Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2012 Third Round

2012 U.S. Open Cup Third Round: New York Red Bulls silence Charleston Battery, 3-0

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John Wilson fights for position against Jan Gunnar Solli and Kenny Cooper. Photo: Charleston Battery

The New York Red Bulls, who are notorious for throwing their second team into the Open Cup and losing early, decided to take a different approach into their game against the Charleston Battery. This approach would serve them well, as for once they avoided being upset by a lower division side, winning 3-0 and advancing to the fourth round.

It was a welcome offensive outburst for the Red Bulls who scored three goals in an Open Cup game for the first time in a decade

The Battery challenged early, however New York keeper Ryan Meara met the early challenges, and Red Bull quickly started pressing themselves. Mehdi Ballouchy helped the team strike paydirt first, as he found forward Kenny Cooper in the box. Cooper then unleashed a ground shot into the corner with his left foot. The teams spent most of the half’s remainder going up and down the field, yet unable to capitalize. This changed at 41 minutes in, and it was once again the visitors able to break through. Ballouchy once again started the play, as his corner found Dax McCarty in the corner of the penalty area. McCarty then led on for Heath Pearce, who sent it past Charleston keeper Brock Duckworth to double the lead by halftime.

Sallieu Bundu tried to rally Charleston multiple times to get them back in it, yet Meara proved to be up to the task every time. Connor Lade finally put the game away for the Red Bulls with 20 minutes left, as Solli got him the ball, and Lade launched a top-corner shot from 27 yards out.

New York had initially planned on hosting New England, as the Revolution had built up a 3-0 lead with ten minutes left in extra time. However, the Harrisburg City Islanders of USL Pro would not be denied, tied the game, and emerged victorious in a penalty shootout. This means Harrisburg will host NY in Hersheypark Stadium (Hershey, PA) at 7:30 PM Eastern Time next Tuesday.

New York Red Bulls 3:0 Charleston Battery
Blackbaud Stadium – Charleston, SC

SCORING
NY- Kenny Cooper (Mehdi Ballouchy) 14’
NY- Heath Pearce (Dax McCarty) 41’
NY- Connor Lade (Jan Gunnar Solli) 70’

LINEUPS:
NY- Ryan Meara (GK); Brandon Barklage (Jonathan Borrajo 77’), Markus Holgersson, Wilman Conde, Heath Pearce, Jan Gunnar Solli (Victor Palsson 74’), Dax McCarty (Ryan Maduro 88’), Mehdi Ballouchy, Connor Lade, Jhonny Arteaga, Kenny Cooper
Charleston- Brock Duckworth (GK); John Wilson, Colin Falvey, Taylor Mueller (Dane Kelly 67’), Kyle Hoffer, Amadou Sanyang, Tony Donatelli (Ryan Richter 71’), Jose Cuevas, Nicki Paterson (Zach Prince 81’), Navion Boyd, Sallieu Bundu

BOOKINGS
CHS- Amadou Sanyang 65′ (caution)

STATS:
Shots: NY- 13; CHS- 11
Saves: NY- 5; CHS- 5
Fouls: NY- 10; CHS- 12
Corners: NY- 3; CHS- 4
Offsides: NY- 0; CHS- 2

2012 US Open Cup Round 3: USL Pro’s winless Dayton Dutch Lions rally past Crew in Columbus, 2-1

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The Dayton Dutch Lions celebrate after their 2-1 win over the Columbus Crew (MLS) in the Third Round of the 2012 US Open Cup. Photo: Dayton Dutch Lions

Go ahead, try to wipe the smile off of Dayton Dutch Lions coach Ivar van Dinteren’s face. It wouldn’t go away Tuesday night. The third division Dutch Lions of USL Pro are on to the Fourth Round of play in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup after a stunning come-from-behind 2-1 win over the MLS side Columbus Crew in the final 11 minutes at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio in front of a sparse crowd of 1,646 at the massive arena.

“We had nothing to lose, Columbus had everything to lose. I just told them to go out and attack and just play,” van Dinteren said with a glint in his eye. “If it goes wrong, what do we have to lose? They are MLS, they have to win. We don’t have to win. That’s the mindset.”

Gibson Bardsley scored the match-winning tally in the 81st minute off a feed from Daniel Holowaty to send the Dutch Lions to the “Sweet 16” of Open Cup play. Two minutes prior, Gerrit-Jan Bartels found the net after a feed from Holowaty to tie it after Columbus’ Olman Vargas converted a penalty kick in the 64th minute.

“After the goal, I expected them to press us, but they gave us some space. If you let us play out of the back, then we are dangerous,” van Dinteren said. “We can play the game.

“They could have finished us going up 1-0, but I think we took the chances.”

It had been a rough go in the USL Pro season so far for the Dutch Lions, gaining just four ties in eight league games. Their only win had been a US Open Cup Second Round victory over the Chicago Fire Premier Development League squad, the primary rival of their next opponent, the Michigan Bucks, who recorded an upset of their own Tuesday night.

Fielding a starting side stocked with reserves, Columbus coach Robert Warzycha was surly after the game and was short with answers explaining the loss.

“Disappointed,” he said curtly when asked of the team’s performance during post-match remarks.

The Crew had been in a renaissance lately after a tough start, going 3-0-2 in their last five league matches. The team’s tough-luck on finishing returned at the wrong point in the season, eliminating the team from Cup play for a second season in a row in the first match they played.

Columbus outplayed Dayton for a majority of the contest, but could not find a way to finish in the first half, outshooting the Dutch Lions 9-0 with four shots fired onto Dutch Lions’ goalkeeper Matthew Williams.

The game continued to be slanted Columbus’ way in the second half and a fortunate handball call inside the box on Dayton’s Shane Smith as he fell and touched the ball on a shot taken by Columbus’ Justin Meram.

Vargas took the penalty kick and beat Williams low and to his right for the opening score.

Dayton continued to struggle offensively and played defense for most of the contest, but they broke through 15 minutes after Vargas put Columbus ahead.

Vargas’ pass behind him to a defender was knocked away, leading to Holowaty sending a cross from the right side to Bartels to tie it.

Columbus misplayed the ball less than two minutes later and Holowaty sent another cross from the right side onto the foot of Bardsley. He spun and leveled a strong kick into the back corner.

“I think we made two incredible goals,” van Dinteren said. “They were both just one-touch, one-touch, one-touch and goal. I think my team deserves this win.

“We’ve had some bad luck so far this season and this is finally what we get.”

The Crew finished with a 18-3 shots advantage with a 7-3 shots of goal tally, but it was Williams finishing with six saves and the Crew’s back-up Matt Lampson with one.

The Dutch Lions will face a fellow lower-tier side on June 5 as they travel to the Michigan Bucks – a fourth division squad from the PDL — in Pontiac, Mich. with the winner moving on to quarterfinal action. The Bucks defeated the MLS Chicago Fire 3-2 in a night of upsets for lower division squads.

Dayton Dutch Lions 2:1 Columbus Crew
Crew Stadium – Columbus, Ohio

Scoring Summary
CLB: Olman Vargas (penalty kick) – 64′
DAY: Gerrit-Jan Bartels (Daniel Holowaty) 79′
DAY: Gibson Bardsley (Daniel Holowaty) 81′

Discipline:
DAY: 33′ – Gibson Bardsley, yellow
CLB: 48+’-  Ethan Finlay, yellow
DAY: 87′ – Kyle Knotek

Shots: Columbus 18, Dayton 3
Saves: Columbus – 1 (Matt Lampson); Dayton – 6 (Matthew Williams)
Corners: Columbus 4; Dayton 2
Fouls: Dayton 19; Columbus 6
Offsides: Dayton 2; Columbus 2

Lineups:
Columbus: Lamspon, Perry, Gehrig, James, Francis, George, Grossman,
Meram, Birchall, Finlay, Vargas. Bench: Gruenebaum, Williams, Veeder,
Anor, Duka, Renteria, Horton
Dayton: Williams, Preciado, Copier, Dias, Smith, Jones, DeLass,
McNamara, Garner, Bardsley, Priestly. Bench: Whisenhunt, DeGroot,
Robinson, Knoteli, Holowaty, Bartels, Kissinger

2012 US Open Cup Round 3: Michigan Bucks put out Chicago Fire in historic OT upset (video)

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A shot of the 93rd minute game-winning goal by Nermin Crnkic of the Michigan Bucks in the PDL team's 3-2 extra time upset of the Chicago Fire. Photo: Kelly Haapala
A shot of the 93rd minute game-winning goal by Nermin Crnkic of the Michigan Bucks in the PDL team’s 3-2 extra time upset of the Chicago Fire. Photo: Kelly Haapala

For over a decade, the Michigan Bucks have used the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup to earn a national reputation as giant killers. The USL Premier Development League team has more professional upsets than any amateur team in the country, including their prize upset of the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer back in 2000. On Tuesday, in front of a capacity crowd at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mich., the Bucks, who are the first amateur team to upset an MLS side, became the first to do it twice with a 3-2 extra time victory over the Chicago Fire.

What makes the US Open Cup unique in American sports is the fact that a team from any level can face off with a team from the highest level in the country in a winner-take-all game. Only four amateur clubs (Michigan Bucks, Dallas Roma FC, Chicago Sockers and the now-defunct Seattle Sounders Select) have eliminated an MLS team from the 99-year old single-elimination tournament.

Photo: Michigan Bucks

Frank Klopas, head coach of the Chicago Fire, didn’t field a relatively strong lineup for the match, and he may have been second guessing that decision in hindsight. He only put in two regular starters – Jalil Anibaba and Austin Berry. On the other hand, Michigan – who is undefeated between Open Cup and league play – came out strong, and it showed early. It took only nine minutes for the Bucks to find net, as Tommy Catalano crossed up Berry and beat Fire goalkeeper Paolo Tornaghi low to put the Bucks ahead 1-0.

Even though the Bucks pressed on throughout the first half, the Fire waited for their chance to strike. They would get that in the 28th minute as Corben Bone rifled a shot from the top of the box past Bucks keeper Adam Grinwis into the net to even the score at 1-1. Just a minute later, Bucks striker Nermin Crnkic found himself in the penalty box, and although the play was debatable as to whether he was pushed down or dove, the result was judged the same – Crnkic earned a yellow card for diving in the 29th minute.

As the second half began, Chicago wasted no time in taking control of the match. Their efforts would prove fruitful in just a few short minutes, as Federico Puppo blasted an effort inside the post in the 51st minute to give the Fire a 2-1 lead.

Despite Chicago taking the lead and control of the match, the Bucks just wouldn’t give up. The work the amateur club put in would pay off in the 79th minute, when a cross from Crnkic found the head of Nate Boyden in the box to tie the match. Shortly after the tying goal was scored, Klopas saw an opportunity to try and push for the win, bringing in Dominic Oduro and Dan Gargan from the bench. It wasn’t to be, though, as the match was all square at 2-2 going into extra time.

The Bucks wasted no time putting the pressure on the Fire in the extra session. What proved to be the eventual game-winning goal came just three minutes in, Crnkic ripped a shot towards the net. Tornaghi got a hand on it, but it wasn’t enough, as Michigan took the 3-2 lead. For the next 27 minutes, the Fire pressed hard for the equalizing goal, while the Bucks looked to counter on turnovers and put the game away. Neither side would add to the scoreline, though, as the Michigan Bucks moved on to the Fourth Round, defeating the Fire 3-2. They now play the Dayton Dutch Lions of USL Pro – a familiar opponent who was in their division in the PDL in the 2010 season – next Tuesday for a spot in the Quarterfinals.

HIGHLIGHTS: CHICAGO FIRE at MICHIGAN BUCKS

FAN VIDEO: MICHIGAN BUCKS’ FIRST GOAL

FAN VIDEO: FINAL WHISTLE

Chicago Fire 2:3 Michigan Bucks
Ultimate Soccer Arenas – Pontiac, MI

Scoring Summary
MICH – Tommy Catalano (Kenny Uzoigwe) 9
CHI – Corben Bone (Federico Puppo) 28
CHI – Federico Puppo (Corben Bone) 51
MICH – Nate Boyden (Nermin Crnkic) 79
MICH – Nermin Crnkic (Tommy Catalano) 93

Lineups
CHICAGO FIRE: Paolo Tornaghi; Tony Walls (Dan Gargan 84), Jalil Anibaba, Austin Berry (Kwame Watson-Siriboe 49), Hunter Jumper; Michael Videira, Daniel Paladini, Corben Bone; Rafael Robayo; Federico Puppo, Orr Barrouch (Dominic Oduro 84). Substitutes not used: Sean Johnson (GK), Gonzalo Segares, Victor Pineda, Patrick Nyarko.

MICHIGAN BUCKS: Adam Grinwis; Kevin Cope, Sebby Harris, Chad Barson, Stew Givens; Nate Boyden, Scott Caldwell (Steve Miller 75), Tommy Catalano, Simon Omekanda (Joey Dillon 64); Nermin Crnkic, Kenny Uzoigwe (Zach Steinberger 35). Substitutes not used: Sean Teepen (GK), Kofi Opare, Bim Ogunyemi, Anthony Grant.

Discipline: CHI – Daniel Paladini (caution-foul, 25); MICH – Nermin Crnkic (caution-simulation, 29).

2012 US Open Cup Round 3: City Islanders stun New England Revolution in PKs after wild 3-goal OT rally

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The Harrisburg City Islanders and the New England Revolution line up for the player introductions before their Third Round match in the 2012 US Open Cup. Photo: Harrisburg City Islanders

Could you script a more dramatic storyline than what unfolded at the Skyline Sports Complex Tuesday evening in Harrisburg, Penn.? Trailing by three with nine minutes remaining in overtime, the home club Harrisburg City Islanders rallied with three unanswered goals to force a penalty kick tiebreaker against Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution before prevailing from the spot, 4-3, with a saved attempt in the final round from US international Benny Feilhaber.

The win earns Harrisburg another home game in the tournament as they will host the New York Red Bulls next Tuesday at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, Pa. It will be a re-match of the 2010 Third Round game where the City Islanders needed extra time to pull off a 1-0 upset over the MLS side.

Heading to Harrisburg, the New England Revolution knew full well what the City Islanders were capable of. The third division side had already earned three wins in previous tournaments against MLS opposition, including a 2-1 overtime decision against them in 2009.

It was a wet and wild night for Coach Becher of Harrisburg

Even with the Revolution losing Diego Fagundez to a red card in the 36th minute, it looked like the game was going to be another toss-up as the final whistle sounded and things were still in a stalemate.  It was not for a lack of chances as New England’s Kelyn Rowe banged one off the crossbar off goalkeeper Nick Noble’s fingertip just two minutes into the match. Harrisburg was also denied by the woodwork when Sainey Touray put his effort off the crossbar three minutes into the second half.

Cut to overtime, where the story really gets wild. Despite playing down a man, the Revolution got their first goal five minutes into the extra session from Lee Nguyen worked through the midfield before sending Rowe behind the defense for a toe-poke tally past the charging Noble.

That seemed to the breaking point as the City Islanders gave up two more in the next eight minutes. Nguyen converted a penalty after Feilhaber was taken down in the box; and Feilhaber himself added the third by beating a defender and ripping a shot into the top of the goal.

Game over. Well, not quite.

Brian Ombiji put away a Tom Mellor cross from the left flank for what seemed to be a consolation strike. Then with three minutes left, Touray made matters anxious yet again with Harrisburg’s second goal.

On essentially the final play of the match, local favorite JT Noone, claimed hero status with a 20-yard effort inside the left post to send the game to penalty kicks. For Noone, he joined a select group of players who have scored goals in four consecutive Open Cup tournaments. His first came in 2009 with the Ocean City Barons (now Ocean City Nor’easters), and the last three seasons, he has scored at least one goal for his hometown City Islanders.

Unfortunately, that hero status did not last long as New England back-up goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth saved Noone’s opening attempt of the shootout. He was partially relieved of guilt the following round when Revolution goalscorer Rowe sent his effort off the crossbar.

And with the final kick of the shootout, Feilhaber’s effort was stopped by Noble, who came into the match with four consecutive shutouts, including last week’s Second Round 2-0 win against Long Island Rough Riders (PDL).

Harrisburg City Islanders 3:3 (4:3 APK) New England Revolution
Skyline Sports Complex (Harrisburg, Pa.)

Scoring Summary:
NE – Kelyn Rowe (Lee Nguyen) 95
NE – Lee Nguyen (penalty kick) 100
NE – Benny Feilhaber (Blake Brettschneider) 103
HAR – Brian Ombiji (Tom Mellor) 111
HAR – Sainey Touray (unassisted) 117
HAR – JT Noone (unassisted) 120

Penalty kicks:
HAR – Joseph Noone (save)
NE – Lee Nguyen (goal)
HAR – Stephen Basso (goal)
NE – Kelyn Rowe (miss – crossbar)
HAR – Bilal Duckett (goal)
NE – Mike Roach (goal)
HAR – Drew Yates (goal)
NE – Blake Brettschneider (goal)
HAR – Andrew Marshall (goal)
NE – Benny Feilhaber (save)

Lineups:

New England Revolution: Bobby Shuttleworth (GK), Tyler Polak, John Lozano, Darrius Barnes ©, Alec Purdie, Mike Roach, Fernando Cardenas (Benny Feilhaber 79), Kelyn Rowe, Jeremiah White (Lee Nguyen 63), Diego Fagundez, Jose Moreno (Blake Brettschneider 70) Substitutes Not Used: Tim Murray, Stephen McCarthy

Harrisburg City Islanders: Nicholas Noble (GK), Stephen Basso, Tom Brandt (Tom Mellor 100), Andrew Marshall, Bilal Duckett, Jason Pelletier, Andrew Welker (Drew Yates 64), Joseph Noone, Morgan Langley (Garret Pettis 76), Brian Ombiji, Sainey Touray Substitutes Not Used: Dustin Bixler, Bryan Holt, Adrian LeRoy, Colin Zizzi

NE STATS: Shots 10, Corner Kicks 5, Saves 6, Fouls 12 Offsides 5
HAR STATS: Shots 17, Corner Kicks 6, Saves 2, Fouls 20, Offsides 4

Misconduct Summary:
HAR – Sainey Touray (caution) 11
NE – Jeremiah White (caution) 17
NE – Diego Fagundez (ejection) 36
HAR – Jason Pelletier (caution) 45
HAR – Brian Ombiji (caution 89)

Referee: Ayodeji Obisesan
Assistant Referees: Albert Calise, Eric Weisbrod
Fourth Official: Jaroslaw Werel

Weather: Rainy and 80 degrees
Attendance: 441

2012 US Open Cup Third Round: Colorado Rapids rush Tampa Bay Rowdies in return to the tournament

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Jaime Castrillon congratulates Edu on his PK goal against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Photo: Mark May Photography/Tampa Bay Rowdies

The Colorado Rapids traveled to Tampa on Tuesday determined not to become one of what became many upsets of MLS teams, and fielded a full-strength side against the NASL’s Tampa Bay Rowdies. The tactic worked to full effect, and the Rapids came away with a 3-1 win in the Third Round of the Open Cup. Brazilian striker Edu and Andre Akpan put the game away early for Colorado, and Kamani Hill added some late insurance before Rowdies sub Matt Clare salvaged a goal late in stoppage time.

With the win, the Rapids pick up their first Open Cup victory since 2007, after failing to qualify for the tournament four years in a row before qualification was done away with this year. Colorado moves on to face Sporting Kansas City next Tuesday in the Fourth Round as they attempt to win back-to-back tournament games for the first time since 1999.

Tampa, playing a more aggressive 4-3-3 to the MLS side’s 4-4-2; missed an early opportunity to put the Rapids on their heels, as striker Luke Mullholland hit the crossbar two minutes in, and Colorado keeper Steward Ceus gobbled the ball up for the save. The Rowdies were forced on their heels shortly after, with keeper Jeff Attinella forced to defends shots by strikers Andre Akpan and Edu, and midfielders Hill and Wells Thompson. However, a Tampa Bay defender was called for a handball in the box at 17 minutes, and Attinella guessed wrong on Edu’s penalty kick.

Photo: Tampa Bay Rowdies

The Rowdies picked up their game after the opening goal, with Mulholland and Daniel Antoniuk both forcing saves from Ceus. The Rapids counterattacked after Antoniuk’s miss, and Thompson slotted to Akpan, who put it inside the far post two double their lead. Tampa couldn’t capitalize on chances by Antoniuk and Mike Ambersley late in the half, and the score remained 2-0 to the away squad at the half.

The second half was much quieter, with neither team able to capitalize on their minutes. One particularly chippy stretch included three yellow cards in three minutes: two to Colorado (Thompson and Tyrone Marshall), with Tampa Bay’s Draymond Washington earning the other. Colorado solidified their defense late, stopping shots by Washington and sub Fafa Picault late. Akpan turned giver late, as Hill put away his pass a minute into stoppage time, and Clare took a pass from Mulholland past Ceus to round out the scoring a minute later.

Colorado will travel to Sporting Kansas City next week, as KC survived a 3-2 battle with USL Pro side Orlando City SC. They will meet at 7:30 PM Central time at Livestrong Sporting Park, with a place in the Quarterfinals at stake.

LINEUPS:
COL- Steward Ceus (GK); Hunter Freeman (Kosuke Kimura 72′), Tyrone Marshall, Scott Palguta, Luis Zapata; Wells Thompson, Harrison Henao (Joseph Nane 58′), Kamani Hill, Jaime Castrillon (Tony Cascio 67′); Andre Akpan, Edu
TB- Jeff Attinella (GK); Frankie Sanfilippo, Andres Arango, Takuya Yamada, Draymond Washington; Stuart Campbell, Shane Hill, Keith Savage (Fafa Picault 61′); Luke Mulholland, Mike Ambersley, Daniel Antoniuk (Matt Clare 72′)

SCORING:
COL- Edu (PK) 17′
COL- Andre Akpan (Wells Thompson) 33′
COL- Kamani Hill (Andre Akpan) 90+1′
TB- Matt Clare (Luke Mulholland) 90+2′

BOOKINGS:
TB- Daniel Antoniuk 19′ (yellow)
COL- Wells Thompson 55′ (yellow)
TB- Draymond Washington 56′ (yellow)
COL- Tyrone Marshall 57′ (yellow)
COL- Steward Ceus 90+2′ (yellow)

STATS:
Shots: COL- 13; TB- 13
Saves: COL- 6; TB- 6
Fouls: COL- 18; TB- 14
Corners: COL- 3; TB- 6
Offsides: COL- 2; TB- 5

2012 US Open Cup Third Round Live Blog recap: One of the craziest rounds in recent memory, and two more left to play on Wednesday

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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 goalscoring leaders [+]
2012 US Open Cup participant map [+]
Meet the USASA: Class of 2012 [+] Things you should know about Round 3 [+]
Round 4 Pairings [+]

Sixteen MLS clubs face 16 lower division sides hoping to make history.

Join TheCup.us right here for a live blog as we will have live updates coming in from 14 of the 16 games tonight, followed by the last two games on Wednesday. Also stay tuned for PotHunting trivia for your chance to win a throwback soccer shirt from PotHunting.com.

#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 Third Round, 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:

New England Revolution (MLS) at Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO)
Skyline Sports Complex; Harrisburg, Pa.; 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: RevolutionSoccer.net (Audio)
Round 4 scenarios (June 5):
If the Revolution win … at Charleston Battery / New York Red Bulls winner
If City Islanders win … home vs. Charleston Battery / New York Red Bulls winner

New England Revolution’s 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
First game of the 2012 tournament
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

This is the third time these two teams have met in the US Open Cup, but the first time that they’ve played in Harrisburg.  In 2007, New England finished off Harrisburg 2-1 in the Quarterfinals on their way to winning the Cup. In 2009, Harrisburg beat New England, by the same score, in the Third Round, only to fall to DC (the eventual Runner-Up) in the Quarterfinals.

Coming in to this game, Harrisburg has not conceded a goal since May 12, while the Revolution have not won a game since May 12.  The Revolution have been weak on the road this year in MLS play, with an away record of 1-6-0.  They’ll only be on two days rest from their loss to DC United on Saturday night. They also will be traveling to Pennsylvania without a few of their star players. Captain Shalrie Joseph, three starting defenders including A.J. Soares, top goal scorer Saer Sène, and starting goalkeeper Matt Reis are all headed back to New England and won’t play on Tuesday.  Harrisburg is expected to play the first team for the game and is riding a five game unbeaten streak that includes the US Open Cup Second Round defeat of the Long Island Rough Riders (PDL).

This game should prove to be a fairly even match-up and might even favor Harrisburg, a USL squad with the home field advantage fielding their ‘A’ team while enjoying a successful league season (4th place in USL after 7 games) versus an MLS squad struggling on the road fielding their ‘B’ team while having a less than fortunate league season (7th place in the Eastern Conference, 13th overall in MLS after 12 games).

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
New England Revolution
OVERALL: 10-8-3 (2-1 in PKs), 2-5-1 (1-0 in PKs), 2-1-1 (1-0 in PKs) vs. Division 3
BEST FINISH: 2007 US Open Cup champions
LAST ENTRY: 2009 (Round 3, Lost 2-1 AET vs. Harrisburg City Islanders)
Harrisburg City Islanders
OVERALL: 11-4-2 (1-1 in PKs), 9-1-2 (1-1 in PKs) at home, 3-3-0 vs. MLS teams
BEST FINISH: Quarterfinals (2007, 2009, 2010)
LAST ENTRY: 2011 (Round 2, Lost 1-0 vs. Rochester Rhinos)

Previous Open Cup Meetings (home team listed second):
2007 Quarterfinals – Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2) 1:2 New England Revolution (MLS)
2009 Third Round – Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2) 2:1 AET New England Revolution (MLS)

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DC United (MLS) at Richmond Kickers (USL PRO)
Richmond City Stadium; Richmond, Va.; 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: None
Round 4 scenario (June 5):
Winner hosts Philadelphia Union/Rochester Rhinos winner

DC United’s 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
First game of 2012 tournament
Richmond Kickers’ 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
Rd 2: Richmond Kickers (USL Pro) 4:0 Aegean Hawks (USASA)  [+] Recap

DC United are coming off of only two days rest after their defeat of the New England Revolution in MLS league play on Saturday night.  Because of the short turnaround, we’ll have to wait and see if they’ll bring many of their starters to Virginia on Tuesday night.  One starter that might receive a mixed welcome in Richmond is reigning MLS MVP Dwayne De Rosario who got his professional start with the Richmond Kickers.  DeRo had a breakout year for the Kickers in 2000, scoring 16 goals, but now he returns as the enemy.

These two teams have met four times previously in the US Open Cup.  In 2001, the eventual USL A-League champion Kickers fell to DC 2-1 in the Quarterfinal.  In 2004, the eventual MLS champion DC United lost to Richmond by the same score in the Fourth Round.  DC has won the last two Open Cup meetings between the teams.  They won 3-1 in the 2005 Fourth Round  and 2-0 in the 2010 Third Round.

Two-time US Open Cup winners DC United are currently first in the Eastern Division of MLS (3rd overall) and Richmond are mid-table in sixth place in USL Pro but, with DC on limited rest, possibly not playing all of their starters, and Richmond with home field advantage, Richmond might have the edge in this match-up.  They beat DC in the Open Cup during one of United’s best league seasons.  Can they do it again?  We’ll find out Tuesday night.

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
DC United
OVERALL: 25-9-3 (1-2 PKs), 5-6-1 (0-1 PKs) away, 1-0-0 vs. amateur clubs
BEST FINISH: 1996, 2008 US Open Cup champions
LAST ENTRY: 2010 (Semifinals, lost 2-1 at home vs. Columbus Crew)
Richmond Kickers
OVERALL: 23-12-1 (1-0 in PKs), 18-3-0 at home, 5-9-0 vs. MLS clubs
AS USL PRO: 12-6-0, 8-0-0 at home, 3-3-0 vs. MLS clubs
BEST FINISH: 1995 US Open Cup Champions (Drew 1-1 at El Paso Patriots, won in PKs 4-2)
LAST ENTRY: 2011 (Semifinals, lost 2-1 at Chicago Fire)

Previous Open Cup Meetings (home team listed second):
2001 Quarterfinals – Richmond Kickers (A-League) 2:1 DC United (MLS)
2004 Fourth Round – DC United (MLS) 1:2 Richmond Kickers (A-League)
2005 Fourth Round – DC United (MLS) 3:1 Richmond Kickers (A-League)

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Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, N.C.; 7:07 p.m. ET
Broadcast: LAGalaxy.com (Audio) | CarolinaRailHawks.com/live (Video) | 99.9 HD3 FM The Ticket
Round 4 scenario (June 5):
Winner hosts Chivas USA/Ventura County Fusion (PDL)

LA Galaxy’s 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
First game of 2012 tournament
Carolina RailHawks’ 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
Rd 2: PSA Elite (USASA) 0:6 Carolina RailHawks (NASL) [+] Recap

Two reigning champions collide on Tuesday night. LA Galaxy, current MLS champions, travel to North Carolina to take on current NASL regular season champion Carolina RailHawks. There’s just one catch: neither team is playing up to the title of “champion” this season. LA are currently last in the Western Division of MLS (17th overall). Carolina are sitting at the bottom of the table in 7th place in NASL with a winless record.

This will be the first meeting of these two teams in the US Open Cup. The advantage in this game will likely go to the RailHawks. While neither team is playing spectacularly, the RailHawks were idle in league play this week after their US Open Cup Second Round defeat of PSA Elite due to the Puerto Rico Islanders needing to play in the Caribbean Football Union championship tournament. LA Galaxy have played (and lost) two league games in the past week. The 2005 US Open Cup champion Galaxy are also coming off of just two days rest from their loss to Houston on SaturdayLA are short Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane, both of whom are currently on international duty with their respective national teams; and it has been confirmed David Beckham, along with several other starters, have not made the cross-country trip.

Carolina will enjoy a home field advantage in front of a sold out crowd. Granted, a lot of those tickets will have been sold to people coming to see the Galaxy play, but the absence of the Galaxy stars will temper that somewhat.

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
LA Galaxy
OVERALL: 22-9-1, 6-7-1 (1-0 PKs) away, 8-1-0 vs. Division 2 clubs
BEST FINISH: 2001, 2005 US Open Cup champions
LAST ENTRY: 2011 (Quarterfinals, lost 3-1 at Seattle Sounders)
Carolina RailHawks
OVERALL: 9-3-1, 9-1-1 (0-1 PKs) at home, 1-2-0 vs. MLS clubs
BEST FINISH: Semifinals (2007, lost at New England Revolution 2-1 AET)
LAST ENTRY: 2010 (Round 2, lost 2-1 at Charleston Battery)

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Colorado Rapids (MLS) at Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL)
Al Lang Stadium; St. Petersburg, Fla.; 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: TBA
Round 4 scenarios (June 5):
Winners plays at Orlando City SC/Sporting Kansas City winner

Colorado Rapids’ 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
First game of 2012 tournament
Tampa Bay Rowdies’ 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
Rd 2: Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) 3:0 Jacksonville United (NPSL) [+] Recap

This will be the first meeting of these two teams in the US Open Cup, although the Rapids did defeat MLS side Tampa Bay Mutiny in the Cup in 1999, on their way to a loss in the final to Rochester.

Both teams come in to this game pretty evenly matched. Colorado are currently sitting in fourth place in the Western Division of MLS (7th overall), and are coming off of a win against Montreal on Saturday. Tampa Bay are currently mid-table, 4th place, in NASL play with 12 points from 9 games. Both teams are playing with very little rest. Colorado has had just two days to rest and Tampa Bay has had only three. Both teams will be fielding strong squads as Colorado have announced that they’ll be bringing most of their starters, including leading goal scorer Jaime Castrillon. Tampa Bay will have the advantage of not travelling as their league game on Friday night was at home.

This is the second year for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the US Open Cup as this is the first year that the NASL has entered teams. The furthest that the Colorado Rapids have progressed in the Open Cup is the 1999 Final when they lost to the Rochester Rhinos, the only non-MLS team to win the cup since MLS began entering the competition.

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Colorado Rapids
OVERALL: 8-11-0, 4-10-0 away, 4-6-0 vs. Division 2 clubs
BEST FINISH: Final (1999, lost 2-0 vs. Rochester Raging Rhinos
LAST ENTRY: 2007 (Quarterfinals, lost 5-0 at Seattle Sounders)
Tampa Bay Rowdies
OVERALL: 2-1-0, 0-0-0 at home, 0-0-0 vs. MLS clubs
BEST FINISH: Round 2 (2010, lost at Miami FC 2-1 AET)
LAST ENTRY: Round 2 (2010, lost at Miami FC 2-1 AET)

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New York Red Bulls (MLS) at Charleston Battery (USL PRO)
Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, S.C.; 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USLNation.com (Video)
Round 4 scenarios (June 5):
If New England wins … Winner of this game hosts
If Harrisburg wins … Winner of this game plays at Harrisburg

New York Red Bulls’ 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
First game of 2012 tournament
Charleston Battery’s 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
Rd 2: Reading United (PDL) 1:2 Charleston Battery (USL Pro) [+] Recap

Believe it or not, the New York Red Bulls are in second place in the Eastern Conference, mostly thanks to a hot start to the season that saw Kenny Cooper and Thierry Henry tearing up the league despite a porous defense. Now the defense is shored up and the team is continuing to get positive results, coming into the contest unbeaten in their last six games with a 5-0-1 record after a 1-1 draw against Chivas USA last Wednesday and a weekend off from league play. The Red Bulls have allowed only four goals during the run.

Charleston, on the other hand, is third in the league at 5-2-0 with both losses coming at home in one-goal decisions. Since their first two matches of the campaign, the Battery defense, led by DC United loanee Andrew Dykstra in goal, has allowed no more than one goal in any given game. Charleston comes into the match off a 1-0 home win against the LA Blues Saturday after defeating Reading United AC, 2-1, in the Second Round. The duo of Jose Cuevas and Nicki Paterson are the most dangerous for the Battery. Cuevas has had a role in scoring in nearly every game with three goals and three assists.

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
New York Red Bulls
OVERALL: 13-13-1 (1-0 PKs), , 7-7-1 (1-0 PKs) away, 4-4-0 vs. Division 2 clubs
BEST FINISH: Final (2003, lost 1-0 vs. Chicago Fire)
LAST ENTRY: 2011 (Quarterfinals, lost 4-0 at Chicago Fire)
Charleston Battery
OVERALL: 23-11-4 (3-1 PKs), 19-5-3 (2-1 in PKs) at home, 6-9-3 (2-1 PKs) vs. MLS clubs
AS USL PRO: 4-2-1 (1-0 in PKs), 4-1-0 at home, 1-0-1 (1-0 PKs) vs. MLS clubs
BEST FINISH: Final (2008, lost 2-1 at DC United)
LAST ENTRY: 2011 (Round 2, lost 1-0 vs. Orlando City SC)

Previous Open Cup Meetings (home team listed second):
2001 Round 2 – Metrostars (MLS) 1:4 Charleston Battery (A-League)
2004 Round 4 – Metrostars (MLS) 0:1 Charleston Battery (A-League)

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Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO) at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
PPL Park; Chester, Pa.; 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: TBA
Round 4 scenarios (June 5):
Winner plays at DC United/Richmond Kickers winner

Rochester Rhinos’ 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
Rd 2: Brooklyn Italians (NPSL) 0:3 Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro) [+] Recap
Philadelphia Union’s 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
First game of 2012 tournament

The giant-killing Rochester Rhinos could not have hand-picked a better opponent as the Union are struggling mightily heading into their tournament debut. Philadelphia has the second lowest point total in the league (8) ahead of only Canada’s Toronto FC, who picked up their first three points of the year Saturday with a 1-0 victory against the Union. Philadelphia is winless in its last five games, allowing five of the eight goals in that span at home.

Rochester, meanwhile, is no longer perfect, literally. The Rhinos started the season with six shutout victories behind the outstanding goalkeeping of Kristian Nicht and the consistent, but minimal offensive contributions of JC Banks. They gave up their first goal in a 1-1 draw the weekend before the 3-0 Second Round win against Brooklyn and have struggled since. This week they fell 1-0 in Harrisburg Friday and played to another draw against Dayton, 2-2 on the road, Saturday. The club’s offense has scored twice on two times in nine games this season, but is still second in the table.

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Rochester Rhinos
OVERALL: 28-13-5 (3-2 in PKs), 3-7-1 (1-0 PKs) away, 7-11-4 (2-2 PKs) vs. MLS clubs
AS USL PRO: 3-1-0, 1-0-0 away, 0-1-0 vs. MLS clubs
BEST FINISH: 1999 US Open Cup champions (Defeated Colorado Rapids 2-0)
LAST ENTRY: 2011 (Round 3, lost 1-0 vs. Chicago Fire)
Philadelphia Union
OVERALL: 0-0-0, 0-0-0 away, 0-0-0 vs. Division 3 clubs
BEST FINISH: 2012 is their first entry
LAST ENTRY: 2012 is their first entry

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Chicago Fire (MLS) at Michigan Bucks (PDL)
Ultimate Soccer Arena; Pontiac, Mich.; 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: Chicago-Fire.com (Video)
Round 4 scenarios (June 5):
Winner will host Columbus Crew/Dayton Dutch Lions winner

Chicago Fire’s 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
First game of 2012 tournament
Michigan Bucks’ 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
Rd 1: Jersey Shore Boca (USASA) 0:6 Michigan Bucks (PDL) [+] Recap
Rd 2: Michigan Bucks (PDL) 1:0 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro) [+] Recap

If you told a Fire fan that the final scoreline will be 2-1, it might make them worry. The past four league games have finished that way, and both times they were on the road the team was on the wrong side of the ledger. At 5-4-3, the club has yet to post two consecutive victories this season, and only have one three-game unbeaten streak (2-0-1) to boast about. The Fire are coming off a two-game week in which they looked great against visiting FC Dallas in a 2-1 win Wednesday, but were overrun on the road in Columbus in a 2-1 defeat Saturday.

It’s somewhat difficult to judge the Bucks as they have played just as many league games and matches in the Open Cup. After drubbing USASA’s Jersey Shore Boca in the First Round to open their 2012 campaign, the Bucks blasted visiting expansion side Chicago Inferno, 4-1, to open PDL play. After earning a narrow 1-0 upset win over Pittsburgh on the road in the Second Round they returned home to post a 6-2 win against second-year Hamilton Rage. Three players have led the scoring in league play with Thomas Catalano tallying two goals and two assists and the duo of Zach Steinberger and Kenny Uzoigwe, one of the club’s all-time greats, providing two goals each as well.

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Chicago Fire
OVERALL: 28-9-3 (2-1 PKs), 11-9-1 (1-0 PKs) away, 1-0-0 vs. amateur clubs
BEST FINISH: 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006 US Open Cup champions
LAST ENTRY: 2011 (Final, lost 2-0 at Seattle Sounders)
Michigan Bucks
OVERALL: 11-7-1 (0-1 in PKs), 4-3-0 away, 1-4-1 (0-1 PKs) vs. MLS clubs
BEST FINISH: Round 3 (1999, 2000, 2003, 2006)
LAST ENTRY: 2008 (Round 1, Lost 2-1 vs. Cleveland City Stars)

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Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO) at Columbus Crew (MLS)
Columbus Crew Stadium; Columbus, Ohio; 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: TheCrew.com (Video)
Round 4 scenarios (June 5):
Winner plays at Chicago Fire/Michigan Bucks winner

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
Columbus Crew’s 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
First game of 2012 tournament

It has been an ugly start to the season for Dayton, but the Dutch Lions have managed to tie one of the league’s best, Rochester, twice in the past two weeks, home and away. The club’s narrow, last-minute victory over the Chicago Fire PDL side in the Second Round last week is the team’s sole victory so far this season as they enter the contest 0-4-4 in league play, but Gibson Bardsley’s two goals and assist in the last four games is giving the team hope.

The bad news is that Columbus may be one of the best clubs in MLS at the moment, entering the match on a five-game unbeaten streak (3-0-2) with a defense that has allowed a maximum of one goal in the last six and has allowed more than one only three times this season. The Crew, though, are coming off a two-game week having blanked the reigning three-time Open Cup champion Seattle Sounders on the road Wednesday, 2-0, and downing rival Chicago at Crew Stadium Saturday, 2-1. The duo of Emilio Renteria and Eddie Gaven were on fire with three goals and two assists between them in the two games in addition to a goal-line clearance by Gaven. This game marks the first time in the Modern Professional Era (1995-present) that two teams frim

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Dayton Dutch Lions
OVERALL: 1-2-0, 1-2-0 away, 0-0-0 vs. MLS clubs
AS USL PRO: 1-1-0, 1-1-0 away, 0-0-0 vs. MLS clubs
BEST FINISH: Round 1 (2010, 2011)
LAST ENTRY: 2011 (Round 1, lost at Richmond Kickers 4-1)
Columbus Crew
OVERALL: 18-9-2 (0-2 PKs), 10-4-1 (0-1 PKs) at home, 4-1-0 vs. Division 3 clubs
BEST FINISH: 2002 US Open Cup champions
LAST ENTRY: 2011 (Round 3, lost 2-1 vs. Richmond Kickers)

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Orlando City SC (USL PRO) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
LIVESTRONG Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.; 8:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: YouTube.com (Video)
Round 4 scenarios (June 5): Winner hosts Colorado Rapids or Tampa Bay Rowdies

Orlando City SC’s 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
Rd 2: KC Athletics (USASA) 0:7 Orlando City SC (USL Pro) [+] Recap
Sporting Kansas City’s 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
First game of 2012 tournament

It is a match-up of the two best teams in the two leagues. Sporting KC comes into the match with the best points-per-game average in MLS with an 8-3-1 record after recording a dramatic 2-1 victory against the San Jose Earthquakes, one of the Western Conference’s best teams. The plentitude of attacking options for Kansas City with Graham Zusi, Kei Kamara, Bobby Convey and CJ Sapong hide the fact that the team has a great defensive record with only 10 goals allowed – seven coming in a recent four-game stretch (0-3-1) that ended with Saturday’s win. Aurelien Collin has done both, leading the back line and scoring three goals.

Orlando City remains the lone unbeaten in the league with a 7-0-2 record, scoring 17 and allowing just six goals in nine games. After drubbing the USASA’s KC Athletics 7-0 in the Second Round last week Orlando City played twice at home, posting a 1-1 draw against the LA Blues Thursday and defeating the Charlotte Eagles, 2-1, Saturday. Three different players provided goals, but it was the first time the club had allowed goals in consecutive games, a three-game stretch if you include the second match in Antigua, a 2-1 win nine days before the Open Cup opener.

The reigning USL Pro champions will be looking to follow in the steps of their compatriot Richmond Kickers, who traveled to Kansas City last year and picked up an unexpected 2-0 road victory in the Quarterfinals, becoming the first club to defeat Sporting in their new stadium.

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Orlando City SC
OVERALL: 3-1-0, 2-0-0 at home, 0-1-0 vs. amateur clubs
BEST FINISH: Round 3 (2011, lost 3-2 at FC Dallas)
LAST ENTRY: 2011 (Round 3, lost 3-2 at FC Dallas)
Sporting Kansas City
OVERALL: 11-10-3 (1-2 PKs), 7-5-0 at home, 0-2-0 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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Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO) at FC Dallas (MLS)
FC Dallas Stadium; Frisco, Texas; 8:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: FC Dallas (Video)
Round 4 scenarios (June 5):
If FC Dallas wins … home vs. Houston Dynamo OR at San Antonio Scorpions
If Charlotte wins … at San Antonio Scorpions OR Houston Dynamo

Charlotte Eagles’ 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
Rd 2: Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro) 1:0 El Paso Patriots (PDL) [+] Recap
FC Dallas’ 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
First game of 2012 tournament

The Charlotte Eagles will attempt to bounce back from what has been a difficult regular season in USL Pro to win consecutive Open Cup games for the first time in club history. That will be no small task as the Eagles are in Frisco, Texas to battle Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas. Never an easy task to knock off an MLS team, especially on their home field, but Dallas is struggling. They have not won a game since April 14, adding up to a nine-game winless streak.

Charlotte has only faced one MLS team in Open Cup play and nearly pulled off the upset. In a Third Round match in 2005, the Eagles hosted Chivas USA and appeared to be headed to a penalty kick shootout when Isaac Romo scored the game-winning goal with seconds remaining in the second extra time period.

FC Dallas is a mainstay in the US Open Cup, reaching the Quarterfinals a record 12 times since MLS was founded in 1996. Dallas has reached the title game three times (1997, 2005, 2007), while lifting the trophy just once, when they defeated DC United in a penalty kick shootout in 1997.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Charlotte Eagles
OVERALL: 6-9-0, 3-8-0 away, 0-1-0 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)
FC Dallas
OVERALL: 21-13-4 (4-0 PKs), 13-4-1 at home, 3-1-0 vs. Division 3 clubs
BEST FINISH: 1997 US Open Cup champions
LAST ENTRY: 2011 (Semifinals, lost 1-0 at Seattle Sounders)

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Houston Dynamo (MLS) at San Antonio Scorpions (NASL)
Heroes Stadium; San Antonio, Texas; 8:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: TBA
Round 4 scenarios (June 5):
If Houston wins … at FC Dallas OR home vs. Charlotte Eagles
If San Antonio wins … home vs. FC Dallas/Charlotte Eagles winner

Houston Dynamo’s 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
First game of 2012 tournament
San Antonio Scorpions’ 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
Rd 2: Laredo Heat (PDL) 0:2 San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) [+] Recap

One of the more intriguing matches of the Third Round of the US Open Cup this year is the expansion team from the NASL, the San Antonio Scorpions, hosting Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo. The Scorpions are 4-1-3 in their inaugural campaign and are drumming up some solid fan support, as is typical for a first-year team. After three home games, they’re averaging almost 11,000 fans per game and it could be a factor in Tuesday’s Open Cup match as the Scorpions try to prove themselves against an in-state MLS team.
BLURB HERE >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Houston Dynamo
OVERALL: 5-4-1 (0-1 PKs), 2-3-1 (0-1 PKs) away, 3-1-1 (0-1) vs. Division 2 clubs
BEST FINISH: Semifinals (2006, 2009)
LAST ENTRY: 2010 (Quarterfinals, lost vs. Chivas USA 3-1)
San Antonio Scorpions
OVERALL: 1-0-0, 1-0-0 at home, 0-0-0 vs. MLS clubs
BEST FINISH: First entry into the US Open Cup
LAST ENTRY: First entry into the US Open Cup

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Minnesota Stars FC (NASL) at Real Salt Lake (MLS)
Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah; 9 p.m. ET
Broadcast: RealSaltLake.com (Video)
Round 4 scenarios (June 5):
If Minnesota wins … at San Jose Earthquakes OR home vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers
If Real Salt Lake wins … at San Jose Earthquakes OR home vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers

Minnesota Stars’ 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
Rd 2: Minnesota Stars FC (NASL) 2:0 Des Moines Menace (PDL) [+] Recap
Real Salt Lake’s 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
First game of 2012 tournament

While the Minnesota Stars is a different franchise, when most Open Cup fans think of Minnesota and Real Salt Lake, they think back to the wild barnburner of a match between the Minnesota Thunder the RSL in the Third Round of 2005. (Note: It happened on the same night as the Charlotte Eagles/Chivas USA match we referenced above). Jason Kreis scored a hat trick but Minnesota, led by Melvin Tarley, Johnny Menyongar and Aaron Paye matched the RSL side blow-by-blow, including an 89th minute equalizer by Paye to send the match into extra time tied. With the scoreboard locked at 4-4, the Thunder scored two more in extra time to win it 6-4.

Will we see fireworks like that on Tuesday night? Real Salt Lake is certainly capable, as they currently hold the league’s best record at 9-3-2 and are on a six-game unbeaten streak. The Stars are in second place in the NASL with a 4-0-4 record, but the question is do they have enough to hang with the best team in MLS on the road?

One thing the two teams do have in common is the fact that neither has history on their side. This is just the second tournament for Minnesota since the team started in 2010, but for all the success that RSL has had in league play and the CONCACAF Champions League, the Open Cup has not been their competition. They are only 2-3-0 all-time in the Open Cup, but the reason why a team which began play in 2005 has only five games under its belt is because they failed to qualify for the tournament four years in a row from 2007-2010. Both teams will be anxious to start a new chapter in the team’s history.

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Minnesota Stars FC
OVERALL: 2-1-0, 1-0-0 away, 0-0-0 vs. MLS clubs
BEST FINISH: Round 2 (2010, lost 1-0 vs. AC St. Louis)
LAST ENTRY: 2010 (Round 2, lost 1-0 vs. AC St. Louis)
Real Salt Lake
OVERALL: 2-3-0, 2-1-0 at home, 1-1-0 vs. Division 2 clubs
BEST FINISH: Quarterfinals (2011, lost 2-0 at FC Dallas)
LAST ENTRY: 2011 (Quarterfinals, lost 2-0 at FC Dallas)

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Chivas USA (MLS) at Ventura County Fusion (PDL)
Ventura College; Ventura, Calif.; 10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: TBA
Round 4 scenarios (June 5):
Winner will play at Los Angeles Galaxy or at Carolina RailHawks

Chivas USA’s 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
First game of 2012 tournament
Ventura County Fusion’s 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
Rd 1: Ventura County Fusion (PDL) 6:2 (AET) Fullerton Rangers (NPSL) [+] Recap
Rd 2: Ventura County Fusion (PDL) 3:1 (AET) Los Angeles Blues (USL Pro) [+] Recap

Two clubs with contrasting histories in their respective leagues come together in Los Angeles. The Ventura County Fusion have been one of the more dominant clubs in the Southwest Division for a while, and claimed the league championship in 2009. The Fusion are off to a 3-1-1 start in league play with victories in their last three games, five including US Open Cup. They downed the NPSL’s Fullerton Rangers, 6-2 in overtime, in the First Round. And despite playing twice – two shutout wins – before the Second Round, they stunned the USL Pro LA Blues, 3-1 in overtime, to remain one of three amateur teams left in the tournament. The team is coming off a 4-1 victory Saturday against the Southern California Seahorses with three goals from Travis Bowen in his debut. Two of the goals were set up by Francisco Lopez, who has been the Open Cup star with overtime goals.

Unlike the Fusion, Chivas USA is still searching for glory. At 4-6-3 the club has been surprisingly strong in what was expected to be another rebuilding year under second-year coach Robin Fraser, sitting above both FC Dallas and rival LA Galaxy in the table. The club’s improved defense has been a key factor, 14 allowed in 13 games, as the offense has been sparse with only nine goals. The team is on a four-game unbeaten run, playing to a pair of 1-1 draws this past week in New York Wednesday and at home versus Seattle Saturday. The previous weekend, they stunned many with a rare win against the reigning league champion Galaxy, 1-0. That came a week after an impressive 1-1 road draw against the high-flying offense of the San Jose Earthquakes.

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Chivas USA
OVERALL: 3-5-1, 2-5-0 away, 0-0-1 (0-1 PKs) vs. amateur clubs
BEST FINISH: Semifinals (2010, lost 3-1 at Seattle Sounders)
LAST ENTRY: 2010 (Semifinals, lost 3-1 at Seattle Sounders)
Ventura County Fusion
OVERALL: 3-1-1 (0-1 in PKs), 2-0-0 away, 0-0-0 vs. MLS clubs
BEST FINISH: Round 2 (2011, lost 1-0 vs. Los Angeles Blues)
LAST ENTRY: 2011 (Round 2, lost 1-0 vs. Los Angeles Blues)

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Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) at Seattle Sounders (MLS)
Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, Wash.; 10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: SoundersFC.com (Video)
Round 4 scenarios (June 5):
If Seattle wins … home vs. Cal FC OR at Portland Timbers
If Atlanta wins … at Portland Timbers OR TBD vs. Cal FC

Atlanta Silverbacks’ 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
Rd 2: Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) 1:0 Georgia Revolution (NPSL) [+] Recap
Seattle Sounders’ 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
First game of 2012 tournament

It was not quite the last game between the two clubs at the Starfire Soccer Complex as the Sounders played one more USL First Division campaign before moving onto Major League Soccer after the 2008 season. But the memory of a stinging 4-0 loss in the 2007 championship game has to still be on the minds of team management as they trek back to Seattle for the first time in four years. Only defender Martyn Lancaster remains from the Silverbacks roster that took the field that night. Standing on the other side again may very well defender Zach Scott and forward Roger Levesque. And in one other small twist, Atlanta’s Ciaran O’Brien’s brother, Leighton, was a part of that game for Seattle, though he left after 18 minutes with an injury. The Silverbacks were never able to avenge the defeat, falling 2-0 at home and 4-2 away early in the season and playing to a 1-1 draw in the final month at Starfire.

Atlanta comes into the contest with a narrow Second Round victory against amateur NPSL side Georgia Revolution as the only win of the campaign as they are one of two winless sides (Carolina) in the NASL at 0-4-5. A 1-1 draw in Fort Lauderdale Saturday ended a four-game losing streak in which they allowed at least two goals in every game. Reinaldo Navia has been the star of the season thus far with six goals, but his equalizer Saturday, set up by O’Brien, was the first in five games.

The Sounders bring the weight of being the three-time Open Cup champions to the table as well as one of the best records in the league at 8-3-3. The Sounders, though, have struggled of late with a four-game winless stretch (0-2-2) and are coming off a two-game week in MLS, falling at home to Columbus, 2-0, and playing to a 1-1 draw on the road against Chivas USA. Scoring has come from a myriad of players and the team is relying heavily on rookie goalkeeper Bryan Meredith, who is in relief of the injured Michael Gspurning. Last year Meredith was on the other side of the equation playing for the PDL Kitsap Pumas. He guided them to a pair of wins versus amateur competition before falling, 2-1, at Starfire to the Sounders. The Sounders enter the 2012 tournament riding a Modern Pro Era record 17-game unbeaten streak dating back to the 2008 campaign, including a 12-game unbeaten streak as an MLS franchise.

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Atlanta Silverbacks
OVERALL: 5-6-2 (1-1 in PKs), 2-3-2 (1-1 in PKs) away, 0-2-1 (0-1 PKs) vs. MLS clubs
BEST FINISH: Round 4 (2004, lost 4-1 vs. Kansas City Wizards)
LAST ENTRY: 2008 (Round 2, lost 1-0 at Miami FC)
Seattle Sounders
OVERALL: 26-11-3 (2-1 PKs), 20-2-1 (1-0 PKs) at home, 3-1-2 (1-1 PKs) vs. Division 2 clubs
AS MLS: 11-0-1 (1-0 PKs), 9-0-0 at home, 1-0-1 (1-0 PKs) vs. Division 2 clubs
BEST FINISH: 2009, 2010, 2011 US Open Cup champions
LAST ENTRY: 2011 (Champion, 2-0 win vs. Chicago Fire)

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Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Cagan Stadium, Stanford University; Stanford, Calif.; 10:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: TBA
Round 4 scenarios (June 5):
If San Jose wins … home vs. Real Salt Lake/Minnesota Stars FC winner
If Fort Lauderdale wins … at Real Salt Lake/Minnesota Stars FC winner

Fort Lauderdale Strikers’ 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
Rd 2: Fresno Fuego (PDL) 2:7 Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) [+] Recap
San Jose Earthquakes’ 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
First game of 2012 tournament

Soccer history has a page set aside for the rivalry that was between the Strikers and the Earthquakes. Dating back to the 1970s and ‘80s of the old NASL, the Earthquakes had a significant edge over the Strikers. From 1977-83, San Jose had a 2-10-0 advantage over the Fort Lauderdale team that is making their revival into this year’s US Open Cup.

The Strikers are coming off a 7-2 rout over PDL’s Fresno Fuego. Aly Hassan scored a hat trick, with three other teammates contributing to the scoreline at home. Fort Lauderdale, fifth in NASL, is currently 2-3-4 in their season and is 0-2-2 away from Lockhart Stadium.

San Jose has a US Open Cup record of 8-6-4 (2-2 in PKs) and is making a return to the tournament, a first since a quarterfinal appearance in 2005. Aside from the game not being at their normal home field at Buckshaw Stadium (this game will be at Cagan Stadium on Stanford University’s campus), Chris Wondolowski will not be in the lineup for this third round game. San Jose’s leader in goals and shots is currently serving on the US national team. The Earthquakes are currently second in the Western Conference and overall in MLS, but have only won once in their last five league games.

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Fort Lauderdale Strikers
OVERALL: 6-4-1 (0-1 in PKs), 0-3-1 away, 0-2-0 vs. MLS clubs
BEST FINISH: Round 3 (2008, 2010)
LAST ENTRY: Round 3 (2010, lost 1-0 at Houston Dynamo)
San Jose Earthquakes
OVERALL: 8-6-4 (2-2 PKs), 1-3-1 (0-1 PKs) at home, 5-1-2 (2-0) vs. Division 2 clubs
BEST FINISH: Semifinals (2004, lost 1-0 at Kansas City Wizards)
LAST ENTRY: 2005 (Quarterfinals, lost 2-1 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy)

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Cal FC (USASA) at Portland Timbers (MLS)
JELD-WEN Field; Portland, Ore.; 10:30 p.m. PT
Broadcast: PortlandTimbers.com (Video) | 750AM (Audio)
Round 4 scenarios (June 5):
If Portland wins … home vs. Seattle Sounders/Atlanta Silverbacks winner
If Cal FC wins … at Seattle Sounders OR TBD vs. Atlanta Silverbacks

Cal FC’s 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
Rd 1: Cal FC (USASA) 3:1 Kitsap Pumas (PDL) [+] Recap
Rd 2: Cal FC (USASA) 4:0 Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro) [+] Recap
Portland Timbers’ 2012 US Open Cup results (home team on right):
First game of 2012 tournament

If any team can have “giant killer” status, Cal FC are definitely merit of that. In the first round, they met PDL champs Kitsap Pumas and sent them packing early, with the help from former US youth international Danny Barrera netting two goals in the 3-1 victory. Cal FC traveled to Wilmington, knocking off the USL Pro side 4-0. Barrera won his second straight TheCup.us Player of the Round award by scoring two more goals, along with Artur Aghasyan and Pedro Ferreira-Mendez contributing.

Cal FC are just the second USASA team from southern California to win a US Open Cup game. The first team, Hollywood United, also faced the Portland Timbers in the next round. The Timbers were a USL First Division team at the time and were upset by Hollywood 3-2.

The current form of the Timbers could be better, with only one win in the month of May and three draws to go along with it. Portland’s three league wins this season have all come playing at home so far, with their home record standing at 3-2-2. The Timbers are currently 7th in the Western Conference and 14th in all of MLS. This will be the first time for Portland’s MLS team to enter the US Open Cup, and the first time since 2010 a Timbers franchise has been in the tournament.

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Cal FC
OVERALL: 2-0-0, 2-0-0 away, 0-0-0 vs. MLS clubs
BEST FINISH: 2012 is their first entry
LAST ENTRY: 2012 is their first entry
Portland Timbers
OVERALL: 7-6-1 (0-1 PKs), 2-4-1 (0-1 PKs) at home, 5-1-0 vs. amateur clubs
AS MLS: 2012 is their first entry
BEST FINISH: Fourth Round (2005, lost 2-0 vs.San Jose Earthquakes)
LAST ENTRY: 2010 (Third Round, drew 1-1 vs. Seattle Sounders, lost in PKs 4-3)

UPDATED: US Open Cup Third Round Pairings Unveiled: 11 MLS clubs could travel for Round 3; 2 PDL clubs with shot to host

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UPDATES:
* The Atlanta Silverbacks/Seattle Sounders match, originally scheduled for Atlanta on May 30, has been moved to Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash. (also on May 30).
*The potential Wilmington Hammerheads/Portland Timbers match has been moved from Wilmington to Portland and the date has changed to May 30, meaning the Timbers are guaranteed a home game in Round 3.
*The potential match between the New England Revolution and the Harrisburg City Islanders has been moved from Hersheypark Stadium to Skyline Soccer Complex in Harrsiburg.
*The Second Round match between the Ventura County Fusion and the Los Angeles Blues has been moved to Fullerton College.
* The Minnesota Stars’ home game against Real Salt Lake will now be hosted by RSL due to an arrangement made between the two teams.

The United States Soccer Federation announced the pairings and host scenarios Wednesday afternoon for the Third Round of the US Open Cup, featuring the entrance of the Major League Soccer clubs into the event. A dozen lower division clubs will have the opportunity to host an MLS club with a victory in the Second Round May 22, including the amateur USL Premier Development League sides Laredo Heat and Michigan Bucks.

Only five MLS participants are guaranteed a home fixture for the Third Round with Sporting Kansas City, Columbus Crew, FC Dallas, San Jose Earthquakes and Philadelphia Union welcoming Second Round winners.

The Houston Dynamo, who just opened the brand new BBVA Compass Stadium are the only club that will have to travel, though the trip will stay within Texas as they were paired with the Heat and expansion North American Soccer League San Antonio Scorpions.

Five NASL clubs and five members of USL Pro will have an opportunity to host an MLS team if they prevail.

Travel-wise, there are several pairings that could see extensive miles logged. Among them are Orlando City to Kansas City; Charlotte to Dallas; Fort Lauderdale to San Jose; Los Angeles Galaxy to Carolina; Colorado to Tampa Bay; and Seattle to Atlanta.

TheCup.us US Open Cup Bracket |  Details on Hosting Selection Process

LAMAR HUNT US OPEN CUP SECOND ROUND – Tuesday, May 22

Michigan Bucks (PDL) at Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO)
Chartiers Valley Stadium; Bridgeville, Pa.; 7 p.m. ET

Long Island Rough Riders (PDL) at Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO)
Skyline Sports Complex; Harrisburg, Pa.; 7 p.m. ET

Cal FC (USASA) at Wilmington Hammerheads (USL PRO)
Legion Sports Park; Wilmington, N.C.; 7 p.m. ET

Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) at Jacksonville United (NPSL)
Patton Park; Jacksonville, Fla.; 7 p.m. ET

Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO) at Chicago Fire PDL (PDL)
Toyota Park Practice Field; Bridgeview, Ill.; 7 p.m. ET

PSA Elite (USASA) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, N.C.; 7:07 p.m. ET

Fresno Fuego (PDL) at Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL)
Lockhart Stadium; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; 7:30 p.m. ET

KC Athletics (USASA) at Orlando City SC (USL PRO)
Seminole Soccer Complex; Sanford, Fla.; 7:30 p.m. ET

Reading United AC (PDL) at Charleston Battery (USL PRO)
Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, S.C.; 7:30 p.m. ET

Richmond Kickers (USL PRO) at Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (USASA)
Maryland SoccerPlex Stadium; Boyds, Md.; 7:30 p.m. ET

Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) at Georgia Revolution (NPSL)
RYSA Soccerplex; Conyers, Ga.; 7:30 p.m. ET

Brooklyn Italians (NPSL) at Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO)
Sahlen’s Stadium; Rochester, N.Y.; 7:35 p.m. ET

Ventura County Fusion (PDL) at Los Angeles Blues (USL PRO)
Hal Shurbeck Field, Fullerton College; Fullerton, Calif.; 8 p.m. ET

Laredo Heat (PDL) at San Antonio Scorpions (NASL)
Blossom Athletic Center; San Antonio, Texas; 8:30 p.m. ET

Minnesota Stars FC (NASL) at Des Moines Menace (PDL)
Valley Stadium; Des Moines, Iowa; 8:30 p.m. ET

Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO) at El Paso Patriots (PDL)
Patriots Stadium; El Paso, Texas; 10 p.m. ET

LAMAR HUNT US OPEN CUP THIRD ROUND – May 29 (except where noted)

Houston Dynamo (MLS) at San Antonio Scorpions (NASL): Heroes Stadium; San Antonio, Texas; 7:30 p.m. CT
Chicago Fire (MLS) at Michigan Bucks (PDL): Ultimate Soccer; Pontiac, Mich.; 7:30 p.m. ET
Orlando City (USL PRO) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS): LIVESTRONG Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.; 7:30 p.m. CT
D.C. United (MLS) at Richmond Kickers (USL PRO): Richmond City Stadium; Richmond, Va.; 7 p.m. ET
Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO) at Columbus Crew (MLS): Columbus Crew Stadium; Columbus, Ohio; 7:30 p.m. ET
Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO) at FC Dallas (MLS): FC Dallas Stadium; Frisco, Texas; 7:30 p.m. CT
Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS): Cagan Stadium, Stanford University; Stanford, Calif.; 7:30 p.m. PT
Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO) at Philadelphia Union (MLS): PPL Park; Chester, Pa.; 7:30 p.m. ET
New England Revolution (MLS) at Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO): Skyline Sports Complex; Harrisburg, Pa.; 7 p.m. ET
New York Red Bulls (MLS) at Charleston Battery (USL PRO): Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, S.C.; 7:30 p.m. ET
Chivas USA (MLS) at Ventura County Fusion (PDL); TBD; Time TBD
Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL): WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, N.C.; 7:07 p.m. ET
Colorado Rapids (MLS) at Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL): Al Lang Stadium; St. Petersburg, Fla.; 7:30 p.m. ET
Cal FC (USASA) at Portland Timbers (MLS): JELD-WEN Field; Portland, Ore.; 7:30 p.m. PT – May 30
Seattle Sounders (MLS) at Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL): Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, Wash.; 7 p.m. PT – May 30
Real Salt Lake (MLS) at Minnesota Stars FC (NASL): National Sports Center; Blaine, Minn.; 7:30 p.m. CT

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