Michael Battista

2024 National Amateur Cup Schedule, Results

June 4, 2024 by Michael Battista

The Fritz Marth Cup, awarded to the winner of the National Amateur Cup tournament. Photo: United States Adult Soccer Association

Click on the scores below for match info/reports

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League Abbreviation Key

Albuquerque Soccer League (ASL)	American Premier League (APL)	Atlanta District Amateur Soccer League (ADASL)	Bay States Soccer League (BSSL)	Central Florida Soccer League (CFSL)
Central League -SCASA (CL)	Cobb Adult Soccer League (CASL)	Colorado Soccer Association (CSA)*	Connecticut Soccer League (CSL)	Eastern Premier Soccer League (EPSL)
Greater Chicago Soccer League (GCSL)	Houston Football Association (HFA)	KC Kickers Adult Soccer League (KCKASL)	Maryland Supper Soccer League (MSSL)	Michigan Premier Soccer League (MPSL)
Midwest Premier League (MWPL)	Minnesota Amateur Soccer League (MASL)	Mountain Premier League (MPL)	National Premier Soccer League (NPSL)	NISA Nation (NISAN)
North Texas Premier Soccer Association (NTPSA)	Ohio Valley Premier League (OVPL)	Premier Soccer League of Chicagoland (PSLC)	San Francisco Soccer Football League (SFSFL)	Southern Idaho Soccer League (SISL)
Triangle Adult Soccer League (TASL)	United Soccer League of Pennsylvania (USLPA)	Utah Adult Soccer League (UASL)	Wisconsin Primary Amateur Soccer League (WPASL)	Wisconsin Soccer Leagues (WSL)

* The “Colorado Soccer Association” is not a league. However, one team (Azteca FC) entered the tournament representing the CSA as the state of Colorado does not have a men’s 11v11 state level league.

REGION I (NORTHEAST)
ROUND 1	AWAY TEAM	STATE ASSOCIATION	SCORE	STATE ASSOCIATION	HOME TEAM	VENUE
April 7	Steel Pulse FC (MSSL)	Maryland	1:0	Eastern Pennsylvania	West Chester United SC (USLPA)	Bryn Athyn College – Bryn Athyn, PA
April 7	Sete de Setembro (EPSL)	Massachusetts	2:0	Connecticut	Newtown Pride FC (CSL)	Blue and Gold Stadium – Sandy Hook, CT
April 7	New York Shockers (NPSL)	NPSL	2:1	New Jersey	SC Vistula Garfield (EPSL)	Garfield High School Stadium – Garfield, NJ
April 7	Virginia Marauders FC (EPSL)	Metropolitan DC-Virginia	1:3	Eastern Pennsylvania	Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USLPA)	Vereinigung Erzgebirge Clubhouse – Warminster, PA
April 7	Lancaster City FC (USLPA)	Eastern Pennsylvania	0:6 (Ended in 77')	Metropolitan DC-Virginia	Club Atlético Los Toros (APL)	Great Falls Nike Park Field 7 – Great Falls, VA
April 7	New York Greek Americans SC (EPSL)	Eastern New York	L:W (Forfeit)	Massachusetts	Providence City FC (BSSL)	Pierce Memorial Field – East Providence, RI
April 7	Hoboken FC 1912 (EPSL)	New Jersey	3:3 (3:5 PK)	Eastern New York	New York Pancyprian Freedoms (EPSL)	Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.) – Jamaica, NY
April 14	Christos FC (MSSL)	Maryland	1:1 (4:2 PK)	NPSL	Alexandria Reds (NPSL)	Limerick Field – Alexandria, VA


QUARTERFINALS	AWAY TEAM	STATE ASSOCIATION	SCORE	STATE ASSOCIATION	HOME TEAM	VENUE
April 27	Providence City FC Rogues (BSSL)	Massachusetts	3:2 (AET)	NPSL	New York Shockers (NPSL)	Afrim's Sports Park – Albany, NY
April 28	Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USLPA)	Eastern Pennsylvania	1:2	Maryland	Steel Pulse FC (MSSL)	Milford Mill Academy – Milford, MD
April 28	Christos FC (MSSL)	Maryland	3:0	Metropolitan DC-Virginia	Club Atlético Los Toros (APL)	Hammond High School – Columbia, MD
April 28	New York Pancyprian Freedoms (EPSL)	Eastern New York	6:0	Connecticut	Newtown Pride FC (CSL)	Joel Barlow High School – Redding, CT

SEMIFINALS	AWAY TEAM	STATE ASSOCIATION	SCORE	STATE ASSOCIATION	HOME TEAM	VENUE
May 19	New York Pancyprian Freedoms (EPSL)	Eastern New York	7:1	Massachusetts	Providence City FC Rogues (BSSL)	Rhode Island College Alumni Stadium – Providence, RI
May 19	Steel Pulse FC (MSSL)	Maryland	2:0	Maryland	Christos FC (MSSL)	Cedar Lane Park Field #6 – Columbia, MD

REGION I FINAL	AWAY TEAM	STATE ASSOCIATION	SCORE	STATE ASSOCIATION	HOME TEAM	VENUE
June 15	New York Pancyprian Freedoms (EPSL)	Eastern New York	2:0	Maryland	Christos FC (MSSL)	Ukrainian American Sports Center, Field 6 – North Wales, PA


REGION II (MIDWEST)
ROUND 1	AWAY TEAM	STATE ASSOCIATION	SCORE	STATE ASSOCIATION	HOME TEAM	VENUE
April 14	United Serbian Soccer Club (WSL)	Wisconsin	3:1	Illinois	United FC (GCSL)	Techny Fields – Northbrook, IL
April 14	Wisloka Chicago (PSLC)	Illinois	4:0	Illinois	KICS FC Talara (GCSL)	McKinley Park Turf Field – Chicago, IL
April 20	Teranga Simbas (MPSL)	Michigan	L:W	Michigan	Michigan Stars Semi Pro U23 (MWPL)	Michigan Stars Sports Center – Washington, MI
April 20	SAC Wisla Chicago (PSLC)	Illinois	W:L	Wisconsin	Honduras FC Majors (WSL)	Hart Park Stadium – Wauwatosa, WI

ROUND 2	AWAY TEAM	STATE ASSOCIATION	SCORE	STATE ASSOCIATION	HOME TEAM	VENUE
April 14	Czarni Jaslo Chicago (PSLC)	Illinois	2:1	Illinois	Steel City FC (MWPL)	Kankakee High School – Kankakee, IL
April 20	FOCUS FC (KCKASL)	Kansas	L:W	Minnesota	Vlora FC (MASL)	McMurray Fields – St. Paul, MN
April 27	Northern Indiana FC (MWPL)	Indiana	3:2	Ohio	Valhalla FC (OVPL)	Milford High School – Miford, OH
April 27	Michigan Stars Semi Pro U23 (MWPL)	Michigan	3:0 (3:4 PK)	Michigan	Inter Detroit (MWPL)	Mott High School – Waterford, MI
May 1	CKS Warta Soccer Club (GCSL)	Illinois	4:5 AET	Illinois	SAC Wisla Chicago (PSLC)	Loyola Academy Sports Complex – Glenview, IL
May 1	Edgewater Castle FC (MWPL)	Illinois	1:2	Illinois	Wisloka Chicago (PSLC)	Olympic Park (#9) – Schaumburg, IL
May 5	Green Bay Glory (MWPL)	Wisconsin	0:3	Wisconsin	Bateaux FC (WPASL)	Regis High School – Eau Claire, WI
May 5	Chicago House AC (MWPL)	Illinois	6:2	Wisconsin	United Serbian Soccer Club (WSL)	United Serbian Soccer Club Fields – Milwaukee, WI

ROUND 3	AWAY TEAM	STATE ASSOCIATION	SCORE	STATE ASSOCIATION	HOME TEAM	VENUE
May 11	Northern Indiana FC (MWPL)	Indiana	2:0	Michigan	Michigan Stars Semi Pro U23 (MWPL)	Michigan Stars Sports Center – Washington, MI
May 12	Vlora FC (MASL)	Minnesota	1:0	Wisconsin	Green Bay Glory (MWPL)	Aldo Santaga Stadium – Green Bay, WI
May 15	Wisloka Chicago (PSLC)	Illinois	3:1 AET	Illinois	SAC Wisla Chicago (PSLC)	Loyola Academy Munz Fields – Glenview, IL
May 6–19	Chicago House AC (MWPL)	Illinois	3:1	Illinois	Czarni Jaslo Chicago (PSLC)	Redmond Soccer Field – Bensenville, IL

QUARTERFINALS	AWAY TEAM	STATE ASSOCIATION	SCORE	STATE ASSOCIATION	HOME TEAM	VENUE
May 28	Chicago House AC (MWPL)	Illinois	1:6	NPSL	FC Milwaukee Torrent (NPSL)	Catholic Memorial High School – Waukesha, WI
May 28	Wisloka Chicago (PSLC)	Illinois	0:2	Wisconsin	Bavarian United SC (MWPL)	Bavarian Soccer Park – Glendale, WI
June 2	Vlora FC (MASL)	Minnesota	4:1	Illinois	RWB Adria (MWPL)	Bridgeview Sports Fields – Bridgeview, IL
June 2	Northern Indiana FC (MWPL)	Indiana	2:4 AET	NPSL	Akron City FC (NPSL)	St. Vincent-St. Mary High School – Akron, OH

SEMIFINALS	AWAY TEAM	STATE ASSOCIATION	SCORE	STATE ASSOCIATION	HOME TEAM	VENUE
June 9	Akron City FC (NPSL)	NPSL	5:7 AET	Wisconsin	Bavarian United SC (MWPL)	Indiana Invaders Sports Complex – South Bend, IN
June 16	FC Milwaukee Torrent (NPSL)	NPSL	1:0	Minnesota	Vlora FC (MASL)	Burnsville High School – Burnsville, MN

REGION II FINAL	AWAY TEAM	STATE ASSOCIATION	SCORE	STATE ASSOCIATION	HOME TEAM	VENUE
June 25	Bavarian United SC (MWPL)	Wisconsin	0:1 AET	NPSL	FC Milwaukee Torrent (NPSL)	Hart Park – Wauwatosa, WI


REGION III (SOUTH)
GROUP STAGE, MATCH 1	AWAY TEAM	STATE ASSOCIATION	SCORE	STATE ASSOCIATION	HOME TEAM	VENUE
June 7	NTX Black Ice/Ice FC (NTPSA)	North Texas	0:6	North Carolina	Tobacco Road FC (TASL)	MESA Soccer Complex, Field 2 – Greer, SC
June 7	Terminus FC (ADASL)	Georgia	3:1	Florida	OFC Wolves (CFSL)	MESA Soccer Complex, Field 3 – Greer, SC
June 7	Majestic FC (CL)	South Carolina	1:1	South Texas	ASC New Stars (HFA)	MESA Soccer Complex, Field 4 – Greer, SC
June 7	Naples United FC (NPSL)	NPSL	6:1	Georgia	Cobb United FC (CASL)	MESA Soccer Complex, Field 5 – Greer, SC

GROUP STAGE, MATCH 2	AWAY TEAM	STATE ASSOCIATION	SCORE	STATE ASSOCIATION	HOME TEAM	VENUE
June 8	Tobacco Road FC (TASL)	North Carolina	3:2	Florida	OFC Wolves (CFSL)	MESA Soccer Complex, Field 2 – Greer, SC
June 8	NTX Black Ice/Ice FC (NTPSA)	North Texas	1:5	Georgia	Terminus FC (ADASL)	MESA Soccer Complex, Field 3 – Greer, SC
June 8	ASC New Stars (HFA)	South Texas	4:1	Georgia	Cobb United FC (CASL)	MESA Soccer Complex, Field 4 – Greer, SC
June 8	Majestic FC (CL)	South Carolina	1:4	NPSL	Naples United FC (NPSL)	MESA Soccer Complex, Field 5 – Greer, SC

GROUP STAGE, MATCH 3	AWAY TEAM	STATE ASSOCIATION	SCORE	STATE ASSOCIATION	HOME TEAM	VENUE
June 8	Terminus FC (ADASL)	Georgia	1:2	North Carolina	Tobacco Road FC (TASL)	MESA Soccer Complex, Field 2 – Greer, SC
June 8	OFC Wolves (CFSL)	Florida	4:3	North Texas	NTX Black Ice/Ice FC (NTPSA)	MESA Soccer Complex, Field 4 – Greer, SC
June 8	Naples United FC (NPSL)	NPSL	1:1	South Texas	ASC New Stars (HFA)	MESA Soccer Complex, Field 5 – Greer, SC
June 8	Cobb United FC (CASL)	Georgia	1:4	South Carolina	Majestic FC (CL)	MESA Soccer Complex, Field 7 – Greer, SC

GROUP STANDINGS
Group A	1) Tobacco Road FC (9 pts)	2) Terminus FC (6 pts)		3) OFC Wolves (3 pts)	4) NTX Black Ice (0 pts)
Group B	1) Naples United FC (7 pts)	2) ASC New Stars (5 pts)		3) Majestic FC (4 pts)	4) Cobb United FC (0 pts)
Tie Breakers	1) Head to Head	2) Greatest Goal Differential (capped at 3 goals per match)		3) Most Goals Scored (capped at 3 goals per match)	4) Kicks From the Mark

REGION III FINAL	AWAY TEAM	STATE ASSOCIATION	SCORE	STATE ASSOCIATION	HOME TEAM	VENUE
June 9	Naples United FC (NPSL)	NPSL	0:5	North Carolina	Tobacco Road FC (TASL)	MESA Soccer Complex, Field 5 – Greer, SC


REGION IV (WEST)
ROUND 1	AWAY TEAM	STATE ASSOCIATION	SCORE	STATE ASSOCIATION	HOME TEAM	VENUE
May 12	Timbers SC (MPL)	Colorado	1:1 (4:3 PK)	Colorado	Peak XI FC (MPL)	Fairview High School – Boulder, CO
	Young Gunz FC (MPL)	Colorado	L:W	Colorado	Azteca FC (CSA)

QUARTERFINALS	AWAY TEAM	STATE ASSOCIATION	SCORE	STATE ASSOCIATION	HOME TEAM	VENUE
May 18	J.M. United FC (UASL)	Utah	4:1	Idaho	Boise Alpha FC (SISL)	Sunway Soccer Complex – Twin Falls, ID
May 23	Timbers SC (MPL)	Colorado	0:4	Colorado	Azteca FC (CSA)	Lowry Sports Complex – Denver, CO
May 25	FC Arizona (NPSL)	NPSL	4:0	New Mexico	UNM Club Soccer (ASL)	New Mexico Soccer Complex – Bernalillo, NM
	The Olympic Club (SFSFL)	California	L:W	California	Temecula FC (NISAN)

SEMIFINALS	AWAY TEAM	STATE ASSOCIATION	SCORE	STATE ASSOCIATION	HOME TEAM	VENUE
June 1	FC Arizona (NPSL)	NPSL	2:1	California	Temecula FC (NISAN)	Cheyenne Sports Complex – North Las Vegas, NV
June 1	J.M. United FC (UASL)	Utah	1:5	Colorado	Azteca FC (CSA)	Cheyenne Sports Complex – North Las Vegas, NV

REGION IV FINAL	AWAY TEAM	STATE ASSOCIATION	SCORE	STATE ASSOCIATION	HOME TEAM	VENUE
June 2	Azteca FC (CSA)	Colorado	2:4 AET	NPSL	FC Arizona (NPSL)	Cheyenne Sports Complex – North Las Vegas, NV


NATIONAL AMATEUR CUP
SEMIFINALS	AWAY TEAM	STATE ASSOCIATION	SCORE	STATE ASSOCIATION	HOME TEAM	VENUE
July 25	Tobacco Road FC (TASL)	North Carolina	1:5	Eastern New York	New York Pancyprian Freedoms (EPSL)	NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex – DeKalb, IL
July 25	FC Milwaukee Torrent (NPSL)	NPSL	4:2	NPSL	FC Arizona (NPSL)	NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex – DeKalb, IL

2024 NATIONAL AMATEUR CUP FINAL	AWAY TEAM	STATE ASSOCIATION	SCORE	STATE ASSOCIATION	HOME TEAM	VENUE
July 27	FC Milwaukee Torrent (NPSL)	NPSL	0:6	Eastern New York	New York Pancyprian Freedoms (EPSL)	NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex – DeKalb, IL

2024 US Open Cup Round 5: New Mexico United blanks final MLS NEXT Pro team, returns to Quarterfinals

May 22, 2024 by Michael Battista

New Mexico United players celebrate after scoring a goal against NYCFC II in the Round of 16 of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Eric Lovato - New Mexico United — New Mexico United players celebrate after scoring a goal against NYCFC II in the Round of 16 of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Eric Lovato – New Mexico United

The clock struck midnight for New York City FC II in the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Tuesday night. Against a deep, well-performing New Mexico United, the last remaining MLS NEXT Pro team fell, 3-0, at Belson Stadium on the campus of St. John’s University in Queens, New York.

“I’m super proud for the club tonight. It’s not easy. A lot of long travel. Credit to New York City FC II for making it this far. They (have) a quality squad with a lot of young up and comers that have bright futures,” said New Mexico United head coach Eric Quill. “I thought we played extremely well.”

Originally set for a 7:30 start, the match was delayed for over 30 minutes. Medical staff, particularly the ambulance, was caught in New York City traffic. However, that did not hinder the excitement of the crowd, officially marked at 534. However in person the total felt closer to sub 1,000.

The fervent NYCFC supporters chanted and had an impressive drumline. A large contingent of children from the organization’s academy sat nearby as well, looking to watch many of the same NYCFC II players that had played where they are currently. Not far away, an impressive contingent of NMU supporters sat in the Belson bleachers.

The traveling support meant a lot to the players on the field, and especially for New Mexico’s first-year manager.

“That’s why I came to New Mexico United was their fan base,” Quill said. “They are loyal, they’re committed, they’re energetic, they show up. It’s the state of New Mexico. That’s what I love about it. The team name is New Mexico United. It’s not a city, the whole state is behind it. You feel that on a day to day basis and you want to reward that commitment, that loyalty that they show.”

Both the home and away side were gifted with an entertaining, if not at times sloppy first half. NYCFC II started two notable first-team players, Jovan Mijatović and Strahinja Tanasijević. The former was playing in his second consecutive Open Cup game and second match overall in three days after a fierce Hudson River Derby win against the Red Bulls. On the other side, former New York City FC defender Chris Gloster started at left back for New Mexico United. The former U.S. youth national team player spent two years in the NYCFC organization with both the first and second teams.

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

Each team had chances to produce the go ahead goal but failed to get anything threatening. An NYCFC corner kick in the 25th was headed over the net by defender Strahinja Tanasijević. A few minutes later, a free kick from 25 yards out was struck by Taylor Calheira looking for his fourth goal of the tournament. The low shot got through traffic but was saved by NMU goalkeeper Alexandros Tabakis.

In the 30th, a blocked New Mexico shot fell back at the feet of Marco Micaletto who launched a shot from outside the box. Despite going wide right, NYCFC keeper Tomás Romero.

The next best chance came in the 38th minute when New York City’s Piero Elias ripped a low shot from outside of the NMU box that went wide left.

One of New York’s best aspects was its ability to catch NMU offside. The backline, missing Christian McFarlane due to him playing with the England U-17s, was able to implement a high press. The risky tactic worked, as NMU was caught offside three times and only able to get three shots off.

The other key aspect of the first half was physicality. Players on each team earned a caution and both sides committed 12 fouls each ahead of halftime.

While New Mexico was being outshot at the break, 8-3, there was no nervousness according to defender Anthony Herbert.

“The goal today was to keep the clean sheet and even though things weren’t going well and the way that we expected, we know that we were one step ahead of continuing that and we had a clean sheet and we basically trust ourselves,” Herbert said. “We trust the team. We know if we keep the ball and we pass the ball and play with that to play, eventually we (will) score and that was it. (There) was no nervousness, there was no anger, the coach trusted us. We trust ourselves and we came out and we played our brand of football and it worked out for us.”

That mentality proved to be the case and the second half was the beginning of the end for the hosts.

Massive support from our traveling supporters ????

They represent the rest of our Familia back home, the badge and our beautiful state with the utmost pride ???? Another memorable night for New Mexico in our road to the Cup! #SomosUnidos pic.twitter.com/BXR4lCctqJ
— New Mexico United (@NewMexicoUTD) May 22, 2024

In the 49th minute, Jovan Mijatović nearly capitalized on a poor defensive pass in the New Mexico end. Jonathan ‘JJ’ Jiménez jumped on the ball, running it into the box before passing off to the Serbian import. With just Alexandros Tabakis to beat, Mijatović shanked his shot wide right. The deflated look on his face was only matched by Jiménez throwing his hands over his hand in astonishment.

The game-winning goal came a minute later in the 50th minute. A throw-in from the NMU end found Micaletto at midfield. He passed off to Avionne Flanagan, who broke down the left flank and fired a strike past Romero into the top right corner.

Flanagan, who hadn’t played in nearly a month for his side, earned praise from his coach who knows how much the moment meant to him after going nearly a month without playing a match.

“I thought he was a game changer,” Quill said. “I’m proud of him. He’s kept his fight and his mentality. He deserved tonight’s goal.”

The situation spiraled for the home side not long after. In the 53rd minute, Samuel Owusu battled Micaletto for the ball near midfield, leading to the NYCFC player essentially slapping the midfielder from behind. Both teams came together to but ends, and as the dust settled Owusu was shown a straight red card for the offense. NMU’s Micaletto was also shown a yellow card for his part in the scuffle.

New Mexico looked to double its lead from there. A poor New York City clearance in the 58th was headed back towards a waiting NMU player, who fed Daniel Bruce for a shot that went just wide left of the net. Not long after, a United throw in deep in the NYC end began on the right side, came back to midfield, and eventually came into the box where Andrew “Drew” Baiera tried to head towards Romero. Instead, the ball went out for a corner kick.

That kick was played to Micaletto on the left side, who sent a long ball into the box towards a waiting Talen Maples. He lifted his right leg to redirect the ball into the left corner and passed a nearly non-moving Romero in the 65th minute.

As New York attempted to counter, trying in vain to cut into the deficit, the situation proved to be fruitless. The home side was limited to just four shots in the final 45 minutes. The team got very little time in the New Mexico box after going down to 10 men. The sloppy play also continued which gave New Mexico ample time to try and extend the lead, even as starters were beginning to get rotated out.

The game was iced in the 85th minute by a man who knows the field at Belson very well. Defender Anthony Herbert, who played for the St. John’s Red Storm in 2021, was in the right place in the 86th minute as a corner kick found Greg Hurst, who’s strike was saved by Romero. The ball floated in the air, allowing the Brooklyn native to jump up and head in the ball.

FULL MATCH VIDEO: NYCFC II vs. New Mexico United

“Well, for me it means a lot because I think it was really ironic being able to come back here finally be able to get my family to come to see me because (my team is) all the way in New Mexico,” Herbert said after the game. “For me as a footballer it was always a roller coaster. I was (at Ocean City Nor’easters in USL League Two), then I was at St. John’s and I got a deal in Finland in the premier division and now I’m back home. I’m just enjoying the moment, enjoying the career and working out every day to see where it takes me.”

NYCFC II’s run ends with multiple positives. The team earned the $25,000 prize as the farthest reaching Division III team in the tournament this year. Furthermore, the team now holds the honor of being the most successful MLS reserve team in the tournament’s history. That honor was previously held by Seattle Sounders 2, who reached the Round of 32 in 2015.

New Mexico heads to the Quarterfinals for the second time in team history, the first since the organization’s run in its inaugural 2019 season.

Scoring Summary

50’ – New Mexico United – Avionne Flanagan (Marco Micaletto)
65’ – New Mexico United – Talen Maples (Marco Micaletto)
86’ – New Mexico United – Anthony Herbert

Lineups

New York City FC II: Tomás Romero (GK), Strahinja Tanasijević, Samuel Kwaku Owusu, Christopher Tiao, Andrew Baiera, Taylor Calheira, Jacob Arroyave, Piero Elias (Klevis Haxhari 81’), Jovan Mijatović, Jonathan Jiménez, Máximo Carrizo (Jake Rozhansky 64’)

Unused subs: Camil Azzam Ruiz, Matthew Leong, Stevo Bednarsky, Jonathan Shore, Will Meyer

Manager: Matt Pilkington

New Mexico United: Alexandros Tabakis (GK), Jon-Talen Maples, Anthony Herbert, Chris Gloster (Harry Swartz 75’), Abdi Mohamed, Marco Micaletto (Dominick Hernandez 75’), Landry Nanan Houssou, Zico Bailey, Daniel Bruce (Greg Hurst 83’), Avionne Flanagan (Arturo Astorga 75’), Mukwelle Akale (Jackson Dubois 87’)

Unused subs: Dayonn Harris, Kristopher Shakes

Manager: Eric Quill

Yellow Cards

Strahinja Tanasijević, NYCFC II 9’
Landry Nanan Houssou, New Mexico United 20’
Eric Quill (Head coach, officially given to the bench), New Mexico United 30’
Marco Micaletto, New Mexico United 55’
Jake Rozhansky, NYCFC II 80’

Red Cards

Samuel Kwaku Owusu, NYCFC II 55’

Attendance

Official: 534
Unofficial: 900~

2024 US Open Cup Round 4: NYCFC II feeling Rocky Mountain High, beat Switchbacks, win prize money

May 10, 2024 by Michael Battista

JJ Jimenez of NYCFC II celebrates after scoring a goal against Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the Fourth Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: NYCFC II

After the dust settled at Belson Stadium on Wednesday night, New York City FC II had made history and a little bit of money. The team’s 1-0 cupset win over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC of the second division USL Championship means the third division side is off to the Round of 16. It’s the team’s second straight cupset over a USL-C side.

The reserve team to the Major League Soccer side and last remaining Division 3 team in the 2024 US Open Cup, will host New Mexico United at Belson Stadium on May 21.

“We’re the only MLS NEXT (Pro) team left, so we’re representing that league and all the teams that were knocked out, but we’re showing that we have quality on the field,” said NYCFC II goalkeeper Tomás Romero. “We are a young team, but we have a lot of quality and obviously guys on the first team, including myself, when we come down we’re just as motivated to keep the run going.”

For head coach Matt Pilkington, he knows how much these last two games against higher division opponents have meant to his young group. Wednesday night’s match included eight products from the NYCFC academy, something the England native took a lot of pride in.

The best moments from a historic night in the World’s Borough ????️ pic.twitter.com/kOV7988M3P
— New York City FC II (@newyorkcityfcii) May 9, 2024

“It feels great. The players are really excited for opportunities to play higher-level teams,” Pilkington said. “They play different teams from different leagues, and teams that have a lot of experience. You alluded to the fact that we are younger. We had six teenagers out there in the lineup, so for them to fight it out, go the distance, keep a clean sheet, and work well for each other throughout, I thought it was a really good performance.”

New York only needed six minutes to take the lead and energize most of the 340 person crowd. Jonathan “JJ” Jiménez got a pass from Piero Elias and ran into the Colorado Spring box. He carved through the backline, sidestepped a final one, and shot low and between the legs of keeper Luis Zamudio.

For reference, that means a NYCFC II player scored against a D.C. United goalkeeper (Zamudio is on loan currently).

Jimenez does a merry dance ???? @newyorkcityfcii #USOC2024 // @OpenCup pic.twitter.com/Y4B1DhGQB6
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 8, 2024

“I just got into a flow state . I split the defenders, a defender came toward me, and I dragged them . The keeper came out, and I put the ball through his legs,” Jiménez said. “It means a lot to me and to my team, as you can see in our celebrations. Everyone can see it; we celebrate goals with passion. There’s one thing we definitely don’t lack, and that is passion. At every game, whether it’s the US Open Cup or wherever we show up.”

The goal marks Jiménez’s fourth in this tournament. That places him in a three-way tie for the Golden Boot with Dembor Benson of El Farolito SC and Stefano Pinho of Birmingham Legion FC. Of the three teams, NYCFC II is the last remaining active participant.

After the goal however, City II looked content to hold back on attacking offense. While the team took the ball into the Switchbacks end multiple times it looked more on the backfoot overall. Meanwhile, Colorado Springs looked poised to find the back of the net.

In the 11th minute, Switchbacks forward Quentin “Quenzi” Huerman got under a cross from Jairo Henriquez with keeper Tomás Romero out of position. However the near open net opportunity from within five yards out was kicked over the crossbar.

In the 22nd, a corner kick by Colorado Springs saw Romero make a great save against a Jairo Henríquez attempt from inside the box.

The game settled into a rhythm after that for the remainder of the first half. Colorado Springs ended the first 45 minutes with close to 60% possession. However the visitors only had two more shots than New York City II, 5-3, while shooting the same amount of on-target shots (two). Full credit for that goes to players like City fullbacks Christian McFarlane and Drew Baiera, the former of which is a first team player “on loan” to the MLSNP side.

After the break, Switchbacks head coach James Chambers elected to make three substitutions to try and kickstart the offense. This included forward Ronaldo Damus, who scored two goals against El Paso Locomotive FC last weekend. The strategy worked, and in the first 10 minutes Colorado had multiple chances on net. Four separate players had chances, with two going wide and two being blocked.

Romero, who earned his first Open Cup clean sheet on Wednesday after letting in two goals in each of his last starts, says Colorado’s shift was noticeable but was able to be handled.

Snapshots from our historic Open Cup victory over the Switchbacks ????
— New York City FC II (@newyorkcityfcii) May 9, 2024

“It’s just a concentration thing. It may seem dangerous when they’re in our half. But if defensively we’re keeping our structure and guys are doing their job one (versus) one, it’s not super dangerous.

Cross is as long as everyone’s marked it, they didn’t have any, like huge guys in the box. So there (weren’t) any big threats. They had some chances that maybe they should have scored off, but I thought we defended well, and that’s just the game.”

Romero did note that his team did need to work on keeping possession more. While officially, New York held more possession overall in the second half (52%) the team never made headway with it. In fact City II only had three shots, none on target, versus Colorado’s nine, though none of those were on target either.

New York did have some chances to double the lead. In the 58th minute, a lazy pass in the Colorado end was intercepted. It ended up with first-team loan down Jovan Mijatovic, a high-profile winter signing for the organization, near the far post. However, his shot was deflected by a defender.

The wheels fully came off the visitors in the 88th minute when Aidan Rocha was shown a double yellow card. Firstly carded for a foul, Rocha continued to argue with the referee and was disciplined for dissent, leading to his ejection from the match.

As the last remaining Division 3 team left in the 2024 tournament, NYCFC II is also walking away with $25,000.

“Any honor is a great honor,” said head coach Matt Pilkington. “Any accolades are good for the group and for the players. For us, it is the magic of , just playing the game. The more games, the better. Every time we win a game, we go to the next round. It’s great. It’s something to prepare for, to look forward to, something to test the players with, and we’ll just keep doing the right things, keep training, and keep working hard to prepare for what’s coming next.”

2024 US Open Cup Round 3: NYCFC II carry MLSNP flag after comeback OT win at Hartford Athletic

April 18, 2024 by Michael Battista

NYCFC 2 players celebrate after scoring a goal against Hartford Athletic in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: NYCFC II

“These guys are killing me. We’re not supposed to be losing this!”

The words of a random, passing by Hartford Athletic staff member accounted for many of the opinions at Trinity Health Park on Wednesday night. After 120 minutes and multiple red cards, New York City FC II of MLS NEXT Pro advanced to the Round of 32 of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup past the USL Championship side, 3-2 after extra time.

NYCFC II head coach Matt Pilkington said after the match that he knows how important a game like this is to his young players. He and the first team have regular discussions about who should be considered for a MLS call-up, and results like this play a huge part.

“It’s a massive opportunity for players to develop, and I don’t think we give enough attention to all the MLS NEXT Pro teams and other teams in this competition because they don’t often get to play USL teams or teams within the structure of the U.S.,” said Pilkington. “So I do think we should be celebrating this opportunity and celebrating the fact that we have young teams and young players at 16 years old and 17 years old competing against season pros and how that’s going to help their development. It’s going to help the development of the league, and it’s going to help the development of the country. So, the more opportunities we can give these players, the better.”

Unlike NYCFC II’s game last round against New York Red Bulls II, no notable first-team players were in Wednesday’s lineup in Connecticut. In fact the only lineup change from the team’s league game on Sunday was in goal as Tomás Romero stepped up for his second straight USOC match instead of Alex Rando.

The home side came out swinging as the rain poured down on Trinity Health Stadium. The announced crowd of 2,517, including the ruckus Bonanza supporters and traveling members of The Third Rail, tried to cheer on their respective teams as the temperature began to drop. Enoch Mushagalusa and Mamadou Dieng both had dangerous looks in the first six minutes. A sixth minute header by Dieng looked to be the opening goal but it was called offside by the linesman. Other highlights included multiple bicycle kick attempts by Dieng that couldn’t get on target.

New York got periodic chances at the other end. A corner kick in the 40th minute, the Baby Blues first of the match, was easily cleared. The visitor’s only had three shots total, none on target, and entered halftime with 39% possession. On the other side, Hartford had eleven shots with four being on target.

The second half marked a tonal shift for both teams. While New York started where it left off on the backfoot, the possession game was slowly creeping in their favor. Still Hartford had control, with former New York Red Bulls player Reece Buckmaster got behind the backline but shot wide left against his former team’s biggest rival.

In the 63rd minute, NYCFC II started a quick counter with Taylor Calheira finding Jonathan Jiménez on the right side. Last round’s hat-trick hero got into the box, beat one defender before getting past another sliding one. Keeper Paul Walters tried to come out but Jiménez fed the ball back to Calheira for the empty net tap in.

It was a moment that completely went against the run of play. And it felt like Hartford quickly went into panic mode, using all three standard substitute windows to bring in five players within 11 minutes of the go-ahead goal. These players included experienced ones like Joe Farrell, Deshane Beckford, and journeyman forward Romario Williams.

NYCFC 2 players celebrate after beating Hartford Athletic 3-2 in extra time in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: NYCFC II

Hartford’s offense, buoyed especially by Williams and fellow sub Marcus Epps, employed a high press to try and box in NYCFC. It almost looked as though the game was back level in the 72nd minute when a Dieng shot was blocked by Romero. With the ball in the air, the keeper tried to catch or punch it away but missed, possibly influenced by the slick surface, sending the ball towards the line. However Romero was just able to snatch the ball before it crossed over the goalline, much to the ire of the home crowd.

In the 78th minute HFD got its break when NYCFC II defender Alexander Hauschild brought down former Williams in the box during an attack on the right side. The former Jamaican national team player shot right down the middle to equalize in the 81st minute.

Both teams had chances to win it late, especially in an extended stoppage time. A heavy challenge by New York’s Piero Elias against Beverly Makangila was a sign of things to come. Makangila was helped off the field and left the game, replaced by Anderson Asiedu at the start of extra time.

The Baby Blue saw yellow, but William’s seemed to take justice into his own hands. Right as play resumed in the 90+8’ with a goal kick, the forward jumped and barrelled Jake Rozhansky from behind in the air right in front of the sideline. Williams earned a yellow of his own, with the nearby bench voicing their displeasure (most of which was caught on the sideline microphone and heard on the broadcast). Head coach Brendan Burke was shown yellow and eventually assistant coach and former player Aaron Wheeler was shown a straight red.

As emotions heated up, the whistle blew to signal full time. Neither team had ever played extra time in a competitive match, let alone in the US Open Cup.

Extra time started quickly for both teams. Jiménez jumped on a loose ball in Athletic’s end and ran into the Hartford box. His shot was deflected by keeper Walters, but sent right back in the bath of NY’s Jonathan Shore. However the 17-year-old couldn’t get all of it and the attempted shot went wide right.

Hartford responded right off the subsequent goal kick. Williams headed the ball towards Deshane Beckford who got free on the left side. He drove into the box and scored past Romero to give Hartford its first lead of the game in the 92nd minute.

The lead didn’t last long though as New York’s attack found the team’s regular dynamic duo in the 99th minute. With the ball on the left edge of the box, Jiménez crossed the ball towards Calheira. A downward header got past Walters, bouncing off the ground and into the net for a brace to tie the game.

“I saw JJ had the ball and he’s good with putting that little chip ball in,” said number 99 about his 99th minute goal. “So I was trying to get a little separation with the center back. Once the ball was in the hair I knew as long as I got my head on it I knew I had a great chance.”

It’s the second time Jiménez has assisted Calheira on a goal this tournament. Not surprising considering the two spent a lot of time together, even carpooling up to Wednesday’s night’s game.

From the start of the second ET half NYCFC dominated, beginning with a Máximo Carrizo shot that easily went wide right. In the 109th minute, Jiménez got under a cross on the left side in open play. Getting close to the box, his shot was saved by Walters. The rebound fell right to Carrizo in the box, who point-blanked a strike into the net for the subsequent game winner. New York ended the second ET outshooting Hartford 5-0.

“It’s great. I mean, it’s fantastic for him and the work he’s put in. He’s quite young, so we have to manage his loads at times, but he looks fresher and fitter than he’s been,” said coach Pilkington about Carrizo. “He comes alive around the box. He nearly scored in extra time before he got the goal, so he’s dangerous. I think even towards the end, for him to play 90 plus 30 in a game like this just shows how hard he’s working in training and how hard he’s been working in games so far this season.”

Things got ugly before the end as Hartford got more physical. A foul by Athletic brought Joe Schmidt in the face of referee Christian Centeno, who showed him a yellow. Anderson Asiedu was then shown yellow for essentially checking an NYCFC player from behind in the 119th.

In the next minute, a potential Hartford breakaway was stopped when Marcus Epps was pulled down from behind by Rozhansky who pulled him by the jersey. The two teams converged and Epps made contact with Rozhansky, either a punch or a shove to the face, sending the City player to the ground.

Rozhansky was shown yellow, Epps was given a straight red card.

After the subsequent free kick for Hartford, now playing with 10 men, New York cleared the ball with Rozhansky running up the left sideline. Beckford entered from stage right, slid right into the NYCFC player’s legs, and brought the two teams together once again. This time with more physical contact between the two sides. Beckford and NYCFC’s Chris Tiao were both shown straight reds for violent conduct. The game ended not long after.

The result marks the second time an NEXT Pro team has ever beaten a USL Championship team in the tournament (2022 Round 2; St. Louis CITY SC 2 vs Indy Eleven). It also makes NYCFC II the lone remaining MLSNP team in the 2024 tournament. The team now has a chance to play either more USLC competition or, possibly, a team from Division 1 Major League Soccer.

“That’s our goal. When we came into this game, we knew in the next round, the big dogs (would) come in,” Calheira said. “We’re all developing, and that’s where we want to be at the end of the day. The better the competition, the better we move on, the better we grow as teammates, and that’s what we can do moving forward.”

2024 US Open Cup Round 2: JJ Jimenez hat trick helps NYCFC II win reserve version of Hudson River Derby over Red Bulls II

April 3, 2024 by Michael Battista

Players from NYCFC II and New York Red Bulls II battle for the ball in a Second Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: NYCFC II

On a rainy night in Queens, New York City FC II did something its parent team has never done – beat a professional soccer team from New York City. NYCFC II knocked off rival and fellow MLS NEXT Pro side New York Red Bulls II, 4-2, mostly thanks to a hat-trick from Jonathan “JJ” Jiménez.

This is what makes Open Cup magical. #USOC2024 pic.twitter.com/IcOSSdvxDP
— The City Boys Show (@NYCFCCityBoys) April 3, 2024

NYCFC II head coach Matt Pilkington said after the match that making team history, being the first NYCFC professional outfit to beat an Red Bulls unit in a knockout competition (Open Cup, Leagues Cup) means something.

“Not only is it a derby, it’s a cup game, it’s a home game. There’s a lot at steak tonight. It makes it a little bit sweeter,” said Pilkington. “I thought we had a really good test tonight. (Red Bulls II are) a really good team. They’re really well coached … I thought it was a good derby match and entertaining lots of goals and good for the fans.”

Jiménez echoed that point as he spoke to the media after his performance, emphasizing how the team had been preparing since its last league match last week.

“We have been preparing all week,” he said. “We know it’s a derby, and we know it’s win or go home. So, we prepared (mentally) more than preparing our bodies and we got ready for a fight.”

New York City II entered the match missing a handful of players due to them playing in

2024 Generation Adidas Cup. While Red Bulls II looked to be the stronger side, head coach Ibrahim Sekagya’s lineup had some glaring omissions. These included keeper A.J. Marcucci and defender Omar Valencia, who started the game on the bench.

NYCFC level it lets gooooo #nycfc #NewYorkCityFC pic.twitter.com/MsDNerqPjN
— The City Boys Show (@NYCFCCityBoys) April 2, 2024

The Red Bulls got on the board early thanks to a run up the left side by Serge Ngoma. His low cross into the box hit off players from both teams, but Mohammed Sofo pivoted to get a left footed strike off on the loose ball. The shot went right towards Tomás Romero, but slipped through his legs to give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 6th minute.

It was the third time the Baby Blues conceded a goal within the first ten minutes of a match this season. However, the home side was able to counter in the 22nd minute. A NYRB II goal kick and series of headed passes ended with Christian McFarlane feeding Jiménez. The forward was on side and between defenders as New York pressed high. With a defender on him, Red Bulls keeper Dallas Odle came off the line to challenge. However, Jiménez sidestepped the keeper to his right and punched in the tying goal.

Rinse and Repeat. Jimenez again! #nycfc #newyorkcityfc #opencup pic.twitter.com/3DE19KG1xI
— The City Boys Show (@NYCFCCityBoys) April 3, 2024

Momentum fully swung towards the home side, who cut through the Baby Bulls defense. Bulls II head coach Ibrahim Sekagya played three center backs to start the game, telling the media afterwards that usual starting left back Omar Valencia was dealing with an injury late in the week. City II was able to capitalize this and continued to find holes in the first 45.

Jiménez struck again in the 38th minute, as a long kick from City’s end found him in the middle of the field. A slick move past the covering defender set up another 1-v-1 with Odle, who the forward once again rounded to make it 2-1.

According to Jiménez he and his team knew exactly how to play against their Hudson River Derby rivals.

Malachi scores!!! 3-1. #NYCFC #opencup pic.twitter.com/z58p6czn7q
— The City Boys Show (@NYCFCCityBoys) April 3, 2024

“We basically planned for it, we knew that they were going to press us building out,” said Jiménez. “We wanted to play out the back and break their press because we knew once we broke that press, we were in behind – Me, Malachi , Agustín , and myself just running behind. We all have pace, any ball in behind, we’re going to get.”

Roald Mitchell had a chance to tie the game in the 41st minute with a shot that rang off the left post. New York countered with a chance to extend the lead at the other end and kept the ball there.

Malachi Jones, the 8th overall pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, had a stellar night as well. He got on the scoresheet in the 45th minute when a series between Piero Elias and Taylor Calheira set him up at the left post. He chipped Odle and a last ditch NYRB II defender to make it 3-1.

In the second half, coach Sekagya’s group came out hot. Mitchell continued his late half momentum with an easily saved shot in the 47th minute.

But forty seconds later, a long pass to Mohammed Sofo allowed him to through pass to Ngoma in the box. Running toward the left side, Ngoma shot low and towards the right to cut into the deficit.

Game of inches.

Hauschild coming up big! #nycfc pic.twitter.com/hdNyxVsqv7
— The City Boys Show (@NYCFCCityBoys) April 3, 2024

The visitors continued to have momentum in the second half, controlling possession and keeping NYCFC out of their end. In the 62nd, substitute Omar Valencia crossed a pass into the box from the left side, a part of the field NYRB frequented throughout the night. While the pass was intercepted, Ngoma charged for the loose ball in the box and was tripped by NYC’s Christopher Tiao. The Red Bulls’ Julian Hall stepped up for the potential tying penalty kick, the 16 year old’s shot was saved by Tomás Romero to keep it 3-2.

After the match, Romero, who joined the NYCFC first team earlier this year and is officially a “loan” to the reserve team, said he had a feeling what Hall was going to do to try and throw him off during the penalty run up.

“Nowadays, a lot of guys are doing that pause thing where they run up and pause . So, I kind of expected it,” said Romero. “Something was telling me he was going to do it and I think he stopped right before. So on those, you really have to just stay in your position as long as possible and wait for him to make the decision. I kind of tell by his body shape where he was going, and I just waited until the last second and went for it. It was a big moment in the game and I’m happy about that. I’m proud that I was able to save it.”

Tangled up at ☝️ #USOC2024 @newyorkcityfcii // @NYRBII pic.twitter.com/E7xSGGTHl9
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) April 3, 2024

Asked about his player’s miss, coach Sekagya said Julian Hall will have plenty of time to grow and move on from it. Especially since his team will be back at Belson Stadium on April 10 to face NYCFC II in the regular season.

“(It’s) unlucky for him, but he’s a player which we know that he’s a strong young boy. He can come away from that. We talked about it,” said Sekagya. “We just encourage him to think about it and he will take more.”

Jonathan Jimenez Again ✌️ @newyorkcityfcii #USOC2024 | @opencup pic.twitter.com/iCtW2zIMXG
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) April 3, 2024

New York (the red one from New Jersey) continued to look for an equalizer against New York (the blue one from New York) for the rest of the half. A 72nd minute shot by Steven Sserwadda curved over a defender’s leg and looked to be heading for just under the crossbar but hit off the hand of an outstretched Romero to force a corner. That chance pales in comparison to the one five minutes later, when Sofo sent a long pass to Hall on the left side. The young Bull sent a high cross into the box, where Mitchell flew into frame to attempt a shot. NYCFC II’s Alexander Hauschild blocked the ball off the line, where it hit off the right post and then off the hand of Mitchell to end the play.

.@NYRBII Stay in Touching Distance ????#USOC2024 // @opencup pic.twitter.com/fIBtB8ORPT
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) April 3, 2024

The home side got the final say in the 85th minute when in the 85th minute when Taylor Calheira’s shot from the top of the box struck the hand of Red Bull defender Juan Gutierrez, earning him the night’s first and only yellow card. It was also NYCFC II’s first shot on target of the half. Jiménez calmly sent the keeper to the right post while sliding the ball towards the left one. The goal sealed the result, notched Jiménez his first hat-trick as a professional, and eventually saw NYCFC II become the first MLSNP side to qualify for the Third Round.

Jiménez noted afterwards though that it wasn’t actually his first-ever hat-trick as a player.

“On the hat trick, it’s actually a cool story. My first ever hat trick was against Red Bulls when I was in the academy,” the forward said. “When I was in high school, I think I scored four, and now I did it here (in the pros), so it is just amazing.”

2024 US Open Cup Round 1: NYCFC II travels to New Jersey, dominates FC Motown 3-0

March 23, 2024 by Michael Battista

Players from NYCFC II celebrate in their First Round match against FC Motown in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: New York City FC II

Playing at the home of their birthright rivals, New York City FC II left Montclair State University with their first ever US Open Cup win. The reserve team from Queens, NY beat FC Motown of the National Premier Soccer League, 3-0.

“I thought the boys put in a really good effort today,” said NYCFC II head coach Matt Pilkington. “This was a different game for us because it was a competition, (a) knockout game, and we talked about how excited the guys are to play in these competitions and to test themselves… It was a really good experience for the group, and I thought they really took on the challenge really well.”

In front of 450 fans at MSU Soccer Park, and without the snow squall that ripped through the field during the previous night’s Open Cup game, the younger side came out of the gate quickly. Despite two early chances by Motown’s Joe Fala, including a header that required a diving save by Alexander Rando, the Baby Blues looked more confident with the ball.

A break down the middle by Jacob Arroyave allowed him to place the ball at the feet of captain Taylor Calheira at the top of the box. He punched a shot into the top left corner past Motown goalkeeper David Greczek in the ninth minute to make it 1-0.

The goal was Calheira’s first as a member of New York City FC II. In fact, every goal scored on the night was that player’s first goal for the team.

CARRIZO TO PUT US FURTHER AHEAD ???? #USOC24 pic.twitter.com/SWnAt3zGhq
— New York City FC II (@newyorkcityfcii) March 22, 2024

“It was a great experience to perform for the team in New York City and get my first goal,” said Calheira. “But most importantly, performing with the team we knew that we had to come out early, score early, and play well. It meant a lot being the captain, too, and leading the team.”

The visitors showed no signs of stopping and nearly capitalized on a Motown defensive error in the 16th minute. A backpass at the top of the box was intercepted by Jonathan Jimenez, who shot right at Greczek. The keeper bobbled the pass and players from both teams jostled before the ball went out for a corner.

Not long after, Jimenez sent a long ball towards the right side of the field and a running Jonathan Shore. A tic-tac-toe of passes along the top of the box left Motown out of place. Calheira sent the ball back into the middle, where it deflected off a defender before a charging Andrew Baiera pump faked the home side and put it into the right corner.

NYCFC looked poised to add to their lead as the first half wore on. When everything was said and done the reserve team outshot Motown 34 to 4 in total shots taken. Motown, veterans of the US Open Cup who hold the active streak for consecutive qualifications by an Open Division team (7), looked slow on the ball. Unable to make convincing runs into the opposing end.

Fala was able to use his size advantage against the much smaller New York players, but their numbers and ability to cut off his passes made him a hermit on offense.

Motown head coach Dilly Duka, a former Major League Soccer player and a legend with the home side, knows first hand the challenges amateur teams face in the Open Cup. Having played in multiple tournaments with Morristown it’s never been easy to get match ready two months before the regular season starts.

“That’s the thing with the amateur team. We’re pulling guys early in the year that are not as fit,” said Duka. “We’re hoping to get these experienced guys. You’re up against a team that has the chemistry, that’s been training that’s been in preseason like a New York City FC II. It’s gonna be difficult.”

At halftime, Duka opted to replace the struggling Da Fonte with Handy Coby Jean Rodriguez. The Haitian has a history of saving the team, like he did in the 2022 NPSL Championship where he scored both the late equalizer and go-ahead goals to win the title. While the midfielder brought that much needed speed, and at times shored up the holes to stop City’s transitions, he wasn’t enough.

.@newyorkcityfc HOMEGROWN BAIERA MAKES IT TWO ????‍???? pic.twitter.com/zwet1POx9m
— New York City FC II (@newyorkcityfcii) March 22, 2024

New York could have had more goals in the second half if it wasn’t for Greczek, a former pro with Swope Park Rangers, and the woodwork. In the 53rd minute a long shot by Calheira got past the keeper but hit off the left post and rolled down the goal line. A subsequent corner kick saw a shot ring off the crossbar. Motown countered and earned a corner of their own in the 59th, but a Fala header went right into the arms of Rando.

Once again, another misjudged back pass by Motown gave City II a chance to score in the 62nd. Calheira beat defender Jean Voltaire for the ball and ran into the right side of the box, shooting towards the left post. Greczek dove and stopped the ball with his fingertips, allowing his teammate to get it away.

“We’re a team that’s trying to put it together early in the year and it’s difficult fitness wise to get these guys going so early in the year,” Duka said after the game.

Still, New York was going to get a third. In the 65th minute, Calheira crossed in from the left side and found Maximo Carrizo to tap in the ball from the goalline. He and his teammates were able to celebrate in front of the traveling members of the Third Rail supporter’s group.

Taylor takes us into the lead early on ???? pic.twitter.com/fOVUTlS1Gr
— New York City FC II (@newyorkcityfcii) March 21, 2024

Despite more attempts being stopped by posts or an overworked keeper, including a hockey esc save that would impress Martin Brodeur, City would not find the net again. Still the youngsters left New Jersey with their organization’s first ever win in a knockout competition.

“We can obviously learn from tonight and we can learn from how to manage games and put games away, so we don’t have to run as much and fight as much towards the end,” said Pilkington. “I think that’s something we can take away. It’s from a learning perspective. Obviously, we don’t know who we will play yet, so once that happens, we’ll start to prepare accordingly. But I think the guys are really excited about how they played and can enjoy the moment and then look forward to the next match.”

It took NYCFC II only one Open Cup to get its first win. The first team took five.

2024 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round: Brockton FC United uses lengthy stoppage time to get revenge on Pancyprian Freedoms

November 22, 2023 by Michael Battista

On a chilly night in Jamaica, Queens, the New York Pancyprian Freedoms and Brockton FC United looked destined for extra time. Both teams were held scoreless as the clock neared the 90-minute mark at St. John’s University’s Belson Stadium. However, over ten minutes of second-half stoppage time saw four goals and a red card. The final whistle saw Brockton book its ticket for the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a 3-1 win.

“It’s a huge accomplishment,” said forward Wuilito Fernandes. “We had our goal which was to win the (UPSL) regular season, which we did, and win the playoffs. Unfortunately, we slept on that one last weekend against (Olé Football Club). Our other goal was to go as far as we can into the US Open Cup and try to make sure we qualify.

“We did what we had to do to prepare after that tough loss to come here and get the good result. It’s a great feeling, it’s special, it’s priceless.”

This will be Brockton’s second-ever Open Cup appearance after first debuting in the 2022 tournament. The Massachusetts side has made it to a “Win & You’re In” match in four straight qualifying tournaments (2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024).

That first match in the fall of 2019 was against the Pancyprian Freedoms, who won 1-0 as the game ended early due to weather. Brockton head coach Jose Mendes said after Saturday’s match that he and many on the team had not forgotten that game.

“Just like it happened to us back in (2019) where they eliminated us to qualify for the tournament, that was our goal,” Mendes said through a translator. “To come here and actually make sure they feel the same thing that we felt back then.”

Brockton made sure their win was as painful for New York as possible in front of a crowd of 30 fans at Belson. In the 90th minute, they had a quick attack up the middle. Leandro Alves had his shot saved by Rafael Diaz, who was unable to catch the ball. As it rolled, Alves went for it, and Diaz, on the ground, extended his hands. According to the referee, Diaz grabbed the player’s legs and forced him to trip, earning a penalty shot.

Fernandes, a former USL professional who has caps with the Cape Verde national team, stepped up. His shot into the top left corner gave Brockton a 1-0 lead in the 90+1st minute.

The Freedoms kicked off just as the clock ticked over to 93 minutes. Within 120 seconds, the game was tied. A cross from the left side found Matthew Forester, who tapped it back in the box. A whiffed shot by a Pancyprian set the ball trickling towards Joe Holland, who slammed the ball into the net in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Again, the game looked destined for extra time. But the referee allowed play to continue. A foul in the New York end gave Brockton a free kick, which they took quickly. Stephan Teixeira shot low towards the left post, which Diaz saved. Manuel Alejandro Pereira Castellon jumped on the loose ball and struck it into the right side to make it 2-1. He ran towards the Brockton bench and was swarmed by his teammates as Pancyprian players argued with the referee; Both about offside and that the free kick was taken too quickly.

With momentum back on their side, Brockton’s Euclides Ramos Mendonça iced the game with a shot from miles out. It chipped Diaz and found the back of the net in the 11th minute of stoppage time.

After it was all done Fernandes noted that the referee initially said there would be seven minutes of stoppage time after the initial go-ahead PK was scored. He said even that felt like slow motion, feeling closer to 15 minutes (which eventually, it got close to being).

“It felt so long,” the Cape Verde national said. “We’re just happy it ended and we’re just happy we’re the ones that came out on top. And now we’re excited to get back on the road and enjoy this victory.”

Of note, Brockton’s Jose Orlet Tavares had been cautioned in the 70th minute and subbed off later. He removed his coat and ran onto the field in uniform to celebrate, running across the pitch near the Belson bleachers. That earned him a second yellow, meaning he will miss Brockton’s first Open Cup match.

The first half went by fairly quickly but neither team found the back of the net. New York was forced to make an early sub within the first ten minutes after a head-to-head collision. A Brockton takeaway got the ball to Pereira Castellon. He sent a high ball into the box where St. John’s alumni Luke Hansen and Brockton’s Leonardo Teixeira slammed heads while trying to head the ball. Teixeira eventually got up but Hansen, who got up and walked shakily before sitting down again, was subbed off for Camil Koreichi.

Overall, New York had the better offense in the first 45 minutes. Former professional and Grenada national team player Shavon John-Brown skied a header over the crossbar in the 10th minute. For much of the first half John-Brown, who scored a brace last round, was playing near the midfield. It turns out Pancyprian, missing players due to injury and inability to adjust the roster during qualifying, was trying to adjust.

Holland, another former professional, returned to the starting XI and played up top. In the last 15 minutes, he shot into the side of the netting and got a weak shot off from the top of the box that the keeper jumped on. In stoppage time, Holland got under a free kick in the box but headed it wide right to keep it scoreless.

For the visitors, Brockton’s best assets were great set-piece defending and fast breaks. The side stopped at least three New York corner kicks and two free kicks near the penalty area.

A Brockton FC United player strikes the ball in the heavy rain in the club’s 2020 US Open Cup qualifier against the New York Pancyprian Freedoms. Photo: Liz McQuilkin – Mass Soccer

Joseano Paulo Tavares struck a hard shot right to keeper Rafael Diaz in the 12th minute. The team’s best chances of the first half came in the 39th minute. After a Holland shot was saved, United countered quickly up the right side. Running to near the end line, the ball was played to Leonardo Teixeira six yards from the net. His shot was saved by Diaz but put back into play. Pereira Castellon quickly jumped on the rebound attempt but that was blocked by a diving New York player.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game and we tried to stay as open as possible,” Mendes said. “Especially when we transition back and forth. Make sure we do it in an organized way.”

After the break Brockton’s offense began to pick up possession. In the first 20 minutes, United received two yellow cards and two free kicks on opposite sides of the Pancyprian box. Another in the 68th saw a Brockton player attempt a bicycle kick but not get fully connected with it.

New York wasn’t quiet either. John-Brown began to move up and Holland continued to threaten. A 65th-minute shot went right to Brockton keeper Christopher Moura. Ten minutes later, he ran down the left side and danced around a defender near the end line. But moving the ball towards the net, he either crossed or shot, allowing United to block it back into play.

Forester got a great scissor kick-off in the 88th minute. Moura made a jumping dive to his left, but the ball sailed wide of the goal.

For New York, it is another crushing disappointment. The three-time Open Cup champions have not competed in the tournament proper since 2016. Their last qualification in 2020 was snubbed when COVID-19 canceled the tournament for the first time ever.

2024 US Open Cup qualifying schedule, results

August 24, 2023 by Michael Battista

Table Key
Associations	US Adult Soccer Association (USASA)	US Specialty Sports Association (USSSA)	United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Leagues	American Premier League (APL)	Atlanta District Amateur Soccer League (ADASL )	Austin Men’s Soccer Association (AMSA)	Bay State Soccer League (BSSL)
	Colorado Premier League (CPL)	Cosmopolitan Soccer League (CSL)	DC Premier League (DCPL)	Eastern Premier Soccer League (EPSL)
	Florida Gold Coast League (FGCL)	Garden State Soccer League (GSSL)	Gulf Coast Premier League (GCPL)	Maryland Super Soccer League (MSSL)
	Midwest Premier League (MWPL)	Mountain Premier League (MPL)	National Soccer League (NSL)	NISA Nation (NISAN)
	Ohio Valley Premier League (OVPL)	Recreational Adult Team Soccer (RATS)	Rochester District Soccer League (RDSL)	San Francisco Soccer Football League (SFSFL)
	Southwest Premier League (SWPL)	United Soccer League of Pennsylvania (USLPA)	United States Soccer League (USSL)	West Coast Soccer Association (WCSA)

ROUND 1	AWAY TEAM	Assoc.	TIME	Assoc.	HOME TEAM	VENUE
Sept. 9	MoCo 1776 FC (UPSL)	UPSL	0:1	USASA	DCFC (DCPL)	The Fields at RFK; Washington, D.C.
Sept. 9	Inter San Francisco (SFSFL)	USASA	1:0	USASA	SF Vikings SC (SFSFL)	Beach Chalet Soccer Field; San Francisco, CA
Sept. 9	Aegean Hawks FC (APL)	USASA	4:1	UPSL	VA Revolution Pro (UPSL)	Virginia Revolution Sportsplex; Leesburg, VA
Sept. 9	The Olympic Club (SFSFL)	USASA	5:1	USSSA	Marin County Union SC (NSL)	Sonoma Valley High School; Sonoma, CA
Sept. 9	Real San Jose (NSL)	USSSA	0:2	UPSL	Valley 559 FC (UPSL)	Keith Tice Memorial Park; Fresno, CA
Sept. 9	Central Texas Lobos (GCPL)	USASA	0:4	UPSL	Alamo City Soccer Club (UPSL)	Alamo Sportsplex; San Antonio, TX
Sept. 9	Ole Football Club (UPSL)	UPSL	0:3	USASA	Lansdowne Yonkers FC (EPSL)	Tibbetts Brooke Park; Yonkers, NY
Sept. 9	O’Shea’s FC (USSL)	USSSA	4:2	USASA	Hurricane FC (FGCL)	Seacrest Soccer Complex; Delray Beach, FL
Sept. 9	Holac FC (UPSL)	UPSL	2:2 (5:4 PK)	UPSL	Bellevue Athletic FC (UPSL)	Bellevue College Soccer Field; Bellevue, WA
Sept. 9	Capo FC (NISAN)	USASA	4:1	UPSL	Laguna United FC (UPSL)	La Paz Sports Park; Laguna Niguel, CA
Sept. 9	Bay Area United FC (NISAN)	USASA	6:2	USASA	JASA RWC (NISAN)	Red Morton Community Park; Redwood City, CA
Sept. 10	Colorado Rovers (CPL)	USSSA	1:2	USSSA	Harpo’s FC (CPL)	Broomfield Commons Soccer Fields; Broomfield, CO
Sept. 10	Azteca FC (CPL)	USSSA	7:0	USASA	Peak Eleven Football Club (MPL)	Fairview High School Field; Boulder, CO
Sept. 10	FC Folsom (UPSL)	UPSL	3:2	USASA	BattleBorn FC (NISAN)	Mackay Stadium; Reno, NV
Sept. 10	Kensington Soccer Club (EPSL)	USASA	3:3 (0:3 PK)	USASA	Philadelphia Heritage SC (EPSL)	Proving Grounds; Conshohocken, PA
Sept. 10	New York Greek Americans SC (EPSL)	USASA	1:3	USASA	Zum Schneider FC 03 (EPSL)	Jack McManus Field; New York, NY
Sept. 10	Miami Soccer Academy (USSL)	USASA	4:1	UPSL	Dade County FC (UPSL)	UPSL Stadium (Broward College‐South Campus); Pembroke Pines, FL
Sept. 10	Irvine FC (UPSL)	UPSL	1:3	UPSL	Irvine Zeta FC (UPSL)	Orange County Great Park; Irvine, CA
Sept. 10	NY Renegades FC (UPSL)	UPSL	5:0	USASA	Manhattan Kickers FC (CSL)	Randall’s Island Wards Meadow Fields; New York, NY
Sept. 10	New York Braveheart SC (UPSL)	UPSL	0:1	USASA	New York Pancyprian Freedoms (EPSL)	Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.); Jamaica, NY
Sept. 10	Elk Grove Blues (UPSL)	UPSL	1:7	USASA	UC Davis Club Soccer (WCSA)	Playfields Park; Davis, CA
BYES (67): Arlington SA, Athletic Katy FC, Austin Longhorns, Austin Thunder, Berber City FC, Boston Street FC, Brockton FC United, CD Faialense, FC America CFL Spurs, Chargers Soccer Club, Chicago House AC, Chicago Strikers, Christos FC, City Soccer FC, Colonial SC, Coronado Athletic Club, Daggers CTX, Deportivo Lake Mary FC, Edgewater Castle Football Club, Escondido FC, FC Birmingham, FC Denver, FC Omens, Florida Brothers, Florida Premier FC, Foro SC, Harbor City FC, Hodler Miami FC, Houston FC, IASC Boom, Kalonji Pro‐Profile, Leg‐AZ World FC, Majestic Soccer Club, Miami United FC, Mint Hill FC, Murrieta Soccer Academy, New Jersey Alliance FC, North Georgia United, NoVa FC, Orlando FC Wolves, Parkland Soccer Club, Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals, Provo Athletic Club, Real Center NJ Soccer, Rebels SC, Royal Palms Soccer Club, Sahara Gunners FC, Santa Monica Surf, SC Union Maricopa, SC Vistula Garfield, Sharktopus Football Club, Soccer Paradise FC, South Carolina United Heat, Sporting Arizona FC, Steel Pulse FC, Temecula Football Club, Tenfifteen FC, Tennessee Tempo FC, Terminus FC, Trojans FC, UDA Soccer, UDA Soccer, United German Hungarians, Valhalla FC, Vereinigung Erzgebirge, Villarreal CF Virginia, Wisloka Chicago, Yinz United
ROUND 2	AWAY TEAM	Assoc.	TIME	Assoc.	HOME TEAM	VENUE
Sept. 30	Steel Pulse FC (MSSL)	USASA	13:2	UPSL	Villarreal CF Virginia (UPSL)	Justice High School; Falls Church, VA
Sept. 30	Athletic Katy FC (USSL)	USSSA	4:3	USSSA	Houston FC (USSL)	San Jacinto College South Campus Soccer Field; Houston, TX
Sept. 30	Philadelphia Heritage SC (EPSL)	USASA	0:3	USASA	Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USLPA)	Vereinigung Erzgebirge Clubhouse; Warminster, PA
Sept. 30	Wisloka Chicago (UPSL)	UPSL	1:2	USASA	Chicago House AC (MWPL)	Langhorst Field (Elmhurst College); Elmhurst, IL
Sept. 30	Harpos FC (CPL)	USSSA	1:2	USSSA	Azteca FC (CPL)	Victoria Sports Park; Golden, CO
Sept. 30	Yinz United (APL)	USASA	3:2	UPSL	Arlington SA (UPSL)	Long Bridge Park; Arlington, VA
Sept. 30	Harbor City FC (UPSL)	UPSL	3:1	USSSA	Orlando FC Wolves (USSL)	Sylvan Lake Park; Sanford, FL
Sept. 30	Bay Area United FC (NISAN)	USASA	1:4	UPSL	Valley 559 FC (UPSL)	Keith Tice Memorial Park; Fresno, CA
Sept. 30	Clearwater Chargers SC (UPSL)	UPSL	0:4	UPSL	Florida Premier FC (UPSL)	GSports Clubhouse Field; Trinity, FL
Sept. 30	City Soccer FC (USSL)	USSSA	3:2 (AET)	USSSA	Hodler Miami FC (USSL)	UPSL Stadium (Broward College‐South Campus); Pembroke Pines, FL
Sept. 30	Royal Palms Soccer Club (UPSL)	UPSL	1:8	UPSL	Leg-AZ World FC (UPSL)	The Villages SC Complex; Summerfield, FL
Sept. 30	South Carolina United Heat (UPSL)	UPSL	6:1	UPSL	Mint Hill FC (UPSL)	Mint Hill Veterans Memorial Park; Mint Hill, NC
Sept. 30	Daggers CTX (GCPL)	USASA	1:4	USASA	Austin Thunder (AMSA)	Round Rock Multipurpose Complex; Round Rock, TX
Sept. 30	Trojans FC (UPSL)	UPSL	1:7	UPSL	Santa Monica Surf (UPSL)	Historic Belmar Park; Santa Monica, CA
Sept. 30	Berber City FC (MWPL)	USASA	1:2	USASA	Edgewater Castle FC (MWPL)	Fire Pitch; Chicago, IL
Sept. 30	The Olympic Club (SFSFL)	USASA	1:4	USASA	International San Francisco (SFSFL)	James P. Lang Athletics Fields; San Francisco, CA
Sept. 30	Murrieta Soccer Academy (UPSL)	UPSL	0:4	USASA	Temecula Football Club (NISAN)	Chapparal High School; Temecula, CA
Oct. 1	Kalonji Pro-Profile (UPSL)	UPSL	4:0	USASA	Terminus FC (ADASL)	Brook Run Park Soccer Fields; Dunwoody, GA
Oct. 1	North Georgia United (UPSL)	UPSL	1:6	USASA	Majestic SC (ADASL)	Booker T. Washington High School; Atlanta, GA
Oct. 1	Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals (USLPA)	USASA	3:1 (AET)	USASA	Colonial SC (USLPA)	Plymouth Whitemarsh High School; Plymouth Meeting, PA
Oct. 1	Brockton FC United (UPSL)	UPSL	3:0	USASA	FC Omens (BSSL)	Madison Park High School; Boston, MA
Oct. 1	Real Central NJ Soccer (EPSL)	USASA	0:6	USASA	United German Hungarians (USLPA)	Temple Univ. Ambler Campus; Ambler, PA
Oct. 1	IASC Boom (RDSL)	USASA	1:2	UPSL	Sahara Gunners FC (UPSL)	Crosby Soccer Field; Buffalo, NY
Oct. 1	Coronado Athletic Club (UPSL)	UPSL	1:2	UPSL	UDA Soccer (UPSL)	Field of Dreams Soccer Complex; Las Cruces, NM
Oct. 1	Chicago Strikers (UPSL)	UPSL	0:2	USASA	Valhalla FC (OVPL)	Grand Park; Westfield, IN
Oct. 1	Miami United FC (USSL)	USSSA	9:0	USSSA	Soccer Paradise FC (USSL)	Lester B. Brown Park; Miami Gardens, FL
Oct. 1	NOVA FC (EPSL)	USASA	4:1	USASA	DCFC (DCPL)	The Fields at RFK; Washington, D.C.
Oct. 1	Alamo City Soccer Club (UPSL)	UPSL	W:L (Forfeit)	USASA	Austin Longhorns (AMSA)	Onion Creek Soccer Complex; Austin, TX
Oct. 1	Tennessee Tempo FC (UPSL)	UPSL	4:1	UPSL	FC Birmingham (UPSL)	Birmingham‐Southern College; Birmingham, AL
Oct. 1	Miami Soccer Academy (USSL)	USASA	2:1	USSSA	Florida Brothers (USSL)	Mills Pond Park; Fort Lauderdale, FL
Oct. 1	Sporting Arizona FC (SWPL)	USASA	2:1	UPSL	SC Union Maricopa (UPSL)	Matt O. Hanhila Field; Glendale, AZ
Oct. 1	CD Faialense (BSSL)	USASA	2:2 (4:2 PK)	UPSL	Boston Street FC (UPSL)	Harry Della Russo Memorial Stadium; Revere, MA
Oct. 1	FC America CFL Spurs (USSL)	USSSA	8:0	UPSL	Deportivo Lake Mary FC (UPSL)	Lake Mary High School; Lake Mary, FL
Oct. 1	Tenfifteen FC (UPSL)	UPSL	0:2	UPSL	FORO SC (UPSL)	Prince of Peace; Carrollton, TX
Oct. 1	SC Vistula Garfield (GSSL)	USASA	0:2	UPSL	New Jersey Alliance FC (UPSL)	Anzaldi Park; Clifton, NJ
Oct. 1	Zum Schneider FC 03 (EPSL)	USASA	1:3	UPSL	NY Renegades FC (UPSL)	Cantiague Park; Hicksville, NY
Oct. 1	Christos FC (MSSL)	USASA	5:0	USASA	Aegean Hawks FC (APL)	Langley High School; McLean, VA
Oct. 1	UC Davis Club Soccer (WCSA)	USASA	1:2	UPSL	FC Folsom (UPSL)	Livermore Community Park; Folsom, CA
Oct. 1	Capo FC (NISAN)	USASA	0:6	UPSL	Irvine Zeta FC (UPSL)	Orange County Great Park; Irvine, CA
Oct. 1	Lansdowne Yonkers FC (EPSL)	USASA	1:2 (AET)	USASA	NY Pancyprian Freedoms (EPSL)	Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.); Jamaica, NY
Oct. 1	Provo Athletic Club (UPSL)	UPSL	2:3	USSSA	FC Denver (CPL)	Northfield High School; Denver, CO
Oct. 1	Escondido FC (UPSL)	UPSL	2:0	UPSL	Rebels Soccer Club (UPSL)	Mount Miguel High School; Spring Valley, CA
Oct. 1	Holac FC (UPSL)	UPSL	1:2	USSSA	Sharktopus FC (RATS)	Interbay Stadium; Seattle, WA
Oct. 3	Parkland Soccer Club (UPSL)	UPSL	2:0 (AET)	USSSA	O’Shea’s FC (USSL)	Gaines Park; West Palm Beach, FL
BYES: None
ROUND 3	AWAY TEAM	Assoc.	TIME	Assoc.	HOME TEAM	VENUE
Oct. 21	Brockton FC United (UPSL)	UPSL	3:2	USASA	CD Faialense (BSSL)	Miller Field; Winthrop, MA
Oct. 21	International San Francisco (SFSFL)	USASA	4:2	USSSA	Sharktopus FC (RATS)	Interbay Stadium; Seattle, WA
Oct. 21	United German Hungarians (USLPA)	USASA	1:1 (3:4 PK)	USASA	Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USLPA)	Vereinigung Erzgebirge Clubhouse; Warminster, PA
Oct. 21	FORO SC (UPSL)	UPSL	W:L (Forfeit)	USSSA	Athletic Katy FC (USSL)	Matias Almeyda Training Center; Houston, TX
Oct. 21	FC America CFL Spurs (USSL)	USSSA	1:0	UPSL	Harbor City FC (UPSL)	World Roofing Stadium (Palm Bay H.S.); Melbourne, FL
Oct. 21	Florida Premier FC (UPSL)	UPSL	0:4	UPSL	Leg-AZ World FC (UPSL)	The Villages SC Complex; Summerfield, FL
Oct. 21	Miami Soccer Academy (USSL)	USSSA	0:4	USSSA	Miami United FC (USSL)	Ted Hendricks Stadium; Hialeah, FL
Oct. 21	Chicago House AC (MWPL)	USASA	3:1	USASA	Edgewater Castle Football Club (MWPL)	Taft High School; Chicago, IL
Oct. 21	Alamo City Soccer Club (UPSL)	UPSL	2:1	USASA	Austin Thunder (AMSA)	Round Rock Multipurpose Complex; Round Rock, TX
Oct. 21	Santa Monica Surf (UPSL)	UPSL	1:3	USASA	Temecula FC (NISAN)	Chapparal High School; Temecula, CA
Oct. 22	New Jersey Alliance FC (UPSL)	UPSL	6:0	USASA	Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals (USLPA)	Ukrainian American Sports Center (Field 6); North Wales, PA
Oct. 22	Valhalla FC (OVPL)	USASA	10:1	UPSL	Sahara Gunners FC (UPSL)	Crosby Soccer Field; Buffalo, NY
Oct. 22	Sporting Arizona FC (SWPL)	USASA	L:W (forfeit)	UPSL	UDA Soccer (UPSL)	New Mexico State Univ. Club Soccer Field; Las Cruces, NM
Oct. 22	Christos FC (MSSL)	USASA	1:1 (5:4 PK)	USASA	Steel Pulse FC (MSSL)	Milford Mill Academy; Windsor Mill, MD
Oct. 22	Majestic SC (ADASL)	USASA	0:4	UPSL	South Carolina United Heat (UPSL)	SCUFC SEFL Soccer Center; Columbia, SC
Oct. 22	City Soccer FC (USSL)	USSSA	2:0	UPSL	Parkland Soccer Club (UPSL)	Terramar Park; Parkland, FL
Oct. 22	Irvine Zeta FC (UPSL)	UPSL	1:1 (10:9 PK)	UPSL	Escondido FC (UPSL)	San Pasqual High School; Escondido, CA
Oct. 22	Tennessee Tempo FC (UPSL)	UPSL	2:0	UPSL	Kalonji Pro-Profile (UPSL)	Shiloh High School; Snellville, GA
Oct. 22	Valley 559 FC (UPSL)	UPSL	3:5	UPSL	FC Folsom (UPSL)	Livermore Community Park; Folsom, CA
Oct. 22	NY Renegades FC (UPSL)	UPSL	0:3 (75′)	USASA	New York Pancyprian Freedoms (EPSL)	Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.); Jamaica, NY
Oct. 22	NOVA FC (EPSL)	USASA	2:1	USASA	Yinz United (APL)	Oakton High School; Vienna, VA
Oct. 22	Azteca FC (CPL)	USSSA	2:0	USSSA	FC Denver (CPL)	Northfield High School; Denver, CO
BYES: None
ROUND 4	AWAY TEAM	Assoc.	TIME	Assoc.	HOME TEAM	VENUE
Nov. 18	Azteca FC (CPL)	USSSA	2:1	UPSL	UDA Soccer (UPSL)	New Mexico State Univ.; Las Cruces, NM
Nov. 18	Chicago House AC (MWPL)	USASA	3:1	USASA	Valhalla FC (OVPL)	Charity Lucas Soccer Stadium; Milford, OH
Nov. 18	Christos FC (MSSL)	USASA	1:0	USASA	NOVA FC (EPSL)	Segra Field; Leesburg, VA
Nov. 18	Leg-AZ World FC (UPSL)	UPSL	1:4	USSSA	FC America CFL Spurs (USSL)	Lake Mary High School; Lake Mary, FL
Nov. 18	Alamo City Soccer Club (UPSL)	UPSL	0:4	UPSL	FORO SC (UPSL)	Prince of Peace; Carrollton, TX
Nov. 18	South Carolina United Heat (UPSL)	UPSL	4:2	UPSL	Tennessee Tempo FC (UPSL)	Richard Siegel Soccer Complex; Murfreesboro, TN
Nov. 18	Brockton FC United (UPSL)	UPSL	3:1	USASA	New York Pancyprian Freedoms (EPSL)	Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.); Jamaica, NY
Nov. 19	New Jersey Alliance FC (UPSL)	UPSL	0:0 (2:4 PK)	USASA	Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USLPA)	Vereinigung Erzgebirge Clubhouse; Warminster, PA
Nov. 19	City Soccer FC (USSL)	USSSA	1:3	USSSA	Miami United FC (USSL)	Ted Hendricks Stadium; Hialeah, FL
Nov. 19	International San Francisco (SFSFL)	USASA	2:4	UPSL	FC Folsom (UPSL)	Livermore Community Park; Folsom, CA
Nov. 19	Temecula FC (NISAN)	USASA	1:3	UPSL	Irvine Zeta FC (UPSL)	Orange County Great Park; Irvine, CA

2024 US Open Cup Qualifying: 109 clubs enter with Round 1 beginning Sept. 9-10

August 24, 2023 by Michael Battista

The US Soccer Federation announced the 109 clubs that will take part in Open Division Local qualifying for the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. In addition, the federation has announced the match-ups and schedule for both the First Qualifying Round (Sept. 9-10) and Second Qualifying Round (Sept. 30-Oct. 1). There are clubs from 23 states plus the District of Columbia, with the lion’s share coming from United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) with 47 teams from that league. The four rounds of single elimination matches will take place over the rest of 2023 with 11 qualifiers being determined. Match-ups will be geographical to minimize travel for all teams. The schedule is as follows:

September 9-10, 2023 – First Qualifying Round
September 30 – October 1, 2023 – Second Qualifying Round
October 21-22, 2023 – Third Qualifying Round
November, 18-19, 2023 – Fourth Qualifying Round

The pairings for the first two rounds can be found HERE. 67 teams in total will receive a bye to the second qualifying round, while the remaining 42 will contest the first round in 21 games total. 44 games will be played in the second round. By the end of the fourth round, only 11 teams will remain.

Two teams have already qualified for next year’s tournament and bypassed the qualifying phase. SC MesoAmerica from Los Angeles won the 2023 USASA National Amateur Cup earlier this month to qualify for their first US Open Cup. Likewise, AS Frenzi won the 2023 UPSL Spring Championship to qualify for 2024, becoming the first club to reach the First Round via this method.

Two other Open Division national leagues will bypass qualifying and enter in the First Round as well, using 2023 season results to determine entrants. USL League Two (USL-2) and National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) will each receive their own slots in the competition. UPSL, although meets Open Cup national league status, chose not to go down this qualifying route. Instead, it let each team in the league choose on its own if they want to participate or not in local qualifying.

The number of slots going to the Open Division qualifying track and the two national leagues is proportional to the number of clubs in each league or pool of teams. Based on the qualifying track receiving 11 slots for their 109 clubs, we can determine a rough estimate for the total number of Open Division qualifiers for the First Round next March.

As of publication of this article, US Soccer is planning for 34 to 36 total slots for the Open Division. This number will be adjusted as the professional leagues finalize their rosters of teams for the 2024 season. The reason it is a range is because the math works out for 34, 35, and 36 teams to result in 11 local qualifying slots for the 109 teams in that pool, which is the known value.

Here’s how it would work out if US Soccer has 34 slots for the Open Division in 2024.

SC MesoAmerica (Amateur Cup)
AS Frenzi (UPSL Spring Champion)
11 Local Qualifying out of 109 teams
9 NPSL out of 92 teams
12 USL League Two out of 120 teams

If there are 35 teams, there would be 10 NPSL teams instead of 9. If there are 36 teams, there would be 10 NPSL teams instead of 9 and 13 USL League Two teams instead of 12. As the slots move up or down going into 2024 based on the professional leagues finalizing their teams for next season, those slots will be given to or taken away from the combined pool of the two national league track leagues, NPSL and USL League Two. Local Qualifying will remain at 11 slots permanently for 2024 and the two other qualifiers from the Amateur Cup and UPSL will also remain.

Here are the entries for the 2024 Open Division Local qualifying tournament:

ALABAMA (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* FC Birmingham; Fultondale, Ala.

ARIZONA (3)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Coronado Athletic Club; Hereford, Ariz.
* SC Union Maricopa; Gilbert, Ariz.
Southwest Premier League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
* Sporting Arizona FC; Phoenix, Ariz.

CALIFORNIA (21)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Elk Grove Blues; Elk Grove, Calif.
* Escondido FC; Escondido, Calif.
* FC Folsom; Folsom, Calif.
* Irvine FC; Irvine, Calif.
* Irvine Zeta; Irvine, Calif.
* Laguna United FC; Laguna Niguel, Calif.
* Murrieta Soccer Academy; Temecula, Calif.
* Rebels Soccer Club; Chula Vista, Calif.
* Santa Monica Surf; Santa Monica, Calif.
* Trojans FC; Los Angeles, Calif.
* Valley 559 FC; Fresno, Calif.
NISA Nation (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
* Bay Area United FC; Oakland, Calif.
* Capo FC; San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
* Jasa RWC; Redwood City, Calif.
* Temecula FC; Temecula, Calif.
San Francisco Soccer Football League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
* International SF; San Francisco, Calif.
* SF Vikings SC; San Francisco, Calif.
* The Olympic Club; San Francisco, Calif.
National Soccer League (United States Specialty Sports Association-Soccer)
* Marin County Union SC; San Rafael, Calif.
* Real San Jose; San Jose, Calif.
West Coast Soccer Association (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
* UC Davis Club; Davis, Calif.

COLORADO (5)
Colorado Premier League (United States Specialty Sports Association-Soccer)
* Azteca FC; Denver, Colo.
* Colorado Rovers; Golden, Colo.
* FC Denver; Denver, Colo.
* Harpos FC; Longmont, Colo.
Mountain Premier League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
* Peak Eleven Football Club; Broomfield, Colo.

CONNECTICUT (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Ole Football Club; Ansonia, Conn.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (3)
American Premier League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
* Aegean Hawks FC; Washington, D.C.
* Yinz United; Washington, D.C.
DC Premier League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
* DCFC; Washington, D.C.

FLORIDA (18)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Chargers Soccer Club; Clearwater, Fla.
* Dade County FC; South Miami, Fla.
* Deportivo Lake Mary FC; Lake Mary, Fla.
* Florida Premier FC; Odessa, Fla.
* Harbor City FC; Melbourne, Fla.
* Leg-AZ World FC; Gainesville, Fla.
* Parkland Soccer Club; Parkland, Fla.
* Royal Palms Soccer Club; Palm Coast, Fla.
United States Soccer League (United States Specialty Sports Association-Soccer)
* CFL GOSA Spurs; Sanford, Fla.
* City Soccer FC; West Palm Beach, Fla.
* Florida Brothers; Dania Beach, Fla.
* Hodler Miami FC; Doral, Fla.
* Miami Soccer Academy; Miami Beach, Fla.
* Miami United FC; Miami Beach, Fla.
* Orlando FC Wolves; Longwood, Fla.
* O’Shea’s FC; West Palm Beach, Fla.
* Soccer Paradise FC; North Miami Beach, Fla.
Florida Gold Coast League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
* Hurricane FC; Boynton Beach, Fla.

GEORGIA (4)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Kalonji Pro-Profile; Dacula, Ga.
* North Georgia United; Calhoun, Ga.
Atlanta District Amateur Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
* Majestic Soccer Club; Atlanta, Ga.
* Terminus FC; Atlanta, Ga.

ILLINOIS (5)
Midwest Premier League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
* Berber City FC; Chicago, Ill.
* Chicago House AC; Chicago, Ill.
* Edgewater Castle Football Club; Chicago, Ill.
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Chicago Strikers; Chicago, Ill.
* Wisloka Chicago; Chicago, Ill.

MASSACHUSETTS (4)
Bay State Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* CD Faialense; Cambridge, Mass.
* FC Omens; Boston, Mass.
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Boston Street FC; Revere, Mass.
* Brockton FC United; Brockton, Mass.

MARYLAND (3)
Maryland Super Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* Christos FC; Gambrills, Md.
* Steel Pulse FC; Windsor Mill, Md.
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* MoCo 1776 FC; Gaitherrburg, Md.

NORTH CAROLINA (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Mint Hill FC; Mint Hill, N.C.

NEW JERSEY (3)
Eastern Premier Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* Real Central NJ Soccer; Lawrenceville, N.J.
Garden State Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* SC Vistula Garfield; Garfield, N.J.
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* New Jersey Alliance FC; Lyndhurst, N.J.

NEW MEXICO (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* UDA Soccer; Las Cruces, N.M.

NEVADA (1)
NISA Nation (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
* BattleBorn FC; Carson City, Nev.

NEW YORK (9)
Eastern Premier Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* Lansdowne Yonkers FC; Yonkers, N.Y.
* New York Greek American SC; Astoria, N.Y.*
* New York Pancyprian Freedoms; Astoria, N.Y.^
* Zum Schneider FC 03; Roosevelt Island, N.Y.
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* New York Braveheart SC; Central Islip, N.Y.
* NY Renegades FC; Hicksville, N.Y.
* Sahara Gunners FC; Buffalo, N.Y.
Cosmopolitan Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* Manhattan Kickers FC; Flushing, N.Y.
Rochester District Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* IASC Boom; Rochester, N.Y.

OHIO (1)
Ohio Valley Premier League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* Valhalla FC; Cincinnati, Ohio.

PENNSYLVANIA (6)
United Soccer League of Pennsylvania (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* Colonial SC; Plymouth Meeting, Pa.
* Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals; North Wales, Pa.**
* United German Hungarians; Ambler, Pa.
* Vereinigung Erzgebirge; Warminster, Pa.
Eastern Premier Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* Kensington Soccer Club; Philadelphia, Pa.
* Philadelphia Heritage SC; Philadelphia, Pa.

SOUTH CAROLINA (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* South Carolina United Heat; Lexington. S.C.

TENNESSEE (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Tennessee Tempo FC; Nashville, Tenn.

TEXAS (9)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Alamo City Soccer Club; San Antonio, Texas
* Foro SC; Dallas, Texas
* Tenfifteen FC; Dallas, Texas
Austin Men’s Soccer Association (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* Austin Longhorns; Austin, Texas
* Austin Thunder; Austin, Texas
Gulf Coast Premier League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* Central Texas Lobos; ; Austin, Texas
* Daggers CTX; Fort Hood, Texas
United States Soccer League (United States Specialty Sports Association-Soccer)
* Athletic Katy FC; Katy, Texas
* Houston FC; ; Pasadena, Texas

UTAH (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Provo Athletic Club; Provo, Utah

VIRGINIA (4)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Arlington SA; Arlington, Va
* VA Revolution Pro; Leesburg, Va
* Villarreal CF Virginia; Springfield, Va
Eastern Premier Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* NoVa FC; Centreville, Va.

WASHINGTON (3)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Bellevue Athletic FC ; Snohomish, Wash.
* Holac FC; Seattle, Wash.
Recreational Adult Team Soccer (United States Specialty Sports Association-Soccer)
* Sharktopus Football Club; Seattle, Wash.

* Four-time U.S. Open Cup Champion (1967-69, 1974)
^ Three-time U.S. Open Cup Champion (1980, 1982-83)
** Four-time U.S. Open Cup Champion (1960-61, 1963, 1966)

Again, the match-ups and schedule for the first two qualifying rounds can be found HERE.

FACTS AND FIGURES

25 different leagues represented
23 different states plus the District of Columbia represented (two less than 2023 qualifying)
Four (4) teams have entered all five previous years of Open Division local qualifying: Colorado (2): Colorado Rovers, Harpos FC; New York (1): New York Pancyprian Freedoms; Pennsylvania (1): Vereinigung Erzgebirge

SC MesoAmerica wins Amateur Cup title, becomes first to qualify for 2024 US Open Cup

August 6, 2023 by Michael Battista

SC MesoAmerica celebrates after winning the 2023 USASA National Amateur Cup championship. Photo: USASA — SC MesoAmerica celebrates after winning the 2023 USASA National Amateur Cup championship. Photo: US Soccer

For the first time in nearly three decades, the USASA National Amateur Cup trophy is heading out west.

SC MesoAmerica won the 2023 USASA National Amateur Cup, 2-1, over Newtown Pride FC on Saturday night in Bettendorf, Iowa. The game completed a two-day tournament at the TBK Bank Complex with Meso winning its first-ever national title. By lifting the trophy, MesoAmerica becomes the first official entry into the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The Los Angeles, Calif. side is the fifth team to win the title since US Soccer began inviting the champion of the United States Adult Soccer Association’s top tournament to the following year’s Open Cup in 2018. Meso is also the first western team (Region IV) to win a USASA national tournament since the Denver Kickers won the 1995 Amateur Cup.

(Note: The team is also known by “MesoAmerica FC” and “MesoAmerica-San Carlos FC”)

Head coach Jimmy Pineda was overwhelmed following the win. It has been a long road not just from February’s state cup win, which put them in the regional final, but from a third place finish in the 2019 national tournament.

Congrats to SC MesoAmerica on winning the @usadultsoccer National Amateur Cup & qualifying for the 2024 @opencup

We made sure the locker-room was stocked full of ice-cold @budlight to help them cheers to the moment pic.twitter.com/eYHmPN5VV4

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) August 6, 2023

“We’ve been preparing for this for months, and months, and months since we won the state cup,” Pineda said. “I was thinking we have to go all the way to the end. We’ve been preparing, watching players. Trying to make a family, make a group that would last until the final.”

For Newtown Pride the result ends a stellar year for the club. The Connecticut side won the regional amateur cup, state-level league, and The Soccer Tournament (TST) for one million dollars. However they could not win their second National Amateur Cup after going all the way in 2019.

Prior to Saturday, the four amateur champions of the USASA regions descended on Iowa to compete in the national semifinals. Meso reached this point by winning the 2023 Cal South Adult State Cup in February. The team then beat National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) side Napa Valley 1839 FC, 2-0, in the Region IV final last month. Striker German Alfaro said in a postgame interview that his group knew how deep the competition was.

“All these teams are really good (and) organized,” Alfaro said. “We had to match their momentum, their (physicality) even more. It took a lot of us and everyone was in the same symphony. The game shows how prepared (we were).”

The last time MesoAmerica reached the nationals in 2019 the team’s title hopes were crushed by that year’s Region III champion Horizon FC (Texas). In a bit of revenge, the Region IV representatives beat Region III champions Tobacco Road FC (North Carolina), 2-1, on Friday night.

Former Chilean professional player and youth national team player Piero Gárate scored in the first half to give Meso the lead. Bryan Medina doubled the advantage in what would be the game-winning goal before halftime. Tobacco Road’s offense struggled to adjust after scoring over 30 goals in the regional tournament back in Plano, Texas. Eric Chavez cut into the deficit but Tobacco was unable to find an equalizer.

One field over, Newtown Pride FC knocked off two-time national champion RWB Adria (Illinois), 2-1 after extra time, in the night’s other semifinal match. In a 2019 national semifinal rematch Newtown was pushed to the brink by the Croatian powerhouse. Early in the second half, a pull down in the Newtown box sent Milos Vucic to the spot. He converted in the 49th minute to put RWB up, 1-0. Momentum swung back to the Pride, who equalized in the 71st minute. A free kick found Felipe Dutra in the box, where he sent a right footed shot into the netting.

The game entered extra time still tied 1-1. Newtown finally capitalized late in the second half when Gabriel Ganzer made a run on net. A long cross near the right post found him between the goalkeeper. He knocked in his eighth goal of the tournament to win the game.

National ???????? Amateur Cup on the line TODAY in Iowa | @USAdultSoccer

+ A place in the 2024 @OpenCup for Newtown Pride or SC MesoAmerica pic.twitter.com/GT0C1Hpg8e
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) August 5, 2023

The National Amateur Cup Final on Saturday was the first meeting ever between MesoAmerica and Newtown. A battle of opposites, with Meso trying to make it to the national spotlight while Newtown tried to return after fate and COVID robbed them of so much. Back in 2019, Newtown became the second club to qualify for the Open Cup as Amateur Cup champions. However, the pandemic eventually cancelled the 2020 tournament, plus the 2021 tournament which the Pride won a random draw to qualify for.

In a wild opening 180 seconds, both teams found the back of the net. After Newtown kicked off, MesoAmerica immediately began pressing them in their own end. A backpass hit off a Pride defender and fell at the feet of Alfaro. He passed up to Bryan Medina on a run, onside but past the backline in the box. Newtown keeper Ryan Langkafel was too late in jumping on the ball and Medina slotted the shot in. His second goal in as many days put his team ahead, 1-0, in the first minute.

After nearly a minute of resetting, Newtown kicked off again. An attack formulated up the right side with a cross going into Meso’s box. Ganzer headed the shot on target, low and to the left, but a diving save by keeper Jesus Dautt kept it out. Quick reflexes by Erik Lorent on the rebound were enough to punch in the loose ball and make it 1-1.

The half ended with both teams getting chances but failing to score, leaving the match deadlocked.

A glimpse at tonight’s brilliant final⚽️ #usasa #usasaamateurcup #nationalamateurcup #amateurcup pic.twitter.com/bDsvLjZ8qE
— US Adult Soccer (@USAdultSoccer) August 6, 2023

Much like the first half, the second 45 minutes heated up quickly. After kicking off, MesoAmerica prodded the rested Newtown defense. Moises Vazquez launched a long pass to Alfaro on the left side of the box with the forward clear of any defenders. His left footed strike struck off keeper Langkafel and bounced into the net to make it 2-1.

This was Alfaro’s fourth time playing in the national finals. A 2018 semifinals appearance with San Nicolas FC, a third place finish with Meso in 2019, and a runner-up performance in 2021 with Cal FC all led the striker up to this point.

Some more action that’s too great not to share⚽️ #usasa #usasaamateurcup #nationalamateurcup #amateurcup pic.twitter.com/C1taoUJqYk

— US Adult Soccer (@USAdultSoccer) August 6, 2023

“It’s everything for me. It’s my fourth one so they had to give it to me,” Alfaro joked after the game. “ I’m glad we were able to do it today and very happy with the team’s effort. And everyone who supports us off the pitch. I’m very happy”

Newtown’s offense tried to find an equalizer but the Pride seemed exhausted from the previous day’s 120 minute match. Yellow cards flew in both directions before Tavoy Morgan, a goal scorer from 2019’s title game, was sent off. An attack up the right side saw Morgan pass the ball off before cutting in. He elbowed a Meso player in the head while passing him, earning a second yellow and a send off in the 90th minute.

Substitute Khalid Rose was also shown a second yellow in the 90+13th minute of stoppage for a hard foul during a MesoAmerica attack.

For their win, MesoAmerica wins $8,000 in prize money along with the Open Cup berth and trophy. Newtown Pride takes home $7,000 as the runner-up. Both Tobacco Road and RWB Adria were awarded $3,500 each for reaching the national semifinals.

Pineda knows his team is bound for the Open Cup next year and says Saturday’s win is “the best feeling” he’s ever had.

“I’m very proud of these guys,” the coach said. “We’ve been (practicing) for months and preparing like I said before. They act like a real family. They put all they have, all their power, all their energy to make this happen.”

2023 National Amateur Cup Final Broadcast