
North American Soccer League Quartet Win In Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup And Target Third Round MLS Scal
May 21, 2013 - North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release
MIAMI, Fla. (May 20, 2013) - Four of the six North American Soccer League clubs in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup action successfully navigated the second round on Tuesday night to earn the right to face Major League Soccer opposition in the Third Round next week.
The NASL contingent now targets a series of giant-killing acts over their MLS foes in the quest to progress in the centennial edition of the historic competition.
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers won a dramatic penalty shootout 7-6 after a 1-1 draw with Laredo Heat who played much of the second half and extra time a man down. They will now take on FC Dallas at Lockhart Stadium on Tuesday, May 28 after Toni Stahl scored the decisive spot kick.
The Atlanta Silverbacks triumphed 3-2 over NPSL side Georgia Revolution as a pair of goals from Ruben Luna, including a penalty kick, was followed by a strike from midfielder Pablo Cruz, giving the Silverbacks just enough to edge a win. The Silverbacks will head to Rio Tinto Stadium to face Salt Lake City on Tuesday, May 28.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies advanced by defeating VSI Tampa Bay FC 2-1 and will host Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders FC on Wednesday, May 29 at Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg.
Forward Georgi Hristov had initially opened the scoring off a penalty kick, but VSI quickly tied things up thanks to midfielder JT Noone. It was the Bulgarian forward who put the Rowdies ahead again minutes before the half with a great individual run and they would not relinquish the advantage.
NASL league leaders Carolina RailHawks knocked out in-state rivals Carolina Dynamo 3-1 to earn a home clash with MLS Cup champion Los Angeles Galaxy - the side they defeated at the Third Round stage last season - at WakeMed Soccer Park on May 29.
The RailHawks got on the board through Ti Shipalane in the 26th minute, but 13 minutes later, Dynamo were level through Martinez.
Austen King headed home a cross from Austin da Luz to regin the lead for Carolina then Zach Schilawski put the result beyond doubt with a fine finish from the edge of the six-yard box.
The San Antonio Scorpions lost 4-3 on penalties to FC Tucson after a 2-2 draw. The Scorpions went ahead through a Kevin Harmse header from a Walter Ramirez corner, but Ricardo Velasco's strike from distance leveled the score and Saeed Robinson earned FC Tucson a 2-1 edge. The underdogs' lead lasted until the dying seconds when Hans Denissen scored a dramatic penalty in stoppage time to tie the game at 2-2 and forced extra time.
Minnesota United suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to the Des Moines Menace as a Brandon Fricke header four minutes from time earned the PDL side a surprise win.
Third Round U.S. Open Cup Schedule for NASL Sides
FC Dallas (MLS) at Ft. Lauderdale Strikers (NASL)
Lockhart Stadium
Tuesday, May 28, 7:30 p.m. ET
Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) at Real Salt Lake (MLS)
Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy Utah
Tuesday, May 28, 7:30 p.m. MT
Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
WakeMed Soccer Park
Wednesday, May 29, 7:15 p.m. ET
Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) at Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL)
Al Lang Stadium; St. Petersburg, Fla.
Wednesday, May 29, 7:30 p.m. ET
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Second Round Results
Carolina RailHawks 3 Carolina Dynamo 2
VSI Tampa Bay 1 Tampa Bay Rowdies 2
Georgia Revolution 1 Atlanta Silverbacks 3
Fort Lauderdale Strikers 1 Laredo Heat 1 (Strikers won 7-6 on penalties)
San Antonio Scorpions 2 FC Tucson 2 (FC Tucson won 4-3 on penalties)
Minnesota United FC 0 Des Moines Menace 1
North American Soccer League Stories from May 21, 2013
- North American Soccer League Quartet Win In Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup And Target Third Round MLS Scal - NASL
- Rowdies Advance to Face MLS Seattle Sounders in Third Round of U.S. Open Cup - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Strikers Advance in Open Cup to Face FC Dallas at Lockhart Stadium on May 28 - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- RailHawks Advance in U.S. Open Cup to Host LA Galaxy - North Carolina FC
- Minnesota United FC Upset in US Open Cup - Minnesota United FC
- Silverbacks Top Revolution, Clinch Matchup with Real Salt Lake - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Silverbacks and Revolution Meet in "Battle For Atlanta" - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Strikers Return to Action Against FC Edmonton Sunday May 26 - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Strikers Team Up With Italian Legends For Youth Soccer Camp - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Minnesota vs. Des Moines - Preview - May 21 - Minnesota United FC
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