Sporting KC beats San Jose on penalties in USOC semis

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:42 am

Sporting Kansas City players celebrate after drawing level with San Jose in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals.
Sporting Kansas City players celebrate after drawing level with San Jose in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals.
USA Today Sports Images

Sporting Kansas City beat the San Jose Earthquakes 5-4 on penalties on Wednesday night to reach the finals of the U.S. Open Cup.

Danny Hoesen wasted no time getting the visitors on the board, smashing home from outside the box after an assist by Valeri Qazaishvili to make it 1-0 before the clock read five minutes gone.

Sporting looked sharp throughout the opening 45 minutes and finally found its opener just past the half-hour mark. Every SKC player except keeper Tim Melia touched the ball in a lovely buildup that culminated in a Diego Rubio goal from close range after Jimmy Medranda's centering pass set him up on the doorstep.

An action-packed second half saw both teams spurn quality chances before the game went to extra time and then penalties.

Matt Besler converted Sporting's final spot kick before Melia denied Víctor Bernardez to send the hosts through to the final.

Sporting KC will face the winner of the other semifinal between FC Cincinnati and the New York Red Bulls, which is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 15.