MLS Clubs Upset in Open Cup

The U.S. Open Cup is shaping up to be as unpredictable as the weather, with three MLS teams falling to lesser sides in the third round of the national tournament.

On Tuesday night, the Richmond Kickers knocked off the Los Angeles Galaxy, 1-0. The 2006 USL Second Division champions took out the self-proclaimed “Superclub of the MLS” on the strength of a 29th minute goal from David Bulow, who pounced on a mishandled corner kick to score the game’s only goal.

Also on Tuesday, the defending MLS champion Houston Dynamo were eliminated by the Charleston Battery, also 1-0. After regulation ended scoreless, the Battery pulled ahead when Stephen Armstrong followed up on his saved penalty kick and scored in the 106th minute.

On Wednesday, D.C. United became the third MLS team to be upset in the tournament, falling to the Harrisburg City Islanders, 1-0, in a game played on a high school field in rural Pennsylvania.

Other MLS teams who were a bit more successful in the U.S. Open Cup include FC Dallas, the New England Revolution and the Colorado Rapids, all overcoming strong challenges from second- and third-tier teams to advance to the next round.