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Preview

2024 US Open Cup Quarterfinals Preview, Live Video links, history and more

July 8, 2024 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

Photo by LAFC Communications | Graphic by Phil Naegely

After a hectic 10-week run in which 87 teams were eliminated over the first five rounds, the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup returns from a six week “summer vacation” with four Quarterfinal matchups on Tuesday, July 9 and Wednesday, July 10.

Among the eight Quarterfinalists, there are three previous champions (Sporting Kansas City, FC Dallas, Seattle Sounders FC) three USL Championship clubs (Sacramento Republic FC, New Mexico United & Indy Eleven), and a MLS club who have never reached the Open Cup Final (Los Angeles FC). Seattle and Kansas City are also gunning for a fifth Open Cup championship, which would tie the all-time record in the tournament’s 109-year history.

The Quarterfinal winners will advance to the Semifinals which are scheduled to take place the week of Aug. 27-28.

You can find the schedule and results for the Round of 16 and the goalscoring leaders here. You can find a review of every Round 1 game HERE and the Round 2 games HERE and the Round 3 games HERE and the Round 4 games HERE. The Round 5 / Round of 16 review can be found here.

TheCup.us will have reporters at every Quarterfinal game and will be providing live updates on X (Twitter), @USOpenCup.

All Quarterfinal matches will be broadcast live on Apple TV with links provided below.

A full round preview can be found below with video links and detailed info on each team’s 2024 US Open Cup run and history throughout the years.

Tuesday, July 9

Atlanta United FC (MLS)
vs.
Indy Eleven (USL-C)
Fifth Third Bank Stadium – Kennesaw, GA
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO (Apple TV)
Winner plays at FC Dallas or Sporting KC in Semifinals

If there was an award for Comeback Team of the Year, Indy Eleven would be top contenders for 2024. After getting off to a lackluster 1-1-4 start to their USL Championship campaign, and amid word the city was talking to unnamed investors and Don Garber about bringing an MLS club to Indianapolis, Indy Eleven caught fire. Starting with a 1-1 draw at Colorado Springs on April 20, Indy went on a nine-match unbeaten streak, the final eight of which were wins. The streak rocketed Indy up the standings, third behind Louisville City and the Charleston Battery, who were threatening to run away with the Eastern Conference.

Jack Blake leads the Indy offense with eight goals, tied for sixth place in the USL Championship. Augustine Williams (five goals), Douglas Martínez and Sebastián Guenzatti (three goals each) help lead the scoring charge that has Indy fourth in the league with 30 goals. Aedan Stanley, who joined Indy after two seasons with Miami FC, is tied for the league lead in assists with seven.

Atlanta United has had quite an up and down season thus far. A 3-2-2 start was followed by a 1-4-2 stretch. The club then ended June on a four-game unbeaten run, but head into their Open Cup Quarterfinal having lost their last two league games, including a 5-2 pounding from Real Salt Lake. All of this leaves the Five Stripes sitting just outside the Eastern Conference playoffs at 6-10-6.

Five players are largely responsible for Atlanta’s offense. Thiago Almada leads the way with six goals, and Giorgos Giakoumakis, Saba Lobjanidze, Daniel Rios and Jamal Thiaré follow with five goals each. The five players account for 26 of Atlanta’s 31 goals this year. Brooks Lennon leads with six assists, and Lobjanidze adds four helpers to his goal total.

Open Cup Pedigree

Outside of their 2019 title win, Atlanta United’s Open Cup history has been rather ordinary, as they’ve been eliminated after two games in three of their five previous appearances. The last time Atlanta reached the Quarterfinals was during their 2019 championship run. After they needed extra time to beat the Charleston Battery in front of an empty stadium, they beat the Columbus Crew on the road before they defeated Saint Louis FC of the USL Championship 2-0. After shutting out Orlando City on the road, they edged Minnesota United 2-1 in the championship game in front of 35,709 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the largest crowd to ever witness a US Open Cup Final. It was the first time that a Final was held indoors and the first time that a Georgia team had ever lifted the trophy.

In Atlanta’s short Open Cup history, they’ve faced Division 2 opposition just seven times resulting in a 4-2-1 record with the one draw resulting in a PK tiebreaker win. Atlanta’s only loss to a USL Championship foe in the Open Cup came last year in a 2-1 extra time defeat at the hands of Memphis 901 FC.

Open Cup success has been elusive for Indy Eleven, in eight previous appearances the club has lost in their opening game four times and was eliminated in their second game the other four times. Indy only has three Open Cup games against MLS, resulting in a 0-2-1 record, and all three games were on the road.

How they got here

Atlanta had an easy time with Charlotte Independence winning 3-0 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Ga. After a scoreless first half Nick Firmino put United up 2-0 with a brace, and Daniel Rios closed out the scoring near the end of the game. 

Atlanta’s Round of 16 game at the Charleston Battery was significantly more difficult, as the MLS side battled host Charleston to a scoreless draw over 120 minutes before prevailing 5-4 in the penalty kick shootout. Goalkeeper Josh Cohen turned out to be the difference maker for Atlanta, saving Charleston’s final two penalty attempts as Atlanta converted their final five shots.

It was Charleston’s fourth Open Cup elimination at the hands of Atlanta United, having previously been knocked out of the tournament in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Indy Eleven opened its 2024 tournament with a 1-0 win over Chicago Fire II of MLS NEXT Pro. Douglas Martinez scored the lone goal in the 6th minute, and goalkeeper Yannik Oettl (who was a finalist for TheCup.us Player of the Round) kept Chicago out of his goal with 11 saves from 22 shots faced.

Before the Fourth Round, news broke that the city of Indianapolis had been in conversations with Major League Soccer (MLS) about bringing an expansion franchise to the market. This caused plans for “Eleven Park”, a brand new 20,000-seat stadium for the USL side to be halted while the city discussed details of a different plan, tailored to a potential new MLS club with an unnamed group of investors. Despite the drama, Indy Eleven proceeded to eliminate San Antonio FC 2-0 on the strength of goals from Augustine Williams and Jack Blake in the first ten minutes.

Indy Eleven’s Round of 16 against Detroit City FC looked to be their toughest hurdle yet, but it turned out to be the opposite. A 14th minute own goal from DCFC was followed in the first half by scores from Augustine Williams and Ben Ofeimu gave Indy a 3-0 lead at the half. Despite being outshot 17-6, Indy goalkeeper Hunter Sulte made seven saves to keep Detroit off the board and preserve a third straight shutout win with a 3-0 victory, giving Indy Eleven their first quarterfinal appearance in club history. It also marks the first time that a team from Indiana has reached the Quarterfinals since the Indianapolis Inferno did it in 1992.

Atlanta in the Quarterfinals

The city of Atlanta’s first foray into the Quarterfinals came in 1979 when Datagraphic fell to Tampa’s H. Brooks Dodge Chargers 2-1. The Atlanta Wolves became the first Atlanta team to win a Quarterfinal game when they beat the Chargers 5-2 the following year. Datagraphic returned in 1981 and defeated Olympic SC of Louisiana. Soccer City would be Atlanta’s final pre-Modern Era Quarterfinal participant in 1988. Until Atlanta United, the Atlanta Silverbacks were the only Modern Era club to reach the final eight, a 3-1 loss to the Chicago Fire in 2014.

Indianapolis in the Quarterfinals

Indianapolis only has one other appearance in the Quarterfinals, a 2-0 victory by the Indianapolis Inferno over St. Louis’ Scott Gallagher SC.

Atlanta United FC (MLS)
6th US Open Cup appearance (2017-2019, 2022, 2023)
2nd Quarterfinal appearance (2019)
Overall: 9-4-1 (1-0 PK)
Home: 7-2-0
vs. Div. 2: 4-2-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: 2019 US Open Cup champions

Indy Eleven (USL-C)
9th US Open Cup appearance (2014-2019, 2022, 2023)
1st Quarterfinal appearance
Overall: 7-7-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 1-5-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 0-2-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2014, 2016)


Tuesday, July 9

Sacramento Republic FC (USL-C)
vs.
Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
Heart Health Park – Sacramento, CA
Kickoff: 11 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: Apple TV
Winner hosts Los Angeles FC or New Mexico United in Semifinals     

Like Atlanta, Seattle started their season slow, remaining just outside the playoff line. The Sounders then took off in June. After opening the month with a 2-1 loss to Kansas City, Seattle reeled off a five game unbeaten streak which is still ongoing. The hot run has propelled Seattle to sixth place in the Western Conference, although they have just a one point cushion over 10th place Austin FC.

Veterans Jordan Morris and Raul Ruidiaz lead the offense with eight goals each, accounting for over half the Sounders 31 goals this year. Albert Rusnák (10) and Obed Vargas (5) are the club’s assist leaders. Longtime goalkeeper Stefan Frei, who helped the Sounders win their most recent Open Cup title in 2014, has five clean sheets in his 18 games this year.

While Sacramento has been near the top of the USL Western Conference all year, recently they’ve hit a bit of a rough stretch. Their last five games have resulted in a 2-2-1 record, and they’ve only had back-to-back wins once this year. While they have one of the lowest scoring offenses in the USL Championship with just 21 goals in 17 games, their 13 goals conceded is tied for fewest in the league. Leading the defense is longtime goalkeeper Danny Vitiello, who leads the league with eight shutouts. The offense is led by Trevor Amman with eight goals. Amman set the single season goal scoring record for USL League One in 2023 with 23 while with the Northern Colorado Hailstorm.   

Open Cup Pedigree

Sacramento has been the most consistent USL Championship club in recent years, having advanced to a third game in all but one of their eight previous appearances. They are also the last non-MLS club to reach the Final, having done so in 2022. Despite falling short in the 2022 Final, club legend Rodrigo Lopez was voted TheCup.us Player of the Tournament. Sacramento holds a remarkable 20-2-1 (1-1 PK) record in home Open Cup games, including a 14-game unbeaten streak stretching from 2017-2023. However, Republic only have a 5-6-2 (1-1 PKs) record against MLS teams, although their one previous Open Cup game versus Seattle in the 2018 Fourth Round resulted in a 2-1 extra time triumph for Sacramento.(Highlights)

Like Sporting Kansas City, Seattle is entering this year’s Open Cup looking to make history, as they are one championship away from joining Bethlehem Steel, Maccabee AC and the Fall River Marksmen as five time Cup champions. Historically Seattle haven’t played many Division 2 clubs in the Open Cup, with two of their last five encounters ending in defeat to the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2013 and Sacramento Republic in 2018, The loss to the Rowdies stopped an all-time record 22-game unbeaten run in the Open Cup, and prevented Seattle from a possible fourth straight Open Cup title (something no team has ever done).

The last five Open Cup tournaments haven’t been very successful for the Sounders, going “one-and-done” three times, and the other two lasting just two games. Seattle has had four teams in the Open Cup over the years. While Seattle is an impressive 30-4-4 at home in the Open Cup, their road record is a dreadful 8-14-4.

How they got here

Sacramento added yet another win to their impressive home Open Cup record with a 2-0 win over league rivals Monterey Bay FC in the Fourth Round. Kieran Phillips scored a few minutes after a Monterey own goal to set the final score before halftime. For the rest of the game 2022 Player of the Round winner goalkeeper Danny Vitiello kept Monterey off the board with several clearances and big saves.

Sacramento had a flair for the dramatic in their 4-3 extra time win over the San Jose Earthquakes in the Round of 16. Kieran Phillips’ two first half goal wiped out an early 1-0 San Jose lead, then their MLS foes leveled the score with just ten minutes remaining. San Jose jumped in front in the 100th minute, but Luis Rodrigues and Sebastián Herrera came to the rescue for Sacramento with goals in the 106th and 107th minutes. Phillips was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round for his performance in the game.

Seattle had a bit more work on their plate in eliminating Louisville City FC in front of a Seattle-friendly crowd at Starfire Soccer Complex. Up 2-0 midway through the second half on goals from Paul Rothrock and Danny Musovski, Louisville clawed their way back. After a successful penalty kick from Sean Totsch in the 67th minute, Jorge Gonzalez pulled Louisville level in the 89th minute. After 30 minutes of scoreless extra time, goalkeeper Andrew Thomas stepped up in the penalty tiebreaker, saving three attempts from Louisville before converting a PK of his own to win the shootout 5-4. 

Seattle’s Round of 16 game was another nailbiter, as they squeezed past Phoenix Rising 2-1. A 68th minute Alex Roldan penalty kick cancelled out a PK from Phoenix’s Rami Cabral in the first half. With just two minutes remaining, Kalani Kossa-Rienzi ensured Seattle would avoid extra time and penalties this time around with the game winning goal.

Sacramento in the Quarterfinals

The Sacramento Republic are the only team from the California state capital to reach the Quarterfinals in the history of the Open Cup.

Seattle in the Quarterfinals

The city of Seattle’s first Quarterfinal appearance outside of the Sounders came back in 1970, when the Leif Erikson Vikings upset the San Francisco Scots to reach the final eight. The Vikings would lose on aggregate 6-4 to Los Angeles’ Croatian SC. Heidelberg Brewers would match the Vikings’ run in 1971, this time falling to LA’s Yugoslav American SC 3-0 over two legs. The Mitre Eagles (also known as Croatian SC and FOE Eagles #1) would represent Seattle in the final eight numerous times in the 1980s. The Eagles reached the Quarterfinals in 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986 and 1987, with wins coming in 1983 and 1987.

Sacramento Republic FC (USL-C)
8th US Open Cup appearance (2014-2019, 2022, 2023)
2nd Quarterfinal appearance
Overall: 22-7-2 (1-1 PK)
Home: 20-2-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. MLS: 5-6-2 (1-1 PK)
Best finish: Runner-Up (2022)

Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
26th US Open Cup appearance (1995-1997, 1999-2003, 2005-2019, 2022, 2023)
12th Quarterfinal appearance (7th in MLS)
Overall: 38-18-8 (5-3 PK) | 23-7-6 (4-2 PK) as MLS
Away: 8-14-4 (2-2 PK) | 4-5-3 (2-1 PK) as MLS
vs. Div. 2: 6-3-3 (2-1 PK) | 5-2-1 (1-0 PK) as MLS
Best finish: Champions (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014)

Wednesday, July 10

Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
vs.
FC Dallas (MLS)
Children’s Mercy Park – Kansas City, KS
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: Apple TV
Winner hosts FC Dallas or Sporting KC in Semifinals

Of the eight teams left in the running for the 2024 US Open Cup, Sporting Kansas City is the one club whose only hope for a trophy likely rests in winning the Open Cup. Currently 11 points adrift from a spot in the MLS playoffs, KC is anchored at the bottom of the MLS Western Conference with only the San Jose Earthquakes keeping them out of last place.

Despite Kansas City’s miserable season, the club ranks 12th overall in MLS in goals scored. Led by Will Agada’s five goals, eight other players have tallied two or more goals this year. Memo Rodriguez leads the way with five assists, and nine other players have at least two assists. Johnny Russell and Erik Thommy are also key players in the offense with four goals and three assists each. KC’s problem lies with their defense, allowing 46 goals in 22 games, second-worst in the league. Kansas City have allowed two or more goals in 13 games this season.

The fortunes for FC Dallas are a little bit better than KC, currently 11th in the MLS Western Conference and only five points out of a playoff spot. Dallas’ goalscoring nearly matches KC with 30 on the year, led by Petar Musa who sits just outside the league top 10 with 10 goals. Jesus Ferreira has four goals and four assists, one assist behind team leader Sebastien Lletget.

Dallas will look to overcome its Open Cup curse against Kansas City, having lost all five Cup games the clubs have faced off in (see below). This is also the second game this week the pair have faced each other in, having met in an MLS contest on July 7, although it’s tough to judge anything from that game as both teams elected to rest many of their regulars in anticipation of their Open Cup clash. For the record, Kansas City won the game 3-2.

Open Cup Pedigree

Initially known as the Kansas City Wiz, then the Kansas City Wizards, and now Sporting Kansas City, along with the Chicago Fire and Seattle Sounders, are on the cusp of joining Bethlehem Steel, Maccabee AC and the Fall River Marksmen as five-time Open Cup champions. After a slow first few years, KC hit their stride in the Open Cup, and since 2002 they’ve never gone more than two years between reaching at least the Quarterfinals. Sporting is also 7-2-3 against Division 2 opponents, with their last outright loss coming to the Minnesota Thunder in the 2005 Quarterfinals. Sporting are 16-11-3 (3-0 PKs) against MLS clubs but are on an eight-game Open Cup home winning streak, and a 14-game home unbeaten streak going back to 2014. KC’s last Open Cup home loss was a 3-1 defeat by the Portland Timbers in the 2014 Fifth Round.

For much of their Open Cup history FC Dallas has been one of the most successful MLS clubs, having reached at least the Quarterfinals 16 times, reaching the Final four times, and winning the Cup in 1997 and 2016. This year will mark the 17th trip to the Quarterfinals for FC Dallas, which is tied with St. Louis’ Kutis SC for the most in the history of the tournament (dating back to 1913). Since the 2016 title, Dallas reached the quarters in 2017 followed by three consecutive exits after two games and a 2-0 loss to Nashville SC in their opening game last year. Dallas’ record against fellow MLS clubs is less than stellar at 13-15-3 (2-1 in PKs). Their last win versus an MLS team in the Open Cup was a 3-1 home triumph over the Colorado Rapids in the 2017 Fifth Round.

How they got here

In their rematch from the 2022 Quarterfinals, Sporting Kansas City narrowly avoided a penalty shootout with Union Omaha, snatching a 2-1 win at the end of extra time. Omaha held a 1-0 lead at halftime, but Marinos Tzionis equalized for SKC just after the break. The teams battled through over 70 more minutes of scoreless play and just as it looked like a penalty shootout was necessary, Alan Pulido snuck a shot by Omaha goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu from the top of the penalty area to give Sporting the win.

In the Round of 16, KC dominated FC Tulsa 4-0 at home. Felipe Hernández scored on both sides of halftime and Stephen Afrifa and Marinos Tzionis provided the other goals as Sporting outshot Tulsa 34-3.

Dallas eased past Memphis 901 FC 1-0 in the Fourth Round. Logan Farrington’s first goal as a professional in the 73rd minute was all that was needed for Dallas to move on.

In the Round of 16, Dallas travelled to St. Petersburg, Fla. to battle the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL Championship and came away 2-1 winners. Goalkeeper Maarten Paes was peppered with 30 shots and made eight saves. Patrickson Delgado and Logan Farrington provided Dallas with goals in the first half and the Rowdies were kept off the board until Joshua Perez converted a penalty in the 85th minute for the home team.

Previous Open Cup Meetings

Kansas City and Dallas have met five times in the Open Cup, all of them home games for KC and each game won outright by Kansas City (no penalty shootouts). In addition, after the first three wins in 2004, 2015, and 2017, KC went on to win the Open Cup. Out of Open Cup matchups between the same two teams of four games or more, Kansas City isn’t the only teams who are undefeated. FC Dallas has swept all four meetings with the Colorado Rapids and the Chicago Fire have eliminated their rival Columbus Crew in all six of their meetings (that includes the 1998 Final)

Aug. 4, 2004 – Kansas City Wizards 4-0 Dallas Burn

The first Open Cup meeting between Dallas and Kansas City came in the 2004 Quarterfinals when both teams were still known as Kansas City Wizards and the Dallas Burn. After a scoreless opening half, KC broke the game open with four goals in the second half. Chris Klein (52’), Davy Arnaud (57’), Justin Detter (73’), and Alex Zotinca (88’) provided the scoring, with Arnaud providing an assist on Detter’s goal. Kansas City would go on to win their first Open Cup title with a 1-0 win over the Chicago Fire. Highlights

July 1, 2015 – Sporting Kansas City 6-2 Dallas Burn

Eleven years later the clubs would meet in the Fifth Round, and Dallas’ fortunes did not improve. Dom Dwyer exploded for four goals (5’, 30’, 41’, 69’) and Krisztian Nemeth added two more (45’+, 59’) as KC jumped out to a 5-0 lead in an eventual 6-2 victory. Michael Barrios (61’) and Kellyn Acosta (73’) netted consolation goals for Dallas. Just as they did in 2004, Sporting went on to win the Open Cup over the Philadelphia Union on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

July 11, 2017 – Sporting Kansas City 3-0 (aet) Dallas Burn

Dallas came into the 2017 quarterfinal contest as defending Open Cup champions, making this loss a bitter pill to swallow. KC were reduced to 10 men in the 15th minute when defender Seth Sinovic drew a straight red card. KC held on for a scoreless draw to force extra time. In the 101st minute Dallas’ Max Urruti was sent off for his second yellow card when his attempted bicycle kick struck KC defender Ike Opara in the head, resulting in Opara being stretchered off the field. In the vast amount of stoppage time because of Opara’s injury, Latif Blessing scored twice to put KC in firm control, In between Blessing’s goals, Dallas’s Javie Morales wassent off for pulling down Benny Feilhaber on a breakaway. Daniel Salloi scored the third and final goal in the 118th minute. KC would go on to win their fourth Open Cup title oner the New York Red Bulls 2-1. Highlights

June 16, 2018 – Sporting Kansas City 3-2 Dallas Burn

The closest of the five games took place in the Fifth Round of the 2018 tournament, when the teams traded the lead twice before KC’s late game winner. Carlos Gruezo put Dallas ahead in the 18th minute, only for Daniel Salloi to knot it up just before halftime. Salloi netted his second goal in the 66th minute, and eleven minutes later Roland Lamah answered for Dallas to level the score at 2-2. As extra time loomed, Yohan Croizet won the game for KC in the 89th minute. Unlike the previous three wins, KC did not go on to win the Open Cup, but instead were eliminated in the Quarterfinals by 4-2 by the Houston Dynamo, the eventual 2018 champions.

May 10, 2022 – Sporting Kansas City 4-2 (aet) Dallas Burn

The two clubs took part in another classic in the 2022 Fourth Round. Dallas jumped out to a 2-0 halftime lead on goals from Franco Jara (8’) and Edwin Munjoma (34’). Nikola Vujnovic cut the lead in half in the 60th minute, but Dallas appeared as though they would finally break their dry spell against KC in the Open Cup, but things fell apart in second half stoppage time. Dallas’ Jose Martinez was sent off in the seventh minute of stoppage time, and soon after Marinos Tzionis headed home a corner kick from Remi Walter to tie the game and force extra time. Four minutes into extra time disaster struck again for Dallas, as a shot blocked by goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer rebounded off the back of defender Edwin Cerrillo for an own goal. Khiry Shelton would ice the game in the 113th minute with KC’s fourth goal. Highlights

Kansas City in the Quarterfinals

Outside of sporting Kansas City’s success the city of Kansas City doesn’t have much quarterfinal history in the Open Cup. The only other appearance of a Kansas City team this deep in the tournament came in 1988, when a team called Udinese fell to St. Louis’ Busch Soccer Club 4-0. Udinese was the adult team of a club that fielded many youth teams in the Kansas City area.

Dallas in the Quarterfinals

The city of Dallas was first represented in the Quarterfinals in 1985 by Mean Green, founded by alumni of North Texas State University. The club would soon become one of the more successful teams in the country, making six appearances in the Quarterfinals as well as winning the National Amateur Cup in 1984 and 1988. Over its history the team switched a few times from Dallas Express, Dallas Inter, and even FC Dallas in 1989. From 1991-1994 the Dallas Rockets of the USISL reached the Quarterfinals four years in a row.

Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
24th US Open Cup appearance (1996-1998, 200-2006, 2008-2019, 2022, 2023)
11th Quarterfinal appearance
Overall: 34-16-7 (4-3 PK)
Home: 25-7-2 (2-0 PK)
vs. MLS : 16-11-3 (3-0 PK)
Best finish: Champions (2004, 2012, 2015, 2017)

FC Dallas (MLS)
25th US Open Cup appearance (1996-2008, 2011-2019, 2022, 2023)
17th Quarterfinal appearance (Tied for all-time lead)
Overall: 38-21-6 (5-1 PK)
Away: 15-14-2 (2-0 PK)
vs. MLS: 13-15-3 (2-1 PK)
Best finish: Champions (1997, 2016)

Wednesday, July 10

Los Angeles FC (MLS)
vs.
New Mexico United (USL-C)
BMO Stadium – Los Angeles, CA
Kickoff: 11 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: Apple TV
Winner plays at Seattle Sounders FC or Sacramento Republic FC in Semifinals

Unlike the other Quarterfinal matchups that feature at least one team fighting for the playoff lives, this encounter is a showdown of first place clubs. New Mexico United, first place in the USL Championship Western Conference, travels to California to face Los Angeles FC, leaders of the MLS Western Conference.

While New Mexico comes in with a slim +3 goal difference in league play, United have won four of their last five games. Head coach Eric Quill is off to an incredible start in his first full season with the club, having taken over from Zach Prince at mid-season last year. Greg Hurst leads the way with seven of New Mexico’s 23 goals on the year and goalkeeper Alex Tambakis has recorded five clean sheets. Despite holding an 7-0-0 record at home, United are just 4-4-1 on the road this year.

LAFC have been near the top of the table all season, and currently hold a 13-4-4 mark. LA’s offense and defense are among the best in MLS, their 43 goals scored is good for 3rd best in the league, and the 24 goals allowed 3rd fewest. Their one-two punch of Denis Bouanga (14 goals) and Mateusz Bogusz (12 goals) rank near the top of the MLS leaders. The pair also lead the team in assists with nine (Bouanga) and six (Bogusz). Veteran goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is second in MLS with eight clean sheets. LAFC got a bit of a break this week, as their MLS game at Houston this past Sunday was postponed due to the arrival of Hurricane Beryl.

Open Cup Pedigree

New Mexico’s best Open Cup performance came in their initial appearance in 2019, reaching the Quarterfinals by knocking off USL championship rivals Phoenix Rising and Colorado Springs Switchbacks, then upsetting the Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas before falling to Minnesota United in the Quarterfinals.

LAFC made a splash in their inaugural Open Cup appearance in 2018, reaching the Semifinals where they were ousted by the Houston Dynamo on penalties after a 3-3 draw. Since then, a Quarterfinal finish in 2019 is the deepest LAFC has gone, getting eliminated by “El Trafico” rivals LA Galaxy in 2022 & 2023. LAFC are 5-0-1 (1-0 PK) against USL/USL Championship clubs and have only ever played MLS or USL Div. 2 teams in their 14 Open Cup games.

How they got here

In the Third Round, a pesky Lubbock Matadors (NPSL) hung with New Mexico United for 58 minutes, then in the blink of an eye were down 3-0 when Harry Swartz, Daniel Bruce and Mukwelle Akale all scored in the span of four minutes for New Mexico on their way to a 3-1 victory.

In the Fourth Round, New Mexico pulled off the unexpected, knocking off MLS Western Conference leader Real Salt Lake 4-2. Zico Bailey opened the scoring with goals in the 17th and 19th minutes, earning him TheCup.us’ Player of the Round award. After trading goals in the first half, RSL closed the gap to one just after halftime, but Jacobo Reyes slammed the door shut with his 85th minute goal.

In the Round of 16, New Mexico ended the Cinderella dreams of the only Division 3 team remaining in the tournament, travelling to Queens, NY to eliminate MLS NEXT Pro’s New York City FC II 3-0. New Mexico took control after a scoreless second half, getting goals from Avionne Flanagan (50’), Talen Maples (65’) and Anthony Herbert (86’). Marco Micaletto provided assists on the first two goals.

LAFC kicked off their tournament in the Fourth Round, putting away the Las Vegas Lights 3-1. After the teams traded goals early in the second half, Cristian Olivera came through with a pair of scores in the 70th minute and stoppage time.

In the Round of 16, LAFC had little trouble with Loudoun United, defeating the USL Championship club 3-0. Timothy Tillman opened the scoring in the 8th minute and Cristian Olivera and Tomas Angel added second half goals.

New Mexico in the Quarterfinals

The state of New Mexico’s only other Quarterfinal appearance came in 1991, when the New Mexico Chiles of the SISL (now USL) defeated Strikers SC of Los Angeles 5-0. Enrique Serrano and Vlade Stanojevic each scored a pair of goals and Brook Miller added one more.

Los Angeles in the Quarterfinals

Clubs from Los Angeles have been a fixture in the Open Cup Quarterfinals since teams from the area began Open Cup play in 1954. Up until 1979 the team that won the Southern California qualifying tournament was guaranteed a spot in the final eight, thus teams from the Southland have made 49 Quarterfinal appearances, led by the LA Galaxy with 13, followed by Maccabee AC with 8, Los Angeles Kickers, LA Exiles and LAFC with three apiece.

Los Angeles FC (MLS)
5th US Open Cup appearance (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023)
3rd Quarterfinal appearance
Overall: 9-3-2 (1-1 PK)
Home: 7-2-0
vs. Div. 2: 5-0-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: Semifinals (2018)

New Mexico United (USL-C)
4th US Open Cup appearance (2019, 2022, 2023)
2nd Quarterfinal appearance
Overall: 8-3-2 (2-0 PK)
Away: 3-3-2 (2-0 PK)
vs. Div. 3: 1-0-0
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2019)

Filed Under: 2024 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, Featured Post - Main, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central Tagged With: 2024 US Open Cup, Preview

2023 US Open Cup Round 2 Day 1 Preview: Action resumes on Tuesday with 10 games

April 4, 2023 by Josh Hakala

The Houston Dynamo lift the trophy after winning the 2018 US Open Cup title. Photo: Houston Dynamo

The Houston Dynamo lift the trophy after winning the 2018 US Open Cup title. Photo: Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo lift the trophy after winning the 2018 US Open Cup title. Photo: Houston Dynamo

After a first round that saw the final game go all the way to 10 rounds of penalty kicks, we’re finally ready to get started with all of the lower division professional teams joining the competition. Even though one match was deemed a forfeit after Rochester NY FC folded before the season started, there are still have 29 matches over the next week to get through to decide who will join 18 lower seeded MLS sides in the Third Round, 10 of which will be played today. Four professional sides will make their US Open Cup debut today in the 10 matches to be played on April 4. 

Below you will find the 10 games being played today with links to each broadcast, if available.


TUESDAY, APRIL 4

Lansdowne Yonkers FC (USASA/EPSL) at Hartford Athletic (USL-C)
Trinity Health Stadium – Hartford, CT
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: YouTube

By Jake Sillick @sportzfrk

Hartford Athletic host storied amateur side Lansdowne Yonkers tonight in a match that Hartford hopes is their first win of the 2023 season. Lansdowne will hope to continue their cup run for their first appearance in the Third Round since 2016.

Hartford is making just their third Open Cup appearance and has gone 1-1-0 in both tournament runs in 2019 and 2022. In the 2019 edition, Hartford would defeat New York Cosmos B in the Second Round by a score of 2-1 before falling in the Third Round to fellow USL Championship side Memphis 901, 4-0. The 2022 tournament started with a 3-1 victory over Oyster Bay United before losing to New York Red Bulls 2-1 in the Third Round.

This season has not started well for Hartford with a 0-2-2 record placing them in 10th place currently in the Eastern Conference. This includes a season opening 5-3 loss at Monterey Bay F.C. and a home defeat to Birmingham Legion 0-1.

Lansdowne Yonkers went through 4 grueling rounds of qualifying to get to the tournament proper this year, defeating storied teams like New York Greek American on their road. Their tournament proper started in Hartford as well, where in the first round they defeated Hartford City FC, 2-1.

Lansdowne currently sit in second place in the EPSL Metropolitan Conference with a 11-1-1 record, second to New York Greek American.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Lansdowne Yonkers FC (USASA/EPSL)
4th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-3-1 (1-0 PK)
Away: 3-3-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. Div. 2: 0-1-0
Best finish: Third Round (2016)

Hartford Athletic (USL-C)
3rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-2-0
Home: 2-1-0
vs. Amateurs: 2-0-0
Best finish: Third Round (2019, 2022)


Jacksonville Armada FC U-23s (NPSL) at Miami FC (USL-C)
FIU Soccer Stadium – Miami, FL
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: YouTube

By Shana Kerby

Miami FC of the USL Championship will open Round 2 of the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup at home against the NPSL’s Jacksonville Armada Under-23s. Both teams look to continue their cross-league rivalry and will compete for a potential matchup with a MLS side in the next round.

The Armada advance to face Miami FC after a dramatic first round win against Miami United. That match saw a red card for the Armada, 120 minutes of open play, 10 rounds of penalty kicks, and a penalty conversion to win the whole thing by the Armada’s starting goalkeeper, Nicklas Rulle. Notably, Nicklas Rulle also went on to be voted TheCup.us Player of the Round, voted on by TheCup.us staff, for his efforts. The Armada will be looking for goals from last year’s top scorer, Eduardo Coimbra, Tuesday night before their regular season opener later this month against Tallahassee SC.

The match against the Armada serves as Miami FC’s debut in the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and a win would see them advance for the third straight tournament. Their league record is currently 0-1-3, leaving them 9th in league standings, but all their matches have had tight margins – their last against Memphis 901 FC was razor thin at a 1-1 final score. American forward Kyle Murphy and midfielder Florian Valot will both be looking to add to their score tallies.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Jacksonville Armada FC U-23s (NPSL)
4th US Open Cup appearance
NOTE: Pro team entered 4 times
Overall: 2-3-1 (1-0 PK)
Away: 1-2-0
vs. Div. 2: 0-2-0
Best finish: Second Round (2012, 2014, 2017)

Miami FC (USL-C)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 7-5-0
Home: 5-5-0
vs. Amateurs: 4-2-0
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2017)


Memphis 901 FC (USL-C) at One Knoxville SC (USL-1)
Regal Soccer Stadium – Knoxville, TN
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: YouTube

By Jordan Beech

Regal Soccer Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, will play host to the action on Tuesday night as Memphis 901 FC takes on One Knoxville SC in Second Round action. Regardless of the outcome, club history will be made.

Memphis will be looking to secure their first-ever road triumph in Open Cup play, as well as first win over a third division side in tournament action. It’s been four years since Memphis has tasted victory in tournament play, but in 2019 they secured wins over New York Red Bulls U-23s and Hartford Athletic to reach the Fourth Round. Last year, Memphis finished second in the Western Conference in the regular season with a 21-8-5 record. They would fall in the Conference Semifinals 1-0 to the Tampa Bay Rowdies. They’ve been off to a tough start to the 2023 season, as they have yet to taste victory in their first three games (0-2-1). In their last outing they finished with a 1-1 draw against Miami FC this past Saturday.

One Knoxville will be making their debut in the Open Cup. After a successful stint in USL League Two during the 2022 season in which they made it all the way to the conference finals after winning the South Central Division. Knoxville made the jump to USL League One for the 2023 season; however, their debut match in their new league was postponed this past weekend.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Memphis 901 FC (USL-C)
3rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-2-0
Away: 0-1-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-1-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2019)

One Knoxville SC (USL-1)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 2: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A


Gold Star Detroit (NISA) at Detroit City FC (USL-C)
Keyworth Stadium – Hamtramck, MI
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Bleacher Report

By Dan Vaughn (@TheDanVaughn)

When Gold Star Detroit launched late in 2022, their coach Alex Lubyansky talked about making the Open Cup one his club’s big priorities. He went so far as saying it was his goal to win the Cup in the next five years. Of course, there’s a lot on Lybyansky’s plate at the moment.

Entering NISA play over the weekend, Gold Star took a 3-0 loss at Chattanooga FC. The Detroit club’s offense didn’t look entirely inept against CFC, but certainly wasn’t up to the challenge of the best club in the Division 3 league. But Gold Star’s opening match in the USOC isn’t against a D3 opponent.

Detroit City hasn’t got off to the run it hoped this season in the USL Championship, only getting points in a lone win against El Paso Locomotive. Out of the three losses in their 1-3-0 record, all of them were by a single goal. Regardless, DCFC will be up for this USOC opening match at Keyworth against an expansion club in Detroit. Their match could give them some momentum with a loud crowd behind them. They are also hoping to build on last year’s Open Cup run. In their first tournament as a professional team, they played three home games and defeated local rival Michigan Stars FC (NISA) 3-0, and pulled off the club’s greatest victory with a 2-1 win over the Columbus Crew (MLS). Their best cup run would end against fellow USL Championship side Louisville City FC in a penalty kick shootout.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Gold Star Detroit (NISA)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 2: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Detroit City FC (USL-C)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-2-5 (2-3 PK)
Home: 2-0-3 (1-2 PK)
vs. Div. 3: 1-0-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2022)


Manhattan SC (USL-2) at Flower City Union (NISA)
Rochester Community Sports Complex – Rochester, NY
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Eleven Sports

By Dan Vaughn (@TheDanVaughn)

Manhattan SC snuck into the second round of the Cup, thanks to a goal in extra time by William Lulka in a 2-1 win over amateur side FC Motown. The USL League Two side now gets to face a very upgraded Flower City Union (NISA) side. While FCU debut season in NISA was a bit of a disaster, finishing 2-18-3, the 2023 version should be significantly improved. Despite the difficult league season, they did manage to pick up a win in their Open Cup debut on the road with only 10 men. They beat USL League Two side Western Mass Pioneers 1-0 in extra time. They would get their first taste of MLS opposition, falling at home to D.C. United 3-0.

Manhattan won’t begin league play until May, but last year, they qualified for the 2023 US Open Cup for the first time by winning the Metropolitan Division with a 12-2-0 record. Flower City kicked off its regular season NISA schedule this past weekend with a 1-0 loss to Maryland. Even with the added firepower of last year’s NISA golden boot runner-up, Alioune Diakhate (formerly of Indy Eleven and ALBION San Diego), FCU couldn’t put a goal into the net. Not that they didn’t try. In fact, the offense looked smooth at times, with players interchanging and progressing the ball. Will it be enough to win a Second Round match against a well-rested USL-2 side?

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Manhattan SC (USL-2)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Flower City Union (NISA)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-1-0
Home: 0-1-0
vs. Amateurs: 1-0-0
Best finish: Third Round (2022)


Nona FC (USL-2) at Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL-C)
Al Lang Stadium – St. Petersburg, FL
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: NONE

By James Knowles (@RBLRSports)

The Rowdies come into this Open Cup game off the back of one their worst starts to a season in recent memory. The Green and Gold drew their first two matches of the year 1-1, before dropping their second two by a combined score of 5-0. The team is certainly on a skid and will be looking to turn things around.

Coming into their Open Cup game on Tuesday, the return of Lewis Hilton will bolster the Rowdies. He is a tough competitor who has been the heart of the midfield for the last several years now. Hilton playing against Nona FC is very likely, as he’ll still need to up his game-time fitness.

Tampa Bay needs a win in 2023 and will look to get that against a USL League 2 club two divisions beneath them. Orlando-based Nona FC are likely to have some talent that can create dangerous chances, a former Pittsburgh Riverhound and a former USF Bull in William Eyang and Gabrielle Privitera, respectively, and will try to trouble a back line of professionals. Nona FC kicked off their opening season in USL-2 with a 12-1-1 record and running away with the Southeast Division title. They would suffer an upset in their first playoff game, As the top-seed, they were upset 2-1 by the No. 8 seed West Virginia United.

Nona FC began their inaugural cup run playing against another Orlando-based club as they edged Club de Lyon, 1-0. William Eyang scored the lone goal in the opening minute and they managed to hang on for the win despite playing the final 26 minutes down a man after Jeferson Junior received his second yellow card.

Neil Collins will be hoping his lineup can use this game to improve their sharpness and cut out the silly mistakes that have plagued it so far. With team talisman Leo Fernandes missing the whole season through injury, Cal Jennings and JJ Williams will want to get their names on the scoresheet for the first time this year. Look to the Rowdies fullbacks to be heavily involved, whipping in crosses for them to head home. Also look to the aforementioned Hilton to be spraying passes out wide from where the attacks are likely to be initiated.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Nona FC (USL-2)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Away: 1-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL-C)
11th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 8-10-0
Home: 5-1-0
vs. Amateurs: 5-0-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2013, 2016)


Savannah Clovers FC (NISA) at Charleston Battery (USL-C)
Patriots Point Soccer Stadium – Mount Pleasant, SC
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: NONE

By Forrest Wimberly @soccer_forrest

A new Lowcountry rivalry will be born as NISA expansion Savannah Clovers pay a visit to USL Championship Charleston Battery in the second round of the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The contrast between the two sides could not be any greater as it matches the new kids on the block versus one of the most successful lower-division professional franchises in the country with a rich history in the tournament.

The Battery has enjoyed over 20 years of US Open Cup success and have claimed several major “cupsets” in front of huge Palmetto state home crowds since their tournament debut in 1999.  Highlights for the Battery include wins over DC United (1999), Metrostars (2001), and San Jose Earthquakes (2013) over this stretch.  Recent results, however, have gone against the Battery as the weather has not cooperated with the hosts forcing delays and rescheduled matches versus South Georgia Tormenta (2022) and Atlanta United (2019) where the Battery were bounced from the Cup.

New head coach Ben Pirmann leads the Battery in 2023 and the reigning USL Coach of the Year has built a potent roster of strong returners along with some proven newcomers to entertain the crowds inside Patriots Point stadium.  Leading scorer Augustine Williams from 2022 as well as veteran defenders Leland Archer and AJ Patterson anchor the core of returning players while Trey Muse, Chris Allan, Emilio Ycaza, and Nick Markanich will look to add their mark to the 2023 campaign.  Teenager Fidel Barajas is another player to watch as the 16-year-old bagged his first professional goal versus Tampa Bay to push the Battery’s record to 2-0-1 after three games played.

The Clovers in their previous amateur seasons in the UPSL never qualified for the US Open Cup before making the jump to the professional ranks this spring in the NISA.  Clovers’ Head Coach David Proctor has been busy this spring building a roster of players from around the globe and a couple of players with previous ties to the Battery made the team in Savannah.

Goalkeeper Jack Pondy and forward Joel Bunting were the first two signings for the Clovers and they will make their return to the Patriots Point pitch this time wearing the visitor’s kit.  Other notable signings include Ahdan Tait (former Michigan Stars), Alex Ierides (former Jacksonville Armada U-23), and Yakov Pomozov (former Sochi FC, Russia).  Adding to this core group will be recently graduated collegiate soccer players from all levels of the US system to build this inaugural Clovers’ roster.  The Clovers made their NISA professional debut hosting the Michigan Stars on April 1st looking to put all the individual pieces together. That game would finish in a 1-1 draw.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Savannah Clovers FC (NISA)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 2: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Charleston Battery (USL-C)
22nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 34-18-7 (4-3 PK)
Home: 26-7-5 (2-3 PK)
vs. Div. 3: 5-2-0
Best finish: Runner-Up (2008)


Club de Lyon (NISA) at San Antonio FC (USL-C)
Toyota Stadium – San Antonio, TX
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: YouTube

By Jordan Beech

Two teams setting off on their 2023 Open Cup journey will take the field Tuesday night in San Antonio, Texas. While San Antonio FC are well acquainted with Open Cup play, Club de Lyon of NISA will be making their debut in the storied Cup competition.

Club de Lyon, out of Orlando, Florida, enjoyed an incredibly successful year in 2022, winning the Florida Region championship in the NISA Nation league while also going undefeated in the UPSL. Lyon are still working to get their legs under them this season, with a 1-0 loss to LA Force last Friday marking their first action of the year. The challenge for Club de Lyon is that the club qualified out of the tournament’s Open Division Local qualifying tournament. This cup tied their roster to the CDL’s amateur roster in NISA Nation. Then once the team announced that they were joining NISA, many of the players that would likely have moved up to join the professional roster, were already cup tied to the amateur team. So it will be interesting to see what kind of roster Club de Lyon is able to put together. Their amateur side lost their opening round game to Nona FC, 1-0.

On the other side of the pitch, San Antonio FC will be making their sixth Open Cup appearance. The reigning USL Championship champions have been excellent on their home turf in Cup play, posting a 4-1-1 record. Last season, the club matched their best performance in the tournament, advancing to the Fourth Round for the third time in club history. This run was highlighted by the club’s first-ever win over a MLS team, as they defeated Austin FC 2-1 in extra time.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Club de Lyon (NISA)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 2: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

San Antonio FC (USL-C)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 7-4-2 (1-1 PK)
Home: 4-1-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2016, 2018, 2022)


UDA Soccer (UPSL) at New Mexico United (USL-C)
Rio Rancho High School – Rio Rancho, NM
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: YouTube

By Andrew Mosier

For the first time in Open Cup history, two teams from New Mexico will face off in the tournament proper when New Mexico United (USL Championship) face Open Cup debutants, UDA Soccer at New Mexico State University (USPL) in the second round in Albuquerque.

New Mexico United are 3-2-2 in two appearances in Open Cup play. In 2019, the club’s inaugural year, the club advanced to the Quarterfinals. The first-year club played all five Open Cup matches on the road, beating fellow USL Championship sides Phoenix Rising in penalty kicks, and Colorado Springs Switchbacks 2-1 in extra time, followed by shocking wins over MLS sides Colorado Rapids in penalties, and FC Dallas 2-1 before falling in the quarters at Minnesota United, 6-1. In 2022, United walked past amateurs Las Vegas Legends (NPSL) 5-0 before falling to Phoenix Rising in the Third Round, 2-1.

United are 1-1-0 in the USL Championship league play this year, opening the season with a 1-0 win at Miami FC before falling by the same score at Oakland Roots. Justin Portillo scored the club’s only goal in the early season from the penalty spot in the win over Miami.

UDA Soccer at New Mexico State University (UPSL) are the second team affiliated with a college or university to qualify for the tournament proper in the modern era of the Open Cup (BYU 2006, 2007, 2015), and the only affiliated club to advance to the second round. UDA advanced to round two with a 1-0 over USL League Two side Park City Red Wolves. Jose Puente scored in the 78th minute from the penalty spot to put UDA through.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

UDA Soccer (UPSL)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 2: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

New Mexico United (USL-C)
3rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-2-2 (2-0 PK)
Home: 1-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 1-0-0
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2019)


El Farolito (NPSL) at Oakland Roots (USL-C)
CSUEB Pioneer Stadium – Hayward, CA
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Bleacher Report

By Abel Anguiano

“El Faro” is back in the US Open Cup. They have made a couple of appearances in the last six years, but they are most remembered for their championship run in 1993, when they won the Cup under then-name CD Mexico. This week, they face a Bay Area powerhouse in Oakland Roots.

El Farolito advanced from the first round after taking down International San Francisco by a score of 3-0. After going 0-0 for the first 90 minutes, El Faro went into extra time hot, scoring two goals in the first nine minutes. Cesar Benitez sealed the deal in minute 113 to make it three over the SFSFL debutants.

The Roots, on the other hand, will be making their 2023 Cup debut. After uncertainty regarding whether they can play on their home field, they settled for CSU East Bay’s Pioneer Stadium, which is where they played their first “home” game in this season’s USL.

For Bay Area soccer fans, a treat is in store Tuesday and Thursday.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

El Farolito (NPSL)
3rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-1-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 1-0-0
vs. Div. 2: 0-1-0
Best finish: 1993 US Open Cup champion (as CD Mexico)
Best finish (Modern Era): Second Round (2022)

Oakland Roots (USL-C)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-1-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2022)

 

Filed Under: 2023 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, Featured Post - Main, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central Tagged With: 2023 US Open Cup, Preview

2022 US Open Cup Round 4: Previews, ESPN+ links for all 16 games

May 10, 2022 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

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

The Fourth Round of the 2022 U.S. Open Cup kicks off this week with 16 games, six on Tuesday and the remaining 10 on Wednesday.

The final two amateur clubs (FC Motown, North Carolina Fusion U-23s) were eliminated in the Third Round, meaning there are no more clubs alive that entered in the First Round. FC Motown became the first club to claim prize money, as they were awarded $25,000 as the Open Division team that advanced the furthest (winning the tiebreaker over North Carolina Fusion).

#USOC2022 Essentials

2022 US Open Cup Results/Schedule
2022 US Open Cup Statistical Leaders
2022 US Open Cup Qualifying Results

Things you should know about the Fourth Round
USOC rule changes since 2019 tournament

TheCup.us Player of the Round
Round 1: Tomas Bosuel (San Fernando Valley FC)
Round 2: Villyan Bijev (Central Valley Fuego)
Round 3: Maxi Rodriguez (Detroit City FC)

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There are six teams remaining from the third tier: Richmond Kickers, Northern Colorado Hailstorm, South Georgia Tormenta and Union Omaha from USL League One, California United Strikers FC from NISA, and Rochester New York FC from MLS Next Pro. By comparison, only one team below Division 2 remained alive at the same point in the 2019 tournament (and none of them were third tier).

In an odd twist of the draw, only four games feature teams from different leagues: South Georgia Tormenta (USL League One) at Inter Miami CF (MLS), Charlotte FC (MLS) at Richmond Kickers (USL League One), Rochester New York FC (MLS Next Pro) at New York City FC (MLS), and San Antonio FC (USL Championship) at Houston Dynamo (MLS). This means at least three non-MLS clubs are guaranteed to advance to the Round of 16.

All games this round, and the rest of the tournament, will be broadcasted on the ESPN+ subscription service. Additionally, as first announced by USL Director of Content Nicholas Murray, there will be an Open Cup “whip-around” show on ESPN+ for Wednesday’s 10-game slate. This will likely a program in a similar vein to Sky Sport’s “Match of the Day” or, for us hot-blooded Americans, something like the NFL Redzone.

As always, TheCup.us will have reporters at every game and will be providing in-game updates on Twitter (@USOpenCup) and as we have done for more than a decade, the hashtag we recommend is #USOC2022.

Below you will find a brief preview of all 16 of this week’s games with links to each broadcast:

May 10, 2022

Philadelphia Union (MLS) at Orlando City SC (MLS) 
Exploria Stadium; Orlando, FL 
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN+

Philadelphia have been one of the more consistently successful MLS teams in the last ten years of the Open Cup. Union has reached the Open Cup Final on three occasions in 2014, 2015 and most recently in 2018. Only once in their previous eight appearances have they been eliminated in their opening game, a 2-1 extra time loss to D.C. United in 2019. Philadelphia faced Orlando City in the 2018 Quarterfinals at home, and won 1-0 on Alejandro Bedoya’s 4th minute goal.

Orlando City started in 2009 in USL-1 as the Austin Aztex, where they reached the Third Round in 2009 & 2010. Success followed them in their move to Orlando, with the peak being a 2013 run to the Quarterfinals, knocking off two MLS clubs (Colorado & Sporting KC) along the way. In 2015 the club moved up to MLS, adding to their resume a pair of Quarterfinal runs (2015 & 2018), and a Semifinal spot in 2019 where they fell to Atlanta United 2-0.

Philadelphia has just one Open Cup road win out of eight games, and that was a 2-1 extra time victory over D.C. United in the Fourth Round in 2012. Eighteen of Philly’s 27 Open Cup games have been against MLS opposition. They hold an 8-5-5 record against their league mates, going 2-3 in penalty shootouts.

Orlando opened their 2022 US Open Cup with a 2-1 win at home over the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL Championship in the Third Round. Alexandre Pato and Junior Urso scored second half goals. The Union received a bye into the Fourth Round based on their league results from last season.

Alejandro Bedoya of the Philadelphia Union celebrates his goal against Orlando City in the 2018 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Greg Carroccio, Philadelphia Union
Alejandro Bedoya of the Philadelphia Union celebrates his goal against Orlando City in the 2018 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Greg Carroccio, Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union (MLS)
9th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 16-5-6 (3-3 PKs)
Away: 1-3-4 (2-2 PKs)
vs. MLS: 8-5-5 (2-3 PKs)
Best finish: Final (2014, 2015, 2018)

Current Season
5-1-4 19 Pts., 15 GF 8 GA, 1st in MLS Eastern Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Daniel Gazdag, 4
Assists Leader: Kai Wagner, 3
Goalkeeping Leader: Andre Blake, 9 games, 0.67 GAA / 4 clean sheets

 

Last Three Games
4/23 – MLS – 1-1 draw vs. CF Montreal
5/1 – MLS – 1-1 draw at Nashville SC
5/7 – MLS – 2-2 draw at Los Angeles FC

Orlando City SC (MLS)
12th US Open Cup appearance | 6th in MLS
Overall: 18-11-3 (3-0 PKs) | 6-5-3 (3-0 PKs) in MLS
Home: 12-4-1 (1-0 PKs) | 3-3-1 (1-0 PKs) in MLS
vs. MLS: 4-9-2 (2-0 PKs) | 2-3-0 (2-0 PKs) in MLS
Best finish: Semifinals (2019)

Current Season
5-4-2 17 Pts., 13 GF 15 GA, 4th in MLS Eastern Conference

Goal Scoring Leader: Five players tied with 2
Assists Leader: Mauricio Pereyra, 5
Goalkeeping Leader: Pedro Gallese, 10 games, 1.40 GAA / 5 clean sheets

Last Three Games
4/24 – MLS – 0-3 loss vs. New York Red Bulls
4/30 – MLS – 2-1 win vs. Charlotte FC
5/7 – MLS – 1-4 loss at CF Montreal

————————————————————————————

New York Red Bulls (MLS) at D.C. United (MLS)
Audi Field; Washington, D.C. 
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN+

There was once a time when D.C. United could almost be penciled for a spot in the Semifinals at the start of any Open Cup they entered, but now that time has passed. Nine out of their first 14 Cup appearances from 1996-2013 saw the club finish as a semifinalist of better. Since 2014, United have fallen on hard times in Cup play, failing to advance past their second game in their last six appearances. 

The New York Red Bulls have a bit of a split personality in their Open Cup history. As the MetroStars, the club reached the semifinals four times, making a championship game appearance in 2003 (1-0 loss to Chicago Fire). When the team changed its name to Red Bulls, it went nine years without advancing past a second game, going 3-7-0 in that span. A blip of home came in 2015 with a Quarterfinal appearance, then a trip to the Final in 2017. In the two tournaments after that disappointment returned with early exits each time at the hands of MLS clubs.

Both teams have been rather mediocre against MLS clubs in the Open Cup, with the Red Bulls holding a 8-12-3 (2-1 PKs) record, and D.C. United slightly better at 11-10-3 (0-3 PKs). Going back to 2016, eight of the Red Bulls last eleven Open Cup games have been against MLS clubs, resulting in a 3-4-2 record (1-1 PKs). Meanwhile, D.C. has faced four MLS clubs since 2016 for a 1-2-1 record.

The teams have met twice in past Open Cup play. In 2003, the Red Bulls (as the MetroStars) defeated D.C. 3-2 in the Semifinals, Amado Guevara scoring twice for the Metros. In 2006, D.C. defeated the Red Bulls 3-2 in the Quarterfinals with Jamil Walker scoring the final two goals for the winners.

The Red Bulls reached the Fourth Round with a 2-1 win over Hartford Athletic of the USL Championship. Early goals from Lewis Morgan and Aaron Long was all NYRB needed while out-shooting Hartford 30-4. D.C. United traveled to Rochester in the Third Round and vanquished NISA’s Flower City Union 3-0 through two goals from Ola Kamara and another from Nigel Robertha. Flower City held on to a scoreless draw until the 73rd minute before the D.C. floodgates opened. In somewhat of a surprise move, D.C. fired manager Hernan Losada the next day, leaving Chad Ashton as the interim manager.

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

New York Red Bulls (MLS)
22nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 23-20-3 (2-1 PKs)
Away: 12-13-1 (0-1 PKs)
vs. MLS: 8-12-3 (2-1 PKs)
Best finish: Final (2003, 2017)

Current Season
5-3-2 18 Pts., 16 GF 8 GA, 2nd in MLS Eastern Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Lewis Morgan, 4
Assists Leader: Frankie Amaya, Omir Fernandez, Patryk Klimala, 3
Goalkeeping Leader: Carlos Coronel, 10 games, 0.80 GAA / 3 clean sheets

Last Three Games
4/24 – MLS – 3-0 win at Orlando City SC
4/30 – MLS – 2-1 win at Chicago Fire
5/7 – MLS – 1-1 draw vs. Portland Timbers

D.C. United (MLS)
22nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 34-14-7
Home: 26-6-4 (1-3 PKs)
vs. MLS: 11-10-3 (0-3 PKs)
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champions (1996, 2008, 2013)

Current Season
4-5-0 12 Pts., 12 GF 13 GA, 10th in MLS Eastern Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Taxiarchis Fountas, Ola KAmara, 4
Assists Leader: Julian Gressel, 4
Goalkeeping Leader: Bill Hamid, 7 games, 1.22 GAA / 2 clean sheets

Last Three Games
4/23 – MLS – 3-2 win vs. New England Revolution
4/30 – MLS – 0-3 loss at Columbus Crew
5/7 – MLS – 2-0 win vs. Houston Dynamo

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Louisville City FC (USL-C) at Detroit City FC (USL-C) 
Keyworth Stadium; Hamtramck, MI 
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN+

Detroit City’s previous four US Open Cup appearances came as an amateur NPSL club, and during their time as a pro club with NISA, the Open Cup had been canceled. Detroit are 2-1-1 against professional clubs, but that record is 2-0 since they have become a pro club themselves.

Louisville City have been one of the more successful USL Championship teams in recent Open Cup play. Louisville holds a 10-5-2 all-time record in the Cup, although they are just 3-5 in Open Cup games on the road. Their last win away from home came in the 2017 Second Round with a 9-0 win over Open Division Local side Tartan Devils Oak Avalon.

Despite both teams’ relatively short Open Cup histories, Detroit City and Louisville City have met before in the tournament. As a NPSL club, Detroit traveled to Louisville for the Second Round in 2016 and played to a 1-1 extra time draw, with Louisville surviving the penalty shootout 3-1.

In the Third Round, Detroit fell behind the Columbus Crew 1-0 early in the first half, then got goals in the 64th and 88th minutes from Maxi Rodriguez to send the Keyworth Stadium crowd into a frenzy. The performance earned Rodriguez the “Player of the Round” from TheCup.us for Round 3.

Louisville had an even longer wait for victory in their Third Round game. After playing a scoreless 120 minutes with St. Louis CITY 2 of MLS Next Pro, Louisville came out on top in the penalty shootout 9-8, just one round short of each team’s goalkeepers taking a turn at a spot kick.

Players from Louisville City and Detroit City FC battle for the ball in the Third Round of the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Alena Shuckmann | Louisville City
Players from Louisville City and Detroit City FC battle for the ball in the Third Round of the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Alena Shuckmann | Louisville City

Louisville City FC (USL Championship)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 10-5-2 (2-0 PKs)
Away: 3-5-0
vs. Division 2: 4-2-0
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2018)

Current Season
7-0-3 24 Pts., 20 GF 4 GA, 1st in USL Championship Eastern Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Wilson Harris, 5
Assists Leader: Wilson Harris, 3
Goalkeeping Leader: Kyle Morton, 10 games, 0.40 GAA / 7 clean sheets

Last Three Games
4/23 – USLC – 1-1 draw at Charleston Battery
4/30 – USLC – 2-0 win vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds
5/4 – USLC – 4-0 win at Atlanta United 2

Detroit City FC (USL Championship)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-2-4 (2-2 PKs)
Home: 2-0-2 (1-1 PKs)
vs. Division 2: 0-1-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2022)

Current Season
5-2-2 17 Pts., 13 GF 7 GA, 3rd in USL Championship Eastern Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Antoine Hoppenot, 3
Assists Leader: Maxi Rodriguez, Rhys Williams, 2
Goalkeeping Leader: Nathan Steinwascher, 9 games, 0.78 GAA / 4 clean sheets

Last Three Games
4/23 – USLC – 2-1 win at Hartford Athletic
4/30 – USLC – 2-0 win vs. NY Red Bulls II
5/7 – USLC – 1-3 loss at FC Tulsa
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South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1) at Inter Miami CF (MLS) 
DRV PNK Stadium; Fort Lauderdale, FL 
Kickoff: 8 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN+

Prior to 2022, South Georgia’s lone Open Cup game was a 1-0 loss to league mates Greenville Triumph in the 2019 Second Round.

South Georgia wound up playing their Second Round game at the Charleston Battery at 11 a.m. on April 7 after the game was pushed back a day due to inclement weather. In addition there were zero fans in attendance due to stadium damage caused by a previous storm. The Tormenta took advantage of the reduced home field advantage to pull off a 1-0 surprise on the strength of Athur Bosua’s 61st minute goal

In the Third Round, the Tormenta defeated Birmingham Legion 2-0 despite being outshot 20-7. First half goals from Curtis Thorn and Jake Dengler held up for South Georgia

Inter Miami’s Open Cup debut ended with a 1-0 win in the “Miami Classico” over Miami FC of the USL Championship. Leonardo Campana scored the lone goal in the 83rd minute, and Inter will be without defender Damion Lowe, who was sent off after a second yellow in second half stoppage time.

South Georgia Tormenta 2022 US Open Cup
Players from South Georgia Tormenta celebrate during the club’s match against Birmingham Legion FC in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: South Georgia Tormenta FC

South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL League One)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-1-0
Away: 2-1-0
vs. MLS: 0-0-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2022)

Current Season
2-1-2, 8 Pts. 4 GF 1 GA, 2nd in USL League One
Goal Scoring Leader: Four players tied with 1
Assists Leader: Four players tied with 1
Goalkeeping Leader: Pablo Jara, 4 games, 0.25 GAA / 3 clean sheets

Last Three Games
4/23 – USL1 – 2-0 win at Greenville Triumph
4/30 – USL1 – 2-0 win at FC Tucson
5/7 – USL1 – 0-0 draw vs. Charlotte Independence

Inter Miami CF (MLS)

1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Division 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2022)

Current Season
3-6-1 10 Pts., 9 GF 19 GA, 13th in MLS Eastern Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Leonardo Campana, 5
Assists Leaders: Leonardo Campana, Ariel Lassiter, DeAndre Yedlin, 2
Goalkeeping Leader: Nick Marsman, 5 games, 1.60 GAA/ 1 clean sheet

Last Three Games
4/24 – MLS – 2-1 win vs. Atlanta United
4/30 – MLS – 0-2 loss at New England Revolution
5/7 – MLS – 0-1 loss at Charlotte FC

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FC Dallas (MLS) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS) 
Children’s Mercy Park; Kansas City, KS 
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN+

The two-time Open Cup champs FC Dallas have quietly built up an impressive resume over their previous 22 appearances. Their 16 Quarterfinal appearances are only second all-time to the 17 held by St. Louis powerhouse Kutis SC. 

In their first 13 Open Cup appearances Kansas City struggled to find success. Their first four attempts from 1996-2000 ended with eliminations after their opening game. Just twice was the club able to make deep runs, a semifinal appearance in 2002, and winning the Open Cup in 2004 with a 1-0 golden goal win over the Chicago Fire. Since changing their name to Sporting Kansas City, Open Cup success became more commonplace. In 2012, 2015 and 2017 Sporting KC won it all, bringing their Open Cup championship total to four.

FC Dallas and Sporting KC have met four times in Open Cup play over the years, all won by Kansas City, with a 16-4 advantage in goals. Sporting’s last 10 Open Cup games have been against MLS clubs, and 14 of their last 16 dating back to 2015.

FC Dallas vs. Sporting Kansas City, Open Cup

2018 (SKC 3-2), 2017 (SKC 3-0), 2015 (SKC 6–2), 2004 (SKC 4-0)

FC Dallas got past FC Tulsa 2-1 in the Third Round behind goals from Franco Jara (PK) and Jader Obrian. It is the seventh consecutive tournament FC Dallas has advanced past their opening game.

SKC and FC Dallas played to a 2-2 draw in MLS play on April 30. Jonathan Russell opened the scoring for KC with a penalty kick in the 22nd minute, then Alan Velasco and Jesus Ferreira gava Dallas a 2-1 halftime lead with late first half goals. Daniel Salloi pulled Kansas City level in the 77th minute.

Daniel Salloi of Sporting Kansas City celebrates one of his two goals against FC Dallas in the Fifth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Sporting KC
Daniel Salloi of Sporting Kansas City celebrates one of his two goals against FC Dallas in the Fifth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Sporting KC

FC Dallas (MLS)

23rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 36-19-6 (5-1 PKs)

Away: 14-12-2 (2-0 PKs)
vs. MLS: 13-13-3 (2-1 PKs)
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champions (1997, 2016)

Current Season
5-1-4 19 Pts., 16 GF 7 GA, 4th in MLS Western Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Jesus Ferreira, 7
Assists Leader: Brandon Servania, Alan Velasco, 3
Goalkeeping Leader: Maarten Paes, 10 games, 0.70 GAA / 4 clean sheets

 

 

 

 

Last Three Games
4/23 – MLS – 2-1 win vs. Houston Dynamo
4/30 – MLS – 2-2 draw at Sporting Kansas City
5/7 – MLS – 2-0 win vs. Seattle Sounders

 

 

 

Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
22nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 28-15-6 (4-2 PKs)
Home: 20-7-2 (2-0 PKs)
vs. MLS: 14-10-3 (3-0 PKs)
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champions (2004, 2012, 2015, 2017)

 

Current Season
2-6-3 9 Pts., 16 GF 23 GA, 12th in MLS Western Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Johnny Russell, Daniel Salloi, Remi Walter, 2
Assists Leader: Cameron Duke, 2
Goalkeeping Leader: Tim Melia, 11 games, 1.45 GAA / 4 clean sheets

Last Three Games
4/23 – MLS – 0-0 draw vs. Columbus Crew
4/30 – MLS – 2-2 draw vs. FC Dallas
5/7 – MLS – 0-0 draw at New York City FC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Portland Timbers (MLS) at Los Angeles FC (MLS) 
Banc of California Stadium; Los Angeles, CA 
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN+

 

 

 

Los Angeles FC has a long way to go to catch up to their inter-city rivals LA Galaxy in Open Cup pedigree, but in their two Open Cup appearances so far they’re off to a good start. Their debut in 2018 saw them reach the Semifinals where they were eliminated by the Houston Dynamo on penalties after a 3-3 draw. In 2019 all three of their opponents were from MLS, and after knocking off Real Salt Lake and the San Jose Earthquakes, LAFC fell to the Portland Timbers 1-0 in the Quarterfinals. Of the eight Open Cup games LAFC has played, six have been at Banc of California Stadium, and they have a 5-1 record there. 

LAFC also has a historical hill to climb to reach the heights set by the Open Cup champions of Los Angeles. Leading the way is Maccabee AC with five Championships (1973, 1975, 1977, 1978 & 1981), tied with Bethlehem Steel for the most Open Cup titles in history. Other LA winners at the Los Angeles Galaxy (2001, 2005), Los Angeles Kickers (1958, 1964), and McIlvaine Canvasbacks (1959)

Portland’s game against LAFC will be the 15th straight Open Cup contest the Timbers have played against an MLS opponent, a streak that stretches back to 2014. The club holds an 8-6 record in the previous 14 games. Their last non-MLS opponent was the Orlando City U-23’s of the PDL (USL League Two) in the 2014 Fourth Round, a 3-0 win for Portland.

The two clubs faced off in the 2018 & 2019 Quarterfinals. In 2018 LAFC won 3-2 on goals from Carlos Vela, Marco Urena and a Timbers own goal. Portland’s goals came from Vytautas Andriuškevičius and Julio Cascante. In 2019 the Timbers avenged that loss with a 1-0 victory on Jeremy Ebobisse’s 84th minute goal.

Portland and LAFC played to a 1-1 draw back on March 6 when Mamdou Fall scored the equalizer for LAFC in 90th minute stoppage time. Yimmi Chara gave Portland an early 1-0 lead in the 18th minute, but the Timbers were forced to play with 10 men for the final 28 minutes when Cladio Bravo received his second yellow card and was sent off.

Los Angeles FC had an easy time in their 5-1 Third Round victory over Orange County SC. Cristian Arango and Danny Musovski each had two goals, and Cal Jennings added another.

The Portland Timbers celebrate after the club's 1-0 win over LAFC in the Quarterfinals of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Twitter @TimbersFC
The Portland Timbers celebrate after the club’s 1-0 win over LAFC in the Quarterfinals of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Twitter @TimbersFC

Portland Timbers (MLS)
16th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 19-14-1 (0-1 PKs) (12-8-0 in MLS)
Away: 10-8-0 (5-6-0 in MLS)
MLS: 9-10-1 (0-1 PKs) (9-7 in MLS)
Best finish: Semifinals (2019)

 

 

Current Season
2-3-6 12 Pts., 11 GF 16 GA, 10th in MLS Western Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Yimmi Chara, Jaroslaw Niezgoda, 3
Assists Leader: Yimmi Chara, 3
Goalkeeping Leader: Aljaz Ivacic, 10 games, 1.500 GAA / 3 clean sheets

 

 

 

 

Last Three Games
4/23 – MLS – 0-0 draw vs. Real Salt Lake
4/30 – MLS – 0-2 loss at Colorado Rapids
5/7 – MLS  – 1-1 draw at New York Red Bulls

 

 

 

Los Angeles FC (MLS)
3rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 6-1-1
Home: 5-1-0
vs. MLS: 3-1-1 (0-1 PKs)
Best finish: Semifinals (2018)

 

 

Current Season
7-1-2 23 Pts., 23 GF 10 GA, 1st in MLS Western Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Carlos Vela, 4
Assists Leader: Jose Cifuentes, Diego Palacios, Carlos Vela, 3
Goalkeeping Leader: MAxime Crepeau, 10 games, 1.00 GAA / 3 clean sheets

 

 

 

 

Last Three Games
4/24 – MLS – 2-1 win at FC Cincinnati
5/1 – MLS – 2-0 win vs. Minnesota United
5/7 – MLS – 2-2- draw vs. Philadelphia Union

 

 

 

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May 11, 2022

Charlotte FC (MLS) at Richmond Kickers (USL-1) 
City Stadium; Richmond, VA
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN+

 

 

 

The Kickers have been involved in the Open Cup since 1995, winning that year’s tournament as an amateur club. Their most recent deep run came in 2011 when they knocked off two MLS clubs (Columbus & Kansas City) to reach the semifinals, where they lost to the Chicago Fire 2-1. Over the years Richmiond has jumped between second and third level USL leagues, having spent 2017 & 18 in the USL, then moving down when USL League One was created. 

While Richmond has never had the chance to face Charlotte FC in previous Open Cup tournaments, the Kickers have had six games with teams from North Carolina, and have not had good results with that state’s professional sides. Richmond is 2-4 all-time against teams from the Tar Heel state, and those two wins came against amateur clubs. All three of the four losses came against a professional team, North Carolina FC/Carolina RailHawks in 2007 (0-1, QF), 2009 (1-2, R1) and 2019 (1-4, R3). Richmond also holds a 5-13-1 (0-1 PKs) record against MLS teams, with their last win coming in the 2011 Quarterfinals against Sporting Kansas City. 

Charlotte faced a tough battle in their Open Cup debut in the Third Round, outlasting the Greenville Triumph of USL League One 2-1 in extra time. Christian Ortiz scored the opener just before halftime, and Harrison Afful netted the eventual game-winner in the 106th minute.

Richmond won their Second Round game 1-0 over Northern Virginia FC at home. The lone goal was netted by David Olden, his first goal in over four years while away from the game battling injuries. Their Third Round game against the North Carolina Fusion U-23s of USL League Two nearly went to penalties, but Emiliano Terzaghi scored in the 118th minute to avoid the upset from the amateurs.

Christian Ortiz of Charlotte FC celebrates after scoring a goal against Greenville Triumph in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Charlotte FC
Christian Ortiz of Charlotte FC celebrates after scoring a goal against Greenville Triumph in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Charlotte FC

Charlotte FC (MLS)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Division 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2022)

 

Current Season
4-6-1 13 Pts., 10 GF 13 GA, 8th in MLS Eastern Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Karol Swiderski, 4
Assists Leader: Benjamin Bender, 3
Goalkeeping Leader: Kristijan Kahlina, 11 games, 1.18 GAA / 4 clean sheets

 

 

 

 

Last Three Games
4/23 – MLS – 0-0 draw at Colorado Rapids
4/30 – MLS – 1-2 loss at Orlando City SC
5-7 – MLS – 1-0 win vs. Inter Miami CF

 

 

 

Richmond Kickers (USL League One)
22nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 33-19-4 (2-2 PKs)
Home: 26-7-1 (1-0 PKs)
vs. MLS: 5-13-1 (0-1 PKs)
Best finish: 1995 US Open Cup champions

 

 

Current Season
2-2-1, 7 Pts. 7 GF 4 GA, 5th in USL League One
Goal Scoring Leader: Emilinano Terzaghi, 3
Assists Leader: Leonardo Baima, 2
Goalkeeping Leader: Akira Fitzgerald, 5 games, 0.80 GAA / 1 clean sheet

 

 

 

 

Last Three Games
4/20 – USOC 3R – 1-0 (AET) win vs. North Carolina Fusion U-23s
4/25 – USL L1 – 2-1 win at Charlotte Independence
5/7 – USL L1 – vs. Forward Madison

 

 

 

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Rochester New York FC (MLSNP) at New York City FC (MLS) 
Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.); Jamaica, NY 
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN+

 

 

 

Rochester New York FC, who under the name Rochester Raging Rhinos remain the only non-MLS club to win the US Open Cup since 1996, had been on hiatus since 2018 due to financial difficulties, finally returning to play this season in MLS Next Pro. Rochester are the only independent club in the league, and if they remain so they’ll stay eligible to enter future Open Cup tournaments. In their 23 Open Cup appearances, RNYFC has played a remarkable 46 of their 64 Open Cup games at home, where they hold a 34-8-4 record. The club’s 40 Modern Era Open Cup wins ranks only second behind the Chicago Fire with 42. The last 16 times Rochester had played in the Open Cup, they have advanced to face an MLS club, a streak that runs back to 2002.

In their previous life Rochester was always an upset threat to MLS clubs, holding a respectable 7-6-2 (1-1 PKs) record from 1996-2005. Since then Rochester has managed just one outright win in 14 games against MLS opposition, advancing one other time on penalties. Their last win against an MLS team came in 2014 with a Fourth Round home win against defending champion D.C. United in a game that featured multiple delays.

NYCFC’s short Open Cup history has only seen one successful run, a trip to the Quarterfinals in 2019. Their previous four appearances all ended after one game to a pair of NYC clubs. In 1015 & 2016 they were upset by the NASL’s New York Cosmos, and in 2017 & 2018 the New York Red Bulls sent them packing.

Rochester has opened their 2022 tournament against a pair of amateur clubs. First up was a 1-0 win over Lansdowne Yonkers in the Second Round. Girban Rayo’s goal in first half stoppage time was enough for Rochester to see off the amateurs. Their Third Round game against FC Motown was a bit more difficult and dramatic. By the end of the second half Rochester found themselves playing with nine men after Lamar Batista and Pedro Dolabella received second half red cards. FC Motown then tied the game in stoppage time, but Rochester survived the two-man advantage for 35 minutes to win the penalty shootout after finishing 2-2 over 120 minutes.

Rochester New York FC celebrate after advancing 4-3 in penalty kicks (2-2 draw) against FC Motown in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Rochehster NY FC
Rochester New York FC celebrate after advancing 4-3 in penalty kicks (2-2 draw) against FC Motown in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Rochehster NY FC

Rochester New York FC (MLS Next Pro)
23rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 40-18-6 (3-3 PKs)
Away: 4-10-2 (1-1 PKs)
vs. MLS: 8-16-5 (2-3 PKs)
Best finish: Champions (1999)

Current Season
1-3-1 5 Pts., 5 GF 9 GA, 8th in MLS Next Pro Eastern Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Wilterlynd Inalien, 2
Assists Leader: Four players tied with 1
Goalkeeping Leader: Caique, 5 games, 1.80 GAA / 1 clean sheet

 

 

 

 

Last Three Games
4/20 – USOC 3R – 2-2 (AET/4-3 PKs) draw vs. FC Motown
4/23 – MLS NP – 2-3 loss vs. New York City FC II
5/8 – MLS NP – 2-1 win at FC Cincinnati 2

 

 

 

New York City FC (MLS)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-3-2 (0-2 PKs)
Home: 1-1-0
vs. Division 2: 1-1-1 (0-1 PKs)
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2019)

 

 

Current Season
4-3-2 14 Pts., 19 GF 10 GA, 6th in MLS Eastern Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Valentin Castellanos, 5
Assists Leader: Talles Magno, 5
Goalkeeping Leader: Sean Johnson, 9 games, 1.11 GAA / 4 clean sheets

 

 

 

 

Last Three Games
4/24 – MLS – 5-4 win vs. Toronto FC
5/1 – MLS – 3-0 win vs. San Jose Earthquakes
5/7 – MLS – 0-0 draw vs. Sporting Kansas City

 

 

 

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FC Cincinnati (MLS) at New England Revolution (MLS) 
Gillette Stadium: Foxborough, MA 
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN+

 

 

 

Cincinnati’s Open Cup history actually goes all the way back to the 1931 tournament, when teams from the Queen City began entering the Ohio district’s qualifying rounds. The teams didn’t find much success and by the end of the 1930’s the city went dormant in Open Cup play until the early 1970’s. 

FC Cincinnati of course had their famous Open Cup run in 2017 as a USL club, reaching the semifinals and drawing crowds over 30K to three of the games they hosted that year. The game that put them on center stage was their epic Fifth Round contest with the Chicago Fire, which was televised live on ESPN. After a 0-0 draw Cincinnati advanced on penalty kicks, and went on to push the New York Red Bulls to extra time before losing 3-2 in the semifinals.

This will be the first Open Cup game for the Revs at Gillette Stadium since their 3-1 win over the Chicago Fire in the 2016 Semifinals. Overall New England have only played one other of their 21 Open Cup home games at Gillette Stadium, a 2-1 win over the Harrisburg City Islanders in the 2007 Quarterfinals. Their first five Open Cup games in 2000 & 2001 were at the old Foxboro Stadium. The Revs other home Open Cup games have been played in Boston, Ludlow MA, Providence, RI, New Britain, CT.

FC Cincinnati needed 120 minutes for their 2-0 Third Round win over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Alvaro Barreal scored twice in the first ten minutes of extra time to give Cincinnati the edge they needed to advance.

FC Cincinnati Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2022 US Open Cup Luciano Acosta
Luciano Acosta of FC Cincinnati dribbles against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: FC Cincinnati
4/19/2022
Photographer:Brett Hansbauer/4th Floor Creative

FC Cincinnati (MLS)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 9-3-2 (2-1 in Major League Soccer)
Away: 2-2-0 (0-1 in Major League Soccer)
vs. MLS: 1-1-2 (1-1 PKs) (0-0 in Major League Soccer)
Best finish: Semifinals (2017)

 

Current Season
5-5-1 16 Pts., 14 GF 17 GA, 5th in MLS Eastern Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Brandon Vasquez, 6
Assists Leader: Luciano Acosta, 3
Goalkeeping Leader: Alec Kann, 7 games, 2.00 GAA / 1 clean sheet

Last Three Games
4/30 – MLS – 2-1 win at Toronto FC
5/4 – MLS – 0-2 loss at FC Cincinnati
5/7 – MLS – 1-0 win vs. Minnesota United

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New England Revolution (MLS)
19th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 20-15-5 (3-2 PKs)
Home: 13-5-3 (2-1 PKs)
vs. MLS: 7-10-1 (1-0 PKs)
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champion (2007)

 

Current Season
3-5-2 11 Pts., 16 GF 18 GA, 11th in MLS Eastern Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Adam Buksa, 4
Assists Leader: Carles Gil, 5
Goalkeeping Leader: Earl Edwards Jr., 4 games, 2.00 GAA / 1 clean sheet
Brad Knighton, 4 games, 2.00 GAA / 0 gclean sheets

 

 

 

 

 

Last Three Games
4/23 – MLS – 2-3 loss at D.C. United
4/30 – MLS – 2-0 win vs. Inter Miami CF
5/7 – MLS – 2-2 draw vs. Columbus Crew

 

 

 

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Atlanta United FC (MLS) at Nashville SC (MLS) 
GEODIS Park; Nashville, TN
Kickoff: 8 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN+

 

 

 

In a way this will be Nashville SC’s re-debut in the Open Cup, as it will be their first game in the tournament as a MLS club after their previous two appearances came as a USL team. Five of their six previous Open Cup games were home affairs for Nashville, but this will be the first in their very own stadium. All three home games in 2018 were at Vanderbilt in Nashville, and their two in 2019 were at Middle Tennessee State in Murfreesboro, TN. Nashville holds a 4-0-1 record at home 

Atlanta’s first prominent team in the Open Cup was Datagraphic in the early 1980’s. Datagraphic reached the Quarterfinals in 1979, and then the Semifinals in 1981. The club also won the 1979 National Amateur Cup.

After the previous two Open Cup tournaments had been canceled due to COVID-19, Atlanta United was able to begin defense of their 2019 Championship. The Five Stripes  had no trouble with Chattanooga FC in the Third Round, cruising to a 6-0 victory. Dom Dwyer scored twice, with Ronald Hernandez, Marcelino Moreno, Luis Araujo and Brooks Lennon adding to the score for the defending Open Cup Champions.

The clubs have yet to meet in MLS play this season, with their first game coming ten days after their Open Cup contest, once again in Nashville.

Atlanta United forward Luiz Araújo dribbles the ball during the match against Chattanooga FC in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Kyle Hess | Atlanta United
Atlanta United forward Luiz Araújo dribbles the ball during the match against Chattanooga FC in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Kyle Hess | Atlanta United

Atlanta United (MLS)
4th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 8-2-0
Away: 2-1-0
vs. MLS: 3-1-0
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champions (2019)

 

 

 

 

Current Season
4-4-2 14 Pts., 15 GF 14 GA, 7th in MLS Eastern Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Ronaldo Cisneros, 4
Assists Leader: Marcelino Moreno, 3
Goalkeeping Leader: Brad Guzan, 7 games, 1.32 GAA / 1 clean sheet

 

 

 

 

Last Three Games
4/24 – MLS – 1-2 loss at Inter Miami CF
4/30 – MLS – 1-2 loss at CF Montreal
5/7 – MLS – 4-1 win vs. Chicago FIre

 

 

 

Nashville FC (Major League Soccer)
3rd US Open Cup appearance (1st in MLS)
Overall: 4-1-1 (0-1 PKs)
Away: 4-0-1 (0-1 PKs)
vs. MLS: 1-0-0
Best finish: Fifth Round (2018)

 

Current Season
4-3-3 15 Pts., 11 GF 10 GA, 6th in MLS Western Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: CJ Sapong, 3
Assists Leader: Hany Mukhtar, 4
Goalkeeping Leader: Joe Willis, 10 games, 1.00 GAA / 3 clean sheets

 

 

 

 

Last Three Games
4/23 – MLS – 0-1 loss at Los Angeles Galaxy
5/1 – MLS – 1-1 draw vs. Philadelphia Union
5/8 – MLS – 2-0 win vs. Real Salt Lake

 

 

 

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Colorado Rapids (MLS) at Minnesota United FC (MLS) 
Allianz Field; St. Paul, MN 
Kickoff: 8 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN+

 

 

 

The Colorado Rapids are the worst MLS team as far as the Open Cup goes. Only once in their previous 17 appearances they have advanced past a second game, that came in 1999 when they reached the Final. The Rapids lost to the Rochester Raging Rhinos 2-0, the only non-MLS club to win the Open Cup since 1996. Their record against MLS teams in the Open Cup is just 4-8-0, with the last win coming in the 2006 Fourth Round over Real Salt Lake. Since then the Rapids are 0-5 vs. MLS. Their record on the road isn’t much better, 5-16-0 with their last road win coming versus the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the 2012 Third Round.

The state of Minnesota’s first entry in the Open Cup game in the 1958 tournament, when the Minneapolis Tigers were the only entry from the state. The Tigers lost to Milwaukee’s Serbian SC 2-1 in extra time, and in the following years the Minnesota entry would play the Wisconsin winner, but failed each time to get past their neighbors to the East.

Minnesota United didn’t have much Open Cup success either in the NASL (2010-2016) or MLS, only advancing past a second game just once in 2012. In 2019 the club finally broke through, making their way to the Final where they lost to Atlanta United 2-1. As an MLS club the Loons are 3-0-0 at home, but hold just a 3-3-0 record against MLS teams.

Minnesota took the first step in returning to the Final with a 2-0 win over Forward Madison in the Third Round. Adrien Honou and Brent Kallman scored in the second half.

Colorado and Minnesota met earlier this season at St. Paul, MN in MLS play on April 16 with Minnesota coming out 3-1 winners. Bakaye Dibassy, Robin Lod and Abu Danladi scored for Minnesota, with Diego Rubio getting the lone marker for Colorado.

Bongokuhle Hlongwane of Minnesota United battles for the ball in the club's match against Forward Madison in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Minnesota United
Bongokuhle Hlongwane of Minnesota United battles for the ball in the club’s match against Forward Madison in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Minnesota United

Colorado Rapids (MLS)
18th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 13-18-1 (0-1 PKs)
Away: 5-16-0
vs. MLS: 4-8-0
Best finish: Final (1999)

 

Current Season
3-4-3 12 Pts., 11 GF 12 GA, 9th in MLS Western Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Diego Rubio, 5
Assists Leader: Michael Barrios, 4
Goalkeeping Leader: Will Yagbrough, 10 games, 1.20 GAA / 4 clean sheets

 

 

 

 

Last Three Games
4/23 – MLS – 0-0 draw vs. Charlotte FC
4/30 – MLS – 2-0 win vs. Portland Timbers
5/7 – MLS – 0-1 loss at San Jose Earthquakes

 

 

 

Minnesota United (MLS)
11th US Open Cup appearance | 4th in Major League Soccer
Overall: 10-8-2 (1-1 PKS) | 5-3-1 (1-0 PKs) in Major League Soccer
Home: 4-3-0 | 3-0-0 in Major League Soccer
vs. MLS: 4-6-0 | 3-3-0 in Major League Soccer
Best finish: Final (2019)

 

 

Current Season
4-4-2 14 Pts., 11 GF 9 GA, 7th in MLS Western Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Robin Lod, 3
Assists Leader: Emanuel Renesto, 4
Goalkeeping Leader: Dayne St, Clair, 8 games, 0.66 GAA / 3 clean sheets

 

 

 

 

Last Three Games
4/23 – MLS – 3-0 win vs. Chicago Fire
5/1 – MLS – 0-2 loss at Los Angeles FC
5/7 – MLS – 0-1 loss vs. FC Cincinnati

 

 

 

————————————————————————————

Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL-1) at Union Omaha (USL-1) 
Caniglia Field (Univ. of Nebraska at Omaha); Omaha, NE 
Kickoff: 8 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN+

 

 

 

Northern Colorado had the odd distinction of their debut Open Cup match also being their first ever match as a club. Despite being outshot 25-9 by the Colorado Springs Switchbacks, the Hailstorm pulled off the 1-0 upset in extra time on Jerry Desdunes’ goal in the 96th minute.

In the Third Round, Robert Cornwall made the most of his teams’ one shot on goal, netting the game winner in the 70th minute to upset Real Salt Lake.

Union Omaha had to go a long longer to pull off the upset in their Third Round match with the Chicago Fire. Noe Meza scored the tying goal midway through the second half, and in extra time Alex Touche sent the game to penalties with a 120th minute stoppage time goal . Rashid Nuhu saved Chicago’s Final penalty to give Omaha the upset.

While they await the completion of their new stadium, Northern Colorado will not play its first home game in USL League One until June 8 when it hosts North Carolina FC

The Hailstorm and Union have not faced each other in USL League One yet, but the club will meet twice before the end of the month on May 11 & 28, both at Omaha.

Robert Cornwall of Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Real Salt Lake in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Ashley Potts | Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC
Robert Cornwall of Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Real Salt Lake in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Ashley Potts | Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC

Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL League One)

1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-0-0
Away: 2-0-0
vs. Division 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2002)

Current Season
1-2-1 4 Pts., 5 GF 8 GA, 10th in USL League One
Goal Scoring Leader: Irvin Parra, 2
Assists Leader: Four players tied with 1
Goalkeeping Leader: Thomas Olden, 3 games, 2.33 GAA / 0 clean sheets

 

 

 

Last Three Games
4/20 – USOC 3R – 1-0 win at Real Salt Lake
4/30 – USL L1 – 2-1 win at North Carolina FC
5/7 – USL L1 – 1-4 loss at Chattanooga Red Wolves

 

 

 

Union Omaha (USL League One)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-0-0
Home: 1-0-0
vs. Division 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2002)

 

Current Season
1-1-2 5 Pts., 6 GF 4 GA, 8th in USL League One
Goal Scoring Leader: Hugo Kametani, John Scearce, 2
Assists Leader: Noe Meza, 2
Goalkeeping Leader: Rashid Nuhu, 3 games, 0.67 GAA / 2 clean sheets

 

 

 

 

Last Three Games
4/19 – USOC 3R – 2-2 (AET/5-4 PKs) draw at Chicago Fire
4/23 – USL L1 – 3-0 win vs. Central Valley Fuego
4/30 – USL L1 – 2-1 loss at Charlotte Independence

Union Omaha Chicago Fire 2022 US Open Cup Soldier Field
Union Omaha celebrate after eliminating the Chicago Fire 5-4 in penalty kicks (after a 2-2 draw) in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup at Soldier Field. Photo: Union Omaha

 

 

 

————————————————————————————

San Antonio FC (USL-C) at Houston Dynamo (MLS) 
PNC Stadium; Houston, TX 
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN+

 

 

 

Houston has quite a remarkable home field record in the Open Cup, having played 21 of their 31 cup games at home. 14 of their last 17 Cup games have been at PNC Stadium, including the last 9 games. Their entire championship run (5 games) in 2018 was played at PNC. The Dynamo are 5-2-1 (0-1 PKs) against division 2 clubs in the Open Cup, and their last loss to a team from that level came in the 2012 Third Round when the NASL’s San Antonio Scorpions upset them 1-0 at San Antonio.

San Antonio have made decent runs in their short Open Cup history, twice going three rounds deep in 2016 and 2018. In those years their tournament ended at the hands of MLS teams. In ‘16 they dropped a 4-0 decision to Houston, and in ‘18 FC Dallas stopped their run 1-0. The 2016 game is the only time the two clubs have met in Open Cup play.

Both clubs had to fight to the very end in their Third Round games. Houston needed a stoppage-time winner from Samuel Janqua to get past the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros 2-1. Each team gifted the other with own goals earlier in the game. San Antonio upset Austin FC 2-1 in extra time at home on goals from Elliot Collier and Carter Manley, but the hero was goalkeeper Jordan Farr. Through the 120 minutes, Farr made seven saves off 28 shots, including stopping a scramble right in front of the goal just before the final whistle.

San Antonio FC goalkeeper Jordan Farr punches the ball away in his club's match against Austin FC in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: San Antonio FC
San Antonio FC goalkeeper Jordan Farr punches the ball away in his club’s match against Austin FC in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Farr finished a close second in TheCup.us Player of the Round voting in Round 3. Photo: San Antonio FC

San Antonio FC (USL Championship)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 7-3-2 (1-1 PKs)
Away: 3-2-1 (0-1 PKs)
vs. MLS: 0-2-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2016, 2018, 2022)

Current Season
7-2-0  21 Pts., 14 GF 7 GA, 2nd in USL Championship Western Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Elliot Collier, 4
Assists Leader: Connor Maloney, 3
Goalkeeping Leader: Jordan Farr, 6 games, 0.83 GAA / 4 clean sheets

 

 

 

 

Last Three Games
4/23 – USLC – 1-0 win at New Mexico United
4/30 – USLC – 6-0 win vs. Monterey Bay FC
5/7 – USLC – 0-3 loss at Phoenix Rising FC

 

 

 

Houston Dynamo (MLS)
14th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 18-11-2 (1-1 PKs)
Home: 15-5-1 (1-0 PKs)
vs. Division 2: 6-2-1 (0-1 PKs)
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champions (2018)

 

 

Current Season
3-4-3 12 Pts., 12 GF 13 GA, 8th in MLS Western Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Sebastian Ferreira, Darwin Quintero, 4
Assists Leader: Adam Lundqvist, 3
Goalkeeping Leader: Steve Clark, 10 games, 1.30 GAA / 2 clean sheets

 

 

 

 

Last Three Games
4/23 – MLS – 1-2 loss at FC Dallas
4/30 – MLS – 1-2 loss vs. Austin FC
5/7 – MLS – 0-2 loss at D.C. United

 

 

 

————————————————————————————

San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) at Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) 
Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, WA 
Kickoff: 10 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN+

 

 

 

The Earthquakes are on a four game home Open Cup winning streak that goes back to 2017. The club has had limited success in their 16 previous Cup appearances, having reached the Quarterfinals nine times but only advancing to the Semifinals twice (2004 & 2017). The ‘Quakes are just 2-9-4()0-4 PKs) against MLS competition, with their last win coming against Seattle in the 2017 Fifth Round.

As a USL club Seattle made Semifinal runs in 2007 & 2008, but once they moved to MLS in 2009 they cemented themselves as one of the great Open Cup teams of all time. The Sounders reached the Final four straight times from 2009-2012, winning the first three, becoming just the fourth team to win three consecutive Open Cup championships. The others are Fall River Marksmen (1929-1931), Stix, Baer & Fuller (1933-1935) and NY Greek American AA (1967-1969). 

Seattle won a fourth title in 2014, adding themselves to another select list of teams to officially win that many, joining the Chicago Fire (1998, 2000, 2003, 2006), Fall River Marksmen (1927, 1929-1931), Greek American AA (1967-1969, 1974), Ukrainian Nationals (1960, 1961, 1963, 1966), and Sporting Kansas City (2004, 2012, 2015, 2017).

Seattle has the unique situation of having a regular Open Cup venue outside of their normal league venue. Over the years the Sounders have played 22 of their 34 home Open Cup games at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Washington, reserving the larger Lumen Field for home games in the later rounds. From 2005-2014 the Sounders won 19 straight Open Cup games at Starfire, and have an over record of 20-1-1 with one in via PKs.

San Jose rolled over Bay Cities FC of NISA 5-0 in the Third Round, with Jack Skahan, Paul Marie, Cade Cowell, Niko Tskarias and Ousseni Bousa scoring.

Paul Marie of the San Jose Earthquakes celebrates after scoring a goal against Bay Cities FC in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Photos by Benny Blanco | @Bennyy_Blanco
Paul Marie of the San Jose Earthquakes celebrates after scoring a goal against Bay Cities FC in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Photos by Benny Blanco | @Bennyy_Blanco

San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
17th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 16-12-7 (3-4 PKs)
Away: 7-7-4 (2-2 PKs)
vs. MLS: 2-9-4 (0-4 PKs)
Best finish: Semifinals (2004, 2017)

Current Season
2-5-3 9 PTs., 16 GF 23 GA, 11th in MLS Western Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Jeremy Ebobisse, 5
Assists Leader: Jan Gregus, 5
Goalkeeping Leader: JT Marcinkowski, 10 games, 2.30 GAA / 1 clean sheet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Three Games
4/23 – MLS – 3-4 loss vs. Seattle Sounders
5/1 – MLS – 0-3 loss at New York City FC
5/7 – MLS – 1-0 win vs. Colorado Rapids

 

 

 

Seattle Sounders (MLS)
24th US Open Cup appearance (12th in MLS)
Overall: 38-17-6 (4-2 PKs) | 21-6-4 (3-1 PKs in MLS
Home: 28-4-2 (2-0 PKs) | 17-2-1 (1-0 PKs)
vs. MLS: 19-11-3 (2-1 PKs) | 15-4-2 (1-1) in MLS
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champion (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014)

 

Current Season
2-5-1 7 Pts., 9 GF 13 GA, 13th in MLS Western Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Jordan Morris, 2
Assists Leader: Nicolas Lodeiro, 3
Goalkeeping Leader: Stefan Frei, 5 games, 1.80 GAA / 0 clean sheets

 

 

 

 

Last Three Games
4/23 – MLS – 3-4 loss at San Jose Earthquakes
5/4 – CONCACAF CL – 3-0 win vs. UNAM Pumas
5/7 – MLS – 0-2 loss at FC Dallas

 

 

 

————————————————————————————

Phoenix Rising FC (USL-C) at Sacramento Republic FC (USL-C) 
Heart Health Park; Sacramento, CA 
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN+

 

 

 

Phoenix Rising has struggled in its six Open Cup appearances, holding a 6-4-2 (0-2 PKs), and are 2-2-1 (0-1 PKs) against teams from their own level.

Sacramento is nearly unbeaten at home in the Open Cup, carrying a 14-1-0 record with an active 9 game home winning streak dating back to 2017, the longest current streak of its kind. Sacramento are also 4-0 against competition from their own level.

Sacramento has gone as deep as the fifth round on two occasions, in 2017 & 2018. Each time they knocked off MLS opposition, 3-1 over Real Salt Lake in ‘17, and a 2-1 extra time win over Seattle in 2018.

Sacramento had no trouble beating the Portland Timbers U-23s 6-0 in the Second Round. Sacramento held a 6-0 lead at halftime and eased up in the second half so as not to run up the score on the youngsters. Their Third Round game against Central Valley Fuego was a bit more challenging. Despite being outshot 23-7, the Fuego held on to a 1-1 tie for most of the game. Sacramento was awarded a penalty in the 5th minute of stoppage time, which Rodrigo Lopez converted to give Republic a 2-1 win.

Phoenix had a hard time with Valley United FC (NISA) in the Second Round. Claudio Repetto broke the scoreless draw after 115 minutes to give Phoenix a 1-0 win. Phoenix’s Third Round win over New Mexico United came late. New Mexico gifted Phoenix an early lead with an own goal, then tied the game midway through the second half. Greg Hurst won the game for Phoenix with an 81st minute goal.

The teams are even in USL Championship play since 2014 at 6 wins 6 losses and 7 draws. Phoenix has not lost to Sacramento since a 3-1 defeat on May 19, 2018 and holds a 4-0-4 record in the series since then. The clubs have managed to avoid each other in Open Cup play until this year.

Players from Phoenix Rising FC and New Mexico United battle for the ball in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Eryn Nicholson | Phoenix Rising FC
Players from Phoenix Rising FC and New Mexico United battle for the ball in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Eryn Nicholson | Phoenix Rising FC

 

Phoenix Rising FC (USL Championship)
7th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 6-4-2 (0-2 PKs)
Away: 3-0-1 (0-1 PKs)
vs. Division 2: 0-1-1 (0-1 PKs)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2014, 2022)

Current Season
6-3-0, 18 Pts., 18 GF 12 GA, 4th in USL Championship Western Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Greg Hurst, Luis Seijas, 4
Assists Leader: Aodhan Quinn, 3
Goalkeeping Leader: Benjamin Lundt, 9 games, 1.33 GAA / 3 clean sheets

 

 

 

 

Last Three Games
4/23 – USLC – 2-1 win vs. Miami FC
5/1 – USLC – 0-3 loss at Los Angeles Galaxy II
5/7 – USLC – 3-0 win vs. San Antonio FC

 

 

 

Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)
7th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 15-5-1 (0-1 PKs)
Home: 14-1-0
vs. Division 2: 4-0-0
Best finish: Fifth Round (2017, 2018)

Current Season
4-2-3, 15 Pts., 11 GF 9 GA, 5th in USL Championship Western Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Douglas Martinez, Rodrigo Lopez, 2
Assists Leader: Douglas Martinez, 2
Goalkeeping Leader: Daniel Vitiello, 6 games, 1.00 GAA / 1 clean sheet

 

 

 

 

Last Three Games
4/30 – USLC – 1-1 draw vs. Las Vegas Lights
5/4 – USLC – 0-0 draw vs. New Mexico United
5/8 –  USLC – 1-0 win at New York Red Bulls II

 

 

Sacramento Republic Portland Timbers U-23s 2022 US Open Cup
Players from Sacramento Republic celebrate during the club’s game against Portland Timbers U-23s in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: John Jacobs

————————————————————————————

LA Galaxy (MLS) at California United Strikers FC (NISA) 
Orange County Great Park (Championship Stadium); Irvine, CA 
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN+

 

 

 

It’s been 16 years since the Galaxy’s back to back Finals appearances, and since then they’ve struggled to find consistent success. 2007 through 2014 saw a string of tournaments the Galaxy did not qualify for or were eliminated after just two games.2015 saw a return to the Quarterfinals followed by a Semifinal (2016) and another Quarterfinal (2017). The last two tournaments the Galaxy were stopped by the Portland Timbers each time.

Ther Galaxy have struggles on the road in Open Cup play, holding a 9-14-1 (1-0 PKs) record. Five of those losses are to njon-MLS clubs, the last coming in the 2014 Fifth Round to the Carolina RailHawks (now North Carolina FC).

California United Strikers FC made their Open Cup debut in the Second Round with a resounding 5-0 win over San Fernando Valley FC of the UPSL. The star of the show was 15-year old Marcus Lee, who scored the opening goal in the 4th minute and assisted on another. 

Lee has his very own supporters group from the high school he attends, and is believed to be the youngest player ever to score an Open Cup goal.

California United won their Third Round game over FC Tucson in dramatic fashion. Down 1-0 for most of the game, Omar Nuno tied the score in the 71st minute, and on his debut for the club, Ryotaro Kawashima won the game in stoppage time.

The Galaxy welcomed former club legend and San Diego Loyal manager Landon Donovan to Dignity Health Sports Park in the Third Round, and came away 1-0 winners. Kevin Cabral scored the lone goal of the game.

Omar Nuno of California United Strikers scores a goal against FC Tucson in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Cal United Strikers
Omar Nuno of California United Strikers scores a goal against FC Tucson in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Cal United Strikers

Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
17th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 33-17-1 (1-0mPKs)
Away: 9-14-1 (1-0 Pks)
vs. Division 3: 2-1-0
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champions (2001, 2005)

 

 

Current Season
6-3-1 10 Pts., 11 GF 7 GA, 3rd in MLS Western Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Chicharito, 5
Assists Leader: Raheem Edwards, 5
Goalkeeping Leader: Jonathan Bond, 10 games, 0.70 GAA / 5 clean sheets

 

 

 

 

Last Three Games
4/23 – MLS – 1-0 win vs. Nashville SC
4/30 – MLS – 0-1 loss at Real Salt Lake
5/8 – 1-0 win at Austin FC

 

 

 

California United Strikers FC (NISA)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-0-0
Home: 1-0-0
vs. MLS: 0-0-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2022)

Current Season
4-2-0 14 Pts., 9 GF 4 GA, 1st in NISA West Division
Goal Scoring Leader: Omar Nuno, 3
Assists Leader: Felipe Liborio Jr., 2
Goalkeeping Leader: Jean Gamain Antoine, 3 games, 0.00 GAA / 3 clean sheets

 

 

 

 

Last Three Games
4/23 – NISA – 4-3 win vs. Bay Cities FC
5/1 – NISA – 1-0 win at AC Syracuse Pulse
5/4 – NISA – 2-1 win at Flower City Union

 

 

 

————————————————————————————

Filed Under: 2022 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, Featured Post - Main, US Open Cup Tagged With: 2022 US Open Cup, Major League Soccer, MLS, Preview

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Previewing all 24 games with ESPN+ video links

April 19, 2022 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

Greenville Triumph supporters 2022 US Open Cup

Greenville Triumph supporters 2022 US Open Cup
Photo: Chandler Jarrell @chandlerjarrell

 

Major League Soccer teams have joined the 2022 US Open Cup with 17 teams entering the competition this week. The remaining eight US-based MLS teams will join the tournament in Round 4.

Twenty-nine lower division professional teams (15 USL Championship, 8 USL League One, 4 NISA, 2 MLS Next Pro) survived Round 2 along with two amateur teams (FC Motown of NPSL; North Carolina Fusion U-23s of USL League Two).

There are a number of juicy matchups, including Landon Donovan’s return to Los Angeles, Wilmer Cabrera’s return to Houston, a pair of rivalry matches in Florida, the first Columbus (Ohio) vs. Detroit (Michigan) matchup in decades, and New Mexico United and Phoenix Rising add another chapter outside of the USL Championship.

#USOC2022 Essentials

2022 US Open Cup Results/Schedule
2022 US Open Cup Statistical Leaders
2022 US Open Cup Qualifying Results

Things you should know about the Third Round
Notable upsets in the Third Round (Modern Era)
USOC rule changes since 2019 tournament

Villyan Bijev of Central Valley Fuego voted TheCup.us Player of the Round (Round 3) 

2022 Meet the Underdogs Series
Azteca FC
Brockton FC United
City Soccer FC
Contra Costa FC
D’Feeters Kicks SC
Escondido FC
Lansdowne Yonkers FC
Lynchburg FC
Northern Virginia FC
Orlando FC Wolves
Oyster Bay United
San Fernando Valley FC

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CONTACT US

All games this round, and the rest of the tournament, will be broadcasted on the ESPN+ subscription service.

As always, TheCup.us will have reporters at every game and will be providing in-game updates on Twitter (@USOpenCup) and as we have done for more than a decade, the hashtag we recommend is #USOC2022.

Below you will find a brief preview of all 24 of this week’s games with links to each broadcast:

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Flower City Union (NISA) vs D.C. United (MLS)
Rochester Community Sports Complex – Rochester, NY
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

There was once a time when D.C. United could almost be penciled for a spot in the Semifinals at the start of any Open Cup they entered. Nine out of their first 14 Cup appearances from 1996-2013 saw the club finish as a semifinalist of better. Since 2014, D.C. have fallen on hard times in Cup play, failing to advance past their second game in their last six appearances.

While this is Flower City’s first Open Cup tournament, D.C. United is well acquainted with clubs from Rochester in the Open Cup. Starting in the 1996 Final, D.C. has faced the Rochester Rhinos (now Rochester New York FC of MLS Next Pro) a total of five times. United won the first four encounters (1996 (3-0), 2000 (3-0), 2008 (2-0), 2009 (2-1)) before the Rhinos came out on top 1-0 in the Fourth Round for the 2014 competition. This will also mark the second trip to Rochester in Open Cup play for United since that 2014 loss.

Flower City earned their spot in the Third Round with a 1-0 extra time win over the Western Mass Pioneers of USL League Two on a goal from Oukas Fernandes in the 93rd minute.. It was the first ever Open Cup victory by a club from NISA (until Bay Cities FC became the second later that night, and California United Strikers and Chattanooga FC joined them the following day).

D.C. United got off to a good start to the MLS season, winning its first two games against Charlotte FC (3-0 and FC Cincinnati (1-0). After that they have lost four straight, the streak being extended this past weekend with a 3-2 loss to Austin FC where Austin scored three goals in the final ten minutes, including the winner in the 90th minute. Ola Kamara leads the team with four goals scored.

Flower City have had a rough start to their debut NISA season, losing all three of their games, scoring just once while allowing 10 goals. AC Syracuse Pulse agreed to postpone their NISA game with Flower City scheduled for this past weekend, allowing their Rochester rivals to be well rested for their Open Cup game.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Flower City Union (NISA)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

D.C. United (MLS)
22nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 33-14-7
Away: 9-9-2
vs. Division 3: 9-2-1 (1-0 PKs)
Best finish: US Open Cup Champions (1996, 2008, 2013)


Miami FC (USL Championship) vs Inter Miami CF (MLS)
FIU Stadium – Miami, FL
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

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In 2017 as a professional club in the NASL, Miami FC defeated two Major League Soccer clubs (Atlanta United 3-2 at home & Orlando City 3-1 away) to earn a Quarterfinal date with an even bigger Cinderella story, the red hot FC Cincinnati of the USL. FC Cincinnati had knocked off two MLS clubs themselves (Columbus & Chicago), with the latter being nationally televised on ESPN in front of 33,287 fans in Cincinnati. FC Cincinnati prevailed 1-0 over Miami, earning a spot in the semifinals. 2017 was the only time Miami FC faced a team from MLS, as the following year the NASL suspended operations and Miami FC transferred its remaining players to its NPSL team. In 11 Open Cup games, Miami FC has yet to play a game outside of Florida. In fact, the only Open Cup game Miami FC has played outside of the Miami metro area was their win at Orlando City SC in 2017.

To reach the Third Round, Miami FC beat the NPSL’s Miami United FC 3-0. Goals from Adonijah Reid (30th minute) and Romeo Parker (82nd minute) added onto a 12th minute Kyle Murphy penalty.

Inter Miami have gotten off to a dismal start in the 2022 MLS season. After a season opening 0-0 draw with Chicago, the club lost their next four games in a row. They broke the streak with a 3-2 upset win over 2021 MLS Supporter Shield winners New England Revolution. Miami added to that with a 1-0 away win over Seattle this past weekend. Leonardo Campana leads the team with four goals scored.

Miami FC’s start in the 2022 USL Championship has been a little bit better. Miami is currently 3-2-1 in the USL Championship Eastern Conference, and riding a two game win streak over Hartford (2-0) and Tampa Bay (1-0). Goalkeeper Connor Sparrow is tied for second in the league with three clean sheets.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Miami FC (USL Championship)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 7-4-0
Home: 5-4-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 2-0-0
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2017)

Inter Miami CF (Major League Soccer)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Division 2: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A


FC Cincinnati (MLS) vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL Championship)
TQL Stadium – Cincinnati, OH
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

Players from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and FC Cincinnati battle for the ball in a Third Round match in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Delaney Hoolahan
Players from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and FC Cincinnati battle for the ball in a Third Round match in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Delaney Hoolahan

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Cincinnati’s Open Cup history actually goes all the way back to the 1931 tournament, when teams from the Queen City began entering the Ohio district’s qualifying rounds. The teams didn’t find much success and by the end of the 1930’s the city went dormant in Open Cup play until the early 1970s. Western Pennsylvania has been part of the Open Cup from its beginning in 1914, when Braddock FC dropped a 3-2 extra time game to Bethlehem Steel on Dec. 6, 1913. Three teams from Western Penn. have won the Open Cup: Harmarville Hurricanes (1952, 1956), Gallatin (1942), and Morgan-Strasser (1949).

The Riverhounds have met FC CIncinnati once before in the Open Cup, back when Cincy was a USL club. In the 2018 Third Round, Pittsburgh lost to Cincinnati 3-1 at the Riverhounds’ Highmark Stadium.

FC Cincinnati of course had their famous Open Cup run in 2017 as a USL club, reaching the semifinals and drawing crowds over 30,000 to three of the games they hosted that year. In fact, three of the top six attended Open Cup games in history are games hosted by FC Cincinnati. The game that put them on center stage was their epic Fifth Round contest with the Chicago Fire, which was televised live on ESPN. After a 0-0 draw Cincinnati advanced on penalty kicks, and went on to push the New York Red Bulls to extra time before losing 3-2 in the semifinals.

Toby Sims Pittsburgh Riverhounds Maryland Bobcats 2022 US Open Cup
Toby Sims of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds dribbles against the Maryland Bobcats in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Chris Cowger | Pittsburgh Riverhounds

In the Third Round, the Riverhounds used a pair of Toby Sims goals on either side of halftime to get past the Maryland Bobcats of NISA 2-0. FC Cincinnati have won their opening match in each of the four tournaments they have been involved in, although their last appearance in 2019 ended in an upset road loss to Saint Louis FC in the Fifth Round. One thing in Cincinnati’s favor is the Riverhounds road record in the Open Cup, which is a dismal 3-11-2. Pittsburgh’s last road win was in 2018 (2-1 over Erie Commodores), but prior to that they had lost seven road games in a row.

The ‘Hounds record against MLS teams isn’t not much better, 1-5-0 with their only win being their very first Open Cup game with MLS opposition, a 2-0 home win against the Colorado Rapids in the 2001 Second Round.

After finishing the 2021 season with a 4-22-8 record, FC Cincinnati’s 2-4-1 start to the new season could be seen as progress, though they are in the middle of a three game-winless streak (0-2-1). Brandon Vasquez leads the team with five goals scored, which is tied for tops in the league with four other players.

The Riverhounds are in good shape in the USL Championship, sitting second in the Eastern Conference at 4-1-1, winners of three of their last five. Dane Kelly and Alberrt Dikwa each have four goals, putting them in the top five in USL-C.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

FC Cincinnati (MLS)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 8-3-2 (1-1 in Major League Soccer)
Home: 6-1-2 (1-0 in Major League Soccer)
vs. Division 2: 4-2-0 (1-1 in Major League Soccer)
Best finish: Semifinals (2017)

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL Championship)
18th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 12-15-3 (1-2 PKs)
Away: 3-11-2 (0-2 PKs)
vs. Division 3: 1-3-0
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2001)


Detroit City FC (USL Championship) vs Columbus Crew SC (MLS)
Keyworth Stadium – Hamtramck, MI
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Matt Lewis Detroit City FC Michigan Stars FC 2022 US Open Cup
Matt Lewis of Detroit City FC celebrates with some fans during the club’s Second Round match against Michigan Stars FC in the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Detroit City FC

The first known meeting between the cities of Detroit and Columbus in US Open Cup play came in 1977 in the First Round. Detroit’s Macedonian FC Vardar traveled to Columbus to face Macedonian SC, and came away as 4-2 victors. Vardar would be halted in the next round by Cleveland’s Karadjordje by the same score. The only time the Crew has faced a team from Michigan was in the 2006 Third Round, when the Crew beat the Michigan Bucks (now Flint City Bucks), 4-1 in a game played in Rochester Hills, Mich.

Since its run to the 2010 Open Cup Final success has been hard for the Crew to find. In its nine tournament appearances since then, Columbus has failed to advance beyond two matches each time. Four times (2011, 2012, 2017, 2018) the Crew dropped its opening game.

Detroit City won its first Open Cup game as a professional club, defeating former league mates Michigan Stars 3-0. Matthew Lewis scored twice to add to a Connor Ruts opening goal. Maximilliano Rodriguez assisted on two goals via corner kicks. Detroit City’s previous four Open Cup appearances came as an amateur NPSL club, and during their time as a pro club with NISA, the Open Cup had been canceled.

In the early going Detroit City is showing they could make a successful move from NISA to the USL Championship, sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference at 3-1-2. Their one loss was the first game of the season, since then they have gone five games unbeaten.Goalkeeper Nathan Steinwascher has provided three clean sheets, and former MLS player Antoine Hoppenot leads the team with three goals.

Columbus got off to a good start with two wins and a draw in their first three games, but since then they are mired in a four game winless streak (1 draw, 3 losses) in which the Crew have failed to score in the last three games.. Lucas Zelarayan’s four goals lead the team.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Columbus Crew (MLS)
21st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 23-16-3
Away: 7-9-1 (0-1 PKs)
vs. Division 2: 8-2-1 (0-1 PKs)
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champions (2002)

Detroit City FC (USL Championship)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-2-4 (2-2 PKs)
Home: 1-0-2 (1-1 PKs)
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2016, 2018)


Birmingham Legion FC (USL Championship) vs South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL League One)
Preston Goldfarb Field (Birmingham-Southern Col.) – Birmingham, AL
8 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Birmingham Legion Southern States 2022 US Open Cup
Players from Birmingham Legion FC celebrate after scoring a goal against Southern States SC in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Birmingham Legion FC

South Georgia wound up playing their Third Round game at the Charleston Battery at 11 a.m. on April 7 after the game was pushed back a day due to inclement weather. In addition there were zero fans in attendance due to stadium damage caused by a previous storm. The Tormenta took advantage of the reduced home field advantage to pull off a 1-0 surprise on the strength of Athur Bosua’s 61st minute goal. The loss snapped a pair of massive streaks for the Battery. Charleston’s 14-game opening round win streak came to an end (second-longest streak of the Modern Era), along with the club’s nine-game home unbeaten streak.

Birmingham handled the NPSL’s Southern States SC Stars pretty easily in their 3-1 Third Round win. Prosper Kasim, Bruno Lapa and Marlon gave the Legion a 3-0 lead in the second half before Southern States pulled back a consolation goal. Birmingham outshot their amateur opponent 22-8.

Neither team has much Open Cup history heading into the contest. Prior to 2022, South Georgia’s lone Open Cup game was a 1-0 loss to leaguemates Greenville Triumph in the 2019 Second Round. Birmingham’s only other Open Cup appearance was in the same year, a 4-1 home win over West Chester United (then an Open Division Local qualifier), followed by a 1-0 elimination at Louisville City FC.

Birmingham have struggled to get going, currently 1-3-2 in the USL Championship Eastern Conference. The club has scored just four goals in six games, spread out among four different players.

South Georgia have played just two games in the USL League One season thus far. They opened with a 1-0 loss to North Carolina FC, followed by a 0-0 draw with Union Omaha.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Birmingham Legion FC (USL Championship)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-1-0
Home: 2-0-0
vs. Division 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: Third Round (2019)

South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL League One)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-1-0
Away: 1-1-0
vs. Division 2: 1-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2019, 2022)


Chicago Fire FC (Major League Soccer) vs Union Omaha (USL League One)
Soldier Field – Chicago, IL
8 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

 

Chicago Fire: 2000 US Open Cup champions

The Chicago Fire are a single team Open Cup record book. Four championships, two other finals appearances, seven runs to the semifinals. The only time the Fire has gone more than one tournament without reaching the semis was between 2007-2010. This has led the Fire to 13 semifinal appearances, the most in the 107-year history of the Open Cup.

The last Open Cup game played at Soldier Field was the 2000 Open Cup Final, when the Fire defeated the Miami Fusion 2-1 on a Hristo Stoichkov first half score and an 88th minute own goal by Miami’s Tyrone Marshall. Chicago’s home Open Cup unbeaten streak sits at nine games, tied for second among active streaks with Sporting Kansas City, and two behind Philadelphia Union (11). They are tied with Seattle for the longest ever Modern Era home winning streak at 19. The Fire’s all-time home record in the tournament is an impressive 26-1-2 (1-1 PKs) with their only outright home loss coming in the 2013 Semifinals, a 2-0 loss to D.C. United.

The Fire also have the most Open Cup wins in the modern era, checking in with 42 victories, three ahead of Rochester New York FC of MLS Next Pro (formerly Rochester Rhinos). Chicago’s record against Division 3 teams in the Open Cup site at 11-1-1, and the last time they were eliminated by a team from that level was in the 2010 Third Round by the Charleston Battery on penalties after a scoreless draw at home. Their only outright loss to a D-3 club was in 2009,  a 1-0 road defeat to the Wilmington Hammerheads.

 

Union Omaha Des Moines Menace 2022 US Open Cup
Players from Union Omaha celebrate after scoring a goal against the Des Moines Menace in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Trev Hellman @trevhellman

The Fire’s last Open Cup appearance ended on a down note however, a 2-1 road loss to Saint Louis FC of the USL Championship in 2019.

On the other hand, the Fire’s USL League One opponents Union Omaha have an Open Cup history that stretches…to two weeks ago. Union made their Open Cup debut against the Des Moines Menace, and dispatched the stubborn USL League Two side 2-1. John Scearce got Union level after an early Menace goal, and eventually won the game on an 81st minute own goal.

Union Omaha has two draws to its credit in its first two USL League One games, a 2-2 draw with Forward Madison followed by a scoreless tie with South Georgia Tormenta.

After a disappointing 2021 season the Chicago Fire are off to a decent start in 2022 at 2-1-4, although all four draws have been scoreless. The Fire have just five goals over seven games, so Gabriel Slonina’s five clean sheets have been much needed.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Chicago Fire (MLS)

23rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 42-16-6 (4-2 PKs)
Home: 26-1-2 (1-1 PKs)
vs. Division 3: 11-1-1 (1-0 PKs)
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champions (1998, 2000, 2003, 2006)

Union Omaha (USL League One)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Away: 1-0-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A


FC Dallas (MLS) vs FC Tulsa (USL Championship)
Toyota Stadium – Frisco, TX
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The defending champion FC Dallas battled the Tulsa Roughnecks at Southern Methodist University in the Fourth Round of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: FC Dallas
The defending champion FC Dallas battled the Tulsa Roughnecks at Southern Methodist University in the Fourth Round of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: FC Dallas

The two-time Open Cup champs FC Dallas have quietly built up an impressive resume over their previous 22 appearances. Dallas have lifted the trophy twice (1997, 2016) but they have been a model of consistency by reaching at least the Quarterfinals in 16 of the club’s 22 appearances. Their 16 Quarterfinal appearances are only second all-time to the 17 held by St. Louis powerhouse Kutis SC.

The two clubs met back in the 2017 Fourth Round when FC Tulsa was known as the Tulsa Roughnecks. Current Nashville SC assistant coach Kosuke Kimura tied the game at 1-1 for Tulsa in the second half after Coy Craft’s first half goal gave Dallas the lead. FC Dallas won the game in stoppage time on a Modou Jadama (now with Hartford Athletic) own goal. This will mark the fifth time in the last six tournaments FC Dallas has hosted a team from Oklahoma. The other three times the visitors were the Oklahoma City Energy, all Fourth Round matches that FC Dallas won. FC Dallas has not lost an opening game in the Cup since their 2-0 loss in the Third Round against the Charlotte Eagles in 2012.

FC Tulsa snapped their four game Open Cup winless streak in the Second Round by winning the Tulsa Derby against Tulsa Athletic of the NPSL. Brian Brown and Ronald Gomez gave Tulsa an early 2-0 lead that held through most of the game, until Athletic cut the lead in half with fifteen minutes remaining.

FC Dallas are looking to rebound from a 7-15-12 finish in 2021, and are getting off to a good start in 2022. The club is 3-1-3 thus far and are on a five game unbeaten streak (3 wins, 2 draws). Jesus Ferreira leads the team with 5 goals and Brandon Servania has provided three assists.

FC Tulsa are currently 3-4-0 in the USL Championship Western Conference. Tulsa  is one of the top scoring teams in the league with 12, but they have allowed 13 goals. J.J. Williams leads the scoring charge for Tulsa with 4 goals.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

FC Dallas (MLS)
23rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 35-19-6 (5-1 PKs)
Home: 21-7-3 (5-1 PKs)
vs. Division 2: 19-2-2 (2-0 PKs)
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champions (1997, 2016)

FC Tulsa (USL Championship)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-5-1 (1-0 PKs)
Away: 0-4-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-1-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2017)


Houston Dynamo FC (MLS) vs Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (USL Championship)
PNC Stadium – Houston, TX
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Wilmer Cabrera Houston Dynamo 2018 US Open Cup Final
Wilmer Cabrera coaches the Houston Dynamo in the 2018 US Open Cup Final against the Philadelphia Union. Photo: Houston Dynamo

The Toros and Dynamo have had a rather unique relationship as Open Cup opponents. From 2016 to 2020 the Toros served as a “hybrid affiliate” of Houston, meaning the Dynamo were responsible for handling the soccer duties of the club (selecting players & coaches), while the ownership group (Lone Star) took care of the day-to-day operations of the club. As a result, the Toros were not eligible to the Open Cup during that time since the team were using players solely under contract with the Dynamo. In December 2020 the club parted ways with Houston, becoming an independent team, thus becoming eligible to play in the Open Cup.

The Toros do have one other connection with Houston. Their head coach, Wilmer Cabrera, led Houston to its only Open Cup championship in 2018, the first time a team from South Texas has won the Open Cup. Cabrera was in charge of the dynamo from 2016-2019. Cabrera was brought on by Rio Grande this season as their new manager.

Houston has quite a remarkable home field record in the Open Cup, having played 20 of their 30 cup games at home. 13 of their last 16 Cup games have been at BBVA Compass Stadium, including the last eight games. Their entire championship run (5 games) in 2018 was played at BBVA. Houston has lost a Cup game to a non-MLS opponent since their 1-0 road loss to the San Antonio Scorpions of the NASL in the 2012 Third Round.

Rio Grande Valley started their Open Cup history with their Second Round victory over North Carolina FC of the USL League One. After falling behind 1-0, Frank Garcia and Frank Chaves scored second half goals to lift the Toros to a 2-1 win.

In their first season as an independent club, Rio Grande Valley have bookended wins around a four game losing streak, which they snapped with a 1-0 victory over New York Red Bulls II this past weekend. Frank Lopez has four of the club’s five goals scored this season.

Houston are currently 3-1-3 and in the middle of a five-game unbeaten streak (3 wins, 2 draws). Darwin Quintero leads the team with four goals. Quintero was the goalscoring champion from the 2019 US Opene Cup with Minnesota United, netting a Modern Era-record tying six goals.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Houston Dynamo (MLS)
14th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 17-11-2 (1-1 PKs)
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Division 2: 5-2-1 (0-1 PKs)
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champions (2018)

Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (USL Championship)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Away: 1-0-0
vs. MLS: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A


FC Tucson (USL League One) vs California United Strikers FC (NISA)
Kino North Stadium – Tucson, AZ
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Marcus Lee Cal United Strikers San Fernando Valley FC 2022 US Open Cup
Marcus Lee of Cal United Strikers FC celebrates his goal against San Fernando Valley FC in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Jace Medina | IG: @face.off.media

FC Tucson are looking to advance past their second tournament game for the first time since their Open Cup debut in 2013 when they reached the Third Round. 2013 was also the only other time Tucson has played multiple professional clubs in the same tournament. Opening with a 2-1 win over Phoenix FC (USL Pro, Division 3), Tucson then knocked off San Antonio Scorpions (NASL, Division 2) on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Their run ended with a loss to the Houston Dynamo of MLS 2-0.

With their first five Cup appearances coming as an amateur club in the PDL (USL League Two), Tucson played their first ever Open Cup game as a professional club in the Second Round, knocking off the Las Vegas Lights of the USL Championship 3-2. Jake Crull and Tyler Adams scored before and after a Las Vegas own goal, and held off a late Vegas rally for the win.

California United Strikers FC made their Open Cup debut in the Second Round with a resounding 5-0 win over San Fernando Valley FC of the UPSL. The star of the show was 15-year old Marcus Lee, who scored the opening goal in the 4th minute and assisted on another. Lee has his very own supporters group from the high school he attends, and is believed to be the youngest player to score an Open Cup goal in the Modern Era. Lee fell just short of being named TheCup.us Player of the Round.

Just two games into their USL League One season, FC Tucson opened with a 4-0 loss to Richmond, but rebounded to draw Forward Madison 1-1 this past weekend.

California United Strikers are unbeaten three games into the 2022 NISA season. They started with a pair of scoreless draws versus Bay Cities and Valley United, and got their first win, and goals, against Los Angeles Force this past weekend with a 2-0 victory.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

FC Tucson (USL League One)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 5-5-1 (1-0 PKs)
Home: 5-2-0
vs. Division 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: Third Round (2013 … as USL-2 team)

California United Strikers FC (NISA)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Division 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A


San Jose Earthquakes (Major League Soccer) vs Bay Cities FC (NISA)
PayPal Park – San Jose, CA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Bay Cities FC Monterey Bay FC 2022 US Open Cup
Edson Cardona of Bay Cities FC celebrates his goal with his teammates in a match against Monterery Bay FC in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Lyndsay Radnedge – @el_radical_photos

Bay Cities has the unique distinction of playing at the same venue two rounds in a row as both the home and visiting team. For their Second Round match with Monterey Bay FC, neither team put in a bid to host, so the match was held at the Earthquakes’ PayPal Park, with Bay Cities designated as the home team. This time around they play as the visitors against the normal tenant’s acting as hosts.

The Earthquakes are on a four game home Open Cup winning streak that goes back to 2017. The club has had limited success in their 16 previous Cup appearances, having reached the Quarterfinals nine times but only advancing to the Semifinals twice (2004 & 2017). The Earthquakes only have had five games against division 3 opponents, going 2-2-1 (1-0 in PKs), and perhaps the most notable of those was in 1997, when the upstart San Francisco Bay Seals of the D3 Pro League pulled off a 2-1 upset.

In the Second Round, Bay Cities FC had the most dramatic win thus far in this year’s tournament. Holding a 1-0 lead on a Rei Dorwhat goal midway through the second half, Monterey Bay FC scored with three minutes remaining to tie the game at 1-1. In stoppage time Edson Cardona took advantage of a defensive miscue to score the dramatic winner.

In the very early stages of their 2022 NISA season, Bay Cities sit at 0-1-2, with two scoreless draws and a 2-0 loss to Valley United FC, and should be well rested as they had this past weekend off in league play.

The Earthquakes could not have envisioned a worse start to 2022, sitting dead last in the Western Conference at 0-4-3 and the only team in the league without a win. The Quakes will enter the Open Cup with a brand new man in charge, as the club announced they are moving on from manager Matias Almeyda.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
17th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 15-12-7 (3-4 PKs)
Home: 8-5-2 (1-1 PKs)
Division 3: 2-2-1 (1-0 PKs)
Best finish: Semifinals (2004, 2017)

Bay Cities FC (NISA)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A


Los Angeles Galaxy (Major League Soccer) vs San Diego Loyal SC (USL Championship)
Dignity Health Sports Park – Carson, CA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Taylor Crull celebrates with his San Diego Loyal teammates after scoring an 89th minute go-ahead goal against ALBION San Diego in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: San Diego Loyal

LA Galaxy legend Landon Donovan returns to his old stomping grounds, this time on the opposite sideline as manager of the San Diego Loyal. Donovan scored five goals for the Galaxy in Open Cup play, all in 2005 & 2006 when the club reached the Final both years, winning in 2005.

It’s been 16 years since the Galaxy’s back-to-back Finals appearances, and since then they’ve struggled to find consistent success. 2007 through 2014 saw a string of tournaments the Galaxy did not qualify for or were eliminated after just two games. 2015 saw a return to the Quarterfinals followed by a Semifinal (2016) and another Quarterfinal (2017). The last two tournaments the Galaxy were stopped by the Portland Timbers each time.

The Galaxy have faced San Diego opponents twice in their history. LA defeated the San Diego Flash of the A-League 3-2 in 1999 and 2-0 in 2000, both times at San Diego and in the Fourth Round.

The Galaxy have a four game home winning streak stretching back to 2017. They have also lost just three home Open Cup matches all time, and haven’t lost to a Division 2 opponent since 2013, when they fell in the Third Round to the Carolina RailHawks of the NASL.

San Diego Loyal won their debut Cup contest in the Second Round against NISA’s ALBION San Diego 2-1. Evan Conway gave the Loyal a 1-0 lead just before halftime , and Taylor Crull scored the game winner in the 89th minute.

The Galaxy are off to a good start in the 2022 MLS season, currently 4-2-1, and recently beating rivals Los Angeles FC 2-1 in the “El Trafico” derby. Chicarito is among the league’s leading goal scorers with five this season. Raheem Edwards leads the team with five assists.

San Diego are riding high in the USL Championship, on top on the Western Conference at 5-2-1, and are the highest scoring team in the league with 18 goals, six more than the next closest team. Kyle Vassell leads the attack with five goals, and nine other players have added their name on the scoresheet this season.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
17th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 32-17-1 (1-0mPKs)
Home: 23-3-0
Division 2: 10-4-0
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champions (2001, 2005)

San Diego Loyal SC (USL Championship)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Away: 1-0-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Rochester New York FC (MLS Next Pro) vs FC Motown (NPSL)
Monroe Community College – Rochester, NY
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

FC Motown 2022 US Open Cup AC Syracuse Pulse
Federico De Olivera of FC Motown celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against AC Syracuse Pulse in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Peter Bonilla

FC Motown has already had quite a ride despite only playing two rounds in this years tournament. Their First Round game with West Chester United was replayed when Motown’s protest of an improper substitution was upheld. Motown then won the replay on a Ryan Peterson goal in the 90th minute.

Before the replay the team was dealt an emotional blow when Sinclair Tueno was struck by a car, leaving him in a coma. Motown then pulled off an upset in the Second Round over AC Syracuse Pulse of NISA, taking the game to extra time where Federico De Olivera scored the eventual game winning goal in the 95th minute. FC Motown are one of two teams to advance from the First Round of this year’s tournament.

The Rochester Rhinos had been on hiatus since 2018 due to financial difficulties, finally returning to play this season in MLS Next Pro under new ownership and a new name: Rochester New York FC. Rochester are the only independent club in the league, and if they remain they’ll stay eligible to enter future Open Cup tournaments. In their 23 Open Cup appearances, RNYFC has played a remarkable 45 of their 63 Open Cup games at home, where they hold a 33-8-4 record. The club’s 39 Modern Era Open Cup win ranks only second behind the Chicago Fire with 42. For the last sixteen times Rochester had played in the Open Cup, they have advanced to face an MLS club, a streak that runs back to 2002.

The club has never lost to an amateur side in 19 Open Cup games, adding to that record with a 1-0 win over Lansdowne Yonkers in the Second Round. Girban Rayo’s goal in first half stoppage time was enough for Rochester to see off the amateurs. The clubs faced off in 2017 Second Round when FC Motown was a USASA club, with Rochester coming away 3-0 winners.

In the early MLS Next Pro season, Rochester is near the bottom of the Eastern Conference at 0-1-2, having played all three games on the road. FC Motown has yet to start its NPSL season.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Rochester New York FC (MLS Next Pro)
23rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 39-18-6 (3-3 PKs)
Home: 33-8-4 (2-2 PKs)
vs. Amateurs: 19-0-0
Best finish: Champions (1999)

FC Motown (NPSL)
4th US Open Cup appearance
NOTE: Merged with Clarkstown SC Eagles after 2017 season, which had 2 appearances in 2016 and 2017)
Overall: 4-2-1 (0-1 PKs)
Away:
vs. Division 3: 3-0-1 (0-1 PKs)
Best finish: Second Round (2017, 2018, 2022)


Richmond Kickers (USL League One) vs North Carolina Fusion U23 (USL League Two)
City Stadium – Richmond, VA
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "Champions" shirt, honoring the five clubs from the pre-Modern Era (1914-1994) to win four or more US Open Cup titles. Visit THECUP.US SHOP
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “Champions” shirt, honoring the five clubs from the pre-Modern Era (1914-1994) to win four or more US Open Cup titles. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

North Carolina Fusion U-23s are one of two teams (FC Motown the other) that have advanced from this years First Round. In the Second Round the Fusion upset Charlotte Independence of USL League One 4-2. Goals from Luis Neto and Joao Silva kept the Fusion level with Charlotte at 2-2. Tom Marriot’s 88th minute goal have NCF the late lead and William Lorentz put the game away deep into stoppage time. Richmond won their Second Round game 1-0 over Northern Virginia FC at home. The lone goal was netted by David Olden, his first goal in over four years while away from the game battling injuries.

The Fusion, who qualified as South Atlantic Division champions and USL League Two runner-up, have a rich history dating back to 1993 when they were founded as the Carolina Dynamo. The Fusion made their Open Cup debut in 1996. The club made five appearances as a Division 3 pro team before joining USL League Two (then known as the PDL) in 2004.

The Kickers and Fusion met in Open Cup play once before. In the 2006 Second Round, the Fusion (then as the Carolina Dynamo) pulled off a 1-0 upset over the Kickers. This was followed by a 3-2 extra time upset of the Seattle Sounders of USL-1. The run ended in the Fourth Round with a 4-2 loss at the Houston Dynamo, ending the teams best-ever Open Cup run.

The Kickers have been involved in the Open Cup since 1995, winning that year’s tournament as an amateur club. Their most recent deep run came in 2011 when they knocked off two MLS clubs (Columbus & Kansas City) to reach the semifinals, where they lost to the Chicago Fire 2-1. Over the years Richmond has jumped between second and third level USL leagues, having spent 2017 and 2018 in the USL, then moving down when USL League One was created. The Kickers are 13-2-1 (1-0 PKs) against amateur opponents, their last loss coming in 2017 when they were upset 1-0 by amateur side Christos FC.

Early on in the USL League One season, Richmond are 1-1-1. The Kickers opened with a resounding 4-0 win over FC Tucson, then cooled off with a 1-1 draw versus Northern Colorado, then a 1-0 loss to Charlotte this past weekend. North Carolina Fusion U-23s have yet to begin its USL League Two season.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Richmond Kickers (USL League One)
22nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 32-19-4 (2-2 PKs)
Home: 25-7-1 (1-0 PKs)
Amateurs: 14-2-1 (1-0 PKs)
Best finish: 1995 US Open Cup champions

North Carolina Fusion U23 (USL League Two)
13th US Open Cup appearance (8th as USL-2 team)
Overall: 13-12-1 (1-0 PKs) | 8-7-1 (1-0 PKs) as USL-2
Home: 3-9-0 | 1-4-0 as USL-2
vs. Division 3: 3-2-0 | 3-2-0 as USL-2
Best finish: Fourth Round (2006)


Hartford Athletic (USL Championship) vs New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Dillon Stadium – Hartford, CT
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Hartford Athletic Oyster Bay United 2022 US Open Cup
Hartford Athletic players celebrate a goal scored against Oyster Bay United in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Hartford Athletic

The New York Red Bulls have a bit of a split personality in their Open Cup history. As the Metrostars, the club reached the Semifinals four times, making a championship game appearance in 2003 (1-0 loss to Chicago Fire). When the team changed its name to Red Bulls, it went nine years without advancing past a second game, going 3-7-0 in that span. A blip of success came in 2015 with a Quarterfinal appearance, then a trip to the Final in 2017. In the two tournaments after that disappointment returned with early exits each time at the hands of MLS clubs.

Not only is this the Red Bulls first ever Open Cup trip to Connecticut, it’s alsol as the first time NYRB has played a team from the state in the Open Cup. The Red Bulls record against division 2 opponents is 7-5, although most of the losses came in the Metrostars era.

Hartford Athletic’s Open Cup history is limited to the 2019 tournament, beating NY Cosmos B 2-1 before falling to leaguemates Memphis 901 FC 4-0 in the Third Round. Dillon Stadium has been a venue for the Open Cup dating back 64 years. The first known Open Cup game at Dillon was on Nov. 16, 1958, as Hartford’s Italian American Stars won 2-0 over KS Ogniwo. This was followed on Dec. 7, 1958 with a 5-4 extra time win by the Stars over Boston Italia. The Stars fell 3-2 in the following round to eventual runners-up Fall River SC.

Hartford Athletic are off to a bad start to the USL Championship season, sitting last in the Eastern Conference at 0-4-1, the only team in the league without a win. Hartford are on a four-game losing streak, which was extended this past weekend with a 2-0 loss to Miami FC.

The Red Bulls are off to a 3-2-2 start in the 2022 MLS season. Lewis Morgan leads the way with three goals, and Frankie Amaya and Patryk Klimala have provided three assists each thus far.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

New York Red Bulls (Major League Soccer)
US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 22-20-3 (2-1 PKs)
Away: 11-13-1 (0-1 PKs)
Division 2: 7-5-0
Best finish: Final (2017)

Hartford Athletic (USL Championship)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-1-0
Home: 2-0-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2019)


Greenville Triumph SC (USL League One) vs Charlotte Football Club (MLS)
Triumph Stadium at Legacy Early College – Greenville, SC
7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

Greenville Triumph Oakland Roots 2022 US Open Cup
Greenville Triumph players celebrate after scoring a goal against Oakland Roots in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Chandler Jarrell @chandlerjarrell

Greenville just barely has more Open Cup experience than Charlotte, having played two games in the 2019 tournament, a 1-0 win over South Georgia Tormenta of USL-1, and a 2-1 loss to the Charleston Battery.

In the Second Round, Greenville hosted the Oakland Roots of the USL Championship, and came away as 2-0 victors, despite being outshot 17-9. Jake Keegan gave the Triumph a 1-0 first half lead, and Don Smart got the clincher in the fourth minute of second half stoppage time.

After dropping their first three games, Charlotte has turned around a bit, winning three of their last five, but are coming off a 2-1 loss to New England this past weekend. Karol Swiderski leads the new club with four goals, and Benjamin Bender is tops on the team with three assists.

Greenville is 0-1-1 in the early USL League One season. They opened with a 2-0 loss to Northern Colorado, then followed up with a 1-1 draw with North Carolina FC this past weekend.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Greenville Triumph SC (USL League One)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-1-0
Home: 2-1-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2019)

Charlotte FC (MLS)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A


Orlando City SC (Major League Soccer) vs Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL Championship)
Exploria Stadium – Orlando, FL
7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

Tampa Bay Rowdies The Villages SC 2022 US Open Cup Photo by Morgan Tencza
Kyle Greig (22) and Yann Ekra of the Tampa Bay Rowdies celebrate a goal against The Villages SC in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Morgan Tencza

Tampa Bay had no trouble in the Second Round, rolling past The Villages SC (USL League Two), 6-0. Lucky Mkosana led the way with two goals, while Jordan Scarlett, Kyle Greig, Jake LaCava and Laurence Wyke added a goal each. The 6-0 win was the largest in the Rowdies’ Open Cup history, and extended their home winning streak in the tournament to five.

Orlando City started in 2009 in USL First Division (Div. 2 pro) as the Austin Aztex, where they reached the Third Round in 2009 and 2010. Success followed them in their move to Orlando, with the peak being a 2013 run to the Quarterfinals, knocking off two MLS clubs (Colorado & Sporting KC) along the way. In 2015, the club moved up to MLS, adding to their resume a pair of Quarterfinal runs (2015 & 2018), and a Semifinal spot in 2019 where they fell to Atlanta United 2-0.

Orlando and Tampa Bay met in the Cup in the 2014 Third Round, when Orlando was in USL Pro and Tampa Bay was a part of the NASL. The Columbus Crew’s Kevin Molino scored twice for Orlando City in their 4-1 win over the Rowdies.

The Rowdies are only 1-3 against MLS teams, but that single win was huge. The Rowdies’ 1-0 upset of the Seattle Sounders in 2013 ended Seattle’s chances of becoming the first club in tournament history to four-peat, and snapped the club’s all-time record 22-game unbeaten streak. Tampa also has the second-longest road losing streak in the Modern Era, dropping their last seven road Cup games.

Orlando City are near the  top of the Eastern Conference in MLS at 4-2-2, and have a two-game win streak following their 2-1 victory over Columbus this past weekend. Junior Urso leads the Orlando attack with three goals and two assists. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese has recorded five clean sheets in seven starts.

The Rowdies have lost just once in their first seven games, sitting third in the USL Championship Eastern Conference at 3-1-3. Jake LaCava leads the team with three goals, and goalkeeper CJ Cochran has three clean sheets in his six games.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Orlando City SC (MLS)
12th US Open Cup appearance | 6th in Major League Soccer
Overall: 17-11-3 (3-0 PKs) | 5-5-3 (3-0 PKs) in Major League Soccer
Home: 11-4-1 (1-0 PKs) | 2-3-1 (1-0 PKs) in Major League Soccer
vs. Division 2: 3-2-0 | 2-2-0 in Major League Soccer
Best finish: Semifinals (2019)

Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL Championship)
10th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 8-9-0
Home: 3-8-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 1-3-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2014, 2016)


Forward Madison FC (USL League One) vs Minnesota United FC (MLS)
Breese Stevens Field – Madison, WI
7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+


By Tim Abbott / Chuck Nolan Jr.

Osvaldo Alonso of Minnesota United FC dribbles the ball against New Mexico United in the Quarterfinals of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Minnesota United FC
Osvaldo Alonso of Minnesota United FC dribbles the ball against New Mexico United in the Quarterfinals of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Minnesota United FC

The Battle of the Birds sees Minnesota United make the short trip southeast to face a Forward side who dispatched NPSL side Cleveland SC 3-0 in the previous round.

Forward Madison are taking part in the US Open Cup for the second time after making a splash in their 2019 debut. Madison picked up a 2-0 road win over Bavarian SC in the club’s first-ever USOC game before traveling south to blank El Paso Locomotive (USL Championship) 3-0 to earn the Division 3 pro $25,000 prize money. Their run would end with a 3-1 road loss at Saint Louis FC (USL Championship).

Minnesota began as the Minnesota Stars in the USSF Division 2 in 2010 before joining the NASL the following year. The club’s only highlight during its NASL era was a 3-1 road upset of Real Salt Lake (MLS) in 2012. They joined MLS as Minnesota United FC in 2017 and after a pair of short-lived runs, United became the first team from the North Star State to reach the Final, falling to Atlanta United, 2-1

The state of Minnesota’s Open Cup history goes back deep into the roots of the current side and is highlighted by a Semifinal berth by Minnesota Thunder.

The match already marks the furthest that a Wisconsin side has made it in the Modern Era, although amateur powerhouse Bavarian United made the Round of 16 every year between 1972 and 1975, Croatian Eagles made the same round in 1943, 1944 and 1945 and Falk Field Club in 1944. However, all of those clubs are Milwaukee-based and the pedigree is not as deep in Madison.

From 1988-1991 the Madson 56ers rose to prominence, representing Wisconsin all four years in the tournament proper. In 1991, the 56ers reached the Quarterfinals where they lost to Chicago’s RWB Adria on penalties after a 4-4 draw.

Minnesota’s first entry in the Open Cup game in the 1958 tournament, when the Minneapolis Tigers were the only entry from the state. The Tigers lost to Milwaukee’s Serbian SC 2-1 in extra time, and in the following years the Minnesota entry would play the Wisconsin winner, but failed each time to get past their neighbors to the East.

Minnesota are currently 3-2-2 in early MLS play, having snapped a two game losing streak with a 3-1 win over Colorado this past weekend. Their eight goals have been spread out among six players, with Luis Amarilla and Robin Lod leading the way with two apiece.

Forward Madison has played to a draw in all three of their USL League One games. A 1-1 draw with Chattanooga was followed by a 2-2 tie with Union Omaha. This past weekend saw another 1-1 draw, this time with FC Tucson.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Forward Madison FC (USL League One)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-1-0
Home: 1-0-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-0-0
Best finish: Third Round (2019)

Minnesota United (Major League Soccer)
11th US Open Cup appearance | 4th in Major League Soccer
Overall: 9-8-2 (1-1 PKS) | 4-3-1 (1-0 PKs) in Major League Soccer
Away: 5-5-2 (1-1 PKs) | 1-3-1 (1-0 PKs) in Major League Soccer
vs. Division 3: 1-0-1 (0-1 PKs) | 0-0 in Major League Soccer
Best finish: Final (2019)


Atlanta United FC (Major League Soccer) vs Chattanooga Football Club (NISA)
Fifth Third Bank Stadium – Kennesaw, GA
7:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Tim Abbott

Pity Martinez of Atlanta United FC prepares to lift the trophy after winning the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Logan Riely | Atlanta United
Pity Martinez of Atlanta United FC prepares to lift the trophy after winning the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Logan Riely | Atlanta United

Defending champions Atlanta United enter this year’s competition having had to wait three years to defend their crown. They’ve played four games at Fifth Third Bank Stadium to the north of Atlanta. The first three wins were all against Charleston Battery of the USL Championship and they also beat fellow Championship side Saint Louis FC 2-0 in the Quarterfinals. Therefore, despite never having played a Division 3 professional side before, the Five Stripes enter this game undefeated against professional opponents in Cobb County.

Chattanooga have never faced an MLS side and only have two wins overall from seven US Open Cup appearances, although they have won three penalty shootouts.

They advanced to the Third Round with a win in a Tennessee tussle over USL Championship side Memphis 901.

The Third Round is the furthest they have ever advanced.

Atlanta’s first prominent team in the Open Cup was Datagraphic in the early 1980s. Datagraphic reached the Quarterfinals in 1979, and then the Semifinals in 1981. The club also won the 1979 National Amateur Cup.

Atlanta are 3-2-2 on the season in MLS so far, good for 4th place in the Eastern Conference. Their season has been up and down so far, alternating wins, losses and draws without putting any kind of streak together. Eight players have scored for Atlanta this season, with Josef Martinez leading with a pair of goals.

Chattanooga have drawn both of their matches so far this season, a scoreless draw with Valley United, and a 1-1 stalemate with the Maryland Bobcats. Chattanooga had this past weekend off from NISA play.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Atlanta United (Major League Soccer)
4th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 7-2-0
Home: 5-1-0
vs. Division 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champions (2019)

Chattanooga FC (NISA)
7th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-5-4 (3-1 PKs)
Away: 0-2-2 (1-1 PKs)
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-0-0
Best finish: Third Round (2014, 2015, 2016)


Louisville City FC (USL Championship) vs St. Louis CITY 2 (MLS Next Pro)
Lynn Family Stadium – Louisville, KY
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Wilson Harris Louisville City Chattanooga Red Wolves 2022 US Open Cup
Wilson Harris of Louisville City FC celebrates his goal in the 75th minute against Chattanooga Red Wolves in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Connor Cunningham

Louisville City have been one of the more successful USL Championship teams in recent Open Cup play. Louisville holds a 10-5-1 all-time record in the Cup, and are 7-0-1 with one win on penalties, with an ongoing eight-game home unbeaten streak, the third-longest active streak.

St. Louis CITY 2 is one of two teams (along with Rochester New York FC) from the new MLS Next Pro league to participate in this season’s Open Cup. Normally reserve teams of MLS clubs are not allowed entry into the Open Cup, but since City’s parent MLS club does not start play until the 2023 season they are able to take part in this year’s tournament.

St. Louis CITY 2 became the first MLS Next Pro team to win an Open Cup game with their 2-0 victory over Indy Eleven of the USL Championship. Ezra Armstrong gave St. Louis a first half lead, and Wan Kuzain padded the lead in the second half. Louisville had a bit tougher task with Chattanooga Red Wolves of USL League One, squeaking out a 1-0 win on a Wilson Harris goal with 15 minutes remaining.

The first confirmed team from Kentucky to enter the Open Cup was in the 1993 edition, when the Louisville Soccer Alliance fell to Milwaukee’s Bavarian SC, 2-0.

St. Louis is one of the legendary cities in Open Cup history, with 10 Open Cup championships having been won by teams from the city. Stix Baer & Fuller lead the way with three (1933-1935), followed by Kutis SC (1957, 1986) and Simpkins Ford (1948,1950) with two each. Ben Miller (1920), Scullin Steel (1922), and Busch SC (1988) each have one.

Louisville City are on top of the USL Championship Eastern Conference with a 5-0-2 record, and have a two game win streak after their 5-2 victory over Western Conference leading San Diego Loyal this past weekend. Louisville’s Wilson Harris is among the top goal scorers of the league with four, and goalkeeper Kyle Morton has a league leading five clean sheets to his credit.

St. Louis CITY 2 has yet to lose in MLS Next Pro, holding a perfect 3-0-0 record. Six players have shared in the clubs seven goals, with Akil Watts leading with two.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Louisville City FC (USL Championship)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 10-5-1 (1-0 PKs)
Home: 7-0-1 (1-0 PKs)
vs. Division 3: 1-0-0
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2018)

St. Louis CITY 2 (MLS Next Pro)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Away: 1-0-0
vs. Division 2: 1-0-0
Best finish: N/A


San Antonio FC (USL Championship) vs Austin FC (MLS)
Toyota Field – San Antonio, TX
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Henrik Sakshaug San Antonio FC 2022 US Open Cup
17-year-old Henrik Sakshaug of San Antonio FC became the youngest player in team history to score two goals in the club’s 3-1 win over D’Feeters Kicks SC in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: San Antonio FC

San Antonio have made decent runs in their short Open Cup history, twice going three rounds deep in 2016 and 2018. In those years their tournament ended at the hands of MLS teams. In 2016, that dropped a 4-0 decision to Houston, and in 2018 FC Dallas stopped their run 1-0. Five of San Antonio’s last six Open Cup games have been at Toyota Field, where they hold a 2-1-1 (1-0 PKs) record in Cup play.

Austin has been represented four times in the Open Cup in the Modern Era. The Austin Lone Stars took part from 1997-1999. From 2008-2010 the Austin Aztex (2009, 2010) and Austin Aztex U-23s (2008) saw Cup play before the Aztex moved to Orlando. Finally, a new version of the Aztex joined the PDL in 2012, qualifying twice in 2013 & 2014 before moving up to the USL and playing in the 2015 tournament. Combined, the teams had a 5-5-2 (0-2 PKs) record in the Open Cup, with only the USL Aztex facing an MLS club, a 2-0 loss to Houston in the 2015 Fourth Round. The first Modern Era team from Austin was the Austin Lone Stars who qualified as a D-3 Pro League team three straight years from 1997-1999. 

Austin FC are in second place in the MLS Western Conference at 4-1-2, and are the highest scoring team in the league with 17 goals along with LAFC. They are unbeaten in the last four games, including a current two game winning streak. Sebastian Driussi leads the team with five goals, and Diego Fagundez is tops for Austin with five assists.

San Antonio is off to a flying start at 5-1-0 in the USL Championship, winning four of their last five games. Elliot Collier leads the team with 3 goals, and David Loera has two.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

San Antonio FC (USL Championship)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 6-3-2 (1-1 PKs)
Home: 3-1-1 (1-0 PKs)
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-1-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2016, 2018)

Austin FC (Major League Soccer)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Division 2: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A


Real Salt Lake (Major League Soccer) vs Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL1)
Rio Tinto Stadium – Sandy, UT
Kickoff: 9:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Northern Colorado Hailstorm Colorado Springs Switchbacks 2022 US Open Cup
Players from Northern Colorado Hailstorm (white) and the Colorado Springs Switchbacks battle for the ball in their Second Round match in the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Northern Colorado Hailstorm

Northern Colorado had the odd distinction of their debut Open Cup match also being their first-ever match as a club. Despite being outshot 25-9 by the host Colorado Springs Switchbacks, the Hailstorm pulled off the 1-0 upset in extra time on Jerry Desdunes’ goal in the 96th minute.

Real Salt Lake has just two notable Open Cup runs in their 11 previous appearances. In 2013 they reached the Final, losing 1-0 to D.C. United. Then in 2015, RSL reached the Semifinals. RSL’s last three tournaments have been “one and done” for the club, and since their 2015 Semifinal appearance, the club has not won a game outright in five attempts. On the bright side, RSL is 3-0-1 against division 3 opponents, but their overall cup record is just 9-10-2 (1-1 PKs).

The first known Utah club to participate in the Open Cup was Hellas All Stars of Salt Lake City, who fell to Maccabee AC (Los Angeles) 7-1 in the Second Round of the 1975 tournament.

Northern Colorado are 0-1-1 in USL League One so far. They opened the season with a 1-1 draw against Richmond, and this past weekend fell 2-1 to Charlotte.

RSL sit at 3-2-3 in the Western Conference of MLS. A previous three game winning streak was stopped by a loss and two draws. RSL hit a brick wall this past weekend, getting pounded by New York City FC, 6-0. RSL’s 10 goals are spread out among seven different players, with Tata Schmidt and Bobby Wood the leaders with two each.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Real Salt Lake (MLS)
12th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 9-10-2 (1-1 PKs)
Home: 9-5-2 (1-1 PKs)
vs. Division 3: 3-0-1 (1-0 PKs)
Best finish: Final (2013)

Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL League One)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Away: 1-0-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A


Phoenix Rising FC (USL Championship) vs New Mexico United (USL Championship)
Phoenix Rising Stadium at Wild Horse Pass – Chandler, AZ
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

New Mexico United celebrates their penalty kick win over Phoenix Rising FC in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Michael Rinconn | PHXRisingFC.com
New Mexico United celebrates their penalty kick win over Phoenix Rising FC in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Michael Rinconn | PHXRisingFC.com

Phoenix Rising has struggled in its six Open Cup appearances, holding a 5-4-2 (0-2 PKs) record, while holding a 2-4-1 (0-1 PKs) record at home. They are 1-2-1 (0-1 PKs) against teams from their own league or division.

New Mexico United’s debut Open Cup appearance in 2019 was a history-making one that ended in the Quarterfinals. On their way they defeated Phoenix Rising in the Second Round on penalties, then knocked off Colorado Springs Switchbacks 2-1 in extra time. In the Fourth Round, NMU took down their first MLS opponent, defeating the Colorado Rapids on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Up next was a 2-1 win over FC Dallas. The run came to a halt with a 6-1 loss to Minnesota United. All five of New Mexico’s Cup games have been on the road, and if they advance this year they will be visitors as well since their agreement with Isotope Park allows for only USL Championship games.

Phoenix holds a 3-2-0 advantage over New Mexico United in USL Championship play since 2019. The teams will be very familiar with each other as they played a USL Championship game at Phoenix on April 16. Phoenix came out on top 1-0, and avoided a draw in the final minute when Phoenix goalkeeper Benjamin Lundy saved a penalty kick from New Mexico’s Chris Wehan.

Phoenix had a hard time with Valley United FC (NISA) in the Second Round. Claudio Repetto broke the scoreless draw after 115 minutes to give Phoenix a 1-0 win. New Mexico United had a much easier time with their second round opponents, defeating the NPSL’s Las Vegas Legends, 5-0. Four different players scored for New Mexico, with Jerome Kiesewetter leading the way with a pair of goals.

Phoenix’s win over New Mexico this past weekend moves them to 4-2-0, while New Mexico drops to 2-1-2in the USL Championship. Phoenix now has a three game winning streak, while New Mexico has gone winless in its last three games (2 draws, 1 loss). Luis Seijas leads Phoenix in scoring with three goals, while Aodhan Quinn has added three assists. New Mexico’s scoring is lead by Nico Brett with three goals, and Harry Swartz with two.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Phoenix Rising FC (USL Championship)
7th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 5-4-2 (0-2 PKs)
Home: 2-4-1 (0-1 PKs)
vs. Division 2: 0-1-1 (0-1 PKs)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2014)

New Mexico United (USL Championship)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-1-2 (2-0 PKs)
Away: 2-1-2 (2-0 PKs)
Division 2: 2-0-1 (1-0 PKs)
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2019)


Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship) vs Central Valley Fuego FC (USL League One)
Heart Health Park – Sacramento, CA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Villyan Bijjev of Central Valley Fuego dribbles the ball against El Paso Locomotive FC in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: CV Fuego FC
Villyan Bijjev of Central Valley Fuego dribbles the ball against El Paso Locomotive FC in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: CV Fuego FC

Sacramento are nearly unbeaten at home in the Open Cup, carrying a 13-1-0 record with an active eight-game home winning streak dating back to 2017, the longest current streak of its kind.

Sacramento has gone as deep as the Fifth Round on two occasions, in 2017 and 2018. Each time they knocked off MLS opposition, 3-1 over Real Salt Lake in 2017, and a 2-1 extra time win over Seattle in 2018. The Fuego will be the first division 3 opponents Sacramento has faced in their Open Cup history.

The Central Valley Fuego are a new team in USL League One, and if the name sounds familiar, it’s a nod to the Fresno Fuego of USL League Two fame (then PDL). The Fresno Fuego made four Open Cup appearances between 2003 and 2017.

Central Valley reached the Third Round with a 4-1 dismantling of El Paso Locomotive of the USL Championship. TheCup.us Player of the Round Villyan Bijev scored twice and assisted on another. Nathan Smith and Christian Chaney had the other Fuego goals.

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

Central Valley are 1-0-1 in USL League One. They opened the season with a 2-0 win over Greenville, and then pulled out a 3-3 draw against Charlotte when Bijev scored the tying goal in stoppage time.

Sacramento are 3-1-1 in the USL Championship, and are unbeaten in their last three games (2 wins, 1 draw). Douglas Martinez and Rodrigo Lopez share the team lead in goals scored with two apiece.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)
7th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 14-5-1 (0-1 PKs)
Home: 13-1-0
vs. Division 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: Fifth Round (2017, 2018)

Central Valley Fuego (USL League One)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Division 2: 1-0-0
Best finish: N/A


Los Angeles FC (Major League Soccer) vs Orange County SC (USL Championship)
Banc of California Stadium – Los Angeles, CA
10:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Benny Feilhaber of LAFC celebrates a goal against the Sacramento Republic in the Fifth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: LAFC
Benny Feilhaber of LAFC celebrates a goal against the Sacramento Republic in the Fifth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: LAFC

Los Angeles FC has a long way to go to catch up to the Galaxy, but in their two Open Cup appearances so far they’re off to a good start. Their debut in 2018 saw them reach the Semifinals where they were eliminated by the Houston Dynamo on penalties after a 3-3 draw. In 2019 all three of their opponents were from MLS, and after knocking off Real Salt Lake and the San Jose Earthquakes, LAFC fell to the Portland Timbers 1-0 in the Quarterfinals. Of the seven Open Cup games LAFC has played, five have been at Banc of California Stadium, and they have a 4-1 record there.

LAFC also has a historical hill to climb to reach the heights set by the Open Cup champions of Los Angeles. Leading the way is Maccabee AC with five Championships (1973, 1975, 1977, 1978 & 1981), tied with Bethlehem Steel and Fall River Marksmen/New Bedford Whalers for the most Open Cup titles in history. Other LA winners include the Los Angeles Galaxy (2001, 2005), Los Angeles Kickers (1958, 1964), and McIlvaine Canvasbacks (1959)

Orange County has yet to defeat an MLS club in the Open Cup, losing all three games. Their last MLS opponent was the LA Galaxy in the 2017 Fourth Round, which ended 3-1 in favor of the Galaxy. All of Orange County’s 15 Open Cup games have been played against teams from California.

Orange County got to the Third Round with a convincing 5-2 win over LA Force of NISA. Five different players scored for OCSC.

Orange County are in the bottom half of the Western Conference in the USL Championship at 1-2-2, going three games without a win (2 draws, 1 loss). Milan Iloski and Sean Okoli have four of the team’s five goals, each with two.

Los Angeles FC are off to a great start at 5-1-1, winning four of their last five, good for first place in the Western Conference. The LAFC’s 17 goals are tied with Austin FC for most in the league. Carlos Vela leads the team with four goals, with the other 13 spread out among nine other players.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Los Angeles FC (Major League Soccer)
3rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 5-1-1
Home: 4-1-0
vs. Division 2: 2-0-0
Best finish: Semifinals (2018)

Orange County SC (USL Championship)
10th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 6-7-2 (0-2 PKs)
Away: 3-4-1 (0-1 PKs)
vs. MLS: 0-3-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2017)

Filed Under: 2022 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, Featured Post - Main, US Open Cup Tagged With: 2022 US Open Cup, Preview

2019 US Open Cup Final preview: First-time finalists face off as Atlanta United hosts Minnesota United

August 21, 2019 by Jeremiah Braeback

2019 US Open Cup Final banner

2019 US Open Cup Final banner
Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design

Lamar Hunt US Open Cup glory is on the line, as Minnesota United FC heads to Atlanta to face off with Atlanta United FC at Merecedes-Benz Stadium on Tuesday night.

There is plenty of history that could be made because not only has neither team won the US Open Cup, but no team from the state of Minnesota or Georgia have ever won the tournament in the 106-year history of the competition. Not only that, but Tuesday night is expected to draw the largest crowd to ever witness a US Open Cup game. The last time Atlanta United hosted a US Open Cup game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was last year against the Chicago Fire. That game was the Round of 16, and it drew 41,012, which shattered the tournament’s all-time attendance record. If that was the Round of 16, then it’s probably safe to say that the championship game, with a trophy, $300,000 and a spot in the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League on the line, it’s very likely that record will fall.

The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ at 8 p.m. Eastern Time with a pregame show beginning at 7:45 p.m. Eastern Time.

Below is a preview of the 106th US Open Cup Final (with links to live video and other US Open Cup coverage):

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

#USOC2019 ESSENTIALS
2019 US Open Cup Schedule/Results (with links to every match report)
2019 US Open Cup statistical leaders (Goals, Assists, GKs)
2019 US Open Cup bracket (TheCup.us)

All-Time Career US Open Cup Final goalscorers (1913-present)

2019 US Open Cup Round 1: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 3: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 4: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round of 16: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Semifinals: Atlanta United blank Orlando City to become first Georgia team to reach the Final
2019 US Open Cup Semifinals: Mason Toye’s winner sends Minnesota United past Timbers, into first-ever Final

Appreciate what we do? Help improve our coverage by joining TheCup.us Patreon team!

VISIT THECUP.US STORE

NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference adds matches to end of regular season to try to make 4 of 5 teams 2020 US Open Cup eligible
Every US Open Cup game to stream on ESPN+ in multi-year media rights deal

THECUP.US PLAYER OF THE ROUND
Round 1: Charles Boateng – Richmond Kickers
Round 2: Bryant Martin – Florida Soccer Soldiers
Round 3: Blake Frischknecht – Orange County FC
Round 4: Teal Bunbury – New England Revolution
Round of 16: Sam Fink – Saint Louis FC
Quarterfinals: Adam Grinwis – Orlando City SC
Semifinals: Mason Toye – Minnesota United FC

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

#USOC2020 QUALIFYING
First Round matchups for Open Division Local tournament announced
Newtown Pride FC win first Amateur Cup title, qualify for 2020 US Open Cup
Which USL League Two teams could qualify for 2020 US Open Cup?
Which NPSL teams could qualify for 2020 US Open Cup?

#USOC2019 QUALIFYING
2019 US Open Cup qualifying schedule/results
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 3 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round game-by-game review
Florida Soccer Soldiers qualify for first time after America SC withdraws
More pros, less amateurs, an extra sub in 2019 US Open Cup format
Chattanooga FC qualifies for 2019 US Open Cup, but opts out
Bavarian SC qualify for 2019 US Open Cup by winning Amateur Cup title

MEET THE UNDERDOGS SERIES
Milwaukee’s Bavarian Soccer Club, proudly amateur since 1929
West Chester United battle tested from long journey back to US Open Cup
NTX Rayados grooming “new generation” to keep qualifying streak going
Academica SC earns first US Open Cup berth after more than 40 years as a club
FC Denver using US Open Cup to build to “higher level”
First year Florida Soccer Soldiers winning with “respect, pride and commitment”

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Mason Toye (right) of Minnesota United celebrates his goal with teammate Darwin Quintero in the club's 2019 US Open Cup Semifinal match against the Portland Timbers. Photo: Minnesota United FC
Mason Toye (right) of Minnesota United celebrates his goal with teammate Darwin Quintero in the club’s 2019 US Open Cup Semifinal match against the Portland Timbers. Photo: Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United kicked off their Open Cup run by welcoming four-time champion Sporting Kansas City to their new home at Allianz Field. United quickly took the lead in the 2nd minute from Angelo Rodriguez, saw Sporting equalize midway through the first half, then dropped three goals (one from Ethan Finlay and a brace from Darwin Quintero) in the second half for a 4-1 victory. In their second match against the Houston Dynamo, United traveled to BBVA Stadium and went down 2-0 in the first half only to see Quintero bring them level with a second half brace. Then, an 89th minute goal from Mason Toye sent Minnesota into the next round.

In the Quarterfinals, Minnesota hosted USL Championship side New Mexico FC. After giving up an early goal, the Loons quickly equalized, then added five more goals in a 6-1 victory, as Rodriguez netted a hat trick and Quintero, Jan Gregus, and Miguel Ibarra each added goals.

In the Semifinals, it was Mason Toye to the rescue again as he broke a 1-1 tie when he ran on to an outlet pass by Kevin Molino and bent the ball around Portland Timbers goalkeeper Steve Clark to lift Minnesota to the title game, 2-1. His goal and overall performance was enough to earn him TheCup.us Player of the Round honors.

Atlanta United was paired up with the Charleston Battery for the third straight year in their opening game in the Fourth Round, but after weather forced the match from South Carolina to Georgia, they ended up winning a closed-door game 3-1. Brandon Vazquez led the way with a pair of extra time goals. Five days later, Vazquez registered another brace as Atlanta took down the Columbus Crew 3-2 on June 18. Atlanta punched its ticket to the semifinal on July 10 as Pity Martinez’s 52nd-minute goal stood as the game winner in a 2-0 victory over second-division Saint Louis FC. They followed that up with another 2-0 win, this time on the road against Orlando City SC. Eric Remedi and Emerson Hyndman each scored a goal and Brad Guzan picked up the clean sheet in goal to advance to the championship game.

Players from Atlanta United celebrate a goal against Saint Louis FC in the Quarterfinals of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Karl L. Moore | Atlanta United
Players from Atlanta United celebrate a goal against Saint Louis FC in the Quarterfinals of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Karl L. Moore | Atlanta United

RECENT FORM

Minnesota has been up and down in August. After defeating the Portland Timbers 1-0 in MLS play on Aug. 3 and 2-1 on Aug. 7 in the US Open Cup Semifinals, the Loons lost 5-3 to FC Dallas in an eight-goal thriller. The Loons then defeated the Colorado Rapids 1-0 and drew Orlando City 1-1, and most recently lost to Sporting Kansas City, 1-0. Minnesota is currently tied with the LA Galaxy for fourth place in the Western Conference, just one point behind Real Salt Lake and the Seattle Sounders who are tied for second.

Atlanta is undefeated in the month of August and are riding a six-game winning streak across all competitions, including eight of their last nine. After kicking off the month with a 3-0 victory over the LA Galaxy, and their 2-0 Semifinal victory over Orlando City, United defeated New York City FC 2-1 and captured the Campeones Cup title with a 3-2 victory over Club America. In recent weeks, Atlanta defeated Portland 2-0 and Orlando City 1-0. They are currently tied for first place in the Eastern Conference with the Philadelphia Union (15-9-3), and they have a game in hand.

PAST MEETINGS

Atlanta has had the upper hand against Minnesota since both sides joined MLS in 2017. In their first meeting, Atlanta defeated Minnesota 6-1 at TCF Bank Stadium on March 12, 2017, while the Loons were able to hand Atlanta their first-ever loss at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, winning 3-2 on Oct. 3.

With MLS switching schedule format prior to the 2018 season, Minnesota and Atlanta have only met once in the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Once again meeting early in the season, Atlanta defeated Minnesota 1-0. Earlier this season, Atlanta was again victorious over the Loons, using goals from Franco Escobar and a late brace from Josef Martinez to put the match away.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Minnesota United FC (MLS)
10th US Open Cup appearance (3rd as MLS team)
Overall: 9-7-2 (1-1 PK) | 4-2-1 (1-0 PK) as MLS team
Away: 5-4-2 | 3-2-0 as MLS team
vs. MLS: 4-5-0 | 3-2-0 as MLS team
Best finish: 2018 Fifth Round
(USSF Div. 2 in 2010, NASL from 2011-16)

Atlanta United FC (MLS)
3rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 6-2-0
Home: 4-1-0
vs. MLS: 2-1-0
Best finish: Fifth Round (2017, 2018)

Photo: Houston Dynamo

Atlanta United, who had their US Open Cup runs end in the Round of 16 in each of their first two seasons, have finally broken through to the Final this year. The state of Georgia has never had a team even reach the title game, much less lift the US Open Cup trophy in the 106-year history of the tournament. In fact, United are the first Georgia club to reach the final four in 38 years. Only two teams from the Peach State have reached the Semis: Atlanta Wolves were the first in 1980, followed by Datagraphic in 1981.

Minnesota United made their debut as a club in 2010 in the USSF’s Division 2 league as the NSC Minnesota Stars FC. They were among the teams that joined the new version of the NASL when it launched in 2011. They rebranded as Minnesota Stars FC in 2012 and made their US Open Cup debut where they made a big splash with an upset, on the road, against Real Salt Lake (MLS). After changing their name to Minnesota United in 2013, they would only only two more wins in the following four tournaments before joining MLS in 2017. After being one-and-done against eventual champion Sporting Kansas City in 2017, they would eliminate USL side FC Cincinnati in penalty kicks before falling to last year’s eventual champion, the Houston Dynamo.

This year’s trip to the Final is, by far, their best Open Cup run in team history.

The state of Minnesota has very little Open Cup history. Not necessarily for a lack of participation, but the state of Minnesota didn’t have a team reach the Quarterfinals until the A-League’s Minnesota Thunder did it in 2004. According to TheCup.us records, the first Minnesota-based club to enter the tournament was the Minneapolis Tigers who lost in the opening round of the 1958/59 tournament. In the Modern Era, there have been very few entries. Combined with Minnesota United, Duluth FC qualifying for the 2018 US Open Cup marked the first time since 1995 that multiple Minnesota teams qualified for the same tournament. No Open Division Local team from Minnesota has ever qualified in the Modern Era.

WHY MINNESOTA UNITED WILL WIN

By Jeremiah Braeback

Most US Open Cup championships (All-Time)
   
Billy Gonsalves 8
Fall River Marksmen / New Bedford Whalers 1930-32
Stix, Baer & Fuller / Central Breweries 1933-35
Brooklyn Hispano 1943-44
Bill McPherson 7
Fall River Marksmen / New Bedford Whalers 1924, 1927, 1930-32
Stix, Baer & Fuller 1933-34
Alec McNab 6
Fall River Marksmen / New Bedford Whalers 1930-32
Stix, Baer & Fuller / Central Breweries 1933-35
Nate Jaqua 5
Chicago Fire 2003, 2006
Seattle Sounders FC 2009-11
Werner Nilsen 5
Fall River Marksmen / New Bedford Whalers 1930-32
Stix, Baer & Fuller 1933-34
James Riley 5
New England Revolution 2007
Seattle Sounders FC 2009-11
D.C. United 2013
Osvaldo Alonso 4
Seattle Sounders FC 2009-11, 2014
15 others tied with four Source: TheCup.us

The Loons have proven to have an explosive offense in the US Open Cup. They are led by midfielder Darwin Quintero, who leads all scorers in the tournament with six goals, leaving him one goal away from breaking the Modern Era record for goals in a single tournament. The Loons have scored a total of 15 goals over their previous four matches, while Angelo Rodriquez (who is listed as questionable for the Final) has added four goals and Mason Toye has two game-winning goals, including the one that sent Minnesota to the Final. Their offense has been on full display in their victories over Sporting Kansas City, Houston Dynamo, and New Mexico United, scoring three goals in a 21-minute period against KC, and following that with three goals in 23 minutes against Houston, and hanging four goals on New Mexico in 13 minutes.

For the Loons, to find this kind of success against Atlanta, the Loons will have to get on the front foot and take control early in the match, breaking through an Atlanta defense that is one of the best in MLS and has only allowed three goals in the tournament, while also containing Josef Martinez, who has scored in 12 consecutive MLS matches, a league record.

The Loons will win with their defense showing up and helping goalkeeper Vito Mannone add to his shutout total, which currently stands at nine on the season in MLS play. Romain Metanire will recapture his early season form and Ozzie Alonso (who is expected to play in his Modern Era record sixth US Open Cup Final, as he tries to lift the trophy for a record-tying fifth time), Jan Gregus, and Ike Opara will control the center of the pitch, which will free up the attack for Rodriguez, Quintero, and Toye, with a splash of attack coming from Hassani Dotson and Metanire out of the back, and Miguel Ibarra finding the attacking flair that put him on the US National Team radar a few years ago. With all of these pieces clicking, the Loons will lift their first trophy since winning the 2011 NASL championship.

WHY ATLANTA UNITED WILL WIN

By Sydney Hunte

Any tactical plan for Atlanta United has to center around keeping the prolific Josef Martinez at bay. The Venezuelan is having yet another remarkable season: 24 goals in 26 matches spanning all competitions and an MLS-record 12-match scoring streak. It’s no coincidence that Atlanta has found itself at the top of the Eastern Conference table with Martinez simply doing what he does best, and it will be a tough ask for Minnesota to keep him off the scoresheet. That’s not to mention fellow designated players Ezequiel Barco and Pity Martinez. Despite Barco still working his way back into form after an extended absence and some uneven performances from Pity Martinez, Atlanta’s attacking corps will present a massive challenge for Minnesota’s defense.

One change that has helped Atlanta shake off a sluggish beginning to the season was a formation switch to a 3-5-2. This allows the team to work the ball along the ends of the pitch, allowing players like Justin Meram and Julian Gressel to push the ball upfield and get crosses into the box to allow opportunities for Martinez to score. Darlington Nagbe is another key player to watch – he won’t be relied on for his goalscoring ability, but for his ability in the middle of the pitch which is an underrated aspect of his game that helps unlock offensive opportunities for his forwards. Miles Robinson, playing alongside Leandro Gonzalez Pirez on the backline, has quickly made a case for himself as one of the top center backs in MLS.

As a result, Atlanta’s recent play has been brilliant, having won its last six across all competitions and holding an 11-0-1 mark in its last 12 matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium – including a stirring 3-2 win over Liga MX’s Club América in Campeones Cup on Aug. 14. This is a club that doesn’t lose much in its own building, and with a massive crowd expected, Atlanta should be able to ride the home support to its second trophy of the season.

Filed Under: 2019 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, US Open Cup Tagged With: 2019 US Open Cup Final, Atlanta United FC, Minnesota United FC, Preview

2019 US Open Cup Semifinals Preview: Minnesota United, Portland Timbers battle to face Atlanta in Final

August 5, 2019 by Jeremiah Braeback

Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design

Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design
Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design

Last night, Atlanta United punched their ticket to the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final with a 2-0 win over Orlando City SC. Tonight, Minnesota United and the Portland Timbers will battle at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minn. (8 p.m. ET) for the right to meet Atlanta in the championship game on Aug. 27 (Atlanta will host at Mercedes-Benz Stadium).

Atlanta becomes the first team from the state of Georgia to reach the US Open Cup Final, and the winner of Minnesota and Portland will also be the first from their respective states to reach the title game. This marks just the 10th ninth time in the 106-year history of the tournament where the entire final four has never reached the Final.

Tonight’s Semifinal and the championship game on Aug. 27 will both air live on ESPN+.

Below is a preview of the Minnesota / Portland game (with links to live video and other US Open Cup coverage):

#USOC2019 ESSENTIALS
2019 US Open Cup Schedule/Results (with links to every match report)
2019 US Open Cup statistical leaders (Goals, Assists, GKs)
2019 US Open Cup bracket (TheCup.us)

Things you should know about the US Open Cup Semifinals

2019 US Open Cup Round 1: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 3: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 4: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round of 16: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Game-by-game review

Appreciate what we do? Help improve our coverage by joining TheCup.us Patreon team!

VISIT THECUP.US STORE

NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference adds matches to end of regular season to try to make 4 of 5 teams 2020 US Open Cup eligible
Every US Open Cup game to stream on ESPN+ in multi-year media rights deal

THECUP.US PLAYER OF THE ROUND
Round 1: Charles Boateng – Richmond Kickers
Round 2: Bryant Martin – Florida Soccer Soldiers
Round 3: Blake Frischknecht – Orange County FC
Round 4: Teal Bunbury – New England Revolution
Round of 16: Sam Fink – Saint Louis FC
Quarterfinals: Adam Grinwis – Orlando City SC

#USOC2020 QUALIFYING
Newtown Pride FC win first Amateur Cup title, qualify for 2020 US Open Cup
Which USL League Two teams could qualify for 2020 US Open Cup?

#USOC2019 QUALIFYING
2019 US Open Cup qualifying schedule/results
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 3 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round game-by-game review
Florida Soccer Soldiers qualify for first time after America SC withdraws
More pros, less amateurs, an extra sub in 2019 US Open Cup format
Chattanooga FC qualifies for 2019 US Open Cup, but opts out
Bavarian SC qualify for 2019 US Open Cup by winning Amateur Cup title

MEET THE UNDERDOGS SERIES
Milwaukee’s Bavarian Soccer Club, proudly amateur since 1929
West Chester United battle tested from long journey back to US Open Cup
NTX Rayados grooming “new generation” to keep qualifying streak going
Academica SC earns first US Open Cup berth after more than 40 years as a club
FC Denver using US Open Cup to build to “higher level”
First year Florida Soccer Soldiers winning with “respect, pride and commitment”

Portland Timbers FC (MLS) at Minnesota United FC (MLS)
Allianz Field – St. Paul, MN
Kickoff: August 7 – 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

Angelo Rodriguez of Minnesota United FC attempts a shot against New Mexico United in the Quarterfinals of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Minnesota United FC
Angelo Rodriguez of Minnesota United FC attempts a shot against New Mexico United in the Quarterfinals of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Minnesota United FC

The Portland Timbers and Minnesota United face off for the second time in four days at Allianz Field, with a berth in the 2019 US Open Cup Final on the line.

HOW THEY GOT HERE

For the eighth time, the Portland Timbers faced Cascadian rivals Seattle Sounders in their first match of this season’s US Open Cup. The Modern Era’s most common matchup produced another tense battle as the Timbers defeated the Sounders in Tacoma, Wash., 2-1 on a brace from Brian Fernandez. Portland returned home to to rout the Los Angeles Galaxy 4-0 at Providence Park in the Round of 16, with goals from Fernandez, Sebastian Blanco, Jorge Moreira, and an own goal from Galaxy defender Perry Kitchen. In their latest match, they used a late goal to take down MLS front-runners Los Angeles FC at Banc of California Stadium, as Jeremy Ebobisse netted the winner in the 84th minute.

Minnesota United kicked off their Open Cup run by welcoming four-time champion Sporting Kansas City to their new home at Allianz Field. United quickly took the lead in the 2nd minute from Angelo Rodriguez, saw Sporting equalize midway through the first half, then dropped three goals (one from Ethan Finlay and a brace from Darwin Quintero) in the second half for a 4-1 victory. In their second match against the Houston Dynamo, United traveled to BBVA Stadium and went down 2-0 in the first half only to see Quintero bring them level with a second half brace. Then, an 89th minute goal from Mason Toye sent Minnesota into the next round. In the Quarterfinals, Minnesota hosted USL Championship side New Mexico FC. After giving up an early goal, the Loons quickly equalized, then added five more goals in a 6-1 victory, as Rodriguez netted a hat trick and Quintero, Jan Gregus, and Miguel Ibarra each added goals.

RECENT FORM

Portland comes in to the match in strong form, climbing up the table from last place in the Western Conference to just below the red line. Since the end of June, the Timbers are 4-1-2, defeating FC Dallas, New York City FC, Seattle Sounders, and LA Galaxy in that time, while drawing with the Colorado Rapids and Orlando City FC. Their lone loss happened this past Sunday against the Loons, a 1-0 defeat.

Minnesota is in perhaps the best form of any team in MLS. Currently 2nd in the Western Conference table, the Loons are on an eight-match unbeaten run in MLS play, which includes Sunday’s 1-0 victory over the Timbers.

The Portland Timbers celebrate after the club's 1-0 win over LAFC in the Quarterfinals of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Twitter @TimbersFC
The Portland Timbers celebrate after the club’s 1-0 win over LAFC in the Quarterfinals of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Twitter @TimbersFC

PAST MEETINGS

Minnesota used a late penalty kick by Ethan Finlay to defeat the Timbers 1-0 on Sunday at Allianz Field. For much of the match, neither side could really gain a foothold over the other, and while they had their chances, it took the late penalty kick given up by the Timbers to decide the match. In Minnesota’s first two seasons in MLS, the two teams have split their four meetings with the home team winning each time.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Brian Fernandez leads the Timbers 11 goals in all competitions since joining the team in early May, scoring in each of his first five MLS appearances, a new league record, while adding two assists. Jeremy Ebobisse in second on the Timbers in goalscoring with eight goals in MLS and US Open Cup Play. Argentinian playmakers Diego Valeri and Sebastian Blanco spring the attack for the Timbers. Valeri and Blanco are both top five in assists in MLS, with Valeri third with 12 assists and Blanco tied for fifth with nine.

For the season, Valeri has seven goals and 13 assists, while Blanco has four goals and 10 assists. Valeri, the 2017 MLS Most Valuable Player may have begun to show his age in some areas, but he is still the key link in the Timbers attack, and the Argentine trio of Fernandez, Valeri, and Blanco lead the team in shots and shots on goal.

Defensive midfielder Diego Chara is the motor that runs the Timbers midfield. While he may be one of the smallest players on the pitch, his tenacity for breaking up plays and bringing a physical side to the pitch makes him a player most teams would love to have but hate to play against.

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

Goalkeeper Steve Clark pushed his way in as the No. 1 goalkeeper for the Timbers and hasn’t looked back. With five shutouts across all competitions, backup Jeff Attinella has only allowed more than one goal once this season. Clark also leads the tournament in goals against average (0.33) as he has started all three games for the Timbers.

For the Loons, the attack goes through Darwin Quintero who leads the team with 12 goals across all competitions, while adding six assists, and Angelo Rodriguez, who has nine goals and five assists. Mason Toye has had a breakout sophomore season, scoring five goals across all competitions, and Ethan Finlay has scored five goals on the season, including the game-winner against the Timbers on Sunday.

In the midfield, Slovakian international Jan Gregus leads the Loons in assists with nine to go along with two goals, while veteran Ozzie Alonso has also brought grit in defensive midfield since joining the team this season. Alonso brings plenty of Open Cup experience to the squad as he is the only Modern Era (1995-present) player to play in six championship games. If he is able to lift the trophy with Minnesota, he would join former Seattle Sounders teammates Nate Jaqua and James Riley as the only players to win five US Open Cup titles in the Modern Era.

Right back Romain Metanire brings pace and pinpoint distribution into the attack and is second on the team with six, while also adding a goal.

Goalkeeper Vito Mannone has been rock solid for United, starting every competitive match for the Loons. Mannone has eight shutouts on the season, which ranks third in the league. .

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Minnesota United FC (MLS)
10th US Open Cup appearance (3rd as MLS team)
Overall: 8-7-2 (1-1 PK) | 3-2-1 (1-0 PK) as MLS team
Home: 3-3-0 | 2-0-0 as MLS team
vs. MLS: 3-5-0 | 2-2-0 as MLS team
Best finish: 2018 Fifth Round
(USSF Div. 2 in 2010, NASL from 2011-16)

Portland Timbers FC (MLS)
15th US Open Cup appearance (8th as MLS team)
Overall: 19-13-1 (0-1 PK) | 12-7-0 as MLS team
Away: 10-7-0 | 5-5-0 as MLS team
vs. MLS: 9-9-1 (0-1 PK) | 9-6-0 as MLS team
Best finish: 2013 Semifinals
(A-League/USL First Division from 2001-09, USSF Div. 2 in 2010)

Minnesota and Portland represent a pair of teams that started out in a lower division league and moved up to Major League Soccer. They also come from states that have had very limited US Open Cup representation over the years.

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

The Timbers name was re-born in 2001, and after not qualifying for the tournament in their first three years in the USL’s A-League (Div. 2), they made their US Open Cup debut in 2004. They were part of the USL from 2001-09, and was part of the USSF’s Division 2 league that was created in 2010 to handle the conflict between the USL and the teams that wanted to split off to form the new North American Soccer League. Portland had very limited success as a lower division team in the tournament. In their seven trips to the tournament, they only defeated one pro team (granted, it was a 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders in 2005), and they suffered a major upset in 2008 when Open Division Local side Hollywood United traveled up to Portland and beat them, 3-2.

The Timbers would fail to qualify in their first year in MLS in 2011, and when they made their Open Cup debut as a MLS side in 2012, they were upset — at home — by another Southern California-based amateur team in Cal FC. They would bounce back the following year with their best run in team history, reaching the 2013 Semifinals where they would fall 2-1 on the road against Real Salt Lake. In the years that have followed, the Timbers haven’t advanced beyond the Quarterfinals until this year.

Portland is attempting to become the first Oregon-based club to reach the US Open Cup Final. The state of Oregon has a very limited history in the tournament. According to TheCup.us records, the earliest entry from Oregon is a club called Gresham United that reached the Round of 16 in 1989. The best finish for an Oregon time, outside of the Timbers, was Kell’s Celtic that reached the Quarterfinals in 1992. They would lose to the eventual champion San Jose Oaks in that game.

Minnesota United made their debut as a club in 2010 in the USSF’s Division 2 league as the NSC Minnesota Stars FC. They were among the teams that joined the new version of the NASL when it launched in 2011. They rebranded as Minnesota Stars FC in 2012 and made their US Open Cup debut where they made a big splash with an upset, on the road, against Real Salt Lake (MLS). After changing their name to Minnesota United in 2013, they would only only two more wins in the following four tournaments before joining MLS in 2017. After being one-and-done against eventual champion Sporting Kansas City in 2017, they would eliminate USL side FC Cincinnati in penalty kicks before falling to last year’s eventual champion, the Houston Dynamo.

This year’s trip to the Semifinals is, by far, their best Open Cup run in team history.

Much like Oregon, the state of Minnesota has very little Open Cup history. Not necessarily for a lack of participation, but . The state of Minnesota didn’t have a team reach the Quarterfinals until the A-League’s Minnesota Thunder did it in 2004. According to TheCup.us records, the first Minnesota-based club to enter the tournament was the Minneapolis Tigers who lost in the opening round of the 1958/59 tournament. In the Modern Era, there have been very few entries. Combined with Minnesota United, Duluth FC qualifying for the 2018 US Open Cup marked the first time since 1995 that multiple Minnesota teams qualified for the tournament. No Open Division Local team from Minnesota has ever qualified in the Modern Era.

Josh Hakala also contributed to this report

Filed Under: 2019 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, US Open Cup Tagged With: 2019 US Open Cup, Minnesota United, Portland Timbers, Preview

2019 US Open Cup Semifinals Preview: Atlanta United, Orlando City both seek first title game appearance tonight

August 5, 2019 by Sydney Hunte

Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design

Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design
Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design

The first of two games of the Semifinals of the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup kick off on Tuesday night with Orlando City SC hosting Atlanta United FC. On Wednesday, Minnesota United FC will host the Portland Timbers (8 p.m. ET) to round out a semifinal round featuring four teams that have never won the US Open Cup. This marks just the 10th time in the 106-year history of the tournament where the entire final four has never reached the Final.

The winners will advance to the championship game which will take place on Aug. 27. If Atlanta advances, they will host the winner of Minnesota and Portland. Minnesota United will only host the title game if they advance and Orlando City defeats Atlanta. Orlando City can only host the Final if they advance and Portland defeats Minnesota.

Both Semifinals will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Since 2003, fans who wanted to follow the opening round of the second-oldest, continually-operating soccer tournament in the world, would have to rely on updates from this site, or, in later years, the occasional live audio or video stream. Now, fans who are unable to attend a match in person, can watch every game from the comfort of their home, or through their favorite mobile device.

Below is a preview of the Atlanta / Orlando game (with links to live video and other US Open Cup coverage):

#USOC2019 ESSENTIALS
2019 US Open Cup Schedule/Results (with links to every match report)
2019 US Open Cup statistical leaders (Goals, Assists, GKs)
2019 US Open Cup bracket (TheCup.us)

USSF announces hosts for 2019 US Open Cup Semifinals, hosting priority for 2019 Final

2019 US Open Cup Round 1: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 3: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 4: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round of 16: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Game-by-game review

Appreciate what we do? Help improve our coverage by joining TheCup.us Patreon team!

VISIT THECUP.US STORE

NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference adds matches to end of regular season to try to make 4 of 5 teams 2020 US Open Cup eligible
Every US Open Cup game to stream on ESPN+ in multi-year media rights deal

THECUP.US PLAYER OF THE ROUND
Round 1: Charles Boateng – Richmond Kickers
Round 2: Bryant Martin – Florida Soccer Soldiers
Round 3: Blake Frischknecht – Orange County FC
Round 4: Teal Bunbury – New England Revolution
Round of 16: Sam Fink – Saint Louis FC
Quarterfinals: Adam Grinwis – Orlando City SC

#USOC2020 QUALIFYING
Newtown Pride FC win first Amateur Cup title, qualify for 2020 US Open Cup
Which USL League Two teams could qualify for 2020 US Open Cup?

#USOC2019 QUALIFYING
2019 US Open Cup qualifying schedule/results
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 3 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round game-by-game review
Florida Soccer Soldiers qualify for first time after America SC withdraws
More pros, less amateurs, an extra sub in 2019 US Open Cup format
Chattanooga FC qualifies for 2019 US Open Cup, but opts out
Bavarian SC qualify for 2019 US Open Cup by winning Amateur Cup title

MEET THE UNDERDOGS SERIES
Milwaukee’s Bavarian Soccer Club, proudly amateur since 1929
West Chester United battle tested from long journey back to US Open Cup
NTX Rayados grooming “new generation” to keep qualifying streak going
Academica SC earns first US Open Cup berth after more than 40 years as a club
FC Denver using US Open Cup to build to “higher level”
First year Florida Soccer Soldiers winning with “respect, pride and commitment”

Atlanta United FC (MLS) at Orlando City SC (MLS)
Exploria Stadium – Orlando, FL
Kickoff: August 6 – 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

 

Players from Atlanta United celebrate a goal against Saint Louis FC in the Quarterfinals of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Karl L. Moore | Atlanta United
Players from Atlanta United celebrate a goal against Saint Louis FC in the Quarterfinals of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Karl L. Moore | Atlanta United

Orlando City SC has never managed to beat rival Atlanta United in seven previous matches. With a chance to play for its first trophy on the line, its eighth matchup against the club from Georgia may have the most meaning to date.

Orlando and Atlanta square off in the first of two U.S. Open Cup semifinals on Tuesday evening at 7:30 at Exploria Stadium. The winner advances to its first-ever Open Cup Final, where it will face the winner of Wednesday’s Portland Timbers/Minnesota United contest on either August 27 or 28.

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Orlando City’s road to the Semifinals began with a 3-1 win at USL Championship side Memphis 901 behind second-half goals by Sacha Kljestan and Robin Jansson to break a 1-1 deadlock. That was followed by a 2-1 home win against the New England Revolution on June 19 on a pair of extra time goals by Benji Michel and Tesho Akindele, before drawing NYCFC 1-1 on July 10 and advancing behind a stirring 5-4 penalty shootout.

Atlanta United was paired up with the Charleston Battery for the third straight year in the Fourth Round, but after weather forced the match from South Carolina to Georgia, it ended up winning a closed-door game 3-1 thanks to two extra-time goals by Brandon Vazquez. Five days later, Vazquez registered another brace as Atlanta took down the Columbus Crew 3-2 on June 18. It punched its ticket to the semifinal on July 10 as Pity Martinez’s 52nd-minute goal stood as the game winner in a 2-0 victory over second-division Saint Louis FC.

RECENT FORM

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

While things have been solid at home for Atlanta United, its play away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium has caused fans the most concern. It has dropped six of its last seven on the road across all competitions, allowing 14 goals in its last four away games. On Saturday, Atlanta made MLS history by breaking their own regular season attendance record (72,548) with a 3-0 win over the LA Galaxy. With the win, United sits in second place in the Eastern Conference, and in third place in the overall league standings. Safe to say that if Atlanta gets past Orlando and hosts the US Open Cup Final, the tournament’s all-time attendance record of 41,012 (that Atlanta set last year) would likely be in jeopardy.

Meanwhile, Orlando City is 5-6-1 at Exploria Stadium but have won three of its last four at the venue in all competitions. After last Saturday’s 2-0 home win over FC Dallas, the Lions snapped a three-game winless streak (0-2-1). City now find themselves in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, four points shy of the last playoff spot.

PAST MEETINGS

This is the second time Atlanta and Orlando will meet this season, with Atlanta winning the first meeting 1-0 on May 12 through Pity Martinez’s first MLS goal. The Five Stripes lead the all-time series 5-0-2 and have won the last four meetings by a combined score of 9-1.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Players from Orlando City SC celebrate after a 5-4 PK win over NYCFC in the 2019 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Orlando City SC
Players from Orlando City SC celebrate after a 5-4 PK win over NYCFC in the 2019 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Orlando City SC

Brandon Vazquez, Atlanta’s all-time leader in US Open Cup goals (6), has a team-leading four goals in this year’s competition, which ranks second in the Golden Boot race. However, Vazquez has been ruled out of Tuesday’s match. Meanwhile, Orlando City has seen its scoring spread out a bit more in this year’s tournament, with Sacha Kljestan’s two goals in the win against Memphis leading the team. Four other players – Tesho Akindele, Robin Jansson, Benji Michel and Chris Mueller – have found the net.

Atlanta can be encouraged by the fact that several key members of its attack are slowly starting to return to health. Ezequiel Barco, who sustained an injury to his knee in the match against the Crew, played 31 minutes off the bench at LAFC on July 26 and played just over an hour in his return to Frank de Boer’s starting XI in a 3-0 win against the LA Galaxy on Saturday. Tito Villalba, who has not played since May 19, cracked the matchday 18 on Saturday and could be up for some minutes on Tuesday. The biggest name for Atlanta, though, will be Josef Martinez, who was with Venezuela at the Copa America during the first two Open Cup matches but scored a late penalty against Saint Louis FC in the Quarterfinals. His last trip to Orlando? Aug. 25, 2018, when he broke the MLS single-season scoring record with his 28th goal. Martinez, however, there are indications that the reigning MLS MVP may not be traveling with the team to Orlando.  

On the other side of the field, Orlando City have a relatively clean bill of health and could have both Cristian Higuita and Will Johnson available to them on Tuesday. Nani and Tesho Akindele, who have scored eight goals each in MLS play, have a goal and assist between them during the Open Cup. A big question will be who Orlando sends out as goalkeeper on Tuesday. Adam Grinwis, the reigning TheCup.us Player of the Round winner for his performance in the Lions’ penalty shootout win over NYCFC in the Quarterfinals, has started all three US Open Cup matches so far, but has yet to make an appearance in league play. He may get the call over regular starter Brian Rowe.

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

 

 

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

 

Atlanta United FC (MLS)
3rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 5-2-0
Away: 1-1-0
vs. MLS: 1-1-0
Best finish: Fifth Round (2017, 2018)

Orlando City SC (MLS)
11th US Open Cup appearance (5th as MLS team)
Overall: 17-10-3 (3-0 PK) | 5-4-3 (3-0 PK) as MLS team
Home: 11-3-1 (1-0 PK) | 2-2-1 (1-0 PK) as MLS team
vs. MLS: 4-8-2 (2-0 PK) | 2-2-2 (2-0 PK) as MLS team
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2013*, 2015, 2018)
* as USL PRO team (Div. 3 pro)

Both teams are in uncharted territory this year. Atlanta had never advanced past the Fifth Round of the competition in two previous tries, while Orlando City’s best showings were three trips to the Quarterfinals which ended in losses to the Philadelphia Union in 2018, the Chicago Fire in 2015, and again against the Fire in 2013 when they were a member of the USL Pro (Div. 3).

Atlanta United, who had their US Open Cup runs end in the Round of 16 in each of their first two seasons, have broken through to the Semifinals. The state of Georgia has never had a team lift the US Open Cup trophy in the 106-year history of the tournament. In fact, United are the first Georgia club to reach the final four in 38 years. Only two teams from the Peach State have reached the Semis: Atlanta Wolves were the first in 1980, followed by Datagraphic in 1981.

While this is the first trip to the final four for Orlando City, the club has been very competitive in the tournament dating back to their days in the USL. In the team’s 11 trips to the Open Cup, beginning in 2009 when they were the Austin Aztex in the USL First Division, they have only had one cup run end in a one-and-done situation (In 2017, they were upset by the NASL’s Miami FC). In their first six years as a USL team, they amassed a very respectable 12-6-0 record with two MLS scalps to their credit (both in 2013 vs. Colorado Rapids and defending champion Sporting Kansas City)

Orlando’s home state of Florida has not had a wealth of Open Cup success. Florida didn’t see a team reach the Semifinals until the Clearwater Chargers of the Florida Suncoast Soccer League reached the final four in 1979. Since then, the Kickers from St. Petersburg, Fla. (under a few different names) reached the Semifinals but failed to reach the Final in 1984, 1993 and famously in 1994. In 1994, the team forfeited their Semifinal match because several members of the team had purchased World Cup tickets months in advance. The Kickers’ one breakthrough came in 1989 when they eliminated Chicago’s AAC Eagles in penalty kicks before denying the New York Greek American Atlas a record-tying fifth championship with a 2-1 extra time win in Saint Louis. That 1989 team remains the only team from the Sunshine State to lift the trophy. The last Florida team to reach the Semifinals was the now-defunct Miami Fusion of MLS, who lost to the Chicago Fire in the 2000 championship game.

Josh Hakala also contributed to this report

Filed Under: US Open Cup Tagged With: 2019 US Open Cup, Atlanta United FC, Orlando City SC, Preview

2019 US Open Cup Quarterfinals preview: Six MLS teams, two USL Championship teams all seeking first national title

July 10, 2019 by Jake Sillick

The Houston Dynamo lift the trophy after winning the 2018 US Open Cup title. Photo: Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo lift the trophy after winning the 2018 US Open Cup title. Photo: Houston Dynamo

In a rare occurrence for this competition, all participants in the Quarterfinals have yet to win the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.  Major League Soccer still has six teams left in this competition, but will face the challenge from the two remaining USL Championship teams that advanced over MLS teams for two rounds in a row.  All four matches will be played on Wednesday, July 10.

The winners will advance to the Semifinals, which is scheduled to take place the week of August 7.

Every game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Since 2003, fans who wanted to follow the opening round of the second-oldest, continually-operating soccer tournament in the world, would have to rely on updates from this site, or, in later years, the occasional live audio or video stream. Now, fans who are unable to attend a match in person, can watch every game from the comfort of their home, or through their favorite mobile device.

A bracket has been set for the competition with four regions. The East region winner will play the Mideast region winner in the Semifinals. The Midwest region winner will play the West region winner in the Semifinals. The draw to determine hosts for the Semifinals and the Final will be held on July 11.

Below is a preview (with video links) of all four of the games scheduled this week:

#USOC2019 ESSENTIALS
2019 US Open Cup Schedule/Results (with links to every match report
2019 US Open Cup statistical leaders (Goals, Assists, GKs)
2019 US Open Cup bracket (TheCup.us)

2019 US Open Cup Round 1: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 3: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 4: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round of 16: Game-by-game review

Appreciate what we do? Help improve our coverage by joining TheCup.us Patreon team!

VISIT THECUP.US STORE

NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference adds matches to end of regular season to try to make 4 of 5 teams 2020 US Open Cup eligible
Every US Open Cup game to stream on ESPN+ in multi-year media rights deal

THECUP.US PLAYER OF THE ROUND
Round 1: Charles Boateng – Richmond Kickers
Round 2: Bryant Martin – Florida Soccer Soldiers
Round 3: Blake Frischknecht – Orange County FC
Round 4: Teal Bunbury – New England Revolution
Round of 16: Sam Fink – Saint Louis FC

#USOC2019 QUALIFYING
2019 US Open Cup qualifying schedule/results
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 3 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round game-by-game review
Florida Soccer Soldiers qualify for first time after America SC withdraws
More pros, less amateurs, an extra sub in 2019 US Open Cup format
Chattanooga FC qualifies for 2019 US Open Cup, but opts out
Bavarian SC qualify for 2019 US Open Cup by winning Amateur Cup title

MEET THE UNDERDOGS SERIES
Milwaukee’s Bavarian Soccer Club, proudly amateur since 1929
West Chester United battle tested from long journey back to US Open Cup
NTX Rayados grooming “new generation” to keep qualifying streak going
Academica SC earns first US Open Cup berth after more than 40 years as a club
FC Denver using US Open Cup to build to “higher level”
First year Florida Soccer Soldiers winning with “respect, pride and commitment”

Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design
Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design

New York City FC (MLS) at Orlando City SC (MLS)
Exploria Stadium – Orlando, FL
Kickoff: July 10 – 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Joshua Taylor

New York City FC (7-8-2) comes into Wednesday’s match coming off a 1-0 loss to the Portland Timbers over the weekend in league play and are currently in 5th place in the Eastern Conference. NYCFC will now turn their attention on the road against Orlando City SC (6-9-4) who is coming off a 2-2 draw against the Philadelphia Union this past weekend and are currently in 9th place in the Eastern Conference.
For NYCFC, Heber and Maximiliano Moralez are the top goal scorers for NYCFC in MLS play both leading the team with six goals but Keaton Parks is the team’s leading goalscorer with two goals during their two-game run in the tournament. Both of those goals came in the team’s 4-0 Fourth Round win at home (at St. John’s University) against North Carolina FC (USL Championship).

The win was a big one for NYCFC as it was the first time the club had tasted victory in the tournament after four previous unsuccessful attempts. The Pigeons followed up their first-ever Open Cup win with a 2-1 road win over D.C. United where they overcame a first half goal by Wayne Rooney. Alexandru Mitria and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi answered with a goal each before halftime and the defense held strong to knock off United and become the first New York City-based club to reach the Quarterfinals since the 1999 Staten Island Vipers (A-League, Div. 2 pro).

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 <a href="https://shop.thecup.us/">THECUP.US SHOP</a>
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

New York City has a chance to make some history of their own as a win over Orlando would make them the first New York City-based club to reach the Semifinals since the 1991 Brooklyn Italians not only reached the final four, but they were the last Big Apple team to lift the trophy.

 

For Orlando City SC, Nani is the team’s leading goal scorer with eight goals in MLS play but in Open Cup play Sacha Kljestan leads the team with two goals in their two-game run with both of his goals coming in a tough 3-1 road win over Memphis 901 FC (USL Championship). Orlando returned home to take on the New England Revolution and it took until extra time for the goals to start flying in.

Two goals in five minutes by Benjo Michel and Tesho Akindele (96th and 101st minutes) was the difference as Orlando punched their ticket to the Quarterfinals for the second year in a row and the fourth time in club history. A win by Orlando City on Wednesday would make them the first Florida-based club to reach the Semifinals since the Miami Fusion (MLS) made a run to the championship game in 2000.

Orlando City SC will have to play this game on one day of rest as their previous match against the Philadelphia Union was postponed due to severe weather this past Saturday and had played their match the next day. This matchup will be the first time the 2015 expansion rivals meet at this stage in the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup.

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

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

New York City FC (MLS)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-3-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 1-2-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 1-2-0
Best finish: TBD (2019)

Orlando City SC (MLS)
11th US Open Cup appearance (5th as MLS team)
Overall: 17-10-2 (2-0 PK) | 5-4-2 (2-0 PK) as MLS team
Home: 11-3-0 | 2-2-0 as MLS team
vs. MLS: 4-8-1 (1-0 PK) | 2-2-1 (1-0 PK) as MLS team
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2013*, 2015, 2018, 2019)
* as USL PRO team (Div. 3 pro)

Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design
Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design

Saint Louis FC (USL-C) at Atlanta United FC (MLS)
Fifth Third Bank Stadium (Kennesaw State Univ.) – Kennesaw, GA
Kickoff: July 10 – 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Michael Battista

Separated by only two years and 555 miles, Saint Louis FC and Atlanta United FC are set to face off for the first time in the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup. For both cities, starved of major sports titles until only recently, the opportunity to continue playing means different things. Saint Louis, in the midst of stadium planning and a proposed bid for an MLS franchise, is looking to continue to prove it is a major soccer hub with World Wide Technology Soccer Park regularly sold out. For Atlanta, the idea that proving the team’s 2018 MLS Cup title was no fluke and that the team can continue to compete remains steadfast as United makes its deepest run at the cup in its short history and try to bring the trophy to the state of Georgia for the first time in history.

USL Championship side Saint Louis FC had never defeated a MLS team in the US Open Cup competition up until this year. Heading into the 2019 Quarterfinals it has vanquished two in the Chicago Fire and FC Cincinnati. The first win, 2-1 over the Fire in Round 4, brought the team into the Fifth Round for the first time in club history as Saint Louis outlasted an early onslaught attack by their former MLS affiliate. Taking advantage of a counter attack and free kick respectively, both Austin Martz and Guy Abend were able to head in long balls during the first half to put their team up by two within four minutes of one-another as the St. Louligans watched on. Tomas Gomez made eight saves in goal as the Fire outshot the home side 20-6 en route to their first-ever elimination in the Fourth Round despite a successful late-game penalty putting the team within one.

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

In the group’s most recent challenge, they faced off against FC Cincinnati for the first time since the latter integrated into MLS. Prior to this meeting, FCC had never been beaten by Saint Louis holding a record of 4-0-1 dating back to 2016 in USL Championship play. The first-ever US Open Cup match between the two sides was a completely different tale as the home team looked in control against the recently struggling expansion side. Cincy’s goalkeeper Przemysław Tytoń and the backline held their former USL brethren for 90 minutes and 15 shots, including five saves, but a corner kick in the third minute of second half stoppage time by Lewis Hilton found the head of a leaping Sam Fink for the late game-winner as he and the rest of his team jumped into the ecstatic crowd as the game finished 1-0 for the home team. For his game-winner and a strong defensive performance on the backline for Saint Louis FC, Fink was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round.

Following their two earlier competition wins against USL League Two’s Des Moines Menace and USL League One’s Forward Madison FC, the team has struggled in regular season play in a steep contrast to the tournament performance. Prior to their May 15 penalty kick win in Des Moines, the group was 5-1-3 in USL Championship play and securely in the upper echelons of the Eastern Conference. Since then, St. Louis has gone on a six-game winless streak (0-3-3), including a come from-behind draw on July 6 against expansion side Loudoun United FC. Sam Fink, a defender, is tied for the team lead in scoring with four but has only scored twice since April 13 and both came on penalties while Austin Martz announced his retirement from professional soccer on June 28 as his contract was terminated with the club. A team already weak on the offensive front but whose backline has kept it in the league playoff hunt and in the competition is about to face its biggest challenge of the year.

In only its third year of existence, Atlanta United FC has become one of the most successful and trendsetting clubs in Major League Soccer after winning MLS Cup last season and regularly selling out the Atlanta Falcons’ Mercedes Benz Stadium which seats more than 70,000 fans. This year, the club has already advanced farther than ever before in the US Open Cup after falling in the Round of 16 in its two previous endeavors while also rebounding in league play following a rocky start to the 2019 season.

In its first match, United defeated USL Championship side Charleston Battery, 3-1 in extra time, for the third straight year. Last season’s MLS MVP, Golden Boot winner, and regular season goalscoring record holder Josef Martinez was held out of the lineup as Atlanta struggled early in the closed-door, rescheduled match-up at Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia. An error by Atlanta’s Franco Escobar allowed AJ Paterson to jump on the ball and feed Ian Svantesson for the low, right corner go-ahead goal in the 20th minute. The defending MLS champs struggled to find an equalizer for most of the game despite holding a majority of possession until the 79th minute where a Pity Martinez corner kick pinballed its way off the head of Miles Robinson and the foot of Romario Williams to slowly dribble into the net. Both teams, tired in the humid Georgian evening, pushed on into extra time but Atlanta’s Brandon Vázquez came up in both 15 minute halves, both assisted by Justin Meram, to secure the win into the next round.

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

While rain delayed the team’s first match to another day and venue, Atlanta’s next game against the Columbus Crew was also affected by the weather as a 49-minute weather delay late in the second half. Vázquez once again came up big for his club by scoring the opening goal five minutes in as well as the game winner during torrential rain in the 65th minute. He nearly scored his second goal earlier in the game as well as a back-pass towards Brad Guzan was intercepted with the latter out of goal as the shot on the empty net rolled from the left side off the right post and back into play. His team was challenged heavily by the 2002 Open Cup winners as a serious of chances in the box led to the Crew’s first goal in the 40th minute by David Accam while a Guzan error allowed the team to come within one not long after Vázquez scored a second after a Waylon Francis shot deflected off the goalkeeper and into the net in the 71st. A controversial no-call on a possible Atlanta foul in the box caused controversy as the game clock ran out and Atlanta advanced to the elite eight.

United this season looked to be in the midst of the championship hangover in the early part of the year. A sloppy start in the CONCACAF Champions League against Costa Rican side Herediano, which needed a second leg four-goal clean sheet and penalty kicks to advance, and subsequent loss to Mexican side Monterrey were precursors to the first few MLS matches. In the first two months, the side went 2-3-2 as the once explosive offense of last season struggled under new head coach Frank de Boer. Since the start of May, the group has rebounded with J. Martinez surging back up to fourth place in league goals scored this season while the team itself sits in fourth in the highly-competitive Eastern Conference. With this match sandwiched in between two tough league games, a home affair against unexpected rival side New York Red Bulls on July 7, which the team drew 3-3, and a road game on the west coast against the Seattle Sounders, Atlanta will need to tread carefully with its roster rotation as it continues the two front war between league and cup.

If they are able to get past Saint Louis FC, they would be just the third Georgia-based club to reach the Semifinals, and the first since Datagraphics lost in the final four in 1981. Saint Louis are trying to become the first team from their city to reach the semis since Busch SC won the tournament in 1988.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Saint Louis FC (USL-C)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 8-4-2 (2-0 PK)
Away: 3-2-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. MLS: 2-2-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2015, 2017)

Atlanta United FC (MLS)
3rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 4-2-0
Home: 3-1-0
vs. Div. 2: 3-1-0
Best finish: Fifth Round (2017, 2018)

Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design
Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design

New Mexico United (USL-C) at Minnesota United FC (MLS)
Allianz Field – St. Paul, MN
Kickoff: July 10 – 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Tim Abbott

New Mexico United are sizing up a third MLS victim and are expecting strong away support after a flight North sold out within minutes. NMU have made history with every step of the way and it began in Round 2 with a penalty kick shootout win against fellow USL Championship side Phoenix Rising FC. Devon Sandoval scored a 79th minute equalizer and added another in extra time. They became the first New Mexico club in the Modern Era (1995-present) to advance in the tournament. Kevaughn Frater was the star of the team’s Third Round road win over leaguemates Colorado Springs Switchbacks. Frater assisted on Christopher Wehan’s 87th minute equalizer and Frater scored a penalty kick in the 99th minute to give United a 2-1 extra time win. That made United the first New Mexico team to win a game in the Modern Era.

When MLS sides entered the tournament in Round 4, NMU faced the Colorado Rapids and Frater was again key, scoring a 90th minute equalizer against a side which was, by then, down to 10 men. A scoreless extra time led to another penalty shootout and the lower division club advanced 4-2 to become the first New Mexico team to upset a MLS team.

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

Like their opponents, their last Open Cup match was in Texas, with New Mexico facing FC Dallas. Brandon Servania put the MLS side ahead but Frater provided the equalizer and Sam Hamilton scored what would prove to be the game-winner in the 64th minute to make United the first New Mexico club to reach the Quarterfinals since the New Mexico Chiles in 1991.

They currently sit in 7th place in the USL Championship’s Western Conference with a record of 6-4-8, nine points off the top spot. The club is struggling in league play as they are in the midst of a five-game winless streak (0-3-2). The club’s last win came back on May 25 when they defeated a shorthanded Austin Bold team, 3-1.

Minnesota United entered the 2019 tournament with very little success in the competition, even dating back to the club’s NASL days. Prior to this year, the United had only won multiple games in a single tournament once (They won two games in 2012 as an NASL team). To reach the Quartefinals for the first time, Minnesota would have to go through the last two US Open Cup champions. They began in the Fourth Round with a 4-1 home win over the four-time champion Sporting Kansas City. Darwin Quintero led the way with a pair of second half goals and an assist as Sporting suffered its first opening round loss in 16 years.

In the Round of 16, United hit the road with a Dylan Wolpers Derby victory against defending champion Houston Dynamo. United found themselves down 2-0 at halftime and scored three unanswered goals, the first two of them by Quintero. 2018 Superdraftee Mason Toye would complete the comeback with the winning goal in the 90th minute to send United into the Quarterfinals for the first time in club history. They are just the second Minnesota club to reach the round of eight, and the first since the Minnesota Thunder (USL First Division, Div. 2 pro) made a run to the Semifinals in 2005.

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

Led by Toye, Minnesota is making a charge up the table of the MLS Western Conference at present, currently sitting fourth in the table with a record of 9-7-3, albeit substantially behind the division leading LAFC’s record-setting attack. United have won three straight games in league play, including last Saturday’s 3-2 comeback win on the road against the Montreal Impact. Toye scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner early in the second half.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

New Mexico United (USL-C)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-0-2 (2-0 PK)
Away: 2-0-2 (2-0 PK)
MLS: 1-0-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: First entry

Minnesota United FC (MLS)
10th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 7-7-2 (1-1 PK) | 2-2-1 (1-0 PK) as MLS team
Home: 2-3-0 | 1-0-0 as MLS team
Div. 2 Pro: 0-1-1 (1-0 PK) | 0-0-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: 2018 Fifth Round

Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design

Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design
Portland Timbers (MLS) at Los Angeles FC (MLS)

Banc of California Stadium – Los Angeles, CA
Kickoff: July 10 – 10:30 pm ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Jeremiah Braeback

The Portland Timbers head down the Pacific Coast, as they take on Los Angeles FC at Banc of California Stadium in the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Quarterfinals on Wednesday, July 10.

The Timbers come in to the match having defeated the Seattle Sounders and LA Galaxy in the Fourth Round and the Round of 16, respectively. In Round 4, they met their rivals from Seattle for the eighth time in Open Cup play, the most common matchup of the Modern Era (1995-present). Brian Fernandez scored both goals that day to eliminate the four-time champions from the Emerald City, 2-1.

Fernandez would score his third goal of the tournament as the Timbers would cruise in the Round of 16 with a 4-0 home win over the Galaxy to reach the Quarterfinals for the second year in a row. Fernandez has nine goals across all competitions this year for the Timbers, who have managed to field a mostly first-team lineup in their first two Open Cup matches. Portland also received goals from Sebastian Blanco and Jorge Moreira, in the win over the Galaxy, in addition to an own goal.

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 <a href="https://shop.thecup.us/">THECUP.US SHOP</a>
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

In MLS play, the Timbers currently sit at 23 points (7-8-2) but have started to turn the corner after a slow start, winning five of their last six matches in all competitions dating back to the middle of June. In addition to the 9 goals by Fernandez, Jeremy Ebobisse has added five goals, while Diego Valeri has added three goals and dished out 10 assists, while Steve Clark has solidified his claim as the No. 1 goalkeeper with four consecutive clean sheets in all competitions.

The Timbers have been competing in the US Open Cup since 2004 when they qualified as an A-League team (Div. 2 pro). They qualified seven times as a USL team, but never advanced beyond the Fourth Round, and never upset a MLS team in four attempts (2 vs. San Jose, 2 vs. Seattle). Since joining MLS, their best finish was when they became the first Oregon-based club to ever reach the Semifinals in 2013. They would lose a close road game to Real Salt Lake, 2-1. This is the club’s fourth trip to the Quarterfinals as they are attempting to be the first Oregon club to lift the trophy.

Los Angeles FC are hoping their league form continues to carry over into the US Open Cup as they enter Wednesday’s game as the best team in MLS. The second-year franchise is back in the Quarterfinals for the second straight year having defeated a pair of MLS opponents in their opening two matches.

In Round 4, they cruised to a 3-0 victory at Real Salt Lake. Carlos Vela struck early, Lee Nguyen scored early in the second half and Adama Diomande scored in stoppage time to lead LAFC to their first tournament road win. In the Round of 16, they hosted the San Jose Earthquakes and found themselves down 1-0 after seven minutes on a goal from Valeri Qazaishvili. They would bounce back as last year’s TheCup.us Player of the Tournament finalist Diego Rossi pulled LAFC level in the 35th minute and Diomande and Vela each scored their second goals of the tournament in the second half to advance. Pablo Sisniega started both matches in US Open Cup play, recording a clean sheet and nine saves.

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

In MLS play, LAFC lead MLS with 43 points and are 4-1-0 over their last five. Vela leads the team with 19 goals and 12 assists, while Rossi has 10 goals and five assists.

A win for LAFC on Wednesday night would move Bob Bradley, who has two US Open Cup titles under his belt while in charge of the Chicago Fire (1998, 2000), into third place in the Modern Era’s coaching wins list.

This will be the second year in a row that the two clubs have met in the US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Last year’s match saw LAFC defeat the Timbers 3-2 at Banc Of California Stadium in front of the biggest quarterfinal crowd of the Modern Era (17,989). The home team received goals from Carlos Vela and Marco Urena as well as a Portland own goal. However, controversy followed as the Timbers filled a protest claiming that LAFC exceeded the limit of five foreign players on a US Open Cup gameday roster. The player in question was Mark-Anthony Kaye, a Canadian. The Timbers were correct because by US Soccer standards, Kaye is a Canadian player, but according to Major League Soccer’s rules, he is listed as a domestic player. However, it appeared to be a mistake and the Timbers accepted the result and withdrew their protest.

LAFC have won both league meetings with the Timbers so far this year. They won 4-1 back on March 10 and 3-2 on June 1.

While the Timbers and LAFC have only played each other five times in their history, there is the feeling of a rivalry each time they take the pitch against the other. In their most recent meeting, a long scuffle occurred toward the end of the match, resulting in yellow cards to Fernandez and Diomande, and fines later being issued by MLS to both sides.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Portland Timbers (MLS)
15th US Open Cup appearance (8th as MLS team)
Overall: 18-13-1 (0-1 PK) | 11-7-0 as MLS team
Away: 9-7-0 | 4-5-0 as MLS team
vs. MLS: 8-9-1 (0-1 PK) | 8-6-0 as MLS team
Best finish: 2013 Semifinals

Los Angeles FC (MLS)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 5-0-1 (0-1 PK)
Home: 4-0-0
MLS: 3-0-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: 2018 Semifinals

Filed Under: 2019 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, US Open Cup Tagged With: 2019 US Open Cup, Preview, Quarterfinals

2019 US Open Cup Round of 16 preview: 14 MLS, 2 USL Championship teams compete in 8 matches this week

June 18, 2019 by Jake Sillick

The Houston Dynamo lift the trophy after winning the 2018 US Open Cup title. Photo: Houston Dynamo

Bring on MLS Game of Thrones Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design
Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design

As we now enter the later half of the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, stakes are quickly getting bigger. All teams remaining now have at least one game under their belt for this year’s competition. Major League Soccer dominated the last round, winning nine of the 11 matches that involved only one of their teams. There are still two remaining teams not from MLS, both from USL Championship in Saint Louis FC and New Mexico United. All eight matches of the Round of 16 will be played over the next three days. Two on Tuesday, five on Wednesday, and one on Thursday.

The winners will advance to the Quarterfinals, which is scheduled to take place the week of July 10, 2019.

Every game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Since 2003, fans who wanted to follow the opening round of the second-oldest, continually-operating soccer tournament in the world, would have to rely on updates from this site, or, in later years, the occasional live audio or video stream. Now, fans who are unable to attend a match in person, can watch every game from the comfort of their home, or through their favorite mobile device.

A bracket has been set for the competition with four regions. The two winners from the same region will play each other in the Quarterfinals.

Below is a preview (with video links) of all eight of the games scheduled this week:

#USOC2019 ESSENTIALS
2019 US Open Cup Schedule/Results (with links to every match report
2019 US Open Cup statistical leaders (Goals, Assists, GKs)
2019 US Open Cup bracket (TheCup.us)

2019 US Open Cup Round 1: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 3: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 4: Game-by-game review

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VISIT THECUP.US STORE

NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference currently ineligible for 2020 US Open Cup
Every US Open Cup game to stream on ESPN+ in multi-year media rights deal

THECUP.US PLAYER OF THE ROUND
Round 1: Charles Boateng – Richmond Kickers
Round 2: Bryant Martin – Florida Soccer Soldiers
Round 3: Blake Frischknecht – Orange County FC
Round 4: Teal Bunbury – New England Revolution

#USOC2019 QUALIFYING
2019 US Open Cup qualifying schedule/results
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 3 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round game-by-game review
Florida Soccer Soldiers qualify for first time after America SC withdraws
More pros, less amateurs, an extra sub in 2019 US Open Cup format
Chattanooga FC qualifies for 2019 US Open Cup, but opts out
Bavarian SC qualify for 2019 US Open Cup by winning Amateur Cup title

MEET THE UNDERDOGS SERIES
Milwaukee’s Bavarian Soccer Club, proudly amateur since 1929
West Chester United battle tested from long journey back to US Open Cup
NTX Rayados grooming “new generation” to keep qualifying streak going
Academica SC earns first US Open Cup berth after more than 40 years as a club
FC Denver using US Open Cup to build to “higher level”
First year Florida Soccer Soldiers winning with “respect, pride and commitment”

New York City FC (MLS) at D.C. United (MLS)
Audi Field – Washington, D.C.
Kickoff: June 19 – 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Michael Stewart Allen

New York City FC finally got the US Open Cup monkey off their back last week when they defeated North Carolina FC 4-0 in the Fourth Round. It was the first tournament win for the club after four straight one-and-done entries since the club launched in 2015. Now the club must make a trip to nation’s capital to face a very good D.C. United team looking for a win of their own.

Domenec Torrent’s men are in good form of late, having not lost a game in 11 matches. Last week, the NYCFC coach relied on younger players to get him though the match-up and they performed beautifully. Keaton Parks was a true stand out scoring two goals and helping dominate the midfield. He will likely be back on the starting sheet again alongside Maxi Moralez. The question is who else will fill out the pitch. It is likely that Anton Tinnerholm returns again in the center back position and Tony Rocha take up post at left back. The two performed very well against North Carolina but they will face a different kind of test against DC.

D.C. United needed two late overtime goals to defeat Philadelphia 2-1 last week to advance to the Round of 16. They are very good at home, boasting a seven-game unbeaten streak in the Open Cup dating back to 2013, and should have a great fan base there to back them up. Wayne Rooney is insisting that he will play in this match and could give the piecemeal back line of NYCFC real problems. If Luciano Acosta joins in, then it could be a hard test for the boys in blue.

This promises to be a game to watch with lots of goals coming from several different positions.  NYCFC have one of the most potent attacks in MLS right now with Alexandru Mitria, Heber, and Ismael Tajouri Shradi. United have a proven cup champion in Wayne Rooney who showed no signs of pressure icing Philadelphia last week.  They game will be fast paced and fun with both sides having an equal chance at winning. D.C. are one of the most successful teams in the history of the Open Cup though, capturing the title three times and finishing as runners up twice. It will be a good one.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

New York City FC (MLS)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-3-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 0-2-1 (0-1 PK)
MLS: 0-2-0
Best finish: TBD (2019)

D.C. United (MLS)
21st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 33-13-7 (3-4 PK)
Home: 24-5-4 (1-3 PK)
MLS: 11-9-3 (0-3 PK)
Best finish: US Open Cup champions (1996, 2008, 2013)

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New England Revolution (MLS) at Orlando City SC (MLS)
Exploria Stadium – Orlando, FL
Kickoff: June 19 – 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Jake Sillick

Both New England and Orlando are trying to make due with what has been a tough season for both teams so far. Both sit outside the playoff line in the Eastern Conference. A deep cup run could salvage seasons for both, or provide a boost to their league form.

New England, with its recently hired coach Bruce Arena, got through New York Red Bulls last week in the Fourth Round. Teal Bunbury was named player of the round after scoring two goals including a spectacular chip shot in extra time to seal the victory in extra time. With only one title under their name over a decade ago, they hope to get back to the promised land and finally add another trophy to their cabinet.

The Revolution have just one major trophy in team history and it has come in the US Open Cup back in 2007. The Revs have reached the championship game twice (2001, 2016) and a run to the 2008 Semifinals, but beyond that, there has been limited success in their previous 18 years in the tournament. Only the Colorado Rapids (11) have been eliminated by lower division teams more in the competition than the Revs.

Orlando had great success in this competition as a USL team, amassing a 12-6-0 record from 2009-14 including two MLS upsets before joining MLS in 2015. However, the Lions have yet to advance beyond the Quarterfinals in 10 previous Open Cup appearances. Last week in Memphis, though, they were able to get the job done against Memphis 901 FC on the road with a 3-1 win. Sacha Kjlestan scored two goals in the match to lead the way. Orlando is right on the cut line of the MLS playoffs currently, sitting in 8th place in the Eastern Conference and just one point back of 7th place Toronto FC.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

New England Revolution (MLS)
18th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 20-14-5 (3-2 PK)
Away: 6-9-2 (1-1 PK)
MLS: 7-9-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: 2007 US Open Cup champions

Orlando City SC (MLS)
11th US Open Cup appearance (5th as MLS team)
Overall: 16-10-2 (2-0 PK) | 4-4-2 (2-0 PK) as MLS team
Home: 10-3-0 | 1-2-0 as MLS team
MLS: 3-8-1 (1-0 PK) | 1-2-1 (1-0 PK) as MLS team
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2013*, 2015, 2018)
* as USL PRO team

Atlanta United FC (MLS) at Columbus Crew SC (MLS)
MAPFRE Stadium – Columbus, OH
Kickoff: June 18 – 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

UPDATE: Atlanta United defeats Columbus Crew, 3-2 to advance club’s first Quarterfinals

By Tyler Fisher

After defeating the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the Fourth Round of U.S. Open Cup play, Columbus Crew SC now host Atlanta United in the Round of 16. Columbus winger David Accam was the lone goal against the Riverhounds, giving the Black & Gold a 1-0 victory.

For Atlanta, their originally scheduled Fourth Round match had to be moved to the next day due to unplayable field conditions in Charleston, S.C. With no other options available, the USSF allowed Atlanta to host the game at Kennesaw State University behind closed doors. Atlanta defeated the Charleston Battery 3-1 in extra time to advance to the Round of 16, where they drew Crew SC.

The last time these two teams met, it was during league play in Ohio where the weather was nothing but pouring rain. Columbus would eventually win that game 2-0 after an hour and a half rain delay at MAPFRE Stadium. The weather for this Open Cup game, however, is looking to bring Deja Vu back to the Buckeye State.

Columbus, who won the 2002 US Open Cup title and finished runner-up twice (1998, 2010), will be without key players due to international duty and injuries, and it seems although that the Five Stripes will also be without a duo of star players.

Head coach Caleb Porter recently recalled center back Alex Crognale from loan to Orange County SC, to help propel the back line against the reigning MLS Cup Champions.

If Columbus can help contain the pressure that the Five Stripes will bring, the Black & Gold will look to aim their sights on the quarterfinals, while Atlanta will hope to spoil the party at home.

Should Columbus move on past United, they will play the winner of the match between St. Louis FC and “Hell Is Real” rival, FC Cincinnati.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Atlanta United FC (MLS)
3rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-2-0
Away: 0-1-0
MLS: 0-1-0
Best finish: Fifth Round (2017, 2018, 2019)

Columbus Crew SC (MLS)
20th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 23-15-3 (0-3 PK)
Home: 14-5-2 (0-2 PK)
MLS: 9-11-2 (0-2 PK)
Best finish: 2002 US Open Cup champions

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FC Cincinnati (MLS) at Saint Louis FC (USL-C)
World Wide Technology Soccer Park – Fenton, MO
Kickoff: June 19 – 8:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Louis Roesch

MLS expansion side FC Cincinnati enters the Round of 16 on the road against dare we say upstart Saint Louis FC, one of the two remaining USL Championship sides. The two teams are no strangers to each other with FC Cincinnati being a member of the USL for three years before joining MLS this season.

Cincinnati needed extra time and a goal from Kekuta Manneh in the 103rd minute to slip past former USL rival Louisville City and that was at home. FCC is no stranger to extra time in US Open Cup competition as five of their last seven tournament matches, dating back to their USL days. The Orange and Blue had lost four straight league games before their Open Cup win over Louisville, their first taste of victory since May 11. Now they must hit the road where they have not done well this season. However, they face a Saint Louis club that they have beaten four of the last five times including a draw.

Cincinnati made a name for themselves prior to joining MLS with their record-breaking crowds and a run to the 2017 Semifinals.

Saint Louis FC carries the momentum of their first-ever win over a MLS team into a midweek battle with FC Cincinnati. Saint Louis’ 2-1 win over the Fire earned them a Round of 16 berth for the first time in club history. Four former FC Cincinnati players (Matt Bahner, Kyle Greig, Kadeem Dacres and Russell Cicerone) have accounted for six of the club’s 13 goals in 2019. The club is currently in the middle of the table in the USL Championship (9th place out of 18 teams) with a 5-3-4 record. The team’s US Open Cup form hasn’t carried over into league play lately. They are winless over their last three games (0-2-1) with just two goals scored.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

FC Cincinnati (MLS)
4th US Open Cup appearance (1st as MLS team)
Overall: 8-2-2 (1-1 PK) | 1-0-0 as MLS team
Away: 2-1-0 | 0-0-0 as MLS team
Div. 2 Pro: 4-1-0 | 1-0-0 as MLS team
Best finish: 2017 Semifinals (as USL team)

Saint Louis FC (USL-C)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 7-4-2 (2-0 PK)
Home: 4-2-1 (1-0 PK)
MLS: 1-2-0
Best finish: TBD (2019)

Minnesota United FC (MLS) at Houston Dynamo (MLS)
BBVA Stadium – Houston, TX
Kickoff: June 18 – 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

UPDATE: Minnesota stages comeback and defeats Houston 3-2 after being down 0-2 at halftime.

By Jeremiah Braeback

Minnesota United hits the road to take on the Houston Dynamo, the reigning US Open Cup Champions, in the Round of 16 from BBVA Stadium in Houston, Texas.

Minnesota comes into the match following at 4-1 victory against fellow MLS side Sporting Kansas City in the Fourth Round last week, with a brace from Darwin Quintero, and goals from Angelo Rodriguez and Ethan Finlay, as Quintero netted his first goals since April. In MLS play, the Loons are on a three-match losing streak and are 2-3-0 over their last five matches.

Houston enters the match after a 3-2 victory over USL-Championship side Austin Bold last week in Houston, scoring three quick goals in the first half from Tomas Martinez, Ronaldo Pena, and Matias Vera.  The Dynamo gave up two goals in the first 13 minutes of the second half to make things interesting, but ultimately emerged victorious. Prior to last week’s match Houston was 1-2-2 in their last five MLS matches.

Temperatures will be pushing the upper 90s during the day and remaining in the low 90s at kickoff, Minnesota will have to battle not only the Dynamo but also the Texas heat and humidity.  The Loons have not fared well in Houston, with a record of 0-2-2 at BBVA Stadium, including last year’s loss, and the Dynamo has one of the best defenses in MLS, allowing only 14 goals in 13 matches and are undefeated at home this season (6-0-3 in MLS).

The Loons and Dynamo have met once this season, a 1-0 victory to the Loons on May 25th as Romain Metanire scored in the 20th minute, though Metanire will not be available for this match as he remains on international duty, as will Kevin Molino and Rasmus Schuller, but Jan Gregus returns from EURO 2020 Qualifying.  Houston enters the match shorthanded as well, as Darwin Ceren, Alberth Elis, Romell Quioto and Maynor Figueroa represent their respective national teams at the Gold Cup, but get back Mauro Manotas, the leading goal scorer in the 2018 U.S. Open Cup.  Both sides will field as close to first choice lineups as possible, but with these absences to key plays, both coaches will have some interesting choices as they select the strongest squad possible.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Minnesota United FC (MLS)
10th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 6-7-2 (1-1 PK) | 1-2-1 (1-0 PK) as MLS team
Away: 4-4-2 (1-1 PK) | 0-2-1 (1-0 PK) as MLS team
MLS: 2-5-0 | 1-2-0 as MLS
Best finish: Fifth Round (2018, 2019)

Houston Dynamo (MLS)
13th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 17-10-2 (1-1 PK)
Home: 14-4-1 (1-0 PK)
MLS: 6-8-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: 2018 US Open Cup champions

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New Mexico United (USL-C) at FC Dallas (MLS)
Westcott Field (Southern Methodist Univ.) – Dallas, TX
Kickoff: June 19 – 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Jim Coppock

First-year team, New Mexico United, is poised to create a new Cinderella story. If they can successfully navigate the next three games, they would be in the Final in their first year of existence. The last first-year team to reach the Final was the Chicago Fire in 1998. The last non-MLS team to reach the Final was the Charleston Battery in 2008.

New Mexico United, prepare for their fourth consecutive road game in the US Open Cup this year. In the Fourth Round they collected their first MLS scalp at the expense of the Colorado Rapids. Kevaughn Frater’s thundering equalizer in the fourth minute of second half stoppage time, sent the game to extra time and penalties, where they were able to outlast a short-handed Colorado for a ticket to the Fifth Round. It was NMU’s second trip to the penalty kick tiebreaker in three games.

FC Dallas have a historical record of 35-18-6 in the Cup — currently on a nine-game home unbeaten run (7-0-2) — and are looking to win their third title (1997 and 2016). They arrive in this round by a thorough dismantling of Oklahoma City Energy of the USL Championship, by a 4-0 score. They will be hoping for more from their 16-year-old debutant, Ricardo Pepi, who garnered his first assist in his first-team debut.

Both teams have shown the ability to generate goals from most anyone on the field. Each team has six players that have found their way onto the score sheet in the 2019 tournament.

New Mexico United: Devon Sandoval 3G/1A, Kevaughn Frater 2G/1A (1GWG), Christopher Wehan 1G, Santi Moar 2A, Pablo Cruz 1A and Josh Suggs 1A.

FC Dallas: Michael Barrios 1G/1A, Matt Hedges 1G (GW), Dominique Badji 1G, Reto Ziegler 1G, Ricardo Pepi 1A and Jesus Ferreira 1A

League form:

MLS teams are in the middle of a two-week Gold Cup break, while New Mexico United come back from a disappointing weekend business trip to Las Vegas in the league, falling 5-1.

New Mexico United fell from 1st in the West after losing to Las Vegas this past Saturday. The extra games, and a long road spell, seem to be having a negative effect on league form. United are two games into a 7-game road trip in all comps, which ends July 24 , and were flat against Las Vegas. Frater, Moar, Sandoval and Wehan, 4 of United’s top 5 goal scorers, all got a partial rest in that game. Ryan Williams is the last member of that quintet, all of whom have combined for 29 of United’s 32 goals (91%).

FC Dallas has been on a not-so-hot run of form in MLS, winning only one of their last five games. On the plus side from the Fourth Round, was the first-team debut of 16-year old forward, Ricardo Pepi. Pepi, who has been with North Texas SC, FCD’s USL League 1 side, tallied his first assist. He is an FCD Academy alum who joined them at age 13. FCD seem to be banking on youth, as 17 of their 28 rostered players are under the age of 25. FC Dallas’ top 5 league scorers, Ferreira, Ziegler, Barrios, Badji and Paxton Pomyjkal, have combined for 13 of the team’s 19 goals (68%).

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

New Mexico United (USL-C)
>1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-2 (2-0 PK)
Away: 1-0-2 (2-0 PK)
MLS: 0-0-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: First entry

FC Dallas (MLS)
22nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 35-18-6 (5-1 PK)
Home: 21-6-3 (2-1 PK)
Div. 2 Pro: 19-1-2 (2-0 PK)
Best finish: US Open Cup champions (1997, 2016)

LA Galaxy (MLS) at Portland Timbers (MLS)
Providence Park – Portland, OR
Kickoff: June 19 -11 pm ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Jeremiah Braeback

The Los Angeles Galaxy head to the Pacific Northwest, as they take on the Portland Timbers at the newly re-born Providence Park in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16.

The Timbers enter the matched following their 2-1 victory over Cascadia rivals Seattle Sounders last Wednesday in Tacoma, Washington.  Led by a brace from newly-signed striker Brian Fernandez, who has six goals in his first four appearances, the Timbers fielded a mostly first team squad against their rivals.  In MLS play, the Timbers are 2-2-1 over their last five matches.

LA Galaxy come into the match after knocking out NPSL side Orange County FC, 3-0, following a second half brace from 16 year-old homegrown player Efrain Alvarez, and a goal from rookie Emil Cuello. In MLS play, the Galaxy are 2-3-0 over their past five matches.

The Timbers and Galaxy have met once so far this season, a 2-1 victory for the Galaxy that featured a brace from Zlatan Ibrahimovic from the penalty spot, and goal for the Timbers from Jeremy Ebobisse on March 31 in Carson, CA.  This is the third meeting between the Timbers and Galaxy of the last four US Open Cups. In their most recent meeting, the Timbers defeated the Galaxy 1-0 in 2018, as Sebastian Blanco netted a goal in the 30th minute in Portland.  In 2016 at Providence Park, the Galaxy used a 5th minute goal from Raul Mendiola to defeat the Timbers 1-0.

With the match coming during an international break, both sides are affected by national team callups, as the Timbers will be without Andy Polo and Andres Flores, who are representing their home countries in the Gold Cup.  The Galaxy will be without the services of Johnathan Dos Santos, Uriel Antuna, Giancarlo Gonzalez, and Ernesto Walker, who are representing their home nations in the Gold Cup.

In last week’s match, the Timbers were also without Marco Farfan and Eryk Williamson and Galaxy were without Justin Vom Steeg, all of whom were at the recently-concluded U.S. National Team’s U23 training camp, which concluded June 16, so all three players may be available for the match.  Ibrahimovic also did not appear in last week’s match and given his previous aversion to playing on the artificial pitch at Providence Park, it remains to be seen whether he makes the trip.

Riding the momentum of the re-opening of Providence Park, Fernandez’ recent form, and with the Timbers Army chanting behind them the entire match, it could be to just hand this match to a Timbers that finally appears to have found themselves, but the Galaxy can never be counted out, especially if Ibrahimovic takes the pitch.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

LA Galaxy (MLS)
19th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 32-16-1 (1-0 PK)
Away: 9-13-1 (1-0 PK)
MLS: 12-12-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: US Open Cup champions (2001, 2005)

Portland Timbers (MLS)
15th US Open Cup appearance (8th as MLS team)
Overall:17-13-1 (0-1 PK) | 10-7-0 as MLS team
Home: 8-6-1 (0-1 PK) | 6-2-0 as MLS team
MLS:7-9-1 (0-1 PK) | 7-6-0 as MLS team
Best finish: 2013 Semifinals

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San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) at Los Angeles FC (MLS)
Banc of California Stadium – Los Angeles, CA
Kickoff: June 20 – 10:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Josh Hakala

The San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC with both teams seeking their first US Open Cup title. This San Jose’s 18th trip to the tournament while LAFC is entering their second, and has yet to officially lose a match (last year they were eliminated by Houston Dynamo in penalty kicks, which is officially listed as a draw).

San Jose reached the Round of 16 after a 4-3 home win over the upset-minded Sacramento Republic of the USL Championship. Vako Qazaishvili came off the bench to score of late goals as the Quakes held off a late push by the Republic to advance. It was a welcome win for San Jose after losing their opening round game to the Portland Timbers the year before after falling a penalty kick shootout short of reaching the Final in 2017 (losing on the road to eventual champion Sporting Kansas City).

LAFC cruised to a 3-0 road win over Real Salt Lake in their tournament opener. Goals from Carlos Vela, Lee Nguyen and Adama Diomande helped Los Angeles carry their red-hot league form into the US Open Cup. LAFC is unbeaten in their last nine games in all competitions (6-0-3) and has the best record in MLS (11-1-4).

San Jose are 5-6-4 in league play, sitting in a tie for 7th place with Real Salt Lake in the Western Conference. However, they have played well as of late as they are unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions (3-0-2).

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
16th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 15-11-7 (3-4 PK)
Away: 7-6-4 (2-2 PK)
MLS: 2-8-4 (0-4 PK)
Best finish: Semifinals (2004, 2017)

Los Angeles FC (MLS)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 4-0-1 (0-1 PK)
Home: 3-0-0
MLS: 2-0-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: 2018 Semifinals

Filed Under: 2019 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, US Open Cup Tagged With: 2019 US Open Cup, Preview

2019 US Open Cup Round 4, Day 2 preview: Nine matches involving MLS teams kick off tonight

June 12, 2019 by Jake Sillick

Bring on MLS Game of Thrones Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design

Bring on MLS Game of Thrones Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design
Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design

Outside of the championship game, the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is the pinnacle of the competition. The majority of the games (all but five of them) feature a lower division team against a Major League Soccer team. This is what makes the US Open Cup unique in American sports. Minor league professional teams and amateur teams getting a shot at the top division teams in the country. Round 4 will be split up into two game days with seven of the 16 games being played on Tuesday and the remaining nine games on Wednesday.

The winners will advance to the Round of 16, which is scheduled to take place later this month

Check out all of the results (and the match reports and video) of Tuesday’s action HERE.

Every game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Since 2003, fans who wanted to follow the opening round of the second-oldest, continually-operating soccer tournament in the world, would have to rely on updates from this site, or, in later years, the occasional live audio or video stream. Now, fans who are unable to attend a match in person, can watch every game from the comfort of their home, or through their favorite mobile device.

The draw for the Round of 16 will follow this week’s matches and will be held on Thursday, June 13.

Below is a preview (with video links) of all nine of the games scheduled for Wednesday night:

#USOC2019 ESSENTIALS
2019 US Open Cup Schedule/Results (with links to every match report)
Fourth Round fun facts: Notable upsets, things you should know about Round 4

2019 US Open Cup statistical leaders (Goals, Assists, GKs)
2019 US Open Cup Round 1: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 3: Game-by-game review

Appreciate what we do? Help improve our coverage by joining TheCup.us Patreon team!

VISIT THECUP.US STORE

NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference currently ineligible for 2020 US Open Cup
Every US Open Cup game to stream on ESPN+ in multi-year media rights deal

THECUP.US PLAYER OF THE ROUND
Round 1: Charles Boateng – Richmond Kickers
Round 2: Bryant Martin – Florida Soccer Soldiers
Round 3: Blake Frischknecht – Orange County FC

#USOC2019 QUALIFYING
2019 US Open Cup qualifying schedule/results
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 3 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round game-by-game review
Florida Soccer Soldiers qualify for first time after America SC withdraws
More pros, less amateurs, an extra sub in 2019 US Open Cup format
Chattanooga FC qualifies for 2019 US Open Cup, but opts out
Bavarian SC qualify for 2019 US Open Cup by winning Amateur Cup title

MEET THE UNDERDOGS SERIES
Milwaukee’s Bavarian Soccer Club, proudly amateur since 1929
West Chester United battle tested from long journey back to US Open Cup
NTX Rayados grooming “new generation” to keep qualifying streak going
Academica SC earns first US Open Cup berth after more than 40 years as a club
FC Denver using US Open Cup to build to “higher level”
First year Florida Soccer Soldiers winning with “respect, pride and commitment”

North Carolina FC (USL-C) at New York City FC (MLS)
Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.) – Jamaica, NY
Kickoff: June 12 – 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Ray Curren

Five years into its existence, New York City FC has somewhat amazingly yet to win a U.S. Open Cup match, an ignominious streak it hopes to end Wednesday at Belson Stadium in Queens. This will be the first time NYCFC will face a team from outside the metropolitan area in this competition, with two of the losses coming at the hands of the rival Red Bulls and the others (in its first two campaigns) coming against the lower-division New York Cosmos. The last three of those losses have been shutouts. A loss on Wednesday would give them five consecutive one-and-done Open Cup results, which would be the longest such streak of any MLS team in history.

But head coach Dome Torrent has indicated that there will be a great deal of squad rotation in Wednesday’s USOC lineup, with Daniel Bedoya’s first start for the team grabbing the headlines. Bedoya played his college soccer with St. John’s at Belson Stadium and went to high school just a couple of miles away, so he should have plenty of family and friends in attendance. Homegrown player Justin Haak (17 years old, born in Manhattan a day after 9/11/2001), Keaton Parks (21), and Juan Pablo Torres (19) are all expected to make their first starts for NYCFC, who may have as few as 13 outfield players available due to international duty and injuries.

For North Carolina (who sits in sixth place in the USL Championship East with a 6-2-5 record) to take advantage, they will look to the attacking combination of Dutch striker (by way of Creighton) Marios Lomis (6 goals) and veteran Steven Miller (4), although neither has scored thus far is this year’s tournament. Hometown defender DJ Taylor scored the only goal in North Carolina’s 1-0 win over the upstart Florida Soccer Soldiers in the Third Round, while North Carolina coasted past the Richmond Kickers (USL League One) 4-1 in the Round 2 with four different goal scorers.

This is a rare road trip for NCFC. They have played 34 US Open Cup games in their team history since 2007 and 29 of those games have been played in front of their home fans (21-6-2, 1-1 PKs). Away from home, they have advanced just one time in their five road games (1-3-1, 0-1 PKs). Their record against MLS teams could give their fans cause for optimism, eliminating six top division clubs with a 5-7-2 (1-1 PKs) record.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

North Carolina FC (USL-C)
12th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 22-9-3 (1-2 PK)
Away: 1-3-1 (0-1 PK)
MLS: 5-7-2 (1-1 PK)
Best finish: 2007 Semifinals

New York City FC (MLS)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-3-1 (0-1 PK)
Home: 0-1-0
Div. 2 pro: 0-1-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)

Louisville City FC (USL-C) at FC Cincinnati (MLS)
Nippert Stadium (Univ. of Cincinnati) – Cincinnati, OH
Kickoff: June 12 – 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Lawrence Dockery

One thing that makes the US Open Cup special is that it allows for teams that are not in the same league to play each other.  That’s the case when Louisville City hits the road to take on FC Cincinnati. Louisville is in the USL Championship and Cincinnati is in their first season in MLS.  The two cities are just about two hours apart on I-71 and there has always been a healthy rivalry between the two, usually in college athletics between the Cardinals and the Bearcats (be it on the basketball court back in the old Metro Conference and Conference USA days or on the gridiron where they played for the Keg of Nails).  It was certainly a rivalry in the soccer field as well as before their jump to MLS this season, Cincinnati was in the USL with Louisville. It’s safe to say that there is no love lost between these two teams and fans might be looking forward to some fireworks once the game gets under way.

For Louisville City, the US Open Cup is a tournament where they have always done very well.  In fact, in their four seasons of existence, they have never failed to win at least one game in that year’s edition of the tournament.  In 2015 they made a reasonably deep run, beating Lansing United and the Indy Eleven before being eliminated in extra time by the Chicago Fire in the 4th Round.  2016 saw them go out Third Round against the Indy Eleven after getting their first ever penalty shoot-out win in the 2nd Round against Detroit City. 2017 was another Third Round exit, against none other than FC Cincinnati.  But in 2018, they put together a magical run all the way to the quarter-finals where they were the last non-MLS team standing. Along the way they dispatched the Long Island Rough Riders, Saint Louis FC, the New England Revolution, and Nashville SC before eventually falling to the Chicago Fire again.  So far this year they’ve managed to get past Reading United and the Birmingham Legion (the latter on a 90th minute penalty).

Cincinnati only came into existence in 2016, but they too have done well in the Open Cup during their short time as an organization.  Their first foray into the tournament saw them beat the Indy Eleven before falling to the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Third Round. 2017 saw them put together a magical run as they ran all the way to the Semifinals.  Along the way they drew multiple crowds of over 30,000 at Nippert Stadium and even got a national TV audience on ESPN. Their road to that Semifinal was AFC Cleveland, Louisville City, the Chicago Fire, and Miami FC (NASL) before they fell in extra-time to the New York Red Bulls.  Last year they won their first two games against Detroit City and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds before getting the boot from Minnesota United.

In terms of their respective league play, it’s two very different stories.  Louisville has been decent, though not as good as in years past (which is hard to do given that they’ve won the last two USL Championships and never failed to reach the Eastern Conference Finals). They currently sit fourth in the Eastern Conference of USL and have lost just once in their last nine league games.  If the two US Open Cup wins are factored in, Louisville is unbeaten in seven straight games across all competitions.  On the flip side, Cincinnati has been just awful in their first season in MLS and have already fired their manager. Not only are they stuck in the cellar of MLS’ Eastern Conference (that’s 12th out of 12 teams) but they are also the worst team in the whole league with a mere 11 points from 16 games (next closest to them is the Portland Timbers with 14 points from 13 games).  They’ve lost four in a row, nine of their last ten, and have won just once in their last 12 games.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Louisville City FC (USL-C)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 9-4-1 (1-0 PK)
Away: 3-4-0
MLS: 1-2-0
Best finish: 2018 Quarterfinals

FC Cincinnati (MLS)
4th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 7-2-2 (1-1 PK)
Home: 5-1-2 (1-1 PK)
Div. 2 pro: 3-1-0
Best finish: 2017 Semifinals

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Sporting Kansas City (MLS) at Minnesota United FC (MLS)
Allianz Field – St. Paul, MN
Kickoff: June 12 – 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Jeremiah Braeback

Minnesota United meets a familiar foe in US Open Cup play, as Sporting Kansas City heads to Allianz Field to face the Loons for the fourth time since 2014, with Kansas City winning each of their first three meetings.

Minnesota comes into the match on a three-match losing streak in MLS play, collecting only four points over their past five matches, but they have done well at Allianz Field, collecting 12 of 21 possible points since their new home opened in mid-April.  The Loons started the season strong offensively, scoring at least two goals in six of their first seven matches, but have only have one multi-goal match since. Darwin Quintero (5 goals, 3 assists) and Angelo Rodriguez (4 goals, 1 assist) lead the Loons in scoring, and Vito Mannone has appeared in goal for each of their 16 matches this season, with five shutouts and 45 saves.

Kansas City, who have won four US Open Cup titles (2004, 2012, 2015, 2017), comes in having collected points in four of their past five matches (1-1-3).  While they have struggled to collect all three points, leading MLS’ Western Conference with 7 Draws. Kansas City are among the MLS leaders in scoring, having scored 26 goals this season, led by Johnny Russell (7 goals, 3 assists), Krisztian Nemeth (7 goals, 1 assist), and Felipe Gutierrez (6 goals, 1 assist), while Tim Melia has started 14 of 15 matches in goal, making 45 saves.  Russell and Nemeth are both away for EURO2020 Qualifying for their respective national teams.

With both sides depleted by international call ups and the typical squad rotation seen in early round US Open Cup matches, expect to see several fresh faces in this match, including players recalled or loaned up from their USL-Championship affiliates.  Kansas City has the advantage historically, outscoring the Loons 8-1 over their previous three meetings, but with the Wonderwall behind them at Allianz Field, playing at home could be the difference for Minnesota.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
21st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 28-14-6 (4-2 PK)
Away: 8-7-4 (2-2 PK)
MLS: 14-9-3 (3-0 PK)
Best finish: US Open Cup champions (2004, 2012, 2015, 2017)

Minnesota United FC (MLS)
9th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 5-7-2 (1-1 PK)
Home: 1-3-0
MLS: 1-5-0
Best finish: 2018 Fifth Round

Philadelphia Union (MLS) at D.C. United (MLS)
Audi Field – Washington, D.C.
Kickoff: June 12 – 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Sydney Hunte & Louis Roesch

The Philadelphia Union and D.C. United open their respective U.S. Open Cup runs on Wednesday night at Audi Field. It’s a matchup of a pair of teams toward the top of the MLS Eastern Conference standings, as the Union sit in first with 31 points while D.C. are just four points back.

Philadelphia have been one of the surprise teams in MLS this season. After a sixth-place finish in the Eastern Conference last year, Jim Curtin’s side is atop the conference table thanks to a three-match unbeaten streak. It is coming off a comeback win over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, with the Red Bulls holding a 2-0 lead with 30 minutes to go before a goal by Jamiro Montiero and a brace by Ilsinho led the Union to a 3-2 victory. Following a defeat in last year’s Open Cup final – its third runner-up finish in five seasons – Philadelphia hopes that its latest stint in the competition will finally end with silverware.

If ever there was a bad time for the Philadelphia Union to have to play a soccer game, now would be it. The Union, last season’s US Open Cup runner-up, find themselves in a difficult predicament heading into Wednesday night’s road match. National team call-ups, injuries and a limit on foreign born player participation has Philadelphia grasping to field a solid starting XI. Gone are goalkeeper Andre Blake, defender Aaron Trusty, midfielder Brenden Aaronson and forward Marco Fabian among others. Philadelphia was forced to call up four academy players just to round out the bench including Shanyder Borgelin, Ben Ofiemu, Issa Rayan and Zach Zandi from USL affiliate Bethlehem Steel FC as reinforcements.

Meanwhile, D.C. United have won the Open Cup three times, most recently in 2013. The club will be without Junior Moreno and Paul Arriola, and despite having Chris Durkin back from the Under-20 World Cup, the 19-year-old will not participate in Wednesday’s match thanks to a red card disqualification that carried over from last year’s Round of 16 defeat against Orlando City SC. D.C. have been off since June 1, a 1-1 draw against San Jose to extend its winless streak to six matches. It has scored just six goals in that stretch, with three coming against the Chicago Fire on May 29. But at least they are becoming healthier. Defender Chris Odoi-Atsem is working his way back into starting XI shape and the centerback duo of Steven Birnbaum and Frederic Brillanare are playing stingy defense

The Union will have its work cut out for them offensively. Even without forward Paul Arriola (US National Team duty), Wayne Rooney is playing well enough to cause chaos in the offensive third, assuming he plays.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Philadelphia Union (MLS)
8th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 16-4-6 (3-3 PK)
Away: 1-2-4 (2-2 PK)
MLS: 8-4-5 (2-3 PK)
Best finish: Runner-Up (2014, 2015, 2018)

D.C. United (MLS)
21st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 32-13-7 (3-4 PK)
Home: 23-5-4 (1-3 PK)
MLS: 10-9-3 (0-3 PK)
Best finish: US Open Cup champions (1996, 2008, 2013)

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OKC Energy FC (USL-C) at FC Dallas (MLS)
Westcott Field (Southern Methodist Univ.) – Dallas, TX
Kickoff: June 12 – 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Daniel Crooke

History has a habit of repeating itself as FC Dallas hosts Energy FC for the third time in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Oklahoma side has only once reached the Fourth Round without running into the Texans, when they fell 3-2 to the Colorado Rapids in 2017.

Outside of the cup, the two sides are no strangers. They’ve met regularly in preseason with OKC serving as FC Dallas’ USL affiliate up until this year. The Energy coaching staff regularly attended FC Dallas preseason camps to evaluate potential loans. One player who has benefited from that attention is Energy left back Amer Sasivarevic, who was drafted by FC Dallas in 2018 but was a late cut. Two other Oklahoma City players have had spells with FC Dallas as Atiba Harris was part of the team to win the 2016 US Open Cup, while Je-Vaughn Watson was part of the New England Revolution side that fell in the 2016 Final having been traded from Dallas earlier in the year. As much as Watson would value revenge, he will be away with Jamaica as they prepare for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

As FC Dallas has struggled with injury and international call-ups of late, Luchi Gonzalez is planning to utilize Dallas’ USL League One side, North Texas SC. The USL League One 16-year-old leading scorer, Ricardo Pepi, will make his full FC Dallas debut having scored seven goals in six appearances. The game could also feature Dallas’ three members of the US Under-20 World Cup roster. Paxton Pomykal, who captained the side, may be rested but Brandon Servania and Edwin Cerrillo could certainly see playing time at SMU’s Westcott Field in Dallas having returned from Poland.

FC Dallas have been the model of consistency among MLS clubs in this competition. They have won the fourth-most games of any team in the Modern Era (1995-present), and they have the most Quarterfinal appearances (16) of any team in the history of the tournament. Despite consistently winning in the tournament, they have won the US Open Cup just twice.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

OKC Energy FC (USL-C)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 8-4-2 (1-1 PK)
Away: 5-4-2 (1-1 PK)
MLS: 0-2-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2015, 2016, 2017)

FC Dallas (MLS)
22nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 34-18-6 (5-1 PK)
Home: 20-6-3 (2-1 PK)
Div. 2 pro: 18-1-2 (2-0 PK)
Best finish: US Open Cup champions (1997, 2014)

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Orlando City SC (MLS) at Memphis 901 FC (USL-C)
Mike Rose Soccer Complex – Memphis, TN
Kickoff: June 12 – 8:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Lawrence Dockery

The US Open Cup is the one competition where fans of teams in the lower tiers of the US Soccer pyramid get an opportunity to see their team play an MLS team.  And with all 21 American MLS teams entering the tournament in the Fourth Round, that is now actually happening for a number of lower division teams. One of the best things about the US Open Cup is when the teams from MLS go to teams from the USL or NASL and so on.  This is the case as Orlando City travels to the Mid-South to take on Memphis 901 FC.

Memphis 901 FC is in their first season of existence in the USL Championship and is in the midst of an impressive run so far in this year’s edition of the Open Cup.  They entered in the Second Round and promptly dispatched the New York Red Bulls Under-23s by a score of 3-1. Josh Morton dropped two goals and Cam Lindley added another as Memphis actually had to come from behind to win that one, as they conceded a goal just five minutes into the game.  They moved on to the Third Round and took on the Hartford Athletic (who, at the time, was one of two teams they had beaten in USL play). Due to a scheduling conflict with the Memphis Redbirds the game was not played at their usual home of AutoZone Park in downtown Memphis, but was instead played at the stadium at Mike Rose Soccer Complex in the suburb of Collierville.  The change of venue did not phase the Boys in Blue however as they ran riot over Hartford to the tune of 4-0. Jochen Graf bagged two goals, the captain Marc Burch added one from the penalty spot, and Morgan Hackworth joined in the fun less than ten minutes from time. After the game, several of the players jokingly said they were going to file a petition to have all of their home games moved to Mike Rose.  And as it turns out, they got their wish to a small degree as the upcoming game against Orlando will be there, due to there not being enough time to flip AutoZone Park from baseball to soccer and then back to baseball.

Orlando has yet to play a game in this edition of the Open Cup, but their manager is no stranger to the competition.  James O’Connor was the manager at Louisville City in the USL for their first three and a half years of existence and guided them to a pair of deep Open Cup runs.  In 2015 (their first year as a team) they won their first two games in the Open Cup against Lansing United and then the Indy Eleven before falling in extra time on the road to the Chicago Fire.  In 2018, O’Connor guided them to the quarter-finals where they were the last non-MLS team standing. Along the way the eliminated the Long Island Rough Riders, St. Louis FC, the New England Revolution, and Nashville SC before again falling to the Chicago Fire.  While O’Connor’s Open Cup resume is a solid one, Orlando’s is kind of a mixed bag. They have been eliminated by teams from lower divisions on multiple occasions and have managed more than one win in the competition just twice, most recently last season as they eased past Miami United and DC United before being bounced out of the quarter-finals by the Philadelphia Union.

In terms of how each team is faring in their respective league this season, Memphis and Orlando are both struggling somewhat.  While that’s nothing new for Orlando (they have yet to qualify for MLS Cup Playoffs in any their four seasons as a team) it is to be expected for Memphis as it is just their first season ever.  Orlando does appear to be warming up just a little bit as they’ve moved up to 8th place in the Eastern Conference of MLS and they have won two of their last three games. Memphis meanwhile has struggled league play, though they have been unfortunate in that two of their last four league games have had to be postponed due to severe weather issues.  Prior to this past Saturday’s drubbing at the hands of the Indy Eleven, Memphis had been unbeaten in five games across all competitions (a win and two draws in USL play and then two wins in the Open Cup).

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Orlando City SC (MLS)
11th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 15-10-2 (2-0 PK)
Away: 5-7-2 (2-0 PK)
Div. 2 pro: 2-2-0
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2013*, 2015, 2018)
* As USL PRO team

Memphis 901 FC (USL-C)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-0-0
Home: 2-0-0
MLS: N/A
Best finish: First entry

New Mexico United (USL-C) at Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park – Commerce City, CO
Kickoff: June 12 – 9 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Jim Coppock

New Mexico United have yet to kick a ball at home in this tournament, but are wearing the moniker of “road warriors” quite well after eliminating two fellow USL Championship sides in the second and third rounds; a 4-3 penalty kick tiebreaker, after a 2-2 draw in Phoenix in the second, and a come from behind win against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in in Colorado Springs, 2-1 (aet) in the third.

The Rapids have yet to play a game in this edition of the U.S. Open Cup, but have fared quite well at home historically, winning seven of eight games. However, their home form is one of the few bright spots in their history of this tournament. Their biggest highlight was their run to the 1999 US Open Cup Final, where they lost 2-0 to the Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League, Div. 2 pro). Since then, they have qualified 15 times and have failed to advance in multiple games in a single tournament during those 15 trips to the competition. And no MLS team has been upset by lower division teams more than the Rapids, who have been “cupset” 10 times.

NMU moved into first place in the West in May on the strength on a six-game unbeaten run, which ended at the hands of Sacramento last weekend. Veteran player (and Albuquerque native) Devon Sandoval is no stranger to the confines of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, having visited many times as a member of MLS’ Real Salt Lake.

The Rapids are experiencing a resurgence under interim skipper, and former player, Conor Casey, with an unbeaten run of 5 games. Kei Kamara leads the team with 8 goals, including the winner against Minnesota United last weekend. Andre Shinyashiki has had some brilliant moments in an otherwise less than idyllic 2019 for the Burgundy.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

New Mexico United (USL-C)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-1
Away: 1-0-1 (1-0 PK)
MLS: N/A
Best finish: First entry

Colorado Rapids (MLS)
19th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 13-18-0
Home: 7-1-0
Div. 2 pro: 6-8-0
Best finish: 1999 Runner-Up

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Orange County FC (NPSL) at LA Galaxy (MLS)
Dignity Health Sports Park Track Stadium – Carson, CA
Kickoff: June 12 – 10:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Daniel Crooke

Orange County FC enter Wednesday’s Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup Fourth Round hoping that the old adage of ‘league form goes out of the window in the cup’ doesn’t apply with they and opponents, LA Galaxy, experiencing vastly different fortunes of late.

Paul Caligiuri’s men look to become the first NPSL side to reach the fifth round of the cup, and will do so behind a 9-game unbeaten run in all competitions. Caligiuri – who won the 2001 U.S. Open Cup with the Galaxy – will also be targeting his former club as OCFC look for a signature giant-killing in only their second season in the competition.

The five-time MLS Cup winners will be looking to improve on their own form, which has seen three consecutive home defeats within a run of five losses from their last seven games. One run the Galaxy do want to extend is their unbeaten streak when drawn at home in the fourth round. LA have only suffered defeat at home once in the fourth round of the competition, 20 years ago when the Columbus Crew won 3-1 in the quarter final at Titan Stadium.

Orange County will be leaning on the attacking prowess of Cody Shelton after scoring twice in the Open Cup already, and bagging the game-winning penalty against Orange County SC. Shelton has ten goals in 15 appearances in NPSL to add to the two in three from the Cup this year. The Galaxy are led by Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s 11 goals in 12 games, with quite a void behind the Swede to defender Daniel Steres’ three goals. The game could instead provide 16-year-old homegrown Efrain Alvarez a chance to shine after a 45-minute outing in the Galaxy’s 2-1 loss to New England last week.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Orange County FC (NPSL)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-1-1 (1-0 PK)
Away: 1-1-1 (1-0 PK)
MLS: N/A
Best finish: 2018 Second Round

LA Galaxy (MLS)
19th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 31-16-1 (1-0 PK)
Home: 22-3-0
vs. Open Division: 6-0-0
Best finish: Champions (2001, 2005)

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Portland Timbers (MLS) at Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
Cheney Stadium – Tacoma, WA
Kickoff: June 12 – 10:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Jeremiah Braeback

The Portland Timbers will face a familiar foe, as they travel up I-5 to take on the Seattle Sounders in the Fourth Round of the 2019 US Open Cup from Cheney Stadium in Tacoma Washington.  This match will be the 8th meeting between the Cascadia rivals in the Cup since 2005, the most in the Modern Era and the fourth meeting since both sides joined MLS.

The Timbers and Sounders are no strangers to each other, having played five times since the start of the 2018 season, but this will be their first meeting since their match up in the 2018 Playoffs, which went to the Timbers following penalty kicks.

The Timbers, who have never reached the US Open Cup Final, come into the match after a 3-2 loss to Los Angeles FC in their first home match of the 2019 Season on June 1st and they are 4-2-1 over their prior 7 matches to close out their 3-month road trip to start the season.  The acquisition of Brian Fernandez, who has produced 4 goals in 3 matches, has been key to their recent success, as has the resurgence of Diego Valeri, who has 2 goals and 3 assists in his past 6 matches.  Jeremy Ebobisse has (4 goals, 1 assist) is tied with Fernandez for the team lead in goals, while both Jeff Attinella (9 starts, 38 saves) and Steve Clark (4 starts, 14 saves) have appeared in goal.

The Sounders, who are seeking a record-tying fifth US Open Cup title, have struggled mightily in recent weeks, losing three consecutive matches on the road and are 1-3-1 over their last five matches, after starting the season 6-1-4.  Raul Ruidiaz (6 goals, 1 assist), Kelvin Leerdam (4 goals, 2 assists), and Nicolas Lodeiro (2 goals, 8 assists) lead the Sounders in scoring, while Stefan Frei has made 51 saves and has recorded 5 shutouts in 16 starts in goal this season.

With this match coming during an International Break, both sides will be affected by international call ups, as the Timbers will be without four first team players (Andres Flores, Andy Polo, Marco Farfan, and Eryk Williamson) and the Sounders will be missing 9 first team players (Gustav Svensson, Nicolas Lodeiro, Raul Ruidíaz, Cristian Roldan, Jordan Morris, Roman Torres, Jordy Delem, Joevin Jones, and Xavier Arreaga).

While the match would appear to lean toward the less-depleted Timbers, who can field a mostly first choice lineup and have been in good form as of late, sparks always fly when the Timbers and Sounders meet and in the U.S. Open Cup, anything can happen.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Portland Timbers (MLS)
15th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 16-13-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 8-7-0
MLS: 6-9-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: 2013 Semifinals

Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
23rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 36-16-6 (4-2 PK)
Home: 28-3-2 (2-0 PK)
MLS: 19-10-3 (2-1 PK)
Best finish: US Open Cup champions (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014)

Filed Under: 2019 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, US Open Cup Tagged With: 2019 US Open Cup, Preview

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U.S. Open Cup History

Dating back to 1913, Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh soccer rivalry returns to US Open Cup

It’s a geographic rivalry that crosses the boundaries of sports. Steelers vs. Eagles, Pirates vs. Phillies, Penguins vs Flyers, Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia. In the world of American Pro soccer however, the cities have never crossed paths.

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