The dust has settled on the Third Round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with both days bringing fans a reminder of what they were missing while the tournament was on hiatus for two years.
Round 3 was one of the most competitive rounds in recent memory with 17 of the 24 games decided by one goal, or finishing in a draw and going to penalty kicks. For fans who are just here for the (c)upsets, there were plenty of those, with four Major League Soccer (MLS) teams being eliminated by lower division opposition.
The last two amateur sides were eliminated but they didn’t go down without a fight. North Carolina Fusion U-23s (USL League Two) seemed destined for penalty kicks until the Richmond Kickers (USL League One) broke their hearts with an 118th minute goal. Elsewhere, playing on the road against Rochester New York FC (MLS Next Pro), FC Motown (NPSL) scored an equalizer in second half stoppage time to force extra time. In the end, FC Motown would fall in the penalty kick shootout, but they would come away with a consolation prize of $25,000 as the Open Division team that advanced the farthest (winning the tiebreaker with North Carolina Fusion). This means, for the first time since 2013, there will not be an amateur team in the Fourth Round.
When it was all said and done, 11 lower division teams survived and advanced with five teams from the USL Championship, four from USL League One, and just one team each from NISA (California United Strikers FC) and MLS Next Pro (Rochester New York FC). Those 11 teams will join the 13 MLS teams that won Third Round games in Round 4 where the eight remaining MLS teams will join the competition.
The draw for the Fourth Round will take place on Thursday at Noon ET on U.S. Soccer’s YouTube and Twitter pages. After the games on Wednesday, the USSF announced the regional groups that will make up the format of the draw.
Scroll down for a brief recap of all 24 Third Round games with links to a full match report as they become available:
NOTE: Due to some technical difficulties with the site, we were unable to publish our recaps last night. We apologize for the delay. TheCup.us received a massive traffic spike this week and need to upgrade the servers to be able to handle the increased traffic. Anyone who would like to help us cover those additional costs, we encourage you to join our Patreon team to help us expand and improve our coverage.
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
FC Motown (NPSL) 2:2 Rochester New York FC (MLS Next Pro)
Monroe Community College – Rochester, NY
Rochester New York FC advances 4-3 in penalty kicks
One of the two amateur survivors of the First Round, FC Motown went to Northwest New York to face Rochester New York FC of MLS Next Pro, and Rochester managed to survive 30 minutes of extra time with just nine men to pull out a penalty shootout win after a 2-2 draw.
Rochester grabbed the lead 22 minutes into the game when Gibran Rayo allowed a pass from Wilterlynd Inalien to roll onto Pedro Dolabella, who beat Motown goalkeeper David Greczek. Rochester doubles their lead in the 38th minute hit the bottom left of the goal off an assist from Gabriel Costa.
FC Motown wasted no time responding, as two minutes later Dilly Duka took a cross from Ryan Peterson to cut the RNYFC lead in half. It was Duka’s fourth career USOC goal, adding to his three goals scored for Motown in 2018. Halftime game and the score stood at 2-1 in favor of Rochester.
Five minutes into the second half Rochester were reduced to 10 men when Lamar Batista picked up his second yellow card of the game for a foul on Motown’s Mardochée Pompée.
Rochester looked to push their lead to 3-1 when they were awarded a penalty kick in the 78th minute, but Greczek saved Wilterlynd Inalien’s shot to the lower left corner to keep Motowns’s hopes alive. Rochester was put further in a hole when Pedro Dolabella was shown a straight red card for elbowing a Motown player in the back of the head.
Motown made Rochester pay for being short handed, as Joseph Fala put away his own rebound off the post in stoppage time to level the score at 2-2. Soon after full time ended and Rochester was tasked with playing another 30 minutes with nine men.
Remarkably short-handed Rochester held on for the full 30 minutes of extra time to force a penalty shootout. Rochester brought on goalkeeper Caique as an extra time stoppage time sub for the shootout to replace the starter who appeared to be shaken up.
Motown’s initial attempt by Dilly Duka was saved by Caique, but Motown’s David Greczek responded with back to back saves of Rochester penalties. Caique saved another Motown penalty, and with the shootout score 2-2, Caique looked to have saved Kian Alberto’s kick, but was ordered to be taken again when Caique stepped off his line too soon. On the first attempt of sudden death, Motowns’ Zachary Perez sent his shot high over the bar, allowing Milan Vanacker to win the shootout for Rochester. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT
North Carolina Fusion U23 (USL League Two) 0:1 (AET) Richmond Kickers (USL League One)
City Stadium – Richmond, VA
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
The Richmond Kickers hosted the North Carolina Fusion U-23s, of USL League Two, one of two remaining amateur clubs in this year’s Open Cup
The first half started slow, with neither team recording a shot attempt until the 27th minute.
North Carolina was forced to make an early substitution when forward Luis Neto was forced out of the game with an injury. Halftime ended 0-0 with neither team having any real threats to score.
Towards the end of the second half both teams had tremendous chances to take the lead. Alexandre Horveno nearly gave the Fusion the lead in the 86th minute on a breakaway, but goalkeeper Wil Palmquist snuffed out the attempt. Full time was called and the teams set off for another 30 minutes to break their scoreless tie.
Neither team could score through most of extra time, and as the game creeped closer to a penalty shootout, Richmond ended the hopes of the amateurs in the 118th minute. A long free kick was sent into the box where Dakota Barnathan collected the ball and sent a shot to the near post that was knocked down by Emiliano Terzaghi and snuck past the post and into the goal. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT
New York Red Bulls (MLS) 2:1 Hartford Athletic (USL Championship)
Dillon Stadium – Hartford, CT
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
The New York Red Bulls made their first-ever trip to Connecticut to face Hartford Athletic of the USL Championship, and despite a statistically dominating performance, managed just a 2-1 victory.
New York got off to a quick start firing off six shot attempts in the first ten minutes. In the 18th minute, the pressure paid off as Lewis Morgan scored on a low shot to the left corner off an assist from Luquinhas. Aaron Long made it 2-0 for the Red Bulls when he tapped in a rebound of a shot that Hartford goalkeeper Jimmy Slayton blocked away. The half finished with NYRB up 2-0, but outshooting Hartford 23-0.
Hartford scored on its very first shot of the match in the 51st minute, Conor McGlynn putting away a Danny Barrera free kick. Despite cutting the lead to 2-1, Hartford never managed many more chances, being outshot 30-4, Christian Casseres Jr. picked up a straight red card in stoppage time for the Red Bulls, so he will miss their Fourth Round game [*] FULL MATCH REPORT
Charlotte Football Club (MLS) 2:1 (AET) Greenville Triumph SC (USL League One)
Triumph Stadium at Legacy Early College – Greenville, SC
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
Charlotte FC went south for a battle of the Carolinas with Greenville Triumph SC of USL League One in front of a sold out Triumph Stadium in Greenville.
After 39 minutes, Charlotte got on the board when Christian Ortin tapped in a rebound from a Paul Christiansen save. Seven minutes later, the halftime whistle blew with Charlotte holding a 1-0 advantage.
Greenville, led by head coach John Harkes, tied the game in the 59th minute when Jake Keegan hit from outside the penalty area on an Evan Lee assist, beating goalkeeper George Marks in the bottom left of goal. The rest of the half finished without any more scoring and extra time loomed to break the 1-1 tie.
In stoppage time of the first fifteen minutes of extra time, Charlotte’s Kamil Jozwiak and Harrison Afful traded passes which led to Afful beating goalkeeper Christiansen with a shot to the bottom right corner. For the remaining 15 minutes Greenville continued to push but could not break through, and as the referee blew his whistle to end the game the Charlotte players collapsed to the turf in relief. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT
Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL Championship) 1:2 Orlando City (MLS)
Osceola County Stadium – Kissimmee, FL
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies went East to Orlando for a showdown of Central Florida supremacy with Orlando City SC.
The Rowdies had the first good chances to open the scoring around the 20th minute, with two attempts blocked followed by a pair of corner kicks. The half ended scoreless, with both teams combining for 16 fouls, 10 called on the Rowdies.
Orlando took a 1-0 lead in the 52nd minute on a Alexandre Pato penalty kick after Aaron Guillen fouled Benji Michal in the box. The Lions doubled their lead eleven minutes later when Junior Urso put away a slightly deflected header by a Tampa Bay defender.
Tampa wasted no time responding when Lucky Mkosana scored off a scramble as the ball got away from a diving Mason Stajduhar in the 65th minute. Orlando City held on the rest of the way to secure their spot in the Fourth Round. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT
Chattanooga Football Club (NISA) 0:6 Atlanta United FC (MLS)
Fifth Third Bank Stadium – Kennesaw, GA
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
Atlanta United welcomed NISA’s Chattanooga FC to Fifth Third Bank Stadium and had an easy time, rolling out to a 6-0 victory.
Atlanta scored two goals in four minutes midway through the first half. Roland Hernandez scored first in the 21st minute off a Andrew Gutman cross, and Dom Dyer followed four minutes later off a Jake Mulraney cross. Dwyer scored his second with a shot to the bottom right corner, and the MLS hosts were well in control at halftime with a 3-0 lead. With a pair of goals, Dwyer brought his career US Open Cup goalscoring total to 11, which puts him into seventh place in the Modern Era record books.
Atlanta added a fourth in the 53rd minute on a Marcelo Moreno penalty pick. Atlanta continued to have their way with the visitors, adding two more goals through Luiz Araujo (67th minute) and Brooks Lennon (81st minute) [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON
St. Louis CITY 2 (MLS Next Pro) 0:0 Louisville City FC (USL Championship)
Lynn Family Stadium – Louisville, KY
Louisville City wins 9-8 in penalty kick shootout
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
Louisville City and St. Louis CITY 2 slugged it out for 120 minutes without a score, then needed ten rounds of the penalty shootout to decide that Louisville City would progress to the Fourth Round.
Louisville outshot St. Louis 15-3, and earned eight corner kicks to St. Louis’ none. Louisville had a pair of great scoring chances in each half that forced St. Louis goalkeeper Michael Creek to make difficult saves each time.
Louisville’s Kyle Morton saves St. Louis’ first attempt of the shootout by Max Schneider, and then Jorge Gonzales missed his chance on Louisville’s third attempt. From then on everyone converted their penalty attempt, and it looked as though Morton adn Creek would need to test each other from the spot. Before it got to that point, Morton saved Dida Armstrong’s spor kick, and Josh Wynder followed with a successful attempt to send Louisvilel to the Fourth Round. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON
Minnesota United FC (MLS) 2:0 Forward Madison FC (USL League One)
Breese Stevens Field – Madison, WI
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
Forward Madison hosted Minnesota United at a wet and chilly Breese Stevens Field, but it was the visitors who came out on top with a 2-0 victory.
Minnesota had a majority of the offensive chances in the first half, but could not push through so the score remained 0-0 at the break. Six minutes after the restart, Adrien Hunou put Minnesota United ahead on a Joseph Rosales cross that followed a corner kick.
Minnesota continued to hold the majority of play through the second half, and doubled their lead in the 83rd minute through Brent Kallman on a Joseph Rosales cross.
Forward Madison went down to 10 men in the 84th minute when Drew Connor was shown a straight red, and Minnesota saw out the rest of the game to earn a spot in the Fourth Round for the 2019 US Open Cup runners-up. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON
Austin FC (MLS) 1:2 (AET) San Antonio FC (USL Championship)
Toyota Field – San Antonio, TX
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
MLS debuants Austin FC came to San Antonio and left upset victims, dropping a 1-0 game to San Antonio FC of the USL Championship.
After a scoreless first half, Austin FC took the lead early in the second half on a Diego Fagundez goal off an assist from Nicky Hernandez.
With eight minutes remaining, Justin Dhillon sent a cross into the box, and Elliot Collier beat goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell, putting San Antonio level with Austin.
Six minutes into extra time San Antonio pulled ahead when Carter Manley headed home a headed pass from Mitchell Taintor from close range. For the rest of extra time San Antonio withstood multiple good chances from Austin, and with the final whistle chalked up a Fourth Round berth. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL League One) 1:0 Real Salt Lake (MLS)
Rio Tinto Stadium – Sandy, UT
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
Despite being outshot 16-5, the Northern Colorado Hailstorm held on after a second half goal to upset Real Salt Lake 1-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Northern Colorado’s “golden Goal” came in the 70th minute when Lachlan McLean headed the back out of the penalty area, and Robert Cornwall met the ball with a first touch volley right past RSL goalkeeper David Ochoa.
Northern Colorado withstood RSL’s attack for the rest of the half, and an agonizing 11 minutes of stoppage time, to take home a major upset in their debut season. For RSL, they added to an unfortunate record, as that loss, the club’s Open Cup winless streak reached seven, a Modern Era record for MLS clubs. The team’s home winless streak also tied a Modern Era record at five. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON
New Mexico United (USL Championship) 1:2 Phoenix Rising FC (USL Championship)
Phoenix Rising Stadium at Wild Horse Pass – Chandler, AZ
By Tim Abbott
Phoenix Rising and New Mexico United met for the second time in a week, with a scheduling quirk putting the two USL Championship sides together in the league four days ago. Rising emerged from that match with a win.
The home side went ahead in the Cup game in fortunate fashion after a Phoenix cross deflected off the head of Will Seymore to wrong foot the New Mexico keeper, Ford Parker.
However, Nico Brett leveled the Cup match in the 65th minute from the center of the penalty area and Parker proved himself at the back with a point blank save.
Nonetheless, Greg Hurst put Phoenix Rising back ahead with a deft header off the far post past the keeper and it was enough to secure the second win from two. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON
Central Valley Fuego FC (USL League One) 1:2 Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)
Heart Health Park – Sacramento, CA
By Tim Abbott
Sacramento, the home side, dominated possession and went ahead against the lower league pros of Fuego with a goal from Dan Casey just before half time, from close range after a corner was crossed in.
Renato Bustamante tied the match up in the 76th minute from the center of the box from a cross from the reigning TheCup.us Player of the Round Villyan Bijev. But it was ultimately the USL Championship side who would advance with a penalty kick in the last minute of stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes, dispatched by Rodrigo Lopez. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON
Orange County SC (USL Championship) 1:5 Los Angeles Football Club (MLS)
Banc of California Stadium – Los Angeles, CA
By Tim Abbott
LAFC glided comfortably into the Fourth Round. Daniel Musovski scored two and assisted one goal, with his goals assisted by Jose Cifentes and Carlos Vela respectively. LAFC also got two from Cristian Arango (one assisted by Diego Palacios as well as the tally assisted by Daniel Musovski) and one from Cal Jennings from close range (assisted by Franco Escobar) as the MLS side showed a ruthless streak from the center of the box.
Orange County SC had a similar amount of shots to their MLS opponents, but only had four on target to their opponents total of ten. OCSC finally broke through with a consolation in the 73rd minute from Erick Torres off a corner. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2022
D.C. United (MLS) 3:0 Flower City Union (NISA)
Rochester Community Sports Complex – Rochester, NY
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
A rainy and cold Rochester greeted D.C. United for their Third Round U.S. Open Cup game with Flower City Union of NISA. The NISA rookies held firm for 73 minutes until the MLS visitors broke the game open for a 3-0 win.
The opening half ended scoreless due to the great play of Flower City goalkeeper Maykell Ortega, who faced nine shots from a D.C. United attack that included regular starters Ola Kamara and Michael Estrada.
Flower City continued to hold D.C. United at bay for most of the second half, until the MLS team finally broke through in the 73rd minute. A shot by Ola Kamara hit the post, and on the follow up shot Ortega fumbled the ball, allowing Kamara to easily head the ball into goal. D.C. then broke the game open, Nigel Robertha scored in the 81st minute, and Kamara got his second from the penalty spot four minutes later. The rest of the half quietly ran out and D.C. United booked a spot in the Fourth Round. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT
Inter Miami CF (MLS) 1:0 Miami FC (USL Championship)
FIU Stadium – Miami, FL
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
Inter Miami made their way to Ricardo Silva Stadium at Florida International University for their Third Round U.S. Open Cup match against Miami FC, aka the “Miami Classico”, and had to wait until late to book their spot in the Fourth Round.
The first half started quietly with the teams tied at 0-0, although Inter Miami got a bit rambunctious with four players receiving yellow cards in a five minute span just before halftime.
Inter came out for the second half looking for the lead and almost got it. Robert Taylor and Leonardo Campana had chances in front of goal that were kept out by goalkeeper Connor Sporrow.
Inter Miami finally broke through in the 83rd minute when Leonardo Campana beat Sparrow with a shot assisted by Robert Taylor. Inter Miami held on the rest of the way, although they will be without Damion Lowe in the next round as he was sent off following a second yellow card in stoppage time. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL Championship) 0:2 (AET) FC Cincinnati (MLS)
TQL Stadium – Cincinnati, OH
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds traveled down the Ohio River to Cincinnati and put up a good fight for 95 minutes, but FC Cincinnati managed to come out with a 2-0 extra-time win.
The Riverhounds had a great chance in the 40th minute when Daniel Griffin took a shot near the left post, but Cincy goalkeeper Roman Celentano snuffed out the chance. The first half ended with Pittsburgh holding an advantage on shots at 6-3.
In the 50th minute, Cincy had a flurry of chances. Allan Cruz hit the right post with a shot, then Nicholas Markanich’s shot from the rebound was swatted away by Jamal Waite. Markanich followed up with a shot that went high of the goal. The hosts had another great chance ten minutes later when Waite was forced to make a diving save on Alvasro Barreal’s shot.
Cincinnati could have pulled ahead in the 82nd minute if not for the heroics of Arturo Ordonez. After a scramble in the box a shot by Luciano Acosta got by Waite, but Ordonez was on the goalline behind him to clear it away with a header. Pittsburgh continued to ward off Cincinnati attacks for the rest of the half, and 30 minutes of extra time was needed.
Cincinnati broke the game open in extra time. In the 95th minute, Alvaro Barreal scored on a penalty after he was fouled in the box. Four minutes later Barreal scored again on a breakaway to make it 2-0. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT
Columbus Crew SC (MLS) 1:2 Detroit City FC (USL Championship)
Keyworth Stadium – Hamtramck, MI
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
The Columbus Crew traveled to a packed and windy Keyworth Stadium to face Detroit City FC of the USL Championship.
Columbus got off to a quick start when Gyasi Zardes converted a penalty kick in the 7th minute after Detroit’s Abdoulaye Diop fouled Aidan Morris of the Crew inside the penalty area. Detroit outshot the Crew 6-2 in the first half despite Columbus holding 62% of possession, and the half ended 1-0 in favor of the visitors.
Detroit got their equalizer in the 62nd minute when Maxi Rodriguez scored on a header off a cross from Antoine Hoppennot. Detroit nearly took the lead in the 76th minute when a corner kick rattled around the box before being cleared.
With five minutes to go Maxi Rodriguez put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot. Michsael Bryant was fouled in the box by Josh Williams, and Rodriguez sent the spot kick off the left post and behind goalkeeper Evan Bush.
Detroit withstood multiple Crew attacks for the rest of the game, and after seven minutes of stoppage time Le Rouge was able to celebrate their upset. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT
South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL League One) 2:0 Birmingham Legion FC (USL Championship)
Preston Goldfarb Field (Birmingham-Southern Col.) – Birmingham, AL
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
The South Georgia Tormenta of USL League One came to Birmingham looking for an upset, and that’s exactly what they got with a 2-0 win over Birmingham Legion of the USL Championship.
In the 33rd minute Birmingham goalkeeper Trevor Spengenberg managed to get his fingertips on a long Torments shot, and Curtis Thorn was right there to easily put away the goal for a 1-0 lead.
Just before halftime South Georgia made it 2-0. Jamil Roberts sent a corner kick right in from the goal, and a sliding Jake Dengler easily put the ball in a wide open net.
Gabriel Cabral nearly added a third for Tormenta when his shot bounced off the crossbar in the 63rd minute. Birmingham’s attempts to pull level came to nothing, and South Georgia was on its way to the Fourth Round. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT
Union Omaha (USL League One) 2:2 Chicago Fire FC (MLS)
Soldier Field – Chicago, IL
Union Omaha advances, 5-4 on penalty kicks
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
An active first half finished scoreless, the Fire outshooting Omaha 13-5. In the 20th minute Chicago had a flurry of shots that were cleared away for corner kicks, with the final shot coming off the crossbar.
In the 53rd minute Chicago were awarded a penalty after Jhon Duran was fouled by Eddie Gordon. Rafael Czichos stepped up and put the Fire ahead 1-0.
Chicago stifled Omaha’s attack until the 68th minute when Noe Meza fired home a rocket from inside the penalty area off a defensive rebound to bring the USL League One underdogs level. Omaha had a few more chances as the half wore down, and as extra time loomed, the Fire brought on a trio of their regular starters on as subs in a bid to win the game in extra time and avoid penalties.
Extra time remained scoreless for 25 minutes when Chicago was awarded another penalty. Brian Gutierrez was brought down on the left side of the box by Emir Alihdzic, and Czichos stepped up again to convert the spot kick and give Chicago a 2-1 lead.
Just as Chicago looked to see out the rest of extra time, Union Omaha got their equalizer in stoppage time when Alex Touche put away a centering pass from Dion Acoff to give Union a dramatic equalizer.
Kacper Przybylko started off the penalty shootout, and hit the crossbar to immediately put the Fire at a disadvantage. Omaha made their first two attempts, then Noe Meza had his shot saved by Spencer Richey. The shootout was tied 4-4 after each team took five shots, and in the first attempt of sudden death, the Fire’s Miguel Navarro had his shot saved by Rashid Nuhu.
Dion Acoff stepped up for Union and easily beat Richey to give Omaha a 5-4 shootout win, and a Cinderella spot in the Fourth Round. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT
FC Tulsa (USL Championship) 1:2 FC Dallas (MLS)
Toyota Stadium – Frisco, TX
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
Using mostly a team of reserves, FC Dallas held off FC Tulsa of the USL Championship, 2-1, to advance to the Fourth Round.
Dallas’ first goal came after 32 minutes. Johnny Fenwick fouled Franco Jara in the box, and Jara took the penalty kick himself and beat goalkeeper Sean Lewis to his right for a 1-0 lead.
Ten minutes later Tulsa leveled the score. After a Tulsa corner kick the ball rattled around just in front of goal, and Bradley Bourgeois tapped in the loose ball.
Dallas took the lead back ten minutes into the second half when Szabolcs Schon sent a curling cross into the box, which was met by Jader Obrian, who beat Lewis with a light shot.
FC Dallas finished the game not allowing Tulsa any real chances to score to advance to the Fourth Round. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT
Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (USL Championship) 1:2 Houston Dynamo FC (MLS)
PNC Stadium – Houston, TX
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
The Houston Dynamo welcomed the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros to PNC Stadium, narrowly avoided extra time with a stoppage-time winner.
Houston’s scoring began on a Toros mistake. Thorleifur Ulfarsson sent a cross into the penalty area and in an attempt to clear, Frank Nodarse sent the ball past his own goalkeeper for an own goal.
Houston returned the favor just minutes into the second half. In the 48th minute, a corner kick from RGV’s Michael Nelson seemed to go into the goal untouched, but was later credited as an own goal by Houston’s Teenage Hadebe.
Rio Grande Valley had a great chance to take the lead in the 61st minute when they were awarded a penalty when Frank Lopez was fouled in the area. Lopez tapped up himself to take the kick, but his shot was blocked by Michael Nelson, which bounced off the crossbar and out.
After both teams made 90th minute subs to prepare for extra time, Houston’s San Junqua rendered the extra 30 minute unnecessary as he headed home a cross from Roberto Avila in the third minute of stoppage time to advance Houston to the Fourth Round. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT
California United Strikers FC (NISA) 2:1 FC Tucson (USL League One)
Kino North Stadium – Tucson, AZ
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
FC Tucson took an early lead in the 19th minute when Giovanni Calixtro took a pass from Burke Fahling, then dribbled across the top of the penalty area before beating goalkeeper Steven Barrera with a low shot.
In the 71st minute California United drew level. Brady Treinen sent a long pass from the defensive half that found Omar Nuno. After beating a Tucson defender, Nuno sent a shot past goalkeeper Carlos Merancio to tie the score 1-1.
Just as it appeared extra time would be needed, Cal United got the dramatic winner. Cal Kurtz sent a cross in from the right side which was too high for Omar Nuno in front of goal. Substitute Ryotaro Kawashima collected the ball and fired a shot past Merancio to put his club into the Fourth Round. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT
Bay Cities FC (NISA) 0:5 San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
PayPal Park – San Jose, CA
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
The San Jose Earthquakes had an easy time with NISA’s Bay Cities FC, cruising to a 5-0 victory on their way to the Fourth Round.
San Jose’s first goal came on a free kick from just outside the penalty area. Jack Skahan took the kick from the top of the penalty area and beat goalkeeper Ian Mcgrane with a shot to the top right corner. The Earthquakes doubled their lead nine minutes before halftime when Paul Marie took a shot from outside the penalty area off a rebound.
San Jose got its third in the 59th minute on a penalty after Ousseni Bouda was brought down by Jonathan Partida. Bouda took the kick himself and converted to the bottom left corner of goal.
Bay Cities did not get its first shot attempt until the 71st minute, San Jose outshooting them 23-3. Niko Tsakiris put San Jose up 4-0 in the 82nd minute. The hosts added insult to injury with a fifth goal in the 88th minute when Bouda scored his second. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT
San Diego Loyal SC (USL Championship) 0:1 Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
Dignity Health Sports Park – Carson, CA
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
San Diego Loyal manager Landon Donovan led his side into his old stomping grounds at Carson, California, but the LA Galaxy were rude hosts, running out as 1-0 winners and advancing to the Fourth Round.
The Galaxy took a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute. Kevin Cabral sent a shot off the left post, but the ball came right back to him and he was able to effortlessly put the ball in. San Diego didn’t have many chances in the opening half, which ended 1-0 in favor of the Galaxy.
The clubs traded chances early in the second half, but the Galaxy were able to subdue the USL Championship visitors and hold on to a 1-0 win. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT