Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2011 Quarterfinals

A Seattle Sounders three-peat could put them among American sports elite

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Photo: Jane Gershovich | Prost Amerika Soccer

It’s one of the hardest accomplishments in all of team sports, winning three championships in a row. Former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Pat Riley even trademarked the phrase “three-peat” in November 1988 for use on merchandise and apparel. Just fifteen times in the modern history of the four major professional sports leagues (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB) has a team managed to win three or more championships in consecutive order.

If you want an international soccer perspective on how hard it is to win three cup titles in a row, chew on this. The Spanish Copa del Rey has only seen five three-peat winners, none since Barcelona in 1953. The English FA Cup has had only two teams win three or more titles in a row, the last in 1886 by Blackburn Rovers. The German DFB Pokal (played since 1935) and the Italy’s Coppa Italia (1922) have NEVER had a three-peat champion.

In terms of soccer in the United States, only six teams have achieved a three-peat in league play, all in the ASL and none since 1964. Two teams, Clark O.N.T. and Bethlehem Steel, achieved the feat in the American Cup competition, which predated the Open Cup to 1885, but was restricted to clubs from the Northeast United States.

Only three teams have won the US Open Cup three times in a row since it began in 1914, the Fall River Marksmen, NY Greek Americans and Stix, Baer and Fuller (St. Louis). This means the Seattle Sounders are just three games away from joining one of the elite lists in American sports history. TheCup.us takes a look at what stands in the way of writing the Sounders name in the history books. (LINK: The “Three-Peat” US Open Cup winners)

OPPONENTS

This is the wild-card factor facing the Sounders three-peat. What kind of team will the Los Angeles Galaxy put on the field for their Quarterfinal match? How strong will the Sounders lineup be? The Galaxy will face the same schedule situation as the Sounders heading into the Quarterfinal, with the Open Cup being their third game in eight days. However, Los Angeles will not have another league game after that until July 20 while the Sounders jump right back into MLS play four days later on July 16. The Galaxy does have a “World Football Challenge” match against Real Madrid on the same day.

Three-peat winners in other
professional team competitions
NFL
Green Bay Packers (1929-1931)
NBA
Minneapolis Lakers (1952-1954)
Boston Celtics (1959-1966)
Chicago Bulls (1991-1993)
Chicago Bulls (1996-1998)
Los Angeles Lakers (2000-2002)
MLB
New York Yankees (1936-1939)
New York Yankees (1949-1953)
Oakland Athletics (1972-1974)
New York Yankees (1998-2000)
NHL
Toronto Maple Leafs (1947-1949)
Montreal Canadians (1956-1960)
Toronto Maple Leafs (1962-1964)
Montreal Canadians (1977-1979)
New York Islanders (1980-1983)

SOCCER
American Cup (1885-1924)
Clark O.N.T. (1885-1887)
Bethlehem Steel (1916-1919)

American Soccer League
Fall River Marksmen (1924-1926)
Fall River Marksmen (1929-1930)*
Kearny Scots (1937-1941)
Philadelphia Nationals (1949-1951)
New York Hakoah (1957-1959)
Ukrainian Nationals (1961-1964)|
*1929 and 1930 seasons split into separate Spring/Fall seasons

Copa Del Rey (Spain)
Real Madrid (1905-1907)
Athletic Bilbao (1914-1916)
Athletic Bilbao (1930-1933)
Athletic Bilbao (1943-1945)
Barcelona (1951-1953)

FA Cup (England)
Wanderers (1876-1878)
Blackburn Rovers (1884-1886)

The Galaxy only used five regular starters in their 2-1 Third Round win over USL Pro’s Los Angeles Blues. Seattle used just one regular starter in its lineup versus the Kitsap Pumas of the PDL.

When the west coast league rivals met in the 2010 Open Cup Quarterfinals, the lineup Los Angeles put on the field featured just four players who would end the MLS season with 10 or more starts for the Galaxy. Among the players in the opening lineup, Omar Gonzalez was the only Galaxy player to start at least half of LA’s MLS games by the end of the season. Seattle was better at playing regulars for the match, but not by much. Three of the Sounders eleven at the opening whistle earned starts in at last half of Seattle’s MLS games: Patrick Ianni (24), Jeff Parke (20) and Nathan Sturgis (16).

In other words, don’t be surprised if both teams’ lineups for the match feature reserve or bench players, just for the sake of keeping the regular starters fresh for the upcoming schedule.

Should Seattle get by Los Angeles, they will play either Real Salt Lake or FC Dallas in the Semifinals, which is likely to mark the point of dedication from all of the Final Four clubs. Being two games away from a trophy, MLS clubs are more likely to put a stronger team on the field than in earlier rounds. For their 2010 Semifinal match against Chivas USA, Seattle’s lineup combined for 233 2010 MLS appearances, and 196 starts, a jump of 85 appearances and 115 starts over their Quarterfinal match.

SCHEDULE CONGESTION

This could be the biggest hurdle for the Sounders on the way to a three-peat. Schedule congestion has been used as the main reason why many MLS teams rest starting players in the Third and Quarterfinal rounds. As it stands now, the Sounders only have to deal with MLS matches surrounding the Quarterfinal Open Cup game, though they will play an MLS game two days prior to their Cup contest.

After that, it gets a bit tricky as a third ball enters the juggling act.

Should the Sounders get past San Francisco FC of Panama in the Preliminary Round of the CONCACAF Champions League, their schedule leading up to a possible August 30 Open Cup Semifinal will get a bit more crowded, barring any approved league or Cup schedule alterations. In addition to the four MLS league games on tap for August, they will have their second match of Champions League group play on August 23-25. With a league game on August 27, that would give Seattle three games in seven days to contend with.

If they manage to make their way to the Open Cup Final on October 4, another stretch of 3 games in 7 days potentially awaits them. By this point two important wild cards come into play: If the Sounders are fighting for an MLS playoff spot, AND still in contention to advance from their CCL group, a tough stretch of important games lie ahead of them. Will Seattle shoot for a three-peat, or will they focus on winning the Champions League or MLS Cup for the first time. Maybe the club’s depth will help them give a solid effort toward all three. The Sounders’ reserve squad has a perfect 7-0-0 record.

Schedule congestion wasn’t much of an issue years ago for teams like the Fall River Marksmen, Stix, Baer and Fuller, and the NY Greek Americans. Those teams accomplished their Open Cup three-peats back when the Cup games took precedence over everything. Since most of the players were making semi-pro money at best, a regular work schedule meant that league and cup games took place on Sundays. In some cities an entire league schedule would be put on hold to ensure the lone Open Cup game was the center of attention that day. There was no concern over resting players for a playoff push, because the Open Cup was the playoffs – it was the national championship. The tournament was the biggest prize that soccer in the United States could offer, so if there was any resting of starters it would be in preparation for the upcoming Cup game.

INJURIES / ROSTER CHANGES

Injuries are the type of obstacle you cannot prepare for in advance, because you never know when they will pop up or how severe they will be. Right now the Sounders are without their second leading goal scorer from the 2010 season, Steve Zakuani, who suffered a broken leg on April 22 against the Colorado Rapids. Also missing from the roster is Jamaican international O’Brien White, who has been out since April 28 after having a blood clot surgically removed from his left leg. There is some speculation that White may be able to return to play within a month.

The Sounders won their first US Open Cup title in their inaugural season in 2009. Photo: Seattle Sounders

During last year’s Open Cup run, a major roster shakeup seemed to energize the Sounders. In late-July Seattle traded former Swedish international Freddie Ljungberg following what turned out to be a falling out with the club. Before the trade, the Sounders were struggling in the standings, bobbing up and down past the final MLS playoff slot. After the move, Seattle surged up the standings to the point that their playoff fate was no longer in question.

The mid-season transfer window for MLS, which allows players from clubs outside the United States and Canada to join the league, opens July 15 and closes August 14. Playmakers coming into the league could directly influence the Open Cup clubs by joining their rosters or through ancillary trades to create the moves, particularly if it is for a designated player.

PLAYING ON THE ROAD

Something that definitely favors the Sounders is playing their Open Cup matches at home. Of the nine Cup matches Seattle has played since joining MLS, six have been at home, and two of the road matches were in relatively nearby Portland, Oregon. This year they began their Open Cup quest at home against the Kitsap Pumas, and they’ll host their Quarterfinal match against the Los Angeles Galaxy. If Seattle progresses into the semifinals, odds are 50-50 if they will have to travel depending on who wins the contest between Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas. The Sounders will likely be rooting for the home side to take the contest in Texas Tuesday night.

2011 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Lightning strikes as Richmond Kickers pull off historic upset of Sporting KC (Video)

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Richmond Kickers coach Leigh Cowlishaw Photo: Pattie Anderson

The Richmond Kickers continued their Cinderella run through the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a 2-0 upset of Sporting Kansas City at LiveStrong Sporting Park. After a lengthy lightning delay sent the players into the locker rooms at the 66th minute, once they emerged,  Shaka Bangura scored less than 30 seconds after play re-started to give the Kickers the lead. David Bulow would add a history-making penalty kick in the 83rd minute to seal the deal.

Richmond becomes only the second 3rd Division team to reach the Semifinals. The only other team to do it was the San Francisco Bay Seals in 1997. There they will face the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park on Aug. 30 with a spot in the Open Cup Final on the line.

“We’ve only got about 15 healthy players on our roster that just played 3 games in 5 days,” said Richmond head coach Leigh Cowlishaw after the match. “We played in a great stadium with most of their starters — it wasn’t a reserve team — and it was their first defeat in the stadium. To do all that is just a statement about what this squad is all about. I’m so proud of what they’ve accomplished.”

Bulow’s goal gives him a tournament-high six tallies and puts him into a tie on top of the Modern Era’s goalscoring chart with 13 in his career. He joins Jaime Moreno and Johnny Menyongar.

One historical record they can keep to themselves is they are the first lower division team to win back-to-back road games against MLS opponents.

The match started with a rather surprising announcement, when Richmond’s Matthew Delicate and Bulow were both not in the starting lineup. Two of the top goalscorers in Open Cup history were on the bench with Delicate suffering a hamstring injury in last Friday’s league game at Charlotte and Bulow needing rest after coming off the bench on Friday and playing the full 90 minutes in the team’s 2-1 win over Charlotte at home on Saturday.

Without two of their top scorers, the Kickers played solid defense for the first half, limiting Sporting’s chances despite controlling much of the play.

In the 23rd minute, Kansas City hit the post on an attempt from Scott Lorenz, but that would be their best opportunity. The Kickers nearly took the lead before the break when a long throw-in from Ryan Heins on the right wing found its way into the box and fell to David Hertel who fired his shot wide of the target in the 41st minute.

Kei Kamara made am impressive bicycle kick attempt in stoppage time on a cross from Chance Myers on the right wing, but the ball would be launched into the stands as the teams went into halftime.

Modern Era Scoring Leaders (1995-present)
# – Player – Last Goal
13 – DAVID BULOW (RICHMOND)- 2011
13 – Johnny Menyongar (Multiple teams)- 2008
13 – Jaime Moreno (DC United) – 2010
12 – Melvin Tarley (Minnesota Thunder) – 2009
11 – Sebastien Le Toux (Seattle Sounders) – 2009
10 – Byron Carmichael (Multiple teams) – 2009
10 – Dante Washington (Multiple teams) – 2004
9 – Tomas Boltnar (Des Moines Menace) – 2006
9 – Randi Patterson (Multiple teams) – 2009
9 – Carlos Ruiz (Multiple teams) – 2007
9 – MATTHEW DELICATE (RICHMOND)- 2011
9 – Josh Wolff (Multiple teams) – 2005

Kansas City continued to pile on the pressure in the second half, when Milos Stojcev crossed the ball over to Teal Bunbury on the left wing, who found himself with space and only Kickers’ goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale to beat at a tough angle. Bunbury tried to beat Pascale high and sent the ball sailing over the bar in the 54th minute.

In the 66th minute, lightning struck, and the heavens opened up as the players retreated into the dressing rooms for a delay that lasted nearly 90 minutes.

“We just looked at it as a 25-minute game,” said Cowlishaw, who was a player when the Kickers upset a handful of professional teams and won the 1995 US Open Cup title. “It was tough because the players had a lot of things on their mind, but we made two subs, changed the formation and it paid off.”

The match resumed and just seconds later, Heins sent a long ball up the middle of the field to Bulow, who created just enough space between him and his defender to track the ball down and to play into the middle of the penalty area. Bangura was there to run onto the ball as KC goalkeeper Eric Kronberg raced off his line. Bangura got a foot to it just as Kronberg arrived as the ball deflected off his outstretched hands and into the back of the net.

Kansas City fans barely had time to settle into their soaked seats and the Kickers were up 1-0.

The home team pushed to avoid the upset and producing a few chances, but the all-out attack would cost them. In the 70th minute, Scott Lorenz received the ball down the left side, much like Bunbury’s opportunity earlier, but this time Lorenz fired a shot on frame and Pascale was there to make the save.

Five minutes later, a swinging cross came into the box and Omar Bravo was there to make a diving header attempt but Pascale was, once again, there to make the stop.

All the pressure caught up to Kansas City as the Kickers caught them on the counter-attack. The first chance produced a goal as second half sub Jamel Wallace got in behind the defense and raced into the box from the left wing. He was tackled from behind, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. There, Bulow would make history with his sixth goal of the competition, tying him for the most goals in a single tournament in the Modern Era.

The Kickers pulled off this historic upset 16 years to the day of their first-ever giant killing. In the Quarterfinals of the 1995 US Open Cup, the Kickers, an amateur team in the USISL Premier League (PDL), upset the A-League’s Atlanta Ruckus, led by US National Team defender John Doyle, 2-1. Richmond, led by Leigh Cowlishaw, would  defeat two more professional teams on their way to the 1995 Open Cup title. Strangely enough, the first tournament of the Modern Era was actually won by an amateur team.

TheCup.us Match MVP: Ronnie Pascale, Richmond Kickers

Video Highlights (SportingKC.com)
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Post-game interview: Peter Vermes (SportingKC.com)
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Scoring Summary:
RIC — Shaka Bangura (David Bulow) – 66th min.
RIC — David Bulow (PK) – 83rd min.

Misconduct Summary:
RIC — Henry Kalungi (caution; Reckless Tackle) 16
KC — Aurelien Collin (caution; Delaying a Restart) 44
KC — Chance Myers (caution; Reckless Tackle) 73
RIC — David Hertel (caution; Tactical Foul) 92+

Lineups:

Richmond Kickers — Ronne Pascale, Henry Kalungi, Yomby William, Edson Elcock, Ryan Heins, David Hertel, Michael Callahan (David Bulow 65), Gerson Dos Santos (Luke Vercollone 46), Shaka Bangura, Sascha Goerres, Stanley Nyazamba (Jamal Wallace 65).
Substitutes Not Used: Matthew Delicate, Evan Harding, Ross Mackenzie.

Sporting KC — Eric Kronberg, Chance Myers, Aurelien Collin, Matt Besler, Scott Lorenz (C.J. Sapong 72), Michael Harrington, Kei Kamara, Luke Sassano (Roger Espinoza 56), Milos Stojcev (Omar Bravo 60), Birahim Diop, Teal Bunbury.
Substitutes Not Used: Korede Aiyegbusi, Kevin Ellis, Shavar Thomas, Jon Kempin.

Referee: Mark Kadlecik
Referee’s Assistants: George Gansner; Chris Strickland
4th Official: Edvin Jurisevic
Time of Game: 3:12
Weather: Partly Cloudy and 97 degrees

2011 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Chicago Fire turn out the lights on no-show Red Bulls (Video)

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Severe storms in the Chicagoland area knocked out power to over 800,000 households, as well as Toyota Park, on Monday. Because of the lingering issues at the stadium, the Chicago Fire and New York Red Bulls agreed to move up their Quarterfinal match to a 5 PM local start in order to get it in before dark. The Fire then proceeded to knock the daylights out of the Red Bulls, winning 4-0 to earn a spot in the Semifinals. It is their eighth all-time (tied for most), but the first since capturing the 2006 championship.

Dominic Oduro scored opener in 7th minute Photo: Chicago Fire

Dominic Oduro and Yamith Cuesta scored the first two and Orr Barouch added a pair to give the hosts the easy victory on the night against a defenseless Red Bulls squad.

In an action reminiscent of how most MLS coaches used to treat the US Open Cup, New York had purposely handicapped themselves before even leaving home. Only fourteen players made the trip to Illinois, and neither head coach Hans Backe nor assistant coach Jan Halvor Halvorsen followed them. Individual development coach (and recently retired Red Bull) Mike Petke became interim coach for the match, as he was the only coach on staff at the game. The players that were sent were a mere shell of the Red Bulls roster that many know. Not only did you not see stars like Thierry Henry, Rafa Marquez, or Tim Ream; you didn’t even see less familiar role players like Joel Lindpere, Teemu Tainio, or Carlos Mendes. In fact, only one player, Mehdi Ballouchy,  at the match had seen the field more than 10 times this year. The other nine field players had only seen 11 previous starts all year – total (all belonging to Stephen Keel and Austin Da Luz).

On the other hand, the Fire were not out to play games. They had most of their starters play on short rest in Rochester in the last round, and meant business again in this contest. The only usual starter not on the field at kickoff was Diego Chaves. Turns out, they didn’t need him.

Chicago got started early, when in the 7th minute Dominic Oduro slotted home a goal past New York keeper Bouna Coundoul off a play from Cristian Nazarit to give the Fire a 1-0 lead. That goal would give Oduro a tally in his third straight US Open Cup.

Orr Barouch tallied twice in second half Photo: Chicago Fire

The Fire would have many more chances in the first half, including a few shots just sailing over the crossbar. Despite the clear advantage, Chicago were unable to add to their lead and would enter the break holding a slim 1-0 edge.

The second half, however, was a different story as the Fire broke loose. It started in the 48th minute when a Daniel Paladini short corner kick led to a cross over to the far post. The cross was received by Yamith Cuesta, who headed it home past Coundoul to give Chicago a 2-0 lead.

Just a few minutes later, that lead would stretch to three. A pass from Gonzalo Segares into the box found the feet of Oduro, whose deflected shot ended up with Orr Barouch, who slotted it home to put the Fire up 3-0. Barouch would find one more goal for himself and his club in the 69th minute as he scored off a through ball from substitute Diego Chaves.

The Chicago Fire advance to the Semifinals of the 2011 US Open Cup, where they will take on the history-making Richmond Kickers of USL Pro. The Kickers have already defeated two MLS sides on the road (Columbus Crew, Sporting Kansas City), and will play this one away from home as well. The match will take place at Toyota Park on Tuesday, August 30 at 8:30 PM ET.

TheCup.us Match MVP: Orr Barouch

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Scoring Summary:

CHI – Dominic Oduro (Cristian Nazarit) 7
CHI – Yamith Cuesta (Daniel Paladini) 48
CHI – Orr Barouch 51
CHI – Orr Barouch (Diego Chaves) 69

Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Orr Barouch (caution) 60
NY – Matt Kassel (caution) 85
NY – John Rooney (caution) 87

Lineups:

New York Red Bulls – Bouna Coundoul, Chris Albright (Marcos Paullo 60), Stephen Keel, Tyler Lassiter, Mychel Jones, Austin Da Luz, Matt Kassel, John Rooney, Theodore Schneider (Sacir Hot 72), Mehdi Ballouchy, Corey Hertzog
Substitutes not used: Alex Horwath

Chicago Fire – Sean Johnson, Jalil Anibaba, Josip Mikulic, Yamith Cuesta, Gonzalo Segares, Patrick Nyarko (Baggio Husidic 66), Logan Pause, Daniel Paladini, Marco Pappa (Diego Chaves 66), Cristian Nazarit (Orr Barouch 46), Dominic Oduro
Substitutes not used: Jon Conway, Pari Pantazopolous, Dasan Robinson, Mike Videira

Referee: Hilario Grajeda
Referee’s Assistants: Eric Boria, Anthony Vasoli
4th Official: Abbey Okulaja

2011 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: LA Galaxy at Seattle Sounders Preview

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QUARTERFINAL ROUND

Los Angeles Galaxy at Seattle Sounders
Starfire Sports Stadium – Tukwila, Wash.
July 13 – 10:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: SoundersFC.com (Video)

Seattle Sounders

Third Round: Kitsap Pumas (PDL) 1:2 Seattle Sounders (MLS)
Mike Fucito put the Sounders up two goals, but the finish was not easy as the PDL side fought back with a goal from former number one MLS draft pick Nik Besagno. Recap [+]

How They Qualified: Automatic entrant from top six MLS finish in 2010.

This Month in MLS: There were no fireworks on the Fourth of July as the Sounders played to a scoreless draw in Los Angeles against the Galaxy. In the local derby match Sunday in Portland, the Sounders rallied twice from own goals thanks to Fredy Montero, before Osvaldo Alonso netted the winner from the penalty spot for a 3-2 victory.
Last Five: W-D-W-W-W | Season Record: 9-4-8 (5-2-3 Home), Second in Western Conference, Second Overall.

Open Cup History: Sounders FC set out to become a force in the Open Cup during their 2009 inaugural year, and did just that. They became the first expansion team since Chicago Fire in 1998 to take the Cup, winning 2-1 against DC United. They then turned around and made more history in 2010, as they became the first team since the New York Pancyprian Freedoms in 1982 and 1983 to win back-to-back Open Cups. Their victims this time were the Columbus Crew, the final score 2-1 in front of the largest Final crowd ever. Used to going against MLS teams, this will be the second consecutive year Seattle and Los Angeles have played in the Open Cup, with Seattle notching a 2-0 win last year at Starfire.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 8-0-1 (1-0 in PKs) overall | 6-0-0 vs. MLS Teams | 1-0-0 vs. LA (2010 Q-Finals – SEA won 2-0)

Los Angeles Galaxy

Third Round: Los Angeles Blues (USL Pro) 1:2 Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
 Minus its star players, the Galaxy found themselves trailing to the lower division side just after the hour mark before Omar Gonzalez made his mark with a goal in the 75th minute to level the match. He then set up Mike Magee for the game-winner six minutes later. Recap [+]

How They Qualified: Automatic entrant from top six MLS finish in 2010.

This Month in MLS: There were no fireworks on the Fourth of July as the Galaxy returned to league, finishing in a scoreless draw at home against the Sounders. They rebounded Saturday at the Home Depot Center with a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire. David Beckham found Landon Donovan for the opener in the 58th. And then after Chicago had leveled he tallied on his own in the 65th for the win.
Last Five: W-D-D-W-D | Season Record: 10-2-9 (5-2-4 Away), first in Western Conference, first Overall.

Open Cup History: The Galaxy have had a considerable amount of success in the Open Cup, winning two championships in 2001 and 2005, as well as finishing as runners-up in 2002 and 2006. Since falling short to the Chicago Fire in the 2006 Final, the Galaxy were upset by the Richmond Kickers (3rd Division) and then failed to qualify the next two years. In 2010, they returned to the tournament where they beat AC St. Louis of the NASL (2nd Division) before losing to eventual champion Seattle Sounders FC in the Quarterfinals.
PRO ERA RECORD: 22-8-1 (1-0 in PKs) overall | 10-6-1 (1-0 in PKs) vs. MLS teams | 0-1-0 vs. Seattle (2010 Quarterfinals, 2-0)

Head to Head 2011
Los Angeles and Seattle opened their seasons on March 15 at Qwest (now CenturyLink) Field, with the Galaxy earning a 1-0 win. The return trip was played to a scoreless draw on Independence Day.

2011 US Open Cup Semifinal Scenarios

FC Dallas at Seattle Sounders
10:00 pm – Starfire Sports Stadium; Tukwila, Wash.
OR
Los Angeles Galaxy at FC Dallas
9:00 pm – Pizza Hut Park; Frisco, Texas

2011 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Richmond Kickers at Sporting KC Preview

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QUARTERFINAL ROUND

Richmond Kickers at Sporting Kansas City
LiveStrong Sporting Park – Kansas City, Kan.
July 12 – 8:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: TBA

Richmond Kickers

Founded in 1993, the club is one of two USL teams (the other being the Rochester Rhinos) to win the US Open Cup in the professional era (1995). An amateur team through 1995, the club played in USL’s top flight from 1996-2005 before joining the professional third division. It has only missed the postseason one time since 1994, winning the league title three times (1995 in USL PDL, 2006 and 2009in USL-2/USL Pro) in eight appearances.

First Round: Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro) 1:4 Richmond Kickers (USL Pro)
The Kickers were well on their way to a First Round victory Tuesday against league foe Dayton with two goals from David Bulow in the first 17 minutes. The Dutch Lions answered back in the second half, but Bulow added a third from the penalty spot and Shaka Bangura finished the match in the 90th for the 4-1 win. Recap [+]

Second Round: Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro) 1:4 Richmond Kickers (USL Pro)
For the second consecutive round, it was the same story as Bulow and the Kickers dominated a fellow USL Pro club. Bulow tallied 17 minutes in, with Pittsburgh equalizing in the 30th. Bulow restored the lead four minutes before halftime and Matthew Delicate scored two in the second half to put the match out of reach. The Riverhounds had rallied from two down in the first round, but couldn’t generate the same magic in the second. Recap [+]

Third Round: Richmond Kickers (USL Pro) 2:1 Columbus Crew (MLS)
The Kickers defeated an MLS club on the road in the US Open Cup for the first time. Former Crew player Stanley Nyazamba set up the opener by sending the ball to the top of the box, where Nozomi Hiroyama sent a bending ball into the back of the net. Columbus rookie Justin Meram helped level the score in the 37th minute when he broke into the box and found fellow rookie Cole Grossman at the far post for his first professional goal. The 67th minute proved to be an important turning poin,t as the Crew dodged a bullet when a Matthew Delicate header hit the post and was cleared by the Columbus defense. Moments later though, Danny O’Rourke was sent off after he retaliated on some physical play. Five minutes from time, Delicate would find the winner against the shorthanded Crew on a diving header. Recap [+]

Path to Open Cup: Automatic entrant from USL Pro.

This Month in USL Pro: Richmond’s rough midseason stretch was compounded with a congested two-week league campaign that has seen them play four times. They opened the month with a 2-1 loss July 1 in Rochester with their only tally coming courtesy of a Rhinos own goal. They returned home for a Fourth of July celebration, rallying from an early Dayton penalty to top the Dutch Lions 3-1. David Bulow set up Ryan Heins for the equalizer and notched the winner himself from the spot before Edson Elcock secured the win. The Kickers then played a home-away series against Charlotte, falling to the Eagles in Richmond 2-1 on a stormy night July 8 despite Yomby William scoring the opener. The next night in Charlotte Luke Vervollone and Elcock broke a scoreless deadlock in the second half en route to a 2-1 road win.

Open Cup History: The Kickers have the distinction of being the first club to win the tournament during the professional era, taking the title in 1995 when pro clubs began participating despite themselves being in the amateur  USISL Premier (now the PDL), where they also won the league title. Richmond won the Open Cup in penalties after a 1-1 draw against the El Paso Patriots in Texas. 2011 marks the fourth time the club has reached the Quarterfinals (2001, 2004, 2007, 2011) in 14 appearances, defeating MLS clubs three times. Aside from this year’s upset of the Crew, in 2004, the club edged DC United, 2-1, in the Fourth Round before falling 1-0 to Chicago Fire. In 2007, the Kickers nipped the Los Angeles Galaxy weeks before David Beckham’s arrival, but were eliminated by the Second Division Carolina RailHawks in the Quarterfinals, 1-0.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 21-11-1 (1-0 in PKs) overall | 4-8-0 vs. MLS | 1st meeting vs. Sporting KC

Sporting Kansas City

Third Round: Chicago Fire PDL (USL PDL) 0:3 Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
A former rival of the Chicago Fire PDL team, Teal Bunbury got the hosts off to an early lead against the development side with a strike just three minutes in. Chicago would keep the game close though, before back-to-back second half goals put the match out of reach. Milos Stojcev tallied in the 58th, with Kei Kamara finding the back of the net again a minute later. Recap [+]

How They Qualified: Back-up netminder Eric Kronberg and CJ Sapong were the stars in qualifying for Kansas City, which was seeded third and started in the second round of the eastern bracket in MLS qualifying. Sapong netted the overtime game-winner 1-0 at Houston on April 6. Kronberg earned the first of two shutouts, registering the second in the bracket finale May 25 against the New England Revolution, who brought a squad of nearly all reserves. Chance Myers scored the first two goals in the 5-0 win, with Sapong adding two more to secure the berth.

Special Note: Sporting KC has not lost in 10 MLS league play matches (4-0-6) since qualifying for the tournament with its first home game of the year, although at an alternate venue.

This Month in MLS: Sporting Kansas City has been a busy club since winning its US Open Cup opener at the new Livestrong Sporting Park, playing three league contests. The team kicked the month off July 2 in Portland with a 2-1 victory over the Timbers. CJ Sapong tallied first in the 15th minute and helped set up Aurelien Collin four minutes later, which proved to be the winner. They returned home for a 1-1 midweek draw July 6 against the Colorado Rapids, on a 62nd minute equalizer from Graham Zusi. The club heads into the Quarterfinal contest with a second consecutive 1-1 draw, coming from behind again with Omar Bravo scoring an equalizer three minutes into stoppage time to secure a point at home against Chivas USA.
Last Five: D-D-W-W-D | Season Record: 5-6-7 (2-0-3 Home), Tied for fifth in Eastern Conference, Tied for 10th overall

Open Cup History: The team formerly known as the Wizards have a checkered history in the US Open Cup. They won a championship in 2004 as part of a double-winning campaign (also capturing the MLS Cup) when a Igor Simutenkov golden goal defeated the Chicago Fire 1-0 in the Final. In the last four years, Kansas City has missed out on qualifying twice (2007, 2010) and made it to the Quarterfinals twice (2008, 2009). In 2007, the Wizards lost in extra time to Real Salt Lake, while last year they lost in the first round of qualification to the Colorado Rapids. On the occasions they made the quarterfinals they advanced no further, falling to the USL version of the Seattle Sounders in 2008, then to the MLS version the next year. The team was upset the only other time they faced a 3rd division team, as San Francisco Bay Seals prevailed 2-1.
PRO ERA RECORD: 11-9-3 (1-2 in PKs) | 0-1-0 vs. 3rd Division | 1st meeting vs. Richmond Kickers

2011 US Open Cup Semifinal Scenarios

Chicago Fire / NY Red Bulls at Sporting Kansas City
8:30 p.m. – LIVESTRONG Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.
OR
Richmond Kickers at Chicago Fire
8:30 p.m. – Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Ill.
OR
Richmond Kickers at New York Red Bulls
8:00 p.m. – Red Bull Arena; Harrison, N.J.

2011 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: New York Red Bulls at Chicago Fire Preview

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UPDATE: Due to power outages at Toyota Park, tonight’s Quarterfinal match vs. New York Red Bulls has been moved to a 6 p.m. ET kickoff (5 p.m. local time). Tickets and parking for the match are free and the broadcast is still on. TheCup.us Live Blog will now start at 5:30 p.m. ET.

QUARTERFINAL ROUND

New York Red Bulls at Chicago Fire
Toyota Park – Bridgeview, Ill.
July 12 – 6 p.m. ET
Broadcast: Chicago-Fire.com (Video)

New York Red Bulls

Third Round: FC New York (USL Pro) 1:2 New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Scoreless through the first half of the local derby, the Red Bulls found themselves surprisingly trailing at the 56th minute mark. Two minutes later Juan Agudelo found Corey Hertzog to quickly level terms. Defender Tim Ream would set up John Rooney for the winner in the 65th minute. Recap [+]

How They Qualified: Automatic entrant from top six MLS finish in 2010.

This Month in MLS: The month started off well for New York, posting a 2-2 draw in California July 2 against San Jose on a pair of Joel Lindpere strikes. They then dominated Toronto FC in a stunning 5-0 thumping July 6. Jan Gunnar Solli set up Thierry Henry and Luke Rodgers in the first half with Joel Lindpere advancing the lead to three in the second half before setting up a pair of Juan Agudelo strikes to complete the contest. On Saturday though, it was all about the recent trade as former Red Bull Dwayne De Rosario burning New York just after the hour mark to give DC the 1-0 road win.
Last Five: L-W-D-D-L | Season record: 6-4-10 (1-2-7 Away), tied for first place in Eastern Conference, tied for fifth overall.

Open Cup History: The Red Bulls have come close early in their history, with trips to the Semifinals in 1997, 1998 and 2000, but have never won the US Open Cup. The closest they came was in 2003 when they lost to the Chicago Fire in their only trip to the championship game. Since then, it’s been a series of short runs in the tournament, with a 1-5 record the last five times they have qualified. New York did not qualify in 2007 or 2009. New York is 3-2-1 all-time in Quarterfinal matches, with Five of the Red Bulls’ six Quarterfinal matches have been against MLS clubs. This is their second match against Chicago, the other being the 2003 final loss.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 13-12-1 (1-0 in PKs) | 5-6-1 (1-0 in PKs) vs. MLS teams | 0-1-0 vs. Chicago (2003 Final)

Chicago Fire

Third Round: Chicago Fire (MLS) 1:0 Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro)
The only MLS club on the road for the Third Round, the Fire faced a tight one against giant-killer Rochester and came away with a narrow 1-0 win. Diego Chavez created the play that led to his goal, feeding Corben Bone the ball in the 37th minute. Bone drove past a defender and let loose a shot that the goalkeeper knocked away. The rebound popped up into the center of the box where Alfonso Motagalvan tried to clear on the volley only to see it skim off the side of his shin and fall to Chaves, who fired a low ball into inside the right post from 18 yards. Recap [+]

How They Qualified: Seeded fourth overall, the Fire opened the play-in tournament in the second round of the western bracket of MLS qualifying. They defeated the defending MLS Cup champion Colorado Rapids March 30 with a 2-1 victory. Gaston Puerari, who was recently sold to Atlas (Mexico), scored the opening goal moments before the break, with Andre Akpan answering back in early in the second stanza. In the haze remaining from flares set off at the hour
mark, defender Jalil Anibaba let loose a shocking 45-yard strike that surprised the keeper and proved to be the winner. Trailing San Jose by two goals in the finale for the bracket, Chicago’s Orr Barouch pulled a goal back in the 61st and Yamith Cuesta leveled terms in the 76th, sending the match to penalties, where two Earthquakes rang shots off the crossbar in a 5-4 decision to send the Fire to the Open Cup.

This Month in MLS: The Fire have struggled to find some offense in the two weeks of league play since the Third Round, playing to a 1-1 draw July 2 on the road versus Chivas USA with Dominic Oduro netting the opener. The result in their second consecutive at the Home Depot Center did not get any better against the Galaxy Saturday. Cristian Nazarit leveled the score in the 58th minute, four minutes after Landon Donovan’s opener, only to see David Beckham hit for a winner three minutes later.
Last Five: L-D-D-D-D | Season Record: 2-5-12 (1-1-6 Home), tied for seventh in Eastern Conference, tied for 14th overall.

Open Cup History: The Fire are one of the most successful Pro Era teams, winning the Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2003 against the New York MetroStars, 2006) and finishing runner-up in 2004. The team has qualified for the Open Cup every year since their founding in 1998. However, since the 2006 Cup title, the team entered this year having only won one game in the tournament since, going 1-3-1 (0-1 in PKs). The Fire are 5-1-2 all-time in Quarterfinal matches and haven’t played a Quarterfinal game at Toyota Park since 2006, when they defeated New England 2-1.
PRO ERA RECORD: 26-8-3 (2-1 in PKs) | 15-4-1 (1-0 in PKs) vs. MLS teams | 1-0-0 vs. New York (2003 Final)

Head to Head 2011
The two teams drew 1-1 in Toyota Park on June 26. Chicago will travel to Red Bull Arena on August 13.

2011 US Open Cup Semifinal Scenarios

Chicago Fire / NY Red Bulls at Sporting Kansas City
8:30 p.m. – LIVESTRONG Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.
OR
Richmond Kickers at Chicago Fire
8:30 p.m. – Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Ill.
OR
Richmond Kickers at New York Red Bulls
8:00 p.m. – Red Bull Arena; Harrison, N.J.

2011 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Real Salt Lake at FC Dallas Preview

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QUARTERFINAL ROUND

Real Salt Lake at FC Dallas
Pizza Hut Park – Frisco, TX
July 12 – 9:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: FCDallas.com (Video)

Real Salt Lake

Third Round: Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro) 0:2 Real Salt Lake (MLS)
Looking to book their return to the CONCACAF Champions League where they were in the Final just months prior, RSL handled the overmatched Wilmington Hammerheads with ease for a 2-0 win. It took 40 minutes to register the team’s control on the scoreboard when Tony Beltran took a pass from Jean Alexandre on the right side, beating Hammerheads goalkeeper Kyle Polak with a close angle shot to the near post, just outside the 6-yard box. Then in the 44th, Canadian international Will Johnson played in Alexandre, who worked past a defender and pulled Polak off his line to increase the lead to 2-0. It was RSL’s first Open Cup victory since 2006.  Full Recap [+]

How They Qualified: Automatic entrant from top six MLS finish in 2010.

This Month in MLS: In a wild Fourth of July contest, RSL kicked the month off in dramatic fashion against the New England Revolution, erasing a two-goal deficit from the first 16 minutes on a Will Johnson strike in the 24th and a penalty from Alvaro Saborio in the 56. Saborio would connect with Fabian Espindola for another equalizer in the 83rd in a 3-3 final scoreline. The team heads into the two-match league-Cup series with Dallas on a high note, blanking the Texas side 2-0 in Utah Saturday. Andy Williams netted two minutes into the second half and Espindola struck four minutes into stoppage time to rub salt in the wound.
Last Five: W-D-W-D-D | Season Record: 8-3-6 (2-2-3 Away), Fourth in Western Conference, Fourth overall.

Open Cup History: This is Real Salt Lake’s first time in the Open Cup since 2006, struggling as much in tournament qualifying as they have in the tournament itself. The team bowed out to second division Minnesota Thunder in 2005, and making the quarterfinals the next year, before bowing out to Rocky Mountain Cup rivals Colorado Rapids.The team would not make it out of qualification again since, having earned an automatic spot for this year’s tournament.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 2-2-0 | 0-1-0 vs. MLS teams

FC Dallas

Third Round: Orlando City (USL Pro) 2:3 FC Dallas (MLS)
The hosts had to work for the victory against the lower division visitors as Orlando City got the surprising lead 24 minutes in. Jackson, on an assist from Ricardo Villar, would score in the 39th minute to make it 1-1 at the break. Villar would tally himself five minutes into the second half for what looked increasingly like the winner until Orlando found an equalizer in stoppage time. But less than a minute later the stunned home crowd were sent into a frenzy when Jackson found Milton Rodriguez for the winner.  Full Recap [+]

How They Qualified: Automatic entrant from top six MLS finish in 2010.

This Month in MLS: Dallas took advantage of a possibly disheartened Columbus side that was coming off the Open Cup upset loss, blanking the visiting Crew 2-0 July 2 on second half goals from Brek Shea and Jackson to claim the Pioneer Cup. Dallas would meet the same fate themselves on the road though Saturday, falling 2-0 in Utah. RSL struck for two unanswered goals in the second half.
Last Five: L-W-W-W-L | Season Record: 10-5-4 (7-2-2 Home),  Third in Western Conference, Third Overall.

Open Cup History: Up to 2009, FC Dallas could claim the distinction of being the only MLS team to participate in every Pro Era Open Cup tournament since the league began in 1996. Dallas found success early in their Open Cup history, reaching the Semifinals in 1996 and winning the title on penalties over DC United in 1997. This is Dallas’ 12th Quarterfinals appearance, which is more than any MLS team in the Pro Era (1995-present). They enter Tuesday’s contest with a 5-5-1 (1-0 in PKs) all-time in Quarterfinals.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 20-12-4 (4-0 in PKs)| 5-8-2 vs. MLS teams

Head to Head 2011
The teams will be very familiar with each other, as Real Salt Lake defeated Dallas over the weekend, notching a 2-0 home win on July 9. The teams played to a scoreless draw on May 22 in Dallas.

2011 US Open Cup Semifinal Scenarios

Seattle Sounders / LA Galaxy at Real Salt Lake
9:00 pm – Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
OR
FC Dallas at Seattle Sounders
10:00 pm – Starfire Sports Stadium; Tukwila, Wash.
OR
Los Angeles Galaxy at FC Dallas
9:00 pm – Pizza Hut Park; Frisco, Texas

2011 US Open Cup: Richmond Kickers are ‘The Last Men Standing’

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Heading into the 2011 US Open Cup Quarterfinals the Richmond Kickers are the last men standing as representatives of the lower divisions in the tournament. As the lone underdog in the Elite Eight, the club will need to defeat three top flight Major League Soccer teams in order to become the second lower division team to win the championship since the 1996 launch of MLS.

Richmond coach Leigh Cowlishaw Photo: Suz Kitsteiner

And for Richmond, that would mark the second title for a team that was the last to win the tournament beforehand, capturing the double in 1995.

The ‘Last Men Standing’ club is a small group comprised now of seven sides that have been the solitary lower division team remaining in the tournament on nine occasions with the Rochester Rhinos and Charleston Battery being the only two to achieve that status twice. All but one lost their very next game. The lone victory by a Last Men Standing team came in the 1999 Open Cup championship when the Rhinos defeated the Colorado Rapids 2-0 at Columbus Crew Stadium as the Rhinos were one of two lower division teams in the Semifinals that year along with the Battery.

DC United defeated the last two Last Men Standing clubs, topping the Rhinos in the 2009 Semifinals and the Battery in the 2008 Championship by the same 2-1 scoreline. They also lost, 2-1, in the 1997 Semifinals to the San Francisco Bay Seals, the first club to claim Last Men Standing status.

Richmond’s Quarterfinal opponent Sporting Kansas City knocked out Last Men Standing side Milwaukee Rampage in the 2000 Quarterfinals, 2-0.

Last Men Standing History

2011 – Richmond Kickers – Quarterfinals – TBD
2009 – Rochester Rhinos – Semifinals – Lost 2:1 to DC United
2008 – Charleston Battery – Final – Lost 2:1 to DC United
2005 – Minnesota Thunder – Semifinals – Lost 5:2 to LA Galaxy
2004 – Charleston Battery – Semifinals – Lost 1:0 to Chicago Fire
2002 – Milwaukee Rampage – Quarterfinals – Lost 2:0 to Kansas City Wizards
1999 – Rochester Rhinos – Final – Won 2:0 versus Colorado Rapids
1998 – Nashville Metros – Quarterfinals – Lost 5:1 to Dallas Burn
1997 – San Francisco Bay Seals – Semifinals – Lost 2:1 to DC United

The Last Men Standing – The Team

The Kickers could probably best be described as a club of consistency. They are a team comprised of a high rate of return among its roster every year and are perennial contenders for the league championship.

Richmond has reached the league final six of the last nine campaigns, winning a pair of championships. The club has missed the postseason only once since its second season in 1994. In many markets around the country, that would make the Kickers stars of the community, but in Richmond they play in the regional shadow of DC United, stealing a little bit of the limelight on occasion in the US Open Cup with victories against MLS. But even in the Open Cup that has been a difficult task as DC has reached the semifinals four of the last five years.

Richmond coach Leigh Cowlishaw, however, disputes being in DC’s shadow. “DC United has limited impact in the Richmond market,” he says. “We have always focused on creating a club structure that will lead the way as the future for US Soccer.  Regardless of how the Kickers are perceived from the outside, we continue to work toward that goal.”

The Third Round victory against Columbus made the Crew the fourth MLS club that the Kickers have upset in the tournament having previously knocked out DC (2004), Colorado (2000) and the LA Galaxy (pre-Beckham 2007). All were at home.

With DC struggling in league play for a fourth consecutive season and missing the tournament for the first time since 2002, the Kickers are poised to step fully into the spotlight of the region should they defeat Kansas City at their newly unveiled LiveStrong Sporting Park to reach the semifinals for the first time since winning the title in 1995.

As for the roster stability, five of the players who started all three Open Cup matches this year are in their third season with the club.

Goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale leads the pack in his 12th campaign with a back line consisting of Sascha Gorres (7th season), Henry Kalungi (3rd season), Yomby William (3rd season) and Luke Vercollone (4th season) in front of him.

“It always makes the coaching staff’s job much easier when we work with players who are familiar with the tactics and systems we wish to implement,” said Cowlishaw, adding “We have always focused on signing players who we know can not only excel on the field but also act as positive role models for our youth players and surrounding community.”

Among the other veteran players on the side are strikers Matthew Delicate and David Bulow, who are both in their fifth season with the team. Bulow has played in all three games, starting the first round win against Dayton and the second round victory versus Pittsburgh before coming off the bench in Columbus. Meanwhile, Delicate started the past two games after sitting out the first match.

In addition to being great players in the air, Cowlishaw noted their ability to “lead the line defensively, and most importantly have the ability to score important goals when the team needs them most” as for their importance to the team.

Bulow is coming off of tallying a goal and an assist in their last league outing, a 3-1 victory at home on July 3 against Dayton that gave the club only its second win in its last eight league contests. After opening the season 6-0-1, the team has surprisingly struggled in USL Pro action with a record of 2-4-2, registering just as many wins against their own league foes in the US Open Cup along with their surprising victory in Columbus. They face Charlotte on back-to-back nights in league play Friday and Saturday in advance of their Quarterfinal contest in Kansas City.

And don’t consider for a second that having won numerous league championships has led to the club shifting focus to the tournament as a new challenge. According to Cowlishaw, a member of the team who won the 1995 US Open Cup, priority number one remains qualifying for the USL postseason.

The coach says their “eyes are definitely more focused on securing an USL playoff spot. Unfortunately our Open Cup success along with several injuries to important players and a small squad of players has made the congested schedule difficult to manage.”

“Our mentality is the same as it has been over the previous 20 years.  We have always strived to develop teams that can on their day compete with any professional team in the country.  The squad is not designed to win a regular season championship; however, we have a small squad of players who are confident and excited about upcoming Open Cup and USL matches.”

The Last Men Standing – The Players

Bangura, Shaka:  In only his second season as a professional player, Bangura joined the Kickers after playing for the Puerto Rico Islanders in 2010 and has a goal and assist in the 2011 tournament. He tallied both in his tournament debut, a 4-1 victory against league foe Dayton in the First Round, and has appeared in all three matches thus far. Although he did not see any action in the Puerto Rico’s CONCACAF Champions League campaign a year ago, he made 14 appearances in league play as a rookie.

Bulow, David: The striker is quickly becoming a rising star not only in the current edition of the tournament with five goals, but also for the Professional Era (1995-present), sitting level with Jaime Moreno and Johnny Menyongar with 13 at the top of the goal scoring table. This is the fourth tournament which he has scored in playing for Richmond (2007, 08 & 09) and the sixth overall having also scored for the Cape Cod Crusaders (3 in 2004 & 2 in 2006).

Burke, Michael: Likely only to be seen patrolling the sidelines as an assistant, the longtime midfielder is still on the roster and could be used in the future should an emergency arise. He has been with the club since 2000, scoring his lone Kickers Open Cup goal in 2001. He also tallied once in the 1999 tournament for the Charleston Battery.

Callahan, Michael: He is in his first season with Richmond, but has plenty of US Open Cup experience from six appearances in the last two years of the tournament while playing for the Austin Aztex.

Delicate, Matthew: Tied for eighth on the Professional Era goal scoring list for the tournament with nine goals, Delicate is having his best tournament statistically with three tallies in two appearances after sitting out the First Round match. The striker scored two goals in last year’s Open Cup campaign and also in the 2007 campaign while playing for Rochester, whom he also tallied one for in 2006. A product of the club’s former PDL team (2003-04), he spent two seasons in Richmond before spending three with the Rhinos prior to returning.

Dos Santos, Gerson: In his third season with the club, Dos Santos has played in the tournament the past two years, but has yet to make an appearance in 2011 after suffering an injury June 17 versus Harrisburg. He is slated to return to the squad soon.

1995 US Open Cup champions: Richmond Kickers
After playing the El Paso Patriots to a 1-1 draw, the Richmond Kickers captured the 1995 US Open Cup title by defeating the Patriots on penalty kicks 4-2. Photo: Richmond Kickers

Elcock, Edson: The striker has become a regular for the Kickers in the Open Cup, setting up two goals in three appearances this year and playing in two contests a year ago. He joined the club in 2009 after stints with the Kansas City Wizards and Puerto Rico Islanders, but made his first appearance in the tournament in 2006 with the Virginia Beach Submariners in the PDL, playing in a first round loss to Wilmington.

Foglesong, Robert: In his second season as a professional, the midfielder has played in one Open Cup match this season after making two appearances a year ago.

Gorres, Sascha:  A member of the team since 2005, Gorres has been a staple in the club’s lineup for years. He played in two games last year and has seen action in all three this year. He is one of four players on the squad with two assists in the Open Cup campaign.

Harding, Evan: With the club up 3-1 in the Second Round versus Pittsburgh, Harding came on for only his second appearance overall on the season having only played one minute in the regular season prior to a halftime insertion July 3. The defender has been with the club since 2007.

Heins, Ryan: Heins has had a limited role in the Open Cup campaign with one appearance in his first year with the team despite being a regular in league play. He spent the past three seasons in Rochester, registering his lone Open Cup goal in 2009. He also played in the tournament for Harrisburg in 2008 as well as in three tournaments (2004, 05, 07) while playing for the PDL’s Ocean City Nor’easters (formerly Barons).

Hertel, Dave: In his second season with the club, the midfielder has made two appearances for the Kickers in the last two Open Cup campaigns. He also played in the tournament in 2008 as a member of the Michigan Bucks in the PDL.

Hiroyama, Nozomi: New to the American game, the midfielder has made two appearances in the tournament and scored the opening goal of the club’s 2-1 victory in Columbus in the Third Round.

Kalungi, Henry: In his third season with the club, the defender has increasingly become a part of the team’s Open Cup campaigns. He has played in all three matches this year after making two appearances in 2010 and one in 2009. His tournament debut, ironically came against Richmond in 2008 as a member of the Fredericksburg Gunners in a 3-0 first round loss.

MacKenzie, Ross: Though the midfielder has seen limited action in league play, he has made the most of two appearances in the Open Cup with a pair of assists. In his third year with the team, he previously made an appearance in the 2009 tournament for the Kickers and made his Open Cup debut in 2008, coming off the bench for the Carolina RailHawks.

Nyazamba, Stanley: One of four players on the team with two assists, the midfielder has played in all three games in the tournament this year in his return to the club for the first time since 2008 when he played in two Open Cup matches. He spent 2009 with the Columbus Crew, who he tallied one of the assists against, and made an appearance in the tournament last year while playing for FC Tampa Bay.

Pascale, Ronnie: A member of the team since 2000, Pascale has been the number one netminder for the club since 2002 and has stepped aside on very few occasions in league and Open Cup play. He has played every minute of the 2011 Open Cup campaign, allowing only one goal per game with one coming via the penalty spot.

Vercollone, Luke: A veteran professional that has played with the Kickers since 2008 after two years with Charleston Battery, the defender has played in all three Open Cup games so far this year, marking his sixth consecutive year of playing in the tournament. He scored two goals for the Battery in their 2007 Quarterfinal run.

Wallace, Jamel: Despite limited time in the lineup on the season, Wallace has made two starts in the tournament, including against Columbus in the Third Round. He also played in the Open Cup a year ago with the Kitsap Pumas.

William, Yomby: One of the leaders on the club, the defender has played in all three games of the current Open Cup campaign and made appearances in his previous two seasons with the Kickers. The defender developed his tournament acumen with the Puerto Rico Islanders in 2008, coming off the bench in the first leg of their Preliminary Round series of the CONCACAF Champions League in Costa Rica. He would go on to start in five of the six group stage matches as the Islanders advanced to the CCL Quarterfinals. He joined the Islanders on a transfer from Kansas City, where he did not make a first team appearance with the club despite being the 23rd overall pick by the then-named Wizards.

2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup results

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The Seattle Sounders celebrate the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup championship. Photo: Steven Bisig | USA TODAY Sports
The Seattle Sounders celebrate the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup championship. Photo: Steven Bisig | USA TODAY Sports

2011 US Open Cup bracket [+]
2011 US Open Cup participant map [+]
Meet the USASA: Class of 2011 [+]

Click on the scores below for more information.

FIRST ROUND AWAY TEAM SCORE HOME TEAM
June 14 Western Mass Pioneers (PDL) 0:3 FC New York (USL Pro)
June 14 Reading United (PDL) 1:2 Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro)
June 14 Chattanooga FC (NPSL) 2:3 (AET) Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro)
June 14 Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro) 1:4 Richmond Kickers (USL Pro)
June 14 Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro) 3:1 Carolina Dynamo (PDL)
June 14 Brooklyn Italians (NPSL) 1:2 NY Pancyprian Freedoms (USASA)
June 14 Central Florida Kraze (PDL) 0:4 Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro)
June 14 ASC New Stars (USASA) 0:4 Orlando City SC (USL Pro)
June 14 Regals FC (USASA) 0:2 Charleston Battery (USL Pro)
June 14 Phoenix SC (USASA) 1:2 Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro)
June 14 AAC Eagles (USASA) 0:4 Madison 56ers (NPSL)
June 14 Hollywood United (NPSL) 1:3 Los Angeles Blues (USL Pro)
June 14 Chicago Fire PDL (PDL) 1:0 Iowa Menace (USASA)
June 14 DV8 Defenders (USASA) 0:5 Real Colorado Foxes (PDL)
June 14 Kitsap Pumas (PDL) 0:0
(6:5 PK)		 Chivas El Paso Patriots (PDL)
June 14 Doxa Italia (USASA) 1:3 Ventura County Fusion (PDL)
SECOND ROUND AWAY TEAM SCORE HOME TEAM
June 21 FC New York (USL Pro) 0:0
(6:5 PK)		 NY Pancyprian Freedoms (USASA)
June 21 Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro) 1:0 Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro)
June 21 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro) 1:4 Richmond Kickers (USL Pro)
June 21 Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro) 2:3
(AET)		 Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro)
June 21 Orlando City SC (USL Pro) 1:0 Charleston Battery (USL-Pro)
June 21 Real Colorado Foxes (PDL) 1:3 Kitsap Pumas (PDL)
June 21 Los Angeles Blues (USL Pro) 1:0 Ventura County Fusion (PDL)
June 22 Chicago Fire PDL (PDL) 2:0 Madison 56ers (NPSL)
THIRD ROUND AWAY TEAM SCORE HOME TEAM
June 28 FC New York (USL Pro) 1:2 New York Red Bulls (MLS)
June 28 Chicago Fire (MLS) 1:0 Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro)
June 28 Richmond Kickers (USL Pro) 2:1 Columbus Crew (MLS)
June 28 Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro) 0:2 Real Salt Lake (MLS)
June 28 Orlando City (USL Pro) 2:3 FC Dallas (MLS)
June 28 Chicago Fire PDL (PDL) 0:3 Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
June 28 Los Angeles Blues (USL Pro) 1:2 Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
June 28 Kitsap Pumas (PDL) 1:2 Seattle Sounders (MLS)
QUARTERFINALS AWAY TEAM SCORE HOME TEAM
July 12 New York Red Bulls (MLS) 0:4 Chicago Fire (MLS)
July 12 Richmond Kickers (USL Pro) 2:0 Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
July 12 Real Salt Lake (MLS) 0:2 FC Dallas (MLS)
July 13 Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) 1:3 Seattle Sounders (MLS)
SEMIFINALS AWAY TEAM SCORE HOME TEAM
August 30 Richmond Kickers (USL Pro) 1:2 Chicago Fire (MLS)
August 30 FC Dallas (MLS) 0:1 Seattle Sounders (MLS)
FINAL AWAY TEAM SCORE HOME TEAM
October 4 Chicago Fire (MLS) 0:2 Seattle Sounders (MLS)

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