'MLS didn't want us to win!' - Defiant Sacramento take down LA Galaxy in U.S. Open Cup after being bypassed for top-flight expansion

Sacramento Republic were defiant after upsetting the LA Galaxy in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals, with the club's legendary forward Rodrigo Lopez sending a message to MLS commissioner Don Garber after the match.

The USL Championship side stunned their MLS counterparts with a 2-1 win in the knockout competition, eliminating the Galaxy on their home field thanks to goals from Lopez and Luis Felipe to become the first non-MLS team to reach the semifinals since 2017

Sacramento had been passed over for MLS expansion after previously being on the fast track to the top flight, and, after the win, Lopez said he hoped the win proved a point to Garber and those in charge of the league.

"I'm sure MLS didn't want us to win today," he said after the win. "I'll be straight up. I'm sure the commissioner is watching.

"If you're the MLS you have to look at Sacramento. You have to look at our fanbase and our city."

After establishing a strong fanbase in California's capital, Sacramento Republic prepared an MLS bid in 2017 and, two years later, were announced as the league's 29th team.

However, after delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic, lead investor Ron Burkle backed out of the deal, putting the team's expansion bid on indefinite hold.

MLS has expanded to Austin and Charlotte in the last two years, with St. Louis FC set to begin play in 2023 as the league's 29th team.

Tuesday's win was the club's second over MLS competition during their run through the Open Cup, having taken down the San Jose Earthquakes in the previous round.

“I honestly don’t think they took the game seriously and we took advantage,” Felipe said of the Galaxy. “We took our opportunities and went for it.”

The Galaxy's defeat came after the club took down local rivals