Tag: U.S. Open Cup

Orlando City avoids Sacramento Republic cupset to take 2022 U.S. Open Cup

Midnight struck for Sacramento’s Cinderella story, as Orlando won their first-ever trophy

Orlando City, it’s time to go get a trophy case for Exploria Stadium.

Orlando won the 2022 U.S. Open Cup final Wednesday night, as a quick-fire double from Facundo Torres and a late strike from Benji Michel gave the Lions a 3-0 win over an upstart Sacramento Republic FC side.

Fittingly for a cup final that played out amid accusations of spying, the atmosphere was tense. Hard challenges from both teams were frequent, while ESPN’s broadcast reported that coaches Mark Briggs and Oscar Pareja were exchanging words along the touchline.

In front of goal, however, there was little to report. Orlando’s Ercan Kara didn’t react fast enough in a scramble to tuck a great chance away, while Maalique Foster’s long-range effort for Sacramento flew a yard wide soon thereafter.

The second half carried on in that vein, with the Republic successfully slowing play down and frustrating an MLS opponent, just as they had against Sporting Kansas City, the LA Galaxy, and the San Jose Earthquakes on their path to the final. The first non-MLS club to make an Open Cup final since 2008 were dictating the terms, even as Orlando had most of the possession.

In the 75th minute, though, a disaster for Sacramento, and for neutrals everywhere. A giveaway deep in the Republic half from defender Dan Casey was blocked by Orlando forward Iván Angulo, and Michel—a game-changing substitute brought in just minutes earlier by Pareja—adroitly passed back for the Uruguayan international Torres to fizz a shot into the top corner.

Sacramento had not trailed at any point in the competition, and seemed rattled at the deficit. Minutes later, things went from bad to worse: a ball over the top drew goalkeeper Matt Vitiello, but Michel beat him to it. Michel nodded it over Vitiello, only to be wiped out from behind by Casey. Referee Ramy Touchan will rarely have as easy a penalty to call, and Torres suddenly had himself a brace after making no mistake from the spot.

Sacramento went direct trying to come up with one more miracle, but the goal came at the other end, as Michel raced onto a through ball, drew Vitiello to an angle, and then slipped a finish past him and into the bottom corner.

Watch the goals that gave Orlando the Open Cup

[lawrence-related id=5341,5164,5329]

Sacramento Republic knocks off Sporting KC, continues magical U.S. Open Cup run

The giant-killers are going to the final!

Sacramento Republic FC did it again, seeing off yet another MLS team and advancing to the 2022 U.S. Open Cup final, getting past Sporting Kansas City on penalties Wednesday night thanks to some heroics from goalkeeper Matt Vitiello and some raw determination all over the field.

It’s just the fourth time since the MLS era began in 1996 that a non-MLS team has made the final, and the first time since 2008. It continues a run at home for Sacramento that has seen them advance in 16 of 17 Open Cup matches played on the California state fairgrounds.

Sacramento has now knocked three MLS teams out en route to the final, with Kansas City joining the San Jose Earthquakes and LA Galaxy.

A packed house at Heart Health Park saw both teams provide early threats, though Kansas City’s Johnny Russell’s near miss was the closest look either team produced in the early moments.

Keko Gontán and Douglas Martínez both went close for the home side as the half wore on, though, with Sacramento starting to find space attacking the Sporting KC left. At the other end, Matt Vitiello had to make the trickiest save of the first half late, denying Daniel Salloi’s 19-yard blast at full stretch.

Play became more physical as the teams came out from the halftime break. However, a poor clearing header from Ben Sweat set Gontán up for a golden 61st minute chance that Jon Pulskamp did brilliantly to tip away. Kansas City, despite having more of the shots, never went closer than a late Felipe Hernández shot that zipped over the bar.

Extra time saw the chances start to pile up for Kansas City. Salloi bent one wide, while Vitiello had to make a stop as the field started to tilt against the USL Championship side. Salloi then went even closer in the 98th minute, cracking a shot off the bar that then nearly rebounded in off of defender Dan Casey, only to float mercifully wide.

Kansas City then appealed for a handball that was ignored, while substitute Willy Agada took one too many touches, allowing Vitiello to snag a loose ball before he could shoot from a promising position.

Russell was predictably at the heart of every promising KC attack, and tried to go it alone in the 116th minute only for Vitiello to produce another excellent stop.

It was all Sporting, until the very last play of the match. A long throw-in was allowed to bounce around before Casey shot low only to be denied by Graham Zusi’s block, and Lee Desmond shot the rebound into the stands.

Vitiello thought he’d given Sacramento the edge in the third round of penalties, denying Agada’s attempt, but referee Allen Chapman ordered a re-take that Agada didn’t waste.

However, Vitiello delivered his hero turn in the fifth round, as he flew to his left to slap away Zusi’s take, setting the stage for Republic cult hero Rodrigo López to convert the winning penalty.

Sacramento advance to face Orlando City, who will host the final after crushing the New York Red Bulls 5-1 earlier on Wednesday.

Watch Sacramento pull off the upset

[lawrence-related id=5329,5164]

Orlando City roars into 2022 U.S. Open Cup final with 5-1 demolition of New York Red Bulls

Orlando will host the U.S. Open Cup final after a big win

César Araújo wasn’t supposed to be the hero, but Orlando City is in the 2022 U.S. Open Cup final after the young midfielder scored his first two goals for the club in a wild 5-1 win over the New York Red Bulls Thursday night.

Despite the typical Florida heat, a high-tempo, acrimonious game saw both teams create plenty of chances. Patryk Klimala’s bicycle kick thwacked off the crossbar, with Luquinhas nearly scoring in the chaos that followed only for Pedro Gallese to make a sharp save.

Klimala beat Gallese again just minutes later, but that 20-yard bid thumped off the post and away to safety. Orlando were struggling as the half wore on, but produced a beautiful 39th minute counter-attack that ended with Alexandre Pato firing over the bar from a promising spot.

There were chances galore, but in first half stoppage time Lewis Morgan finally produced the finish required. The Red Bulls went long on the counter, and while Klimala’s pass missed Omir Fernandez, Morgan pinged a laser of a first-time shot into the upper corner to give the visitors the lead.

It wasn’t enough for the Red Bulls to actually get into the locker room ahead, though. With virtually the last play of the half, Antonio Carlos snapped a header down past Carlos Coronel, only for it to, you guessed it, hit the post. Orlando’s César Araújo swept the rebound home, capping off a wild half.

The clouds opened during the break, but nothing much else changed. Joao Moutinho’s cutback fooled the Red Bulls defense, leaving a window for Maurico Pereyra to make it 2-1 roughly 100 seconds after play resumed.

Just after the hour mark, Araújo bagged a brace in a near repeat of his first goal. Again, it was an Orlando corner that wasn’t initially cleared, and though it didn’t take a shot off the post this time, Araújo guided the rebound home through a herd of players.

From there, Orlando were rampant on the counter. Facundo Torres, amid suspicions of Benji Michel being offside earlier in the counter, made it 4-1, a goal that required nearly a full minute of discussion between referee Victor Rivas and his crew to sort out. Michel then cleverly flicked a fifth past Coronel seven minutes later.

The win means Orlando is guaranteed to host the Open Cup final, which will take place in either the first or second week of September. They’ll play either Sporting Kansas City or Sacramento Republic FC.

Check out all the goals here!

[lawrence-related id=5164,3794]

Reeling from MLS heartbreak, Sacramento embarks on memorable U.S. Open Cup run

Sacramento was awarded an MLS team; then it was taken away. The club is now responding in a big way on the field

If there ever was a team and a fanbase that earned the collective chip on their shoulder, it would be Sacramento Republic FC.

This was supposed to be the Republic’s expansion MLS season. Three years ago, there was an official event with commissioner Don Garber, city luminaries and thousands of fans celebrating Sacramento’s official arrival in MLS.

And then it was all taken away. 

Still reeling from the setback, Sacramento has embarked on a U.S. Open Cup run this year that has seen the club’s name in the headlines, finally, for positive reasons. But that lingering sting from the biggest disappointment in club history hasn’t gone away. 

“The deck has been stacked against us in a lot of ways,” Todd Dunivant, a former LA Galaxy mainstay who is now the Republic’s president and general manager, told Pro Soccer Wire. “But it’s sort of a story of Sacramento, it’s the story of our club. We keep going and we don’t take no for an answer.”

The Republic will host Sporting Kansas City in the Open Cup semifinal on Wednesday, marking just the second time since 2011 that a non-MLS team has reached the final four. The run through America’s oldest soccer competition has been a badly needed elixir for a fanbase that has been through more ups and downs in a decade than many experience in a lifetime.

WATCH: The U.S. Open Cup is live on ESPN+!  Get ESPN+

The Republic have only been around since 2014, and their consistently impressive fan support and strong lobbying for an MLS franchise paid off when billionaire Ron Burkle stepped in as a lead investor in 2019.

With that major hurdle cleared and a brand-new 20,100-seat stadium in the works, MLS officially rolled out the red carpet for Sacramento in October 2019.

“Sacramento will join MLS with a world-class soccer stadium that will transform the sport in California’s capital,” Garber said.

As plans for a 2022 kickoff ramped up, the pandemic hit. First the team’s inaugural season was pushed back one year, and then, catastrophe: Burkle, citing rising costs, backed out of the project entirely.

In an instant, the Republic went from a future MLS team to a franchise many thought could be eliminated completely.

“There were questions that people were asking and rumors being whispered about the club going under,” Dunivant said. “And that was never going to happen. Kevin Nagle, our owner, was never going to let that happen.”

In an email interview with Pro Soccer Wire, Nagle said that while losing out on an MLS spot was undeniably painful, the Republic had no choice but to keep going.

“Like anything else in life, you deal with the reality, pick the pieces back up and move forward,” Nagle said. “We have not given up on MLS.”

The plans for a new stadium continue apace. Only now, the planned capacity is a more modest 12,000 to 15,000. But with an optimistic eye on a future MLS spot, the club said it could be scaled up closer to its original capacity.

“We’re working on a new downtown stadium with or without MLS,” Dunivant said. “And that’s because of Kevin’s commitment to this club and to this city.”

As Nagle puts it: “We will build a stadium one way or another.”

The path to MLS looks difficult for Sacramento at present. Garber has said the league plans to expand to 30 teams and then take a pause. With 29 of the 30 teams already spoken for, Garber has said Las Vegas is the frontrunner for team 30, followed by San Diego and Phoenix.

But Garber, of course, has expanded beyond previous targets in the past. Even if it takes more time than expected, the Republic are holding on to some optimism because the Sacramento market has already been explored, vetted, and approved by MLS.

“We would love to be an MLS team,” Nagle said. “We want to be the best that we can whether it’s as an MLS team or USL. We earned the right once and it can happen again.”

Jun 21, 2022; Carson, CA, United States; Sacramento Republic FC celebrate the goal scored by midfielder Rodrigo López (8) against the Los Angeles Galaxy during the first half at Dignity Health Sports Park. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

For now, Sacramento is staring down one of the biggest games in club history as Sporting KC comes to town. After beating in-state MLS teams San Jose and the LA Galaxy in the previous two rounds, the Republic come into Wednesday’s game full of confidence. 

But even though they’ve already got past two MLS teams and Sporting KC is struggling in the league at present, Dunivant says Sacramento views its next game as the team’s biggest test yet.

“We see this game as by far our biggest challenge yet, funny enough,” Dunivant said. “Sporting Kansas City values this tournament, they’ve won it many, many times. [Head coach] Peter Vermes puts a lot of emphasis on it. They’re going to want to win and they’re going to do everything they can to win.”

Regardless of what happens Wednesday, the Republic’s run has displayed the kind of resilience the club needs after the biggest disappointment in its history. Sacramento will play the role of underdog against another MLS team.

It’s a position that seems to suit them.

“We weren’t supposed to beat the Earthquakes, we weren’t supposed to beat the Galaxy, yet here we are,” Dunivant said. “We’re not supposed to beat Kansas City. And I think Sacramento thrives in that underdog role as a city.

“This happens once or twice a decade. And here we are. So it’s been a lot of fun. And we’re looking forward to the next challenge.”

[lawrence-related id=3722,2254]

Orlando City complete 2022 US Open Cup semifinalist field after knocking out Nashville SC

Drama in Florida as Orlando goes through

The 2022 U.S. Open Cup semifinals are now completely set, as Orlando City emerged from a penalty kick shootout to eliminate 10-man Nashville SC Wednesday night.

With the winner of the game holding the top hosting priority for the Open Cup final after last week’s draw, both sides fielded close to their best eleven. Nashville made just two changes to the team that beat D.C. United 3-1 on the road on Saturday, while Orlando had rotated against FC Cincinnati in order to field starters like Mauricio Pereyra and Robin Jansson in the cup.

A sneaky finish from Nashville star Hany Mukhtar gave the Tennessean side a win at Orlando. The German DP seemed to have no angle on Alex Muyl’s cross, but threw a foot around his marker to gently guide a shot past a wrong-footed Pedro Gallese.

However, four minutes into stoppage time, and with Gallese sent forward for a last-ditch free kick, the Lions drew level. Benji Michel almost appeared lost in midair while winning the header on Alexandre Pato’s initial service, but he ended up knocking the ball down perfectly for Rodrigo Schlegel to fire home a dramatic equalizer.

Nashville substitute Sean Davis picked up a second yellow card just 50 seconds into extra time, opening the door for Orlando to complete their comeback.

Orlando pushed for a winner, but Nashville’s 10 men held on, carrying the match to penalties. Alex Muyl missed the visitors’ opening attempt in the tiebreaker, but Elliott Panicco’s save on Andres Perea kept Orlando from putting the game to bed.

Finally, in the seventh round, Gallese dove to his right to deny Eric Miller, propelling Orlando through to a semifinal they’ll get to play in front of their own fans.

2022 Open Cup semifinal venue/time

July 27: Orlando City vs. New York Red Bulls
Exploria Stadium (Orlando, FL) – 7:30pm Eastern

July 27: Sacramento Republic FC vs. Sporting Kansas City
Heart Heath Park (Sacramento, CA) – 10:30pm Eastern

Both games will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN+.

[lawrence-related id=3794,3722,2254]

US Open Cup semifinal and final hosting scenarios revealed

Sacramento gets a home semifinal!

U.S. Soccer conducted the final draw for the 2022 U.S. Open Cup, revealing who would host July’s two semifinal games, as well as determining the hosting priority for the final in September.

Neutrals got one outcome they wanted, with USL Championship club Sacramento Republic FC ending up the host of the western side of the bracket’s semifinal. Sacramento will host Sporting Kansas City at Heart Health Park, a venue in which they’ve tasted defeat just once in 16 Open Cup games over the years.

Sacramento produced a stunning upset Tuesday night to earn their place in the semifinals, defeating the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Over in the east, the winner of the Orlando City vs. Nashville SC quarterfinal (which will take place in Florida on June 29) will host the other semifinal, with the New York Red Bulls heading to either Exploria Stadium or Geodis Park.

Both semifinals do not have announced dates or times, though U.S. Soccer has scheduled both to be played on either July 26 or July 27.

The good news for Sacramento turned sour in the draw for hosting priority in the final. The Republic were drawn into the lowest priority, meaning that no matter who wins in the east, Sacramento will have to head on the road. The Orlando/Nashville winner got top priority, with Sporting KC second and the Red Bulls in third.

The date and time of the final is not settled, with U.S. Soccer stating that the game could be played on September 6-7 or September 13-14.

[lawrence-related id=3722,2254,1560]

Sacramento Republic into US Open Cup semifinals after stunning upset of LA Galaxy

The cupsets keep coming

Sacramento Republic pulled off one of the biggest U.S. Open Cup shocks in recent memory, going on the road to win Tuesday’s quarterfinal against the LA Galaxy.

Rodrigo López struck early for Sacramento, who took the lead in the 4th minute, only for the Galaxy to get level via an 18th minute own goal off of a corner kick. Luis Felipe then scored a long-range winner in the 70th minute, with Sacramento hanging on confidently to their lead eventually finishing the match with four more shot attempts than the Galaxy (15-11).

Greg Vanney only mildly rotated his team, and even sent Javier “Chicharito” Hernández and Victor Vázquez in for the final half-hour trying to keep LA in the tournament, but in the end Sacramento authored the sixth win by a club somewhere in USL over an MLS team in this year’s competition. Sacramento has two of those, as they defeated the San Jose Earthquakes in the round of 16.

Both goals came from former MLS players, and in fact both played for Galaxy rivals. López’s first professional contract saw him sign with Chivas USA in 2005, while Luis Felipe spent three seasons with San Jose.

Sacramento entered the quarterfinal as the only remaining USL Championship club left in the Open Cup, and one of two non-MLS sides still in with a chance. Union Omaha, the last remaining USL League One team, plays Wednesday against Sporting Kansas City, and another upset there would guarantee the first lower-league finalist since 2008, as Sacramento and Omaha would be paired in the semifinal.

See Sacramento take down the Galaxy

[lawrence-related id=2254,1560,1542]

U.S. Open Cup: Upsets as Union Omaha, Sacramento Republic stun MLS foes

Wednesday was a good night for USL clubs, as two produced cupsets to reach the last eight

The U.S. Open Cup round of 16 saw two upsets, with USL League One’s Union Omaha and USL Championship side Sacramento Republic taking down MLS opponents Wednesday night.

Elsewhere the LA Galaxy knocked LAFC out in another edition of El Tráfico, and wins by the New York Red Bulls and NYCFC set up a Hudson River Derby clash in the quarterfinal round.

Louisville City nearly made it three-for-three for the lower division teams still alive, taking a 1-0 lead over Nashville SC, but the Tennessee-based side got level before Hany Mukhtar delivered an 89th-minute winner.

Sporting Kansas City saw off the Houston Dynamo in a 2-1 win, while Orlando City needed penalties to eliminate Inter Miami at home.

Cupsets!

Minnesota United—starting two Designated Player attackers in Luis Amarilla and Adrien Hunou—fell 2-1 at home to Omaha, squandering Hunou’s sixth-minute opener. Hugo Kametani equalized for Omaha in first-half stoppage time, and Joseph Brito smashed the eventual winner home early in the second half.

Minnesota head coach Adrian Heath aired his team out afterward, saying Omaha “played like it might be a huge game for them. And we didn’t. So many of ours just coasted through the game and thought that will be enough. It’s not.”

For Omaha, it’s the second time they’ve gone on the road, fallen behind, and still knocked an MLS foe out. In the third round, they scored an equalizer deep in extra-time stoppage time to force penalties before eliminating the Chicago Fire.

In Sacramento, the Republic—who have only been eliminated from the Open Cup at home once in 17 games now—beat the San Jose Earthquakes 2-0. Midfielder Luis Felipe, who played for San Jose from 2018 to 2020, gave Sacramento a 28th minute lead, and Republic talisman Rodrigo López added a late second with a thunderous shot from outside the box.

U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals

June 21: LA Galaxy vs. Sacramento Republic – 10:30 p.m. ET

June 22: New York Red Bulls vs. New York City FC  – 8 p.m. ET

June 22: Sporting Kansas City vs. Union Omaha – 8:30 p.m. ET

June 29: Orlando City vs. Nashville SC – 7 p.m. ET

(home teams listed first)

[lawrence-related id=1560,1542]

Sporting KC credits Chiefs stars Mahomes and Kelce for Open Cup comeback

Sporting KC was down two goals when the crowd was given a jolt by Chiefs stars showing up on the big screen

Sporting Kansas City was down two goals in the second half of Tuesday’s U.S. Open Cup match against FC Dallas, but there were some secret weapons lurking in the crowd.

Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Mecole Hardman, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Marquez Valdes-Scantling were all in attendance and when the players were shown on the big screen, the entire shape of the match started to change.

Sporting KC suddenly burst into life, scoring two goals to tie the match and then adding two more in extra time to win 4-2 and advance to the Open Cup round of 16.

Was it a coincidence that the comeback started after the Chiefs stars’ presence was made clear? Maybe not.

Salloi wasn’t the only Sporting KC player who felt that way.

“It definitely helps that they were there,” forward Khiry Shelton told reporters after the game. “A lot of people don’t really know that they come to our games.

“The crowd started going crazy and then we’re on the field chatting to one another like let’s go, let’s go. It’s for us. This game is for us.”

Mahomes buys stake in Sporting KC

Mahomes, of course, is not just a Sporting KC fan. The superstar quarterback is also a part-owner of the MLS club, joining the ownership group last July.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to join Sporting Kansas City’s ownership team and strengthen my connection to the fans and the city I love,” Mahomes said at the time.

“Sporting is a community-oriented club and I am excited to continue supporting the growth of soccer in Kansas City.”

[listicle id=1002]

U.S. Open Cup draw: LA Galaxy plays LAFC in round of 16

U.S. Soccer conducted the Round of 16 draw for this year’s Open Cup tonight on Fútbol Americas. Find the results here.

The draw for the U.S. Open Cup’s Round of 16 has produced another chapter of El Tráfico.

US Soccer conducted the draw for the tournament tonight on ESPN’s Fútbol Americas, with the LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC paired up for a massive clash later this month.

Ahead of the draw, the final 16 teams were separated out into four groups of four, maintaining a loose geographic basis for the pairings. With 13 MLS teams going through in a Fourth Round that saw no lower-division upsets, each group has at least three MLS teams (with the Northeast quadrant being an all-MLS affair).

The draw threw up some intriguing pairings, but none will draw more attention than El Tráfico, as the Galaxy will host LAFC at Dignity Health Sports Park. The rivals are a huge story any time they meet, and a one-off cup match promises to be something special.

On the other side of the country, fans will get another heated rivalry, as Orlando City and Inter Miami will battle for bragging rights in Florida. Orlando will host the Herons, with the winner of that game being assured of a home quarterfinal by the bracket set up by U.S. Soccer.

All of the Round of 16 matches will be played on May 24-25, with U.S. Soccer expected to announce dates and times Friday morning.

Neutrals will have their eyes on the three remaining non-MLS sides, with Louisville City and Sacramento Republic advancing over fellow USL Championship clubs Detroit City and Phoenix Rising, respectively. The Cinderella story at this point is the defending USL League One champions, Union Omaha. Omaha advanced past another club from League One, beating the Northern Colorado Hailstorm 2-0.

Of the trio, two got the good fortune of a home game. Louisville will host Nashville SC at Lynn Family Stadium, while Sacramento will have the San Jose Earthquakes as their guests at Heart Health Park. Omaha, meanwhile, will head north to take on Minnesota United.

U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 draw results

New York Red Bulls vs. Charlotte FC

NYCFC vs. New England Revolution

Orlando City vs. Inter Miami

Louisville City vs. Nashville SC

Sporting Kansas City vs. Houston Dynamo

Minnesota United vs. Union Omaha

LA Galaxy vs. LAFC

Sacramento Republic vs. San Jose Earthquakes

(home teams listed first)

[lawrence-related id=1514,1457,1458]