The second-tier Charleston Battery and Seattle Sounders (of the United Soccer League 1) join two Major League Soccer teams - DC United and New England Revolution - in the semifinals of the 95th annual U.S. Open Cup, after the completion of Tuesday night's quarterfinals...
Two matches required penalty kick shootouts to decide a winner:
Seattle - the defending USL1 team which joins MLS next season officially as Seattle Sounders FC -advanced on penalty kicks 6-5, defeating the Kansas City Wizards after a scoreless regulation and overtime period.
New England - the defending U.S. Open Cup Champions - advanced on penalty kicks 5-3, defeating Crystal Palace Baltimore (a USL division 2 team), after one early goal from each team stuck the score on 1-1 through regulation and the overtime period.
The one quarterfinal pairing two MLS teams - Chicago Fire and DC United - also required overtime, as the Fire's Daniel Woolard scored at 36', then in the second half Francis Doe of DC equalized (77'). In the 99th minute, United got the game-winner via Bryan Namoff. Jaime Moreno tallied assists on both DC goals.
In the one true upset of the night, USL 1's Charleston Battery visited Pizza Hut Park and FC Dallas, where Charleston ran rampant over the home team. They scored three goals against the Hoops in regulation, including one in the final stoppage time. Kenny Copper was the lone scorer for Dallas, and his goal did not come until after the other three - in the final ticks of the clock (90+4')...how shall we say, too little...too late.
Since one of the semifinals will feature two USL teams, it guarantees an non-MLS team in the Final for the first time since 1999. Here are the semifinal match-ups...
U.S. Open Cup Semifinals August 12, 2008 New England Revolution (MLS) at D.C. United (MLS) RFK Stadium; Washington, D.C. - 7:30 PM EDT Seattle Sounders (USL-1) at Charleston Battery (USL-1) Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, S.C. - 7:30 PM EDT
There is much more information available online:
Here are some features for now, and I will update on Wednesday by adding some of the best videos (from broadcasts and fans) ENJOY =)
MLSNet.com's US Open Cup Scoreboard
The four match-ups summarized by US Open Cup .com
( http://mvn.com/soccer/2008/07/08/95th-us-annual-us-open-cup-tuesday-nights-quarterfinals/ )
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