2026 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2: Rulings made in Doxa FCW, Sharktopus FC protests

The rulings have come down from on high. Both protests regarding games from the Second Qualifying Round for the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup were resolved by the United States Soccer Federation. Doxa FCW have seen their protest denied. While Sharktopus FC will live to fight another day.

Doxa FCW’s claim that the referees failed to inspect the netting on the goal which led to a goal was rejected. Therefore a 2-1 loss to Lansdowne Yonkers will stand. However, a replay was ordered for the game between Sharktopus FC and Bellevue Athletic after a perceived conflict of interest was discovered. Sharktopus FC learned after the game that the referee in charge of the match had recently played for a team in the Bellevue Athletic organization. The date of the replay has not been announced.

If you ever wondered why referees seem to examine and tug at the netting on the goal prior to a match or before the start of the second half this is why. During the Oct. 12 match between Doxa FCW and Lansdowne Yonkers a goal was scored through the side of the net. 

In the fifth minute of play, Ali Dawha of Lansdowne took a shot toward the Doxa net. Giuliano Santucci, the Doxa goalkeeper, made a diving attempt to his left but the curving shot went by Santucci’s outstretched hand. It’s at this point things get strange, much like a ghost passing through a wall, video of the play shows the ball going through the side of the netting an into the goal. Astute soccer observers will note that traditionally goals are scored through the front of the net, not the sides.

Doxa immediately took umbrage to the non-standard manner in which Lansdowne scored. A roughly ten-minute argument ensued. During the fracas the Doxa coach received a red card. After the match a protest was immediately filed with the USSF.

On October 16 Doxa FCW reposted a video on both the team’s Instagram and Facebook account from goalkeeper Santucci’s company GSS Sport Training. In the video, Santucci claims he showed the referee the issue with the net before the match started. He states the referee acknowledged his complaints and did nothing.

Lansdowne v Doxa.US Open Cup.Cmon, how can this be allowed to [email protected] @protagonistsoccer.bsky.social @[email protected]

— NYCosmosSC (@nycosmossc.bsky.social) 2025-10-13T01:03:29.700Z

In the end, the federation ruling was made in favor of Lansdowne Yonkers. The goal will stand, the match will not be replayed, and Lansdowne will advance to the Third Qualifying Round. There they will take on the New York Renegades FC in a Nov. 1 match at SUSA Orlin & Cohen Sports Complex.

In a statement issued by US Soccer to Doxa FCW and obtained by Michael Battista at Hudson River Blue, the federation claimed it could not overturn the ruling. This is because with no video review for games played at this level a referee’s decision is final based on Law 5 which states:

“The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play, including whether or not a goal is scored and the result of the match, are final.”

On the very same night in which Doxa and Lansdowne were having their disagreement in New York, another dispute was brewing in a match on the opposite side of the country.

Sharktopus FC was hosting Bellevue Athletic FC at Jefferson Playfield in Seattle. The match was an entertaining back and forth affair that eventually ended in a 4-3 extra time victory for Bellevue.

There was just one problem.

Head referee Alex Wolbert had previously played for Bellevue Athletic and had recently been playing for their reserve side Bellevue Athletic 2. As of the writing of this article he was listed online on the Bellevue Athletic 2 roster.

Sharktopus FC quickly filed a protest with the federation.

The assignment of Wolbert seems to have had minimal effect on the game, both yellow cards issued went against Bellevue. Even the appearance of any impropriety in a game can be damaging. With that in mind yesterday, US Soccer ruled in favor of Sharktopus FC.

In a statement, the USSF reiterated that Wolbert himself is not at fault for the ruling.

“The Panel wants to be clear for the record that its decision does not reflect any evidence or belief that any party attempted to influence the competition, nor should the decision be viewed as a referendum of the on-field performance of the match officials during the match in question.”

This means Sharktopus FC is back from the dead and Bellevue Athletic FC must slay the beast for a second time.

“We’re grateful to US Soccer for their swift and thoughtful review of our protest and for upholding the principles of fairness that make the US Open Cup so special,” Sharktopus player/coach/general manager Leo Ohannesian told TheCup.us. “We also want to thank Bellevue Athletic and all parties involved for their cooperation throughout this process. We recognize how difficult it is to schedule a replay this time of year in Seattle, with limited field availability and tight calendars, but both clubs are actively working with organizers to find a solution. Our hope is that this decision not only ensures a fair outcome for this match but also helps strengthen transparency and assignment processes for teams of all levels in future competitions.”

Shortly after the USSF announced its decision, Bellevue Athletic announced that they would be appealing the decision.

While no firm details have been released yet the match will be played before the Third Qualifying Round begins on Nov. 1.