MLS: 12 U.S. Open Cup upsets fresh in the memory

Saint Louis FC midfielder Austin Martz, front, and Lewis Hilton (8) celebrate Martz' goal in the first half during a U.S. Open Cup game against the Chicago Fire at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo., on Tuesday, June 11, 2019. St. Louis won, 2-1, to advance to the next round. (David Carson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS via Getty Images) /

8 of 10

BRIDGEVIEW, IL – SEPTEMBER 15: Head coach Frank Klopas of Chicago Fire yells to his team against the Montreal Impact at Toyota Park on September 15, 2012 in Bridgeview, Illinois. The Fire defeated the Impact 3-1. (Photo by Brian D. Kersey/Getty Images) /

3. Open Cup 2012: Michigan Bucks 3-2 Chicago Fire (AET)

If you were to describe the U.S. Open Cup and all its glory to a newbie, telling them the story of this upset would justify everything you say.

This giant killing had it all: An amateur side beating the side who has won more Open Cups than anyone else, goals in extra time, local fans piling into an indoor stadium because the Bucks could not afford their own. All of it. All of it was truly magical.

Nermin Crnkic’s goal in the 93rd minute subsequently meant that the Bucks became the only amateur team to defeat two top tier sides in the MLS era, as they reigned supreme over the New England Revolution back in 2000, also.

Just go ahead and watch the highlights for this one. The indoor showing makes it almost surreal that a team of that level could beat the finalists from the year before.

Home/MLS News