Gerald Barnhart

2015 US Open Cup Fourth Round: Match scenarios set for entry of MLS teams

May 21, 2015 by Gerald Barnhart

For the first time, the New York Cosmos and New York Red Bulls squared off in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in 2014. Photo: New York Cosmos

Coin flips give top flight clubs plenty of home field advantage in round four

US Soccer unveiled the pairings and host scenarios for the Fourth Round of the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Thursday afternoon, creating the match-ups for the 17 Major League Soccer clubs that enter into the competition at the round of 32 being held June 16 & 17.

Within the draw results, 11 of 15 MLS teams won the coin flip to host the lower division winners outright while two will have to travel regardless. Two others are dependent on which side wins the Third Round match. Nine games are scheduled for June 16 with six set for the following night and one still to be determined.

Based on the number of MLS sides entering at this phase of the competition, one match was guaranteed to be an all-MLS affair. The way things played out could not have created a more intriguing match as the Cascadia rivals Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers will face one another at Starfire Sports Complex, the second home to the Sounders. It will mark the second such head-to-head Cascadia showdown as the Third Round features their USL sides, Portland Timbers 2 and Sounders FC 2, playing one another May 27 at Starfire. That winner will move on to play Real Salt Lake in the Fourth Round June 17 at Rio Tinto Stadium.

RSL’s second team Real Monarchs SLC is in a round three match-up against the Colorado Sprints Switchbacks (USL), which could result in the Monarchs making a return trip to Colorado to visit the Rapids June 16.

Another interesting scenario is in the greater New York area where the New York Cosmos, should they knock off the PDL Jersey Express, could play host to the newly-forged New York City FC June 16 at Belson Stadium in Queens. The other greater-NY side, Red Bulls, on June 16 will play host to the winner of the Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) and Chattanooga FC (NPSL) contest.

The other MLS newcomers, Orlando City, could be heading to familiar territory as they may be returning to Blackbaud Stadium June 17 to face former USL foe Charleston Battery. Otherwise, they will remain at home in the Orange Bowl that night to play host to nearby NASL side Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

Soccer insiders will also find one midwest scenario mouthwatering with longtime soccer executive Peter Wilt’s current creation Indy Eleven (NASL) potentially moving on to face his Chicago Fire, with which he helped build into a team that won three US Open Cup, an MLS Cup and a Supporters’ Shield during his tenure with the club, June 16 at Toyota Park. First they will have to get past Louisville FC (USL).

Also on the list of scenarios is an all-Texas affair with the winner of the Austin Aztex (USL) and San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) round three match traveling to face the Houston Dynamo. Other in-state scenarios will see the winner of the Chula Vista FC (USASA) and Sacramento Republic (USL) game visiting the brand new Avaya Stadium in San Jose and the LA Galaxy playing host to the winner of the PSA Elite (USASA) versus Ventura County Fusion (PDL) match.

US Open Cup Fourth Round Match Scenarios

June 16 — New York City FC (MLS) at New York Cosmos (NASL) — 7:30 p.m. ET — Shuart Stadium; Hempstead, N.Y.
or
June 16 — Jersey Express (PDL) at New York City FC (MLS) — 7 p.m. ET — Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.); Queens, N.Y.
—–
June 16 — Rochester Rhinos (USL)/Harrisburg City Islanders (USL) winner at Philadelphia Union (MLS) — 7:30 p.m. ET — PPL Park; Chester, Pa.
—–
June 16 — Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL)/Chattanooga FC (NPSL) winner at New York Red Bulls (MLS) — 7:30 p.m. ET — Red Bull Arena; Harrison, N.J.
—–
June 16 — Minnesota United FC (NASL)/Saint Louis FC (USL) winner at Sporting Kansas City (MLS) — 7:30 p.m. CT — Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.
—–
June 16 — Louisville FC (USL)/Indy Eleven (NASL) winner at Chicago Fire (MLS) — 7:30 p.m. CT — Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Ill.
—–
June 16 — Oklahoma City Energy (USL)/Tulsa Roughnecks (USL) winner at FC Dallas (MLS) — 8 p.m. CT — TCU Soccer Stadium; Ft. Worth, Texas
—–
June 16 — Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL)/Real Monarchs SLC (USL) winner at Colorado Rapids (MLS) — 7 p.m. MT — Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, Colo.
—–
June 16 — Chula Vista FC (USASA)/Sacramento Republic FC (USL) winner at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) — 7:30 p.m. PT — Avaya Stadium; San Jose, Calif.
—–
June 16 — Portland Timbers (MLS) at Seattle Sounders (MLS) — 7:30 p.m. PT — Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, Wash.
—–
Date TBD — Austin Aztex (USL)/San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) winner at Houston Dynamo (MLS) — 8 p.m. CT — BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, Texas
—–
June 17 — Orlando City (MLS) at Charleston Battery (USL) — 7:30 p.m. ET — Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, S.C.
or
June 17 — Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) at Orlando City (MLS) — 7:30 p.m. ET — Orlando Citrus Bowl; Orlando, Fla.
—–
June 17 — Charlotte Independence (USL)/Carolina RailHawks (NASL) winner at New England Revolution (MLS) — 7:30 p.m. ET — Soldiers Field (Harvard Univ.); Boston, Mass.
—–
June 17 — Columbus Crew SC (MLS) at Richmond Kickers (USL) — 7 p.m. ET — Richmond City Stadium; Richmond, Va.
or
June 17 — Columbus Crew SC (MLS) at Jacksonville Armada (NASL) — 7:30 p.m. ET — Hodges Stadium (Univ. of North Florida); Jacksonville, Fla.
—–
June 17 — D.C. United (MLS) at Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL) — 7 p.m. ET — Highmark Stadium; Pittsburgh, Pa.
or
June 17 — D.C. United (MLS) at Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) — 7:30 p.m. ET — Al Lang Stadium; St. Petersburg, Fla.
—–
June 17 — Portland Timbers 2 (USL)/Seattle Sounders 2 (USL) winner at Real Salt Lake (MLS) — 8 p.m. MT — Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
—–
June 17 — PSA Elite (USASA)/Ventura County Fusion (PDL) winner at LA Galaxy (MLS) — 7:30 p.m. PT — StubHub Center; Carson, Calif.

Philadelphia Union, FC Dallas winner will host 2014 US Open Cup Final after Men In Blazers coin flip (video)

August 5, 2014 by Gerald Barnhart

In less than two weeks, the 2014 US Open Cup Final will be all set after learning Monday evening the results of the coin flip determining which semifinal pairing would play host to the championship game in mid-September or October 1. US Soccer President Sunil Gulati’s coin flip during the special edition of the Men in Blazers live stage podcast at MLS All-Star events in Portland landed with tails showing, sending the title game to either Frisco, Texas or Chester, Pa. A representative from each semifinal team was in attendance. (WATCH VIDEO BELOW)

FC Dallas and the Philadelphia Union will square off Tuesday, Aug. 12 in Texas in the first semifinal. The winner will play host to either the Seattle Sounders or Chicago Fire, who face one another the following night in Washington. The date of the Final is still to be announced, but based on the combination of teams in the championship game, it will either take place on one of three midweek dates: Sept. 16, 17 or Oct. 1.

GolTV holds the broadcast rights to the 2014 US Open Cup Final in what is the final year of their contract with the federation.

Should Dallas prevail, it would be the first time the championship will be decided in Frisco since 2007 when the hosts fell to New England. It would mark just the fourth time the tournament would conclude in the state of Texas.

The greater-Philadelphia region has a much deeper history with 10 all-time US Open Cup Final matches, but has not hosted a championship game in the Modern Professional Era (1995-present) with Oakford, Pa., just north of the city, hosting the 1994 Final.

The Presentation

Having streamed coin flips and/or draws as part of the pageantry of the Open Cup has been a long desired wish of many fans of the tournament. Monday night’s draw is believed to be the first live presentation of the administration of the tournament in front of a crowd or broadcast as it was streamed online.

It didn’t come, however, without some questionable, if not controversial, moments. Hosts of the Men in Blazers podcast slurped some love for the tournament during the segment – though miscalled it US Cup several times – only to later take jabs at the coin flip and the tournament moments after it concluded when Portland Thorns and US international Alex Morgan took the stage, saying that it was the most-watched moment of the US Open Cup this year.

In addition, after the already very casually-run coin flip presentation, Gulati made a joke in response to the reaction of the fans, proposing the possibility of making it best two of three. ‘MiB’ host Roger Bennett then pointed out sarcastically that Gulati is a FIFA Executive Committee officer at which point Gulati then noted that if that is the situation then they should do it “like this” while playing around with the coin in his pants pocket.

Past US Open Cup Final matches in Philadelphia area

1915 – Bethlehem Steel 3:1 Brooklyn Celtic (Taylor Field in Bethlehem, PA)
1936 (2nd leg) – German American FC 3:0 (5:2 agg) Shamrocks SC (Rifle Club Grounds in Phila, PA)
1949 (1st leg) – Philadelphia Nationals 1:0 Morgan Strasser (Holmes Stadium in Phila, PA)
1952 (2nd leg) – Philadelphia Nationals 1:4 (AET, 5:7 agg) Harmarville (Holmes Stadium – Phila, PA)
1960 – Ukrainian Nationals 5:3 (AET) Los Angeles Kickers (Edison Field – Phila, PA)
1961 (2nd leg) – Ukrainian Nationals 5:2 (7:4 agg) United Scots (McCarthy Stadium – Phila, PA)
1963 – Ukrainian Nationals 1:0 Armenian SC (Cambria Field – Phila, PA)
1964 (1st leg) – Ukrainian Nationals 2:2 Los Angeles Kickers-Victoria (Cambria Field – Phila, PA)
1966 (2nd leg) – Ukrainian Nationals 3:0 (4:0 agg) Orange County (Cambria Stadium – Phila, PA)
1994 – Greek American AC 3:0 Bavarian SC (UGH Field – Oakford, PA)*
* Only Philadelphia-based Final that did not include a local team

Past US Open Cup Final matches in Texas

1983 – NY Pancyprian Freedoms 4:3 (AET) Kutis SC (Delmar Stadium – Houston, TX)
1995 – Richmond Kickers (1:1, 4:2 PKs) El Paso Patriots (SISD Student Activities Center – El Paso, TX)
2007 – New England Revolution 3:2 FC Dallas (Pizza Hut Park – Frisco, TX)

FULL SHOW REPLAY (US Open Cup Final draw at 50:30)

2014 US Open Cup: Semifinal pairings and host scenarios set

July 7, 2014 by Gerald Barnhart

The United States Soccer Federation unveiled the semifinal pairings as well as the potential dates and locations of the for the upcoming final four set for August 12-13.

Among the host scenarios determined by coin flip at the USSF office this morning, the NASL’s Carolina RailHawks could potentially host one of the two semifinal contests should they advance from their quarterfinal match against FC Dallas Wednesday evening in Cary, NC. They will host the winner of Tuesday’s match between the New England Revolution and Philadelphia Union.

In the other foursome, the host will be the winner of the Cascadia showdown Wednesday night between the the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers in Washington. Traveling west will be either the Chicago Fire or the Atlanta Silverbacks, who square off Wednesday in Georgia.

Potential Pairings – 2014 US Open Cup Semifinals

Philadelphia Union / New England Revolution winner @
– PHI @ FC Dallas: August 12, 8:00 CT – Toyota Stadium
– PHI @ Carolina: August 12, 7;30 ET – WakeMed Soccer Park
– NE @ FC Dallas: August 13, 8:00 CT – Toyota Stadium
– NE @ Carolina: August 13, 7:30 ET – WakeMed Soccer Park

Chicago Fire / Atlanta Silverbacks winner @
– Seattle: August 13, 7:30 PT – Starfire Sports Complex
– Portland: August 13, 8:00 PT – Providence Park

#USOC2014

2014 US Open Cup: Quarterfinal pairings and host scenarios set

June 23, 2014 by Gerald Barnhart

The potential pairings and host scenarios have been announced by the US Soccer Federation for the 2014 US Open Cup Quarterfinals set for July 8-9. As many as three lower division sides could host one of the four contests in the round with an all-MLS foursome in the other potential scenario out west.

In the northeast, the winner of the showdown between affiliated sides Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro) and New England Revolution in the Fifth Round will move on to play at either the Philadelphia Union or the New York Cosmos (NASL) on July 8.

Two other matches could also occur that Tuesday depending on the host clubs. The LA Galaxy would host the winner of the Texas derby between FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo and the San Jose Earthquakes would host that night the Portland Timbers, if they advance from their game against Sporting KC. San Jose will also host a victorious Kansas City side, though the date is still to be determined.

On the flip side, it the Carolina RailHawks (NASL) prevail against the Los Angeles Galaxy they would play host to the winner from Texas on July 9 and the Seattle Sounders, following a victory against San Jose, would host the winner of the Sporting KC and Timbers match this week, setting up a potential derby match with Portland.

With dates still to be set for their foursome, the winner of the Colorado Rapids and Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) Fifth Round contest will play host to the team advancing from the Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire fixture.

Potential Pairings – 2014 US Open Cup Quarterfinals

Rochester Rhinos / New England Revolution winner @

– Philadelphia Union: July 8, 7:00 ET – PPL Park

– New York Cosmos: July 8, 7:00 ET – Belson Stadium (St John’s Univ)

FC Dallas / Houston Dynamo winner @

– Los Angeles Galaxy: July 8, 10:30 ET – StubHub Center

– Carolina RailHawks: July 9, 7:30 ET – WakeMed Soccer Park

Columbus Crew / Chicago Fire winner @

– Colorado Rapids: Date TBD – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

– Atlanta Silverbacks: Date TBD – Atlanta Silverbacks Park

Portland Timbers / Sporting KC winner @

– Seattle Sounders: July 9, 10:30 ET – Starfire Sports Complex

– POR @ San Jose Earthquakes: July 8 – Buck Shaw Stadium

– KC @ San Jose Earthquakes: Date TBD – Buck Shaw Stadium

#USOC2014

2014 US Open Cup Round 3: Orlando City SC calm Tampa Bay Rowdies to earn rematch with Colorado Rapids

May 29, 2014 by Gerald Barnhart

In a showdown of central Florida foes, the future MLS side Orlando City of USL Pro dominated from the opening and cruised to a 4-1 victory over the NASL’s Tampa Bay Rowdies.

The Lions used thee goals from three different players in the first half-hour to build an insurmountable lead. Kevin Molino scored 11 minutes in and Austin da Luz doubled the advantage in the 22nd. Adama Mbengue added the third four minutes later and Molino scored a second four minutes before halftime to make it a four-goal margin.

Tampa Bay found some hope just before the break through Blake Wagner, but the second half would go scoreless as the Lions stood firm for the victory and a Fourth Round meeting on the road with the Colorado Rapids.

More details to come …

2013 US Open Cup Fourth Round: Dwayne De Rosario’s hat trick for DC United earns him TheCup.us Player of the Round honors

June 19, 2013 by Gerald Barnhart

For leading struggling MLS side DC United to a 3-1 victory over nearby rival Philadelphia Union in the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup with a hat-trick, Dwayne De Rosario was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round.

The victory was the club’s first since their second league match of the season on March 2. The winless run was at 0-10-3 in league play with the addition of their Third Round scoreless draw against their USL Pro affiliate Richmond Kickers making the skid 14 games in total. The match was also the first in which DC scored three goals.

Though he is a former league MVP, the three-goal performance was a stunner as De Rosario came into the match with only one goal and one assist on the season through 12 appearances. The hat-trick may have marked the rekindling of the Canadian’s scoring prowess as he also netted over the weekend in a 2-1 loss in league play against Toronto.

Though De Rosario became the third DC United player to score a hat-trick in Open Cup play (Raul Diaz Arce 2000, Abdul Thompson Conteh 2001), he became the first Canadian to record three or more goals in a match during the Modern Professional Era (1995-present).

TheCup.us honors are voted on by the site’s editorial staff and select members of the North American Soccer Reporters. Other leading contenders in the voting were Ty Shipalane of the Carolina RailHawks and goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo of Orlando City.

2013 TheCup.us Player of the Round Honors

Fourth Round: Dwayne De Rosario (DC United)
Third Round: Frederic Piquionne (Portland Timbers)
Second Round: Brandon Fricke (Des Moines Menace)
First Round: David Geno (Seattle Sounders U23)
Preliminary Round: Gustavo Villalobos (FC Hasental)

#USOC100

Breakdown of MLS Player Salaries for 2013 US Open Cup Third Round

June 6, 2013 by Gerald Barnhart

ObafemiMartins-Salarylist — (photo: Brandon Bleek / Prost Amerika)

Seattle Sounders striker Obafemi Martins could easily claim the ‘Million Dollar Man’ tag for the US Open Cup this year, but it would not be a positive nickname. In a breakdown of MLS player salaries for the Third Round based on figures released earlier this year by the MLS Players Union, the Sounders were easily the highest paid MLS club based on who played, and Martins salary was twice that of any other player.

TheCup.us tabulated the guaranteed salaries, per the MLSPU list, for all the MLS clubs and discovered the Sounders were at the top of the list at a total salary of $192,856 who took the field in Tampa Bay against the Rowdies in the stunning 1-0 upset loss. In comparison, most clubs came in at a range from $138,000 to $101,000, but Seattle topped a list of four that were outliers at the top with FC Dallas ($176,142), DC United ($157,465) and the Chicago Fire ($153,961) also spending allocating over 150k in salary on their tournament openers. Meanwhile, Chivas USA ($86,948), Sporting KC ($76,952) and the Los Angeles Galaxy ($69,084) came in at the bottom of the list.

That’s correct, the lowest salaried team and the highest, were each knocked out as you will recall the Carolina RailHawks blanked the Galaxy, who sent a squad almost entirely comprised of reserves, 2-0.

Seattle was the most interesting case, however, because of Martins and what transpired in the match versus Tampa Bay. His entry at the 81st minute may prove to be the most costly nine minutes in Sounders history. First of all, the average salary of the players for that game without Martins would have been the lowest among all MLS teams for the round at $65,177, but his guaranteed deal of $1,725,000 was not only the sole contract over a million dollars, but it dwarfed FC Dallas striker David Ferreira’s salary for 2013 of $730,000.

Then there is what happened on the field. One could argue that perhaps the Sounders would not have had a chance at pulling even from the penalty spot if it were not for Martins’ header that led to the handball in front of the goalline, but he was also the man who shot the spot kick poorly moments later, allowing Rowdies keeper Diego Restrepo to make the dramatic save for the win.

For those wishing to compare the values of the players utilized in comparison to the US Open Cup, similar figures have been tabulated by INWsoccernews for the MLS Reserve League. The MLS Reserve League figures, which are much lower for each team, can be found here [+]

TheCup.us will continue to track the salaries as the tournament progresses and provide further updates.

Club — Avg Guaranteed Salaries for Third Round Appearances — Result
Seattle — 192,856 — Lost 1-0 at Tampa Bay (NASL)
FC Dallas — 176,142 — Won 2-0 at Fort Lauderdale (NASL)
DC United — 157,465 — Tied 0-0 (won PK 4-2) at Richmond (USL Pro)
Chicago — 153,961 — Won 2-0 at Charlotte (USL Pro)
San Jose — 137,984 — Lost 1-0 at Charleston (USL Pro)
New England — 136,991 — Won 5-1 at Rochester (USL Pro)
Philadelphia — 135,202 — Won 2-1 vs Ocean City (USL PDL)
New York — 132,692 — Won 2-0 vs Reading (USL PDL)
Columbus — 128,714 — Won 2-1 vs Dayton (USL Pro)
Real Salt Lake — 119,372 — Won 3-2 OT vs Atlanta (NASL)
Portland — 108,102 — Won 5-1 vs Wilmington (USL Pro)
Colorado — 107,902 — Lost 3-1 at Orlando (USL Pro)
Houston — 101,015 — Won 2-0 vs Tucson (USL PDL)
Chivas USA — 86,948 — Won 2-1 at LA Blues (USL Pro)
Sporting KC — 76,952 — Won 2-0 vs Des Moines (USL PDL)
LA Galaxy — 69,084 — Lost 2-0 at Carolina (NASL)

Third Round Highest Paid Players ($300,000+)
Obafemi Martins (SEA) – 1,725,000
David Ferreira (DAL) – 730,000
Dwayne De Rosario (DC) – 645,333
Federico Higuain (CLB) – 604,000
Chris Wondolowski (SJ) – 600,000
Sherjill McDonald (CHI) – 527,125
Kalifa Cisse (NE) – 445,000
Chris Pontius (DC) – 361,000
Bakary Soumare (CHI) – 350,000
Heath Pearce (NY) – 340,736
Blas Perez (DAL) – 324,250
Benny Feilhaber (KC) – 312,188
Kyle Beckerman (RSL) – 311,250
Kei Kamara (KC) – 302,500
Javier Morales (RSL) – 300,000

Note: Five players who were signed since the release of the MLSPU list played in the Third Round and were given a ‘filler’ value of $50,000 salaries by TheCup.us for their participation. These figures will be replaced upon further updates by the MLSPU. Those players are: Mechak Jerome (KC), Andrew McKelvey (Columbus), German Mera (Colorado), Aaron Ponce (Chivas USA) and Robbie Rogers (LA Galaxy).

#USOC100

2013 US Open Cup Quarterfinal Round pairings announced for June 26

June 5, 2013 by Gerald Barnhart

The United States Soccer Federation conducted and announced the draw for the potential Quarterfinal pairings and match hosts Wednesday. Highlighting the announced pairing is the scenario that the third division USL Pro Charleston Battery are the only one of four lower division clubs that will have the opportunity to host a match June 26 when the final eight take the field.

The Quarterfinal Round will certainly feature at least one match in Texas with the winner of the derby match between FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo playing host to the winner of the Portland Timbers and NASL Tampa Bay Rowdies contest. Another match is guaranteed for the east coast with New England, New York, DC and Philadelphia all being grouped together in the only all-MLS foursome, the winner of the latter two being selected as hosts.

No games will take place on the west coast, however, with Portland and Chivas USA set to travel. Real Salt Lake, should they win, would be the furthest west location as they would host Chivas USA or the NASL Carolina RailHawks. If RSL falters, the match will be in Charleston.

The midwest is the location of the final game with the battle of affiliates between Sporting KC and Orlando City sending the winner to face either the Chicago Fire or Columbus Crew.

QUARTERFINALS – JUNE 26

New England Revolution / NY Red Bulls at D.C. United / Philadelphia Union
DC: Maryland SoccerPlex; Boyds, Md. – 7 p.m. ET
PHI: PPL Park; Chester, Pa. – 7:30 p.m. ET
———
Sporting Kansas City / Orlando City SC at Chicago Fire / Columbus Crew
CHI: Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Ill. – 7:30 p.m. CT
CLB: Columbus Crew Stadium; Columbus, Ohio – 7:30 p.m. ET
———
Carolina RailHawks / Chivas USA at Real Salt Lake / Charleston Battery
RSL: Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah – 7:30 p.m. MT
CHB: Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, S.C. – 7:30 p.m. ET
———
Portland Timbers / Tampa Bay Rowdies at FC Dallas / Houston Dynamo
DAL: FC Dallas Stadium; Frisco, Texas – 8:00 p.m. CT
HOU: BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, Texas – 7:30 p.m. CT

FOURTH ROUND – JUNE 12

New York Red Bulls (MLS) at New England Revolution (MLS)
Harvard University; Cambridge, Mass. – 7:30 p.m. ET
———
Philadelphia Union (MLS) at D.C. United (MLS)
Maryland SoccerPlex; Boyds, Md. – 7 p.m. ET
———
Columbus Crew (MLS) at Chicago Fire (MLS)
Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Ill. – 7:30 p.m. CT
———
Orlando City SC (USL Pro) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan. – 7:30 p.m. CT
———
Houston Dynamo (MLS) at FC Dallas (MLS)
FC Dallas Stadium; Frisco, Texas – 8 p.m. CT
———
Chivas USA (MLS) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, N.C. – 7:15 p.m. ET
———
Charleston Battery (USL Pro) at Real Salt Lake (MLS)
Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah – 7:30 p.m. MT
———
Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) at Portland Timbers (MLS)
JELD-WEN Field; Portland, Ore. – 7:30 p.m. PT

#USOC100

2013 US Open Cup Third Round: Defending champ Sporting KC blank Des Moines Menace 2-0 to move on

May 30, 2013 by Gerald Barnhart

On a night where multiple MLS teams fell to lower division opponents, the defending US Open Cup Champion took care of business. Sporting Kansas City made a 12^th minute goal by Kei Kamara stand up before adding an insurance strike from Claudio Bieler to defeat the Des Moines Menace 2-0 in front of 13,000 fans at Sporting Park.

The home side started well with Kamara nearly opening the scoring after just three minutes. Chance Myers, starting on the wing instead of his normal right back position, whipped in a dangerous cross, finding Kamara at the back post, but the forward’s shot only found the side netting.

Five minutes later it was Myers missing a golden opportunity. A deflection found the winger at the back post with Des Moines goalkeeper Scott Angevine out of position. Yet Myers could only throw up his hands in disbelief as Albet Edward managed to block his attempt on goal.

Sporting continued to push and was rewarded in the 12^th minute. In a carbon copy of the third minute chance, Myers sent a cross to the back post that Kamara was able to acrobatically poke home.

From there, Des Moines settled in, but never managed to seriously threaten Kansas City’s lead.

“We were obviously hoping to survive the first 15 minutes better than we ended up,” said Des Moines coach Mike Jeffries. “What I will say is I thought the guys reacted incredibly well after giving up the first goal. We always felt that as the half wore on we’d be able to settle into the game a little bit better.”

The best chance for the Menace came when Abel Sebele was played into the box in the 28^th minute, but his first touch let him down and he sent a shot wide from a tough angle.

Sporting continued to dominate the game, but wasted numerous chances to extend its lead, finishing with 21 shots, eight of which were on target.

“You’re always concerned when you’re in a situation where you have as many chances as we did,” said Sporting head coach Peter Vermes. “I just felt more that we needed to finish another one as opposed to maybe the problem of taking one in. You still have to put those goals away to put a team away.”

Kansas City got the goal to put Des Moines away from Designated Player Bieler shortly after subbing him on for Kamara.

“You could see the class in his play when he went out there, how simple he made the game,” said Vermes.

With the win, Sporting advances to the US Open Cup fourth round where it will host USL affiliate Orlando City SC on June 12.

There will be plenty of storylines for that contest as four KC players are currently on loan with the third division club, although Vermes said he wasn’t sure whether the quartet would be eligible to play against their parent club.

“I think it’s going to be more from the league,” he said of the decision. “That’s something the league has to be involved with to be sure.”

As a consolation prize, the Des Moines Menace will be awarded the $15,000 Division 4 prize money. All four PDL teams lost in the Third Round, but they won the prize based on being the only one to defeat a Division 2 team (Minnesota United FC) in regulation.

Scoring Summary:

KC: Kei Kamara (Chance Myers) 12’

KC: Claudio Bieler (Jacob Peterson) 73’

Discipline:

KC: Michael Thomas (caution) 33’

DM: Michael Thaden (caution) 40’

DM: Chris Harmon (caution) 54’

2013 US Open Cup Third Round: Struggling DC United finds hope, downs Richmond Kickers in PKs

May 30, 2013 by Gerald Barnhart

A DC United squad that has not won since their second game of the MLS season (0-8-2) was dearly hoping for a change in fortune in the US Open Cup, and barely even got that as they prevailed in Richmond via penalties 4-2 after a grueling scoreless stalemate with the Kickers, their official affiliate in USL Pro.

Back-up goalkeeper Joe Willis was the man of the match from start to finish for DC United, coming out of the goal 17 minutes into the match to prevent on onrushing Michael Seaton, on loan from DC, from having an easy one-on-one opportunity at the top of the box, and then later making two saves in the penalty kick tiebreaker to send DC onto the Fourth Round.

Eight minutes after beating Seaton to the ball Willis was called upon again to squelch another chance when Joseph Ngwenya connected with Stanley Nyazamba, who proceeded to find Nate Robinson for a low shot that the keeper stopped.

DC nearly took the lead just after the half-hour mark when Kyle Porter’s corner was headed onto the crossbar by Lionard Pajoy, and again saw the frame of the goal come into play four minutes later when former Kickers star Dwayne De Rosario sent a header off of the post, falling along the goalline where it was gathered by United loanee Andrew Dykstra.

The Kickers nearly gave the visitors the advantage right before halftime with a potential own goal when back pass was complicated by miscommunication that saw it scoot past Dykstra, who had to recover to send the ball over the endline instead of the back of the net.

The second half continued to be the Willis show with the netminder denying two quality opportunities for the Kickers and watched another from a free kick sail just over the crossbar in the 90^th minute as overtime loomed.

That is when things began to get interesting. DC saw two players sent off in extra time with Chris Korb receiving a second yellow in the 113^th minute and Carlos Ruiz getting his walking orders just four minutes later with a straight red card. But the seven minutes of having one or two extra players came too late as the two sides ultimately played things out from the spot.

The Kickers were unable to recover after seeing Sascha Gorres and Ngwenya’s attempts in the first two rounds saved by Willis despite conversions from Luke Vercollone and Nate Robinson as De Rosario, Perry Kitchen, Nick De Leon and James Riley were all perfect.

Scoring Summary

None

PK Summary

RIC – 2: Sascha Gorres (save), Joseph Ngwenya (save), Luke Vercollone (goal), Nate Robinson (goal)

DC – 4: Dwayne De Rosario (goal), Perry Kitchen (goal), Nick De Leon (goal), James Riley (goal)

Discipline

RIC: Jason Yeisley (caution) 57^th

RIC: Matthew Delicate (caution) 73^rd

DC: Chris Pontius (caution) 82^nd

DC: Chris Korb (caution) 90^th

DC: Chris Korb (caution, ejection) 113^th

DC: Carlos Ruiz (ejection) 117^th

RIC: Andrew Dykstra (caution) 120^th

Lineups

Kickers: GK Andrew Dykstra, Henry Kalungi, Shane Johnson (Matthew Delicate – 69’), William Yomby, Luke Vercollone, Michael Seaton (Juan Arbelaez – 60’), Mike Callahan, Stanley Nyazamba (Sascha Gorres – 60’), Nate Robinson, Jason Yeisley, Joseph Ngwenya

D.C. United: GK Joe Willis, Daniel Woolard, James Riley, Chris Korb, Raphael Augusto (Chris Pontius – 58’), Perry Kitchen, Conor Shanosky, Nick De Leon, Kyle Porter (Sainey Nyassi – 91’), Dwayne De Rosario, Lionard Pajoy (Carlos Ruiz – 80’)

Referee: Eric Weisbrod

Assistant Referees: James Brooks, Dean Fairweather

Fourth Official: J.T. Alukonis

Attendance: 4,752 Weather: Partly cloudy, 85º