After bagging a brace and leading his squad to a “cupset” of the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Round of 16, Kieran Phillips of the Sacramento Republic FC has been voted as TheCup.us Player of the Round.
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Atlanta United’s Josh Cohen finished second in the voting after posting a clean sheet and two saves during penalties as United got past Charleston Battery on the road. Indy Eleven’s Hunter Sulte was third with a clean sheet and seven saves in their 3-0 win over Detroit City FC.
Phillips, on loan from EFL Sky Bet Championships side Huddersfield Town AFC, secured a brace while starting and going 79 minutes in the extra-time triumph. The Huddersfield, England, native now has three goals in Open Cup action – the brace was his first as a member of Sacramento Republic.
He first drew Sacramento level in the 17th minute, putting the cap on a terrific move that saw the forward finish Luis Felipe’s cross from the left wing. Phillips followed that up in the 38th minute when he connected on Jack Gurr’s cross from the right wing for a right-footed finish.
The win pushed Sacramento Republic into the Quarterfinals for the second time in three years. Sacramento, one of three USL Championship sides still standing, will host Seattle Sounders FC on Tuesday, July 9.