning Amateur Cup title
MEET THE UNDERDOGS SERIES
Milwaukee’s Bavarian Soccer Club, proudly amateur since 1929
West Chester United battle tested from long journey back to US Open Cup
NTX Rayados grooming “new generation” to keep qualifying streak going
Academica SC earns first US Open Cup berth after more than 40 years as a club
FC Denver using US Open Cup to build to “higher level”
First year Florida Soccer Soldiers winning with “respect, pride and commitment”
Atlanta United (MLS)
1:0
Saint Louis FC (USL-C)
Saint Louis FC’s US Open Cup run came to an end at the hands of Atlanta United FC, 2-0. Saint Louis started strong, if not completely on the back foot, for the first 35 minutes. A Paris Gee shot off the post in the 37th would reverse possession, but the half would end scoreless. Saint Louis bent a lot in this game, but finally broke in the 52nd minute when Gonzalo “Pity” Martinez chipped to the far side netting to put Atlanta into the lead. Through the second half, Saint Louis’ Sam Fink was the target of cross after cross, but there would be no late heroics for last round’s player of the round. Josef Martinez would confirm Atlanta’s advancement with a penalty in the five minutes into stoppage time. Atlanta becomes the first Georgia-based club to reach the Semifinals since 1981 and will play Orlando City SC. The date and location will be announced on Thursday at 2 p.m. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT
New Mexico United (USL-C)
1:6
Minnesota United (MLS)
New Mexico United looked ready to snag a third MLS scalp in their first US Open Cup tournament. In the 7th minute, Santi Moar put the USL Championship side in front. The Loons would not go down easily, or nicely. Just three minutes later Angelo Rodriquez began his hat trick (goals in the 10th, 18th and 45th minutes) to pop NMU’s bubble. Darwin Quintero scored in the 16th to take over the tournament lead in goals with five, and Jan Gregus, from a stellar free kick, scored in the 23rd minute, and would create an insurmountable lead. Miguel Ibarra added a goal in the 62nd minute to seal Minnesota’s advancement to the semifinals. They become the second Minnesota club to reach the final four (2005 Minnesota Thunder) They will take on the Portland Timbers at a date and location that will be announced tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET [+] FULL MATCH REPORT
New York City FC (MLS)
1 (4):1 (5)
Orlando City SC (MLS)
Orlando City and New York City squared off in an all-MLS quarterfinal. Orlando City’s Chris Mueller scored in the 61st minute to break the deadlock. The late, late show featured a Maximiliano Moralez goal six minutes into stoppage time to send the game into extra time. After 30 minutes of extra time couldn’t determine a winner, the penalty kick shootout saw Oriol Rosell score the winner in the sixth round to advance 5-4. Orlando becomes the first Florida club to reach the Semifinals since the Miami Fusion made a run to the Final in 2000. Orlando will face Atlanta United in the Semifinals, with the host and date to be determined in the draw tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT
Portland Timbers (MLS)
1:0
Los Angeles FC (MLS)
MLS league-leaders LAFC hosted Portland Timbers in front of a record crowd in the other all-MLS quarterfinal. The first half, while scoreless, had plenty of action. The second half was often played at a breakneck pace. The game finally found a winner in the 84th minute by Portland’s Jeremy Ebobisse. Ebobisse appeared to be offside, but LAFC’s Jordan Harvey played the ball into his path. Ebobisse turned and lifted the ball over goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega and into the side netting. Portland advance to the Semis for the second time in club history as they take another step toward winning their first US Open Cup title. They will take on Minnesota United at a date and location announced on Thursday at 2 p.m. ET. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT