In the round where almost all MLS teams entered the competition, there was plenty of hope for lower division upsets and standout performances by players of all levels. Though there were only two upsets over the two nights of games, there were still plenty of excellent nominees for TheCup.us Player of the Round.
Since 2006, TheCup.us has set out to honor the best individual performance of each round.
The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters, and select backers from TheCup.us’ Patreon. If you’d like to vote in this, or the upcoming “Player of the Tournament” vote, consider pledging $10 or more and help us continue to cover the US Open Cup and research it’s long history.
MORE: 2023 US Open Cup Round 3 Review
Here are the finalists (in alphabetical order):
Alex Bono
DC United (MLS)
Preserved the win with a PK save in 1-0 home win vs. Richmond Kickers (USL-1)
Kendall Burks
Chicago Fire (MLS)
Scored 2 goals to pad the lead in the Fire’s 3-0 home win vs. Chicago House (USASA)
Joe Corona
San Diego Loyal (USL-C)
Scored two goals, and added an assist in a thrilling 5-4 extra time loss on the road against the Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
Aziel Jackson
St. Louis CITY SC (MLS)
Scored the opening goal in the third minute and added another in a dominant 5-1 home win vs. Union Omaha (USL-1)
Dane Jacomen
Loudoun United (USL-C)
Made 9 saves in a 5-0 home win vs. Flower City Union (NISA)
Damir Kreilach
Real Salt Lake (MLS)
Scored the opening and game-winning extra-time goals in 3-1 extra time road win vs. Las Vegas Lights FC (USL-C)
Jonathan Lewis
Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Scored the opening goal in the 5th minute and the game-winning goal in the 55th, and added an assist in 3-1 home win vs. Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL-1)
Fredy Montero
Seattle Sounders (MLS)
Scored both the opening goal and the game-winning penalty kick in the Sounders’ gripping 5-4 extra time home win vs. San Diego Loyal (USL-C)
Jaroslaw Niezgoda
Portland Timbers (MLS)
Scored one goal and assisted on another goal in 3-1 home win vs. Orange County (USL-C)
Elliot Panico
Nashville SC (MLS)
Made 5 saves in a 1-0 home win vs. San Antonio FC (USL-C)
Celio Pompeu
St. Louis CITY SC (MLS)
Provided 3 assists in a 5-1 home win vs. Union Omaha (USL-1)
Christian Volesky
Monterey Bay FC (USL-C)
Scored the game’s lone goal in a 1-0 home victory over the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
