D.C. United won’t be adding a fourth Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup to their trophy case this year.
At the Maryland SoccerPlex on Wednesday night, the Black and Red were eliminated from the 103rd edition of the nation’s longest-running soccer competition after a deflating loss to the NASL’s Fort Lauderdale Strikers that dragged on through two scoreless halves plus a fruitless 30 minutes of extra time until the visitors prevailed 4-3 in a penalty-kick shootout.
Facing a second-tier side just days before resumption of MLS action this weekend, head coach Ben Olsen rested most of his regulars and turned to a reserve-heavy lineup including homegrown talent Chris Durkin, who—debuting at 16 years and 4 months—became one of the youngest players ever to feature on United’s first team. Olsen’s selections delivered a hardworking, but sometimes ragged performance. They were probably the better squad in the poorly-played match, but were ultimately undone by their inability to capitalize on an ample amount of scoring chances.
The first half saw the two sides parry ineffectually back and forth, combining for just a single shot on goal—a 7th-minute header from former United man Maicon Santos that was easily saved by D.C. keeper Travis Worra.
The hosts stepped up their play in the second stanza, controlling the bulk of possession and finally mounting some pressure against the Strikers. Making his first United start, forward Alhaji Kamara became more of a threat as he started to get better service. In the 58th minute, Julian Buescher found him in the middle of the box on a corner kick, but the Sierra Leonean put his header over the crossbar. Seven minutes later, Rob Vincent played Kamara into the box, then made a trailing run and got a return pass from the striker, but his left-footed shot from 16 yards just missed the far post.
After a solid 86-minute shift as a defensive midfielder, Durkin was taken off in favor of Luciano Acosta’s attacking spark. The Argentine playmaker enlivened the contest with his showboating flair, but was unable to spearhead a breakthrough.
The game opened up during the two 15-minute extra-time periods, as both teams went all out to avoid leaving it to penalties. As a flurry of speculative efforts were unleashed by each side, United’s best opportunity came in the 113th minute when Jared Jeffrey dispossessed the Strikers in their half, dribbled into the box, and ripped a low, hard shot that forced a diving save from goalkeeper Diego Restrepo. The rebound fell right to Andrea Mancini, who failed to deliver in his United debut, sending a one-timer high and wide.
After two hours of (mostly uninspiring) play, the match was decided in a PK shootout. D.C.’s Buescher and Vincent converted, as did Fort Lauderdale’s PC before Santos stepped up to the spot. The Brazilian failed to do damage to his old club, sending his left-footed attempt well over the goal.
The hosts’ advantage was short-lived, as Acosta’s effort two rounds later was denied by Restrepo. After Ramon Nunez slotted his attempt into the left corner, United’s Jared Jeffrey hit the crossbar with his right-footed shot. With an opportunity to put a merciful end to the proceedings, Fort Lauderdale’s Matheus Carvalho coolly placed the ball into the back of the net for the finishing blow, staring down United supporters as he celebrated.
“Obviously I’m disappointed to go out of this tournament, especially this early, but the guys gave me everything they had,” Olsen said after the match. “We didn’t finish some of our chances, and once it goes to PKs, it’s a bit of a coin flip.”
The United skipper seemed ready to move on and refocus on the club’s MLS campaign, which currently sees them at the bottom edge of the playoff picture. “It’s the Open Cup, you want to advance, of course, but if you don’t you put it to bed pretty quickly.”
The Black and Red will travel to Houston to resume league play on Saturday before returning to RFK Stadium for a match against the New England Revolution on Saturday, June 25. That match has been rescheduled from its original date on June 22.
