Real Salt Lake and Inter Miami also advanced to the U.S. Open Cup semifinals on Wednesday after also picking up quarterfinal victories this week.
Pablo Mastroeni’s RSL squad held on for a 3-2 home victory over the LA Galaxy, using a brace from Damir Kreilach and an insurance goal from Jefferson Savarino to advance. The Galaxy made the final minutes interesting after two late goals, but were unable to find a third at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Kreilach delivered the opening goal after only 19 minutes, finishing off Rubio Rubin’s pass with a right-footed finish. The Croatian doubled his tally in the seventh minute of first-half stoppage time, scoring from the penalty spot after Julian Aude bundled Rubin over in the box.
Savarino extended RSL’s lead to 3-0 early in the second half after the Venezuelan was played in towards goal by Rubin, before slotting home his first goal of the competition.
Gaston Brugman’s penalty-kick finish paired with Douglas Costa’s top-shelf finish helped the Galaxy cut their deficit to 3-2, but it was the closest they would come to turning things around.
Gavin Beavers made four saves to preserve the home win for RSL, advancing them into the final four.
Birmingham Legion 0, Inter Miami 1
Inter Miami followed up Wednesday’s exciting Lionel Messi news by advancing into the U.S. Open Cup semifinals.
Nicolas Stefanelli’s lone goal was all the Herons needed to defeat USL Championship hosts Birmingham Legion 1-0 away from home.
Enzo Martinez was denied twice by Drake Callender in the first half as the Legion created two positive scoring opportunities.
Corentin Jean set up Stefanelli for Inter Miami’s eventual winning goal as Stefanelli sent a right-footed shot into the top-right corner for a 1-0 advantage.
Tyler Pasher was also denied by Callender in the latter stages of the match as the U.S. men’s national team goalkeeper finished with a four-save shutout.
Inter Miami will resume MLS play this weekend, hoping Wednesday’s win can help spark them up the Eastern Conference standings.