The 108th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup kicked off this week with 14 First Round games. The 28 amateur teams on the schedule battled for the right to take on professional teams in the Second Round. There were competitive games with half of the games (7) decided by a single goal. Two more were decided by penalty kick shootouts, one of them was the shortest shootout of the Modern Era, and the other lasted long enough for the goalkeepers to get involved.
Of the 14 teams that advanced, six of them were from the NPSL, four from USL League Two, and one each from the UPSL, EPSL, Midwest Premier League, and NISA Nation.
Those teams advance to the Second Round which will take place the week of April 4-6.
Below you will find a brief recap of all 14 games with links to the full match report.
TUESDAY, MARCH 21
West Chester United (USLPA)
1:3
Ocean City Nor’easters (USL-2)
After an early goal by former Ocean City player Finn Reese, West Chester United had an early lead in the 12th minute. Six minutes later, a rocket shot from just outside the penalty area by Andres Latorre tied the game up. The Nor’easters would take the lead in the 60th minute when Kevin Curran delivered a pinpoint corner kick to the head of Dylan Evande who powered it past the goalkeeper. Seven minutes after that, a handball in the area led to a penalty kick goal by Latorre’s Bethel University (Ind.) teammate Andre Sabino. Brady Hochman made six saves for the Nor’easters, a few of them of the spectacular variety to preserve Ocean City’s 12th tournament win as an amateur side (13th overall), the third-most of the Modern Era. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22
El Farolito (NPSL)
3:0
International San Francisco (SFSFL)
After Extra Time
After a scoreless stalemate in the first 90 minutes of the match, El Farolito poured it on to earn a 3-0 win over International San Francisco. The visitors got off to a good start with an even first half in which they created several decent chances. The home side was stronger in the second half, with a series of strategic substitutions enabling them to begin taking control of the match. But disaster struck in the 85th minute, when El Farolito was reduced to 10 men after a red card to Enrique Soto, resulting from a confrontation with Carlos Harnolis Quintero Omana.
In the extra session, El Farolito responded with a trio of goals that put an end to the hopes of the visiting side, which was making its Open Cup debut. The first two were set up by corner kicks: Jonathan Mosquera headed home a corner in the 94th minute to give Farolito the lead and second half substitute Jhon Quiñones Saya added a second goal less than five minutes later, after International’s goalkeeper Mason Kealy was unable to hold on to a loose ball in the box. An exhausted International defense gave up a third goal on a breakaway in the 113th minute, when Quiñones Saya fed the ball to César Benitez for a tap-in. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT
Appalachian FC (NPSL)
2:2
NC Fusion U23 (USL-2)
Appalachian FC advances 3-0 on penalty kicks
US Open Cup first-timers, Appalachian FC, wasted no time in opening their Open Cup scoring account. Carson Dinger finding Camden Holbrook after just 45 seconds to take the lead. The home side would double the lead in the 32nd, again from Holbrook, who received a great ball from Kevin de Lange to make it 2-0.
The visitors would find a way back just 6 minutes later through Juan “Juancho” Fernandez on a beautiful header, assisted by Sam Bethell. Fred Ferreira would equalize on a free kick from 22 yards out after a series of corner kicks to make it 2-2.
30 minutes of extra time could not determine a winner, so off to penalties they went. NC Fusion would become the 5th victim of a 3-0 penalty score line, missing all three of their attempts. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT
Club de Lyon B (NISA Nation)
0:1
Nona FC (USL-2)
Nona FC took the lead in the first minute of action and never looked back, as the club remained victorious 1-0 at the end of regulation. Nona FC midfielder Sergio Barbosa connected with Cameroon youth international Will Eyang, who was able to score his first goal in the US Open Cup.
The match had its own flair of dramatics, though. All in all, there were eight yellow cards awarded between the two clubs, culminating in Nona FC going down a man in the 64th minute. With just under half an hour left in the match, Club de Lyon B looked to overpower their opponent with a barrage of offensive attacks, but couldn’t find the equalizer.
Nona FC will travel west on April 4th to face USL Championship club Tampa Bay Rowdies in Round 2 of the US Open Cup. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT
Manhattan SC (USL-2)
2:1
FC Motown (NPSL)
After Extra Time
Manhattan SC came from behind to defeat FC Motown, 2-1 AET, in the Bronx on Wednesday night. It’s the second straight year a first-time USOC squad has knocked out the defending NPSL National Champions.
The New Jersey side got on the board first when Franco Catania scored early in the first half. But two of MSC’s youth players played hero. In his first game with the team, 17-year-old Hakim Karamoko tied the match not long into the second half. Then recently turned 18 William Lulka scored immediately in the second half of extra time.
Manhattan now looks ahead to their first-ever match against a professional side. They’ll face Flower City Union in Rochester on Tuesday, April 4. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT
Beaman United FC (UPSL)
0:3
Des Moines Menace (USL-2)
For the third year in a row, the Des Moines Menace successfully moved past the opening round, following a 3-0 road victory against Beaman United FC. The Menace countered quickly throughout the match, resulting in an early lead followed by a pair of goals in the second half.
Gabriel Rodriguez finished with two goals in the match, one of which came from the penalty spot in the second half. Fernando Garcia contributed a goal of his own in the second half, as well. Despite knowing very little about their opponent, the Menace showed composure on the ball and crisp passing in the attacking third, which proved too much for Beaman United FC.
On April 5th, the Des Moines Menace will host NISA club Chattanooga FC in Round 2 of the US Open Cup. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT
Chicago House AC (MWPL)
1:0
Bavarian United (MWPL)
It only took one goal in the all-Midwest Premier League matchup in the first round of the US Open Cup. Chicago House AC took down USASA champions Bavarian United SC 1-0 after defender John Makowiecki knocked a loose ball from a corner into the net in the 39th minute. Despite constant pressure from the Wisconsin-based side, Chicago House managed to stave off the Bavarian attack throughout the match. At the match’s dying moment, Bavarian nearly tapped in a goal from a scramble in front of the net before Chicago House goalkeeper Tony Halterman made a sprawling save to send his side into the second round. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT
Tulsa Athletic (NPSL)
1:0
Brazos Valley Cavalry (USL-2)
For the second straight year, Tulsa Athletic advanced to the second round of the US Open Cup, after defeating Brazos Valley Cavalry 1-0 in regulation time.
Despite missing two penalty kicks, Tulsa Athletic was still able to find the net and separate the sides before the final whistle. The winning goal was scored in the 31st minute, when Tulsa’s Stefan Cvetanovic slotted the ball near post and past the goalkeeper. Brazos did themselves no favors by playing the entire match without a sub and finishing the match with ten players after Kyle Davis received his second yellow card of the night.
After advancing past the first round in consecutive years, Tulsa Athletic will also face USL Championship club FC Tulsa for the second time in as many years. On April 5th, Tulsa Athletic will host FC Tulsa at Hicks Park. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT
UDA Soccer (UPSL)
1:0
Park City Red Wolves (USL-2)
UDA at New Mexico State University made history Wednesday night beating Park City Red Wolves 1-0 in the first round of the 2023 U.S. Open Cup. Jose Puente calmly slotted home a 78th minute penalty kick to put UDA through to the Second Round. More than 500 vocal fans—the largest in the program’s two-year history—packed the New Mexico State University Soccer Complex to cheer UDA on to its first Open Cup win. UDA is also the first team affiliated with a college or university to advance out of the first round in the Modern Era of the US Open Cup.
It wasn’t until the 70th minute of the match that UDA was able to string multiple passes together in their attacking third. Attacking down the left flank, that sent Selah Alyones in on goal in the 78th minute. Alyones was unceremoniously chopped down from behind for a clear penalty.
Up stepped Puente while Park City did everything they could to get into his head. Multiple players had words with him while Ronaldo Onu kicked the turf at the penalty spot away. Onu received a caution for his efforts. With the win, UDA advances to face USL Championship side, New Mexico United Tuesday April 4. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT
Project 51O (USL-2)
0:3
Crossfire Premier (NPSL)
Crossfire Premier unceremoniously ushered Project 51O out of the US Open Cup with a convincing 3-0 victory on Wednesday evening. In their debut match of US Open Cup action, Crossfire Premier used the second half to truly take advantage of the opportunity. The first goal was scored by Lucas Hauswirth, followed by Eric Howard and the tertiary goal was provided by second-half substitute Hamza Haddadi.
In Round 2, Crossfire Premier travels to 2022 US Open Cup runner-up Sacramento Republic. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT
Ventura County Fusion (USL-2)
1:4
Capistrano FC (NISAN)
After going down a goal in the first six minutes of the match, Capistrano FC would dig deep and battle back to score four unanswered goals to advance to the second round of the US Open Cup with a 4-1 victory over Ventura County Fusion. Ventura County Fusion’s Jerry Desdune was in the right place at the right time for the backdoor tap in to take the early lead. Ten minutes later, Capo FC equalized with a goal from Joshue Gallardo, assisted by Hevany Ramos-Mota. Other Capo goalscorers included Parker Scalzo and Hevany Ramos-Mota, who would finish the night with two goals and an assist.
Capo FC will face USL Championship club Orange County SC in Round 2 of the US Open Cup. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT
THURSDAY, MARCH 23
Cleveland SC (NPSL)
1:0
Lionsbridge FC (USL-2)
Cleveland SC reached the Second Round for the second year in a row with a narrow 1-0 win over Lionsbridge FC. It was a physical battle that saw nine cards shown, including one red card. Chris Cvecko scored the lone goal in first half stoppage time when Kieran Toland delivered a through ball into the box. Cvecko ran onto it, cut back to his left to avoid a defender and beat the keeper for what would prove to be the only goal of the game. The Cleveland defense was put to the test for the final 20 minutes of the match when Jannis Schmidt was shown a second yellow card in the 73rd minute. Cleveland’s defense would preserve the clean sheet and advance to Round 2 where they will travel to Virginia to take on the Richmond Kickers of USL League One. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT
Jacksonville Armada FC U-23s (NPSL)
1:1
Miami United FC (NSL)
Jacksonville advances 9-8 in penalty kicks
The other all-Florida matchup in the First Round had to be decided by a penalty kick shootout. Mikah Thomas gave the hometown Jacksonville Armada the lead just before halftime when he pounced on a rebound in the 42nd minute. It wouldn’t take Miami United long to equalize as Bautista Dominguez headed home a corner kick in the 48th minute. In the 83rd minute, Thomas, the goalscorer was sent off after receiving his second yellow card, leaving the hosts shorthanded. The Armada managed to keep Miami off the scoresheet with 10 men, but also were not able to manage a goal of their own as extra time ended tied at 1-1. Both teams scored on their attempts in the first seven rounds of the shootout, only to see both teams fail to score in Round 8. In the end, the game was decided by the goalkeepers as Jacksonville’s Nicklaus Rulle scored against Miami’s Occenat Peterson, and when it was Peterson’s turn to shoot, Rulle made the save to send the Armada into the Second Round. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT
Hartford City FC (NPSL)
1:2
Lansdowne Yonkers FC (EPSL)
Lansdowne Yonkers FC survived a physical match at Trinity Health Stadium in Hartford, Conn. They defeated Hartford City FC 2-1 to advance to the Second Round for the fourth time in as many Open Cup entries (2016, 2018, 2022, 2023). Joseph Devivo was the hero for the Bhoys, scoring both goals. After falling behind on a Hartford City penalty kick in the 28th minute, Lansdowne equalized with Devivo’s goal in first half stoppage time. He would score what would prove to be the game-winner in the 73rd minute when he had a penalty kick saved, but he managed to score off the rebound in the 73rd minute. With the win, the Bhoys will make a return trip to the same stadium to take on USL Championship side Hartford Athletic. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT
