2026 US Open Cup Round 2: FC Naples blanks FC America CFL Spurs to earn first date with MLS

FC Naples secured a dominant 3-0 victory over FC America Tuesday night at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex, clinching a spot in the Round of 32 for the second straight year in the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

FC Naples took control almost immediately, earning a penalty in just the second minute of the match. Forward Andres Ferrin stepped up to the spot and calmly converted the kick in the third minute, giving the home side an early 1-0 lead.

The turning point came just before halftime. In the 44th minute, FC America forward Pedro Espindola received a red card, forcing the visitors to play the rest of the match with 10 players. The dismissal shifted the momentum heavily in favor of FC Naples heading into the second half.

“We are excited that we won, and the opportunity to get to face an MLS side,” FC Naples head coach Matt Poland said. “Anytime you get to face MLS sides, it’s incredible. It means you have done things right.”

FC Naples will move on to play an MLS team in the next round and has good chances of hosting the game.

FC Naples lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, while FC America used a 4-2-3-1 setup. The early goal set the tone for a competitive first half in which both teams battled for possession. While FC Naples pushed forward looking to extend the lead, FC America tried to respond with quick counterattacks.

The numerical advantage allowed FC Naples to control the tempo after halftime, dominating possession and creating several scoring chances from the beginning to the end.

Their pressure paid off in the 60th minute. Left back Julian Cisneros combined with right back Max Glasser in a quick attacking sequence that broke through the FC America defense. Glasser delivered the assist, and Cisneros finished the play to double FC Naples’ lead to 2-0.

FC Naples continued to push forward throughout the half, testing FC America goalkeeper Joao Kastrup multiple times. In the 69th minute, Kastrup made a strong save to deny forward Taylor Gray. The goalkeeper followed that effort with two more key stops in the 74th and 78th minutes, preventing the scoreline from growing even larger.

Despite those saves, FC Naples’ showed its dominance. The team held 69% of ball possession and outshot FC America 31-3, including 14 shots on target.

Defensively, FC Naples remained solid throughout the match. Goalkeeper and team captain Edward Delgado recorded his second clean sheet of the tournament.

“I am very happy for the individual achievement,” Delgado said. “I have been very fortunate to be on a team that is just very defensive heavy and a mindset of being winners and having clean sheets.”

FC Naples added the final touch in stoppage time when forward Dominick Bachstein closed up the victory in the 92nd minute.

“It’s a great opportunity for our players to get to showcase themselves against the top division in the US,” Poland said.

The draw is scheduled for Thursday morning at 9 a.m., when the team will know its next opponent.