Lamar Hunt US Open Cup 5th Round, 2nd Night Results
The second night of the USOC was yet another night of American soccer to remember. With New York Red Bulls’ retribution over the Cosmos, LA Galaxy’s revenge on arch rivals San Jose Earthquakes, Sporting Kansas City destroying FC Dallas and more amazing moments of American soccer.
Thursday, July 2, 2015
New York Red Bulls 4 – 1 New York Cosmos
Determination of MLS side Red Bulls that came out on the attack with their increasingly dangerous formation, one penalty and some very bad luck on the NASL side Cosmos – all came together to crowning one winning team in New York. The Cosmos were the last non-MLS side to play last night, and their loss means that the US Open Cup from now is a Major League Soccer competition.
Determined not to be beaten again but the Cosmos as did last year in the same competition/stage, New York Red Bulls came out with all guns blazing. Red Bulls Lloyd Sam came back as a starter after injuries, and didn’t wait too long to show his force. He assisted Sal Zizzo who headed into the net the first goal of the game (5’) putting the Red Bulls at an early lead.
The Cosmos equalized not too far after, with Lucky Mkosana assisted by Walter Restrepo (16’).
After an inconsistent performance against NYCFC this last weekend, Sacha Kijestan found his form again and got a corner kick, that he kicked accurately into the penalty area, where teammate Anatole Abag headed into the net (43’).
Coming back into the second half, Cosmos and Real Madrid former legend Raul came on to play. As expected, Raul gave his team a massive boost, and nearly scored only 2 minutes after coming in. However although creating opportunities, Cosmos did not manage to capitalize. Less than 10 minutes into the 2nd half, Cosmos defender Hunter Groskie made a questionable challenge in the penalty area on Red Bulls Chris Duvall, giving the Red Bulls a penalty, whom Sacha Kijestan converted into a goal (54’).
The Cosmos still continued to battle and even created chances, notably being denied by the woodwork twice within the 64th minute.
However, this match was all about New York Red Bulls establishing dominance in as New York City’s Soccer powerhouse. Assisted by Felipe, Mike Grella gave the Red Bulls one more goal on the 90th minute. Finishing the match at a victory, the MLS team then scored 4 goals and painted the New York Red (Bulls).
Sporting Kansas City 6 – 2 FC Dallas
For Kansas, last night was one of the most phenomenal performances in the Club’s history. It was all about breaking records and writing club history. With Dom Dwyer setting Sporting’s record with the most goals by a player in a single game. Starting off with his 1st two goals of the match (5’, 30’) both assisted by Benny Feilhaber, and then converting a penalty kick (41’) to complete his 1st half hat trick.
Kansas did not rest in the last minutes of the 1st half, and Kristian Nemeth added another point for Sporting at the end of the half (45’+1’), assisted by Jacob Peterson and again Benny Feilhaber.
FC Dallas did try to answer, and its 1st goal of the match (62’) scored by Michael Barrios and assisted by David Texeira.
Minutes later Dom Dwyer came back yet again, to score his last (4th) match of the game (69’), to be answered by what would be a consolation point for Dallas scored by Kellyn Acosta.
Well done to MLS Sporting Kansas City, ranked 5th in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference. The Club tied its own record with a 6-1 win over Des Moines Menace in the US Open Cup as well, in 2005. The club is now still in the running to win its second Open Cup, with the first won over a decade ago in 2004.
Real Salt Lake 2 – 0 Portland Timbers
Having the home advantage, and having met in a faceoff for a place in the US Open Cup Final in 2013, where the final score was actually the same, Real Salt Lake were favourites to win last night.
However, if looking at the Major League Soccer Western Conference table, things seem to be in favour of the Portland Timbers. Portland are ranked 3rd in the MLS Western Conference (8-6-4) vs. Real Salt Lake at 8 (5-6-7). So, everything was possible for both sides last night.
Both sides appeared to be pretty even in trying to find their form on the 1st half, with the Timbers almost getting a break and taking an early lead with Gaston Fernandez finding the back of Real’s net (7’), but being offside the shot was disqualified.
A somewhat eventful 1st half otherwise had come and gone, with the first goal of the match being scored by Real Salt Lake’s Sebastian Jamie (54’), assisted by Olmes Garcia.
17 minutes later, Portland’s Joao Plata brought down defender George Fochive on the end of the box, giving Real Salt Lake a penalty kick that was capitalized by Javier Morales (71’), doubling Real’s lead and giving the hosts the win.
San Jose Earthquakes 0 – 1 LA Galaxy
As every derby has its own unique stories, rivalries and history, so this this derby between two Major League Soccer Californian sides.
LA Galaxy came into this match with a lot to prove. First and foremost, it suffered a humiliating 3-1 defeat here in Avaya Stadium last time these two teams met (June 28th) for the MLS 2015 regular season game. Also, LA Galaxy have not won a game away from their StubHub Center in any competition since the 20th of August last year.
Another piece of history to consider is the track record between these two sides in the US Open Cup competition, which now stats on 5-0 for Galaxy against San Jose.
LA Galaxy indeed came into this game determined to win and applied pressure right from the start, and kept on moving deep into San Jose’s territory and appearing dangerous. And indeed, Galaxy gained an early lead with Jose Villarreal scoring on the 6th minute, assisted by Kenny Walker.
San Jose nearly equalized with Mark Sherrod (30’) and Leonardo Barrera (35’), as well as LA’s, and former San Jose’s Alan Gordon nearly doubling the lead (82’). But the score remained constant throughout the match with LA Galaxy winning the match.
