Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Seattle Sounders USL

Notable upsets in the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup

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Shane Watkins of the San Francisco Bay Seals eludes San Jose Clash defender John Doyle during the Seals’ 2-1 Quarterfinal upset at Spartan Stadium on August 20, 1997. Photo: San Francisco Bay Seals

MORE: Things you should know about the Quarterfinals (Modern Era)

There have only been nine upsets in the Quarterfinal round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup since 1995, therefore all of them are, in fact, “notable.”

There have been one amateur team (albeit before MLS was launched) and two third division clubs to win a Quarterfinal games in the Modern Era (1995-present), and the rest are second division pro teams (A-League, USL First Division) knocking off Major League Soccer clubs.

Atlanta Ruckus (A-League) 1:2 Richmond Kickers (USISL Premier)
July 12, 1995
University of Richmond Stadium – Richmond, Virginia

The Richmond Kickers, the lone amateur team remaining in the tournament upset the A-League’s Atlanta Ruckus 2-1 to reach the semifinals. The Kickers took a 1-0 lead into halftime on a 13th minute goal by Rob Ukrop, but US international John Doyle answered for the Ruckus in the 52nd minute. The game-winning goal would be scored by Richmond’s Scott Snyder in the 62nd minute with Ben Crawley picking up his second assist of the game. Side note: While the Kickers were an amateur team, they featured a strong roster for future professional players including Richie Williams, Mike Clark, Brian Bates, Todd Yeagley, Brian Kamler and goalkeeper Jeff Causey.

Tampa Bay Mutiny (MLS) 3 : 4 (ASDET) Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League)
September 7, 1996
Frontier Field – Rochester, NY

In front of more than 12,000 fans at Frontier Field, the Rochester Raging Rhinos knocked off Major League Soccer’s best team, the Tampa Bay Mutiny, in sudden death overtime. It’s known as one of the most exciting Open Cup games in the Modern Era. Henry Gutierrez and Doug Miller put the Rhinos up 2-0 at the half, but it was Roy Lassiter who began one of the most thrilling 10 minutes in modern Open Cup history. Lassiter’s goal in the 80th minute brought the Mutiny to within one goal, but two minutes later, Miller would score his second to make it 3-1.

The home crowd thought the game was over, but Tampa Bay would score two goals in two minutes (Carlos Valderamma PK in the 85th and Evans Wise in the 86th on an assist from Lassiter) to send the game into overtime. 23 minutes of sudden death overtime saw the Rochester crowd whipped into a frenzy when substitute, and Rochester native, Chris Kennell scored the game-winner in the 113th minute. The first-year franchise would advance to the Open Cup Final that year, falling to DC United in the championship game.

San Francisco Bay Seals (D3 Pro League) 2 : 1 San Jose Clash (MLS)
August 20, 1997
Spartan Stadium – San Jose, CA

Ronald Cerritos converted an early first half penalty kick to put the San Jose Clash up 1-0, but the Bay Seals, the darlings of the 1997 tournament, got a pair of late goals from Shani Simpson (77th minute) and Shane Watkins (86th minute) to put them in the Semifinals. San Francisco was the first third division club to reach the Semifinals during the Modern Era. It was an achievement that wasn’t matched until 2011.

Dallas Burn (MLS) 1 : 2 (ASDET) Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League)
August 11, 1999
Frontier Field – Rochester, NY

After a 71st minute goal by Mauro Biello put Rochester in front 1-0, the Rhinos were five minutes away from pulling off the upset in regulation when Jason Kreis tied the game up thanks to an assist by Paul Broome. After 20 minutes of extra time, Michael Kirmse scored the golden goal (assisted by Darren Tilley) to send the Rhinos to the Semifinals, on their way to winning the tournament.

Minnesota Thunder (USL-1) 3 : 1 Kansas City Wizards (MLS)
August 24, 2005
Julian Field – Parkville, Missouri

In the midst of a disappointing run of league form, the Minnesota Thunder continued their run in the US Open Cup with a road win over the Kansas City Wizards. It was the third MLS team Minnesota had eliminated in a row (Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids). Johnny Menyongar scored two goals and was a part of the third when his shot was re-directed by the Wizards’ Shavar Thomas and past goalkeeper Will Hesmer.

Colorado Rapids (MLS) 0 : 5 Seattle Sounders (USL-1)
August 7, 2007
Qwest Field – Seattle, Washington

Chris Eylander stops a penalty kick against the Kansas City Wizards during the 2008 US Open Cup. Photo: George Holland

Seattle completely dominated the Colorado Rapids in the worst loss ever suffered by a MLS team in the Open Cup. After two goals by Sounder defenders midway through the first half, Colorado’s Ugo Ihemelu put the ball into his own net to make it 3-0 Seattle at the half. The game was all but over, but when Colorado defender Facundo Erpen was sent off in the 49th minute, the Sounders poured it on in the second half to return to the Semifinals for the first time since 1995.

Charleston Battery (USL-1) 3 : 1 FC Dallas (MLS)
July 8, 2008
Pizza Hut Park – Frisco, Texas

After a weather delay, the Charleston Battery eliminated FC Dallas 3-1 in front of the Dallas faithful. Former Dallas player Lazo Alavanja opened the scoring, followed by Ian Fuller and Randi Patterson. Kenny Cooper added a score in second half stoppage time but it was too little, too late. The Battery got their revenge after being knocked out of the tournament by Dallas the last two years in a row.

Kansas City Wizards (MLS) 0:0 (5:6 PKs) Seattle Sounders (USL-1)
July 8, 2008
Qwest Field – Seattle, Washington

David Bulow of the Richmond Kickers tied the Modern Era record for most US Open Cup goals in a career with 13. Photo: Richmond Kickers / Suz Kitsteiner

After playing 120 minutes of scoreless soccer, Kansas City’s Eric Kronberg and Seattle Chris Eylander found themselves facing a penalty kick shootout. Both goalkeepers had played well in regulation and extra time, but Eylander had been busier, stopping 12 shots to Kronberg’s four. Eylander would get the best of Kronberg in the shootout, 6-5, saving attempts by Jimmy Conrad and Tyson Wahl to send the Sounders to the final four.

Richmond Kickers (USL Pro) 2:0 Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
July 12, 2011
LiveStrong Sporting Park – Kansas City, Kansas

The Richmond Kickers continued their Cinderella run through the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a 2-0 upset of Sporting Kansas City at LiveStrong Sporting Park. After a lengthy lightning delay sent the players into the locker rooms in the 66th minute, once they emerged,  Shaka Bangura scored less than 30 seconds after play re-started to give the Kickers the lead. David Bulow would add a history-making penalty kick in the 83rd minute to seal the deal. Bulow’s goal gave him a tournament-high six tallies and put him on top of the Modern Era’s goalscoring chart with 13 in his career. He was tied with Jaime Moreno and Johnny Menyongar. With the win, Richmond became only the second Third Division team to reach the Semifinals. The only other team to do it was the San Francisco Bay Seals in 1997.

2009 Semifinals: Sounders’ Le Toux lauded as Player of the Round

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Sebastien Le Toux of the Seattle Sounders dribbles against the Portland Timbers in the Third Round.Seattle Sounders FC forward Sebastien Le Toux is the TheCup.us Player of the Round for the Semifinal round of the tournament.

Le Toux, who was the leading scorer in the US Open Cup in 2007 and 2008, was involved in both Sounders goals in their 2-1 extra-time victory over the Houston Dynamo on July 21 in Tukwila, Wash.

The Frenchman took the time to answer some questions from TheCup.us senior editor Josh Hakala via e-mail.

You assisted on both goals in Seattle’s 2-1 win over Houston in the semifinals. Can you describe those goals that you helped create?
On the first goal I received a pass from Steve Zakuani and I found Roger Levesque in the box, who passed in one touch to Nate Jaqua and he scored. On the second goal, I didn’t really touch the ball, rather I just made a fake on a cross from Steve Zakuani and Stephen King was just behind me and scored.

How much did the goal by Nate Jaqua help create momentum going into extra time?
It was two minutes before the end of the game. We were pushing very hard to equalize with all our fans behind us. So after we scored, we had the momentum and continued to attack. And we quickly scored the second goal in extra time.

A lot has changed from last year, except the name of the team. Can you describe how different it has been from last year to this year in terms of the team, the fans and the league?
It’s been more professional for the team because of our new facilities, new practices fields, new owners, new coaches, etc. … And we still have the same fans from the years before who have been absolutely amazing. Not to mention the great marketing of the team has attracted an even broader fan base.

How has your role changed from the USL-1 Sounders last year to the MLS Sounders this year?
This is my first year at the MLS level, so I’m trying to learn as much as I can from new coach Sigi Schmid, and my teamates like (midfielder Freddie) Ljungberg and (goalkeeper Kasey) Keller who have great experience.

You seem to thrive in this tournament. In just three years, you are already among the top goalscorers in the Professional Era, having led the tournament in goals the last two years. What is it about this competition that helps you to perform so well?
I don’t know. Maybe the Open Cup likes me! I for sure like playing in the Open Cup. I am just lucky to score lots of goals in this competition. And I hope it’s going to continue.

You were the first player signed by the Sounders MLS club. How did that feel, to be the first player signed by the new club? Was it a huge relief to be signed so early and to know that not only would you be guaranteed a club to play for, but that it would be in the same city?
I am very proud and honored to be the first player signed by the Sounders FC. This was the city I wanted to play in at the MLS level. I love Seattle and all the people here and I am very happy to play for this city.

This is your third year playing professionally in the United States. Players who come from other countries to play here often say that it takes time to adapt to a new league and a new country. How has your transition been and do you feel like you’re completely comfortable playing here in the US?
It takes time to adapt. My English is not perfect, so it takes time for my teamates to fully understand me and for me to understand them. Also playing on turf is different than in Europe, so that took some time to adapt. The time difference between Seattle and any city on the East Coast is tough. But after a fews trips, I’m comfortable with the travel schedule and day-to-day rhythm. Having quality people around me has helped.

What are your expectations for the Open Cup final against D.C. United and for the remainder of the MLS season?
Of course, it’s to win this competition. D.C. is a very good opponent, so we have to be ready for this game. And for the MLS season, I hope first that we qualify for the playoffs and second to do the best we can to go as far as possible; perhaps winning the Cup.

Thanks to Zac Kaplan of the Sounders media relations department for his assistance, and to the team for the use of the image of Le Toux above.

The Player of the Round is selected by the staff of USOpenCup.com and members of the North American Soccer Reporters, a group that consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information about the NASR can be found at www.soccerreporters.com.

2008 Semifinals: Battery beat Sounders in PKs to reach first Open Cup Final

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The Charleston Battery earned a place in the US Open Cup Final for the first time in club history after winning a penalty kick shootout with the Seattle Sounders in the Semifinals. The Battery are the first non-MLS team to advance to the Final since the Rochester Raging Rhinos won the tournament in 1999.

The Sounders struck first with a goal in the 20th minute when a short corner ended up at the feet of Youseff Kante just outside the penalty area. He drove a shot toward goal and the ball took a deflection off of the Battery’s Osvaldo Alonso and ended up in the back of the net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

In the 32nd minute, the Battery were on the attack and sent a ball into the box from the right wing. A glancing header by Darren Spicer forced a save by Sounders goalkeeper Chris Eylander, but he was unable to hang onto it. Randi Patterson was on the doorstep and pounced on the loose ball and tied the game at 1-1, ending Seattle’s single-tournament record shutout streak at 453 minutes.

Both teams were unable to break the deadlock through 120 minutes, despite a few close calls, and the match had to be decided by penalty kicks. The Battery led 2-1 when Sebastien Le Toux had his attempt saved by Dusty Hudock. Mike Richardson had a chance to put the Battery up 3-1, but Chris Eylander came through for Seattle making the stop to keep it close. After both teams traded goals, Hudock saved the attempt by Kevin Forrest in the fifth round to send Charleston to the Open Cup Final.

TheCup.us Fun Fact: Dusty Hudock’s saves in the penalty kick shootout, helped eliminate the Seattle Sounders, the team that he made his Open Cup debut with in the First Round of the 1995 US Open Cup (June 14, 1995). He was given the starting job that night in Seattle’s 9-2 win over the Everett BigFoot of the USISL Pro League, as regular starter Marcus Hahnemann was given the night off.

2008 Quarterfinals: Sounders’ Chris Eylander unanimous as Player of the Round

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Chris Eylander’s 421 consecutive minutes without allowing a goal is a Professional Era record for an individual goalkeeper, and a team record for a single tournament. Photo: George Holland
Chris Eylander’s 420 consecutive minutes without allowing a goal is a Professional Era record for an individual goalkeeper, and a team record for a single tournament. Photo: George Holland

Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Chris Eylander was a unanimous selection as the TheCup.us Player of the Round for the Quarterfinals. The award was voted on by the TheCup.us staff and members of the North American Soccer Reporters.

Eylander was challenged for the award by Jamie Moreno of DC United, along with goalkeepers Doug Warren of the New England Revolution and Eric Kronberg of the Kansas City Wizards.

The University of Washington alum helped the Sounders earn their fourth straight shutout in the tournament (a Professional Era single-tournament record of 421 shutout minutes), while holding Major League Soccer’s Kansas City Wizards to a scoreless draw through 120 minutes of play. After extra time, Seattle earned their second straight trip to the Semifinals with a 6-5 win in the penalty kick shootout.

Eylander made 13 saves in the match, including two stops (Jimmy Conrad, Tyson Wahl) in the shootout to send the Sounders to a date with fellow USL First Division club, the Charleston Battery on August 12 at Blackbaud Stadium.

The goalkeeper took some time to talk with TheCup.us following his Quarterfinal performance.

TheCup.us: First of all, congratulations on the win on Tuesday and for being named “Player of the Round.” The Wizards definitely put some pressure on your net, forcing you to make 13 saves. Was there a moment for you personally, or a particular defensive stop, where you felt like your defense was going to keep this shutout streak going.

Eylander: Thanks a lot for congratulating me. I don’t remember there being a distinct moment where I knew we were going to shut out the Wizards in regular play. We were under pressure in spells throughout the entirety of the game. Playing in any game a breakdown can occur at any time. I was very determined to do everything I could to keep the ball out of the net and help communicate with the players in front of me to dissallow any unnecessary opportunities on goal.

TheCup.us: In the penalty kick shootout, or any penalty kick shootout, do you just guess, or do you try to read the shooter? What’s your approach?

Eylander: PK tactics can always vary. I don’t think any goalkeeper would like to give out their secrets to how they approach penalties. In general, if you can determine any information from the player’s approach to the ball, this is a whole lot better than a random guess.

TheCup.us: Some MLS teams rest their starters for Open Cup games, but even the ones who field strong lineups are still getting knocked off the last couple of years. Do you feel like the talent gap is closing between the USL-1 and MLS or is the motivation for the USL-1 teams greater?

Eylander: Regardless of who the MLS teams are fielding, you can’t look at the last couple of years in Open Cup play and not see that the USL teams are competing very well with them.

TheCup.us: Sebastien Le Toux has already secured a place on the Seattle MLS roster. Is the prospect of getting a contract with the MLS Sounders creating some extra pressure for the rest of the players on the roster? Is that something that’s talked about among your teammates?

Eylander: I think every one of the players on the team would love the oppurtunity to play at the next level up. It may add a bit of pressure for the players. Playing well consistently thoughout the USL season and performing well against other MLS teams would add a lot of credibility for those looking to play at the MLS level. It isn’t something that I have noticed to be talked about much amongst the players. We understand that taking care of business in league and Open Cup play is the most important area of concentration for the team.

TheCup.us: Do you feel like you will be wearing a Seattle uniform next season?

Eylander: I would very much like to be wearing a Seattle uniform next season.

TheCup.us: Looking ahead to the next round, you’ve got Charleston at Blackbaud Stadium on August 12. Is there a different level of pressure when facing a team you’re familiar with rather than a team you rarely play, or have never played? What’s your outlook for the semifinal matchup with Charleston?

Eylander: The good thing about playing in Charleston for the Semifinals is that we have already played there twice this year. We will be much more familiar with the pitch, the environment and the team as opposed to if we were playing an unknown team for the first time away from home. We will also have more time this round to prepare and get players healthy. The semifinals will be a very challenging game. Charleston has a strong team and will give us a tough match.

About the NASR
The North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) are a group that consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information and membership information can be found at www.soccerreporters.com.

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The 2008 Seattle Sounders now hold the record for the longest single-tournament shutout streak, but D.C. United have the high mark for longest streak over multiple competitions.

D.C. United (1996-1997, 564 mins.)
09/04/96 2-0 vs. Carolina Dynamo (GK – Jeff Causey) 90 mins.
10/27/96 2-0 vs. Dallas Burn (GK – Mark Simpson) 90 mins.
10/30/96 3-0 vs. Rochester Raging Rhinos (GK – Mark Simpson) 90 mins.
08/06/97 0-0 (PKW 3-2) vs. Hershey Wildcats (GK – Scott Garlick) 120 mins.
08/19/97 2-0 vs. Tampa Bay Mutiny (GK – Scott Garlick) 90 mins.
09/03/97 2-1 vs. San Francisco Bay Seals (GK – Scott Garlick) 84 mins.

Seattle Sounders (2008, 421 mins.)
09/04/07  1-2 vs. FC Dallas (GK – Chris Eylander) 1 min.
06/10/08  1-0 vs. Arizona Sahuaros (GK – Chris Eylander) 120 mins.
06/24/08  6-0 vs. Hollywood United (GK – Chris Eylander) 90 mins.
07/01/08  2-0 vs. Chivas USA (GK – Chris Eylander) 90 mins.
07/08/08  0-0 (PKW 6-5) vs. Kansas City Wizards (GK – Chris Eylander) 120 mins.

Colorado Rapids (1999, 381 mins.)
07/30/97 1-2 vs. Chicago Stingers (GK – Paul Grafer) 46 mins.
07/13/99 1-0 vs. Seattle Sounders (GK – Ian Feuer) 90 mins.
08/13/99 1-0 vs. Tampa Bay Mutiny (GK – Ian Feuer) 90 mins.
09/01/99 3-0 vs. Charleston Battery (GK – Ian Feuer) 90 mins.
09/13/99 0-2 vs. Rochester Raging Rhinos (GK – Ian Feuer) 65 mins.

Carolina RailHawks (2007, 329 mins.)
06/12/07 4-1 vs. RWB Adria (GK Chris McClellan) 14 mins.
06/26/07 4-0 vs. Bavarian SC (GK – Chris McClellan) 90 mins.
07/15/07 1-0 vs. Chicago Fire (GK – John O’Hara) 90 mins.
08/07/07 1-0 vs. Richmond Kickers (GK – Chris McClellan) 90 mins.
09/04/07 1-2 vs. New England Revolution (GK – Chris McClellan) 45 mins.

Charleston Battery (2007, 324 mins.)
08/02/06 3-3 (PKL 3-5) vs. FC Dallas (GK – Dusty Hudock) 1 min.
06/12/07 3-0 vs. Central Florida Kraze (GK – Keith Wiggans) 90 mins.
06/26/07 1-0 vs. El Paso Patriots (GK – Dusty Hudock) 90 mins.
07/10/07 1-0 vs. Houston Dynamo (GK – Dusty Hudock) 120 mins.
08/07/07 1-2 vs. FC Dallas (GK – Dusty Hudock) 23 mins.

San Jose Earthquakes (2000-2001, 292 mins.)
08/09/00 0-2 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (GK – Joe Cannon) 9 mins.
06/27/01 6-0 vs. Central Coast Roadrunners (GK – Jon Conway) 90 mins.
07/11/01 0-0 (PKW 7-6) vs. Milwaukee Rampage (GK – Jon Conway) 120 mins.
07/24/01 1-1 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (GK – Jon Conway) 73 mins.

Dallas Roma FC (2006, 259 mins.)
06/14/06 2-2 (PKW 4-2) vs. Laredo Heat (GK – Jesse Llamas) 14 mins.
06/28/06 1-0 vs. Miami FC (GK – Jesse Llamas) 90 mins.
07/12/06 0-0 (PKW 4-2) vs. Chivas USA (GK – Jesse Llamas) 120 mins.
08/01/06 0-2 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (GK – Nestor Merlo) 35 mins.

Longest Shutout Streak in Professional Era (1995 – present)
DC United (1996-97)  564 mins.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS (2008)  421 mins.
Colorado Rapids (1999)  381 mins.
Carolina RailHawks (2007)  329 mins.
Charleston Battery (2007)  324 mins.
San Jose Earthquakes (2000-01)  292 mins.
Dallas Roma FC (2006)  259 mins.

2008 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Sounders create all-USL Semifinal with upset of Wizards

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Chris Eylander of the Seattle Sounders makes a save in the PK shootout against the Kansas City Wizards in the Quarterfinals of the 2008 US Open Cup. Photo: Seattle Sounders

With the steady hands of goalkeeper Chris Eylander leading the way, the Seattle Sounders are on their way to a second straight US Open Cup Semifinal appearance, after defeating the Kansas City Wizards on penalty kicks after a scoreless draw.

Both teams had good opportunities to jump in the lead in the first half. In the 3rd minute, Seattle’s Andre Schmid found himself found himself one on one with Wizards goalkeeper Eric Kronberg, but as Kronberg came out to cut down the angle of the shot, Schmid sent the ball wide right of the goal. Nearly fifteen minutes later, Mike Kraus received a through ball from John Leathers, and shot point blank from the top left corner of the penalty area, but Eylander made a sliding save.

Seattle Sounders vs KC Wizards 2008 US Open Cup Quarterfinals
The Seattle Sounders celebrate after defeating the Kansas City Wizards in a PK shootout in the Quarterfinals of the 2008 US Open Cup. Photo: George Holland

Near the end of the half, Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar found Sebastian Le Toux in the box with a perfect through ball. Le Toux was brought down by Wizards defender Rauwshan McKenzie, but no penalty was called.

MORE: Chris Eylander voted Player of the Round

Midway through the second half, Seattle seemed to have the goal they were looking for, but were denied. Alcaraz-Cuellar again found Le Toux, who then chipped a shot over the head of Kronberg. As the ball moved towards an open net and a sure goal, defender Tyson Wahl cleared the ball off the line to keep the game scoreless. Seattle has not allowed a goal in any of their four Open Cup games this year.

After extra time ended scoreless, the match moved on to penalty kicks. After the first five rounds, both teams had converted four kicks apiece.  Eylander saved the shot from Jimmy Conrad, and tournament goal scoring leader Le Toux missed his spot kick, hitting the underside of the crossbar. After Michael Harrington (Kansas City) and Yousouff Kante (Seattle) each converted their kicks in sudden death, Eylander denied the man responsible for keeping the game scoreless, Tyson Wahl. This left Zach Scott to put Seattle in the Semifinals, which he did by driving his shot high into the back left corner.

Seattle will now face the Charleston Battery in an all-USL First Division Semifinal, guaranteeing the league a spot in the US Open Cup Final on August 26.

2008 Third Round: Deja-vu all over again as Sounders oust Chivas USA

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Chivas USA will be one MLS club that will be happy to see the Sounders, at least this version, move to Major League Soccer.

For the second year in a row, the USL First Division’s Seattle Sounders ousted Chivas USA from the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a 2-0 victory at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash.

It all started to go downhill for Chivas just before halftime. Seattle defender Taylor Graham nodded home the opening goal from a Josh Gardner corner kick, which was gained when Chivas goalkeeper Brad Guzan made a slide save on a shot from Kenji Treschuk.

With ten minutes remaining, Seattle sealed the win. Sounders goalkeeper Chris Eylander punted the ball downfield to Sebastien Le Toux, who then beat an onrushing Guzan to place the ball in the empty net. The goal was Le Toux’s tournament-leading fifth.

In 2007, the Sounders defeated Chivas USA in the Third Round, by a score of 3-1. Seattle will host the Kansas City Wizards next Tuesday at Qwest Field for a spot in the Semifinals.

2008 Second Round: Seattle Sounders dominate, end United’s Hollywood story

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Zach Scott scored off a corner kick in the 3rd minute to set the tone, and Sebastien Le Toux scored four straight goals as the Seattle Sounders routed amateur side Hollywood United 6-0 at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash.

Hollywood United was the only one of the eight USASA teams to win in the First Round, seeing off the Portland Timbers 3-2, but they were never in this match.

After Scott’s early opener, Josh Gardner scored in the 15th minute and Le Toux scored his first two goals in a six-minute stretch as Seattle held a commanding 4-0 lead after just 28 minutes.

Le Toux scored his final two goals in consecutive minutes in the second half, and could’ve had another a few minutes later — with the goal open, he shot wide.

Still, the four-goal outburst moved Le Toux — the leading scorer in last year’s tournament as the Sounders advanced to the Semifinals — into a tie with Charleston’s Darrin Spicer atop this year’s US Open Cup goal-scoring chart.

Both goalkeepers made several fine saves, the Sounders’ Chris Eylander to preserve the clean sheet and Hollywood United’s Javier Barragan to keep Seattle from putting even more goals on the scoreboard.

The Sounders advance to play host to Chivas USA next Tuesday night at Starfire — Seattle beat the MLS team 3-1 in the Third Round last year. Hollywood United, meanwhile, receives $10,000 for advancing the farthest out of the amateur entries.

2008 First Round recap: Hollywood United historic upset headlines the opening round

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2008 US Open Cup First Round
(Home team listed on right)
June 10
Yakima Reds 1:5 Harrisburg City Islanders
Boston Olympiakos 0:2 Western Mass Pioneers
Fredericksburg Gunners 0:3 Richmond Kickers
Crystal Palace Baltimore 2:1 LA Legends
RWB Adria 1:2 (aet) Rochester Rhinos
Pittsburgh Riverhounds 4:0 AAC Eagles
St. Louis Lions 1:4 Minnesota Thunder
Cleveland City Stars 2:1 Michigan Bucks
Bradenton Academics 2:4 Miami FC
Atlanta Silverbacks 2:2 (5:4 PKs) Austin Aztex U23s
Clearwater Galactics 2:5 Charlotte Eagles
Seattle Sounders 1:0 (aet) Arizona Sahuaros
Hollywood United 3:2 Portland Timbers
Brooklyn Knights 0:1 Carolina RailHawks
ASC New Stars 0:3 Charleston Battery
June 13
NY Pancyprian Freedoms 2:3 (aet) Real Maryland
Player of the Round: Pat Healey (CP Baltimore)
Notable upsets in the First Round
Things you should know about the First Round

In the lone upset in this year’s opening round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, Hollywood United became only the second USASA club to defeat a USL First Division team in the tournament, knocking off the Portland Timbers with a dramatic, stoppage-time goal from Earl Alexander.

A pair of penalty kicks by Matt Taylor kept Hollywood level with their professional hosts. The Timbers tallied with goals fron Chris Brown (32nd minute), and Arsene Oka (51st minute). A crucial turning point in the match came in the 53rd minute, when Hollywood goalkeeper Javier Barragan saved a penalty kick from the Timbers’ Takayuki Suzuki, keeping the score 2-1 in favor of Portland.

Four other amateur teams nearly joined Hollywood in the Second Round.

In Phoenix, Arizona, the defending USL First Division Champion Seattle Sounders needed 118 minutes to find the winning goal against the USASA’s Arizona Sahuaros. Kenji Treschuk scored the winning goal with just a couple minutes remaining in extra time, before the match would go to penalty kicks.

In Austin, Texas, the Atlanta Silverbacks got a penalty kick goal from David Hayes late in overtime to tie the game back up at 2-2 and sent the game into a tiebreaking shootout against the PDL’s Austin Aztex U23s. However, Atlanta would prevail, with Hayes sending the USL-1 side to the next round with the winning kick.

In Rochester, the Rhinos also needed extra time to knock off Chicago USASA club RWB Adria 2-1. Awadallah Morad tied the game for Adria with just four minutes remaining in regulation, and Hamed Diallo scored the eventual winning goal for Rochester just seven minutes into the extra period.

One match on Tuesday’s schedule was washed out by inclement weather, but the day after New York Pancyprian Freedoms (USASA Region I) took the Real Maryland Monarchs (USL-2) to overtime. The Monarchs needed an 85th minute equalizer and a late extra time goal to end the Freedoms’ upset bid.

2008 First Round: Seattle Sounders survive heat, taken to brink by USASA’s Sahuaros

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Kenji Treschuk pounced on a poor clearance and scored the game’s only goal with 92 seconds left in the second period of extra time as the Seattle Sounders avoided an upset with a 1-0 win over the Arizona Sahuaros. The game was played in front of a stadium record crowd of 3,559 fans on a blazing hot night at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz.

The USL First Division team, which will play in Major League Soccer next year, outshot the USASA team 17-12, but needed seven saves from goalkeeper Chris Eylander against the scrappy Sahuaros to advance to the Second Round of the US Open Cup. There they will meet another USASA Region IV amateur side, Hollywood United, who upset Seattle’s biggest rival, the Portland Timbers, in the opening round.

Arizona, a member of the National Premier Soccer League, had several chances to break the scoreless tie. Chad Brown had a free kick from just outside the box go over the crossbar early in the second half, then had a long shot just miss wide of the goal in the 57th minute. His replacement, Kris Sumter, missed just wide on a breakaway late in extra time.

2007 Semifinals: FC Dallas headed to Final after OT battle with Seattle

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For the second time in three years, FC Dallas will return to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final after a 2-1 overtime win against the USL First Division’s Seattle Sounders. In front of over 10,000 fans at Qwest Field in Seattle, the second-biggest crowd in modern Sounders history, the two teams battled to a scoreless draw at the end of regulation.  The best scoring chance of the evening came in the second half when Seattle defender Taylor Graham nodded a corner kick delivery toward goal, and had it rattle off the crossbar.

In extra time, Carlos Ruiz broke the deadlock with a goal less than two minutes int on an assist by Arturo Alvarez. Both teams continued to push for another goal, but failed to produce until the 119th minute when Dallas forward Abe Thompson was brought down in the penalty area by Zach Scott. After Seattle’s Noah Merl was shown a red card for something that happened away from the play, Thompson converted the penalty kick to give the visitors a two-goal cushion heading into the final minutes.

The Sounders were able to pull one back during stoppage time, on a goal by Leighton O’Brien, but the clock would eventually run out on them.

FC Dallas will host the New England Revolution in the Open Cup Final at Pizza Hut Park on October 3 at 8 p.m. EST.

Scoring Summary:
DAL – Carlos Ruiz (Arturo Alvarez) 91
DAL – Abe Thompson (penalty kick) 119
SEA – Leighton O’Brien (Andre Schmid) 120+

FC Dallas: Dario Sala, David Wagenfuhr, Alex Yi (Aaron Pitchkolan 56), Clarence Goodson (Adrian Serioux 46), Drew Moor, Denilson (Dax McCarty 94), Juan Toja, Pablo Ricchetti, Arturo Alvarez, Carlos Ruiz (Bobby Rhine 109), Abe Thompson.

Subs not used: Ray Burse (GK), Chris Gbandi, Anthony Wallace.

Seattle Sounders: Chris Eylander, Kevin Sakuda, Danny Jackson (Craig Tomlinson 106), Taylor Graham, Zach Scott, Kenji Treschuk (Greg Howed 100), Leighton O’Brien, Josh Gardner (Noah Merl 78), Hugo Alcaraz, Sebastian LeToux, Roger Levesque (Andre Schmid 100).

Subs not used: Ben Dragavon (GK), Jake Besagno, Santa Maria Rivera.

Disciplinary Summary:
DAL – Pablo Ricchetti (Caution) 88
DAL – Carlos Ruiz (Caution) 113
SEA – Noah Merl (Ejection)

Referee: Abiodun Okulaja
Assistant Referees: Will Niccolls, Mike Rottersman
Fourth Official: Cory Dean
Attendance: 10,385

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