Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Real Salt Lake

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

by

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

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

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

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

2011 MLS qualifying bracket

First Round

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

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

Second Round

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

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

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

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

Third Round*

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

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

MLS qualifying team profiles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Portland Timbers: 2011 MLS expansion club

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

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

Hosting MLS qualifying games (2007-2010)

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

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

Andy Najar’s OT winner beats Real Salt Lake; DC United last MLS team to qualify for US Open Cup

by

By Thomas Floyd | World Soccer Reader

Only 3,074 fans braved the muggy June weather, questionable officiating and largely uninspired play at RFK Stadium for D.C. United’s U.S. Open Cup qualifier against Real Salt Lake on Wednesday. But after 116 minutes, a 17-year-old kid from Honduras gave them a moment to hang on to, a dose of drama and class that defined the match.

REAL SALT LAKE
1:2
DC UNITED
 After Extra Time
RFK Stadium – Washington D.C.

Scoring Summary
DCU: Luciano Emilio (PK) – 74th
RSL: Ryan Johnson (PK) – 81st
DCU: Andy Najar (Unassisted) – 107th
Recaps
MLSSoccer.com | ESPN LA
World Soccer Reader | SL Tribune
Quotes: DC United

2010 US Open Cup Bracket
2010 US Open Cup First Round Draw

With the game tied 1-1 and the second extra time period starting, United used its final sub to add Andy Najar, a crafty young winger who scored his first MLS goal four days earlier. He promptly collected the ball on the right flank, cut into the penalty area and used a clever touch to split Salt Lake’s Tony Beltran and Will Johnson before sliding a shot under the charging Kyle Reynish.

Goal. He had been on the field for less than two minutes, but his impact was made. Just like that.

“I’m really happy to score the goal,” Najar said. “Luckily, I got the opportunity and was able to take advantage of it.”
United fielded a largely second choice lineup for its third fixture in eight days, with right back Jordan Graye and central midfielder Stephen King as the only starters from Saturday’s 3-2 league win over Chivas USA to again crack the first 11. This meant a seat on the bench for Najar during regulation while a pair of dubious penalty kick calls led to a tally for each side. When coach Curt Onalfo called the rookie’s number late, however, Najar was more than ready.

“We wanted to make sure we would save our last sub until the last possible moment,” Onalfo said. “Certainly, at the end, Andy stepped up and showed us some brilliance that he really has.”

The hype surrounding Najar has been tangible since he first traveled with United for preseason training in February. Although his presence was widely dismissed as an exercise in experience, the Choluteca native’s flashy play and uncanny confidence earned him a first-team contract and an opening day start.

“I thought he was a very special player, very talented,” recalled forward Santino Quaranta, who himself entered the league as a 16-year-old. “The best thing about him is he has an amazing head on his shoulders.”

Najar’s first few performances were quiet affairs as he adjusted to the rhythm and physicality of the professional game while also being slowed by injuries. In recording his first professional goal and assist during a 4-2 Open Cup qualifier triumph against FC Dallas on April 28, Najar gave the Black-and-Red supporters a taste of what he could do. During Saturday’s victory, Najar’s well-taken header against Chivas USA opened the scoring, and his energy gave the Goats’ backline fits all match.

If there were any doubters about his status as one of the most exciting young players in MLS today, his game-changing 15-minute cameo against Real Salt Lake should silence them.

When Najar set his eyes on goal, he didn’t think twice about individually taking on Beltran and Johnson, two key cogs from a team that won the MLS Cup in November. And why should he have? After all, a few months ago he thought he would be spending early June winding down junior year and looking forward to summer vacation.
“He’s dynamic. He doesn’t really think a lot – he just does it,” Quaranta said. “It’s great to have him on the team. He’s gritty, he’s a great kid and I really enjoy having him here.”

Added defender Devon McTavish: “It doesn’t matter what minute you put him in, he’s going to be dangerous.”
Scarecely attended and only televised via a live stream on United’s website, the match didn’t garner the audience it – and Najar – ultimately deserved. But word of mouth will spread about the wunderkind roaming the pitch at 2400 East Capitol St. When it does, MLS fans will understand what they’ve been missing.
Simply put, it’s time to believe the hype.

Video highlights, courtesy of Behind The Badge.

Win & You’re In: DC United to host Real Salt Lake on June 2

by

Major League Soccer will add to their list of Lamar Hunt US Open Cup entries on June 2 when DC United hosts Real Salt Lake at RFK Stadium. DC, the 2008 Open Cup champions who have played 11 straight Cup-related games at home, will bring in the defending MLS Cup champions, who are trying to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 2006

Contributing to their lack of recent success in Open Cup qualifying may be ‘location, location, location.’ While United haven’t played an Open Cup game or a qualifier away from home since 2007, RSL have never won an Open Cup-related match away from home (0-2 in the tournament, 0-3 in qualifying).

United have taken part in MLS’ Open Cup qualifying competition the last two years, despite reaching the Cup final the year before each time. The teams that take part in qualifying are based on their regular season finish from the prior season. United finished in 10th place in 2008 and again in 2009.

The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. and TheCup.us will be hosting a live blog during the match.

2010 MLS Qualifying schedule

Win & You’re In: Real Salt Lake at DC United – June 2, 7:30 p.m. – RFK Stadium (Washington D.C.)
New England Revolution at New York Red Bulls – May 12, 8 p.m. – Red Bull Arena (Harrison, NJ)

Win & You’re In: Colorado Rapids at New England/New York winner – Date TBA

US Open Cup qualifying: Real Salt Lake advance with a PK thriller at San Jose

by

2010 MLS Open Cup qualifying bracket
2010 MLS Open Cup qualifying bracket (From MLSsoccer.com video)

 Real Salt Lake
3:3
San Jose Earthquakes
RSL advances 5-3 on PKs

Win & You’re In:
Real Salt Lake
at
FC Dallas or D.C. United Date TBA

Recaps: RSL | SJE
SJ Mercury News
Behind the Shield (RSL)
Video: Post-game

Scoring Summary
7th (RSL) Robbie Findley (unassisted)
60th (RSL) Nelson Gonzalez (unassisted)
68th (SJE) Chris Leitch (unassisted)
88th (SJE) Arturo Alvarez (Ramiro Corrales)
103rd (SJE) Justin Morrow (Arturo Alvarez)
117th (RSL) Nat Borchers (Robbie Russell)

Penalty Kick Summary
RSL – Will Johnson – GOAL
SJE – Arturo Alvarez – MISS RIGHT
RSL – Kyle Beckerman – GOAL
SJE – Joey Gjertsen – GOAL
RSL – Robbie Findley – GOAL
SJE – Brandon McDonald – GOAL
RSL – Robbie Russell – GOAL
SJE – Ramon Sanchez – GOAL
RSL – Andy Williams – GOAL

In an exciting back-and-forth night at Buck Shaw Stadium, Real Salt Lake advanced to the next round of US Open Cup qualifying, winning a penalty kick shootout with the San Jose Earthquakes. The defending MLS Cup champions blew a two-goal lead, fell behind 3-2 in overtime, but managed to equalize in the 117th minute and survive the shootout, 5-3.

It was their first-ever road win in Open Cup play (qualifying or tournament games) for RSL, and they will move on to face the winner of the FC Dallas, D.C. United match on April 28 (7:30 p.m. at RFK Stadium). The game will be held either at Dallas or D.C., at a date to be determined, and whoever wins that match will qualify for the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Salt Lake, who, on the same field, defeated San Jose 3-0 just a few weeks ago, took advantage of an early defensive mistake by Quakes. In the 7th minute, Robbie Findley stole an errant pass by Chris Leitch at the back and raced in one-on-one with goalkeeper Jon Busch. Findley beat Busch, who was making his Earthquakes debut after joining the club following his release by the Chicago Fire shortly before the start of the 2010 season.

RSL would add another after halftime when Nelson Gonzalez connected on a 25-yard free kick in the 60th minute. Gonzalez beat Busch for his first goal for the club.

Eight minutes later, Leitch made up for his first half mistake by dribbling into the penalty area, finding space and firing a shot past RSL goalkeeper Kyle Reynish.

The visitors appeared to have their first road win in hand, but Arturo Alvarez of San Jose tied up the game in the 88th minute on a pass from Ramiro Corrales.

In overtime, the Earthquakes would take the lead in the 103rd minute thanks to a goal by Justin Morrow, the rookie out of Notre Dame. With three straight goals, the home team appeared to have all the momentum, but Salt Lake would snatch it away in the final minutes when Nat Borchers headed home a cross from Robbie Russell to send the game into penalty kicks.

In the shootout, Will Johnson buried his attempt to lead off the tiebreaker, but Alvarez went from hero to goat as he missed his spot kick wide right. Both teams would convert all of their kicks for the remainder, giving RSL the 5-3 victory. Kyle Beckerman, Robbie Findley, Robbie Russell and Andy Williams all scored for RSL.

For the Quakes, it is their third Open Cup qualifying loss in a row. They have not won a qualifying game in three tries since returning to MLS in 2008.

Misconduct
RSL — Will Johnson (caution), 8th minute; Kyle Beckerman (caution), 88th minute
SJ — Steve Beitashour (caution), 51st minute; Bobby Burling (caution), 108th minute

Lineups
Real Salt Lake: Reynish; Beltran, Borchers, McKenzie, Wingert (Russell 31); Johnson, Warner (Beckerman 69), Alexandre, Gonzalez (Williams 61); Findley, Saborio (Espindola 80)

San Jose: Busch; Leitch, Burling, McDonald, Corrales, Robles (Alvarez 61), Sanchez, Wondolowski (Eduardo 61, Jasseh 74), Morrow; Glen (Beitashour 13), Gjertsen

Attendance: 2,718

Copyright © 2026 • Built by Jacob Martella Web Development