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2024 US Open Cup

2024 US Open Cup Semifinals: Who should be voted TheCup.us Player of the Round?

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Photo by LAFC Communications | Graphic by Phil Naegely

The Semifinals of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup are complete with Sporting Kansas City and Los Angeles FC punching their ticket to the Final.

Sporting Kansas City are seeking to win a record-tying fifth US Open Cup title, and they got there with a 2-0 home win over Indy Eleven (USL Championship) on Tuesday night. The day after, Los Angeles FC needed just a single goal to get past Seattle Sounders FC. With a 1-0 win at Starfire Soccer Complex, LAFC will play in the club’s first-ever Open Cup Final.

There were some key players that propelled both teams into the tournament’s 109th championship game and are being considered for TheCup.us Player of the Round.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters, and select backers from TheCup.us’ Patreon. If you’d like to vote in this, or upcoming rounds, consider pledging $10 or more and help us continue to cover the US Open Cup and research its long history. If you did have a vote, which player do YOU think should win?

Here are the finalists (in alphabetical order):

Denis Bouanga (Los Angeles FC): Bouanga started, played all 90 minutes and scored the lone goal from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute in LAFC’s 1-0 road win over Seattle Sounders FC (MLS).

Tim Melia (Sporting Kansas City): Melia started, played all 90 minutes, made five saves and earned a clean sheet in a 2-0 home win over Indy Eleven (USL-C).

Johnny Russell (Sporting Kansas City): Russell started, played 88 minutes and scored opening goal (14th min.) in Sporting KC’s 2-0 home win over Indy Eleven (USL-C).

2024 US Open Cup Semifinals: Late PK helps LAFC edge Seattle Sounders to reach first USOC Final

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Denis Bouanga of Los Angeles FC scored the lone goal from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute in a 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders in the Semifinals of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: LAFC

In a battle of MLS Western Conference heavyweights, Los Angeles FC outlasted Seattle Sounders, 1-0, on Wednesday night at Starfire Sports Stadium in the Semifinals of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The match hinged on a controversial handball called on Seattle in the 80th minute of an otherwise even affair.

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "We Want The Cup" shirt in your team's colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

As a result of Wednesday night’s triumph, LAFC will advance to the Open Cup Final for the first time in club history. The club previously reached the Semifinals in the 2018 edition of the Cup in their debut season. Seattle will have to wait another year in their attempt to become just the fourth team to win five Open Cup titles – the first among MLS clubs.

Denis Bouanga converted from the spot for the match’s lone goal in the 83rd minute. The tally stands as Bouanga’s first career goal in Open Cup action.

For LAFC forward Kei Kamara, he was proud of the way his team responded after losing to the Columbus Crew in the Leagues Cup Final just a few days before.

“This was really a tough game,” said Kamara, who won the 2012 US Open Cup with Sporting Kansas City, the team LAFC will face in next month’s Final. “It’s a tough game for everybody that has been in the final before and … lose a final, you know, to go back to the next game and see what you can do, how the locker room is gonna pick themselves up.”

Neither team was able to break through in the first half, but not for a lack of trying by Los Angeles. Bouanga whipped in a free kick that led to a Kei Kamara effort that was saved brilliantly by Andrew Thomas. The save rebounded to Lewis O’Brein who then saw his volleyed effort blocked by the Seattle defense to preserve parity.

After the interval, both teams had chances to score a decisive opener. However, Thomas and Hugo Lloris proved equal to every effort through the first 38 minutes of the second half. 

Unfortunately for Thomas, Pedro de la Vega was called for a handball in the box that set up a penalty attempt for Bouanga. The Gabonese striker stepped up to the spot and snuck it past Thomas, just inside the netminder’s right post.

In the second minute of stoppage time, Seattle thought they’d fought back to find an equalizer. Unfortunately, Jordan Morris was judged to be a step offside prior to his headed effort. With the Sounders throwing numbers forward in the dying moments of the match, LAFC’s defense stood strong and denied the hosts a clean look at goal.

Dating back to Seattle’s first Open Cup appearance in 1995, it was just the sixth time in 39 all-time home games that the Sounders were eliminated. It was also the first time that the four-time champions have ever lost a Semifinal match (5-1-0).

It was just the Wednesday night was the fourth win for LAFC against Seattle in 2024. Los Angeles will play host to Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday, Sept. 25 in the US Open Cup Final at BMO Stadium. Sporting defeated Indy Eleven 2-0 in the other Semifinal on Tuesday night. It will be the first time that the tournament’s championship game will be hosted in Southern California since 2005 (LA Galaxy). LAFC are the 26th Southern California club in tournament history to reach the championship game.

2024 US Open Cup Semifinals: Sporting KC work late to end Indy Eleven’s Cinderella run, return to USOC Final

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Dany Rosero of Sporting KC celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Indy Eleven in the Semifinals of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Sporting KC
Dany Rosero of Sporting KC celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Indy Eleven in the Semifinals of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Sporting KC
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "We Want The Cup" shirt in your team's colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

Sporting Kansas City said goodbye to the last remaining lower division club as the MLS side shutout Indy Eleven, 2-0 to advance to their fifth US Open Cup Final.

Two first half goals by Johnny Russell and Dany Rosero boosted KC past Indy as Sporting learned from their mistakes in 2022 and defeated a USL team in Tuesday’s Semifinal match of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

With the win, Sporting will advance to the Final where they will play on the road against the winner of Wednesday’s Semifinal between the Seattle Sounders FC and Los Angeles FC.

If Kansas City is able to win the 109th US Open Cup Final, tentatively scheduled for Sept. 25, the club would tie the tournament’s all-time record with a fifth championship. Only three clubs in history have lifted the trophy five times: Bethlehem Steel, Maccabee AC, Fall River Marksmen/New Bedford Whalers.

Before the match could even begin, a storm swept over Kansas City. Thunderstorms along with large lightning strikes surrounded Children’s Mercy Park and the match’s kickoff was delayed from 7 p.m. local time all the way to 9:45 p.m., an almost three-hour delay. This isn’t the first time this has happened though, as the second half of SKC’s quarterfinal affair against FC Dallas was delayed for over two hours as well.

Though the delay didn’t seem to impede KC’s intentions on getting to the final and putting themselves in position to win a record-tying fifth US Open Cup title.

In the 14th minute, Sporting’s Jake Davis decided to take on a defender, then laying it off to Johnny Russell who buried a long-range effort into the bottom left corner. Russell’s fifth career US Open Cup goal proved to be the game’s winning strike. This goal is historic as it was the Scotsman’s 67th for the club, which ties former striker Dom Dwyer for second all-time in scoring.

Although Russell has been at the club since 2018, this will be the first final he will be a part of.

“I’m buzzing to be back (in a final),” said Russell. “Just to have an opportunity going there with these guys and hopefully to go win a trophy. I’m 0-for-5 in finals so winning this one would be very special.”

Though Sporting had already taken the lead, they continued to lay the pressure on Indy.

Erik Thommy hit the post twice, one that rattled the crossbar coming off of a long range effort in the 10th minute, the other coming from a close range freekick that nailed the inside of the left post.

Indy only threatened KC twice in the first half, one being a close-range shot in the 22nd minute from Augustine Williams that Melia got himself in front of, and the other being a ball played across the box that the dangerous Williams narrowly missed getting a foot to it in the 41st minute.

“We did really well (in the first half), pulling them out of their shape, eliminating their ability to play the ball over the top,” said Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia.

In the 35th minute, Remi Walter collected a semi-cleared out corner and lofted to the back post where Dany Rosero lurked and headed home a second for KC. The Colombian scored his second goal of the tournament, coming in back-to-back games. It was also his seventh goal for the club, all seven coming from headers. 

Indy faced an unlikely comeback scenario as there have only been four instances in the Modern Era where an MLS side has been eliminated by a lower-level club when leading by two goals or more.

Indy was a lot more lively in the second half, producing eight of their ten shots in the half. They had great chances in the 52nd minute, when Williams’ had another shot saved by Melia, and a deflection that Melia also tipped wide. Jack Blake also had two long range volleys coming from semi-cleared corners, both of which were saved by Melia.

Melia’s heroics in the second half earned him man of the match honors and is expected to be a nominee for TheCup.us Player of the Round with another stellar performance in the Open Cup. He produced five saves or more saves in the second consecutive Open Cup game and kept his second consecutive clean sheet in all competitions. 

“We had to grind in the second half, they’re a good quality opponent, and we shouldn’t take anything away from them,” said Melia.

Although happy about the result, Melia sees this as a way to redeem a season that hasn’t fully met his team’s standards.

“Yeah. I think this one’s different because we’re not where we wanna be right now,” said Melia, who was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round for the 2015 and 2017 US Open Cup Finals. “So I think this one is a little bit more important to, I don’t wanna say make something with the season, but this one just means more because of the position that we’re in within the (MLS) season.”

In the last minute of play, Agada was able to win a late penalty to cap off an important win, though Alan Pulido’s attempt was saved to the keepers right by Hunter Sulte. This was KC’s third penalty attempt that has been unsuccessful this season in all competitions. The game also marked Pulido’s 100th appearance in all competitions for the club, in which he joined in 2020.

This win takes Sporting’s home unbeaten streak in the Open Cup to 16 matches, the second longest streak in the Modern Era (1995-present). Kansas City hasn’t suffered a loss at home in the tournament since Fifth Round match in 2014 against the Portland Timbers. Sporting KC’s manager Peter Vermes has always treated this tournament different than most MLS clubs and feels that the tournament needs to be respected.

“I think from a commercial perspective, the tournament has to get better,” said Vermes, who earned his 26th career Open Cup win, which is tied for second among all Modern Era coaches. “I just think there are certain things within the tournament that can be better. Unfortunately, that’s a responsibility of US Soccer. That has to take another level up.”

They will face the winner of the other semifinal match between LAFC and Seattle on Wednesday, and if LAFC is victorious in that match, Kansas City will have a place in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup as LAFC have already qualified for the competition via the Leagues Cup earlier this month, meaning the spot falls to the next highest finishing team.

Sporting added to the club’s tournament resume, earning a 36th win, which moves them into a tie for sixth place in the Modern Era with the Richmond Kickers.

During Vermes’ press conference, he mentioned that a fan was struck just outside the stadium before kickoff. “ Our thoughts and prayers and everything goes to the family involved. Very sad news to hear coming off the field”. KCPD has released an update that the victim is, “at a local hospital with potential life-threatening injuries” as of 11:45 p.m. local time.


2024 US Open Cup Semifinals Preview: Four history-seeking clubs battle for trip to Final

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Photo by Grace Ogata-Beutler | Graphic by Phil Naegely

The 109th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is down to the final four teams, all of them chasing history. Indy Eleven, the last lower division team left in the competition, are not only seeking to be just the second USL team to lift the trophy, but the state of Indiana has never had a team reach the championship game. They will travel to face Sporting Kansas City on Tuesday who are trying to win a record-tying fifth US Open Cup title.

UPDATE: Sporting KC works late to shutout Indy Eleven, advance to USOC Final

Another team looking to join the five-timers club is the Seattle Sounders FC and they will host Los Angeles FC, who are trying to bring the trophy back to the City of Angels for the first time since 2005. That game will take place on Wednesday.

The Semifinal winners are scheduled to face off in the US Open Cup Final on Sept. 25.

2024 US Open Cup Results/Schedule
2024 US Open Cup Stat Leaders
2024 TheCup.us Award Winners
2025 US Open Cup Qualifying News
US Open Cup History
Amateur Cup News
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TheCup.us will have reporters at both Semifinal games and will be providing live updates on X (Twitter), @USOpenCup.

Both matches will be broadcast live on Apple TV with links provided below.

A full round preview can be found below with video links and detailed info on each team’s 2024 US Open Cup run and history throughout the years.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 27

Indy Eleven (USL-C) 
vs.
Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Children’s Mercy Park – Kansas City, KS
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO (Apple TV)

To say there is plenty on the line for both Sporting Kansas City and Indy Eleven is an understatement. For SKC, not only is there a chance for a season-saving trophy in the US Open Cup Final, but there’s also a chance to write their name in the record book with some of the greatest clubs in US Soccer history. Lifting the trophy this year would be a fifth tournament title. Only three clubs in the 109-year history of the tournament have won the Cup five times, Bethlehem Steel, Maccabee AC, and Fall River Marksmen/New Bedford Whalers. 

For Indy, not only could they become the first Indiana-based club to ever win the tournament, but they would be just the second lower division club since 1996 to lift the trophy. But on top of that, just reaching the Open Cup Final could potentially send them to next year’s CONCACAF Champions Cup. Should Los Angeles FC win their US Open Cup Semifinal over the Seattle Sounders, Indy Eleven would get the CONCACAF Champions Cup spot allocated to the Open Cup winner, as LAFC has already qualified as a finalist in this year’s Leagues Cup.

It would mark the first time a USL team would participate in the CONCACAF Champions Cup since the Puerto Rico Islanders did so from 2008-2009 to 2010-2011. The USL First Division Islanders qualified each time by participating in the Caribbean Football Union Club Championship. CF Montreal, known then as the Montreal Impact, also qualified for the 2008/09 CONCACAF Champions Cup by winning the inaugural Canadian Championship.

Indy Eleven has already won the tournament’s $25,000 prize money for being the Second Division team to advance the furthest in the competition.

Sporting Kansas City celebrates after defeating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in the 2017 US Open Cup Final. Photo: Bob Larson
Sporting Kansas City celebrates after defeating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in the 2017 US Open Cup Final. Photo: Bob Larson

Heading into the Open Cup Quarterfinal, Sporting were languishing near the bottom of the MLS Western Conference. However, since the Quarterfinal win over FC Dallas, SKC have gone 2-1-1 in league play, good enough to pull them to within seven points of the playoff line. An early elimination in the Leagues Cup no doubt provided a much-needed rest and may have allowed the club to regroup. William Agada currently leads Kansas City with nine goals, followed by Erik Thommy (5), Alan Pulido (4) and Johnny Russell (4). Agada has four goals in SKC’s last five MLS games. Memo Rodriguez leads the team with six assists, with Pulido and Russell adding five each. 

Benjamin Ofeimu of Indy Eleven celebrates after scoring a goal against Detroit City FC in the Round of 16 of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Matt Schlotzhauer - Indy Eleven
Benjamin Ofeimu of Indy Eleven celebrates after scoring a goal against Detroit City FC in the Round of 16 of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Matt Schlotzhauer – Indy Eleven

After starting the season 1-1-4, Indy Eleven caught fire with a nine-game unbeaten streak. Indy have since cooled off, going 1-4-1 in league play, including three losses in their last four games.

In the middle of all this was the off the field drama with the mayor of Indianapolis meeting with MLS Commissioner Don Garber to discuss a future expansion team.

Powering Indy’s offence is Jack Blake with eight goals, followed by Augustine Williams and Sebastian Guenzatti with five each. Aedan Stanley is tops in assists with seven. Williams also has a shot at the Open Cup goalscoring lead, his three goals leaves him just one behind the leaders.

Indy Eleven We Want The Cup Shirt
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OPEN CUP PEDIGREE

Initially known as the Kansas City Wiz, then the Kansas City Wizards, and now Sporting Kansas City, along with the Chicago Fire and Seattle Sounders, are on the cusp of joining Bethlehem Steel, Maccabee AC and the Fall River Marksmen as five-time Open Cup champions. After a slow first few years, KC hit their stride in the Open Cup, and since 2002 they’ve never gone more than two years between reaching at least the Quarterfinals. Sporting is also 8-2-3 (1-2 PKs) against Division 2 opponents, with their last outright loss coming to the Minnesota Thunder in the 2005 Quarterfinals. SKC are on a nine-game Open Cup home winning streak, and a 15-game home unbeaten streak going back to 2014. KC’s last Open Cup home loss was a 3-1 defeat by the Portland Timbers in the 2014 Fifth Round. It’s the second longest home unbeaten streak of the Modern Era (1995-present), behind Seattle Sounders FC and the Chicago Fire FC, who both hold the record at 19.

Indy Eleven does not have much Open Cup history to speak of. Making their first appearance in 2014, the club had never advanced to a third game before this year. Indy have faced MLS opposition in the Open Cup just three times: a 2-1 extra time loss to Columbus in 2014, a penalty kick elimination by the Chicago Fire in 2016, and a 1-0 loss to Columbus last year. Indy also has just one road win in seven games, a 1-0 victory over Chicago Fire FC II (MLS NEXT Pro) in this year’s Third Round.

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Indy Eleven

Third Round >> Indy Eleven 1:0 Chicago Fire II (MLS NEXT Pro)

Indy Eleven opened its 2024 tournament with a 1-0 win over Chicago Fire II of MLS NEXT Pro. Douglas Martinez scored the lone goal in the 6th minute, and goalkeeper Yannik Oettl (who was a finalist for TheCup.us Player of the Round) kept Chicago out of his goal with 11 saves from 22 shots faced. (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

Fourth Round >> Indy Eleven 2:0 San Antonio FC (USL Championship)

Before the Fourth Round, news broke that the city of Indianapolis had been in conversations with Major League Soccer (MLS) about bringing an expansion franchise to the market. This caused plans for “Eleven Park”, a brand new 20,000-seat stadium for the USL side to be halted while the city discussed details of a different plan, tailored to a potential new MLS club with an unnamed group of investors. Despite the drama, Indy Eleven proceeded to eliminate San Antonio FC 2-0 on the strength of goals from Augustine Williams and Jack Blake in the first ten minutes. 

Fifth Round >> Indy Eleven 3:0 Detroit City FC (USL Championship)

Indy Eleven’s Round of 16 match against Detroit City FC looked to be their toughest hurdle yet, but it turned out to be the opposite. A 14th minute own goal from DCFC was followed in the first half by scores from Augustine Williams and Ben Ofeimu which gave Indy a 3-0 lead at the half. Despite being outshot 17-6, Indy goalkeeper Hunter Sulte made seven saves to keep Detroit off the board and preserve a third straight shutout win giving Indy Eleven their first quarterfinal appearance in club history. It also marked the first time that a team from Indiana has reached the Quarterfinals since the Indianapolis Inferno did it in 1992. (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

Quarterfinals >> Indy Eleven 2:1 Atlanta United FC (MLS)

Facing their first MLS opponent in this year’s tournament, Indy Eleven traveled to Kinnesaw, Ga. to face Atlanta United FC. Augustine Williams got Indy started on the right foot in the 31st minute and slotted home a pass from Douglas Martinez from outside the penalty area. As Indy continued to hold on to their slim lead, Atlanta’s Dax McCarthy accidentally padded that lead by deflecting a pass into his own net in the 83rd minute. Nick Firmino scored for Atlanta in second half stoppage time to make the final minute a bit more exciting, but Indy held on for the win. Augustine Williams was voted TheCup.us’s Player of the Round for his performance. (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

SPORTING KANSAS CITY

Fourth Round >> Sporting Kansas City 2:1 (AET) Union Omaha (USL League One)

In their rematch from the 2022 Quarterfinals, Sporting Kansas City narrowly avoided a penalty shootout with Union Omaha, snatching a 2-1 win at the end of extra time. Omaha held a 1-0 lead at halftime, but Marinos Tzionis equalized for SKC just after the break. The teams battled through over 70 more minutes of scoreless play and just as it looked like a penalty shootout was necessary, Alan Pulido snuck a shot by Omaha goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu from the top of the penalty area to give Sporting the win. (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

Fifth Round >> Sporting Kansas City 4:0 FC Tulsa (USL Championship)

In the Round of 16, KC dominated FC Tulsa 4-0 at home. Felipe Hernández scored on both sides of halftime and Stephen Afrifa and Marinos Tzionis provided the other goals as Sporting outshot Tulsa 34-3. (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

Quarterfinals >> Sporting Kansas City 2:1 (AET) FC Dallas (MLS)

Looking to go 6-0 in the Open Cup against FC Dallas, SKC hosted their MLS rivals where they hadn’t lost an Open Cup game in 14 tries. After 51 minutes of scoreless play, thunderstorms rolled into the area causing the match to pause for almost an hour and a half due to lightning. When the game finally resumed, most of the 12,943 fans in attendance were chased away. SKC’s Willy Agada opened the scoring in the 77th minute, and to make the night just a bit longer, Petar Musa equalized for FC Dallas with three minutes remaining. Finally, at 12:32 a.m. local time, Dany Rosero headed home a Johnny Russell corner kick for a 2-1 lead SKC would not give up. (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

Kansas City in the Semifinals

SKC are making the seventh trip to the Semifinals (2002, 2004, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2022), advancing to the Final in the middle four. Only nine teams in the history of the tournament have more Semifinal appearances than Sporting.

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "We Want The Cup" shirt in your team's colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

2002: In their first Open Cup Semifinal, the Kansas City Wizards dropped a 3-2 golden goal decision to the Columbus Crew. KC jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to a Chad McCarty own goal (2′) and a Chris Brown goal in the 62nd minute. Columbus came back with John Wilmar Perez tying the game in the 90th minute, then winning it in the 108th minute.

2004: KC’’s run to the first of four Open Cup titles began in 2004, Igor Simutenkov’s 45th minute penalty was all the Wizards needed to beat the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0. Simutenkov would also score an extra time golden goal a month later to give KC their first Open Cup title.

2012: With their name changed to Sporting Kansas City, SKC would beat the Philadelphia Union 2-0. Jacob Peterson’s 65th minute goal was doubled by Graham Zusi’s stoppage time score.

Benny Feilhaber of Sporting KC celebrates after scoring a goal against Real Salt Lake in the Semifinals of the 2015 US Open Cup. Photo: Sporting KC

2015: SKC’s third Open Cup championship was helped by a 3-1 triumph over Real Salt Lake. Soni Mustivar put SKC level at 1-1 in the first half, and Benny Feilhaber (80’) and Krisztián Nemeth (85’) scored five minutes apart to seal the win.

2017: Title #4 was made possible by a Semifinal shootout win over the San Jose Earthquakes. In the 32nd minute Diego Rubio countered San Jose’s opening goal. With no scoring the rest of the way, Sporting won the penalty shootout 5-4, converting all five kicks after Benny Feilhaber missed the first attempt.

2022: Kansas City’s most recent Semifinal appearance ended on a down note, dropping a penalty kick shootout to the USL Championship’s Sacramento Republic after a scoreless extra time draw.

MLS vs Division 2

Since 1996, MLS clubs have faced teams from Division 2 of US Soccer 10 times in the Semifinals

1996 >> Rochester Raging Rhinos 0:3 Colorado Rapids

1996 was the very first tournament to feature MLS clubs, although there were just 12 teams across all leagues entered. The A-League Rhinos were the darlings of soccer outside MLS, regularly drawing crowds in excess of 10,000, which was more than some MLS clubs. In front of 12,179 at Rochester’s Frontier Field, the Rhinos powered past the Colorado Rapids 3-0, getting two goals from Doug Miller (56’, 85’) and one from Lenin Steenkamp (32’).

1999 >> Charleston Battery 0:3 Colorado Rapids
1999 >> Rochester Ragin Rhinos 3:2 Columbus Crew

By 1999 the Open Cup field expanded, and for the first time two Division 2 clubs reached the Semifinals. With the games played as a doubleheader at Virginia Beach, Va., the Charleston Battery joined the Rhinos in facing their MLS foes. First up was Charleston challenging the Colorado Rapids, and fortune did not go the way of the Battery. Colorado got two goals from Jorge Dely Valdez (55’, 87’) and another from Paul Bravo (82’) to prevail 3-0. The second game between the Rhinos and Columbus Crew would turn out to be much more exciting. Columbus took a 1-0 lead through Robert Warzycha (56′), but Darren Tilley tied it for the Rhinos in the 68th minute. Brian West (77′) gave the lead back to Columbus minutes later, only for Scott Schweitzer (86′) and Tim Hardy (90’) to score for the Rhinos in the final four minutes for the dramatic win.

2004 >> Chicago Fire 1:0 (ASDET) Charleston Battery

While the Battery finished second to last in the nine-team A-League Eastern Conference, a 1-0 Quarterfinal triumph over the Rhinos sent them to the Semifinals. There they met the Chicago Fire, who had already won three Open Cup titles since their 1998 debut. Charleston took the Fire to extra time tied 0-0, but Dipsy Selolwane ended the Battery’s dreams with a golden goal in the 107th minute.

2005 >> Los Angeles Galaxy 5:2 Minnesota Thunder

While the league changed its name to the USL First Division, for the second year in a row one of its clubs reached the Semifinals. Like the Battery the year before, the Minnesota Thunder found themselves in the bottom half of the league standings. Upset wins over Real Salt Lake (6-4 after extra time), Colorado Rapids (4-1) and the Kansas City Wizards (3-1) allowed the Thunder a shot at salvaging their season. The Los Angeles Galaxy didn’t co-operate with the Thunder’s Cinderella run. Landon Donovan (29′) and Herculez Gomez (44′) gave LA a 2-0 halftime lead. Thunder legend Johnny Menyongar cut the lead in half at the 54th minute, but the Galaxy pulled away near the end of the second half with goals from Tyrone Marshall (77′), Gomez (81’) and Joseph Ngwenya (82′). Chad Dombrowski got a consolation goal in the 85th minute for the Thunder to make it 5-2.

2007 >> New England Revolution 2:1 (AET) Carolina RailHawks
2007 >> FC Dallas 2:1 (AET) Seattle Sounders

2007 saw another pair of Division 2 clubs claim semifinal spots, the end result of a historic Third Round in which five of the eight MLS teams were upset by their lower league opponents. First up, the Carolina RailHawks traveled to New Britain, Conn. to face the New England Revolution. Carolina took an early 1-0 lead in the 6th minute through Anthony Maher but Jeff Larentowicz put the Revs level in first half stoppage time. A scoreless second half led to extra time, where Pat Noonan struck for New England in the 94th minute, and the Revs held on to avoid an upset.

Later that night, FC Dallas faced the Sounders at Seattle’s Quest Field. After 90 minutes of scoreless play Carlos Ruiz put Dallas ahead in the second minute of extra time. In the 119th minute, Dallas went up 2-0 on an Abe Thompson penalty, but Leighton O’Brien kept it interesting until the very end with a goal for Seattle one minute later.

2009 >> D.C. United 2:1 Rochester Rhinos

After a 10-year absence, the Rochester Rhinos returned to the Semifinals in 2009 to face D.C. United. Jaime Moreno converted a penalty kick minutes before halftime, but Taiwo Atieno pulled the Rhinos level in the 68th minute. With extra time on the horizon, Thabiso Khumalo put D.C. ahead for good in the 83rd minute. It would be the last time the Rhinos, winners of the 1999 tournament, advanced this far in the Open Cup. 

2017 >> FC Cincinnati 2:3 (AET) New York Red Bulls

2017 was the year FC Cincinnati became legends. Their run to the Semifinals was preceded by a memorable penalty kick win over the Chicago Fire in the Round of 16 in front of a then-record 32,287 at Cincy’s Nippert Stadium and aired live on ESPN, a rare occurrence for a non-final Open Cup game. FC Cincinnati hosted the New York Red Bulls, the 33,250 fans breaking the non-final attendance record set just a month earlier. Cincinnati got off to a dream start as Corben Bone (31’) and Austin Berry (62’) put them up 2-0. The Red Bulls stormed back as Gonzalo Veron (75’) and Bradley Wright-Phillips (78’) tied the game. Wright-Phillips would strike again in the 101st minute in extra time to end FC Cincinnati’s dream run.

According to TheCup.us records, FC Cincinnati's sold-out crowd of 33,250 at Nippert Stadium for the 2017 US Open Cup Semifinal against the New York Red Bulls was the second-largest crowd to ever witness a tournament game. Photo: Erik Schelkun | FC Cincinnati
According to TheCup.us records, FC Cincinnati’s sold-out crowd of 33,250 at Nippert Stadium for the 2017 US Open Cup Semifinal against the New York Red Bulls was the second-largest crowd to ever witness a tournament game. Photo: Erik Schelkun | FC Cincinnati

2022 >> Sacramento Republic FC 0:0 (5:4 PKs) Sporting Kansas City

Before this year, the Sacramento Republic were the last Division 2 team to reach the Semifinals. Riding a remarkable 11-game Open Cup home winning streak stretching back to 2017, Sacramento welcomed Sporting Kansas City to the California state capital. Sacramento goalkeeper Danny Vitiello wound up as the hero of the match. After 120 minutes of scoreless play, Vitiello saved the final penalty shot from SKC’s Graham Zusi, then Sacramento legend Rodrigo Lopez converted the final penalty kick to put the Republic into the Open Cup Final, the first time a non-MLS club achieved that feat since the Charleston Battery in 2008.

Indy Eleven (USL-C)
9th US Open Cup appearance (2014-2019, 2022, 2023)
1st Semifinal appearance
Overall: 8-7-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 2-5-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 1-2-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2014, 2016)

Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
24th US Open Cup appearance (1996-98, 2000-06, 2008-19, 2022-23)
7th Semifinal appearance
Overall: 35-16-7 (4-3 PK)
Home: 26-7-2 (2-0 PK)
vs. Div. 2: 8-2-3 (1-2 PK)
Best finish: Champions (2004, 2012, 2015, 2017)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28

Los Angeles FC (MLS)
vs.
Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
Starfire Sports Complex – Tukwila, WA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO (APPLE TV)

Like Sporting KC, Seattle is looking to write their names in the history books with a fifth Open Cup title, joining Bethlehem Steel, Maccabee AC, and the Fall River Marksmen/New Bedford Whalers. In their way is Los Angeles FC, seeking their first ever Open Cup championship and the first for the city of Los Angeles since 2005.

Seattle and LAFC have met three times this season, twice in MLS and once in the Leagues Cup. The first meeting almost feels like it happened last season, as it took place all the way back on Feb. 24 to open the MLS season for both clubs at LAFC’s BMO Stadium. LAFC opened the scoring just before the halftime break when Omar Campos sent a cross into the penalty area to Timothy Tillman, who beat Seattle’s Open Cup Round 4 hero GK Andrew Thomas for the first of his four goals this year. Ten minutes after halftime Dennis Bouanga and Mateuz Bogusz teamed up to double LAFC’s lead, as Bouanga fed Bogusz who dribbled to the top of the penalty area and fired a rocket past Thomas. Seattle finally got on the board in the 72nd minute when the Sounders were awarded a penalty via VAR after Jordan Morris was brought down in the area. Pedro de la Vega, who Seattle acquired from Argentine club Lanus, stepped up and converted the spot kick. de la Vega has managed to play just seven games this year, as the 23-year-old has been plagued with hamstring and groin injuries. LAFC held on the rest of the way for a 2-1 season opening win.

Kalani Kossa-Rienzi of the Seattle Sounders celebrates after scoring the go-ahead goal against Phoenix Rising FC in the Round of 16 of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Mike Fiechtner -Sounders FC Communications
Kalani Kossa-Rienzi of the Seattle Sounders celebrates after scoring the go-ahead goal against Phoenix Rising FC in the Round of 16 of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Mike Fiechtner -Sounders FC Communications

By the time the two teams met again on July 20 the two clubs were in vastly different situations. LAFC had just come off a 15-game unbeaten run over all competitions, propelling them to the top of the MLS Western Conference standings. Seattle was in the middle of their own unbeaten run, eight games in MLS and Open Cup play, but the Sounders needed that run to pull themselves out of the bottom half of the standings and over the playoff line. Unfortunately for Seattle, LAFC would stop the Sounders streak cold in the Final game before the Leagues Cup with a 3-0 at Lumen Field in Seattle. It was the Bouanga and Bogusz show for LAFC, as the team leaders in goals and assists accounted for all three scores. Bouanga struck first in the 16th minute, and Bogusz followed ten minutes later. Bouanga finished the scoring in the 74th minute, defeating Seattle despite the Sounders having 63.6% of possession and outshooting LAFC 20-6.

Seattle Sounders We Want The Cup shirt
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The third meeting came on Aug. 17 in the Quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup, and LAFC repeated their 3-0 victory from a few weeks prior. Ryan Hollingshead (14’) and Kei Kamara (25’) gave LAFC a 2-0 halftime advantage, and Bouanga added to the score in the 53rd minute. The win pushed LAFC’s unbeaten streak versus Seattle to nine games in all competitions, going back to May 16, 2021.

LAFC are currently battling their El Traffico rivals LA Galaxy for the top spot in the MLS Western Conference, currently five points behind but with three games in hand. LAFC will have a short turnaround from their previous game, their 3-1 Leagues Cup Final loss to Columbus on Aug. 25. The scoring duo of Bouanga and Bogusz sit atop the MLS scoring charts with 16 and 13 goals respectively, and they also lead LAFC in assists with 9 and 6. Led by goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, LAFC have the third-fewest goals allowed in MLS with 30.

Los Angeles FC players celebrate after scoring a goal against Loudoun United in the Round of 16 of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: LAFC
Los Angeles FC players celebrate after scoring a goal against Loudoun United in the Round of 16 of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: LAFC

Seattle started their season slow, remaining just outside the playoff line. The Sounders then took off in June. After opening the month with a 2-1 loss to Kansas City, Seattle reeled off a five-game unbeaten streak which is still ongoing. The run has propelled Seattle to fifth place in the Western Conference, and after the Leagues Cup break they resumed with a 3-2 win over Minnesota United on Aug. 24.

Veterans Jordan Morris and Raul Ruidiaz lead the offense with ten and eight goals each, accounting for almost half of Seattle 37 goals in MLS play. Albert Rusnak is among the league leaders in assists with 12. Stefan Frei leads a Seattle defense almost as stingy as LAFC, allowing just 31 goals in 26 games, and backup Andrew Thomas has been the Open Cup hero for the Sounders.

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "We Want The Cup" shirt in your team's colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Both Los Angeles and Seattle have the unique distinction of becoming the first MLS clubs to reach the Open Cup Semifinals without facing another MLS team since Real Salt Lake in 2013. Each team faced three USL Championship sides, although LAFC won each game by two of more goals, all three contests were nail-biters for the Sounders.

LOS ANGELES FC

Fourth Round >> Los Angeles FC 3:1 Las Vegas Lights (USL Championship)

LAFC kicked off their tournament in the Fourth Round, putting away the Las Vegas Lights 3-1. After the teams traded goals early in the second half, Cristian Olivera came through with a pair of scores in the 70th minute and stoppage time. 

Fifth Round >> Los Angeles FC 3:0 Loudoun United (USL Championship)

In the Round of 16, LAFC had little trouble with Loudoun United, who traveled across the country to the west coast. LAFC defeated the USL Championship side 3-0. Timothy Tillman opened the scoring in the 8th minute and Cristian Olivera and Tomas Angel added second half goals. (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

Quarterfinals >> Los Angeles FC 3:1 New Mexico United (USL Championship)

Waiting for LAFC in their first Open Cup Quarterfinal since 2019 was a home matchup with the USL Championship’s New Mexico United. Timothy Tillman put the home side ahead early with a 6th minute goal, collecting the rebound off a save from New Mexico goalkeeper Alexandros Tabakis. David Martinez doubled the lead in the 37th minute and then after his initial shot was saved by Tabakis, Martinez scored off the rebound. Greg Hurst pulled New Mexico to within one in the 57th minute with a blast from just outside the top of the penalty area. Then, Mateusz Bogusz snuffed out any hope of a comeback for New Mexico in the 77th minute with his first goal of the tournament and a 3-1 lead. (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

Fourth Round >> Seattle Sounders FC 2:2 (5:4 PKs) Louisville City FC (USL Championship)

Seattle had a bit more work on their plate in eliminating Louisville City FC in front of a Seattle-friendly crowd at Starfire Soccer Complex. Up 2-0 midway through the second half on goals from Paul Rothrock and Danny Musovski, Louisville clawed their way back. After a successful penalty kick from Sean Totsch in the 67th minute, Jorge Gonzalez pulled Louisville level in the 89th minute. After 30 minutes of scoreless extra time, goalkeeper Andrew Thomas stepped up in the penalty tiebreaker, saving three attempts from Louisville before converting a PK of his own to win the shootout 5-4. (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

Fifth Round >> Seattle Sounders FC 2:1 Phoenix Rising FC (USL Championship)

Seattle’s Round of 16 game was another nailbiter, as they squeezed past Phoenix Rising 2-1. A 68th minute Alex Roldan penalty kick canceled out a PK from Phoenix’s Rami Cabral in the first half. With just two minutes remaining, Kalani Kossa-Rienzi ensured Seattle would avoid extra time and penalties this time around with the game winning goal. (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

Quarterfinals >> Seattle Sounders FC 2:1 Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)

The Sounders had yet another tough task waiting in the Quarterfinals, needing to travel to Northern California to face a Sacramento Republic team that almost never loses Open Cup games at home. Josh Atencio opened the scoring for Seattle in the 16th minute with a bouncing shot from the top of the penalty area. In the 31st, Jordan Morris beat Sacramento goalkeeper Daniel Vitiello when Vitiello came out to challenge Morris at the top of the box. Just four minutes after the break Sebastián Herrera pulled the hosts to within one when he headed home a Jack Gurr corner kick. Seattle would hold on to escape with a 2-1 win. (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

OPEN CUP PEDIGREE

Seattle and LAFC have never met in Open Cup play, although the clubs would have met in the 2018 Round of 16, but Seattle were upset in the previous round by the Sacramento Republic 2-1 after extra time. LAFC made a splash in their inaugural Open Cup appearance in 2018, reaching the Semifinals where they were ousted by the Houston Dynamo on penalties after a 3-3 draw. Since then, a Quarterfinal finish in 2019 is the deepest LAFC has gone, getting eliminated by “El Trafico” rivals LA Galaxy in 2022 & 2023. LAFC are the first MLS club since Real Salt Lake in 2013 to reach the semifinals without playing another MLS team in previous rounds. LAFC has not beaten another MLS club in the Open Cup since their 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers in the 2022 Fourth Round.

Like Sporting Kansas City, Seattle is entering this year’s Open Cup looking to make history, as they are one championship away from joining Bethlehem Steel, Maccabee AC and the Fall River Marksmen as five time Cup champions. 

Members of the Seattle Sounders celebrate after winning the 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup at PPL Park in Chester, PA. Photo: Seattle Sounders FC

The last five Open Cup tournaments haven’t been very successful for the Sounders, going “one-and-done” three times, and the other two lasting just two games. Seattle has had four teams in the Open Cup over the years. While Seattle is an impressive 30-4-4 at home in the Open Cup, their road record is a dreadful 8-14-4. Seattle also holds a nice record versus fellow MLS clubs in Open Cup play, going 15-5-3 since joining the league in 2009. However, they have lost 3 in a row to their league mates, with the last win being a 2-1 triumph over their arch-rivals Portland Timbers in the 2017 Fourth Round.

LOS ANGELES AND SEATTLE IN THE SEMIFINALS

Since California began entering Open Cup play in 1953, the city of Los Angeles has been a fixture in the Semifinals. 38 times teams from the Southland have reached this point in the Open Cup. The Los Angeles Galaxy and Maccabee AC are tied with seven Semifinal appearances among LA clubs, followed by the Los Angeles Kickers with four. Twenty-four times a Los Angeles team advanced to the Open Cup Final, although LA hasn’t seen a team make it that far since the Galaxy fell to the Chicago Fire in 2006. Seattle has seen the Semifinals 10 times, eight by the Sounders, and two from Mitre Eagles

Some memorable Semifinal moments for Los Angeles and Seattle include:

1955 >> Simpkins Ford 2:5 (AET) Danish American SC

Teams from Los Angeles and San Francisco had just begun Open Cup play in 1954. After finishing 90 minutes at 1-1. In extra time Danish American SC’s Sven Martensen, Billy Agnew, George Kay, and Hugh Johnston countered Butch Cook’s lone extra time goal for DASC to prevail 5-2. The St. Louis-based Simpkins had won the Open Cup title in 1950.

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

1966 >> Orange County SC 5:0 Chicago Kickers

Fred Cameron netted a second half hat-trick (70′, 72′, 85′) to power Orange County to the first of two consecutive Open Cup Final appearances. Cameron also assisted on Manual Abunza’s 10th minute goal, and Werner Mata interrupted Cameron’s hat trick with a 78th minute goal.

Source: LA Times

1971 >> Yugoslav American SC vs. Hamm’s (St. Louis)
Hamm’s forfeit, failed to appear

Hamm did not show for the game against Yugoslav American SC at Rancho Cienega Stadium in Los Angeles because there was no guarantee (for a traveling party of 18) offered to Hamm. The previous rule of the hosts covering the away team travel costs had recently been eliminated. Hamm’s had offered the Los Angeles-based club $2,000 to play the game in St. Louis, but that offer was rejected.

1973 >> Maccabee AC 1:0 Croatian SC (Chicago)

The dynasty of the mighty Maccabees gets started in 1973. Hans Gudegast’s 65th minute penalty kick goal is enough to send the Maccabees through to their first Final, where they would claim the first of their record-tying five Open Cup championships.

1983 >> New York Pancyprian Freedoms 4:2 FOE Eagles No. 1

The first ever Semifinal appearance by a Seattle club may be more memorable for what happened leading up to the game. After beating San Francisco’s Greek American AC in the Region IV Final (National Quarterfinals), FOE Eagles No. 1 were disqualified for using an ineligible player. Feeling wronged, the Eagles managed to secure a court order to replay the Region IV final in Houston before the Semifinals. The Eagles once again prevailed 1-0 to move on to the Semis to face the powerhouse New York Pancyprian Freedoms, winners of two of the last three Open Cup titles (1980, 1982). Perhaps weary from playing the night before, the Eagles fell 4-2 to the Freedoms.

1987 >> Mitre Eagles 5:4 (AET) Busch U22 (St. Louis)

Four years later, the Eagles would return to the Semifinals, and finish with a better result. Facing St. Louis’ Busch u22, the Eagles held a 2-1 halftime lead, only for Busch to tie the game in the 87th minute. Busch then fought back to overcome a 4-2 hole in extra time. As penalties drew near, John Klien fired a shot that snuck under the crossbar in the 119th minute to send the Eagles to their one and only Open Cup Final.

1995 >> El Paso Patriots 1:0 Seattle Sounders

In the first semifinal of the Modern Era, the A-League’s Seattle Sounders could not overcome the 100 degree heat of El Paso, and were upset by the USISL Pro League’s Patriots 1-0. Knowing they were facing one of the better teams of the A-League, the Patriots employed world class gamesmanship. The hosts allowed the grass at Dudley Field to grow a bit longer and elected to set a mid-day kickoff time. By game time temperatures in El Paso soared to 103 degrees, something the Sounders, from the mild and wet Pacific Northwest, struggled with. Gabino Amparán’s 36th minute goal was all the Patriots needed for the upset.

El Paso Times – July 30, 1995

2000 – Los Angeles Galaxy 1:2 (asdet) Chicago Fire
2001 – Los Angeles Galaxy 1:0 (asdet) Chicago Fire

In the Galaxy’s first ever Semifinal appearance, the Chicago Fire played rude guests, beating LA 2-1 in golden goal extra time. Cobi Jones (79′) and Ante Razov (85′) traded goals late in the second half, and in extra time Josh Wolff won it for Chicago in the 112th minute.

A year later the Galaxy would get their revenge on the Fire with their own golden goal no less. After a scoreless 90 minutes, Alexi Lalas scored off a corner kick four minutes into extra time, then famously celebrated by running up the hill behind the goal at Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Stadium.

2018 >> Los Angeles FC 3:3 (6:7 PKs) Houston Dynamo

LAFC’s first semifinal appearance against the Houston Dynamo in 2018 may not have ended how they wanted, but it was memorable. Diego Rossi scored all three goals for LAFC, including goals in the 78th minute and second half stoppage time to overcome a 3-1 deficit. After a scoreless extra time, both teams converted 4 of 5 penalty kicks, and in the eighth round Latif Blessing missed his attempt and Houston advanced to the Final winning the penalty shootout 7-6. Despite being eliminated, Diego Rossi’s individual performance was impressive enough to be voted TheCup.us Player of the Round.

Diego Rossi of LAFC celebrates one of his three goals against the Houston Dynamo in the 2018 US Open Cup Semifinals. The match finished in a 3-3 draw and the Dynamo prevailed 7-6 on penalty kicks. Photo: Houston Dynamo
Diego Rossi of LAFC celebrates one of his three goals against the Houston Dynamo in the 2018 US Open Cup Semifinals. The match finished in a 3-3 draw and the Dynamo prevailed 7-6 on penalty kicks. Photo: Houston Dynamo

2009 >> Seattle Sounders FC 2:1 (AET) Houston Dynamo 

The Sounders capped off their first season in MLS with their first Open Cup title and on the way needed a 2-1 extra time win over the Houston Dynamo in the Semifinals. Nate Jaqua’s 89th minute goal forced extra time, and Stephen King’s 94th minute tally put the Sounders up 2-1. Seattle was then forced to defend the lead with 10 men when Jhon Hurtado was sent off after his second caution in the 110th minute, but held on to go to their first Open Cup Final. 

2014 >> Seattle Sounders FC 6:0 Chicago Fire

With three open Cup championships already under their belt, Seattle stormed their way to a fourth title on the heels of a 6-0 Semifinal thrashing of the Chicago Fire, who were four time winners themselves. Two goals apiece from Andrew Rose (33’ 58’) and Kenny Cooper (83’ 84’) were accompanied by solo efforts from Chad Barrett (6’) and Obafemi Martins (79’). It remains one of the most lopsided Semifinal games in tournament history. Only three Semifinal matches have been separated by more than six goals with the last one coming in 1981 when the Brooklyn Dodgers blanked Atlanta’s Datagraphic 7-0.

The Seattle Sounders FC celebrate after midfielder Andy Rose (5) scored a goal against the Chicago Fire during the second half at Starfire Soccer Stadium. Seattle defeated Chicago 6-0. Photo: Steven Bisig | USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles FC (MLS)
5th US Open Cup appearance (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023)
2nd Semifinal appearance
Overall: 10-3-2 (1-1 PK)
Away: 2-1-2 (1-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 4-3-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Semifinals (2018)

Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
26th US Open Cup appearance (1995-97, 1999-2003, 2005-19, 2022-23)
7th Semifinal appearance (5th in MLS)
Overall: 39-18-8 (5-3 PK) | 23-7-6 (4-2 PK) as MLS
Home: 30-4-4 (3-1 PK) | 19-2-3 (2-1 PK) as MLS
vs. MLS: 19-12-4 (2-2 PK) | 15-5-3 (1-2 PK) as MLS
Best finish: Champions (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014)

2024 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Augustine Williams of Indy Eleven voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

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2024 us open cup quarterfinals winner
Photo by Indy Eleven | Graphic by Phil Naegely

Indy Eleven has followed a very successful recipe during the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Get an early first half goal(s) and then defend well as a team when the inevitable surge happens when their opponents try to get back into the game.

In Indy’s games against the Chicago Fire FC II (MLS NEXT Pro), San Antonio FC (USL Championship), and Detroit City FC (USL Championship), they scored their first goal in the 6th, 2nd, and 14th minutes, respectively. Indy then added to their totals in each of those games by keeping their foot on the gas in the first half, having now scored seven of their eight goals in the tournament in the first half of play. In nearly all the games, they were officially outshot by their opponents, but have used team defense to stifle any comeback attempts.

In their 2-1 quarterfinal win on the road against MLS side Atlanta United, that successful recipe remained the same. A common factor for Indy’s goals versus Atlanta, as well as their early goal-scoring starts in the previous rounds has been Augustine Williams. Williams was involved in both of Indy’s goals against Atlanta United to secure their advancement to play Kansas City in the semifinals. It was Williams’ finish in the 31st minute that put Indy ahead, and it was his cross late in the game on a counterattack that a retreating Dax McCarty inadvertently redirected into his own goal that solidified the win for the Boys in Blue. Williams’ goal and unofficial assist to the own goal was enough for him to be awarded the honor of TheCup.us’ Player of the Round.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters, and select backers from TheCup.us’ Patreon. Anyone interested in voting for this award in future rounds may consider pledging $10 or more and help us with our continuing coverage of the US Open Cup and research its storied history.

The striker from Sierre Leon is no stranger to scoring goals in the USL Championship or in the US Open Cup, ranking ninth all-time in the USL in goals scored with 71 goals, while also being tied for fifth all-time in the league with 11 career braces. Williams helped the Charleston Battery get to the league’s championship game last season by leading the team in goals with a career-high 16, and is currently battling this year with Jack Blake to be Indy Eleven’s top scorer.

Indy Eleven We Want The Cup Shirt
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While Williams’ five goals in league play have him tied for 24th in scoring in the USL Championship, it’s been his ability to find the goal in the US Open Cup that has proven to be instrumental during Indy Eleven’s US Open Cup run. Williams has accounted for a goal in three of Indy’s four games and has been the first goal scorer in two of those games. Williams has never been afraid of the moment when it comes to the US Open Cup. In June 2017, Williams scored the Portland Timbers’ only goal in a 2-1 loss to the Seattle Sounders, in his debut for the Timbers.

“I have always liked the Open Cup and the chance to compete against MLS teams. All levels of teams can be part of the Cup. Whether it’s Atlanta or Portland or Kansas City for us in the next game, I like the chance to compete against those teams to give us a chance to win against them to advance.”

It took a little bit longer for Indy Eleven to find the opening goal against Atlanta United than it had in the previous rounds, but Indy were able to ride Augi’s first half goal and the late McCarty own goal to overcome the team’s first conceded goal of the tournament. Indy’s 2-1 win against Atlanta was the club’s first victory against an MLS team, while also becoming the first Indiana team since 1992 to reach the tournament’s semifinals when the Indianapolis Inferno achieved the same feat. Williams has been a major factor in the team’s US Open Cup success, and will likely need to remain that way if the club wants to extend its run to the Final.

2024 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Who should be TheCup.us Player of the Round?

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The 109th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is down to the final four after this week’s Quarterfinal matches. There were a number of impressive individual performances but which player deserves to be TheCup.us Player of the Round?

Since 2006, TheCup.us has set out to honor the best individual performance of each round.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters, and select backers from TheCup.us’ Patreon. If you’d like to vote in this, or upcoming rounds, consider pledging $10 or more and help us continue to cover the US Open Cup and research its long history. If you did have a vote, which player do YOU think should win?

Here are the finalists (in alphabetical order):

Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC): Started, played 90 minutes, scored the game-winning goal in the 31st minute in a 2-1 road win at Sacramento Republic FC (USL-C)

Johnny Russell (Sporting Kansas City): Started played 120 minutes, assisted on the game-winning goal in the 111th minute in a 2-1 home win vs. FC Dallas (MLS)

Timothy Tillman (Los Angeles FC): Started, played 90 minutes, scored the opening goal and assisted on the third and final goal in a 3-1 home win vs. New Mexico United (USL-C)

Augustine Williams (Indy Eleven): Started, played 85 minutes and scored the opening goal in a 2-1 road win at Atlanta United FC (MLS)

2024 US Open Cup Quarterfinals Review: Indy Eleven last USL team standing with 3 MLS teams eyeing history

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Photo: Seattle Sounders | Graphic: Phil Naegely

And then there were four. Headlined by Indy Eleven’s historic triumph over Atlanta United, three MLS teams and one USL Championship side are headed to the penultimate round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "We Want The Cup" shirt in your team's colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

Indy Eleven provided a quintessential Cupset on Tuesday night, upending host-side Atlanta United 2-1, while Seattle ensured the USL-C wouldn’t go two-for-two on the evening by holding off a game Sacramento Republic. Both road teams claimed victory on the evening.

In a reversal of Tuesday night, Wednesday saw both host sides advance to the Semifinals. Sporting KC dropped FC Dallas in the only match featuring two MLS outfits in the round. Los Angeles FC punched their ticket with a capable showing against New Mexico United to finish out the semifinal teams.

You can find the schedule and results for the entire 2024 US Open Cup here and the goalscoring leaders here.

Below you will find a brief summary of all four Quarterfinal games with links to the full match report with video highlights.

Atlanta United FC (MLS)
1:2
Indy Eleven (USL-C)

Indy Eleven secured the bag, and made some history in the process, with a 2-1 win over Atlanta United FC in the lone Cupset of the round. As the Division 2 team that advanced the furthest, Indy receives the prize money allotted to the last USL Championship team standing.

Augustine Williams opened the affair with a 31st-minute strike to put Indy Eleven up 1-0 off an assist from Douglas Martinez. The visitors withstood a barrage of shots from Atlanta before a Dax McCarty deflection gifted a 2-0 lead in the 83rd minute via own goal. Nicolas Firmino clawed one back in the second minute of second-half stoppage to avoid the shutout and deny Indy a fourth straight clean sheet.

The win sees Indy Eleven reach the Semifinals for the first time in club history. It is also the club’s first win over an MLS side in the competition, as well as just their second road win in the tournament. Indy Eleven will travel to the Fountain City to take on Sporting KC in the next round. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

Sacramento Republic (USL-C)
1:2
Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)

A pair of first-half goals were enough to see Seattle Sounders FC through to the Semifinals with a 2-1 win over an upset-minded Sacramento Republic side. Joshua Atencio and Jordan Morris did the heavy lifting for the visitors.

Fans didn’t have to wait long for the opening salvo to be fired, with Atencio curling in an unassisted shot from range in just the 16th minute to put Seattle up 1-0. Morris then doubled the advantage 15 minutes later after running in behind the Republic defense and connecting with a threaded ball by Reed Baker-Whiting. 

After halftime, Republic scored their lone goal of the affair via a header from Sebastian Herrera. Jack Gurr supplied the assist from the corner.

As a result of the win, Seattle is now one step closer to reaching a historic fifth Open Cup title. The Sounders will host LAFC in the Semifinals. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
2:1
FC Dallas (MLS)
After Extra Time

A lengthy delay set the stage for an extra-time triumph for host-side Sporting KC, who dispatched FC Dallas, 2-1, on Wednesday night. Daniel Valencia supplied the late-match heroics.

Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the first half, and a two-hour weather delay threatened to kill the energy in the match starting in the 51st minute. Sixteen minutes after the restart, however, William Agada finally broke through in the 77th minute off a Jake Davis assist. However, Dallas restored parity through Petar Musa with some help from Asier Illarramendi just six minutes later. 

In extra time, both teams had their chances. However, it was SKC that found some magic with Dany Rosero nodding home Johnny Russell’s cross in the in the 111th minute. FC Dallas would have one final chance to force penalties but came up short.

The win sees Peter Vermes guide his charges through to the next round for the 28th time, good for third-most in the Modern Era. Sporting KC, who like Seattle is one step closer to lifting a fifth Open Cup, will host Indy Eleven in the Semifinals. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

Los Angeles FC (MLS)
3:1
New Mexico United (USL-C)

Los Angeles FC proved more than capable of handling the USL Championship’s New Mexico United in the final match of the round, taking a 3-1 win over the visitors from the Land of Enchantment. Timothy Tillman led the charge with a goal and an assist on the evening.

Tillman set the tone early for the hosts, scoring an unassisted goal in just the sixth minute of action. David Martinez then struck in the 37th minute to send LAFC into the locker room sporting a 2-0 advantage.

Greg Hurst supplied some hope for the visitors in the 57th minute, connecting on a feed from Nanan Houssou to try and start the comeback. However, Mateusz Bogusz killed any idea of a second Quarterfinal Cupset, icing the match in the 77th minute after connecting with Tillman to provide the late-match dagger.

The win places LAFC in the US Open Cup Semifinals for the first time since 2018, the club’s inaugural season. They will travel to the Pacific Northwest to face the Seattle Sounders in the Semifinals. {FULL MATCH REPORT}

2024 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: LAFC pulls away from New Mexico United in battle of MLS, USL front-runners

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David Martinez of LAFC battles for the ball with a New Mexico United defender in the Quarterfinals of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: LAFC

For the second time in its history, Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC is in a Lamar Hunt US Open Cup semifinal.

With goals by Timothy Tillman, David Martinez, and Mateusz Bogusz, LAFC earned a 3-1 home win over USL Championship side New Mexico United at BMO Stadium. The Black and Gold advance to the final four where they will trave face fellow MLS side Seattle Sounders FC.

“We jumped just as high as we needed to tonight,” head coach Steve Cherundolo said. “We just cleared the bar.”

“But certainly we can play better.”

After leading 2-0 at halftime, United’s Greg Hurst cut LAFC’s lead in half 12 minutes after the restart to spark the visitors and make things difficult for The Black and Gold who sweated out a lackluster second half. Now, the top team in the MLS Western Conference is back in the Semifinals for the first time since their inaugural season in 2018.

LAFC were able to set the tempo into cruise control early after Tillman continued his goal-contributing form in the tournament.

When United goalkeeper Alexandros Tambakis parried away Bogusz’s attempt, the ball fell kindly for Tillman — the midfielder made no mistake and slammed home the game’s first goal in the 6th minute.

With two goals and an assist, Tillman has a goal contribution in each of LAFC’s three cup matches.

“It took a little more patience,” Tillman said. “But we managed the game really well.”

The hosts continued to keep their foot on the gas and doubled their lead 30 minutes later when 18-year-old Martinez, who was making his first LAFC start, used two attempts to get the ball beyond Tambakis and into the net.

With a through ball by Bogusz, the forward slipped into the box and pounced on his own rebound to slam the ball home after Tambakis saved the first shot back into Martinez’s path.

The 2-0 deficit did not keep the large bunch of traveling supporters from continuing its raucous atmosphere in the visitor’s section, and, 12 minutes into the second half, the fans were rewarded with a Hurst scorcher.

The forward ripped a shot from outside the box that arrowed into LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris’ side net to bring New Mexico United within one.

The Black and Yellow immediately added wingers Sergio Rivas and Dayonn Harris for fresh legs before, less than 10 minutes later, throwing on forward Daniel Bruce for an extra attacker.

The numbers committed forward for New Mexico United left space for Bogusz to get on the scoresheet 13 minutes from time with a long run that finished with him cutting onto his right foot and curling past Tambakis.

“We fielded a very strong team tonight,” Cherundolo, who remained silent amid questions surrounding links to the newly-vacant United State’s men’s national team, said. “Our objective was to advance and we did that so job well done.”

United bowed out after making it to the quarterfinal phase for the second time in its history. The club leads the Western Conference of USL and face Birmingham Legion FC in their next league game.

The Black and Gold will play six games before the they travel to take on the Sounders in the Semifinals the week of Aug. 27-28.

The last time LAFC reached the final four, eventual champion Houston Dynamo eliminated The Black and Gold in a penalty shootout.

2024 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: After two hour delay, Sporting KC’s strong “mentality” earns OT win over FC Dallas

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Willy Agada of Sporting KC attempts a shot against FC Dallas in the Quarterfinals of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Sporting KC

A two-hour rain delay, extra time and a game-winner.

The 2024 US Open Cup provided great theatre once again in the semifinal matchup between Sporting Kansas City and FC Dallas on Wednesday night at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS.

Thanks to a late winner that came Thursday morning, Kansas City topped Dallas 2-1 in extra time to punch their spot in next month’s semifinal.

“We came back out, got re-warmed up and all that. I told them, ‘Everything now is all about mentality,” Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes said. “That’s all it is. It’s all about mentality.’ I have to applaud (them). We controlled that remaining 40 minutes. We were good.”

Sporting’s Johnny Russell stood over the corner flag on the near side in the 111th minute. He whipped in a cross towards the middle of the box. Dany Rosero wrestled with the Dallas backline and hit a towering header into the ground towards the bottom of the goal. Dallas’ Maarten Paes could not react in time as the net bulged for what would prove to be the game winner.

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“Personally and as a group, it was an immense happiness,” Rosero said through translation. “It was a win that we really needed.”

Sporting sit in second to last place in MLS Western Conference play. The focus and desire to win in this tournament was obvious at full-time with players hugging and collapsing to the pitch.

“First half was difficult, I don’t think we played well at all,” Russell said. “I’m just glad that I could help and take part in the winner. If you hang it up there, there is always a chance with Dany.”

But, it wasn’t easy after Rosero’s goal. Dallas had their chances to tie it in extra time.

In the 122nd minute, a long throw-in bounced around the Sporting box. It fell kindly to Sebastian Lletget, who shot towards the bottom right of the goal. Sporting goalkeeper Tim Melia was up for the challenge as he made an incredible save. Paul Arriola had a chance at the rebound, but a lunging Tim Leibold threw his body into the shot to deny the visitors a chance at spot kicks.

“The save from Tim and the block from Leibold at the end was outrageous, to be honest,” Russell said. “Tim made some really big saves for us tonight.”

In the second half, a gorgeous chip pass from Russell fell kindly to Jake Davis inside the box. A quick touch from Davis settled him towards the byline. Davis centered the ball to the six yard line and Willy Agada buried it for the 1-0 lead in the 77th minute.

The goal was Agada’s sixth in five games out of all competitions. It was also his first goal in this US Open Cup run as Agada backflipped in celebration with the rain soaked supporters in delirium.

The excitement from Kansas City was neutralized 10 minutes later. Dallas equalized with quick passing which caught Sporting vulnerable.

Asier Illarramnedi fed a perfect pass to Petar Musa, who was wide open in the box. Rosero was caught out of position as he tried to close down Illarramnedi. The ball found Musa wide open as he chipped his shot over Melia for the goal.

“I told Dany Rosero, ‘Thank God you scored because you made up.’ He should have been the guy in the middle there when the player turned. But when he turned, it should have been Dany there,” Vermes said. “So I said, ‘You should be happy right now because you canceled out that mistake.’ He should have been there but the good thing is he got the goal, which is great.”

The win was also a milestone for Vermes who advanced in the tournament for the 28th time (25 wins + 3 PK shootout wins), which is the third-most in the tournament’s Modern Era (1995-present) behind Sigi Schmid (40) and Mike Anhaeuser (30).

The first half saw both teams struggle to find clear cut opportunities. The best chance came from the visitors in the 31st minute. Lletget rifled in a corner that found the head of Musa, who powered it on target. Sporting’s Leibold, the left back, stood on the line and cleared away from danger.

In the 51st minute of the game, the officials called a halt to the game with inclement weather in the area. Lightning strikes and a downpour of rain covered Children’s Mercy Park. The delay lasted two hours with many fans departing for shelter. According to Russell, the delay was a nice reset for the semifinalists to relax.

“A couple of guys were playing UNO on their phone. We just relaxed and watched a little bit of the LAFC game,” Russell smiled. “I want to say a huge shoutout to the fans that stayed, even the ones that turned up. I saw a bunch of kids out there. Trust me, I know what it feels like when you keep your kids up.”

Sporting Kansas City will host the US Open Cup Semifinal against USL Championship side Indy Eleven the week of Aug. 27-28. It will be the club’s seventh trip to the final four as they continue their quest to win a record-tying fifth Open Cup title. It’s an achievement that only three clubs in the 109-year history of the touranment have done (Bethlehem Steel, Maccabee AC, Fall River Marksmen/New Bedford Whalers).

The win also extended Sporting’s impressive home unbeaten streak in the tournament to 15 games. Kansas City hasn’t lost a US Open Cup game in front of their home fans since 2014. It is the second longest home unbeaten streak of the Modern Era, behind Seattle Sounders FC and the Chicago Fire FC, who both hold the record at 19.

“I can only say that we’ve always taken this tournament very seriously,” said Vermes. “I always say that. I think every other team does.”

Alex Wiksell also contributed to this report

2024 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Seattle Sounders end decade-long Semifinal drought with win over Sacramento Republic

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Jordan Morris and Albert Rusnák of the Seattle Sounders celebrate after scoring a goal against the Sacramento Republic in the Quarterfinals of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Seattle Sounders FC

Sacramento Republic FC played host to Seattle Sounders FC Tuesday night at Heart Health Park in the Quarterfinals of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Sacramento earned their way to the round of eight by upsetting the San Jose Earthquakes 4-3 in extra time, while the Sounders punched their ticket by way of a 2-1 win over Phoenix Rising FC.

Despite a valiant second half from Republic FC in front of their home fans, first half goals from Sounders midfielder Josh Atencio and forward Jordan Morris proved to be enough to lift the visitors to a 2-1 road victory. With the win, the four-time Open Cup champions earned their first trip to the Semifinals since 2014.

“The guys all fought, they stuck together and it was a hard game,” said Seattle Sounders FC manager Brian Schmetzer. “They scored a goal early in the second half that gave them life, and credit Mark {Briggs} and his group for never quitting. I was happy with the performance because {we} overcame some adversity. {We’re} coming together as a group and that wasn’t an easy game. USL teams’ levels are growing higher and higher as their league progresses.”

Sounders FC got on the board first, when in the 16th minute, Reed Baker-Whiting crossed a ball from the left side that appeared to initially to be headed away by the Republic, but it found Josh Atencio at the top of the box, whose volley ricocheted off a Republic defender and into the back of the net to give the visitors an early 1-0 advantage. 

“I was really eager to get out here today and put in a performance,” said Atencio. “We’re treating {the Open Cup} as a big deal, and it is. We knew we were going to have to get one early to give us momentum and also weather their storm, because we knew they were to come at us. So I felt it helped us {getting the early goal} from a mental standpoint knowing we had to play the rest of the game with that lead, and I think we did a good job.”

Republic would have their best chance in the first half when Cristian Parano’s left-footed shot just went wide of the far post following a courageous run up the left flank. 

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Sounders FC would double their lead in the 31st minute when Republic FC goalkeeper Danny Vitiello was caught too far out of the box following a tremendous through ball from Baker-Whiting. Morris collected the ball, made a clever move around Vitiello’s left and was able to tap it into a wide open net, making it 2-0.

Republic FC would pull one back in the 49th minute when halftime substitute Sebastian Herrera powerfully headed Jack Gurr’s corner kick to make it 2-1. The goal gave the home side and its fans some life and they continued to put pressure on Seattle for the remainder of the game. 

VItiello did his best to keep his team in the match, making a couple of incredible saves down the stretch to keep it at a goal deficit. Republic FC thought they had tied the match in the 87th minute, but forward Trevor Amann was ruled offside and the goal did not stand. In the end, Seattle grinded out an impressive road victory.

With the win, Seattle returns to the Semifinals of the Open Cup for the first time since 2014, when they last won the title. They are seeking to become the first team from the Modern Era (1995-present) to win five Open Cup titles. In the 109-year history of the tournament, only three times have ever lifted the trophy five times (Bethlehem Steel, Maccabee AC, Fall River Marksmen/New Bedford Whalers)

Seattle will host the winner of Los Angeles FC and New Mexico United, which kicks off Wednesday night at 11 p.m. ET.

Republic FC return to USL league play and can hold their heads high following yet another solid Open Cup run, with some memorable moments along the way.

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