Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

FC Dallas/Dallas Burn

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

2011 US Open Cup Semifinals: Sounders continue path to three-peat, down FC Dallas 1-0

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Fredy Montero (center) mobbed after scoring winner

Surrounded by green, the visiting FC Dallas side was unable to find its way out of the forest and into the US Open Cup Championship October 4, falling 1-0 to the host Seattle Sounders at the Starfire Soccer Complex Tuesday night in the Open Cup Semifinal, before a packed house of 4,593. Fredy Montero provided the winner on the 40-minute mark.

Three proved to be the appropriate theme of the night. The third-year MLS Sounders advanced to the final for a chance to make history with a three-peat. It was the third meeting of the year between the two clubs tonight, and for the third time the match ended 1-0.

Dallas won the first league meeting in Seattle earlier in the year, courtesy of Brek Shea. Mauro Rosales provided the winner in Frisco 10 days ago. Tonight, it was Fredy Montero that made a nice cut at the edge of the box, creating a little space before ripping a low shot inside the far post past Kevin Hartman.

Rosales, though, was at the heart of the Sounders offensive flow in the first half, as they attempted to take the attack to an FC Dallas defense that has posted four shutouts of late in the CONCACAF Champions League. Dallas, however, withheld returning player George John from the starting lineup following his return from England Sunday evening, after his transfer to Blackburn fell through.

Montero beats Ugo Ihemelu just before hitting winner

In the 26th minute, Jeff Parke and Montero worked the remnants of a corner kick around to Rosales, who fired just wide of the post.

It was one of few quality chances either side had on the night, despite the Sounders holding the majority of play in the offensive end, particularly in the first half. Opportunities for the home club seemed to be hanging in the atmosphere of the intimate venue, as the mob of fans surrounded the red and white of the visitors, smothering everything in sight with a relentless wave of noise and enthusiasm.

An Alvaro Fernandez chance in the 35th also went for naught, with Kevin Hartman punching the attempt from the baseline away.

But Montero’s one little move, on a night when space seemed to be at a premium, made the difference five minutes before the break. He sent Ugo Ihemelu, who also made a defensive error that led to the winning Sounders goal in Frisco 10 days ago, the wrong way before letting loose the curling left-footer.

Daniel Cruz at the receiving end in a physical match, finding himself sent into the boards

Spending the majority of their time defending their own end, the visitors saw even fewer chances at beating Kasey Keller, relying primarily on counter opportunities that never seemed to find a good connection.

Four minutes into the second half, however, Marvin Chavez made a move that nearly mirrored that of Montero’s. He collected the ball on the left side of the box, made a quick juke to create a little space from a Seattle defender, then blasting a shot that made a loud thud as it smacked off the left post, piercing the air of the momentarily silent audience.

Another half hour of soccer was nearly added onto what was at times a physical contest in the tight confines of the play. Midway into three minutes of stoppage time, Chavez again had a chance to be the hero for Dallas when the ball came to him.

Kasey Keller was largely untested on the night

Keller uncharacteristically had missed greatly in a scramble to clear the ball, which would find its way out to the top of the box to Chavez, who skied his attempt harmlessly well over the goal as Keller, and his defenders scurried to protect what was an open net.

Match Report

Scoring Summary:
SEA — Fredy Montero (Alvaro Fernandez) 40

Misconduct Summary:
DAL — Daniel Cruz (caution; Reckless Foul) 12
DAL — Daniel Hernandez (caution; Dissent) 22
SEA — Leo Gonzalez (caution; Tactical Foul) 35
SEA — Brad Evans (caution; Reckless Tackle) 58
DAL — Ricardo Villar (caution; Reckless Tackle) 63
DAL — Maicon Santos (caution; Dissent) 63
DAL — Daniel Hernandez (ejection; Violent Conduct) 94+

Lineups:

FC Dallas — Kevin Hartman, Jair Benitez (Jack Stewart 89), Jeremy Hall, Ugo Ihemelu, Andrew Jacobson, Daniel Hernandez, Daniel Cruz (George John 46), Marvin Chavez, Brek Shea, Ricardo Villar (Jackson 64), Maicon Santos.
Substitutes Not Used: Victor Ulloa, Bobby Warshaw, Andrew Wiedeman, Chris Seitz.

Seattle Sounders — Kasey Keller, Zach Scott, Jeff Parke, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Leo Gonzalez, Mauro Rosales, Osvaldo Alonso, Brad Evans, Alvaro Fernandez (Lamar Neagle 84), Fredy Montero (James Riley 89), Pat Noonan (Mike Fucito 66).
Substitutes Not Used: Erik Friberg, Nate Jaqua, Tyson Wahl, Josh Ford.

Referee: Hilario Grajeda
Referee’s Assistants: Mike Rottersman; Paul Scott
4th Official: Jeff Hosking
Attendance: 4,593
Time of Game: 1:53
Weather: Partly Cloudy and 68 degrees

Above videos and all photos by Gerald Barnhart / TheCup.us

Above video courtesy of SoundersFC.com

FC Dallas: Road Warriors at the end of a long path in Seattle

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When FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman said today after the club’s training session at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, WA in advance of Tuesday night’s US Open Cup Semifinal that the team has been on the road for two months, he was not kidding. Since the team’s 2-0 Open Cup quarterfinal victory over Real Salt Lake in Frisco July 12, the team has played a busy marathon schedule that has seen them in action on the road for eight of the dozen matches, including five of the last six.

“It’s definitely a challenge with all the games, all the stress and all the pressure and all the travel,” says coach Schellas Hyndman. “At the same time, we wouldn’t want it any other way."

Tuesday’s match will mark the end of the stretch on the road, though still quite busy, as five of the next six will come at home. It will undoubtedly be a relief.

The physical and mental approach heading into the Open Cup contest is huge according to Hyndman, saying “With all of the traveling – being away from your family and loved ones – and playing the games, I continually compliment our players on their commitment to this team and their ability to bounce back. It’s really been truly surprising, but it shouldn’t surprise me. After the game against Kansas City with the Toronto events it just shows wonderful qualities.

“You know, we’ve been on the road almost two months traveling. We were one of the teams that had to do a play-in so we went down to El Salvador to play and came up to play us; and then of course US Open Cup games and a bunch of games here in the season. In many ways it’s been a great team bonding.”

That bonding has gone well. After advancing to the tournament semifinals Dallas played host to DC in a scoreless draw before hitting the road, playing three consecutively in Toronto (July 20, 1-0 win), New York (July 23, 2-2 draw) and El Salvador (July 28, 1-0 win) for three different competitions. Although they were able to spend the next week at home, it was certainly no vacation with a pair of 1-0 victories against Chivas USA (July 31) and Alianza (August 3).

The recent run has sent Dallas throughout North America with a game in Los Angeles against the league leading Galaxy (August 6, 3-1 loss), one in Philadelphia (August 13, 2-2 draw), and a Champions League fixture in Mexico against Pumas, where they registered a historic 1-0 victory to give MLS it’s first-ever win in Mexico (August 17).

They were home three days later to host the Sounders in a preview of Tuesday night’s affair, but saw just one small mistake prove the difference in a 1-0 loss.

“Seattle has been on a great run. They are a well-coached team and an extremely talented group of players,” said Hyndman. “We thought that game could have gone either way. We were down a man and we threw everything we had at them and they were resilient. Mauro Rosales scored a great goal 15 minutes into the game and we were trying to play catch up. Last time we were here (May 25) we were very fortunate Brek Shea got a goal and then we were resilient. So I think its two very good teams trying to make a statement in the league.”

“We would like to be considered one of the more elite teams within Major League Soccer. We would like to establish ourselves internationally and develop a presence where teams within the region kind of respect us and what we have been able to accomplish," says goalkeeper Kevin Hartman

One of the key resilient players Hyndman has relied on this season has been goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, who has led a defensive unit that has found great success of late with four shutouts in Champions League play. Hartman is one player on the team that knows full well the trials of tackling all three competitions head on. He has played every minute of the campaign thus far in 2011.

“It’s a struggle,” Hartman said with a slight chuckle in response to the challenge of keeping mentally and physically focused for the marathon. “I think you try to balance what becomes the most important on a week to week basis. Certainly, we’d like to continue to put some points up on the board in group play in Champions League so maybe in some of the latter parts of group play we are able to kinda give some guys a break.

“This game tomorrow is obviously critical because it’s a win or go home situation. It’s the third game – or fourth game actually because we had to replay the Champions League game on Thursday – so we’ve been playing a ton of matches in the past week and it’s really difficult to make sure that you continue to be up, but you realize it’s what you’ve spent all this other time dedicated to. If you don’t take it in the right frame of mind, then unfortunately it will be a wasted effort.”

The Dallas defense must certainly be dialed in then. The club made history as the second non-Mexican club to post two shutouts in any two-leg CCL series (Preliminary or knockout stages), blanking Alianza (El Salvador) in a pair of one-goal decisions. The Texan side then became the first club in MLS history to record a victory, 1-0, in Mexico, defeating a Pumas side that entered the match with its only loss at home in 11 previous CCL contests coming at the hands of a league rival.

Dallas’ shutout streak was extended last week with a 1-0 victory at Toronto in a match replayed Thursday morning after a lightning postponement the night before wiped out a 1-0 halftime lead. They joined the Montreal Impact (4) and Pachuca (5) as the only clubs to run off a series of four shutouts. No current MLS club has registered more than two consecutive shutouts in the tournament. The fourth shutout also lifted Dallas into a new level for shutouts in a single tournament, becoming only the third non-Mexican club and 10th overall to reach four (3 shutouts have been posted an additional 11 times).

“I think the guys really work hard on both sides of the ball,” said Hyndman about their performances. “It’s not just the goalkeeper that’s getting the shutouts, it’s the back four as well as the team.

Defender George John (L) has been a key figure in defense; Brek Shea (R) scored the 1-0 winner in the previous MLS match in Seattle

“One of the ways you stop teams from scoring is putting pressure on the ball. And when you put pressure on the ball you need people to support the ball. And I think this group of players seems to have been in a pretty good organizational mode. They seem to be coming up with the right spacing and saves from our goalkeeper. But we also know we had lost George John there for a few games, and we got him back. We are really excited to have him back to be part of that defensive team.”

The news breaking over the weekend that the defender’s move to Blackburn of the English Premier League fell apart created an additional buzz surrounding Tuesday night’s affair. Having missed the Philadelphia match earlier this month and the past two games last week in anticipation of the move to the UK, John returned to the country Sunday evening from Heathrow. But will he play?

“I am sure he will,” said Hyndman.

The transfer situation surrounding John was just another item mixed in with the numerous obstacles in the path of the club that is in contention for four different championships.

“It’s definitely a challenge with all the games, all the stress and all the pressure and all the travel,” said Hyndman. “At the same time, we wouldn’t want it any other way.

“I keep telling people that when I walk by the mirror and I look into the mirror I say ‘God, who is that stressed out aging man, and say is this really the life I want? And I reply , what better life could it be?’ So, I am sure our players all understand that this is a good moment for our club and we try do the best that we possibly can.”

In his 15th season in the league, Hartman certainly understands that feeling.

“It is something that we are very proud of,” the all-time MLS leader in wins, shutouts, saves and games played said about being in the running for four titles. “We would like to be considered one of the more elite teams within Major League Soccer. We would like to establish ourselves internationally and develop a presence where teams within the region kind of respect us and what we have been able to accomplish. And the only way we are gonna be able do that is to win championships.

“We made it into the final last year in Toronto and unfortunately we weren’t able to win it; and we realize how fickle a championship is. So it’s something you have to make sure to give yourself as many opportunities as possible so that you are playing the percentages and you are going to get something. I think we are a dedicated group. We are a group that really believes in one another. I think the fact that we have been able to overcome adversity and find success is something that continues to build that.”

Part of that equation is the Open Cup for Hartman, who sees the tournament as a serious event as opposed to the distraction some teams treat it as.

“It probably varies from person to person, but I would say from my perspective it’s an opportunity to win a very, very historic championship within the United States. It’s something that really; it’s all levels, so it’s something that guys I used to play with in college are competing in. I think as MLS has really taken shape it’s become something where it also varies from team to team exactly how seriously they take it.

“From our perspective, it’s something we really look at as an opportunity to try to continue to create a winning mentality and winning attitude. It’s certainly something that we take seriously.”

The Sounders, winners of the tournament the past two years, unquestionably also handle the event with the same approach.

“Certainly we have a ton of respect for what Seattle does here and what they have been able to accomplish,” said Hartman. “They are probably very excited about having the game here at Starfire again.”

Although Dallas has not experienced any of that kind of championship success since winning the tournament in 1997, Hartman personally knows the feeling having played for the Galaxy from 1997 to 2005, helping the club win two Supporters’ Shields (1998, 2002), two MLS Cups (2002, 2005), a CONCACAF title (2000) and a pair of Open Cup championships in 2001 and 2005.

He looks back on his experiences fondly and with excitement in his voice recalling moments from his Open Cup past.

“I think seeing Alexi Lalas run up into the ivy at Cal State Fullerton when I was playing with the Los Angeles Galaxy was a pretty funny thing,” said Hartman immediately upon reminiscing, recalling the post-game reaction by his teammate after the 2-1 overtime victory against the New England Revolution at Titan Stadium in the 2001 Final.

“Some of the venues that I have played in, obviously it makes you kind of remember how passionate the fans are within US soccer and from city to city. It has been a great thing to experience. I remember playing up in Minnesota where the fans are three feet behind you and they really came out and supported – I imagine it was the USA Cup where they were probably have tournaments at the same time.

“I think the biggest thing for me is how crazy the games can get. It’s not necessarily how teams are ranked or what league that they are in. There is a ton of passion and I think the passion overspills the stands and comes out there on the field and you’ll see some wacky and wild games; and I certainly have been a part of a bunch of those. I think that a tournament type atmosphere really caters towards that.”

All photos by Gerald Barnhart, for more visit TheCup.us Facebook page


2011 US Open Cup Semifinal Preview: Champions League sides Seattle Sounders & FC Dallas square off in ‘Super Semifinal’

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Historically, Major League Soccer teams are not supposed to win in Mexico. In the past few weeks, however, both FC Dallas and the Seattle Sounders have etched their names in history with victories south of the border in the CONCACAF Champions League. On Tuesday, the two clubs, both also in contention for the regular season and MLS Cup titles, look to book a spot in US Open Cup Final.

The game will be held at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash. and will kickoff at 10 p.m. EST.

A power couple, Seattle and Dallas were both in Finals a year ago. The Sounders captured a second consecutive Open Cup title while Dallas came up short in the MLS Cup Final against Colorado. As if that were not enough, both are in contention for 2011-12 to vie for four championships – the United States Soccer Majors. Both are within five points of current league-leader Los Angeles in the chase for the Supporters’ Shield and are therefore firmly in position to reach the playoffs for the MLS Cup. In addition, an unprecedented start for MLS in the CCL has seen both sides take control of their fate two games into the group phase.

And not much separates the two clubs either as witnessed by a 1-0 decision in favor of Seattle just over a week ago in Texas. A rare mistake from defender Ugo Ihemelu, who scored a CCL game-winner earlier this month, allowed Lamar Neagle to take possession and set up the winning score. He found Fredy Montero, who led a flying Mauro Rosales down the right side where he fired a low 18-yard shot past Kevin Hartman, who has been perfect in the CCL with four shutouts in as many games. The win was Seattle’s first at Pizza Hut Park and gave the club sole possession of second place.

FINAL SCENARIOS

If the Seattle Sounders defeat FC Dallas on Tuesday, they will host the 2011 US Open Cup Final. If FC Dallas win, the only way they can host the championship game is if they are victorious against Seattle and the Richmond Kickers upset the Chicago Fire.

BROADCASTING

The game will have an online video broadcast through SoundersFC.com with Arlo White providing the commentary.  TheCup.us, as always, will have a live blog during both Semifinal matches beginning at 8 p.m. EST.

FC Dallas

Since the Quarterfinals: Dallas has been by far the busiest of the four semifinal sides since the quarterfinals, playing a dozen games in MLS and Champions League play. The club has kept its form with only two losses, the recent loss to Seattle and a 3-1 defeat in LA to the Galaxy, with a record of 7-2-3 overall (3-2-3 in MLS, 4-0-0 in CCL). Seattle has played the second most with 10 games, Richmond nine and Chicago seven. The Dallas defense has been impressive over the past 12 games, allowing only 10 goals with four consecutive shutouts in Champions League play among them. Including the 2-0 quarterfinal win, Dallas has posted seven shutouts in all competitions over the last 13 games and have yet to allow a goal in the Champions League where they are making history defensively. The biggest victory came August 17 when they edged Pumas in Mexico on a strike from Marvin Chavez in the 66th minute, making Dallas the first MLS club to win in Mexico. On Saturday, the club found themselves down two goals in Kansas City, but rebounded with three unanswered strikes, including two in the final five minutes, to win 3-2. Two minutes after Omar Bravo made it 2-0, Daniel Hernandez scored in the 70th to keep Dallas in the contest. Maicon Santos then leveled the score in the 89th minute on an assist from Brek Shea, who also found Bobby Warshaw in the second minute of stoppage time for the winner.

Quarterfinal: Real Salt Lake (MLS) 0:2 FC Dallas (MLS)
Trends won out as first-time Quarterfinalists RSL remained winless at Pizza Hut Park, falling to all-time leading Quarterfinalist (12 appearances) FC Dallas. Jair Benitez gave the home side the lead 18 minutes in and Jackson provided some insurance in the 54th. Recap [+]

Third Round: Orlando City (USL Pro) 2:3 FC Dallas (MLS)
The hosts had to work for the victory against the lower division visitors as Orlando City got the surprising lead 24 minutes in. Jackson, on an assist from Ricardo Villar, would score in the 39th minute to make it 1-1 at the break. Villar would tally himself five minutes into the second half for what looked increasingly like the winner until Orlando found an equalizer in stoppage time. But less than a minute later the stunned home crowd were sent into a frenzy when Jackson found Milton Rodriguez for the winner.  Full Recap [+]

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

The Dallas Burn defeated DC United in penalty kicks to win the 1997 US Open Cup title. Photo courtesy of FC Dallas.

Open Cup History: Up to 2009, FC Dallas could claim the distinction of being the only MLS team to participate in every Pro Era Open Cup tournament since the league began in 1996. Dallas found success early in their Open Cup history, reaching the Semifinals in 1996 and winning the title on penalties over DC United in 1997. This is Dallas’ 12th Quarterfinals appearance, which is more than any MLS team in the Pro Era (1995-present). After last round’s victory, they improved their all-time quarterfinal record to 5-5-1 (1-0 in PKs). They are 3-3-0 all-time in semifinal matches, including a 2-1 extra time win over the Sounders in 2007 when they were a USL First Division side. In fact, the last time Dallas played a road game in the Open Cup was in that 2007 game at Qwest Field (now called CenturyLink Field).

While this is the first time the two have met as MLS franchises in Open Cup play, this will mark the third time Dallas has played the Sounders in the tournament. Before their 2007 encounter, Dallas’ first Open Cup game in franchise history was a quarterfinal meeting in 1996 against the Sounders of the A-League. The Burn (as they were known then) won the game 3-2 at the Cotton Bowl. (More details below)

As a side note, Dallas’ worst loss in the tournament came in 2001 at the hands of a PDL side by the name of the Seattle Sounders Select. In the Second Round that year, the young Sounders saw a one-goal lead disappear twice, with the last equalizer coming from Ariel Gaziani in the 78th minute for the Burn. In extra time, Kurt Ness would score the golden goal in the 97th minute to complete one of the biggest upsets of the Professional Era.

PRO ERA RECORDS: 21-12-4 (4-0 in PKs) | 6-8-2 vs. MLS teams

MORE: FC Dallas: Road warriors at the end of a long path in Seattle

Seattle Sounders

Since the Quarterfinals: The Sounders hit a mini rough patch after advancing from the quarterfinals. A wild 4-3 victory over reigning MLS champion Colorado was followed by a pair of losses as they dropped a 1-0 decision in Panama against San Francisco in their Champions League Preliminary Round opener and then fell 3-1 in Houston. The Sounders rebounded to advance via series overtime at home against San Francisco in the next match, sparking a seven-game unbeaten streak in all competitions heading into Tuesday. The current run of 6-0-1 includes the victories in Monterrey and Dallas as well as an impressive 4-1 Champions League win against Guatemalan power Comunicaciones. The Sounders were the second MLS club to win in Mexico, avenging a pair of defeats to the same Monterrey side they also played in the group phase a year ago. Alvaro Fernandez provided the 1-0 winner in the 38th minute avenge a heartbreaking road loss from the year before in which they saw a two-goal lead not hold up en route to a 3-2 loss to Monterrey. Seattle comes into the semifinal contest off an impressive 6-2 victory against the Columbus Crew Saturday in which they led 4-0 before the break. Lamar Neagle had a hat-trick on the day and Mike Fucito, TheCup.us Player of the Third Round, had a goal and an assist.

Quarterfinal: Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) 1:3 Seattle Sounders (MLS)
A year later it was Nate Jaqua again in the spotlight as Seattle downed the visiting Galaxy in the Quarterfinals for the second consecutive year. Jaqua notched a goal and an assist in the first 25 minutes as Seattle advanced to the Semifinals. If you include the Sounders’ USL history, it marked the fifth time in a row the club has reached the final four. No Professional Era team has accomplished that feat. Recap [+]

Third Round: Kitsap Pumas (PDL) 1:2 Seattle Sounders (MLS)
Mike Fucito put the Sounders up two goals, but the finish was not easy as the PDL side fought back with a goal from former number one MLS draft pick Nik Besagno. Recap [+]

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

The Seattle Sounders won their second straight US Open Cup title last year. Photo: Seattle Sounders

Open Cup History: Sounders FC set out to become a force in the Open Cup during their 2009 inaugural year, and did just that. They became the first expansion team since Chicago Fire in 1998 to take the Cup, winning 2-1 against DC United at RFK Stadium. They then turned around and made more history in 2010, as they became the first team since the New York Pancyprian Freedoms in 1982 and 1983 to win back-to-back Open Cup titles. Their victims this time were the Columbus Crew, by the score of 2-1 in front of the largest Final crowd ever (31,311). Used to going against MLS teams, this will be the second consecutive year Seattle and Los Angeles have played in the Open Cup, with Seattle notching a 2-0 win last year at Starfire.

Officially, the Sounders MLS franchise does not recognize the club’s USL history, but if they did … the Seattle Sounders have been competing in the Open Cup since 1995 and have reached the Semifinals three times (1995, 2007, 2008). The USL club’s all-time Open Cup record was 15-11-2 (1-1 in PKs) with an impressive 11-2-1 (1-0 in PKs) record at home and they eliminated five MLS teams (2003 – San Jose; 2007 – Chivas USA & Colorado Rapids; 2008 – Chivas USA & Kansas City Wizards).

PRO ERA RECORDS: 9-0-1 (1-0 in PKs) overall | 7-0-0 vs. MLS Teams

HEAD-TO-HEAD (Including Seattle’s USL history)

1996 US Open Cup Quarterfinals
Dallas Burn (MLS) 3:2 Seattle Sounders (A-League)
Cotton Bowl – Dallas, TX

The Sounders reached the Semifinals the year before, but with MLS entering the competition, the defending A-League champions had a much tougher road. They traveled to the Cotton Bowl to take on the Dallas Burn and three minutes into the game they had the lead when Joey Leonetti five-holed Mark Dodd to put the visitors up 1-0. The Sounders would take that lead into halftime, but the Burn came out firing in second half. Lawrence Lozzano tied the game in the 58th minute on an assist by Gerell Elliott. 12 minutes later, Mark Santel sent a through ball to Elliott in behind the Seattle defense and he tucked away the Burn’s second goal of the night. In the 79th minute, Dallas added an insurance goal as Elliott assisted on Ted Eck’s goal, beating Seattle’s promising young goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann. Seattle’s David Hoggan would convert a penalty kick in second half stoppage time, but the Burn would emerge victorious 3-2. (Fun fact: Jeff Cassar and Tom Soehn entered the game in the second half for Dallas, with both players making their respective MLS debuts)

2007 US Open Cup Semifinals
FC Dallas (MLS) 2:1 Seattle Sounders (USL-1)
Qwest Field – Seattle, WA

Dallas returned to the Semifinals for the second time in three years with a 2-1 extra time win over the Seattle Sounders. All the scoring came in extra time when Carlos Ruiz put the visitors up 1-0 in the 91st minute. In the final minutes of extra time, Abe Thompson was brought down in the penalty area by Zach Scott and was awarded a penalty kick. After Noah Merl was sent off for something that occurred away from the play, the Sounders would have to play with 10 men in the final minutes. Leighton O’Brien did manage to cut the lead in half at the end, but it was too little, too late.

Hosting scenarios for 2011 US Open Cup Final announced

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The United States Soccer Federation has unveiled the hosting possibilities for the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The match will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 4, regardless of the location. The combination of winners of the Semifinal match-ups, which will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 30, will determine where the championship will be decided.

The defending two-time champion Seattle Sounders are in the driver’s seat as potential hosts. The club was selected to host the tournament final against the other semifinal winner should they defeat 2010 MLS Cup finalist FC Dallas, a fellow participant in the ongoing CONCACAF Champions League. Should Seattle falter, the location will be determined by the result of the semifinal featuring the Chicago Fire and Richmond Kickers, members of the third-division USL Pro.

Championship Host Scenarios

Chicago Fire / Richmond Kickers at Seattle Sounders
CenturyLink Field – Seattle, Wash. – Time TBA
OR
FC Dallas at Chicago Fire
Toyota Park – Bridgeview, Ill. – Time TBA
OR
Richmond Kickers at FC Dallas
Pizza Hut Park – Frisco, Texas – Time TBA

The tournament resumes Tuesday evening after a month break in play with semifinal contests hosted by Chicago and Seattle.

In the first game, the four-time tournament champion Chicago Fire welcomes this year’s lower division surprise, the Richmond Kickers of USL Pro (3rd Division) into Toyota Park at 8:30 p.m. EST. The second game will feature the defending Open Cup champion Seattle Sounders as they host FC Dallas at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash starting at 10:00 pm EST.

The Sounders, who are looking to become the fourth club in US Open Cup history to three-peat, will host the final for the second year in a row if they are victorious. Seattle has yet to lose a championship game in their brief MLS history (2-0-0).

The Chicago Fire are attempting to make history with their record-tying fifth Open Cup title this year. If they win their final four match against Richmond, they need FC Dallas to beat Seattle in order for the Fire to host. Historically, this would be a boost to the Fire because they have never lost a championship game on their home field, winning the 1998, 2000 and 2006 titles. They won the 2003 tournament at Giants Stadium against the Metrostars, but they suffered their only championship game loss at Kansas City in 2004. They have not reached a final since beating the Los Angeles Galaxy 3-1 at Toyota Park in 2006.

The only time FC Dallas has ever hosted an Open Cup Final was when they lost to the New England Revolution in 2007, but this year they will be attempting to lift their second Dewar Cup. Their only title came in the 1997 tournament when they beat DC United in penalty kicks after a scoreless draw at Carroll Track and Field Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. (Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis).

The Richmond Kickers, who have made history by becoming the first lower division club to upset back-to-back MLS teams on the road, will have to win a third (at Chicago) and then a fourth (at either FC Dallas or Seattle) in order to win their second Open Cup championship. The Kickers won the 1995 Open Cup as a member of the USISL Premier League (now USL Premier Development League). They defeated two professional teams before upsetting a third pro team, the El Paso Patriots, in penalty kicks 4-2 to claim the championship after a 1-1 draw.

The home team is 10-3-1 (0-1 in PKs) in Open Cup Finals in the Professional Era (1995-present) with two games (1997, 1999) being played at neutral venues.

Hosts are determined via a blind bid process by the USSF that takes into account numerous factors such as facilities, potential or guaranteed revenue, fans and media.

2011 US Open Cup Quarterfinal Recap: Historic pair of nights as Richmond, Seattle post wins

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The first of two nights in the 2011 US Open Cup Quarterfinals was a night in which we saw three different kinds of coach reactions of note. The final match Wednesday evening was yet another Sounders-fest as the two-time defending champions cruised to another win.

Photo: FC Dallas

First there was the complete disregard for the event with the Red Bulls sending one first team player, 13 reserves and second-level assistant coach to Chicago. Not surprisingly, it was an easy victory for the Fire, who took the match seriously.

Then there were a pair of coaches who were vocal in the lead up that they wanted to win and perhaps even more vocal in defeat. Reports indicate both Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City coaches reprimanded their star-laden squads after lackluster performances in losses. RSL fell yet again in Dallas after winning at home against the same team over the weekend. Kansas City suffered its first-ever loss in the new stadium, which ended a 12-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.

And finally, there was the genius of Richmond Kickers manager Leigh Cowlishaw. A stunning starting lineup for the last remaining lower division side saw the two stars David Bulow and Matthew Delicate start on the bench. The surprising tactic, though mostly out of need to rest the pair, proved brilliant for a club that saw a stormy night of action for the second time in five nights.

Perhaps prepared by the lengthy two-hour lightning delay the Kickers waited out Friday evening in league play, the side made a couple switches when play resumed after a similar break of approximately 80 minutes Tuesday at the 65th minute mark and caught the hosts asleep. Two second half goals led to a historic result that included a laundry list of achievements at the team and individual player levels.

In the Semifinals, set for August 30, the Richmond Kickers will be traveling to face the Chicago Fire while the Seattle Sounders play host to FC Dallas.

Richmond Kickers 2:0 Sporting Kansas City

The Kickers became the first lower division club to record back-to-back road wins against MLS clubs in the tournament and David Bulow’s penalty made him the all-time leading scorer in the Professional Era, passing Jaime Moreno and Johnny Menyongar. TheCup.us Match MVP: Ronnie Pascale

New York Red Bulls 0:4 Chicago Fire 

Dominic Oduro wasted no time with the opening goal after seven minutes. The Fire ran away with it early in the second half as well with Orr Barouch scoring twice. TheCup.us Match MVP: Orr Barouch

Real Salt Lake 0:2 FC Dallas 

Trends won out as first-time Quarterfinalists RSL remained winless at Pizza Hut Park, falling to all-time leading Quarterfinalist (12 appearances) FC Dallas. TheCup.us Match MVP: Jackson

Los Angeles Galaxy 1:3 Seattle Sounders

A year later it was Nate Jaqua again in the spotlight as Seattle downed the visiting Galaxy in the Quarterfinals for the second consecutive year. Jaqua notched a goal and an assist in the first 25 minutes as Seattle advanced to a Professional Era record fifth consecutive Semifinal appearance via the USL and MLS clubs.  TheCup.us Match MVP: Nate Jaqua

2011 Quarterfinal Scoreboard [+]
2011 Quarterfinal Lineups [+]
2011 US Open Cup Bracket [+]
2011 US Open Cup Participant Map [+]
2011 US Open Cup Goalscoring Leaders [+]

2010 Open Cup Champion Sounders Set for CONCACAF Champions League starting Tuesday

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The 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup champion Seattle Sounders will kick off their second consecutive campaign in the CONCACAF Champions League Tuesday evening with a first leg match against San Francisco at Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama. The match is the opening contest of the 2011-12 edition of the CCL event, now in its fourth year as the new version of the confederation’s club championship. Current semifinalist FC Dallas is slated for its CCL debut.

Seattle Sounders in second CCL event as Open Cup champions

Currently in the midst of an 11-game unbeaten streak in league and Open Cup play, the Sounders have already booked a trip to the Open Cup semifinals in a bid to win a third consecutive tournament and are only third overall in the league table, four points back of first. With the postseason seemingly firmly in sight, the club may have an opportunity to seek redemption for its unfortunate results from a year ago.

In Seattle’s first CCL appearance last year, the Sounders advanced from the Preliminary Round 2-1 on aggregate against Isidro Metapan (EL Salvador) with a 1-0 win at home on a Fredy Montero strike and a 1-1 draw on the road with an Alvaro Fernandez equalizer. It then all went downhill in group play as they lost their first four games. Roger Levesque scored in a 2-1 loss at Marathon (Honduras) in the opener before they suffered a pair of 2-0 losses versus Monterrey (Mexico) and at Saprissa (Costa Rica) before falling 3-2 in Mexico in which Michael Fucito added to an own goal on the Sounders’ ledger. Fucito, who was recently honored as TheCup.us Player of the Round for his two goals in the Third Round 2-1 win against the Kitsap Pumas, continued to play a star role with two goals at home against Marathon for the club’s first group win, 2-0. Nate Jaqua tallied the final goal in their 2-1 loss to Saprissa.

San Francisco, meanwhile, is only two matches into its league campaign. Like Seattle, the club advanced to group play in its CCL debut in 2008-09 with a 5-1 aggregate victory over Jalapa (Guatemala), but came up winless in group play with only a pair of draws in six outings. Among the group matches San Francisco were a pair of games against the Houston Dynamo of MLS, playing to a scoreless draw at home and falling 2-1 in Texas.

Since then, however, San Francisco has failed to advance to the group stage. In their second appearance they were edged 3-2 on aggregate by San Juan Jabloteh (Trinidad). A year ago, they received the unfortunate draw of facing two-time CCL Finalist Cruz Azul, who dominated 9-2 over the course of the two games.

Panama’s outing from San Francisco, Arabe Unido and Tauro last year was the league’s worst in three years as the trio went 2-8-0 for a point-percentage of .200, ranking only better than Trinidad, which was .167. MLS, meanwhile had its best combined CCL campaign a year ago with a 14-12-4 record and .511 point-percentage, which trailed Mexico (.722) and Costa Rica (.556) of the nine leagues represented.

Head-to-head MLS has had the better of the match-up versus clubs from Panama with a record of 5-2-3, going unbeaten at home (4-0-1). Last year MLS was 3-1-0 versus Panamanian opposition, winning both home contests.

Three other MLS clubs prior to the Sounders represented the US Open Cup in CONCACAF’s championship tournament. In 2009-10 DC United advanced from the Preliminary Round versus Luis Angel Firpo (El Salvador) via penalties after a pair of 1-1 draws. They would find themselves too far behind after losing the first two groupd games versus Marathon and Toluca (Mexico) to advance despite winning the next three (two against Jabloteh plus Marathon) before wrapping up with a 1-1 draw in Mexico.

The year prior, the New England Revolution were embarrassed in the inaugural edition of the CCL, falling 6-1 on aggregate to Joe Public of Trinidad after a 4-0 loss in the second leg. In the previous Cup-version of the tournament, the Columbus Crew (2002 US Open Cup champions) won their First Round series versus Arabe Unido of Panama 4-2 on aggregate before bowing out in the Quarterfinals, 6-2 on aggregate, against Monarcas Morelia (Mexico) as the two split the series with a pair of shutout wins.

Seattle also has a little more history in CONCACAF. The lower division edition of the Sounders were entrants in the 1996 Champions Cup as the 1995 winners of the A-League (second division). The club dominated in a playoff between US and Caribbean entrants, downing SV Transvaal (Suriname), 10-0, before losing all three matches in the Championship Group phase, falling 2-0 to Comunicaciones (Guatemala), 4-1 to Necaxa (Mexico) and 11-0 to Cruz Azul.

Current Open Cup semifinalist FC Dallas makes CCL debut after MLS Cup runners-up finish

Seattle’s Semifinal US Open Cup opposition, FC Dallas, is the other MLS club set to begin play in the Champions League. The club will make its tournament debut with a Preliminary Round series against Alianza of El Salvador on the road Thursday at Estadio Cuscatlan.

It is also the first appearance in the CCL for Alianza, who will kick off their current league campaign Sunday against fellow CCL-qualifier Isidro Metapan, who host the Puerto Rico Islanders (NASL) Wednesday evening in the first leg of their Preliminary Round series.

The other US-based league side in the Champions League is Toronto FC. They will be the lone club of the four to play at home in the first leg of the Preliminary Round, playing host to Real Esteli of Nicaragua. It marks the Central American nation’s return to the tournament for the first time since the same club fell 1-0 on aggregate to the Montreal Impact (then USL First Division) in the 2008-09 Preliminary Round.

Although it may be a debut night for both FC Dallas and Alianza Thursday evening, teams from the two leagues have met previously with MLS hold the 3-1-4 edge in the all-time record of the current CCL format, including an unbeaten 3-0-1 record at home versus Salvadoran clubs. Last year’s only meeting was the Preliminary Round in which Seattle defeated Metapan.

Overall, El Salvador has not seen much success with only four match wins in 26 games over three years (4-13-9). Salvadoran clubs have been eliminated in three of their four Preliminary Round series. Firpo was a direct Group Stage entrant in 2008-09 with Metapan getting a group seed in 2009-10. Last year FAS became the first to advance from the Preliminary Round, posting a 3-1 aggregate victory over Xelaju (Guatemala) courtesy of a 2-0 road win that was the nation’s only victory in 10 total games as they went 1-5-4 combined.

Visit TheCup.us blog Extra Time for a preview of all the Preliminary Round CONCACAF Champions League matches [+]

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2011 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: FC Dallas burns visiting Real Salt Lake again

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Although the match was a reversal of the league result on the weekend in Utah, it was a night in which trends won out as FC Dallas blanked the visiting Real Salt Lake side 2-0 in the Quarterfinals, booking their seventh trip to the US Open Cup Semifinals. Jair Benitez and Jackson scored in the win as they advance to play the winner of the remaining Quarterfinal between Los Angeles Galaxy and Seattle Sounders.

Photo: FCDallas.com

The leaders in Quarterfinal appearances in the Professional Era with 12, and an unbeaten record at home (9-0-1) all-time versus Real Salt Lake, FC Dallas looked the more comfortable side in the match from the beginning. The first-time Quarterfinalists found themselves trailing after just 18 minutes, when Benitez curled a perfectly-placed free kick into the upper corner from 25 yards out. It was his first goal of the season in all competitions.

Just before the break, an FC Dallas corner resulted in a play that could have created plenty of post-game controversy had the visitors rallied for a different result. George John headed down to the near post from just outside the six, and the ball bounced up into what appeared to be, on replays, the arm of Ned Grabavoy, who was defending the goalline. The ball dropped down in front of the line where backup goalkeeper Kyle Reynish gathered it.

RSL had a quality chance to equalize in the first minute of the second half, when Tony Beltran went to fire from eight yards only to see Zach Lloyd appear at the last second to block the shot.

In the 53rd minute it was Fabian Espindola looking to level when he curled a shot from the right corner of the penalty area that went inches wide of the far post.

The miss proved critical, as less than a minute later Dallas doubled the advantage on the counter. Midfielder Eric Alexender found Jackson behind the defense, sending him in on goal. Facing goal, Jackson lifted the bouncing ball from 19 yards up over Reynish to match Saturday’s 2-0 scoreline.

Jackson, who had a goal and an assist in the club’s thrilling 3-2 Third Round win against USL’s Orlando City, nearly added a third tally to his career Open Cup account in the 61st minute, when an acute angle five yard shot that was two yards from the end line skimmed across the mouth of the goal.

Collen Warner nearly brought the visitors new life in the 73rd minute, with a shot from distance that smashed off the crossbar and bounced right in front of the goalline, dashing RSL’s hopes of a comeback.

Jackson continued to be a threat as time ticked away, keeping RSL on their heels. In the 81st minute, he sent a ball to Brek Shea in the box, but the striker’s shot on the bounce was blocked point-blank by Jamison Olave at that last moment.

The shutout would hold for Kevin Hartman. It was the first time Dallas blanked its opposition in the tournament since defeating the Chicago Fire in the 2005 Semifinals, going 10 games without a clean sheet in between.

The upcoming trip to the Semifinals is the club’s seventh. Only the Chicago Fire and DC United have reached the Final Four on more occasions (8 each) with the Galaxy also capable of reaching a seventh pending Wednesday’s contest in Tukwila, Wash. Dallas will play host to the Semifinal match with a Galaxy win, but will have to travel to play the defending two-time champion Sounders at Starfire should LA fall.

TheCup.us Match MVP: Jackson

Full match archive (FCDallas.com)
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Scoring Summary:
DAL – Jair Benitez 18
DAL – Jackson (Eric Alexander) 54

Misconduct Summary:
RSL – Fabian Espindola (caution; reckless foul) 14
DAL – Jair Benitez (caution; dissent) 37
RSL – Jamison Olave (caution; reckless foul) 40
DAL – Zach Loyd (caution; reckless foul) 45+
DAL – Andrew Wiedeman (caution; delay of game) 87

Lineups:

FC Dallas –- Kevin Hartman, Zach Loyd (Andrew Wiedeman 68), George John, Ugo Ihemelu, Jair Benitez, Eric Alexander, Bruno Guarda, Eric Avila, Ricardo Villar (Brek Shea 64), Bobby Warshaw, Marvin Chavez (Jackson 45).
Substitutes Not Used: Chris Seitz, Milton Rodriguez, Peri Marosevic, Daniel Hernandez.

Real Salt Lake –- Kyle Reynish, Tony Beltran, Jamison Olave, Nat Borchers, Chris Wingert (Collen Warner 58), Kyle Beckerman, Ned Grabavoy (Arturo Alvarez 58), Will Johnson, Andy Williams, Fabian Espindola (Jean Alexandre 66), Luis Gil.
Substitutes Not Used: Tim Melia, Robbie Russell, Chris Schuler, Jean Alexandre, Collen Warner, Nelson Gonzalez, Arturo Alvarez.

Referee: Michael Kennedy
Referee’s Assistants: Jonathan Johnson, Adam Garner
4th Official: Matthew Foerster
Weather: Partly Cloudy, 97 degrees

2011 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Real Salt Lake at FC Dallas Preview

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QUARTERFINAL ROUND

Real Salt Lake at FC Dallas
Pizza Hut Park – Frisco, TX
July 12 – 9:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: FCDallas.com (Video)

Real Salt Lake

Third Round: Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro) 0:2 Real Salt Lake (MLS)
Looking to book their return to the CONCACAF Champions League where they were in the Final just months prior, RSL handled the overmatched Wilmington Hammerheads with ease for a 2-0 win. It took 40 minutes to register the team’s control on the scoreboard when Tony Beltran took a pass from Jean Alexandre on the right side, beating Hammerheads goalkeeper Kyle Polak with a close angle shot to the near post, just outside the 6-yard box. Then in the 44th, Canadian international Will Johnson played in Alexandre, who worked past a defender and pulled Polak off his line to increase the lead to 2-0. It was RSL’s first Open Cup victory since 2006.  Full Recap [+]

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

This Month in MLS: In a wild Fourth of July contest, RSL kicked the month off in dramatic fashion against the New England Revolution, erasing a two-goal deficit from the first 16 minutes on a Will Johnson strike in the 24th and a penalty from Alvaro Saborio in the 56. Saborio would connect with Fabian Espindola for another equalizer in the 83rd in a 3-3 final scoreline. The team heads into the two-match league-Cup series with Dallas on a high note, blanking the Texas side 2-0 in Utah Saturday. Andy Williams netted two minutes into the second half and Espindola struck four minutes into stoppage time to rub salt in the wound.
Last Five: W-D-W-D-D | Season Record: 8-3-6 (2-2-3 Away), Fourth in Western Conference, Fourth overall.

Open Cup History: This is Real Salt Lake’s first time in the Open Cup since 2006, struggling as much in tournament qualifying as they have in the tournament itself. The team bowed out to second division Minnesota Thunder in 2005, and making the quarterfinals the next year, before bowing out to Rocky Mountain Cup rivals Colorado Rapids.The team would not make it out of qualification again since, having earned an automatic spot for this year’s tournament.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 2-2-0 | 0-1-0 vs. MLS teams

FC Dallas

Third Round: Orlando City (USL Pro) 2:3 FC Dallas (MLS)
The hosts had to work for the victory against the lower division visitors as Orlando City got the surprising lead 24 minutes in. Jackson, on an assist from Ricardo Villar, would score in the 39th minute to make it 1-1 at the break. Villar would tally himself five minutes into the second half for what looked increasingly like the winner until Orlando found an equalizer in stoppage time. But less than a minute later the stunned home crowd were sent into a frenzy when Jackson found Milton Rodriguez for the winner.  Full Recap [+]

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

This Month in MLS: Dallas took advantage of a possibly disheartened Columbus side that was coming off the Open Cup upset loss, blanking the visiting Crew 2-0 July 2 on second half goals from Brek Shea and Jackson to claim the Pioneer Cup. Dallas would meet the same fate themselves on the road though Saturday, falling 2-0 in Utah. RSL struck for two unanswered goals in the second half.
Last Five: L-W-W-W-L | Season Record: 10-5-4 (7-2-2 Home),  Third in Western Conference, Third Overall.

Open Cup History: Up to 2009, FC Dallas could claim the distinction of being the only MLS team to participate in every Pro Era Open Cup tournament since the league began in 1996. Dallas found success early in their Open Cup history, reaching the Semifinals in 1996 and winning the title on penalties over DC United in 1997. This is Dallas’ 12th Quarterfinals appearance, which is more than any MLS team in the Pro Era (1995-present). They enter Tuesday’s contest with a 5-5-1 (1-0 in PKs) all-time in Quarterfinals.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 20-12-4 (4-0 in PKs)| 5-8-2 vs. MLS teams

Head to Head 2011
The teams will be very familiar with each other, as Real Salt Lake defeated Dallas over the weekend, notching a 2-0 home win on July 9. The teams played to a scoreless draw on May 22 in Dallas.

2011 US Open Cup Semifinal Scenarios

Seattle Sounders / LA Galaxy at Real Salt Lake
9:00 pm – Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
OR
FC Dallas at Seattle Sounders
10:00 pm – Starfire Sports Stadium; Tukwila, Wash.
OR
Los Angeles Galaxy at FC Dallas
9:00 pm – Pizza Hut Park; Frisco, Texas

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