Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Jim Coppock

2026 US Open Cup Round 1: “Beautiful” Cup win by Phoenix Rising spoils San Ramon FC’s debut

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Players from Phoenix Rising FC (right) and San Ramon FC race for the ball in the First Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Phoenix Rising FC
Players from Phoenix Rising FC (right) and San Ramon FC race for the ball in the First Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Phoenix Rising FC

It was an unseasonably warm evening for mid-March in Phoenix, but 2,274 Rising fans came out to support their club. Phoenix showed their skill as professionals, but amateurs San Ramon FC were not going to be pushovers, and in fact, pushed back a bit in a 4-0 loss in Round 1 of the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

San Ramon had a few half-chances in the first 15 minutes, but a great build up by Phoenix led to Hope Avayevu executing the slightest of right-footed touches from an Eziah Ramirez cross to slot home to open the scoring. His first goal in 2026. Phoenix picked up the pace and pressured the visitors hard after that. Marcelo Echevarria stood tall and had nearly all the answers to Phoenix’s questions.

After about 25 minutes San Ramon grew quickly into the game. Especially up the right side through Roberto Gonzalez and Jonathan Montoya-Castro.

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Juan Carvajal, who was a thorn in the collective side of the visitor’s defense all evening, exposed a crack in the defense with a blistering shot that hit the rear stanchion in the 41st for a 1-0 lead. 

The final five minutes of the half belonged to Phoenix. Carvajal again breached the back line and fired a low fizzing shot that was saved in the 43rd.

A dagger in the heart just seconds from the halftime whistle, Carvajal doubled the hosts lead in the second minute of stoppage time. 

From a corner kick, San Ramon’s Victor Romero tried to clear but instead sent his clearance off the post and right back at Carvajal, who cleaned up the rebound from three yards out.

Some of the home faithful were less than thrilled at the (only) two goal lead. 

“One slip-up and it’s a game again”, one fan said. 

The second half exacerbated that feeling. Four blocked shots and a couple of saves kept the score at 2-nil for the next 45 minutes until the 90th minute when Aleksandar Vucovic headed from the center of the box to the bottom left from an Ihsan Sacko assist from a corner, to finally put this one out of reach.

For good measure – a 4-0 advantage, and a bit of history — Anthony Capetillo Hernandez became the youngest ever goal scorer (16 years, 142 days) for Phoenix Rising with his right footed strike in 90’+4. His first goal in 136 minutes of play for the team.

“Cup games are always different and beautiful,” said Phoenix coach Pa-Modou Kah. “We played a San Ramon team that also played well. You’ve got to give them credit. 

“They came here, they had nothing to lose, so they just went and played freely. That’s why the Cup is beautiful.”

The win sends Phoenix to the second round to be held March 31-April 1. Their opponent will  be determined after a Round 2 Draw conducted by US Soccer on Friday, March 20. This is the fifth year in a row Phoenx Rising has won their first Open Cup match.

2026 US Open Cup Qualifying: Azteca FC clinch 5th USOC berth with PK win over Next Level Soccer

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Azteca FC celebrates after defeating Next Level Soccer 4-3 in a PK shootout (after a 3-3 draw) in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Azteca FC
Azteca FC celebrates after defeating Next Level Soccer 4-3 in a PK shootout (after a 3-3 draw) in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Azteca FC

A longtime participant in Open Cup qualifying, Azteca FC traveled south to face one of the qualifying newcomers, Next Level Soccer.

This was Next Level Soccer’s second attempt at qualifying – with no previous appearances in the tournament. At the start of the match, the hosts were 9-1-0, 28pts (1st) in the UPSL Premier Division – Arizona Conference.

Azteca FC made their eighth attempt at qualifying (2017-2018, 2020-2025) – having made it to the tournament four previous times (2017, 2018, 2022, 2024).

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Azteca finished the Colorado Premier League Fall season with a record of 5-1-2, 16pts (4th). In the playoff tournament, they defeated Harpos FC in the final to take their sixth consecutive title.

On a cool and very rainy evening in Gilbert, AZ, Next Level Soccer (NLS) hosted Azteca FC from Denver, CO. This was the first ever meeting between the teams. A high energy contest ended 3-3 after extra time, with Azteca winning the penalty shootout 4-3. About 100 boisterous home fans supplied plenty of noise.

The game started very fast with Next Level making the first push on goal in just the second minute. NLS Edgar Olivas opened the scoring for the visitors in the 7th minute, cleaning up a loose ball from a corner kick. The half would continue at a rapid pace throughout. Both teams were on the front foot for short spells.

Ex-MLS player, Don Tchiao, would level the score in the 41st minute. In a goal mouth scramble. Next Level’s leading scorer, Danny Baca put the home side in front, 2-1, in the 45th minute.

Don Tchilao would prove to be a pest on the wings all evening.

Azteca FC celebrate in the locker room after defeating Next Level Soccer 4-3 in a PK shootout (after a 3-3 draw) in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Azteca FC
Azteca FC celebrate in the locker room after defeating Next Level Soccer 4-3 in a PK shootout (after a 3-3 draw) in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Azteca FC

Azteca’s Head Coach Andy De La Rosa said (about Tchilao), “Yes, he was , he’s a really good player, but our own mistakes really cost us in their first two goals.” On the game in general, “Other than that, I think we played a really good game and at the end we were better in the PKs.”

Next Level would not hold the lead for long. Luis Reyes found himself in a position to deal with a rebound in front of goal, and did, putting Azteca on level terms in the 53rd minute. No more goals would be scored in regulation despite shots flying at both ends.

In extra time, two more goals were scored. Azteca’s Eduardo Hermosillo scored in the 105+1 minute to send the visitors to the front. In the second half of extra time, just when it looked like Azteca would cross the line, Next Level’s Ricardo Arguello would find an equalizer in the 119th minute, sending the game to a shootout.

Of note, three of the six goals were scored within a minute of the end of a period (45’, 105’+1, 119’), creating plenty of drama.

Graphic: Frank Lanham

The PKs were not without some drama. NLS’s first attempt from Don Tchilao, was drilled solidly into the foot of the post and away.

NLS’s fourth kicker, Marco Perez, had his shot blocked, but not saved, and the ball’s spin caused it to cross the line for their second goal. Had Gerardo Aguilar saved it, that would have been the end of the shootout as Azteca were up 3-1 at that point.

Instead, Azteca’s fourth shooter, Luis Reyes, appeared to slip as he set his plant foot and shot the ball well over the crossbar, allowing NLS their fifth attempt. The final round of kicks were both converted, Azteca’s by their talisman, Jovany Herrera.

With the result, Azteca has now qualified for the tournament proper for the fifth time in their history.

Penalty Kick Shootout Summary

NLS    Don Tchilao – MISSED
AZT    Jose Bencomo – GOAL
NLS    Ricardo Oliveria – GOAL
AZT    Cesar Meza – GOAL
NLS    David Koko – SAVED
AZT    Luis Mendoza – GOAL
NLS    Marco Perez – GOAL
AZT    Luis Reyes – MISSED
NLS    Robert Baca – GOAL
AZT    Jovany Herrera – GOAL 

2025 US Open Cup Qualifying: FORO SC returns to USOC on strength of three go-ahead goals

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FORO SC celebrates after defeating Houston Regals SCA 4-2 to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: FORO SC
FORO SC celebrates after defeating Houston Regals SCA 4-2 to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: FORO SC

A cool, rainy night in Carrollton, Texas, saw hosts FORO SC defeat Houston Regals SCA by a 4-2 score in a “Win & You’re In” match. FORO SC took the lead twice only to see Houston equalize each time. But after taking the lead for a third time, they would hold on for the victory. With the win, FORO SC qualifies for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the second year in a row.

FORO SC have become perennial UPSL Championship contenders (three times in the UPSL semifinals), while Houston Regals are establishing themselves as a powerhouse in the Texas conference of the United States Soccer League (winning it all in 2022 and claiming the most recent Spring Texas title). Neither side considered themselves the underdog and neither played like it. Outside of the first and last five minutes, the game was end to end.

The kickoff was delayed slightly due to the weather holding up the arrival of the Houston side. The late arrival did cut into Houston’s warm-up time, and it showed for the first (and last) few minutes. After about a 25-minute delay, the game finally got underway. FORO took the proverbial bull by the horns and bossed the game early; their first look at goal, though called back for a foul, was after just 35 seconds. The hosts wasted no further time in opening their accounts. Manuel Lopez stabbed in a cross at the back post from Eric Gomez Silva in the 4th minute, setting the pace for the evening.

#USOC2025 Qualifying ("Win & You're In"): FINAL! #FOROSC defeat 10-man @HoustonRegals, 4-2, to qualify for their 2nd consecutive Open Cup. Goals by Manuel Lopez, Nigel Katara, Matt Allbury & Eric Silva seal the win.

— US Open Cup News (@thecup.us) 2024-12-08T03:18:24.222Z

The trio of Edward Garcia, Victor Soria and Carlos Campos were a collective pest for the FORO defense. On the other side, Kyle Bennett, FORO’s talisman in last year’s tournament, was involved often in the attack and he had one assist tonight.

Houston’s first goal came from the head of Carlos Campos. A poor FORO defensive clearance led to a quick, free-flowing counterattack for Houston. Campos found himself with a free header from about a yard out after a beautifully floated-in cross from Edward Garcia in the 15th minute to level the score.

FORO re-took the lead for the second time from a corner kick. Kyle Bennett found himself in front of goal with a header opportunity, but his attempt lacked timing and power and ended up straight at the ground. The bouncing ball found Nigel Katawa who laced the rebound in for the second go-ahead goal in the 42nd minute.

The half would end a bit chippy, but nothing too serious, and the scoreboard would read 2-1 in favor of the home side.

Houston came flying out of the chute to start the second half. After just 67 seconds, Edward Garcia leveled the score from inside the penalty area. With the FORO defense in a bit of disarray, Carlos Campos settled a 15-yard pass, tapped the ball back to Victor Soria who hit a perfect leading ball through five FORO players for Garcia to run on to. Goalkeeper Gonzalo Martinez came well out to intercept but missed, and the ball rolled in from about 15 yards out. Houston had their second equalizer of the night in the 47th minute.

Houston looked like they might equalize a third time. Victor Soria had a trio of chances blocked all three times by Gonzalo Martinez in the 61st minute. Soria would have yet another terrific opportunity a couple minutes later but could not connect with the ball right in front of goal after splitting the center backs.

Despite the scoreline, both keepers had particularly good games.

FORO’s third goal was a masterpiece from Matt Albury. A sublime glancing header from just outside the near post to the back post in the 71st minute to put the hosts in front for the third time. A Houston player also got his head to the ball, but it was not going to be stopped. This goal would end up being the game winner.

In the 75th minute, Houston’s Pablo Hernandez had his arm extended from his body which deflected the ball inside the penalty area. The ball was heading goalward, and the arm came out away from the body. This was judged to be “DOGSO”, and he was sent off. 

The resulting PK gave FORO a two-goal advantage for the first time on the night. Eric Gomez Silva stepped up and easily converted the penalty kick. FORO ramped up the pressure after the PK. Houston did not give up even when down to ten, and FORO did not park the bus. The final 14 minutes saw FORO ask all the questions and Houston give all the right answers, but the visitors were on the back foot for good after the penalty.

Eric Gomez Silva had a goal and an assist in the winning effort and Edward Garcia had the same tally in the losing effort for Houston.

The victory books FORO SC’s trip to the First Round proper in back-to-back years (2024, 2025). Saturday night’s win, extended FORO’s qualifying win streak to six games dating back to last year. In each of the last four qualifying games, FORO has scored four goals in each game.

Scoring Summary

FORO SC
4′ – Manuel Lopez (Eric Gomez Silva)
42′ – Nigel Katara (Kyle Bennett)
71’ – Matt Albury
77’ – Eric Gomez Silva (PK)

HOUSTON REGALS SCA
15’ – Carlos Campos (Edward Garcia)
47’ – Edward Garcia (Victor Soria)

RED CARD
76′ – Pablo Hernandez (Houston)

2023 US Open Cup Final preview: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami CF host Houston Dynamo in all-MLS title game

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More than 200 teams began the journey for the 108th Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Starting back in September of 2022 with the first of four qualifying rounds, only two teams now remain. The winner will be crowned on Wednesday evening when Inter Miami CF hosts the Houston Dynamo FC. Unlike last year’s run to the Final by Sacramento Republic of the USL Championship (Div. 2 pro) this is an all-MLS affair. For the 26th time since the league launched in 1996, a Major League Soccer team will lift the cup.

Some folks may consider Houston the underdog in this game, as Inter Miami is firmly has struggled mightily this MLS season and could miss their post-season entirely. However, the club is very much the hotter side. Major international signings like World Cup winner Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets have ignited the team in recent months. Inter won the Leagues Cup on Aug. 20, its first ever major trophy. Coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino is trying to win his 2nd US Soccer Major trophy (2018 MLS Cup). Houston will be trying for their second Open Cup title in as many finals (2018). Coach Ben Olsen is looking for his second title as a coach to go with one as a player (2008).

The teams have met three times in league play over three seasons (no Open Cup) with Houston leading the series 2 wins to 1 (4 goals to 2)

Houston Dynamo FC (MLS) at Inter Miami CF (MLS)
DRV PNK Stadium; Fort Lauderdale, FL
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast (ENG) Paramount +, CBS Sports Network; (ESP) Telemundo, Peacock, NBC Universo

Visitor: Houston Dynamo FC (MLS play: 12-7-11, 42 points, 4th place in Western Conference)
2nd USOC Final appearance – 1 title (2018)
15th USOC – appearance
Overall: 24-2-12 (1-1 PK)
on road: 5-1-7 (0-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 10-1-10 (1-0 PK)
Won 5 straight USOC games
Won 2 straight USOC road games

Coach: Ben Olsen – record 12-4-5 (2-2 PK) with DC United 2010-2020 & Houston Dynamo 2022-present

The Houston Dynamo are only the fourth Texas side to make the final. They’re also the only Texas winner since the Dallas Burn/FC Dallas’ run of four final appearances (winning in 1997 & 2016, losing in 2005 & 2007). Head Coach, Ben Olsen, is trying to win his 2nd US Soccer Major trophy (2013 US Open Cup). As a player he has won three US Soccer Major trophies: US Open Cup (2008) MLS Cup (1999, 2004)

Olsen has rebuilt the team after a string of paltry, and worse, seasons since 2018. This includes two 13th-place finishes. This is a side that has no remnants of the team that won it back in 2018.

Houston’s captain, Hector Herrera, is looking forward to a rematch with Leo Messi. Herrera’s Mexico and Messi’s Argentina battled in the most recent FIFA World Cup. Messi’s side won that game 2-0, with Messi bagging the game winner, just 10 months ago in Qatar.

Path to the Final: Houston Dynamo FC

Third Round: 1-0 road win over Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL Championship)

Houston wins their opening game in the tournament for the ninth year in a row. A high energy game was decided by a 43rd minute goal by 18-year-old Brooklyn Raines.

Fourth Round: 1-0 home win over Sporting Kansas City (MLS)

Iceland international, Thor Úlfarsson, scored the lone goal in the 12th minute to see the home side through to the 5th round.

Fifth Round: – 4-0 win over Minnesota United FC (MLS)

Led by a Corey Baird hat trick (a first-ever for Houston Dynamo player in the USOC), the Dynamo manhandled a short-handed Minnesota side to advance.

Quarterfinal: 4-1 road win over Chicago Fire FC (MLS)

Nelson Quiñónes and Ibrahim Aliyu each had 2 goals to leave 4-time Open Cup winners, Chicago Fire, out of the running.

Semifinal: 3-1 extra time win over Real Salt Lake (MLS)

Amine Bassi had 3 assists, one each for Héctor Herrera, Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla, and Luís Caicedo to advance to their second final.

Texas teams that have made the USOC Final

  • Richardson Rockets (SISL) 1991 (Lost)
  • El Paso Patriots (USISL Pro) 1995 (Lost)
  • Dallas Burn (MLS) 1997 (Won in PKs)
  • FC Dallas (MLS) 2005 (Lost)
  • FC Dallas  (MLS) 2007 (Lost)
  • FC Dallas  (MLS) 2016 (Won)
  • Houston Dynamo (MLS) 2018 (Won)
  • Houston Dynamo (MLS) 2023 (???)

Host: Inter Miami CF (MLS play: 9-5-15, 32 Points, 14th place in Eastern Conference)

1st USOC Final appearance
2nd USOC appearance
Overall: 5-3-0 (2-1 PK)
at Home: 3-0-0
vs. MLS: 1-2-0 (1-1 PK)
Unbeaten in their last 8 USOC games

Coach “Tata” Martino – record 2-1-2 (1-0 PK) with Atlanta United 2016-2018 & Inter Miami 2023-present

Inter Miami are just the fourth Florida team to make it to the US Open Cup final. If they can win it, they will be the third winner and the second in as many years – Orlando City SC won the title last year. Inter has had a more down than up season, currently sitting in 14th place in MLS’ Eastern Conference. A victory over Houston would give the Herons their 1st Open Cup title in their 1st Open Cup Final appearance. This game is also a potential domestic and North American double, having won the Leagues Cup on August 20.

With a victory here, and if they can find some consistency and points, they could limp into the playoffs which would set them up for a potential domestic and North American treble (Leagues Cup, Open Cup, MLS Cup), so Miami has a lot to play for.

New hero, Lionel Messi, is coming off a precautionary rest day last weekend against Orlando City. The recent workload he has been given has aggravated an old injury, so the 36-year-old Messi was not suited up in Orlando. He is expected to start in the final.

Path to the Final: Inter Miami CF

Third Round: 2-2 road draw (aet) winning 5-3 on pks over Miami FC (USL Championship)

A 2nd minute goal by Miami FC was nearly enough to oust the Herons but an 89th minute equalizer from Shanyder Borgelin forced the extra frames. Miami FC re-took the lead in the 116th but Ryan Sailor equalized in the 118th minute.

Fourth Round: 1-0 home win over Charleston Battery (USL Championship)

In a very tight contest, a 48th minute Charleston own goal was the difference to send the MLS side through to the 5th round.

Fifth Round: 2-1 home win over Nashville FC (MLS)

Two second half goals by Franco Negri in the 57th and Nicolas Steffanelli in the 73rd minute got the job done for the home side.

Quarterfinals: 1-0 road win over Birmingham Legion FC (USL Championship)

Through the swirls of Messi rumors, the Herons got the job done through a 56th minute goal from Nicolas Steffanelli.

Semifinals: 3-3 road draw (aet) winning 5-4 on pks over FC Cincinnati (MLS)

Lionel Messi stamped himself on this game. After spotting Cincy a 2-goal lead, Messi would set up Leonardo Campana, TWICE, in the second half (68th, 90+7) to equalize. Josef Martinez put Miami in front in the 93rd, but Cincy would find a third goal to force PKs.

Florida teams that have made the USOC Final

  • St. Petersburg Kickers (amateur) 1989 (Won)
  • Miami Fusion (MLS) 2000 (Lost)
  • Orlando City SC (MLS) 2022 (Won)
  • Inter Miami CF (MLS) 2023 (???)

2023 US Open Cup Round 2: Phoenix Rising hold off well-traveled Greenville Triumph, 1-0

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Phoenix Rising players celebrate after scoring a goal against Greenville Triumph in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Arianna Grainey
Phoenix Rising players celebrate after scoring a goal against Greenville Triumph in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Arianna Grainey

On a near-perfect spring evening host Phoenix Rising FC took down Greenville Triumph SC in Round 2 of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The home side used a first half goal from Carlos Harvey to cling to a 1-0 win.

For Phoenix, it was the second year in a row that they kicked off the tournament with a 1-0 win and improved their home unbeaten streak in the competition to four games.

Despite being pleased with advancing to Round 3 of the US Open Cup, Phoenix coach Juan Guerra said his team will need to do more.

“If we are going to have 70% possession and connect 600 passes, we need to have the ability to threaten the goal a bit more,” he said. “We have to improve.”

When asked about playing a team of ‘mostly second-string players,’ said, “We don’t have a clear starting eleven. We are still developing, still transforming, still learning.”

Both teams have sputtered out of the gates in their respective seasons. Phoenix with two draws and a loss in the Championship and Greenville had a loss in their opener in League One. Both teams were looking to find something to build on.

The first half hour was played almost exclusively in front of the Greenville goal and the Phoenix goal came from a period of strong forward pressure.

Edwin Munjoma received a short pass from Harvey to the outside of the penalty area. As Harvey continued his run to the goal mouth, Munjoma crossed the ball to Baboucarr Njie on the other side of the area. Njie hit a half-volley toward the back post where Harvey managed a flick header to find the net and the 1-0 lead.

The first half was mainly one-way traffic with Phoenix having 71% of the possession. Greenville’s first serious attempt would not come until the 32nd when Jacob Labovitz picked up a loose ball from Njie and sent a shot from 23 yards out that went just wide to the far post.

Emil Cuello, Jackson Conway, and Erickson Gallardo all had opportunities to extend the lead for Phoenix, but none of them could find the twine in either half.

Greenville did manage to up the pressure a bit in the second half. Many great build-ups only to have the final ball be the weak link in attack. Both goalkeepers also played very well on the night. The only mistake was Jared Mazzola getting caught watching Njie’s ball across, which prevented him from getting back across to stop Harvey on the goal.

Greenville’s best chance came in the first minute of stoppage time when Allen Gavilanes sent a simple square ball to a teammate who blasted a shot at the near upper 90. Patrick Rakovsky managed to tip the laser beam shot onto the crossbar and over to prevent the equalizer. The resulting corner pinballed around dangerously before being finally cleared.

2023 US Open Cup Round 1: Appalachian FC lose lead, hold off shorthanded NC Fusion U-23s in PKs

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Players from Appalachian FC celebrate after scoring a goal against NC Fusion U-23s in the First Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Josh Floyd
Players from Appalachian FC celebrate after scoring a goal against NC Fusion U-23s in the First Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Josh Floyd

On a lovely, 53-degree night in Boone, N.C., the NPSL’s Appalachian FC hosted veteran USL League Two side, North Carolina Fusion U-23s in a First Round US Open Cup contest. Despite playing the majority of the match with a man advantage, AFC would see a 2-0 lead disappear and the match would end up in a penalty kick shootout. After a 2-2 draw, Appalachia would win the shootout to advance in its first US Open Cup game, against a team with 28 tournament games on its resume.

The debutantes would advance to the Second Round and a date with Charlotte Independence (USL League One) on April 5.


Appalachian FC, wasted no time in opening their Open Cup scoring account. Carson Dinger found Camden Holbrook after just 45 seconds to take the lead.

After a long build up from the back, a booming 40-yard, cross field ball was settled by Dinger who found Holbrook running in the center forward channel. Holbrook chipped a clean shot between opponents for Appalachia’s first Open Cup goal. Dinger would remain active force at both ends throughout the first half.

The Fusion did eventually grow into the game. Their first real attempt on goal coming in the 9th minute. Both sides had had only a few practice sessions together before this game, and the rust showed at times. There were good build ups in both directions for the next 20 minutes until Kevin de Lange found Camden Holbrook for his second tally in the 32nd minute.

London Williams picked up a loose ball in the midfield and charged down the right-hand side. He crossed through the penalty area behind a couple of teammates, when de Lange hit the brakes, turned and laid a perfect ball to the feet of an onrushing Holbrook. He would then fire low to the keeper’s left for a 2-0 lead.


From there the game was on. Just a few minutes later, a header by Juan “Juancho” Fernandez would cut the deficit in half. Fred Ferreira would have his run stopped in the right side of the box. What looked like a routine clearance was deflect by a Fusion player and the ball fell to the foot of Sam Bethell, who sent a powerful cross to the top of the goal area when an unmarked Juancho headed home to pull a goal back for the visitors.

In the 40th minute, the game changed when Brian Torre was shown a straight red card for a aggressive challenge leaving the Fusion down a man before halftime.

Despite being down a man, Juancho nearly equalized on a volley in the third minute of stoppage time.

NC Fusion went into halftime with a slight edge in possession. Appalachian were better with shots; two goals/shots on goal from their four chances compared to one goal/shot on goal from six chances.

The second half began with the Fusion showing some fatigue. They still had chances, but they were not as creative as in the first half. The home team had the first shot of the half in the 48th, but it was smothered by Adam Forster. Juancho and Fred Ferreira were a perpetual thorn in the sides of the Appalachian defense. The first half of the second half was a grudge match going back and forth. Good possession in the middle, but not many decent chances coming from it. 

In the 77th minute, Tererai Chawira brought down Dave Neijenhuis at the top of the penalty arc from a corner kick. The resulting free kick was right footed into the upper 90 by Fred Ferriera to bring the scores level.

Despite the man advantage, Appalachian seems to be slower to most balls. The Fusion had the better ideas but couldn’t convert. Neither side looked 90 minutes fit.


In the first half of extra time, good chances were had by both teams, but Appalachian had more of them. Nearly a potential winner less than a minute in. Despite this, Appalachian looked the more tired of the sides despite a man advantage for 50 minutes. Both sides pushed for a go-ahead goal. Both came up short.

In the second half, NC Fusion’s Adam Burchell’s night would end suddenly on second yellow in the 116th minute on what most would consider a ridiculous reason. An Appalachian attack was shut down on a save which led to a clearance into touch. Burchell ran to the ball kid, got the ball, and ran away from the point of the throw-in with it, thus delaying a restart. His tomfoolery earned him a second yellow and an early trip to the dressing room. Appalachian FC, however, were unable to mount a meaningful attack with a two-man advantage for the last five minutes.

The penalty kick shootout was as short as you could possibly get. The first three Fusion attempts were missed; two of them over the bar, and the other hit the crossbar. The first three attempts by AFC were scored by Landau, Arguelo and de Lange to give the home team a 3-0 win.

It was just the fourth time in the Modern Era (1995-present) that a PK shootout finished with the score 3-0. It was also just the fifth time that a team missed three attempts in a single shootout, but it was the first time that all three misses resulted in a 3-0 scoreline. 

With the shootout win, a “squatchy” Cinderella may have begun.  

Appalachian FC mascot "Squatchy". Photo: Josh Floyd
Appalachian FC mascot “Squatchy”. Photo: Josh Floyd

Penalty Kicks

NCF        Neijenhuis (Miss – high) 0-0
APP        Landau (Goal) 0-1
NCF        Leray (Miss – high) 0-1
APP        Arguelo (Goal) 0-2
NCF        Bethell (Miss – crossbar) 0-2
APP        de Lange (Goal) 0-3


2023 US Open Cup Qualifying: Inter San Francisco add another one-sided win to earn first USOC berth

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Inter San Francisco celebrates after a 5-1 win over BattleBorn FC in the 2023 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Inter San Francisco
Inter San Francisco celebrates after a 5-1 win over BattleBorn FC in the 2023 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Inter San Francisco

On a cold, 20-degree day in Minden, Nevada, BattleBorn FC of NISA Nation hosted Inter San Francisco FC of the San Francisco Soccer Football League in the fourth qualifying round, “Win and You’re In” contest. Despite the partly snowy field and slippery conditions, Inter San Francisco ran out 5-1 winners and qualified for their first ever Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

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
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Inter SF came into this game outscoring their opponents 14-0 through the opening three qualifying rounds.

Inter’s Matt Fondy has reached his third straight “Win and You’re In” contest (2020 qualifying with Olympic Club and 2022 qualifying with SF Metro FC), and in each case, the former pro had a hand in the scoring for his side. Today would see him grab a pair of goals.

The first half saw the visitors take charge of play with three goals in 21 minutes.

In the 16th minute, Javier Rivera opened the scoring with a close-range header from a long corner kick. Matt Fondy increased Inter’s lead to 2-0 in the 23rd, after receiving a short, chipped ball from a teammate. Fondy ran onto the bouncing ball and chipped his shot over the onrushing keeper. Despite the keeper getting a touch on the ball, Fondy’s shot carried into the net.

The final tally of the first half came in the 37th minute via Gamal Compaore. After receiving a cross from the right side from Fondy, Compaore settled, turned, and beat three opponents with a low shot up the middle. Inter SF went into halftime in cruise control with a 3-0 advantage.

The second half saw San Francisco continue their domination. Leo Lazaro would add a fourth goal with a shot from 17 yards out on a 2-on-1 breakaway. Finally, Fondy would complete his double, with a heroic effort from the outer corner of the penalty area to the upper 90 of the far post. BattleBorn would add a free kick from Jonathan Cuevas to brak the shutout, but it was not nearly enough on the day.

With the victory the almost three-year-old club qualifies for the 2023 US Open Cup in what has been a meteoric rise. Established in 2021, San Francisco began in the SFSFL First Division (3rd tier) then won promotion to the Majors Division in 2021. In the 2022 season Inter won the Major Division with a 15-3-2 record to move up to the Premier Division, the top tied of the SFSFL. Now, they can add a berth in the 108th edition of the US Open Cup to their resume.

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Greg Hurst’s late winner helps Phoenix Rising win rematch with New Mexico United

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Greg Hurst (left) of Phoenix Rising FC celebrates after scoring a goal in the 81st minute against New Mexico United in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Eryn Nicholson | Phoenix Rising FC
Greg Hurst (left) of Phoenix Rising FC celebrates after scoring a goal in the 81st minute against New Mexico United in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Eryn Nicholson | Phoenix Rising FC

On a warm night in Chandler, Ariz., Phoenix Rising hosted New Mexico United in the Third Round of thee 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Phoenix would win the game by a score of 2-1. The one-goal victory is the second such winning margin in five days; the teams having met the previous Saturday in a USL Championship contest.

After an unfortunate deflection in the opening minutes gave Phoenix the lead on an own goal, New Mexico answered in the second half with an equalizer from Nico Brett in the 65th minute.

But the hero for the home team would be Greg Hurst who headed home the go-ahead goal in the 81st minute. It avenged a 2019 Open Cup meeting between the clubs that saw United prevail in penalty kicks.

The game started with the home side in control, pinning New Mexico back in defense. After not quite two minutes completed, the referee would have words with Phoenix’s Jason Farrell and New Mexico’s Chris Wehan after a testy exchange.

Just three minutes later, Phoenix’s Joseph Calistri sent a ball across the penalty area, which was deflected by William Seymore, which fell between the outstretched arm of GK Ford Parker and the crossbar to put the home side in front. Joseph Calistri and Roderick Epps would spend the first half troubling the New Mexico back line.

New Mexico could not find second gear for the first 17 minutes. The visitors would continue to grow confident, forcing Phoenix netminder Ben Lundt into more and more activity. The New Mexico captain Sam Hamilton would go off in the 31st due to injury. His replacement, Obiarrah Preston Tabortetaka, would make an immediate impact by driving into the Phoenix goal area in his first possession. He, Illia Ilic and Neco Brett would become a thorn for the Phoenix defense.

In spite of the one-sided beginning, both sides would amass six shots with one on goal in the first half.

The second half began with New Mexico applying the pressure from the whistle. Both sides moved the ball well and created good chances. The second round extra time hero for Phoenix, Claudio Repetto, would find himself in consistently good positions, but adjudged to be offside several times. Roderick Epps would continue to trouble New Mexico with several good chances, but no goal to show for it.

In the 65th minute, Harry Swartz would, from inside his own half, send a 45-yard pass to a streaking Neco Brett. Bretty coolly split two defenders and slotted it with his left foot to level the score. It was the culmination of a good spell of possession and creativity for the visitors.

Players from Phoenix Rising FC and New Mexico United battle for the ball in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Eryn Nicholson | Phoenix Rising FC
Players from Phoenix Rising FC and New Mexico United battle for the ball in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Eryn Nicholson | Phoenix Rising FC

Both teams again would trade opportunities and possession for several minutes. Finally, in the 81st minute, a team-goal would begin from a goal kick. The 8-pass sequence that involved 7 players, culminating in a headed goal by Greg Hurst, from a Santi Moar header to put the Rising in front for good. New Mexico’s GK, Ben Lundt seemed to think the shot was going wide and was frozen to the spot as the ball gently glanced off the inside of the post. It is Hurst’s second game-winning goal against New Mexico in as many games.

The Phoenix Rising advance to the round of 32, the draw for which will be held April 21st at noon ET.

Both teams continued to press for another goal, but no more were to be had.

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: Claudio Repetto’s late OT winner sends Phoenix Rising past Valley United

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ClaudioRepetto Phoenix Rising Valley United 2022 US Open Cup
Claudio Repetto smolders during Phoenix Rising FC’s match against Valley United in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Erin Nicholson

Phoenix Rising hosted their new NISA neighbors, Valley United FC, this evening in Chandler, Ariz. in the Second Round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. It took almost two hours of play to determine a winner, dramatically provided by Claudio Repetto in the 115th minute.

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Phoenix Rising held on for a 1-0 extra time win, which was the club’s first home win in Open Cup play since their inaugural season in 2014. The win snapped a five-game home winless streak and a three-game overall winless streak in the tournament. Rising’s last two trips to the Open Cup both ended in penalty kick losses (2018 at Sporting AZ FC; 2019 home vs. New Mexico United)

The NISA West leaders, United, started very compact but grew into the game as the first half wore on, creating a couple of good chances. Phoenix had eight first half corners, seven of them in the first 17 minutes. Ryan Flood would prove the biggest problem for Valley. Flood won three free kicks in the first half, and two more in the second half.

The second half got very physical as Valley United would have three players booked in the span of seven minutes early on. Aodhan Quinn would also add to Valley’s woes, stepping up his contributions in the second half. Claudio Repetto, an offseason acquisition from the Charleston Battery, would replace Richmond Antwi in the 61st minute.

The game would change in the 81st minute when Valley would go a man down when Sebastián Contreras would see yellow for a second time in a half hour. His foul on Ryan Flood, put Valley in an even more defensive stance. After this, Phoenix would again boss the game.

The final minute plus stoppage time would see no fewer than four fouls and a Phoenix yellow card as Rising took control.

“They sat back a bit, and it kind of took us a bit to break them down,” said Phoenix defender Darnell King.

Extra time almost exclusively belonged to Phoenix. Repetto would have a great shot to the upper 90 saved by Javier Olmedo in the 91st minute, followed by a great opportunity by a Luis Seijas free kick in the 96th nearly broke the deadlock but sailed just wide.

In the 110th minute, Arturo Rodriguez would have his right-footed shot saved by Olmedo. Darnell King would put a dangerous header on goal in the 115th, the blocked ball found its way to Repetto and he coolly hit to the bottom left corner to put the home side in front. The remaining five minutes would see the Valley side step up, but it was too little, too late.

Phoenix Head Coach, Rick Schantz, “Credit to Valley United. They fought; they were very organized,” said Phoenix head coach Rick Schantz. “They made it difficult, and we made it worse by playing with no energy, no tempo.”

Phoenix advance to the Third Round for the first time since 2017 and will learn their opponent when the Round 3 draw is announced on Friday at Noon ET.

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: FC Tulsa wins tournament’s first Tulsa derby

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FC Tulsa Tulsa Athletic 2022 US Open Cup
Players from FC Tulsa (white) and Tulsa Athletic battle for the ball in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: FC Tulsa

Separated by a mere 15 miles, FC Tulsa and Tulsa Athletic went for bragging rights in the first-ever Tulsa Derby to highlight Tuesday’s Second Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup before the hosts FC Tulsa took a 2-1 win at ONEOK Field.

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From the first 10 minutes, it was all FC Tulsa.

Brian Brown put the home side in front with a goal in the fifth minute, sliding towards net to finish off a feed from Diego Corrales and offer the strong start from FC Tulsa in front of a crowd of 2,300 supporters.

Down 1-0, it would be the 13th minute before Athletic would have any appreciable possession. Jordan Watson showed good skill in making a deep run along the goal line but could not set up a shot on goal.

Ronald Rodríguez headed in the second goal on a corner served up by El Salvador international Joaquín Rivas, giving FC Tulsa a 2-0 halftime lead.

Brown and Rivas had just returned from a call-up with “La Selecta,” making the return trip to Tulsa last Thursday after featuring in three appearances for El Salvador in World Cup qualifying. It was the first goal in a Tulsa uniform for Brown who like Rodriguez joined the club in the offseason.

The second half started much more briskly, but still dominated by FC Tulsa. In the 60th minute, Athletic’s Jo Garcia lifted a long ball deep in the area from a free kick, but none of the three Athletic players could get a boot to it leaving them still in a two-goal deficit.

Deep in the game, substitute Billy Nzojyibwami made a fantastic run down the right side and chipped FC Tulsa goalkeeper Austin Wormell to cut the deficit to 2-1. In the 87th minute, Athletic’s Bryson Reed saved a sure goal by Gabi Torres to keep it a one-goal game.

Tulsa Athletic goalkeeper Bryson Reed made six saves, keeping the ball out of the back of the net for the final 72 minutes. But the damage had been done.

FC Tulsa will learn its third-round opponent Friday with the Open Cup third-round draw held by U.S. Soccer. The draw is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. ET.

If Tulsa draws an MLS club, it will be the USL side’s first competitive match against a team from the top division since a 2-1 loss to FC Dallas in the fourth round of the Open Cup in 2017.

 

Goal scorers

FC Tulsa 5’ Brian Brown

FC Tulsa 18’ Ronald Rodríguez, assist Ronald Rodríguez

Tulsa Athletic 77’ Billy Nzojyibwami, assist Joe Garcia

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