2017 US Open Cup Round 3 review: One amateur team, 12 others earn dates with Major League Soccer teams

When the dust settled after the Third Round of the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, there was just one amateur team left standing. Christos FC kept their Cinderella run alive in Chicago, as the Baltimore club won a dream game with Major League Soccer’s D.C. United in Round 4. GPS Omens and L.A. Wolves fought to the bitter end against USL opposition, but fell short in their bid to join their amateur brethren in the Fourth Round.

Nine USL clubs and three NASL clubs moved on to Round 4, setting up plenty of intriguing inter-state matchups with Major League Soccer clubs.

Below, you will find links to our coverage on TheCup.us, as well as match reports from all 13 Round 3 games (links will be added as they are published). You can get all the latest updates from every game through Twitter, using the hashtag #USOC2017. Use that same hashtag on Instagram to share your US Open Cup-related photos.

#USOC2017 coverage:
* 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup schedule, results (video/audio links)
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 1 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 2 review
* 2017 TheCup.us Player of the Round winnners
* 2017 US Open Cup bracket (TheCup.us)
* 2017 US Open Cup statistical leaders
* A map of all 99 entries for the 2017 US Open Cup
* 2017 Meet the Underdogs series
* 2017 US Open Cup qualifying Round 2 review: 14 more teams advance as Round 3 moved to next year
* 2017 US Open Cup qualifying Round 1: Scores and recaps from every game

MORE:
* Who is the US Open Cup equivalent to Lincoln City FC and their magical FA Cup run?
* Eric Wynalda hired to lead LA Wolves for 2017 US Open Cup run
* Reading United qualifies for record 9th straight US Open Cup, seeking more than an opening round win
* Things you should know about the Third Round of the US Open Cup
* Notable upsets in the Third Round of the US Open Cup (Modern Era)
* Support TheCup.us: New Del Rey City jerseys available for purchase
* Appreciate what we do at TheCup.us? Donate here
* TheCup.us is looking for writers/editors, graphics, WordPress gurus & people who can handle digital ad sales (paid position). Email us here

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Playing on the road, Saint Louis FC (USL) took advantage of a pair of defensive miscues to take a 2-0 lead in the opening 16 minutes against the PDL’s Michigan Bucks. That would prove to be the difference in the match as Francis Atuahene scored on a spectactular volley to cut the lead in half just after halftime, but Saint Louis would hold on. With the win, they advance to host the four-time US Open Cup champion Chicago Fire (MLS) in Round 4. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

It was Djiby Fall to the rescue once again as the Senegalese striker scored the lone goal in FC Cincinnati’s 1-0 Third Round victory over USL rivals Louisville City FC. Fall scored the game-winner in the 117th minute in a Round 2 win over defending NPSL champion AFC Cleveland. Cincinnati will host the Columbus Crew in an battle for Ohio supremacy in the Fourth Round on June 14. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

An own goal from Drew Beckie in the 25th minute was all the Charleston Battery needed to outlast the NASL’s Jacksonville Armada in their Third Round US Open Cup game at Southern Oak Stadium in Jacksonville. With the win, the Battery move into a tie for fourth place for most Open Cup wins in the Modern Era (31). Charleston will move on the face Atlanta United in the Fourth Round on June 14. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Just as the amateur club from Boston was on the brink of pushing the USL Rhinos to penalty kicks, Sammy Edoung-Biye scored the game winning goal with just seconds remaining in extra time to give Rochester a dramatic 2-1 victory over GPS Omens. Rochester now 18-0-0 all-time against amateur clubs and have never been taken to penalty kicks by any of those clubs. This was clearly the closest they’ve ever come. The Rhinos will advance to the Fourth Round where they will travel to Providence, Rhode Island to take on the New England Revolution on June 14. This will be the seventh meeting between the two clubs, which is one of the most frequent matchups of the Modern Era. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

An Enzo Rennella penalty kick and a late Jaime Chavez insurance goal led Miami FC to a 2-0 Third Round win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the United Soccer League. Next up for the NASL club is a trip north to face MLS’s Orlando City FC in a Florida derby in Round 4. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

North Carolina FC helped keep the NASL banner waiving with a 4-1 victory over the USL’s Charlotte Independence. Two goals from Nazmi Albadawi and two assists from Austin De Luz ensured NCFC would host the Houston Dynamo on June 14 in Fourth Round action. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

On the strength of two goals from Jacob Bond, the City Islanders cruised by the PDL’s Reading United 3-0 in their Third Round matchup. Harrisburg moves on to the Fourth Round to face the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer on June 14. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

In the lone all-amateur matchup of the Third Round, Levi Houapeli’s second minute goal held up to give the Baltimore amateurs a 1-0 road win over Chicago FC United of the PDL. Christos recently completed a successful fundraising campaign to help cover the travel costs of this game. With the win, they are rewarded with a Fourth Round game a little closer to home: A date with D.C. United of Major League Soccer at the Maryland Soccerplex on June 13. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

After 120 minutes of scoreless play, USL rivals Tulsa Roughnecks and San Antonio FC went to sudden death in a penalty shootout in which Tulsa prevailed 7-6. With both teams tied at 6 after the first seven penalties, Tulsa sub Francisco Ugarte converted his clubs seventh spot kick, then watched as teammate Fabian Cerda stopped San Antonio’s goalkeeper Diego Restopo to move the Roughnecks to a Fourth Round contest with FC Dallas. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Second half goals from Jose Barril and substitute Wojciech Wojcik propelled the Oklahoma City Energy to a 2-1 win over the Colorado Springs Switchbacks. A 90th minute penalty from Jordan Burt was not quite enough to jumpstart a Switchbacks comeback. With the win, OKC earns a road game against Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids on June 14. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

A 41st minute free kick goal from Roy Meeus was enough for Orange County SC to deny Eric Wynalda’s LA Wolves a spot in the Fourth Round. Orange County survived a late Wolves push to hold on for the victory, avenging last year’s penalty kick loss to the club. Orange County will advance to play the Los Angeles Galaxy in a Fourth Round match on June 14. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

After 80 minutes of scoreless soccer, Kyle Bekker put the San Francisco Deltas on top in the 81st minute, but Phoenix Rising was awarded a penalty kick minutes later. Omar Bravo converted the spot kick for Phoenix to give hope to their hometown fans. The match appeared to be headed to extra time but San Francisco’s Tommy Heinemann scored the game-winner deep into stoppage time to give the Deltas their first win over a pro team. The Deltas move on to take on the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) in Round 4. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Goals from Harry Williams in the first half and Trevin Caesar in the second half gave the Sacramento Republic a 2-0 victory over fellow USL side Reno 1968 FC. With the victory, Sacramento reaches the Fourth Round for the third time in the last four years. Next, they will host Real Salt Lake on June 14. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT