The Opening Round of the 2015 US Open Cup started off with most teams on very even terms, so even seven games went to penalty shootouts, a record for most shootouts in one round. While the PDL teams sent eleven teams through, the NPSL sides went 4-0 in games decided by penalties. Sixteen games were decided by one goal or shootout, with many game-winners coming in the closing minutes of the game or in extra time.
Earlier Wednesday we attempted to launch TheCup.us 2.0, but encountered some technical difficulties, forcing us to revert back to the old site. While most of you are sleeping, our team is working on fixing it so that it will back up and running in the morning, along with game recaps.
Reading United AC (PDL) 1 : 0 Maryland Bays (USASA)
Brett Campbell’s 19th minute score managed to hold up for Reading, thanks to a stingy defense and three late saves from United keeper Kyle Morton. Reading will host the Harrisburg City Islanders in Round 2 on Wednesday.
West Virginia Chaos (PDL) 1 : 0 Fort Pitt Regiment (NPSL)
West Virginia’s Daniel Smee netted an early goal, and the Chaos held Fort Pitt in check to take the victory. The Chaos will travel north to play the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in Wednesday’s Second Round matchup.
Greater Binghamton SC Thunder (NPSL) 1 (4) : 1 (3) Western Mass Pioneers (PDL)
Zeb Cross of Binghamton equaled the Pioneers’ tally from Ryan Taylor, helping force the shootout. Western Mass botched two shots in the shootout, allowing the NPSL side to move on. The Rochester Rhinos will host the Thunder in the Second Round on Wednesday.
Lansing United (NPSL) 0 (4) : 0 (2) RWB Adria (USASA)
Lansing could only muster one shot on goal during the game, but were perfect from the spot to advance. They will host Louisville City FC next Wednesday in the Second Round.
Miami United (NPSL) 2 : 1 Southwest Florida Adrenaline (PDL)
Manuel Abirached would score in stoppage time to secure United’s win. Miami will face a tough Second Round matchup Wednesday, as they travel to Open Cup veterans Charleston Battery.
Upward Stars (NPSL) 3 (3) : 3 (1) Triangle Brigade (USASA)
Both sides would rally from one-goal deficits, where Upward hit all of their penalties to ensure the win. They will head on the road in the Second Round to play the Charlotte Independence on Wednesday.
Virginia Beach City (NPSL) 3 : 2 AC Connecticut (PDL)
Pat Thomas scored two minutes from time to steal the win for Virginia Beach. They will make the jaunt to Richmond on Wednesday to play the Kickers in the Second Round.
Long Island Rough Riders (PDL) 3 : 1 Brooklyn Italians (NPSL)
Joe Holland wrapped a brace around his assist on Yevener Guerrier’s game winner for the Rough Riders. Their Second Round opponent, Real Monarchs, will travel to Long Island on Wednesday.
Michigan Bucks (PDL) 3 : 0 Detroit City FC (NPSL)
Nick Wysong and Peri Marosevic would score in the first ten minutes, as Michigan stifled their intrastate opponent. Portland Timbers will journey east to oppose the Bucks in Wednesday’s Second Round matchup.
Chattanooga FC (NPSL) 1 (5) : 1 (3) Ocala Stampede (PDL)
Luke Winter saved the home team’s tournament with minutes to spare, countering Ocala’s earlier score from Lewis Wilson. Chattanooga’s Greg Hartley was the shootout hero, recording two saves as well as the clinching penalty. Wilmington Hammerheads will host the NPSL side in the Second Round on Wednesday.
Jersey Express (PDL) 3 : 0 New York Greek-American Atlas (USASA)
Greek-American Atlas held up early, but couldn’t withstand the Express’ Juan Correa picking apart their defense to assist on two of their three late goals. They will host Red Bull 2 Wednesday in the Second Round.
Seacoast United Phantoms (PDL) 2 : 1 GPS Massachusetts (USASA)
Sofiane Tergou scored to cap a rally over a 1:0 GPS lead, despite being down to ten men. Their Second Round matchup is a trek to Oklahoma to play the Tulsa Roughnecks on Wednesday.
Des Moines Menace (PDL) 2 : 1 Madison Fire (USASA)
Charles Bales would assist for Vince Ciccarelli and Ramon Howell on both sides of the break, and the Menace would hold on for the Victory. They will head to St. Louis FC next Wednesday in the Second Round.
Midland/Odessa Sockers (PDL) 3 : 1 Tulsa Athletics (NPSL)
The Sockers got a first half lead thanks to Tucker Hume and Andrew Lopez, then equaled Tulsa in the second half to get the win. They will host their Second Round game on Wednesday, as the Oklahoma City Energy comes to West Texas.
Laredo Heat (PDL) 0 (4) : 0 (2) NTX Rayados (USASA)
This was a defensive battle throughout, however the Heat had truer legs in the shootout, connecting on all four penalty shots. The Heat will hit the road to play the Austin Aztex in the Second Round on Wednesday.
Harpo’s FC (USSSA) 0 (4) : 0 (2) BYU Cougars (PDL)
Utah hosted another defensive struggle, as Harpo’s Zac Gibbens held his ground in the shootout, while his teammates were able to finish perfect from the spot. Harpo’s will make an in-state trip on Wednesday as they play the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the Second Round.
Kitsap Pumas (PDL) 5 : 2 FC Tacoma 253 (NPSL)
Braces by Joe Masumiya and Carlos Patino helped the Pumas jump out to a five goal league, then withstand Tacoma’s late rally. Kitsap goes across Puget Sound again in the Second Round, taking on Seattle Sounders 2 on Wednesday night.
Sonoma County Sol (NPSL) 2 : 1 (AET) Burlingame Dragons (PDL)
The header of Alfonso Verde would be nullified at the death by the Sol’s Arnoldo Salazar, with Angel Acevedo putting away the extra time winner for Sonoma County. They will travel east for the Second Round, playing the Sacramento Republic on Wednesday.
Ventura County Fusion (PDL) 3 (6) : 3 (5) Cal FC (USASA)
While Ventura gained the lead three separate times behind Carlos Martinez, Javier Castro, and Julian Zamora, Cal FC would answer each time through Danny Barrera, Chris Cummings, and Edgar Espinoza. The shootout would last eight rounds, with the Fusion surviving 6-5. They will travel back to Los Angeles again for the Second Round, playing LA Galaxy II on Wednesday.
PSA Elite (USASA) 7 : 1 Golden State Misioneros (PDL)
PSA looked to retain their winning ways from last year’s Cup, rolling out to a 4-1 halftime lead before cruising past Golden State. They will attempt to duplicate last year’s feat of knocking out a USL side next Wednesday when they host the Orange County Blues.
Chula Vista FC (USASA) 2 : 1 (AET) FC Tucson (PDL)
Brandon Zambrono put Tucson ahead in the second half, but Chula Vista answered with goals by Alejandro Lopez late, and Angel Pinal in bonus time. Chula Vista will return to Arizona on Wednesday, taking on Arizona Republic SC in the Second Round.