Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Carolina RailHawks

2013 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Real Salt Lake blanks league-focused Carolina RailHawks, reaches first final four (video)

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

For the first time in its 2013 tournament campaign, Real Salt Lake defeated a squad without the use of extra time, and for the first time in club history, the Claret-and-Cobalt moved on to the Semifinals of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. RSL defeated the NASL leading Carolina RailHawks 3-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.

With the win, RSL became the first Utah-based club to reach the Semifinals in the 100-year history of the US Open Cup.

Through the first half hour of Wednesday’s match, the MLS side couldn’t break through the RailHawks defense that kept at least 10 men behind the ball. Carolina’s goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald was equal to a Kyle Beckerman curler that seemed destined for the top corner. Finally in the 35th, defender Tony Beltran fired a shot through traffic and beat the sprawling Fitzgerald to the far post.

With Carolina fielding a weakened side, another RSL defender, Chris Wingert, surged into the attack to score from distance on a deflection in the second half, proving that the rout was on. The victory sent Major League Soccer’s hottest club to the Semifinals for the first time in the franchise’s nine-year history. It’ll host the Portland Timbers, who are also making its first appearance in the final four, on August 7.

“I’m pleased but it means nothing to be in the Semifinal,” Salt Lake head coach Jason Kreis said in post-game media comments. “It means something to me to win the whole thing.”

The RailHawks, first in the NASL standings, avenged a 2012 Open Cup loss by beating MLS’s Chivas USA 3-1 in the tourney’s fourth-round to reach the Quarters. The second-division side decided to go with a makeshift lineup for the match, keeping the NASL’s goal scoring leader Brian Shriver on the bench in the first half. After 45 minutes, the RailHawks totaled zero shots.

“I was disappointed that I couldn’t put the team that I wanted to put out,” Carolina coach Colin Clarke said. “It would be our first championship and we need to get over that hurdle and win that first championship.”

The RailHawks opted to save key starters, including club captain Floyd Franks and midfielder Cesar Elizondo, for Saturday’s match against the Atlanta Silverbacks, which would give the side its first NASL Spring Season title and the right to host 2013 Soccer Bowl.

“It’s often the case that coaching staffs and players need to make decisions about where you’re going to put all your eggs, and they chose Saturday so maybe that’s a good thing for us,” Kreis said.

In the beginning, it didn’t look to be RSL’s day. The Utah side’s first shot came in the 10th minute when forward Robbie Findley sprinted down the left flank, but Fitzgerald pushed the ball out for a clearance. The Claret-and-Cobalt were reduced to pouring long balls over the top only to come out fruitless until the Beltran strike.

“Saborio made a great pass and I wasn’t sure after I took the first touch if I was going to take another one, to kind of drive to the end line and cut it back,” the RSL defender said. “I heard Beckerman say hit it and I just decided to rip it and it went into the far post.”

The goal gave Beltran the confidence to go on another foray forward in the 44th minute, collecting the ball from a Ned Grabavoy pass and lofting a shot to the far post to force another diving save from the Carolina keeper.

At the break with RSL up 1-0, the crowd of 10,287 jeered the opposition for not forcing Salt Lake goalkeeper Josh Saunders into a save. In the 50th minute, RailHawks forward Brian Ackley tried to catch the former LA number one off his line, but the shot sailed just wide of the net. Off of the ensuing goal kick, sloppy play led to a turnover that found Chris Wingert just outside of the penalty box for a goal. The defender’s shot caromed off of a Carolina back, catching Fitzgerald off guard who was unable to make the save. It was Wingert’s second goal in his career.

“I would say it doesn’t have quite the same feeling as if you hit a blast, but they all count and I’ll take anything,” the unapologetic defender said.

Finally in the 61st minute, Carolina brought in the cavalry, taking off Eddie Ababio and Justin Willis in favor of Brian Shriver and Cesar Elizondo, who made an impact on the game. The duo forced a corner kick in the 68th minute, but Ackley’s header couldn’t find the frame.

“We tried to keep it tight and try to get 50 or 60 minutes without conceding and then bring on some players who could help us win the game,” Clarke said. “Cesar and Shriver changed the game with their pace and kept the ball moving.”

Still, the second-division side failed to take advantage of its men with fresh legs, allowing RSL to bring on forward Olmes Garcia and midfielder Yordany Alvarez for Javier Morales and Khari Stephenson in the 78th. Immediately Garcia was active, crossing the ball to a wide open. Joao Plata in the 80th minute whose shot flashed high over the bar.

Just five minutes later, the Columbian got the assist he deserved, when Ned Grabavoy’s pass sprung the 20-year old down the right flank. With Alvaro Saborio streaking to the near post, Garcia crossed the ball for a far post header by the Costa Rican to give Salt Lake its third goal.

“He’s a guy that thrives on confidence and momentum,” Kreis told of the striker. “Unfortunately, he’s off to Costa Rica so maybe they can enjoy his momentum.”

The loss in the Quarterfinals was Carolina’s furthest run in the tournament since its inaugural 2007 squad made it to the Semis. In the ’07 run, the RailHawks lost to another MLS side, the New England Revolution, 2-1. The second-division side continues its NASL Spring Season title quest with two games left.

With the victory, Kreis earned his 100th win across all competitions as the head man at Real Salt Lake.

“It’s not just a crest on a shirt,” the RSL legend beamed. “Obviously it feels like my home. This is where I started and this is where I got my first chance.”

The Claret-and-Cobalt continues the 2013 MLS campaign at Toronto FC Saturday. In the Cup, Salt Lake will host the Portland Timbers in the Semis when captain and former Salt Lake midfielder Will Johnson returns on August 7 to Rio Tinto Stadium. It will be the Canadian’s first game back in Utah since he was traded in 2012.

“I’m pleased with the performance overall, and tonight I thought we responded will after a pretty sluggish start. I’m happy that we’re moving on,” Kreis said.

Quarterfinals :: Carolina RailHawks 0 : 3 Real Salt Lake

June 26 – Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy UT – Attendance: 10,207; Sunny & 85 degrees

Scoring Summary

RSL: Tony Beltran (Alvaro Saborio) 35

RSL: Chris Wingert 50

RSL: Alvaro Saborio (Ned Grabavoy) 85

Cautions:

No cautions.

Lineups:

RSL (4-4-2): Josh Sauders (GK); Tony Beltran, Nat Borchers, Carlos Salcedo, Chris Wingert; Kyle Beckerman, Ned Grabavoy, Khari Stephenson (Olmes Garcia 79), Javier Morales (Yordany Alvarez 79); Robbie Findley (Joao Plata 64), Alvaro Saborio. Substitutes not used: Nick Rimando (GK), Lovel Palmer, Sebastian Velasquez, Devon Sandoval

CAR (4-4-2): Akira Fitzgerald (GK); Jordan Graye, Austen King, Kevin Rutkiewicz, Kupono Low; Jonathan Greenfield (Austin da Luz 80), Nick Millington, Justin Willis (Brian Shriver 61), Eddie Ababio (Cesar Elizondo 61); Ciaran O’Brian, Brian Ackley. Substitutes not used: Tim Murray (GK), Paul Hamilton, Floyd Franks, Zack Schilawski

2013 US Open Cup Fourth Round: Real Salt Lake super subs spark rally, beat Charleston Battery 5-2 in OT

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For the second consecutive round, Real Salt Lake escaped embarrassment at the hands of a lower division opponent by finding some magic and prevailing in overtime, avoiding a repeat of their home loss a year ago to Minnesota of the NASL. In the Fourth Round Wednesday night the MLS club scored five unanswered goals, erasing a two-goal deficit to send the match to extra time where they found three more against an exhausted, visiting Charleston Battery of USL Pro.

Through an hour Wednesday night, it looked like the Battery were going to add another Major League Soccer team to their collection of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup upsets. But Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis, whose team was sluggish throughout a first half that saw them allow two goals in four minutes, turned to his bench, and the duo of Joao Plata and Khari Stephenson helped turn the match.

Real Salt LakeRookie Devon Sandoval scored twice, Plata and Javier Morales had a goal and an assist apiece and Stephenson scored on a long-range rocket as Real Salt Lake surged to the victory at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, sending them to the Quarterfinals for the third time in their nine-year history after previous appearances in 2006 and 2011. They’ll play host to the Carolina RailHawks of the NASL on June 26.

“I was really, really disappointed with what happened in the first half,” Kreis said in post-game media comments. “But I challenged the guys at halftime, and credit to them for the response they showed. To score five goals unanswered is pretty good.”

The Battery, third in the USL Pro standings and coming off a 1-0 victory over Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes in the Third Round of the Open Cup, opened the scoring just after the quarter-hour mark. Charleston’s Jarad van Schaik – drafted by Real Salt Lake in 2011 but never offered a contract – played a long ball from the left side for striker Dane Kelly, who got behind center back Nat Borchers and finished to the far post against goalkeeper Josh Saunders.

The goal came on Charleston’s first foray into the attacking end, but was quickly followed by another.

Mark Wiltse did well on the right flank and played the ball to Quinton Griffith in the box. He ripped a shot that clanged off the far post, but striker Nicki Paterson was there to finish off the rebound and give the visitors a stunning 2-0 lead just 18 minutes in. Paterson has six career Open Cup goals and has scored in the tournament for five straight years.

The scoreline remained that way through halftime, at which point some in the crowd of 13,763 booed the team off the field.

It was a vastly different story after the break; especially after Kreis brought on Plata and Stephenson for defender Aaron Maund and midfielder Sebastian Velasquez in the 63rd, switching to a three-man back line as the Battery sat back and tried to defend their advantage.

“We thought we could get at them in that first half and it worked. If we got that third goal, it might’ve put them under some more pressure,” Battery coach Michael Anhaeuser said. “I have to give credit to them, they really changed it up in the second half. The substitutes changed the game.”

Just three minutes later, Sandoval got Real Salt Lake on the board, heading a cross by defender Tony Beltran from the right side back across the goal to the far post past Battery keeper Odisnel Cooper.

“Excellent, really really good,” Kreis said of Sandoval, a physical, 6-foot-1 striker out of New Mexico. “(He) got better as it went on, because I actually think he wasn’t the sharpest until he scored the goal, and then I thought he was fantastic. And the work rate is always there, so I’m very appreciative of that, but he scored that goal that broke things open, then almost didn’t really put a foot wrong the rest of the way.”

Plata turned in a similar performance, setting up chance after chance for the claret and cobalt. The 5-foot-2 forward worked a give-and-go with Ned Grabavoy down the left side and appeared to have his legs taken out by a Charleston defender, then stepped to the spot and dispatched the ensuing penalty with authority to tie the score in the 79th.

“I don’t know if it was a penalty,” Anhaeuser said. “I think if you ask him, he might say it was. It looked like he slipped a little bit, but of course, you can’t bump a guy. If it looks like it and especially on the road, you don’t get those calls.”

Cooper and the Battery back line turned away some good opportunities in the final 10 minutes of regulation, but Real Salt Lake was back in the goals in extra time.

Sandoval got his second of the night and fourth of the season on another header in the 96th. Morales took a corner kick from the right side that sailed over his intended targets, but Plata got the ball on the left side of the box. He deftly chipped a it up for Sandoval, who nodded past Cooper again.

“The first half was definitely frustrating, because we’ve got to come out better than that. They had a game plan and executed it and got two goals from it,” Sandoval said. “The second half we came out a lot better and got our chances and put them away.”

Stephenson put Charleston away in the 105th, crushing a shot from 30 yards out past Cooper. Coincidentally, it also was Sandoval and Stephenson who scored extra-time goals in Real Salt Lake’s 3-2 win over the NASL’s Atlanta Silverbacks in the third round.

“You look at all the guys that came into the match were difference-makers for me, and that’s what you need to have,” Kreis said. “The energy level was a little low from quite a few of the players tonight. So the guys coming off the bench were critical. All of them did well, worked hard and were a big part of the difference.”

Morales finished things off two minutes later in stoppage time of the first 15-minute period of extra time, converting another penalty after Sandoval was judged to have been held down on a corner kick. His goal marked the first time Real Salt Lake has scored five goals since a 5-0 rout of New England in an MLS match back on July 2, 2010, and gave the team a whopping 19 goals in its past six games overall.

With another lower division opponent set to visit Rio Tinto for the Quarterfinals, Kreis is hoping his team has learned the level of commitment needed against such foes.

“I hope so. I really thought that we were a smart enough, experienced veteran team that we wouldn’t have to go through this twice,” he said of playing extra time. “I’m hopeful that the third time we won’t need to play 120 minutes.”

Charleston has a rich Open Cup history, having lost in the final in 2008 and advanced to the semifinals in 1999 and 2004 and quarterfinals in 2007, ’09 and ’10.

“The club takes it seriously. The players take it seriously,” Battery veteran defender John Wilson said. “When you have a lot of young players you want to show up well. You want to try and win the game.”

Fourth Round :: Charleston Battery 2 :: AET :: 5 Real Salt Lake

June 12 – Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy UT – Attendance: 13,763; Cloudy & 92 degrees

Scoring Summary:

CHB: Dane Kelly (Jarad van Schaik) 16

CHB: Nicki Paterson 18

RSL: Devon Sandoval (Tony Beltran) 66

RSL: Joao Plata (penalty kick) 79

RSL: Devon Sandoval (Joao Plata) 96

RSL: Khari Stephenson (Javier Morales) 105

RSL: Javier Morales (penalty kick) 105+

Cautions:

CHB: Nicki Paterson 56, Mike Azira 57, John Wilson 93, Cody Ellison 112

RSL: Devon Sandoval 94

Lineups:

RSL: Josh Saunders; Tony Beltran, Nat Borchers, Aaron Maund (Khari Stephenson 63), Chris Wingert; Kyle Beckerman, Ned Grabavoy, Sebastian Velasquez (Joao Plata 63), Javier Morales; Devon Sandoval, Olmes Garcia (Robbie Findley 74). Substitutes not used: Jeff Attinella (GK), Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Lovel Palmer, Yordany Alvarez.

CHB: Odisnel Cooper; John Wilson, Colin Falvey, Kenneth Ellison, Mark Wiltse; Jarad van Schaik, Michael Azira, Nicki Paterson; Jose Cuevas (Zach Prince 68), Quinton Griffith (Taylor Mueller 72), Dane Kelly (Haviel Cordoves 82). Substitutes not used: Kevin Klasila (GK), Shawn Ferguson, Maikel Chang.

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2013 US Open Cup Fourth Round: Carolina RailHawks avenge 2012 loss, upset Chivas USA 3-1 in OT (video)

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Two weeks ago, history repeated itself when, for the second straight year, the Carolina RailHawks ousted the LA Galaxy in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and advanced to host C.D. Chivas USA in the next round.

For about 90-plus minutes Wednesday night in Cary, it looked as though history might repeat itself once again. As with their Open Cup match last year, the RailHawks and Chivas USA entered the game’s latter stages tied 1-1. Yes, Carolina scored in the first half this year before Chivas equalized in the second, the reverse of last year’s order. However, that just heightened the feeling that Chivas USA would, like last season, snag a stoppage-time goal to eek out a 2-1 victory at WakeMed Soccer Park.

But this year, Carolina withstood the late Chivas push and forced overtime. Galvanized by breaking the cycle, the RailHawks scored twice in extra time to defeat Chivas USA 3-1 and advance to the Quarterfinals of the 2013 U.S. Open Cup.

The RailHawks started the game like so many before: letting Ty Shipalane introduce himself to the opposition. In the 13th minute, Brian Shriver smartly played a ball far ahead to a streaking Shipalane, who beat out-rushing goalkeeper Dan Kennedy to the roller. Shipalane rounded Kennedy and made a beeline for the open goal before calmly depositing into the same for the 1-0 lead.

For the remainder of the first half, Carolina failed to take further advantage of a visibly uninspired Chivas USA side. The closest came just before halftime, when Shipalane again got free in the box, but his angled shot flew across Kennedy but wide right.

Given a lease on life, Chivas USA settled in and had the better of the second half, outshooting the RailHawks 6-1. The California club’s energy and some formation shifts that bolstered their defense paid dividends in the 57th minute, when a Carlos Alvarez free kick off the right flank found an unmarked Walter Vilchez in the goalmouth. Vilchez’s easy header equalized matters at 1-1.

But under a humid Carolina canopy, Chivas USA expended all three substitutions by the 66th minute. Their fresh legs put Carolina back on their heels for a time, but the Goats also failed to take further advantage. Meanwhile, the RailHawks were able to sub in midfielder Jonathan Greenfield for a cramping Justin Willis in the 80th minute. Floyd Franks slid back to right back when the rested Greenfield took up station in the midfield, moves that stabilized both positions. And Cesar Elizondo came on in the 89th minute and was able to, well, you’ll see.

Both teams nearly scored game-winners during full-time stoppage. Chivas USA put a couple of balls on frame that appeared destined to cross the goal line, but RailHawks keeper Akira Fitzgerald parried the first attempt off the crossbar and midfielder Nick Millington—who played tremendous defense throughout the match—then cleared the orb off the line with mere millimeters to spare. The clearance eventually found Shipalane streaking down the right side with nothing but emerald acreage in his path. Drawing the last defender, Shipalane centered to an unmarked Elizondo just after crossing midfield, but the angle of his pass broke Elizondo’s stride. Elizondo eventually got off a shot that was easily gathered by Kennedy.

Having avoided another stoppage time U.S. Open Cup loss to Chivas USA, the RailHawks made mincemeat of the Goats in extra time. In the 92nd, Shipalane gathered a deft ball over the top from Greenfield, then pierced the right side of the box before centering to Elizondo. The Costa Rican’s one-touch flew past Kennedy to give Carolina a 2-1 lead to the boisterous delight of the 5,066 at WakeMed Soccer Park.

“It was a great ball from Jonathan,” Shipalane said, “and I think it was similar to the first goal where was stretched out a little bit and I was able to slip in behind them. I took cut, got my head up and saw Cesar making a run on top of the box. I was able to cut it back to him, and he did a great job finishing it.”

With victory in their sights, the RailHawks struck again six minutes later. A Floyd Franks corner kick found second half sub Brian Ackley cutting across the face of goal. His deflected header was true and gave Carolina the final 3-1 margin.

“Last year, we were disappointed that these guys kept us from achieving our goal,” Shipalane said. “This year, we made it a goal to get past this . We weren’t going to let them stop us.”

That included some heavy preparation for their MLS opponent.

“They were not good in the back,” Shipalane said in describing the crux of their pre-match Chivas scouting report. “This is a new team, new coach, and they’re still trying to work together from the back. So, there’s no good communication for them in the back, so we were able to expose them in the wide areas because they haven’t played well.”

Carolina’s win combined with the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ Open Cup loss at the Portland Timbers Wednesday night means the RailHawks advanced further than any other NASL club in the Open Cup and, consequently, wins $15,000.00 in prize money for that effort.

However, other looming mountains face the RailHawks. After a flight to face FC Edmonton this Sunday, the RailHawks will embark on the most pivotal part of their Spring season beginning June 22. That Saturday, Carolina hosts Minnesota United FC, currently one point behind the league-leading RailHawks in the NASL standings. The following Saturday, the Atlanta Silverbacks, also only a point behind Carolina, will visit Cary. And in between those huge league matches, the RailHawks must now fly to Utah to face Real Salt Lake in the U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals on Wednesday, June 26.

Will Carolina be ready for this arduous odyssey? You betcha, if you believe Colin Clarke.

“It’s what we’re here for; it’s what it’s about,” Clarke declared. “Getting to this stage of the season with a chance to win the championship and a chance to advance further in the Open Cup. You can’t ask for any more than that.”

HIGHLIGHTS

POST-GAME ANALYSIS

Fourth Round :: Chivas USA 1 :: AET :: 3 Carolina RailHawks

June 12 – WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary NC

Scoring Summary:

CAR: Ty Shipalane (Brian Shriver) 13

CHV: Walter Vilchez (Carlos Alvarez) 57

CAR: Cesar Elizondo (Ty Shipalane) 92

CAR: Brian Ackley (Floyd Franks) 98

Cautions:

CHV: Josue Soto 25, Carlos Borja 32, Gabriel Farfan 94, Laurent Courtois 119

CAR: Austin da Luz 38, Paul Hamilton 71, Kupono Low 94

Lineups:

Chivas USA: Dan Kennedy, Carlos Borja, Mario de Luna, Walter Vilchez, Jorge Villafaña, Oswaldo Minda, Gabriel Farfan, Carlos Alvarez, Josue Soto (Laurent Courtois 52’), Jose Correa (Jose Manuel Rivera 60’), Tristan Bowen (Marvin Iraheta 66’)… Subs not used: Patrick McLain, Steven Purdy, Bobby Burling, Marco Delgado

Carolina: Akira Fitzgerald, Kupono Low, Paul Hamilton, Julius James, Justin Willis (Jonathan Greenfield 83’), Floyd Franks, Austin Da Luz, Ty Shipalane, Nick Millington, Brian Shriver (Cesar Elizondo 89’), Zack Schilawski (Brian Ackley 65’)… Subs not used: Eddie Abadio, Ciaran O’Brian, Kevin Rutkiewicz, Tim Murray

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2013 US Open Cup Third Round: Carolina RailHawks repeat Galaxy upset, down LA 2-0

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Carolina RailHawks fans poked fun at Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena for traveling with his team to his team's Open Cup game. Photo: Twitter @daveslounge

Moments after his Carolina RailHawks upset the L.A. Galaxy for the second consecutive year in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, manager Colin Clarke paused on the pitch during his walk back to the team’s locker room, gazing up into the gradually emptying grandstands as if to soak up the revelous atmosphere generated all evening by the club record 8,121 fans in attendance.

Minutes later, Clarke entered the media room for his postgame press conference. As he sauntered past on his way to the podium, Clarke glanced over and, smirking like the proverbial cat that ate the canary, shot me a quick wink.

The 2-0 win is not only the second straight year the RailHawks have ousted the defending Major League Soccer (MLS) champion Galaxy from the US Open Cup. It is also the third time Clarke has coached a second division club to victory over MLS’s flagship franchise in Cup competition, the first being the Puerto Rico Islanders’ improbable win over the Galaxy in the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League.

But while Wednesday’s result may arouse feelings of déjà vu, the match’s rather workmanlike vibe stands in marked contrast to last year’s heart-stopping, late-game heroics. Not surprisingly, the RailHawks fielded a full-strength starting XI, the lone wrinkle being Scottish center back Kevin Rutkiewicz getting only his second RailHawks start in lieu of Paul Hamilton and Austen King, who were both active for the match. Meanwhile, the Galaxy sported the expected lineup of reservists and second-stringers, two of the notable exceptions being the presence of Jose Villarreal and Michael Stephens.

Interestingly, both Robbie Rogers and forward Gyasi Zardes began on the bench. The latter’s omission was of particular note to Clarke, who, while complimenting his opponent’s overall talent level, admitted, “I was happy to see Zardes on the bench.”

Unlike last year, when the Galaxy thoroughly dominated the first half, Wednesday’s match featured a more back-and-forth opening stanza. While the Galaxy held the majority of possession, both teams fostered forays into their attacking third. However, a lack of finishing befell both sides: while the Galaxy outshot Carolina 6-2 in the first half, neither team put a single shot on target.

Although Zardes entered the match in the 56th minute, it was Carolina that struck first in the 59th. Another RailHawks walkabout in the box ended with a cross by Zack Schilawski that found its way to an unmarked Austin da Luz. Da Luz’s snap shot appeared stopped by goalkeeper Brian Rowe before the howler squirted through his arms and rolled across the goal line.

“It was deep ball, so I tried to whip it back across the top of the box,” Schilawski said. “ Shriver ran over it, da Luz hit it first time, and it deflected off the keeper and went in.”

With the Galaxy reeling, Carolina struck again just two minutes later. Schilawski gathered a pass and one-touched it ahead to a streaking Shriver, who got behind the defense and slotted his left-footed shot past Rowe for the 2-0 lead.

“We got wide to da Luz, back to the middle to Millington, and he played an easy ball to me and I was able to flick it through to Shriver,” Schilawski continued. “And he did what he’s been doing all year with a great finish.”

Galaxy assistant coach Curt Onalfo, managing in the absence of head coach Bruce Arena, who did not make the trip to North Carolina with his team, recognized this sequence as the game’s turning point.

“I don’t think our young group of players reacted the best to that situation,” Onalfo said. “Credit to Carolina, they kind of sensed that and got a second goal. And then you’re playing catch-up, and you’re on the road, you’ve traveled across the country, it’s humid and hot, and all of a sudden it becomes pretty difficult.”

Down two goals, Rogers came on in the 63rd minute for his second appearance since joining the Galaxy last week. However, it was the last time his name was mentioned for the rest of the match. Although fearing a Galaxy offensive onslaught, the visitors barely mustered a threat. Their first and last shot on goal came in the 71st minute, giving RailHawks’ goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald his only save of the match.

Meanwhile, Clarke shrewdly brought on Hamilton for a winded and cramping Rutkiewicz in the 74th minute. Indeed, the combined efforts of center backs Rutkiewicz, Hamilton and especially Julius James held the Galaxy attackers at bay.

“It’s interesting, usually Open Cup games are really fast and physical,” Rogers said. “But I thought this one was a bit slower. Maybe the weather had something to do with it. But give credit to the RailHawks. I thought they did a great job finishing their chances.”

A header by Zardes in the box flew wide in the 86th. A minute later, Ty Shipalane nearly got Carolina a third goal, but his close-range blast was blocked by Rowe. Otherwise, only the final whistle stood between the RailHawks and a fourth-round Cup match against Chivas USA on June 12 in Cary.

“We would have been disappointed if we hadn’t gotten a win tonight because we think we have a lot of guys who are on ,” Schilawski added. “I don’t think there’s a huge difference between the team they put out tonight and some of our guys who have had MLS experience.”

While the RailHawks may not have expressed surprise at their win, it’s still a victory by a second division side over the reigning MLS champions. Like last year, the Galaxy used this midweek, cross-country US Open Cup match to run out their reservists and younger talent. And like last year, it resulted in their early exit from the Open Cup.

“We’re the busiest team in MLS, so we have to utilize our whole roster,” said Onalfo. “We have reserve games where we have to utilize our roster, and we have US Open Cup games where for our organization that’s a time for our younger players to get minutes.

“If you look at Carolina, they’re a very good team. We scouted them extremely well and know what their strengths are. But they have a lot of experienced guys, and they’re a darn good team.”

While Clarke said Arena’s decision to skip the match was not a motivating factor the RailHawks, there seemed to be indirect intent behind his comments about the importance of this tournament.

“This tournament is very, very important to us and also important to me,” Clarke said. “It’s not just the Open Cup, it’s Lamar Hunt’s Open Cup. That’s someone who I worked for, our president is here and worked for him. It’s someone who gave us all a start in this game, and without people like him we wouldn’t be here in the shape we’re in today.”

The RailHawks returns to league play this weekend with a road trip to face the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. On Wednesday, June 12, Carolina hosts Chivas USA in the fourth round of the US Open Cup, a rematch of the RailHawks’ Open Cup loss last year.

But before turning their attention to another MLS opponent, the RailHawks and their manager will pause to enjoy vanquishing the Galaxy yet again.

“It’s good when you get an opportunity to play against a team from MLS,” Clarke said. “The boys relish that opportunity. We have some very, very good players, and we went out and played well tonight. I thought we deserved to win.”

2013 US Open Cup Second Round: RailHawks down Dynamo 3-1 in Carolina Clash

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Though the visiting Carolina Dynamo of the PDL made things difficult and tense at times, the NASL Carolina RailHawks came away with a 3-1 victory Tuesday night, securing a Wednesday, May 29 home date with the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup.

Last year, the Carolina RailHawks entered play in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup riding a nine-game winless skid to open the NASL season. Moreover, the RailHawks knew that a loss to PSA Elite, their second round Open Cup opponent, meant squandering the lucrative opportunity to host the defending MLS champion L.A. Galaxy the next week. Carolina’s 6-0 onslaught over PSA Elite got the RailHawks off the schneid and set the stage for an improbable win over the Galaxy.

Tuesday night at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, a different RailHawks squad took the field, one atop the NASL standings and winners of all three of its home league matches. Yet, the Open Cup mission remained the same: defeat your lower division opponent and next week you get the chance to again host the reigning MLS Cup champion Galaxy. While the execution this year wasn’t nearly as overwhelming, the outcome was the same.

Three days after suffering their first league loss of the season in Atlanta, the somewhat leg-weary RailHawks sported a lineup of mostly regulars, particularly in the attacking third. However, a few new faces graced the starting 11, including goalkeeper Tim Murray and Scottish center back Kevin Rutkiewicz. Brian Ackley got the start over Zack Schilawski (more on that a bit later). Costa Rican signee César Elizondo made his RailHawks debut late in the match, and defender Eddie Ababio played 27 minutes off the bench.

From the outset it was obvious which was the stronger side as the RailHawks dominated possession for the vast majority of the opening stanza against a deep-lying Dynamo defense. But although the RailHawks outshot the Dynamo 9-3 in the first half, the home side proved frustratingly unable to finish their chances.

That compact defensive approach was part of the strategy for the Dynamo, a team largely comprised of offseason college players who only trained a handful of times prior to tonight’s match and just completed college exams. Nevertheless, it was also a team that defeated Chattanooga FC in an U.S. Open Cup shootout thriller a week ago.

“We wanted to come here and compete,” said Dynamo manager Marc Nicholls. “We wanted to make it a tough game. And we knew that we wouldn’t have the legs to necessarily press them as much as we like because we knew we couldn’t sustain that.”

The RailHawks got on the board in the 26th minute when Ty Shipalane jumped onto a loose ball roughly 25 yards out and uncorked a rocket that ricocheted off a Dynamo defender on its course and into the netting.

“Floyd was right in front of me, and I just jumped in front of Floyd just to be greedy a little bit,” an impish Shipalane said. “I saw the defender coming, then I saw that the goalkeeper was out of position. Lucky enough there was deflection, so credit to me for shooting it.”

Indeed, Shipalane’s self-congratulation was merited, as the RailHawks continued the oddest of team imperfections: a propensity to overpass and undershoot. One particular sequence is emblematic of the evening. In the 56th minute, Brian Shriver raced past the defense and directly toward the keeper. Yet, he forewent an open shot to lay the ball over to an open Austin da Luz. Da Luz then chose to forgo his own open shot and instead lay the ball off to Ackley atop the six-yard box. Ackley then deposited his sitter over the goal and into the pine tree forest behind the grandstands.

“I was disappointed in how we didn’t score more goals,” said RailHawks manager Colin Clarke. “We looked like we were trying to be Arsenal out there and walk it into the net. We’ve got to be a bit more ruthless and want to score goals and want to stick it in the back of the net.”

That lack of finishing bit the RailHawks in the 39th minute. N.C. State rising senior Alex Martinez – brother of RSL loanee Enzo Martinez – received the ball along the end line off a throw-in. Erroneously assuming the ball had crossed the line, defender Kupono Low backed off Martinez, permitting the midfielder to drive toward goal and unleash a short-range shot that ricocheted off a RailHawk and into the net for an own goal equalizer.

After more knocking at the door went unanswered , the RailHawks finally went ahead to stay in the 53rd minute. A long-range free kick from da Luz deflected off the head of Austen King and past goalkeeper Peyton Ford for a 2-1 lead.

The RailHawks failed to put the Dynamo totally away, thanks to missed chances by da Luz and particularly Ackley, who was gifted four shots in 74 minutes but only managed to put one on frame. A minute after Zack Schilawski came on for Ackley, the move paid off. Shipalane poked a through ball in the box ahead to Schilawski, who calmly one-touched it past Ford for the 3-1 advantage.

Nevertheless, the Dynamo didn’t go down without flashing the fight they exhibited in coming back from a 3-1 second half deficit against Chattanooga FC last week. In the 81st minute, Arthur Rex got behind the RailHawks defenders and poked a ball past Murray but right of goal. And in the 89th, Hakan Ilhan, the hat trick hero of last week’s win, found space for a short-range shot that bounded off the left woodwork.

“We knew it was going to be a difficult night,” Clarke said. “ came in, they worked hard, they defended very well. We didn’t get a goal as early as we liked, and then you start to wonder and worry.”

The match was the first-ever meeting between the RailHawks and Dynamo, a member of the USL PDL. And while the final score does not betray any RailHawks dominance, several game statistics do. For the match, the RailHawks outshot the Dynamo 19-6 (9-1 on-target) and earned six corner kicks to only one for the visitors that didn’t come until the 89th minute.

“The best team won,” Nicholls said. “I was very impressed with them. I thought they were terrific. I was pleased with our team, I thought we hung in there for the longest time.”

With no league game this weekend, the RailHawks’ full attention now turns to their rematch with the Galaxy next Wednesday. In preparation for the possibility, Clarke traveled to New York last weekend to scout the Galaxy during their MLS match against the Red Bulls.

Last week, Galaxy manager Bruce Arena groused about his team being “shuffled off” to North Carolina for their third round Open Cup match, despite the fact that the Galaxy were already traveling east for a weekend match against the New England Revolution. Though Arena’s complaint about cross-country travel for midweek cup matches sandwiched between weekend MLS matches may merit examination, it was the tenor of Arena’s remarks, in concert with his typical practice of fielding reservists for Open Cup play, that has rubbed some the wrong way.

It was also the tenor that Clarke indirectly referenced after Tuesday’s match.

“The pressure’s on ,” Clarke declared. “They got beat last year, and they were out of the Open Cup. I’m not sure what they’re going to do and how they’re going to view it – if they really value the tournament and want to win it. But it doesn’t matter who’s on the field. We know they’re going to be good, and we’ve got to be good.”

Last year, the Galaxy’s visit was a financial windfall for the club and a galvanizing event for the greater Triangle soccer community. It accelerated construction of WakeMed Stadium’s North Stands, and the three-game ticket bundle sold for the match paid dividends through even the final regular season home match of the season, which set a club attendance record for a home league game.

This year, there’s as little chance of Landon Donovan or Robbie Keane taking the field at WakeMed Park as there was David Beckham a year ago. However, it’s not every year that the defending MLS champion comes to town… well, maybe it is.

“I just think it’s a great occasion for us, for our supporters to come out and watch what has been the best team in the United States for the last four or five years.”

Things you should know about the Semifinals of the US Open Cup

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The New York Red Bulls take on FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup Semifinals at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, OH on Tuesday August 15, 2017. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls
The New York Red Bulls take on FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup Semifinals at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, OH on Tuesday August 15, 2017. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls

Since 1996, only 14 non-MLS teams have advanced to the Semifinals.

2022 – Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)*
2017 – FC Cincinnati (USL)
2011 – Richmond Kickers (USL Pro – 3rd Division)
2009 – Rochester Rhinos (USL First Division)
2008 – Charleston Battery (USL First Division)*, Seattle Sounders (USL First Division)
2007 – Carolina RailHawks (USL First Division), Seattle Sounders (USL First Division)
2005 – Minnesota Thunder (USL First Division)
2004 – Charleston Battery (A-League)
1999 – Charleston Battery (A-League), Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League)*
1997 – San Francisco Bay Seals (USISL Division 3 Pro League)
1996 – Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League)*

* Advanced to the Final

Since 1996, only seven teams have advanced to the Semifinals after beginning play in the First Round. The Richmond Kickers (2011), Rochester Rhinos (2009), 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 and Richmond are the only Third Division pro clubs to advance to the final four during that span.Ukrainian Nationals logo

When the Sacramento Republic eliminated Sporting Kansas City in penalty kicks in the 2022 Semifinals, they became just the fourth lower division club in the Modern Era (1995-present) to advance to the Final. They joined the Charleston Battery who eliminated the Seattle Sounders in the 2008 Semifinals, and the Rochester Raging Rhinos in 1996 and 1999. The Rhinos were the only non-MLS team (since 1996) to win the title when they defeated the Colorado Rapids 2-0 in 1999.

In 2008, the Charleston Battery and the Seattle Sounders ended in a 1-1 draw, and then went to penalties where the Battery moved on 4-3. It was the first time a Semifinal game went to penalties during the Modern Era and the first time two non-MLS teams met in the final four.

The Chicago Fire entered Major League Soccer as an expansion team in 1998, and won the US Open Cup (and MLS Cup) in their inaugural season. In total, they have advanced to the Semifinals 13 times, which is more than any team in the history of the tournament (1913-present).

After Major League Soccer debuted in 1996 (1996 doesn’t make sense to include, since every Semifinalist was in their inaugural season that year), only four teams have advanced to the Semifinals in their inaugural season. The Fire (1998), Houston Dynamo (2006 – although they were essentially the San Jose Earthquakes, but they were still technically a “new franchise”), Carolina RailHawks (2007). The Seattle Sounders were a new MLS franchise in 2009, but the club had existed in the USL for several years prior to joining MLS.

In 2010, the Seattle Sounders became the first MLS expansion team to win a Semifinal match in each of their first two seasons as a franchise. They also won a Semifinal match in their third year (2011), and their fourth year (2012).

The Houston Dynamo celebrate after defeated LAFC in a PK shootout in the 2018 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo celebrate after defeating LAFC in a PK shootout in the 2018 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Houston Dynamo

The 2007 US Open Cup marked the first time that both Semifinal matches went to extra time. The New England Revolution edged the Carolina RailHawks 2-1, followed by FC Dallas eliminating the Seattle Sounders (USL-1) by the same scoreline. Since then, this has only happened one other time: 2017 US Open Cup when Sporting Kansas City needed penalty kicks to take out the San Jose Earthquakes and then the New York Red Bulls came back to beat FC Cincinnati, 3-2 in extra time. It happened again in 2017 when Sporting Kansas City eliminated the San Jose Earthquakes in penalty kicks while the New York Red Bulls edged USL side FC Cincinnati 3-2 in extra time.

Semifinal appearances by MLS teams:

Chicago Fire – 13 (6-7-0 record)
DC United – 9 (5-4-0)
FC Dallas – 9 (4-4-1, 0-1 PKs)
LA Galaxy – 7 (4-3-0)
New York Red Bulls – 6 (2-4-0)
Sporting Kansas City – 6 (3-1-2, 1-1 PKs)
Seattle Sounders – 5 (5-0-0)
Columbus Crew – 4 (3-1-0)
New England Revolution – 4 (3-1-0)
Philadelphia Union – 4 (2-1-1, 1-0 PKs)
Houston Dynamo – 4 (1-2-1, 1-0 PKs)
Real Salt Lake – 3 (1-2-0)
Chivas USA – 2 (0-2-0)
Colorado Rapids – 2 (1-1-0)
Orlando City SC – 2 (1-1-0)
Portland Timbers – 2 (0-2-0)
San Jose Earthquakes – 2 (0-1-1, 0-1 PKs)
Atlanta United FC – 1 (1-0-0)
FC Cincinnati – 1 (0-0-1, 0-1 PKs)
Inter Miami CF – 1 (0-0-1, 1-0 PKs)
Los Angeles FC – 1 (0-0-1, 0-1 PKs)
Miami Fusion – 1 (1-0-0)
Minnesota United FC – 1 (1-0-0)
Tampa Bay Mutiny – 0

Note: The New York Red Bulls (Metrostars) have the most semifinal appearances (six) without an Open Cup championship.

Semifinal appearances by non-MLS teams:

Charleston Battery – 3 (0-2-1, 1-0 PKs)
Rochester Rhinos – 3 (2-1-0)
Seattle Sounders – 2 (0-1-1, 0-1 PKs)
Carolina RailHawks – 1 (0-1-0)
FC Cincinnati – 1 (0-1-0)
Minnesota Thunder – 1 (0-1-0)
Richmond Kickers – 1 (0-1-0)
Sacramento Republic FC – 1 (0-0-1, 1-0 PKs)
San Francisco Bay Seals – 1 (0-1-0)

Most consecutive Semifinal appearances (all-time):

Ukrainian Nationals (Philadelphia) – 8 (1959-66) — champions: 1960, 1961, 1963, 1966
Seattle Sounders (USL/MLS) – 6 (2007-2012) — champions: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Stix, Baer & Fuller (St. Louis) – 6 (1932-37) — champions: 1933, 1934, 1935
Bethlehem Steel (Bethlehem, Pa.) – 5 (1915-19) — champions: 1915, 1916, 1918, 1919
Chicago Fire – 4 (2003-06) — champions: 2003, 2006
Chicago Fire – 4 (2013-16) — champions: None
Los Angeles Galaxy – 4 (2000-03) — champions: 2001
Philadelphia Nationals (1949-52) — champions: None
DC United – 3 (2008-2010) — champions: 2008
Pawtucket Rangers – 3 (1933-35) — champions: 1941
Dallas Burn (FC Dallas) – 3 (1996-98) — champions: 1997
Maccabee AC (Los Angeles) – 3 (1980-82) — champions: 1973, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1981
NY Greek Americans (New York City) – 3 (1967-69) — champions: 1967-69
Brooklyn Hispano (Brooklyn, NY) – 3 (1943-45) — champions: 1943, 1944
Croatian SC (Chicago) – 3 (1979-81) — champions: None
Ponta Delgada (Mass.) – 3 (1946-48) — champions: 1947
Fall River Rovers (Mass.) – 3 (1916-18) — champions: 1917
Scullin Steel (St. Louis) – 3 (1921-23) — champions: 1922

The most popular Semifinal matchup in the Modern Era has been the Chicago Fire against the Los Angeles Galaxy who have played each other three times.

2000: Chicago Fire 2:1 (ASDET) Los Angeles Galaxy (at Los Angeles)
2001: Los Angeles Galaxy 1:0 (ASDET) Chicago Fire (at Los Angeles)
2003: Chicago Fire 3:2 Los Angeles Galaxy (at Chicago)

The highest attendance for a Semifinal match in the Modern Era was 16,117 set by Sporting Kansas City when they defeated Real Salt Lake 3-1 at Sporting Park in Kansas City on Aug. 12, 2015. Two years later, USL side FC Cincinnati more than doubled that record with an announced crowd of 33,250. At the time, according to TheCup.us records, this was the second-highest attendance ever recorded for a US Open Cup match.

The highest average attendance between two Semifinal matches came in 2013 when Real Salt Lake hosted the Portland Timbers and the Chicago Fire hosted DC United. The average was 12,889. Real Salt Lake drew a then-record 14,742 and Chicago had an announced crowd of 11,036. However, in 2017, FC Cincinnati’s record crowd of 33,250 pushed the average attendance to nearly double the previous record: 24,722.

The following states have never had a team advance to the Semifinals:
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Delaware
Hawaii
Idaho
Iowa
Kentucky
Maine
Mississippi
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
North Dakota
Oklahoma
South Dakota
Tennessee
Vermont
West Virginia
Wyoming

The longest current Semifinal drought is from the state of Rhode Island, who hasn’t had a time reach the Semifinals since 1942 when the Pawtucket Rangers reached the final four for the ninth and final time.

Things you should know about the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup

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MORE: Notable upsets in the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup (Modern Era)

The 1997 San Francisco Bay Seals are one of two Division 3 clubs to not only reach the Quarterfinals, but to advance to the Semifinals. Photo: San Francisco Bay Seals

In 2019, Los Angeles FC broke the Modern Era’s Quarterfinal attendance record in the club’s 1-0 loss to the Portland Timbers at Banc of California Stadium. The announced attendance was 18,947, which narrowly broke the previous record of 17,898 which was set last year in the same stadium, against the same opponent.

That big number for LAFC in 2019, combined with 12,401 at Minnesota United’s win over New Mexico United, it broke the Modern Era’s Quarterfinal record for average attendance for the entire round with 11,525. Elsewhere, Atlanta United drew 7,523 in their 2-0 win over Saint Louis FC (USL-C) and Orlando City SC drew 7,227 in their penalty kick win over New York City FC.

The 2008 US Open Cup marked the first time that a pair of 2nd Division teams advanced out of the Quarterfinals for the second consecutive year.

In 2007, when the Seattle Sounders (USL First Division) defeated the Colorado Rapids (MLS) 5-0, it was the worst loss suffered by an MLS team in the US Open Cup.

In 2007, the USL First Division (2nd Division) had three teams in the Quarterfinals (Carolina, Charleston, Seattle), the most ever. That same year, only three MLS teams advanced to the Quarterfinal round, the fewest ever. For the first time ever, two USL Second Division (3rd Division) teams (Richmond Kickers, Harrisburg City Islanders) made the round of eight in the same year. In 2010, a pair of USL-2 clubs advanced to the Quarterfinals (Charleston Battery, Harrisburg City Islanders) in the same year.

2012 marks the first year in the Modern Era that three Division 3 clubs reached the Quarterfinals with the Harrisburg City Islanders, Dayton Dutch Lions and the Charlotte Eagles all playing in the Round of Eight.

The Carolina RailHawks and the Seattle Sounders won their Quarterfinal matches in 2007, marking only the second time that two USL First Division (2nd Division) teams had done that in the same year. In 1999, the Charleston Battery and the Rochester Raging Rhinos both made the Semifinals, with Rochester eventually winning the tournament.

The Second Division of US Soccer has been represented in the Quarterfinals by at least one team in all but five tournaments (2000, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2015). In 2010, it was the first year that the Quarterfinals were without Second Division representation but there were still USL Second Division (3rd Division of US Soccer) remaining: Charleston Battery and the Harrisburg City Islanders.

The Harrisburg City Islanders are the first Third Division team to ever reach the Quarterfinals in consecutive seasons (2009, 2010). 2010 also marked the first time that two USL-2 clubs (Third Division) reached the Quarterfinals two years in a row. (Wilmington & Harrisburg in 2009, Charleston & Harrisburg in 2010).

FC Dallas have the most Quarterfinals appearances among all Major League Soccer teams.

16 FC Dallas 8-7-1 (1-0) 1996^ 1997^ 1998^ 1999 2000 2002^ 2004 2005^ 2006 2007^ 2008 2011^ 2013, 2014^ 2016^ 2017
14 Chicago Fire 11-1-2 (2-0) 1998^ 2000^ 2001^ 2003^ 2004^ 2005^ 2006^ 2008 2011^ 2013^ 2014^ 2015^ 2016^ 2018^
12 LA Galaxy 6-5-1 (1-0) 1999 2000^ 2001^ 2002^ 2003^ 2005^ 2006^ 2010 2011 2015 2016^ 2017
11 DC United 9-1-1 (0-1) 1996^ 1997^ 2000 2001^ 2003^ 2005 2006^ 2008^ 2009^ 2010^ 2013^
11 Sporting Kansas City 5-5-1 (0-1) 1996 2002^ 2004^ 2005 2008 2009 2011 2012^ 2015^ 2017^ 2018
9 NE Revolution 2-5-2 (2-0) 2001^ 2003 2006 2007^ 2008^ 2013 2014 2016^ 2017
9 New York Red Bulls 4-3-2 (1-1) 1997^ 1998^ 2000^ 2002 2003^ 2006 2011 2015 2017^
9 San Jose Earthquakes 1-5-3 (1-2) 1997 1998 2000 2001 2002 2004^ 2005 2012 2017^
7 Columbus Crew 4-2-1 (0-1) 1998^ 1999^ 2000 2001 2002^ 2004 2010^
6 Colorado Rapids 2-4-0 1996^ 1999^ 2002 2003 2006 2007
6 Houston Dynamo 3-3-0 2006^ 2009^ 2010 2015 2016 2018^
6 Seattle Sounders 5-1-0 2009^ 2010^ 2011^ 2012^ 2014^ 2016
5 Philadelphia Union 3-0-2 (1-1) 2012^ 2014^ 2015^ 2016 2018^
4 Tampa Bay Mutiny 0-4-0 1996 1997 1998 1999
4 Portland Timbers 2-2-0 2013^ 2014 2018 2019^
3 Real Salt Lake 2-1-0 2011 2013^ 2015^
2 Chivas USA 2-0-0 2010^ 2012^
2 Miami Fusion 1-1-0 1998 2000^
3 Orlando City SC 0-2-1 (1-0) 2015 2018, 2019^
2 Los Angeles FC 1-1-0 2018^, 2019
1 Atlanta United FC 1-0-0 2019^
1 Minnesota United FC 1-0-0 2019^
1 New York City FC 0-1-0 2019

^ Advanced in their Quarterfinal match

The Charleston Battery have the most lower division Quarterfinal appearances since 1996.

6 Charleston Battery 3-3-0 1999^ 2004^ 2007 2008^ 2009 2010
5 Rochester Rhinos 3-1-1 (0-1) 1996^ 1999^ 2004 2005 2009^
4 Richmond Kickers 1-3-0 2001 2004 2007 2011^
4 Seattle Sounders 1-2-1 (1-0) 1996 2003 2007^ 2008^
4 H’burg City Islanders 0-4-0 2007 2009 2010 2012
3 Carolina RailHawks 1-2-0 2007^ 2013 2014
2 Minnesota Thunder 1-0-1 (0-1) 2004 2005^
2 Wilm. Hammerheads 0-2-0 2003 2009
1 Atlanta Silverbacks 0-1-0 2014
1 Carolina Dynamo 0-1-0 1996
1 Charlotte Eagles 0-1-0 2012
1 Chicago Stingers 0-1-0 1997
1 Crystal Palace Baltimore 0-0-1 (0-1) 2008
1 Dayton Dutch Lions 0-1-0 2012
1 Ft. Lauderdale Strikers 0-1-0 2016
1 L.I. Rough Riders 0-1-0 1997
1 Louisville City FC 0-1-0 2018
1 Milwaukee Rampage 0-1-0 2002
1 Nashville Metros 0-1-0 1998
1 New Mexico United 0-1-0 2019
1 Orlando City SC 0-1-0 2013
1 Pittsburgh Riverhounds 0-1-0 2001
1 Saint Louis FC 0-1-0 2019
1 San Fran. Bay Seals 1-0-0 1997^
1 Staten Island Vipers 0-1-0 1999
1 FC Cincinnati 1-0-0 2017^
1 Miami FC (NASL) 0-1-0 2017

^ Advanced in their Quarterfinal match

2012 US Open Cup Fourth Round: Last-minute PK gives Chivas USA 2-1 win over Carolina RailHawks

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Photo: Carolina RailHawks

Originally published at indyweek.com, where Neil Morris covers the RailHawks.

Fans gathering in advance of the Carolina RailHawks’ match against Chivas USA in the fourth round match of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup did so at the appointed hour when the transit of Venus was visible in the eastern United States. The RailHawks fortunes in the Open Cup, once considered the equivalent of a small dot against a celestial backdrop, changed a week ago when Carolina ousted—ironically—the Galaxy.

However, it was a mythical stargazer that held more in common with Carolina as they hosted their second Major League Soccer side in successive weeks before 7,117 fans at WakeMed Soccer Park. Like Icarus, the higher the ‘Hawks flew in the annual Cup competition, the more precipitous their eventual fall. Still, it was a fun ride while it lasted, and the RailHawks demonstrated Tuesday evening that not only did they belong on the same pitch with their first-division foes, but they generated ample opportunities to snag a victory.

But by game’s end, Carolina had to contain an opposing front line that included both Juan Agudelo and Juan Pablo Ángel, not coincidentally the two goalscorers for Chivas USA in their 2-1 win over the RailHawks.

Unlike the LA Galaxy match a week ago, the RailHawks came out a confident side from the opening whistle. But also unlike last week’s game, Chivas USA sent out a starting XI of regular first-teamers, including Agudelo, Alejandro Moreno and Laurent Courtois.

After the teams exchanged early chances, Chivas USA was first on the scoreboard in the 31st minute. A cross from Courtois found Agudelo in front of goal, and the 19-year-old U.S. international deflected a textbook angled header inside the right post past RailHawks goalkeeper Ray Burse for the early lead.

Despite competing gamely, Carolina looked a step slow in the opening stanza, particularly in trying to crack Chivas’ defense. However, an attacking RailHawks team took the pitch after halftime. In the 62nd minute, a through ball was played ahead to an onsides Breiner Ortiz, who opted to attempt a close-range cross to Brian Shriver instead of pulling the trigger himself. In the 65th, an Austin Da Luz corner found the head of Amir Lowery, but the ball deflected high and just wide right. And in the 71st, a header by Zack Schilawski rattled the crossbar.

Ty Shipalane, the second half hero of Carolina’s last two wins over the Galaxy and Puerto Rico Islanders, entered the match to much fanfare in the 68th minute. But it was two other substitutions—one for each team—that would guide the game’s ultimate outcome.

In the 79th minute, RailHawks right back Cory Elenio played the ball over to a driving Kupono Low near the top of the box. Low took a touch and then went down just inside the penalty area. As everyone from players to partisans paused to see whether the referee might point to the spot, midfielder Mike Palacio—who had just entered the game a minute earlier—pounced on the loose ball and one-touched it past Chivas keeper Tim Melia for the equalizer.

“The ball was switched, and I know being a leftie I saw him open his body towards the inside, so I knew it was going to hit a little hard,” Palacio recalled. “ was right on my left foot, so I knew I was going to one-time it.”

As the game wore on, its similarities to the Galaxy clash became uncanny. In both matches, the MLS clubs took 1-0 leads into halftime, the RailHawks didn’t get their first shot on target until early in the second half and Carolina’s equalizers came from second-half subs. With Carolina fully on the attack, it seemed inevitable that they would pull out another improbable upset.

As three minutes of stoppage time eventually approached, extra time seemed inevitable. In the 90th minute, Burse made two spectacular saves off short-range sure shots from Agudelo and Ángel, who entered the game in the 69th minute. A subsequent Chivas corner kick cleared towards midfield found Schilawski, who gathered the ball and turned to begin a run upfield. However, a Chivas defender extended his arm into the Carolina striker, who went to ground. The official’s whistle remained silent, and Chivas countered by sending the ball into the box to Ángel. As he maneuvered for the shot, center back Gale Agbossoumonde attempted a tackle to dispossess the striker. As Agbossoumonde slid by, his left arm caught the sphere and the referee issued a handball penalty.

As boos rained down from the home supporters, Ángel calmly deposited the PK into the bottom left corner of the goal to account for the winning margin.

RailHawks manager Colin Clarke took no issue with the handball penalty.

“From where I could see there’s no need to go to ground and make that challenge,” Clarke said. “You stand up and be a defender and let your keeper make a save. You just make sure doesn’t get turned. But, a young kid still learning. I thought he had a great night tonight. It’s just a shame at the end what happened.”

However, Clarke was shy about his feelings over the non-call on Schilawski and the general tenor of the officiating.

“I thought we should have had a free kick at the halfway line,” Clarke groused. “Everybody else saw it, but the referee was garbage tonight. I thought he gave us nothing. Of the 50-50 decisions, he looked after them, and I think that cost us. A minute from the end, the ball’s out to our player. We go the other way, we’re in with a great chance.”

For his part, Schilawski was a bit more circumspect.

“I tried to draw one; thought it could have been called,” he said. “Certainly, I feel I have to hold that ball up, even foul them or do something so it’s not coming back down our throats.”

Moreno, who bodied up Carolina’s midfielders all game and disrupted their rhythm, saw a tale of two halves.

“In the first half we were able to control the pace of the game,” said the Chivas USA captain. “And then for a good part of the second half they were better than us. They had the crowd behind them and were obviously leaving everything out on the field. They were sending a lot of people forward and were able to get a goal on one of those plays. But, we were able to do enough to get out of here with a result.”

Ultimately, the difference was the divergent ability of each team to get the ball at the feet of their playmakers. Agudelo and Ángel took seven of Chivas USA’s 11 shots. Courtois, who played a terrific game, accounted for three more attempts.

On the other side, Brian Shriver and Nick Zimmerman, Carolina’s leading scorers, combined for just two shots, neither on goal. And unlike Bruce Arena last week, Chivas USA manager Robin Fraser was clearly familiar with Shipalane, who was blanketed and bottled up by one or two Chivas defenders throughout his 22 minutes of play.

Chivas USA now advances to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup on June 26 and will host surprise D3 side the Charlotte Eagles, who defeated the San Antonio Scorpions Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, the RailHawks must swallow not only the bitter pill of losing, but also the fact that they would have hosted the Eagles had they eked out a win over Chivas USA. Carolina returns to action this Saturday at WakeMed Park against the NASL-leading Minnesota Stars FC, who were also eliminated from the Open Cup Tuesday night.

“We weren’t doing so well in the league even though we knew what we were capable of,” said Palacio. “I think the Open Cup gave us extra confidence so we can carry on to the league.”
LINEUPS
CAR: GK Burse, D Elenio, D Agbossoumonde, D King, D Low (c), M Zimmerman (Palacio, 78), M Lowery, M Ortiz (Shipalane, 68), M Da Luz, F Schilawski (Ackley, 90), F Shriver
CHV: GK Melia, D Califf, D McKenzie, D Riley, D Gordon, M Vagenas, M Gavin (Smith, 83), M Courtois (Zemanski, 64), M Moreno, F Correa (Angel, 70), F Agudelo

GOALS
CAR: Palacio (Unassisted), 79;
CHV: Agudelo (Courtois), 31; Angel (Unassisted), 90

CAUTIONS
CAR: Low, 35; Ortiz, 48; Lowery, 55;
CHV: Gavin, 37; Riley, 74; Smith, 90

SHOTS
CAR: 12 (4 SO)
CHV: 11 (6 SO)

SAVES
CAR: 4
CHV: 3

Attendance: 7,117
Weather: Breezy and partly cloudy, 71

2012 US Open Cup Round 3: NASL’s winless Carolina RailHawks oust MLS champion LA Galaxy

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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

Struggling in league play and missing several players for national team duty, the defending MLS champion Los Angeles Galaxy could not have picked a much better opponent on paper than the Carolina RailHawks, who were winless in the NASL. But trips east of the Mississippi River continue to be an issue as they saw the second division side rally for a surprising 2-1 victory Tuesday evening.

Even without the world-renown stars in the lineup, the Galaxy had plenty of experience in the lineup and started the game like the favorites with a goal 38 minutes in. An Austen King pass was stolen and delivered to Chad Barrett, who proceeded to find Pat Noonan with a cross for the former US international’s fourth career Open Cup tally having scored three times with New England previously.

Ty Shipalane of the Carolina RailHawks celebrates his equalizer against the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Third Round of the 2012 US Open Cup | Photo: Carolina RailHawks
Ty Shipalane of the Carolina RailHawks celebrates his equalizer against the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Third Round of the 2012 US Open Cup | Photo: Carolina RailHawks

The game began to turn with the insertion of Ty Shipalane – who along with Noonan is a former Michigan Buck – in the 66th minute. The South African, who was a member of the 2009 Harrisburg City Islanders when they knocked off the New England Revolution 2-1, took less than 10 minutes to find an equalizer, beating the Galaxy from the right side and firing past CONACACAF Champions League veteran goalkeeper Bill Gaudette in the 75th minute. Zack Schilawski set up the goal, notching his third assist in the tournament this year.

With overtime looming, the Shipalane reversed roles two minutes from time for the game-winner. Shipalane dashed up the right side and sent a floating cross into the box, finding Brian Shriver, who scored four in last week’s 6-0 rout of USASA’s PSA Elite, for the finish. His header was initially stopped by Gaudette, who was facing his former Puerto Rico Islanders head coach Colin Clarke, but the momentum carried the rebound over the goal line.

The loss leaves the Galaxy, one of the league’s most successful teams, without a win in the club’s last six US Open Cup games east of the Mississippi River, suffering losses now to the RailHawks, Richmond Kickers (2007), Chicago Fire (2006, 2003), Minnesota Thunder (2004), Columbus Crew (2002). Their lone win in the east is a 4-0 victory over Minnesota to begin the 2002 tournament in the Third Round.

The RailHawks move on to play host to Chivas USA of MLS in the Fourth Round, giving them the opportunity to sweep the two Los Angeles-based clubs despite being located on the opposite coast.

Carolina RailHawks 2:1 Los Angeles Galaxy
WakeMed Soccer Park – Cary, NC

Scoring Summary:
LAG: Noonan (Barrett), 38
CAR: Shipalane (Schilawski), 75
CAR: Shriver (Shipalane), 88

LINEUPS
Carolina RailHawks: GK Burse, D Elenio, D Agbossoumonde, D King, D Low (c), M Zimmerman, M Lowery, M Ortiz (Shipalane, 66), M Da Luz, F Schilawski (Garey, 82), F Shriver (Substitute, Time)
LA Galaxy: GK Gaudette, D Lopes, D Meyer, D Leonardo, D Gaul (Garcia, 71), M Sarvas, M Jimenez (Jordan, 44), M Stephens, M Nakazawa, F Barrett (Magee, 65), F Noonan (c)

CAUTIONS
CAR: Shipalane, 72
LAG: Garcia, 83

SHOTS
CAR: 8
LAG: 10

SAVES
CAR: 2
LAG: 1

2012 US Open Cup Second Round: Carolina RailHawks make quick work of PSA Elite, 6-0

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CARY, NC – The Carolina RailHawks took control of the match early against visiting side PSA Elite, and never looked back. Even though the RailHawks have yet to win a match so far in the NASL season, they came out on fire in the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament, beating Elite 6-0 and booking a home date against defending MLS Cup Champion Los Angeles Galaxy in the process.

Photo: Carolina RailHawks

The early pressure by the Carolina squad yielded a goal in only the seventh minute of the match, as Austin Da Luz sprung Zach Schilawski into the PSA Elite box. A simple centering pass to Brian Shriver for a tap in gave the RailHawks the lead that they wouldn’t relinquish.

Before Elite could even get back in the match, a RailHawks corner kick fell at the feet of midfielder Amir Lowery near the six-yard box, and he calmly buried the shot to take a 2-0 lead in the ninth minute. Only down 2-nil, PSA Elite weathered the early assault and actually put Carolina on their heels with a bit of possession and drew some fouls against Carolina to help in the comeback bid.

Three shots by Elite players were saved or blocked over the next ten minutes of the match, but another beautiful pass by Da Luz sent Shriver in on the PSA Elite goal all alone, and he slotted his second of the match past the goalkeeper without any problems to give Carolina a 3-0 led in only the 25th minute of the match.

The RailHawks continued to dominate possession and not give PSA Elite any chances to claw their way back into the game, spraying shots all over the Elite goal in a continuous attack. It was only a matter of time before one of the many shots found its way to the back of the net. Schilawski notched his second assist of the match, again finding Shriver for his third goal in the 40th minute. In doing so, Shriver became only the 25th player to score a hat trick in the U.S. Open Cup in the Modern Pro Era.

The RailHawks smelt the blood in the water and looked to finish off the PSA Elite squad before halftime.  Schilawski got in on the act with Carolina’s fifth goal in the first half in the 41st minute, and the RailHawks went into the halftime break with an extremely comfortable lead.

Photo: Carolina RailHawks

With the large lead, RailHawks made the first substitution of the night at halftime, in what was clearly a tactical move to make sure the lead was secure. Exiting the match was midfielder Da Luz; he was replaced by former Glasgow Rangers man Greg Shields, a defender. The accompanying formation change helped to keep PSA Elite from many chances in the opening minutes of the second half.

Credit to PSA Elite, they didn’t give up on the match even though down so many goals. The Elite coaching staff made two changes over a five minute span in an effort to try to figure out the RailHawks defense. But, the RailHawks still had command of the game.

Schilawski was replaced for fresh legs in a straight swap at forward as former MLS player Jason Garey entered the match for Carolina in the 65th minute. Only a valiant effort – including numerous saves – by Elite goalkeeper Trevor Whiddon kept the RailHawks off the board for the majority of the second half.

But unfortunately, the RailHawks had one more goal in them before time expired. Late sub Garey put a shot on frame in the 90th minute, which was saved by Whiddon. However, Shriver was right there to clean up the rebound and tucked his fourth goal of the match into the open net just before time expired.

The result will undoubtedly give the RailHawks a lot of confidence as they await their third round match against the struggling Galaxy next Tuesday night.

PSA Elite 0:6 Carolina RailHawks
WakeMed Park – Cary, NC

Scoring Summary

CAR: Shriver (Schilawski) 7
CAR: Lowery 9
CAR: Shriver (Da Luz) 23
CAR: Shriver (Schilawski) 40
CAR: Schilawski (Ortiz) 41
CAR: Shriver 90

LINEUPS

CAR: GK Fitzgerald, D Elenio, D Agbossoumonde, D King, D Low (c), M Zimmerman, M Lowery, M Ortiz (Palacio, 82), M Da Luz (Shields, 46), F Schilawski (Garey, 65), F Shriver
PSA: GK Whiddon, D Dunn, D Miranda, D Smith (Turner, 53), D Gafa, M Lopez, M Spicer, M Paul, M Whitfield (Ontiveros, 61), F Riemer, F Ramirez (Lopez, 69)

CAUTIONS
PSA: Miranda, 73;

SHOTS
CAR: 23
PSA: 11

SAVES
CAR: 3
PSA: 7

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