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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.

2012 US Open Cup Round 3: USL Pro’s winless Dayton Dutch Lions rally past Crew in Columbus, 2-1

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The Dayton Dutch Lions celebrate after their 2-1 win over the Columbus Crew (MLS) in the Third Round of the 2012 US Open Cup. Photo: Dayton Dutch Lions

Go ahead, try to wipe the smile off of Dayton Dutch Lions coach Ivar van Dinteren’s face. It wouldn’t go away Tuesday night. The third division Dutch Lions of USL Pro are on to the Fourth Round of play in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup after a stunning come-from-behind 2-1 win over the MLS side Columbus Crew in the final 11 minutes at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio in front of a sparse crowd of 1,646 at the massive arena.

“We had nothing to lose, Columbus had everything to lose. I just told them to go out and attack and just play,” van Dinteren said with a glint in his eye. “If it goes wrong, what do we have to lose? They are MLS, they have to win. We don’t have to win. That’s the mindset.”

Gibson Bardsley scored the match-winning tally in the 81st minute off a feed from Daniel Holowaty to send the Dutch Lions to the “Sweet 16” of Open Cup play. Two minutes prior, Gerrit-Jan Bartels found the net after a feed from Holowaty to tie it after Columbus’ Olman Vargas converted a penalty kick in the 64th minute.

“After the goal, I expected them to press us, but they gave us some space. If you let us play out of the back, then we are dangerous,” van Dinteren said. “We can play the game.

“They could have finished us going up 1-0, but I think we took the chances.”

It had been a rough go in the USL Pro season so far for the Dutch Lions, gaining just four ties in eight league games. Their only win had been a US Open Cup Second Round victory over the Chicago Fire Premier Development League squad, the primary rival of their next opponent, the Michigan Bucks, who recorded an upset of their own Tuesday night.

Fielding a starting side stocked with reserves, Columbus coach Robert Warzycha was surly after the game and was short with answers explaining the loss.

“Disappointed,” he said curtly when asked of the team’s performance during post-match remarks.

The Crew had been in a renaissance lately after a tough start, going 3-0-2 in their last five league matches. The team’s tough-luck on finishing returned at the wrong point in the season, eliminating the team from Cup play for a second season in a row in the first match they played.

Columbus outplayed Dayton for a majority of the contest, but could not find a way to finish in the first half, outshooting the Dutch Lions 9-0 with four shots fired onto Dutch Lions’ goalkeeper Matthew Williams.

The game continued to be slanted Columbus’ way in the second half and a fortunate handball call inside the box on Dayton’s Shane Smith as he fell and touched the ball on a shot taken by Columbus’ Justin Meram.

Vargas took the penalty kick and beat Williams low and to his right for the opening score.

Dayton continued to struggle offensively and played defense for most of the contest, but they broke through 15 minutes after Vargas put Columbus ahead.

Vargas’ pass behind him to a defender was knocked away, leading to Holowaty sending a cross from the right side to Bartels to tie it.

Columbus misplayed the ball less than two minutes later and Holowaty sent another cross from the right side onto the foot of Bardsley. He spun and leveled a strong kick into the back corner.

“I think we made two incredible goals,” van Dinteren said. “They were both just one-touch, one-touch, one-touch and goal. I think my team deserves this win.

“We’ve had some bad luck so far this season and this is finally what we get.”

The Crew finished with a 18-3 shots advantage with a 7-3 shots of goal tally, but it was Williams finishing with six saves and the Crew’s back-up Matt Lampson with one.

The Dutch Lions will face a fellow lower-tier side on June 5 as they travel to the Michigan Bucks – a fourth division squad from the PDL — in Pontiac, Mich. with the winner moving on to quarterfinal action. The Bucks defeated the MLS Chicago Fire 3-2 in a night of upsets for lower division squads.

Dayton Dutch Lions 2:1 Columbus Crew
Crew Stadium – Columbus, Ohio

Scoring Summary
CLB: Olman Vargas (penalty kick) – 64′
DAY: Gerrit-Jan Bartels (Daniel Holowaty) 79′
DAY: Gibson Bardsley (Daniel Holowaty) 81′

Discipline:
DAY: 33′ – Gibson Bardsley, yellow
CLB: 48+’-  Ethan Finlay, yellow
DAY: 87′ – Kyle Knotek

Shots: Columbus 18, Dayton 3
Saves: Columbus – 1 (Matt Lampson); Dayton – 6 (Matthew Williams)
Corners: Columbus 4; Dayton 2
Fouls: Dayton 19; Columbus 6
Offsides: Dayton 2; Columbus 2

Lineups:
Columbus: Lamspon, Perry, Gehrig, James, Francis, George, Grossman,
Meram, Birchall, Finlay, Vargas. Bench: Gruenebaum, Williams, Veeder,
Anor, Duka, Renteria, Horton
Dayton: Williams, Preciado, Copier, Dias, Smith, Jones, DeLass,
McNamara, Garner, Bardsley, Priestly. Bench: Whisenhunt, DeGroot,
Robinson, Knoteli, Holowaty, Bartels, Kissinger

The Other US Opens and marketing the ‘US Soccer Majors’

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Every year when the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tournament rolls into the lights shining down onto the stadium pitch, the inevitable comparisons to the FA Cup in England come into play as part of the explanation to what the tournament is for journalists. And often times it’s followed by the unfortunate analogizing of the event to minor and major league baseball teams playing one another in a single-elimination tournament.

But perhaps the better comparisons we should all be making is to the other Opens in which the American media already treat as serious events. These events also pit amateurs versus professionals on an open entry basis, and are also among numerous events within the specific sport. These events, of course, are the US Open tennis tournaments held annually in New York and the US Open golf championship held in a different location each year around the United States.

Each fall, the world’s best tennis players convene on the hard courts of the USTA’s Billy Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, NY for the tour’s fourth and final major of what the sport considers the Grand Slam. Those top-flight professionals are joined by winners of an open playoff system that is comprised 16 sectionals and a national playoff event in which only USTA members may participate. In the end, 128 participants each take part in the men’s and women’s brackets (64 for doubles).

Last year, over 1,200 players took part in the USTA’s National Playoffs for a chance to compete in the singles events at the US Open. Unlike US Soccer’s Open Cup, only one male and one female earned qualification spots to compete against the world’s best in the tournament.

The Chicago Fire have won six majors, including four US Open Cup championships | Photo by Brian Kersey/Wireimage.com

The US Open golf tournament, held in June, is comparatively more open with approximately half the participants advancing from qualification play to join the world’s top players who are automatically in the field through 17 exemptions categories via such things as being tournament winners or holding a certain world ranking.

At the 2010 tournament, 75 of the 156 participants were non-exempted players who qualified through the two-stage process to reach the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links for the championship. The process begins with Local Qualifying, a series of over 100 18-hole tournaments held around the country. Many top players not already qualified through full exemption are, however, exempt from local qualifying and join the process at the Sectional Qualifying stage where they participate in one of several one-day, 36-hole tournaments in the United States. There is also a Sectional tournament in both Europe and Japan where 11 and 4 individuals qualified, respectively, in 2010.

The major difference between the US Open Cup and the US Open tennis and golf duo is that the US Soccer Federation event is the only one that is a championship tournament for Americans while the other two are open to foreign participants. The only clubs eligible for the US Open Cup are American-based teams that are affiliated through the USSF; however, for argument’s sake it does still feature a foreign component as teams are comprised, in part, of players that are not American.

The Los Angeles Galaxy have won eight majors, and are one of only two MLS clubs to win the CONCACAF Champions Cup (DC United). They won the Champions Cup in 2000 | Photo: Los Angeles Galaxy

Continuing on the golf tangent, another significant open tournament American media and sports fans are very familiar with and follow every July is the British Open (officially known as The Open Championship), which is the oldest of the four golf majors and is the only one held outside of the United States. Similar to the US Open, the majority of the 156 participants are automatic entrants through exemption with the remaining players advancing from a two-stage qualification process.

Through 2004, players from around the world were only able to qualify through 18-hole Local Qualifying events held around Britain and Ireland within two weeks of The British Open followed by 36-hole Local Final Qualifying tournaments a few days later. International Qualifying events, 36-hole tournaments, were added in 2004 to assist foreign professionals wishing to participate, holding qualifiers in Africa, Australia, Asia, America and Europe with more stringent entrance standards than Local Qualifying.

Packaging & Marketing US Soccer Majors

The golf and tennis tours are lengthy seasons that run from January to the fall with tournament events nearly every week, but it is the majors where media coverage amps up and fan viewership heightens. With the similarities of the American Open majors to the US Open Cup, perhaps there are other lessons to be learned from the golf and tennis tours, such as the incorporation US Soccer Majors as a marketing tool for the sports’ leading championship events for American clubs.

A matching structure of four championships already exists with the US Open Cup joined by the MLS Cup, MLS Supporters’ Shield (regular season championship) and the CONCACAF Champions League.  Currently, the MLS Cup is the leading championship, but by creating a platform that raises the perception of the other three events to a comparable level to the league’s championship playoff, it will increase awareness among the media and fans while also, hopefully, creating a greater sense of seriousness and urgency to win the other events among the clubs and coaches.

Bringing these four championships together into one packaged series allows for a greater ability to compare the success of clubs beyond just winning MLS Cup as though this was the NFL and the Super Bowl while clubs around the rest of the world are evaluated on all the various events in which they participate. It would be similar to how tennis players and golfers are measured by majors won.

DC United lead all MLS clubs with 11 majors, including the 1996 US Open Cup championship | Photo: DC United

For instance, the Los Angeles Galaxy and DC United are the only two clubs that have won all four majors (dating back to the CCL precursor CONCACAF Champions Cup). In fact, the two also hold the most total majors with DC boasting 11 (4 MLS Cups, 4 Supporters’ Shields, 2 Open Cups and a CCC) and the Galaxy having eight (2 MLS Cups, 3 Supporters’ Shields, 2 Open Cups and the CCC).

Only five clubs have won all three of the domestic majors with the Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas City having won everything but a CONCACAF championship at least once. The Fire are third in total majors (6) and the Crew are fourth (5).

Only three American MLS clubs are without a major championship, excluding expansion Portland. The New York Red Bulls, Chivas USA and Philadelphia Union have yet to claim one of the big prizes.

In the last five years, the most successful clubs in the United States have been Columbus and DC, each having won three majors. The Crew have won the Supporters’ Shield twice and the MLS Cup once. DC also has two Supporters’ Shields, but has a US Open Cup championship to round things out. Houston and Seattle each have two titles with the Dynamo winning MLS Cup twice in a row and the Sounders taking the Open Cup title back-to-back. Five other teams each have one major as nine clubs have won the 15 possible domestic majors while coming up empty in the Champions League, which is completing its third run with Real Salt Lake still in the hunt for a second major in the same cycle in which it won the MLS Cup title and qualified for the event.

All-Time ‘US Soccer Majors’ Winners List

11 – DC United (4 MC, 4 SS, 2 OC, 1 CCC)
8 – Los Angeles Galaxy (2 MC, 3 SS, 2 OC, 1 CCC)
6 – Chicago Fire (1 MC, 1 SS, 4 OC)
5 – Columbus Crew (1 MC, 3 SS, 1 OC)
3 – San Jose Earthquakes (2 MC, 1 SS)
3 – Sporting Kansas City (1 MC, 1 SS, 1 OC)
2 – Houston Dynamo (2 MC)
2 – Seattle Sounders (2 OC)
1 – Colorado Rapids (MC), FC Dallas (OC), Real Salt Lake (MC), New England Revolution (OC), Rochester Rhinos (OC), Tampa Bay Mutiny (SS), Miami Fusion (SS)

(MC – MLS Cup, SS – Supporters’ Shield, OC – US Open Cup, CCC/CCL – CONCACAF Champions Cup/League)

Notable Semifinal matches in US Open Cup history

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4/18/14  Pawtucket, Rhode Island
New Bedford FC 1-2 Brooklyn Field Club

New Bedford – Beckton 24’
Brooklyn – Robert Millar (2)
Sent Off – Clark (Brooklyn) 34’, Chadwick (New Bedford) 34’

4/26/14  Olympic Park – Paterson, New Jersey
Brooklyn Celtic 6-2  Niagara Falls Rangers (3-0 HT)

Celtic – O’Hallaran (3), King (Campion), Campion, Lonie
Rangers – Kemp, Wallace

The very first Semifinal round of the US Open Cup (then called the National Challenge Cup) saw a pair of Brooklyn teams reach the Final. On April 18, the Brooklyn Field Club, which finished first in the National Association Football League, defeated New Bedford FC 2-1, on two goals by Hall of Famer Robert Millar, after Beckton had given the New Englanders a 1-0 lead. Both teams played much of the game with ten men each, after Clark of Brooklyn and Chadwick of New Bedford were sent off in the 35th minute for fighting.

In the other Semifinal on April 26 Brooklyn Celtic, eventual winners of the New York State Amateur Foot Ball League, easily defeated the Niagara Falls Rangers 6-2. O’Hallaran lead the way for Celtic with a hat trick.

3/17/29  Sportsman’s Park – St. Louis, Missouri
Madison Kennels 7-4 Sparta A & BA

Madison – Bud Grennon (3), Dinty Moore, Worden, Oster, Eddie Flavin
Sparta – Barger (2), Kratochvil, Oster (og)

St. Louis’s Madison Kennels and Chicago’s Sparta A & BA combine for 11 goals, setting a new Semifinal mark that would later be equaled in 1962. Madison’s Bud Grennon led all scorers with three goals, while Barger led Sparta with two.

3/16/30  Polo Grounds – New York, New York
Bethlehem Steel 1-1 Fall River Marksmen (Match Report)

Bethlehem – Sandy Dick
Fall River – Alex McNab 82’

Bethlehem – Fraser, Finlayson, McGregor, Reid, Carnihan, Pitt, Gillespie, Jaap, Stark, Massie, Dick

Marksmen – Reder, McGill, R. McAuley, McPherson, Priestley, Ballantyne, McNab, Gonsalves (Nilsen), Patenaude, J. McAuley, White

Att – 17,000   Referee – C. E. Creighton. Linesmen – F. DeGroof and M. Hutchinson

3/23/30  Battery Park – New Bedford, Massachusetts
(replay) Fall River Marksmen 3-2 Bethlehem Steel

Fall River – Billy Gonsalves 50’, Dave Priestley 67’, Bobby Ballantyne 71’
Bethlehem – Archie Stark 64’ 70’

Bethlehem Steel makes their final appearance in the National Challenge Cup, losing to the Fall River Marksmen 3-2 and ending the first great dynasty of the Cup. After a 1-1 draw at the Polo Grounds in New York, Fall River took the replay at New Bedford. Billy Gonsalves gave the Marksmen a 1-0 lead after 50 minutes, but Archie Stak put Bethlehem ahead with two goals in the middle of the half. Fall River snatched the lead for good on scored from Dave Priestly and Bobby Ballantine. Effects of the Great Depression forced Bethlehem Steel to stop fielding a team after 1930.

Bethlehem made the Semifinals a total of nine times from 1915-1930, including five in a row from 1915-1919, in which they reached the Final each time.

3/6/32  St. Louis, Missouri
(first leg) Stix, Baer & Fuller 3-2 Bricklayers FC

Stix – McCarthy (2), Willie McLean
Bricklayers – Lillie, Coutis

3/14/32  Sparta Field – Chicago, Illinois
(second leg) Bricklayers FC 2-0 Stix, Baer & Fuller

Bricklayers – Munro, Lillie

3/19/32  Sportsman’s Park – St. Louis, Missouri
(third leg) Stix, Baer & Fuller 1-0 Bricklayers FC

Stix – Jack O’Reilly 1’

Stix, Baer & Fuller, featuring Hall of Famers Billy Gonsalves, William Lehman, Alex McNab, Willie McLean, began their run of six straight appearances in the Open Cup Final by defeating Chicago’s Bricklayers SC over three legs in the 1932 Western Final. The team reached the 1932, 1933 & 1934 Finals under the sponsorship of Stix. Baer and Fuller, a St. Louis department store. The team switched sponsorship for the 1935 season, playing as Central Breweries. Sponsorship changed again, and the team reached the 1936 & 1937 finals under the name Shamrocks. The team finally folded after many of its players left to play for another St. Louis club, St. Patricks.

3/24/35  St. Louis, Missouri
(First leg) Central Brewery 2-1 Weiboldt Wonderbolts

4/1/35  De Paul Field – Chicago, Illinois
(Second leg) Weiboldt Wonderbolts 1-1 (aet) Central Brewery

Weibolt – Littie 28’
Central – McNab 30’

4/6/34  St. Louis, Missouri
(Second leg replay) Central Brewery 3-3 (aet) Weiboldt Wodnerbolts

4/14/35  Sparta Stadium – Chicago, Illinois
(Second leg – second replay) Weiboldt Wonderbolts 3-2(aet) Central Brewery (0-2 HT, 2-2 FT)

Weibolt – Monroe (2 PK), Hill
Central – Billy Gonsalves, Bert Patenaude

4/21/35  St. Louis, Missouri
(third leg) Central Brewery 1-0 Weiboldt Wonderbolts

Central – Bert Patenaude 68′

The longest Semifinal matchup was between Chicago’s Weiboldt Wonderbolts and Central Brewery of St. Louis. The three-leg Western Final actually lasted five games. Central won the first game 2-1 in St. Louis. The second leg in Chicago finished 1-1 after extra time. A week later in St. Louis, the second leg replay finished 3-3, meaning a second replay of the second leg would take place a week later in Chicago. That game also went to extra time, but the Wonderbolts managed to come out on top 3-2. Nearly a month after it started, the series finally ended when Central won the decisive leg 1-0.

4/23/44  Winnemac Park – Chicago, Illinois
(first leg) Viking AA 0-2 Morgan Strasser

Morgan – Elgie Grant 21′ 80′

5/7/44  Bridgeville Park – Bridgeville, Pennsylvania
(second leg) Morgan Strasser 9-0 Viking AA (Chi.) (4-0 HT)

Morgan – Aldo Donelli 15′ (Hart) n/a’ , Felix Mitchell (2), Pucker (2), Urbanic, Grant, Pietersek

The most lopsided Semifinal pairing was in 1944, when Pittsburgh’s Morgan Strasser demolished Chicago’s Viking AA 11-0 over two legs. Morgan won the first leg in Chicago 2-0, but the return leg in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania turned into a rout. Aldo Donelli, Felix Mitchell and Pucker each scored twice as Morgan ran away with a 9-0 win, a mark that still stands as the highest score by a single team in a single Semifinal game.

3/28/54  Rancho la Cienega Stadium – Los Angeles, California
Scots SC 0-1 Kutis SC
Att-4,000

The Scots SC of Los Angeles became the first team West of St. Louis to appear in a US Open Cup Semifinal, losing to Kutis SC 1-0. 1954 was also the first year teams from California participated in the US Open Cup, and the winner between Los Angeles and San Francisco went on to face the survivor between St. Louis and Chicago in the Semifinals.

6/10/62  St. Louis, Missouri
Kutis SC 5-6 (aet) San Francisco Scots 6-5

Scots – Tom Dawkins n/a’ 118′

The Scots and Kutis combine for 11 goals in the 1962 Western Final, equaling a mark set by Madison Kennels and Sparta A & BA in 1929 for the most combined goals in a single Semifinal game. Tom Dawkins scored twice for the Scots, including the winning goal with a minute left in extra time. The game was tied 3-3 after ninety minutes, and also marked the first time a club from San Francisco would reach the Open Cup Final.

3/6/71  Seattle, Washington
(1st Leg) Heidelberg Brewers (Sea.) 1-0 Yugoslav SC

3/14/71  Rancho la Cienega Stadium – Los Angeles, California
(2nd Leg) Yugoslav SC 2-0 Heidelberg Brewers

Yugoslav – Karlo Mertisek, Rade Savic

In the last two-leg Semifinal in Open Cup play, San Pedro, California’s Yugoslav SC edged out Seattle’s Heidelberg Brewers on a 2-1 aggregate.

5/27/73  Metropolitan Oval – Queens, New York
New York Greek Americans 1-3 Inter-Italia SC

NYGA – Joe Ognajac 31’
Inter – Valentino Stavole 3’, Vito Colonna 40’, Gianpietro Gasparin 41’)

Cleveland’s Inter-Italia SC halted a six-year streak of New York/New Jersey clubs appearing in the US Open Cup Final, thanks to a 3-1 victory over New York Greek Americans. Inter dominated play for the most part, and were lead by Gianpietro Gasparini, a priest by trade, who played a part in all three of Inter’s goals.

Cleveland started off right away, as Gasparini fed a pass to Valentino Stavole, who beat G-A goalkeeper Joe Canal from 15 yards out after just two minutes of play. The Greeks managed to draw the match level after 31 minutes however, as Joe Ognajac put in a header from close range.  Cleveland took the lead for good just before halftime, as Vito Colonna scored in the 40th minute, and Gasparini scored just a minute later. Cleveland kept up the pressure, but missed several chances to further grow the scoreline.

6/3/79  Norton Park – St. Petersburg, Florida
H. Brooks Dodge Chargers 0-3 Brooklyn Dodgers

The St. Petersburg, Florida-based Chargers are the first team from the Southern US to make an appearance in the Semifinals of the US Open Cup. By this time the tournament was split into four regions, and only three teams entered from the southern region.

6/20/87  St. Louis Soccer Park – Fenton, Missouri
Mitre Eagles 5-4(aet) Busch SC  (2-2 FT)

Eagles – John Klein 119’ (2), Eddie Kruger, Peter Klein, Andy Churlin
Busch- Steve Trittschuh 85’

St. Louis’s Busch SC tried the game at 2-2 in the 85th minute on a goal from Steve Tritschuh. The teams traded goals in extra time to make it 4-4, and John Klein sent the Eagles to the final with a 25-yard shot in the 119th minute.

6/25/94
Bavarian Leinekugel w/o McCormick Kickers

The Kickers are forced to forfeit since most of the team held tickets to a World Cup game in Orlando that fell on the same day. The team had purchased the tickets well in advance, and were assured the dates for the Open Cup would not conflict.

9/2/97  Stagg Memorial Stadium – Stockton, California
San Francisco Bay Seals 1-2 DC United

The Cinderella run of the San Francisco Bay Seals comes to an end with their Semifinal loss to DC United. The D3 Pro League Seals had upset two MLS teams (Kansas City and San Jose) on their way to becoming the only team from the third tier of US soccer to reach the Semifinals in the Professional Era (1995-present).

9/1/99  Virginia Beach Sportsplex – Virginia Beach, Virginia
Rochester Raging Rhinos 3-2 Columbus Crew

Rochester – Darren Tilley 68’, Scott Schweitzer 86’, Tom Hardy 90’
Columbus – Robert Warzycha 56’, Brian West 77’

9/1/99  Virginia Beach Sportsplex – Virginia Beach, Virginia
Colorado Rapids 3-0 Charleston Battery

Colorado – Jorge Daly Valdes 55’ 87’, Paul Bravo 82’

For the first time in Pro Era history, two non-MLS teams reach the Semifinals. Rochester’s 3-2 triumph over Columbus paved the way for the only time a lower league club would win the Open Cup title in the Pro Era. While Charleston fell 3-0 to Colorado, their run was catapulted by their famous 4-3 sudden death extra time win over DC United in the Fourth Round. Both games were played in Virginia Beach, Virginia due to the fact that they were scheduled to host the 1998 Open Cup Final, but a hurricane forced a venue change.

8/12/08  Blackbaud Stadium – Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston Battery 1-1 (aet) Seattle Sounders
Charleston advance on penalty kicks, 4-3

Charleston – Randi Patterson 32’
Seattle – Osvaldo Alonso 20’ (og)

For the only time in the Pro Era, a Semifinal match is contested between two lower league teams, ensuring the Final would feature at least one non-MLS team.

7/21/09 Starfire Sports Complex – Tukwila, Washington
Seattle Sounders FC 2:1 (aet) Houston Dynamo

The Seattle Sounders, in their inaugural season in Major League Soccer, advanced to the Final in dramatic fashion. Houston’s Ade Akinbiyi put the Dynamo up in the 32nd minute, but the home team wasn’t able to equalize until the 89th minute when Nate Jaqua sent the game into extra time. With all the momentum and the home crowd behind them at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash., Stephen King scored what would prove to be the game-winner in the 95th minute on an assist from Sebastien Le Toux and the club would hold on to the 2-1 lead throughout extra time, despite defender Jhon Hurtado being sent off in the 110th minute. The Sounders become the first Seattle-based team to reach the Open Cup Final since the Mitre Eagles did it in 1987.

2011 US Open Cup Third Round: Richmond Kickers pull off $10,000 upset over Columbus Crew

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Columbus Crew - Richmond Kickers 2011 3rd Round
Photo: Columbus Crew

In a round that included a number of close games, the Richmond Kickers became the only lower division team of the Third Round to pull off an upset in the US Open Cup, defeating the Columbus Crew 2-1 at Crew Stadium. Matthew Delicate’s diving header in the 85th minute proved to be the difference as the Kickers eliminated the 10-man Crew, who had reached the Open Cup Final last year.

After the two teams traded first half goals, the game changed in the 67th minute  when a confrontation between Richmond’s Ryan Heins and Columbus’ Danny O’Rourke resulted in a red card being shown to O’Rourke. Richmond wasn’t able to capitalize on the advantage until the 85th minute when Delicate’s game-winner sent the Kickers to the Quarterfinals for the fifth time in club history, and the second time as a third division side (2007).

When the Third Round dust settled, the Kickers were $10,000 richer as the third division club who advanced the furthest in this year’s tournament.

After a slow start between the two teams, it was the visitors who broke through first with Nozomi Hiroyama’s first career goal for the Kickers. Former Crew player Stanley Nyazamba found Hiroyama at the top of the box who sent a bending ball into the back of the net to give the Kickers the lead.

In the 37th minute, Grossman hooked up with fellow rookie Justin Meram to tie the game up at 1-1. Meram broke into the penalty area and found Grossman, at the far post,  for his first professional goal.

After halftime, the 67th minute proved to be an important turning point as the Crew dodged a bullet when a Delicate header hit the post and was cleared by the Columbus defense. Moments later, O’Rourke was sent off after he retaliated on some physical play from Richmond’s Heins.

One-And-Done Finalists (1995-present)
The Crew aren’t the first team to lose their first game after making the championship game the year before.1999 Chicago Fire (1998 champions)
2000 Colorado Rapids  (1999 runner-up)
2003 Columbus Crew  (2002 runner-up)
2004 Metrostars/NY Red Bulls  (2003 runner-up)
2007 Chicago Fire (2006 champions)
2007 Los Angeles Galaxy  (2006 runner-up)

Even short a man, Columbus continued to hold possession and create chances. The best chance of the half came in the 80th minute when Tom Heinemann’s one-timer forced a big save from Richmond goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale.

Five minutes later, Edson Elcock sent a long ball ahead to Delicate and he dove and headed the ball past Andy Gruenebaum to give the Kickers the lead. Delicate’s goal was his third of the tournament, putting him in a tie for second behind teammate David Bulow’s 5 tallies.

The game-winner gives Delicate nine career Open Cup goals which puts him in a tie for fifth on the Modern Era’s (1995-present) goalscoring chart. The other players deadlocked with him at 9 include Josh Wolff, Carlos Ruiz, Randi Patterson and Tomas Boltnar.

The win avenges a nearly decade-old result when the Crew defeated the Kickers 3-0 in the Third Round of the 2002 Open Cup on a pair of goals by Brian McBride and another by Dante Washington.

It was the first time in Columbus history that they were eliminated by a third division club, and only the second time in club history that they were eliminated by a lower division team in regulation (1999 – Rochester Raging Rhinos).

TheCup.us Match MVP: Matthew Delicate

Scoring Summary

RIC – Nozomi Hiroyama (Stanley Nyazamba) – 20th min.
CLB – Cole Grossman (Justin Meram) – 37th min.
RIC – Matthew Delicâte (Edson Elcock) – 85th min.

Lineups

Crew: GK Andy Gruenebaum, Korey Veeder (Andy Iro 88’), Eric Gehrig, Kevin Burns, Danny O’Rourke, Santiago Prim (Tom Heinemann 59’), Cole Grossman, Dehan Rusmir, Robbie Rogers (Anor 87’), Justin Meram, Jeff Cunningham

Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, Sascha Görres, Henry Kalungi, William Yomby, Dave Hertel, Luke Vercollone, Jamel Wallace, Ryan Heins (David Bulow – 87’), Nozomi Hiroyama (Edson Elcock – 54’), Stanley Nyazamba (Shaka Bangura – 78’), Matthew Delicâte

Shots            Saves            Fouls               Corners
Kickers:  8     Kickers:   3     Kickers:  11     Kickers:   4
Crew:   16     Crew:     1     Crew:      8      Crew:      8

Cautions:
35th minute: Dave Hertel (Richmond)
88th minute: David Bulow (Richmond)

Ejections:
67th minute: Danny O’Rourke (Columbus)

Referee: Sorin Stoica
Assistant Referees: John Safar, Britton Maier
Fourth Official: Pierre Saintil Francillon
Attendance: 1,845
Weather: Clear, 73

2011 US Open Cup Quarterfinal Bracket B: Richmond Kickers at Columbus Crew; Chicago Fire PDL at Sporting KC

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THIRD ROUND

Richmond Kickers at Columbus Crew
June 28, 7:30 p.m. ET  Columbus Crew Stadium; Columbus, Ohio
Video/Audio: No video; Radio: Richmond

Chicago Fire PDL at Sporting Kansas City
June 28, 8:30 p.m. ET  LIVESTRONG Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.
Video/Audio: TBA

Richmond Kickers

Founded in 1993, the club is the only other USL team to win the US Open Cup in the professional era (1995). An amateur team through 1995, the club played in USL’s top flight from 1996-2005 before joining the professional third division. It has only missed the postseason one time since 1994, winning the league title three times (1995, 2006, 2009) in eight appearances.

First Round: Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro) 1:4 Richmond Kickers (USL Pro)
The Kickers were well on their way to a First Round victory Tuesday against league foe Dayton with two goals from David Bulow in the first 17 minutes. The Dutch Lions answered back in the second half, but Bulow added a third from the penalty spot and Shaka Bangura finished the match in the 90th for the 4-1 win. Recap [+]

Second Round: Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro) 1:4 Richmond Kickers (USL Pro)
For the second consecutive round, it was the same story as Bulow and the Kickers dominated a fellow USL Pro club. Bulow tallied 17 minutes in, with Pittsburgh equalizing in the 30th. Bulow restored the lead four minutes before halftime and Matthew Delicate scored two in the second half to put the match out of reach. The Riverhounds had rallied from two down in the first round, but couldn’t generate the same magic in the second. Recap [+]

Path to Open Cup: Automatic entrant from USL Pro.

This Month in USL Pro: The Kickers played to a scoreless draw Friday in New York. A week earlier at home June 17, the Kickers fell 1-0 to Harrisburg on a strike just before the break to snap their three-game unbeaten streak. They opened the month with a 2-0 victory in New York June 12. Richmond sits tied in second place in the American Division with a 7-3-3 record.

Open Cup History: The Kickers have the distinction of being the first club to win the tournament during the professional era, taking the title in 1995 when pro clubs began participating despite themselves being in the amateur PDL, where they also won the league title. Richmond won the Open Cup in penalties after a 1-1 draw against the El Paso Patriots in Texas. Since then, the club has reached the Quarterfinals three times (2001, 2004, 2007) in 13 appearances, defeating MLS clubs twice. In 2004 the club edged DC United, 2-1, in the Fourth Round before falling 1-0 to Chicago Fire. In 2007, the Kickers nipped the LA Galaxy weeks before David Beckham’s arrival, but were eliminated by the Second Division Carolina RailHawks in the Quarterfinals, 1-0.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 20-11-1 (1-0 in PKs) overall | 3-8-0 vs. MLS

Richmond Kickers vs. Columbus Crew: This will be the second all-time meeting between the Kickers and the Crew. Back in 2002, when the Kickers were a member of the A-League (pro 2nd Division) they met in the  Third Round with the Crew winning 3-0 at Crew Stadium. Dante Washington scored twice and Brian McBride added a third as the Crew would move on to win the Open Cup title that year.

Columbus Crew

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

This Month in MLS:  The Crew finished out the month coming from behind in a dominating 4-1 win at home over the Colorado Rapids. Columbus equalized from Eddie Gaven, got two goals from Andres Mendoza, and a final strike from Tommy Heinemann, as they took advantage of Conor Casey’s send off in the first half. Columbus started the month with a 1-1 draw on the road against the New York Red Bulls June 4, with Rich Balchan scoring the equalizer two minutes into stoppage time. The Crew won 2-1 four days later at home against Real Salt Lake, rallying from behind on a penalty from Andres Mendoza, who also set up Josh Gardner’s winner. The club fell at home June 12 against the Chicago Fire, 1-0. The Crew played their fourth match of the month against the Dynamo in Houston June 18, winning 2-0 on goals from Andres Mendoza and Bernardo Anor.
Last Five: W-W-L-W-D | Season Record: 6-4-6 (5-1-3 Home), Tied for second in Eastern Conference, sixth overall.

Open Cup History: The Crew didn’t enter the tournament until 1998, and have had many shaky runs. However, they have had some success, earning a title in 2002, as well as finishing in the final twice (1998, 2010). Since 1998, they have only missed qualification in 2007 and 2008, losing to the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Chicago Fire, respectively. Their most recent run led them to the final last year, falling short to defending champion Seattle Sounders FC 2-1. Before that 2010 run, the Crew were 2-5 previously, never getting past the quarterfinals.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 18-8-2 (0-2 in PKs) | 4-0-0 vs. 3rd Division teams

Chicago Fire PDL

Founded in 2001, the team was the second PDL club (Boulder Rapids Reserve) directly affiliated with an MLS team. It has been one of the most successful clubs in the league, finishing first in the division seven times and finished below second last year (fourth) for the first time in 10 seasons, missing the playoffs for the first time. The Fire hold the best record in the PDL over their time in the league. The club has reached the league final on two occasions (2003, 2009).

First Round: Chicago Fire (PDL) 1:0 Iowa Menace (USASA)
It looked as though the two PDL rivals, although the Menace qualified through the USASA, were going to see overtime in the First Round Tuesday, as they went into the final stages of regulation in a scoreless deadlock. Lightning struck in the form of Chris Estridge however, as his tally in the 87th provided a dramatic road win. Recap [+]

Second Round: Chicago Fire (PDL) 2:0 Madison 56ers (NPSL)
It took two nights to get the game in, as lightning wiped away a Chicago lead Tuesday night and forced a replay Wednesday.  Two minutes in the second half proved the difference as Andrew Ribeiro tallied in the 66th minute and Estridge, who scored the night before, set up Thierry Zahui’s goal two minutes later. Recap [+]

Path to Open Cup: Of the nine PDL entrants, the club was one of two that finished the qualifying campaign with a loss. The team’s 3-0 start clinched the berth as the other clubs in the division knocked one another out. The club opened with a pair of 2-0 victories, winning the opener in Akron on goals from Chris Estridge and Josey Portillo and taking the second at home against Cincinnati with Estridge finding the net again. A 90th minute strike from Estridge in the third match against River City clinched the berth as David Meves posted his third shutout for the 1-0 win. The late winner denied the charging Michigan Bucks a chance to snare the spot, settling with a 2-0 win over the Fire in the finale.

This Month in USL PDL: The club felt little ill effects from the Open Cup delay, returning to play Friday with a 1-0 victory against Indiana on a penalty converted by Josey Portillo. The week before, Chicago returned to league action with a 2-1 loss June 16 at Louisville to River City Rovers. Trailing on two first half goals, Hunter Gorskie tallied in the 63rd, but could not find an equalizer. Chicago rebounded two days later though, netting a 3-0 victory in Cincinnati on goals from Josey Portillo, Paulo Vaz and Harrison Petts. They opened the month with a pair of home games, playing to a 3-3 draw against Hamilton June 3 and defeating Indiana 2-0 June 9. Five different players scored in the two contests. The club is 6-2-1 in the PDL Great Lakes Division.

Open Cup History: Perhaps taking after its four-time champion parent club in MLS, the team has had some success in its three previous appearances. In its 2004 debut, the PDL side opened with a 5-1 win over USASA side SAC Wisla before knocking off third division professional side New Hampshire Phantoms by the same, surprising, 5-1 scoreline. They would be eliminated in the Third Round 1-0 by the second division Rochester Rhinos. A year later, the club downed city rival AAC Eagles of the USASA 4-1, before falling 2-1 to the second division Minnesota Thunder. In 2009, they downed Bavarian SC (USASA) 3-1 before being eliminated once again by the Thunder, this time 4-0.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 6-3-0 overall | 1-3-0 vs. professional teams (0-0-0 vs. MLS)

Sporting Kansas City

How They Qualified: Back-up netminder Eric Kronberg and CJ Sapong were the stars in qualifying for Kansas City, which was seeded third and started in the second round of the eastern bracket in MLS qualifying. Sapong netted an overtime game-winner in the 92nd minute of a 1-0 decision against the Dynamo in Houston April 6 in their opening game. Kronberg earned the first of two shutouts, registering the second in the bracket finale May 25 against the New England Revolution, who brought a squad of nearly all reserves. Chance Myers scored the first two goals in the 5-0 win with Sapong adding two more to secure the berth.

This Month in MLS: Kansas City opened June with a scoreless draw in Toronto June 4 and repeated the result June 9 against the Chicago Fire, in the debut of LiveStrong Sporting Park. Eric Kronberg recorded the shutout in the first and relieved starter Jimmy Nielsen in the 67th minute of the second following a red card. The opening of the stadium marked the start in a winning trend as they blasted Dallas 4-1 June 12, as Graham Zusi scored twice and had an assist in the road win. The returned home for their first victory at the new park, edging San Jose June 17 on a CJ Sapong strike. They played to their third scoreless draw of the month June 22 in Philadelphia, before picking up another win at home Saturday, 2-1 against Vancouver, where they came from behind on goals from Omar Bravo and Julio Cesar.
Last Five: W-D-W-W-D | Season Record: 4-6-5 (2-0-1 Home), Tied for sixth in Eastern Conference, 14th overall

Open Cup History: The team formerly known as the Wizards have a checkered history in the US Open Cup. They won a championship in 2004 as part of a double-winning campaign (also capturing MLS Cup) when a Igor Simutenkov golden goal defeated the Chicago Fire 1-0 in the Final. In the last four years, Kansas City has missed out on qualifying twice (2007, 2010) and made it to the Quarterfinals twice (2008, 2009). In 2007, the Wizards lost in extra time to Real Salt Lake, while last year they lost in the first round of qualification to the Colorado Rapids. In both their quarterfinal trips, they advanced past their Third Round opponents (Carolina RailHawks, Minnesota Thunder), but fell on both occasions to the Seattle Sounders (2008 against the USL version in penalty kicks; 2009 versus the MLS expansion team).
PRO ERA RECORD: 10-9-3 (1-2 in PKs) | 2-0-1 (0-1 in PKs) vs. PDL

2011 US Open Cup Quarterfinal Scenarios

Columbus Crew / Richmond Kickers at Sporting Kansas City
LiveStrong Sporting Park – Kansas City, Kan. – 7:30 pm ET
OR
Chicago Fire PDL at Richmond Kickers
Richmond City Stadium – Richmond Va. – 7:00 pm ET
OR
Chicago Fire PDL at Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew Stadium – Columbus, Ohio – 7:30 pm ET

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2011 Gold Cup & US Open Cup: The Overlap

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Rafael Marquez is away with Gold Cup favorite Mexico, which could affect Third Round Red Bulls roster

Beyond the obvious fact that the first two rounds of the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup occur during the current edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup that kicked off Sunday, there is some extended overlap with players. The overlap will come when the Major League Soccer teams enter the competition in the Third Round, set for June 28 – three days after the Gold Cup Final.

Six of the eight MLS clubs playing in the US Open Cup this year have a total 17 players away for national team duty for the Gold Cup, representing 10 of the 12 nations (excludes Cuba & Panama).

International duty has long led to the traditional argument from MLS coaches excusing multitudes of players from Open Cup play to ensure they are properly rested for league competition. That rationale will likely come into play as the New York Red Bulls (5), Sporting Kansas City (4) and Real Salt Lake (4*) each have at least three players in action at the Gold Cup.

Perhaps hardest hit are the Red Bulls, who have three players for the CONCACAF heavyweights Mexico (Rafael Marquez) and USA (Tim Ream, Juan Agudelo) that will likely be in action in the June 25 Final. On top of that, New York arguably has the toughest MLS schedule on either side of the Open Cup Third Round road matches in Chicago on the 26th and San Jose the following Saturday.

And then there is the case of injury. On Monday Kansas City’s Craig Rocastle went down after a collision playing against Jamaica shortly before halftime. Grenada took him out of the game during the break.

Landon Donovan will lead US in Gold Cup, has Champions League in future. What will that mean for US Open Cup?

The Los Angeles Galaxy, who have Donovan Ricketts (Jamaica) and Landon Donovan (USA) on international duty, also have the Champions League in their future, which will no doubt create discussion amongst Bruce Arena’s coaching staff about conserving player energy.

The other two Open Cup and Champions League clubs, FC Dallas and Seattle Sounders, are not in that situation as of yet. The two sides were the only ones among the eight MLS US Open Cup participants that did not have any players leave for the Gold Cup.

One thing is for certain. No matter what the coaches of the clubs in question decide to do, it will not have as big of an impact as the 1996 US Open Cup when the Colorado Foxes withdrew from the tournament after losing five Jamaican players to the Gold Cup, prompting the Colorado Rapids to fulfill their spot.

2011 US Open Cup Clubs & Players in Gold Cup

New York Red Bulls: Rafael Marquez (Mexico), Dane Richards (Jamaica), Dwayne DeRosario (Canada), Tim Ream (USA), Juan Agudelo (USA)

Sporting Kansas City: Craig Rocastle (Grenada), Roger Espinoza (Honduras), Shavar Thomas (Jamaica), Stephane Auvray (Guadeloupe)

Real Salt Lake: Alvaro Saborio (Costa Rica), Arturo Alvarez (El Salvador), Will Johnson (Canada), Nick Rimando* (USA) – *Rimando on call as 3rd GK, staying with RSL unless needed

LA Galaxy: Donovan Ricketts (Jamaica), Landon Donovan (USA)

Chicago Fire: Marco Pappa (Guatemala)

Columbus Crew: Robbie Rogers (USA)

FC Dallas: None

Seattle Sounders: None

2011 US Open Cup qualifying updates: MLS play-in tournament underway

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Tony Tchani (23) of the New York Red Bulls battles for the ball against Joseph Niouky (23) of the New England Revolution during last year's MLS qualifying tournament. | Photo: RBNY/Getty Images

For the fifth year in a row, Major League Soccer (MLS) will conduct a play-in tournament to narrow the number of teams that enter the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Beginning on June 28, eight MLS clubs will join the 98th edition of the tournament in the third round, with the top six MLS teams based on the 2010 league standings automatically qualifying. The 10 remaining US-based clubs are left to fight for the last two spots.

Below are the matchups as well as which team will host each match, as determined by a coin flip at MLS headquarters. The dates, times and locations will be announced at a later date.

Automatic qualifiers: Columbus Crew, FC Dallas, Los Angeles Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake, Seattle Sounders FC

2011 MLS qualifying bracket

First Round

(8) Chivas USA 0:2 (10) Portland Timbers – RECAP
Tuesday, March 29 – 10 p.m. EST | Merlo Field (Portland, Ore.)

(7) Philadelphia 2:2 (9) DC United – RECAP
DC advances 4-2 in PKs
April 6, 7:30 p.m. | Maryland Soccerplex (Boyds, Md.)

Second Round

(2) San Jose Earthquakes 1:0 (10) Portland Timbers – RECAP
After Extra Time
May 3, 10:30 p.m. EST | Jeld-Wen Field (Portland, Ore.)

(6) New England 3:2 (9) DC United – RECAP
April 26, 7:30 p.m. EST | Maryland Soccerplex (Boyds, Md.)

(1) Colorado Rapids 1:2 (4) Chicago Fire – RECAP
March 30, Shea Stadium (Peoria, Ill.)

(3) Sporting Kansas City 1:0 (5) Houston Dynamo – RECAP
After Extra Time
April 6, 8 p.m. EST – Aggie Soccer Stadium (College Station, Tx.)

Third Round*

(4) Chicago Fire 2:2 (2) San Jose Earthquakes – RECAP
Chicago qualifies for the 2011 US Open Cup, 5-4 in PKs
May 24, 10:30 p.m. EST – Buck Shaw Stadium (Santa Clara, Calif.)

(6) New England Revolution 0:5 (3) Sporting Kansas City – RECAP
Kansas City qualifies for the 2011 US Open Cup
May 25, 8:30 p.m. EST – Blue Valley District Activities Complex (Overland Park, Kan.)

MLS qualifying team profiles

Chicago Fire: The MLS team with the most Open Cup titles (4) only had to qualify one time and only had to play one game to qualify for that tournament in 2008. They defeated the Columbus Crew 3-2 and they would advance to the quarterfinals that year, losing to DC United.

Chivas USA: Has never had to qualify for the US Open Cup

Colorado Rapids: The Rapids share the unfortunate distinction with Real Salt Lake as the club who has played the most qualifying matches over the last four seasons. Which only means a lot of heartbreak for their fans, as Colorado has a 3-2-2 record (1-1 in PKs) and after advancing in 2007, the Rapids have fallen one game short in each of the last three years. In 2010, they lost to the New York Red Bulls, 3-0.

DC United: In two years (2009, 2010), DC has never lost a qualifying match, with a perfect 4-0 record. Last year, United advanced to the semifinals where they lost to the Columbus Crew, and in 2009, they joined fellow qualifying survivor Seattle Sounders FC, by reaching the championship game. Seattle won the final 2-1 at RFK Stadium.

Houston Dynamo: Houston has never had to qualify for the US Open Cup.

New England Revolution: Last year was the first time New England has had to qualify for the Open Cup, and they lost in the semifinals, 3-0, to the New York Red Bulls.

Philadelphia Union: In their inaugural season last year, the Union lost their first qualifying match, 2-1 to the New York Red Bulls.

Portland Timbers: 2011 MLS expansion club

San Jose Earthquakes: The Earthquakes have never won a qualifying match (0-2-1), failing to advance each of the last three years. The closest they came was last year, when they drew 3-3 with Real Salt Lake, but fell short in the shootout.

Sporting Kansas City: The club formerly known as the Wizards have also never won a qualifying game (0-2-1, 1-0 in PKs). The only time they advanced was when they defeated the Colorado Rapids in a penalty kick shootout to qualify for the 2008 US Open Cup.

Hosting MLS qualifying games (2007-2010)

Chicago: 1 game, 1 home, 0 away (1-0)
Colorado: 7 games, 2 home, 5 away (3-2-2, 1-1 in PKs)
Columbus: 3 games, 2 home, 1 away (1-2-0)
DC United: 4 games, 4 home, 0 away (4-0-0)
FC Dallas: 2 games, 0 home, 2 away (0-2-0)
Los Angeles: 4 games, 2 home, 2 away (2-1-1, 0-1 in PKs)
New England: 1 game, 0 home, 1 away (0-1-0)
New York: 6 games, 3 home, 3 away (4-2-0)
Philadelphia: 1 game, 0 home, 1 away (0-1-0)
Real Salt Lake: 7 games, 2 home, 5 away (2-4-1, 1-0 in PKs)
San Jose: 3 games, 2 home, 1 away (0-2-1, 0-1 in PKs)
Seattle: 2 games, 2 home, 0 away (2-0-0)
Sporting Kansas City: 3 games, 2 home, 1 away (0-2-1, 1-0 in PKs)

More: USSF announces 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup team allocations, dates

2010 US Open Cup Final: Record crowd sees Seattle Sounders become first repeat champion since 1983

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Seattle Sounders FC: 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup champions

Sanna Nyassi became the first player in the Modern Era (1995-present) to score twice in the US Open Cup Final as the Seattle Sounders FC retained the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, defeating the Columbus Crew 2-1 in front of 31,311, the largest crowd to ever witness a US Open Cup final. With that win, the Sounders became the first team to repeat as champions since the New York Pancyprian Freedoms accomplished the feat in 1982-83.

Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid dispensed with Leo Gonzalez entirely to allow Sanna Nyassi to start, and remain within the allocation of foreigners. Meanwhile, his Crew counterpart Robert Warzycha selected Andy Gruenebaum in goal rather than Will Hesmer, opting for the keeper who had performed so well in getting them to this final. Other than that, it was the same outfield ten that played in their last MLS game. Blaise Nkufo was preferred over Nate Jaqua.

Montero had a gilt edge chance as early as the 2nd minute. James Riley swung in a cross from the right, but Montero mistimed his jump and headed into Gruenebaum’s arms. An early indication of one of the key battles came when Emmanuel Ekpo took on Tyson Wahl down the Columbus right. On this occasion honors were even, Ekpo failing to beat the left back but managing to get the ball behind him. The cross however was hurried and sailed harmlessly past.

Sanna Nyassi of the Seattle Sounders made history with two goals in the 2010 US Open Cup final. Photo by Rick Morrison

Steve Zakuani got his first chance to run at Frankie Hedjuk in the 6th minute. Hedjuk looked as puzzled as ever and backed off until Zakuani was able to cross the ball to Blaise Nkufo. The veteran of the Swiss Cup Final in 1998 could only flick the ball straight at the goalkeeper.

Seattle striker Fredy Montero was lucky to escape an early booking after tripping Crew midfielder Eddie Gaven in the 11th minute. There was plenty defensive backup with rendered the foul even more needlessly. Patrick Ianni was very alert to intercept a Guillermo Barros Schelotto flick aimed at Steven Lenhart. Seconds later Gaven drilled a long range effort over the bar. Columbus had achieved their first aspiration of not conceding an early goal and were becoming more adventurous.

Zakuani abandoned the left and caused some danger down the center channel in the 16th minute. He ran through the heart of the Crew defense and flicked the ball to Montero. Gruenebaum spilled the Colombian’s shot, but gathered at the second attempt.

The Sounders had a period of sustained pressure in the 18th minute, all started when Zakuani snuck inside Chad Marshall. Zakuani’s cross went across the face of the goal inspiring panic from Columbus, but no finish from Seattle.

Just before the 20th minute, Columbus carved out the best chance of the match. A beautiful Schelotto flick found Ekpo who laid the ball back to Gaven from inside the penalty area. Nearly eight yards out, Gaven should have put the visitors ahead. He snapped at the ball and sent it embarrassingly over the bar, a scant reward for one of the better players on the park at that point.

Montero had been lucky to escape a yellow for an earlier tackle and was even luckier when he crashed into Ekpo from behind. James Riley was about to be the next Sounders player to benefit from Michael Kennedy’s generosity in the 23rd. However referee Kennedy finally produced the yellow for another foul on Gaven, probably for persistent fouling by the Sounders. It was a little harsh on James Riley who was paying for team indiscretions, mostly Montero’s.

The Crew took the lead in the 24th minute, with  Frankie Hejduk as the offensive instigator. He found Lenhart who was allowed to turn inside the box and rolled the ball back to Kevin Burns. Burns succeeded where Gaven had failed minutes before and slotted the ball into the inside corner down to Kasey Keller’s right. It was a goal Columbus deserved, as they had looked the more dangerous of the sides after defending for the first ten minutes. Although Lenhart was given the sole assist, the goal was the culmination of a 5-man slick passing move involving those three, Schelotto and defender Brian Carroll.

A yellow was given to Shaun Francis in the 28th minute for a studs up tackle on Nate Sturgis. Merely yellow was being kind to Francis. On another day it could have easily been a red but neither side was showing any dissent to a referee being equally lenient to both sides.

The Sounders had an injury scare after Osvaldo Alonso tangled with Lenhart. Alonso was probably more sinner than sinned against but a better explanation was of two players going for a 50-50 ball with total commitment.

Montero committed his third foul, this time on Schelotto prompting Chad Marshall it was about time he was cautioned. However it seemed that Riley had got the card for his one foul and Montero’s three.

Sanna Nyassi became the first MLS player to score multiple goals in a US Open Cup final. Photo: Jane Gershovich | Prost Amerika Soccer

The Sounders equalized in the 38th minute and it was Sanna Nyassi who scored for the second game running. Gruenebaum attempted to punch a looping Tyson Wahl cross from the left. Under pressure from Nyassi, the keeper made very little impact on the ball which landed at the feet of Sturgis. He slipped the ball back to Nyassi who, seeing Gruenebum still off his line fired home powerfully behind the keeper.

Carroll was the next player to tempt Michael Kennedy to reach into his pocket. He was booked in the 41st minute while preventing Zakuani getting anywhere near Hedjuk.

Seattle constructed a beautiful passing move between Montero and Zakuani. Zakuani seemed destined to unload a shot on target until Marshall superbly dispossessed him using only his excellent reading of the game and his body weight to win the ball without even making a tackle. It was the art of defending at its best.

The Sounders began the second half the stronger without really troubling Gruenebaum. The keeper caught a Sturgis corner cleanly but that was his only action in the first 15 minutes of the second half even though Sounders had more possession. Montero and Riley combined to win a corner after a trailing leg deflected an effort wide. Gruenebaum came for the corner and missed again but Jeff Parke headed the free ball over.

He did foil Zakuani brilliantly seconds later after Hejduk had let him through, diving low down at the midfielder’s feet. Keller was finally called into action in the 63rd minute when Eddie Gaven ended another passing move with a long range effort. The veteran keeper held the ball cleanly.

Nyassi scored a second in the 66th minute after chaos in the Crew defence Nkufo hit the bar with a header but the ball bounced down in front of him and Hejduk. Nkufo anticipated the bounce first. With Gruenbaum stranded behind the goal line, Nyassi put the ball into the net.

Hejduk attempted to make amends with a cross which was allowed to progress too far along the ground into the heart of the Seattle defense. Keller came out and followed that with a good scream at his inattentive defenders. Gaven nearly put the ball through his own net after Wahl back headed a Sturgis corner.

Sigi Schmid of the Seattle Sounders FC is showered with champagne during his post-game preference after winning the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup championship.
Sigi Schmid of the Seattle Sounders FC is showered with champagne during his post-game preference after winning the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup championship.

Alonso picked up a yellow for a foul on Gaven in the 74th minute. Steve Zakuani finally ran through Hejduk but he out paced his colleagues. Nyassi joined him a minute later for fouling Ekpo as the Crew picked up a gear.

Emilio Renteria and Andres Mendoza replaced Lenhart and the goal scorer Burns in the 78th minute. Montero hit Nkufo’s header with a drive but it was mostly Crew pressure. Goal scorer Nyassi left the field for Alvaro Fernandez a minute later, as Sigi Schmid sought to seal up the final ten minutes.

Warzycha threw his final substitute on in the 81st minute, with Robbie Rogers replacing Gaven.

Riley’s diving header led to a corner which Rogers turned onto the crossbar with Keller beaten. The deflection wasn’t as kind to Columbus as the earlier one had been to Seattle and was cleared.

Schelotto was booked for body-checking Zakuani in full flight. Sturgis fired the free kick straight into Gruenbaum’s arms.

Levesque came on to run down the clock with Zakuani leaving with only minutes remaining.

Jaqua came on to replace Montero in stoppage time but the die was cast. The Sounders had won the cup. They now become the first team to qualify for the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League, where they will enter in the preliminary round.

2010 – Columbus Crew (MLS) 1:2 Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
10/5/10 | Qwest Field – Seattle, Washington

Scoring Summary
Columbus: Kevin Burns (Steven Lenhart) – 24th minute
Seattle: Sanna Nyassi (Nathan Sturgis) – 38th minute
Seattle: Sanna Nyassi (Unassisted) – 66th minute

Seattle Sounders: Kasey Keller (GK), James Riley, Jeff Parke, Patrick Ianni, Tyson Wahl, Nathan Sturgis, Osvaldo Alonso, Blaise Nkufo, Sanna Nyassi (79′ Alvaro Fernandez), Steve Zakuani (90′ Roger Levesque), Fredy Montero (90’+ Nate Jaqua)

Cautions – James Riley 23′, Osvaldo Alonso 74′ , Sanna Nyassi 75′ ,

Columbus Crew: Andy Greunebaum (GK), Frankie Hejduk, Chad Marshall, Andy Iro, Shaun Francis, Brian Carroll, Emmanuel Ekpo, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Steven Lenhart (78′ Andres Mendoza), Kevin Burns (78′ Andres Mendoza), Eddie Gaven (81′ Robbie Rogers)

Cautions – Shaun Francis 24′ , Brian Caroll 41′ , Guillermo Barros Schelotto 87′

Stats
Shots – Seattle 10:10 Columbus
On Goal – Seattle 5:1 Columbus
Saves – Seattle 0:3 Columbus
Fouls – Seattle 11:10 Columbus
Corners – Seattle 6:2 Columbus
Offsides – Seattle 0:0 Columbus

Att – 31,311 | Referee – Michael Kennedy | Linesmen – Thomas Supple, Paul Scott | 4th Official – Ricardo Salazar

2010 US Open Cup Final: Sanna Nyassi of Seattle Sounders easy choice for TheCup.us Player of the Round

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Sanna Nyassi became the first MLS player to score multiple goals in a US Open Cup Final. Photo: Jane Gershovich | Prost Amerika Soccer

Sanna Nyassi of the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup champion Seattle Sounders has been voted TheCup.us Player of the Round for his performance in the Open Cup final. Nyassi scored both goals in the Sounders’ 2-1 come-from-behind victory over the Columbus Crew, giving Seattle their second consecutive Open Cup title. The club is the first team to repeat as champions since 1983 (New York Pancyprian Freedoms).

The Player of the Round award is voted on by the staff at TheCup.us and a select panel of members from the North American Soccer Reporters.

After Kevin Burns put the Columbus Crew up 1-0 in the 24th minute, Nyassi equalized in the 38th minute on an assist by Nathan Sturgis. His second goal, which would prove to be the game-winner, came in the 66th minute when Steve Zakuani’s header struck the crossbar and fell to the feet of Nyassi who powered it into the back of the net.

The Gambian not only becomes the first player in the Modern Era (1995-present) to score multiple goals in an Open Cup final, but he is also the only Modern Era player to have multiple championship game goals in a career.

The last player to score multiple goals in the Open Cup final was in 1994 when Mike Deleray of San Francisco’s Greek American AC bagged a pair of goals in his club’s 3-0 win over Milwaukee’s Bavarian SC.

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