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Josh Hakala

Broadcast journalist / sports play by play announcer that created TheCup.us (in 2003) and continues to run the site. An active member of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association and the North American Soccer Reporters. Proud alum of Temple University and Lansing Community College. Read his work on TheCup.us HERE.

2025 US Open Cup Round 4: Roberto Ydrach of Pittsburgh Riverhounds voted TheCup.us Player of Round

May 19, 2025 by Josh Hakala

Graphic: Phil Naegely | Photo: Ed Thompson, Pittsburgh Soccer Now

With seconds remaining, the crowd at Highmark Stadium was building to what they hoped was a crescendo as the hometown Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC set up for a corner kick. The game against Major League Soccer’s New York City FC was scoreless and seemed destined for extra time.

Pittsburgh’s Robbie Mertz delivered a corner kick to the far post where it found Roberto “Beto” Ydrach, who headed the ball across the goal and into the back of the net. Moments later, after a wild celebration that saw Ydrach rip off his shirt, the referee blew for full time. This meant the Riverhounds had won 1-0 and delivered their fans a third MLS upset in the last three years, with two of them coming at home in the Steel City.

Ydrach, a rookie who has been a mainstay for the Riverhounds all season, came off the bench in the 77th minute. His roughly 13 minutes of work, including that game-winning goal, was enough to earn him TheCup.us Player of the Round honors.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters and select backers (those that pledge $10 or more) from TheCup.us’ Patreon team.

He beat out Brandon Vazquez of Austin FC who scored two goals and assisted on another to help the Verde and Black overcome a 2-0 halftime deficit and edge the El Paso Locomotive (USL Championship) 3-2. Orlando City teenager Gustavo Caraballo, whose two goals sparked the Lions to a 5-0 road win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies, finished third.

The game-winning goal by Ydrach was extra special because it was his first professional goal. For the former Akron University standout, waiting to score that first goal and to rip his shirt off was a long time coming.

“It’s been since probably I was three years old, since I started playing soccer,” said Ydrach. “That’s a requirement for a goal like that, right? I had to do it.”

For Ydrach, who was recently called up by the Puerto Rico national team, it was being in the right place at the right time and executing.

“Our assistant coach Rob (Vincent) put me in that position and I just read it in the air, the flight of the ball,” said Ydrach. “The defender stepped up a little bit, so I snuck behind him and just headed it in.”

The celebration that followed was a new experience for the former Big East Defender of the Year.

Roberto "Beto" Ydrach of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal against New York City FC in the Fourth Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Chris Cowger - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Roberto “Beto” Ydrach of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal against New York City FC in the Fourth Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Chris Cowger – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

“I blacked out,” he said. “The only thing on my mind was to take the shirt off. I’m not one to typically score that many goals in my career, so whenever I do, it’s typically a blackout scenario where I just run to the corner and have the whole team celebrate with me but it was a great moment for me, you know, we all work really hard for moments like that. To be  able to do something like that in your career is something special.”

Ydrach becomes the first Riverhounds player to be named TheCup.us Player of the Round. 

Filed Under: 2025 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central Tagged With: 2025 US Open Cup, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, Player of the Round

How a US Open Cup classic, locker room vandalism inspired fans to create Coffee Pot Cup

May 6, 2025 by Josh Hakala

Jim Gregory, president of Charleston Battery supporters group The Regiment (right), presents the Coffee Pot Cup to Sachin Shah after D.C. United's 2-0 win in the 2004 Carolina Challenge Cup. Photo: Mike Buytas
Jim Gregory, president of Charleston Battery supporters group The Regiment (right), presents the Coffee Pot Cup to Sachin Shah after D.C. United's 2-0 win in the 2004 Carolina Challenge Cup. Photo: Mike Buytas
Jim Gregory, president of Charleston Battery supporters group The Regiment (right), presents the Coffee Pot Cup to Sachin Shah after D.C. United’s 2-0 win in the 2004 Carolina Challenge Cup. Photo: Mike Buytas

UPDATE (5/6/25 – 7:55pm ET) – The Coffee Pot Cup made its way to Audi Field for the Fourth Round match of the 2025 US Open Cup.

How do you like your Open Cup upsets? Lots of cream and sugar, or just plain black? On Aug. 4, 1999, D.C. United didn’t like the taste of the Charleston Battery’s upset brew and the events that followed gave birth to one of the oddest rivalries in American soccer: The Coffee Pot Cup.

It remains one of the greatest games of the US Open Cup’s Modern Era (1995-present), but what happened after the game gets more attention than the instant classic that took place on the field. The post-game chaos in the visitor’s locker room following the Battery’s dramatic 4-3 extra time win, led to American soccer’s first modern rivalry trophy.

When D.C. United hosts the Charleston Battery in the Fourth Round of the 2025 US Open Cup on Tuesday, the winner will not only advance to the Round of 16 but the fans in attendance could lift, and drink from, the Coffee Pot Cup. (If the Cup arrives at the stadium … more on that in a bit)

The Coffee Pot Cup

American Soccer in 1999

In 1999, the American soccer landscape looked much different than it does today. Major League Soccer was in its fourth season and was still on shaky ground financially. The league added the Chicago Fire and Miami Fusion in 1998 to increase to 12 teams, most of whom still played in tarped-off (American) football stadiums. Columbus would introduce the very first soccer specific stadium in MLS in 1999, now known as Historic Crew Stadium.

After limping through most of the 1990s with a roster of teams ranging from 5-8, the A-League, (formerly known as the American Professional Soccer League) merged with the USISL’s Select League in 1997 to expand to 24 teams. While the league tripled in size, many clubs still struggled financially.

The Open Cup was very different in 1999 as well. The three professional leagues, MLS, A-League and D3 Pro League only sent eight teams each into the tournament. The eight spots allotted to amateur clubs were split between the USASA and Premier Development League (now USL League Two) bringing the total tournament field to 32 teams.

The early years of the Open Cup with MLS involved created a rivalry between MLS and the A-League, spearheaded by the Rochester Raging Rhinos. Teams looking to prove their worth and players seeking attention for future MLS roster spots meant every MLS team had extra large targets on their backs. The Rhinos were one A-League club in particular who were constantly looking to prove they should be the next team to join MLS. The Rhinos regularly drew 10,000 plus for big home games, an exclamation mark in a league in which average attendance figures around 2-3,000 were considered great. Rochester staked their claim in the 1996 US Open Cup by knocking off the Tampa Bay Mutiny and the Colorado Rapids to reach the Open Cup Final, where they lost to D.C. United 3-0.

United vs. Battery

D.C. United were already two-time league champions and had reached the MLS Cup Final each of the league’s first three years (1996-1998). In addition, D.C. won the U.S. Open Cup in 1996 and reached the Final in 1997 (losing in PKs to the Dallas Burn). In 1998, United won the CONCACAF Champions Cup as well as the Copa Interamericana over Brazil’s Vasco da Gama. D.C. United truly were the giants in the early days of MLS.

The Charleston Battery were a few years older than D.C., getting their start in 1993 with the USISL (USL today), before joining the A-League after the merger.

Coming into the game, D.C. United were in a familiar position, first place in MLS Eastern Conference at 13-7, with last year’s trade acquisition Roy Lassiter leading the league in goal scoring with 15.

Charleston started the 1999 campaign by opening the new 5,000 seat Blackbaud Stadium, the first soccer-specific stadium built for a non-MLS club.

“We always knew Charleston wasn’t going to be an MLS market, but that never stopped us from aiming high,” said Battery president Nigel Cooper. “We just wanted to be the best we could be. Building the first privately-funded, soccer-specific facility in the U.S. was a huge point of pride. The Three Lions Club, packed with memorabilia and passion, was unique.”

The Battery were looking to rebound from a 11-15 finish in the 1998 season. It was just barely good enough to make the playoffs, but they suffered a 3-0 road loss to Rochester in the opening round. The Battery entered their matchup with D.C. with an 11-10 record in league play.

The Build-Up

Blackbaud Stadium

While D.C. entered the ’99 Open Cup in the Third Round, Charleston started their inaugural entry in the tournament in the Second Round by hosting the D3 Pro League’s Wilmington Hammerheads. The Hammerheads, one of the strongest teams in their league, entered the game red hot. The Hammerheads were riding a 10-game winning streak on the strength of Ryan Walker, one of the league’s top goalscorers with 16.

While the Battery came away 2-1 winners, the going wasn’t easy. While the Battery were in control most of the way with a 2-0 lead through first half goals from Todd Miller (3rd minute) and Paul Conway (16th minute) they couldn’t seem to shake their D3 opponents. Wilmington stayed competitive throughout the second half, but their goal by Charles Panos in the 90th minute proved too little too late however, and Charleston began to prepare for the giants.

The next day’s sports section in the Charleston Post and Courier proclaimed, “Bring on the MLS”. It was called the biggest game in club history.

“We always felt we had a chance against MLS teams, much in the same way that lower level teams in the English Football League think they have a chance against Premier League teams in the cup competitions,” said Cooper. “There could always be an upset. The pressure was really on the MLS teams. They had to prove their superiority which wasn’t always the case. Many of our players felt they could go head-to-head with MLS.”

Post and Courier – July 7, 1999

The Game

D.C. were playing the game shorthanded. United were missing four players (Jeff Agoos, Carlos Llamosa, Ritchie Williams and Ben Olsen) due to US National Team duty in the Confederations Cup. In addition, reigning MLS MVP Marco Etcheverry was ruled out due to a heel injury. Despite that, DCU still had a strong lineup full of stars with players like last year’s MLS MVP runner-up Jaime Moreno, and US internationals Roy Lassiter and Eddie Pope. Also, highly-touted 20-year-old prospect Chris Albright was coming off the bench.

Ivaylo Ilarionov of the Charleston Battery celebrates after scoring a goal against D.C. United in the Third Round of the 1999 US Open Cup. Photo: Charleston Battery
Ivaylo Ilarionov of the Charleston Battery celebrates after scoring a goal against D.C. United in the Third Round of the 1999 US Open Cup. Photo: Charleston Battery

After falling short of winning a third straight MLS Cup title the year before, United were on a mission to regain the league title in 1999.

“I think we blamed some of the extra competitions that we were in for 1998 for the loss in the (MLS Cup) final,” said Eddie Pope, who battled injuries throughout the 1999 season. “I don’t think we saw the Open Cup as a priority but more so as a burden or a distraction. Sad but true at the time. The Open Cup just didn’t have the importance that it does now. Therefore, I think we were always looking past our opponents with our minds on MLS Cup. That ended up being a mistake.”

An announced crowd of 5,456 – which remains a Battery home US Open Cup attendance record to this day – packed Blackbaud Stadium on a humid Wednesday evening. That sold out stadium would witness one of the more memorable nights in the club’s history.

“(The game was) a rollercoaster of emotions,” said Cooper. “It was a total mix of nerves and excitement before the game. New stadium, record crowd, playing one of the top teams in MLS. Everyone felt the pressure.”

No one on the field that night was feeling more emotions than the Battery’s new Bulgarian midfielder Ivaylo Ilarionov. The Open Cup game was just a culmination of what was an emotional ride for him personally. In the last few weeks, he learned that his green card had been approved. Then, just two days before the game, his wife gave birth to their second child, a son named Martin.

“Sometimes before big games you have a lot of pressure, a lot of stress, but myself, personally, I had so much excitement in my head that I just wanted to go out and play,” said Ilarionov. “Players often overthink the game, but I was just focused on proving to myself and to everyone else that I belonged on that field (against the best team in MLS).”

Mike Burke of the Charleston Battery celebrates after scoring a goal against D.C. United in the Third Round of the 1999 US Open Cup. Photo: Charleston Battery
Mike Burke of the Charleston Battery celebrates after scoring a goal against D.C. United in the Third Round of the 1999 US Open Cup. Photo: Charleston Battery

The Battery got off to a dream start. With just 12 minutes elapsed, Ilarionov delivered a cross from the left side, finding A-League All-Star Mike Burke in front of the goal, beating D.C. goalkeeper Tom Presthus to put the Battery up 1-0.

Just 12 minutes later, the Battery went up 2-0 on a solo effort from Dean Sewell, dribbling into the penalty area and beating Presthus with a shot that struck the underside of the crossbar and settled into the side netting.

Four minutes after Sewell’s goal, the Battery were awakened from their dream, as Jaime Moreno took a pass with his back towards the goal, swung around and floated a shot into the far post netting that was impossible for Battery goalkeeper Dusty Hudock to stop.

Charleston took a 2-1 lead into halftime, but United came out for the second half ready to put an end to the Battery’s “cupset” dreams.

“In the locker room (at halftime), there wasn’t a lot of talking. We were calm because we had nothing to lose against the MLS champions,” said Ilarionov. “We knew (D.C.) had the big stars, but we just went out in the second half and enjoyed it.”

“I remember the crowd because it was a packed house and it was loud,” said Hudock, who was selected for the A-League All-Star Game later that week. “I also remember the strikers we played against and how lethal they were.”

Roy Lassiter didn’t get his first shot of the game for United until the 56th minute when he headed a cross from A.J. Wood that was easily handled by Hudock.

Three minutes later, United would pull level on Chris Albright’s first professional goal, heading home a Jaime Moreno corner kick. Albright had come on as a sub for Diego Sonora eight minutes earlier.

Photo: Mike Buytas

“It was incredible,” said Albright. “At the time I was supposed to be something that I didn’t quite turn out to be. And so there was a lot of pressure on my signing and so there was certainly a microscope on me, like, is this kid any good? And to get that monkey off my back early on was fun.”

In the 84th minute the moment the Battery fans dreaded became reality, D.C. United took the lead for the first time. Jaime Moreno, who was involved in all three United goals, slipped a pass to A.J. Wood, who beat Hudock with a low shot at the post.

“Going up 2-0 early had us dreaming,” said Cooper, who took over as Charleston’s team president ahead of the 1999 season. “But then suddenly we’re down 3-2 and it felt like we’d lost a golden opportunity.”

For a moment it seemed like the MLS giants would survive the upset bid, but along came Ilarionov.

With just three minutes remaining, Ilarionov, who had been putting pressure on the United backline, took a pass from Rashad Miller, fought off a D.C. defender in the penalty area, and fired a shot past a charging Presthus to tie the game. Ilarionov celebrated by running to the sideline performing the “rocking the baby” in honor of the new addition to his family.

Golden goal extra time now awaited the teams. Instead of a full 30-minute extra time session, the match would end on the first goal scored by either team. On this night, it only took ten minutes to accomplish.

Forrest Wimberly’s ticket stub

Ilarionov nearly ended the game minutes before that, as his 12-yard shot from a Derick Brownell pass went wide to the right of goal in the 97th minute.

Three minutes later, the dream became reality, as Dean Sewell found Ilarionov in the top corner of the penalty area. Virtually one-on-one with Presthus, Ilarionov beat the United ‘keeper with a well-placed left footed shot to send the Battery fans into a frenzy, and almost the entire Battery squad dog-piled Ilarionov in celebration. Once on his feet, Hudock picked Ilarionov up on his shoulders paraded around with Charleston’s new hero.

“I just couldn’t believe it was me that did it,” said Ilarionov. “But luckily for me, I was the one who got this golden opportunity, but it was a great team effort. Afterwards, I just had so many exciting things in my brain, with the goals, the win, my family, my new baby, it was overwhelming.”

For the fans in attendance, getting to witness a dramatic upset of that magnitude in their team’s new soccer-specific stadium, was special.

“I just remember the energy of the game was off the charts,” recalled TheCup.us contributor Forrest Wimberly who was in the stands at Blackbaud that night. “I’ve only been at a few matches in my life that matched that energy level. The fans were exhausted when it was all said and done. You just didn’t know what was gonna happen next and the way the Battery just hung around and then really put their stamp on the match really late to force extra time and then to get into the extra time and win it, it was just one of those magic cup moments.

“I probably would still rank this as the number one game I’ve attended all time,” added Wimberly.

For Ilarionov, as someone who was part of a CSKA Sofia (Bulgaria) team that beat Juventus 3-2 in the 1994-95 UEFA Cup, he says his heroics against D.C. United was the “top story” of his career.

After the win, Charleston was joined in the Quarterfinals by a pair of fellow A-League clubs: the Rochester Raging Rhinos and the Staten Island Vipers. (The Vipers beat the Metrostars – now New York Red Bulls – 3-2 in extra time.)

Charleston would advance to the Semifinals with a 2-1 win over the Vipers with a pair of early goals from Paul Conway (4’, 12’).

The Battery’s run would end in the Semifinals which was hosted in Virginia Beach, Va. as part of a doubleheader with the threat of Hurricane Dennis nearby. Charleston lost 3-0 to the Colorado Rapids in the first game, then the Rochester Rhinos would beat the Columbus Crew 3-2 on a 90th minute goal by Tim Hardy in the nightcap. The Rhinos would famously advance to the Final where they would become the only non-MLS team to lift the trophy in the Modern Era.

Photo: Mike Buytas

The Coffee Pot Cup

What happened in the D.C. United dressing room after the game would ensure the contest would be cemented in US soccer lore. Frustrated by the shock loss, some of the D.C. United players ripped shower heads out of the showers and smashed a pair of coffee pots. It was a moment that no doubt would have set today’s social media ablaze, but in 1999 “social media” was limited to chat rooms and message boards.

Attempts to confirm the players who committed the vandalism were fruitless. When asked about it, Eddie Pope and Chris Albright both said they didn’t remember the incident that happened 26 years ago.

The Battery sent United a bill for the damages and according to Cooper, the bill was paid.

Freddy Adu of D.C. United dribbles against Charleston Battery in the 2004 Carolina Challenge Cup at Blackbaud Stadium. Photo: Mike Buytas
Freddy Adu of D.C. United dribbles against Charleston Battery in the 2004 Carolina Challenge Cup at Blackbaud Stadium. Photo: Mike Buytas

The two teams would meet again the following year in the Second Round of the US Open Cup with D.C. getting revenge, 4-0. It was scoreless at the half, but United exploded with four second half goals, three of them scored by Raul Diaz Arce in a span of 17 minutes. Jaime Moreno also chipped in a goal and two assists. 

In 2004, five years after the original “Coffee Pot” game, D.C. and Charleston were set to meet in the Battery’s inaugural Carolina Challenge Cup. Prior to the kickoff of the preseason tournament at Blackbaud Stadium, the supporters’ groups from both teams decided to have some fun with United’s destructive post-game behavior from that 1999 Open Cup classic.

On the BigSoccer.com message board, one of American soccer’s most popular online meeting places in the late 90s and into the 2000s, a thread was started called DC to play in the 1st Carolina Challenge Cup. The post announced the upcoming event and fans began talking trash and making travel plans.

The second response to that post was by a D.C. United fan with the user name “Sachin” who said  “I’ll bring the coffeepots!”. That joke by Sachin Shah and the conversation that followed, led to the creation of the Coffee Pot Cup.

Screenshot from BigSoccer.com

Shah, a Virginia native, had followed D.C. United since their inaugural season in 1996. He was an active member of the now-defunct La Norte supporters group and was even more active in Big Soccer’s online community.

He posted on Feb. 6, 2004: “Maybe the supporters of the DC-Charleston match should get a coffee urn as a ‘trophy’ for winning the match”

Shah took matters into his own hands. He looked at some traditional big box stores, like Walmart, but couldn’t find the right one. Finally, he decided to look on Ebay and his search came to an end.

He found a stainless steel coffee urn with a removable lid and a spigot to pour out whatever liquid is inside. It was estimated to hold about 13 pints of whatever beverage one can fill it with.

Final cost: $47

In the end, the name “Coffee Pot Cup” stuck and the rules were established by the members of both teams’ supporters groups. The losers would provide the drink of the winning team’s choice and fill up the urn. The winners would get first drinks.

When the two teams met on March 20, 2004 in the opening game of the Carolina Challenge Cup, D.C. came away with a 2-1 win. Teenage phenom Freddy Adu scored the opening goal in the 56th minute only to see Charleston’s Paul Conway equalize in the 75th. Another of United’s young up-and-coming players, Bobby Convey, scored the winning goal in the 83rd minute.

Screenshot from BigSoccer.com

After the game, both fan groups gathered at the Three Lions Club, the pub located inside Blackbaud Stadium for the inaugural awarding of the Coffee Pot Cup. As the rules dictated, the Battery fans had to fill the cup with the beverage of the winning team’s choosing. In an act of sportsmanship, Battery president Nigel Cooper covered half of the cost of the Guinness that filled the urn. The United supporters got first drinks but by the end of the night, both supporters groups would refill and share the contents of the Cup.

2008 US Open Cup Final

DC United celebrates their 2008 US Open Cup title. Photo: BehindTheBadge.com

By far, the biggest game of the friendly rivalry came in 2008 when the Battery became just the second non-MLS club to make a run all the way to the Final. There they would face D.C. United at RFK Stadium.

The Battery made one of the most impressive Cup runs in recent history. The 2008 remains the only Modern Era team to reach the Final after starting the competition in the First Round. They advanced through five opponents, including eliminating two MLS teams (Houston Dynamo via PKs at home, 3-1 at FC Dallas), to reach the championship game.

Charleston Battery vs. D.C. United
(All games at Blackbaud Stadium unless noted)
1999 US Open Cup – Round 3 (8/4/99)
Charleston Battery 4:3 (AET) D.C. United

2000 US Open Cup – Round 2 (6/14/00)
Charleston Battery 0:4 D.C. United

2003 Friendly (3/23/03)
Charleston Battery 0:1 D.C. United

2004 Carolina Challenge Cup (3/20/04)
Charleston Battery 1:2 D.C. United

2005 Carolina Challenge Cup (3/23/05)
Charleston Battery 2:2 D.C. United

2006 Carolina Challenge Cup (3/25/06)
Charleston Battery 1:1 D.C. United

2008 US Open Cup Final (9/3/08)
D.C. United 2:1 Charleston Battery
Site: RFK Stadium (Washington D.C.)

2009 Carolina Challenge Cup (3/14/09)
Charleston Battery 0:2 D.C. United

2010 Carolina Challenge Cup (3/20/10)
Charleston Battery 0:2 D.C. United

2011 Carolina Challenge Cup (3/5/11)
Charleston Battery 1:2 D.C. United

2012 Carolina Challenge Cup (2/29/12)
Charleston Battery 1:3 D.C. United

2014 Carolina Challenge Cup (2/26/14)
Charleston Battery 1:1 D.C. United

United had three straight home games before hosting the Final with wins over the Rochester Rhinos (USL) and the Chicago Fire at the Maryland Soccerplex (Germantown, Md.) and a 3-1 win over the New England Revolution at RFK.

The Final started fast and furious with D.C.’s Luciano Emilio opening the scoring in the 4th minute, only to see Charleston’s Ian Fuller equalize in the 10th minute. The game-winning goal would happen in the 50th minute when Brazilian midfielder Fred scoring on a Clyde Simms pass. Charleston’s Dusty Hudock and D.C.’s Jaime Moreno were the only players who played in the Final and also played in that original Coffee Pot Game back in 1999.  

The Return of the Coffee Pot Cup

D.C. United and the Charleston Battery have met eight times since that preseason game in 2004. United have had the best of the series, winning eight times and drawing three since the 1999 Open Cup game. Most of those games have been in the Battery’s Carolina Challenge Cup tournament. After the 2008 US Open Cup Final, the two met five of the next six years in the Carolina Challenge Cup (2009-12, 2014).

The last time they played for the Coffee Pot Cup was in 2014 when they finished in a 1-1 draw. Davy Arnaud opened the scoring for United in the 71st minute only to see Drew Ruggles equalize in the 90th minute.

Over time, since it was a fan-created trophy, it needed to live somewhere. So what better person for it to live with than a long time D.C. United fan who grew up near Charleston, S.C.

That caretaker, to this day, is Lonnie Hovis.

“It needed someone to keep and babysit it,” said Hovis, who was one of the few D.C. fans who attended the 1999 US Open Cup match at Blackbaud. “I was one of the first to hold it and I was also responsible for the plates showing the scores being updated later on. I may have been the first person to receive it, or it may just have been my willingness to be responsible for it after it almost got lost one time on a road trip.”

Photo courtesy of Lonnie Hovis (left)

The plates Hovis refers to were added to the coffee urn that reflect the score of each game of the friendly rivalry.

“I didn’t put the first few on and they started to peel off because they were very rigid,” said Hovis. “I got new ones and had a local company replace the old plates with newer ones that were more flexible,” added Hovis.

Jim Gregory (right), president of The Regiment, the Charleston Battery supporters group, poses with the Coffee Pot Cup. Photo: Kim Gregory
Jim Gregory (right), president of The Regiment, the Charleston Battery supporters group, poses with the Coffee Pot Cup. Photo: Kim Gregory

On Tuesday, the Charleston Battery and D.C. United will meet for the 13th time in the Fourth Round of the 2025 US Open Cup and there’s a chance that the Coffee Pot Cup will not be in attendance.

At the time of this article being published the morning before the game, there was no plan in place.

“So far, no one has volunteered to meet me anywhere to pass off the (Coffee Pot) Cup so it can attend,” said Hovis, who lives near Winchester, Va., which is about a 90 minute drive away from the game. “Audi Field is too hard to get to and parking is too hard to find, and the Coffee Pot Cup is not easy to be carried on the Metro.”

At the time this article was originally published on Tuesday morning, Hovis was hoping that someone would come through to transport the Cup to the game so that the tradition could continue. Luckily, Stevan Fisher, a D.C. fan since the inaugural season and a Screaming Eagles member since 1998, answered the call. Fisher met Hovis halfway, received the Cup and delivered it to Screaming Eagles president Jimi Butler at the group’s pregame tailgate gathering.

The Coffee Pot Cup is displayed at the 2025 US Open Cup match at Audi Field between D.C. United and the Charleston Battery. Photo: Jason Anderson
The Coffee Pot Cup is displayed at the 2025 US Open Cup match at Audi Field between D.C. United and the Charleston Battery. Photo: Jason Anderson

“It’s pretty neat that the trophy still exists,” said Hovis. “ It seems to have fallen out of favor with the newer fans, since the teams haven’t played each other in quite a while and both teams have a newer crop of fans. Fewer of us older original fans, especially in D.C. So I am happy that it’s getting some attention this year.”

In the end, it’s a trophy created by the fans in an era when American soccer was seeking to establish traditions.

“The Coffee Pot Cup is awesome,” said Sachin Shah, reflecting on his Ebay purchase that is still in use more than two decades later. “It’s like the college football rivalry trophies. It’s an authentic, organic part of US Soccer. I’m thrilled to see it continuing on. Soccer has given me so much, so I’m happy to contribute a little bit back.”

Chuck Nolan Jr. significantly contributed to this article

Filed Under: 2025 US Open Cup, Feature - History, Feature - Main, Feature Left - US Open Cup history, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central, US Open Cup History Tagged With: 1999 US Open Cup, 2025 US Open Cup, Charleston Battery, Coffee Pot Cup, DC United

TheCup.us want to pay their volunteer US Open Cup reporters and you can help

April 15, 2025 by Josh Hakala

Graphic: Frank Lanham

On April 1, 2025, TheCup.us will turn 22 years old. Back in 2003, the site was launched to fill a large void. That year, there was virtually no online information about the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. If you wanted to follow the United States’ soccer national championship or to learn about its rich history, you had to piece it together through online message boards. The internet needed an online media outlet and a historical resource for the country’s oldest cup competition and this website was born.

For more than two decades, in order to cover this hidden gem of American sports, we have relied on hundreds of volunteer reporters from around the country. Everything from award-winning veteran journalists to up-and-coming student sportswriters, all of them willing to contribute for the good of the game and because they believe in the site’s mission. 

In recent years, a lack of pay has made it more difficult to recruit talented reporters. Since TheCup.us founders, Josh Hakala and Chuck Nolan, Jr., have no ad sales or marketing experience (if you do, and want to help us, email us HERE), we have turned to Patreon to raise money to pay our reporters.

As we get ready to cover the 2025 US Open Cup (our 21st tournament), we need help from our readers to help pay our reporters for their time and travel costs. Our minimum goal is to be able to pay each reporter $25 per game. Ideally, we would like to pay them $50 per game, but let’s crawl before we walk.

With 95 games on the schedule for #USOC2025, it would take $2,375 to pay each reporter $25 per game and $4,750 to pay $50 per game. We had more than 61,000 unique users on the site in 2024 and more than 134,000 page views. If just 500 readers gave $5 each, we could meet our minimal goal. Or if just 40 people pledged to donate $5 per month.

The way Patreon works is that you have the ability to commit to support the site on a monthly basis. You can chip in as little as $5 per month or $10 per month (or more, it’s up to you) or, you can just make a one-time donation. While a one-time donation is much appreciated, becoming a monthly contributor allows us to plan ahead and budget for additional coverage like feature stories or to launch an Open Cup-focused podcast (the site was born out of a live soccer radio show).

Also, those who commit to a monthly contribution, there are rewards. A $10/month contribution will get you a vote in the site’s Player of the Round and Player of the Tournament awards. With $20/month, you receive a shirt of your choice from our TheCup.us store. With $50/month, you will receive tickets to the US Open Cup Final every year that you are a member.

In the interest of full transparency, at the start of March of 2025, we have just 15 members of our Patreon team. To be honest, this was mostly due to our team not feeling comfortable asking for money. But now we feel like making this push is necessary for us to improve our coverage. We know that we can do so much better than that.   

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Filed Under: 2025 US Open Cup, Amateur Cup, Feature - Main, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central Tagged With: US Open Cup

2025 US Open Cup Round 1: Josh Levine of NY Pancyprian Freedoms voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

March 31, 2025 by Josh Hakala

Graphic: Dan Crooke

Facing one of last year’s best MLS NEXT Pro teams on the road in the opening round of the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup was a tall task for the New York Pancyprian Freedoms. The amateur side from the American Premier Soccer League (APSL – formerly the Eastern Premier Soccer League) and reigning USASA Amateur Cup champions won three US Open Cup titles in the early 1980s, but haven’t won a game in the competition since 2016.

The Pancyprian Freedoms kept FC Cincinnati 2 off the scoresheet and took them to a penalty kick shootout after 120 minutes. The performance of New York goalkeeper Josh Levine and the backline in front of him were key to holding the Cincinnati offense in check and in the end, the Freedoms won the PK shootout 5-4 to advance to Round 2. Levine faced 24 shots, four corner kicks and made seven saves to earn the 120-minute clean sheet.

For his performance, Josh Levine was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round. He distanced himself from another goalkeeper, Tomasz Wroblewski who finished in second place. Wroblewski led Little Rock Rangers (USL League Two) to a 1-0 upset of the Birmingham Legion FC (USL Championship). It was a tight race for third place between Brayan Padilla of FORO SC (UPSL) who scored both goals in FORO’s road upset of Texoma FC of USL League One and Rafael Jauregui of Charlotte Independence (USL League One) who scored twice, including the game-winner in extra time on the road against the Long Island Rough Riders (USL League Two).

The Player of the Round award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters and select backers (those that pledge $10 or more) from TheCup.us’ Patreon team.

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“Our match against FC Cincinnati 2 was a strong testament to the coaching staff’s game plan and the team’s collective effort,” said Levine. “We saw standout performances across the board, from the starting lineup to the players who came on later. Jack Sluys, Devin Heanue, Rikard Cederberg, and Jens Hoff were solid on the back line. Proud of what this group has accomplished so far and ready to keep the momentum going into our next match.”

The Freedoms advance to Round 2 where they travel to face Westchester SC of USL League One on April 2.

Levine, who led the Freedoms to last year’s Amateur Cup title, which clinched a spot in the Open Cup for New York, becomes the first player from an APSL team to win Player of the Round.

Levine spent four years at Penn State where he was a standout with a 1.39 goals against average in 32 games with the Nittany Lions. After graduating from Penn State, he spent one season as a graduate student at Fordham where he helped the Rams win an Atlantic-10 championship and punch their ticket to the NCAA tournament. His 0.65 goals against average in his lone season with Fordham tied the single-season school record set by Ryan Meara who went on to play professionally with the New York Red Bulls of MLS.

Filed Under: 2025 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central Tagged With: 2025 US Open Cup, new york pancyprian freedoms, Player of the Round

Draw for 2025 US Open Cup revealed, 110th tournament begins March 18

February 6, 2025 by Josh Hakala

2025 us open cup draw graphic 2
2025 us open cup draw graphic 2
Graphic by Phil Naegely & Frank Lanham

The “March Madness” of the 110th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup will kick off with 32 games next month. Beginning on March 18, the opening round will feature 32 Open Division amateur teams and 32 lower division professional sides. 

The First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup will kick off with 10 games on Tuesday, March 18, followed by 14 games on Wednesday, March 19. The round will wrap up on Thursday, March 20 with eight games.

For the second year in a row, every First Round game will feature amateur vs. pro team matchups.

The Open Division teams include nine from USL League Two, seven from the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) and 14 teams that qualified via the Open Division Local qualifying tournament. The remaining two amateurs are Soda City FC, who qualified as the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) Spring season champion and four-time Open Cup champions New York Pancyprian Freedoms who punched their ticket as the 2024 US Adult Soccer Association (USASA) National Amateur Cup champion.

The professional sides entering in Round 1 include eight from the USL Championship (Div. 2), all 14 US-based clubs from USL League One (Div. 3) and 10 teams from MLS NEXT Pro (Div. 3). The rest of the USL Championship teams, the top eight clubs in each of the league’s conferences from last season, will enter in the competition later in the Third Round.

The matchups were chosen geographically with the primary goal being professional teams playing against an Open Division team.

The home team for each game was determined by random selection when both teams applied to host and met the tournament’s hosting criteria. According to US Soccer’s release: “Random selection was also used in cases where there was no logical geographic fit or there were more than two teams from the same proximity.”

The winners from Round 1 will advance to face each other in the Second Round which is scheduled for the week of April 1-2. The 16 Second Round winners will advance to Round 3 where they will face the remaining 16 teams from the USL Championship. All Third Round winners will advance to Round 4 (Round of 32) where all 16 Major League Soccer teams will enter.

2025 US Open Cup Qualifying
2025 US Open Cup Schedule/Results
2025 US Open Cup Format

2025 U.S. Open Cup – First Round Schedule
Home team listed first, all start times listed in Eastern

TUESDAY, MARCH 18

Hartford Athletic (USL-C) vs. New York Shockers (NPSL)
6:30 p.m. ET
Trinity Health Stadium; Hartford, CT

Sarasota Paradise (USL-2) vs. FC Naples (USL-1)
7 p.m. ET
Premier Sports Campus; Lakewood Ranch, FL

Miami FC (USL-C) vs. Naples United FC (NPSL)
7 p.m. ET
FIU Soccer Stadium; Miami, FL

New Jersey Alliance FC (UPSL) vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL-1)
7 p.m. ET
Site TBA

FC Motown (NPSL) vs. Westchester SC (USL-1)
7:30 p.m. ET
MSU Soccer Park at Pittser Field; Montclair, NJ

Asheville City SC (USL-2) vs. Greenville Triumph SC (USL-1)
7:30 p.m. ET
Greenwood Field; Asheville, NC

West Chester United SC (USLPA) vs. Loudoun United FC (USL-C)
7:30 p.m. ET
YSC Sports; Wayne, PA

Texoma FC (USL-1) vs. FORO SC (UPSL)
8 p.m. ET
Bearcat Stadium; Sherman, TX

Tulsa Athletic (UPSL) vs. FC Tulsa (USL-C)
8:30 p.m. ET
Athletic Community Stadium; Tulsa, OK

AV ALTA FC (USL-1) vs. Ventura County Fusion (USL-2)
10:30 p.m. ET
Lancaster Municipal Stadium; Lancaster, CA

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19

Columbus Crew 2 (MLSNP) vs. New York Renegades FC (UPSL)
6 p.m. ET
Lower.com Field; Columbus, OH

Chattanooga FC (MLSNP) vs. Corpus Christi FC (USL-2)
6:30 p.m. ET
Finley Stadium; Chattanooga, TN

Appalachian FC (NPSL) vs. One Knoxville SC (USL-1)
7 p.m. ET
Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex; Boone, NC

Richmond Kickers (USL-1) vs. Virginia Dream FC (VSSL)
7 p.m. ET
City Stadium; Richmond, VA

Inter Miami CF II (MLSNP) vs. Miami United FC (UPSL)
7 p.m. ET
Chase Stadium; Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Sporting KC II (MLSNP) vs. Des Moines Menace (USL-2)
7:30 p.m. ET
Swope Soccer Village; Kansas City, MO

Lexington Sporting Club (USL-C) vs. Southern Indiana FC (UPSL)
7:30 p.m. ET
Lexington SC Stadium; Lexington, KY

Little Rock Rangers (USL-2) vs. Birmingham Legion FC (USL-C)
8 p.m. ET
Episcopal Collegiate School Wildcat Stadium; Little Rock, AK

El Paso Locomotive FC (USL-C) vs. Harpos FC (CPL)
9 p.m. ET
Southwest University Park; El Paso, TX

Real Monarchs (MLSNP) vs. El Farolito SC (NPSL)
9:30 p.m. ET
Zions Bank Stadium; Herriman, UT

Monterey Bay FC (USL-C) vs. International San Francisco SC (USASA / SFSFL / Calif.)
10 p.m. ET
Cardinale Stadium; Seaside, CA

Ventura County FC (MLSNP) vs. Laguna United FC (UPSL)
10:30 p.m. ET
William Rolland Stadium; Thousand Oaks, CA

Ballard FC (USL-2) vs. Spokane Velocity FC (USL-1)
10:30 p.m. ET
Interbay Stadium; Seattle, WA

LAFC 2 (MLSNP) vs. FC Arizona (NPSL)
10:30 p.m. ET
Titan Stadium; Fullerton, CA

THURSDAY, MARCH 20

Portland Hearts of Pine (USL-1) vs. CD Faialense (BSSL)
6:30 p.m. ET
Franklin Athletic Complex; Lewiston, ME

Long Island Rough Riders (USL-2) vs. Charlotte Independence (USL-1)
7 p.m. ET
Mitchel Athletic Complex; Uniondale, NY

Forward Madison FC (USL-1) vs. Duluth FC (NPSL)
7 p.m. ET
Breese Stevens Field: Madison, WI

South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1) vs. Harbor City FC (UPSL)
7 p.m. ET
Tormenta Stadium; Statesboro, GA

Carolina Core FC (MLSNP) vs. Soda City FC (UPSL)
7:30 p.m. ET
Truist Point; High Point, NC

FC Cincinnati 2 (MLSNP) vs. New York Pancyprian Freedoms (EPSL)
7:30 p.m. ET
NKU Soccer Stadium; Highland Heights, KY

Flatirons FC (USL-2) vs. Union Omaha (USL-1)
9 p.m. ET
Stermole Soccer Stadium; Golden, CO

Tacoma Defiance (MLSNP) vs. Washington AC (SRATS)
10 p.m. ET
Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, WA

2025 LAMAR HUNT US OPEN CUP SCHEDULE

  • First Round: March 18-20
  • Second Round: April 1-2
  • Third Round: April 15-16
  • Round of 32: May 6-7
  • Round of 16: May 20-21
  • Quarterfinals: July 8-9
  • Semifinal: Sept. 16-17
  • Final: Oct. 1

Filed Under: 2025 US Open Cup, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central Tagged With: 2025 US Open Cup

2025 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Weekend Review: 4 dramatic goalfests, 2 PK shootouts, 1 forfeit completes Open Division Local field

December 9, 2024 by Josh Hakala

Graphic: Frank Lanham
Graphic: Frank Lanham

The final weekend of the Open Division Local Qualifying tournament for the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is complete with seven teams clinching a spot in next spring’s 110th edition of the tournament.

The last seven games had a little of everything with two games finishing scoreless and having to be decided in a penalty kick shootout. Four games were high-scoring barnburners where the lowest-scoring game was five total goals and it was decided in the final seconds of extra time. And finally another spot was decided without a ball being kicked as Washington Athletic Club became the first Open Division Local team from the Evergreen State to qualify for the US Open Cup in the Modern Era (1995-present).

Of the seven teams that advanced to the tournament proper (which is expected to begin in March), three of them were first-time entries. They will join the following teams in the 2025 US Open Cup:

CD Faialense (BSSL/USASA)
Harpos FC (CPL/USSSA)
New Jersey Alliance FC (UPSL) 
New York Renegades FC (UPSL)
Southern Indiana FC (UPSL)
Virginia Dream FC  (VSSL/USASA) 
West Chester United SC (USLPA/USASA)
Soda City FC (2024 UPSL Spring Champions).
NY Pancyprian Freedoms (2024 National Amateur Cup Champions)

Below you will find a brief recap of each game with a link to the full match report and video:

Harbor City FC celebrates after defeating FC America CFL Spurs 5-4 in a PK shootout (after a 0-0 draw) to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Harbor City FC
Harbor City FC celebrates after defeating FC America CFL Spurs 5-4 in a PK shootout (after a 0-0 draw) to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Harbor City FC


SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
ROUND 4 (WIN & YOU’RE IN)

Harbor City FC (UPSL)
0:0
FC America CFL Spurs (USSL/USSSA)
Harbor City FC qualifies, 5-4 on penalty kicks
Melbourne High School; Melbourne, FL
FULL MATCH VIDEO: YOUTUBE

By: Taylor George

In a tense “Win and You’re In” matchup against United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) rivals FC America CFL Spurs, Harbor City FC punched their ticket to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup after an intense battle that ended in penalty kicks. 

After 120 minutes of scoreless soccer, Harbor City would qualify for the 110th edition of the US Open Cup with a 5-4 win in the shootout with goalkeeper Bryce Notardonato making the decisive save.

For HCFC, it was a revenge result as both teams made their Open Cup qualifying debut last year and the Spurs eliminated City 1-0 on a Melvrik Fernandes goal in the 76th minute.

FULL MATCH REPORT


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

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
ROUND 4

FORO SC (UPSL)
4:2
Houston Regals SCA (USSL)
Prince of Peace; Carrollton, TX
FULL MATCH VIDEO: YOUTUBE

By: Jim Coppock

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.

FULL MATCH REPORT


Tulsa Athletic celebrates after defeating Chicago House AC 5-4 in PKs (after a 0-0 draw) to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Tulsa Athletic
Tulsa Athletic celebrates after defeating Chicago House AC 5-4 in PKs (after a 0-0 draw) to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Tulsa Athletic

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
ROUND 4

Chicago House AC (MWPL)
0:0
Tulsa Athletic (UPSL)
Tulsa Athletic qualifies, 5-4 on penalty kicks
Langhorst Field; Elmhurst, IL
FULL MATCH VIDEO: YOUTUBE

By: Joe Chatz

There’s no easy path into the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, particularly throughout Open Division Local qualifying, but Tulsa Athletic managed to weather multiple storms and secured a spot in the 2025 edition of the tournament after defeating Chicago House AC 5-4 in a penalty kick shootout after a scoreless draw at Langhorst Field on the campus of Elmhurst University in Illinois. 

The two sides had multiple chances in open play throughout the 120 minutes but neither side broke the deadlock, sending the match to penalty kicks. Tulsa didn’t miss from the spot and that was enough to secure their spot in the 2025 US Open Cup. With the shootout win, Tulsa Athletic qualified for the third year in a row and the seventh time in club history (all previous entries were as members of the NPSL). Meanwhile, Chicago was denied a third straight trip to the competition.

FULL MATCH REPORT


Miami United FC celebrates after a 3-2 extra time win over Red Force FC to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Miami United FC
Miami United FC celebrates after a 3-2 extra time win over Red Force FC to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Miami United FC

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
ROUND 4

Miami United FC (UPSL)
3:2 
Red Force FC (PFL)
After Extra Time
Ted Hendricks Stadium; Hialeah, FL
FULL MATCH VIDEO: YOUTUBE

By: Daniel Solana

On a beautiful night in Hialeah, Fla., two of South Florida’s most historic clubs faced off in a “Win & You’re In” game to punch their ticket to the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Miami United FC, were victorious over their rival Red Force in a fierce game that went to extra time. Fueled by a goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time of the second extra time period from their Argentine star player, Diego “Cachetes” Morales, “El Equipo del Pueblo” is on its way to the 110th edition of US Soccer’s historic tournament.

With the win, Miami United extends it’s record winning streak in the qualifying tournament to 13 games, and have qualified for the US Open Cup proper for the third year in a row and the seventh time in club history (2015, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2023, 2024, 2025)

FULL MATCH REPORT


Laguna United FC celebrate after defeating San Diego Internacional 6-2 to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Laguna United FC

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
ROUND 4


San Diego Internacional (UPSL)
2:6
Laguna United FC (UPSL)
Mission Bay High School; San Diego, CA
FULL MATCH VIDEO: YOUTUBE

By: Josh Hakala


Laguna United scored four first half goals and didn’t look back as they traveled south and defeated fellow UPSL side San Diego Internacional 6-2. Michael Barrazas got the offense rolling by scoring the first two goals and assisting on the third. For that third goal, Barrazas set up Yousef Farah for the first goal of his hat trick. Farah’s biggest of his three goals came just before halftime when he gathered a loose ball in the penalty area, flipped the ball up to himself and buried a bicycle kick goal past the diving goalkeeper to make it 4-1 at the halftime break. After Farah would complete the hat trick in the 50th minute, Ben Nicholson would add a late penalty kick to send LUFC to the US Open Cup for the first time in club history.

FULL MATCH REPORT


Inter San Francisco celebrates after a 5-4 extra time win over Valley 559 to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Inter San Francisco
Inter San Francisco celebrates after a 5-4 extra time win over Valley 559 to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Inter San Francisco

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
ROUND 4

International San Francisco (SFSFL/USASA)
5:4
Valley 559 FC (UPSL)
After Extra Time
James P. Lang Field; San Francisco, CA
FULL MATCH VIDEO: YOUTUBE

By: Jordan Beech

It was do-or-die in the Bay on Sunday night, and Leo Lazaro’s extra time heroics proved the difference as Inter San Francisco edged past Valley 559 FC, 5-4, at James P. Lang Field.

After missing out on back-to-back tournament appearances last year, Inter SF are headed back to the Open Cup for the 110th edition of the tournament. Inter made their debut in the Open Cup in 2023.

Leo Lazaro led the way with a brace on the night, scoring in the 85th and 99th minutes.Both times Lazaro scored to give the hosts the lead, with the 99th-minute tally standing as the difference in an otherwise even affair.

FULL MATCH REPORT


Washington AC (SRATS)
vs.
Las Vegas Legends FC (NISAN)
Nathan Hale High School; Seattle, WA
Washington AC qualifies for the 2025 US Open Cup via forfeit

By Josh Hakala

Washington AC earned a spot in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time in club history after the Las Vegas Legends informed them that they were forfeiting Saturday’s “Win & You’re In” match in Seattle.

“On our last weekend of the season during NISA Nation championships semi final and Finals we faced disciplinary issues with multiple players. Unfortunately that led us to not have enough players to field a team for the December 7th game,” said Las Vegas Legends owner and founder Meir Cohen. “This is very disappointing to some players and to the club as we were looking forward to make a run at the Open Cup as we did in 2022.”

“The Las Vegas Legends wishes WAC all the best in the First Round in March,” he added.

#USOC2025 Qualifying ("Win & You're In"): Congrats to Washington AC who becomes the first Open Division Local side to qualify from the state of Washington in the Modern Era (1995-pres) after Las Vegas Legends forfeited this weekend's match due to lack of player availability.Graphic: Frank Lanham

— US Open Cup News (@thecup.us) 2024-12-07T02:23:48.473Z

“It’s obviously not the way we wanted to qualify with our last game but there’s not much we can do about it,” said Washington AC head coach Mark Conrad. “We are excited to be in the tournament proper regardless.”

Washington AC comes from the Seattle Recreational Adult Team Soccer, the same league as 2024’s viral sensation Sharktopus FC. The teams have taken turns atop the SRATS, Washington AC winning the Winter and spring regular season and Sharktopus taking the summer section. 

Washington AC opened 2025 qualifying with a 4-3 win over Bellevue Athletic FC (UPSL) with Christian Soto scoring twice. In the Second Round, WAC defeated Holac FC (UPSL) 2-1, with Eric Lagos scoring twice to erase a 1-0 deficit. Finally, Washington returned home to blank the UPSL’s Deportivo Rose City 3-0 with Lagos once again scoring twice and joined on the scoresheet by Christian Soto.

Washington Athletic Club entered the competition with some rich history as they were founded in 1930. With the forfeit win, WAC becomes the first Washington-based club to qualify for the Open Cup in the Modern Era through Open Division Local qualifying. The only amateur clubs to ever qualify for the tournament from Washington were from USL League Two and the NPSL. 

Filed Under: 2025 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, Featured Post - Main, Featured Post - US Open Cup Qualifying, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central, US Open Cup Qualifying Tagged With: 2025 US Open Cup, 2025 US Open Cup Qualifying

2025 US Open Cup Qualifying Third Weekend Review: Seven teams punch ticket, 14 more advance to final round

November 18, 2024 by Josh Hakala

Graphic: Frank Lanham

The third weekend of the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifying tournament brought the number of confirmed qualifiers to nine.

Seven more teams punched their ticket to the 110th edition of the US Open Cup this weekend as they join the USASA Amateur Cup winners (New York Pancyprian Freedoms) and UPSL Spring champions (Soda City FC).

Graphic: Frank Lanham

In addition, 14 other teams advanced to next month’s “Win & You’re In” matches which will ultimately complete the Open Division Local field for next year’s tournament. Those games are scheduled for the weekend of Dec. 7-8.

The teams who won through to a final qualifier range from debuting Harbor City FC to old hands like Miami United and the curious case of Tulsa Athletic, who were the winners of the NPSL but are no longer in the league and are thus seeking to qualify from scratch.

Five first time qualifiers, Southern Indiana FC, FC Faialense, Virginia Dream FC, New York Renegades and New Jersey Alliance FC will be looking to make a debutant flourish. On the other hand, Harpos FC and West Chester United SC are returning to the competition.

On Monday, the draw for the final round was announced (Date/Time/Venue TBA):

Home team listed first

Harbor City FC vs. FC America CFL Spurs
FORO SC vs. Houston Regals SCA
International San Francisco vs. Valley 559 FC
Washington Athletic Club vs. Las Vegas Legends FC
San Diego Internacional vs. Laguna United FC
Miami United FC vs. Red Force
Tulsa Athletic vs. Chicago House AC (host TBD)

Below you will find a brief recap of each game with the “Win & You’re In” matches including a full match report:

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16

ROUND 3

O’Shea’s FC (USSSA/USSL)
0:3
Miami United FC (UPSL)
Gaines Park; West Palm Beach, FL
FULL MATCH VIDEO (YOUTUBE)

By Andrew Torres-Blanco

Miami United FC are one step closer to qualifying for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for a seventh time after defeating O’Shea’s FC late into the second half 3-0. United was led by a brace from playmaker Robertino Insua and the opening goal provided by Alejandro Fernandez which earned the UPSL side a place in next month’s final round of the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2025 US Open Cup. A dominant second half prevented any chance of an O’Shea’s comeback.

While Miami United FC dominated most of the match, the locals showed resilience putting in a solid shift in defense as well as goalkeeper Franco Acerbi having a few heroic saves during various moments in the first half. O’Shea’s FC could have also gone up ahead in the dying minutes of the first half after a counter attack led to Miami’s defender Sebastian D’Angelo clearing the ball off the line, keeping the game scoreless just before halftime.

Despite Miami’s lack of efficiency in the first half, the visitors finally broke the deadlock in the 75th minute with winger Luis Peralta driving in a low cross for Rodriguez to tap in the far right corner. By then the hosts were not able to recover from the setback. Insua, who was dangerous throughout the match earned a foul near the box in the 81st minute scoring a free kick and later a penalty in added time after an impressive solo run that was won by Peralta.


ROUND 3

Harbor City FC (UPSL)
5:1
Palm Beach Flames SC (UPSL)
Melbourne HS; Melbourne, FL
FULL MATCH VIDEO (YOUTUBE)

By Taylor George

Melbourne High School hosted UPSL teams Harbor City FC and Palm Beach Flames SC on Saturday as both teams aimed to earn a spot the first US Open Cup berth in club history. Harbor City dominated most of the game, winning 5-1 to advance to next month’s “Win & You’re In” round  (Dec. 7-8).

Harbor City scored three goals in the first half and one in the first three minutes of the second half to pull away from their UPSL rivals. Harbor City was led by a brace by Derek Nodardonato and goals from Perrie Nascimento, Gabriel Shelton, and Mario Licor.

Palm Beach Flames had chances of their own. In the first half, there was a handball in the Harbor City box, giving the Flames an opportunity to get a point on the board. However, Denari Watson missed just wide of the goal.

In the 71st minute, Nicholas Castellanos scored the Flames’ only goal to make it 4-1.

Tre Collins, Perrie Nascimento, Gabriel Shelton, and Derek Notardonato all had assists for HCFC.


ROUND 3

FC America CFL Spurs (USSSA/USSL)
2:0
Inter Nona SC (USSSA/USSL)
Lake Mary High School; Lake Mary, FL

By Christian Gomez

FC America CFL Spurs moved one step away from a second straight US Open Cup berth with a 2-0 win over Inter Nona SC at Lake Mary High School on Saturday. It was a battle of the two of the top teams from the United States Soccer League.

Victor Blanco of FC America would open the scoring in the 17th minute with a free kick goal. Blanco curled the ball from just under 30 yards out and into the upper 90.

Then, eight minutes later, the Spurs would use the momentum and add a second. Herod Geffrard would track down a ball on the right wing and just before the ball rolled past the end line and fired a low-driven pass to the center of the box where John Perpilus would blast it past the keeper to double the lead.

Inter Nona would fight for an equalizer in the second half but FC America’s defense, led by former University of Charleston goalkeeper Marc Torrado, would hold strong. It was the Spurs’ second shutout in a row and the fourth clean sheet in the club’s five qualifying games dating back to last year.


ROUND 3

Tulsa Athletic (UPSL)
8:0
Woodland Football Club (USCS/TSL)
Athletic Community Stadium; Tulsa, OK
FULL MATCH VIDEO (YOUTUBE)

By Tim Hanson

Tulsa Athletic’s Jacob Zamarron finished with a hat trick, and Tulsa exploded for eight goals in a dominating 8-0 victory over Open Cup newcomer Woodland (Kan.) Football Club on Saturday night at Hicks Park in Tulsa.

Zamarron scored his three goals in a stretch of 21 minutes to take a 1-0 Tulsa Athletic lead and extend it to 4-0 in the 57th minute of the game. Zamarron’s goals came in the 36th, 45th and 57th minutes.

Tulsa went in front early in the 13th minute when Ruben Torres scored the first goal for the green and yellow to give the home side a 1-0 edge before the three-straight goals from Zamarron.

Luis Flores, who helped lead Tulsa Athletic to the 2023 NPSL national championship with eight goals in the postseason, scored in the 63rd minute for a 5-0 margin.

Tulsa totaled three more goals in the final seven minutes of the contest. Joe Ruiz put the home side up 6-0 in the 83rd minute, and Abou Diallo scored in the 90th minute to extend the score to 7-0. Ruben Carrasco tallied the final Tulsa Athletic goal for the 8-0 victory.

Logan Campbell started in goal for Tulsa Athletic and earned the shutout win in his first appearance in US Open Cup qualifying. The shutout was the second consecutive for Tulsa Athletic in US Open Cup qualifying after the green and yellow defeated FC Bartlesville Buffaloes 4-0 in Round 2.

After receiving a double bye, Woodland FC was playing in their first ever qualifying game against the six-time Open Cup qualifiers in Tulsa Athletic. 

Tulsa Athletic will now play Chicago House AC for a spot in the 2025 U.S. Open Cup set for the weekend of Dec. 7-8.


ROUND 3

210 FC (UPSL)
2:3
Houston Regals SCA (USSSA/USSL)
After Extra Time
STAR Soccer Complex; San Antonio, TX

By Jonathan Check

Following a pattern very similar to its win in the previous round, Houston Regals SCA defeated 210 FC 3-2 after extra time Saturday night at STAR Soccer Complex in San Antonio, Texas, to advance to the final round of qualifying for the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Both teams created chances in the first half at different times but neither could break the deadlock. 210 started stronger with the first of its narrow misses coming in just the second minute off a corner, while Houston grew into the match and forced 210 goalkeeper Victor Villareal into multiple saves as the half wore on.

210 started the second half well and finally opened the scoring in the 50th minute from the penalty spot. A foul inside the box two minutes earlier paved the way for Lance Laing, whose professional career included stints with Minnesota United FC and FC Cincinnati in MLS, to slide the ball into the bottom right corner as he sent goalkeeper Jonathan Mauricio the wrong way.

Herbert Garcia tied the match up for Houston in the 65th minute, receiving the ball at the top of the 18-yard box and firing it into the bottom right corner from distance beyond Villareal’s reach.

Houston took its first lead of the night in the 80th minute as Villareal ran forward to snuff out a chance but couldn’t get to the ball before it was squared to Victor Soria, who calmly slotted the ball into the open net to make it 2-1 for the visitors. Soria scored to put his team up 2-1 in the previous round of qualifying as well, against ASC New Stars on Oct. 27.

Houston worked to see out its lead and nearly managed to do so before 210 grabbed an equalizer in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time, nearly the final moment of regulation. Keegan Woolley, who had come on as a substitute in the 90th minute, was able to follow up with a header after Mauricio parried an initial header and tried to tip it over his crossbar but failed to do so, giving 210 a thrilling late equalizer to force extra time.

That equalizer would prove to be in vain though as Houston retook the lead in the 95th minute and didn’t let it slip again. Kevyn Montaño brought down a cross from the left flank just a few yards from goal, taking a touch before firing it into the bottom left corner to round out the scoring in this seesawing match.

The result ended 210’s first foray into the qualifying rounds of the Open Cup, while Houston kept its own maiden voyage alive as it faces just one more hurdle to making the first round of the actual tournament in Spring 2025. 


ROUND 3

Bay Valley Suns Sports Club (UPSL)
0:1
Valley 559 FC (UPSL)
After Extra Time
Las Positas College; Livermore, CA

By Otis Lyons

Valley 559 FC needed extra time, but ultimately advanced past the Bay Valley Suns 1-0 at Las Positas College in Livermore, Calif. Despite missing a penalty kick in regulation, Mason Gonzales was the hero, scoring in the 109th minute to propel Valley 559 FC to the final round of qualification next month (Dec. 7-8).

The first hour of the game was largely a chess match. As time went on, Valley 559 showed their quality, imposing themselves on the match throughout the second half. Following a series of silky team moves, Gonzales won a penalty for the visitors in the 77th minute. However, his attempt was poor, missing the left post by a couple feet, sending the match towards extra time.

Valley 559 continued to pile on pressure in extra time, the breakthrough seemingly inevitable. Victor Falck forced Bay Valley Suns’ goalkeeper Anthony Ayala into the best save of the night just before halftime of extra time; Ayala lunged to his left with one hand, thwarting Falck’s effort that was headed to the upper corner.

Despite Valley 559 combining well, the goal came off of a poor giveaway in the midfield. Gonzales did it all himself, shrugging his way past the final defender and beating Ayala with just 10 minutes to play before penalty kicks.

Just seven minutes later, Ayala became the villain. With the ball comfortably in his hands, the goalkeeper inexplicably shoved a Valley 559 attacker, earning a clear red card, forcing his team to mount the comeback with 10 men. At this point, the writing was on the wall for the Suns, and Valley 559 ran out deserving winners.


ROUND 3

Real Galt FC (UPSL)
1:4
International San Francisco (USASA/SFSFL)
Galt High School; Galt, Calif

By Marcos Lopez

In a Third Round matchup in the 2025 US Open Cup qualifying tournament, International San Francisco came away with a 4-1 victory over Real Galt FC in Galt, Calif. With the win at Galt High School, Inter San Francisco advances to the “Win & You’re In” round next month (Dec. 7-8) with the goal of returning to the competition for the first time since 2023.

The scoring kicked off very early for Inter SF in the 9th minute with a goal by midfielder Javier Rivera Hernandez.

Fellow midfielder Dylan Autran would put the visiting team up by two goals in the 29th minute.

After a foiled penalty taken by Inter SF, forward Lionardo Ruiz connected on a free kick to put Real Galt on the scoreboard.

But Inter SF stormed to a commanding win by the last whistle. Center-back Jack Callan scored in the 79th minute, while midfielder Adrien Argast scored in the 88th minute.

Inter SF will now advance to the 4th round, where they will compete against Valley 559 FC, after their win over Bay Valley Sun Sports Club, for the chance to play in the 2025 US Open Cup.


ROUND 3

Laguna United FC (UPSL)
3:1
Irvine FC (UPSL)
La Paz Sports Park; Laguna Night, CA

By Josh Hakala

In a battle of two SoCal UPSL rivals, Laguna United scored a pair of late goals to beat Irvine FC, 3-1 to advance to next month’s “Win & You’re In” round of the 2025 US Open Cup qualifying tournament.

Laguna United opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a goal from Ryan Hubbard who scored off a corner kick delivered by Andrew Bowles. Irvine would answer back in the 38th minute with an equalizer from Nelson Tabarez.

The match would remain tied at 1-1 until late in the second half when Bowles would create the go-ahead goal. Bowles sent in a cross which found Sungho Yun who scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal in the 77th minute.

Bowles would help put the game away in the 87th minute when he delivered a pass to Uriel Morales who went in on a breakaway and beat the keeper to seal the game. With the win, Laguna United is one win away from the club’s first-ever US Open Cup berth.


ROUND 3

Las Vegas Legends FC (USASA/NISA Nation)
2:1
Next Level Soccer (UPSL)
Faith Lutheran High School; Las Vegas, NV
FULL MATCH VIDEO (YOUTUBE)

By Dominick Delpech

The Las Vegas Legends defeated Next Level 2-1 in a hardfought match at Faith Lutheran High School. With the win, the Legends advance to next month’s “Win & You’re In” round as they attempt to qualify for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time in team history.

Both teams had great scoring opportunities however the Legends had an overall dominance of the game in the first half.

In the 9th minute, Ethan Kovach played a through ball to Esequel Coronel who took the ball past the goalkeeper Alejandro Chavez and chipped it into the back of the net giving the Legends a 1-0 lead.

After the opening goal, the Legends kept the pressure on over the next 10 minutes. Ricardo Oliveira rattled the right post and moments later, Kovach went through on goal, but was denied twice by the Next Level defense.

In the 17th minute, Roberto Soto struck a rocket from outside the box and slotted it into the top corner giving the Legends a 2-0 lead.

Las Vegas continued to dominate, forcing Chavez to make multiple saves, but Next Level managed to pull one back against the run of play. Just before halftime, Joao Victor Alvarez Rocha tapped a loose ball into an open net to reduce the deficit to 2-1.

Chavez continued to keep Next Level in the game as Las Vegas kept the pressure on in the second half. But despite the offensive advantage, Las Vegas was unable to add to their lead. 


ROUND 4 (“WIN & YOU’RE IN”)

Southern Indiana FC (UPSL)
3:0
Dalton United (UPSL)
Green Valley Soccer Complex; New Albany, Ind.
FULL MATCH VIDEO (YOUTUBE)

By Hamish Munro

Southern Indiana FC cruised to a 3-0 victory over Dalton United FC on Saturday night in a “Win & You’re In” match in the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

All three goals came in the final 15 minutes of the match. Former pro Dylan Mares netted a brace, scoring in the 77th and 81st minutes, while Allain Bizozoa sealed the win with a stoppage time goal (91′).

With the win, SIFC became the first Open Division Local team from the Hoosier State to qualify for the US Open Cup since the Indianapolis-based Reggae Boyz did it back in 2005. It’s a milestone for a club from the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) that has only been around for 10 months.

FULL MATCH REPORT


ROUND 4 (“WIN & YOU’RE IN”)

CD Faialense (BSSL/USASA)
3:1
FCY New York (UPSL)
Miller Field; Winthrop, Mass.

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

CD Faialanese secured a berth in the 2025 US Open Cup with a 3-1 victory over the UPSL’s FCY New York on a clear but cool night in Withrop, Mass. Faialanese qualifies for the US Open Cup for the first time in team history and becomes the first team from the Bay State Soccer League to qualify since Brockton FC United in 2022. Former UMass Lowell player Yanis Lakhlifi accounted for all three goals on the night for the home team.

Faialanese opened the scoring in the 26th minute after a long pass from midfield into the penalty area was lobbed to Lakhlifi who headed it past the FCY goalkeeper.

FCY equalized in the 36th minute after a long pass down the sideline was taken to the touchline, then across towards the goal where Witman Hernandez beat the Faialense goalkeeper.

Ten minutes into the second half Faialense regained the lead when Lakhlifi headed home a pass from the touch line at close range. Off the restart Faialense took advantage of a defensive lapse from FCY, as Lakhlifi stole the ball from a FCY defender and took it straight into the penalty area to easily beat the goalkeeper for a 3-1 lead.

Jacob Maddox and Gianluca Arlotti provided assists on Lakhlifi s first two goals. 

FULL MATCH REPORT


ROUND 4 (“WIN & YOU’RE IN”)

New Jersey Alliance FC (UPSL)
2:2
Steel Pulse FC (MSSL/USASA)
New Jersey qualifies, 4-2 on penalty kicks
Athenia Steel Park; Clifton, N.J.
FULL MATCH VIDEO (YOUTUBE)

By Michael Battista

New Jersey Alliance FC lost a lead in stoppage time, tied the game in extra time stoppage time, and won their “Win & You’re In” match against Steel Pulse FC, 2-2 (4:2 on PKs) to qualify for their first US Open Cup. Pulse, which traveled nearly 200 miles up I-95 for the match, fall short after book-ending their PK shootout with saved attempts.

The first 81 minutes showed two quality teams testing one another looking for an opening. That came when Emiland Elezaj scored NJ’s opening goal late in the second half from the ground. The Pulse responded in the 90+1’ when Stephen Jude’s shot was re-directed in net by a NJAFC player to force extra time in an already chaotic game.

The visitors, also seeking their first ever USOC appearance, took the lead just under 30 seconds into the second extra time half off an Emmanuel Olusesi banger from 30 yards out. Unfortunately for them, turnabout’s fair play as the hosts crashed the net once again in 120+1’ and Dorgeles Coulibably snuck a ball between the goalkeeper and post to equalize. The game, and the 60 fans watching from the cold Clifton, NJ bleachers, was heading to a penalty kick shootout.

Alliance keeper Yamil Macias made two huge saves in Rounds 1 & 4 while his team’s shooters were perfect. The UPSL side qualified for their first ever USOC and became the first local qualifiers to do so from the Garden State since 2017.

FULL MATCH REPORT


ROUND 4 (“WIN & YOU’RE IN”)

West Chester United SC (USASA/USLPA)
2:1
Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USASA/USLPA)
Kildare’s Turf Field; West Chester, Pa.
FULL MATCH VIDEO (YOUTUBE) 

By Dave Einhorn

West Chester United SC qualified for the US Open Cup for the third year in a row with a 2-1 win over league rival Vereinigung Erzgebirge (VE).

The two teams face off in competitions yearly, and the matches always promise passion, drama, and showmanship. The “Win and You’re In” round of the 2025 US Open Cup qualifying tournament proved to be precisely that, as both teams left everything on the field. The first half of play was dominated by West Chester, with a penalty goal by Ken Roby and a break away goal from Joshua Luchini.

The second half added more spice and sizzle as VE bundled the ball in through Derek Antonini for their only goal of the game. Later on, however, their momentum was taken out of their sails, as Kevin Smolyn saw red on a second yellow for dissent against the referee. VE did their best not only to create chances but also to keep the scoreline close. VE goalkeeper Steven Paul had an outstanding night, and the VE defense held on tight, including three goalline saves by defenders. It wouldn’t be enough, as West Chester United SC hung on for the win.

FULL MATCH REPORT


ROUND 4 (“WIN & YOU’RE IN”)

Virginia Dream FC  (VSSL/USASA)
2:1
Aegean Hawks FC (APL/USASA)
Meridian High School; Falls Church, Va.
FULL MATCH VIDEO (YOUTUBE) 

By George Diamond

Virginia Dream FC have qualified for their first ever US Open Cup following a tightly contested, physical match with Aegean Hawks FC. The Dream took the lead through a penalty kick in the 17th minute. Nicholas Likulia earned the foul and converted the kick. Despite an Aegean Hawks equalizer casting the issue into doubt, Mike Akinyoke found a go-ahead goal in the 89th minute which proved to be a winner.

The first half saw a majority of chances go Virginia Dream’s way but the Hawks showed dangerous flashes of possession that forced Dream defenders and goalkeeper Bill Hamid into action. Hamid, a former U.S. international and 2013 US Open Cup champion with D.C. United, made X saves to lead the defense.

The Dream was able to take the lead in the 17th minute through a penalty kick. Nicholas Likulia was fouled by Hawks defender Teshawn Johnson. The former UNLV forward stepped up to take it and converted, hitting the side netting of Franco Savastana’s net.

After a quickly taken set piece caught the Dream defense napping, Peter Omunyidde snuck a tap in past Bill Hamid to tie the game up in the 53rd minute.

After a period where the Dream began to dominate, they finally found a winner in the 89th minute. Mike Akinyoke volleyed home a half-cleared cross to score the goal that qualified Virginia Dream for their first ever US Open Cup.

FULL MATCH REPORT


SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17

ROUND 3

Chicago House AC (MWPL/USSSA)
2:1
KS Wisloka Chicago (UPSL)
Redmond Park; Bensenville, IL

By Brendan Ploen

Chalk it up as another U.S. Open Cup classic. Chicago House AC 2, KS Wisloka Chicago 1.

Ricardo “Kikis” Avalos scored in the fourth minute of second half stoppage time Sunday night at Redmond Park as House fended off an electric atmosphere and a one-goal halftime deficit, as the visitors stormed back in the second half with two goals to advance in front of a raucous crowd of well over 200-plus fans.

The hosts, Wisloka, took the lead in the first half as former House forward-turned Wisloka star Wojciech Wojcik received a cross into the box and he struck a brilliant half-volley which found the upper net to make it 1-0. House tried to find an answer but the sides went into halftime with the hosts leading.

In the second half, House leveled the score in the 51st minute as they found success down the left-hand flank. AR Smith received a low-driven cross and kept his shot low to tie it at 1-1.

90 + 4’ GOAL, Chicago House AC! Oh the drama! 2-1, House. With under 30 seconds left, House wins it. Brilliant through ball. Calm finish. #USOC2025 pic.twitter.com/XhGdmld5I9

— Brendan Ploen (@BrendanPloen) November 17, 2024

After head coach Shannon Seymour made late substitutes, House found the latest of winners with less than 30 seconds remaining in normal time. Substitute Nico Williams found a cutting Avalos, who made no mistake and calmly finished, sending House fans into euphoria. The full-time whistle sounded moments later, and the celebrations continued.

“We always play (for) the badge,” Williams said. “The badge holds a lot of weight. We like to come out here and show ourselves every time we step onto the field. Shoutout to Wisloka, their fans are amazing. They make it very tough to play here. We (stuck) to what we know and the basics get us through.”

Seymour would’ve loved to see House win it earlier, but he knows advancing in the Open Cup no matter the cost, is all that counts.

“A stoppage-time winner? It never gets old for the club. Maybe from a coach and players’ perspective, we’d like to do it a little bit earlier, but that’s the House way,” Seymour said. “Grind it out with heart, see it out ’til the end and expect positive things.”

Third round qualifying round of the U.S. Open Cup between @ChicagoHouse_AC and Wisloka Chicago. 20 minutes in and no score so far. Story coming later for @usopencup. #USOC2025 pic.twitter.com/KmjSIwWohz

— Brendan Ploen (@BrendanPloen) November 17, 2024

While it wasn’t their day, Wisloka head coach Wojciech Piotrowski knows it’s an opportunity his club can further build upon.

“Two years ago, we could only dream of playing games like that as a club because we were around, but we were playing local leagues. Two years ago when we watched those games on YouTube, I wanted to be part of those games. Two years later with hard work, we have this atmosphere and it just shows that whatever we’re doing, we’re on the right track. Sooner or later, the hard work will defend itself.


ROUND 3

StrikerZ DFW Soccer Club (USASA/DSA)
1:4
FORO SC (UPSL)
Willow Springs Stadium; Lucas, TX
FULL MATCH VIDEO (YOUTUBE)

By Adam Uthe

FORO SC moved one step closer to their second US Open Cup appearance in as many tries after a comfortable 4-1 win over StrikerZ DFW. Manuel Lopez, Eric Gomez Silva, and Antonio Perez  each provided a goal and an assist while the lone goal for StrikerZ came from second half substitute Oliver Hamby.

The game was fairly one sided from the start, with FORO dominating possession early and grabbing their first goal just seven minutes in. Eric Gomez Silva produced a lethal cut back pass from the goal line and Manuel Lopez did well to bury the shot. The 2024 US Open Cup entrants were in no hurry and StrikerZ offered little resistance until the 25th minute when a dangerous cross found its mark but failed to result in a shot on goal. Antonio Perez got his goal in the 40th minute and responded with an assist to Gomez Silva just two minutes later to give FORO a commanding 3-0 lead going into the break.

StrikerZ came flying out of the break in response and put FORO’s defense under pressure with a shot from the edge of the box that skimmed the crossed bar on its way over. They emptied their bench with substitutions in the 60th and 63rd minutes but failed to capitalize on their momentum. Oliver Hamby did manage to pull one back for StrikerZ when he pounced on an error in possession from FORO’s keeper, but Hector Romero made it 4 for FORO just three minutes later.

In the end, it was a thoroughly deserved result for FORO and head coach Michel Garbini was subsequently pleased with his team’s performance.

“We dominated the actions. Second half, I think we got a little bit tired … .but at the end of the day it was about the result. We got it.”

FORO SC advances to the final round of qualifying, where they will meet Houston Regals SCA to determine who qualifies for the 2025 US Open Cup in the spring.


ROUND 3

Washington AC (USASA/SRATS)
5:0
Deportivo Rose City (UPSL)
Shoreline Soccer Field; Shorline, WA
FULL MATCH VIDEO (YOUTUBE)

By Bruce Corrie

It wouldn’t be competitive soccer in Seattle without rain, fog and flaring tempers. Deportivo Rose City took the train up the I-5 corridor Sunday ahead of their match with dozens of fans making the journey with them. Rose City had just taken down Sharktopus FC in the previous round and much of the same energy was in the air. Players were warming up gleefully, young fans had their noisemakers as loud as they could get them, but unfortunately for the Portland side, WAC was ready to spoil the party.

Washington AC shut out the Rose City visitors 5-0 to advance to next month’s “Win & You’re In” round (Dec. 7-8). WAC are now one win away from qualifying for the tournament for the first time in club history.

Within the first five minutes, Washington Athletic Club gathered the ball down the left side of the pitch, worked around the Rose City right back and played the ball to the top of the D. The ball was quickly shifted out to the right inside of the box for Eric Lagos to put away handily making it 1-0. Lagos found another in the 12th minute in a similar fashion.

There were warning signs that this game would become physical and get out of hand. Over the first 20 minutes, tit-for-tat fouls were given on each side of the pitch for both teams; a few firm challenges, but nothing that warranted too much further thought. That was until the assistant referee caught Deportivo Rose City’s David Silva de Leon throwing a punch and the eventual spiral of his Portland side.

David was only shown a yellow as the head referee did not see the action. In the 23rd minute, Emanuel Grespan was put into the book for a horribly inconsiderate, crunching, challenge near the benches. Not three minutes later (26’), a free kick was called against Rose City just outside of their box to the right for WAC. Emanuel Grespan decided, while on a yellow, to boot the ball off into the accompanying field after the official began setting up the free kick process. It is simply perplexing behavior knowing you’re already on the edge in such an important match. By letter of the law he was booked again and sent off. They would never find their feet after this.

Washington Athletic Club didn’t ever really look phased by the gamesmanship or antics from Rose City. They “just want to play bro”, Goncalo Mendes was overheard saying as he chased a loose ball into the parking lot. A third goal came by WAC’s Christian Soto on a penalty kick, which gave them the 3-0 lead heading into halftime.

WAC started the second half up a man, clearly wanting to keep the ball for the rest of the game. It was ever so frustrating for Rose City. Forcing them to dive into tackles, forcing them to create issues of time delays and to pick apart the officials handling of the game when in reality most of the damage was self-inflicted.

Two more goals went in for Washington Athletic Club both scored by Adeseyi Adekoya, in the 75th and 88th minutes. Only for the game to conclude on a straight red card for the Rose City captain putting the visitors down to nine men and the official to call the game at that point.


ROUND 3

Red Force FC (USASA/PFL)
4:0
Pinecrest Premier SC (UPSL)
Kendall Soccer Park; Miami, FL

By Matthew Bunch

Red Force FC started early and finished strong at Kendall Soccer Park on Sunday night, besting Pinecrest Premier SC 4-0 to advance to the final round of qualifying for the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The key moment of the match was the hard foul in the 33rd minute by Pinecrest Premier’s Sebastian Ayllon in front of his team’s bench. After a lengthy discussion between the head referee and assistant referee, Ayllon was shown red.

Red Force built a solid lead before the red card, thanks to a curling shot from Steven Saballos in the 12th minute – an effort from the right corner of the 18-yard box into the upper-left corner of the goal – and a goal from Danny Tenorio ten minutes later.

Tenorio made it a brace in the second half, and Santiago Fajardo received a loud cheer when he provided Red Force its final goal of the night.

Pinecrest Premier’s best chance at a consolation goal came in the 88th minute, but the shot from Manuel Calvo hit the near post, and Christian Carranza skied an opportunity with Red Force keeper Fabio Orjuela on the ground.

Red Force now awaits its opponent in next month’s “Win & You’re In” match (Dec. 7-8) with an opportunity to qualify for the US Open Cup for the fifth time.


ROUND 3

San Diego Internacional (UPSL)
3:2
Chula Vista FC (SWPL/USSSA)
Mission Bay HS; San Diego, CA
FULL MATCH VIDEO (YOUTUBE)

By Marybeth Zmuda

San Diego International FC’s 3-2 victory brought Chula Vista FC’s road to the US Open Cup tournament to a close on Sunday. CVFC has qualified for the esteemed tournament three times previously and were hoping for a win in order to propel the team closer to a fourth time. Now, San Diego will look to begin an Open Cup legacy of their own as the Open Cup qualifying debutants advance to next month’s “Win & You’re In” round (Dec. 7-8).

The match was intense and exciting for the full 90 minutes and San Diego Inter got the scoring started with a bang in the 7th minute. Inter’s Marck Cruz Benito blasted a rocket through a mob of Chula Vista defenders and past keeper Ricardo Vilalva to light up the scoreboard early.

Not to be outdone, CVFC followed up with one of their own a mere four minutes later. SDIFC’s keeper Evan Stoll was a good distance off his mark allowing Chula Vista FC’s resident scoring machine, Jordan Rojas, to pop one over the line as well to put a matching 1 on the scoreboard.

This high intensity remained evenly distributed through the first half. Both sides created many scoring opportunities but both keepers were equally as intense and kept things even until the 44th minute. Just before halftime, San Diego Inter’s Garrett Heine maneuvered past Chula Vista’s captain Abraham Rodriguez and slotted the ball into the net to give his side a short-lived one goal advantage.

But Chula Vista would respond again swiftly just two minutes into first half stoppage time. Rojas grabbed a brace and the teams headed off for the halftime break.

The second half was equally as action packed but with different momentum as Inter turned up the heat and showed the nearly capacity crowd that winning was what they came to do.

Due to a technicality, Chula Vista’s usual starting keeper, Oliver Holt didn’t come on until the second half started. This personnel change would prove to be pivotal as SD Inter showed no mercy showering Holt with a barrage of shots. Howevere, Holt was up to the task with some masterful saves keeping the match knotted until the last minute of play.

Cruz Benito, who had just re-entered the pitch after experiencing some cramping, took the ball down the left side looking for someone in the middle. Benito spotted teammate Luke Raley and beautifully centered the ball. Raley was able to get the ball past CVFC’s Holt and give them the lead one final time. Chula Vista was unable to respond before the official blew the final whistle and their 2025 Cup hopes were dashed with a final score of 3-2.


ROUND 4 (“WIN & YOU’RE IN”)

Harpos FC (USSSA/CPL)
2:0
Azteca FC (USSSA/CPL)
Broomfield County Commons Park; Broomfield, CO

By Andrew Mosier

Harpos FC exorcized its U.S. Open Cup qualifying demons Sunday, topping bitter league rivals Azteca FC 2-0 at Broomfield Commons.

Halftime substitutes Jack O’Brian and Adam Mickleson scored to put Harpos back into its fourth tournament proper after a four-year hiatus. Harpos last qualified for the 2020 tournament, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The win was Harpos’ first over Azteca in Open Cup qualifying in its fifth attempt with all four previous meetings decided by a single goal. Azteca, who has qualified for the Open Cup four times, entered Sunday’s match 18-0-0 against teams from Colorado in Open Cup qualifying.

With the win, Harpos return to the tournament proper for a fourth time, equaling Azteca’s Open Cup appearances.

FULL MATCH REPORT


ROUND 4 (“WIN & YOU’RE IN”)

New York Renegades FC (UPSL)
1:1
Lansdowne Yonkers FC (EPSL/USASA)
New York qualifies 4-1 in PK shootout
SUSA Orlin & Cohen Sports Complex; Central Islip, N.Y.
FULL MATCH VIDEO (YOUTUBE)

By Michael Anderer

With a qualifying spot in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on the line, both the visiting team, Lansdowne Yonkers FC and hosts, New York Renegades were ready to play a physical game with elevated intensity. The game would end in a penalty kick shootout but that scoreline does not tell the full story.

In the end, the Renegades qualified for the US Open Cup for the first time in club history with a 4-1 win in the shootout after a 1-1 draw.

It would be former pro Daryl Kavanagh that would break the deadlock between the two sides in the 78th minute. A Lansdowne corner kick would find the head of its target Danso. Danso nodded the ball back across the goal area where Kavanagh was standing unmarked allowing him to beat goalkeeper Eric Edwards with a strong right-footed shot from close range.

Less than 15 minutes to play and it would seem like the visitors from Yonkers might add another Open Cup appearance. The Renegades would again use their bench and bring on Alex Palais in the 80th minute and he would have an immediate impact. A poor turnover by Lansdowne in the middle third of the field would allow New York to connect two passes to Palais wide on the right side with time and space. Palais found the head of attacker Jeison Solano for the equalizer in the 82nd minute.

Tempers would flare in the 113th minute after Renegades goalscorer, Solano, was issued a violent conduct red card. The glory of his earlier shining moment was dulled by his lack of discipline late in the affair forcing his team to play a man down for the last seven minutes plus injury time in an attempt to get the game into penalty kicks. The strength and depth of the Renegades would prove to be enough to carry the game to the end of the extra time periods and the winner would come from the PK spot.

Just as the home side showed their advantage in the regulation play they would also show it in the shootout. Each Renegades shooter calmly approached the area and scored their chances beating DiMarco despite the keeper diving the correct way in two of the four attempts. Lansdowne’s Kyle Galloway put his attempt over the bar and after Patrick Burns scored to quiet the enthusiastic home crowd, early hero, Daryl Kavanaugh, would have his shot saved by Eric Edwards giving the Renegades a chance to win on their next attempt.

The pressure would once again be on Oscar Rivas Romero, the player who had his earlier PK attempt saved by DiMarco, but when the game was on the line Rivas Romero delivered and the Renegades carried the day 4-1.

FULL MATCH REPORT

Filed Under: 2025 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, Feature - Qualifying, Featured Post - Main, Featured Post - US Open Cup Qualifying, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central, US Open Cup Qualifying Tagged With: 2025 US Open Cup, 2025 US Open Cup Qualifying

2025 US Open Cup Qualifying Second Weekend Report: 40 amateur teams take step toward 110th USOC

October 30, 2024 by Josh Hakala

2025 us open cup qualifying match weekend 2 report

2025 us open cup qualifying match weekend 2 report
Graphic by Phil Naegely

The second weekend of the Open Division Local Qualifying tournament for the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Qualifying featured 40 matches across 17 states. The 80 competing teams, including six playing in their first game for a spot in the 110th edition of America’s national championship, played in both the second and third qualifying rounds depending on where they were in the country. For 14 teams, that meant a win last weekend puts them on the cusp of a place in the US Open Cup.

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Last weekend featured a record breaking blowout, two shootouts, a broken goal, and more!

Due to geographical draws and the number of teams competing in qualifying, a majority of matches last weekend (26) were part of the Second Qualifying Round. Teams from this group will compete in their “Win & You’re In” match in December.

Below you will find a brief recap of all 40 matches from this past weekend:

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26

SECOND ROUND

O’Shea’s FC (USSL)
6:2
Atletico Miami Internacional FC (USSL)
Gaines Park; West Palm Beach, FL

By Andrew Torres-Blanco

2024 USSL champions O’Shea’s FC continued their hot form, defeating fellow USSL debutant rivals Atletico Miami Internacional FC 6-2. A dominant second half prevented any chance of an Atletico Miami comeback.

Hat trick hero Giancarlo Triulzi shone for the locals, becoming a constant threat on the left flank and providing two assists as well. Trinidad and Tobago international Bradley Welch opened the scoring early in the 12th minute after a low cross from Giancarlo left the midfielder unmarked to send the hosts into an early lead.

Winger Nael Elysee scored Miami’s first goal and assisted their second goal after confusion at O’Shea’s backline for a brief stint. Still, the hosts recovered before finding separation on the scoreboard later in the match.


United SC (GCSL/USASA)
2:2
Wisloka Chicago (UPSL)
Wisloka Chicago advances, 5-4 on penalty kicks
Lions for Hope Sports Complex; Chicago, IL

By Joshua Taylor

UPSL side Wisloka Chicago defeated United SC 5-4 on penalties after battling out to a thrilling 2-2 draw after extra time at Lions for Hope Sports Complex. United SC got off to a great start early in the match, and two quick goals from Ian Murray and Gavin Johnson put them in front 2-0.

United SC frustrated Wisloka Chicago throughout the first half but couldn’t add to their lead. Wisloka Chicago kept pushing to get themselves back in the match in the second half. Isaac Perez came off the bench and made an immediate impact by helping his team create scoring chances. In the 82nd minute, Perez pulled one back for Wisloka to trail 2-1 in the second half. In stoppage time, Giovannie Ortiz would get the equalizer right at the death for Wisloka Chicago to tie the match at two. After 90 minutes of play, we go to extra time.

Neither side could get a goal in extra time, so we went to penalty kicks. Both teams made their kicks through the first three rounds. In Round 4, United SC’s Landon Johnson’s shot was saved by Dominik Pietuch of Wisloka Chicago. Michal Szaflarski buries his shot to give Wisloka a 4-3 lead after four rounds. In the final round, Gavin Johnson scored to keep United SC in it, but Grzegorz Czarniecki converted the final kick from the spot to seal the victory for Wisloka Chicago and advance to the third round qualifying for the 2025 U.S. Open Cup.


Naples United U-23s (SCSL/USSSA)
2:3
Red Force FC (PFL/USASA)
Paradise Coast Sports Complex; Naples, FL

By Josh Hakala

After a two-year hiatus from the competition, Red Force FC returned to their winning ways, defeating Naples United U-23s, 3-2. It was Red Force’s opening game of the Open Division Local Qualifying tournament for the 2025 US Open Cup.

The four-time Open Cup qualifier appeared to be heading into the halftime break with a scoreless game, but both teams went into the locker room with a flurry of goals. With about 3 minutes remaining, Pablo Marisi of Naples United broke the deadlock. However, over the next two minutes, Red Force regained the lead with goals from John Diaz and Santiago Fajardo.

Red Force extended the lead with a penalty kick by David Holguin midway through the second half. Naples pulled within one with a penalty kick of their own in the final minutes, but Red Force would hold on for the win.


Kissimmee SC (UPSL)
0:6
FC America CFL Spurs (USSL/USSSA)
St. Cloud High School; St. Cloud, FL

By Topher Adams

FC America CFL Spurs dominated in their return to US Open Cup Qualifying. Against Open Cup debutants Kissimmee Soccer Club, Spurs cruised to a 6-0 victory. FC America roared down the left flank early and often in the first half and found the opener in the 33rd minute when midfielder Shandel Senior buried a cutback from the left side. 

Winger Angel Moulton doubled the lead before halftime when he slotted home the ball after a long switch from the left side. After the break, Moulton continued Spurs’ offensive onslaught. He finished off a cross from fullback Dilan Christopher to give the visitors a 3-0 lead. Winger John Perpilus, who terrorized Kissimme’s right flank all night, beat the goalkeeper and passed it to midfielder Micheil Russell Smith, who scored on the wide-open net.

Center-back Kwesi Caesar added another from the penalty spot in the 79th minute, and Russell Smith capped off a perfect performance with a second goal in the 86th minute. 

The match nearly devolved into a brawl after a confrontation between Senior and Kissimmee’s Emanuel Valderrama. Valderrama stormed off the pitch and continued shouting at the players on the field. The fighting nearly continued post-match, but players and spectators were separated behind the Kissimmee bench.

FC America CFL Spurs hopes Saturday’s victory will encourage another successful run to the Open Cup first round, where Spurs fell to USL League One side South Georgia Tormenta FC in a competitive 1-0 match last campaign.


Harbor City FC (UPSL)
4:0
Deportivo Lake Mary FC (UPSL)
Melbourne HS; Melbourne, FL

By Grace Ott

In a rematch of a 3-0 Harbor City FC win over Deportivo Lake Mary FC in the UPSL Florida Central spring season back in April, Harbor City was once again victorious. Though there were some stellar saves from the Deportivo keeper Robin Ramirez, Harbor City took the lead in the 25th minute with a Derek Notardonato goal from a corner kick by Trey Collins. They scored again in the 44th minute with Perrie Nascimento getting into space from a chipped pass in the box and sending the ball just inside the far post to extend their lead just before halftime, though the Deportivo keeper was able to make a 1v1 save just a minute later to keep them in the game.

However, their hope was short-lived, as Harbor City scored in the 49th minute with a second goal from Derek Notardonato right in front of the box from a cross from the wing. They would add another in the 82nd minute as Gabe Shelton controlled a long ball and got past the Deportivo keeper to score on the open goal, sealing the deal for Harbor City. Their win sends them to the next round of their second run at Open Cup qualifying, losing to 2024 qualifier FC America CFL Spurs in the second round last year. Deportivo Lake Mary makes this their sixth loss in the opening round of Open Cup qualifying out of six attempts.


Palm Beach Flames SC (UPSL)
2:1
Miami Soccer Academy (USSL/USSSA)
Gaines Park; West Palm Beach, FL

By Josh Hakala

The Palm Beach Flames won their US Open Cup qualifying debut, 2-1 over Miami Soccer Academy on Saturday night in West Palm Beach.

All of the scoring came in the second half when Nicholas Castellanos scored in the 60th minute. The Flames’ goalkeeper Sebastian Turbyfield punted the ball to Deravil Shirley on the right wing. Shirley, beat a couple defenders and played a through ball to Castellanos who beat the keeper to take a 1-0 lead.

In the 88th minute, Castellanos was fouled, which led to a free kick. Flames defender Blaine Byam took the kick and when he delivered it, the MSA goalkeeper was unable to control the ball and it fell to Shirley, who avoided some defenders to free himself up for a cross. Shirley played a low cross and a MSA defender attempted to clear it, but he misplayed it and the ball ended up in the back of the net for an own goal.

Despite the late goal, MSA did not give up with Daniel Martinez scoring a goal in stoppage time, but they were unable to find an equalizer.


Tulsa Athletic (UPSL)
4:0
FC Bartlesville Buffaloes (UPSL)
Athletic Community Stadium; Tulsa, OK

By Tim Hanson

Tulsa Athletic pulled away with three second-half goals for a 4-0 win over FC Bartlesville Buffaloes on Saturday night at Athletic Community Field at Hicks Park in Tulsa in the first appearance in Open Cup Qualifying for both clubs.

Tulsa’s Mitchell Cashion finished with two goals, the first and last goals of the contest, for the brace. KB Harris scored a second-half goal in the 54th minute, and the third tally came only two minutes later on an own goal after a cross into the box was redirected into the goal by a Buffalo defender.

Cashion opened the scoring in the 27th minute when his left-footed shot to the near post found the back of the net. Cashion added his second goal in the 80th minute on a penalty after he was taken down in the box.

The Buffaloes Muhamed Jammeh received a red card in the 40th minute, and the visitors played the final 50 minutes with only 10.

Tulsa’s captain Bryson Reed finished with the shutout in goal, going the full 90 minutes. 


Hurricane FC (FGCL/USASA)
0:4
Pinecrest Premier SC (UPSL)
Hilltopper Stadium; Delray Beach, FL

By Josh Hakala

A hat trick from Daniel Lazardi led Pinecrest Premier SC to a 4-0 win over Hurricane FC on Saturday night in their opening round win in the qualifying tournament. The Open Cup qualifying debutants saw all four goals come in the second half.

In the 49th minute, Lazardi dribbled through the Hurricane backline, stopped at the top of the box, spun around and found enough space to fire a right-footed shot into the upper 90.

Ten minutes later, Pinecrest sent a long through ball up the left wing, but once the player reached the box, it was tackled away by a Hurricane defender. However, the ball fell to Lazardi at the top of the box and he beat the keeper for the second goal.

In the 85th minute, after a restart following an offside call, Pinecrest moved quickly up the field and chipped a ball forward to Manuel Calvo who was one-on-one with the goalkeeper and put the ball into the back of the net.

Lazardi would complete his hat trick from the penalty spot in stoppage time and the game would finish 4-0. Alex Bertrand earned the clean sheet for Pinecrest in the club’s Open Cup qualifying debut. For Hurricane, it was the fourth year in a row that they fell in their opening game of the tournament.


Chicago Strikers (UPSL)
0:2
Chicago House (MWPL/USSSA)
Bjarne Ullsvik Stadium (College of DuPage); Glen Ellyn, IL

By Tom Arnison

Chicago House AC (MWPL) defeated Chicago Strikers (UPSL) 2-0 at the College of DuPage to advance to the Third Qualifying Round for the 2025 US Open Cup. The shutout marks their first ever in the qualifying rounds.

The House established their lead early, scoring their first goal in the 11th minute off a left-footed side volley from Pau Mateo Chacon, assisted by Gilberto Angeles.

Two minutes later, Gilberto Angeles would split all three lines of the Strikers defense with a low through ball to winger Nico Williams down the left side. Williams, with his first touch, would deliver a low cross from the corner that would find Alejandro Mentasti unmarked in front of the keeper’s box. Mentasti would slide in to roof the ball into the net, giving Chicago House the two-goal lead that they would carry throughout the match.

Strikers’ keeper Anton Omarov would keep his side in the match with 4 saves on the night, coupled with several parries and interceptions of House’s crossing attack.

House keeper Ryan Grady, making his first Qualifying appearance, would not see much action in the match, with Chicago Strikers tallying just one shot that ultimately was left off target.

Chicago House AC will face Wisloka Chicago in the 3rd round of qualifying at a time and place TBD.

In preparation for his team’s next match, Chicago House AC head coach Shannon Seymour shared a few words after his team’s victory: “We know Wisloka, they are a physical team, they have a great fan base… they play with a lot of passion. They won’t be a team to take likely… we know there is a target on our back, we just need to be prepared to play Chicago House style soccer.”

FULL MATCH VIDEO:


San Diego Internacional (UPSL)
2:1
City SC San Diego (UPSL)

Mission Bay High School; San Diego, CA

By Cameron Milledge

In the second round of the US Open Cup qualifying tournament, San Diego Internacional held on to defeat City SC San Diego in a 2-1 win at Mission Bay High School.

The first half saw Internacional take the lead early on, with winger Luke Riley opening the scoring from a nice cutback cross in the 12th minute. The goal gave Inter momentum as they snuffed out the attacking opportunities that City SC had created. Inter had the lion’s share of the possession while they were threatening in the process. City SC began to create chances as the first half went on, none of which threatened Inter’s goalkeeper. SD Inter whipped in inviting crosses that just missed their targets.

Inter made it 2-0 in the 45th minute as Garrett Heine found himself in the right place at the right time and smashed the ball inside the six-yard box.

The second half started with urgency as both teams had shots that were denied by the post in the 51st minute. Much of the second half was a basketball match as both teams sought to wrestle control from the other. City SC thought they had cut the deficit in half, but they had a goal chalked off in the 61st minute for an apparent foul in the box. City SC, at times, looked like the team that was more likely to score, but the offensive opportunities came to nothing. In a stroke of good build-up, City SC had a prime chance to score in the 77th minute as a far post header flashed just wide of the target. City SC clawed back the deficit in the 81st minute as Dominic Edwards smashed a finish at the near post. While under a flurry of pressure in 2nd half stoppage time (and a near miss from a header by City SC), Inter moved on to the next round of the cup.


Bay Valley Suns Sports Club (UPSL)
2:1
Napa Valley 1839 FC (UPSL)
Las Positas College; Livermore, CA

By Abram Heredia

Bay Valley Suns hosted Napa Valley 1839 FC in a cagey affair that remained scoreless for the majority. Despite Napa drawing first blood, Bay Valley emerged victorious with a score of 2-1 at the final whistle.

In the first half, it seemed like Napa would have the advantage. They continuously knocked on the door but were denied for the entire first half thanks to a solid defensive performance from Bay Valley. Eventually, Napa were the ones to break the deadlock in the 84th minute when Bay Valley’s keeper parried a shot off the crossbar. Napa striker Luis Ramirez rushed in to finish the rebound with a header into an open net.

Celebrations didn’t last long, however, when, in the 89th minute, substitute David Arenas leveled the score by finishing a volley on the end of a low cross from the left side of the box by Victor Romero. 21-year-old David Arenas was set to start the match, but due to a hiccup during check-ins, he was forced to wait until halftime to enter the field of play.

Almost immediately after, Bay Valley followed up with another goal in the 90th minute to complete the comeback. David Arenas was involved again with a ball in behind to Adolfo Trujillo. He kept his composure 1-on-1 and finished in the bottom corner.


Irvine FC (UPSL)
4:0
Playmaker FC (SWPL/USSSA)
Orange County Great Park (Field 12); Irvine, CA

By Dennis Pope

Rene Sanchez scored twice as Irvine FC scored all four goals in the first 20 minutes in a 4-0 victory on Saturday night over Playmaker FC in a Qualifying Round 2 match at Orange County Great Park.

Karrar Hameed gave Irvine FC the lead in the fifth minute, getting behind Playmaker FC’s defense before chipping it over goalkeeper Robert Campos Ortiz.

Rene Sanchez scored in the 13th minute, and Elliot Ruoo added a penalty kick in the 16th minute. Four minutes later, Sanchez tucked in a rebound for the final goal.

Irvine FC goalkeeper Daniel Castillo made one save in his Open Cup debut. It was the first qualifying win in club history for Irvine FC, who were one-and-done in each of the previous two years.


Laguna United FC (UPSL)
14:0
Trojans FC (UPSL)
La Paz Sports Park; Laguna Niguel, CA

By Josh Hakala

It was a one-sided affair in Laguna Niguel, Calif. as Laguna United FC dominated a shorthanded Trojans FC 14-0 on Saturday night.

Trojans FC, a club affiliated with the University of Southern California, only had nine players available. According to the Trojans, they had as many as eight players who were unavailable due to injury.

Three players tallied hat tricks in the match with Michael Barraza scoring the first three goals in the opening ten minutes of the match. Jacob Garcia and Andrew Bowles also had three goals each. Uriel Morales added a brace and there were one goal each from Tanner Casey, Julien Camacho, and Sungho Yun.

For the Trojans, they have been eliminated in their opening game in five of their last six tournaments.  


Sharktopus FC (RATS/USSSA)
4:5 (AET)
Deportivo Rose City (UPSL)
Roosevelt High School; Seattle, WA

By Lance Corbin

On a wet artificial turf field in Seattle, Deportivo Rose City defeated the hosts Sharktopus FC 5-4 in a high scoring extra time affair at Roosevelt High School.

Deportivo controlled possession about 60-40 and moved the ball quickly with a midfield pushing the ball wide most often. Sharktopus played a counter attacking style and got the first goal in the 7th minute when Peder Bakken scored off an assist from Habib Barry.

Tempers flared late in the first half, but the game remained 1-0 in favor of Sharktopus going into the halftime break.

Four minutes into the second half David Stefano scored the equalizer for Rose City off a corner kick from Silva de Leon. And then, in the 59th minute, they took the lead with Espinosa Villa feeding the ball to Victor Guajardo to make the score 2-1 in favor of the Portland-based side.

Deportivo’s lead only lasted two minutes because in the 61st minute, a Rose City defender was called for a handball in the box and Gabe Kellum converted the penalty kick to tie the game back up at 2-2.

Kellum would strike again three minutes later to give Rose City the led on an assist from Riley Cotton.

In the 82nd minute, Sharktopus fought back with Jesus Oliver tying the game back up on an assist by Ronald Sanchez Ortiz.

The match would go into extra time and David Stefano would score his second goal of the game in the 96th minute (assist by Silva de Leon) to give the visitors at 4-3 lead.

With the rain coming down hard, Rose City would extend the lead to two with a goal by Aaron Espinosa Villa in the 103rd minute.

Sharktopus wouldn’t give up as Sybren Russell cut the Rose City lead to 5-4 in the 117th minute on an assist by Junior Moacir. But that would be as close as they would get as Deportivo Rose City would hold on for a 5-4 win as they remain undefeated in all competitions during the fall season.


Las Vegas Legends FC (NISA Nation/USASA)
6:1
Soccer Academy Nevada (NISA Nation/USASA)
Faith Lutheran High School; Las Vegas, NV

By Dominick Delpech

The Las Vegas Legends FC thrashed Soccer Academy Nevada 6-1 in the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2025 US Open Cup.

The game started out evenly as both teams were struggling to find good scoring opportunities. However, in the 8th minute, Giovanni Valenzuela went one-on-one with Angel Hernandez Villa and struck the ball to the right post and in to put Soccer Academy Nevada up 1-0.

In the 14th minute, Jonathan Negrete played a dangerous cross into the box that Hernandez Villa was able to intercept. In the 18th minute, Rodriguez was tackled down for a free kick to the Legends. On the ensuing freekick, Roberto Soto stuck a low shot to the left side, catching Alejandro Alvarez Perez off guard to tie the game 1-1.

In the 27th minute, Esequiel Coronel ran down the right wing and stuck a shot from outside the 18-yard box into the left side of the net to put the Legends up 2-1.

Kovach helped create another goal from the left wing, this time he went around the goalkeeper and put the ball away to boost the Legends lead to 3-1.

In the 43rd minute, Mauricio Muniz-Cruz ran down the left wing, struck a shot that rattled the crossbar, and went out. Moments later, Coronel scored again to put the score 4-1 to the Legends.

In the 59th minute, a Legends corner found Muniz-Cruz unmarked who pushed the ball into the back of the net to extend the lead to 5-1.

In the 77th minute, Duce Bell went one on one with the goalkeeper and slotted the ball past Alvarez Perez putting the game 6-1.


ROUND 3

Dalton United (UPSL)
0:0
Mint Hill FC (UPSL)
Dalton United advances, 4-1 on penalty kicks
Dalton Stadium; Dalton, GA

By Sydney Banks

On Saturday, Dalton United (UPSL) hosted Mint Hill FC (UPSL) at home for the third qualifying round of the U.S. Open Cup. Both teams returned to the pitch after debut wins and were eager to advance. The hard-fought match resulted in a 4-1 victory for Dalton United in a penalty kick shootout.

Mint Hill’s offense commanded much of the game with several shots on target. Yet Dalton’s defensive pressure, combined with impressive saves from their keeper Samuel Fraire, stunted any of Mint Hill’s attempts to take the lead. Accumulating yellow cards and fouls, the teams remained locked in a 0-0 stalemate throughout regulation and overtime.

Struggling to break the deadlock, the teams entered into a penalty kick shootout as pressure mounted. Dalton’s Kobe Perez led off with a successful kick, setting the tone for the following scorers. Ian Larson answered for Mint Hill, keeping the shootout even at 1-1. Andres Perez took the second kick for Dalton and put them ahead once again. Mint Hill’s Jordani Martinez missed his shot as tension rose, giving Dalton the edge. Sebastian Montero inspired confidence with a successful kick for Dalton to extend the lead. Unable to challenge Fraire’s successful block, Cyrus Rad’s missed penalty kick for Mint Hill left Dalton on the brink of victory. Harrison Fraire’s penalty kick secured the win, and Dalton United advanced to the next round of Open Cup qualifying with flair. 


New Jersey Alliance (UPSL)
6:1
Alloy SC (EPSL/USASA)
Athenia Steel Park; Clifton, NJ

By Michael Battista

New Jersey Alliance FC inched closer to a US Open Cup debut by beating Alloy SC, 6-1. Three goals in each half solidified the United Premier Soccer League side’s advancement into the “Win & You’re In” Fourth Qualifying Round for a second straight year. They will play either VA Revolution Pro or Steel Pulse FC on the weekend of Nov. 16-17.

Head coach Robert Kruk was proud of his group, which has gone from a unit with a bunch of new players to just winning the UPSL Northeast American Conference, South Division regular season earlier this week.

“They’re coming together and we showed it today. Everybody played for each other and for the badge and that’s the most important,” the coach said afterwards, “(Alloy) were great, but we were clicking today. This is what we need for the next round.”

A fast break in the 3rd minute saw Christopher Rubio feed Ramchwy St. Vil on a run, who’s shot trickled past Alloy keeper Gerrir Stech for the lead in front of the crowd of 50 at Athenia Steel Park. The home side kept it up from there as St. Vil earned a brace in the 85th minute, assisted by Lucas Miquel Castrillo. Between those goals his teammate, Emiland Elezaj, scored two penalty kicks in the 40th and 64th minutes, the latter of which was initially saved but retaken due to the keeper coming off the line.

“Before the match, the butterflies are running in but once you get going, you’re in a flow of state,” Elezaj said after the game. “To have such a team behind me, the confidence just is through the roof. It’s all about the team.”

Elezaj’s first penalty kick in the 40th minute was caused when the keeper Stech collided with Elezaj in the box. Alloy head coach Thomas Tomale disagreed with the call and argued from the sideline, stepping slightly onto the field. The main official showed him a straight red and made him leave the facility, where he took up a spot on an unlit field across the path to watch the rest of the game.

NJAFC’s other goals were scored by Kelvin Preciado in the 22nd minute off a chaotic corner kick and a closing goal from Dorgeles Coulibably, assisted by Lucas Miquel Castrillo, that hit the back of the net like a nail gun into a coffin. Alloy’s best chance to come back was the beginning of the second half, down by three, which saw Josiah Ramirez capitalize off a defensive error to cut into the lead. NJ Alliance keeper Yamil Macias made other big saves throughout the night to halt Alloy, and Elezaj apologized to the keeper after the match for causing the play which ruined the possible clean sheet.

“Once a team picks up momentum, it’s hard to break the momentum,” Elezaj said. “But (Alliance) showed character. We have a couple of veterans on the team that I knew we weren’t gonna let that slip.”


West Chester United SC (USLPA/USASA)
6:1
Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals (USLPA/USASA)
Kildare’s Turf Field; West Chester, PA

By Dave Einhorn

West Chester United SC advanced to the next round of US Open Cup Qualifying after defeating The Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 6-1. These two opponents know each other just like Christmas knows New Year’s. They are often drawn together in league or Open Cup play, and it’s always a friendly fight between the local sides. Saturday night was no exception; the tension on the pitch was a bit like the cold fall night.

It was West Chester United who took the lead first. Joshua Luchini crossed to Ridge Robinson for the game’s first goal. Not one minute later, West Chester was awarded a penalty, but the Ukrainian American’s goalkeeper saved it. Ridge Robinson earned his brace in the 27th minute after Mason Miller set him up with a low pass that he drove home like a brand-new Lexus. In the 35th minute, Brian McDaid squared a ball for Joshua Luchini, and as much as he loves giving assists, getting a goal of his own must have felt great. West Chester would add one more before the break, making the halftime score 4-0 to West Chester.

Joshua Luchini and Ridge Robinson started the second half the same way they started the first – with Luchini setting up Robinson for a goal. The Ukrainian Nationals had opportunities and created some great chances. They came out stronger in the second half and were rewarded with a goal from Vasyl Khomenko in the 78th minute. Luca Mellor sealed the deal for West Chester with almost the last kick of the game. His 90th-minute goal ensured West Chester would move on to the next qualifying round.

 

Players from Ukrainian Nationals (left) and West Chester United SC battle for the ball in a 2025 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Leinbach Photography

 


MSI Pro (UPSL)
0:2
Aegean Hawks FC (APL/USASA)
Liberty Sports Park; Upper Marlboro, MD

By Josh Hakala

US Open Cup qualifying veterans Aegean Hawks blanked debutants MSI Pro (Montgomery Soccer Inc.) 2-0 on Sunday to advance to the next round of the competition.

In the 17th minute, the Hawks had a throw-in that was collected by Julian Ngoh, who turned made a run into the box on the right side. He sent a hard, low cross into the box where it found Salah Ward who finished at close range.

In the 39th minute, Ngoh intercepted a pass and made it toward the box. As he approached the top of the 18, he played a square ball to his left to Ethan Heydt who calmly finished to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead. Hawks goalkeeper Franco Savastano would earn the clean sheet as the Hawks advance in the competition, hoping to eventually earn a fourth trip to the US Open Cup, and their first since 2012.


Kensington SC (EPSL/USASA)
2:4
Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USLPA/USASA)
Tiger Field (Holy Family Univ.); Philadelphia, PA

By Greg Oldfield

Down 2-0 just over 20 minutes into the game, Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USLPA) scored four unanswered goals to beat Kensington Soccer Club (EPSL) 4-2 at Holy Family University Saturday evening. After several minutes of early back-and-forth action, Kensington jumped on the board in the 16th minute off the counter-attack. Amadou Kamagale found himself on the end of a VE giveaway and slotted a pass across to an open Henry Gámez at the spot, and Gámez calmly pushed it past VE keeper Steve Paul for the 1-0 lead. It didn’t take long for Kensington to find a second. Six minutes later, Lucas De Sa ran onto a long ball from Kamagale that beat the VE backline. Alone against Paul, De Sa took one touch and hit the back of the net. VE pulled a goal back in the 33rd minute when Aidan Watkins’ free kick outside the box caused Kensington’s keeper, Luis Espejo, some trouble, and Alex Hajj tapped in the rebound. Despite the goal, Kensington carried the play and the lead into the break.

VE came out with an edge to start the second half and three minutes later scored the equalizer. Chris Baker combined with Derek Antonini down the left side and fired a low shot that trickled past Espejo and into the goal. VE continued to sustain their early pressure, which finally paid off in the 55th minute. Hajj’s corner found Kevin Smolyn at the near post, and the VE midfielder’s header put the visitors up 3-2. The game could have gone either way after that, with both teams creating quality chances, but with just over 20 minutes remaining, VE found an insurance goal after Antonini poked home a long throw-in that had bounced favorably to him in the box. 


SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27

ROUND 2

Austin Thunder (AMSA/USASA)
0:1
210 FC (UPSL)
Onion Creek Soccer Complex; Austin, TX

By Laura Gallo

210 FC earned a 2-1 win in their debut in the US Open Cup qualifying tournament against the Austin Thunder. Representing San Antonio, the team draws its name from the local 210 area code, bringing community pride to the national stage.

Despite starting the game shorthanded, 210 FC took the lead in the 36th minute, thanks to a goal by Sergio Bustos. By halftime, 210 FC had their full roster on the field and managed to hold on to their advantage throughout the remainder of the match.

210 FC entered the competition after a challenging season in the UPSL Texas Central division, where they finished the 2024 spring season with a 3-6-1 record and currently stand at 2-2-2 in the fall season. Their opponents, the Thunder, who were making just their second Open Cup qualifying appearance, had an impressive 2023/24 season in the AMSA Premier Division, finishing first with a 12-2-2 record.

The ones from San Antonio won. Despite having some issues with their roster the 210 FC won against Thunder from Austin 1-0 @opencup @usopencup pic.twitter.com/tGbxx42SMr

— Laura La Parce 512 (@laparce512) October 27, 2024


Miami United FC (UPSL)
5:0
River Miami FC (USSL/USSSA)
Dr. Lester B. Brown Park; Miami Gardens, FL

By Tim Abbott

Miami United stretched their qualifying round win streak to eleven victories over three tournaments with a 5-0 win over River Miami FC. courtesy of scoring bursts from Robertino Insua and Alessandro Mazzetta, with victory over first time qualifying participant River Miami.

Insua opened the scoring after only three minutes with a penalty kick. Mazzetta doubled the lead in the 37th minute from Josduar Serrano and it was 3-0 in the 41st minute as he secured a brace from a Jose Aguinaga assist.

Insua completed his hat trick with two tap-in goals late in the second half, the first courtesy of a cross from the right by Alejo Fernandez, the second after a drive down the left in stoppage time by Francesco Valdes. They now return to league play, where they are 5-0-0 in fall play after a 9-3-1 record in the 2024 UPSL Florida South Spring season.

In the 2024 US Open Cup, Miami United knocked off pro clubs Chattanooga FC (1-0) and Club de Lyon (2-0), before falling to Memphis 901 FC 2-0.


Inter Nona SC (USSL/USSSA)
2:0
International Soccer Association (UPSL)
Young Pine Community Park; Orlando, FL

By Eric Casey

Inter Nona SC made the most of their US Open Cup qualifying debut, beating UPSL’s International Soccer Association, 2-0.

The USSL team got off to an early start, as a 10th minute corner fell to the feet of Nona’s Dominick White, who slotted it home to give his team the early lead.

White would go on to pick up a red card in the early stages of the first half, putting Nona down a man. Despite this, Nona’s Steve Cardona added a second for his squad in the 74th minute, giving them a 2-0 advantage.

Another Nona player would pick up a red card in the dying embers of the game, but the Orlando-area squad held on to secure the shutout and the ticket to the next qualifying round.


D’Feeters Kicks SC (DSA/USSSA)
1:4 (AET)
FORO SC (UPSL)
Sunnyvale HS; Sunnyvale, TX

By Adam Uthe

For the second time in the calendar year 2024, Kyle Bennett played the hero for the Dallas-based United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) squad FORO SC.

The six foot, three inch center forward scored not one, not two, but three goals in extra time to send the visitors through in qualifying as FORO advanced past D’Feeters Kicks SC (DKSC) 4-1 after 120 minutes played.

Back in the spring, Bennett scored the equalizer in stoppage time of extra time to force penalties against MLS NEXT Pro champs Austin FC II in Round 1 of the 2024 US Open Cup. He went on to convert from the spot in the shootout as well, sealing the upset for his team and also earning himself TheCup.us Player of the Round honors.

It was the hosts, D’Feeters Kicks SC, who came out aggressive to start this 2025 qualifying game though. The home side managed to earn three corners and tally three shots in the first 15 minutes but couldn’t quite put the ball in the back of the net. As the first half wore on, FORO slowly wrestled control of the match back with patient, disciplined buildup in possession. Neither team could break through though, and the first 45 ended in a scoreless stalemate.

Eight minutes into the second half, DKSC’s defense failed to clear the ball past FORO SC holding midfielder Corey Cantor and Cantor laced an ambitious effort from the edge of the box that managed to find its way into the back of the net.

Both coaches made multiple substitutions shortly thereafter and soon the momentum began to shift back towards D’Feeters. In the 69th minute, DKSC’s Juan Ramirez received a short corner pass and had his own go at a shot from the edge of the penalty box. The ball took a slight deflection on the way in, but not enough to keep it out of the upper right hand corner of the goal. Both teams exchanged half chances, but there was nothing to separate them after 90 minutes.

After a quiet initial 15 minutes of extra time, Bennett finally got things going in the 108th minute. D’feeters goalkeeper Anthony Rodriguez found himself in possession of the ball inside his own box, but he struggled to get it out from under his feet and Bennett showed no mercy burying the gifted chance. His second was a free header on a gorgeous cross from Juan Cairo and he capped off the performance with a near post rocket with the outside of his foot, assisted by Tendai Jirira.

FORO SC coach Michel Garbini praised his star striker afterwards but was also left slightly unconvinced by what he saw in the game’s first 90 minutes.

“We just didn’t play our game today. What my last speech to the boys was ‘This is not the type of game you want to play, being physical in transition.’ We don’t have the profile to do that.”

He was much more satisfied with his side in extra time.

“Our profile is to move the ball, occupy the good space…and make the ball do the work for us. We did it in the last 30 minutes…and then the result came through.”

FORO SC, who are 5-1-0 in UPSL play this fall, will continue their quest for a second consecutive Open Cup qualification next month in Round 3 of qualifying.


Houston Regals SC (USSL/USSSA)
3:2 (AET)
ASC New Stars (HFA/USASA)
British International School of Houston; Katy, TX

By Ralph Hannah

A hard-fought and heated game on an unseasonably warm night in Katy, Texas saw the 2022 NSL national champion Houston Regals SCA advance to the next round. It was a 120-minute thriller for the 30 or so fans in attendance at the British International School. ASC New Stars battled to the end of extra time, even after goalscorer Emmanuel Usen had been sent off in extra time.

The game started at a frantic pace, Regals had two corners within two minutes and it seemed it was going to be a difficult night for Aria, celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. However, a fast break in the fifth minute saw the ball break to Usen who rounded the opposition goalkeeper to slot it home.

The goal proved to be against the run of play as Regals rebounded quickly, forcing saves and missing easy chances before Nigerian Yusuf Jibril grabbed an equalizer with a fierce long range shot in the 19th minute. No sooner had the 21-year-old leveled the score, his senior strike partner, the 32-year-old Argentinian Víctor Soria put them ahead.

Going behind seemed to finally jolt ASC into action and Mauricio León was forced into a fine save, reminiscent of Emiliano Martínez in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final, as his outstretched leg denied Usen his second of the game. By the 32nd minute the game was tied up. Dessaline Alllison received the ball on the left hand side and got in behind the fullback a couple of times as a warning, despite seeing his first attempt saved, the rebound fell kindly and he tucked it away.

It seemed that this game would be high scoring, but Aria came out in the second half with a more defensive mindset, wary of their rivals’ superiority in the one-on-one matchups. Sitting slightly deeper, they absorbed attack after attack but it came at a cost. By the 66th minute they had picked up three yellow cards, and frustration was creeping in on both sides. The chatty Houston Regals goalkeeper had words for Emmanuel Usen in normal time, and things would soon boil over.

With the score still 2-2 at the end of regulation time the match went into extra time, both sides missed good chances in the early exchanges before a hero emerged. Substitute Samuel Cordero, a Rayados fan from Monterrey, pounced on a tired clearance from the ASC defense and rifled home a low shot in the 98th minute.

Behind 3-2 things got worse for ASC New Stars just before the break, Usen thought he had a penalty after going down in the box only to see a red card. “The ref said he saw a stomp” the bemused Aria striker commented post-match. The final throes of this epic battle saw ASC throw balls into the box hoping something would stick. In the 120th minute it finally did, the ball turned in and wild celebrations at a perceived equalizer only for an offside ruling to deny a penalty shootout.

At the final whistle several yellow shirts surrounded the referee and his assistants with cries of “You have to do better!”, but veteran coach Taheer Khalili had sage words for his defeated team. “This is football” he said calmly, “we win as sportsmen, we lose as sportsmen”. There will be no repeat of famous trips to take on Orlando City FC or Charleston Battery as in previous years. That dream is now Houston Regals, who formed a prayer circle and brought some calm after the tempestuous tie. 


Holac FC (UPSL)
1:2
Washington AC (RATS/USSSA)
Wener L. Neudorf Stadium; Tukwila, WA

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Washington AC continued their Open Cup qualifying debut run with a 2-1 win over the UPSL’s Holac FC in front of a very Holac-partizan crowd in Tukwila, Wash.

Holac jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute on a penalty kick from Botan Nur. Washington AC leveled the score with mere seconds remaining in first half stoppage time. WAC took the lead eight minutes into the second half. Both goals were scored by Eric Lagos, a former all-Ivy League player at Yale.

Holac nearly sent the game into extra time in the 88th minute when they saw a shot on goal hit the upright. Washington AC held off Holac’s push to find an equalizer during a considerable amount of second half stoppage time.

WAC move on to the Third Round to likely face Portland’s Deportivo Rose City on Nov. 16 or 17.


FC Folsom (UPSL)
1:3
Real Galt FC (UPSL)
Folsom Lake College; Folsom, CA

By Nicholas Ryan

FC Folsom’s hopes of returning to the Cup following their debut last year were cut short by the newcomers Real Galt FC. The game stayed competitive for nearly all 90 minutes, but Real Galt managed to pull away in the final moments of the game.

While the first half ended scoreless, it wasn’t without its excitement. FC Folsom defender Trevor Swartz picked up his second yellow in the 25th minute, leaving his team disadvantaged for the rest of the match.

The second half started out strong for Real Galt, who gained possession shortly after a Folsom kickoff. A goal in the 47th minute from forward Gilberto Lopez put them in the lead.

Despite Folsom being down a man, they fought back, with a goal in the 75th minute by Julan Chavez, tying the game. The game remained tied until Real Galt’s Lionardo Ruiz put his team ahead in the 90th minute. A second goal two minutes from Gilberto Lopez of Real Galt, the team’s third, put the final nail in the coffin for Folsom securing Galt’s cup debut and sending the home team packing. 


Modesto City FC (NISAN/USASA)
0:7
Valley 559 FC
(UPSL)
Central Catholic High School; Modesto, CA

By Otis Lyons

Valley 559 FC beat Modesto City FC 7-0 in front of roughly 100 spectators at Central Catholic High School Sunday night.

Andres Velasquez, and brothers Aaron and Andrew Huerta each recorded a brace for Valley in the win, the seventh coming from an own goal off an Aaron Huerta cross. Goalkeeper Juan Carlos Esqueda was a bright spot for Modesto City FC despite the defeat, recording 13 saves.

Valley imposed themselves on the Modesto backline immediately. The visitors had a penalty shout within the first minute, and while it was waved away by the referee, it proved a warning sign for the rest of the night.

Within the first 15 minutes, Valley rattled Modesto City’s posts twice. However, Esqueda was the star of the early proceedings, making multiple point-blank saves. In the 16th minute, he denied Mason Gonzales on a one-on-one, prolonging the shutout.

Despite Esqueda’s early heroics, Valley found the breakthrough in the 20th minute. Aaron Huerta received a through ball in a crowded box, and rounded the Modesto keeper for the easy tap-in.

The floodgates soon opened, with Velazquez doubling the lead four minutes later. An own goal, an Andrew Huerta penalty, and a second from Velazquez gave Valley a 5-0 lead by halftime.

The script didn’t change in the second half. The Huerta brothers tacked on a second goal each (Aaron in the 66th minute followed by Andrew in the 77th) to complete the comprehensive win. Valley goalkeeper Jamber Gomez had a quiet night, facing zero shots on target. Modesto’s only attempt towards goal went over the bar in the dying seconds of the match. 


FC Balboa (UPSL)
0:3
Chula Vista FC (SWPL/USSSA)
Logan Memorial Educational Complex; San Diego, CA

By Marybeth Zmuda

Chula Vista FC’s experience showed in their qualifier vs newcomers FC Balboa on Sunday. With a decisive 3-0 victory, CVFC now has eyes on the next step toward qualifying for the US Open Cup for the fourth time in club history.

Right from the first whistle Chula Vista FC showed their readiness to keep their opponent at bay. They controlled the pace throughout the 90 minutes. FC Balboa was unable to get within shooting range more than a few times. While they were not strong offensively, their defense was able to keep the away side from creating a much larger lead despite their keeper being off his mark many times in the match.

Chula Vista forward Jordan Rojas was first on the board with a beauty slotted between the pipes in the 14th minute. They would continue to press until the halfway break but were held to one with the score 1-0 as they headed to the locker rooms.

The second half started with a bang seeing Chula’s Rojas go right from the kickoff straight to the net, getting a brace for himself in the 46th minute. He finished the match with a hat trick, getting a third goal for his team in the 78th minute.

Control was maintained by CVFC from there on with their keeper, phenom Oliver Holt, putting  decisive stops to a couple FC Balboa’s set piece chances they might have capitalized on.


JASA RWC (SWPL/USSSA)
3:5 (AET)
International San Francisco (SFSFL/USASA)
Red Morton Community Park; Redwood City, CA

By Adrian Monroy

Inter San Francisco needed extra time to beat JAWA RWC 5-3 in a high-scoring affair in Redwood City, Calif. It was the opening game of the Open Division Local Qualifying tournament for the 2025 US Open Cup. A Matt Fondy hat trick helps Inter move a step closer to qualifying for the Open Cup for the second time, after narrowly missing out last year.

The game was evenly played early on. Inter forward Julio Cervantes missed an open goal with a header. That missed opportunity haunted them, as the next play, an Inter defender tried to clear a ball and a JASA player managed to block it. The ball fell to Ethan Evans who buried his shot to give JASA a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute.

In the second half, it was only a matter of time until Inter scored as JASA couldn’t get the ball out of their own half. Inter kept knocking on the door and JASA goalkeeper Damon Prasad made some good saves. Inter’s Matt Fondy, a former pro, scored off a corner kick inside the six yard box to make it even in the 76th minute. He would give his team the lead when he took a shot from a back diagonal pass from the right flank. JASA wasn’t really approaching until a free kick opportunity came up and Raspreet Sandhu hit it over the wall in the 89th minute to send it to extra time.

In extra time, Inter scored two more goals in the same manner as their second goal (a diagonal pass from the right flank). One of those goals came from Fondy, who ended the night with a hat trick. Now 4-2 in favor of Inter, JASA managed to score in the 119th minute as one of their forwards tried to round the keeper and successfully made the rebound land to his teammate to cut the deficit to 1. Inter player Jacob Castro killed JASA’s comeback hopes as he scored on a counter in the 122nd minute to make it 5-3 in favor of the SFSFL team who will play in the next qualifying round on the weekend of Nov. 16-17. 


Next Level Soccer (UPSL)
2:1
UDA Soccer (UPSL)
Mesa High School; Mesa, AZ

By Jim Coppock

Next Level Soccer (NLS) and UDA NMSU (UDA) met Sunday evening in the Second Round of US Open Cup qualifying action. It was NLS’s first qualifying game in their first attempt. A fast, hard-fought contest was waged with a 10-man NLS coming out by a 2-1 score.

The hosts dominated the play in the first 10 minutes but failed to register a shot on target. Michael Miller drew first blood in the 25th minute for NLS. NLS stayed in command and sent shot after shot at UDA’s goal, hitting the woodwork twice in one sequence. UDA’s Alan Guidino equalized in the 54th minute after helping to overload the left side of NLS’s defense. The visiting captain put his team on his shoulders and drove attack after attack down this wing. NLS struggled to keep up at times.

UDA bossed the game in full for about 20 minutes after the goal. But a quick breakaway by Danny Baca sent the ball ping-ponging around the goal mouth. The Assistant Referee adjudged that the ball crossed the line and put NLS back in front 2-1. 71st minute substitute Peter Adkins, got stuck in immediately upon entry. His play earned him a booking in the 82nd minute and a second in the 84th, leaving the hosts short-handed for the remaining six minutes. Those six minutes were played at a furious pace, with UDA again dominating the play, but both sides had chances.

The victory sees debutantes Next Level Soccer moving on to the third round the weekend of November 16-17. Their opponent will be Las Vegas Legends, the last two teams in the West B group.


ROUND 3

Pittsburgh Dynamo (GPSL/USASA)
0:1
FCY New York (UPSL)
Highmark Stadium; Pittsburgh, PA

By Evan Konigsberg

A tight affair at Highmark Stadium was decided late in regulation as FCY New York grabbed a late winner to stay alive in qualifiers, winning 1-0 over fellow Open Cup qualifying debutants Pittsburgh Dynamo. The GPSL Dynamo side hosted the match at a familiar Open Cup venue; Highmark Stadium was the site of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds’ historic 1-0 win over eventual MLS Cup Champions Columbus Crew on May 24, 2023. The home side Dynamo tried to replicate the performance of the Riverhounds in their first ever Open Cup match, while FCY New York would attempt to continue their momentum after their impressive 5-3 win over Roc City Boom (NISA Nation) in Round 2.

The match started slowly, with both sides feeling out their opponents by working the ball around for the first 25 minutes. Midfielders Kuba Iwaniuk for Pittsburgh and Moe Saif for FCY New York battled to keep possession for their side. The first big chance fell for FCY New York, as Dynamo keeper Lukasz Palmowski made a spectacular save to deny Mohamed Ayad.

The second half started very similar to the first, a midfield battle between the two sides that was not generating many chances. As the match progressed, a tiring Pittsburgh side struggled to keep possession, putting them under pressure from FCY New York. Striker Witman Hernandez missed a flurry of late chances through on goal that left the match seeming destined for extra time. Finally, the deadlock was broken in the third minute of stoppage time. FCY New York fullback Wyatt Scott cut inside and played a chipped through ball over the Pittsburgh defense. Palmowski came out to claim it, but was beaten by an expertly weighted lobbed finish by New York #18 Freddy Fikiri. The match ended soon after, seeing FCY New York advance with a 1-0 victory over Pittsburgh Dynamo.


Steel Pulse FC (MSSL/USASA)
4:2
VA Revolution Pro (UPSL)
Millford Mill Academy; Millford Mill, MD

By Craig Tower

Steel Pulse FC hosted VA Revolution Pro in a Mid-Atlantic matchup In Milford Mill, Maryland. The action was tentative until the teams started trading blows at the quarter hour. A 17th-minute breakaway by Ben Boateng for VA Revolution was answered in the 18th minute when Steel Pulse, on the end of a counter, found the net through Emmanuel Oluwesi off a short backpass from a teammate from around the penalty mark. The Virginians were far from finished and struck back when Alexander Dexter stole a back pass from a defender to score from the top of the box against the onrushing Steel Pulse keeper Patrick Tayta.

Not content with the 1-1 tie, Steel Pulse forward Williams Yami Nano scored off a rebound of his own blocked shot in the 34th minute, curling his shot to the far post with no chance for a save from Tanner Newport in net for VA Revolution. Steel Pulse continued to push up their right wing and found another opportunity in the 40th minute when Yami Nono shot from the right of the penalty mark, only missing due to the lighting reflexes of Newport, who deflected the hip-high shot past his far post. After a sustained period of pressure, Yami Nono stole a ball on the Steel Pulse left wing, shot on the diving keeper, and recovered the ball only for it to ping in front of teammate Zoumana Diarra, who hooked it in from two yards out while falling backward, ending a chaotic melee in front of the Virginia goal.

After halftime, Steel Pulse looked ready to cruise to an easy win when Steven Jude banged in a golazo from 30 yards in the 46th minute. That goal seemed to awaken the fire in VA Revolution however, while Steel Pulse lost their focus. A 54th-minute yellow on Brandon Williamson for the Maryland side was the start of a series of lapses, continuing with a goal at 56’ for Sinasi Emre Deniz, who tucked in a clever left-footed hook shot to elude the Pulse defense. Cardenas of Steel Pulse followed suit when he was awarded a straight red for a dangerous and needless tackle in midfield, leaving the Steelmen a man down for the rest of the match.

VA Revolution nearly found themselves a man down in the 66th when Pierre Richard, a former Steel Pulse man, took down Yami Nono on a breakaway down Pulse’s right wing with only the goalkeeper between the Steelman and the goal. Richard was lucky to walk away with a yellow for his troubles. For the next ten minutes, Jack Stone of VA tested the Pulse multiple times, with a flying volley and a lunging low effort on crosses from the Revolution left wing that could have ended in goals, but both pinged outside the goalframe.

After the 75th minute, the teams traded a series of stiff midfield tackles, leaving bodies on the pitch waiting for the referee’s intervention. The scrappy game continued with Ben Boateng of VA Revolution banging a screamer over the Pulse goal in the 81st minute and a set of three corners for the Revolution in the 93rd to 94th minutes. After 96 minutes, however, the referee whistled the match to an end, with the Pulse taking a 4-2 win from the qualifying match.

This was the second qualifying attempt for VA Revolution Pro, with last year’s run-stopping after one game, a 4-1 loss to Aegean Hawks FC. VA Revolution Pro finished 5-1-4 in the 2024 UPSL DMV South Spring season and is 1-7-0 in the Fall season. Revolution Pro started their qualifying campaign with a penalty kick win over Northern Virginia FC (EPSL) after a 2-2 draw on October 6.

Steel Pulse FC has not qualified in their four previous appearances but has an impressive resume outside of qualifying. Steel Pulse finished 8-2-0 in the 2024 MSSL Division 1 season and won the 2024 Rowland Cup (Maryland State Cup) 2-1 over Christos FC. Qualifying has been a different story, however. Their first three attempts ended after just one game, and last year, their lone qualifying win (13-2 over Villarreal CF Virginia) was followed by a penalty kick loss to Christos FC after a 1-1 draw. In their qualifying opener on October 6, Steel Pulse dominated Maryland Bobcats II (EPSL) 7-0.


 

FC Denver (CPL/USSSA)
0:2
Harpos FC (CPL/USSSA)
Aurora Sports Park; Aurora, CO

By Andrew Mosier

Harpos FC took a huge step towards its fourth U.S. Open Cup appearance on Sunday with a decisive 2-0 third-round win over FC Denver 2-0 at Aurora Sports Park.

Elijah Mereness scored both goals to put Harpos through to the final round of qualifying. Goalkeeper Hayden Rus earned the clean sheet.

Mereness put Harpos in the lead in the 20th minute, running onto a perfectly weighted ball from Danilo Pekovic that was played over FC Denver’s pressing back line.

After close chances for both sides to close out the half, Mereness doubled Harpos lead in the 61st minute, again running onto a ball from his central midfield spot, taking a touch before slipping the ball past FC Denver goalkeeper Theodore Marston.

Chasing a two-goal deficit, FC Denver was further handicapped when head coach Neil Gallaghern was shown a straight red card for foul and abusive language toward the fourth official in the 72nd minute after FC Denver was forced to use its third substitution moment after Temitope Balogun was initially denied entry into the match as part of a multi-player substitution because the substitution slip handed to the fourth official was not properly completed.

Harpos, which has not qualified for the tournament since 2020, will face Azteca FC, who defeated Colorado Rovers 4-1 in a match that was postponed until Tuesday. That will take place in the fourth and final round of local amateur qualifying in early December.


Project Football (UPSL)
1:4
CD Faialense (BSSL/USASA)
Captain John Bertram; Salem, MA

By Todd Tinkham

Three second-half goals lifted CD Faialense to a 4-1 victory over Project Football. The match took place at Captain John Bertram Athletic Field in Halloween-festival Salem, Mass.

Gianluca Arlotti, Eoin Houlihan, and Mirko Nufi were the second half goalscorers for Project Football.

Project Football opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Juan Camillo Hernandez Giraldo got on the end of a cross from Sleter Destin. CD Faialense responded well with a wonder volley from Garrett Leary. Alessandro Negri put in a left-footed outswinger from a corner, and Leary rocketed a left-footed shot past the Project Football keeper to cap the first-half scoring.

CD Faialense dominated the second half, claiming back-to-back US Open Cup 4-1 victories. They now wait to see who they will face in the fourth round of US Open Cup qualifying.


Zum Schneider FC 03 (EPSL/USASA)
1:3
Lansdowne Yonkers FC (EPSL/USASA)
Jack McManus Field; New York, NY

By Carlos Ochoa

Lansdowne Yonkers seemed like favorites going into the game and immediately set the tempo by scoring in the first minute by smooth finish by Kyle Galloway.

Zum Schneider FC 03 was trying their best to play out from the back but couldnt get anything going and as a result from the constant press Lansdowne got another goal in the 33rd minute by Ethan Homler. Zum only managed two shots in the first half.

After some subs Zum was able to get more action upfront but game was getting physical and players were getting tired. Some unlucky calls from the referree kept slowing the run of game.

In the 75th minute, Lansdowne scored by Liam Walsh and silence struck the Zum coaching area very much recognizing that its most likely over.

In the 89th minute, Zum scored a consolation goal by Benjamin Marcu.

Lansdowne Yonkers won in dominating fashion and could have scored more if they were more clinical upfront. Game could have changed as yellow cards and fouls were adding up mid game.


Leros SC (LISFL/USASA)
0:6
New York Renegades FC (UPSL)
SUSA Orlin & Cohen Sports Complex; Central Islip, NY

By Michael Anderer

After winning their Round 2 qualifying match three weeks ago, Leros SC earned the right to host New York Renegades in this round of US Open Cup qualifiers on a chilly Sunday night on Long Island.

The challenge would be difficult for Leros SC, as the NY Renegades entered the match sitting second in their UPSL division with a record of 7-0-2, five of those wins coming on the road, and a goal differential of plus 36.

At the request of Leros SC, both teams honored recently passed Greek player George Baldock with a moment of silence.  The match started with both teams demonstrating their desire and ability to possess the ball and play with patience.  The left-sided Renegades duo of Cristian Garcia Vera at defense and Sebastian Ruiz Restrepo would be a difficult pairing for Leros FC, particularly defender Christian Casagranda.  Casagranda did well to prevent the final balls from getting through, but it was clear that the stronger Renegades team was applying their pressure on that side of the field.  In the 21’ a clearance by Leros SC keeper Luis Hurtado was intercepted at midfield by Kilmar Campos. A quick pass forward to Dillon Woods Called would allow the Renegades to take advantage of the spread-out Leros defense and forward Rances Reneau Bardales to find space to drive into the box and beat Hurtado near post.  It felt like once the Renegades broke the pressure of scoring that first goal, the game would open up for them, and the team would add three more goals in the first half, including a second by Reneau Bardales in the 40th minute to secure him a brace and an assist in the match.

Leros SC put up an intense fight despite losing starting striker Bryan Argueta to a knee injury in the 34th minute.  The unfortunate injury would give standout player Shaquille Saunchez an early entry into the match.  Saunchez proved to add more balance to the Leros attack, but it would not be enough for his side to mount any sort of comeback in the game.  NY Renegades showed the depth of their roster, bringing in five substitutes into the match, all impacting the game.  Alex Palas subbed into the forward position at halftime and scored a goal off the Reneau Bardales square ball in the 50th minute. Patino Villamizar would enter the game in the 64’ and earn the assist on the final goal by Milton Campos on the game’s last play.  The final score of six to nil in favor of the away team, NY Renegades, ultimately would be a fair scoreline based on how the teams match up.

After the match, NY Renegades President Boris Linares said, “We came in with a game plan, executed and got it done.  We think we are peaking at the right time both here and in the UPSL.”  Linares praised his attack-oriented side for its ability to get many different players involved in the scoring.  When asked about playing in the US Open Cup Qualifying rounds, Linares added, “We are feeling very confident, so far we have been pretty good with injury-free, so we are looking good, and hopefully, we can do something with it.”

Renegades forward Rance Reneau Bardales shared after the game, “Thank God that I feel good and healthy.  Personally, I am very happy to get one more step further.  We focus one game at a time.  We need to stay focused on each game to get as far as we can.”  Second-half captain Samuel Caceres said following the match, “I think we played good. We have a great team, and the most important is that so many players got to play and showed their best, which is important because we passed on to the next game, and we know that the farther you go, the more difficult the teams will be.”


Bowling Green FC (UPSL)
0:5
Southern Indiana FC (UPSL)
Bowling Green Junior HS; Bowling Green, KY

By Josh Hakala

Southern Indiana FC’s offense came alive in the second half to earn a 5-0 win over Bowling Green FC in the Third Round of the 2025 US Open Cup qualifying tournament.

After a scoreless first half, Ekuchi Salehe opened up the offensive floodgates with a counter attack goal in the 51st minute. After a Bowling Green corner kick was cleared out, it started a break the other way and Salehe beat the keeper.

In the 58th minute, SIFC’s second corner kick of the game was delivered to the far post where Diallo Irakoze was criminally wide open. He brought the ball down and beat the helpless goalkeeper from close range.

In the 73rd minute, a Southern Indiana player received a cross in the middle of the box and before he could get a shot off he was sandwiched by two defenders and the deflected ball hit the hand of one of those Bowling Green players and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. SIFC captain Jake Calderbank scored the PK to make it 3-0.

In the 85th minute, the Bowling Green goalkeeper came way off his line to retrieve the ball, but a SIFC player beat him to it on the right wing. He crossed the ball to the middle and Kellen Clegg ran onto it and beat the retreating defenders to the ball and put it into the back of the net.

Two minutes later, Southern Indiana would put a bow on their shutout victory when Luca Perrin scored off a corner kick to seal a 5-0 win.


Virginia Dream FC (UPSL)
2:1 (AET)
Alexandria Reds (UPSL)
Meridan High School; Falls Church, VA

By Sam Luebke

On a chilly night in Falls Church, VA the Virginia Dream FC (UPSL) defeated the Alexandria Reds (UPSL) 2-1 on the back of a brace from Niko Lukulia to advance to the next round of the Open Cup qualifying tournament.

In the first half, the Dream held the majority of the possession but few true scoring chances.  The Reds were content to sit back and absorb pressure and attack on the counter. They used these opportunities well with Mattocks coming close in the 13th minute and Sabane forcing a tough clearance four minutes later. However the first goal, against the run of play, fell to the Dream. A scramble in the box following a corner saw the ball fall to the feet of Niko Likulia who made no mistake from in close, putting the Dream up 1-0.

The second half started choppy, with neither club able to put together any sustained pressure or possession. Around the 70th minute, the Reds started putting together effective offensive movements. They were rewarded in the 77th minute when Jacob Kiwanuka snapped home a header off a corner.

There were no clear chances and the teams headed to extra time.

Extra time was uneventful. Both teams looked more concerned about not making an error rather than scoring a winner. However, with penalty kicks looming, Niko Likulia found a big gap in the Red’s backline was fed a through ball and confidently slotted it home, securing his brace and sending the Dream through to the next round.


Azteca FC (CPL/USSSA)
4:1
Colorado Rovers (CPL/USSSA)
Long Lake Field (Field 3); Arvada, CO
Original game on 10/27 postponed due to a broken goal

By Josh Hakala / Andrew Mosier

Azteca FC and Colorado Rovers were forced to reschedule Sunday’s match after match officials declared the game unplayable due to safety conditions. One of the goals at Victoria Sports Park, Azteca FC’s home field for Open Cup matches, was bent, extending the crossbar out over the field of play. Efforts to correct and stabilize the goal were unsuccessful, forcing the postponement of the match.

When the game finally kicked off on Tuesday night, it was the Colorado Rovers who struck first.  Cade Austin delivered a corner kick and Brenden Hughes finished it to give the visitors a 1-0 lead roughly 15 minutes into the match.

Just under 10 minutes later, Azteca would shift the momentum with an equalizer on a defensive miscue. A Rovers defender attempted to head the ball back to his goalkeeper while he was under pressure and that gave Jovany Herrera the chance to steal the ball and tap it in to tie the game at 1-1.

In the 30th minute, Cesar Mesa would give Azteca the lead when he headed home a cross from the wing. With five minutes left in the first half, Azteca earned a penalty kick when Herrera was fouled in the box and Oscar Montoya would score it to send the home team into the halftime break with a 3-1 lead.

Any hopes for a comeback were delivered a blow in the 64th minute when Rory Fraser was shown a straight red card.

With a man advantage, Azteca FC added to their lead when a Cesar Meza cross would find Brandon Rosas in the 83rd minute for the fourth and final finish of the game.

With the win, Azteca extends the club’s Open Cup qualifying unbeaten streak to 13 games (12-0-1, 0-1 PKs), a run that dates back to the opening game of the 2022 qualifying tournament. This is the second-longest straight in the competition’s history, which dates back to 2016. (NTX Rayados – 14 games) Azteca also improves to 3-0-0 all-time against the Rovers in the competition, adding to wins in 2022 and 2023.

Filed Under: 2025 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, Feature - Qualifying, Featured Post - Main, Featured Post - US Open Cup Qualifying, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central, US Open Cup Qualifying Tagged With: 2025 US Open Cup, 2025 US Open Cup Qualifying

2025 US Open Cup Qualifying First Weekend Report: 32 teams punch ticket to next round

October 9, 2024 by Josh Hakala

Photo: Leinbach Photography | Graphic: Dan Crooke

With the last embers of the 2024 US Open Cup beginning to fade, as first-time champions Los Angeles FC set down their trophy and prepare for the upcoming league playoffs, the first sparks of the 110th US Open Cup tournament have already ignited. Last weekend, 64 teams across the country competed in both the first and second qualifying rounds of the 2025 US Open Cup.

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Thirty-two games in the Open Division Local Qualifying tournament were spread across 15 states and Washington, D.C., with 17 leagues represented.

Due to geographical draws and the number of teams competing in qualifying, eight matches last weekend were part of the First Qualifying Round. Teams from this group, as well as a majority of the teams that didn’t play this past weekend, will compete in the Second Qualifying Round during the weekend of October 26 and 27. Teams in this group will play their “Win & You’re In” match in December, and the eight winners from last weekend will face a potential four-game gauntlet to qualify.

The remaining 24 matches last weekend were part of the Second Qualifying Round. The farthest reaching teams in this group will play their “Win & You’re In” Fourth Qualifying Round matches in November. There’s also a lucky group of six teams that were allocated byes last weekend, meaning they only need to win two games as opposed to the standard three to qualify,

Below you will find a brief recap of all 32 matches from this past weekend:

Saturday, October 5

ROUND 1 

Playmaker FC (SWPL)
2:1 (AET)
Independente Los Angeles FC (UPSL)
Los Angeles City College – Los Angeles, CA

By Josh Hakala

At Los Angeles City College, Playmaker FC met Independiente Los Angeles in the club’s first-ever Open Cup qualifying match. Playmaker opened the scoring just before halftime (44th min.) with a goal from Michael Odedele. Alan Morales answered back with a penalty kick goal in the 64th minute for ILA. The game changed about 10 minutes later when Playmaker’s Edgar Vazquez was shown a second yellow card and put the home team down to 10 men. The match went into extra time and despite being down a man, Aria Aminloo tapped in a loose ball off a corner kick in the 108th minute to deliver the victory. The win moves Playmaker into the second round which is scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 26-27.


City Soccer FC (UPSL)
0:2
Miami Soccer Academy (USSL/USSSA)
UPSL Stadium; Pembroke Pines, FL

By Josh Hakala

For the fourth year in a row, Miami Soccer Academy won their opening round game of the qualifying tournament. On Saturday, they blanked qualifying regular City Soccer FC, 2-0. MSA opened up the scoring in first half stoppage time with a goal from Diego Lanzi the final seconds before halftime. In the 77th minute they doubled the lead with a goal from Danny Martinez . On a counter attack, the ball found its way to the right wing and after receiving a pass inside the box, Martinez took a touch to his left and fired a shot inside the far post and out of reach of the goalkeeper. Cesar Manzano kept the clean sheet in goal to send Miami into the second round.

FULL GAME VIDEO:



Chula Vista FC (SWPL/UISSSA)

1:1
Desert FC (SWPL/USSSA)
Chula Vista advances, 3-1 on penalty kicks
O’Farrell Charter School; San Diego, CA

By Josh Hakala

Two Southwest Premier League foes met in U.S. Open Cup qualifying in San Diego. The game was tight throughout and finished 1-1 after extra time. Chula Vista’s Oscar Hernandez converted a first half penalty kick and Desert FC equalized off a corner kick.

Chula Vista won the resulting penalty kick shootout by a 3-1 margin. They did so on the strength of 17-year-old goalkeeper Oliver Holt who made two saves in the shootout and scored the winning penalty to move Chula Vista into the second round in their first entry into the competition since 2022.


Chicago House AC (MWPL/USASA)
3:2 (AET)
Edgewater Castle FC (MWPL/USASA)
Benedictine Univ.; Lisle, IL

by Joe Chatz

The match needed an additional thirty minutes to determine a winner but Chicago House AC found the match-winner in the 110th minute to secure their 3-2 win over Edgewater Castle FC in the first round of the Open Division qualifying tournament for the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on the campus of Benedictine University.

Edgewater had a good deal of possession in the early portion of the match and took the 1-0 lead in the 26th minute. Andrew Ribiero lined up a shot from long-range that beat House goalkeeper Tony Halterman to put Edgewater up early.

House responded quickly. The ball was brought down the right wing and swung right in front of Edegewater’s net for Alejandro Mentasi to slide in and score, tying the match at one in the 28th minute.

Mentasi secured a brace for himself and put his side up 2-1 in the 44th minute when he tapped in the rebound after former House goalkeeper Elias Rojas made the initial save for Edgewater.

Edgewater Castle gave themselves a chance in the second half and tied the match at two in the 73rd minute through Enzo Dagetti, sending the match to extra time.

Chaos was a theme throughout this contest and House took advantage of that in front of Edgewater Castle’s net in the 110th minute. The ball bounced for what felt like an hour before someone knocked it in the net as the match-winner went down as an own goal.

House’s Ricardo Avalos was assessed a red card in the 118th minute after a poor challenge.

Chicago House AC is placed in a group for the second qualifying round draw with KS Wisłoka Chicago, Chicago Strikers and United SC in Group Midwest A. Those second round matches are set to take place on Oct. 26-27.

FULL GAME VIDEO:


Acoreano Sport (UPSL)
1:3
Real Galt FC (UPSL)
Holy Rosary St. Mary’s Chapel; Hilmar, CA

By Josh Hakala

In an all-UPSL affair, Acoreano Sport hosted Real Galt FC in Hilmar, Calif. Real Galt won the contest between the Open cup debutantes 3-1 to advance to the second qualifying round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Acoreano opened the scoring but Real Galt answered with a goal by Gilberto Angel Lopez (assist by Lionardo Ruiz). Christian Comparan added a long-distance goal to put Real in front with Angel Lopez adding an insurance goal to make it 3-1 to give the club its first qualifying win.


ROUND 2

FC Omens (Bay State Soccer League/USASA)
1:1
Project Football (UPSL)
Project Football advances, 4-3 on penalty kicks
Madison Park High School; Boston, MA

By Eric Casey

Project Football made the most of their first ever US Open Cup Qualifying appearance, as offense and defensive efforts from goalkeeper Eduardo Engst-Mansilla helped them overcome an early deficit and an extra time red card to defeat FC Omens in penalty kicks (4-3), following a 1-1 draw at Madison Tech High Park in Roxbury, Mass.

Boston-based FC Omens opened the scoring early, when in the 7th minute when Aidan Schoellkopf sent a corner kick into the box, finding the head of former Bowdoin College player Hayden Weatherall, who slotted it home to give his team the early 1-0 lead.

Despite the hot start from Omens, Salem-based Project Football quickly regained their composure. Just three minutes later, a pass from Chris Russo found Pierre St. Simon in the box, who calmly put it past the keeper to tie the game at 1-1.

The game’s pace leveled off for the rest of the first half, but in the 57th minute it looked like Omens may retake the lead after Brandon Villa found space behind the defense. Project Football goalkeeper Eduardo Engst-Mansilla’s attempt at an out-of-the-box tackle failed to contain Villa, but pressure from the defender influenced his empty net attempt, and it struck the post before bouncing harmlessly away.

With the exception of a close chance at a second goal for Project’s St. Simon in the 66th minute, the UPSL Division 1 squad spent much of the later portion of the half trying to find a way out of their own half and towards Omens’ goal. In the 78th minute, Omens’ Drake Byrd found himself in on goal and past a diving Engst-Mansilla, but his shot hit the opposite post stuck by Villa’s 57th minute attempt. Just minutes later in the 80th minute, an Omens freekick led to a fingertip save from Engst-Mansilla.

The game then moved onto extra time, where Project Football found themselves down a man; back in the 51th minute, Pierre St. Simon picked up his first yellow card, and a second yellow in 97th minute saw him exiting the field.

Despite entering the game with only one substitute on the bench, Omens kept up the energy. They nearly took the lead in the dying embers of the game, when a 117th minute volley from just yards out was saved by Project’ Engst-Mansilla, eventually sending the game into penalty kicks.

Omens got off to an early advantage in penalties as Drake Byrd scored on his attempt and Project’s Aidan Schoellkopf’s effort was stopped by Omens goalkeeper Zachary Abdu-Glass.

The second round saw both Omens’ David Anderson and Project’s Matthew Acuna make their attempts, with the third round also seeing successful conversions from Omens’ Luke Muether and Project’s Sleter Destin.

Round four witnessed a save from Engst-Mansilla on a Ryan Donlan attempt, which was followed up by a successful attempt from Projects’ Chris Russo, knotting up penalty kicks at 3-3.

Omens’ Hayden Weatherall then stepped up to the spot, but his attempt sailed well above the crossbar, giving Project the advantage. It was at that point that Engst-Mansilla walked up to the penalty spot.

Having already contributed a number of key saves, Engst-Mansilla sent Abdu-Glass diving the wrong way, firing the ball into the back of the net and his team on to the Second Round of 2025 U.S. Open Cup Qualifying.

After the game, Engst-Mansilla revealed while he looked as comfortable shooting on goal as he did defending it: He’s typically an outfield player.

“Funny enough, I actually play in the field more,” he said, “I had some nerve damage in my legs, so I’ve been staying in goal for now.”

As one of Project Football’s original founders, the chance of being one step closer to playing in the U.S. Open Cup is big.

“This club means a lot to a lot of us,” Engst-Mansilla said. “I was actually there for the formation of this club, so getting into the Second Round is huge for us.”

FC Omens’ loss came just over one year after a 3-0 loss to Brockton FC United in a 2024 First Round qualifying game that was also held at Madison Tech High Park. Now eliminated from 2025 cup contention, they’ll put their focus back towards their Bay State Soccer League Division 1 campaign, where they currently sit in 3rd place at 6-5-2. 

 

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Kensington Soccer Club (EPSL/USASA)
4:3
Vidas United FC (EPSL/USASA)
Germantown Supersite Turf Stadium; Philadelphia, PA

By Josh Hakala

After consecutive one-and-done appearances in the Open Division qualifying tournament, Kensington SC picked up the club’s first win in dramatic fashion on Saturday, 4-3 over Vidas United FC. They opened the scoring in the 38th minute when Luka Gogidze put the home team in front. They would add two goals in a five-minute span (47th and 52nd minutes), but Vidas would fight back.

Players from Kensington SC celebrate after scoring a goal against Vidas United in the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Leinbach Photography


Both teams would trade goals in the 58th minute (Youssou Cissokho for Vidas and an unconfirmed goalscorer for Kensington). Three minutes later, Cissokho received a through ball and chipped the goalkeeper to make it 4-2.

In the 77th minute, Connor Shefte pounced on a rebound off the post to cut the lead to one but Kensington would hold on for the win.

FULL GAME VIDEO:


Patuxent FA (EPSL/USASA)
0:1
MSI Pro (UPSL)
Liberty Sports Park; Upper Marlboro, MD

By Josh Hakala

MSI Pro earned the club’s first-ever Open Cup qualifying win with a 1-0 win over Patuxent FA on Saturday. The deciding goal came in the 71st minute when Atakan Ozturk, the current leading scorer in the UPSL’s DMV North division, headed home a free kick from William Carballo. After winning the battle of two first-time entries, MSI Pro advances to the next round, which is scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 26-27.

 

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Alloy SC (EPSL/USASA)
4:3
Oaklyn United FC (EPSL/USASA)
Lancaster Bible College; Lancaster, PA

By Josh Hakala

In their first-ever Open Cup qualifying match, Alloy SC rallied with an incredible second half comeback to beat fellow EPSL side Oaklyn United FC, 4-3. Oaklyn went into the halftime break with a 3-1 lead in Lancaster, Pa. on Saturday. Two goals from Jason Mancuso and another from Ethan Romito (who also assisted on one of Mancuso’s goals) gave the visitors the early advantage.  

It was all Alloy SC in the second half beginning with a goal by Derek Ramirez which he scored on an upper-90 blast from distance to cut the lead in half in the 66th minute. Three minutes later, William Ardiles found himself on a breakaway and chipped the goalkeeper to tie the game at 3-3.

The go-ahead goal would come from Matteo Adiletta in the 77th minute on a low-driving shot from the top of the box. Oaklyn manager Alex Lewis was disappointed with the result, but considering he had to start a field player (Noah Blodget) in goal since none of their goalkeepers were available for the road game that day, he was pleased with the team’s effort.

 

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South Carolina United Heat (UPSL)
0:1
Mint Hill FC (UPSL)
SCUFC Southeastern Freight Lines Soccer Center; Columbia, SC
Late goal slips Mint Hill past SCU Heat

By Forrest Wimberly

Just when it looked like the two teams were headed for extra time, a 90th minute game-winning goal from Klint Parker broke the deadlock with South Carolina United Heat and sent the visiting Mint Hill FC into the next round of 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifiers.

It was an all-UPSL Mid-Atlantic clash as Mint Hill FC made the short drive down Interstate 77 to visit the SC United Heat in the opening weekend of the qualifying tournament on Saturday night in Columbia. The two teams had met just a year ago in US Open Cup qualifying with the Heat running out a comfortable 6-1 win in the Charlotte suburbs.

The rematch would play out very differently this year. 

The first half saw both teams adjusting to the fast, slick surface after the late afternoon showers in the Columbia area.  Mint Hill was content with long-range shots while the Heat worked the flanks but just couldn’t combine a cross and runner in the box to threaten the goal.

The second half saw more of the same patterns of play and very physical challenges from both teams. Then as the clock neared full time Mint Hill grabbed the late goal as Parker finished an Alberto Morales helper to send Mint Hill into the next round and the Heat crashing out of qualification in their earliest exit in program history. For Mint Hill, it was the club’s first qualifying win after going one-and-done in each of the last two years.

@opencup scenes last night in Columbia, SC as @minthillfc advances in the 2025 qualifiers with a 1-0 win on a late, late goal in the 90th minute. pic.twitter.com/5sT4DXrdM8

— TheSoccerForrest (@soccer_forrest) October 6, 2024

More photos from the match last night pic.twitter.com/3G773ATHIZ

— TheSoccerForrest (@soccer_forrest) October 6, 2024


West Chester United SC (USLPA/USASA)
6:0
United German Hungarians (USLPA/USASA)
Kildare’s Turf Field; West Chester, PA

By Josh Hakala

West Chester United’s quest to qualify for the US Open Cup for the sixth time got off to a positive start with a 6-0 home win over two-time Open Cup finalist United German Hungarians. Former University of Pittsburgh and Lehigh University standout Josh Luchini led the way with four goals.

Luchini opened the scoring in the 25th minute (assist: Ken Roby), followed two minutes later with a goal by Marcus Brenes. Luchini added his second goal after halftime (47th min.) and then completed the hat trick in the 69th minute to make it 4-0. Ken Roby added a late 86th minute goal while Luchini wrapped up his 4-goal night in the 89th minute. Thomas King and Brian McDaid had two assists each.

Ken Roby of West Chester United (blue) dribbles the ball against a player from the United German Hungarians during a match in the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Leinbach Photography

 


NY Greek American SC (EPSL/USASA)
3:4
NY Renegades FC (UPSL)
Hofstra University; Hempstead, NY

By JJ Pavlick

The New York Renegades took down the New York Greek Americans at Hofstra University in front of roughly 100 fans of all ages. The Renegades came from behind to secure the 4-3 victory and move on in the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2025 US Open Cup.

Some notable players in the match were Samuel Caceres and Daniel Bedoya of the Renegades. Caceres spent time with teams in Argentina, Paraguay and in America with the New York  Cosmos (NASL). Bedoya previously played at pro teams at every level of American soccer (MLS, USL Championship, NISA) James Nealis of NY Greek American FC also played for the Cosmos (NASL) and was also drafted by the Houston Dynamo (MLS)..

The New York Greek Americans got out to the early lead just four minutes into the match when El Mahdi Youssoufi found space below the penalty mark and headed home the cross. The lead was short lived when in the 11th minute the Renegades Oscar Rivas Romero slotted one home near post to tie the match. In the 25th minute, the center referee stopped the match and called both team captains to midfield for a chat to calm things down on the field. In the 32nd, the Greek Americans earned a free kick,

Bedoya took the free kick finding William Etienne Botty who headed the ball past the diving keeper for a 2-1 lead. In the 45th minute, the Renegades would draw even again when Oscar Rivas Romero converted the brace.

In the second half, Caceres would give the Renegades a 3-2 lead in the 59th minute after he blasted one home from long distance, inside the near post. Then in the 68th, Sebastian Restrepo would score off an assist from Alex Palas for a 4-2 lead late in the match.

The Greeks would get one back a few minutes later in the 70th minute when El Mahdi Youssoufi would get his brace as well, bringing them within a goal 4-3. Unfortunately for the Greeks, that would be the last goal of the match despite having a few more chances to tie the match.

 

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Lansdowne Yonkers FC (EPSL/USASA)
6:1
KidSuper Samba AC (EPSL/USASA)
Tibbetts Brook Park; Yonkers, NY

By Dave Einhorn

The Yonkers, New York, area was treated to some wonderful fall weather Saturday. It was a perfect night for soccer and a great way to open up the opening round of the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2025 US Open Cup. Lansdowne Yonkers of the Eastern Premier Soccer League welcomed Kid Super Samba AC of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League to Tibbetts Brook Park. The crowd of about 40 was treated to some excellent soccer as Lansdowne cruised to victory, 6-1.

Lansdowne wasted no time showing Kid Super Samba who the boss was. From the first few minutes of possession, it was clear the game plan was to attack early and often. Ali Daw Ha was the sharpest point of the Lansdowne attack, as he scored the first goal, set up the second (to Musa Bala Danso), and then secured his brace for a 3-0 lead. The salt in the wound for Kid Samba was the fourth goal for Lansdowne, a long-range effort from Daryl Kavanagh – not one minute later than the third goal.

Meanwhile, Kid Super Samba Aca’s best opportunity came in just the first few minutes of the match: a breakaway, the keeper slipping, and the ball ricocheting off the left post. Something of an omen for Kid Super Samba AC, when nothing seemed to go their way. At halftime, the score was 4-0 for the home side.

You are sadly mistaken if you thought Lansdowne would curl up in a sweater and sip pumpkin spice lattes in the second half. Kyle Galloway put the ball in the net for Lansdowne’s fifth. “Hit the Gritty” cries from the stands were ignored. Later, Kid Samba had their moment of Open Cup magic,  as Rijon Harrison converted a penalty in the 78th minute. Lansdowne converted a penalty of their own by Aly Camara. There was time for his signature backflip, and this time, the Gritty was hit for the young fans on the sidelines. The match’s final score was Lansdowne Yonkers 6 and Kid Super Samba AC 1. With the win, the two-time Amateur Cup champions take the first step toward qualifying for the Open Cup for the fifth time.

 

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6

ROUND 1

Atletico Miami Internacional FC (USSL/USSSA)
3:2
Hodler Miami FC (UPSL)
Monsignor Edward Pace HS; Miami Gardens, FL

By Josh Hakala

Atletico Miami Internacional FC withstood a late push from Hodler Miami FC to earn the club’s first Open Cup qualifying win, 3-2. The United States Soccer League side, who originally entered the competition under the name Fenix United before rebranding, jumped out to a 2-1 lead at halftime. With 15 minutes left, they doubled the lead, but Hodler Miami wasn’t done.

Hodler scored a late goal to cut the lead to one, and had a pair of dangerous free kicks in stoppage time but were ultimately unable to find the equalizer. For Atletico Miami, it’s a win in their qualifying debut, and a second straight one-and-done for Hodler Miami.


Washington Athletic Club (SRATS/USASA)
4:3
Bellevue Athletic FC (UPSL)
Interbay Stadium; Seattle, WA

By Josh Hakala

Bellevue Athletic FC fell behind three times and equalized three times, but in the end they were unable to find a fourth equalizer and Washington Athletic Club prevailed 4-3 in the opening round of the 2025 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. After a back and forth match, WAC secured a win in the club’s first-ever Open Cup qualifying appearance,

The scoring began with Washington AC captain Scott Menzies converting a PK in the second minute of the game. Bellevue answered with a goal from Jacen Stein on an assist by Tyler Hopp.

WAC regained the lead around the 29th minute when Eric Lagos shrugged off defenders and blasted a near-post shot into the roof of the net. A minute into stoppage time, Owen Gortner would send the game into the halftime break tied at 2-2 with a goal on an assist from Stein.

In the 52nd minute, Christian Soto combined with Lagos to get the lead back again. Soto would receive a ball and beat the keeper in traffic. Washington’s third lead of the night would only last about three minutes as Stein would strike again on an assist by Gortner.

After six goals in 55 minutes, the game-winner would not come until the 88th minute when Soto received a pass from the left wing and slid the ball past the goalkeeper to earn his brace that made it 4-3.


SF Vikings SC (SFSFL/USASA)
1:4
International San Francisco (SFSFL/USASA)
James P. Lang Field; San Francisco, CA

By Spencer DeVetter

A beautiful warm night at James P. Lang field, Inter San Francisco took advantage of a key injury and defeated the San Francisco Vikings 4-1 in the opening round of the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2025 US Open Cup.

The game got off to a quick start. Inter’s relentless splitting passes out of the gate caused the Vikings goalkeeper to take out an oncoming attacker. The ensuing penalty was buried by Dylan Autran. Just a few minutes later an almost identical sequence of play led to a heavy challenge which forced the Viking goalkeeper off with what was later revealed to be a broken leg. Without a backup keeper, the Vikings had to put the team’s captain and starting center back Max Sachar in goal.

After Inter’s Matt Fondy, a former pro, doubled the lead on an impressive individual effort, the momentum stayed with Inter. A few minutes later, an identical splitting pass led to the new goalkeeper Sachar taking out an Inter attacker about 30 yards from goal. A rightful red card was given for the challenge and yet another Vikings field player, this time, outside midfielder Brendan Cadam, stepped into goal. The Vikings would have to play a majority of the game without a real goalkeeper and only 10 men. Following the red card the 1st half was chippy and broken with no side keeping the ball or bowing out of any tackles.

The second half settled down significantly with both sides keeping sustained possession for periods. Around the 54th minute mark, the Vikings left back misplaced his touch and lost track of the ball on the edge of the box. Inter’s Oscar Cervantes pounced and was left alone with the Vikings’ second emergency keeper. He easily poked the ball past him for the third goal. Inter maintained the momentum and the possession was lopsided following the third goal.

Inter’s sustained possession paid off after a well worked passing sequence through the middle was buried again by a left footed strike from Inter’s Matt Fondy. By far the best goal of the night. After the fourth goal the game was end to end but no real attacking threats were made. In the last five minutes a Vikings winger cut past his defender, forcing him to drag him down in the box and give away a penalty. Matteo Ascherio-Victoria subsequently stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way. Even with the momentum from the goal it was too little too late and the match ended with Inter SF winning the club’s opening round game for the fourth year in a row.

 

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ROUND 2

Valhalla FC (OVPL/USASA)
1:3
Southern Indiana FC (UPSL)
Charity Lucas Soccer Stadium; Milford, OH

By Kenta Hagiwara

A beautiful Sunday morning in Cincinnati saw the matchup between Valhalla FC and Southern Indiana FC in the opening round of 2025 US Open Cup qualification. The two sides got off to a quick start, with Southern Indiana’s Vladyslav Peretyatko drawing an early PK in the opening minutes of the match. Valhalla’s Ian McNamara saved SIFC’s PK, taken by Jake Calderbank, and the match would go on as a scoreless draw. With 10 minutes left in the half, a handball in the box saw Southern Indiana have their second chance from the penalty spot. Jake Calderbank converted, giving the visitors a first half lead. Southern Indiana, much to the dismay of the Valhalla fans, drew their third PK of the half in stoppage time, with Calderbank converting the chance once again with the last kick of the half.

Valhalla would get their chance to score from the spot, with a PK being awarded to the home side 15 minutes into the second half. Valhalla’s Conner Clark’s PK is saved by SIFC GK Zane Love, but Valhalla quickly responded just a minute later, scoring their first goal of the match through Bbuye Manisuul. Valhalla would continue to apply pressure to find an equalizer, but it was Southern Indiana who found the final goal of the match, as Vladyslav Peretyatko put the game away with a goal scored off a counter.

Southern Indiana FC beat Valhalla FC 3-1 to earn a win in their qualifying debut.

Teal Nation, it’s a W for our first match of the day! SIFC is moving on to the next round of the U.S. Open Cup! #feartheteal #usopencup pic.twitter.com/hK2y74zKtx

— Southern Indiana FC (@TheSIFC) October 6, 2024


Colonial SC (USLPA/USASA)
0:4
Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USLPA/USASA) 
Victory Field; Plymouth Meeting, PA

By Greg Oldfield

Chris Baker scored two goals, and former pro Antoine Hoppenot added a goal and two assists to lead Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USLPA) to a 4-0 win over Colonial SC (USLPA). VE wasted no time avenging a loss to Colonial in league play a week earlier when Baker found the back of the net six minutes in. Hoppenot, the longtime professional with the Philadelphia Union, FC Cincinnati, and several other USL clubs, broke the Colonial backline with a floated ball over the top. Baker controlled the pass, beat the remaining defender to the outside, and finished with a left-footed strike that beat keeper Gavin Hendrick.

Hoppenot scored VE’s second off a beautiful combination with Derek Antonini, settling the through ball before picking out the far corner. 

Colonial had a brief rally through the middle of the half as midfielder Steve Hutchinson had a free kick saved by VE keeper Steve Paul before sending in a number of dangerous corners that were cleared away by the VE center back pairing of Aidan Watkins and another former pro Chris Williams.

As the mid-day heat kicked into gear on the turf at Victory Field in Whitemarsh, Pa., so did the VE attack. A long buildup in the 38th minute that started with the center backs ended with another combination from the front three as Hoppenot found Jalen Weatherspoon at the spot, and Weatherspoon extended the lead to 3-0. Two minutes later, VE added a fourth off a multi-numbered attack that ended with a four-on-two and Hoppenot picking out Baker at the far post for Baker’s second of the game. 

Despite an intense Colonial start to the second half, VE kept the hosts at safe distance and rode out the remainder of the game, nearly extending their lead several times if not for the strong efforts of Hendrick to keep the scoreline stable.

6’ @VEClub 1, @Colonial_Soccer 0. The visitors strike first. Chris Baker gets on the end of a pass from Antoine Hoppenot. #USOC2025 pic.twitter.com/8EOEsKU7gf

— Philadelphia Soccer Now (@phlsoccernow) October 6, 2024

22’ @VEClub adds a 2nd in the first half. This time Antoine Hoppenot finishes a breakaway from Derek Antonini.
VE 2-0 @Colonial_Soccer #USOC2025 pic.twitter.com/jeH3z2zCWy

— Philadelphia Soccer Now (@phlsoccernow) October 6, 2024



Roc City Boom (NISAN/USASA)

3:5
FCY New York (UPSL)
Finger Lakes Community College; Canandaigua, NY

By Jesse Dugan

FCY New York won an eight-goal thriller away from home against Roc City Boom at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, N.Y, The first half was very back and forth, with neither side truly taking control of the match. George Amoh opened the scoring in the 18th minute, putting Roc City up 1-0 with a curler from outside the box to the far top corner. However, FCY responded quickly with a tap-in by Scott Wyatt to make it 1-1 in the 22nd minute.

FCY grabbed the lead through Mohamed Ayad who scored off a rebound from a save made by Roc City Boom goalkeeper Samuel Furioso. FCY took control in the beginning stages of the second half, extending their lead to two with a goal by Ali Shawish.

FCY were then awarded a penalty for a foul by the Roc City goalkeeper in the 59th minute which was converted by Shawish to earn his brace and extend FCY’s lead to 4-1.

However, Roc City grew back into the game and were awarded a penalty of their own in the 75th minute. Tanner Bay saw his initial shot saved but Amoh scored the rebound for his double making it 4-2 in favor of FCY New York.

In the 82nd minute, Bay again sees a shot saved but Jeremy Locano jumps on the end of the rebound to reduce Roc City Boom’s deficit to one. Whitman Hernandez puts the game out of reach three minutes into stoppage time when he scored FCY’s 5th .

 

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Steel Pulse FC (MSSL/USASA)
7:0
Maryland Bobcats II (EPSL/USASA)
Milford Mill Academy; Millford Mill, MD

By Josh Hakala

Steel Pulse, a team that has seen minimal success in their four previous Open Cup qualifying appearances, kicked off the 2025 campaign with a statement win at home. The Maryland-based club, who have won just one game in their previous four trips to the tournament, thrashed Maryland Bobcats II of the Eastern Premier Soccer League, 7-0 on Sunday.

Stephen Jude scored an early brace to get the ball rolling for Steel Pulse.

They added a third through Diarra Zoumana. The former Loudoun United (USL Championship) player drove down the left wing, cut back inside and buried a shot just inside the far post.

Williams Yami Nono would add a pair of tap-in goals to put Steel Pulse up 5-0, while former Penn State Harrisburg standout Joey Aman would add a sixth goal on a counter attack. SPFC would wrap up the scoring with Youssef Naciri, who dribbled through the Maryland defense and beat the keeper to make it 7-0.

Justin Appler picked up the clean sheet for Steel Pulse.

This was the second one-sided result for Steel Pulse. Last year, they picked up their first-ever qualifying win with a 13-1 beat down of Villarreal CF Virginia.


Peak Eleven FC (MPL/USASA)
1:2
FC Denver (CPL/USSSA)
Fairview High School; Boulder, CO

By Josh Hakala

FC Denver escaped with a 2-1 win over Peak Eleven FC but they did so without registering a shot on goal. The only offensive output from the Colorado Premier League side was a shot that hit the crossbar and another that hit the post. The only scoring came from a pair of first half penalty kicks by Liam Creedon (28th and 35th minutes).

According to Peak Eleven, the team managed 10 shots on goal but the only ball that ended up in the back of the net was a 76th minute counter attack goal by Moutaz Badawi. Peak Eleven continued to press for the equalizer but the FC Denver defense held strong to preserve the win in the clubs’ 8th straight qualifying tournament appearance. 

 

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Guerrilla FC (DCPL/USASA)
2:3
Alexandria Reds (UPSL)
The Fields at RFK; Washington, D.C.

By Josh Hakala

The Alexandria Reds of the UPSL got their US Open Cup qualifying debut off to a positive start with a 3-2 road win over Guerrilla FC. Ben Montague was the first one on the board with a goal in the 18th minute, but Guerrilla bounced back with William Brock’s equalizer in the 29th minute. Montague struck again in the 40th minute to give the Reds a one goal lead at halftime.

In the 53rd minute, Aaron Hurge gave the Reds a two-goal cushion which they held onto until stoppage time. Juan Luis of Guerrilla would cut the lead to one but it wouldn’t be enough as the Reds advanced to the second round.  

 

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Boulder United FC (CPL/USSSA)
1:5
Azteca FC (CPL/USSSA)
Broomfield Commons; Broomfield, CO

By Andrew Mosier

Azteca FC took the first step towards a record fifth U.S. Open Cup appearance opening the 2025 qualifying tournament with a 5-1 win over Boulder United FC at Broomfield Commons.

Open Cup veteran Edgar Castillo tallied twice in Azteca’s dominating win over its fellow Colorado Premier League foe, along with goals by Jean Zidani, Edgar Hermosillo, and Romario Valdez.

Azteca was unable to capitalize on the run of play in the first half until Castillo opened the scoring in the 44th minute. Castello’s second goal seven minutes into the start of the second half opened the floodgates. Zidani made it 3-0 in the 63rd minute, followed by Hermosillo in the 78th.

Elies Boulezzaz pulled Boulder a goal back with nine minutes to play, spoiling Gerardo Aguilar’s clean sheet.

Valdez closed out scoring in the 81st minute to make it 5-1.

 

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Timbers SC (MPL/USASA)
0:1
Colorado Rovers (CPL/USSSA)
Englewood High School; Englewood, CO

By Josh Hakala

The Colorado Rovers have competed in every year of the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup that started in 2016. On Sunday, they picked up a narrow 1-0 road win over Timbers SC to advance to the next round. It was the club’s first qualifying win since 2022, after being one-and-done in each of the last two years.

The game’s lone goal came from James Ross who celebrated his birthday with a tap-in goal on an assist from Rory Fraser in about the 30th minute of the game at D’Evelyn Jr-Sr High School in Denver. Liam Fitzgerald earned the clean sheet in goal for the Rovers who are seeking the club’s first-ever trip to the Open Cup proper.  


Dalton United (UPSL)
3:0
Pre-College Development Academy (UPSL)
Dalton Stadium; Dalton, GA

by Tim Abbott 

In a battle of first-time US Open Cup qualifying entrants, Dalton United blanked Pre-College Development Academy 3-0. Dalton  started early, going ahead from a long throw in the 5th minute. Pre-College DA then had a threatening period. Zach Perry blasted clear of the goal for Dalton United in the 16th minute. Following another long throw-in from Dalton United into the penalty area just two minutes later, Pre-College DA were reduced to ten men after the center referee consulted his assistant on the right side. The penalty kick resulting from the infringement was dispatched by Ezequiel Cholo Hernandez, firmly down the middle for a two goal lead. 

With a man advantage, a two-goal lead within 20 minutes and a tendency towards pass-and-move, Dalton United took what remained of the sting from their opponents and strolled to a comfortable victory. Tony Saldana supplied the capper in the 75th minute, blasting home from a right wing corner. 

FULL MATCH VIDEO:

 

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Boston Street FC (UPSL)
1:4
CD Faialense (BSSL/USASA)
Harry Della Russo Stadium; Revere, MA

By Todd Tinkham

In a rematch from last year’s Open Cup qualifying tournament, CD Faialense defeated Boston Street Soccer 4-1 on Sunday evening at Harry Della Russo Stadium in Revere, Mass. The dominating scoreline came as a surprise as the Bay State Soccer League mainstays had no problem dismantling the UPSL side Boston Street.

Max Krause opened the scoring for CD Faialense, followed by a brace from Alessandro Arlotti and a fourth from Francis Mulkern. Carlos Zapata scored a consolation goal for Boston Street in the 77th minute.

After defeating Boston Street in penalty kicks last year, and a win in regulation this time around, CD Faialense moves on to the next round which is scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 26-27.

 

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Zum Schneider FC 03 (EPSL/USASA)
2:0
Central Park Rangers FC (EPSL/USASA)
Jack McManus Field; New York, NY

By Michael Battista

Zum Schneider FC 03 beat fellow Eastern Premier Soccer League side Central Park Rangers FC, 2-0, to advance into the Third Qualifying Round. Goals in each half propelled the German heritage side to its second opening qualifying round win in as many years.

“We were the better team then, we were the better team today,” said Zum head coach Alexander Berscheid when asked about his team winning a second straight opening game. “I thought we were totally in control and we boss the field. Basically, we were physically strong. We moved the ball well and we were always dangerous to score again.”

CPR and Zum, sitting in 10th and 11th in the EPSL Metropolitan Conference and both calling Roosevelt Island’s Jack McManus Field home, played the game like two similar teams, Both sides struggled to get shots on target throughout the match. In the 19th minute, Central Park’s Naeem Charles, formerly of the New York Cosmos B and New Amsterdam FC, broke through on a breakaway but held the ball too long allowing goalkeeper Dario Giovanni Cruz to tackle it away. Zum took immediate advantage, counter-attacking up the left side. A shot was initially blocked by CPR keeper Christopher Valentine, but the loose ball was punched in by Sully Corneille.

Rangers, with only two subs on the bench, struggled to gain any momentum until late in the first half. Taking 35 minutes until getting their first shot, the visitors ended the half with three wide shots in the last ten minutes including a header off a corner kick in the 40th minute that just missed the right post. The visitors held some of that momentum into the second half but eventually Zum took advantage when CPR failed to clear a corner kick. Dennis Coke Jr poked the ball away from an opposing player, allowing Artur Shamrov to strike an arching right footed shot into the right side of the net in the 56th minute.

Zum finished out the match by rotating its lineup with four subs and parking the bus in the last five to ten minutes. Both teams struggled to get shots on target for the rest of the match, with Zum shooting wide of the net multiple times on goals that could have iced the game. Central Park nearly scored a consolation goal in the 84th minute, when Naeem Charles’ attempt from the center of the box was saved by goalkeeper Cruz.

“This is a big deal for these boys. This is supposed to be fun,” Berscheid said when talking about what the result meant for his group. “This is a great experience. We are in the US Open Cup.

“I call it the ‘Mission to play Messi’,” he said with a laugh, “You go through, what, four rounds or five rounds and you are possibly meeting pro teams. To measure yourself against the best is what these guys want and that’s what we’re giving to them.”

Shamrov, a former member of FC Lokomotyv Kyiv & New York City FC’s academy, is one of the handful of Zum players with impressive backgrounds. Defender Lazhari Salim Dziri played professionally in the Algerian first division while forward Diego Hurtado’s resume includes Open Cup stints with Miami United, a stint with the New York Cosmos, and most recently launching Diaza Sportswear (who’s kit clients include the recently launched Brooklyn FC).

“It’s really exciting. The best part about playing in this cup is that you get to test yourself against some of the best teams in New York State,” said midfielder and team captain Deniz Oncu”. We have a group that’s been together for a while. So it’s really exciting for us to be able to test ourselves.”

FULL MATCH VIDEO

Time to do that Soccer.

On site At Roosevelt Island’s Jack McManus Field (formerly known as Octagon Field) for 2025 U.S. Open Cup Qualifying.

Zum Schneider FC 03 welcomes Central Park Rangers FC in an all #EPSL matchup for Round 2. Kickoff at 7 PM.#USOC2025 #RBNY #NYCFC pic.twitter.com/JlIZdsTNq0

— Michael Battista (@MichaelBattista) October 6, 2024


VA Revolution Pro (UPSL)
2:2
Northern Virginia FC (EPSL/USASA)
VA Revolution advances, 3-0 on penalty kicks
RavenTek Park; Leesburg, VA

By Josh Hakala

VA Revolution needed penalty kicks to advance in the club’s opening game of the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2025 US Open Cup. They eliminated the EPSL’s Northern Virginia FC, a team that has reached the final round in each of the last three years, and qualified in 2022. The score in the penalty kick shootout was 3-0, after the match finished tied at 2-2.

All of the offense during regulation came in the first half as VA Revolution’s Jack Stone scored a pair of goals three minutes apart (17th and 20th minutes). NoVa FC would pull one back through Alex Garrison in the 23rd minute, followed by an equalizer by Alex Dexter in the 43rd minute.

VA Revolution goalkeeper Tanner Newport made one save in the shootout and the other two attempts missed the target. Jack Stone, Kosta Nika and Aaron Uribe converted their PK attempts to give the Revs a rare shootout scoreline of 3-0.

It was the first time that VA Revolution has survived the opening game of the tournament after falling to the Aegean Hawks 4-1 in their debut in last year’s competition. 

 

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Leros SC (LISFL/USASA)
2:1
NY Empire FC (UPSL)
College Point Fields; Flushing, NY

By Michael Battista

Leros SC won in its first ever US Open Cup Qualifying match, downing fellow debutant NY Empire FC, 2-1, in a battle for Long Island supremacy.

Open Cup regular Shaquille Saunchez, formerly of Lansdowne Yonkers FC, got the scoring goal when he set up the opening goal in the 43rd minute for Leros. A long pass down the midfield reached the feet of former Grenada national team forward Clive Murray, who pulled the keeper towards the left side of the box before beating him low toward the opposite post. Saunchez earned a second assist in the 69th minute, when he ran down the field on a break. He crossed the ball across the box, allowing Bryan Argueta to tap in Leros’ second goal.

The visiting NY Empire did push back late. Former Chattanooga FC forward Lenworth “Lenny” Lopez Jr. took advantage of a poor defensive play and struck from distance in the 88th minute. While that cut the deficit in half, in the end it acted as little more than a consolation goal.

Leros, the defending Long Island Soccer Football League Premier Division champions, are the first LISFL team to ever win a match in US Open Cup Qualifying. The often overshadowed, yet history rich league will look to make it two-in-a-row next round.

 

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FULL MATCH VIDEO:


Bowling Green FC (UPSL)
3:0
Southern Indiana Guardians FC (UPSL)
Bowling Green Junior High School; Bowling Green, KY


By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The UPSL’s Bowling Green won their first ever Open Cup qualifying game with a 3-0 win over UPSL league mates Southern Indiana Guardians. 

Bowling Green opened the scoring in the 11th minute through an own goal. Kevin Ahamad’s long and high shot came off the post Southern Indiana goalkeeper Koffivi Aboudjo kicked it into his own net in an attempt to clear the rebound. Byamungu Amisi doubled Bpwling Green’s lead twelve minutes later.

The Guardians had a great chance to cut the lead in half at the 30th minute when they were awarded a free kick just inside the penalty area, but the attempt was stopped. Daniel Nkurunziza topped off the scoring for Bowling Green in second half stoppage time to make the final score 3-0.

FULL GAME VIDEO:

Your Men of the Match 🦁❤️

Good Night ✅⏳⏳⏳ pic.twitter.com/ioV1jTMG55

— Bowling Green FC (@BGFCGoldenLions) October 7, 2024

 

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Aegean Hawks FC (APL/USASA)
2:1
DC Hyper (UPSL)
Langley High School; McLean, VA

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The Aegean Hawks advanced in the 2025 US Open Cup qualifying tournament in dramatic fashion, defeating the UPSL’s DC Hyper 2-1. After a scoreless opening half, the Hawks took the lead when Peter Omunyidde scored on a breakaway in the 52nd minute. 

At the end of the second half is when all the drama unfolded. In the 88th minute DC Hyper were awarded a penalty kick when Hassan Elsayed was brought down just inside the box. Teammate Alfonso Dos Santos stepped up and converted the spot kick to tie the game 1-1. In the second minute of stoppage time a member of the DC Hyper coaching staff was given a red card for excessive arguing. Just as extra time seemed certain, the Aegean Hawks scored the dramatic winner in the 8th minute of stoppage time when David Rosenbaum took at a pass at the center of the penalty area and caught the DC Hyper goalkeeper out of position.

The Hawks will attempt to do something they have never done in the next round, which is to win multiple games in a qualifying tournament. The club has qualified for the Open Cup proper three times (2007, 2009, 2012) but has never punched their ticket to the competition since the new qualifying format began in 2016.


New Jersey Alliance FC (UPSL)
2:0
SC Vistula Garfield (EPSL/USASA)
Athenia Steel Park; Clifton, NJ

By Dave Einhorn

New Jersey Alliance is moving on to the second round of the US Open Cup qualifyingn tournament. It wasn’t an easy match by any means, as Vistula Garfield made them work for a 2-0 home victory.

The first half featured brilliant soccer: excellent passing, moving, and extraordinary flicks to keep the ball in play. The finishing was another story, as both teams had substantial opportunities to score but seemed to put the ball everywhere but the back of the net.

Injuries began to take a toll in the second half as both team’s players fought for every ball. Eventually, the deadlock was broken by New Jersey Alliance’s number 17, Emiland Elezaj. Assisted by Christopher Rubio, Emiland connected with a pass played into the middle and gave his side a commanding 1-0 lead in the 68th minute. The trouble for Vistula Garfield was compounded when Abdoul Sangare was sent off after bringing down an Alliance player during a breakaway.

Now down to ten men, Vistula couldn’t cope with New Jersey’s attacks. The second goal came in the 80th minute when Joshua Geller found open space in the 18 and slotted the ball home. New Jersey would also be awarded a penalty in stoppage time. In a match where finishing was so important, Joshua Geller was offered the opportunity for a brace, but he couldn’t convert. Luckily for him, it did not affect the final score as New Jersey came away with a 2-0 win.

 

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Filed Under: 2025 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, Feature - Qualifying, Featured Post - Main, Featured Post - US Open Cup Qualifying, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central, US Open Cup Qualifying Tagged With: 2025 US Open Cup, 2025 US Open Cup Qualifying

2024 US Open Cup Final Preview: Why LAFC will win and why Sporting KC will win

September 24, 2024 by Josh Hakala

The 109th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup will kick off in Los Angeles on Wednesday night. Los Angeles FC is seeking to lift the trophy for the first time in the club’s nine-year history, while Sporting Kansas City is trying to join the exclusive five-time champions club (Bethlehem Steel FC, Maccabee AC, Fall River Marksmen/New Bedford Whalers).

The 2024 US Open Cup Final kicks off at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time and can be watched live, for free, on Apple TV.

Which Major League Soccer team will make history on Wednesday night? Two of our reporters, Ignacio Cervantes (LAFC) and Liam Keating (Sporting KC) took a closer look at the keys to victory for both teams.

Why LAFC will win the 2024 US Open Cup
by Ignacio Cervantes

Take a look at the current Major League Soccer standings, then have a glance at Los Angeles FC and Sporting KC’s rosters. The theory of an LAFC victory on Wednesday in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final becomes a likelihood.

Winners of the Cup four times, SKC are at the foot of the MLS table with the fourth-least total points across the league (31 pts). LAFC (49 pts) sit nine points behind the top of the Western Conference with two games in hand.

  • Preview: LAFC seeks first USOC title as they host four-time champ Sporting KC
  • Highs and lows of Los Angeles’ 25 all-time US Open Cup Final appearances
  • Preview: Why LAFC will win and why Sporting KC will win
  • 2024 US Open Cup Results
  • 2024 US Open Cup Stat Leaders
  • 2025 US Open Cup Qualifying

Denis Bouanga is leading an attack alongside Mateus Bogusz and MLS newcomer/former World Cup champion Olivier Giroud that combines for 48 goal contributions on the year.

LAFC has 2-to-1 odds to win the final outright and, on its day, the squad has what it takes to beat anyone in the competition.

Kei Kamara celebrates his first goal with LAFC in a Fourth Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup against Las Vegas Lights FC. Photo: Los Angeles FC
Kei Kamara celebrates his first goal with LAFC in a Fourth Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup against Las Vegas Lights FC. Photo: Los Angeles FC

“On the day if we bring it we’re really confident in ourselves that we can beat anyone in this league,” said LAFC defender Aaron Long, who reached the 2017 final with the New York Red Bulls. “We are confident in ourselves. We like our roster. We like our tactics, we like our formations that we’re cooking up here.”

It’s all fun and games at LAFC — until recently.

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

A handful of MLS games in a row without a win (0-3-2) since its 1-0 victory against the Seattle Sounders in the Open Cup Semifinals is the most LAFC has gone without a win since going six winless games in May/June 2023.

There is also the recent championship game failures, such as in last season’s MLS Cup Final and the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League Final in December. Combined with last month’s Leagues Cup title-deciding loss and The Black and Gold are surrounded with negative energy approaching this title game.

A coy Steve Cherundolo refused to address recent form during the pregame press conference, saying that any form before this game means nothing since it’s “a different time of year” and a “one-off” game.

“The reality is every game has its own story,” Cherundolo said. “Nothing that has happened in the past can hurt us Wednesday night. It can only help. We have experiences in these games and that can only be positive. But again it’s a completely different game.”

The bad luck in title matches surrounding LAFC has been amplified as a result of its uncharacteristic September form. In the last seven games the Black and Gold has scored multiple goals just once, while failing to score in just two of those games.

David Martinez of LAFC battles for the ball with a New Mexico United defender in the Quarterfinals of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: LAFC

The Black and Gold head into its first Lamar Hunt US Open Cup final appearance limping on the back of five games without a win with desperate need of righting the ship before the start of MLS Cup playoffs.

First, LAFC will have to overcome its spell in finals Wednesday night against Sporting KC in a championship match that can finish as the team’s fourth straight title-game loss.

Advantages over SKC lie in its lethal attack where one mistake or open lane will be taken advantage of by Bouanga, Giroud or Bogusz.

The killer instinct possessed by each of them will keep veteran goalkeeper and two-time winner of the Cup with SKC (2015, 2017) Tim Melia working — LAFC’s 15.5 shots per game in MLS leads the league while the Wizards defense gives up a top six average of 11.3 per game.

In 167 minutes played against SKC over two matches, Bouanga has one goal while Bogusz picked up an assist in 247 minutes over three appearances against the Wizards.

Los Angeles FC players celebrate after scoring a goal against Loudoun United in the Round of 16 of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: LAFC
Los Angeles FC players celebrate after scoring a goal against Loudoun United in the Round of 16 of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: LAFC

“We put in a lot of hard work,” Cherundolo said. “And in this industry trophies is the proof of that.

“We’re looking to be solely focused on that objective and whatever has happened prior to, or happens after, plays no role in our thinking and our preparation at the moment.”

It’s all eyes on the prize for the Black and Gold skipper and his squad.

“It’s a trophy that LAFC has not won and that’s motivation enough for us,” Cherundolo added.

“As an American, it’s really important to keep this cup alive. I know there’s a ton of MLS teams that really love this tournament and felt like they for short sided a little bit for not being able to play in it so we felt fortunate we wanted to go for it from the beginning and now we get the chance so we’re just trying to complete the job here.”

Why Sporting Kansas City will win the 2024 US Open Cup Final
By Liam Keating

Sporting Kansas City have been focused on one thing all season, a chance at the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup title. The team has struggled in MLS play as they currently sit third to last in the Western Conference.

But, the league competition is then, the Open Cup is now. While some MLS teams have tried to avoid Open Cup play, Sporting have rededicated their affinity for the Cup.

Willy Agada of Sporting KC attempts a shot against FC Dallas in the Quarterfinals of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Sporting KC

“I can only say that we’ve always taken this tournament very seriously,” Sporting manager Peter Vermes said after their win in the Quarterfinals. “I always say that. I think every other team does. It’s just that sometimes it doesn’t work out for them because of the team they put on the field or the way they played that day.”

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

Taking the Cup seriously can only take the club so far. While play in MLS has been a struggle, Sporting has looked solid for most of their matches. They’ve outscored their opponents 8-1 in their last three matches.

Kansas City have had a favorable draw into the final. They defeated USL Championship sides Indy Eleven in the Semifinals and FC Tulsa in the Round of 16. In the Quarterfinals, Sporting defeated FC Dallas in a rain soaked match. The toughest match during their Open Cup run came in the Round of 32 when they went to extra time against USL League One’s Union Omaha. The Owls controlled a majority of the match and led 1-0 at halftime.

Marinos Tzionis equalized in the second half of that game against Omaha. For what its worth, Tzionis will not be available to play in the Final as he was transferred to Seribian team FK Čukarički this summer. Alan Pulido scored the winning goal in the closing seconds of extra time as Sporting avoided the early cupset.

Kansas City comes into the final against LAFC with little to no form. They have won just one game out of their last four matches. They suffered a disappointing MLS match loss to Minnesota 2-0 on Saturday.

“You have to put it past you because that’s not good enough on any level. You put a performance in against Colorado and then you go in the complete opposite tonight,”

Sporting captain Johnny Russell said following Saturday’s loss. “That’s been the problem with our season: inconsistency, lack of quality and then we just allowed teams to punish us,” said Sporting captain Johnny Russell. “It’s a horrible feeling but you have to get over it and you have to get over it quick. We’ve got a cup final to play on Wednesday.”

Sporting Kansas City players celebrate after scoring a goal against FC Tulsa in the Round of 16 of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Sporting Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City players celebrate after scoring a goal against FC Tulsa in the Round of 16 of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Sporting Kansas City

Like the captain said, inconsistency has been a major issue. It seems like a different Sporting team steps on the pitch each game. The team that struggles to string passes together could come out on Wednesday. Or, maybe the side that dominated Colorado on Sept. 18. Sporting destroyed the Rapids 4-1 as Pulido and midfielder Erik Thommy found the back of the net twice. If Pulido and Thommy are on the mark, Sporting is tough side to take down due to their high pressing ability and tactical awareness. If they are not locked-in, it could be another tough night for the Kansas club.

“It’s going to be a big challenge but we we’ll work towards that on Monday and Tuesday to get ready for Wednesday,” Vermes said on Saturday night.

When it comes to a final, you throw the records out. Vermes has been there many times, he is one of the best managers to have in the dugout when it comes to title matches.

Sporting has won four US Open Cups with the latest coming in 2017. Two players on the current roster played in that match where Sporting defeated the New York Red Bulls in front of a packed Children’s Mercy Park. Midfielder Daniel Salloi secured the win with a goal in the 66th minute. Tim Melia also featured in goal for Kansas City and was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round as well as Player of the Tournament.

These two players will be big important on Wednesday. Not just their skill, but their experience, too.

Tim Melia of Sporting KC makes a save against Indy Eleven in the 2024 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

“Grind,” goalkeeper Tim Melia said on Saturday. “You have got to be super organized defensively. Going back a long time in that Philadelphia game, we defended for long, long stretches of that game and that is perfectly okay. We don’t need to drive the game.”

Melia is a referring to the 2015 US Open Cup Final where Sporting defeated the Union 7-6 in a penalty kick shootout after a 1-1 draw. Melia was also voted TheCup.us Player of the Round for that performance (and player of the 2017 tournament), something he’s earned three other times including in this year’s semifinals. Kansas City played their brand of football. A controlled one where they were organized and took their chances. That is something Sporting is hoping to accomplish in the 2024 Final.

“Everyone’s got to be in whatever position we need them in that moment. I think our team understands that and is very capable of it and we’ve shown it,” Meila said. “It’s got to be a place where we go in against a very, very good LAFC team away from home and if we have got to sit back, we sit back and defend. Who cares? All we have got to do is do everything we can to win the game.”

Filed Under: 2024 US Open Cup, US Open Cup Tagged With: 2024 US Open Cup, Los Angeles FC, Sporting KC

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U.S. Open Cup History

Dating back to 1913, Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh soccer rivalry returns to US Open Cup

It’s a geographic rivalry that crosses the boundaries of sports. Steelers vs. Eagles, Pirates vs. Phillies, Penguins vs Flyers, Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia. In the world of American Pro soccer however, the cities have never crossed paths.

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