2014 US Open Cup

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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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It was shades of the Nigeria-Bosnia World Cup match as KC left back Seth Sinovic went down under the challenge of Kalif Alhassan, but referee Ricardo Salazar waved play on as Sporting players called for a foul. Alhassan’s cross deflected to Gaston Fernandez and the Timbers’ No. 10 calmly rolled the ball into the far corner of the net for a 1-0 lead.

“They had a lot of the ball, but that was by design,” Porter said. “You can control the game without …and you see that at the highest level. I thought we actually controlled the game pretty well without the ball.”

Sporting had a decent chance to equalize nine minutes later when Soony Saad’s shot deflected to Toni Dovale, but his shot at an open net hit Dwyer and went out for a goal kick.

Sporting continued to struggle connecting passes in the final third despite having most of the ball and Portland made them pay shortly after halftime. Steve Zakuani beat two Sporting defenders and got tripped up by Aurelien Collin in the box. Salazar pointed to the spot and Will Johnson tucked the penalty into the corner to double the lead. It was 3-1 11 minutes later when Maximiliano Urruti’s shot squirted under Andy Gruenebaum and right to an unmarked Fernandez for an easy tap-in and his second goal of the game.

“He’s a poacher, he’s a goalscorer, that’s why they call him ‘The Cat,’ ” Porter said when asked about Fernandez. “On third goal the ball fell to him…you can call it an easy goal, I that’s a goalscorer. He’s scored three or four like that.”

Saad pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute after a Danny O’Rourke handball and C.J. Sapong had a header cleared off the line four minutes later, but Sporting could get no closer.

“We weren’t hard enough to play against defensively,” said Sporting manager Peter Vermes.

It was a phrase he’d repeat several times.

Portland will travel to Seattle to face the Sounders in the Quarterfinals.

Kansas City and Portland will meet again in MLS league play on Friday.

HIGHLIGHTS: PORTLAND TIMBERS AT SPORTING KANSAS CITY

POST-GAME INTERVIEWS: CALEB PORTER, WILL JOHNSON

MATCH REPLAY: PORTLAND TIMBERS AT SPORTING KANSAS CITY

2014 US Open Cup Round 5 preview: Four underdogs still alive as newly-created round begins tonight (with video links)

June 24, 2014 by Josh Hakala

UPDATE: Live video for tonight’s Open Cup games is embedded down this page.

The first couple days of the Fourth Round of the 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup appeared as though it was going to be a big round for underdogs as Major League Soccer teams were eliminated in three of the first five games. The remaining two games were decided by a single goal. However, the country’s top division rebounded by winning 10 of the next 11 games.

There has never been a Fifth Round prior to the Quarterfinals in the 101-year history of the tournament, but with the federation increasing the field to 80 teams, an extra round was required. Round 5 will feature 12 MLS clubs, 3 teams from the NASL and the Rochester Rhinos are the lone USL PRO representative and therefore, will receive the tournament’s $15,000 prize money as the Third Division team to advance the furthest in the competition.

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Also, after the dust settled on Round 4, the last three amateur teams were all eliminated and based on the Open Cup’s tiebreaker procedure, the Laredo Heat will find themselves $15,000 richer on the strength of being the only one of the trio to defeat a team two divisions above them (Ft. Lauderdale Strikers)

This year has been a strong year for the team that hosts. In fact, in Round 4, there was nearly a home team sweep for the first time since 1998 (minimum 8 games). Instead, 14 of the 16 games saw the home team advance. In Round 5, MLS teams are hosting seven of the eight games. Will MLS continue to restore order, or will one of the lower division teams continue their Cinderella run? Six of the eight Fifth Round games will be played on Tuesday, June 24, while the final two will take place the day after.

As always, use and follow the #USOC2014 hashtag on Twitter for all the latest updates from all six games. You can also follow TheCup.us at @USOpenCup.

Here is a look at the six games that will take place tonight:

New York Cosmos (NASL) at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
PPL Park; Chester, PA – 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Online video (Embedded below)
Winner of this game will host Rochester / New England winner on July 8

New York Cosmos Open Cup records
Overall: 2-0-0 | Away: 0-0-0 | vs. MLS: 1-0-0
Last entry: N/A
Best finish: First entry
How they got here:
Round 3: 2-0 home win vs. Brooklyn Italians (NPSL)
Round 4: 3-0 home win vs. New York Red Bulls (MLS)

Philadelphia Union Open Cup records
Overall: 5-2-0 | Home: 4-1-0 | vs. Div. 2: N/A
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 3-1 at DC United of MLS in Round 4)
Best finish: 2012 Semifinals (Lost 2-0 vs. Sporting KC of MLS)
How they got here:
Round 4: 3-1 (OT) home win vs. Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO)

LIVE VIDEO: NEW YORK COSMOS AT PHILADELPHIA UNION

By Michael Berton

The New York Cosmos are reigning NASL Soccer Bowl Champions, but the most impressive victory in their short history since the Cosmos name reentered professional soccer just over a year ago happened last week in the 2014 US Open Cup.

The Cosmos beat the New York Red Bulls 3-0, outshooting the MLS side 21-3 in front of a crowd of 9,364 at Shuart Stadium at Hofstra University. Mads Stokkelien scored in the 8th and 73rd minutes, and Alessandro Noselli put the game away with a goal in the 78th. It was a one-sided affair in a game that fans had been clamoring for ever since the team launched.

New York’s reward for victory is a Fifth Round match with another MLS side. This time, the Cosmos will travel to Philadelphia to take on the Union.

The Union needed a dramatic 89th-minute goal from Maurice Edu to send their Fourth Round game against the Harrisburg City Islanders into extra time, where Andrew Wenger put two in the back of the net to give the MLS side a 3-1 victory.

Philadelphia is competing in just its third Open Cup, making the Semifinals in 2012 before bowing out early to DC United in 2013. The Union have an impressive record at home, with their only loss coming in that 2012 Semifinal match against eventual champion Sporting Kansas City.

Both teams are on a break from league play. The Cosmos finished the NASL Spring season in second place, last playing on June 8. The Union last played an MLS match on June 7 due to the World Cup break.

The New York Cosmos are looking for a second-straight MLS upset in their inaugural cup run, but a Philadelphia Union side seeking to salvage its season stands in the way.

Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, NC – 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Video embedded below >> Online video (English | Spanish)
If Los Angeles wins … they will host FC Dallas/Houston winner on July 8
If Carolina wins … they will host FC Dallas/Houston winner on July 9

Los Angeles Galaxy Open Cup records
Overall: 23-11-1 (1-0 PKs) | Away: 7-9-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. Div. 2: 8-3-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 2-0 at Carolina RailHawks of NASL in Round 3)
Best finish: 2001, 2005 US Open Cup champions
How They Got There:
Round 4: 2-1 road win at Arizona United SC (USL PRO)

Carolina RailHawks Open Cup records
Overall: 14-5-2 (1-1 PKs) | Home: 14-2-2 (1-1 PKs) | vs. MLS: 4-4-1 (1-0 PKs)
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 3-0 at Real Salt Lake of MLS in Quarterfinals)
Best finish: 2007 Semifinals (Lost 2-1 in OT at New England Revolution of MLS)
How they got here:
Round 3: 2-0 home win vs. Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO)
Round 4: 1-1 home draw, 3-2 PK win vs. Chivas USA (MLS)

LIVE VIDEO: LA GALAXY AT CAROLINA RAILHAWKS

By Josh Hakala

For the third year in a row, the Los Angeles Galaxy are making the cross-country trip to take on the Carolina RailHawks of the NASL. After being eliminated in their first two meetings, the Galaxy seem to be poised to end their losing streak to the RailHawks and to win back-to-back tournament games for the first time since 2006. According to Adam Serrano of LA Galaxy Insider, Landon Dononvan and the Galaxy are ‘sick of losing to Carolina‘ and are planning to bring their full squad to WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC.

Since falling in the 2006 Final to the Chicago Fire, the Galaxy have largely put reserve squads and their results reflect that with a 2-5-0 record entering this year, including three losses to lower division opponents. With Donovan, Robbie Keane and manager Bruce Arena making the trip this year, and a road win over Arizona United already under their belt, maybe their fortunes will change. If they win, they will host an Open Cup game at the StubHub Center for the first time since 2010 against the winner of FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo.

On the other side of the ball, the RailHawks are hoping to get the same home field advantage with fewer fans in the stands. The main field at the WakeMed Soccer Park is being re-sodded, so the game has been moved to one of the secondary fields which will feature far fewer seats. The last two games where they have hosted the Galaxy have drawn about 8,000 fans, but the front office, according to IndyWeek.com, is expecting to have a capacity between 2,000 and 3,000. Carolina’s home field advantage has been a key to their success since they first entered the competition in 2007. In their 21 tournament games, they are 14-5-2 (1-1 in PKs), with 18 of those games being played in front of their home fans (14-2-2, 1-1 in PKs)

The first two games in the competition this year were played at WakeMed and the RailHawks kept their home record entact with a 2-0 win over USL PRO’s Charlotte Eagles and eliminating Chivas USA for the second year in a row, this time on penalty kicks. A win tonight will put the RailHawks into the Quarterfinals for the third time and give them their sixth MLS upset since 2007.

Portland Timbers (MLS) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Sporting Park; Kansas City, KS – 8:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Online video | Radio (KC) | Radio (POR)
If Portland wins … they will play at Seattle / San Jose winner
If Sporting KC wins … they will play at Seattle / San Jose winner

Portland Timbers Open Cup records
Overall: 11-8-1 (0-1 PKs) | Away: 6-3-0 | vs. MLS: 1-4-1 (0-1 PKs)
As MLS: 4-2-0 | Away: 1-1-0 | vs. MLS: 1-1-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 2-1 at Real Salt Lake of MLS in Semifinals)
Best finish: 2013 Semifinals (Lost 2-1 at Real Salt Lake of MLS)
How they got here:
Round 4: 3-0 home win vs. Orlando City U23s (PDL)

Sporting Kansas City Open Cup records
Overall: 17-11-4 (2-2 PKs) | Home: 12-6-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. MLS: 5-6-1 (1-0 PKs)
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 1-0 vs. Orlando City SC of USL PRO in Round 4)
Best finish: 2004, 2012 US Open Cup champions
How they got here:
Round 4: 2-0 home win vs. Minnesota United FC (NASL)

LIVE VIDEO: PORTLAND TIMBERS AT SPORTING KANSAS CITY

By Anders Aarhus

Sporting Kansas City vs. Portland Timbers was one of the best games of the MLS regular season last year, a thrilling 3-2 victory for the Timbers at Sporting Park. Unlike last year, both teams won’t be at full strength as injuries and international call-ups have left Sporting down multiple starters. Portland, however, should have its full compliment of attacking options. You can never count out the two-time champions at home, but it’s certainly not an easy task facing Peter Vermes’ men. Here’s a look at the biggest questions going into Tuesday night.

What Will Sporting’s Backline Look Like?

SKC has been bit hard by the injury bug this year, nowhere more so than at the back. Chance Myers and Ike Opara are both done for the year. Aurelien Collin is listed as questionable and Vermes will probably be wary of starting him after the way Collin reinjured his hamstring by coming back too quickly against DC United. Igor Juliao is also questionable to make the game day roster. Throw in Matt Besler on national team duty and Sporting was forced to start a backline last game of Seth Sinovic, 17-year-old Erik Palmer-Brown, natural fullback Kevin Ellis at center back and winger Jacob Peterson at right back. SKC also dressed only 17 players Wednesday with no natural defenders on the bench. That worked fine against a Minnesota United team content to sit deep after going down to 10 men. Against the likes of Diego Valeri, Darlington Nagbe and Portland’s aggressive style that may not work so well. Collin returning to fitness would help, but he seems unlikely to be risked.

Does Portland Have the Vertical Threats to Take Advantage?

So Sporting will have a patchwork defense. But that doesn’t automatically mean goals for Portland. The Timbers were able to get in behind Sporting’s high line repeatedly in last year’s game. This year, however, the vertical threats that made that possible simply aren’t there for Caleb Porter. Ryan Johnson, who scored and assisted on goals against SKC last year, was let go in favor of more technical (and slower) forwards. Rodney Wallace, another of last year’s goalscorers against the champions, played his first game of the season in last round’s win over Orlando City U23s after recovering from a torn ACL. The best vertical threat in Portland’s lineup is Steve Zakuani who’s has had a nice season, but hasn’t quite found his form after suffering multiple serious injuries. Sporting is a disciplined defensive team even with the key absences. If Portland can’t transition quickly enough, SKC will have no problem getting men behind the ball and keeping the Timbers off the scoreboard. Portland’s best chance will be lining up Nagbe against whomever Sporting starts at right back. Both Peterson and Juliao like to get forward, leaving plenty of space to race into on the counter and Nagbe one on one against either of those defenders is a matchup Portland will take every time.

What is Sporting’s Best Lineup Right Now?

Vermes attributed part of his team’s struggles to break down Minnesota on Wednesday to a lack of chemistry. With so many players missing and guys playing out of position, the normal fluidity and understanding from SKC was noticeably absent. They were much better after Alex Martinez, who has seen significant time with the first team, was brought on for first-time starter Victor Munoz. We probably won’t see a repeat of the Claudio Bieler-in-midfield experiment. Uri Rosell is gone and Benny Feilhaber is hurt, but Paulo Nagamura, Martinez and Lawrence Olum (the most likely starting trio) is a solid midfield capable of at least slowing down Portland’s three-headed monster of Valeri, Will Johnson and Diego Chara. Dom Dwyer is having his best season as a pro and should be able to take advantage of Portland’s shaky defense. Soony Saad is on a goalscoring tear and Antonio Dovale brings Graham Zusi-esque qualities to the wide forward spot. There’s enough here with the front six to win.

This is going to be an interesting game no matter how it plays out. Questionable defenses on both sides mean we could see plenty of scoring. Both teams like to control the game, but most visiting teams end up having to play on the counter at Sporting Park. Portland has the playmakers to create chances on the break, but not the speed to finish them off. With two coaches that take the Open Cup seriously and two teams that play some of the best soccer in the league, it could be one of the highlights of Round 5.

Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) at Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, CO – 9 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Online video
If Atlanta wins … they will host the Chicago/Columbus winner (Date TBA)
If Colorado wins … they will host the Chicago/Columbus winner (Date TBA)

Atlanta Silverbacks Open Cup records
Overall: 9-9-2 (1-1 PKs) | Away: 4-6-2 (1-1 PKs) | vs. MLS: 1-4-1 (0-1 PKs)
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 3-2 in OT at Real Salt Lake of MLS)
Best finish: 2004 Fourth Round (Lost 4-1 vs. Kansas City Wizards of MLS)
How they got here:
Round 3: 5-0 road win at Chattanooga FC (NPSL)
Round 4: 2-1 home win vs. Real Salt Lake (MLS)

Colorado Rapids Open Cup records
Overall: 10-13-0 | Home: 4-0-0 | vs. Div. 2: 5-6-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 3-1 at Orlando City SC of USL PRO in Round 4)
Best finish: 1999 Runner-up (Lost 2-0 vs. Rochester Rhinos of A-League)
How they got here:
Round 4: 5-2 home win vs. Orlando City SC (USL PRO)

By Robert Wilson

Tuesday night in Commerce City, Colo., the Colorado Rapids (MLS) and Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) will face off in a US Open Cup Fifth Round match. Atlanta was one of the three NASL teams to knock off MLS opponents in the Fourth Round and will look to continue their successful mid-summer league break in Colorado. The Rapids enter the game riding good form after their 5-2 victory over Orlando City SC last Tuesday and hope to continue their perfect home record in US Open Cup play (4-0-0).

As the Rapids prepare for this matchup two players, Chris Klute and Joe Nasco, have been the center of the conversation. Fullback Chris Klute and reserve goalkeeper Joe Nasco both were given opportunities to revive their professional soccer careers by Atlanta prior to joining Colorado. The two former Silverbacks have been offering plenty of comments regarding their appreciation for the club as well as their scouting report on Eric Wynalda’s team. When asked about the match up Nasco replied that Atlanta was the “first team that gave me the opportunity to be a professional soccer player, I have a lot of love for them as a team and as an organization but this coming Tuesday, that’s gotta go out the door.”

Atlanta has reached this point in the tournament with impressive 5-0 road win over Chattanooga FC (NPSL) and held on for a 2-1 upset victory over Real Salt Lake (MLS) in Georgia last weekend. After winning the 2013 NASL spring season and finishing runner-up in last year’s NASL final, the Silverbacks have not rebounded well this year in league play; finishing the year’s spring season in 8th place struggling to finish off opponents late in games.

On Tuesday night, Atlanta will have stiff test in Colorado who is well-rested, fully healthy and intent on continuing their good form into all competitions this summer. Both teams are anxious for a deep run in the tournament. The 1999 US Open Cup, where the Rapids finished runner-up, was the only tournament where the team had won multiple games. A win over the Silverbacks would give them their second win of 2014. On the other side, Atlanta needs a victory tonight to equal their franchise record for wins in a tournament.

Follow in-game updates @RLW2020 on Twitter and #USOC2014.

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FC Dallas (MLS) at Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Toyota Stadium; Frisco, TX – 9 p.m. ET
Broadcast: Online video
The winner will play at Carolina / LA Galaxy winner

FC Dallas Open Cup records
Overall: 24-15-4 (4-0 PKs) | Away: 9-8-2 (2-0 PKs) | vs. MLS: 7-10-2 (2-0 PKs)
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 3-2 vs. Portland Timbers of MLS in Quarterfinals)
Best finish: 1997 US Open Cup champions
How they got here:
Round 4: 2-0 home win vs. San Antonio Scorpions (NASL)

Houston Dynamo Open Cup records
Overall: 7-6-1 (0-1 PKs) | Home: 5-1-0 | vs. MLS: 1-4-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 3-0 at FC Dallas of MLS in Round 4)
Best finish: Semifinals (2006, 2009)
How they got here:
Round 4: 1-0 home win vs. Laredo Heat (PDL)

LIVE VIDEO: FC DALLAS AT HOUSTON DYNAMO

By Josh Hakala

For the third time, the two Texas-based MLS teams, FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo will square off in Open Cup play tonight. FC Dallas won the first meeting back in 2006, 3-0, with the Dynamo returning the favor by the same scoreline last year. The home team has been victorious in each meeting, and this time, the game will take place in Houston at BBVA Compass Stadium with a spot in the Quarterfinals on the line.

FC Dallas is one of Major League Soccer’s most consistent Open Cup teams since the league joined the competition in 1996. While Dallas last won an Open Cup title in 1997, they have been one of the most consistent since then, despite not winning another title. They have the most Quarterfinal appearances (13), and the second-most Semifinal appearances (7) among all MLS clubs.

Houston have made two Semifinal appearances (2006, 2009) since joining the league in 2006, but aside from their 3-0 win over FC Dallas in their inaugural season, they have had trouble with their fellow MLS clubs. The Dynamo are 1-4-0 against MLS teams in their history and haven’t defeated a professional team in the competition since Miami FC (now Ft. Lauderdale Strikers) in 2010.

Both teams entered the World Cup break with similar records. Dallas at 6-7-4 and Houston at 5-9-2 are still within range of a playoff spot, despite their sub-.500 records. FC Dallas have a full squad to choose from while the Dynamo are missing two key players in Brad Davis (USA) and Boniek Garcia (Honduras) who are representing their country in Brazil.

Both teams were also challenged by lower division, Texas-based opponents in their opening match with the Dynamo getting a goal from Alexander Lopez to edge the Laredo Heat 1-0 and Dallas beating the San Antonio Scorpions 2-0.

It remains to be seen which team will emerge as the lone Texas representative in the Quarterfinals.

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San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) at Seattle Sounders FC(MLS)
Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, WA – 10 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Online video
If Seattle wins … they will host Portland/Sporting KC winner on July 9
If San Jose wins … they will host Portland/Sporting KC winner at Date TBA

San Jose Earthquakes Open Cup records
Overall: 11-8-4 (2-2 PKs) | Away: 7-4-2 (2-0 PKs) | vs. MLS: 0-5-2
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 1-0 at Charleston Battery of USL PRO – Round 3)
Best finish: 2004 Semifinals (Lost 1-0 at Kansas City Wizards of MLS)
How they got here:
Round 4: 2-1 home win vs. Sacramento Republic (USL PRO)

Seattle Sounders Open Cup records
Overall: 31-12-4 (2-2 PKs) | Home: 24-2-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. MLS: 15-7-2 (1-1 PKs)
As MLS: 16-1-2 (1-1 PKs) | Home: 13-0-0 | vs. MLS: 11-0-1 (0-1 PKs)
at Starfire (overall): 16-0-0 | (as MLS): 11-0-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 1-0 at Tampa Bay Rowdies of NASL – Round 3)
Best finish: 2009, 2010, 2011 US Open Cup champions
How they got here:
Round 4: 5-0 home win vs. PSA Elite (USASA)

LIVE VIDEO: SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES AT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

By Josh Hakala

Last year, the Seattle Sounders’ tournament record 22-game unbeaten streak came to an end when they were upset 1-0 by the NASL’s Tampa Bay Rowdies. They’re back in 2014, and after cruising past the USASA’s PSA Elite in Round 4, they find themselves head-to-head with an MLS opponent, the San Jose Earthquakes. The Sounders overall unbeaten streak may be gone, but two important streaks are still alive heading into tonight’s meeting with the Earthquakes. They have a perfect record at Starfire Sports Complex (16-0-0), and are unbeaten against MLS opponents (11-0-1, 0-1 in PKs) since joining the league in 2009. One of those opponents was San Jose back in 2012 when Seattle defeated them at Kezar Stadium (San Francisco) 1-0. Prior to joining MLS, the Sounders also had success as an A-League team against the Quakes, eliminating them 1-0 in 2003, and taking them to sudden death in 2002 before an Ariel Graziani golden goal spoiled the upset bid.

Seattle, a three-time Open Cup champion, carries a great Open Cup resume into their meeting with San Jose, but they also bring the league’s best regular season record. At 10-3-2, they are seven points clear of second place Real Salt Lake in the Western Conference standings. The Earthquakes have struggled in the early part of the regular season, but are still within range of a playoff spot. At 4-5-4, they are still within five points of the last playoff spot. Goalscoring could be a challenge as 7 of their 15 goals are playing in Brazil right now, they will have to find offense in other places.

While both teams are missing a pair of key players (Clint Dempsey and Andre Yedlin for Seattle; Chris Wondolowski and Victor Bernardez for San Jose), with almost two weeks since their last competitive match, both teams are expected to field strong lineups in an effort to get back into a rhythm before the MLS schedule gets rolling again next weekend.

2014 US Open Cup Fifth Round Pairings

New York Cosmos (NASL) at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
PPL Park; Chester, PA – June 24, 7 p.m. ET
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LA Galaxy (MLS) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
WakeMed Soccer Park Field 2; Cary, NC – June 24, 7:30 p.m. ET
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Portland Timbers (MLS) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Sporting Park; Kansas City, KS – June 24, 8:30 p.m. ET
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FC Dallas (MLS) at Houston Dynamo (MLS)
BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, TX – June 24, 8:30 p.m. ET
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Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) at Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, CO – June 24, 9 p.m. ET
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San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) at Seattle Sounders (MLS)
Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, WA – June 24, 10 p.m. ET
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Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO) at New England Revolution (MLS)
Stevenson Field (Brown Univ.); Providence, RI – June 25, 7:30 p.m. ET
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Columbus Crew (MLS) at Chicago Fire (MLS)
Toyota Park; Bridgeview, IL – June 25, 8:30 p.m. ET

Potential Pairings – 2014 US Open Cup Quarterfinals

Rochester Rhinos / New England Revolution winner @

– Philadelphia Union: July 8, 7:00 ET – PPL Park

– New York Cosmos: July 8, 7:00 ET – Belson Stadium (St John’s Univ)

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FC Dallas / Houston Dynamo winner @

– Los Angeles Galaxy: July 8, 10:30 ET – StubHub Center

– Carolina RailHawks: July 9, 7:30 ET – WakeMed Soccer Park

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Columbus Crew / Chicago Fire winner @

– Colorado Rapids: Date TBD – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

– Atlanta Silverbacks: Date TBD – Atlanta Silverbacks Park

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Portland Timbers / Sporting KC winner @

– Seattle Sounders: July 9, 10:30 ET – Starfire Sports Complex

– POR @ San Jose Earthquakes: July 8 – Buck Shaw Stadium

– KC @ San Jose Earthquakes: Date TBD – Buck Shaw Stadium

#USOC2014

2014 US Open Cup Round 4: Deshorn Brown scores first Colorado Rapids hat trick, narrowly wins Player of the Round

June 24, 2014 by Grant Czubinski

Deshorn Brown not only scored the first hat trick in Rapids Open Cup history, he also became the first Jamaican to score three goals since 1995. Photo: Garrett W. Ellwood, Colorado Rapids

Deshorn Brown knows how to find the back of the net. That is undebatable. The highly-decorated collegiate striker and 2013 MLS Rookie of the Year runner-up continued to show he has a penchant for goal in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup’s Fourth Round netting a hat trick in the Colorado Rapids’ 5-2 victory over Orlando City SC (USL PRO). Brown’s performance proved worthy of TheCup.us Player of the Round Award for the tournament’s Fourth Round.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters.

Brown’s hat trick garnered just enough votes for the award as the Jamaican international barely edged out a couple of strong upset performances by NASL players like New York Cosmos forward Mads Stokkelien and Carolina Railhawks goalkeeper Scott Goodwin for the honor. The Atlanta Silverbacks’ Kwadwo Poku and Philadelphia Union’s Andrew Wenger both received a considerable amount of votes in one of the most wide open votes of 2014.

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Notable upsets/facts about Round 4

Brown was at the center of a dominating offensive performance as the Rapids out-shot Orlando City SC 23-6. The Lions, who have been one of the strongest USL PRO teams since joining the league in 2011, entered the tournament undefeated in league play.

After giving up an early goal, Brown responded with an equalizer in the 35th minute. Just after halftime, Brown completed the hat trick with two goals in eight minutes (47th, 55th mins.) as the route was on with a 4-1 lead.

The second-year forward has also found the scoring touch during the month of June scoring three goals in as many games in MLS play, scored his first professional hat trick during the second half of the Rapids game against Orlando. In addition to bagging his first professional hat trick, Brown also became the first Colorado Rapids player to score three goals in Open Cup play and also became the first Jamaican to achieve the feat in an Open Cup game in the tournament’s Modern Professional Era (1995-present).

For those who are familiar with Brown, his performance should come as no surprise. The University of Mobile and University of Central Florida striker was selected sixth overall in the 2013 MLS Draft amid high expectations. Many believe he should have been selected higher. Brown proved why during the 2013 MLS campaign scoring a team-leading and rookie-best 10 goals while adding four assists in 31 games making headlines along the way.

The Jamaican has continued to prove he is a danger in front of goal and is fast becoming one of the biggest offensive threats in MLS. Aside from his record-setting hat trick, Brown has scored five goals in 14 games this MLS season. Brown’s penchant for goal earned him MLS Player of the Week honors for the league’s 13th week after he scored twice in the Rapids’ 3-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo on June 1.

The Rapids will surely be looking to make a deep run in this year’s tournament. If Brown’s performance against Orlando is any indication, the Colorado club has a chance to make some real waves in MLS play and in the Open Cup when the Jamaican striker is in form.

2014 TheCup.us Player of the Round winners
Round 1: Vlad Baciu (RWB Adria – USASA)
Round 2: Luke Winter (Chattanooga FC – NPSL)
Round 3: Earl Edwards Jr. (PSA Elite – USASA)
Round 4: Deshorn Brown (Colorado Rapids – MLS)
Round 5: Scott Goodwin (Carolina RailHawks – NASL)

2014 US Open Cup: Quarterfinal pairings and host scenarios set

June 23, 2014 by Gerald Barnhart

The potential pairings and host scenarios have been announced by the US Soccer Federation for the 2014 US Open Cup Quarterfinals set for July 8-9. As many as three lower division sides could host one of the four contests in the round with an all-MLS foursome in the other potential scenario out west.

In the northeast, the winner of the showdown between affiliated sides Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro) and New England Revolution in the Fifth Round will move on to play at either the Philadelphia Union or the New York Cosmos (NASL) on July 8.

Two other matches could also occur that Tuesday depending on the host clubs. The LA Galaxy would host the winner of the Texas derby between FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo and the San Jose Earthquakes would host that night the Portland Timbers, if they advance from their game against Sporting KC. San Jose will also host a victorious Kansas City side, though the date is still to be determined.

On the flip side, it the Carolina RailHawks (NASL) prevail against the Los Angeles Galaxy they would play host to the winner from Texas on July 9 and the Seattle Sounders, following a victory against San Jose, would host the winner of the Sporting KC and Timbers match this week, setting up a potential derby match with Portland.

With dates still to be set for their foursome, the winner of the Colorado Rapids and Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) Fifth Round contest will play host to the team advancing from the Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire fixture.

Potential Pairings – 2014 US Open Cup Quarterfinals

Rochester Rhinos / New England Revolution winner @

– Philadelphia Union: July 8, 7:00 ET – PPL Park

– New York Cosmos: July 8, 7:00 ET – Belson Stadium (St John’s Univ)

FC Dallas / Houston Dynamo winner @

– Los Angeles Galaxy: July 8, 10:30 ET – StubHub Center

– Carolina RailHawks: July 9, 7:30 ET – WakeMed Soccer Park

Columbus Crew / Chicago Fire winner @

– Colorado Rapids: Date TBD – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

– Atlanta Silverbacks: Date TBD – Atlanta Silverbacks Park

Portland Timbers / Sporting KC winner @

– Seattle Sounders: July 9, 10:30 ET – Starfire Sports Complex

– POR @ San Jose Earthquakes: July 8 – Buck Shaw Stadium

– KC @ San Jose Earthquakes: Date TBD – Buck Shaw Stadium

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2014 US Open Cup Round 4 review: MLS suffers upsets early, regains control of tournament in last 2 days (video)

June 19, 2014 by Kristen Gehrke

The Fourth Round of the 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup came to a close on Wednesday and after a rough start for the tournament’s top division, Major League Soccer rebounded on the third and fourth matchdays. The first two days saw MLS lose three of the first five games to lower division opponents, however, in the remaining 11 games, they went 10-1-0 as the tournament enters the Fifth Round next week.

Round 5 will feature 12 MLS clubs, 3 teams from the NASL and the Rochester Rhinos are the lone USL PRO representative and therefore, will receive the tournament’s $15,000 prize money as the Third Division team to advance the furthest in the competition. Also, after the dust settled on Round 4, the last three amateur teams were all eliminated and based on the Open Cup’s tiebreaker procedure, the Laredo Heat will find themselves $15,000 richer on the strength of being the only one of the trio to defeat a team two divisions above them (Ft. Lauderdale Strikers)

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Here is a look at all 16 games from the last week with links to each match report:

June 18: Arizona United (USL Pro) 1:2 Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)

Looking to complete the local sweep, Arizona United came out energetic against their latest LA opponent, matching them blow for blow early on. The home side capitalized in 37th minute when Kadeem Dacres received a corner kick and sent the ball to Matt Kassel, who shot low and true for a 1-0 lead. Going into the locker room down seemed to awaken the Galaxy, who took control in the second half. Lightning struck twice in the form of LA striker Gyasi Zardes’ head. First, Robbie Rogers sent in a cross that Zardes nailed in to equalize, then Stefan Ishizaki set another ball for Gyasi to take the lead just two minutes later. Arizona seemed stunned for a while, but substitutions brought new life to United in the last 20 minutes. They had numerous chances in the last six minutes of time, yet they were unable to capitalize to keep their Cup dreams alive. Los Angeles will travel to play the Carolina RailHawks in the next round. MATCH REPORT [+]

MATCH REPLAY: LA GALAXY AT ARIZONA UNITED

June 18: Chicago Fire (MLS) 2:1 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro)

The rain proved to be the true winner of this match, with the start delayed almost two hours, then ended the game at the 49-minute mark. Once the game started, the Fire dictated control early and often. The home side controlled possession early, and Quincy Amarikwa sent a corner perfectly to Grant Ward to gain the lead in the 22nd minute. Chicago would continue to hold set, and doubled their lead at the 40-minute mark. Mike Magee caught a cross from Jeff Larentowicz to score, but only a minute later, the Hounds would retaliate through an Andrew Marshall bomb. Right before the second half was to begin, storms struck again, this time delaying the match for more than an hour. Once the game resumed, Chicago continued to hold the advantage for the next four minutes, before the referee determined the pitch was too soaked to play on. The Fire host the Columbus Crew in the next round. MATCH REPORT [+]

June 18: Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) 5:0 PSA Elite (USASA)

Returning to cozy Starfire Soccer Complex for the first time in two years obviously gave the Sounders a feeling of home, as they controlled the match from start to finish. Seattle squandered early efforts until Brad Evans was able to knock home a penalty in the 22nd minute and they kept their foot on the gas pedal. Elite fought back bravely, but the few chances they could manage were either knocked off target for goal kicks, or sent harmlessly to Sounders keeper Marcus Hahnemann. His PSA counterpart, Round 3 Player of the Round Earl Edwards, Jr., was under siege all evening, and was harmless to stop Zach Scott’s 40th minute bruiser off a corner kick. Kenny Cooper scored a pair of goals, including a bicycle kick off a deflection in the 56th minute. Then finally, Sean Okoli finished off the onslaught in the 85th minute. Seattle will once again host at Starfire for the next round, with the San Jose Earthquakes coming to the Northwest. MATCH REPORT [+]

MATCH REPLAY: PSA ELITE AT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

June 18: Sporting Kansas City (MLS) 2:0 Minnesota United (NASL)

After both squads had lackluster Cup outings last year, this was a surprisingly even battle through most of the game. The first half was marked mainly by Sporting playing ball control to make their chances, and Minnesota content to use quick counters, though neither were able to break the scoreless tie. United were dealt a huge blow in the 50th minute as defender Cristiano Dias took down Kansas City’s Dom Dwyer and earned a straight red card. The visitors maintained a valiant defensive effort, but were only able to hold out until Soony Saad unleashed a bomb that found the back of the net. Minnesota tried to mount a comeback while preventing Kansas City breakaways, but Alex Martinez put the game out of reach after cutting through the defense in the 87th minute. Sporting will host the Portland Timbers on June 24. MATCH REPORT [+]

MATCH REPLAY: MINNESOTA UNITED AT SPORTING KC

June 18: Richmond Kickers (USL Pro) 2:3 New England Revolution (MLS)

New England were determined to avoid being Richmond’s latest upset victim, and took it to the hosts early. The Revs were awarded an early corner, and Steve Neumann set up Stephen McCarthy perfectly to grab a 1-0 lead in the 8th minute. George Davis IV was able to equalize in the 24th minute but Neumann once again restored the visitor’s lead a little over 10 minutes later. Patrick Mullins than doubled the Revolution lead off a badly mishandled William Yomby clearance four minutes later, leaving the Kickers stunned. They made wholesale changes at the half, and once the subs caught their sealegs, Richmond went on the attack. Pressing the play was Matthew Delicate who finally broke the Revs defensive shell at the 74-minute mark. The Kickers continued pressing for an equalizer, and had many chances in the last six minutes, but wound up squandering them all. The Revs will return home on June 25, where they will host the Rochester Rhinos at Brown University in Providence. MATCH REPORT [+]

MATCH REPLAY: NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION AT RICHMOND KICKERS

June 17: Portland Timbers (MLS) 3:0 Orlando City U23s (PDL)

If there was any question whether Portland forgot their upset against Cal FC two years ago, they answered it quickly by controlling Orlando City’s U23 squad for the whole 90 minutes. Gaston Fernandez struck twice in the first half for the Timbers, netting a goal in the 11th minute thanks to a Maximiliano Urruti pass, and then scored on a penalty at in the 35th minute. The Junior Lions were never able to muster much of an attack, only managing one shot on goal. Portland then put it away thanks to Urruti, who sent a great pass to rookie sub Taylor Peay, netting the goal in the 68th minute. Portland will travel to Sporting Kansas City for a Round 5 matchup next week. MATCH REPORT [+]

HIGHLIGHTS: ORLANDO CITY U23s AT PORTLAND TIMBERS

Colorado Rapids (MLS) 5:2 Orlando City SC (USL Pro)

Much like the USA match against Ghana, Colorado was provided the perfect opportunity for revenge. The Rapids were knocked out of the Cup 3-1 in Orlando last year, and were hungry for revenge at home. The game started off as more of the same though, as Lions striker Adama Mbengue broke through in the 22nd minute, but the Rapids had a trick up their sleeve to counter this, and unleashed the Deshorn Brown show on Orlando. The forward showered a hat trick on the Lions, scoring in the 35th, 47th and 54th minutes to become the first Rapids player to ever score a hat trick in Open Cup play (not to mention the first Jamaican in the Modern Pro Era). Nick LaBrocca and Dillon Powers added a goal each to put the game out of reach. The Rapids will host the NASL’s Atlanta Silverbakcs in Round 5 next week. MATCH REPORT [+]

FC Dallas (MLS) 2:0 San Antonio Scorpions (NASL)

San Antonio came to Dallas with dreams of 2012 in their heads, when they knocked off another Texan MLS side, the Houston Dynamo. The Hoops were just as determined to avoid that fate, and both sides battled evenly for the first two thirds of the game until Dallas midfielder Fabian Castillo broke through in the 74th minute. Before the Scorpions were able to mount a counterattack, Andres Escobar struck seven minutes later, ending any upset hopes. Dallas will host the aforementioned Dynamo in the Fifth Round on June 24. MATCH REPORT [+]

Columbus Crew (MLS) 2:1 (AET) Indy Eleven (NASL)

One red card is usually enough to derail a team’s chance at victory but two? Columbus didn’t even flinch. Having scored in the 4th minute courtesy of Bernardo Anor, it was only a half hour later when forward Adam Bedell drew a straight red. Indy striker Blake Smith equalized with his tournament-leading fourth goal in the 62nd minute, however the Crew soon realized how anemic the Eleven’s attack was outside their star. They were able to isolate Smith and keep him from the ball, holding level to force extra time. Even when Columbus midfielder Daniel Paladini was sent off in the 110th minute, it took them only three minutes to crack the Hoosier defense and draw a penalty. Jairo Arrieta struck true, and the Crew held on to an improbable extra time win. Columbus will visit Chicago to play the Fire for next round. MATCH REPORT [+]

MATCH REPLAY: INDY ELEVEN AT COLUMBUS CREW

Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro) 1:0 DC United (MLS)

Reigning Open Cup champions DC United were facing an uphill battle against the Rochester Rhinos. First, Colin Rolfe scored in the 27th minute, and then defender Steve Birnbaum collected two yellows only 15 minutes into the second half. Then the weather started hampering any efforts to defend the Cup. A delay was called shortly after Birnbaum’s ejection, then once play resumed, it was stopped just ten minutes later. Finally, after two hours with only ten minutes of action, the match resumed again, but United were unable to get into any flow to get a chance to level the score. Rochester has once again knocked off a defending champion, beating Chicago Fire by the same 1:0 scoreline in 1999. The Rhinos will now meet the New England Revolution June 25 in Providence. MATCH REPORT [+]

MATCH REPLAY: DC UNITED AT ROCHESTER RHINOS

Philadelphia Union (MLS) 3:1 (AET) Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro)

The Philadelphia Union beat its affiliate USL PRO team, the Harrisburg City Islanders, in extra time on the strength of an extra time brace from Andrew Wenger. Harrisburg had scored first, a 38th minute rebound captured by Jason Pelletier, but Harrisburg held on until Maurice Edu tied it in the 89th minute to send the match into extra time. Wenger took over from there, scoring in the 110th and 117th minute to rescue the Union from an upset. The Union will play host to the NASL’s New York Cosmos June 24. MATCH REPORT [+]

MATCH REPLAY: HARRISBURG CITY ISLANDERS AT PHILADELPHIA UNION

June 14: New York Cosmos (NASL) 3:0 New York Red Bulls (MLS)

Eager to reclaim the prestige of their namesake, the New York Cosmos won convincingly in their first-ever meeting with the New York Red Bulls, 3-0. It has begun as an instant rivalry among the fans but when it came to the play on the field, it was one-way traffic as the Cosmos made quick work of their local counterparts, out-shooting the MLS side 21-3. Mads Stokkelien scored a pair of goals, one in each half, and Alessandro Noselli’s header in the 78th minute put the nail in the coffin for the Red Bulls who have gone 11 Open Cup appearances without winning multiple games. The Cosmos will either face the Philadelphia Union or Harrisburg City Islanders next round. MATCH REPORT [+]

HIGHLIGHTS: NEW YORK COSMOS 3:0 NEW YORK RED BULLS

June 14: Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) 2:1 Real Salt Lake (MLS)

For a team that has been competing in the US Open Cup on and off since 1995, the Atlanta Silverbacks have not felt a lot of success over the years. They have only won more than 2 games in a tournament once (2007) and have never upset a MLS team in five tries (0-4-1, 0-1 PKs) They finally broke through on Saturday, upsetting last year’s Open Cup runner-up Real Salt Lake, 2-1. Robbie Findley gave RSL an early lead after capitalizing on a misplayed capitalized on a misplayed backpass by Atlanta’s Derby Carrillo, who was forced into the starting lineup through injury. However, Atlanta’s Junior Burgos and Kwadwo Poku would help give the home team the lead. Poku sent an excellent pass to Burgos, who slotted away past RSL’s Jeff Attinella. The Silverbacks were going toe-to-toe with RSL until Poku scored a late goal to give Atlanta to win. The Silverbacks move forward with some key pieces who have enjoyed recent success in the Open Cup. Poku, one could say, got the attention of the Atlanta scouts when he scored four Open Cup goals playing for the Georgia Revolution of the NPSL last year. With the win, manager Eric Wynalda builds on his coaching resume with his second career MLS upset as a manager, having been in charge of the Cal FC amateur team who traveled up to Portland and upset the Timbers in 2012. MATCH REPORT [+]

HIGHLIGHTS: ATLANTA SILVERBACKS 2:1 REAL SALT LAKE

June 14: Carolina RailHawks (NASL) 1:1 (3:2 PKs) Chivas USA (MLS)
Carolina’s Zach Schilawski (29th min.) and Chivas USA’s Ryan Finley (40th min.) traded first half goals, but after a scoreless second half and two periods of extra time, a spot in Round 5 had to be decided from the penalty spot. Despite falling behind 2-1 in the tiebreaker, the RailHawks rallied and emerged victorious 3-2 after eight rounds of spot kicks. Rookie goalkeeper Scott Goodwin came up big with 11 saves and 3 stops in the shootout to beat out veteran keeper Dan Kennedy. After Kennedy had his attempt saved, Zack Schilawski leveled the shootout at 2-2, but two players from each team failed their spot kick attempt to put the contest into a winner-take-all scenario. Marco Delgado of Chivas USA led off the 7th round by having his shot saved and Daniel Jackson responded with a goal to give send the RailHawks to Round 5 after eliminating their fifth MLS team in club history. Next up, Carolina will either host the LA Galaxy for the third year in a row, or host Arizona United. MATCH REPORT [+]

HIGHLIGHTS: CAROLINA RAILHAWKS 1:1 (3:2 PKs) CHIVAS USA

June 11: Houston Dynamo (MLS) 1:0 Laredo Heat (PDL)
The Dynamo were able to steal a win away from the PDL’s Laredo Heat on an Alexander Lopez goal in the 38th minute. Laredo did not help themselves by going a man down two minutes after the goal, as Mattieu Braem earned his second yellow card. However, early in the second half, Houston goalkeeper Tyler Deric brought the game to 10v10 by receiving a red card for holding the ball outside of the penalty area. Fortunately the goalie’s mistake did not cost them the lead, as the MLS side held the Heat at bay for the rest of the match. MATCH REPORT [+]

POST-GAME INTERVIEWS

June 11: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) 2:1 Sacramento Republic (USL PRO)
Sacramento’s Justin Braun put his USL-PRO expansion side on his back to give the lower division side the lead three minutes before halftime, yet San Jose grabbed a penalty chance to equalize, and Khari Stevenson shot true. San Jose then grabbed a hold of some Seattle luck, as former Sounders striker Cordell Cato put the Earthquakes ahead at 15 minutes to time. Sacramento put themselves further under the gun late, as Chad Bartlome put his team down by picking up a second yellow. The Republic couldn’t recover, setting up their MLS counterparts to either host the USASA’s PSA Elite, or travel to take on the Sounders. MATCH REPORT [+]

2014 US Open Cup Fifth Round Potential Pairings

New York Cosmos (NASL) at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
PPL Park; Chester, PA – June 24, 7 p.m. ET
———————————————————
FC Dallas (MLS) at Houston Dynamo (MLS)
BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, TX – June 24, 8:30 p.m. ET
———————————————————
LA Galaxy (MLS) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
WakeMed Soccer Park Field 2; Cary, NC – June 24, 7:30 p.m. ET
———————————————————
San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) at Seattle Sounders (MLS)
Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, WA – June 24, 10 p.m. ET
———————————————————
Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) at Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, CO – June 24, 9 p.m. ET
———————————————————
Portland Timbers (MLS) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Sporting Park; Kansas City, KS – June 24, 8:30 p.m. ET
———————————————————
Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO) at New England Revolution (MLS)
Stevenson Field (Brown Univ.); Providence, RI – June 25, 7:30 p.m. ET
———————————————————
Columbus Crew (MLS) at Chicago Fire (MLS)
Toyota Park; Bridgeview, IL – June 25, 8:30 p.m. ET

2014 US Open Cup Round 4: Seattle Sounders flex muscle, crushing last amateur club PSA Elite, 5-0 (video)

June 19, 2014 by Nick Schiffler

Kenny Cooper of the Seattle Sounders scored his 8th and 9th career US Open Cup goals in the Sounders' 5-0 win over PSA Elite. Photo: Seattle Sounders — Kenny Cooper of the Seattle Sounders scored his 8th and 9th career US Open Cup goals in the Sounders’ 5-0 win over PSA Elite. Photo: Seattle Sounders FC

It had been two years since Seattle Sounders FC had played a US Open Cup match at their home fortress of Starfire Sports Complex. They made sure not to waste the opportunity.

In front of a standing-room-only crowd, the Sounders swept aside amateur club PSA Elite 5-0 to reach the fifth round of the tournament. Kenny Cooper scored a pair of goals, Brad Evans and Cam Weaver added first-half tallies and Sean Okoli chipped in with a fifth late in the match.

“We weren’t happy with how we started the Open Cup last year, so we wanted to make sure we got off to a better start,” said Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid.

The Sounders certainly did that in a match that was never in doubt. They controlled play from the opening whistle, owning the vast majority of possession, and while PSA Elite defended in an organized, composed fashion for the first twenty minutes, it all came undone when they conceded a needless penalty.

Seattle’s Aaron Kovar worked his way into the box on a tricky run, then had his legs cut out from underneath him by a reckless tackle. The referee had no choice but to point to the spot, leaving Brad Evans to step up and send keeper Earl Edwards, Jr. the wrong way, coolly converting the penalty for the first goal of the match.

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The goal clearly settled the Sounders’ nerves, and it seemed inevitable they would score again. In the 40th minute, they did. This time it was defender Zach Scott getting on the end of a Kovar cross and heading it in at the far post.

Seattle kept bombing in crosses, and the amateur side had no match for the two big forwards they were facing. A cross from David Estrada led to Cooper’s first goal, a point-blank header that Cooper smashed into the net for a 3-0 lead just before the halftime whistle.

“We wanted to have a little bit of a bigger team to take advantage of set pieces, because we knew they weren’t an overly big team and it’s a small field,” Schmid said.

One of those set pieces led to Cooper’s second goal in the 56th minute. After the Sounders won a corner kick and Kovar played it into the box, Zach Scott kept the ball alive and poked it free towards Cooper. The 6’3” forward then executed a successful bicycle kick from about six yards out to make the score 4-0, and left the PSA defense throwing up their hands in frustration.

The Irvine, Calif.-based amateur team never gave up on trying to sneak a goal against the Sounders – they began in a 4-5-1 formation before substituting on an extra forward at halftime – but it took until the 50th minute for them to register their first shot of the match, a fairly tame effort by Michael Salazar. It was also their last shot of the match. Seattle out-shot PSA Elite 21-1 throughout the game.

With five minutes left in regulation and the match no longer in doubt, Okoli tapped in a cross from substitute Chad Barrett to make it 5-0. It was his first goal for the Sounders. Okoli, who played for the Sounders FC Academy and U-23 teams, grew up in Federal Way, just 13 miles south of Starfire.

The Sounders avoided being knocked out in their first match of the US Open Cup for the second straight year. They fell on the road to NASL side Tampa Bay Rowdies 1-0 in 2013, putting an end to their all-time US Open Cup record 22-game unbeaten streak.

PSA Elite were trying to win their second straight match against a professional club, after knocking out LA Galaxy II in penalties in the Third Round. However, they were still the only club from the USASA ranks to reach the fourth round of the tournament.
Seattle will now host the San Jose Earthquakes (2-1 winners over Sacramento Republic) in the Fifth Round of the US Open Cup, at Starfire Sports Complex on June 24 at 7:30 p.m. local time.

REPLAY: PSA ELITE AT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

2014 US Open Cup Round 4: Chicago Fire win 49-minute, rain-soaked match against Pittsburgh Riverhounds (video)

June 19, 2014 by Jeff Engelhardt

It took four hours to play 48 minutes of soccer but that is all the Chicago Fire needed to get past the Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2-1 Wednesday at Toyota Park.

The match was called off the 49th minute when lightning once again appeared in Chicago skies after the weather had already caused a two-hour rain delay that pushed the start of the game to 9:30 p.m. and another 60-minute delay that forced the beginning of the second half to 11:30 p.m.

“We did everything we could to try to play the game despite multiple delays, but we felt it was best to terminate the game due to player and fan safety,” said Nate Boyden, U.S. Soccer match commissioner.

Before the game was called, Tottenham Hotspur loanee Grant Ward and reigning MLS MVP Mike Magee tallied a goal each to lead the Fire past the USL PRO’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The game was official once it hit the 45-minute mark.

“It is good to get a win, it’s been a while,” Fire coach Frank Yallop said. “Against any opposition it’s difficult to play good soccer, and I thought we did create some good chances.”

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After a feeling out period in the first 10 minutes for both teams, the Fire started to take control with the majority of the action taking place in Pittsburgh’s half. As the Riverhounds’ defense was pinned back, Ward and Quincy Amarikwa found themselves with the ball often.

In the 21st minute, Ward won a corner. While the team did not score directly off the opportunity, the Fire maintained possession. The ball eventually fell to Amarikwa who laid the ball off in the box for Ward who was making a diagonal run in, and slotted home a low finish to the far post to beat Hunter Gilstrap.

“I saw the defender was proper tight on me, and I was quite wide and deep, so then I just saw space, and I just ran into it, and Quincy saw me,” Ward said of his goal.

The Fire kept the pressure on. Amarikwa once again made a key pass into the box to Matt Watson who was shut down. The failed attempt was followed by a Harry Shipp shot that was easily saved by Gilstrap.

In the 38th minute, captain Jeff Larentowicz won a corner kick. Shipp took the corner kick which was headed down by Larentowicz to the feet of Magee who rifled a shot top shelf to give the Fire 2-0 lead.

The cushion was short lived as Pittsburgh mounted an attack one minute later, focusing on the right side as it had in the early portions of the match. After winning a free kick to the right of the box, the Riverhounds capitalized on a scramble in front of goal with Andrew Marshall heading the ball toward the net.

Larentowicz was on the goal line and attempted to clear the header, but referee Alex Chilowicz ruled the ball had completely crossed the line before it was kicked aside.

In the few moments the Riverhounds did control the play, former Fire player and Pittsburgh captain Collins John found little to enjoy in his return to Toyota Park. The target man had sparse touches and was unable to attempt a single shot.

Jose Angulo was in the middle of any and all Riverhound buildups, but he could not find the offensive support needed to be a threat.

With only two full minutes played in the second half, Magee nearly netted a brace when a free kick fell to him while he was unmarked in the box. He shot the ball hard and high, but it deflected straight down before hitting the goal line and bouncing out. Seconds later the game was called by the referees after lightening appeared in the area.

Chicago moves on to the Fifth Round at 7:30 p.m. on June 25 against the Columbus Crew at Toyota Park.

MORE: Yallop, Match Commissioner talk weather shortened 2-1 Open Cup win over Pittsburgh (Chicago-Fire.com)

MORE: Know the Rules: Magee says Fire set out to have halftime lead in shortened Open Cup match (Chicago-Fire.com)

HIGHLIGHTS: PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS at CHICAGO FIRE

2014 US Open Cup Round 4: LA Galaxy flips second half switch, eliminates Arizona United 2-1 (video)

June 19, 2014 by Dan Hagan

In its first meeting against the LA Galaxy, Arizona United SC almost came away with the surprise win to move on to the Fifth Round of the US Open Cup but fell short 2-1 as LA was able to capitalize on Arizona’s slow start in the second half.

Both goals came from Gyasi Zardes in about two minutes.

The first half the game went back and forth with a lot of play in the midfield as both teams tried to establish their respective game plans. LA had a total of six shots to Arizona’s three.

The action picked up in the 10th minute as a set piece from Arizona defenseman Scott Morrison from 30 yards out was easily saved by the Galaxy’s Jaime Peñedo. That strike from Arizona seemed to give L.A. the shot in the arm they needed as they went on to pepper Arizona goalkeeper Evan Newton, starting with a shot from inside the box from forward Stefan Ishizaki in the 17th minute.

The Galaxy’s Ishizaki sent a cross to forward Rob Friend seven minutes later that Friend put in the back of the net, but it was called back for offside. Shortly after that close call, Arizona was awarded a corner kick that Morrison crossed to forward Bradlee Baladez that went over the bar and just out of reach of Peñedo.

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Notable upsets/facts about Round 4

Arizona came close but so was L.A., which started pushing and got an opportunity with Zardes fading into the box and getting a shot off that went wide in the 32nd minute.

Both teams seemed to be on the brink of breaking through and just four minutes later, Arizona scored on a beautiful cross from forward Kadeem Dacres that went to forward Matt Kassel for the goal and the lead going into the half.

Kassel said he was pleased with the effort the team put forth against a tough team like the Galaxy.

“It’s exciting, it’s not what we wanted, we wanted to win the game but it’s something that we can hold our heads high about,” he said.

With the momentum clearly on Arizona’s side, L.A. needed to come out in attack mode and that’s exactly what Zardes did from the first whistle of the second half, attacking the box and nearly getting one past Newton in the first minute of the second half.

It wouldn’t take long for L.A. to get the equalizer as Zardes once again set himself up in the box and received a beautiful cross from defenseman Robbie Rogers that he easily headed past Newton for the 1-1 score in the 51st minute as the 4,000 fans at Peoria Sports Complex fell silent.

Two minutes later, Zardes put another header past Newton, this time the cross came from Ishizaki in the 53rd.

Zardes said Arena told the team at halftime that the goals would come and to be patient and that’s the mentality they took heading into the second half.

“The main goal in the second half was to put the shots on target, and that’s what I did.” Zardes said. “I had opportunities in the first half that were close and I wanted to make sure these were on target.”

Zardes — who was named man of the match — was virtually left alone on the back-to-back goals, as he was able to drift away from the defense.

The slow start by Arizona United in the second half was too much to overcome, as L.A. was able to stop the few opportunities that Arizona had in the second half. The closest Arizona got to getting their own equalizer came in the 79th and 87th as forward Jon Okafor had two point-blank shots that were saved by Peñedo, dashing the hopes of the new USL franchise and knocking them out of the US Open Cup.

With the win the Galaxy move on to face the Carolina RailHawks in North Carolina in the Fifth Round of the US Open Cup Round.

MATCH REPLAY: LA GALAXY AT ARIZONA UNITED

2014 US Open Cup Round 4: Sporting KC finally break Minnesota United defense, advance with 2-0 win (video)

June 19, 2014 by Anders Aarhus

Mitch Hildebrandt did his best Guillermo Ochoa impression for 75 minutes.

The Minnesota United FC goalkeeper made big save after big save — much like Mexico’s keeper in the World Cup this week against Brazil — keeping his side in the match even after going down to 10 men.

Soony Saad finally beat Hildebrandt in the 76th minute with a low, skipping drive, and added a second later as Sporting Kansas City advanced to the US Open Cup round of 16 with a 2-0 victory.

An uneventful first half was followed by an action-packed second period.

First, Sporting came out of the locker room wearing sky blue training shirts after the players had trouble telling their black and blue stripes apart from Minnesota’s grey shirts.

Then Minnesota went down to ten men just six minutes after the break. Cristiano Dias led with an elbow into Dow Dwyer’s head and the referee showed no hesitation going to the back pocket.

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