The theme for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup second round was penalty kicks, late ones.
Two teams won matches on last-minute penalty kicks, another sent their match to a shootout with a late PK, and still another sealed their victory with a next to last minute spot kick. Nine players and coaches were shown red cards as well throughout the night’s action.
The two final minute penalty kick goals propelled USL First Division clubs over their Second Division compatriots. At Blackbaud Stadium, the host Charleston Battery looked to be headed to extra time with the visiting Charlotte Eagles. Just then, the Battery’s Randi Patterson was brought down in the box, and referee Skye Arthur Banning awarded the spot kick. Osvaldo Alonso stepped up to give Charleston the goal they needed to avoid an extra 30 minutes of play. The win also gives them another chance to host the defending MLS Champion Houston Dynamo, whom the Battery hosted and defeated in last year’s third round.
Around the same time at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina, the visiting Real Maryland Monarchs were looking at the prospect of playing their second consecutive extra time session in this year’s cup, holding the host RailHawks to a 0-0 score. All hope of extended play was dashed when Jamil Walker was fouled in the penalty area by the Monarch’s Emilio Zelaya. Once again it was Kupono Low for the RailHawks. Carolina’s 85th minute game-winning goal scorer against Brooklyn in the first round, stepped up and drilled home the kick, setting up the RailHawks to host the Kansas City Wizards next week in the third round.
In Harrisburg, a last minute spot kick was only the beginning of penalties. Yu Hoshide’s 120th minute penalty in extra time drew Harrisburg level 2-2 with Crystal Palace Baltimore, and on to a penalty shootout. From there, it was more about how many kicks did not make it past the goal line. Former Harrisburg goalkeeper Matt Nelson stopped three City Islander spot kicks to propel Palace to a 3-1 tiebreaker victory. CPB’s Kevin King and HCI’s Brian Ombiji were sent off in regulation time, as well as Baltimore co-manager Pete Medd.
In Minnesota, Floyd Frank’s 119th minute penalty kick sealed the 2-0 victory for the Cleveland City Stars over the Minnesota Thunder. The goal was Franks’ second of the night, having first scored in the 105th minute. With the upset, Cleveland will take on Franks’ former MLS club, the Chicago Fire in round three.
In Ludlow Mass, Stanley Nyezemba scored in the 83rd minute to pace Richmond past Western Mass 2-1. Four players were sent marching during the final minute of play, three from the Pioneers and one from the Kickers.
In the lone blowouts of the night, Rochester easily defeated the Pittsburgh Riverhounds 3-0, and the Seattle Sounders dominated Hollywood United 6-0, behind four goals from the 2007 U.S. Open Cup leading goalscorer, Sebastien Le Toux.
