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Brian Carroll

2012 US Open Cup Fourth Round: Philadelphia Union tops rival DC United to reach Quarterfinals (video)

June 6, 2012 by Jimmy LaRoue

Nick DeLeon (18) of DC United pulls the ball away from Raymon Gaddis (28) of the Philadelphia Union during Tuesday's US Open Cup match. Photo: Tony Quinn | DC United

Dangerous Philadelphia Union rookie Antoine Hoppenot proved to be the difference in a tense match, as his extra time goal propelled the visitors to a 2-1 Fourth Round win over host DC United to advance to the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup.

With the win, the Union will take on USL Pro noisemakers Harrisburg City Islanders, who pulled off another MLS upset by taking down the New York Red Bulls 3-1 in extra time.

“It’s good we play at home, but in the latest edition of the Cup, there have been a lot of surprises,” said Union coach Peter Nowak. “Harrisburg beat New England and now they beat New York. It’s still a very important game for us to move forward in this tournament, especially playing at home.”

Hoppenot came on in the second half and scored in the second minute of extra time after United defender Emiliano Dudar was unable to clear Freddy Adu’s through ball. Hoppenot came upon the loose ball and finished past United goalkeeper Bill Hamid.

“That’s why I have so many gray hairs,” Nowak said. “He was trying very hard, he stretched defenders and he the speed that allowed him to get behind them and he got rewarded for it.”

United was unable to find an equalizer, and the feisty match closed in a contentious manner with Union defender Carlos Valdes and United defender Brandon McDonald both sent off with red cards in the 112th minute in a match that also featured five yellow cards–three for Philadelphia and two for United.

United coach Ben Olsen said his team forgot about some of the little things that had brought it to first place in MLS’s Eastern Conference.

Olsen, though disappointed yet again in the refereeing in the U.S. Open Cup, said they weren’t to blame for the loss.“I’ll look at myself first and our staff first, but we have to realize that that’s not good enough,” said United coach Ben Olsen of his team’s effort. “Too many guys were on their own page today. We were cute all over the field. We thought it was going to be enough to step out here and beat a team because they were a little down on their luck. Maybe it’s a good thing because this really does show us that we’re not as good as we think we are.”

“It was a typical Open Cup game,” Olsen said. “The referees were lousy. They always are, for both teams. Every Open Cup game, it just turns into an absolute circus. I don’t know if that needs to be addressed or not. Maybe that’s the fun of the Open Cup–that it’s an absolute zoo every game. It gets old.

“Believe me, I’m not blaming the referees tonight, but it doesn’t help. At the end of the day, this game is a perfect reminder of what we can’t do, the attitude we can’t come to a game with.”

The Union opened the scoring in first half stoppage time on a goal from former United midfielder Brian Carroll, whose shot from 18 yards deflected into the net past Hamid for a 1-0 lead, giving the Sons of Ben contingent making the trip to Maryland something to celebrate.

However, United tied the match in the waning moments before halftime, as Andy Najar right-sided cross to the far post found Nick DeLeon, who headed the ball back across the face of goal for Josh Wolff to finish with a header of his own to tie the match, giving United supporters something to cheer about as well.

“We didn’t start particularly well and we didn’t put together a lot of good soccer in the first half,” Wolff said. “Rightfully so, we went down 1-0, but we were able to get right back into it after that, feeling probably better than we should’ve felt.”

United, however, were not able to finish in the final third, however, and Olsen said there is one silver lining to the loss for a team that currently is in first place in MLS’s Eastern Conference .

“It’s a good wakeup call,” Olsen said. “We’re not as good as we think we are.”

Philadelphia will now host the City Islanders, a Union affiliate, at PPL Park June 26.

“Obviously we’re disappointed,” said United midfielder Perry Kitchen. “Credit to Philadelphia, they came out to play. We just didn’t match their intensity.”

DC United 1:2 AET Philadelphia Union
Maryland Sportsplex – Germantown, MD

Scoring Summary:
PHL: Brian Carroll (Unassisted)  ‘46+
DC: Josh Wolff (Nick DeLeon) ‘47+
PHL: Antoine Hoppenot (Freddy Adu) ‘93

Misconduct Summary:
DC: McDonald Yellow ‘13
DC: Dudar Yellow ‘27
PHI: Valdes Yellow ‘55
PHI: Martinez Yellow ‘64
PHI: M. Farfan Yellow ‘82
DC: McDonald Red ‘112
PHI: Valdes Red ‘112

Filed Under: US Open Cup Tagged With: 2012 Fourth Round, 2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, 2012 US Open Cup, Antoine Hoppenot, Brian Carroll, DC United, Josh Wolff, Philadelphia Union

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: DC United hold off Union’s shorthanded rally, advance on PKs

April 7, 2011 by David Gubala

Josh Wolff, DC United
Josh Wolff, DC United
Josh Wolff of DC Untied heads in the tying goal just before halftime in their US Open Cup qualifying match vs. Philadelphia Union. Photo: Tony Quinn | DC United

2011 US Open Cup qualifying bracket

In the opening round of Major League Soccer’s US Open Cup qualifying tournament, DC United survived a 10-man Philadelphia Union squad who scored a late equalizer in extra time and took the game into penalty kicks. United would prevail in the shootout, 4-2, to move on to the next round to host the New England Revolution on April 26 at the Maryland Soccerplex at 7:30 p.m.

After the Union’s Carlos Ruiz and DC’s Josh Wolff traded first half goals, the second half went by scoreless despite Philadelphia’s Carlos Valdes being sent off for his second yellow card in the 85th minute. DC’s poured on the pressure and took the lead with a goal by Daniel Woolard in the 111th minute, but the Union wouldn’t give up. In the 118th minute, the shorthanded visitors got an equalizer from veteran, and former DC player, Brian Carroll to send the match into PKs.

DC remains unbeaten in five all-time qualifying matches (4-0-1), while the Union have been eliminated in their opening game in each of their first two seasons.

Both teams fielded their best squads for the night and much was expected. The game initially began with Joseph Ngwenya finding loads of space in the attacking third of the field, feeding Najar with dangerous balls.

Philly’s chances started showing in minute 12 of play when Harvey’s cross found the head of Carlos Ruiz at top of the box, only to be cleared by Ethan White of DC United.

Minute 14 was the best chance for DC so far as Andy Najar ran onto a through ball from Ngwenya, crossing into Fred who misfired it past the veteran Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon.

Sons of Ben had their moment to finally celebrate in the 18th minute when Sheanon Williams launched a low throw-in into a crowded penalty area. Eventually the ball fell to Ruiz, who turned and finished from 10 yards out.

United then bombarded Philadelphia with counter attacks, sending Andy Najar onto multiple dangerous runs.

Philly had chances came again most notably in the 30th minute when Sebastien Le Toux hit Ruiz’s pass just wide.

Right before the halftime whistle came, DC took advantage of a well-taken corner where White initially took a shot at goal, but it was Josh Wolff who eventually put it in the back of the net after a series of deflections in the Philly box. Chance well-taken and it was all square headed into the locker rooms.

Minute 46 saw the substitution of DC goal scorer Josh Wolff, who is tied along with Ruiz for 5th on the Professional Era (1995-present) goalscoring list with 9 career goals,  coming off for Brettschneider who made a name for himself later on the second half.

In the 47th minute, Andy Najar sent in a very dangerous cross from the right, but Faryd Mondragon was able to deflect it away just before Ngwenya could tap in.

Both DC and Philly were exchanging possession as the game continued but it was DC United that was taking control of the game. A series of shots from Carlos Ruiz had followed all that with the DC defense being forced to stiffen.

In minute 68, best chance of the half for DC when Brettschneider crossed the ball to Boskovic. The Montenegrin had unfortunately stretched the situation, taking too long before Mondragon could easily scoop it up.

The game had turned more and more physical as it neared the end, especially when Peter Nowak stood up in the 80th minute, having serious talks with the officials.

As if that wasn’t enough, Valdes was shown his second yellow card in the 85th minute after arguing with the referee and kicking the ball into the stands. Philadelphia was forced to play with ten men the rest of the way.

Last pieces of actions included Andy Najar playing a through ball to Brettschneider, who tried to cross to Ngwenya with Mondragon having none of it.

After 5 minutes of added time, we headed into extra time and this one was definitely turning into a nail-biter.

First period of extra time without a doubt belonged to DC United as Chris Pontius paired up with Brettschneider hitting shot after shot and DC holding the majority of possession.

A similar goal came in for DC in the 112th minute when former Chicago Fire defender Daniel Woolard knocked in a deflected ball to make it 2-1, but the show was not over yet.

Two minutes from the final whistle, Carroll knocked in a deflected ball as well, only this time in the Union’s favor. It was 2-2 just a couple of minutes before referee Andrew Chapin could call it a night.

Surprisingly enough, the game went into penalties where Bill Hamid proved massive. After Jack McInerney sent his attempt over the bar, it was Roger Torres who had his shot saved, while United converted all four of their attempts.

DC United now will host the New England Revolution on April 26 in Round 2 of the 2011 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. It will be their 19th consecutive Open Cup home game (including qualifying).

————————–
2011 US Open Cup qualifying (MLS)
Philadelphia Union 2:2 DC United  (DC advances 4-2 in PKs)
Wednesday, April 6 – Maryland Soccerplex (Boyds, Md.)

DC United lineup: Bill Hamid (GK); Brandon Barklage, Ethan White, Rodrigo Brasesco (Dejan Jakovic – 41th), Daniel Woolard; Andy Najar, Stephen King, Fred (Chris Pontius – 89th), Branko Boskovic; Josh Wolff (Brettschneider – 46th), Joseph Ngwenya | Unused substitutes: Simms, Morsink, Shanoksy, Willis

Philadelphia Union lineup: Faryd Mondragon (GK), Jordan Harvey, Carlos Valdes, Danny Califf, Sheanon Williams (Danny Mwanga – 73rd), Kyle Nakazawa, Brian Carroll, Michael Farfan, Keon Daniel (Roger Torres – 66th), Sebastien Le Toux, Carlos Ruiz (Jack McInerney – 80th) | Unused substitutes: Holder, Richter, Pfeffer, Agorsor

SCORING SUMMARY
PHI: Carlos Ruiz (Sheanon Williams) – 18th minute
DCU: Josh Wolff (Joseph Ngwenya) – 45th minute
DCU: Daniel Woolard (Unassisted) – 111th minute
PHI: Brian Carroll (Unassisted) – 118th minute

PENALTY KICK SUMMARY
PHI: Sebastien Le Toux – MADE
DCU: Chris Pontius – MADE
PHI: Jack McInerney – MISS (high)
DCU: Brandon Barklage – MADE
PHI: Roger Torres – SAVED
DCU: Andy Najar – MADE
PHI: Kyle Nakazawa – MADE
DCU: Branko Boskovic – MADE

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
DCU: Fred (Caution) – 25th min.
PHI: Carlos Valdes (Caution) – 39th min.
DCU: Dejan Jakovic – 70th min.
PHI: Carlos Ruiz (Caution) – 73rd
PHI: Carlos Valdes (Second Caution / Ejection) – 85th min.
PHI: Piotr Nowak (Ejection) – 118th min.

Referee: Andrew Chapin
Assistants: Eric Weisbord, Kevin Klinger
4th official: Michael Donovan

Filed Under: US Open Cup Tagged With: 2011 MLS Qualifying, 2011 US Open Cup qualifying, 2011 USOC Qualifying, Bill Hamid, Brian Carroll, Carlos Ruiz, Daniel Wollard, DC United, Faryd Mondragon, Josh Wolff, Major League Soccer, MLS, Philadelphia Union

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U.S. Open Cup History

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1995 US Open Cup Rewind series: The Modern Era begins

The 30th anniversary of the 1995 Open Cup is upon us this year, and as we did with the inaugural tournament in 1913-1914, we’re going to take you back in time and relive the 1995 US Open Cup in chronological order, as it happened.

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