U.S. Open Cup: Inter Miami advances to semifinals
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Jun 8, 2023
Inter Miami advanced to the U.S. Open Cup semifinals for the first time, setting up the possibility of Lionel Messi playing when the Herons meet FC Cincinnati on Aug. 23.
Nicolas Stefanelli scored the only goal to give Inter Miami a 1-0 win over the Birmingham Legion, the last remaining USL Championship team.
“This win is very important, not just for us as a team, but for the whole organization," said interim head coach Javier Morales. "We made history today. It’s the first time that the team makes semifinals.”
The lively Enzo Martinez caused problems for Miami. In the 24th minute, he set up Prosper Kasim, whose shot hit defender Sergii Kryvstov's right hand. Referee Sergii Demianchuk awarded a corner kick, but the Legion players' claim for a penalty was rejected.
“Obviously, some of the issues we’re disappointed in,” Legion coach Tommy Soehn said.
The game drew a Birmingham record crowd of 18,418 fans at Protective Stadium.
“At the end of the game, I felt it the most when I looked up and saw everybody,” Soehn added. “Not a single person left and they were applauding. Credit to our guys. They put on a good show today.”
June 7 in Birmingham, Ala.
Birmingham Legion 0 Inter Miami 1. Goal: Stefanelli 56.
Birmingham Legion -- Van Oekel; Smith (Nwegbo 90+1), Crognale, Kavita, Alves; Lopez, Asiedu; Pasher, Martinez, Kasim; Agudelo.
Inter Miami -- Callender; Yedlin, Kryvtsov, Miller, Negri; Ruiz, Fray (Pizarro 72); Jean (Azcona 78), Cremaschi (Taylor 46), Stefanelli (McVey 82); Martinez (Campana 72). Att.: 18,418.
Real Salt Lake advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2015 with a 3-2 win over the LA Galaxy.
RSL stars came through with two goals from captain Damir Kreilach and one from Jefferson Savarino, all three assisted by Rubio Rubin.
The Galaxy lost Javier “Chicharito” Hernández with a right knee injury in the first half.
July 7 in Sandy
Real Salt Lake 3 LA Galaxy 2. Goals: Kreilach 19, 45+6 pen., Savarino 51; Brugman 82 pen., Douglas Costa 84.
Real Salt Lake -- Beavers; Brody, Glad, Silva, Oviedo (Ojeda 67); Gomez (Hidalgo 83), Eneli, Ruiz (Loffelsend 86), Savarino (Chang 67); Rubin (Julio 67), Kreilach.
LA Galaxy -- Klinsmann; Caceres, Neal (Mavinga 74), Aude (Edwards 62), Calegari; Boyd, Brugman, Delgado (Aguirre 62), Riqui Puig, Vivi (Douglas Costa 62); Chicharito (Joveljic 27).
Att.: 20,712.
How many Goals did Messi Score.!?!?!? :)
You missed them all since 2007.