Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Wilmington Hammerheads

2012 US Open Cup Round 2: Eric Wynalda’s Cal FC stuns host Wilmington Hammerheads

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Photo: Wilmington Hammerheads

A trip across the country to face the USL Pro Wilmington Hammerheads turned out to be less of a challenge than many would have expected for Cal FC of the USASA as they shocked their hosts with a 4-0 result – their first loss in four games against amateur competition in the tournament.

The victory sends Cal FC back to the northwest for a Third Round meeting with the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer after picking up a First Round win in Washington against the Kitsap Pumas.

The Barrera brothers delivered the initial dagger 25 minutes in on a corner kick. Diego delivered the dead ball into the center of the area for Danny, who scored two goals in the First Round. Artur Aghasyan, who also scored against Kitsap, added his second of the tournament 10 minutes later, beating an advancing Alex Horwath to the ball and knocking the ball into the open goal.

Increased possession by the hosts in the second half would not produce a rally, and the Barreras took advantage with their second combined effort as Danny notched his second two-goal performance of the tournament in the 57th minute.

Pedro Ferreira-Mendez capped the scoring in the 79th for Cal FC, and the Hammerheads, if they were not already seeing red from frustration, began seeing red cards with Bryce Taylor and Tom Parratt both being send off in the final eight minutes.

With the Timbers awaiting the amateur club in Round 3, Eric Wynalda, team manager and former US international, tweeted after the game: “win or lose we hope to get some of the best fans in the US a show. Portland here we come.”

Cal FC 4:0 Wilmington Hammerheads
Legion Stadium – Wilmington, NC

Scoring Summary:

CAL: Danny Barrera (Diego Barrera) 25
CAL: Artur Aghasyan (Unassisted) 35
CAL: Danny Barrera (Diego Barrera) 57
CAL: Pedro Ferreira-Mendez (Unassisted) 79

Discipline

WIL: Bryce Taylor – Red 82, Tom Parratt – Red 90

2011 US Open Cup Third Round: Real Salt Lake knocks out Wilmington Hammerheads in Open Cup return

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Real Salt Lake made a winning return to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup proper.

Jean Alexandre set up Tony Beltran’s 40th-minute opener – the left back’s first professional goal – and doubled the lead with a goal of his own 4 minutes later in a 2-0 victory over the Wilmington Hammerheads in front of 7,620 fans Tuesday night at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.

Goal, assist for Jean Alexandre Photo: Melissa Majchrzak / RSL

By winning their first Open Cup match since 2006, RSL earned a quarterfinal matchup against FC Dallas in Frisco, Texas, where the Utah side has never won. Salt Lake is 0-9-1 all-time in road games against Dallas, with the lone result a 0-0 draw on May 23. Coincidentally, the teams meet in an MLS match three days earlier at Rio Tinto.

Real Salt Lake’s lineup featured primarily regular starters, as the team is focused on the Open Cup and its connection to the CONCACAF Champions League. RSL lost in the finals of the 2010-11 tournament, but failed to qualify for the 2011-12 event. The Open Cup champion earns a berth in the 2012-13 tourney.

Alexandre and 17-year-old strike partner Luis Gil each had early chances for RSL, but the match remained scoreless until Beltran opened his account. The third-year pro took a pass from Alexandre on the right side, beating Hammerheads goalkeeper Kyle Polak with a close angle shot to the near post, just outside the 6-yard box.

Then in the 44th, Canadian international Will Johnson played in Alexandre, who worked past a defender and pulling Polak off his line, to increase the lead to 2-0. It was the second goal of the season for the 24-year-old Haitian.

USL Pro side Wilmington, which brought only 15 players to the match, got an impressive performance from Polak and some luck as RSL fired away – the home team had an 18-6 advantage in shots, including 9-1 in the second half, and saw blasts by Johnson and Andy Williams crash off the woodwork in the final 20 minutes.

On one sequence in the 78th minute, Polak stopped back-to-back shots by Williams and Johnson and then watched Alexandre’s header flash just wide of the goal.

RSL backup keeper Kyle Reynish earned his second shutout in as many appearances this season. The crowd for the first Open Cup match at Rio Tinto was easily the largest among the seven MLS teams that played host to third-round games.


TheCup.us Match MVP:  Jean Alexandre

Scoring Summary

Real Salt Lake – Tony Beltran (Jean Alexandre) 40
Real Salt Lake – Jean Alexandre (Will Johnson) 44

Lineups

Real Salt Lake: Kyle Reynish; Tony Beltran, Rauwshan McKenzie, Nat Borchers, Chris Schuler (Robbie Russell 63); Andy Williams, Kyle Beckerman (Ned Grabavoy 63), Collen Warner (Nelson Gonzalez 74), Will Johnson; Jean Alexandre, Luis Gil. Substitutes not used: Tim Melia (GK), Artur Aghasyan, Jamison Olave, Donny Toia.

Wilmington Hammerheads: Kyle Polak; Tom Parratt, Ivan Becerra, Gareth Evans, Dylan Riley; Emanual Guzman (Jyler Noviello 60), Tom Taylor (Richard Jata 52), Paul Nicholson, Hakop Avesyan (Julio Cuero 74); Luke Mulholland, Andriy Budnyy. Substitute not used: Chris Banks.

Discipline: W – Taylor (caution-reckless foul, 17); W – Guzman (caution-reckless foul, 35); RSL – Grabavoy (caution-tactical foul, 68); W – Nicholson (caution-persistent infringement, 83).

Attendance: 7,620.

2011 US Open Cup Quarterfinal Bracket C: Wilmington Hammerheads at Real Salt Lake; Orlando City at FC Dallas

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THIRD ROUND

Wilmington Hammerheads at Real Salt Lake
June 28, 9 p.m. ET  Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
Video/Audio: Video N/A; Radio: Real Salt Lake

Orlando City SC at FC Dallas
June 28, 9 p.m. ET  Pizza Hut Park; Frisco, Texas
Video/Audio: Video: Dallas; Audio: TBA

Wilmington Hammerheads

The club has been a member of USL’s professional third division league since its founding in 1996 with the exception of its hiatus in 2010. The club was at its peak early in the 2000’s, finishing first in the division in back-to-back years and reaching the final in 2002 and 2003, claiming the title on the second try.

First Round: Central Florida Kraze (PDL) 0:4 Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro)
The Hammerheads blanked the visiting Central Florida Kraze 4-0 in the First Round Tuesday with first half goals from Jyler Noviello and Luke Mulholland. Andriy Budnny tallied twice in the second stanza put put the match out of reach. Full Recap [+]

Second Round: Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro) 2:3 (AET) Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro)
The visitors got out to a surprising two-goal lead with goals in the 44th and 54th minutes before the Hammerheads began to fight back. Chris Banks found Andriy Budnyy in the 61st minute and then found the back of the net himself in the 78th to level terms. In overtime it was Luke Mulholland finding the winning goal on a nicely placed strike in the 103rd minute. Full Recap [+]

Path to Open Cup: Automatic entrant from USL Pro.

This Month in USL Pro: The Hammerheads were downed 2-0 Friday evening at home versus Charleston, leaving them with only one win in their last seven league games. Wilmington played its fourth in league play June 18 at Orlando City, nabbing a late draw 1-1 on the foot of Budnyy. They opened the month with a 4-2 loss at home June 4 against Orlando, in which Julio Cuero and Chris Banks gave the Hammerheads the lead in the first half before allowing four unanswered in the second stanza. A week later, they played two back-to-back, rallying to down Pittsburgh 3-1 June 10 on goals from Budnyy, Banks and Mulholland, before traveling to Charlotte for a 3-0 defeat. The Hammerheads are in sixth place (last) in the American Division with a 5-4-3 record.

Open Cup History: The club’s second quarterfinal appearance in eight trips to the tournament in 2009 was followed up with the club taking a hiatus last year due to financial issues. The run began by downing state rivals Charlotte and Carolina. They blanked league rival Eagles 2-0 in the First Round, and downed the second division RailHawks in the Second Round via penalties after a 3-3 draw. Wilmington then surprised the Chicago Fire of MLS, 1-0, in the Third Round before being knocked out by second division Rochester 2-1. The previous quarterfinal campaign in 2003 also included upsets as Wilmington downed second division Atlanta Silverbacks, 2-1, in the Third Round and MLS’s FC Dallas in a stunning 4-1 result in the Fourth Round before falling, 1-0, to DC United. FC Dallas would avenge the loss in the Third Round in 2005, but needed overtime in a 3-1 decision. The club’s other MLS contest was a 2-1 loss to New York in the Fourth Round in 2006, following another 2-1 upset of the Silverbacks.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 13-8-1 (1-0 in PKs) overall | 7-7-1 (1-0 in PKs) vs. pro teams (2-4 vs. MLS)

Real Salt Lake

How They Qualified: Automatic entrant from top six MLS finish in 2010.

This Month in MLS: Real Salt Lake played to a scoreless draw at Chicago Wednesday evening in the first of two games on the week, returning home for a big 3-1 win Saturday against Toronto FC. Nat Borchers struck the opener and Alvaro Saborio netted the next two with Kyle Beckerman setting up all three.  Real Salt Lake returned home from a two-game road swing to face DC United June 18, giving up a late penalty in a 1-1 draw in which they tallied first from the spot via Fabian Espindola. They opened the month with a 2-0 victory against the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps (under new coach Tom Soehn) on June 4, with Nick Rimando in goal as Jean Alexandre tallied a goal and an assist. Four days later in Columbus, they fell 2-1 to the Crew after Jamison Olave gave them the initial lead seven minutes in. RSL played to a 1-1 draw in Philadelphia June 11 against the Union with Fabian Espindola providing the equalizer in the 53rd minute. Last Five: W-D-D-D-L | Season Record: 7-3-5 (5-1-2 Home), fourth in Western Conference, tied for fifth overall.

Open Cup History: Having last participated in the Open Cup proper in 2006, Real Salt Lake’s qualifying is the longer of the two lists. RSL’s debut in the Cup in 2005 was an epic 6-4 extra time upset loss to the USL’s Minnesota Thunder. After playing the first half to a 2-2 draw, both teams scored twice more to level the score at 4 after 90 minutes. Minnesota scored twice in extra time for the 6-4 win, leaving Jason Kries’ hat trick for RSL on the losing side. 2006 saw RSL needing extra time again in their opening match, this time against the Virginia Beach Mariners. Jeff Cunningham (RSL) and Tim O’Neill (VBM) traded goals in the first half, and Andy Williams’ 93rd minute strike held up for Salt Lake’s first ever Open Cup win. RSL would be eliminated 1-0 in the next round by their Rocky Mountain Cup rivals, the Colorado Rapids. Colorado would keep the Utah side out of the Open Cup in 2007, defeating them 2-1 in the final round of MLS qualifying. 2008 and 2009 saw RSL eliminated in the opening round of MLS qualifying, while in 2010 they fell yet again in the final round, this time to 2-1 to DC United in overtime. This season, RSL avoided qualifying all together by virtue of their second-place finish in the 2010 MLS regular season.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 1-2-0 | 1-1-0 vs. Non-MLS teams

Orlando City SC

Essentially an expansion club off the field, the team itself is the former Austin Aztex side that played in the professional second division the past two seasons. However, despite their connections to the Austin franchise, the Orlando City team is a completely new club.

First Round: ASC New Stars (USASA) 0:4 Orlando City (USL Pro)
A lightning delay of nearly 90 minutes itself stretched the First Round match into a late night, but host Orlando enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 victory over the ASC New Stars. Devorn Jorsling scored twice with Kevin Molino and Dennis Chin each adding to the tally. Full Recap [+]

Second Round: Orlando City (USL Pro) 1:0 Charleston Battery (USL Pro)
The visitors made history, becoming the first non-MLS team to defeat the Battery at Blackbaud Stadium in the US Open Cup since the stadium’s opening in 1999. Orlando City defender Rob Valentino supplied the difference maker, getting his head to the ball in the 40th minute as the keeper extended to knock it away, popping it over his hands and into the empty net.  Full Recap [+]

Path to Open Cup: Automatic entrant from USL Pro.

This Month in USL Pro: The club opened a two-game visit to Antigua Friday with a 3-1 victory, grabbing the lead via an own goal and claiming the victory with goals from Max Griffin and Luke Boden. They played the second match Sunday with Devorn Jorsling scoring twice in a 2-1 victory. Orlando City played host to Wilmington June 18, settling for a 1-1 draw on a late Hammerheads equalizer after Open Cup hero Jorsling had given them the lead. The club opened the month with a scoreless draw at home June 2 against Charlotte, then traveled to Wilmington two days later, where they fell behind two goals before rallying for a stunning 4-2 victory. Jamie Watson scored two to equalize, before Demar Stewart and Maxwell Griffin provided the winning and sealing goals. June 10 proved to be an off night though, as the club lost at home for the first time in a 2-1 defeat to Antigua, ending the club’s 11-game unbeaten run since its debut loss at Richmond. Trailing by two, Max Griffin scored the lone goal in the loss. Orlando City is currently in first place in the American Division with a 10-2-4 record.

Open Cup History (Austin Aztex): This is officially the first appearance in the US Open Cup for Orlando City, but with such close ties to the Austin Aztex franchise, it’s worth mentioning that the Aztex reached the Third Round the last two years. In 2009, the Aztex downed PDL sides Mississippi Brilla, 2-0, and El Paso Patriots, 2-0, before falling by the same 2-0 scoreline to the Houston Dynamo of MLS. Last year, the team blanked the PDL’s DFW Tornados 3-0 and downed the USASA’s Arizona Sahuaros 3-1, before a 1-0 loss on the road to Chivas USA of MLS in Round 3.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 2-0-0 overall | 1-0-0 vs. professional teams (0-0-0 vs. MLS)

FC Dallas

How They Qualified: Automatic entrant from top six MLS finish in 2010.

This Month in MLS: FC Dallas thumped the visiting Portland Timbers Saturday 4-0, on goals from four different players. Daniel Hernandez set up Zach Loyd and George John in the first half, while Brek Shea and Ruben Luna tallyed in the second half. The club played their third contest of the month June 18 in Los Angeles against Chivas USA, winning 2-1 with Brek Shea scoring the opener and Jackson Goncalves adding the late winner.  FCD opened the month June 4 with a 1-0 win in New England, on from Marvin Chavez’s 69th minute goal and Kevin Hartman recorded the shutout. They returned home June 12 and were stunned 4-1 by Sporting Kansas City, in which Break Shea had an equalizer in the 32nd before seeing KC strike three unanswered.
Last Five: W-W-L-W-D Season Record: 9-4-4 (6-2-2 Home), tied for second in Western Conference, tied for second Overall.

Open Cup History: Up to 2009, FC Dallas could claim the distinction of being the only MLS team to participate in every Pro Era Open Cup tournament since the league began in 1996. Poor finishes in MLS play in 2009 and 2010 left them to the mercy of MLS qualifying, where they lost both times to DC United. Dallas found success early in their Open Cup history, reaching the Semifinals in 1996 and winning the title on penalties over DC United in 1997. Another semifinal appearance in 1998 and two quarterfinal finishes in ’99 and 2000 were followed in 2001 by one of the biggest upsets in Pro Era history, a 3-2 sudden death extra time loss to the PDL’s Seattle Sounders Select in the Second Round. It remains the only time Dallas failed to advance past their opening match. Finals appearances in 2005 and 2007 bolstered their Open Cup resume a bit, although they will look to regain some stature after missing the last two tournaments.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 19-12-4 (4-0 in PK’s)| 2-1-0 vs. 3rd Division teams

2011 US Open Cup Quarterfinal Scenarios

Real Salt Lake / Wilmington Hammerheads at FC Dallas
Pizza Hut Park – Frisco, TX – 9:00 pm ET
OR
Orlando City SC at Real Salt Lake
Rio Tinto Stadium – Sandy, Utah – 9:00 pm ET
OR
Wilmington Hammerheads at Orlando City SC
Florida Citrus Bowl – Orlando, Fla – 7:30 pm ET

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2011 US Open Cup Second Round: Wilmington Hammerheads storm back to beat Eagles in OT

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Photo: Wilmington Hammerheads

The Wilmington Hammerheads fought back from a 2-0 deficit to beat the Charlotte Eagles 3-2 in overtime to advance in the US Open Cup on Tuesday. Luke Mulholland, who had the Hammerheads’ first shot on goal, provided the winning shot to cap a furious comeback in the last third of the game.

This was the third Open Cup meeting between the two clubs in the last six years, and with the victory, the Hammerheads maintain their perfect record, having defeated the Eagles the first two times they played (2006, 2009). Wilmington advances to Round 3 where they will face Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer. The club has reached an MLS opponent in each of the last three trips to the tournament, including a 2009 Third Round upset of the Chicago Fire.

Charlotte controlled the opening 60 minutes, pressuring their in-state USL Pro rivals throughout. They broke through just before the half, as Weston Roberts took a free kick and nailed a shot to the far corner. The pressure continued in the second half, capped off by a Darren Toby goal in the 54th minute.

However, Wilmington refused to give up. Andriy Budnyy answered seven minutes later, taking a ball from newly-subbed Chris Banks and firing a low shot to cut the deficit in half. It was Budnyy’s third goal of the tournament.

The home team continued to pressure, eventually smothering the Eagles for the equalizer in the 78th minute. Jack Avesyan hit a free kick into the box, where Banks headed the ball in to pull the game level. Banks almost grabbed the lead three minutes later, as his header hit the crossbar and bounced out.

The teams fought hard in overtime, with Mulholland’s shot in the 103rd gave Wilmington the edge. The teams traded chances in the second overtime period, but neither would find the back of the net again.

The Hammerheads have a big trip ahead of them next week when they travel to Utah to play Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium next Tuesday at 9:00 PM EDT.

TheCup.us Match MVP: Chris Banks

Scoring:
CHAR: Weston Roberts – 44th minute
CHAR: Darren Toby – 54th minute
WILM: Andriy Budnyy (Chris Banks) – 61st minute
WILM: Chris Banks (Jack Avesyan) – 78th minute
WILM: Luke Mulholland – 103rd minute

Lineups:
Eagles: Reed, Dalby, Moore, Roberts, Bryan, Herrera, Bloom, Guzman, Rife, Toby, Sanchez
Hammerheads: Polak, Riley, Evans, Becerra, Spendlove, Mullholland, Nicholson, Gusman, Avasyan, Budnyy, Noviello (Banks 56)

Cautions:
19′: Guzman (Char)
35′: Noviello (Wilm)
55′: Avesyan (Wilm)
90′: Nicholson (Wilm)
93′: Moore (Char)
94′: Mulholland (Wilm)
109′: Herrera (Char)

Ejections:
None.

Referee: Daniel Fitzgerald
Assistant Referees Larry Stroud, Conor Williams
Fourth Official: Mark Kadlecik

2011 US Open Cup Real Salt Lake bracket preview: Charlotte Eagles at Wilmington Hammerheads

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SECOND ROUND

Charlotte Eagles at Wilmington Hammerheads
Legion Stadium – Wilmington, N.C. – 7:30 p.m.
Broadcast: None

THIRD ROUND

Charlotte Eagles / Wilmington Hammerheads at Real Salt Lake
June 28, 9 p.m. ET  Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah

Wilmington Hammerheads

The club has been a member of USL’s professional third division league since its founding in 1996 with the exception of its hiatus in 2010. The club was at its peak early in the 2000’s, finishing first in the division in back-to-back years and reaching the final in 2002 and 2003, claiming the title on the second try.

Path to Open Cup: Automatic entrant from USL Pro.

First Round: Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro) 4:0 Central Florida Kraze (PDL)
The Hammerheads blanked the visiting Central Florida Kraze 4-0 in the First Round Tuesday with first half goals from Jyler Noviello and Luke Mulholland. Andriy Budnny tallied twice in the second stanza put put the match out of reach. Full Recap [+]

League Form: Wilmington returned to league play on Saturday at Orlando City, nabbing a late draw 1-1 on the foot of Budnny. The Hammerheads are in fifth place in the American Division with a 5-3-3 record.

Open Cup History: The club’s second quarterfinal appearance in eight trips to the tournament in 2009 was followed up with the club taking a hiatus last year due to financial issues. The run began by downing state rivals Charlotte and Carolina. They blanked league rival Eagles 2-0 in the First Round and downed the second division RailHawks in the Second Round via penalties after a 3-3 draw. Wilmington then surprised the Chicago Fire of MLS, 1-0, in the Third Round before being knocked out by second division Rochester, 2-1. The previous quarterfinal campaign in 2003 also included upsets as Wilmington downed second division Atlanta Silverbacks, 2-1, in the Third Round and MLS’s FC Dallas in a stunning 4-1 result in the Fourth Round before falling, 1-0, to DC United. FC Dallas would avenge the loss in the Third Round in 2005, but needed overtime in a 3-1 decision. The club’s other MLS contest was a 2-1 loss to New York in the Fourth Round in 2006, following another 2-1 upset of the Silverbacks.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 12-8-1 (1-0 in PKs) overall | 6-7-1 (1-0 in PKs) vs. pro teams | 2-0-0 vs. 3rd Division teams (both wins vs. Charlotte Eagles in 2006, 2009)

Charlotte Eagles

Founded in 1991, the team joined USL in 1993 and has been a professional club since 1995, playing primarily in the pro third division with a stint in the second division from 2001-03. The club won the third division title twice (2000, 2005) in six appearances and missed the playoffs last year for the first time since 2003 (second division), the only previous time they missed the playoffs since their debut season. The club is also well known for its sports ministry philosophy of sharing the message of Christianity through soccer.

Path to Open Cup: Automatic entrant from USL Pro.

First Round: Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro) 3:1 Carolina Dynamo (PDL)
Darren Toby gave Charlotte the initial First Round lead Tuesday with Carolina equalizing before the break. Diego Martins and Alan Sanchez added second half strikes to lead the Eagles to the 3-1 win. The win avenges a 4-2 upset by the Dynamo over the Eagles in the Second Round of the 2004 competition. Recap [+]

League Play: Charlotte returned to league play action Saturday at home against Dayton, winning 2-0 on goals from Darren Toby and Salieu Bundu. They are currently in sixth place in the American Division with a 4-4-3 record.

Open Cup History: The club had only one appearance prior to its current run of seven straight dating back to 2004, but were knocked out in the Second Round in 1998 by second division Worcester Wildfire, 2-0. All four tournament victories have come against lower division opponents, three from the USASA. Two of the USASA clubs hailed from Florida (2007, 2008). Last year the Eagles were eliminated by fellow North Carolina club, the second division Carolina RailHawks, in a narrow 1-0 decision.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 5-8-0 overall | 0-7-0 vs. professional teams | 0-2-0 vs. 3rd Division (both losses to Wilmington Hammerheads in 2006, 2009)

Real Salt Lake

How They Qualified: Automatic entrant from top six MLS finish in 2010.

This Month in MLS: Real Salt Lake returned home from a two-game road swing to face DC United Saturday, giving up a late penalty in a 1-1 draw in which they tallied first from the spot via Fabian Espindola. They are now visiting Chicago Fire June 22 and hosting Toronto FC in two more league contests before the Third Round. They opened the month with a 2-0 victory against the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps (under new coach Tom Soehn) on June 4 with Nick Rimando in goal as Jean Alexandre tallied a goal and an assist. Four days later in Columbus, they fell 2-1 to the Crew after Jamison Olave gave them the initial lead seven minutes in. RSL played to a 1-1 draw in Philadelphia June 11 against the Union with Fabian Espindola providing the equalizer in the 53rd minute. Last Five: D-D-L-W-L | Season Record: 6-3-4 (4-1-2 Home), tied for fourth in Western Conference, tied for fifth overall.

Open Cup History: Having last participated in the Open Cup proper in 2006, Real Salt Lake’s qualifying is the longer of the two lists. RSL’s debut in the Cup in 2005 was an epic 6-4 extra time upset loss to the USL’s Minnesota Thunder. After playing the first half to a 2-2 draw, both teams scored twice more to level the score at 4 after 90 minutes. Minnesota scored twice in extra time for the 6-4 win, leaving Jason Kries’ hat trick for RSL on the losing side. 2006 saw RSL needing extra time again in their opening match, this time against the Virginia Beach Mariners. Jeff Cunningham (RSL) and Tim O’Neill (VBM) traded goals in the first half, and Andy Williams’ 93rd minute strike held up for Salt Lake’s first ever Open Cup win. RSL would be eliminated 1-0 in the next round by their Rocky Mountain Cup rivals, the Colorado Rapids. Colorado would keep the Utah side out of the Open Cup in 2007, defeating them 2-1 in the final round of MLS qualifying. 2008 and 2009 saw RSL eliminated in the opening round of MLS qualifying, while in 2010 they fell yet again in the final round, this time to 2-1 to DC United in overtime. This season, RSL avoided qualifying all together by virtue of their second-place finish in the 2010 MLS regular season.

FIRST ROUND

Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO) 3:1 Carolina Dynamo (PDL)
Macpherson Stadium – Browns Summit, N.C. – 7 p.m.
Full Recap [+]

Central Florida Kraze (PDL) 0:4 Wilmington Hammerheads (USL PRO)
Legion Stadium – Wilmington, N.C. – 7:30 p.m.
Full Recap [+]

ELIMINATED TEAMS

Carolina Dynamo

Founded in 1993, the club was an immediate success in USL with championships in its first two professional ranks from 1995-2003 with a hiatus in 1998. The club has since played in the PDL following the opening of its soccer-specific Macpherson Stadium, which opened in 2003.

Path to Open Cup: Of the nine PDL qualifiers, the Dynamo are one of two that finished with a loss in the four-game campaign, advancing via head-to-head tiebreakers with fellow 3-1-0 sides Real Maryland Monarchs and West Virginia Chaos. Carolina opened with a 2-0 win against the Chaos on goals form Hakan Ilhan and Chris Thomas. Ilhan scored again, along with Freddy Gomez, in another 2-0 win at Real MarylandMaryland in the next match before dropping a 1-0 road match to Northern Virginia the next night. The Dyanmo wrapped up the berth with a third Joseph Goodwin shutout, blanking Virginia Beach 3-0 with two more goals from Ilhan.

June News Updates: Rallied from two down to win 3-2 at West Virginia June 9 with three goals in the final 16 minutes, two from Robbie Lovejoy on either side of Freddie Gomez’s 88th minute equalizer… Blanked Northern Virginia Royals 3-0 June 4 with Karo Okiomah tallying goal and assist.

Open Cup History: The Dynamo return to the tournament for an eighth appearance after a four-year absence. The last outing was a success, earning upset victories to the fourth round in 2006. The club opened with a 4-3 win over league foe Cape Cod before surprising third division Richmond Kickers, 1-0, in the second round. They then upset the second division Seattle Sounders in overtime, 3-2, in the third round before falling 4-2 to the Houston Dynamo. The 2004 victory against Charlotte was one of three other upsets the club has registered, although the other two came as a third division side. The Dynamo upset second division New York Fever on the road, 1-0, in 1996 before falling 2-0 to DC United in the quarterfinals. Three years later they blanked second division Orange County Zodiac on the road, 2-0, before a 3-0 third round loss to the Columbus Crew. The club’s only other MLS match was also to the Crew, a 5-1 second round loss in 2001.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 10-7-0 overall | 2-0 vs. Division 3 (as a PDL team)

Central Florida Kraze

Members of the USL PDL since the team’s founding in 1998, the club was at its peak of success with five playoff appearances in six years from 2003-08, winning the league championship in 2004.

Path to Open Cup: Despite finishing perfect, the club had to watch the scoreboard on the final night as Mississippi could also accomplish the feat as well as pass the Kraze in tiebreakers. Fortunately, winless Nashville surprised many with a 2-2 road draw against Brilla. The Kraze got off to a fast start, playing in three of the division’s first four qualification matches. They won the opener 1-0 against Schulz Academy on a Pablo Gutierrez goal in the 88th minute that, in hindsight, was critical. Fredrik Brustad scored twice while leading the club to a 3-1 win in the next outing against Schulz and added another in the third game, a 3-0 victory in Bradenton. Brustad scored in his third straight game as they repeated the 3-0 victory at home against the Academics with Keneil Baker earning his third shutout of the campaign.

June News Updates: Netted a 1-0 victory over FC Jax June 10 on a goal from Nicolas Russo in the 83rd minute… Fell 3-0 at Mississippi Brilla June 4.

Open Cup History: In the tournament for the second straight year and fourth overall, the Kraze are yet to register a victory. The club nearly registered an upset a year ago, falling 5-1 in overtime against second division Miami FC in which now Real Salt Lake striker Paulo Araujo scored four goals in extra time. In 2007 the second division Charleston Battery blanked Central Florida 3-0 and in 2000 the club was upended, 2-1, by Miami-based USASA club Uruguay SC.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 0-3-0 overall | 0-0-0 vs. Division 3


2011 US Open Cup First Round: Hammerheads cruise to 4-0 victory over PDL’s Central Florida Kraze

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Wilmington Hammerheads vs. Central Florida Kraze - 2011 First Round
Photo: Wilmington Hammerheads

The Wilmington Hammerheads cruised past the PDL’s Central Florida Kraze with a 4-0 win at Legion Stadium in Wilmington.

After a slow start from both teams, the Hammerheads finally took the offensive. In the 34th minute Jyler Noviello scored when Kraze goalkeeper Keneil Baker came off his line to challenge Noviello. Noviello assisted on the next Wilmington goal nine minutes later, as Luke Mulholland made the score 2-0 going into halftime.

Andriy Budnyy doubled the scoreline for Wilmington with two goals in three minutes in the second half. The first came in the 70th minute on an assist from Mulholland, and the second came three minutes later as Budnyy blasted a short range shot between the legs of Baker.

The Hammerheads will host the Charlotte Eagles at Legion Stadium in the second round on June 21. It will mark the third time the teams have met in U.S. Open Cup play. The previous games were in 2006 and 2008, which Wilmington won 3-1 and 2-0 respectively.

Central Florida Kraze (PDL)
0:4
Wilmington Hammerheads (USL PRO)
Legion Stadium –Wilmington, N.C.

RECAP: Wilmington | Wilmington Star News
VIDEO: WWAY NewsChannel 3 (Wilmington)

Scoring Summary
WILM: Jyler Noviello 34’
WILM: Luke Mulholland (Noviello) 43’
WILM: Andriy Budnyy (Mulholland) 70’
WILM: Andriy Budnyy 73′

Things you should know about the First Round of the US Open Cup

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David Geno and the Seattle Sounders Under-23s celebrate one of the club's five goals in a 5-1 win over Doxa Italia in the First Round of the 2013 US Open Cup. Photo: Chris Coulter | SoundersPhotos.com
David Geno and the Seattle Sounders Under-23s celebrate one of the club’s five goals in a 5-1 win over Doxa Italia in the First Round of the 2013 US Open Cup. Photo: Chris Coulter | SoundersPhotos.com

A total of 40 clubs took part in the first Lamar Hunt US Open Cup (then known as the National Challenge Cup) tournament in 1913/14, a majority of whom came from the Northeast region of the country.

In 2008, the Seattle Sounders USL franchise became the first club in the Modern Era to advance to the Semifinals in consecutive seasons after beginning play in the First Round.

Since 1996, only five teams have advanced to the Semifinals after beginning play in the First Round. The Charleston Battery (2008), Carolina RailHawks (2007), San Francisco Bay Seals (1997) and the Seattle Sounders who did it twice in 2007 and 2008. San Francisco remain as the only third division club to advance to the final four (after beginning in Round 1) during that span.

Since 1995, an Open Division Local team has failed to advance past the First Round only three times (1995, 1998, 2002). Uruguay SC from Florida made the Second Round in back-to-back years (2000, 2001), and Mexico SC (Fresno, CA) joined them in 2000. Dallas Roma FC advanced in consecutive seasons in 2005 and 2006 and Bavarian SC (Milwaukee, WI) moved on to the next round in 2003 and 2007. From 2008-2010, only one USASA club survived the opening round each year (Hollywood United – 2008, Sonoma County Sol – 2009, Arizona Sahuaros – 2010). After the tournament expanded in 2012, it has become more common.

In 1999, the Wilmington Hammerheads saw two players score hat tricks in their First Round match. Ryan Walker and Luke Griffith both scored three times in Wilmington’s 8-1 rout of Los Lobos, a USASA team from Oklahoma.

The Atlanta Silverbacks (USL First Division, Div. 2 pro) embarrassed Azzurri, an Open Division Local club from North Texas, 10-0 in the First Round of the 2007 tournament. It was the biggest route in the Modern Era, topping the Chicago Stingers’ (USL D3 Pro) 8-0 win over SAC Wisla (USASA) in 1997.

2007 marked the first year that all non-MLS teams began the tournament in the First Round. It was also the first year that any Division 2 pro teams started in Round 1.

In 2013, David Geno of the Seattle Sounders U-23s (USL League Two) became the first player from an Open Division team to score four goals in one game, and just the 10th player from any division to pull off the feat. He did this in Seattle’s 5-1 home win over Doxa Italia, and he scored all four of his goals in the first half.

The First Round in 2013 marked the first time that four different players scored a hat trick in the same round. Prior to that year, no more than two players had ever done it in the same round in the Modern Era (1995-present).  David Geno of the Sounders U23s scored four against Doxa Italia (USASA), while Hakan Ilhan (Carolina Dynamo), Kwadwo Poku (Georgia Revolution) and Argjent Duka (Icon FC) each scored a trio of goals in their respective games.

The attendance record for the First Round of the US Open Cup (Modern Era) is 5,816, when the Arizona Sahuaros (D3 Pro League) hosted the San Gabriel Valley Highlanders (PDL) at Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Arizona on June 12, 1998.

The record for highest average attendance in the First Round (Modern Era) is 1,247, but there were only four games scheduled that year (and one of them was forfeited).

The record for the biggest Second Round in the Modern Era is 2017 when there were 28 games played.

Updated after the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Notable upsets in the First Round of the US Open Cup

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Hollywood United coach Ian Carrington celebrates his club’s upset win over the Portland Timbers. Photo: Allison Andrews
Hollywood United coach Ian Carrington celebrates his club’s upset win over the Portland Timbers. Photo: Allison Andrews

2008 – Hollywood United (USASA) 3, Portland Timbers (USL-1) 2
The Professional Era’s greatest First Round upset came in 2008 when Hollywood United, the USASA Region IV qualifier from California, traveled to PGE Park in Portland Ore. and knocked out the Portland Timbers 3-2. Hollywood United trailed twice during the match, but each time they trailed, Matt Taylor would convert a penalty kick to tie the game back up. With the score level at 2-2, Earl Alexander scored a 90th minute goal to send United to the Second Round and left Portland fans stunned. It was only the second time in the Professional Era that a USASA team has defeated a USL First Division team, and the first time that a USASA team had upset a USL-1 team on the road.

1997 – Bridgeport Italians (USASA) 3, Rhode Island Stingrays (D3 Pro) 2
With the USASA clubs reeling from losing “their” cup to the USISL and MLS, the amateur clubs of the USASA looked forward to proving to the higher level clubs that they still belonged. On this summer day in East Providence, Rhode Island, the Bridgeport Italians proved they did belong. Their opponents, the Rhode Island Stingrays, would eventually make the playoffs of the Third Division USL Pro League, but wound up seeing an early exit for themselves from the Cup. Marek Jurkonski, Pierre Venditti and Allen Zuniga scored for Bridgeport to give them a 3-2 win over the Stingrays. The Italians went on to lose a close 1-0 game to the Long Island Rough Riders in the next round, but they fulfilled the dream of every USASA club, they beat one of the “big boys”.

Other notable First Round upsets
1996 – San Jose Oaks (USASA) 3:2 California Jaguars (USISL Select)
1997 – Bridgeport Italians (USASA) 3:2 Rhode Island Stingrays (D3 Pro)
1997 – Mid Michigan Bucks (PDL) 3:2 Wilmington Hammerheads (D3 Pro)
1997 – Central Coast Roadrunners (PDL) 4:2 Albuquerque Geckos (D3 Pro)
1999 – United German Hungarians (USASA) 2:1 New Jersey Stallions (D3 Pro)
1999 – New York Freedoms (PDL) 3:1 Cape Cod Crusaders (D3 Pro)
1999 – Mid Michigan Bucks (PDL) 3:2 Austin Lone Stars (D3 Pro)
1999 – Spokane Shadow (PDL) 3:2 (aet) Chico Rooks (D3 Pro)
2002 – Raleigh CASL Elite (PDL) 5:2 Carolina Dynamo (PSL)
2002 – Des Moines Menace (PDL) 3:1 New Jersey Stallions (PSL)
2006 – Michigan Bucks (PDL) 2:0 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-2)
2007 – Ocean City Barons (PDL) 1:0 Crystal Palace Baltimore (USL-2)
2007 – Bavarian SC (USASA) 1:0 Cincinnati Kings (USL-2)
2007 – El Paso Patriots (PDL) 2:2 Miami FC (USL-1) (El Paso advance 4-3 on PKs)
2009 – Ocean City Barons (PDL) 3:0 Crystal Palace Baltimore (USL-2)

2009 Quarterfinal recap: Rochester Rhinos last USL team standing

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2009 US Open Cup Quarterfinals
(Home team listed on right)
July 7
Wilmington Hammerheads 1:2 Rochester Rhinos
Harrisburg City Islanders 1:2 DC United
Houston Dynamo 4:0 Charleston Battery
Kansas City Wizards 0:1 Seattle Sounders

Player of the Round: Geoff Cameron (HOU)
Notable upsets in Quarterfinal history
Things you should know about the Quarterfinals

The Rochester Rhinos may be the only USL team left in the tournament, but they have been here before. The Rhinos will make their third appearance in the Semifinals of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup after a 2-1 victory over the Wilmington Hammerheads of the USL Second Division. For the Rhinos, it will be their first appearance in the final four since 1999, the year they won the Open Cup.

They will travel to Boyds, Md. on July 21 to face DC United, the club that beat them in the 1996 Open Cup Final. United got past a USL Second Division club of their own, knocking off the Harrisburg City Islanders 2-1.

In the other Semifinal, the Houston Dynamo will make their way to the Starfire Soccer Complex in Tukwila, WA on July 21 where they will face the Seattle Sounders. The Dynamo exorcized some demons on Tuesday night, eliminating the Charleston Battery at Blackbaud Stadium, something they have been unable to do in the 2007 and 2008 tournaments. The difference in Seattle’s 1-0 win over Kansas City was an 89th minute penalty kick that Sebastien Le Toux converted for the game’s only goal.

2009 Quarterfinals: A decade later, Rhinos back in Semifinals; beating the Hammerheads 2-1

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Highlights courtesy of USLLive.com
Marina Auto Stadium – Rochester, N.Y.
Match Reports: Rochester | Wilmington | Democrat & Chronicle | Star News

2 FT  1

Atieno (Ambersley) 54’
Andrew Gregor (PK) 67’
    
72’ Jamie Watson (Unassisted)

For the first time in the 2009 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the Rochester Rhinos advanced to the following round without the need of extra time, defeating the Wilmington Hammerheads 2-1 in regulation at Marina Auto Stadium in Rochester, NY.

A crowd of 3,598 were on hand to watch Rochester continue their run in the Open Cup, thanks to an impressive header from Tai Atieno and a penalty kick by Andrew Gregor, both in the second half. Wilmington fought back to one goal down with a superb individual effort from Jamie Watson, but it was too little, too late for the Hammerheads.

The Rhinos, who are currently celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their historic 1999 Open Cup championship, will advance to the Semifinals for the first time since they made that Cinderella run a decade ago.

Hammerheads goalkeeper Kyle Polak made his first start of the season and only his second appearance after Daryl Sattler was injured in a July 2 league match against the Charlotte Eagles.

Early in the match, Rochester were the attacking squad, as Wilmintgon played in a defensive shell, content on letting Rochester dictate the pace.

Rochester had their first opportunity of the match on 11 minutes, as Nano Short’s bicycle kick sailed wide of the net. Five minutes later, Andrew Gregor was given a free kick from 20 yards out, but his attempt sailed just wide of the crossbar.

The best chance of the first half would come from Rhinos’ midfielder Ryan Heins. Mike Ambersley caught up to a cross and headed the ball down to Heins on the six yard box, who caught the ball on a short hop, and sent his volley high over the crossbar.

Wilmington were next to create in the 24th, with Phil Hufstader sending a cross far post, beating Tim Melia, but just out of the reach of several Hammerhead players.

Rochester maintained possession for a majority of the first half, but could not convert on their opportunities, leaving the score 0-0 at the half.

Only three minutes into the second half, Rochester looked poised to go up 1-0, but second half substitution Tiger Fitzpatrick could not find the back of the net as his header was cleared off the line by two Hammerhead defenders.

In the 54th minute, Tai Atieno would end the scoreless draw, heading home a cross from Ambersley to put Rochester up 1-0. Atieno found himself alone in the six yard box, and his header left Polak with no chance for a save.

Johnny Menyongar almost put Rochester up 2-0 as his diving header glanced just wide of the near post. Menyongar holds the record for most goals scored in the Professional Era of the US Open Cup (since 1995), with 12 to his name.

Ambersley continued his superb night in the 64th minute, drawing a penalty after a quick cut inside the Hammerhead box. Andrew Gregor stepped up and calmly slotted the ball to the right of the keeper, giving the Rhinos a 2-0 lead.

Wilmington would fight back, as Jamie Watson’s superb individual effort in the 77th minute put the score at 2-1, and gave life to the visiting USL-2 side.

The last fifteen minutes saw a rejuvinated Hammerheads side attacking Rochester, pinning the Rhinos in their defensive third. Goalkeeper Tim Melia made several strong saves down the stretch, and the Rochester defense remained strong in the air, securing the victory for the Rhinos.

With the win, the Rochester Rhinos claim $10,000 for being the furthest advancing USL-1 side in this year’s Open Cup.

Next up for the Rhinos in the Open Cup is a Semifinal matchup against DC United on July 21 at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md. Rochester has never defeated DC United, posting a 0-3 record against the MLS club, including a loss in the 1996 Open Cup Final. Kickoff for the Semifinals is at 7:30 p.m.

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