The 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup played out it’s second round last night across the country.  The remaining 16 teams from the opening round battled it out for their guranteed chance to face one of the qualifying eight Major League Soccer teams in just a week’s time.

Among the highlights:
*The lone remaining amateur side, Hollywood United, were bounced from the tournament by the MLS bound Seattle Sounders 6-0.  Seattle put two past Hollywood in the opening 15 minutes, and then striker Sebastien Le Toux took over, netting four consecutive goals (two in the first half, two in the second half) to lock up advancement.
*The Cleveland City Stars were the only USL Second Division club to defeat a USL First Division opponent in 4 games, winning on the road against the Minnesota Thunder 2-0 after extra time.  Cleveland finally broke through in the 104th minute of the match, and despite being down to 10 men for the second 15 of extra time, got a late penalty to secure their win.
*And in the lone game to feature two USL First Division sides, Miami FC shut out the Atlanta Silverhawks 1-0.  Alex Afonso netted the lone goal in the 40th minute to secure Miami’s place in the next round.

Also advancing were the Richmond Kickers, Crystal Palace Baltimore, Charleston Battery, Carolina Railhawks, and Rochester Rhinos.  You can read more on the matches at the USL website, or check out the running blog of the night over at USOpenCup.com.

Next week’s introduction of MLS teams sees half of the eight on the road and the other half hosting.  Will MLS see an improvment on last year’s third round, where five of the eight MLS clubs were bounced in their first game?  With a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League now officially on the line, you would think so.  Your third round matchups (all matches July 1 at 7:30 local time unless noted):

Kansas City Wizards at Carolina Railhawks
Houston Dynamo at Charleston Battery
New York Red Bulls at Crystal Palace Baltimore (time and date TBD)
Chivas USA at Seattle Sounders (time 7PM)
Richmond Kickers at New England Revolution (time 7PM)
Cleveland City Stars at Chicago Fire
Rochester Rhinos at DC United
Miami FC at FC Dallas