Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Charleston Battery

2011 US Open Cup FC Dallas bracket preview: Orlando City at Charleston Battery

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SECOND ROUND

Orlando City SC at Charleston Battery
Blackbaud Stadium – Charleston, S.C. – 7:30 p.m.
Broadcast: USLLive.com

THIRD ROUND

Orlando City SC / Charleston Battery at FC Dallas
June 28, 9 p.m. ET  Pizza Hut Park; Frisco, Texas

Charleston Battery

Founded in 1993, the club has been one of the most successful USL clubs. The Battery joined the professional third division in 1995 and won the championship the following year, moving to the second division in 1997. The club never missed the postseason until 2004, the year following its first second division title. It returned to the third division in 2010, winning its third league championship. The club is also well known for Blackbaud Stadium, the first privately-financed soccer stadium, which debuted in 1999. Blackbaud has been a fortress for the club in the Open Cup, as the stadium that has hosted the most US Open Cup games (24) in the Professional Era (1995-present). The Battery are 18-4-3 (2-1 in PKs) on their home field in the tournament since they first entered the tournament in 1999.

Path to Open Cup: Automatic entrant from USL Pro.

First Round: Charleston Battery (USL Pro) 2:0 Regals FC (USASA)
The amateur Texas club Regals FC gave Charleston a tough time in the first half before a penalty three minutes into the second half from Nicki Paterson broke the deadlock in the First Round contest. Dane Kelly added the second in the 76th and Regals were unable to mount a comeback losing a player to a red card two minutes later and the game finished with a 2-0 result.

League Form: Charleston was back in action Friday evening with a 1-0 victory over visiting Dayton with Levi Coleman scoring in the 77th minute. They are currently in fourth place in the American Division with a 6-5-3 record, seven points behind first place Orlando City.

Open Cup History: One of the most successful lower division teams in the Pro Era of the tournament, the club has failed to qualify only once in the last 12 years, missing the tournament ironically in the same year it won the 2003 second division championship. The Battery have reached the semifinals on three occasions and advanced to the 2008 Open Cup Final amidst a run of four straight quarterfinal trips coming into this year. The 2008 Battery eliminated the MLS Houston Dynamo in penalties after a Third Round 1-1 draw and then stunned FC Dallas on the road, 3-1, to reach their third Semifinal. They took another penalty decision after a 1-1 draw against league foe Seattle Sounders in the final four before falling in a narrow 2-1 contest to DC United in the final. The two MLS upsets raised the tally to six, having upset DC United in overtime, 4-3, in the 1999 Third Round and New York twice, the first in the 2001 Second Round (4-1) and second in the 2004 Fourth Round (1-0). They also previously beat Houston in overtime, 1-0, in the Round 3 of the 2007 competition. They added a seventh MLS upset by defeating Chivas USA 3-1 in the 2009 Third Round before Houston finally got the better of them in the Quarterfinals, 4-0. Last year, they made it eight with a penalty kick decision against the Chicago Fire after a scoreless draw, falling 3-0 in Columbus the following round.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 22-9-4 (3-1 in PKs) overall | 15-10-4 vs. professional teams (0-0-0 vs. USL Pro)

Orlando City

An expansion club, essentially, off the field, the team itself is the former Austin Aztex side that played in the professional second division the previous two seasons. However, despite their connections to the Austin franchise, the Orlando City team is a completely new club.

Path to Open Cup: Automatic entrant from USL Pro.

First Round: Orlando City (USL Pro) 4:0 ASC New Stars (USASA)
A lightning delay of nearly 90 minutes itself stretched the First Round match into a late night, but Orlando, the host side, enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 victory over the ASC New Stars. Devorn Jorsling scored twice with Kevin Molino and Dennis Chin each adding to the tally.

League Form: Orlando City played host to Wilmington Saturday night in league play, settling for a 1-1 draw on a late Hammerheads equalizer after Open Cup hero Jorsling had given them the lead. Orlando City is currently in first place in the American Division with an 8-2-4 record.

Open Cup History (Austin Aztex): This is officially the first appearance in the US Open Cup for Orlando City, but with such close ties to the Austin Aztex franchise, it’s worth mentioning that the Aztex reached the Third Round the last two years. In 2009, the Aztex downed PDL sides Mississippi Brilla, 2-0, and El Paso Patriots, 2-0, before falling by the same 2-0 scoreline to the Houston Dynamo of MLS. Last year the team blanked the PDL’s DFW Tornados, 3-0, and downed the USASA’s Arizona Sahuaros, 3-1, before a 1-0 loss on the road to Chivas USA of MLS in Round 3.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 1-0-0 overall | 0-0-0 vs. professional teams

FC Dallas

How They Qualified: Automatic entrant from top six MLS finish in 2010.

This Month in MLS: The club played their third contest of the month Saturday in Los Angeles against Chivas USA, winning 2-1 with Break Shea scoring the opener and Jackson Goncalves adding the late winner.  Dallas returns home for one more league match against the Portland Timbers June 25 before playing in the Third Round. FCD opened the month June 4 with a 1-0 win in New England on a 69th minute goal from Marvin Chavez as Kevin Hartman recorded the shutout. They returned home June 12 and were stunned 4-1 by Sporting Kansas City in which Break Shea had an equalizer in the 32nd before seeing KC strike three unanswered.
Last Five: W-L-W-D-W Season Record: 8-4-4 (5-2-2 Home), Second in Western Conference, Second Overall.

Open Cup History: Up to 2009, FC Dallas could claim the distinction of being the only MLS team to participate in every Pro Era Open Cup tournament since the league began in 1996. Poor finishes in MLS play in 2009 and 2010 left them to the mercy of MLS qualifying, where they lost both times to DC United. Dallas found success early in their Open Cup history, reaching the Semifinals in 1996 and winning the title on penalties over DC United in 1997. Another semifinal appearance in 1998 and two quarterfinal finishes in ’99 and 2000 were followed in 2001 by one of the biggest upsets in Pro Era history, a 3-2 sudden death extra time loss to the PDL’s Seattle Sounders Select in the Second Round. It remains the only time Dallas failed to advance past their opening match. Finals appearances in 2005 and 2007 bolstered their Open Cup resume a bit, although they will look to regain some stature after missing the last two tournaments.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 19-12-4 (4-0 in PK’s)

FIRST ROUND

ASC New Stars (USASA-South TX) 0:4 Orlando City Soccer Club (USL PRO)
University of Central Florida Soccer Complex – Oviedo, Fla. – 7:30 p.m.
Full Recap [+]

Regals FC (USASA-South TX) 0:2 Charleston Battery (USL PRO)
Blackbaud Stadium – Charleston, S.C. – 7:30 p.m.
Full Recap [+]

ELIMINATED TEAMS

ASC New Stars

A longtime member of the Houston Football Association, Aria Soccer Club’s New Stars dominated the recent Premier Division season with a 13-4-1 record, allowing only 18 goals in as many while also scoring 58. It was the fifth consecutive title in the division for the New Stars, but marked the first time the club lost more than once in league play, having only three losses total in the previous four campaigns. || Meet the USASA Feature [+]

Path to Open Cup: The club opened with a 2-0 victory on a pair of Alex Bolan strikes against Boston Avenue on opening day of Region III group play. They then defeated Greenville Eagles 4-1 with goals from four different scorers, including Bolan, who also had an assist. They wrapped up the group with a 1-0 win against Florida Gators on another strike from Bolan in the 14th minute to secure the US Open Cup spot. The club would go on to defeat Houston rival Regals FC 2-1 in overtime on a Chuks Ndame goal in the 116th minute.

June News Updates: The team has been idle since it won the HFA Premier Division that ended in May with a 13-4-1 record.

Open Cup History: In the club’s lone previous appearance in 2008, the New Stars fell 3-0 on the road to the second division Charleston Battery. Along with Regals FC, this is the first time two amateur teams from Houston have qualified for the Open Cup in the same year during the Professional Era.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 0-1-0 overall | 0-0-0 vs. 3rd Division

Regals FC

Founded in 2010, the club was a founding member of the newly forged Southern Premier Soccer League. || Meet the USASA Feature [+]

Path to Open Cup: Drawn into the three-team group created when another club withdrew, Regals opened the event with a 2-1 loss on day two to Royal Eagles of Florida, who fell 3-0 to CASL on day one. Regals rebounded in a dramatic group finale, jumping out to a four-goal lead against CASL with two goals from Roy Hernandez. CASL came back with two strikes to force a three-way tie in the table and a two-way deadlock with Regals, sending the duo to penalty kicks to determine the Open Cup berth and finalist. Regals goalkeeper Marcos Sanchez made three saves on four CASL attempts to send Regals through. He would also play brilliantly in the final, only to fall 2-1 to Houston rival ASC New Stars in overtime.

June News Updates: Defeated Houston Hurricane 6-1 via six different goal scorers June 4 to move to 1-1 in the SPSL Summer Cup.

Open Cup History: First appearance in the tournament. Along with ASC New Stars, this is the first time two amateur teams from Houston have qualified for the Open Cup in the same year during the Professional Era.


2011 US Open Cup First Round: Charleston Battery defeat USASA’s Regals FC 2-0

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Charleston Battery Regals FC
Photo: Charleston Battery

The Charleston Battery once again turned away a USASA challenge in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup with a 2-0 win over Houston’s Regals FC at Blackbaud Stadium. The Battery have hosted a USASA team in the first round three years in a row.

The USASA club played the Battery tough for the first 45 minutes, holding the USL PRO team to a 0-0 draw at halftime. The Battery nearly scored on a couple chances in the first half, however. In the 6th minute Nicki Patterson’s header of a Brandon Massie free kick sailed just over the crossbar. A few minutes later Mike Zaher blasted a hard shot at Regals goalkeeper Marcus Sanchez, who juggled the ball before controlling it.

Charleston put their first goal on the board two minutes into the second half when the Battery’s Levi Coleman was pushed by Regals defender Robert Hernandez. Patterson netted the penalty kick for a 1-0 Battery lead. Hernandez would later be sent off for his second yellow card of the match in the 78th minute.

It was in the 78th minute that Charleston scored their insurance goal to make it 2-0. After a string of passes, Dane Kelly received a back heel pass from Seedy Bah and Kelly scored the clinching goal.

Charleston will host Orlando City SC in the second round at Blackbaud Stadium on June 21.

Regals FC (USASA-South TX)
0:2
Charleston Battery (USL PRO)
Blackbaud Stadium – Charleston, S.C.
RECAP: Charleston | Post and Courier (Charleston)

Scoring Summary
CHR: Nicki Patterson (PK) – 47th
CHR: Dane Kelly (Bah) – 78th
SENT OFF: Robert Hernandez (Regals) 87′

2010 US Open Cup Third Round: Tim Melia of the Charleston Battery is Player of the Round

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The third round of the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup featured eight low scoring, defensive battles with only two teams pulling off upsets of Major League Soccer clubs. With that being the case, it was no surprise that it was a goalkeeper that was named TheCup.us Player of the Round. Tim Melia’s performance in net for the Charleston Battery in their upset of the Chicago Fire in round 3 was enough to get the votes for the award.

Tim Melia goes up for the ball against the Chicago Fire’s Patrick Nyarko. Photo: Brian Kersey | Chicago Fire

The award is voted on by the staff at TheCup.us and a select panel of members of the North American Soccer Reporters (www.soccerreporters.com).

Melia, who is on loan from Real Salt Lake of MLS, made 8 saves and kept a clean sheet for 120 minutes against the Fire, who were playing in front of their home fans at Toyota Park. After a scoreless draw through extra time, Melia saved Krzysztov Krol’s attempt in the penalty kick shootout while Brian McBride and Wilman Conde missed their attempts and the Battery moved on to the quarterfinals 3-0.

Melia received the vast majority of the votes, while Harrisburg City Islanders goalkeeper Danny Cepero, who shut out the New York Red Bulls in a 1-0 extra time win, finished second.

The Battery will play their second straight road game at the Columbus Crew on July 6 in the quarterfinals.

2010 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Columbus Crew cruise past Battery, return to semifinals

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The Columbus Crew dispatched the Charleston Battery 3-0, ending the USL-2 club’s underdog run. Emilio Renteria, Steven Lenhart, and Eddie Gavin all hit the net for the Crew.

Photo: Jason Mowry | Columbus Crew

The Crew controlled play through the first half, but needed a hard tackle from Charleston’s Stephen Armstrong in the box to capitalize. Armstrong, who played for the Crew in 2005, fouled Steven Lenhart in minute 37, setting up a Renteria penalty kick. Emilio sent the ball past Tim Melia, snapping the goalkeeper’s 187 minute Open Cup scoreless streak. Columbus kept attacking, but were frustrated by missed opportunities through an hour of play.

Lenhart, the hero of the Crew’s Third Round win over Rochester, once again stepped up and delivered at 70′. Emmanuel Ekpo fed the ball to a waiting Duncan Oughton, as Lenhart took the pass and sent it through to seal the game for Columbus. Ekpo got into the action again at 87′ taking a pass from sub Leandre Griffit and taping it to another sub, Eddie Gaven, to drive the last nail into the Battery’s Open Cup season.

Columbus awaits the winner of July 21st’s Harrisburg City Islanders/DC United match. That semifinal match will either be August 31st at home against Harrisburg, or September 1st at DC.

Scoring Summary:

CLB – Emilio Renteria (penalty kick) 38’
CLB – Steven Lenhart (Duncan Oughton) 70’
CLB – Eddie Gaven (Emmanuel Ekpo) 87’

Misconduct Summary:

CLB – Jed Zayner (caution: reckless tackle) 24’
CHA – Ian Fuller (caution: dissent) 37’
CLB – Steven Lenhart (caution: unsporting behavior) 42’
CHA – O’Brian Woodbine (caution: reckless tackle) 64’

Lineups:

Charleston – Tim Melia; O’Brian Woodbine, Colin Falvey, John Wilson, Nigel Marples; Brandon Massie (John Gruenewald, 70’), Alioune Gueye, Ian Fuller (Kevin Jackson, 82’), Stephen Armstrong (Amaury Nunes 72’); Lamar Neagle, Tom Heinemann.

Columbus – Andy Gruenebaum; Jed Zayner, Chad Marshall, Eric Brunner, Shaun Francis; Duncan Oughton, Danny O’Rourke, Dilly Duka (Eddie Gaven 61’), Emilio Renteria (Leandre Griffit 76’), Emmanuel Ekpo; Steven Lenhart (Jason Garey88’).

Referee: Hilario Grajeda
Referee’s Assistants: John Safar, Pierre Saintil Francillon
4th Official: Rizal Millikan
Weather: 90 and sunny
Attendance: 1,847

2010 US Open Cup Third Round: Charleston advances in PKs as Chicago can’t find net

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Tim Melia goes up for the ball against the Chicago Fire's Patrick Nyarko. Melia would be named TheCup.us Player of the Round for his eight-save performance against the Chicago Fire. Photo: Brian Kersey | Chicago Fire

After a scoreless two hours, the Chicago Fire’s scoreless woes continued as USL-2’s Charleston won the penalty shootout 3-0. Battery goalkeeper Tim Melia, on loan from MLS’s Real Salt Lake, was the star of the night, stopping all 8 of the Fire’s shots on goal, and adding a save in the shootout.

The Fire started several players not in the regular starting lineup, and the inexperience showed as Charleston dominated early play, Chicago only having one shot until 34′. Play was more even for the rest of the half, but neither team mounted any serious chances.

Chicago substituted two regulars to begin the second half, but still could not generate a goal, despite gaining an advantage over the Battery in play. The Fire got more chances in extra time, but Melia was equal to the challenge.

Melia would be up to the challenge in the penalty shootout, while things unravled for the Fire. Chicago captain Brian McBride, who subbed in at the beginning of extra time, kicked the first penalty shot well high of the goal, while the Battery’s Lamar Neagle was able to convert against Chicago keeper Sean Johnson. Melia saved Krzysztov Krol’s kick, while Mike Zaher converted, putting the Fire down to the Battery 2-0. With the pressure on Wilman Conde to get the Fire on the board, he couldn’t pull through and hit the crossbar. This gave Charleston’s Ian Fuller the opportunity to give his team their fourth straight trip to the Quarterfinals, and put it in the net to do just that.

Charleston will head north to play Columbus on July 6, attempting to make the Semifinals for the second time in three years.

SCORING:
none

PENALTY KICKS:
CHI (0)- McBride miss (high), Krol miss (save), Conde miss (off crossbar)
CHS (3)- Neagle goal, Zaher goal, Fuller goal

DISCIPLINE:
CHS- Armstrong 16′ (yellow, Reckless tackle)
CHI- Nyarko 48′ (yellow, Unsporting behavior)
CHI- Conde 70′ (yellow, Persistent infringement)
CHI- Watson-Siriboe 73′ (yellow, Reckless foul)
CHI- Pappa 88′ (yellow, Persistent infringement)
CHS- Zaher 90′ (yellow, Tactical foul)

LINEUPS:
Chicago: Sean Johnson (GK), Deris Umanzor, Krzystof Krol, Steven Kinney, Kwame Watson, Peter Lowry (Brian McBride – 90th), Marco Pappa, Logan Pause (Wilman Conde – 52nd), Corben Bone, Mike Banner (Patrick Nyarko – 45th), Stefan Dimitrov

Charleston: Tim Melia (GK), Yeniel Bermudez (Jon Gruenewald – 90th), Nigel Marples, John Wilson, Colin Falvey, Stephen Armstrong (Mike Zaher – 65th), Ian Fuller, Alioune Gueye, Rudolph Mayard, Tom Heinemann, Lamar Neagle

STATS:
Charleston: SHOTS: 10 (Mayard 5); SAVES: 8 (Melia 8); FOULS: 15 (Gueye 3); CORNER KICKS: 4; OFFSIDES: 1; PENALTY KICKS:(NONE); CAUTIONS: Armstrong 16, Zaher 90;

Chicago: SHOTS: 18 (Pappa 6); SAVES: 2 (Johnson 2); FOULS: 18 (Umanzor 4); CORNER KICKS: 6; OFFSIDES: 2; PENALTY KICKS: (NONE); CAUTIONS: Nyarko 48, Conde 70, Watson 73, Pappa 88;

Notable upsets in the Second Round of the US Open Cup

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UPDATED 5/18/17

2000 – Mid-Michigan Bucks (PDL) 1:0 New England Revolution (MLS)

The Mid-Michigan Bucks have always been one of the lower division troublemakers of the US Open Cup, and this match against the New England Revolution at Foxboro Stadium helped build that reputation. Goalkeeper Eric Pogue was the early hero for the Bucks, saving a Shaker Asad penalty kick in the 7th minute to keep the game scoreless. The Bucks stayed with the Revolution for 90 minutes using a high-tempo style of play and eventually sent the sparse crowd of 1,857 Revolution fans home disappointed.

Three minutes into stoppage time, midfielder Chad Schomaker scored the winner on an assist from Boniventure Maruti. The win was the first time an amateur side defeated a Major League Soccer team. The Bucks, however, remain the only amateur club to upset an MLS team without the help of extra time or penalty kicks. Their Cup run would come to an end in the next round, when the Miami Fusion of MLS came to Saginaw, Mich., they needed a penalty kick shootout to eliminate the giant killers after a 3-3 draw in regulation.

2000 – Chicago Sockers (PDL) 0:0 Kansas City Wizards (MLS) (Chicago advances, 7-6 on PKs)

The Mid-Michigan Bucks weren’t the only team slaying MLS giants in the Second Round of the 2000 Open Cup. The Kansas City Wizards were leading Major League Soccer in points at the time of the match, but that didn’t matter to the PDL’s Chicago Sockers, who were the defending champions of the fourth division league. Adam Throop of the Sockers put in a spectacular performance, keeping a clean sheet for 105 minutes despite 23 shots from the Wizards. Both teams slugged though extra time scoreless as well, and the 3,140 on hand at Forest View Park in Chicago eagerly awaited the penalty kick session to decide the game. Throop came though again, saving Uche Okafor’s penalty to give Chicago the win.

The Sockers, like the Bucks, went on to put a scare into their next MLS opponents. In the Third Round, the Sockers took on the Chicago Fire and only a Josh Wolff goal in the 22nd minute seperated the two clubs in a rare Open Cup derby match.

2006- Dallas Roma FC (USASA – Region III) 1:0 Miami FC (USL-1)

Dallas Roma FC pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the Modern Era of the US Open Cup (1995-present), defeating the USL First Division’s Miami FC 1-0 in front of their home fans in Dallas. Roma scored the lone goal of the match early in the game, when Miami midfielder Zinho was called for a handball in the penalty area. John Waters stepped to the spot and converted the penalty for the 1-0 lead.

The Roma defense, led by goalkeeper Jessie Llamas, held World Cup winners Romario and Zinho in check all night, only allowing Miami to attack from the side, instead of up the middle. Roma head coach Michael Schell did not start three of his regulars for disciplinary reasons, making the 1-0 lead that much more remarkable. When he eventually brought in the likes of Patrick Shamu and Mark Rowland, Schell said the Miami players began to get frustrated.

“They (Miami) realized these guys were better then the ones they replaced”, Schell said. It was during this time that both Michael Erush and Fabian Sandoval were sent off, leaving Miami with just nine men to finish the game. Schell was also quick to point out that the visitors did not take his team lightly, as they constantly put pressure on Roma’s defense throughout the night.

The win marked the first time a USASA club had beaten a team from the USL First Division. Roma are also only the second USASA team since 1995 to advance to the Third Round of the US Open Cup. “I don’t think I’m going to go to sleep tonight!” said an ecstatic Schell after a post-match dinner with his team.

Other Second Round upsets

1997 – San Francisco Bay Seals (D3 Pro) 1:0 Seattle Sounders (A-League)
1998 – Orlando Nighthawks (D3 Pro) 2:1 Milwaukee Rampage (A-League)
1998 – Chicago Stingers (D3 Pro) 3:2 Hershey Wildcats (A-League)
1999 – Mid Michigan Bucks (PDL) 2:1 Minnesota Thunder (A-League)
1999 – Carolina Dynamo (D3 Pro) 2:0 Orange County Zodiac (A-League)
2000 – Richmond Kickers (A-League) 3:0 Colorado Rapids (MLS)
2001 – Connecticut Wolves (MLS) 3:2 Tampa Bay Mutiny (MLS)
2001 – Charleston Battery (A-League) 4:1 Metrostars (MLS)
2001 – Seattle Sounders Select (PDL) 3:2 Dallas Burn (MLS)
2001 – Pittsburgh Riverhounds (A-League) 3:0 Colorado Rapids (MLS)
2003 – Bavarian SC (USASA) 1:0 Reading Rage (PSL)
2006 – Michigan Bucks (PDL) 2:1 Cincinnati Kings (USL-2)
2006 – Des Moines Menace (PDL) 1:0 Minnesota Thunder (USL-1)
2006 – Carolina Dynamo (PDL) 1:0 Richmond Kickers (USL-2)
2008 – Cleveland City Stars (USL-2) 2:0 Minnesota Thunder (USL-1)
2009 – Ocean City Barons (PDL) 1:0 (AET) Real Maryland Monarchs (USL-2)
2012 – Michigan Bucks (PDL) 1:0 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro)
2012 – Cal FC (USASA) 4:0 Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro)
2012 – Ventura County Fusion (PDL) 3:1 (AET) Los Angeles Blues (USL Pro)
2013 – Reading United (PDL) 1:0 Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro)
2013 – Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL) 1:0 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro)
2013 – Des Moines Menace (PDL) 1:0 Minnesota United FC (NASL)
2013 – FC Tucson (PDL) 2:2 (4:3 PKs) San Antonio Scorpions (NASL)
2014 – Fresno Fuego (PDL) 2:0 Orange County Blues (USL Pro)
2014 – Chattanooga FC (NPSL) 3:1 Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro)
2017 – Reading United AC (PDL) 3:2 New York Cosmos (NASL)
2017 – Christos FC (USASA) 1:0 Richmond Kickers (USL)
2017 – Charlotte Eagles (PDL) 3:2 Charlotte Independence (USL)
2017 – Michigan Bucks (PDL) 1:0 Indy Eleven (NASL)
2017 – Chicago FC United (PDL) 3:1 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL)

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

Notable upsets in the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup

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Shane Watkins of the San Francisco Bay Seals eludes San Jose Clash defender John Doyle during the Seals’ 2-1 Quarterfinal upset at Spartan Stadium on August 20, 1997. Photo: San Francisco Bay Seals

MORE: Things you should know about the Quarterfinals (Modern Era)

There have only been nine upsets in the Quarterfinal round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup since 1995, therefore all of them are, in fact, “notable.”

There have been one amateur team (albeit before MLS was launched) and two third division clubs to win a Quarterfinal games in the Modern Era (1995-present), and the rest are second division pro teams (A-League, USL First Division) knocking off Major League Soccer clubs.

Atlanta Ruckus (A-League) 1:2 Richmond Kickers (USISL Premier)
July 12, 1995
University of Richmond Stadium – Richmond, Virginia

The Richmond Kickers, the lone amateur team remaining in the tournament upset the A-League’s Atlanta Ruckus 2-1 to reach the semifinals. The Kickers took a 1-0 lead into halftime on a 13th minute goal by Rob Ukrop, but US international John Doyle answered for the Ruckus in the 52nd minute. The game-winning goal would be scored by Richmond’s Scott Snyder in the 62nd minute with Ben Crawley picking up his second assist of the game. Side note: While the Kickers were an amateur team, they featured a strong roster for future professional players including Richie Williams, Mike Clark, Brian Bates, Todd Yeagley, Brian Kamler and goalkeeper Jeff Causey.

Tampa Bay Mutiny (MLS) 3 : 4 (ASDET) Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League)
September 7, 1996
Frontier Field – Rochester, NY

In front of more than 12,000 fans at Frontier Field, the Rochester Raging Rhinos knocked off Major League Soccer’s best team, the Tampa Bay Mutiny, in sudden death overtime. It’s known as one of the most exciting Open Cup games in the Modern Era. Henry Gutierrez and Doug Miller put the Rhinos up 2-0 at the half, but it was Roy Lassiter who began one of the most thrilling 10 minutes in modern Open Cup history. Lassiter’s goal in the 80th minute brought the Mutiny to within one goal, but two minutes later, Miller would score his second to make it 3-1.

The home crowd thought the game was over, but Tampa Bay would score two goals in two minutes (Carlos Valderamma PK in the 85th and Evans Wise in the 86th on an assist from Lassiter) to send the game into overtime. 23 minutes of sudden death overtime saw the Rochester crowd whipped into a frenzy when substitute, and Rochester native, Chris Kennell scored the game-winner in the 113th minute. The first-year franchise would advance to the Open Cup Final that year, falling to DC United in the championship game.

San Francisco Bay Seals (D3 Pro League) 2 : 1 San Jose Clash (MLS)
August 20, 1997
Spartan Stadium – San Jose, CA

Ronald Cerritos converted an early first half penalty kick to put the San Jose Clash up 1-0, but the Bay Seals, the darlings of the 1997 tournament, got a pair of late goals from Shani Simpson (77th minute) and Shane Watkins (86th minute) to put them in the Semifinals. San Francisco was the first third division club to reach the Semifinals during the Modern Era. It was an achievement that wasn’t matched until 2011.

Dallas Burn (MLS) 1 : 2 (ASDET) Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League)
August 11, 1999
Frontier Field – Rochester, NY

After a 71st minute goal by Mauro Biello put Rochester in front 1-0, the Rhinos were five minutes away from pulling off the upset in regulation when Jason Kreis tied the game up thanks to an assist by Paul Broome. After 20 minutes of extra time, Michael Kirmse scored the golden goal (assisted by Darren Tilley) to send the Rhinos to the Semifinals, on their way to winning the tournament.

Minnesota Thunder (USL-1) 3 : 1 Kansas City Wizards (MLS)
August 24, 2005
Julian Field – Parkville, Missouri

In the midst of a disappointing run of league form, the Minnesota Thunder continued their run in the US Open Cup with a road win over the Kansas City Wizards. It was the third MLS team Minnesota had eliminated in a row (Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids). Johnny Menyongar scored two goals and was a part of the third when his shot was re-directed by the Wizards’ Shavar Thomas and past goalkeeper Will Hesmer.

Colorado Rapids (MLS) 0 : 5 Seattle Sounders (USL-1)
August 7, 2007
Qwest Field – Seattle, Washington

Chris Eylander stops a penalty kick against the Kansas City Wizards during the 2008 US Open Cup. Photo: George Holland

Seattle completely dominated the Colorado Rapids in the worst loss ever suffered by a MLS team in the Open Cup. After two goals by Sounder defenders midway through the first half, Colorado’s Ugo Ihemelu put the ball into his own net to make it 3-0 Seattle at the half. The game was all but over, but when Colorado defender Facundo Erpen was sent off in the 49th minute, the Sounders poured it on in the second half to return to the Semifinals for the first time since 1995.

Charleston Battery (USL-1) 3 : 1 FC Dallas (MLS)
July 8, 2008
Pizza Hut Park – Frisco, Texas

After a weather delay, the Charleston Battery eliminated FC Dallas 3-1 in front of the Dallas faithful. Former Dallas player Lazo Alavanja opened the scoring, followed by Ian Fuller and Randi Patterson. Kenny Cooper added a score in second half stoppage time but it was too little, too late. The Battery got their revenge after being knocked out of the tournament by Dallas the last two years in a row.

Kansas City Wizards (MLS) 0:0 (5:6 PKs) Seattle Sounders (USL-1)
July 8, 2008
Qwest Field – Seattle, Washington

David Bulow of the Richmond Kickers tied the Modern Era record for most US Open Cup goals in a career with 13. Photo: Richmond Kickers / Suz Kitsteiner

After playing 120 minutes of scoreless soccer, Kansas City’s Eric Kronberg and Seattle Chris Eylander found themselves facing a penalty kick shootout. Both goalkeepers had played well in regulation and extra time, but Eylander had been busier, stopping 12 shots to Kronberg’s four. Eylander would get the best of Kronberg in the shootout, 6-5, saving attempts by Jimmy Conrad and Tyson Wahl to send the Sounders to the final four.

Richmond Kickers (USL Pro) 2:0 Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
July 12, 2011
LiveStrong Sporting Park – Kansas City, Kansas

The Richmond Kickers continued their Cinderella run through the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a 2-0 upset of Sporting Kansas City at LiveStrong Sporting Park. After a lengthy lightning delay sent the players into the locker rooms in the 66th minute, once they emerged,  Shaka Bangura scored less than 30 seconds after play re-started to give the Kickers the lead. David Bulow would add a history-making penalty kick in the 83rd minute to seal the deal. Bulow’s goal gave him a tournament-high six tallies and put him on top of the Modern Era’s goalscoring chart with 13 in his career. He was tied with Jaime Moreno and Johnny Menyongar. With the win, Richmond became only the second Third Division team to reach the Semifinals. The only other team to do it was the San Francisco Bay Seals in 1997.

2009 Quarterfinal recap: Rochester Rhinos last USL team standing

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2009 US Open Cup Quarterfinals
(Home team listed on right)
July 7
Wilmington Hammerheads 1:2 Rochester Rhinos
Harrisburg City Islanders 1:2 DC United
Houston Dynamo 4:0 Charleston Battery
Kansas City Wizards 0:1 Seattle Sounders

Player of the Round: Geoff Cameron (HOU)
Notable upsets in Quarterfinal history
Things you should know about the Quarterfinals

The Rochester Rhinos may be the only USL team left in the tournament, but they have been here before. The Rhinos will make their third appearance in the Semifinals of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup after a 2-1 victory over the Wilmington Hammerheads of the USL Second Division. For the Rhinos, it will be their first appearance in the final four since 1999, the year they won the Open Cup.

They will travel to Boyds, Md. on July 21 to face DC United, the club that beat them in the 1996 Open Cup Final. United got past a USL Second Division club of their own, knocking off the Harrisburg City Islanders 2-1.

In the other Semifinal, the Houston Dynamo will make their way to the Starfire Soccer Complex in Tukwila, WA on July 21 where they will face the Seattle Sounders. The Dynamo exorcized some demons on Tuesday night, eliminating the Charleston Battery at Blackbaud Stadium, something they have been unable to do in the 2007 and 2008 tournaments. The difference in Seattle’s 1-0 win over Kansas City was an 89th minute penalty kick that Sebastien Le Toux converted for the game’s only goal.

2009 Quarterfinals: Geoff Cameron unanimous choice as Player of the Round

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Houston Dynamo defender Geoff Cameron’s two goal performance for his club earned him the TheCup.us Player of the Round for the Quarterfinals. Just four days shy of his 24th birthday, Cameron netted the game-winning header 16 minutes into the match, and rounded out the scoring on another header in the 73rd minute as the Houston Dynamo defeated the Charleston Battery 4-0 to move onto the Semifinals against the Seattle Sounders.

Voters rewarded Cameron’s stand out performance with a unanimous vote for Player of the Round, while Charleston Battery’s Mike Ambersely earned runner-up honors in an almost unanimous vote, losing one vote to Sounders goalkeeper Kasey Keller, who finished in third.

Cameron joined the Houston Dynamo in 2008 as a third round draft pick (42nd overall) and quickly developed into a pivotal member of Houston’s defense. He saw action in 23 matches in 2008 – with eight starts – and was nominated for the 2008 MLS Rookie of the Year Award. Along with the Rookie of the Year nomination, his consistent play earned him a call-up to the U.S. Mens National Team Training Camp in January 2009, where he unfortunately sustained a hamstring injury on the second day. In 2009, Cameron has started all 17 matches he has played in, and has one assist.

The Player of the Round is selected by the staff of TheCup.us and members of the North American Soccer Reporters, a group that consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information about the NASR can be found at www.soccerreporters.com.

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