With the last embers of the 2024 US Open Cup beginning to fade, as first-time champions Los Angeles FC set down their trophy and prepare for the upcoming league playoffs, the first sparks of the 110th US Open Cup tournament have already ignited. Last weekend, 64 teams across the country competed in both the first and second qualifying rounds of the 2025 US Open Cup.
Thirty-two games in the Open Division Local Qualifying tournament were spread across 15 states and Washington, D.C., with 17 leagues represented.
Due to geographical draws and the number of teams competing in qualifying, eight matches last weekend were part of the First Qualifying Round. Teams from this group, as well as a majority of the teams that didn’t play this past weekend, will compete in the Second Qualifying Round during the weekend of October 26 and 27. Teams in this group will play their “Win & You’re In” match in December, and the eight winners from last weekend will face a potential four-game gauntlet to qualify.
The remaining 24 matches last weekend were part of the Second Qualifying Round. The farthest reaching teams in this group will play their “Win & You’re In” Fourth Qualifying Round matches in November. There’s also a lucky group of six teams that were allocated byes last weekend, meaning they only need to win two games as opposed to the standard three to qualify,
Below you will find a brief recap of all 32 matches from this past weekend:
Saturday, October 5
ROUND 1
Playmaker FC (SWPL)
2:1 (AET)
Independente Los Angeles FC (UPSL)
Los Angeles City College – Los Angeles, CA
By Josh Hakala
At Los Angeles City College, Playmaker FC met Independiente Los Angeles in the club’s first-ever Open Cup qualifying match. Playmaker opened the scoring just before halftime (44th min.) with a goal from Michael Odedele. Alan Morales answered back with a penalty kick goal in the 64th minute for ILA. The game changed about 10 minutes later when Playmaker’s Edgar Vazquez was shown a second yellow card and put the home team down to 10 men. The match went into extra time and despite being down a man, Aria Aminloo tapped in a loose ball off a corner kick in the 108th minute to deliver the victory. The win moves Playmaker into the second round which is scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 26-27.
City Soccer FC (UPSL)
0:2
Miami Soccer Academy (USSL/USSSA)
UPSL Stadium; Pembroke Pines, FL
By Josh Hakala
For the fourth year in a row, Miami Soccer Academy won their opening round game of the qualifying tournament. On Saturday, they blanked qualifying regular City Soccer FC, 2-0. MSA opened up the scoring in first half stoppage time with a goal from Diego Lanzi the final seconds before halftime. In the 77th minute they doubled the lead with a goal from Danny Martinez . On a counter attack, the ball found its way to the right wing and after receiving a pass inside the box, Martinez took a touch to his left and fired a shot inside the far post and out of reach of the goalkeeper. Cesar Manzano kept the clean sheet in goal to send Miami into the second round.
FULL GAME VIDEO:
Chula Vista FC (SWPL/UISSSA)
1:1
Desert FC (SWPL/USSSA)
Chula Vista advances, 3-1 on penalty kicks
O’Farrell Charter School; San Diego, CA
By Josh Hakala
Two Southwest Premier League foes met in U.S. Open Cup qualifying in San Diego. The game was tight throughout and finished 1-1 after extra time. Chula Vista’s Oscar Hernandez converted a first half penalty kick and Desert FC equalized off a corner kick.
Chula Vista won the resulting penalty kick shootout by a 3-1 margin. They did so on the strength of 17-year-old goalkeeper Oliver Holt who made two saves in the shootout and scored the winning penalty to move Chula Vista into the second round in their first entry into the competition since 2022.
Chicago House AC (MWPL/USASA)
3:2 (AET)
Edgewater Castle FC (MWPL/USASA)
Benedictine Univ.; Lisle, IL
by Joe Chatz
The match needed an additional thirty minutes to determine a winner but Chicago House AC found the match-winner in the 110th minute to secure their 3-2 win over Edgewater Castle FC in the first round of the Open Division qualifying tournament for the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on the campus of Benedictine University.
Edgewater had a good deal of possession in the early portion of the match and took the 1-0 lead in the 26th minute. Andrew Ribiero lined up a shot from long-range that beat House goalkeeper Tony Halterman to put Edgewater up early.
House responded quickly. The ball was brought down the right wing and swung right in front of Edegewater’s net for Alejandro Mentasi to slide in and score, tying the match at one in the 28th minute.
Mentasi secured a brace for himself and put his side up 2-1 in the 44th minute when he tapped in the rebound after former House goalkeeper Elias Rojas made the initial save for Edgewater.
Edgewater Castle gave themselves a chance in the second half and tied the match at two in the 73rd minute through Enzo Dagetti, sending the match to extra time.
Chaos was a theme throughout this contest and House took advantage of that in front of Edgewater Castle’s net in the 110th minute. The ball bounced for what felt like an hour before someone knocked it in the net as the match-winner went down as an own goal.
House’s Ricardo Avalos was assessed a red card in the 118th minute after a poor challenge.
Chicago House AC is placed in a group for the second qualifying round draw with KS Wisłoka Chicago, Chicago Strikers and United SC in Group Midwest A. Those second round matches are set to take place on Oct. 26-27.
FULL GAME VIDEO:
Acoreano Sport (UPSL)
1:3
Real Galt FC (UPSL)
Holy Rosary St. Mary’s Chapel; Hilmar, CA
By Josh Hakala
In an all-UPSL affair, Acoreano Sport hosted Real Galt FC in Hilmar, Calif. Real Galt won the contest between the Open cup debutantes 3-1 to advance to the second qualifying round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Acoreano opened the scoring but Real Galt answered with a goal by Gilberto Angel Lopez (assist by Lionardo Ruiz). Christian Comparan added a long-distance goal to put Real in front with Angel Lopez adding an insurance goal to make it 3-1 to give the club its first qualifying win.
ROUND 2
FC Omens (Bay State Soccer League/USASA)
1:1
Project Football (UPSL)
Project Football advances, 4-3 on penalty kicks
Madison Park High School; Boston, MA
By Eric Casey
Project Football made the most of their first ever US Open Cup Qualifying appearance, as offense and defensive efforts from goalkeeper Eduardo Engst-Mansilla helped them overcome an early deficit and an extra time red card to defeat FC Omens in penalty kicks (4-3), following a 1-1 draw at Madison Tech High Park in Roxbury, Mass.
Boston-based FC Omens opened the scoring early, when in the 7th minute when Aidan Schoellkopf sent a corner kick into the box, finding the head of former Bowdoin College player Hayden Weatherall, who slotted it home to give his team the early 1-0 lead.
Despite the hot start from Omens, Salem-based Project Football quickly regained their composure. Just three minutes later, a pass from Chris Russo found Pierre St. Simon in the box, who calmly put it past the keeper to tie the game at 1-1.
The game’s pace leveled off for the rest of the first half, but in the 57th minute it looked like Omens may retake the lead after Brandon Villa found space behind the defense. Project Football goalkeeper Eduardo Engst-Mansilla’s attempt at an out-of-the-box tackle failed to contain Villa, but pressure from the defender influenced his empty net attempt, and it struck the post before bouncing harmlessly away.
With the exception of a close chance at a second goal for Project’s St. Simon in the 66th minute, the UPSL Division 1 squad spent much of the later portion of the half trying to find a way out of their own half and towards Omens’ goal. In the 78th minute, Omens’ Drake Byrd found himself in on goal and past a diving Engst-Mansilla, but his shot hit the opposite post stuck by Villa’s 57th minute attempt. Just minutes later in the 80th minute, an Omens freekick led to a fingertip save from Engst-Mansilla.
The game then moved onto extra time, where Project Football found themselves down a man; back in the 51th minute, Pierre St. Simon picked up his first yellow card, and a second yellow in 97th minute saw him exiting the field.
Despite entering the game with only one substitute on the bench, Omens kept up the energy. They nearly took the lead in the dying embers of the game, when a 117th minute volley from just yards out was saved by Project’ Engst-Mansilla, eventually sending the game into penalty kicks.
Omens got off to an early advantage in penalties as Drake Byrd scored on his attempt and Project’s Aidan Schoellkopf’s effort was stopped by Omens goalkeeper Zachary Abdu-Glass.
The second round saw both Omens’ David Anderson and Project’s Matthew Acuna make their attempts, with the third round also seeing successful conversions from Omens’ Luke Muether and Project’s Sleter Destin.
Round four witnessed a save from Engst-Mansilla on a Ryan Donlan attempt, which was followed up by a successful attempt from Projects’ Chris Russo, knotting up penalty kicks at 3-3.
Omens’ Hayden Weatherall then stepped up to the spot, but his attempt sailed well above the crossbar, giving Project the advantage. It was at that point that Engst-Mansilla walked up to the penalty spot.
Having already contributed a number of key saves, Engst-Mansilla sent Abdu-Glass diving the wrong way, firing the ball into the back of the net and his team on to the Second Round of 2025 U.S. Open Cup Qualifying.
After the game, Engst-Mansilla revealed while he looked as comfortable shooting on goal as he did defending it: He’s typically an outfield player.
“Funny enough, I actually play in the field more,” he said, “I had some nerve damage in my legs, so I’ve been staying in goal for now.”
As one of Project Football’s original founders, the chance of being one step closer to playing in the U.S. Open Cup is big.
“This club means a lot to a lot of us,” Engst-Mansilla said. “I was actually there for the formation of this club, so getting into the Second Round is huge for us.”
FC Omens’ loss came just over one year after a 3-0 loss to Brockton FC United in a 2024 First Round qualifying game that was also held at Madison Tech High Park. Now eliminated from 2025 cup contention, they’ll put their focus back towards their Bay State Soccer League Division 1 campaign, where they currently sit in 3rd place at 6-5-2.
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Kensington Soccer Club (EPSL/USASA)
4:3
Vidas United FC (EPSL/USASA)
Germantown Supersite Turf Stadium; Philadelphia, PA
By Josh Hakala
After consecutive one-and-done appearances in the Open Division qualifying tournament, Kensington SC picked up the club’s first win in dramatic fashion on Saturday, 4-3 over Vidas United FC. They opened the scoring in the 38th minute when Luka Gogidze put the home team in front. They would add two goals in a five-minute span (47th and 52nd minutes), but Vidas would fight back.
Both teams would trade goals in the 58th minute (Youssou Cissokho for Vidas and an unconfirmed goalscorer for Kensington). Three minutes later, Cissokho received a through ball and chipped the goalkeeper to make it 4-2.
In the 77th minute, Connor Shefte pounced on a rebound off the post to cut the lead to one but Kensington would hold on for the win.
FULL GAME VIDEO:
Patuxent FA (EPSL/USASA)
0:1
MSI Pro (UPSL)
Liberty Sports Park; Upper Marlboro, MD
By Josh Hakala
MSI Pro earned the club’s first-ever Open Cup qualifying win with a 1-0 win over Patuxent FA on Saturday. The deciding goal came in the 71st minute when Atakan Ozturk, the current leading scorer in the UPSL’s DMV North division, headed home a free kick from William Carballo. After winning the battle of two first-time entries, MSI Pro advances to the next round, which is scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 26-27.
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Alloy SC (EPSL/USASA)
4:3
Oaklyn United FC (EPSL/USASA)
Lancaster Bible College; Lancaster, PA
By Josh Hakala
In their first-ever Open Cup qualifying match, Alloy SC rallied with an incredible second half comeback to beat fellow EPSL side Oaklyn United FC, 4-3. Oaklyn went into the halftime break with a 3-1 lead in Lancaster, Pa. on Saturday. Two goals from Jason Mancuso and another from Ethan Romito (who also assisted on one of Mancuso’s goals) gave the visitors the early advantage.
It was all Alloy SC in the second half beginning with a goal by Derek Ramirez which he scored on an upper-90 blast from distance to cut the lead in half in the 66th minute. Three minutes later, William Ardiles found himself on a breakaway and chipped the goalkeeper to tie the game at 3-3.
The go-ahead goal would come from Matteo Adiletta in the 77th minute on a low-driving shot from the top of the box. Oaklyn manager Alex Lewis was disappointed with the result, but considering he had to start a field player (Noah Blodget) in goal since none of their goalkeepers were available for the road game that day, he was pleased with the team’s effort.
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South Carolina United Heat (UPSL)
0:1
Mint Hill FC (UPSL)
SCUFC Southeastern Freight Lines Soccer Center; Columbia, SC
Late goal slips Mint Hill past SCU Heat
By Forrest Wimberly
Just when it looked like the two teams were headed for extra time, a 90th minute game-winning goal from Klint Parker broke the deadlock with South Carolina United Heat and sent the visiting Mint Hill FC into the next round of 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifiers.
It was an all-UPSL Mid-Atlantic clash as Mint Hill FC made the short drive down Interstate 77 to visit the SC United Heat in the opening weekend of the qualifying tournament on Saturday night in Columbia. The two teams had met just a year ago in US Open Cup qualifying with the Heat running out a comfortable 6-1 win in the Charlotte suburbs.
The rematch would play out very differently this year.
The first half saw both teams adjusting to the fast, slick surface after the late afternoon showers in the Columbia area. Mint Hill was content with long-range shots while the Heat worked the flanks but just couldn’t combine a cross and runner in the box to threaten the goal.
The second half saw more of the same patterns of play and very physical challenges from both teams. Then as the clock neared full time Mint Hill grabbed the late goal as Parker finished an Alberto Morales helper to send Mint Hill into the next round and the Heat crashing out of qualification in their earliest exit in program history. For Mint Hill, it was the club’s first qualifying win after going one-and-done in each of the last two years.
@opencup scenes last night in Columbia, SC as @minthillfc advances in the 2025 qualifiers with a 1-0 win on a late, late goal in the 90th minute. pic.twitter.com/5sT4DXrdM8
— TheSoccerForrest (@soccer_forrest) October 6, 2024
More photos from the match last night pic.twitter.com/3G773ATHIZ
— TheSoccerForrest (@soccer_forrest) October 6, 2024
West Chester United SC (USLPA/USASA)
6:0
United German Hungarians (USLPA/USASA)
Kildare’s Turf Field; West Chester, PA
By Josh Hakala
West Chester United’s quest to qualify for the US Open Cup for the sixth time got off to a positive start with a 6-0 home win over two-time Open Cup finalist United German Hungarians. Former University of Pittsburgh and Lehigh University standout Josh Luchini led the way with four goals.
Luchini opened the scoring in the 25th minute (assist: Ken Roby), followed two minutes later with a goal by Marcus Brenes. Luchini added his second goal after halftime (47th min.) and then completed the hat trick in the 69th minute to make it 4-0. Ken Roby added a late 86th minute goal while Luchini wrapped up his 4-goal night in the 89th minute. Thomas King and Brian McDaid had two assists each.
NY Greek American SC (EPSL/USASA)
3:4
NY Renegades FC (UPSL)
Hofstra University; Hempstead, NY
By JJ Pavlick
The New York Renegades took down the New York Greek Americans at Hofstra University in front of roughly 100 fans of all ages. The Renegades came from behind to secure the 4-3 victory and move on in the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2025 US Open Cup.
Some notable players in the match were Samuel Caceres and Daniel Bedoya of the Renegades. Caceres spent time with teams in Argentina, Paraguay and in America with the New York Cosmos (NASL). Bedoya previously played at pro teams at every level of American soccer (MLS, USL Championship, NISA) James Nealis of NY Greek American FC also played for the Cosmos (NASL) and was also drafted by the Houston Dynamo (MLS)..
The New York Greek Americans got out to the early lead just four minutes into the match when El Mahdi Youssoufi found space below the penalty mark and headed home the cross. The lead was short lived when in the 11th minute the Renegades Oscar Rivas Romero slotted one home near post to tie the match. In the 25th minute, the center referee stopped the match and called both team captains to midfield for a chat to calm things down on the field. In the 32nd, the Greek Americans earned a free kick,
Bedoya took the free kick finding William Etienne Botty who headed the ball past the diving keeper for a 2-1 lead. In the 45th minute, the Renegades would draw even again when Oscar Rivas Romero converted the brace.
In the second half, Caceres would give the Renegades a 3-2 lead in the 59th minute after he blasted one home from long distance, inside the near post. Then in the 68th, Sebastian Restrepo would score off an assist from Alex Palas for a 4-2 lead late in the match.
The Greeks would get one back a few minutes later in the 70th minute when El Mahdi Youssoufi would get his brace as well, bringing them within a goal 4-3. Unfortunately for the Greeks, that would be the last goal of the match despite having a few more chances to tie the match.
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Lansdowne Yonkers FC (EPSL/USASA)
6:1
KidSuper Samba AC (EPSL/USASA)
Tibbetts Brook Park; Yonkers, NY
By Dave Einhorn
The Yonkers, New York, area was treated to some wonderful fall weather Saturday. It was a perfect night for soccer and a great way to open up the opening round of the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2025 US Open Cup. Lansdowne Yonkers of the Eastern Premier Soccer League welcomed Kid Super Samba AC of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League to Tibbetts Brook Park. The crowd of about 40 was treated to some excellent soccer as Lansdowne cruised to victory, 6-1.
Lansdowne wasted no time showing Kid Super Samba who the boss was. From the first few minutes of possession, it was clear the game plan was to attack early and often. Ali Daw Ha was the sharpest point of the Lansdowne attack, as he scored the first goal, set up the second (to Musa Bala Danso), and then secured his brace for a 3-0 lead. The salt in the wound for Kid Samba was the fourth goal for Lansdowne, a long-range effort from Daryl Kavanagh – not one minute later than the third goal.
Meanwhile, Kid Super Samba Aca’s best opportunity came in just the first few minutes of the match: a breakaway, the keeper slipping, and the ball ricocheting off the left post. Something of an omen for Kid Super Samba AC, when nothing seemed to go their way. At halftime, the score was 4-0 for the home side.
You are sadly mistaken if you thought Lansdowne would curl up in a sweater and sip pumpkin spice lattes in the second half. Kyle Galloway put the ball in the net for Lansdowne’s fifth. “Hit the Gritty” cries from the stands were ignored. Later, Kid Samba had their moment of Open Cup magic, as Rijon Harrison converted a penalty in the 78th minute. Lansdowne converted a penalty of their own by Aly Camara. There was time for his signature backflip, and this time, the Gritty was hit for the young fans on the sidelines. The match’s final score was Lansdowne Yonkers 6 and Kid Super Samba AC 1. With the win, the two-time Amateur Cup champions take the first step toward qualifying for the Open Cup for the fifth time.
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6
ROUND 1
Atletico Miami Internacional FC (USSL/USSSA)
3:2
Hodler Miami FC (UPSL)
Monsignor Edward Pace HS; Miami Gardens, FL
By Josh Hakala
Atletico Miami Internacional FC withstood a late push from Hodler Miami FC to earn the club’s first Open Cup qualifying win, 3-2. The United States Soccer League side, who originally entered the competition under the name Fenix United before rebranding, jumped out to a 2-1 lead at halftime. With 15 minutes left, they doubled the lead, but Hodler Miami wasn’t done.
Hodler scored a late goal to cut the lead to one, and had a pair of dangerous free kicks in stoppage time but were ultimately unable to find the equalizer. For Atletico Miami, it’s a win in their qualifying debut, and a second straight one-and-done for Hodler Miami.
Washington Athletic Club (SRATS/USASA)
4:3
Bellevue Athletic FC (UPSL)
Interbay Stadium; Seattle, WA
By Josh Hakala
Bellevue Athletic FC fell behind three times and equalized three times, but in the end they were unable to find a fourth equalizer and Washington Athletic Club prevailed 4-3 in the opening round of the 2025 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. After a back and forth match, WAC secured a win in the club’s first-ever Open Cup qualifying appearance,
The scoring began with Washington AC captain Scott Menzies converting a PK in the second minute of the game. Bellevue answered with a goal from Jacen Stein on an assist by Tyler Hopp.
WAC regained the lead around the 29th minute when Eric Lagos shrugged off defenders and blasted a near-post shot into the roof of the net. A minute into stoppage time, Owen Gortner would send the game into the halftime break tied at 2-2 with a goal on an assist from Stein.
In the 52nd minute, Christian Soto combined with Lagos to get the lead back again. Soto would receive a ball and beat the keeper in traffic. Washington’s third lead of the night would only last about three minutes as Stein would strike again on an assist by Gortner.
After six goals in 55 minutes, the game-winner would not come until the 88th minute when Soto received a pass from the left wing and slid the ball past the goalkeeper to earn his brace that made it 4-3.
SF Vikings SC (SFSFL/USASA)
1:4
International San Francisco (SFSFL/USASA)
James P. Lang Field; San Francisco, CA
By Spencer DeVetter
A beautiful warm night at James P. Lang field, Inter San Francisco took advantage of a key injury and defeated the San Francisco Vikings 4-1 in the opening round of the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2025 US Open Cup.
The game got off to a quick start. Inter’s relentless splitting passes out of the gate caused the Vikings goalkeeper to take out an oncoming attacker. The ensuing penalty was buried by Dylan Autran. Just a few minutes later an almost identical sequence of play led to a heavy challenge which forced the Viking goalkeeper off with what was later revealed to be a broken leg. Without a backup keeper, the Vikings had to put the team’s captain and starting center back Max Sachar in goal.
After Inter’s Matt Fondy, a former pro, doubled the lead on an impressive individual effort, the momentum stayed with Inter. A few minutes later, an identical splitting pass led to the new goalkeeper Sachar taking out an Inter attacker about 30 yards from goal. A rightful red card was given for the challenge and yet another Vikings field player, this time, outside midfielder Brendan Cadam, stepped into goal. The Vikings would have to play a majority of the game without a real goalkeeper and only 10 men. Following the red card the 1st half was chippy and broken with no side keeping the ball or bowing out of any tackles.
The second half settled down significantly with both sides keeping sustained possession for periods. Around the 54th minute mark, the Vikings left back misplaced his touch and lost track of the ball on the edge of the box. Inter’s Oscar Cervantes pounced and was left alone with the Vikings’ second emergency keeper. He easily poked the ball past him for the third goal. Inter maintained the momentum and the possession was lopsided following the third goal.
Inter’s sustained possession paid off after a well worked passing sequence through the middle was buried again by a left footed strike from Inter’s Matt Fondy. By far the best goal of the night. After the fourth goal the game was end to end but no real attacking threats were made. In the last five minutes a Vikings winger cut past his defender, forcing him to drag him down in the box and give away a penalty. Matteo Ascherio-Victoria subsequently stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way. Even with the momentum from the goal it was too little too late and the match ended with Inter SF winning the club’s opening round game for the fourth year in a row.
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ROUND 2
Valhalla FC (OVPL/USASA)
1:3
Southern Indiana FC (UPSL)
Charity Lucas Soccer Stadium; Milford, OH
By Kenta Hagiwara
A beautiful Sunday morning in Cincinnati saw the matchup between Valhalla FC and Southern Indiana FC in the opening round of 2025 US Open Cup qualification. The two sides got off to a quick start, with Southern Indiana’s Vladyslav Peretyatko drawing an early PK in the opening minutes of the match. Valhalla’s Ian McNamara saved SIFC’s PK, taken by Jake Calderbank, and the match would go on as a scoreless draw. With 10 minutes left in the half, a handball in the box saw Southern Indiana have their second chance from the penalty spot. Jake Calderbank converted, giving the visitors a first half lead. Southern Indiana, much to the dismay of the Valhalla fans, drew their third PK of the half in stoppage time, with Calderbank converting the chance once again with the last kick of the half.
Valhalla would get their chance to score from the spot, with a PK being awarded to the home side 15 minutes into the second half. Valhalla’s Conner Clark’s PK is saved by SIFC GK Zane Love, but Valhalla quickly responded just a minute later, scoring their first goal of the match through Bbuye Manisuul. Valhalla would continue to apply pressure to find an equalizer, but it was Southern Indiana who found the final goal of the match, as Vladyslav Peretyatko put the game away with a goal scored off a counter.
Southern Indiana FC beat Valhalla FC 3-1 to earn a win in their qualifying debut.
Teal Nation, it’s a W for our first match of the day! SIFC is moving on to the next round of the U.S. Open Cup! #feartheteal #usopencup pic.twitter.com/hK2y74zKtx
— Southern Indiana FC (@TheSIFC) October 6, 2024
Colonial SC (USLPA/USASA)
0:4
Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USLPA/USASA)
Victory Field; Plymouth Meeting, PA
By Greg Oldfield
Chris Baker scored two goals, and former pro Antoine Hoppenot added a goal and two assists to lead Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USLPA) to a 4-0 win over Colonial SC (USLPA). VE wasted no time avenging a loss to Colonial in league play a week earlier when Baker found the back of the net six minutes in. Hoppenot, the longtime professional with the Philadelphia Union, FC Cincinnati, and several other USL clubs, broke the Colonial backline with a floated ball over the top. Baker controlled the pass, beat the remaining defender to the outside, and finished with a left-footed strike that beat keeper Gavin Hendrick.
Hoppenot scored VE’s second off a beautiful combination with Derek Antonini, settling the through ball before picking out the far corner.
Colonial had a brief rally through the middle of the half as midfielder Steve Hutchinson had a free kick saved by VE keeper Steve Paul before sending in a number of dangerous corners that were cleared away by the VE center back pairing of Aidan Watkins and another former pro Chris Williams.
As the mid-day heat kicked into gear on the turf at Victory Field in Whitemarsh, Pa., so did the VE attack. A long buildup in the 38th minute that started with the center backs ended with another combination from the front three as Hoppenot found Jalen Weatherspoon at the spot, and Weatherspoon extended the lead to 3-0. Two minutes later, VE added a fourth off a multi-numbered attack that ended with a four-on-two and Hoppenot picking out Baker at the far post for Baker’s second of the game.
Despite an intense Colonial start to the second half, VE kept the hosts at safe distance and rode out the remainder of the game, nearly extending their lead several times if not for the strong efforts of Hendrick to keep the scoreline stable.
6’ @VEClub 1, @Colonial_Soccer 0. The visitors strike first. Chris Baker gets on the end of a pass from Antoine Hoppenot. #USOC2025 pic.twitter.com/8EOEsKU7gf
— Philadelphia Soccer Now (@phlsoccernow) October 6, 2024
22’ @VEClub adds a 2nd in the first half. This time Antoine Hoppenot finishes a breakaway from Derek Antonini.
VE 2-0 @Colonial_Soccer #USOC2025 pic.twitter.com/jeH3z2zCWy— Philadelphia Soccer Now (@phlsoccernow) October 6, 2024
Roc City Boom (NISAN/USASA)
3:5
FCY New York (UPSL)
Finger Lakes Community College; Canandaigua, NY
By Jesse Dugan
FCY New York won an eight-goal thriller away from home against Roc City Boom at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, N.Y, The first half was very back and forth, with neither side truly taking control of the match. George Amoh opened the scoring in the 18th minute, putting Roc City up 1-0 with a curler from outside the box to the far top corner. However, FCY responded quickly with a tap-in by Scott Wyatt to make it 1-1 in the 22nd minute.
FCY grabbed the lead through Mohamed Ayad who scored off a rebound from a save made by Roc City Boom goalkeeper Samuel Furioso. FCY took control in the beginning stages of the second half, extending their lead to two with a goal by Ali Shawish.
FCY were then awarded a penalty for a foul by the Roc City goalkeeper in the 59th minute which was converted by Shawish to earn his brace and extend FCY’s lead to 4-1.
However, Roc City grew back into the game and were awarded a penalty of their own in the 75th minute. Tanner Bay saw his initial shot saved but Amoh scored the rebound for his double making it 4-2 in favor of FCY New York.
In the 82nd minute, Bay again sees a shot saved but Jeremy Locano jumps on the end of the rebound to reduce Roc City Boom’s deficit to one. Whitman Hernandez puts the game out of reach three minutes into stoppage time when he scored FCY’s 5th .
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Steel Pulse FC (MSSL/USASA)
7:0
Maryland Bobcats II (EPSL/USASA)
Milford Mill Academy; Millford Mill, MD
By Josh Hakala
Steel Pulse, a team that has seen minimal success in their four previous Open Cup qualifying appearances, kicked off the 2025 campaign with a statement win at home. The Maryland-based club, who have won just one game in their previous four trips to the tournament, thrashed Maryland Bobcats II of the Eastern Premier Soccer League, 7-0 on Sunday.
Stephen Jude scored an early brace to get the ball rolling for Steel Pulse.
They added a third through Diarra Zoumana. The former Loudoun United (USL Championship) player drove down the left wing, cut back inside and buried a shot just inside the far post.
Williams Yami Nono would add a pair of tap-in goals to put Steel Pulse up 5-0, while former Penn State Harrisburg standout Joey Aman would add a sixth goal on a counter attack. SPFC would wrap up the scoring with Youssef Naciri, who dribbled through the Maryland defense and beat the keeper to make it 7-0.
Justin Appler picked up the clean sheet for Steel Pulse.
This was the second one-sided result for Steel Pulse. Last year, they picked up their first-ever qualifying win with a 13-1 beat down of Villarreal CF Virginia.
Peak Eleven FC (MPL/USASA)
1:2
FC Denver (CPL/USSSA)
Fairview High School; Boulder, CO
By Josh Hakala
FC Denver escaped with a 2-1 win over Peak Eleven FC but they did so without registering a shot on goal. The only offensive output from the Colorado Premier League side was a shot that hit the crossbar and another that hit the post. The only scoring came from a pair of first half penalty kicks by Liam Creedon (28th and 35th minutes).
According to Peak Eleven, the team managed 10 shots on goal but the only ball that ended up in the back of the net was a 76th minute counter attack goal by Moutaz Badawi. Peak Eleven continued to press for the equalizer but the FC Denver defense held strong to preserve the win in the clubs’ 8th straight qualifying tournament appearance.
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Guerrilla FC (DCPL/USASA)
2:3
Alexandria Reds (UPSL)
The Fields at RFK; Washington, D.C.
By Josh Hakala
The Alexandria Reds of the UPSL got their US Open Cup qualifying debut off to a positive start with a 3-2 road win over Guerrilla FC. Ben Montague was the first one on the board with a goal in the 18th minute, but Guerrilla bounced back with William Brock’s equalizer in the 29th minute. Montague struck again in the 40th minute to give the Reds a one goal lead at halftime.
In the 53rd minute, Aaron Hurge gave the Reds a two-goal cushion which they held onto until stoppage time. Juan Luis of Guerrilla would cut the lead to one but it wouldn’t be enough as the Reds advanced to the second round.
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Boulder United FC (CPL/USSSA)
1:5
Azteca FC (CPL/USSSA)
Broomfield Commons; Broomfield, CO
By Andrew Mosier
Azteca FC took the first step towards a record fifth U.S. Open Cup appearance opening the 2025 qualifying tournament with a 5-1 win over Boulder United FC at Broomfield Commons.
Open Cup veteran Edgar Castillo tallied twice in Azteca’s dominating win over its fellow Colorado Premier League foe, along with goals by Jean Zidani, Edgar Hermosillo, and Romario Valdez.
Azteca was unable to capitalize on the run of play in the first half until Castillo opened the scoring in the 44th minute. Castello’s second goal seven minutes into the start of the second half opened the floodgates. Zidani made it 3-0 in the 63rd minute, followed by Hermosillo in the 78th.
Elies Boulezzaz pulled Boulder a goal back with nine minutes to play, spoiling Gerardo Aguilar’s clean sheet.
Valdez closed out scoring in the 81st minute to make it 5-1.
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Timbers SC (MPL/USASA)
0:1
Colorado Rovers (CPL/USSSA)
Englewood High School; Englewood, CO
By Josh Hakala
The Colorado Rovers have competed in every year of the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup that started in 2016. On Sunday, they picked up a narrow 1-0 road win over Timbers SC to advance to the next round. It was the club’s first qualifying win since 2022, after being one-and-done in each of the last two years.
The game’s lone goal came from James Ross who celebrated his birthday with a tap-in goal on an assist from Rory Fraser in about the 30th minute of the game at D’Evelyn Jr-Sr High School in Denver. Liam Fitzgerald earned the clean sheet in goal for the Rovers who are seeking the club’s first-ever trip to the Open Cup proper.
Dalton United (UPSL)
3:0
Pre-College Development Academy (UPSL)
Dalton Stadium; Dalton, GA
by Tim Abbott
In a battle of first-time US Open Cup qualifying entrants, Dalton United blanked Pre-College Development Academy 3-0. Dalton started early, going ahead from a long throw in the 5th minute. Pre-College DA then had a threatening period. Zach Perry blasted clear of the goal for Dalton United in the 16th minute. Following another long throw-in from Dalton United into the penalty area just two minutes later, Pre-College DA were reduced to ten men after the center referee consulted his assistant on the right side. The penalty kick resulting from the infringement was dispatched by Ezequiel Cholo Hernandez, firmly down the middle for a two goal lead.
With a man advantage, a two-goal lead within 20 minutes and a tendency towards pass-and-move, Dalton United took what remained of the sting from their opponents and strolled to a comfortable victory. Tony Saldana supplied the capper in the 75th minute, blasting home from a right wing corner.
FULL MATCH VIDEO:
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Boston Street FC (UPSL)
1:4
CD Faialense (BSSL/USASA)
Harry Della Russo Stadium; Revere, MA
By Todd Tinkham
In a rematch from last year’s Open Cup qualifying tournament, CD Faialense defeated Boston Street Soccer 4-1 on Sunday evening at Harry Della Russo Stadium in Revere, Mass. The dominating scoreline came as a surprise as the Bay State Soccer League mainstays had no problem dismantling the UPSL side Boston Street.
Max Krause opened the scoring for CD Faialense, followed by a brace from Alessandro Arlotti and a fourth from Francis Mulkern. Carlos Zapata scored a consolation goal for Boston Street in the 77th minute.
After defeating Boston Street in penalty kicks last year, and a win in regulation this time around, CD Faialense moves on to the next round which is scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 26-27.
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Zum Schneider FC 03 (EPSL/USASA)
2:0
Central Park Rangers FC (EPSL/USASA)
Jack McManus Field; New York, NY
By Michael Battista
Zum Schneider FC 03 beat fellow Eastern Premier Soccer League side Central Park Rangers FC, 2-0, to advance into the Third Qualifying Round. Goals in each half propelled the German heritage side to its second opening qualifying round win in as many years.
“We were the better team then, we were the better team today,” said Zum head coach Alexander Berscheid when asked about his team winning a second straight opening game. “I thought we were totally in control and we boss the field. Basically, we were physically strong. We moved the ball well and we were always dangerous to score again.”
CPR and Zum, sitting in 10th and 11th in the EPSL Metropolitan Conference and both calling Roosevelt Island’s Jack McManus Field home, played the game like two similar teams, Both sides struggled to get shots on target throughout the match. In the 19th minute, Central Park’s Naeem Charles, formerly of the New York Cosmos B and New Amsterdam FC, broke through on a breakaway but held the ball too long allowing goalkeeper Dario Giovanni Cruz to tackle it away. Zum took immediate advantage, counter-attacking up the left side. A shot was initially blocked by CPR keeper Christopher Valentine, but the loose ball was punched in by Sully Corneille.
Rangers, with only two subs on the bench, struggled to gain any momentum until late in the first half. Taking 35 minutes until getting their first shot, the visitors ended the half with three wide shots in the last ten minutes including a header off a corner kick in the 40th minute that just missed the right post. The visitors held some of that momentum into the second half but eventually Zum took advantage when CPR failed to clear a corner kick. Dennis Coke Jr poked the ball away from an opposing player, allowing Artur Shamrov to strike an arching right footed shot into the right side of the net in the 56th minute.
Zum finished out the match by rotating its lineup with four subs and parking the bus in the last five to ten minutes. Both teams struggled to get shots on target for the rest of the match, with Zum shooting wide of the net multiple times on goals that could have iced the game. Central Park nearly scored a consolation goal in the 84th minute, when Naeem Charles’ attempt from the center of the box was saved by goalkeeper Cruz.
“This is a big deal for these boys. This is supposed to be fun,” Berscheid said when talking about what the result meant for his group. “This is a great experience. We are in the US Open Cup.
“I call it the ‘Mission to play Messi’,” he said with a laugh, “You go through, what, four rounds or five rounds and you are possibly meeting pro teams. To measure yourself against the best is what these guys want and that’s what we’re giving to them.”
Shamrov, a former member of FC Lokomotyv Kyiv & New York City FC’s academy, is one of the handful of Zum players with impressive backgrounds. Defender Lazhari Salim Dziri played professionally in the Algerian first division while forward Diego Hurtado’s resume includes Open Cup stints with Miami United, a stint with the New York Cosmos, and most recently launching Diaza Sportswear (who’s kit clients include the recently launched Brooklyn FC).
“It’s really exciting. The best part about playing in this cup is that you get to test yourself against some of the best teams in New York State,” said midfielder and team captain Deniz Oncu”. We have a group that’s been together for a while. So it’s really exciting for us to be able to test ourselves.”
Time to do that Soccer.
On site At Roosevelt Island’s Jack McManus Field (formerly known as Octagon Field) for 2025 U.S. Open Cup Qualifying.
Zum Schneider FC 03 welcomes Central Park Rangers FC in an all #EPSL matchup for Round 2. Kickoff at 7 PM.#USOC2025 #RBNY #NYCFC pic.twitter.com/JlIZdsTNq0
— Michael Battista (@MichaelBattista) October 6, 2024
VA Revolution Pro (UPSL)
2:2
Northern Virginia FC (EPSL/USASA)
VA Revolution advances, 3-0 on penalty kicks
RavenTek Park; Leesburg, VA
By Josh Hakala
VA Revolution needed penalty kicks to advance in the club’s opening game of the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2025 US Open Cup. They eliminated the EPSL’s Northern Virginia FC, a team that has reached the final round in each of the last three years, and qualified in 2022. The score in the penalty kick shootout was 3-0, after the match finished tied at 2-2.
All of the offense during regulation came in the first half as VA Revolution’s Jack Stone scored a pair of goals three minutes apart (17th and 20th minutes). NoVa FC would pull one back through Alex Garrison in the 23rd minute, followed by an equalizer by Alex Dexter in the 43rd minute.
VA Revolution goalkeeper Tanner Newport made one save in the shootout and the other two attempts missed the target. Jack Stone, Kosta Nika and Aaron Uribe converted their PK attempts to give the Revs a rare shootout scoreline of 3-0.
It was the first time that VA Revolution has survived the opening game of the tournament after falling to the Aegean Hawks 4-1 in their debut in last year’s competition.
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Leros SC (LISFL/USASA)
2:1
NY Empire FC (UPSL)
College Point Fields; Flushing, NY
By Michael Battista
Leros SC won in its first ever US Open Cup Qualifying match, downing fellow debutant NY Empire FC, 2-1, in a battle for Long Island supremacy.
Open Cup regular Shaquille Saunchez, formerly of Lansdowne Yonkers FC, got the scoring goal when he set up the opening goal in the 43rd minute for Leros. A long pass down the midfield reached the feet of former Grenada national team forward Clive Murray, who pulled the keeper towards the left side of the box before beating him low toward the opposite post. Saunchez earned a second assist in the 69th minute, when he ran down the field on a break. He crossed the ball across the box, allowing Bryan Argueta to tap in Leros’ second goal.
The visiting NY Empire did push back late. Former Chattanooga FC forward Lenworth “Lenny” Lopez Jr. took advantage of a poor defensive play and struck from distance in the 88th minute. While that cut the deficit in half, in the end it acted as little more than a consolation goal.
Leros, the defending Long Island Soccer Football League Premier Division champions, are the first LISFL team to ever win a match in US Open Cup Qualifying. The often overshadowed, yet history rich league will look to make it two-in-a-row next round.
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FULL MATCH VIDEO:
Bowling Green FC (UPSL)
3:0
Southern Indiana Guardians FC (UPSL)
Bowling Green Junior High School; Bowling Green, KY
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
The UPSL’s Bowling Green won their first ever Open Cup qualifying game with a 3-0 win over UPSL league mates Southern Indiana Guardians.
Bowling Green opened the scoring in the 11th minute through an own goal. Kevin Ahamad’s long and high shot came off the post Southern Indiana goalkeeper Koffivi Aboudjo kicked it into his own net in an attempt to clear the rebound. Byamungu Amisi doubled Bpwling Green’s lead twelve minutes later.
The Guardians had a great chance to cut the lead in half at the 30th minute when they were awarded a free kick just inside the penalty area, but the attempt was stopped. Daniel Nkurunziza topped off the scoring for Bowling Green in second half stoppage time to make the final score 3-0.
FULL GAME VIDEO:
Your Men of the Match 🦁❤️
Good Night ✅⏳⏳⏳ pic.twitter.com/ioV1jTMG55
— Bowling Green FC (@BGFCGoldenLions) October 7, 2024
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Aegean Hawks FC (APL/USASA)
2:1
DC Hyper (UPSL)
Langley High School; McLean, VA
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
The Aegean Hawks advanced in the 2025 US Open Cup qualifying tournament in dramatic fashion, defeating the UPSL’s DC Hyper 2-1. After a scoreless opening half, the Hawks took the lead when Peter Omunyidde scored on a breakaway in the 52nd minute.
At the end of the second half is when all the drama unfolded. In the 88th minute DC Hyper were awarded a penalty kick when Hassan Elsayed was brought down just inside the box. Teammate Alfonso Dos Santos stepped up and converted the spot kick to tie the game 1-1. In the second minute of stoppage time a member of the DC Hyper coaching staff was given a red card for excessive arguing. Just as extra time seemed certain, the Aegean Hawks scored the dramatic winner in the 8th minute of stoppage time when David Rosenbaum took at a pass at the center of the penalty area and caught the DC Hyper goalkeeper out of position.
The Hawks will attempt to do something they have never done in the next round, which is to win multiple games in a qualifying tournament. The club has qualified for the Open Cup proper three times (2007, 2009, 2012) but has never punched their ticket to the competition since the new qualifying format began in 2016.
New Jersey Alliance FC (UPSL)
2:0
SC Vistula Garfield (EPSL/USASA)
Athenia Steel Park; Clifton, NJ
By Dave Einhorn
New Jersey Alliance is moving on to the second round of the US Open Cup qualifyingn tournament. It wasn’t an easy match by any means, as Vistula Garfield made them work for a 2-0 home victory.
The first half featured brilliant soccer: excellent passing, moving, and extraordinary flicks to keep the ball in play. The finishing was another story, as both teams had substantial opportunities to score but seemed to put the ball everywhere but the back of the net.
Injuries began to take a toll in the second half as both team’s players fought for every ball. Eventually, the deadlock was broken by New Jersey Alliance’s number 17, Emiland Elezaj. Assisted by Christopher Rubio, Emiland connected with a pass played into the middle and gave his side a commanding 1-0 lead in the 68th minute. The trouble for Vistula Garfield was compounded when Abdoul Sangare was sent off after bringing down an Alliance player during a breakaway.
Now down to ten men, Vistula couldn’t cope with New Jersey’s attacks. The second goal came in the 80th minute when Joshua Geller found open space in the 18 and slotted the ball home. New Jersey would also be awarded a penalty in stoppage time. In a match where finishing was so important, Joshua Geller was offered the opportunity for a brace, but he couldn’t convert. Luckily for him, it did not affect the final score as New Jersey came away with a 2-0 win.
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