PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers will face Minnesota United FC at Allianz Field in the semifinal round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, Aug. 7, it was determined earlier today as U.S. Soccer conducted a draw to determine host teams for the two semifinal matches and hosting priority for the final. The Timbers’ third away match of their 2019 U.S. Open Cup campaign will begin at 5 p.m. (Pacific), and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Timbers advanced to this year’s semifinal round of the tournament with a 1-0 shutout victory over Los Angeles FC in their quarterfinal matchup Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium, with Jeremy Ebobisse scoring the game-winner in the 84th minute. With the win, the Timbers advanced to the semifinals for the second time in club history (2013, 2019) and improved to 10-3-1 – with seven road wins – over their last 14 matches across all competitions, including shutouts in five of their last six games. Since 2013, Portland has 10 victories over MLS teams in U.S. Open Cup play, which is tied for the most of any team in that timespan.
Minnesota advanced to its first-ever U.S. Open Cup semifinal after defeating USL side New Mexico United 6-1 at Allianz Field in the quarterfinal round Wednesday night. Angelo Rodriguez tallied a hat trick, while Darwin Quintero, Jan Gregus and Miguel Ibarra each added one goal in the win for United.
The Aug. 7 match will be the second meeting in four days between Portland and Minnesota at Allianz Field, and will mark the first time the two teams meet in the U.S. Open Cup. The two sides will meet in league play on Sunday, Aug. 4, at Allianz Field, and will play one more league match during the regular season on Sunday, Sept. 22, at Providence Park (1pm PT, ESPN).
Also resulting from Thursday’s draw by U.S. Soccer, it was determined that Orlando City SC will play host to Atlanta United FC in the other semifinal matchup. Immediately after the semifinal hosts were confirmed, the draw to determine the hosting priority for the 2019 U.S. Open Cup final was held. Atlanta has first priority to host the final on Aug. 27 or 28 should it advance. Second priority went to Minnesota, followed by Orlando City and Portland, which will not be eligible to host the final.
