Real Salt Lake's hopes of an easy week next week were dashed in Iowa on Tuesday night when the Minnesota Stars FC (NASL) went on the road and beat the Des Moines Menace (PDL) 2-0 in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup.
With the victory, Minnesota gets to host Real Salt Lake next Tuesday in the third-round of the 99th installment of the Open Cup, a single-elimination tournament open to all amateur and professional teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer.
Had lower-division Des Moines won, the third-round match would've been played at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Now, just a few days after hosting FC Dallas in a league match this Saturday, RSL will turn right around and hit the road. Game time with the Minnesota Stars FC is set for 6:30 p.m.
RSL's all-time record in the U.S. Open Cup is 4-7-1. The winner of next Tuesday's match advances to the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals, which RSL has only advanced to twice in franchise history.
Minnesota scored first on Tuesday with a goal midway through the first half, but then shortly before halftime the stars had a man sent off with a red card. Despite playing down a man for 50 minutes, the visiting Stars tacked on an insurance goal in the 80th minute to advance.
email: jedward@desnews.com