Atlanta Silverbacks

2017 US Open Cup Round 1: Midfield goal caps off convincing win by Atlanta Silverbacks over SC United Bantams (video)

May 13, 2017 by Taylor Peyton

One of the many interesting aspects of amateur soccer in the United States is the variation of when the season begins for individual clubs. Prior to the two clubs going head to head in the first round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the Atlanta Silverbacks of the National Premier Soccer League started their 2017 campaign on May 6 with a 2-1 loss against Birmingham Hammers, while South Carolina United Bantams of the Premier Development League are not set to play their first league match until May 23.

The Silverbacks were able to take full advantage of having one game under their belt by defeating SC United Bantams by a score of 4-1 to advance to the second round of the US Open Cup.

The Silverbacks got off to a lightning fast start as Abraham Lansana scored from out wide after receiving the ball from DZ Harmon in the 4th minute of play. The Bantams nearly scored a minute later after as Terrell Williamson had a shot on goal that was saved by Silverbacks keeper Thomas Hunter.

The Silverbacks were given a corner in the 20th minute. Mitch Garcia delivered a ball to the top of the box to a Silverbacks player that put into the box. The ball took a deflection and found the feet of Deon McCaulay who gave the Silverbacks at 2-0 lead that they would take into the halftime break.

McCaulay again found the net in the 58th minute after receiving the ball from the Silverbacks explosive winger Alex Harlley. Just five minutes later he would be subbed off along with midfielder Ricardo Oliveira. The two would be replaced by Avery Shephard and Mohammed Issahaku, respectively.

SC United Bantams did manage to get on the board when they were awarded a penalty in the 78th minute. Leandro Brown converted it to make it 3-1, still in favor of the home side.

On the ensuing kickoff, Alex Harlley, the nephew of former English Premier League star Emmanuel Adebayor, noticed that the Bantams keeper was off of his line. He took advantage by launching a shot from midfield right off the kickoff, sending it past Bantams keeper Jack Howard to make it 4-1 in the 79th minute.

ALEX HARLLEY’S GOAL FROM MIDFIELD

The Silverbacks were able to hold onto their 4-1 lead, giving Phoday Dolleh his first win as head coach of the Silverbacks. Dolleh said afterwards that he felt great for the players that he said put in a lot of hard work for the players.

“We lost our opener and we had a lot of trouble with our roster,” Dolleh said. “I was missing some of my key players, so I’m very excited and looking forward to the next game.”

What Dolleh was referring to by missing some of his key players was Kentaro “Taka” Takada, and Abdul Bangura were not able to play due to having clearance issues with the US Soccer Federation. These clearance issues were part of why kickoff was delayed until 5 p.m., as opposed to the originally announced 3:30.

The Silverbacks will host Charleston Battery of the USL in the Second Round on Wednesday, May 17. The Silverbacks senior professional club, which is no longer active, had a fierce rivalry when Atlanta was part of the A-League and the USL First Division from 1997 to 2008. This will be the first meeting between a Silverbacks club and the Battery since a preseason friendly in 2012.

2016 US Open Cup Round 1: Reading United AC kicks off season with cup win over Atlanta Silverbacks

May 12, 2016 by Michael Berton

Reading United AC and the Atlanta Silverbacks square off in a FIrst Round match in the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Reading United AC (PennImages.com)

The US Open Cup tends to catch many amateur teams at the wrong time, with the First Round usually also serving as the first competitive game for those teams.

Such was the case on Wednesday in West Lawn, Pa., Reading United of the Premier Development League (PDL) hosted the Atlanta Silverbacks of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) in the first game of the season for both sides.

It ended up being Reading that was the more prepared team, winning 2-0 in a comfortable fashion to advance to the Second Round. For United, it was the fifth straight year that the PDL club had won its opening round game, the second-longest streak among amateur teams in the Modern Era (1995-present).

After an even first 15 minutes, United began to assert control of the game. Both teams struggled to earn clear chances, but much of the game was being played in the Silverbacks end. This sustained period of dominance culminated in a 31st minute goal for Reading.

William Picoux hit an in-swinging corner kick that bypassed all but one player in the box. That player was his teammate Khori Bennett, who kicked it into the bottom left corner of the net from two yards out. Bennett, a soon-to-be sophomore at Northeastern, made no mistake on the easy chance.

Atlanta, which formerly was the development team of the now-defunct pro team, put much more pressure on Reading in the second half. Two early substitutions and a focus on offense led to some Silverbacks chances. The away side was forced to make an early third substitution when Kemar Brown went down with an injury in the 66th minute.

The Silverbacks could not capitalize on their sustained pressure, however, and Reading grabbed an insurance goal in the 86th minute.

Ismael Noumansana of Lenoir-Rhyne University shot in a laser of a cross that found Frantzdy Pierrot of Coastal Carolina on the back post. Pierrot bypassed the Atlanta goalie and slotted the ball into the net.

Reading United, which is making a Modern Era record eighth straight US Open Cup appearance as an amateur side, will travel to Tennessee to take on Chattanooga FC of the NPSL at 7:30 p.m. on May 18 in the Second Round.

2015 US Open Cup Round 4: Full-strength New York Red Bulls cruise past Atlanta Silverbacks, 3-0 (video)

June 16, 2015 by Romulo Vieira

UPDATE: The Round of 16 draw was conducted by the US Soccer Federation and it was determined that the New York Red Bulls will host the New York Cosmos in the next round.

On Tuesday night the Atlanta Silverbacks traveled all the way to New Jersey to face the New York Red Bulls in the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup. With both teams coming off a loss in their respective leagues, a win was crucial to boost team moral. As promised, Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch fielded a team full of starters like Bradley Wright-Philips and Lloyd Sam. With their starters, the Red Bulls proved to be too much for the Silverbacks and won the game with a comfortable 3-0 score line.

The Red Bulls dominated the first half and kept control of play. The Silverbacks looked disorganized at times in the back. The Red Bulls team were playing well together and were able to create chances. New York opened up the scoring in the 7th minute when Lloyd Sam received a pass from Wright-Phillips in the box and was able to put the ball past Silverbacks goalkeeper Steward Ceus.

After the goal, the Red Bulls continued to do a great job controlling the ball in the midfield and not allowing the Silverbacks any chance of creating a threat to their goal. The Red Bulls were rewarded with another goal in the 15th minute when Ronald Zubar was able to put away a rebound from the goalkeeper after Sacha Klejstan hit the initial shot.

The Red Bulls could’ve gone into the half with a couple of more goals, but they missed many chances. Their best chance for a third goal in the half came in the 37th minute when Dax McCarty passed the ball to Wright-Phillips in the box, but MLS’ top goalscorer from last year couldn’t keep the ball down and it went over the bar.

After the halftime interval the game continued to be played in the same rhythm. While Atlanta was able to take more shots, they only had one shot on target throughout the entire game.

Wright-Phillips put another ball over the bar after a pass from Richards in the box.

The Red Bulls sealed their ticket to the fifth round in the 70th minute after a beautiful play between Wright-Phillips, Mike Grellla and Sean Davis. Wright-Phillips started the play by passing the ball to Mike Grella. Grella, feeling the pressure of two defenders approaching, played a beautiful back heel pass to Davis who was able to shoot the ball past Ceus.

After their third goal the Red Bulls continued to dominate the game without receiving any threatening chances from Atlanta. It was an easy night for the Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles.

After the game, Wright-Phillips assured everyone in the tournament that the Red Bulls are taking the tournament seriously this year and hope to win the Open Cup for the first time.

“It is one of our targets this season,” he said. “Jesse (Marsch) made it clear that we want to win this cup. You can see from the team he put out that he means business.”

The Red Bulls will now have to wait and see whom they’ll face in the next round. The draw for the fifth round will be this Thursday morning.

FULL MATCH REPLAY: ATLANTA SILVERBACKS AT NY RED BULLS

2015 US Open Cup Round 3: Atlanta Silverbacks force OT, knock off last NPSL club Chattanooga FC 2-1 (video)

May 28, 2015 by David Walker

Last year this same fixture featured a Chattanooga team that had just made history by being the first NPSL team to defeat a professional side of any level in the US Open Cup, besting the Wilmington Hammerheads 3-1 in the 2nd Round. Hard reality set in when Eric Wynalda brought the Silverbacks into town and administered a 5-0 beating to CFC.

This year’s results are much different. The fine line that separated the two teams last year was even finer, and at times you couldn’t tell which side was in the second tier of American soccer and which was in the fourth.

Surprises in the starting lineup of Chattanooga, as Luke Winter and Luis Trude started on the bench. Bill Elliott’s strategy was to conserve their legs (in addition to league and cup play, Chattanooga are also playing in the National Amateur Championship Tournament this weekend) and bring them in late should the score be close. It was a practical plan, and it nearly paid off.

For the first 15 minutes, Chattanooga did in fact look like the professional side; playing patient possession soccer while Atlanta played long balls over the top. Atlanta settled down quickly and began to control things for about 20 minutes. The only thing that separated the sides in terms of quality was speed, particularly that of Atlanta’s Jaime Chavez, who caused all sorts of trouble making runs down the left wing.

With ten minutes left in the first half, Chattanooga took complete control. Sustained pressure, several shots, including a side volley at point blank range by Jose Ferraz that, had it been struck just a bit more sweetly, would surely have been the first goal of the match.

The second half started with Atlanta firmly in control, unlucky not to score on more than one occasion. As the half went on, Chattanooga once again took control, and when Winter and Trude came on, you could start to believe a major upset was in the making.

Then in the 86th minute, the Cinderella story seemed to be coming true. A long ball from Ferraz was dummied onto Winter, who struck it first time from sixteen yards out, and the front office team began to mentally make plans to fit a trip to Red Bull Arena into their already busy fixture list.

But fate, and referee Guido Gonzalez, Jr., stepped in to change the evening from a moment of history to yet another close game between seemingly mismatched teams. Having let play go on relatively uninterrupted for most of the match, Gonzalez called a penalty in the 89th minute on what looked like a good tackle in the box. Shaka Bangura made no mistake from the spot and overtime was in play.

Yet even in overtime Chattanooga came agonizingly close on three occasions, including a header off the crossbar and a shot into the side netting that everyone at Finlay Stadium thought, briefly, was the go ahead goal.

But in the end it was Jaime Chavez scoring from the right side of the penalty area with a perfectly executed half-volley that beat Gregory Hartley to the near side.

Final: Atlanta 2, Chattanooga 1.

Silverbacks coach Gary Smith was highly complimentary to both the Chattanooga players and coach Bill Elliott. “In all honesty, I felt they were the better team for the vast majority of the game. They had a lot of great chances that on another day could have been the end of us. We managed to scrape through by the skin of our teeth.”

REPLAY: Atlanta Silverbacks at Chattanooga FC

2014 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Chicago Fire burn Atlanta Silverbacks 3-1 to earn record 10th Semifinal berth (video)

July 10, 2014 by Laura Taylor

On a typically hot summer night in Atlanta, the Silverbacks looked to keep their Cinderella run going as they welcomed the Chicago Fire to town for the Quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Unfortunately for the home fans in attendance, the four-time champions proved to be the superior side as the Fire defeated the Silverbacks 3-1 to move on to the Semifinals. Chicago’s Quincy Amarikwa, Jeff Larentowicz, and Alex all scored second half goals to lead the visitors to the Final Four.

The Fire reach the Semifinals for a Modern Professional Era record 10th time and will travel to Tukwila, Wash. to take on the Seattle Sounders on Aug. 13. It will be a rematch of the 2011 US Open Cup Final.

Atlanta began the match – a trial by Fire, if you will – down three starters and two coaches following the last round’s “Mile High Melee” against the Colorado Rapids that saw field players Borfor Carr, Jaime Chavez, Kwadwo Poku, Technical Director Eric Wynalda and Assistant Coach Ricardo Montoya red-carded. On the other side of the pitch was a Fire team playing its third game in seven days, one with a 2-12-4 record on artificial turf since 2010.

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Wynalda expressed confidence in his side before the game, telling 92.9FM The Game’s Alec Campbell, “The last two weeks are the best the team has looked in training since been here.”

The match opened evenly with the Silverbacks seeing better chances from forward Junior Sandoval, forcing a nice kick save from Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson. On the flip side, Fire forward Quincy Amarikwa was in alone on Silverbacks netminder Derby Carrillo but failed to pull the trigger. 20 minutes in, the Silverbacks held a slight edge in shots, 3-1.

In the 31st minute, tempers flared between Chicago’s Mike Magee and Atlanta’s Jesus Gonzalez. Magee kicked out at a 50-50 ball near the sideline and after Gonzalez confronted Magee about it, both players appeared to attempt to head-butt each other at the same time. There was no injury, but referee Edvin Jurisevic hit both players with straight red cards. The night was over for Magee and Gonzalez.

Just three minutes later, the Fire’s Matt Watson earned himself a yellow card, and just to even things out Atlanta got a yellow of their own in the 43rd, Ferrety Sousa with the booking. On the ensuing free kick, Chicago’s Jeff Larentowicz headed a sharp angle shot into Carrillo’s waiting hands.

The half ended scoreless with Atlanta seeing the better chances and looking a little more aggressive. However, Chicago’s forwards showed some creativity and the ability to slice through the Silverbacks’ back line if they wanted to. But Magee’s ejection obviously changed the tenor of the Fire’s attack.

“ put us on the back foot in the first half,” said Johnson, who hails from nearby Lilburn, “and we had to
dig ourselves out of a hole and regroup at halftime.”

The stalemate was finally broken in the 50th minute when Amarikwa scored on a rebound as he lifted the ball over the outstretched hands of Carrillo. Chicago led 1-0.

It didn’t take long for the home side to equalize. Junior Sandoval received a perfectly timed pass and went in 2-
on-0 against Johnson. Sandoval smartly played the ball off for Deon McCaulay to finish to tie the game at 1-1 in the 54th minute.

The teams played an even game through the 75th minute. Atlanta’s young speedster Alex Harlley replaced Sousa and had an immediate impact down the right wing. The night began to cool as a breeze blew in and a bit of lightning appeared on the horizon. In the 76th minute, Silverbacks defender Mike Randolph unleashed a rocket shot that sailed just over the crossbar.

Shortly after nearly putting Atlanta ahead, Randolph put his team in a hole in the 82nd minute as he took down Matt Fondy in the box which gave Chicago a penalty kick. Larentowicz converted to give Chicago the 2-1 lead with fewer than 10 minutes remaining.

Just two minutes later the Silverbacks threatened when Harlley juked a defender but shot high.

“We didn’t put balls into the net …balls that we we should have.” said acting-coach Alejandro Pombo, specifically
lamenting that missed opportunity by Harlley to equalize.

A minute later the Fire extinguished any chance of an Atlanta comeback when Alex put the visitors up 3-1, again finishing a juicy rebound left by the Silverbacks goalkeeper.

And that’s how the game would end. Though the depleted Silverbacks played well, they couldn’t stop the Fire from blazing at the end of the second half. Atlanta was unable to dispatch its third straight MLS side, and Chicago moved on
to the Semifinals.

“Finishing,” said Pomba simply. Though top scorer Chavez was amongst the starters who missed this match, Pombo made no excuses, “They play every single game, are our top scorers, but we don’t care about that.”

Though the Silverbacks began their NASL season slowly, Pombo was confident in the team’s growth over the last month: “We want to make it tough for all the teams in the second part of the year.”

The silver lining for the Silverbacks is that since fellow NASL club Carolina RailHawks also lost their Quarterfinal match, the $15,000 prize money to the Division 2 team that advances the farthest comes down to a tiebreaker. Atlanta will be $15,000 richer as its two victories over Major League Soccer opposition (Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids) trumps Carolina’s win (Los Angeles Galaxy) and a draw (Chivas USA) against MLS teams in this year’s tournament.

Chicago moves one step closer to adding to their four US Open Cup trophies. One more and it will equal the all-time record for most Open Cup titles. Despite that, Johnson said the road through Atlanta was not an easy one. “ gave us a great game. Hats off to them.”

MATCH REPLAY: CHICAGO FIRE AT ATLANTA SILVERBACKS

2014 US Open Cup Round 5: Atlanta Silverbacks’ upset of Colorado Rapids marred by chaos, 7 red cards

June 25, 2014 by Robert Wilson

2014-6-25_Rapids vs Silverbacks U.S. Open Cup-5 — Photo: Corbin Elliott Photography

Between the chaos and emotion, and the hail and lightning, the eight man Atlanta Silverbacks defended their lead and won the Fifth Round matchup verses the Colorado Rapids by a score of 2-1.

The scoring began in the 21st minute when Atlanta midfielder Junior Burgos lobbed a ball towards forward Jaime Chavez who’s half bicycle kick chipped Colorado goalkeeper Clint Irwin and gave the visitors the one goal lead. For the second week in a row Colorado had conceded the first goal to the visiting side and intensified their attack.

Just as the game was opening up for both sides the Colorado weather took a dangerous turn. In the 28th minute lightning and hail suspended the game for over forty minutes giving each team a much needed huddle in their respective locker rooms. After the game both coaches admitted that the unexpected break was helpful resetting their game plans and focusing their player on the task at hand. For the Rapids, head coach Pablo Mastroeni focused his players on the attack while the Silverbacks caught their breath and prepared to protect their lead for the remaining sixty minutes of the game.

The game continued into the second half with back and forth attacking that kept both teams on edge. The midfield battle saw numerous chances on net for virtually every attacker on the Colorado Rapids. After waves of shots by the Rapids the Silverbacks gained a free kick roughly forty yards from the Colorado net. Substitute Jesus Gonzalez’s quick free kick was a lofty pass that sailed past the Colorado goal where it was met by a leaping Jamie Chavez who headed his second goal, stunning the home crowd. Irwin had come off his line to defend the ball, but was unable to get to it, leaving himself in no-man’s land and the net wide open.

What was once a heated yet free flowing affair turned ugly in a matter of moments when Atlanta goalscorer Jamie Chavez pulled down Colorado centerback Drew Moor in a fight for a loose ball near the centerline. As the Colorado defender fell to the ground Sanchez spikes landed directly on Moor’s head and neck causing an uproar from the crowd. The nearest player on the field, Colorado goalkeeper Clint Irwin, rushed to the scene and a melee was eminent.

The heated argument turned to pushing and shoving and soon both benches cleared. In a matter of seconds three Atlanta players were ejected; Chavez, midfield boss Kwadwo Poku and winger Borfor Carr as well as Colorado left back Marc Burch. The melee continued and soon Atlanta Silverbacks technical director Eric Wynalda, assistant coach Ricardo Montoya as well as Colorado Rapids’ head coach Pablo Mastroeni were ejected for allegedly leaving the coaching box.

When the dust settled, Atlanta was left with eight players on the field, missing their goal scorer Chavez, main playmakers Poku and Carr and without their first and second in charge coaches. The near empty Atlanta bench was left in the hands of Nick Webster, a friend of Wynalda, and current coach of Cal FC, who was invited to take an honorary role on the Atlanta bench earlier that day.

Webster rose to the occasion calling for his players to stay compact and believe that they could see the two goal advantage out for the last twenty minutes regardless of being out numbered ten to eight.

At this point, Colorado was practically given possession for the remaining twenty-six minutes and the additional seven minutes of added time. The constant waves of attacks led by midfielder Nick LaBrocca, reigning TheCup.us Player of the Round Deshorn Brown and Dillon Powers came closer and closer with every minute but could not break down the back line led by Atlanta defender Michael Randolph, midfielder Blair Gavin and goalkeeper Derby Carrillo.

After the game when asked about the ejections Wynalda responded saying “Tommy Lasorda told me something a long time ago; its okay to get thrown out, it can inspire the group.” Later he added that “(His team) spends a lot of time without me anyways so they are kind of used to it”. Inspired and independent the Atlanta defense was, enduring the endless Colorado attack.

Just when frustration among the Colorado attack was becoming apparent, winger Dillion Serna drew a penalty kick. The goal was converted by Dillon Powers and the Rapids were quickly back to the attack looking for the equalizer.

Regardless of the seven minutes added and the five shots on net after the penalty was converted, Colorado could not find the equalizer and Atlanta had pulled off the upset.

After the game, Atlanta Silverbacks technical director Eric Wynalda was elated at the performance that his eight man team delivered adding “these guys; if the the rest of the world wants to give them credit is not for me to decide, but tonight they won the game … Sometimes in this sport its not about tactics, the x’s and o’s, its about being a man and playing the game you are in”

Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni was quick to downplay the melee stating that “the referee played no part in this result, all credit to a hard working Atlanta team.” Clearly frustrated and amazed that his team could not find the equalizer Mastroeni summed up the game stating that his team’s “inability to defend two simple plays and not being able to put away the chances you get” were the Rapids downfall “its not about the refs, not about the ejections, not about the chaos.”

For the Rapids the disappointment is heavy but they can now turn their focus to league play which resumes this weekend with a home game against the Vancouver Whitecaps. This loss ends their all-time undefeated streak in Colorado (4-1-0), and marks the 15th year in a row they were unable to win consecutive games in the Open Cup. Atlanta, on the other hand, have won three tournament games in one year for the first time and will advance to the Quarterfinals for the first time since MLS joined the tournament in 1996.

Atlanta will host the Chicago Fire of MLS who defeated the Columbus Crew 4-2 in extra time. The Silverbacks will face the four-time Open Cup champions without a large portion of their starting lineup and coaching staff. Assistant coach Ricardo Montoya did confirm that Atlanta will protest the red cards and hope to have at least midfielder Kwadwo Poku back in action for the Quarterfinals.

UPDATE: A story in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution published on June 26, the Silverbacks learned that they are unable to appeal the red cards they received.

2014 US Open Cup Round 4: Atlanta Silverbacks earn first MLS upset, stun Real Salt Lake with late goal (video)

June 15, 2014 by Laura Taylor

The NASL’s Atlanta Silverbacks overcame a shaky start to dominate and defeat Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake 2-1 in the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. For the Silverbacks, it was their first-ever upset of an MLS team, and earning them their first trip beyond Round 4.

On a night of firsts, the Silverbacks welcomed an MLS side to Silverbacks Park for the first time in team history on a humid night in the Peach State. Real Salt Lake, last year’s Open Cup runner-up, currently sitting in second place in MLS’ Western Conference, came into the game missing a number of key players, most notably, US Men’s National Team players Nick Rimando and Kyle Beckerman. On the other side of the pitch, the Silverbacks first-choice goalkeeper Eric Ati was on the bench with an injury sustained in the team’s last match.

This change would lead directly to RSL’s first goal. Starting ‘keeper Derby Carrillo went to kick away a harmless, bouncing ball at the top of the 18 but missed horribly and RSL’s Robbie Findley was able to walk the ball to goal to give RSL a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute.

Though the goal put the Silverbacks in a hole, it allowed the home team to relax and have the better possession in the 10 minutes after the tally. Atlanta kept up the pressure and in the 23rd minute was nearly rewarded with a goal, only to see the Jaime Chavez header called back for offside. Chavez nearly found the net a minute later with another strong header that just sailed over the bar.

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Both teams had good chances as the game wore on, with Real’s Luke Mulholland lifting enticing crosses into the box, while Atlanta’s Junior Sandoval peppered RSL ‘keeper Jeff Attinella. Atlanta’s Kwadwo Poku, who scored four goals last year for the NPSL’s Georgia Revolution, was strong on the ball, shrugging off defenders left and right like an NFL running back as he made his way toward goal.

Atlanta equalized in the 33rd minute with a nice give-and-go between Poku and midfielder Junior Burgos, who received the return pass at the top of the 18 and smoothly beat Attinnella on the short side. It was Burgos’ third goal of the tournament, leaving him tied for the tournament lead with five other players.

Chavez forced a diving save from Attinella in the 40th as the Silverbacks continued to punch above their weight. RSL was unable to put sustained pressure on the Atlanta net and, in fact, spent a good bit of the half tucked down in their defensive third. A free kick from 40 yards forced a good save from Carrillo and the two teams went to into the half tied 1-1.

The second half began with no subs for either side, and the Silverbacks continued to play good, creative soccer, giving Attinnella trouble when he had a whiff of his own after he went up to collect a high deflection but the resulting Silverback shot went wide. Four minutes later, Real tried to regain the lead with a free kick down low near the end line, but the cross was well-cleared by Atlanta.

Atlanta subbed in Alex Harlley in the 55th minute and the mohawked-one immediately made an impact, earning a free kick 10 yards from goal. Pablo Cruz lifted a perfect cross in and Chavez drove the header toward goal, with Attinella’s fingertips barely keeping the Silverbacks from taking the lead.

Real Salt Lake struggled to gain possession and their frustration showed. In the 65th minute, Carlos Salcedo was shown a yellow card and though the resulting free kick was parried away by the RSL defense, the ‘Backs continued the pressure, with Harlley, in particular, providing dangerous slicing runs through RSL’s back line.

And it was Harlley who nearly gave Atlanta the lead in the 72nd minute. The striker pounded a header strongly toward the net. Only the skull of John Stertzer saved Real as he was able to clear the ball off the line.

With less than 12 minutes to go, it was still the Silverbacks carrying the run of play. Shots at that point were 17-8 in favor of the home side, and would finish 20-8 by the end. In the 80th minute, Junior Sandoval received a precise curling pass from Harlley and Attinella dove to snuff out the one-time shot.

And then at the end of the game, with overtime looming, Silverbacks forward Jaime Chavez collected a deflection off an RSL defender and softly laid the ball back to Poku, who stood alone at the top of the arc. The Man of the Match made no mistake and slammed the ball low to Attinella’s left. The Silverbacks had the lead with just seconds to play.

Real Salt Lake mounted one last attempt that was cleared away hard by the Silverbacks, and then it was time for Atlanta to celebrate its first upset win.

Overall it was Atlanta who seemed more engaged and driven to win, especially in front of a sellout crowd of more than 5,000 fans in attendance. Silverbacks Technical Director Eric Wynalda was excited to see his team succeed after a disappointing lack of results at home. “To be able to excel in this competition allows us to focus on being good soccer players. I think we got away from that,” Wynalda said.

“We’re thrilled. This is awesome,” he gushed at the end of the match. “This competition gives us a real good chance to get the confidence we need.”

Wynalda said many fans were likely at the park for their first look at the Silverbacks: “They came out to see Real Salt Lake; I think is one hell of a first impression.”

In the other locker room, it was a different story as first-year manager Jeff Cassar saw no silver linings in his team’s third upset loss in their last six tournament appearances.

““I don’t think anybody played well tonight,” he said after the game. “I don’t think anybody at all played well. I got outcoached. We got outplayed. No, there’s no positives at all from this game.”

The Silverbacks must wait to find out who they will face in the Fifth Round of the US Open Cup. They will ; USL Pro’s Orlando City visit the home of MLS’ Colorado Rapids on June 17th.

Laura Taylor is a freelance writer who writes for HappyGoSnarky.com. Follow her on Twitter @livefierce

HIGHLIGHTS: ATLANTA SILVERBACKS 2:1 REAL SALT LAKE

2014 US Open Cup Round 4: New York Cosmos battle Red Bulls to highlight rare Saturday gameday (live stream links)

June 14, 2014 by Josh Hakala

UPDATE: All three Major League Soccer teams were eliminated by their NASL opponents tonight. The New York Cosmos dominated the Red Bulls 3-0, while the Carolina RailHawks eliminated Chivas USA for the second time in the last three years, this time by way of PK shootout. And finally, last year’s runner-up, Real Salt Lake followed up their best tournament run in team history by losing to the Atlanta Silverbacks 2-1 on a 90th minute goal by Kwadwo Poku.

Check back with TheCup.us for details …

The New York Cosmos defeated the Brooklyn Italians 2-0 in their US Open Cup debut. Photo: New York Cosmos — The New York Cosmos defeated the Brooklyn Italians 2-0 in their US Open Cup debut in Round 3. Photo: New York Cosmos

For the first time since 2003, the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup will feature tournament games on a Saturday. Three Major League Soccer (MLS) vs. North American Soccer League (NASL) matchups are on the schedule with the headliner featuring a game two years in the making with the New York Cosmos hosting the New York Red Bulls. The other two games are rematches from a year ago as the Carolina RailHawks welcome Chivas USA, and the Atlanta Silverbacks will host Real Salt Lake. Both games from last year went to extra time with the MLS team emerging victorious in both contests.

NY RED BULLS AT NY COSMOS

Over the years, the tournament, as is the case in many domestic cup competitions around the world, holds their games midweek to minimize the impact on league schedules. Since 1995, there have only been 50 Open Cup games that have been played on Friday (19), Saturday (11) or Sunday (20) out of the 742 (6.7%). The reason a weekend date was made possible was because of the MLS break during the FIFA World Cup. The last Saturday game was a 2003 First Round game where a young Clyde Simms and the Raleigh CASL Elite (PDL) defeated DS United (USASA, FL), 4-1.

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MLS will attempt to keep their perfect record so far in 2014 as the Houston Dynamo and San Jose Earthquakes emerged victorious on Wednesday night. The Dynamo edged the PDL’s Laredo Heat 1-0, while the Earthquakes eliminated USL PRO expansion team Sacramento Republic 2-1.

All three games on Saturday night are scheduled to be streamed live online, with the Cosmos-Red Bulls being chosen as US Soccer’s ‘Game of the Round.’ The other two games will be broadcast live on NASLLive.com.

As always, fans can follow and use the hashtag #USOC2014 on Twitter for the latest updates and discussion from all three games. Be sure to follow all the latest news with the tournament on Twitter at @USOpenCup.

Here is a preview of each of the three Saturday games:

New York Red Bulls (MLS) at New York Cosmos (NASL)
Shuart Stadium (Hofstra Univ.); Hempstead, NY – 8:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Video (YouTube)
NEXT: Winner will play at Philadelphia Union or host Harrisburg City Islanders

New York Red Bulls Open Cup records
Overall: 15-15-1 (1-0 PKs) | Away: 8-9-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. Div. 2: 4-4-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 4-2 at New England Revolution of MLS – Round 4)
Best finish: 2003 Runner-Up (Lost 1-0 vs. Chicago Fire of MLS)
How they got here … First game

New York Cosmos Open Cup records
Overall: 1-0-0 | Home: 1-0-0 | vs. MLS: N/A
Last entry: First entry
Best finish: N/A
How they got here …
Round 3: 2-0 home win vs. Brooklyn Italians (NPSL)

By Mike Anderer

Since the official announcement that the Cosmos would be joining the NASL for the fall 2013 season, New York soccer fans have been waiting for one game; The New York Cosmos versus the MLS’s New York Red Bulls. The Cosmos entered the NASL openly commenting that they preferred the league structure of the second division as opposed to the stringent rules in MLS. The Cosmos fans reveled in the rebellious move of their team, while Red Bull fans chuckled and made small market jokes about the NASL. Saturday night, the two teams clash in Shuart Stadium in Hempstead, NY.

Both teams come into the match on the heels of award winning seasons. The Red Bulls won the MLS Supporters’ Shield, awarded for most points in the regular season. Cosmos are reining NASL Soccer Bowl champions, though some critics argue that they had an advantage of only playing half of the NASL split season. Equally, both teams are suffering from underwhelming play in the beginning of their 2014 campaigns.

Although the Cosmos finished second in the Spring Season, their 14 goals scored over nine games tied them for third in the scoring category despite upgrading their offense in the off-season. It would be three goals, the only three the defensive-minded team gave up all season that ended costing them a total of 8 points. Those 8 points, or even just three of them, would have secured a position in the new NASL post-season playoff. Now, Cosmos find themselves still fighting to defend their title.

The Red Bulls find themselves fifth in the MLS’s Eastern conference at the halfway mark of the season. The team has played some hard-fought matches and owes a fair amount of credit to the outstanding play of goalkeeper, Luis Robles. The Red Bulls also has the offensive firepower of players like Thierry Henry, Tim Cahill and one of the league’s breakout stars of 2014 in Bradley Wright-Phillips. Their Achilles’ heal has been their road play. They have only two wins out of nine road games this season and are minus three in goal differential.

One thing that will dampen some of the excitement surrounding the game will be the line-ups. Although neither side has released their 18 for the match, there are some notable Red Bull players unavailable. First is captain, Thierry Henry. Red Bull manager Mike Petke commented earlier in the week that he is not using field turf as the reason, but the 36-year-old striker does not play in away games on artificial surfaces like the turf at Shuart. Additionally, midfielder, Tim Cahill and defender, Roy Miller are away representing their country’s at the FIFA World Cup. Cahill, since arriving last season, has been a fan favorite and in many people’s opinion the MVP of the club.

Petke did say to reporters on Thursday that he does expect to rest goalkeeper, Luis Robles, and give the start to Ryan Meara. Meara was sidelined in 2012, his rookie season, with a hip injury and has not played in an MLS game since July of that year.

Cosmos’ manager Giovanni Savarese is notorious for keeping his lineup a secret to the very end although a few positions are locks for Saturday. Norwegian striker Mads Stokkelien will play his first game against an MLS side. Defenders Hunter Freeman and Carlos Mendes are no strangers to MLS or the Red Bulls having played for the club previously. Also in the backline for the Cosmos is Seattle Sounders’ loan player Jimmy Ockford and from Spain and La Liga, Ayoze.

Savarese also has history as a player with the Metrostars organization and is currently ranked third in goals scored. Savarese has been very vocal about the excitement he feels about the game, likening the matchup to a derby. Petke on the other hand has downplayed the event saying that because the teams lack history and play in two different leagues that the competitive relationship needs time to build.

Either way, fans are sure to get a great match on Saturday, a perfect way to end a soccer-filled day. Even US Soccer is taking note of the event, carrying the broadcast stream on USsoccer.com for fans from across the country to see.

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Chivas USA (MLS) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, NC – 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Video (NASLLive.com)
NEXT: If Chivas USA wins … play at Los Angeles Galaxy or Arizona United SC
If Carolina wins … will host Los Angeles Galaxy or Arizona United SC

Chivas USA Open Cup records
Overall: 7-7-1 (0-1 PKs) | Away: 5-7-0 | vs. Div. 2: 2-4-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 3-1 in OT at Carolina RailHawks of NASL – Round 4)
Best finish: Semifinals (2010, 2012)
How they got here … First game

Carolina RailHawks Open Cup records
Overall: 14-5-1 (0-1 PKs) | Home: 14-2-1 (0-1 PKs) | vs. MLS: 4-4-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 3-0 at Real Salt Lake of MLS in Quarterfinals)
Best finish: 2007 Semifinals (Lost 2-1 in OT at New England Revolution of MLS)
How they got here …
Round 2: 2-0 home win vs. Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO)

By Neil Morris | @ByNeilMorris

Two years ago, a Chivas USA lineup that included Juan Agudelo, Juan Pablo Angel and Danny Califf visited Cary, NC and knocked the Carolina RailHawks out of the 2012 US Open Cup. A year later, the RailHawks returned the favor, netting two goals in extra time to eliminate the Goats from the tournament.

Brian Shriver of the Carolina RailHawks celebrates his game-winning goal against the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2012 with his teammates. Photo: Rob Kinnan | Carolina RailHawks

Today, the RailHawks host Chivas USA for the third consecutive Open Cup, this year in the tournament’s Fourth Round. However, Chivas USA comes to Carolina this time with a full week of rest and no looming league games. In their previous two Cup ties, Chivas had to fly to Carolina for midweek matches bracketed by weekend MLS engagements.

While Chivas USA is currently mired at the bottom of the MLS Western Conference, the league’s break during the group stage of the FIFA World Cup affords the Rojiblancos the opportunity to field a near-full strength squad, if for no other reason than to maintain match fitness. That said, manager Wilmer Cabrera also said that he intends to rest some of his top players during the break from league play.

So, it remains to be seen whether Cabrera will field leading goalscorer Erick Torres, who has nine goals through 14 league matches, the third-most in MLS. Mauro Rosales has 5 assists since joining Chivas USA this year following three seasons with the Seattle Sounders. Former US National Team defender Carlos Bocanegra anchors the backline. And goalkeeper and team captain Dan Kennedy is in his seventh season with the Red-and-White.

Another possible lineup inclusion is Leandro Barrera. The 23-year-old forward, on loan from Argentinos Juniors, has started all but one match this MLS season but hasn’t yet notched a goal.

Meanwhile, the RailHawks enter the match with two distinct advantages. The first is their tremendous Open Cup success under manager Colin Clarke, including wins over the LA Galaxy in 2012 and 2013, plus the victory over Chivas USA last year that advanced Carolina to the tournament quarterfinals. Overall, the RailHawks are 6-2 in Open Cup play since 2012 under Clarke.

The other is the RailHawks’ 21-game home unbeaten streak, a run that comprises both North American Soccer League (NASL) and Open Cup competition. Carolina has not lost a competitive match at WakeMed Soccer Park since October 12, 2012.

With the NASL also on break until mid-July, the RailHawks will certainly field a full-strength starting XI. Ty Shipalane and Cesar Elizondo, who scored the equalizing and game-winning goals, respectively, against Chivas USA last year, remain the team’s most potent attacking playmakers. Shipalane is hoping to duplicate his tournament performance from last year as he was named TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament.

Helming the midfield is team captain Jun Marques Davidson, who spent the last two seasons with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald has three clean sheets out of Carolina’s four home games this season. And Mike Grella has become ensconced as the team’s target man since signing with Carolina three games into the 2014 season. Grella, the former Duke University standout, spent the last five seasons in Europe, including three years with Leeds United, before joining Carolina.

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Real Salt Lake (MLS) at Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks Park; Chamblee, GA – 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Video (NASLLive.com)
NEXT: Winner plays at Colorado Rapids or Orlando City SC

Real Salt Lake Open Cup records
Overall: 6-5-0 | Away: 0-2-0 | vs. Div. 2: 3-2-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 1-0 vs. DC United in US Open Cup Final)
Best finish: 2013 Runner-Up (Lost 1-0 vs. DC United in US Open Cup Final)
How they got here … First game

Atlanta Silverbacks Open Cup records
Overall: 8-9-2 (1-1 PKs) | Home: 4-3-0 | vs. MLS: 0-4-1 (0-1 PKs)
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 3-2 in OT at Real Salt Lake of MLS – Round 3)
Best finish: 2004 Fourth Round (Lost 4-1 vs. Kansas City Wizards of MLS)
How they got here …
Round 3: 5-0 road win at Chattanooga FC (NPSL)

By Josh Hakala

For the second year in a row, the Atlanta Silverbacks will be the first opponent in Real Salt Lake’s US Open Cup run. Last year, in the first of five straight home games, RSL got extra time goals from Devon Sandoval and Khari Stephenson to lead the MLS side to a 3-2 victory. It was the beginning an impressive journey for the Utah club as they reached the championship game for the first time, only to fall to DC United in the Final, 1-0.

Real Salt Lake cruised past the NASL's Carolina RailHawks to reach the Semifinals for the first time in club history last year. Photo: Real Salt Lake — Real Salt Lake cruised past the NASL’s Carolina RailHawks to reach the Semifinals for the first time in club history last year. Photo: Real Salt Lake

RSL will play their first road game since 2011 as they look to get back to their winning ways as the club is on a three-game winless streak (0-2-1) after starting the 2014 campaign on a 12-game unbeaten streak (6-0-6). The MLS side will be without the services of U.S. internationals Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando, as well as Costa Rican striker Alvaro as they are competing in the World Cup in Brazil. Alvaro Saborio is also out for the next 3-4 months suffered while getting ready for the World Cup with Costa Rica. RSL’s depth under new head coach Jeff Cassar will definitely be tested.

RSL will look to carry the momentum from their first successful Open Cup run, after years of disappointment. Prior to reaching their first title game last year, the Sandy, Utah-based club had never won multiple games in the competition, suffering two upset loses to Division 2 teams (Minnesota Thunder, Minnesota United FC) and failing to even qualify for the tournament from 2007-2010.

The Silverbacks will need to keep an eye on diminutive forward Joao Plata, RSL’s leading scorer. Jeff Attinella, who made his professional debut against Atlanta in 2011 as a member of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, is likely to get the nod in goal.

The Open Cup has not been kind to Atlanta over the years as the club is under .500 in club history (8-9-2, 1-1 in PKs). They have only won multiple games in one tournament once in franchise history (2007).

Atlanta is currently in 8th place in the NASL Spring Season with a 3-5-1 record. For the third year in a row, the Silverbacks defeated an NPSL team on the road to kick off the tournament, but will look to upset their first MLS team and avoid their third straight loss to a team from the top division. This year, Atlanta kicked off their tournament with a 5-0 win over Chattanooga FC (NPSL) with Junior Burgos leading the way with two goals and one assist. Junior Sandoval, Deon McCauley and Jaime Chavez also scored for the Silverbacks.

This will also be the first home game for the Silverbacks since 2007, and will be the first time they will host an MLS team in the Open Cup. In 2012, they were awarded a home game against the Seattle Sounders in the Third Round, but agreed to sell their hosting rights to the eventual champions. This was an unpopular decision among Atlanta fans, and signalled the end of the practice of selling hosting rights as the US Soccer Federation outlawed the practice the following year.

Silverbacks head coach Eric Wynalda has been trying to shake up the lineup recently in an effort to spark the team’s offense, and he saw his lineup shakeup pay off with three goals against the Indy Eleven last week. However, they would give up a late equalizer and finish the game at 3-3. Chavez has been responsible for give of the team’s nine goals in league play, while Eric Ati anchors the defense in goal. Both will need to contribute if the club wants to defeat their first pro club since 2007.

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2014 US Open Cup Fourth Round Schedule

Laredo Heat (PDL) 0:1 Houston Dynamo (MLS)
BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, TX – June 11 at 10 p.m. ET
———————–
Sacramento Republic (USL PRO) 1:2 San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Kezar Stadium; San Francisco, CA – June 11 at 10:30 p.m. ET
———————–
Real Salt Lake (MLS) 1:2 Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks Park; Chamblee, GA – June 14 at 8 p.m. ET
———————–
Chivas USA (MLS) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, NC – June 14 at 8 p.m. ET
———————–
New York Red Bulls (MLS) 0:3 New York Cosmos (NASL)
Shuart Stadium (Hofstra Univ.); Hempstead, NY – June 14 at 8:30 p.m. ET
———————–
DC United (MLS) at Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO)
Sahlen’s Stadium; Rochester, NY – June 17 at 7 p.m ET
———————–
Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
PPL Park; Chester, PA – June 17 at 7 p.m. ET
———————–
Indy Eleven (NASL) at Columbus Crew (MLS)
FirstEnergy Stadium (Univ. of Akron); Akron, OH – June 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET
———————–
San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) at FC Dallas (MLS)
Toyota Stadium; Frisco, TX – June 17 at 9:00 p.m. ET
———————–
Orlando City SC (USL PRO) at Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, CO – June 17 at 9 p.m. ET
———————–
Orlando City U23s (PDL) at Portland Timbers (MLS)
Providence Park; Portland, OR – June 17 at 10:30 p.m. ET
———————–
New England Revolution (MLS) at Richmond Kickers (USL PRO)
Richmond City Stadium; Richmond, VA – June 18 at 7 p.m. ET
———————–
Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO) at Chicago Fire (MLS)
Toyota Park; Bridgeview, IL – June 18 at 8:30 p.m. ET
———————–
Minnesota United FC (NASL) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Sporting Park; Kansas City, KS – June 18 at 8:30 p.m. ET
———————–
PSA Elite (USASA) at Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, WA – June 18 at 10 p.m. ET
———————–
LA Galaxy (MLS) at Arizona United SC (USL PRO)
Peoria Sports Complex; Peoria, AZ – June 18 at 10:30 p.m. ET

2014 US Open Cup Fifth Round Potential Pairings

New York Red Bulls (MLS) at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
PPL Park; Chester, PA – June 24, 7 p.m. ET
OR
New York Cosmos (NASL) at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
PPL Park; Chester, PA – Date TBD, 7 p.m. ET
OR
Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) at New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Red Bull Arena; Harrison, NJ – June 24, 7:30 p.m. ET
OR
Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) at New York Cosmos (NASL)
Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.); Queens, NY – June 24, 7 p.m. ET
———————————————————
New England Revolution (MLS) at D.C. United (MLS)
Maryland SoccerPlex; Boyds, MD – Date TBD, 7 p.m. ET
OR
Richmond Kickers (USL PRO) at D.C. United (MLS)
Maryland SoccerPlex; Boyds, MD – June 24, 7 p.m. ET
OR
Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO) at New England Revolution (MLS)
Stevenson Field (Brown Univ.); Providence, RI – June 25, 7:30 p.m. ET
OR
Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO) at Richmond Kickers (USL PRO)
Richmond City Stadium; Richmond, VA – Date TBD, 7 p.m. ET
———————————————————
Indy Eleven (NASL) / Columbus Crew (MLS) winner at Chicago Fire (MLS)
Toyota Park; Bridgeview, IL – Date TBD, 8:30 p.m. ET
OR
Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO) at Columbus Crew (MLS)
Columbus Crew Stadium; Columbus, OH – June 25, 7:30 p.m. ET
OR
Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO) at Indy Eleven (NASL)
Carroll Stadium; Indianapolis, IN – June 25, 7:30 p.m. ET
———————————————————
San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) / FC Dallas (MLS) winner at Houston Dynamo (MLS)
BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, TX – Date TBD, 8:30 p.m. ET
OR
San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) / FC Dallas (MLS) winner at Laredo Heat (PDL)
Texas A&M International Univ. Soccer Complex; Laredo, TX – Date TBD, 9:15 p.m ET
———————————————————
LA Galaxy (MLS) / Arizona United SC (USL PRO) winner at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
WakeMed Soccer Park Field 2; Cary, NC – June 24, 7:30 p.m. ET
OR
Chivas USA (MLS) at Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
StubHub Center; Carson, CA – June 24, 10:30 p.m. ET
OR
Chivas USA (MLS) at Arizona United SC (USL PRO)
Peoria Sports Complex; Peoria, AZ – June 24, 10 p.m. ET
———————————————————
San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) at Seattle Sounders (MLS)
Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, WA – Date TBD, 10 p.m. ET
OR
Sacramento Republic (USL PRO) at Seattle Sounders (MLS)
Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, WA – June 24, 10 p.m. ET
OR
PSA Elite (USASA) at Sacramento Republic (USL PRO)
Bonney Field (Cal Expo); Sacramento, CA – June 24, 10:30 p.m. ET
OR
PSA Elite (USASA) at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Buck Shaw Stadium; Santa Clara, CA – Date TBD, 10:30 p.m. ET
———————————————————
Real Salt Lake (MLS) / Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) winner at Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, CO – Date TBD, 9 p.m. ET
OR
Real Salt Lake (MLS) / Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) winner at Orlando City (USL PRO)
ESPN Wide World of Sports; Kissimmee, FL – June 24, 7:30 p.m. ET

Orlando City U23s (PDL) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Sporting Park; Kansas City, KS – Date TBD, 8:30 p.m. ET
OR
Portland Timbers (MLS) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Sporting Park; Kansas City, KS – Date TBD, 8:30 p.m. ET
OR
Orlando City U23s (PDL) at Minnesota United FC (NASL)
National Sports Center Stadium; Blaine, MN – June 25, 9 p.m. ET
OR
Portland Timbers (MLS) at Minnesota United FC (NASL)
National Sports Center Stadium; Blaine, MN – June 24, 9 p.m. ET

2014 US Open Cup Round 3: Eric Wynalda-led Atlanta Silverbacks silence Chattanooga FC, will host Real Salt Lake (video)

May 29, 2014 by David Walker

Two weeks ago, Chattanooga FC used a well-drilled wing attacking scheme to confound USL PRO side Wilmington, making history as the first NPSL team to defeat a team from USL Pro.

Tonight the dream came to an end as Eric Wynalda’s Atlanta Silverbacks of the second-tier NASL brought the amateurs down to earth with a convincing 5-0 victory in Chattanooga.

Junior Burgos had a brace, Junior Sandoval, Deon McCauley, Jaime Chavez had one apiece, as the Silverbacks dominated in front of an impressive crowd of 4,058 at Finley Stadium.

Atlanta will host MLS side Real Salt Lake in the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup on June 14 at Silverbacks Park.

Technical Director Eric Wynalda said he had seen the tape of the Wilmington game from the 2nd round.

“You can watch tape all the time and think you know what you’re getting in to,” he said, “but really you don’t know until you’re there.”

Sandoval and Burgos both scored from long distance in the first half.

Sandoval scored in the 12th minute to open the scoring before Burgos scored on a free kick from just outside the box in the 17th minute.

Burgos’ second goal in the 42nd minute was a left-footed blast from all of 30 yards out to give Atlanta a commanding 3-0 heading into halftime.

The Silverbacks added another goal in the 68th minute when McCauley — who missed on his previous scoring chances — scored to make it 4-0.

Burgos added an assist to his tally on Chavez’s goal in the 71st minute.

The Silverbacks controlled possession for most of the match while out-shooting CFC, 9-1.

The differences between a talented amateur side and a Second Division pro side are slim. Perhaps a touch more speed, a tiny but distinct tendency to make fewer bad touches and hurried passes, and, usually, an edge in physical conditioning.

When asked what the main difference between amateurs and professionals at this level, Wynalda said, “Everyone can do some tricks and make a pass, but is it the right pass? It’s mostly about vision.”

Highlights from game via WRCB-TV.
WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather

FULL MATCH REPLAY

Notable upsets in the Third Round of the US Open Cup

May 22, 2014 by Josh Hakala

The Michigan Bucks upset the Chicago Fire of MLS in 2012 Third Round. Photo: Kelly Haapala

MORE: Things you should know about the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2006 – Dallas Roma FC (USASA) 0:0 Chivas USA (MLS)
(Dallas advances 4-2 in PKs)

For all of you who ever wanted the #16 seed to win in the NCAA basketball tournament, we hope you are soccer fans.

Dallas Roma FC, from the North Texas Premier Soccer Association, made history defeating Chivas USA of Major League Soccer on penalties, after playing to a 0-0 draw after extra time. Not only did they defeat their second straight professional opponent in the US Open Cup, they became the first USASA club to eliminate a team from Major League Soccer in the US Open Cup. Chivas was dealt a major blow when their leading scorer, Ante Razov, was sent off in the 57th minute for a reckless foul on Roma defender Todd Paulette. Soon after, Chivas head coach Bob Bradley sent in more of his regular starters, Jason Hernandez, Tim Regan and Juan Francisco Palencia.

The Roma defense, named TheCup.us Players of the Round for their win vs. Miami FC, held firm yet again against the Chivas attack, holding the scoreless draw through 120 minutes, at times keeping all 11 players in their own end in extra time.

Roma had a few chances in the second half as well, most notably Dominic Schell hitting the crossbar after Mark Rowland’s shot was knocked away by Chivas goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Chivas took the first spot kick in the penalty session, and Juan Francisco Palencia saw his attempt saved by Jessie Llamas. Roma’s Matt Clark and Mark Rowland converted the next kicks, as Sacha Kljestan for Chivas. Fortunes turned Roma’s way when Llamas came through again and saved Jesse Marsch’s kick, and Brad Flanagan scored for Roma to make it 3-1. After Claudio Suarez made it 3-2, Dominic Schell stepped up and put Roma in the history books. Previously, the closest a USASA side has come to defeating an MLS club was in 2000, when Florida’s Uruguay SC fell to the Tampa Bay Mutiny 1-0 in extra time.

1997 – Chicago Stingers (D3 Pro) 2:1 Colorado Rapids (MLS)
1997 – San Francisco Bay Seals (D3 Pro) 2:1 Kansas City Wizards (MLS)

The Modern Era of the Open Cup was still young, and Rochester caused a stir in ’96 with their amazing run to the final.

The San Francisco Bay Seals and Chicago Stingers were determined to top that, and top it they did.

Each team made their way to the third round, no small feat in itself. Both clubs defeated A-League sides in the second round, and now stepped up to face the daunting challenge of Major League Soccer. The Seals were first, taking on the Kansas City Wizards on July 24.

As if being the underdog wasn’t motivation enough, Seals forward Marquis White had something to prove of his own. White was dropped in 1996 by the New England Revolution, and he was eager to prove that he could play at the highest level. White didn’t waste any time, scoring in the very first minute of the game, taking a pass from Chris Davini and racing past the Wizards defenders and goalkeeper Chris Snitko for the goal. On the other end, the Seals defense kept the Kansas City forwards stifled and frustrated, but the Wizards eventually equalized in the 39th minute with a Frank Klopas goal.

Marquis White then stepped up a second time, taking another Davini pass home for the game-winning goal in the 55th minute, setting off celebrations at Negoesco Fiield once the final whistle blew. “I knew I could play, and this proves it” said an ecstatic White after the game. The Seals, as a team, also proved they could play, defeating the San Jose Clash in the quarterfinals to move on to the semifinals, eventually losing a close game to DC United 2-1.

Six days later, the Chicago Stingers took their turn at giant killing, knocking off the Colorado Rapids 2-1 in front of 4,730 fans at Chicago’s Forest View Park. Misfortune started early for Colorado, as the Rapids goalkeeper Paul Grafer was sent off after 17 minutes. The Stingers then took control, as Matt Hamnett and Chris Jahr scores goals before and after halftime to take a lead they would never surrender. Chris Henderson pulled one back for Colorado, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the upstart Stingers. Chicago were eventually overwhelmed by the Dallas Burn in the next round, 4-1, but the Seals and Stingers proved that the Open Cup would never be an easy walk for any MLS team.

2012 – Cal FC (USASA – 4th Div.) 1:0 (AET) Portland Timbers (MLS)

2012 – Michigan Bucks (PDL – 4th Div.) 3:2 (AET) Chicago Fire (MLS)

The Third Round of the 2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup was one of the craziest rounds in tournament history. 16 Major League Soccer teams joined the competition and only eight of them survived to play in Round 4. The two biggest stunners came from the Michigan Bucks (PDL) and newcomers Cal FC (USASA).

14 of the 16 games were played on Tuesday, May 29 and among those were the Michigan Bucks hosting four-time champion Chicago Fire indoors at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mich. It was just the 4th US Open Cup game ever played indoors and the Bucks upset the Fire 3-2 in extra time.

The Bucks struck first just nine minutes into the match when Tommy Catalano received a pass from star veteran Kenny Uzoigwe to put the home team up 1-0. The Fire would equalize on a goal from Corben Bone in the 28th minute and take the lead in the 58th minute thanks to Frederico Puppo and it looked like the MLS team was going to take control, as they so often do in these underdog scenarios, but today wasn’t their day as a cross from Crnkic found the head of Nate Boyden in the box to tie the match at 2-2. The match would go into extra time and after play resumed, the Bucks wasted no time in putting the pressure on the Fire. What proved to be the eventual game-winning goal came just three minutes in when Crnkic ripped a shot toward the net. The goalkeeper got a hand on it but it wasn’t enough to keep it out as the Bucks would go on to win 3-2 to become the first amateur club in the Modern Era to defeat two MLS teams (They upset the New England Revolution back in 2000).[+]FULL MATCH RECAP

After seven MLS teams were eliminated on Tuesday, what could possibly be in store for the following day? It would turn out to be arguably the biggest upset of the Modern Era (1995-present).

Cal FC, led by their manager former US international Eric Wynalda, traveled from Southern California up to Portland, Ore. and upset the Portland Timbers 1-0 in extra time. After 90 minutes of scoreless soccer, Artur Aghasyan streaked down the middle of the field, easily beating a lopsided offside trap, collected a well placed through ball and calmly chipped goalkeeper Troy Perkins. It was the only goal they would need to become the first USASA team to defeat a Major League Soccer team (Dallas Roma FC in 2006 eliminated Chivas USA in a penalty kick shootout). A USASA team defeating a MLS team was rare enough, but there had only been four previous USASA teams that had advanced far enough to even play against the top division. In those four games, none of the USASA teams even scored a goal. They were also just the fifth amateur team to eliminate a MLS sidse, and the 12th USASA team to eliminate a pro team of any kind. [+]FULL MATCH RECAP