Harrisburg City Islanders

2014 US Open Cup Round 3: Harrisburg City Islanders hold off Baltimore Bohemians 4-2; will face Philadelphia Union in Round 4

May 29, 2014 by Craig Tower

The PDL’s Baltimore Bohemians hosted the Harrisburg City Islanders at Calvert Hall High School’s Russo Field in Towson, MD, in the third round of the US Open Cup, hoping to upset the USL Pro side. The Islanders found the net three times in the first half, however, and cruised to a 4-2 victory, setting themselves up for a June 17th fourth-round matchup against their MLS parent club, the Philadelphia Union.

The game opened under warm sunny skies, but a chill wind and gray clouds enveloped the home field during the second half. The Bohemians’ hopes were eclipsed sooner than that, as Morgan Langley scored in the eighth minute for Harrisburg. Man of the match Jimmy McLaughlin received the ball just inside the Bohs half, blew by his defender and ran the ball in towards the goal on the endline, before slicing a pass in to Langley who punched the ball in from a few yards out.

According to McLaughlin, the goal followed their game plan to a T. “That was kind of what we were looking to do – connect a couple passes in the middle, and then spray it out wide to our wingers with some pace and try to make something happen,” McLaughlin said. The Bohs did their best to counter the strategy, and in the 19th minute Ryan Tuck tried a bit too hard, when he caught the top of speedy Jose Barril’s foot with his studs and earned a yellow card for the infraction.

To their credit, the Bohs, who played a 4-1-3-2 formation, did not bunker against the pro side. Baltimore was unlucky not to score between the 20th and 30th minutes as they peppered Harrisburg’s goal with a series of attempts, including shots by Brandon Allen, Marquez Fernandez, and Allen’s Georgetown teammate Austin Martz. McLaughlin noted the strong play of the Bohemians, saying, “It took a little to kind get into the game, but I think once we settled in we showed our quality and put together a couple really nice goals.”

In fact, he was the author of the next strike, putting an emphatic end to the danger and making the score 2-0, with a curling shot to the far post from about 22 yards out off of a pass by Barrill. The Islanders ended their first half run with a penalty. Bohs keeper Andrew Harris grabbed Danny DiPrima after the Islander nodded an awkwardly bouncing ball just over him and was rushing to rejoin it before it crossed the endline. McLaughlin stepped up and planted the ball firmly in the back of the net to give the Islanders a 3-0 lead going into halftime.

The sides battled more or less evenly in the second half as the Bohs did a better job at countering the wing play by Harrisburg. The Islanders seemed content to nurse their lead while the Bohs tried to penetrate the Islanders with their own wing play, forcing City’s Brian Sylvestre to make two consecutive saves from sharp angles resulting in corners in the 49th and 51st minutes. Play became a bit chippier with yellows being awarded to Harrisburg’s Barril and Baltimore’s Fernandez in the 60th and 72nd minutes respectively.

The Bohs finally found the net as second half sub Kingsley Onwuka plucked the ball off a defender and punched it home to reduce the deficit to two. That seemed to ignite the Islanders, however, as Langley made an explosive run in the 80th minute down the right wing, eventually beating Harris with a curving shot just inside the near post. Onwuka netted again in the 87th off a cross from Malcolm Harris to give the Bohs a glimmer of hope. As the skies grayed, though, a quick but ugly altercation in midfield saw Baltimore’s Matt Shinsky sent off, while Harrisburg’s Langley saw a yellow for his part in the fracas.

The Islanders move on to meet their MLS parent club, the Philadelphia Union, in the fourth round. The matchup at PPL Park will be a US Open Cup rematch of the 2012 quarterfinal thriller where the Islanders pushed Philly to the brink before the Union claimed their first semifinal spot in the tournament. McLaughlin is looking forward to the matchup, which he previewed this way: “I think it’s funny how the affiliate teams get matched up against their parent teams. You saw that Kansas City and Orlando City. Anything can happen with these games and I think there’s gonna be a lot of passion on both sides. I think it should be a fun one to watch and a fun one to play in.”

Notable upsets in the Third Round of the US Open Cup

May 22, 2014 by Josh Hakala

The Michigan Bucks upset the Chicago Fire of MLS in 2012 Third Round. Photo: Kelly Haapala

MORE: Things you should know about the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2006 – Dallas Roma FC (USASA) 0:0 Chivas USA (MLS)
(Dallas advances 4-2 in PKs)

For all of you who ever wanted the #16 seed to win in the NCAA basketball tournament, we hope you are soccer fans.

Dallas Roma FC, from the North Texas Premier Soccer Association, made history defeating Chivas USA of Major League Soccer on penalties, after playing to a 0-0 draw after extra time. Not only did they defeat their second straight professional opponent in the US Open Cup, they became the first USASA club to eliminate a team from Major League Soccer in the US Open Cup. Chivas was dealt a major blow when their leading scorer, Ante Razov, was sent off in the 57th minute for a reckless foul on Roma defender Todd Paulette. Soon after, Chivas head coach Bob Bradley sent in more of his regular starters, Jason Hernandez, Tim Regan and Juan Francisco Palencia.

The Roma defense, named TheCup.us Players of the Round for their win vs. Miami FC, held firm yet again against the Chivas attack, holding the scoreless draw through 120 minutes, at times keeping all 11 players in their own end in extra time.

Roma had a few chances in the second half as well, most notably Dominic Schell hitting the crossbar after Mark Rowland’s shot was knocked away by Chivas goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Chivas took the first spot kick in the penalty session, and Juan Francisco Palencia saw his attempt saved by Jessie Llamas. Roma’s Matt Clark and Mark Rowland converted the next kicks, as Sacha Kljestan for Chivas. Fortunes turned Roma’s way when Llamas came through again and saved Jesse Marsch’s kick, and Brad Flanagan scored for Roma to make it 3-1. After Claudio Suarez made it 3-2, Dominic Schell stepped up and put Roma in the history books. Previously, the closest a USASA side has come to defeating an MLS club was in 2000, when Florida’s Uruguay SC fell to the Tampa Bay Mutiny 1-0 in extra time.

1997 – Chicago Stingers (D3 Pro) 2:1 Colorado Rapids (MLS)
1997 – San Francisco Bay Seals (D3 Pro) 2:1 Kansas City Wizards (MLS)

The Modern Era of the Open Cup was still young, and Rochester caused a stir in ’96 with their amazing run to the final.

The San Francisco Bay Seals and Chicago Stingers were determined to top that, and top it they did.

Each team made their way to the third round, no small feat in itself. Both clubs defeated A-League sides in the second round, and now stepped up to face the daunting challenge of Major League Soccer. The Seals were first, taking on the Kansas City Wizards on July 24.

As if being the underdog wasn’t motivation enough, Seals forward Marquis White had something to prove of his own. White was dropped in 1996 by the New England Revolution, and he was eager to prove that he could play at the highest level. White didn’t waste any time, scoring in the very first minute of the game, taking a pass from Chris Davini and racing past the Wizards defenders and goalkeeper Chris Snitko for the goal. On the other end, the Seals defense kept the Kansas City forwards stifled and frustrated, but the Wizards eventually equalized in the 39th minute with a Frank Klopas goal.

Marquis White then stepped up a second time, taking another Davini pass home for the game-winning goal in the 55th minute, setting off celebrations at Negoesco Fiield once the final whistle blew. “I knew I could play, and this proves it” said an ecstatic White after the game. The Seals, as a team, also proved they could play, defeating the San Jose Clash in the quarterfinals to move on to the semifinals, eventually losing a close game to DC United 2-1.

Six days later, the Chicago Stingers took their turn at giant killing, knocking off the Colorado Rapids 2-1 in front of 4,730 fans at Chicago’s Forest View Park. Misfortune started early for Colorado, as the Rapids goalkeeper Paul Grafer was sent off after 17 minutes. The Stingers then took control, as Matt Hamnett and Chris Jahr scores goals before and after halftime to take a lead they would never surrender. Chris Henderson pulled one back for Colorado, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the upstart Stingers. Chicago were eventually overwhelmed by the Dallas Burn in the next round, 4-1, but the Seals and Stingers proved that the Open Cup would never be an easy walk for any MLS team.

2012 – Cal FC (USASA – 4th Div.) 1:0 (AET) Portland Timbers (MLS)

2012 – Michigan Bucks (PDL – 4th Div.) 3:2 (AET) Chicago Fire (MLS)

The Third Round of the 2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup was one of the craziest rounds in tournament history. 16 Major League Soccer teams joined the competition and only eight of them survived to play in Round 4. The two biggest stunners came from the Michigan Bucks (PDL) and newcomers Cal FC (USASA).

14 of the 16 games were played on Tuesday, May 29 and among those were the Michigan Bucks hosting four-time champion Chicago Fire indoors at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mich. It was just the 4th US Open Cup game ever played indoors and the Bucks upset the Fire 3-2 in extra time.

The Bucks struck first just nine minutes into the match when Tommy Catalano received a pass from star veteran Kenny Uzoigwe to put the home team up 1-0. The Fire would equalize on a goal from Corben Bone in the 28th minute and take the lead in the 58th minute thanks to Frederico Puppo and it looked like the MLS team was going to take control, as they so often do in these underdog scenarios, but today wasn’t their day as a cross from Crnkic found the head of Nate Boyden in the box to tie the match at 2-2. The match would go into extra time and after play resumed, the Bucks wasted no time in putting the pressure on the Fire. What proved to be the eventual game-winning goal came just three minutes in when Crnkic ripped a shot toward the net. The goalkeeper got a hand on it but it wasn’t enough to keep it out as the Bucks would go on to win 3-2 to become the first amateur club in the Modern Era to defeat two MLS teams (They upset the New England Revolution back in 2000).[+]FULL MATCH RECAP

After seven MLS teams were eliminated on Tuesday, what could possibly be in store for the following day? It would turn out to be arguably the biggest upset of the Modern Era (1995-present).

Cal FC, led by their manager former US international Eric Wynalda, traveled from Southern California up to Portland, Ore. and upset the Portland Timbers 1-0 in extra time. After 90 minutes of scoreless soccer, Artur Aghasyan streaked down the middle of the field, easily beating a lopsided offside trap, collected a well placed through ball and calmly chipped goalkeeper Troy Perkins. It was the only goal they would need to become the first USASA team to defeat a Major League Soccer team (Dallas Roma FC in 2006 eliminated Chivas USA in a penalty kick shootout). A USASA team defeating a MLS team was rare enough, but there had only been four previous USASA teams that had advanced far enough to even play against the top division. In those four games, none of the USASA teams even scored a goal. They were also just the fifth amateur team to eliminate a MLS sidse, and the 12th USASA team to eliminate a pro team of any kind. [+]FULL MATCH RECAP

2014 US Open Cup Round 2: Harrisburg City Islanders’ score four in second half, shut out Lehigh Valley United

May 20, 2014 by Michael Berton

The Harrisburg City Islanders celebrate one of their four goals in their 4-0 win over Lehigh Valley United Sonic. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

It took more than 45 minutes of shooting for the Harrisburg City Islanders to find the back of the net, but when they did, they couldn’t stop. They eventually got four in a 4-0 shut out victory over Lehigh Valley United Sonic in Round 2 of the 2014 US Open Cup.

It was Jose Barril who eventually opened the floodgates for the City Islanders in the 48th minute, and he did it in spectacular fashion. Fellow Islander Luan Silva’s cross deflected to Barril, who hit a scorching shot from 20 yards out past the outstretched arms of Sonic goalie Charlie Sales, and into the net.

But until that goal, the City Islanders, who play in USL Pro, looked far from dominant. Lehigh Valley, which plays in the NPSL, took the game to its professional opponents in the first half. Both teams had chances, including Sonic, who tested Harrisburg keeper Brian Sylvestre several times.

“It’s great to play a pro team,” Sonic coach Dave Weitzman said. “We really came out and achieved our game plan in the first half—we made it tough on them and frustrated them.”

The USL Pro side came out with a new intensity in the second half however, as evidenced by the Barril goal. More than just the score, the away side’s passing was crisper and faster. Clesio Bauque was extremely dangerous in the half, with only the exploits of Sales keeping him from potentially scoring a hat trick.

The Harrisburg City Islanders and Lehigh Valley United Sonic battle for the ball in their Second Round US Open Cup match. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

Harrisburg finally broke the game open in the 82nd minute. Second-half substitute Garret Pettis collected a bad back-pass on the left side of the field. He ran past two defenders and the goalie before hitting a hard-angle shot into the right-side netting.

Then, Bauque finally got the goal he had come so close to netting several times. Another second-half substitute, Jimmy McLaughlin found Bauque right at the top of the penalty area. Bauque collected and powered the ball past the keeper to make it 3-0 in extra time. Just a minute later, Bauque was involved again, this time with an assist to Danny DiPrima, who made it 4-0.

Weitzman said, “The score was not real indicative of how we played. We came out in the second half on our heels.”

Harrisburg advances to the Third Round of the US Open Cup, where it will travel to face the Baltimore Bohemians of the PDL. The City Islanders recovered well from last year when they lost their opening match for the first time in club history (Reading United AC). They are hoping to rekindle the magic run they had in 2012, when they knocked off two MLS sides (New York Red Bulls, New England Revolution) en route to a Quarterfinal appearance.

FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic vs. Harrisburg City Islanders
Whitehall High School – Whitehall, PA

Scoring Summary:

HCI: Jose Barril (unassisted) 48’
HCI: Garret Pettis (unassisted) 82’
HCI: Clesio Bauque (Jimmy McLaughlin) 90+
HCI: Danny DiPrima (Bauque) 90+

Lineups:

LVU: Charlie Sales; Brendon Boucaud, Conor Osborne, Julian Plummer, Ali Famili; Toric Robinson (Joe-Joe Jappah, 58’), Michael Gonzalez, Thomas Mustac, Danny Gonzalez (George Tsirukis, 75’); Shastri Spencer (Patrick Letourneau, 79’), Tucker Sandercock

HCI: Brian Sylvestre; Raphael Cox, Matthew Bahner, Richie Marquez, Colin Zizzi; Jason Pelletier, Neil Shaffer, Luan Silva (Danny DiPrima, 86’), Robbie Derschang (Jimmy McLaughlin, 76’); Clesio Bauque, Jose Barril (Garret Pettis, 68’)

Bookings:

LVU: Shastri Spencer (Caution-68’)
HCI: Raphael Cox (Caution-68’)
HCI: Jason Pelletier (Caution-87’)

2013 US Open Cup Second Round: Reading United earn first pro upset, 1-0 over Harrisburg City Islanders

May 22, 2013 by Michael Berton

DSC_0049k — Mario Pinto of Reading United celebrates his goal with teammates in their second round against the Harrisburg City Islanders. Reading was one of four PDL teams to reach the Third Round. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

In a second round US Open Cup battle of two Philadelphia Union affiliates, Reading United pulled off a 1-0 upset victory over the Harrisburg City Islanders on Tuesday night. A Mario Pinto goal in the ninth minute and 90 minutes of sound defending sent United through to the third round for the first time in club history.

“ is a mentality,” Reading United coach Brendan Burke said. “When you’re defending from the front…it’s difficult for teams to get any sort of rhythm. is probably a more talented team than us right now, so we knew we would have to make the game a little ugly to get through it tonight, and we did it extremely effectively.”

Coming into the match, Reading had outscored its opponents 13-0. The team took that confidence into its contest against professional opposition, applying early pressure high up the field. In the ninth minute, a Reading goal kick bounced several times toward the Harrisburg net. Pinto judged the ball correctly and beat the City Islander defenders. He then hit a magical volley from the center of the box that Harrisburg keeper Nick Noble could do nothing about to put Reading up 1-0.

Harrisburg pressed forward after the goal, consistently going down the right side of the field with the speedy Morgan Langley. Several sequences involving Langley ended with Lucky Mkosana shots, but the forward could not find the back of the net. Reading goalie John McCarthy was a big reason for that, especially in the 39th minute when he saved a point-blank header off of Mkosana.

DSC_0040k — Mario Pinto of Reading United watches the ball carry into the back of the net in what would prove to be the game-winner against the Harrisburg City Islanders. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

In the second half, Reading continued to press high up the field. Darius Madison subbed in for Pinto, serving as a constant presence and nuisance to the Islander backline.

“You saw Darius chasing 60 yards laterally at the end of the game. That’s hard work that doesn’t show up in the score sheet but wins you games,” Burke said.

As the game wore on, however, Harrisburg exerted more and more pressure. The City Islanders controlled the ball for nearly the entire last 15 minutes of play, but solid defending kept them from scoring. Other than a shout for a penalty kick in the 86th minute, Harrisburg could not create too many solid chances. That lack of creativity would cost them, as they eventually fell 1-0.

Reading earned its first-ever Open Cup victory over a professional team with the win. Next up is the New York Red Bulls, which will be the first MLS squad Reading faces in Open Cup play. What can already be defined as a magical Open Cup run for the PDL side will continue in Red Bull Arena next week.

“It’s a big step forward for the organization,” Burke said. “What an experience. I just walked over and asked the team who’s going to mark Henry next week! I’m sure he won’t play, but maybe they’ll put him on for a token 10 minutes to let the boys enjoy playing against him.”

Reading United 1:0 Harrisburg City Islanders
Don Thomas Stadium – Reading, Pa.

Scoring Summary:

RU: Mario Pinto (unassisted) 9

Lineups:

Reading United: John McCarthy; Jonathan Dolezal, Damion Lowe, James Ockford, Benjamin Sweat; Keegan Rosenberry, Stephen Neumann, Emanuel Sanchez (Melvin Snoh, 65), Wesley Charpie; Larry Ndjock (Fatai Alashe, 74), Mario Pinto (Darius Madison, 56)

Harrisburg City Islanders: Nick Noble; Stephen Basso, Andrew Ribeiro, Coady Andrews, Colin Zizzi; Matthew Bahner, Cristhian Hernandez, Jamiel Hardware (Sainey Touray, 61), Morgan Langley; Jimmy McLaughlin (Yann Ekra, 61), Lucky Mkosana

Discipline:

RU: Keegen Rosenberry (caution – 42)
RU: Damion Lowe (caution – 67)
HCI: Sainey Touray (caution – 67)
RU: Stephen Neumann (caution – 90+)

2012 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Philadelphia Union prevail in intrastate battle over Harrisburg City Islanders

June 26, 2012 by Michael Berton

The US Open Cup magic finally ran out for the Harrisburg City Islanders against their MLS affiliates, the Philadelphia Union. The Union got three early goals and weathered a fierce Harrisburg comeback to eventually win 5-2.

“That was a tough game, a lot tougher than a 5-2 result,” Union interim coach John Hackworth said. “It’s a big deal for this club and this organization .” Just a few weeks ago, the two teams played a friendly in which Harrisburg prevailed 3-2 and was followed by the firing of manager Peter Nowak. Tonight, however, the Union attacked early and often to make sure that result would not be repeated.

Philadelphia looked to dominate the game from the opening whistle. Harrisburg had barely managed a touch when the Union’s Lionard Pajoy sent in a cross that was handled in the box when Harrisburg defender Stephen Basso slipped. Freddy Adu converted a 5th-minute penalty to give the Union the early lead.

Just five minutes later, the Union struck again. A long ball from the Union half of the field was misplayed by the Harrisburg defense. Jack McInerney pounced on the loose ball and slotted it past goalkeeper Nick Noble to double the Philadelphia lead in the ninth minute.

Philadelphia was not done, however. After the game had seemingly settled down to a more normal pace, Gabe Farfan made a run down the left wing and crossed the ball into the box. The pass found Pajoy, who calmly gathered the ball, manuevered through the defense and scored to give the Union a 3-0 lead in the 29th minute.

Harrisburg would not give up though, being no strangers to 3-goal deficits in Open Cup play. In the Third Round, the City Islanders were down 3-0 in the second half of overtime against the New England Revolution. They scored three times in eight minutes to tie the game, and they eventually advanced in a penalty kick shootout.

The City Islanders nearly replicated that feat on Tuesday night. Yann Ekra found Brian Ombiji in the box in the 51st minute. Ombiji powered his way past the Union defense and scored. Three minutes later, Ekra dished out another assist. This time, he found Morgan Langley open in the box. Langley converted the goal to make it 3-2.

“We came into the locker room up 3-0, and the first thing said was ‘They were down 3-0 to New England with way less time,’” McInerney said. “We stuck to it. We kept grinding it out…We started to put back on, and they couldn’t handle it.”

The Union managed to calm things down and reasserted its presence on the game. Philadelphia substitute Antoine Hoppenot provided an instant spark, running in behind the defense and earning a penalty kick in the 69th minute. Pajoy converted the spot kick to put the Union up 4-2.

Harrisburg pushed everyone forward to try and make yet another comeback, but Gabriel Gomez put the game away with an 81st-minute goal. On a counterattack, a pass was deflected right into the path of Gomez. He gathered the ball and chipped the onrushing goalie to make it 5-2.

Harrisburg’s magical run in the 2012 US Open Cup that included two upsets of MLS sides has ended, but Philadelphia’s is still going strong. The Union will host Sporting Kansas City in the Semifinals on July 11 at PPL Park.

The Union also become the first Pennsylvania club to reach the final four since the United German Hungarians, located just north of the city of Philadelphia, pulled it off in 1993.

Philadelphia Union 5:2 Harrisburg City Islanders
PPL Park – Chester, Pa.

PHI: Freddy Adu (PK) 5
PHI: Jack MacInerney (unassisted) 9
PHI: Lionard Pajoy (Gabe Farfan) 29
HCI: Brian Ombiji (Yann Ekra) 51
HCI: Morgan Langley (Yann Ekra) 54
PHI: Lionard Pajoy (PK) 69
PHI: Gabriel Gomez (unassisted) 81

Discipline:

HCI: Andrew Marshall (caution-60)
HCI: Morgan Langley (caution-74)
HCI: Jason Pelletier (caution-78)
PHI: Jack McInerney (caution-90+)

Lineups:
Philadelphia Union: Zac Macmath; Raymon Gaddis, Amobi Okugo, Porfirio Lopez, Gabriel Farfan; Brian Carroll, Michael Lahoud (Gabriel Gomez-69), Michael Farfan; Freddy Adu (Antoine Hoppenot-61), Jack McInerny, Lionard Pajoy (Jimmy McLaughlin-83)

Harrisburg City Islanders: Nick Noble; Stephen Basso (Tom Brandt-8), Dustin Bixler, Andrew Marshall, Bilal Duckett (Colin Zizzi-32); Jason Pelletier, J.T. Noone, Andrew Welker, Morgan Langley; Brian Ombiji, Yann Ekra (Garett Pettis-69)

Att: 4,313

Things you should know about the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup

June 26, 2012 by Josh Hakala

MORE: Notable upsets in the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup (Modern Era)

SHANNIE &N SHANE — The 1997 San Francisco Bay Seals are one of two Division 3 clubs to not only reach the Quarterfinals, but to advance to the Semifinals. Photo: San Francisco Bay Seals

In 2019, Los Angeles FC broke the Modern Era’s Quarterfinal attendance record in the club’s 1-0 loss to the Portland Timbers at Banc of California Stadium. The announced attendance was 18,947, which narrowly broke the previous record of 17,898 which was set last year in the same stadium, against the same opponent.

That big number for LAFC in 2019, combined with 12,401 at Minnesota United’s win over New Mexico United, it broke the Modern Era’s Quarterfinal record for average attendance for the entire round with 11,525. Elsewhere, Atlanta United drew 7,523 in their 2-0 win over Saint Louis FC (USL-C) and Orlando City SC drew 7,227 in their penalty kick win over New York City FC.

The 2008 US Open Cup marked the first time that a pair of 2nd Division teams advanced out of the Quarterfinals for the second consecutive year.

In 2007, when the Seattle Sounders (USL First Division) defeated the Colorado Rapids (MLS) 5-0, it was the worst loss suffered by an MLS team in the US Open Cup.

In 2007, the USL First Division (2nd Division) had three teams in the Quarterfinals (Carolina, Charleston, Seattle), the most ever. That same year, only three MLS teams advanced to the Quarterfinal round, the fewest ever. For the first time ever, two USL Second Division (3rd Division) teams (Richmond Kickers, Harrisburg City Islanders) made the round of eight in the same year. In 2010, a pair of USL-2 clubs advanced to the Quarterfinals (Charleston Battery, Harrisburg City Islanders) in the same year.

2012 marks the first year in the Modern Era that three Division 3 clubs reached the Quarterfinals with the Harrisburg City Islanders, Dayton Dutch Lions and the Charlotte Eagles all playing in the Round of Eight.

The Carolina RailHawks and the Seattle Sounders won their Quarterfinal matches in 2007, marking only the second time that two USL First Division (2nd Division) teams had done that in the same year. In 1999, the Charleston Battery and the Rochester Raging Rhinos both made the Semifinals, with Rochester eventually winning the tournament.

The Second Division of US Soccer has been represented in the Quarterfinals by at least one team in all but five tournaments (2000, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2015). In 2010, it was the first year that the Quarterfinals were without Second Division representation but there were still USL Second Division (3rd Division of US Soccer) remaining: Charleston Battery and the Harrisburg City Islanders.

The Harrisburg City Islanders are the first Third Division team to ever reach the Quarterfinals in consecutive seasons (2009, 2010). 2010 also marked the first time that two USL-2 clubs (Third Division) reached the Quarterfinals two years in a row. (Wilmington & Harrisburg in 2009, Charleston & Harrisburg in 2010).

FC Dallas have the most Quarterfinals appearances among all Major League Soccer teams.

16	FC Dallas	8-7-1 (1-0)	1996^ 1997^ 1998^ 1999 2000 2002^ 2004 2005^ 2006 2007^ 2008 2011^ 2013, 2014^ 2016^ 2017
14	Chicago Fire	11-1-2 (2-0)	1998^ 2000^ 2001^ 2003^ 2004^ 2005^ 2006^ 2008 2011^ 2013^ 2014^ 2015^ 2016^ 2018^
12	LA Galaxy	6-5-1 (1-0)	1999 2000^ 2001^ 2002^ 2003^ 2005^ 2006^ 2010 2011 2015 2016^ 2017
11	DC United	9-1-1 (0-1)	1996^ 1997^ 2000 2001^ 2003^ 2005 2006^ 2008^ 2009^ 2010^ 2013^
11	Sporting Kansas City	5-5-1 (0-1)	1996 2002^ 2004^ 2005 2008 2009 2011 2012^ 2015^ 2017^ 2018
9	NE Revolution	2-5-2 (2-0)	2001^ 2003 2006 2007^ 2008^ 2013 2014 2016^ 2017
9	New York Red Bulls	4-3-2 (1-1)	1997^ 1998^ 2000^ 2002 2003^ 2006 2011 2015 2017^
9	San Jose Earthquakes	1-5-3 (1-2)	1997 1998 2000 2001 2002 2004^ 2005 2012 2017^
7	Columbus Crew	4-2-1 (0-1)	1998^ 1999^ 2000 2001 2002^ 2004 2010^
6	Colorado Rapids	2-4-0	1996^ 1999^ 2002 2003 2006 2007
6	Houston Dynamo	3-3-0	2006^ 2009^ 2010 2015 2016 2018^
6	Seattle Sounders	5-1-0	2009^ 2010^ 2011^ 2012^ 2014^ 2016
5	Philadelphia Union	3-0-2 (1-1)	2012^ 2014^ 2015^ 2016 2018^
4	Tampa Bay Mutiny	0-4-0	1996 1997 1998 1999
4	Portland Timbers	2-2-0	2013^ 2014 2018 2019^
3	Real Salt Lake	2-1-0	2011 2013^ 2015^
2	Chivas USA	2-0-0	2010^ 2012^
2	Miami Fusion	1-1-0	1998 2000^
3	Orlando City SC	0-2-1 (1-0)	2015 2018, 2019^
2	Los Angeles FC	1-1-0	2018^, 2019
1	Atlanta United FC	1-0-0	2019^
1	Minnesota United FC	1-0-0	2019^
1	New York City FC	0-1-0	2019

^ Advanced in their Quarterfinal match

The Charleston Battery have the most lower division Quarterfinal appearances since 1996.

6	Charleston Battery	3-3-0	1999^ 2004^ 2007 2008^ 2009 2010
5	Rochester Rhinos	3-1-1 (0-1)	1996^ 1999^ 2004 2005 2009^
4	Richmond Kickers	1-3-0	2001 2004 2007 2011^
4	Seattle Sounders	1-2-1 (1-0)	1996 2003 2007^ 2008^
4	H’burg City Islanders	0-4-0	2007 2009 2010 2012
3	Carolina RailHawks	1-2-0	2007^ 2013 2014
2	Minnesota Thunder	1-0-1 (0-1)	2004 2005^
2	Wilm. Hammerheads	0-2-0	2003 2009
1	Atlanta Silverbacks	0-1-0	2014
1	Carolina Dynamo	0-1-0	1996
1	Charlotte Eagles	0-1-0	2012
1	Chicago Stingers	0-1-0	1997
1	Crystal Palace Baltimore	0-0-1 (0-1)	2008
1	Dayton Dutch Lions	0-1-0	2012
1	Ft. Lauderdale Strikers	0-1-0	2016
1	L.I. Rough Riders	0-1-0	1997
1	Louisville City FC	0-1-0	2018
1	Milwaukee Rampage	0-1-0	2002
1	Nashville Metros	0-1-0	1998
1	New Mexico United	0-1-0	2019
1	Orlando City SC	0-1-0	2013
1	Pittsburgh Riverhounds	0-1-0	2001
1	Saint Louis FC	0-1-0	2019
1	San Fran. Bay Seals	1-0-0	1997^
1	Staten Island Vipers	0-1-0	1999
1	FC Cincinnati	1-0-0	2017^
1	Miami FC (NASL)	0-1-0	2017

^ Advanced in their Quarterfinal match

2012 US Open Cup Quarterfinals video: Watch all four games here!

June 25, 2012 by Josh Hakala

Look below for video of tonight’s US Open Cup Quarterfinal online broadcasts.
Note: Three of them can be watched from this page, while the Sporting KC/Dayton game will launch in a new window.

2012 US Open Cup Quarterfinal Live Blog
2012 US Open Cup bracket [+]
2012 US Open Cup Quarterfinal scoreboard [+]
2012 US Open Cup goalscoring leaders [+]
2012 US Open Cup participant map [+]
Meet the USASA: Class of 2012 [+]
Things you should know about the Quarterfinals [+]
Semifinal pairings [+]

Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
PPL Park; Chester, Pa.; 7:30 p.m. ET
Semifinal scenarios (July 10 or 11):
If Philadelphia wins … home vs. Sporting KC/Dayton winner
If Harrisburg wins … home vs. Dayton or at Sporting KC

If video doesn’t work, CLICK HERE

Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
LIVESTRONG Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.; 8:30 p.m. ET
Semifinal scenarios (July 10 or 11):
If KC wins … home vs. Harrisburg OR at Philadelphia
If Dayton wins … at Philadelphia OR at Harrisburg

Click here to watch the game

Seattle Sounders (MLS) at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Kezar Stadium; San Francisco, Calif.; 10:30 p.m. ET
Audio Broadcast: Seattle
Semifinal scenarios (July 10): Winner hosts Chivas USA / Charlotte winner

Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro) at Chivas USA (MLS)
Titan Stadium (Cal State Fullerton); Fullerton, Calif.; 10:30 p.m. ET
Semifinal scenario (July 10):
Winner plays at Seattle Sounders / San Jose Earthquakes winner

TheCup.us Player of the Round: Two goals by Sainey Touray help City Islanders slay another giant, earn him Fourth Round honor

June 19, 2012 by Gerald Barnhart

sainey-touray-city-islanders-2012 — Sainey Touray has scored three goals in the 2012 US Open Cup. Photo: Derek Meluzio | PennLive.com

Former New York Red Bulls signee Sainey Touray became just the third player from a third division club to score twice against a Major League Soccer opponent in leading his Harrisburg City Islanders to a surprise 3-1 overtime victory in the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup, earning him TheCup.us Player of the Round honors.

The selection marks only the seventh time since TheCup.us began recognizing the tournament’s outstanding performances in 2006 that a player was selected from a third division club – the second beyond the third round.

Touray, who has yet to score in USL Pro league play, scored the go-ahead goal both times for the City Islanders Tuesday evening. Brian Ombiji got the ball near the top of the 18-yard box. After some deft footwork, he crossed the ball to Touray, who headed the ball into the back of the net in the 13th minute. Four minutes into overtime Jason Pelletier found himself with the ball in space in the middle of the field. He lobbed a pass over the top of the defense and right into the path of Touray, who slotted it past rookie goalkeeper Ryan Meara and into the net.

This was the fifth time in the last six tournaments that the City Islanders have eliminated an MLS team. The Charleston Battery are the only other lower division team in the country who has five MLS upsets in the last six years, but four of those upsets were as a second division club.

Touray joins Glenn Murray and Marquis White as the only third division players to tally twice in a game against an MLS team. Murray scored two for the Wilmington Hammerheads in a 4-1 win over Dallas in the 2003 Fourth Round. White scored both goals in the 1997 Third Round against Kansas City as the San Francisco Bay Seals made their historic run to the Semifinals.

The Player of the Round award is voted on by the staff of the definitive US Open Cup site TheCup.us and a select panel of members of the North American Soccer Reporters, which also selects the MLS Player of the Week award.

redbull2 — Sainey Touray of the Harrisburg City Islanders controls the ball against the New York Red Bulls. Photo: Derek Meluzio | PennLive.com

Touray is no stranger to late-game drama. He scored his first US Open Cup goal in his tournament debut a year ago for Harrisburg, netting a stoppage 2-1 winner against fellow Philadelphia Union affiliate Reading United AC of the PDL in the Second Round. In the following round he was sent off in stoppage time as the club was knocked out by league foe Rochester after entering game for the final nine minutes and seeing the Rhinos score on a penalty in the 89th.

After sitting out the required suspension for the Second Round match versus the PDL Long Island Rough Riders this year, Touray returned to the lineup and scored the second of three goals in the miracle three-goal overtime rally against New England Revolution before eliminating the MLS club in penalties after a 3-3 draw.

“You never know what could happen at times in this lovely game and to come up big when your team needs you is a great feeling,” Touray told Derek Meluzio of PennLive.com. “I’m so happy to be part of this club in these great moments.

The Gambian seems to have finally found his home in the United States. He was basically just a kid when he started to excel in his homeland, joining second division club Tallinding United at 13 and signing with the first division’s Wallidan at 15. In 2008 he was the club’s leading scorer while leading them to the league title.

The success sparked a move to the US, where he signed with the Red Bulls only to see his career grind basically to a halt. He only saw action in six Reserve team matches after signing via a trial. After another stint with Wallidan he returned in 2010, signing with the Carolina RailHawks, but again he saw no action with the club, and spent a part of the campaign on loan to Harrisburg.

That was the beginning. He scored in the one appearance he made for the team. He returned and was one of the club’s outstanding performers last year, finishing second in points and third in goals on the squad with seven goals and six assists.

Third Division players named TheCup.us Player of the Round

2012 Fourth Round: Sainey Touray (Harrisburg City Islanders)
2011 Quarterfinals: Ronnie Pascale (Richmond Kickers)
2011 Second Round: David Bulow (Richmond Kickers)
2010 Third Round: Tim Melia (Charleston Battery)
2009 Second Round: Kenny Bundy (Wilmington Hammerheads)
2008 Second Round: Floyd Franks (Cleveland City Stars)
2008 First Round: Pat Healey (Crystal Palace Baltimore)

2012 US Open Cup Fourth Round: City Islanders’ Cinderella story continues, ousts New York Red Bulls in OT

June 6, 2012 by Michael Berton

Sainey Touray was a lonely figure up front for the Harrisburg City Islanders. With the New York Red Bulls possessing the ball for a majority of the 120-minute game in the Harrisburg half, Touray had to do the best he could with limited chances as the lone forward.

He did just that, scoring in the 13th minute and again in the 94th to propel the City Islanders into the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Lucky Mkosana added a third Harrisburg goal in the 118th minute. Connor Lade had New York’s lone goal in the 59th.

This was the fifth time in the last six tournaments that the City Islanders have eliminated an MLS team, as the 3rd Division pro team will reach the Quarterfinals for the fourth time. The Charleston Battery are the only lower division team in the country who has five MLS upsets in the last six years, but four of those upsets were as a 2nd Division club.

The Red Bulls started the game by possessing the ball in the Harrisburg half—something that would remain true throughout the game. New York found plenty of room down the flanks, leading to numerous crosses. However, it would be Harrisburg getting on the board first.

Brian Ombiji got the ball near the top of the 18-yard box. After some deft footwork, he crossed the ball to Touray, who headed the ball into the back of the net in the 13th minute.

The Red Bulls doubled down offensively after giving up the early goal. Harrisburg could barely get the ball across the midfield stripe. The City Islanders held firm defensively though. New York had several chances, but very few troubled the Harrisburg goalkeeper Nick Noble.

New York’s never-ending pressure finally led to a result in the 59th minute. A defensive miscue led to a wide-open shot for Lade. He easily slotted the ball past Noble, tying the game and seemingly giving the Red Bulls all the momentum.

After the goal, Dax McCarty began asserting his presence onto the game. His chip shot was saved by Noble in the 66th minute. He also hit the post in the 70th. Defensively, McCarty constantly applied pressure to Harrisburg players, barely giving them room to breathe. His strong effort did not lead to a New York game-winner, however.

With the score tied at 1-1, the game headed to extra time. The City Islanders are no strangers to extra time in the open cup, having beaten New England in last round on penalty kicks and coming into the match having never lost an Open Cup match that went into overtime. Using some more of that extra time magic, Jason Pelletier found himself with the ball in space in the middle of the field. He lobbed a pass over the top of the defense and right into the path of Touray, who slotted it past rookie goalkeeper Ryan Meara and into the net.

Harrisburg City Islanders

After that unlikely goal, Harrisburg was determined to see the game out, and they would do that, but not without getting the benefit of a missed call. The Red Bulls were on the attack and sent a cross into the box and the ball was cleared away beyond the endline. New York players appealed for a penalty kick because they believed that Pelletier handled the ball while clearing the ball over the endline, but the referee waived play on. It appeared on video replay that Pelletier did touch the ball. The Red Bulls would continue to push for the equalizer as the home team would face a torrent of New York shots, including a dangerous free kick shot by McCarty and a header that hit of the crossbar. In the end, Harrisburg weathered the storm and even added another goal. On a corner in the 118th minute, Yann Ekra found Mkosana in the box. Mkosana scored his first career Open Cup goal to secure Harrisburg’s place in the quarterfinals.

Having won two-straight games against MLS competition at home, the City Islanders will face yet another MLS team, but this time on the road. On June 26, Harrisburg will travel to Philadelphia to take on the Union, who were 2-1 winners over DC United on Tuesday. Interestingly enough, the City Islanders will have a bit of a warm up before they take on the Union in the Quarterfinals. They have an exhibition match scheduled with their MLS affiliate in Harrisburg on June 12.

Harrisburg City Islanders 3:1 (AET) New York Red Bulls
Skyline Sports Complex – Harrisburg, Pa.

HCI: Sainey Touray (Ombiji) 13
NYRB: Connor Lade (unassisted) 59
HCI: Sainey Touray (Pelletier) 94
HCI: Lucky Mkosana (Ekra) 118

Discipline:
HCI: Bilal Duckett (caution-29)
HCI: Andrew Wekler (caution-38)
HCI: Jason Pelletier (caution-87)
NYRB: Jhonny Arteaga (caution-90+)
HCI: Stephan Basso (caution-90+)
HCI: Nick Noble (caution-115)
NYRB: Markus Holgersson (caution-120)

Lineups:
Harrisburg City Islanders: Nick Noble; Bilal Duckett, Andrew Marshall, Tom Brandt, Stephan Basso; Brian Ombiji (Tom Mellor-89), Andrew Welker (Yann Ekra-59), Morgan Langley (Lucky Mkosana-69), JT Noone, Jason Pelletier; Sainey Touray

New York Red Bulls: Ryan Meara; Wilman Conde, Markus Holgersson, Heath Pearce, Brandon Barklage (Jonathan Borrajo-115); Connor Lade, Mehdi Ballouchy, Dax McCarty (Stephen Keel-117), Jan Gunnar Solli; Jhonny Arteaga, Kenny Cooper

Att: 1,477

Report: New York Red Bulls fined $500 for Tyler Ruthven miscue

June 2, 2012 by Eric Anderson

UPDATE: TheCup.us has been informed that the Inside Minnesota Soccer story written by Brian Quarstad was in error. The Harrisburg City Islanders DID NOT report the suspension violation in the following story to US Soccer. HCI General Manager John Gregg stated, “We read the story this morning and found out the information the same as everyone else. We made NO protest towards the player’s eligibility or status in the game, we were not even contacted about the story. We are very excited to be playing the Red Bull as it is a great opportunity for our team, fans, and business.” || TheCup.us Editorial Management

Tyler Ruthven didn’t play in the New York Red Bulls’ 3-0 victory over USL Pro side Charleston Battery in a third-round match of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday night.

But the defender was on the bench for the match, even though he was listed as suspended for the game in the U.S. Open Cup Handbook.

The Red Bulls were fined $500 by U.S. Soccer for the violation, IMSoccer News reported Saturday. U.S. Soccer Federation spokesman Neil Buethe told IMSoccer News that the fact Ruthven didn’t play in the match was a factor in the decision by the U.S. Open Cup Adjudication and Discipline Panel. (Read the full IMSoccer News report)

Ruthven instead will serve his one-game suspension next Tuesday, sitting out the Red Bulls’ fourth-round game against the Harrisburg City Islanders in Harrisburg, Pa.

Coincidentally, he was playing for Harrisburg when he received a red card in the 75th minute for a reckless foul during the City Islanders’ 2-0 loss to D.C. United in a quarterfinal match on July 21, 2010. That meant he would be suspended for his next U.S. Open Cup match.

Ruthven-proof — Tyler Ruthven did not play, but was on the bench for the Red Bulls against the Charleston Battery.

Ruthven played for the Atlanta Silverbacks of the North American Soccer League in 2011 and NASL clubs weren’t allowed to participate in the tournament, meaning Tuesday’s match was his first possible Open Cup game since the ejection in 2010.

IMSoccer News reported that it was the City Islanders who filed a complaint with the USSF concerning Ruthven’s eligibility.

Buethe told IMSoccerNews that several other players who played in this season’s tournament were mistakenly listed as suspended in the 2012 U.S. Open Cup Handbook, including Ramiro Corrales (San Jose Earthquakes), Danny Earls (Rochester Rhinos), Felix Alfonso Motagalvan (Fort Lauderdale Strikers) and Wells Thompson (Colorado Rapids).

Governing bodies that sponsor qualifying tournaments for the Open Cup have differing rules than the USSF. For example, New York Greek American Atlas was disqualified from the 2010 Eastern New York tournament for having a professional player listed on its game-day roster, despite the fact that the player in question was playing in Romania at the time.