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

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

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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

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)

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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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
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.

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.

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

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

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+.

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

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)

*******************************

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

2019 US Open Cup Round 4, Day 2 preview: Nine matches involving MLS teams kick off tonight

June 12, 2019 by Jake Sillick

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+.

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

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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

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)

2019 US Open Cup Round 4, Day 1 preview: Seven games tonight as MLS joins the tournament

June 11, 2019 by Josh Hakala

The winners will advance to the Round of 16, which is scheduled to take place the week of June 29, 2019.

Every game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

The draw for the Fourth Round will follow this week’s matches and will be held on Thursday, June 13.

Below is a preview (with video links) of all seven of the games scheduled for Tuesday 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

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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

New England Revolution (MLS) at New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Montclair State University Soccer Park – Montclair, NJ
Kickoff: June 11 – 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Michael Battista

The New York Red Bulls and New England Revolutions are set to commence the next instalment of the famed inter-sport rivalry between their two regions. Both teams began 2019 with incredibly rocky starts, with the Red Bulls going on a historic losing stretch and New England only recently righting the ship under new head coach Bruce Arena. The two Major League Soccer teams have met three previous times in the tournament with New York holding the advantage currently 2-1.

The New York Red Bulls enter their 21st US Open Cup having only lost in the Fourth Round once (2014 vs New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League, 3-0). The team has never won the Lamar Hunt Trophy despite reaching the final on two separate occasions, 2003 and 2017, nor the MLS Cup but does hold three Supporter’s Shield titles from 2013, 2015, and 2018.

This year in league New York has been consistent in inconsistency. After losing three straight games early on, the first time that had happened since the early 2010s, and losing the team’s all-time leading goal scorer Bradley Wright-Phillips to a lingering groin injury the team has since rebounded with a variety of goal scorers. Forward Brian White, BWP’s replacement up front, currently leads the team with four league goals and Austrian mid-man Danny Royer is not far behind with three. The team still struggles with short rest games though, noting that after big time wins against LA Galaxy and Atlanta the team came up short in midweek home matches against both Montreal and Vancouver. The team last played on Saturday, June 8, where it gave up a two goal, second half lead on the road and lost, 3-2, to Philadelphia Union.

New England has been a unique entity in the area’s sport scene. While never a major power or trophy hoarder, the team has been a dark horse across much of its tenure with mixed results. The biggest accomplishment so far is the 2007 US Open Cup title the team won over FC Dallas, 3-2, which remains the organization’s only major domestic trophy. The team reached the final again in 2016 but were unable to secure the trophy as they fell, 4-2, coincidentally to FC Dallas.

Coming into the match the team has turned around what was a fairly rocky start. Despite starting the MLS season off with only two wins through ten games, one of those victories came at the expense of New York. The two sides meant in Foxborough, MA on April 20 where a second half Cristian Penilla’s goal gave the Revolution a 1-0 win. The last five games have produced a record of 2-1-2 with a 2-1 win the most recent being a road win over LA Galaxy a week ago.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

New England Revolution (MLS)
18th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 19-14-5 (3-2 PK)
Away: 5-9-2 (1-1 PK)
MLS: 6-9-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: 2007 US Open Cup champions

New York Red Bulls (MLS)
21st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 22-19-3 (2-1 PK)
Home: 10-5-2 (1-1 PK)
MLS: 8-11-3 (2-1 PK)
Best finish: Runner-Up (2003, 2017)

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL-C) at Columbus Crew SC (MLS)
MAPFRE Stadium – Columbus, OH
Kickoff: June 11 – 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Craig Tower

While it looked unlikely for most of last year, MAPFRE Stadium will once again host a US Open Cup match during the 2019 tournament. The MLS original club has a new owner and a new lease on life in Columbus, and will look to improve upon their 23-18-2 all-time USOC record against a Riverhounds squad that will be looking to build on its two victories so far this year.

Pittsburgh defeated the NPSL’s Dayton Dutch Lions by a 3-0 scoreline in the Second Round and took down Indy Eleven with an 85th minute tally to win 1-0 in Round 3. Both matches took place on the banks of the Monongahela River at the Hounds’ Highmark Stadium.

While Pittsburgh took down the Colorado Rapids back in 2001 in a Second Round game, they’re 1-4-0 against MLS sides all-time and have only tallied multiple wins in four tournaments (2019, 2015, 2014, and 2001). Last round’s defeat of Indy Eleven was just their fourth victory of a pro team in their Cup history. With a record of just under .500 in the Open Cup overall, and only three road wins in 17 tournament appearances, the odds look long for the Riverhounds to leave Columbus smiling. And it’s not like they are running hot in the league right now, coming in with 0-1-5 run in league form since mid-April and an overall record of 2-2-7 in the USL Championship.

If the Riverhounds are not the bettor’s favorite entering the match, it would be hard to pick the Crew were they not playing at home against a second-division side. In MLS play, the Crew are 1-1-8 over last 10 games and they lost their iconic playmaker Federico Higuain to injury at the end of May and their star goalkeeper Zach Steffen to international transfer at the beginning of June. As if that weren’t enough, they will be without the attacking duo Gyasi Zardes and Will Trapp who are representing the US Men’s National Team at the Gold Cup.

There are some positives the Crew can look to in entering US Open Cup play. They have played in the tournament for 23 years and have a winning record overall (13-8 at home, 5-0 at home against second division sides), having brought the Cup home in 2002 and taken second place in 2010. That said, those are also the only two years since 2001 that the Crew has won multiple games in a single tournament; they have gone out in their first game four times since 2010 (including the last two years), and they have been eliminated three times by lower division sides. Their cumulative statistics compared to MLS sides (seventh in games, sixth in goals and goal differential) are not particularly impressive given that fewer than 10 teams remain from the inaugural 1996 season.

The one guarantee in this match is that the winning team will leave with a 1.000 record against their USOC opponent, since the Riverhounds and Crew have never faced off in the competition before.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL-C)
17th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 12-14-3 (1-2 PK)
Away: 3-10-2 (0-2 PK)
MLS: 1-4-0
Best finish: 2001 Quarterfinals

Columbus Crew SC (MLS)
20th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 22-15-3 (0-3 PK)
Home: 13-5-2 (0-2 PK)
Div. 2 pro: 6-2-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: 2002 US Open Cup champions

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Chicago Fire (MLS) at Saint Louis FC (USL-C)
Hunter Stadium (Lindenwood Univ.) – St. Charles, MO
Kickoff: June 11 – 8:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Josh Hakala

For the second time in three years, Saint Louis FC will host the four-time US Open Cup champion Chicago Fire. Saint Louis is a relatively young club, competing in its fifth season, and are still seeking a signature upset in the tournament. In fact, while they have managed to win their opening game every year, and have advanced twice in three of the last five tournaments, they have yet to advance beyond the Fourth Round.

The path to Round 4 has not been easy for Saint Louis as they needed a penalty kick shootout to survive their Second Round match on the road against the Des Moines Menace (USL League Two) before dispatching the last remaining USL League One side Forward Madison FC, 3-1 at home.

STLFC has had two road games since their win over Forward Madison, a scoreless draw at defending champs Louisville City, and a late penalty kick led to a 2-1 loss at Hartford Athletic last Saturday.

Is this the year that they advance beyond the Fourth Round for the first time?

To do that, they will have to get past the team with the best US Open Cup resume of the Modern Era. However, while they have won more games, have more Semifinal appearances than any team in the history of the tournament and are tied for the most championships (none since 2006) in the Modern Era, the Chicago Fire have struggled so far this season. They enter Tuesday’s game on a four-game winless streak (0-2-2), having lost their last league game 2-0 at Atlanta United.

Despite a 4-6-6 start to the season, they are still in the playoff hunt, currently in 9th place in the Eastern Conference. Their leading scorer is CJ Sapong who has plenty of US Open Cup experience on his resume. Sapong has four career US Open Cup goals and helped Sporting Kansas City win the 2012 title, and he played for the Philadelphia Union in the 2015 and 2018 championship games.

Another stat that might benefit Saint Louis FC? The Fire are winless on the road in league play (0-5-3). A stat that might make Fire fans feel better? The Fire have never been eliminated in a Round 4 game (7-0-2, 2-0 PKs)

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Chicago Fire (MLS)
22nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 42-15-6 (4-2 PK)
Away: 15-14-3 (2-1 PK)
Div. 2 pro: 8-3-3 (2-1 PK)
Best finish: US Open Cup champions (1998, 2000, 2003, 2006)

Saint Louis FC (USL-C)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 6-4-2 (2-0 PK)
Home: 3-2-1 (1-0 PK)
MLS: 0-2-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2015, 2017)

Atlanta United FC (MLS) at Charleston Battery (USL-C)
MUSC Health Stadium – Charleston, SC
Kickoff: June 11 – 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Sydney Hunte

It’s become a bit of a tradition for Atlanta United in its brief US Open Cup history.

For the third straight year, the MLS side will take on the Charleston Battery in the Fourth Round of the Open Cup, but it marks the first time that the two teams have met at MUSC Health Stadium in a competitive match.

Atlanta has won both matchups over its former USL affiliate. In 2017, following a nearly 3-hour weather delay in Kennesaw, Ga., the Battery took a 2-1 lead into the locker room before goals by Josef Martinez and Brandon Vazquez saw the Five Stripes come back to win 3-2. In 2018, Andrew Carleton, Ezequiel Barco and Romario Williams lifted Atlanta to a more straightforward 3-0 win.

While Atlanta has never opened the U.S. Open Cup with a loss, it has never gotten past the Fifth Round. Kwadwo Poku’s last-gasp goal in 2017 saw Miami FC through to a 3-2 upset win at home, while last year’s run was ended by a 1-0 loss to the Chicago Fire in front of an Open Cup all-time attendance record of 41,012 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. But Frank de Boer’s outfit – despite shaking off a slow start in MLS play to sit just five points shy of the East-leading Philadelphia Union with two games in hand – will be solely focused on Tuesday night’s contest.

The Battery have battled inconsistent form throughout the USL Championship season, but have enjoyed a whirlwind of a Cup run thus far. They trailed USL League 1 debutants Greenville Triumph 1-0 with just over 10 minutes remaining before a pair of goals by Ian Svantesson, the second coming deep in stoppage time, lifted them to a stirring 2-1 win. On May 29, they played Nashville SC to a 1-1 draw before winning 3-0 in penalties thanks in part to a dazzling performance in net by Philip Breno.

Among active teams, no lower division pro team has an Open Cup resume to match the Battery. No Modern Era team has more Quarterfinals appearances ( ), they have the fourth-most wins (34) of any team and they have eliminated more MLS teams than anyone else (9). The only team with more wins and MLS upsets is the Rochester Rhinos, who are currently on hiatus. They are also the last lower division team to reach the US Open Cup Final when they lost a tight 2-1 decision to D.C. United at RFK Stadium in 2008.

MUSC Health Stadium has proven to be a house of horrors for teams in the US Open Cup. Charleston are currently on a nine-match unbeaten streak (7-0-2, 0-2 PK) in the competition, its last regulation loss came in the 2012 Third Round against the New York Red Bulls (MLS). The last time they were eliminated at home was in 2015 against Orlando City SC (MLS), after finishing 4-4, they lost in penalty kicks, 8-7 in the Fourth Round. While the level of talent may be heavily tilted toward Atlanta United, the atmosphere may be ripe for an upset.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

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

Charleston Battery (USL-C)
20th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 34-16-7 (4-3 PK)
Home: 27-6-5 (2-3 PK)
MLS: 7-13-4 (2-2 PK)
Best finish: 2008 Runner-Up

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Austin Bold (USL-C) at Houston Dynamo (MLS)
BBVA Compass Stadium – Houston, TX
Kickoff: June 11 – 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Louis Roesch

The Houston Dynamo, the first South Texas team to win the US Open Cup, open the defense of their title against USL expansion side Austin Bold FC. Just 167 miles separate the two Texas based teams who meet for the first time. What can fans expect from each side and what should they be watching?

Unbeaten in nine league matches at home in 2019 and unbeaten in five Open Cup home matches a season ago, the Houston Dynamo are relishing the opportunity to open Cup play at BBVA Compass Stadium. They love playing at home in this tournament with 14 of their last 17 tournament games in front of their home fans.

Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas thrive on Cup competitors. The all-time Houston goal scorer in Cup history has eight total including a single-tournament record-tying six in 2018. With six goals in 13 games in 2019, the young Columbian is a threat to be reckoned with on Tuesday night. With 16 goals and a goal differential of plus eight, Houston is nearly unstoppable at home. Manotas has a chance to make history, if he plays on Tuesday. If he plays and scores a goal, he would be the first Modern Era player to score in five consecutive tournament games.

For Austin, Brazilian forward Andre Lima and Dripping Springs, Texas native Kris Tyrpak bring a wealth of goal scoring prowess into the match with Houston. The duo has combined for eight of the club’s 16 goals in 2019. Lima, who is tied for second in the tournament’s goalscoring chart, has four goals in 14 appearances in league play and Tyrpak has four in his 10 matches. Lima, at 33 years old and 6’-1”, 185lbs, the former Sao Paulo player will give the Houston backline all it can handle in the middle of the box. Tyrpak’s four goals have come in the team’s last two matches, giving Austin a dangerous 1-2 combination in the offensive third.

Wilmer Cabrera’s tactical flexibility will prove the difference in this match. No longer is Houston a predictable foe. Gone is the game-in, game-out match setup of the 4-3-3. In 2019, Cabrera has shown the confidence and skill to mix and match his entire roster against opponents. This season has been more about execution and discipline and the record shows it. The Dynamo sitting at 7-3-3 have allowed the third fewest goals in Major League Soccer this season.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Austin Bold (USL-C)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-0-0
Away: N/A
MLS: N/A
Best finish: First entry

Houston Dynamo (MLS)
13th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 16-10-2 (1-1 PK)
Home: 13-4-1 (1-0 PK)
Div. 2 pro: 4-2-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: 2018 US Open Cup champions

Los Angeles FC (MLS) at Real Salt Lake (MLS)
Rio Tinto Stadium – Sandy, UT
Kickoff: June 11 – 10 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Michael Battista

In November 2018 both Real Salt Lake and then-first year club Los Angeles FC met in the opening round of the MLS Cup Playoffs. Despite LA winning both regular season meetings by a combined scoreline of 7-1, Real snuck past the fan favorites into the Conference Semifinals, 3-2. Now only a few months both teams are once again in a one-game knockout situation as they face off for the first time in the US Open Cup.

Real Salt Lake enters the 2019 edition of the Open Cup on a three game losing streak after falling in the 2016 Round of 16 and failing to advance past the Fourth Round the past two years, losing to USL Championship’s Sacramento Republic FC in 2017, 4-1, and fellow MLS side Sporting Kansas City, 2-0. The team that once reached the competition’s final in 2013, losing to DC United, 1-0, is currently coached by Mike Petke who reached the semifinals of the competition in 2000 with the MetroStars and helped lead the re-named New York Red Bulls to back-to-back semifinal appearances in 2014 and 2015. (According to Sam Stejkal from The Athletic, Petke won’t be in attendance due to attending a mandatory U.S. Soccer Pro License course)

I’m told that Petke is attending is a U.S. Soccer Pro License course. Mandatory for him to attend to obtain the license.

In other words, he’s missing a game in U.S. Soccer’s own tournament so he can attend a U.S. Soccer coaching course. https://t.co/Df7Z9Mk7r8

— Sam Stejskal (@samstejskal) June 11, 2019

This season in MLS, RSL currently occupies the seventh spot in the Western Conference, the final playoff spot in the update playoff system, with a record of 6-8-1 (19 pts). Leading scorers Albert Rusnák and Sam Johnson have both scored five goals each through 13 games which has helped bolster an offense that ranks tied for last for current playoff placed teams. Real’s last game was a June 1 loss, 4-0, to the Red Bulls in Petke’s first match back in Harrison since his firing in 2015.

There are few teams in the Modern Era that have enjoyed more home games than RSL. Since 2011, Salt Lake has played 17 US Open Cup games and 13 of them have been played at home. Which is probably a good thing because away from home, they have yet to win a tournament game (0-5-0). And their fans have responded. The team’s total reported attendance of 177,916 is the second highest total of any club in the Modern Era.

In only its second season, Los Angeles FC has a high bar to clear if it wants to out-do the stellar performance it put on in 2018. 1998 Open Cup winner with the Chicago Fire and head coach Bob Bradley almost saw the expansion side to the final last season thanks in great deal to a Diego Rossi hat-trick, culminating with a late stoppage time goal to send the game into extra time. The team was one penalty away from advancing but Laurent Ciman’s fifth round attempt was easily stopped by Houston keeper Joe Willis, who would also stop Latif Blessing in the eighth round to advance his team through. Bradley is currently the eighth most winningest coach in the Modern Era with 17 across four teams (Fire, Metrostars, Chivas USA, and LAFC).

In league play LA has been near unstoppable this season which isn’t a surprise when you have 2019s most productive goalscorer. Forward Carlos Vela has scored 16 goals through 16 games so far including a five game scoring streak coming into the Fourth Round match. The team is first in the Western Conference by a wide margin with a record of 11-1-4 (37 pts), unbeaten in its last eight, and hasn’t lost a game since April 17 when they fell to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 1-0.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Los Angeles FC (MLS)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-0-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 0-0-1 (0-1 PK)
MLS: 1-0-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: 2018 Semifinals

Real Salt Lake (MLS)
11th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 9-9-2 (1-1 PK)
Home: 9-4-2 (1-1 PK)
MLS: 2-4-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: 2013 Runner-Up

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Sacramento Republic FC (USL-C) at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Avaya Stadium – San Jose, CA
Kickoff: June 11 – 10:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Josh Hakala

For the third year in a row, and the fifth time in the last six years, the Sacramento Republic have advanced to the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup and have a chance to take on a team from Major League Soccer. For a club that has aspirations to join MLS, this is their best opportunity to prove that they belong. And for the last two years, they have done just that. Last year, they defeated the Seattle Sounders, 2-1 in extra time. And the year before that, they cruised to a 4-1 win over Real Salt Lake. However, both of those wins came in front of their home fans. On Tuesday, they will try to do something they have yet to do: Beat a MLS team on the road.

The Republic have been one of the most successul lower division teams of the last few years in the Open Cup, however most of that success has been achieved at home where they hold a 12-1-0 record. Away from home is a different story with just one win in five matches (1-3-1, 0-1 PKs).

This will mark the third time that the Republic will play a road game against the San Jose Earthquakes. In their inaugural season in 2014, they lost a narrow 2-1 decision, and in 2015, Sacramento took the Quakes to penalty kicks, but fell short.

The Republic have been a consistent winner since joining the USL in 2014. After winning the league championship in their inaugural season, they have had a winning record every year. This year, they have gotten off to a slow start, but have turned it on lately, winning two straight league games including a 3-0 road win over New Mexico United, who are in first place in the Western Conference.

To get to Round 4, the Republic had to earn it with back-to-back 1-0 wins over fellow USL Championship rivals. In their opening win over Reno 1868 FC, Sam Werner scored the game-winner in the 82nd minute. In Round 3, they edged Fresno FC on a Stefano Bonomo goal in stoppage time of the second extra time period, just moments away from a penalty kick shootout.

The Earthquakes have not enjoyed much success in the US Open Cup in their team history. It took them until 2017, their 14th appearance in the competition, to advance in three games in a single tournament. That year, after defeating the eventual NASL champions San Francisco Deltas, they earned consecutive wins over the Seattle Sounders and the Los Angeles Galaxy — their first wins over MLS opposition in tournament history. Their run would come to an end in Kansas City when they fell short in a penalty kick shootout against eventual champion Sporting KC.

Any momentum they would have gained after a run to the Semifinals came to a crashing halt when they lost their opening match, 2-0 to the Portland Timbers.

In league play, the Quakes have been picking up valuable points with a four-game unbeaten streak (2-0-2). After back-to-back wins over the Chicago Fire and Toronto FC to begin the streak, the San Jose has had back-to-back draws, at D.C. United and a 2-2 result at home against FC Dallas.

As has been a theme over the years with the Earthquakes, Chris Wondolowski has been at the heart of the team’s recent run. The recently-crowned all-time MLS goalscoring king, was named MLS Player of the Month after scoring eight of the team’s last nine goals, including the opening goal for San Jose in the team’s draw against FC Dallas.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Sacramento Republic FC (USL-C)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 13-4-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 1-3-1 (0-1 PK)
MLS: 2-3-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Fifth Round (2017, 2018)

San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
16th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 14-11-7 (3-4 PK)
Home: 7-5-2 (1-1 PK)
Div. 2 pro: 8-1-2 (2-0 PK)
Best finish: Semifinals (2004, 2017)

2019 US Open Cup Round 3 Preview: Which 10 teams will join OKC Energy FC, MLS teams in Fourth Round?

May 28, 2019 by Jake Sillick

After 22 Second Round matches involving 25 USL Championship teams and 19 winners of the first round, we now enter the Third Round of the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The 22 winners of the Second Round are now paired off into Third Round matches, where the winners will advance to the Fourth Round and where Major League Soccer teams await to enter the 106th edition of the competition.

After waiting through a two-hour weather delay, the Oklahoma City Energy won a seven-goal thriller with the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Tuesday night. There are 10 more matches on the schedule for Wednesday, May 29. Every game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

The draw for the Fourth Round will follow this week’s matches and will be held on Thursday, May 30 at 11 a.m. Eastern Time. The results of the draw will be announced on Twitter.

Below is a preview of all 10 of Wednesday’s Third Round games.

#USOC2019 ESSENTIALS
2019 US Open Cup Schedule/Results (with links to every match report)
Things you should know about the Third Round of the US Open Cup (Modern Era)
Notable upsets in the Third Round of the US Open Cup (Modern Era)

LAST NIGHT: OKC Energy wins weather-delayed, back-and-forth shootout with Tampa Bay Rowdies

2019 US Open Cup statistical leaders
2019 US Open Cup Round 1: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Game-by-game review

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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

Indy Eleven (USL-C) at Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-C)
Highmark Stadium – Pittsburgh, PA
Kickoff: May 29 – 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Adam Uthe

Indy Eleven will be looking to break through and win multiple games in a single tournament for the first time in franchise history. They have qualified every year since their founding in 2014 and three times they’ve won their first game only to fall in the next round. Their Round 2 win against Lansing Ignite didn’t exactly inspire confidence. Goalkeeper Evan Newton was sent off in the first half for his challenge on Lansing forward Elma Nfor, who was forced to leave on a stretcher after the collision. Thomas Enevoldsen’s 57th minute goal in the second half was enough to see Indy squeak by into Round 3. They currently sit in sixth place in the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference having just played Nashville SC to a scoreless draw on Saturday.

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds are looking to win multiple games in a single tournament for the first time since 2015; they’ve accomplished the feat three times total going back to 2001. Their Round 2 affair with Dayton Dutch Lions was far more straightforward than Indy’s. Neco Brett scored twice in 12 minutes in the second half and Pittsburgh went on to win 3-0 at home. USL Championship league play hasn’t been kind to the Riverhounds. They currently sit in 13th place in the Eastern conference and just drew 0-0 with Charlotte Independence in their last game. It was their fourth draw in as many league games.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Indy Eleven (USL-C)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-4-1
Away: 0-3-1 (0-1 PK)
Div. 2 pro: N/A
Best finish: Fourth Round (2014, 2016)

Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-C)
17th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 11-14-3 (1-2 PK)
Home: 8-5-1 (1-0 PK)
Div. 2 pro: 2-4-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: 2001 Quarterfinals (Lost 3-2 ASDET at Chicago Fire of MLS)

Forward Madison (USL-1) at Saint Louis FC (USL-C)
World Wide Technology Soccer Park – Fenton, MO
Kickoff: May 29 – 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Michael Battista

The Third Round match between Forward Madison FC and St. Louis FC will be the third straight tournament road game for the former while the latter looks to return to the Fourth Round for the second consecutive year – the first time it would have ever done so. Both teams are fairly newer clubs in the grand scheme of the tournament with large fan bases hoping to face a Major League Soccer team. St Louis FC, nor any team from the city in the Modern Era (1995-present), has advanced past the next round while the Mingos can become the first USL League One side to ever face an MLS team in tournament play.

Forward Madison FC is only one of three teams remaining from Round One and will be looking to become the second Wisconsin team in the Modern Era to reach the Fourth Round after Milwaukee Wave United (A-League) did in in 2003. The group started its inaugural tournament with a win over fellow Wisconsin side Milwaukee Bavarian SC, 2-0, before hitting the road and traveling 1,400+ miles to face another brand new team, USL Championships’ El Paso Locomotive FC, who were beaten in their first-ever Cup game, 3-0. Jiro Barriga Toyama has been huge on the scoresheet so far in his team’s run scoring in both games so far.

As the sole remaining USL League One team, Forward Madison has already earned itself a $25,000 bonus for advancing the farthest. This may be one of the team’s bigger highlights this season as it currently sits in eighth place in the league table with a record of 2-2-4 and little rest separating this game and its next match at home against Lansing Ignite FC on Saturday, June 1.

St Louis FC has already kept its streak of winning at least one Open Cup game intact after the team defeated USL League Two side Des Moines Menace in the Second Round. It wasn’t an easy task as the St. Louligans at Cownie Soccer Park and those watching online can attest to. They saw their team take an early lead off a Kyle Greig goal before allowing a successful penalty attempt 25 minutes later to even the score right back up. After both regulation and extra time failed to decide a winner, the teams lined up for a penalty shootout where St. Louis went perfect through three rounds. The biggest factor was the team’s 18-year-old goalkeeper Patrick Schulte who became the 10th keeper in the Modern Era to make three saves in a PK shootout as he blocked Gaousso Bakayoko fourth round attempt to send his team through.

Since 2015, the club has yoyo-ed in tournament play losing in the third and fourth round every other year. With 2018’s lose to Louisville City FC in the Third Round, the trend would suggest a win in this game. Currently the team sits in fifth place in the USL Championship Eastern Conference standings with an overall record of 5-4-1 through ten games. In three of its last four league matches St Louis has been held scoreless but has held back opposing offenses to tie 0-0. The squad will be able to stay at home as their next game will be against fellow Third Round competitor Memphis 901 FC on Saturday.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Forward Madison (USL-1)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-0-0
Away: 2-0-0
Div. 2 pro: N/A
Best finish: N/A

Saint Louis FC (USL-C)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 5-4-2 (2-0 PK)
Home: 2-2-1 (1-0 PK)
Div. 3 pro: N/A
Best finish: Fourth Round (2015, 2017)

Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL-C) at OKC Energy (USL-C)
John Crain Field – Norman, OK
Kickoff: May 28 – 8:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Jake Sillick

UPDATE: OKC Energy wins weather-delayed, back-and-forth shootout with Tampa Bay Rowdies

Tampa Bay was able to soundly defeat USL League Two side The Villages SC in the second round 4-1, but they have never defeated another 2nd division side in the US Open Cup. However, this seems to be a great year to break that streak as the Rowdies remain undefeated in USL Championship play with a 7-0-5 record and still at the top of the Eastern Conference with 26 points in the 12 matches played. There’s another bad US Open Cup streak the Rowdies are looking to break against OKC. Tampa Bay has a six match road losing streak in the cup. The last road win was in 2013 when they only traveled within the Tampa Bay metro area to face VSI Tampa Bay in Plant City, FL. That was also the one and only time that Tampa Bay have won multiple cup games in a single tournament year. That 2013 campaign included a 1-0 win over Seattle Sounders which ended Seattle’s unbeaten streak in the US Open Cup and ruined their chances to become the first team ever to 4-peat.

OKC Energy still sits in prime position of 5th place in the USL Championship Western Conference this year. Through 12 games they have obtained 18 points and a 5-4-3 record. Their cup record is stellar recently as they have made it to the MLS-entry Fourth Round in 2015-2017. Last season was an aberration as they fell in the second round to NTX Rayados. They were able to gain revenge this season though, defeating Rayados 3-1. This will only be the second home game for OKC Energy ever in their cup history (the second round victory being the first). They are also undefeated against the 2nd division in cup play.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL-C)
9th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 7-8-0
Away: 3-7-0
Div. 2 pro: 0-3-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2013, 2016)

OKC Energy (USL-C)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 7-4-2 (1-1 PK)
Home: 2-0-0
Div. 2 pro: 2-0-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2015, 2016, 2017)

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Florida Soccer Soldiers (USASA / UPSL) at North Carolina FC (USL-C)
WakeMed Soccer Park – Field 2 – Cary, NC
Kickoff: May 29 – 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Adam Uthe

Florida Soccer Soldiers are competing for more than just the hearts and minds of US Open Cup fans in Round 3. The Soccer Soldiers, playing in their first tournament after being founded in 2018, are one of two remaining Open Division teams (the other is Orange County FC) and if things go right in their game against North Carolina FC, they could go home with $25,000 as the last remaining Open Division team. They’ve already taken down one North Carolina-based USL Championship side on the road, having defeated Charlotte Independence 2-2 (5-4 on PKs) in Round 2, so they won’t be intimidated heading into Cary. They also took down Miami FC 2-1 in Round 1. A win would also make them the third Florida-based Open Division side to advance to the fourth round of the tournament; Orlando City U-23 (2014) and Miami United (2018) have also accomplished that feat.

North Carolina FC are no strangers to crushing the dreams of Open Cup underdogs. They are 8-0-0 all time against Open Division sides and they’ve outscored their opponents 28-3 in those eight games. They’re also no strangers to playing at home in the tournament. North Carolina FC have played 33 Open Cup games in their history and 28 of those have been played on their home field. True to form, NCFC took care of business in Round 2 with a comfortable 4-1 win at home against Richmond Kickers. Robbie Kristo led the way with two goals. North Carolina will also be feeling confident in the middle of a positive USL Championship campaign. They currently sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings and just beat New York Red Bulls II on Saturday by a score of 2-1.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Florida Soccer Soldiers (USASA / UPSL)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-1 (1-0 PK)
Away: 1-0-1 (1-0 PK)
Div. 2 pro: 0-0-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: N/A

North Carolina FC (USL-C)
12th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 21-9-3 (1-2 PK)
Home: 20-6-2 (1-1 PK)
Open Division: 8-0-0
Best finish: 2007 Semifinals (Lost 2-1 AET at New England Revolution of MLS)

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Birmingham Legion (USL-C) at Louisville City (USL-C)
Lynn Stadium – Louisville, KY
Kickoff: May 29 – 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Adam Uthe

Birmingham Legion are carrying the hopes of Alabama soccer fans on their shoulders; they are the first team from the Heart of Dixie to appear in any US Open Cup ever. Round 2 was kind to them as they handily beat Open Division side West Chester United SC 4-1 in Birmingham. Columbus Crew loanee Eddie Opoku led the way for the Legion with two goals and an assist and he also drew the penalty that led to the fourth. It’s been an uneven inaugural USL Championship campaign for Birmingham, however. They currently sit in 12th place in the Eastern Conference and just fell to Nashville SC 1-0 last Wednesday.

Louisville City FC will hope their home form in the tournament carries over into this round. The Purple and Gold are undefeated at home in Open Cup play. They’ve also scored 20 goals in their first seven tournament games since being founded in 2014. They had an easy go of it in Round 2, blanking Reading United 3-0 in Louisville behind goals from Abdou Mbacke Thiam, George Davis IV, and Sunny Jane. They’ve been on a roll in USL Championship league play with three wins in their past five games.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Birmingham Legion (USL-C)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Away: N/A
Div. 2 pro: N/A
Best finish: N/A

Louisville City (USL-C)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 8-4-1 (1-0 PK)
Home: 5-0-1 (1-0 PK)
Div. 2 pro: 3-2-0
Best finish: 2018 Quarterfinals (Lost 4-0 at Chicago Fire of MLS)

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Hartford Athletic (USL-C) at Memphis 901 FC (USL-C)
Mike Rose Soccer Complex – Memphis, TN
Kickoff: May 29 – 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Adam Uthe

Hartford Athletic, playing in their inaugural season, are looking to become the first Connecticut team to advance past the third round in the Modern Era (1995-Present). They’re also the first professional team from Connecticut to compete in a tournament since the Connecticut Wolves back in 2001. Hartford’s 2-1 win over the New York Cosmos B team in Round 2 was the club’s first ever win in any competition. Things haven’t been as great in USL Championship league player though. Hartford have taken just five points from their first 12 games, though four of those five points have come in their two most recent games.

Memphis 901 FC are just the second team from Memphis to qualify for the US Open Cup in the Modern Era; the PDL’s Memphis Express competed back in 2002 and won their first game before being bounced by the now defunct Atlanta Silverbacks. A win in Round 3 would make Memphis 901 just the third team from Tennessee to advance to the fourth round; the other two were both from Nashville (Nashville Metros in 1998 and Nashville SC last year). A severe weather delay and an early goal conceded weren’t enough to deter the 901 as they advanced past New York Red Bulls U-23 3-1 thanks to a pair of goals in each half from Josh Morton. Memphis are looking for a bit of respite from their USL Championship campaign. They currently sit in 14th in the Eastern Conference with just 10 points from their first twelve games.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Hartford Athletic (USL-C)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Away: N/A
Div. 2 pro: N/A
Best finish: N/A

Memphis 901 FC (USL-C)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Home: 1-0-0
Div. 2 pro: N/A
Best finish: N/A

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Charleston Battery (USL-C) at Nashville SC (USL-C)
Dean A. Hayes Track & Soccer Stadium – Murfreesboro, TN
Kickoff: May 29 – 8:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Adam Uthe

Few teams can match Charleston Battery’s record in the Modern Era of the Open Cup (1995-present). The Battery are currently tied with Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas for the fourth most wins (excluding penalty shootouts) in the Modern Era. They’ve also beaten nine MLS teams in that span, second only to the Rochester Rhinos (10). With their Round 2 victory over Greenville Triumph, Charleston have now won 14 consecutive opening round games; that is the 3rd longest streak of the Modern Era. It wasn’t an easy win for them however. They needed two goals in 11 minutes – including a stoppage time winner – from Ian Svantesson, who was making his first appearance back from an injury. Their USL Championship campaign is also mired in mediocrity at the moment. They’ve drawn three of their past five games, including a 1-1 result with Atlanta United 2 this past Saturday.

Nashville SC are looking to get back to the fourth round of the tournament for the second time in as many years. To do so, they’ll need to continue their strong play at home. Going back to last year’s inaugural season, Nashville are 4-0-0 at home in the Open Cup. Their league play in 2019 has been stellar as well. They currently sit in second place in the Eastern Conference with 22 points, good enough for the third best record in either USL Championship conference this season. Alan Winn was the hero for Nashville in Round 2, scoring once and assisting on the other two goals in a 3-2 win over amateur side South Georgia Tormenta 2.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Charleston Battery (USL-C)
20th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 34-16-6 (3-3 PK)
Away: 7-9-1 (1-0 PK)
Div. 2 pro: 7-1-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: 2008 Runner-Up (Lost 2-1 at D.C. United of MLS)

Nashville SC (USL-C)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 4-1-0
Home: 4-0-0
Div. 2 pro: 0-1-0
Best finish: 2018 Fifth Round (Lost 2-1 at Louisville City of USL)

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San Antonio FC (USL-C) at Austin Bold (USL-C)
Bold Stadium – Del Valle, TX
Kickoff: May 29 – 8:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Adam Uthe

San Antonio FC are looking to reach the fourth round of the tournament for the third time in four years. In each of their previous appearances, they were ousted by a Texas MLS side; Houston Dynamo in 2016 and FC Dallas in 2018. They got their 2019 run off to a good start with a comfortable 2-0 win over Laredo Heat in Round 2. Jack Barmby led the way for San Antonio, assisting on both goals. Their USL Championship season has left a lot to be desired. They currently sit in 16th in the Western Conference standings with just one win in their last five games.

Austin Bold are out to chart a new path for soccer fans in the Texas capital. They are playing in their inaugural season and will be looking do something that only the old Austin Aztex were able to accomplish, back in 2015: advance past the third round of the tournament. A goal in each half was enough to help Austin advance past the Tulsa Roughnecks in Round 2. They’ll be feeling confident going up against San Antonio having defeated them once already this season in USL Championship play, though the rest of the league campaign has been inconsistent; Austin currently sit in 12th in the Western Conference standings with three losses in their last five games.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

San Antonio FC (USL-C)
4th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 5-2-2 (1-1 PK)
Away: 3-1-1 (0-1 PK)
Div. 2 pro: 0-0-2 (1-1 PK)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2016, 2018)

Austin Bold (USL-C)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Home: 1-0-0
Div. 2 pro: 1-0-0
Best finish: N/A

New Mexico United (USL-C) at Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL-C)
Weidner Field – Colorado Springs, CO
Kickoff: May 29 – 9 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Michael Battista

New Mexico United and Colorado Spring Switchbacks are both looking to prove something in their Round Three match on Wednesday. For United, the chance to become the first team from their state to play a Major League Soccer side in the tournament is one win away. For Colorado, a win against the USL Championship Western Conference leaders would advance them to the Fourth Round for the first time in three years.

New Mexico United is the first club in the Modern Era (1995-present) from its state to advance in a US Open Cup tournament. In its first tournament, the club was one of only six road teams to advance from the last round when they defeated fellow USL Championship side Phoenix Rising, 2-2 (4-3 on penalties). Albuquerque, New Mexico native Devon Sandoval was the hero for his hometown team as he scored the tying goal in the 79th minute and gave his team the lead early in extra time before Phoenix was able to respond not long after. In the penalty shootout, he was one of three players to make their attempts before Justin Schmidt scored in the fifth round to advance the squad through. Sandoval isn’t a stranger to Open Cup overtime heroics. During Real Salt Lake’s 2013 Cup run to the final, he scored an extra time goal against the North American Soccer League side Atlanta Silverbacks in their Third Round match on route to a win, 3-2, before scoring what would be the game winner in extra time in the next game against USL Championship (then USL Pro) team Charleston Battery.

With the expansion side currently leading the Western Conference in its first season by a full four points heading into Wednesday, and a win already over Colorado earlier this season in league play, 3-1, recently on May 18, the team will have time to rest before its next match against OKC Energy on June 5.

Since their launch five years ago, the Colorado Spring Switchbacks have been on a downward trend across all competitions. In their first two seasons in USL Championship (then just the United Soccer League), the Switchbacks reached the semifinal and quarterfinal of the western conference playoffs respectively while also reaching the Fourth Round of the USOC. However, during the past two seasons the team has failed to reach the playoffs in league play while suffering Third Round exits in tournament play. The team has kept its streak of opening round game wins this year after Kwansi Donsu’s first half stoppage time goal lifted the Switchbacks over local qualifier FC Denver two weeks ago. A win against New Mexico United would be the club’s first win over a Division 2 team in the competition.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

New Mexico United (USL-C)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Home: 1-0-0
Div. 2 pro: N/A
Best finish: N/A

Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL-C)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 7-3-1 (0-1 PK)
Home: 5-1-0
Div. 2 pro: 0-1-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2015, 2016)

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Orange County FC (NPSL) at Las Vegas Lights (USL-C)
Cashman Field – Las Vegas, NV
Kickoff: May 29 – 10:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Michael Battista

Entering the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup Orange County FC was one of the four remaining National Premier Soccer League sides in the tournament. Heading into Wednesday night the organization can become the first NPSL side to beat two professional teams in a single tournament since the league became nationally recognized. For their opponents in a city where professional sports are becoming ever more present, the Las Vegas Lights have a chance to make history with a win and earn a chance to play a Major League Soccer team in the Fourth Round.

Orange County FC became only the fifth NPSL side to defeat a professional team when it advanced past USL Championship’s Orange County SC on the road last round. Despite letting in two goals, including what looked to be the game winner in the 87th minute, OCFC’s goalkeeper David Preys made multiple key saves in extra time include a few goalline blocks before saving two shots in the penalty shootout to advance his team through. The sole remaining NPSL team in the competition has already outdone its inaugural tournament performance last season where the team lost to USL-C side Fresno FC, 2-0, in the Second Round and is still in contention with local qualifier Florida Soccer Soldiers to earn a $25,000 bonus for being the farthest advancing Open Division team.

Las Vegas Lights advanced to the Third Round for the second consecutive year over local qualifier Cal FC, 2-0. Vegas’s head coach Eric Wynalda, who coached Cal during its well known 2012 USOC run, had his team control the game physically with his side picking up four yellow cards in the second half along with a red right before the final whistle. That red now means midfielder Jonathan Levin will miss out on this game. His team has more than enough weapons to compensate, with forward Irvin Parra leading the team in goals with seven which also ties him for fifth in the league. The Lights will be playing in their fourth ever Open Cup match and fourth straight against an Open Division opponent. A win would guarantee them a chance against an MLS side and make the team the first from the state of Nevada to advance past the Third Round.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Orange County FC (NPSL)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-1-1 (1-0 PK)
Away: 0-1-1 (1-0 PK)
Div. 2 pro: 0-1-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: 2018 Second Round (Lost 2-0 at Fresno FC of USL)

Las Vegas Lights (USL-C)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-1-0
Home: 2-0-0
Open Division: 2-1-0
Best finish: 2018 Third Round (Lost 2-1 at FC Golden State Force of PDL)

*******************************

Fresno FC (USL-C) at Sacramento Republic (USL-C)
Papa Murphy’s Park – Sacramento, CA
Kickoff: May 29 – 10:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Jake Sillick

Fresno FC looks to continue its great season on Wednesday against Sacramento Republic FC. After traveling to historic Boxer Stadium in the Second Round and defeating NPSL side El Farolito, Fresno now face a professional side for the first time in club history. Their USL Championship season is going very well so far as they sit 3rd in the Western Conference with 20 points in 11 matches and a 5-1-5 record.

Sacramento has won at least one game in every tournament they have played in, including the Second Round victory over Reno 1868 FC. Hosting most of their matches has probably helped in that regard as 12 of their 16 cup matches have been at home. The record at home has also been great in the cup as they have only lost once at home, to Kitsap Pumas in 2016. Their current season in USL Championship isn’t going as well as usual for the Republic. Sacramento currently sit in 14th place in the Western Conference, only earning 14 points in 11 matches this season with a 4-5-2 record.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Fresno FC (USL-C)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-1-0
Away: 1-1-0
Div. 2 pro: N/A
Best finish: 2018 Fourth Round (Lost 2-0 at Los Angeles FC of MLS)

Sacramento Republic (USL-C)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 12-4-1 (0-1 PK)
Home: 11-1-0
Div. 2 pro: 3-0-0
Best finish: Fifth Round (2017, 2018)

2018 US Open Cup Semifinals Preview: Who will reach the 105th Final?

August 8, 2018 by Josh Hakala

The 105th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup are down to the final four as the tournament’s semifinal round kicks off on Wednesday night. The Semifinals feature three teams that are seeking their first-ever US Open Cup title and a fourth who are trying to make history by lifting the trophy for the fifth time.

No team in the history of the tournament has reached the Semifinals more than the Chicago Fire and they have their eyes on a fifth US Open Cup championship. However, they haven’t lifted the trophy since 2006 and if they are able to defeat the Philadelphia Union on the road on Wednesday night, they would host the championship game on Oct. 3.

The Fire will travel to face the Philadelphia Union who are trying to become the first Philadelphia area team to win the tournament since 1966 (Ukrainian Nationals). The Union have had two golden opportunities to win their first major trophy when they hosted the 2014 and the 2015 US Open Cup Final, but each time they lost a game that required extra time. In 2014, they lost to the Seattle Sounders 3-1 in extra time and in 2015 they lost in a penalty kick shootout to Sporting Kansas City.

In the other side of the bracket, the Houston Dynamo will not only try to win the US Open Cup for the first time, but they will try to become the first team from South Texas to win the tournament. They will square off with Los Angeles FC, a MLS expansion team who are looking to win a trophy in the club’s first season. The winner of this game will get to host the US Open Cup Final if the Philadelphia Union defeat the Chicago Fire.

There will be no television coverage of either game, but there will be an online stream available on USSoccer.com.

Check out a preview and video links for each game below:

#USOC2018 coverage:
* 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup schedule, results
* 2018 US Open Cup statistical leaders
* 2018 US Open Cup Player of the Round winners
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 1 review
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 2 review
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 3 review
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 4 review
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 5 review
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Quarterfinal review

MORE COVERAGE:
* Milwaukee’s Bavarian SC qualify for 2019 US Open Cup by winning Amateur Cup title
* Which PDL teams will qualify for 2019 US Open Cup?
* US Soccer legend Walter Bahr leaves behind Hall of Fame legacy
* How amateurs Dallas Roma FC beat World Cup champs, an MLS team and it cost $75,000

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

* Support TheCup.us: Special “TheCup.us” Del Rey City jerseys available for purchase

* Appreciate what we do at TheCup.us? Donate here
* TheCup.us is looking for writers/editors, graphics, WordPress gurus & people who can handle digital ad sales (paid position). Email us here

Twitter (#USOC2018) | Facebook | Instagram | Flickr | Reddit

BROADCAST: ONLINE VIDEO STREAM

By Michael Berton

Four-time Open Cup winners Chicago Fire are two wins away from a record-tying fifth championship, but in their way are the Philadelphia Union, unbeaten in 13-straight Open Cup games and a two-time runner-up (2014, 2015). The Union is seeking its third Final appearance in the last five years and trying to end Philadelphia’s lengthy Open Cup title drought.

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Round 4: 5-0 win vs. Richmond Kickers (USL)
Round 5: 2-1 vs. New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Quarterfinals: 1-0 vs. Orlando City SC (MLS)
Semifinals: vs. Chicago Fire (MLS)

Philadelphia’s 13-game unbeaten streak (8-0-5, 2-3 PKs) is the second-longest in the Modern Era. (NOTE: Matches that end in penalty kicks are officially listed as draws.) That streak includes three victories in 2018 edition of the US Open Cup.

In the Fourth Round, the Union easily dispatched the Richmond Kickers (USL), scoring all its goals in the first 50 minutes in a 5-0 win. In the Round of 16, the Union hosted the New York Red Bulls for the fourth year in a row in Open Cup play (at the time, this was the first time two teams have met four straight years). On the back of two second half goals from Haris Medunjanin and Cory Burke (both assisted by Alejandro Bedoya), Philadelphia earned a 2-1 victory. A Quarterfinal matchup with first time Open Cup opponents Orlando City SC proved to be no problem for the Union. Hosting its third game in a row, Philadelphia rode a fourth minute Alejandro Bedoya goal to earn a comfortable 1-0 win.

The Chicago Fire started its quest for a fifth US Open Cup title with two games on the road.

The Fire were taken to a shootout in the Fourth Round against Columbus Crew SC after a 2-2 draw. The shootout made it all the way to the goalkeepers, with Fire goalie Richard Sanchez scoring the go-ahead PK, then stopping his counterpart’s shot, to give his team a 10-9 penalty kick win. Chicago then pulled off one of the bigger upsets of this year’s tournament with a 1-0 win over Atlanta United. Facing the MLS leaders and their 41,012 rabid fans (the largest crowd to ever watch a US Open Cup game in the 105-year history of the tournament), Nemanja Nikolic netted his third goal of the competition in the 54th minute en route to a 1-0 victory. The Fire then avoided an upset in the Quarterfinals, defeating Louisville City FC, 4-0, to advance to their all-time record 13th Lamar Hunt US Open Cup semifinal.

CURRENT FORM

The Union’s uneven season continued since its Quarterfinal win over Orlando City. After losing at home, 3-1, to the Los Angeles Galaxy, Philadelphia went on the road for two games. The team earned a 3-1 win at the Houston Dynamo on July 25, but then fell to the Portland Timbers, 3-0, on Aug. 4 in a game where they rested a number of starters to prepare for Wednesday’s Open Cup game. They currently sit in 7th place in the Eastern Conference, two points out of the playoffs.

Chicago have not won a MLS game since June 30, losing six in a row overall and three in a row since beating Louisville City in the Quarterfinals. Since that Quarterfinal win, the Fire lost 2-1 at home to Toronto FC on July 21, 3-0 at Toronto FC on July 28, then 2-1 at Real Salt Lake on Aug. 4. Chicago is next-to-last in the Eastern Conference, six points behind the final playoff spot in the conference.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Philadelphia Union (MLS)
7th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 15-3-6 (3-3 PK)
Home: 14-2-2 (1-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 7-3-5 (2-3 PK)
Best finish: Runner-Up (2014, 2015)

Chicago Fire (MLS)
21st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 41-14-6 (4-2 PK)
Away: 15-13-3 (2-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 22-9-2 (2-0 PK)
Best finish: 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006 champions

The Union are on a 13-game unbeaten streak in the Open Cup (matches that end in penalty kicks are officially listed as draws), and made the Semifinals for the first time since 2015. After falling in consecutive US Open Cup Finals in 2014 and 2015 to the Seattle Sounders and Sporting Kansas City, respectively, the Union have been ousted in penalty kicks the last two years (vs. New England Revolution in 2016, vs. New York Red Bulls in 2017). In addition to trying to win the club’s first major trophy, the Union are trying to break an Open Cup title drought for the city of Philadelphia. The last team from the City of Brotherly Love to lift the trophy was the Ukrainian Nationals back in 1966.

The Chicago Fire are the most successful MLS team in US Open Cup history, and one of the most successful all-time. They are one of eight clubs in the history of the 105-year-old US Open Cup to win four tournament championships (1998, 2000, 2003, 2006), but they have not lifted the trophy since 2006. No team in the history of the tournament has more Semifinals appearances (13) than the Fire, and only two teams (Kutis SC, FC Dallas) have more Quarterfinal appearances than Chicago’s 14. They are also the only club in the history of the tournament to reach four consecutive Semifinals twice (2003-06, 2013-16).

If the Fire reach the championship game, they would tie Maccabee AC (Los Angeles, Calif.) for the all-time record for most US Open Cup Final appearances with seven.

PAST MEETINGS

This is the second Open Cup meeting between the Union and Fire, and both meetings have come in the Semifinals. The first took place in 2015. The Union became the first Philadelphia team since 1964 to make back-to-back Finals by beating the Fire 1-0. In the 74th minute, Sebastien Le Toux added to his legendary Open Cup resume with his Modern Era record 15th career tournament goal. Le Toux just recently became Philadelphia’s first Ring of Honor inductee.

In MLS play, Philadelphia holds a narrow edge over Chicago at 9-8-5. The Union won both regular season meetings this year, including a 3-1 home win on May 30 and a 4-3 road win on July 11. The Union will be happy to host, as they hold a 6-2-2 record against the Fire at home, and earned a victory over Chicago at home in their only Open Cup meeting. In Open Cup play, the Union are 14-2-2 (1-1 PKs) all-time in tournament play at Talen Energy Stadium.

TOP SCORERS/PLAYERS

The Union are led by Borek Dockal, who leads the team in both goals and assists, with five and nine respectively. Haris Medunjanin and Alejandro Bedoya marshall the midfield, while they are led from the back by goalie Andre Blake. Cory Burke, who played big roles in the Union’s Open Cup wins, is tied for the team lead with five goals, and had a two-goal performance in his team’s last meeting against the Chicago Fire.

The Fire have been led to the Semifinals by star striker Nemanja Nikolic, who is tied for second place in the tournament with four goals and he has scored 10 goals in league play. Aleksander Katai is second on the team with nine league goals. The legendary Bastian Schweinsteiger leads his team with six assists. Richard Sanchez has 73 saves this season, and led Chicago to its penalty kick victory over Columbus Crew SC in the Fourth Round by making a pair of saves and also scoring the game-winning spot kick in the shootout.

WEATHER

As of the Sunday forecast, it will be hot and humid in the Philadelphia area with a 50% chance for thunderstorms.

BROADCAST: ONLINE VIDEO STREAM

By Thomas Hodul

The western Semifinal of the US Open Cup pits two sides both trying to reach the Final for the first time in their respective club’s history as the Houston Dynamo host 2018 MLS expansion side Los Angeles FC. The Dynamo have twice reached the Semifinals twice (2006, 2009). First, in 2006, they lost 3-1 to the LA Galaxy and then again in 2009 when they lost 2-1 in extra time to the eventual champion Seattle Sounders.

On the other side of the field, LAFC are making their first run in the tournament as a club, but are led by a man in Bob Bradley who is no stranger to winning this tournament, having done so twice with the Chicago Fire in 1998 and in 2000. Much like this years LAFC squad, Chicago was a MLS expansion side in 1998 meaning not only has Bob won this tournament twice, but he did so with an expansion side once already as well.

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Round 4: 5-0 home win vs. NTX Rayados (USASA)
Round 5: 1-0 home win vs. Minnesota United FC (MLS)
Quarterfinals: 4-2 home win vs. Sporting KC (MLS)
Semifinals: home vs. Los Angeles FC (MLS)

Houston’s run to the Semifinals began with a comfortable 5-0 win over Open Division qualifiers North Texas Rayados. The Dynamo were led on the night by two goals from home grown product Memo Rodriguez and two goals from Aldo Quintanilla. Next, they bested fellow MLS side Minnesota United as Mauro Manotas scored the lone goal to help his side advance 1-0. They were then able to beat the defending champions Sporting Kansas City in the Quarterfinals by a score of 4-2 as Manotas and Romell Quioto both scored twice.

LAFC began their run to the Semifinals by knocking out USL side Fresno FC at home by a score of 2-0. Diego Rossi scored the first goal that night for LAFC before Latif Blessing, champion with Sporting KC last year, added a second. In the Second Round, they faced a difficult Sacramento Republic FC (USL) side who were coming off an upset over the Seattle Sounders in the previous round. LAFC twice had to come from behind to eventually win 3-2 when Man of the Match Diego Rossi, found Blessing for the winner in the 89^th minute.

In the Quarterfinals, LAFC defeated the Portland Timbers by the score of 3-2 in a game that would be more memorable by the drama that came after the game. However controversy would ensue post game when the Timbers filed a complaint with the US Open Cup committee over LAFC’s roster, leaving LAFC’s position in the Semifinals in doubt. In the end, the protest filed by Portland over an ineligible player fielded by LAFC was withdrawn as it was deemed “a good faith misunderstanding among U.S. Soccer, Major League Soccer and Los Angeles Football Club.”

CURRENT FORM

Houston currently sit in 10^th place in the 12-team MLS Western Conference. They are coming off three consecutive league losses including a 1-0 loss last weekend to Sporting Kansas City with their last point coming in a 1-1 draw in the Texas Derby to FC Dallas back on July 21.

LAFC has hit their first major bump in the road in their inaugural season, as they haven’t won in league play since July 7. They most recently lost away to the New York Red Bulls 2-1 this past weekend. Before that, they blew a 2-0 lead late to rival LA Galaxy to drop two points, and before that they were thrashed 5-1 by Minnesota United. However, the team is still comfortably in a playoff spot as they currently sit in fourth place in the MLS Western Conference.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Houston Dynamo
13th Open Cup Appearance
Overall: 15-10-1 (0-1 PK)
Home: 12-4-0
vs. MLS: 5-8-0
Best finish: Semifinals (2006, 2009)

Los Angeles FC (MLS)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. MLS: 1-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Los Angeles FC, an MLS expansion team, is experiencing the US Open Cup for the first time. Their leader is a two-time US Open Cup champion in head coach Bob Bradley who guided the expansion Chicago Fire to a tournament title in 1998, and another one in the club’s third year in 2000. He even guided the Metrostars (New York Red Bulls) to the US Open Cup Final in 2003 … losing to the Chicago Fire at Giants Stadium.

Houston is also seeking their first US Open Cup Final appearance as the Dynamo have knocked on the door twice. In 2006, their first season after moving from San Jose, the Dynamo reached the final four only to fall to the Los Angeles Galaxy, 3-1. They would return to the Semifinals in 2009 and would lose a tight extra time battle on the road against the Seattle Sounders.

Aside from those two runs to the Semifinals, Houston’s Open Cup success has been fairly limited. They would not win multiple games in a single tournament until they reached the Quarterfinals in 2015 and 2016 only to lose to Sporting Kansas City and FC Dallas, respectively. Both teams would go on to win the tournament. Last year, they were eliminated by Kansas City again, this time in the Round of 16 as Sporting would also move on to win the Open Cup.

PAST MEETINGS

The last time these two teams matched up it was the Houston Dynamo who came back from 2-0 down scoring in the 94^th and 96^th minute to earn the comeback win against LAFC who has all to often this season blown multiple-goal leads. To this point that is the only meeting between the two sides as their next MLS match doesn’t happen until the end of October.

TOP SCORERS/PLAYERS

Houston’s players to watch include Mauro Manotas who has score three times in three games so far in this year’s Open Cup. Manotas is the club’s all-time leading scorer (7 goals) in US Open Cup play and he scored a pair of goals in the Dynamo’s 4-2 win over Sporting Kansas City in the Quarterfinals. Romell Quioto also scored two goals against Sporting and was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round in the Quarterfinals for his two-goal effort against Sporting KC.

For LAFC players to watch are Latif Blessing who has said that this is his favorite tournament, having won it last year with Sporting KC. Latif helped LAFC reach this round with a goal in Round 4 and 5. The other player of note is Benny Feilhaber, who will be looking to lift the Open Cup Trophy for a third time in four years.

WEATHER

Clear skies are in the forecast but it will be warm and humid in Houston (nothing new to Houstonians).

2018 US Open Cup Quarterfinals Preview: Seven MLS teams, 1 USL team will fight to reach the Semifinals tonight

July 18, 2018 by Josh Hakala

After a pause of about a month, the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup returns tonight with four games in the Quarterfinals on the schedule.

There are eight teams remaining; only two of them have won the US Open Cup. The Chicago Fire and current cup holders Sporting Kansas City have both won the tournament four times and are trying to make history by winning a fifth Cup. Only three teams in the 105-year history of the tournament (Bethlehem Steel, Fall River Marksmen/New Bedford Whalers, Maccabee AC) have won five US Open Cup titles.

The other highlight is that for the third year in a row, and the 11th time in the last 12 years, a lower division team will take part in the Quarterfinals. The last non-MLS team remaining is defending USL champion Louisville City FC. They will head north to take on the Chicago Fire.

Two of the games feature teams that have never won the tournament, meaning there will be a minimum of two teams in the Semifinals who could still lift their first trophy. Orlando City SC will play against two-time runner-up Philadelphia Union, while the Portland Timbers will head south to play Bob Bradley’s latest expansion success story, Los Angeles FC.

Sporting Kansas City and the Houston Dynamo will square off for the fourth year in a row, which is just the second time in the Modern Era (1995-present) that two teams have faced off four years in a row (Philadelphia Union vs. New York Red Bulls from 2015-18 is the other).

All games are expected to have a live video stream available Check out a preview and video links for each game below:

#USOC2018 coverage:
* 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup schedule, results
* 2018 US Open Cup statistical leaders
* 2018 US Open Cup Player of the Round winners
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 1 review
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 2 review
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 3 review
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 4 review
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 5 review

MORE COVERAGE:
* Which PDL teams will qualify for 2019 US Open Cup?
* US Soccer legend Walter Bahr leaves behind Hall of Fame legacy
* How amateurs Dallas Roma FC beat World Cup champs, an MLS team and it cost $75,000

* Things you should know about the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup
* Notable upsets in the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup (Modern Era)

* Support TheCup.us: Special “TheCup.us” Del Rey City jerseys available for purchase

* Appreciate what we do at TheCup.us? Donate here
* TheCup.us is looking for writers/editors, graphics, WordPress gurus & people who can handle digital ad sales (paid position). Email us here

Twitter (#USOC2018) | Facebook | Instagram | Flickr | Reddit

BROADCAST: LIVE VIDEO STREAM

By Michael Berton

The Philadelphia Union and Orlando City SC meet for the first time in US Open Cup play at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pa. The winner will take on the team that advances between the Chicago Fire and Louisville City FC at a venue still to be determined.

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Philadelphia began its Open Cup campaign with a first-time matchup against the Richmond Kickers. The Union scored five goals in the first 50 minutes to easily dispatch its lower division rivals. Then, in the Fifth Round (Round of 16), the Union hosted the New York Red Bulls for the fourth year in a row in Open Cup play (at the time, this was the first time two teams have met four straight years). Two second half goals by Haris Medunjanin and Cory Burke (both assisted by Alejandro Bedoya) ended up being enough, despite the Red Bulls getting one back late in the game. The 2-1 win pushed the Union’s Open Cup unbeaten streak to 12 games (7-0-5, 2-3 PKs), the second-longest in the Modern Era. (NOTE: Matches that end in penalty kicks are officially listed as draws.)

Unlike the Union, Orlando City played both of its matches on the road. Like the Union, Orlando City had an easy time of it in the Fourth Round. Orlando City dominated the NPSL’s Miami United, 3-0, thanks to goals from Stefano Pinho, Dillon Powers, and Victor “PC” Giro. In the Fifth Round, Orlando City traveled to DC United after firing its manager Jason Kreis, but pulled out a penalty kick win after a 1-1 draw. Facing a lightning delay and a one-goal deficit, Justin Meram scored the equalizer. In the penalty shootout, Orlando City goalie Earl Edwards Jr. made a crucial save to help his team advance. Edwards made a little history along the way, becoming just the second goalkeeper in the Modern Era to win three career penalty kick shootouts.

RECENT FORM

Since its Fifth Round win, the Philadelphia Union have gone 2-2-0 in league play, routing the Vancouver Whitecaps before suffering back-to-back losses to LAFC and Atlanta United. The Union won a thriller in its most recent game against the Chicago Fire, getting a last-second goal from David Accam (playing against his former club) to win 4-3. On July 14, the Union hosted the Bundesliga’s Eintracht Frankfurt, emerging with a 1-0 victory.

Orlando City, who are now led by former Louisville City head coach James O’Connor, went on a rough three-game losing streak after advancing past DC United, losing 2-0 to the Montreal Impact, 4-0 to Atlanta United, and 4-1 to LAFC. In its most recent game, however, Orlando grabbed a 2-1 win against Toronto FC thanks to goals from Chris Schuler and Dom Dwyer.

With both teams having played 19 games, the Union sit in 7th in the Eastern Conference on 24 points, while Orlando City are in 9th with 22.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Philadelphia Union (MLS)
7th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 14-3-6 (3-3 PK)
Home: 13-2-2 (1-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 6-3-5 (2-3 PK)
Best finish: Runner-Up (2014, 2015)

Orlando City SC (MLS)
10th US Open Cup appearance (4th as MLS team)
Overall: 15-9-2 (2-0 PK) | As MLS: 3-3-2 (2-0 PK)
Away: 5-6-2 (2-0) | As MLS: 2-1-2 (2-0)
vs. MLS: 3-7-1 | As MLS: 1-1-1
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2013, 2015)

The Union are on a 12-game unbeaten streak in the Open Cup (matches that end in penalty kicks are officially listed as draws), but the club is looking to make the Semifinals for the first time since 2015. After falling in consecutive US Open Cup Finals in 2014 and 2015 to the Seattle Sounders and Sporting Kansas City, respectively, the Union have been ousted in penalty kicks the last two years (vs. New England Revolution in 2016, vs. New York Red Bulls in 2017).

Orlando City has equaled its best Open Cup finish, making the Quarterfinals in 2013 and 2015. The club’s Open Cup history dates back to 2009 when they began as the Austin Aztex in the United Soccer League. As a USL Pro team in 2013, Orlando City upset a pair of MLS teams (including a stunning upset against its MLS affiliate Sporting Kansas City) to make the Quarterfinals. In 2015, they made it to the Quarterfinals again in their first year in MLS.

PAST MEETINGS

This will be the first-ever meeting between the Union and Orlando City in the US Open Cup. In MLS play, the teams have met eight times, with an even three wins apiece and two draws. The Union are 3-2-0 at home against Orlando, with Orlando winning the first game of the 2018 series in Philadelphia, 2-0 back in April.

TOP SCORERS/PLAYERS

The Union are led by Borek Dockal, who leads the team in both goals and assists, with five and six respectively. Haris Medunjanin and Alejandro Bedoya marshal the midfield, while they are led from the back by goalie Andre Blake. Corey Burke, who played big roles in both of the Union’s Open Cup wins, is coming off a two-goal outing against the Chicago Fire.

Orlando City is led in goals by Dom Dwyer with eight this season. Yoshimar Yotun has helped his team with three goals and a team-high five assists. Orlando also features former US Men’s National Team stalwarts Sasha Kljestan and Jonathan Spector, as well as MLS regulars Justin Meram, Will Johnson, and goalie Joe Bendik.

WEATHER

The weather is expected to be friendly to Wednesday’s game with clear skies in the forecast and temperatures that range from the low 80s to the high 70s

BROADCAST: LIVE VIDEO STREAM

By Tom Arnison

The last remaining lower division team in the tournament, Louisville City FC, will travel to face the four-time champion Chicago Fire of MLS in a rematch from the 2015 US Open Cup. The defending USL champions will try to derail Chicago’s quest for a historic fifth US Open Cup title. The winner will take on either Orlando City SC or the Philadelphia Union at a venue still to be determined.

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Louisville enters the Round of 16 having played their first four matches at home, posting shutouts against the Long Island Rough Riders (PDL) and St. Louis FC (USL), and defeating MLS side New England Revolution 3-2 and nearly-MLS side Nashville SC (USL) 2-1 in the last two rounds. By defeating Nashville, Louisville City becomes the first Kentucky-based club to reach the Quarterfinals in tournament history.

Conversely, the Fire come in having played their first two matches on the road. It started with a thrilling 10-round shootout win over the Columbus Crew (they remain undefeated all-time vs. Columbus in US Open Cup play), and a 1-0 victory over Atlanta United that disappointed most of the all-time record crowd of 41,012 in attendance.

RECENT FORM

Louisville is currently sitting in fourth place in the USL Eastern Conference standings with a 8-4-5 record. They have struggled since the calendar turned from May to June. City has only won a single game out of their last seven games (1-2-4). Last Saturday, they dropped a 2-1 decision on the road to the Charleston Battery.

Louisville has been dealing with a high-profile coaching change as their head coach James O’Connor left a few weeks ago to take over Orlando City SC. As the team scrambled to replace him, the Louisville front office ultimately decided on a rather unorthodox, although temporary, solution. They gave three players the title of interim head coach: Luke Spencer, George Davis IV and Paolo DelPiccolo. The trio will share the coaching duties until a full-time replacement can be found.

The Fire are 6-10-5 in league play which ranks 8th in the MLS Eastern Conference. After going unbeaten in the month of June (2-0-3), which included road wins over New York City FC and the San Jose Earthquakes, the Fire have lost three straight (at Vancounver, vs. Philadelphia, at FC Dallas). The top six teams from the East qualify for the playoffs and Chicago finds themselves four points out of sixth place.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Chicago Fire (MLS)
21st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 41-14-6 (4-2 PK)
Home: 25-1-2 (1-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 22-9-2 (2-0 PK)
Best finish: 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006 champions

Louisville City FC (USL)
4th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 7-3-1 (1-0 PK)
Away: 3-3-0
vs. MLS: 1-1-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2015)

Louisville City are participating in the tournament for the fourth time in club history and during that time they have remained unbeaten at home (5-0-1). Unfortunately, Wednesday’s game is being played in Bridgeview, Ill. and City are just 3-3-0 all-time away from home. Louisville’s best run in the tournament came in their inaugural season in 2015 when they reached the Fourth Round. That year, they lost to the Chicago Fire at the same stadium they will play in on Wednesday.

The Chicago Fire are the most successful MLS team in US Open Cup history. They are one of eight clubs in the history of the 105-year-old US Open Cup to win four tournament championships (1998, 2000, 2003, 2006), but they have not lifted the trophy since 2006. No team in the history of the tournament has more Semifinals appearances (12) than the Fire, and only two teams (Kutis SC, FC Dallas) have more Quarterfinal appearances than Chicago’s 13. They are also the only club in the history of the tournament to reach four consecutive Semifinals twice (2003-06, 2013-16).

The most telling stat is what the Fire do in front of their home fans. Chicago is 26-1-1 (0-1 PKs) all-time in tournament games held at their home venue. The only time they have been eliminated on their home field was in the 2013 Quarterfinals to eventual champion D.C. United and in the 2010 Third Round where they lost in penalty kicks to the Charleston Battery (USL).

PAST MEETINGS

As mentioned, this is the second all-time meeting between Louisville City and the Chicago Fire. On June 16, 2015, just a few thousand fans showed up to watch these two teams square off in a Fourth Round match. City nearly took them to penalty kicks but it was Quincy Amarikwa who scored the only goal of the game in the 116th minute.

TOP SCORERS/PLAYERS

Fire have been led to the Quarterfinals by their star striker Nemanja Nikolić, who has scored nine goals in league play and is responsible for all three of the Fire’s Open Cup goals in 2018.

Louisville has seen nine of their players get on the scoresheet as part of their 11 goals in the 2018 US Open Cup. Cameron Lancaster, former Tottenham Hotspur player and leading scorer for Louisville (9 goals) will lead the charge at forward for Los Morados (he is also Louisville all-time leading scorer in US Open Cup play with four). Only two players in the USL have more goals than he does.

WEATHER

No weather problems expected as fans in attendance should be enjoying clear skies with temperatures in the mid-to-lower 70s.

BROADCAST: LIVE VIDEO STREAM

By Dan Sousa

For the fourth consecutive year, MLS Western Conference foes Sporting Kansas City and Houston Dynamo will square off in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with the Dynamo hosting the defending champions at BBVA Compass Stadium.

While the Dynamo are looking for their first ever Open Cup title, Sporting Kansas City has won three of the last six titles (2017, 2015, 2012) and the franchise has four Open Cup titles overall. The winner of this game will take on the team that advances between the Portland Timbers and Los Angeles FC at a venue that has yet to be determined.

HOW THEY GOT HERE

The road to Wednesday’s match-up has been much tougher for Sporting Kansas City, which has faced two MLS teams in the competition this year, including a tough road game at Rio Tinto Stadium where two second-half goals by Johnny Russell and Kharlton Belmar gave SKC a 2-0 win.

That Fourth Round win led to a wild 3-2 win over FC Dallas in the Round of 16 with Sportking Kansas City rallying on Yohan Croizet’s stunning winner in the 89th minute. Sporting Kansas City forward Daniel Salloi earned TheCup.us Player of the Round honors for two goals in the win.

“It’s great for us to go onto the next round,” Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes said. “I think we deserve it. We were good tonight. Don’t get me wrong, Dallas is a great team. They had their full lineup out there. It was a tough match.”

The Dynamo entered the Open Cup competition in the Fourth Round with a 5-0 win over amateur side NTX Rayados. Memo Rodrigues and Aldo Quintanilla each had a brace in the victory that saw Rayados hold things scoreless until the 55th minute.

Houston, remaining at home for the Round of 16, edged MLS side Minnesota United FC, 1-0, with Mauro Manotas scoring the lone goal in the 47th minute on a header off an Adam Lundkvist corner. The Dynamo survived a Minnesota PK in the 88th minute that clanged off the right post.

“We have to be better for the next round if we want to be able to continue in this competition,” said Houston manager Wilmer Cabrera.

RECENT FORM

Sporting KC opened the summer on a roll, going 4-0-1 in all competitions but since June 30 the team has been winless, going 0-3-1 including a 3-2 loss on the road Saturday at the New York Red Bulls.

Said Salloi after the loss in New York: “Well, now we have a cup game, so we have to be really focused on that one because we obviously want to advance but in the league, even if you go up you have to pay attention for the full ninety minutes because in the past two games we went up and teams came back.”

Houston comes off a listless 0-0 tie Saturday at Colorado where the Dynamo went with five in the back in a defensive formation. Prior to that the Dynamo had dominated Minnesota at home, 3-0, and staged a miraculous comeback against LAFC at home, earning a 2-2 tie with goals at 90+3 and 90+6.

Wednesday’s quarterfinal shapes up to be offensively entertaining as Sporting Kansas City (37 goals in 20 games) and Houston Dynamo (36 goals in 18 games) are two of the top three scoring teams in the Western Conference on the MLS season with only LAFC (41 goals in 19 games).

Sporting Kansas City (9-5-6 overall, 3rd place Western Conference) defeated the Houston Dynamo (7-6-5, 7th place) at Children’s Mercy Park, 3-2, in a wild game. Sporting Kansas City fell behind 2-0 before rallying, including goals in the 85th minute and 88th minute by substitutes Diego Rubio and Khiry Shelton.

The two teams combined for 39 shots in the game including 15 on target.

Houston’s normal formation features a pair of fleet-footed Honduran strikers, Alberth Elis and Romell Quioto, flanking Colombian forward Mauro Manotas. Elis and Manotas each have nine goals on the MLS season with Elis (7 assists) and Quioto (3 goals, 10 assists) combining for 17 assists.

Young Argentinian playmaker Tomas Martinez (4 goals, 5 assists) runs the show in the midfield. Centerback Philippe Senderos, returning from injury, has accounted for four goals in just five MLS games.

Chris Seitz has earned both of the US Open Cup shutouts for the Dynamo Joe Willis (1.38 goals allowed) the No. 1 keeper in MLS action.

Tim Melia (1.35 goals allowed) has played every minute in MLS action this season for Sporting Kansas City in goal.

Sporting Kansas City has a combined 13 goals and 12 assists in MLS play from Derby County transfer Russell (7 goals, 6 assists) and homegrown player Salloi (6 goals, 6 assists), who was born in Hungary. Long-time Sporting Kansas City midfielder Roger Espinoza leads the team with eight assists.

Chilean midfielder Felipe Gutierrez, the team’s newest designated player, stormed onto the team with five goals in his first five matches, but suffered a sports hernia injury and had surgery in early May.

Gutierrez, however, was one of six Sporting Kansas City players on the injury report at New York, coming in off the bench for final 12 minutes for his first action since March 31.

Also Questionable and not playing on the weekend for Sporting Kansas City was defender Ike Opara who has a hamstring concern. Out for Sporting Kansas City were: MF/D Cristian Lobato (knee), D Jimmy Medranda (knee), MF/D Brad Evans (Achilles) and F Khiry Shelton (torn Meniscus/MCL).

Houston Dynamo had five players listed as out for the Colorado game on Saturday including: D A.J. DeLaGarza (torn left ACL), MF Juan David Cabezas (left quad), F Mac Steeves (left hip), MF/D Andrew Wenger (left calf) and MF Arturo Alvarez (right hip).

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Sporting Kansas City
23rd Open Cup Appearance
Overall: 28-13-6 (4-2 PK)
Away: 8-6-4 (2-2 PK)
vs. MLS: 14-8-3 (3-0 PK)
Best finish: Champions in 2004, 2012, 2015, 2017

Houston Dynamo
13th Open Cup Appearance
Overall: 14-10-1 (0-1 PK)
Home: 11-4-0
vs. MLS: 4-8-0
Best finish: Semifinals (2006, 2009)

PAST MEETINGS

Sporting Kansas City is 3-1 all-time against Houston in US Open Cup play, including a 2-0 Round of 16 win a year ago at BBVA. This is only the second time in the Modern Era (1995-present) that two teams will face off in four consecutive tournaments (Philadelphia Union vs. New York Red Bulls from 2015-18)

Here’s a brief look at their previous US Open Cup meetings:

2017
Sporting Kansas City 2, Houston Dynamo 0
Second-half goals from Ike Opara and Gerso led Sporting Kansas City in the Round of 16 win at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston. Tim Melia earned the shutout in goal.

2016
Houston Dynamo 3, Sporting KC 1
Mauro Manotas scored twice as the Dynamo knocked out the defending US Open Cup champions out of the tournament. Alex also scored for the Dynamo in the win at home. Former Dynamo legend Brad Davis scored Sporting Kansas City’s lone goal.

2015
Sporting Kansas City 3, Houston Dynamo 1
This game was 1-1 until Dom Dwyer’s go-ahead goal in the 88th minute. The Dynamo, playing down a man from the 30th minute after a straight red card, went up on a Will Bruin goal. Dynamo keeper Joe Willis saved a Dwyer PK but Sporting Kansas City finally equalized in the 71st minute on a Benny Feilhaber goal. Kristian Nemah’s late goal provided the insurance.

2011 (Qualifying)
Sporting Kansas City 1, Houston Dynamo 0

While it doesn’t count in the official US Open Cup record book, these two teams met during Major League Soccer’s qualifying tournament in 2011. CJ Sapong scored in extra time to give Sporting Kansas City the win in this game played in College Station, Texas at Aggie Soccer Stadium.

MLS Play – Last 4 Meetings

June 23, 2018: Sporting Kansas City 3, Houston Dynamo 2

Sporting Kansas City stunned the Dynamo with goals by Diego Rubio in the 85th minute and Khiry Shelton in the 88th minute to complete a comeback after falling behind 2-0 at halftime. The Dynamo had the lead coming into the break after bookend goals by Mauro Manotas in the 2nd minute and 45th minute. Daniel Salloi started the comeback with a goal in the 61st minute.

Oct. 26, 2017: Houston Dynamo 1, Sporting Kansas City 0

The Dynamo opened the playoffs with a shutout over rival Sporting Kansas City at BBVA Compass Stadium. After regulation ended scoreless, the Dynamo broke the tie in the fourth minute of extra time on a goal by Alberth Elis. Tyler Deric had six saves for the Dynamo in the shutout win, including several in extra time.

Oct. 15, 2017: Houston Dynamo 0, Sporting Kansas City 0

Playing each other for the second time in five days, the Houston Dynamo got the point they needed on the road to qualify for the playoffs, thanks to a career-high nine saves by keeper Tyler Deric.

Oct. 11, 2017: Houston Dynamo 2, Sporting Kansas City 1

The difference in this game was an own goal by Sporting Kansas City in the 77th minute. Jimmy Medranda put SKC up 1-0 in the 32nd minute but Tomas Martinez equalized for the Houston Dynamo in the 63rd.

Houston Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City have faced each other 32 times in all competitions with the Dynamo holding a 11-9-12 advantage including a 7-3-5 advantage at home.

TOP SCORERS/PLAYERS

Daniel Salloi of Kansas City – Salloi was named TheCup.us Player of the Round after notching a brace in Sporting Kansas City’s 3-2 win over FC Dallas in the Round of 16. Salloi, just 21, now has five career goals in US Open Cup play with three scored last season, including the game winner in the 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls in the US Open Cup Final. Salloi has six goals and six assists on the MLS season, trailing Johnny Russell (7 goals, 6 assists) by a goal for the Sporting Kansas City scoring lead. Salloi also scored against the Dynamo last month and had two assists in the comeback win.

Mauro Manotas of Houston – Manotas scored the lone goal in the Dynamo’s 1-0 win over Minnesota United FC in the Round of 16. Manotas holds the club’s record for goals in US Open Cup play with five total. He has nine goals on the MLS season, tied with Alberth Elis for the team lead. Manotas scored two goals against Sporting Kansas City last month in a match the Dynamo lost, 3-2, after leading 2-0 after an hour of play.

WEATHER

Weather – It’s always about the weather in Houston in the summer where the humidity this week expected to be a swampy 62% percent on Wednesday. With kickoff temperatures hovering over 90 degrees, expect a “feels like” temperature for the players to be triple digits. With both teams having played on the weekend, look for fatigue to be a factor in the second half of this match-up. Both managers will also insert starters and substitutes into Wednesday’s line-up that did not play on Saturday.

BROADCAST: LIVE VIDEO STREAM

By Dennis Pope

Both teams are boasting impressive unbeaten streaks and are both seeking their first US Open Cup as MLS expansion side Los Angeles FC hosts the Portland Timbers. The winner will take on the team that advances between Sporting Kansas City and the Houston Dynamo at a venue that has yet to be determined.

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Portland Timbers shut out San Jose Earthquakes, 2-0, in a Fourth Round match on June 6 with goals from Jeremy Ebobisse and Dairon Asprilla. It was the second consecutive year in which the Timbers defeated the Earthquakes by a 2-0 score line in the Fourth Round. The club then squeezed past L.A. Galaxy, 1-0, in the Fifth Round on June 15 as the home team got a first-half goal from Sebastian Blanco and held on to advance to the Quarterfinals for the first time since 2014.

In its Lamar Hunt US Open Cup debut, Los Angeles FC topped Fresno FC (USL), 2-0, in a Fourth Round match on June 6. Argentinian Diego Rossi scored the opener in the 53rd minute off a corner kick from Aaron Kovar and Latif Blessing added an insurance goal less than 10 minutes later. LAFC followed that up with an edgy 3-2 victory over Sacramento Republic FC (USL), in a Fifth Round matchup on June 20.

RECENT FORM

Portland Timbers extended their league unbeaten streak to 12 matches by earning a 0-0 draw at LAFC at Banc of California Stadium on Sunday, June 15. The club currently sits fourth in MLS Western Conference with a 8-3-6 record (30 points).

With an eight-game unbeaten streak of its own, Los Angeles Football Club currently sits in second place — and just three points off the pace — in the MLS Western Conference with a 10-4-5 record (35 points).

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Los Angeles FC (MLS)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-0-0
Home: 2-0-0
vs. MLS: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Portland Timbers (MLS)
14th US Open Cup appearance (7th as MLS team)
Overall: 16-12-1 (0-1 PK) | As MLS: 9-6-0
Away: 8-6-0 | As MLS: 3-4-0
vs. MLS: 6-8-1 (0-1 PK) | As MLS: 6-5-0
Best finish: Semifinals (2013)

The Portland Timbers have been competing in the US Open Cup since they were a member of the USL in 2004. The Timbers have only reached the Semifinals one time in team history. They became the first Oregon-based club to reach the final four in 2013 when they lost a narrow 2-1 decision to Real Salt Lake. Aside from that Semifinal run, Portland’s Open Cup history has been a mixed bag. In their 14 US Open Cup appearances, the Timbers have only won multiple games in a single tournament five times. On their resume are two historic upsets when they became the first second division pro team to lose a game in regulation to a USASA-based club when Hollywood United won a game in Portland in 2008. In 2012, another Southern California amateur team came to the Rose City and pulled off a major upset when Cal FC became the first USASA-based amateur team to defeat a MLS team in regulation or extra time.

Major League Soccer’s newest expansion team, Los Angeles FC, will be playing in just its third US Open Cup game. They are led by head coach Bob Bradley who has won three US Soccer Majors (1 MLS Cup, 2 US Open Cup), including leading another expansion team, the Chicago Fire in 1998, to a US Open Cup and a MLS Cup title in their inaugural season.

PAST MEETINGS

In their second matchup this season, the teams played to a scoreless draw on Sunday, July 15, at Banc of California Stadium. Lee Nguyen was sent off late in the game for his studs-up challenge on Sebastian Blanco. Portland won the first match, 2-1, at Providence Park on May 19.

WEATHER

It’s expected to be a great night for soccer with the forecast calling for partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the mid-70s.

2018 US Open Cup Round 5 preview: Three USL teams, potential record-breaking crowd highlight tonight’s action

June 20, 2018 by Josh Hakala

The Round of 16 for the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is scheduled to wrap up tonight as four games will take place in Boyds, Md., Louisville, Ky., Atlanta, Ga., and Los Angeles, Calif.

D.C. United and Orlando City will square off to see who will take on the Philadelphia Union in the Quarterfinals. We may see a record-breaking crowd when Atlanta United hosts the Chicago Fire. The winner of that game will host either Louisville City FC or Nashville SC, which guarantees a lower division team in the Quarterfinals for the third year in a row and the 11th time in the last 12 years. Out west, the round will wrap up with first-year team Los Angeles FC hosting the USL’s Sacramento Republic FC.

Check out a preview of each Wednesday game below, including links to tonight’s live video feed.

MORE: How amateurs Dallas Roma FC beat World Cup champs, an MLS team and it cost $75,000

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Orlando City SC (MLS) at D.C. United (MLS)
LIVE VIDEO (Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET)

It is an island of misfit toys melee on Wednesday as the team without a stadium (D.C. United) takes on the team without a coach (Orlando City SC) in the Round of 16. The winner of this game will play at the Philadelphia Union in the Quarterfinals on July 18.HOW THEY GOT HERE / RECENT FORMThese are interesting times for the two Major League Soccer sides. D.C. United (2-6-4, 10 points) are still three weeks away from the opening of their brand new stadium, Audi Field, and will thus be hosting Wednesday’s encounter at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md. The venue has served them just fine so far in this tournament as they defeated North Carolina FC 4-3 on penalties in the previous round.

In league play, D.C. are coming off of a wild 4-4 draw with Toronto FC. Although they sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings their form has improved, and they’ve gotten points in three of their last five matches (1-2-2, 5 points).

As for Orlando City SC it has been an interesting week. On Friday, while most of the soccer-watching world was paying attention to Spain and Portugal or having a pint with friends at Providence Park or Children’s Mercy Park, Orlando City SC were firing their manager. The club announced that they would be letting go of Jason Kreis after the club lost their sixth consecutive match a few days ago. Although they did defeat NPSL side Miami United in the previous round of the Open Cup the club has struggled to find any real measure of consistency this season.

There have been some rumblings that the recently-retired former World Player of the Year Kaka (ESPN reports he is not being considered) and Brazilian coaching legend Carlos Alberto Perreira taking over, but odds are none of this will happen before Wednesday night. In the meantime, assistant coach Bobby Murphy will be taking over in the meantime. He already has some experience in this type of a situation, having served as the interim manager after Adrian Heath was fired in 2016.

PAST MEETING

On the pitch the two sides should be very well acquainted with one another having already drawn 1-1 in the first game of the year for both squads. United’s goal came from Yamil Asad in the 32nd minute and despite Orlando receiving a first half red card, Stefano Pinho would score a stoppage time equalizer in his Orlando City debut after emerging as one of the breakout stars from the 2017 US Open Cup (with the NASL’s Miami FC).

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Asad is United’s second-leading scorer with five goals behind Jamaican international Darren Mattocks (7), who joined the team in the offseason from the Portland Timbers. Mattocks’ seven goals ranks fifth in Major League Soccer.

For Orlando City, Pinho made a name for himself last year as a member of Miami FC. He tied for the US Open Cup lead with four goals as he helped Miami reach the Quarterfinals. The club’s leading scorer is veteran Dom Dwyer with seven goals with nine league games. Unfortunately for the Lions, Dwyer is recovering from an injury and has missed the last few games. It’s unclear if he will pay against United. One player who will definitely not play for Orlando is playmaker Yoshimar Yotun who leads the team in assists with five. Yotun is representing Peru at the FIFA World Cup.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

D.C. United (MLS)
20th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 32-13-6 (3-3 PK)
Home: 23-5-3 (1-2 PK)
vs. MLS: 10-9-2 (0-2 PK)
Best finish: 1996, 2008, 2013 champions

Orlando City SC (MLS)
10th US Open Cup appearance (4th as MLS team)
Overall: 15-9-1 (1-0 PK) | As MLS: 3-3-1 (1-0 PK)
Away: 5-6-1 (1-0) | As MLS: 2-1-1 (1-0)
vs. MLS: 3-7-0 | As MLS: 1-1-0
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2013, 2015)

D.C. United has won three US Open Cup titles (1996, 2008, 2013) and come into tonight’s match riding a five-game home unbeaten streak. The club has played all of its Open Cup home games at the Soccerplex since hosting a Semifinal match in 2010 at RFK Stadium. It is no surprise that with three Open Cup titles in their trophy case, United is one of the winningest teams in the tournament. D.C.’s 32 wins are the fifth-most in the Modern Era (1995-present).

Orlando’s Open Cup history dates back to 2009 when the club began as the Austin Aztex in the United Soccer League. The Lions have reached the Quarterfinals twice (once in 2013 when they were a USL Pro club and in 2015 in their first season in MLS), and they are one win away from reaching the round of eight for the third time.

The club’s best tournament run was in 2013 when, as a USL Pro team, they upset a pair of MLS teams, headlined by a 1-0 road win over the defending champion Sporting Kansas City. The win was made even more special because Orlando was the USL affiliate of Sporting. What’s more, four of the Lions’ key players (including Dom Dwyer) were on loan from Kansas City which forbid them as the parent club from playing against them in the tournament. Even without those players, Orlando pulled off the upset.

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Nashville SC (USL) at Louisville City FC (USL)
LIVE VIDEO (Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET)

The only all-USL matchup of the Round of 16 means that there will be a lower division team in the Quarterfinals regardless of who wins the game. It will be a tough task for whoever advances as the winner will play on the road against the winner of the Atlanta United-Chicago Fire game on July 18.

HOW THEY GOT HERE

In their inaugural trip to the US Open Cup, Nashville SC finds themselves one win away from the round of eight after three straight home wins. They began their Cup run in Round 2 where they defeated Inter Nashville FC (NPSL) 2-0, followed by a 3-1 win over the PDL’s Mississippi Brilla, 3-1. After back-to-back wins over amateur sides, they met the Colorado Rapids of MLS in the Fourth Round and had no trouble advancing. Nashville not only kept Colorado off the scoresheet, but they held them to just two shots. Neither shot forced a save from veteran goalkeeper Matt Pickens.

Just like Nashville, Louisville City reached the Round of 16 by winning three games in front of their home fans. They began with a 5-0 win over the PDL’s Long Island Rough Riders, followed by a 1-0 win over fellow USL club Saint Louis FC. In the Fourth Round, they picked up a dramatic 3-2 win over the New England Revolution thanks to a stunning goal from Brian Ownby. The former University of Virginia star also assisted on another goal and his overall performance earned him TheCup.us Player of the Round honors.

PAST MEETINGS

This will be the third meeting of the season between the two clubs with the first two league games being won by the home team. Louisville won the season opener 2-0 back on March 17 and Nashville won the game in the Music City on May 13 by the same scoreline.

RECENT FORM / PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nashville’s first-year success in the USL is due, in large part, to their defense. They have only allowed eight goals in their first 13 games, with Matt Pickens leading the way in goal with a league-leading seven clean sheets. Only one team in the league has fewer goals allowed than Nashville (Pittsburgh Riverhounds with seven) Nashville is 6-2-5 in league play and is currently in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, however, don’t let that seven-point gap between them and first-place FC Cincinnati fool you. Nashville has played two fewer games than Cincinnati. Nashville is riding an eight-game unbeaten streak (4-0-4) in USL play. They haven’t lost a game in any competition since April 14.

Defending USL champion Louisville City FC’s title defense is off to a positive start with a 7-2-3 record in league play. They are currently tied for second place in the Eastern Conference, six points behind first-place FC Cincinnati. Just like Nashville, though, they also have played fewer games than FC Cincy. Three fewer games, in fact. They have yet to lose a home game in all competitions with an 8-0-1 record. Cameron Lancaster has been a big part of the team’s success, scoring six goals in nine matches so far this season. Lancaster also has two goals in Open Cup play, including a game-tying goal against the New England Revolution.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Louisville City FC (USL)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 6-3-1 (1-0 PK)
Home: 3-0-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. Div. 2: 2-2-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2015)

Nashville SC (USL)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 2: 0-0-0
Best finish: First appearance

Nashville, in its inaugural season in the USL, is trying to make Tennessee soccer history. Only one Tennessee-based club in the last 105 years has reached the Quarterfinals. Back in 1998, the Nashville Metros of the USL’s A-League (Div. 2 pro) upset the Kansas City Wizards (Sporting KC) 3-1 at the Colombia Soccer Stadium Complex in Nashville to become the first Tennessee team to reach the round of eight.

Louisville City is making the club’s fifth appearance in the tournament and could also make some state history with a win over Nashville. A Kentucky team has never reached the Quarterfinals and Louisville City would be the first. History is on their side as they are undefeated at home in tournament play with a 3-0-1 (1-0 PK) record.

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Chicago Fire (MLS) at Atlanta United FC (MLS)
LIVE VIDEO (Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET)

Atlanta United will look to do what it could not do in 2017: advance to the round of 8 in the U.S. Open Cup. They can do that with a win against fellow MLS side Chicago Fire at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday night. The winner will host a USL team — either Nashville SC or Louisville City FC — in the Quarterfinals on July 18. A record-breaking crowd is expected in Atlanta that will not only shatter the Fifth Round / Round of 16 attendance record but may challenge the tournament’s all-time attendance record of 35,615 set at CenturyLink Field when the Seattle Sounders hosted the Chicago Fire in the 2011 US Open Cup Final.

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Chicago drew the Columbus Crew 2-2 in the clubs’ Fourth Round match on June 6 at MAPFRE Stadium, advancing to the Round of 16 with a 10-9 win in a penalty shootout. With things knotted at nine a piece, both goalkeepers took their turn in the eleventh round shootout. Fire keeper Richard Sanchez scored the eventual winner before stopping Columbus’s Logan Ketterer to see his team through to the next round.

Atlanta had a simpler time with the USL’s Charleston Battery in Kennesaw, Ga., opening its tournament run with a 3-0 victory. Andrew Carleton’s booming strike in the 14th minute started the scoring, while Ezequiel Barco (47th min.) and Romario Williams (65th min.) provided insurance for the home side.

PAST MEETINGS

The two teams have already grown familiar with each other this year. They met in MLS play on May 5 in Bridgeview, Ill., a 2-1 win for Atlanta. That gave Atlanta a 2-1-0 edge in the series. Last year, Atlanta beat Chicago 4-0 at Bobby Dodd Stadium on March 18, 2017 – the club’s third game in its brief history – before being shut out in Bridgeview 2-0 less than three months later.

RECENT FORM / TEAM LEADERS

Atlanta are led by Josef Martinez, whose 14 goals lead MLS. Miguel Almiron’s seven assists are best on the team and tied for third in the league. Their play has helped Atlanta to the top of both the Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield tables with 33 points.

Meanwhile, Chicago are tied with Orlando City SC with 19 points, but are seventh in the conference standings by virtue of five wins to Orlando’s six. Nemanja Nikolic leads the team with eight goals across all competitions.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Chicago Fire (MLS)
21st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 40-14-6 (4-2 PK)
Away: 14-13-3 (2-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 21-9-2 (2-0 PK)
Best finish: 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006 champions

Atlanta United FC (MLS)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-1-0
Home: 2-0-0
vs. MLS: 0-0-0
Best finish: Fifth Round (2017)

The Chicago Fire are the most successful MLS team in US Open Cup history. They are one of eight clubs in the history of the 105-year history of the US Open Cup to win four tournament championships (1998, 2000, 2003, 2006), but they have not lifted the trophy since 2006. No team in the history of the tournament has more Semifinals appearances (12) than the Fire, and only two teams (Kutis SC, FC Dallas) have more Quarterfinal appearances than Chicago’s 13. They are also the only club in the history of the tournament to reach four consecutive Semifinals twice (2003-06, 2013-16).

Atlanta is only in the club’s second year and has eliminated the Charleston Battery (USL) in their opening round match in each year. Last year, they fell 3-2 on the road against Miami FC (NASL). The state of Georgia hasn’t had a lot of success in the US Open Cup over the last century. The inaugural US Open Cup launched in 1913 and no Georgia-based club has ever won the tournament or even reached the championship game. In fact, only two Georgia clubs have ever reached the Semifinals: The 1980 Atlanta Wolves and the 1981 Atlanta Datagraphics. The only Georgia-based club to make a deep run in the Modern Era (1995-present) was the 2014 Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) team that reached the Quarterfinals led by their head coach Eric Wynalda. In fact, only four Georgia teams have reached the Quarterfinals in tournament history. Atlanta United are one win away from joining that select group.

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Sacramento Republic FC (USL) at Los Angeles FC (MLS)
LIVE VIDEO (Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET)

The match between Sacramento Republic and LAFC is the lone Round 5 matchup that pits a USL side against a MLS side. Both teams are seeking their first trip to the Quarterfinals with the winner heading on the road to take on the Houston Dynamo on July 18.

HOW THEY GOT HERE / HISTORY

Sacramento reached the Fifth Round of the US Open Cup by taking down the four-time champion Seattle Sounders in the Fourth Round with a 2-1 extra time win at home. This win sent the Republic to the Fifth Round for a second straight season. This is the club’s fifth trip to the US Open Cup and of those five appearances, they have won multiple games in four of those years, but have never advanced beyond the Round of 16. The Fourth Round’s upset of the Sounders marked the second year in a row (and second time overall) that the Republic have upset a MLS side, having eliminated Real Salt Lake in 2017 by the score of 4-1.

Before beating the Sounders, the Republic had to get by the PDL’s San Francisco City in the Second Round. They then traveled away from home to beat USL rivals Reno 1868 1-0 in the Third Round. To this point, Sacramento has been led by Kevin Aleman who has two goals in the tournament, including the game-winner in the Reno game and Villyan Bijev, who had a man of the match performance to lead the Republic to a win over the Sounders.

The expansion MLS side LAFC is coming off their first ever Open Cup match in Round 4 where they beat Fresno FC 2-0 through goals from Diego Rossi and Latif Blessing. While LAFC, as a club, don’t have any Open Cup experience, they are led by a head coach in Bob Bradley who won the US Open Cup in 1998 and 2000 with the Chicago Fire. In 1998, the Fire were an expansion team in MLS so Bradley certainly has experience with putting together a winning team in Year One.

Los Angeles FC (MLS)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Home: 1-0-0
vs. Div. 2: 1-0-0
Best finish: First appearance

Sacramento Republic FC (USL)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 11-3-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 1-2-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 2-2-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Fifth Round (2017)

RECENT FORM / TEAM LEADERS

The Republic currently sit in third place in the USL Western Conference and are coming off a tough 1-0 loss at the weekend to San Antonio. They are led by Cameron Iwasa who has scored a team-best five goals, and also had one of the two goals in Sacramento’s win over Seattle in the Open Cup.

LAFC will be without a few players who are away for the World Cup, notably Omar Gaber (Egypt), Laurent Ciman (Belgium), Marco Urena (Costa Rica), and Carlos Vela (Mexico). They still have the talent to get the result, with new signing Adama Diomande scoring at will in MLS since joining LAFC from Hull City in England. LAFC currently sit in third place in the MLS Western Conference and are coming off a thrilling 4-3 comeback win against San Jose Earthquakes before having a week off for the World Cup. Their leading scorer is the absent Carlos Vela with seven goals and five assists, but Diego Rossi is not far behind with five goals and six assists.

Sean Maslin, Sydney Hunte and Thomas Hodul contributed to this report

2018 US Open Cup Round 5 preview: Houston Dynamo host Minnesota United in Monday night football

June 18, 2018 by Dan Sousa

2018 US Open Cup Fifth Round
Monday, June 19, 2018
Minnesota United FC (MLS) at Houston Dynamo (MLS)
BBVA Compass Stadium – Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO

Perhaps no MLS team was looking forward to the league’s two-week World Cup break more than the Houston Dynamo. The Dynamo limped into their last MLS match with seven players on the injury report, including five defenders and another starting defender, center back Adolfo Machado, away on international duty with Panama in Russia.

While Houston head coach Wilmer Cabrera hopes his team can heal for the second half of the MLS season, he also isn’t taking Monday’s US Open Cup Round of 16 home match against Western Conference foe Minnesota United FC lightly.

“We want to win at home and we have to win at home, so it’s a very important game for us,” Cabrera told HoustonDynamo.com. “At home we have to be solid and we cannot go just play for fun. That’s not the way we are.”

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

The Dynamo come into Monday’s match on back-to-back shutout wins at home – 2-0 over struggling Colorado on June 9 and a 5-0 US Open Cup Fourth Round win over amateur side NTX Rayados on June 6. Those wins helped Houston stop a two-game MLS slide, both of those losses were by one goal on the road where Houston has struggled, including a 2-1 loss at Minnesota on April 28.

Weather is expected to be a factor Monday as a tropical system is moving into the Houston area from the Gulf of Mexico Sunday and could dump up to four inches of rain through Tuesday. The good news is that the system will knock down the temperatures with kickoff comfortably in the 70s.

How They Got Here

Houston defeated Dallas area amateur side NTX Rayados 5-0 at home on June 6. The match was scoreless at the half before the Dynamo busted loose with Memo Rodriguez and Aldo Quintanilla each scoring a brace and Matias Zaldivar adding the fifth goal.

Minnesota United FC needed penalty kicks to get past USL and recently announced MLS expansion team FC Cincinnati on the road after a scoreless draw through 120 minutes of play. The Loons converted their first three kicks from the penalty spot with Christian Ramirez, Collin Martin and Brent Kallman finding the back of the net. A couple of Cincinnati misses and a save by Minnesota keeper Bobby Shuttleworth sealed the 3-1 win.

Recent Form:

Houston Dynamo
Last 5 matches: WWLLW

The Dynamo jumped all over NYCFC at home, 3-1, on May 25 before falling 2-1 at Real Salt Lake (May 30) and 1-0 at Montreal Impact (June 2). The wins over Rayados and Colorado gives Houston five straight wins at home coming into Monday’s match.

Minnesota United FC
Last 5 matches: TLWTL

The Loons were 1-1-1 in three straight home matches in May – losing to San Jose, 3-1, tying Sporting KC, 1-1, and beating the Montreal Impact, 2-0. Prior to the US Open Cup win at Cincinnati, Minnesota was thumped on the road at Sporting Kansas City, 4-1.

Minnesota United eliminated FC Cincinnati in penalty kicks in the Fourth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Brett Hansbauer/4th Floor Creative

US Open Cup History

Houston Dynamo (MLS)
13^th US Open Cup Appearance
Overall: 13-10-1 (0-1 PK)
Home: 10-4-0
vs. MLS teams: 3-8-0
Best finish: Semifinals (2006, 2009)

Minnesota United FC (MLS)
8^th US Open Cup Appearance
Overall: 5-6-2 (1-1 PK)
Away: 4-3-2 (1-1 PK)
vs. MLS teams: 1-4-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2012, 2014, 2016, 2017)

Prior Meetings

The two teams are 1-1-2 in four lifetime meetings.

The Houston Dynamo are 1-0-1 vs. Minnesota United FC at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Minnesota United FC 2, Houston Dynamo 1 (4/18/18) – The Dynamo took a lead on the road on an Alberth Elis goal in the 10th minute but Minnesota rallied with Darwin Quintero converting on a PK in the 40th minute and Ibson scored the game-winner in the 70th.

Houston Dynamo 2, Minnesota United FC 1 (9/30/17) – The Dynamo snapped a six-game winless streak with a win at BBVA. Alberth Elis broke a scoreless game with a goal in the 69th minute to put the Dynamo ahead and Mauro Manotas connected on the game winner in the 85th. The Loons added a goal in extra time by substitute Sam Nicholson but ran out of time in their comeback bid.

Houston Dynamo 0, Minnesota United FC 0 (7/19/17) – This match saw no goals but five yellow cards as the two teams battled to a scoreless draw at TCF Bank Stadium in Minnesota.

Houston Dynamo 2, Minnesota United FC 2 (4/15/17) – The Loons rousing second half comeback earned them their first ever road point as Christian Ramirez scored in the 47th minute and Johan Venegas tied the match in the 59th minute. Houston was staked to a 2-0 halftime lead at BBVA Compass Stadium on goals by Mauro Manotas in the 14th minute and Alberth Elis in the 43rd minute.

Injury Report:

Minnesota United FC

Out: Sam Cronin M (cervicogenic dysfunction); Kevin Molino M (torn left ACL, out of season); Ethan Finlay M (torn ACL); Marc Burch D (left knee); Jerome Thiesson D (right leg).

Questionable: Matt Lampson GK (right knee)

International Duty: Francisco Calvo D.

Houston Dynamo

Out: AJ DeLaGarza D (torn left ACL); Dylan Remick D (concussion); Jared Watts D (concussion); Darwin Ceren M (leg); Juan David Cabezas M (left quad); Mac Steeves F (left hip).

Questionable: Andrew Wenger M (calf).

International duty: Aldolfo Machado D.

Throw In: Houston forward Alberth Elis has scored eight goals with five assists in 14 MLS games this season. He has struck for goals against Minnesota in three of the two team’s four lifetime meetings.

2018 US Open Cup Round 4 preview: MLS teams join the competition (video links)

June 5, 2018 by Harrison Huntley

The 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup features 97 teams from a Modern Era record 33 different states. Graphic by: Gilberto Hernandez | @GilbertoHdz200

Outside of the Final, one could argue that the highest-profile round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is the Fourth Round. The round when Major League Soccer’s 20 US-based teams joining the competition creates several “David vs. Goliath” matchups, which have been at the heart of this competition since it first launched in 1913.

Most of the matchups are United Soccer League teams against MLS teams, but the three highlights of Round 4 are the three open division teams that have reached this level. NTX Rayados, an amateur team from the North Texas Premier Soccer Association will travel south to take on the Houston Dynamo (MLS), while another amateur side FC Golden State Force (PDL) will play at the Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS). Miami United FC are the first National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) team to reach the Fourth Round, they will host Orlando City SC (MLS). While Miami United are a pro team, the fact that they are the first NPSL team to reach Round 4 makes the achievement all the more impressive.

The Fourth Round kicks off with three games on Tuesday, June 5, followed by 13 games on Wednesday, June 6. The winners will advance to the Round of 16. The matchups for that round will be announced on June 7.

Click below for links of our coverage and scroll down for a preview and live video links for each game.

Preview contributors include: Joshua Taylor, Craig Tower, Sean Maslin, Tom Arnison, Sydney Hunte, Ian Foster, Thomas Hodul and Michael Stewart Allen.

#USOC2018 coverage:
* 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup schedule, results
* 2018 US Open Cup statistical leaders
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 1 review
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 2 review
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 3 review

News
* USSF allows NY Cosmos B, Miami FC 2, Jacksonville Armada into 2018 US Open Cup
* El Farolito, 1993 US Open Cup champions, disqualified from 2018 tournament
* Why is it against the rules to change leagues during the US Open Cup?
* FC Cincinnati at Gettler Stadium: “Like Metallica playing a small venue”

2018 Meet the Underdogs series
* Christos FC
* FC Denver
* FC Kendall
* Kendall Wanderers
* La Maquina FC
* Los Angeles Wolves FC
* NTX Rayados
* Red Force FC
* Rochester River Dogz
* Santa Ana Winds
* Sporting AZ FC

Qualifying
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying results
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Win & You’re In review
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 1 review
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 2 review

* Things you should know about the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup (Modern Era)

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

Twitter (#USOC2018) | Facebook | Instagram | Flickr | Reddit

Tuesday, June 5
FULL MATCH REPORT

The 1995 US Open Cup champion Richmond Kickers are coming into this match against the Union on a two-game win streak in the 2018 US Open Cup by defeating Reading United AC in penalties on the road in the Second Round. They followed that performance up by defeating league rivals Penn FC in the third round of the US Open Cup with a 3-2 win in Richmond.

The Kickers’ league form in the USL is near the bottom of the Eastern Conference sitting in 14th place (3-6-1) on 10 points but a player to watch for is Forward Luiz Fernando, who had two goals in their last cup match. He also came off the bench and scored a goal in their league match this past weekend in a 2-1 defeat to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.Forward Brian Shriver is the team’s leading goal scorer with three goals during the 2018 USL season. Shriver is one of the top lower division scorers in the Modern Era of the US Open Cup with eight career goals.In 2012, during his time with North Carolina FC, he lead the tournament with five goals.

The Philadelphia Union are coming into this match (5-6-3) with 18 points in MLS play this season and are battling for a playoff spot in the MLS Eastern Conference and currently sit in seventh place. Midfielders Boreck Dockal and IIlsinho are tied as the Union’s top goal scorers in MLS with three goals each. The Union will look to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat to Atlanta United this past weekend. This is the first time these two teams will meet in the US Open Cup. For the Union, they hope to get back to the US Open Cup Final where they haven’t been since reaching in back-to-back seasons in 2014 and 2015.If you are a fan of penalty kicks, history would tell you the odds are pretty good. In the last four years, the Union have had nine of their 15 Open Cup matches go to extra time and six of them went to penalty kicks.

The Kickers are aiming for a third win in a single US Open Cup tournament for the first time since they reached the Semifinals in 2011.

Tuesday, June 5
FULL MATCH REPORT

The defending USL Cup champions, Louisville City FC, comes into the Fourth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup for the second time after back-to-back wins. The Boys in Purple had two shutout performances so far with a 1-0 win over St. Louis FC in the Third Round and a 5-0 win over the Long Island Rough Riders in the Second Round respectively.

Louisville City FC comes into this match in great shape having won three out of five games in USL play. Forward Cameron Lancaster, is leading the team in the USL with six goals this season. In the tournament, they’ve had six different goal scorers with Lancaster getting one of them. Louisville City FC is currently in second place in the USL Eastern Conference (7-2-1) with 22 points and will be well-rested as the team had no games this past weekend.

The New England Revolution is coming in the US Open Cup after a huge 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls this past weekend in MLS with Teal Bunbury getting the winning goal. The Revs are currently in fifth place in the Eastern Conference in MLS with a record of (6-4-4) with 22 points holding a playoff spot. Teal Bunbury is the team’s leading goal scorer with eight goals for the Revs this season.

Louisville City FC is looking at finally getting its first win against an MLS opponent in their brief Open Cup history while the Revs want to get back to the Final like they did in their 2016 run when they finished runners up losing to FC Dallas. The 2007 US Open Cup champions got to the Quarterfinals last year, falling to the New York Red Bulls, 1-0 at Harvard University after finishing with 10 men.This is the first meeting between these two teams.

Tuesday, June 5
FULL MATCH REPORT

North Carolina FC is coming into Round 4 of the 2018 US Open Cup after a dominating 4-1 win in the previous round over the Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL). NCFC also shutout Lansdowne Bhoys FC 3-0 in the Second Round of the tournament. Since Ocean City pulled off an upset over the Charlotte Independence (USL) in Round 2, NCFC has yet to play a pro team in the tournament so their first professional test will be against the three-time Open Cup champion D.C. United.

North Carolina FC’s league form has been in the middle of the pack with a 3-5-2 record. Their last time out they suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat at home against the Bethlehem Steel FC who scored a pair of goals in the final two minutes of the game to get the win over NCFC this past weekend. North Carolina FC is in 12th place in the USL Eastern Conference. Forward Daniel Rios is NCFC’s leading goal scorer in league play with five goals. Forward Mario Lomis also has two goals in the US Open Cup for NCFC as the team has outscored their opponents 7-1 in the US Open Cup. He is also second on the team in goals for NCFC with three tallies so far in the USL this season.

D.C. United is currently dead last in the MLS Eastern Conference (2-5-3) with nine points as they enter the tournament. They will be well-rested as United had no league games this past weekend and hope to bring some grit in this game like they did in their last match in a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Los Angeles FC. Their leading goal scorer is forward Darren Mattocks with five goals in MLS this season with Midfielder Yamil Assad right behind him with three goals in league play.Making a deep run in the US Open Cup despite their poor league form is not a foreign concept for United. In 2013, they won their third US Open Cup title despite finishing as the worst team in MLS, upsetting a very talented Real Salt Lake team on the road. According to TheCup.us research, they are the worst team to lift the trophy in the 105-year history of the tournament. So, there’s always a chance.

This will be the first time North Carolina FC goes on the road in the tournament after playing their first two Open Cup games at home looking to advance in three straight games for the first time since reaching the Quarterfinals in 2014. NCFC (under the name Carolina RailHawks) are one of the more accomplished lower division teams in the tournament. They have reached the Quarterfinals three times, and they advanced to the Semifinals in their inaugural season in 2007. They have also eliminated six different MLS teams in their club history, with their last win coming in the 2014 Fifth Round against the Los Angeles Galaxy.

This is the battle of two teams that have played most of their Open Cup games at home. Out of the 31 tournament games they have played, North Carolina FC have only played four road games. They are 1-3-0 in those games. D.C. United have played 50 games in the US Open Cup and 30 of them have been played at home and they are 23-5-2 (2-0 in PKs) all-time in front of their home fans.

LIVE VIDEO (USSoccer.com)

Based on league standings and recent form, hosts Columbus Crew would seem likely to best the Chicago Fire in their Fourth Round US Open Cup matchup on Wednesday night. While the two teams traded wins in Columbus in 2018 MLS action, the Fire’s win came in an early April game 1-0, which the Crew avenged in May with a comprehensive 3-0 scoreline. Columbus is healthy and has momentum, while the Fire are struggling to recover from offseason moves and injuries that have made mincemeat of general manager Nelson Rodriguez’s three-year plan for the club’s reconstruction.

While the specter of a move to Austin under the leadership of owner Anthony Precourt looms over the Crew’s 2018 season, the team’s performance has been positive during the first half of 2018. Columbus recently saw the return of talismanic Argentinian central defender Gaston Sauro, whose support of the team never wavered during his 18-month absence even as his posterior knee ligament recovery floundered. While the team has been anticipating his return which finally happened against Kansas City on May 27, they sit third in the Eastern Conference as of June 3 with a 15-7-3 record overall. Columbus also boasts a 5-1-2 home record and enters their Open Cup matchup with Chicago unbeaten since a mid-April away loss to D.C. United. The Crew are 4-0-4 since then, with ties away against Western Conference powerhouse Sporting Kansas City and at home against last year’s MLS Cup winner Toronto FC during the past two weeks. While Gyasi Zardes sits third in the Golden Boot standings on nine goals and Fernando Higuain is 3rd place in assists (tied with 6 others players) with six helpers on the season, Columbus’ strength is in the back. Before the Toronto game Columbus led the league in goals conceded with 9. At that time goalie Zach Steffen had a .69% goals against average, which at the time was tied for first in the league among keepers with 900 or more minutes in the net in 2018 MLS action.

Columbus has had success in the US Open Cup since their first entry in 1998, winning the tourney in 2002 and reaching the final in 1998 and 2010. Overall the Crew have a 22-15-2 (0-2 PKs) record in US Open Cup play and a home record of 14-6-1. Since their runner-up finish in 2010, however, they are 4-7 in USOC play, with three losses in the Fourth Round, all to lower-division opponents. During that time they have accumulated a 3-3 home record. They have never played an MLS team before the Round of 16 prior to this year’s matchup with the Fire.

While Crew fans curse owner Precourt for threatening to move the Crew from Columbus after 22 years in MLS, Fire fans have had plenty to complain about under owner Andrew Hauptmann since he took over in 2008. Signing 2014 German Word Cup captain Bastian Schweinsteiger in 2017 seemed to indicate a slight loosening of Hauptmann’s purse strings, but the team under Rodriguez failed to make any signature signings heading into the 2018 season in spite of injuries to offensive midfielder Michael DeLeeuw, defender Matt Polster, and local prodigy Djordje Mihailovic, a budding midfield creator. The Fire sit on a record of 5-7-2 (2-3-1 away), with a minus-5 goal differential and a 3-4 record since the beginning of May.

Golden Boot winner Nemanja Nikolic has seen his production ebb as a result of flagging midfield service, though offseason acquisition Alan Gordon has netted three times in three games prior to the Fire’s Open Cup opener. At 36 years old, Gordon is best as a supersub, but given the seven injuries to Chicago’s lineup, including midfield engine Dax McCarty, he may see his time stretched to cover the holes. Schweinsteiger has a fluid role and has played this season everywhere from central defense to offensive midfield, sometimes within a single game. Defensively the Fire have struggled to establish continuity, switching from ‘keeper Richard Sanchez to Patrick McClain in mid-May, only to see McClain go down against San Jose on June 2nd with no word on his availability vs Columbus.

If Columbus fans are encouraged and Fire fans are discouraged by the teams’ 2018 MLS results, their attitudes will change after considering USOC form.

There’s no question that the Fire are the more successful of the two teams in the Open Cup with a 40-14-5 (3-2 PKs) record overall, having reached the semifinal round 11 out of 17 times and the final six times. The Fire have won the Dewar Cup four times, in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006. The team takes the tournament very seriously and since 2010 has reached the semifinals four times (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) and were runners up in 2011. The most notable recent blemish in their record was a loss in 2012 to the PDL’s Michigan Bucks.

In head-to-head USOC action, the Fire have a distinct advantage, leading the series 5-0 since the two teams first met in the final of the 1998 edition – a 2-1 Fire win at Soldier Field. In fact, the Crew are the Fire’s most frequent foe in US Open Cup action, and suffer from the greatest goal differential (minus-7 on 15 Fire and 8 Crew goals) among all 36 historic USOC opponents. This is the second most common Open Cup matchup in the Modern Era.

Crew fans can take some cold comfort in knowing that there has never been a shutout in series history, and four of the six games have been decided in extra time (none in penalties). Given that this could be the last meeting of the two teams in Columbus, history suggests that fans of both sides can look forward to a goal, and maybe more, in this classic USOC matchup.

LIVE VIDEO (USSoccer.com)

The Cup has not been kind to New York City FC in the club’s brief history with the team crashing out in the first game in each of its first three years. They lost to the New York Cosmos in the first two years and then last year to the New York Red Bulls. Patrick Vieira will try to turn that streak around with a new revamped team this year. Red Bulls have faired better in past seasons making the Final of the tournament on two occasions (2000, 2017) but never winning the whole thing. They have the motivation to move forward again this year and try to improve on last years successes.Both teams are in excellent form in MLS. NYCFC sit second in the Eastern conference and can jump into first this weekend with a win over top place Atlanta.

Red Bulls are currently in fourth place but have several games in hand against the other teams because of the CONCACAF Champions run earlier this season.This should be a very entertaining match up with both sides having players to watch. Ismael Tajouri-Shradi has been red hot this season for NYCFC scoring a brace against Orlando this last weekend. Look for Vieira to play youngster Jonathan Lewis as part of the rotation for the Open Cup as well. Lewis has not seen much playing time this season but looked hungry and very talented off the bench this last weekend. If you throw David Villa into the mix then NYCFC will be quite formidable indeed.Don’t look for Marsch to pull his line up for this game either. Bradley Wright Phillips is one of the most prolific strikers in the league and the new addition of Kaku has paid off in spades for the club. Both are dangerous and very talented on the attack and have been combining well in recent weeks.

Make no mistake this game is a rivalry match. The last meeting at Red Bull Arena was all red. Marsch’s squad put up four goals against an NYCFC team that looked out of sorts and surprised from the first minute. Alexander Ring said “After the result in the last game, we don’t need any motivation.”

NYCFC have something to prove with this game to themselves and to fans. Don’t look for them to back off or not come ready to play. Both teams see this match as another derby game.

There is no love lost between these two teams or their fans. This is a battle for NYC and bragging rights. It is a chance for NYCFC to regain some dignity after the last lopsided loss. Both teams may rest some players, but make no mistake the people coming off the bench will be ready to play and prove themselves. Both teams want to win not just to advance in the Cup but also to be able to gloat to rival New Yorkers. It will be a battle from start to finish.

LIVE VIDEO (USSoccer.com)

Of the three open division sides to advance to Round 4 of the 2018 Open Cup, only Miami United FC of the NPSL will have the honor to host an MLS team in Orlando City SC.

This will be the first meeting between the two sides. Orlando will travel to Miami looking to turn around a four-match losing streak in MLS, while Miami currently sit atop the NPSL Sunshine Conference Division. Miami are on their best Open Cup run in their short history, having ousted local side FC Kendall and pro sides from the NPSL (and former NASL teams) Jacksonville Armada and Miami FC 2 on their journey to the MLS round.

Orlando have been entering this tournament since their Austin Aztex days in 2009 and have reached the Quarterfinals twice (2013, 2015). History is on the side of Orlando as they have never lost to an open division team in team history (8-0-0).Leading the way for Miami will be their No. 10 David Ochoa, currently the leading scorer in the 2018 tournament with five goals, including this beauty from Round 1.

MLS rookie Chris Mueller will likely feature for Orlando. The winger has quickly become a fan favorite, having netted three goals and three assists in league play.Also of note, Orlando players PC and Stefano Pinho were both acquired by the club from Miami FC after having scored game-winning goals against the Lions in the 2016 and 2017 tournaments, respectively. Miami United FC will be hoping for a sellout crowd of 10,000 at Ted Hendricks Stadium.

LIVE VIDEO (USSoccer.com)

The Charleston Battery will be out to punch their ticket to the US Open Cup’s Round of 16 on Wednesday. They’ll need to knock off one of MLS’ top sides to make that happen. Charleston will visit Atlanta United for the second straight year in a US Open Cup Fourth Round matchup in Kennesaw, Ga. Atlanta will open their portion of the competition this week, along with the 19 other US-based MLS teams.

The Battery – a former USL affiliate of Atlanta United – kicked off their USOC run with a 1-0 victory over PDL side South Georgia Tormenta FC on May 16 before another 1-0 result against the NPSL’s Elm City Express a week later. They currently sit at 20 points, three points clear of USL Eastern Conference leader Louisville City FC, and are unbeaten in its last 11 matches across all competitions. Ataullah Guerra is tied for second in the USL in scoring with seven goals, while Atlanta loanee Gordon Wild (three league goals) should feature in the attack.Charleston are one of the top lower division teams in the US Open Cup’s Modern Era. No lower division team has more appearances in the Quarterfinals (six), and they, along with the Rochester Rhinos, have three Semifinal appearances. The Battery are the only lower division team not named “Rhinos” to reach an Open Cup Final. They lost 2-1 to D.C. United at RFK Stadium back in 2008.

Atlanta United are coming off a 3-1 victory against the Philadelphia Union in a match that saw a pair of Philadelphia players sent off in the opening 20 minutes. Thanks to a Josef Martinez hat trick, his record-tying fifth of his career, Atlanta maintained its spot atop of the MLS’ Supporter Shield standings with 29 points despite a relatively uneven performance considering the circumstances. Martinez currently leads MLS with 12 goals – three clear of the New York Red Bulls’ Bradley Wright-Phillips – while Miguel Almiron is tied with five other players for third in the league with six assists.

Last season, Atlanta topped Charleston 3-2 in a comeback win during the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup. Atlanta would fall in their Round of 16 match that followed, as they were upset 3-2 in extra time by Miami FC of the NASL. The two sides also met in the Battery’s annual preseason Carolinas Challenge Cup in February and played to a scoreless draw.

LIVE VIDEO (USSoccer.com)

The Clerical Error Clasico will help kick off the second night of US Open Cup Fourth Round action as Minnesota United FC travels to Nippert Stadium to take on the newest members of the Major League Soccer family, FC Cincinnati.

While having the match-up in Cincinnati a week after MLS announced that they would be joining in 2019 seems like fantastic planning, it almost never came to be. Due to a clerical error on the part of US Soccer, Minnesota was originally supposed to host to match. There’s only one issue with that: The Loons management never asked to host a Fourth Round match but instead had asked to host a Fifth or a Quarterfinal match at TCF Bank Stadium. US Soccer reviewed the original application and made the adjustment, giving the hosting rights to FC Cincinnati.

This will be the first meeting between the two sides and really the first time that many of these players have ever played with or against one another. Cincinnati winger Lance Laing played for Minnesota in their final season in the NASL in 2016. Other than that it is very much a blank slate which should make for an interesting Cup match. Historically speaking, Cincinnati may feel like they have the edge, with their well-documented Cup run to the Semifinals last season. Minnesota have never advanced beyond the Fourth Round dating back to their time as the Minnesota Stars in the D2 Pro league.Current results also tend to favor Cincinnati. Head coach Alan Koch currently has the USL side in first place in the Eastern Conference (7-2-3, 24 points) and coming off of a 2-1 win on Saturday over New York Red Bulls II. While they lead the Conference in goals (22) it is not one particular player that is scoring more than any other. Their leading goalscorers are Danni Konig and Emmanuel Ledesma, each with five. Ledesma and fellow midfielder Richie Ryan like to hold possession for long stretches and to use a variety of teammates when creating attacking chances. That gave the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC immense problems in their 3-1 loss in the last round of the Cup. Look for Koch to employ a similar strategy against a Minnesota side that will be without Francisco Calvo who is currently in training with Costa Rica for the 2018 World Cup.

Minnesota, meanwhile, are currently in ninth place in MLS’ Western Conference standings (5-7-1, 16 points) coming off of a two game stretch in which they have secured four points in their last three matches. Although they did lose to Sporting Kansas City 3-1 on Sunday they did hold their own against After an incredibly challenging 2017 season, head coach Adrian Heath has The Loons playing at least more with consistency this season. The addition of Darwin Quintero has helped as well. Since joining the club in March from America of Mexico the Ecuadorean international has scored three goals and helped give Christian Ramirez and Miguel Ibarra the chance to rekindle their famous partnership that saw them win silverware in the NASL. Cincinnati has struggled a bit on the defensive front, allowing 16 goals. If Ibarra can find space to create chances for Quintero and Ramirez deep inside Cincy territory they might just get their first Open Cup win.

One other small note: Minnesota midfielder Maximiano was sent off in Sunday’s match. Barring a quick appeal process from the MLS Disciplinary Committee he will likely be out for Saturday’s match. However he is available for Wednesday’s match against Cincinnati.

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In two years, these teams will meet each other in the depths of the MLS regular season. But first, they meet for the first time ever in their Fourth Round tilt on Wednesday in Tennessee. Nashville has taken care of business in their maiden Open Cup voyage, dispatching amateur sides Inter Nashville FC and Mississippi Brilla 2-0 and 3-1, respectively. They’ll be hosting a Rapids side looking for their first Open Cup quarterfinal berth since 2006.

While the Rapids were recently good enough to qualify for CONCACAF Champions’ League (in which they lost a two-leg series to Toronto FC this past February), they’ve fallen on some hard times in MLS, finishing second-to-last in the Western Conference in 2017 and managing a mere eight points from 12 games so far in 2018.As far as the Open Cup goes, the Rapids have struggled since their best finish in 1999. Colorado advanced to the championship game in 1999, famously falling to the Rochester Raging Rhinos of the A-League as they became the first non-MLS team to win the tournament since 1996. Since that loss in the 1999 Final, the Rapids have not won multiple games in a single tournament and they have been eliminated six times by lower division competition. Their streak of 14 consecutive tournaments without multiple wins is an unfortunate Modern Era record. They actually have a losing record against Division 2 pro teams (6-7-0).They have defeated USL teams in their opening match in each of the last three years, only to be eliminated by a Texas-based MLS team in the following round (Houston Dynamo in 2015, FC Dallas in 2016, 2017).

With MLS on the horizon, Nashville has assembled a team largely composed of hopefuls for the next level and it has showed. They are fifth in the league in points per game in the 16-team USL Eastern Conference. Powered by Red Bulls Academy product Brandon Allen and backstopped by MLS veteran Matt Pickens, Nashville arguably already has a similar level of talent as the Rapids without taking into account if the latter will bring a reserve squad.

Colorado last won a major trophy in 2010, when they beat FC Dallas in extra time to win the last neutral-site MLS Cup. Pickens and midfielder Kosuke Kimura, both now starters for Nashville, played 120 minutes in that MLS Cup, with Pickens making a crucial first-minute save.

Another fun fact about this match is that this is the first time a MLS team has played a game in Tennessee since 1998 when the Nashville Metros upset the Kansas City Wizards (Sporting KC) in the Third Round.

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Before this year, the Rayados were first-round mainstays, having qualified for seven straight tournament but only once playing more than one game (2014, where they took out the Austin Aztex in penalties before falling to the San Antonio Scorpions). Needless to say, 2018 has been different. After dispatching DFW neighbors Fort Worth Vaqueros, the Rayados took the OKC Energy to extra time before pouring it on and winning 5-2. NTX then took out FC Wichita (NPSL), who had just upset a USL team of their own in the previous round.

Now the Rayados face their biggest challenge: A road game against the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer.

The Rayados are just the seventh local open division team (non-PDL, non-NPSL) to reach the Fourth Round and they have gotten there largely with the help of their super sub Christian Okeke. Okeke has scored the game-winning goal in every win by NTX Rayados during this Open Cup run. He scored the game-winning goal in the 115th minute against the Vaqueros in Round 1 and earned TheCup.us Player of the Round honors for scoring the 90th minute equalizer and the game-winning goal in extra time against OKC Energy. Okeke scored his fourth goal of the tournament in the 86th minute in the win over FC Wichita.

Though they’ve been to MLS Cup four times and won it twice, the Dynamo have never made it to the US Open Cup Final. With CONCACAF Champions League qualification limited to just MLS Cup and the Open Cup this year and Houston on a relative upswing, the Dynamo will hope to break that streak behind their electric Honduran attacking duo of Alberth Elis and Mauro Manotas. The Dynamo are sitting middle of the table in the MLS Western Conference with a 5-5-3 record. They have lost their last two games — both on the road — against Real Salt Lake and last weekend against the Montreal Impact, 1-0.The Dynamo reached the Round of 16 last year, but lost to the eventual champions Sporting Kansas City 2-0 at BBVA Compass Stadium.

The Dynamo have reached the Semifinals twice (2006, 2009) but haven’t reached beyond the Quarterfinals since 2009. A more regional draw hasn’t helped with the variety of Houston’s opponents in recent years. Over the last five years, they have been eliminated by FC Dallas three times, and Sporting Kansas City twice. This will be the first meeting against an amateur team for the Dynamo since they defeated the Laredo Heat (PDL) in the 2014 Fourth Round. They have never lost to an amateur team (3-0-0).

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Wednesday night will see the first-ever meeting between Texas neighbors (a very relative term in this case) San Antonio FC and FC Dallas. San Antonio’s path to the Fourth Round started even deeper in the heart of Texas, where they routed the Midland-Odessa Sockers 4-0. They then returned home to take out fellow USL Western Conferencer Colorado Springs in penalties. On Wednesday night, SAFC will hope to advance further in the Open Cup than they have in their first three years of existence.

Meanwhile, San Antonio is off to a relatively middling start to the USL season. They’re straddling the playoff line through 12 games (4-3-5) after earning the No. 2 seed in last year’s USL Western Conference playoffs. In their last game, they defeated the Portland Timbers 2 by the score of 2-1 to snap a three-game winless streak (0-1-2).

After a 2016 that saw them snap a 19-year trophy drought with a US Open Cup title and winning the Supporters’ Shield, FC Dallas was in the hunt for a Supporters’ Shield but went into a massive and inexplicable tailspin in the second half of 2017, and missed out on the playoffs entirely. That seems to be firmly in the rear-view mirror now, as FC Dallas currently sits second in the MLS Western Conference as the league’s lone one-loss team (7-1-5). They are currently in the midst of a six-game unbeaten streak (4-0-2).

The two-time champion FC Dallas are one of the most successful teams in the Modern Era of the US Open Cup. They have reached the Final four times (1997, 2005, 2007, 2016), and no team in the history of the tournament has more Quarterfinal appearances (16) and only three teams have more Semifinal appearances than FC Dallas’ nine.

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Sporting Kansas City’s quest to defend their 2017 Open Cup title starts in Salt Lake. With Real Salt Lake having joined MLS in 2005, the two Western Conference franchises have nearly split in their all-time regular season meetings, with SKC taking one more W at 8-7-5. Their first and only meeting in the Open Cup came in 2015 when Kansas City topped RSL 3-1 in the Semifinal before going on to beat the Philadelphia Union in the Final.

After that 2015 loss, RSL won a penalty kick shootout against the Wilmington Hammerheads (USL) and then lost a PK shootout against the Seattle Sounders before losing 4-1 against the Sacramento Republic in their opening match last year. Since penalty kick shootouts are officially listed as draws, they bring a four-game winless streak into this year’s tournament.Sporting has seen much more success in the historic tournament, having lifted the cup a total of four times (2004, 2012, 2015, 2017). RSL came close during in the 2013 Open Cup (the 100th edition of the tournament), when they lost 1-0 at home to D.C. United. Two months later, RSL would fall to Sporting KC in the MLS Cup Final after 10 rounds of penalties.

The one to watch for Sporting Kansas City will be 21-year-old striker Daniel Salloi. The Homegrown Hungarian finished the 2017 tournament tied for fourth on goals scored, including the game-winner in the Final. Wednesday’s match could also see brothers Matt Besler, of SKC, and Nick Besler, of RSL, face off against one another. It would mark the first time the two face each other in a competitive match at any level.

This will be a battle of two of the top teams in the MLS Western Conference as Sporting Kansas City holds the second-best record in the entire league (8-2-4). Real Salt Lake is in third place (7-6-1), six points behind Kansas City. Sporting defeated Minnesota United 4-1 last Sunday to extend the club’s unbeaten streak to five games (3-0-2). RSL is on a hot streak of their own after defeating the Seattle Sounders 2-0 to extend their winning streak to three games.

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This match up pits two expansion sides against each other as the Fresno Foxes from the USL travels to first-year MLS side Los Angeles FC.

Fresno FC survived a scare in Round 3 to earn the right to play a MLS side in the Fourth Round. The Foxes needed extra time to knock off UPSL underdogs Sporting AZ FC by the score of 2-1 after falling behind 1-0 in the 66th minute. They also pushed it to extra time in Round 2 to get past NPSL side Orange County FC. Fresno has been led, to this point, in Open Cup play by Renato Bustamante, who has scored in each overtime for the club.

The Foxes currently sit in 11th place in the 17-team USL Western Conference standings and are coming off a 4-0 thumping of the Seattle Sounders II in league play over the weekend.Their opponents, LAFC, have made a big splash in their inaugural MLS campaign. The club is led by head coach Bob Bradley who is no stranger to the Open Cup. Bradley has twice won this tournament both in 1998 and in 2000 with the Chicago Fire. When he won the Cup with Chicago in 1998 they were an expansion side much like his current LAFC team. He is assisted by Ante Razov, who has lifted the Cup three times as a player, as well as Marc Dos Santos, who has managed his share of lower league sides through the tournament, and knows the USL well.

LAFC is currently riding high in fourth place in the MLS Western Conference standings even though they are coming off a tough 2-1 loss to Dallas at the weekend. The club will also be without a handful of players who have already left for the World Cup.

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FC Golden State Force has been one of the top stories of the 2018 US Open Cup Tournament so far. The PDL side from Whittier, Calif. earned the right to play the Los Angeles Galaxy after upsetting two USL teams in the last two rounds. After getting by the LA Wolves in Round 1, the Force knocked off Orange County Soccer Club in the Second Round by a score of 4-2 before going on to a 2-1 upset of the Las Vegas Lights in Round 3.Allisson Faramillo has led the Force. He was named TheCup.us Player of the Round after scoring two goals in the win over Las Vegas. The Brazilian has scored at least one goal in all three rounds so far and is tied for second in the tournament with four goals.The Force currently sit a top the PDL’s Southwest Conference, dominating most of their league opponents, including a 3-0 win over the Santa Cruz Breakers this past Sunday. This is Golden State’s second trip to the US Open Cup as they reached the Second Round last season where they fell to Orange County SC.The Force will now get to face off against one of the more successful teams in the US Open Cup’s Modern Era.

Their opponent, the five-time MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy, have twice won the US Open Cup, but haven’t lifted the trophy since 2005. Since then, the Galaxy have struggled to find consistency in this tournament, having been knocked off by lower league opponents on more than one occasion. They also received a scare from amateur side La Maquina in 2016 before winning that Fourth Round match in extra time. Last season, the Galaxy reached the Quarterfinals before being knocked out by their rivals from Northern California, the San Jose Earthquakes. The Galaxy have struggled to start this season as they currently sit in eighth place in the MLS Western Conference standings following a 1-1 draw against the Portland Timbers this past weekend.

With a tough start to the league season, their biggest headline has been the signing of international sensation Zlatan Ibrahimovic. It’s unlikely that Ibrahimovic will play against the amateur side, but this is Zlatan we’re talking about and he’s very tough to predict.

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The San Jose Earthquakes and the Portland Timbers are two MLS sides that have not had the best success when it comes to Open Cup performance, as neither side has ever been able to reach the Final of the Tournament.The Earthquakes tied their best US Open Cup performance last season as they reached the Semifinals of the US Open Cup before falling on penalty kicks to the eventual champions, Sporting Kansas City. The Quakes have reached the Semifinal on one other occasion back in 2004, but have really struggled for results in the Cup since then. They did not qualify four times (2008-11) and only reached the Quarterfinals twice during that span.

San Jose has gotten off to a really slow start in league play this season under new head coach Mikael Stahre, as they currently sit in 10th place in the MLS Western Conference with just nine points through 13 matches. This includes a 2-1 loss this past weekend to the Chicago Fire.The Timbers boasts one of the best fan bases in the league that would surely like to add a US Open Cup to their trophy cabinet. The Timbers have been competing in the tournament since they made their debut in 2004 as an A-League (USL) team. Their best run in the Cup came in 2013 when they reached the Semifinal before falling on the road to Real Salt Lake, 2-1. Outside of that run to the final four, only three of their 13 Open Cup appearances have seen them win multiple games in a single competition.

Last season, their Cascadia rivals from Seattle bounced the Timbers out of the tournament in the Fourth Round by a score of 2-1. The club has had a decent start to their MLS campaign with new head coach Giovanni Savarese who has some experience in the Open Cup with the New York Cosmos where he upset multiple MLS clubs as coach in New York. The Timbers currently sit in fifth place in the MLS Western Conference after coming off of a 1-1 home draw with the LA Galaxy this past weekend.

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The Seattle Sounders will begin another attempt to tie the all-time record with a fifth US Open Cup title as they travel away to USL West Coast powerhouse, Sacramento Republic.The last time the Republic hosted a MLS side in the Open Cup they knocked off Real Salt Lake in a dominant 4-1 victory last season. In the following round, the LA Galaxy knocked Sacramento out of the competition, causing Sacramento to leave their best Open Cup run in the Fifth Round.The Republic reached the Fourth Round of this year’s competition by first dispatching PDL side San Francisco City FC In Round 2 before traveling to Nevada to knock out Reno 1868 FC in the Third Round, 1-0.Currently, Sacramento is off to a strong start in league play as they sit in third place in the USL’s Western Conference behind Phoenix on goal differential. They have won four of their last five games after defeating Orange County SC, 1-0 last Saturday.

The Sounders have a rich history in the US Open Cup dating back to their USL days. They reached the Semifinals in 2007 and 2008 before joining MLS and winning three straight tournaments from 2009-11. They lost in the 2012 Final to Sporting Kansas City in penalty kicks and after their first one-and-done experience in 2013, they came back to win the 2014 tournament over the Philadelphia Union in extra time. The Sounders always take the Open Cup seriously and with great pride.

The reigning MLS Western Conference champions have had a really slow start to the MLS season however as they currently sit in 11th place in the Western Conference table, only eight points ahead of last place Colorado on goal differential. The team’s problems this season are from their inability to score as they currently have found the back of the net on just seven occasions through 11 games. They most recently were shut out once again by Real Salt Lake this past weekend by a score of 2-0. They could use a good Open Cup run to give them some momentum to help them out of the bottom of the league.