Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2017 US Open Cup

2017 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Wondolowski’s brace gives Earthquakes first USOC win over rival Galaxy

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Chris Wondolowski scored two goals in the San Jose Earthquakes' 3-2 win over the LA Galaxy in the 2017 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: ISI Photos | San Jose Earthquakes
Chris Wondolowski scored two goals in the San Jose Earthquakes’ 3-2 win over the LA Galaxy in the 2017 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: ISI Photos | San Jose Earthquakes

The San Jose Earthquakes were able to overcome an early one-goal deficit to the Los Angeles Galaxy to win 3-2 and advance to the US Open Cup Semifinals for just the second time in club history. They were led by captain Chris Wondolowski who scored two of San Jose’s three goals to give them their first-ever win over their California Clasico rivals.

With the win, the Earthquakes advance to the Semifinals for the first time since 2004 as the club seeks its first US Open Cup title. They will play the winner of Sporting Kansas City and FC Dallas. The home team will be determined after the Quarterfinals are complete.

The Galaxy opened the scoring in the 3rd minute of the match when Jaime Villarreal played in a corner kick and found the rising head of Jelle Van Damme, who powered it home to give the Galaxy a 1-0 lead.

“You know the guy is one of the best in the league at what he does on set pieces,” said Earthquakes’ head coach Chris Leitch about the goal.

After going down early, the Quakes seemed to wake up and really start taking the game to their opponent. It wasn’t long before they were creating chances of their own and were able to find the equalizer.

Wondolowski, who has scored numerous goals against the Galaxy over the years, found the back of the net for the first time in the 16th minute to draw the scores level at one a piece. He received a pass at the top of the box, just outside the penalty area, he put the ball to his left foot and fired a shot toward goal. The strike wasn’t the hardest shot of his career, but it was just enough to beat Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Rowe who dove to his right unsuccessfully. It wasn’t the most spectacular finish, but he did what he needed to do. “He puts on frame which he does every single time goes in,” said Leitch about the goal. San Jose continued to take the game to their rivals, creating several more dangerous opportunities in the first half. Jahmir Hyka hit the cross bar off a clever back heel attempt, before Nick Lima turned and fired his shot just wide minutes later. The best chance for San Jose to take the lead in the first half came when Nick Lima played in a perfect cross to Hyka who missed the target somehow from point blank range as the half finished 1-1.

The Earthquakes would come out of the locker room with a fast start. Six minutes into the second half, Tommy Thompson found Wondolowski for the second time as he drove a cross into the box that found the head of the US international who beat the keeper to give San Jose the lead. It was Wondo’s sixth career US Open Cup goal, and his fourth for the Earthquakes, which ties him with Ronald Cerritos for the club record.

Danny Hoesen of the San Jose Earthquakes strikes a pose after scoring the third goal of the game (his second of the tournament) against the LA Galaxy in the Quarterfinals of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: ISI Photos | San Jose Earthquakes
Danny Hoesen of the San Jose Earthquakes strikes a pose after scoring the third goal of the game (his second of the tournament) against the LA Galaxy in the Quarterfinals of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: ISI Photos | San Jose Earthquakes

“Two goals is what the guy does,” said Leitch about his captain. “It’s really good to see your club captain be the leader on the field and get it done, but then in the locker room, in the community and for the organization, you can’t ask for a thing more out of what Wondolowski brings.”

Wondolowski, who normally wears the No. 8 shirt for the Quakes, was wearing No. 38, in honor of teammate Mathias Silva, who is recovering from an incident where he nearly drowned during a Fourth of July gathering. Silva recently emerged from a coma and is on the path to recovery.

The San Jose head coach was also happy with the play of Thompson who provided the assist on each of the first two goals.

“He’s in a creative attacking role. I hope he’s loose. I hope he’s creative, and he’s picking his times to take risks. That is what we want,” said Leitch.

The Earthquakes would add an insurance goal when Danny Hoesen found himself on the breakaway on the right wing in the 62nd minute and beat Rowe, to make the score 3-1. It was the 50th US Open Cup goal in Earthquakes history.

The Galaxy pushed hard to get themselves back into the match after going down a second goal. They were able to get one goal back in the 84th minute when Ariel Lassiter’s shot rebounded off Jackson Yueill before bouncing off goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell and into the net for an own goal. However, this would not be enough as the San Jose Earthquakes were able to beat their rivals for the first time ever in this competition. (1-4-1, 0-1 PK)

“We’ve won a couple of these US Open Cup games. They are important. It’s an opportunity to win a trophy for this organization. It’s an opportunity to play Champions League,” said Leitch about the importance of the Open Cup. “I don’t know a single guy in that locker room that doesn’t enjoy winning and doesn’t enjoy the idea of winning a trophy, and we are two games away from that.”

With the victory, the Quakes move to 14-10-6 (3-3 PK) all time in US Open Cup Play and 7-5-2 (1-1 PK) at home. With just one more victory, they can reach the final of the Cup for the first time in the club’s history. They also broke the Club’s attendance record for the tournament with 14,056 at Avaya on Monday night. The Quakes will play the winner of the FC Dallas and Sporting Kansas City match for the right to go to the final.

2017 US Open Cup Round 5: Mitch Hildebrandt of FC Cincinnati near-unanimous pick for TheCup.us Player of the Round

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Mitch Hildebrandt made 10 saves and stopped three of the Chicago Fire's four penalty kick attempts to send FC Cincinnati to the Quarterfinals. Photo: Erik Schelkun | FC Cincinnati
Mitch Hildebrandt made 10 saves and stopped three of the Chicago Fire’s four penalty kick attempts to send FC Cincinnati to the Quarterfinals. Photo: Erik Schelkun | FC Cincinnati

Mitch Hildebrandt has been having a US Open Cup run for the ages, culminating with his performance against the Chicago Fire in which he made 10 saves and stopped three out of four penalty kick attempts to lift FC Cincinnati into the Quarterfinals. The game finished scoreless and Cincinnati won the shootout 3-1. Hildebrandt has yet to allow a goal in the tournament despite having two games go to overtime, which is approaching a pair of Modern Era records.

His performance against the Fire made him a near-unanimous winner of TheCup.us Player of the Round award. He received first place votes on every ballot except for two. The player that earned those stray first place votes was the other contestant of what was essentially a two-horse race: Kwadwo Poku of Miami FC (NASL). Poku assisted on the opening goal and scored a dramatic game-winner for Miami FC in the club’s 3-2 upset of Atlanta United (MLS). The award is voted on by the staff at TheCup.us and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters.

After his stellar netminding, the Livonia, Mich. native talked about what it was like to have so much pressure on his shoulders.

“The team was absolutely unbelievable. The amount of work they put in for 120 minutes…I can’t even fathom how they feel right now,” Hildebrandt said, “You dream of moment. Bottom of the ninth hitting a home run in the world series, that’s the American version of this. You just want to be there for your team. You try not to think about any of the pressure. A World Cup winner stands up to take a penalty against you you try to forget who he is and try to stop the ball. It’s exciting.”

Wednesday night's US Open Cup action, headlined by FC Cincinnati's upset on ESPN was trending nationally on Twitter.
Wednesday night’s US Open Cup action, headlined by FC Cincinnati’s upset on ESPN was trending nationally on Twitter.

His performance drew national attention, as the game was featured on ESPN. This was the first time a US Open Cup game that wasn’t a Final or a Semifinal was aired on an ESPN channel.

“I was getting calls and texts from family and friends back home and across the country. It was special because there’s not a lot of times they can see our games, especially in the Open Cup,” Hildebrandt said, “to have it on ESPN and an audience be able to tune in that maybe wouldn’t be able to was special. For that moment to happen, to share it here at home where my wife and family and friends are was special.”

Hildebrandt did not have an easy road to becoming a professional goal keeper. After a strong career in college with the Oakland Golden Grizzlies, he moved on to join the Michigan Bucks in the Premier Development League (coincidentally, he backed up former Columbus Crew SC goalkeeper Steve Clark in both locations before starting himself). His head coach at Oakland, Eric Pogue, has developed a reputation for recruiting and developing some top goalkeepers, a position that Pogue excelled at during his playing days. In fact, like Hildebrandt, Pogue also made some US Open Cup history by upsetting a MLS team. In 2000, Pogue was the goalkeeper for the Michigan Bucks that shutout the New England Revolution 1-0 in Foxborough.

After two years and 32 appearances with the Bucks, Hildebrandt joined Minnesota United of the NASL. Despite spending four years with Minnesota, he only made 15 appearances.

“I spent four years in Minnesota, all four as a backup. I paid my dues and bide my time. It was frustrating obviously. I was away from my wife for four years, not getting games, wondering what was going on. It’s tough mentally and straining, but when you look back on it it helped me form a career and get better and get me to the stage where I want to be,” Hildebrandt said,” I went through a difficult time and now I’m in a spot where I can rise.”

Hildebradnt latched on right away in Cincinnati, making the USL All-League Team and being named Goalkeeper of the Year in 2016.

“The city has taken to this club and it’s been a very very special thing that has happened here. To be a part of it and to be one of the original players here, I take it to heart. You’re helping build something here…for the staff to believe in me when I wasn’t having regular games in Minnesota…I still to this day try to step on the pitch and prove them right,” Hildebrandt said.

After four straight clean sheets in this tournament, Hildebrandt is 154 minutes of scoreless soccer away from breaking the Modern Era’s single-tournament record for a shutout streak (Chris Eylander, Seattle Sounders – 453 minutes). Hildebrandt is also on the verge of another record with his personal Open Cup shutout streak of 379 minutes which is fast approaching Jon Conway’s record of 473 minutes that was set with the San Jose Earthquakes between the 2000 and 2001 tournaments.

FC Cincinnati will play recently-crowned NASL Spring champions Miami FC on July 12 for a spot in the Semifinals. Despite being underdogs on paper in nearly every Open Cup match this year, Hildebrandt doesn’t see the team as such.

“I think we’ve proven that we have a good a chance as anybody. If you look at our roster, I don’t think that we are an underdog. If you look at the size of our club, I don’t think that we are an underdog. The only thing that made us an underdog in the last two games was the league, second division versus first division,” Hildebrandt said, “Going down to Miami, they’re flying high, but we’re right there with them … it’s a one-game competition and everyone is feeling really good and really believing in each other right now.”

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)

2017 US Open Cup Quarterfinals Live Video: Galaxy, Earthquakes bring California Clasico back to Open Cup (live video)

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Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Monday, July 10 – 10:30 p.m. EST
Avaya Stadium – San Jose, CA

BROADCAST: ONLINE VIDEO

Winner will play Sporting KC / FC Dallas winner (Site / Date TBD)

San Jose Earthquakes Open Cup records
Overall: 13-10-6 (3-3 PK) | Home: 6-5-2 (1-1 PK) | Away: 7-5-3 (2-1 PK) | vs. MLS: 1-7-3 (0-3 PK)
Last entry: 2016 (Lost 2-0 at Portland Timbers of MLS in Round 4)
Best finish: 2004 Semifinals (Lost 1-0 at Kansas City Wizards of MLS)
Leading goalscorer: Four players tied with 1 (Cordell Cato, Danny Hoesen, Shea Salinas, Jackson Yueill)

Los Angeles Galaxy Open Cup records
Overall: 30-14-1 (1-0 PK) | Home: 21-3-0 | Away: 9-11-1 (1-0 PK) | vs. MLS: 12-10-1 (1-0 PK)
Last entry: 2016 (Lost 2-1 in OT vs. FC Dallas of MLS in Semifinals)
Best finish: 2001, 2005 US Open Cup champions
Leading goalscorer: Ariel Lassiter (2)

The California Clasico will decide the first of four US Open Cup semifinalists in 2017. The San Jose Earthquakes will host long-time rivals, the Los Angeles Galaxy, at Avaya Stadium in the Quarterfinals on Monday, July 10. The LA Galaxy has never lost to San Jose in Open Cup play, currently holding a 4-0-1 (1-0 PKs) record over their rivals in this competition. Only two other matchups (Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers / New England Revolution vs. Rochester Rhinos with 7 each) in the Modern Era are more common than the Galaxy and the Earthquakes will face off for the sixth time on Monday night.

Avaya Stadium will be the site of the sixth all-time US Open Cup meeting between the San Jose Earthquakes and the L.A. Galaxy. The Galaxy have advanced in all five previous meetings. File Photo: Center Line Socket
Avaya Stadium will be the site of the sixth all-time US Open Cup meeting between the San Jose Earthquakes and the L.A. Galaxy. The Galaxy have advanced in all five previous meetings. File Photo: Center Line Socket

The two California MLS clubs have already met twice this year in league play with each side winning one game. On July 1, in the annual match between the two clubs at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, the home fans were treated to an epic last-minute winner from long-time Earthquake player, Shea Salinas. This was after the captains of both sides, Jelle Van Damme and Chris Wondolowski, had each hit the back of the net to make the score 1-1 heading into stoppage time.

In the first match between the two sides back on May 27, the Galaxy won 4-2 at Avaya Stadium in San Jose. Giovani Dos Santos led the way for LA with two goals that night, while Emmanuel Boateng scored as well. The host got goals from Wondolowski, who always seems to score against the Galaxy, and Daniel Hoesen, who also scored the match winner in the last round of the Cup for San Jose.

The Earthquakes come into the Open Cup match off of a tough road loss in Atlanta. This was the team’s first loss under new head coach Chris Leitch. San Jose took the lead early through Tommy Thompson’s first-ever goal for the club, but then went down to 10 men when Kofi Sarkodie got a second yellow in the first half. Wondolowski scored for the Quakes in the second half to level the match at two before Atlanta United scored twice more late in the game to win the match 4-2.

San Jose reached the Quarterfinals of the Open Cup by knocking off the NASL’s San Francisco Deltas 2-0 in the Fourth Round at home. They then got by a 10-man Seattle Sounders in the Round of 16 off of a late winner from Daniel Hoesen in a 2-1 win at Avaya. This was the Earthquakes’ first-ever win over a MLS side in their history in the Open Cup proper rounds (1-7-3, 0-3 PKs). With a victory over LA, the San Jose would equal its best-ever run in the Cup when they reached the Semifinals back in 2004. That year, they featured players like Landon Donovan, Brian Ching, Dwayne De Rosario, and Jeff Agoos.

The Earthquakes currently sit in fifth place in the MLS Western Conference standings and are currently 2-1 in all competitions under new head coach Chris Leitch. Leitch picked up his first-ever win as a head coach in the last round of the Open Cup and his first loss against Atlanta United on July 4. Leitch won the Cup as a player for the Columbus Crew back in 2002. The key player for the Earthquakes will be Wondolowski, who has a knack for scoring in big games against the Galaxy. He has scored twice against them already this year.

Their opponent, the LA Galaxy, are coming off of a tough period that has seen them battle through multiple player injuries and absences. Following the heartbreaking California Clasico loss, the Galaxy were beaten down by Real Salt Lake at home in their annual 4th of July match, 6-2. At the time, Real was in last place. The Galaxy won just one game in the month of June outside of US Open Cup play and have yet to win in July.

The Galaxy, a two-time champions of the US Open Cup (2001, 2005), reached the Quarterfinals of this year’s tournament without playing a MLS side in their first two rounds of action. They beat Orange County SC (USL) at Stubhub Center Track and Field Stadium, 3-1. Both Jack McBean and Jose Villarreal, two former Galaxy Academy products, found the back of the net. They then got by another USL team, the Sacramento Republic, by a score of 2-0. Ariel Lassiter scored his 2nd goal in as many Open Cup games for LA, while another Galaxy Academy product, Bradford Jamieson, added the second goal.

The Galaxy have a 30-14-1 (1-0 PKs) all-time record in the tournament, the seventh-most wins of the Modern Era. However, last year, the Galaxy reached the Semifinals of the tournament for the first time since they won it all in 2006. From 2007-2014, they failed to qualify twice, were one-and-done to a lower division team three times, and lost to a lower division team in the second game three times.

The Galaxy have dropped out of the playoff spot in the MLS Western Conference and into 7th place following the losses this past week. The return of a few Galaxy leaders will be key as LA looks to bounce back from this rough patch. Giovani Dos Santos has returned to the Galaxy following his time with Mexico at the Confederations Cup, while Jelle Van Damme looks set to return after a red card suspension stemming from the end of the July 1 California Clasico. This kept him out of the match against Real Salt Lake on July 4.

The winner of this Open Cup match will earn a ticket to the semifinals against the winner of the match between Sporting Kansas City and FC Dallas on the following night. The hosting scenarios will be decided following the conclusion of all four games to be played in the quarterfinal round.

2017 US Open Cup Quarterfinals preview: Semifinals on line for MLS originals Revolution, Red Bulls at Harvard

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New York Red Bulls (MLS) at New England Revolution (MLS)
Thursday, July 12 – 7:30 p.m. EST
Jordan Field (Harvard Univ.) – Boston, MA

BROADCAST: ONLINE VIDEO (video will be embedded when it becomes available)

Winner will play FC Cincinnati / Miami FC winner (Site / Date TBD)

New York Red Bulls Open Cup records
Overall: 19-7-3 (2-1 PK) | Home: 9-5-2 (1-1 PK) | Away: 9-11-1 (1-0 PK) | vs. MLS: 6-9-3 (2-1 PK)
Last entry: 2016 (Lost 2-1 at Philadelphia Union of MLS in Round of 16)
Best finish: 2003 Runner-up
Leading goalscorer: Sacha Kljestan & Daniel Royer – 1 goal each

New England Revolution Open Cup records
Overall: 19-12-5 (3-2 PK) | Home: 13-4-3 (2-1 PK) | Away: 5-8-2 (1-1 PK) | vs. MLS: 6-8-1 (1-0 PK)
Last entry: 2016 (Lost 4-2 at FC Dallas of MLS in Final)
Best finish: 2007 US Open Cup champions
Leading goalscorer: Five players tied with 1

Every rivalry match contains an added layer of drama when points are on the line, but when that shared history extends to tournament play, well, there’s usually no shortage of rich subplots.

ny-red-bulls-ne-revolution-split-2017-round-5-bigThat sentiment certainly holds true for Thursday’s US Open Cup quarterfinal tie between the New York Red Bulls and New England Revolution, who’ll renew acquaintances at Harvard University only nine days after the former handed the latter a last-gasp home loss.

While some would point to the clash as a classic opportunity for the Revolution to seek revenge against the Red Bulls, the truth is there’s far more at stake when the MLS originals battle for a semifinal spot.

For New England, who punched their ticket to the Quarterfinals after beating D.C. United in the Round of 16, the outcome of Thursday’s match has the potential to carry serious reverberations for the rest of the year.

A loss could signal wholesale changes that could start at the top as coach Jay Heaps, whose club has lost four straight and currently sit in 10th place in league play, has struggled to get the most from his talented group of young players. A win would, at very least, give Heaps and his group a temporary reprieve. The sentiment in New England was that the Revolution’s run to last year’s Open Cup final saved the seventh-year coach from getting sacked.

But a win is far from certain given the state of the roster. The Revolution won’t have Kelyn Rowe or Juan Agudelo at their disposal with both currently a part of the USMNT’s Gold Cup tournament roster. The international tournament has also claimed last year’s Open Cup hero Je-Vaughn Watson, who was called in for Jamaica National Team duty.

On the other end of the pitch, New York, who booked their spot in the quarterfinals after beating Philadelphia on PKs two weeks ago, hasn’t exactly defended its Eastern Conference crown in convincing fashion this season.

Yes, last week’s road win over the Revolution gave it some much-needed confidence going into Open Cup play but the team wouldn’t qualify for the playoffs if the MLS season ended today. A quarterfinal triumph could give the Revs a crucial boost in league play.

Similar to the fortunes of their foes, the Red Bulls are far from assured of a victory on Thursday. Key contributor Kemar Lawrence is in camp with Jamaica while long-term injuries to Mike Grella and Aurelien Collin will prevent them from aiding the Red Bulls come Thursday.

One bright spot for both clubs: whoever comes out on top will face a lower-division side in the semifinal with the winner of Wednesday’s Miami FC-FC Cincinnati tie on tap for the next round.

Two beleaguered teams with one chance to salvage a disappointing league year on the line. You want drama? Thursday’s quarterfinal in the Commonwealth won’t disappoint.

#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 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

MORE:
* 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
* Things you should know about the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup
* The nine upsets of the US Open Cup Quarterfinals (Modern Era)

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2017 US Open Cup Quarterfinals Preview: Underdogs Miami FC, FC Cincinnati fight for spot in Semifinals

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FC Cincinnati (USL) at Miami FC (NASL)
Wednesday, July 11 – 7:30 p.m. EST
Riccardo Silva Stadium – Miami, FL

BROADCAST: ONLINE VIDEO

Winner will play New England Revolution / New York Red Bulls winner (Site / Date TBD)

FC Cincinnati Open Cup records
Overall: 4-1-1 (1-0 PK) | Home: 4-0-1 (1-0 PK) | Away: 0-1-0 | vs. Div. 2: 1-1-0
Last entry: 2016 (Lost 1-0 at Tampa Bay Rowdies of NASL in Round 3)
Best finish: 2016 Third Round (Lost 1-0 at Tampa Bay Rowdies of NASL)
Leading goalscorer: Djiby Fall – 3 goals

Miami FC Open Cup records
Overall: 4-1-0 | Home: 3-1-0 | Away: 1-0-0 | vs. Div. 2: 1-0-0
Last entry: 2016 (Lost 2-1 vs. Wilmington Hammerheads of USL in Round 3)
Best finish: 2016 Third Round (Lost 2-1 vs. Wilmington Hammerheads of USL)
Leading goalscorer: Stefano Pinho – 4 goals (1st in 2017 US Open Cup)

Miami FC (NASL) and FC Cincinnati (USL) will square off in the Quarterfinals, assurring that at least one lower division team will reach the Semifinals for the first time since 2011.
Miami FC (NASL) and FC Cincinnati (USL) will square off in the Quarterfinals, assurring that at least one lower division team will reach the Semifinals for the first time since 2011.

In a battle of darling underdogs, the NASL’s Miami FC will host the USL’s FC Cincinnati Wednesday night in a 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup quarterfinal. The game will begin at 7:30 p.m. and can be watched online (video will be embedded above). The winner will become the eighth lower division side to reach the Open Cup semifinals since 1996. This is also the 21st Open Cup meeting between rival leagues NASL and the USL, with the USL holding a narrow 10-8-2 (1-1 PKs) edge in those contests.

A reasonable accounting would suggest Miami FC are the favorites, having already secured the NASL’s Spring Season Championship with room to spare following a 7-0 thrashing of the San Francisco Deltas, which saw Stefano Pinho, who leads the 2017 US Open Cup in goalscoring, scoring four goals. Miami have lost only two games this season and in defeating the Tampa Bay Rowdies in Third Round action, already eliminated one of five USL teams ahead of Cincinnati in the USL table. Still, no game is won on paper and Cincinnati enter tonight’s quarterfinal playing tremendous defense in the competition, having not allowed a single goal in four matches. The reigning Player of the Round winner goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt has shut out Louisville City, the Columbus Crew and the Chicago Fire and hasn’t allowed an Open Cup goal since last year’s Third Round loss to the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

The game is a credit to two smart front offices and an intriguing game featuring a contrast of styles, with Alan Koch and Cincinnati’s compact, organized defense and counterattacking style, a stylistic opposite to Miami FC’s possession-intensive pressure attack. Still, Cincinnati aren’t without goal-scoring threats, led by Senegal international Djiby Fall, who became just the third player in the Modern Era to score three consecutive game-winnig goals in the Open Cup. There is attacking depth in Jamaica international Omar Cummings and the bruising Dane, Danni König. There is also a Premier League veteran and former Arsenal product Justin Hoyte, a Trinidad and Tobago international who provides speed and width on the break, and often plays off the bench, giving the team an electric option as legs tire.

But the calling card is defense, starting with a stout midfield that covers ground first. Aodhan Quinn, Kenney Walker and Paul Nicholson patrol the midfield, putting in hard tackles and waiting for the opponent to make mistakes, distributing quickly in transition when Cincy win the ball. And behind them, Cincinnati play an organized trap and when all else fails, have Hildebrandt, whose heroics against the Columbus Crew and the Chicago Fire are a huge reason the club are here.

Cincinnati kicked off their Open Cup run with a 1-0 extra time win over defending NPSL champion AFC Cleveland, followed by a 1-0 win against fellow USL side Louisville City FC. In Round 3, the most fans to ever show up for a non-Final (30,160) were in Cincinnati to watch their team upset the Crew 1-0 at Nippert Stadium. The fourth consecutive home crowd (and a national audience on ESPN) saw an even bigger crowd (32,287) in the Round of 16 when Cincinnati finished scoreless with the Chicago Fire before winning in penalty kicks, thanks to three saves by Hildebrandt in the shootout.

After being one-and done in their inaugural Open Cup appearance last year, Miami FC has cruised into the Quarterfinals with a pair of wins over MLS opposition. The run started with a 3-2 home win over the South Florida Surf (PDL), followed by a 2-0 win at home over the Tampa Bay Rowdies. They hit the road in Round 4 and came away with a convincing 3-1 upset of Orlando City SC where Pinho scored a hat trick and Player of the Round honors. To get to the Quarterfinals, they had to pull off a dramatic win at home over MLS expansion side Atlanta United where Kwadwo Poku scored a goal on what proved to be the final kick of the game to pull off the 3-2 “cupset”.

Miami FC, with their cupboard of attacking talent in Pinho, Poku, Ariel Martinez, Jaime Chavez, and Enzo Rennella, will test Cincinnati’s defense as intensely as any team they’ve played in this competition. And this time, there won’t be 30,000 fans at Nippert Stadium urging Cincinnati forward. But Miami know and respect what a difficult challenge it will be to finally be the team that breaks through and scores against Cincinnati in this competition.

“Cincinnati are a good team that’s very good at what they do, especially defensively,” Miami FC captain Michael Lahoud said Monday. “They have had an amazing Open Cup run to get to this round, and have really benefited from their inspiring home crowds. I expect them to be well-organized and a lethal counter-attacking team, looking to take advantage of whatever chance they get, while keeping it extremely tight at the back.”

Still, Miami FC are eager to show they are more than just a splendid blend of attacking riches. They defend too, as one would expect from a team managed by Alessandro Nesta, a World Cup winner with Italy nicknamed “The Minister of Defense.”

“If you play for Nesta, you’ll defend,” Kwadwo Poku said. “We have to suffer that together.”

The orange and blue have done enough defensively to get to this point, despite conceding two goals to both the South Florida Surf and more understandably, Atlanta United of MLS. They stifled the Rowdies counterattack and frustrated Kaka and Orlando City for 90 minutes, using defensive pressure to earn chances high up the pitch. It’s a formula for success, and the club are looking forward to building on the championship resume they secured Saturday night.

“We are excited about the match and the opportunity to take one step closer to one of our biggest goals this season,” Miami FC captain Michael Lahoud said. “It will be an incredible night for my teammates, the fans, and the city of Miami.”

If Miami do win, they will become the first team from the state of Florida to reach the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup semifinals since 2000 when the Miami Fusion (MLS) ultimately made a run to the Final. Meanwhile, Cincinnati are playing to become the first team from southern Ohio to reach the semifinals of the competition since the Crew accomplished the feat in 2010. FC Cincinnati are already the first team from the Queen City to advance this far in the tournament.

One underdog’s dream will live on. And with these two well-coached and well-constructed teams, who’s to say it stops there?

#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 TheCup.us Player of the Round winnners
* 2017 US Open Cup bracket (TheCup.us)
* 2017 US Open Cup statistical leaders
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* 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

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* 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
* Things you should know about the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup
* The nine upsets of the US Open Cup Quarterfinals (Modern Era)

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2017 US Open Cup Quarterfinals preview: Two of MLS’ best square off as Sporting KC hosts FC Dallas (Live Video)

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

FC Dallas (MLS) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Tuesday, July 11 – 8:30 p.m. EST
Children’s Mercy Park – Kansas City, KS

BROADCAST:
ONLINE VIDEO (Will be added to this page when it becomes available)
RADIO (1510AM & 99.3FM)

Winner will play the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) in the Semifinals (Site / Date TBD)

Sporting Kansas City Open Cup records
Overall: 24-13-5 (3-2 PK) | Home: 17-7-1 (1-0 PK) | Away: 7-6-4 (2-2 PK) | vs. MLS: 10-8-2 (2-0 PK)
Last entry: 2016 (Lost 3-1 at Houston Dynamo of MLS in Round of 16)
Best finish: 2004, 2012, 2015 champions
Leading goalscorer: Gerso Fernandes, Ike Opara tied with 2

FC Dallas Open Cup records
Overall: 33-16-6 (5-1 PK) | Home: 20-6-3 (2-1 PK) | Away: 13-10-2 (2-0 PK) | vs. MLS: 13-11-3 (2-1 PK)
Last entry: 2016 (Won 4-2 vs. New England Revolution of MLS in the Final)
Best finish: 1997, 2016 US Open Cup champions
Leading goalscorer: Four players tied with 1

When Sporting KC and FC Dallas meet in the Quarterfinal round of the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Tuesday night, it will be a matchup of the top two teams in the MLS Western Conference. Sporting leads the visitors by one point in the standings, but Dallas has two games in hand.

It is also a battle between the last two winners of the tournament. FC Dallas won the 2016 title in a 4-2 win over the New England Revolution at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX. Sporting KC took the hardware in 2015 in a 7-6 penalty shootout against the Philadelphia Union after a game that finished 1-1 in regulation at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pa.

Entering Tuesday’s match, Sporting Kansas City is on a six-match unbeaten streak (2-0-4) in league play. Their last loss coming May 27 in a 1-0 loss against the Colorado Rapids. FC Dallas is on a four-match unbeaten streak (2-0-2) with wins in their last two matches. Their last loss was a 2-0 road loss at the Portland Timbers on June 10.

As has been the case in past seasons under Peter Vermes, Sporting’s defense has been a key to their success. With a goals against average of 0.70, much of the credit has to go to goalkeeper Tim Melia. Not only does Melia have nine clean sheets this season, he’s only allowed more than one goal in a game three times in league play. As if that’s not enough, Melia has also stopped three of the five penalty kicks awarded to opponents this season.

If you had to pick a Dallas player to focus on, it would be wise to choose Maximiliano Urruti. Not only does the Argentinian forward lead the club with 11 goals on the season (including three game-winners), he’s currently in excellent form, having scored in four straight matches. As Dallas is on a four-match unbeaten streak, it would be fair to say that as goes Urruti, so goes Dallas.

This is the third all-time meeting between these two clubs with Sporting Kansas City winning a pair of one-sided matches en route to winning the tournament.

In the 2004 Quarterfinals, Kansas City (then known as the Wizards) was led by a goal and an assist by Texas native Davy Arnaud in a 4-0 win. Chris Klein, Justin Detter and Alex Zotinca also scored that day in Overland Park, Kansas.

In the 2015 Round of 16, Sporting KC dismantled FC Dallas 6-2. Dom Dwyer’s four goals, three of them in the first half, added to Krisztian Nemeth’s brace, led the hosts into the Quarterfinals. Dwyer was named TheCup.us Player of the Round for his efforts.

Sporting KC has won the US Open Cup three times (2004, 2012, 2015), also reaching the Semifinals in 2002.

Sporting Kansas City, a three-time US Open Cup champion (2004, 2012, 2015), has yet to allow a goal in their first two tournament games, both of them against MLS opposition. KC dropped Minnesota United 4-0 at home in the Fourth Round before shutting out the Houston Dynamo 2-0 at BBVA Compass Stadium in the Round of 16.

The defending champions FC Dallas has been a model of consistency over the years, but have only managed to win two US Open Cup titles (1997, 2016). Only one team (Kutis SC of St. Louis) in the history of the tournament has more Quarterfinal appearances than Dallas’ 16. They started this year’s cup run with a narrow 2-1 home win over the USL’s Tulsa Roughnecks. The game was tied 1-1 heading into second half stoppage time where the Roughnecks put the ball into their own net to help Dallas advance. In the Round of 16, last year’s TheCup.us Player of the Tournament Mauro Diaz scored a PK and Ryan Hollingshead and Javier Morales added a goal each in a 3-1 home win over the Colorado Rapids.

This will be the first Sporting KC match following the death of co-owner Neal Patterson from cancer at the age of 67. It is no exaggeration to say that if it weren’t for Patterson and his partners buying the Wizards from Lamar Hunt in 2006, this club may not exist in its current form or location.

Due to the Gold Cup, both clubs are missing key players. Sporting KC’s all-time US Open Cup goalscorer Dom Dwyer and defenders Matt Besler and Graham Zusi are away with the US Men’s National Team. Dallas are missing midfielder Kellyn Acosta and defender Matt Hedges. Dallas are also missing defender Maynor Figueroa, who is representing Honduras at the tournament.

US OPEN CUP CONNECTIONS: Both clubs are charter members of MLS, operated by tournament namesake Lamar Hunt. Current FC Dallas Technical Director Fernando Clavijo was an assistant coach for the 1998 MetroStars team, one of whose players was current Sporting KC assistant coach Kerry Zavagnin. Current Dallas USL affiliate Oklahoma City Energy FC is managed by former Sporting KC goalkeeper and captain Jimmy Nielsen.

2017 US Open Cup Round 5 review: FC Cincinnati, Miami FC steal the show with thrilling upsets

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FC Cincinnati drew 32,287 fans to their Round of 16 match against the Chicago Fire (MLS). Only one game in the Modern Era (2011 Final - 35,311) has drawn more. Photo: Erik Schelkun | FC Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati drew 32,287 fans to their Round of 16 match against the Chicago Fire (MLS). Only one game in the Modern Era (2011 Final – 35,311) has drawn more. Photo: Erik Schelkun | FC Cincinnati

When the dust settled on the Round of 16 of the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, there were two clear-cut headliners. Somehow, FC Cincinnati (USL) and the Chicago Fire (MLS) managed to have the game live up to the hype without scoring a single goal. The game was broadcast live on ESPN in front of a record crowd of more than 32,000 (the second largest crowd of any kind in the Modern Era) and Cincinnati prevailed in a penalty kick shootout.

Elsewhere, Kwadwo Poku of Miami FC (NASL) scored the game-winning goal on what was essentially the final kick of the game to upset Atlanta United (MLS).

Wednesday night's US Open Cup action, headlined by FC Cincinnati's upset on ESPN was trending nationally on Twitter.
Wednesday night’s US Open Cup action, headlined by FC Cincinnati’s upset on ESPN was trending nationally on Twitter.

Two lower division teams will take part in the Quarterfinals and thanks to the way the bracket shook out, they will play each other in the next round. This guarantees that there will be a lower division club in the Semifinals for the first time since 2011 (13th time since 1996).

Joining them in the Quarterfinals are six MLS teams: Three-time winner Sporting Kansas City, two-time winner and defending champion FC Dallas will square off, while the California Classico will return to the Open Cup as the Galaxy will travel to San Jose to take on the Earthquakes. The last game features an original MLS matchup between the New York Red Bulls, who are seeking their first Open Cup title and the Revolution, last year’s runner-up who hasn’t lifted the trophy in a decade.

Here is a brief recap of each Round of 16 game with links to the full match report (Check back as more will be added):

FC Dallas advanced to their 16th Quarterfinal appearance with a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids in the Round of 16. Mauro Diaz scored a penalty kick to put Dallas ahead just before halftime, but Micheal Azira pulled Colorado level just after the break. Ryan Hollingshead put Dallas up ten minutes later, and Javier Morales put the game away with a minute remaining. FC Dallas will travel to Children’s Mercy Park to face Sporting Kansas City in the Quarterfinals on July 11. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

After missing out last season, Sporting Kansas City will make a return to the Quarterfinals after a 2-0 Round of 16 win over the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston. Ike Opara’s goal in the 61st minute was backed up by Gerson Fernandes’ clincher in second half stoppage time. SKC will host the defending champions FC Dallas on July 11. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Overcoming an early 1-0 deficit, the New England Revolution pushed past their MLS Eastern Conference rivals D.C. United 2-1 in their Round of 16 match at Harvard University’s Jordan Field. Jose Guillermo Ortiz put D.C. on top in the 7th minute, but the lead only lasted until just before halftime when Diego Fagundez tied the score for New England. The Revs took for good two minutes after the restart on Brian Wright’s first career goal. New England advance to the Quarterfinals where they will return to Jordan Field to host the New York Red Bulls on July 13. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

A dramatic stoppage time winner from Kwadwo Poku vaulted the NASL’s Miami FC to an upset win over Atlanta United in their Round of 16 contest at Miami’s Riccardo Silva Stadium. After Brandon Vasquez gave Atlanta the lead in the 35th minute, Poku helped TheCup.us Player of the Fourth Round Stefano Pinho equalize two minutes later. Eight minutes into the second half Rhett Bernstein gave Miami a 2-1 lead, but with fifteen minutes remaining Poku committed a foul that allowed Julian Gressel to level the score for Atlanta from the penalty spot. Three minutes into stoppage time Poku took a pass from Vincenzo Rennella and broke away to beat Atlanta GK Alex Kann to send Miami to the Quarterfinals, where they will host FC Cincinnati on July 12. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

After a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes, the New York Red Bulls reached the Quarterfinals via penalty shootout over the Philadelphia Union at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. Sacha Kljestan gave the home team a 1-0 lead just before the break on a Bradley Wright-Phillips assist. Philadelphia denied New York a regulation time victory with a Roland Alberg goal in the 86th minute. After 30 minutes of scoreless extra time, the Red Bulls converted on all five of their penalty attempts, while Ryan Meara saved an attempt from Fabrice-Jean Picault, to gain a measure of revenge for Philly eliminating the Red Bulls in the same fashion in the 2015 Quarterfinals. The Red Bulls advance to a July 13 Quarterfinal date with the New England Revolution at Harvard University’s Jordan Field in Boston. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

In front of 32,287 and a national television audience on ESPN, the USL’s FC Cincinnati advanced to the Quarterfinals after a thrilling 3-1 penalty shootout victory over the Chicago Fire. In a back and forth game in which both teams had excellent scoring chances thwarted, it was Cincinnati’s Mitch Hildebrandt rising to legend status in the Queen City. Hildebrand and the Cincy defense held a strong Fire lineup at bay for 120 minutes with 10 saves from 26 shots to force a penalty shootout, although Andrew Wiedeman’s goal in the 109th minute was called back on a very close offside call. After Aodhan Quinn missed Cincinnati’s first attempt with a high shot, Hildebrandt saved three of Chicago’s four penalty attempts, his final stop against Juninho sending the Nippert Stadium crowd into hysterics. Cincinnati, who has yet to allow a goal in the 2017 tournament will face fellow underdogs Miami FC (NASL) in the Quarterfinals on July 12 in Miami. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Danny Hoesen’s goal with six minutes remaining in regulation helped the Quakes edge a 10-man Seattle Sounders team in Wednesday night’s Round of 16 matchup in the US Open Cup. Shea Salinas gave San Jose a 1-0 lead just six minutes into the match, but Aaron Kovar equalized for the reserve-laden Sounders in the opening minutes of the second half of new San Jose head coach Chris Leitch’s first competitive match as the head brass. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

A Galaxy side compromised mostly of LA Galaxy II players scored two goals in the first four minutes of the second half to end Sacramento’s Open Cup run, 2-0 Wednesday night at StubHub Center Track and Field Stadium. After a scoreless first half, Ariel Lassiter scored the go-ahead goal for Los Angeles, which fielded a lineup of only four players with MLS experience. Bradford Jamieson IV also scored for Los Angeles in the 49th minute, and goalkeeper Jon Kempin earned the shutout. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

2017 US Open Cup Round 5: Hoesen’s late goal propels San Jose Earthquakes past 10-man Seattle Sounders

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Shea Salinas of the San Jose Earthquakes celebrates his opening goal against the Seattle Sounders in the Round of 16 in the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: San Jose Earthquakes
Shea Salinas of the San Jose Earthquakes celebrates his opening goal against the Seattle Sounders in the Round of 16 in the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: San Jose Earthquakes

The San Jose Earthquakes needed a late goal from Danny Hoesen to get by a 10-man Seattle Sounders side in the Round of 16 of the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. San Jose took the lead early and went up a man in the first half, but still needed an 84th minute winner to reach the Quarterfinals for the first time since 2012.

It was the fifth all-time meeting between the two clubs in the Open Cup, and with the victory, San Jose earned their first win against the Sounders since 2002, back when Seattle was a member of the USL’s A-League (Div. 2 pro).

Much like their match in the last round of the Cup against the San Francisco Deltas, the Quakes got off to a fast start. Captain Chris Wondolowski nearly scored inside three minutes off of some excellent build up play.

The Quakes followed this early effort with a corner kick in the 6th minute that resulted in the opening goal. Shea Salinas found the back of the net following a rebound off of the corner kick. The shot took a deflection past Seattle goalkeeper Tyler Miller to give the Earthquakes the 1-0 lead.

“I thought we started well, and had control of the game, moving it pretty well, pretty sharply,” said newly-hired Earthquakes head coach Chris Leitch. “That first corner where we ended up scoring, the reason why we didn’t end up playing it short, was because it was an in-swinger, and we purposefully tried to crowd the box.”

San Jose continued to dominate the game and saw many more good chances fall their way in the first 30 minutes of the match. “At times I thought we could have just walked it up,” said Leitch about the early parts of the game. It then got worse for Seattle when Francisco Narbon received a straight red card for a reckless tackle on San Jose’s Jackson Yueill, leaving his team down a man and down a goal. The half ended 1-0 however, as the Earthquakes were unable to take advantage of the man advantage for the final 10 minutes of the half. The second half did not start how San Jose would have liked with their man advantage, as Seattle began to take the game to the Quakes. Through this pressure, Seattle was able to earn a free kick just outside of the box in the 48th minute. Aaron Kovar stepped up for the Sounders and curled the ball into the back of the net to tie the game at one apiece. “If you go up a goal, and go up a man, you’d like to bury that game a bit better, but I think the effort all the way around was very good,” said Leitch The Earthquakes responded well to the equalizing goal, putting the pressure back on Seattle. It started when Tommy Thompson forced a big save out of Tyler Miller in the 53rd minute. The best chance of the game fell to Jahmir Hyka in the 69th minute when he was in on the keeper, but again Miller would come up with a huge save to keep the score level.

As the game look destined for extra time with 10-man Seattle standing tall, San Jose’s substitute, Danny Hoesen, played a nice one-two with Yeuill before beating the Seattle keeper to restore the Earthquakes lead in the 84th minute.

“Danny coming on, being fresh, especially in his recent run of form was very enticing,” Leitch said in his postgame comments. “The message to Danny when he came on was you’re going to get a chance, finish the game off, and he did it like a cold blooded forward.

“ gives us a chance to win a trophy and my experience with that both playing and with the group, is that players like to win trophies, and I know this club would enjoy winning another trophy. I look forward to making that run,” Leitch added.

The Earthquakes will now host their California Clasico rivals, the LA Galaxy, in the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup on July 10 at Avaya. It will be the sixth time the two teams have met and the Earthquakes have never beaten the Galaxy in the Open Cup (0-4-1, 0-1 PKs).

“We are not there yet,” said Leitch. “If this stops at the quarterfinals or the semis, we are going to be disappointed, so we still got a lot in front of us.”

2017 US Open Cup Round 5: Third time’s the charm for NY Red Bulls as they oust Union in PKs

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The New York Red Bulls celebrate the club's 5-3 PK win over the Philadelphia Union (after a 1-1 draw) in the Round of 16 in the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson
The New York Red Bulls celebrate the club’s 5-3 PK win over the Philadelphia Union (after a 1-1 draw) in the Round of 16 in the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson

After being eliminated two years in a row in the US Open Cup by one of their rivals, the New York Red Bulls were finally able to move past the Philadelphia Union. For the second time in three years 120 minutes would not be enough to decide the winner on Wednesday in a 5-3 penalty kick win following a 1-1 draw.

Red Bulls keeper Ryan Meara came up big during the Union’s third penalty kick when he saved Fafa Picault’s kick. After New York’s Sacha Kljestan and Philly’s Marcus Epps each scored, Felipe was the fifth and final penalty kicker for the Red Bulls and he did not disappoint, putting his shot past John McCarthy, to book the Red Bulls’ spot in the Quarterfinals as New York will head to rival New England Revolution.

The first 45 minutes of the game was all about Red Bulls. The team completely dominated the Union, constantly making their defense work. McCarthy came up big in the ninth minute when he was able to save Sean Davis’ shot in front of goal. The Union’s best chance at scoring in the first half came in the 18th minute when Picault went 1-on-1 with Meara after getting past the Red Bulls defense. Meara came up big saving Picault’s shot and the rebound header that came after. The deadlock was finally broken in the 42nd minute when Kljestan was able to beat McCarthy in the box after receiving a pass from Bradley Wright-Philips.

During the second half Philadelphia was a different team, pressing forward during the entire half. The Union came close to tying the game in the 74th when CJ Sapong’s shot hit the post. Pressing paid off in the 86th minute when Roland Alberg’s shot went past Meara to tie the game. The final minutes of the half were some of the most intense as both teams looked to go ahead and avoid having to go into extra time. However, neither team was able to capitalize on opportunities.

Felipe of the New York Red Bulls scores the winning penalty kick in the shootout against the Philadelphia Union in the Round of 16 of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson
Felipe of the New York Red Bulls scores the winning penalty kick in the shootout against the Philadelphia Union in the Round of 16 of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson

The Union continued to press during the first 15 minutes of extra time. They were the more dangerous team and looked more likely to score. The Red Bulls were visibly more tired, with many players cramping up around the field. In the second half of extra time it looked like the Union were once again going to eliminate their New York rivals. Chris Pontius forced Meara to make a beautiful save in the 103rd minute. Three minutes later Picault’s shot hit the post and just minutes later he scored a goal that was called back for offside. Just like in 2015 the Red Bulls and the Union would have to decide the game in a penalty shootout.

When asked if it was going to be deja vu all over again once he saw how Philly was playing, Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch said that he “wasn’t too focused on that, I was just trying to help the guys understand how to play in the formation and how to now continue to get an edge in the game.”

Meara, who is the backup goalkeeper for Luis Robles, said that the length of the game didn’t bother him.

“Once the game gets going you’re in the moment you’re in the zone. For me, as a goalie, I never mind going to penalties, all the pressure is on the shooter, if you can make a save or two you’re the man.”

A small silver lining for the record book is that since matches that are decided by penalty kicks are officially listed as a draw, the Union kept their lengthy US Open Cup unbeaten streak alive. With last night’s draw, the Union are now unbeaten in their last 10 matches, which is the second-longest streak in the Modern Era (Record is 22 games by Seattle Sounders).

The Red Bulls will look to continue their Open Cup run to put some poor form in recent years behind them. By eliminating the Union, the Red Bulls have now won back-to-back games in the tournament for just the second time in the last 14 years. The last time they won more than two games in a single tournament was when they finished as the runner-up in the 2003 US Open Cup.

2017 US Open Cup Round 5: Young Galaxy players take care of business vs. Sacramento Republic

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Ariel Lassiter of the Los Angeles Galaxy scored his second goal of the tournament in a 2-0 home win over the Sacramento Republic. Photo: LA Galaxy
Ariel Lassiter of the Los Angeles Galaxy scored his second goal of the tournament in a 2-0 home win over the Sacramento Republic. Photo: LA Galaxy

MLS side LA Galaxy relied heavily on its youngsters to help the team advance from the Round of 16 of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Wednesday night.

Ariel Lassiter and Bradford Jamieson found the back of the net as the Galaxy defeated Sacramento Republic FC (USL), 2-0, at the StubHub Center’s Track & Field Stadium.

“We’ve talked about getting production out of our younger players and they stepped up,” Galaxy head coach Curt Onalfo said. “Guys need an opportunity to see if they can do it, and it’s encouraging what we’re seeing right now.”

It was Lassiter’s second goal in as many US Open Cup games for the Galaxy, which advances to play at San Jose Earthquakes in the USOC Quarterfinal Round on July 10.

“Getting a goal tonight was a plus, and a confidence booster for sure. We just need to keep it up,” Lassiter said. “I’m always looking to get minutes with the first team and get better.” Onalfo was forced to again stretch his roster as the team completed its fifth game in just two weeks across all competitions. “It’s good to use the entire roster because it is busy right now,” Onalfo said. Sacramento Republic FC forward Tyler Blackwood had two shots on goal, both of which were turned away by Galaxy goalkeeper Jon Kempin during a scoreless first half. Galaxy captain Jelle Van Damme entered to begin the second half and quickly put his team in motion, attacking up the middle before earning a foul and a free kick about 22 yards from goal. Lassiter, who scored in a 3-1 win over Orange County SC (USL) in the 4th Round, stepped up and laced a left-footed free kick into the upper right corner out of the reach of Republic FC keeper Evan Newton for the game’s first goal. “I knew (Newton) couldn’t see the ball if I hit it right over the wall, and I just focused on connecting well, keeping it on target and it went into the back of the net,” Lassiter said. Not settling for a one-goal lead, Bradford Jamieson unleashed a shot from the right side that took a deflection and beat Newton for a 2-0 lead.

“It was all instinct pretty much,” Jamieson said. “The defender hesitated and I just took the hit.”

Galaxy continued to produce attacking moments late into the game, with Lassiter beating a Republic FC defender to the goal line before crossing to the middle for Jose Villareal to fire just over the bar.

“We put in a good performance. I thought it should’ve been more than 2-0 but we were really aggressive in our approach,” Onalfo said.

With the win, the Galaxy earned the club’s 30th Open Cup game (30-14-1, 1-0 PK), the 7th most wins in the Modern Era. The Galaxy’s home record improves to an impressive 21-3-0 all-time.

It was the end of the line for Sacramento Republic FC, which had earned a historic victory over Real Salt Lake (MLS) in the Fourth Round en route to the club’s deepest tournament run.

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