U.S. Open Cup – May 6th Results | OneFootball

My editor caught two flubs in my previous article. Hey, I’m human dammit! Regardless, here’s the takeaway from today’s matches.

D.C. United 2 – 0 Charleston Battery

D.C. United rested Christian Benteke, but at least he was on the bench and available. Few MLS clubs bothered having their DPs on the pitch, or even the bench. One thing I neglected to mention before that not only are Charleston strong this season, they have a reputation as giant killers. They have more upsets over MLS teams than any other USL side. Too bad none of that mojo was on display tonight, though they did hold D.C. scoreless in the first 90 minutes and forced extra time.

Unfortunately for them, Jacob Murell hit an absolute banger in the 95th. It was a goal truly worthy of the label “game winner”. Substitute Jared Stroud plunged in the dagger after catching a lovely side-foot pass from Randall Leal in stride. His resulting shot deflected off the defender’s foot and skipped past the keeper and into the net. D.C. United has had a tough run in 2025 so far. They probably needed this.

North Carolina FC 1 – 4 Charlotte FC

Charlotte FC didn’t make Wilfreid Zaha take the three hour drive to Cary tonight. They also benched regular starters Patrick Agyemang, Liel Abada & Tim Ream.

Charlotte has one of the lowest possession percentages in the MLS, but NCFC forced them to sit with the ball. Clearly they were somewhat uncomfortable with this, as they couldn’t marshall many chances. As time wound down in regulation, Charlotte subbed on Agyemang, Abada and Brandt Bronico. The team immediately responded but could not find the net. In fact, it was NCFC with the best chance. During stoppage time Oalex Anderson found himself on a solo one-on-one with keeper David Bingham, but his final touch went long and he could not deliver the winner.

But in extra time those substitutes proved the difference makers. First it was Abada in the 96th. NCFC responded quickly in the 99th when Rafael Mentzingen took a long pass on the right side, drove towards the top corner and unleashed a rocket into the far net. In the 103rd Agyemang rose above two defenders to meet Nikola Petkovic’s cross and expertly redirected it into the far corner. Charlotte would add two more on top of that, capping a four-goal extra-time slaughter.

Nashville SC 1 – 0 Chattanooga Red Wolves

It wasn’t pretty. It didn’t need to be pretty. Nashville took the game by the horns, and with 73% possession simply denied Chattanooga any real opportunities. The Red Wolves had three shots total; all of them on frame and saved by reserve keeper Brian Schwake. Nashville’s on target shots were also three, but Josh Bauer’s in the 18th minute got through, and that was all the was needed.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 1 – 4 New York Red Bulls

My prediction was spot-on, thank you very much. The Red Bulls found little resistance from the Switchbacks in this match. Mohammed Sofo hit twice in the first half, giving the visitors a comfortable cushion. A third from Dennis Gjengaar appeared to put the game to bed, but Anthony Fontana snatched a goal against the run of play in the 71st to give Colorado a glimpse of hope. That was dashed as Sean Nealis scored the Red Bulls’ fourth.

Tacoma Defiance 2 – 3 Portland Timbers

Portland’s bench were all players signed to short-term contracts for just this game. There were no first team starters there. That’s a cynicism common within the MLS clubs, though the flip side of this is that young players get a chance to show off.

In any event, this was a fixture that left a bitter taste in my mouth. The chasm between these two sides is as big as you can get in American soccer, the equivalent to a #14 seed upsetting a #3 seed in the NCAA championships. Of course, I’m gonna pull for the underdog (the fact that Tacoma knocked out my beloved Oakland Roots might have played a factor in my support).

Portland drew first blood in the 33rd when Zac McGraw snapped a downward header into the net. But Tacoma threw a wrench into the Timbers’ narrative once the second half started. First it was Georgi Munungu’s goal line run and pass that was pushed in by Osage de Rosario in the 48th. Then it was halftime sub Yu Tsukanome who scored 2m24s later. Tsukanome was a menace in attack and defense, a brilliant tactical change. In the second half until around the 65th minute I saw Portland outmatched, out-hustled and resorting to cheap tackles to disrupt the Tacoma pressure. Then the momentum started to shift for Portland’s way, as both teams traded attacks.

A Crucial Sub

Few could have anticipated the impact “Gage” Guerra’s 79th minute substitution would have. Less than a minute after the recent college graduate, making his Timbers debut, touched the pitch, his head touched an Ian Smith cross to score the equalizer. How’s that for a start?!

Tacoma continued to press and had two wonderful chances, both denied by Timbers keeper Maxime Crépeau. Then in the 92nd minute, as Portland ratcheted up the pressure, Munungu grabbed a Timbers’ player’s jersey in the box. The player went down; the referee (in a good position) blew the whistle and immediately pointed to the spot. Kevin Kelsy calmly converted the spot kick.

Gah! In many ways, this match summed up the beauty and agony of the Open Cup. As much as I hated it, I hope there are more like it tomorrow.