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) /

9 of 10

PORTLAND, OR – AUGUST 31: Timber Joey, mascot of the Portland Timbers cuts a log against the Colorado Rapids on August 31, 2012 at Jeld-Wen Field in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images) /

2. Open Cup 2012: CAL FC 1-0 Portland Timbers

As previously alluded to, 2012 was a beautifully bizarre year for the Open Cup. It was a year where just eight MLS teams from the 16 that entered would make it through to the fourth round.

Throughout the game, the Portland Timbers dominated, registering an astonishing 43 shots, but it was one of the 11 shots from CAL FC that made the difference at the home of the Timbers.

Not just did CAL FC become the center of worldwide soccer attention after this, the defeat was that little more spectacular, as it prevented the TImbers playing arch-rivals Seattle Sounders in the next round.

Ties like this are exactly why the U.S. Open Cup is so great. One of the most shocking upsets in U.S. soccer history.

Home/MLS News