The first steps have been taken toward the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The Open Division qualifying tournament kicked off this weekend with 22 games that featured amateur clubs that have goals of being the tournament’s next Cinderella story.
The 22 winners will advance to Round 2 which is scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 11-12. It will be the busiest qualifying weekend on record with 54 games on the docket.
Read below for a brief recap of all 22 games. Many of the games featuring volunteer reporters covering these games on-site. We are trying to raise money to pay our volunteer reporters for all of their hard work and travel costs. If you appreciate the work that goes into covering this tournament every year from the first qualifier to the championship game, join our PATREON team here.
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
Edgewater Castle FC (MWPL/USASA)
2:1
Black Cat FC (UPSL)
Redmond Recreational Complex – Bensenville, IL
Edgewater Castle FC (Rooks) bested hosts Black Cat FC (BCFC) 2-1 on Saturday night to reach the second round of Open Division qualifying tournament for the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The match, the first-ever competitive meeting between the clubs, drew 80 fans and featured near-even play in shots, fouls, and corners.
The Rooks struck first in the 22nd minute when Joshua Torres’s free-kick delivery found Mounir Alami, who headed home for the lead. BCFC responded in the 33rd, as Oladeinbo Toluwalase’s header was redirected in by Jethro Yumange to level the score.
Early in the second half, Rooks forward Qudus Lawal appeared to be fouled in the box after rounding the keeper, but no penalty was given. The decisive moment came in the 70th minute, when substitute Milos Vucic curled a free kick into the top corner for a stunning winner.
Rooks keeper Greg Stellatos preserved the lead with a crucial 81st-minute save, finishing with five stops on the night.
Afterward, head coach Duygu Erdoğan praised her squad: “My players showed a fantastic fighting spirit. Despite our absences, with their desire and determination, they managed to get through this round. But we are still at the beginning; we need to work much harder.”
Southern Indiana FC (UPSL)
10:0
Southern Indiana Guardians FC (UPSL)
Woehrle Athletic Complex– Jeffersonville, IN
By Zach Allen-Kelly
The battle for southern Indiana was won in a decisive fashion with Southern Indiana FC (SIFC) advancing past Southern Indiana Guardians FC 10-0 in the first round of 2026 US Open Cup qualifying. SIFC is off to a strong start on their quest to qualify for the Open Cup for a second year in a row, led by braces from forwards Kellen Clegg and Nathan Brown. The win was a team effort, with 7 different goalscorers for the boys in Teal.
The Guardians started the game strong, forcing SIFC keeper Kaiden Farrar off his line to save a 1v1 opportunity in the 2nd minute, but SIFC was able to get out to a quick 2-0 lead off a pair of set piece goals in the 5th and 13th minutes, and never let up. The Guardians struggled all night to keep up with the pace on the wings for SIFC, who entered halftime up 5-0.
The struggles for the Guardians continued in the second half, going down to 10 players in the 54th minute after keeper Mark Christy received a red card for a challenge just outside the box. SIFC took advantage of the extra player, scoring in the 66th, 71st, 77th, and 85th minutes to secure the 10-0 victory.
Colonial SC (USLPA/USASA)
3:0
Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals (NPSL/USASA)
Ukrainian American Sports Center – North Wales, PA
By Matt Ralph
John Underwood had a brace in the first half and set up a second half goal by Oliver Whitham to lead Colonial SC to a 3-0 win over the 4-time US Open Cup champion Ukrainian Nationals.
Goalkeeper Gunner Hoffman recorded the clean sheet for the visitors and Dallen Moore chipped in an assist on the second goal with a lovely ball that found the head of Underwood streaking toward goal from the right flank.
The win was a first for Colonial SC in US Open Cup qualifying. The USL of Pennsylvania team was knocked out in the first round by league rivals Vereinigung Erzgebirge in 2024 and Ukrainian Nationals in 2023.
FC Bartlesville Buffaloes (UPSL)
0:6
Tulsa Athletic (TLFC)
Athletic Community Field – Tulsa, OK
By John Franchina
The Tulsa Athletic defeated FC Bartlesville Buffaloes 6-0 Saturday night in the first round of 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament at Hicks Field in Tulsa.
Erick Diaz scored in the 12th minute, off a short pass from Raffa Zaldivar, to give the Athletic an early 1-0 lead against a Bartlesville club that didn’t have any substitutes available on the bench.
A penalty kick goal by Aboubakr Diallo in the third minute of first half stoppage time gave Tulsa a commanding 2-0 lead just before halftime.
Stefan Cvetanovic had the best opportunity for Bartlesville, which reached the UPSL’s Regional Final in 2025, but Tulsa goalkeeper Bryson Reed made a nice leaping save on Cvetanovic’s blast from 20 yards out in the 63rd minute to keep it 2-0.
Then Francois Geris-Rey scored for the Athletic in the 67th minute to make it 3-0 and that pretty much clinched the triumph for the home side, which continued to wear down the sub-less Buffaloes as the game progressed.
Tulsa added three goals in the final 10 minutes to put the game away, as K.B Harris scored in the 81st minute, Joe Ruiz found the net in the 85th and Edgar Nino capped it off with a goal in stoppage time, just before the final whistle.
Tulsa, which reached the national semifinals in The League for Clubs in 2025, is looking to qualify for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the fifth straight season. They advance to the second round of qualifying that will take place Oct. 11-12.
Wisloka Chicago (UPSL)
3:0
Chicago Strikers (UPSL)
College of DuPage – Glen Ellyn, IL
By Michael Battista
A Windy City derby in the First Qualifying Round saw Wisloka Chicago beat the Chicago Strikers, 3-0, in a quiet Chicago suburb. The two UPSL sides both play in the league’s Midwest Central – North Conference, where Wisloka was also successful against the Strikers, beating them 3-2 in league play.
Despite being scoreless, Wisloka controlled the first half as the Strikers failed to get any shots off against the hosts. The Polish heritage side, tied culturally to one of the oldest sports clubs in their home country – Wisłoka Dębica, got on the board in the 43rd minute. A loose ball in the box was headed in by Artur Kielar to make it 1-0. In the 57th minute, former Ukrainian professional center back Oleksandr “Olek” Melnyk made it 2-0. The final nail came late when Michał Szaflarski scored a crisp, curving shot from the top of the box in the 83rd minute.
Wisloka is competing in its third straight Open Cup qualifying tournament and fell earlier this year in Round 2 of the USASA Region II Amateur Cup tournament. All three defeats came at the hands of the same team; Chicago House AC.
Albion SC Silicon Valley (TLFC)
7:1
Eclipse Soccer Academy (UPSL)
Santa Cruz High School – Santa Cruz, CA
By Marcos Lopez
On the evening of September 13th, 2025, Albion SC Silicon Valley thoroughly routed fellow NorCal club Eclipse Soccer Academy by a score of 7-1 in Round 1 of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying stage, with the outcome never being in doubt.
Albion showed their edge early in the match by scoring two goals within the first 10 minutes by Julio Hernandez and Anthony Tafolla respectively.
In the 35th minute, Michael Licona scored on a straight forward and ferocious attack. He would go on to have an impressive hat trick in the 69th minute in the form of a long-range free kick, and again in the 75th minute. The other goalscorers for Albion SC were Hector Orozco by penalty kick and Samuel Romero in the 89th minute via a superb cross. Cole Homer on the Eclipse side kept the game from being a complete sweep with a goal in the 76th minute.
Overall, Albion SC Silicon Valley controlled the game from its outset with their disciplined ball movement and fast-paced offense, always keeping Eclipse on the defensive. Even though the latter did get by the former’s defense, Albion SCs commanding win will carry them to the next round in their first ever bid to qualify for the 2026 US Open Cup.
SF Vikings SC (SFSFL/USAS)
1:5
Napa Valley 1839 FC (TLFC)
Justin Siena High School – Napa, CA
By Jim Coppock
Napa Valley handled SF Vikings tonight by a score of 5-1. Despite the scoreline, the visitors held tight through the game. The second half saw Napa’s experience controlling the events.
Dario Pavon, Ulysses Vega and Oscar Ortiz were the collective engine for the winners. The first half hour was cagey and tactical, with both sides forcing the best out of each other’s back line.
Pavon opened the scoring in the 28th minute via an assist from Ulyssess “Uly” Vega. Helper turned scorer ten minutes later from a long arcing cross from Ryan Dieter. Uly got his second just before the halftime whistle from about three yards out from Pavon.
To their credit, even after Oscar Ortiz put Napa 4 goals clear in the 50th minute, the Vikings, one of the oldest clubs in this year’s competition (est. 1922) never put their heads down. Ronald Delta-Djimasbe was able to break the shutout on a magnificent 45-yard breakaway in the 79th minute. A few minutes later, Angelo Vivan restored the 4-goal lead in the 85th minute to ensure the home side crossed the finish line.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USLPA/USASA)
2:1
Vidas United FC (APSL/USASA)
John Bartram High School – Philadelphia, PA
By Josh Hakala
Open Cup qualifying regular Vereinigung Erzgebirge advanced to the Second Round with a 2-1 win over Vidas United. VE scored a pair of goals in the first 29 minutes of the game and they were able to hold on from there to get the win. Former pro Antoine Hoppenot delivered a cross to Reed Sturza who headed the ball down and Derek Antonini pounced on the loose ball and beat the keeper with a header. In the 29th minute, Antonini delivered a pass to Hoppenot who fired a shot that took a big deflection and beat the keeper.
VE captain Steve Paul kept Vidas scoreless by saving a penalty kick in the 56th minute. Less than 10 minutes later, Vidas finally broke through with a goal from Juan Polanco on a combination play but that’s as close as they would get.
VE, ,who has been playing soccer since 1934, is attempting to qualify for the third time in the Modern Era (2002, 2024). Last year, they fell one game short, losing to West Chester United in a “Win & You’re In” match. For Vidas, it was their second straight one-and-done entry into the competition.
Christos FC (APSL/USASA)
8:0
Patuxent FA (APSL/USASA)
Liberty Sports Park– Upper Marlboro, MD
By Josh Hakala
It was a one-sided affair in Upper Marlboro, Md. as Christos FC cruised to an 8-0 win over Patuxent FA. The Baltimore-based side, best known for their battle with D.C. United (MLS) in the 2017 US Open Cup, is seeking a fifth trip to the tournament and their first since 2024.
Christos built a 4-0 lead at the halftime break and never looked back. Jacob Bender contributed two goals and an assist, while Brian Graham scored three straight goals in the second half for his hat trick. Christos also received goals from Elijah Belcher, Daniel Baxter and Edixon Moreira. Juston Rainey and Luis Soria also chipped in two assists each.
To make matters worse, a Patuxent player was shown a second yellow card in the 63rd minute to put them down to 10 men.
Norcal Shockwaves (SFSFL/USASA)
2:4
The Olympic Club (SFSFL/USASA)
Negoesco Stadium – San Francisco, CA
By Otis Lyons
The Olympic Club defeated Norcal Shockwaves 4-2 at a foggy Negoesco Stadium in San Francisco on Sunday afternoon, led by a brace from striker Arda Bulut.
The Olympic Club were immediately on the front foot, testing Juan Morales’ net often in the first moments of the match. Despite an initial defensive stand by the Shockwaves, Alexander Weekes opened the scoring in the 17th minute.
The Olympic Club pressed their advantage with a sweeping team move in the 22nd minute. Left back Andrew Robertson received the ball on the run and cut it back to the penalty spot, where striker Arda Bulut calmly finished to the far side of the net. Just three minutes later, the hosts made it 3-0 through Kevin Lopes.
Norcal Shockwaves made it interesting, with goals on either side of halftime. Ronaldo Nava roofed a half-volley on a looping through-ball from Rei Dorwart, before Julio Gonzales beat Kristoffer Jensson in the 54th minute to pull the Shockwaves within one goal.
Despite the unlikely comeback effort, The Olympic Club kept their cool, mitigating the Shockwaves’ chances throughout most of the second half. It took until the 80th minute for the lead to become comfortable once again, when Bulut earned a penalty and wrong-footed Morales to make it 4-2.
The Olympic Club, founded in 1860 and members of the San Francisco Soccer Football League (SFSFL) since 1916, will advance to the second qualifying round. But it proved to be harder than they may have thought. Olympic Club were champions of the 2025 SFSFL Premier Division, the first tier of the league. Meanwhile, the Shockwaves placed last in the First Division, the SFSFL’s third tier, losing each of their 18 games and earning a goal difference of -199.
Boulder United FC (CPL/USSSA)
4:0
Colorado Rovers (CPL/USSSA)
Broomfield Commons– Broomfield, CO
By Andrew Mosier
Boulder United FC are through to the second round of local qualifying for a second consecutive year with a 4-0 win over fellow Colorado Premier League side, Colorado Rovers. Andre Arendt, George Munoz, Amaro Vargas scored goals for Boulder in the win at Broomfield Commons. Boulder played the final 19 minutes of the match with 10 men after Thomas Tapia was shown a second yellow card.
Arendt opened the scoring at the half-hour mark, slaloming through the Rovers back line before finishing from the far post from a tight angle. Munoz doubled the lead two minutes later, capitalizing on a failed Rovers clearance.
Arendt’s pressure after the start of the second half led to a Rovers’ own goal in the 58th minute to make it 3-0, and Vargas made it 4-0 in the 64th minute with a drive from inside the penalty area.
It marked the first Open Cup qualifying win for Boulder United in four tries.
Doradus FC (UPSL)
3:0
Oranje FC (DCPL/USASA)
The Fields at RFK Campus (Field 3)– Washington, D.C.
By Josh Hakala
In a battle between two clubs making their US Open Cup qualifying debut, Doradus FC shut out Oranje FC 3-0 to advance to the second round. It was scoreless at the half but the game changed when Oranje FC’s starting goalkeeper John Canning had to leave the game due to injury. As a result, with no backup available, he had to be replaced by Daniel Perlis, the team’s right wing.
While Perlis performed admirably as an emergency backup, Doradus was able to take advantage. Around the 65th minute, Connor Robles made a run down the right wing and made a cross into the box. His cross found Kyle Welch who made a one-touch finish into the top right corner of the goal to open the scoring.
Just ten minutes later, Milton Juarez doubled the lead.. After winning a 50/50 challenge against the center back, he spotted the keeper off his line and chipped a 30-yard shot over him.
Oranje FC continued to push numbers through the middle and generated some chances. But Dorados’ goalkeeper Jack Pinson stood tall, making several clutch saves to preserve the lead and ultimately to earn the clean sheet.
Five minutes later, substitute Geraldo Silva added a third. Mirroring Juarez’s earlier effort, Silva won a contested ball 35 yards out and curled a beautiful shot over the keeper, who was again caught off his line.
Sporting NTX (UPSL)
2:6
Denton Diablos (Metro PL/USSSA)
Alliance Park (Field 2) – Fort Worth, TX
By Josh Hakala
The Denton Diablos, a former NPSL club that recently joined USL League Two, cruised into the second round of US Open Cup qualifying with a 6-2 win over Sporting NTX. The Diablos jumped out to an early 3-0 lead with goals from Matt Albury (25th min.), Andrew Hernandez (40th min.), Waleed Cherif (43rd min.).
Sporting pulled one back in the 58th minute from the penalty spot, only to have Jay Lee restore the 3-goal advantage with a goal around the 65th minute. Lee, who was making his debut with the Diablos, added another just five minutes later. Sporting added a second goal in the 72nd minute, but it was 17-year-old Demetrius Cassius who finished off the scoring in the 85th minute.
For Denton, they take another step toward qualifying for the US Open Cup for what would be the second time. They qualified for the 2020 US Open Cup as a member of the NPSL, but that tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Scots-American Athletic Club (GSSL)
3:1
Real Central NJ Soccer (APSL)
Kearny High School – Kearny, NJ
By Michael Battista
Kearny Scots-American AC, the oldest club in the qualifying tournament (est. 1895), used early momentum to overcome Real Central NJ Soccer, 3-1, on a warm night in Soccertown USA. Despite only re-emerging into competitive soccer a couple months ago, the Scots were organized enough to take down a team from the much larger American Premier Soccer League.
The home side stunned the visitors when Damien Kolodziej sent a pass to Jeffery Barrenechea, who shot low enough on a fast break to beat RCNJ keeper Dan Verdal in the second minute. Two minutes later, Dwight Ceballo fed Daniel Vicente on the right side who beat the keeper to double his team’s lead.
“We started off the game off with a lot of intensity and after getting that first goal we saw they were so shaken on build-up, so Dwight did a good job reading the first pass. We all just went collectively because our tactics are when one goes we all go,” Vicente said. “So I saw the open play, read that they were hesitating, and took a shot.”
Vicente, who previously played professional soccer in the National Independent Soccer Association, says it’s great to be representing his home town team. The forward, who also currently works for the front office of the New York Cosmos in USL League One, also said it would be cool to possibly play against his bosses.
“All my bosses will come watch me play and it would be a really cool thing,” he joked.
The Scots struggled to get near the net again for the rest of the first half, minus corner kicks, while RCNJ tried to collect itself.
The second half saw RCNJ pick up the intensity, first with a yellow card to Vincenzo Pugliese. In the 55th minute, the visitors cut the deficit in half off a goal from Sean Milelli, assisted by Reed Sviben. Real Central looked posed to equalize but the emotions got the better of the team. In the 73rd minute, Pugliese took out Kearny’s Denilson Olivera with a slide while the player was out of bounds. He was shown a second yellow, forcing RCNJ to play with 10 men. Kearny took back the momentum, especially with RCNJ playing high, and scored a third in the 87th to nail the result thanks to a shot from Leandro Gonzales-Lopez, with Cebello getting a second assist.
RCNJ’s Alex Lobato was shown a straight red in the 88th, taking out Vicente near the fourth official, as RCNJ finished the game with nine men.
According to information available to TheCup.us, Sunday’s win marks the first win for either the Scots or any team from Kearny since 1951.
“This club has a lot of history and we want to bring it back, and revive it,” head coach Robert Gjoca said after the game. “How it’s gonna go, I don’t know. But we are trying our best.”
Dallas Atletico (MPL/USSSA)
3:1
FORO SC (UPSL)
Bishop Lynch High School – Dallas, TX
By Adam Uthe
Dallas Atletico pulled off an impressive 3-1 victory over recent Open Cup darlings FORO SC thanks to a sensational individual performance from Oscar Ocampo. The Atletico center forward featured in all three goals, scoring two and assisting on the third as the visitors took down a FORO side that notched significant upset wins in the early rounds of the 2025 and 2024 tournaments.
For the first 45 minutes, it looked as if Dallas Atletico were the ones with a history of Open Cup success to their name. It took just 11 minutes before the game’s first goal to arrive. Ocampo played a clever give-and-go on the right side in transition with Jonathan Zuniga, who buried the chance from a tight angle. Atletico’s attack was focused on the right side and those same two players would combine again midway through the half, though they failed to capitalize the second time around. FORO struggled to retain meaningful possession, and Atletico took their 1-0 lead into halftime.
FORO did manage to adjust after the break and wrestled control of the match back with more consistent pressure. A free kick at the edge of the box sailed just narrowly over the crossbar and three minutes later, in the 69th minute, Luis Lara collected a pass from Fabricio Martinez near the penalty spot and leveled the score at 1-1. It looked as if the deadlock might hold, but in the 78th minute, a FORO clearance deflected off of multiple players before coming to rest halfway between Ocampo and the penalty box. The Atletico forward took his chance and rounded FORO’s keeper to go up 2-1. Ocampo saved his best for last, however, smashing a perfect strike into the far upper corner of the net from an even wider angle than Zuniga’s goal in the first half.
Dallas Atletico coach Gerardo Acuna-Espinoza singled out Ocampo’s performance but also praised the rest of the team’s effort.
“Everybody was ready to go since Day One when I asked them to join .”
Acuna-Espinoza also felt the performance left the team feeling even more confident going into their next qualifying match.
“Of course, confidence went up. It’s a lot higher now. Great against FORO so we’re just ready to face off against the next opponent.”
Arlington SA Pro (UPSL)
3:1
Aegean Hawks FC (APL/USASA)
Langley High School– McLean, VA
By Josh Hakala
Arlington SA Pro earned their first Open Cup qualifying win, 3-1 over qualifying regulars Aegean Hawks FC.
Arlington opened the scoring about 10 minutes into the game on a well-worked goal that came from the right wing. As the team moved up the wing, a through pass was sent on the ground into the right side of the penalty area where a player ran onto it and backheeled it to Miles Powell who one-timed it with his left foot and beat the keeper to the far post.
About 10 minutes later, an Arlington counterattack created a second goal. On the left side, they sent a ball over the top to Powell. Once he gathered the ball at the top of the box, he took a touch to his right foot and he hit a low, far-post shot that went off the inside of the post and went in.
The Hawks were given a chance to get back in the game late in the first half. Julian Ngoh went one-on-one with a defender and gained the box from the left wing only to have the defender trip him and the referee pointed to the spot. The former William & Mary standout took the penalty kick, but Arlington Maxim Davis dove low and to his right to make the save to keep the Hawks off the scoresheet.
After numerous chances, the Hawks finally broke through in about the 65th minute. They played a corner kick on the ground to the top of the box where Ngoh met the ball with a one-timer. His shot was blocked by a defender, but the ball fell to the other side of the box where Brandon Parr blasted the ball on frame. The ball hit the under side of the crossbar and down, but the referee ruled that the ball had crossed the goalline.
The Hawks pushed for an equalizer late in the game and Arlington took advantage with a counterattack. Arlington played a through ball to Jordan McMillen who had just one man to beat. After winning the one-on-one battle with the defender, he had only the goalkeeper to beat and he calmly finished to make the game 3-1.
New Jersey Alliance FC (UPSL)
0:1
DOXA SC (APSL/USASA)
Flowers Park – New Rochelle, NY
By Josh Hakala
DOXA SC scored a first-half goal and the defense did the rest in a 1-0 win over the New Jersey Alliance. It was the first Open Cup qualifying entry in the Modern Era for DOXA after being regulars in the tournament in the 1960s and 1970s.
The winning goal came in the 22nd minute. Murat Calkap took a shot and then followed up and curled it past the goalkeeper from 15 yards out. Calkap, who spent three years at Wisconsin before transferring to Fordham, nestled the ball just inside of the far post for what would prove to be the game’s only goal.
Giuliano Santucci earned the clean sheet to send DOXA into the second round.
American Soccer Club New York (NPSL)
1:2
New York Renegades (UPSL)
SUSA Orlin & Cohen Sports Complex (Field 2) – Central Islip, NY
The New York Renegades spoiled the Open Cup qualifying debut of American Soccer Club with a 2-1 win on Sunday in Central Islip, NY. After a scoreless first half, Oscar Rivas scored a stunning goal to break the deadlock. He received a pass in the middle of the field, turned and fired a 30-yard strike over the diving goalkeeper.
The Renegades would add a second goal in the 81st minute from one of their more popular players. Rosero made a name for himself as one of the top scorers of 2025 edition of The Soccer Tournament. Rosero represented Premier League club AFC Bournemouth in the million-dollar tournament that was held in Cary, NC this past summer.
Alberto Nieto, one of the Nieto twins from Ecuador, scored off a corner kick late in the game, but American SC would fail to find an equalizer.
The Renegades move on to the next round as they move one step closer to qualifying for the Open Cup for a second year in a row.
FC Denver (CPL/USSSA)
2:3
Peak Eleven FC (Mountain PL/USASA)
Pinnacle Athletic Complex – Thornton, CO
After Extra Time
By Jim Coppock
In an all-Colorado affair, Peak Eleven needed 120 minutes to defeat FC Denver by a 3-2 score. The game was fiercely contested for all 120 minutes; extra time saw the same intensity as regulation.
The scoring began from the penalty spot after a reckless, bone-jarring challenge near the edge of the penalty area. It was not deemed a “DOGSO” (Denial of an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity), so no sending off. Jaime Gutierrez placed the spot kick along the ground and halfway between the keeper and the post for the 1-0 lead.
In the 76th minute, Alpay Lazkano increased the host’s lead to two with a beautifully headed ball from a free kick, deftly directing it on goal. The Denver keeper was caught flat-footed and was beaten to his near post. Four minutes later, off a quick throw-in, FC Denver’s Dominic Dennis quickly replied. From a short cross, he beat four opponents and the keeper in a goalmouth scramble.
In the 84th minute, Dennis would get his brace and set the game up for a thrilling finish. A poor touch at the top of Peak’s defensive third set up a 20-yard cross field pass that freed up Dennis at the back post, where he received an inch-perfect cross and slotted home the equalizer.
Six minutes into extra time, the only other goal would come off a headed ball. The ball went almost directly down, the bounce beat the Denver keeper and hit the lower side of the crossbar, the ball did not originally cross the line, but the spin took it back under the crossbar and in. A Denver defender hopelessly flailed to keep it out, and made contact, but he was standing inside the goal. A third goal and ultimately the winner for Peak Eleven.
With the win, Peak Eleven avenges last year’s 2-1 loss to FC Denver in the competition and takes the first step toward qualifying for the Open Cup for the first time in club history. For FC Denver, their goal of qualifying for a third time will have to wait until next year.
Majestic SC (APSL/USASA)
1:0
Terminus FC (ADASL/USASA)
Brook Run Soccer Fields – Dunwoody, GA
Match ended in 73rd min after stadium lights went out
By Henry Higuita Jr.
In the battle between Atlanta’s two oldest competitive adult soccer teams, Majestic SC got on the better end of a 1-0 scoreline against Terminus FC.
Brennan Koslow netted the only goal of the match, hitting a first-time rocket from distance in the 30th minute to give Majestic the lead. Terminus created many threatening attacks down the left side through the dynamic duo of Asad Bashir and Jean Malilo in pursuit of an equalizer, but Majestic held strong.
Then came two big twists in the match. The first was Majestic’s Jackson Eskay getting sent off after receiving his second yellow card of the match in the 69th minute for delaying the restart of play by kicking the ball away.
However, Terminus barely had any time to capitalize on their man advantage as the lights at the field went out and the game was stopped in the 73rd minute.
According to the US Open Cup qualifying handbook: “If a match is terminated after the end of the first half of a match, but before the end of the second half with one of the teams winning, and the termination is not due to the conduct of one of the teams, the match is considered complete, and the team winning at the time of the termination shall be the winner.”
This means that Majestic SC advances to the second round of qualifying for the third time after doing so in 2018 and 2024.
MSI Pro (UPSL)
2:1
Yinz United (APL/USASA)
Oakton High School – Vienna, VA
MSI Pro traveled to Vienna, Va. to take on Yinz United and were victorious, winning by a 2-1 scoreline.
In the 30th minute, Francis Meyer beat his defender and raced to a ball about to cross the bye line and sent it back to the six where Yousef Barry shoveled it in for a 1-0 lead.
In the 69th minute, MSI worked a beautiful overlapping run out of the midfield. A cross, likely looking for Barry, saw Yinz’s Mike Cherry inadvertently put the ball in his own goal, to put the visitors up 2-0.
Yinz would break the shut out in the 86th minute. Austin Pelto was taken down from behind in the area to set up a penalty kick. The penalty kick was saved but the ball remained loose, and Kareem Najib raced in to knock the ball in to cut the deficit in half. The game ended 2-1.
NY Pancyprian Freedoms (APSL)
0:2
NY Greek American SC (APSL/USASA)
Hofstra Stadium – Hempstead, NY
By JJ Pavlick
What should have been a celebration of New York’s rich soccer heritage instead became a cautionary tale about officiating, as the New York Greek Americans defeated the New York Pancyprian Freedoms 2-0 in a First Round matchup in the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament.
The qualifier between two teams with seven US Open Cup titles between them, was marred by controversial refereeing decisions at Hofstra University.
The matchup between these two powerhouse clubs represented one of the flaws of the tournament’s current format. With priority paid to local matchups to minimize travel costs, often finds high-level teams and local rivals meeting in the early rounds of the qualifying tournament rather than both clubs getting a chance to advance to the later rounds. These storied rivals, who boast deep histories and mutual respect built over decades of competition, deserved to meet in a Final or a Semifinal, but this year’s competition finds them meeting in the opening round.
The match began promisingly enough, with the Greek Americans capitalizing on a Pancyprian clearing error in the 8th minute. Frencesco Perinelli’s far-post header from the
ensuing corner gave the Greeks an early 1-0 advantage.
However, the contest took a devastating turn in the second half when some refereeing decisions changed the game. Starting in the 49th minute, the first controversial decision involved him issuing a yellow card to Greeks assistant coach Richard Nuttall for simply asking him to consult his assistant referee. That was followed by issuing two yellow cards to the Freedom’s Filip Jauk for minor infractions which led to his ejection in the 52nd minute.
Thirty seconds later, veteran Jimmy Nealis – brother of New York Red Bulls defenders Sean and Dylan – received a straight red card for what appeared to be a gentle push during a verbal exchange. The historic rivalry was now reduced to both teams playing with 10 men and changed the game into a funeral atmosphere in the stadium.
The four-time US Open Cup champion Greek Americans added a second goal through Roc Carles Puig in the 56th minute and the defense held on to preserve the shutout. This was some revenge for the Greeks who finished second to the Freedoms in last year’s APSL Metropolitan Conference Standings.