1997 - San Francisco Bay Seals (D3 Pro) 2, Kansas City Wizards (MLS) 1

1997 - Chicago Stingers (D3 Pro) 2, Colorado Rapids (MLS) 1

The MLS era of the Open Cup was still young, and Rochester caused a stir in ’96 with their amazing run to the final.

 

The San Francisco Bay Seals and Chicago Stingers were determined to top that, and top it they did.

 

Each team made their way to the third round, no small feat in itself. Both clubs defeated A-League sides in the second round, and now stepped up to face the daunting challenge of Major League Soccer. The Seals were first, taking on the Kansas City Wizards on July 24. As if being the underdog wasn’t motivation enough, Seals forward Marquis White had something to prove of his own. White was dropped in 1996 by the New England Revolution, and he was eager to show them the mistake they made. White didn’t waste any time proving himself, scoring in the very first minute of the game, taking a pass from Chris Davini and racing past the Wizards defenders and goalkeeper Chris Snitko for the goal. On the other end, the Seals defense kept the Kansas City forwards stifled and frustrated, but the Wizards eventually equalized in the 39th minute with a Frank Klopas goal. Marquios White then stepped up a second time, taking another Davini pass home for the game winning goal in the 55th minute, setting off celebrations at Negoesco Fiield once the final whistle blew. "I knew I could play, and this proves it" said an ecstatic White after the game. The Seals as a team also proved they could play, defeating the San Jose Clash in the quarterfinals to move on to the semifinals, eventually losing a close game to DC United 2-1.

 

Six days later, the Chicago Stingers took their turn at giant killing, knocking off the Colorado Rapids 2-1 in front of 4,730 fans at Chicago’s Forest View Park. Misfortune started early for Colorado, as the Rapids goalkeeper Paul Grafer was sent off after 17 minutes. The Stingers then took control, as Matt Hamnett and Chris Jahr scores goals before and after halftime to take a lead they would never surrender. Chris Henderson pulled one back for Colorado, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the upstart Stingers. Chicago where eventually overwhelmed by the Dallas Burn in the next round, 4-1, but the Seals and Stingers proved that the Open Cup would never be an easy walk for any MLS team.

 

Other upsets in the Third Round

1997 - Long Island Rough Riders (A-League) 4, New England Revolution (MLS) 3

1998 - Nashville Metros (A-League) 3, Kansas City Wizards (MLS) 1

1999 - Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League) 1, Chicago Fire (MLS) 0

1999 - Staten Island Vipers (A-League) 3, MetroStars (MLS) 2

1999 - Charleston Battery (A-League) 4, DC United (MLS) 3

2003 - Fresno Fuego (PDL) 5, El Paso Patriots (A-League) 2

2003 - Wilmington Hammerheads (PSL) 2, Atlanta Silverbacks (A-League) 1
2007 - Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2) 1, DC United (MLS) 0
2007 - Richmond Kickers (USL-2) 1, Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) 0
2007 - Carolina RailHawks (USL-1) 1, Chicago Fire (MLS) 0
2007 - Charleston Battery (USL-1) 1, Houston Dynamo (MLS) 0 (aet)
2007 - Seattle Sounders (USL-1) 3, CD Chivas USA (MLS) 1