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.