New England Revolution

Fourth Round fun facts: Notable upsets, things you should know about Round 4

May 23, 2014 by Josh Hakala

Players from the Houston Dynamo (orange) and NTX Rayados battle for the ball in their Fourth Round match in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Jose Castellanos | Prost Amerika

The US Open Cup has only had a Fourth Round (prior to the Quarterfinals) 12 times in the Modern Era (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2012-22).

The first indoor game in US Open Cup history took place in the Fourth Round. On July 20, 2004, the Minnesota Thunder hosted the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn. The Thunder upset the Galaxy that day 1-0, in front of 5,505 fans. Defender Chris Brunt scored the game-winning goal in the 21st minute.

No Open Division team in the Modern Era has ever advanced beyond the Fourth Round

Only 7 USL League Two (PDL) teams have advanced to the Fourth Round, all but one have faced MLS teams
2018: FC Golden State Force (lost 3-1 at Los Angeles Galaxy)
2016: Kitsap Pumas (lost 2-0 at Seattle Sounders FC)
2014: Laredo Heat (lost 1-0 at Houston Dynamo)
2014: Orlando City U23s (lost 3-0 at Portland Timbers)
2012: Michigan Bucks (lost 2-1 AET vs. Dayton Dutch Lions)
2006: Carolina Dynamo (lost 4-2 vs. Houston Dynamo)
2005: Des Moines Menace (lost 6-1 vs. Kansas City Wizards)
2003: Fresno Fuego (lost 3-1 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy)

Only 6 Open Division Local (USASA) teams have advanced to the Fourth Round
2018: NTX Rayados (lost 5-0 at Houston Dynamo)
2017: Christos FC (lost 4-1 at D.C. United of MLS)
2016: La Maquina (lost 4-1 AET at Los Angeles Galaxy of MLS)
2015: PSA Elite (lost 6-1 at Los Angeles Galaxy of MLS)
2014: PSA Elite (lost 5-0 at Seattle Sounders of MLS)
2012: Cal FC (lost 5-0 at Seattle Sounders of MLS)
2006: Dallas Roma FC (lost 2-0 at Los Angeles Galaxy of MLS)

Only 2 NPSL teams have advanced to the Fourth Round
2019: Orange County FC (lost 3-0 at Los Angeles Galaxy)
2018: Miami United FC (lost 3-0 vs. Orlando City SC)

In 2006, only teams from Major League Soccer emerged from the Fourth Round.

touray-harrisburg-vs-red-bulls-big — The Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro) won a Fourth Round game in 2012 by upsetting the New York Red Bulls 3-1 after extra time. Photo: Harrisburg City Islanders

The Chicago Fire did not lose a Fourth Round game until 2019 when they lost to Saint Louis FC. Prior to that, they had a 7-0-2 (2-0 PKs) record.

Major League Soccer began playing in the tournament in the Fourth Round for the first time in 2014 as part of an expanded format.

The attendance record in the Modern Era was set in 2013 when Sporting Kansas City (MLS) hosted Orlando City SC (USL PRO) at Sporting Park in front of an announced attendance of 15,981. Thanks to that figure, the record for Fourth Round average attendance was broken with 6,887 across the eight games. Sporting Kansas City later broke their own record in 2015 when they hosted and defeated Saint Louis FC (USL) 1-0 on June 16, 2015 in front of an announced crowd of 19,298. FC Cincinnati shattered that record in 2017 when they drew 30,160 to Nippert Stadium to watch them upset the Columbus Crew (MLS), 1-0.

In 2014, with Major League Soccer not entering the tournament until Round 4, a record three amateur teams (Laredo Heat, Orlando City U23s, PSA Elite) advanced beyond the Third Round, followed by five amateur teams reaching the Fourth Round in 2015.

Notable upsets in the Fourth Round

2003: Wilmington Hammerheads (PSL) 4:1 Dallas Burn (MLS)
2003: Seattle Sounders (A-League) 1:0 San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
2004: Charleston Battery (A-League) 1:0 Metrostars (MLS)
2004: Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League) 1:1 New England Revolution (MLS) (ROC advances on PKs 3-1)
2004: Richmond Kickers (PSL) 2:1 DC United (MLS)
2004: Minnesota Thunder (A-League) 1:0 Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
2005: Rochester Raging Rhinos (USL-1) 3:1 Metrostars (MLS)
2005: Minnesota Thunder (USL-1) 4:1 Colorado Rapids (MLS)
2006: None
2012: Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PROro) 3:1 (AET) New York Red Bulls (MLS)
2012: Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO) 2:1 (AET) San Antonio Scorpions (NASL)
2013: Carolina RailHawks (NASL) 3:1 (AET) Chivas USA (MLS)
2013: Orlando City SC (USL PRO) 1:0 Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
2014: Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) 2:1 Real Salt Lake (MLS)
2014: Carolina RailHawks (NASL) 1:1 (3:2 PKs) Chivas USA (MLS)
2014: New York Cosmos (NASL) 3:0 New York Red Bulls (MLS)
2014: Rochester Rhinos (USL) 1:0 DC United (MLS)
2015: Charlotte Independence (USL) 1:0 New England Revolution (MLS)
2015: New York Cosmos 2:2 (4:3 PKs) New York City FC (MLS)
2016: New York City FC (MLS) 0:1 New York Cosmos (NASL)
2016: D.C. United (MLS) 0:0 (3:4 PKs) Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL)
2017: Columbus Crew (MLS) 0:1 FC Cincinnati (USL)
2017: Miami FC (NASL) 3:1 Orlando City SC (MLS)
2017: Sacramento Republic FC (USL) 4:1 Real Salt Lake (MLS)
2018: Louisville City FC (USL) 3:2 New England Revolution (MLS)
2018: Nashville SC (USL) 2:0 Colorado Rapids (MLS)
2018: Sacramento Republic FC (USL) 2:1 (AET) Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
2019: Saint Louis FC (USL-C) 2:1 Chicago Fire (MLS)
2019: Colorado Rapids (MLS) 2:2 (2:4 PKs) New Mexico United (USL-C)
2022: None

Notable upsets in the Third Round of the US Open Cup

May 22, 2014 by Josh Hakala

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2013 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Woeful DC United continues surprise run, tops New England Revolution, 3-1 (video)

June 27, 2013 by Richard Kirtland

DeRo_Celebration — Dwayne De Rosario of DC United celebrates his fourth goal of the 2013 US Open Cup against the New England Revolution. Photo: Tony Quinn | DC United

It was a complete performance for D.C. United at the Maryland SoccerPlex on Wednesday night as Ben Olsen’s side turned in a solid 3-1 win against the New England Revolution in the Quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup. The two-time champions now head to Chicago to face the four-time tournament champion Fire August 7 in a showdown of two clubs that are currently in the bottom three of the Eastern Conference.

Thunderstorms plagued the region all throughout Wednesday, causing a slippery pitch and fast playing conditions. The conditions played into United’s game plan, however, as D.C. played a very wide-open game with many chances and one-touch passing, attempting to break down the Revolution defense.

The night started out very well for the visitors as the Revolution piled on shots early, and United was almost caught by surprise by the speed of the Revolution attack on one occasion. In the 15^th minute, United left Diego Fagundez unmarked at the left corner of the penalty area. Fagundez was left wanting, though, as his stellar curling shot clanged off of the right post and out of the goalmouth.

Second-string keeper Joe Willis proved to be vital in goal for the hosts as he saved three efforts in the first 20 minutes of the match. D.C. Started to find their own around this point, culminating with a Nick DeLeon shot that was parried by New England goalkeeper Matt Reis out for a corner. Chris Pontius had a breakaway only minutes later, and ended up scuffing the shot just wide of the open goalmouth.

In the 44^th minute, the Revolution appeared to have a breakaway chance as Chad Barrett settled a through ball from Juan Toja and managed a shot on goal. However, the play was called back due to an offside call from the referee.

Less than 30 seconds later, DeLeon was fed a ball while running down the right wing from Chris Pontius. DeLeon slotted it back to Pontius at the top of the area, and despite a Revolution defender sliding in to knock it away, it landed at the feet of Pontius. The United striker then proceeded to unleash a venomous curling ball outside the reach of Reis that found the inside of the New England side netting to put the score at 1-0 just before halftime.

After the break, the Revolution adapted a high-pressure method of defense which caught United flat-footed as New England managed several shots at the beginning of the second half. In the 53^rd minute, Juan Toja was fouled 26 yards outside of the D.C. goal. Toja took the free kick and unleashed a thrilling strike that dipped over the wall and hit the underside of the crossbar. The shot then bounced off of the back of a diving Willis and nestled itself in the net to settle the score at 1-1.

The tie would only last for 16 minutes, however, as Dwayne De Rosario headed home a corner kick from Chris Pontius in the 69^th, tallying his fourth Open Cup goal two games after being named TheCup.us Player of the Round for his hat-trick two weeks ago. De Rosario received the ball at the right corner of the six-yard box and headed it into the underside of the crossbar on the left side, where it bounced into the goal to make the score 2-1 in United’s favor.

The win was finally secured in the 87^th minute when Lionard Pajoy was dragged down in the Revolution box by Darrius Barnes. Pajoy stepped up and calmly slotted the kick to the left of a diving Reis to cement the final scoreline of 3-1.

After the game, United head coach Ben Olsen was asked what his goals were for the rest of the season. He made it clear that the league is still a priority and that all is not lost, despite only having two wins in the campaign so far.

“There’s only two more Open Cup games. We have belief. We’re going to try and move up in the league,” he said. “Crazy things happen. If you get on a little bit of a run, get a little luck your way, and you’re back in the hunt. We have belief.”

QUARTERFINAL – New England Revolution 1 :: 3 DC United

Scoring Summary:
DC – Chris Pontius (unassisted) 44
NE – Juan Toja (unassisted) 53
DC – Dwayne De Rosario (Chris Pontius) 69
DC – Lionard Pajoy (penalty kick) 87

New England Revolution: Matt Reis, Darrius Barnes, Jose Goncalves, A.J. Soares, Andrew Farrell, Diego Fagundez (Juan Agudelo 76), Andy Dorman (Kelyn Rowe 61), Scott Caldwell, Juan Toja, Chad Barrett (Lee Nguyen 80), Dimitry Imbongo

Substitutes Not Used: Bobby Shuttleworth, Clyde Simms, Chris Tierney, Jerry Bengtson
STATS: Shots 5, Shots on Target 2, Corner Kicks 3, Saves 5, Fouls 12, Offsides 3

D.C. United: Joe Willis, Chris Korb, Conor Shanosky, Daniel Woolard, James Riley, Nick DeLeon, Perry Kitchen, John Thorrington, Kyle Porter (Casey Townsend 54), Dwayne De Rosario (Lionard Pajoy 83), Chris Pontius (Taylor Kemp 74)
Substitutes Not Used: Bill Hamid, Brandon McDonald, Marcelo Saragosa, Carlos Ruiz

STATS: Shots 15, Shots on Target 8, Corner Kicks 4, Saves 1, Fouls 12, Offsides 2

Misconduct Summary:
DC – Dwayne De Rosario (caution) 22
NE – Andy Dorman (caution) 48
DC – James Riley (caution) 52
NE – Matt Reis (caution) 87

Referee: Edvin Jurisevic
Assistant Referees: Matthew Kreitzer (AR1), TJ Zablocki (AR2)
Fourth Official: Mark Geiger

#USOC100

2013 US Open Cup Fourth Round: New England Revolution roll past New York 4-2 at Harvard

June 13, 2013 by Brian O'Connell

For the second straight tournament game, Kelyn Rowe scored twice to send the New England Revolution to a 4-2 Fourth Round US Open Cup win over the New York Red Bulls at Harvard University on Wednesday. The Revolution advance to the Quarterfinals, traveling to face a DC United on Wednesday, June 26.

After scoring two goals in the May 28 Third Round 5-1 road win against Rochester, Rowe wasted no time putting his name on the scoresheet when he found paydirt in the fourth minute, then added another in the 37th minute. Fabian Espindola brought one back for the Red Bulls in the 30th minute, but Dimitry Imbongo netted what proved to be the game-winner in the 51st minute. Jonny Steele made it close when he scored in the 61st minute before Chris Tierney capped the scoring in the 87th minute.

“When he shoots in on goal, it’s usually going in,” Revolution head coach Jay Heaps said about Rowe after the game. “He’s got one of the best shots I’ve seen, right or left foot. He was fired up for tonight. Right from the open, his touch was on. His movement was good. His pressure was good. He had a nice night.”

The sophomore midfielder looked dangerous early, and from the attacking midfielder’s role, steered the offense right from the opening whistle. And it wasn’t long before he resumed his goalscoring exploits inside of four minutes when he grabbed a pass from Gabe Latigue and fired a shot that found the back of the net.

“I thought I’d catch (Ryan Meara) near post,” Rowe said. ”Last year, I caught him far post. I thought he’d think I was going there again. I got a lucky bounce over him so that was nice.”

New England tilted the pitch in their favor through the first 25 minutes before New York started to put pressure on the hosts.

At the half hour mark, Espindola, who menaced the likes of Tyler Polak and Kalifa Cisse in the early going, broke through when he ran toward a long ball that Matt Reis tried to poke away in front of the area. But Espindola beat him to it, pushed it toward the open net, and slit it through to level it.

Seven minutes later, Rowe responded when he grabbed a ball from outside the 18 and fired another long-range effort that beat Meara to put the Revolution back on top.

“I think Gabe Latigue made a run inside and pulled the defender out,” Rowe said. “And I thought, again, ‘I mean, I made the run, may as well shoot it’ and it ended up going far post.”

Rowe’s goal gave his club the edge going into the interval, but the Revolution widened the gap in the opening minutes of the second half.

This time, though, it was Imbongo who put his name on the scoresheet when he chased down a long ball and with only Meara to beat, slipped his shot into the net in the 51st minute.

The Red Bulls didn’t back down near the hour mark when Eric Alexander pushed it deep down the right flank and crossed it far post, where Steele nodded it into the net to cut the lead back down to one.

Although both attacks lost their polish and physical play became the rule after the hour, Tierney put the game out of reach for the Red Bulls when he made a run down the left and tapped through a dangerous far post cross from Ryan Guy in the 87th minute.

In the waning moments, Brandon Barklage picked up a second yellow and red card ejection to leave the Red Bulls a man down before the final whistle.

“We had a lot of guys that were ready to go,” Heaps said. ”You could tell that we started really well. I thought it probably should have been a little bit better. We probably could have been up 2-0 when (Espindola) scored. Unfortunately, it was a battle the rest of the way. We created a lot of chances and scored some goals.”

Fourth Round :: New York Red Bulls 2 :: 4 New England Revolution

June 12 – Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium – Harvard University Stadium, Boston MA

Scoring Summary:

NE: Kelyn Rowe (Gabe Latigue) 4

NY: Fabian Espindola 30

NE: Kelyn Rowe 37

NE: Dimitry Imbongo (Darrius Barnes) 51

NY: Jonny Steele (Eric Alexander) 61

NE: Chris Tierney (Ryan Guy) 87

Cautions:

NY: Brandon Barklage 10, Fabian Espindola 24, Dax McCarty 45, Markus Holgersson 55, Brandon Barklage 91

NE: Kalifa Cisse 76, Darrius Barnes 78

Ejections:

NY: Brandon Barklage (second yellow) 91

Lineups:

New York: Ryan Meara; Heath Pearce, Brandon Barklage (ejection 91), Markus Holgersson, Kosuke Kimura (Andre Akpan 83); Eric Alexander, Juninho, Lloyd Sam (Peguy Luyindula 45), Dax McCarty, Jonny Steele; Fabian Espindola

New England: Matt Reis; AJ Soares, Darrius Barnes, Tyler Polak, Kalifa Cisse; Gabe Latigue, Kelyn Rowe (Scott Caldwell 58), Andy Dorman, Ryan Guy; Chad Barrett (Juan Agudelo 83), Dimitry Imbongo Boele (Chris Tierney 69)

#USOC100

2013 US Open Cup Third Round: New England Revolution thunder past Rochester Rhinos, 5-1

May 30, 2013 by Brendan Doherty

The New England Revolution took advantage of a depleted Rochester Rhinos squad that was completely unable to live up to their giant-killing status this time around, falling at home 5-1 to their official MLS affiliate in the Third Round.

The Rhinos’ squad was decimated by eight injuries and two call-ups to the New England Revolution. Interim head coach Pat Ercoli called up a number of local players to fill in gaps as the Rhinos prepared to face the Revolution Tuesday night in a match that was again delayed by lightning a week after their Second Round match against GPS Portland Phoenix was halted for over an hour at the end of halftime.

During most of the opening 15 minutes the two teams were dueling through the midfield. Both teams had chances but Kendell McFayden was off-balance when he shot from a through ball into the area and Chad Barrett shot well wide from 20 yards out.

McFayden and Mike Reidy showed explosive speed that the Revs’ defense couldn’t seem to deal with. The Rhinos speedsters were the architects of their own failure though, as the two players repeatedly had awful first touches. In the 23rd minute, Kelyn Rowe received a layoff from Barrett, who was playing a midfielder role, and hit a curling shot past a diving Brandon Miller’s outstretched right hand.

The match had been fairly even and continued to be for the rest of the first half. Tyler Rosenlund had one of Rochester’s best chances of the game in the 39th minute. After a solid period of pressure from the Rhinos, the ball came to the former Canadian youth international but his shot flew high and wide of the frame.

Seconds after Sahlen’s Stadium witnessed a flash of lightning, Andy Dorman scored for the Revolution. As Revs’ players jogged over to celebrate the goal, the center official blew his whistle for a weather delay. That delay lasted 52 minutes and the teams came out from the break very differently. The Rhinos seemed to cool off while the Revs came out with vigor. That energy translated into a quick goal by Jerry Bengston as he picked off a lazy back pass from Josh Faga towards Miller. The Honduran international made no mistake inside the area and put the Revs up 3-0.

Rowe picked up his second goal of the game and the Revs’ fourth in the 64th minute. Tyler Polak, who replaced an injured Imbongo, played Rowe into the channel down the left side. Rowe beat his defender to cut inside, and as Miller came off his line the Revs’ midfielder slotted the ball to the far post with the outside of his right foot.

McFayden pulled back a consolation goal for the Rhinos in the 77th minute. After receiving a pass from Rosenlund, the Buffalo native smacked his 25-yard shot off the inside of the post in the upper corner. McFayden produced a goal out of nothing with a spectacular shot, but it did little to affect the game.

Chad Barrett did his best to impress coach Jay Heaps in the 81st minute. A half-broken play from a Revolution corner kick, Darrius Barnes played a ball into traffic in the area and Barrett heel-flicked the ball over his head into the net.

McFayden, despite providing the spark for much of the match, did not see the final whistle. In second half stoppage time he was sent off for a reckless challenge on Gabe Latigue.

The most surprising change to the Rhinos’ lineup was coach Ercoli’s decision to leave 2012 USL Pro Goalkeeper of the Year Kristian Nicht on the bench in favor of second-year back-up Miller. Injuries forced Ross LaBauex and Faga, both midfielders, to split duties at right back. Lance Rozeboom is a defensive midfielder who slotted in at centerback due to injuries to both starting defenders. Last year’s Team MVP J.C. Banks is still not healthy enough following ACL surgery to start matches and loanee Latigue lined up for the Revolution, which pushed the Rhinos to start FC Buffalo midfielder Knapp on the left flank.

The Revolution featured many reserve-type players who don’t get significant minutes in MLS as several regular starters were not even on the bench. These players were fired up to impress Jay Heaps and his coaching staff, and in the second half reinforced their cases to him.

The result sees the Rhinos continue a disappointing 2013 season in which they have a 1-6-2 record in USL Pro. New England has been getting results through strong defensive performances and the five-goal glut against Rochester should translate well into offensive confidence in league play.

Scoring Summary:
NE: Kelyn Rowe (Chad Barrett) 23
NE: Andy Dorman (Kelyn Rowe) 53
NE: Jerry Bengtson (unassisted) 54
NE: Kelyn Rowe (unassisted) 64
ROC: Kendell McFayden (Tyler Rosenlund) 77
NE: Chad Barrett (Darrius Barnes) 81

Misconduct Summary:
ROC: Ross LaBauex (caution) 43
NE: Jerry Bengtson (caution) 61
ROC: Kendell McFayden (ejection) 91+

Rochester Lineup: Brandon Miller; Ross LaBauex, Tyler Bellamy, Lance Rozeboom (Andrew Tiedt 77), Danny Earls; Mike Reidy, Josh Faga, Tyler Rosenlund, Brian Knapp (J.C. Banks 46); Blake Brettschneider (George Tor 65), Kendell McFayden

Substitutes Not Used: Kristian Nicht, Georgtos Kyriazis, Thomas McManus, Bilal Duckett

New England Lineup: Matt Reis; Darrius Barnes, Donnie Smith (Chris Tierney 52), A.J. Soares, Gabe Latigue; Kaliffa Cisse, Andy Dorman, Kelyn Rowe, Chad Barrett; Saer Sene (Jerry Bengtson 46), Dimitry Imbongo (Tyler Polak 33)

Substitutes Not Used: Luis Soffner, Andrew Farrell, Juan Toja

New England Stats: Shots 17, Shots on Target 9, Corner Kicks 5, Saves 3, Fouls 11, Offsides 3

Rochester Stats: Shots 8, Shots on Target 4, Corner Kicks 7, Saves 4, Fouls 8, Offsides 3

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

July 3, 2012 by Josh Hakala

The New York Red Bulls take on FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup Semifinals at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, OH on Tuesday August 15, 2017. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls

Since 1996, only 14 non-MLS teams have advanced to the Semifinals.

2022 – Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)*
2017 – FC Cincinnati (USL)
2011 – Richmond Kickers (USL Pro – 3rd Division)
2009 – Rochester Rhinos (USL First Division)
2008 – Charleston Battery (USL First Division)*, Seattle Sounders (USL First Division)
2007 – Carolina RailHawks (USL First Division), Seattle Sounders (USL First Division)
2005 – Minnesota Thunder (USL First Division)
2004 – Charleston Battery (A-League)
1999 – Charleston Battery (A-League), Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League)*
1997 – San Francisco Bay Seals (USISL Division 3 Pro League)
1996 – Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League)*

* Advanced to the Final

Since 1996, only seven teams have advanced to the Semifinals after beginning play in the First Round. The Richmond Kickers (2011), Rochester Rhinos (2009), Charleston Battery (2008), Carolina RailHawks (2007), San Francisco Bay Seals (1997) and the Seattle Sounders who did it twice in 2007 and 2008. San Francisco and Richmond are the only Third Division pro clubs to advance to the final four during that span.

When the Sacramento Republic eliminated Sporting Kansas City in penalty kicks in the 2022 Semifinals, they became just the fourth lower division club in the Modern Era (1995-present) to advance to the Final. They joined the Charleston Battery who eliminated the Seattle Sounders in the 2008 Semifinals, and the Rochester Raging Rhinos in 1996 and 1999. The Rhinos were the only non-MLS team (since 1996) to win the title when they defeated the Colorado Rapids 2-0 in 1999.

In 2008, the Charleston Battery and the Seattle Sounders ended in a 1-1 draw, and then went to penalties where the Battery moved on 4-3. It was the first time a Semifinal game went to penalties during the Modern Era and the first time two non-MLS teams met in the final four.

The Chicago Fire entered Major League Soccer as an expansion team in 1998, and won the US Open Cup (and MLS Cup) in their inaugural season. In total, they have advanced to the Semifinals 13 times, which is more than any team in the history of the tournament (1913-present).

After Major League Soccer debuted in 1996 (1996 doesn’t make sense to include, since every Semifinalist was in their inaugural season that year), only four teams have advanced to the Semifinals in their inaugural season. The Fire (1998), Houston Dynamo (2006 – although they were essentially the San Jose Earthquakes, but they were still technically a “new franchise”), Carolina RailHawks (2007). The Seattle Sounders were a new MLS franchise in 2009, but the club had existed in the USL for several years prior to joining MLS.

In 2010, the Seattle Sounders became the first MLS expansion team to win a Semifinal match in each of their first two seasons as a franchise. They also won a Semifinal match in their third year (2011), and their fourth year (2012).

The Houston Dynamo celebrate after defeated LAFC in a PK shootout in the 2018 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Houston Dynamo — The Houston Dynamo celebrate after defeating LAFC in a PK shootout in the 2018 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Houston Dynamo

The 2007 US Open Cup marked the first time that both Semifinal matches went to extra time. The New England Revolution edged the Carolina RailHawks 2-1, followed by FC Dallas eliminating the Seattle Sounders (USL-1) by the same scoreline. Since then, this has only happened one other time: 2017 US Open Cup when Sporting Kansas City needed penalty kicks to take out the San Jose Earthquakes and then the New York Red Bulls came back to beat FC Cincinnati, 3-2 in extra time. It happened again in 2017 when Sporting Kansas City eliminated the San Jose Earthquakes in penalty kicks while the New York Red Bulls edged USL side FC Cincinnati 3-2 in extra time.

Semifinal appearances by MLS teams:

Chicago Fire – 13 (6-7-0 record)
DC United – 9 (5-4-0)
FC Dallas – 9 (4-4-1, 0-1 PKs)
LA Galaxy – 7 (4-3-0)
New York Red Bulls – 6 (2-4-0)
Sporting Kansas City – 6 (3-1-2, 1-1 PKs)
Seattle Sounders – 5 (5-0-0)
Columbus Crew – 4 (3-1-0)
New England Revolution – 4 (3-1-0)
Philadelphia Union – 4 (2-1-1, 1-0 PKs)
Houston Dynamo – 4 (1-2-1, 1-0 PKs)
Real Salt Lake – 3 (1-2-0)
Chivas USA – 2 (0-2-0)
Colorado Rapids – 2 (1-1-0)
Orlando City SC – 2 (1-1-0)
Portland Timbers – 2 (0-2-0)
San Jose Earthquakes – 2 (0-1-1, 0-1 PKs)
Atlanta United FC – 1 (1-0-0)
FC Cincinnati – 1 (0-0-1, 0-1 PKs)
Inter Miami CF – 1 (0-0-1, 1-0 PKs)
Los Angeles FC – 1 (0-0-1, 0-1 PKs)
Miami Fusion – 1 (1-0-0)
Minnesota United FC – 1 (1-0-0)
Tampa Bay Mutiny – 0

Note: The New York Red Bulls (Metrostars) have the most semifinal appearances (six) without an Open Cup championship.

Semifinal appearances by non-MLS teams:

Charleston Battery – 3 (0-2-1, 1-0 PKs)
Rochester Rhinos – 3 (2-1-0)
Seattle Sounders – 2 (0-1-1, 0-1 PKs)
Carolina RailHawks – 1 (0-1-0)
FC Cincinnati – 1 (0-1-0)
Minnesota Thunder – 1 (0-1-0)
Richmond Kickers – 1 (0-1-0)
Sacramento Republic FC – 1 (0-0-1, 1-0 PKs)
San Francisco Bay Seals – 1 (0-1-0)

Most consecutive Semifinal appearances (all-time):

Ukrainian Nationals (Philadelphia) – 8 (1959-66) — champions: 1960, 1961, 1963, 1966
Seattle Sounders (USL/MLS) – 6 (2007-2012) — champions: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Stix, Baer & Fuller (St. Louis) – 6 (1932-37) — champions: 1933, 1934, 1935
Bethlehem Steel (Bethlehem, Pa.) – 5 (1915-19) — champions: 1915, 1916, 1918, 1919
Chicago Fire – 4 (2003-06) — champions: 2003, 2006
Chicago Fire – 4 (2013-16) — champions: None
Los Angeles Galaxy – 4 (2000-03) — champions: 2001
Philadelphia Nationals (1949-52) — champions: None
DC United – 3 (2008-2010) — champions: 2008
Pawtucket Rangers – 3 (1933-35) — champions: 1941
Dallas Burn (FC Dallas) – 3 (1996-98) — champions: 1997
Maccabee AC (Los Angeles) – 3 (1980-82) — champions: 1973, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1981
NY Greek Americans (New York City) – 3 (1967-69) — champions: 1967-69
Brooklyn Hispano (Brooklyn, NY) – 3 (1943-45) — champions: 1943, 1944
Croatian SC (Chicago) – 3 (1979-81) — champions: None
Ponta Delgada (Mass.) – 3 (1946-48) — champions: 1947
Fall River Rovers (Mass.) – 3 (1916-18) — champions: 1917
Scullin Steel (St. Louis) – 3 (1921-23) — champions: 1922

The most popular Semifinal matchup in the Modern Era has been the Chicago Fire against the Los Angeles Galaxy who have played each other three times.

2000: Chicago Fire 2:1 (ASDET) Los Angeles Galaxy (at Los Angeles)
2001: Los Angeles Galaxy 1:0 (ASDET) Chicago Fire (at Los Angeles)
2003: Chicago Fire 3:2 Los Angeles Galaxy (at Chicago)

The highest attendance for a Semifinal match in the Modern Era was 16,117 set by Sporting Kansas City when they defeated Real Salt Lake 3-1 at Sporting Park in Kansas City on Aug. 12, 2015. Two years later, USL side FC Cincinnati more than doubled that record with an announced crowd of 33,250. At the time, according to TheCup.us records, this was the second-highest attendance ever recorded for a US Open Cup match.

The highest average attendance between two Semifinal matches came in 2013 when Real Salt Lake hosted the Portland Timbers and the Chicago Fire hosted DC United. The average was 12,889. Real Salt Lake drew a then-record 14,742 and Chicago had an announced crowd of 11,036. However, in 2017, FC Cincinnati’s record crowd of 33,250 pushed the average attendance to nearly double the previous record: 24,722.

The following states have never had a team advance to the Semifinals:
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Delaware
Hawaii
Idaho
Iowa
Kentucky
Maine
Mississippi
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
North Dakota
Oklahoma
South Dakota
Tennessee
Vermont
West Virginia
Wyoming

The longest current Semifinal drought is from the state of Rhode Island, who hasn’t had a time reach the Semifinals since 1942 when the Pawtucket Rangers reached the final four for the ninth and final time.

2012 US Open Cup Round 3: City Islanders stun New England Revolution in PKs after wild 3-goal OT rally

May 30, 2012 by Gerald Barnhart

The Harrisburg City Islanders and the New England Revolution line up for the player introductions before their Third Round match in the 2012 US Open Cup. Photo: Harrisburg City Islanders

Could you script a more dramatic storyline than what unfolded at the Skyline Sports Complex Tuesday evening in Harrisburg, Penn.? Trailing by three with nine minutes remaining in overtime, the home club Harrisburg City Islanders rallied with three unanswered goals to force a penalty kick tiebreaker against Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution before prevailing from the spot, 4-3, with a saved attempt in the final round from US international Benny Feilhaber.

The win earns Harrisburg another home game in the tournament as they will host the New York Red Bulls next Tuesday at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, Pa. It will be a re-match of the 2010 Third Round game where the City Islanders needed extra time to pull off a 1-0 upset over the MLS side.

Heading to Harrisburg, the New England Revolution knew full well what the City Islanders were capable of. The third division side had already earned three wins in previous tournaments against MLS opposition, including a 2-1 overtime decision against them in 2009.

HBurg-PhilBecher — It was a wet and wild night for Coach Becher of Harrisburg

Even with the Revolution losing Diego Fagundez to a red card in the 36th minute, it looked like the game was going to be another toss-up as the final whistle sounded and things were still in a stalemate. It was not for a lack of chances as New England’s Kelyn Rowe banged one off the crossbar off goalkeeper Nick Noble’s fingertip just two minutes into the match. Harrisburg was also denied by the woodwork when Sainey Touray put his effort off the crossbar three minutes into the second half.

Cut to overtime, where the story really gets wild. Despite playing down a man, the Revolution got their first goal five minutes into the extra session from Lee Nguyen worked through the midfield before sending Rowe behind the defense for a toe-poke tally past the charging Noble.

That seemed to the breaking point as the City Islanders gave up two more in the next eight minutes. Nguyen converted a penalty after Feilhaber was taken down in the box; and Feilhaber himself added the third by beating a defender and ripping a shot into the top of the goal.

Game over. Well, not quite.

Brian Ombiji put away a Tom Mellor cross from the left flank for what seemed to be a consolation strike. Then with three minutes left, Touray made matters anxious yet again with Harrisburg’s second goal.

On essentially the final play of the match, local favorite JT Noone, claimed hero status with a 20-yard effort inside the left post to send the game to penalty kicks. For Noone, he joined a select group of players who have scored goals in four consecutive Open Cup tournaments. His first came in 2009 with the Ocean City Barons (now Ocean City Nor’easters), and the last three seasons, he has scored at least one goal for his hometown City Islanders.

Unfortunately, that hero status did not last long as New England back-up goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth saved Noone’s opening attempt of the shootout. He was partially relieved of guilt the following round when Revolution goalscorer Rowe sent his effort off the crossbar.

And with the final kick of the shootout, Feilhaber’s effort was stopped by Noble, who came into the match with four consecutive shutouts, including last week’s Second Round 2-0 win against Long Island Rough Riders (PDL).

Harrisburg City Islanders 3:3 (4:3 APK) New England Revolution
Skyline Sports Complex (Harrisburg, Pa.)

Scoring Summary:
NE – Kelyn Rowe (Lee Nguyen) 95
NE – Lee Nguyen (penalty kick) 100
NE – Benny Feilhaber (Blake Brettschneider) 103
HAR – Brian Ombiji (Tom Mellor) 111
HAR – Sainey Touray (unassisted) 117
HAR – JT Noone (unassisted) 120

Penalty kicks:
HAR – Joseph Noone (save)
NE – Lee Nguyen (goal)
HAR – Stephen Basso (goal)
NE – Kelyn Rowe (miss – crossbar)
HAR – Bilal Duckett (goal)
NE – Mike Roach (goal)
HAR – Drew Yates (goal)
NE – Blake Brettschneider (goal)
HAR – Andrew Marshall (goal)
NE – Benny Feilhaber (save)

Lineups:

New England Revolution: Bobby Shuttleworth (GK), Tyler Polak, John Lozano, Darrius Barnes ©, Alec Purdie, Mike Roach, Fernando Cardenas (Benny Feilhaber 79), Kelyn Rowe, Jeremiah White (Lee Nguyen 63), Diego Fagundez, Jose Moreno (Blake Brettschneider 70) Substitutes Not Used: Tim Murray, Stephen McCarthy

Harrisburg City Islanders: Nicholas Noble (GK), Stephen Basso, Tom Brandt (Tom Mellor 100), Andrew Marshall, Bilal Duckett, Jason Pelletier, Andrew Welker (Drew Yates 64), Joseph Noone, Morgan Langley (Garret Pettis 76), Brian Ombiji, Sainey Touray Substitutes Not Used: Dustin Bixler, Bryan Holt, Adrian LeRoy, Colin Zizzi

NE STATS: Shots 10, Corner Kicks 5, Saves 6, Fouls 12 Offsides 5
HAR STATS: Shots 17, Corner Kicks 6, Saves 2, Fouls 20, Offsides 4

Misconduct Summary:
HAR – Sainey Touray (caution) 11
NE – Jeremiah White (caution) 17
NE – Diego Fagundez (ejection) 36
HAR – Jason Pelletier (caution) 45
HAR – Brian Ombiji (caution 89)

Referee: Ayodeji Obisesan
Assistant Referees: Albert Calise, Eric Weisbrod
Fourth Official: Jaroslaw Werel

Weather: Rainy and 80 degrees
Attendance: 441

CONCACAF Champions League makes changes; All 24 clubs enter altered group format

January 12, 2012 by Gerald Barnhart

A day after the United States Soccer Federation announced significant changes to its annual championship tournament, the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the governing confederation CONCACAF announced its own major alterations to its Champions League competition. The new format for the 2012-2013 edition of the event will see the elimination of the 16-team Preliminary Round in favor of advancing all 24 qualified teams into an opening group stage of eight, three-team groups.

The new CONCACAF Champions League format will largely utilize the same date windows as was done previously with group matches running from late July to mid October. The changes appear to incorporate a flexible schedule format for the main stage with six dates available for four group contests, allowing the clubs to balance their play in multiple competitions. It will also, undoubtedly assist CONCACAF with severe weather situations which have arisen in the Caribbean and Central America in previous years.

The Championship stage – Quarterfinals to Final – remains unaltered with the eight group winners advancing from the opening stage. The three rounds of two-leg series will continue to run from early March to the first of May.

Previously, US Open Cup champions were unseeded clubs that were required to play in the Preliminary Round, though the 2011 champion Sounders were slated for a direct entry into the Group Phase due to the LA Galaxy winning both the MLS Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup. Under the new format, the clubs that were previously seeded will now be placed in a pot together for the draw that will determine the composition of the groups, ensuring the seeded teams will be distributed equally and avoid one another.

Clubs will also continue to be placed in groups without members from their own nation, though the Can-Am nature of Major League Soccer could still see a Canadian MLS club in the same group as a US MLS side.

The 2012-13 tournament will mark the fifth edition of the event. The Seattle Sounders will represent the US Open Cup for a third consecutive year while league foes Los Angeles Galaxy, Real Salt Lake and Houston Dynamo also participate. A fifth MLS club is likely again via the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. The Sounders struggled in their first campaign, winning just once in the 2010-11 group phase after winning the Preliminary Round series against El Salvador’s Isidro Metapan. The lone win came against Marathon (Honduras).

Seattle has advanced the success of Open Cup champions under the current CONCACAF format, becoming the first to reach the Quarterfinals. The 2007 champion New England Revolution were stunned in the Preliminary Round in 2008, falling 6-1 on aggregate to Joe Public (T&T). DC United, champions in 2008, also advanced versus an El Salvadoran club, Luis Angel Firpo, in 2009 to reach the group phase, winning a penalty kick tiebreaker after a pair of 1-1 draws. In the group phase DC was 3-2-1, missing the cut by two points despite having higher point totals than the second-place clubs in two of the other groups.

The Sounders continue their second CCL campaign with the Quarterfinals in March. They will face Mexico’s Santos Laguna, a regular contender in the CCL, March 7 and 14 while their league rivals Toronto FC and LA Galaxy square off those same nights in the series that would determine their Semifinal opponent should they advance. Seattle rallied from a 1-0 Preliminary Round deficit against Panama’s San Francisco to win 2-1 in overtime. Seattle finished second in the group at 3-2-1 behind Monterrey, whom they defeated 1-0 in Mexico.

Prior to the Champions League format the Columbus Crew were the last club to represent the US Open Cup in the confederation’s club championship event. The 2002 champion Crew won the 2003 First Round series, 4-2 on aggregate (1-2, 3-0) versus Panama’s Arabe Unido before exiting in the Quarterfinals against Monarcas Morelia, who cruised to the aggregate win with a 6-0 opening win, allowing Columbus to take the second meeting, 2-0.

The Other US Opens and marketing the ‘US Soccer Majors’

September 25, 2011 by Gerald Barnhart

Every year when the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tournament rolls into the lights shining down onto the stadium pitch, the inevitable comparisons to the FA Cup in England come into play as part of the explanation to what the tournament is for journalists. And often times it’s followed by the unfortunate analogizing of the event to minor and major league baseball teams playing one another in a single-elimination tournament.

But perhaps the better comparisons we should all be making is to the other Opens in which the American media already treat as serious events. These events also pit amateurs versus professionals on an open entry basis, and are also among numerous events within the specific sport. These events, of course, are the US Open tennis tournaments held annually in New York and the US Open golf championship held in a different location each year around the United States.

Each fall, the world’s best tennis players convene on the hard courts of the USTA’s Billy Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, NY for the tour’s fourth and final major of what the sport considers the Grand Slam. Those top-flight professionals are joined by winners of an open playoff system that is comprised 16 sectionals and a national playoff event in which only USTA members may participate. In the end, 128 participants each take part in the men’s and women’s brackets (64 for doubles).

Last year, over 1,200 players took part in the USTA’s National Playoffs for a chance to compete in the singles events at the US Open. Unlike US Soccer’s Open Cup, only one male and one female earned qualification spots to compete against the world’s best in the tournament.

Toyota Park — The Chicago Fire have won six majors, including four US Open Cup championships | Photo by Brian Kersey/Wireimage.com

The US Open golf tournament, held in June, is comparatively more open with approximately half the participants advancing from qualification play to join the world’s top players who are automatically in the field through 17 exemptions categories via such things as being tournament winners or holding a certain world ranking.

At the 2010 tournament, 75 of the 156 participants were non-exempted players who qualified through the two-stage process to reach the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links for the championship. The process begins with Local Qualifying, a series of over 100 18-hole tournaments held around the country. Many top players not already qualified through full exemption are, however, exempt from local qualifying and join the process at the Sectional Qualifying stage where they participate in one of several one-day, 36-hole tournaments in the United States. There is also a Sectional tournament in both Europe and Japan where 11 and 4 individuals qualified, respectively, in 2010.

The major difference between the US Open Cup and the US Open tennis and golf duo is that the US Soccer Federation event is the only one that is a championship tournament for Americans while the other two are open to foreign participants. The only clubs eligible for the US Open Cup are American-based teams that are affiliated through the USSF; however, for argument’s sake it does still feature a foreign component as teams are comprised, in part, of players that are not American.

la-galaxy-2000-champions-cup-winners — The Los Angeles Galaxy have won eight majors, and are one of only two MLS clubs to win the CONCACAF Champions Cup (DC United). They won the Champions Cup in 2000 | Photo: Los Angeles Galaxy

Continuing on the golf tangent, another significant open tournament American media and sports fans are very familiar with and follow every July is the British Open (officially known as The Open Championship), which is the oldest of the four golf majors and is the only one held outside of the United States. Similar to the US Open, the majority of the 156 participants are automatic entrants through exemption with the remaining players advancing from a two-stage qualification process.

Through 2004, players from around the world were only able to qualify through 18-hole Local Qualifying events held around Britain and Ireland within two weeks of The British Open followed by 36-hole Local Final Qualifying tournaments a few days later. International Qualifying events, 36-hole tournaments, were added in 2004 to assist foreign professionals wishing to participate, holding qualifiers in Africa, Australia, Asia, America and Europe with more stringent entrance standards than Local Qualifying.

Packaging & Marketing US Soccer Majors

The golf and tennis tours are lengthy seasons that run from January to the fall with tournament events nearly every week, but it is the majors where media coverage amps up and fan viewership heightens. With the similarities of the American Open majors to the US Open Cup, perhaps there are other lessons to be learned from the golf and tennis tours, such as the incorporation US Soccer Majors as a marketing tool for the sports’ leading championship events for American clubs.

A matching structure of four championships already exists with the US Open Cup joined by the MLS Cup, MLS Supporters’ Shield (regular season championship) and the CONCACAF Champions League. Currently, the MLS Cup is the leading championship, but by creating a platform that raises the perception of the other three events to a comparable level to the league’s championship playoff, it will increase awareness among the media and fans while also, hopefully, creating a greater sense of seriousness and urgency to win the other events among the clubs and coaches.

Bringing these four championships together into one packaged series allows for a greater ability to compare the success of clubs beyond just winning MLS Cup as though this was the NFL and the Super Bowl while clubs around the rest of the world are evaluated on all the various events in which they participate. It would be similar to how tennis players and golfers are measured by majors won.

1996dcunited — DC United lead all MLS clubs with 11 majors, including the 1996 US Open Cup championship | Photo: DC United

For instance, the Los Angeles Galaxy and DC United are the only two clubs that have won all four majors (dating back to the CCL precursor CONCACAF Champions Cup). In fact, the two also hold the most total majors with DC boasting 11 (4 MLS Cups, 4 Supporters’ Shields, 2 Open Cups and a CCC) and the Galaxy having eight (2 MLS Cups, 3 Supporters’ Shields, 2 Open Cups and the CCC).

Only five clubs have won all three of the domestic majors with the Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas City having won everything but a CONCACAF championship at least once. The Fire are third in total majors (6) and the Crew are fourth (5).

Only three American MLS clubs are without a major championship, excluding expansion Portland. The New York Red Bulls, Chivas USA and Philadelphia Union have yet to claim one of the big prizes.

In the last five years, the most successful clubs in the United States have been Columbus and DC, each having won three majors. The Crew have won the Supporters’ Shield twice and the MLS Cup once. DC also has two Supporters’ Shields, but has a US Open Cup championship to round things out. Houston and Seattle each have two titles with the Dynamo winning MLS Cup twice in a row and the Sounders taking the Open Cup title back-to-back. Five other teams each have one major as nine clubs have won the 15 possible domestic majors while coming up empty in the Champions League, which is completing its third run with Real Salt Lake still in the hunt for a second major in the same cycle in which it won the MLS Cup title and qualified for the event.

All-Time ‘US Soccer Majors’ Winners List

11 – DC United (4 MC, 4 SS, 2 OC, 1 CCC)
8 – Los Angeles Galaxy (2 MC, 3 SS, 2 OC, 1 CCC)
6 – Chicago Fire (1 MC, 1 SS, 4 OC)
5 – Columbus Crew (1 MC, 3 SS, 1 OC)
3 – San Jose Earthquakes (2 MC, 1 SS)
3 – Sporting Kansas City (1 MC, 1 SS, 1 OC)
2 – Houston Dynamo (2 MC)
2 – Seattle Sounders (2 OC)
1 – Colorado Rapids (MC), FC Dallas (OC), Real Salt Lake (MC), New England Revolution (OC), Rochester Rhinos (OC), Tampa Bay Mutiny (SS), Miami Fusion (SS)

(MC – MLS Cup, SS – Supporters’ Shield, OC – US Open Cup, CCC/CCL – CONCACAF Champions Cup/League)

2011 US Open Cup qualifying (Win & You’re In): Sporting KC qualify with drubbing of 2nd string New England

May 26, 2011 by Gerald Barnhart

Sporting Kansas City did a lot of celebrating during their 5-0 win over the New England Revolution. Photo: Taylor Allan | Sporting KC

It has been a difficult start to the year for Sporting Kansas City playing away from home as LIVESTRONG Sporting Park was being finished. In the final 2011 MLS qualifier for the US Open Cup though, the club was finally at home, albeit at the alternate site Blue Valley District Activities Complex, and took that frustration out amidst the rain on a second string New England Revolution side in a stunning 5-0 victory that gave them the eighth and final MLS berth in the third round of the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Two Chance Myers strikes in the first 19 minutes put Sporting on the path toward a record performance as they posted the largest margin of victory all-time in the league’s 30 qualification matches over the past five years. The only four-goal margin was Real Salt Lake’s 4-0 home win against San Jose in 2008. It was also only the second time a club has scored five in a game as DC defeated visiting New York 5-3 two years ago. CJ Sapong added two of the other goals and Aurelien Collin had the fifth.

Playing away from home in MLS, Sporting is 1-6-1 with two more games away from home before the debut at the new park. They have yet to post a shutout on the season in MLS play, but have now blanked two league rivals in qualifiers having edged the Houston Dynamo on the road, 1-0, in the previous round on a Sapong goal in overtime. Eric Kronberg, who has played only one league match, was in goal for both qualifier clean sheets.

Just minutes into the contest Omar Bravo worked the ball quickly down the left flank and sent a low cross through the area that found a slashing Myers at the far post for an easy finish past Bobby Shuttleworth.

Bravo again was a factor in the 19th minute when his initial shot on goal was knocked away by Shuttleworth, allowing Myers to put away the rebound to double the advantage.

Five minutes later, Sporting grabbed suffocating command of the match when Sapong redirected a cross from former Revolution defender Seth Sinovic for his second goal of the qualifying campaign. The goal marked the first time Kansas City had scored three in a qualification match, having scored twice in only one of its four previous play-in matches.

As halftime approached Pat Phelan had the first good opportunity for New England, sending a long, hopeful effort from 35 yards that nearly found the upper right corner only to sail just wide.

Just after the hour mark Ryan Smith moved up the middle quickly for Kansas City, firing on goal and forcing Shuttleworth to make a nice save to send the ball out of play. Two minutes later Graham Zusi took a shot that was flying toward the crossbar, prompting the keeper to tip it over just to make sure.

In one of the Revolution’s other rare chances, Alan Koger gathered the ball on the right side, turned and fired from 28 years, making Kronberg stretch out for a nice save in the 68th minute.

In the 81st minute Collin made it 4-0 when he headed in a Smith cross from close range.

Seven minutes later Sapong sealed the record performance on a play symbolic of the night, stealing the ball from defender Franco Coria at the top of the box and putting it into the upper corner from 16 yards for his third of the campaign, making him the leading scorer in 2011 MLS US Open Cup qualifying.

Scoring Summary
KC: Chance Myers (Omar Bravo) – 9th min.
KC: Chance Myers – 19th min.
KC: CJ Sapong (Seth Sinovic) – 24th min.
KC: Aurelien Collin (Ryan Smith) – 81st min.
KC: CJ Sapong – 88th min.

Misconduct Summary:
NE – Didier Domi (caution; Tactical Foul) 20
NE – Pat Phelan (caution; Reckless Foul) 45
NE – Alan Koger (caution; Reckless Foul) 74

Lineups:
New England Revolution – Bobby Shuttleworth (Tim Murray 72), Ryan Kinne, Franco Coria, Otto Loewy, Didier Domi, Michael Augustine (Diego Fagundez 70), Pat Phelan, Andrew Sousa, Sainey Nyassi (Zak Boggs 60), Zack Shilawski, Alan Koger
Substitutes Not Used: Darrius Barnes

Kansas City Wizards – Eric Kronberg, Michael Harrington, Matt Besler, Aurelien Collin, Seth Sinovic, Omar Bravo (Ryan Smith 57), Craig Rocastle (Birahim Diop 72), Chance Myers (Kei Kamara 79), Luke Sassano, Graham Zusi, C.J. Sapong
Substitutes Not Used: Jimmy Nielsen, Roger Espinoza

Referee: Sorin Stoica
Referee’s Assistants: Lance Mesman, Matthew Foerster
4th Official: Landis Wiley
Weather: Cloudy and 53 degrees
Attendance: 1,228