The New England Revolution marked their first ever game in Boston with a 4-2 win over the New York Red Bulls in a night of upsets in U.S. Open Cup Play. Defending champions Sporting Kansas are out after a shocking defeat to Orlando City, while Carolina RailHawks knocked out Chivas USA.
At Harvard, in front of a sold-out crowd of 2,500, the New England Revolution beat a strong New York side 4-2. Kelyn Rowe led the way for the Revs with his second straight two-goal performance in the Open Cup. Dimitry Imbongo and Chris Tierney scored second-half goals for the Revs, who’ll now meet D.C. United in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, June 26 at Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md.
Fabian Espindola and Jonny Steele scored either side of halftime for New York, which saw its Open Cup run end in the fourth round.
For as well as New England played last night, the Red Bulls were really disappointing. Red Bulls coach Mike Petke put out a strong line-up, but the team, in the middle of a three week MLS break, did not seem interested. The only Red Bull who played anywhere near his potential was Espindola, who was a thorn in the New England defense all night. But Juninho and McCarty were overmatched in the midfield and Holgersson was manhandled by Imbongo all night.
The winning run that New England is on has been driven by its midfield, and last night was the case with Guy and Rowe dominating the game. Rowe was at the heart of everything New England did well, and on another night could have scored three or four goals. How Heaps starts Toja ahead of Rowe at the moment is beyond me.
While not even the most optimistic Revs fan expects them to win the MLS Cup this season, the U.S. Open Cup and entry into the Champions League next season is a real possibility. D.C. United away in the quarterfinals is very winnable and then you are one game from the final. Hopefully Jay Heaps realizes that and fields a strong side away to D.C. in two weeks.
US Open Cup Fourth Round Results
D.C. United 3-1 Philadelphia Union
Carolina RailHawks (NASL) 3-1 (AET) Chivas USA
New England Revolution 4-2 New York Red Bulls
Chicago Fire vs. Columbus Crew – To be played June 13
Sporting Kansas City 0-1 Orlando City (USL PRO)
FC Dallas 3-0 Houston Dynamo
Real Salt Lake 5-2 Charleston Battery (USL PRO)
Portland Timbers 2-0 Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL)
US Open Cup Quarterfinal Draw
New England Revolution at D.C. United (Maryland SoccerPlex)
Orlando City SC at CHI/CLB (Toyota Park or Crew Stadium)
Carolina RailHawks at Real Salt Lake (Rio Tinto Stadium)
Portland Timbers at FC Dallas (FC Dallas Stadium)
Quarterfinals to be played on Wednesday, June 26
