U.S. Open Cup 2012: Quarterfinal Pairings Announced

Cal FC Is A Great Story, But There's No Reason To Make It Into Something It's Not

Eric Wynalda has made a name with his outspoken ways, but he seems dead-set on making Cal FC's run about the players.

Sigi Schmid Goes All Tinfoil Hat; Sunil Gulati Avoids Issue

U.S. Open Cup 2012: Quarterfinal Pairings Announced

As we now know, this is all subject to change, but the pairings for the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals have been announced. Assuming they hold to form, though, there could be some interesting matchups.

The three-time defending Open Cup champion Seattle Sounders could be forced to go on the road for the first time since 2010. If they can beat Cal FC, the Sounders are slated to visit either the San Jose Earthquakes at San Francisco Kezar Stadium or the Minnesota Stars at Blaine Sports Complex.

Of the remaining eight MLS teams, only the Sounders and New York Red Bulls are scheduled to travel no matter the outcome of the fourth round. The Red Bulls would pay a visit to either D.C. United or the Philadelphia Union if they manage to beat the Harrisburg City Islanders.

Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Schedule
QUARTERFINALS - Tuesday, June 26
New York Red Bulls (MLS)/Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) Winner at D.C. United (MLS): RFK Stadium; Washington, D.C.; 7:30 p.m. ET

OR

New York Red Bulls (MLS)/Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) Winner at Philadelphia Union (MLS): PPL Park; Chester, Pa.; 7:30 p.m. ET

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Michigan Bucks (PDL)/Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO) Winner at Sporting Kansas City (MLS): LIVESTRONGSporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.; 7:30 p.m. CT

OR

Michigan Bucks (PDL)/Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO) Winner at Colorado Rapids (MLS): Dick's Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, Colo.; 7 p.m. MT

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Chivas USA (MLS)/Carolina RailHawks (NASL) Winner at San Antonio Scorpions (NASL): Heroes Stadium; San Antonio, Texas; 7:30 p.m. CT

OR

Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO) at Chivas USA (MLS): Home Depot Center Track & Field Stadium; Carson, Calif.; 7:30 p.m. PT

OR

Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL): WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, N.C.; 7:07 p.m. ET

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Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)/Cal FC (USASA) Winner at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS): Kezar Stadium; San Francisco, Calif.; 7:30 p.m. PT

OR

Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)/Cal FC (USASA) Winner at Minnesota Stars FC (NASL): National Sports Center; Blaine, Minn.; 7:30 p.m. CT

U.S. Open Cup, 2012: Cal FC Registers Massive Upset Of Portland Timbers

Even with seven MLS teams being beaten on Tuesday, Cal FC's 1-0 upset of the Portland Timbers in overtime of their third round U.S. Open Cup match on Wednesday still qualifies as a massive shocker. The team managed by former star and current TV commentator Eric Wynalda, not only became the first U.S. Adult Soccer Association team to beat an MLS opponent, but they were the first to even score a goal.

That goal came off the foot of one time Real Salt Lake reserve Artur Aghasyan in the 97th minute, who was put through one-on-one on a nice through ball from Danny Barrera. Aghasyan was then able to chip Troy Perkins.

While Cal FC was able to put away pretty much their only real chance, the Timbers were wasting theirs. The Timbers fired off 37 shots and forced Cal FC goalkeeper Derby Carrillo into 15 saves, including seven in the overtime period.

The Timbers' best chance came when they were awarded a penalty in the 80th minute when a Cal FC defender was called for a hand ball. But Timbers Designated Player Kris Boyd, who has more than 175 goals in his professional career, sent his shot well over the crossbar.

Cal FC will now advance to play the three-time defending champion Seattle Sounders in the fourth round on Tuesday.

Sounders 5, Atlanta Silverbacks 1: The Sounders scored four second-half goals, two of them by Sammy Ochoa, to turn a close game into a rout. The first half was reasonably competitive and was scoreless until Andy Rose rocketed a shot into the back of the net from about 20 yards out in the 44th minute.

With the Silverbacks forced to look for an equalizer in the second half, the game opened up tremendously. Osvaldo Alonso doubled the Sounders' lead in the 46th minute and, after the Silverbacks cut it to 2-1 on a Reinaldo Navia goal, the game quickly got out of hand. Alex Caskey answered Navia just a minute later and Ochoa in the 62nd and 66th minutes to seal the result.

Bad Day For MLS Doesn't Mean A Bad Day For U.S. Open Cup

With seven of 14 MLS teams losing on Tuesday, it was an embarrassing day for the league, but it may have been a nice boost for the U.S. Open Cup.

U.S. Open Cup, 2012: MLS Teams Suffer Early Upsets

Seven MLS teams lose to lower-division opponents in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup.