Jesse Llamas

Notable upsets in the Second Round of the US Open Cup

September 3, 2009 by Aaron Stollar

UPDATED 5/18/17

2000 – Mid-Michigan Bucks (PDL) 1:0 New England Revolution (MLS)

The Mid-Michigan Bucks have always been one of the lower division troublemakers of the US Open Cup, and this match against the New England Revolution at Foxboro Stadium helped build that reputation. Goalkeeper Eric Pogue was the early hero for the Bucks, saving a Shaker Asad penalty kick in the 7th minute to keep the game scoreless. The Bucks stayed with the Revolution for 90 minutes using a high-tempo style of play and eventually sent the sparse crowd of 1,857 Revolution fans home disappointed.

Three minutes into stoppage time, midfielder Chad Schomaker scored the winner on an assist from Boniventure Maruti. The win was the first time an amateur side defeated a Major League Soccer team. The Bucks, however, remain the only amateur club to upset an MLS team without the help of extra time or penalty kicks. Their Cup run would come to an end in the next round, when the Miami Fusion of MLS came to Saginaw, Mich., they needed a penalty kick shootout to eliminate the giant killers after a 3-3 draw in regulation.

2000 – Chicago Sockers (PDL) 0:0 Kansas City Wizards (MLS) (Chicago advances, 7-6 on PKs)

The Mid-Michigan Bucks weren’t the only team slaying MLS giants in the Second Round of the 2000 Open Cup. The Kansas City Wizards were leading Major League Soccer in points at the time of the match, but that didn’t matter to the PDL’s Chicago Sockers, who were the defending champions of the fourth division league. Adam Throop of the Sockers put in a spectacular performance, keeping a clean sheet for 105 minutes despite 23 shots from the Wizards. Both teams slugged though extra time scoreless as well, and the 3,140 on hand at Forest View Park in Chicago eagerly awaited the penalty kick session to decide the game. Throop came though again, saving Uche Okafor’s penalty to give Chicago the win.

The Sockers, like the Bucks, went on to put a scare into their next MLS opponents. In the Third Round, the Sockers took on the Chicago Fire and only a Josh Wolff goal in the 22nd minute seperated the two clubs in a rare Open Cup derby match.

2006- Dallas Roma FC (USASA – Region III) 1:0 Miami FC (USL-1)

Dallas Roma FC pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the Modern Era of the US Open Cup (1995-present), defeating the USL First Division’s Miami FC 1-0 in front of their home fans in Dallas. Roma scored the lone goal of the match early in the game, when Miami midfielder Zinho was called for a handball in the penalty area. John Waters stepped to the spot and converted the penalty for the 1-0 lead.

The Roma defense, led by goalkeeper Jessie Llamas, held World Cup winners Romario and Zinho in check all night, only allowing Miami to attack from the side, instead of up the middle. Roma head coach Michael Schell did not start three of his regulars for disciplinary reasons, making the 1-0 lead that much more remarkable. When he eventually brought in the likes of Patrick Shamu and Mark Rowland, Schell said the Miami players began to get frustrated.

“They (Miami) realized these guys were better then the ones they replaced”, Schell said. It was during this time that both Michael Erush and Fabian Sandoval were sent off, leaving Miami with just nine men to finish the game. Schell was also quick to point out that the visitors did not take his team lightly, as they constantly put pressure on Roma’s defense throughout the night.

The win marked the first time a USASA club had beaten a team from the USL First Division. Roma are also only the second USASA team since 1995 to advance to the Third Round of the US Open Cup. “I don’t think I’m going to go to sleep tonight!” said an ecstatic Schell after a post-match dinner with his team.

Other Second Round upsets

1997 – San Francisco Bay Seals (D3 Pro) 1:0 Seattle Sounders (A-League)
1998 – Orlando Nighthawks (D3 Pro) 2:1 Milwaukee Rampage (A-League)
1998 – Chicago Stingers (D3 Pro) 3:2 Hershey Wildcats (A-League)
1999 – Mid Michigan Bucks (PDL) 2:1 Minnesota Thunder (A-League)
1999 – Carolina Dynamo (D3 Pro) 2:0 Orange County Zodiac (A-League)
2000 – Richmond Kickers (A-League) 3:0 Colorado Rapids (MLS)
2001 – Connecticut Wolves (MLS) 3:2 Tampa Bay Mutiny (MLS)
2001 – Charleston Battery (A-League) 4:1 Metrostars (MLS)
2001 – Seattle Sounders Select (PDL) 3:2 Dallas Burn (MLS)
2001 – Pittsburgh Riverhounds (A-League) 3:0 Colorado Rapids (MLS)
2003 – Bavarian SC (USASA) 1:0 Reading Rage (PSL)
2006 – Michigan Bucks (PDL) 2:1 Cincinnati Kings (USL-2)
2006 – Des Moines Menace (PDL) 1:0 Minnesota Thunder (USL-1)
2006 – Carolina Dynamo (PDL) 1:0 Richmond Kickers (USL-2)
2008 – Cleveland City Stars (USL-2) 2:0 Minnesota Thunder (USL-1)
2009 – Ocean City Barons (PDL) 1:0 (AET) Real Maryland Monarchs (USL-2)
2012 – Michigan Bucks (PDL) 1:0 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro)
2012 – Cal FC (USASA) 4:0 Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro)
2012 – Ventura County Fusion (PDL) 3:1 (AET) Los Angeles Blues (USL Pro)
2013 – Reading United (PDL) 1:0 Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro)
2013 – Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL) 1:0 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro)
2013 – Des Moines Menace (PDL) 1:0 Minnesota United FC (NASL)
2013 – FC Tucson (PDL) 2:2 (4:3 PKs) San Antonio Scorpions (NASL)
2014 – Fresno Fuego (PDL) 2:0 Orange County Blues (USL Pro)
2014 – Chattanooga FC (NPSL) 3:1 Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro)
2017 – Reading United AC (PDL) 3:2 New York Cosmos (NASL)
2017 – Christos FC (USASA) 1:0 Richmond Kickers (USL)
2017 – Charlotte Eagles (PDL) 3:2 Charlotte Independence (USL)
2017 – Michigan Bucks (PDL) 1:0 Indy Eleven (NASL)
2017 – Chicago FC United (PDL) 3:1 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL)

2008 Quarterfinals: Sounders’ Chris Eylander unanimous as Player of the Round

July 9, 2008 by

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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