When the U.S. Open Cup tweaked the format for this year's tournament, there were hopes that some new life would be injected into the tournament as it entered its 99th edition. Safe to say, Tuesdays action probably surpassed anyone's reasonable expectations.
Seven MLS teams went down to defeat and D.C. United needed overtime to survive. Among the losers, none was more surprising than Real Salt Lake, who lost at home to the Minnesota Stars.
Playing in front of a crowd of more than 17,000, RSL fell behind in the 3rd minute and although they were able to equalize relatively quickly, just never seemed to find their footing. The Stars retook the lead on a penalty in the Neil Hlavaty later in the first half and never looked back.
Carolina Railhawks 2, LA Galaxy 1: Ty Shipilane came in as a reserve and sparked the Railhawks with a goal and an assist in a come-from-behind win over the defending MLS Cup champions.
Colorado Rapids 3, Tampa Bay Rowdies 1: Edu, Andre Akpan and Kamani Hill each scored goals as the Rapids made relatively easy work of the Rowdies.
D.C. United 2, Richmond Kickers 1 (AET): Despite taking an early lead on a Hamdi Salihi goal, United needed a tally from Marcelo Saragosa in the 107th minute to outlast their nearest geographic rival.
Dayton Dutch Lions 2, Columbus Crew 1: Another late collapse for a MLS team as the Dutch Lions scored a pair of goals in the final 12 minutes. Daniel Holowaty assisted on both of those goals, scored by Jan Gerrit Bartels and Gibson Bardsley.
Harrisburg City Islanders 3 (4), New England Revolution 3 (3): As amazing games go, it's hard to imagine them being any more crazy than this one. All six goals -- yes, all six -- were scored in extra time. Even crazier, the Revs led 3-0 at one point on two goals from Lee Nguyen and one from Benny Feilhaber. But the Islanders scored three goals in the final nine minutes and the Islanders stopped a pair of penalties in the shootout.
New York Red Bulls 3, Charleston Battery 0: Using a lineup featuring several starters, the Red Bulls got goals from Kenny Cooper, Heath Pearce and Connor Lade to cruise to victory.
Philadelphia Union 3, Rochester Rhinos 0: One of the worst teams in MLS had no problem taking care of one of the best teams in USL-Pro, getting two goals from Freddy Adu and one from Josue Martinez.
Michigan Bucks 3, Chicago Fire 2 (AET): The four-time Open Cup champion Fire only used two regular starters and blew a late lead to fall in overtime. Nermin Crkic scored the winner in the third minute of stoppage time.
Sporting Kansas City 3, Orlando City 2: Soony Saad scored a pair of goals four minutes apart in the 65th and 69th minutes to win a game that probably wasn't as close as the score indicated.
San Antonio Scorpions 1, Houston Dynamo 0: Hans Denissen converted a 51st minute penalty in what could become the first of an interesting Texas Derby.
Charlotte Eagles 2, FC Dallas 0: Zac Loyd and George John were both forced out with injuries and the USL-Pro Eagles got goals from Darryl Roberts Nate Thornton.
Chivas USA 1, Ventura County Fusion 0: Cesar Romero scored a first-half goal.
San Jose Earthquakes 2, Ft. Lauderdale Strikers 1: Sam Garza scored a pair of second-half goals to help the Earthquakes overcome a deficit and win their first Open Cup game since 2005.