Cuauhtemoc Blanco

Two year Open Cup ban for Cuauhtemoc Blanco

July 31, 2008 by

Cuauhtemoc Blanco has been banned from competing in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for at least two years. The United States Soccer Federation completed a review of the incidents of the Chicago Fire’s 2-1 Quarterfinal loss to DC United on July 8 and decided on the length of the suspension, which could be extended depending on the number of Open Cup games the Fire are involved in over the next two seasons.

The Mexican international was shown a red card at the end of the first extra time period after throwing a punch at United midfielder Clyde Simms. After DC’s Marc Burch retaliated on his teammate’s behalf, Burch and Blanco were both sent off. Reportedly, as he left the field, a DC United official attempted to usher him from the sidelines toward the locker room, but the official was nearly head butted by the Chicago Fire star.

A week later, Blanco issued a public apology for his actions that night.

According to a press release sent out on July 31, Major League Soccer has also punished the 2008 MLS All Star Game MVP. Blanco has received a fine of $7,500 for “behavior detrimental to the public image and reputation of the League.”

2008 Quarterfinals: DC United finally puts out the Fire; Blanco gets tossed for punch

July 8, 2008 by

For the first time in franchise history, DC United eliminated the Chicago Fire in a knockout competition, winning 2-1 after extra time in Tuesday’s US Open Cup Quarterfinal match.

The Fire, winners of four Open Cup titles, looked to be on their way to continue their quest for a fifth when Daniel Woolard opened the scoring in the 36th minute. Woolard caught the DC defense out of position after receiving the ball from Logan Pause, and he put it past United goalkeeper Zach Wells to make it 1-0.

The early going was shaky for DC, prompting some changes in the second half. It turned out to be the subs that helped make the difference for United. Jaime Moreno and Francis Doe with fresh legs combined for a 77th minute goal to even things up.

The second half saw the sides more aggressive with five cautions being issued, though the score remained even at full time. The MLS rivals determined to knock each other out of the competition did not hold back with all four substitutions being used by both squads.

The decider occurred nine minutes into the first overtime period when Bryan Namoff headed in a Jaime Moreno corner kick. Soon after, Moreno left the game with an injury but by then, his deeds were done, as the veteran earned two assists for his forty minutes of play. Mexican international Cuautemoc Blanco also saw action in the overtime period but it was to be short lived when after fifteen minutes he found himself ejected for trying to punch United midfielder Clyde Simms. Marc Burch was also shown a red card for retaliating against Blanco. (UPDATE: Blanco given 2-year Open Cup ban)

The second overtime was 10 v 10 with United clinging to their precious lead and outlasting the Fire on their way to the Open Cup Semifinals. DC will make their sixth final four appearance, and their first since 2006, when they lost to the Chicago Fire.

2008 Third Round: Chicago Fire smoke City Stars, 4-1

July 1, 2008 by

The Chicago Fire scored three times in the first half to cruise to a 4-1 victory over the Cleveland City Stars of the USL Second Division.

The four-time champs took only thirteen minutes to jump into the lead, as reserve midfielder Mike Banner beat goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap after slipping on an attempted one-timer shot from a cross by Calen Carr. Just ten minutes later it was Carr who netted a goal of his own, sending a left footed shot into the near corner of the goal. Three minutes later, Chicago tallied for the final time of the half when Chris Rolfe was brought down in the box by Cleveland’s Kiel McClung. Chad Barrett beat Gilstrap with the ensuing spot kick to put Chicago up 3-0.

McClung made amends for the penalty kick by scoring the City Stars’ lone goal on a 20-yard shot fired past Fire goalkeeper Nick Noble. Banner added his second goal of the night in the 73rd minute to all but end Cleveland’s hopes.

Chicago will continue their quest for a record-tying fifth US Open Cup Championship when they visit DC United in the Quarterfinals next Tuesday.

Lineups

Cleveland City Stars — Hunter Gilstrap, Mark Schulte, Jeremy Tolleson, Kiel McClung, Neil Hlavaty (Ryan Stewart 55), Floyd Franks, Dere Potteiger, Godfrey Tenoff, Sallieu Bundu (Ian Leibbrandt 74), Adam Ruud, Luke Williams (Adriano Sella 69),

Substitutes Not Used: Randolph Jerome, Dana McGregor, Ryan Miller, Eric Reed

Chicago Fire — Nick Noble, Austin Washington, Brian Plotkin, Daniel Woolard, Lider Marmol, Mike Banner, Stephen King, Peter Lowry, Chris Rolfe (Tomasz Frankowski 46), Calen Carr (Cuauhtemoc Blanco 85), Chad Barrett (Patrick Nyarko 46),

Substitutes Not Used: Jon Busch, Diego Gutierrez, Justin Mapp, Bakary Soumare

Chicago Fire Cleveland City Stars
total shots: 12 (Peter Lowry 3) 10 (Adam Ruud 3)
shots on goal: 7 (Mike Banner 2) 7 (Adam Ruud 2)
fouls: 8 (Calen Carr 3) 8 (5 tied with 1)
offsides: 0 3 (3 tied with 1)
corner kicks: 6 (Peter Lowry 3,
Brian Plotkin 3) 1 (Luke Williams 1)
saves: 6 (Nick Noble 6) 3 (Hunter Gilstrap 3)

Misconduct Summary:
CHI — Lider Marmol (caution; Tackle from Behind) 57
CLE — Ryan Stewart (caution; Reckless Foul) 78

referee: Hidajet Tica
Referee’s Assistants: Anthony Vasoli; Victor Herrera
4th official: Ricardo Salazar
time of game: 1:51
attendance:
weather: Clear -and- 75 degrees