By JUSTIN FERGUSON
Last year, half of Major League Soccer’s 16 American clubs were bounced out of the U.S. Open Cup in the Third Round.
Barring an upset-heavy Wednesday night, more MLS clubs should survive in the tournament’s centennial edition—but the upset bug was buzzing all around the country on Tuesday.
MLS expansion hopefuls and runaway USL Pro leaders Orlando City were the story of the evening after cruising to a 3-1 home win over the Colorado Rapids. Sporting Kansas City loanee Dom Dwyer, who may face his parent club in the next round, recorded a brace for the home team after Colorado equalized early in the first half. The Rapids comeback bid was crushed early in the second half when goalkeeper Stewart Ceus received a straight red card for a hard foul.
Meanwhile, the Charleston Battery recorded a famous home win of their own, a 1-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes. Charleston defender Colin Falvey headed home the eventual match-winner in the 73rd minute, and San Jose’s hopes of an equalizer fizzled out after Brad Ring received his second yellow card seconds later.
Elsewhere, Dan Kennedy was the hands-down man of the match for Chivas USA in their 2-1 win over the neighboring Los Angeles Blues. In addition to the goalkeeping that has kept Chivas afloat in several matches this season, Kennedy also netted the match-winning goal. The veteran stepped up to the spot in the second half and buried the shot, giving Chivas their first win in two months.
Here’s a closer look at all of Tuesday’s action from the third round of the U.S. Open Cup:
Orlando City (USL Pro) 3, Colorado Rapids (MLS) 1 (REPORT)
Philadelphia Union (MLS) 2, Ocean City Nor’Easters (PDL) 1 (REPORT)
Richmond Kickers (USL Pro) 0(2), D.C. United (MLS) 0(4) (REPORT)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) 0, FC Dallas (MLS) 2 (REPORT)
Charleston Battery (USL Pro) 1, San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) 0 (REPORT)
Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro) 1, New England Revolution (MLS) 5 (REPORT)
Sporting Kansas City (MLS) 2, Des Moines Menace (PDL) 0 (REPORT)
Real Salt Lake (MLS) 3, Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) 2 (After Extra Time) (REPORT)
Los Angeles Blues (USL Pro) 1, Chivas USA (MLS) 2 (REPORT)
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What did you take away from these results? Impressed with expansion hopeful Orlando City’s big home win over Colorado? Enjoy Dan Kennedy win the game for Chivas with his hands and his feet?
Share your thoughts below.