2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

Our version of the FA Cup is back after a two year hiatus due to COVID-19. Last night’s round of 32 had some interesting results, not the least of which was Louisville City’s OT shootout win at Detroit City FC. It’s Louisville’s second straight win in the competition via kicks from the spot. Last time out, they beat Saint Louis II at home. The Boys In Purple made all 13 of their spot kicks in both matches. (We’re also 2 for 2 in regular season PK’s.)
And I tuned in just in time to watch Sporting KC level their match with FC Dallas at the death, then score two (one an own goal) in extra time to advance.
So far, Columbus Crew, Chicago Fire, Austin FC, and Real Salt Lake among the MLS clubs have been ousted by lower division opponents. Tonight the slayers of Austin take on the Dynamo in Houston, and the California United Strikers of the 3rd tier National Independent Soccer Association visit Carson, CA to play the Galaxy.
WooHoo!

 

I stand corrected. The Galaxy have had to travel to Irvine to play the California United Strikers at 2500 seat Championship Soccer Stadium.

 

Heading into the round of 16 on Wednesday, May 25th, there are only four non-MLS sides left in the competition: Sacramento Republic FC, Union Omaha SC, Charlotte Independence, and Louisville City FC. Charlotte and Omaha are in USL League One, the third tier of American soccer. They travel to MLS'ers NY Red Bulls and Minnesota United, respectively. Sacramento hosts the Earthquakes, while Lou City welcomes former USL Championship rival Nashville SC to Lynn Family Stadium. It will be interesting to see what kind of crowd the Louisville-Nashville match will draw. It's a mere 2 hour and 45 minute drive from Nashville to Louisville, so I'm expecting the visitors will sell out their allotment. If the opponent were Orlando City (Louisville's former USL affiliate) or FC Cincinnati, it might sell out. The rivalry with Nashville didn't have much time to gather steam during the two seasons it's predecessor, also called Nashville SC, played in the USL. But the rivalry with Cincinnati, dubbed the River Cities Cup, got heated before their move to MLS. It peaked during a 2017 league match in Cincinnati, when Senegalese striker Djiby Fall allegedly bit Lou City midfielder Niall McCabe's cheek during an 87th minute dust up. Djiby had made several questionable tackles without being booked during the match, but received a straight red card for this infraction. He's definitely Lou City's all time villain. If you ever see Louisville and Cincinnati drawn together in the U.S. Open Cup, pop some popcorn and find the channel.

 

Good luck Louisville City.

Go Sac Republic !!!

 

Earth...quakes.....earth....quakes....earth....quakes
I've not much to cheer on these past couple of seasons for the Quakes, so I was pleasantly surprised to see them hold on against Seattle. Still, it's a bittersweet wish for success over Republic (who I wish had gotten that MLS expansion spot).

 

MLS-wise I'm an Earthquakes fan. I agree it's been tough the last couple of years. The supposed expansion slot is a distant memory for Sac Republic. Money talked.

 

Way to go Sac Republic! Beat the Earthquakes 2 - 0. Next up is LA Galaxy.

 

Well, the mighty Boys In Purple succumbed to an 89th minute goal to get knocked out by Nashville 2-1. But how about League One Union Omaha! They beat Minnesota United in Saint Paul 2-1, their second victory over an MLS side in this competition. They won at Chicago Fire in April on kicks from the spot.