Atlanta Silverbacks Beat Colorado in USOpen Cup With 8 Men

((HT: Colorado Rapids))

It was, let's face it, a weird night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in suburban Denver last night as the winner prepped for the quarterfinals in the US Open Cup- the United States version of the FA Cup- where any team, regardless of level can have a chance at winning a $250,000 cash prize for their franchise.

And the NASL is making their mark in the tourney. Carolina Railhawks beat the LA Galaxy 1-0, and the Silverbacks knocked off the Rapids 2-1 in a wild game that had weather delays (pictured, scarily right by Kevin Pugh/Colorado Rapids)

and ended up with the Rapids playing with a 10-on-8 advantage after a massive scrum and disagreements that led to five Silverbacks red cards- three to players and two to coaches who left the box and two reds for the Rapids- one player and a coach.

The end result is that it was 10v8 for 35 minutes- the last 25 of regulation and another 10 of stoppage time while everything was being settled on the pitch.

Here's the highlights- skip ahead to the hour mark
((HT: Atlanta Silverbacks/Colorado Rapids))


Rapids defender Drew Moor, the guy at the bottom of the pile and recipient of the cleats to the face said the loss was unacceptable
((HT: Colorado Rapids))


The Silverbacks will play either Columbus or Chicago in July in the Open Quarters. It will be interesting to see what the red card situation is for that match and how it may affect the home team.