2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final
Encyclopedia
The 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final was played on September 3, 2008, at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
in Washington, D.C. The match determined the winner of the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
, a tournament open to amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation
. This was the 95th edition of the oldest ongoing competition in United States soccer. The match was won by D.C. United
, who defeated Charleston Battery
2–1. Ian Fuller
scored Charleston's only goal. Luciano Emilio
and Fred
scored D.C.'s two goals as the club won their second U.S. Open Cup title.
Charleston Battery entered the tournament as only the second club in the second pro era to make the final as a minor league team. D.C. United previously had won the 1996 edition of the tournament and made it to the 1997 finals, where they lost to Dallas Burn
(now FC Dallas).
D.C. United entered the tournament as the competition's defending champions. They had previously won the tournament in 1996
as well. Both Sounders FC and D.C. United had to play through two qualification rounds
for MLS teams before entering the official tournament. Prior to the final, there was a public dispute between the owners of the two clubs regarding the selection of D.C. United to host it at their home field, RFK Stadium.
D.C. United qualified automatically for the third round proper of the U.S. Open Cup tournament by finishing amongst the top six in the 2009 Major League Soccer season
standings. While United entered in the third round, Charleston Battery, as a USL First Division
club, had to start their U.S. Open Cup campaign in the first round proper. To reach the final, United had to win three games, while the Battery had to win five games. D.C. United won the bidding process to host the final.
As the tournament champions, United earned a berth in the preliminary round of the 2009–10 CONCACAF Champions League, as well as a $100,000 cash prize. The Battery received $50,000 as the runner-up.
affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League Soccer
(MLS). The 2008 tournament was the 95th edition of the oldest ongoing soccer tournament in the United States.
Each year, MLS, which has teams that play in both the United States and Canada, is allowed to enter eight of its U.S.-based teams in the tournament. The top six MLS teams from the previous season's league table qualify automatically for the tournament, while the remaining two spots are determined by preliminary qualification matches
. D.C. United, who finished first in the regular season, earned a direct bye into the third round proper.
For the then-second tier
USL First Division
, the league was allowed to enter all of its U.S.-based teams into the tournament. Unlike MLS clubs, who enter in the third round, USL First Division sides entered in the first round of the tournament. As a USL First Division club, Charleston Battery entered in the first round.
. There, the Battery reached the Open Cup semifinals. During their 1999 run, their string of victories included a 4–3 extra time victory over D.C. United
, in which was cited as one of the largest upsets in American soccer history, and as well as the starting of a rivalry later regarded as the Coffee Pot Cup.
The Battery entered the competition in the first round proper, playing USASA-side, ASC New Stars of Houston, Texas
on June 10. A hat trick from Darren Spicer
gave the Battery a 3–0 victory over the New Stars, earning them a berth into the second round of the tournament proper.
in Boyds, Maryland
in front of a crowd of 2,752. United defender, Marc Burch
scored both goals for United, all in the second half. In the 78th minute, Burch took a low free kick from 30 yards out that opened the score sheet for United. Just moments later, in the 85th minute, Burch tallied his second goal on the night also off of a free kick. The set piece was taken from 20 yards out, which deflected off a wall of Rochester defenders before finding the back of the net.
On July 8, United hosted Chicago Fire, again at Maryland SoccerPlex for the quarterfinals. In front of a crowd of 4,118; United pulled off an extra time
2–1 victory over the Fire thanks to a goal in the 99th minute from Bryan Namoff
. The Fire scored the opening goal in the 36th minute, thanks to a brace from Chicago's Daniel Woolard
. Woolard, received a long pass from temmate Logan Pause
and caught United's defense off guard. Woolard then dribbled around United goalkeeper, Zach Wells
to give Chicago the 1–0 lead. In the 77th minute, United equalized thanks to United's Francis Doe
received a pass from Jaime Moreno
and drilled a low shot from 10 yards out. The controversy of the match swirled around a brawl between Chicago's Cuauhtémoc Blanco
and D.C.'s Marc Burch
. According to reports, Blanco was ejected for punching Burch in the 108th minute, while Burch was subsequently ejected for retaliating against Blanco. Following the match, the United States Soccer Federation
banned Blanco from the U.S. Open Cup for two years.
For the semifinal match, United took on the defending champions
, New England Revolution
. The August 12 match was scheduled at United's main stadium, RFK Stadium
. An announced crowd of 6,797 were on hand to see United take on the Revolution. For the match, both sides fielded a mix of starters and reserves. In the 4th minute of play, United scored a quick goal off of Luciano Emilio
was successfully converted a cross from Namoff. Thirty minutes later, the Revolution were able to pull one back, from a 34th minute equalizer from Joe Germanese
. The scoreline would remain level through halftime. Three minutes into the second half, United regained the lead, when Santino Quaranta
bagged a pass from Moreno. The match continued to play in United's advantage when New England's Wells Thompson
earned a caution in the 54th minute, when he collided with United goalkeeper, Wells. Thompson was dismissed from the match in the 71st minute through a reckless challenge on Moreno. The foul was deemed by the center official, Jorge Gonzalez, as a yellow card worthy foul. Since the foul resulted in a second yellow card, Thompson received a red card. Ten minutes later, Emilio gave United a 3-1 lead in the 81st minute by heading a cross from Iván Guerrero
.
The 3-1 victory against New England sealed United a spot in their first Open Cup final since 1997.
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in Washington, D.C., United States, and the current home of MLS's D.C. United....
in Washington, D.C. The match determined the winner of the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
-Schedule:Note: Scorelines use the standard U.S. convention of placing the home team on the right-hand side of box scores.-First round:-----Second round:-----Third round:----...
, a tournament open to amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation
United States Soccer Federation
The United States Soccer Federation is the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Its headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. It is a member of FIFA and is responsible for governing amateur and professional soccer, including the men's, women's, youth, futsal...
. This was the 95th edition of the oldest ongoing competition in United States soccer. The match was won by D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
, who defeated Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
2–1. Ian Fuller
Ian Fuller
Ian Fuller is an American soccer player who currently plays for Orlando City in the USL Professional Division.-Youth and college:...
scored Charleston's only goal. Luciano Emilio
Luciano Emilio
Luciano Emílio is a Brazilian footballer, currently playing for Toros Neza in the Liga de Ascenso.-Early career:...
and Fred
Helbert Frederico Carreiro da Silva
Helbert Frederico Carreiro da Silva, commonly known as Fred is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for A-League club Melbourne Heart, and is also the team captain.-Brazil:...
scored D.C.'s two goals as the club won their second U.S. Open Cup title.
Charleston Battery entered the tournament as only the second club in the second pro era to make the final as a minor league team. D.C. United previously had won the 1996 edition of the tournament and made it to the 1997 finals, where they lost to Dallas Burn
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
(now FC Dallas).
D.C. United entered the tournament as the competition's defending champions. They had previously won the tournament in 1996
1996 U.S. Open Cup
- First Round :* El Paso Patriots 3-0 RWB Adria * Carolina Dynamo 5-0 Mo's Sport Shop * Fort Myers Manatees 6-0 St...
as well. Both Sounders FC and D.C. United had to play through two qualification rounds
2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup qualification
This page describes the qualification procedure for the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. This will be the first season where 8 teams from each level of the American Soccer Pyramid will compete in the tournament proper...
for MLS teams before entering the official tournament. Prior to the final, there was a public dispute between the owners of the two clubs regarding the selection of D.C. United to host it at their home field, RFK Stadium.
D.C. United qualified automatically for the third round proper of the U.S. Open Cup tournament by finishing amongst the top six in the 2009 Major League Soccer season
2009 Major League Soccer season
The 2009 Major League Soccer season was the 14th season of Major League Soccer. The season began on March 19 and ended with Real Salt Lake winning the MLS Cup 2009, on November 22 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington-Changes from the 2008 season:...
standings. While United entered in the third round, Charleston Battery, as a USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
club, had to start their U.S. Open Cup campaign in the first round proper. To reach the final, United had to win three games, while the Battery had to win five games. D.C. United won the bidding process to host the final.
As the tournament champions, United earned a berth in the preliminary round of the 2009–10 CONCACAF Champions League, as well as a $100,000 cash prize. The Battery received $50,000 as the runner-up.
Route to the final
The U.S. Open Cup is an annual American soccer competition open to all United States Soccer FederationUnited States Soccer Federation
The United States Soccer Federation is the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Its headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. It is a member of FIFA and is responsible for governing amateur and professional soccer, including the men's, women's, youth, futsal...
affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
(MLS). The 2008 tournament was the 95th edition of the oldest ongoing soccer tournament in the United States.
Each year, MLS, which has teams that play in both the United States and Canada, is allowed to enter eight of its U.S.-based teams in the tournament. The top six MLS teams from the previous season's league table qualify automatically for the tournament, while the remaining two spots are determined by preliminary qualification matches
2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup qualification
This page describes the qualification procedure for the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. This will be the first season where 8 teams from each level of the American Soccer Pyramid will compete in the tournament proper...
. D.C. United, who finished first in the regular season, earned a direct bye into the third round proper.
For the then-second tier
American Soccer Pyramid
The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...
USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
, the league was allowed to enter all of its U.S.-based teams into the tournament. Unlike MLS clubs, who enter in the third round, USL First Division sides entered in the first round of the tournament. As a USL First Division club, Charleston Battery entered in the first round.
Charleston Battery
Until Charleston Battery's run to the 2008 final, the closest the Battery ever came to reaching the final was in 19991999 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
-Schedule:Note: Scorelines use the standard U.S. convention of placing the home team on the right-hand side of box scores.-First round:Eight D3 Pro, four PDL, and four USASA teams start.-----Second round:Eight A-League enter....
. There, the Battery reached the Open Cup semifinals. During their 1999 run, their string of victories included a 4–3 extra time victory over D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
, in which was cited as one of the largest upsets in American soccer history, and as well as the starting of a rivalry later regarded as the Coffee Pot Cup.
The Battery entered the competition in the first round proper, playing USASA-side, ASC New Stars of Houston, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
on June 10. A hat trick from Darren Spicer
Darren Spicer
Darren Spicer is an American soccer player who last played for Rochester Rhinos in the USSF Division 2 Professional League.-Youth and College:...
gave the Battery a 3–0 victory over the New Stars, earning them a berth into the second round of the tournament proper.
D.C. United
Before 2008, D.C. United had reached the U.S. Open Cup final on two occasions, in 1996 and again in 1997, winning the cup in the former appearance. On July 1, 2010, United began their cup campaign, by hosting the Rochester Rhinos of the USL First Division at the Maryland SoccerPlexMaryland SoccerPlex
Maryland Soccerplex is a sports complex in Germantown, Maryland, United States . There are nineteen natural grass fields, three artificial fields, and eight indoor courts...
in Boyds, Maryland
Boyds, Maryland
Boyds, Maryland is an unincorporated community in rural Montgomery County, Maryland, located north of Washington, DC. Its ZIP Code is 20841.According to the United States 2000 Census, the ZIP Code Tabulation Area for the town of Boyds covers an area of and has a population of 2,025...
in front of a crowd of 2,752. United defender, Marc Burch
Marc Burch
Marc Burch is an American soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
scored both goals for United, all in the second half. In the 78th minute, Burch took a low free kick from 30 yards out that opened the score sheet for United. Just moments later, in the 85th minute, Burch tallied his second goal on the night also off of a free kick. The set piece was taken from 20 yards out, which deflected off a wall of Rochester defenders before finding the back of the net.
On July 8, United hosted Chicago Fire, again at Maryland SoccerPlex for the quarterfinals. In front of a crowd of 4,118; United pulled off an extra time
Overtime (sports)
Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...
2–1 victory over the Fire thanks to a goal in the 99th minute from Bryan Namoff
Bryan Namoff
Bryan Namoff is a retired American soccer player who last played for D.C. United in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
. The Fire scored the opening goal in the 36th minute, thanks to a brace from Chicago's Daniel Woolard
Daniel Woolard
Daniel Woolard is an American soccer player, who currently plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer.-College and amateur:...
. Woolard, received a long pass from temmate Logan Pause
Logan Pause
Logan Pause is an American soccer player who currently plays for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
and caught United's defense off guard. Woolard then dribbled around United goalkeeper, Zach Wells
Zach Wells
Zach Wells is a retired American soccer goalkeeper.-College:...
to give Chicago the 1–0 lead. In the 77th minute, United equalized thanks to United's Francis Doe
Francis Doe
Francis Doe is a Liberian footballer currently playing for the Egyptian Premier League Telephonat Bani Sweif.-Club career:...
received a pass from Jaime Moreno
Jaime Moreno
Jaime Moreno Morales is a former Bolivian footballer now serving as Youth Academy Technical Training Coach for D.C. United in Major League Soccer, and as the head coach of D.C. United's U-23 side....
and drilled a low shot from 10 yards out. The controversy of the match swirled around a brawl between Chicago's Cuauhtémoc Blanco
Cuauhtémoc Blanco
Cuauhtémoc Blanco Bravo is a Mexican professional footballer currently signed for Irapuato in the Mexican Liga de Ascenso.Known for his aggressive yet charismatic personality on the field, playing most of his career as a deep-lying forward and his last years as an attacking midfielder...
and D.C.'s Marc Burch
Marc Burch
Marc Burch is an American soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
. According to reports, Blanco was ejected for punching Burch in the 108th minute, while Burch was subsequently ejected for retaliating against Blanco. Following the match, the United States Soccer Federation
United States Soccer Federation
The United States Soccer Federation is the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Its headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. It is a member of FIFA and is responsible for governing amateur and professional soccer, including the men's, women's, youth, futsal...
banned Blanco from the U.S. Open Cup for two years.
For the semifinal match, United took on the defending champions
2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
-Schedule:Note: Scorelines use the standard U.S. convention of placing the home team on the right-hand side of box scores.-First round:-----Second round:-----Third round:...
, New England Revolution
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
. The August 12 match was scheduled at United's main stadium, RFK Stadium
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in Washington, D.C., United States, and the current home of MLS's D.C. United....
. An announced crowd of 6,797 were on hand to see United take on the Revolution. For the match, both sides fielded a mix of starters and reserves. In the 4th minute of play, United scored a quick goal off of Luciano Emilio
Luciano Emilio
Luciano Emílio is a Brazilian footballer, currently playing for Toros Neza in the Liga de Ascenso.-Early career:...
was successfully converted a cross from Namoff. Thirty minutes later, the Revolution were able to pull one back, from a 34th minute equalizer from Joe Germanese
Joe Germanese
Joe Germanese is an American football player.Germanese made his full professional debut and scored his first career goal for Revolution on 1 July 2008, in a US Open Cup third round game against Richmond Kickers.During 2008 Germanese also spent a short spell on loan at USL Second Division side...
. The scoreline would remain level through halftime. Three minutes into the second half, United regained the lead, when Santino Quaranta
Santino Quaranta
Santino Quaranta is an American soccer player.-Youth:Quaranta partially attended Baltimore's Archbishop Curley High School for his freshman and sophomore years, where he started both years, and was recognized as one of the top soccer players in the state...
bagged a pass from Moreno. The match continued to play in United's advantage when New England's Wells Thompson
Wells Thompson
Thomas Wells Thompson is an American soccer player who currently plays for Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-High school and College:...
earned a caution in the 54th minute, when he collided with United goalkeeper, Wells. Thompson was dismissed from the match in the 71st minute through a reckless challenge on Moreno. The foul was deemed by the center official, Jorge Gonzalez, as a yellow card worthy foul. Since the foul resulted in a second yellow card, Thompson received a red card. Ten minutes later, Emilio gave United a 3-1 lead in the 81st minute by heading a cross from Iván Guerrero
Iván Guerrero
Iván Guerrero is a Honduran footballer.-Club:Guerrero began his career with Motagua in Honduras, playing with the team from 1996 until transferring overseas in 2000. He moved to the English Premiership to play for Coventry City along with compatriot Jairo Martínez...
.
The 3-1 victory against New England sealed United a spot in their first Open Cup final since 1997.