US Open Cup: Inter Miami advances, LAFC crashes out
Four Major League Soccer teams booked their ticket to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup Tuesday night.
In a shocking turn, LA Galaxy triumphed over Western Conference giants and rivals LAFC, while Inter Miami saved grace against Nashville SC. There's lots of US Open Cup action still ahead, but here's everything you missed from the recent round...
LAFC 0 - 2 LA Galaxy
While LAFC are currently at the top of the Western Conference and in the Concacaf Champions League final, they couldn't get past their in-state rivals LA Galaxy in the latest edition of El Trafico. This is the second straight time that the Galaxy have triumphed over LAFC in the U.S. Open.
Star midfielder Riqui Puig saw his first-half penalty kick saved but made up for it by scoring a fantasic solo goal in the 49th minute. Just three minutes later, substitute Tyler Boyd sealed the win at BMO Field with a terrific left-footed strike.
New York Red Bulls 1 (3) - 1 (5) FC Cincinnati
Despite not having Brandon Vazquez in the side, FC Cincinnati were able to overcome New York Red Bulls on penalty kicks. Yuya Kubo scored the opening goal in the 42nd minute. Cincinnati held on to the narrow 1-0 lead up until NYRB's Dante Vanzeir scored a 92nd minute equalizer to send the game into extra time and eventually penalty kicks.
Vanzier's last-gasp heroics were not enough for the Red Bulls as he missed his penalty kick in the shootout. Cincinnati, who are leading the race for the Supporter's Shield with 30 points, advanced to the next round going five-for-five from the penalty spot. Alvaro Barreal scored the fifth and final penalty for Cincinnati.
Houston Dynamo FC 4 - 0 Minnesota United FC
The Houston Dynamo put four unanswered past the 10-man Loons defense to advance to the next round. Corey Baird was involved in all four goals, scoring three and assisting one. Baird opened up the scoring as he converted a penalty kick in the 33rd minute. Another blow was dealt to Minnesota when Kervin Arriaga was shown a second yellow card to reduce the Loons to 10-men in the first half.
Corey Baird scored his second in the 68th minute followed by Aliyu Ibrahim in the 79th minute. Baird would get his hat-trick after finding the back of the net in the 89th minute.
Inter Miami CF 2 -1 Nashville SC
A second-half weather delay didn't stop Inter Miami from advancing to the next round of the U.S. Open Cup. Franco Negri opened up the scoring in the 57th minute. However, the lead didn't last long for the Herons as Alex Muyl equalized in the 66th minute.
But the game didn't knotted for long as substitute Nicolas Stefanelli scored in the 73rd minute. Two goals from the Argentina duo was enough to see off the surging Nashville SC and keep Inter Miami's silverware hunt alive.