The 109th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is down to 16 teams after the completion of the Fourth Round. There were a number of impressive individual performances but which player deserves to be TheCup.us Player of the Round?
Since 2006, TheCup.us has set out to honor the best individual performance of each round.
The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters, and select backers from TheCup.us’ Patreon. If you’d like to vote in this, or upcoming rounds, consider pledging $10 or more and help us continue to cover the US Open Cup and research its long history. If you did have a vote, which player do YOU think should win?
Here are the finalists (in alphabetical order):
Manuel Arteaga, Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL Championship)
Arteaga came off the bench in the 62nd minute and scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal in the 101st minute and then an insurance goal in the 109th minute in the Rowdies’ 6-4 extra time home win over the Birmingham Legion (USL-C).
Zico Bailey, New Mexico United (USL Championship)
Started and played all 90 minutes and scored the first two goals (I7′, 19′) in New Mexico United’s 4-2 home upset win over Real Salt Lake (MLS).
Nick Firmino, Atlanta United (MLS)
Started and played 88 minutes and scored the first two goals (52′, 71′) in Atlanta United’s 3-0 home win over the Charlotte Independence (USL League One).
Cal Jennings, Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL Championship)
Started and played 80 minutes and scored a hat trick (33′, 45+4′, 79′) in the Rowdies’ 6-4 extra time home win over the Birmingham Legion (USL-C).
Jonathan Jiménez, NYCFC II (MLS NEXT Pro)
Started and played all 90 minutes and scored the game’s only goal in the 6th minute in NYCFC II’s 1-0 home win over the Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL-C).
Wesley Leggett, Loudoun United (USL Championship)
Started and played 90 minutes and scored both goals (22′, 64′) in Loudoun United’s 2-1 road win at Orange County SC (USL-C).
MD Myers, Charleston Battery (USL Championship)
Started and played 120 minutes and scored all three goals (21′, 45+3′, 120+1′) including the game-winner in stoppage time of extra time in Charleston’s 3-2 extra time win at home over the South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1).
Tyler Pasher, Birmingham Legion (USL Championship)
Started and played 120 minutes in a 6-4 extra time loss on the road against the Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL-C). Pasher assisted on an 89th minute goal to cut the Legion’s deficit to 4-2, and then scoring two goals of his own in stoppage time to send the game into extra time.
Cristian Olivera, Los Angeles FC (MLS)
Olivera came off the bench in the 63rd minute and scored what would prove to be the game-winner in the 70th minute and an insurance goal in stoppage time in LAFC’s 3-1 win over Las Vegas Lights (USL-C).
Carlos Saldaña, Detroit City FC (USL Championship)
The DCFC goalkeeper started and played 120 minutes and made four saves in a 3-3 draw on the road against the Houston Dynamo FC (MLS). In the penalty kick shootout, Saldana made one save and scored the winning PK himself in a 10-9 win.
Andrew Thomas, Seattle Sounders (MLS)
Thomas started and played 120 minutes, made four saves in a 2-2 draw at home against Louisville City FC (USL-C). In the PK shootout, Thomas became just the 12th goalkeeper in the Modern Era (1995-present) to make three saves in a shootout, and then scored the winning PK in a 5-4 win.