If you think the U.S. Open Cup couldn’t get any crazier or exciting, you would be very wrong at that. Round 2 proper of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup just raised the level and it was fantastic. Even though there was only one match that went into Extra Time, we’ve had a few winners inside second half stoppage time.

Several games were blowouts and once again the card count was raised. 29 were issued in round one, but this time it was raised a bit higher (27 Bookings, 6 sending offs) and the stakes were raised as the next opponents for these round 2 winners are taking on the big boys of MLS.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds 0:1 Michigan Bucks

First upset of the round came at Chartiers Valley High School as the Pittsburgh Riverhounds hosted the Michigan Bucks. All match long it felt like this one was heading for extra time till both sides reached second half stoppage time.

A critical error from the Riverhounds defense tackled a Michigan Bucks player in the area and the referee had no choice but to point to the spot for a penalty. Michigan Captain Stew Givens converted in the 91+st and advanced.

Chicago Fire Premier (PDL) 1:2 Dayton Dutch Lions

Some would say the Fire’s U-23 side would be the favorites for this match regardless of how decent the Dayton Dutch Lions are in the USL Pro League. But Eli Garner got his side ahead in the 38th minute. But all the action came within the final minute of regulation and inside second half stoppage time.

A corner in the 90th minute for the Fire’s kids as Brendan King found pay dirt as he headed in a cross and right away, extra time was in everyone’s minds. Daniel Holloway quickly dashed those hopes as he converted right away inside the first minute of stoppage time and it ended very quickly.

Los Angeles Blues 1:3 Ventura County Fusion AET

It’s funny when all the goals that were scored in this match didn’t come from the Blues, but they did get help in the 13th minute when Tim Pontius accidentally put the ball into his own net. But Frank Lopez converted in the 35th minute to equalize.

Nothing came from the second half except for Cory Miller who got his second yellow of the match and sent off in the 86th that put the Blues down to ten men. Once again Extra Time was calling for the Fusion and it was Francisco Lopez in the 107th minute for the win and Tristan Bowen for the dagger in the 116th.

Wilmington Hammerheads 0:4 CAL FC

The biggest upset in this round was the side owned by former US International and current Fox Soccer analyst Eric Wynalda. This side goes cross country to Wilmington, North Carolina and takes down David Irving and his Hammerheads.

Danny Barrera earned a brace in the 25th & 57th minute while Artur Aghaysan gets his tally in the 35th and Pedro Mendez finishes the night in the 78th minute. Whatever Wynalda is doing with this young USASA side, it has done wonders so far.

Other Round 2 Proper Scores

Harrisburg City Islanders 2:0 Long Island Rough Riders: HAR Ekra 47, Ombiji 76

Ft. Lauderdale 7:2 Fresno: FTL Hassan 42, 57, 69, Anderson 61, Restrepo 78, Morales 89, 90: FRE Finch 54, Reinhart 86

Orlando City 7:0 KC Athletics: ORL Andrews 4 (OG), Griffin 25, 42, Rooney 28, 71, Watson 60, Luzunaris 86

Jacksonville United 0:3 Tampa Bay Rowdies: TB: Ambersley 2, Antoniuk 19, Savage 65,

Carolina Railhawks 6:0 PSA Elite: CAR Brian Shiver 7, 23, 40, 90, Lowery 9, Schilawski 41,

Charleston Battery 2:1 Reading United CHR: Kelly 69, Paterson 79 REA: Ibikunle 64,

Rochester Rhinos 3:0 Brooklyn Italians: ROC: McManus 25, Chinn 43, Banks 76,

Georgia Revolution 0:1 Atlanta Silverbacks ATL: Cox 61,

San Antonio Scorpions 2:0 Laredo Heat S.A.: Campos 67, Harmse 74

Aegean Hawks 0:4 Richmond Kickers: RIC: Agorsor 20, Dos Santos 30, 82, Hiroyami 84,

Des Moines Menace 0:2 Minnesota Stars: MIN: Bracalello 19, Ibarra 84

El Paso Patriots 0:1 Charlotte Eagles: CHA: Thoronto 72,

Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Round 3 Proper Matches; Tuesday, May 29th

San Antonio Scorpions Vs Houston Dynamo: Heroes Stadium; San Antonio, TX 7:30PM CDT

Michigan Bucks Vs Chicago Fire: Ultimate Soccer Plex; Pontiac, MI 7:30PM EDT

Richmond Kickers Vs DC United: Richmond City Stadium; Richmond, VA 7PM EDT

Columbus Crew Vs Dayton Dutch Lions: Crew Stadium; Columbus, OH 7:30PM

FC Dallas Vs Charlotte Eagles: FC Dallas Stadium; Frisco, TX 7:30PM CDT

San Jose Earthquakes Vs Ft. Lauderdale Strikers: Cagan Stadium; Stanford, CA 7:30PM PDT

Philadelphia Union Vs Rochester Rhinos: PPL Park; Chester, PA 7:30PM

Harrisburg City Islanders Vs New England Revolution: Skyline Sports Complex; Harrisburg, PA 7PM EDT

Charleston Battery Vs New York Red Bulls: Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, SC 7:30PM EDT

CD Chivas-USA Vs Ventura County Fusion: TBD

Carolina Railhawks Vs Los Angeles Galaxy: WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, NC 7:07PM EDT

Tampa Bay Rowdies Vs Colorado Rapids: Al Lang Stadium; St. Petersburg, FL 7:30PM

Portland Timbers Vs CAL FC: Jeld-Wen Field; Portland, OR 7:30PM PDT

Minnesota Stars Vs Real Salt Lake: National Sports Center; Blaine, MN 7:30PM CDT

Seattle Sounders Vs Atlanta Silverbacks: Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, WA 7PM PDT

(Originally slated to be at Silverbacks Park if Atlanta defeated Georgia, TheCup.US Twitter account @usopencup has reported that Sounders management has paid for Atlanta to move the match into the Sounders’ second facility to avoid the long distance travel).