2026 US Open Cup Round 2: Westchester SC needs PK shootout to survive Vermont Green’s upset bid

Westchester SC defeated Vermont Green FC 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw through regulation and extra time in Round 2 of the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Westchester goalkeeper Matias Molina made several key saves during the match and stopped the decisive penalty in the sixth round of the shootout. The result sends Westchester to the Round of 32 for the second consecutive year, while Vermont Green FC exits in Round 2 for the second time in three seasons.

Vermont Green FC controlled play from the opening whistle, creating early chances in the attacking third. In the third minute, Mitch Baker led a pair of opportunities, while in the 10th, Riley Moloney’s curling free kick was punched away by Molina.

Vermont’s best early chance came in the 21st minute when a give-and-go freed Baker inside the box, but his shot was smothered by Molina at the near post.

Vermont Green held a 2-0 edge in shots on target and corners midway through the first half and continued to press. Baker tested Molina again in the 43rd minute with a half-volley, but Westchester goalkeeper Andrew Hammersley made the stop. Westchester’s best opportunity came late in the half on a breakaway, but a recovering Vermont defender prevented a shot attempt, sending the match to halftime scoreless.

Vermont maintained pressure in the second half. In the 61st minute, a low cross nearly resulted in a Westchester own goal, but Molina blocked the deflection. In the 73rd minute, Connor Miller’s free kick from 25 yards was handled by Molina.

Westchester’s best chance of regulation came in stoppage time when Conor McGlynn’s shot from the top of the box sailed over the crossbar. The match remained scoreless at the end of regulation.

In extra time, Vermont Green continued to generate chances. In the 95th minute, David Ismail delivered a cross from the right, but no teammate connected. By the 110th minute, Vermont held a 7-0 advantage in shots on target and a 7-1 edge in corner kicks but could not convert.

The match proceeded to a penalty shootout after two scoreless overtime periods.

Westchester took a 1-0 lead in the first round as McGlynn converted and Andrew Millar missed for Vermont. Vermont equalized in the second round after Niklas Herceg made a save and Alex Hall converted.

Both teams traded goals through the next rounds. Egor Akulov converted in the third round, and Moloney gave Vermont a 3-2 lead in the fourth with a Panenka after Herceg made another save.

Westchester converted in the fifth round, and Vermont’s Mitch Baker missed high, leaving the shootout tied at 3-3.

In the sixth round, Bryan Vasquez converted for Westchester. Molina then stopped Connor Miller’s attempt to secure the 4-3 shootout victory.