2012 Quarterfinals

2012 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Jose Correa rescue of Chivas USA earns him TheCup.us Player of the Round award

July 9, 2012 by Josh Hakala

2012-QF-PlayeroftheRound-Correa — Correa's two goals have put Chivas USA in the Semifinals for just the second time. Photo: Chivas USA

Jose Correa’s heroic efforts for Chivas USA in their dramatic 2-1 win over the Charlotte Eagles were enough to earn him TheCup.us Player of the Round award for the Quarterfinals. Correa scored both goals in the match, including the game-winner in second half stoppage time to send his club to the Semifinals for just the second time in the club’s relatively short history.

The 19-year-old Colombian forward becomes the first Chivas USA player to ever win the award which is voted on by the staff of TheCup.us and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters.

Correa was voted the winner, with Zach Scott of the Seattle Sounders, CJ Sapong of Sporting Kansas City and Lionard Pajoy of the Philadelphia Union also receiving strong consideration.

The game was a breakout game for Correa, who has struggled to find a regular place in the Chivas starting eleven. After signing with the club in April, he scored in his first MLS start in 1-1 draw on the road against the San Jose Earthquakes. He started again the next game in the SuperClasico, scoring the game’s only goal in a 1-0 win over the Galaxy.

Two starts and two draws later, Correa had a four-game unbeaten streak with him in the starting lineup until he suffered a hamstring injury and missed three games before returning to the lineup against Charlotte. On July 7, he started again in league play against Vancouver in a scoreless draw extending his personal unbeaten streak to six games.

Another notable accomplishment for Correa is the fact that at age 19, he is the youngest player to ever be named Player of the Round since the award began in 2006.

2012 Player of the Round award winners

Round 1: Danny Barrera (Cal FC) [+]
Round 2: Danny Barrera (Cal FC) [+]
Round 3: Artur Aghasyan (Cal FC) [+]
Round 4: Sainey Touray (Harrisburg City Islanders) [+]
Quarterfinals: Jose Correa (Chivas USA)

2012 US Open Cup Quarterfinal Scoreboard

June 27, 2012 by Tavio Palazzolo

2012 US Open Cup Quarterfinal Scoreboard

2012 US Open Cup bracket [+]
2012 US Open Cup results [+]
2012 US Open Cup goalscoring leaders [+]
2012 US Open Cup participant map [+]
Semifinal schedule listed below

PPL Park – Chester, PA RECAP: TheCup.us
Harrisburg City Islanders	2	FT	5	Philadelphia Union
Brian Ombiji (Ekra)	51		5	Freddy Adu (PK)
Morgan Langley (Ekra)	54		9	Jack McInerney (Unassisted)
			29	Lionard Pajoy (Farfan)
			69	Lionard Pajoy (PK)
			81	Gabriel Gomez (Unassisted)

LIVESTRONG Sporting Park – Kansas City, KS RECAP: TheCup.us
Dayton Dutch Lions	0	FT	3	Sporting Kansas City
			5	CJ Sapong (Sinovic)
			56	Graham Zusi (Peterson)
			59	CJ Sapong (Saad)

Titan Stadium, Cal State Fullerton – Fullerton, CA RECAP: TheCup.us
Charlotte Eagles	1	FT	2	Chivas USA
Mauricio Salles (Unassisted)	89		64	Jose Correa (Agudelo)
			90+4	Jose Correa (Courtois)

Kezar Stadium – San Francisco, CA RECAP: TheCup.us
Seattle Sounders	1	FT	0	San Jose Earthquakes
Cordell Cato (Unassisted)	19		90+2	Alan Gordon – SENT OFF

SEMIFINAL SCHEDULE

SEMIFINAL 1 – July 10

Chivas USA (MLS) at Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, Wash.; 7 p.m. PT

SEMIFINAL 2 – July 11

Sporting Kansas City (MLS) at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
PPL Park; Chester, Pa.; 7:30 p.m. ET

2012 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Sporting Kansas City ends Dayton Dutch Lions run with 3-0 victory

June 27, 2012 by Tavio Palazzolo

Sporting Kansas City struck early and held on, tacking on a couple more as the Cinderella run for the until-recently-winless Dayton Dutch Lions ended in a 3-0 win for the hosts at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas.

Kansas City wasted no time in taking control of the game, dominating possession early. It paid off in only the fifth minute as Seth Sinovic took a long shot from outside the box. It took a deflection off of CJ Sapong near the six and ended in the net past Dutch Lions goalkeeper Matt Williams.

Dayton wouldn’t really get a clear chance on net until the 16th minute when the Dutch Lions earned a corner kick. Gibson Bardsley’s corner would be cleared away by Graham Zusi. It wouldn’t get very far, though, and landed at the feet of Nelson Dias, who took a shot that sailed well wide of the net.

The Dutch Lions’ best chance of the match came in the 26th minute. Eli Garner sent a cross into the box, where Dias hit it one time. He forced Sporting goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen into making a fantastic save, tipping the ball over the bar. It, however, would result in a goal kick after a Dayton player was called offside.

Kansas City wouldn’t let up the pressure in the match, even taking some chances. In the 40th minute, Zusi stole the ball in the Kansas City backfield, saw the keeper off his line, and fired from 60-70 yards away. It was sent wide right of the net.

Sporting would have one last good chance before halftime. Jacob Peterson turned with the ball in midfield and played a give-and-go with Sapong, carrying the ball inside the box and rifling a shot off the near post.

Dayton came out motivated in the second half, flying out of the gate at the kickoff. Bardsley sent a long lob pass to Garner, who sent a shot over the crossbar.

Sporting Kansas City would slowly take back control of the match, starting in the 50th minute with a failed counter attack. A minute later, Soony Saad turned and fired from around 25 yards out, but hit the shot wide of the net.

They kept pushing in the 54th when Sapong came in streaking on the left side past the Dayton defense and hit a shot, forcing Matt Williams to make a solid save.

Kansas City would finally break through for a second in the 56th, and it was all Zusi. After a pass from Peterson, he found himself at the top of the box with room to shoot, and shoot he did. His shot curled in to the corner to double Sporting’s lead to 2-0.

Just three minutes later, that two goal lead would change to three. A corner kick from Saad found Sapong in the center of the box, fighting off a Dayton defender. He rose over him just enough to head it home to give Kansas City a 3-0 lead from which they would never look back.

Dayton spent the rest of the match pushing for any opportunity they could find, which became more scarce as the game went on. This stretched out their defense, which Sporting almost took advantage of on multiple occasions. Shots from both Sinovic and substitute Teal Bunbury fell wide of the net during the late stretch.

Bunbury got one last chance to add a goal of his own in the 83rd minute. He took a shot from the six yard box, which Williams slid in to make a save, denying him a place on the scoresheet.

With the win by Sporting Kansas City, they now move on to play the Philadelphia Union in the Semifinals. That game will be on Wednesday, July 11 at PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, at 7:30 PM.

Sporting Kansas City 3:0 Dayton Dutch Lions
LIVESTRONG Sporting Park – Kansas City, Kansas

Scoring Summary:
KC – C.J. Sapong (Seth Sinovic) 5
KC – Graham Zusi (Jacob Peterson) 56
KC – C.J. Sapong (Soony Saad) 59

Misconduct Summary:
NONE

Lineups
Sporting Kansas City: Jimmy Nielsen©; Michael Harrington, Lawrence Olum, Matt Besler (Konrad Warzycha 68), Seth Sinovic; Peterson Joseph, Michael Thomas, Graham Zusi (Roger Espinoza 59); Jacob Peterson, C.J. Sapong (Teal Bunbury 74), Soony Saad

Subs not used: Eric Kronberg, Chance Myers, Kei Kamara, Dom Dwyer

Dayton Dutch Lions: Matt Williams; Shane Smith, Mettin Copier (Daniel Holowaty 64), Nixon Dias, Gregory Preciado; Joel DeLass, Bret Jones, Mikael McNamara (Akeem Priestley 60); Eli Garner, Gerrit Bartels, Gibson Bardsley (Kyle Knotek 56)

Subs not used: Jeff DeGroot, Eric Kissinger, Toric Robinson, Corey Whisenhunt

STATS
KC: Shots 20, SOG 6, Saves 0, Fouls 7, Offside 1, Corners 3
DAY: Shots 4, SOG 0, Saves 3, Fouls 6, Offside 3, Corners 1

Attendance: 15,167
Weather: Sunny and 91 degrees

2012 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Philadelphia Union prevail in intrastate battle over Harrisburg City Islanders

June 26, 2012 by Michael Berton

The US Open Cup magic finally ran out for the Harrisburg City Islanders against their MLS affiliates, the Philadelphia Union. The Union got three early goals and weathered a fierce Harrisburg comeback to eventually win 5-2.

“That was a tough game, a lot tougher than a 5-2 result,” Union interim coach John Hackworth said. “It’s a big deal for this club and this organization .” Just a few weeks ago, the two teams played a friendly in which Harrisburg prevailed 3-2 and was followed by the firing of manager Peter Nowak. Tonight, however, the Union attacked early and often to make sure that result would not be repeated.

Philadelphia looked to dominate the game from the opening whistle. Harrisburg had barely managed a touch when the Union’s Lionard Pajoy sent in a cross that was handled in the box when Harrisburg defender Stephen Basso slipped. Freddy Adu converted a 5th-minute penalty to give the Union the early lead.

Just five minutes later, the Union struck again. A long ball from the Union half of the field was misplayed by the Harrisburg defense. Jack McInerney pounced on the loose ball and slotted it past goalkeeper Nick Noble to double the Philadelphia lead in the ninth minute.

Philadelphia was not done, however. After the game had seemingly settled down to a more normal pace, Gabe Farfan made a run down the left wing and crossed the ball into the box. The pass found Pajoy, who calmly gathered the ball, manuevered through the defense and scored to give the Union a 3-0 lead in the 29th minute.

Harrisburg would not give up though, being no strangers to 3-goal deficits in Open Cup play. In the Third Round, the City Islanders were down 3-0 in the second half of overtime against the New England Revolution. They scored three times in eight minutes to tie the game, and they eventually advanced in a penalty kick shootout.

The City Islanders nearly replicated that feat on Tuesday night. Yann Ekra found Brian Ombiji in the box in the 51st minute. Ombiji powered his way past the Union defense and scored. Three minutes later, Ekra dished out another assist. This time, he found Morgan Langley open in the box. Langley converted the goal to make it 3-2.

“We came into the locker room up 3-0, and the first thing said was ‘They were down 3-0 to New England with way less time,’” McInerney said. “We stuck to it. We kept grinding it out…We started to put back on, and they couldn’t handle it.”

The Union managed to calm things down and reasserted its presence on the game. Philadelphia substitute Antoine Hoppenot provided an instant spark, running in behind the defense and earning a penalty kick in the 69th minute. Pajoy converted the spot kick to put the Union up 4-2.

Harrisburg pushed everyone forward to try and make yet another comeback, but Gabriel Gomez put the game away with an 81st-minute goal. On a counterattack, a pass was deflected right into the path of Gomez. He gathered the ball and chipped the onrushing goalie to make it 5-2.

Harrisburg’s magical run in the 2012 US Open Cup that included two upsets of MLS sides has ended, but Philadelphia’s is still going strong. The Union will host Sporting Kansas City in the Semifinals on July 11 at PPL Park.

The Union also become the first Pennsylvania club to reach the final four since the United German Hungarians, located just north of the city of Philadelphia, pulled it off in 1993.

Philadelphia Union 5:2 Harrisburg City Islanders
PPL Park – Chester, Pa.

PHI: Freddy Adu (PK) 5
PHI: Jack MacInerney (unassisted) 9
PHI: Lionard Pajoy (Gabe Farfan) 29
HCI: Brian Ombiji (Yann Ekra) 51
HCI: Morgan Langley (Yann Ekra) 54
PHI: Lionard Pajoy (PK) 69
PHI: Gabriel Gomez (unassisted) 81

Discipline:

HCI: Andrew Marshall (caution-60)
HCI: Morgan Langley (caution-74)
HCI: Jason Pelletier (caution-78)
PHI: Jack McInerney (caution-90+)

Lineups:
Philadelphia Union: Zac Macmath; Raymon Gaddis, Amobi Okugo, Porfirio Lopez, Gabriel Farfan; Brian Carroll, Michael Lahoud (Gabriel Gomez-69), Michael Farfan; Freddy Adu (Antoine Hoppenot-61), Jack McInerny, Lionard Pajoy (Jimmy McLaughlin-83)

Harrisburg City Islanders: Nick Noble; Stephen Basso (Tom Brandt-8), Dustin Bixler, Andrew Marshall, Bilal Duckett (Colin Zizzi-32); Jason Pelletier, J.T. Noone, Andrew Welker, Morgan Langley; Brian Ombiji, Yann Ekra (Garett Pettis-69)

Att: 4,313

2012 US Open Cup Quarterfinals Live Blog: Join the conversation!

June 26, 2012 by Gerald Barnhart

To join the conversation, either enter the blog, or include #USOC in your tweets to share your thoughts or ask a question. And don’t forget to Declare Your Support, whether your club is playing or not, with #OpenCupFan. Follow TheCup.us on Twitter (@USOpenCup) and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/thecup.us) for updated scores and news throughout the night .

2012 US Open Cup bracket [+]
2012 US Open Cup Quarterfinal scoreboard [+]
2012 US Open Cup Quarterfinal lineups [+]
2012 US Open Cup goalscoring leaders [+]
2012 US Open Cup participant map [+]
Meet the USASA: Class of 2012 [+]
Things you should know about the Quarterfinals [+]
Semifinal pairings [+]

After a three week break, the US Open Cup resumes with four Quarterfinal matches full of intrigue. Can the Sounders continue their quest for an unprecedented fourth straight Open Cup title, or will San Jose return to the final four for just the second time (2004) in franchise history? Another big storyline is whether or not any of the record three clubs from the 3rd Division move on to the Semis?

Join TheCup.us right here for a live blog as we will have live updates coming in from all four games.

#TWITTER: To join the conversation, either enter the blog, or include #USOC in your tweets to share your thoughts or ask a question. And don’t forget to Declare Your Support, whether your club is playing or not, with #OpenCupFan. Follow TheCup.us on Twitter (@USOpenCup) for updated scores and news throughout the night (no play-by-play).

Here’s your guide to the entire Quarterfinals, including notes on key players from NASL & USL Pro players via resident Lower Division expert Gerald Barnhart, who issues weekly Lower Division Five Star honors, which also includes a US Open Cup list:

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Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
PPL Park; Chester, Pa.; 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: VIDEO (Philadelphia)
Semifinal scenarios (July 10 or 11):
If Philadelphia wins … home vs. Sporting KC/Dayton winner
If Harrisburg wins … home vs. Dayton or at Sporting KC

Harrisburg City Islanders’ 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
Rd 2: Long Island Rough Riders (PDL) 0:2 Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro) [+] Recap
Rd 3: New England Revolution (MLS) 3:3 Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro) (Harrisburg wins 3:4 PKs) [+] Recap
Rd 4: New York Red Bulls (MLS) 1:3 (AET) Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro) [+] Recap
Philadelphia Union’s 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
Rd 3: Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro) 0:3 Philadelphia Union (MLS) [+] Recap
Rd 4: Philadelphia Union (MLS) 2:1 (AET) DC United (MLS) [+] Recap

Affiliates, the two clubs have too many things that tie them together. There are players that have moved up and down the between the two sides, coordinated marketing and, of course, the annual friendlies. The last came less than two weeks ago during the Union’s break in MLS play, and the lower division side managed to post a 3-2 victory. Garret Pettis scored twice, getting the opener in the 17th and what stood as the winner in the 75th. Yann Ekra scored the second go-ahead goal in the 55th after Jorge Perlaza had leveled just before halftime. Kai Herdling adding a free kick goal in the 81st. The match was the final night for coach Peter Nowak, who was released by the Union the following day.

Philadelphia, which features former City Islanders Chase Harrison and Sheanon Williams, has had a busy few weeks since their Fourth Round victory. They fell at home, 1-0, to rival DC United, who they defeated 2-1 in the previous round, in their first official game under new interim coach John Hackworth. This past Saturday, the Union stunned of the league’s top sides, spanking visiting Sporting Kansas City, 4-0, with a pair of goals from Jack McInerney in the first half.

Harrisburg, which features former Union players Morgan Langley and JT Noone, has played four league games since the Fourth Round, including two over the weekend. They fell at home to Wilmington, 2-0, four days after their 3-1 overtime win over the New York Red Bulls but rebounded the following weekend with a 2-1 comeback win against Rochester on Ekra and Lucky Mkosana tallies. This past week they had a tough two-night road swing, losing 3-0 in Orlando and 3-1 in Charleston with Mellow scoring their lone goal. At 4-4-4 they sit seventh in the table, but have matches in hand on several teams in front of them.

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Harrisburg City Islanders
OVERALL: 12-4-3 (2-1 in PKs), 2-3-0 away, 4-3-1 (1-0 PKs) vs. MLS teams
BEST FINISH: Quarterfinals (2007, 2009, 2010)
LAST ENTRY: 2011 (Round 2, Lost 1-0 vs. Rochester Rhinos)
Philadelphia Union
OVERALL: 2-0-0, 1-0-0 at home, 1-0-0 vs. Division 3 clubs
BEST FINISH: 2012 is their first entry
LAST ENTRY: 2012 is their first entry

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Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
LIVESTRONG Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.; 8:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: TBA
Semifinal scenarios (July 10 or 11): T
If KC wins … home vs. Harrisburg OR at Philadelphia
If Dayton wins … at Philadelphia OR at Harrisburg

Dayton Dutch Lions’ 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
Rd 2: Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro) 2:1 Chicago Fire PDL (PDL) [+] Recap
Rd 3: Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro) 2:1 Columbus Crew (MLS) [+] Recap
Rd 4: Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro) 2:1 (AET) Michigan Bucks (PDL) [+] Recap
Sporting Kansas City’s 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
Rd 3: Orlando City SC (USL Pro) 2:3 Sporting Kansas City (MLS) [+] Recap
Rd 4: Colorado Rapids (MLS) 0:2 Sporting Kansas City (MLS) [+] Recap

You could not have two teams any more contrasting paired up. Sporting are one of the top clubs in the MLS Eastern Conference while Dayton has been last in the USL Pro table since the start of the campaign. Oddly, both come into the Quarterfinal match with atypical results on the weekend.

For Dayton, the Dutch Lions earned their first victory in league play for the season, making their record 1-7-5 for the year and moving off the bottom and two points ahead of Antigua Barracuda. With just one goal in Dayton’s last four outings and five through 12 games, their 4-0 romp against visiting Wilmington Saturday was an eye-opening result. Eli Garner scored twice and Gibson Bardsley notched his third of the year in the win. Four days after the 2-1 win against the PDL’s Michigan Bucks in the Fourth Round, the Dutch Lions played to a 1-1 draw at home against Pittsburgh. The following week they dropped a pair of 1-0 decisions on the West Coast against the LA Blues.

Sporting KC, meanwhile, saw a four-game unbeaten streak in league play, snapped over the weekend in a shocking 4-0 road loss to the Philadelphia Union, who had been struggling mightily in league play. It was the first time they had allowed four in a game and first loss by more than two goals this season. Also since their 2-0 Fourth Round win against Colorado Rapids, Kansas City picked up a 2-0 win in Toronto and drew 1-1 at home versus Seattle in league play. The loss to Philadelphia allowed the New York Red Bulls to join DC United one point ahead of KC at the top of the conference table.

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Dayton Dutch Lions
OVERALL: 3-2-0, 3-2-0 away, 1-0-0 vs. MLS clubs
AS USL PRO: 3-1-0, 3-1-0 away, 1-0-0 vs. MLS clubs
BEST FINISH: Round 1 (2010, 2011)
LAST ENTRY: 2011 (Round 1, lost at Richmond Kickers 4-1)
Sporting Kansas City
OVERALL: 13-10-3 (1-2 PKs), 9-5-0 at home, 1-2-0 vs. Division 3 clubs
BEST FINISH: 2004 US Open Cup champions
LAST ENTRY: 2011 (Quarterfinals, lost 2-0 vs. Richmond Kickers)

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Seattle Sounders (MLS) at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Kezar Stadium; San Francisco, Calif.; 10:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: VIDEO (SJ Earthquakes) | AUDIO (Seattle)
Semifinal scenarios (July 10): W inner hosts Chivas USA / Charlotte winner

Seattle Sounders’ 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
Rd 3: Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) 1:5 Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) [+] Recap
Rd 4: Cal FC (USASA) 0:5 Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) [+] Recap
San Jose Earthquakes’ 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
Rd 3: Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) 1:2 San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) [+] Recap
Rd 4: Minnesota Stars FC (NASL) 0:1 San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) [+] Recap

In the only all-MLS Quarterfinal pairing, the Heritage Cup rivals clash with something bigger at stake as San Jose Earthquakes attempt to be the team to finally dethrone the Seattle Sounders, who have lost in the Open Cup since joining Major League Soccer. The teams have had opposite runs in league play as of late. The Earthquakes have gone 3-1-1 in their last five and are sitting atop the overall league table. The Sounders, meanwhile, have gone 0-3-2 in that stretch, falling a point behind Cascadia rivals Vancouver.

Seattle’s poor form, a record seven-game winless run, includes the 2-1 loss at archrival Portland Sunday, leaving one day off between games. While history dictates that Seattle should be the clear favorite, especially after hammering Cal FC 5-1 a week after Eric Wynalda’s club downed Portland the week before, there are a number of issues with the three-time champions, who are 2-2-3 on the road in league play. The primary concern has been injuries, and in league play, suspensions. Since the Fourth Round win against Cal FC, the Sounders fell 4-1 on the road to Montreal and in their midweek home match last week, played to a 1-1 stalemate with Kansas City. Eddie Johnson has scored two of the team’s three league goals in the three matches since the last round.

San Jose, 4-1-2 at home in league play, has had an extra day off, and will likely be sporting a regular starting lineup from its league-leading 10-3-3 record. Last week’s pair of matches ended a two-week break, bouncing back from a loss to KC before going idle. They posted an impressive pair of 2-1 road wins at altitude versus Colorado, Wednesday, and Salt Lake, Saturday, with strikers Alan Gordon and Chris Wondolowski terrorizing the defenses of both.

While the hype of David vs. Goliath in the Fourth Round may have had more fanfare (including the Cal FC-Seattle game being broadcast on Fox Sports), this will be a true test of whether Seattle has enough to keep going towards history, or if San Jose will be able to advance towards their first Open Cup championship.

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Seattle Sounders
OVERALL: 28-11-3 (2-1 PKs), 6-9-2 (1-1 PKs) away, 13-7-1 vs. MLS clubs
AS MLS: 13-0-1 (1-0 PKs), 2-0-1 (1-0 PKs) away, 9-0-0 vs. MLS clubs
BEST FINISH: 2009, 2010, 2011 US Open Cup champions
LAST ENTRY: 2011 (Champion, 2-0 win vs. Chicago Fire)
San Jose Earthquakes
OVERALL: 10-6-4 (2-2 PKs), 3-3-1 (0-1 PKs) at home, 0-4-2 vs. MLS clubs
BEST FINISH: Semifinals (2004, lost 1-0 at Kansas City Wizards)
LAST ENTRY: 2005 (Quarterfinals, lost 2-1 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy)

Previous Open Cup Meetings (home team listed second):
2002 Third Round – San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) 4:3 (ASDET) Seattle Sounders (A-League)
2003 Fourth Round – San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) 0:1 Seattle Sounders (A-League)

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Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro) at Chivas USA (MLS)
Titan Stadium (Cal State Fullerton); Fullerton, Calif.; 10:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: VIDEO (Chivas USA)
Semifinal scenario (July 10):
Winner plays at Seattle Sounders / San Jose Earthquakes winner

Chivas USA’s 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
Rd 3: Chivas USA (MLS) 1:0 Ventura County Fusion (PDL) [+] Recap
Rd 4: Chivas USA (MLS) 2:1 Carolina RailHawks (NASL) [+] Recap
Charlotte Eagles’ 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
Rd 2: Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro) 1:0 El Paso Patriots (PDL) [+] Recap
Rd 3: Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro) 1:0 FC Dallas (MLS) [+] Recap
Rd 4: Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro) 2:1 (AET) San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) [+] Recap

In a meeting of two clubs that have regularly been occupants of the middle to lower portions of their league tables, the US Open Cup this year may be their primary path to glory.

The Charlotte Eagles are making another stop of their extended tour outside of the Eastern Time Zone in the 2012 US Open Cup, this time traveling to California to meet Chivas USA. The Eagles have been true road warriors in the tournament, travelling to Texas three times, and coming away victorious in each trip. Their run has been a bright spot for Charlotte, as their USL Pro season has been, for the most part, dreary. They sit in ninth with 11 points, though within striking distance of the playoffs. They are 1-3-1 in their last five league games, though they have only played two games since the Third Round of the Cup. They split those with Richmond, losing 1-0 on the road and rolling 4-1 at home. Their schedule in USL Pro will get easier with six of their next eight games at home, though considering their road success in the tournament (as well as the home victory against Richmond being their first), they might feel better taking the show on the road.

Still developing under second-year coach Robin Fraser, Chivas USA is having a better than average season in comparison to its own history. Chivas is tied for sixth in the MLS Western Conference (5-7-4) with 19 points, but have gone 1-1-3 in their last five games. They have a 1-1-1 record since their Fourth Round victory over the Carolina RailHawks, beating expansion Montreal Impact, losing to then-conference leader Real Salt Lake, and tying underachiever FC Dallas. With what is now the most impotent offense in the league, the club’s saving grace this year has been the defense constructed by the former star defender turned coach, as they are among the best in the league with 18 goals allowed in 16 matches. Chivas USA are looking to equal their best finish in the Open Cup, having previously reached the semifinals before being beaten by Seattle Sounders FC in 2010. They may be in for a revenge game as the winner travels to the Seattle-San Jose Earthquakes winner.

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Charlotte Eagles
OVERALL: 8-9-0, 5-8-0 away, 1-1-0 vs. MLS clubs
BEST FINISH: Round 3 (2005, lost 3-2 AET vs. Chivas USA)
LAST ENTRY: 2011 (Round 2, lost 3-2 AET at Wilmington Hammerheads)
Chivas USA
OVERALL: 5-5-1 (0-1 PKs), 1-0-1 (0-1 PKs) at home, 1-0-0 vs. Division 3 clubs
BEST FINISH: Semifinals (2010, lost 3-1 at Seattle Sounders)
LAST ENTRY: 2010 (Semifinals, lost 3-1 at Seattle Sounders)

Previous Open Cup Meetings (home team listed second):
2005 Third Round – Chivas USA (MLS) 3:2 (AET) Charlotte Eagles (USL-2)

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POTENTIAL SEMIFINAL SCHEDULES

SEMIFINAL 1 – July 10 or 11

Sporting Kansas City (MLS) at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
PPL Park; Chester, Pa.; 7:30 p.m. ET, July 11
OR
Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO) at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
PPL Park; Chester, Pa.; 7:30 p.m. ET, July 10
OR
Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
LIVESTRONG Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.; 7:30 p.m. CT, July 10
OR
Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO) at Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO)
Skyline Sports Complex; Harrisburg, Pa.; 7:30 p.m. ET, July 10

SEMIFINAL 2 – July 10

Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO) / Chivas USA (MLS) at Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, Wash.; 7 p.m. PT
OR
Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO) / Chivas USA (MLS) at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Buck Shaw Stadium; Santa Clara, Calif.; 7:30 p.m. PT

2012 US Open Cup Quarterfinal pairings and host scenarios announced

June 2, 2012 by Gerald Barnhart

MORE: Updated 2012 US Open Cup bracket

UPDATE: Charlotte Eagles vs. Chivas USA has been moved to Titan Stadium on the campus of Cal State Fullerton.

The United States Soccer Federation announced Saturday afternoon the pairings and hosting scenarios for the Jun 26 Quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The four sets of pairings feature two games in which three lower division clubs will have an opportunity to host an Elite Eight match-up.

Should the San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) prevail against the Charlotte Eagles(USL Pro), who are making their third trip to Texas in as many rounds, will play host to the winner of the cross-country Fourth Round match between Chivas USA (MLS) and Carolina RailHawks (NASL), setting up the first possible intra-league game among lower division clubs. A Charlotte victory would send the Eagles on the road once again.

The most western foursome will see the winner of the Seattle Sounders (MLS) and Cal FC (USASA) contest traveling to face either the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) or Minnesota Stars (NASL).

The winners of the two all-MLS contests Tuesday evening are guaranteed to be at home for the Quarterfinals. Sporting Kansas City or the Colorado Rapids will host the winner of the all-lower division contest featuring the Michigan Bucks (PDL) and Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro). DC United or the Philadelphia Union will welcome the New York Red Bulls (MLS) or Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro), creating a potential Pennsylvania derby between two affiliated teams.

Though Fox Soccer tweeted Thursday evening that it was broadcasting the Seattle Sounders versus Cal FC match Tuesday evening, there remains no official confirmation from USSF (in the release) or from the Sounders.

Will ‘May Madness’ continue into June with the ‘Sweet 16’ Tuesday night? Follow all of the action right here on TheCup.us with another edition of our Live Blog.

QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE – Tuesday, June 26

Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
PPL Park; Chester, Pa.; 7:30 p.m. ET
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Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
LIVESTRONG Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.; 8:30 p.m. ET
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Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO) at Chivas USA (MLS)
Titan Stadium (Cal State Fullerton); Fullerton, Calif.; 10:30 p.m. ET
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Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Kezar Stadium; San Francisco, Calif.; 10:30 p.m. ET