Kristen Gehrke

2018 US Open Cup Round 5 preview, live video: Timbers, Galaxy square off in rare Friday night match

June 15, 2018 by Kristen Gehrke

The Portland Timbers and Los Angeles Galaxy met for the first time in the Round of 16 of the 2016 US Open Cup.

LIVE VIDEO TONIGHT (11 p.m. ET kickoff)

The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Round of 16 kicks off tonight with the Portland Timbers hosting MLS opponent the Los Angeles Galaxy at Providence Park.

This is just the fifth time in the Modern Era (1995-present) that a Major League Soccer team has played in a US Open Cup game on a Friday. The last one came in 1999 when the Colorado Rapids edged the Tampa Bay Mutiny 1-0 in a Quarterfinal match that doubled as a MLS regular season game. The 1998 US Open Cup Final between the Chicago Fire and the Columbus Crew took place on a Friday.

The Timbers are looking to extend a nine-game unbeaten streak across all competitions that reaches back into early April and includes a 1-1 draw against the Galaxy on June 2. That streak also includes the team’s 2-0 home win over the San Jose Earthquakes in the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup. In that match, Portland looked to Diego Chara for leadership of a starting XI populated by both first team starters as well as call-ups from the club’s USL franchise, T2. With the World Cup break, Portland supporters can expect to see more first-teamers in the line up.

Speaking of first-teamers, the Timber’s offense is led by Diego Valeri (6 goals) and Sebastian Blanco (5 goals), who have accounted for 11 of the team’s 20 goals in league play.

The Galaxy have had their own struggles this year despite winning their MLS home opener against the Timbers 2-1 in early March. They suffered a stretch during the season when they lost five of six matches. However, they have done well lately, earning three wins and that draw with Portland in their last five matches (3-1-1). This has moved them the table into their current position of eighth place in the Western Conference and back within striking distance of a playoff spot.

The Galaxy will likely feature more first team players with the World Cup giving players a break, but Los Angeles will be without superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic, their leading scorer (7 goals in 11 matches). Ibrahimovic was in Moscow Thursday for the start of the FIFA World Cup to promote a new Visa product.

HISTORY

Portland Timbers FC (MLS)
14th US Open Cup appearance (7th as MLS)
Overall: 15-12-1 (0-1 PK) | 8-6-0 as MLS
Home: 7-6-1 (0-1 PK) | 5-2-0 as MLS
vs. MLS teams: 5-8-1 (0-1 PK) | 5-5-0 as MLS
Best finish: 2013 Semifinals (Lost 2-1 at Real Salt Lake of MLS)

Over the years, the Timbers have struggled against Southern California teams in US Open Cup, famously falling to a pair of SoCal amateur sides: Hollywood United in 2008 and Eric Wynalda’s Cal FC squad in 2012. Most recently, in 2016, they lost 1-0 to the Galaxy in the Round of 16 on a first half goal by Raul Mendiola. The Timbers have an Open Cup history that dates back to their USL days when they made their tournament debut in 2004. They never advanced beyond the Fourth Round as a USL team, and their best finish as a MLS franchise came in 2013 when they lost 2-1 to Real Salt Lake in the Semifinals.

Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
18th US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 31-15-1 (1-0 PK)
Away: 9-12-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. MLS teams: 12-11-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: 2001, 2005 champions

After winning the club’s second US Open Cup title in 2005, the Galaxy returned to the Final the following year. They lost to the Chicago Fire 3-1 and that began a dark period for the Galaxy in the tournament, which some could argue was a shift in priorities as David Beckham arrived in 2007. From that point on, the Galaxy were eliminated by the Richmond Kickers (USL Second Division) in 2007, failed to qualify in 2008 and 2009, lost their second game to the Sounders in back-to-back years (2010, 2011), then lost three years in a row to the NASL’s Carolina RailHawks on the road (2012-14). Since 2015, the draw has been more kind to the Galaxy as the federation has put a greater emphasis on minimizing travel (i.e. no more trips to the East Coast). The Galaxy have reached the Quarterfinals in each of the last three years, including a run to the Semifinals in 2016 where they lost eventual champions FC Dallas in extra time. Los Angeles is tied with D.C. United with 12 US Soccer Majors, which is the most in the Modern Era. Is this the year they can snap their 13-year US Open Cup trophy drought and break that tie with United?

2016 US Open Cup Round 5: Los Angeles Galaxy edge Portland Timbers to reach Quarterfinals

June 30, 2016 by Kristen Gehrke

It seemed like the ideal situation.

For years, the Portland Timbers have played the majority of their Open Cup matches on the road in hostile environments (see: last year’s win against Seattle at Starfire) but finally, the cards had fallen their favor: first one, then a second home match.

But their opponent in that second match, the LA Galaxy, proved to be too much for the Timbers to handle.

“It’s disappointing to be out of the competition,” Portland head coach Caleb Porter said after Portland’s 1-0 loss to the Galaxy Wednesday night at Providence Park. “I think what makes it even more disappointing is losing the home game. Obviously this year, we had a couple games at home and if we would have won this one, we would have been back at home.”

“I thought we lost the game in the first ten minutes,” Porter continued. “I thought the last 80 minutes, we were the better team.”

The lone goal of the game came in that first ten minutes when a fifth minute pass from Emmanuel Boateng found Raul Mendiola 15 yards out. Mendiola put the ball into the bottom corner past Portland keeper Wade Hamilton and that was that.

Where the Timbers struggled to find their defensive footing (the team’s MLS lineup is captained by veteran centerback Liam Ridgewell, who was not included on its Open Cup roster), LAG’s defenders allowed no space for Portland to move offensively.

“It’s a game of moments,” Porter said. “Too much back-foot defending, you need to be more aggressive. I do think a part of that was not having Ridgy in there. He’s the guy that leads the line. You sort it out over the next 80 minutes and it wasn’t sorted out.”

“We played very well,” Galaxy manager Bruce Arena said. “We have a very good team, we just haven’t had it together this year for long periods of time…It was a game we thought we could win and I was real pleased we could come here and walk away with the win.”

“I was surprised so many people came out,” Arena said. “The field’s much better this year with the new surface. It’s never easy, but if you have to play on an artificial field, this is the one to play on. The combination of a great environment and the fact that you can play a little bit on this field as opposed to some of the others is good. All the credit always to the Portland supporters. They do a magnificent job for their team. You know, one day, we’d like to see the whole league look like Portland in terms of their base of support.”

FULL MATCH REPLAY

2016 US Open Cup: La Maquina files protest, calls LA Galaxy goal “against the good of the game”

June 16, 2016 by Kristen Gehrke

Dave Romney of the LA Galaxy celebrates his goal against La Maquina in the 2016 US Open Cup. Teammate Jose Villarreal is shown injured in the background. Photo: LA Galaxy

UPDATE (June 28, 2016): TheCup.us has learned the protest by La Maquina has been denied. The club appealed the decision but it was unsuccessful.

The United Premier Soccer League (UPSL), on behalf of one of its member clubs La Maquina, has filed an appeal with the US Soccer Federation, requesting a replay of its Fourth Round Lamar Hunt US Open Cup match against the Los Angeles Galaxy.

A copy of the appeal, acquired by TheCup.us, shows that the letter of protest is signed by league commissioner Yan Skwara, alleges the “referee’s conduct was so outstandingly inappropriate that it is obviously against the good of the game.” La Maquina lost 4-1 to a 10-man Galaxy side Tuesday night in Carson, Calif.

“The behavior and performance of the referee were egregious and alarming and there are 2 incidents of note that were critical to the outcome of the match and that unfairly determined the result,” the complaint continues. “His actions and conduct were contrary to the good of the game and we respectfully request a replay of this game.”

The main incident in question took place in the opening minutes of extra time. The Galaxy earned a free kick just outside the penalty area when Jose Villarreal was fouled. The collision carried him into the box and he appeared to need medical attention based on the apparent pain he was in, laying on his back with teammate Jack McBean helping him stretch out his leg.

While La Maquina and other Galaxy players stood around catching their breath and waiting for Villarreal to be tended to, Baggio Husidic stood over the free kick. Since the Galaxy did not ask center referee Ramon Hernandez to move their opponents the minimum 10 yards away from the ball, Husidic was, by rule, allowed to play a quick restart. He noticed Dave Romney standing unmarked on the left side of the penalty area and sent the ball to him and Romney struck it past a helpless Luis Sosa in goal to give the MLS side a 2-1 lead. The confused players for La Maquina were almost all standing around the injured Villarreal and scrambled to defend Romney’s shot but they were far too late.

la-galaxy-la-maquina-controversial-goal-by-romney-celebration-2016-big — Photo: LA Galaxy

“ goes … so I kicked out, passed to the left,” Husidic said. “I didn’t ask for a whistle, told the ref I wasn’t going to ask for a whistle, and he said ‘OK.’”

Even the goalscorer was confused by what happened.

“Am I allowed to shoot this? Is this really real?,” Romney said after the match. “I just got it on my right foot and tucked it away.”

Here is the description of the incident from La Maquina’s complaint:

“There was a huddle of players from both sets of teams, and both Galaxy and La Maquina players went to the fallen player’s aid as he was clearly injured. At this time, the referee told the players to resume play on his whistle. As the players milled about, and the Galaxy player received treatment on the ground from fellow players, a Galaxy player moved the ball behind the referee (who was still standing behind the spot of the foul that he ran to and designated himself) and passed to his teammate across the box who then proceeded to score a goal as the La Maquina keeper made a late and half-hearted attempt to save the shot as he was in shock that play was happening and fully expected that play would be called back; AS DID EVERYONE ELSE IN THE STADIUM.”

WATCH THE ENTIRE PLAY (Beginning at 2:32:40)

The story has received a lot of attention in the days following the incident. It was posted by Deadspin and then was even featured in a brief segment on ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption.”

That was not the only incident that was included in the protest.

“Obviously, there was a lot of bad by the ref. We kind of knew it was going to go south by about the 80th minute,” Edson Martinez, La Maquina’s assistant coach told TheCup.us. “One of our players got elbowed from behind and the fourth official saw it and he called over the referee. told us it was a straight red.”

However, the red card was not given by Hernandez, who instead issued yellows to both La Maquina and Galaxy players involved.

“It killed the team’s spirit,” Martinez added. “Honestly? We would have won that game. We were tired, but we had the momentum.”

According to the written protest, they are further convinced that an error was made because, as they claim, the fourth official and the match commissioner were “verbally and visibly apologetic to La Maquina for the referee’s performance.”

According to Skwara, the controversy on the goal comes down to player safety (Villarreal was ignored and could have been seriously injured — the center official did not get a closer look to determine this) and if Hernandez told the players from La Maquina that play would start “on my whistle,” as is stated in the protest.

“La Maquina was toe to toe until this occurred and obviously it shook them to have a goal of this nature handed to the Galaxy .. in overtime,” Skwara said. “I think any opposing team in this scenario would be livid and that’s an understatement.

“We will see what US Soccer has to say,” he added. “It’s not a good example of sportsmanship and certainly beyond poor officiating.”

The team expects to have an answer from the federation in the next 24-48 hours. US Soccer spokesperson Neil Buethe says the incident “will be reviewed very soon.”

According to TheCup.us records, the US Open Cup has never had a replay ordered in the Modern Era (1995-present) as a result of a referee’s error or poor performance.

Josh Hakala also contributed to this report

HIGHLIGHTS: LA MAQUINA AT LA GALAXY

2016 US Open Cup Round 4: Portland Timbers’ youth movement blanks San Jose Earthquakes, 2-0

June 15, 2016 by Kristen Gehrke

The Portland Timbers celebrate a goal against the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Jeff Wong | Prost Amerika

Let’s get this out of the way: Timbers Open Cup matches have a history of being weird. Entertaining, but weird. One need only look as far back as last season’s match against the Seattle Sounders, a game fans of both sides refer to as the Red Card Wedding, the result of which may be a six-year suspension of USMNT player Clint Dempsey.

But, while Tuesday night’s match against MLS opponent San Jose was entertaining, it wasn’t really weird. In the end, after a lack of drama, the Timbers emerged with a 2-0 victory.

The two sides met prior to the international break in a rough-and-tumble league match that ended 2-1 in Portland, earning the home team three points in the league standings despite playing down a man for the entire second half.

The Timbers were fast out of the gate with Jack Barmby slipping past the Earthquakes’ defense early in the first half, shuffling the ball to Dairon Asprilla, who couldn’t quite get a handle on it. It was just the first of many close calls in a game that grew progressively more chippy as the minutes flew by.

“I thought everything went exactly the way we’d hoped,” Portland coach Caleb Porter said. “We played nine guys 25 years old or younger, started seven. That’s a real positive that we can play a lot of young guys, mix them in with some experienced guys … and get the job done. That gives us a lot of hope for the future.”

Portland’s two goals were scored by two of those younger players: the 34th minute goal came from Dairon Asprilla, 24, and the 40th minute goal came off a stunning freekick from Jack McInerney, 23.

“I think we knew what to expect,” Portland’s Jack Jewsbury said after the game. “I think everybody tonight, when their number was called, put in a great shift.”

“Every year’s different, every team’s different,” Porter said. “We made a decision four or five games ago that we need to be a team … that’s on the front foot more. Our pressure has been much better the last five or six games, our possession has been much better. I think we’ve become a little more multi-faceted this year than we were last year.”

Portland will now wait for the results of this round’s other matches and the draw to follow on June 16.

FULL MATCH REPLAY: SAN JOSE AT PORTLAND

2016 US Open Cup Round 1: Well-traveled first-timers La Maquina eliminate Timbers U23s, 2-0

May 14, 2016 by Kristen Gehrke

Portland Timbers U23s La Maquina — Photo: Kristen Gehrke

La Maquina, a team that qualified for Open Cup play last fall before being suspended by its league following an altercation at the end of a playoff match, bested the Portland Timbers U23s 2-0 Wednesday night at Providence Park.

Travelling with just fifteen players, the Southern California United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) side was aggressive from the get-go, dominating possession and bossing the home team.

The visitors opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Alejandro Velazquez tipped the ball past the near post. An already confident team only grew more dominant.

The game was chippy at times, perhaps showing the inexperience of the home team and the passion of the visiting side. U23s’ Ben White was shown a yellow in the 45th minute for a fairly harsh challenge on goal-scorer Velazquez. La Maquina’s Eduardo Almaraz picked up a yellow in the 70th and the Timbers Chavez earned his own yellow for a tackle on former Chivas de Guadalajara forward Edwin Barboa.

Barboa was down on the field for an extended period, but recovered and, catching the U23s keeper off his line, tapped the ball over the goal line in added time to seal the win for the UPSL side.

La Maquina will host NPSL’s Sacramento Gold May 18 at Westminster High School in Westminster, Calif.

Scoring Summary
MAQ: Velazquez, 6
MAQ: Borboa, 90+

Lineups
POR: Nelson, De Vera, Chavez, White, Coffee, Murphy (Martinez, 56), Johnson, Dee (Macchione, 72), Jones (Small, 53), Prescott, Mueller.
TOTAL SHOTS: 11; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 12; SAVES: 2

MAQ: Sosa, Vasquez, Orozco (Palomares, 79), Borboa, Velazquez (Godinez, 88), Godinez Jr. (Almaraz, 57), R. Perez, J. Perez, Paniagua, Ramirez, Martinez.
TOTAL SHOTS: 10; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 12; SAVES: 4

2014 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Seattle Sounders back in Semifinals after 3-1 OT win over rival Portland Timbers (video)

July 10, 2014 by Kristen Gehrke

Osvaldo Alonso's acrobatic goal in the 69th minute gave the Seattle Sounders a 1-0 lead over the Portland Timbers. Photo: Brandon Bleek for Prost Amerika — Osvaldo Alonso’s acrobatic goal in the 69th minute helped the Sounders to a 3-1 extra-time win over the Timbers. Photo: Brandon Bleek for Prost Amerika

The Seattle Sounders once again downed Cascadian rivals, the Portland Timbers, though the needed an extra 30 minutes to put them away. The Sounders advanced to the US Open Cup Semifinals for the seventh time in eight years with their 3-1 extra-time win.

Portland’s Darlington Nagbe notched a goal at the death of full time, neutralizing a Sounders lead forged by Osvaldo Alonso’s acrobatic goal 21 minutes earlier. Diego Chara then put the Timbers on the disadvantage in extra time by earning a straight red card, and Seattle made them pay thanks to goals by Kenny Cooper and Marco Pappa. Seattle has run its Open Cup winning streak over its archrivals to four straight (3-1-1, 1-0 in PKs), with its only loss coming in 2005.

Through coincidence, this is the first of two matches between these sides in Seattle within five days. Playing in front of more than 4,200 fans in Tukwila’s Starfire Soccer Complex, the sides will return to CenturyLink Field for Sunday’s MLS competition. Boosting the Sounders was the return of DeAndre Yedlin from his duty with the US Men’s National Team, on the defender’s 21st birthday.

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2014 Player of the Round winners

2014 US Open Cup results

Things you should know about the Quarterfinals

2014 US Open Cup bracket

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While Yedlin was in excellent form, the main story of this game, as it is any time Portland and Seattle tangle on the pitch, was the chippiness from both sides. Timbers midfielder (and 2014 USOC scoring co-leader) Gaston Fernandez earned his way into the ref’s book for a rough tackle 16 minutes in, to be followed only eight minutes later by longtime thorn in Portland’s side Zach Scott. While Seattle held possession in the early moments of the game, it was unable to generate any serious chances before Portland settled in and were able to force Sounders’ keeper Stefan Frei into a couple of excellent saves.

The chippiness continued strong in the second half, as Jack Jewsbury faced off with multiple Sounders as he flirted with getting carded. Seattle enjoyed retaking the run of action, and looked for the payoff. It would come in the 69th minute as Brad Evans set up Lamar Neagle to cross towards the goal. Osvaldo Alonso made an acrobatic move to heel a redirect past Timbers’ keeper Donovan Ricketts into the net.

Running out of time, Portland stepped up their possession, but while it couldn’t crack the host’s defense, it did apparently beat their lights. Half of the lights in Starfire went out with about ten minutes to go in regular time, leaving the rest of the game to be played in dim conditions.

The darkness didn’t faze former Sounder Steve Zakuani, as he took the ball in the last minute of stoppage time and slotted through the crowd to Darlington Nagbe, who shot true past Frei and sent the game into extra time.

Osvaldo Alonso of Seattle Sounders celebrates his 7th career US Open Cup goal. Photo: Brandon Bleek for Prost Amerika

With about nine minutes gone in the extra session, the game took a turn for the worse for the Timbers.

Diego Chara was beaten badly off the ball by Marco Pappa, and lashed out with a studs-up scissor kick to Pappa. Referee Chris Penso did not hesitate to show Chara a red card, putting the Timbers a man down. Penso did not hesitate to show Portland coach Cameron Knowles red either for arguing the call in between extra-time periods. Knowles was also shown red in 2007’s Open Cup matchup with the Sounders.

The Sounders pressed hard in the second extra period, taking the lead in the 110th minute.

Gonzalo Pinedo crossed a ball in that sub Kenny Cooper was able to head right behind Ricketts and in. The goal was Cooper’s fourth of the 2014 Open Cup, tying him with Fernandez and Blake Smith of the Indy Eleven.

The Timbers, needing a goal to keep their Cup hopes alive, sent players forward in a scramble for the equalizer. What they got instead, just six minutes later, was Pappa hitting a low rocket from outside of the box to clinch the game.

Seattle will once again take to Starfire in the quest for their fourth Open Cup, hosting the Chicago Fire at 7:30 on August 13. This game will also be a rematch, this time of the 2011 Final that the Sounders won 2-0, deny Chicago their fifth title while giving Seattle their third.

HIGHLIGHTS: PORTLAND TIMBERS AT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

MATCH REPLAY: PORTLAND TIMBERS AT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

Scoring Summary
SEA: Alonso (Neagle), 69
POR: Nagbe (Zakuani), 90+3
SEA: Cooper (Pineda), 110
SEA: Pappa (unassisted), 115

Misconduct Summary
POR: Fernández (Caution), 16
SEA: Scott (Caution), 23
SEA: Pineda (Caution), 67
SEA: Alonso (Caution), 94
POR: Chara (Ejection), 99

Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Ricketts, D Harrington, D O’Rourke, D McKenzie, D Villafaña (Zakuani, 77), M Chara, M Fernández, M Jewsbury © (Johnson, 81), F Valeri, F Adi, F Wallace (Nagbe, 60)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Weber, D Peay, M Alhassan, M Nanchoff

TOTAL SHOTS: 15 (Fernández, 7); SHOTS ON GOAL: 9 (Fernández, 6); FOULS: 17 (Adi, 6); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 6

SEA: GK Frei, D Yedlin (Azira, 90), D Marshall, D Scott, D Anibaba, M Evans ©, M Alonso, M Pineda, M Neagle, F Barrett (Pappa, 64), F Weaver (Cooper, 79)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Ford, M Kovar, F Bowen, F Okoli

TOTAL SHOTS: 22 (Neagle, 6); SHOTS ON GOAL: 9 (Alonso, 3); FOULS: 14 (Marshall, Neagle, 3); OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 8

Referee: Chris Penso
Assistant Referees: Paul Scott, Chris Strickland
4th Official: Allan Chapman
Attendance: 4,233
Time of Game: 2:33
Weather: Sunny, 77 degrees

2014 US Open Cup Round 4 review: MLS suffers upsets early, regains control of tournament in last 2 days (video)

June 19, 2014 by Kristen Gehrke

The Fourth Round of the 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup came to a close on Wednesday and after a rough start for the tournament’s top division, Major League Soccer rebounded on the third and fourth matchdays. The first two days saw MLS lose three of the first five games to lower division opponents, however, in the remaining 11 games, they went 10-1-0 as the tournament enters the Fifth Round next week.

Round 5 will feature 12 MLS clubs, 3 teams from the NASL and the Rochester Rhinos are the lone USL PRO representative and therefore, will receive the tournament’s $15,000 prize money as the Third Division team to advance the furthest in the competition. Also, after the dust settled on Round 4, the last three amateur teams were all eliminated and based on the Open Cup’s tiebreaker procedure, the Laredo Heat will find themselves $15,000 richer on the strength of being the only one of the trio to defeat a team two divisions above them (Ft. Lauderdale Strikers)

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Notable upsets/facts about Round 4

2014 Round 5 draw scenarios

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Here is a look at all 16 games from the last week with links to each match report:

June 18: Arizona United (USL Pro) 1:2 Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)

Looking to complete the local sweep, Arizona United came out energetic against their latest LA opponent, matching them blow for blow early on. The home side capitalized in 37th minute when Kadeem Dacres received a corner kick and sent the ball to Matt Kassel, who shot low and true for a 1-0 lead. Going into the locker room down seemed to awaken the Galaxy, who took control in the second half. Lightning struck twice in the form of LA striker Gyasi Zardes’ head. First, Robbie Rogers sent in a cross that Zardes nailed in to equalize, then Stefan Ishizaki set another ball for Gyasi to take the lead just two minutes later. Arizona seemed stunned for a while, but substitutions brought new life to United in the last 20 minutes. They had numerous chances in the last six minutes of time, yet they were unable to capitalize to keep their Cup dreams alive. Los Angeles will travel to play the Carolina RailHawks in the next round. MATCH REPORT [+]

MATCH REPLAY: LA GALAXY AT ARIZONA UNITED

June 18: Chicago Fire (MLS) 2:1 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro)

The rain proved to be the true winner of this match, with the start delayed almost two hours, then ended the game at the 49-minute mark. Once the game started, the Fire dictated control early and often. The home side controlled possession early, and Quincy Amarikwa sent a corner perfectly to Grant Ward to gain the lead in the 22nd minute. Chicago would continue to hold set, and doubled their lead at the 40-minute mark. Mike Magee caught a cross from Jeff Larentowicz to score, but only a minute later, the Hounds would retaliate through an Andrew Marshall bomb. Right before the second half was to begin, storms struck again, this time delaying the match for more than an hour. Once the game resumed, Chicago continued to hold the advantage for the next four minutes, before the referee determined the pitch was too soaked to play on. The Fire host the Columbus Crew in the next round. MATCH REPORT [+]

June 18: Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) 5:0 PSA Elite (USASA)

Returning to cozy Starfire Soccer Complex for the first time in two years obviously gave the Sounders a feeling of home, as they controlled the match from start to finish. Seattle squandered early efforts until Brad Evans was able to knock home a penalty in the 22nd minute and they kept their foot on the gas pedal. Elite fought back bravely, but the few chances they could manage were either knocked off target for goal kicks, or sent harmlessly to Sounders keeper Marcus Hahnemann. His PSA counterpart, Round 3 Player of the Round Earl Edwards, Jr., was under siege all evening, and was harmless to stop Zach Scott’s 40th minute bruiser off a corner kick. Kenny Cooper scored a pair of goals, including a bicycle kick off a deflection in the 56th minute. Then finally, Sean Okoli finished off the onslaught in the 85th minute. Seattle will once again host at Starfire for the next round, with the San Jose Earthquakes coming to the Northwest. MATCH REPORT [+]

MATCH REPLAY: PSA ELITE AT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

June 18: Sporting Kansas City (MLS) 2:0 Minnesota United (NASL)

After both squads had lackluster Cup outings last year, this was a surprisingly even battle through most of the game. The first half was marked mainly by Sporting playing ball control to make their chances, and Minnesota content to use quick counters, though neither were able to break the scoreless tie. United were dealt a huge blow in the 50th minute as defender Cristiano Dias took down Kansas City’s Dom Dwyer and earned a straight red card. The visitors maintained a valiant defensive effort, but were only able to hold out until Soony Saad unleashed a bomb that found the back of the net. Minnesota tried to mount a comeback while preventing Kansas City breakaways, but Alex Martinez put the game out of reach after cutting through the defense in the 87th minute. Sporting will host the Portland Timbers on June 24. MATCH REPORT [+]

MATCH REPLAY: MINNESOTA UNITED AT SPORTING KC

June 18: Richmond Kickers (USL Pro) 2:3 New England Revolution (MLS)

New England were determined to avoid being Richmond’s latest upset victim, and took it to the hosts early. The Revs were awarded an early corner, and Steve Neumann set up Stephen McCarthy perfectly to grab a 1-0 lead in the 8th minute. George Davis IV was able to equalize in the 24th minute but Neumann once again restored the visitor’s lead a little over 10 minutes later. Patrick Mullins than doubled the Revolution lead off a badly mishandled William Yomby clearance four minutes later, leaving the Kickers stunned. They made wholesale changes at the half, and once the subs caught their sealegs, Richmond went on the attack. Pressing the play was Matthew Delicate who finally broke the Revs defensive shell at the 74-minute mark. The Kickers continued pressing for an equalizer, and had many chances in the last six minutes, but wound up squandering them all. The Revs will return home on June 25, where they will host the Rochester Rhinos at Brown University in Providence. MATCH REPORT [+]

MATCH REPLAY: NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION AT RICHMOND KICKERS

June 17: Portland Timbers (MLS) 3:0 Orlando City U23s (PDL)

If there was any question whether Portland forgot their upset against Cal FC two years ago, they answered it quickly by controlling Orlando City’s U23 squad for the whole 90 minutes. Gaston Fernandez struck twice in the first half for the Timbers, netting a goal in the 11th minute thanks to a Maximiliano Urruti pass, and then scored on a penalty at in the 35th minute. The Junior Lions were never able to muster much of an attack, only managing one shot on goal. Portland then put it away thanks to Urruti, who sent a great pass to rookie sub Taylor Peay, netting the goal in the 68th minute. Portland will travel to Sporting Kansas City for a Round 5 matchup next week. MATCH REPORT [+]

HIGHLIGHTS: ORLANDO CITY U23s AT PORTLAND TIMBERS

Colorado Rapids (MLS) 5:2 Orlando City SC (USL Pro)

Much like the USA match against Ghana, Colorado was provided the perfect opportunity for revenge. The Rapids were knocked out of the Cup 3-1 in Orlando last year, and were hungry for revenge at home. The game started off as more of the same though, as Lions striker Adama Mbengue broke through in the 22nd minute, but the Rapids had a trick up their sleeve to counter this, and unleashed the Deshorn Brown show on Orlando. The forward showered a hat trick on the Lions, scoring in the 35th, 47th and 54th minutes to become the first Rapids player to ever score a hat trick in Open Cup play (not to mention the first Jamaican in the Modern Pro Era). Nick LaBrocca and Dillon Powers added a goal each to put the game out of reach. The Rapids will host the NASL’s Atlanta Silverbakcs in Round 5 next week. MATCH REPORT [+]

FC Dallas (MLS) 2:0 San Antonio Scorpions (NASL)

San Antonio came to Dallas with dreams of 2012 in their heads, when they knocked off another Texan MLS side, the Houston Dynamo. The Hoops were just as determined to avoid that fate, and both sides battled evenly for the first two thirds of the game until Dallas midfielder Fabian Castillo broke through in the 74th minute. Before the Scorpions were able to mount a counterattack, Andres Escobar struck seven minutes later, ending any upset hopes. Dallas will host the aforementioned Dynamo in the Fifth Round on June 24. MATCH REPORT [+]

Columbus Crew (MLS) 2:1 (AET) Indy Eleven (NASL)

One red card is usually enough to derail a team’s chance at victory but two? Columbus didn’t even flinch. Having scored in the 4th minute courtesy of Bernardo Anor, it was only a half hour later when forward Adam Bedell drew a straight red. Indy striker Blake Smith equalized with his tournament-leading fourth goal in the 62nd minute, however the Crew soon realized how anemic the Eleven’s attack was outside their star. They were able to isolate Smith and keep him from the ball, holding level to force extra time. Even when Columbus midfielder Daniel Paladini was sent off in the 110th minute, it took them only three minutes to crack the Hoosier defense and draw a penalty. Jairo Arrieta struck true, and the Crew held on to an improbable extra time win. Columbus will visit Chicago to play the Fire for next round. MATCH REPORT [+]

MATCH REPLAY: INDY ELEVEN AT COLUMBUS CREW

Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro) 1:0 DC United (MLS)

Reigning Open Cup champions DC United were facing an uphill battle against the Rochester Rhinos. First, Colin Rolfe scored in the 27th minute, and then defender Steve Birnbaum collected two yellows only 15 minutes into the second half. Then the weather started hampering any efforts to defend the Cup. A delay was called shortly after Birnbaum’s ejection, then once play resumed, it was stopped just ten minutes later. Finally, after two hours with only ten minutes of action, the match resumed again, but United were unable to get into any flow to get a chance to level the score. Rochester has once again knocked off a defending champion, beating Chicago Fire by the same 1:0 scoreline in 1999. The Rhinos will now meet the New England Revolution June 25 in Providence. MATCH REPORT [+]

MATCH REPLAY: DC UNITED AT ROCHESTER RHINOS

Philadelphia Union (MLS) 3:1 (AET) Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro)

The Philadelphia Union beat its affiliate USL PRO team, the Harrisburg City Islanders, in extra time on the strength of an extra time brace from Andrew Wenger. Harrisburg had scored first, a 38th minute rebound captured by Jason Pelletier, but Harrisburg held on until Maurice Edu tied it in the 89th minute to send the match into extra time. Wenger took over from there, scoring in the 110th and 117th minute to rescue the Union from an upset. The Union will play host to the NASL’s New York Cosmos June 24. MATCH REPORT [+]

MATCH REPLAY: HARRISBURG CITY ISLANDERS AT PHILADELPHIA UNION

June 14: New York Cosmos (NASL) 3:0 New York Red Bulls (MLS)

Eager to reclaim the prestige of their namesake, the New York Cosmos won convincingly in their first-ever meeting with the New York Red Bulls, 3-0. It has begun as an instant rivalry among the fans but when it came to the play on the field, it was one-way traffic as the Cosmos made quick work of their local counterparts, out-shooting the MLS side 21-3. Mads Stokkelien scored a pair of goals, one in each half, and Alessandro Noselli’s header in the 78th minute put the nail in the coffin for the Red Bulls who have gone 11 Open Cup appearances without winning multiple games. The Cosmos will either face the Philadelphia Union or Harrisburg City Islanders next round. MATCH REPORT [+]

HIGHLIGHTS: NEW YORK COSMOS 3:0 NEW YORK RED BULLS

June 14: Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) 2:1 Real Salt Lake (MLS)

For a team that has been competing in the US Open Cup on and off since 1995, the Atlanta Silverbacks have not felt a lot of success over the years. They have only won more than 2 games in a tournament once (2007) and have never upset a MLS team in five tries (0-4-1, 0-1 PKs) They finally broke through on Saturday, upsetting last year’s Open Cup runner-up Real Salt Lake, 2-1. Robbie Findley gave RSL an early lead after capitalizing on a misplayed capitalized on a misplayed backpass by Atlanta’s Derby Carrillo, who was forced into the starting lineup through injury. However, Atlanta’s Junior Burgos and Kwadwo Poku would help give the home team the lead. Poku sent an excellent pass to Burgos, who slotted away past RSL’s Jeff Attinella. The Silverbacks were going toe-to-toe with RSL until Poku scored a late goal to give Atlanta to win. The Silverbacks move forward with some key pieces who have enjoyed recent success in the Open Cup. Poku, one could say, got the attention of the Atlanta scouts when he scored four Open Cup goals playing for the Georgia Revolution of the NPSL last year. With the win, manager Eric Wynalda builds on his coaching resume with his second career MLS upset as a manager, having been in charge of the Cal FC amateur team who traveled up to Portland and upset the Timbers in 2012. MATCH REPORT [+]

HIGHLIGHTS: ATLANTA SILVERBACKS 2:1 REAL SALT LAKE

June 14: Carolina RailHawks (NASL) 1:1 (3:2 PKs) Chivas USA (MLS)
Carolina’s Zach Schilawski (29th min.) and Chivas USA’s Ryan Finley (40th min.) traded first half goals, but after a scoreless second half and two periods of extra time, a spot in Round 5 had to be decided from the penalty spot. Despite falling behind 2-1 in the tiebreaker, the RailHawks rallied and emerged victorious 3-2 after eight rounds of spot kicks. Rookie goalkeeper Scott Goodwin came up big with 11 saves and 3 stops in the shootout to beat out veteran keeper Dan Kennedy. After Kennedy had his attempt saved, Zack Schilawski leveled the shootout at 2-2, but two players from each team failed their spot kick attempt to put the contest into a winner-take-all scenario. Marco Delgado of Chivas USA led off the 7th round by having his shot saved and Daniel Jackson responded with a goal to give send the RailHawks to Round 5 after eliminating their fifth MLS team in club history. Next up, Carolina will either host the LA Galaxy for the third year in a row, or host Arizona United. MATCH REPORT [+]

HIGHLIGHTS: CAROLINA RAILHAWKS 1:1 (3:2 PKs) CHIVAS USA

June 11: Houston Dynamo (MLS) 1:0 Laredo Heat (PDL)
The Dynamo were able to steal a win away from the PDL’s Laredo Heat on an Alexander Lopez goal in the 38th minute. Laredo did not help themselves by going a man down two minutes after the goal, as Mattieu Braem earned his second yellow card. However, early in the second half, Houston goalkeeper Tyler Deric brought the game to 10v10 by receiving a red card for holding the ball outside of the penalty area. Fortunately the goalie’s mistake did not cost them the lead, as the MLS side held the Heat at bay for the rest of the match. MATCH REPORT [+]

POST-GAME INTERVIEWS

June 11: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) 2:1 Sacramento Republic (USL PRO)
Sacramento’s Justin Braun put his USL-PRO expansion side on his back to give the lower division side the lead three minutes before halftime, yet San Jose grabbed a penalty chance to equalize, and Khari Stevenson shot true. San Jose then grabbed a hold of some Seattle luck, as former Sounders striker Cordell Cato put the Earthquakes ahead at 15 minutes to time. Sacramento put themselves further under the gun late, as Chad Bartlome put his team down by picking up a second yellow. The Republic couldn’t recover, setting up their MLS counterparts to either host the USASA’s PSA Elite, or travel to take on the Sounders. MATCH REPORT [+]

2014 US Open Cup Fifth Round Potential Pairings

New York Cosmos (NASL) at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
PPL Park; Chester, PA – June 24, 7 p.m. ET
———————————————————
FC Dallas (MLS) at Houston Dynamo (MLS)
BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, TX – June 24, 8:30 p.m. ET
———————————————————
LA Galaxy (MLS) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
WakeMed Soccer Park Field 2; Cary, NC – June 24, 7:30 p.m. ET
———————————————————
San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) at Seattle Sounders (MLS)
Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, WA – June 24, 10 p.m. ET
———————————————————
Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) at Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, CO – June 24, 9 p.m. ET
———————————————————
Portland Timbers (MLS) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Sporting Park; Kansas City, KS – June 24, 8:30 p.m. ET
———————————————————
Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO) at New England Revolution (MLS)
Stevenson Field (Brown Univ.); Providence, RI – June 25, 7:30 p.m. ET
———————————————————
Columbus Crew (MLS) at Chicago Fire (MLS)
Toyota Park; Bridgeview, IL – June 25, 8:30 p.m. ET

2014 US Open Cup Round 4: Portland Timbers exorcise past demons, shut out Orlando City U23s 3-0 (video)

June 18, 2014 by Kristen Gehrke

Gaston Fernandez scored a pair of goals for the Portland Timbers in a 3-0 win over the Orlando City U23s. Photo: Craig Mitchelldyer | Portland Timbers

The Orlando City U23s of the Premier Development League (PDL) met the Portland Timbers at Providence Park in Portland, Ore., Tuesday in the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Normally a quality amateur team coming to visit a professional team wouldn’t raise too many eyebrows, but the Timbers have suffered two home losses to amateur clubs in recent history so no one was taking anything for granted.

The 2014 edition of the Timbers weren’t bothered at all by the ghosts of Hollywood United (2008) and Cal FC (2012) as the home team cruised to a 3-0 win over Orlando.

Midfielder Gaston Fernandez led the team with a pair of goals while rookie defender Taylor Peay showed a sign of what may be on the horizon with a goal of his own.

Orlando came out fighting, earning a couple of early chances but it wasn’t able to convert. Forward Romario Williams managed two of Orlando’s five shots, but neither was on frame.

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Portland went up early in the first half on a rocket from Fernandez in the 11th minute. He would score again on a penalty in the 36th minute after Orlando keeper Tomas Gomez came off his line and took down Portland forward Maxi Urruti.

“I thought the second half actually was better than the first half,” Portland coach Caleb Porter said. “The first half for me, wasn’t convincing enough. I thought the first half was a little sloppy. We gave some balls away that we shouldn’t. Not a convincing 2-0 at halftime so I tightened the screws a bit.”

Portland’s third goal came in the 68th minute from Peay, making his debut for the Timbers.

“It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” he said about scoring in his first match. “It’s a good feeling. Caleb stressed the importance of this game and every game from now on. Our goal is to raise a trophy at the end so that’s what we’re going to do.”

HIGHLIGHTS: ORLANDO CITY U23s AT PORTLAND TIMBERS

POST-GAME INTERVIEWS

POST-GAME INTERVIEW: CALEB PORTER

FULL MATCH REPLAY: ORLANDO CITY U23s AT PORTLAND TIMBERS

Scoring Summary
POR: Fernández (Urruti), 11
POR: Fernández (penalty kick), 36
POR: Peay (Urruti), 68

Misconduct Summary
n/a

Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Weber, D Powell (Peay, 56), D O’Rourke, D McKenzie, D Harrington, M Jewsbury ©, M Fernández (Fochive, 71), M Nanchoff, F Alhassan, F Urruti, F Wallace (Tshuma, 80)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Gleeson, D Villafaña, M Long

TOTAL SHOTS: 21 (Urruti, 5);

SHOTS ON GOAL: 10 (Urruti, 3);

FOULS: 14 (Alhassan, 4);

OFFSIDES: 2;

CORNER KICKS: 14;

SAVES: 1

ORL: GK Gomez, D Brinkman (Johnson, 76), D Svantesson, D Okwuonu, D Russell (Rittmeyer, 69), M Clowes ©, M Souto (Blackwood, 46), M Franke, M Brody, M Sexius, F Williams
Substitutes Not Used: GK Uzcategui, M Popo

TOTAL SHOTS: 5 (Williams, 5);

SHOTS ON GOAL: 1 (Souto, 1);

FOULS: 9 (Russell, 3);

OFFSIDES: 2;

CORNER KICKS: 1;

SAVES: 7
Referee: Juan Guzman

Assistant Referees: Carlos Tercero, Lucas Brooks

4th Official: Andrew Brooks

Attendance: 10,619