To say the North America Soccer League (NASL) had a really bad day, on and off the soccer pitch on Wednesday, would be a gross understatement. The day started with Chairperson Aaron Davidson being arrested as part of the United States Department of Justice’s sting against high ranking FIFA executives and other individuals for their alleged corruption, racketeering, and other charges. It ended with the league being swept by the USL (6-0-1, 1-0 in PKs) leaving only two NASL clubs advancing to Round 4 of the 2015 US Open Cup.
On the positive side, the USL found success by going a combined 11-4-1 (1-0 PKs). Elsewhere, the USASA’s PSA Elite advanced to the Fourth Round for the second year in a row and since they are the last amateur club standing, they earned the $15,000 Division 4 prize money. Not to mention, they also earn a date with the defending MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy.
Here is a brief recap of each Third Round game with links to the full match report (Check back as more will be added):
Portland Timbers 2 and the Seattle Sounders 2 started off Round 3 at 4 p.m. EST at Starfire Sports Complex to avoid a conflict with the MLS Sounders, who had a home game at CenturyLink Field scheduled in the evening. The hosts got the upper hand as Sounders 2 beat Timbers 2 for the second time in less than a week. Pablo Rossi’s goal in extra time fueled the win for Seattle. Andy Craven equalized 12 minutes after Timbers 2’s Rennico Clarke scored the game’s first goal early on in the second half. FULL MATCH REPORT »
For the second straight year, the Rochester Rhinos will face MLS side Philadelphia Union in US Open Cup Play. Rochester striker Steevan Humberto Fortes dos Santos was ejected in the 38th minute for his second booking causing the visitors to play down a man for the rest of the action. However, they pulled through by scoring three unanswered goals in extra time after the game was scoreless after 90 minutes. FULL MATCH REPORT »
The Kickers delivered in dominating fashion against NASL side Jacksonville Armada and extended their streak of not losing to a non-MLS side in US Open Cup play which dates back to 2009. Richmond scored early and often as Brian Ownby, Jason Yeisley, and George Davis IV found the net for the hosts. FULL MATCH REPORT »
The Riverhounds and Rowdies battled for a game that was a deadlock against two professional teams. In the end, Pittsburgh’s Rob Vincent broke the scoreless affair with a stoppage time strike. The goal advances the USL side to the Fourth Round. For the third game in a row, the Riverhounds will host a game, this time against 2013 US Open Cup champion DC United who they haven’t played against since 2003. FULL MATCH REPORT »
Atlanta brought some good news to the NASL with a dramatic 2-1 extra time win over the NPSL’s last remaining representative, Chattanooga FC. The Silverbacks are only one of two NASL teams to find their way into the Fourth Round. Chattanooga’s Luke Winter open the game’s scoring in the 87the minute before Atlanta equalized on a penalty kick in stoppage time. The game headed to extra time with the game knotted at 1-1 and the visitors came away victorious as Jaime Chavez fired a shot into the upper 90 securing the game-winning goal with about 10 minutes left to play. With the win, Atlanta Silverbacks will take on MLS side New York Red Bulls in Round 4. FULL MATCH REPORT »
In the battle of North Carolina the team in its first US Open Cup, the Charlotte Independence, came out victorious over a team with one of the strongest tournament resumes in American soccer. Ryan Finley’s late goal lifted the newcomers over the experienced Railhawks, 1-0. With the win, they move on to face the New England Revolution of MLS. FULL MATCH REPORT »
Dane Kelly’s goal with about 10 minutes left in the match capped the Battery’s comeback from a goal down and was the second goal in about three minutes. Moments earlier Zach Prince scored to equalize at 2-2. Charleston’s 3-2 win advances them to a Fourth Round home game against MLS newcomers Orlando City SC. FULL MATCH REPORT »
Another USL side triumphed over an NASL side as Louisville City’s inexperience didn’t show as they rolled past the Indy Eleven. It would take extra time, but Louisville scored twice in the second extra time period to pull away with the win. As a result, they will take on the Chicago Fire on the road in Round 4. FULL MATCH REPORT »
After earning an upset win last week over the New York Red Bulls 2 (USL), PDL side Jersey Express struggled against the NASL’s New York Cosmos. Leo Fernandes opened the scoring in the 14th minute and New York added goals in the 40th and 81st minutes to seal a 3-0 victory. The Cosmos will host MLS expansion side New York City FC in the US Open Cup’s next round. FULL MATCH REPORT »
One of the most exciting matches of the Third Round was Saint Louis FC prevailing over Minnesota United FC in penalty kicks. After the score remaining tied 1-1 after 120 minutes of soccer, St. Louis advanced to the fourth round 3-1 in the shootout. St Louis will travel to Sporting KC for a cross-state battle in Round 4. FULL MATCH REPORT »
Two Midwest USL sides battled in a tight affair. In the end, Oklahoma City came away with the 1-0 win. The loan goal was scored by Peter Toth who blasted a shot from distance into the back of the net. The Energy will travel to take on FC Dallas in Round 4 and if they are able to pull off the upset, they would be the first Oklahoma team in 40 years to reach the Round of 16. FULL MATCH REPORT »
The San Antonio Scorpions made a quick exit from US Open Cup play as their 2015 season continues to not go as planned. USL side Austin Aztex found themselves in the lead thanks to goals from Michael Ambrose and Trevin Caesar. Ambrose’s strike came from an impressive 30 yards out. Austin will now take on the Houston Dynamo in the Fourth Round. FULL MATCH REPORT »
The Switchbacks took the lead just five minutes into the match when Josh Phillips played a nice through ball to teammate Aaron King who slotted the ball past the Monarchs keeper. At the half, the score remained and after a 90-minute weather delay the match resumed. Despite many opportunities on goal, the Real Monarchs couldn’t find an equalizer. As a result, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks move on to take on their MLS affiliates, the Colorado Rapids, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. FULL MATCH REPORT »
In a match that featured two amateur sides, PSA Elite proved to be the better of the two. Mats Bjurman scored his third goal of the tournament in the 39th minute with a penalty kick. Ventura County would equalize in the 72nd minute, but PSA Elite found the eventual game-winner only eight minutes later. They are the only amateur side to reach the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup and the only one in the Modern Era to do it in back-to-back seasons. As the last remaining amateur club, they will be awarded $15,000 as the amateur (Div. 4) club that reached the furthest. PSA Elite’s next US Open Cup opponent is the LA Galaxy. FULL MATCH REPORT »
For those who weren’t paying attention for the game’s entirety, they may have confused this match for a baseball game. Sacramento’s Adnan Gabeljic scored a hat trick, making the Republic, the first club in the Modern Era to have a 3-goal scorer in back-to-back rounds. Tommy Stewart, who scored a trio of goals in the last round, scored a goal as well, giving him a tournament-high four. In the end, the USL side defeated Chula Vista 7-3 in a thrilling match from a neutral party angle. Sacramento will take on the San Jose Earthquakes in the Fourth Round. FULL MATCH REPORT »