Phil Naegely

The 109th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup kicked off on Tuesday night. Every one of the 31 games in Round 1 featured amateur teams squaring off against professional sides (originally 32 games, but the Georgia Lions forfeited to Apotheos FC).

On Tuesday night, four amateur teams pulled off upsets on opening night with Miami United FC (USSSA/USSL), Vermont Green FC (USL-2), FORO SC (UPSL), and El Farolito (NPSL) advancing to Round 2.

On Wednesday night, it was the pros who got revenge, winning 11 of the 12 games. The lone pro team to fall on Wednesday was Capistrano FC (NISA) who lost in a penalty kick shootout to the Des Moines Menace (USL-2), one of the tournament’s best giant killers. The Menace made headlines coming into the tournament by signing a pair of former MLS players, Sacha Kljestan and goalkeeper Brian Rowe. 

On Thursday, just two amateur teams pulled off upsets with a pair of first-time entries punching their ticket to the Second Round with South Carolina United Heat (UPSL) and Lubbock Matadors (NPSL).

In total seven amateur teams survived and move on to Round 2 which will take place the week of April 2-3. You can find the schedule for Round 2 here and the goalscoring leaders here. 

Below you will find a brief summary of every game with links to full recaps.   

Tuesday, March 19

Chattanooga FC (MLSNP)
0:1
Miami United FC (USSSA/USSL)

By: Chuck Nolan Jr.

Open Division qualifier Miami United of the United States Soccer League, defeated Chattanooga Fc of MLS Next Pro 1-0 to advance to the second round

Miami United struck early. After Robertino Insua was fouled in the 11th minute, and a minute later Jhon Pajoy struck the ensuing free kick from about 30 yards out and placed a spectacular shot in the top right corner of the goal, leaving CFC GK Jonathan Burke no chance to stop it. Miami United took the 1-0 lead into halftime, with Chattanoogs failing to produce a single shot on goal despite holding 66% of possession.

In the second half, Chattanooga never threatened Miami United GK Cristian Blanco, and the visitor endured nine minutes of second half stoppage time to leave Tennessee with the first upset of the 2024 Open Cup. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

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Brave SC (USL-2)
0:2
Savannah Clovers FC (NISA)

By: Grace Ott

Savannah Clovers FC of NISA scored two first-half goals to defeat Brave SC of USL League Two 2-0 and advance to the next round.

It took just under a half hour for Savannah Clovers to break the deadlock and they never looked back, with both goals coming from players being in just the right spot. Roddy Green scored the first in the 29th minute as the keeper couldn’t push the save from his first shot far enough away. Then in the 2nd minute of first-half stoppage time, Vlad Jokic pounced on the ball from a blocked shot to extend the lead for Savannah.

Despite several shots on goal, five saves by their keeper, and a slight edge in possession, Brave SC was never able to capitalize on those opportunities to get on the board.  Savannah Clovers head back to Georgia with their eyes on the second round of the 2024 US Open Cup. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

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Forward Madison FC (USL-1)
2:0
Duluth FC (NPSL)

By: Michael Battista

Forward Madison FC shook away the ghosts of Cupsets passed on Tuesday night. Christian Chaney scored for the Mingo faithful at Breese Stevens Field as the homeside eliminated amateurs Duluth FC, 2-0.

Chaney got underneath a longball in the 9th minute behind the BlueGreens defense before chipping Duluth keeper Ezekiel Foltz. Later on, a cross from Ferrety Sousa found Chaney whose shot doubled the lead in the 53rd minute. The National Premier Soccer League side kept pressure up but was only able to register two shots.

This is Madison’s third ever win against an Open Division side since its first tournament in 2019. For three time qualifiers Duluth it marks the team’s second straight one-and-done performance (2019). {FULL MATCH REPORT}

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Vermont Green FC (USL-2)
4:3
Lexington Sporting Club (USL-1)

By: James Nalton

Vermont Green’s first appearance in the US Open Cup produced a memorable result and a memorable match as the amateur side defeated professional opposition Lexington SC. The on-field action kept 4,500 spectators entertained on a chilly Burlington night, and there was plenty to celebrate early on as Vermont scored twice from corner kicks that were mirror images of each other.

Nick Lockerman curled one in for Zach Barrett to net the first, and then Yaniv Bazini did the same from the other side, sending an inswinging cross for Lockerman to add a goal to his assist. Lexington pulled one back and looked like it would take the initiative, but Vermont restored its two-goal advantage when Gerardo Castillo burst forward to cross for Jacob Labovitz.

Despite being the team with Amateur status, Vermont was the better of the two sides for much of the game, and scored a fourth through Jake Ashford, again from a corner, to see this supremacy reflected on the scoreboard.

Lexington’s impressive forward Cameron Lancaster scored the standout goal of the game from a free kick, and then an acrobatic effort late on to make it 4-3 as he tried to single-handedly drag his side back into it. Ultimately the pros didn’t have enough to overcome a Vermont team made up mostly of college players who had taken a break from spring break to play in this Open Cup classic. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

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West Chester United SC (NPSL)
0:2
Maryland Bobcats FC (NISA)

By: David Einhorn

Maryland Bobcats defeated West Chester United thanks to two goals from Darwin Espinal.

Maryland Bobcats of the National Independent Soccer League have secured their place in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup. They looked comfortable in their 2-0 win over open-division competitors West Chester United of the National Premier Soccer League. Although West Chester looked to start strong, Maryland jumped out to an early lead in the 8th minute with a goal from Darwin Espinal. West Chester grew into the game and created several chances in first-half stoppage time. Those chances were thwarted by Maryland Bobcats goalkeeper Teshawn Johnson. Darwin Espinal scored his second goal of the match in the second half, and it was enough to send Maryland into the second round. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

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South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1)
1:0
FC America CFL Spurs (USSSA/USSL)

By: Chuck Nolan Jr.

The good news, FC America CFL Spurs held their professional opponents to a single goal. Bad news, it was all the South Georgia Tormenta needed for a 1-0 victory.

With just five minutes elapsed in the game, Tormenta’s Philip Spengler sent a cross from the right of the penalty area where Nick Akoto was waiting to calmly head it past goalkeeper Eduardo Tinoco.

For the remainder of the game FC America hung close, winning seven corner kicks and holding a slight majority of the possession, but Tormenta were able to keep the amateurs at bay to advance past their opening game for the third year in a row. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

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Tulsa Athletic (NPSL)
1:4
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL-1)

By: Jordan Beech

Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC put in a dominant performance behind Ethan Hoard’s second-half goal and assist to dispatch Tulsa Athletic, 4-1.

The visitors took the lead in the 43rd minute through Lucky Opara before quickly doubling the advantage in the second half through Irvin Parra. Marky Hernandez then scored off Hoard’s assist, with Hoard scoring the final goal to ensure victory. Not to be denied, Tulsa pulled one back through Rio Mello’s free kick goal to provide the final scoreline. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

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Austin FC II (MLSNP)
2:2
FORO SC (UPSL)
FORO SC advances 4-3 on penalty kicks

By: Kenta Hagiwara

The 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Champion Austin FC II side hosted UPSL side FORO SC in the first round of the 2024 US Open Cup on Tuesday. Austin FC II entered the match as the favorites, but it was FORO SC who found the back of the net first, scoring on the counter against the run of play – headed home by Jonathan Sauceda in the 39th minute.

FORO SC went into the halftime break up 1-0, but Austin FC II found an equalizer from a free kick by Micah Burton (officially ruled an own goal) in the 53rd minute. Things went from bad to worse for FORO SC, with their captain Muanze-Bengono being issued a straight red card in the 81st minute. The match would stay tied 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes, and the two teams entered extra-time.

In the first period of extra-time, super-sub Sebastien Pineau scored in the 105th minute to give Austin FC II the first lead of the match. The second extra-time period came and went, but with seconds left in stoppage time of the second extra-time period, Kyle Bennett equalized with a brilliant header in the 123rd minute of the match.

In the penalty kick shootout, it was tied 3-3 heading into the fifth round. Austin’s Ervin Torres’ PK was saved by a diving Gonzalo Santa – and the last minute goalscorer Kyle Bennett converted his chance to send the amateurs into the Second Round. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

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Timbers2 (MLSNP)
1:2
El Farolito (NPSL)

By: Andrew Mosier

NPSL side El Farolito topped the Portland Timbers2 2-1 in a chippy, damp affair at a nearly empty Providence Park in Portland.

Keesan Ferdinand put the MLS Next Pro side in the lead in the 31st minute, taking advantage of the clumsy goalkeeping from El Farolito goalkeeper, Johan Lizarrralde, whose flailing attempt to collect a Harvey Neville cross fell to Ferinand’s feet for the easiest of tap-ins.

El Farolito came out swinging in the second half. After winning a handbag fight with Ferdinand while waiting for a free kick to be played in, Jhoann Yabur found himself unmarked at the far post in the 52nd minute to nod a Judas Jiguera cross from the right side past a helpless Carver Miller in goal.

Moments later Timbers2 were reduced to ten men after Harvey Neville, the coach’s son, was shown his second yellow and ejected for his petulant behavior.

The visitors pulled ahead in the 68th minute when Benson Dembor jumped halfway out of the stadium to connect with a Jonatan Valdivia cross from the right side, putting the 1993 Open Cup winners through to the second round. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

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Wednesday, March 20

Richmond Kickers (USL-1)
1:0
Christos FC (USASA/MSSL)

By: Jordan Beech

In a rematch of a 2017 Cupset, one goal was all it took to see USL League One’s Richmond Kickers through to the Second Round, 1-0. Adrian Billhardt provided the decisive goal in the first minute of first-half stoppage time with an unassisted effort to the bottom right corner.

Richmond’s offense forced Daniel McCreary into six saves on the evening while outshooting the amateur side 16-7 on the night. The win is the 35th all-time for the 1995 US Open Cup champions, which ties them with LA Galaxy and D.C. United for 6th-most in the Modern Era. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

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AS Frenzi (UPSL)
2:3
Club de Lyon FC (NISA)

By: Jordan Beech

Club de Lyon FC claimed its first-ever US Open Cup victory at the expense of tournament debutant AS Frenzi, 3-2, after securing a 90th-minute winner. AS Frenzi played the final 37 minutes man down after Justin Dorman picked up a second yellow card.

Lyon found themselves in the ascendancy quickly, capitalizing off the UPSL Spring champion’s own goal in just the 9th minute of action. Juan Manuel Martinez then doubled the NISA side’s advantage in the 23rd minute.

AS Frenzi got on the board 12 minutes later through the connection of Kevin Miranda and Ryan Heron, with Miranda nodding home a cross before leveling the affair in the 48th minute through a Jean Forestal strike. Unfortunately for the amateur side, Lyon’s Martinez headed home a corner in the 90th minute to seal the victory and secure the NISA representative’s passage into the Second Round for the first time in club history. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

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South Carolina United FC (USL-2)
0:1
Greenville Triumph SC (USL-1)

By: Jordan Beech

Greenville Triumph secured passage to the Second Round of the US Open Cup on Wednesday evening after dispatching South Carolina United FC, 1-0. In a match that didn’t lack for offensive effort, it was Leonardo Castro’s 45th minute strike that provided the lone goal of the evening.

Castro headed home just before the interval after being picked out by Lyam MacKinnon’s set-piece service. Despite a flurry of second-half chances, Greenville’s defense stood tall and blocked a pair of shots from inside the box well into second-half stoppage to preserve the win.

Greenville moves to 3-3-0 all-time with the result, including their first-ever road Cup victory. It was the squad’s first win over an amateur side in Open Cup play. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

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Asheville City SC (USL-2)
0:2
One Knoxville SC (USL-1)

By: Jordan Beech

A pair of first-half goals powered One Knoxville SC past their USL League Two counterparts, Asheville City SC, and into the Second Round. Asheville City was making their US Open Cup debut on the night.

Rodolfo Castro Jr. struck in just the 13th minute of action, sending a left-footed strike into the top left corner to give the USL League One side a 1-0 lead. Callum Johnson provided the second goal of the evening off an assist from James Thomas to make the score 2-0 in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage.

Despite celebrating the 2-0 win, One Knoxville will lament the loss of Jalen Crisler’s service in the next round after he picked up his second yellow card in the 61st minute. Knoxville is now 1-1-0 all-time in Open Cup play. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

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New York Red Bulls II (MLSNP)
5:1
Hudson Valley Hammers (USL-2)

By: Jordan Beech

New York Red Bulls II ran rampant against USL League Two’s Hudson Valley Hammers, 5-1, to advance to the Second Round. Hudson Valley’s Dylan Evande received a straight red card in only the 13th minute of play to leave the amateurs shorthanded for the rest of the match.

Dylan Sullivan struck first for NYRB2 in the 17th minute, capitalizing quickly on the man advantage, before Mohammed Sofo doubled the lead in the 43rd minute. Aiden Jarvis, Malick Dembele and Ibrahim Kasule provided second-half goals for NYRB2, while Israel Neto assured that the amateurs weren’t held without a goal on the evening.

The win is NYRB2’s first in Open Cup action. The club hasn’t appeared in the competition since 2015 when they competed in the United Soccer Leagues. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

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Chicago Fire FC II (MLSNP)
6:0
Chicago City SC (USL-2)

By: Jordan Beech

Chicago Fire FC II proved to be more than Chicago City SC could handle, racing past the amateur side, 6-0, on Wednesday night. The match marked the Open Cup debut for both teams.

The USL-2 side gifted their MLS Next Pro counterparts an own goal shortly after kickoff in the sixth minute. Giovanni Granda then connected with a Michael Nesci pass in first-half stoppage to carry a 2-0 lead into halftime.

The floodgates opened up in the second half as David Poreba struck next in the 65th minute, before Nesci opened his account in the 70th minute from a Poreba helper. Harold Osorio curled in a free kick in the 84th minute to make it 5-0. Two minutes later, Vitaliy Hiyut closed out the evening with a goal of his own from inside the box. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

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Chicago House AC (USASA/Midwest PL)
0:3
MNUFC2 (MLSNP)

By: Jordan Beech

Open Cup darlings a year ago, Chicago House AC saw their dreams of a repeat performance this year dashed after being dispatched by Minnesota United’s MLS NEXT Pro team, MNUFC2, 3-0. Jordan Adebayo-Smith led the way with a hat trick. The match marked the debut for MNUFC2 in Open Cup action.

Chicago House stood tall in the first half, keeping the match level heading into the break. However, it was all Adebayo-Smith in the second half. The striker scored two goals in three minutes off assists from Kage Romanshyn and Loic Mesanvi. He then completed the hat trick in the fifth minute of stoppage time on the fast break with help from Dominic Mawing. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

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FC Folsom (UPSL)
1:2
Central Valley Fuego FC (USL-1)

By: Andrew Mosier

Central Valley Fuego FC eeked out a 2-1 win over UPSL side FC Folsom thanks to a 81st minute goal from Shawn Brown to give the USL-1 side a spot in the next round. 

Early on in the game it was all Central Valley. Jason Ramos waltzed unmarked into the Folsom goal box to nod an Ernesto Espinoza cross inside of the near post to put the USL-1 side on its way to a comfortable win over the amateur side.

But Folsom was not going to go down easily, making the game as inelegant as possible. Folsom nearly drew level minutes before halftime when Fuego goalkeeper, Andre Zuluaga Silva, was caught picking dandelions at the top of his penalty area before the ball was cleared off the goalline by a defender.

Foloson drew level four minutes into the second half after Central Valley defenders—twice—failed to properly clear a Folsom corner kick. Moshi Wilondia found the end of the second set piece, nodding the driven cross in at the far post to pull the amateurs back level.

With ten minutes left, and any possible result still very much in question, Jose Carrera-Garcia lobbed a searching ball over the top of the Folsom back line. Brown found a modicum of space behind the back line and put the ball over the stranded Folsom goalkeeper for the win. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

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Irvine Zeta FC (NISA)
1:0
MesoAmerica FC (USASA/LD Morazan)

By: Jordan Beech

In a battle of first-time entrants into the US Open Cup, NISA’s Irvine Zeta FC came out on top, 1-0, against amateur side MesoAmerica FC.

A beautiful strike from 30 yards out by Sinya Kadono in the 12th minute proved the difference between the two sides. Collecting the ball on the left wing, Kadono passed to Darren Amaya who then played a centering pass to Kadono. The MesoAmerica defense failed to close down, and Kadono sent a low rocket into the bottom right corner past the outstretched arms of Alejandro Dautt.

Neither team would find another goal for the remainder of the match, and the hosts from Irvine were able to see their way through into the Second Round. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

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LA Force FC (NISA)
2:1
Redlands FC (USL-2)

By: Jordan Beech

NISA’s LA Force needed a late goal to take down USL League Two’s Redlands FC, 2-1, in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Jose Montes De Oca scored the matchwinner in the 84th minute.

Goals in quick succession at the end of the first half saw the match level heading into halftime. Joel Quist buried a shot from close range in the 40th minute off Dante Brigida’s assist to put LA up 1-0 before Ethan Kovach responded just two minutes later with the help of Omar Yehya. The match looked headed to extra time before Quist flicked on a header that Montes De Oca coolly finished to claim victory for the hosts.

The win is LA Force’s first in Open Cup play in their third appearance, having lost in their opening round match the past two years.  {FULL MATCH REPORT}

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Ballard FC (USL-2)
0:1
Spokane Velocity FC (USL-1)

By: Jordan Beech

In a match that surely looked headed for extra time, Andre Lewis provided the late-match heroics to send Spokane Velocity into the Second Round in the club’s Open Cup debut. With a 1-0 scoreline, the Velocity beat fellow Open Cup debutant Ballard FC, the reigning USL League Two champions.

After a scoreless opening 45 minutes and into the seventh minute of stoppage time, Spokane and Ballard could not find the breakthrough goal. However, with the seconds ticking down and extra time looming, Lewis fired home a left-footed shot from the center of the box that got past Charles Lanphier, sending the visitors through. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

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Capistrano FC (NISA)
2:2
Des Moines Menace (USL-2)
Des Moines advances, 5-4 on penalty kicks

By: Jordan Beech

Penalties were needed to separate the two sides, but Des Moines Menace secured passage with a 5-4 penalty kick shootout win after a 2-2 draw with Capistrano FC. For the USL League Two side, it was the eighth pro scalp the club has claimed in the Open Cup’s Modern Era (2nd most among all amateur teams).

After a scoreless first half, Des Moines’ Cyrus Harmon fired the opening salvo in the 53rd minute, benefiting from an assist by former US Men’s National Team regular Sacha Kljestan. The lead would be short-lived, however, as Capo tied the affair in the 66th minute from an unassisted long-range strike by Parker Scalzo that would eventually force extra time.

Capo’s Daniel Segal was awarded his second yellow card of the match shortly after extra time began, forcing the hosts to play man down for the final 25 minutes of action. The Menace managed to capitalize on that advantage in the 117th minute through Leroy Enzugusi who cleaned up a rebound from Paul Henschke’s initial effort. Scalzo allowed Capo to respond in the 120th minute with a last-second goal from Dylan Shockley’s assist to send the match to penalties. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

Thursday, March 21

Steel City FC (NPSL)
0:1
Michigan Stars FC (NISA)

By: Jordan Beech

An 83rd-minute strike by Niels Lellouch proved to be the difference as Michigan Stars FC triumphed, 1-0, over Steel City FC. The win marks the first for the Michigan-based NISA side in Open Cup play in their third appearance overall. While the Stars came away with the win, the amateurs representing the NPSL’s Steel City squad held their own for much of the night. They peppered Michigan’s goal, forcing Ttaenda Mkuruva into six saves on the night. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

FC Motown (NPSL)
0:3
NYCFC II (MLSNP)

By: Jordan Beech

New York City FC II got off the mark quickly and never looked back in dispatching FC Motown, 3-0, on Thursday night. The night marked the Open Cup debut for the MLS NEXT Pro side, while it was the seventh overall appearance for the NPSL team.

Taylor Calheira opened the scoring in just the ninth minute of action with a left-footed effort from Jacob Arroyave’s assist. Drew Baiera followed up with a goal of his own 11 minutes later to make the score 2-0 before halftime. Maximo Carrizo then put the finishing touches on the scoreline in the 65th minute off an assist by Calheira. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL-1)
4:2
Brockton FC United (UPSL)
After Extra Time

By: Jordan Beech

It required an extra 30 minutes, but Chattanooga Red Wolves SC got past Brockton FC United, 4-2, clinching their first-ever US Open Cup triumph in their fourth time of asking. Ropapa Mensah did the heavy lifting, scoring goals in the 116th and 120th minutes to break the deadlock.

The Red Wolves got out in front in the 26th minute thanks to a penalty conversion by Omar Hernandez. Then, they doubled their advantage in the 66th minute thanks to Chevone Marsh. However, Omar Gomez was shown straight red in the 76th minute for Chattanooga, allowing Wuilito Fernandes and Leonardo Texeira to convert a pair of headers in 89th and fifth minute of stoppage time to send the game to extra time. Mensah, a second-half substitute, then provided the late-match heroics necessary to see the professionals through to the next round. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

Crown Legacy (MLSNP)
0:1
South Carolina United Heat (UPSL)

By: Jordan Beech

Upstart South Carolina United Heat scored a “cupset” over the professionals from Crown Legacy, 1-0, to secure advancement to the Second Round. The Heat, representing the UPSL, qualified for the US Open Cup for the first time as an Open Division local qualifier.

The match looked certain to head to extra time after Crown’s Filip Mirkovic sailed a penalty attempt in the 88th minute, but Julian Bravo conceded a penalty to the Heat in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time. Wilterlynd Inalien calmly stepped up to the spot and placed his shot to the bottom left corner past Chituru Odunze to put the amateur side up 1-0 and into the next round. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

Western Mass Pioneers (USL-2)
0:4
Union Omaha (USL-1)

By: Jordan Beech

Union Omaha ran rampant behind Joe Gallardo’s hat trick, enjoying a 4-0 romp over the Western Mass Pioneers. 

Gallardo scored in the fourth, 73rd and 89th minutes of play, while Steevan dos Santos scored in the 67th minute. Omaha was dominant in all facets against their USL League Two counterparts, holding Western Mass to just one shot on the night.

The win marks Union Omaha’s fifth in their third US Open Cup appearance. It is also their second win against an amateur team in the competition. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USASA/USL of PA)
0:2
Charlotte Independence (USL-1)

By: Jordan Beech

The Charlotte Independence made sure Vereinigung Erzgebirge’s return to the US Open Cup after a 22-year absence was short-lived, dropping the Philly-area local qualifier, 2-0, on Thursday evening.

Despite VE’s defense standing tall for most of the night in a match that saw Charlotte pepper Steve Paul’s goal 23 times, the Independence finally found the breakthrough in the 72nd minute thanks to Omar Ciss’ strike from outside the box off an assist from Kharlton Belmar. Ciss then returned the favor in the 86th minute, whipping in a cross that Belmar nodded home to seal the result.

Charlotte is now 7-6-1 all-time in Open Cup play, including a 4-2-1 record against amateur teams. The consummate road warriors, this was also the Independence’s fifth road win in the tournament. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

Carolina Core FC (MLSNP)
3:2
Northern Virginia FC (USL-2)

By: Jordan Beech

An offensive explosion left the USL League Two’s Northern Virginia FC on the wrong side of a 3-2 decision against Carolina Core FC of MLS NEXT Pro. The night marked Carolina’s debut entry into the tournament.

Core found themselves on the front foot early after Drake Hadeed scored from range in the 18th minute of action. However, the hosts would find themselves looking up at a one-goal hole after two goals in a six minute span from the amateurs from Northern Virginia. Noah Holmes struck first in the 34th minute before Alexander Abril found the back of the net in the 40th.

The lead was short-lived, however, as Carolina scored five minutes into the second half through David Polanco. Carolina then took the lead for good in the 82nd minute with Polanco assisting on Josuha Rodriguez’s finish from inside the box. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

Lubbock Matadors (NPSL)
2:1
Arizona Monsoon FC (NISA)
After Extra Time

By: Jordan Beech

The Lubbock Matadors left it about as late as they could, but emerged with a professional scalp on the wall thanks to Toufik Najem’s game-winner 13 minutes into stoppage time in the second extra time period to give the NPSL side a 2-1 win over Arizona Monsoon FC. Both teams ended the match with 10 men on the pitch.

NISA’s Arizona Monsoon FC got on the board first, taking a 1-0 lead into halftime thanks to Izsak Fierro. Fierro struck from long range off an assist by Alex Tejera in the 37th minute.

Arizona thought they had the match won, but Salvador Marintez got on the end of a Shuma Sasaki cross in the 83rd minute to force extra time. Najem then served up the late-match heroics at the death to ensure the NPSL side claimed victory over their fellow US Open Cup debutant. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

Colorado Rapids 2 (MLSNP)
3:0
Azteca FC (USSSA/Colorado PL)

By: Jordan Beech

Colorado Rapids 2 was too much for the Colorado Premier League’s Azteca FC, romping past the amateur side, 3-0. Sebastian Anderson assisted on two of the host’s three goals on the night.

Joshua Belluz opened the scoring in the 13th minute nodding home Anderson’s service from the corner. Anderson then provided excellent service from the corner again in the 45th minute, this time finding Daniel Garcia to put the hosts up 2-0 just before halftime. Alec Diaz scored in the 63rd minute to put the finishing touches on the win.

The win is Rapids 2’s first win in Open Cup play in the club’s tournament debut. Thursday night was Azteca’s fourth appearance in the tournament. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

Ventura County FC (MLSNP)
2:1
Irvine Zeta FC II (UPSL)

By: Jordan Beech

Making their return to the US Open Cup under a new name, Ventura County FC – formerly LA Galaxy II – claimed a 2-1 win over amateur side Irvine Zeta FC II of the UPSL.

Zeta II drew first blood in just the eighth minute, earning a penalty after a foul by Ventura County’s Carlos Diaz. Daniel Baumgartner converted to go up 1-0. Unfortunately, the lead was short-lived as Zeta II gave up an own goal three minutes later. With halftime beckoning, Sean Karani scored the matchwinner for Ventura County in the first minute of first-half stoppage.

The result sees Ventura County move on to the Second Round for the second time in club history after previously going as far as the Third Round in 2014. Ventura County is now 2-1-1 all-time in Open Cup action. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

The first night of the Fourth Round of the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup was one of the more tightly-contested evenings this tournament has had. Seven of the eight games were decided by one goal or less, with two of them going to penalty kicks.

The defending champion was one-and-done for just the third time in the Modern Era (1995-present), the Pittsburgh Riverhounds upset a MLS team for the first time in more than two decades and Monterey Bay FC took the lead over LAFC in extra time only to lose it and fall in PKs.

On Wednesday, it was home teams that shined. Six of the eight games were won by the home team (five of them by shutout). All but one of the teams that advanced were from Major League Soccer. The only lower division team to advance on Wednesday was the Birmingham Legion FC, who defeated fellow USL Championship side Memphis 901 FC. 

The draw for the Round of 16 will take place on Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. ET on Bleacher Report’s app and the B/R Football YouTube channel. That draw will reveal a bracket that will remain in place for the remainder of the competition. 

Below, you will find a brief summary of every Round 4 game. Links to the full match reports will be added as the articles are published. 

TUESDAY, MAY 9

Charlotte FC (MLS)
1:0
Orlando City SC (MLS)

By Colton Coreschi

It took 70 minutes, but Charlotte FC eventually found the breakthrough and sent the defending champs home, defeating Orlando City SC 1-0 at the Sportsplex at Matthews. The lone goal was delivered by midfielder Kamil Józwiak midway through the second half with Orlando unable to find an equalizer before the final whistle.

After a slow first half that saw two yellow cards as the primary action, things picked up in the second half as Charlotte substituted on a few powerhouse players, including Józwiak and fellow Polish designated player Karol Swiderski around the hour mark. Within ten minutes of entering the match, the two countrymen linked up as Józwiak finished off a stumbling run through Orlando’s back line to secure the lone goal of the evening.

While Orlando fought back valiantly, firing off 11 total shots, Charlotte’s defense was stout. The Lions were unable to put a single one of their double-digit shots on-target, with their Queen City hosts blocking five and keeping the evening simple for goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina.

With the win, Charlotte makes their second Round of 16 in two attempts and will attempt to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time after last year’s loss to the New York Red Bulls. For Orlando, the loss marks the end of their title defense after being crowned champions for the first time in 2022 and returns their focus to fighting among the final playoff spots in MLS’ Eastern Conference.

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Inter Miami CF (MLS)
1:0
Charleston Battery (USL-C)

By Andrew Mosier

Inter Miami advanced to the round of 16, defeating the Charleston Battery 1-0 at DRV PNK Stadium. The lone goal came off the face of Charleston defender Juan Palma just after the start of the second half.

The Battery were forced to adjust their game plan before the ten-minute mark when Nicholas Markanich was replaced with what appeared to be an ankle injury. Markanich has four goals in all competitions.

Miami’s first and best chance came in the 18th minute when Harvey Neville got in behind the Battery back line but hit his shot straight at Battery goalkeeper Trey Muse.

Miami got on the scoreboard three minutes after the start of the second half when Kamal Miller found Neville on the right flank. Neville’s cross was cleared desperately away from a poaching Josef Martínez at the far post by the Battery’s Derek Dodson off the face of Palma. It was the kind of goal Martínez would have historically scored were it not for the interference of Dodson.

The Battery nearly pulled level in the 71st minute when Augustine Williams sublimely controlled the ball in the penalty area and got a shot off, smacking it off the near post back into play. 

With the win, Miami advance to the Round of 16 for the second consecutive year. In 2022, Miami’s first Open Cup appearance, Miami lost in penalty kicks (4-2) at Orlando City after playing to a 1-1 draw in regulation. 

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New England Revolution (MLS)
0:1
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL-C)

By Ray Curren

Danny Griffin’s toepoke goal in the 44th minute off an incisive through ball from Marc Ybarra held up as Pittsburgh stunned New England 1-0 Tuesday night at Gillette Stadium in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup, eliminating the 2007 champs and giving the Riverhounds only their second ever win over an MLS side in the competition, some 22 years after their first over Colorado.

The Riverhounds controlled much of the play in the first half and had the only three shots on goal in the match. After the Revs, who have lost just once in 11 MLS regular season matches in 2023, could get little going after the intermission, Bruce Arena called on his big guns in the 63rd minute, making a quadruple substitution, including star Carles Gil. But although New England put some pressure on in the final minutes, the Revs recorded just one shot on goal, a relatively tame effort from Giacomo Vrioni in the 73rd minute.

Griffin, who grew up in Revs country (Wethersfield, Conn.), was just re-signed last week by Pittsburgh from Huntsville City FC. The Riverhounds, who have won just twice in nine USL Championship outings this season, went on the quarterfinals of the Open Cup in 2001 before losing in extra time to Chicago, their deepest Cup run to date.

The match marked Jozy Altidore’s first USOC match since his professional debut for Red Bull New York on August 23, 2006, a quarterfinal loss to DC United (he also played for Arena in that match). Altidore went 90 minutes and had a few chances, but never got a shot on goal.

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New York Red Bulls (MLS)
1:0
D.C. United (MLS)

By Michael Battista

The New York Red Bulls beat DC United, 1-0, at MSU Soccer Park to reach the Round of 16. Omir Fernández scored the game’s lone goal.

For New York the match is hopefully a jolt in the right direction. After only winning one match in eleven games this season, the Major League Soccer side mutually parted ways with three year head coach Gerhard Struber. New head coach Troy Lesesne, best known for his run to the 2019 Open Cup Quarterfinals with New Mexico United, won his Red Bulls debut.

Despite being without eight players, New York dominated the game. DC United was held to only five shots (0 on target) behind an excellent defensive front. Despite not being challenged, keeper Ryan Meara earned the clean sheet (his team leading seventh in USOC play).

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Chicago Fire FC (MLS)
2:1
St. Louis CITY SC (MLS)

By Jordan Beech

For the first time since 2018, Chicago Fire FC are headed to the quarterfinals of the US Open Cup. The Fire, in interim manager Frank Klopas’ first match in charge, dispatched St. Louis CITY SC, 2-1, at SeatGeek Stadium on Tuesday night.

Maren Haile-Salassie opened the scoring for Chicago in just the third minute of play after getting on the end of a long headed pass from Mauricio Pineda. The Fire then doubled their advantage through second-half sub Fabian Herbers match-winner in the 75th minute off an assist from Brian Gutierrez. St. Louis clawed one back in the third minute of second-half stoppage time thanks to a header by Miguel Perez from Eduard Lowen’s service from a corner kick.

The win marks just the first time in 10 years that the Fire have won their opening two rounds of the Open Cup in regulation. The club moves the Fire to a sterling 28-1-3 all-time in home Cup matches thanks to Tuesday night’s triumph.

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Minnesota United FC (MLS)
3:3
Philadelphia Union (MLS)
Minnesota advances, 7-6 in penalty kicks

By Tyler Crane

If you were looking for Open Cup drama Tuesday night, Minnesota United and Philadelphia Union came to deliver. After three goals from each side over the course of regulation and extra time it would ultimately be Minnesota United who came out on top after penalty kicks to advance to the Round of 16.

The entirety of the first 45 minutes of play saw both sides struggling to establish control with a momentum shift back and forth regularly. The Loons and the Union found opportunities more often than not, but failed to deliver any true danger until the second half.

Things began to heat up after the 63rd minute when Minnesota subbed on Bongokuhle Hlongwane. Just 5 minutes later D.J Taylor, working in from the left side of the attack, sent the ball into the box, finding Hlongwane who delivered a solid header into the back of the net. Hlongwane wasn’t finished yet as he found himself working through several Union defenders in the box before laying a pass off to Joseph Rosales at the top of the box. Rosales didn’t hesitate to take his shot and put Minnesota up 2-0 on the visitors.

Minnesota’s lead wouldn’t hold for long, though. In the 78th minute a failed clearance by the Loon’s would find its way to Chris Donovan who quickly broke through the defense to close the scoring gap with a goal. A reinvigorated Philadelphia side began to put the pressure on and was rewarded in the last few seconds of stoppage time with a Kai Wagner equalizer, sending the game into extra time.

Minnesota found themselves back in the lead after a Rosales goal, seeming to close out the match. Though, fate would see Philadelphia earn a free kick just outside of the box leading to another late equalizer by Wagner just before time expired. The outcome of the game was finally decided by penalty kicks with the Loons ultimately prevailing, 7-6.

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Monterey Bay FC (USL-C)
2:2
Los Angeles FC (MLS)
LAFC advances, 5-4 on penalty kicks

By Josh Taylor

It was a packed house at Cardinale Stadium but LAFC had to go penalty kicks to put away Monterey Bay FC and avoid a cupset.

Christian Torres scored the first goal of the match in the 25th minute to put LAFC ahead. LAFC was in control but late into the 90th minute Simon Dawkins scored from outside the box with a nice assist from Christian Volesky to get the equalizer and send this match into extra time.

In the first half of extra time, Jesse Maldonado put Monterrey Bay in front to take a 2-1 lead in the 95th minute. However in the 105th minute, Matheus Maia buried his shot to get the equalizer to tie the match 2-2 just before the end of the first half of extra time for LAFC. We had no goals in the second half of extra time so the match went to penalty kicks.

Both teams made their penalty kicks in the first two rounds. Monterey Bay’s Sean Okoli shot was saved by LAFC goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic in Round 4. Jakupovic would score in the next round of PKs with a top left corner shot to put LAFC in front 4-3. Chase Andrew Boone would score for Monterey Bay to tie it at 4-4 and we go to sudden death after five rounds. LAFC’s Diego Rosales would convert his penalty kick for LAFC but Monterey Bay’s Mobi Fehr shot was saved and LAFC won 5-4 on penalties and advanced to the Round of 16. 

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Sacramento Republic FC (USL-C)
2:4
Colorado Rapids (MLS)

By Tyler Pilgrim

USL Championship-side Sacramento Republic played host to the Colorado Rapids Tuesday night as last year’s runner-up looked to keep their recent unbeaten streak alive. It would be the visitors, however, that would get off on the front foot in the fourth minute off a Jonathan Lewis goal. A sloppy bit of defending, which could partially be blamed on the slippery pitch, allowed Lewis an early, wide-open chance from the middle of the box that he easily buried. Sacramento did well to create opportunities from that point, but Colorado struck again in the 15th minute off a corner by Alex Gersbach that Michael Edwards expertly headed on goal.

The game entered a back-and-forth state for most of the first half until the home side found their opener in the 42nd minute from a Sebastian Herrera header delivered by Keko. It would then be Herrera that found the equalizer early in the second half to draw the game even at 2-2, with Jack Gurr laying another beautiful ball into the box for him to pounce on. Colorado would immediately respond three minutes later with a Michael Barrios screamer off the bar which was then tapped in by second-half sub Sam Nicholson.

Sam Wiedt of Sacramento Republic would then receive two yellows within 90 seconds to leave the team with 10 men on the pitch and 30 minutes to go. They continued to stay on the front foot, though, until a well-worked Colorado counter saw Brian Galvin deliver a long cross to Michael Barrios, who headed it home to make it 4-2. The Republic fought hard for the final few moments but they couldn’t overcome the deficit, allowing Colorado into the Round of 16 to break their “Curse of the Rhinos”. It was the first time that the Rapids had won multiple games in a US Open Cup tournament since they lost the 1999 US Open Cup Final to the Rochester Raging Rhinos. It also snapped a seven-game road losing streak. 

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 10

FC Cincinnati (MLS)
1:0
New York City FC (MLS)

By Craig Tower

It was a historic night for FC Cincinnati as they won for the first time in any competition against NYCFC and advanced for the first time (as an MLS franchise) to the Round of 16 of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. While neither team dominated play in the midfield, FC Cincinnati had the better of the chances with five shots on goal. NYCFC recorded their only shot on goal and that occurred in the 79th minute.

The only goal came off a corner kick in the 58th minute, Cincinnati’s Brandon Vazquez lost his marker and tipped the ball to the far post past NYCFC keeper Matt Freese. NYFC’s best chance came over 20 minutes later when James Sands pounded a point-blank header into the arms of FCC’s Alec Cann.

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Loudoun United (USL-C)
1:5
Columbus Crew (MLS)

By Abram Heredia

After having succeeded in a convincing 5-0 victory against Flower City Union in the previous round, Loudoun got a taste of their own medicine as they were pelted 5-1 at home by the Columbus Crew. The tall task of facing the first MLS side in their history proved too difficult even in front of their home fans at Segra Field. That task was made even more difficult when Loudoun was forced to play with 10 men for nearly 80 minutes. Columbus however, will be happily traveling back home after successfully moving on to the next round as well as giving valuable minutes to some of their youngsters.

It became clear early on that this would be a difficult game for Loudoun United when they conceded in the sixth minute to Yaw Yeboah and it only became increasingly more difficult as play went on. Following a straight red card to Gaoussou Samake in the 10th minute, the Crew were able to score another four before the end of the half, averaging a goal every 7.2 minutes. Though Columbus would fail to score for the remainder of the match they did enjoy 68% of possession and continued to pepper their opposition with shots. The only consolation Loudoun will be able to take from this match is their first goal against a MLS team which came via a penalty in the 86th minute which Khalil ElMedkhar tucked away to ruin the clean sheet.

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Birmingham Legion FC (USL-C)
3:0
Memphis 901 FC (USL-C)

By Chuck Carlson

Birmingham Legion FC became the first Alabama team in the history of the tournament to reach the Round of 16 of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup as they sent fellow USL Championship side Memphis 901 FC packing with a comfortable 3-0 home win at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Ala.

In the first ten minutes, Memphis, who had been the more in-form team, were on the front foot, and dominated the Legion. But in the 19th minute, Birmingham was awarded a free kick. Tyler Pasher, who had been the engine driving Birmingham’s resurgence, passed a short corner to Enzo Martinez. Martinez whipped in a low cross, which Open Cup veteran Juan Agudelo met with his right foot, and he smashed the ball off both posts before it crossed the line and ended up in the net.

Nineteen minutes later, it was again Pasher, as he drove through the Memphis defensive line, and hit a 25-yard left footed drive. Memphis keeper Bill Hamid could only parry the shot on to the right foot of an on-rushing Enzo Martinez, who deftly cut to his left, took another dribble, and beat Hamid low at the inside post. This second goal clearly took the heart out of Memphis, and they were lucky to get into half only down by 2.

The second half started where the first half ended, with Birmingham firmly in control of the game. In the 64th minute, Legion put the game to bed. Birmingham forward, Prosper Kasim slipped as he attempted to control the ball at the top of the box, but it fell to an overlapping Tyler Pasher, who took the ball on his left, cut to the right, and curled the ball around Hamid and inside the post to put Legion up 3-0. The home side would maintain that scoreline until the final whistle.

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Houston Dynamo (MLS)
1:0
Sporting Kansas City (MLS)

By Rich Flemings

Despite playing down a man for almost an hour, Houston Dynamo rode a 12th-minute goal from Thor Úlfarsson to victory over Sporting Kansas City.  The visitors, and four-time US Open Cup champions, finished the match with 17 total shots, compared to Houston’s two, but were unable to capitalize on the advantage served in the first half.  For the third straight appearance in the US Open Cup, Houston Dynamo has advanced to the Round of 16. 

Sporting Kansas City looked to threaten early in the match and almost took an early lead. In the 2nd minute, Gadi Kinda received a pass from Stephen Afrifa and couldn’t finish the opportunity, sending the shot wide of the goal. Minutes later, when Sporting Kansas City was on the attack, Afrifa had an opportunity that was sent over the crossbar.  With spells of open play following these chances, the visitors wouldn’t see a quality chance until the 20th minute, when Chris Rindov couldn’t direct a cross from Kinda on frame.  Try as they might, Sporting Kansas City couldn’t tip the scales any further in their favor and left Shell Energy Stadium empty handed.

Houston took the early lead when Thor Úlfarsson jumped on a loose ball, directed the ball back to the middle, and set himself up for a beautiful left-footed shot to the bottom right corner.  Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper John Pulskamp was able to get horizontal, but couldn’t react quickly enough to parry the ball away from goal.  The goal was Úlfarsson’s first of the season across all competitions. With the victory, Houston looks to break their current streak of exiting the tournament in the Round of 16.  The last time Houston was able to advance to the Quarterfinals was in 2018, when the Dynamo won the Cup. This was the sixth meeting between the two sides in the last seven tournaments, which is one of the most common matchups in the Modern Era. With the win, Houston evens the series at 3-3. 

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Nashville SC (MLS)
2:0
FC Dallas (MLS)

By Jordan Beech

For the second time in as many seasons, Nashville SC has punched their ticket to the US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Playing host to FC Dallas, Nashville secured a 2-0 triumph.

Though the offense was lacking in the first half, the second provided plenty of action. Fafa Picault drew first blood in the 63rd minute, firing home a low effort off Taylor Washington’s service. Alex Muyl doubled the advantage in the 76th minute off an assist from Brian Anunga. Though they were outshot by Dallas, 7-4, the Nashville defense only allowed one shot on goal.

With the win, Nashville maintains an unbeaten home record of 7-0-1 at home in the Open Cup in club history. 

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Austin FC (MLS)
2:0
New Mexico United (USL-C)

By Seth Biddulph

Any hope that New Mexico United to become giant killers once again in the US Open Cup were quickly extinguished by Austin FC. The MLS team thoroughly dominated the USL Championship side 2-0 in front of their home fans in Austin.

United lacked any sort consistency in their play throughout the first half and multiple giveaways in their own half opened up chances for Austin to jump ahead early. In the 24th minute, the first corner of the night for either side was for the hosts and Emiliano Rigoni sent the ball into the area where Rodney Redes was able to flick the ball into the side netting for the 1-0 lead. Twelve minutes later, Max Urruti doubled the lead. Taking a cross from Adam Lundkvist on his right foot, Urruti slotted home to the center of the net extending the lead to 2-0.

With the win Austin FC advances to the Round of 16 for the first time in the club’s brief history

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LA Galaxy (MLS)
3:1
Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)

By Jim Coppock

At Dignity Health Sport Park, the LA Galaxy hosted league rivals Seattle Sounders in the round of 32. The crowd of 8,412 saw the home side beat the four-time Open Cup champions, 3-1.

The game kicked-off with LA in the driver’s seat. LA’s Julian Aude found a rebound from a corner kick in the 3rd minute, blasting a rocket to the upper left corner to open the scoring. At the 2:10 mark, it was the fastest US Open Cup goal in team history. LA’s Lucas Calegari nearly doubled the lead in the 29th with a 35-yard blast that went just wide. Fredy Montero and Dylan Teves had great looks for Seattle. Montero’s effort required a save, via Lucas Calegari’s knee, off the goal line only minutes after LA took the lead. Despite the slow start, Seattle seemed to have the more dangerous chances through the first half, though none were converted.

The second half started at a much faster pace for both sides. After trading dangerous chances for 15 minutes, Memo Rodriguez extended the lead in the 66th for the Galaxy, just two minutes after entering the game and with his first touch of the ball. Seattle’s Paul Rothrock quickly pulled a goal back on a diving header from an Ethan Dobbelaere cross in the 68th minute. The two goals were just 96 seconds apart. The final nail in the coffin, however, was Memo’s second goal of the night (the sixth of his career) in the 84th minute. With the victory (their 36th all-time), the Galaxy has qualified for the Round of 16.

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Portland Timbers (MLS)
3:4
Real Salt Lake (MLS)

By Jeremiah Braeback

Real Salt Lake punched their ticket to the 2023 US Open Cup Round of 16, defeating the Portland Timbers 4-3 in a goal fest at Providence Park on Wednesday.

The Timbers struck quickly, as Sebastian Blanco quickly capitalized on some early pressure, nutmegging Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Gavin Beavers to put the Timbers up 1-0 in the 4th minute.

The sides would trade chances over the next 25 minutes, including a penalty call in the 25th minute for the Timbers, which would be overruled following a meeting between referee Victor Rivas and the nearside assistant referee. Not five minutes later, Real leveled the match, as Daniel Musovski took advantage of a failed Timbers clearance to level the match at 1-1. RSL would take the lead 11 minutes later as Andres Gomez hit an incredible goal from outside the box to the top corner, giving them the 2-1 lead heading into halftime.

Following the break, the Timbers came out firing, scoring twice in seven minutes to take the lead 3-2, as Justin Rasmussen hit a rocket from the top of the box in the 49th minute, followed by second half substitute Jarozlaw Niezgoda hitting the back of the net in the 52nd.  The lead was short-lived, as Mikael Chang quickly responded to level the match in the 55th minute and take the lead in the 59th minute as he caught the Timbers’ defense napping.

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