Photo by: Sacramento Republic FC
LaGrassa, Sac Republic Reach Historic U.S. Open Cup Final
7/28/2022 11:01:00 AM | Men's Soccer
SACRAMENTO – With former Cal Poly men's soccer standout Matt LaGrassa in the starting lineup for the hosts Wednesday evening, Sacramento Republic FC became the first non-Major League Soccer club in 14 years to reach the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final, ousting Sporting Kansas City in the semifinals on penalties following a scoreless draw at Heart Health Park.
LaGrassa, making his 14th start and 17th appearance for Sac Republic this season, played the initial 68 minutes on Wednesday before being subbed off for midfielder Nick Ross. Sac Republic dragged the stalemate into extra time before knocking out four-time U.S. Open Cup champion Sporting on penalties, 5-4.
Sac Republic, currently seventh in the second-tier, USL Championship Western Division, will face MLS side Orlando City SC in the U.S. Open Cup Final on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at Exploria Stadium in Orlando. Orlando City eliminated New York Red Bulls in Wednesday's first semifinal, 5-1.
Since Major League Soccer's inception in 1996, just one non-MLS club – Rochester Rhinos in 1999 – has captured the U.S. Open Cup.
Played annually since 1914 (but not contested in 2020 or 2021), the U.S. Open Cup is a single-elimination knockout competition for professional and amateur clubs and the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the United States.
The first non-Major League Soccer club to reach the final since Charleston Battery in 2008, Sac Republic eliminated three successive MLS sides to reach this year's final. Sac Republic began this season's 103-club competition in the second round on April 7, knocking out Portland Timbers U23s. Sac Republic then eliminated Central Valley Fuego FC (April 20) and Phoenix Rising FC (May 11) before putting out Major League Soccer clubs in San Jose Earthquakes (May 25) and LA Galaxy (June 21).
A three-time All-Big West Conference honoree at Cal Poly and ranked fourth in program history with 18 goals, LaGrassa (2011-15) is in his first year with Sac Republic after making 82 appearances for Major League Soccer's Nashville SC from 2018-21. LaGrassa also played for Sac Republic in 2016.
LaGrassa, making his 14th start and 17th appearance for Sac Republic this season, played the initial 68 minutes on Wednesday before being subbed off for midfielder Nick Ross. Sac Republic dragged the stalemate into extra time before knocking out four-time U.S. Open Cup champion Sporting on penalties, 5-4.
Sac Republic, currently seventh in the second-tier, USL Championship Western Division, will face MLS side Orlando City SC in the U.S. Open Cup Final on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at Exploria Stadium in Orlando. Orlando City eliminated New York Red Bulls in Wednesday's first semifinal, 5-1.
Since Major League Soccer's inception in 1996, just one non-MLS club – Rochester Rhinos in 1999 – has captured the U.S. Open Cup.
Played annually since 1914 (but not contested in 2020 or 2021), the U.S. Open Cup is a single-elimination knockout competition for professional and amateur clubs and the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the United States.
The first non-Major League Soccer club to reach the final since Charleston Battery in 2008, Sac Republic eliminated three successive MLS sides to reach this year's final. Sac Republic began this season's 103-club competition in the second round on April 7, knocking out Portland Timbers U23s. Sac Republic then eliminated Central Valley Fuego FC (April 20) and Phoenix Rising FC (May 11) before putting out Major League Soccer clubs in San Jose Earthquakes (May 25) and LA Galaxy (June 21).
A three-time All-Big West Conference honoree at Cal Poly and ranked fourth in program history with 18 goals, LaGrassa (2011-15) is in his first year with Sac Republic after making 82 appearances for Major League Soccer's Nashville SC from 2018-21. LaGrassa also played for Sac Republic in 2016.
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