Revolution get an Open date

FOXBOROUGH -- Major League Soccer teams have sustained several upsets against lower-division opposition in the US Open Cup this year. After the Revolution's 2-1 win over the Harrisburg City Islanders last night, two MLS teams remain in the competition.

Goals by Andy Dorman (fourth minute) and Taylor Twellman (17th) provided the difference as the Revolution advanced to meet the Carolina RailHawks in the semifinals Sept. 4 in New Britain, Conn. FC Dallas and the Seattle Sounders play the other semifinal, with the final scheduled Oct. 2.

"Our objective was to win the game and we were comfortable for 77 minutes," Revolution coach Steve Nicol said. "They are a strong team and we knew they were going to keep going from the first to the last minute. Some of their players might never have a chance to play in a stadium like this."

Harrisburg, third in the USL Second Division, advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating D.C. United, 1-0, last month. The Revolution bid to host this game in order to capitalize on the home-field advantage, sacrificing a probable profitable gate in Pennsylvania to play before 1,512 spectators at Gillette Stadium.

After surviving a Revolution barrage in the early going, the City Islanders rallied in the second half and cut the deficit on a 30-yard free kick by Matt Tanzini in the 78th minute.

"In the Open Cup, it's anyone's game; teams play with a lot of heart and energy," Revolution defender Jay Heaps said. "It's fun to see teams like that come back and see how we react. It's different than playing an MLS team. I know every player on D.C. United backwards and forwards, but I don't know these players.

"And these teams are very dangerous. They look forward to this from the minute the game is put on their schedule. We quieted them because we were able to meet their intensity. But they are a strong team and that was a great free kick."

Wells Thompson helped set the tone for the Revolution with aggressive play on the right wing early. Thompson earned a free kick that resulted in a corner and led to the first goal. Jeff Larentowicz headed Steve Ralston's corner, Dorman finishing with a left-foot volley from the penalty arc.

Twellman finished a Pat Noonan square ball at the back post, his fifth career goal in the Open Cup and 12th in all competitions this year.

"I could have had three or four goals in the end," Dorman said. "I would have liked to have had a lot more."

The Revolution went with their regular starting lineup, minus Michael Parkhurst (right knee hyperextension), who is questionable for Sunday's match against the Los Angeles Galaxy. They advanced past the quarterfinals for the first time since 2001.

But, as in the Revolution's 4-2 win over Rochester last month, they struggled in the final minutes.

Tanzini, a 63d-minute substitute, drilled a 30-yard free kick through a poorly set up defensive wall, leaving goalkeeper Matt Reis no chance.

"Two is fine," Reis said of the two-man wall. "But they spread apart instead of being closer together. If they had stayed together, it would have hit them right in the chest and it would have been averted. It was a mental mistake, again, and hopefully, those things are not going to hurt us too bad. We are hurting ourselves by doing the little things wrong."

Harrisburg defender Anthony Calvano received a second caution and was ejected by referee Richard Heron for colliding with Reis in the 90th minute, the Revolution coasting through four minutes of added time.

The Revolution were playing their third home game of the month, following a win over Kansas City (2-0) that stretched their lead in the Eastern Conference, and a loss Sunday to D.C. United (3-0).

"We wanted to come out and have a good game," said Twellman, who was replaced by Adam Cristman after halftime. "We will make up for last Sunday on Sunday. Hopefully, there will be no [football] lines on the field and we will have a good game."

Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com.