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U.S. Open Cup: It Is An All-MLS Quarterfinal

By Sean Maslin

Jul 1, 2015; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York Red Bulls midfielder Mike Grella (13) reacts after scoring a second half goal against the New York Cosmos during the U.S. Open Cup match at Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls defeated the Cosmos 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 1, 2015; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York Red Bulls midfielder Mike Grella (13) reacts after scoring a second half goal against the New York Cosmos during the U.S. Open Cup match at Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls defeated the Cosmos 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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The rest of the 2015 U.S. Open Cup will be an all MLS affair. On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week the remaining holdovers from the lower divisions of U.S. Soccer, the Charlotte Independence and the New York Cosmos, were ousted of the tournament leaving only eight sides from MLS to compete for the countries oldest club title.

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Of course the match that had everyone’s attention was the derby match between the New York Red Bulls and the New York Cosmos. After last year’s loss in Open Cup play, the Red Bulls looked for revenge and struck early thanks to a goal by Loyd Sam in the 5th minute. The Cosmos would strike back eleven minutes later thanks to a strike by forward Lucky Mkosana. But a goal shortly before halftime by Red Bulls midfielder Anatole Abang and a penalty kick goal thanks to midfielder Sacha Kljestan early in the second gave the Red Bulls room to snuff out the Cosmos. A late Mike Grella goal would be the icing on the cake for a 4-1 victory.

Jun 30, 2015; Bridgeview, IL, USA; Chicago Fire defender Lovel Palmer (5) right tries to score against the Charlotte Independence during the second half of the U.S. Open Cup soccer game at Toyota Park. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 30, 2015; Bridgeview, IL, USA; Chicago Fire defender Lovel Palmer (5) right tries to score against the Charlotte Independence during the second half of the U.S. Open Cup soccer game at Toyota Park. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Although the Cosmos match might have been the marquee game the Independence at times seemed to give their MLS opponent, the Chicago Fire. Charlotte actually led the match early on, thanks to a goal by Thomas Zahorski in just the 5th minute. But an old friend forthe Fire would prove to be essential as former MLS MVP Mike Magee would make his return to the squad and score a brace. Magee has played in two matches during league play but had featured in just 23 minutes. In the Charlotte match though Magee played the full 90 minutes and was consistently engaging the Independence defense. A Lovel Palmer goal in the 50th put the game just beyond the reach of the Independence.

Aside from the potential underdog matches that always grab the headlines perhaps the best match of the tournament was the California Classico between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes. After the Earthquakes victory over L.A. on Sunday, the Galaxy (or at least the Galaxy reserves) enacted some level of revenge with an early goal by forward Jose Villarreal. The Quakes nearly tied it up with a header by forward Mark Sherrod in the 30th minute. However, Sherrod was ruled offside.

In other U.S. Open Cup matches this week Sporting Kansas City throttled FC Dallas 6-2, Houston Dynamo eliminated the Colorado Rapids 1-0, the Philadelphia Union continued their run back to the finals by beating D.C. United 2-1, Orlando City S.C. the Columbus  Crew S.C. 2-0, and Real Salt Lake put two past the Portland Timbers.

In the Quarter-finals the Red Bulls will host the Union (match date TBD,) RSL will have the Galaxy come to Rio Tinto (7/14,) SKC will take on the Dynamo (Sporting Park; 7/21,) and Orlando City SC will travel to Toyota Park to take on the Fire (7/22).

Next: Ousted Leading Whitecaps To The Top Of The Table

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