The first three days of the First Round of the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup are complete.
On Tuesday, the evening saw cold weather dominate the Midwest and home teams dominate the scoresheets.
Out of the 8 games played, 7 were won by home teams. Amateur teams across the nation also suffered as there was just one “Cupset”. Vermont Green knocked off New England rivals Portland Hearts of Pine in front of a raucous crowd at Virtue Field in Burlington.
In a rare pair of indoor games, Detroit City FC and Indy Eleven were victorious over amateur sides.
Stout defense was the name of the game across opening night as losing teams were unable to find the goal with a map and flashlight. Scoring only two goals combined in all eight matches.
One match originally scheduled for the first day did not get played. Steel City FC’s date with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds was pushed to March 25 on account of interference by Jack Frost with snow and below freezing temperatures in the forecast.
On Wednesday, two more amateur teams advanced. Asheville City SC (USL-2) beat Greenville Triumph (USL-1) in front of their home fans, while Valley 559 FC (UPSL) needed just one goal to upset a team from the 661 area code, AV ALTA FC (USL-1).
On Thursday, three more amateur teams pulled off cupsets. A pair of UPSL teams, Tennessee Tempo FC and Virginia Dream FC and the biggest giant killer of them all from USL League Two, the Flint City Bucks.
On March 25, after the initial game was postponed, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds won the Modern Era’s first Steel City Derby.
Below you’ll find a brief recap of every game from the First Round with links to the full match report (including video highlights):
TUESDAY, MARCH 17
Richmond Kickers (USL-1)
2:0
Northern Virginia FC (USL-2)
City Stadium – Richmond, VA
By Todd Tinkham
In the opening game of the 2026 US Open Cup, USL League One’s Richmond Kickers overcame a very game Northern Virginia FC side from USL League Two. NOVA FC gave the 1995 US Open Cup champions all they could handle on a Tuesday night at City Stadium in Richmond, Va.
2025 USL League Two Golden Boot winner Gage Lyons had two great chances early to put NOVA ahead but narrowly missed. Richmond’s Josh Kirkland broke the deadlock in the 31st minute as he slotted his shot in on a breakaway after a great ball from Dakota Barnathan.
Lucca Dourado put the game to bed in the 89th minute with a bar down wonder strike giving the Kickers their 2nd and final goal. Richmond earn the club’s 37 victory in US Open Cup play, which ties them with the LA Galaxy for sixth place in the Modern Era’s wins list.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
Rhode Island FC (USL-C)
4:0
CD Faialense (BSSL)
Centreville Bank Stadium – Pawtucket, RI
By Eric Casey
USL Championship side Rhode Island FC easily handled the Bay State Soccer League’s CD Faialense in a windy and cold Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, R.I., on Tuesday night, picking up a 4-0 win.
Defender Daneil Aljandro Rovira Gonzalez found himself the first goalscorer of RIFC’s 2026 cup campaign, securing a good bouncing pass from midfielder Kevin Vang in the 13th minute and sliding it past a diving Verge. Another RIFC defender struck again in the 26th minute, as a loose corner from Noah Fuson found the foot of Calvin Williams. Hugo Backarach would get credited for the assist for a near-post touch of Fuson’s corner cross.
RIFC’s goal song of Psycho Killer by Talking Heads ran out again in the 78th minute, as Nick Scardina came off the bench and put an Aldair Sanchez cross into the net with his head. It would be his first goal for his new club after signing with RIFC from Charlotte FC in January. Scardina would contribute again in the 80th minute, as his shot deflected off CD’s Michael Willis and in for an own-goal.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
Vermont Green FC (USL-2)
1:0
Portland Hearts of Pine (USL-1)
Virtue Field – Burlington, VT
By Tim Howerton
For the second consecutive year, USL League Two side Vermont Green FC advanced to the US Open Cup Second Round at the expense of a professional side. A capacity crowd braved the frigid temperatures at Virtue Field in Burlington to watch the amateurs see off Portland Hearts of Pine, 1-0.
2024 NCAA national champion Daniel Ismail delivered his first US Open Cup goal to open the scoring. His 40th minute strike beat Hunter Morse after a blocked shot from Andrew Millar found Ryan Zellefrow, who was just able to push a low cross between the defender and goalkeeper. The hosts outworked and outhustled Portland and had opportunities for even more. But despite putting six shots against Morse, the lone goal was all it took to see Vermont Green through.
There were some nervy times as Vermont absorbed constant pressure for the last 5 minutes of the match, but head coach Chris Taylor’s side absorbed everything the professionals could throw. When the final whistle blew, the Green celebrated with their fans while coach Bobby Murphy’s Portland side were left shocked and cold.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
Detroit City FC (USL-C)
5:1
Michigan Rangers (NPSL)
Legacy Center Fieldhouse– Brighton, MI
By Timothy Belin
Michigan Rangers, an amateur side from the NPSL journeyed across the state of Michigan to take on Detroit City FC at an indoor facility 45 minutes west of the Motor City. The Rangers took the lead just six minutes in off a fantastic Guiseppe Barone free-kick but could not withstand a second-half onslaught from their professional opponents to pull off the cupset.
Preston Tabort Etaka scored his first Detroit City goal to equalize in the 22nd minute, but DCFC went in level at the break despite completely dominating proceedings and putting up 14 first-half shots. They quickly turned on the style in the second half, however, as Maxi Rodriguez and Alex Dalou traded back-to-back goals and assists. Rodriguez’ 56th-minute go-ahead goal was his first since returning to Detroit, his eighth career Open Cup goal and the third consecutive year he’s notched a goal in the tournament.
Dalou’s strike in the 65th was the pick of the bunch, curling into the side netting from outside the box, and the winger added a second assist to his name with a delightful outside-the-foot through ball to Alassane Ates Diouf in the 81st. Tabort Etaka rounded out the scoring with his second of the night in the 86th minute.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
West Chester United SC (USLPA)
1:2
Loudoun United FC (USL-C)
YSC Sports – Wayne, PA
By James Birle
In a rematch of last year’s opening round, Loudoun United defeated USASA National Amateur Cup champions West Chester United 2-1 on Tuesday night at YSC Sports in Wayne, Pa.
A pair of early goals was enough for Loudoun to see out the narrow victory and advance to Round 2 for the second straight year. Former MLS NEXT Pro Best XI honoree Marcos Dias opened the scoring just three minutes into the match for the USL Championship side with a nifty toe-poke. Elvis Amoh doubled the advantage in the 21st minute on an assist from Dias for his fifth career Open Cup goal.
Despite trailing for almost the entire match, the USL of PA side looked dangerous throughout the night. They eventually got their breakthrough in the 84th minute from Princeton Tigers freshman Jackson Martin, who pounced on an error from goalkeeper Ethan Bandre, who was otherwise brilliant on the night. Unfortunately, it would be too little too late for the amateur side, who fell after a valiant effort in front of their home fans.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USL-C)
3:0
Azteca FC (CPL)
Weidner Field – Colorado Springs, CO
By Tyler Pilgrim
This match, pitting a Switchbacks side who’ve never been defeated by an amateur team in the US Open Cup against Azteca FC, kicked off with a flurry of action in the first six minutes. The action began as Azteca’s Edgar Olivas earned a yellow in a very dangerous spot about 19 yards from his own goal, resulting in a dangerous Switchbacks’ free kick. Jonas Fjeldberg stepped up and drove a low shot around the right side of the wall, just off the inside edge of the post and past Justin Perez to pull ahead 1-0.
Literally seconds after the restart, though, Azteca earned a penalty and had a golden opportunity to equalize. Jovany Herrera stepped up and drilled the ball just to goalkeeper Christian Herrera’s right side, where he was easily able to parry it back into the mixer before it was then skied off the rebound.
The Switchbacks would finally find that crucial second goal in the 81st minute. Steven Echevarria found himself with acres of space on the left wing after a spell of heavy possession, and as he drove into the box he played a simple, weighted ball across to a late-running Sadam Masareka. Masareka would delicately redirect it past Perez to make it 2-0. That wasn’t all, though, as the Switchbacks snagged a third insurance goal moments later. In the 86th minute, on a second long throw-in attempt deep in Azteca territory, a miscued defensive header led to the ball falling directly to Khori Bennett’s feet, where he easily slotted it home to completely ice the game and secure the win.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
Indy Eleven (USL-C)
3:0
Des Moines Menace (USL-2)
Grand Park Events Center – Westfield, IN
By Tim Abbott
It was a routine night for Indy Eleven as they defeated USL League Two powerhouse Des Moines Menace. Their opening goal was set up by a goalkeeping misjudgement in the 31st minute, when Loïc Mesanvi opened his Indy account. He had been dangerous as a passer moments before, but Edward Kizza was foiled by Jamie Berry. Diaz hammered a ball for Des Moines in the 25th minute, spilled momentarily by Charles Cook in what was probably the amateur side’s best chance. Indy would eventually pick off the Menace.
Attacking down the left, Alejandro Mitrano stood it up on the back post for Noble Okello in the 60th minute to make it 2-0 and in the 75th minute, the game was sealed. Dylan Sing went up for a challenge with Berry, and the ball dropped to Charlie Sharp for a tap-in.
This was the first time Indy had beaten an amateur side in the Cup, having gone 0-2 in their previous 11 years.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
Phoenix Rising FC (USL-C)
4:0
San Ramon FC (TLFC)
Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium – Phoenix, AZ
By Jake Sillick
And a warm night in Phoenix, Rising FC scored two late to go with their two first half goals to defeat San Ramon FC. San Ramon FC had a lot of the ball, but couldn’t find any way to finish their chances. Phoenix Rising FC opened up the scoring through Hope Avayevu early on in the 15th minute. From there though, San Ramon had a couple half chances before a corner came in first half stoppage time and Juan Carvajal would pounce on a ball off the keeper and double that lead right before half in the 45+2 minute.
The second half is where San Ramon shined with tons of possession and lots in the attacking third, but the Phoenix defense was up to the task and stymied them every time. Finally in the waning moments of the game, Phoenix scored on another corner kick, with Aleksandar Vukovic towering over everyone to head the ball in the 90th minute. This was then followed with the final goal in the 90+4 minute by the 16 year old Anthony Capetillo Hernandez with a smooth finish to the corner from just outside the box.
This is the 5th year in a row Phoenx Rising has won their first Open Cup match.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18
Chattanooga FC (MLS NP)
2:1
Kalonji Pro-Profile (UPSL)
Findley Stadium – Chattanooga, TN
By Corey Inscoe
After going down a goal early, Chattanooga FC scored right before the halftime whistle and in the first minute of the second half to beat Kalonji Pro-Profile 2-1 and advance to the Second Round of the U.S. Open Cup.
Kalonji Pro-Profile, a UPSL side making its first Open Cup appearance, opened the scoring in the 13th minute through a wild penalty sequence set up when forward Kalonji’s Owanja Medard was fouled in the box by CFC’s Antony Sorenson. The ensuing penalty attempt was saved by Chattanooga goalkeeper Griffin Huff, but the ball bounced out to 14-year-old midfielder Braiden Kalonji, who sidefooted the ball from outside the box into the right side of the net to give Kalonji the lead.
Chattanooga equalized in the first minute of first-half stoppage time, when Darwin Ortiz scored from close range after his first attempt was saved. CFC then took the lead right off the second half kick as Ameziane Sid Mohand single-handedly intercepted a Kalonji pass, drove down the field and fired a low, driven shot into the left side of goal. Chattanooga continued to dominate the second half of play, and the result would have been much more lopsided if not for some impressive stops by goalkeeper Ash-On Maynard and his Kalonji back line.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
Asheville City SC (USL-2)
3:1
Greenville Triumph SC (USL-1)
Greenwood Field (UNC Asheville) – Asheville, NC
By Clement Williams
The inter-league tie between Carolina ‘Villes was renewed in the First Round for a second straight Open Cup. In this year’s rematch, home-standing Asheville City SC got its revenge for last year’s stinging penalty kick defeat, downing Greenville Triumph SC to notch a memorable “Cupset”.
Asheville brought their “A-game” from the off, as a period of early impetus from the flanks culminated with forward Evan Southern opening the scoring for the underdogs 13 minutes in. Greenville found an equalizer just six minutes later, as Devin Boyce punished a soft foul by the home side by deftly caressing the ensuing 20-ish yard freekick into the side of the net.
Greenville lost Boyce to an apparent injury late in the first half, signaling a spectre of further misfortune for a Triumph side that struggled to convert their decisive possession advantage into clear-cut opportunities. Conversely, City’s sharp and incisive attacking sequences won them the day, though it took until the 82nd minute for their lead to be restored through substitute Ashton Billow’s turning in of Ben Assane Fall’s cross. Ben Fall put the exclamation mark on himself nine minutes deep into stoppage time, his coy dispossession of an unwitting Greenville defender and subsequent dispatch into goal igniting pandemonium for home fans and players together in a joyous celebration on the endline.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
Charleston Battery (USL-C)
2:1
Florida Badgers FC (UPSL)
Patriots Point – Mount Pleasant, SC
By Josh Hakala
The Charleston Battery defeated the Florida Badgers of the UPSL 2-1 on Wednesday night. It was the Battery’s 39th US Open Cup win in club history, which is now tied for second-most of all the clubs in the Modern Era. Out of all of those 39 victories, Wednesday night’s win is likely the latest one. Colton Swan scored both goals for the USL Championship side, including the game-winner in the 12th minute of second half stoppage time.
Swan, an 18-year-old Detroit native who starred at Indiana University, opened the scoring in the 21st minute on an assist by Kirill Pakhomov. Dave Altidor equalized for the Badgers in the 66th minute in what was a rare offensive opportunity for the UPSL side. The Battery outshot them 24-2 and had 16 corner kicks to Florida’s one. And just when it seemed like the match would be headed to extra time, Pakhomov delivered another assist to Swan who sent the Battery into the Second Round for the fourth year in a row.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
Louisville City FC (USL-C)
2:0
Southern Indiana FC (UPSL)
Lynn Family Stadium – Louisville, KY
By John Koluder
Just a day after the surprise departure of its head coach, Louisville City FC showed no signs of letdown in a 2-0 border battle victory over Southern Indiana FC that gave interim boss Simon Bird his first win at the helm of the Boys in Purple. While the ten-mile trek for SIFC made for a more competitive match than their debut in the Open Cup proper in last year’s First Round affair at Lexington SC, the New Albany-based squad was felled by a Bluegrass State side for the second year running in the tournament.
Tola Showunmi provided all the game’s scoring by the time it reached the half hour mark. The English midfielder, who returned to the Bourbon City side for 2026 after heading home for a stint at League One’s Crowley Town in 2024, kicked off the scoring in the 20th minute and finished off his brace 10 minutes later. That was more than enough to put away SIFC, who failed to register their first shot until well into the second stanza. That allowed LouCity goalkeeper Hugo Fauroux to notch an easy clean sheet, one without a save, in his first start for the USL Championship stalwart.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
FC Naples (USL-1)
3:0
Red Force (USASA/PFL)
Paradise Coast Sports Complex – Naples, FL
By Julian Cardillo
FC Naples of USL League One kicked off their 2026 US Open Cup campaign in dominant fashion, securing a comfortable 3-0 home win over NPSL side Red Force FC that secured their passage from the First Round for the second time in as many tries in the club’s young history.
The hosts took control midway through the first half when Marc Torrellas opened the scoring in the 24th minute, finishing off a well-worked move with a long-range blast that flew into the back of the net. Just seven minutes later, Hudson Gay doubled the advantage, putting FC Naples firmly in command before halftime.
Red Force FC struggled to respond, creating few clear chances against a disciplined Naples back line. Taylor Gray added a late third two minutes deep in stoppage time to cap off a professional and efficient performance that set up FC Naples’ return to the Second Round in two weeks’ time.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
FC Motown (USL-2)
0:2
Hartford Athletic (USL-C)
Lubetkin Field at NJIT – Newark, NJ
By Matt Mangam
In a first ever meeting between both sides, Hartford Athletic atoned for last year’s “one-and-done” Open Cup appearance and moved to a perfect 5-0-0 versus amateur squads by defeating FC Motown TK 2-0 on the road Wednesday night.
Hartford were the better team to start, dominating possession and creating several shots from it. The pressure paid off in the 33rd minute off Andrés Hernández’s right-footed corner kick, which TJ Presthus headed home to give Hartford a 1-0 lead. Motown started to settle into the game and enjoyed two good chances before the break, but a blocked shot and near-post header put wide failed to even things up.
After assisting Hartford’s opening goal, Hernández gave his team a 2-0 lead just six minutes into the second half, firing home a free kick with his right foot that just missed the header of substitute Adrián Diz Pe.
From there, Hartford held on to its 2-0 lead, advancing to the second round of the tournament.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
SC Vistula Garfield (USASA/APSL)
1:3
One Knoxville SC (USL-1)
Garfield High School – Garfield, NJ
By Evan Konigsberg
In another tilt that saw a pro side travel to North Jersey, defending USL League One Champions One Knoxville SC survived an early scare before scoring the three tallies on the trot to advance past amateur side SC Vistula Garfield.
In the first minute of the match, Vistula Garfield’s Emiland Elezaj played his left back Simon Gorczowski down the left wing, from where he weaved between two defenders to enter the box and slot a caressed finish into the bottom right corner. With a potential cupset on the cards, One Knoxville responded decisively. Babacar Diene poached a goal in the 14th minute after a miscommunication by Vistula Garfield defenders, and Real Gill scored a second in the 21st minute, volleying home a bouncing ball in the box following a corner kick.
From there, One Knoxville were largely in control of the match and searching for insurance. The third came in the 76th minute, when Dani Fernandez received the ball on the left wing before passing to Mikkel Gøling, who took a touch before curling a beautiful strike into the side netting from outside the box.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
BOHFS St. Louis (USASA/MWPL)
0:8
Union Omaha (USL-1)
Lindenwood University – St. Charles, MO
By Tim Abbott
Despite enduring a season opening defeat in Spokane just three days prior and taking a direct trip to the St. Louis suburbs, Union Omaha looked every inch the professional outfit in a through victory.
Single tallies from Gabi Cabral, Sami Guediri, Dylan Borczak, Pato Botello Faz and braces by Samuel Owusu and substitute Sergio Ors put the hosts to the sword. The goals were scored in a variety of ways, with Cabral, Guediri and Faz benefiting from a back-peddling BOHFS defense. The highlight of the night came on Dylan Borczak’s half-volley of a defensive clearance in the 34th minute that gave Union Omaha a 3-0 cushion heading into the half.
Owusu popped up from the backline to bookend the Owls’ five-spot in the second half (49’, 90’), while Ors notched his damaging double with scores two minutes apart in the 72nd and 74th minutes.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
Little Rock Rangers (USL-2)
2:4
FC Tulsa (USL-C)
Episcopal Collegiate School – Little Rock, AR
By Adam Uthe
2025 USL Championship finalist FC Tulsa managed to stave off multiple comebacks attempts from a shorthanded Little Rock Rangers side and advance to the Second Round behind finishes from four different goalscorers.
A warm night and a rough playing surface greeted both teams at kickoff, with hosts Little Rock Rangers missing multiple key contributors still away at college for the semester. FC Tulsa took advantage early, with Remi Cabral capitalizing on a goalmouth scramble to open the scoring in the 19th minute. Jamie Webber tallied in the 32nd minute, and the visitors from Oklahoma held their two goal advantage going into the break.
Little Rock’s valiant second half effort started with Raphael Kistmann scoring in the 52nd minute – courtesy of a Michael Acquah assist – to cut the deficit to 1-2. It looked like Tulsa might pull away for good in the 71st minute when Webber’s free kick found Lamar Batista’s head to make it a two goal lead again. High school senior Aiden Turner looked to have generated a moment of Open Cup Magic when he pulled another back for Rangers in the 85th minute, but Tulsa immediately slammed the door with a fourth and final goal from Nelson Pierre less than 60 seconds later.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
San Antonio FC (USL-C)
6:0
ASC New Stars (USASA/HFA)
Toyota Field – San Antonio, TX
By Adam Uthe
USL Championship side San Antonio FC easily dispatched Open Division side ASC New Stars with a flurry of second half goals, including two from Christian Sorto. While the Houston-based amateur side ran the gauntlet in their Qualifying campaign last fall, ASC New Stars ran into a buzzsaw in their matchup with San Antonio, which has never lost in the Open Cup to an amateur side and last lost a home match in the tournament in 2018.
After San Antonio went into the halftime break up 2-0 through goals by Alexis Souahy (15’) and Curt Calov (37’), ASC New Stars briefly held onto a glimmer of hope when they were awarded a penalty early in the second half. However, Jovany Macias’ attempt was saved, and just minutes later Sorto converted from the spot to increase the home side’s lead to 3-0. San Antonio added two more goals in a span of four minutes just past the hour mark and New Stars faded away into the night.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
New Mexico United (USL-C)
3:2
Cruizers FC (NPSL)
UNM Soccer Stadium – Albuquerque, NM
By Ashle Lynn Paige
An early own goal from Cruizers would be the start of the alternating goals from the two sides throughout the first half. However, it was a later goal from Cristian Nava, playing his first match in three years, that sent New Mexico United through to the second round,
Just twelve minutes into the match and things appeared to be going bad for the amateurs almost right out of the gate. Ignacio Flores knocked a low cross coming across his defensive box into his own goal. But minutes later former Quakes II defender Ariel Mbumba scored his first for Cruizers.
Grady Gilchrist broke the 1–1 draw with his 38th minute goal for United, that would only give the hosts a lead for ten minutes. In first half stoppage time, Mbumba struck again to draw the match level. From there it took until second half stoppage time for another goal, when Cristian Nava scored the match winner for the hosts in what proved to be an exciting and long second half stoppage time.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
Sacramento Republic FC (USL-C)
2:0
El Farolito (UPSL)
Heart Health Park – Sacramento, CA
After Extra Time
By Timothy Belin
Last season’s best amateur side, El Farolito, showed their mettle once again in a rematch of their 2025 Third Round exit to Sacramento Republic at Heart Health Park. After losing to the 2022 Open Cup runners-up by a single, 29th-minute goal last time year, the visitors this time took the professional outfit all the way to extra time before finally relenting.
Sacramento started the game on top, but the “Burrito Boys” grew into the contest and made it a game before long. The amateurs even got the best opportunity of the first half when a header rattled the post after a wide free-kick. Sacramento made a halftime sub, and then three more on the hour mark as they looked to reassert their dominance, but the game remained hotly contested and back-and-forth through a scoreless finish in regulation.
It was not until the fourth minute of extra time that Sacramento finally broke through. Dominik Wanner lofted a cross into the box from the left side, and Forster Ajago rose highest to power a header home from point-blank range. A straight red card to El Farolito’s Kipre Sacre in the 102nd minute for a studs-up lunge all but ended their hopes of earning an equalizer, and a second Ajago goal in stoppage time quickly gave way to ugly scenes and red cards shown to both sides, including one that will keep Mark-Anthony Kaye out of Republic FC’s Second Round tilt.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
AV ALTA FC (USL-1)
0:1
Valley 559 FC (UPSL)
Lancaster Municipal Stadium – Lancaster, CA
By Jim Coppock
Fresno-based Valley 559 FC made its trek south to the Antelope Valley worth it by winning their U.S. Open Cup debut over USL League One side AV ALTA in a tight affair in Lancaster. Despite having only 31% of possession, the UPSL side registered 16 of the game’s 33 total shots, with former MLS and USL Championship talisman Quincy Amirikwa’s 65th minute attempt standing as the most important of the evening.
The winner came through fresh substitute Michael Gonzalez, who sent a low cross past the face of goal to find a diving Amarikwa, who peeled away from two defenders to create the space needed to head it home. The goal was Amarikwa’s fourth career score in the Open Cup, with the other three coming during his time at Chicago Fire FC of MLS.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
Ventura County Fusion (USL-2)
1:2
Spokane Velocity FC (USL-1)
Ventura College Stadium – Ventura, CA
By Nate Sachs
USL League One’s Spokane Velocity ground out a gritty 2-1 victory over USL League Two side Ventura County Fusion in their U.S. Open Cup First Round affair Wednesday night.
Velocity’s Anuar Peláez Paba headed home his second Open Cup goal to open the scoring in the 20th minute. The Fusion defense were caught ball watching as Spokane’s Shavon John-Brown headed Luis Gil’s cross back across goal to Peláez, who put the ball in the back of the net to give the away side the lead at the half.
Ventura County’s strong pressure to start the second half was rewarded with a point to the spot with just twelve minutes to go as Moses Mensah brought down Jackson D’Alessandro. The penalty call was not without controversy as the replay appeared to show that Mensah’s foul took place over a yard outside the penalty box, but regardless Abubakar Fofanah, who played his college ball at nearby UC-Santa Barbara, stepped up and sent Velocity goalkeeper Sean Lewis the wrong way to level at 1-1.
Spokane were awarded a penalty of their own in the waning moments of regulation after Fusion goalkeeper Nicholas McCune got caught out on an in-swinging set piece and brought down Velocity defender Camron Miller. Joe Gallardo Jr. cleanly rolled his penalty into the bottom right corner to give Spokane the lead for a second time in the 89th minute, which clinched their place in the Second Round for a third consecutive year.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
Orange County SC (USL-C)
3:0
Laguna United FC (UPSL)
Championship Soccer Stadium – Irvine, CA
By Ian Brooking
Orange County SC took advantage of a flurry of opportunities midway through the first half to secure a 3-0 win over UPSL side Laguna United FC in the First Round of the 2026 U.S. Open Cup.
The USL Championship side broke the deadlock in the 25th minute, when Stephen Kelly fired a low curling effort from just outside the box into the side netting. Barely five minutes later, Laguna ‘keeper Jacob Estall parried the first of a flurry of shots away from the center of the goal mouth, only for the rebound to find the foot of Ryan Doghman, who slotted it home to double Orange County’s lead.
OCSC remained the dominant team in the second half, limiting the visitors’ chances throughout. Their new number 10, Christopher Hegardt, subbed on just before the hour mark and within less than 20 minutes showed why the club gave him the iconic number. In the 75th minute, Hegardt chested down a cross into the box, made a nifty move around the goalkeeper and slotted it into the back of the Laguna net for County’s third of the night. The result gave Orange County their first win in the competition since 2023.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
THURSDAY, MARCH 19
Carolina Core FC (MLS NP)
1:2
Virginia Dream FC (UPSL)
By Sam Brummitt
Virginia Dream (UPSL) generated some Open Cup magic once again with a gritty 2-1 away win over the MLS NEXT Pro team Carolina Core FC on Thursday evening. Exactly one year after upsetting the Richmond Kickers of USL League One in the first round, Virginia Dream has taken down another professional side in the opening round of the tournament.
Carolina Core FC had a slight edge in possession and generated more chances through the first hour of the game. Carolina Core FC opened the scoring in the 52nd minute with a goal by Tim Zeegers, assisted by Ricardo Montenegro. Virginia Dream quickly answered. In the 58th minute Elijah Amo connected with Zoumana Diarra on a cross and Diarra put the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal.
Virginia Dream’s second goal came in the 78th minute from Akingbolahan Akinkoye, who scored twice for Virginia Dream in the first two rounds of last year’s tournament. A long throw-in by Virginia Dream in Carolina Core’s end of the field, followed by two one-touch passes in the box got the ball to Akinkoye, who took two quick touches before turning left to square up on goal and score. Virginia Dream held onto their slim lead through six minutes of stoppage time and stunned the largely partisan home crowd at Truist Point Stadium in Highpoint, NC.
Virginia Dream and Carolina Core FC were both founded in 2022, however, both teams have already made a mark on the U.S. Open Cup. Carolina Core FC first entered the U.S. Open Cup in 2024 after becoming an independent team and advanced to the third round of the tournament that year. Virginia Dream has now pulled off two first round upsets over professional teams in consecutive years.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
Charlotte Independence (USL-1)
4:1
Ristozi FC (NPSL)
By Sam Brummitt
Charlotte Independence ended Ristozi FC’s first Open Cup appearance with a 4-1 victory at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex in Matthews, NC on Thursday evening. Independence got on the scoreboard in the 4th minute when Ristozi FC’s goalkeeper, Jermaine Fordah, punched away a shot on goal and Charlotte’s Clay Dimick pounced on the rebound to score.
Charlotte Independence kept Ristozi FC pinned to their side of the field for much of the first half. Jermaine Fordah, the Ristozi FC keeper, who has over two dozen appearances in the USL Championship, was tested many times but kept his team in the game for the first hour with a number of excellent saves. The game got away from Ristozi in the final 30 minutes. In the 69th minute, Charlotte Independence executed a clinical counter. The Charlotte goalkeeper, Giorgos Tasouris, collected a save and quickly threw the ball to the halfway line. The long throw hit his striker, Enzo Martinez, in stride and Martinez beat a Ristozi defender who could only attempt a last ditch tackle. Martinez then got Jermaine Fordah to commit early and tapped the ball into an open goal.
Ristozi FC had only four outfield players and one goalkeeper on the bench. Fatigue and limited options in terms of substitutes became an issue for the visitors late in the game. Charlotte Independence wore down Ristozi FC and capitalized on mistakes to put the game away with two quick goals in the 87th and 89th minute. Only one minute after subbing into the game, Fabrice Ngah scored with a left footed volley on a long cross from Luis Álvarez in the 87th minute. Two minutes later, Charlotte capitalized on a careless pass by Ristozi FC at midfield and quickly countered. Luis Alvarez took a shot from the left side of the box, which was deflected by the Ristozi FC goalkeeper, and Christopher Jaime knocked the rebound into the bottom right corner for Charlotte’s final goal.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
Flint City Bucks (USL-2)
2:0
Forward Madison FC (USL-1)
By Josh Hakala
The Flint City Bucks, the most successful amateur team in the US Open Cup’s Modern Era (1995-present) returned to the tournament for the first time since 2018 on Thursday night. The amateur team with the most pro team upsets added another to their resume with a 2-0 win over the USL League One’s Forward Madison. It was the 11th win over a professional team and their first since knocking off Indy Eleven (then of the NASL) in 2017.
The visitors from Wisconsin, who had won four of their last five tournament openers entering this year, spotted the Bucks an own goal in the 13th minute. In the second half, Flint City’s Jordy Lopez doubled the lead on a pass from Jack Roman. The Bucks’ defense, led by University of Michigan goalkeeper Isiah Goldson, kept the clean sheet to give the 4-time USL League Two champions the win.
WIth the win, the Bucks, who are the only amateur team with two wins over Major League Soccer teams, improved their all-time record against Third Division pro teams to 5-4-0.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
Lexington SC (USL-C)
9:0
Flower City Union (NPSL)
By Josh Hakala
It took about a half-hour to get warmed up, but once it did, the Lexington Sporting Club offense could not be stopped. The USL Championship club dominated Flower City Union of the NPSL, 9-0. Once Nick Firmino opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, LSC never went more than 8 minutes without scoring a goal for the remainder of the game.
In fact, despite scoring nine goals, Firmino was the only player who scored multiple goals on the night. The Brazilian would add his second goal in the 48th minute.
The nine goals scored is one shy of the Modern Era single-game record, set by the non-defunct Atlanta Silverbacks in the First Round of the 2007 US Open Cup. That year, the USL First Division team (Div. 2 pro) team beat Texas-based amateur team Azzurri, 10-0.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
Westchester SC (USL-1)
2:0
NY Renegades FC (UPSL)
by Connor Bunnell
Both teams involved got repeats of their separate first-round outcomes from last year as Westchester bested reigning UPSL national champions NY Renegades 2-0 at The Stadium at Memorial Field in Mount Vernon, New York.
The difference in caliber was most obvious in the first half, where Westchester controlled the ball for 64% of the proceedings and sustained a fair bit more pressure on the opposing keeper. The pivotal moment arrived in the 33rd, when the Renegades’ Jeison Solano fouled Westchester striker Daniel Burko in the box and gave away a penalty. A minute later, Burko took it himself and shot left while Jean Perez dove right, giving Westchester a lead they wouldn’t relinquish all night.
However, Renegades showed much more fight this year than the drubbing they took in 2025, making effective halftime adjustments to keep themselves in the game. For most of the second half, it looked plausible that the visitors might convert one of their several chances into an equalizer. Ultimately, though, Burko cemented it as his night in the 83rd, grabbing the rebound on a blocked shot by teammate Johnathan Jiménez and punching it in at close range. That set the final score and added the Norwegian to the long list of double-barrel scorers on the round.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
Laredo Heat SC (USL-2)
0:2
El Paso Locomotive FC (USL-C)
By Jim Coppock
USL League Two side, Laredo Heat, hosted USL League 1 side, El Paso Patriots, tonight. In a nearly dead-level contest, 15 shots for each team, a slight edge (7 – 6) to El Paso in on-target shots, El Paso would come out on top by 2 to 0.
Diego Abitia Leon entered the game during halftime and paid dividends just six minutes later. Eric Calvillo’s shot was blocked and fell to a wide open Leon, who volleyed from 7 yards out to put El Paso in the lead. Nearly 40 more minutes of cagy soccer would pass before the result was finalized.
A bit of sloppy defending by Laredo allowed El Paso to jump on a loose ball, poked away by Eric Calvillo and Rubio Rubin outraced his opponent to the ball. Rubin touched it once to move it wide then fired it back across goal to the far post to seal the win.
This is El Paso’s second appearance (2025, 2026), and their second opening round victory.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
Tennessee Tempo FC (UPSL)
1:0
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL-1)
By Jim Coppock
Tennessee Tempo of the UPSL hosted Chattanooga Red Wolves of USL League 1 in Murfreesboro, TN tonight. It was a very tight affair that went to the hosts by 1 goal to nil. It was their first ever win in their second appearance. In their first appearance, they were known as Beaman United, when they qualified for the 2023 Cup, losing to Des Moines Menace 3-0.
The evening was held up by a flat tire on Chattanooga’s bus, delaying the start by 75 minutes. The additional travel time seems to have had a negative effect on the visitors. They were a bit slow throughout, especially late in the game.
The first half saw the Tempo have a slight advantage in possession, but they did manage a 34th minute goal through Goffin Oyirwoth. After a blocked shot, Oyirwoth began a run that started near the top of his own penalty area. He received the ball 10 yards into the Chattanooga half, from a diagonal ball from Kwadwo Poku. He quickly outmaneuvered a defender, then sprinted 40 yards into the penalty area. A deft cutback left 2 more defenders on the ground as he turned and fired home, as a fourth opponent lunged in but missed.
Red Wolves dominated the final 20 minutes plus most of the stoppage time. Tennessee bent but did not break through 10 set piece chances. Surprisingly, Red Wolves had no shots on goal in the second half despite outshooting the hosts 8 to 3.
[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-C)
2:1
Steel City FC (USL-2)
By Mark Goodman
It mostly went according to plan for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Wednesday night as they hosted USL League Two side and local rivals Steel City FC at Highmark Stadium.
An early goal from Danny Griffin gave the Hounds the 1-0 lead in just the 6th minute. Steel City, playing a supercharged high press with three or four players made things difficult for the the Hounds through the first frame, and by halftime, the underdog amateur side were still very much in the match.
But the Riverhounds were more methodical and more composed in the second half. Their second goal, in the 66th minute, came from two fresh pairs of legs – the assist from Perrin Barnes, and the goal from Charles Ahl. Steel City would get a goal from a penalty kick to make it 2-1 a few minutes later from captain Nick Graeca.
But a second yellow on Steel City FC defender William Afawubo in the 86th minute would send them down to 10 men, and the Hounds would button things up through extra time to seal the deal and send them through to Round 2.
FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)