Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Charlotte Eagles

2012 US Open Cup Quarterfinals video: Watch all four games here!

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Lamar Hunt US Open Cup logoLook below for video of tonight’s US Open Cup Quarterfinal online broadcasts.
Note: Three of them can be watched from this page, while the Sporting KC/Dayton game will launch in a new window.

2012 US Open Cup Quarterfinal Live Blog
2012 US Open Cup bracket [+]
2012 US Open Cup Quarterfinal scoreboard [+]
2012 US Open Cup goalscoring leaders [+]
2012 US Open Cup participant map [+]
Meet the USASA: Class of 2012 [+]
Things you should know about the Quarterfinals [+]
Semifinal pairings [+]

Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
PPL Park; Chester, Pa.; 7:30 p.m. ET
Semifinal scenarios (July 10 or 11):
If Philadelphia wins … home vs. Sporting KC/Dayton winner
If Harrisburg wins … home vs. Dayton or at Sporting KC

If video doesn’t work, CLICK HERE

Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
LIVESTRONG Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.; 8:30 p.m. ET
Semifinal scenarios (July 10 or 11):
If KC wins … home vs. Harrisburg OR at Philadelphia
If Dayton wins … at Philadelphia OR at Harrisburg

Click here to watch the game

Seattle Sounders (MLS) at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Kezar Stadium; San Francisco, Calif.; 10:30 p.m. ET
Audio Broadcast: Seattle
Semifinal scenarios (July 10): Winner hosts Chivas USA / Charlotte winner

Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro) at Chivas USA (MLS)
Titan Stadium (Cal State Fullerton); Fullerton, Calif.; 10:30 p.m. ET
Semifinal scenario (July 10):
Winner plays at Seattle Sounders / San Jose Earthquakes winner

2012 US Open Cup Fourth Round: Charlotte Eagles ‘Kings of Texas’ with third road win, edging San Antonio 2-1 in OT

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Photo: San Antonio Scorpions

In a Fourth Round showdown of two lower division professional clubs, the USL Pro Charlotte Eagles came away 2-1 overtime victors against the San Antonio Scorpions of the NASL, making them, in essence, champions of Texas, having won three consecutive rounds on the road in the Lone Star State. For that triumph, they now face a trip to California.

“We don’t really do anything different any game,” said Charlotte coach Mark Steffens, “We did the same when we took on Dallas, we have good attacking players and that’s what we do.”

Scorpions coach Tim Hankinson was disappointed after the match “we have a job to do and we have to get better at our finishing, you put yourself in a position to win the game again and again but we didn’t put them away.”

The Scorpions got off to a great start and had their first shot on target in the second minute as Hans Dennison set Pablo Campos free only for his shot to be well saved by Clint Irwin in the Eagles goal.

Charlotte were going for it after that initial chance, and they dominated the opening 15 minutes with several chances but could not put them away.

Estaban Bayona made a good run in the 16th minute and was able to find Pablo Campos on the penalty spot but his shot was well saved by Irwin.

In the 28th minute the Eagle’s dominance was finally rewarded as Nate Thornton weaved through the San Antonio defense and unleashed a powerful strike from just inside the penalty area to open the scoring.

Any thoughts of Charlotte sitting back after the opener were quickly put to bed as they continued to dominate the match, earning several corners.

A corner in the 36th minute should have doubled Charlotte’s lead, as the restart from Sean Bateau caused all kinds of problems in the San Antonio area but Daryl Sattler made a great save, despite getting no help from his defense.

The Scorpions countered well and some good work from Hans Dennison put Campos through but the tight did not allow his quality effort to squeeze inside the post, bouncing off the woodwork allowing Charlotte to clear.

In the 40th minute another chance fell to the Scorpions as Estaban Bayona sent in a ball for Dennisen who chose to pass instead of shoot allowing Charlotte to clear. Campos was up to his usual antics in first half stoppage time as his opportunity faded after trying to run at too many men instead of passing the ball.

The Scorpions had a free kick in stoppage time which allowed them to push several men forward and they had four good chances in quick succession but were denied by some good keeping from Irwin. keeping Charlotte 1-0 up at the break.

Photo: San Antonio Scorpions

The Scorpions suffered a big blow at halftime as Hans Dennison was unable to shake off the hamstring injury that has been with him for several weeks.

The Scorpions started the second half the better side showing a big improvement on the first half effort, but again struggled to break through. Ramirez impressed in the 47th minute, making a good run but his space was just closed off killing the chance and allowing Charlotte to clear.

The Scorpions defense continued to fail to communicate which again allowed the Eagles chances, and if not for Daryl Sattler the match would have been over much sooner.

A free kick in the 62nd minute nearly caught the Eagles off guard when the goalkeeper came off his line and couldn’t get to it, but the Scorpions weren’t able to put it away.

Scorpions coach Tim Hankinson made a surprise substitution in the 63rd minute, bringing on Javier Saavedra for Walter Ramirez, who was looking dangerous throughout the night. He stunned many with the substitutions again in the 69th minute when he took off striker Estaban Bayona to bring on a defender Fabian Kling despite chasing the game.

The Scorpions had a great chance in the 75th minute when Jonathan Greenfield hit a powerful shot, which was very well saved by Irwin

From the resulting corner San Antonio found a goal. After the Eagles cleared the restart partially, it found Saavedra who sent in a cross that was headed by Campos tamely but Charlotte were unable to clear as it dribbled over the line.

Throughout the final ten minutes Charlotte were looking dangerous on the counter much like they had done in Dallas.

Missed opportunities in extra time came back to haunt the Scorpions as Charlotte countered well and earned a penalty after Ryan Cochrane tried to clear and the ball bobbled up and hit his hand. Mauricio Salles stepped up and hit the game-winning penalty.

For Charlotte it’s going to mean another road game when they take on Chivas USA.

“We are exhausted, but I think playing at the Home Depot will be a big enough boost for the guys,” said Steffens.

Charlotte’s run began with a 1-0 victory against the PDL El Paso Patriots in the Second Round and was highlighted by a stunning 2-0 win against FC Dallas last round. It is an amazing run for the club, considering it had only won on the road twice before. One came a year ago in an intra-state affair against PDL Carolina Dynamo.

The other, oddly, came in 2005 versus the El Paso Patriots. That Second Round win gave the Eagles a Third Round contest against upcoming opponent Chivas USA. Charlotte took the MLS side to the brink, falling 3-2 in overtime in only previous meeting with an MLS club in the tournament prior to last week’s win in Dallas.

2012 US Open Cup Round 3: Charlotte Eagles top FC Dallas to earn third trip to Lone Star State

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There will be no better expert on the state of Texas at the end of the 2012 US Open Cup than the Charlotte Eagles. For the second consecutive week they won in the Lone Star State, this time stunning FC Dallas, 2-0, at Pizza Hut Park, to set up a third trip to face the San Antonio Scorpions in the Fourth Round.

The Eagles, struggling to find success in USL Pro with a 2-7-2 record, snuck by the Premier Development League El Paso Patriots a week ago on an own goal, 1-0, to get the coveted matchup against FC Dallas.

The team found more fortune in Frisco with the hosts losing two of its starting defenders to injury in the first half. The Eagles took advantage, scoring two minutes before the break when Nate Thornton delivered a cross to Darryl Roberts on the right side of the box. Roberts nodded it back to the far post past Chris Seitz, one of the most experienced backup keepers in the league.

Scott Sealy nearly found an equalizer in the 68th minute for FC Dallas, sending a header off the post and Matt Hedges following it up by striking the crossbar.

But the gifts continued to come Charlotte’s way with Jackson being sent off in the 78th with a straight red card for his challenge on Eagles goalkeeper Clinton Irwin.

Charlotte held on and received an insurance strike from Thornton in the fourth minute of stoppage time to ensure the victory, giving the Eagles their first-ever two-win performance in 10 appearances in the tournament.

The Eagles also now have as many shutouts in the Open Cup as they do for the USL Pro campaign.

With the NASL San Antonio Scorpions delivering a 1-0 upset against the Houston Dynamo, Charlotte will now face a Texas side from three different levels of the sport.

2012 US Open Cup Second Round: Charlotte Eagles win in El Paso thanks to own goal

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EL PASO, Texas – An own goal, or so it was explained, by an El Paso Patriots defender from in front of the goal mouth in the 72nd minute helped the Charlotte Eagles of USL Pro to a win 1-0 over the El Paso Patriots of the PDL in U.S. Open Cup second-round play on a hot night in west Texas Tuesday.

The Eagles’ Nate Thornton was originally awarded the goal, with an assist from defender Scott Jones, who sent in a ball to the box that was deflected into the net amid a lot of traffic.

But Thornton was the first to admit he didn’t score, and he credited midfielder Milton Blanco with making a strong run and whipping the ball in.

“I’ll take it.  I made the run, but it was definitely an own goal,” Thornton said with a grin. “Hard to deal with. The (El Paso) guy couldn’t clear it out and it just hit off the wrong side of his head.”

Charlotte won for the second time in Open Cup play history at El Paso in two meetings, and advanced to play at FC Dallas next week in the Third Round. The Eagles must fly home and then drive down to Orlando for a league match this weekend, then turn around and fly to Dallas-Fort Worth soon after that.

The key, Eagles coach Mark Steffens said, was his team going to a 4-4-2 from a 4-3-3 early in the second half. The Patriots had the majority of the scoring chances in the first half and looked poised to get a win at home, but the Eagles made the most of one of the few opportunities they had.

“I thought the two guys up front gave us a little bit more pressure on the other guys on El Paso,” Steffens said. “Created a few more chances for us. We really didn’t bring our ‘A’ game, but guys fought hard and pulled out a win.”

Edgar Mendoza’s shot in the 32nd minute was tipped away just in time by Charlotte goalkeeper Clint Irwin. That came after three other quality looks for the Patriots.

The Eagles were better in the second half. Forward Mauricio Salles had one of his two good shots hit the cross bar and roll away.

The Patriots tried to rally for an equalizer, but Irwin turned back headers by forward Michael Griego in the 86th and 89th minutes.

“We dominated in the first few minutes until the end,” midfielder Sergio Villasenor said. “It was a shame the way they scored. The ball came in from the side and it was an own goal. That was the only good play they had, but that’s soccer. Tough loss at home.”

The Eagles are hoping to get some injured starters back soon to bolster their lineup against FC Dallas.

“Against Dallas, we’ll get a scouting report and I think we’ll probably just sit in a little bit, defend, try to counterattack,” Steffens said.

SCORING:
CHAR- Daniel Campos (own goal) 72′

BOOKINGS:
CHAR- Milton Blanco 40′ (caution, tactical foul)
CHAR- Joe Kabwe 43′ (caution, rough play)
ELP- Adrian Moreno 75′ (caution, tactical foul)
ELP- Ernesto Bolivar 82′ (caution, rough play)
ELP- David Salas 84′ (tactical foul)

Referee: Mark DeClouet
Weather: 90 degrees, clear

Jose Romero is a freelance sports journalist from Phoenix who is always looking for a game of any kind to watch. He’s a former Seattle Sounders beat writer who has written about soccer regularly since late 2008. You can follow him on Twitter @RomeroJoseM

2011 US Open Cup Second Round: Wilmington Hammerheads storm back to beat Eagles in OT

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Photo: Wilmington Hammerheads

The Wilmington Hammerheads fought back from a 2-0 deficit to beat the Charlotte Eagles 3-2 in overtime to advance in the US Open Cup on Tuesday. Luke Mulholland, who had the Hammerheads’ first shot on goal, provided the winning shot to cap a furious comeback in the last third of the game.

This was the third Open Cup meeting between the two clubs in the last six years, and with the victory, the Hammerheads maintain their perfect record, having defeated the Eagles the first two times they played (2006, 2009). Wilmington advances to Round 3 where they will face Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer. The club has reached an MLS opponent in each of the last three trips to the tournament, including a 2009 Third Round upset of the Chicago Fire.

Charlotte controlled the opening 60 minutes, pressuring their in-state USL Pro rivals throughout. They broke through just before the half, as Weston Roberts took a free kick and nailed a shot to the far corner. The pressure continued in the second half, capped off by a Darren Toby goal in the 54th minute.

However, Wilmington refused to give up. Andriy Budnyy answered seven minutes later, taking a ball from newly-subbed Chris Banks and firing a low shot to cut the deficit in half. It was Budnyy’s third goal of the tournament.

The home team continued to pressure, eventually smothering the Eagles for the equalizer in the 78th minute. Jack Avesyan hit a free kick into the box, where Banks headed the ball in to pull the game level. Banks almost grabbed the lead three minutes later, as his header hit the crossbar and bounced out.

The teams fought hard in overtime, with Mulholland’s shot in the 103rd gave Wilmington the edge. The teams traded chances in the second overtime period, but neither would find the back of the net again.

The Hammerheads have a big trip ahead of them next week when they travel to Utah to play Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium next Tuesday at 9:00 PM EDT.

TheCup.us Match MVP: Chris Banks

Scoring:
CHAR: Weston Roberts – 44th minute
CHAR: Darren Toby – 54th minute
WILM: Andriy Budnyy (Chris Banks) – 61st minute
WILM: Chris Banks (Jack Avesyan) – 78th minute
WILM: Luke Mulholland – 103rd minute

Lineups:
Eagles: Reed, Dalby, Moore, Roberts, Bryan, Herrera, Bloom, Guzman, Rife, Toby, Sanchez
Hammerheads: Polak, Riley, Evans, Becerra, Spendlove, Mullholland, Nicholson, Gusman, Avasyan, Budnyy, Noviello (Banks 56)

Cautions:
19′: Guzman (Char)
35′: Noviello (Wilm)
55′: Avesyan (Wilm)
90′: Nicholson (Wilm)
93′: Moore (Char)
94′: Mulholland (Wilm)
109′: Herrera (Char)

Ejections:
None.

Referee: Daniel Fitzgerald
Assistant Referees Larry Stroud, Conor Williams
Fourth Official: Mark Kadlecik

2011 US Open Cup Real Salt Lake bracket preview: Charlotte Eagles at Wilmington Hammerheads

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SECOND ROUND

Charlotte Eagles at Wilmington Hammerheads
Legion Stadium – Wilmington, N.C. – 7:30 p.m.
Broadcast: None

THIRD ROUND

Charlotte Eagles / Wilmington Hammerheads at Real Salt Lake
June 28, 9 p.m. ET  Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah

Wilmington Hammerheads

The club has been a member of USL’s professional third division league since its founding in 1996 with the exception of its hiatus in 2010. The club was at its peak early in the 2000’s, finishing first in the division in back-to-back years and reaching the final in 2002 and 2003, claiming the title on the second try.

Path to Open Cup: Automatic entrant from USL Pro.

First Round: Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro) 4:0 Central Florida Kraze (PDL)
The Hammerheads blanked the visiting Central Florida Kraze 4-0 in the First Round Tuesday with first half goals from Jyler Noviello and Luke Mulholland. Andriy Budnny tallied twice in the second stanza put put the match out of reach. Full Recap [+]

League Form: Wilmington returned to league play on Saturday at Orlando City, nabbing a late draw 1-1 on the foot of Budnny. The Hammerheads are in fifth place in the American Division with a 5-3-3 record.

Open Cup History: The club’s second quarterfinal appearance in eight trips to the tournament in 2009 was followed up with the club taking a hiatus last year due to financial issues. The run began by downing state rivals Charlotte and Carolina. They blanked league rival Eagles 2-0 in the First Round and downed the second division RailHawks in the Second Round via penalties after a 3-3 draw. Wilmington then surprised the Chicago Fire of MLS, 1-0, in the Third Round before being knocked out by second division Rochester, 2-1. The previous quarterfinal campaign in 2003 also included upsets as Wilmington downed second division Atlanta Silverbacks, 2-1, in the Third Round and MLS’s FC Dallas in a stunning 4-1 result in the Fourth Round before falling, 1-0, to DC United. FC Dallas would avenge the loss in the Third Round in 2005, but needed overtime in a 3-1 decision. The club’s other MLS contest was a 2-1 loss to New York in the Fourth Round in 2006, following another 2-1 upset of the Silverbacks.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 12-8-1 (1-0 in PKs) overall | 6-7-1 (1-0 in PKs) vs. pro teams | 2-0-0 vs. 3rd Division teams (both wins vs. Charlotte Eagles in 2006, 2009)

Charlotte Eagles

Founded in 1991, the team joined USL in 1993 and has been a professional club since 1995, playing primarily in the pro third division with a stint in the second division from 2001-03. The club won the third division title twice (2000, 2005) in six appearances and missed the playoffs last year for the first time since 2003 (second division), the only previous time they missed the playoffs since their debut season. The club is also well known for its sports ministry philosophy of sharing the message of Christianity through soccer.

Path to Open Cup: Automatic entrant from USL Pro.

First Round: Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro) 3:1 Carolina Dynamo (PDL)
Darren Toby gave Charlotte the initial First Round lead Tuesday with Carolina equalizing before the break. Diego Martins and Alan Sanchez added second half strikes to lead the Eagles to the 3-1 win. The win avenges a 4-2 upset by the Dynamo over the Eagles in the Second Round of the 2004 competition. Recap [+]

League Play: Charlotte returned to league play action Saturday at home against Dayton, winning 2-0 on goals from Darren Toby and Salieu Bundu. They are currently in sixth place in the American Division with a 4-4-3 record.

Open Cup History: The club had only one appearance prior to its current run of seven straight dating back to 2004, but were knocked out in the Second Round in 1998 by second division Worcester Wildfire, 2-0. All four tournament victories have come against lower division opponents, three from the USASA. Two of the USASA clubs hailed from Florida (2007, 2008). Last year the Eagles were eliminated by fellow North Carolina club, the second division Carolina RailHawks, in a narrow 1-0 decision.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 5-8-0 overall | 0-7-0 vs. professional teams | 0-2-0 vs. 3rd Division (both losses to Wilmington Hammerheads in 2006, 2009)

Real Salt Lake

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

This Month in MLS: Real Salt Lake returned home from a two-game road swing to face DC United Saturday, giving up a late penalty in a 1-1 draw in which they tallied first from the spot via Fabian Espindola. They are now visiting Chicago Fire June 22 and hosting Toronto FC in two more league contests before the Third Round. They opened the month with a 2-0 victory against the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps (under new coach Tom Soehn) on June 4 with Nick Rimando in goal as Jean Alexandre tallied a goal and an assist. Four days later in Columbus, they fell 2-1 to the Crew after Jamison Olave gave them the initial lead seven minutes in. RSL played to a 1-1 draw in Philadelphia June 11 against the Union with Fabian Espindola providing the equalizer in the 53rd minute. Last Five: D-D-L-W-L | Season Record: 6-3-4 (4-1-2 Home), tied for fourth in Western Conference, tied for fifth overall.

Open Cup History: Having last participated in the Open Cup proper in 2006, Real Salt Lake’s qualifying is the longer of the two lists. RSL’s debut in the Cup in 2005 was an epic 6-4 extra time upset loss to the USL’s Minnesota Thunder. After playing the first half to a 2-2 draw, both teams scored twice more to level the score at 4 after 90 minutes. Minnesota scored twice in extra time for the 6-4 win, leaving Jason Kries’ hat trick for RSL on the losing side. 2006 saw RSL needing extra time again in their opening match, this time against the Virginia Beach Mariners. Jeff Cunningham (RSL) and Tim O’Neill (VBM) traded goals in the first half, and Andy Williams’ 93rd minute strike held up for Salt Lake’s first ever Open Cup win. RSL would be eliminated 1-0 in the next round by their Rocky Mountain Cup rivals, the Colorado Rapids. Colorado would keep the Utah side out of the Open Cup in 2007, defeating them 2-1 in the final round of MLS qualifying. 2008 and 2009 saw RSL eliminated in the opening round of MLS qualifying, while in 2010 they fell yet again in the final round, this time to 2-1 to DC United in overtime. This season, RSL avoided qualifying all together by virtue of their second-place finish in the 2010 MLS regular season.

FIRST ROUND

Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO) 3:1 Carolina Dynamo (PDL)
Macpherson Stadium – Browns Summit, N.C. – 7 p.m.
Full Recap [+]

Central Florida Kraze (PDL) 0:4 Wilmington Hammerheads (USL PRO)
Legion Stadium – Wilmington, N.C. – 7:30 p.m.
Full Recap [+]

ELIMINATED TEAMS

Carolina Dynamo

Founded in 1993, the club was an immediate success in USL with championships in its first two professional ranks from 1995-2003 with a hiatus in 1998. The club has since played in the PDL following the opening of its soccer-specific Macpherson Stadium, which opened in 2003.

Path to Open Cup: Of the nine PDL qualifiers, the Dynamo are one of two that finished with a loss in the four-game campaign, advancing via head-to-head tiebreakers with fellow 3-1-0 sides Real Maryland Monarchs and West Virginia Chaos. Carolina opened with a 2-0 win against the Chaos on goals form Hakan Ilhan and Chris Thomas. Ilhan scored again, along with Freddy Gomez, in another 2-0 win at Real MarylandMaryland in the next match before dropping a 1-0 road match to Northern Virginia the next night. The Dyanmo wrapped up the berth with a third Joseph Goodwin shutout, blanking Virginia Beach 3-0 with two more goals from Ilhan.

June News Updates: Rallied from two down to win 3-2 at West Virginia June 9 with three goals in the final 16 minutes, two from Robbie Lovejoy on either side of Freddie Gomez’s 88th minute equalizer… Blanked Northern Virginia Royals 3-0 June 4 with Karo Okiomah tallying goal and assist.

Open Cup History: The Dynamo return to the tournament for an eighth appearance after a four-year absence. The last outing was a success, earning upset victories to the fourth round in 2006. The club opened with a 4-3 win over league foe Cape Cod before surprising third division Richmond Kickers, 1-0, in the second round. They then upset the second division Seattle Sounders in overtime, 3-2, in the third round before falling 4-2 to the Houston Dynamo. The 2004 victory against Charlotte was one of three other upsets the club has registered, although the other two came as a third division side. The Dynamo upset second division New York Fever on the road, 1-0, in 1996 before falling 2-0 to DC United in the quarterfinals. Three years later they blanked second division Orange County Zodiac on the road, 2-0, before a 3-0 third round loss to the Columbus Crew. The club’s only other MLS match was also to the Crew, a 5-1 second round loss in 2001.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 10-7-0 overall | 2-0 vs. Division 3 (as a PDL team)

Central Florida Kraze

Members of the USL PDL since the team’s founding in 1998, the club was at its peak of success with five playoff appearances in six years from 2003-08, winning the league championship in 2004.

Path to Open Cup: Despite finishing perfect, the club had to watch the scoreboard on the final night as Mississippi could also accomplish the feat as well as pass the Kraze in tiebreakers. Fortunately, winless Nashville surprised many with a 2-2 road draw against Brilla. The Kraze got off to a fast start, playing in three of the division’s first four qualification matches. They won the opener 1-0 against Schulz Academy on a Pablo Gutierrez goal in the 88th minute that, in hindsight, was critical. Fredrik Brustad scored twice while leading the club to a 3-1 win in the next outing against Schulz and added another in the third game, a 3-0 victory in Bradenton. Brustad scored in his third straight game as they repeated the 3-0 victory at home against the Academics with Keneil Baker earning his third shutout of the campaign.

June News Updates: Netted a 1-0 victory over FC Jax June 10 on a goal from Nicolas Russo in the 83rd minute… Fell 3-0 at Mississippi Brilla June 4.

Open Cup History: In the tournament for the second straight year and fourth overall, the Kraze are yet to register a victory. The club nearly registered an upset a year ago, falling 5-1 in overtime against second division Miami FC in which now Real Salt Lake striker Paulo Araujo scored four goals in extra time. In 2007 the second division Charleston Battery blanked Central Florida 3-0 and in 2000 the club was upended, 2-1, by Miami-based USASA club Uruguay SC.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 0-3-0 overall | 0-0-0 vs. Division 3


2011 US Open Cup First Round: Charlotte Eagles down NC rival Carolina Dynamo 3-1

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The Charlotte Eagles made the short under-two-hour drive up to Greensboro to take on the PDL’s Carolina Dynamo and left for home with a 3-1 victory in the First Round of the 2011 US Open Cup. This was the first time these two nearby clubs have played since the Second Round in 2004, when the Dynamo upset the Eagles, 4-2.

Carolina pressured early in the match, culminating in an opportunity where Sebastien Ibeagha headed the ball off the crossbar, receiving it off a corner kick. But it would be Charlotte to strike first in the 23rd minute on a goal from Tobagan midfielder Darren Toby. The Eagles would get a chance to push their lead to 2-0, earning a penalty kick in the 30th minute. However, Jorge Herrera’s try was saved by Dynamo goalkeeper Scott Goodwin. Carolina would feed off that save until finally breaking through in the 39th minute. Robbie Lovejoy received the pass just outside the 18, juked past a Charlotte defender and beat the keeper with a shot to the far post, tying the match 1-1. They would take that scoreline to the break.

The Eagles took control in the second half early, retaking the lead in the 49th minute on a goal from Brazilian Diego Martins. They would hold that lead for much of the half, then put the icing on the cake late in the 85th minute. The goal to clinch it by a 3-1 scoreline would be scored by none other Alan Sanchez, who was signed by the Dynamo in 2007 but never got to suit up for the squad.

The Charlotte Eagles advance to the Second Round, where they will face another North Carolina team, albeit one they are a little more familiar with. They will travel to Wilmington to take on the Hammerheads on June 21 at Legion Stadium.

Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO)
3:1
Carolina Dynamo (PDL)
Macpherson Stadium – Browns Summit, N.C.
RECAP: Charlotte

Scoring Summary

Charlotte: Darren Toby 23′
Carolina: Robbie Lovejoy 39′
Charlotte: Diego Martins 49′
Charlotte: Alan Sanchez 85′

2009 First Round recap: Favorites survive first day, Barons pull off upset, Hawks just upset on day 2

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2009 U.S. Open Cup First Round
(Home team listed on right)
June 9
Orange County Blue Star 2:5 Sonoma County Sol
Carolina RailHawks 2:1 Richmond Kickers
Western Mass Pioneers 3:2 (aet) Emigrantes Das Ilhas
Wilmington Hammerheads 2:0 Charlotte Eagles
Rochester Rhinos 1:1 Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Rochester advance on penalities, 4-2
Cleveland City Stars 3:0 St. Louis Lions
Chicago Fire (PDL) 3:1 Bavarian SC
Harrisburg City Islanders 4:1 Reading Rage
Minnesota Thunder 3:2 402
Charleston Battery 2:0 Atlanta FC
Miami FC Blues 2:1 Lynch’s FC
Austin Aztex 2:0 Mississippi Brilla
El Paso Patriots 2:1 Arizona Sahuaros
Kitsap Pumas 0:3 Portland Timbers
June 10
Real Maryland Monarchs 1:0 Aegean Hawks FC
(Match stopped in 74th minute)
Crystal Palace Baltimore 0:3 Ocean City Barons
——————————————————————
Player of the Round: Byron Carmichael (OCB)
Some things you should know about the First Round
Notable upsets in the First Round of the Open Cup

If seeing the underdogs prevail is your thing, then you went to sleep disappointed last night.

Of the fourteen matches first round US Open Cup matches last night, only one was won by a team from the lower division, and even that wasn’t much of an upset.

The evening began with the lone “upset” of the day, as the NPSL’s Sonoma County Sol, perhaps the hottest team of the 32 set to play in the First Round, defeated the PDL’s Orange County Blue Star 5-2. Shawn Percell scored twice and Trevor Hurst, Eric Lafon, Eric Larson added the others for the Sol. The Sol are 12-0-1 in all matches played in 2009.

The most dramatic game of the night was in Rochester, as the Rhinos needed a stoppage time equalizer and penalties to overcome the USL-2 Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Trailing 1-0 for much of the game, the Rhinos forced extra time when Tai Atieno knocked in a corner kick in second half stoppage time. Atieno then missed a potential game winning penalty kick with two minutes left in overtime, but Rhinos goalkeeper Scott Vallow came up with two saves in the penalty shootout to see his club through to the Second Round.

Two matches were postponed and were moved to the following day. Ocean City and Crystal Palace Baltimore was put off early in the day when heavy overnight rains left the Barons’ home field, Cary Stadium, flooded. The Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks and Real Maryland Monarchs were forced to set their game back a day when heavy thunderstorms rolled through the Rockville, Md. area.

The next day, the Ocean City Barons became the first PDL team to beat a USL professional squad in the 2009 tournament, winning a 3-0 decision over Crystal Palace Baltimore of the USL Second Division.

Byron Carmichael opened the scoring in the 7th minute, with an assist from Neal Melchionni. Carmichael struck again in the 33rd minute with an unassisted goal to gibe the Barons a 2-0 halftime lead.

With 12 minutes remaining, JT Noone left no doubt as to who the winners were with a Ryan Richter-assisted goal. The game had been postponed on Tuesday due to a flooded field from heavy overnight storms.

In Rockville, Maryland, the Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks were done in by Mother Nature on Wednesday night, as their opening round game versus the Real Maryland Monarchs was halted in the 74th minute after an hour and a half lightning delay, giving the USL-2 club a 1-0 win. The only goa,l of the match game from Ryan Cordeiro in the 14th minute, with an assist from Gary Brooks. Soon after, the Hawks were reduced to 10 men when Michael Goldman was shown a red card.

Hawks manager Jonathan Knight was understandably upset that the game was called. We have been told there was a 10 pm deadline, which is when the stadium lights had to be shut off (presumably by a city ordinance), and the game was official called at 10:18 pm. The game had to be rescheduled for tonight due to severe thunderstorms on Tuesday night.

This is the second year in a row weather has played a part in Real Maryland’s First Round Open Cup game. Last year their gasme against NY Pancyprian Freedoms was moves back three days after severe storms prevented play on the original date. Maryland won the rescheduled game 3-2 in extra time.

Ocean City will host Real Maryland next Tuesday in the Second Round.

2009 First Round: Hammerheads pick up where they left off, eliminating Charlotte 2-0

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Legion Stadium – Wilmington, N.C. | 7 p.m.Match Reports: Wilmington, Star News
2
FT
0
Jamie Watson (Franks) 82’
Phil Hufstader (Murray) 90’+		        

After being away for two years, perhaps the Wilmington Hammerheads just wanted to be a little dramatic.

After 81 minutes of scoreless soccer, Jamie Watson finally broke the deadlock when he took a pass from Jamie Franks and beat Charlotte goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.

Substitute Phil Hufstader sealed the win in the second minute of stoppage time, putting the ball past the right post off a pass from Chris Murray.

Both teams have good chances to score throughout the game, but just kissed each time.

The last time the Hammerheads were in the Open Cup was in 2006 when they drew the Charlotte Eagles in the Second Round. They beat their in-state rivals 3-1 that day en route to a run to the Fourth Round that year.

Wilmington will stay in North Carolina for the Second Round, traveling to the city of Cary, to face the Carolina RailHawks of the USL First Division on June 16.

LINEUPS

CHA: Kevin Trapp; Steve Shak, Josh Rife, Ben Johnson (Taurai Daka 84), Luke Williams; Amaury Nunes (Alex Woods 32), Jorge Herrera, Diego Martins, Darren Toby; Dustin Swinehart, Ben Page

WIL: Daryl Sattler; Jeritt Thayer, Tim Karalexis, Tweety Walters, Graham Tatters; Kenny Bundy, Mark Briggs, Zeke Dombrowski, Jamie Franks (Chris Murray 83); Aaron Parker (Jyler Noviello 22), Jamie Watson (Phil Hufstader 85)

Shots: CHA 10, WIL 14
Fouls: CHA 7, WIL 5
Corners: CHA 2, WIL 4
Saves: CHA 4, WIL 2
Offsides: CHA 4, WIL 4

Cautions
CHA: Shak 63
WIL: Bundy 88

Referees: Abbas Piran, Daniel Burak, Daniel Thornberry, Taci Canel

2008 Second Round: Battery escapes with late PK vs. Charlotte Eagles

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On the cusp of extra time, the Charleston Battery escaped with a 2-1 win over the Charlotte Eagles, thanks to a 90th minute penalty kick by Osvaldo Alonso. In front of 1,411 at Blackbaud Stadium, Darren Spicer opened the scoring for the hosts in the 12th minute, who recovered a rebound from Charlotte goalkeeper Terry Boss after a shot by Aaron King.

Charlotte answered back in the second half, as Jorge Herrera headed home a long throw-in from Ben Johnson in the 66th minute. As extra time seemed a given, Charleston’s Randi Patterson was brought down in the box, and referee Skye Arthur Banning awarded the spot kick. Alonso stepped up and beat Boss for the winning goal.

Charleston will host the defending MLS Champion Houston Dynamo in the Third Round next Tuesday at Blackbaud Stadium.

Charlotte Lineup
Keith Wiggans, Kevin Nylen (Tim Velten 67), Marco Reda (Brandon Curran 59), Nelson Akwari, Chris Corcoran, Osvaldo Alonso, Mike Richardson (Dominic Cianciarulo 89), Stephen Armstrong, Darren Spicer, Randi Patterson, Aaron King (Lazo Alavanja 59)

Players Not Used – Dusty Hudock, Lester More, Louie Rolko

SHOTS: 4; SAVES: 6 (Wiggans 6); FOULS: 15 (Patterson 3); CORNER KICKS: 2; OFFSIDES: 3; PENALTY KICKS: Alonso 90 (Goal); CAUTIONS: Nylen 54; EJECTIONS: (NONE)

Charleston Lineup
Terry Boss, Josh Rife, Steve Shak, Ben Johnson, Brady Bryant, Joe Kabwe, Darren Toby (Worteh Sampson 89), Jorge Herrera, Jonah Long (Ben Page 89), Dustin Swinehart, Rob Ssejjemba

Players Not Used – Kevin Trapp, Chris Klotz, Dan Harvey, Chad Smith, Taurai Daka

SHOTS: 7 (Swinehart 3); SAVES: 2 (Boss 2); FOULS: 9 (Bryant 2); CORNER KICKS: 8; OFFSIDES: 4; PENALTY KICKS: (NONE); CAUTIONS: Bryant 35, Swinehart 84; EJECTIONS: (NONE)

Referee – Skye Arthur Banning
Att – 1,411

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