Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2019 US Open Cup

USSF announces 2019 US Open Cup Round of 16 draw, schedule, and set the bracket

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The Round of 16 means we set a bracket for the rest of the tournament. All remaining teams in the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup have learned their path to taking the cup.

The United States Soccer Federation announced the draw and schedule for the Round of 16 of the 106th edition of the tournament that will take place June 18-20. The teams were grouped into four regional pools of four teams. Atlanta United and Charleston Battery were grouped together as their Fourth Round match was rescheduled for tonight. From within those regional pools, US Soccer drew the teams into pairings. In addition, through the random selection process, the hosts for the Quarterfinal round were also determined. Only New Mexico United did not apply to host for either the Round of 16 or the Quarterfinals and therefore were drawn away in both rounds.

The winners from the Round of 16 will advance to the Quarterfinals which are scheduled to be played July 10. US Soccer also determined which regions will match up in the Semifinals. A separate draw on July 11 will determine hosts for the semifinals and the final.

All games will be broadcast live on ESPN+ as part of the tournament’s new media rights agreement.

#USOC2019 ESSENTIALS
2019 US Open Cup Schedule/Results (with links to every match report)
Fourth Round fun facts: Notable upsets, things you should know about Round 4

2019 US Open Cup statistical leaders (Goals, Assists, GKs)
2019 US Open Cup Round 1: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 3: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 4: Game-by-game review

Appreciate what we do? Help improve our coverage by joining TheCup.us Patreon team!

VISIT THECUP.US STORE

NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference currently ineligible for 2020 US Open Cup
Every US Open Cup game to stream on ESPN+ in multi-year media rights deal

THECUP.US PLAYER OF THE ROUND
Round 1: Charles Boateng – Richmond Kickers
Round 2: Bryant Martin – Florida Soccer Soldiers
Round 3: Blake Frischknecht – Orange County FC

#USOC2019 QUALIFYING
2019 US Open Cup qualifying schedule/results
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 3 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round game-by-game review
Florida Soccer Soldiers qualify for first time after America SC withdraws
More pros, less amateurs, an extra sub in 2019 US Open Cup format
Chattanooga FC qualifies for 2019 US Open Cup, but opts out
Bavarian SC qualify for 2019 US Open Cup by winning Amateur Cup title

MEET THE UNDERDOGS SERIES
Milwaukee’s Bavarian Soccer Club, proudly amateur since 1929
West Chester United battle tested from long journey back to US Open Cup
NTX Rayados grooming “new generation” to keep qualifying streak going
Academica SC earns first US Open Cup berth after more than 40 years as a club
FC Denver using US Open Cup to build to “higher level”
First year Florida Soccer Soldiers winning with “respect, pride and commitment”

Date Game (home team listed first) Time Venue
June 18 Columbus Crew SC (MLS) vs. Atlanta United FC (MLS)/Charleston Battery (USLC) winner 7 p.m. ET MAPFRE Stadium; Columbus, Ohio
June 18 Houston Dynamo (MLS) vs. Minnesota United FC (MLS) 6 p.m. CT BBVA Stadium; Houston, Texas
June 19 D.C. United (MLS) vs. New York City FC (MLS) 7 p.m. ET Audi Field; Washington, D.C.
June 19 Orlando City SC (MLS) vs. New England Revolution (MLS) 7:30 p.m. ET Exploria Stadium; Orlando, Fla.
June 19 FC Dallas (MLS) vs. New Mexico United (USLC) 7 p.m. CT Westcott Field (Southern Methodist Univ.); Dallas, Texas
June 19 Saint Louis FC (USLC) vs. FC Cincinnati (MLS) 7:30 p.m. CT World Wide Technology Soccer Park; Fenton, Mo.
June 19 Portland Timbers (MLS) vs. LA Galaxy (MLS) 8 p.m. PT Providence Park; Portland, Ore.
June 20 Los Angeles FC (MLS) vs. San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) 7:30 p.m. PT Banc of California Stadium; Los Angeles, Calif.

Quarterfinals – July 10

Semifinals – August 7

Final – August 27 or 28

2019 US Open Cup Round 4: Teen phenom Efrain Alvarez helps LA Galaxy end Orange County FC’s Cinderella run

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Efrain Alvarez of the LA Galaxy celebrates one of his two goals against Orange County FC in the Fourth Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: LA Galaxy
Efrain Alvarez of the LA Galaxy celebrates one of his two goals against Orange County FC in the Fourth Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: LA Galaxy

It was, teen phenom Efrain Alvarez proclaimed, “my best moment here at the LA Galaxy,” but that didn’t mean he avoided a little ribbing.

The 16-year-old midfielder netted his first two goals with LA’s first team Wednesday night, putting away a splendid free kick 10 minutes into the second half and tapping home a feed from Favio Alvarez six minutes after that as the Galaxy roared into the fifth round of the US Open Cup with a dominant victory over amateurs Orange County Football Club.

Rookie Emil Cuello also tallied his first goal with the Galaxy’s top side to complete a 3-0 triumph before a full house at Dignity Health Sports Park’s track and field stadium, one that came fairly easy but not as simple as it might have.

LA, aiming for its third crown in the oldest soccer competition in the United States and first since a surprising 2005 MLS Cup/Open Cup “double” in 2005, might have scored six or seven or eight with a bit more fortune and precision, but the best chances — the goals aside — went off-target again and again.

The Galaxy behind winger Emmanuel Boateng’s speed on the left, teenage right back Julian Araujo’s crosses from the right, and Favio Alvarez’s ability to carve up defenses and feed teammates with dangerous balls had nearly all of the first 45 minutes but couldn’t find the net.

Not that they were particularly concerned.

“We weren’t clinical enough in the first half and put it away …,” center back Daniel Steres said. “Stay the course . We knew we just had to be clinical, put one in, and it would break them. And that’s what happened.”

It sends the Galaxy to next week’s Round of 16 match on the road against the Portland Timbers. The date, time and venue is still to be determined. The winner of that game will play either the San Jose Earthquakes or Los Angeles FC.

Not surprisingly, Galaxy superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic was not part of the 18-man roster. With Sebastian Lletget injured, Jonathan Dos Santos and Uriel Antuna away on international duty with Mexico, and Giancarlo Gonzalez not on the roster, the Galaxy had to rely on some younger players to defeat an amateur side. Players like Alvarez, Araujo and Cuello, took advantage of their playing time.

Orange County, a National Premier Soccer League team from nearby Lake Forest, was this Cup’s Cinderella. Coached by former Galaxy (and National Soccer Hall of Fame) defender Paul Caligiuri, OCFC knocked off two USL Championship sides — Orange County Soccer Club and the Eric Wynalda-coached Las Vegas Lights — to reach the fourth round, the only amateurs to do so.

They created a handful of chances, the best by Dakota Collins, Peter Gregory and Rayan Holland, but couldn’t beat David Bingham. And when the Galaxy’s goalkeeper stumbled — he dropped a cross in the 86th minute, leading to Holland’s shot from just beyond the 6-yard box — he had protection. Perry Kitchen cleared that one off the line.

By then it was 2-0. Efrain Alvarez, a highly regarded local product who plays for Mexico’s U-17 national team, buried his 55th-minute free kick after Boateng drew a foul at the edge of the OCFC box, and his blast to the lower-left corner left goalkeeper David Preys no chance.

The second goal, in the 61st, came after a series of Orange County miscues as the Galaxy applied heavy pressure on Preys and his backline. A couple of errant passes left center back Joshua Davis alone, and when his first touch betrayed him, Favio Alvarez swooped in to take the ball, race past and confront Preys.

He dropped a little pass to the right, and Efrain Alvarez tapped it into an open net. He was ecstatic.

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime feeling that you can’t compare with any other …,” he said afterward. “I can’t explain how happy I am, but I;m happier that we qualified for the next round.”

He might have completed the hat trick but fired wide from good spots in the 73rd and 82nd minutes and didn’t get enough on a close-range shot in the 88th.

“A hat trick? I think he should have had six,” Steres joshed. “I don’t know what he was doing out there.”

Said Cuello: “I think he could have had at least four or five, but he was able to get two, and that’ll give him some confidence going on.”

Boateng should have netted two in the first half — he went wide with open shots in the goalmouth in the first and 13th minutes — and Joe Corona came close from about 25 yards in the 32nd. Favio Alvarez had myriad chances, mostly firing high. He hit the crossbar midway through the second half.

Cuello tallied in the 90th minute, taking a feed from Favio Alvarez and burying it into the lower-right corner. It was amends after he didn’t get a shot off on the sequence two minutes earlier.

“Feels great to get the first one out of the way,” said the Argentine-born midfielder, who was drafted out of SMU. “ clear chance for goal. I was pretty disappointed in myself that I didn’t shoot it, so the next one I got, I was, like, I got to shoot and put it away.”

The Galaxy held 72 percent possession and outshot their foe, 24-6, but put only eight shots on frame (to two by OCFC).

Caligiuri wasn’t pleased with the call that led to Efrain Alvarez’s free kick, nor with the mistakes that enabled LA to make it 2-0 with “a soft goal.” He thought the Galaxy were “better” and “stronger” in the first half, when they created more chances rather than feasting off fouls and miscues.

But the experience meant a lot to his team, an assortment of college players, others aspiring to turn pro, and several who work normal jobs and had to battle traffic to Carson after their shifts ended.

“Mixed emotions right now,” he said. “Obviously the run to get to the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup for an amateur team is huge, and we held the Galaxy to a nil-nil draw in the first half. We kind of opened things up to try to go for the win in the second half.

“At the end of the day, it didn’t work out — were a better team and more organized and more physical — but out guys never gave up, and I think there were some unfortunate breaks that didn’t go our way, but we know that’s soccer, right? … My guys are happy. They were very happy to come play against the Los Angeles Galaxy, and we’ll move on.”

The game ended on a sour note. Bingham was hit hard and late by Michael Bryant after snagging an OCFC free kick into the Galaxy goalmouth in the first minute of stoppage. Steres went after Bryant, pushing him, and Bingham appeared to slug him. Referee Alejandro Mariscal showed Bryant a yellow card.

“You don’t want to see that,” Steres said. “It’s definitely a cheap shot. … He knew what he was doing. He was smiling. He knew exactly what he was doing. There’s no place for that in the game.”

Caligiuri said he didn’t think Bryant, who’s training to become a firefighter, was trying to hit Bingham.

“I don’t think it was one player trying to contest the goalkeeper,” he said. “There were a lot of bodies. It wasn’t just one player contesting the goalkeeper. I think there were a lot of players there, ion both teams. The guy’s going to be a firefighter. He’s a first responder . I don’t think he’s trying to hurt anybody. That’s not his mentality, that’s not the way he thinks.

“But what happened afterward I think it uncalled for.”

2019 US Open Cup Round 4, Day 2 preview: Nine matches involving MLS teams kick off tonight

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Bring on MLS Game of Thrones Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design
Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design

Outside of the championship game, the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is the pinnacle of the competition. The majority of the games (all but five of them) feature a lower division team against a Major League Soccer team. This is what makes the US Open Cup unique in American sports. Minor league professional teams and amateur teams getting a shot at the top division teams in the country. Round 4 will be split up into two game days with seven of the 16 games being played on Tuesday and the remaining nine games on Wednesday.

The winners will advance to the Round of 16, which is scheduled to take place later this month

Check out all of the results (and the match reports and video) of Tuesday’s action HERE.

Every game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Since 2003, fans who wanted to follow the opening round of the second-oldest, continually-operating soccer tournament in the world, would have to rely on updates from this site, or, in later years, the occasional live audio or video stream. Now, fans who are unable to attend a match in person, can watch every game from the comfort of their home, or through their favorite mobile device.

The draw for the Round of 16 will follow this week’s matches and will be held on Thursday, June 13.

Below is a preview (with video links) of all nine of the games scheduled for Wednesday night:

#USOC2019 ESSENTIALS
2019 US Open Cup Schedule/Results (with links to every match report)
Fourth Round fun facts: Notable upsets, things you should know about Round 4

2019 US Open Cup statistical leaders (Goals, Assists, GKs)
2019 US Open Cup Round 1: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 3: Game-by-game review

Appreciate what we do? Help improve our coverage by joining TheCup.us Patreon team!

VISIT THECUP.US STORE

NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference currently ineligible for 2020 US Open Cup
Every US Open Cup game to stream on ESPN+ in multi-year media rights deal

THECUP.US PLAYER OF THE ROUND
Round 1: Charles Boateng – Richmond Kickers
Round 2: Bryant Martin – Florida Soccer Soldiers
Round 3: Blake Frischknecht – Orange County FC

#USOC2019 QUALIFYING
2019 US Open Cup qualifying schedule/results
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 3 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round game-by-game review
Florida Soccer Soldiers qualify for first time after America SC withdraws
More pros, less amateurs, an extra sub in 2019 US Open Cup format
Chattanooga FC qualifies for 2019 US Open Cup, but opts out
Bavarian SC qualify for 2019 US Open Cup by winning Amateur Cup title

MEET THE UNDERDOGS SERIES
Milwaukee’s Bavarian Soccer Club, proudly amateur since 1929
West Chester United battle tested from long journey back to US Open Cup
NTX Rayados grooming “new generation” to keep qualifying streak going
Academica SC earns first US Open Cup berth after more than 40 years as a club
FC Denver using US Open Cup to build to “higher level”
First year Florida Soccer Soldiers winning with “respect, pride and commitment”

North Carolina FC (USL-C) at New York City FC (MLS)
Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.) – Jamaica, NY
Kickoff: June 12 – 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Ray Curren

Five years into its existence, New York City FC has somewhat amazingly yet to win a U.S. Open Cup match, an ignominious streak it hopes to end Wednesday at Belson Stadium in Queens. This will be the first time NYCFC will face a team from outside the metropolitan area in this competition, with two of the losses coming at the hands of the rival Red Bulls and the others (in its first two campaigns) coming against the lower-division New York Cosmos. The last three of those losses have been shutouts. A loss on Wednesday would give them five consecutive one-and-done Open Cup results, which would be the longest such streak of any MLS team in history.

But head coach Dome Torrent has indicated that there will be a great deal of squad rotation in Wednesday’s USOC lineup, with Daniel Bedoya’s first start for the team grabbing the headlines. Bedoya played his college soccer with St. John’s at Belson Stadium and went to high school just a couple of miles away, so he should have plenty of family and friends in attendance. Homegrown player Justin Haak (17 years old, born in Manhattan a day after 9/11/2001), Keaton Parks (21), and Juan Pablo Torres (19) are all expected to make their first starts for NYCFC, who may have as few as 13 outfield players available due to international duty and injuries.

For North Carolina (who sits in sixth place in the USL Championship East with a 6-2-5 record) to take advantage, they will look to the attacking combination of Dutch striker (by way of Creighton) Marios Lomis (6 goals) and veteran Steven Miller (4), although neither has scored thus far is this year’s tournament. Hometown defender DJ Taylor scored the only goal in North Carolina’s 1-0 win over the upstart Florida Soccer Soldiers in the Third Round, while North Carolina coasted past the Richmond Kickers (USL League One) 4-1 in the Round 2 with four different goal scorers.

This is a rare road trip for NCFC. They have played 34 US Open Cup games in their team history since 2007 and 29 of those games have been played in front of their home fans (21-6-2, 1-1 PKs). Away from home, they have advanced just one time in their five road games (1-3-1, 0-1 PKs). Their record against MLS teams could give their fans cause for optimism, eliminating six top division clubs with a 5-7-2 (1-1 PKs) record.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

North Carolina FC (USL-C)
12th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 22-9-3 (1-2 PK)
Away: 1-3-1 (0-1 PK)
MLS: 5-7-2 (1-1 PK)
Best finish: 2007 Semifinals

New York City FC (MLS)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-3-1 (0-1 PK)
Home: 0-1-0
Div. 2 pro: 0-1-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)

Louisville City FC (USL-C) at FC Cincinnati (MLS)
Nippert Stadium (Univ. of Cincinnati) – Cincinnati, OH
Kickoff: June 12 – 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Lawrence Dockery

One thing that makes the US Open Cup special is that it allows for teams that are not in the same league to play each other.  That’s the case when Louisville City hits the road to take on FC Cincinnati. Louisville is in the USL Championship and Cincinnati is in their first season in MLS.  The two cities are just about two hours apart on I-71 and there has always been a healthy rivalry between the two, usually in college athletics between the Cardinals and the Bearcats (be it on the basketball court back in the old Metro Conference and Conference USA days or on the gridiron where they played for the Keg of Nails).  It was certainly a rivalry in the soccer field as well as before their jump to MLS this season, Cincinnati was in the USL with Louisville. It’s safe to say that there is no love lost between these two teams and fans might be looking forward to some fireworks once the game gets under way.

For Louisville City, the US Open Cup is a tournament where they have always done very well.  In fact, in their four seasons of existence, they have never failed to win at least one game in that year’s edition of the tournament.  In 2015 they made a reasonably deep run, beating Lansing United and the Indy Eleven before being eliminated in extra time by the Chicago Fire in the 4th Round.  2016 saw them go out Third Round against the Indy Eleven after getting their first ever penalty shoot-out win in the 2nd Round against Detroit City. 2017 was another Third Round exit, against none other than FC Cincinnati.  But in 2018, they put together a magical run all the way to the quarter-finals where they were the last non-MLS team standing. Along the way they dispatched the Long Island Rough Riders, Saint Louis FC, the New England Revolution, and Nashville SC before eventually falling to the Chicago Fire again.  So far this year they’ve managed to get past Reading United and the Birmingham Legion (the latter on a 90th minute penalty).

Cincinnati only came into existence in 2016, but they too have done well in the Open Cup during their short time as an organization.  Their first foray into the tournament saw them beat the Indy Eleven before falling to the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Third Round. 2017 saw them put together a magical run as they ran all the way to the Semifinals.  Along the way they drew multiple crowds of over 30,000 at Nippert Stadium and even got a national TV audience on ESPN. Their road to that Semifinal was AFC Cleveland, Louisville City, the Chicago Fire, and Miami FC (NASL) before they fell in extra-time to the New York Red Bulls.  Last year they won their first two games against Detroit City and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds before getting the boot from Minnesota United.

In terms of their respective league play, it’s two very different stories.  Louisville has been decent, though not as good as in years past (which is hard to do given that they’ve won the last two USL Championships and never failed to reach the Eastern Conference Finals). They currently sit fourth in the Eastern Conference of USL and have lost just once in their last nine league games.  If the two US Open Cup wins are factored in, Louisville is unbeaten in seven straight games across all competitions.  On the flip side, Cincinnati has been just awful in their first season in MLS and have already fired their manager. Not only are they stuck in the cellar of MLS’ Eastern Conference (that’s 12th out of 12 teams) but they are also the worst team in the whole league with a mere 11 points from 16 games (next closest to them is the Portland Timbers with 14 points from 13 games).  They’ve lost four in a row, nine of their last ten, and have won just once in their last 12 games.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Louisville City FC (USL-C)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 9-4-1 (1-0 PK)
Away: 3-4-0
MLS: 1-2-0
Best finish: 2018 Quarterfinals

FC Cincinnati (MLS)
4th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 7-2-2 (1-1 PK)
Home: 5-1-2 (1-1 PK)
Div. 2 pro: 3-1-0
Best finish: 2017 Semifinals

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Sporting Kansas City (MLS) at Minnesota United FC (MLS)
Allianz Field – St. Paul, MN
Kickoff: June 12 – 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Jeremiah Braeback

Minnesota United meets a familiar foe in US Open Cup play, as Sporting Kansas City heads to Allianz Field to face the Loons for the fourth time since 2014, with Kansas City winning each of their first three meetings.

Minnesota comes into the match on a three-match losing streak in MLS play, collecting only four points over their past five matches, but they have done well at Allianz Field, collecting 12 of 21 possible points since their new home opened in mid-April.  The Loons started the season strong offensively, scoring at least two goals in six of their first seven matches, but have only have one multi-goal match since. Darwin Quintero (5 goals, 3 assists) and Angelo Rodriguez (4 goals, 1 assist) lead the Loons in scoring, and Vito Mannone has appeared in goal for each of their 16 matches this season, with five shutouts and 45 saves.

Kansas City, who have won four US Open Cup titles (2004, 2012, 2015, 2017), comes in having collected points in four of their past five matches (1-1-3).  While they have struggled to collect all three points, leading MLS’ Western Conference with 7 Draws. Kansas City are among the MLS leaders in scoring, having scored 26 goals this season, led by Johnny Russell (7 goals, 3 assists), Krisztian Nemeth (7 goals, 1 assist), and Felipe Gutierrez (6 goals, 1 assist), while Tim Melia has started 14 of 15 matches in goal, making 45 saves.  Russell and Nemeth are both away for EURO2020 Qualifying for their respective national teams.

With both sides depleted by international call ups and the typical squad rotation seen in early round US Open Cup matches, expect to see several fresh faces in this match, including players recalled or loaned up from their USL-Championship affiliates.  Kansas City has the advantage historically, outscoring the Loons 8-1 over their previous three meetings, but with the Wonderwall behind them at Allianz Field, playing at home could be the difference for Minnesota.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
21st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 28-14-6 (4-2 PK)
Away: 8-7-4 (2-2 PK)
MLS: 14-9-3 (3-0 PK)
Best finish: US Open Cup champions (2004, 2012, 2015, 2017)

Minnesota United FC (MLS)
9th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 5-7-2 (1-1 PK)
Home: 1-3-0
MLS: 1-5-0
Best finish: 2018 Fifth Round

Philadelphia Union (MLS) at D.C. United (MLS)
Audi Field – Washington, D.C.
Kickoff: June 12 – 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Sydney Hunte & Louis Roesch

The Philadelphia Union and D.C. United open their respective U.S. Open Cup runs on Wednesday night at Audi Field. It’s a matchup of a pair of teams toward the top of the MLS Eastern Conference standings, as the Union sit in first with 31 points while D.C. are just four points back.

Philadelphia have been one of the surprise teams in MLS this season. After a sixth-place finish in the Eastern Conference last year, Jim Curtin’s side is atop the conference table thanks to a three-match unbeaten streak. It is coming off a comeback win over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, with the Red Bulls holding a 2-0 lead with 30 minutes to go before a goal by Jamiro Montiero and a brace by Ilsinho led the Union to a 3-2 victory. Following a defeat in last year’s Open Cup final – its third runner-up finish in five seasons – Philadelphia hopes that its latest stint in the competition will finally end with silverware.

If ever there was a bad time for the Philadelphia Union to have to play a soccer game, now would be it. The Union, last season’s US Open Cup runner-up, find themselves in a difficult predicament heading into Wednesday night’s road match. National team call-ups, injuries and a limit on foreign born player participation has Philadelphia grasping to field a solid starting XI. Gone are goalkeeper Andre Blake, defender Aaron Trusty, midfielder Brenden Aaronson and forward Marco Fabian among others. Philadelphia was forced to call up four academy players just to round out the bench including Shanyder Borgelin, Ben Ofiemu, Issa Rayan and Zach Zandi from USL affiliate Bethlehem Steel FC as reinforcements.

Meanwhile, D.C. United have won the Open Cup three times, most recently in 2013. The club will be without Junior Moreno and Paul Arriola, and despite having Chris Durkin back from the Under-20 World Cup, the 19-year-old will not participate in Wednesday’s match thanks to a red card disqualification that carried over from last year’s Round of 16 defeat against Orlando City SC. D.C. have been off since June 1, a 1-1 draw against San Jose to extend its winless streak to six matches. It has scored just six goals in that stretch, with three coming against the Chicago Fire on May 29. But at least they are becoming healthier. Defender Chris Odoi-Atsem is working his way back into starting XI shape and the centerback duo of Steven Birnbaum and Frederic Brillanare are playing stingy defense

The Union will have its work cut out for them offensively. Even without forward Paul Arriola (US National Team duty), Wayne Rooney is playing well enough to cause chaos in the offensive third, assuming he plays.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Philadelphia Union (MLS)
8th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 16-4-6 (3-3 PK)
Away: 1-2-4 (2-2 PK)
MLS: 8-4-5 (2-3 PK)
Best finish: Runner-Up (2014, 2015, 2018)

D.C. United (MLS)
21st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 32-13-7 (3-4 PK)
Home: 23-5-4 (1-3 PK)
MLS: 10-9-3 (0-3 PK)
Best finish: US Open Cup champions (1996, 2008, 2013)

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OKC Energy FC (USL-C) at FC Dallas (MLS)
Westcott Field (Southern Methodist Univ.) – Dallas, TX
Kickoff: June 12 – 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Daniel Crooke

History has a habit of repeating itself as FC Dallas hosts Energy FC for the third time in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Oklahoma side has only once reached the Fourth Round without running into the Texans, when they fell 3-2 to the Colorado Rapids in 2017.

Outside of the cup, the two sides are no strangers. They’ve met regularly in preseason with OKC serving as FC Dallas’ USL affiliate up until this year. The Energy coaching staff regularly attended FC Dallas preseason camps to evaluate potential loans. One player who has benefited from that attention is Energy left back Amer Sasivarevic, who was drafted by FC Dallas in 2018 but was a late cut. Two other Oklahoma City players have had spells with FC Dallas as Atiba Harris was part of the team to win the 2016 US Open Cup, while Je-Vaughn Watson was part of the New England Revolution side that fell in the 2016 Final having been traded from Dallas earlier in the year. As much as Watson would value revenge, he will be away with Jamaica as they prepare for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

As FC Dallas has struggled with injury and international call-ups of late, Luchi Gonzalez is planning to utilize Dallas’ USL League One side, North Texas SC. The USL League One 16-year-old leading scorer, Ricardo Pepi, will make his full FC Dallas debut having scored seven goals in six appearances. The game could also feature Dallas’ three members of the US Under-20 World Cup roster. Paxton Pomykal, who captained the side, may be rested but Brandon Servania and Edwin Cerrillo could certainly see playing time at SMU’s Westcott Field in Dallas having returned from Poland.

FC Dallas have been the model of consistency among MLS clubs in this competition. They have won the fourth-most games of any team in the Modern Era (1995-present), and they have the most Quarterfinal appearances (16) of any team in the history of the tournament. Despite consistently winning in the tournament, they have won the US Open Cup just twice.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

OKC Energy FC (USL-C)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 8-4-2 (1-1 PK)
Away: 5-4-2 (1-1 PK)
MLS: 0-2-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2015, 2016, 2017)

FC Dallas (MLS)
22nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 34-18-6 (5-1 PK)
Home: 20-6-3 (2-1 PK)
Div. 2 pro: 18-1-2 (2-0 PK)
Best finish: US Open Cup champions (1997, 2014)

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Orlando City SC (MLS) at Memphis 901 FC (USL-C)
Mike Rose Soccer Complex – Memphis, TN
Kickoff: June 12 – 8:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Lawrence Dockery

The US Open Cup is the one competition where fans of teams in the lower tiers of the US Soccer pyramid get an opportunity to see their team play an MLS team.  And with all 21 American MLS teams entering the tournament in the Fourth Round, that is now actually happening for a number of lower division teams. One of the best things about the US Open Cup is when the teams from MLS go to teams from the USL or NASL and so on.  This is the case as Orlando City travels to the Mid-South to take on Memphis 901 FC.

Memphis 901 FC is in their first season of existence in the USL Championship and is in the midst of an impressive run so far in this year’s edition of the Open Cup.  They entered in the Second Round and promptly dispatched the New York Red Bulls Under-23s by a score of 3-1. Josh Morton dropped two goals and Cam Lindley added another as Memphis actually had to come from behind to win that one, as they conceded a goal just five minutes into the game.  They moved on to the Third Round and took on the Hartford Athletic (who, at the time, was one of two teams they had beaten in USL play). Due to a scheduling conflict with the Memphis Redbirds the game was not played at their usual home of AutoZone Park in downtown Memphis, but was instead played at the stadium at Mike Rose Soccer Complex in the suburb of Collierville.  The change of venue did not phase the Boys in Blue however as they ran riot over Hartford to the tune of 4-0. Jochen Graf bagged two goals, the captain Marc Burch added one from the penalty spot, and Morgan Hackworth joined in the fun less than ten minutes from time. After the game, several of the players jokingly said they were going to file a petition to have all of their home games moved to Mike Rose.  And as it turns out, they got their wish to a small degree as the upcoming game against Orlando will be there, due to there not being enough time to flip AutoZone Park from baseball to soccer and then back to baseball.

Orlando has yet to play a game in this edition of the Open Cup, but their manager is no stranger to the competition.  James O’Connor was the manager at Louisville City in the USL for their first three and a half years of existence and guided them to a pair of deep Open Cup runs.  In 2015 (their first year as a team) they won their first two games in the Open Cup against Lansing United and then the Indy Eleven before falling in extra time on the road to the Chicago Fire.  In 2018, O’Connor guided them to the quarter-finals where they were the last non-MLS team standing. Along the way the eliminated the Long Island Rough Riders, St. Louis FC, the New England Revolution, and Nashville SC before again falling to the Chicago Fire.  While O’Connor’s Open Cup resume is a solid one, Orlando’s is kind of a mixed bag. They have been eliminated by teams from lower divisions on multiple occasions and have managed more than one win in the competition just twice, most recently last season as they eased past Miami United and DC United before being bounced out of the quarter-finals by the Philadelphia Union.

In terms of how each team is faring in their respective league this season, Memphis and Orlando are both struggling somewhat.  While that’s nothing new for Orlando (they have yet to qualify for MLS Cup Playoffs in any their four seasons as a team) it is to be expected for Memphis as it is just their first season ever.  Orlando does appear to be warming up just a little bit as they’ve moved up to 8th place in the Eastern Conference of MLS and they have won two of their last three games. Memphis meanwhile has struggled league play, though they have been unfortunate in that two of their last four league games have had to be postponed due to severe weather issues.  Prior to this past Saturday’s drubbing at the hands of the Indy Eleven, Memphis had been unbeaten in five games across all competitions (a win and two draws in USL play and then two wins in the Open Cup).

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Orlando City SC (MLS)
11th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 15-10-2 (2-0 PK)
Away: 5-7-2 (2-0 PK)
Div. 2 pro: 2-2-0
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2013*, 2015, 2018)
* As USL PRO team

Memphis 901 FC (USL-C)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-0-0
Home: 2-0-0
MLS: N/A
Best finish: First entry

New Mexico United (USL-C) at Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park – Commerce City, CO
Kickoff: June 12 – 9 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Jim Coppock

New Mexico United have yet to kick a ball at home in this tournament, but are wearing the moniker of “road warriors” quite well after eliminating two fellow USL Championship sides in the second and third rounds; a 4-3 penalty kick tiebreaker, after a 2-2 draw in Phoenix in the second, and a come from behind win against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in in Colorado Springs, 2-1 (aet) in the third.

The Rapids have yet to play a game in this edition of the U.S. Open Cup, but have fared quite well at home historically, winning seven of eight games. However, their home form is one of the few bright spots in their history of this tournament. Their biggest highlight was their run to the 1999 US Open Cup Final, where they lost 2-0 to the Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League, Div. 2 pro). Since then, they have qualified 15 times and have failed to advance in multiple games in a single tournament during those 15 trips to the competition. And no MLS team has been upset by lower division teams more than the Rapids, who have been “cupset” 10 times.

NMU moved into first place in the West in May on the strength on a six-game unbeaten run, which ended at the hands of Sacramento last weekend. Veteran player (and Albuquerque native) Devon Sandoval is no stranger to the confines of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, having visited many times as a member of MLS’ Real Salt Lake.

The Rapids are experiencing a resurgence under interim skipper, and former player, Conor Casey, with an unbeaten run of 5 games. Kei Kamara leads the team with 8 goals, including the winner against Minnesota United last weekend. Andre Shinyashiki has had some brilliant moments in an otherwise less than idyllic 2019 for the Burgundy.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

New Mexico United (USL-C)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-1
Away: 1-0-1 (1-0 PK)
MLS: N/A
Best finish: First entry

Colorado Rapids (MLS)
19th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 13-18-0
Home: 7-1-0
Div. 2 pro: 6-8-0
Best finish: 1999 Runner-Up

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Orange County FC (NPSL) at LA Galaxy (MLS)
Dignity Health Sports Park Track Stadium – Carson, CA
Kickoff: June 12 – 10:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Daniel Crooke

Orange County FC enter Wednesday’s Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup Fourth Round hoping that the old adage of ‘league form goes out of the window in the cup’ doesn’t apply with they and opponents, LA Galaxy, experiencing vastly different fortunes of late.

Paul Caligiuri’s men look to become the first NPSL side to reach the fifth round of the cup, and will do so behind a 9-game unbeaten run in all competitions. Caligiuri – who won the 2001 U.S. Open Cup with the Galaxy – will also be targeting his former club as OCFC look for a signature giant-killing in only their second season in the competition.

The five-time MLS Cup winners will be looking to improve on their own form, which has seen three consecutive home defeats within a run of five losses from their last seven games. One run the Galaxy do want to extend is their unbeaten streak when drawn at home in the fourth round. LA have only suffered defeat at home once in the fourth round of the competition, 20 years ago when the Columbus Crew won 3-1 in the quarter final at Titan Stadium.

Orange County will be leaning on the attacking prowess of Cody Shelton after scoring twice in the Open Cup already, and bagging the game-winning penalty against Orange County SC. Shelton has ten goals in 15 appearances in NPSL to add to the two in three from the Cup this year. The Galaxy are led by Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s 11 goals in 12 games, with quite a void behind the Swede to defender Daniel Steres’ three goals. The game could instead provide 16-year-old homegrown Efrain Alvarez a chance to shine after a 45-minute outing in the Galaxy’s 2-1 loss to New England last week.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Orange County FC (NPSL)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-1-1 (1-0 PK)
Away: 1-1-1 (1-0 PK)
MLS: N/A
Best finish: 2018 Second Round

LA Galaxy (MLS)
19th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 31-16-1 (1-0 PK)
Home: 22-3-0
vs. Open Division: 6-0-0
Best finish: Champions (2001, 2005)

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Portland Timbers (MLS) at Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
Cheney Stadium – Tacoma, WA
Kickoff: June 12 – 10:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Jeremiah Braeback

The Portland Timbers will face a familiar foe, as they travel up I-5 to take on the Seattle Sounders in the Fourth Round of the 2019 US Open Cup from Cheney Stadium in Tacoma Washington.  This match will be the 8th meeting between the Cascadia rivals in the Cup since 2005, the most in the Modern Era and the fourth meeting since both sides joined MLS.

The Timbers and Sounders are no strangers to each other, having played five times since the start of the 2018 season, but this will be their first meeting since their match up in the 2018 Playoffs, which went to the Timbers following penalty kicks.

The Timbers, who have never reached the US Open Cup Final, come into the match after a 3-2 loss to Los Angeles FC in their first home match of the 2019 Season on June 1st and they are 4-2-1 over their prior 7 matches to close out their 3-month road trip to start the season.  The acquisition of Brian Fernandez, who has produced 4 goals in 3 matches, has been key to their recent success, as has the resurgence of Diego Valeri, who has 2 goals and 3 assists in his past 6 matches.  Jeremy Ebobisse has (4 goals, 1 assist) is tied with Fernandez for the team lead in goals, while both Jeff Attinella (9 starts, 38 saves) and Steve Clark (4 starts, 14 saves) have appeared in goal.

The Sounders, who are seeking a record-tying fifth US Open Cup title, have struggled mightily in recent weeks, losing three consecutive matches on the road and are 1-3-1 over their last five matches, after starting the season 6-1-4.  Raul Ruidiaz (6 goals, 1 assist), Kelvin Leerdam (4 goals, 2 assists), and Nicolas Lodeiro (2 goals, 8 assists) lead the Sounders in scoring, while Stefan Frei has made 51 saves and has recorded 5 shutouts in 16 starts in goal this season.

With this match coming during an International Break, both sides will be affected by international call ups, as the Timbers will be without four first team players (Andres Flores, Andy Polo, Marco Farfan, and Eryk Williamson) and the Sounders will be missing 9 first team players (Gustav Svensson, Nicolas Lodeiro, Raul Ruidíaz, Cristian Roldan, Jordan Morris, Roman Torres, Jordy Delem, Joevin Jones, and Xavier Arreaga).

While the match would appear to lean toward the less-depleted Timbers, who can field a mostly first choice lineup and have been in good form as of late, sparks always fly when the Timbers and Sounders meet and in the U.S. Open Cup, anything can happen.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Portland Timbers (MLS)
15th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 16-13-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 8-7-0
MLS: 6-9-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: 2013 Semifinals

Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
23rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 36-16-6 (4-2 PK)
Home: 28-3-2 (2-0 PK)
MLS: 19-10-3 (2-1 PK)
Best finish: US Open Cup champions (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014)

2019 US Open Cup Round 4: Teal Bunbury’s chip-shot winner saves 10-man Revolution against Red Bulls

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Teal Bunbury of the New England Revolution controls the ball in a Fourth Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup against the New York Red Bulls. Photo: Bob Larson
Teal Bunbury of the New England Revolution controls the ball in a Fourth Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup against the New York Red Bulls. Photo: Bob Larson

Down a man and after playing for more than 100 minutes, a quick-headed Teal Bunbury saw that a New York Red Bulls’ player had made a careless back pass in his general direction and quickly jumped on it before charging down the left side of the field. With defender Amro Tarek intercepting him at the corner of the 18-yard box and Tim Parker quickly joining, the Prior Lake, Minnesota native noticed the goalkeeper slightly out of position and the team captain quickly chipped a shot between the two and towards net.

The Red Bulls’ goalkeeper Ryan Meara jump wasn’t enough as the ball slipped just above the goalkeeper and under the crossbar to give the New England Revolution a 3-2 lead in the 109th minute. They would hold on to that lead to advance to the Round of 16.

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New England head coach Bruce Arena explained that while he’s happy his team came away with the win, he understands the year is long and sometimes in this competition one team can come into a match with an advantage, like rest, citing New York’s recent MLS match on the road last Saturday.

“I don’t think it’s the end all,” Arena said after the game. “But any coach with any team you wanna win, I’ve never not said I wanna win Open Cups. I think tonight was challenging for the Red Bulls having had a game on Saturday in Philadelphia so they have to make decisions on what’s in the best interests of their team. I think that’s the case with everyone in all cup competitions. Tonight we were the more rested team and that may have been a factor in allowing us to get through the last 30 minutes with ten players.”

Thanks to Bunbury’s eighth career Open Cup goal, his sixth as a Rev which ranks him second in club history, New York has lost back-to-back games after holding a lead in the second half. Last Saturday, the Red Bulls, who are missing several key players due to international call-ups, saw a 2-0 halftime lead disappear in a league game against the Philadelphia Union.

The loss also comes after the team held a man advantage for the entirety of the 30 minute extra time after Luis Caicedo earned his second yellow card of the match during second half stoppage time following a behind the back takedown of Alex Muyl five minutes into second half stoppage time.

After the game, Red Bulls head coach Chris Armas said even when his team was up a man, it can be a disadvantage. The Revolution change the way they play after 90 minutes and his team needs to adapt quickly while also still looking to attack a highly entrenched opponent.

“One of the dangers and difficulties is when you lose bad balls,” Armas said. “Understanding what the opposition is trying to do is important. It’s pretty clear; 4-4-1, bunker in, tight this way, and hope that we’re going to force balls or have a few turnovers, and catch us on the counter … Tonight, the message was to keep probing wide, have some patience, if it’s not on one side come back around, rest defense the way we say, pin them in.

“There’s little moments in there, you just have to make a play when it’s not so easy because there’s not a lot of space,” he added, noting the late chances his team had to equalize and force the game into penalty kicks.

Out of the gate, the home team, playing out of their USL Championship affiliated reserve team’s venue at Montclair State University, were playing catch up. A turnover by New York off the kickoff allowed the Revs to spring the ball down the left side. A series of team passes into the box were quickly followed up by a Juan Fernando Caicedo no-look back pass toward former New York homegrown prospect Juan Agudelo who, with Meara out of position, nudged the ball into a practically open net.

Juan Fernando Caicedo of the New England Revolution dribbles against the New York Red Bulls in the Fourth Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson
Juan Fernando Caicedo of the New England Revolution dribbles against the New York Red Bulls in the Fourth Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson

“It was a strange one, especially the way we started the match,” Armas said. “To be quite honest with you, in terms of the way we try to play with our pressing and our counter-pressing, it looked like a Red Bull team and a Red Bull performance that we were in control. When you really think about it of course it’s first goal we give up, a ball behind which we knew was coming all night long … and then we see the last goal. We didn’t feel threatened most of the night.”

New England kept the pressure on and off during the first half including a Juan Caicedo shot in the 9th minute from directly in front of the net that hit off the inner crossbar and straight down outside the goal line before coming back into play. A rebound attempt was stopped by the New York defense which became a common theme throughout the night.

With the Red Bulls looking to even early, the team implored a high press and started to create more chances. That paid off in the 19th minute when Sean Davis sent a long pass past the backline and in the lane of a charging Tom Barlow. The St. Louis native, who still leads New York Red Bulls II in goals this season despite being signed by the first team for over a month, made the run under pressure from defender Jalil Anibaba before stopping just enough to create some space and launch a left footed strike into the net past Revs keeper Matt Turner.

The goal was Barlow’s first for the Red Bulls in the Open Cup and his second overall after he scored with Chicago FC United in 2017 during the team’s upset of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the Second Round.

“I was just trying to get in behind,” Barlow said after the match, obviously disappointed with the result. “I felt like I could outrun some of those guys in the back and it was a great ball, set up nice for me. I was able to put it in the corner. Felt good.”

Alex Muyl of the New York Red Bulls has his shot blocked by Luis Caicedo of the New England Revolution in the Fourth Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson
Alex Muyl of the New York Red Bulls has his shot blocked by Luis Caicedo of the New England Revolution in the Fourth Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson

Both teams enjoyed chances after that but couldn’t pull ahead, with New York controlling the ball more effectively and spending a lot of time in the visitors’ end while New England made constant quick runs against the home side.

The second half played out much more in Red Bulls favor to start. The group kept New England out of their end and eventually took the lead when Omir Fernandez, following a turnover by the Revolution and few passes outside of the box, found Cristian Cásseres Jr. at the top of the box. His shot was not unlike Bunbury’s winner later on, from distance and just between a jumping keeper and under the crossbar to take the lead.

With his team seemingly in control, Muyl had a chance to change the outlook of the match when he was taken down in the box about midway through the half and awarded a penalty kick. His 65th minute attempt was correctly dived on by Turner as it rolled towards the right corner as he forced it out. Muyl’s attempt to redeem himself moments later also came up short when his header off the ensuing corner kick was saved on the line.

After the match, Arena, who didn’t agree with the referees decision to award a penalty, said he believed the save was just another obstacle his team had to overcome to earn this win.

“I think we overcame a lot of obstacles tonight and really responded very well and were really deserving of this win,” Arena said.

The block came back to haunt one team and save another as the Revolution were able to find the late-game equalizer. A long pass from his own end found Bunbury in the left side of the box. After getting by Tarek for the first time on the night, he cut back to his right, shot low and to the opposite post to score his first of the game.

New England advances to the Round of 16 after falling last season in the Fourth Round. The team will learn who their next opponent will be when the draw is officially announced on Thursday, June 13.

2019 US Open Cup Round 4: Vako Qazaishvili’s late goals give San Jose Earthquakes third straight win over Sacramento Republic

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Photo: San Jose Earthquakes
Photo: San Jose Earthquakes

Vako Qazaishvili was the difference maker for the San Jose Earthquakes in the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in a topsy-tuvy affair with the Sacramento Republic (USL Championship) at San Jose’s Avaya’s Stadium. Qazaishvili scored two late goals in the second half to give the Earthquakes a lead they would not give up, and to give them a third straight tournament win over the Republic.

With a 4-3 win, the Earthquakes, who have never won the US Open Cup, advance to the Round of 16 for the second time in the last three years

With close to 90 degree temperatures at kickoff, both sides took it to one another in the opening 45 minutes.

Sacramento Republic started brighter and in the 2nd minute were able to capitalize as the Quakes failed to clear after a cross by Villyan Bijev. Stanford University men’s soccer alum, Sam Werner was able to slot home after the mixup giving the Republic a 1-0 lead. It was the fastest US Open Cup goal in Sacramento history and Werner’s second of the tournament.

Soon after the quick strike, the home side responded. Magnus Eriksson picked up the ball in the Sacramento half, moved onto his left foot at the top of the 18 and smashed a shot low, which beat Josh Cohen to the left tying the match in the 10th minute.

On the 15th minute mark, the visitors won a free kick just outside the area. Villyan Bijev showed some class, quality and true marksmanship to knock one over the wall to restore the advantage for Sacramento at 2-1. Bijev’s probing runs and ability to unlock were key to Republic FC’s success in the first half.

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "We Want The Cup" shirt in your team's colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP
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As San Jose searched for its own equalizer, Tommy Thompson had acres of space down the right about eight minutes from the halftime whistle. On the right back’s run, he stopped, turned, beat his defender Bijev and continued towards goal. However, Thompson was then brought down by Bijev seconds later as the referee pointed to the spot. After a quick consultation and summit by the Quakes attacking players, Cristian Espinoza took charge of the penalty and dispatched it nicely to level the match at 2-2. On the halftime break, the match had a proper cup tie feel.

The second half started far better for the home side, their movement was free flowing and they took charge. Vako was inserted in the 55th minute and San Jose changed personnel to allow the Georgian to play in the attacking midfield position. Vako had space, time on the ball to think, question and create.

A buildup in the 62nd minute led to a Tommy Thompson shot that sprung Cohen into life, in what would have been another lovely strike during the evening. However in the 78th minute, Vako popped up outside the 18 on the left slotting away the go ahead goal, which took a deflection off of a Sacramento Republic defender on it’s way in.

He didn’t quit either.

In stoppage time, Vako made space for himself inside the 18 on the right and scored a wonderful individual goal, which would end up being the match winner.

Moments later, Sacramento answered with a Drew Skundrich goal deep into stoppage time as Tarbell parried the ball right into his pathway. With about 45 seconds left, the referee blew for full time as it was, too little too late for the Sacramento Republic.

The Earthquakes move onto the Fifth Round for the third time in five years and await their next opponent which they’ll find out Thursday. They earn their third win a row vs Sacramento Republic in U.S. Open Cup play after Sacramento has had leads in every cup match the two sides have ever played.

San Jose is treating the Open Cup like a major trophy this year under first-year head coach Matias Almeyda. They’ve turned a corner in the league and have put together a very nice run of form over the last couple of months after a nervy start to the year.

On the U.S. Open Cup, Almeyda said: “We need to be serious about every match we play,” said Almeyda about the US Open Cup. “We need to do that out of respect for the fans who paid for tickets. This coaching staff lives this sport through passion, and we respect the team directors who gave us this opportunity.”

“It felt good,” said Espinoza. “It’s similar to what happens in the Copa de Argentina. It’s the same thing. You always go with teams in a lower division, and sometimes it’s the hardest game to prepare for. These games are probably harder, but we knew that if we were focused and we concentrated, we can win.”

2019 US Open Cup Round 4: LAFC’s league form carries into USOC with road win over Real Salt Lake

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Los Angeles FC lines up for a team photo before the club's Fourth Round match against Real Salt Lake in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: LAFC
Los Angeles FC lines up for a team photo before the club’s Fourth Round match against Real Salt Lake in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: LAFC

For the second year in a row, Real Salt Lake laid host to the league’s top team in the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, and once again they were eliminated.

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "We Want The Cup" shirt in your team's colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

In 2018, Sporting Kansas City came into Utah and came away with a 2-0 win. At the time KC were the league’s best. Last night, it was the same script. Major League Soccer’s hottest team, Los Angeles FC, leading the league in nearly every category, came out victorious with a 3-0 victory over Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium. Carlos Vela continued his scoring ways in the 8th minute, followed by second half goals from Lee Nguyen and a clincher from second half substitute Diomande in stoppage time.

They were able to get icing on the cake in the 93rd minute when Diomande tapped in a rebound off of Rimando’s right post, after newcomer and substitute, Rodolfo Zelaya blasted a bomb from about 35 yards out from a free-kick.

LAFC are the league leaders in every attacking category. They are first in goals, assists, shots, shots on goal, goal differential, goals per game. Carlos Vela seems like the odds-on favorite for MLS MVP and last night in Salt Lake, they continued their dominant attacking performance.

Vela was able to score in the 8th minute when RSL lost possession just at the half line and Eduard Atuesta was able to slot Vela in on the right side. Vela never really had any pressure on him until after he was already inside the 18-yard-box and the ball was already leaving his left foot destined for the right far post side netting.

“Every game Carlos makes a difference,” said LAFC head coach Bob Bradley. “There is not one player or opponent that doesn’t have incredible respect for what he is all about. He is playing at such a high level. He sets a perfect example for all of his teammates every game and it is nice to see. He plays with a really good way about him. He has got personality. He smiles, even when he gets fouled. He is not somebody to let it get in the way of anything. I think all of us have tremendous respect for how Carlos goes about it. We are really lucky that he is our leader. “

After that, the first half was frantic for periods of times where both teams shared possession and chances. Real Salt Lake’s best chance came in the 25th minute when they were able to combine from their outside back Andrew Brody through the midfield Kyle Beckerman, Kreilach and finally spring Baird in behind the LAFC defense. He had Sam Johnson open in the box but ended up crossing the ball right to the first time starting goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega’s hands.

Christian Ramirez should have put LAFC up 2-0 in the 32nd minute when he was slotted on a break away 1-on-1 with Rimando. His chip ended up hitting the crossbar and going out of play. The halftime score would remain 1-0.

“We know that there are places to play, you are going to have to be composed and move the ball quicker, in and around, from the back to the midfield, and there are angles and gaps to play through,” said LAFC’s Lee Nguyen about his halftime assessment. “We weren’t able to find it as much in the first half, but in the second half we did and it was able to give us chances. Kind of like that second goal. From there it was just closing out the game.”

The second half was almost complete dominance by LAFC, but not before RSL launched some attacks in the first opening 10 minutes. Andrew Brody served a cross through the penalty box to find Donny Toia on the far post inside the six-yard box. Donny just had the goalkeeper to beat on this flighted ball but Sisniega made arguably the biggest save of the night in the 61st minute to keep the score 1-0.

Just three minutes later Nguyen was able to add to the LAFC advantage when Latif Blessing’s through pass down the middle of the field that found him just outside of the penalty area. Nguyen took a touch to the top of the D, and put the ball into the back of the net before the defense could close on him.

“Things opened up and I was fortunate to get a good pass from Latif and good vision from Christian Ramirez to be able to leave and I was able to finish it,” said Nguyen, who scored his first US Open Cup goal since 2012 when he was with the New England Revolution. “ gave us a 2-0 lead, and give us a little cushion.”

The visitors would add a third goal in stoppage time when Rodolfo Zelaya, making his LAFC debut, blasted a free kick that beat the keeper, struck the post, and fell to Adama Diomande, who scored an easy rebound goal to give LAFC a 3-0 lead.

With the win, LAFC moves on to the Round of 16 for the second year in a row. Their opponent will be determined when the United States Soccer Federation conducts the draw on Thursday.

“We always talk about how Open Cup is important and we were disappointed to lose last year in penalties in the Semis, and everyone was excited to get started this year,” said Bradley who won his 18th tournament game, which now is tied for fourth among all coaches in the Modern Era (1995-present). “With the schedule in June, it allowed us to play pretty close to our regular lineup but was also good to get some other guys in.

“I am really happy for Pablo Sisniega. He makes a really big save at 1-0. That is really great for his confidence,” Bradley added. “All of his teammates really appreciate him getting the chance and seeing him do well. Good for Lee getting the start, then getting the goal, and then, in the end, Fito comes in and cracks a free kick and leads to the third goal. So a lot of nice things for us.”

2019 US Open Cup Round 4: Houston Dynamo hold off Austin Bold rally, advance to Round of 16

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DaMarcus Beasley of the Houston Dynamo plays the ball against the Austin Bold FC in the Fourth Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Jose Castellanos || Twitter, IG: Vos_Castellanos
DaMarcus Beasley of the Houston Dynamo plays the ball against the Austin Bold FC in the Fourth Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Jose Castellanos || Twitter, IG: Vos_Castellanos

The defending US Open Cup champion Houston Dynamo started off their title defense with a nail-biting 3-2 win over Austin Bold FC on Tuesday night at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas.

Houston opened with a dominating first 45 with goals by Tomas Martinez, Ronaldo Pena and Matias Vera, but had to hold on after Austin answered with two second half goals.

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Martinez opened the scoring with his first career US Open Cup goal in the 14th minute of play. After forward Marlon Hairston’s attempt was blocked, the deflection fell to the feet of Martinez and he put away the opening tally. It was his third goal of the season across all competition in 2019.

Seventeen minutes later, Martinez would assist on Ronaldo Pena’s first goal of the season coming in his first start following a preseason injury. Houston’s No. 10 pulled the keeper Diego Restrepo and the Austin defense to the near post before slipping the ball to Pena who delivered, doubling the Houston lead.

Houston seemed in complete control when an unmarked Matias Vera blasted home a ball off a perfectly timed heel pass from Pena. The forward bulled his way past the remaining Austin defense and slotted home the marker giving Houston a three goal lead heading into the halftime locker room.

Austin Bold worked its way back into the match pulling to within a goal as the teams neared the hour mark. Former Chivas great Xavier Baez scored off a free kick in the 48th minute and forward Isaac Promise scored in the 58th minute but it was too little too late as Austin Bold FC could not find the equalizer.

“I don’t know if you saw the same game we saw but it was two different teams,” Dynamo head coach Wilmer Cabrera lamented following the match. “I’m disappointed and also I offer my apologies to the fans that made the effort to come over here and watch that second half from our team. We just played 45 minutes.”

The win moved Houston into the Round of 16 for the sixth straight year. US Soccer will conduct a draw at 10 a.m. CT on Thursday, June 14 to determine the opponents for games to be played on June 18th and 19th.

2019 US Open Cup Round 4: Saint Louis FC earns first MLS upset, 2-1 over Chicago Fire

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Lewis Hilton celebrates with his Saint Louis FC teammates in a 2019 US Open Cup Fourth Round match against the Chicago Fire. Photo: Saint Louis FC
Lewis Hilton celebrates with his Saint Louis FC teammates in a 2019 US Open Cup Fourth Round match against the Chicago Fire. Photo: Saint Louis FC
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Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

Saint Louis FC reached the Fifth Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time in club history with a stunning 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire at Harlen C. Hunter Stadium in St Charles, Missouri. With the game relocated from the Worldwide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton due to the Meramec River flood waters covering the roads around the stadium, the game had an away day feel for both sets of fans going into the game.

The Chicago Fire started the game well and dominated early. For the first ten minutes they were camped inside the Saint Louis half and the goal from Austin Martz, a diving header from a Russell Cicerone cross was somewhat against the run of play in the 17th minute.

It was the fourth career US Open Cup goal for Martz, who previously scored goals for the Baltimore Bohemians (2014) and the Wilmington Hammerheads (2016).

The Saint Louis FC fans had hardly had time to catch their breath before the green and blue doubled their lead with a swinging Lewis Hilton cross being headed home by Israeli midfielder Guy Abend, who beat the keeper for his second goal of the tournament.

Chicago looked shellshocked and disjointed by this turn of events and struggled to regain their foothold in the game. Halftime came at just the right juncture for them as they were able to regroup for the second 45 minutes.

Austin Martz of Saint Louis FC celebrates his goal against the Chicago Fire in the Fourth Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Saint Louis FC
Austin Martz of Saint Louis FC celebrates his goal against the Chicago Fire in the Fourth Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Saint Louis FC

As expected, they laid siege to Tomas Gomez in the Saint Louis net, but that enabled STLFC to counter with pace and Cicerone and Martz were a constant thorn in the Fire’s side with Dikwa in the middle running between the back four. St. Louis almost garnered a third as another cross into the middle by Hilton was smacked against the post by the onrushing Caleb Calvert.

Chicago finally did get on the board when Djordje Mihailovic was fouled in the box and Nemanja Nikolic made no mistake from the spot in the 71st minute. after 71 minutes. It was the fifth career US Open Cup goal for Nikolic who scored four during last year’s tournament.

Chicago continued to press, but Saint Louis were not to be denied their first win against an MLS opponent having fallen short against previous games against Sporting Kansas City (2015) and the Fire just two years ago.

Coach Pulis was obviously ecstatic after the game.

“I’m really proud of the players, I think the effort they put in tonight was immense,” said Pulis. “I genuinely believed we could win the game tonight.”

It was a stunning loss for the Fire as they were taking part in their 10th Fourth Round game in club history and for the first time, they were eliminated.

Saint Louis will find out who their Round of 16 opponent will be when the United States Soccer Federation conducts the draw on Thursday.

2019 US Open Cup Round 4: David Accam’s lone goal enough for Columbus Crew to oust Pittsburgh Riverhounds

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David Accam of the Columbus Crew scored the lone goal in a 1-0 Fourth Round win over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Ralph Schudel | Twitter, IG: @schudel_ralph
David Accam of the Columbus Crew scored the lone goal in a 1-0 Fourth Round win over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Ralph Schudel | Twitter, IG: @schudel_ralph

To kick off the Fourth Round of the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds traveled to the Buckeye State to take on Columbus Crew SC. Columbus would defeat the Riverhounds 1-0, with David Accam getting the only tally of the game.

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Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

MAPFRE Stadium was covered in Black & Gold with fans from both teams. On the field, there wasn’t much to talk about in the first half. It was a lackluster performance from both teams, with Columbus dominating possession with 69%. Both teams were able to hold their own but made little to no effort on creating good chances.

Columbus outshot Pittsburgh 6-3, and also made almost double the passes in just the first half alone.

Columbus had a little more offense in the second half, gaining more and more momentum to pressure Pittsburgh.

“Normal game like that. When a team sits in and makes it a defensive game, it’s difficult,” said Crew SC head coach Caleb Porter. “I think we came out fine. We had to be patient, and I think we were in the second half.”

It wasn’t until the 56th minute that Columbus Crew SC would get the first goal for the home side Black & Gold when he tapped home a cross from Pedro Santos. This would be Accam’s first goal for Columbus across all competitions. It was his seventh career US Open Cup goal after scoring a goal during the Philadelphia Union’s run to the Final last year, and tying for the tournament lead with five goals in 2016 with the Chicago Fire.

Crew SC came close to getting a second goal when Santos got a shot off of a half volley, but it was deflected out for a Columbus corner kick.

The golden chance to double their lead came in the 68th minute when Patrick Mullins was knocked down in the penalty box, giving Crew SC a penalty kick. Things didn’t go well afterward, as Pedro Santos went for the upper 90 but shanked the ball off the crossbar.

Pittsburgh got their first good look on goal in the 83rd minute when Kenardo Forbes, the hero from the Hounds’ Third Round win over Indy Eleven, took a shot that just went over the crossbar.

With the win, Columbus Crew SC advance to the Fifth Round of the US Open Cup for the first time since 2016. It was a welcome result after losing their opening round game the last two years.

“Tournament football. That’s what it’s about. It’s about winning and advancing,” said an upbeat Porter. “Next week we want to get in the round of eight.”

Now that the Open Cup has started, it’s fallen within a difficult time, especially for the Columbus Crew. With many injuries, and now dealing with multiple key pieces out due to national team duty, dealing with lineup changes and rotations are now weighing heavy for the Black & Gold.

When asked how he would prioritize this, Porter went on to say with a chuckle, “When you look at how many guys we have injured or gone, I don’t know if there was much of a choice.”

Columbus now awaits the Thursday drawing to see who their next opponent is in the Round of 16.

2019 US Open Cup Round 4, Day 1 preview: Seven games tonight as MLS joins the tournament

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Bring on MLS Game of Thrones Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design
Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design

Outside of the championship game, the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is the pinnacle of the competition. The majority of the games (all but five of them) feature a lower division team against a Major League Soccer team. This is what makes the US Open Cup unique in American sports. Minor league professional teams and amateur teams getting a shot at the top division teams in the country. Round 4 will be split up into two game days with seven of the 16 games being played on Tuesday and the remaining nine games on Wednesday.

The winners will advance to the Round of 16, which is scheduled to take place the week of June 29, 2019.

Every game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Since 2003, fans who wanted to follow the opening round of the second-oldest, continually-operating soccer tournament in the world, would have to rely on updates from this site, or, in later years, the occasional live audio or video stream. Now, fans who are unable to attend a match in person, can watch every game from the comfort of their home, or through their favorite mobile device.

The draw for the Fourth Round will follow this week’s matches and will be held on Thursday, June 13.

Below is a preview (with video links) of all seven of the games scheduled for Tuesday night:

#USOC2019 ESSENTIALS
2019 US Open Cup Schedule/Results (with links to every match report)
Fourth Round fun facts: Notable upsets, things you should know about Round 4

2019 US Open Cup statistical leaders (Goals, Assists, GKs)
2019 US Open Cup Round 1: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 3: Game-by-game review

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NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference currently ineligible for 2020 US Open Cup
Every US Open Cup game to stream on ESPN+ in multi-year media rights deal

THECUP.US PLAYER OF THE ROUND
Round 1: Charles Boateng – Richmond Kickers
Round 2: Bryant Martin – Florida Soccer Soldiers
Round 3: Blake Frischknecht – Orange County FC

#USOC2019 QUALIFYING
2019 US Open Cup qualifying schedule/results
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 3 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round game-by-game review
Florida Soccer Soldiers qualify for first time after America SC withdraws
More pros, less amateurs, an extra sub in 2019 US Open Cup format
Chattanooga FC qualifies for 2019 US Open Cup, but opts out
Bavarian SC qualify for 2019 US Open Cup by winning Amateur Cup title

MEET THE UNDERDOGS SERIES
Milwaukee’s Bavarian Soccer Club, proudly amateur since 1929
West Chester United battle tested from long journey back to US Open Cup
NTX Rayados grooming “new generation” to keep qualifying streak going
Academica SC earns first US Open Cup berth after more than 40 years as a club
FC Denver using US Open Cup to build to “higher level”
First year Florida Soccer Soldiers winning with “respect, pride and commitment”

New England Revolution (MLS) at New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Montclair State University Soccer Park – Montclair, NJ
Kickoff: June 11 – 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Michael Battista

The New York Red Bulls and New England Revolutions are set to commence the next instalment of the famed inter-sport rivalry between their two regions. Both teams began 2019 with incredibly rocky starts, with the Red Bulls going on a historic losing stretch and New England only recently righting the ship under new head coach Bruce Arena. The two Major League Soccer teams have met three previous times in the tournament with New York holding the advantage currently 2-1.

The New York Red Bulls enter their 21st US Open Cup having only lost in the Fourth Round once (2014 vs New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League, 3-0). The team has never won the Lamar Hunt Trophy despite reaching the final on two separate occasions, 2003 and 2017, nor the MLS Cup but does hold three Supporter’s Shield titles from 2013, 2015, and 2018.

This year in league New York has been consistent in inconsistency. After losing three straight games early on, the first time that had happened since the early 2010s, and losing the team’s all-time leading goal scorer Bradley Wright-Phillips to a lingering groin injury the team has since rebounded with a variety of goal scorers. Forward Brian White, BWP’s replacement up front, currently leads the team with four league goals and Austrian mid-man Danny Royer is not far behind with three. The team still struggles with short rest games though, noting that after big time wins against LA Galaxy and Atlanta the team came up short in midweek home matches against both Montreal and Vancouver. The team last played on Saturday, June 8, where it gave up a two goal, second half lead on the road and lost, 3-2, to Philadelphia Union.

New England has been a unique entity in the area’s sport scene. While never a major power or trophy hoarder, the team has been a dark horse across much of its tenure with mixed results. The biggest accomplishment so far is the 2007 US Open Cup title the team won over FC Dallas, 3-2, which remains the organization’s only major domestic trophy. The team reached the final again in 2016 but were unable to secure the trophy as they fell, 4-2, coincidentally to FC Dallas.

Coming into the match the team has turned around what was a fairly rocky start. Despite starting the MLS season off with only two wins through ten games, one of those victories came at the expense of New York. The two sides meant in Foxborough, MA on April 20 where a second half Cristian Penilla’s goal gave the Revolution a 1-0 win. The last five games have produced a record of 2-1-2 with a 2-1 win the most recent being a road win over LA Galaxy a week ago.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

New England Revolution (MLS)
18th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 19-14-5 (3-2 PK)
Away: 5-9-2 (1-1 PK)
MLS: 6-9-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: 2007 US Open Cup champions

New York Red Bulls (MLS)
21st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 22-19-3 (2-1 PK)
Home: 10-5-2 (1-1 PK)
MLS: 8-11-3 (2-1 PK)
Best finish: Runner-Up (2003, 2017)

 

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL-C) at Columbus Crew SC (MLS)
MAPFRE Stadium – Columbus, OH
Kickoff: June 11 – 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Craig Tower

While it looked unlikely for most of last year, MAPFRE Stadium will once again host a US Open Cup match during the 2019 tournament. The MLS original club has a new owner and a new lease on life in Columbus, and will look to improve upon their 23-18-2 all-time USOC record against a Riverhounds squad that will be looking to build on its two victories so far this year.

Pittsburgh defeated the NPSL’s Dayton Dutch Lions by a 3-0 scoreline in the Second Round and took down Indy Eleven with an 85th minute tally to win 1-0 in Round 3. Both matches took place on the banks of the Monongahela River at the Hounds’ Highmark Stadium.

While Pittsburgh took down the Colorado Rapids back in 2001 in a Second Round game, they’re 1-4-0 against MLS sides all-time and have only tallied multiple wins in four tournaments (2019, 2015, 2014, and 2001). Last round’s defeat of Indy Eleven was just their fourth victory of a pro team in their Cup history. With a record of just under .500 in the Open Cup overall, and only three road wins in 17 tournament appearances, the odds look long for the Riverhounds to leave Columbus smiling. And it’s not like they are running hot in the league right now, coming in with 0-1-5 run in league form since mid-April and an overall record of 2-2-7 in the USL Championship.

If the Riverhounds are not the bettor’s favorite entering the match, it would be hard to pick the Crew were they not playing at home against a second-division side. In MLS play, the Crew are 1-1-8 over last 10 games and they lost their iconic playmaker Federico Higuain to injury at the end of May and their star goalkeeper Zach Steffen to international transfer at the beginning of June. As if that weren’t enough, they will be without the attacking duo Gyasi Zardes and Will Trapp who are representing the US Men’s National Team at the Gold Cup.

There are some positives the Crew can look to in entering US Open Cup play. They have played in the tournament for 23 years and have a winning record overall (13-8 at home, 5-0 at home against second division sides), having brought the Cup home in 2002 and taken second place in 2010. That said, those are also the only two years since 2001 that the Crew has won multiple games in a single tournament; they have gone out in their first game four times since 2010 (including the last two years), and they have been eliminated three times by lower division sides. Their cumulative statistics compared to MLS sides (seventh in games, sixth in goals and goal differential) are not particularly impressive given that fewer than 10 teams remain from the inaugural 1996 season.

The one guarantee in this match is that the winning team will leave with a 1.000 record against their USOC opponent, since the Riverhounds and Crew have never faced off in the competition before.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL-C)
17th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 12-14-3 (1-2 PK)
Away: 3-10-2 (0-2 PK)
MLS: 1-4-0
Best finish: 2001 Quarterfinals

Columbus Crew SC (MLS)
20th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 22-15-3 (0-3 PK)
Home: 13-5-2 (0-2 PK)
Div. 2 pro: 6-2-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: 2002 US Open Cup champions

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Chicago Fire (MLS) at Saint Louis FC (USL-C)
Hunter Stadium (Lindenwood Univ.) – St. Charles, MO
Kickoff: June 11 – 8:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Josh Hakala

For the second time in three years, Saint Louis FC will host the four-time US Open Cup champion Chicago Fire. Saint Louis is a relatively young club, competing in its fifth season, and are still seeking a signature upset in the tournament. In fact, while they have managed to win their opening game every year, and have advanced twice in three of the last five tournaments, they have yet to advance beyond the Fourth Round.

The path to Round 4 has not been easy for Saint Louis as they needed a penalty kick shootout to survive their Second Round match on the road against the Des Moines Menace (USL League Two) before dispatching the last remaining USL League One side Forward Madison FC, 3-1 at home.

STLFC has had two road games since their win over Forward Madison, a scoreless draw at defending champs Louisville City, and a late penalty kick led to a 2-1 loss at Hartford Athletic last Saturday.

Is this the year that they advance beyond the Fourth Round for the first time?

To do that, they will have to get past the team with the best US Open Cup resume of the Modern Era. However, while they have won more games, have more Semifinal appearances than any team in the history of the tournament and are tied for the most championships (none since 2006) in the Modern Era, the Chicago Fire have struggled so far this season. They enter Tuesday’s game on a four-game winless streak (0-2-2), having lost their last league game 2-0 at Atlanta United.

Despite a 4-6-6 start to the season, they are still in the playoff hunt, currently in 9th place in the Eastern Conference. Their leading scorer is CJ Sapong who has plenty of US Open Cup experience on his resume. Sapong has four career US Open Cup goals and helped Sporting Kansas City win the 2012 title, and he played for the Philadelphia Union in the 2015 and 2018 championship games.

Another stat that might benefit Saint Louis FC? The Fire are winless on the road in league play (0-5-3). A stat that might make Fire fans feel better? The Fire have never been eliminated in a Round 4 game (7-0-2, 2-0 PKs)

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Chicago Fire (MLS)
22nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 42-15-6 (4-2 PK)
Away: 15-14-3 (2-1 PK)
Div. 2 pro: 8-3-3 (2-1 PK)
Best finish: US Open Cup champions (1998, 2000, 2003, 2006)

Saint Louis FC (USL-C)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 6-4-2 (2-0 PK)
Home: 3-2-1 (1-0 PK)
MLS: 0-2-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2015, 2017)


Atlanta United FC (MLS) at Charleston Battery (USL-C)
MUSC Health Stadium – Charleston, SC
Kickoff: June 11 – 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Sydney Hunte

It’s become a bit of a tradition for Atlanta United in its brief US Open Cup history.

For the third straight year, the MLS side will take on the Charleston Battery in the Fourth Round of the Open Cup, but it marks the first time that the two teams have met at MUSC Health Stadium in a competitive match.

Atlanta has won both matchups over its former USL affiliate. In 2017, following a nearly 3-hour weather delay in Kennesaw, Ga., the Battery took a 2-1 lead into the locker room before goals by Josef Martinez and Brandon Vazquez saw the Five Stripes come back to win 3-2. In 2018, Andrew Carleton, Ezequiel Barco and Romario Williams lifted Atlanta to a more straightforward 3-0 win.

While Atlanta has never opened the U.S. Open Cup with a loss, it has never gotten past the Fifth Round. Kwadwo Poku’s last-gasp goal in 2017 saw Miami FC through to a 3-2 upset win at home, while last year’s run was ended by a 1-0 loss to the Chicago Fire in front of an Open Cup all-time attendance record of 41,012 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. But Frank de Boer’s outfit – despite shaking off a slow start in MLS play to sit just five points shy of the East-leading Philadelphia Union with two games in hand – will be solely focused on Tuesday night’s contest.

The Battery have battled inconsistent form throughout the USL Championship season, but have enjoyed a whirlwind of a Cup run thus far. They trailed USL League 1 debutants Greenville Triumph 1-0 with just over 10 minutes remaining before a pair of goals by Ian Svantesson, the second coming deep in stoppage time, lifted them to a stirring 2-1 win. On May 29, they played Nashville SC to a 1-1 draw before winning 3-0 in penalties thanks in part to a dazzling performance in net by Philip Breno.

Among active teams, no lower division pro team has an Open Cup resume to match the Battery. No Modern Era team has more Quarterfinals appearances ( ), they have the fourth-most wins (34) of any team and they have eliminated more MLS teams than anyone else (9). The only team with more wins and MLS upsets is the Rochester Rhinos, who are currently on hiatus. They are also the last lower division team to reach the US Open Cup Final when they lost a tight 2-1 decision to D.C. United at RFK Stadium in 2008.

MUSC Health Stadium has proven to be a house of horrors for teams in the US Open Cup. Charleston are currently on a nine-match unbeaten streak (7-0-2, 0-2 PK) in the competition, its last regulation loss came in the 2012 Third Round against the New York Red Bulls (MLS). The last time they were eliminated at home was in 2015 against Orlando City SC (MLS), after finishing 4-4, they lost in penalty kicks, 8-7 in the Fourth Round. While the level of talent may be heavily tilted toward Atlanta United, the atmosphere may be ripe for an upset.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Atlanta United FC (MLS)
3rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-2-0
Away: 0-1-0
Div. 2 pro: 2-1-0
Best finish: Fifth Round (2017, 2018)

Charleston Battery (USL-C)
20th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 34-16-7 (4-3 PK)
Home: 27-6-5 (2-3 PK)
MLS: 7-13-4 (2-2 PK)
Best finish: 2008 Runner-Up

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Austin Bold (USL-C) at Houston Dynamo (MLS)
BBVA Compass Stadium – Houston, TX
Kickoff: June 11 – 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Louis Roesch

The Houston Dynamo, the first South Texas team to win the US Open Cup, open the defense of their title against USL expansion side Austin Bold FC. Just 167 miles separate the two Texas based teams who meet for the first time. What can fans expect from each side and what should they be watching?

Unbeaten in nine league matches at home in 2019 and unbeaten in five Open Cup home matches a season ago, the Houston Dynamo are relishing the opportunity to open Cup play at BBVA Compass Stadium. They love playing at home in this tournament with 14 of their last 17 tournament games in front of their home fans.

Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas thrive on Cup competitors. The all-time Houston goal scorer in Cup history has eight total including a single-tournament record-tying six in 2018. With six goals in 13 games in 2019, the young Columbian is a threat to be reckoned with on Tuesday night. With 16 goals and a goal differential of plus eight, Houston is nearly unstoppable at home. Manotas has a chance to make history, if he plays on Tuesday. If he plays and scores a goal, he would be the first Modern Era player to score in five consecutive tournament games.

For Austin, Brazilian forward Andre Lima and Dripping Springs, Texas native Kris Tyrpak bring a wealth of goal scoring prowess into the match with Houston. The duo has combined for eight of the club’s 16 goals in 2019. Lima, who is tied for second in the tournament’s goalscoring chart, has four goals in 14 appearances in league play and Tyrpak has four in his 10 matches. Lima, at 33 years old and 6’-1”, 185lbs, the former Sao Paulo player will give the Houston backline all it can handle in the middle of the box. Tyrpak’s four goals have come in the team’s last two matches, giving Austin a dangerous 1-2 combination in the offensive third.

Wilmer Cabrera’s tactical flexibility will prove the difference in this match. No longer is Houston a predictable foe. Gone is the game-in, game-out match setup of the 4-3-3. In 2019, Cabrera has shown the confidence and skill to mix and match his entire roster against opponents. This season has been more about execution and discipline and the record shows it. The Dynamo sitting at 7-3-3 have allowed the third fewest goals in Major League Soccer this season.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Austin Bold (USL-C)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-0-0
Away: N/A
MLS: N/A
Best finish: First entry

Houston Dynamo (MLS)
13th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 16-10-2 (1-1 PK)
Home: 13-4-1 (1-0 PK)
Div. 2 pro: 4-2-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: 2018 US Open Cup champions


Los Angeles FC (MLS) at Real Salt Lake (MLS)
Rio Tinto Stadium – Sandy, UT
Kickoff: June 11 – 10 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Michael Battista

In November 2018 both Real Salt Lake and then-first year club Los Angeles FC met in the opening round of the MLS Cup Playoffs. Despite LA winning both regular season meetings by a combined scoreline of 7-1, Real snuck past the fan favorites into the Conference Semifinals, 3-2. Now only a few months both teams are once again in a one-game knockout situation as they face off for the first time in the US Open Cup.

Real Salt Lake enters the 2019 edition of the Open Cup on a three game losing streak after falling in the 2016 Round of 16 and failing to advance past the Fourth Round the past two years, losing to USL Championship’s Sacramento Republic FC in 2017, 4-1, and fellow MLS side Sporting Kansas City, 2-0. The team that once reached the competition’s final in 2013, losing to DC United, 1-0, is currently coached by Mike Petke who reached the semifinals of the competition in 2000 with the MetroStars and helped lead the re-named New York Red Bulls to back-to-back semifinal appearances in 2014 and 2015. (According to Sam Stejkal from The Athletic, Petke won’t be in attendance due to attending a mandatory U.S. Soccer Pro License course)

This season in MLS, RSL currently occupies the seventh spot in the Western Conference, the final playoff spot in the update playoff system, with a record of 6-8-1 (19 pts). Leading scorers Albert Rusnák and Sam Johnson have both scored five goals each through 13 games which has helped bolster an offense that ranks tied for last for current playoff placed teams. Real’s last game was a June 1 loss, 4-0, to the Red Bulls in Petke’s first match back in Harrison since his firing in 2015.

There are few teams in the Modern Era that have enjoyed more home games than RSL. Since 2011, Salt Lake has played 17 US Open Cup games and 13 of them have been played at home. Which is probably a good thing because away from home, they have yet to win a tournament game (0-5-0). And their fans have responded. The team’s total reported attendance of 177,916 is the second highest total of any club in the Modern Era.

In only its second season, Los Angeles FC has a high bar to clear if it wants to out-do the stellar performance it put on in 2018. 1998 Open Cup winner with the Chicago Fire and head coach Bob Bradley almost saw the expansion side to the final last season thanks in great deal to a Diego Rossi hat-trick, culminating with a late stoppage time goal to send the game into extra time. The team was one penalty away from advancing but Laurent Ciman’s fifth round attempt was easily stopped by Houston keeper Joe Willis, who would also stop Latif Blessing in the eighth round to advance his team through. Bradley is currently the eighth most winningest coach in the Modern Era with 17 across four teams (Fire, Metrostars, Chivas USA, and LAFC).

In league play LA has been near unstoppable this season which isn’t a surprise when you have 2019s most productive goalscorer. Forward Carlos Vela has scored 16 goals through 16 games so far including a five game scoring streak coming into the Fourth Round match. The team is first in the Western Conference by a wide margin with a record of 11-1-4 (37 pts), unbeaten in its last eight, and hasn’t lost a game since April 17 when they fell to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 1-0.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Los Angeles FC (MLS)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-0-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 0-0-1 (0-1 PK)
MLS: 1-0-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: 2018 Semifinals

Real Salt Lake (MLS)
11th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 9-9-2 (1-1 PK)
Home: 9-4-2 (1-1 PK)
MLS: 2-4-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: 2013 Runner-Up

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Sacramento Republic FC (USL-C) at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Avaya Stadium – San Jose, CA
Kickoff: June 11 – 10:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Josh Hakala

For the third year in a row, and the fifth time in the last six years, the Sacramento Republic have advanced to the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup and have a chance to take on a team from Major League Soccer. For a club that has aspirations to join MLS, this is their best opportunity to prove that they belong. And for the last two years, they have done just that. Last year, they defeated the Seattle Sounders, 2-1 in extra time. And the year before that, they cruised to a 4-1 win over Real Salt Lake. However, both of those wins came in front of their home fans. On Tuesday, they will try to do something they have yet to do: Beat a MLS team on the road.

The Republic have been one of the most successul lower division teams of the last few years in the Open Cup, however most of that success has been achieved at home where they hold a 12-1-0 record. Away from home is a different story with just one win in five matches (1-3-1, 0-1 PKs).

This will mark the third time that the Republic will play a road game against the San Jose Earthquakes. In their inaugural season in 2014, they lost a narrow 2-1 decision, and in 2015, Sacramento took the Quakes to penalty kicks, but fell short.

The Republic have been a consistent winner since joining the USL in 2014. After winning the league championship in their inaugural season, they have had a winning record every year. This year, they have gotten off to a slow start, but have turned it on lately, winning two straight league games including a 3-0 road win over New Mexico United, who are in first place in the Western Conference.

To get to Round 4, the Republic had to earn it with back-to-back 1-0 wins over fellow USL Championship rivals. In their opening win over Reno 1868 FC, Sam Werner scored the game-winner in the 82nd minute. In Round 3, they edged Fresno FC on a Stefano Bonomo goal in stoppage time of the second extra time period, just moments away from a penalty kick shootout.

The Earthquakes have not enjoyed much success in the US Open Cup in their team history. It took them until 2017, their 14th appearance in the competition, to advance in three games in a single tournament. That year, after defeating the eventual NASL champions San Francisco Deltas, they earned consecutive wins over the Seattle Sounders and the Los Angeles Galaxy — their first wins over MLS opposition in tournament history. Their run would come to an end in Kansas City when they fell short in a penalty kick shootout against eventual champion Sporting KC.

Any momentum they would have gained after a run to the Semifinals came to a crashing halt when they lost their opening match, 2-0 to the Portland Timbers.

In league play, the Quakes have been picking up valuable points with a four-game unbeaten streak (2-0-2). After back-to-back wins over the Chicago Fire and Toronto FC to begin the streak, the San Jose has had back-to-back draws, at D.C. United and a 2-2 result at home against FC Dallas.

As has been a theme over the years with the Earthquakes, Chris Wondolowski has been at the heart of the team’s recent run. The recently-crowned all-time MLS goalscoring king, was named MLS Player of the Month after scoring eight of the team’s last nine goals, including the opening goal for San Jose in the team’s draw against FC Dallas.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Sacramento Republic FC (USL-C)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 13-4-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 1-3-1 (0-1 PK)
MLS: 2-3-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Fifth Round (2017, 2018)

San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
16th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 14-11-7 (3-4 PK)
Home: 7-5-2 (1-1 PK)
Div. 2 pro: 8-1-2 (2-0 PK)
Best finish: Semifinals (2004, 2017)

 

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