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2011 US Open Cup qualifying updates: MLS play-in tournament underway

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Tony Tchani (23) of the New York Red Bulls battles for the ball against Joseph Niouky (23) of the New England Revolution during last year's MLS qualifying tournament. | Photo: RBNY/Getty Images

For the fifth year in a row, Major League Soccer (MLS) will conduct a play-in tournament to narrow the number of teams that enter the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Beginning on June 28, eight MLS clubs will join the 98th edition of the tournament in the third round, with the top six MLS teams based on the 2010 league standings automatically qualifying. The 10 remaining US-based clubs are left to fight for the last two spots.

Below are the matchups as well as which team will host each match, as determined by a coin flip at MLS headquarters. The dates, times and locations will be announced at a later date.

Automatic qualifiers: Columbus Crew, FC Dallas, Los Angeles Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake, Seattle Sounders FC

2011 MLS qualifying bracket

First Round

(8) Chivas USA 0:2 (10) Portland Timbers – RECAP
Tuesday, March 29 – 10 p.m. EST | Merlo Field (Portland, Ore.)

(7) Philadelphia 2:2 (9) DC United – RECAP
DC advances 4-2 in PKs
April 6, 7:30 p.m. | Maryland Soccerplex (Boyds, Md.)

Second Round

(2) San Jose Earthquakes 1:0 (10) Portland Timbers – RECAP
After Extra Time
May 3, 10:30 p.m. EST | Jeld-Wen Field (Portland, Ore.)

(6) New England 3:2 (9) DC United – RECAP
April 26, 7:30 p.m. EST | Maryland Soccerplex (Boyds, Md.)

(1) Colorado Rapids 1:2 (4) Chicago Fire – RECAP
March 30, Shea Stadium (Peoria, Ill.)

(3) Sporting Kansas City 1:0 (5) Houston Dynamo – RECAP
After Extra Time
April 6, 8 p.m. EST – Aggie Soccer Stadium (College Station, Tx.)

Third Round*

(4) Chicago Fire 2:2 (2) San Jose Earthquakes – RECAP
Chicago qualifies for the 2011 US Open Cup, 5-4 in PKs
May 24, 10:30 p.m. EST – Buck Shaw Stadium (Santa Clara, Calif.)

(6) New England Revolution 0:5 (3) Sporting Kansas City – RECAP
Kansas City qualifies for the 2011 US Open Cup
May 25, 8:30 p.m. EST – Blue Valley District Activities Complex (Overland Park, Kan.)

MLS qualifying team profiles

Chicago Fire: The MLS team with the most Open Cup titles (4) only had to qualify one time and only had to play one game to qualify for that tournament in 2008. They defeated the Columbus Crew 3-2 and they would advance to the quarterfinals that year, losing to DC United.

Chivas USA: Has never had to qualify for the US Open Cup

Colorado Rapids: The Rapids share the unfortunate distinction with Real Salt Lake as the club who has played the most qualifying matches over the last four seasons. Which only means a lot of heartbreak for their fans, as Colorado has a 3-2-2 record (1-1 in PKs) and after advancing in 2007, the Rapids have fallen one game short in each of the last three years. In 2010, they lost to the New York Red Bulls, 3-0.

DC United: In two years (2009, 2010), DC has never lost a qualifying match, with a perfect 4-0 record. Last year, United advanced to the semifinals where they lost to the Columbus Crew, and in 2009, they joined fellow qualifying survivor Seattle Sounders FC, by reaching the championship game. Seattle won the final 2-1 at RFK Stadium.

Houston Dynamo: Houston has never had to qualify for the US Open Cup.

New England Revolution: Last year was the first time New England has had to qualify for the Open Cup, and they lost in the semifinals, 3-0, to the New York Red Bulls.

Philadelphia Union: In their inaugural season last year, the Union lost their first qualifying match, 2-1 to the New York Red Bulls.

Portland Timbers: 2011 MLS expansion club

San Jose Earthquakes: The Earthquakes have never won a qualifying match (0-2-1), failing to advance each of the last three years. The closest they came was last year, when they drew 3-3 with Real Salt Lake, but fell short in the shootout.

Sporting Kansas City: The club formerly known as the Wizards have also never won a qualifying game (0-2-1, 1-0 in PKs). The only time they advanced was when they defeated the Colorado Rapids in a penalty kick shootout to qualify for the 2008 US Open Cup.

Hosting MLS qualifying games (2007-2010)

Chicago: 1 game, 1 home, 0 away (1-0)
Colorado: 7 games, 2 home, 5 away (3-2-2, 1-1 in PKs)
Columbus: 3 games, 2 home, 1 away (1-2-0)
DC United: 4 games, 4 home, 0 away (4-0-0)
FC Dallas: 2 games, 0 home, 2 away (0-2-0)
Los Angeles: 4 games, 2 home, 2 away (2-1-1, 0-1 in PKs)
New England: 1 game, 0 home, 1 away (0-1-0)
New York: 6 games, 3 home, 3 away (4-2-0)
Philadelphia: 1 game, 0 home, 1 away (0-1-0)
Real Salt Lake: 7 games, 2 home, 5 away (2-4-1, 1-0 in PKs)
San Jose: 3 games, 2 home, 1 away (0-2-1, 0-1 in PKs)
Seattle: 2 games, 2 home, 0 away (2-0-0)
Sporting Kansas City: 3 games, 2 home, 1 away (0-2-1, 1-0 in PKs)

More: USSF announces 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup team allocations, dates

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Ike Opara’s late winner breaks Portland hearts, sends Earthquakes to final round

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Ike Opara of the San Jose Earthquakes challenges for the ball with Adam Moffat of the Portland Timbers during Tuesday’s US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Craig Mitchelldyer | Portland Timbers

The faithful Portland Timbers fans at JELD-WEN Field witnessed their US Open Cup hopes crash with a thud as a header from San Jose striker Ike Opara in the 120th minute gave the Earthquakes a 1-0 victory after extra time. This came after 120 minutes of action that could be reminiscent of a play. It started slowly, threw in a few twists and turns, included plenty of drama, and built to a crescendo with Opara putting on the climactic act at the finish.

Both teams came out slow to start the match. This was to be reasonably expected, as Portland hosted league stalwart Real Salt Lake just three days before, while San Jose was coming off a cross-country trip from Philadelphia. The Timbers fielded a mostly reserve squad, with the addition of starting goalkeeper Troy Perkins, having recently come back from injury. This gave the Earthquakes the early advantage, as they pressured Portland quickly.

The game would turn chippy soon enough, as the first yellow card was issued to the Earthquakes’ Brad Ring for shoving Portland’s Spencer Thompson in the 7th minute. It was a sign of things to come. San Jose would continue pressuring throughout the first half, including a chance for Ring in the 35th minute. He received the ball just outside the 18 yard box, but sent a side volley over the crossbar. Not to say the Timbers didn’t have chances of their own. In the 38th minute, Steve Purdy headed a corner kick towards goal, only to see it finger-tipped away by Earthquakes goalkeeper Andrew Weber.

The second half started with the Quakes coming back to life for a few minutes, but nothing would come of their efforts. Portland slowly turned the tables, and by the 60th minute had full control. At that point, Thompson received a chip inside the box, but couldn’t quite redirect the ball towards the net, sending it high and wide. Soon after began the fouling of Timbers player Sal Zizzo. Whether the fouls he suffered throughout the game were card-worthy or not, that depends on who you ask. The first yellow card earned for fouling Zizzo was shown to Ramiro Corrales in the 63rd minute.

The teams started to warm up more, as by the 75th minute, Ryan Johnson received a pass from Chris Wondolowski inside the box and shot, but Troy Perkins was there to make a great tip over the crossbar to keep the match scoreless. The final five minutes of regulation saw both teams become energized and created an exciting few minutes. A long blast from the Timbers’ Adam Moffat was knocked down by Weber in the 86th minute. Just a couple minutes later at the other end, Bobby Convey was on a breakaway for the Earthquakes. Timbers defender Freddie Braun saved the day by bolting back and stripping the ball away in an impressive slide tackle near the top of the box. As the game entered stoppage time, Zizzo drew a second yellow card, this time to Moffat for knocking him over. The teams could not break through in regulation, invoking extra time.

Nine minutes into extra time, Zizzo was fouled yet again, this time by Steven Lenhart. After getting knocked around all match, Zizzo didn’t take kindly to it, and retaliated. However, this time no card was issued. Lenhart would make waves again in the 104th minute as he knocked the ball into the net off a Quakes free kick to the left of the box utilizing his hand. He earned himself a yellow card for his efforts. The final yellow card of the match earned during the run of play was given to Timbers midfielder James Marcelin for taking down Lenhart from behind in the 117th minute.

As the game approached the end of extra time, the Quakes bore down and took care of business. With the ball bouncing in and out of the box, Sam Cronin crossed it back in to find Ike Opara, who headed it home in the 120th minute. He too, however, would earn a yellow card after removing his jersey in celebration. Portland would pressure with every second they had left, culminating with an effort by Thompson at the top of the box in the 3rd minute of stoppage time, which harmlessly sailed over the goal.

With the win, the San Jose Earthquakes improved their record in all US Open Cup-related matches against the Portland Timbers to 3-0 (also having defeated them in the tournament proper in 2004 and 2005 when the Timbers were members of the second division). They advance to the third qualifying round, where they are scheduled to host a “Win and You’re In” match against the Chicago Fire. The date, time, and location is still to be determined. The loss by the Timbers was their first at JELD-WEN Field this season, and they will not compete in the tournament proper for the first time since 2003.

2011 US Open Cup qualifying (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes 1:0 (AET) Portland Timbers
May 3, 2011 – JELD-WEN Field (Portland, Ore.)
Attendance: 11,412

Scoring Summary
SJE: Ike Opara (Sam Cronin) – 120th minute

Misconduct Summary
SJE: Brad Ring (caution) – 7th minute
POR: Ryan Pore (caution) – 50th minute
SJE: Ramiro Corrales (caution) – 62nd minute
SJE: Sam Cronin (caution) – 80th minute
SJE: Ryan Johnson (caution) – 91st minute+
SJE: Steven Lenhart (caution) – 104th minute
POR: James Marcelin (caution) – 114th minute
SJE: Ike Opara (caution) – 120th minute

Lineups
Portland Timbers: Troy Perkins (GK), Freddie Braun, Kevin Goldthwaite (Mamadou Danso – 98th), David Horst, Steve Purdy, Sal Zizzo (Darlington Nagbe – 111th), James Marcelin, Adam Moffat, Rodrigo Lopez (Jeremy Hall – 110th), Ryan Pore, Spencer Thompson.

San Jose Earthquakes: Andrew Weber, Steven Beitashour, Bobby Burling, Ike Opara, Ramiro Corrales, Khari Stephenson (Steven Lenhart – 83rd), Sam Cronin, Brad Ring, Bobby Convey (Justin Morrow – 94th), Ryan Johnson (Ellis McLoughlin – 111th), Chris Wondolowski.

Statistics
SJE: Shots: 9; Shots on Goal: 4; Saves: 3; Fouls: 23; Offsides: 0; Corners: 7.
POR: Shots: 8; Shots on Goal: 3; Saves: 3; Fouls: 22; Offsides: 2; Corners: 6.

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: DC United hold off Union’s shorthanded rally, advance on PKs

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Josh Wolff, DC United
Josh Wolff of DC Untied heads in the tying goal just before halftime in their US Open Cup qualifying match vs. Philadelphia Union. Photo: Tony Quinn | DC United

2011 US Open Cup qualifying bracket

In the opening round of Major League Soccer’s US Open Cup qualifying tournament, DC United survived a 10-man Philadelphia Union squad who scored a late equalizer in extra time and took the game into penalty kicks. United would prevail in the shootout, 4-2, to move on to the next round to host the New England Revolution on April 26 at the Maryland Soccerplex at 7:30 p.m.

After the Union’s Carlos Ruiz and DC’s Josh Wolff traded first half goals, the second half went by scoreless despite Philadelphia’s Carlos Valdes being sent off for his second yellow card in the 85th minute. DC’s poured on the pressure and took the lead with a goal by Daniel Woolard in the 111th minute, but the Union wouldn’t give up. In the 118th minute, the shorthanded visitors got an equalizer from veteran, and former DC player, Brian Carroll to send the match into PKs.

DC remains unbeaten in five all-time qualifying matches (4-0-1), while the Union have been eliminated in their opening game in each of their first two seasons.

Both teams fielded their best squads for the night and much was expected. The game initially began with Joseph Ngwenya finding loads of space in the attacking third of the field, feeding Najar with dangerous balls.

Philly’s chances started showing in minute 12 of play when Harvey’s cross found the head of Carlos Ruiz at top of the box, only to be cleared by Ethan White of DC United.

Minute 14 was the best chance for DC so far as Andy Najar ran onto a through ball from Ngwenya, crossing into Fred who misfired it past the veteran Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon.

Sons of Ben had their moment to finally celebrate in the 18th minute when Sheanon Williams launched a low throw-in into a crowded penalty area. Eventually the ball fell to Ruiz, who turned and finished from 10 yards out.

United then bombarded Philadelphia with counter attacks, sending Andy Najar onto multiple dangerous runs.

Philly had chances came again most notably in the 30th minute when Sebastien Le Toux hit Ruiz’s pass just wide.

Right before the halftime whistle came, DC took advantage of a well-taken corner where White initially took a shot at goal, but it was Josh Wolff who eventually put it in the back of the net after a series of deflections in the Philly box. Chance well-taken and it was all square headed into the locker rooms.

Minute 46 saw the substitution of DC goal scorer Josh Wolff, who is tied along with Ruiz for 5th on the Professional Era (1995-present) goalscoring list with 9 career goals,  coming off for Brettschneider who made a name for himself later on the second half.

In the 47th minute, Andy Najar sent in a very dangerous cross from the right, but Faryd Mondragon was able to deflect it away just before Ngwenya could tap in.

Both DC and Philly were exchanging possession as the game continued but it was DC United that was taking control of the game. A series of shots from Carlos Ruiz had followed all that with the DC defense being forced to stiffen.

In minute 68, best chance of the half for DC when Brettschneider crossed the ball to Boskovic. The Montenegrin had unfortunately stretched the situation, taking too long before Mondragon could easily scoop it up.

The game had turned more and more physical as it neared the end, especially when Peter Nowak stood up in the 80th minute, having serious talks with the officials.

As if that wasn’t enough, Valdes was shown his second yellow card in the 85th minute after arguing with the referee and kicking the ball into the stands. Philadelphia was forced to play with ten men the rest of the way.

Last pieces of actions included Andy Najar playing a through ball to Brettschneider, who tried to cross to Ngwenya with Mondragon having none of it.

After 5 minutes of added time, we headed into extra time and this one was definitely turning into a nail-biter.

First period of extra time without a doubt belonged to DC United as Chris Pontius paired up with Brettschneider hitting shot after shot and DC holding the majority of possession.

A similar goal came in for DC in the 112th minute when former Chicago Fire defender Daniel Woolard knocked in a deflected ball to make it 2-1, but the show was not over yet.

Two minutes from the final whistle, Carroll knocked in a deflected ball as well, only this time in the Union’s favor. It was 2-2 just a couple of minutes before referee Andrew Chapin could call it a night.

Surprisingly enough, the game went into penalties where Bill Hamid proved massive. After Jack McInerney sent his attempt over the bar, it was Roger Torres who had his shot saved, while United converted all four of their attempts.

DC United now will host the New England Revolution on April 26 in Round 2 of the 2011 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. It will be their 19th consecutive Open Cup home game (including qualifying).

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2011 US Open Cup qualifying (MLS)
Philadelphia Union 2:2 DC United  (DC advances 4-2 in PKs)
Wednesday, April 6 – Maryland Soccerplex (Boyds, Md.)

DC United lineup: Bill Hamid (GK); Brandon Barklage, Ethan White, Rodrigo Brasesco (Dejan Jakovic – 41th), Daniel Woolard; Andy Najar, Stephen King, Fred (Chris Pontius – 89th), Branko Boskovic; Josh Wolff (Brettschneider – 46th), Joseph Ngwenya | Unused substitutes: Simms, Morsink, Shanoksy, Willis

Philadelphia Union lineup: Faryd Mondragon (GK), Jordan Harvey, Carlos Valdes, Danny Califf, Sheanon Williams (Danny Mwanga – 73rd), Kyle Nakazawa, Brian Carroll, Michael Farfan, Keon Daniel (Roger Torres – 66th), Sebastien Le Toux, Carlos Ruiz (Jack McInerney – 80th) | Unused substitutes: Holder, Richter, Pfeffer, Agorsor

SCORING SUMMARY
PHI: Carlos Ruiz (Sheanon Williams) – 18th minute
DCU: Josh Wolff (Joseph Ngwenya) – 45th minute
DCU: Daniel Woolard (Unassisted) – 111th minute
PHI: Brian Carroll (Unassisted) – 118th minute

PENALTY KICK SUMMARY
PHI: Sebastien Le Toux – MADE
DCU: Chris Pontius – MADE
PHI: Jack McInerney – MISS (high)
DCU: Brandon Barklage – MADE
PHI: Roger Torres – SAVED
DCU: Andy Najar – MADE
PHI: Kyle Nakazawa – MADE
DCU: Branko Boskovic – MADE

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
DCU: Fred (Caution) – 25th min.
PHI: Carlos Valdes (Caution) – 39th min.
DCU: Dejan Jakovic – 70th min.
PHI: Carlos Ruiz (Caution) – 73rd
PHI: Carlos Valdes (Second Caution / Ejection) – 85th min.
PHI: Piotr Nowak (Ejection) – 118th min.

Referee: Andrew Chapin
Assistants: Eric Weisbord, Kevin Klinger
4th official: Michael Donovan

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: CJ Sapong’s goal gives Sporting KC first qualifying win, 1-0 over Dynamo

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2011 US Open Cup qualifying bracket (MLS)

Tyler Deric, Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric made four saves in Wednesday’s US Open Cup qualifier against Sporting Kansas City. Photo: Wilf Thorne | Houston Dynamo

A goal three minutes into overtime from second half substitute CJ Sapong proved to be the difference as Sporting Kansas City registered their first Major League Soccer qualification victory for the US Open Cup in team history, downing Houston Dynamo, 1-0. The club entered the match with a 0-2-1 record, advancing just once on penalties.

The rookie striker, selected as the 10th overall pick, is no stranger to dramatic early goals through just four games. His first career goal in MLS came in the very first minute of the club’s 3-2 victory on the road against Chivas USA in the season opener.

After receiving a pass from Teal Bunbury, who has a co-league leading three goals, Sapong drove through the Dynamo defense and let loose a curling shot into the upper right corner beyond the reach of goalkeeper Tyler Deric.

Sapong is looking to return to the tournament after being eliminated, 2-1 in overtime, in the First Round a year ago while playing for the USL Premier Development League’s Reading United AC by the then USL Second Division Real Maryland Monarchs. The former DC United Academy player tallied two goals and two assists as Reading swept all of its qualifiers in the PDL a year ago, starting all four contests. He also went on to help lead the team to the PDL Final Four with four goals and three assists in 11 games.

Kansas City advances to the final round of the eastern MLS qualification bracket and will travel to play the winner of the second round match between the New England Revolution and host DC United. Details of the match will be announced at a later date.

The two clubs came in with contrasting results in league play as Houston featured low-scoring affairs and Kansas City thrilling goalfests, but the scoreline followed the Dynamo trend. Houston opened with a 1-0 loss to Philadelphia and came into the match on back-to-back 1-1 draws in Seattle and New York. Sporting, meanwhile, saw at least four fewer goals. Following the win in California, Kansas City dropped a 3-2 contest in Chicago and saw a three-goal lead disappear in Vancouver for a 3-3 draw last weekend.

Back-up goalkeeper Eric Kronberg was critical for the visitors in the shutout, making six saves and patrolling his area well on the night. Houston’s youngster was also stellar in goal in relief of usual starter Tally Hall, making an acrobatic save seven minutes in to deny Kei Kamara’s header from six yards and stuffing Omar Bravo point-blank in the 25th minute.

Houston returns to league play, hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps Sunday evening. Kansas City, meanwhile, are idle this weekend and will next play in Columbus April 16 as Sporting continues its 10-game stretch away from home to start the league campaign while its new home stadium, LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, is completed for the June 9 opener versus Chicago.

2011 US Open Cup qualifying (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City 1:0 Houston Dynamo (After Extra Time)
April 06, 2011 — Aggie Soccer Stadium, College Station, Tx.

Scoring Summary
SKC: CJ Sapong (Teal Bunbury) – 92nd minute

Sporting Kansas City lineup: Eric Kronberg (GK), Michael Harrington, Matt Besler, Shavar Thomas, Roger Espinoza, Luke Sassano (Davy Arnaud – 91st), Craig Rocastle (Birahim Diop – 76th), Milos Stojcev, Kei Kamara, Omar Bravo (CJ Sapong – 46th), Teal Bunbury. | Substitutes Not Used: Kevin Ellis, Mike Jones, Scott Lorenz, Jon Kempin.

Houston Dynamo lineup: Tyler Deric (GK), Kofi Sarkodie, Bobby Boswell, Eddie Robinson (Jordan Graye – 86th), Mike Chabala, Danny Cruz, Alex Dixon, Lovel Palmer, Colin Clark (Corey Ashe – 76th), Cam Weaver (Will Bruin – 83rd), Jason Garey. | Substitutes Not Used: Hunter Freeman, Francisco Navas Cobo, Josue Soto, Tally Hall.

Misconduct Summary
HOU: Kofi Sarkodie (caution; Tactical Foul) – 5th
HOU: Lovel Palmer (caution; Tactical Foul) – 43rd
SKC: Omar Bravo (caution; Reckless Foul) – 46th+
HOU: Mike Chabala (caution; Tactical Foul) – 65th
HOU: Bobby Boswell (caution; Tactical Foul) – 73rd

Referee: Ismail Elfath
Referee’s Assistants: Greg Boles; Marcel Theriot
4th Official: Luis Guardia
Attendance: 2,383
Weather: Sunny-and-75-degrees

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Chicago Fire one win away from Open Cup after beating Rapids

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Michael Videira of the Chicago Fire battles for the ball against the Colorado Rapids in Wednesday's US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Bob Hunt
Michael Videira of the Chicago Fire battles for the ball against the Colorado Rapids in Wednesday’s US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Bob Hunt

Where there is smoke there is fire, or at least the Chicago Fire’s Jalil Anibaba. The rookie defender launched a 45 yard shot from the midst of a flare-induced haze just after the hour mark to give the hosts a 2-1 US Open Cup qualification victory over the reigning Major League Soccer champion Colorado Rapids Wednesday evening in Peoria, IL at Bradley University’s Shea Stadium.

2011 US Open Cup qualifying (MLS)
Colorado Rapids 1:2 Chicago Fire

SCORING SUMMARY
CHI: Gaston Puerari (Diego Chaves) – 45th
COL: Andre Akpan (Quincy Amarikwa) – 47th
CHI: Jalil Anibaba (Unassisted) – 61st
Chicago advances to play at winner of San Jose/Portland

Post-game quotes | MLS qualifying schedule

The goal was a floating shot that slipped just inside the upper right corner of the goal as Colorado keeper Ian Joyce stretched back in a last-second attempt to parry it away, perhaps after being unable to initially see the incoming effort through the remaining smoke that was created by a flare set off by Fire supporters behind his endline minutes earlier.

Anibaba’s unlikely tally proved to be the difference as Chicago held on for the victory in what was largely an evenly contested match that saw each club score its previous goal within two minutes of each side of the halftime break.

Chicago took the lead in the 45th minute when Diego Chaves found Gaston Peurari, who drove into the left side of the penalty area before letting loose a shot from 16 yards that beat Joyce.

Just over a minute and a half into the second stanza, the Rapids stunned Chicago with the equalizer. Andre Akpan, a former Fire Premier Development League player, connected at a narrow angle from the right, sending it into the far side netting.

Chicago, seeded fourth overall, advances to the final match of the western version of the MLS qualification bracket with the victory over the top seed and will now travel to face either last night’s opening round winner Portland Timbers or the San Jose Earthquakes, who were seeded into the second round with a bye. Details of the match are yet to be determined.

While the Fire are idle this week in MLS play, the Rapids return home to host DC United Sunday, April 3. With the league match ahead, Colorado utilized nearly an entire reserve squad lineup that could arguably indicate the club indirectly wanted to avoid fixture congestion later in the season. The Rapids only started one player, Quincy Amarikwa, from the starting lineup of this past Saturday’s 1-0 victory in California against Chivas USA. Ross LaBauex and Wells Thompson (for Amarikwa) came off the bench in the league match for a combined 91 minutes played between the trio.  Amarikwa scored the winner in the 31st minute of the game.

Match Highlights (Chicago-Fire.com)

The Rapids have taken part in every MLS qualifying tournament since it began in 2007, and after emerging from the competition that first year, they have fallen short in each of the last four years. They have played more qualifying games since 2007 than any MLS club, and wrap up this year’s tournament with a 3-3-2 (1-1 in PKs) overall record.

Although the Rapids will not be participating in the 2011 edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the club will still have non-league fixtures this summer when it competes in the fourth edition of the CONCACAF Champions League as the current MLS champions.

The last time the Chicago Fire played at Shea Stadium was in 2008 US Open Cup qualifying when they defeated the Columbus Crew 3-2 in front of a sold-out crowd. Photo: Bradley University

The first half saw few opportunities that challenged the keepers as the clubs tested one another. In the third minute Colorado’s Sanna Nyassi struck a shot from 30 yards that Sean Johnson caught, and seven minutes later at the other end Rapids defender Tyrone Marshall did well to clear away consecutive chances in the box. Chicago’s Puerari began to make noise in the 32nd minute when he made a run into the box only to see the ball get away from him.

Shortly after a 39th minute yellow card to recent Fire acquisition Yamith Cuesta, the signs of a breakdown by the Rapids began to show in the 40th minute with the first of two yellow cards in a short span as the match started to heat up physically. Nyassi was given a caution for tripping Patrick Nyarko, who was taken down again three minutes later by Scott Palguta, who was also disciplined.

Nyarko answered, with what proved to be a warning shot, as his header a minute later off a cross from Cory Gibbs sailed just over the crossbar.

In the 69th minute Wells Thompson nearly provided a second Colorado equalizer when he got inside the area and fired from the left only to see Johnson make a great save to preserve the advantage. Five minutes later Amarikwa worked his way into the box from the right side, but a series of dangerous opportunities in the box never resulted in a direct shot.

Chicago nearly locked up the victory with a third tally in the 77th minute when Chaves showed some fine skill with his chest and feet around the penalty spot before slipping the ball off to an open Davis Paul, whose shot went wide right.

Colorado’s final chance was a Nyassi shot in the 86th minute that missed narrowly, and the Fire nearly closed with a bang three minutes into stoppage time when Puerari drove into the area and sent a shot from 14 yards that Joyce tipped wide of the far left post.

MLS qualifying for the US Open Cup continues next Wednesday evening, April 6 with two matches in the eastern version MLS qualifying brackets. The Philadelphia Union visit DC United at 7:30 pm ET and the Houston Dynamo play host to Sporting Kansas City at 8:00 pm ET.

SCORING SUMMARY:

CHI: Gaston Puerari (Diego Chaves) – 45th
COL: Andre Akpan (Quincy Amarikwa) – 46th
CHI: Jalil Anibaba (unassisted) – 61st

LINEUPS:

COLORADO: Ian Joyce, Ross LaBauex, Tyrone Marshall, Mike Holody, Scott Palguta, Wells Thompson, Steven Emory (Josh Janniere 80), Joseph Nane, Sanna Nyassi, Andre Akpan, Quincy Amarikwa.

CHICAGO: Sean Johnson, Cory Gibbs, Jalil Anibaba, Gonzalo Segares, Yamith Cuesta (Dasan Robinson 60′), Logan Pause, Davis Paul, Mike Videira, Patrick Nyarko, Diego Chaves (Orr Barrouch 91+), Gaston Puerari

Attendance: 2,029
Weather: Clear, 48 degrees

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Portland Timbers get first MLS win, topple 10-man Chivas USA

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Jack Jewsbury celebrates with his teammates after the Portland Timber’s 2-0 win over Chivas USA in US Open Cup qualifying. Photo: Gary Sheldon | ProstAmerika.com

It was an agonizingly long wait as it took two games and 84 minutes for the Major League Soccer Portland Timbers to effectively register their first official victory. The Timbers snared a 2-0 win over Chivas USA with two late goals from Jack Jewsbury and Eric Brunner at Merlo Field Tuesday evening in the opening round of MLS qualifying for the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

2011 US Open Cup qualifying (MLS)
Chivas USA 0:2 Portland Timbers

SCORING SUMMARY
POR: Jack Jewsbury (Unassisted) – 84th
POR: Eric Brunner (Unassisted) – 86th
Portland advances to play at San Jose, date/time TBA

MLS qualifying schedule
VIDEO (PortlandTimbers.com)
Game highlights
Jack Jewsbury post-game interview

PHOTOS from Prost Amerika | RECAP

After suffering losses on the road to the MLS Champion Colorado Rapids and Toronto FC, the club’s path to its first win came in small steps. First was returning home, playing in the rain of the alternate venue at the University of Portland. Then it was getting a little help from the referees, who gave the club a man advantage just before halftime when the visitors saw Andrew Boyens sent off for a second yellow card in the 43rd minute.

Chivas USA managed the setback well in the second though, creating opportunities and keeping Portland largely at bay. When it seemed the California club, which reached the tournament’s semifinals a year ago despite finishing eighth in the league’s Western Conference, was going to break through in the 83rd minute, the match instead broke in favor of the Timbers in a mad four minute frenzy.

A long ball over the top created a breakaway for Justin Braun in the 83rd minute when he collected the ball behind the Timbers’ defense and drove toward goal. Back-up goalkeeper Jake Gleeson charged outside the edge of the box and stuffed Braun’s attempt at close range, denying the visitor’s best opportunity of the night.

The Timbers caught Chivas USA off guard just seconds later at the other end when second half substitute Jack Jewsbury let loose a low shot from 35 yards out that skipped on the wet grass and found its way into the lower left corner through the outstretched hands of Dan Kennedy.

Braun nearly answered back for Chivas USA a minute later, turning with the ball at the edge of the box only to see it poked away at the last second.

Eric Brunner of the Portland Timbers celebrates his goal vs Chivas USA in the 86th minute. Photo: Prost Amerika | Photo: Prost Amerika | Gary Sheldon 2011 | Check out the slideshow
Eric Brunner of the Portland Timbers celebrates his goal against Chivas USA in the 86th minute in the US Open Cup qualifying tournament . Photo: Gary Sheldon | Check out the full gallery at ProstAmerika.com

The missed chance proved critical. With the crowd still electrified from the club’s first-ever lead as an MLS team, a loose ball in the box was put away from eight yards by defender Eric Brunner in the 87th to secure the win. The play was created from a corner Brunner headed into a falling Chivas USA defender, ricocheting directly back to him for the second attempt.

The Timbers advance to the second round of the league’s US Open Cup qualifying tournament. They will travel to play the San Jose Earthquakes – details to be determined. It was the first time Chivas USA had to go through the qualification process adopted in 2007. The loss marks the first time the club failed to qualify for the tournament since their debut in 2005.

The match started off with the home club buzzing about the Chivas USA goal. Kenny Cooper put a header over the goal in the first half-minute of play. He had another chance in the sixth minute when a long ball up the middle found him shoulder-to-shoulder with a defender 30 yards out, but he was unable to gain full control for a chance at goal.

Jorge Perlaza kept the visitors busy with his work most of the first half. In the 10th minute he darted toward goal on the left side, but Kennedy came out of the box to break it up. Three minutes later he tried to turn with the ball 25 yards out, but was knocked off the ball for a free kick. In the 28th, he got the ball on the right side and drove toward goal before sending the ball wide left.

Andrew Boyens of Chivas USA walks off the field after being shown a second yellow card against the Portland Timbers in the 42nd minute of a US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Prost Amerika | Gary Sheldon 2011 | Check out the slideshow
Andrew Boyens of Chivas USA walks off the field after being shown a second yellow card against the Portland Timbers in the 42nd minute of a US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Gary Sheldon | ProstAmerika.com

Chivas USA had a few sniffs at the Timbers goal in the first half, mostly courtesy of the play of Marcos Mondaini. His best chance came in the 34th minute on an excellent through ball that put him alone in the box only to see his shot from 16 knocked away by the rookie Timbers netminder. Four minutes later Braun made a long run down the middle of the pitch before dishing it off to Mondaini, whose shot with a defender on his inside shoulder from just inside the left corner of the box was also denied.

Just prior to the game-changing red card to Boyens, a 42nd minute free kick 35 yards out led to a fantastic shot. Peter Lowry rolled the dead ball about 12 yards to his left for a wide open Rodney Wallace, who ripped a line-drive rifle that zipped just wide of the left upper corner.

Despite playing a man down, the visitors came out and played well in the second half before a series of tough tackles around the hour mark seemed to show the unraveling that was to come. An ensuing free kick from one foul led to a 30 yard rocket from Cooper that tested Kennedy, who was forced to knock the wet ball away haphazardly in the 62nd minute.

Six minutes later Cooper nearly set up the opening marker when he tried to turn and shoot inside the box. Seeing he couldn’t get the shot off, he dished it back to Lowry, who put his uncontested shot over the goal from 19 yards. And just moments before the madness, Perlaza also nearly created the first strike when he stole the ball in the right corner and sent it to Jeremy Hall, who delivered a dangerous cross from the right flank into the area only to see hit headed away.

The Portland Timbers now travel to play the New England Revolution in league play Saturday, April 2 while Chivas USA takes to the road for the first time this season to face Toronto FC earlier in the day.

2011 US Open Cup qualifying (MLS)
Chivas USA 0:2 Portland Timbers
March 29, 2011 – Merlo Field in Portland, Ore.

Scoring Summary
POR: Jack Jewsbury (Unassisted) – 84th minute
POR: Eric Brunner (Unassisted) – 86th minute

Misconduct Summary
CHV: Mondaini (Yellow), 14
CHV: Boyens (Yellow), 35
CHV: Boyens (Yellow), 43
CHV: Boyens (Red), 43
CHV: Braun (Yellow), 49
POR: Purdy (Yellow), 74
POR: Hall (Yellow), 89

Lineups:

Portland — GK Gleeson, D Wallace, D Brunner, D Horst, D Purdy, M Alhassan, M Marcelin, M Lowry (Jewsbury, 71), M Pore (Hall, 65), F Cooper, F Perlaza
Substitutes Not Used: GK Guppy, D Goldthwaite, D Taylor, M Braun, M Nagbe

Chivas USA — GK Kennedy, D Pearce, D Zemanski (Bowen, 89), D Boyens, D Owusu (Jazic, 63), M Lahoud, M LaBrocca©, M Mendoza (Flores, 46), F Mondaini, F Braun, F Estupiñan
Substitutes Not Used: GK Thornton, GK Arias, M Trujillo, M Mayen

Referee: Juan Guzman
Assistant Referees: Jeff Hosking, Desmond Miller
4th Official: Ronald Lagraff
Attendance: 5,061
Weather: Rain, 50 degrees

MLS US Open Cup qualifying schedule

Automatic qualifiers: Columbus Crew, FC Dallas, Los Angeles Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake, Seattle Sounders FC

First Round
(8) Chivas USA 0:2 (10) Portland Timbers
Tuesday, March 29 – 10 p.m. EST | Merlo Field (Univ. of Portland) in Portland, Ore.

(7) Philadelphia at (9) DC United
April 6, 7:30 p.m. | Maryland Soccerplex (Germantown, Md.)

Second Round

(10) Portland Timbers at (2) San Jose Earthquakes
Date/Location TBA

(6) New England at DC United/Philadelphia
Date/Location TBA

(1) Colorado Rapids at (4) Chicago Fire
March 30, 7:30 p.m. EST – Shea Stadium (Bradley Univ.) in Peoria, Ill.
Click here for a preview / live blog

(3) Sporting Kansas City at (5) Houston Dynamo
April 6, 8 p.m. EST – Aggie Soccer Stadium in College Station, Tx.

Third Round*
Colorado/Chicago winner at Portland/San Jose winner
DC United/Philadelphia/New England winner at KC/Houston winner

*Winner of each third round game qualify for the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2011 USOC team allocations, dates set

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The United States Soccer Federation’s US Open Cup committee has finalized the dates and the team allocations for the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The 98th edition of the tournament will begin on June 14 with 40 teams entering and will wrap up with the championship game on October 4.

The only professional entries in this year’s tournament will be eight Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs and all 11 USL Pro teams (Third Division). With 16 U.S.-based MLS  teams eligible, it’s clear that MLS qualifying will return, in some form, for the fifth year in a row.

Aside from the US Soccer Federation’s exclusion of the five U.S.-based NASL (Second Division) teams, which was announced on Monday, the most notable changes to the 2011 edition of the Open Cup is on the amateur side of the competition. For the first time since the league began play in 2003, the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) will have four slots set aside for the competition. In the past, the Fourth-Division amateur league has had to qualify for the Open Cup through the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA), which retains the eight spots that it has held since 2004. The Premier Development League (PDL) will get an extra team into the tournament this year, giving the league nine entries, the most they have ever had.

CONCACAF’s official twitter account recently confirmed what most people assumed, which is that the 2011 US Open Cup champion will still qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League.

The two-time defending champion Seattle Sounders FC will earn an automatic bid to the Open Cup, and have the chance to be the first team in over 40 years to win three consecutive Open Cups. The last team to achieve that feat was the New York Greek-Americans (1967-69). Only three teams in the history if the tournament have won three straight championships.

The Sounders will be joined by five other automatic qualifiers, based on the MLS league standings from 2010. The Columbus Crew, FC Dallas, New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake and the Supporters’ Shield winning Los Angeles Galaxy will all enter the tournament in the third round.  The 10 remaining U.S.-based MLS clubs (Chicago Fire, Chivas USA, Colorado Rapids, DC United, Houston Dynamo, New England Revolution, Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers, San Jose Earthquakes and Sporting Kansas City) will battle for the remaining two slots.

Can the Sounders become only the second team in the tournament's 98-year history to win three straight US Open Cup titles? Photo: Seattle Sounders FC

Each league chooses how their teams will qualify, and will announce their criteria at a later date. Since 2007, MLS has held a play-in tournament, with the last two years having the games separate from the regular season schedule. 2007 and 2008 saw regular season games double as Open Cup qualifiers.

While it is unknown which format MLS will take for play-in games this year, the play-in games from the last two years have struggled to spark fan interest. In 2009, the qualifying games, which were separate from the regular season schedule, drew less than 5,000 fans per game, and last year, the average fell to less than 2,500.

The PDL will keep a similar format with each U.S.-based team having four regular season games selected (usually two home, two away) to double as Open Cup qualifiers. The top team from each of the nine divisions will earn a berth into the First Round.

The USASA will keep the same qualifying format they have had for the last seven years where each of the four regions submits both finalists in their US Open Cup tournament.

MLS (8 teams – First Division): Columbus Crew, FC Dallas, Los Angeles Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake, Seattle Sounders FC + 2 qualifying teams
USL Pro (11 teams – Third Division): Charleston Battery, Charlotte Eagles, Dayton Dutch Lions, FC New York, Harrisburg City Islanders, Los Angeles Blues, Orlando City, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Richmond Kickers, Rochester Rhinos, Wilmington Hammerheads
PDL (9 teams – Amateur): Teams to be determined
USASA (8 teams – Amateur): Two finalists from each of the four regional tournaments
NPSL (4 teams – Amateur): Teams to be determined

The prize money also remains the same as last year with the winner of the tournament earning $100,000, the runner-up getting $50,000 and the Third Division (USL Pro) and Amateur team that advances the furthest gets $10,000.

Much like recent Open Cup tournaments, games are scheduled to take place on Tuesdays and the first three rounds will be played in consecutive weeks with the remaining games spaced out over the rest of the season until the October 4 final.

The dates for each round are as follows and are subject to change:

May 30: Qualification Deadline
Tuesday, June 14: First Round
Tuesday, June 21: Second Round
Tuesday, June 28: Third Round
Tuesday, July 12: Fourth Round
Tuesday, August 30: Semifinals
Tuesday, October 4: Final

2010 US Open Cup Final: Record crowd sees Seattle Sounders become first repeat champion since 1983

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Seattle Sounders FC: 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup champions

Sanna Nyassi became the first player in the Modern Era (1995-present) to score twice in the US Open Cup Final as the Seattle Sounders FC retained the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, defeating the Columbus Crew 2-1 in front of 31,311, the largest crowd to ever witness a US Open Cup final. With that win, the Sounders became the first team to repeat as champions since the New York Pancyprian Freedoms accomplished the feat in 1982-83.

Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid dispensed with Leo Gonzalez entirely to allow Sanna Nyassi to start, and remain within the allocation of foreigners. Meanwhile, his Crew counterpart Robert Warzycha selected Andy Gruenebaum in goal rather than Will Hesmer, opting for the keeper who had performed so well in getting them to this final. Other than that, it was the same outfield ten that played in their last MLS game. Blaise Nkufo was preferred over Nate Jaqua.

Montero had a gilt edge chance as early as the 2nd minute. James Riley swung in a cross from the right, but Montero mistimed his jump and headed into Gruenebaum’s arms. An early indication of one of the key battles came when Emmanuel Ekpo took on Tyson Wahl down the Columbus right. On this occasion honors were even, Ekpo failing to beat the left back but managing to get the ball behind him. The cross however was hurried and sailed harmlessly past.

Sanna Nyassi of the Seattle Sounders made history with two goals in the 2010 US Open Cup final. Photo by Rick Morrison

Steve Zakuani got his first chance to run at Frankie Hedjuk in the 6th minute. Hedjuk looked as puzzled as ever and backed off until Zakuani was able to cross the ball to Blaise Nkufo. The veteran of the Swiss Cup Final in 1998 could only flick the ball straight at the goalkeeper.

Seattle striker Fredy Montero was lucky to escape an early booking after tripping Crew midfielder Eddie Gaven in the 11th minute. There was plenty defensive backup with rendered the foul even more needlessly. Patrick Ianni was very alert to intercept a Guillermo Barros Schelotto flick aimed at Steven Lenhart. Seconds later Gaven drilled a long range effort over the bar. Columbus had achieved their first aspiration of not conceding an early goal and were becoming more adventurous.

Zakuani abandoned the left and caused some danger down the center channel in the 16th minute. He ran through the heart of the Crew defense and flicked the ball to Montero. Gruenebaum spilled the Colombian’s shot, but gathered at the second attempt.

The Sounders had a period of sustained pressure in the 18th minute, all started when Zakuani snuck inside Chad Marshall. Zakuani’s cross went across the face of the goal inspiring panic from Columbus, but no finish from Seattle.

Just before the 20th minute, Columbus carved out the best chance of the match. A beautiful Schelotto flick found Ekpo who laid the ball back to Gaven from inside the penalty area. Nearly eight yards out, Gaven should have put the visitors ahead. He snapped at the ball and sent it embarrassingly over the bar, a scant reward for one of the better players on the park at that point.

Montero had been lucky to escape a yellow for an earlier tackle and was even luckier when he crashed into Ekpo from behind. James Riley was about to be the next Sounders player to benefit from Michael Kennedy’s generosity in the 23rd. However referee Kennedy finally produced the yellow for another foul on Gaven, probably for persistent fouling by the Sounders. It was a little harsh on James Riley who was paying for team indiscretions, mostly Montero’s.

The Crew took the lead in the 24th minute, with  Frankie Hejduk as the offensive instigator. He found Lenhart who was allowed to turn inside the box and rolled the ball back to Kevin Burns. Burns succeeded where Gaven had failed minutes before and slotted the ball into the inside corner down to Kasey Keller’s right. It was a goal Columbus deserved, as they had looked the more dangerous of the sides after defending for the first ten minutes. Although Lenhart was given the sole assist, the goal was the culmination of a 5-man slick passing move involving those three, Schelotto and defender Brian Carroll.

A yellow was given to Shaun Francis in the 28th minute for a studs up tackle on Nate Sturgis. Merely yellow was being kind to Francis. On another day it could have easily been a red but neither side was showing any dissent to a referee being equally lenient to both sides.

The Sounders had an injury scare after Osvaldo Alonso tangled with Lenhart. Alonso was probably more sinner than sinned against but a better explanation was of two players going for a 50-50 ball with total commitment.

Montero committed his third foul, this time on Schelotto prompting Chad Marshall it was about time he was cautioned. However it seemed that Riley had got the card for his one foul and Montero’s three.

Sanna Nyassi became the first MLS player to score multiple goals in a US Open Cup final. Photo: Jane Gershovich | Prost Amerika Soccer

The Sounders equalized in the 38th minute and it was Sanna Nyassi who scored for the second game running. Gruenebaum attempted to punch a looping Tyson Wahl cross from the left. Under pressure from Nyassi, the keeper made very little impact on the ball which landed at the feet of Sturgis. He slipped the ball back to Nyassi who, seeing Gruenebum still off his line fired home powerfully behind the keeper.

Carroll was the next player to tempt Michael Kennedy to reach into his pocket. He was booked in the 41st minute while preventing Zakuani getting anywhere near Hedjuk.

Seattle constructed a beautiful passing move between Montero and Zakuani. Zakuani seemed destined to unload a shot on target until Marshall superbly dispossessed him using only his excellent reading of the game and his body weight to win the ball without even making a tackle. It was the art of defending at its best.

The Sounders began the second half the stronger without really troubling Gruenebaum. The keeper caught a Sturgis corner cleanly but that was his only action in the first 15 minutes of the second half even though Sounders had more possession. Montero and Riley combined to win a corner after a trailing leg deflected an effort wide. Gruenebaum came for the corner and missed again but Jeff Parke headed the free ball over.

He did foil Zakuani brilliantly seconds later after Hejduk had let him through, diving low down at the midfielder’s feet. Keller was finally called into action in the 63rd minute when Eddie Gaven ended another passing move with a long range effort. The veteran keeper held the ball cleanly.

Nyassi scored a second in the 66th minute after chaos in the Crew defence Nkufo hit the bar with a header but the ball bounced down in front of him and Hejduk. Nkufo anticipated the bounce first. With Gruenbaum stranded behind the goal line, Nyassi put the ball into the net.

Hejduk attempted to make amends with a cross which was allowed to progress too far along the ground into the heart of the Seattle defense. Keller came out and followed that with a good scream at his inattentive defenders. Gaven nearly put the ball through his own net after Wahl back headed a Sturgis corner.

Sigi Schmid of the Seattle Sounders FC is showered with champagne during his post-game preference after winning the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup championship.
Sigi Schmid of the Seattle Sounders FC is showered with champagne during his post-game preference after winning the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup championship.

Alonso picked up a yellow for a foul on Gaven in the 74th minute. Steve Zakuani finally ran through Hejduk but he out paced his colleagues. Nyassi joined him a minute later for fouling Ekpo as the Crew picked up a gear.

Emilio Renteria and Andres Mendoza replaced Lenhart and the goal scorer Burns in the 78th minute. Montero hit Nkufo’s header with a drive but it was mostly Crew pressure. Goal scorer Nyassi left the field for Alvaro Fernandez a minute later, as Sigi Schmid sought to seal up the final ten minutes.

Warzycha threw his final substitute on in the 81st minute, with Robbie Rogers replacing Gaven.

Riley’s diving header led to a corner which Rogers turned onto the crossbar with Keller beaten. The deflection wasn’t as kind to Columbus as the earlier one had been to Seattle and was cleared.

Schelotto was booked for body-checking Zakuani in full flight. Sturgis fired the free kick straight into Gruenbaum’s arms.

Levesque came on to run down the clock with Zakuani leaving with only minutes remaining.

Jaqua came on to replace Montero in stoppage time but the die was cast. The Sounders had won the cup. They now become the first team to qualify for the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League, where they will enter in the preliminary round.

2010 – Columbus Crew (MLS) 1:2 Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
10/5/10 | Qwest Field – Seattle, Washington

Scoring Summary
Columbus: Kevin Burns (Steven Lenhart) – 24th minute
Seattle: Sanna Nyassi (Nathan Sturgis) – 38th minute
Seattle: Sanna Nyassi (Unassisted) – 66th minute

Seattle Sounders: Kasey Keller (GK), James Riley, Jeff Parke, Patrick Ianni, Tyson Wahl, Nathan Sturgis, Osvaldo Alonso, Blaise Nkufo, Sanna Nyassi (79′ Alvaro Fernandez), Steve Zakuani (90′ Roger Levesque), Fredy Montero (90’+ Nate Jaqua)

Cautions – James Riley 23′, Osvaldo Alonso 74′ , Sanna Nyassi 75′ ,

Columbus Crew: Andy Greunebaum (GK), Frankie Hejduk, Chad Marshall, Andy Iro, Shaun Francis, Brian Carroll, Emmanuel Ekpo, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Steven Lenhart (78′ Andres Mendoza), Kevin Burns (78′ Andres Mendoza), Eddie Gaven (81′ Robbie Rogers)

Cautions – Shaun Francis 24′ , Brian Caroll 41′ , Guillermo Barros Schelotto 87′

Stats
Shots – Seattle 10:10 Columbus
On Goal – Seattle 5:1 Columbus
Saves – Seattle 0:3 Columbus
Fouls – Seattle 11:10 Columbus
Corners – Seattle 6:2 Columbus
Offsides – Seattle 0:0 Columbus

Att – 31,311 | Referee – Michael Kennedy | Linesmen – Thomas Supple, Paul Scott | 4th Official – Ricardo Salazar

2010 US Open Cup Final: Sanna Nyassi of Seattle Sounders easy choice for TheCup.us Player of the Round

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Sanna Nyassi became the first MLS player to score multiple goals in a US Open Cup Final. Photo: Jane Gershovich | Prost Amerika Soccer

Sanna Nyassi of the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup champion Seattle Sounders has been voted TheCup.us Player of the Round for his performance in the Open Cup final. Nyassi scored both goals in the Sounders’ 2-1 come-from-behind victory over the Columbus Crew, giving Seattle their second consecutive Open Cup title. The club is the first team to repeat as champions since 1983 (New York Pancyprian Freedoms).

The Player of the Round award is voted on by the staff at TheCup.us and a select panel of members from the North American Soccer Reporters.

After Kevin Burns put the Columbus Crew up 1-0 in the 24th minute, Nyassi equalized in the 38th minute on an assist by Nathan Sturgis. His second goal, which would prove to be the game-winner, came in the 66th minute when Steve Zakuani’s header struck the crossbar and fell to the feet of Nyassi who powered it into the back of the net.

The Gambian not only becomes the first player in the Modern Era (1995-present) to score multiple goals in an Open Cup final, but he is also the only Modern Era player to have multiple championship game goals in a career.

The last player to score multiple goals in the Open Cup final was in 1994 when Mike Deleray of San Francisco’s Greek American AC bagged a pair of goals in his club’s 3-0 win over Milwaukee’s Bavarian SC.

Andy Najar’s OT winner beats Real Salt Lake; DC United last MLS team to qualify for US Open Cup

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By Thomas Floyd | World Soccer Reader

Only 3,074 fans braved the muggy June weather, questionable officiating and largely uninspired play at RFK Stadium for D.C. United’s U.S. Open Cup qualifier against Real Salt Lake on Wednesday. But after 116 minutes, a 17-year-old kid from Honduras gave them a moment to hang on to, a dose of drama and class that defined the match.

REAL SALT LAKE
1:2
DC UNITED
 After Extra Time
RFK Stadium – Washington D.C.

Scoring Summary
DCU: Luciano Emilio (PK) – 74th
RSL: Ryan Johnson (PK) – 81st
DCU: Andy Najar (Unassisted) – 107th
Recaps
MLSSoccer.com | ESPN LA
World Soccer Reader | SL Tribune
Quotes: DC United

2010 US Open Cup Bracket
2010 US Open Cup First Round Draw

With the game tied 1-1 and the second extra time period starting, United used its final sub to add Andy Najar, a crafty young winger who scored his first MLS goal four days earlier. He promptly collected the ball on the right flank, cut into the penalty area and used a clever touch to split Salt Lake’s Tony Beltran and Will Johnson before sliding a shot under the charging Kyle Reynish.

Goal. He had been on the field for less than two minutes, but his impact was made. Just like that.

“I’m really happy to score the goal,” Najar said. “Luckily, I got the opportunity and was able to take advantage of it.”
United fielded a largely second choice lineup for its third fixture in eight days, with right back Jordan Graye and central midfielder Stephen King as the only starters from Saturday’s 3-2 league win over Chivas USA to again crack the first 11. This meant a seat on the bench for Najar during regulation while a pair of dubious penalty kick calls led to a tally for each side. When coach Curt Onalfo called the rookie’s number late, however, Najar was more than ready.

“We wanted to make sure we would save our last sub until the last possible moment,” Onalfo said. “Certainly, at the end, Andy stepped up and showed us some brilliance that he really has.”

The hype surrounding Najar has been tangible since he first traveled with United for preseason training in February. Although his presence was widely dismissed as an exercise in experience, the Choluteca native’s flashy play and uncanny confidence earned him a first-team contract and an opening day start.

“I thought he was a very special player, very talented,” recalled forward Santino Quaranta, who himself entered the league as a 16-year-old. “The best thing about him is he has an amazing head on his shoulders.”

Najar’s first few performances were quiet affairs as he adjusted to the rhythm and physicality of the professional game while also being slowed by injuries. In recording his first professional goal and assist during a 4-2 Open Cup qualifier triumph against FC Dallas on April 28, Najar gave the Black-and-Red supporters a taste of what he could do. During Saturday’s victory, Najar’s well-taken header against Chivas USA opened the scoring, and his energy gave the Goats’ backline fits all match.

If there were any doubters about his status as one of the most exciting young players in MLS today, his game-changing 15-minute cameo against Real Salt Lake should silence them.

When Najar set his eyes on goal, he didn’t think twice about individually taking on Beltran and Johnson, two key cogs from a team that won the MLS Cup in November. And why should he have? After all, a few months ago he thought he would be spending early June winding down junior year and looking forward to summer vacation.
“He’s dynamic. He doesn’t really think a lot – he just does it,” Quaranta said. “It’s great to have him on the team. He’s gritty, he’s a great kid and I really enjoy having him here.”

Added defender Devon McTavish: “It doesn’t matter what minute you put him in, he’s going to be dangerous.”
Scarecely attended and only televised via a live stream on United’s website, the match didn’t garner the audience it – and Najar – ultimately deserved. But word of mouth will spread about the wunderkind roaming the pitch at 2400 East Capitol St. When it does, MLS fans will understand what they’ve been missing.
Simply put, it’s time to believe the hype.

Video highlights, courtesy of Behind The Badge.

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