Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Brandon Gee

2025 US Open Cup Round 1: NY Pancyprian Freedoms back in USOC, upset FC Cincinnati 2 in PKs

by

Players from FC Cincinnati 2 (left) and NY Pancyprian Freedoms battle for the ball in a First Round match in the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Cortney Lesovoy/FC Cincinnati
Players from FC Cincinnati 2 (left) and NY Pancyprian Freedoms battle for the ball in a First Round match in the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Cortney Lesovoy/FC Cincinnati

The legendary New York Pancyprian Freedoms, three-time US Open Cup champions from the early 1980s, needed to rely on a strong defense and penalty kicks to move on in this years’ edition, securing a victory after a scoreless draw than ended with a 5-4 win on penalties against host FC Cincinnati 2 at NKU Soccer Stadium in northern Kentucky.

The shootout took an early turn in favor of the hosts as Luis Argudo of the Pancyprians skied his penalty chance in the second round. Cincinnati buried its next couple, even culminating in some celebratory dancing. 

The shimmy would be short-lived, however, as Brandon Kristel missed his shot in the fifth round to draw the shootout back even. Jordan Bailon scored in the fifth for New York to send it to sudden death. 

Cincinnati’s William Kuisel hit the bar on his attempt, leaving it for Pancyprian’s Jens Hoff to bury his shot to knock Cincinnati out of the Open Cup.

The result sends the Freedoms to the Second Round for the first since the last time they participated in the tournament back in 2016 (The Freedoms beat the New York Red Bulls U-23s 2-1 at Belson Stadium in Round 1).

New York, known for its energetic, pressing football, were content to sit back and let Cincinnati attempt to break them down through the course of the first half. 

Cincinnati maintained possession and played the majority of the first 45 minutes in Pancyprian’s defensive third, but they were unable to create any truly dangerous opportunities. Meanwhile, New York attempted to spring a few counters but they were quickly snuffed out by either Cincinnati’s defense or a lack of reinforcements assisting on the runs.

The second half started where the first left off, as Cincinnati created the best chance of the game with a simple cross into the box, but the ensuing header was well-defended and gobbled up by Pancyprian’s keeper, Josh Levine. 

The rest of the half was more of the same, with one last opportunity in regulation time by New York sliding sneakily just wide of the near post on a beautiful shot attempt. Extra time ensued, and despite a flurry of subs by both sides, Cincinnati continued to create the better chances but couldn’t find the back of the net. Extra time ended 0-0 and the match moved on to penalties.

 

2023 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: FC Cincinnati reaches 2nd Semifinal after pulling away from underdog Pittsburgh Riverhounds

by

Photo: FC Cincinnati
Photo: FC Cincinnati

Boasting an impressive undefeated streak at TQL Stadium in all competitions this season, FC Cincinnati and the visiting Pittsburgh Riverhounds had some similar qualities in terms of being on hot streaks. Cincinnati entered the match atop MLS’ Eastern Conference while Pittsburgh currently are second in the USL-C’s Eastern Conference, winning their last four league matches and going undefeated in their last nine across all competitions.

But the MLS side used early goals in the second half to propel them into the US Open Cup Semifinals with a 3-1 victory to continue their record of not losing at home and advance in the competition.

Rather than bunker down and defend FCC’s attack like several lower division clubs often do, Pittsburgh opted to take a more proactive strategy and challenged the MLS side. In the 23rd minute, Pittsburgh’s Luke Biasi took a page from the cities’ NFL counterparts and essentially made a football tackle against a streaking Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta, who had space for a run at the top of the Pittsburgh box.

Biasi only got a yellow for his effort with the gamble paying off in the moment as Acosta’s free kick sailed well over the Riverhound’s goal. This play followed through the half as both teams amassed four yellow cards and 14 fouls. The teams would hit halftime a bit bruised and scoreless.

After a handful of substitutions to begin the second half, Cincinnati took a much more commanding presence and would shortly break through to open the scoring. A beautiful, but controversial, passing sequence lead to Cincinnati scoring in the 56th minute with Brandon Vazquez putting the home side ahead. It was thought that Dominique Badji was offside but after conversations among officials, the goal would stand. The goal is Vazquez’s second of the 2023 Open Cup tourney and eighth all-time.

Alvaro Barreal added to the lead as he turned a corner from Acosta into a one-timer. The rocket from the top of the box launched into the left corner of the net to give FCC a 2-0 lead.
Despite many substitutions, Pittsburgh couldn’t generate enough momentum to pull themselves back into the match.

Extra time did see more scoring as Cincinnati’s Santiago Arias headed in a Barreal corner then shortly after, Pittsburgh’s Tola Showummi snuck in behind the FCC defense to get one back for the Riverhounds.

This will be FCC’s first trip back to the Open Cup Semifinals since 2017 when the club was still in the USL.

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Alvaro Barreal’s OT brace leads FC Cincinnati past Riverhounds

by

FC Cincinnati Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2022 US Open Cup Luciano Acosta
Luciano Acosta of FC Cincinnati dribbles against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: FC Cincinnati

Riding the momentum of a strong start to their USL Championship campaign and a convincing win in their Second Round U.S. Open Cup match due to a brace from Toby Sims, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds traveled to face FC Cincinnati hoping to upset an MLS team that’s still working to find success at the top level. However, it was Alvaro Barreal’s turn for a brace that ended up dispatching the Hounds as Cincinnati won 2-0 after 120 minutes of play.

“I needed it,” he said. “Luckily, I’ve been able to get back on the pitch and I was able to score two goals tonight. It’s been a while without a goal, a while without playing.
“I hope this is the beginning of a new season in the best way.”

This is FC Cincinnati’s ninth win through 14 Open Cup matches and its first USOC win in their current home, TQL Stadium.

With both teams fielding a number of players making either their first starts of the season or earning some of their first significant playing time of the year, neither team could generate much in the way of offensive rhythm early on. Towards the middle of the period, the Riverhounds aimed to control possession rather than to play defensive against their top-tier counterparts. Despite improved pace, neither side would score in the half.

FC Cincinnati We Want The Cup shirt US Open Cup
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “Champions” shirt, honoring the five clubs from the pre-Modern Era (1914-1994) to win four or more US Open Cup titles. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

“I thought the first half, we were too often when we won the ball playing negative, and we weren’t able to advance with the ball with any kind of numbers advantage,” said FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan. “I thought we were a little too safe, and they’re organized, credit to Bob and their team, they do a very good job of staying organized and being tough to break down.”

As the second half kicked off, FC Cincinnati mounted their best offensive pressure thus far but Pittsburgh’s keeper Jahmali Waite, in only his second pro start, stepped up to hold off a flurry of challenges and keep his squad in the game. Cincinnati’s Allan Cruz found himself alone near the penalty spot but rang his shot off the right post. Minutes later, Waite handily made a save off a header from just outside the goal area to keep Cincinnati at bay.

As time drew on in the second and neared full time, Cincinnati upped the tempo, seemingly aiming to finish off the game before reaching extra time. Chaos ensued in front of the Riverhounds net with PRSC bunkering in to defend the attacks, eventually ending in a goal line clearance. The game reached 90 minutes still scoreless.

In extra time, Barrealstepped up. In the 95th minute, the midfielder made his way unchallenged through the left side of the box, forcing Waite to engage, resulting in a foul and penalty kick. Barreal easily put that away over the keeper’s left shoulder to give the MLS side the lead. He followed that up with another goal minutes later as a collision between opposing players left the ball to Barreal on that same left side of the box. A cross to the far-side put Cincinnati up 2-0 and on to the eventual win.

“It’s tournament play, you’ve got to find a way to win a game, and we were able to do that,” Noonan said. “Certainly you want to do it in a certain way, which I think as the game progressed, we found more ideas and more objectives that we were looking for, in how we went about winning the game.”

2019 US Open Cup Round 4: FC Cincinnati edge former league rival Louisville City

by

FC Cincinnati players celebrate a goal in a Fourth Round match vs. Louisville City in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: FC Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati players celebrate a goal in a Fourth Round match vs. Louisville City in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: FC Cincinnati

One-time league rivals met in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time since FC Cincinnati made their jump to Major League Soccer. The USL Championship’s defending champs in Louisville City made the roughly 100 mile trek with around 200 supporters to Nippert Stadium to face a Cincinnati club struggling to make its mark at the top level. While the match did end up in added extra time, despite Louisville City’s best effort, FCC pulled out the 2-1 victory with a header by Kekuta Manneh in the 104th minute.

Coming into the match, the all-time series had four wins apiece and two draws. Their last meeting in the Open Cup was a 1-0 FCC victory in the 2017 tourney’s third round.

Cincinnati’s Fanendo Adi would open scoring in the 23rd minute. Frankie Amaya cleared the ball far into Louisville’s end, where defender Paco Craig bobbled it near the far left corner of the box. Adi streaked in behind Craig, who fell in the struggle for the ball, and put the shot right between the keeper’s leg and into the net. This was Adi’s first goal in 2019.

Louisville would strike back in the 30th minute after capitalizing off a bad attempt to clear the ball from traffic in front of the Cincinnati goal. The defender kicked the ball toward the left edge of the box where Magnus Rasmussen broke away to gain possession and made the pass to Lucky Mkosana in front who tapped it past the keeper Przemyslaw Tyton.

The second half saw the teams trade momentum. Louisville came out aggressive early, collapsing in on FCC’s end. Mkosana nearly had a second goal on a couple plays including a cross from Taylor Peay in the 55th that just went wide right. Cincinnati’s best chance in the half came in the 86’ minute. Under pressure, Alexis Souahy sent hurriedly sent the ball back to the keeper for a clearance, but the ball was too far out for Hubbard, sending him sliding to save it from going out and ending up in a Cincinnati corner. Frankie Amaya seized upon the rebound, but Hubbard was able to dive back the other way and deflected the ball enough that Paco Craig ran in and cleared it off the line. The teams would go into the Added Extra Time tied at 1.

In the 104th minute, Emmanuel Ledesma fought for a ball off a goal kick and outran his defender to gain possession near the right Louisville corner. Hesitating for a few seconds to draw defenders in, he then sent a cross wide where a streaking Manneh connected with a header for the eventual game winner.

FC Cincinnati advance to the Round of 16 where they will face another former league rival in Saint Louis FC of USL Championship on the road on June 19. The winner will play a road game in the Quarterfinals against the winner of Atlanta United and Columbus Crew in the Quarterfinals.

2018 US Open Cup Round 4: Minnesota United ruins FC Cincinnati’s encore performance

by

Minnesota United eliminated FC Cincinnati in penalty kicks in the Fourth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Brett Hansbauer/4th Floor Creative
Minnesota United eliminated FC Cincinnati in penalty kicks in the Fourth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Brett Hansbauer/4th Floor Creative

After last year’s historic run to the quarterfinals and a roster built to compete again this year, FC Cincinnati’s run in the 2018 U.S. Open Cup came to an abrupt end in the fourth round, falling 3-1 via penalty shootout after a scoreless regulation to Minnesota United.

The first half was fairly even as the teams traded possession but lacked many quality scoring chances. The Loons backline was strong early in the match, stifling creative play in their end, particularly Brent Kallman, who locked the right side down. In the 24th minute, Emery Welshman, who scored a hat trick in FCC’s second-round win over Detroit City FC, was able to make a run down the sideline and sent a cross near the penalty spot, Jimmy McLaughlin made contact but sent a header wide to the right.

Cincinnati would then try to step the pressure up, with clever passing around Minnesota’s half. Russell Cicerone made a valiant attempt to dribble towards the goal from the right, but lost control of the ball on the turf.

The second half saw Cincinnati take hold early and it felt like momentum would carry the USL upstarts to a goal. Corben Bone’s cross in the 54th minute was put wide right of the net by Kenny Walker. Then Welshman tried to power his way past his defender but Minnesota’s Michael Boxall tied him up and Welshman sent his shot wide left of the net. Minnesota would then tighten up and tried to break through offensively.

Abu Danladi’s rocket in the 81st minute forced Cincinnati goalkeeper Spencer Richey to make the quick save. Any hope of ending this in regulation went by the wayside and time would end with the score still tied at 0-0.

Added extra time was more of the same, with both teams trading possession but not getting near the net. A few substitutions brought on fresh legs but neither side could generate much offense and the extra 30 minutes would wind down, sending this to penalty kicks to determine the winner.

PKs were where the Loons would take over. Christian Ramirez opened things with a rocket past Richey.

After Kenny Walker pinged the crossbar for Cincinnati, Collin Martin put the visitors up 2-0. Cincinnati again couldn’t answer as Sem De Wit’s shot was stopped only to be followed by Brent Kallman giving Minnesota another goal. Michael Lahoud finally connected for Cincinnati and a miss by Collen Warner gave FCC hope.

But MNUFC keeper Bobby Shuttlesworth sealed the victory, making a stop on Nazmi Albadawi.

This is the first time Minnesota United has reached the Round of 16 in their collective history. Now in their second year as an MLS club, they lost their opening fourth-round match last season to Sporting Kansas City. In their days as an NASL club, they earned their way to the fourth round twice previously in 2014 and 2016.

2017 US Open Cup Round 2: FC Cincinnati needs late OT goal to oust in-state NPSL champions

by

Djiby Fall of FC Cincinnati scored the game-winner in the 117th minute against AFC Cleveland in the Second Round of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: FC Cincinnati
Djiby Fall of FC Cincinnati scored the game-winner in the 117th minute against AFC Cleveland in the Second Round of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: FC Cincinnati

It took FC Cincinnati until the 117th minute of extra time to break through, but the USL club found a goal off the head of returning forward Djiby Fall to put away AFC Cleveland, 1-0.

The game was played on May 10 at Nippert Stadium at the University of Cincinnati in front of the biggest crowd to witness a Second Round US Open Cup game in the Modern Era (1995-present). Even if there weren’t exactly 12,790 bodies inside the stadium, it was still by far the largest crowd to witness a Round 2 game. (announced attendance figures are usually based on “paid attendance” which includes fans who have Open Cup games included in their season ticket packages)

This game marked the first matchup between teams from the cities of Cleveland and Cincinnati in the Modern Era (1995-present).

Cincinnati has been struggling in league play due to injuries and scoring threat Djiby Fall in the middle of six-game USL suspension for biting an opponent, so playing a US Open Cup match at home against the defending NPSL champions offered a chance to regroup.

“Obviously, us playing at home, being a team from a higher league, we’re supposed to go out there and we’re supposed to win, but that doesn’t always happen in cup soccer,” FC Cincinnati manager Alan Koch said.

Cincinnati outshot Cleveland 44-6, but the game remained scoreless until deep into overtime, as Cleveland goalkeeper Alex Ivanov kept his team in the match despite the lopsided attacking statistics.

Djibi, who was able to play against Cleveland because his suspension does not apply to Open Cup play, clearly was energized by his first match in three weeks. He logged 16 shots, but couldn’t get the ball past Ivanov until late in the 120-minute game.

Cincinnati launched 15 shots in the first half, but Cleveland was able to keep the match scoreless.

The visitors had two fine chances in the second half, but were unable to score.

Early in the second half, Cleveland’s Ryan Ware sent a rocket that bounced off the left post and in front of the net, but teammates were unable to put the loose ball into the net.

In the 58th minute, Cleveland nearly scored as a header that was deflected on net, forcing Cincinnati keeper Dallas Jaye to make a save off the line.

With the match still scoreless, Cleveland fell back as the match wore on, content to let Cincinnati control possession as AFC’s players put everyone behind the ball as they played out the rest of regulation.

In overtime, Cincinnati took control of the match, dominating possession and stifling any opportunity for Cleveland.

Finally, in the waning minutes of the second overtime period, Djibi sent a header out of the keeper’s reach off a cross from Andrew Weideman and into the net for the game-winner.

With the win, FC Cincinnati earns another home game in Round 3, this time against fellow USL side Louisville City FC.

2016 US Open Cup Round 3: San Antonio FC rallies to avoid upset, beats Des Moines Menace, 2-1

by

The Des Moines Menace and San Antonio FC battle for the ball in the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Antonio Rodriguez
The Des Moines Menace and San Antonio FC battle for the ball in the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Antonio Rodriguez

San Antonio FC’s inaugural run in the US Open Cup continues on to the Major League Soccer round after having to travel to face one of the modern tourney’s most prolific amateur sides on their home field.

With seven of their 14 all-time tourney wins over pro clubs, including a 2-0 win over the USL’s Tulsa Roughnecks back on May 18, the Des Moines Menace had reason to come into Wednesday’s Third Round match with San Antonio FC confident for win number eight. Though the Menace would strike first, the offensive effort from San Antonio would finally prove to be too much and the Menace fell 2-1.

San Antonio would dominate possession early as the Menace brought numbers back to withstand the early assault. That traffic in front of the Des Moines net made it difficult for SAFC to get close to the goal. As well, strong defensive play from Des Moines’ Eddie Cass on the right flank deflated a number of SAFC’s chances.

San Antonio would finally get the first major scoring chance as Carlos Alvarez found space just inside the box and sent a ball ringing off the post. The rest of the half saw the sides battle at midfield for loose balls but neither being able to sustain much pressure. They’d go to the half scoreless.

In the second half, Des Moines would come out much more aggressive and organized. SAFC’s Alvarez would end up showing some frustration in the 57th minute after a hard foul on Raul Gonzalez, earning a yellow. Two minutes later, Christian Flath would open scoring for the Menace with a curling free-kick out of reach of the San Antonio keeper and in the right side of the net.

Both teams made subs with around 25 minutes left and play picked up as Des Moines nearly added to their lead in the 69th minute as Eddie Cass knocked a header off the crossbar. Then in the 71st minute, Austin Ledbetter earned a yellow card and free kick for San Antonio. Sam Mcbride would get a head on the kick from Alvarez and evened the match with less than 20 minutes o play.

San Antonio would take the lead in the 81st minute as Shawn Chin dribbled along the end line & fed the ball to the top of the box to Jacques Francois, who knocked it in the goal’s bottom-right corner for what would prove to be the game-winner. Francois was also integral in both of SAFC’s goals in their last tourney game against the Corinthians of the NPSL.

With time running out, Des Moines upped the pressure in search of an equalizer. Des Moines keeper Nico Campbell came forward and assisted play from around the midline. Though the Menace sent some late chances toward the goal they couldn’t get the late goal. The charge would be subdued in the 89th minute, as Elvir Ibesevic, would earn a red in the midst of traffic in front of the San Antonio goal.

Now with wins over Corinthians FC and Des Moines, San Antonio moves on to the Cup’s Fourth Round. They’ll make the three-hour trek up Texas’ I-10 to Houston’s BBVA Compass Stadium to face the MLS Dynamo on June 15.

2016 Meet the Underdogs: US Open Cup debutant Outbreak SC proves that practice is overrated

by

Outbreak SC
Outbreak SC

As of late last week, according to Outbreak SC’s player/manager, Trent Bryson, the team had only had three practices in the past 10 years. In spite of that, this group of friends from around Orange County, Calif. have won their division five times in the last six years, and are now gearing up for a first round Lamar Hunt US Open Cup match Wednesday against the Seattle Sounders U23s.

Yet this is not a team lacking pedigree. Nearly all of them played collegiate soccer, mostly for schools around southern California like Cal State Fullerton, UC-Irvine and UCLA. They even have Jason Boyce, a former professional player on the roster, who played for the USL Premier Development League (PDL) with Orange County Zodiac, in MLS with the Colorado Rapids and Miami Fusion after a college career at the University of Washington. He also played professionally in Seattle for the Sounders in their USL A-League days. This isn’t Boyce’s first chance at an Open Cup upset. He was on the amateur Hollywood United squad that knocked out the Portland Timbers, who were USL First Division team at the time) back in the first round of the 2008 tournament. Bryson said the team has never recruited solely for skill, instead opting for recommendations from current players on new guys who fit the personality of the club first.

The fact is that they don’t practice because of everyone managing careers, families and other responsibilities. Four players work with Bryson at a financial firm. Most guys keep their fitness up by playing in weekly recreational leagues, indoor soccer or futsal at one of the facilities near Long Beach where Outbreak got its name. They barely have time for drills before their Sunday matches in the SoCal Premier League’s Major Division.

Outbreak SC San Pedro Monsters
Players from Outbreak FC (blue) and the San Pedro Monsters battle for the ball in a 2016 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Joe Walsh

Although they won that division last year, Outbreak SC earned their way to this moment by entering the US Soccer Federation’s Open Division qualifying tournament. In their first-ever Open Cup match, they easily dispatched Buena Park FC 5-1 on Oct. 25, then weeks later in their second round match, they fought off the San Pedro Monsters, who tied the game with two goals in last 15 minutes of regulation, to pull out a dramatic 4-3 win in extra time.

They’ll face a Sounders U-23 team that finished third in the PDL’s Northwest division, but ended up qualifying for the playoffs and reaching the PDL Semifinals. They’re returning a good number of players from last year’s squad including leading scorer Michael Bazja. When asked if Outbreak heading into the game at the end of their 16-game season (where they wrapped up the title on May 1) gave them an edge over Seattle, with a roster of college-age athletes playing together in their first match of the year tonight, Bryson deflected, saying, “I’m more worried about us nursing injuries than us being in game shape. I guess that’s when age gets to you.”

The youngest player on Outbreak is 26, but most are between 35 and 40.

“We just play well together,” said Bryson. “There are no superstars on the team.”

They rely on the fact that this crew of players have played together for so long that they just know where their teammates are going to be. Despite the age difference, Bryson said the part of their success is the confidence they have “when we show up, we expect to win games.”

Outbreak SC
Outbreak SC

A member of the SoCal Premier League’s Major Division, a step below the Premier Division (which was just won by past Open Cup darlings PSA Elite), Outbreak doesn’t plan on stepping up a level.

“This is truly about playing for the love of the game,” said Bryson. “None of us have any vision of going pro. We do more off the field than on the field.”

He added that the team “is more about the camaraderie amongst the guys.” As for the team’s goals for the Open Cup, they’re taking it game-by-game and, despite their confidence, admit some surprise that they’ve gotten this far.

Traveling mid-week can be tricky for amateur teams and Outbreak is no different. They’ll be missing a few starters, one, Tomer Konowiecki, to a family vacation, the others due to being unable to get out of work. Even though Outbreak does field a reserve team in the SCPL that they could’ve added people from and had the option to pull in a couple ringers for the Open Cup games, Bryson said the players made a decision to stick with the collection of guys that got them into the tournament.

“We all have friends that are great players who we could’ve brought in, but we said “we got here together, we’re going to finish this off together.”

2016 US Open Cup qualifying: Last minute PK sends Jersey Shore Boca past South Jersey Elite Barons, 2-1

by

JerseyShoreBocaTwo of New Jersey’s most successful soccer organizations found themselves going head-to-head in the opening round of the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup open division qualifying tournament. Though South Jersey Elite Barons faced Boca’s reserve team in league play, they would square off against the main squad Saturday evening at the Berkeley Soccer Complex in Bayville, NJ. South Jersey would strike first, but Boca would capitalize on undisciplined play in the final minute and take the 2-1 win.

Founded in 1978, Jersey Shore Boca runs a full slate of youth, collegiate and club teams out of Lakewood, NJ. Boca won the 2012 New Jersey Open Cup in 2012 and were semi-finalists in 2013. That 2012 win, earned a spot in the regional tournament which led to the club’s first US Open Cup tournament appearance, which ended quickly with an opening round loss to the PDL’s Michigan Bucks. Boca came into Saturday’s match with a 4-0-0 record in the Garden State Soccer League’s Super Division.

Based in Winslow Township, NJ, the Barons are members of the GSSL’s Semi-Pro South Division (a step below Boca) where they’ve earned a 3-0-1 record thus far. Among the club’s roster are 10 players who grew up in South Jersey Elite’s youth academy and a few former pros.

The club’s history can actually be traced back to the Ocean City Nor’easters of the PDL until there was an organizational split in 2009. Prior to the split, the club was known as the Barons and they made three Open Cup appearances (2004, 2005, 2007). The first trip to the tournament came in 2002 when the Barons qualified as a pro team in the USL’s D-3 Pro League. In the club’s current form, this is their first attempt to qualify for the Open Cup.

The Barons struck first as high schooler Geoff Schaefer scored in the 15th minute. From there on out, the Barons relied heavily on their defense as Boca took over and held possession for most of the rest of the 1st half. Unable to get behind the South Jersey line, the 1-0 score held through the first 45.

In the second, Boca would finally break through after a foul on Cody Califiore. A cross from Tommy Gray was headed down into the box by Chris Katona and through the commotion A.J. back heeled it past the Barons keeper. The match seemed destined for extra time as the clock wore down on the 1-1 tie. However, in the 90th minute it was Califiore again who was taken down, this time by a reckless foul in the box. After a scuffle, both players were sent off with red cards. Once the dust settled, Tommy Gray scored the PK and gave Boca the win.

Jersey Shore Boca advances to Round 2 where they will take on three-time US Open Cup champion New York Pancyprian Freedoms on Nov. 14 at St. John’s University’s Belson Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

2015 US Open Cup Round 3: Louisville City scores two late OT goals to pull off sloppy road upset of Indy Eleven (video)

by

louisville_fc_contest_logo_detailWith a late start due to the sky unleashing watery hell on Indianapolis’ Carroll Stadium, another USL-NASL matchup ended in dramatic fashion as Louisville City FC scored a pair of goals in added extra time to upset Indy Eleven, 2-0.

The wet artificial turf at Carroll definitely set the tone for play early on as struggles with the first touch and errant passing left Indy with little offensive momentum. Louisville seemed to handle the conditions somewhat better and held most of possession in the first half.

Louisville’s push toward the net earned them several corners in the first half, but solid marking by the Indy backline led by Greg Janicki and quick play by Kristian Nicht kept the visitors at bay. Indy’s offensive chances were few and far between except for highlights like Wolciech Wojcik sending a rocket on the Louisville net in the 13th minute, forcing City keeper Scott Goodwin to make a diving save. Goodwin won TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament with the Carolina RailHawks last year.

One had to feel for Indy’s Don Smart, who made numerous offensive advances only to be fouled outside the box, tripped up by the wet artificial turf or, when he could maintain ball control, sent a number of balls arcing into the space between the six-yard box and the penalty spot only for there to be not an Eleven player within 20 feet. His night ended early as he was subbed out in the 58th minute for Charlie Rugg.

Louisville remained in control to start the second half as Indy still seemed like they were fighting to just get solid footing.

Frustration mounted as time rolled on. In the 60th minute, Magnus Rasmussen declined to move forward even though he had a good 10 feet between himself and the nearest Eleven defender. After sending a shot wide right, he was loudly reprimanded by his captain Guzman.

City made two key subs in the 65th minute with Matt Fondy setting up on the right and Kareem Dacres on the left. Both players elevated the offensive pressure as Dacres’ skills with the ball and Fondy’s ability to evade defenders gave City formidable scoring chances. In the 85th minute, Indy nearly capitalized as Rugg made a run down the right side and sent a cross in to a streaking Bryan Brown. Unfortunately, as the ball entered the area, Brown and his trailing defender, Tarek Morad, both went tumbling to the ground as the ball continued toward the opposing sideline. The referee apparently didn’t see any infraction occur and play continued.

As the game went into extra time, it felt as if someone was going to get to be the hero and the win for their side. Fondy again charged down the right side and nearly gave City the go-ahead goal while Indy fought back and worked a sequence of shots before Louisville’s Goodwin was finally able to clear it out of his space.

In the first half of overtime, it finally came together for the Eleven. Employing runs down the flanks, Indy was able to speed past the midfield and sent numerous crosses into the Louisville 18. Louisville’s major chance in this frame was Fondy nearly scoring in the 98th minute as Indy’s Erick Morales went down in his own 18-yard area. As players slowed down awaiting a stoppage from the ref, Fondy slipped down the area’s left line and fired a shot on net. Nicht was forced to make a quick diving save to his left corner. Indy turned up the pressure on City’s backline, sending crosses into traffic, which forced City keeper Goodwin to make several saves on direct shots. We would go on to the back half of the overtime period still scoreless.

After the break, play opened up for both sides as fatigue set in for the midfield. The clubs traded runs down the flanks for decent scoring chances only to send them wide of the nets. Finally, as play collected outside Indy’s 18, Louisville popped the ball out of the congestion to Nate Polak at the left of the arc. Polak sent a rocket to the far side of the Indy net, just outside Kristian Nicht’s reach to give the USL upstarts a late 1-0 lead in the 115the minute. The goal sent City’s 100 or so supporters at the top of the stands into a frenzy as the rest of the nearly 7,000 fans sat in stunned silence.

As the Eleven quickly tried to regroup for the equalizer, the ball would end up back in Louisville’s possession. A Juan Guzman shot was knocked away by Nicht, but Sydney Rivera pounced on the rebound, sending it past the Eleven keeper for some insurance and as time ran out, a 2-0 victory.

The win is another milestone for the USL expansion side as they become the first team from the state of Kentucky to defeat a professional side in the tournament’s history. Louisville can now shift its focus to league play for a couple of weeks. When the Open Cup resumes on June 16, Louisville City gets its biggest challenge yet this season, traveling to Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. for a match against the four-time Open Cup champion Chicago Fire.

HIGHLIGHTS: LOUISVILLE CITY AT INDY ELEVEN

Copyright © 2026 • Built by Jacob Martella Web Development