The Fourth Round of the 110th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is complete. There were a number of impressive individual performances over the 16 games last week. But which one was the best?
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):
Player, Team (League)
Patrick Agyemang, Charlotte FC (MLS)
Agyemang came off the bench in the 78th minute, scored Charlotte’s second goal in the 104th minute, then assisted on their final goal in the fourth minute of extra time stoppage time in Charlotte FC’s 4-1 extra time road win over North Carolina FC (USL-C).
Gustavo Caraballo, Orlando City SC (MLS)
Caraballo made his first career start, played 90 minutes, scored Orlando’s first two goals in the 34th and 36th minutes in Orlando’s 5-0 road win over the Tampa bay Rowdies (USL-C)
Randall Leal, D.C. United (MLS)
Leal came off the bench at halftime, assisted on both D.C. United goals in the 96th and 103rd minutes in United’s 2-0 extra time home win over the Charleston Battery (USL-C)
Mohammed Sofo, New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Soto started, played 84 minutes, scored twice in the 16th and 44th minutes in New York Red Bulls’ 4-1 road win over the Colorado Springs Switchbacks.
Kerwin Vargas, Charlotte FC (MLS)
Vargas started, played 120 minutes, scored Charlotte’s final goal in the 4th minute of extra time stoppage time and also assisted on their third goal in the 119th minute in Charlotte FC’s 4-1 extra time road win over North Carolina FC (USL-C)
Brandon Vázquez, Austin FC (MLS)
Vazquez started, played 90 minutes, scored the first and third goals in the 73rd and 80th minute, and assisted on the second goal in the 76th minute in Austin FC’s 3-2 home win over El Paso Locomotive (USL-C).
Owen Wolff, Austin FC (MLS)
Wolff came off the bench in the 60th minute, assisted on Austin’s first and third goals in the 73rd and 80th minutes in Austin FC’s 3-2 home win over El Paso Locomotive (USL-C)
Roberto Ydrach, Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-C)
Ydrach came off the bench in the 77th minute and scored the game winning goal in the sixth minute of second half stoppage time in Pittsburgh’s 1-0 home upset of New York City FC (MLS)