Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

DC United

2010 US Open Cup Third Round: DC United hold off Richmond 2-0

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Highlights – DCUnited.com

A ten minute spurt to begin the second half was all DC United needed to defeat the Richmond Kickers of USL-2 2-0 in the Third Round of the US Open Cup. Jaime Moreno got the ball past Richmond keeper Ronnie Pascal at 47′, and Santino Quaranta followed suit at 56′.

Jaime Moreno scored a goal and assisted on another in DC United's 2-0 win over the Richmond Kickers. Photo: DCUnited.com

United held possession through most of the first half, but the Kickers’ defense held firm, and the game was scoreless at halftime. Richmond appeared to gain control at the start of the second half, winning a corner kick in the 47th minute. However, Quaranta, a late first half sub, won control of the ball and fed it deep to Thabiso Khumalo, who hit a perfect pass for Moreno to slot the ball in the left side to give DC a 1-0 lead.

Richmond tried to mount a counterattack, however, an offside call against Edison Elcock ended their chance to equalize. Moments later, Quaranta dribbled into trouble in Richmond’s penalty box, but was able to find Moreno, who got the ball back to Quaranta to deflect it off a defender and into the net. Richmond was able to get a couple more chances in the next ten minutes, but could not capitalize, and DC maintained possession to close out the match.

DC United, who followed 2008’s Open Cup championship with a loss in last year’s finals to Seattle Sounders FC, will host another USL-2 team in the Harrisburg City Islanders on Tuesday, July 6 in the Quarterfinal Round.

SCORING:
DC- Moreno (Khumalo) 47′
DC- Quaranta (Moreno) 56′

DISCIPLINE:
RIC- Henry Kalungi 43′ (yellow, Reckless foul)
DC- Allsopp 74′ (yellow, Delaying restart)

SUBSTITUTIONS:
DC- Quaranta for Emilio, 40′
DC- Pontius for Moreno, 67′
RIC- Villanueva for Vercollone, 67′
RIC- dos Santos for Bothe, 68′
RIC- Nsereko for Burke, 75′
DC- Simms for King, 82′

Andy Najar’s OT winner beats Real Salt Lake; DC United last MLS team to qualify for US Open Cup

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By Thomas Floyd | World Soccer Reader

Only 3,074 fans braved the muggy June weather, questionable officiating and largely uninspired play at RFK Stadium for D.C. United’s U.S. Open Cup qualifier against Real Salt Lake on Wednesday. But after 116 minutes, a 17-year-old kid from Honduras gave them a moment to hang on to, a dose of drama and class that defined the match.

REAL SALT LAKE
1:2
DC UNITED
 After Extra Time
RFK Stadium – Washington D.C.

Scoring Summary
DCU: Luciano Emilio (PK) – 74th
RSL: Ryan Johnson (PK) – 81st
DCU: Andy Najar (Unassisted) – 107th
Recaps
MLSSoccer.com | ESPN LA
World Soccer Reader | SL Tribune
Quotes: DC United

2010 US Open Cup Bracket
2010 US Open Cup First Round Draw

With the game tied 1-1 and the second extra time period starting, United used its final sub to add Andy Najar, a crafty young winger who scored his first MLS goal four days earlier. He promptly collected the ball on the right flank, cut into the penalty area and used a clever touch to split Salt Lake’s Tony Beltran and Will Johnson before sliding a shot under the charging Kyle Reynish.

Goal. He had been on the field for less than two minutes, but his impact was made. Just like that.

“I’m really happy to score the goal,” Najar said. “Luckily, I got the opportunity and was able to take advantage of it.”
United fielded a largely second choice lineup for its third fixture in eight days, with right back Jordan Graye and central midfielder Stephen King as the only starters from Saturday’s 3-2 league win over Chivas USA to again crack the first 11. This meant a seat on the bench for Najar during regulation while a pair of dubious penalty kick calls led to a tally for each side. When coach Curt Onalfo called the rookie’s number late, however, Najar was more than ready.

“We wanted to make sure we would save our last sub until the last possible moment,” Onalfo said. “Certainly, at the end, Andy stepped up and showed us some brilliance that he really has.”

The hype surrounding Najar has been tangible since he first traveled with United for preseason training in February. Although his presence was widely dismissed as an exercise in experience, the Choluteca native’s flashy play and uncanny confidence earned him a first-team contract and an opening day start.

“I thought he was a very special player, very talented,” recalled forward Santino Quaranta, who himself entered the league as a 16-year-old. “The best thing about him is he has an amazing head on his shoulders.”

Najar’s first few performances were quiet affairs as he adjusted to the rhythm and physicality of the professional game while also being slowed by injuries. In recording his first professional goal and assist during a 4-2 Open Cup qualifier triumph against FC Dallas on April 28, Najar gave the Black-and-Red supporters a taste of what he could do. During Saturday’s victory, Najar’s well-taken header against Chivas USA opened the scoring, and his energy gave the Goats’ backline fits all match.

If there were any doubters about his status as one of the most exciting young players in MLS today, his game-changing 15-minute cameo against Real Salt Lake should silence them.

When Najar set his eyes on goal, he didn’t think twice about individually taking on Beltran and Johnson, two key cogs from a team that won the MLS Cup in November. And why should he have? After all, a few months ago he thought he would be spending early June winding down junior year and looking forward to summer vacation.
“He’s dynamic. He doesn’t really think a lot – he just does it,” Quaranta said. “It’s great to have him on the team. He’s gritty, he’s a great kid and I really enjoy having him here.”

Added defender Devon McTavish: “It doesn’t matter what minute you put him in, he’s going to be dangerous.”
Scarecely attended and only televised via a live stream on United’s website, the match didn’t garner the audience it – and Najar – ultimately deserved. But word of mouth will spread about the wunderkind roaming the pitch at 2400 East Capitol St. When it does, MLS fans will understand what they’ve been missing.
Simply put, it’s time to believe the hype.

Video highlights, courtesy of Behind The Badge.

Win & You’re In: DC United to host Real Salt Lake on June 2

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Major League Soccer will add to their list of Lamar Hunt US Open Cup entries on June 2 when DC United hosts Real Salt Lake at RFK Stadium. DC, the 2008 Open Cup champions who have played 11 straight Cup-related games at home, will bring in the defending MLS Cup champions, who are trying to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 2006

Contributing to their lack of recent success in Open Cup qualifying may be ‘location, location, location.’ While United haven’t played an Open Cup game or a qualifier away from home since 2007, RSL have never won an Open Cup-related match away from home (0-2 in the tournament, 0-3 in qualifying).

United have taken part in MLS’ Open Cup qualifying competition the last two years, despite reaching the Cup final the year before each time. The teams that take part in qualifying are based on their regular season finish from the prior season. United finished in 10th place in 2008 and again in 2009.

The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. and TheCup.us will be hosting a live blog during the match.

2010 MLS Qualifying schedule

Win & You’re In: Real Salt Lake at DC United – June 2, 7:30 p.m. – RFK Stadium (Washington D.C.)
New England Revolution at New York Red Bulls – May 12, 8 p.m. – Red Bull Arena (Harrison, NJ)

Win & You’re In: Colorado Rapids at New England/New York winner – Date TBA

US Open Cup qualifying: DC United eliminates FC Dallas for second straight year, 4-2 (Video)

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Video Highlights (DCUnited.com)

FC Dallas
2:4
DC United
RFK Stadium – Washington D.C.
Recaps: DCU | FCD
Post-game quotes: DCU

WIN & YOU’RE IN
DC United hosts Real Salt Lake
Date TBA

For the second year in a row, DC United has eliminated FC Dallas from Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifying at RFK Stadium. In this year’s edition, United got a pair of goals from Adam Cristman to lead the way to a 4-2 victory in front of a scarce home crowd that chose midweek soccer over the Washington Capitals’ seventh game of their opening round playoff series.

With the win, DC will host Real Salt Lake with a spot in the US Open Cup on the line. The date of that “Win & You’re In” game is still yet to be determined.

It didn’t take long for the home team to get on the board when off-season acquisition Adam Cristman made it 1-0 in the 4th minute. 17-year-old Andy Nahar, making his first start for the club, played a ball over to Cristman who sent a well-placed ball over Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman for not only the game’s first goal, but the club’s first goal at home this year.

Andy Najar celebrates his first professional goal in the 51st minute. Photo: Tony Quinn | D.C. United

DC would add a second just before the halftime break when Cristian Castillo, another player making his first start for United, put a long-distance free kick into the back of the net. From nearly 40 yards away, Castillo floated a ball into the box intended for teammate Brandon Barklage, however, when he leaped to head the ball on goal he either missed, or just chose not to hit the ball. Either way, it was enough to freeze Hartman in goal and get the ball past him in the 39th minute.

United manager Curt Onalfo was sent off before the intermission for apparently arguing with the fourth official, so he wasn’t able to witness the onslaught of goals that came in the second half. Four goals were scored in less than 10 minutes, begininning with Andy Najar’s first professional goal in the 51st minute. This time it was Cristman playing the role of provider, sending a cross to the front of the goal from the right wing. The ball would find Najar at the far post who volleyed it home to make it 3-0.

The game seemed out of reach for less than a minute as Dallas stormed right back down the field and pulled one back with Bruno Guarda firing a shot from just outside the penalty area and past a diving Troy Perkins.

Five minutes later, Atiba Harris drew contact in the box and the referee awarded a penalty kick. Dax McCarty would cut the lead to one with the spot kick, but Cristman returned to squash any momentum the visitors may have had. Two minutes after McCarty’s PK, Clyde Simms delivered a ball into the box and Cristman, who won an Open Cup title with New England in 2007, put a head on it for his second goal of the game.

Curt Onalfo post-game interview (DCUnited.com)

Adam Cristman post-game interview (DCUnited.com)

Jordan Graye post-game interview (DCUnited.com)

—————————————————

Scoring Summary:
DCU — Adam Cristman (Andy Najar) 4th
DCU — Christian Castillo (unassisted) 39th
DCU — Andy Najar (Adam Cristman) 51st
DAL — Bruno Guarda (unassisted) 52nd
DAL — Dax McCarty (penalty kick) 57th
DCU — Adam Cristman (Clyde Simms) 59th

FC Dallas — Kevin Hartman, Ugo Ihemelu (George John 46), Anthony Wallace, Edson Edward, Zach Loyd, Eric Alexander (Dax McCarty 46), Bruno Guarda, Brek Shea, Atiba Harris (Heath Pearce 65), Eric Avila (Andrew Wiedeman 76), Jason Yeisley. Substitutes Not Used: Jeff Cunningham, David Ferreira, Dario Sala.

TOTAL SHOTS: 15 (Brek Shea 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 7 (Dax McCarty 2); FOULS: 13 (Eric Avila 3); OFFSIDES: 3 (3 tied with 1); CORNER KICKS: 1 (Heath Pearce 1); SAVES: 1 (Kevin Hartman 1)

D.C. United — Troy Perkins, Jordan Graye, Devon McTavish, Carey Talley, Rodney Wallace, Andy Najar, Kurt Morsink (Clyde Simms 56), Brandon Barklage (Santino Quaranta 63), Christian Castillo (Jaime Moreno 75), Adam Cristman (Tiyi Shipalene 86), Thabiso Khumalo. Substitutes Not Used: Lyle Adams, Barry Rice, Bill Hamid.

TOTAL SHOTS: 9 (Adam Cristman 3, Andy Najar 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Adam Cristman 2, Andy Najar 2); FOULS: 15 (6 tied with 2); OFFSIDES: 3 (Adam Cristman 2); CORNER KICKS: 3 (Christian Castillo 3); SAVES: 5 (Troy Perkins 5)

Misconduct Summary:
DC — Kurt Morsink (caution; Reckless Tackle) 21
DC — Rodney Wallace (caution; Reckless Foul) 28
DAL — Anthony Wallace (caution; Reckless Foul) 67
DAL — Edson Edward (caution; Reckless Foul) 72

Referee: Chris Penso
Referee’s Assistants: -Adam Wienckowski; Corey Parker
4th Official: Bryan Roslund
Attendance: 2,804
Time of Game: 1:53
Weather: Partly Cloudy-and-57-degrees

Josh Wicks of DC United receives five game US Open Cup ban

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Josh Wicks played well before being sent off in the 69th minute of the U.S. Open Cup Final
Josh Wicks played well before being sent off in the 69th minute of the U.S. Open Cup Final. Photo: DCUnited.com

A little over a month after he stomped on Fredy Montero of the Seattle Sounders in the US Open Cup Final, D.C. United goalkeeper Josh Wicks has received a five-match tournament suspension. Wicks was shown a red card for the attack on Montero which took place shortly after the Colombian scored the opening goal of the game in the 67th minute. Wicks will serve an automatic one-game suspension for the red card, and will be banned an additional four games.

This was reported by Steve Goff of the Washington Post:

Wicks exchanged words with referee Alex Prus and berated fourth official Andrew Chapin, who apparently witnessed the incident and reported it to Prus.

The six-member USSF panel ruled that Wicks “intentionally stomped on a player in the field of play, refused to leave the field of play in a timely fashion and used highly inflammatory language to insult the fourth official.”

Wicks has until the end of business Tuesday to appeal.

This is the second year in a row that a player has received a multiple game Open Cup ban. In 2008, Quauhtemoc Blanco received a two-year ban for a throwing a punch during a Quarterfinal match against DC United. The suspension was increased to two years because the Mexican International attempted to head butt a team official as he was escorted off the field. Wicks’ additional suspension was also due to actions that took place after he received the red card. The goalkeeper’s suspension only applies to the Open Cup proper and does not include any qualifying games, which are not part of the actual tournament.

Does the punishment fit the crime? Too harsh? Too light? Re-live the moment below and let us know what you think.

2009 US Open Cup Final: Seattle Sounders become 2nd MLS expansion team to win title

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The Sounders won their first US Open Cup title in their inaugural season in 2009. Photo: Seattle Sounders

The 2009 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup final can be regarded as one of the best in recent memory as 17,329 fans at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. witnessed the Seattle Sounders defeat DC United by a score of 2-1. End-to-end action was rampant throughout the game, with both goalkeepers earning their money, plenty of controversies developing, and unlikely heroes emerging late in the match.

sounders-celebrate
Photo: Seattle Sounders FC

The turning point in the match came when DC United goalkeeper Josh Wicks was sent off for stomping on Seattle’s Fredy Montero moments after the Colombian scored the opening goal in the 67th minute. Two members of last year’s USL-1 Sounders that reached the Open Cup Semifinals scored a second when Sebastien Le Toux set up Roger Levesque to put the visitors up 2-0. Clyde Simms pulled one back for United late, but the defense, led by goalkeeper Kasey Keller, held on, making Seattle only the third road team to win an Open Cup title since 1996.

The first half featured many chances from both sides. Sounder Freddie Ljungberg took a free kick just outside the box in the 4th minute, but the ball landed in the arms of United keeper Josh Wicks. In the 12th, Ben Olsen shot from distance, but Seattle keeper Kasey Keller dove to his right to make the save. Ljungberg earned another shot on a pass from Sebastien Le Toux in the 19th minute, but Wicks was on top of it, making a great save. DC tested Keller again in the 33rd as Ben Olsen ripped a long drive from 30 yards out, but the Sounders captain parried it away for an eventually unsuccessful corner kick.

To finish off the first half, Fredy Montero headed the ball on a service from Le Toux, only to watch as Wicks made another outstanding save to keep the game scoreless at the break.

The second half started strong as well. DC United earned a free kick after Leo Gonzalez took down Santino Quaranta from about 25 yards out, earning a yellow card. However, Gomez couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity, sending the shot well over the goal. In the 59th minute, James Riley had appeared to commit a handball foul in the box on a Ben Olsen cross from the left side. However, nothing was called by referee Alex Prus.

2009 US Open Cup Final
TheCup.us coverage
Sounders headed to the CONCACAF Champions League
Seattle Sounders: 2009 Open Cup video bonanza
Keller named Player of Tournament, Montero MVP of Final

US Open Cup Final All-Time Goalscorers
US Open Cup Finals: 1914-2009

The Sounders finally broke through in the 67th minute as Steve Zakuani sent a header over to Ljungberg inside the box. He took a shot from outside the six only to see Wicks make another save. However, a streaking Fredy Montero buried home the rebound to give Seattle the first goal of the match. Montero was stomped on while lying on the ground by Wicks in disgust, and after some discussion by the officials, Wicks was given a straight red card in the 69th minute, ending what was an outstanding game for him. It was the first straight red card in an Open Cup Final since New England’s Jay Heaps was tossed for elbowing in the 2001 title game against Los Angeles.

Photo: Seattle Sounders F.C.
Photo: Seattle Sounders FC

Seattle got another opportunity in the 82nd minute on a corner as a ball was set up inside the box, only for United backup keeper Milos Kocic to punch it away. Roger Levesque would try a follow-up, only to send it over the net. With DC getting more desperate, Quaranta launched a shot a couple minutes later from just outside the box, but Keller was there to handle it. On the ensuing counter, the ball found its way into the corner, where Sebastien Le Toux took it from DC defender Dejan Jakovic and made the “French Connection,” crossing to fellow longtime Sounder Roger Levesque, who touched it home to give the Sounders the 2-0 lead in the 86th minute.

Just three minutes later, a free kick by DC United ricocheted off Rodney Wallace inside the box and landed at the feet of Clyde Simms, who gave his team life by scoring the goal to cut the deficit in half. United would continue to press the rest of the match, culminating with a shot from Jaime Moreno off a Wallace corner, only to be punched away by Keller in the 95th minute.

The final whistle blew on the ensuing goal kick, giving the Sounders their first piece of silverware in their first MLS season. With the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup win, the Sounders become the first MLS expansion team to win the Open Cup since the Chicago Fire accomplished the feat as part of a double in 1998 (they also won MLS Cup that year). Seattle also becomes the first Washington-based club to win the tournament. The only other team to reach the championship game was the Mitre Eagles in 1987 but they lost in penalty kicks to the first Washington D.C. club to ever lift the trophy, Club Espana.

As added bonuses, Seattle not only gained $100,000 in prize money, but also earned a place in the 2010-2011 edition of the CONCACAF Champions League, where they will enter in the preliminary round.

2009 US OPEN CUP FINAL: HIGHLIGHTS

JOSH WICKS SENT OFF FOR STOMPING FREDY MONTERO

2009 Quarterfinal recap: Rochester Rhinos last USL team standing

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

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

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

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

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

2009 US Open Cup: Semifinal recap

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2009 US Open Cup Semifinals
(Home team listed on right)
July 21
Rochester Rhinos 1:2 DC United
 Houston Dynamo 1:2 (aet) Seattle Sounders FC

Player of the Round: Sebastien Le Toux (SEA)
Notable matches in Semifinal history
Things you should know about the Semifinals

The two home teams held serve in the 2009 Semifinals with DC United advancing to their fourth Open Cup Final, while the Seattle Sounders will attempt to become the first MLS expansion team to win the title since the Chicago Fire did it in 1998.

Jamie Moreno put United up 1-0 by adding to his Open Cup goalscoring total with a penalty kick in the 41st minute, his 12th all-time goal, tying him for the most in the Professional Era (1995-present). Rochester’s Tai Atieno tied it up in the 68th minute, but it was Boyzzz Khumalo who kept United’s hopes alive for a second straight tournament championship with a goal in the 82nd minute. DC will attempt to become the first team to repeat as champions since 1983 when the New York Pancyprian Freedoms won back-to-back titles. The trip to the Final is even more impressive for the defending champs, considering they had to win two qualifying games just to get into the tournament.

The Seattle Sounders 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.

DC United will host the championship game on September 2 at RFK Stadium in Washington DC.

2009 Semifinals: DC United still has Rochester’s number, advance to Open Cup Final

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Maryland Soccerplex – Boyds, Md.
Match Reports: DC United | Rochester | Washington Post | Democrat & Chronicle
MLSnet.com Matchtracker

 1 FT 2
Tai Atieno (Unassisted) 68’       41’ Jamie Moreno (PK)
82’ Boyzzz Khumalo (Unassisted)

Defending US Open Cup champion DC United, who had to qualify just to get into the 2009 tournament, is one win away from defending their title after a 2-1 Semifinal victory over the Rochester Rhinos. Boyzzz Khumalo’s 82nd minute goal spoiled the Rhinos’ attempt to return to the Open Cup Final for the first time since their historic title run in 1999 and earned DC a chance to win their second straight championship on their home field.

DC United will host the Seattle Sounders at RFK Stadium on September 2. For United it is their fourth Final appearance and will host the championship game for the third time. In the two previous title games at RFK, they have won both of them (1996, 2008).

United held the majority of the possession in the first half and was awarded a penalty kick in the 41st minute. Rhinos defender Ty Harden was called for a handball in the box and Jaime Moreno stepped up to score his 12th career Open Cup goal, which moved him into a tie with current Rhino Johnny Menyongar for the most goals in the Professional Era (1995-present).

With DC continuing to put on the pressure, Rochester fought back and tied the game up in the 68th minute when Tai Atieno put the ball into the back of the net after the ball pinballed around the box after a Rochester free kick from the right wing.

The home team would find the game-winner in the 82nd minute when Chris Pontius, who replaced Moreno as a sub in the second half, found himself on a breakaway with the Rochester goalkeeper. Mella saved Pontius’ attempt, but the ball fell to Khumalo, who put the ball into the empty net for his second goal of the tournament.

Rochester’s struggles with DC United in the Open Cup continue with their fourth loss in as many tries. DC has also defeated them in the 1996 Final as well as the Third Round of the 2000 and 2008 tournaments. DC United are the first club since the Chicago Fire in 2004 to make back-to-back appearance in the Final, and like the Fire failed to do in 2004, losing to Kansas City, they will try to repeat as Open Cup champions. There has not been a back-to-back champion of the tournament since the New York Pancyprian Freedoms won the 1982 and 1983 titles.

2009 Quarterfinals: DC United gets revenge, survives battle from shorthanded City Islanders

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Maryland Soccerplex – Boyds, Md.
Match Reports: DC United | Washington Post | Patriot-News

2
FT
 1

Boyzzz Khumalo (McTavish) 8’
Andrew Jacobsen (Fred) 18’
      
50’ Mo Odour – SENT OFF
65’ Nicki Paterson (Unassisted)

MLS Eastern Conference leaders and US Open Cup holders DC United took a step closer to repeating as champions by defeating USL-2 front runners Harrisburg City Islanders in a closely contested Quarterfinal matchup seen by over 2000 fans at the Maryland Soccerplex.

DC, trying to avoid a repeat of the 2007 match between the two clubs that saw Harrisburg eliminate them 1-0, took an early lead in the game through an 8th minute goal by Boyzzz Khumalo. Devon McTavish served up the cross from the right side and the South Africa native headed it home.

Ten minutes later, United added some insurance when Andrew Jacobson repeated the feat with his head off a corner kick delivered by Fred. DC would hang on to the two-goal advantage into halftime.

The second half should have been smooth sailing with the sending off of Harrisburg’s Mo Oduor nine minutes in, but the City Islanders put up a fight and kept the hosts on the defensive. Even with a man down, Harrisburg got on the board in the 64th minute thanks to Nicki Paterson’s shot after recovering a loose ball in the box.

With Harrisburg having the momentum and the pressure mounting for DC, play intensified. The City Islanders continued to create chances while drawing two late cautions by Ange N’Silu and Christian Gomez. DC fans were able to breathe a sigh of relief as the equalizer was not realized when regulation ended 2-1 in favor of United who now face the Rochester Rhinos in the Semifinals.

History is on the defending champions’ side as they have beaten the Rhinos all three times they have played them in Open Cup play, including the 1996 Open Cup Final.

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