The Charleston Battery earned a place in the US Open Cup Final for the first time in club history after winning a penalty kick shootout with the Seattle Sounders in the Semifinals. The Battery are the first non-MLS team to advance to the Final since the Rochester Raging Rhinos won the tournament in 1999.
US Open Cup
2008 Semifinals: DC United knock off defending champs to reach Open Cup Final
A pair of goals from reigning Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player Luciano Emilio were enough to put DC United one win match away from their first championship in four years with a 3-1 victory over the defending Open Cup champion New England Revolution.
The 1996 Open Cup champions opened the scoring on four minutes with Emilio’s first tally, finishing off a Brian Namoff cross. The Revolution responded in the 34th minute on a goal from Joe Germanese, and the match went to halftime level at one.
Two year Open Cup ban for Cuauhtemoc Blanco
Cuauhtemoc Blanco has been banned from competing in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for at least two years. The United States Soccer Federation completed a review of the incidents of the Chicago Fire’s 2-1 Quarterfinal loss to DC United on July 8 and decided on the length of the suspension, which could be extended depending on the number of Open Cup games the Fire are involved in over the next two seasons.
2008 Quarterfinals: Sounders’ Chris Eylander unanimous as Player of the Round
Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Chris Eylander was a unanimous selection as the TheCup.us Player of the Round for the Quarterfinals. The award was voted on by the TheCup.us staff and members of the North American Soccer Reporters.
Eylander was challenged for the award by Jamie Moreno of DC United, along with goalkeepers Doug Warren of the New England Revolution and Eric Kronberg of the Kansas City Wizards.
2008 Quarterfinals: Third time’s the charm for Battery against FC Dallas
In 2006 and 2007, FC Dallas crushed the hopes of the Charleston Battery in the US Open Cup Quarterfinals. This year, it was the Battery’s turn to exact revenge, winning 3-1 in Frisco after waiting out a weather delay.
FC Dallas came out with a relatively strong lineup as they played most of their regulars for the match. They looked the stronger of the two teams out of the gate, controlling play early.
2008 Quarterfinals: DC United finally puts out the Fire; Blanco gets tossed for punch
For the first time in franchise history, DC United eliminated the Chicago Fire in a knockout competition, winning 2-1 after extra time in Tuesday’s US Open Cup Quarterfinal match.
The Fire, winners of four Open Cup titles, looked to be on their way to continue their quest for a fifth when Daniel Woolard opened the scoring in the 36th minute.
2008 Quarterfinals: Second string Revolution avoid upset, edge Baltimore in PK shootout
The New England Revolution’s defense of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup was nearly ended in New Britain, Conn. at the hands of a resolute Crystal Palace Baltimore team on Tuesday night. Following 120 minutes of even soccer, the Revs pushed past Palace 5-3 on penalty kicks, with Mauricio Castro slotting home the final shot for New England.
2008 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Sounders create all-USL Semifinal with upset of Wizards
With the steady hands of goalkeeper Chris Eylander leading the way, the Seattle Sounders are on their way to a second straight US Open Cup Semifinal appearance.
2008 Third Round: Abe Thompson named Player of the Round in close vote
Abe Thompson’s pair of stoppage-time goals, including the game-winner against Miami FC, gave him the TheCup.us Player of the Round award for Round 3.
2008 Third Round: 9-man Battery eliminate Houston Dynamo again
Last year, the Charleston Battery defeated the Houston Dynamo in the Third Round of the US Open Cup at Blackbaud Stadium, but it took extra time to do so. This year produced the same result, but penalty kicks were needed this time around. Charleston beat Houston 4-3 in penalties after extra time resulted in a 1-1 draw, sending the Battery to the Quarterfinals for the second year in a row.