On a cold, rainy night in the nation’s capital, DC United outdueled Charlotte FC in a game that will go down as one of the most memorable in DC United’s long US Open Cup history.
The home team secured a penalty shootout win thanks to a heroic performance from goalkeeper Jordan Farr, who was subbed on in the final minutes with the score tied at 3-3 to serve as a penalty specialist. Farr saved four of Charlotte’s penalties and DC United converted on two of its own to win the shootout 2-1. With the result, DC United advances to the Cup Quarterfinals and Farr becomes the first goalkeeper in tournament history to make four saves in a penalty shootout.
“As a keeper, you have to love moments like this,” Farr said. “I said to myself, you’ve done this before and you just have to trust your gut. I’m blessed I was able to be in this position for my team.”
Farr, who joined DC United earlier in the year and had yet to make an appearance for the club before this match, has a long history of penalty saves during his time as goalkeeper in the USL Championship. In fact, it is these moments that he seems to thrive on.
“We knew that if we got into this type of situation, has an excellent track record,” DC United head coach Troy Lesesne said.
Despite not warming up properly, Farr started off the shootout just as his team and he expected. After Aaron Herrera put DC United up 1-0, Farr saved the first shot he faced. He followed that up with a save on the second shot and before the home fans knew it, DC United was up 2-0 and appeared to be sailing into the quarterfinals.
The shootout turned tense though when Charlotte goalkeeper David Bingham matched Farr’s performance by saving three consecutive shots in a row. Going into the fifth and final shot, both goalkeepers had saved three shots each but DC United was up 2-1. All Farr had to do was save the final kick for DC United to secure the victory.
“He’s one of the most humble people that you will ever meet, but before he went in, Jordan said to me, ‘meet me at the corner flag’” Lesesne said. “That was his way of saying we’re going to win it. He’s just that confident in that situation.”
When the fifth shot for Charlotte left the foot of Liel Abada, Farr was already outstretched in the perfect position to make the save. After parrying the ball to safety, Farr turned to the DC United supporters then jumped into the arms of his teammates racing over to congratulate him.
With the win, DC United returns to the US Open Cup Quarterfinals for the first time since 2013. The team awaits the official draw later this week to find out who it will play when the next round takes place July 8-9.
For the 5,179 fans that braved the weather to watch the Round of 16 match, the game had everything – highlight-reel goals, late equalizers, and a goalkeeper performance for the ages.
With the rain pouring down from the start, both teams spent the early minutes adjusting to the slippery conditions. Each team was able to find opportunities by pressing hard on the opposing defenses and forcing one another into mistakes.
The first moment of magic struck in the 17th minute when DC United was attacking through the right flank. Herrera received a pass along the touchline and drove forward before serving in a low cross into the box. It skipped along the wet grass and dropped perfectly between the Charlotte defense where DC United leftback David Schnegg was waiting. Without hesitation, the Austrian struck the oncoming ball off the volley and sent a rocket of a shot into the roof of the goal, giving DC United the early 1-0 lead.
Still down 1-0 at the half, Charlotte came out for the second 45 minutes on its front foot. The aggressive play paid off with two goals in the span of four minutes. First, in the 58th, Patrick Agyemang received the ball 40 yards from goal and dribbled through the DC United defense before slotting the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal to make it 1-1. Then, less than four minutes later, Bill Tuiloma headed home an inswinging corner kick that was sent in from Eryk Williamson.
Charlotte FC appeared on their way to victory until DC United did what DC United usually does in Open Cup matches. With the match in the dying minutes of regular time, DC United continued to put the pressure on in search for the equalizer. In the 86th minute, they were rewarded with a goal from Garrison Tubbs to tie it at 2-2.
In extra time, the away side got on top early through a goal by Charlotte’s Tyger Smalls just five minutes into the start of play. However, that lead was short lived as DC United rallied back yet again to tie things up at 3-3 thanks to an opportunistic goal by youngster Jackson Hopkins. Charlotte’s Tim Ream struggled to clear a deflected cross in the 104th minute and the ball fell to Hopkins who confidently slotted it home from a difficult angle.
With the game all but certain to go to a penalty shootout, there was still one more twist to come. Just minutes before the final whistle, DC United made its final sub of the night – bringing in Farr at goalkeeper. “This was an unbelievable performance,” Lesesne said.