Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

DC United

2009 Third Round recap: Portland, Seattle renew rivalry, Houston face Battery (again)

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2009 US Open Cup Third Round
(Home team listed on right)
June 30
Columbus Crew 1:1 Rochester Rhinos
Rochester advance on PKs 5-3
Chicago Fire 0:1 Wilmington Hammerheads
Harrisburg City Islanders 2:1 (aet) New England Revolution
Ocean City Barons 0:2 DC United
Chivas USA 1:3 Charleston Battery
Kansas City Wizards 3:3 Minnesota Thunder
Kansas City advance on PKs 4-2
July 1
Houston Dynamo 2:0 Austin Aztex
Seattle Sounders 2:1 Portland Timbers

Player of the Round: Randi Patterson
Notable upsets in Third Round history
Things you should know about the Third Round

The underdogs of the United Soccer Leagues ruled on day one of the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, but the Seattle Sounders and the Houston Dynamo each earned wins on Wednesday to level the tournament with four MLS teams and four USL teams in the Quarterfinals. The draw for the next round dictates that for the second year in a row, the USL will have at least one team in the Semifinals.

The Houston Dynamo defeated the Austin Aztex 2-0 on Wednesday to set up a date with the Charleston Battery next Tuesday at Blackbaud Stadium. This will be the third year in a row that the Battery and the Dynamo square off in the Open Cup with Charleston eliminating Houston in both years.

Later that night, the Portland Timbers and the Seattle Sounders renewed their rivalry in front of a sold-out PGE Park in Portland, Ore. The more than 16,000 fans in attendance was the fourth largest attendance (Source: Kenn.com) during the Professional Era (1995 – present) and a modern era first for the Timbers.

The biggest upsets of the night came from USL Second Division clubs. In New Britain, Conn., the Harrisburg City Islanders defeated the New England Revolution 2-1 in extra time. Ahead 1-0, the Revs allowed the game-tying goal after losing a player to injury after having used all of its substitutions. Another New England player left near the end of full time due to injury, leaving the MLS side with just nine men. The City Isles took advantage and scored the game-winning goal in extra time.

In Wilmington, the USL-2 Hammerheads edged out the four-time Cup champion Chicago Fire 1-0. TheCup.us Player of the Second Round Kenny Bundy scored the deciding goal in the 37th minute to give Wilmington just their second win over an MLS foe in Open Cup play. With Rochester winning their penalty kick tiebreaker over the Columbus Crew after a 1-1 draw, the two clubs will meet in the quarterfinals, assuring the USL of at least one club in the Semifinals for the third year in a row.

2009 Third Round: DC United gets a scare, but gets past PDL’s Ocean City Barons

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Maryland Soccerplex – Boyds, MD | 7:30 p.m.
2
FT
 0

Christian Gomez (PK) 74’
Ange N’Silu 90’+
        

Defending US Open Cup Champion DC United needed to put in a bit more work than they may have liked, but they eventually stopped the upset bid of the PDL’s Ocean City Barons with a 2-0 win at Boyds, Maryland.

18-year old Kevin Curran of the Ocean City Barons (right) defends against D.C. United's Boyzzz Khumalo. Photo: Bill Pellegrino
18-year old Kevin Curran of the Ocean City Barons (right) defends against DC United's Boyzzz Khumalo. Photo: Bill Pellegrino

Several key United injuries limited manager Tom Soehn’s lineup options, but he still chose to rest a few of the remaining regulars. However, DC were forced to use three of them as substitutes as the score continued to sit at 0-0 in the second half. One of those subs, Christian Gomez, converted a penalty kick in the 74th minute when Barons goalkeeper Tunde Ogunbiyi fouled Ange N’Silu inside the penalty area. Gomez stepped to the spot and converted past Ogunbiyi to finally give United a 1-0 lead.

In the final minutes of the game, the Barons nearly grabbed the equalizer. First the Barons Kyle Miller wound up on the ground in the penalty area with pressure from DC’s Marc Burch, but the referee allowed play to continue. The ball came right back in the box, and a header from Leon Brown forced United goalkeeper Milos Kocic to make a diving block.

After surviving several Baron’s corner kicks in the final minute, DC hammered the nail in the coffin when N’Silu scored off a rebound from Ogunbiyi’s save a free kick from Burch.

DC United will now play the Harrisburg City Islanders of the USL Second Division in the Quarterfinals on July 7.

HIGHLIGHTS

 FANS TRAVEL TO SUPPORT BARONS VS. D.C. UNITED

 

2008 US Open Cup Final: DC United brings the Open Cup back to the nation’s capital

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DC United celebrates their 2008 US Open Cup title. Photo: BehindTheBadge.com
DC United celebrates their 2008 US Open Cup title. Photo: BehindTheBadge.com

DC United captured their second US Open Cup championship with a 2-1 win over the Charleston Battery of the USL First Division. Luciano Emilio scored in the fifth minute when the ball was cleared just outside the box, and while striking the ball he slips onto the turf, but somehow finds a way to put it in the upper 90 to give DC United the lead.

Emilio injured himself on the play, hurting his groin, and he had to be subsequently subbed out of the match. Charleston answered five minutes later after Chris Williams found Ian Fuller deep in United territory, who fired a shot past DC goalkeeper Louis Crayton to level the match at 1-1.

In the 51st minute, DC United midfielder Fred received a pass in behind the defense and beat Battery goalkeeper Dusty Hudock to give the home side a 2-1 lead. Fred’s goal would prove to be the game-winner despite some quality chances from the underdogs from South Carolina. It was the first Open Cup championship for United since they became the first MLS team to lift the trophy back in 1996 when they defeated the A-League’s Rochester Raging Rhinos 3-0.

2008 Semifinals: Luciano Emilio’s two goals earns him Player of the Round

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D.C. United earned a place in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time since 1997 with a 3-1 win over the New England Revolution in the Semifinals. Luciano Emilio’s pair of goals earned him the TheCup.us Player of the Round award, edging out Charleston Battery goalkeeper Dusty Hudock. The award was voted on by the TheCup.us staff and members of the North American Soccer Reporters.

BehindTheBadge.com, the official blog of D.C. United, conducted an interview with Emilio following his performance.

2008 Semifinals: DC United knock off defending champs to reach Open Cup Final

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A pair of goals from reigning Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player Luciano Emilio were enough to put DC United one win match away from their first championship in four years with a 3-1 victory over the defending Open Cup champion New England Revolution.

The 1996 Open Cup champions opened the scoring on four minutes with Emilio’s first tally, finishing off a Brian Namoff cross. The Revolution responded in the 34th minute on a goal from Joe Germanese, and the match went to halftime level at one.

Just three minutes into the second half, DC would regain the lead on a goal from Santino Quaranta, assisted by MLS’ all-time scoring leader Jamie Moreno. The match turned when Wells Thompson, playing out of position at right back, was dismissed in the 71st minute as the result of a second yellow card.

United put the match away ten minutes later, when Emilio slipped a cross from Ivan Guererro past Revolution backstop Doug Warren.

DC will now host the Charleston Battery at RFK Stadium on September 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Two year Open Cup ban for Cuauhtemoc Blanco

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Chicago Fire logoCuauhtemoc 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: Sounders’ Chris Eylander unanimous as Player of the Round

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Chris Eylander’s 421 consecutive minutes without allowing a goal is a Professional Era record for an individual goalkeeper, and a team record for a single tournament. Photo: George Holland
Chris Eylander’s 420 consecutive minutes without allowing a goal is a Professional Era record for an individual goalkeeper, and a team record for a single tournament. Photo: George Holland

Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Chris Eylander was a unanimous selection as the TheCup.us Player of the Round for the Quarterfinals. The award was voted on by the TheCup.us staff and members of the North American Soccer Reporters.

Eylander was challenged for the award by Jamie Moreno of DC United, along with goalkeepers Doug Warren of the New England Revolution and Eric Kronberg of the Kansas City Wizards.

The University of Washington alum helped the Sounders earn their fourth straight shutout in the tournament (a Professional Era single-tournament record of 421 shutout minutes), while holding Major League Soccer’s Kansas City Wizards to a scoreless draw through 120 minutes of play. After extra time, Seattle earned their second straight trip to the Semifinals with a 6-5 win in the penalty kick shootout.

Eylander made 13 saves in the match, including two stops (Jimmy Conrad, Tyson Wahl) in the shootout to send the Sounders to a date with fellow USL First Division club, the Charleston Battery on August 12 at Blackbaud Stadium.

The goalkeeper took some time to talk with TheCup.us following his Quarterfinal performance.

TheCup.us: First of all, congratulations on the win on Tuesday and for being named “Player of the Round.” The Wizards definitely put some pressure on your net, forcing you to make 13 saves. Was there a moment for you personally, or a particular defensive stop, where you felt like your defense was going to keep this shutout streak going.

Eylander: Thanks a lot for congratulating me. I don’t remember there being a distinct moment where I knew we were going to shut out the Wizards in regular play. We were under pressure in spells throughout the entirety of the game. Playing in any game a breakdown can occur at any time. I was very determined to do everything I could to keep the ball out of the net and help communicate with the players in front of me to dissallow any unnecessary opportunities on goal.

TheCup.us: In the penalty kick shootout, or any penalty kick shootout, do you just guess, or do you try to read the shooter? What’s your approach?

Eylander: PK tactics can always vary. I don’t think any goalkeeper would like to give out their secrets to how they approach penalties. In general, if you can determine any information from the player’s approach to the ball, this is a whole lot better than a random guess.

TheCup.us: Some MLS teams rest their starters for Open Cup games, but even the ones who field strong lineups are still getting knocked off the last couple of years. Do you feel like the talent gap is closing between the USL-1 and MLS or is the motivation for the USL-1 teams greater?

Eylander: Regardless of who the MLS teams are fielding, you can’t look at the last couple of years in Open Cup play and not see that the USL teams are competing very well with them.

TheCup.us: Sebastien Le Toux has already secured a place on the Seattle MLS roster. Is the prospect of getting a contract with the MLS Sounders creating some extra pressure for the rest of the players on the roster? Is that something that’s talked about among your teammates?

Eylander: I think every one of the players on the team would love the oppurtunity to play at the next level up. It may add a bit of pressure for the players. Playing well consistently thoughout the USL season and performing well against other MLS teams would add a lot of credibility for those looking to play at the MLS level. It isn’t something that I have noticed to be talked about much amongst the players. We understand that taking care of business in league and Open Cup play is the most important area of concentration for the team.

TheCup.us: Do you feel like you will be wearing a Seattle uniform next season?

Eylander: I would very much like to be wearing a Seattle uniform next season.

TheCup.us: Looking ahead to the next round, you’ve got Charleston at Blackbaud Stadium on August 12. Is there a different level of pressure when facing a team you’re familiar with rather than a team you rarely play, or have never played? What’s your outlook for the semifinal matchup with Charleston?

Eylander: The good thing about playing in Charleston for the Semifinals is that we have already played there twice this year. We will be much more familiar with the pitch, the environment and the team as opposed to if we were playing an unknown team for the first time away from home. We will also have more time this round to prepare and get players healthy. The semifinals will be a very challenging game. Charleston has a strong team and will give us a tough match.

About the NASR
The North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) are a group that consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information and membership information can be found at www.soccerreporters.com.

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The 2008 Seattle Sounders now hold the record for the longest single-tournament shutout streak, but D.C. United have the high mark for longest streak over multiple competitions.

D.C. United (1996-1997, 564 mins.)
09/04/96 2-0 vs. Carolina Dynamo (GK – Jeff Causey) 90 mins.
10/27/96 2-0 vs. Dallas Burn (GK – Mark Simpson) 90 mins.
10/30/96 3-0 vs. Rochester Raging Rhinos (GK – Mark Simpson) 90 mins.
08/06/97 0-0 (PKW 3-2) vs. Hershey Wildcats (GK – Scott Garlick) 120 mins.
08/19/97 2-0 vs. Tampa Bay Mutiny (GK – Scott Garlick) 90 mins.
09/03/97 2-1 vs. San Francisco Bay Seals (GK – Scott Garlick) 84 mins.

Seattle Sounders (2008, 421 mins.)
09/04/07  1-2 vs. FC Dallas (GK – Chris Eylander) 1 min.
06/10/08  1-0 vs. Arizona Sahuaros (GK – Chris Eylander) 120 mins.
06/24/08  6-0 vs. Hollywood United (GK – Chris Eylander) 90 mins.
07/01/08  2-0 vs. Chivas USA (GK – Chris Eylander) 90 mins.
07/08/08  0-0 (PKW 6-5) vs. Kansas City Wizards (GK – Chris Eylander) 120 mins.

Colorado Rapids (1999, 381 mins.)
07/30/97 1-2 vs. Chicago Stingers (GK – Paul Grafer) 46 mins.
07/13/99 1-0 vs. Seattle Sounders (GK – Ian Feuer) 90 mins.
08/13/99 1-0 vs. Tampa Bay Mutiny (GK – Ian Feuer) 90 mins.
09/01/99 3-0 vs. Charleston Battery (GK – Ian Feuer) 90 mins.
09/13/99 0-2 vs. Rochester Raging Rhinos (GK – Ian Feuer) 65 mins.

Carolina RailHawks (2007, 329 mins.)
06/12/07 4-1 vs. RWB Adria (GK Chris McClellan) 14 mins.
06/26/07 4-0 vs. Bavarian SC (GK – Chris McClellan) 90 mins.
07/15/07 1-0 vs. Chicago Fire (GK – John O’Hara) 90 mins.
08/07/07 1-0 vs. Richmond Kickers (GK – Chris McClellan) 90 mins.
09/04/07 1-2 vs. New England Revolution (GK – Chris McClellan) 45 mins.

Charleston Battery (2007, 324 mins.)
08/02/06 3-3 (PKL 3-5) vs. FC Dallas (GK – Dusty Hudock) 1 min.
06/12/07 3-0 vs. Central Florida Kraze (GK – Keith Wiggans) 90 mins.
06/26/07 1-0 vs. El Paso Patriots (GK – Dusty Hudock) 90 mins.
07/10/07 1-0 vs. Houston Dynamo (GK – Dusty Hudock) 120 mins.
08/07/07 1-2 vs. FC Dallas (GK – Dusty Hudock) 23 mins.

San Jose Earthquakes (2000-2001, 292 mins.)
08/09/00 0-2 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (GK – Joe Cannon) 9 mins.
06/27/01 6-0 vs. Central Coast Roadrunners (GK – Jon Conway) 90 mins.
07/11/01 0-0 (PKW 7-6) vs. Milwaukee Rampage (GK – Jon Conway) 120 mins.
07/24/01 1-1 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (GK – Jon Conway) 73 mins.

Dallas Roma FC (2006, 259 mins.)
06/14/06 2-2 (PKW 4-2) vs. Laredo Heat (GK – Jesse Llamas) 14 mins.
06/28/06 1-0 vs. Miami FC (GK – Jesse Llamas) 90 mins.
07/12/06 0-0 (PKW 4-2) vs. Chivas USA (GK – Jesse Llamas) 120 mins.
08/01/06 0-2 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (GK – Nestor Merlo) 35 mins.

Longest Shutout Streak in Professional Era (1995 – present)
DC United (1996-97)  564 mins.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS (2008)  421 mins.
Colorado Rapids (1999)  381 mins.
Carolina RailHawks (2007)  329 mins.
Charleston Battery (2007)  324 mins.
San Jose Earthquakes (2000-01)  292 mins.
Dallas Roma FC (2006)  259 mins.

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

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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: Marc Burch’s left foot gives DC United another win over Rochester

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A pair of Marc Burch free kicks were the difference as DC United defeated the Rochester Rhinos 2-0 in the Third Round of the tournament on Tuesday. It was the third all-time meeting between these clubs (1996, 2000), with United earning 3-0 shutouts in each of the last two.

In their 11th US Open Cup, this marks the eighth trip to the Quarterfinals for the Black-and-Red. With the victory, DC earns a home date with the Chicago Fire next week at the Maryland Soccerplex in Boyds, Md.

Burch, starting at center back for United, used his left foot to score both goals on low driving shots that found the back of the net in the 78th and 85th minutes.

Lineups

Rochester Rhinos — Scott Vallow, Nate Craft, Tenywa Bonseu (Rey Angel Martinez 86), Scott Palguta, John Ball, Luke Kreamalmeyer, Danny Earls (Hamed Diallo 82), Tiger Fitzpatrick, John Menyonger (Matthew Delicate 59), Ze Roberto, Mauricio Salles

Substitutes Not Used: Harrison Chase, Alfonso Loera, Juan Pablo Reyes

D.C. United — Zach Wells, Pat Carroll (Domenic Mediate 78), Gonzalo Martinez (Craig Thompson 46), Devon McTavish, Marc Burch, Quavas Kirk, Rod Dyachenko, Dan Stratford (Clyde Simms 46), Ryan Cordeiro, Francis Doe, Luciano Emilio (Fred 46)

Substitutes Not Used: Dane Murphy, James Thorpe, Mike Zaher

D.C. United  Rochester Rhinos
total shots:  11  (Rod Dyachenko 3)  7  (Luke Kreamalmeyer 2, Mauricio Salles 2)
shots on goal:  7  (Rod Dyachenko 3)  1  (John Menyonger 1)
fouls:  7  (Dan Stratford 2)  15  (3 tied with 3)
offsides:  5  (5 tied with 1)  1  (Danny Earls 1)
corner kicks:  7  (Marc Burch 6)  0  
saves:  1  (Zach Wells 1)  5  (Scott Vallow 5)

Misconduct Summary:
ROC — Tenywa Bonseu (caution; Pushing, Holding) 79
ROC — Tiger Fitzpatrick (caution; Tackle from Behind) 84
ROC — Mauricio Salles (caution; Dissent) 90

Referee: Mark Kadlecik
Referee’s Assistants: Jason Callum; Rob Fereday
4th official: John Schmitz
time of game: 1:51
attendance: 2,752
weather: Clear -and- 75 degrees

2007 Third Round: City Islanders upset DC United in ‘Clash of the Capitals’

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Steve Fisher will go down in the annals of Harrisburg City Islanders history as the man who gave the club their first victory over a Major League Soccer club. His goal in the 44th minute off a David Schofield corner kick that was the difference in Harrisburg’s 1-0 victory over DC United at Hempfield High School in Landisville, Pa. It was the first time that DC United had fallen to a Second Division side in the Open Cup, and only the third time that they have lost to a USL club at any level.

The 1996 US Open Cup champions fought valiantly in the second half, but a stalwart defense and the sure hands of Matt Nelson protected the lead and moved the City Islanders into the Quarterfinals in their first Open Cup appearance.

The match was the third meeting between the two clubs, but the first one that counted. United won the previous two games that were both exhibitions (billed as “The Clash of the Capitals”).

Their reward for the win is a road match with the New England Revolution. The good news is that they won’t have to travel all the way to Foxboro, because the Revs are hosting the next round at Lusitano Stadium in Ludlow, Mass. — the home of the Western Mass Pioneers.

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