US Open Cup first timers Icon FC is kept its dream alive after defeating the Brooklyn Italians 4-1 on the strength of a hat trick by Argjent Duka in Brooklyn on Tuesday.
Icon FC — a USASA member — will head to Virginia to face USL Pro side Richmond Kickers in the second round of the Open Cup.
The first half of the first round game between the two sides was very even.
The NPSL-side Italians’ main tool was speed on the flanks and quick counter attacks. Icon did a good job of passing the ball up the field to reach the opposing box.
Icon was the first to come close to scoring in the eighth minute when Kevin Garcia hit the crossbar as he tried to cross the ball to a teammate.
Just four minutes later Icon went ahead as Jonathan Yazo was able to get pass a couple defenders, allowing him to pass the ball to Duka who beat a defender before putting the ball in the back of the net.
Despite their speed, Brooklyn was having a difficult time getting pass Icon’s defense. Brooklyn’s best chance came in the 33rd minute as Henry Lino’s header off a cross by James Mulligen went wide.
The second half of the game was all Icon FC as it dominated the field.
Duka scored his second of the match when he received a pass from Nelson Becerra in the box and beat Brooklyn goalkeeper Rafael Diaz in the 51st minute with a low shot to the left of the goal.
Icon continued to show their attacking force when Becerra made a long-range effort to chip the ball over Diaz when he saw him off his line, but his effort went wide.
In the 67th minute Icon padded their lead off a corner kick header by Kevin Garcia off the kick by Jonathan Lopuski.
Icon sealed their place in the second round nine minutes later when Duka completed his hat trick with a confusing goal.
After a few passes in the box, Icon took a shot on goal that was cleared by Brooklyn but Duka was there to head the ball into goal.
The Italians added a late goal as Tim Parker headed in a free kick taken by Christian Turizo in the 78th minute.
Brooklyn tried desperately to score in the last four minutes, but Icon had done enough to seal their victory and ruin the Italians attempt at reaching the second round for a second consecutive year.
Shots: Icon FC 19, Brooklyn 7
Saves: Icon FC 1, Brooklyn 5
Corners: Icon FC 6, Brooklyn 3
Fouls: Icon FC 7, Brooklyn 13
Offsides: Icon FC 0, Brooklyn 1
Discipline: Icon FC, Jonathan Yazo; Brooklyn, Nathaniel Bekoe, Yvener Guerrier