Courtesy of USL Communications:
TAMPA, FL -- For the first time since 1997, two USL Second Division level clubs advanced to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Quarterfinals Tuesday evening as the Wilmington Hammerheads and Harrisburg City Islanders upset their MLS opposition to advance to the elite eight. Charleston also knocked off an MLS club for the third straight year and the Rochester Rhinos advanced in penalties.
The Wilmington Hammerheads registered the first of the two USL-2 upsets on the night against the four-time tournament champions. The Hammerheads opened scoring in the 37th minute as midfielder Kenny Bundy received a pass from defender Tim Karalexis and placed a ball past Fire goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra for the game-winning goal.
The Harrisburg City Islanders won a strange affair in New Britain, capitalizing on a short-handed, injury-riddled New England Revolution side that saw the list grow as the game wore on, eventually finishing the game with only eight players. Jeff Larentowicz gave the hosts the lead in the 38th minute on a free kick from the top of the box. After utilizing all three subs, the Revolution began running into the injury problems in the 63rd, losing Kheli Dube. Four minutes later a cross from Jason Pelletier was met by Mo Oduor at the spot for the equalizer. In the 81st, Mike Videira left due to injury. In overtime, Geoff Bloes tallied the winner in the 105th on a loose ball off a corner. A second yellow to Nico Colaluca in the 117th handicapped the Revolution’s comeback hopes in the final minutes.
The advancement of the two USL-2 clubs marked the first time since 1997 that two clubs from the third tier of professional soccer advanced to the tournament quarterfinals in the same year. That year, the Chicago Stingers and San Francisco Seals were victorious over the Colorado Rapids and Kansas City Wizards, respectively, by the same 2-1 scoreline. San Francisco went on to defeat the San Jose Clash 2-1 in the quarters before falling to eventual champion DC United 2-1 in the semifinals.
The Charleston Battery led the way for the USL First Division for a third straight year, knocking out Chivas USA 3-1. Randi Patterson scored twice in the contest, tallying two go-ahead goals in the 9th and 45th minutes as Jesse Marsch struck the lone visitor goal in the 28th. Tsuyoshi Yoshitake put the match away in the 90th minute as the match heated up down the stretch.
The Rochester Rhinos experienced overtime for a third straight game, and for the second time needed penalties to advance as they eliminated the defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew. Rochester tallied the opener courtesy of Ty Harden 32 minutes into the contest, but veteran Duncan Oughton leveled terms for the visiting Crew just five minutes later. Columbus lost Alex Grendi on a second yellow card in the 55th minute, but fought the rest of the way to force penalties. Tim Melia came up the hero as he saved Oughton’s attempt in the third round of the tiebreaker, allowing the Rhinos to win the tiebreaker 5-3.
In another thrilling contest that required penalties, the Minnesota Thunder came up short in penalties despite rallying twice to tie during the 3-3 match. Down 2-0 on back-to-back strikes from Michael Kraus and Abe Thompson (penalty) in the 17th and 19th minutes, the Thunder were able to level from the spot on two penalties from Ricardo Sanchez in the 41st and 84th to force overtime. In extra time, Rauwshan McKenzie tallied in the 105th, but Sanchez played the hero again, setting up Melvin Tarley in the 114. But two saves from Boris Pardo in the tiebreaker in the third and fourth rounds sealed the Thunder’s fate.
The Premier Development League’s Ocean City Barons, despite being the lone remaining amateur side, gave the defending tournament champion DC United a tough challenge, but saw the hosts pull away late for the 2-0 win. Christian Gomez broke the stalemate on a penalty in the 74th and Ange N’Silu clinched the win in the 90th.
Tuesday, June 30
Chicago Fire 0 :: 1 Wilmington Hammerheads
Match Stats [+]
Columbus Crew (3) 1 :: PK :: 1 (5) Rochester Rhinos
Match Stats [+] Match Report [+]
Harrisburg City Islanders 2 :: OT :: 1 New England Revolution
Match Stats [+] Match Report [+]
Chivas USA 1 :: 3 Charleston Battery
Match Stats [+] Match Report [+] USL Live Video [+]
Ocean City Barons 0 :: 2 DC United
Match Stats [+] Match Report [+] USL Live Video [+]
Kansas City Wizards (4) 3 :: PK :: 3 (2) Minnesota Thunder
Match Stats [+] Match Report [+] USL Live Video [+]
Wednesday, July 1
Houston Dynamo :: Austin Aztex
USL Live Video [+]
Seattle Sounders :: Portland Timbers
USL Live Video [+]
Quarterfinals - July 7
Harrisburg at DC United - 7:30 pm ET, Maryland Soccerplex
Wilmington at Rochester - 7:00 pm ET, Marina Auto Stadium
Houston/Austin at Charleston - 7:30 pm ET, Blackbaud Stadium
Portland at Kansas City - 7:30 pm CT, Shawnee Mission North HS
or
Kansas City at Seattle - 7:00 pm PT, Starfire Sports Complex
Related: Full Schedule [+] First Round Recap [+] Second Round Recap [+]
