FC Cincinnati, the darlings of the 2017 U.S. Open Cup after a historic run to the semifinals of the competition, have been narrowly defeated by Minnesota United in this year’s fourth round following a penalty shootout at Nippert Stadium.
On the back of the news that FCC would be joining MLS in 2019, a boisterous crowd of 15,486 was on hand for the first-ever meeting between the home side and 2017 MLS expansionists MNUFC. The Loons could’ve hosted the match had they applied for it, but an exceptionally shoddy road side (3-13-2 away in 2017 including a Cup loss and 1-6-0 in 2018) elected to take their chances away from TCF Bank Stadium in the fourth round.
The opening hour passed largely without incident (the first corner kick of the match didn’t arrive until the 63rd minute). Minnesota held the majority of possession, but neither side could really carve out a quality chance.
We did, however, witness two nice little megs.
Daaaaang, @Esawelsh...#JoinTheMarch | #USOC2018 pic.twitter.com/KUqcfkBpbU
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) June 6, 2018
w
i
c
k
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s pic.twitter.com/Kto0Onm54Y— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) June 7, 2018
With little else to do, the FCC crowd began aiming chants of “Shuttle-worthless” at Bobby Shuttleworth in the Minnesota goal. It was good comedy, but Shuttleworth would get the last laugh.
After 120 minutes of scoreless action, the MNUFC keeper saved two of FC Cincy’s first four penalties while another attempt crashed off the crossbar.
Bobby Shuttleworth makes his 2nd save of the shootout and #MNUFC win 3-1 on penalties, after a 0-0 draw through 120 minutes. The #Loons avoid an upset to advance to #USOC2018 Round of 16, and #FCCincy can't repeat their Cinderella run from last year. #CINvMIN #USOpenCup #MLS #USL pic.twitter.com/u1mCcFLyUa
— Jason Foster (@JogaBonito_USA) June 7, 2018
Also, Minnesotan Minnesota United center back Brent Kallman, folks:
Leave it all on the pitch, Brent #CINvMIN | 0-0 | @BMKhaveiturway pic.twitter.com/MdyuYTwbHK
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) June 7, 2018
I love this shit
— Brent Kallman (@BMKhaveiturway) June 7, 2018
Minnesota ultimately advances to the Round of 16 with a chance of winning it all, qualifying for the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League, winning that and qualifying for the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup. We’ll see how it all plays out.
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