Club de Lyon clinched a place in the Second Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a 90th-minute winner against amateur side AS Frenzi to secure a 3-2 victory on Wednesday night in Daytona Beach, Fla. Lyon forward Juan Martinez headed in the winning goal off a corner kick, his second of the night.
For Club de Lyon, it marked the first tournament win for the Orlando-based NISA club after losing their Open Cup debut last year to San Antonio FC (USL Championship)
Martinez and Lyon were on the front foot from the opening minutes of the match. The NISA club controlled the early possession. In the ninth minute, Martinez whipped a corner kick into the box. The set-piece led to chaos in the box and Frenzi midfielder Kevin Miranda wound up with an own goal, giving Lyon a 1-0 lead.
Lyon controlled most of the first half and doubled its advantage in the 23rd minute. Martinez controlled the ball in the box, cut past a defender and his left-footed effort snuck into the corner of the goal to give the visitors a 2-0 lead.
Club de Lyon Keep on Rolling ????#USOC2024 | @ClubDeLyonfc1 // AS Frenzi pic.twitter.com/NUdxrU9YcA
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) March 20, 2024
AS Frenzi, who is the first club to qualify for the tournament as the UPSL Spring season champions, fought back to give itself a chance to advance to the next round.
In the 35th minute, Miranda made amends for his earlier own goal by finishing a swift attacking move from Frenzi. Defender Ryan Heron whipped in a cross from the right flank, and Miranda arrived in the box to head it home.
Oh, wait
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) March 20, 2024
AS Frenzi got ???? going forward #USOC2024 | @opencup pic.twitter.com/ApGXsSyMt9
After working to half the deficit, Frenzi completed the comeback soon after halftime. Forward Jean Forestal slotted the ball into the back of the net in the 47th minute to put the hosts on level footing.
AS Frenzi claw back level ????#USOC2024 | @opencup pic.twitter.com/hBkivoKqtx
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) March 21, 2024
Frenzi’s momentum would be short-lived, however. Defender Justin Dorman, already on a yellow card, committed a heavy foul and was booked a second time. Down to ten men, Frenzi buckled in for the second half.
With a man advantage, Lyon pushed for a winner in normal time. Martinez nearly found the breakthrough, but his long-range effort clanged off the crossbar to keep the match level.
However, Lyon continued to push until Martinez eventually secured the victory in the 90th minute.
Martinez calls game (late) ???? #USOC2024 @ClubDeLyonfc1 // AS Frenzi pic.twitter.com/fnCOj8dSzK
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) March 21, 2024
