D.C. United Advances in U.S. Open Cup Thanks to Overtime Victory

Everything that has transpired with D.C. United this spring – including both positive developments and significant issues – took a backseat on Tuesday as they shifted their focus to a tournament unconnected to the unpredictable regular season.

The event was the U.S. Open Cup, a competition with a history spanning 111 years, including teams from amateur levels up to professional sides. supported by a Mexican eatery To the billionaire-supported MLS toughs. This provided a much-needed break from the routine of league matches but remained a challenge that couldn’t be underestimated.

The encounter against the lower-tier Charleston Battery reached the Round of 32 without either team scoring during regular playtime. However, six minutes after overtime began, Jacob Murrell's spectacular goal breathed new energy into what had been an unexciting game, assisting United to win 2-0 in front of a modest audience at Audi Field. Seven minutes following this breakthrough, Jared Stroud added another goal for DC, setting up their home clash with MLS’s Charlotte FC scheduled for May 21st.

It was a challenging game, as expected," Coach Troy Lesesne stated. "When you consider this tournament, it’s likely that a team from a lower division will defeat an MLS side. This occurs annually.

Murrell made sure that did not happen Tuesday. Starting in place of star striker Christian Benteke, Murrell continued his knack for the spectacular by collecting Randall Leal’s pass out of midfield, cutting back and hooking a 25-yard shot into the top far corner.

In the early part of the regular season, the ex-Georgetown standout netted an equalizer late in the game in Chicago. with an audacious overhead kick .

“He seems to only score these types of goals,” Lesesne said with a smile.

Murrell responded to his coach’s comment, saying: “Hopefully not. Hopefully I start scoring some tap-ins and keep getting into good spots to score. But every one-off like that is really special to me.”

Leal, who came on as a substitute in the second half, also set up the second goal with an excellent pass, finding Stroud perfectly within the penalty box for a clean strike.

“Through the end of the second half, we started to create a couple more chances,” said Stroud, who also entered after halftime. “I think they got a little bit tired and the game opened up a little bit. And then obviously we put on some fresh legs and created some nice chances.”

Since MLS’s inception 29 years ago, its teams have claimed every U.S. Open Cup title — except in 1999, when second-tier Rochester upset the Colorado Rapids. Three other non-MLS teams have advanced to the final, including the Battery, which lost to Manchester United in 2008 at RFK Stadium.

The winner of the tournament will get $600,000, and the second-place team will earn $250,000. Each team finishing at the top from the smaller leagues will be awarded $50,000 per team.

The ties between D.C. and Charleston were robust: Lesesne, who hails from South Carolina, served as both a player and an assistant coach for the Battery. D.C.'s assistant coach Zach Prince spent seven seasons with Charleston. Former United teammates Derek Dodson and Fidel Barajas were co-teammates at the Battery in 2023. Additionally, Charleston’s Luis Zamudio held the position of third-string goalkeeper for United over the past two years, and defender Michael Edwards previously participated in the United academy program.

Despite United's difficulties in MLS this season, the Battery ranks third in the USL Championship's Eastern Conference with a 5-2-0 record. Charleston secured second place in the ULS championship in 2023 and progressed to the conference final the previous year.

Lesesne’s roster included key players like David Schnegg, Brandon Servania, and Hosei Kijima. Also part of the team were goalkeeper Kim Joon Hong, who recently ceded his position to Luis Barraza, along with reserves Dodson and Murrell.

Straight from his MLS debut two weeks ago, the first-round draft selection Hakim Karamoko was placed on the right wing. This position appeared suitable for Kristian Fletcher. who has recently come back from his loan stint To Nottingham Forest’s reserve teams in England. Even with daily training, the 19-year-old forward didn’t make the match-day squad.

Several injured players also were held out. Benteke was in uniform, but because he hurt his shoulder Saturday, he remained on the bench.

In the opening period, neither side demonstrated notable offensive prowess—a situation especially concerning for United, who was expected to lead and generate threats. The match lacked significant chances of scoring throughout the first half.

Even with reinforcements, United’s dreariness continued into the second half. It finally stirred in the 65th minute, when Leal worked a combination with Dodson and tested Zamudio with an angled bid.

It wasn’t the start of anything; United fell silent again.

Late into stoppage time, Stroud’s cross barely failed to connect with Murrell. The game moved into extra time. Following United’s goals, Charleston’s Juan David Torres received a red card.

United (3-5-3 in MLS) will resume league play Saturday at Toronto FC (1-6-4).