CHICAGO (July 9, 2024) – The 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup’s Quarterfinal Round kicked off tonight with a pair of dramatic clashes between Major League Soccer (Div. I) and USL Championship (Div. II) competitors.
In the evening’s first fixture, Indy Eleven (USLC) made a bit of history by eliminating 2019 Open Cup champion Atlanta United, securing its first-ever win against an MLS side as well as the club’s inaugural Semifinal qualification. Augustine Williams, who scored in each of the previous two rounds, gave the visitors a first half lead that they carried deep into the second half before a gift of an own goal from Atlanta’s Dax McCarty gave Indy the cushion they ultimately needed to prevail as Nick Firmino potted a stoppage time consolation for the Five Stripes.
In the night cap, the Seattle Sounders battled their way past giant killers Sacramento Republic FC in what has become the Cupset Capital of the tournament in recent years, Heart Health Park in Sacramento. A first half double from the Sounders’ Josh Atencio and Jordan Morris gave the MLS side all the scoring they would need despite conceding an early second half strike to Sacramento’s Sebastián Herrera, which made for a hotly contested final 45 that the Sounders were able to escape from.
The Quarterfinals conclude Wednesday evening with a pair of contests that fans can stream for FREE on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. The action begins at 9:00 p.m. ET when Sporting Kansas City welcomes FC Dallas for a second consecutive match, having just beat the Texans 3-2 in a hot-blooded MLS regular season affair over the weekend. Then, LAFC and New Mexico United draw the curtain on the Quarterfinal round when they meet in an inter-division donnybrook at 11:00 p.m. ET.
This week’s Quarterfinal winners will move on to next month’s Semifinal Round with the bracket playing out as follows:
The Semifinals (Aug. 27-28) and Final (Sept. 25) will be available to stream for FREE on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. With broadcasts in more than 100 countries worldwide, the conclusion of the 109th edition of the Open Cup will be available to its largest global audience to date. MLS Season Pass is available on billions of devices through the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, and game consoles, as well as on the web at tv.apple.com. To learn more about MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, including how to subscribe, visit apple.co/_MLS_.
For more details on this year’s competition, including schedule details, features, and more, visit usopencup.com.
Atlanta United (MLS) 1-2 Indy Eleven (USLC)
Sacramento Republic FC (USLC) 1-2 Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
9:00 p.m. ET | Sporting Kansas City (MLS) vs. FC Dallas (MLS)
11:00 p.m. ET | LAFC (MLS) vs. New Mexico United (USLC)
Atlanta United (MLS) 1-2 Indy Eleven (USLC)
As the storm clouds passed to reveal a peach-colored sky over Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Ga., Indy Eleven of the USL Championship authored a juicy bit of history with a 2-1 win against MLS foe Atlanta United. The sweet victory earned Indy a first ever win against MLS opposition as well as the club’s inaugural ticket to the Open Cup Semifinal round.
It was an even opening 10 minutes of play as both sides measured the abilities of the other. Just after Atlanta carved out its first half chance of the match, Indy’s Douglas Martínez broke free down the right sideline before playing a beautiful pass for Augustine Williams to run on to. The forward from Sierra Leone tucked a smart first-time shot beneath Atlanta goalkeeper Josh Cohen to give Indy a 1-0 lead in the 31st minute. The visitors from Indiana carried the lead through half time, but found themselves increasingly under pressure in the second 45 as the Five Stripes clawed to get back into the game.
In an increasingly physical bout, Atlanta brought on Dax McCarty just before the hour mark. The veteran Open Cupsman made his presence known quickly with a pin-point cross to fellow sub Luke Brennan, whose headed attempt drew a fine save from Indy GK Hunter Sulte.
With three-quarters of the contest elapsed and Atlanta firmly in control, Sulte was called on again to make a big save before the pivotal moment of the match arrived in the 83rd minute. Williams collected a loose ball and raced down the right flank before rifling a cross through the Atlanta penalty area that McCarty turned into his own net, staking Indy to a 2-0 lead.
Although Nick Firmino pulled a goal back for the hosts in the second minute of added time, it was too little too late for the 2019 champs, who make way for Indy’s inspiring run.
Sacramento Republic FC (USLC) 1-2 Seattle Sounders (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC’s “drive for five” continues to the Semifinal Round, marking the deepest tournament run since their last triumph ten years ago. The victory sets up Seattle to host the winner of tomorrow’s LAFC vs. New Mexico United affair in the Semifinal Round.
The first quarter hour saw both squads feel things out until Seattle midfielder Josh Atencio snapped the match to attention. The USA Olympic roster alternate fired a shot from the top of the area that squeezed through the wickets of Lee Desmond, the resulting deflection stranding Danny Vitiello on his line with no chance to recover. Right on the half hour Jordan Morris made Vitiello pay for adventuring to the outer corner of his area, with the veteran striker’s first career Open Cup goal into an open net doubling the Seattle advantage with relative ease. Vitiello atoned in first-half stoppage, as his save at full stretch of Yeimar’s header kept the home team’s deficit at 0-2 heading into half.
The sellout crowd of 11,569 at Heart Health Park had reason to believe not long into the second half, Sebastian Herrera’s 49th minute header of Jack Gurr’s corner to the back stick giving Sacramento the early second-half goal they craved. From there Seattle’s defense held quality chances to a minimum, and it was actually Vitiello who was called upon once again for a big stop in the 69th minute when he slapped away Raul Ruidiaz’s header with a firm hand. But wins in the Open Cup never come easy and neither did this one, as Seattle needed an apparent 87th minute equalizer nullified for offside and a few pivotal interventions by Andrew Thomas inside his area over the final 10 minutes to ride out the result.