2026 US Open Cup Round 3: Minnesota United beat Sacramento Republic in near-record PK shootout

On Tuesday April 14, Minnesota United FC played the Sacramento Republic FC of the USL Championship at Heart Health Park in the Round of 32 of the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Kicking off in front of a crowd of more than 7,000 fans, the game would go scoreless for 120 minutes. After 24 penalty kicks and almost exactly 3 hours, Minnesota United of MLS advanced to the Round of 16.

The 12 rounds of penalty kicks is the second-longest shootout of the Modern Era.

The first half was fairly uneventful, with no goals scored despite a few solid looks from both teams. Minnesota controlled possession for the majority of the half, and after only one minute of extra time, the break arrived before much of the action. 

The second half was not quite as quiet, with 2 yellow cards and a shot on goal seemingly every few minutes, but despite the offenses firing on all cylinders, the defenses held strong and the first 90 minutes went without a goal. 

“They sat deep, they were dangerous in a few counterattacking moments, they have some guys up front that have pace and power, and when they’re direct and in transition, they’re dangerous,” said Minnesota head coach Cameron Knowles on his team’s strengths. 

Extra time saw an increase in pace and intensity from both teams, with 4 more yellow cards and 10 shot attempts, but despite numerous shots on goal throughout the 120 minutes of play, the stalemate persisted, and the game would go to penalties. 

The penalty shootout started with a Minnesota goal, the first of 4 consecutive goals leading to a  score of 2-2, which was then followed by 2 consecutive misses, both saves. After another goal from each team, Sacramento keeper Danny Vitiello would record his second save of the shootout, but Sacramento failed to capitalize on the opportunity, as the next shot hit the left post. Another 10 consecutive goals led to the goalkeeper’s turns. Alec Smir of Minnesota United missed high and right, and Vitiello’s attempt was saved by Smir. 

After both netminders missed, the shootout order started over as Joaquín Pereyra of Minnesota United would make his second penalty of the shootout, before Dominik Wanner of Sacramento missed right, ending the Republic’s tournament run.   

“We knew it was going to be difficult coming in and you want to get through to the next round, and that’s job done,” said Knowles. “Maybe not in the fashion or in the 90 minutes that we would have hoped, but, we’re on to the next round.”