Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Atlanta Silverbacks

2013 US Open Cup Third Round: Real Salt Lake forced to OT by Atlanta Silverbacks, but prevail 3-2

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Real Salt LakeOn a rainy, gloomy day at Rio Tinto Stadium, it appeared Real Salt Lake would avoid a repeat of last year’s upset loss to Minnesota with a 1-0 lead only to see the visiting Atlanta Silverbacks tally a late equalizer to send the contest to overtime where the MLS side would eventually prevail 3-2 to move onto the Fourth Round.

The game started off quickly with a clear RSL chance in the second minute.  The Silverbacks back line had trouble clearing the ball and it came to wide-open Robbie Findley in front of goal, forcing Silverbacks keeper Joe Nasco to make a brilliant save that forced a corner.

On the resulting corner, Real Salt Lake took the early lead when an unmarked Kyle Beckerman finished at the near post.  Javier Morales was credited with the assist.

After that early goal, the game slowed down a bit in the wet and rainy conditions.  When there were chances, Real Salt Lake’s were the most threatening.   Nasco made many quality saves to keep the underdogs in the match.

After a few great chances in the second half for Real Salt Lake were saved by Nasco, Atlanta turned on the pressure.  For about 25 minutes, the Silverbacks were the team with the majority of the ball and chances.  Still, with minutes left, the Silverbacks were looking for the equalizer.

That equalizer came in the 86th minute on a fast counter.  Danny Barrera had the ball in midfield and slotted a gorgeous through ball to Ruben Luna on the wing.  Luna found Kellen Gulley who chipped the ball over the stranded keeper for a nice goal that would force extra time.

As extra time began, both teams were showing signs of fatigue and frustration.  Real Salt Lake scored in the 98th minute when Devon Sandoval scored on a dangerous cross through the box.  Minutes later, Real Salt Lake would add another goal for insurance with an absolute rocket from Khari Stevenson from over 25 yards out.  With the score now 3-1 in favor of Real Salt Lake, the Silverbacks were scrambling to get back into the game.

Atlanta looked to have a miracle of a chance when they scored in the 121st minute when Pablo Cruz made a nice finish in the box, but that wound up being the last kick of the game.  With the 3-2 victory, Real Salt Lake will host the Charleston Battery of USL Pro in the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup on June 12.

RSL: Kyle Beckerman 3

ATL: Kellen Gulley 86

RSL: Devon Sandoval 98

RSL: Khari Stephenson 101

ATL: Pablo Cruz 121

Discipline

RSL: Yordany Alvarez (caution) 4

ATL: Daniel Barrera (caution) 44

ATL: Milton Blanco (caution) 65

RSL: Javier Morales (caution) 68

ATL: Borfor Carr (caution) 80

RSL: Ned Grabavoy (caution) 117

2013 US Open Cup Second Round: Atlanta Silverbacks top Georgia Revolution again in rematch

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On a gorgeous Tuesday night in Conyers, Georgia, the Georgia Revolution hosted the Atlanta Silverbacks in the Second Round U.S. Open Cup matchup.  Dubbed the “Battle for Atlanta,” the Atlanta Silverbacks advanced to the Third Round of the US Open Cup with a 3-2 win in a game of many chances and drama.

The contest was a rematch from the Second Round a year ago in which the Silverbacks also prevailed by a single goal, moving on with a 1-0 road victory courtesy of Raphael Cox strike in the 61st minute.

The visiting Silverbacks couldn’t have started Tuesday’s “Battle For Atlanta” any better, going up 1-0 in the fourth minute. After a poor headed clearance by Revolution defender Michael Nwiloh, Silverbacks forward Ruben Luna capitalized with a strong volley into the corner of the net from 20 yards out.

The Revolution came back and equalized in the 16th minute with a quick counter attack when forward Kwadwo Poku, who tallied a hat-trick last week, played Iain Smith through on goal.  The midfielder converted beautifully, sneaking a shot inside the near post to tie the game at 1-1.

The Silverbacks had a disallowed goal in the 29th minute when a tap-in from Silverbacks midfielder Horace James was called back for offside. Minutes later, the Silverbacks would have another chance to retake the lead when Mike Randolph was pulled down in the penalty area, earning a kick from the spot.

Ruben Luna was chosen to take the penalty and he blasted it into the right corner to make it 2-1 in the 31st minute.

The Revolution came out for the second half with a renewed focus on the attack in an attempt to find the tying goal, but the Silverbacks doubled their advantage.  Pablo Cruz connected on a pass from midfielder Milton Blanco from over 20 yards out to make it 3-1 in the 57th minute.

In the 61st drama unfolded when the Silverbacks bench was warned for dissent.  A few seconds later, a Silverbacks assistant coach was ejected from the game.

After play continued, the Revolution would immediately strike a surprising goal as midfielder Rene Enang converted on a low shot through traffic.  With about 30 minutes left, the Revolution were looking to equalize while the Silverbacks were doing everything to deny scoring chances.

The best chance to equalize came in stoppage time when Revolution substitute midfielder Ibrahima Sissoko saw a ball fall to his feet at the top of the box, but he blasted the wide open shot over the bar from 12 yards out.

The Silverbacks will face a tougher challenge next week as they will travel to play Real Salt Lake, who are sitting near the top of the Major League Soccer table.  Last year, the Silverbacks were embarrassed by the Seattle Sounders in the Third Round, 5-1, and will be looking to show some improvement on that result.

SILVERBACKS LINEUP: GK Nasco, D Bloom, D Navarro, D Reiss, D Randolph, M Menjivar, M Blanco, M Barrera, M James (Willis 67’), M Cruz (Uribe 80’), F Luna (Gulley 61’)

REVOLUTION LINEUP: GK Kramer, D Davis (Redding 85’), D Nicholson, D Nwiloh, D Papanikolopoulos, M DeBoer (Landberg 61’), M Enang, M Smith (Sissoko 74’), F Poku, F Sumpter, F Maduka

2012 US Open Cup Round 3: Seattle Sounders tame Silverbacks as third title defense beginso)

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Sammy Ochoa | Photo: Brandon Bleek/Prost Amerika

Three-time defending Open Cup Champion Seattle Sounders FC returned to the field on Wednesday, hosting the NASL’s Atlanta Silverbacks. The fact that this game was at Starfire Soccer Complex in itself was controversial, as Seattle had bought the hosting rights from Atlanta, one of two MLS teams to do so. However, the Sounders avoided the fate Real Salt Lake had endured the night before with a 5-1 rout of their Southern opponent.

With the win, the Sounders extend their record 18-game Open Cup unbeaten streak (15-0-3, 2-1 in PKs) that dates back to 2008. The club has still yet to lose a game in the tournament since joining MLS in 2009.

Cordell Cato causes problems for Raphael Cox. Photo: Mike Russell | Prost Amerika

Seattle controlled the run of play early and often from the start, with Sammy Ochoa forcing Atlanta keeper Joe Nesco to save a low shot 30 seconds into the match. Ochoa, Cordell Cato, and Osvaldo Alonso were all active in the early going, as Seattle fired freely, and fired often. While not fielding all of their starters, the Sounders had plenty of battle-tested depth to pick from, and the Silverbacks had a hard time containing, bending, but somehow not breaking under the pressure. Nesco appeared to have less and less confidence in his defense as the half rolled on, playing off the line unusually often for a netminder.

Atlanta finally started getting some chances about 25 minutes in, but Seattle’s defense was locked tightly, as keeper Bryan Meredith did not register a save in the half. The Silverbacks were visibly frustrated, as forward Reinaldo Navia was seen shouting at the referee and his assistants throughout the rest of the half, flirting very closely with being carded. The Sounders came very close to breaking through on a very bizarre play 38 minutes in, as Nasco collieded with a defender, and Alonso shot from around 40 yards away. Nasco did get a hand on the ball, but was extremely close to being outside of the box, though the refs instead let the ball slide out for one of ten corner kicks for the home side. Alex Caskey continued the pressure two minutes from half, forcing Nesco to tip a shot over the crossbar for another corner. On the ensuing corner, the ball bounced through traffic to the back of the penalty box. Andy Rose was right in position, and shot a screaming right footer that burned the twine as it gave Seattle the lead going into the half.

Sounders fans want to see their team win an unprecedented fourth straight US Open Cup title. Photo: Rod Mar | Seattle Sounders FC

The Sounders doubled their lead quickly in the second half, as Cato continued to frustrate the Silverback defense. He sent the ball up to Alonso, who ran right around the defense and deposited the ball past Nasco for a 2-0 lead. Atlanta then gave Seattle a scare (and proved that a 2-0 lead is the hardest to keep in soccer) six minutes later. Defender Shane Moroney sent a ball onto Navia, whose hammer just inside the box beat Meredith and put the Silverbacks on the board. However, Caskey answered quickly for the Washingtonians, as he intercepted a clearance, outran the defense and once again had Nasco fetching the ball from the twine just a minute later.

The goal seemed to take the steam out of the Silverbacks, and things got chippy in the 59th minute as Navia came in with a real late tackle on Seattle’s Marc Burch, and the two engaged in a shoving match in Atlanta’s half. The scrum was eventually sorted out, and both players ended up with yellow cards. The Sounders refused to sit back though, as Alonso played a through ball to Ochoa after the ordeal was sorted out, and Ochoa shot inside the far post to make it 4-1. Just four minutes later, Ochoa once again capitalized on a sloppy Atlanta defense, taking subsitute David Estrada’s blocked shot and slicing twthe defense from the right side of the box to notch a brace. He was subbed out to a standing ovation shortly thereafter for Open Cup hero Roger Levesque, a smart move as Atlanta continued to play chippy.

Levesque, Estrada, and fellow sub Servando Carrasco were intent on getting in on the action as well, continuing to put pressure on Nasco and the defense to the end. Cato, who had tormented the Atlanta defenders all match long, was dealt a hard foul by late sub Jordan Davis, who earned a yellow for his late bump in the back. Seattle finished with 24 shots, and 14 on goal, never giving Atlanta much breathing room on the night.

Seattle will once again be back in action at Starfire next tuesday, as they host Eric Wynalda’s Cal FC. Cal FC beat the Portland Timbers 1-0 in extra time on Wednesday, becoming the first USASA side since Dallas Roma in 2006 to knock off an MLS team in the Open Cup. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. Pacific/10:30 p.m. Eastern.

LINEUPS:

ATL- Joe Nasco (GK); Shane Moroney, Martyn Lancaster, Jose Burciaga, Jr., Raphael Cox; Tony McManus (Jordan Davis 84′), Ciaran O’Brien, Danilo Turcois, Borfor Carr (David Santamaria 72′); Matt Horth (Nico Colaluca 63′), Reinaldo Navia. SUBS NOT USED: Daniel Illyes (GK), Lucas Paulini, Willie Hunt, Lindemar Ferreira.

SEA- Bryan Meredith; Marc Burch, Jeff Parke, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Zach Scott; Alex Caskey, Andy Rose, Osvaldo Alonso (Servando Carrasco 72′), Cordell Cato; Sammy Ochoa (Roger Levesque 70′), Eddie Johnson (David Estrada 46′). SUBS NOT USED: Andrew Weber (GK), Brad Evans, Fredy Montero, Christian Sivebaek.

SCORING
SEA: Andy Rose 44′
SEA: Osvaldo Alonso (Cordell Cato) 47′
ATL: Reinaldo Navia (Moroney) 53′
SEA: Alex Caskey 54′
SEA: Sammy Ochoa (Osvaldo Alonso) 62′
SEA: Sammy Ochoa 66′

BOOKINGS:
ATL- Reinaldo Navia 59′ (caution; Reckless Tackle)
SEA- Marc Burch 59′ (caution; Unsporting Behavior)
ATL- Jordan Davis 87′ (caution; Reckless Foul)

STATS:
Shots: ATL- 8; SEA- 24
Saves: ATL- 9; SEA- 2
Fouls: ATL- 11; SEA- 8
Corners: ATL- 2; SEA- 10
Offsides: ATL- 4; SEA- 4

Referee: Josh Wilkens
Referee’s Assistants: Ron Lagraff, Jeremy Hanson
4th Official: Chipalo Street
Attendance: 3,703
Weather: Partly Cloudy, 65 degrees

2012 US Open Cup Second Round: Silverbacks win Atlanta derby over Georgia Revolution, give up right to host Seattle Sounders in Round 3

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CONYERS, Ga. – In the first-ever meeting between two Atlanta-area teams, the Atlanta Silverbacks defeated the Georgia Revolution 1-0 in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Georgia came out on the back heel and withstood the early pressure from the Silverbacks. In the 3rd minute, Reinaldo Navia put a glancing header just wide of Zach Schultze’s far post. Despite controlling most of the possession early on, Atlanta could not put any shots on net until the 21st minute, when Nico Colaluca forced an easy save out of Schultze.

The Revolution slowly but surely made their way forward, and came close in the 25th minute, when Clarke Bentley’s free kick found Michael Nwiloh unmarked in the box, but the defender could only put his header over goal.

Immediately following this chance, the game was stopped due to lightning in the area. As both teams remained on the field, the referees conferred with the coaches and decided to continue the game without further delay.

Late in the first half, Bentley was fouled by Jordan Davis in the area to give Georgia a penalty kick. Kwado Poku stepped up, but Joe Nasco was up to the task for Atlanta, diving to his left to collect the shot and keep the game scoreless going into the half.

As the second half began, the Revolution dominated possession but the Atlanta defense stood strong.

With the game ripe for the taking by either side, it was one moment of brilliance from Raphael Cox that decided the game. Capitalizing on a poor clearance, Cox dribbled down the left side of the field and into the box, unleashing a shot to the far side of the net that Schultze could not stop.

It was the best chance for either team in the second half, as numerous fouls and cards killed any decent flow to the match. Georgia had one final chance in stoppage time, but Sean Grisham’s corner kick sailed just over Schultze’s head into Nasco’s hands as the final whistle blew.

Atlanta moves on to the Third Round of the Open Cup, where they will take on three-time defending champion Seattle Sounders. Originally, Atlanta had won the right to host the Sounders in Atlanta, but a financial agreement was made between the two clubs which resulted in the Silverbacks giving Seattle the right to host. Now Atlanta will head to Tukwila, Wash. on Wednesday, May 30, to play their Open Cup game at Starfire Sports Complex.

The win was the first of the season in any competition for the Silverbacks, who started their NASL campaign with four draws and four losses. Georgia suffered their first loss in any competition, following two wins in NPSL play and one win over the Mississippi Brilla in the 1st round of the U.S. Open Cup.

Scoring: ATL- Raphael Cox (unassisted) 61′

Bookings:
ATL- Nico Colaluca 24′ (caution)
ATL- Raphael Cox 47′ (caution)
ATL- Reinaldo Navia 85′ (caution)
GEO- Jamal Keene 86′ (caution)

USSF: NASL teams will not be eligible for 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

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In a conference call to discuss the US Soccer Federation’s provisional sanctioning of the North American Soccer League (NASL), US Soccer president Sunil Gulati said the eight-team league will not be taking part in the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Five of the eight teams in the NASL — Carolina RailHawks, FC Tampa Bay Rowdies, Atlanta Silverbacks, NSC Minnesota Stars and Miami FC — will not participate due to the fact that a change to the Open Cup format at this stage of planning would be difficult.

Gulati said during the conference call, “It’s simply too late to incorporate them into the process in the various phases of the tournament. The timing does not work for the five U.S.-based teams to participate in this annual event.” He added, “It’s impossible to put them into . They’re not going to play this year.”

This marks the first time in the Professional Era (1995-present) that a pro league will not be taking part in the tournament. The last time a professional league was not represented in the Open Cup was when the previous North American Soccer League(1968-1984) refused to enter throughout the league’s 17-year existence. In 1996, the USISL Pro League did not enter a club into the Open Cup, but that was due to the qualification tournament created by the USISL, which merged all the leagues together into one competition. None of the USISL Pro teams survived the qualifying tournament.

The format for the 2011 US Open Cup has not been released, and it is unknown when it will be announced and how many teams will ultimately take part in the tournament. The last two years, the format was announced on May 5, 2010 and April 30, 2009.

The three remaining clubs, all of which are not eligible because they are not based in the United States, are still competing in their own cup competitions. The Canadian-based teams, FC Edmonton and the Montreal Impact will be taking part in the Canadian Nutrilite Championship and the Puerto Rico Islanders will also continue to participate in the Caribbean Football Union championships. Both tournaments lead to a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Currently there are a number of states who have either completed or are conducting their Open Cup qualifying tournament for the USASA.  Check back with TheCup.us with a recap of all the state qualifying to this point.

Things you should know about the First Round of the US Open Cup

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David Geno and the Seattle Sounders Under-23s celebrate one of the club's five goals in a 5-1 win over Doxa Italia in the First Round of the 2013 US Open Cup. Photo: Chris Coulter | SoundersPhotos.com
David Geno and the Seattle Sounders Under-23s celebrate one of the club’s five goals in a 5-1 win over Doxa Italia in the First Round of the 2013 US Open Cup. Photo: Chris Coulter | SoundersPhotos.com

A total of 40 clubs took part in the first Lamar Hunt US Open Cup (then known as the National Challenge Cup) tournament in 1913/14, a majority of whom came from the Northeast region of the country.

In 2008, the Seattle Sounders USL franchise became the first club in the Modern Era to advance to the Semifinals in consecutive seasons after beginning play in the First Round.

Since 1996, only five teams have advanced to the Semifinals after beginning play in the First Round. The Charleston Battery (2008), Carolina RailHawks (2007), San Francisco Bay Seals (1997) and the Seattle Sounders who did it twice in 2007 and 2008. San Francisco remain as the only third division club to advance to the final four (after beginning in Round 1) during that span.

Since 1995, an Open Division Local team has failed to advance past the First Round only three times (1995, 1998, 2002). Uruguay SC from Florida made the Second Round in back-to-back years (2000, 2001), and Mexico SC (Fresno, CA) joined them in 2000. Dallas Roma FC advanced in consecutive seasons in 2005 and 2006 and Bavarian SC (Milwaukee, WI) moved on to the next round in 2003 and 2007. From 2008-2010, only one USASA club survived the opening round each year (Hollywood United – 2008, Sonoma County Sol – 2009, Arizona Sahuaros – 2010). After the tournament expanded in 2012, it has become more common.

In 1999, the Wilmington Hammerheads saw two players score hat tricks in their First Round match. Ryan Walker and Luke Griffith both scored three times in Wilmington’s 8-1 rout of Los Lobos, a USASA team from Oklahoma.

The Atlanta Silverbacks (USL First Division, Div. 2 pro) embarrassed Azzurri, an Open Division Local club from North Texas, 10-0 in the First Round of the 2007 tournament. It was the biggest route in the Modern Era, topping the Chicago Stingers’ (USL D3 Pro) 8-0 win over SAC Wisla (USASA) in 1997.

2007 marked the first year that all non-MLS teams began the tournament in the First Round. It was also the first year that any Division 2 pro teams started in Round 1.

In 2013, David Geno of the Seattle Sounders U-23s (USL League Two) became the first player from an Open Division team to score four goals in one game, and just the 10th player from any division to pull off the feat. He did this in Seattle’s 5-1 home win over Doxa Italia, and he scored all four of his goals in the first half.

The First Round in 2013 marked the first time that four different players scored a hat trick in the same round. Prior to that year, no more than two players had ever done it in the same round in the Modern Era (1995-present).  David Geno of the Sounders U23s scored four against Doxa Italia (USASA), while Hakan Ilhan (Carolina Dynamo), Kwadwo Poku (Georgia Revolution) and Argjent Duka (Icon FC) each scored a trio of goals in their respective games.

The attendance record for the First Round of the US Open Cup (Modern Era) is 5,816, when the Arizona Sahuaros (D3 Pro League) hosted the San Gabriel Valley Highlanders (PDL) at Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Arizona on June 12, 1998.

The record for highest average attendance in the First Round (Modern Era) is 1,247, but there were only four games scheduled that year (and one of them was forfeited).

The record for the biggest Second Round in the Modern Era is 2017 when there were 28 games played.

Updated after the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2008 Second Round: Miami FC edge Silverbacks, earn first win over pro team

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With Alex Afonso’s lone strike of the game in the 40th minute, Miami FC advanced past the Second Round of the US Open Cup for the first time with a 1-0 win over the visiting Atlanta Silverbacks.

In a rare switch, Miami FC head coach Zinho decided to rest players in advance of Tuesday’s Open Cup contest, instead of the other way around. The move paid off as Miami recorded another shutout, adding to the eight they had in league play to that point. Atlanta nearly took an early lead when a shot from Rodrigo Rios in the 6th minute struck the top of the crossbar. Just before halftime, Afonso unleashed a long range shot to the top left corner of the goal, giving goalkeeper Ryan McIntosh no chance at a save.

Both teams worked furiously to score an additional goal, each defense held just as firm. In the final minute, Miami goalkeeper Josh Saunders saved a close range shot from Jason McLaughlin, and Eric Vasquez nearly scored on a counter attack for Miami, but his shot was off the mark.

Miami moves on to face FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park next Tuesday in Frisco, Texas.

2008 First Round recap: Hollywood United historic upset headlines the opening round

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2008 US Open Cup First Round
(Home team listed on right)
June 10
Yakima Reds 1:5 Harrisburg City Islanders
Boston Olympiakos 0:2 Western Mass Pioneers
Fredericksburg Gunners 0:3 Richmond Kickers
Crystal Palace Baltimore 2:1 LA Legends
RWB Adria 1:2 (aet) Rochester Rhinos
Pittsburgh Riverhounds 4:0 AAC Eagles
St. Louis Lions 1:4 Minnesota Thunder
Cleveland City Stars 2:1 Michigan Bucks
Bradenton Academics 2:4 Miami FC
Atlanta Silverbacks 2:2 (5:4 PKs) Austin Aztex U23s
Clearwater Galactics 2:5 Charlotte Eagles
Seattle Sounders 1:0 (aet) Arizona Sahuaros
Hollywood United 3:2 Portland Timbers
Brooklyn Knights 0:1 Carolina RailHawks
ASC New Stars 0:3 Charleston Battery
June 13
NY Pancyprian Freedoms 2:3 (aet) Real Maryland
Player of the Round: Pat Healey (CP Baltimore)
Notable upsets in the First Round
Things you should know about the First Round

In the lone upset in this year’s opening round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, Hollywood United became only the second USASA club to defeat a USL First Division team in the tournament, knocking off the Portland Timbers with a dramatic, stoppage-time goal from Earl Alexander.

A pair of penalty kicks by Matt Taylor kept Hollywood level with their professional hosts. The Timbers tallied with goals fron Chris Brown (32nd minute), and Arsene Oka (51st minute). A crucial turning point in the match came in the 53rd minute, when Hollywood goalkeeper Javier Barragan saved a penalty kick from the Timbers’ Takayuki Suzuki, keeping the score 2-1 in favor of Portland.

Four other amateur teams nearly joined Hollywood in the Second Round.

In Phoenix, Arizona, the defending USL First Division Champion Seattle Sounders needed 118 minutes to find the winning goal against the USASA’s Arizona Sahuaros. Kenji Treschuk scored the winning goal with just a couple minutes remaining in extra time, before the match would go to penalty kicks.

In Austin, Texas, the Atlanta Silverbacks got a penalty kick goal from David Hayes late in overtime to tie the game back up at 2-2 and sent the game into a tiebreaking shootout against the PDL’s Austin Aztex U23s. However, Atlanta would prevail, with Hayes sending the USL-1 side to the next round with the winning kick.

In Rochester, the Rhinos also needed extra time to knock off Chicago USASA club RWB Adria 2-1. Awadallah Morad tied the game for Adria with just four minutes remaining in regulation, and Hamed Diallo scored the eventual winning goal for Rochester just seven minutes into the extra period.

One match on Tuesday’s schedule was washed out by inclement weather, but the day after New York Pancyprian Freedoms (USASA Region I) took the Real Maryland Monarchs (USL-2) to overtime. The Monarchs needed an 85th minute equalizer and a late extra time goal to end the Freedoms’ upset bid.

2008 First Round: Silverbacks equalize twice, win PK shootout vs. Aztex U23s

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The Atlanta Silverbacks came from a goal behind twice, once to force extra time and again to force penalty kicks, to sneak past the Austin Aztex U23s in a PK shootout after a 2-2 draw.

After facing several good scoring opportunities from the Silverbacks, it was the PDL Aztex who held the lead at halftime. With only stoppage time remaining in the half, Jamie Watson poked home a loose ball from 12 yards out for a 1-0 advantage.

At the 79th minute, Atlanta was handed a chance to level the game, but a David Hayes penalty kick was saved by goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo. Just three minutes later, Atlanta did find the equalizer, when Mac Kandji beat Gallardo for the tying score.

In the 99th minute, Atlanta were reduced to ten men when Chris Mahaffey was shown a straight red card for what was deemed a reckless challenge while attempting to score by sliding for the ball in the penalty area. Austin took advantage immediately as Willy Guadarrama put the Aztex up 2-1 on a goal on his first touch of the game after entering as a sub.

With just seven minutes remaining, Hayes found himself at the penalty spot again, after being pulled down in the box. Hayes didn’t miss the second time around, leveling the score at 2-2 for the shorthanded Silverbacks.

In the penalty shootout, all of Atlanta’s kick takers converted, while Austin’s second shooter, Beto Papandrea missed his chance. Hayes, for the third time that night, stepped up to the spot again, and beat Gallardo to send the Silverbacks to the Second Round to face Miami FC.

2007 US Open Cup Round 3: FC Dallas reaches Quarterfinals with PK win over Atlanta Silverbacks

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FC Dallas needed six rounds of penalty kicks to finish off the USL First Division’s Atlanta Silverbacks at Pizza Hut Park in a Third Round Lamar Hunt US Open Cup match. The two teams finished regulation tied 1-1 and after 30 minutes of scoreless extra time, the home team moved on to the Quarterfinals with 4-3 shootout win.

Carlos Ruiz of Dallas scored the opening goal on a counterattack in the 74th minute on an assist by goalkeeper Dario Sala. This marked just the third time in the US Open Cup’s Modern Era that a goalkeeper earned an assist.

Four minutes later, Atlanta’s Dan Antoniuk tied the game up on an assist by David Hayes, however, four minutes from then Antoniuk would exit the game he helped save. The team’s leading scorer was sent off in the 82nd minute, leaving the Silverbacks a man short for the remainder of the match.

Despite being shorthanded, Atlanta managed to keep Dallas off the scoresheet for the remainder of regulation and extra time. Ryan McIntosh of Atlanta, and Dario Sala of FC Dallas both made big saves throughout the match, but it came down to a shootout where Silverbacks midfielder Scott Buethe missed high in Round 6, and Arturo Alvarez converted to send the MLS side through to the next round.

PK Shotout Summary
ATL 1 – Rios (Goal)
DAL 1 – Ruiz – (Goal)
ATL 2 – Moore – (Save)
DAL 2 – Richetti – (Save)
ATL 3 – O’Brien – (Wide Left)
DAL 3 – Toja – (Save)
ATL 4 – Rivillo – (Goal)
DAL 4 – Gbandi – (Goal)
ATL 5 – Hayes – (Goal)
DAL 5 – Thompson – (Goal)
ATL 6 – Buete – (High)
DAL 6 – Alvarez – (Goal)

Lineups

Atlanta’s starters: Ryan McIntosh, David Hayes, Matt Bobo, Martyn Lancaster, Justin Moore, Rodrigo Rios, Tony McManus, Scott Buete, Rafique Hassim (John Queeley – 66) (Angel Rivillo – 114), Daniel Antoniuk, Warren Ukah (Corey Woolfolk – 74) (Dayton O’Brien – 119).
Goals: Antoniuk – 78 (Hayes)
Cautions: McManus – 72; Rios – 82; Lancaster – 92; Bobo- 96
Ejections: Antoniuk – 82

Dallas’ starters: Dario Sala, Chris Gbandi, Pablo Richetti, Juan Toja, Ramon Nunez (Dominic Oduruo – 69), Clarence Goodson (David Wagenfuhr – 113), Arturo Alvarez, Drew Moor (Abe Thompson – 91), Aaron Pitchkolan, Bobby Rhine (Michael Dello-Russo – 117), Carlos Ruiz.
Goals: Ruiz – 74 (Sala)
Cautions:
Ejections:

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