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.
Carolina RailHawks
2008 First Round: Kupono Low saves RailHawks against Brooklyn Knights
Midfielder Kupono Low scored on a free kick in the 85th minute, giving the Carolina RailHawks a 1-0 victory over the PDL’s Brooklyn Knights in a First Round US Open Cup match in Cary, N.C.
Carolina had a 10-6 advantage in shots, but the USL First Division team put only two shots on goal.
2007 Semifinals: Noonan’s OT goal puts 10-man Revolution past 9-man RailHawks
Pat Noonan’s goal in the fourth minute of extra time was enough to earn the New England Revolution their second trip to the U.S. Open Cup final with a 2-1 win over the Carolina RailHawks. The visitors struck first in the 6th minute when Anthony Maher scored on a pass from Johnny Steele. New England would equalize in first-half stoppage time, as Jeff Larentowicz tallied on a diving header on an assist from Noonan.
2007 Quarterfinals: RailHawks swoop into the Semifinals, beat Richmond 1-0
In a rare all-USL Quarterfinal match, the Carolina RailHawks advanced to the Semifinals with a 1-0 win at home over the Richmond Kickers. Connally Edozien was the hero for the home side scoring in the 64th minute on a cross from Jonny Steele.
2007 US Open Cup Round 3: Carolina RailHawks eliminate defending champion Chicago Fire
A fourth MLS team has fallen in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
The Carolina RailHawks eliminated the Chicago Fire, the defending Open Cup champions, 1-0 in front of a packed crowd at SAS Stadium in Cary, NC. In the 56th minute, McColm Cephas received a fortunate bounce just outside the penalty area, dribbled in and fired a low shot to the near post, past Fire backup goalkeeper Jon Busch. The RailHawks saw a brave performance from their own backup goalkeeper, John O’Hara, who held Chicago scoreless, despite not playing a single minute during the regular season.
2007 Second Round: Anthony Maher, RailHawks run Bavarians out of town
Connally Edozien celebrated his 29th birthday with a goal, then turned provider as the Carolina RailHawks of the USL First Division ousted the final USASA team in the competition, Milwaukee’s Bavarian SC.
The RailHawks dominated play throughout, limiting Bavarian to just a few scoring opportunities in a match delayed nearly an hour at the start because of lightning in the area. The amateur team stood strong until the final eight minutes of the first half, when the duo of Edozien and Anthony Maher put Carolina in charge.