Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Philadelphia Union

2013 US Open Cup Fourth Round: De Rosario’s hat trick pushes DC United past Philadelphia Union

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Dwayne De Rosario scored a hat trick to propel DC United past the Philadelphia Union 3-1 on Tuesday night in the U.S. Open Cup.

De Rosario became the third DC United player to score a hat trick in Open Cup play, following in the footsteps of Raul Diaz Arce (2000) and Abdul Thompson Conteh (2001).

His squad moves on to the quarterfinals where they will host the New England Revolution.

The fourth round matchup was a rematch from last year’s tournament when the sides met in the same round and location, with the Union prevailing.

Desperate for success due to its worst start in team history, DC United came out with a sense of urgency that Philadelphia could not match. The hosts won nearly every 50-50 ball and forced the Union into poor passes and decisions.

It came as no surprise then that DC had the first chance five minutes in.

Chris Pontius took advantage of lackadaisical defending to shoot in a cross from the left corner. His pass found a wide open Nick DeLeon, who missed the near post by inches.

DeLeon made up for his miss in the 24th minute by taking a shot from the top of the Philadelphia box. Amobi Okugo deflected the shot right into the path of De Rosario, who sent a left-footed curler past the out-stretched arms of Zac MacMath.

United saw out the half comfortably bar one tough injury to Chris Pontius.

After taking an elbow from Sheanon Williams, Pontius got fouled on a strong challenge from Okugo — a challenge that earned him a yellow card.

Pontius was forced out to be replaced by Sainey Nyassi.

The Union pressed forward more in the second half, but could only put together a few half-chances.

However, it would ultimately be defensive lapses that determined the outcome.

In the 75th minute, Amobi Okugo gave the ball away to Lionard Pajoy under very little pressure. Pajoy passed to De Rosario, who calmly slid it past the Union’s young keeper.

Just 40 seconds later United had a lapse of its own.

Philadelphia substitute Don Anding blazed down the left side and passed to MLS’s leading goal-scorer Jack McInerney.

DC failed to attack so McInerney curled a right-footed shot into the bottom-right corner of the net to cut the lead in half.

Another careless Union mistake killed the game in the 85th minute.

Well outside his box, MacMath passed a free kick to Okugo, whose touch went straight to De Rosario.

The Canadian international took a few steps and put the ball into an empty net from about 30 yards away to make it 3-1.

DC United 3:1 Philadelphia Union
Maryland SoccerPlex – Boyds, Md.
Scoring Summary:
DCU: Dwayne De Rosario (Nick DeLeon) 24
DCU: Dwayne De Rosario (Lionard Pajoy) 75
PU: Jack McInerney (Don Anding) 76
DCU: Dwayne De Rosario (unassisted) 85
Line-ups:
DC United: Joe Willis; James Riley (Brandon McDonald-62), Ethan White (Lionard Pajoy-67), Daniel Woolard, Taylor Kemp; Nick DeLeon, Perry Kitchen, John Thorrington, Chris Pontius (Sainey Nyassi-46); Dwayne De Rosario, Casey Townsend
Philadelphia Union: Zac MacMath; Raymon Gaddis, Jeff Parke, Amobi Okugo, Sheanon Williams; Michael Farfan (Don Anding-72), Brian Carroll, Keon Daniel (Leo Fernandes-46), Sebastian Le Toux; Conor Casey (Antoine Hoppenot-65), Jack McInerney
Discipline:
PU: Amobi Okugo (caution – 45+)
PU: Leo Fernandes (caution – 56)

2013 US Open Cup Third Round: Philadelphia Union top Ocean City Nor’easters 2-1 in dramatic finish

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Photo: Ocean City Nor'easters

In a dramatic finish, the Philadelphia Union were nearly forced into overtime when the amateur PDL Ocean City Nor’easters scored in the 90th minute, but a stoppage time winner from Brian Carroll gave the MLS club the 2-1 win in the Third Round and a showdown with DC United in the Fourth Round.

Carroll’s goal came just minutes after Ocean City scored a 90th-minute equalizer on a scrum in front of the goal. Emmanuel Kollie tapped a loose ball into the net to keep the Nor’easters’ dreams of a magical Open Cup run alive just before Carroll’s winner.

“Congratulations to Ocean City. They played a really good game tonight,” Union coach John Hackworth said. “We showed a lot of character, especially after giving up a very late goal, to get one back right away.”

There was some controversy surrounding which team got to host this match-up, as Ocean City won the coin toss to host the game. However, according to General Manager Neil Halloway, the Nor’easters did not receive a copy of the 2013 tournament rules prior to the venue declaration deadline, so they were unaware their home, Carey Stadium, was three yards shy of the Open Cup standard width of 68 yards. The club submitted their venue declaration form with the width listed as 65 yards, and they won the hosting coin flip for the first two rounds. When the team received the 2013 handbook on May 7, the day the Preliminary Round began, Holloway realized that his field was not up to standard and moved quickly to widen the field to 71 yards.

They were awarded home games for Rounds 1 and 2 because, as Holloway learned from a USSF official, the federation waived their minimum standards for those two games. However, after Ocean City won the hosting coin flip for Round 3, USSF chose – still believing the width was 65 yards – not to waive the minimum standards, thus giving the home game to Philadelphia.

“It would have been great for the shore area to host a game, but at the same time it was a great opportunity for the guys to play in an MLS stadium—an opportunity that may not come again for some of them,” Ocean City coach Tim Oswald said.

The PDL side began the game defensively and the Union could not to cope. Philadelphia got the ball into the final third numerous times, but could not put any solid efforts on net. Keon Daniel had the best chance of the first half, hitting a half-volley that tested Nor’easters keeper Brian Billings. For 45 minutes, the Nor’easters kept their MLS opponents frustrated.

Jack McInerney changed things in the second half, doing what he does best—scoring goals. Sebastian Le Toux ran to the end line and sent a bouncing ball across the face of net. Billings could not smother it, leaving McInerney to gather and scored on an open net in the 49th minute.

Down 1-0, Ocean City played more offensively but the Union controlled most of the second half. It came as a surprise to the sparse crowd when Philadelphia could not clear the ball in the 90th minute. Kollie got the ball within the 6-yard box, where he knocked in the dramatic equalizer.

In the game’s final moments, Le Toux sent a cross into the Ocean City penalty area. Carroll flicked it on with the ball barely crossing the line to give the Union a last-second victory.

The Union, who made it to the Semifinals last year, advance to Round 4, where they will take on DC United on June 12. Philadelphia and DC played last year in the fourth round, with the Union emerging in overtime.

“These games are tough,” Hackworth said. “The Open Cup is always this way. You’re going to have battles. It’s the March Madness of the US soccer world. Our focus is on trying…to win the US Open Cup.”

Philadelphia Union : Ocean City Nor’easters

PPL Park—Chester, Pa.

Scoring Summary:

PHI: Jack McInerney (Sebastian Le Toux) 49

OC: Emmanuel Kollie (unassisted) 90

PHI: Brian Carroll (Le Toux) 90+

Line-ups:

Philadelphia Union: Zac MacMath; Raymon Gaddis, Amobi Okugo, Jeff Parke, Sheanon Williams; Brian Carroll, Keon Daniel, Leo Fernandes (Michael Farfan, 90); Jack McInerney (Antoine Hoppenot, 81), Conor Casey (Danny Cruz, 65), Sebastian Le Toux

Ocean City Nor’easters: Brian Billings; Kevin Curran, Tapiwa Machingauta, Tyler Hilliard, Shawn McLaws; Nick Perea, Ken Tribbet, Timothy Mulgrew (Emmanuel Kollie, 66); Frank Tweneboa (JP Correa, 87), Markhus Lacroix, Anthony Asante (Zoncher Dennis, 69)

Discipline:

none

Philadelphia Union honor five time US Open Cup champ Bethlehem Steel with new jersey (video)

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As part of the ongoing MLS Jersey Week leading up to opening weekend of the league season, the Philadelphia Union today unveiled the new third jersey, a retro design created to honor the Philadelphia area’s most successful soccer club Bethlehem Steel.

The Bethlehem Steel are co-holders of the tournament’s all-time best championship tally having won the US Open Cup title on five occasions during their existence from 1911 to 1930. Four of the five championships came in the first six years of the event, winning it back-to-back twice (1915-16, 1918-19), and once more just four years before folding.

The new solid black jersey with white trimming has three elements tied to the Steel. In the wearer’s lower left front corner of the shirt is a large B made of felt, reminiscent of the material used during that era with the text ‘Bethlehem Steel FC 1911-1930’ beneath it. The team featured a large B on their jerseys throughout their existence.

Along the outside back collar of the shirt the Bethlehem Steel logo is featured with the years 1911 and 1930 on either side.

The final touch is another usage of felt, this time with the Philadelphia Union crest done in black and white.

1918 Bethlehem Steel team photo. Photo: BethlehemSteelSoccer.org

“One of the great things that we found when we were coming up with ideas is all of this history of soccer that is on the east coast and in the Philadelphia area. And we found the Bethlehem Steel FC,” said adidas product manager Mike Walker via MLSsoccer. “They are a five-time US Open Cup winning team. They’ve got a lot of great history and we thought it was a perfect team to really kind of start with and talk about that history.

“That’s the foundation of soccer in the Philadelphia area that helped the Union kind of become what they are today.”

Beyond the jersey, the white B will also be featured in the black and red socks, the colors of the Bethlehem Steel logo, to complete the throwback uniform which is expected to run a two-year cycle.

While Walker may have been intrigued by the idea via his research, it was club CEO and operating partner Nick Sakiewicz that gave the green light and wholeheartedly endorsed the nod to a previous club who has more championships than years the 2010 founded Union have been in existence.

“Professional soccer has a dormant but rich history in the Greater Philadelphia region dating back over 100 years,” said Sakiewicz on PhiladelphiaUnion.com. “Our vision with this concept is to revive the history and recognize the past.

“As the Philadelphia Union now leads professional soccer into the 21st century it is our duty and responsibility to remember, honor and pay tribute to those teams that came before us and laid the groundwork for the growth of the game in the region.

The new shirt is already available for purchase along with other Bethlehem Steel style merchandise at the team store.

#USOC100

2012 US Open Cup Semifinals: Sporting Kansas City returns to the Final with 2-0 road win at Philadelphia Union (Video)

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Kei Kamara and Sporting Kansas City are headed back to the Final for the first time since 2004. Photo: Michael Feblowitz

It might not have been the prettiest game of soccer for a neutral fan to watch, but what mattered for Sporting Kansas City was its 2-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union in the US Open Cup Semifinals—a result that guarantees a home game in the final against the three-time defending champion Seattle Sounders on August 8.

In a game that saw 22 more fouls than shots and four more yellow cards than goals, it was Jacob Peterson making the difference with a 65th minute goal. His headed goal held up until second half stoppage time, when Graham Zusi scored from midfield on an empty net to put the game away.

“The guys were locked into the result…I thought they did a very good job,” Sporting head coach Peter Vermes said after the game. “We really didn’t give much away. I’m really proud of the guys for a clean sheet.”

From the onset, the visitors were determined to not let the Philadelphia crowd have anything to cheer about. Kansas City applied high pressure, giving the Union little space in which to work. Sporting was content to let Philadelphia have the ball in the defensive half, only to cut out nearly every pass that found its way into the offensive third.

Other than a few corners, the first half was largely bereft of action. There was just one shot on goal from Kansas City, while Philadelphia had none. There was plenty of physical play, however. Each team had eight fouls in the first half, with the Union’s Gabriel Farfan earning the game’s first yellow card in the 30th minute.

Union head coach John Hackworth was unhappy with the refereeing, but he gave credit to Sporting for winning the game. “Congratulations to Sporting KC. They did what they had to do to get the result…We didn’t take our chances, we missed the final pass a lot,” he said.

In the second half, both squads came out with a more attacking mindset. It did not lead to any clear chances though, until the 65th minute. On a free kick, Zusi curled the ball into the top of the box. Peterson put a headed effort toward goal, where Union goalie Zac MacMath got a hand on the ball but could not keep it out of the upper corner of the net.

Kansas City nearly doubled its lead three minutes later when CJ Sapong got behind the Union defense. He put his shot past the onrushing goalie, but it hit the post and rolled out of play. That close call was emulated on the other side of the pitch when Philadelphia’s Freddy Adu found Antoine Hoppenot wide open in the penalty area. Jimmy Nielsen made the initial save on Hoppenot’s shot, and the Sporting defense managed to clear the ball off the line and out for a corner kick.

On June 23, just three weeks prior, the Union won their league match-up with Kansas City 4-0. They could not conjure up any of that scoring touch in this match, however. Other than a headed effort saved by Nielsen in the 78th minute, Philadelphia could not get any more shots on net. Then, as the home side pushed higher and higher up the field, Zusi put the game away.

MacMath was playing at midfield with the rest of his team in the offensive third. He tried to head away a Sporting clearance, but Zusi rushed onto the ball. With the net wide open, Zusi lofted the ball about 55 yards and into the goal to end Philadelphia’s chances.

With the 2-0 victory, Sporting Kansas City will host the final for a chance to win its second US Open Cup title, with the first coming in 2004. The championship game will be the first in the 99-year history of the tournament to be held in the state of Kansas. The winner of final will also earn a berth in the 2013-2014 CONCACAF Champions League.

“This was a real target for us based on the fact that it has Champions League entry. It’s something we want to be able to do,” Vermes said. “We get a final at home! This was a big thing for us.”

Note: The announced attendance of 8,486 at PPL Park is the fourth highest attended Semifinal in the Modern Pro Era (1995-present)

Philadelphia Union 0:2 Sporting Kansas City
PPL Park – Chester, Pa.

SKC: Jacob Peterson (Graham Zusi) 65
SKC: Graham Zusi (unassisted) 90+

Discipline:

PHI: Gabriel Farfan (caution-30)
PHI: Michael Farfan (caution-52)
SKC: Paulo Nagamura (caution-52)
PHI: Michael Lahoud (caution-57)
PHI: Sheanon Williams (caution-62)
SKC: Aurelien Collin (caution-77)

Lineups:

Philadelphia Union: Zac MacMath; Gabriel Farfan, Carlos Valdes, Amobi Okugo, Sheanon Williams; Michael Farfan, Brian Carroll, Michael Lahoud (Gabriel Gomez-66); Lionard Pajoy (Antoine Hoppenot-63), Jack McInerney, Freddy Adu

Sporting Kansas City: Jimmy Nielson; Matt Besler, Aurelien Collin, Chance Myers, Seth Sinovic; Paulo Nagamura, Graham Zusi, Roger Espinoza; Jacob Peterson, Teal Bunbury (C.J. Sapong-63), Kei Kamara,

Stats: Shots—SKC, 11; PHI, 5; Corners—SKC, 4; PHI, 2; Saves—SKC, 1; PHI, 2; Fouls—SKC, 17; PHI, 21; Offside—SKC, 1; PHI, 5

Officials: Ref.—Hilario Grajeda; Asst. Ref.—Kermit Auisenberry; Asst. Ref.—Peter Manikowski

Att: 8,486

2012 US Open Cup Final: Three stadiums in play to host this year’s championship game (UPDATED)

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The United States Soccer Federation announced the potential host sites for the 2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final. Two of the three stadiums that have been selected as possibilities, based on the results of a secret bidding process, will host the championship game for the first time. The game will be be held on August 7 or 8 depending on the home team.

The Semifinals will feature an all-Major League Soccer lineup for just the second time in the last six years, assuring that an MLS club will win the tournament for the 13th straight year.

Of those semifinalists, Sporting Kansas City will host the Final at LiveStrong Sporting Park if they advance in their match against tournament newcomer Philadelphia Union. Kansas City hasn’t hosted the title game since they lifted the trophy in 2004 at Arrowhead Stadium. The new stadium, which stands on the Kansas side of the border, could mark the first time the championship game has ever taken place in the Sunflower State. The game will be held on Aug. 8 if they face Seattle, and either Aug. 7 or 8 if they host Chivas USA.

However, if the Philadelphia Union knock off Kansas City, they will host the Final at PPL Park on either Aug. 7 or 8, but only if Chivas USA gets past the Seattle Sounders. If they reach their first championship game in franchise history, it will be the first Philadelphia-area club to reach the Final since United German Hungarians fell short against CD Mexico in 1993, and the first time the championship game has been held in the Philadelphia area since 1994 (Oakford, Pa.).

Out west, the three-time defending Open Cup champion Seattle Sounders, who have hosted the last two title games, can only play for an unprecedented fourth championship in a row in front of their home fans if they get past Chivas USA and the Philadelphia Union win. The match would take place on Aug. 8.

If Chivas USA wants to win their first trophy in franchise history, they will have to do so on the road as they are not in the running for hosting. This year Chivas has only hosted one (Quarterfinals vs. Charlotte Eagles) of their four matches. Since MLS joined the competition, only FC Dallas in 1997 (then known as the Dallas Burn) have won it all  by winning more than two road games along the way. In fact, Dallas won the Open Cup that year without playing a single game at home (three wins on the road and the Final at a neutral site in Indianapolis).

The format for how the USSF determines the host of Open Cup games changed this year, with a blind draw being conducted as long as teams met minimum venue standards and paid a flat hosting fee (except for the first two rounds which did not include a fee). However, for the Semifinals and the Final, the secret bidding process from year’s past remains in place where the potential finalists submit an application to host the game and sends a cashier’s check to the federation. To put it simply, the team who meets the standards and bids the most money gets to host.

After the announcement was made, Joshua Mayers reported on the Seattle Times website that Sounders GM Adrian Hanauer told him the bids submitted by Seattle and Kansas City were equal, which required the federation to flip a coin to determine who would host if the two clubs should meet in the Final.  Obviously, Kansas City won the coin flip.

(MORE from TheCup.us … Dollars & Cents: The controversial US Open Cup hosting bid process explained)

US Soccer spokesperson Neil Buethe confirmed that the two clubs did, in fact, did “tie” with their bids, but not necessarily on the amount they cut a check for. “The two bids from Seattle and Sporting Kansas City were considered equal on merit so the decision was made to conduct a coin flip.”

Also, there is currently no agreement in place to broadcast the championship game on television. As of Saturday, July 7, Buethe told TheCup.us “We are still in discussions with broadcasters about televising the Open Cup Final.” Every championship game in the Modern Professional Era (1995-present) has been broadcast on a variety of television networks over the years, including GolTV, Fox Soccer Channel and ESPN.

2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final (Hosting scenarios)
Tuesday, Aug. 7, or Wednesday, Aug. 8

Seattle Sounders FC at Sporting Kansas City
LiveStrong Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.; time TBD; Aug. 8
OR
Chivas USA at Sporting Kansas City
LiveStrong Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.; time TBD; Aug. 7 or 8
OR
Philadelphia Union at Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
CenturyLink Field; Seattle, Wash.; time TBD; Aug. 8
OR
Chivas USA (MLS) at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
PPL Park; Chester, Pa.; time TBD; Aug. 7 or 8

2012 Semifinals schedule (July 11)

Sporting Kansas City (MLS) at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
PPL Park; Chester, Pa.; 7:30 p.m. ET –  July 11

Chivas USA (MLS) at Seattle Sounders (MLS)
Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, Wash.; 10:00 p.m. ET – July 11

2012 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Philadelphia Union prevail in intrastate battle over Harrisburg City Islanders

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The US Open Cup magic finally ran out for the Harrisburg City Islanders against their MLS affiliates, the Philadelphia Union. The Union got three early goals and weathered a fierce Harrisburg comeback to eventually win 5-2.

“That was a tough game, a lot tougher than a 5-2 result,” Union interim coach John Hackworth said. “It’s a big deal for this club and this organization .” Just a few weeks ago, the two teams played a friendly in which Harrisburg prevailed 3-2 and was followed by the firing of manager Peter Nowak. Tonight, however, the Union attacked early and often to make sure that result would not be repeated.

Philadelphia looked to dominate the game from the opening whistle. Harrisburg had barely managed a touch when the Union’s Lionard Pajoy sent in a cross that was handled in the box when Harrisburg defender Stephen Basso slipped. Freddy Adu converted a 5th-minute penalty to give the Union the early lead.

Just five minutes later, the Union struck again. A long ball from the Union half of the field was misplayed by the Harrisburg defense. Jack McInerney pounced on the loose ball and slotted it past goalkeeper Nick Noble to double the Philadelphia lead in the ninth minute.

Philadelphia was not done, however. After the game had seemingly settled down to a more normal pace, Gabe Farfan made a run down the left wing and crossed the ball into the box. The pass found Pajoy, who calmly gathered the ball, manuevered through the defense and scored to give the Union a 3-0 lead in the 29th minute.

Harrisburg would not give up though, being no strangers to 3-goal deficits in Open Cup play. In the Third Round, the City Islanders were down 3-0 in the second half of overtime against the New England Revolution. They scored three times in eight minutes to tie the game, and they eventually advanced in a penalty kick shootout.

The City Islanders nearly replicated that feat on Tuesday night. Yann Ekra found Brian Ombiji in the box in the 51st minute. Ombiji powered his way past the Union defense and scored. Three minutes later, Ekra dished out another assist. This time, he found Morgan Langley open in the box. Langley converted the goal to make it 3-2.

“We came into the locker room up 3-0, and the first thing said was ‘They were down 3-0 to New England with way less time,’” McInerney said. “We stuck to it. We kept grinding it out…We started to put back on, and they couldn’t handle it.”

The Union managed to calm things down and reasserted its presence on the game. Philadelphia substitute Antoine Hoppenot provided an instant spark, running in behind the defense and earning a penalty kick in the 69th minute. Pajoy converted the spot kick to put the Union up 4-2.

Harrisburg pushed everyone forward to try and make yet another comeback, but Gabriel Gomez put the game away with an 81st-minute goal. On a counterattack, a pass was deflected right into the path of Gomez. He gathered the ball and chipped the onrushing goalie to make it 5-2.

Harrisburg’s magical run in the 2012 US Open Cup that included two upsets of MLS sides has ended, but Philadelphia’s is still going strong. The Union will host Sporting Kansas City in the Semifinals on July 11 at PPL Park.

The Union also become the first Pennsylvania club to reach the final four since the United German Hungarians, located just north of the city of Philadelphia, pulled it off in 1993.

Philadelphia Union 5:2 Harrisburg City Islanders
PPL Park – Chester, Pa.

PHI: Freddy Adu (PK) 5
PHI: Jack MacInerney (unassisted) 9
PHI: Lionard Pajoy (Gabe Farfan) 29
HCI: Brian Ombiji (Yann Ekra) 51
HCI: Morgan Langley (Yann Ekra) 54
PHI: Lionard Pajoy (PK) 69
PHI: Gabriel Gomez (unassisted) 81

Discipline:

HCI: Andrew Marshall (caution-60)
HCI: Morgan Langley (caution-74)
HCI: Jason Pelletier (caution-78)
PHI: Jack McInerney (caution-90+)

Lineups:
Philadelphia Union: Zac Macmath; Raymon Gaddis, Amobi Okugo, Porfirio Lopez, Gabriel Farfan; Brian Carroll, Michael Lahoud (Gabriel Gomez-69), Michael Farfan; Freddy Adu (Antoine Hoppenot-61), Jack McInerny, Lionard Pajoy (Jimmy McLaughlin-83)

Harrisburg City Islanders: Nick Noble; Stephen Basso (Tom Brandt-8), Dustin Bixler, Andrew Marshall, Bilal Duckett (Colin Zizzi-32); Jason Pelletier, J.T. Noone, Andrew Welker, Morgan Langley; Brian Ombiji, Yann Ekra (Garett Pettis-69)

Att: 4,313

2012 US Open Cup Quarterfinals video: Watch all four games here!

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Lamar Hunt US Open Cup logoLook below for video of tonight’s US Open Cup Quarterfinal online broadcasts.
Note: Three of them can be watched from this page, while the Sporting KC/Dayton game will launch in a new window.

2012 US Open Cup Quarterfinal Live Blog
2012 US Open Cup bracket [+]
2012 US Open Cup Quarterfinal scoreboard [+]
2012 US Open Cup goalscoring leaders [+]
2012 US Open Cup participant map [+]
Meet the USASA: Class of 2012 [+]
Things you should know about the Quarterfinals [+]
Semifinal pairings [+]

Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
PPL Park; Chester, Pa.; 7:30 p.m. ET
Semifinal scenarios (July 10 or 11):
If Philadelphia wins … home vs. Sporting KC/Dayton winner
If Harrisburg wins … home vs. Dayton or at Sporting KC

If video doesn’t work, CLICK HERE

Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
LIVESTRONG Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.; 8:30 p.m. ET
Semifinal scenarios (July 10 or 11):
If KC wins … home vs. Harrisburg OR at Philadelphia
If Dayton wins … at Philadelphia OR at Harrisburg

Click here to watch the game

Seattle Sounders (MLS) at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Kezar Stadium; San Francisco, Calif.; 10:30 p.m. ET
Audio Broadcast: Seattle
Semifinal scenarios (July 10): Winner hosts Chivas USA / Charlotte winner

Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro) at Chivas USA (MLS)
Titan Stadium (Cal State Fullerton); Fullerton, Calif.; 10:30 p.m. ET
Semifinal scenario (July 10):
Winner plays at Seattle Sounders / San Jose Earthquakes winner

2012 US Open Cup Fourth Round: Philadelphia Union tops rival DC United to reach Quarterfinals (video)

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Nick DeLeon (18) of DC United pulls the ball away from Raymon Gaddis (28) of the Philadelphia Union during Tuesday's US Open Cup match. Photo: Tony Quinn | DC United

Dangerous Philadelphia Union rookie Antoine Hoppenot proved to be the difference in a tense match, as his extra time goal propelled the visitors to a 2-1 Fourth Round win over host DC United to advance to the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup.

With the win, the Union will take on USL Pro noisemakers Harrisburg City Islanders, who pulled off another MLS upset by taking down the New York Red Bulls 3-1 in extra time.

“It’s good we play at home, but in the latest edition of the Cup, there have been a lot of surprises,” said Union coach Peter Nowak. “Harrisburg beat New England and now they beat New York. It’s still a very important game for us to move forward in this tournament, especially playing at home.”

Hoppenot came on in the second half and scored in the second minute of extra time after United defender Emiliano Dudar was unable to clear Freddy Adu’s through ball. Hoppenot came upon the loose ball and finished past United goalkeeper Bill Hamid.

“That’s why I have so many gray hairs,” Nowak said. “He was trying very hard, he stretched defenders and he the speed that allowed him to get behind them and he got rewarded for it.”

United was unable to find an equalizer, and the feisty match closed in a contentious manner with Union defender Carlos Valdes and United defender Brandon McDonald both sent off with red cards in the 112th minute in a match that also featured five yellow cards–three for Philadelphia and two for United.

United coach Ben Olsen said his team forgot about some of the little things that had brought it to first place in MLS’s Eastern Conference.

Olsen, though disappointed yet again in the refereeing in the U.S. Open Cup, said they weren’t to blame for the loss.“I’ll look at myself first and our staff first, but we have to realize that that’s not good enough,” said United coach Ben Olsen of his team’s effort. “Too many guys were on their own page today. We were cute all over the field. We thought it was going to be enough to step out here and beat a team because they were a little down on their luck. Maybe it’s a good thing because this really does show us that we’re not as good as we think we are.”

“It was a typical Open Cup game,” Olsen said. “The referees were lousy. They always are, for both teams. Every Open Cup game, it just turns into an absolute circus. I don’t know if that needs to be addressed or not. Maybe that’s the fun of the Open Cup–that it’s an absolute zoo every game. It gets old.

“Believe me, I’m not blaming the referees tonight, but it doesn’t help. At the end of the day, this game is a perfect reminder of what we can’t do, the attitude we can’t come to a game with.”

The Union opened the scoring in first half stoppage time on a goal from former United midfielder Brian Carroll, whose shot from 18 yards deflected into the net past Hamid for a 1-0 lead, giving the Sons of Ben contingent making the trip to Maryland something to celebrate.

However, United tied the match in the waning moments before halftime, as Andy Najar right-sided cross to the far post found Nick DeLeon, who headed the ball back across the face of goal for Josh Wolff to finish with a header of his own to tie the match, giving United supporters something to cheer about as well.

“We didn’t start particularly well and we didn’t put together a lot of good soccer in the first half,” Wolff said. “Rightfully so, we went down 1-0, but we were able to get right back into it after that, feeling probably better than we should’ve felt.”

United, however, were not able to finish in the final third, however, and Olsen said there is one silver lining to the loss for a team that currently is in first place in MLS’s Eastern Conference .

“It’s a good wakeup call,” Olsen said. “We’re not as good as we think we are.”

Philadelphia will now host the City Islanders, a Union affiliate, at PPL Park June 26.

“Obviously we’re disappointed,” said United midfielder Perry Kitchen. “Credit to Philadelphia, they came out to play. We just didn’t match their intensity.”

DC United 1:2 AET Philadelphia Union
Maryland Sportsplex – Germantown, MD

Scoring Summary:
PHL: Brian Carroll (Unassisted)  ‘46+
DC: Josh Wolff (Nick DeLeon) ‘47+
PHL: Antoine Hoppenot (Freddy Adu) ‘93

Misconduct Summary:
DC: McDonald Yellow ‘13
DC: Dudar Yellow ‘27
PHI: Valdes Yellow ‘55
PHI: Martinez Yellow ‘64
PHI: M. Farfan Yellow ‘82
DC: McDonald Red ‘112
PHI: Valdes Red ‘112

2012 US Open Cup Third Round: Freddy Adu leads Philadelphia Union to first Open Cup win, 3-0 over Rochester Rhinos

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Severe weather brought the US Open Cup third round match between the Philadelphia Union and the Rochester Rhinos to a halt in the first half, but that was about the only thing that was able to slow the Union offense down. Josue Martinez scored first, and Freddy Adu added two more to give the Union a 3-0 victory over their USL Pro opponents.

“The issue was obviously you can’t give MLS teams the chances we gave them, especially in the minute off a corner kick. They deserved the win, but we certainly did not help ourselves out,” Rochester coach Jesse Myers said.

Philadelphia was the brighter of the two sides to start the game. An incisive pass found Keon Daniel in the box, where he earned a corner.Adu curled the ensuing corner in, and shoddy defending led to a wide open shot and goal for Martinez in the 5th minute.

Philadelphia earned several more chances before the referee halted the game due to a severe weather warning. After a lengthy delay, the Union picked up where they had left off. Adu nearly put one in a few seconds after the restart. Then in the 29th minute, Martinez found an open Adu for an easy headed goal to put the Union up 2-0.

“I was joking with Freddy when we pulled him off,” Union coach John Hackworth said. “I said that was first time he ever scored with his head. He told me I was wrong…I don’t believe him.”

Part of the reason for the Union’s success was due to their flank play. Both Philadelphia fullbacks were heavily involved in the attack, often setting up dangerous plays. However, Rochester started to press the attack and nearly got back into the game in the 41st minute, when a goal was negated due to an offside call. The Rhinos had some more good efforts toward the end of the half, but they could not find a way to score.

In the second half, Rochester earned some more chances, but they could not convert any of them. Then, as the half wore on, the Rhinos seemed to wear down a bit. This game was their third in five days—a brutal stretch that included two league games on the road before facing the Union at PPL Park.

Substitute Michael Zaher had a great chance for Rochester in the 69th minute. The ball was played to his feet, and he had just the goalie to beat, but he hit it wide of the net. Four minutes later, the Union made him pay for his missed opportunity, as Michael Farfan was taken down in the box. Adu stepped up and buried the penalty kick in the 73rd minute to put the game away.

With the victory, the Union move on to face DC United in the 4th round of the cup. United were 2-1 winners over the Richmond Kickers.

“It was an important game for us,” Hackworth said. “We needed to come out and play a good game for ourselves more than anything…A good night for the Union.”

Philadelphia Union 3:0 Rochester Rhinos
PPL Park – Chester, Pa.

PHI: Josue Martinez (Adu) 8
PHI: Freddy Adu (Martinez) 29
PHI: Freddy Adu (penalty) 73

Discipline:

RR: Danny Earls caution 40
RR: Jack Traynor caution 52
PHI: Michael Lahoud caution 56
RR: Tyler Rosenlund 90+

Lineups:
Philadelphia Union: Chris Konopka; Michael Farfan, AmobiOkugo, Sheanon Williams, Gabriel Farfan (Kai Herdling-71); Brian Carroll, Michael Lahoud, Keon Daniel, Freddy Adu (Jimmy McLaughlin-80); Josue Martinez (Chandler Hoffman-90), LionardPajoy

Rochester Rhinos:KristianNicht; Jack Traynor, George Kyriazis, Troy Roberts, Quavas Kirk (Michael Tanke-76); Drew Cost (Michael Zaher-59), Tyler Rosenlund, Danny Earls, JC Banks; Thomas McManus, GracianoBrito (Andrew Hoxie-59)

Att: 4,175

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

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

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

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

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

2011 MLS qualifying bracket

First Round

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

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

Second Round

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

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

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

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

Third Round*

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

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

MLS qualifying team profiles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Portland Timbers: 2011 MLS expansion club

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

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

Hosting MLS qualifying games (2007-2010)

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

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

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