Phill Grooms

2017 US Open Cup Round 4: Luis Solignac’s wonder goal lifts Chicago Fire past Saint Louis FC

June 15, 2017 by Phill Grooms

Chicago got the upper hand in its sporting rivalry with St. Louis as the Fire took a 1-0 win over St. Louis FC in a Fourth Round Lamar Hunt US Open Cup match before a 5,786 crowd at Toyota Stadium Wednesday night.

Saint Louis threatened early as Jose Angulo missed an open goal in the second minute and was off target with a 5th minute header.

Luis Solignac made the difference with a tricky, back-kick chip that rainbowed into the back corner of the goal in the 27th minute off a cross from left back Brandon Vincent.

.@LuchoSoli how on earth❓❓❗️

WHAT A GOAL to put #cf97 in front!! #USOC2017 pic.twitter.com/KnFXMWnBNH

— Chicago Fire (@ChicagoFire) June 15, 2017

St. Louis remained in contention due to first class saves on counterattacks from Adam Grinwis, until Dragan Stojkov received his second yellow in the 81st minute, Chicago then shutting the game down.

“Congrats to St. Louis on a great performance today,” Chicago coach Veljko Paunovic said. “They really pushed very hard to tie and win the game but also we have to be proud of our performance in the end.

“I think the mentality that we had, especially in the second half, I think helped the team forge the character that we have this year.”

Said St. Louis’ coach Preki: “Ever since I came here I’ve been telling these guys they have an incredible quality.

“So, when we bring that level of intensity, the level of commitment, when we bring our ideas to the game, I think we’re a good team.

“And I can’t say anything more than I’m incredibly proud of our group tonight. We left everything on the field.”

2016 US Open Cup Round 3: Minnesota United avenge last year’s loss, defeat Saint Louis FC 2-0

June 5, 2016 by Phill Grooms

Minnesota United and Saint Louis FC square off in the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Henry Hauck | HHFooty.com

The Third Round of US Open Cup play came to Saint Louis for the second year in a row in a repeat matchup between Saint Louis FC and Minnesota United FC. The two sides played their style of soccer for two thirds of the match without scoring, but it was Minnesota United that made the least mistakes down the stretch and scored a pair of late goals to avenge last year’s loss with a 2-0 win.

The first half came and went with a few dangerous looks from each team, but in different ways. Minnesota, who was upset in last year’s matchup in penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw, kept the ball on the ground while Saint Louis typically sent the ball through the air.

The physical contest got a little more heated in the second half as both teams attempted to gain an edge. This brought a sleuth of fouls drawing many a “boo” from the home crowd.

However, said fouls cannot be directly blamed for the goal that came in the 68th minute. Fullback Parker Maher was dispossessed by Kevin Venegas in the midfield with a timely defensive press. Christian Ramirez found Venegas, who immediately bolted for the goal, where he was able to put in a calm and collected goal past the charging goalkeeper, Mark Pais.

Saint Louis coach, Dale Schilly, continued to bring on impact subs to try and make up the difference. He officially went all-in on the attack when striker Vince Cicciarrelli came in for fullback Richard Dixon in the 78th minute. Saint Louis dominated the game from this point on with many corners after well-thwarted attempts on goal. Unfortunately for them, it was the attack that was St. Louis’ undoing.

Minnesota’s new signing, Jack Blake, was able to capitalize on a counterattack, which was very effective as St. Louis was very dedicated to the attack at this point. Danny Cruz made a great run down the wing to the goal line and sent the ball across on the ground to the aforementioned Blake who was on a late run. And that’s how the previous year’s upset was redeemed.

Minnesota United FC gets a chance at an upset of their own when they face Sporting Kansas City at home on June 15. United will attempt to do something they have only done once before: defeat a pro team. The only professional team they have beaten, as well as the only time the club has won multiple games in a single US Open Cup, was in 2012 when they won their second game of the tournament on the road against Real Salt Lake.

2016 US Open Cup Round 2: Saint Louis FC hold off well-traveled AFC Cleveland, 2-0

May 24, 2016 by Phill Grooms

The Second Round of the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup brought well-traveled first round winner, AFC Cleveland, to Saint Louis, Missouri. There they met their end of their first trip to the Open Cup, falling 2-0 to the USL’s Saint Louis FC.

Cleveland had to defeat fellow National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) side, GPS Maine, in Maine, to get there, and they outscored them 1-0. The long trip paid off. However, they had their home opener three days later and then had to travel down to St. Louis four days after that. It was quite the trek.

AFC Cleveland President, Terry Lawriw, said ahead of the match, “The US Open Cup is very special to us as this is our first year qualifying.”

AFC Cleveland is in their fifth year of existence, but despite making the playoffs three of those years, this was their first trip to the competition (they qualified in 2013 but declined the invite due to player availability). Being a USL side, Saint Louis FC automatically qualified for the second year in a row after ousting the Des Moines Menace (PDL) and Minnesota United FC (NASL) last year before falling to eventual champion Sporting Kansas City, 1-0.

The second round action this year opened up with many long balls being sent down to the final third by St. Louis, especially down the right side. Many crosses were made from there, but were either cleared out or shot off target. Goalkeeper Anthony Flowers distinguished himself in many of these thwarted attacks. AFC Cleveland was able to counter these long balls several times. A few dangerous runs were made with Antonio Manfut and Vinny Bell looking the most dangerous.

The first truly distinguishing play came in the 8th minute. Jamiel Hardware took a shot on goal that was deflected by a handball in the box by AFC Cleveland. James Musa lined up the penalty shot for St. Louis and it was saved by Flowers. Saint Louis was able to redeem themselves in the 21st minute when Kentaro Takada sent a thru ball into the box to assist Jamiel Hardware’s chip over the goalkeeper.

It was around this time that Cleveland decided to start bunkering up a little bit more and St. Louis was able to retain much of the possession for the rest of the game. St. Louis took many chances, but none of their shots reached pay dirt until the 76th minute. Jordan Roberts received a pass on a fast run from Seth Rudolph, both impact subs, where he was able to juke the defender on the left side with some fancy moves and send a perfectly angled shot into the bottom right corner of the goal. That concluded the scoring for the night.

St. Louis head coach Dale Schilly said the he was able to give some reserve players some valuable playing time against an amateur opponent.

“Some of them are wanting to prove that they deserve more time and more opportunity,” said Schilly. “It’s important that they take advantage of the opportunities when given them … and tonight was one of those opportunities.”

Saint Louis will have to use their depth more in the coming weeks as they look to continue their run in USL play and US Open Cup play. They look to repeat last year’s Third Round penalty kick win against Minnesota United FC June 14 while AFC Cleveland looks for a second invite to the Open Cup with a good start in NPSL competition. They are already 2-0 this season.