Twelve MLS teams were in action Tuesday night in the US Open Cup, with Charlotte FC eliminating 2022 winners Orlando City SC to move onto the Round of 16.
The New England Revolution were sent packing by lower-division opposition, while a youth-heavy LAFC survived a Cupset of their own before advancing on penalty kicks – one of two epic PK shootouts on the first night of the Round of 32.
A historic trophy and a spot in the 2024 Concacaf Champions League are up for grabs in this year's USOC, which will crown a winner in a Sept. 27 final.
Charlotte FC 1, Orlando City SC 0
Charlotte FC knocked off defending title-holders Orlando by a 1-0 scoreline, thanks to their two Polish Designated Players.
Karol Swiderski and Kamil Jozwiak linked up with 20 minutes to go, the latter chipping in the game's lone goal to give The Crown the victory and send the Lions packing.
Goals
- 70' - CLT - Kamil Jozwiak | WATCH
Inter Miami CF 1, Charleston Battery 0
A deflected own goal early in the second half was all Inter Miami needed to dispose of Charleston Battery, the second USL Championship opponent they've defeated in this year's tournament.
Fresh off his record-breaking Matchday 11 performance, Josef Martínez was in the Herons' starting XI, firing the off-target shot that deflected off the face of Charleston defender Juan Palma into the back of his own net for the game's defining moment.
Goals
- 48' - MIA - Juan Palma (OG) | WATCH
New York Red Bulls 1, D.C. United 0
The first match of the Troy Lesesne era as New York Red Bulls head coach was a successful one, a 1-0 victory over Atlantic Cup rival D.C. United at MSU Soccer Park Tuesday night.
Omir Fernandez scored the lone goal for the Red Bulls with a first-time finish at the back post following a Tom Barlow cross in the 28th minute.
Goals
- 28’ - RBNY - Omir Fernandez | WATCH
New England Revolution 0, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 1
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds pulled off the first Cupset of the US Open Cup Round of 32 with the USL Championship side ousting the New England Revolution, 1-0, at Gillette Stadium Tuesday night.
The visitors broke the scoreless stalemate just before the halftime break. Danny Griffin split a pair of Revs defenders to latch onto Marc Ybarra’s through ball and finish past New England goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. for the decisive tally as the Revs suffered their first-ever USOC loss at Gillette Stadium.
Goals
- 44’ - PIT - Danny Griffin | WATCH
Chicago Fire FC 2, St. Louis CITY SC 1
The (third) Frank Klopas era in Chicago started in earnest Tuesday night, as the Fire defeated MLS expansion side St. Louis CITY SC with a 2-1 win at SeatGeek Stadium.
Maren Haile-Selassie and Fabian Herbers scored in each half for the hosts, who managed to secure the result despite Miguel Perez making a game of it late with a stoppage-time goal.
Goals
Minnesota United FC 3 (7), Philadelphia Union 3 (6)
Clint Irwin made two saves in an eight-round penalty kick shootout to help Minnesota United advance to the US Open Cup Round of 16, eliminating the Philadelphia Union 7-6 on PKs after the sides were tied 3-3 following 120 thrilling minutes.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane struck for a brace and set up Joseph Rosales, but Kai Wagner twice leveled late – first deep in second-half stoppage time and then again in the final seconds of extra time to send the match to penalty kicks where the Loons won it and "Wonderwall" was finally sung at Allianz Field in 2023.
Goals
Sacramento Republic FC 2, Colorado Rapids 4
On the same night last year’s US Open Cup champions (Orlando City SC) were ousted, the runners-up fell as well with the Colorado Rapids defeating 10-man Sacramento Republic in the Round of 32 at Heart Health Park.
Sebastian Herrera's brace canceled out goals by Jonathan Lewis and Michael Edwards inside the opening 15 minutes. Sam Nicholson put Colorado back in front in the 55th minute and, after Shane Wiedt was booked twice in 101 seconds to reduce the USL Championship side to 10 men in the 62nd minute, Michael Barrios headed in the insurance goal for the Rapids in the 81st minute.
Goals
Monterey Bay FC 2 (4), LAFC 2 (5)
A young LAFC side fielding eight teenagers in the starting XI were bailed out by 38-year-old goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic, the hero of a 5-4 penalty shootout victory (following a 2-2 draw) over USL Championship side Monterey Bay FC.
Jakupovic, signed in the offseason from EPL club Everton, buried a kick from the spot and made two saves during the shootout as the Black & Gold advanced with some growing pains in their 2023 tournament debut.
Goals
