The Second Round of the 2024 edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup brought 16 more games of exciting matchups. Games this round had an average of more than three goals per game, several red cards, and four games going to extra time, with one of those (a scoreless draw between Charlotte Independence and South Carolina United Heat) needing penalties for the final decision. Several cupsets have upstarts still in the mix, and many players stood out among their peers for their performances this 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 upcoming rounds, consider pledging $10 or more and help us continue to cover the US Open Cup and research its long history. If you did have a vote, which player do YOU think should win?
Here are the finalists (in alphabetical order):
Dakota Barnathan, Richmond Kickers (USL League One)
Barnathan scored two goals, one in first-half stoppage time and another in the final moments of the game, in a dominating 5-2 home win over upstart Maryland Bobcats (NISA)
Dembor Benson, El Farolito SC (NPSL)
Benson scored both goals, including the game-winner in the dying moments of the second half, in El Farolito’s 2-1 dramatic upset of pro team Central Valley Fuego (USL-1).
Mark Hernandez, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL League One)
Hernandez scored the game-tying goal just one minute after being subbed on in the second half and then assisted on their second goal in the 80th minute. In a back-and-forth game, Northern Colorado beat Colorado Rapids 2 by the score of 3-2 in extra time.
Jonathan Jiménez, New York City FC II (MLS NEXT Pro)
Jimenez scored two goals in the first half and completed his hat trick to put the icing on the cake in the 87th minute in NYCFC II’s 4-2 win over Hudson River rivals NY Red Bulls II (MLS NEXT Pro).
Lyam MacKinnon, Greenville Triumph SC (USL League One)
MacKinnon started and played 74 minutes and gave Greenville the lead twice in the first half, scoring their first two goals in the 15th and 33rd minutes in their 3-2 extra time win at One Knoxville (USL-1).
Gunther Rakenburg, Greenville Triumph SC (USL League One)
Rakenburg faced 29 shots with nine on target, making seven saves to help Greenville eke out a 3-2 victory in extra time over fellow USL-1 team One Knoxville.