Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Chris Ashley

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Charlotte FC avoids upset in debut, beats Greenville in OT

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Christian Ortiz of Charlotte FC celebrates after scoring a goal against Greenville Triumph in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Charlotte FC
Christian Ortiz of Charlotte FC celebrates after scoring a goal against Greenville Triumph in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Charlotte FC

A record home crowd of over 4,000 fans was not enough to lift USL League One’s Greenville Triumph to a cupset victory over Major League Soccer’s Charlotte FC in the Third Round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The capacity crowd, which featured a sizeable contingent of traveling Charlotte fans, were treated to a back-and-forth affair that ended after extra time sending the visitors home with a 2-1 victory. Charlotte FC’s Harrison Afful played the hero, scoring the game-winning goal in the 106th minute to give the expansion side a win in their US Open Cup debut.

The first half was a fairly balanced affair with each team finding plenty of chances to take the lead.

The deadlock was broken just before halftime when Charlotte’s Titi Ortiz defied the laws of physics by scoring with a ball that was nearly over the end line following a Paul Christensen save. That goal came in the 39th minute and sent the visitors into the locker room with a 1-0 halftime lead.


Coming out of the break, Greenville coach John Harkes made one substitution but shifted the formation adding an additional striker up top. That move paid quick dividends as the Triumph created plenty of big chances early in the second half. They would eventually get one in the back of the net when Jake Keegan scored in the 59th minute. Keegan received a pass near the top of the box and then ripped a shot past the goalkeeper to tie the game.

Going into the first extra time period, Greenville once again looked to be on the front foot creating chances to take the lead. But much to the dismay of the home fans, Charlotte’s Harrison Afful would find that breakthrough goal in stoppage time of the first extra period. He approached the penalty area and played a one-two with Kamil Jóźwiaka, received the ball back and fired a shot past Christensen to give them the expansion side the lead in the 106th minute.

The second period saw Greenville throwing everything they had at the visitors, but tired legs on both sides, and a strong defensive block for Charlotte, saw the team from North Carolina hold onto the 2-1 victory.


Charlotte advances to the Fourth Round where they will face the Richmond Kickers (USL-1) on May 11.

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: Greenville Triumph defense shines in shutout of well-traveled Oakland Roots

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Greenville Triumph Oakland Roots 2022 US Open Cup
Greenville Triumph players celebrate after scoring a goal against Oakland Roots in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Chandler Jarrell @chandlerjarrell

If you look at the statistics, it makes zero sense that the Greenville Triumph defeated the Oakland Roots in yet another USL League One over USL Championship “cupset” on Thursday night. But the Triumph, now in their fourth season, always seem to find a way to win matches like this, especially at home.

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Greenville defeated a pro team in their opening round game at home for the second tournament in a row, defeating Oakland, 2-0.

It was a tough draw for the Roots’ first US Open Cup game. The team traveled over 2,600 miles, cross-country, to face the three-time League One finalists and put up quite the test for John Harkes’s boys. Oakland dominated possession, managing to have the ball for 71% of the match. They outnumbered the Triumph with 602 total passes to Greenville’s 248. They took 17 total shots, nine of those on target. But unfortunately for the team from The Town, none of those shots found the back of the net.

The key for Greenville was the thing that has been the bedrock for this team from day one of their existence: defense. With 12 interceptions, two blocks, 27 clearances, and an incredible nine saves, the back line did their job in limiting the quality of shots from Oakland. And when the Roots were able to get a good shot off, Triumph goalkeeper Paul Christensen, who put in a man of the match performance, was able to make some incredible saves to keep the clean sheet.

The first goal for Greenville came in the 29th minute when midfielder Lucas Coutinho was able to chip a ball over the back line onto the foot of striker Jake Keegan. Oakland’s keeper, Taylor Bailey, came out to meet Keegan, but Jake’s quick thinking led to a cheeky chip over the top of Bailey.

The insurance goal would not come until the dying seconds, with most of the Roots team pushed up field. Forward Don Smart was able to get in position thanks to a two to one advantage to set up the final strike.

After Friday’s draw, Greenville learned that they will host a Major League Soccer team for the first time. MLS expansion side Charlotte FC will travel to Greenville for Round 3. The date, time and venue are still to be determined.


2019 US Open Cup Round 1: Greenville Triumph SC wins all-pros matchup vs. South Georgia Tormenta

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Players from Greenville Triumph celebrate the club's goal against South Georgia Tormenta in the First Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Brittany Hildreth | Twitter: @britthildreth
Players from Greenville Triumph celebrate the club’s goal against South Georgia Tormenta in the First Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Brittany Hildreth | Twitter: @britthildreth

In the only 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup First Round match to feature two professional teams, Greenville Triumph SC was able to notch a 1-0 victory over South Georgia Tormenta FC in a USL League One showdown. The victory came on the back of hometown boy Cole Seiler’s 75th minute game winner after a chaotic few minutes starting in the 65th minute.

Tormenta goalkeeper Matias Reynares was about to be booked for persistent time wasting when a Triumph player went to grab the ball and was elbowed in the face. After a scrum, no cards were handed out and, oddly, an indirect free kick was given inside the 18-yard box.

While nothing came from that chance, moments later, Seiler saw the ball drop at his feet from an Aaron Walker corner kick that led to the match’s only goal. The midfielder celebrated his goal by doing the Legacy Leap into the supporters’ section.

“I think it’s always nice to score. I haven’t done that enough in my pro career so I am trying to make a habit of it here in Greenville,” Seiler said. “I wish I would have celebrated with my teammates before the fans.

“I appreciate the fans but I want everyone to know that was a team effort on that goal.”

With the win, Greenville will host USL Championship side Charleston Battery Wednesday, May 15, for the first ever Palmetto Derby between South Carolina’s two professional teams. This will mark just the second time in the tournament’s history that two South Carolina teams have squared off. Back in 2002, the Charleston Battery, then of the A-League (Div. 2 pro) traveled to take on the Greenville Lions (D-3 Pro League) in a Second Round matchup.

“It’s important that the guys recognize this moment and the hard work that was put into it,” said Greenville head coach John Harkes, who won this tournament as a player with D.C. United in 1996. “I thought the guys deserved it tonight. We came out and we managed the game extremely well with good possession and a good battle in winning duels.

“It’s a good win. We will take it and move forward.”

The game got off to a fast start for Greenville as it dominated possession early in the match. As Greenville created chances early, it was clear that a mostly second choice Tormenta side was growing increasingly frustrated and things began to get a bit chippy.

Although the referee gave plenty of leeway early on, he would try to bring the match under control in the 37th minute by issuing a yellow card to Tormenta’s Mikie Rowe for a foul, followed quickly by another to Tormenta’s Josh Phelps for dissent.

After a scoreless first half, Tormenta tried to boost its attack early in the second half by bringing on Ricardo Gomez and Conner Antley who have both shined this season.

After the Seiler goal, the Triumph were able to go on the defensive and see the match out in front of the over 1,700 home fans.

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