2016 US Open Cup

2016 US Open Cup Semifinals preview: Galaxy, Dallas seek to end title droughts with Revolution awaiting winner

August 9, 2016 by Seth Macomber

The field for the 103rd Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is down to just four teams and all of them are former champions looking to break some Open Cup title droughts.

On Tuesday, the New England Revolution will host an Open Cup game at Gillette Stadium for just the second time when they welcome the Chicago Fire to Foxborough, Mass. Tomorrow night, the Galaxy will host FC Dallas in a rematch of the 2005 Final.

Both games will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and the Watch ESPN app.

Below, you will find links to our coverage on TheCup.us, as well as previews from both Semifinal games. You can get all the latest updates from every game through Twitter, using the hashtag #USOC2016. Use that same hashtag on Instagram to share your US Open Cup-related photos.

#USOC2016 coverage:
* 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup schedule, results
* Complete 2016 US Open Cup bracket (TheCup.us)
* 2016 US Open Cup goalscoring leaders
* Which NPSL teams will qualify for the 2017 US Open Cup?
* Which PDL teams will qualify for the 2017 US Open Cup?
* Lletget wins TheCup.us Player of the Round | 2016 POTR winners
* 2016 Meet the Underdogs series
* Things you should know about the Semifinals of the US Open Cup
* 2016 US Open Cup Quarterfinals review
* USSF’s new US Open Cup qualifying tournament has challenges to address after year one
* Series of forfeits, teams with ineligible players overshadow 2016 US Open Cup
* MLS-owned USL teams no longer eligible for 2016 US Open Cup, confirms USSF
* One is enough: NPSL champion New York Cosmos B withdraws from 2016 US Open Cup

* Support TheCup.us: New Del Rey City jerseys available for purchase
* Appreciate what we do at TheCup.us? Donate here
* TheCup.us is looking for writers/editors, graphics, WordPress gurus & people who can handle digital ad sales (paid position). Email us here

Twitter (#USOC2016) | Facebook | Instagram | Flickr | Reddit

BROADCAST: ESPN2
If Los Angeles wins … they will host New England in the Final
If FC Dallas wins … they will host New England in the Final

FC Dallas Open Cup records
Overall: 29-16-6 (5-1 PKs) | Home: 17-6-3 (2-1 PKs) | Away: 12-10-2 (2-0 PKs) | vs. MLS: 10-11-3 (2-1 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 6-2 at Sporting KC of MLS in Round 5)
Best finish: 1997 US Open Cup champions

Los Angeles Galaxy Open Cup records
Overall: 28-13-1 (1-0 PKs) | Home: 19-2-0 | Away: 9-11-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. MLS: 12-9-1 (1-0 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 1-0 at Real Salt Lake of MLS in Quarterfinals)
Best finish: 2001, 2005 US Open Cup champions

By Dennis Pope

Something has got to give.

The LA Galaxy celebrate a goal against the Seattle Sounders in the 2016 Quarterfinals. Photo: LA Galaxy

FC Dallas is unbeaten in its last five games. Los Angeles Galaxy has taken points from each of its last 10.

The long-time MLS Western Conference foes match up Wednesday night at the StubHub Center in Carson (Calif.) in a Lamar Hunt US Open Cup semifinal round game.

Galaxy are still sweating from a 2-2 home draw on Sunday, Aug. 7, against the New York Red Bulls, scoring both goals in the final 10 minutes to earn a point in one of the most physical games of the season for both teams.

Robbie Keane’s nose was bloodied as the result of a violent collision with Red Bulls keeper Luis Robles midway through the first half, but returned straight away and later contributed to the build-up on both of L.A.’s goals.

FC Dallas celebrate a goal against OKC Energy FC in Round 4 of the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: OKC Energy

Mike Magee got the Galaxy on the scoreboard in the 80th minute, finishing an assist from Steven Gerrard, and Ashley Cole scored his first goal for L.A. nine minutes later to equalize.

FC Dallas’ latest result – a 2-1 win over Real Esteli FC (Nicaragua) on Thursday, Aug. 4 – came in a CONCACAF Champions League group stage match.

Coach Oscar Pareja’s team has won four and drawn one since a 5-0 loss to Seattle Sounders on July 13, and has stayed atop MLS’ Western Conference table.

How FC Dallas adjusts to life without midfielder Fabian Castillo will be a major story line going forward. The talented Columbian, now with Trabzaonspor (Turkey), had five goals and five assists before his departure.

Both teams have had difficult paths to the Semifinals. The Galaxy needed extra time (and a controversial goal) to dispatch amateur Cinderella story La Maquina, 4-1. They followed that up with a narrow 1-0 road win over the Portland Timbers, followed by a 4-2 home win over the Seattle Sounders in the Quarterfinals. L.A. rallied to beat Seattle thanks to a pair of late goals from Sebastian Lletget, who earned TheCup.us Player of the Round for his efforts. The win over Seattle put the two-time Open Cup champs into the Semifinals for the first time since 2006.

LA Galaxy: 2005 US Open Cup champions — The last time the LA Galaxy faced FC Dallas in the US Open Cup, they beat them 1-0 in the 2005 Final. Photo: LA Galaxy

The only team that has more Semifinal appearances in the Modern Era than FC Dallas are the Chicago Fire. To get to their ninth final four, Dallas needed penalty kicks to eliminate the Oklahoma City Energy (USL), followed by a 2-1 extra time win over the Colorado Rapids. In the Quarterfinals, they had to travel down to Houston and escaped with a 1-0 win thanks to a late goal by the recently departed Castillo.

This will be the third all-time meeting between the clubs in the tournament. The first time they met, the Galaxy defeated the Dallas Burn 4-1 in the 2002 Semifinals at Titan Stadium on the campus of Cal State Fullerton. Carlos Ruiz scored the opener and then set up goals by Mauricio Cienfuegos and Cobi Jones to give L.A. a 3-0 halftime lead. Simon Elliott would add a late penalty kick to put the game away.

The last time they met was in the 2005 Final where a young striker named Herculez Gomez scored the lone goal in the first half as the Galaxy won their second Open Cup trophy, 1-0. The game was played at Home Depot Center (StubHub Center) in front of 10,000 fans, a smaller crowd due to a local ordinance limiting the attendance of midweek home games. With the victory, they became just the 10th Southern California team to win it all.

Wednesday, the two teams will square off for the third time to see who can put themselves in position to end their Open Cup title drought. The Galaxy last won in 2005, while Dallas hasn’t lifted the trophy since 1997.

BROADCAST: ESPN2
If Chicago wins … they will host winner of LA Galaxy / FC Dallas in Final
If New England wins … they will play at winner of LA Galaxy / FC Dallas in Final

New England Revolution Open Cup records
Overall: 16-11-5 (3-2 PKs) | Home: 10-4-3 (2-1 PKs) | Away: 5-7-2 (1-1 PKs) | vs. MLS: 4-7-1 (1-0 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 1-0 vs. Charlotte Independence of USL in Round 4)
Best finish: 2007 US Open Cup champions

Chicago Fire Open Cup records
Overall: 39-13-4 (3-1 PKs) | Home: 25-1-2 (1-1 PKs) | Away: 13-12-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. MLS: 21-8-1 (1-0 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 1-0 at Philadelphia Union of MLS in Semifinals)
Best finish: 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006 US Open Cup champions

The last time the New England Revolution and the Chicago Fire met in the US Open Cup was in 2006. Photo: Chicago Fire

UPDATE: The New England Revolution defeated the Chicago Fire 3-1 to advance to the club’s third US Open Cup Final. They received goals from Kei Kamara, Je-Vaughn Watson and Teal Bunbury. David Accam scored his fifth goal of the tournament in the losing effort before getting sent off in the final minutes of the match.

Two teams desperate for a positive result will face off on Tuesday night when the New England Revolution host the Chicago Fire at Gillette Stadium in the Semifinals of 2016 US Open Cup.

In terms of league play, the Fire find themselves at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a record of 4-11-6 and a goal differential of -10. The Revs hold the sixth spot with a 6-9-8 record and a -11 goal differential. Both clubs are coming off multi-goal losses.

But things have been a little different in Open Cup play.

The Revs reached the Semifinals by edging out the Carolina RailHawks 1-0 and the New York Cosmos 3-2 before recording a shootout victory over the Philadelphia Union. While the Cosmos win was powered by known threats like Kei Kamara and Teal Bunbury, the two other victories came courtesy of young Zach Herivaux, jack-of-all-trades Je-Vaughn Watson, and backup goalkeeper Brad Knighton.

Chicago Fire celebrate a goal against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the 2016 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Chicago Fire

Meanwhile, the Fire advanced by collecting a shootout victory over the Indy Eleven, a 2-1 result over Columbus Crew SC, and a 3-0 home win over the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. The man behind all of these games has been David Accam, who has contributed four goals and one assist.

This Tuesday will mark the 74th overall meeting between the Revs and Fire. There’s no love lost between the two clubs, who have quite a storied history.

In the early 2000s, the Revs and Fire have regular meetings in the playoffs. The Fire proved victorious in 2000, 2003, 2008, and 2009, while the Revs owned 2002, 2005, 2006, and 2007.

The New England Revolution celebrate after their PK shootout win over the Philadelphia Union. Photo: David Silverman | New England Revolution

The two clubs have also met twice in the US Open Cup, with Chicago advancing both times. In 2005, the Men in Red needed extra time to grab a 3-2 result in the Fourth Round thanks to a pair of goals from Andy Herron. One year later, it was Herron to the rescue again as he scored both goals in a 2-1 Quarterfinal win.

That said, the Revs do hold an advantage going into this most recent meeting, as they recently defeated the visiting Fire 1-0 thanks to a late Watson goal. Also worth noting is the fact that the Fire haven’t won a road game in 38 tries.

None of that could matter on Tuesday, however, as the Revs look to win their first Open Cup since 2007, while the Fire try to make history by winning the tournament for a fifth time, which would tie the all-time record (1998, 2000, 2003, and 2006).

2016 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Sebastian Lletget’s late heroics for LA Galaxy earn him TheCup.us Player of the Round

August 4, 2016 by Dennis Pope

Lletget becomes the first Galaxy player to win TheCup.us Player of the Round since Landon Donovan in 2006. Photo: LA Galaxy

Sebastian Lletget’s two late goals in a 4-2 victory over the Seattle Sounders earned the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder TheCup.us Player of the Round honors for the Quarterfinals of the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

“This is the first time I can win something,” Lletget said. “I’m really excited.”

Lletget’s brace moves him into the competition for the tournament’s scoring title. His four goals in Los Angeles’ last two Open Cup games place him one goal behind Edwin Borboa of Santa Ana (Calif.) La Maquina FC (UPSL), a team the Galaxy eliminated in Round 4.

Lletget becomes just the second Galaxy player to ever win the award. The last came a decade ago when Landon Donovan scored a pair of overtime goals to eliminate the Colorado Rapids in the 2006 Quarterfinals.

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

Lletget edged Brad Knighton of the New England Revolution for the award, with the Chicago Fire’s David Accam also receiving strong consideration.

The former West Ham (EPL) academy starlet, Lletget is currently the Galaxy’s super sub coming off the bench. He started in the Quarterfinals against Seattle but did not find the scoresheet until the 85th minute when his one-touch finish from Baggio Husidic’s cross gave L.A. a 3-2 lead.

Following a deft one-two sequence with teammate Gyasi Zardes three minutes later, Lletget capped the Galaxy’s rally from a 2-0 deficit with his second goal.

He also scored twice late in the Galaxy’s 5-1 win over La Maquina in a Fourth Round game.

HIGHLIGHTS

LLETGET’S GOALS

2016 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Chicago Fire end Fort Lauderdale Strikers’ Cinderella run, make history in process

July 22, 2016 by Jon Sicotte

The Fire continue to find a flicker of hope when it comes to US Open Cup runs.

Although not able to find a spot in its league playoffs since 2012 and sits last in the table in its division, the MLS’ Fire defeated the NASL’s Fort Lauderdale Strikers 3-0 in the Cup
Quarterfinals to advance to its fourth consecutive Semifinals berth and 12th overall, setting the all-time US Open Cup record.

The four-time Cup champions will meet its MLS Eastern Conference counterparts the New England Revolution in the Semifinals on Aug. 9.

The Strikers were looking to make history as the first NASL team ever to make the Semifinals.

“In the first 15 minutes we tried to close the space, but we conceded two early goals and that put us in a terrible situation,” said coach and GM Caio Zanardi in a report by the team. “But it was a great moment for us to be in the quarterfinal beating D.C. United and Orlando City. Playing Chicago was special for us. This was a great moment for us to play here in Chicago.”

Accam helped double the lead when he set up Michael de Leeuw in the 35th minute and Khaly Thiam all but sealed the game for the Fire when his goal in the 51st minute made it 3-0.

Gale Agbossoumonde did not make life easier for the Strikers, the last non-MLS team left in the Open Cup field, when he got himself sent off in the 70th minute. Agbossoumonde had previously played every minute of the Strikers NASL and Open Cup campaigns.

Accam was brought down on inside the 18-yard box by Fort Lauderdale goalkeeper Diego Restrepo and the Ghanaian forward converted his attempt from the penalty spot. A bad start got worse for the Strikers minutes later as Nana Attakora was forced off after a collision.

It was Accam again in the 35th minute. After winning a ball at midfield, Accam made his way through the Striker’s midfield and around Restrepo in the penalty area and his attempt was cleaned up by de Leeuw. It was de Leeuw’s first goal in the tournament and his second in four matches since joining the Fire.

Fort Lauderdale came out more aggressively in the second half but conceded a third goal shortly after the restart. Accam played a short corner to Brandon Vincent as he found Nick LaBrocca. LaBrocca’s headed attempt was stopped by Restrepo, but the rebound fell to the feet of
Thiam who was able make it a 3-0 tilt in the 51st.

With the win, the Fire advance to the Semifinals for the fourth year in a row. They become the first club in the 103-year history of the tournament to reach four straight Open Cup Semis twice (2003-06, 2013-16). Only six other clubs have ever reached the Semis four straight years: Ukrainian Nationals (1959-66), Seattle Sounders (2007-12), Stix, Baer & Fuller (1932-37), Bethlehem Steel (1915-1919, LA Galaxy (2000-03), Philadelphia Nationals (1949-52).

FULL MATCH REPLAY: Chicago Fire vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers

2016 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Late goals by Sebastian Lletget send LA Galaxy past Seattle Sounders, 4-2

July 21, 2016 by Dennis Pope

Sebastian Lletget is becoming a late-game legend in this edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Lletget tallied twice in the final five minutes as the Los Angeles Galaxy came from behind to defeat the Seattle Sounders, 4-2, in a quarterfinal round game at the Track and Field stadium at StubHub Center.

“Sebastian hasn’t had a regular shift in a while, so it’s good for him. He did a good job,” Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said.

Lletget started but did not score until the 85th minute and 88th minute, respectively, for the Galaxy, which won its first game vs. Sounders (MLS) in Open Cup play. With the win L.A. advances the semifinals for the first time since 2006.

“Now on to the semis, and it’s the first time we’ve done that. It’s the first time I can win something and I’m really excited,” Lletget said.

Suspect passing in the Galaxy defense led to the game’s first goal.

Daniel Steres put Leonardo in bad spot with a hospital back pass which Leonardo failed to clear, passing the ball almost directly to an on-rushing Michael Farfan, who played two touches before chipping past Clement Diop.

“They made a mistake in the back and I capitalized on it,” Farfan said. “It was a nice way to start but we can’t finish games like that.”

Galaxy produced a pair of scoring chances before Baggio Husidic put a ball into the box with pace in the 17th minute, finding Alan Gordon at the back post for one-touch finish.

“It was great! Right spot at the right time, buried it,” Gordon said. “We needed it.”

Herculez Gomez produced an improbable goal in the 59th minute to give Sounders a 2-1 lead, beating Diop near post.

“It’s not really a positive,” Gomez said about his eighth career Open Cup goal. “It was all or nothing. There are no moral victories.”

Arena waited to make changes until after the 70th minute, but brought in Giovani Dos Santos and Gyasi Zardes hoping for an immediate impact.

Dos Santos came on for Gordon and did not take long to make his presence felt, getting the Galaxy even at 2-2 in the 77th minute with a goal off a turnover in the back from the Sounders.

“I thought once we had the lead, 2-1, it was just a matter of getting through the rest of the game,” Schmid said. “We gave up a goal — a soft goal — and from there the flood gates opened.”

L.A., which lost to Seattle in the Open Cup quarterfinals in 2010 and ’11, asserted its will in the final 10 minutes, peppering the Sounders goal until finally taking a lead in the 85th minute on Lletget’s third goal of the tournament.

“(Dos Santos and Zardes) brought energy, and they’re just clever,” Lletget said.

It’s back line in shambles, Lletget added his fourth goal of the tournament three minutes later to seal the win, L.A.’s 31st all-time in Open Cup play.

Lletget had two late goals in Galaxy’s 5-1 win over Santa Ana (Calif.) La Maquina (UPSL) in a 4th Round game.

“Crazy, really crazy,” Lletget said. “Till the whistle blows.”

Galaxy has entered the Open Cup every year since 1999, and have a 31-15-0 all-time record.

FULL MATCH REPLAY: LA GALAXY VS. SEATTLE SOUNDERS

LLETGET’S GOALS

2016 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Brad Knighton stands tall for New England Revolution in PK win over Philadelphia Union

July 21, 2016 by Michael Berton

Penalty kick shootouts generally turn into a battle of the goalkeepers. After 120 minutes of dazzling saves, Brad Knighton of the New England Revolution came out the winner, leading his team to a 4-2 penalty kick victory over the Philadelphia Union.

After making four saves en route to a 1-1 tie after 120 minutes, Knighton turned it on during penalty kicks. He stopped two of the Union’s four attempts, while his Revolution teammates only missed one.

The victory sends the Revolution to the US Open Cup semifinals for the first time since 2008 as they will play the Chicago Fire. The Union were looking to play in their third straight Open Cup final and fourth semifinal in five years.

New England and Philadelphia were meeting for the second-ever time in Open Cup play. The first matchup also came at the quarterfinal stage, with the Union winning 2-0 in 2014. That game was played in Philadelphia’s home stadium; this one was played at Harvard University.

Playing US Open Cup games away from their home at Gillette Stadium is nothing new for the Revs. Midweek Open Cup crowds are tough to justify the cost of opening the nearly 70,000-seat NFL stadium, so the team often finds locations in and around New England to host their cup matches. This was the club’s third trip to Harvard.

Harvard’s turf field seemed to give both teams some trouble, with the first good chance not coming until a powerful shot from the Revolution’s Kei Kamara in the 27th minute, saved well by Union goalkeeper Andre Blake.

However, Blake could not do anything about the goal the Revs scored in the 44th minute. Diego Fagundez quickly took a free kick, and an unorganized Union defense left Je-Vaughn Watson wide open to easily slot the ball past Blake to give the Revolution the 1-0 lead.

Knighton and Blake stood strong and blocked away plenty of good chances in the second half. But just when it seemed as if New England had the game sewn up, the Union equalized at the stroke of 90 minutes.

Ray Gaddis made a run down the right side and passed it into the box to Sebastian Le Toux. The Open Cup’s modern era leading goalscorer, Le Toux set up Fabian Herbers for his first Open Cup goal to tie the game.

In the 104th minute, the crossbar helped Knighton out by stopping Ilsinho’s shot. A minute later, Blake made a spectacular double save that kept the game level. Not to be outdone, Knighton stopped a Herbers shot in the 110th minute that seemed destined for the net. At the end of extra time, the game was tied at one. Knighton had four saves and Blake had seven.

Knighton was stellar in penalty kicks, saving the first shot he faced against Le Toux and the third shot against CJ Sapong. Blake had no answers, and Watson bagged the final goal to keep the Revolution alive for its first Open Cup title since 2007.

FULL MATCH REPLAY: NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION VS. PHILADELPHIA UNION

2016 US Open Cup Quarterfinals review: Late goals galore as former champions advance to final four

July 20, 2016 by Ian Foster

The New England Revolution celebrate after a goal against the Philadelphia Union. Photo: David Silverman | New England Revolution

Late drama defined Quarterfinal Night at the US Open Cup. The four games saw four goals scored in the 85th minute or later, including two winners and one dramatic equalizer that eventually forced penalties.

The final lower-division team took its bow, leaving four MLS teams to contest the Semifinals. The four clubs remaining have combined to appear in 32 Open Cup Semifinals and 15 Finals, winning 8 Open Cups between them.

Here is a brief recap of each Quarterfinal match with links to the full match report (Check back as more will be added). We start in Chicago, the only place where there was decidedly no late drama:

Reigning TheCup.us Player of the Round David Accam again led the way, earning and converting a penalty in the 4th minute for his fourth goal of the tournament and dishing out what would prove to be the game-winner. Accam helped double the lead when he set up Michael de Leeuw in the 35th minute and Khaly Thiam all but sealed the game for the Fire when his goal in the 51st minute made it 3-0. Gale Agbossoumonde did not make life easier for the Strikers, the last non-MLS team left in the Open Cup field, when he got himself sent off in the 70th minute.

Though the Fire have not made the MLS Playoffs since 2012, they’ve been prodigious in the Open Cup. With the win, they secured their fourth consecutive Semifinals berth and their 12th overall, setting the all-time US Open Cup record. FULL MATCH REPORT »

The Union’s bid to host their third consecutive US Open Cup Final came to an end at the hands of Brad Knighton, Je-Vaughn Watson, and the New England Revolution. Watson scored the opener in the 44th minute to the delight of the Harvard crowd, and through most of the second half it looked like that would be the winner. But Fabian Herbers had other ideas, receiving a pass from Sebastain Le Toux for the 90th-minute equalizer.

MLS All-Star Andre Blake was brilliant in regulation and even more brilliant in extra time, stopping seven shots. But he could not match his counterpart Knighton in the shootout, who stopped Le Toux and CJ Sapong’s efforts before Watson powered home the semifinal-clinching penalty. It will be New England’s fourth overall appearance in the final four, and their first since 2008. FULL MATCH REPORT »

The MLS Supporters’ Shield leaders left it late, but in the end, FC Dallas were the only road team to advance out of the Quarterfinals on Wednesday night after Castillo’s stoppage time winner over in-state rivals Houston Dynamo. After a cagey first half, Houston looked the better team for much of the second half behind the ambition of Mauro Manotas. Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz did well to keep Manotas off the board in the 48th minute. Manotas went on to beat Seitz in the 60th minute, but could not beat the woodwork.

Castillo then showed why transfer rumors constantly swirl around Frisco, firing home a wide-angle shot to sink the Houston faithful. With the win, FC Dallas will make their ninth Semifinal appearance, this one against fellow Western Conference powerhouse LA Galaxy. FULL MATCH REPORT »

Both teams started “B+” squads for this quarterfinal matchup in Carson, Calif. But it was a trio of regulars that brought the game back for the Galaxy and ultimately buried the Sounders. Giovani dos Santos, who made his Open Cup debut when he subbed on at the 74th minute, scored an equalizer for the home side just three minutes later. Sebastian Lletget, who did start the game, pulled LA ahead in the 85th minute and put the game away in the 88th after a wonderful combination with Gyasi Zardes.

Michael Farfan put the Sounders in front in the 4th minute, but LA’s Alan Gordon was quick to respond to make it 1-1 in the 18th. Herculez Gomez scored a particularly fashionable goal in the 58th minute when he volleyed it home from a wide angle. But it was all for naught in the end. The Galaxy move on to their seventh Open Cup semifinal and their first since 2006. FULL MATCH REPORT »

2016 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Fabian Castillo’s stoppage time winner stuns Houston Dynamo, sends FC Dallas to Semifinals

July 20, 2016 by Adam Uthe

After catching eyes with his assist in the Round of 16 against the Colorado Rapids, Fabian Castillo had another excellent US Open Cup outing Wednesday as he beat Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Joe Willis in the 91st minute to help FC Dallas advance to the semifinals of the nation’s oldest soccer tournament.

The goal was Castillo’s first of the 2016 edition of the tournament, helping Dallas build its edge to 3-1-0 against its Texas rivals in the Open Cup. It also was Dallas’ first win over Houston in three games this year.

The first half was a chippy affair, with few clear scoring chances.

The heat, an incredibly humid 91 degrees at kickoff, didn’t stop both teams from creating chances, but it may have prevented them from finishing said chances.

Dallas may have been tired from playing its fifth competitive game in 17 days, while Houston has had a dismal season, highlighted by Owen Coyle’s resignation to return to England with Blackburn Rovers.

Both teams seemed to take the game seriously, trotting out strong, but their finishing left a lot to be desired.

Dallas almost got on the scoreboard before halftime, when Michael Barrios got into the Dynamo penalty box off a Houston turnover only to be taken down without drawing a whistle.

The no-call from the referee was probably the right choice, but Houston wasn’t out of the woods yet.

A minute later, Maximiliano Urruti got on the end of a pass into the box from Mauro Diaz, but his near post shot was turned away for a corner that proved to be fruitless, leaving the teams scoreless after 45 minutes.

Minutes into the second half, Houston’s Mauro Manotas found himself unmarked in the box only to be denied by FC Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz.

Two minutes later, Dallas forward Michael Barrios got into the box onside at the other end, but hit his shot right at Willis.

The teams continued to exchange chances, only to see each go wanting.

The heat may have even gotten to Dynamo forward Andrew Wenger, who openly requested a sub in the 68th minute despite not looking the least bit hobbled.

Moments later, Houston’s Giles Barnes was fouled on the edge of the box, earning a free kick that was ultimately wasted.

The deadlock held until the 91st minute, before the number of added minutes had even been announced, when Castillo got into the box, bolted toward the near post and hit his shot with so much power it managed to skim off of Willis and into the net.

Cristian Maidana had one last chance for Houston but his free kick missed high and wide as time expired.

FC Dallas advance to the Semifinals for the ninth time in club history, which is tied for third-most in tournament history behind the Chicago Fire (12) and Kutis SC (11).

Dallas will face the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Semifinals. The date, time and venue will be announced on Thursday, July 21 at 11 a.m. ET.

FULL MATCH REPLAY: HOUSTON DYNAMO VS. FC DALLAS

2016 US Open Cup Quarterfinals live video: Fort Lauderdale Strikers, 7 MLS teams battle for spots in Semifinals

July 19, 2016 by Josh Hakala

The Quarterfinals of the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup will kick off tonight with four games in four of our country’s biggest sports cities. Boston, Chicago (Bridgeview), Houston and Los Angeles (Carson) will host the games that will produce four winners to advance to the Semifinals of the 103rd edition of the tournament.

There are a pair of teams chasing history as the Chicago Fire and the Seattle Sounders are seeking to win a record-tying fifth US Open Cup title. Another pair of teams looking to lift the trophy for the first time (Houston Dynamo, Philadelphia Union), and three more looking to break a long championship drought (FC Dallas, Los Angeles Galaxy, New England Revolution). This leaves the last remaining lower division team in the NASL’s Fort Lauderdale Strikers who are trying to become the first NASL team to reach the final four.

All four games will be broadcast live on YouTube (all streams will be embedded below).

After the dust settles, the draw for the Semifinals and the Final will take place on Thursday morning at 11 a.m. ET. The US Soccer Federation is expected to make it official that the Semifinals and the Final will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks, as reported by TheCup.us

Below, you will find links to our coverage on TheCup.us, as well as previews from all four games, including video and audio links where available. You can get all the latest updates from every game through Twitter, using the hashtag #USOC2016. Use that same hashtag on Instagram to share your US Open Cup-related photos.

#USOC2016 coverage:
* 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup schedule, results (video/audio links)
* 2016 US Open Cup bracket (TheCup.us)
* Which PDL teams will qualify for 2017 US Open Cup?
* Which NPSL teams will qualify for 2017 US Open Cup?
* 2016 US Open Cup statistical leaders
* 2016 Meet the Underdogs series
* USSF’s new US Open Cup qualifying tournament has challenges to address after year one
* Things you should know about the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup
* Notable upsets in the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup (Modern Era)
* Series of forfeits, teams with ineligible players overshadow 2016 US Open Cup
* 2016 US Open Cup Round 5 review
* MLS-owned USL teams no longer eligible for 2016 US Open Cup, confirms USSF
* One is enough: NPSL champion New York Cosmos B withdraws from 2016 US Open Cup

* Support TheCup.us: New Del Rey City jerseys available for purchase
* Appreciate what we do at TheCup.us? Donate here
* TheCup.us is looking for writers/editors, graphics, WordPress gurus & people who can handle digital ad sales (paid position). Email us here

Twitter (#USOC2016) | Facebook | Instagram | Flickr | Reddit

BROADCAST: YouTube

Winner will play … Fort Lauderdale Strikers or Chicago Fire in Semifinals

Philadelphia Union Open Cup records
Overall: 11-3-4 (3-1 PKs) | Home: 10-2-2 (1-1 PKs) | Away: 1-1-2 (2-0 PKs) | vs. MLS: 5-3-3 (2-1 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (1-1 Draw (7-6 PK loss) vs. Sporting KC of MLS in Final)
Best finish: Runner-up (2014, 2015)

New England Revolution Open Cup records
Overall: 16-11-4 (2-2 PKs) | Home: 10-4-2 (1-1 PKs) | Away: 5-7-2 (1-1 PKs) | vs. MLS: 4-7-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 1-0 vs. Charlotte Independence of USL in Round 4)
Best finish: 2007 US Open Cup champions

By Michael Berton

Chris Pontius scored two goals for the Philadelphia Union, his second and third of his US Open Cup career. Photo: Bob Larson

The 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup has been a series of close affairs for the New England Revolution and the Philadelphia Union. If form holds true, Soldiers Field at Harvard Stadium will host another close event on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

New England advanced to the Open Cup Quarterfinals with two narrow victories over lower-division teams. In the Fourth Round, the Revolution escaped past the Carolina RailHawks 1-0 after extra time. Then in the Fifth Round, the Revs had to come from behind twice against the New York Cosmos before eventually winning 3-2.

Since first entering the tournament in 2012, the Union have enjoyed plenty of home cooking. Out of their 18 all-time matches, 14 of them have been played at home, including the last two US Open Cup Finals. This match will be the first road trip in the 2016 tournament for the Union.

Beginning in the Fourth Round, the Union gave up a two-goal lead over the Harrisburg City Islanders before scoring an extra time free kick winner. In the Fifth Round, Philadelphia was dominated in the first half by the New York Red Bulls but rallied back in the second half for a 2-1 win.

Zachary Herivaux of the New England Revolution battles for the ball against the Carolina RailHawks in the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Rob Kinnan | Carolina RailHawks

The hosts New England have had a mixed bag of results this season. Currently 5-7-8 in league play, the Revolution are sixth in the MLS Eastern Conference, which is also the final playoff position. Since beating the Cosmos, New England have gone 1-1-2, with their last result being a scoreless draw at Real Salt Lake.

Lee Nguyen is powering the New England with five goals and seven assists this season, while four other players have three goals each. Bobby Shuttleworth mans the net for the Revolution, posting a 1.63 goals against average so far this season in 16 games played.

Playing US Open Cup games away from their home at Gillette Stadium is nothing new for the Revolution. Midweek Open Cup crowds are tough to justify the cost of opening the nearly 70,000-seat NFL stadium, so the team often finds locations in and around New England to host their cup matches. This is the club’s third trip to Harvard University’s Soldiers Field, but prior to that they have played at Brown University, Veterans Memorial Stadium in New Britain, Conn., and Lusitano Stadium in Ludlow, Mass. They have only played in Gillette Stadium once since the stadium was built in 2002 and that was a 2007 Quarterfinal match against the Harrisburg City Islanders. Prior to that, they played at Foxboro Stadium during the 2000 and 2001 tournaments.

Farther up the Eastern Conference table sits the Philadelphia Union. In second place with a 8-6-6 record, the Union are vastly improved compared to recent years. Philadelphia is tied for the MLS lead in goals scored with 34 and will provide a tough test for the New England defense. However, the Union have struggled on the road, going just 1-5-3.

Philadelphia features a balanced scoring attack, but Chris Pontius leads the way with seven goals. CJ Sapong and Roland Alberg are close behind with six each. MLS All-Star Andre Blake is the Union’s star goalkeeper. He has played in 19 of the Union’s 20 games, sporting a 1.37 goals against average.

The Revolution and Union have played once so far this season, with the Union coming out 3-0 winners. Sapong scored twice and the leading scorer in the US Open Cup Modern Era, Sebastian Le Toux, added the third.

The only time these two teams have met in US Open Cup play came in the 2014 Quarterfinals, when Le Toux broke the Modern Era scoring record in a 2-0 victory.

BROADCAST: YouTube

Winner will play … Seattle Sounders or LA Galaxy in Semifinals

FC Dallas Open Cup records
Overall: 28-16-6 (5-1 PKs) | Home: 17-6-3 (2-1 PKs) | Away: 11-10-2 (2-0 PKs) | vs. MLS: 9-11-3 (2-1 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 6-2 at Sporting KC of MLS in Round 5)
Best finish: 1997 US Open Cup champions

Houston Dynamo Open Cup records
Overall: 11-8-1 (0-1 PKs) | Home: 9-2-0 | Away: 2-6-1 (0-1 PKs) | vs. MLS: 3-6-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 3-1 at Sporting KC of MLS in Quarterfinals)
Best finish: Semifinals (2006, 2009)

By Adam Uthe

The Houston Dynamo celebrate a goal against Sporting KC in the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Nigel Brooks | Houston Dynamo

Houston Dynamo will host in-state rivals FC Dallas in a US Open Cup match for the second time in three years on Wednesday night.

The two sides are already familiar enough with each other and have also met twice in league play this season.

Houston and Dallas met in the fifth round of the 2014 Open Cup with Dallas winning a 3-2 extra time thriller at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston. Tesho Akindele scored the winner for the Hoops just eight minutes into extra time and the visitors held on to retain bragging rights, at least in terms of Open Cup play.

The two Texas teams have met three times in the tournament with Dallas winning two. Given the way their 2016 MLS campaigns have gone so far, Dallas would seem to have the upper hand but the two sides have also played twice in league play so far and the Dynamo have outscored their rivals 6-1 over the course of those two games.

The two sides met in the second week of the season back in March down in Houston and the Dynamo scored four in the first 27 minutes en route to a shocking 5-0 victory. Andrew Wenger, who was acquired in an offseason trade with the Philadelphia Union, scored one and assisted on two others. He’s currently tied with Will Bruin and Giles Barnes for team lead in goals this season with four.

The second match, this time in Frisco on June 2, came just before the Copa America break in league play. The match was much more competitive with the two teams playing to a 1-1 draw. Ricardo Clark’s second half goal cancelled out Ryan Hollingshead’s first half tally.

Outside of their head-to-head meetings, it’s pretty obvious FC Dallas has had the better season of the two. They’ve looked like the best team in MLS for several stretches and Oscar Pareja seems to have built a strong core around young, homegrown talent like US youth international Kellyn Acosta and the team’s leading goal scorer Michael Barrios, who has tallied six times this season.

That being said, they have been prone to the occasional bad result like their first meeting with Houston and another 5-0 loss suffered last Wednesday at the hands of Western Conference cellar dwellers Seattle Sounders. But like any good team, Dallas bounced back from that Sounders loss with a 3-1 home win over the Chicago Fire. The win was doubly important as it gave Dallas the best record in MLS heading into Open Cup play and it helped bring the Brimstone Cup (a supporters trophy created in 2001) back to Dallas for the first time in four seasons. Max Urruti, Mauro Diaz and Mauro Rosales all scored to extend the team’s unbeaten streak at home to 16 games.

By contrast, Houston have had a poor season. Things have been so bad, the Dynamo are currently being coached on an interim basis by former player Wade Barrett after Owen Coyle left the club to return to the UK where he now manages English Championship side Blackburn Rovers. They’re coming off a 1-0 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy last Friday night via a second half goal from Steven Gerrard. The Open Cup has been the one bright spot for the Dynamo.

Houston got their run started in the fourth round with a comfortable 4-0 win over the USL’s San Antonio FC. Alex Lima provided a goal and an assist with David Rocha also chipping in two assists. In the Round of 16, they beat MLS rivals Sporting Kansas City 3-1 behind a pair of goals from Mauro Manotas and one more from Alex. Former Dynamo captain Brad Davis scored Kansas City’s lone goal. Despite losing the possession battle, the Dynamo were able to outshoot Sporting KC and made the most of their chances.

Houston find themselves in the quarterfinals for the second time in as many seasons and are looking for their third Open Cup semifinal appearance in team history, and the first since 2009.

The road to the quarterfinals has been far more arduous for FC Dallas. After falling behind 1-0 in the first half and then surrendering an 89th minute equalizer, Dallas was able to take down OKC Energy, their USL affiliate, in a penalty shootout by a final tally of 6-5. Colin Bonner scored the winner for the Hoops.

The Round of 16 wasn’t much easier. Dallas dug themselves another early hole as they gave up a first half goal through Dominique Badji of the Colorado Rapids, who have been neck and neck with Dallas at the top of the overall standings in MLS this season. But Dallas turned up the heat in the second half and came away with the 2-1 win thanks to goals from Diaz (assisted by Colombian Fabian Castillo, who raised eyes with his run in the lead up to the goal) and Urruti, who was acquired this past offseason from the MLS Cup champion Portland Timbers.

BROADCAST: YouTube

Winner will play … New England Revolution or Philadelphia Union in Semifinals

Fort Lauderdale Strikers Open Cup records
Overall: 7-8-4 (3-1 PKs) | Home: 6-3-2 (2-0 PKs) | Away: 1-5-2 (1-1 PKs) | vs. MLS: 1-4-1 (1-0 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 3-2 at Charleston Battery of USL in Round 3)
Best finish: Third Round (2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)

Chicago Fire Open Cup records
Overall: 38-13-4 (3-1 PKs) | Home: 24-1-2 (1-1 PKs) | Away: 13-12-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. Div. 2: 6-3-2 (2-0 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 1-0 at Philadelphia Union of MLS in Semifinals)
Best finish: 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006 US Open Cup champions

By Jeff Engelhardt

History will be made Wednesday.

David Accam of the Chicago Fire celebrates his goal against Indy Eleven in the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Chicago Fire

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers will look to continue their role of David after slaying two Goliaths in DC United (MLS) and Orlando City (MLS) in previous rounds. If the Strikers manage to get past the Chicago Fire in the Quarterfinals, they will be the first NASL team to ever make the US Open Cup Semifinals and the first Division II team to advance that far in the tournament since the Charleston Battery appeared in the Final in 2008.

The Chicago Fire have their own chance at history with a victory as it would be a record-setting 12th appearance in the semifinals and their fourth consecutive trip to that round. Only seven teams (including the Chicago Fire from 2003-06) have reached four straight semifinals in tournament history. They would be the first to do it twice.

Getting past the Fire will be no easy task for the Strikers as Chicago is a staggering 24-1-2 (1-1 PKs) at home in Open Cup play. But the Strikers have proven capable of rising to the occasion thanks in part to the efforts of players such as goalkeeper Diego Restrepo, midfielder PC and forward Jose Angulo.

Restrepo has been outstanding during the tournament, winning TheCup.us Player of the Round in Round 3 for his penalty kick heroics against the Richmond Kickers. He followed up that performance with another outstanding performance in penalty kicks against D.C. United (he fell one vote shy of being the first repeat winner of the award) and came up with enough big saves against Orlando City to allow his team take the 2-1 victory in extra time.

Orlando City SC Fort Lauderdale Strikers 2016 US Open Cup — Photo: Jon van Woerden

PC and Angulo both scored in the 2-1 victory and Angulo is only one of two Strikers with multiple goals in league play. PC also fell a vote shy of winning Player of the Round.

The Fire could be catching the Strikers at the right time though as Fort Lauderdale only has one point in four games during the NASL Fall Season. The Strikers are on a three-game losing streak and have not scored in any of those contests. Adding to their struggles will be the absence of former Fire player Maicon Santos, who was issued a red card in the Orlando City match.

The Fire have gone through their own share of struggles, currently sitting in last place in the MLS Eastern Conference after a 3-1 loss to FC Dallas. With the playoffs a fading possibility for Chicago, the Fire rested some key players in the FC Dallas loss including reigning Player of the Round winner David Accam, who is coming off a brace in the Round of 16 matchup with the Columbus Crew.

Fire coach Veljko Paunovic said the Open Cup is the team’s top priority and the Strikers should expect a full strength and motivated lineup. A new addition to the squad is Dutch midfielder Michael de Leeuw will make his US Open Cup debut and could be the X-factor as he has already showed promise with a goal in his first-ever MLS start.

NASL teams have proven difficult for the Fire in the past, however, including a penalty kick, nail-biter in their Fourth Round match against Indy Eleven this year. The team holds a 6-3-1 (1-0 PKs) record against Division II sides in the Open Cup.

BROADCAST: YouTube

Winner will play … FC Dallas or Houston Dynamo in Semifinals

Seattle Sounders Open Cup records
Overall: 35-13-6 (4-2 PKs) | Home: 27-3-2 (2-0 PKs) | Away: 8-10-4 (2-2 PKs) | vs. MLS: 18-8-3 (2-1 PKs)
As MLS: 20-2-4 (3-1 PKs) | Home: 16-1-1 (1-0 PKs) | Away: 4-1-3 (2-1 PKs) | vs. MLS: 14-1-2 (1-1 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 3-1 in OT vs. Portland Timbers of MLS in Round 4)
Best finish: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 US Open Cup champions

Los Angeles Galaxy Open Cup records
Overall: 27-13-1 (1-0 PKs) | Home: 18-2-0 | Away: 9-11-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. MLS: 11-9-1 (1-0 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 1-0 at Real Salt Lake of MLS in Quarterfinals)
Best finish: 2001, 2005 US Open Cup champions

By Dennis Pope

Dave Romney of the LA Galaxy celebrates his goal against La Maquina in the 2016 US Open Cup. Teammate Jose Villarreal is shown injured in the background. Photo: LA Galaxy

The Los Angeles Galaxy and the Seattle Sounders are teams going in seemingly opposite directions.

L.A. has not allowed a goal in five of its last six games, while Seattle cannot shake a horrific league start and continues to sink to new lows.

The two meet Wednesday night at the StubHub Center Track Stadium in Carson (Calif.) in a US Open Cup quarterfinal round game.

The Galaxy are riding a four-game shutout streak after Steven Gerrard’s 66th-minute goal earned a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo on Friday night. Gerrard has shown improved form in recent appearances, as the Englishman pounced on a rebound against Houston to notch his third of the 2016 MLS campaign.

L.A. most recently defeated the Sounders, 1-0, in Seattle two weeks ago with Robbie Keane scoring upon his return from Euro 2016 duty.

Keane and Gyasi Zardes returned to a team struggling to find offense in their absence, with the Galaxy having scored just six goals in their last seven games across all competitions.

First-year starting goalkeeper Brian Rowe has received plenty of attention during this recent shutout steak, posting 270 scoreless minutes and inspiring the trending hashtag #RoweRoweRoweYourBoat.

Seattle Sounders fans are hoping their club can take another step toward a record-tying fifth US Open Cup title. Photo: JaneG. Photography | Seattle Sounders FC

Seattle has had far less to boast this season, and currently is a franchise pondering a massive change.

Sigi Schmid, the only coach in the Sounders’ MLS history, may be out soon as the team — mired near the bottom of the Western Conference — continues to drop points. Schmid also coached the Galaxy to a US Open Cup (2001), CONCACAF Champions Cup (2000), MLS Cup (2002) and a Supporters Shield (2002)

A 3-1 loss to Portland Timbers on Sunday is their most recent stumble, and now the Sounders will be without Osvaldo Alonso due to a suspension for yellow card accumulation.

To get here, the Sounders had a tough 2-0 home win over the PDL’s Kitsap Pumas, followed by a penalty kick win on the road (after a 1-1 draw) with Real Salt Lake.

The Galaxy had their own scare from an amateur team as they needed extra time to eliminate the Santa Ana-based La Maquina. The game was tied in extra time before the Galaxy scored a controversial goal off a set piece which changed the game. L.A. then traveled up to Portland to edge the Timbers 1-0 to clinch their second straight Quarterfinal appearance.

2016 US Open Cup Round 5: David Accam latest Chicago Fire player from Ghana to win TheCup.us Player of the Round

July 18, 2016 by Jeff Engelhardt

David Accam of the Chicgao Fire scored a pair of first half goals to help the home team beat the Columbus Crew, 2-1. Photo: Chicago Fire

David Accam’s brace in a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Crew earned the Chicago Fire striker TheCup.us Player of the Round honors for the Fifth Round of the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Accam’s brace keeps him very much alive in the Golden Boot race as his three total goals is good for second most in the tournament and only two behind leader Edwin Borboa of La Maquina FC, which has been eliminated.

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

Accam narrowly beat out PC from the Fort Lauderdale Strikers with Tyler Miller (Seattle Sounders) and Chris Pontius (Philadelphia Union) also receiving strong consideration.

The key factor that could have set Accam’s brace from the others was his spectacular first goal, perhaps the best strike of the tournament. In the 7th minute, Accam found himself at the top of the 18-yard box on the right side. He made a quick cut back to his right foot that left a pair of defenders going the wrong way and sent in a curving shot to the back post for the lead. The second goal came in the 29th minute when right back Rodrigo Ramos sent a cross toward the six-yard box that Accam calmly tapped in for the score.

The two goals were crucial for the Fire as Columbus dominated possession much of the second half and drew within one in the 79th minute when Ethan Finlay converted a penalty kick.

Accam is not the first Ghana native to win the award. In fact, he’s not even the first Ghanaian from the Chicago Fire to win. The last Fire player to win Player of the Round was actually the first Ghanaian to win the award. That player was Dominic Oduro who helped lead the Fire to a Semifinal win over the Richmond Kickers (USL) in 2011. Accam is only the fourth Fire player to win Player of the Round.

Accam’s effort ensured the Fire a spot in the quarterfinals for the 13th time (third most in tournament history) and will give Chicago a chance to make the semifinals for a remarkable fourth consecutive year. If they are able to reach the final four, it will be the 12th time they have advanced to the Semis, which will break the tournament’s all-time record.

The Fire will host the Fort Lauderdale Strikers on Wednesday, July 20.

2016 US Open Cup Round 5: Who should be TheCup.us Player of the Round?

July 6, 2016 by Ian Foster

The Fifth Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is complete and there were a number of outstanding individual performances.

TheCup.us Player of the Round is voted on by TheCup.us staff and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters. But if YOU had a vote, which player would you select?

Here are some of the top performances (in alphabetical order) from Round 5:

David Accam, F, Chicago Fire (MLS)
Accam scored both goals in the 2-1 home win against the Columbus Crew (MLS). His first goal, in the 7th minute, was one of the best strikes of the tournament. At the edge of the box, Accam lost two defenders on a cutback before firing a laser past Crew goalkeeper Brad Stuver. His second goal may not have been as skillful but it was far from routine, as he had to place a Rodrigo Ramos cross past Stuver at a tight angle for the eventual game-winner.

Teal Bunbury, F, New England Revolution (MLS)
Bunbury scored a brace for a Revs team that had to come back from behind twice to pull out a 3-2 win on the road against the NASL’s New York Cosmos. His first goal was a beauty, beating Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer from a tight angle in the 43rd minute. Bunbury created a few inches of space for himself with some stepovers before impressively firing it at just the right height to beat Maurer, who did manage to get a fingertip to it. Bunbury finished an impressive team play to win the game in the 83rd minute, after Zach Herivaux dispossessed Adam Moffat and Kei Kamara found the open Bunbury.

Fabian Castillo, M, FC Dallas (MLS)
Mauro Diaz and Maxi Urruti scored the goals for Dallas, but it was Castillo’s distribution, attacking initiative, and pace that won the day for FC Dallas. In no moment did that shine through more than in Mauro Diaz’s second-half equalizer, where Castillo rounded two Rapids players with one touch, before finding Diaz for the easy goal in Dallas’s 2-1 extra time win at home against the top-of-the-table Rapids.

Ilsinho, M, Philadelphia Union (MLS)
While Pontius’s finishes were good, Ilsinho’s services may have been even better. He provided the final ball on both Pontius goals, the first a through ball that snuck between four Red Bulls defenders, and the second was an impressive looping cross from close to the midfield stripe that had eyes for the goalscorer. They proved to be the difference in a 2-1 come-from-behind home win over the New York Red Bulls (MLS).

Mauro Manotas, F, Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Manotas scored the third and fourth US Open Cup goals of his career in a 3-1 win at home against Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday. Manotas’ deft volley from a corner kick opened the scoring for the Dynamo in the 7th minute, and he slid the 84th minute insurance goal past Alec Kann after a seemingly bungled first touch actually created space for himself against the two SKC centerbacks.

Raul Mendiola, F, LA Galaxy (MLS)
Mendiola connected on a cross from Emmanuel Boateng in the 5th minute to break the hearts of the 18,000 Portland supporters in attendance for the only goal in the Galaxy’s 1-0 win.

Tyler Miller, GK, Seattle Sounders (MLS)
Miller, starting only his third game for Seattle’s MLS team, carried an overmatched Sounders side into penalties, turning back a flurry of Real Salt Lake opportunities in regulation and extra time. He then won the match for the Sounders, stopping two well-hit penalties to secure the 4-1 shootout win on the road for Seattle.

PC, M, Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL)
Goalkeeper Diego Restrepo kept the Strikers in the away game against the favored Orlando City, but it was PC’s impressive, length-of-the-field run and strike that improbably won it for Fort Lauderdale. The Strikers are the last lower-division team left in the field, and they have PC’s weaving run that beat at least four Orlando City players and strike that ran past the diving, outstretched Earl Edwards.

Chris Pontius, F, Philadelphia Union (MLS)
Pontius scored two goals in six minutes for the home team to turn around a game that looked like a sure Red Bulls win at halftime. Pontius’s runs were deft, holding with the trapping Red Bulls line, and the finishes were calm, both coolly slotted past an oncoming Ryan Meara. The 2-1 win for Philadelphia was their second straight Open Cup victory over the Red Bulls.