The New England Revolution’s defense of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup was nearly ended in New Britain, Conn. at the hands of a resolute Crystal Palace Baltimore team on Tuesday night. Following 120 minutes of even soccer, the Revs pushed past Palace 5-3 on penalty kicks, with Mauricio Castro slotting home the final shot for New England.
Baltimore, who already claimed the $10,000 prize money as the USL-2 team that advanced the furthest, was attempting to become the first third division club to advance to the Semifinals since the San Francisco Bay Seals made the final four in 1997.
In a very similar lineup from their Third Round match against the Richmond Kickers (USL-2), the Revolution started Taylor Twellman, Kenny Mansally, Khano Smith along with a collection of players who, up until this point in the season, have not seen very much first team action.
Sergio Flores of Crystal Palace Baltimore was shown red in the 119th minute after a foul on New England’s Pat Phelan, leaving Palace one less player to choose from for the penalty kick shootout.
The defending champs would get on the scoreboard first after just six minutes with Kenny Mansally running onto a Brandon Tyler pass and putting it past Palace goalkeeper Brian Rowland. Baltimore would equalize in the 20th minute on a Dan Lader tally after he buried a shot from the top of the box after it pinballed off a couple of players in front.
After Sergio Flores was sent off, Palace with just ten men from which to select its five for the shootout. Chase Hilgenbrinck (NER) opened with a goal, followed by Shintaro Harada (CPB), Kheli Dube (NER), Bryan Harkin (CPB), Chris Tierney (NER), and Matthew Mbuta (CPB). Amaechi Igwe put the Revs ahead 4-3 with his score, but Val Teixeira had his attempt saved by Doug Warren, setting up Castro to be the hero.
The Revolution will hit the road for their Semifinal encounter, traveling to RFK Stadium to take on DC United on August 12.