Player of the Tournament

Who should win 2019 TheCup.us Overall Player of the Tournament?

September 17, 2019 by Michael Battista

With less than a week until qualification begins for the 2020 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, it’s difficult to look back at the 2019 tournament and pick out only one individual to be named TheCup.us Player of the Tournament. The eight rounds of competition were filled with studded offenses and sensational defensive efforts with some teams coming practically inches away from altering their history.

The 2019 tournament saw two lower division sides reach the Quarterfinals while the rest of that field consisted of Major League Soccer teams which had never won the Lamar Hunt Trophy. As such, the field is dominated by MLS players for this vote.

Since 2006, TheCup.us has presented the award yearly for the most outstanding player of the most recent edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. For this year, voting is being conducted by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters, and patrons who’ve pledged $10 or more to the TheCup.us on Patreon.

While voting isn’t open to the general public we encourage our readers to make their voice heard on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

Here are the finalists for the 2019 TheCup.us Overall Player of the Tournament (in alphabetical order):

Steve Clark (Portland Timbers of MLS – Division I)

With two shutout wins and seven saves in a Cascadia Cup clash win, Steve Clark’s 360+ minutes between the posts for the Portland Timbers are a big reason why 2019’s perennial road team advanced so far in the tournament. After making those seven stops to help the Timbers eliminate their rivals from Seattle in the opening round, Clark earned two clean sheets in back-to-back games. And he did it against two top offensive teams. In the Round of 16, Portland knocked off the LA Galaxy 4-0 before traveling to Southern California where they shut out the best offense in MLS with a 1-0 win over Los Angeles FC in the Quarterfinals. His work allowed the Timbers to not trail a game in the tournament until a 2-1 road loss in the Semifinals where Clark was beaten by a Darwin Quintero penalty kick early in the match and gave up a second half game-winning counter attack goal by Mason Toye

Round 4: Started, played 90 mins., made 7 saves in a 2-1 road win at Seattle Sounders (MLS)
Round 5: Started, played 90 mins., made 4 saves in a 4-0 home win vs. LA Galaxy (MLS)
Quarterfinals: Started, played 90 mins., made 1 save in a 1-0 road win at LAFC (MLS)
Semifinals: Started, played 90 mins., made 4 saves in a 2-1 road loss at Minnesota United (NOTE: one goal was a PK)

Sam Fink (Saint Louis FC of USL Championship – Division II)

The winner of the 2019 TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament award is a St. Louis native who propelled his club through the tournament with stellar defense and a hard head. In Saint Louis FC’s best tournament performance to date, the side only allowed three goals in their four wins, two of which were penalty kicks, en route to the Quarterfinals. Fink, who played every minute of the tournament, etched his name into his hometown club’s history books during the Fifth Round (Round of 16) when he headed in a stoppage time corner kick from Lewis Hilton into the net of MLS side FC Cincinnati for the 1-0 win. The goal earned him Player of the Round honors from TheCup.us.

Round 2: Started, played 120 minutes in a 1-1 draw (3-1 PK win) at Des Moines Menace (USL League Two) – NOTE: Only goal allowed was a PK
Round 3: Started, played 90 minutes in a 3-1 home win vs. Forward Madison (USL League One)
Round 4: Started, played 90 minutes in a 2-1 home win vs. Chicago Fire (MLS) – NOTE: Only goal allowed was a PK
Round 5: Started, played 90 minutes, scored a late game-winning goal in a 1-0 home win vs. FC Cincinnati (MLS). Was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round
Quarterfinals: Started, played 90 minutes in a 2-0 road loss at Atlanta United FC (MLS)

Adam Grinwis of Orlando City SC celebrates in front of the club's fans after a 5-4 PK win over NYCFC in the 2019 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Orlando City SC — Adam Grinwis of Orlando City SC celebrates in front of the club’s fans after a 5-4 PK win over NYCFC in the 2019 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Orlando City SC

Adam Grinwis (Orlando City SC of Major League Soccer – Division I)

The US Open Cup can produce moments that will last a lifetime in the annals of history and for Adam Grinwis that came in the Quarterfinals against New York City FC. The Michigan native was Orlando City’s starting goalkeeper during its tournament run, a job that has belonged to City’s Brian Rowe during the regular season, allowing him to earn a road win against Memphis 901 FC (USL-C) and an extra time victory over the New England Revolution. In the Elite Eight, Grinwis made three saves but allowed in a stoppage time sliding shot by Maxi Moralez to force overtime. After withstanding a NYCFC push in the extra frame, and with “The Wall” supporting him from behind (albeit out of breath from running to the other side of the stadium for the shootout), the 27-year-old saved both the opening and sixth round shots in the penalty kick shootout to punch the Lions into the Semifinals for the first time in their history. Grinwis was named TheCup.us Player of the Round for that performance before falling to eventual champions Atlanta United FC, 2-0.

Round 4: Started, played 90 mins., made 3 saves in a 3-1 road win at Memphia 901 FC (USL-C)
Round 5: Started, played 120 mins., made 2 saves in a 2-1 OT home win vs. New England Revolution (MLS)
Quarterfinals: Started, played 120 mins., made 3 saves in a 1-1 draw (5-4 PK win, 2 saves in shootout) at home vs. NYCFC (MLS). Was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round.
Semifinals: Started, played 90 mins., made 5 saves in a 2-0 home loss vs. Atlanta United FC (MLS)

Justin Meram (Atlanta United FC of Major League Soccer – Division I)

Justin Meram was an essential set-up and control man for Atlanta United during it’s championship run in the 2019 US Open Cup. In Round 4, only a month after being traded to the defending MLS Cup champions from the Columbus Crew, Meram came off the bench in the second half to lead his new team to a 3-1 extra time win against the Charleston Battery (USL-C). When the game was forced into overtime, the Michigan-born Iraqi National Team player set up Brandon Vazquez for both the game-winner and a stoppage time goal to put the game away. Meram would start the rest of the games in the tournament once again made an impact when his fantastic cross from the left side of the box was slammed into the top of the net by Pity Martinez for what would prove to be the winning goal in the 107th US Open Cup Final.

Round 4: came off the bench in the 59th min., had 2 assists (game-winner in 110th min.) in 3-1 OT home win vs. Charleston Battery (USL-C)
Round 5: Started, played 68 mins. in a 3-2 road win at Columbus Crew (MLS)
Quarterfinals: Started, played 84 mins., in a 2-0 home win vs. Saint Louis FC (USL-C)
Semifinals: Started played 66 mins., in a 2-0 road win at Orlando City SC (MLS)
Final: Started, played 90 mins., assisted on the game-winning goal in a 2-1 home win vs. Minnesota United FC (MLS)

Darwin Quintero (Minnesota United FC of Major League Soccer – Division I)

With six goals through his team’s first four games, Darwin Quintero tied the tournament record for the most goals scored by a single player in the Modern Era (1995-present). The former Columbian National team player started 2019 with two goals and one assist in a 4-1 home win against the 2017 Open Cup champion Sporting Kansas City. Quintero would score two more goals in the next round in one of the biggest comebacks of the 2019 tournament. Trailing 2-0 at halftime, Quintero sparked the comeback with a goal in the 66th minute and the equalizer in the 82nd minute before Mason Toye’s game-winner in the 90th minute. Quintero added the game-winning goal in a 6-1 home rout against USL Championship side New Mexico United as his team took control in the first half. In the Semifinals, his record-tying sixth goal came from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute in a 2-1 home win against the Portland Timbers. In a controversial decision, Quintero did not start the championship game, coming off the bench in the 75th minute in a 2-1 road loss to Atlanta United FC.

Round 4: Started, played 90 mins., had 2 goals and 1 assist in a 4-1 home win vs. Sporting KC (MLS)
Round 5: Started, played 90 mins., had 2 goals in a 3-2 road win at Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Quarterfinals: Started, played 73 mins., 1 game-winning goal in a 6-1 home win vs. New Mexico United FC (USL-C)
Semifinals: Started, played 72 mins., 1 goal (PK) in a 2-1 home win vs. Portland Timbers (MLS)
Final: Came off the bench in 75th min. in 2-1 road loss at Atlanta United FC (MLS)

Miles Robinson (Atlanta United FC of Major League Soccer – Division I)

Robinson, who has recently broken in with the U.S. National Team, had a strong tournament from start to finish, helping Atlanta United not only win the club’s first US Open Cup title, but also becoming the first team from Georgia to lift the trophy in the tournament’s 107-year history. The defender who played his college ball at Syracuse played every minute of Atlanta’s five wins. Robinson also contributed on the offensive end, assisting on a 79th minute equalizer in a 3-1 extra time win over the Charleston Battery (USL-C). In the Round of 16, he scored a goal of his own in a 3-2 road win over the Columbus Crew (one of those goals scored by the Crew was an own goal). Robinson led a defensive unit that had back-to-back shutouts in the Quarterfinals and the Semifinals. A 2-0 home win over Saint Louis FC (USL-C) put United into the final four where they traveled south to Florida, earning a 2-0 win over Orlando City SC (MLS) to punch Atlanta’s ticket to the Final. In the championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, he put together a man of the match-level performance as Atlanta United defeated Minnesota United FC, 2-1.

Round 4: Started, played 120 mins., assisted on equalizer in 79th min. in 3-1 OT home win vs. Charleston Battery (USL-C)
Round 5: Started, 90 mins., 1 goal in a 3-2 road win at Columbus Crew (MLS)
Quarterfinals: Started, played 90 mins., in a 2-0 home win vs. Saint Louis FC (USL-C)
Semifinals: Started, played 90 mins., in a 2-0 road win at Orlando City SC (MLS)
Final: Started, played 90 mins., in a 2-1 home win vs. Minnesota United FC (MLS)

Past winners of TheCup.us Player of the Tournament
2018: Mauro Manotas (Houston Dynamo)
2017: Tim Melia (Sporting Kansas City)
2016: Mauro Diaz (FC Dallas)
2015: Krisztian Nemeth (Sporting Kansas City)
2014: Kenny Cooper (Seattle Sounders FC)
2013: Dwayne De Rosario (DC United)
2012: Osvaldo Alonso (Seattle Sounders FC)
2011: Fredy Montero (Seattle Sounders FC)
2010: Nate Jaqua (Seattle Sounders FC)
2009: Kasey Keller (Seattle Sounders FC)
2008: Chris Eylander (Seattle Sounders, USL)
2007: Pat Noonan (New England Revolution)
2006: Andy Herron (Chicago Fire)

Sam Fink of Saint Louis FC voted TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament for 2019 US Open Cup

September 11, 2019 by Matthew Bird

Sam Fink Saint Louis FC - Graphic by Daniel Crooke | Twitter @crooke86 — Graphic by Daniel Crooke | Twitter @crooke86

There are many names synonymous with St Louis and their accolades in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup throughout history.

Local soccer stalwarts love to talk up the past. The fans however want to celebrate the present and while most will point to the Josh Sargent’s and Tim Ream’s of the world, Saint Louis FC fans hold one name higher than all others: Sam Fink.

Family man and humble off the field, Sam is a hometown warrior. A true blue collar player for the blue collar city he represents.

Sam Fink of Saint Louis FC celebrates his game-winning goal against FC Cincinnati in the Fifth Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Will Bramlett

After leading Saint Louis FC to the club’s first US Open Cup Quarterfinal appearance, the hometown defender was narrowly voted the 2019 TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament. It was a very tight vote as conducted by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters, and members of TheCup.us’s Patreon team that pledge $10 or more.

Fink edged New Mexico United forward Kevaughn Frater by a single point (3 points for a first place vote, 1 point for a second place vote). Valentin Sabella of the Florida Soccer Soldiers finished just a few points behind in third place and Frater’s teammate Devon Sandoval just a point behind him. (Check out the rest of the nominees HERE)

“I’m honored to have won this award and grateful to everyone that contributed to it,” said Fink, who becomes the first defender to win the award since it was first given out in 2012. “This tournament experience was one that I’ll never forget and adding to that experience after the fact is really special.”

The 2019 US Open Cup run started ominously for Fink. A Second Round match-up against the ever-dangerous Des Moines Menace (USL League Two, Open Division National) saw the game finish 1-1 after extra time. It was Fink who conceded the equalizing penalty kick which allowed the Menace back into the tie after an early Kyle Grieg goal. Saint Louis FC eventually prevailed in a penalty shootout as 18-year-old academy goalkeeper Patrick Schulte kept just three Menace shots at bay.

“Although I’ve never actually experienced it myself, I feel like the Des Moines away has to be the open cup version of ‘can you do it on a cold rainy night at Stoke?’,” said Fink. “The field was not good, the stands were full of rowdy Iowans, the officials were having an off day, and Des Moines did everything in their power to make sure they took us to . Football is a crazy game and I’m glad we got out of there successfully.”

In the Third Round, one of the current darlings of lower division soccer in the United States, Forward Madison (USL League One, Division III) came to St Louis and hit a roadblock in their quest to eliminate a second straight USL Championship side in the competition. The underdogs were up for the challenge, despite going down by two goals early, they attacked with venom and halved the lead before halftime. Fink and his centerback partner Phanuel Kavita had to ride out a tenacious free-flowing counter attack that took Saint Louis FC to the wire. In the 72nd minute, Russel Cicerone scored for Saint Louis to regain the two-goal advantage as the match would end with a 3-1 scoreline that somewhat flattered the home side.

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "We Want The Cup" shirt in your team's colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP — Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

“Having played Madison in the preseason we knew they had some quality,” said Fink. “ Anthony made it very clear that if we thought it was going to be a walk about we were going to get embarrassed at home on our own pitch. We scored two quite early and controlled the game exactly how we had planned. As is always the case though the underdog never gives in and they quickly ceased the momentum with a goal until we snatched it back for good with a third goal. They were a quality side and a good test for us, but I thought we very much deserved to move on. ”

With mission accomplished against Madison it was on to the Fourth Round where Saint Louis earned a rematch of a 2017 meeting with the Chicago Fire of MLS.

Due to weeks of rain and some flooding around the field, which had already scuppered two USL contests, the game was moved at the last minute to Hunter Stadium and Lindenwood University in St. Charles County, approximately 25 miles northwest of Soccer Park and it felt very much like an away game for both sides.

“The venue change against Chicago was unexpected and unwanted, but after we got comfortable with the idea we actually felt like it could be an advantage,” said Fink. “Do you think guys that have played in World Cups want to be playing on a turf field with every sport line ever on it? Me neither. The stadium was situated like a bowl that kept all the noise in and it ended up being a really cool atmosphere. We had no fear playing Chicago.”

Chicago came out and immediately stamped their authority in the game dominating for the first 20 minutes. Fink, had to grow into the game, just like he had grown into the team in 2014. The Saint Louis captain used his calming presence to keep the Fire attack at bay as Austin Martz and Guy Abend scored two first half goals which were enough to send the St Louligans home in raptures. With a 2-1 win, this was the club’s first upset of an MLS team after two previous narrow 1-0 losses (2015 Round 4 at Sporting KC, 2017 Round 4 at Chicago Fire). Their second scalp was just a short week away.

After a victory against Louisville in their previous round, the Open Cup gave a struggling FC Cincinnati (MLS) a welcome respite from league play and a chance to follow on from their own Open Cup heroics (as a USL team) of previous campaigns.

They hit a brick wall as this was the game that made Sam Fink a folklore hero among St. Louis soccer fans.

Fans will remember his performance, but also that of the entire team as they played their most complete 90 minutes of the season when it mattered most in a 1-0 home win.

Fink has been a constant presence for Saint Louis when it needed a big moment in USL play. In this game, he scored one of those big goals in US Open Cup play. His back post thumping header from a Lewis Hilton corner kick three minutes into second half stoppage time eclipsed everything as the goal broke the scoreless tie and catapulted the USL side into the Quarterfinals for the first time in club history.

“When I replay that goal in my mind it’s like it was all in slo-mo. I just had this feeling going into the box that this was going to be it – I even told Kadeem as I was running in that I was ending it on that corner. Lewis put a perfect service into the box as he does, and the second it came off my head I knew it was goal bound. The only word I have to describe the moments after is euphoria. Celebrating with fans that mean a lot to me and teammates that deserved every second of that win was special. My favorite part of it all isn’t really the goal, it’s looking thru photos and seeing the looks on the faces of all my teammates, whether they played or not. Complete joy on every single guys face. They aren’t too many things that can unite a group of people all at once like sports can.”

According to Fink, it was the home crowd of more than 4,000 fans that pushed them over the finish line.

Sam Fink of Saint Louis FC celebrates with the fans after defeating FC Cincinnati 1-0 in the Fifth Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Will Bramlett

“We are really, really good at home,” said Fink. “And with the struggles that Cincinnati has gone through this year, we once again felt like there was a real chance for us to move on. Soccer Park was rocking as always and we put together a fantastic 90 minute display. You could absolutely feel the support from all over the country and especially in our city and I think that gave us the momentum from the jump.

His performance in the win over FC Cincinnati made him the first Saint Louis FC player to earn TheCup.us Player of the Round award in club history.

“When you play guys in leagues above you, you often go in with a chip on your shoulder and a point to prove,” Fink added. “That’s especially true when it’s the team that cut you – like a few of our guys. It was going to take a lot to beat us that night and even if they had the quality, I’m not sure they could match our passion and our work rate to win that game.”

The cup run would end as the quarterfinal game against the reigning MLS Cup champions (and eventual US Open Cup winners) Atlanta United FC on the road proved to be a bridge too far for a team that had been playing two games per week on a consistent basis for the last month. The combination of making up postponed league games and the extra Open Cup games made the journey difficult. Whilst Lewis Hilton hit a post early on which would have given Atlanta some jitters, Gonzalo “Pity” Martinez netted to ease the pressure for Atlanta before Josef Martinez added in the last minute from the spot to round off the 2019 US Open Cup journey for STLFC and Sam Fink.

“The experience playing Atlanta away was two-fold,” explained Fink. “On one hand, it was incredibly special to play a group of world class players that were the best in MLS a season ago. But on the other, we had come that far already beating two MLS teams, so why not three? Looking back, I think we deserved more than a 2-0 result. The second was just a garbage time that came about because we sent everyone forward and the first came off a poor turnover on top of our 18.”

Despite giving up the two goals in Atlanta, Fink’s defensive record in the competition this year was a big part of winning the award.

Sam Fink of Saint Louis FC celebrates his goal against FC Cincinnati in a Round of 16 match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Saint Louis FC

Take away the penalty kick goals scored by the Des Moines Menace in Round 2 and the Chicago Fire in Round 4. The Saint Louis defense only allowed one goal in their first four matches with teenager Patrick Schulte in between the sticks for the Menace game and regular starter Tomas Gomez getting the nod in the remaining four matches.

Fink makes history with this award as the first defender to win either of the TheCup.us Player of the Tournament awards (overall or lower division), which is an interesting fact considering his origin story.

“I originally was a striker” said Fink, who has scored a career-high six goals this season in league play, boosted by his new role as designated penalty kick taker.

Saint Louis FC fans came out to support their team against FC Cincinnati in the Round of 16 match of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Will Bramlett

With Fink’s award-winning performance on the back-line, he helped his club become the first team from Saint Louis to reach the Quarterfinals since 1993 (Scott Gallagher).

“The Open Cup run was a remarkable accomplishment for the club,” said Saint Louis FC general manager Jeremy Alumbaugh. “Since we began in 2015, we have not hidden from the fact that the Open Cup has a history in St. Louis. As a club, we have to embrace that history as it deserves our respect. Tradition is one of our Club Core Values and part of that is working to establish new traditions. I think the way we handled the competition this year helped to establish the Club in the history of the Open Cup in Saint Louis.”

“Sam is an outstanding captain,” Alumbaugh added. “The club is in his DNA as a player and person. He understands how to lead the locker room and the authentic soccer culture that we have created in this community.”

Past winners of TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament

2012: Danny Barrera (Cal FC – USASA)
2013: Ty Shipalane (Carolina RailHawks – NASL)
2014: Scott Goodwin (Carolina RailHawks – NASL)
2015: Michael Salazar (PSA Elite – USASA)
2016: Diego Restrepo (Fort Lauderdale Strikers – NASL)
2017: Mitch Hildebrandt (FC Cincinnati – USL)
2018: Allisson Faramilio (FC Golden State – PDL)

Who should win TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament for 2019 US Open Cup?

September 4, 2019 by Michael Battista

2019 TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament nominees (from left to right): Kevaughn Frater (New Mexico United), Devon Sandoval (New Mexico United), Blake Frischkecht (Orange County FC), Valentin Sabella (Florida Soccer Soldiers), Sam Fink (Saint Louis FC)

At its core the US Open Cup is a grueling test for any soccer team that takes part. This is true for all competitors but especially so for the lower league sides that start in the early rounds, possibly even qualification, and have to play at least two games before they even have a chance to face a Major League Soccer team.

While the big boys are usually the ones who walk away with the trophy and champions league berth, some players from the smaller sides make an impact worth commemorating. Following each year’s competition, TheCup.us honors a player with the distinction of being named “Player the Tournament”for their outstanding performance. However in 2012, an additional honor was added: TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament. The goal is to honor the players on lower division teams (Open Division, Division III, and Division II) who have stood out and helped their team make a memorable run in the Open Cup that year.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters, and select backers from TheCup.us’ Patreon. If you’d like to vote in this, or the upcoming “Player of the Tournament” vote, consider pledging $10 or more and help us continue to cover the US Open Cup and research it’s long history.

We encourage everyone to read over each players’ tournament resume and make your case for who you think should win the award in the comments or on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instragram).

Here are 2019’s finalists (in alphabetical order):

Sam Fink (Saint Louis FC of USL Championship – Division II)

Sam Fink was on the field for every moment of his team’s 2019 US Open Cup run and helped lead the defensive effort through the five games. In Saint Louis FC’s best tournament performance to date, the side only allowed three goals in their four wins, two of which were penalty kicks, en route to the Quarterfinals. Fink etched his name into his hometown club’s history books during the Fifth Round (Round of 16) when he headed in a stoppage time corner kick from Lewis Hilton into the net of MLS side FC Cincinnati for the 1-0 win. The goal earned him Player of the Round honors from TheCup.us.

Kevaughn Frater (New Mexico United of USL Championship – Division II)

In New Mexico United’s inaugural tournament run, they became the second straight debuting USL club to reach the Fifth Round (Round of 16) following Nashville SC in 2018. Kevaughn Frater was a big reason for that as he made a huge impact, scoring in three of the four games he played in and going at least 90 minutes in all of them. His three goals in three games were the difference makers in his team’s narrow wins, including his game-winning penalty kick against the Colorado Spring Switchbacks in Round 3 and a stoppage time equalizer to force MLS side Colorado Rapids into extra time (where New Mexico would eventually prevail in PKs) in the Fourth Round. His final goal came just before halftime to tie the game in New Mexico’s 2-1 road win over FC Dallas (MLS) in the Round of 16. Unfortunately for United, Frater received a yellow card in the 59th minute in that game, which gave him a total of three in the tournament, which led to a one-game suspension. Because of this, Frater had to miss the team’s match against eventual runner-up Minnesota United FC in the Quarterfinals, which the Loons won, 6-1.

Round 2: Started, played 98 minutes in a 2-2 draw (4-3 PK win) on the road against Phoenix Rising (USL-C)
Round 3: Started, played 115 minutes, scored 1 game-winning PK goal, dished out 1 assist in a 2-1 OT road win at Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL-C)
Round 4: Started, played 120 minutes, scored the equalizer in 2nd half stoppage time, and converted his PK in the shootout in a 2-2 draw (4-2 PK win) on the road at Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Round 5: Started, played 90 minutes, scored a goal in a 2-1 road win at FC Dallas (MLS)
Quarterfinals: Did not play (yellow card suspension) in 6-1 road loss at Minnesota United FC (MLS)

Blake Frischkecht (Orange County FC of the National Premier Soccer League – Open Division)

Frischkecht begin the tournament by assisting on his team’s opening goal in a 2-0 home win over USL League Two power FC Golden State Force. After helping OCFC upset Orange County SC (USL-C), the Player of the Round winner for Round 3 then played a game where everything seemed to come together. His side, the only one remaining in the tournament from the National Premier Soccer League, came out blazing against his hometown Las Vegas Lights FC. The two former U.S. Men’s National Team players who had been at the USL Championship sides’ tryouts the day he arrived, Eric Wynalda and Paul Caligiuri, stood as coaches at opposite benches that night. After assisting on a goal earlier in the game, Frischkecht’s 89th minute header was the game-winner it what seemed ike the perfect culmination to his career up until that point.

Round 1: Started, played 90 minutes, assisted on the opening goal in a 2-0 home win vs. FC Golden State Force (USL League Two)
Round 2: Started, played 120 minutes in a 2-2 draw (5-3 PK win) on the road against Orange County SC (USL-C)
Round 3: Started, played 90 minutes, scored the game-winning goal in the 89th minute, dished out an assist in a 5-3 road win at Las Vegas Lights FC (USL-C). Voted TheCup.us Player of the Round
Round 4: Started, played 90 minutes in a 3-0 road loss at LA Galaxy (MLS)

Devon Sandoval (New Mexico United of USL Championship – Division II)

Along with fellow nominee Kevaughn Frater, Devon Sandoval was the other force behind New Mexico United’s offense. Sandoval started the tournament as a late game substitute but found himself as a starter by tournament’s end. The Albuquerque native made his biggest impact in his team’s first game against fellow USL Championship side Phoenix Rising FC. Coming off the bench, he scored both of his team’s goals, the latter coming in the fifth minute of stoppage, to force extra time and penalty kicks where his successful attempt helped advance his team through. In the Fourth Round he played a part in both goals in the upset against the Colorado Rapids of MLS and went the full 120, including another successful penalty kick shootout attempt that helped United eliminate the hometown Rapids. Sandoval played a big role in his start (and 75 minutes of game play) in the club’s 2-1 road win over FC Dallas (MLS).

Round 2: Came off the bench in 75th min., scored 2 goals (79′, 95′), converted his PK in the shootout, in a 2-2 draw (4-3 PK win) on the road at Phoenix Rising FC (USL-C)
Round 3: Came off the bench in 60th min. in a 2-1 OT road win at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USL-C)
Round 4: Started, played 120 mins., scored a goal, assisted on a stoppage time equalizer (90+5), and converted his PK in the shootout in a 2-2 draw (4-2 PK win) at Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Round 5: Started, played 75 mins. in a 2-1 road win at FC Dallas (MLS)
Quarterfinals: Started, played 90 mins. in a 6-1 road loss at Minnesota United FC (MLS)

Valentin Sabella (Florida Soccer Soldiers of the United Premier Soccer League – Open Division)

Despite his Florida Soccer Soldiers playing the least amount of games of any other nominee, Valentin Sabella’s actions in the Open Cup not only brought success to his team but also himself. After playing 90 minutes in the Soccer Soldiers’ 2-1 win over pro side Miami FC (who would finish the season with their second straight NPSL championship). In his team’s Second Round match against USL Championship side Charlotte Independence, Sabella’s side was down a man and trailing late in the second extra time half. The Buenos Aires native took advantage of a poor back pass by the Independence and notched the equalizer to send the game to a shootout – all while suffering a minor leg injury during the celebration. He made his penalty kick which allowed goalkeeper Bryant Martin to come up with a huge save in the fifth round to send his team through, an action that earned him Player of the Round honors from TheCup.us. Despite narrowly losing the next game to North Carolina FC (USL-C), 1-0, Sabella later went on to be signed by Charlotte, the team he helped eliminate, in his first ever professional soccer contract.

Round 1: Started, played 90 mins. in a 2-1 road win at Miami FC (NPSL)
Round 2: Started, played 120 mins., scored an 118th min. equalizer, and scored the clinching PK in the shootout in a 2-2 draw (5-4 PK win) on the road at Charlotte Independence (USL-C)
Round 3: Started, played 90 mins. in a 1-0 road loss at North Carolina FC (USL-C)

Past winners of TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament

2018 US Open Cup: Mauro Manotas of Houston Dynamo voted TheCup.us Player of the Tournament

October 19, 2018 by Dan Sousa

You can call Houston Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas a lot of things.

You can call him hard working.

You can call him tenacious.

You can call him humble.

What you can’t call the young Colombian – no matter how much he has taken American soccer fans by surprise with his 2018 superlative MLS and Open Cup campaign – is an overnight sensation.

Manotas has been in Houston since 2015, fighting to make it onto the bench, and then finally forcing his way into the starting lineup this season.

Mauro Manotas of the Housotn Dynamo celebrates one of his two goals against the Philadelphia Union in the 2018 US Open Cup Final. Photo: Houston Dynamo

“I have been with this club for the last three years and I haven’t been able to be starting forward. By now, thank God, I have become a starting player,” said Manotas in an interview with the Dynamo in July translated from Spanish. “Now, I want to be a top goal scorer and on the team level, I want us to win the MLS Cup and the US Open Cup.”

Manotas will have to wait for that MLS Cup dream as the Dynamo were eliminated from the playoffs this season but he can check “top goalscorer” and “winning US Open Cup” off his to-do list.

Manotas spent the summer surging into the top 5 on the MLS scoring charts and almost single-handedly salvaging the Dynamo’s season by propelling the club to its first US Open Cup title with a Modern Era (1995-present) tying record six goals in four games, including two goals in the US Open Cup Final, a 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Union.

For his record-breaking run, Manotas has been named the TheCup.us Player of the Tournament in a vote of the staff of TheCup.us and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters. Manotas ran away with the award, distancing himself from second place Alejandro Bedoya of the Philadelphia Union and third place Diego Rossi of Los Angeles FC.

“Like I’ve always said, when you pray with faith, God rewards you,” explained the ever humble Manotas after the US Open Cup trophy was hoisted at BBVA Compass Stadium back on Sept. 26. “Today, I give thanks to God. The team was spectacular. Thanks to God we were able to win.”

The 23-year-old striker put his mark on the title game early, scoring off a header in the fourth minute, tying the mark for the fastest goal in a championship game in the Modern Era. He followed up with a goal in the 26th minute, on an individual effort that will sure to be shown on the home scoreboard highlight reel for years to come.

The Open Cup celebration was the culmination of an incredible year for the wiry 6-footer who in a rainstorm still weighs under 160 pounds.

In the 2018 US Open Cup he:

Scored the game-winning goal in a Round of 16 1-0 win over Minnesota United FC
Scored two goals in a 4-2 win over defending US Open Cup champion Sporting KC in the Quarterfinals.
Added another goal against LAFC in a 3-3 thriller in the Semifinals that saw the Dynamo win 7-6 in spot kicks.
Ran away with the Golden Boot for the tournament with his two title game goals, giving him six total in 2018, tying a Modern Era single-tournament record.
He has tied the Modern Era record for scoring in four consecutive Open Cup contests.
He now has five game-winning goals in US Open Cup play, tying a Modern Era record.
He is the Dynamo’s all-time US Open Cup scoring leader with 10 goals, six more than the next best.
Only two MLS squad players (Kenny Cooper and Jaime Moreno, each with 13) have scored more goals than Manotas in US Open Cup play.

The achievements for Manotas aren’t just limited to the Open Cup competition as he has rewritten the Dynamo record books in his first full season as a starter:

He has 22 goals in all competitions this year, lapping Will Bruin’s previous club record of 16 with two matches left to play.
He has scored 16 MLS regular-season goals, eclipsing the club record of 14 set last year by Cubo Torres, whose departure thrusted Manotas into the spotlight.
At age 23 he is already the Houston franchise’s No. 5 all-time leading scorer with 31 goals in 94 games (61 starts).

You will be disappointed if you expect Manotas to now rest on his laurels.

“I have fought a lot to be the starting forward for this team,” said Manotas. “My mentality is to keep working hard, leave everything on the field, give my all for the team, to sweat for this team like I always do. People always value the fact that I don’t give up, that I am always running, fighting for the ball and scoring goals.”

Mauro Manotas of the Houston Dynamo heads in the first goal of the 2018 US Open Cup Final from his knees in a 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Union. Photo: Houston Dynamo

Manotas has been helped by a close connection with Colombian coach Wilmer Cabrera, who Manotas calls “El Profe” or teacher.

2018’s amazing run may not have happened if the front office hadn’t stepped in and lend a helping hand to Manotas when he arrived in Southern Texas in 2015.

The young kid from Sabanalarga, Colombia was given a place to live but he lasted just two weeks on his own away from the support of his family and culture.

“When I arrived in Houston … I lived by myself for two weeks but I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t live alone,” recalled Manotas. “I reached out to (Houston GM) Matt (Jordan) to find me a host family. And thank God he found them.”

That host family, bilingual Chavez family, became Manotas’ family away from home.

“He called my wife madre, mother. He’d call me Senor Ed,” said Ed Chavez, who works matchday security at BBVA outside of the Dynamo locker room. “Definitely an addition to the family – a son.”

Ed and Ingrid Chavez already had two teens and Manotas became their older surrogate sibling … the relationship so strong that Manotas stayed with the family through 2015 and then 2016 and then 2017 … finally, moving into his own apartment this summer.

“They helped me get adapted to the country, to the language, the culture, the food, everything,” said Manotas right before the big move. “I had a great time with the Chavez family but now it’s time for me to grow in that area of my life. I feel I’ve got a better grasp of the language now and I wanted to go out and be on my own.”

Manotas may be heading out on his own but will still be looking out for others first, it’s an attitude that was ingrained from his modest means upbringing in Colombia.

“My family is very humble, always thinking of others first,” Manotas said. “My dad always tells me that the team is first, second, third and fourth, and if there’s a fifth, then that’s for me.”

Thanks to that attitude the Houston Dynamo are 2018 US Open Cup champions and headed to the Concacaf Champions League next year. It will be another chance for Manotasto shine in the spotlight.

Past winners of TheCup.us Player of the Tournament
2017: Tim Melia (Sporting Kansas City)
2016: Mauro Diaz (FC Dallas)
2015: Krisztian Nemeth (Sporting Kansas City)
2014: Kenny Cooper (Seattle Sounders FC)
2013: Dwayne De Rosario (DC United)
2012: Osvaldo Alonso (Seattle Sounders FC)
2011: Fredy Montero (Seattle Sounders FC)
2010: Nate Jaqua (Seattle Sounders FC)
2009: Kasey Keller (Seattle Sounders FC)
2008: Chris Eylander (Seattle Sounders, USL)
2007: Pat Noonan (New England Revolution)
2006: Andy Herron (Chicago Fire)

Who should be voted 2018 US Open Cup’s TheCup.us Player of the Tournament?

October 14, 2018 by Josh Hakala

TheCup.us Player of the Tournament nominees for the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup (from left to right): Cory Burke of Philadelphia Union, Diego Rossi of LAFC, Mauro Manotas of Houston Dynamo and Alejandro Bedoya of Philadelphia Union.

The 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is complete with the Houston Dynamo lifting the trophy for the first time in club history.

With that, it’s time to hand out the annual TheCup.us Player of the Tournament award. Every year since 2006, TheCup.us has honored the player who put together the most impressive, and the most valuable individual performance of the competition.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters but if YOU had a vote, which player do you think would win?

Here are the finalists (in alphabetical order):

ALEJANDRO BEDOYA (PHILADELPHIA UNION – MLS)
While he did not play in the Union’s opening game vs. Richmond, Bedoya played every minute and was involved in all but one of Philadelphia’s goals to help them reach the US Open Cup Final for the third time in club history. The U.S. international assisted on both goals in a 2-1 home win over the New York Red Bulls in the Round of 16, scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 home win over Orlando City in the Quarterfinals and assisted on the first two goals in the Union’s 3-0 win over the Chicago Fire in the Semifinals. He played the full 90 minutes in the championship game but Philly lost 3-0 on the road against the Houston Dynamo. In the end, his four assists was tied for the tournament lead.

Round 4: DNP in a 5-0 home win vs. Richmond (USL)
Round 5: Started, played 90 mins., had 2 assists in a 2-1 home win vs. New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Quarterfinals: Started, played 90 mins., scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 home win vs. Orlando City SC (MLS)
Semifinals: Started, played 90 mins., had 2 assists in a 3-0 home win vs. Chicago Fire (MLS)
Final: Started, played 90 mins. in a 3-0 road loss at Houston Dynamo (MLS)

CORY BURKE (PHILADELPHIA UNION – MLS)
Burke started every game for the Union during their US Open Cup run, helping the Philadelphia Union reach the championship game for the third time. Burke was only needed for the first half in a 5-0 home win over the Richmond Kickers (USL), but in that time, the Union scored four goals and he assisted on one of them. In the Round of 16, Burke scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 home win over the New York Red Bulls (MLS), and he played 63 minutes in the Union’s 1-0 win over Orlando City. In the Semifinals, Burke scored the first two goals of the game in a 3-0 home win over the Chicago Fire (MLS) to send Philly to the Final. He played 68 minutes in the losing effort in the title game, a 3-0 road loss to the Houston Dynamo (MLS).

Round 4: Started, played 45 mins, 1 assist in 5-0 home win vs. Richmond (USL)
Round 5: Started, played 90 mins., scored game-winning goal in a 2-1 home win vs. New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Quarterfinals: Started, played 63 mins. in a 1-0 home win vs. Orlando City SC (MLS)
Semifinals: Started, played 90 mins., scored 2 goals in a 3-0 home win vs. Chicago Fire (MLS)
Final: Started, played 68 mins. in a 3-0 road loss at Houston Dynamo (MLS)

MAURO MANOTAS (HOUSTON DYNAMO – MLS)
After not playing the opening game against NTX Rayados (USASA), Manotas went on a four-game goalscoring streak and led the Houston Dynamo to the club’s first US Open Cup title. He scored the game-winning goal in the Round of 16 win over Minnesota United, and scored a pair of goals (including the game-winner) in a 4-2 home win over the defending champions Sporting Kansas City. Manotas scored a goal in the club’s 3-3 draw (PK win) against Los Angeles FC in the Semifinals. Manotas was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round for the Final when he scored two first half goals in the 3-0 win over the Philadephia Union. The Colombian led the tournament in goals with six, which ties the Modern Era (1995-present) record for a single tournament and he became the fifth Modern Era player to score a goal in four consecutive Cup matches.

Round 4: DNP in a 5-0 home win vs. NTX Rayados (USASA)
Round 5: Started, played 60 mins., scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 home win vs. Minnesota United FC (MLS)
Quarterfinals: Started, played 90 mins., scored two goals (incl. the game-winner) in a 4-2 home win vs. Sporting KC (MLS)
Semifinals: Started, played 84 mins., scored 1 goal in a 3-3 home draw (7-6 PK win) vs. LAFC (MLS)
Final: Started, played 90 mins., scored 2 goals (incl. game-winner) in a 3-0 home win vs. Philadelphia Union (MLS)

DIEGO ROSSI (LOS ANGELES FC – MLS)
Los Angeles FC may not have won the US Open Cup, but Diego Rossi’s performance nearly put them into the Final in the club’s inaugural season. After a scoreless first half, Rossi was subbed in after halftime and scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal in a 2-0 home win over Fresno FC (USL). In the Round of 16, he sparked a second half comeback in a 3-2 home win over the Sacramento Republic (USL). Rossi scored the tying goal in the 67th minute and then assisted on Latif Blessing’s game-winner in the 89th minute. In the Quarterfinals, he started and played 90 minutes in a 3-2 home win over the Portland Timbers (MLS). Next, he won TheCup.us Player of the Round honors by scoring the first Modern Era hat trick in the Semifinals. Down 3-1 to the Houston Dynamo on the road, he scored a 78th minute goal and then an equalizer deep into second half stoppage time. The match went to penalty kicks and while Rossi converted his attempt, Houston would win the shootout 7-6.

Round 4: Came off bench, played 45 mins., scored the game-winning goal in a 2-0 home win vs. Fresno FC (USL)
Round 5: Started, played 90 mins., scored a goal and had the game-winning assist in a 3-2 home win vs. Sacramento Republic (USL)
Quarterfinals: Started, played 90 mins. in a 3-2 home win vs. Portland Timbers (MLS)
Semifinals: Started, played 120 mins., scored a hat trick (goal in PK shootout) in a 3-3 draw, 7-6 PK loss at home vs. Houston Dynamo (MLS)

2018 US Open Cup: Allisson Faramilio of FC Golden State Force voted TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament

October 12, 2018 by Adam Uthe

Former Corinthians standout Allisson Faramilio of FC Golden State Force, playing in his first season in the United States, was narrowly voted TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament for the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The award is voted on by the staff at TheCup.us and a select of panel of members from the North American Soccer Reporters. Faramilio narrowly edged Christian Okeke of the NTX Rayados, with Brian Ownby of Louisville City finishing third.

Allisson scored four goals in the first three rounds of the tournament and helped the Premier Development League’s (PDL) FC Golden State Force reach the Fourth Round of the 2018 tournament, where they were defeated by Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Los Angeles Galaxy. Allisson is the first outfield player to earn the award since 2015, when PSA Elite’s Michael Salazar recorded three goals and four assists in four games. The two prior award winners were both goalkeepers: FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt in 2017 and Fort Lauderdale Strikers’ Diego Restrepo in 2016.

“It is a unique moment … I am very happy,” Faramilio said of winning the award in his first season in the United States.

In Round 1, FC Golden State Force defeated Los Angeles Wolves (UPSL) with Allisson scoring the game-winner before being subbed off in the 72nd minute. He converted a penalty kick in Round 2 when Golden State pulled off a 4-2 road upset of the United Soccer League’s Orange County FC.

The Brazilian international saved his best performance for Round 3. Faramilio scored both goals in Golden State’s 2-1 upset win over another USL foe, this time the expansion side Las Vegas Lights. For his efforts, Faramilio was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round.

? #Cupset Alert ?

The @FCGSForce advance to the @opencup Fourth Round to face off against an @MLS foe after defeating @lvlightsfc!

Check out the Force goals ⬇️ #Path2Pro #USOC2018 pic.twitter.com/g4xtnSqsfz

— USL PDL (@USLPDL) May 24, 2018

Ultimately, both club and player ran out of gas in Round 4 and Golden State were defeated by Los Angeles Galaxy 3-1.

The United States is just the latest stop for a player whose career has quite literally taken him around the world.

Born in Sao Paulo, Faramilio began playing the sport at the age of 14 and by the time he turned 19 had earned a place on the first team squad for top Brazilian side Corinthians. Unable to secure a long-term spot with one team, he went on to feature for eight different clubs in Brazil before leaving his homeland to play abroad. Since then, he has played for clubs in Japan, South Korea, Albania, and, most recently, Iraq. He signed with FC Golden State Force on March 6, 2018 and they became the 12th different club to secure his services.

“Allisson was an outstanding addition to the club last spring,” said FC Golden State Force executive director Alex Lujan. “He is obviously a very established, polished goal scorer, but also brought a lot of intangibles to the team. Our younger players benefited from his life experience, both on-and-off the pitch, as a professional footballer in Brazil as well as his positive attitude and infectious smile.”

In league play, Faramilio scored two goals in eight games as he was a part of a team that won the regular season Western Conference title, and finished with the third best record in the PDL.

Speaking through a translator, he noted that the level of competition he has faced during his current tenure with Golden State is pretty close that of his native Brazil. He praised the structure of the clubs in the US, even in the PDL where Golden State currently plays. Faramilio also noted that in his native Brazil, only the biggest clubs have a solid foundation in place for building teams that can contend for trophies. When asked to compare his game to another player – current or retired – he called out former Inter Milan striker and fellow countryman Adriano.

“My style of play compares to that of Adriano … I watched him play a lot and I was always a fan,” said Faramilio.

He also said there was not one specific moment from the 2018 tournament that stood out to him. He noted the significance of Golden State becoming the 14th amateur – and 16th open division – team to reach the Fourth Round in the Modern Era (1995-present) and how special it was to face a team of the Los Angeles Galaxy’s reputation. He did allow himself to take some pride in his two-goal performance in Round 3.

It turns out that 2018 was a banner year for amateur sides in the tournament. Not only did Golden State make history with their run, but Faramilio also narrowly beat out Christian Okeke, a striker for NTX Rayados, another amateur side. Rayados, playing in their seventh Open Cup in eight years, also advanced all the way to the fourth round and Okeke was a big reason why. He was a second half sub in each of the first three rounds and each time he scored the game winner for his side.

But in the end, the voters chose the 30-year-old Brazilian enjoying the latest stop on a career that has shown him, and all of us, just how global the game’s appeal really is.

Past winners of TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament
2012: Danny Barrera (Cal FC – USASA)
2013: Ty Shipalane (Carolina RailHawks – NASL)
2014: Scott Goodwin (Carolina RailHawks – NASL)
2015: Michael Salazar (PSA Elite – USASA)
2016: Diego Restrepo (Fort Lauderdale Strikers – NASL)
2017: Mitch Hildebrandt (FC Cincinnati – USL)

2017 US Open Cup: Tim Melia of Sporting KC voted TheCup.us Player of the Tournament

October 12, 2017 by Alan Hainkel

Tim Melia of Sporting KC became just the fourth goalkeeper in the Modern Era to play in and win multiple US Open Cup Finals. Photo: Bob Larson

Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia has been named the TheCup.us Player of the Tournament for his performance in the club’s march to their third Open Cup title in the last six years and fourth overall.

Melia posted a 0.35 goals against average, including three shutouts, while going 4-0-1 (1-0 in PKs) in the tournament. He allowed two goals in five matches, a total of 510 minutes. Melia also extended his personal unbeaten streak in the tournament to 13 matches (11-0-2, 2-0 in PKs) dating back to 2010.

Melia was also named Player of the Round for the final, the second time he’s won the award. His previous award was for the final of the 2015 tournament.

Lower Division Player of the Tournament winner Mitch Hildebrandt and his FC Cincinnati teammate Djiby Fall finished second and third in the voting, respectively. Defender Ike Opara, Melia’s teammate with Sporting KC, finished fourth.

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

Tim Melia celebrates the 2017 US Open Cup championship with his Sporting Kansas City teammates. Photo: Bob Larson

In the locker room after the final, captain Matt Besler talked about Melia’s importance to the club.

“He’s been a rock all year long,” Besler said. “We have had to lean on him for so many games. Tonight was another game we had to lean on him. He is a confident presence back there for us. I’m just very happy for him because he deserves all the credit he is going to get and I just hope he can continue winning championships for us. I hope I can continue playing with him behind me.”

Sporting’s run to the Final began where it would eventually ended. They hosted Minnesota United at Children’s Mercy Park and had no trouble with the MLS expansion side, winning 4-0. The Kansas City backline was so strong that Melia didn’t have to make a single save to earn the shutout.

After a 2-0 road shutout of the Houston Dynamo (2 saves), Kansas City hosted the defending Open Cup champions FC Dallas in the Quarterfinals.

Melia told TheCup.us the biggest moment of the tournament, besides lifting the trophy, was that victory in the quarterfinal.

“For us, the biggest moment was the Dallas game,” Melia said. “We lost Seth (Sinovic) pretty early on … and it was a game that we really had to rally and come together as a team and we were up against it. Dallas is a very good team, a very good attacking team and we shut them down for 120 minutes and ended up opening up the game at the end. I think that was a turning point for us.”

Sinovic was sent off in the 15th minute of the match, receiving a straight red card (the first of his professional career) after tripping Dallas forward Michael Barrios and being ruled to have denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. The match remained scoreless until stoppage time for the first extra time period. Latif Blessing scored twice and Daniel Salloi added a third to power Sporting KC to a 3-0 victory and a berth in the semifinals.

According to Melia, the death of team co-owner Neal Patterson two days before the game provided an extra push.

“Something that we played with a lot of pride after one of our ownership passing away in the middle of that too was important to us,” said Melia, who finished the tournament with six career Open Cup clean sheets.

After giving up a 4th minute goal to Danny Hoesen in the Semifinals, Melia kept the San Jose Earthquakes off the scoresheet for the remaining 116 minutes as the match had to be decided by penalty kicks. Melia only had to make two saves to send Kansas City to the Final and improve his career PK shootout record to 4-0. No goalkeeper in the Modern Era has won more than two Open Cup shootouts in a career.

In the championship game against the New York Red Bulls, Melia made six saves to help Sporting Kansas City lift the trophy, 2-1. Melia would have ended the tournament with a shutout, but after making a late save, Bradley Wright-Phillips pounced on the rebound at close range and cut the lead in half. With the win, Melia won his second Open Cup title (2015) and became just the fourth goalkeeper in the Modern Era to win multiple finals.

Melia’s 13-game unbeaten streak in the Open Cup dates back to the quarterfinal round in 2010, when he was with the Charleston Battery. When asked if he treated cup games differently, he said no.

“It’s the same for every game,” Melia said. “Cup games, I guess there’s a little bit more on the line, there’s that desperation aspect of it that there isn’t, at times, in the regular season. Sometimes, you’re on the road, I mean, you’re taking a 0-0 draw, you’re trying to get some points accumulated, where the cup games are just gotta advance by any means. The score’s irrelevant. Plays are irrelevant. Whatever happens, you’ve just gotta come out on the right side.”

Melia also said his approach is a reflection of the club’s philosophy of taking every tournament seriously.

“We put out our strongest teams at the time that are healthy and in form,” Melia said, “And things like that get really important in the later parts of this tournament.”

With this trophy, Melia became the third goalkeeper in club history (joining Tony Meola and Jimmy Nielsen) to win two major trophies. After the final, manager Peter Vermes was asked about Melia’s legacy with the club.

“Let’s talk about it when he’s done,” Vermes said. “He’s playing really well, that’s what I would say. He’s playing really well. He’s taken such a big step, especially this year. It’s so obvious. And no disrespect to the rest of the goalkeepers in the league, but he has been lights out.”

2017 US Open Cup: FC Cincinnati’s Mitch Hildebrandt voted TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament

October 11, 2017 by Josh Hakala

Mitch Hildebrandt of FC Cincinnati became the first player in the Modern Era of the US Open Cup to earn four shutouts in one tournament. Photo: FC Cincinnati

The 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup was a major coming out party for FC Cincinnati, the latest American soccer success story. The United Soccer League club has gotten the attention of soccer fans around the country by leading the league in attendance and are being talked about as a possible Major League Soccer expansion team.

In just the club’s second year, FC Cincinnati upset two MLS teams en route to an historic run to the Semifinals. One of the main reasons for that accomplishment was the play of goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt. Last year’s USL Goalkeeper of the Year became the first netminder in the Modern Era (1995-present) to earn four shutouts, and he broke the single-tournament shutout streak record by going 464 minutes without allowing a goal. For his performance, the Oakland (Mich.) University product was voted TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament.

The award is voted on by the staff at TheCup.us and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters. Hildebrandt edged out his teammate Djiby Fall, who made history of his own by becoming the first Modern Era player to score four game-winning goals in a single tournament. Also receiving strong support was Christos FC (USASA) goalkeeper Phil Saunders who earned three straight shutouts, including a road upset of the Richmond Kickers (USL).

“It was special,” said Hildebrandt about his team’s run to the Semifinals. “The run through the Open Cup was something very special because that type of run doesn’t happen very often anywhere in the world let alone here in the US. There are club domestic cup competitions all over the world and very rarely does a lower division team make it through that many first division clubs to have a legitimate chance to win.”

Mitch Hildebrandt of FC Cincinnati makes one of his three penalty kick saves against the Chicago Fire in the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Erik Schelkun | FC Cincinnati

Goals were at a premium for FC Cincinnati in the 2017 US Open Cup, leaving a big responsibility to Hildebrandt and his back line. The team needed extra time to escape their opening round game against AFC Cleveland, the defending champion of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). Fall scored the game-winner in the 117th minute as backup goalkeeper Dallas Jaye earned the clean sheet.

Hildebrandt returned to the starting lineup in the next match, a Third Round home game against USL rival Louisville City FC. Fall scored the lone goal early in the second half and Hildebrandt only had to make three saves to earn a second straight 1-0 win.

Round 4 is arguably the most exciting and sought after round in the tournament because Major League Soccer enters the competition. FC Cincinnati was awarded a home game against the Columbus Crew. In front of the biggest crowd to watch a non-Final in the Modern Era (30,160), Fall scored another early second half goal and Hildebrandt made five saves to keep his second straight clean sheet in a 1-0 win.

Hildebrandt had back-to-back shutouts, but it wasn’t until Cincinnati’s Round of 16 home game against the Chicago Fire that he was able to shine on a big stage. The game was broadcast live on ESPN, a rarity for early round Open Cup games, and the FC Cincinnati fans responded by breaking their own record with an announced attendance of 32,287.

Playing against one of the top offensive teams in MLS, Hildebrandt made 10 saves and held the Fire scoreless through 120 minutes. The two teams went to penalty kicks and Mitch saved three of the Fire’s four spot kick attempts to send his club to the Quarterfinals. He was just the ninth goalkeeper in the Modern Era to make three saves in a shootout. For his performance, he was a near-unanimous selection for TheCup.us Player of the Round.

In the Quarterfinals, Hildebrandt faced another top offense in Miami FC, the spring champions of the NASL. For the first time in the 2017 tournament, Cincinnati had to play on the road. Despite having the crowd against them, Fall, Hildebrandt and the defense earned a familiar result. Fall scored an early second half goal and Hildebrandt only had to make three saves to earn another 1-0 victory. One of those three saves came against Player of the Tournament nominee Kwadwo Poku in the final minutes to preserve the win.

In the Semifinals against the New York Red Bulls, FC Cincinnati was back at home at Nippert Stadium in front of another record crowd. With 33,250 fans in the stands, according to TheCup.us records, it marked the second-largest crowd to ever watch a US Open Cup match (the 2011 Final hosted by the Seattle Sounders FC drew 35,615). Djiby Fall had scored all four of Cincinnati’s goals in the tournament but he was suspended due to yellow card accumulation. This led many to speculate that the game would be another defensive battle, but instead of was Cincinnati jumping out to a 2-0 lead with less than 30 minutes remaining. Hildebrandt and the defense kept the Red Bulls off the scoresheet until the 75th minute. Then, in three minutes, Hildebrandt’s record shutout streak, and Cincinnati’s lead were gone. Gonzalo Veron and Bradley Wright-Phillips scored back to back goals to tie the game at 2-2. Wright-Phillips would later score the game-winner in the 101st minute of extra time to deny FC Cincinnati a trip to the championship game.

In the end, FC Cincinnati’s run to the final four was one that fans of the tournament won’t soon forget and Hildebrant’s performance was one for the record books. In addition to his single-tournament shutout streak record, he also clocked 543 minutes of scoreless soccer dating back to last year’s tournament to break the individual shutout streak record set by Jon Conway (473 mins.) with the San Jose Earthquakes from 2000-01.

“Credit goes to the entire team,” said Hildebrandt about his record-breaking performance. “Looking back, obviously to the Chicago match, our guys ran and fought for 120 minutes and people tend to forget that and are blinded by just the ending. But the whole tournament our team battled and defended as a group front to back. I had to make saves when called on but most of the time, considering the teams we were playing, they made my job pretty straight forward.”

2016 US Open Cup: Record-breaking Mauro Diaz ends FC Dallas’ title drought, named TheCup.us Player of the Tournament

October 20, 2016 by Adam Uthe

Mauro Diaz prepares to lift the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup trophy with his FC Dallas teammates. Photo: FC Dallas

When it comes to awards, sometimes you just have to pick the best player from the best team. FC Dallas playmaker Mauro Diaz was comfortably voted TheCup.us Player of the Tournament for the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

With two goals and five assists, Diaz became the first FC Dallas player and the first Argentine to earn Player of the Tournament honors. He is also just the third player to win that award and Player of the Round in the Final; the others were the Chicago Fire’s Andy Herron in 2006 and the New England Revolution’s Pat Noonan in 2007.

The Player of the Tournament award is voted on by the staff at TheCup.us and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters. Diaz was included on almost every ballot and won by a sizable margin with David Accam (Chicago Fire) and TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament winner Diego Restrepo (Fort Lauderdale Strikers) finishing tied for second place.

FC Dallas: 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup champions. Photo: FC Dallas

Diaz secured the latter honor with a stellar five point performance (one goal, three assists) in his team’s comprehensive 4-2 win over the New England Revolution in this year’s final. He also won Player of the Round for the Semifinals when he assisted on the equalizer and the game-winner in the final seconds against the Los Angeles Galaxy. Between those two games alone, he racked up five assists, tying the Modern Era (1995-present) single-tournament record set by Diego Serna of the Miami Fusion in 2000.

The diminutive No.10 for arguably the best team in MLS this season started and went the distance in his side’s Round 4 and Round 5 matchups, scoring a penalty in the shootout in the former against Oklahoma City Energy (USL) and the equalizer in the latter against the Colorado Rapids (MLS). He started in the quarterfinals against rivals Houston Dynamo and almost went the distance before being subbed off in second half stoppage time to help kill time after Dallas took the lead late. In the semifinals, Diaz started and provided the assist on the 116th minute equalizer and the stoppage time winner against the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Diaz saved his best performance for last, breaking the US Open Cup Final record (Modern Era) for most assists (3) and most points (5, one goal and three assists).

“Mauro’s performance tonight was what he has done – it’s a collection of what he’s done here this year,” head coach Oscar Pareja told MLSsoccer.com after the Final. “Mauro showed the heart of this club and he showed the heart of his teammates tonight.”

2016 US Open Cup: Who should be TheCup.us Player of the Tournament?

October 17, 2016 by Josh Hakala

The 103rd edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup wrapped up with FC Dallas lifting the trophy for the second time in club history. But before we shift focus to 2017 US Open Cup qualifying, which is already underway, let’s take a look back at some of the top individual performances from 2016.

Every year, TheCup.us honors the overall and the lower division Player of the Tournament.

Here are a list of nominees for the 2016 TheCup.us Player of the Tournament. The award is voted on by the staff at TheCup.us and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters. But, if YOU had a vote, who would you vote for?

David Accam (Chicago Fire)

David Accam of the Chicgao Fire scored a pair of first half goals to help the home team beat the Columbus Crew, 2-1. Photo: Chicago Fire — David Accam of the Chicago Fire scored a pair of first half goals to help the home team beat the Columbus Crew, 2-1. Photo: Chicago Fire

Round 4: 1-1 home draw (4-3 PK win) vs. Indy Eleven (NASL)
– Started, played 120 minutes and scored a 111th minute equalizer in a 1-1 home draw vs. Indy Eleven (NASL). Accam also scored the winning goal in the PK shootout which the Fire won 4-3

Round 5: 2-1 home win vs. Columbus Crew
– Started, played 69 minutes and scored both goals (7th, 30th mins.) in a 2-1 home win vs. Columbus Crew (MLS). He was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round for his efforts.

Quarterfinals: 3-0 home win vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL)
– Started, played 72 minutes and scored a goal and assisted on another in a 3-0 home win vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL).

Semifinals: 3-1 road loss at New England Revolution (MLS)
– Started, played 90 minutes and scored a 40th minute equalizer in a 3-1 road loss at New England Revolution (MLS).

Mauro Diaz (FC Dallas)

Mauro Diaz of FC Dallas assisted on both extra time goals in the club's 2-1 come-from-behind win in the Semifinals. Photo: FC Dallas — Mauro Diaz of FC Dallas assisted on both extra time goals in the club’s 2-1 come-from-behind win in the Semifinals. Photo: FC Dallas

Round 4: 2-2 home draw (6-5 PK win) vs. Oklahoma City Energy (USL)
– Started and played 120 minutes in a 1-1 home draw vs. Oklahoma City Energy (USL) and scored a PK in the penalty shootout

Round 5: 2-1 OT home win vs. Colorado Rapids (MLS)
– Started and played 120 minutes and scored a 64th minute equalizer in a 2-1 OT home win vs. Colorado Rapids (MLS)

Quarterfinals: 1-0 road win at Houston Dynamo (MLS)
– Started and was subbed out in 2nd half stoppage time in a 1-0 road win at Houston Dynamo (MLS)

Semifinals: 2-1 OT road win at Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
– Started, played 120 minutes and assisted on a 116th min. equalizer and the stoppage time game-winner in a 2-1 OT road win at LA Galaxy (MLS). Diaz was named TheCup.us Player of the Round.

Final: 4-2 home win vs. New England Revolution (MLS)
– Started, played 82 minutes and scored a PK goal and assisted on three other goals in a 4-2 home win vs. New England Revolution (MLS). Five points (1g, 3a) and three assists breaks the Modern Era record for a US Open Cup Final. He was named TheCup.us Player of the Round

Diego Restrepo (Fort Lauderdale Strikers – NASL)

NOTE: Restrepo was voted 2016 TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament.

Diego Restrepo of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers makes a save against Orlando City SC in the Fifth Round of the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Fort Lauderdale Strikers

Round 3: 1-1 draw (2-0 PK win) at home vs. Richmond Kickers (USL)
– Made 3 saves in 120 minutes and then saved 3 of the 4 attempts in the PK shootout (NOTE: It was just the second time in Modern Era that a team was shutout in a PK shootout) – he was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round for his efforts

Round 4: 0-0 draw (4-3 PK win) on the road vs. DC United (MLS)
– Made eight saves in 120 minutes and then made one save in the PK shootout as the Strikers eliminate a MLS team for the first time in club history (Est. 2006). Finished runner-up for TheCup.us Player of the Round by one vote.

Round 5: 2-1 OT win at Orlando City SC (MLS)
– Made eight saves in 120 minutes as the Strikers defeated a MLS team and also won a road game for the first time in club history (Est. 2006)

Quarterfinals: 3-0 loss at Chicago Fire (MLS)
– Made four saves in the losing effort

Je-Vaughn Watson (New England Revolution)

Je-Vaughn Watson celebrates his goal with New England Revolution fans in the Revs' 3-1 win over the Chicago FIre in the 2016 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: David Silverman | New England Revolution — Je-Vaughn Watson celebrates his goal with New England Revolution fans in the Revs’ 3-1 win over the Chicago FIre in the 2016 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: David Silverman | New England Revolution

Round 4: 1-0 OT road win at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
– Did not play

Round 5: 3-2 road win at New York Cosmos (NASL)
– Started and played 90 minutes in a 3-2 road win vs. New York Cosmos

Quarterfinals: 1-1 home draw (4-2 PK win) vs. Philadelphia Union (MLS)
– Started and played 120 minutes, scored a goal, and scored the match-winning PK shootout goal in a 1-1 home draw (4-2 PK win) vs. Philadelphia Union (MLS)

Semifinals: 3-1 home win vs. Chicago Fire (MLS)
– Started and played 87 minutes and scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal in the 42nd minute.

Final: 4-2 road loss at FC Dallas (MLS)
– Started but was subbed out just before halftime.