Least cup-set-y cup-set, goalkeeper assists
By the numbers, the Round of 32 of the US Open Cup didn’t disappoint. There were 54 goals, five red cards and three nail-biting penalty shootouts across 16 games, including three Cup-sets that saw USL clubs advance over MLS competition.
Amidst all that action, which moments stood out? I’m handing out superlatives to sort through this week’s edition of the Open Cup.
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Least Cup-set-y Cup-set
If you’d taken the MLS badges off of Austin FC’s kits and ironed them onto Louisville City’s, that would’ve reflected the competitive dynamic on Tuesday night. The USL side leapt out on top of their guests, took a deserved lead, and never looked back on the way to a 2-1 win and a spot in the Round of 16.
Nine of Nico Estevez’s 11 starters appeared against LA Galaxy over the weekend, indicative of the seriousness (or lack thereof, rather) with which Austin approached the match. The biggest change was the introduction of Damian Las in goal. Las spent two years on loan with Louisville, making nearly 70 USL appearances along the way. The first half-hour of the goalkeeper’s return to Kentucky was far from a warm welcome.
