The final eight MLS teams entered the tournament, as more lower division sides were eliminated, in the Fourth Round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Sixteen teams advanced to the next round as they march their way closer to the championship. The Round of 16 will take place the week of May 24-25.
Though there weren’t any exciting upsets this time, there were some spectacular individual performances in the thrilling Round of 32 of the 107th edition of the tournament.
The Player of the Round award is voted on by TheCup.us staff and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters and select backers (those that pledge $10 or more) of TheCup.us’ Patreon team. But if YOU had a vote, which player do you think would win?
Here are the finalists (in alphabetical order):
McKinze Gaines
Charlotte FC (MLS)
McKinze Gaines of Charlotte FC put the game away with a brace for the third and fourth goals of the contest as the MLS expansion side cruised to 5-1 road win against the Richmond Kickers (USL League One). The two were his first ever goals for Charlotte.
Carles Gil
New England Revolution (MLS)
In his 62 minutes of play, Gil scored the first hat trick in New England Revolution history (one PK), with both non-penalty goals being scored from the top of the box in dramatic fashion. Gil also provided the assist on the final goal as New England dismantled FC Cincinnati (MLS) 5-1 at Gillette Stadium.
Wilson Harris
Louisville City FC (USL Championship)
Harris scored the equalizer in the 24th minute and then, after 96 more minutes of play (and a 1-1 draw) , he confidently stepped up to the spot to score the third of four Lou City penalties in the 4-2 shootout win over hosts Detroit City FC (USL Championship), leaving them one of just two USL Championship teams left in the tournament.
Ariel Lassiter
Inter Miami CF (MLS)
Lassiter scored a goal in each half to lift Inter Miami to a 3-1 home win over upstart South Georgia Tormenta (USL League One) and advance to the Round of 16 in the club’s first ever US Open Cup tournament. The second goal dramatically deflected off a defender and hit the crossbar before making it over the line. The goals were his first ever for Miami.
Luquinhas
New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Luquinhas scored the initial goal that proved to be the game-winner and assisted on another with an endline pass to the top of the box on either side of halftime as the Red Bulls soundly defeated their Atlantic Cup rivals, DC United (MLS), 3-0 at Audi Field.
Hany Mukhtar
Nashville SC (MLS)
Mukhtar coolly stepped up to the spot for the initial goal to start Nashville’s comeback from two goals down against Atlanta United (MLS). He then assisted on the game-winner with a long pass to send Ethan Zubak on a breakaway to win the game 3-2 in extra time.
Yordy Reyna
Charlotte FC (MLS)
Reyna had a hand in four of Charlotte’s five goals in their dominating 5-1 road win against the Richmond Kickers (USL League One). After assisting on the first goal, he got the ball in the net for his first time ever for Charlotte, and followed that with two more assists on the day.
Marinos Tzionis
Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
After trailing 2-0 at halftime, Tzionis hit a last-second header in the eighth minute of second half stoppage time to score the tying goal against FC Dallas (MLS), forcing the game into extra time. Sporting KC would emerge victorious with two more OT goals in a 4-2 comeback win at home at Children’s Mercy Park.
Danny Vitiello
Sacramento Republic (USL-C)
Vitiello earned a clean sheet and made six saves, including a double save on a penalty kick in the 42nd minute that would have tied the game in a 2-0 home win over Phoenix Rising FC (USL Championship).