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U.S. Open Cup Third Round Wednesday Roundup: Close calls, penalties, and Cupsets

u.s. open cup third round

The U.S. Open Cup third round is on the books. On Wednesday night, 13 of the 24 games of the round took place. For Rachael Kriger’s review of the 11 Tuesday matches, click here.

U.S. Open Cup Third Round Wednesday Roundup

Three MLS teams survive USL sides 2-1

RBNY got out to a 2-0 start within 25 minutes. While there was some squad rotation, it was first choice starters who made a difference. Lewis Morgan had a great individual effort on the first goal. Then captain Aaron Long had a tap in on a recycled ball that hit the post seconds earlier. Hartford scored in the second half but RBNY held on despite a stoppage time (and unintelligent) red card from Cristian Cásseres Jr.

Charlotte FC won their first ever USOC match in extra time at Greenville Triumph. Christian Ortiz scored on a rebound just before halftime. Jake Keegan scored just before the hour mark to send a sold out Triumph Stadium at Legacy Early College crowd into euphoria. Extra time beckoned and Charlotte gradually subbed on starters while John Harkes’ side were limited. Harrison Afful scored in the 105th to win the game 2-1.

Orlando City beat in-state visitor Tampa Bay Rowdies with all three goals coming in the second half. Alexandre Pato converted a penalty before both teams scored a goal between the 63rd and 65th. Junior Urso made it 2-0 with a cool finish with the keeper in his face that warranted putting on sunglasses. All three of these USL teams gave good accounts of themselves against regional MLS opposition.

Hail to the Hailstorm

Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC got their second Open Cup win in club history. They beat a mostly backup Real Salt Lake at the Riot 1-0. RSL had the better play of the first half but both teams struggled to create. With their only shot on goal, Rob Cornwall scored on a rope from the top of the box with 20 minutes to go. Hailstorm then adopted a siege mentality. RSL pored it on, but the defense had an answer for ever question. In their first four competitive games in existence, Northern Colorado have two Open Cup road wins against teams higher up the table.

San Antonio FC wins I-35 Derby

Toyota Field was rocking with a good bit of Verde shirts in the crowd. Austin had more of the ball and chances with Diego Fagundez deservedly putting the visitors up 1-0 early in the second half. SAFC equalized late with a great finish by Elliot Collier on his first touch in front of the net. Then a wild extra time period commenced. Carter Manley scored on an open header after a flick on. Austin put so much pressure in the final 15 minutes but Jordan Farr had the goalkeeper performance of the round that included two point blank saves at the death on Rodney Redes.

Atlanta and LAFC Roll

LAFC and Atlanta United scored a combined 11 goals in their wins against lower division opponents. The Five Stripes beat Chattanooga FC 6-0. Dom Dwyer had a brace on 35 minutes to make it 3-0. The result never looked in doubt as Luiz Araujo scored on a great chip in the second half.

The black and gold beat their former USL affiliate Orange Count FC 5-1. Danny Musovski and Cristian Arango combined for four goals, the first coming in the 13th minute. An entirely backup backline did have a hiccup on the goal that was conceded.

‘Kings Cup’ Penalties

Louisville City hosted St. Louis City SC II in a pseudo reprisal of the Kings Cup, the rivalry that existed between Louisville and the now defunct Saint Louis FC. LCFC outshot the MLS Next Pro side 15-3 in the 120 minutes of play. CITY were pretty much playing for penalties from the start of extra time. The defense and goalkeeper Michael Creek were up to the task. Penalties ended up going ten rounds with forward Dida Armstrong missing to see Louisville win 9-8.

Other Scores from U.S. Open Cup Third Round Day 2:

Rochester New York FC 2 (4) – 2 (3) FC Motown
Richmond Kickers 1-0 Carolina Dynamo (ET)
Forward Madison 0-2 Minnesota United
Sacramento Republic 2-1 Central Valley Fuego
Phoenix Rising 2-1 New Mexico United

Embed from Getty Images

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