Late Night Drama: Sporting KC advance to US Open Cup Semifinals

Tim Melia had seven saves and turned in a massive performance as Sporting KC beat FC Dallas 2-1 in a late night thriller on Wednesday. Dany Rosero headed home the winner in the 111th minute and SKC booked their spot in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Semifinals.

ABSOLUTE SCENES AT @CMPARK 🤯

Watch #SKCvDAL in the #USOC2024 free on @AppleTV: https://t.co/HqfqkQUM73 pic.twitter.com/uwWnvBSepF

— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) July 11, 2024

Sporting KC and FC Dallas facing off in the US Open Cup… A yearly tradition, it seems.

The two teams were extra familiar with each other, having played just three days prior, in the same stadium. Sunday’s match got heated and ended with a red card, giving some added spice to this matchup.

Zorhan Bassong, however, watched from the bench.

It was a fairly sparse Wednesday crowd, but they were feisty to kickoff this quarterfinal of the historic tournament. The pace was slow until the 20th minute when both sides traded big opportunities. Melia made a diving save and instantly sent Sporting KC the other way, but Willy Agada couldn’t finish it.

Paul Arriola, who was at the center of Sunday’s bruhaha, went down in the 26th minute. He was met with a less-than-friendly chant from The Cauldron.

Again at the 32 minute mark, the old foes traded back-to-back golden opportunities. Off an FC Dallas corner kick, Peter Musa’s header forced Tim Leibold into a goal line clearance. The ensuing counter attack looked sure to be a goal for Sporting KC, but the effort sputtered out after a poor pass from Erik Thommy.

The rain delay came just after halftime and lasted one hour and 45 minutes. But Sporting KC were on the attack right away. Not only because the restart began with their corner kick.

They came out of the gates ready for the fight and saw multiple looks on goal. Willy Agada finally broke the deadlock in the 77th minute.

GO ON WILLY ‼️

Watch #SKCvDAL in the #USOC2024 free on @AppleTV: https://t.co/HqfqkQUM73 pic.twitter.com/HKnEXYK6kI

— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) July 11, 2024

But Petar Musa would bring FC Dallas level ten minutes later. The big Croatian managed to stay onside as the SKC backline stepped forward and he calmly chipped it passed Tim Melia.

Musa gets loose for @FCDallas 😤#USOC2024 // @OpenCup pic.twitter.com/k58bubKB6L

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) July 11, 2024

The evening was extended further with the score 1-1 after 90 minutes. Sporting KC had several chances in the first period of extra time, but after 105 minutes, they were still level. It was only seconds after the break when FC Dallas were robbed of goals by the woodwork, then Tim Melia again.

Tim Melia, the greatest PK keeper in MLS history, had a vintage performance and would have been more than ready if the time came. But Sporting KC held on for the final whistle and are moving on to the semifinals.

That will take place on August 27th at Children’s Mercy Park against Indy Eleven out of the USL Championship.