US Open Cup Third Round wraps up

Published on July 2, 2009 under USL First Division (USL-1) News Release


For the first time since 1997, two USL-2 level clubs advanced to the US Open Cup quarterfinals Tuesday evening as Wilmington and Harrisburg upset their MLS opposition to advance to the elite eight. Charleston also knocked off an MLS club for the third straight year and the Rochester Rhinos advanced in penalties. At the close Wednesday, four USL sides remained, including at least one guaranteed for the semifinals.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

The Third Round came to a close Wednesday with the two remaining USL-1 clubs in action both falling at home in close contests.

The USL First Division's expansion Austin Aztex inaugural run in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup came to an end Wednesday night at Nelson Field, falling 2-0 to nearby MLS side Houston Dynamo, two-time winners of MLS Cup the past three years. After a scoreless first half, Corey Ashe and Dominic Oduro tallied for the Dynamo to set up a rematch in Charleston with the Battery, who knocked them out in the Third Round the past two years.

In Portland, an early strike from former USL-1 rival Roger Levesque on a header in the first minute stunned the Timbers and the record sold-out crowd of over 16,000. Stephen King doubled the advantage in the 27th minute for the MLS side. Mandjou Keita pulled one back for the hosts two minutes before the break, but the Timbers were unable to find the equalizer in the second stanza.

Previously on Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Upsets plentiful in Open Cup Tuesday

Both USL-2 sides advance; Battery and Rhinos move on

The Wilmington Hammerheads registered the first of the two USL-2 upsets on the night against the four-time tournament champions. The Hammerheads opened scoring in the 37th minute as midfielder Kenny Bundy received a pass from defender Tim Karalexis and placed a ball past Fire goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra for the game-winning goal.

The Harrisburg City Islanders won a strange affair in New Britain, capitalizing on a short-handed, injury-riddled New England Revolution side that saw the list grow as the game wore on, eventually finishing the game with only eight players. Jeff Larentowicz gave the hosts the lead in the 38th minute on a free kick from the top of the box. After utilizing all three subs, the Revolution began running into the injury problems in the 63rd, losing Kheli Dube. Four minutes later a cross from Jason Pelletier was met by Mo Oduor at the spot for the equalizer. In the 81st, Mike Videira left due to injury. In overtime, Geoff Bloes tallied the winner in the 105th on a loose ball off a corner. A second yellow to Nico Colaluca in the 117th handicapped the Revolution's comeback hopes in the final minutes.

The advancement of the two USL-2 clubs marked the first time since 1997 that two clubs from the third tier of professional soccer advanced to the tournament quarterfinals in the same year. That year, the Chicago Stingers and San Francisco Seals were victorious over the Colorado Rapids and Kansas City Wizards, respectively, by the same 2-1 scoreline. San Francisco went on to defeat the San Jose Clash 2-1 in the quarters before falling to eventual champion DC United 2-1 in the semifinals.

The Charleston Battery led the way for the USL First Division for a third straight year, knocking out Chivas USA 3-1. Randi Patterson scored twice in the contest, tallying two go-ahead goals in the 9th and 45th minutes as Jesse Marsch struck the lone visitor goal in the 28th. Tsuyoshi Yoshitake put the match away in the 90th minute as the match heated up down the stretch.

The Rochester Rhinos experienced overtime for a third straight game, and for the second time needed penalties to advance as they eliminated the defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew. Rochester tallied the opener courtesy of Ty Harden 32 minutes into the contest, but veteran Duncan Oughton leveled terms for the visiting Crew just five minutes later. Columbus lost Alex Grendi on a second yellow card in the 55th minute, but fought the rest of the way to force penalties. Tim Melia came up the hero as he saved Oughton's attempt in the third round of the tiebreaker, allowing the Rhinos to win the tiebreaker 5-3.

In another thrilling contest that required penalties, the Minnesota Thunder came up short in penalties despite rallying twice to tie during the 3-3 match. Down 2-0 on back-to-back strikes from Michael Kraus and Abe Thompson (penalty) in the 17th and 19th minutes, the Thunder were able to level from the spot on two penalties from Ricardo Sanchez in the 41st and 84th to force overtime. In extra time, Rauwshan McKenzie tallied in the 105th, but Sanchez played the hero again, setting up Melvin Tarley in the 114. But two saves from Boris Pardo in the tiebreaker in the third and fourth rounds sealed the Thunder's fate.

The Premier Development League's Ocean City Barons, despite being the lone remaining amateur side, gave the defending tournament champion DC United a tough challenge, but saw the hosts pull away late for the 2-0 win. Christian Gomez broke the stalemate on a penalty in the 74th and Ange N'Silu clinched the win in the 90th.

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USL First Division Stories from July 2, 2009


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