The Silverbacks upset Colorado 2-1 on Tuesday in the fifth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup despite a lightning delay and the ejection of four players and three coaches in the second half.
It was Atlanta’s second consecutive win over an MLS team following a victory over Real Salt Lake. The Silverbacks will host the winner of the game between Columbus and Chicago in the next round on July 8.
Jaime Chavez scored both of the Atlanta’s goals. The first came in the 21st minute when he chipped Colorado goalkeeper Clint Irwin.
Lightning delayed the game seven minutes later for more than a half-hour.
After play resumed, Chavez headed in his second goal early in the second half.
Then things got interesting.
According the website thecup.us, Chavez pulled down Colorado’s Drew Moor. As Moor was falling, he was allegedly stepped on by Kwadwo Poku.
Irwin rushed to Moor as players on both teams began to argue. The referee ejected Chavez, Poku and Borfor Carr for Atlanta, and Marc Burch for Colorado. Also ejected were Atlanta coaches Eric Wynalda and Ricardo Montoya, as well as Colorado’s Pablo Mastroeni because they left the coaching area.
If the red cards aren’t overturned by the U.S. Soccer Federation — Atlanta’s appeals are expected to be submitted by Thursday — the Silverbacks will play the next round without that group. If that happens, reserves coach Alejandro Pambo would take over the team.
Playing with eight men for the final 25 minutes, the Silverbacks allowed just the one goal.
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