The 2023 U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 concluded on Wednesday with several MLS clubs booking their spot into the next round.
Real Salt Lake used a second-half comeback to defeat the Portland Timbers 4-3 at Providence Park on Wednesday. Maikel Chang scored twice in a two-minute span to send Pablo Mastroeni’s squad into the Round of 16.
Portland struck first though as Sebastian Blanco’s right-footed shot nestled into the back of the RSL net for a 1-0 Timbers lead. However, the lead would only last 26 minutes as Danny Musovski equalized for RSL after a smooth stroke into the bottom-left corner.
RSL flipped momentum in its favor in the 41st minute as Carlos Gomez’s long-range strike following a set piece made it 2-1 to the visitors.
Justin Rasmussen and Jaroslaw Niezgoda scored three minutes apart for the Timbers in the second half to make it 3-2 Portland, but RSL would not lie down.
Maikel Chang delivered his first goal of the night in the 55th minute after Gomez’s set-up pass before the 32-year-old played the hero just four minutes later. Musovski connected with Chang in the box, allowing the Cuban to sneak a left-footed shot into the bottom-right corner.
RSL would hang on to advance to the Round of 16.
Here is a closer look at Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup results:
Galaxy 3, Sounders 1
The LA Galaxy grabbed a much-needed victory on Wednesday, ousting the Seattle Sounders 3-1 in U.S. Open Cup action.
Memo Rodriguez’s second-half brace would guide Greg Vanney’s squad into the Round of 16 after a confident home performance.
Julian Aude’s top-shelf finish in the fourth minute boosted the Galaxy in front and giving the home fans something to cheer about on home soil. It was Aude’s first goal for the Galaxy.
LA had to wait until the second half to pad their lead but received a strong performance from Rodriguez in doing so. Tyler Boyd set up Rodriguez for the Galaxy’s second goal of the night in the 66th minute, but the Sounders would sneak a goal back not long after.
Paul Rothrock’s first MLS goal cut the Sounders’ deficit to 2-1, but Rodriguez would add the Galaxy’s insurance goal with six minutes to play.
FC Cincinnati 1, NYCFC 0
FC Cincinnati claimed its second victory and shutout of this season’s U.S. Open Cup after eliminating NYCFC 1-0 at TQL Stadium.
Pat Noonan’s squad were on the front foot to start the match as Yuya Kubo and Brandon Vazquez were both denied by NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese. Kubo was also repelled a second time as Freese registered three first-half saves.
The NYCFC defense was broken down though in the 56th minute as Vazquez’s powerful header off an Alvaro Barreal cross snuck by Freese for a 1-0 FC Cincy advantage.
James Sands missed his headed attempt later in the second half while Richie Ledezma also missed a good offensive opportunity. NYCFC failed to register a shot on goal in the Round of 32 loss.
Here are all of Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup results:
FC Cincinnati 1, NYCFC 0
Loudoun United FC 1, Columbus Crew 5
Birmingham Legion FC 3, Memphis 901 FC 0
Houston Dynamo 1, Sporting KC 0
Nashville SC 2, FC Dallas 0
Austin FC 2, New Mexico United 0
LA Galaxy 3, Seattle Sounders 1
Portland Timbers 3, Real Salt Lake 4