2026 US Open Cup Qualifying: High-scoring Southern Indiana FC blanks Briar United to qualify

Two UPSL clubs on completely different trajectories met in the fourth and final round of qualifying for the 2026 US Open Cup. Briar United, who finished the league season on a six-match skid with a final record of 2-2-6 (W-D-L) made the 500-plus mile trip across the Appalachians. On the other side were hosts Southern Indiana FC who had stomped their previous three Open Cup qualifying opponents, scoring 21 goals and allowing just one. After the first half ended 0-0, an upset seemed possible for the visitors. But two Southern Indiana goals in the final twenty minutes pushed the hosts into the Open Cup proper.

“We controlled the match from start to finish, defended well, and finally broke through with two late second-half goals to clinch Open Cup qualification for Southern Indiana for the second straight year,” said Southern Indiana FC president Nick Hunter. “We’re proud to represent this community and excited to see how far our 2026 US Open Cup run can go.”

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Controlling the match from the outset is exactly what Southern Indiana did and the domination only grew as the minutes went on. Southern Indiana’s first chance came just two minutes into the match, missing wide, something that continued to haunt them in the opening half of play. Briar United was only able to get the ball into the attacking third a few times, with nothing coming from the opportunities. As the first half wound down, Briar showed their frustration with some poorly timed tackles, bad fouls, and ended up being handed a yellow card.

The second half started off just as the first half had ended, with the hosts in complete control over the match and Briar United visibly frustrated. Though United did get the first good chance of the half, it was easily picked out of the air by the SIFC goalkeeper. Southern Indiana FC continued to get good chances on goal, but ultimately none of them would find the net, until the 74th minute.

After a diving save to keep the match level, the ensuing clearance attempt came down right at the edge of the 18 yard box. Jed McCloud chipped the ball back towards the middle where Kellan Clegg struck it right off the volley to put Southern Indiana FC up 1-0.

The second goal of the night came in the 83rd minute from the penalty spot. Southern Indiana was awarded the penalty after a terribly timed tackle just inside the box took out Saladi Husseini’s legs in the 81st minute. Nate Brown stepped up to the spot for SIFC and sent a low, slow shot to the goalkeeper’s right where he dove the opposite way, to put the stamp on the match.

“Southern Indiana FC battled through a four-game qualifying run while juggling a full UPSL schedule and several injuries,” said Hunter. “Different guys stepped in and the whole team stepped up. It was a complete team effort.”

With scorelines of 10-0, 4-1, 7-1 and 2-0, SIFC finished 2026 qualifying with 23 goals, equaling the mark for most goals scored in a qualifying run since 2016, held by Laguna United with 23 in 2025 qualifying.