Tag: USL

FC Cincinnati stonewall the Chicago Fire in shootout, draw second largest U.S. Open Cup crowd ever

Both of the U.S.’s second divisions stick it to MLS on the same night

(FC Cincinnati)

Last summer, Alan Pardew compared the atmosphere at Crystal Palace’s friendly against USL club FC Cincinnati to that of the FA Cup final. On Wednesday night, the second-division club drew a similar crowd for their U.S. Open Cup match against the Chicago Fire, creating a similar atmosphere as Mitch Hildebrandt saved THREE penalties to help pull off the upset.

Not only was the crowd at Nippert stadium more than double that of the Open Cup match between MLS franchises San Jose and Seattle, it was the second largest in the comptition’s history at 32,287.

Just listen to the noise they made after each save from Hildebrandt:

Meanwhile, Miami FC of the NASL (the U.S.’s other second division), beat Atlanta United, one of MLS’s new additions this season. Miami and Cincinnati will now face each other in the quarterfinals, ensuring that a second-division club will reach the Open Cup semifinals for the first time since 2011.

Is all of this evidence that lower division clubs are gaining on MLS? Could the walled off levels of the U.S. pyramid be creating slower growth in the top division than those below it? Two matches probably aren’t enough of a sample size to draw too many broad conclusions, but it’s something to consider, at the very least. It’s also a reminder that there’s so much more to soccer in the United States than just MLS alone.

 

The greatest goal call of all time as Louisville City defenders are denied their free bagels

“GEORGI HRISTOV WILL NOT ALLOW THE BAGELS!”


(Matt May/Tampa Bay Rowdies)

During the 59th minute of a USL match between the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Louisville City, Rowdies touchline reporter Heather Donnelly shared an anecdote about how Louisville goalkeeper Tim Dobrowolski buys his teammates bagels when they keep a clean sheet. And just as she got the words out, Tampa’s Georgi Hristov scored a goal to end the chance at a clean sheet, prompting commentator Mike Pepper to bellow “Georgi Hristov will not allow the bagels! He takes the bagel off!”

Watch and enjoy:

There have been many memorable examples of football commentary perfection over the years, but this will be tough to beat. Martin Tyler can only dream of coming up with a line this good.

From now on, every goal that ends the hope of a clean sheet must be referred to as “denying the bagels.”

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USL team scores overhead kick from a flip throw-in

Olympic level gymnastics from the second tier of U.S. soccer

(Energy FC/Twitter)

The Oklahoma City Energy beat the Sacramento Republic 1–0 in the second-division USL (not to be confused with other U.S. second-division league, the NASL) with a goal worthy of the Champions League.

Defender Michael Harris whipped in a perfectly executed flip throw-in, which was headed up into the air by a teammate, allowing Miguel Gonzalez to position himself under the ball and fire an overhead kick into the back of the net.

It looked like something they’ve practiced everyday for a year and if it was, it definitely paid off. This goal is going to be internet famous for a while.


https://upscri.be/16bb19/

DTotD: Pittsburgh Riverhounds player viciously kicks opponent in the back

A Red Bulls II player who was sent off during a USL match against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds ended up having to be taken away on a stretcher after being kicked in the back. With the Red Bulls up 3-1 late in the game, a scuffle broke out, resulting in New York’s Karl Ouimette and Pittsburgh’s Romeo Parkes both getting red cards. Presumably figuring that he had nothing left to lose, Parkes kept jawing at Ouimette as he walked off before kicking him in the back like Leonidas in 300.

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DTotD: Seattle reserve team player gives opponent two-footed kick in the crotch

Sergio Mota, a Brazilian midfielder for the Seattle Sounders’ reserve team, was sent off during his side’s 1-0 USL win against the LA Galaxy reserve team for kicking an unsuspecting opponent in the crotch with both his feet while lying on his back.

This move is frowned upon in most quarters, but Mota, who won two Brasileiro titles with Sao Paulo at the start of his career and just signed with Seattle at the end of May, was clearly far beyond caring about that.

This has been the Dirty Tackle of the Day: a chronicling of unfortunate events. 

Video via FTW