Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Kaylor Hodges

2024 US Open Cup Round 3: Stefano Pinho of Birmingham Legion FC voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

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thecup.us player of the round 2024 us open cup round 3 winner graphic
Photo Credit: Birmingham Legion FC | Graphic by Phil Naegely

Birmingham Legion FC moved on into the Fourth Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup off the head, chest, and foot of Stefano Pinho. The Brazilian was able to completely change the game for the “3 Sparks” thanks to a hat trick from corner kicks and one goal from open play at the end of extra time.

Pinho’s four-goal performance is a rare accomplishment in the tournament’s Modern Era (1995-present). He becomes just the 13th player since 1995 to score four or more goals in a game and the third Brazilian, joining Welton (2000 Miami Fusion) and Paulo Araujo Jr. (2010 Miami FC). He is also just the second Modern Era play to score multiple hat tricks in a career, joining Johnny Menyongar (2000, 2002 with Minnesota Thunder).

Stefano Pinho of Birmingham Legion FC celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Chattanooga Red Wolves in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Madeline Oliver
Stefano Pinho of Birmingham Legion FC celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Chattanooga Red Wolves in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Madeline Oliver

Pinho’s four-goal game helped him run away with TheCup.us Player of the Round honors. He distanced himself from second place Jerry Ayon (Monterey Bay FC), who was followed close behind by Yannik Oettl (Indy Eleven). This is the second time that Pinho has won the award. He was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round after scoring a hat trick for The Miami FC in the Fourth Round of the 2017 US Open Cup in an upset of Orlando City (MLS).

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters, and select backers from TheCup.us’ Patreon. Anyone interested in voting for this award for upcoming rounds, consider pledging $10 or more and help us continue to cover the US Open Cup and research its long history.

In the match against the Chattanooga Red Wolves, the Legion needed the forehead of Pinho on a corner to bring the match back to level after an early conceded goal.

After a penalty conceded by Matt VanOekel, the Legion found themselves down a goal once again to the Red Wolves, but less than 5 minutes later, Pinho’s forehead came in clutch once again.

To end regular time, Pinho was in on goal and forced Gustavo Fernandes to pull Stefano down in a DOGSO position which earned him a red card. That moment completely blew the game open for Legion. To start the first half of extra time, Pinho was once again lurking at the back post, this time the ball hitting him in the chest for an unconventional tap to take the lead.

In the second half of extra time, Pinho scored the only goal from open play in the match to bring the score to 4-2.

Pinho is a long-time journeyman and has made the most of his professional career. The Brazilian made a career from football after a highly successful loan spell from Fluminense in Brazil to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the NASL that saw him win the Golden Boot and MVP in his first year in NASL. After a stop with Minnesota United FC (NASL) in 2016, he moved to Miami FC where he won another Golden Boot and MVP. He signed with Orlando City SC (MLS) in 2018, followed by a trip to China to play for Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard, then out to Saudi Arabia to play for Al-Washm, where he eventually came back to the United States to join the Austin Bold (USL-C), Indy Eleven (USL-C), and finally his stop in Birmingham.

Stefano Pinho of Miami FC becomes the third Brazilian in the Modern Era to score a hat trick in the US Open Cup. The previous two are also Miami-based: Welton of the Miami Fusion (MLS) in 2000 and Paulo Jr. of Miami FC (USL) in 2010. Photo: Miami FC
Stefano Pinho of Miami FC celebrates after scoring a goal against Orlando City SC in the Fourth Round of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Miami FC

The four US Open Cup goals against Chattanooga brings Pinho’s career total in the tournament to nine. This ties him for 15th in the Modern Era goalscoring chart along with Tomas Boltnar, Jorge Herrera, Randi Patterson, Kwadwo Poku, Carlos Ruiz, and Brandon Vasquez. He scored four goals during Miami FC’s run to the Quarterfinals in the 2017 US Open Cup. The following year he scored a goal for Orlando City during their trip to the Quarterfinals.

2024 US Open Cup Round 3: Four Stefano Pinho goals carry Birmingham Legion to OT win over Chattanooga Red Wolves

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Stefano Pinho of Birmingham Legion FC celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Chattanooga Red Wolves in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Madeline Oliver
Stefano Pinho of Birmingham Legion FC celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Chattanooga Red Wolves in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Madeline Oliver

In the Third Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, Birmingham Legion FC and Chattanooga Red Wolves SC had a rematch of last year’s Second Round match up, this time down at The University of Montevallo. This matchup in 2023 resulted in a 4-1 win in the Scenic City for Birmingham, but this year was tougher as the Legion equalized twice, forced extra time and ultimately won 4-2 in front of a capacity crowd.

The story of the match was a four-goal performance by Birmingham’s Stefano Pinho as he scored two equalizers in regulation and two more goals in extra time to send the Legion to the Round of 32. Pinho becomes just the 13th player in the tournament’s Modern Era (1995-present) to score four or more goals in a single game. In fact, he’s just the second during that span to score four goals after halftime.

The match started with a flurry of chances for Birmingham, with several corners and early fouls in Birmingham’s favor, but Chattanooga weathered that storm. At the 12-minute mark, the deadlock was broken by a picture-perfect set piece by the Red Wolves. Ricky Ruiz, the 2021 USL League One assists leader, put in a perfect ball into the box that was headed into the back of the net by Leo Folla.

Immediately after the resulting kickoff, Jake Rufe quickly picked up a yellow to open Legion’s book. Legion had several more chances to put a ball on target, but none to the worry of Tim Trilk, the Red Wolves keeper. That frustration really showed as in the 34th minute, Enzo Martinez picked up a yellow card on a late challenge. Outside of some small chances on each side, the first half ended up fizzling out with Red Wolves up 1-0 as they were seeking to reach the Fourth Round for the first time in club history.

The second half started with Tyler Pasher coming on for Enzo Martinez, and his impact was felt immediately with a beautiful corner finding the head of Stefano Pinho in the 48th minute to pull things level.

The match continued to gain intensity as Tabort Etaka Preston picked up a yellow card in the 57th minute. That intensity fully bubbled over as Legion goalkeeper Matt VanOekel and Red Wolves’ Ropapa Mensah had a nasty collision in the box, resulting in a Chattanooga penalty and a VanOekel yellow card, that was slotted away by Ricky Ruiz to give Chattanooga its second lead of the night in the 76th minute. Not even five minutes later, Pasher found Pinho again on a corner to draw the match back to level the score at 2-2 in the 80th minute.

The match fully went in the favor of Birmingham when Pinho was through on goal, and Gustavo Fernandes did what he had to do, and pulled him down just outside of the box, resulting in a red card for the Red Wolves in the first minute of second half stoppage time. Despite being down a man, Chattanooga managed to hold on to the draw long enough to force extra time.

In extra time, Birmingham continued to tighten the screws on Chattanooga, and at the very end of the first half of extra time, Pinho found himself on the end of yet another corner, this time provided by Kobe Hernandez-Foster in the first minute of stoppage time in the first period of extra time to give Birmingham their first lead of the night.

To start the second half of extra time, Prosper Kasim, the hero of Legion’s Open Cup run in 2023, turned provider and played a through ball to Pinho, who slotted it away for his fourth of the night, and the first open play goal of the night between the two teams. To end the night, 15-year-old Ramiz Hamouda made his first appearance for Birmingham Legion.

The match ended 4-2, but the scoreline does not reflect just how well Chattanooga played, but it is once again that Legion come out triumphant against the Red Wolves of Chattanooga to earn their way into the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup for the second year in a row.

2023 US Open Cup: Juan Agudelo of Birmingham Legion FC voted TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament

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Juan Agudelo of the Birmingham Legion FCBirmingham Legion FC’s Juan Agudelo has been voted TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament for the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Agudelo started every game of Birmingham’s run, scoring three goals (one game-winner) and a game-winning assist to help the USL Championship side upset the club’s first MLS team and became the first Alabama club to reach the Quarterfinals.

The 30-year-old forward won the award over league rival Arturo Ordonez of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, and teammate, Prosper Kasim.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters, and select backers from TheCup.us’ Patreon. If you’d like to vote in this poll, please consider a pledge of $10 or more and help us continue to cover the US Open Cup each year and to also research its long history.

Agudelo was a force throughout the tournament, opening his 2023 campaign with a brace against the Chattanooga Red Wolves (USL League One), in a 4-1 win in the Scenic City. In the following match, he went for the Chattanooga double. While Agudelo was kept off the scoresheet, he played 120 minutes in a 1-1 draw at home against Chattanooga FC (NISA). Even though his penalty kick attempt in the shootout was stopped, the Legion prevailed 4-3. Agudelo followed his performance by getting on the scoresheet against Birmingham’s biggest rival, Memphis 901 FC. He opened the scoring in a 3-0 home win to move Legion on to the Round of 16 for the first time in the club’s relatively brief history.

Agudelo then provided an assist in what many would call the biggest moment in Legion history in front of their home fans at Protective Stadium. He delivered a pass to Prosper Kasim in the 60th minute which would be the only goal Birmingham would need in a 1-0 win over Charlotte FC (MLS). Birmingham’s run would come to an end with a 1-0 loss to Inter Miami CF, but Agudelo was a handful all night for the MLS team’s backline in front of a record crowd of 18,418.

The former US international had a tournament to remember, leading his team to a cup run that will not soon be forgotten by Birmingham Legion fans.

2023 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Inter Miami CF edges Birmingham Legion as world awaits Lionel Messi

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Photo: Inter Miami CF
Photo: Inter Miami CF

Although the Battle of the Magic Cities was dwarfed by other soccer news internationally, the US Open Cup Quarterfinal was the biggest thing happening in the city of Birmingham on Wednesday evening as host as the USL Championship side Legion FC looked to advance past visiting MLS side Inter Miami CF.

While the soccer world was fixated on the announcement that Lionel Messi intends to sign with Inter Miami, the current players on the field had a game to play.

The Magic of the Cup may have died for the Alabamian Magic City, but the magic lives on in South Beach as Inter Miami advanced to the competion’s Semifinal with a 1-0 victory. The only goal came in the 56th minute off the foot of Nicolás Stefanelli.

“This win is very important, not just for us as a team, but for the whole organization,” said Javier Morales, Inter Miami’s interim head coach. “We made history today — it’s the first time that the team makes the semifinals.

“This is not just about one player or the coach, this is about everyone. Inter Miami made history today…”

The first moment of this match came early for Legion, with their first attack of the game, Enzo Martinez forced a huge save out of Drake Callender, who had to extend to his left to deal with the attack. From that moment, it became a battle of wits between the two clubs. Inter Miami looked to slowly build up in attack, while Birmingham Legion looked to spring a counter at any possible opportunity.

The biggest moment of the match was one that is still one of the main talking points of the night. On a Legion counterattack, there were several shots taken in the Inter Miami box, and it finally lands at the feet of Prosper Kasim. Kasim, the Round of 16 hero, fired a shot on the half volley that very clearly hit the Inter Miami defender’s arm. 

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

Alas, no penalty was given, and a corner was given instead. For the most part, the end of the half fizzled out from there.

To start the second half, it was a different attack out of Legion. Pressing high and looking to force Inter Miami to make a mistake, it also left the 3 Sparks open at the back. 

In the 56th minute, Inter Miami sent a massive attack up the right side, a deviation from the left sided bombardment from the half before. From Corentin Jean to Stefanelli, Inter Miami CF had gotten their first ever goal in a US Open Cup Quarterfinal. This would prove to be the game winner for Inter Miami, La Familia celebrating accordingly, sending pink smoke high into the Birmingham night.

The rest of the match was filled with shoving, slapping, arguing, and cramping. It ended with more than 10 minutes of stoppage time added, but even after chance after chance, the Legion were unable to find their equalizer. 

Before it was all set and done, over 18,418 fans packed Protective Stadium, smashing the previous record of just under 13,000. According to TheCup.us records, the game marked the 24th largest crowd to witness a US Open Cup match in the tournament’s 108-year history. 

Legion players and coaches were only talking about the crowd and club despite the loss although they were beyond upset that they could not secure the equalizer for the biggest crowd in club history.

Alex Crognale, Legion Center Back, said, “The crowd came out tonight, Birmingham showed out. They deserved more. That was the loudest game I have ever been a part of…” which includes the 2017 US Open Cup Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati match, which drew over 30,000.

 

2023 US Open Cup Round 4: Birmingham Legion beats rival Memphis 901 in USL Championship matchup

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Juan Agudelo of Birmingham Legion FC celebrates after scoring a goal against Memphis 901 FC in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Birmingham Legion FC
Juan Agudelo of Birmingham Legion FC celebrates after scoring a goal against Memphis 901 FC in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Birmingham Legion FC

On Wednesday, May 10, Memphis 901 FC made the trip down the I-22 to take on rival Birmingham Legion FC. There was not a lot of southern hospitality at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Ala. as the Legion defeated Memphis 3-0 to advance to the Round of 16.

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

With the win, Birmingham becomes the first Alabama club to reach the Round of 16 in the 108-year history of the competition. 

This rivalry has gone through many iterations and is about as even of a match as you will find. This rivalry, dubbed Southern Harm, is anything but full of Southern Charm. There’s hatred, intensity, and a real intention to do damage to another person, and that’s before you even leave the pitch.

Coming into this match, Memphis was riding high, going seven matches unbeaten, including a thrilling win over Atlanta United in the US Open Cup. East on the I-22, the 3 Sparks were not having the same luck, losing their last two matches by a combined 7-2 scoreline.

In the first five minutes, it looked like it would be the same again. The Beale Street Boys were dictating play and had complete control of the ball, letting Legion only have one touch in the entire first five minutes. That, however, would be the only real success Memphis would have on the night.

After two chippy fouls by Akeem Ward, a former Legion man, the match seemed to completely shift in the Legion’s favor. The 3 Sparks started mounting up the pressure, and it was only a matter of time before the flood dams opened, and they opened in the 20th minute thanks to a solid short corner routine that made its way from Prosper Kasim, to Juan Agudelo, to both goal posts, and finally in the back of the net.

It was Agudelo’s third goal of the tournament, and the seventh of his career. Wednesday’s goal was scored a little less than 11 years since his first Open Cup goal which was scored as a teenager with the now-defunct Chivas USA of Major League Soccer. 

From there, Birmingham was unrelentless. In the first half, the real bright spots were Bruno Lapa (making his first return to Birmingham), Jeremy Kelly, and Laurent Kissiedou, being the only real creative options on the night for Memphis.

Just 19 minutes later, Legion had a breakaway opportunity and Tyler Pasher was staring down at goal and had a rip from outside the box. Unfortunately for Bill Hamid, the ball took a wicked deflection off of a defender, but he did well to save it. Once again unfortunately for Hamid, his save only went as far as Enzo Martinez who took a touch around a defender and fired the ball into the bottom right corner. To this point, Memphis hasn’t made Trevor Spangenberg prove his worth yet, with every single one of their shots going well over or blocked before it could even trouble the Number 18.

In the second half, it was more of the same for Legion. The third and final goal was a beautiful goal set up entirely by Juan Agudelo. His touch and dribble into space to find Kasim was masterful. Unfortunately for Agudelo, Prosper’s slight touch before completely losing his footing and the ball falling to Tyler Pasher was enough to steal away the assist. Pasher, who was an absolute menace on the wings and in the middle, gets the goal he deserves, firing it far post to give the 3 Sparks 3 goals and securing the win.

In the next round, the Legion will likely be facing their first ever MLS opponent in the US Open Cup. The draw will take place on Thursday at 2 p.m. ET. 

2023 US Open Cup Round 2: Birmingham Legion beats Chattanooga Red Wolves to earn first win vs. pro team

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Birmingham Legion FC players celebrate after scoring a goal against Chattanooga Red Wolves in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Birmingham Legion FC
Birmingham Legion FC players celebrate after scoring a goal against Chattanooga Red Wolves in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Birmingham Legion FC

On Wednesday, April 5, Birmingham Legion FC of the USL Championship traveled to Tennessee to take on the Chattanooga Red Wolves of USL League One, at CHI Memorial Stadium in East Ridge. After the first half of the game was evenly matched, the visitors from Birmingham broke the game open in the second with three goals to beat the Red Wolves, 4-1. In the club’s third appearance in the US Open Cup, the Legion defeated a professional team for the first time to advance to Round 3 for the third year in a row.

Former US international Juan Agudelo led the way with a pair of goals for Birmingham.


In this match the two squads were trading blows equally throughout the first half, equaling two yellow cards apiece and one shot on goal apiece. That all changed when the Birmingham native Grayson Dupont took a touch up the line and put in a picture-perfect cross in for Agudelo. Agudelo slid to poke the ball between the Red Wolves keeper in the second minute of added time to give Legion a 1-0 lead going into the second half.

In the second half, Legion continued their hot streak with Collin Smith getting his first ever goal for the 3 Sparks in the 46th minute, rocketing a goal to the top left corner.

To put a damper on things, Birmingham went down to 10 men as Dupont was sent off with his second yellow due to a simulation call. For the rest of the match, Legion played down a man, but played like they had the advantage.

In the 68the minute, Birmingham were once again on the attack and Prosper Kasim put in a wonderful cross to Agudelo, who took a touch and fired a goal into the top left to secure his brace with his final touch of the night. The goal gave him six career tallies in tournament play and his first since 2019 with the New England Revolution (MLS).

This goal would not be outshined as Lombardi released a possible goal of the season contender for the Red Wolves in the 79th minute. Lombardi was standing at the top of the box on a corner, and after a deflection off of a Legion head, Lombardi took the ball on the full volley and rifled the ball into the top left, slicing away from the outstretched Birmingham keeper.


The final goal of the night came from first year professional Diba Nwegbo in the 87th minute. Nwegbo bagged his first professional goal with a beautiful knuckle ball from outside the box to beat the Red Wolves keeper. That 4-1 scoreline would be how the match ended in East Ridge, ending the Open Cup run for the 2022 League One finalists.

The win for Birmingham head coach Tom Soehn was the 10th of his coaching career. He moves into fourth place in coaching win percentage (0.714) in the Modern Era (1995-present).

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: South Georgia Tormenta earn second road shutout vs. USL Championship side

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South Georgia Tormenta 2022 US Open Cup
Players from South Georgia Tormenta celebrate during the club’s match against Birmingham Legion FC in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: South Georgia Tormenta FC

On a beautiful spring night in Birmingham, Ala., South Georgia brought the storm to the Birmingham Legion and easily dispatched the USL Championship club, 2-0.

In the first meeting between Tormenta and this Birmingham side since 2018, the Ibis continued right where they left off with another two-goal victory. While on the world may see this as a “cupset”, absolutely nobody in Tormenta is surprised.

Early on in the match, Legion FC took early control, dominating the ball and the pace of play, but Tormenta held on strong. Through the first 30 minutes, Legion were outshooting South Georgia 8-1, but shots do not always equal goals.

In the 33rd minute, Tormenta would take a 1-0 lead. And it was just their second shot of the night.

The build up was created with a ball played down the left wing in the Birmingham end of the field. Tormenta’s Kingsford Adjei cut back to his right at the corner of the 18-yard box and fired a low shot into the mixer. The ball found its way through the players in front of goal, forcing the goalkeeper to make a diving save to his left. The rebound would fall to Curtis Thorn who tucked the ball into the back of the net.

Just 13 minutes later, Jake Dengler got himself on the scoresheet just before halftime. After a corner kick, the ball fell to Dengler inside the box and he beat the keeper to score his first goal as a professional. This goal, though early in the game, felt like the dagger through the heart of the Legion’s cup run.

This was not Dengler’s first experience scoring in the US Open Cup, bagging a goal for FC Baltimore Christos (NPSL) in a 1-1 draw against West Chester United. He would eventually set up to take a shot during the penalty, where he calmly tucked it away to keep the Christos alive.

In the second half, Tormenta continued to showcase their dominance over Birmingham as they completely shut down the Legion attack while also continuing to flex their offensive muscles. Though no more goals were scored, the way Tormenta played was just an overwhelming amount of swagger.

“It is not something that I install, it’s something the entire club installs,” said Tormenta head coach Ian Cameron about his team’s confidence. “We know who we are. We don’t get ahead of ourselves. Everybody is very, very proud to put on the Tormenta badge. Sometimes we get beat, sometimes we win, but no matter what, the spirit of the group will always be there.”

For Tormenta, it was the club’s second straight road win against a USL Championship side, having defeated the Charleston Battery in the opening round.

Tormenta advance to the Fourth Round where they will play a third straight road game, this time in South Florida where they will take on Inter Miami CF (MLS) on May 10.

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: Birmingham Legion explode out of halftime, beat Southern States, 3-1

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Birmingham Legion Southern States 2022 US Open Cup
Players from Birmingham Legion FC celebrate after scoring a goal against Southern States SC in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Birmingham Legion FC

Home away from home, the 3 Sparks of Birmingham, Ala. took on the 3 Stars of South Mississippi in Tuscaloosa, Ala. After a tight first half, the Birmingham Legion scored three goals in the first 20 minutes of the second half and prevailed by the score of 3-1.

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While the Legion (USL-Championship) were the clear favorites coming into the match based on talent alone, the Stars (NPSL) absolutely earned their way into the Second Round through pure domination of the Georgia Revolution. Even though this was a match over an hour away from home, the Legion supporters were loud and rowdy for their first US Open Cup appearance since 2019.

Early on, it was a cagey affair with neither team fully able to take control of the match. While Legion were having the better of the possession, the first half consisted of a Stars team who lived by bending, and not breaking. Stars allowed the Legion to maintain the pace of play but would pull out the occasional counterattack that would catch the 3 Sparks on their backfoot. The first half ended with the Legion winning the possession battle with nearly 70% possession, but still tied on the scoresheet.

To begin the second half, neither team made a single substitution, trusting their guys to get the result to push their team on to victory. In the 48the minute, Legion winger Prosper Kasim decided to take matters into his own hands and curled a beautiful goal in from the top of the box.

Not long after, Legion made their first substitutes of the match. First being Macky Diop for their star signing of the offseason, Juan Agudelo. The former US National Team forward would make his debut with the club as he entered with Marlon Santos who replaced the goalscorer Kasim.

In the 62nd minute, Legion’s Enzo Martinez opened space and created a goal scoring chance from thin air. Martinez laid the ball off to the “Brazilian Magician” Bruno Lapa, who placed the ball perfectly in the bottom left corner. Not even two minutes later, the Legion bagged their third of the night with a goal by Marlon Santos, assisted by Anderson Asiedu, who completely carved open the Stars midfield.

In the 73rd minute, Southern States SC Stars opened their Second Round scoring account with a goal by Mason Walsh, who was assisted by Lucas Rivera. The celebrations were short as the team looked to capitalize on their momentum, but as quickly as they came, the goal scoring flood dried up completely.

For the rest of the match, the only news was substitutions where the Legion’s Edi Horvat came on in the 79th minute, and the Stars brought on Erwin and Lai in the dying minutes of the match.

“If you look at the game in its entirety, we had the same build ups and the same opportunities, today we just finished them,” said Legion head coach Tom Soehn.

With the win, Soehn moved up in the Open Cup record books. Soehn, who is among a select group of people who have won the US Open Cup as a head coach (2008 D.C. United) and a player (1997 Dallas Burn, 1998 & 2000 Chicago Fire), improves his career coaching record in the tournament to 9-3-0. His winning percentage of .750 moves him into a tie with Scott Schweitzer for second among all head coaches in the Modern Era.

“I know I’ve won this thing a few times … it’s an awesome tournament when amateur teams get to make runs. I was in MLS when we did that, but now we hopefully get a crack at an MLS team,” said Soehn.

Birmingham will have a chance to draw a MLS team when the Round 3 draw takes place on Friday at Noon ET. The USSF announced that they have been placed in a group with defending US Open Cup champion Atlanta United (MLS), Chattanooga FC (NISA), and South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1).

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