Five MLS teams advanced to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday night, but no club made as big of a statement as the Seattle Sounders.
The Sounders put an end to Cal FC’s Cinderella run in the tournament, scoring five second-half goals en route to a 5-0 win. Osvaldo Alonso got things going by converting a penalty kick for the first of his two goals on the night, while Freddy Montero added a brace of his own. Andy Rose scored the other goal for Seattle.
Cal FC held up well in the first half, pressing the Sounders and keeping them from scoring a goal. But a handball called five minutes after halftime opened the floodgates, and Seattle kept its dream of winning a fourth consecutive U.S. Open Cup alive while ending Cal FC’s moment in the spotlight.
Here’s a closer look at all of Tuesday’s fourth round results:
PHILADELPHIA UNION 2, D.C. UNITED 1 (AET)
Philadelphia Union rookie Antoine Hoppenot came to the rescue, scoring a goal in the first half of extra time to give his club a 2-1 win against D.C. United. Philadelphia had taken the lead in the 46th minute through a strike from Brian Carroll, but their celebration was shortlived as Josh Wolff scored seconds later for United. Hoppenot then won the game in extra time after getting on the end of a Freddy Adu pass.
HARRISBURG CITY ISLANDERS 3, NEW YORK RED BULLS 1 (AET)
A former New York Red Bull crushed the U.S. Open Cup dreams of the New York Red Bulls. Harrisburg City Islanders forward Sainey Touray scored a surprise opener in regulation and a winner in extra time against a shorthanded Red Bulls side that did not have enough players to fill outs its bench.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY 2, COLORADO RAPIDS 0
Sporting Kansas City benefited from a Matt Pickens own goal in the first half, and they went on to pick up a 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids. Pickens had a ball that he saved ricochet off of him and roll into the net, while Teal Bunbury added an insurance goal for Sporting Kansas City in the second half.
DAYTON DUTCH LIONS 2, MICHIGAN BUCKS 1 (AET)
The Dayton Dutch Lions continue their surprising run in the U.S. Open Cup. Despite being winless in the USL Pro season, the Dutch Lions advanced to the quarterfinals of the tournament after a 2-1 extra time win over PDL Club Michigan Bucks. The Dutch Lions knocked off the only remaining PDL team courtesy of a penalty kick from Joel DeLass in the first half of extra time.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES 1, MINNESOTA STARS FC 0
Another late goal, another win for the San Jose Earthquakes. San Jose punched their ticket through to the next round of the tournament with a 1-0 triumph over NASL side Minnesota Stars FC. Steven Lenhart finished off Steven Beitashour’s feed in the 85th minute, and that was all that was needed for the Earthquakes to pull out the victory.
CHIVAS USA 2, CAROLINA RAILHAWKS 1
The Carolina RailHawks were on the brink of heading into extra time with Chivas USA, but U.S. youth international Gale Agbossoumonde was whistled for a handball late in the game to give the Goats a penalty kick that Juan Pablo Angel converted. Angel’s goal came in response to a Mike Palacio equalizer. Juan Agudelo scored the opening goal for Chivas USA.
CHARLOTTE EAGLES 2, SAN ANTONIO SCOPRIONS 1 (AET)
Mauricio Salles scored on a penalty kick in the second half of extra time to give USL Pro team Charlotte Eagles a 2-1 win over NASL expansion club San Antonio Scorpons. Charlotte intially took the lead in the game, but it went to extra time after Pablo Campos scored a 75th-minute goal for San Antonio.
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What do you think of these results? Are the Sounders the favorite to win this tournament? What do you make of Cal FC’s run? Wondering how the Red Bulls were knocked off?
Share your thoughts below.