On paper, the first night of the Third Round of the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup followed the script. All of the higher division clubs held serve in the first eight games of the round, with the exception of one. Monterey Bay FC (USL Championship) pulled off the lone upset with a 1-0 home win over the San Jose Earthquakes. .
On Wednesday, there were 16 more games on the schedule. Most of them went to plan with the exception of Memphis 901 FC knocking off Atlanta United FC.
Twelve of those 16 games feature Major League Soccer teams playing against lower division clubs. Tulsa Athletic took home the prize money for Open Division (amateur) clubs, winning a tiebreaker with Chicago House AC. The game of the tournament so far might be the Seattle Sounders’ 5-4 win over San Diego Loyal.
Below, you will find a brief summary of every Round 3 game. Links to the full match reports will be added as the articles are published.
TUESDAY, APRIL 25
Charleston Battery (USL-C)
1:0
Charlotte Independence (USL-1)
After Extra Time
By Josh Hakala
It took about 112 minutes, but the deadlock was finally broken between the Charleston Battery and the Charlotte Independence. Nick Markanich gave the hometown Battery a 1-0 lead in the 112th minute. Chris Allan made a run down the left wing, crossed the ball to Markanich, who popped the ball up and volleyed it past the goalkeeper from close range. The Battery defense would hold on to preserve the clean sheet. It was the first win by Charleston in extra time since 2007.
For the Battery, it was the club’s 36th all-time win in the tournament, which ties the Seattle Sounders FC and FC Dallas for third-most in the Modern Era.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL-C)
2:0
Maryland Bobcats FC (NISA)
By Rich Flemings
It was déjà vu at Highmark Stadium, as fans witnessed another US Open Cup match between Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Maryland Bobcats finish 2-0 in favor of the home side. This time, however, both goals were scored in the last ten minutes, as Edward Kizza opened the scoring in the 81st minute and Burke Fahling followed up with a 90th-minute goal. The Riverhounds kept the Bobcats on their heels, barraging their defense with 22 total shots, compared to Maryland’s six. Only four of Pittsburgh’s shots were outside the box and they often connected on accurate crosses from the flanks, winning 65% of their aerial duels.
After automatically advancing to the Third Round as a result of Rochester New York permanently closing their doors, Pittsburgh proved their presence in the tournament is deserved. The Riverhounds advance to the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup for the first time since 2019 and the fifth time in club history. The club will learn their next opponent in Thursday’s Fourth Round draw.
Charlotte FC (MLS)
4:1
South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1)
By Josh Hakala
An early goal set the tone for Charlotte FC, but it was the three goals in the second half that broke it open in a 4-1 home win over South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL League One). It was the first US Open Cup home game for the second-year MLS side. And they won their second straight tournament opener on the strength of four different goalscorers. Kamil Jozwiak opened the scoring in the 24th minute, but didn’t pick up a second until after halftime when Enzo Copetti doubled the lead in the 55th minute. After a nice 1-2 passing combo by Brandon Cambridge on the right side of the box, Cambridge sent a low-driving pass to the front of goal where Copetti buried it from close range.
Ten minutes later, Derrick Jones’ low shot from outside the penalty area made it 3-0. And just when Tormenta seemed poised to stage a comeback with a long-range goal by Matheus Cassini in the 83rd minute, Karol Swiderski answered right back less than a minute later with a low shot at the top of the ‘D’ to give Charlotte a 4-1 lead.
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Detroit City FC (USL-C)
1:3
Minnesota United FC (MLS)
By George Diamond
It only took Detroit City five minutes to open the scoring at Keyworth Stadium. DCFC Center back Amoo-Mensah carried the ball into Minnesota’s third and set up Yazeed Mathews. The striker finished his chance off the post.
Halftime saw the score unchanged despite several chances for both teams. Detroit started brightly but the Loons’ players, who were largely composed of backups, grew into the game.
Although Detroit’s Goalie Nate Steinwascher saved a certain goal from a Kevin Arriaga volley, Minnesota found the leveler through Fragapane after a nifty passing sequence in the 60th minute.
Shortly after, in the 63rd minute, the Loons got the lead from a deflected Iwe strike which lifted over Steinwascher and into the back of the net. In the 66th minute, Luis Amarilla forced the third Minnesota goal in, off a Detroit defender. The Loons scored three goals in six minutes and completely flipped the script on their USL Championship opponents.
New England Revolution (MLS)
2:1
Hartford Athletic (USL-C)
By Jordan Beech
A 76th-minute goal proved the difference as New England Revolution dispatched a game Hartford Athletic, 2-1, in the Third Round on Tuesday night. Dave Romney connected with Carles Gil for the match-winner.
The Revolution quickly got on the board to open the match thanks to Justin Rinnicks nodding home a goal in the 13th minute off an assist from Damián Rivera. Antoine Hoppenot leveled the contest in the 52nd minute before Romney sealed the victory for the hosts.
St. Louis CITY SC (MLS)
5:1
Union Omaha (USL-1)
By Rich Flemings
St. Louis CITY caught the Open Cup magic, decisively dispatching Union Omaha 5-1. CITYPARK was the place to be on Tuesday night, as over 24,423 fans filled the stadium and set a record for Third Round attendance (10th largest crowd in tournament history). Fans didn’t have to wait long after the opening whistle to get a taste of what was to come, as Aziel Jackson scored a goal in the third minute of play. Célio Pompeu had an impact on every single St. Louis goal tonight: 3 assists, fed the ball that was deflected in as an own goal, and then had his thru-pass deflected into the path of designated player Eduard Löwen, who scored soon after being subbed into the match.
The home team was relentless in their attack, finishing the match with 17 shots inside of Union Omaha’s penalty area. The Owls tried to stretch St. Louis, converting 45 accurate long balls, but St. Louis’ defense steadied their nerves and acted swiftly to counter the attempts against them. Another big contributor to success from the home side was their ability to dominate the flanks. With Union Omaha’s shape, the sidelines were often left unattended and St. Louis took full advantage of the opportunity. In their first appearance in the US Open Cup as an MLS club, St. Louis CITY advanced to the Fourth Round and fans will have another chance at selling out their home stadium.
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Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
3:0
Tulsa Athletic (NPSL)
By Michael Battista
Sporting Kansas City equaled their in-season goal total against amateurs Tulsa Athletic on Tuesday night. The Major League Soccer side dominated in possession and fully broke through in the second half to advance, 3-0.
Nearly 10,000 fans at Children’s Mercy Park, including a bus traveling contingent front Tulsa, saw the MLS side outpace the National Premier Soccer League side. However, the amateurs got a break in the 16th minute when Jordan Watson was taken down in the box by SKC keeper John Pulskamp. The following PK attempt by Christopher Taylor was saved by Pulskamp and was one of Tulsa’s two shots on target all game.
Dániel Sallói got the four-time Open Cup champions on the board in the 32nd minute. His takeaway from a Tulsa player allowed him to cut into the middle and shoot from far out, getting past Athletic keeper Bryson Reed. To use a hockey term, the amateurs played the rest of the match as if they were trying to kill a power play. They rarely possessed and hoped the defense and keeper could hold up against the division 1 side. Former Mexican national team player Alan Pulido put the dagger into the match in the 54th minute with his team’s second goal. A third from Marinos Tzionis in the 68th was one of SKCs 39 total shots compared to Tulsa’s four.
Monterey Bay FC (USL-C)
1:0
San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
By William Hodges
Monterey Bay FC capitalized on a botched back pass in the 26th minute by Earthquakes defender Antonio Josenildo Rodrigues De Oliveria. Forward Christian Volesky quickly pounced on the mistake and his right-footed shot made it just past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Daniel De Sousa Brito to give the home side a 1-0 lead and send Cardinale Stadium into a frenzy.
Despite a number of second half substitutions from the Earthquakes to bring on starters, their inability to finish in the final third was a problem throughout the match. Additionally, standout performances by the Monterey Bay backline and goalkeeper Gerold Siaha Ngnepi were major factors in the 1-0 Monterey win.
San Jose Earthquakes bow out of the Open Cup for the second consecutive year to a lower division team (Sacramento Republic FC in 2022). Monterey advances to the round of 32, and with it, delivers the first Cupset of the Third Round.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26
FC Cincinnati (MLS)
1:0
Louisville City FC (USL-C)
By: Phil Naegely
FC Cincinnati advanced to the Fourth Round of the 2023 US Open Cup over Louisville City FC behind Arquimides Ordonez’s late game-winner. The 85th minute goal sealed the 1-0 victory for the hosts as Alvaro Barreal set up his teammate’s close range shot that found the back of the net.
The hosts almost doubled their lead in the waning moments, but Louisville City’s keeper collected Luciano Acosta’s right-footed shot from right outside the box.
Despite holding a 15-7 shots advantage, Louisville City failed to find a goal. The USL Championship side threatened throughout the first half, forcing Cincy goalie Alec Kann to dive and punch away the ball on multiple occasions.
Loudoun United FC (USL-C)
5:0
Flower City Union (NISA)
By: Rich Flemings
Loudoun United scored three goals in the first half and never looked back, eventually defeating Flower City Union 5-0 at home. Loudoun’s forward Tommy Williamson had a first-half brace and Kalil ElMedkhar added a goal and an assist to the evening, as well. While the possession battle was nearly split evenly, the home side carried every offensive statistical category, including 23 total shots, 15 shots inside the box, and 89% accurate passing.
Flower City was making their second-ever appearance in the Open Cup and bettered their 2022 appearance by advancing one extra round. In an ill twist of fate, Flower City Union’s Open Cup run in 2022 came at the hands of MLS Club DC United. Their 2023 run ends at the hands of Loudoun United, who have a minority owner in DC United. Loudoun United is making the most out of their first-ever appearance in the Open Cup by advancing to the Fourth Round of the tournament.
Atlanta United FC (MLS)
1:2
Memphis 901 FC (USL-C)
By Jon Sicotte
Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia is usually a home away from home for the Atlanta United. But a late penalty kick in stoppage time by Phillip Goodrum, followed up with an extra time goal from Memphis 901 FC’s Nighte Pickering in the 100th minute gave the USL-Championship side a 2-1 extra time victory against the host MLS squad on Wednesday in the Third Round.
In the fifth minute of six minutes of stoppage time with Atlanta clinging to a 1-0 lead, Juan José Purata took down Goodrum in the box to set up a penalty kick. Goodrum, a former Atlanta United 2 protégé, swifty drilled the ball past Atlanta keeper Clément Diop to knot the game at 1-1.
In extra time, a turnover in by Atlanta gave the ball to Memphis’ Luiz Fernando who drove the ball down the right side and volleyed it to Pickering who shot the ball in mid-air, slamming the shot home to take a 2-1 lead in the 100th minute.
The Five Stripes went into the match with a 8-0-0 record in Kennesaw, including five of those coming during Open Cup play.
Making his first start of the season, Atlanta’s Tyler Wolff found the back of the net in the third minute to get things started. Wolff received a long pass from Luiz Araújo — the lone typical starter for Atlanta’s XI — who swung it deep from midfield toward the front of the 18-yard box. Wolff received the pass cleanly and slotted it with his left foot past Memphis keeper Bill Hamid’s outstretched left hand. It ended up being the only shot on goal for United in the entire match.
Columbus Crew (MLS)
1:0
Indy Eleven (USL-C)
By Jason Herbert
The Columbus Crew hosted Indy Eleven Wednesday evening at Lower.com field in the Third Round of the 108th US Open Cup. Although Wilfried Nancy rested playmaker Lucas Zelarayn, Columbus fielded a pretty strong side that included Darlington Nagbe, Jacen Russell-Rowe and the return of Cucho Hernandez who had been out for a prolonged period due to injury. Throughout the first half the Crew were able to create a handful of great chances on goal but things were scoreless at halftime due in large part to Indy Eleven’s Yannik Oettl, who thwarted the Crew’s efforts time and time again.
Indy Eleven would hold strong throughout much of the second half even as Nancy made significant substitutions to change the Columbus attack including regulars Aidan Morris and Alex Matan. One such substitute, Mo Farsi, would come up big for the Crew and finally break through as Steven Moreira slipped a pass through the Indy Eleven defense that Farsi would slot home in the 83rd minute. Evan Bush, who tallied two saves on the night, was forced into action in the 90th minute as he made a diving save to preserve the scoreline for Columbus.
In a match that saw the Crew earn 17 corner kicks, create 21 shots (eight on goal) and have a 65/35 advantage in possession, they will nonetheless take the 1-0 win as they avenge last year’s early exit and move on to the next round of the US Open Cup.
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D.C. United (MLS)
1:0
Richmond Kickers (USL-1)
By Jordan Beech
D.C. United scraped out a hard-fought win against the Richmond Kickers to advance to the Round of 32. Yamil Asad scored the lone goal of the match in the 51st minute, converting from the spot to send United through. Alex Bono earned the clean sheet for United.
For United, the win marks the second-straight year they’ve dispatched a third-division opponent to advance to the Round of 32. The three-time winners of the Open Cup are now 11-2-1 all-time against the third division in tournament play. This also marked the seventh all-time meeting between United and Richmond in Open Cup play, the second-longest rivalry in the competition’s Modern Era (1995-present).
Miami FC (USL-C)
2:2
Inter Miami CF (MLS)
Inter Miami CF advances, 5-3 in PK shootout
By Josh Hakala
For the second year in a row, Inter Miami CF kicked off their US Open Cup run against Miami FC at Florida International University. And for the second year in a row, Inter Miami eliminated the USL Championship side. This year, they needed a penalty kick shootout to do it. It looked like Miami FC might avenge their 1-0 loss from last year. A goal in the 2nd minute by Miami FC’s Christian Sorto held up for 87 minutes, but Shanyder Borgeli’s scored off a cross from the right wing by Jean Mota in the 89th minute. Then, when DeAndre Yedlin of Inter Miami put the ball in his own net in the 116th minute, it appeared as though Miami FC would be advancing. But once again, Inter Miami tied the game up late as Ryan Sailor scored two minutes later on a header from a cross from the left wing.
After both teams scored on their first three attempts, Jean Mota converted his attempt in the 4th frame for Inter Miami. Ryan Telfer missed his attempt in the bottom half of the frame, which left it up to Kamal Miller. He scored to give the MLS side a 5-3 shootout win.
Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL-C)
0:1
Houston Dynamo (MLS)
By Josh Hakala
The Houston Dynamo won their opening game in the US Open Cup for the ninth year in a row with a 1-0 road win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The difference in the game was a goal from Houston’s 18-year-old homegrown signing Brooklyn Raines in the 44th minute. The Liberian-born midfielder scored on the counterattack when he received a pass from Corey Baird just before halftime. Goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell kept the clean sheet for the Dynamo.
Birmingham Legion FC (USL-C)
1:1
Chattanooga FC (NISA)
Birmingham advances, 4-3 in PK shootout
By Josh Hakala
Birmingham Legion took a 1-0 lead into halftime thanks to a goal from Kasim Prosper in the 31st minute. It would take a little more than 30 minutes for Chattanooga to find an equalizer. Markus Naglestad would convert a penalty kick in the 68th minute. The match would have to be decided by a penalty kick shootout. Each team converted their first attempts, but in the second frame Richard Dixon (Chattanooga FC) missed his attempt and Juan Agudelo had his shot saved. After trading goals for the next two frames, Leonel Alvarenga (Chattanooga FC) had his attempt saved and combined with Enco Martinez’s goal that followed, Birmingham are moving on to Round 4.
Chicago Fire (MLS)
3:0
Chicago House AC (USASA/Midwest PL)
By Eric Casey
Midwest Premier League side Chicago House AC took on the Chicago Fire Wednesday, but they were unable to pull off the upset against the MLS club that House AC President Peter Wilt once managed. Wilt won four US Open Cup titles as the Fire’s general manager from 1998-2006. The Fire won the game 3-0 to snap a three-game winless streak in the tournament.
The first 25 minutes saw a handful of attacking chances for the Fire as they largely controlled possession. They eventually broke through in the 26th minute when striker Kacper Przybyłko calmly finished a cross from Federico Navarro, and the Fire would find the goal again just 11 minutes later when defender Kendall Burks headed in a corner from Alonso Aceves. They continued to apply pressure as the first half wore on, attempting 12 shots with three on target, compared to just a single shot attempt from House AC.
The beginning of the second half saw much of the same; by the 65th minute, the Fire had attempted 19 shots, with House AC goalkeeper Anthony Halterman making several acrobatic saves to prevent the game from getting even more out of hand. House’s substitutions and tactical changes failed to make a difference, and Burks scored again for the Fire’s final goal in the 70th minute to make it 3-0, with fellow defender Wyatt Omsberg picking up the assist.
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Nashville SC (MLS)
1:0
San Antonio FC (USL-C)
By Josh Hakala
Nashville SC defeated San Antonio FC 1-0 to advance to the Fourth Round. Ethan Zubak scored the lone goal of the game in the 71st minute to keep Nashville undefeated all-time at home in US Open Cup play. For Zubak, it was the second tournament in a row where he scored a goal. Last year, he scored the game-winner in extra time in a 3-2 win over Atlanta United. Elliot Panico made five saves in goal for Nashville to earn the clean sheet. Dating back to the club’s 2018 debut season in the USL, Nashville is 6-0-1 at home. The only blemish on their home record is a 2019 Third Round draw against the Charleston Battery when they lost in a penalty kick shootout.
Colorado Rapids (MLS)
3:1
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL-1)
By Jordan Beech
Jonathan Lewis delivered a Man of the Match performance as the Colorado Rapids claimed a victory over Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC in the inaugural Platte River Derby. It’s the first time since 2017 that the Rapids have managed to advance past their debut match in the tournament.
It didn’t take long for Lewis to make his mark on the match, firing a low strike from distance into the bottom corner in just the fifth minute of play. He’d score again on a nifty bit of build up play with Max in the 55th minute before assisting on Max’s goal in the 65th minute.
Jackson Dietrich scored the lone goal for the Hailstorm, connecting on a diving header at the back post from Bruno Rendon’s service.
The Rapids will find out their Round of 32 opponent on Thursday afternoon. A win in the next round would mark the club’s return to the Round of 16 for the first time since 2017.
New Mexico United (USL-C)
2:1
Phoenix Rising FC (USL-C)
By Jordan Beech
Emotions ran hot as New Mexico United claimed a measure of revenge in a 2-1 victory over Phoenix Rising FC that mirrored last season’s Third Round matchup. William Hale handed out nine cards, including a straight red to Phoenix’s Baboucarr Njie in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time.
Greg Hurst, who scored the winner for PRFC in last season’s Open Cup meeting, put his new side up 1-0 just before halftime. Events got chippy from there, with seven of the matches’ nine cards shown between the 45th minute and seventh minute of stoppage time.
Though Carlos Harvey pulled Phoenix level in the 77th minute, it was Josh Dolling that put the finishing touches on the match. He fired home an unassisted goal in the 87th minute to see NMU through to the Round of 32.
Las Vegas Lights FC (USL-C)
1:3
Real Salt Lake (MLS)
After Extra Time
By Jon Sicotte
Damir Kreilach’s corner kick goal late in the first half of extra time seem to be enough for Real Salt Lake to eke out a Third Round US Open Cup victory, but the Las Vegas Lights’ Luke Stauffer had something to say in that with an equalizer minutes later.
Yet, Kreilach completed a brace with a goal in the 115th minute of extra time while Danny Musovski put the final nail in the coffin five minutes later to help RSL advance with a 3-1 AET win and snap a seven-match Cup winless streak on Wednesday.
The win for the MLS side also snapped a 7-match winless streak in Open Cup play, the longest such streak in the Modern Era (1995-present). It also marks the first time in six attempts that RSL has won a road game in Open Cup play
The teams played level to a 0-0 draw through regulation time with both squads finding the framework at least twice despite no score. The match was the first time the USL Championship Lights had the opportunity to host a MLS club at Cashman Field in the team’s history.
Sacramento Republic FC (USL-C)
1:0
Oakland Roots SC (USL-C)
By William Hodges
Following an uneventful 45 minutes, Sacramento Republic FC broke through in the 49th minute after forward Russell Cicerone laid it off just outside the 18-yard box to midfielder Nick Ross who stepped into space and slotted it home to give the home side a 1-0 advantage.
Collectively, there were only three chances on goal all evening. The match would end 1-0, which was a bit of a surprise given how hotly contested their matches typically are.
With the win, Republic FC, last year’s runner-up, advance to the Round of 32, while Oakland bows out of the tournament.
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Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
5:4
San Diego Loyal (USL-C)
After Extra Time
By Mathias Medel
In what many will consider the match of the round, Seattle Sounders FC bested San Diego Loyal SC 5-4 after an exhilarating 120 minutes of soccer. The MLS side lined up mainly with reserve players saw a had a two-goal lead twice and San Diego still managed to battle back on the strength of a pair of goals from Joe Corona. San Diego would find a way to to send the game into extra time with a stoppage time missile by Kyle Adams.
It took Seattle just 10 minutes to find the lead again, this time through defender Reed Baker-Whiting’s beautiful shot into the top right corner from just outside the 18-yard box. With just four minutes left in extra time, San Diego Loyal found another miracle, this time in Jackson Simba’s header off of an assist from Corona. Simba had been on the field just seconds prior to his goal. In stoppage time of the second half of extra time, San Diego’s hero committed a foul in his own box, which forced the referee to point to the spot. Fredy Montero converted his second goal of the game, and the 10th of his career to give the Sounders a 5-4 win.
Portland Timbers (MLS)
3:1
Orange County SC (USL-C)
By Wendy Pintor
Taking a midweek rest from their regular-season schedule, the Portland Timbers hosted USL side Orange County SC on Wednesday in the Third Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Portland would take the win, 3-1. Marvin Loria scored the first goal in the 37th minute opening up the game for both teams after a nervous start on the pitch. Then Tyler Clegg added to his debut by scoring in the 48th minute with a header in the box out beating the defense. Six minutes later, Orange County cut the lead in half with a goal from Milan Iloski. The Timbers put the game away in second half stoppage time with a goal from Jaroslaw Niezgoda.
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