2015 US Open Cup

2015 US Open Cup Semifinals: Philadelphia Union reach second straight title game as Sebastien Le Toux makes more history (video)

August 12, 2015 by Michael Berton

Sebastien Le Toux scores the game-winning goal for the Philadelphia Union against the Chicago Fire in the 2015 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Paul Rudderow/Philly Soccer Page

For the first time since 1964, a Philadelphia team will compete in back-to-back US Open Cup Final after the Philadelphia Union defeated the Chicago Fire 1-0.

Sebastien Le Toux added to his legendary Open Cup resume with his record 15th career tournament goal, and his fifth game-winner which ties Matthew Delicate’s Modern Era record.

“ has had a heck of a run in this competition,” Union coach Jim Curtin said. “I’m glad took the initiative and took the hit there.”

The hit came in the 74th minute. Cutting in from the right side, Le Toux dribbled along the top of the penalty box, took a hit with his left foot, and placed his shot in the bottom right corner of the net just past the fingers of Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson.

That goal came after numerous Union chances throughout the game. The home side outshot the Fire 11-3.

Curtin, who won two US Open Cup titles as a player with the Fire, said his team controlled the game but were only able to find the back of the net once.

“There are moments of nerves. But defensively we were very good. We like to make it tough.”

Philadelphia had good opportunities from the onset of the match. In the eighth minute, Cristian Maidana’s shot was saved by Johnson – one of several great chances for the Union in the half. Maidana also hit a post in the 24th minute, and Johnson made a point-blank save on Brian Carroll a few minutes later.

Chicago encountered some bad luck in the first half as well. Making his first appearance for the Fire, Gilberto had to exit the match with a thigh contusion, forcing Chicago to make its first substitution in the 21st minute.

The four-time Open Cup champions had their best chances come after the Union got the go-ahead goal. The most spectacular chance coming when Kennedy Igboananike’s bicycle kick had to be saved by Union keeper John McCarthy.

But Chicago could not find an equalizer, and the Union will be heading to their second championship game in a row. Last season, Philadelphia hosted the Seattle Sounders, falling 3-1 after extra time.

The Union will now host the 102nd edition of the US Open Cup Final at PPL Park on Sept. 30.

Curtin said, “ is everything. It’s why you play. It’s forever. The fans deserve it, and the club deserves it. We’re ready to take that next step.”

POSTGAME: SEBASTIEN LE TOUX, PHILADELPHIA UNION

POSTGAME: JIM CURTIN, PHILADELPHIA UNION

POSTGAME: PHILLY SOCCER PAGE ANALYSIS

FULL MATCH REPLAY: CHICAGO FIRE AT PHILADELPHIA UNION

2015 US Open Cup Semifinals Preview: Which teams will advance to 102nd Final? (video)

August 12, 2015 by Josh Hakala

The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Semifinals feature a pair of intriguing games. At Sporting Park, Sporting Kansas City hosts Real Salt Lake in one of Major League Soccer’s budding rivalries, and just outside of Philadelphia, the Union host the Chicago Fire in a battle of two teams trying to save their season.

The last four teams standing in the 102nd edition of the tournament all come into Wednesday’s matches hoping to make different levels of history. With a win, the Chicago Fire will tie the tournament’s all-time record with a seventh championship game appearance. Meanwhile, Sporting Kansas City are aiming for a third title game appearance where they are 2-0 in Finals. The remaining two teams, Philadelphia and Salt Lake, are seeking their first Open Cup titles.

All of the games will feature online video broadcasts through YouTube.com. We’ll have all the video available here on our Live Scores page where you can also use the #USOC2015 Twitter hashtag to join the conversation and get all the latest updates about the tournament.

Check out our previews of all three games below (video will be added when it’s posted):

MORE LINKS:

USSF takes over US Open Cup’s amateur qualifying

Roger Espinoza of Sporting KC suspended two US Open Cup games for punching Houston Dynamo’s Brad Davis (video)

Who has qualified for 2016 US Open Cup? 10 PDL, 8 NPSL teams are in so far

How it happened: Why the Philadelphia Union, New York Red Bulls US Open Cup match is now at 4 p.m. on July 21

Not up for the Cup: Why so few amateur Cascadian clubs enter the US Open Cup

LIVE UPDATES/SCORES (with video)

2015 US Open Cup bracket

2015 US Open Cup Schedule/Results

2015 Meet the Underdogs series

2015 stat leaders (Goals/Assists/Points)

TheCup.us Player of the Round winners

The First Cup series (1913/14)

TheCup.us 2.0 launches | The origin of TheCup.us

Twitter (#USOC2015) | Facebook | Flickr | Reddit

The Philadelphia Union celebrate their penalty kick shootout win over the New York Red Bulls in the 2015 Quarterfinals. Photo: Bob Larson

Chicago Fire Open Cup records
Overall: 37-12-3 (2-1 PKs) | Away: 13-11-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. MLS: 19-7-1 (1-0 PKs)
Last entry: 2014 (Lost 6-0 at Seattle Sounders of MLS in Semifinals)
Best finish: 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006 US Open Cup champions

Philadelphia Union Open Cup records
Overall: 8-3-3 (3-0 PKs) | Home: 7-2-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. MLS: 3-3-2 (2-0 PKs)
Last entry: 2014 (Lost 3-1 in OT vs. Seattle Sounders of MLS in Final)
Best finish: 2014 Runner-up

BROADCAST: ONLINE VIDEO (YouTube.com)

If Chicago wins … they will host winner of Real Salt Lake or Sporting KC (Sept. 30)
If Philadelphia wins … they will host Sporting KC or play at Real Salt Lake (Sept. 30)

STAT LEADERS

GOALS
Chicago: Kennedy Igboananike 2 goals, Mike Magee 2 goals
Philadelphia: Eric Ayuk 2 goals

ASSISTS
Chicago: Jon Busch 1 assist, Patrick Nyarko 1 assist, Lovel Palmer 1 assist, Guly Do Prado 1 assist
Philadelphia: Cristian Maidana 1 assist, Vincent Nogueira 1 assist, Sheanon Williams 1 assist

HOW THEY GOT HERE …

Chicago Fire
Round 4: 1-0 OT win vs. Louisville City (USL)
Round 5: 3-1 win vs. Charlotte Independence (USL)
Quarterfinals: 3-1 win vs. Orlando City SC (MLS)

Philadelphia Union
Round 4: 0-0 draw (3-1 PK win) vs. Rochester Rhinos (USL)
Round 5: 2-1 win vs. DC United (MLS)
Quarterfinals: 1-1 draw (4-3 PK win) at New York Red Bulls (MLS)

By Michael Berton

Lamar Hunt US Open Cup results rarely adhere to a predictable script. Results often don’t correspond to a team’s league, a team’s form, or even how a team is playing in the game in question.

Such is the case on Aug. 12, when the Philadelphia Union host the Chicago Fire in the Open Cup Semifinals.

The two MLS teams shared an opening round scare to a lower division team. In the Fourth Round, the Union were pushed to penalty kicks by the USL’s Rochester Rhinos. After a scoreless draw, Philadelphia pulled out a 3-1 penalty kick shootout victory thanks to goalkeeper John McCarthy becoming just the fifth player in the Modern Era to make three saves in a shootout. Chicago was held scoreless after 90 minutes by Louisville City of the USL and needed a goal in the 116th minute by Quincy Amarikwa to punch their ticket to Round 5.

After narrowly escaping Louisville, Chicago drew another USL team in the Charlotte Independence. They fell behind in the 5th minute before storming back to win 3-1 on the strength of a pair of goals from Mike Magee. In the Quarterfinals, the four-time Open Cup champions beat MLS newcomers Orlando City 3-1 on two goals in the final three minutes by Kennedy Igboananike. All three victories came on their home field, a place they are 23-1-1 all-time in Open Cup play.

The Union’s path to the Semifinals had a few more bumps in the road. After eliminating Rochester in penalty kicks, the Union hosted DC United in the Round of 16. The home side went down a man in the 24th minute, then down a goal in the 27th. After a 45-minute weather delay, Philadelphia managed to mount a shorthanded comeback to win 2-1 over the MLS Eastern Conference leaders.

Things got even stranger in the Quarterfinals, which pitted the Union against the New York Red Bulls. Scheduling conflicts caused the game to be played at 4 p.m. on a Tuesday. Then, yet again, the Union picked up a first-half red card. This time the Union scored first, but the Red Bulls equalized in the final seconds of second-half injury time. The game went to penalties, and Philadelphia, again thanks to McCarthy’s TheCup.us Player of the Round performance were on their way to the final four.

Their league form is almost exactly the same as the Union and Fire sport the two worst records in MLS. Philadelphia is 6-13-5, and Chicago has a record of 6-12-4. Both teams come into Wednesday’s contest with just one win (1-3-1) in their last five league games.

And so the two worst teams in MLS unpredictably made it to the Open Cup Semifinals, each just two wins away from a season-salvaging trophy. Neither team will be all that confident heading into the game. Chicago is coming off a 1-0 loss to the Timbers, and Philadelphia just snapped a three-game losing streak with a scoreless draw against Orlando City.

Both squads know that league form means nothing in this tournament and both know that if they win on Wednesday, they have a chance to host the Final. If Philadelphia wins, they would host Sporting Kansas City in the championship game, but if Real Salt Lake emerges from the other semifinal, the Union will play the Final at Rio Tinto Stadium. If the Fire win, they will host the 102nd edition of the Open Cup Final at Toyota Park regardles of who wins the other game.

Chicago Fire preview

Philadelphia Union preview

Real Salt Lake Open Cup records
Overall: 9-6-0 | Away: 0-3-0 | vs. MLS: 3-3-0
Last entry: 2014 (Lost 2-1 at Atlanta Silverbacks of NASL in Round 4)
Best finish: 2013 Runner-up (Lost 1-0 vs. DC United in Final)

Sporting Kansas City Open Cup records
Overall: 20-12-4 (2-2 PKs) | Home: 15-7-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. MLS: 7-7-1 (1-0 PKs)
Last entry: 2014 (Lost 3-1 vs. Portland Timbers of MLS in Round 5)
Best finish: 2004, 2012 US Open Cup champions

BROADCAST: LIVE VIDEO (YouTube.com)

If RSL wins … they will host Chicago Fire OR play at Philadelphia Union (Sept. 30)
If Sporting KC wins … they will play at winner of Chicago or Philadelphia (Sept. 30)

STAT LEADERS

GOALS
SKC: Dom Dwyer 5 goals (No. 1 in tournament)
RSL: Javier Moraless 2 goals

ASSISTS
SKC: Benny Feilhaber 3 assists (No. 2 in tournament)
RSL: Olmes Garcia 2 assists

HOW THEY GOT HERE …

Chicago Fire
Round 4: 1-0 OT win vs. Louisville City (USL)
Round 5: 3-1 win vs. Charlotte Independence (USL)
Quarterfinals: 3-1 win vs. Orlando City SC (MLS)

Philadelphia Union
Round 4: 0-0 draw (3-1 PK win) vs. Rochester Rhinos (USL)
Round 5: 2-1 win vs. DC United (MLS)
Quarterfinals: 1-1 draw (4-3 PK win) at New York Red Bulls

By Shawn Blymiller

The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Semifinal match between Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday night (8:30 p.m. ET) can only be seen in person at Sporting Park, or on YouTube. However, the game that will determine who will play in the 102nd US Open Cup Final on Sept. 30 has plenty of made-for-TV drama.

Many believe RSL’s Javier Morales and Sporting’s Benny Feilhaber are in the running for league MVP honors, while RSL’s Joao Plata and Sporting’s Dom Dwyer are two of the top up-and-coming young players in MLS. The two teams met in the 2013 MLS Cup Final at a frigid Sporting Park, but one might trace the rivalry back to a bench-clearing brawl in the 2011 preseason that saw Morales receive a kick to the head. Another chapter of the rivalry will be written on Wednesday and the gravity of the game is not lost on the players.

“Absolutely it’s the most important game so far.” Tony Beltran recently told RSL beat writer Chris Kamrani of the Salt Lake Tribune.

Javier Morales scored his second goal of the tournament for Real Salt Lake from the penalty spot. Photo: Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake are playing their first road game of the tournament after three straight wins, with the last two by shutout. Morales scored the game-winner in the 71st minute in a 2-1 opening round win over the Seattle Sounders 2 (USL), followed by a penalty kick and a Sebastian Jaime goal in a 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers in Round 5. Last round, they became just the second Utah-based club to reach the Semifinals with a 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy. Steve Gerrard’s competitive debut for the Galaxy was spoiled by an 87th minute goal by defender Aaron Maund.

Sporting Kansas City has enjoyed playing in front of their home fans in the US Open Cup since Sporting Park opened in 2011. Since those doors opened, Sporting has played 13 of their 14 Open Cup matches in front of their home fans and this year it has paid off on the field, and at the box office. They opened in the Fourth Round with a 1-0 shutout of Saint Louis FC (USL) on a Graham Zusi goal. In Round 5, Sporting crushed FC Dallas 6-2 as Dom Dwyer won TheCup.us Player of the Round for his four-goal performance. It was the first Open Cup hat trick in Sporting Kansas City history, and he followed that up with a goal and an assist in a 3-1 win over the Houston Dynamo in the Quarterfinals.

These two teams last met when Sporting Kansas City traveled to Sandy, Utah on July 24 for their most recent matchup. Javier Morales scored in the 34th minute, with Benny Feilhaber scoring a stunning strike in the 50th minute from about 35 yards out to knot things back up at 1-1. Joao Plata scored the eventual winner in the 73rd minute to seal the victory from the penalty spot.

They also met up back on April 11 at Sporting Park and had a defensive stalemate that finished scoreless.

If recent form were the sole dictator of how Real Salt Lake will perform against Sporting Kansas City, we could be in for a rollercoaster of emotions. The Claret and Cobalt have given up 10 goals in their last 3 matches over the last week and a half. They lost in the nation’s capitol to D.C. United on August 1, 6-4.

Real Salt Lake celebrate Aaron Maund's game-winning goal in the 87th minute against the LA Galaxy. Photo: Tino Arana | Prost Amerika — Real Salt Lake celebrate Aaron Maund’s game-winning goal in the 87th minute against the LA Galaxy. Photo: Tino Arana | Prost Amerika

This after they took an early 2-0 lead against the frontrunners for the Supporters’ Shield. They followed that loss up with a meaningful win in the CONCACAF Champions League with a 1-0 win over CSD Municipal in Guatemala, thanks to a Plata goal. Then, on Aug. 8, they fielded a younger squad, resting the traditional starters and veterans for the buildup to Wednesday’s Open Cup Semifinal. Vancouver, currently the second best team in MLS made them pay with a 4-0 win over backup goalkeeper Jeff Attinella. Keep in mind that Real Salt Lake had just flown over 11,000 miles within the last 12 days, which led to the starting lineup with an average age of 22.7 years.

This image courtesy of Tyler Gibbons (@TylerPGibbons) director of media content for Real Salt Lake, showing RSL's travel over the last few weeks. — This image courtesy of Tyler Gibbons (@TylerPGibbons) director of media content for Real Salt Lake, showing RSL’s travel over the last few weeks.

Sporting Kansas City is coming off a very significant win in Toronto thanks to another strong performance from Feilhaber. The U.S. international scored a goal and added his league-leading 12th assist. In recent interviews Feilhaber has talked about this being the best he has ever played in his 10-year career. He turned pro in 2005 with Hamburg’s reserve squad in Germany. He will be required to carry a heavy load in the midfield as Honduran international Roger Espinoza is out for 10 weeks for suffering a fracture to his left sesamoid. He suffered this injury in a tackle with Nathan Sturgis on Aug. 1. Sporting tied that match 1-1 with a goal by Dom Dwyer, which was also assisted by Feilhaber.

Benny Feilhaber scores the equalizing goal for Sporting KC against the Houston Dynamo in the 2015 Quarterfinals. Photo: Graham Green | Prost Amerika

Feilhaber is a favorite for Major League Soccer’s MVP award with 8 goals and 12 assists. He has made no secrets about not liking Real Salt Lake.

“I’ve never liked Salt Lake,” Feilhaber replied with a smile during the club’s conference on Thursday. “I think they’re – yeah, I don’t like them. I like playing against them. I like beating them, even though we haven’t been able to the last two years, but this year, we get to play them a couple more times.

“Salt Lake, I don’t know if it’s the game that I look forward to the most, but it’s the team that, like you said, I hate the most, I guess.”

“Some individuals, I don’t hate,” he said with a laugh, when prodded for more. “Some guys on the team, I like. But I guess, as a whole, I don’t like them too much … I just think they’re – snobby, almost. They think they’re something special, when they’re not. So, that’s pretty much it.”

Dom Dwyer added his own thoughts on the matter: “I hate them very much”

MORE: The history of this budding rivalry by MLSSoccer.com’ Sam Stejskal

If Real Salt Lake are able to come up with the victory at Sporting Park it will not only be the club’s first Open Cup road win (0-3-0) and will host their second tournament championship game in three years. They will hope to overcome their 2013 Final performance where they were upset by lowly DC United, 1-0.

If Sporting Kansas City emerges victorious they will have to travel to the winner of the Chicago Fire and Philadelphia Union match.

SPORTING KC PREVIEW
REAL SALT LAKE PREVIEW

Roger Espinoza of Sporting KC suspended two US Open Cup games for punching Houston Dynamo’s Brad Davis (video)

August 7, 2015 by Justin Jerkins

In this video screen shot, Roger Espinoza of Sporting Kansas City appears to punch the Houston Dynamo's Brad Davis — In this video screen shot, Roger Espinoza of Sporting Kansas City appears to punch the Houston Dynamo’s Brad Davis

Sporting Kansas City midfielder Roger Espinoza has been handed a two-game suspension by the US Open Cup Adjudication and Discipline Panel. This punishment stems from an incident that occurred during the Open Cup Quarterfinal match against the Houston Dynamo on July 21.

In the 67th minute of that match, Roger Espinoza and Dynamo captain Brad Davis began an argument as players prepared for a Kansas City free kick whistled by referee Ted Unkel. It escalated to a point where Espinoza appears to throw a punch, connecting with Davis’ face.

The incident was not seen by the referee but yellow cards were eventually distributed to each player as a fracas ensued and the two refused to stop arguing.

The suspension comes as Sporting Kansas City prepares for a crucial Semifinal at home against Real Salt Lake on August 12. Espinoza will then miss either the Open Cup Final or his club’s opening match of the 2016 US Open Cup tournament, whichever occurs first.

Ultimately, it was unlikely that Espinoza would play in any of the remaining matches of this year’s tournament due to a foot injury sustained against Houston in a league match on August 1. The injury, a left sesamoid fracture, was sustained from a red card challenge by Houston’s Nathan Sturgis and could sideline Espinoza for the remainder of the season.

Espinoza also picked up a one-game suspension from Major League Soccer’s Disciplinary Committee for a dangerous play in that same match. The ban arises from a second half play that saw Espinoza strike Houston goalkeeper Tyler Deric’s shin with the underside of his cleat.

Espinoza, a Honduran international, is best known for being the only player in soccer history to win the US Open Cup (Sporting KC, 2012) and the FA Cup (Wigan Athletic in 2012/13) in consecutive seasons.

And in slow(er)-mo, FWIW. pic.twitter.com/su67k1dLyt

— Andy Edwards (@AndyEdMLS) July 22, 2015

Chicago Fire first in line to host 2015 US Open Cup Final on Sept. 30 after blind draw (video)

August 5, 2015 by Josh Hakala

The United States Soccer Federation conducted a blind draw to determine the hosting priorities for the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final on Sept. 30. After it was all said and done, the Chicago Fire, who are seeking a record-tying fifth US Open Cup title, are the top priority to host the championship game if they defeat the Philadelphia Union in the Semifinals on Aug. 12.

If the Chicago Fire advance to the Final, they will be the 23rd Illinois club to play for an Open Cup title, which would move them into fourth place among all the states (New York, California, Pennsylvania). A win would allow them to host the tournament finale for the fourth time (1998, 2000, 2006) and the second time at Toyota Park.

Real Salt Lake finished as the second priority, so they will host the Final if they defeat Sporting Kansas City on Aug. 12 at Sporting Park. Back in 2013, Real Salt Lake hosted the first-ever Open Cup Final in the state of Utah in a 1-0 loss to DC United at Rio Tinto Stadium.

If both home teams win their Semifinal matches (Philadelphia and Sporting Kansas City), then the Philadelphia Union will host the championship game. If the Union host, it will be just the third time in the Modern Era that a team has hosted the Final in back-to-back seasons. The last time a Philadelphia team played for a title in two straight seasons was the Ukrainian Nationals in 1963 adn 1964.

As the fourth option, if Sporting Kansas City win their final four matchup with Real Salt Lake, then they will play the title game on the road. Statistically, it wouldn’t be a disaster as the road team is on a three-game unbeaten streak (2012 Final went to penalty kicks and is officially listed as a draw).

The potential times and venues for the Final have yet to be announced.

2015 US Open Cup Semifinals (Aug. 12)
Chicago Fire at Philadelphia Union – 7:30 p.m. ET
Real Salt Lake at Sporting Kansas City – 8:30 p.m. ET

Who will host the 2015 US Open Cup Final? Coin flip to be broadcast live on Wednesday

August 4, 2015 by Josh Hakala

The coin used to determine the 2010 US Open Cup Final is shown.

The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) announced on Twitter that the coin flip to determine the host of the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 5. The coin flip will take place at the Soccer House in Chicago and will be broadcast live on USSF’s YouTube page at 12 p.m. Eastern Time.

The two Semifinal games are scheduled for Aug. 12 with the Philadelphia Union hosting the Chicago Fire at 7:30 p.m. ET, and Sporting Kansas City hosting Real Salt Lake at 8:30 p.m. ET.

The Union are aiming to reach the title game for the second year in a row, while the Fire are one win away from advancing to their 7th championship game appearance, which would tie the all-time record set by Maccabee AC (Los Angeles). The Union are also hoping to bring the trophy to the city of Philadelphia for the first time since 1966.

Sporting Kansas City are trying to reach the US Open Cup Final for the third time (2004, 2012) while Real Salt Lake are seeking their second Final appearance as they try to bring the trophy to the state of Utah for the first time in history.

The 102nd US Open Cup Final is scheduled to take place on Sept. 29 or 30.

As for the coin flip, 2004 US Open Cup champion Jimmy Conrad has some advice:

@usopencup Tails never fails.

— Jimmy Conrad (@JimmyConrad) August 3, 2015

#USOC2015

2015 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: John McCarthy’s big saves for Philadelphia Union earn him TheCup.us Player of the Round (video)

July 30, 2015 by Adam Cann

John McCarthy of the Philadelphia Union made 9 saves against the New York Red Bulls, including the deciding PK in the shootout. Photo: Bob Larson | Stellar Performance Photography | FULL GALLERY — John McCarthy of the Philadelphia Union made 9 saves against the New York Red Bulls, including the deciding PK in the shootout. Photo: Bob Larson | Stellar Performance Photography |

It began in the third minute when he sprang to left to tip Felipe’s curling shot around the top corner. It ended over 120 minutes later with a low lunge that barely prevented Lloyd Sam’s penalty from crossing the goal line.
And when it was over, the Philadelphia Union had won the shootout 4-3 (after a 1-1 draw) and John McCarthy had produced one of the best goalkeeping performances of 2015, earning him Player of the Round honors from TheCup.us.

McCarthy ran away with the voting for this round, with Kennedy Igboananike of the Chicago Fire finishing in second, and Real Salt Lake’s Aaron Maund also getting strong consideration in the vote among TheCup.us staff and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters.

After watching McCarthy make nine saves during the match, and another during the penalty shootout, Union coach Jim Curtin spotlighted his goalie’s contributions in what he called the biggest win in franchise history.

“That one was a different level,” the Union coach said. “I don’t like shootouts, but someone’s got to win and someone’s got to lose. He stepped up and bailed us out on a night that we weren’t great.”

John McCarthy of the Philadelphia Union stops a run by the Red Bulls' Bradley Wright-Phillips. Photo: Bob Larson | Stellar Performance Photography | FULL GALLERY — John McCarthy of the Philadelphia Union stops a run by the Red Bulls’ Bradley Wright-Phillips. Photo: Bob Larson | Stellar Performance Photography |

Not only were the Union far less than great, they were playing a man down on the road for 80 minutes after Conor Casey was sent off for stamping on Connor Lade’s calf. But every time New York broke through Philadelphia’s defense, McCarthy closed the door.

After the early stop of Felipe, there was the 24th minute charge that disrupted Anatole Abang’s solo run at goal. After Casey’s ejection, McCarthy faced an endless stream of crosses as New York sought to equalize, some 74 crosses by the end of extra time. The only time McCarthy was beaten was when Sam connected on a perfect headed pass right in front of goal deep into second half stoppage time to force extra time.

When asked about Sam’s equalizer, McCarthy simply said, “I just thought, ‘that kind of sucked. There was 30 seconds left in the game.’”

In extra time, McCarthy used every tool at his disposal to keep the scoreline level. He sprinted out to force Bradley Wright-Phillips wide of the net in the 101st minute, smothered Manolo Sanchez’s toe poke three minutes later, and kicked out Mike Grella’s 12-yard effort in the dying moments of the match.

Then, when so much had already been asked of him, McCarthy delivered a spectacular save on Lloyd Sam in the shootout. He dove to his left and got a piece of the shot, but it got past him for a moment, forcing him to reach back and stop it inches away from crossing the line. to set up Fernando Aristeguieta’s winner.

JOHN MCCARTHY’S DECIDING PK SAVE ON LLOYD SAM

After the match, McCarthy was asked about his mentality when facing penalties: “Uhh,” he deadpanned, “Try to save ‘em.”

The Union asked McCarthy to save their cup run in the US Open Cup quarterfinals. And, time after time, he did.
McCarthy, a Philadelphia native, becomes the second goalkeeper of the 102nd edition of the US Open Cup to be named the Player of the Round, following Gregory Hartley of Chattanooga FC in Round 1 of the tournament. He is also only the second Union player to be named Player of the Round, the first being fellow goalkeeper Zac MacMath following his penalty kick heroics in last year’s semifinal road win over FC Dallas.

Adam Cann played soccer for Haverford College and now writes about Philadelphia Union for the Philly Soccer Page. Follow him on Twitter @PSPadam. Email him at [email protected].

POST-GAME: JOHN MCCARTHY

HIGHLIGHTS: PHILADELPHIA UNION AT NY RED BULLS

POST-GAME: JIM CURTIN

2015 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Who should be TheCup.us Player of the Round?

July 27, 2015 by Josh Hakala

The US Open Cup Quarterfinals saw record crowds (overall) and unprecedented drama in every game. It was the first time in the Modern Era that all four games were decided in the 86th minute or later. Thanks to that, there are a number of great individual performances to choose from for TheCup.us Player of the Round.

ANSWER: John McCarthy of Philadelphia Union was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

Take a look at the list below and tell us who should be the Player of the Round and why. And if there’s a player not on the list, make your case for him in the comments.

Aaron Maund (Real Salt Lake)
Maud scored the game-winning goal in the 87th minute in Real Salt Lake’s 1-0 home win over the Los Angeles Galaxy. He was also part of a defensive effort that shutout the Galaxy, who featured a strong lineup that included Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard (in the 2nd half) and others.

Jeff Attinella (Real Salt Lake)
Attinella, filling in for Nick Rimando who was on national team duty, made four saves and faced 16 shots as Real Salt Lake shut out the Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium.

John McCarthy (Philadelphia Union)
McCarthy made nine saves (faced 34 shots) while the Union played with 10 men from the 40th minute through extra time. He allowed an equalizer in the final minute of second half stoppage time to make it 1-1 but in the PK shootout, he made a dramatic save on Lloyd Sam which proved to be the difference in the 4-3 win at Red Bull Arena.

Dom Dwyer (Sporting KC)
Dwyer scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 86th minute and then assisted on Krisztian Nemeth’s insurance goal two minutes later in Sporting Kansas City’s 3-1 home win over the Houston Dynamo who played with 10 men for the majority of the match. (beginning in 30th minute)

Krisztian Nemeth (Sporting KC)
Nemeth assisted on what proved to be the game-winner by Dom Dwyer in the 86th minute and then scored the insurance goal (assisted by Dwyer) two minutes later in Sporting Kansas City’s 3-1 home win over the Houston Dynamo who played with 10 men for the majority of the match (beginning in 30th minute).

Benny Feilhaber (Sporting KC)
Feilhaber scored an impressive game-tying goal in the 71st minute and was an offensive threat throughout the game in Sporting Kansas City’s 3-1 home win over the Houston Dynamo who played with 10 men for the majority of the match (beginning in 30th minute)

Kennedy Igboananike (Chicago Fire)
Igboananike came off the bench in the 66th minute and scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal in the 87th minute and then put the game away with a second goal in second half stoppage time in Chicago’s 3-1 home win over Orlando City.

2015 US Open Cup Quarterfinals review: Record crowds watch plenty of late drama in all-MLS round

July 26, 2015 by Josh Hakala

The Quarterfinals of the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup was played in front of a record number of fans in the stands and for the first time in the Modern Era, every game was decided in the last five minutes of the match or later.

Through all four games of the round, the total announced attendance was 42,644, an average of 10,661, which is a record for the Quarterfinals in the Modern Era (1995-present). This shattered the previous record set in 1999 where they averaged 7,131 (28,524 total).

Here is the Semifinal schedule (the details on the Final will be announced before the Semifinals take place):

Aug. 12
Chicago Fire (MLS) at Philadelphia Union (MLS) – 7:30 p.m. ET
Real Salt Lake (MLS) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS) – 8:30 p.m. ET

Here is a brief recap of each Quarterfinal game with links to the full match report:

All the headlines entering the game was about the possibility of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard making his competition debut for the Los Angeles Galaxy. However, by the end of the night the headlines were all about Aaron Maund of Real Salt Lake sending the home team to the Semifinals for the second time in three years with a late goal. FULL MATCH REPORT »

For the second game in a row, the Philadelphia Union were shown a first half red card and just like their game against DC United in the last round, they advanced shorthanded, this time against the New York Red Bulls. The Union scored a 55th minute goal by Eric Ayuk and it looked like they were going to win it in regulation but Lloyd Sam equalized deep into stoppage time. The match went to penalty kicks and John McCarthy’s spectactular save on Sam’s PK attempt was the difference as the Union advance to their second straight Semifinal.FULL MATCH REPORT »

Just like the Red Bulls-Union match earlier in the day, the Houston Dynamo received a first half red card and took a 1-0 lead early in the second half. However, Sporting Kansas City scored three straight goals, two of them in the final five minutes to put KC into the Semifinals for the first time since their championship year in 2012.FULL MATCH REPORT »

The Chicago Fire defense came to play as they shut down the Orlando City offense but needed a pair of goals by Kennedy Igboananike in the final four minutes to get them into a record-tying 11th Open Cup Semifinal. The Fire were victorious 3-1 at Toyota Park as they reach the Semifinals for the third year in a row. They are now two wins away from a record-tying fifth Open Cup title.FULL MATCH REPORT »

2015 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Roger Espinoza punch of Brad Davis in Sporting KC, Houston Dynamo match under review (video)

July 26, 2015 by Justin Jerkins

An incident that took place in the 67th minute of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup quarterfinal match between Sporting Kansas City and Houston Dynamo is under review by the Open Cup Adjudication and Discipline Panel, according to US Soccer spokesman Neil Buethe.

The resulting outcome of that review could signal punishment for Kansas City midfielder Roger Espinoza who appears to have thrown a punch at Houston’s captain Brad Davis seconds before Sporting executed a free kick. Referee Ted Unkel officiated the match but had his back turned to the incident.

And in slow(er)-mo, FWIW. pic.twitter.com/su67k1dLyt

— Andy Edwards (@AndyEdMLS) July 22, 2015

The punch highlighted a physical match between the two long-time rivals which also saw a Houston Dynamo red card in the 30th minute and five yellow cards including one each to Espinoza and Davis.

Those cautions occurred just after the punch as Dynamo players commanded the attention of Unkel who, having not seen the punch, issued verbal warnings to both players for arguing. When the two resumed heated discussions after Unkel walked away, the official returned to hand out yellows to Espinoza and Davis and put an end to the conversation.

Had Unkel viewed the punch, it’s very possible that Sporting Kansas City would have suffered a red card ejection and went down to ten men, just as Houston did. The incident occurred with Houston leading 1-0. Kansas City would ultimately rally late to win 3-1 and advance to their first Semifinal since 2012.

Should the Discipline Panel rule that Espinoza is warranted a suspension, the midfielder would likely miss, at a minimum, the Semifinal against Real Salt Lake to be hosted in Kansas City on August 12th.

2015 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Late goals help Chicago Fire tame Orlando City, reach record-tying 11th Semifinal (video)

July 23, 2015 by Jeff Engelhardt

It was a game of explosive chances as the Chicago Fire erupted for three goals with each score starting out of their defensive zone before finding Patrick Nyarko, David Accam and Kennedy Igboananike that ultimately left Orlando City with a 3-1 defeat.

The Men in Red got off to a blistering start when goalkeeper Jon Busch punted a ball from his own box that found an opportunistic Nyarko ready to split the central defense. As Busch’s pass bounced toward the Orlando City box, Nyarko slipped in and on his first touch shot the ball to the lower left post to beat a diving Tally Hall, giving the Fire an early 1-0 lead. For Busch, he joined a short list of goalkeepers who have been credited with assists. In the Modern Era, according to TheCup.us records, Busch is just the ninth goalkeeper to directly contribute to a goal.

The remainder of the first half would belong to the Fire as Orlando City, featuring former FIFA World Player of the Year Kaka, failed to get a single shot on goal and only attempted two shots total in the opening frame. Chicago was bolstered by the return of Shaun Maloney, who found Harry Shipp early for a few modest chances the led to shots off the post.

The attack continued to build with left back Joevin Jones, who returned from international duty with Trinidad & Tobago. He had one interception in the first half that resulted him dribbling all the way upfield before being fouled right outside the Orlando City box. The ensuing free kick was taken by Maloney who put his shot on goal but was answered by Hall who deflected it over the bar.

Orlando City’s only chances in the opening half came on corner kicks. All four of their attempts from the corner were caught by Busch or punched out by the veteran keeper with no real dangerous moments.

The Lions came out with more fight in the second half, controlling the flow of the game for the first 15 minutes. Orlando City took advantage of its only shot on goal in the 56th minute when Eric Avila worked up the right flank and sent in a pinpoint cross to Cyle Larin who headed home the equalizer with no real pressure from the defense.

The game took a feel of deja vu after the Larin equalizer, as he was also responsible for the equalizer in Toyota Park in a June MLS match that eventually ended with Orlando City taking a 3-2 victory. But a repeat of that performance was not in the cards.

After the Orlando City goal, Chicago regained control and dictated the flow of the game the rest of the way. Frank Yallop brought on speedsters David Accam in the 59th minute and Kennedy Igboananike in the 66th minute, turning the game completely in favor of the home team.

Accam took no time making his presence felt, forcing a diving save from Hall in the 63rd minute that led to a rebound effort from Jason Johnson just missing the frame.

But like the first goal, Chicago would use its speed to open Orlando City for the lead. Defensive midfielder Matt Watson sent a pass from the Fire’s zone to Accam who raced up the left side in a one-on-one situation. Accam took a shot that deflected off the near post, falling to the feet of an unmarked Igboananike in the middle of the box who easily put the chance away.

“David has world-class speed,” Yallop said of Accam’s game changing performance. “The whole team was excellent tonight.”

Though Orlando City looked to press after the Accam goal, Chicago’s defense would spring another counter attack. Joevin Jones played a long pass toward Igboananike in the 91st minute and the Nigerian made no mistake as he blazed passed the lone defender and danced around a diving Hall to shoot across his body and bury the 3-1 security goal.

The impressive spell of possession and tight defense led the Fire to 18 shots, six of which were on goal compared to Orlando’s five shots with only the Larin header hitting the frame.

“When we have our guys on the field we are pretty good,” Yallop said of finally seeing injured stars such as Maloney and Accam take the field. “I thought we thoroughly deserved to win the game.”

The victory added to the Chicago Fire’s lengthy Open Cup resume. The club’s 37 tournament wins remain a Modern Era record and with a fifth straight win at Toyota Park, the Fire improve to 23-1-1 (0-1 PKs) at home.

Chicago also made history tonight by reaching the Semifinals for the 11th time, tying an all-time record held by Kutis Soccer Club of St. Louis. Kutis, a two-time champion (1957, 1986), made their 11 Semifinal appearances over four decades from 1953 to 1986.

Conversely, Orlando City failed to make it to the Semifinals on its second attempt, once again falling to Chicago in the Quarterfinals after suffering the same fate in 2013 when they were a USL PRO team. Orlando City head coach Adrian Heath said unlike the 2013 performance when the Lions were coming in as a third-division underdog, there was no excuse for the toothless performance.

Calling the performance sloppy and embarrassing, the England native said the club failed to seize an opportunity for a major trophy.

“We were second best on every decision,” Heath said. “We played slow. We played sloppy.”

The Chicago Fire will now advance to the final four for the third year in a row. They are just the sixth MLS team to achieve that feat and the only club in tournament history to do it twice. (The Fire reached four straight from 2003-06), and the 18th team in tournament history. The Fire will travel to Philadelphia on Aug. 12 to take on last year’s runner-up, the Union, as Chicago’s quest for a record-tying fifth title continues.

HIGHLIGHTS: ORLANDO CITY SC AT CHICAGO FIRE
POSTGAME: FRANK YALLOP, CHICAGO FIRE

POSTGAME: KENNEDY IGBOANANIKE, CHICAGO FIRE

FULL MATCH REPLAY: ORLANDO CITY SC AT CHICAGO FIRE