San Antonio FC (USL) advanced to the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for a third consecutive year with a 4-0 win over the Midland-Odessa Sockers FC (NPSL) on Wednesday night in Midland, Texas. This marks the second year, and first since 2015, that the Sockers advanced to the Open Cup Second Round in their history.
The visitors’ lineup included four players starting in their first match of the season, including hometown goalkeeper Matt Cardone. Cardone made five saves to keep a clean sheet.
San Antonio opened the scoring late in the first half when defender Darnell King headed home to beat the Sockers’ keeper. The Sockers were unable to clear the ball out of danger and the Florida native opened his account for SAFC. Midland-Odessa went into halftime down a goal, but were not out of the match.
“I thought before the game it’s always a challenge, especially on the road against the NPSL finalists from last year,” said SAFC head coach Darren Powell.
The middle of the second half featured some great saves by Cardone as the Sockers looked for an equalizer. However, San Antonio FC’s season goal leader, Mikey Lopez, doubled their tally in the 87th minute. Lopez scored off a free kick from the left side about 20 meters out, earning his third goal in the 2018 campaign.
Midland-Odessa kept pushing near the end for at least a consolation goal but a pair of stoppage-time goals from Maxi Rodriguez and Jamaican international Omar Gordon sealed the win for San Antonio. The Alamo City club will next face the Colorado Switchbacks FC (USL) back home at Toyota Field on May 23.
“All in all, we are excited to advance in this historic competition,” Powell said.