2026 US Open Cup Qualifying: Emiland Elezaj leads SC Vistula Garfield to first USOC berth since 1970s

A standout goalkeeping performance, a first-half brace and the grit and determination of a player born in the early ‘80s propelled SC Vistula Garfield to their first U.S. Open Cup berth in the modern era after a 2-1 win over Oaklyn United Sunday night at Rowan University.

Oaklyn United, coming off a convincing 3-1 win over Vereinigung Erzgebirge on the same field three weeks earlier, appeared to be firing on all cylinders again early in the first half, creating multiple good looks on goal but SC Vistula Garfield goalkeeper Aldo Munoz was there several times to deny those chances. The 22-year-old had three key saves in the earlier stages of the match to keep it scoreless.

“He definitely kept us in the game,” head coach Sebastian Rojas said of Munoz. “He was definitely the player of the match for me.” 

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Chances the other way were fewer and far between, but danger man Emiland Elezaj reversed fortunes in a four-minute span in the latter stages of the half with a pair of goals. The first came when he dribbled his way into the left side of the box and drew a foul. He converted with a cheeky panenka from the spot to make it 1-0 and then minutes later was back pushing the ball into the final third. 

This time instead of dribbling it into the box he backheeled a pass to an overlapping Nikolce Iloski to his left. After the cross was initially intercepted by a defender, the former Red Bull Academy player won the ball back and curled it toward the back post past an outstretched Matt Perrella. 

“I saw where the keeper was and where I was and I knew there was only one place it needed to go,” Elezaj said. “So I sent it toward the far post.” 

Elezaj is no stranger to scoring big goals in U.S. Open Cup qualifying. He had four in qualifying for NJ Alliance FC last year and had the opener in their “win and in” game, which ended up going Alliance’s way in penalty kicks after Elezaj was forced out of the game with an injury. 

“I was here in this same position last year and I’m just glad to be part of it again and for these guys to get to experience it,” Elezaj said. “There’s nothing like it.” 

Oaklyn United had plenty of time down 2-0 to find their way back and like they did in spurts throughout the night were pouring on the pressure. Whether it was Munoz there to deny them on the doorstep or a promising attack ending in an offside flag or a shot wide of the mark, the goal just didn’t seem to be in the cards until there was precious little time left.

It came in stoppage time when Samuel Quaye was taken down on a run into the box. Jade Mesias converted from the spot past Munoz, who got a hand to the attempt but couldn’t keep it out.

The mad dash to try and add a second would produce one more moment for Jason Mancuso. It came off a pass into the box by Mesias but Mancuso’s shot from the left side of the box went agonizingly wide of the far post. Mancuso sank to his knees on the turf with his head in his hands knowing how close he, and his team, had come all night to history. 

“I think we were the better team through 90 minutes but just couldn’t finish it,” said Oaklyn United player-coach Matt Perrella, who had a save in the first half but wasn’t really tested in goal after halftime. “We haven’t expected to consistently win in a while, and the fact that we expected to win and we’re disappointed by it is a good thing as a club.”

On the flipside of the shock felt by the hosts was the elation of the winners, a fellow American Premier Soccer League Club that lifted the “qualified” banner like it was a trophy after posing for a team photo. The New Jersey club dates back to 1952 but last competed in the U.S. Open Cup in the 1970s and has the added feather in their cap of making it through the gauntlet of qualifying. 

In the middle of the celebration scenes was veteran Christopher Karcz, one of several players on the team with deep roots in the club. Karcz’s father played for SC Vistula and his daughter is currently playing at the youth level with the club, something he did as a kid. Karcz went on to debut for the men’s team prior to a successful career at Rutgers and stint with the New York Red Bulls. 

The APSL’s golden boot winner last season, the 42-year-old can add qualifying for the US Open Cup to his impressive career resume.

“It’s my hometown team so it’s like fighting for the village,” Karcz said. “I love playing for this team and I hope to do so for as many years as my body lets me.”