Cleveland SC defeats Chicago in the US Open Cup Opener

Conor Cable won the NPSL Golden Glove last year as the top goal keep. I bet many of his family in England watched his performance last night as the Cleveland SC defeated Chicago United in the first-round match for the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, 2-1, at rainy George Finnie Stadium in Berea. The match went into extra time since 90 minutes couldn’t decide a winner. But Conor made sure Cleveland would move on to round two.

The winning goal came on a quick throw in by Cleveland.  Kieran Toland, who was subbed in for Dan Koniarczyk, made a great crossing pass to Vinnie Bell, who headed home the game winner in the 107th minute. Cleveland held on as Chicago made numerous attempts in the last thirteen minutes only to see them denied by Cable.

The game started under a light mist which got heavier as the game progressed.  Much of the first part of the match was sloppy, due to this being the first game for both clubs, with poor passing but did have some bright, energetic play. Both teams tried to move the ball quickly from side to side, yet the first fifteen minutes really belonged to Chicago. In the seventh minute, Cleveland took the first shot on Chicago’s goalie, Andres Vasquez, who easily saved the shot. The play then went to the Cleveland end where Cable made the first of his 14 saves on the night.

Chicago, moving quickly, got a shot off in the attacking third where Cable went to punch it away, but mishit it slightly.  The defense quickly cleared for a Chicago corner, their first of three in a row.  At 8:36 in the first half, Cable had to make his second save.  A yellow card for Cleveland’s Filip Sparavec in the fourteenth minute gave Chicago United a free kick which Cable again saved easily.  In the 16th minute a beautiful through ball by Chicago saw Cable quickly slide out to dodge it away.  But Chicago kept up the attack.  And at 17:01, Mounir Alami, the Chicago forward, sent a strike at Cable’s goal that caromed off midfielder Bobi Cancar’s right leg and into the goal, for the Chicago early lead.

The rest of the first half saw both sides with decent chances.  Cleveland quickly regrouped after the goal with a few chances that flew wide of the goal.  Last year, Cleveland was known to give up goals in the latter stages of the first half.  At 41:50, a Chicago pass entered the box and two defenders for Cleveland fell, nearly causing a hand ball.  They were able to clear the ball after a few anxious moments.  As the half ended 1-0, the rain started to intensify.

Much of the first half saw Chicago have its way in the midfield.  Not sure if it was due to tactics or miscommunications, but the second half started well for the men from Illinois.  A careless pass between defenders allowed Chicago to send a bullet to goal.  Cable was able to dive and just nick it out for a corner.

Cleveland had some good chances early in the second half.  Moving well from left to right, a shot to the Chicago goal by Andrew Nichols, with a solid left footed strike, was saved by Vasquez. Shortly after that, again Chicago pushed the pace and in the 57th minute, a low liner in the box was pushed aside by Cable again.

 

As we get into the 70th minute, Cleveland now is pushing the pace of play. A hand ball by Chicago gives Cleveland the free kick which is taken just high over the crossbar. Vinne Bell, hounded all night by every Chicago defender, took an attempt in the 79th minute only to have it harmlessly blocked. By this time, Chicago had 10 shots on goal for only four for the good guys! Cable again was called on to make two quick saves just with 10 minutes remaining.

 

Trailing late in the game, Cleveland wins a thrown in. Bell quickly takes it, and the toss makes its way to Mike Derezic, the Cleveland Crunch forward who takes a nice touch to his right, gets some space, and strikes a curling ball that just sneaks inside the post. We are tied 1-1 with seconds left in the game! The ninety minutes end with no more issues for either side.

 

The first overtime is really nothing special as both teams seem tired and waiting for a break which doesn’t come. The second overtime was Bell’s moment to shine. And after a few crazy last-minute attempts by Chicago, including a kick save by Cable off an Ezau Millan touch in the Cleveland box, their final attempt is knocked down by Cable’s right hand in a “what-have-we-got-here” moment. The ball bounces up to his hand and the game ends soon after.

 

Next up for Cleveland SC will be Forward Madison FC (USL League One) in Madison, Wisconsin, April 6, at 7pm CST. But the Man of the Match was Conor Cable and his heroics. Hopefully, his family back home in England was watching on the YouTube US Soccer Channel.