U.S. Open Cup semifinals: Salt Lake, D.C. to play in final

In the 90th minute, Valeri got the Timbers back into the game with a headed goal, following up on a rebound after Rimando saved his initial shot, but his team were unable to score again and force extra time.

• Suarez doesn’t have a release clause

D.C. and Chicago are two of the worst teams in MLS and looked it in the early portion of the match. While they were plenty energetic and determined, they lacked skill so the match turned into a fast-paced mess of aimless crosses and desperate lunges.

Nick De Leon added to the D.C. lead on the other side of the break when he wiggled his way out of several Chicago defenders before firing at goal. It wasn’t a particularly dangerous shot, but then it took a deflection that left Johnson wrong-footed as the ball found the net.