Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2018 US Open Cup

2018 US Open Cup Round 4: Who should be voted TheCup.us Player of the Round?

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Ezequiel Barco of Atlanta United converts a penalty kick against the Charleston Battery in the Fourth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Atlanta United
Ezequiel Barco of Atlanta United converts a penalty kick against the Charleston Battery in the Fourth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Atlanta United

There were several exceptional individual performances in the Fourth Round of the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. This should make for a challenge when the staff of TheCup.us and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters cast their votes for TheCup.us Player of the Round.

While the votes are being tallied up, check out the list of nominees below and tell us who YOU think deserves to win on Facebook or Twitter:

MORE: 2018 TheCup.us Player of the Round winners (so far)

Ezequiel Barco (Atlanta United FC, MLS): Barco assisted on the team’s third and final goal (by Romario Williams) and converted the penalty kick (drawn by Williams) in the 47th minute in Atlanta’s 3-0 home win over the Charleston Battery (USL).

Vilyan Bijev (Sacramento Republic FC, USL) – Bijev may not show up on the scoresheet, but he was dominant in midfield for the Republic, both with his tackling and breaking up Seattle’s offense, and sparking the offense in Sacramento’s 2-1 home win (after extra time) over the Sounders. While he did not earn an assist, his play directly led to both goals and he helped a defensive unit that held Seattle to just seven shots, and only one of them required a save.

Diego Chara (Portland Timbers FC, MLS): Chara led the Timbers offense to a 2-0 home win over the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) and assisted on the second goal.

Justin Davis (Nashville SC, USL) – Davis was the leader of the Nashville SC defense that not only shutout the Colorado Rapids (MLS) 2-0, but they held the MLS side to just two shots, and neither one was on target. He also had the clearance off the line that was Colorado’s best scoring chance. On top of that, it was his cross that led to the own goal that opened the scoring in the 38th minute.

Sacha Kljestan (Orlando City SC, MLS): Kljestan assisted on two of Orlando’s three goals in a 3-0 road win over Miami United FC (NPSL).

Ari Lassiter (Los Angeles Galaxy, MLS) – Lassiter scored a pair of goals in the Galaxy’s 3-1 home win over FC Golden State Force (PDL).

Jimmy Maurer (FC Dallas, MLS) – Maurer made three saves and faced 16 shots and kept a clean sheet in FC Dallas’ 1-0 road win over San Antonio FC (USL).

Nemanja Nikolic (Chicago Fire, MLS): Nikolic scored both goals for the Fire in a 2-2 draw on the road against the Columbus Crew (MLS). He also converted his penalty kick in the shootout that Chicago won 10-9.

Brian Ownby (Louisville City FC, USL): Ownby assisted on Louisville City’s opening goal in the 11th minute and then scored a stunning goal in the 62nd minute that proved to be the game-winner in a 3-2 comeback win at home over the New England Revolution (MLS)

Diego Rossi (Los Angeles FC, MLS): Rossi came on as a second half sub with the game tied at 0-0. He made an immediate impact as LAFC eared a 2-0 home win over Fresno FC (USL). Rossi scored the opening goal eight minutes into the second half and was part of the run of play that led to the team’s second goal.

Danny Royer (New York Red Bulls, MLS): Royer scored two goals in two minutes late in the game (87th, 89th) in a 4-0 home win over New York City FC (MLS).

Johnny Russell (Sporting Kansas City, MLS): Russell scored the opening goal and assisted on the other one in a 2-0 road win over Real Salt Lake.

Bobby Shuttleworth (Minnesota United FC, MLS): Shuttleworth kept a clean sheet for 120 minutes as Minnesota United finished scoreless with FC Cincinnati going into the penalty kick shootout. He made two saves and faced 15 shots throughout the game. He made two saves in the PK shootout to help Minnesota eliminate FC Cincinnati on the road, 3-1.

Romario Williams (Atlanta United FC, MLS): Williams scored the third and final goal for Atlanta United in the club’s 3-0 home win over the Charleston Battery (USL). He also added four shots (two on frame) and drew a penalty kick in the 47th minute that would give Atlanta a 2-0 lead.

2018 US Open Cup Round 4: Young Portland Timbers feature in 2-0 win over San Jose Earthquakes

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Jeremy Ebobisse scores the first goal of the game for the Portland Timbers in their 2018 US Open Cup match against the San Jose Earthquakes. Photo: Allison Andrews | SoccerCityUSA.com
Jeremy Ebobisse scores the first goal of the game for the Portland Timbers in their 2018 US Open Cup match against the San Jose Earthquakes. Photo: Allison Andrews | SoccerCityUSA.com

The Portland Timbers defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 2-0 in front of 12,769 fan at Providence Park in Portland, Ore. With the victory, the Timbers advance to the Fifth Round of the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The Earthquakes featured a primarily first choice lineup which included star striker Chris Wondolowski, while the Timbers called up several players from their reserve side, Portland Timbers 2, to start in the match, which only featured Diego Chara from the first choice lineup.

“I was very pleased with the performance all around from everyone who stepped on the field and they got the job done,” Timbers coach Giovanni Savarese said following the match. “We knew it was going to be a tough game. They had a lot of starters. They had a lot of players, important players, and we knew we had to battle. I was very pleased not only because we were able to score the two goals and win the match, but we showed some maturity with a lot of the young guys and we kept the ball, we knew when to move it, when to go forward and all around I thought it was a great performance by the guys. I’m very proud of the way they played today.”

While the Earthquakes started out on the front foot for the first few minutes of the match, the Timbers quickly took control of the match, with call ups Renzo Zambrano and Marvin Loria providing much of the early spark for the Timbers.

After several minutes of trading chances, the Timbers would finally get their breakthrough in the 28th minute, as Jeremy Ebobisse found himself with space in the 18, a quick cut-back and left footed shot floated past San Jose goalkeeper Andy Tarbell, giving the Timbers the lead.

“I knew was going to turn out. I was lucky to get that first touch toward goal. From there, I saw Marvin making a good run in the box so my first thought was to feed him. I didn’t trust my right foot in that instance, so I cut it back and luckily had some time and took a good goal.” Ebobisse said following the match.

Feeling pressure to level the match before the break, the Earthquakes pushed higher in the attack and saw chances from Jahmir Hyka and Jackson Yueill blocked and saved, respectively, and the teams went in to the locker room with the Timbers ahead 1-0.

Coming out of the break, the Earthquakes continued to push for an equalizer, but it was the Timbers who once again found the back of the net.

On the counterattack, Chara sped down the center of the pitch toward the San Jose goal. With defenders collapsing on him, he found an unmarked Dairon Asprilla, who slotted the ball past the feet of Tarbell to double the Timbers lead in the 66th minute.

With the match in hand and the Earthquakes making attacking substitutions, the Timbers were happy to take a more defensive posture, absorbing the pressure from the San Jose attack to ensure their victory and advancement on to the next round.

With the victory, the Timbers will face the LA Galaxy in the Round of 16 of the U.S. Open Cup at Providence Park.

2018 US Open Cup Round 4: Sporting KC begins defense of USOC title with 2-0 win at Real Salt Lake

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USOC-KC-RSL-FINALNot many teams come to Utah and grab results. Real Salt Lake holds a home record of 113-27-44 overall at their world-class facility, Rio Tinto Stadium, since opening the facility in October 2008.

Sporting Kansas City last eliminated Real Salt Lake in Lamar Hunt US Open Cup play in the semifinals in 2015. Sporting Kansas City again eliminated Real Salt Lake in 2018 with a 2-0 victory Wednesday, with goals coming from Johnny Russell in the 48th minute and Kharlton Belmar in the 74th minute.

Belmar assisted Russell for the first goal, and Russell assisted Belmar for the second goal.

Sporting Kansas City is arguably the hottest team in MLS. It has the third most goals at 28, first place for shots on goal with 89, and currently sits atop the Western Conference of MLS with 28 points out of 14 games. SKC is also the reigning and defending champions of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup after beating New York Red Bulls last year 2-1.

Both team coaches’ Peter Vermes and Mike Petke had interviews this week with their local media talking about how this game was set during a very busy time for them. Their normal starters have all played a lot of minutes and that some other guys were going to get an opportunity to step in and show everyone what they could do.

“We came in trying to win the game. At the same time this is a very congested part of the schedule, just like it was for Salt Lake,” said SKC’s Matt Besler. “So we knew that we were going to have to make some changes with the game that we had on Sunday and another big game that we have in Portland on Saturday. So we knew that right away. Fortunately we had a few days to prepare for this game and we gave a number of guys their first opportunities tonight and I think all and all it was a good team performance by us.”

Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City both are really known for their academy programs and producing top talent. With both teams needing to rest some guys there was an opportunity for some young guys to get some minutes. Real Salt Lake started Andrew Brody, Jose Hernandez, and Aaron Herrera, all products of their academy program. While Sporting Kansas City started Gianluca Busio and Jaylin Lindsey. I really enjoyed watching Gianluca play. He just turned 16 years old on May 28th. He is barely 16 years old.

Here is what Matt Besler had to say about Busio’s performance: “I thought he grew into the game very well. It says a lot about him, he just turned 16 years old, the way that he played, the way that he was able to battle and play for 90 minutes. I think that he got stronger as the game went on. He was able to find those pockets of space for us, and we were able to break the lines and play into him, and he had the poise to find those pockets and find the ball and make the right decisions. It was a very good game for him.”

Here is what Gianluca Busio had to say about his play and his preparation for this game:

“I first found out maybe a couple of days before in training. I was a little nervous at first but after a couple days of practice I felt a little bit more confident going into the game. I was surrounded by other guys that were getting their first starts so that made it easier that they had some of the same nerves as me, but that just helped me. They were all encouraging, and we also got some veterans in there also. So that helped me a lot, making me get into the game. I thought I prepared pretty well with the team and got into it.” When asked if coach Vermes had given any special instructions prior to the game Busio said: “He just told me to go out there and be confident. He brought me aside and said you deserve it, go out there and be confident and play your game. He knows I can play.”

Both teams exchanged opportunities in the first half, but for the most part both teams were being pretty conservative in the opening half. Jose Hernandez got through on a breakaway in the 18th minute for Real Salt Lake from a pass from Ricardo Lopez-Espin, but Hernandez pulled his shot wide. Gianluca started to really grow into the game around the 34th minute where he started to thread some through balls down the right side. Sporting KC’s best opportunity in the first half was on a counter attack down the right side that found Russell running to the top of the 18 yard box. Russell was able to skip by his first defender with a great little lifted touch past the sliding defender, but RSL goalkeeper Sparrow came up big with the save.

The second half seemed to have a whole different pace to it. Sporting Kansas City was pressing higher up the field and really going at RSL right after kick off. Kharlton Belmar made a diagonal run down the right hand side behind the defense and got the ball near the endline. He was able to cut it back to the onrushing Johnny Russell for the go ahead goal in the 48th minute.

Here is what Russell had to say about his goal and assist: “It was a good team move. Belmar made a good run to get in behind and I knew that was the only ball he had really, was the cut back. It was a great ball from him. I managed to get in front of the defender and tuck one away which is nice, especially after the opportunity in the first half that I should have scored. The second one just opened up. The coaches were telling me to get the ball and turn. It was a great ball from Amor. I could see that it opened up. I saw Belmar’s run and I tried to play it across and he got a touch on it.”

Belmar scored his goal in the 74th minute and Real Salt Lake subbed in another academy product Brooks Lennon and also Alfredo Ortuno Martinez but was never really able to produce anything. Sporting Kansas City went on to win and advances to the 5th round in chase of defending last year’s Open Cup Title.

2018 US Open Cup Round 4: Sacramento Republic claim another MLS upset with OT win over Seattle Sounders

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The Sacramento Republic FC defeated the Seattle Sounders FC of MLS in the Fourth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Sacramento Republic FC
The Sacramento Republic FC defeated the Seattle Sounders FC of MLS in the Fourth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Sacramento Republic FC

For the second year in a row, the Sacramento Republic were able to pull off another upset in front of their home fans as they topped the four-time US Open Cup champion, Seattle Sounders FC, by a score of 2-1. The USL side was on the front foot for much of the night before eventually grabbing the late winner with a goal by substitute Jure Matjašič in the 115th minute of play.

“It’s another step forward,” said Sacramento head coach Simon Elliot about the massive win. “We are pleased to win and we are pleased to get to the next round.”

The Republic controlled most of the first half as the Sounders only had one shot on target very early on in the match. Sacramento was able to create loads of chances but was unable to convert any of those chances into a goal.

“We dominated for long periods but we weren’t clinical enough,” said Elliot about his team’s performance.

The best of those chances came first in the 8th minute when Elliot Hord was just barely unable to finish on the back post. The other major chance in the first half fell to captain Adam Moffat who missed his long range effort just wide in the 35th minute as the half finished 0-0.

The second half began much like the first half as the home side was in control and looked comfortable though out. The breakthough goal eventually came in the 60th minute when the hometown kid, Cameron Iwasa, finished off a cross from Elliot Hord to give the home side the deserved 1-0 advantage.

“Elliot absolutely worked his tail off,” said Simon about the man who set up the opening goal.

Sacramento continued to control the possession and most of the play on the field as they searched for a second goal to seal the match. The Republic came close in the 71st minute when Iwasa forced a huge save out of Sounders goalkeeper Bryan Meredith.

Then again in the 83rd minute, the man of the match, Vilyan Bijev, forced another save out of Meredith. It appeared that the home side would kill the match off as they continued to push for their second goal. Not too long after that, Sacramento’s Justin Schmidt just missed his effort on the doorstep, which surely would have ended the match in the 90th minute.

However, the Republic were hit with a deflected equalizer in the 92nd minute of play when Sounders substitute, Harry Shipp, came up with the goal to send the match to extra time and silence the home crowd on the Sounders’ second shot on target.

Sacramento did not let the goal affect them however as they went right back to dominating in the extra time.

“I was very pleased with the response after Seattle got the goal,” said Elliot. “You can’t drop your heads just because you lose a goal. You have to pick yourself up and keep going.”

Sacramento found the game-winning goal through Jure Matjašič in the 115th minute when a rebounded effort off the foot of Bijev fell kindly to Matjašič who calmly finished off the goal to give his side the 2-1 lead late.

2018 US Open Cup Round 4: Los Angeles FC win tournament debut, 2-0 over Fresno FC

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Diego Rossi of Los Angeles FC celebrates the first goal of the game against Fresno FC in the Fourth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Ben Goldman | LAFC
Diego Rossi of Los Angeles FC celebrates the first goal of the game against Fresno FC in the Fourth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Ben Goldman | LAFC

Two second-half goals from Diego Rossi and Latif Blessing lifted Los Angeles FC to a 2-0 victory over USL-side Fresno FC in the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

“A team like Fresno that is well coached and that is prepared, we had to find different ways to open them up,” LAFC coach Bob Bradley said. “It took a little while, but it is good to move on. We look forward to the next part of the Open Cup.”

With the win, LAFC recorded its first-ever Open Cup victory in their inaugural tournament match inside Banc of California Stadium.

Both squads played to a scoreless first half with LAFC controlling the tempo for a majority of the 45 minutes. The hosts best chance on frame came at the 28th minute, when Calum Mallace fired a shot from distance that forced Foxes goalkeeper Kyle Reynish to react.

LAFC’s Adama Diomande also had an early chance in the 18th minute, but his shot was blocked by Fresno defender Cory Brown.

For Bradley, he thought his team was not sharp enough in the first 45 minutes of play.

“I thought in the first half, in tight spaces we were slow sometimes to just play the next ball,” Bradley said. “So we had too many moments where we wanted too long and the pass that we tried had no chance.”

Fresno FC held their own for long stretches, but that was before Rossi stepped onto the pitch.

The Uruguayan national came off the bench in the second half and slotted a close-range finish over the goal line in the 52nd minute, just before Christian Chaney could clear the ball out.
Bradley had high praise for his young forward in the short time of action he received.

“He could’ve played 90 minutes, but to use him for 45 and knowing that we turned it around quickly, and how many minutes he’s played was nice,” Bradley said. “He loves to play.”

Just three minutes later LAFC struck again. This time it was Blessing, who buried Mallace’s blocked shot inside the penalty box.

The Foxes exit the US Open Cup with a 2-1 record that included wins over Orange County FC and Sporting Arizona FC.

For LAFC, they will await the Open Cup draw to see if they play Sacramento Republic FC, Portland Timbers FC or the LA Galaxy.

2018 US Open Cup Round 4: Ari Lassiter’s brace for LA Galaxy eliminates FC Golden State Force

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Ari Lassiter of the LA Galaxy controls the ball against FC Golden State Force in the Fourth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: LA Galaxy
LA Galaxy controls the ball against FC Golden State Force in the Fourth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: LA Galaxy

Ari Lassiter had been the forgotten man on the L.A. Galaxy’s forward depth chart until he made everyone remember that he can score goals, too.

The 22-year-old striker scored twice as L.A. Galaxy (MLS) defeated FC Golden State Force (PDL), 3-1, on Wednesday night in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round game at StubHub Center’s Track & Field Stadium.

“His two goals were good but he probably could’ve had five,” LA Galaxy head coach Sigi Schmid said. “It was good for him to get those two, and his goal scoring is always appreciated.”

L.A. Galaxy is 3-0 in US Open Cup games in which Lassiter has scored since last season.

“As a striker it’s always important for me score goals and that’s what I came here to do,” said Lassiter, who had played predominantly for L.A. Galaxy II (USL) this season. “I need to contribute any way that I can and that’s what I did.”

It was the third and fourth Lamar Hunt US Open Cup goals of Lassiter’s career, and his left-footed scissor kick in the 38th minute was his first goal with the Galaxy’s first team since last July.

“It just set up nicely for me and sometimes you just have to go for that bicycle kick,” Lassister said. “I went for it and it paid off.”

Bradford Jamieson IV made his first start of the season and scored the game’s opening goal in the 15th minute for LA Galaxy, which will learn its next US Open Cup opponent on Thursday, June 7.

“I’m just taking it game-by-game and trying to focus on the little things,” said Jamieson, who had been sidetracked by concussions twice in the last two seasons. “I feel like getting sharper with every match and it’s coming along.”

LA Galaxy goalkeeper Justin Vom Steeg made some critical stops among his seven saves but Brazilian Pedro Fonseca scored in th for FC Golden State Force, which allowed as many goals against Galaxy as it had during its three previous tournament games.

2018 US Open Cup Round 4: Minnesota United ruins FC Cincinnati’s encore performance

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

After last year’s historic run to the quarterfinals and a roster built to compete again this year, FC Cincinnati’s run in the 2018 U.S. Open Cup came to an abrupt end in the fourth round, falling 3-1 via penalty shootout after a scoreless regulation to Minnesota United.

The first half was fairly even as the teams traded possession but lacked many quality scoring chances. The Loons backline was strong early in the match, stifling creative play in their end, particularly Brent Kallman, who locked the right side down. In the 24th minute, Emery Welshman, who scored a hat trick in FCC’s second-round win over Detroit City FC, was able to make a run down the sideline and sent a cross near the penalty spot, Jimmy McLaughlin made contact but sent a header wide to the right.

Cincinnati would then try to step the pressure up, with clever passing around Minnesota’s half. Russell Cicerone made a valiant attempt to dribble towards the goal from the right, but lost control of the ball on the turf.

The second half saw Cincinnati take hold early and it felt like momentum would carry the USL upstarts to a goal. Corben Bone’s cross in the 54th minute was put wide right of the net by Kenny Walker. Then Welshman tried to power his way past his defender but Minnesota’s Michael Boxall tied him up and Welshman sent his shot wide left of the net. Minnesota would then tighten up and tried to break through offensively.

Abu Danladi’s rocket in the 81st minute forced Cincinnati goalkeeper Spencer Richey to make the quick save. Any hope of ending this in regulation went by the wayside and time would end with the score still tied at 0-0.

Added extra time was more of the same, with both teams trading possession but not getting near the net. A few substitutions brought on fresh legs but neither side could generate much offense and the extra 30 minutes would wind down, sending this to penalty kicks to determine the winner.

PKs were where the Loons would take over. Christian Ramirez opened things with a rocket past Richey.

After Kenny Walker pinged the crossbar for Cincinnati, Collin Martin put the visitors up 2-0. Cincinnati again couldn’t answer as Sem De Wit’s shot was stopped only to be followed by Brent Kallman giving Minnesota another goal. Michael Lahoud finally connected for Cincinnati and a miss by Collen Warner gave FCC hope.

But MNUFC keeper Bobby Shuttlesworth sealed the victory, making a stop on Nazmi Albadawi.

This is the first time Minnesota United has reached the Round of 16 in their collective history. Now in their second year as an MLS club, they lost their opening fourth-round match last season to Sporting Kansas City. In their days as an NASL club, they earned their way to the fourth round twice previously in 2014 and 2016.

2018 US Open Cup Round 4: Orlando City SC ignore league form, outclass Miami United, 3-0

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USOC OCSC-MIA FINALOrlando City advanced in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in convincing fashion Wednesday night, dominating the stylish and sartorially splendid but outclassed Miami United 3-0 at Ted Hendricks Stadium.

A lively crowd of 2,721 paid to see it, including a sing-song and boisterous chorus of traveling Orlando City supporters.

Miami United had the better chances early, with early round Open Cup-hero David Ochoa troubling Orlando’s central defender pairing of Jon Spector, who was playing his first game after a month in concussion protocol, and Tony Rocha. Miami had two glorious chances in the the12th minute through Ochoa, only to see midfielder Tomas Grannito and Ochoa miss chances from 10 yards.
The game evened out after the early chances, and when David Ochoa picked up an injury around the half-hour mark, Miami United lost the valve that had pressured and pinned Orlando back throughout the early stages.

After a long spell of possession, Orlando finally broke through late in the opening half. Sacha Kljestan won a second ball in the center of the field and played a ball to Josue Colman, who switched the field to fullback RJ Allen. Allen’s cross found a surging Stefano Pinho, who tapped home from five yards to give the Lions the lead.

For Pinho, it was a well-earned goal on a night where his off-ball movement and secondary runs created havoc in the area. The Brazilian had made his star turn a year prior against Orlando City in the Open Cup.

This season, he enjoyed sending the Purple and White through to the next round.

“I have confidence in the Open Cup, but I’m a goalscorer, I always want to score,” Pinho said. “I have to be myself and prove myself every day, whether a league game or a Cup game or a practice, but to help us win in Miami in front of friends and family, it’s a great feeling.”

While Pinho is no stranger to Open Cup success, having earned Player of the Round honors during last year’s competition playing with Miami FC, Orlando City have had difficulties the last two years playing fellow Florida sides in Open Cup competition. The Lions provided the city a moment of bittersweet joy in beating Jacksonville Armada in 2016 after the tragic Pulse shooting but succumbed at home to Fort Lauderdale in the following round and lost a lopsided affair to Miami FC in 2017.

Compounding matters, Orlando also entered the match winless in nearly a month, having lost four consecutive games to league foes Atlanta United, Toronto FC, New York City FC and the Chicago Fire.

But for all the trouble the Lions have had recently and historically at home against NASL sides, they handled a turf field and a hostile road environment in Miami against a tricky NPSL side Wednesday night.

“It was a moment we needed desperately,” Orlando coach Jason Kreis said. “This was a critical result for us and hopefully it builds confidence for the future.”

Kreis also noted the respect he had for Miami United when he watched them on video, insisting that he didn’t take the Open Cup — or his team’s NPSL opponent — lightly.

“I select the team that gives my club the best chance to win the game. There’s no part of me that says the league is more important, not at all,” Kreis said. “We may have league games where we’ll rest certain players to be ready for Open Cup games, because we think we can make a deep run.”

The Lions added to their lead within the first ten minutes of the second half, when a high-pressing Mohamed El-Munir charged forward down the left flank, took a ball away and chipped out of three defenders to Sacha Kljestan. The U.S. international took one cut and played a ball across to a late-running Dillon Powers, who finished clinically to give Orlando a deserved two-goal advantage.

The third would come minutes later, off an unforced error in the back by Elisma Pierre, whose simple clearance pass was intercepted by Sacha Kljestan. The Orlando star quickly turned inside and slotted the ball to PC, who tapped home from seven yards to signal that the rout was on in Miami.

As often happens when a game gets sideways, things turned chippy late, with Orlando taking exception to Miami United putting in hard, physical tackles as they chased possession down three goals. Fortunately, referee Elvis Osmonovic kept proceedings under control, issuing a handful of cards and even ejecting a Miami United coach for a bump on Orlando’s Brazilian fullback PC. Meanwhile, Jason Kreis, fully aware of Orlando’s precarious position as they chase their first MLS Cup playoff berth, used his substitutions wisely, protecting stars like Sacha Kljestan and Jonathan Spector with early substitutions as the Lions seized control.

2018 US Open Cup Round 4: Nashville SC’s first MLS upset adds to Colorado Rapids’ misery

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USOC-COL-NVL-FINALNashville SC advanced to the Fifth Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a 2-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids at Vanderbilt Stadium on Wednesday night.

Ropapa Mensah’s 78th minute goal propelled the upstart USL squad to its first-ever competitive win over an MLS franchise and extended an unbeaten run to nine games across all competitions.

The loss extends Colorado’s winless run to eight games, but it also added to a pair of unfortunate records they already hold. This marked the 15th consecutive tournament that the Rapids have failed to win multiple games in a tournament, and this was the tenth time that a lower division team knocked them out of the competition. Both of those are Modern Era (1995-present) records.

Mensah wasted little time finding the net after being subbed on for Brandon Allen just one minute prior. Liam Doyle’s cross found Mensah near the back post and the attacker rose above Colorado’s Deklan Wynne, finishing the chance with a header to the lower right corner to beat keeper Zach MacMath and send the Nashville crowd into a frenzy.

Nashville coach Gary Smith praised Mensah’s immediate energy and awareness off the bench.

“He comes onto the pitch like a crazy person,” Smith said. “He’s so keen to make a mark.
“I’ve got good players on the line that can either help us win a game or change a game and the second goal was key.

“To score the second goal at that time really deflated them and the writing was on the wall from that moment,” Smith added.

The Rapids controlled nearly 60 percent of possession, yet totaled just three shots on the night.
The lone true threat to Nashville’s goal was a 26th-minute scramble that was cleared near the line by Nashville’s Justin Davis.

“It was a tough one,” said Rapids forward Dominique Badji. “We were on top of it for most of it but we just didn’t create enough quality chances and didn’t put away the few chances we had.”

Nashville goalkeeper Matt Pickens, who helped Colorado hoist the MLS Cup in 2010, said it was more of the same for one of the USL’s best defensive teams.

“Probably the easiest game of the year for me,” Pickens said. “I just tried to keep guys tuned in. They held the possession but the guys put in the work and also played smart. We didn’t give up any stupid fouls around the box and we kept everything in front of us. It’s good see we’re staying disciplined to that.”
Nashville drew first blood in the 38th minute when Rapids defender Michael Azira turned in a Justin Davis cross into his own net.

“I was just trying to put it in a difficult spot for them,” Davis said. “Playing on this turf it’s not ideal for a back line so when facing their own goal stuff like that happens.”

Smith said he felt his squad turning up the heat on the visitors before the eventual breakthrough.

“We had started to turn the screw a little bit,” Smith said. “It’s about putting players under pressure. If you can deliver to good areas and you can build some pressure and get bodies in dangerous areas, defenders are concerned and they do strange things.”

The own goal coupled with Nashville’s stingy defense held until Mensah’s goal gave the hosts the final winning edge. But Smith, who coached that 2010 MLS Cup-winning Rapids team before being relieved of his duties just a season later, hinted the edge may have come well before the match kicked off.

“You’ve got guys in that locker room who have, at certain times, been passed up at the MLS level,” he said. “You’ve got guys that have achieved something at that level and you’ve got guys that want to be at that level. Any way you look at it, you’ve got a group of guys out there that were going to give absolutely everything from where they were at tonight.”

The win by Nashville SC was made even more impressive by the fact that it was the first time that a Tennessee-based club defeated a Major League Soccer team since 1998. Twenty years ago, the Nashville Metros eliminated the Kansas City Wizards (now Sporting Kansas City), 3-1.

2018 US Open Cup Round 4: FC Dallas edge San Antonio FC in Texas-sized MLS vs. USL battle

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FC Dallas and San Antonio FC met in the Fourth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Darren Abate | USL
FC Dallas and San Antonio FC met in the Fourth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Darren Abate | USL

FC Dallas (MLS) advanced to the Round of 16 in the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Wednesday night with a 1-0 win over San Antonio FC (USL) in San Antonio, Texas. San Antonio has never advanced further than the Fourth Round while FC Dallas, four-time finalists and two-time winners of the tournament, advance again to the Round of 16.

The first half featured quality chances by both squads. The first dangerous chance came in the 26th minute when San Antonio’s Omar Gordon juked Dallas’ keeper, but his shot was stopped just in front of goal by defender Jordan Cano to keep it scoreless.

Dallas’ Emmanuel Twumasi took a chance for the visitors in the 34th, but SAFC’s GK Matt Cardone handled it easily.

San Antonio nearly scored the opener in first half stoppage time but was cleared off the line again. The match went into halftime with nothing between the two sides.

The second half had barely gotten underway when FC Dallas’ Tesho Akindele, fed by Michael Barrios, slotted home the opening goal in the 46th minute. Dallas then focused their defensive efforts mainly on San Antonio FC’s Omar Gordon, who was the most dangerous man on the pitch in the first half. Gordon had all three of SAFC’s shots on target and four overall coming out of halftime.

Instead of sitting on their one-goal lead, the visitors continued pushing for an insurance goal, forcing San Antonio’s Matt Cardone to make a few point-blank saves, keeping the home side within striking distance. Gordon had San Antonio’s best second-half chance in the 80th minute as he danced around the Jimmy Mauer’s box, but his shot just went over the crossbar. Dallas nearly iced the match in the 87th minute as Michael Barrios’ effort bounced off the upright and rattled in front of San Antonio’s goal before being cleared.

The match ended 1-0 in favor of visiting FC Dallas who extend their opening round winning streak to six games. will find out their Round of 16 opponent on June 7.

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