Ian Foster

TheCup.us contributer that also works with MLS Digital to help produce highlight videos. May one day be a world-renowned physicist if he ever finishes his degree.

2017 US Open Cup: Coin flips will finalize Third Round matchups

May 12, 2017 by Ian Foster

The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) announced the 13 Third Round matchups that will determine who gets to take on MLS in the Fourth Round.

Two amateur clubs are guaranteed to reach the Third Round, and both drew intriguing potential matchups. The winner of Boston City FC vs. GPS Omens could possibly go to Rochester to take on the Rhinos, who are still the only non-MLS team since 1996 to win the Open Cup. And LA Wolves, who take on fellow amateur club Chula Vista FC in the second round, could be in for a home rematch against Orange County SC. The Wolves last year became the third consecutive amateur team to take Orange County out of the competition.

Rematch potential abounds in the third round. Harrisburg City and Reading United have played each other every other year since 2009. Standing in Reading’s way are the New York Cosmos, who have managed a win against an MLS team in each of their three Open Cup appearances.

Further down the Eastern Seaboard, a de facto Carolina Cup will conclude as the winner of the Carolina Dynamo/North Carolina FC game takes on the winner of the Charlotte derby between the Independence and the Eagles. Except for the Independence, all four North Carolina teams have made it to at least the Quarterfinals. Even further south, the Charleston Battery may get a chance to avenge their 3^rd-round extra time loss to Jacksonville Armada last year.

Other interesting potential matchups include a USL rivalry bout between FC Cincinnati and Louisville City, a battle of MLS expansion hopefuls in Indy Eleven vs. Saint Louis FC, and an all-Nevada affair between Anahuac FC and Reno 1868 FC.

Host determinations were made by coin flip on Friday. All pairings are listed below:

Home	Away
Miami FC/South Florida Surf (would not host Tampa Bay Rowdies)	Tampa Bay Rowdies (would host against South Florida Surf)/Jacksonville Armada U-23
Miami United FC/Jacksonville Armada	Atlanta Silverbacks/Charleston Battery
Richmond Kickers/Christos FC (would not host Pittsburgh Riverhounds)	Chicago FC United/Pittsburgh Riverhounds (would host Christos FC)
Carolina Dynamo/North Carolina FC	Charlotte Eagles/Charlotte Independence
Rochester Rhinos/FC Motown (would not host Boston City FC)	GPS Omens/Boston City FC (would host FC Motown)
Reading United AC/New York Cosmos (would not host Ocean City)	Ocean City Nor’Easters (would host New York Cosmos)/Harrisburg City Islanders
Michigan Bucks/Indy Eleven	FC Wichita/Saint Louis FC
FC Cincinnati/AFC Cleveland	Tartan Devils Oak Avalon/Louisville City FC
San Francisco Deltas/Burlingame Dragons (would not host Fresno)	Fresno Fuego (would host Burlingame)/Phoenix Rising FC
Tulsa Roughnecks FC/Oklahoma City Energy U-23 (would not host San Antonio)	Dutch Lions FC/San Antonio FC (would host OKC U-23)
OSA FC/Reno 1868 FC (would not host Sacramento)	Sacramento Republic FC (would host Reno)/Anahuac FC
LA Wolves FC/Chula Vista FC	FC Golden State Force/Orange County SC
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC/FC Tucson	OKC Energy FC/Moreno Valley FC

2017 Meet the Underdogs: After last year’s US Open Cup run, La Maquina ready to go “toe-to-toe” with anyone

May 10, 2017 by Ian Foster

Edwin Borboa of La Maquina celebrates his goal against the LA Galaxy in the Fourth Round of the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: LA Galaxy

In other sports, we often wonder aloud if the best college football team could beat the Cleveland Browns, or if the University of Kentucky could upset the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers. In soccer, thanks to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, we get to openly ask and answer that question.

And for 90 minutes last June, we nearly answered in the affirmative as La Maquina, an amateur team out of Santa Ana, Calif., took the mighty Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer to the brink.

“Alex , our owner was encouraged,” said La Maquina coach Edson Martinez. “’You went toe-to-toe with the Galaxy,’ he said, ‘if you can do that you can go toe-to-toe with anyone.’”

Of course, the Galaxy infamously found the winning goal in extra time on a broken play where most players thought the referee had stopped play. The controversial goal opened the floodgate and the Galaxy prevailed 4-1. That goal led to an unsuccessful protest by La Maquina.

So how did that affect La Maquina as they approach their First Round US Open Cup match away to the PDL’s Fresno Fuego on Wednesday night?

“Everyone’s on the same page,” said Martinez about their approach to this season. “The main focus is to practice, play in the league that we play for, and play the US Open Cup.”

As a result, the ambitious Southern Californian club has passed up a local competition or two to stay healthy and rested for the Open Cup.

“There was just a big tournament here in South California that was big locally but we didn’t enter because we didn’t want our players to get hurt,” Martinez said.

La Maquina is currently near the top of the UPSL standings, but the Cup has had an impact on that too. They fielded a mostly reserve squad on Saturday against Sporting San Fernando and lost 4-1.

But the team is ready, and thanks to the year-round schedule of UPSL plus the various California cups, La Maquina comes into their first round match at mid-season form.

“Last year we weren’t really practicing until we started the US Open Cup. We’ve been practicing since November now,” said Martinez. “I think that’s going to be the big difference this year.”

While the roster is mostly composed of players just coming out of college, like identical twin midfielders Jose and Orlando Casteo, they’ve sprinkled in a few former Liga MX veterans. Most notably Edwin Borboa, the striker who’s played for Chivas, Pachuca, and Leon in his career. Borboa had a breakout Open Cup last year as he tied for the tournament lead in goals with five. In fact, in one tournament, Borboa is now tied for the Modern Era lead for most goals by a player from any USASA amateur club.

“We’ve played nine games, Borboa’s already scored 19 or 20 goals,” Martinez said. “And I know for a fact he’s in better shape this year than last year, he’s been working hard.”

La Maquina (left) vs. LA Wolves in the Third Round of 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Joe Walsh

It would be difficult for Borboa to surpass his 2016 Open Cup, where he scored at least one goal in every game, tying the Modern Era record by scoring in four consecutive games. If he scores on Wednesday night, he will break that record.

Not that Borboa or the rest of La Maquina gets fazed by the notion of playing someone like the Galaxy.

“You always need those players that have actually been there at a professional level playing against famous teams,” Martinez said.

At the heart of almost every major “Cupset” is a past or future pro like Borboa or Jose Montes de Oca, a young player from Leon in Liga MX. The Open Cup is a prime opportunity for him to be seen by USL and MLS teams.

But La Maquina don’t want to be stepping stones to the pros forever. Someday, Martinez mentioned, La Maquina, perhaps alongside their competitive league-mates LA Wolves, would like to ply their trade in the USL. With the new Division 3 league in the works, that could be a realstic next step with the club’s local fan support.

And what better way to make their case than another deep Open Cup run?

“We’re usually the underdog,” Martinez said, “but we know for a fact that we have a really good team and a really good system. We have players that play with their hearts.”

2017 US Open Cup First Round pairings unveiled with potential Round 2 matchups

April 12, 2017 by Ian Foster

The 99 entries of the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Graphic by: Gilberto Hernandez (Twitter: @GilbertoHdz200)

The United States Soccer Federation announced the First Round pairings for the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup today. The opening round of the 104th edition of the tournament will kick off on May 9 and 10 with a record 56 amateur clubs squaring off with teams from the professional ranks waiting for them in Round 2. The First Round features 21 Premier Development League (PDL) teams, 18 from the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) and 17 Open Division sides with teams divided up into geographic groups to minimize travel.

The opening match will be played on Tuesday, May 9 with a South Florida match between Red Force FC and the South Florida Surf at Tropical Park in Miami. The following day, 27 matches will take place across the country.

Teams advancing to Round 2 will play against professional opposition from one of the 18 United Soccer League teams or one of the six North American Soccer League teams. The games will be contested on either May 16 or 17.

According to US Soccer, home-field for each match was “determined by a random selection process among those clubs that have applied to host and whose venues meet the minimum tournament requirements.”

After some speculation, it was announced earlier this month that the 2017 Open Cup winner would indeed participate in the 2019 CONCACAF Champions’ League. For the next two years, only the US Open Cup and MLS Cup winners will earn qualification, nearly doubling the importance of this year’s competition.

Another detail from the federation is that the following pairs of teams will not be allowed to face each other until the Final due to their relationships with each other. Examples they site include “a non-professional Open Division team and a parent club; a team who receives material technical support from another club. These pairings are: Jacksonville Armada (NASL) and Jacksonville Armada U-23 (NPSL); OKC Energy (USL) and OKC Energy U23 (PDL); San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) and Reno 1868 FC (USL); Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) and Sounders FC U-23 (PDL).

FC Dallas, last year’s Open Cup champion will not enter the tournament until the rest of the Major League Soccer clubs enter in Round 4, which is scheduled for June 14. In total, 99 teams will take part in this year’s tournament, a record for the Modern Era (1995-present).

Some Interesting First Round Matchups:

Chattanooga FC (NPSL) at Charlotte Eagles (PDL)
The only NPSL team in history to advance in the Open Cup against a pro side faces a difficult Round One challenge, as the Charlotte Eagles have a long history in the tournament. However, this is just the second time that the Eagles have qualified since moving from the USL to the PDL.

AFC Cleveland (NPSL) at Des Moines Menace (PDL)
Last season’s NPSL champion AFC Cleveland travels to the well-supported and long-standing PDL powerhouse Des Moines Menace, who have upset seven professional teams in their Open Cup history (second-most among all amateur clubs).

La Maquina (USASA) at Fresno Fuego (PDL)
Last year’s Open Cup darlings La Maquina begins their 2017 US Open Cup run in the home stadium of ambitious club Fresno Fuego, another of the better-attended teams in US amateur soccer. Fresno hasn’t qualified since 2014 and has only made the tournament three times in its club history, but have upset three pro teams in those three cup runs.

GPS Omens (USASA) at GPS Portland Phoenix (PDL)
A pair of teams from the Global Premier Soccer organization will square off in Maine. This marks just the fifth time in the tournament’s history that an Open Cup game will take place in Maine. This is rematch from the 2013 tournament when GPS Omens was called Mass Premier Soccer, and the Phoenix were victorious by the score of 2-0. It remains Portland’s only US Open Cup victory in five games.

AFC Ann Arbor (NPSL) at Michigan Bucks (PDL)
The Michigan Bucks will host just the ninth indoor game in US Open Cup history when they host AFC Ann Arbor. Geographic pairings often set up in-state games like this and this one features a first-time club against the team with the best resume of any amateur club. The Bucks, the defending PDL champions, hold the Modern Era record for amateur team wins (13), pro team upsets (9) and are the only amateur team with two wins over MLS teams (New England in 2000, Chicago in 2012). They will take on the first-ever Ann Arbor-based club to ever qualify for the tournament.

San Diego Zest (PDL) at LA Wolves FC (USASA)
Sure to get plenty of attention is the Wolves’ new head coach, former US international Eric Wynalda. The Hall of Famer has proven that he can take lower division clubs and pull off upsets (Cal FC in 2012, Atlanta Silverbacks in 2014). Wynalda’s Wolves will host the San Diego Zest, a first-time entry from the PDL in their opening match.

Road trip!

The draw is made with an effort to minimize travel. The federation sorts teams in regional groups and performs the draw. However, they are at the mercy of the teams that qualify and there’s always a team or two that has to make a long trip. The team that has to make the longest trip is USSSA club Colorado Rush who will make a nearly 900-mile trip to Arizona to take on the PDL’s FC Tucson.

The shortest trip? Burlingame Dragons of the PDL who will make a roughly 15-mile trip to San Francisco to take on El Farolito, a team that won the 1993 US Open Cup title under the name CD Mexico.

2017 LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP SCHEDULE

First Round

Date	Game	Time	Venue
May 9	Red Force FC (Fla.) vs. South Florida Surf (PDL)	8:30 p.m. ET	Tropical Park; Miami, Fla.
May 10	Fredericksburg FC (NPSL) vs. Christos FC (Md.)	5 p.m. ET	Univ. of Mary Washington Battleground Stadium; Fredericksburg, Va.
May 10	Atlanta Silverbacks (NPSL) vs. SC United Bantams (PDL)	5 p.m. ET	Atlanta Silverbacks Park; Atlanta, Ga.
May 10	El Farolito (Calif.) vs. Burlingame Dragons FC (PDL)	3 p.m. PT	Boxer Stadium; San Francisco, Calif.
May 10	GPS Portland Phoenix (PDL) vs. GPS Omens (Mass.)	7 p.m. ET	Memorial Field; Portland, Maine
May 10	Western Mass Pioneers (PDL) vs. Boston City FC (NPSL)	7 p.m. ET	Lusitano Stadium; Ludlow, Mass.
May 10	New Jersey Copa FC (NPSL) vs. FC Motown (N.J.)	7 p.m. ET	Saint John Vianney High School; Holmdel, N.J.
May 10	Charlotte Eagles (PDL) vs. Chattanooga FC (NPSL)	7 p.m. ET	Charlotte Christian School; Charlotte, N.C.
May 10	Carolina Dynamo (PDL) vs. Legacy 76 (NPSL)	7 p.m. ET	Macpherson Stadium; Greensboro, N.C.
May 10	Miami United FC (NPSL) vs. Boca Raton Football Club (Fla.)	7 p.m. ET	Ted Hendricks Stadium; Hialeah, Fla.
May 10	Jacksonville Armada U-23 (NPSL) vs. The Villages SC (PDL)	7 p.m. ET	Patton Park; Jacksonville, Fla.
May 10	Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL) vs. Junior Lone Star FC (Pa.)	7:30 p.m. ET	Carey Stadium; Ocean City, N.J.
May 10	Reading United AC (PDL) vs. Clarkstown SC Eagles (NPSL)	7:30 p.m. ET	Exeter Township Senior High School; Reading, Pa.
May 10	Michigan Bucks (PDL) vs. AFC Ann Arbor (NPSL)	7:30 p.m. ET	Ultimate Soccer Arenas; Pontiac, Mich.
May 10	Derby City Rovers (PDL) vs. Tartan Devils Oak Avalon (Pa.)	7:30 p.m. ET	Woehrle Athletic Complex; Jeffersonville, Ind.
May 10	Chicago FC United (PDL) vs. Grand Rapids FC (NPSL)	7 p.m. CT	Martin Stadium (Northwestern Univ.); Evanston, Ill.
May 10	Dutch Lions FC (NPSL) vs. NTX Rayados (Texas)	7 p.m. CT	Dutch Lions FC Soccer Facility; Conroe, Texas
May 10	FC Wichita (NPSL) vs. Azteca FC (Colo.)	7 p.m. CT	Stryker Soccer Compex; Wichita, Kan.
May 10	Des Moines Menace (PDL) vs. AFC Cleveland (NPSL)	7:30 p.m. CT	Valley Stadium; West Des Moines, Iowa
May 10	Tulsa Athletic (NPSL) vs. Oklahoma City Energy U23 (PDL)	7:30 p.m. CT	Hurricane Soccer & Track Stadium; Tulsa, Okla.
May 10	Sonoma County Sol (NPSL) vs. Anahuac FC (Nev.)	7 p.m. PT	Casa Grande High School; Petaluma, Calif.
May 10	Albion SC Pros (NPSL) vs. Chula Vista FC (Calif.)	7 p.m. PT	Mission Bay High School; San Diego, Calif.
May 10	FC Golden State Force (PDL) vs. Outbreak FC (Calif.)	7 p.m. PT	Citrus College; Glendora, Calif.
May 10	Fresno Fuego (PDL) vs. La Máquina FC (Calif.)	7 p.m. PT	Chukchansi Park; Fresno, Calif.
May 10	Ventura County Fusion (PDL) vs. Moreno Valley Fútbol Club (Calif.)	7 p.m. PT	Ventura College Sportsplex; Ventura, Calif.
May 10	FC Tucson (PDL) vs. Colorado Rush (Colo.)	7:30 p.m. MST	Kino North Stadium; Tucson, Ariz.
May 10	OSA FC (NPSL) vs. Sounders FC U-23 (PDL)	7:30 p.m. PT	Seattle High School Memorial Stadium; Seattle, Wash.
May 10	L.A. Wolves FC (Calif.) vs. San Diego Zest (PDL)	7:30 p.m. PT	Bell Gardens John Anson Ford Park; Bell Gardens, Calif.

Second Round

Date	Game	Time	Venue
May 16	Red Force FC (Fla.) vs. Miami FC (NASL)	8:30 p.m. ET	Tropical Park; Miami, Fla.
	-or-
May 17	South Florida Surf (PDL) vs. Miami FC (NASL)	TBD	Home Team TBD
May 17	Fredericksburg FC (NPSL) vs. Richmond Kickers (USL)	5 p.m. ET	Univ. of Mary Washington Battleground Stadium; Fredericksburg, Va.
	-or-
May 17	Richmond Kickers (USL) vs. Christos FC (Md.)	7 p.m. ET	City Stadium; Richmond, Va.
May 17	Atlanta Silverbacks (NPSL) vs. Charleston Battery (USL)	5 p.m. ET	Atlanta Silverbacks Park; Atlanta, Ga.
	-or-
May 17	Charleston Battery (USL) vs. SC United Bantams (PDL)	7 p.m. ET	MUSC Health Stadium; Charleston, S.C.
May 17	Rochester Rhinos (USL) vs. FC Motown (N.J.)/New Jersey Copa FC (NPSL) winner	7 p.m. ET	Capelli Sport Stadium; Rochester, N.Y.
May 17	Boston City FC (NPSL) vs. GPS Omens (Mass.)/GPS Portland Phoenix (PDL) winner	7 p.m. ET	Brother Gilbert Stadium; Malden, Mass.
	-or-
May 17	Western Mass Pioneers (PDL) vs. GPS Omens (Mass.)/GPS Portland Phoenix (PDL) winner	7 p.m. ET	Lusitano Stadium; Ludlow, Mass.
May 17	Miami United FC (NPSL) vs. Jacksonville Armada (NASL)	7 p.m. ET	Ted Hendricks Stadium; Hialeah, Fla.
	-or-
May 17	Jacksonville Armada (NASL) vs. Boca Raton Football Club (Fla.)	7 p.m. ET	Southern Oak Stadium (Jacksonville Univ.); Jacksonville, Fla.
May 17	Carolina Dynamo (PDL) vs. North Carolina FC (NASL)	7 p.m. ET	Macpherson Stadium; Greensboro, N.C.
	-or-
May 17	Legacy 76 (NPSL) vs. North Carolina FC (NASL)	7 p.m. ET	Wanner Stadium; Williamsburg, Va.
May 17	Charlotte Eagles (PDL) vs. Charlotte Independence (USL)	7 p.m. ET	Charlotte Christian School; Charlotte, N.C.
	-or-
May 17	Chattanooga FC (NPSL) vs. Charlotte Independence (USL)	7:30 p.m. ET	Finley Stadium; Chattanooga, Tenn.
May 17	AFC Ann Arbor (NPSL) vs. Indy Eleven (NASL)	7 p.m. ET	Scicluna Field (Eastern Michigan Univ.); Ypsilanti, Mich.
	-or-
May 17	Michigan Bucks (PDL) vs. Indy Eleven (NASL)	7:30 p.m. ET	Ultimate Soccer Arenas; Pontiac, Mich.
May 17	Tartan Devils Oak Avalon (Pa.) vs. Louisville City FC (USL)	7 p.m. ET	Rooney Field; Pittsburgh, Pa.
	-or-
May 17	Louisville City FC (USL) vs. Derby City Rovers (PDL)	7:30 p.m. ET	Woehrle Athletic Complex; Jeffersonville, Ind.
May 17	New York Cosmos (NASL) vs. Clarkstown SC Eagles (NPSL)	7 p.m. ET	Rocco B. Commisso Stadium; New York, N.Y.
	-or-
May 17	Reading United AC (PDL) vs. New York Cosmos (NASL)	7:30 p.m. ET	Exeter Township Senior High School; Reading, Pa.
May 17	FC Cincinnati (USL) vs. AFC Cleveland (NPSL)	7 p.m. ET	Nippert Stadium (Univ. of Cincinnati); Cincinnati, Ohio
	-or-
May 17	Des Moines Menace (PDL) vs. FC Cincinnati (USL)	7:30 p.m. CT	Valley Stadium; West Des Moines, Iowa
May 17	Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL) vs. The Villages SC (PDL)/Jacksonville Armada U-23 (NPSL) winner	7:30 p.m. ET	Al Lang Stadium; St. Petersburg, Fla.
May 17	Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL) vs. Harrisburg City Islanders (USL)	7:30 p.m. ET	Carey Stadium; Ocean City, N.J.
	-or-
May 17	Junior Lone Star FC (Pa.) vs. Harrisburg City Islanders (USL)	TBD	Home Team TBD
May 17	Grand Rapids FC (NPSL) vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL)	7:30 p.m. ET	Pat Patterson Field (Crestwood Middle School); Kentwood, Mich.
	-or-
May 17	Chicago FC United (PDL) vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL)	7 p.m. CT	Martin Stadium (Northwestern Univ.); Evanston, Ill.
May 17	FC Wichita (NPSL) vs. Saint Louis FC (USL)	7 p.m. CT	Stryker Soccer Compex; Wichita, Kan.
	-or-
May 17	Saint Louis FC (USL) vs. Azteca FC (Colo.)	7 p.m. CT	WWT Soccer Park; Fenton, Mo.
May 17	Dutch Lions FC (NPSL) vs. San Antonio FC (USL)	7 p.m. CT	Dutch Lions FC Soccer Facility; Conroe, Texas
	-or-
May 17	San Antonio FC (USL) vs. NTX Rayados (Texas)	7:30 p.m. CT	Toyota Field; San Antonio, Texas
May 17	Tulsa Roughnecks FC (USL) vs. Oklahoma City Energy U23 (PDL)	7 p.m. CT	Hurricane Soccer & Track Stadium; Tulsa, Okla.
	-or-
May 17	Tulsa Athletic (NPSL) vs. Tulsa Roughnecks FC (USL)	7:30 p.m. CT	Hurricane Soccer & Track Stadium; Tulsa, Okla.
May 17	OKC Energy FC (USL) vs. Moreno Valley Fútbol Club (Calif.)	7 p.m. CT	Taft Stadium; Oklahoma City, Okla.
	-or-
May 17	Ventura County Fusion (PDL) vs. OKC Energy FC (USL)	7 p.m. PT	Ventura College Sportsplex; Ventura, Calif.
May 17	Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USL) vs. Colorado Rush (Colo.)/FC Tucson (PDL) winner	6 p.m. MT	Weidner Field; Colorado Springs, Colo.
May 17	Fresno Fuego (PDL) vs. Phoenix Rising FC (USL)	7 p.m. PT	Fresno State Soccer & Lacrosse Stadium; Fresno, Calif.
	-or-
May 17	La Máquina FC (Calif.) vs. Phoenix Rising FC (USL)	7 p.m. PT	Santa Ana Stadium; Santa Ana, Calif.
May 17	FC Golden State Force (PDL) vs. Orange County SC (USL)	7 p.m. PT	Citrus College; Glendora, Calif.
	-or-
May 17	Outbreak FC (Calif.) vs. Orange County SC (USL)	7 p.m. PT	Long Beach State Univ.; Long Beach, Calif.
May 17	Albion SC Pros (NPSL) vs. San Diego Zest (PDL)	7 p.m. PT	Mission Bay High School; San Diego, Calif.
	-or-
May 17	Chula Vista FC (Calif.) vs. San Diego Zest (PDL)	7 p.m. PT	Eastlake High School; Chula Vista, Calif.
	-or-
May 17	L.A. Wolves FC (Calif.) vs. Chula Vista FC (Calif.)/Albion SC Pros (NPSL) winner	7:30 p.m. PT	Bell Gardens John Anson Ford Park; Bell Gardens, Calif.
May 17	Sacramento Republic FC (USL) vs. Anahuac FC (Nev.)/Sonoma County Sol (NPSL) winner	7:30 p.m. PT	Papa Murphy’s Park; Sacramento, Calif.
May 17	San Francisco Deltas (NASL) vs. Burlingame Dragons FC (PDL)/El Farolito (Calif.) winner	7:30 p.m. PT	Stanford University; Stanford, Calif.
May 17	OSA FC (NPSL) vs. Reno 1868 FC (USL)	7:30 p.m. PT	Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, Wash.
	-or-
May 17	Sounders FC U-23 (PDL) vs. Reno 1868 FC (USL)	7:30 p.m. PT	Sunset Stadium (Sumner H.S.); Sumner, Wash.

First Round                  May 9-10 (PDL, NPSL, Open Division clubs enter)
Second Round             May 16-17 (NASL and USL clubs enter)
Third Round                 May 31 (Winners of 26 Second Round games play each other)
Fourth Round               June 14* (Major League Soccer clubs enter)
Round of 16                 June 28* (matches determined by Round of 16 Draw on June 15)
Quarterfinals                July 11 (window of July 7-16 available for consideration)
Semifinals                    Aug. 9*
Final                             Sept. 20

* Games in this round may be moved up a day

2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Participating Teams

Division I and II Professional Teams Eligible to Participate (43 total):

Division I (19 teams, entering in the Fourth Round) – Major League Soccer: Atlanta United FC, Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew SC, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, LA Galaxy, Minnesota United FC, New England Revolution, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls, Orlando City SC, Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC, Sporting Kansas City

Division II (24 teams, entering in the Second Round) – North American Soccer League (6): Indy Eleven, Jacksonville Armada, Miami FC, New York Cosmos, North Carolina FC (formerly Carolina RailHawks), San Francisco Deltas; United Soccer League (18 teams): Charleston Battery, Charlotte Independence, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, FC Cincinnati, Harrisburg City Islanders, Louisville City FC, OKC Energy FC, Orange County SC (formerly Orange County Blues), Phoenix Rising FC (formerly Arizona United), Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Reno 1868 FC, Richmond Kickers, Rochester Rhinos, Sacramento Republic FC, Saint Louis FC, San Antonio FC, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Tulsa Roughnecks FC

Open Division Teams (56 total, entering in the First Round):

Local Qualifiers (17 teams, listed alphabetically by state): California (6): Chula Vista FC, El Farolito, La Máquina*, LA Wolves FC*, Moreno Valley Fútbol Club, Outbreak FC*; Colorado (2): Azteca FC, Colorado Rush; Florida (2): Boca Raton Football Club*, Red Force FC; Maryland (1): Christos FC; Massachusetts (1): GPS Omens; Nevada (1): Anahuac FC; New Jersey (1): FC Motown; Pennsylvania (2): Junior Lone Star FC, Tartan Devils Oak Avalon; Texas (1): NTX Rayados

Premier Development League (21 teams): Division Winners: Charlotte Eagles* (N.C.), Des Moines Menace* (Iowa), FC Tucson* (Ariz.), Fresno Fuego (Calif.), GPS Portland Phoenix* (Maine), Michigan Bucks*, OKC Energy U23 (Okla.), Reading United AC* (Pa.), The Villages SC* (Fla.); At-Large Berths: Burlingame Dragons* (Calif.), Carolina Dynamo (N.C.), Chicago FC United (formerly Chicago Fire U-23), Derby City Rovers (Ky.), FC Golden State Force (Calif.), Ocean City Nor’easters (N.J.), San Diego Zest (Calif.), SC United Bantams (S.C.), Sounders FC U-23* (Wash.), South Florida Surf, Ventura County Fusion* (Calif.), Western Mass Pioneers. The PDL is a nationwide league affiliated with the U.S. Adult Soccer Association and opted to use 2016 league results to determine its qualifiers for the 2017 Open Cup.

National Premier Soccer League (18 teams): Qualified via 2016 NPSL playoffs: AFC Cleveland* (Ohio), Albion SC Pros (Calif.), Chattanooga FC* (Tenn.), Clarkstown SC Eagles* (N.Y.), Grand Rapids FC (Mich.), Miami United FC (Fla.), New Jersey Copa FC (N.J.), Sonoma County Sol (Calif.); At-Large Berths: AFC Ann Arbor (Mich.), Atlanta Silverbacks*, Boston City FC (Mass.), Dutch Lions FC (Texas), FC Wichita* (Kan.), Fredericksburg FC* (Va.), Jacksonville Armada U-23 (Fla.), Legacy 76 (Va.), OSA FC (Wash.) Tulsa Athletic (Okla). The NPSL is a nationwide league affiliated with the U.S. Adult Soccer Association and opted to use 2016 league results to determine its qualifiers for the 2017 Open Cup.

* Participated in 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

Changing leagues means Myrtle Beach Mutiny, Midland-Odessa Sockers will be left out of 2017 US Open Cup

February 9, 2017 by Ian Foster

The format for the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup has yet to be announced, but two teams changing leagues has opened the door for others to qualify.

Based on the 2017 US Open Cup handbook (distributed by the USSF), TheCup.us determined which Premier Development League (PDL) teams and which National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) teams were likely to qualify for the 104th edition of the tournament. The criteria for qualification was the results of the previous league season.

Now, with the Myrtle Beach Mutiny and the Midland-Odessa Sockers, changing leagues, this makes them ineligible to next year’s competition. Myrtle Beach moved from NPSL to PDL while Midland-Odessa did the reverse.

This isn’t so much of a policy as it is, an example of simple sports logic. Each league is awarded a certain number of spots in the tournament, so if a qualified team leaves a league and joins another, which league should they represent? The choices are: a league they just left or the league they just joined where their credentials for qualifying are season results with a rival league? Myrtle Beach and Midland-Odessa simply don’t have league results from their current league, making them ineligible.

This opens the door for one additional team in both leagues, though which team that is unclear since the precise allocation has yet to be announced by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). However, we can harbor a guess based on recent tournaments and last summer’s breakdown of which PDL and NPSL should make the tournament (now updated to reflect the changes).

For the PDL, the process is simple: every team below Midland-Odessa moves up one. PDL sent 19 teams to the 2016 Open Cup. So if the allocation remains the same, that’s good news for teams like SC United Bantams, who are next in line assuming the league will maintain 19 entries. The Burlingame Dragons are sitting 20th, while Derby City Rovers are now No. 21.

The NPSL situation is slightly more complicated. They make their Open Cup qualifying list based on playoff results, as well as regional and conference standings. This essentially means that only certain teams in the South Region are affected. The Atlanta Silverbacks, who were likely on the outside looking in based on last year’s 15-team NPSL allocation, jump to the #11 slot and into the tournament if last year’s format holds true. Jacksonville Armada U-23s jump to the 18th position while other South teams (Houston Dutch Lions and FC Wichita) are unaffected.

MORE: Which PDL teams will qualify for the 2017 US Open Cup?
MORE: Which NPSL teams will qualify for the 2017 US Open Cup?

To be clear, this is not a result of the rule that disqualified Minneapolis City SC, as first reported by FiftyFive.One. They are expected to be disqualified because they changed leagues midway through the 2017 US Open Cup qualifying process.

Who is eligible for the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup?

July 31, 2016 by Ian Foster

GPS Omens and Southie FC square off in 2016 US Open Cup qualifying at Lawrence Veterans Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Mass.

The deadline, August 1, for amateur teams not in NPSL and PDL to apply for the US Open Cup is approaching. A quick rundown of the eligibility guidelines and procedures:

Who’s Eligible?

According to Section 202 of the 2017 US Open Cup Handbook, Open Division teams must play in a USSF Organization Member league with at least four teams and at least ten games played per year. Further, any team or league playing its first season must have started its league games by July 2 (30 days before the application deadline).

Any amateur team that meets those guidelines is welcome to apply to enter the Open Cup. However, teams that are registered as professional teams and share ownership with a professional team operating in a higher division (such as Minnesota United Reserves in the Premier League of America) would not be eligible.

Hosting Requirements

But it is not enough to send USSF the $200 fee to enter the Open Cup by August 1. Teams are also required to, by August 5, send USSF their application to host the Qualifying games. A team that is drawn to host a qualifying game is required to do so. For Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, these venues must be available for both September 10-11 and October 15-16, since that is when their first and second qualifying rounds will take place. Teams in all other states must secure venues for September 17-18 and October 22-23.

The field requirements include:

Minimum size 100 yards by 65 yards
Regulation-size goals and corner flags
A safe playing surface as judged by the match referee
Three soccer balls

Further, the home team must pay the referee fees of $320 per match.

2016 US Open Cup Quarterfinals review: Late goals galore as former champions advance to final four

July 20, 2016 by Ian Foster

The New England Revolution celebrate after a goal against the Philadelphia Union. Photo: David Silverman | New England Revolution

Late drama defined Quarterfinal Night at the US Open Cup. The four games saw four goals scored in the 85th minute or later, including two winners and one dramatic equalizer that eventually forced penalties.

The final lower-division team took its bow, leaving four MLS teams to contest the Semifinals. The four clubs remaining have combined to appear in 32 Open Cup Semifinals and 15 Finals, winning 8 Open Cups between them.

Here is a brief recap of each Quarterfinal match with links to the full match report (Check back as more will be added). We start in Chicago, the only place where there was decidedly no late drama:

Reigning TheCup.us Player of the Round David Accam again led the way, earning and converting a penalty in the 4th minute for his fourth goal of the tournament and dishing out what would prove to be the game-winner. Accam helped double the lead when he set up Michael de Leeuw in the 35th minute and Khaly Thiam all but sealed the game for the Fire when his goal in the 51st minute made it 3-0. Gale Agbossoumonde did not make life easier for the Strikers, the last non-MLS team left in the Open Cup field, when he got himself sent off in the 70th minute.

Though the Fire have not made the MLS Playoffs since 2012, they’ve been prodigious in the Open Cup. With the win, they secured their fourth consecutive Semifinals berth and their 12th overall, setting the all-time US Open Cup record. FULL MATCH REPORT »

The Union’s bid to host their third consecutive US Open Cup Final came to an end at the hands of Brad Knighton, Je-Vaughn Watson, and the New England Revolution. Watson scored the opener in the 44th minute to the delight of the Harvard crowd, and through most of the second half it looked like that would be the winner. But Fabian Herbers had other ideas, receiving a pass from Sebastain Le Toux for the 90th-minute equalizer.

MLS All-Star Andre Blake was brilliant in regulation and even more brilliant in extra time, stopping seven shots. But he could not match his counterpart Knighton in the shootout, who stopped Le Toux and CJ Sapong’s efforts before Watson powered home the semifinal-clinching penalty. It will be New England’s fourth overall appearance in the final four, and their first since 2008. FULL MATCH REPORT »

The MLS Supporters’ Shield leaders left it late, but in the end, FC Dallas were the only road team to advance out of the Quarterfinals on Wednesday night after Castillo’s stoppage time winner over in-state rivals Houston Dynamo. After a cagey first half, Houston looked the better team for much of the second half behind the ambition of Mauro Manotas. Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz did well to keep Manotas off the board in the 48th minute. Manotas went on to beat Seitz in the 60th minute, but could not beat the woodwork.

Castillo then showed why transfer rumors constantly swirl around Frisco, firing home a wide-angle shot to sink the Houston faithful. With the win, FC Dallas will make their ninth Semifinal appearance, this one against fellow Western Conference powerhouse LA Galaxy. FULL MATCH REPORT »

Both teams started “B+” squads for this quarterfinal matchup in Carson, Calif. But it was a trio of regulars that brought the game back for the Galaxy and ultimately buried the Sounders. Giovani dos Santos, who made his Open Cup debut when he subbed on at the 74th minute, scored an equalizer for the home side just three minutes later. Sebastian Lletget, who did start the game, pulled LA ahead in the 85th minute and put the game away in the 88th after a wonderful combination with Gyasi Zardes.

Michael Farfan put the Sounders in front in the 4th minute, but LA’s Alan Gordon was quick to respond to make it 1-1 in the 18th. Herculez Gomez scored a particularly fashionable goal in the 58th minute when he volleyed it home from a wide angle. But it was all for naught in the end. The Galaxy move on to their seventh Open Cup semifinal and their first since 2006. FULL MATCH REPORT »

Which NPSL teams will qualify for the 2017 US Open Cup?

July 18, 2016 by Ian Foster

UPDATE (7/21): New Jersey Copa FC upset New York Cosmos B 1-0 and Clarskburg SC Eagles defeated Legacy 76 1-0 to reach the NPSL Quarterfinals, pushing Fredericksburg FC, Legacy 76, New York Cosmos B, and Boston City FC down.

UPDATE (7/25): AFC Cleveland and Grand Rapids FC advanced to the quarterfinals in Friday’s matches.

UPDATE (2/7/2017): Myrtle Beach Mutiny, listed at #11 below, has moved to the PDL. This makes it unlikely that they would occupy one of NPSL’s Open Cup slots, which would move the Atlanta Silverbacks up to #11 and leave the #18 slot to Jacksonville Armada U-23.

With the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) playoffs already underway, let’s take a look at the probable and possible qualifiers to next year’s Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

According to the 2017 US Open Cup Handbook, the qualifying process for the NPSL, which are based on the previous season’s results, will be very similar to last year’s.

The number of NPSL teams that will be invited to the tournament is still up in the air, but a good estimate would put the number in the same neighborhood as 2016. Since the NPSL started receiving its own dedicated spots in the tournament in 2011, the league has slowly received more and more entries beginning with four in 2011, and last year 15 teams punched their ticket to the tournament.

Estimates aside, the eight NPSL quarterfinalists are guaranteed a spot if they want it (Note: Some teams have declined invitations in the past).

Here is a quick rundown of what we know so far with the NPSL teams we will likely see in #USOC2017:

NPSL

The NPSL’s qualifying process is somewhat less straightforward. Unlike the PDL, playoff results do matter, and the teams that make the quarterfinals (aka the Regional Finals) are slotted 1-8. Beyond that, Open Cup berths are awarded based on region size, points-per-game (unlike the PDL, teams do not play an equal amount of games across NPSL), and whether a team from your conference made the quarterfinals.

A word of advice to NPSL teams: try to make the quarterfinals. If you don’t, whether you make the Open Cup or not will be based on some pretty complex criteria. Thankfully, USSF invited 15 NPSL teams last year, and they’re not usually one to curtail amateur participation.

That said, these teams have made the quarterfinals:

Chattanooga FC (Semifinalist, Southeast Conference Winner)

It will be Chattanooga’s fifth consecutive Open Cup appearance, where they’ve made a living off beating the Wilmington Hammerheads in the Second Round. They received their first-ever bye to the Second Round this year after losing last year’s championship game to New York Cosmos B, who decided not to participate in this year’s competition (or were removed because they are a pro team owned by a higher division pro team — New York Cosmos — which is now outlawed by the federation, depending on your viewpoint).

Chattanooga still have a lot on their to-do list and adding to their Open Cup resume is right up there with winning an NPSL title after finishing runner-up four times.

AFC Cleveland (Semifinalist, Winner, Great Lakes East Conference)

AFC Cleveland will make their 2nd consecutive US Open Cup appearance next year after persevering in penalties against AFC Ann Arbor on Friday. They continue their run in the NPSL season after winning in penalties again, this time over Grand Rapids FC, to reach the NPSL semifinals.

They’ll hope to improve on their Open Cup run from this year, where they defeated GPS Portland Phoenix (PDL) before falling to Saint Louis FC (USL) in the second round.

Sonoma County Sol (Semifinalist, Golden Gate Conference Winner)

Albion’s opponent in the Western Region Final advanced to the NPSL quarterfinals after narrowly topping teams like CD Aguiluchos USA and the Sacramento Gold in this year’s Golden Gate Conference. Sonoma County Sol seeks their sixth Open Cup appearance and their second NPSL title. Their first title came in an eventful 2009 for Sonoma County, as they advanced to the Second Round of the Open Cup after beating Orange County Blue Star (PDL).

Clarkstown SC Eagles (Semifinalist, Keystone Conference Winner)

The Eagles qualified for their second consecutive US Open Cup after defeating Legacy 76 1-0 in the Northeast Region semifinals. The club, formerly known as the Jersey City Eagles, will look for their first-ever US Open Cup win next year, as they fell to Jersey Express (PDL) 2-1 this year.

5. Miami United FC (Quarterfinalist, Sunshine Conference Winner)

Miami United will be invited to their second Open Cup in three years after dominating the Sunshine Conference (winning by nine points after a 9-1-0 record) and beating the Atlanta Silverbacks in the Southern Region semifinals. They beat the Southwest Florida Adrenaline (PDL) in the first round of the 2015 competition before succumbing to USL’s Charleston Battery.

6. Albion SC Pros (Quarterfinalist, Southwest Conference Winner)

A nerve-wracking penalty shootout win over Conference rival SoCal SC and a 2-1 victory over the newly-named OSA FC were enough to get this San Diego-based expansion team into its first-ever US Open Cup, should they choose to accept the invitation.

7. Grand Rapids FC (Quarterfinalist, Winner, Great Lakes West Conference)

The team qualified for their first-ever US Open Cup in just their second season of play, and their first season in the NPSL, with a 1-0 Midwest playoff victory over Indy Eleven NPSL. Their season was cut short at home later in the weekend by AFC Cleveland, but the performance was likely enough to earn them a berth. The club will enter the 104th edition of the US Open Cup as one of the best supported amateur clubs in the country. They averaged more than 4,000 fans per game during the regular season.

8. New Jersey Copa FC (Quarterfinalist, Keystone Conference 2nd Place)

It has already been an exciting run for the expansion team based out of Metuchen, New Jersey. First, they qualified for the Northeast Regional Playoffs by only two points over Junior Lone Star FC. In the first round of those playoffs, they outlasted Mid-Atlantic Conference Champion Fredericksburg FC in a 9-8 penalty shootout. Then on Wednesday, they went on the road to dispatch the defending NPSL Champions, one of NPSL’s few professional teams, New York Cosmos B.

They will naturally be making their first-ever US Open Cup appearance.

As for how the NPSL invitee list will shake out, teams 9-30 will be ordered first by region, then by if a particular conference has received a bid yet, then by points-per-game. It’s convoluted but the large team disparity between regions makes it necessary (the South Region has 31 teams, the Northeast 22, the West 14, and the Midwest just 13).

It only took me three hours to figure it out, but here’s the definitive bid order list. The bolded teams with histories will be invited if USSF again invites 15 teams:

Tulsa Atheltics (South Region, Winner, South Central Conference)

Founded: 2005

Open Cup Appearances: 2

Last Appearance: 2015

Best Finish: Second Round (2014)

Notable wins: None (winless in the competition)

New York Cosmos B (Northeast Region, Winner, Atlantic Conference)

Founded: 2015

Open Cup Appearances: 0 (refused entry to 2016 edition, more on this later)

NOTE: Since the Cosmos B are a professional team owned by a higher division pro team (NY Cosmos), then based on the new rules, they aren’t eligible. However, the federation has never officially announced that they are ineligible. We are awaiting confirmation.

Atlanta Silverbacks (South Region, 1.9 ppg)

Founded: 1998

Open Cup Appearances: 13 (Including many as a professional team)

Last Open Cup Appearance: 2016

Best Finish: Quarterfinals (2014)

Notable wins: 2014 over Real Salt Lake and Colorado Rapids (while part of NASL)

Houston Dutch Lions (South Region, 2.42 ppg)

Founded: 2011

Open Cup Appearances: 0

Fredericksburg FC (Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Conference winner)

Founded: 2013

Open Cup Appearances: 1

Last Appearance: 2016

Best Finish: First Round (2016)

Notable wins: None

OSA FC (West Region, Winner, Northwest Conference)

Founded: 2014

Open Cup Appearances: 1

Last Open Cup Appearance: 2015

Best Finish: First Round (2015)

Notable wins: None

FC Wichita (South Region, 2.33 ppg)

Founded: 2013

Open Cup Appearances: 1

Last Open Cup Appearance: 1

Best Finish: First Round (2016)

Notable wins: None

Indy Eleven NPSL (Midwest Region, 1.9 ppg)
Legacy 76 (Northeast Region, 2.00 ppg, +7 goal difference)
Jacksonville Armada U-23s (South Region, 1.8 ppg, 1-1 tie with Miami Fusion FC, 5 wins, +13 goal differential in Sunshine Conference)
Boston City FC (Northeast Region, 2.00 ppg, +3 goal difference)
Miami Fusion FC (South Region, 1.8 ppg, 1-1 tie with Armada U-23, 5 wins, +12 goal differential in Sunshine Conference)
North County Battalion (West Region, 2.00 ppg)
AFC Ann Arbor (Midwest Region, 1.75 ppg)
Memphis City FC (South Region, 1.7 ppg)
Virginia Beach City FC (Northeast Region, 1.8 ppg)
Dallas City FC (South Region, 1.58 ppg, 2-1 regular season win over Liverpool Warriors)
Deportivo Coras USA (West Region, 1.92 ppg)
Junior Lone Star FC (Northeast Region, 1.75 ppg)
Liverpool Warriors (South Region, 1.58 ppg)
FC Buffalo (Midwest Region, 1.7 ppg)
Rhode Island Reds (Northeast Region, 1.56 ppg)

Now there’s a little more flexibility in the NPSL than there is in the PDL. Last year, four teams couldn’t make the Open Cup. Cosmos B declined their invitation, the San Diego Flash folded, the Madison 56ers left for the Premier League of America, and New York Athletic Club forfeited their spot after forfeiting an NPSL playoff game. In all, the NPSL invite list stretched all the way down to 19 last year.

One quick note: if someone does back out of the Open Cup, like the Cosmos are likely to again, the open spot would not go to the next team in the Region. Last year, it went to the next team in the master list. So if USSF invites 15 teams again, and Cosmos B backs out, the open bid would not go to Legacy 76, it would go to Indy Eleven NPSL. This is indeed the exact situation that allowed Detroit City FC entry this year.

(Addendum, July 21st) However, last year it was announced in November that Cosmos B would withdraw, implying that they went through the application process last July. Every team’s inclusion is predicated on their application to the Open Cup, which is due on August 1st. So if Cosmos B doesn’t bother to apply in the first place then USSF, who prioritizes representation from each conference, may bump up Boston City FC to “Conference Champion” status.

Which PDL teams will qualify for the 2017 US Open Cup?

July 18, 2016 by Ian Foster

UPDATE (2/7/2017): The Midland/Odessa Sockers have moved to NPSL, making it unlikely that they would occupy one of PDL’s Open Cup slots. They would vacate the 15th position to the team below them (FC Golden State Force) and everyone below them would move up one slot.

With the Premier Development League (PDL) playoffs kicking off today, let’s take a look at the probable and possible qualifiers to next year’s Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

According to the 2017 US Open Cup Handbook, the qualifying process for the PDL, which are based on the previous season’s results, will be very similar to last year’s.

The number of PDL teams that will be invited to the tournament is still up in the air, but a good estimate would put the number in the same neighborhood as 2016. For the last three tournaments, US Soccer has invited 19 PDL teams.

Estimates aside, the 10 PDL division winners are guaranteed a spot if they want it (Note: Some teams have declined invitations in the past).

Here is a quick rundown, first of the PDL’s Division Winners who will in all likelihood automatically qualify:

PDL

Michigan Bucks, Great Lakes Division winner

The US-based competition was not stiff for this perennial US Open Cup entrant. They scored 45 goals and only allowed 7 in league play on their way to winning the Great Lakes Division by 2 points over K-W United. Their closest American rival were the Derby City Rovers, who finished 13 points out of first.

The Bucks are the most successful amateur teams in the Modern Era of the tournament, having upset more professional teams, by far, than any other teams at their level. Among the nine pro teams that they have eliminated, two of them were Major League Soccer teams: the New England Revolution in Foxborough in 2000 and the Chicago Fire at home in 2012. No amateur team has upset more than one MLS team.

FC Tucson, Southwest Division winner

In the end, it was a comfortable six-point Southwest Division win for FC Tucson, who’s slated to make their third consecutive US Open Cup appearance. Their best showing was in 2013, when they advanced past the NASL’s San Antonio Scorpions in penalties before falling to the Houston Dynamo (MLS). Before too long, they could end up making the Open Cup more consistently if the USL rumors are true.

Charlotte Eagles, South Atlantic Division winner

It will be the Eagles’ second consecutive Open Cup appearance as a PDL team, as they edged out Greensboro’s Carolina Dynamo by three points for the division win. They will hope to follow up on their first-round win this year over the Myrtle Beach Mutiny, which brought them to a date with intra-city USL rival Charlotte Independence.

The Eagles are one of the oldest continuously operating soccer teams in the Southeast, having been around 1991. They have been a professional team through the 2014 season, and did not have a strong Open Cup resume until 2012 when they made a run to the Quarterfinals after beating FC Dallas (MLS) and the San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) on the road.

Des Moines Menace, Heartland Division winner

Des Moines will make their fifth consecutive US Open Cup appearance (7th straight if you include the club’s USASA team that qualified in 2011 and 2014) after their third consecutive Heartland Division title. The well-supported Iowan team has won a game in each of their last four Open Cup appearances, notably beating USL’s Tulsa Roughnecks this year and Minnesota United (NASL) in 2013.

Their best Open Cup run came in 2005, as they reached the fourth round after beating the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-2), Charleston Battery (USL-1), and Atlanta Silverbacks (USL-1) in that order before succumbing to the then-named Kansas City Wizards (MLS).

Reading United AC, Mid Atlantic Division winner

Though Reading, the PDL affiliate of the Philadelphia Union (MLS), will be participating in their ninth consecutive Open Cup, which is a Modern Era record for amateur teams. They will punch their ticket on the strength of their first division championship in six years. They lost to the NPSL’s Chattanooga FC in the second round this year, but have cleared their first Open Cup game every year since 2012, with their biggest victory coming in 2013 against USL’s Harrisburg City Islanders. If Reading wins their tournament opener in 2017, they will break the Modern Era record for consecutive opening round wins by an amateur team.

Oklahoma City Energy U-23, Mid South Division winner

Oklahoma City Energy’s (USL) youth team will qualify for the Open Cup in their first-ever season after beating out teams like the Mississippi Brilla and the Albuquerque Sol to claim this year’s Mid South championship.

Fresno Fuego, Central Pacific Division winner

After a two-year absence, the most-supported team in the PDL will return to the Open Cup after dominating the Central Pacific Division by seven points. Their Open Cup highlights include a Second Round victory over the USL’s Orange County Blues and a run to the Fourth Round in their inaugural season in 2003.

The Villages SC, Southeast Division winner

The club formerly known as the Ocala Stampede is expected to make its third straight appearance in 2017. They edged out the Southeast Division by a single point over the South Florida Surf. It rounds out an eventful rebranding season for The Villages, who beat the Charleston Battery (USL) in the Second Round this year, only for the result to be overturned due to the use of an ineligible player.

GPS Portland Phoenix, Northeast Division Winner

The Maine-based club will enter their second Open Cup in a row (5 of last 6 years) looking for their second-ever win in the competition. The first victory came against Mass Premier Soccer (USASA) in the opening round of the 2013 Open Cup. It was another dramatic finish to win the division. Last year, they beat out the Seacoast United Phantoms on the strength of head-to-head results, but this year, they defeated the Western Mass Pioneers on the final day of the season to clinch the Northeast Division title.

The tenth PDL division, the Northwest Division, was actually won by a Canadian team, Calgary Foothills FC. While the US Open Cup handbook states that the Division Winners are ranked 1-10, it is unclear if the Seattle Sounders Under-23 side, who finished in second with 24 points, would claim that division title role. If they do, they make the Open Cup safely. If not, they have to sweat it out with the rest of the 24-point teams. For the purposes of this article, the Sounders U-23 team will assume that tenth division winner slot.

Per the handbook, each team that does not win its division is ranked by points, wins, goal differential, and goals scored in that order. Since the USSF has invited 19 PDL teams in the past, it is likely the following teams, which are ranked by USSF’s guidelines, will also be invited:

Carolina Dynamo (31 points)

Founded: 1993

Open Cup appearances: 11

Last Open Cup appearance: 2014

Best Finish: Quarterfinals (1996 as A-League team)

Notable wins (pro team 1995-2003):
1996 Round 2: 1-0 vs New York Centaurs (A-League)
1999 Round 2: 2-0 at Orange County Zodiac (A-League)
2006 Round 2: 1-0 vs Richmond Kickers (USL-2)
2006 Round 3: 3-2 (AET) vs Seattle Sounders (USL-1)

San Diego Zest FC (29 points)

Founded: 2016

Open Cup Appearances: 0

South Florida Surf (28 points)

Founded: 2016

Open Cup Appearances: 0

Ocean City Nor’Easters (27 points, 9 wins)

Founded: 1996

Open Cup Appearances: 7

Last Open Cup Appearance: 2014

Best Finish: Third Round (2005, 2009, 2013)

Notable wins:
2005 Round 2: 4-0 vs Long Island Rough Riders (USL-2)
2007 Round 1: 1-0 at Crystal Palace Baltimore (USL-2)
2009 Round 1: 3-0 vs Crystal Palace Baltimore (USL-2)
2009 Round 2: 1-0 (AET) vs Real Maryland Monarchs (USL-2)
2013 Round 2: 1-0 vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-Pro)

FC Golden State Force (26 points, 8 wins, +15 GD)

Founded: 2016

Open Cup Appearances: 0

Chicago Fire U-23s (26 points, 8 wins, +10 GD)

Founded: 2001

Open Cup Appearances: 4

Last Appearance: 2011

Best Finish: Third Round (2004)

Notable win:
2004 Round 2: 5-1 at New Hampshire Phantoms (PDL, now Seacoast United Phantoms)

Western Mass Pioneers (25 points)

Founded: 1998

Open Cup Appearances: 9

Last Appearance: 2015

Best Finish: Third Round (2005)

Notable wins:
2005 Round 2: 5-0 vs Reggae Boyz (USASA)

Ventura County Fusion (24 points, 7 wins, +6 GD)

Open Cup Appearances: 7 (Would be 8th consecutive)

Last Appearance: 2016

Best Finish: Third Round (2012, 2015)

Notable wins:
2012 Round 2: 3-1 (AET) at LA Blues (USL-Pro)
2015 Round 2: 2-1 at LA Galaxy II (USL)

If, for whatever reason, USSF takes fewer than 18 teams, the Fusion may be out of luck. However it’s more likely that USSF will either add PDL teams or some will drop out of the competition, opening the door for more entrants. Instability is not high at the top of the PDL, though, as only two teams that would have qualified (DC United U-23 and Ocala Stampede) dropped out, opening the door for last year’s Sounders and Timbers U-23 teams.

If any of that does happen, though, these PDL teams are next in line to qualify:

19. SC United Bantams (24 points, 7 wins, +2 GD)

20. Burlingame Dragons FC (23 points, +9 GD)

21. Derby City Rovers (23 points, 7 wins, +6 GD)

22. Baltimore Bohemians (23 points, 7 wins, +5 GD)

23. King’s Warriors (23 points, 7 wins, +2 GD)

24. FC Miami City Champions (22 points, 6 wins, +9 GD)

25. New York Red Bulls U-23 (22 points, 6 wins, +3 GD)

26. South Georgia Tormenta FC (21 points, 6 wins, +4 GD, 22 goals scored)

27. Floridians FC (21 points, 6 wins, +4 GD, 20 goals scored)

28. Long Island Rough Riders (21 points, 6 wins, +2 GD)

29. San Francisco City FC (20 points, 6 wins, +3 GD)

30. FC Boston (20 points, 6 wins, -2 GD)

31. Washington Crossfire (20 points, 5 wins, +2 GD)

Hopefully, that goes some way towards clearing a pretty muddy Open Cup qualifying process.

2016 US Open Cup Round 5: Who should be TheCup.us Player of the Round?

July 6, 2016 by Ian Foster

The Fifth Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is complete and there were a number of outstanding individual performances.

TheCup.us Player of the Round is voted on by TheCup.us staff and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters. But if YOU had a vote, which player would you select?

Here are some of the top performances (in alphabetical order) from Round 5:

David Accam, F, Chicago Fire (MLS)
Accam scored both goals in the 2-1 home win against the Columbus Crew (MLS). His first goal, in the 7th minute, was one of the best strikes of the tournament. At the edge of the box, Accam lost two defenders on a cutback before firing a laser past Crew goalkeeper Brad Stuver. His second goal may not have been as skillful but it was far from routine, as he had to place a Rodrigo Ramos cross past Stuver at a tight angle for the eventual game-winner.

Teal Bunbury, F, New England Revolution (MLS)
Bunbury scored a brace for a Revs team that had to come back from behind twice to pull out a 3-2 win on the road against the NASL’s New York Cosmos. His first goal was a beauty, beating Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer from a tight angle in the 43rd minute. Bunbury created a few inches of space for himself with some stepovers before impressively firing it at just the right height to beat Maurer, who did manage to get a fingertip to it. Bunbury finished an impressive team play to win the game in the 83rd minute, after Zach Herivaux dispossessed Adam Moffat and Kei Kamara found the open Bunbury.

Fabian Castillo, M, FC Dallas (MLS)
Mauro Diaz and Maxi Urruti scored the goals for Dallas, but it was Castillo’s distribution, attacking initiative, and pace that won the day for FC Dallas. In no moment did that shine through more than in Mauro Diaz’s second-half equalizer, where Castillo rounded two Rapids players with one touch, before finding Diaz for the easy goal in Dallas’s 2-1 extra time win at home against the top-of-the-table Rapids.

Ilsinho, M, Philadelphia Union (MLS)
While Pontius’s finishes were good, Ilsinho’s services may have been even better. He provided the final ball on both Pontius goals, the first a through ball that snuck between four Red Bulls defenders, and the second was an impressive looping cross from close to the midfield stripe that had eyes for the goalscorer. They proved to be the difference in a 2-1 come-from-behind home win over the New York Red Bulls (MLS).

Mauro Manotas, F, Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Manotas scored the third and fourth US Open Cup goals of his career in a 3-1 win at home against Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday. Manotas’ deft volley from a corner kick opened the scoring for the Dynamo in the 7th minute, and he slid the 84th minute insurance goal past Alec Kann after a seemingly bungled first touch actually created space for himself against the two SKC centerbacks.

Raul Mendiola, F, LA Galaxy (MLS)
Mendiola connected on a cross from Emmanuel Boateng in the 5th minute to break the hearts of the 18,000 Portland supporters in attendance for the only goal in the Galaxy’s 1-0 win.

Tyler Miller, GK, Seattle Sounders (MLS)
Miller, starting only his third game for Seattle’s MLS team, carried an overmatched Sounders side into penalties, turning back a flurry of Real Salt Lake opportunities in regulation and extra time. He then won the match for the Sounders, stopping two well-hit penalties to secure the 4-1 shootout win on the road for Seattle.

PC, M, Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL)
Goalkeeper Diego Restrepo kept the Strikers in the away game against the favored Orlando City, but it was PC’s impressive, length-of-the-field run and strike that improbably won it for Fort Lauderdale. The Strikers are the last lower-division team left in the field, and they have PC’s weaving run that beat at least four Orlando City players and strike that ran past the diving, outstretched Earl Edwards.

Chris Pontius, F, Philadelphia Union (MLS)
Pontius scored two goals in six minutes for the home team to turn around a game that looked like a sure Red Bulls win at halftime. Pontius’s runs were deft, holding with the trapping Red Bulls line, and the finishes were calm, both coolly slotted past an oncoming Ryan Meara. The 2-1 win for Philadelphia was their second straight Open Cup victory over the Red Bulls.

2016 US Open Cup Round 5 review: Fort Lauderdale Strikers’ stunning ‘cupset’ headlines exciting Round of 16

June 29, 2016 by Ian Foster

Orlando City SC Fort Lauderdale Strikers 2016 US Open Cup — Photo: Jon van Woerden

When the dust settled on the Round of 16, just eight teams remained to advance to the Quarterfinals of the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. A pair of four-time champions, a pair of one-time champions, a pair of teams seeking their first title, a two-time champion looking to win the tournament for the first time in over a decade, and one lower division club.

The lone Cinderella story is the Fort Lauderdale Strikers who made history with a 2-1 upset of Orlando City SC. They will move on to play the Chicago Fire who, along with the Seattle Sounders, have their sights set on a record-tying fifth Open Cup title.

Here is a brief recap of each Fifth Round game with links to the full match report (Check back as more will be added):

A lovely David Accam brace powered the Fire to another home US Open Cup win with goals in the 7th and 29th minutes. Ethan Finley’s 79th minute penalty was only consolation for a Crew side that has lost six games in as many tries against Chicago in Open Cup play. Chicago advances to the quarterfinals to play the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]

Tyler Miller, making only his second career start for the Sounders, saved two penalties in a shootout while Erik Friberg provided the final kick in Seattle’s shock win over a Real Salt Lake side that fielded a first choice lineup at home. Joao Plata took the deserved lead for RSL on a 43rd minute penalty. The lead was given back on an error between RSL goalkeeper Jeff Attinella and centerback Justen Glad, allowing Nelson Valdez to stab home a 51st minute equalizer. Seattle moves on to play the LA Galaxy in the Quarterfinals. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]

Mauro Manotas bookended the scoring as Houston knocked out the defending US Open Cup champions at BBVA Compass Stadium. Manotas scored goals in the 7th and 84th minutes but it was Alex who would provide the winner in the 55th minute. Brad Davis, playing against his longtime former team, pulled one back in the 61st minute but it would not be enough. The Dynamo move on to an intrastate quarterfinal battle against FC Dallas. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]

With goals in the 55th and 60th minutes, Chris Pontius rescued Philadelphia’s bid to reach their third consecutive US Open Cup Final. Mike Grella of the Red Bulls opened the scoring in the 17th minute, and the away side were looking like the much better side in the first half. Alas, the Union recovered, took the lead, and held on, advancing to a Quarterfinal match with the New England Revolution. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers shocked the hosting Orlando City in the 120th minute as the NASL side pulled their second consecutive Open Cup upset of an MLS team. Over 100 minutes separated the game’s second and third goals, as Jose Angulo opened the scoring for the visitors in the 12th minute before Orlando’s Kevin Molino responded just three minutes later. The game was marred in the 67th minute when both Molino and Ft. Lauderdale’s Maicon Santos were both ejected. For the Strikers it marks the first road win in tournament history and the first victory over a MLS team. Fort Lauderdale moves on to play the Chicago Fire in the Quarterfinals. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]

The Revolution came from behind twice on the road to knock out their second consecutive NASL opponent in the New York Cosmos. Ruben Bover opened the scoring for the hosts in the 38th minute, but Teal Bunbury equalized quickly in the 43rd. Sebastian Guenzatti gave the home side hope again in the 56th minute until Kei Kamara would tie it up in the 75th minute, setting up for Teal Bunbury’s second of the game in the 83rd minute to win it. The Revolution move on to host the Philadelphia Union in the Quarterfinals. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]

Maxi Urruti gave Dallas the win in the 96th minute of the their Round of 16 match played in Frisco, Texas. MLS-leading Colorado Rapids took the lead in the 38th minute as Dominique Badji poked home a Marlon Hairston cross. The hosts responded in the 64th minute as the Dallas power couple of Fabian Castillo and Mauro Diaz combined, with the latter scoring. FC Dallas moves on to a bonus edition of the Texas Derby against the Houston Dynamo in the Quarterfinals. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]

The visiting Los Angeles Galaxy rode a lineup half-filled with prospects to a determined one-goal win at Providence Park in Portland. Raul Mendiola finished an Emmanuel Boateng cross in the 5th minute and the Galaxy held on for dear life from there. Not even the introductions of Diego Valeri, Fanendo Adi, and Luca Melano could power the hosts to an equalizer. The Galaxy move on to play the Seattle Sounders in the Quarterfinals. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]