U.S. Open Cup-set! Pittsburgh Riverhounds eliminate MLS side Columbus Crew

The "magic of the cup" struck American soccer on Wednesday night, as the U.S. Open Cup last 16 brought with it a giant-slaying.

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL Championship shocked Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew at Highmark Stadium to advance to the cup quarterfinals for the first time in 22 years. Columbus became the second MLS side in a row to lose to Pittsburgh in the competition after the New England Revolution's defeat in the last 32 on May 9.

A solitary goal decides the game

In the 22nd minute, Pittsburgh forward Albert Dikwa sprinted into space beyond the Columbus defense. He was played onside as midfielder Robbie Mertz found him with a through ball, and Dikwa applied a slick right-footed finish beyond veteran goalkeeper Evan Bush to hand the hosts a lead they would not relinquish.

The Riverhounds won the game despite managing 25 percent possession and finishing the match with 10 men after a 95th-minute red card. Columbus, sitting eighth in the Eastern Conference, attempted only seven shots for the entire game.

Crew with a night to forget

Columbus, which won the U.S. Open Cup in 2002, could not contend with a raucous sold-out crowd in Pittsburgh, which will host Open Cup quarterfinal action for the first time since 2001. The Crew had almost all of the ball but accrued only three shots on target against Riverhounds goalkeeper Jahmali Waite.

Pittsburgh has never advanced past the quarterfinal stage, but will be confident of making history in the last eight. The Riverhounds will hope to be the second consecutive USL Championship side to make it all the way to the final, following Sacramento Republic last year.