Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Favian Renkel

2025 US Open Cup Round 4: San Jose Earthquakes edge Sacramento Republic to avenge upset

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San Jose Earthquakes fans chant during the team's match vs. Sacramento Republic FC of the Fourth Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Abel Anguiano
San Jose Earthquakes fans chant during the team’s match vs. Sacramento Republic FC of the Fourth Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Abel Anguiano

Revenge was on the menu Wednesday night, and the San Jose Earthquakes served it ice cold. In a tightly contested US Open Cup Round of 32 clash, the Quakes earned a 2-1 victory over Sacramento Republic FC, avenging last year’s dramatic 4-3 loss in the Round of 16.

This time, San Jose flipped the script, leaning on experience, composure, and home-field advantage to eliminate one of the tournament’s most dangerous lower-division sides. With the win, the Earthquakes advance to the Round of 16, where they’ll host the Portland Timbers on May 20 or 21, continuing their push for silverware in 2025 under Bruce Arena.

The Quakes heavily rotated their squad, with Bruce Arena opting to rest Cristian Espinoza and Chicho Arango—leaving a combined 17 goal contributions in MLS on the bench. The club was looking to see which players could step up and help match last year’s US Open Cup run by reaching the Round of 16.

Arena addressed the media about the lineup decision, noting the need for rotation with a packed match schedule this month.

“There’s going to be some players that have to be rotated,” said Arena, who won the 1996 US Open Cup as manager of D.C. United. “Tonight helps guys get some minutes in. So if they get called on in the next three MLS games, hopefully they’ll be better prepared to contribute.”

San Jose Earthquakes fans also got their first extended look at the highly anticipated signing of Noel Buck. At the same time, squad regulars like Rodrigues returned to the XI despite falling out of favor under Arena.

It didn’t take long for the Quakes to make an impact. Within two minutes, they broke down Sacramento Republic’s backline as Amahl Pellegrino opened the scoring with a quick finish to give San Jose a 1-0 lead.

Pellegrino had additional chances to double the advantage early, but couldn’t convert as Sacramento regrouped and tightened defensively.

In the 44th minute, San Jose struck again, with a team goal of real quality. Niko Tsakiris delivered a highlight-worthy 360-degree turn and assist, setting up Preston Judd for the finish. Tsakiris was the clear standout of the first half, controlling the tempo and creating space with ease.

Tsakiris was asked after the match whether his spinning flick-on assist to Preston Judd was intentional: “Yeah, of course I saw him,.” he said with a laugh.

The Black and Blue nearly made it 3-0 before the break, but Pellegrino missed a sitter that could’ve sealed the game early. Even so, the Quakes dominated the opening half, showcasing the depth and quality that has been built under Arena.

The second half followed a similar pattern. San Jose continued to create chances but couldn’t find a third goal to put the match out of reach. Fans were also treated to the return of Hernán López, who made his first appearance since suffering an injury earlier in the season.

The match took a wild turn in stoppage time. Jamar Ricketts received a red card right before the end of regular time, and Sacramento’s Trevor Amann pulled one back in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

Despite the late drama, San Jose’s early dominance was enough to secure the win, but the former US Open Cup finalist managed to make things nervy with a late push at the end.

Many of the San Jose Earthquakes players who haven’t seen significant minutes in the MLS regular season stepped up in the win over Sacramento Republic. Niko Tsakiris impressed the home crowd and began to build chemistry with Hernán López in the second half.

Tsakiris had high praise for his returning Argentine teammate: “It’s great having him back. It’s another guy that we have going forward. With the quality that he has, we missed him.”

Amahl Pellegrino of San Jose Earthquakes attempts a shot against Sacramento Republic in the Fourth Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: ISI Photos
Amahl Pellegrino of San Jose Earthquakes attempts a shot against Sacramento Republic in the Fourth Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: ISI Photos

Even with the spectacular assist and a standout first half, Tsakiris was highly critical of his own performance.

“Tonight there were moments and opportunities that I felt were open for me and moments where I felt like I could have done better,” said Tsakiris. “That’s all part of it. Getting these minutes were valuable for me and for this year. (I’m) just looking to take this and move forward with it.”

The US youth international has appeared in just six matches this season under Bruce Arena, but this performance could put the 19-year-old back in the coach’s good graces. With the Gold Cup approaching, Tsakiris will aim to earn more minutes — and possibly make a case for a senior US national team call-up.

The Quakes will look to punch their ticket to the Quarterfinals with a win over the Portland Timbers—a team they recently defeated at home just one match before their US Open Cup victory over Sacramento Republic.

Now in the Round of 16, San Jose is just four wins away from capturing their first trophy under Bruce Arena and securing a spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. With depth players stepping up and momentum on their side, the Quakes have a clear opportunity to make a serious run at silverware.

2024 US Open Cup Round 4: San Jose debutants lead Earthquakes to narrow win over Oakland Roots

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19-year-old Emi Ochoa made his professional debut for the San Jose Earthquakes against the Oakland Roots in the Fourth Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: San Jose Earthquakes
19-year-old Emi Ochoa made his professional debut for the San Jose Earthquakes against the Oakland Roots in the Fourth Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: San Jose Earthquakes

The San Jose Earthquakes were on a mission as they faced off against local rivals in the US Open Cup, aiming to break a troubling pattern of elimination. With past defeats haunting them, notably against Monterey Bay FC in 2023 and the Sacramento Republic in 2022, the Quakes sought to rewrite their recent narrative that they can not get past USL teams in the US Open Cup.

San Jose took the first step toward bouncing back from those recent disappointing losses with a narrow 1-0 win over the Oakland Roots of the USL Championship on Tuesday night.

Tensions ran high between the two clubs, each vying for the title of the Bay Area’s true representative. At PayPal Park, fans made their sentiments known by donning “#SellTheTeam” merchandise, a pointed commentary on the shared ownership between the Earthquakes and the Oakland A’s, both helmed by John Fisher. With the Oakland A’s relocating to Las Vegas, the stakes were higher than ever. For the city of Oakland, victory over Fisher’s Earthquakes would signify more than just progress in the US Open Cup; it would symbolize a triumph over a figure widely disliked in the community and mark the first win in their head-to-head encounters.

Head coach Luchi Gonzalez hinted at lineup changes after their last game versus LAFC, and true to his word, rotations were made, including the introduction of their high-profile 7 million dollar Designated Player, Hernan Lopez. A younger side was put out there as there are many talent young players on this team.

For example, Emi Ochoa, the Mexican American goalkeeper, made his first start for the Quakes at just 19 years old. Emi was not the only Quake to get his first start; new Designated Player Hernan Lopez was right there with him, looking to make the Quakes fan base infatuated with his play already.

However, the match didn’t unfold seamlessly for the Quakes. Despite the presence of Hernan Lopez in the lineup, the team appeared disjointed, struggling to find their rhythm. It became evident that familiarity with Lopez’s style was still a work in progress.

At halftime, a strategic substitution saw Ousseni Bouda replace Lopez, much to the surprise of some fans. This would prove to be the crucial change that Luchi Gonzalez needed in his side. Emi Ochoa pulled off a crucial save to maintain the deadlock at 0-0, as this match could have spiraled if the 19-year-old didn’t come up big. Their constant pressure in the second half paid off when they breached the Roots’ defense in the 73rd minute, for a great scoring opportunity, only to be called off due to offside.

However, just three minutes later, Ousseni Bouda seized the opportunity, slotting home a goal in the 76th minute to break the deadlock at PayPal Park. The visiting crowd, previously boisterous, fell silent as their Open Cup hopes dwindled. The goal was assisted by Niko Tsakiris, the 18-year-old notched his first assist for the senior team and also demonstrated the ability to perform on the big stage at such a young age. The Roots’ woes compounded in the 82nd minute when Johnny Lopez received a red card for elbowing Ousseni Bouda, the goalscorer, in the face. The match then descended into a stalemate as the Quakes bunkered down to protect their lead, ultimately getting the victory.

With the Quakes having progressed to the Round of 16 in the US Open Cup, their next challenge awaits as they prepare to face the Sacramento Republic. The upcoming matches are scheduled for Tuesday, May 21, through Wednesday, May 22.

Following the game, Ousseni Bouda addressed the media, expressing his desire for a larger role within the team. This was a perfect opportunity for Ousseni and he took it. If Bouda can string a couple of good performances in the US Open Cup, it will force Luchi Gonzalez hand into giving him more playing time. This tournament holds significant importance for young players like Ousseni Bouda, Emi Ochoa, and Hernan Lopez, each at different stages of their careers, all striving to leave their mark on the team.

Not only does this tournament serves as a platform for MLS players to showcase their talents to their coaching staff, but it also lets players from lower leagues showcase their emerging talents and prove themselves capable to the world. It’s all part of the beauty of the US Open Cup.

2023 US Open Cup Round 4: LAFC reserves hold off Monterey Bay FC, advance 5-4 in PK shootout

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Eldin Jakupovic of Los Angeles FC scores a PK in the shootout in a 5-4 win over Monterey Bay FC (after a 2-2 draw) in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Jose Rocha | @Rochamultimedia
Eldin Jakupovic of Los Angeles FC scores a PK in the shootout in a 5-4 win over Monterey Bay FC (after a 2-2 draw) in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Jose Rocha | @Rochamultimedia

In a riveting showdown in the US Open Cup Round of 32, the stage was set for an underdog story as Los Angeles FC clashed with Monterey Bay FC. Against all odds, Monterey Bay entered the match as the favorites, buoyed by their recent victory over the San Jose Earthquakes in the previous round. Meanwhile, LAFC found themselves fielding an inexperienced squad, causing fans online to dub their potential triumph as the miraculous “Cupset.”

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "We Want The Cup" shirt in your team's colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP


Amidst speculations about the talent disparity between the two teams, with USL being considered a superior league to MLS Next Pro, LAFC would have to defy expectations and rise above to secure a memorable victory. After Monterey Bay scored a late equalizer to force extra time and took the lead in the extra frame, LAFC’s Matheus Maia would tie the game back up in the 105th minute. The MLS side would survive the shootout 5-4 to advance to the Round of 16 for the fourth time in as many entries. 

The action kicked off with Monterey Bay FC riding the wave of energy from their passionate sell-out crowd at Cardinale Stadium. The first 15 minutes saw them earning multiple corner kicks, making their intentions clear.

For LAFC, Erik Dueñas stood out as the only player on the squad who regularly saw minutes in Major League Soccer, albeit as a substitute. But it was the favorites, Monterey Bay, who came closest to breaking the deadlock. A tantalizing indirect free kick found its way to their player, only for the shot to narrowly miss the target, leaving Jakupovic, the LAFC goalkeeper, relieved.

However, it was Los Angeles who struck first, stunning their opponents with a magnificent through ball that sliced through the Monterey defense. In the 24th minute, Cristian Torres displayed the composure of a seasoned MLS veteran, coolly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper. The assist came from Christian Jaime, a Chris to Chris connection that put LAFC ahead.

Taking charge of set pieces for LAFC was Crisostomo, who orchestrated their dead ball situations. Jakupovic, the guardian between the posts, made two crucial saves in the 46th and 63rd minutes, denying Monterey Bay FC the equalizer. The Monterey goalkeeper, Gerold Siaha Ngnepi, also stepped up, pulling off a monumental save to prevent LAFC from extending their lead to 2-0, much to the dismay of the away supporters.

Controversy struck in the 69th minute, when a potential handball incident led to heated chants of “Ref, you suck” echoing through the stadium. The Monterey Bay FC faithful felt aggrieved by the refereeing decisions throughout the match. Momentum swung in their favor when Volesky squandered a glorious opportunity to level the game in the 70th minute, leaving the fans on the edge of their seats.

With the entire stadium pulsating with anticipation, Simon Dawkins orchestrated a sublime attacking move, culminating in a beautifully placed shot finding the back of the net in the 90th minute. Bedlam ensued as the crowd erupted, Cardinale Stadium reverberating with unbridled excitement as the night was not over.

Riding the wave of emotion, Monterey Bay FC delivered a sucker punch at the beginning of extra time, taking a 2-1 lead over LAFC as Maldonado showcased his finishing prowess, converting a one-on-one opportunity against the valiant Jakupovic.

However, LAFC refused to succumb to defeat, sneaking in a goal by Matheus Vinícius Maia Costa de Almeida to equalize and silence the exultant crowd. Penalties would decide the game, and the tension was palpable.

Emulating the bravado of Emi Martinez from the Qatar World Cup, Jakupovic employed all his time-wasting tactics to unnerve the home team and their supporters. The LAFC fan base, who had traveled to support their team, rose to the occasion, creating a raucous atmosphere rarely witnessed from an away section.

In the penalty shootout, Jakupovic’s antics paid off as he successfully blocked two of Monterey Bay’s spot-kicks. The LAFC fans erupted in jubilation, while the hosts were left to rue missed opportunities. Jakupovic emerged as the hero, the embodiment of audacity and mind games.

Steve Cherundolo, LAFC’s coach, faced heavy criticism in the lead-up to the match for fielding what many deemed a disrespectful lineup. Detractors questioned the wisdom of not including any of the regular starters. However, in the end, the youngsters, Steve, and Jakupovic defied the odds on a cold night in Seaside, Calif., clinching victory for LAFC.

A fairy-tale narrative unfolded as the team, primarily comprising LAFC2 players, completed the “Cupset”. 

2023 US Open Cup Round 3: Christian Volesky of Monterey Bay FC voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

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Christian Volesky Monterey Bay FC TheCup.us Player of the Round 2023 US Open Cup Round 3
Photo: Kiera Winslow | Monterey Bay FC

Christian Volesky, the talented striker from Monterey Bay FC, has truly made his mark in the world of the USL Championship this calendar year. As a USL journeyman in the past, Volesky has finally found his home in Monterey Bay FC, and his performances have been nothing short of exceptional. And he had another exceptional performance in his team’s Third Round upset of the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) in the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. By scoring the lone goal in that 1-0 win, he was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round.

Throughout the season, Volesky has displayed remarkable skills and dedication, earning him two well-deserved USL Player of the Week honors. His consistent performances and influential presence on the field have propelled his team to being a playoff contender.

One of the standout moments of Volesky’s career came in that US Open Cup match against the San Jose Earthquakes. In a thrilling encounter, Volesky’s brilliance shone through as he led his team to victory, scoring the decisive goal that secured the win. His composure and precision in front of goal were key to Monterey Bay earning the club’s first win over a MLS team.

Recognizing his outstanding performance, Volesky narrowly edged Joe Corona (San Diego Loyal) for the award and Jonathan Lewis (Colorado Rapids) finished third. 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) of TheCup.us’ Patreon team. 

In the game against the Earthquakes, Volesky’s defensive pressure disrupted their rhythm and caused the opposing center back, Rodrigues, to lose concentration and make a crucial mistake. Capitalizing on the opportunity, Volesky seized the loose ball and expertly slotted it past the goalkeeper, securing what would prove to be the game-winning goal in the 26th minute.

Monterey Bay FC will need another stellar performance from Volesky as they host the defending MLS Cup champions in LAFC in the Fourth Round. Dennis Bouanga, one of the MLS MVP front-runners up against Volesky, who is a nominee for USL Championship Player of the Month, is the best possible matchup for the neutrals. 

Christian Volesky’s journey from a USL journeyman to a key player for Monterey Bay FC has been remarkable. His exceptional skills, leadership, and ability to perform under pressure have propelled his team to success in the US Open Cup, and has his team on a six-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.

2023 US Open Cup Round 3: Monterey Bay FC takes advantage of San Jose Earthquakes mistake to earn first MLS upset

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Christian Volesky of Monterey Bay FC scored the lone goal against the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Kiera Winslow Monterey Bay FC
Christian Volesky of Monterey Bay FC scored the lone goal against the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Kiera Winslow Monterey Bay FC

Monterey Bay FC capitalized on some key MLS starters sitting for the San Jose Earthquakes and the USL Championship side nabbed a ‘Cupset’ by downing the visitors, 1-0, off the strength of a goal from Christian Volesky while goalkeeper Antony Siaha stopped four shots for the clean sheet.

Frank Yallop — the Monterey Bay FC coach and a San Jose Earthquakes legend — was delighted with his team’s performance, praising their ability to capitalize on the Earthquakes’ mistakes.
He was also full of praise for Volesky, who scored the crucial goal and was named the USL Championship’s Player of the Week earlier this week and for the second time this season.

”I feel confident. The team feels confident,” Volesky said. “To get a clean sheet, that was our goal tonight.

“(We) got a goal early, and we got the clean sheet. So if we win, prove a point a little bit. And we’re excited for what’s next.”

This result knocked the Earthquakes out of the US Open Cup and gave Monterey Bay FC and fellow USL teams a much-needed confidence boost as one to pull off a Cup upset.

San Jose will be left to ponder what could have been if they had played the entire starting squad the whole match. Luchi González, the San Jose Earthquakes coach, was disappointed with the result, acknowledging that his team had not played their best game. He also lamented the absence of key players, which had affected his team’s performance.

”It’s tough. That’s the beauty of Open Cup is you have nights like these,” González said. “At the end of the day, we didn’t get the draw at home. We would have loved to play at home, but this is close enough. So we felt good. We played here in preseason. We had a really competitive game against them then. I felt our preparation was very good. The players had a great attitude in the week of training, and approach to this game. And I felt we competed really well.”

The game took place at the Cardinale Stadium in Monterey, California, where the attendance was higher than a usual Tuesday night match.

Monterey Bay FC started the game strong, with the high press leading to a recovery of the ball in the 26th minute, which was slotted in the back of the net by Volesky. This goal resulted from some sloppy play from the Earthquakes’ Centerback Rodrigues. San Jose goalkeeper Daniel, who had not been in the best form since being purchased in the off-season, could not prevent the ball from going in.

The Earthquakes had been dominating the possession in the first half. However, they had failed to create any significant chances. They were missing key players, such as Jeremy Ebobisse and Cristian Espinoza, as they sat on the bench, which showed their inability to break through the opposition’s defense. With the lack of options up front, they were taking desperate shots instead of trying to work in a well-placed cross.

The situation changed in the second half when González brought on Cristian Espinoza and Jamiro Monteiro, two of their best offensive options.

Espinoza immediately made an impact, making a brilliant run that left his defender behind and providing the deadliest cross of the game. But no Quake was in the box to finish it.

The second half was more evenly contested, with both teams creating some excellent chances. The game went back and forth, with back-to-back saves from both keepers, keeping out stellar shots from the opposition. Monterey Bay had an opportunity to double the score in the 90th minute. However, Daniel made a crucial save to prevent a late goal.

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Under new management, San Jose Earthquakes dominate Bay Cities FC

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Paul Marie of the San Jose Earthquakes celebrates after scoring a goal against Bay Cities FC in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Photos by Benny Blanco | @Bennyy_Blanco
Paul Marie of the San Jose Earthquakes celebrates after scoring a goal against Bay Cities FC in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Photos by Benny Blanco | @Bennyy_Blanco

Last round, soccer fans in the Bay Area and beyond fell in love with the start of a Cinderella story in Bay Cities FC. The Redwood City team upset USL Championship side Monterey FC in a thrilling 2-1 victory. Edson Cardona’s unbelievable goal led the motivated Bay Cities side.

Bay Cities moved on to play the San Jose Earthquakes in the next round on Tuesday where their inaugural Open Cup run came to an end.

Paypal Park, the Earthquakes’ stadium that Bay Cities used to host their First Round game in, was the site of Tuesday’s game.

It was an interesting match due to the San Jose Earthquakes having fired Matias Almeyda in the days leading up to the game and replacing him with interim coach Alex Covelo.

In the end, the Quakes, under new leadership, ended up winning 5-0 over a completely outclassed Bay Cities FC. With goals from five different players, this marked the first win for the San Jose Earthquakes in 2022, and the club’s first win over an amateur team in the Open Cup since 2001.

The Earthquakes scored five goals on the day and it seemed like almost everyone was on the scoresheet with five different goalscorers.

Alex Covelo had some high praise for his team after their dominant victory that saw the Quakes have 23 shots and 77% possession.

“I cannot speak about the past. I can speak about what I saw today, and I think that the guys did amazing,” said Covelo. “I interpreted what we want to do today. We spoke to them, tried to tell them what we’re looking for defensively and offensively. It was the first step. Also, we were able to give some minutes to other players, experienced players so that they can feel part of that style that we want to play. It was great. I told them all the credit to them.”

The Earthquakes deployed a new formation and some brand new tactics under newly-appointed Covelo. The Quakes went with a 4-2-3-1 formation and with a whole new gameplan.

“The game plan, to be honest, was pretty different,” said San Jose’s Jack Skahan, who scored the opening goal in the 25th minute. “There are some different things structurally, especially when we attack, where we are positioned to stop counter attacks specifically, and you can see a lot of that with the opposite outside back coming into the middle to sit next to the six. And I thought we implemented it well. I think that we really haven’t had any time to practice it and we really did well translating as a team and we have a lot to build on.”

Skahan’s opening goal came from a free kick at the of the box in the 25th minute, beating the goalkeeper who dove to his left but was unable to keep it out.

Paul Marie doubled the lead in the 37th minute when a cross from the left wing was cleared by the Bay Cities defense. The clearance fell to Marie who fired a low-driving shot into the back of the net from about the same distance as Skahan’s free kick.

Ousseni Bouda was the man of the match and it showed. At the start of the game he was extremely timid and didn’t want to take his defender one on one. Once the game went on, he took over. After halftime, Bouda ended up winning his team a penalty that Cade Cowell ended up putting in the back of the net in the 59th minute, but Bouda eventually got himself on the scoresheet in the final minutes of the game.

Another highlight of the match was 16-year-old Niko Tsakiris getting his first professional goal. Niko showed why the teenager he was on the Earthquakes senior roster. Tsakiris took on three defenders and shot it right past the goalie in the 82nd minute.

The Quakes passed their first test as if they studied this formation and tactics for years. This might have to do with the team being an extremely young team and Alex Covelo already having coached a lot of players that played in this game.

The Quakes shouldn’t celebrate this victory too much as they have a big test coming up this weekend when the Seattle Souunders come to town on Saturday, April 23. They will then play the Sounders on the road for their Fourth Round match on May 11.

Bay Cities keeps their heads up high as they faced an MLS opponent in their first year of existence in the US Open Cup.

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: Bay Cities FC spoil reunions with late winner vs. Monterery Bay

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Bay Cities FC Monterey Bay FC 2022 US Open Cup
Edson Cardona of Bay Cities FC celebrates his stoppage time goal with his teammates in a match against Monterery Bay FC in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Lyndsay Radnedge – @el_radical_photos

Bay Cities FC is hoping this is the beginning of a Cinderella story. The club, founded in little over a year ago, has now moved on to the Third Round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The match was played at the home of the San Jose Earthquakes, but was labeled as a home match for Bay Cities. Bay Cities, who play in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA, Div. 3 pro) won 2-1 over a big favorite in Monterey FC of the USL Championship in front of a crowd of about 500 fans. Bay Cities ended up spoiling a return to PayPal Park for former San Jose Earthquakes player Simon Dawkins and former coach Frank Yallop. The run continues, as a lot of firsts for the Bay Cities’ history happened today.

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Both teams were making their tournament debut and both scored their first goals in US Open Cup history, and Bay Cities got their first win in US Open Cup in their short history as well. And they did it in dramatic fashion.

The first goal came off the right foot of midfielder Rei Dorwart as the shot is a deflection off the Monterey Bay FC goalie JJ Dallas.

Monterey Bay scored the second goal of the match off a header by midfielder Robbie Crawford, he was assisted by Morey Doner.

The last came off a failed clearance by Monterey Bay defender Hugh Roberts. Edson Cardona took advantage with a beautiful left foot volley that screamed past the goalie to shock the whole stadium.

“They played with heart, they played for their communities,” said head coach and co-founder Anders Perez. “This is a group of guys that should be playing Division 1 or Division 2, nobody gives them much opportunity. This why we started this, this is why I started this. There are a lot of players not being seen, and we are giving them a chance.”

“We were definitely the underdog today, I don’t think a lot of people were expecting us to get the results we have been getting lately,” said Tony Jimenez about his team’s upset. “It was such a beautiful feeling to be out there, this is my first contract.”

On the other side of things, Monterey FC was hampered with the thought of losing in their first US Open Cup match ever. That fate loomed large as Bay Cities celebrated like it was a cup final.

”It was like a cup final for them … credit to them honestly … they capitalized on the mistakes that we made, and they punished us,” said Monterey goalscorer Robbie Crawford.

Monterey head coach Frank Yallop, who was coaching in his 25th US Open Cup match, 10 of them with the San Jose Earthquakes, had a more somber tone after the game.

“It’s not a good feeling losing any game, we didn’t play very well … they had two or three good chances, and they scored two goals, we had five really good chances and scored only one,” said Yallop. “It’s disappointing as it is. It’s not a fair reflection of the game, but you got to finish your chances.”

Despite the result, the fans that were there to see beloved former San Jose Earthquakes player Simon Dawkins return to PayPal Park got to see him play for 84 minutes.

“It was good to see the fans out here, there were a lot of San Jose Earthquakes fans, and they are supporting the local teams out here, it was good to see a good turn out,” said Dawkins. “It was great to play in front of them again.”

“That was my first match in the last three years, it was good to get match fitness in for me,” said Dawkins. “Disappointed with the result, but one personal thing I can take away from this is I got some minutes in”.

The former Tottenham and Jamaican International prepares to make a mark in the USL Championship as he makes his return to soccer.

Bay Cities moves on to the US Open Cup Third Round that has a possible date with an MLS team. The draw for Round 3 will take place on Friday at Noon ET.

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