New York Red Bulls/Metrostars

2022 US Open Cup Semifinals: Big second half sends Orlando City past Red Bulls, Lions to host first Final

July 27, 2022 by Mike Gramajo

Facundo Torres of Orlando City SC celebrates after scoring a goal against the New York Red Bulls in the 2022 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Orlando City SC

For the first time in their club history, the Lions are heading to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final.

The New York Red Bulls may have struck first but Orlando City scored five unanswered to claim a 5-1 victory during Wednesday’s semifinal match in front of an announced attendance of 11,612 at a rain-soaked Exploria Stadium.

“For us, it was believing it was a very important game for us,” Orlando head coach Oscar Pareja said after the game. “We come from a series of games where the players showed a lot of energy and we haven’t been that solid offensively and today the players took Orlando to another final, scoring five goals, and we hope it can serve them well but today a big game for the club and for them.”

.@OrlandoCitySC reach their first-ever @opencup Final with a 5-1 thumping of the @NewYorkRedBulls. #USOC2022 Semifinal Highlights ????⤵️ pic.twitter.com/GAUrCqEsCw
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) July 28, 2022

Lewis Morgan opened the scoring for the Red Bulls in the first minute of first-half stoppage time after a turnover from Alexandre Pato resulted in a New York counterattack, which resulted in Klimala finding Morgan to strike the ball past Gallese.

The lead was short-lived, however. Four minutes later before halftime, Cesar Araujo tied the game after a corner kick from Mauricio Pereyra found Antonio Carlos, who headed the ball off the post before the Uruguayan midfielder cleaned up the play for the equalizer.

Pereyra made it 2-1 in the opening minutes of the second half after a cross from Joao Moutinho found the Orlando City captain to strike the ball past keeper Carlos Coronel in the 47th minute.

Scenes. Absolute scenes in Orlando. ????@OrlandoCitySC | #USOC2022 pic.twitter.com/hJZACFOyvK
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) July 28, 2022

The scoring continued in the 62nd minute when Araujo notched his brace after striking the ball off a corner kick that originally found Benji Michel before landing at Araujo to strike home the play for a 3-1 lead.

Facundo Torres added to the tally with Orlando’s fourth after a ball played by Junior Urso found the Young Designated Player to tuck the ball past Coronel.

Benjo Michel capped the scoring in the 83rd minute after striking the ball past the keeper off a cross from Torres to make it 5-1.

“I think the confidence that they show today as a group helped them a lot to put the things together,” added Pareja. “The team showed that we have talent and cohesiveness among the players. It’s just trying to get that consistency, and it’s a long season. The thing is we are aware of the things that we need to work on and today we showed ourselves that we have the tools to do it right.”

It was the first time this season that Orlando scored five goals.

ORLANDO CHEGOUUUUU ???? pic.twitter.com/0bTWorLxOQ
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) July 28, 2022

Wednesday’s result also marks the first time a Florida team returns to the Open Cup final since the Miami Fusion, which lost the 2000 edition against the Chicago Fire.

The St. Petersburg Kickers are the only Florida team to win the tournament, and they lifted the trophy in 1989.

Orlando City season ticket holders can purchase tickets to the final beginning Thursday at 2 p.m., and the general public will be able to purchase on Friday also at 2 p.m.

The Lions will play the Sacramento Republic FC on Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. at Exploria Stadium. If Orlando is able to lift the trophy, they would be the first club in the Modern Era to win six home games en route to a championship.

2022 US Open Cup Semifinals Preview: Underdog Sacramento face 4-time champs Sporting KC; Red Bulls, Orlando City seeking first USOC trophy

July 26, 2022 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

The Semifinals of the 2022 U.S. Open Cup have a little bit of everything in the four clubs seeking a spot in the Final.

New York Red Bulls: The team that has struggled in the Open Cup since switching to the Red Bulls name, not only find themselves within reach of their first Cup championship. They also sit near the top of the MLS standings with a chance at a double.

Orlando City SC: A team who began their Open Cup history outside of MLS as a USL club, look to better their semifinal performance in 2019 and claim their first Open Cup title.

Sacramento Republic FC: The non-MLS underdog, just the ninth different team from outside of MLS to reach the semis, also hold a 16-1-0 all-time record in Open Cup home games.

Sporting Kansas City: Despite being stuck in dead last in the MLS Western Conference with a 5-12-5 record, the four-time Open Cup champions have made their way to the final four in search of title number five, which would make them the first Modern Era team to tie the all-time record.

The Red Bulls and Orlando City kick off the night at Orlando’s Exploria Stadium at 7:30 p.m., and Sacramento will welcome Sporting Kansas City to Heart Health Park, a venue that has been sold out for a week in advance of this historic game.

Orlando City SC players celebrate after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Orlando City SC

New York Red Bulls (MLS) at Orlando City SC (MLS)
Exploria Stadium; Orlando, FL
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+

Two teams who have never lifted the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup face off at Exploria Stadium in Orlando for a chance to capture the hardware in September.

After a few years of mid-table finishes, the Red Bulls have risen to their 2018 form when they won the MLS Supporters’ Shield. The Red Bulls are currently third in the MLS Eastern Conference, looking up at rivals Philadelphia Union and New York City FC. The club is one of a handful in MLS whose road record (7-3-2) is better than their home mark (3-3-4). Their record on the road in Open Cup games lags behind their current league season, sitting at 13-13-1 with 1 win on penalties.

As the MetroStars the club put in respectable performances in the Open Cup, reaching the Semifinals three times (1997, 1998, 2000) and hosting the Final in 2003 (falling to the Chicago Fire 1-0). Once the club switched to New York Red Bulls, their Open Cup struggles began. In seven tournaments from 2006-2014 the Red Bulls failed to make it past a second game, and three times they were one-and-done. Finally, in 2015, things started to turn around. A semifinals appearance in 2015 was followed by a return to the Final in 2017 (losing on the road to Sporting KC).

The New York Red Bulls celebrate the game-winning goal against FC Cincinnati in the 101st minute in the 2017 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls

Orlando City come into the game sitting fifth in the MLS Eastern Conference, although their recent league performance has slipped a bit. The club has just five points from their last five league games. Midfielder Mauricio Pereyra is tied for fourth in the MLS assists leaderboard with nine.

Orlando City SC started their Open Cup journey in 2009 as the Austin Aztex in the USL Pro League, advancing three rounds deep in 2009 & 2010. After two years the team moved to Orlando where they continued to have moderate Open Cup success, including a run to the Quarterfinals in 2013. In 2014, they moved on to MLS and repeated their Quarterfinal run in 2015 and 2018. They finally broke through to the Semifinals in 2019 where they fell to rival Atlanta United 2-0.

Teams from Florida only began participating in the Open Cup in 1979, and Orlando City’s entry into this year’s Semifinals marks just the ninth time a team from the Sunshine State has advanced this far. The St. Petersburg Kickers are the only Florida team to have won the Open Cup, doing so in 1989. The Miami Fusion (MLS) are the only other Florida team to reach the Final, doing so in 2000.

Teams from Florida in the Open Cup Semifinals

1979 – H. Brooks Dodge Chargers (St. Petersburg)
1982 – St. Petersburg Kickers
1984 – HRC Kickers (St. Petersburg)
1989 – St. Petersburg Kickers **
1993 – McCormick Kickers (St. Petersburg)
1994 – McCormick Kickers
2000 – Miami Fusion *
2019 – Orlando City SC
*-Reached Open Cup Final
**-Won Open Cup

Florida vs. NY & NJ in the Open Cup Semifinals

1979: Brooklyn Dodgers 3:0 H. Brooks Dodge Chargers

The very first time a Florida team met a team from New York & New Jersey was on June 3, 1979, it was the first year that teams from Florida entered the competition 1979 was also the first year the Open Cup was divided into four regions: Region I (Northeast) Region II (Midwest), Region III (South), and Region IV (West) with the winners of the four regions advancing to the Semifinals. The Chargers opponents at Norton Park in St. Petersburg, FL were the Brooklyn Dodgers, later to be known as the Brooklyn Italians.

Rick Monteveiro and Mike Malenkowju scored in the opening half for Brooklyn and Ciocchi added another in the second for a 3-0 win for the Dodgers. Brooklyn would win the Open Cup two weeks later over Croatian SC of Chicago.

1979 US Open Cup champions Brooklyn Dodgers

1984: HRC Kickers 1:3 A.O. Krete

Florida took on a NY/NJ team again on June 23, 1984 at the St. Louis Soccer Park in Fenton, MO. This time their opponents were A.O. Krete of the Hellenic American Soccer League, a team that had previously never made a serious run in the tournament. Krete came out 3-1 winners behind a pair of goals from Michael Malenkow and another from Mirko Popovski, while the Kickers lone score was an own goal. Like the Brooklyn Dodgers three years earlier, Krete won the Open Cup over Croatian SC of Chicago.

2000: Miami Fusion 3:2 MetroStars

On Sept. 12, 2000, the New York Red Bulls were involved in the third Florida-NY/NJ encounter under their former identity of the MetroStars. The Miami Fusion were their opponents and Florida finally came out on top, 3-2 at the Mitchell Athletic Complex in Uniondale, NY. Andy Williams’ opening goal for Miami was countered by a Billy Walsh equalizer for the Metros. In the second half Welton and Diego Serna put the Fusion on top for good, and Adolfo Valencia gave the MetroStars a glimmer of hope with a late goal. Miami would fall short of an Open Cup title against the Chicago Fire a month later.

How New York Red Bulls got to the Semifinals
Round 3: Won 2-1 at Hartford Athletic (USL-C)
Round 4: Won 3-0 at D.C. United (MLS)
Round of 16: Won 3-1 vs. Charlotte FC (MLS)
Quarterfinals: Won 3-0 vs. New York City FC (MLS)

The Red Bulls reached the Fourth Round with a 2-1 win over Hartford Athletic of the USL Championship. Early goals from Lewis Morgan and Aaron Long was all NYRB needed while out-shooting Hartford, 30-4.

The Red Bulls had no trouble with their Fourth Round encounter with rivals D.C. United, leaving D.C’s Audi Field with a 3-0 win. Luquinhas opened the scoring in first half stoppage time, and John Tolkin added another just after halftime. Zach Ryan put the game to bed with his 68th-minute goal.

The man is on a tear. Lewis Morgan puts us ahead.@Audi | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/FNBFJUK0g8
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) June 23, 2022

In the Round of 16 the Red Bulls played host to Charlotte FC at Montclair State University and sent the visitors back to the Queen City with 3-1 loss. Patryk Klimala put the Red Bulls on top after just two minutes, but Daniel Rios tied the game for Charlotte six minutes later. Dylan Nealis put New York on top for good in the 61st minute, and Tom Barlow added a goal in stoppage time.

In the Quarterfinals, the Red Bulls were tasked with hosting their Big Apple rivals, New York City FC, and NYRB ended up running away with a 3-0 win. After a scoreless opening half, Lewis Morgan scored in the 52nd minute, followed 18 minutes later by a Luquinas goal. Omir Fernandez topped the victory off with a stoppage time score.

How Orlando City SC got to the Semifinals
Round 3: Won 2-1 vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL-C)
Round 4: Won 2-1 vs. Philadelphia Union (MLS)
Round of 16: Drew 1-1 vs. Inter Miami CF (MLS) — Advanced on penalties 4-2
Quarterfinals: Drew 1-1 vs. Nashville SC (MLS) — Advanced on penalties 6-5

Orlando opened their 2022 Open Cup run with a 2-1 win at home over the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL Championship in the Third Round. Alexandre Pato and Junior Urso scored second half goals.

City followed the same script in the Fourth Round when they hosted the Philadelphia Union. After a scoreless first 45 minutes, Orlando scored a pair of goals by Ercan Kara, and a 30-yard rocket from Andres Perea early in the second half. And once again, despite giving up a goal in the 77th minute, Orlando held on for the 2-1 win.

Oh it was something alright ????@andresperea06 | #DaleMiAmor pic.twitter.com/99o9CfTAlU
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) May 11, 2022

In the Round of 16, it was another matchup of teams from the Sunshine State as Inter Miami CF traveled to Orlando. While there were no goals scored in the first half for the third game in a row, there was also no scoring in the second half. In extra time, the game came alive as each team traded goals in the first seven minutes. Jean Mota would open the scoring in the 94th minute and Facundo Torres would equalize three minutes later for Orlando. The match would end up in a penalty kick shootout and for the fourth time in as many tries in team history, Orlando would prevail, winning 4-2.

The Quarterfinals saw Orlando City going to penalties once again, this time to topple Nashville SC after a 1-1 extra time draw. After Hany Mukhtar gave Nashville a 1-0 lead in the 52^nd minute, Orlando needed every bit of the remaining time to find their equalizer. In the 4th minute of stoppage time, Rodrigo Schlegel sent to game to extra time, scoring from a free kick sent into the goalmouth. After a scoreless extra time. Orlando finally prevailed when goalkeeper Pedro Gallese saved Eric Miller’s penalty to give Orlando a 6-5 shootout win

Orlando City SC (MLS)
12th US Open Cup appearance (6th as MLS)
Overall: 19-11-5 (5-0 PKs) | as MLS: 7-5-5 (5-0 PKs)
Home: 13-4-3 (3-0 PKs) | as MLS: 4-3-3 (3-0 PKs)
vs. MLS: 5-9-4 (4-0 PKs) | as MLS: 3-3-4 (4-0 PKs)
Best finish: Semifinals (2019, 2022)

Current Season
8-8-6 (30 pts.) 26 GF 31 GA, 5th in MLS Eastern Conference
Goalscoring leader: Ercan Kara, 7
Assists leader: Mauricio Pereyra, 9
Goalkeeping leader: Pedro Gallese, 21 games, 1.43 GAA / 7 clean sheets

Last Three Games
July 13 (MLS): 1-1 draw at Colorado Rapids
July 17 (MLS): 1-1 draw at Atlanta United
July 23 (MLS): 1-0 loss vs. Philadelphia Union

New York Red Bulls (Major League Soccer)
22nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 26-20-3 (2-1 PKs)
Away: 13-13-1 (1-0 PKs)
vs. MLS: 11-12-3 (2-1 PKs)
Best finish: Final (2003, 2017)

Current Season
8-4-5 29 Pts., 34 GF 25 GA, 3rd in MLS Eastern Conference
Goalscoring leader: Lewis Morgan, 9
Assists leader: Omir Fernandez, 6
Goalkeeping leader: Carlos Coronel, 21 games, 1.10 GAA, 5 clean sheets

Last Three Games
July 9 (MLS): 1-1 draw at FC Cincinnati
July 17 (MLS): 1-0 loss vs. New York FC
July 24 (MLS): 4-3 win at Austin FC

The Sacramento Republic celebrate after the club's 2-0 home win over the San Jose Earthquakes in the Round of 16 of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Sacramento Republic FC — The Sacramento Republic celebrate after the club’s 2-0 home win over the San Jose Earthquakes in the Round of 16 of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Sacramento Republic FC

Sporting Kansas City (MLS) at Sacramento Republic (USL-C)
Heart Health Park; Sacramento, CA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+

It’s the underdogs from the USL Championship seeking to continue writing new club history versus an MLS team mired in a miserable season looking to take advantage of perhaps their lone chance at a trophy in 2022.

Sacramento’s current USL Championship season has been middle of the road so far, as they sit in seventh place in the Western Conference in the final playoff spot. Rodrigo Lopez is the undisputed team leader, and he sits atop the Open Cup stats leaderboard with four goals and four assists.

Sacramento Republic have used the 2022 US Open Cup to reverse some negative trends in their cup history. First, they finally overcame the San Jose Earthquakes, whom Sacramento had gone 0-4 against in the Open Cup. Next, they reversed their poor performance on the road in the Cup with an away win over the Los Angeles Galaxy. Sacramento had a 1-4-1 road record in cup play, all four losses, including a penalty kick loss, coming at the hands of MLS clubs.

Sacramento has one huge advantage in that they posses one of the best home Open Cup records in the Modern Era at 16-1-0. They are in the middle of an 11-game winning streak, which ranks fourth since 1996. Their last home loss was a 3-1 upset by the PDL’s (USL-2) Kitsap Pumas in the Third Round in 2016.

Home Open Cup winning streaks (Modern Era)
17 – LA Galaxy (2001 Rd. 2-2016 QF)
16 – Seattle Sounders (2008 Rd. 2-2-04 Rd. 4)
14 – Chicago Fire (1998 Final-2008 Rd. 3)
11 – Sacramento Republic (2017 Rd. 2-Current)

Sacramento also joins an exclusive list with their first ever Semifinal appearance, becoming just the ninth different non-MLS club to reach this stage since 1996, and the first since FC Cincinnati in 2017. The 2008 Charleston Battery and 1996 Rochester Raging Rhinos made it to the Final, and the 1999 Rhinos famously became the only team outside MLS to win the Open Cup in the Modern Era.

Non-MLS semifinalists since 1996
2017 FC Cincinnati (USL)
2011 Richmond Kickers (USL Pro)
2009 Rochester Rhinos (USL First Division)
2008 Seattle Sounders (USL First Division)
2008 Charleston Battery (USL First Division) *
2007 Carolina RailHawks (USL First Division)
2007 Seattle Sounders (USL First Division)
2006 Minnesota Thunder (USL First Division)
2004 Charleston Battery (A-League)
1999 Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League) **
1999 Charleston Battery (A-League)
1997 San Francisco Bay Seals (USISL D3 Pro)
1996 Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League) *
*Reached Open Cup Final
**Won the Open Cup

Sporting Kansas City are making their sixth Semifinals appearance, having converted the previous five into four Open Cup championships. They’ll hope to make it to their fifth Open Cup Final to balance out what has been a disastrous MLS season. Perhaps the high point in the MLS season thus far for SKC was a stretch of six games in April & May where they went 1-1-4.

Johnny Russell of Sporting KC talks to his teammates in the huddle before the club's 2022 US Open Cup Fifth Round match against the Houston Dynamo. Photo: Sporting KC — Johnny Russell of Sporting KC talks to his teammates in the huddle before the club’s 2022 US Open Cup Fifth Round match against the Houston Dynamo. Photo: Sporting KC

However, a team in last place going so deep in the Open Cup is nothing new. 11 times a team that finished in last place in their MLS Conference have reached the Open Cup Semifinals. Kansas City did it in 2002 as the Wizards with a 9-10-9 record, but KC made the playoffs since 8 of the 10 teams qualified for the MLS postseason that year. D.C. United and the Chicago Fire have pulled it off three times each, with Chicago making the Final in 2004 with a 8-13-9 mark, and D.C. winning the Open Cup with a 3-27-7 record.

This feat isn’t just limited to MLS clubs. In 2004 the A-League Charleston Battery reached the Semifinals and finished second to last in the A-League with a 7-15-6 record. Going all the way back to 1937, the New York Americans won the Open Cup that year over Shamrocks from St. Louis despite finishing last in the American Soccer Leagues National Division at 4-11-7.

Granted, Sporting KC have a few more months to move out of last place and keep their name off this infamous list.

Last place MLS teams to reach Semifinals (end of season record)
1996 – Colorado Rapids 11-21 (Replacement for Colorado Foxes)
1997 – MetroStars 13-19
2001 – D.C. United 8-16-2
2002 – Kansas City Wizards 9-10-9 – MADE MLS PLAYOFFS
2004 – Chicago Fire 8-13-9 – MADE OPEN CUP FINAL
2010 – D.C. United 6-20-4
2010 – Chivas USA 8-18-4
2012 – Chivas USA 7-18-9
2013 – D.C. United 3-24-7 – WON OPEN CUP
2015 – Chicago Fire 8-20-6
2016 – Chicago Fire 7-17-10

Non-MLS
2004 – Charleston Battery (A-League) 7-15-6 (finished 2^nd to last in A-League)
1937 – New York Americans (ASL) 4-11-7 (last place in ASL National Division)

17 of SKC’s last 21 Open Cup opponents going back to 2014 have been fellow MLS clubs. Ironically, two of those games were against Minnesota United before that club joined MLS. This year marks the first time Kansas City have faced more that one team from outside MLS in a single tournament since 2013, when they defeated the Des Moines Menace of the PDL (USL-2) 2-0 in the Third Round, then lost to Orlando City of USL Pro 1-0 a game later.

How Sporting Kansas City got to the Semifinals
Round 4: Won 4-2 (AET) vs. FC Dallas (MLS)
Round of 16: Won 2-1 vs. Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Quarterfinals: Won 6-0 vs. Union Omaha (USL-1)

Sporting KC began their Open Cup journey in dramatic fashion. The four-time champs overcame a 2-0 halftime deficit to FC Dallas, scored an equalizer deep into second half stoppage time, and then tacked on two more goals in extra time to prevail 4-2. Marinos Tzionis scored the late equalizer for his first goal for Sporting KC. Four minutes into extra time an own goal from Edwin Cerrillo put KC up for good, and Khiry Shelton made it 4-2 in the 113th minute.

SKC would reach the Quarterfinals for the 12th time with a 2-1 win over the Houston Dynamo. Their 12 Quarterfinal appearances are tied for fifth-most in the tournament’s 107-year history. Johnny Russell scored both goals for Sporting, who was playing Houston for the fifth time in the last six tournaments.

Johnny Russell eats the foul, makes 'em pay anyway!

We're all square! #SKCvHOU pic.twitter.com/bYz6FaOJGq
— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) May 26, 2022

Sporting KC had to play the role of the villain in the Quarterfinals, crushing Union Omaha 6-0 to end the Cinderella run of the USL League One club. Daniel Salloi (10^thminute) and Kortne Ford (37^th minute) gave KC a 2-0 halftime lead, but soon after the break the floodgates opened. Within 20 minutes in the second half the lead was 5-0 on goals from Salloi (53^rd), Khiry Shalton (56^th) and Felipe Hernandez (66^th). Fernandez added a sixth in the 81^st minute,

How Sacramento Republic got to the Semifinals
Round 2: Won 6-0 vs. Portland Timbers U23 (USL-2)
Round 3: Won 2-1 vs. Central Valley Fuego (USL-1)
Round 4: Won 2-0 vs. Phoenix Rising FC (USL-C)
Round of 16: Won 2-0 vs. San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Quarterfinals: Won 2-1 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)

Sacramento had no trouble beating the Portland Timbers U-23s in the Second Round. Sacramento held a 6-0 lead at halftime and eased up in the second half so as not to run up the score on the youngsters.

In Round 3, it was Rodrigo Lopez to the rescue again. After assisting on the opening goal of the game, Central Valley Fuego (USL-1) equalized in the second half. Lopez then scored the game-winner from the penalty spot five minutes deep into second half stoppage time to send the Republic into Round 4.

In the Fourth Round, Sacramento hosted a battle of USL Championship Western Conference rivals, facing off with Phoenix Rising. Republic added to their outstanding home Open Cup record with a 2-0 win, Luis Felipe scoring in the first half and Douglas Martinez adding the second in the 88th minute.

In the Round of 16, Sacramento broke through the San Jose blockade, beating the Earthquakes for the first time in Open Cup play in four tries. Over 11,000 packed Heart Health Park in Sacramento on a sweltering night. Luis Felipe opened the scoring in the 28th minute on a Rodrigo Lopez assist, and then Lopez closed out the game with a fantastic shot in the 84th minute to propel Sacramento to the Quarterfinals for the first time.

.@luisfelipe_7 loves an @opencup goal ????#LFG | #USOC2022 pic.twitter.com/7zKEUIRqMC
— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) June 22, 2022

The Republic booked their first-ever Semifinal appearance with a 2-1 upset over the Los Angeles Galaxy away from home. Rodrigo Lopez got Sacramento started quickly with a 4th minute goal, but Conor Donovan gifted the Galaxy an equalizer through an own goal. In the 70^th minute a shot by Luis Felipe from outside the penalty area found its way past Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsman, and Sacramento held on for the remaining 20 minutes,

Sporting Kansas City (Major League Soccer)
22nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 31-15-6 (4-2 PKs)
Away: 8-8-4 (2-2 PKs)
vs. Division 2: 7-2-2 (1-1 PKs)
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champions (2004, 2012, 2015, 2017)

Current Season
5-13-5 20 Pts., 19 GF 40 GA, 14th in MLS Western Conference
Goalscoring leader: Johnny Russell, 6
Assists leader: Cameron Duke, Felipe Hernandez, 3
Goalkeeping leader: Tim Melia, 21 games, 1.65 GAA / 4 clean sheets

Last Three Games
July 9 (MLS): 1-1 draw at Minnesota United
July 17 (MLS): 3-0 loss at Real Salt Lake
July 23 (MLS): 2-0 loss vs. Los Angeles FC

Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)
7th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 18-5-1 (0-1 PKs)
Home: 16-1-0
vs. MLS: 4-4-1 (0-1 PKs)
Best finish: Semifinals (2022)

Current Season
8-5-6 30 Pts., 22 GF 19 GA, 7th in USL Championship Western Conference
Goalscoring leader: Maalique Foster, 4
Assists leader: Rodrigo Lopez, 3
Goalkeeping leader: Daniel Vitiello, 14 games, 1.14 GAA / 3 clean sheets

Last Three Games
July 9 (USL-C): 3-3- draw vs. Oakland Roots
July 16 (USL-C): 1-0 loss vs. Birmingham Legion FC
July 23 (USL-C): 0-0 draw at Phoenix Rosing FC

2017 US Open Cup Final: Sporting KC holds off Red Bulls to win fourth Open Cup title (video)

September 21, 2017 by Alan Hainkel

Sporting Kansas City celebrates after defeating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in the 2017 US Open Cup Final. Photo: Bob Larson

For the third time in six years, and the fourth time in club history, Sporting Kansas City won the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup by defeating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in front of a crowd of 21,523 at Children’s Mercy Park. It was the third largest crowd in park history and the fourth largest crowd for the final in the history of the tournament.

Latif Blessing scored a first half goal and Daniel Salloi added another in the second half as Kansas City became just the eighth club in history to win four US Open Cup titles.

From the opening kickoff, the game was played at a very brisk pace. It was also very physical, with 32 fouls called and a few more that could have been.

Latif Blessing opened the scoring in the 25th minute. Defender Graham Zusi played an inch-perfect cross in from the right wing that found the head of Blessing, remarkable for a player listed at five feet, three inches tall. Blessing’s header rocketed past goalkeeper Ryan Meara to give Sporting KC a 1-0 lead. For Blessing, it was his third goal of the tournament.

Both clubs traded chances chances for most of the half. The best chance Sporting KC had came in the 42nd minute. Headers from Roger Espinoza, Matt Besler and Diego Rubio were off the crossbar, saved and over the crossbar, respectively in a matter of five seconds.

Moments after that flurry, Sporting KC was forced into their first substitution as Blessing came off in favor of striker Daniel Salloi.

Daniel Salloi of Sporting KC scores what would prove to be the game-winner in the 66th minute against the New York Red Bulls in the 2017 US Open Cup Final. Photo: Bob Larson

Salloi repaid manager Peter Vermes’ faith in him with a goal in the 66th minute. Midfielder Benny Feilhaber played a long ball forward from just inside the midfield stripe to Salloi just outside the arc on the penalty area. Meara had come out to challenge for the ball, but Salloi toe-poked it past him and it slowly rolled into the net to double Sporting’s advantage.

Salloi said that he’d been prepared to come in earlier than one might expect.

“Before we walked out, Roger (Espinoza) came up to me and told me, ‘Every final, we get someone hurt, so be ready and come in focused,’” Salloi said. “And I was like, ‘Okay, good.’ and at halftime he told me, ‘You see, I told you so.’ So I’m happy that I was prepared and could step up to the moment.”

Salloi’s goal became even more important after Bradley Wright-Phillips pulled one back in the first minute of second-half stoppage time. Gonzalo Veron took a shot that Tim Melia got down to his right to save, but Wright-Phillips pounced on the rebound and put the hearts of most Sporting KC supporters into their throats as they narrowed the margin to 2-1.

For Wright-Phillips, it was his fourth goal of the 2017 US Open Cup, leaving him tied for the tournament lead in goals and puts him alone at the top of the competition’s scoring chart (4 goals, 1 assist, 9 points). Wright Phillips is just the second New York player to lead the tournament in scoring, the first was Amado Guevara (4 goals, 2 assists) in 2003.

Sporting KC’s defense absorbed quite a bit of pressure during the total of six minutes of stoppage time added on to the second half, but they managed to close out the game and claim the club’s third title in six years, but only the first Open Cup title that didn’t require extra time.

Vermes spoke in the post-game press conference about how a lot of people were talking about the young players New York had, but he wanted to make sure his young players got credit for how well they played.

“Yeah, I mean, you guys need to take note,” Vermes said. “Obviously not only did Jimmy Medranda come in, you had (Daniel) Salloi, Ilie, Kevin (Oliveira) who we just signed last week. So, when you look at those things, it’s a real credit to the structure that we put in place here and being able to bring those guys along. Our B Team, the Swope Park Rangers, the coaching staff has done a great job in preparing those guys for the first team. So, to see those guys come on to the field and help us secure a championship is an incredible confidence builder for those guys. Because the other piece is that our older players are doing the mentoring that they need to do to bring those guys along for them to understand that this club truly is about winning. It’s not just talk. So now that they’ve had this.

With the win, Sporting Kansas City wins $250,000 in prize money and a spot in the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League. New York wins $60,000 as the runner-up. FC Cincinnati was awarded $15,000 as the Division 2 club to advance the farthest (Semifinals) and Christos FC also won $15,000 as the Division 4 (amateur) club to reach the farthest (Round 4).

HIGHLIGHTS: 2017 US OPEN CUP FINAL

SPORTING KC: ROAD TO 2017 US OPEN CUP TITLE

POSTGAME: GRAHAM ZUSI

POSTGAME: ROGER ESPINOZA

POSTGAME: MATT BESLER

2017 US Open Cup Final preview: Sporting KC, NY Red Bulls battle to be crowned 104th USOC champion

September 20, 2017 by Alan Hainkel

On Wednesday, two former division rivals will clash for silverware as the New York Red Bulls visit Children’s Mercy Park to take on Sporting Kansas City in the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final. To say both clubs prepared very differently would be an understatement.

In Sporting KC’s last match on Saturday, manager Peter Vermes used a starter-heavy lineup to take down 10-man New England, 3-1. Diego Rubio scored twice with the man advantage for the club’s first win since their last home match, Aug. 19 against FC Dallas.

Vermes has told reporters on numerous occasions he puts out the best lineup he can to win as many matches as possible.

“The fact that we played here tonight on Saturday and are playing here on Wednesday, there is no doubt we can manage that from a physical perspective,” Vermes said during his post-game press conference Saturday. “I actually like the fact that we are in the rhythm to play the next game. Tonight wasn’t easy. No matter how you look at it, the final was in the back of their minds and so I thought the guys did a good job of managing this game, getting the points and no understanding that our focus and or preparation has to be on Wednesday.”

Contrast that with the Red Bulls’ last match. In Sunday’s scoreless draw with the Philadelphia Union, Bradley Wright-Phillips, Tyler Adams and Sacha Kljestan played 71 minutes between the three of them, with Kljestan playing the most at 32 minutes. It’s a risk for New York, considering they’re currently in the last playoff spot in the East.

Considering the travel and having less recovery time, Marsch defended the decision after the match. “I think it’s the right decision,” Marsch said. “Given everything, we want to win the trophy and you don’t have a lot of opportunities to play a final; clearly around this club, very few.”

It would be fair to say both clubs are shuffling a bit. New York has struggled to close out games recently, giving up three one-goal leads in two of their last three games. Sporting KC, on the other hand, has only two wins since the end of July, but both were at home.

If you wanted to identify three key players for New York, you’d be hard-pressed to argue with Bradley Wright-Phillips, Sacha Kljestan and Luis Robles. Wright-Phillips leads the club with 15 goals, including two game-winners. Kljestan is the team’s best helper with 14 assists, including two game-winners, and two goals of his own. Robles has 12 wins along with eight clean sheets this season in league play.

However, Jesse Marsch recently announced that it will be Ryan Meara who will start in goal in the championship game. As a backup to Robles, Meara hasn’t appeared in a league game since 2015, but the Open Cup has been an opportunity for him to shine. The Fordham University grad, who was a second round pick in 2012, has been the starting goalkeeper throughout the Red Bulls’ 2017 run to the Final. He has played in nine tournament games since making his tournament debut for the Red Bulls in 2012, and has a 5-3-1 (1-0 PKs) record, allowing 11 goals in those games.

The three players to watch for Sporting KC would have to be Gerso Fernandes, Graham Zusi and Tim Melia. In the absence of Dom Dwyer, Gerso has stepped up and now leads the team with eight goals on a club where goals seem to come from unexpected places. Zusi, enjoying one of his better seasons after moving to right back, leads the club with six assists. Melia, a former league pool goalkeeper, has 10 clean sheets in league play to go along with his three Open Cup shutouts. Melia also has three penalty kick saves in league play on the five spot kicks he’s faced.

Melia is on one of the best runs for any goalkeeper in the Modern Era of the tournament. He hasn’t lost an Open Cup match since the 2010 Quarterfinals, boasting a 10-0-2 (2-0 PKs) record during that span. He has taken part in four penalty kick shootouts in his career and has never lost.

Both goalkeepers have experienced, and won, a penalty kick shootout during this year’s Open Cup.

Home is a beautiful place to be if you’re Sporting KC. The club has 101 consecutive league sellouts at Children’s Mercy Park, where they’ve not lost since May 27, 2016, a 1-0 loss to DC United on an 86th minute goal by Alhaji Kamara (an 85th minute substitute). The unbeaten streak has now reached 23 regular season MLS matches (26, if you count three USOC wins this season), tied for third-longest streak in league history.

Latif Blessing (right) and Benny Failhaber of Sporting Kansas City celebrate during a 3-1 win over FC Dallas in the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports | Sporting KC

Not only do the hosts have their crowds on their side, but Sporting KC also a history in cup finals at home. In franchise history, the club has played three USOC finals (2004, 2012 and 2015), with 2004 and 2012 played in front of their home fans. All three have been tied at the end of regulation, and two have been decided by penalty kicks (2012, 2015). The closest New York has come to a title was a 1-0 loss in the 2003 Open Cup Final to the Chicago Fire.

To reach the Final, Sporting KC defeated Minnesota United (4-0), the Houston Dynamo (2-0), FC Dallas (3-0, AET) and the San Jose Earthquakes (1-1, 5-4 on PKs). New York’s road to the final included wins over NYCFC (1-0), the Philadelphia Union (1-1, 5-3 on PKs), the New England Revolution (1-0), and FC Cincinnati (3-2, AET).

There are several connections between the two clubs. Both Vermes and his assistant Kerry Zavagnin played for the then-MetroStars. In fact, the two were traded for each other, with Vermes going to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for Zavagnin. Current Red Bulls players Sal Zizzo and Aurelien Collin both played for Sporting Kansas City, with Collin winning the MLS Cup with Sporting KC in 2013. Collin was also named the MVP of the MLS Cup final.

While this is Marsch’s first USOC final as a manager, he and his assistant Chris Armas won three USOC titles with the Chicago Fire (1998, 2000, 2003), with Armas winning a fourth title (2006). They were also both on the field at Arrowhead Stadium for the Fire when Zavagnin won his only Open Cup title as a player in 2004.

If the Red Bulls win, they will become the first New Jersey-based club to lift the trophy since 1972 when U.S. international Walter Schmotolocha scored the lone goal in Elizabeth SC’s 1-0 win over Yugoslav SC.

The only Kansas-based club to win the US Open Cup is Sporting Kansas City (2012, 2015), which has represented the state of Kansas since the club built Children’s Mercy Park on the Kansas side of the border in 2011. The team was based in Arrowhead Stadium, located on the Missouri side, in 2004.

Will New York finally win its first US Open Cup (or first tournament of any kind)? Or will Sporting Kansas City become just the eighth club in history to win a fourth tournament title? We will find out on Wednesday night.

2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
New York Red Bulls (MLS) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Children’s Mercy Park – Kansas City, KS
BROADCAST: ESPN2 / ESPN Deportes / Watch ESPN app
Kickoff: 9 p.m. EST

New York Red Bulls Open Cup records
Overall: 21-17-3 (2-1 PK) | Home: 9-5-2 (1-1 PK) | Away: 11-11-1 (1-0 PK) | vs. MLS: 7-9-3 (2-1 PK)
Last entry: 2016 (Lost 2-1 at Philadelphia Union of MLS in Round of 16)
Best finish: 2003 Runner-up (Lost 1-0 vs. Chicago Fire of MLS)
Leading goalscorer: Bradley Wright-Phillips – 3 goals

How they got here

Round 4: 1-0 home win vs. New York City FC (MLS)
Round 5: 1-1 home draw (5-3 PK win) vs. Philadelphia Union (MLS)
Quarterfinals: 1-0 road win at New England Revolution (MLS)
Semifinals: 3-2 (AET) road win at FC Cincinnati (USL)

Sporting Kansas City Open Cup records
Overall: 25-13-6 (4-2 PK) | Home: 18-7-2 (2-0 PK) | Away: 7-6-4 (2-2 PK) | vs. MLS: 11-8-3 (3-0 PK)
Last entry: 2016 (Lost 3-1 at Houston Dynamo of MLS in Round of 16)
Best finish: 2004, 2012, 2015 champions
Leading goalscorer: Four players tied with 2 (Blessing, Fernandes, Opara, Salloi)

How they got here
Round 4: 4-0 home win vs. Minnesota United (MLS)
Round 5: 2-0 road win at Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Quarterfinals: 3-0 (AET) home win vs. FC Dallas (MLS)
Semifinals: 1-1 home draw (5-4 PK win) vs. San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)

US Open Cup Final history:

* A list of every US Open Cup Final (1914-present)
* US Open Cup Final All-Time Goalscorers
* 1923 US Open Cup Final: Paterson FC claims New Jersey’s “tainted” first title
* 2004 US Open Cup: How Sporting Kansas City won their first Dewar Cup

#USOC2017 coverage:

* 2017 TheCup.us Player of the Round winnners
* 2017 US Open Cup bracket (TheCup.us)
* 2017 US Open Cup statistical leaders
* A map of all 99 entries for the 2017 US Open Cup
* 2017 Meet the Underdogs series
* 2017 US Open Cup qualifying Round 2 review: 14 more teams advance as Round 3 moved to next year
* 2017 US Open Cup qualifying Round 1: Scores and recaps from every game

#USOC2018 qualifying coverage

* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying begins this weekend (Sept. 23-24)
* Which NPSL teams will qualify for 2018 US Open Cup?
* Which PDL teams will play in the 2018 US Open Cup?

MORE:

* Cincinnati’s forgotten US Open Cup history
* 2017 US Open Cup Final will be broadcast live on ESPN networks
* California Clasico isn’t new: North has battled South in US Open Cup since 1950s
* Who is the US Open Cup equivalent to Lincoln City FC and their magical FA Cup run?
* Eric Wynalda hired to lead LA Wolves for 2017 US Open Cup run
* Reading United qualifies for record 9th straight US Open Cup, seeking more than an opening round win
* Biggest USOC controversies of last 100 years, Part 1: The Soccer War, boycotts, the ultimate sister kiss and more
* Biggest USOC controversies, Part 2: NASL bails, World Cup tickets, buying home field and more

* Support TheCup.us: New Del Rey City jerseys available for purchase
* Appreciate what we do at TheCup.us? Donate here
* TheCup.us is looking for writers/editors, graphics, WordPress gurus & people who can handle digital ad sales (paid position). Email us here

Twitter (#USOC2016) | Facebook | Instagram | Flickr | Reddit

Why Sporting Kansas City, New York Red Bulls will win 2017 US Open Cup Final

September 20, 2017 by Matt Reed

The 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final features two Major League Soccer originals, and despite the two club’s expansive histories, one of them is seeking its first major title in over 20 years of cup competitions.

Sporting Kansas City will host the New York Red Bulls tonight in front of a likely sold-out crowd at Children’s Mercy Park to decide this year’s Open Cup winner, as the latter looks to capture its first major tournament trophy in the competition’s 104th edition. Meanwhile, Peter Vermes’ Sporting KC will be attempting to become just the eighth team in history to win four Open Cup titles.

The two MLS sides have had similar paths to the final, each facing extra time on two occasions and penalty kicks once.

Below, we make the case for both teams coming out victorious as they prepare to square off in nationally-televised game (ESPN2/ESPN Deportes) championship game.

Why Sporting Kansas City will win

Let us start off with the obvious. Head coach Peter Vermes and his side have been here before. The former Sporting Kansas City (Kansas City Wizards) player may not have won an Open Cup title during his playing career, however, he’s been victorious on three separate occasions in this competition, in addition to winning an MLS Cup back in 2013.

Gerso Fernandes of Sporting KC put the game away with a goal in second half stoppage time in a 2-0 Round of 16 win over Houston Dynamo. Photo: Sporting KC

Sporting has a solid base of veterans players, such as Matt Besler, Graham Zusi and Benny Feilhaber, all of whom have played key roles for the club in their previous triumphs. Meanwhile, in recent seasons the team has added younger talents like Latif Blessing, Gerso Fernandes and Diego Rubio to help spark the squad’s attack.

While the Red Bulls will be used to playing in front of a hostile environment — particularly when they take on NYCFC in the Bronx — Children’s Mercy Park is among the loudest stadiums in MLS. In fact, WalletHub recently named Kansas City to be the best soccer town in the United States, after compiling a list of nearly 300 cities across the country.

Sporting is just one of two teams in MLS with an unbeaten home record this season (Toronto FC). Vermes’ men are 9-0-5 at CMP, making the Red Bulls’ task all the more difficult.

Additionally, the three-time Open Cup champions have lost just twice in all competitions since May 27, which is one of the most successful unbeaten runs in all of MLS during that span.

With veteran experience, great coaching and stadium full of fans cheering them on, Sporting Kansas City should lift their fourth US Open Cup trophy and the third in the last six years.

Why the Red Bulls will win

It all starts and finishes with Bradley Wright-Phillips, the Red Bulls’ all-time leading goalscorer. The former Manchester City academy player has 94 career goals for the Harrison-based club, including three this season in the Open Cup. While BWP’s track record in big matches hasn’t always been staggering, the 32-year-old is just about the best in the league when it comes to finishing chances in front of net.

Speaking of the best, head coach Jesse Marsch has accumulated an impressive record in this competition during his playing days. The former MLS player was a four-time winner in the Open Cup with both the Chicago Fire (once) and D.C. United (three times). Although Marsch clearly won’t be playing in the final, his experiences from the past could surely aid his side.

In 2014, the Red Bulls hit a low point when they were embarrassed with a 3-0 loss to the New York Cosmos of the NASL. Prior to 2015, Marsch took over and since then, the team has only lost one Open Cup game (6-1-2, 1-1 PKs), including a 4-1 revenge win over the Cosmos in his first year. It has been, by far, the team’s best run of form in the tournament, signaling to fans that the club is making the Open Cup a priority.

It’s been an up-and-down season for the Red Bulls who currently sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, but one thing this team has proven in the Open Cup is that they are resilient. Despite scoring just five regulation goals in four matches in the 2017 tournament, the two-time MLS Supporters’ Shield winners have played solid defense and have dug deep when the squad needed to most.

The Red Bulls enter Wednesday evening having taken points in nine of their last 11 MLS matches, including four positive results on the road.

Last round, the Red Bulls trailed by two goals heading into the final 15 minutes against USL side FC Cincinnati, but BWP and his teammates pulled off one of the more dramatic comebacks in the competition’s modern history with three late goals (including one in extra time) to put the Red Bulls one step away from winning its first US Open Cup title. If they win, they would be the first New Jersey-based club to lift the trophy since 1972 (Elizabeth SC).

How they got here

US Open Cup Final history:

#USOC2017 coverage:

#USOC2018 qualifying coverage

* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying begins this weekend (Sept. 23-24)
* Which NPSL teams will qualify for 2018 US Open Cup?
* Which PDL teams will play in the 2018 US Open Cup?

Twitter (#USOC2016) | Facebook | Instagram | Flickr | Reddit

2017 US Open Cup Semifinals: Bradley Wright-Phillips leads Red Bulls to Final, earns TheCup.us Player of the Round

September 6, 2017 by Matt Reed

Bradley Wright-Phillips has constructed a long list of accolades in his four-plus years with the New York Red Bulls, and the Englishman’s latest achievement has his side on the brink of their first Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title in franchise history.

The Red Bulls knocked off FC Cincinnati in a thrilling 3-2 comeback win at Nippert Stadium courtesy of Wright-Phillips’ brace. Both finishes came after the 75th minute off of headers, with the winner occurring in the first half of extra time.

His performance against Cincinnati earned him a unanimous winner of TheCup.us Player of the Round award. Wright-Phillips received every first-place vote after his two-goal performance propelled the Red Bulls into their second-ever Open Cup final — their first since 2003. He beat out Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia for the honor. Melia helped Kansas City reach the championship game for the fourth time after a strong performance, including a 5-4 win in a penalty kick shootout (after a 1-1 draw). The award is voted on by the staff at TheCup.us and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters.

“It’s been a very long time,” said Wright-Phillips, the first Red Bulls player in franchise history to win the award. “I read things all the time that Red Bulls don’t win trophies or even some of the fans were saying we were going to choke when we get to the Semifinals. It’s good to get over this hurdle here and prove to people that we’re learning and we’re getting better.”

The Red Bulls have never won a tournament and have a history of underachieving in the Open Cup, aside from their run to the 2003 Final where they lost 1-0 to the Chicago Fire in front of their home fans at Giants Stadium. They have the unfortunate distinction of going nine consecutive tournaments (2004-15) without advancing more than one game (second-longest streak in Modern Era). They have been eliminated by a lower division team eight times, the second-most among all MLS teams (Colorado Rapids – 9).

Wright-Phillips and the Red Bulls have been a perennial MLS playoff team since the striker joined the club in 2013, and prior to that, however, when it has come down to the big moments the Harrison-based club has fallen short. Despite winning the Eastern Conference on four occasions since 2010, the Red Bulls haven’t reached an MLS Cup since two years prior.

“We’re all confident in this team and what we can accomplish,” Wright-Phillips said ahead of the Sept. 20 final. “Most of us have been together for several years now, and we know what we’re capable of. We’re facing a very talented team, but that doesn’t stop our expectations of winning this tournament.”

The 32-year-old has amassed 94 goals in all competitions for the Red Bulls since joining the club, and while he’s had his share of hat tricks, MLS Golden Boot awards and other memorable moments, helping his club reach the tournament finale is among his greatest achievements.

Since head coach Jesse Marsch took over with the Red Bulls, the former MLS player has made it a habit of taking the Open Cup seriously, and Wright-Phillips believes it’s his manager that has really helped him rise to another level.

“I’ve learned to try and take the chances I get. I used to squander a lot,” Wright-Phillips said. “I think I squandered a couple, not easy chances, but I should’ve gotten them on target. Jesse, since he’s been here has challenged me to be the guy that if you get one chance, score it and if you get three chances, score them all. I’m still working on it. It’s a player I’m trying to transform into.”

The Red Bulls will meet three-time Open Cup winners Sporting Kansas City in the 104th US Open Cup championship game on Sept. 20 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City. The match will be televised nationally on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes. While Wright-Phillips and Red Bulls will enter the match wearing the underdog label, the striker remains confident in his side’s chances.

2017 TheCup.us Player of the Round winners
Round 1: Pete Caringi III (Christos FC, USASA)
Round 2: Phil Saunders (Christos FC, USASA)
Round 3: Fabian Cerda (Tulsa Roughnecks, USL)
Round 4: Stefano Pinho (Miami FC, NASL)
Round 5: Mitch Hildebrandt (FC Cincinnati, USL)
Quarterfinals: Djiby Fall (FC Cincinnati, USL)
Semifinals: Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls, MLS)

HIGHLIGHTS: New York Red Bulls 3, FC Cincinnati 2 (AET)

2017 US Open Cup Final will be broadcast live on ESPN networks

August 15, 2017 by Riley Maleitzke

For the third year in a row, the ESPN family of networks will broadcast the championship game of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The United States Soccer Federation announced that the 2017 US Open Cup Final, scheduled for Sept. 20 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

The game will feature Sporting Kansas City hosting the New York Red Bulls and kickoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. EST. The Red Bulls will be seeking the club’s first Open Cup title, while Kansas City are aiming to become just the eighth team in tournament history to lift the trophy for a fourth time.

This will be the fourth time that ESPN will air the championship game on its family of networks (1999, 2015-17). The first time, ESPN2 broadcasted the 1999 Final which featured the Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League, Div. 2 pro) making history by upsetting the Colorado Rapids 2-0 to become the first and, to date, only lower division club to lift the trophy since MLS was founded in 1996. The championship game would not return to ESPN until 2015 when Sporting Kansas City edged the Philadelphia Union 7-6 in PKs to win the tournament for the third time. Last year, FC Dallas defeated the New England Revolution 4-2 to claim its first US Open Cup trophy since 1997.

This will be the second time ESPN2 will feature the 104th edition of the US Open Cup on its airwaves. Earlier this year, ESPN2 aired an Open Cup game prior to the Semifinals for the first time in the network’s history by broadcasting FC Cincinnati’s Round of 16 penalty kick upset of the Chicago Fire in front of a record crowd of 32,287. It was the earliest Open Cup game that a major network broadcasted since Fox Soccer Channel aired the 2012 Fourth Round match between amateur side Cal FC that was coached by US international Eric Wynalda and the Seattle Sounders FC (MLS).

US Open Cup Championship Match Broadcast Networks
(Modern Era, 1995-present)

2017 – ESPN2 / ESPN Deportes
2016 – ESPN2 / Univision Deportes
2015 – ESPN2 / Univision Deportes
2014 – GolTV
2013 – GolTV
2012 – GolTV
2011 – Fox Soccer Channel
2010 – Fox Soccer Channel
2009 – Fox Soccer Channel
2008 – Fox Soccer Channel
2007 – Fox Soccer Channel
2006 – Fox Soccer Channel
2005 – GolTV
2004 – GolTV
2003 – Fox Sports World
2002 – Fox Sports World
2001 – Fox Sports World
2000 – Fox Sports World
1999 – ESPN2
1998 – Fox Sports Net
1997 – Fox Sports Net
1996 – No broadcast
1995 – Prime network

2017 US Open Cup Semifinals: Wright-Phillips sparks Red Bulls’ rare comeback, ends FC Cincinnati’s Cinderella story (video)

August 15, 2017 by Ben Ferree

All good things must come to an end. FC Cincinnati’s surprise run to the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Semifinals in just their second year of existence was as far as they could go, as the New York Red Bulls overcame a two-goal deficit against a seemingly unbreakable Cincinnati defense to win in extra time, 3-2.

Having not allowed a goal all tournament, things looked to be in Cincinnati’s favor when they scored in the 31st minute off a strong strike from Corben Bone. Danni Konig provided the assist. It was the first goal in the first half for the squad, so how they would play with a lead was a question that needed answered. Cincinnati answered it well, scoring again in the 62nd minute, this time from Cincinnati native Austin Berry with an assist from Kenney Walker.

Victory seemed assured, but everything fell apart in the 75th minute when Gonzalo Veron scored, and Bradley Wright-Phillips netted the equalizer just three minutes later.

With extra time looming, Wright-Phillips nearly ended the game in regulation as he fired a well-placed header off the underside of the cross bar in the 90th minute.

The match would go to extra time, but it was clear that New York had gained the upper hand. Wright-Phillips struck again 11 minutes into added time for the game winner on an assist from Sal Zizzo. For Wright-Phillips, it was his third goal of the tournament, which leaves him one behind the tournament co-leaders with one match left to play.

As the final whistle blew, many FC Cincinnati players collapsed, some in tears, as the Red Bulls celebrated their first trip back to the Open Cup finals since 2003. It was just the second time in the Modern Era that a team has come back from a two-goal deficit in the Semifinals to win (Columbus Crew over the Kansas City Wizards in 2002). It was also the first time New York has overcome a two-goal deficit in any round of the tournament. Not only that, it was just the third time that the Red Bulls had come back to win an Open Cup game (2003 Semifinals vs. D.C. United / 2011 Third Round vs. FC New York)

“The first thing I want to do is congratulate this city and this club. What a great environment, what a great performance, what a great run for this team,” said Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch. “We escaped by the skin of our teeth. As big as it was for them, it was big for us as well … I heard the MLS Commissioner was here tonight. I hope he takes notice of what’s going on here, and I don’t think it will be too long before we’re back here again playing in more meaningful games.”

According to TheCup.us records, FC Cincinnati's sold-out crowd of 33,250 at Nippert Stadium for the 2017 US Open Cup Semifinal against the New York Red Bulls was the second-largest crowd to ever witness a tournament game. Photo: Erik Schelkun | FC Cincinnati — According to TheCup.us records, FC Cincinnati’s sold-out crowd of 33,250 at Nippert Stadium for the 2017 US Open Cup Semifinal against the New York Red Bulls was the second-largest crowd to ever witness a tournament game. Photo: Erik Schelkun | FC Cincinnati

With a home stadium located in Harrison, N.J., the Red Bulls have reached the Open Cup Final for the sixth time in the state’s history. Paterson FC lost in 1919 and won in 1932, Elizabeth SC won in 1970 and 1972, and the Red Bulls (under the name Metrostars) lost in 2003 to the Chicago Fire at Giants Stadium.

This time, they will face Sporting Kansas City. The away trip will be tough, as SKC has never lost a Cup final and will be looking to become just the eighth club in the tournament’s 104-year history to lift the trophy for a fourth time.

FC Cincinnati will have to wait for next year till their next Open Cup game, but will leave this tournament with plenty of Modern Era records and pride. Djiby Fall, who did not play because of a yellow card accumulation, became the first player to score four game-winning goals in a single tournament. Goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt’s single-tournament shutout streak came to an end at 464 minutes, while his personal streak (dating back to last year) ended at 543 minutes. The team’s 584-minute scoreless streak shattered the previous record of 453 minutes (2008 Seattle Sounders, Chris Eylander). Additionally, FC Cincinnati set multiple round attendance records (Round 4, Round 5), including a Semifinal record crowd of 33,250 Tuesday night.

According to TheCup.us records, Tuesday night’s sold-out crowd was the second-largest to ever witness a US Open Cup game, trailing only the 2011 Final hosted by the Seattle Sounders FC (35,615).

“Any time you’re up 2-0 in a game and you don’t win you’re going to be disappointed in the end, but putting that aside, nothing but pride. Absolute pride in the group of players that put everything into it out there on the pitch tonight,” said FC Cincinnati coach Alan Koch. “Not only this game, but this cup run, has been truly magical. You’ve seen it galvanize the team, the club, the city.”

Koch and Cincinnati supporters will hope this unexpected run will be the launching point for an MLS bid later in the year.

The 104th US Open Cup Final will be played in Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park on Sept. 20 at 9 p.m. EST. Earlier in the day, the United States Soccer Federation announced that the game will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

TIMELINE:

FC Cincinnati strikes first

WATCH: Corben Bone strikes first for #FCCincy in the 31′ vs The NY Red Bull! #CINvNY pic.twitter.com/Ff48wC2sqG

— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) August 16, 2017

FCC makes it 2-0

WATCH: Cincinnati local Austin Berry gives FCCincy a 2-0 lead vs the NY Red Bull in the 61′. #CINvNY pic.twitter.com/TSbMNwmMWV — FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) August 16, 2017

Veron pulls one back for the Red Bulls

Gonzi with the finish!!!!#CINvNY | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/GxxhaKhPec

— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) August 16, 2017

BWP equalizes

You may be able to quiet him for a bit but you CAN NOT STOP BWP! We call that an EQUALIZER!#CINvNY | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/twP0gwOnQ7 — New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) August 16, 2017

The Red Bulls’ game-winner

The @NewYorkRedBulls winner. #CINvNY #USOC2017 pic.twitter.com/BtkaN4iSFJ

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 16, 2017

2017 US Open Cup Semifinals live video: Underdog FC Cincinnati hosts NY Red Bulls at sold-out Nippert Stadium

August 3, 2017 by Ben Ferree

New York Red Bulls (MLS) at FC Cincinnati (USL)
Tuesday, Aug. 15 – 8 p.m. EST
Nippert Stadium – Cincinnati, OH
Winner will play at Sporting Kansas City in 2017 Final on Sept. 20

BROADCAST:

Links to full #USOC2017 coverage located at the bottom

FC Cincinnati and New York Red Bulls face off Tuesday to see who will travel to take on Sporting Kansas City for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup championship. This semifinal has been nearly a month in the making, after FC Cincinnati’s last match against Miami FC, originally scheduled for July 12, was rained out until August 2.

FC Cincinnati, who has broken multiple Modern Era attendance records already this year, may be on the verge of breaking the all-time attendance record (35,615 at Century Link Field in Seattle for the 2011 U.S. Open Cup Final). While the official attendance figure will not be announced until the day of the game, the club has already announced that Tuesday’s game at Nippert Stadium has sold out. Needless to say, it will be a remarkable atmosphere to decide who will advance to the 104th U.S. Open Cup Final on Sept. 20.

In just its second year of existence, FC Cincinnati has become only the 13th lower division side to reach the Open Cup semifinals since 1996, and the first since 2011 (Richmond Kickers, USL). The success found on the field and in the stands this tournament run has bolstered hopes of eventually being awarded an MLS franchise. Cincinnati has broken multiple attendance records, has not allowed a goal yet this tournament, and feature two of the most recent TheCup.us Players of the Round (Djiby Fall, QuarterFinals; Mitch Hildebrandt, Round of 16).

Underdogs on paper in every game except the opener, FC Cincinnati hasn’t made things easy. They started the run against AFC Cleveland, and took them to extra time before Fall finally found a winner with three minutes remaining in stoppage time. That 1-0 luck would follow the squad through in the next two matches, as FCC dispatched league rival Louisville City and potential future rival Columbus Crew SC by the same 1-0 score lines. In both games, it was again Fall who tallied the winner.

FC Cincinnati celebrate their 1-0 win over Miami FC in the US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: The Miami FC

Due to injury, Fall (currently tied for the golden boot with four goals on the tournament) missed the next match against the Chicago Fire. No goals? No problem. The Cincinnati defense, led by Hildebrandt in net, kept the vaunted Fire offense silent all night for a 0-0 draw before triumphing in penalty kicks.

The road trip to Miami was the first away test in the Open Cup this year for Cincinnati. Facing the reigning NASL champions, it was again reasonable to expect Cincinnati to stumble. But Fall’s return to the lineup proved once again to be the difference maker, as his goal moved the club on to its biggest game in history. It was his fourth consecutive game winning goal of the tournament, the most ever in a single cup run. More impressively, the record for career game winners in the Modern Era is five. Fall will not have a chance to tie that record unless Cincinnati can advance.

That’s the good news. The downside is that Fall had a reckless elbow in the 90th minute called and received a yellow card, his third of the tournament. That means that he will miss the semifinal due to a accumulation suspension. Cincinnati will once again need to find a way to win without the only player to score a goal for them.

However, despite only scoring four goals in their five Open Cup matches, one of the lowest-scoring Semifinalists of the Modern Era, the defense has been, and will likely be crucial in Tuesday’s semifinal match. The defense, led by Hildebrandt in goal, are currently enjoying a 510-minute scoreless streak, which is a new Modern Era record for a team. (Hildebrandt also holds a personal shutout streak of 469 minutes dating back to last season).

Additionally, the recent run of form from Cincinnati has not been good. They’re a mere 8-8-7 in league play and are coming off their worst match in their club’s short history, a 5-0 loss at Louisville. They’re winless in their last three league matches, and perhaps have had their eye on the Open Cup instead of the regular season.

Bradley Wright Phillips of the New York Red Bulls rises up for a header against the New England Revolution in the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson

The New York Red Bulls are on the opposite side of that coin. Coming off a 3-1 home win over Orlando City, the Red Bulls have only lost once since July, racking up five wins in the process. The lone loss was a closely-contested 3-2 game against rivals New York City FC.

Like their semifinal opponent, the Red Bulls have yet to score more than one goal in an Open Cup match. They have, however, spread the love around. In the club’s opening round game (Fourth Round), Danny Royer scored the lone goal in the 67th minute against NYCFC, which was all that was needed to advance.

The next match in the Round of 16 proved to be a bit more difficult. Facing the Philadelphia Union, who have bounced the Red Bulls from this tournament the last two years, Sacha Kljestan scored in the 42nd minute only to see Roland Alberg equalize late in the 86th. The game would go all the way to penalty kicks, as it did in 2015, but this time New York prevailed.

In the Quarterfinals, the Red Bulls matched up with the New England Revolution, playing on the road at Harvard. The game was evenly matched until the 75th minute when Benjamin Angou was shown a straight red card for violent conduct following a foul on Bradley Wright-Phillips. Phillips would add insult to injury by scoring the game winner in the 87th minute. This was one of the best Open Cup performance by New York since 2003, when they finished as the tournament’s runner-up. They have never hoisted the final trophy.

Whichever team prevails will have a tough task ahead, going on the road to play a Sporting Kansas City team that has won the Cup three times already and are looking for their third in six years (2004, 2012, 2015). They’ve never lost a Cup final. Should they win, they will become the third MLS team with four titles, joining the Seattle Sounders and Chicago Fire.

New York Red Bulls Open Cup records
Overall: 20-17-3 (2-1 PK) | Home: 9-5-2 (1-1 PK) | Away: 10-11-1 (1-0 PK) | vs. Div. 2: 6-5-0
Last entry: 2016 (Lost 2-1 at Philadelphia Union of MLS in Round of 16)
Best finish: 2003 Runner-up
Leading goalscorer: Sacha Kljestan, Daniel Royer, Bradley Wright-Phillips – 1 goal each

How they got here

Round 4: 1-0 home win vs. New York City FC (MLS)
Round 5: 1-1 home draw (5-3 PK win) vs. Philadelphia Union (MLS)
Quarterfinals: 1-0 road win at New England Revolution (MLS)

FC Cincinnati Open Cup records
Overall: 25-13-5 (3-2 PK) | Home: 18-7-1 (1-0 PK) | Away: 7-6-4 (2-2 PK) | vs. MLS: 11-8-2 (2-0 PK)
Last entry: 2016 (Lost 1-0 at Tampa Bay Rowdies of NASL in Round 3)
Best finish: 2016 Third Round (Lost 1-0 at Tampa Bay Rowdies of NASL)
Leading goalscorer: Djiby Fall (4 – Tournament co-leader)

How they got here
Round 2: 1-0 (AET) home win vs. AFC Cleveland (NPSL)
Round 3: 1-0 home win vs. Louisville City FC (USL)
Round 4: 1-0 home win vs. Columbus Crew (MLS)
Round 5: 0-0 home draw (3-1 PK win) vs. Chicago Fire (MLS)
Quarterfinals: 1-0 road win at Miami FC (NASL)

#USOC2017 coverage:

Quarterfinals
* Wondolowski’s brace gives Earthquakes first USOC win over rival Galaxy
* Inspired Sporting KC explode in OT to dethrone FC Dallas
* BWP scores late winner as Red Bulls edge 10-man Revolution
* Djiby Fall’s historic winner, FC Cincinnati’s historic defense blanks Miami FC, 1-0

* 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup schedule, results
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 1 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 2 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 3 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 4 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round of 16 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Quarterfinal review

* 2017 TheCup.us Player of the Round winnners
* 2017 US Open Cup bracket (TheCup.us)
* 2017 US Open Cup statistical leaders
* A map of all 99 entries for the 2017 US Open Cup
* 2017 Meet the Underdogs series
* 2017 US Open Cup qualifying Round 2 review: 14 more teams advance as Round 3 moved to next year
* 2017 US Open Cup qualifying Round 1: Scores and recaps from every game

#USOC2018 qualifying coverage

* Which NPSL teams will qualify for 2018 US Open Cup?
* Which PDL teams will play in the 2018 US Open Cup?

MORE:
* Cincinnati’s forgotten US Open Cup history
* California Clasico isn’t new: North has battled South in US Open Cup since 1950s
* Who is the US Open Cup equivalent to Lincoln City FC and their magical FA Cup run?
* Eric Wynalda hired to lead LA Wolves for 2017 US Open Cup run
* Reading United qualifies for record 9th straight US Open Cup, seeking more than an opening round win
* Things you should know about the Semifinals of the US Open Cup

Twitter (#USOC2016) | Facebook | Instagram | Flickr | Reddit

2017 US Open Cup Quarterfinals Review: FC Cincinnati joins three MLS teams in Semifinals

August 2, 2017 by Zach Smith

For the first time since 2011, the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup will feature a non-MLS team. FC Cincinnati continued its Cinderella run in the tournament, beating Miami FC 1-0 on Wednesday.

Weeks ago, in a battle of Open Cup purebreds, three-time winners Sporting Kansas City beat the holders FC Dallas thanks to three extra time goals in a match that ended with just 19 players on the field.

SKC will meet up with Western Conference rivals San Jose Earthquakes, who beat LA Galaxy in the Open Cup version of the California Clasico, in the semifinals. FC Cincinnati and its massive crowds will play host to New York Red Bulls, who edged the New England Revolution, as they advanced toward their goal of winning their first Open Cup trophy.

Here is a brief recap of each quarterfinal game with links to the full match report:

Chris Wondolowski’s brace was enough to push San Jose into the Semifinals for the second time in club history. L.A. opened the scoring early when Jelle Van Damme headed home a corner kick. Wondolowski netted his first goal with a left-footed shot from the top of the box in the 16th minute and scored his second just after halftime on a soft header. San Jose put the game on ice with 30 minutes left when Danny Hoesen got in behind the Galaxy back line. Even a San Jose own goal in the 84th minute did little to damper the first victory by the Earthquakes over the Galaxy in six Open Cup meetings. FULL MATCH REPORT »

In a battle of the past two champions of the Open Cup, Sporting Kansas City overcame an early red card and scored three goals in extra time to beat FC Dallas. Seth Sinovich was sent off in the 15th minute for denying a goal scoring opportunity. Maxi Urruti was given a second yellow due to a high boot early in extra time and Latif Blessing slotted home the game’s first goal after a pass from Benny Feilhaber minutes later. FC Dallas went down to nine men after a second yellow was shown to Javier Morales which opened the floodgates as Blessing scored his second goal of the game in the stoppage time and Daniel Salloi made it 3-0 in the 118th minute. FULL MATCH REPORT »

The Red Bulls beat the Revolution for the second time in a span of just over a week when Bradley Wright-Phillips scored his first-ever Open Cup goal on the campus of Harvard University. Neither team broke through until the 85th minute when Felipe’s low pass found Wright-Phillips at the penalty spot. The two-time MLS Golden Boot winner’s shot lazily rolled past New England keeper Brad Knighton. New York, who has scored just three goals in three games in the tournament, advances to the semifinals for the first time since 2003. FULL MATCH REPORT »

Almost a month after a dangerous storm postponed the original match, Djiby Fall scored his fourth game-winning goal of the tournament and FC Cincinnati continued its impressive Open Cup run with a 1-0 win over NASL spring season champion Miami FC. Fall, who has scored the game-winner in every Open Cup match he’s appeared in this year, redirected a shot in the 68th minute to give Cincinnati the only goal they would need. FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt earned his fourth straight shutout (and the fifth straight by the team) as the second-year USL club reached the Semifinals. FULL MATCH REPORT »