Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Houston Dynamo

2010 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Justin Braun’s brace powers Chivas USA past Houston, 3-1

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Justin Braun of Chivas USA scored early and late, and the Goats defeated the Houston Dynamo 3-1 to reach their Open Cup Semifinals. The win was also their first at Houston’s Robertson Stadium.

However, the Dynamo were left in the dust in the second half as well. Ante Jazic split the Houson defense to give Michael Lahoud an easy finish at 65′ to double the Chivas lead. Houston finally managed to strike late, as Joseph Ngwenya rocketed a shot that got a piece of Dominc Oduro and between the posts. Braun ended any hope the Dynamo had of equalizing four minutes later, splitting through defenders and into the net.

Braun got Chivas going early, heading home a Mariano Trujillo pass in the fifth minute. The Goats pressed their advantage throughout the half, however Houston was able to hold their own defensively and kept the game 1-0 at the half. Photo: Houston Dynamo

Chivas USA will await the winner of the Los Angeles Galaxy/Seattle Sounders FC match on July 7.

Scoring Summary:
CHV — Justin Braun (Mariano Trujillo) 5
CHV — Michael Lahoud (Ante Jazic) 65
HOU — Dominic Oduro (Joseph Ngwenya) 86
CHV — Justin Braun (unassisted) 90

Misconduct Summary:
HOU — Eddie Robinson (caution; Reckless Tackle) 54
CHV — Jesus Padilla (caution; Reckless Foul) 68
HOU — Craig Waibel (caution; Reckless Foul) 93+
HOU — Danny Cruz (caution; Dissent) 93+
CHV — Gerson Mayen (caution; Reckless Foul) 93+

Lineups:
Chivas USA — Zach Thornton, Mariano Trujillo, Michael Umana, Yamith Cuesta, Ante Jazic (Carlos Borja 66), Michael Lahoud, Marcelo Saragosa, Ben Zemanski, Blair Gavin (Dario Delgado 72), Jesus Padilla (Gerson Mayen 77), Justin Braun.

Houston Dynamo — Tally Hall, Craig Waibel, Eddie Robinson, Ryan Cochrane (Mike Chabala 35), Francisco Navas Cobo, Adrian Serioux, Richard Mulrooney (Lovel Palmer 74), Joseph Ngwenya, Sammy Appiah (Danny Cruz 56), Dominic Oduro, Cam Weaver.

Referee: Daniel Fitzgerald
Referee’s Assistants: Courtney Jackson; Arthur Odems
4th official: Ismail Elfath
Attendance: 1,097
Weather: Partly Cloudy and 87 degrees

2010 US Open Cup Third Round: Houston outlasts Miami FC 1-0

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The Houston Dynamo defeated Miami FC of the USSF Second Division on a Lovel Palmer late goal, and held leading Open Cup scorer Paulo Araujo, Jr. scoreless.

Houston started quickly, dominating the first ten minutes, however Araujo had Miami on the counterattack quickly. He had two shots in a 5 minute span, however Dynamo keeper Tally Hall kept both shots out of the net. Play evened out, and neither team could capitalize on their chances in the half.

Houston gained more attacking chances in the second half, however Miami keeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell proved up to the task, including blocking a Penalty Kick from the Dynamo’s Richard Mulrooney at 50′. However, 80 minutes into the match, Houston’s Dominic Oduro got a pass into a streaking Palmer, a halftime sub, who slid the ball underneath Patterson-Sewell.

Miami quickly counterattacked, as Abe Cunningham, a former Dynamo player, quickly came back with a shot, but Hall was able to save it. Miami’s comeback was squashed, however, as J.P. Rodrigues was given a second yellow card at 83′. This prompted Miami to go all-or-nothing, as midfielder Steven Cabas replaced defender Christiano Dias. This backfired, as Houston took advantage of the thin defense to control the rest of the game.

Houston will host fellow MLS side Chivas USA in the Quarterfinal Round on July 6. Miami’s Araujo finished his Open Cup campaign with 5 goals, three more than any player still in the tournament.

GOALS:
HOU- Palmer (Oduro) 80′

DISCIPLINE:
MIA- Patterson-Sewell 48′ (yellow, Reckless foul)
MIA- Rodrigues 66′ (yellow, Reckless foul)
MIA- Rodrigues 83′ (second yellow/red, Reckless foul)

SUBSTITUTIONS:
HOU- Chabala for Landin, 43′
HOU- Palmer for Cochrane, 46′
HOU- Cruz for Mulrooney, 76′
MIA- Shriver for Santeliz, 76′
MIA- Cabas for Dias, 84′

2009 Semifinals: Sounders’ Le Toux lauded as Player of the Round

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Sebastien Le Toux of the Seattle Sounders dribbles against the Portland Timbers in the Third Round.Seattle Sounders FC forward Sebastien Le Toux is the TheCup.us Player of the Round for the Semifinal round of the tournament.

Le Toux, who was the leading scorer in the US Open Cup in 2007 and 2008, was involved in both Sounders goals in their 2-1 extra-time victory over the Houston Dynamo on July 21 in Tukwila, Wash.

The Frenchman took the time to answer some questions from TheCup.us senior editor Josh Hakala via e-mail.

You assisted on both goals in Seattle’s 2-1 win over Houston in the semifinals. Can you describe those goals that you helped create?
On the first goal I received a pass from Steve Zakuani and I found Roger Levesque in the box, who passed in one touch to Nate Jaqua and he scored. On the second goal, I didn’t really touch the ball, rather I just made a fake on a cross from Steve Zakuani and Stephen King was just behind me and scored.

How much did the goal by Nate Jaqua help create momentum going into extra time?
It was two minutes before the end of the game. We were pushing very hard to equalize with all our fans behind us. So after we scored, we had the momentum and continued to attack. And we quickly scored the second goal in extra time.

A lot has changed from last year, except the name of the team. Can you describe how different it has been from last year to this year in terms of the team, the fans and the league?
It’s been more professional for the team because of our new facilities, new practices fields, new owners, new coaches, etc. … And we still have the same fans from the years before who have been absolutely amazing. Not to mention the great marketing of the team has attracted an even broader fan base.

How has your role changed from the USL-1 Sounders last year to the MLS Sounders this year?
This is my first year at the MLS level, so I’m trying to learn as much as I can from new coach Sigi Schmid, and my teamates like (midfielder Freddie) Ljungberg and (goalkeeper Kasey) Keller who have great experience.

You seem to thrive in this tournament. In just three years, you are already among the top goalscorers in the Professional Era, having led the tournament in goals the last two years. What is it about this competition that helps you to perform so well?
I don’t know. Maybe the Open Cup likes me! I for sure like playing in the Open Cup. I am just lucky to score lots of goals in this competition. And I hope it’s going to continue.

You were the first player signed by the Sounders MLS club. How did that feel, to be the first player signed by the new club? Was it a huge relief to be signed so early and to know that not only would you be guaranteed a club to play for, but that it would be in the same city?
I am very proud and honored to be the first player signed by the Sounders FC. This was the city I wanted to play in at the MLS level. I love Seattle and all the people here and I am very happy to play for this city.

This is your third year playing professionally in the United States. Players who come from other countries to play here often say that it takes time to adapt to a new league and a new country. How has your transition been and do you feel like you’re completely comfortable playing here in the US?
It takes time to adapt. My English is not perfect, so it takes time for my teamates to fully understand me and for me to understand them. Also playing on turf is different than in Europe, so that took some time to adapt. The time difference between Seattle and any city on the East Coast is tough. But after a fews trips, I’m comfortable with the travel schedule and day-to-day rhythm. Having quality people around me has helped.

What are your expectations for the Open Cup final against D.C. United and for the remainder of the MLS season?
Of course, it’s to win this competition. D.C. is a very good opponent, so we have to be ready for this game. And for the MLS season, I hope first that we qualify for the playoffs and second to do the best we can to go as far as possible; perhaps winning the Cup.

Thanks to Zac Kaplan of the Sounders media relations department for his assistance, and to the team for the use of the image of Le Toux above.

The Player of the Round is selected by the staff of USOpenCup.com and members of the North American Soccer Reporters, a group that consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information about the NASR can be found at www.soccerreporters.com.

2009 Quarterfinal recap: Rochester Rhinos last USL team standing

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

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

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

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

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

2009 US Open Cup: Semifinal recap

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

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

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

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

The Seattle Sounders advanced to the Final in dramatic fashion. Houston’s Ade Akinbiyi put the Dynamo up in the 32nd minute, but the home team wasn’t able to equalize until the 89th minute when Nate Jaqua sent the game into extra time. With all the momentum and the home crowd behind them at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash., Stephen King scored what would prove to be the game-winner in the 95th minute on an assist from Sebastien Le Toux and the club would hold on to the 2-1 lead throughout extra time, despite defender Jhon Hurtado being sent off in the 110th minute. The Sounders become the first Seattle-based team to reach the Open Cup Final since the Mitre Eagles did it in 1987.

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

2009 Semifinals: Sounders reach 1st Final with late equalizer, OT winner; beat Houston Dynamo 2-1 (video)

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The weather was perfect for soccer in Tukwila for the Seattle Sounders’ Semifinal US Open Cup match against MLS Western Conference rivals Houston Dynamo. The two teams had met this past week in league play with Seattle coming out on top 2-1 victors and in front of a sold-out crowd of Sounders faithful at the Starfire Sports Complex, they repeated the feat but needed extra time to do it.

It was Houston who struck first with an Ade Akinbiyi strike after 32 minutes of play. Houston looked strong early despite having few regulars and tried to make the most of their goal by eating up the clock. Play was rough with Houston unwilling to go down twice in one week while the Sounders tried to breach the Open Cup Semifinal barrier.

Nate Jaqua sported a bandaged head from a collision early in the game that continued to bleed however his pain would turn to pleasure when his 89th minute goal saved his team from elimination. Sebastien Le Toux played a ball into the box and Roger Levesque one-timed it to Jaqua who’s shot deflected off a defender and into the goal.

Seattle had battled furiously into the closing minutes and their effort was rewarded as they continued forcing chances into the overtime period. It was Stephen King that brought the Sounders their go ahead goal five minutes into the overtime to the relief of the fans. Steve Zakuani took his defender one-on-one on the left wing, played a ball on the ground into the box and Le Toux got the slightest of touches to the center of the box where King was there on the doorstep to bury it into the top part of the net. Despite losing All-Star defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado to a second yellow caution, the Sounders held on to defeat Houston and advance to the Open Cup Final to face defending champions DC United on September 2.

Despite having a rich and successful history as part of the USL First Division, the Seattle Sounders’ MLS expansion team is considered a completely brand new franchise, putting them in position to become the first expansion team since the Chicago Fire in 1998 to win the tournament in their inaugural season. The Sounders become the first Seattle-based team to reach the Open Cup Final since the Mitre Eagles did it in 1987.

HIGHLIGHTS: HOUSTON DYNAMO AT SEATTLE SOUNDERS

2009 Quarterfinals: Geoff Cameron unanimous choice as Player of the Round

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Houston Dynamo defender Geoff Cameron’s two goal performance for his club earned him the TheCup.us Player of the Round for the Quarterfinals. Just four days shy of his 24th birthday, Cameron netted the game-winning header 16 minutes into the match, and rounded out the scoring on another header in the 73rd minute as the Houston Dynamo defeated the Charleston Battery 4-0 to move onto the Semifinals against the Seattle Sounders.

Voters rewarded Cameron’s stand out performance with a unanimous vote for Player of the Round, while Charleston Battery’s Mike Ambersely earned runner-up honors in an almost unanimous vote, losing one vote to Sounders goalkeeper Kasey Keller, who finished in third.

Cameron joined the Houston Dynamo in 2008 as a third round draft pick (42nd overall) and quickly developed into a pivotal member of Houston’s defense. He saw action in 23 matches in 2008 – with eight starts – and was nominated for the 2008 MLS Rookie of the Year Award. Along with the Rookie of the Year nomination, his consistent play earned him a call-up to the U.S. Mens National Team Training Camp in January 2009, where he unfortunately sustained a hamstring injury on the second day. In 2009, Cameron has started all 17 matches he has played in, and has one assist.

The Player of the Round is selected by the staff of TheCup.us and members of the North American Soccer Reporters, a group that consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information about the NASR can be found at www.soccerreporters.com.

2009 Quarterfinals: Dynamo purge two years of Open Cup frustration; thrash Charleston 4-0

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Blackbaud Stadium – Charleston, SC
Match Reports: Charleston | Houston | Post and Courier | Houston Chronicle
0
FT
 4

 

      
16’ Geoff Cameron (Hayden)
47’ Bobby Boswell (Hayden)
52’ Dominic Oduro (Unassisted)
73’ Geoff Cameron (Mullan)

After defeating the Austin Aztex 2-0 at Nelson Field in Austin last week, the Dynamo travelled again to face another USL First Division opponent in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, this time going up against the Charleston Battery. For the second straight week, the Dynamo would win by a shutout. This time, doubling their output from the previous round, beating the Battery 4-0 in a Quarterfinal match at a rain-soaked Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, South Carolina.

It was a bit of revenge for the Dynamo, who have been eliminated from the tournament by the Battery in each of the last two years, with both games being played at Blackbaud Stadium. In 2007, Stephen Armstrong scored a goal in extra time to sink Houston and last year, the Dynamo scored a late equalizer, but were knocked out in penalty kicks by the hosts. The 2009 edition

For the Dynamo it only took 16 minutes to put a goal on the board as Geoff Cameron would score on a header off a John Michael Hayden corner kick to put the Dynamo up 1-0. The Battery nearly drew level in the 37th minute when Randi Patterson’s pass played Chris Williams into the box, but Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall came off his line to smother the shot.

But any momentum the Battery may have been carrying into the second half was quickly snuffed out when Houston’s John Michael Hayden played a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box to the far post that Bobby Boswell knocked home to put the Dynamo up 2-0 just two minutes into the second half. Fifteen minutes later, the Dynamo would widen the lead when Dominic Oduro’s blast from 20 yards out slipped just inside the far post past diving goalkeeper Dusty Hudock, to make it 3-0. Geoff Cameron would complete the scoring with his second goal when he headed in a Brian Mullen cross in the 73rd minute to give the Dynamo a 4-0 victory.

With the win, the Dynamo advance to the Semifinals for the first time since their inaugural season in 2006. There they will travel to Tukwila, WA to face the Seattle Sounders on July 21 with a spot in the championship game on the line. Seattle defeated the Kansas City Wizards in the Quarterfinals on a Sebastian Le Toux penalty kick in the 89th minute.

2009 Third Round: Randi Patterson’s brace earns him Player of the Round

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With a 3-1 victory over Chivas USA of Major League Soccer in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the Charleston Battery became the first USL team to advance to the Quarterfinals three years in a row. The main reason they were able to do that was Randi Patterson, who scored two goals in the match, and for his efforts, he has been voted as TheCup.us Player of the Round.

In a more decisive vote than the previous two rounds, Patterson beat out the Houston Dynamo’s Corey Ashe (1 goal, 1 assist in 2-0 win at Austin Aztex), and the Wilmington duo of goalkeeper Daryl Sattler and last round’s top player, Kenny Bundy, who helped the Hammerheads beat the Chicago Fire 1-0.

The Player of the Round is selected by the staff of TheCup.us and members of the North American Soccer Reporters, a group that consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information about the NASR can be found at www.soccerreporters.com (Note: A new website is in the works).

The former UNC-Greensboro star took time to talk to TheCup.us about his Open Cup experience and the difference between playing in MLS and the USL.

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TheCup.us: With your great start to this year’s tournament and your appearance in the final last year, not to mention your form in league play, your club’s confidence must be at an all-time high right now.

Patterson: We have been playing very well this season we had a rough start in the beginning scoring goals but we finally picked that up. Our defense has been excellent; without them we wouldn’t be where we are today.

TheCup.us: Tell us about the Third Round match against Chivas USA and the two goals that you scored.

Patterson: The Chivas game was really intense. They are a great team and to be honest they had most of the possession throught the game but we finished our chances. The first goal I scored I knew Kenji had a long throw-in so I made sure I was on the back post to clean up anything that came through. The second goal was because of an excellent pass by Spicer which gave me space to take a shot.

TheCup.us: You’ve had some Open Cup experience prior to turning pro when you were with the Carolina Dynamo in the PDL. You had a tremendous run through the tournament (defeating the Seattle Sounders along the way), advancing all the way to the Fourth Round. What was that experience like?

Patterson: It was a great experience during the PDL season playing in the Open Cup. We had a great team that year and it showed advancing that far. It was a great opportunity to show what we could do before the MLS draft took place.

TheCup.us: In the Fourth Round that year, your Carolina Dynamo faced the Houston Dynamo. What was the team/organization’s reaction when Houston chose a team name that you guys already had?

Patterson:  It was kind of weird that an MLS team chose the name that we had. I heard some other things about that situation but I can’t go into that.

TheCup.us: You spent some time with the New York Red Bulls, but later moved on to Charleston. What has been the difference between the two places and how has your experience been in Charleston? What have been the differences between MLS and USL-1?

Patterson: The difference is that playing near New York City was that you always had something to do. I lived in Teaneck all my life which is 10 minutes from New York City so there was always something for me to do. In Charleston, it’s a nice place but it’s not like New York City. Charleston has the beach and the downtown area which is beautiful and also the people are really nice. There isn’t a big difference just maybe the speed of play. Obviously it’s a lot faster in MLS but other than that I don’t see a difference.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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