2007 US Open Cup Quarterfinals are over and New England moves on

Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2) 1-2 NE Revolution (MLS)
The US Open Cup quarterfinals are over and the New England Revolution have moved on to the semifinals for the first time in six years.

The Revs jumped out to a 2-goal lead by the quarter hour mark thanks to goals by Andy Dorman and Taylor Twellman, but the Islanders didn't surrender and in the 78' they got one back. However, they couldn't get past the Revs. Any hope of a last minute miracle was arrested in the 90' when Anthony Calvano got a straight red and was sent off.

New England will face Carolina in the semis while FC Dallas will take on Seattle.

Quarterfinals results:
Game Number Date, Teams, Venue, Time
33 August 8, Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2) 1-2 NE Revolution (MLS)
34 August 7, Richmond Kickers (USL-2) 0-1 Carolina Railhawks (USL-1)
35 August 7, FC Dallas (MLS) 2-1 Charleston Battery (USL-1)
36 August 7, Colorado Rapids (MLS) 0-5 Seattle Sounders (USL-1)

Semifinals schedule:
Game Number Date, Teams, Venue, Time
37 September 4, Carolina RailHawks (USL-1) at New England Revolution (MLS), Veterans Stadium; New Britain, CT,7:00 p.m.
38 September 4, FC Dallas (MLS) at Seattle Sounders (USL-1), Qwest Field; Seattle, WA, 10:00 p.m.

2007 US Open Cup Quarterfinals end tonight - Can New England make it to the semis?

Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2) vs. New England Revolution (MLS)
The US Open Cup quarterfinals come to a conclusion tonight as the New England Revolution welcome USL second division side the Harrisburg City Islanders to town. The Islanders have been on a roll in the second division as well as in the Cup, but with the Revs taking the tournament very seriously and a favorable schedule that has them playing LA at home on Sunday, look for New England to try and smack them around like Seattle did to Colorado last night.

New England will hope to use their home pitch advantage in much the same way that other clubs have in the tournament to earn a trip to their first US Open semifinal match since 2001.

For the Islanders, they will need a far amount of luck to win this one. I'm guessing they will use the standard 'hold them off and try to sneak something in' method most underdogs use, but I think this would be foolish. The Revs have been shaky on defense in the last few weeks so why not take it right to them. If they can disrupt the midfield distribution, they stand a fantastic chance.

You will be able to hear an audio stream of the match at the Revs website.

Game Number Date, Teams, Venue, Time
33 August 8, Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2) at NE Revolution (MLS), Gillette Stadium; Foxborough, Mass., 7:30 pm ET
34 August 7, Richmond Kickers (USL-2) 0-1 Carolina Railhawks (USL-1)
35 August 7, FC Dallas (MLS) 2-1 Charleston Battery (USL-1)
36 August 7, Colorado Rapids (MLS) 0-5 Seattle Sounders (USL-1)

Another surprise in US Open Cup as DC is dumped in the fields of Pennsylvania

MLS saw their third team fall out of contention for the US Open Cup last night when DC United was shocked by USL-Second Division side Harrisburg City Islanders. United, like most MLS sides, played a second-tier team for this early round and they paid the price as they lost 1-0 on the road.

Here is the way the Washing Post reports Steve Fisher's goal:

But just before the break, (DC goalkeeper Jay) Nolly misread a corner kick, allowing Fisher to easily head Schofield's service into a vacant net.

"I came out and kind of collided with [Boswell] and his guy," Nolly said. "I didn't get full jump on it; I thought I could have come and got it. It was just over my fingertips."

Said Soehn, "If he's coming to get it, he's got to get it."

So in just their fourth year of existence, the Islanders now have a huge triumph as they are the first USL-2 team to beat DC United.

This game is yet another example of how much fun the Open Cup can be. Now, if only US Soccer could find a sponsor to increase the prize money at the end.

Here is the full third round schedule:
Game Number, Date, Teams, Venue, Time
25 July 11, DC United (MLS) 0-1 Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2)
26 July 10, NE Revolution (MLS) 4-2 Rochester Rhinos (USL-1)
27 July 10, Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) 0-1 Richmond Kickers (USL-2)
28 July 15, Chicago Fire (MLS) at Carolina RailHawks (USL-1), SAS Soccer Park; Cary, N.C. 5 p.m. ET
29 July 9, Atlanta Silverbacks (USL-1) 1-1 FC Dallas (MLS) FC Dallas wins on pks 4-3
30 July 10, Houston Dynamo (MLS) 0-1 Charleston Battery (USL-1)
31 July 10, California Victory (USL-1) 1-3 Colorado Rapids (MLS)
32 July 18, Chivas USA (MLS) at Seattle Sounders (USL-1), Qwest Field; Seattle, Wash. 7 p.m. PT