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2017 US Open Cup

2017 US Open Cup: Tim Melia of Sporting KC voted TheCup.us Player of the Tournament

October 12, 2017 by Alan Hainkel

Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia receives his 2017 US Open Cup championship medal from US Soccer president Sunil Gulati. Photo: Sporting KC
Tim Melia of Sporting KC became just the fourth goalkeeper in the Modern Era to play in and win multiple US Open Cup Finals. Photo: Bob Larson
Tim Melia of Sporting KC became just the fourth goalkeeper in the Modern Era to play in and win multiple US Open Cup Finals. Photo: Bob Larson

Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia has been named the TheCup.us Player of the Tournament for his performance in the club’s march to their third Open Cup title in the last six years and fourth overall.

Melia posted a 0.35 goals against average, including three shutouts, while going 4-0-1 (1-0 in PKs) in the tournament. He allowed two goals in five matches, a total of 510 minutes. Melia also extended his personal unbeaten streak in the tournament to 13 matches (11-0-2, 2-0 in PKs) dating back to 2010.

Melia was also named Player of the Round for the final, the second time he’s won the award. His previous award was for the final of the 2015 tournament.

Lower Division Player of the Tournament winner Mitch Hildebrandt and his FC Cincinnati teammate Djiby Fall finished second and third in the voting, respectively. Defender Ike Opara, Melia’s teammate with Sporting KC, finished fourth.

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

Tim Melia celebrates the 2017 US Open Cup championship with his Sporting Kansas City teammates. Photo: Bob Larson
Tim Melia celebrates the 2017 US Open Cup championship with his Sporting Kansas City teammates. Photo: Bob Larson

In the locker room after the final, captain Matt Besler talked about Melia’s importance to the club.

“He’s been a rock all year long,” Besler said. “We have had to lean on him for so many games. Tonight was another game we had to lean on him. He is a confident presence back there for us. I’m just very happy for him because he deserves all the credit he is going to get and I just hope he can continue winning championships for us. I hope I can continue playing with him behind me.”

Sporting’s run to the Final began where it would eventually ended. They hosted Minnesota United at Children’s Mercy Park and had no trouble with the MLS expansion side, winning 4-0. The Kansas City backline was so strong that Melia didn’t have to make a single save to earn the shutout.

After a 2-0 road shutout of the Houston Dynamo (2 saves), Kansas City hosted the defending Open Cup champions FC Dallas in the Quarterfinals.

Melia told TheCup.us the biggest moment of the tournament, besides lifting the trophy, was that victory in the quarterfinal.

“For us, the biggest moment was the Dallas game,” Melia said. “We lost Seth (Sinovic) pretty early on … and it was a game that we really had to rally and come together as a team and we were up against it. Dallas is a very good team, a very good attacking team and we shut them down for 120 minutes and ended up opening up the game at the end. I think that was a turning point for us.”

Sinovic was sent off in the 15th minute of the match, receiving a straight red card (the first of his professional career) after tripping Dallas forward Michael Barrios and being ruled to have denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. The match remained scoreless until stoppage time for the first extra time period. Latif Blessing scored twice and Daniel Salloi added a third to power Sporting KC to a 3-0 victory and a berth in the semifinals.

According to Melia, the death of team co-owner Neal Patterson two days before the game provided an extra push.

“Something that we played with a lot of pride after one of our ownership passing away in the middle of that too was important to us,” said Melia, who finished the tournament with six career Open Cup clean sheets.

After giving up a 4th minute goal to Danny Hoesen in the Semifinals, Melia kept the San Jose Earthquakes off the scoresheet for the remaining 116 minutes as the match had to be decided by penalty kicks. Melia only had to make two saves to send Kansas City to the Final and improve his career PK shootout record to 4-0. No goalkeeper in the Modern Era has won more than two Open Cup shootouts in a career.

In the championship game against the New York Red Bulls, Melia made six saves to help Sporting Kansas City lift the trophy, 2-1. Melia would have ended the tournament with a shutout, but after making a late save, Bradley Wright-Phillips pounced on the rebound at close range and cut the lead in half. With the win, Melia won his second Open Cup title (2015) and became just the fourth goalkeeper in the Modern Era to win multiple finals.

Melia’s 13-game unbeaten streak in the Open Cup dates back to the quarterfinal round in 2010, when he was with the Charleston Battery. When asked if he treated cup games differently, he said no.

“It’s the same for every game,” Melia said. “Cup games, I guess there’s a little bit more on the line, there’s that desperation aspect of it that there isn’t, at times, in the regular season. Sometimes, you’re on the road, I mean, you’re taking a 0-0 draw, you’re trying to get some points accumulated, where the cup games are just gotta advance by any means. The score’s irrelevant. Plays are irrelevant. Whatever happens, you’ve just gotta come out on the right side.”

Melia also said his approach is a reflection of the club’s philosophy of taking every tournament seriously.

“We put out our strongest teams at the time that are healthy and in form,” Melia said, “And things like that get really important in the later parts of this tournament.”

With this trophy, Melia became the third goalkeeper in club history (joining Tony Meola and Jimmy Nielsen) to win two major trophies. After the final, manager Peter Vermes was asked about Melia’s legacy with the club.

“Let’s talk about it when he’s done,” Vermes said. “He’s playing really well, that’s what I would say. He’s playing really well. He’s taken such a big step, especially this year. It’s so obvious. And no disrespect to the rest of the goalkeepers in the league, but he has been lights out.”

Filed Under: Feature - Main, US Open Cup Tagged With: 2017 US Open Cup, Player of the Round, Player of the Tournament, Sporting Kansas City/Kansas City Wizards

2017 US Open Cup: FC Cincinnati’s Mitch Hildebrandt voted TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament

October 11, 2017 by Josh Hakala

Mitch Hildebrandt of FC Cincinnati became the first player in the Modern Era of the US Open Cup to earn four shutouts in one tournament. Photo: FC Cincinnati
Mitch Hildebrandt of FC Cincinnati became the first player in the Modern Era of the US Open Cup to earn four shutouts in one tournament. Photo: FC Cincinnati
Mitch Hildebrandt of FC Cincinnati became the first player in the Modern Era of the US Open Cup to earn four shutouts in one tournament. Photo: FC Cincinnati

The 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup was a major coming out party for FC Cincinnati, the latest American soccer success story. The United Soccer League club has gotten the attention of soccer fans around the country by leading the league in attendance and are being talked about as a possible Major League Soccer expansion team.

In just the club’s second year, FC Cincinnati upset two MLS teams en route to an historic run to the Semifinals. One of the main reasons for that accomplishment was the play of goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt. Last year’s USL Goalkeeper of the Year became the first netminder in the Modern Era (1995-present) to earn four shutouts, and he broke the single-tournament shutout streak record by going 464 minutes without allowing a goal. For his performance, the Oakland (Mich.) University product was voted TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament.

The award is voted on by the staff at TheCup.us and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters. Hildebrandt edged out his teammate Djiby Fall, who made history of his own by becoming the first Modern Era player to score four game-winning goals in a single tournament. Also receiving strong support was Christos FC (USASA) goalkeeper Phil Saunders who earned three straight shutouts, including a road upset of the Richmond Kickers (USL).

“It was special,” said Hildebrandt about his team’s run to the Semifinals. “The run through the Open Cup was something very special because that type of run doesn’t happen very often anywhere in the world let alone here in the US. There are club domestic cup competitions all over the world and very rarely does a lower division team make it through that many first division clubs to have a legitimate chance to win.”

Mitch Hildebrandt of FC Cincinnati makes one of his three penalty kick saves against the Chicago Fire in the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Erik Schelkun | FC Cincinnati
Mitch Hildebrandt of FC Cincinnati makes one of his three penalty kick saves against the Chicago Fire in the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Erik Schelkun | FC Cincinnati

Goals were at a premium for FC Cincinnati in the 2017 US Open Cup, leaving a big responsibility to Hildebrandt and his back line. The team needed extra time to escape their opening round game against AFC Cleveland, the defending champion of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). Fall scored the game-winner in the 117th minute as backup goalkeeper Dallas Jaye earned the clean sheet.

Hildebrandt returned to the starting lineup in the next match, a Third Round home game against USL rival Louisville City FC. Fall scored the lone goal early in the second half and Hildebrandt only had to make three saves to earn a second straight 1-0 win.

Round 4 is arguably the most exciting and sought after round in the tournament because Major League Soccer enters the competition. FC Cincinnati was awarded a home game against the Columbus Crew. In front of the biggest crowd to watch a non-Final in the Modern Era (30,160), Fall scored another early second half goal and Hildebrandt made five saves to keep his second straight clean sheet in a 1-0 win.

Hildebrandt had back-to-back shutouts, but it wasn’t until Cincinnati’s Round of 16 home game against the Chicago Fire that he was able to shine on a big stage. The game was broadcast live on ESPN, a rarity for early round Open Cup games, and the FC Cincinnati fans responded by breaking their own record with an announced attendance of 32,287.

Playing against one of the top offensive teams in MLS, Hildebrandt made 10 saves and held the Fire scoreless through 120 minutes. The two teams went to penalty kicks and Mitch saved three of the Fire’s four spot kick attempts to send his club to the Quarterfinals. He was just the ninth goalkeeper in the Modern Era to make three saves in a shootout. For his performance, he was a near-unanimous selection for TheCup.us Player of the Round.

In the Quarterfinals, Hildebrandt faced another top offense in Miami FC, the spring champions of the NASL. For the first time in the 2017 tournament, Cincinnati had to play on the road. Despite having the crowd against them, Fall, Hildebrandt and the defense earned a familiar result. Fall scored an early second half goal and Hildebrandt only had to make three saves to earn another 1-0 victory. One of those three saves came against Player of the Tournament nominee Kwadwo Poku in the final minutes to preserve the win.

In the Semifinals against the New York Red Bulls, FC Cincinnati was back at home at Nippert Stadium in front of another record crowd. With 33,250 fans in the stands, according to TheCup.us records, it marked the second-largest crowd to ever watch a US Open Cup match (the 2011 Final hosted by the Seattle Sounders FC drew 35,615). Djiby Fall had scored all four of Cincinnati’s goals in the tournament but he was suspended due to yellow card accumulation. This led many to speculate that the game would be another defensive battle, but instead of was Cincinnati jumping out to a 2-0 lead with less than 30 minutes remaining. Hildebrandt and the defense kept the Red Bulls off the scoresheet until the 75th minute. Then, in three minutes, Hildebrandt’s record shutout streak, and Cincinnati’s lead were gone. Gonzalo Veron and Bradley Wright-Phillips scored back to back goals to tie the game at 2-2. Wright-Phillips would later score the game-winner in the 101st minute of extra time to deny FC Cincinnati a trip to the championship game.

In the end, FC Cincinnati’s run to the final four was one that fans of the tournament won’t soon forget and Hildebrant’s performance was one for the record books. In addition to his single-tournament shutout streak record, he also clocked 543 minutes of scoreless soccer dating back to last year’s tournament to break the individual shutout streak record set by Jon Conway (473 mins.) with the San Jose Earthquakes from 2000-01.

“Credit goes to the entire team,” said Hildebrandt about his record-breaking performance. “Looking back, obviously to the Chicago match, our guys ran and fought for 120 minutes and people tend to forget that and are blinded by just the ending. But the whole tournament our team battled and defended as a group front to back. I had to make saves when called on but most of the time, considering the teams we were playing, they made my job pretty straight forward.”

Filed Under: Feature - Main, US Open Cup Tagged With: 2017 US Open Cup, FC Cincinnati, Player of the Round, Player of the Tournament

2017 US Open Cup: Who should be voted TheCup.us Players of the Tournament?

September 28, 2017 by Josh Hakala

Some of the top individual performances of the 2017 US Open Cup.
Some of the top individual performances of the 2017 US Open Cup.
Some of the top individual performances of the 2017 US Open Cup.

The 104th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is complete with Sporting Kansas City lifting the trophy for the fourth time. As qualifying for the 2018 tournament is already underway, we take a look back at some of the best individual performances from the 2017 US Open Cup.

Each year, the staff at TheCup.us and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters votes on the Player of the Round for each stage of the tournament and when the Open Cup is complete, they vote on two Player of the Tournament awards. They vote on the top player among all of the lower division teams in the competition and the top player among all of the teams in the Open Cup.

Listed below (in alphabetical order) are candidates for both awards. Check out the list of nominees and tell us on social media who you think should win each award:

2017 TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament

UPDATE: Mitch Hildebrandt was voted TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament


DJIBY FALL – FC CINCINNATI (USL)

Round 2: Scored the game-winning goal in the 117th minute in a 1-0 home win vs. AFC Cleveland (NPSL)

Round 3: Scored the game-winning goal in the 49th minute in a 1-0 home win vs. Louisville City FC (USL)

Round 4: Scored the game-winning goal in the 64th minute in a 1-0 home win vs. Columbus Crew (MLS)

Rd of 16: Did not play in 0-0 draw (3-1 PK win) vs. Chicago Fire (MLS)

Quarterfinals: Scored the game-winning goal in the 68th minute in a 1-0 road win vs. Miami FC (NASL), voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

Semifinals: Did not play (suspended) in a 3-2 home loss vs. New York Red Bulls (MLS)

NOTES: Tied for the tournament lead with 4 goals (all of them game-winners) and is also the first player in Modern Era to score four consecutive game-winning goals and the first player to score four game-winning goals in a single tournament.

Mitch Hildebrandt of FC Cincinnati made faced 26 shots from the Chicago FIre and made 10 saves, include 3 stops in the penalty kick shootout. Photo: Erik Schelkun | FC Cincinnati
Mitch Hildebrandt of FC Cincinnati made faced 26 shots from the Chicago FIre and made 10 saves, include 3 stops in the penalty kick shootout. Photo: Erik Schelkun | FC Cincinnati

MITCH HILDEBRANDT – FC CINCINNATI (USL)

Round 2: Did not play in a 1-0 home win vs. AFC Cleveland (NPSL)

Round 3: Made three saves and had a shutout in a 1-0 home win vs. Louisville City FC (USL)

Round 4: Made five saves and had a shutout in a 1-0 home win vs. Columbus Crew (MLS)

Rd of 16: Made 10 saves and had a shutout for 120 minutes in a 0-0 home draw & made 3 saves in a 3-1 PK shootout win vs. Chicago Fire (MLS) … He was also voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

Quarterfinals: Made 3 saves and had a shutout in a 1-0 road win vs. Miami FC (NASL)

Semifinals: Made 5 saves in a 3-2 home loss vs. New York Red Bulls (MLS)

NOTES: Hildebrandt broke the Modern Era record for personal shutout streak (543 mins. – dating back to last year) and broke the record for a single-tournament shutout streak (464 mins.). He is also the first goalkeeper to earn five shutouts in a single tournament.

Stefano Pinho of Miami FC scored one of his three goals against Orlando City in the Fourth Round of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Miami FC
Stefano Pinho of Miami FC scored one of his three goals against Orlando City in the Fourth Round of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Miami FC

STEFANO PINHO – MIAMI FC (NASL)

Round 2: Did not play in a 3-2 home win vs. South Florida Surf (PDL)

Round 3: Did not play in a 2-0 home win vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL)

Round 4: Started and played 87 minutes and scored all 3 goals in a 3-1 road win vs. Orlando City SC (MLS) – was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

Rd of 16: Started and played 90 minutes and scored the opening goal in the 37th minute in a 3-2 home win vs. Atlanta United (MLS)

Quarterfinals: Started and played 90 minutes in a 1-0 home loss vs. FC Cincinnati (USL)

NOTES: Tied for the tournament lead with 4 goals

KWADWO POKU – MIAMI FC (NASL)

Round 2: Started and played 90 minutes and scored the opening goal (48th min.) in a 3-2 home win vs. South Florida Surf (PDL)

Round 3: Started and played 90 minutes in a 2-0 home win vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL)

Round 4: Started and played 77 minutes in a 3-1 road win vs. Orlando City SC (MLS)

Rd of 16: Started and played 90 minutes, assisted on the opening goal (37th min.) and scored a dramatic game-winner in 2nd half stoppage time in a 3-2 home win vs. Atlanta United (MLS)

Quarterfinals: Started and played 90 minutes in a 1-0 home loss vs. FC Cincinnati (USL)

Phil Saunders of Christos FC makes one of his seven saves in a 1-0 road win over the Richmond Kickers. Photo: Jessica Hendricks | Richmond Kickers
Phil Saunders of Christos FC makes one of his seven saves in a 1-0 road win over the Richmond Kickers. Photo: Jessica Hendricks | Richmond Kickers

PHIL SAUNDERS – CHRISTOS FC (USASA)

Round 1: Earned a shutout (no saves/game stats were tracked) in a 3-0 road win vs. Fredericksburg FC (NPSL)

Round 2: Made 7 saves and had a shutout in a 1-0 road win vs. Richmond Kickers (USL) – was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

Round 3: Made 10 saves and had a shutout in a 1-0 road win vs. Chicago FC United (PDL) – fell one vote short of Player of the Round honors

Round 4: Made 6 saves in a 4-1 road loss vs. DC United (MLS)


2017 TheCup.us Overall Player of the Tournament

Djiby Fall of FC Cincinnati became the first player in the Modern Era to score four game-winning goals in a single tournament. Photo: FC Cincinnati
Djiby Fall of FC Cincinnati became the first player in the Modern Era to score four game-winning goals in a single tournament. Photo: FC Cincinnati

DJIBY FALL – FC CINCINNATI (USL)

Round 2: Scored the game-winning goal in the 117th minute in a 1-0 home win vs. AFC Cleveland (NPSL)

Round 3: Scored the game-winning goal in the 49th minute in a 1-0 home win vs. Louisville City FC (USL)

Round 4: Scored the game-winning goal in the 64th minute in a 1-0 home win vs. Columbus Crew (MLS)

Rd of 16: Did not play in 0-0 draw (3-1 PK win) vs. Chicago Fire (MLS)

Quarterfinals: Scored the game-winning goal in the 68th minute in a 1-0 road win vs. Miami FC (NASL), voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

Semifinals: Did not play (suspended) in a 3-2 home loss vs. New York Red Bulls (MLS)

NOTES: Tied for the tournament lead with 4 goals (all of them game-winners) and is also the first player in Modern Era to score four consecutive game-winning goals and the first player to score four game-winning goals in a single tournament.

MITCH HILDEBRANDT – FC CINCINNATI (USL)

Round 2: Did not play in a 1-0 home win vs. AFC Cleveland (NPSL)

Round 3: Made three saves and had a shutout in a 1-0 home win vs. Louisville City FC (USL)

Round 4: Made five saves and had a shutout in a 1-0 home win vs. Columbus Crew (MLS)

Rd of 16: Made 10 saves and had a shutout for 120 minutes in a 0-0 home draw & made 3 saves in a 3-1 PK shootout win vs. Chicago Fire (MLS) … He was also voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

Quarterfinals: Made 3 saves and had a shutout in a 1-0 road win vs. Miami FC (NASL)

Semifinals: Made 5 saves in a 3-2 home loss vs. New York Red Bulls (MLS)

NOTES: Hildebrandt broke the Modern Era record for personal shutout streak (543 mins. – dating back to last year) and broke the record for a single-tournament shutout streak (464 mins.). He is also the first goalkeeper to earn five shutouts in a single tournament.

Danny Hoesen and his San Jose Earthquakes teammates celebrate his goal against Sporting KC in the 2017 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Sporting KC
Danny Hoesen and his San Jose Earthquakes teammates celebrate his goal against Sporting KC in the 2017 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Sporting KC

DANNY HOESEN – SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (MLS)

Round 4: Started and played 68 minutes in a 2-0 home win vs. San Francisco Deltas (NASL)

Rd of 16: Came off the bench in the 77th minute and scored the game-winning goal in the 84th minute in a 2-1 home win vs. Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)

Quarterfinals: Started, played 90 minutes and scored the game-winning goal in the 62nd minute in a 3-2 home win vs. LA Galaxy (MLS)

Semifinals: Started, played 73 minutes and scored San Jose’s only goal in a 1-1 road draw (120 minutes) vs. Sporting KC (KC won PK shootout 5-4)

Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia receives his 2017 US Open Cup championship medal from US Soccer president Sunil Gulati. Photo: Sporting KC
Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia receives his 2017 US Open Cup championship medal from US Soccer president Sunil Gulati. Photo: Sporting KC

TIM MELIA – SPORTING KANSAS CITY (MLS)

Round 4: Made 0 saves and had a shutout in a 4-0 home win vs. Minnesota United (MLS)

Rd of 16: Made 2 saves and had a shutout in a 2-0 road win vs. Houston Dynamo (MLS)

Quarterfinals: Made 6 saves and had a shutout of 120 minutes in a 3-0 (AET) home win vs. FC Dallas (MLS)

Semifinals: Made 2 saves, allowed 1 goal over 120 minutes, made 2 saves in the PK shootout in a 1-1 home draw (5-4 PK win) vs. San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)

Final: Made 6 saves, allowed 1 goal over 90 minutes in a 2-1 home win vs. New York Red Bulls (MLS) – was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

Ike Opara of Sporting Kansas City makes a pass against the New York Red Bulls in the 2017 US Open Cup Final. Photo: Bob Larson
Ike Opara of Sporting Kansas City makes a pass against the New York Red Bulls in the 2017 US Open Cup Final. Photo: Bob Larson

IKE OPARA – SPORTING KANSAS CITY (MLS)

Round 4: Started, played 88 minutes, scored the game-winning goal, defense had a shutout in a 4-0 home win vs. Minnesota United (MLS)

Rd of 16: Started, played 90 minutes, scored the game-winning goal, defense had a shutout in a 2-0 road win vs. Houston Dynamo (MLS)

Quarterfinals: Started, played 105 minutes, defense had a shutout over 120 minutes in a 3-0 (AET) home win vs. FC Dallas (MLS)

Semifinals: Started, played 120 minutes, defense allowed 1 goal in a 1-1 home draw (5-4 PK win) vs. San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)

Final: Started, played 90 minutes, defense allowed 1 goal in a 2-1 home win vs. New York Red Bulls (MLS)

Filed Under: Feature - Main, US Open Cup Tagged With: 2017 US Open Cup, Player of the Round

2017 US Open Cup Final: Tim Melia of Sporting KC named TheCup.us Player of the Round

September 24, 2017 by Alan Hainkel

Tim Melia celebrates the 2017 US Open Cup championship with his Sporting Kansas City teammates. Photo: Bob Larson
Tim Melia celebrates the 2017 US Open Cup championship with his Sporting Kansas City teammates. Photo: Bob Larson
Tim Melia celebrates the 2017 US Open Cup championship with his Sporting Kansas City teammates. Photo: Bob Larson

Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia has been named the TheCup.us Player of the Round for his performance in his club’s 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls in Wednesday’s Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final.

Melia’s six saves helped Sporting KC lift its third Open Cup trophy in the last six years and fourth overall. For Melia, this is the second time he has won the award, the first was for his performance in the 2015 Final in helping Kansas City win the club’s third title.

A close second in the voting was midfielder Roger Espinoza. Midfielder Benny Feilhaber (assisted Daniel Salloi’s game-winner), defender Graham Zusi (assisted on the first goal) and forward Latif Blessing (scored the first goal) also received solid support.

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

In the locker room after the game, captain Matt Besler talked about Melia’s importance to the club.

Tim Melia and Roger Espinoza of Sporting Kansas City celebrate the club's 2017 US Open Cup championship. These two players were the top two vote-getters for TheCup.us Player of the Round. Photo: Sporting KC
Tim Melia and Roger Espinoza of Sporting Kansas City celebrate the club’s 2017 US Open Cup championship. These two players were the top two vote-getters for TheCup.us Player of the Round. Photo: Sporting KC

“He’s been a rock all year long,” Besler said. “We have had to lean on him for so many games. Tonight was another game we had to lean on him. He is a confident presence back there for us. I’m just very happy for him because he deserves all the credit he is going to get and I just hope he can continue winning championships for us. I hope I can continue playing with him behind me.”

The first time the club leaned on Melia in the final came in the 14th minute. After Melia went down to stop a Kemar Lawrence shot that ended up getting blocked by Ike Opara, he had to get right back up for a stop to his left on Sacha Kljestan.

Melia’s other big save came in the first minute of the second half. Fidel Escobar played a long ball across the pitch to Alex Muyl from left to right, and Muyl headed it toward Bradley Wright-Phillips. Wright-Phillips then chested it down to volley it with his right foot, but Melia went down to his left to punch it away.

In fact, the only mistake Melia made came just as the match went into second-half stoppage time. After Gonzalo Veron took a shot just outside the penalty area, Melia went down to his right to stop it. He made the save, but allowed a rebound, which Wright-Phillips pounced on for New York’s only tally of the contest.

While Melia is arguably one of the best goalkeepers in MLS, it took him a long time to get there. His first taste of the Open Cup USOC came in 2007, while playing for the Long Island Rough Riders of the PDL. His side, which included current Red Bulls midfielder Mike Grella and MLS veteran (and former Red Bulls defender) Steve Jolley, fell 1-0 to the Rochester Rhinos that day.

The following season, Melia joined the Rhinos and began his professional career. In the two years he played for Rochester, Melia appeared in three USOC matches (1-1-1) with 13 saves and a 1.10 goals against average en route to the 2009 semifinals.

Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia receives his 2017 US Open Cup championship medal from US Soccer president Sunil Gulati. Photo: Sporting KC
Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia receives his 2017 US Open Cup championship medal from US Soccer president Sunil Gulati. Photo: Sporting KC

After Rochester, Melia found his way to Real Salt Lake as a backup for Nick Rimando. RSL loaned Melia to the Charleston Battery, where he again played well in the USOC. He made eight saves to shut out the Chicago Fire and saw the Battery through to the quarterfinal round. That 3-0 loss to the Columbus Crew is the last time Melia lost an Open Cup match.

After the 2011 season, Melia joined Chivas USA, where he served as a backup to Dan Kennedy. In two and a half seasons with Chivas, Melia made three starts in the Open Cup, helping the Rojiblancos to the 2012 semifinals.

In the second half of 2014, Melia served as an MLS pool goalkeeper. He earned emergency call-ups to playoff participants Sporting KC (August), FC Dallas (October), and D.C. United (November). He appeared on the bench for three MLS matches at then-Sporting Park and made a Champions League road trip to a match in Nicaragua.

Since signing with Sporting KC to begin 2015, Melia has lifted the US Open Cup trophy twice (2015, 2017) and extended his own unbeaten run in the competition. Since that quarterfinal loss to Columbus in 2010, Melia is 11-0-2 (2-0 in PKs). In his career, he is 13-3-4 (4-0 in PKs).

Melia also joined former club goalkeepers Tony Meola and Jimmy Nielsen as having won two major trophies with the club. After the match, he was asked why he doesn’t like talking about that yet.

“I still consider myself young enough in the goalkeeper world and I hope I’m here for a very long time,” Melia said. “I have a lot of years to play still and I’ll think about that when I’m starting to get ready to stop playing.”

Filed Under: US Open Cup Tagged With: 2017 US Open Cup, Player of the Round, Sporting Kansas City/Kansas City Wizards

2017 US Open Cup Final: Sporting KC holds off Red Bulls to win fourth Open Cup title (video)

September 21, 2017 by Alan Hainkel

Sporting Kansas City celebrates after defeating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in the 2017 US Open Cup Final. Photo: Bob Larson
Sporting Kansas City celebrates after defeating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in the 2017 US Open Cup Final. Photo: Bob Larson
Sporting Kansas City celebrates after defeating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in the 2017 US Open Cup Final. Photo: Bob Larson

For the third time in six years, and the fourth time in club history, Sporting Kansas City won the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup by defeating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in front of a crowd of 21,523 at Children’s Mercy Park. It was the third largest crowd in park history and the fourth largest crowd for the final in the history of the tournament.

Latif Blessing scored a first half goal and Daniel Salloi added another in the second half as Kansas City became just the eighth club in history to win four US Open Cup titles.

From the opening kickoff, the game was played at a very brisk pace. It was also very physical, with 32 fouls called and a few more that could have been.

Latif Blessing opened the scoring in the 25th minute. Defender Graham Zusi played an inch-perfect cross in from the right wing that found the head of Blessing, remarkable for a player listed at five feet, three inches tall. Blessing’s header rocketed past goalkeeper Ryan Meara to give Sporting KC a 1-0 lead. For Blessing, it was his third goal of the tournament.

Both clubs traded chances chances for most of the half. The best chance Sporting KC had came in the 42nd minute. Headers from Roger Espinoza, Matt Besler and Diego Rubio were off the crossbar, saved and over the crossbar, respectively in a matter of five seconds.

Moments after that flurry, Sporting KC was forced into their first substitution as Blessing came off in favor of striker Daniel Salloi.

Daniel Salloi of Sporting KC scores what would prove to be the game-winner in the 66th minute against the New York Red Bulls in the 2017 US Open Cup Final. Photo: Bob Larson
Daniel Salloi of Sporting KC scores what would prove to be the game-winner in the 66th minute against the New York Red Bulls in the 2017 US Open Cup Final. Photo: Bob Larson

Salloi repaid manager Peter Vermes’ faith in him with a goal in the 66th minute. Midfielder Benny Feilhaber played a long ball forward from just inside the midfield stripe to Salloi just outside the arc on the penalty area. Meara had come out to challenge for the ball, but Salloi toe-poked it past him and it slowly rolled into the net to double Sporting’s advantage.

Salloi said that he’d been prepared to come in earlier than one might expect.

“Before we walked out, Roger (Espinoza) came up to me and told me, ‘Every final, we get someone hurt, so be ready and come in focused,’” Salloi said. “And I was like, ‘Okay, good.’ and at halftime he told me, ‘You see, I told you so.’ So I’m happy that I was prepared and could step up to the moment.”

Salloi’s goal became even more important after Bradley Wright-Phillips pulled one back in the first minute of second-half stoppage time. Gonzalo Veron took a shot that Tim Melia got down to his right to save, but Wright-Phillips pounced on the rebound and put the hearts of most Sporting KC supporters into their throats as they narrowed the margin to 2-1.

For Wright-Phillips, it was his fourth goal of the 2017 US Open Cup, leaving him tied for the tournament lead in goals and puts him alone at the top of the competition’s scoring chart (4 goals, 1 assist, 9 points). Wright Phillips is just the second New York player to lead the tournament in scoring, the first was Amado Guevara (4 goals, 2 assists) in 2003.

Sporting Kansas City celebrates after defeating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in the 2017 US Open Cup Final. Photo: Bob Larson
Sporting Kansas City celebrates after defeating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in the 2017 US Open Cup Final. Photo: Bob Larson

Sporting KC’s defense absorbed quite a bit of pressure during the total of six minutes of stoppage time added on to the second half, but they managed to close out the game and claim the club’s third title in six years, but only the first Open Cup title that didn’t require extra time.

Vermes spoke in the post-game press conference about how a lot of people were talking about the young players New York had, but he wanted to make sure his young players got credit for how well they played.

“Yeah, I mean, you guys need to take note,” Vermes said. “Obviously not only did Jimmy Medranda come in, you had (Daniel) Salloi, Ilie, Kevin (Oliveira) who we just signed last week. So, when you look at those things, it’s a real credit to the structure that we put in place here and being able to bring those guys along. Our B Team, the Swope Park Rangers, the coaching staff has done a great job in preparing those guys for the first team. So, to see those guys come on to the field and help us secure a championship is an incredible confidence builder for those guys. Because the other piece is that our older players are doing the mentoring that they need to do to bring those guys along for them to understand that this club truly is about winning. It’s not just talk. So now that they’ve had this.

With the win, Sporting Kansas City wins $250,000 in prize money and a spot in the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League. New York wins $60,000 as the runner-up. FC Cincinnati was awarded $15,000 as the Division 2 club to advance the farthest (Semifinals) and Christos FC also won $15,000 as the Division 4 (amateur) club to reach the farthest (Round 4).

HIGHLIGHTS: 2017 US OPEN CUP FINAL

SPORTING KC: ROAD TO 2017 US OPEN CUP TITLE

POSTGAME: GRAHAM ZUSI

POSTGAME: ROGER ESPINOZA

POSTGAME: MATT BESLER

Filed Under: Feature - Main, US Open Cup Tagged With: 2017 US Open Cup, New York Red Bulls/Metrostars, Sporting Kansas City/Kansas City Wizards

2017 US Open Cup Final preview: Sporting KC, NY Red Bulls battle to be crowned 104th USOC champion

September 20, 2017 by Alan Hainkel

Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS. Photo: Sporting KC
Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS. Photo: Sporting KC
Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS, the site of the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final. Photo: Sporting KC

On Wednesday, two former division rivals will clash for silverware as the New York Red Bulls visit Children’s Mercy Park to take on Sporting Kansas City in the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final. To say both clubs prepared very differently would be an understatement.

In Sporting KC’s last match on Saturday, manager Peter Vermes used a starter-heavy lineup to take down 10-man New England, 3-1. Diego Rubio scored twice with the man advantage for the club’s first win since their last home match, Aug. 19 against FC Dallas.

Vermes has told reporters on numerous occasions he puts out the best lineup he can to win as many matches as possible.

“The fact that we played here tonight on Saturday and are playing here on Wednesday, there is no doubt we can manage that from a physical perspective,” Vermes said during his post-game press conference Saturday. “I actually like the fact that we are in the rhythm to play the next game. Tonight wasn’t easy. No matter how you look at it, the final was in the back of their minds and so I thought the guys did a good job of managing this game, getting the points and no understanding that our focus and or preparation has to be on Wednesday.”

Contrast that with the Red Bulls’ last match. In Sunday’s scoreless draw with the Philadelphia Union, Bradley Wright-Phillips, Tyler Adams and Sacha Kljestan played 71 minutes between the three of them, with Kljestan playing the most at 32 minutes. It’s a risk for New York, considering they’re currently in the last playoff spot in the East.

Considering the travel and having less recovery time, Marsch defended the decision after the match. “I think it’s the right decision,” Marsch said. “Given everything, we want to win the trophy and you don’t have a lot of opportunities to play a final; clearly around this club, very few.”

It would be fair to say both clubs are shuffling a bit. New York has struggled to close out games recently, giving up three one-goal leads in two of their last three games. Sporting KC, on the other hand, has only two wins since the end of July, but both were at home.

The New York Red Bulls celebrate their 1-0 win over the New England Revolution in the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson
The New York Red Bulls celebrate their 1-0 win over the New England Revolution in the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson

If you wanted to identify three key players for New York, you’d be hard-pressed to argue with Bradley Wright-Phillips, Sacha Kljestan and Luis Robles. Wright-Phillips leads the club with 15 goals, including two game-winners. Kljestan is the team’s best helper with 14 assists, including two game-winners, and two goals of his own. Robles has 12 wins along with eight clean sheets this season in league play.

However, Jesse Marsch recently announced that it will be Ryan Meara who will start in goal in the championship game. As a backup to Robles, Meara hasn’t appeared in a league game since 2015, but the Open Cup has been an opportunity for him to shine. The Fordham University grad, who was a second round pick in 2012, has been the starting goalkeeper throughout the Red Bulls’ 2017 run to the Final. He has played in nine tournament games since making his tournament debut for the Red Bulls in 2012, and has a 5-3-1 (1-0 PKs) record, allowing 11 goals in those games.

The three players to watch for Sporting KC would have to be Gerso Fernandes, Graham Zusi and Tim Melia. In the absence of Dom Dwyer, Gerso has stepped up and now leads the team with eight goals on a club where goals seem to come from unexpected places. Zusi, enjoying one of his better seasons after moving to right back, leads the club with six assists. Melia, a former league pool goalkeeper, has 10 clean sheets in league play to go along with his three Open Cup shutouts. Melia also has three penalty kick saves in league play on the five spot kicks he’s faced.

Melia is on one of the best runs for any goalkeeper in the Modern Era of the tournament. He hasn’t lost an Open Cup match since the 2010 Quarterfinals, boasting a 10-0-2 (2-0 PKs) record during that span. He has taken part in four penalty kick shootouts in his career and has never lost.

Both goalkeepers have experienced, and won, a penalty kick shootout during this year’s Open Cup.

Home is a beautiful place to be if you’re Sporting KC. The club has 101 consecutive league sellouts at Children’s Mercy Park, where they’ve not lost since May 27, 2016, a 1-0 loss to DC United on an 86th minute goal by Alhaji Kamara (an 85th minute substitute). The unbeaten streak has now reached 23 regular season MLS matches (26, if you count three USOC wins this season), tied for third-longest streak in league history.

Latif Blessing (right) and Benny Failhaber of Sporting Kansas City celebrate during a 3-1 win over FC Dallas in the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports | Sporting KC
Latif Blessing (right) and Benny Failhaber of Sporting Kansas City celebrate during a 3-1 win over FC Dallas in the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports | Sporting KC

Not only do the hosts have their crowds on their side, but Sporting KC also a history in cup finals at home. In franchise history, the club has played three USOC finals (2004, 2012 and 2015), with 2004 and 2012 played in front of their home fans. All three have been tied at the end of regulation, and two have been decided by penalty kicks (2012, 2015). The closest New York has come to a title was a 1-0 loss in the 2003 Open Cup Final to the Chicago Fire.

To reach the Final, Sporting KC defeated Minnesota United (4-0), the Houston Dynamo (2-0), FC Dallas (3-0, AET) and the San Jose Earthquakes (1-1, 5-4 on PKs). New York’s road to the final included wins over NYCFC (1-0), the Philadelphia Union (1-1, 5-3 on PKs), the New England Revolution (1-0), and FC Cincinnati (3-2, AET).

There are several connections between the two clubs. Both Vermes and his assistant Kerry Zavagnin played for the then-MetroStars. In fact, the two were traded for each other, with Vermes going to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for Zavagnin. Current Red Bulls players Sal Zizzo and Aurelien Collin both played for Sporting Kansas City, with Collin winning the MLS Cup with Sporting KC in 2013. Collin was also named the MVP of the MLS Cup final.

While this is Marsch’s first USOC final as a manager, he and his assistant Chris Armas won three USOC titles with the Chicago Fire (1998, 2000, 2003), with Armas winning a fourth title (2006). They were also both on the field at Arrowhead Stadium for the Fire when Zavagnin won his only Open Cup title as a player in 2004.

If the Red Bulls win, they will become the first New Jersey-based club to lift the trophy since 1972 when U.S. international Walter Schmotolocha scored the lone goal in Elizabeth SC’s 1-0 win over Yugoslav SC.

The only Kansas-based club to win the US Open Cup is Sporting Kansas City (2012, 2015), which has represented the state of Kansas since the club built Children’s Mercy Park on the Kansas side of the border in 2011. The team was based in Arrowhead Stadium, located on the Missouri side, in 2004.

Will New York finally win its first US Open Cup (or first tournament of any kind)? Or will Sporting Kansas City become just the eighth club in history to win a fourth tournament title? We will find out on Wednesday night.

2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
New York Red Bulls (MLS) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Children’s Mercy Park – Kansas City, KS
BROADCAST: ESPN2 / ESPN Deportes / Watch ESPN app
Kickoff: 9 p.m. EST

New York Red Bulls Open Cup records
Overall: 21-17-3 (2-1 PK) | Home: 9-5-2 (1-1 PK) | Away: 11-11-1 (1-0 PK) | vs. MLS: 7-9-3 (2-1 PK)
Last entry: 2016 (Lost 2-1 at Philadelphia Union of MLS in Round of 16)
Best finish: 2003 Runner-up (Lost 1-0 vs. Chicago Fire of MLS)
Leading goalscorer: Bradley Wright-Phillips – 3 goals

How they got here

Round 4: 1-0 home win vs. New York City FC (MLS)
Round 5: 1-1 home draw (5-3 PK win) vs. Philadelphia Union (MLS)
Quarterfinals: 1-0 road win at New England Revolution (MLS)
Semifinals: 3-2 (AET) road win at FC Cincinnati (USL)


Sporting Kansas City Open Cup records
Overall: 25-13-6 (4-2 PK) | Home: 18-7-2 (2-0 PK) | Away: 7-6-4 (2-2 PK) | vs. MLS: 11-8-3 (3-0 PK)
Last entry: 2016 (Lost 3-1 at Houston Dynamo of MLS in Round of 16)
Best finish: 2004, 2012, 2015 champions
Leading goalscorer: Four players tied with 2 (Blessing, Fernandes, Opara, Salloi)

How they got here
Round 4: 4-0 home win vs. Minnesota United (MLS)
Round 5: 2-0 road win at Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Quarterfinals: 3-0 (AET) home win vs. FC Dallas (MLS)
Semifinals: 1-1 home draw (5-4 PK win) vs. San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)

US Open Cup Final history:

* A list of every US Open Cup Final (1914-present)
* US Open Cup Final All-Time Goalscorers
* 1923 US Open Cup Final: Paterson FC claims New Jersey’s “tainted” first title
* 2004 US Open Cup: How Sporting Kansas City won their first Dewar Cup

#USOC2017 coverage:

* 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup schedule, results
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 1 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 2 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 3 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 4 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round of 16 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Quarterfinal review

* 2017 TheCup.us Player of the Round winnners
* 2017 US Open Cup bracket (TheCup.us)
* 2017 US Open Cup statistical leaders
* A map of all 99 entries for the 2017 US Open Cup
* 2017 Meet the Underdogs series
* 2017 US Open Cup qualifying Round 2 review: 14 more teams advance as Round 3 moved to next year
* 2017 US Open Cup qualifying Round 1: Scores and recaps from every game

#USOC2018 qualifying coverage

* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying begins this weekend (Sept. 23-24)
* Which NPSL teams will qualify for 2018 US Open Cup?
* Which PDL teams will play in the 2018 US Open Cup? 

MORE:

* Cincinnati’s forgotten US Open Cup history
* 2017 US Open Cup Final will be broadcast live on ESPN networks
* California Clasico isn’t new: North has battled South in US Open Cup since 1950s
* Who is the US Open Cup equivalent to Lincoln City FC and their magical FA Cup run?
* Eric Wynalda hired to lead LA Wolves for 2017 US Open Cup run
* Reading United qualifies for record 9th straight US Open Cup, seeking more than an opening round win
* Biggest USOC controversies of last 100 years, Part 1: The Soccer War, boycotts, the ultimate sister kiss and more
* Biggest USOC controversies, Part 2: NASL bails, World Cup tickets, buying home field and more

* 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

Filed Under: Feature - Main, US Open Cup Tagged With: 2017 US Open Cup, New York Red Bulls/Metrostars, Preview, Sporting Kansas City/Kansas City Wizards

Why Sporting Kansas City, New York Red Bulls will win 2017 US Open Cup Final

September 20, 2017 by Matt Reed

Sporting Kansas City celebrates the club's third US Open Cup title. Photo: Bob Larson
The New York Red Bulls celebrate the game-winning goal against FC Cincinnati in the 101st minute in the 2017 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls
The New York Red Bulls celebrate the game-winning goal against FC Cincinnati in the 101st minute in the 2017 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls

The 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final features two Major League Soccer originals, and despite the two club’s expansive histories, one of them is seeking its first major title in over 20 years of cup competitions.

Sporting Kansas City will host the New York Red Bulls tonight in front of a likely sold-out crowd at Children’s Mercy Park to decide this year’s Open Cup winner, as the latter looks to capture its first major tournament trophy in the competition’s 104th edition. Meanwhile, Peter Vermes’ Sporting KC will be attempting to become just the eighth team in history to win four Open Cup titles.

The two MLS sides have had similar paths to the final, each facing extra time on two occasions and penalty kicks once.

Below, we make the case for both teams coming out victorious as they prepare to square off in nationally-televised game (ESPN2/ESPN Deportes) championship game.

Why Sporting Kansas City will win

Let us start off with the obvious. Head coach Peter Vermes and his side have been here before. The former Sporting Kansas City (Kansas City Wizards) player may not have won an Open Cup title during his playing career, however, he’s been victorious on three separate occasions in this competition, in addition to winning an MLS Cup back in 2013.

Gerso Fernandes of Sporting KC put the game away with a goal in second half stoppage time in a 2-0 Round of 16 win over Houston Dynamo. Photo: Sporting KC
Gerso Fernandes of Sporting KC put the game away with a goal in second half stoppage time in a 2-0 Round of 16 win over Houston Dynamo. Photo: Sporting KC

Sporting has a solid base of veterans players, such as Matt Besler, Graham Zusi and Benny Feilhaber, all of whom have played key roles for the club in their previous triumphs. Meanwhile, in recent seasons the team has added younger talents like Latif Blessing, Gerso Fernandes and Diego Rubio to help spark the squad’s attack.

While the Red Bulls will be used to playing in front of a hostile environment — particularly when they take on NYCFC in the Bronx — Children’s Mercy Park is among the loudest stadiums in MLS. In fact, WalletHub recently named Kansas City to be the best soccer town in the United States, after compiling a list of nearly 300 cities across the country.

Sporting is just one of two teams in MLS with an unbeaten home record this season (Toronto FC). Vermes’ men are 9-0-5 at CMP, making the Red Bulls’ task all the more difficult.

Additionally, the three-time Open Cup champions have lost just twice in all competitions since May 27, which is one of the most successful unbeaten runs in all of MLS during that span.

With veteran experience, great coaching and stadium full of fans cheering them on, Sporting Kansas City should lift their fourth US Open Cup trophy and the third in the last six years.

Why the Red Bulls will win

It all starts and finishes with Bradley Wright-Phillips, the Red Bulls’ all-time leading goalscorer. The former Manchester City academy player has 94 career goals for the Harrison-based club, including three this season in the Open Cup. While BWP’s track record in big matches hasn’t always been staggering, the 32-year-old is just about the best in the league when it comes to finishing chances in front of net.

Bradley Wright-Phillips scored two goals, including the game-winner in extra time as the New York Red Bulls rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat FC Cincinnati, 3-2. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls
Bradley Wright-Phillips scored two goals, including the game-winner in extra time as the New York Red Bulls rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat FC Cincinnati, 3-2. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls

Speaking of the best, head coach Jesse Marsch has accumulated an impressive record in this competition during his playing days. The former MLS player was a four-time winner in the Open Cup with both the Chicago Fire (once) and D.C. United (three times). Although Marsch clearly won’t be playing in the final, his experiences from the past could surely aid his side.

In 2014, the Red Bulls hit a low point when they were embarrassed with a 3-0 loss to the New York Cosmos of the NASL. Prior to 2015, Marsch took over and since then, the team has only lost one Open Cup game (6-1-2, 1-1 PKs), including a 4-1 revenge win over the Cosmos in his first year. It has been, by far, the team’s best run of form in the tournament, signaling to fans that the club is making the Open Cup a priority.

It’s been an up-and-down season for the Red Bulls who currently sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, but one thing this team has proven in the Open Cup is that they are resilient. Despite scoring just five regulation goals in four matches in the 2017 tournament, the two-time MLS Supporters’ Shield winners have played solid defense and have dug deep when the squad needed to most.

The Red Bulls enter Wednesday evening having taken points in nine of their last 11 MLS matches, including four positive results on the road.

Last round, the Red Bulls trailed by two goals heading into the final 15 minutes against USL side FC Cincinnati, but BWP and his teammates pulled off one of the more dramatic comebacks in the competition’s modern history with three late goals (including one in extra time) to put the Red Bulls one step away from winning its first US Open Cup title. If they win, they would be the first New Jersey-based club to lift the trophy since 1972 (Elizabeth SC).

2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
New York Red Bulls (MLS) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Children’s Mercy Park – Kansas City, KS
BROADCAST: ESPN2 / ESPN Deportes / Watch ESPN app
Kickoff: 9 p.m. EST

New York Red Bulls Open Cup records
Overall: 21-17-3 (2-1 PK) | Home: 9-5-2 (1-1 PK) | Away: 11-11-1 (1-0 PK) | vs. MLS: 7-9-3 (2-1 PK)
Last entry: 2016 (Lost 2-1 at Philadelphia Union of MLS in Round of 16)
Best finish: 2003 Runner-up (Lost 1-0 vs. Chicago Fire of MLS)
Leading goalscorer: Bradley Wright-Phillips – 3 goals

How they got here

Round 4: 1-0 home win vs. New York City FC (MLS)
Round 5: 1-1 home draw (5-3 PK win) vs. Philadelphia Union (MLS)
Quarterfinals: 1-0 road win at New England Revolution (MLS)
Semifinals: 3-2 (AET) road win at FC Cincinnati (USL)


Sporting Kansas City Open Cup records
Overall: 25-13-6 (4-2 PK) | Home: 18-7-2 (2-0 PK) | Away: 7-6-4 (2-2 PK) | vs. MLS: 11-8-3 (3-0 PK)
Last entry: 2016 (Lost 3-1 at Houston Dynamo of MLS in Round of 16)
Best finish: 2004, 2012, 2015 champions
Leading goalscorer: Four players tied with 2 (Blessing, Fernandes, Opara, Salloi)

How they got here
Round 4: 4-0 home win vs. Minnesota United (MLS)
Round 5: 2-0 road win at Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Quarterfinals: 3-0 (AET) home win vs. FC Dallas (MLS)
Semifinals: 1-1 home draw (5-4 PK win) vs. San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)

US Open Cup Final history:

* A list of every US Open Cup Final (1914-present)
* US Open Cup Final All-Time Goalscorers
* 1923 US Open Cup Final: Paterson FC claims New Jersey’s “tainted” first title
* 2004 US Open Cup: How Sporting Kansas City won their first Dewar Cup

#USOC2017 coverage:

* 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup schedule, results
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 1 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 2 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 3 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 4 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round of 16 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Quarterfinal review

* 2017 TheCup.us Player of the Round winnners
* 2017 US Open Cup bracket (TheCup.us)
* 2017 US Open Cup statistical leaders
* A map of all 99 entries for the 2017 US Open Cup
* 2017 Meet the Underdogs series
* 2017 US Open Cup qualifying Round 2 review: 14 more teams advance as Round 3 moved to next year
* 2017 US Open Cup qualifying Round 1: Scores and recaps from every game

#USOC2018 qualifying coverage

* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying begins this weekend (Sept. 23-24)
* Which NPSL teams will qualify for 2018 US Open Cup?
* Which PDL teams will play in the 2018 US Open Cup? 

MORE:

* Cincinnati’s forgotten US Open Cup history
* 2017 US Open Cup Final will be broadcast live on ESPN networks
* California Clasico isn’t new: North has battled South in US Open Cup since 1950s
* Who is the US Open Cup equivalent to Lincoln City FC and their magical FA Cup run?
* Eric Wynalda hired to lead LA Wolves for 2017 US Open Cup run
* Reading United qualifies for record 9th straight US Open Cup, seeking more than an opening round win
* Biggest USOC controversies of last 100 years, Part 1: The Soccer War, boycotts, the ultimate sister kiss and more
* Biggest USOC controversies, Part 2: NASL bails, World Cup tickets, buying home field and more

* 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

Filed Under: Feature - Main, US Open Cup Tagged With: 2017 US Open Cup, New York Red Bulls/Metrostars, Sporting Kansas City/Kansas City Wizards

2017 US Open Cup Semifinals: Bradley Wright-Phillips leads Red Bulls to Final, earns TheCup.us Player of the Round

September 6, 2017 by Matt Reed

Bradley Wright-Phillips scored two goals, including the game-winner in extra time as the New York Red Bulls rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat FC Cincinnati, 3-2. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls
Bradley Wright-Phillips scored two goals, including the game-winner in extra time as the New York Red Bulls rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat FC Cincinnati, 3-2. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls
Bradley Wright-Phillips scored two goals, including the game-winner in extra time as the New York Red Bulls rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat FC Cincinnati, 3-2. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls

Bradley Wright-Phillips has constructed a long list of accolades in his four-plus years with the New York Red Bulls, and the Englishman’s latest achievement has his side on the brink of their first Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title in franchise history.

The Red Bulls knocked off FC Cincinnati in a thrilling 3-2 comeback win at Nippert Stadium courtesy of Wright-Phillips’ brace. Both finishes came after the 75th minute off of headers, with the winner occurring in the first half of extra time.

His performance against Cincinnati earned him a unanimous winner of TheCup.us Player of the Round award. Wright-Phillips received every first-place vote after his two-goal performance propelled the Red Bulls into their second-ever Open Cup final — their first since 2003. He beat out Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia for the honor. Melia helped Kansas City reach the championship game for the fourth time after a strong performance, including a 5-4 win in a penalty kick shootout (after a 1-1 draw). The award is voted on by the staff at TheCup.us and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters.

“It’s been a very long time,” said Wright-Phillips, the first Red Bulls player in franchise history to win the award. “I read things all the time that Red Bulls don’t win trophies or even some of the fans were saying we were going to choke when we get to the Semifinals. It’s good to get over this hurdle here and prove to people that we’re learning and we’re getting better.”

The New York Red Bulls celebrate the game-winning goal against FC Cincinnati in the 101st minute in the 2017 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls
The New York Red Bulls celebrate the game-winning goal against FC Cincinnati in the 101st minute in the 2017 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls

The Red Bulls have never won a tournament and have a history of underachieving in the Open Cup, aside from their run to the 2003 Final where they lost 1-0 to the Chicago Fire in front of their home fans at Giants Stadium. They have the unfortunate distinction of going nine consecutive tournaments (2004-15) without advancing more than one game (second-longest streak in Modern Era). They have been eliminated by a lower division team eight times, the second-most among all MLS teams (Colorado Rapids – 9).

Wright-Phillips and the Red Bulls have been a perennial MLS playoff team since the striker joined the club in 2013, and prior to that, however, when it has come down to the big moments the Harrison-based club has fallen short. Despite winning the Eastern Conference on four occasions since 2010, the Red Bulls haven’t reached an MLS Cup since two years prior.

“We’re all confident in this team and what we can accomplish,” Wright-Phillips said ahead of the Sept. 20 final. “Most of us have been together for several years now, and we know what we’re capable of. We’re facing a very talented team, but that doesn’t stop our expectations of winning this tournament.”

The 32-year-old has amassed 94 goals in all competitions for the Red Bulls since joining the club, and while he’s had his share of hat tricks, MLS Golden Boot awards and other memorable moments, helping his club reach the tournament finale is among his greatest achievements.

Since head coach Jesse Marsch took over with the Red Bulls, the former MLS player has made it a habit of taking the Open Cup seriously, and Wright-Phillips believes it’s his manager that has really helped him rise to another level.

“I’ve learned to try and take the chances I get. I used to squander a lot,” Wright-Phillips said. “I think I squandered a couple, not easy chances, but I should’ve gotten them on target. Jesse, since he’s been here has challenged me to be the guy that if you get one chance, score it and if you get three chances, score them all. I’m still working on it. It’s a player I’m trying to transform into.”

The Red Bulls will meet three-time Open Cup winners Sporting Kansas City in the 104th US Open Cup championship game on Sept. 20 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City. The match will be televised nationally on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes. While Wright-Phillips and Red Bulls will enter the match wearing the underdog label, the striker remains confident in his side’s chances.

2017 TheCup.us Player of the Round winners
Round 1: Pete Caringi III (Christos FC, USASA)
Round 2: Phil Saunders (Christos FC, USASA)
Round 3: Fabian Cerda (Tulsa Roughnecks, USL)
Round 4: Stefano Pinho (Miami FC, NASL)
Round 5: Mitch Hildebrandt (FC Cincinnati, USL)
Quarterfinals: Djiby Fall (FC Cincinnati, USL)
Semifinals: Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls, MLS)

HIGHLIGHTS: New York Red Bulls 3, FC Cincinnati 2 (AET)

Filed Under: US Open Cup Tagged With: 2017 US Open Cup, New York Red Bulls/Metrostars, Player of the Round

2017 US Open Cup Final will be broadcast live on ESPN networks

August 15, 2017 by Riley Maleitzke

Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS. Photo: Sporting KC
Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS. Photo: Sporting KC
Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS. Photo: Sporting KC

For the third year in a row, the ESPN family of networks will broadcast the championship game of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The United States Soccer Federation announced that the 2017 US Open Cup Final, scheduled for Sept. 20 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

The game will feature Sporting Kansas City hosting the New York Red Bulls and kickoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. EST. The Red Bulls will be seeking the club’s first Open Cup title, while Kansas City are aiming to become just the eighth team in tournament history to lift the trophy for a fourth time.

This will be the fourth time that ESPN will air the championship game on its family of networks (1999, 2015-17). The first time, ESPN2 broadcasted the 1999 Final which featured the Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League, Div. 2 pro) making history by upsetting the Colorado Rapids 2-0 to become the first and, to date, only lower division club to lift the trophy since MLS was founded in 1996. The championship game would not return to ESPN until 2015 when Sporting Kansas City edged the Philadelphia Union 7-6 in PKs to win the tournament for the third time. Last year, FC Dallas defeated the New England Revolution 4-2 to claim its first US Open Cup trophy since 1997.

This will be the second time ESPN2 will feature the 104th edition of the US Open Cup on its airwaves. Earlier this year, ESPN2 aired an Open Cup game prior to the Semifinals for the first time in the network’s history by broadcasting FC Cincinnati’s Round of 16 penalty kick upset of the Chicago Fire in front of a record crowd of 32,287. It was the earliest Open Cup game that a major network broadcasted since Fox Soccer Channel aired the 2012 Fourth Round match between amateur side Cal FC that was coached by US international Eric Wynalda and the Seattle Sounders FC (MLS).

US Open Cup Championship Match Broadcast Networks
(Modern Era, 1995-present)

2017 – ESPN2 / ESPN Deportes
2016 – ESPN2 / Univision Deportes
2015 – ESPN2 / Univision Deportes
2014 – GolTV
2013 – GolTV
2012 – GolTV
2011 – Fox Soccer Channel
2010 – Fox Soccer Channel
2009 – Fox Soccer Channel
2008 – Fox Soccer Channel
2007 – Fox Soccer Channel
2006 – Fox Soccer Channel
2005 – GolTV
2004 – GolTV
2003 – Fox Sports World
2002 – Fox Sports World
2001 – Fox Sports World
2000 – Fox Sports World
1999 – ESPN2
1998 – Fox Sports Net
1997 – Fox Sports Net
1996 – No broadcast
1995 – Prime network

Filed Under: US Open Cup Tagged With: 2017 US Open Cup, Broadcasts, ESPN, New York Red Bulls/Metrostars, Sporting Kansas City/Kansas City Wizards

2017 US Open Cup Semifinals: Wright-Phillips sparks Red Bulls’ rare comeback, ends FC Cincinnati’s Cinderella story (video)

August 15, 2017 by Ben Ferree

The New York Red Bulls celebrate the game-winning goal against FC Cincinnati in the 101st minute in the 2017 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls
The New York Red Bulls celebrate the game-winning goal against FC Cincinnati in the 101st minute in the 2017 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls
The New York Red Bulls celebrate the game-winning goal against FC Cincinnati in the 101st minute in the 2017 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls

All good things must come to an end. FC Cincinnati’s surprise run to the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Semifinals in just their second year of existence was as far as they could go, as the New York Red Bulls overcame a two-goal deficit against a seemingly unbreakable Cincinnati defense to win in extra time, 3-2.

Having not allowed a goal all tournament, things looked to be in Cincinnati’s favor when they scored in the 31st minute off a strong strike from Corben Bone. Danni Konig provided the assist. It was the first goal in the first half for the squad, so how they would play with a lead was a question that needed answered. Cincinnati answered it well, scoring again in the 62nd minute, this time from Cincinnati native Austin Berry with an assist from Kenney Walker.

Victory seemed assured, but everything fell apart in the 75th minute when Gonzalo Veron scored, and Bradley Wright-Phillips netted the equalizer just three minutes later.

With extra time looming, Wright-Phillips nearly ended the game in regulation as he fired a well-placed header off the underside of the cross bar in the 90th minute.

The match would go to extra time, but it was clear that New York had gained the upper hand. Wright-Phillips struck again 11 minutes into added time for the game winner on an assist from Sal Zizzo. For Wright-Phillips, it was his third goal of the tournament, which leaves him one behind the tournament co-leaders with one match left to play.

As the final whistle blew, many FC Cincinnati players collapsed, some in tears, as the Red Bulls celebrated their first trip back to the Open Cup finals since 2003. It was just the second time in the Modern Era that a team has come back from a two-goal deficit in the Semifinals to win (Columbus Crew over the Kansas City Wizards in 2002). It was also the first time New York has overcome a two-goal deficit in any round of the tournament. Not only that, it was just the third time that the Red Bulls had come back to win an Open Cup game (2003 Semifinals vs. D.C. United / 2011 Third Round vs. FC New York)

“The first thing I want to do is congratulate this city and this club. What a great environment, what a great performance, what a great run for this team,” said Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch. “We escaped by the skin of our teeth. As big as it was for them, it was big for us as well … I heard the MLS Commissioner was here tonight. I hope he takes notice of what’s going on here, and I don’t think it will be too long before we’re back here again playing in more meaningful games.”

According to TheCup.us records, FC Cincinnati's sold-out crowd of 33,250 at Nippert Stadium for the 2017 US Open Cup Semifinal against the New York Red Bulls was the second-largest crowd to ever witness a tournament game. Photo: Erik Schelkun | FC Cincinnati
According to TheCup.us records, FC Cincinnati’s sold-out crowd of 33,250 at Nippert Stadium for the 2017 US Open Cup Semifinal against the New York Red Bulls was the second-largest crowd to ever witness a tournament game. Photo: Erik Schelkun | FC Cincinnati

With a home stadium located in Harrison, N.J., the Red Bulls have reached the Open Cup Final for the sixth time in the state’s history. Paterson FC lost in 1919 and won in 1932, Elizabeth SC won in 1970 and 1972, and the Red Bulls (under the name Metrostars) lost in 2003 to the Chicago Fire at Giants Stadium.

This time, they will face Sporting Kansas City. The away trip will be tough, as SKC has never lost a Cup final and will be looking to become just the eighth club in the tournament’s 104-year history to lift the trophy for a fourth time.

FC Cincinnati will have to wait for next year till their next Open Cup game, but will leave this tournament with plenty of Modern Era records and pride. Djiby Fall, who did not play because of a yellow card accumulation, became the first player to score four game-winning goals in a single tournament. Goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt’s single-tournament shutout streak came to an end at 464 minutes, while his personal streak (dating back to last year) ended at 543 minutes. The team’s 584-minute scoreless streak shattered the previous record of 453 minutes (2008 Seattle Sounders, Chris Eylander). Additionally, FC Cincinnati set multiple round attendance records (Round 4, Round 5), including a Semifinal record crowd of 33,250 Tuesday night.

According to TheCup.us records, Tuesday night’s sold-out crowd was the second-largest to ever witness a US Open Cup game, trailing only the 2011 Final hosted by the Seattle Sounders FC (35,615).

“Any time you’re up 2-0 in a game and you don’t win you’re going to be disappointed in the end, but putting that aside, nothing but pride. Absolute pride in the group of players that put everything into it out there on the pitch tonight,” said FC Cincinnati coach Alan Koch. “Not only this game, but this cup run, has been truly magical. You’ve seen it galvanize the team, the club, the city.”

Koch and Cincinnati supporters will hope this unexpected run will be the launching point for an MLS bid later in the year.

The 104th US Open Cup Final will be played in Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park on Sept. 20 at 9 p.m. EST. Earlier in the day, the United States Soccer Federation announced that the game will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

TIMELINE:

FC Cincinnati strikes first

WATCH: Corben Bone strikes first for #FCCincy in the 31′ vs The NY Red Bull! #CINvNY pic.twitter.com/Ff48wC2sqG

— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) August 16, 2017

FCC makes it 2-0

WATCH: Cincinnati local Austin Berry gives FCCincy a 2-0 lead vs the NY Red Bull in the 61′. #CINvNY pic.twitter.com/TSbMNwmMWV — FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) August 16, 2017

Veron pulls one back for the Red Bulls

Gonzi with the finish!!!!#CINvNY | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/GxxhaKhPec

— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) August 16, 2017

BWP equalizes

You may be able to quiet him for a bit but you CAN NOT STOP BWP! We call that an EQUALIZER!#CINvNY | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/twP0gwOnQ7 — New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) August 16, 2017

The Red Bulls’ game-winner

The @NewYorkRedBulls winner. #CINvNY #USOC2017 pic.twitter.com/BtkaN4iSFJ

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 16, 2017

Filed Under: US Open Cup Tagged With: 2017 US Open Cup, FC Cincinnati, New York Red Bulls/Metrostars, US Open Cup

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U.S. Open Cup History

Jim Gregory, president of Charleston Battery supporters group The Regiment (right), presents the Coffee Pot Cup to Sachin Shah after D.C. United's 2-0 win in the 2004 Carolina Challenge Cup. Photo: Mike Buytas

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