Birmingham Legion FC moved on into the Fourth Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup off the head, chest, and foot of Stefano Pinho. The Brazilian was able to completely change the game for the “3 Sparks” thanks to a hat trick from corner kicks and one goal from open play at the end of extra time.
Pinho’s four-goal performance is a rare accomplishment in the tournament’s Modern Era (1995-present). He becomes just the 13th player since 1995 to score four or more goals in a game and the third Brazilian, joining Welton (2000 Miami Fusion) and Paulo Araujo Jr. (2010 Miami FC). He is also just the second Modern Era play to score multiple hat tricks in a career, joining Johnny Menyongar (2000, 2002 with Minnesota Thunder).
Pinho’s four-goal game helped him run away with TheCup.us Player of the Round honors. He distanced himself from second place Jerry Ayon (Monterey Bay FC), who was followed close behind by Yannik Oettl (Indy Eleven). This is the second time that Pinho has won the award. He was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round after scoring a hat trick for The Miami FC in the Fourth Round of the 2017 US Open Cup in an upset of Orlando City (MLS).
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. Anyone interested in voting for this award for upcoming rounds, consider pledging $10 or more and help us continue to cover the US Open Cup and research its long history.
In the match against the Chattanooga Red Wolves, the Legion needed the forehead of Pinho on a corner to bring the match back to level after an early conceded goal.
After a penalty conceded by Matt VanOekel, the Legion found themselves down a goal once again to the Red Wolves, but less than 5 minutes later, Pinho’s forehead came in clutch once again.
To end regular time, Pinho was in on goal and forced Gustavo Fernandes to pull Stefano down in a DOGSO position which earned him a red card. That moment completely blew the game open for Legion. To start the first half of extra time, Pinho was once again lurking at the back post, this time the ball hitting him in the chest for an unconventional tap to take the lead.
In the second half of extra time, Pinho scored the only goal from open play in the match to bring the score to 4-2.
Pinho is a long-time journeyman and has made the most of his professional career. The Brazilian made a career from football after a highly successful loan spell from Fluminense in Brazil to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the NASL that saw him win the Golden Boot and MVP in his first year in NASL. After a stop with Minnesota United FC (NASL) in 2016, he moved to Miami FC where he won another Golden Boot and MVP. He signed with Orlando City SC (MLS) in 2018, followed by a trip to China to play for Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard, then out to Saudi Arabia to play for Al-Washm, where he eventually came back to the United States to join the Austin Bold (USL-C), Indy Eleven (USL-C), and finally his stop in Birmingham.
The four US Open Cup goals against Chattanooga brings Pinho’s career total in the tournament to nine. This ties him for 15th in the Modern Era goalscoring chart along with Tomas Boltnar, Jorge Herrera, Randi Patterson, Kwadwo Poku, Carlos Ruiz, and Brandon Vasquez. He scored four goals during Miami FC’s run to the Quarterfinals in the 2017 US Open Cup. The following year he scored a goal for Orlando City during their trip to the Quarterfinals.