2014 Fifth Round

Just like their previous match against the Richmond Kickers, the Revs got going early and held control of the match all the way through the first half. Saer Sene took a Lee Nguyen cross and netted it at the 11 minute mark and a rebound from a John McCarthy save was kicked in by Kelyn Rowe in the 33rd minute. The Rhinos ratcheted up the pressure in the second half, and were able to cut into the lead as Colin Rolfe kicked in his third goal of the campaign just after halftime. Rochester kept threatening until the end of regulation, as Babacar Diallo was sent off for a hard foul, ending their hopes for an equalizer. New England will travel to Philadelphia on July 8 to play the Union. MATCH REPORT [+]

HIGHLIGHTS/INTERVIEWS: ROCHESTER AT NEW ENGLAND

June 24: Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) 1:1 (4:1 PKs) San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
The Sounders had to wait until the penalty shootout for the Starfire Sports Complex mojo to start working, as the only goalscoring happened in a quick flurry. Steven Lenhart notched a San Jose goal in the 24th minute only to be answered two minutes later by Kenny Cooper for the Sounders. While the home side had more than their fair share of chances, they were never able to convert any into a winner.

The shots started finding twine in the Shootout, as the Sounders’ Gonzalo Pineda and the Quakes’ Khari Stephenson both found the twine. However, San Jose would go cold, as Alan Gordon missed and J.J. Koval’s kick was saved by Marcus Hahnemann. Seattle would stay hot, as Marco Pappa, Brad Evans, and Lamar Neagle all converted to force an early end to the PK duel. Seattle hosts archrival Portland Timbers July 9 at Starfire. MATCH REPORT [+]

HIGHLIGHTS: SAN JOSE AT SEATTLE

June 24: Houston Dynamo (MLS) 2:3 (AET) FC Dallas (MLS)

The Texas Derby came to the Open Cup, and true to form was another hard-fought battle. FC Dallas would capitalize on a couple defensive turnovers, one of which lead to an extra time goal from Tesho Akindele to defeat the Houston Dynamo 3-2 at Houston’s BBVA Compass Stadium.

The first half would see a number of chances from both sides and the teams finish the first 45 notched at 1. A notable moment in the half was the injury to Houston’s leading scorer Will Bruin, who was subbed out in the 23rd minute when he suffered a hip injury. The second half would see more back-and-forth play between the sides and the teams would trade goals in the span of three minutes when Dallas’ Andres Escobar put away a shot from the top of the box in the 59th minute only to be followed by Houston’s Omar Cummings striding through defenders and leveling the score in the 62nd minute. After Akindele’s extra time goal in the 98th minute, Houston turned up their offensive pressure but Dallas would hold on for the victory.

FC Dallas will now travel to face the Carolina Railhawks on July 9th in the quarterfinals, after the NASL squad knocked over a full-strength Los Angeles Galaxy. MATCH REPORT [+]

MATCH REPLAY: FC DALLAS AT HOUSTON DYNAMO

June 24: Colorado Rapids (MLS) 1:2 Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL)

The Silverbacks managed to sandwich two Jaime Chavez goals around an hour-long weather delay before the action on the pitch got as ugly as the weather. Chavez worked a drive with Junior Burgos to net a goal in the 22nd minute, then the storms hit seven minutes later to bring the match to a halt. Atlanta came back and controlled play into the second half, as Chavez was able to turn a Jesus Gonzales pass netward at the 57-minute mark. After the goal, Chavez pulled down a Rapids player from behind, leading to a brawl on the pitch. Three Silverback players (including Chavez), one Rapid, both head coaches, and another Atlanta coach were tossed, leaving Colorado with a 10 vs. 8 advantage. Colorado turned up the pressure afterwards, and halved the lead on a Dillon Powers penalty kick with 15 minutes to play, but were never able to find an equalizer despite two extra men. Atlanta (missing two of their most important offensive players) will host the Chicago Fire in the next round. MATCH REPORT [+]

FULL MATCH REPLAY: COLORADO RAPIDS AT ATLANTA SILVERBACKS

June 24: Sporting Kansas City (MLS) 1:3 Portland Timbers (MLS)

Portland ran roughshod over 2012 Open Cup champion Sporting Kansas City, notching a 3-1 road win. Gaston Fernandez scored his second brace in two weeks, sandwiching them around Will Johnson’s penalty kick goal. Portland mostly controlled the entire game, though SKC’s Soony Saad was able to convert a penalty shot in the 73rd minute. However, the Timbers shut down Kansas City the rest of the way, making their second Quarterfinal appearance in a row after being infamously upset by Cal FC in Round 4 in 2012. The Timbers will now have a home-and-home with rivals Seattle Sounders FC. They will travel to Tukwila for the Open Cup match on July 9, then will host the Sounders in MLS play on July 13. MATCH REPORT [+]

HIGHLIGHTS: PORTLAND TIMBERS AT SPORTING KANSAS CITY

June 24: Carolina RailHawks (NASL) 1:0 (AET) Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)

The Galaxy faced their Open Cup nemeses in Carolina for the third straight year, and as in their previous matches, would again fall to the RailHawks. An extra time goal by Carolina’s Daniel Jackson would secure the victory for the NASL club. Despite the Galaxy bringing close to a ‘first team’ lineup, including Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane, and dominating possession through most of the game, the MLS side would fall prey to the stellar keeping of RailHawks rookie Scott Goodwin. Goodwin made eight saves from a barrage of over 30 shots from L.A. in front of the sellout crowd. The game would remain scoreless through 90. In extra time, Nick Zimmerman slipped the ball through an opening in the Galaxy defense to Jackson, who streaked in on L.A.’s Jamie Penedo to score the game winner in the 105th minute. The Railhawks will host FC Dallas on July 9 at WakeMed Soccer Park. MATCH REPORT [+]

HIGHLIGHTS: LA GALAXY AT CAROLINA RAILHAWKS

June 24: Philadelphia Union (MLS) 2:1 (AET) New York Cosmos (NASL)

A historic penalty kick late in extra time capped off a chaotic finish that saw the Philadelphia Union hold off the visiting New York Cosmos 2-1. After a scoreless first half that saw New York push the tempo, the Cosmos would strike in the 56th minute with a goal from Alessandro Noselli. The Union would fire back only seconds later when Sebastian Le Toux put away a cross from Andrew Wenger. The match would head to extra time where in the 115th minute, Cosmos defender Jimmy Ockford made the costly mistake of pulling down Maurice Edu in the box, resulting in a penalty kick. Le Toux would convert the kick to give himself 13 goals in his Open Cup career, which is tied for the most by any player in recent Open Cup history. The Union now host the New England Revolution winner, at PPL Park on July 8. MATCH REPORT [+]

HIGHLIGHTS: COSMOS AT UNION

QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE:

New England Revolution (MLS) at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
PPL Park; Chester, PA – July 8, 7:00 p.m. ET

Chicago Fire (MLS) at Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks Park; Atlanta, GA – July 9, 7:30 p.m. ET

FC Dallas (MLS) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, NC – July 9, 7:30 p.m. ET

Portland Timbers (MLS) at Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
Starfire Soccer Complex; Tukwila, WA – July 9, 10:30 p.m. ET

2014 US Open Cup Round 5: New England Revolution continue dominance of Rochester Rhinos, 2-1 (video)

June 26, 2014 by Brandon Gee

Two former Open Cup champs met at Stevenson Field, on the campus of Brown University in Providence, RI for their Fifth Round US Open Cup match. USL PRO’s Rochester Rhinos (who won the tourney as a member of the USL’s A-League in 1999) faced MLS’ New England Revolution (2007 champs) for a spot in the quarterfinals.

This was the sixth meeting all-time between the two clubs, with New England taking 4 of the 5 previous matches. Rochester was surely angling to enact a bit of revenge on the Revs after last year’s 5-2 loss.

Alas, it would not be the Rhinos night. Behind the play of Lee Nyugen, New England took a two-goal lead in the first half and held off a renewed effort from Rochester in the second to secure the 2-1 win.

Nguyen created the opportunity for the first Revs goal in the ninth minute.

#USOC2014 LINKS

Streaking into the box and drawing the Rochester defense, Nguyen dished the ball to Saer Sene who dribbled around a defender to the left side of the Rhinos net, then shot the ball past Rochester keeper John McCarthy into the net’s lower right corner. From there, the Rhinos tried to gather their composure but fell prey to a number of Revs clearances spun into scoring opportunities.

In the 25th minute, a long ball to Sene near the midfield turned into a Revs scoring chance when Sene ran down the left side to the box, passed it to Steve Neumann at the top, who in turn sent a pass to the right to Caldwell. He fired the ball just wide of the Rochester net.

The Revs struck again on a similar play with Nguyen charging from the left side, sending a shot soaring to McCarthy, who made the save but couldn’t control the rebound. Kelyn Rowe was right there to knock it past the keeper in the 33rd minute. That goal was Rowe’s sixth Open Cup goal in five games (across three years).

Rochester controled play early in the second half. The Rhinos put together a number of passes but failed to get a serious challenge at the New England net until the 55th minute. The Rhinos finally broke through when Jonny Mendoza sent a cross over the box from the left side and Colin Rolfe deflected it past the Revs’ with a header from the penalty spot towards the far post.

With Nguyen being subbed off at halftime, the Revolution clearly missed his playmaking ability in the second half and despite Charlie Davies coming on in the 60th minute, the team just couldn’t mount any sustained pressure. Couple that with Rochester’s desperate attempts to level the score which made for some tense moments. That was until the 89th minute when Rochester went down to 10 men as Babacar Diallo earned a red card on a serious foul on New England’s Patrick Mullins (plus a kick when Mullins was down). This all but sealed Rochester’s fate as stoppage time would finish with New England claiming the victory.

New England moves on the the Quarterfinal Round where it will travel to Philadelphia to face the Union at PPL Park on July 8.

Brandon Gee is a freelance writer who works for a variety of media outlets. Follow him on Twitter @utpbrandon.

HIGHLIGHTS/INTERVIEWS: ROCHESTER AT NEW ENGLAND

FULL MATCH REPLAY: ROCHESTER AT NEW ENGLAND

2014 US Open Cup Round 5: Chicago Fire need extra time to keep perfect record vs. rival Columbus Crew (video)

June 26, 2014 by Jeff Engelhardt

For the second time in as many years the Chicago Fire ended the Columbus Crew’s US Open Cup campaign, this time led by a brace from Juan Luis Anangono during a 4-2 victory in extra time.

Substitutes played a key role for both sides, accounting for three of the six goals scored over the 120 minutes of play.

“The fighting spirit of the guys to come back and go on and win the match is great,” Fire coach Frank Yallop said. “I was pleased with the subs that came on. They did a nice job. I think the whole team responded when we did that.”

In an uneventful first half, the Fire found themselves enjoying one-way traffic though they were only able to challenge Columbus goalkeeper Steve Clark on rare occasion. Clark was first called into action at the 14-minute mark when Grant Ward sent a cross in from the right side of the box to Quincy Amarikwa who put a solid header on the pass. Clark extinguished the shot.

It was 20 minutes later when the Fire got on the scoreboard. Standing only a few yards in front of the center line, Harry Shipp took a deep free kick and sent in a precision pass to an unmarked Patrick Ianni who streaked down the middle of the box and beat Clark with a sliding shot on goal.

#USOC2014 LINKS

The Crew enjoyed slightly more possession in the last five minutes of the first half with their best chance coming on a free kick from about 20 yards out. After Matt Watson was called for a penalty right at the top of the center of the box, Justin Meram lined up to take a free kick but was unable to put the shot on frame as Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson watched the attempt sail over his head.

Chicago outshout Columbus 10-2 in the first half, putting five on frame compared to the Crew’s zero.

The second half was a different story for the Crew who found a spark offensively when Jairo Arrieta came in for Meram to start the half.

Right from his introduction, Arrieta helped create the Crew’s best chance to that point when he was wide open to the left of Johnson. Arrieta missed the wide open goal on his first opportunity but soon redeemed himself about 10 minutes later, converting a much more difficult chance.

On a long free kick, Ben Speas sent a ball to the left side of the box that was chased down and chipped to the middle by Ben Sweat. Arrieta, lurking in the middle of the box, attempted a bicycle kick and made no mistake, finding the back of the net to even the score.

The Crew continued its pressure throughout the half and find the back of the net at the 69th minute when a deflected cross fell to Bernador Anor at the top of the box. Anor fired a shot past Johnson to give Columbus a 2-1 lead.

Both teams opted for substitutions in the 71st minute with Columbus bringing on Michael Parkhurst and Will Trapp for Hector Jimenez and Tony Tchani, respectively, while the Fire brought Alex on for Logan Pause to push for a late goal. It was the 77th minute substitution of Anangono for Mike Magee that proved to be the difference.

With only seven minutes of regular time remaining, Matt Watson made a run down the right sideline, cut inside the box and found an unmarked Anangono who fired a shot past Clark to even the score at 2-2.

The late momentum for the Fire continued in part because of a reckless challenge by Parkhurst on Amarikwa in the 97th minute that drew a red card without any protest.

It was just the beginning for the Ecuadorian striker who played a pivotal role both of Chicago’s goals in extra time. Only two minutes into the extra period, Greg Cochrane crossed a ball into the box and found Anangono who hit a header to Shipp, then hit the ball to Amarikwa who finished the sequence with a header of his own to give the Fire a 3-2 lead.

Anangono got into the action again only three minutes into the second set of extra time. Alex, making a run up the left side, found a streaking Anangono unmarked in the center which led to the team’s final goal.

“He is a terrific professional,” Yallop said of Anangono. “He tries very hard for the team. I am very, very happy for him.”

Chicago will visit the NASL’s Atlanta Silverbacks on July 9 in a Quarterfinal matchup. Atlanta will be undermanned after three players were shown red cards in the game against Colorado on Tuesday.

Jeff Engelhardt is a contributor to the Chicago soccer site Hot Time In Old Town. You can follow him on Twitter @JWEngelhardt.

HIGHLIGHTS: COLUMBUS CREW AT CHICAGO FIRE

FULL MATCH REPLAY: COLUMBUS CREW AT CHICAGO FIRE

POST-GAME: QUINCY AMARIKWA

POST-GAME: FRANK YALLOP

POST-GAME: JUAN LUIS ANANGONO

2014 US Open Cup Round 5: Atlanta Silverbacks’ upset of Colorado Rapids marred by chaos, 7 red cards

June 25, 2014 by Robert Wilson

Between the chaos and emotion, and the hail and lightning, the eight man Atlanta Silverbacks defended their lead and won the Fifth Round matchup verses the Colorado Rapids by a score of 2-1.

The scoring began in the 21st minute when Atlanta midfielder Junior Burgos lobbed a ball towards forward Jaime Chavez who’s half bicycle kick chipped Colorado goalkeeper Clint Irwin and gave the visitors the one goal lead. For the second week in a row Colorado had conceded the first goal to the visiting side and intensified their attack.

Just as the game was opening up for both sides the Colorado weather took a dangerous turn. In the 28th minute lightning and hail suspended the game for over forty minutes giving each team a much needed huddle in their respective locker rooms. After the game both coaches admitted that the unexpected break was helpful resetting their game plans and focusing their player on the task at hand. For the Rapids, head coach Pablo Mastroeni focused his players on the attack while the Silverbacks caught their breath and prepared to protect their lead for the remaining sixty minutes of the game.

The game continued into the second half with back and forth attacking that kept both teams on edge. The midfield battle saw numerous chances on net for virtually every attacker on the Colorado Rapids. After waves of shots by the Rapids the Silverbacks gained a free kick roughly forty yards from the Colorado net. Substitute Jesus Gonzalez’s quick free kick was a lofty pass that sailed past the Colorado goal where it was met by a leaping Jamie Chavez who headed his second goal, stunning the home crowd. Irwin had come off his line to defend the ball, but was unable to get to it, leaving himself in no-man’s land and the net wide open.

What was once a heated yet free flowing affair turned ugly in a matter of moments when Atlanta goalscorer Jamie Chavez pulled down Colorado centerback Drew Moor in a fight for a loose ball near the centerline. As the Colorado defender fell to the ground Sanchez spikes landed directly on Moor’s head and neck causing an uproar from the crowd. The nearest player on the field, Colorado goalkeeper Clint Irwin, rushed to the scene and a melee was eminent.

The heated argument turned to pushing and shoving and soon both benches cleared. In a matter of seconds three Atlanta players were ejected; Chavez, midfield boss Kwadwo Poku and winger Borfor Carr as well as Colorado left back Marc Burch. The melee continued and soon Atlanta Silverbacks technical director Eric Wynalda, assistant coach Ricardo Montoya as well as Colorado Rapids’ head coach Pablo Mastroeni were ejected for allegedly leaving the coaching box.

When the dust settled, Atlanta was left with eight players on the field, missing their goal scorer Chavez, main playmakers Poku and Carr and without their first and second in charge coaches. The near empty Atlanta bench was left in the hands of Nick Webster, a friend of Wynalda, and current coach of Cal FC, who was invited to take an honorary role on the Atlanta bench earlier that day.

Webster rose to the occasion calling for his players to stay compact and believe that they could see the two goal advantage out for the last twenty minutes regardless of being out numbered ten to eight.

At this point, Colorado was practically given possession for the remaining twenty-six minutes and the additional seven minutes of added time. The constant waves of attacks led by midfielder Nick LaBrocca, reigning TheCup.us Player of the Round Deshorn Brown and Dillon Powers came closer and closer with every minute but could not break down the back line led by Atlanta defender Michael Randolph, midfielder Blair Gavin and goalkeeper Derby Carrillo.

After the game when asked about the ejections Wynalda responded saying “Tommy Lasorda told me something a long time ago; its okay to get thrown out, it can inspire the group.” Later he added that “(His team) spends a lot of time without me anyways so they are kind of used to it”. Inspired and independent the Atlanta defense was, enduring the endless Colorado attack.

Just when frustration among the Colorado attack was becoming apparent, winger Dillion Serna drew a penalty kick. The goal was converted by Dillon Powers and the Rapids were quickly back to the attack looking for the equalizer.

Regardless of the seven minutes added and the five shots on net after the penalty was converted, Colorado could not find the equalizer and Atlanta had pulled off the upset.

After the game, Atlanta Silverbacks technical director Eric Wynalda was elated at the performance that his eight man team delivered adding “these guys; if the the rest of the world wants to give them credit is not for me to decide, but tonight they won the game … Sometimes in this sport its not about tactics, the x’s and o’s, its about being a man and playing the game you are in”

Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni was quick to downplay the melee stating that “the referee played no part in this result, all credit to a hard working Atlanta team.” Clearly frustrated and amazed that his team could not find the equalizer Mastroeni summed up the game stating that his team’s “inability to defend two simple plays and not being able to put away the chances you get” were the Rapids downfall “its not about the refs, not about the ejections, not about the chaos.”

For the Rapids the disappointment is heavy but they can now turn their focus to league play which resumes this weekend with a home game against the Vancouver Whitecaps. This loss ends their all-time undefeated streak in Colorado (4-1-0), and marks the 15th year in a row they were unable to win consecutive games in the Open Cup. Atlanta, on the other hand, have won three tournament games in one year for the first time and will advance to the Quarterfinals for the first time since MLS joined the tournament in 1996.

Atlanta will host the Chicago Fire of MLS who defeated the Columbus Crew 4-2 in extra time. The Silverbacks will face the four-time Open Cup champions without a large portion of their starting lineup and coaching staff. Assistant coach Ricardo Montoya did confirm that Atlanta will protest the red cards and hope to have at least midfielder Kwadwo Poku back in action for the Quarterfinals.

UPDATE: A story in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution published on June 26, the Silverbacks learned that they are unable to appeal the red cards they received.

2014 US Open Cup Round 5: Seattle Sounders remain unbeaten at Starfire, edge San Jose Earthquakes in penalty kicks (video)

June 25, 2014 by Nick Schiffler

The Seattle Sounders eliminate the San Jose Earthquakes in penalty kicks to remain undefeated at Starfire Sports Complex. Photo: Seattle Sounders FC

It took extra time, a penalty shootout and a couple of local heroes to send the Seattle Sounders on in the Fifth Round of the US Open Cup.

Seattle native Marcus Hahnemann made a key save in the shootout and Federal Way’s Lamar Neagle converted the match-winning penalty as the Sounders knocked off the San Jose Earthquakes 4-1 in penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time.

Steven Lenhart’s superb opening goal in the 24th minute was matched immediately after by Kenny Cooper’s equalizer. Neither team would find the back of the net again until the penalty shootout.

“It’s just exciting,” Sounders coach Sigi Schmid said. “People like a shootout. Coaches really don’t, but the fans love them.”

The result sets up another potential blockbuster Cup match. With the win Seattle will take on regional rival Portland Timbers in the Quarterfinals at 7:30 p.m. on July 9 at Starfire Sports Complex.

#USOC2014 LINKS

Gonzalo Pineda, Marco Pappa, Brad Evans, and Neagle each made their penalties for the Sounders. Khari Stephenson scored the first for San Jose before Alan Gordon slammed his off the post and J.J. Koval saw his effort saved by Hahnemann.

A very physical, scrappy game came to life in the twelfth minute. Neagle got his head on the end of a Pappa cross, and his header was bound for the top corner of the net before David Bingham made a superb, one-hand reaction save.

It was the Earthquakes who broke the deadlock in the 24th minute through Lenhart. San Jose, as they did all night, attacked by playing a long ball to their big forwards. Lenhart fought off Zach Scott to win the ball, turned and fired a rocket inside Marcus Hahnemann’s near post and into the net.

Just two minutes later, Kenny Cooper tied things up again for the Sounders. After Neagle received the ball at the top of the 18-yard box with his back to goal, he held possession and held off three defenders until he spotted Cooper, whom Neagle teed up for a curling strike past Bingham.

Seattle’s goal seemed to re-energize the Sounders, and they spend the remainder of the half with most of the ball and more attempts at goal. The closest came just before the halftime break when Earthquakes defender Clarence Goodson deflected a wicked cross from Evans off his own post.

Against the run of play, San Jose almost went up 2-1 early in the second half. Goodson, a central defender, made a long run to receive the ball in the box after some neat passing. He poked a shot just wide of the goal that easily could have gone in.

The Sounders kept knocking.

First Pappa, the most dangerous player on the field for Seattle, ripped a long shot just past the post. Cam Weaver then got his head on the end of a Pappa corner kick, but couldn’t keep his header down.

Chad Barrett came on as a substitute on for the Sounders in the 78th minute and nearly scored with his first touch. He headed a long cross goalward, but Bingham ranged to his left and made a sprawling save. Two minutes later, Barrett stepped up to a loose ball in the penalty area and smashed a shot off the far post that careened to safety.

Despite the Sounders outshooting the Earthquakes 21-9 in regulation, the home side couldn’t find a winner before the 90 minutes were up.

“I thought we deserved to win it, but it just wasn’t falling for us.” Schmid said. “Even towards the end with all the corners and opportunities. I thought we were a little bit snakebit, but the guys did well and came through on the penalties.”

With the threat of penalties looming, Seattle continued to press in the first half of extra time. A goal seemed inevitable when Pappa found Lamar Neagle with a long ball into the box, but Bingham somehow kept out Neagle’s point-blank effort from going in.

In the second added period, J.J. Koval had an excellent chance to send San Jose home with a win, but he blazed over the bar from about eight yards out. Seattle had numerous good opportunities, including two more shots from Neagle that were brilliantly kept out, before the whistle blew for the last time and the game was decided by spot-kicks.

HIGHLIGHTS: SAN JOSE AT SEATTLE

POST-GAME: MARCUS HAHNEMANN

POST-GAME: SIGI SCHMID

THE FINAL KICKS, SEATTLE CELEBRATION

MATCH REVIEW: RAVE TV

FULL MATCH REPLAY: SAN JOSE AT SEATTLE

2014 US Open Cup Round 5: Rookie GK leads Carolina RailHawks to 3rd straight win over full-strength LA Galaxy

June 25, 2014 by Neil Morris

UPDATE: Scott Goodwin was named TheCup.us Player of the Round

Shots: 31 to 6. Corner kicks: 11 to 4. Time of possession: seemingly infinity to nil.

In virtually every statistical category, the LA Galaxy held sway over the Carolina RailHawks during their Fifth Round match in the US Open Cup. Except one.

Goals: 1-0 RailHawks.

It was the third consecutive year the RailHawks have hosted and now dispatched the Galaxy from the tournament. Unlike the previous two tournaments, this year was supposed to be different.

First, Galaxy manager Bruce Arena actually made the trip to Cary (unlike in 2013). The game didn’t take place in the nearly 10,000 seat WakeMed Soccer Stadium, but instead an adjacent Koka Booth Stadium (aka Field 2) lined with lawn and temporary bleacher seating with a maximum capacity of 3,000.

Moreover, unlike the roster of reservists the Galaxy have previously run out against the RailHawks, this year the Galaxy were playing for keeps.

“e’re sick of losing to Carolina and we’re sick of going out of the Open Cup early,” said LA’s Landon Donovan in the run-up to the match.

The Galaxy fielded a formidable, full-strength lineup that included Robbie Keane, Juninho, Robbie Rogers, AJ DeLaGarza, and Gyasi Zardes. And, the player with the most goals in both U.S. national and Major League Soccer history, Donovan entered the game in the 64th minute.

On the other side, the RailHawks were fielding a bit of a patchwork 11 that was missing starting striker Mike Grella and center back Toni Stahl. Both players’ Carolina contracts expired after the Chivas USA Open Cup win on June 14, and both players are absent while the team attempts to negotiate extensions for the NASL fall season.

With starting goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald still injured, Scott Goodwin got his second straight start. Against Chivas USA, all Goodwin did was make 11 saves in 120 minutes of regulation and overtime, then saved three kicks from the penalty mark to secure the RailHawks’ victory.

For those asking whether Goodwin could duplicate that stellar performance, the former Tar Heel standout answered with a clean sheet and eight saves against the formidable Galaxy attack.

It was a hot and humid start on the sunbathed Field 2, still in the mid 80s at the 7 p.m. kickoff.

It was the Galaxy putting the heat on the RailHawks in the early going. The Galaxy dominated possession against a tentative Carolina squad, and the RailHawks’ usually potent offensive met its match against a big and fast Galaxy back line. LA snuffed out virtually every through ball and attempted attack from wingers Ty Shipalane and Cesar Elizondo.

While the Galaxy sent one sortie after another into their attacking third, they were either snuffed out by Goodwin or cleared out by a RailHawks’ back line that barely made a misstep or ill-timed tackle the entire match. Quite simply, Connor Tobin, Daniel Scott, Austen King, and Kupono Low were sublime in the back; RailHawks manager Colin Clarke said it was one of the best games he’s ever seen the 35-year-old Low play.

Carolina RailHawks fans poked fun at Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena in 2013. Photo: Twitter @daveslounge — Carolina RailHawks fans poked fun at Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena in 2013 for not making the trip to Cary. Photo: Twitter @daveslounge

The RailHawks were fortunate to hold the Galaxy scoreless in the first half. That second lease on the game appeared to galvanize Carolina’s resolve in the second stanza.

While LA continued to dominate the run of play, Carolina began to find seams to attack after substituting off Shipalane and Elizondo, heroes of past Open Cup wins over the Galaxy and Chivas USA. With the Galaxy crowding the wings all match, the insertion of substitutes Daniel Jackson and Nick Zimmerman — making his first official RailHawks appearance since 2012 — stretched the field and gave Carolina more punch through the center of the field.

In the 48th minute, Leonardo got a head on a LA corner kick, but his shot sailed wide and high. In the 50th minute, Kofi Opare got his own point-blank header in the goalmouth, but Goodwin made a spectacular save.

In the 83rd minute, Donovan found the ball at his feet in the box and delivered a short range poke that Goodwin somehow managed to swat away from danger.

In a game full of close calls, Goodwin said that was the closest.

“I didn’t really think about it until five or ten minutes later,” he said. “I was like, ‘I think that was Donovan.’ You’re watching the ball and scrambling around, and you have no time to think about it during the game. It’s just onto the next play.”

In the 90th minute, Keane got free in the box and found himself in a 1-v-1 with Goodwin. But the Carolina keeper won that battle, too.

Just when it appeared the RailHawks would be fortunate to hold on for overtime, Carolina nearly snagged a shock winner on the final play of regulation. Finding space along the right flank, Jackson made an angled drive toward the south goal and cut loose a blast that was parried away by Galaxy goalkeeper Jamie Penedo.

In the 105th minute, the RailHawks improbably broke the scoreless deadlock. A one-two exchange between Jackson and Zimmerman ended with Zimmerman playing a nifty through ball behind Leonardo to a streaking, onside Jackson. With Keane and Donovan watching helplessly, Jackson drove to goal and powered his shot near post past Penedo for the 1-0 lead.

“On that possession, Nazmi had a broke up play and he played it to me,” Jackson said. “I brought in and played a one-touch with Zimmerman. I rolled around and played a ball through.”

From there, it was up to Jackson to notch his first RailHawks goal.

“It was a little similar to the I had before overtime,” he said. “I mishit the previous one, but this time I just thought I’d blast it and see where it goes. It was near post and it was good rip.”

From there, it was time for the RailHawks to intentionally park the bus. In the 114th, a seeing-eye header from Keane bounded wide left of goal. Three minutes later, Goodwin saved yet another blast in the box from Keane.

Even with three more minutes added by the referee on top of the 15-minute second overtime period, the Galaxy could never find the back of the net.

After the match, Arena declined to speak with the media, sending associate head coach Dave Sarachan in his stead. When Sarachan wasn’t griping about the supposedly poor lighting illuminating Field 2, he reflected the mood of the snake-bitten Galaxy.

“It’s a quiet locker room,” he said, “because they’re disappointed and because they put everything out there today.”

Donovan was incredulous yet gracious in defeat.

“You have to give them a lot of credit,” he said. “Ninety-nine times out of a hundred you win that game. had everything go their way tonight. They played well, they defended well and their goalie had one of the best performances I’ve ever seen. And they got the goal that they needed.

“We can’t fault our effort. We gave everything, but everyone’s been part of games like that in soccer. It’s a crazy, cruel game sometimes.”

With three straight Open Cup wins over the Galaxy on top of knocking LA out of the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League when he was managing the Puerto Rico Islanders, Clarke has become quite the burr in the Galaxy’s saddle.

“ are a great team,” Clarke said. “They’ve been one of the best teams in the country for a long time. They have players with lots of talent, and they play the right way. We knew we were going to have to defend to get the result … We found a way to get a win, which is pretty special.”

The RailHawks’ midseason NASL break is turning into anything but. Carolina now advances to the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup for the second straight season. Riding an unbeaten home streak that has now reached 23 games, the RailHawks will host FC Dallas on July 9.

Before that, the RailHawks will undoubtedly take a few days to bask in the afterglow of this victory. It was an unusual outcome to an unusual event, where the RailHawks were tasked with the Herculean task of putting together a high-profile match on a converted practice field in just over a week. The configuration of the venue created a festive environment for fans. The players had to navigate their way through the stands in order to enter and exit both the park and field, and the fans took advantage of the close proximity to snare autographs from Donovan, Keane, and others.

Indeed, before saluting his players, Clarke first paid tribute to the team’s staff.

“Under tough circumstances of having to play out on Field 2, the staff put that together on short notice,” Clarke said. “I thought it looked professional and well set up. It was great to play on, and that goes a long way to winning the game. They made it a special game.”

Neil Morris writes for indyweek.com and you can follow him on Twitter @ByNeilMorris

HIGHLIGHTS: LA GALAXY AT CAROLINA RAILHAWKS

MATCH REPLAY: LA GALAXY AT CAROLINA RAILHAWKS

2015 US Open Cup Round 5: Sebastien Le Toux’s historic brace leads Philadelphia Union past New York Cosmos, 2-1 (video)

June 25, 2014 by Michael Berton

Sebastien Le Toux scored two goals against the New York Cosmos to bring his career total to 13. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger for TheCup.us

Sebastian Le Toux scored his 12th and 13th US Open Cup goals, tying him for most in the Modern Professional Era (1995-present) in a 2-1 Philadelphia Union victory over the New York Cosmos.

The MLS side struggled mightily against its second-division opponents but managed to pull out the victory after its second-straight game that required extra time.

The Cosmos were riding high after a 3-0 Fourth Round victory over the New York Red Bulls and carried that momentum over to the Fifth Round. The Cosmos had a fair amount of possession in a first half of few chances for either team.

“I knew this was going to be an ugly game where it was about competing and winning second balls and fighting for long balls, it wasn’t going to be about short passes,” Union interim manager Jim Curtain said. “The Cosmos come at you and they put pressure on you – that’s the one thing they really did well.”

The NASL side got its reward in the 56th minute when Danny Szetela found Alessandro Noselli open in the right side of the box. Union keeper Andre Blake rushed out, but Noselli calmly chipped it over him to give his squad a 1-0 lead.

That lead lasted less than a minute, when Le Toux got his 12th Open Cup goal. Andrew Wenger made a dynamic run down the right side of the field, cutting into the box. He crossed the ball across the 6-yard box to Le Toux, who easily knocked it home.

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“I like this competition…when I was in Seattle and the USL – it was kind of a competition to show that we a very good team, and two times I finished with I think six goals,” Le Toux said. “We have continuity and are now three games away from the final. It would be great to get the trophy this year.”

After experiencing two goals in one minute, the pace of the game quickly returned to normal, with neither team able to get an edge after 90 minutes. For the second time in the tournament this year, Union were taken to extra time by a lower-division opponent. The Cosmos, who entered their first-ever Open Cup this year, were experiencing their first taste of overtime soccer.

The two halves of extra time could not have been more different. The second half contained as much action as the first half did not. In the 113th minute on a long throw-in by the Union’s Sheanon Williams, Cosmos defender Jimmy Ockford pulled a Union player down in the box. Le Toux stepped up and buried the ensuing penalty kick in the bottom right hand corner. The goal was his 13th in the Open Cup, tying him for most in the Modern Pro Era with David Bulow, Johnny Menyongar, and Jaime Moreno.

“I was very confident and I was glad that it went in, but I’m not worried about the stats,” Le Toux said. “I’m just happy we won tonight.”

Things got wild after the goal in the 119th minute. A scuffle broke out, after which the referee gave Ayoze of the Cosmos and Michael Lahoud of the Union straight red cards. A minute later he showed Ockford red as well — all this after he had already tossed two Cosmos assistant coaches from the sideline.

New York coach Giovanni Savarese said, “The referee ruined the game, and it was very that he put his hand on this game. It’s a shame because our guys worked hard…and it could’ve been a much better game for sure with a better end.”

With the victory, the Union remain undefeated against lower-division sides. Philadelphia will take on the winner of New England-Rochester in the Quarterfinals.

Michael Berton is a freelance writer who is one of TheCup.us’ top USASA reporters. You can follow him on Twitter @MichaelBerton

HIGHLIGHTS: COSMOS AT UNION

POST-GAME: COSMOS REACTION

MATCH REPLAY: NEW YORK COSMOS AT PHILADELPHIA UNION

Philadelphia Union vs. New York Cosmos
PPL Park – Chester, PA

Scoring Summary:

NYC: Alessandro Noselli (Danny Szetela) 56’
PU: Sebastian Le Toux (Andrew Wenger) 57’
PU: Sebastian Le Toux (Penalty Kick) 113’

Lineups:

PU: Andre Blake; Fabinho, Sheanon Williams, Maurice Edu, Raymon Gaddis; Cristian Maidana Michael Lahoud—115’), Brian Carroll, Amobi Okugo, Danny Cruz (Leo Fernandes-60’); Sebastian Le Toux, Andrew Wenger (Antoine Hoppenot-77’)

NYC: Jimmy Maurer; Ayoze, Carlos Mendes, Hunter Freeman, Roversio (Jimmy Ockford-103’); Daniel Szetela, Hagop Chirishian (Jemal Johnson-60’), Joseph Nane (Dane Murphy-38’); Mads Stokkelien, Alessandro Noselli, Sebastian Guenzatti

Bookings:

PU: Brian Carroll (caution—21’)
PU: Danny Cruz (caution—29’)
PU: Fabinho (caution—67’)
NYC: Alessandro Noselli (caution—112’)
NYC: Jimmy Maurer (caution—114’)
NYC: Ayoze (ejection—119’)
PU: Michael Lahoud (ejection—119’)
NYC: Jimmy Ockford (ejection—120’)

Attendance: 3,846

2014 US Open Cup Round 5: FC Dallas wins Texas-size extra time battle with Houston Dynamo, 3-2 (video)

June 25, 2014 by Chris Hockman

FC Dallas forward Tesho Akindele (13) and Houston Dynamo midfielder Giles Barnes (23) battle for the ball during. Photo: FC Dallas

Houston Dynamo twice came from behind but it wasn’t enough in a thrilling Texas derby as FC Dallas advanced in the US Open Cup following a 3-2 extra-time win.

Dallas’ Tesho Akindele scored eight minutes into extra time and the side held Dynamo off the board through the final 30 minutes after Omar Cummings had evened the score in the 62nd minute.

Houston was going to struggle as the match wore on, with only three substitutes, no goalkeeper among them, surely making life tough.

Houston started the match well but for all their impressive early possession they struggled to put chances away.

After the quarter-hour mark Dallas started to take charge and if not for Tally Hall, Fabian Castillo could well have put his side in front, but his effort was too tame.

In the 23rd minute disaster struck for Dynamo as they had to use a sub early as Will Bruin succumbed to an injury after a hit to his hip, forcing him from the field.

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Chris Seitz kept Dynamo out in the 24th minute as Kofi Sarkodie was able to get space and shoot, after a good ball from Omar Cummings, but Seitz got down well and low to keep it scoreless.

Castillo was looking dangerous and in the 34th minute it was his work that gave Dallas the lead as he broke through the Houston defense and slot past Hall to open the scoring.

In the 40th minute, Dallas should have doubled their lead as Andres Escobar made a run in on goal, and instead of passing to one of three open men, chose to shoot but was denied as Hall saved easily.

Dallas paid the price for failing to clear a Houston corner, as a scramble lead to a handball which allowed Giles Barnes to step up and slot past Seitz, who guessed correctly but was denied.

Late in stoppage there was controversy as a foul on the edge of the area gave a penalty to Dallas, after the referee consulted with his assistant, allowing Blas Perez to step up, but he launched his effort letting Houston off the hook and keeping it 1-1 at the break.

Dynamo started the second half well again as they attacked at Dallas but struggled to get those chances put away.

Just before the hour Escobar made his presence felt again as his shot from the edge of the area was hit with a swerving effort which left Hall with no chance.

Houston responded two minutes later as Cummings was played through, behind Zach Loyd before he shot from a tight angle to level the scores.

In the 72nd minute a free-kick gave Houston a good opportunity as a goal mouth scramble allowed AJ Cochran a chance to head at goal but his effort went over the bar.

A quick 79th minute counter gave Castillo another great opportunity but he was again denied by an impressive Hall save.

Dallas kept on knocking but time and time again Hall was immense to keep their rivals out and keep their US Open Cup hopes alive as the match headed to extra time.

Eight minutes in to the extra-time period Dallas got the crucial goal as Akindele made the turn and shot past Hall to restore Dallas’ lead.

Dynamo pushed in the second-half of extra time, forcing Seitz into several saves but the Dallas keeper did the job to give his side the win.

POST-GAME INTERVIEWS (HOUSTON)

POST-GAME INTERVIEW (TALLY HALL)

MATCH REPLAY: FC DALLAS AT HOUSTON DYNAMO

2014 US Open Cup Round 5: Portland Timbers counter-attack their way past Sporting Kansas City, 3-1 (video)

June 25, 2014 by Anders Aarhus

Caleb Porter took a classic page out of the World Cup playbook: come in with a defensive game plan and leave with a victory.

A brace by Gaston Fernandez sandwiched a Will Johnson penalty as the Portland Timbers beat Sporting Kansas City 3-1 in the US Open Cup Fifth Round.

“You see it in the World Cup,” Porter said. “We came up with a plan of absorbing a little bit and then being a bit more lethal on the counter attack and I thought the guys executed it to a T.”

Sporting controlled the play for much of the game with Portland content to use Porter’s sit deep and counter plan. The hosts had chances right out of the gate. Former Timber Sal Zizzo had a fifth-minute header tipped over the bar and Dom Dwyer had a swerving free kick pushed wide by a diving Andrew Weber. Portland’s opener came in the 30th minute against the run of play.

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