Two goals apiece from Robert Ssejjemba and Dustin Swinehart saw the Charlotte Eagles advance over the Clearwater Galactics 5-2 in the First Round of the US Open Cup. The amateur club from the USASA’s Region III put up a fight on the road, leading the Second Division Eagles at the halftime break, but in the end the hosts proved to be too much.
After Swinehart leveled the score at two from the penalty spot in the 54th minute, the match was brought to a halt due to lightning. After a one-hour delay, the Eagles were the more aggressive side and in the end outworked Clearwater with tallies in the 67th (Swinehart), 71st (Jorge Hererra), and 75th minutes (Ssejjemba).
The match was high-tempo on both ends, with each side having early chances to take the lead. The Eagles opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with Ssejjemba slotting home a Swinehart pass. The Galactics would equalize nine minutes before halftime with a goal by Oscar Carmona. Edwin Diaz then gave the Galactics a 2-1 lead with a 50-yard chip over Eagles goalkeeper Terry Boss in the 50th minute, but the advantage was short-lived as Swinehart converted from the spot just before the delay.
The Eagles now face the Charleston Battery of the USL First Division in the Second Round following the Battery’s 3-0 win over ASC New Stars.