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Tim Sullivan

2019 US Open Cup Round of 16: LAFC proves too dominant in home win over San Jose Earthquakes

June 21, 2019 by Tim Sullivan

Players from LAFC celebrate a goal against the San Jose Earthquakes in a Round of 16 match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: LAFC
Players from LAFC celebrate a goal against the San Jose Earthquakes in a Round of 16 match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: LAFC
Players from LAFC celebrate a goal against the San Jose Earthquakes in a Round of 16 match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: LAFC

A 3-1 win for the team that the table, in concurrence with the eyeball test, says is the best in the United States may seem like a ho-hum result, and completely devoid of The Magic of the Cup. That wasn’t the case in Los Angeles, though, with the hometown LAFC ultimately prevailing over the San Jose Earthquakes, 3-1, but in a much more exciting game than may have been expected.

After falling behind early, LAFC scored three unanswered goals by Diego Rossi, Adama Diomande and Carlos Vela to send the club into the Quarterfinals for the second year in a row. For the second year in a row, they will host the Portland Timbers on July 10 at Banc of California Stadium. Last year, LAFC won 3-2.

The visitors got the scoring started early. US youth international Jackson Yueill controlled a ball deep in his own end, and launched a through-ball up the right sideline, where right winger Carlos Espinoza found himself in behind the defense all alone. Inside the top of the LAFC penalty area, Espinoza squared the ball to Valeri “Vako” Qazaishvili, and the Georgian made no mistake finishing past keeper Pablo Sisniega.

Goals from Diego Rossi, Adama Diamonde & Carlos Vela saw @LAFC claw back from a goal down to knock out @SJEarthquakes & move through to a Quarterfinal date with high-flying @TimbersFC.#USOC2019 | ? Highlights pic.twitter.com/XAdkoatEpF

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) June 21, 2019

San Jose looked to have doubled their lead in the 20th, when an early cross landed directly on the forehead of MLS all-time leading scorer Chris Wondolowski. Wondolowski did what he does best – finish – but had been in an offside position at the time of the pass, keeping the San Jose lead at just one goal.

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "We Want The Cup" shirt in your team's colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

That lead would shrink to zero before the first half was completed. LAFC midfielder Lee Nguyen found space in the left channel of the Earthquakes’ defense, and cut inside at the top of the box before slipping a through ball to winger Diego Rossi. A clever chip from a short angle allowed him to level the proceedings with his sixth career US Open Cup goal. Last year, Rossi finished second in the tournament in scoring with five goals and despite losing in the Semifinals, was still a finalist for TheCup.us Player of the Tournament.

From there, a battle of contrasting styles settled in. LAFC put its efforts toward trying to out-possess the opponent and build beautifully, while San Jose was content to answer with counter-attacks.

It would be the former that broke the deadlock – with a little help from transition play, too. A loose ball in LAFC’s defensive third quickly found its way upfield to Rossi in the 60th minute. The Uruguayan slipped a through ball to striker Adama Dioumande, who then rounded the keeper before slamming the ball home. It was a lead LAFC wouldn’t relinquish, even though Espinoza had a chance on the break. His shot was saved by LAFC goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega, and the Quakes would not threaten again.

For Sisniega, it was part of a solid performance, filling in for regular starter Tyler Miller who is away on international duty with the U.S. National Team. The Mexican netminder made eight saves, including several exceptional stops which was recognized after the game.

“ excellent saves, three or four excellent saves and I think everybody on the team is so excited for him,” said LAFC head coach Bob Bradley. “He’s come in, yes, he’s missed some time, he’s excited for this opportunity, Tyler has done a good job setting an example and also supporting Pablo .”

“It was a very physical game, but we played our football.”

Diego Rossi after a hard-fought win. pic.twitter.com/ySApGSV3YZ

— LAFC (@LAFC) June 21, 2019

Mexican international Carlos Vela put the final touches on LAFC’s victory in the 85th minute, cutting in from the right wing, dribbling past two defenders, and wrong-footing San Jose keeper Andrew Tarbell to provide the final margin. It was Vela’s second goal of the tournament and the third of his career.

“Last year we said the Cup was important. The way the draw went, we didn’t play MLS teams in the first two rounds,” said Bradley. “ having to go to Salt Lake for the first game, we immediately discussed amongst ourselves that you earn the Cup every round and there are teams that sometimes rotate and maybe if they get far enough in the tournament they start to take it more seriously. We’ve tried to put the best team that we can on the field.”

That approach has paid off as LAFC remains undefeated (5-0-1, 0-1 PKs) in their first two years in US Open Cup play. Their lone blemish on their record is a penalty kick shootout loss to eventual champion Houston Dynamo in last year’s Semifinal (match officially listed as a draw). The schedule worked

“I think the credit goes to the players, the key guys, the leaders,” said Bradley about his team’s adjustment to the challenge of balancing a league and a cup schedule. “There’s one thing that I think is so important in this and it’s that I think these guys still enjoy the kind of football we try to play, so when they show up in training every day, training’s fun. Yeah, it’s hard, some days they get pushed, some days at the end there are guys laying on the field because they’re tired, but nonetheless, the kind of football they play, some of the goals they score in training, that part of it I think they really enjoy. I think that’s a big part of trying to make sure we continue to keep getting better.”

“We’re a good team, we need to show that every game, it doesn’t matter who we’re playing.” @11carlosV after our 3-1 win over @SJEarthquakes. pic.twitter.com/eBexlIQeXI

— LAFC (@LAFC) June 21, 2019

Filed Under: 2019 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, US Open Cup Tagged With: 2019 US Open Cup, Los Angeles FC, San Jose Earthquakes

2019 US Open Cup Round 3: Charleston Battery withstands Nashville SC pressure, pitches shutout in PK shootout win

May 30, 2019 by Tim Sullivan

Kyle Nelson of the Charleston Battery (No. 3) challenges for a header against Nashville SC in a Third Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Jay Wilkinson | Nashville SC
Kyle Nelson of the Charleston Battery (No. 3) challenges for a header against Nashville SC in a Third Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Jay Wilkinson | Nashville SC
Kyle Nelson of the Charleston Battery (No. 3) challenges for a header against Nashville SC in a Third Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Jay Wilkinson | Nashville SC

120 minutes wasn’t enough time to find a winner between Nashville SC and Charleston Battery in the Third Round of the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The squads battled to a 1-1 draw through regulation, and through stoppage time. In a knockout situation, that means only one thing: penalties.

Battery winger Zeiko Lewis drilled his first shot. Nashville SC defender Liam Doyle saw his saved by Philip Breno. Battery defender Leland Archer coolly put his home. Another save for Breno, this time keeping midfielder Matt LaGrassa out of the goal. While Jarad van Schaik skied his next attempt, by the time Nashville midfielder Lebo Moloto followed with a hit crossbar, Charleston striker Ian Svantesson needed only to hit one shot to end the game.

He put it home, Charleston survives and advances.

“For a coach, it’s pretty simple,” said Battery head coach Mark Anhaeuser of the shootout. “It stinks for players, because there’s a lot of nerves, they’re nervous, and heavy legs. In the end, it comes down to who really can hit that ball, and put it in the spot they want to. Our first two were very good, and we put them in under pressure, and my goalkeeper made two really strong saves.”

.@Chas_Battery – 2008 runners-up – are Open Cup royalty & they’re into the Fourth Round after a hard-fought 1-1 draw (AET) and a PK shootout against @NashvilleSC. Now they get a shot at team from @MLS. ?

? Highlights | #USOC2019 pic.twitter.com/Zscvpfm0s3

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 30, 2019

The shootout was a rare one. It marked just the third time in the Modern Era (1995-present) that a shootout ended with the score of 3-0. The first time it happened, the Charleston Battery upset the Chicago Fire (MLS) in the Third Round of the 2010 US Open Cup.

The shootout win capped a solid performance for Breno, who made four saves in the run of play to hold Nashville to just one goal – despite 27 shots from the hosts. In fact, Nashville dominated in many statistical metrics, with 68.4% of the possession, a passing accuracy of 87.4% to Charleston’s 66.5%, and five corners taken to the Battery’s four.

The game is not about dominating the ancillary stats, though: it’s about scoring. The teams did the same amount in regulation, and that opened the door for the shootout to determine the final outcome.

Players from the Charleston Battery and Nashville SC (yellow) battle for the ball in their Third Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup.  Photo: Jay Wilkinson | Nashville SC
Players from the Charleston Battery and Nashville SC (yellow) battle for the ball in their Third Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Jay Wilkinson | Nashville SC

The Battery struck first, with striker Nicque Daley turning on a ball near midfield, taking five touches and popping the ball over the shoulder of NSC keeper Connor Sparrow in the 24th minute. Nashville would finally respond in the 72nd, with Kharlton Belmar putting home a cross from striker Ropapa Mensah, who found himself alone in space on a through-ball from Alan Winn. At that point, Nashville seemed to capture all the momentum, and Anhaeuser’s side was merely holding on for dear life.

“They caught us there for about 20 minutes and we got fortunate they didn’t score,” he admitted. “They got one on the counter there, which they picked up. Then they had their guys forward, and I think they got a little tired. Even we caught them at the end, and hit the post, crossbar, and we were just unlucky.”

The Battery advance to the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup, and will find out their fate in terms of opponent – and location – Thursday. For a team that’s played two on the road already, first traveling to USL League One side Greenville Triumph, and then to Nashville SC’s satellite location in the suburbs of Music City, they’re hopeful of drawing a home match next.

“We’re going to see tomorrow,” Anhaeuser said with a laugh. “I’m just going to pray we get a home game. Two road games in the Open Cup is so difficult. The heat, multiple games in a week, and my guys deserve all the credit. What you do, you get a game vs. an MLS team. These guys deserved it; they played a heck of a game – defended very well.”

The last team from outside MLS to advance to the US Open Cup Final (the Battery lost 2-1 to DC United in 2008) keeps their dream alive in the 2019 edition of the tournament. The Battery advance to the Fourth Round for the third year in a row.

Filed Under: 2019 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, US Open Cup Tagged With: 2019 US Open Cup, Charleston Battery, Nashville SC

2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Nashville SC holds off pesky South Georgia Tormenta 2

May 15, 2019 by Tim Sullivan

Nashville SC players celebrate one of their three goals in the club's 3-2 win over South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Jay Wilkinson | Nashville SC
Nashville SC players celebrate one of their three goals in the club's 3-2 win over South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Jay Wilkinson | Nashville SC
Nashville SC players celebrate one of their three goals in the club’s 3-2 win over South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Jay Wilkinson | Nashville SC

A matchup between a USL Championship side and a League Two team may look like a blowout before the game even kicks off, but that wasn’t the case tonight in the Nashville area. While Nashville SC still earned the win, South Georgia Tormenta 2 was able to keep the contest close throughout. In the end, it’s survive and advance, and NSC did just that with the 3-2 victory.

“They look a wonderful team, I’ve got to say,” said Nashville head coach Gary Smith. “For an amateur group, they have performed at a magnificent level tonight, bearing in mind we’ve got what constitutes most of a first team group out there.

“You’re going to see teams go out tonight to amateur groups, and you see it all around the world. I’ve seen it many times in England in the FA Cup where lower-league teams beat the bigger fish not because they’re necessarily more talented, but they’ve got bigger hearts on the day and their attitude has dragged them through. Maybe the talented players don’t quite get themselves up for the game, and tonight our players have gotten themselves up for the game.”

The Boys in Gold got the scoring started early, with Ropapa Mensah running onto a throughball from fellow winger Alan Winn, and finishing confidently past Tormenta keeper Tor Saunders. After just eight minutes of gameplay, Nashville found itself on top. Winn would be on the receiving end for Nashville’s second goal, running free on goal after service between the lines from midfielder Bolu Akinyode. His shot curled side-netting to give the hosts a 2-0 lead.

32′ | Goal! Alan Winn of @NashvilleSC catches @Tormenta_FC back line flat footed and curls it around the keeper Watch live on ESPN+ https://t.co/p677RYwvw8 #USOC2019 pic.twitter.com/KmhhouVlCC

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 15, 2019

The professional side with a multi-goal lead in the first half may seem like a guarantee, but Tormenta was able to respond shortly before halftime. A failed clearance and a scramble at the back found winger Adrian Billhardt alone on goal against Nashville keeper Connor Sparrow. He was able to poke the ball past Sparrow and slot it home to cut the halftime lead to just one goal.

Nashville responded after the half with striker Cameron Lancaster managing to roll the ball over the line after rounding the keeper on service from Winn – his second assist of the night, and third goal in which he was involved.

Once again, though, the amateur side wouldn’t go down without a fight. Striker James Meehan was waiting in the center of the six-yard box on a corner kick, and Jordan Skelton’s header to him took one hop before Meehan nodded it home, as well.

Tormenta would create more moments of danger – including a corner kick opportunity that saw a ball sail just over the bar seconds before full-time – but was unable to find that moment of Open Cup magic to slay the giants and move on to the third round. Nonetheless, after taking down League One team Chattanooga Red Wolves SC last weekend, there’s no shame in the performance for the amateurs.

Cameron Lancaster taps it in for @NashvilleSC against @Tormenta_FC to go up 3-1 in the 52nd minute #USOC2019 pic.twitter.com/1jXQVsvpyH

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 15, 2019

“Always pleased to advance in the Cup,” Smith said. “It’s completely different to league play. You’ve got to get yourself in the winning column and you advance. I thought the application was terrific, attitude from the outset was spot-on, and in these games that are always difficult against a young and fearless side that have come here and given everything they’ve got and have nothing to lose, I thought our guys maybe just missed out on extending the lead at good times. The only disappointment for me will be a bit of a freak goal in the first one and then conceding from the set piece.”

With the victory, Nashville SC advances to take on the winner of Wednesday’s battle between the Charleston Battery and the Greenville Triumph SC. Nashville managed to slay a giant of its own last year – Colorado Rapids of MLS – and advance to the Round of 16 before falling to rival Louisville City FC. With a solid first salvo in the books, they’ll be looking to eclipse that run in 2019.

Filed Under: 2019 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, US Open Cup Tagged With: 2019 US Open Cup, Nashville SC, South Georgia Tormenta 2

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