2026 US Open Cup Round 2: Joshua Yoder of FC Naples voted TheCup.us Player of Round

FC Naples will play the club’s first-ever Major League Soccer team in the Third Round of the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. To get there, the USL League One side relied on their defense to shut out FC America CFL Spurs in Round 2.

At the heart of the defense in that 3-0 win was FC Naples center back Joshua Yoder. The Charlottesville, Va. native played all 90 minutes and was part of a backline that allowed just three shots, with none of them stressing the goalkeeper. Yoder also was part of a couple of scoring chances, both with a pass and with a header of his own.

His solid defense earned him TheCup.us Player of the Round honors for the Third Round.

The Player of the Round award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters and select backers (those that pledge $10 or more) from TheCup.us’ Patreon team.

Yoder beat out a pair of USL League One performances for the award. Luis Alvarez of the Charlotte Independence finished second with a goal and an assist in his club’s upset of the Charleston Battery (USL Championship). In third, was Westchester SC goalkeeper Matias Molina who made four saves in 120 minutes and made two saves to give his team a PK shootout on the road against the Vermont Green (UL-2). 

Joshua Yoder started and played the full 90 in FC Naples 3-0 shutout win over FC America CFL Spurs. Yoder marshalled a backline that earned the clean sheet while allowing just three shots, with none testing the keeper. He also supplied one key pass that forced a save by FC America and also headed a shot that was saved.

“Everyone was working on defense, dropping behind the ball, the offense included,” said Yoder. “We were pressing well, making it hard for them to get into our half and create opportunities. We forced them to play long and then won those first and second balls.”

One of the biggest gifts of the game, especially for the FC Naples defense, came in the 44th minute when FC America’s Pedro Espindola was shown a straight red card.

“It was definitely a little easier to manage the game once they were down a player,” Yoder explained. “But I just tried to stay focused, do what I needed to do, and control what I could control.”

FC Naples is only five games into the league season, but Yoder has been part of a defense that has been stingy. The club is currently in a three-way tie atop the USL-1 table with a 3-1-1 record. All three of those wins are shutout wins over Fort Wayne, Richmond Kickers and Greenville Triumph. In you factor in the pair of 3-0 Open Cup wins over Red Force in Round 1 and FC America CFL Spurs in Round 2, Naples has five shutout wins in their first seven games in all competitions.

Yoder signed with FC Naples after a successful preseason trial. He finished his college career at NCAA Division I side Longwood University in his home state of Virginia where he was an honorable mention All-Big South Conference selection as a senior. The 6’3 defender played nearly every minute for the Lancers in his final season and his hard work paid off as he earned a contract with FC Naples. Despite being brand new to being a professional soccer player, it has been an easy transition with his new club.

“Even when I first got here as a trialist, everyone was very open,” said Yoder, who has played in four of the club’s first five league games. “Even the older guys would come talk to me. There were no egos. Everyone was welcoming and kind. It was just a good environment to be a part of.”

Just a few months ago, Yoder was playing at Longwood University against conference rivals like High Point, Winthrop and Gardner-Webb. Now, his next opponent in the US Open Cup will be at home against Orlando City SC of MLS.

“Everyone around the club is excited to play an MLS team. But we just take it one game at a time and treat it like any other game. It’s our 11 versus their 11. Anything can happen on the day.”