Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Omar Moubayed

Economist by trade, Omar has been covering Miami soccer through Magic City Soccer, the leading local soccer show in Miami, Fla. When he is not covering soccer matches, Omar is teaching high school students the fundamentals of Government, Economics, and Finance.

2023 US Open Cup Semifinals: Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

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Stop reading this if you have heard this before: Lionel Messi wins an award.

Among all of his accomplishments, Messi can add the TheCup.us’ Player of the Round for the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Semifinals to his resume.

Messi won the award over the Houston Dynamo’s Amine Bassi (who had a record-tying 3 assists vs. RSL), and his Inter Miami teammate Leonardo Campana. Campana scored twice, including a late equalizer in second half stoppage time. Both goals were assisted by Messi.

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

How did Messi fare in Inter Miami’s the Semifinal? He completed 85% of his passes, had five successful dribbles, completed all his long passes, and chipped in twice defensively winning both of his tackles. But the headlines of the night were his two assists. The first was a 68th minute equalizer to Campana, and then his wonder pass to assist Campana’s second goal seven minutes into stoppage time to get Miami into extra time where they would eventually win on penalties. Of course, Messi converted on his team’s first penalty kick in the shootout.

Messi’s performance may have left something to be desired, but the #MagicCityMagician knows how to place his stamp on the game at the right moments. There is no doubt that Inter Miami’s recent signings have shouldered the load since their arrival, none has done more that Argentine superstar. Messi was about thirty yards from frame when he saw an opportunity that no one else in the stadium could have fathomed. His chipped cross landed right in the path of Campana who made no mistake with his header in the seventh minute of stoppage time.

Since Messi’s arrival and first match against Cruz Azul (Liga MX) on July 21, Miami is undefeated in all contests. Their only dropped points came as a result of scoreless draw at home against a tough Nashville side they already bested in the Leagues Cup. To say that Messi has changed Miami supporters belief in what can be completed this season, is an understatement. At the time of writing, Miami is six points behind the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with two games in hand. While running the table may not be necessary for entry, every club in the Eastern Conference will be dreading a matchup with Miami when the MLS Playoffs arrive.

The Messi factor has also spilled its way into the greater South Florida area. Local stores and online retailers have found it nearly impossible to keep up with the demand for Miami kits. The MLS Messi nameplate is nearly impossible to find. On a national level, CBS Sports’ has reported that their coverage of the Semifinal match was the sixth-most streamed match ever on their platform. It’s worth noting that CBS Sports (Paramount+), is the current rights holder for Serie A and the UEFA Champions League. Add to those figures Telemundo’s Spanish coverage, and with the game broadcast in more than 100 countries worldwide, it is without a doubt the most viewed US Open Cup match of all-time.

The 2023 US Open Cup run is still not over. Miami will host Houston on Sept. 27 at DRV PNK Stadium. Can Messi secure the United States’ oldest soccer trophy? Will the cup final be the most streamed fixture in the US? Only time will tell, but Miami will be a force to be reckoned with and should be the odds-on favorite to lift the Lamar Hunt Trophy.

2023 US Open Cup Round 3: Inter Miami CF needs PKs to beat Miami FC in second Magic City Clasico

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Jean Mota of Inter Miami CF dribbles the ball against Miami FC in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Inter Miami CF
Jean Mota of Inter Miami CF dribbles the ball against Miami FC in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Inter Miami CF

In what turned out to be an exciting match for all patrons in attendance at Florida International University, the second act of the Magic City Clásico became both managers’ worst nightmare as Inter Miami outlasted Miami FC, 5-3 in penalties after a 2-2 draw in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Despite the win, Inter coach Phil Neville likely remains on the hot seat as his team will now carry heavy legs into a road contest with Columbus in MLS play. 

For Miami FC’s Anthony Pulis, the loss will likely reflect poorly on him, despite getting the most out of an already short roster that is hampered by injuries.

Miami FC opened the scoring with a goal from Christian Sorto in the second minute of play. Claudio Repetto played an incoming pass with a crafty flick that released Sorto into space and beat IMCF’s Drake Callender to the near post.

Inter Miami dominated possession for the entire match throwing ball after ball into Miami FC’s defense. As the game found its way into the 89th minute, it looked as though Miami FC was going to avenge last year’s 1-0 loss to Inter Miami on the very same field. But then a cross from the right wing by Inter’s Jean Mota found Shanyder Borgelin who headed it in from point blank range to even the match and send it into extra time.

The teams played a quiet first half of extra time. In the second half, a Miami FC long ball to Ryan Telfer was defended poorly and a back pass from Inter Miami’s DeAndre Yedlin found itself in the back of the net in the 116th minute. Once again, Miami FC was just a few minutes away from victory and Inter Miami took it away.

Less than two minutes later, Inter tied the match with a header in the 118th minute from Ryan Sailor. A high cross came in from the left wing and Sailor outjumped a defender at the far post and beat the keeper. 

In penalties, it was a shooter’s gala until Miami FC’s keeper Alejandro Zendejas got his hand to Jean Mota’s penalty attempt but could not keep the ball from the back of the net. The next shooter, Ryan Telfer, took a run up that could best be described as a late-night stroll through a park, and lifted his attempt into the eighth row of Inter Miami’s supporters. Kamal Miller buried the final Inter attempt to send them through to the Fourth Round of the Open Cup for the second year in a row.

2018 US Open Cup Round 1: Pros from Miami FC 2 dominate Red Force FC

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Miami FC 2 and Red Force FC players battle for the ball in their meeting in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Miami FC 2
Miami FC 2 and Red Force FC players battle for the ball in their meeting in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Miami FC 2

Article courtesy of Magic City Soccer

The Miami FC organization could not have asked for a better showing Wednesday night at FIU Soccer Stadium. Playing a goal kick away from the organization’s “home grounds”, Miami FC 2 laid out a statement match versus local qualifier Red Force FC, cruising to a 4-0 win. It seems like Miami will not sit idly by and allow this Open Cup tournament to go to waste.

The action started almost as quickly as it did Sunday night in the match against FC Miami City. The Blues were buzzing early on and dictated over 85% of the possession in the first ten minutes of the match. In the 9th minute, Jaime Chavez would get played through on goal by an excellent pass from Kris Tyrpak down the left-hand side. Former Miami FC goalkeeper Sebastian Evers, timed Chavez run perfectly and managed to save a ball that was destined for the back of the net.

The game wouldn’t remain level much longer. In the 22nd minute, Tyler Ruthven played a beautiful cross towards the back post that found Tyrpak’s head and then the back of the net. Despite a few Red Force runs into Miami’s defending half, the Blues kept Red Force penned in to their own half of the field. In the 34th minute, Martinez almost found Tyrpak again for his 2nd goal of the night, but a crafty Red Force clearance gave Miami one of their 13 corners in the match.

miami-fc2-vs-red-force-2018-usoc-bigTyrpak would find another way to leave his mark on the match. In the 45th minute, Dylan Mares would send in a cross after a Miami corner was played short. Tyrpak sailed above the Red Force defense and floated a header past the outstretched arms of Evers. The first half would end with Miami dominating possession and taking a 2-0 lead into the break.

Miami would opt to use two substitutions early in the second half replacing Don Smart and Ariel Martinez with two goal scorers from the play-in round, Dario Suarez and Jeff Michaud. Miami would never take their feet off the gas. With a relentless press that kept Red Force inside their own end, Miami picked up a turn over and broke down the right-hand flank. A cross would be fired into Mares unmarked at the six yard box. The effort would be parried away by Evers but Mares would track the rebound and fire it past Evers on a bad angle to increase Miami’s lead to three.

Despite Red Force’s best efforts to be creative and push the game into Miami’s end, their turnovers would come back to haunt them. In the 87th minute a careless through ball would spring Miami on the counter. Using the recipe for success, Miami screamed down the right hand side before finding Chavez in the technical area. Chavez quickly found Dario Suarez on the back post unmarked and sent in a cross that was smashed home on a volley. Suarez, with a flair for the dramatic, sealed the match for Miami in his consecutive appearance for the club.

Miami’s technical ability and conditioning were vastly superior to Red Force FC. Red Force had a lot to be proud of, keeping a club of professionals off the board for twenty-odd minutes before conceding. Paul Dalglish complimented the Red Force effort by saying “I thought they did themselves proud. We were trying to score as many goals as we could and they managed to hold us to four.”

Up next for Miami FC is the third and final act of the #MagicCityClasico. The match will be hosted by Miami FC at FIU Soccer Stadium on May 16th at 7 p.m.

2018 Meet the Underdogs: Red Force FC return to US Open Cup hoping to shed underdog title

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Scot Gordon scored a hat trick in the first half for Red Force FC in 2018 US Open Cup qualifying against Miami Nacional. Photo: Red Force FC
Scot Gordon scored a hat trick in the first half for Red Force FC in 2018 US Open Cup qualifying against Miami Nacional. Photo: Red Force FC

Last year, TheCup.us chronicled Red Force FC for the “Meet the Underdogs” series as the club qualified after missing out the two previous years. The feature told the story of how the club was a family affair. After their success in local tournaments and qualifying for the 2018 edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the fourth time in six years, they are looking to shed the title of “underdog”.

Red Force FC is an amateur soccer team that is based out of Miami, Fla. They play in the American Premier Soccer League (APSL) that falls under the USASA umbrella. Over the past few seasons they have found themselves in the upper half of the league, finishing fourth in 2017 with 15 points in 10 matches (4-3-3).

The road to the cup for Red Force began like most other amateur entrants, in the qualifying stages. On Sept. 24, 2017, the path would begin with a match against FC Ginga (UPSL) in Miami Shores on the campus of Barry University. The game would be decided by half time as Red Force went into the break with a 4-0 advantage with goals coming from Scott Gordon, John Tamayo and a pair from Sergio Van Kanten. Red Force would add another four in the half, running away with the first-round victory 8-1.

Next up for Red Force would be Miami Nacional S.C., a known foe that also plays in the APSL. In what could go down as one of the most bizarre games recent Open Cup history, Red Force quickly went up 4-0 in the first half of the second round match. The route prompted Nacional coach, David Garcia, to argue a penalty decision with the referee. After not getting the intended result, Garcia ordered his team to abandon the pitch and a 5th goal would be awarded to Red Force and the game called at the 44th minute. (Miami Nacional was punished for this unprecedented action)

Red Force FC logoIn less than a month’s time, Red Force FC would take on South Florida FC, yet another APSL club, in the final round of qualifying. In what proved to be the most difficult test for Red Force throughout the qualifying stages, both clubs would enter the half at zero a piece. In the 80th minute South Florida FC would find the opening goal of the match. Not to be outdone, Scott Gordon would find the equalizer in the 88th minute. Stiven Salinas would find the game-winning goal early in the first half of extra time and advance Red Force into the 2018 Open Cup.

“Red Force has been able to add Matteo Mendoza, a key defender who is new to the squad. Omar Persad is another relatively new key player for us. Persad has appeared with Valencia B (Spain) and the United States Under-23 National Team, and is an effective center midfielder,” said Christian Vega from Red Force.

Another key player is Juan “Juanka” Jimenez, who tallied six goals in one contest for Red Force.

“He’s all about speed,” said Vega. “He’s a runner, and he gives us space and stretches out the field.”

According to Vega, most of Juanka’s goals come from through-balls or balls that allow him space to get past the opposing defense. Juanka has also notably spent time with the other Miami local qualifier FC Kendall.

As mentioned previously, perhaps Red Force FC are not truly underdogs anymore. The club made the finals of the Romero Cup pre-season tournament in Miami, losing to Miami United FC (NPSL). The club has qualified for the US Open cup for the second consecutive year and for the fourth time in the past six tournaments.

Another new addition for Red Force comes outside of the pitch.

“Hernan Pereyra from ESPN Deportes has come to help us out,” said Vega about his club’s new technical director. “For a long time it’s been my dad and I running our two squads and Hernan has been a close friend to us over the last couple of years. Pereyra wanted to be involved with local soccer for years and he’s been a great addition to our club.”

When asked about the future of Red Force’s club and potentially entering the NPSL, Vega noted that there were no plans at the time of making such a leap. Red Force is in the process of creating an academy team, which would expand the reach of the club and develop the next generation of players for the squad. South Florida’s local youth academies have been the building blocks for some of the world’s best footballers, something Red Force is hoping to replicate.

Last year’s first round exit to a talented South Florida Surf (PDL) team is in the rear-view mirror but this year’s first round test can prove to be even tougher. Red Force FC will have to take on the winner of the local play-in match, Miami FC 2. Miami boasts professional experience that isn’t common of an early entrant. The match may just prove once and for all that Red Force is no longer the familiar underdog, but a powerhouse in the making.

2018 US Open Cup: Pros from Miami FC 2 are too much for FC Miami City

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Miami FC 2's newest signing, Dario Suarez, celebrates after coming off the bench and scoring in his debut against FC Miami City in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: @LemonCityLive
Miami FC 2’s newest signing, Dario Suarez, celebrates after coming off the bench and scoring in his debut against FC Miami City in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: @LemonCityLive

While uniforms are largely the same, the name of the team is slightly different, and it is technically a new franchise but Miami FC 2 of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) continued its senior team’s form in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. With nearly half of the roster from last year’s Miami FC NASL team that reached the Quarterfinals, “2” cruised to a 3-1 win over FC Miami City in the Preliminary Round on Sunday night.

Don Smart, Dario Suarez and Jeff Michaud all scored for Miami FC 2 as the club advances to the First Round where they will face another Miami-based amateur team Red Force FC on Wednesday, May 9 at the FIU Stadium.

The 105th edition of the US Open Cup began at Tropical Park Stadium in Miami, on a field that is normally reserved for high school competitions and high level amateur fixtures. In a setting unknown to the Miami FC organization, FC Miami City found comfort on their home pitch. Perhaps just a bit too much comfort.

Miami FC relished every opportunity as the play-in competitor in a tournament they almost did not get a chance to compete in. Miami took full advantage of an early defensive collapse by City when a cross found Kris Tyrpak on the back post, who slotted it past City keeper Hugo Fauroux. The assistant referee would save City and Fauroux early on by judging Tyrpak offside and the game would remain scoreless.

In the 11th minute, Tyler Polak, one of the 19 players on the Miami FC roster who came into the game with Open Cup experience, found Tyrpak with a ball down the left flank. Tyrpak was quick to locate Don Smart hanging on the opposite end of the technical area and placed a cross across the mouth of goal. With a diving effort Smart beat Fauroux and put Miami ahead officially this time.

Over the next 10 minutes of play Miami would continue to be the aggressor, pinning City into their own half. With one of the few attacking efforts City would have, a ball down their own left flank would force Tyler Ruthven into a hard challenge to disrupt possession. The referee would find the tackle a touch dangerous and disciplined Ruthven with the first yellow card of the match.

In the 30th minute, City would suffer a huge blow to their defensive forces. 2018 PDL player to watch, Kevin Coiffic, would suffer an injury and be replaced by Dylan Hauss. Hauss would find himself tested early and often after coming onto the pitch, passing each test Miami threw in front of him.

Moments before the end of the first half, Miami effectively disrupted a City counter attack. As the ball was worked back to Dylan Mares, a potential horror would ensue. City’s Ethan Sonis would come in from behind with studs up plowing through Mares. Mares collapsed clutching his left knee leaving the Miami FC faithful holding their breath hoping that the dynamic midfielder could continue. The referee showed leniency against Sonis issuing only a yellow card despite calls for a straight red.

At the start of the second half, Vincenzo Rennella would be subbed off for newly-signed Dario Suarez. The former AFC Ann Arbor striker wasted no time getting involved with the attack, releasing Tyrpak for a strike that would be saved by Fauroux. City would find the strength to head the other way off the back of Fauroux’s save and earn a corner in the 55th minute. The low-driven corner would pinball around the Miami technical area before landing at the feet of City’s Deshawon Nembhard. Nembhard wasted no time smashing it low and in the corner, out of the reach of Miami FC goalkeeper Mario Daniel Vega, to bring the game level at one.

Unimpressed, Miami would rush to take the kickoff and pounce down the field. Keeping City penned into their own technical area, Miami would find Tyrpak down the left hand side again. His cross would be cleared out of the box but only as far as Suarez. Suarez wasted no time opening his Miami FC account and blasted a shot into the upper 90 bringing Miami back into the lead.

Despite City’s best efforts to bring the game level again, all their attacks would end comfortably in the hands of Vega or off target. Miami would find themselves getting the best chances in the remainder of the night as Suarez missed a pair of sitters (one catching the outside of the post). Ariel Martinez and Kris Tyrpak would find their nights cut short as Sean McFarlane and Aly Hassan would get some playing time.

After the Tyrpak substitution, Miami would collect their final goal of the night. A throw-in would begin a pinball of sorts between Polak, Suarez, and Jeff Michaud. Michaud would make a cut on the outside of the technical area to open up space for his right foot. His curler would leave Fauroux frozen and ice the game for Miami FC. Michaud’s goal was his sixth career tournament goal as he has notched at least one goal in each of the last three years.

The win comes as a sigh of relief for Miami FC as their first three NPSL matches all ended in 1-1 draws. The final 30 minutes really proved to be the deciding factor as the City stamina began to wither. The early rounds of the tournament are always a challenge for PDL teams since the overwhelming majority of teams depend on college players, who, in most cases, aren’t finished with classes until the first week of May.

FULL MATCH REPLAY

2018 US Open Cup Qualifying: Red Force FC advance after Miami Nacional quits before halftime

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Scot Gordon scored a hat trick in the first half for Red Force FC in 2018 US Open Cup qualifying against Miami Nacional. Photo: Red Force FC
Scot Gordon scored a hat trick in the first half for Red Force FC in 2018 US Open Cup qualifying against Miami Nacional. Photo: Red Force FC

MORE: 2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Results/Schedule

Two Miami-based clubs went at it in the second round of qualifying for the 105th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Red Force FC and Miami Nacional SC faced off at Ives Estates Park on Sunday afternoon with the goal of advancing to the next round of qualifying. While players from both squads showed up, it was evident only one turned up to play.

Red Force FC of the American Soccer League is no stranger to the US Open Cup. They’ve made noise in years past and qualified for the first round of the 2017 cup. Despite being ousted by South Florida Surf, the boys in Red managed to earn a qualifying position for a 2018 cup run. As soon as the whistle blew, it was all Red Force on the scoreboard.

After an early scoring chance from Miami in the opening few minutes of the game, Red Force FC opened the scoring in the 15th minute as former Florida International Panther Mathew Treumun put one in the back of the net off a beautiful feed from Gilbert Ruiz.

After that, the crowd was welcomed to the Scott Gordon show. Gordon became a thorn in the side of Nacional as he collected a hat trick in the span of 14 minutes. Finishing up passes from Christopher Munoz, Stiven Salinas, and Daniel Gomez, the former Fort Lauderdale Striker ran Nacional off the field; literally.

Red Force FC was awarded a penalty in the 40th minute of the match that was protested by Nacional. Their head coach David Garcia walked onto the field to argue the call with the referee and refused to leave. In the end, he ordered his team to walk off the pitch and they would not return for the match. The game would officially be called in the 44th minute. In a comment from Red Force’s Twitter account, they replied to the forfeit update posted by TheCup.us by saying “This should be looked at by the tournament. They can’t allow teams to just quit.”

According to Miami’s team president Gaston Basulto, a series of bad calls by the referee led to his head coach’s on-field protest. Among his complaints about physical play, he claims that Red Force had as many as six offside plays that were not called in the opening 40 minutes. Those plays led to a pair of Red Force goals and the controversial penalty kick call that ultimately brought the game to it’s untimely end.

“When your has two goals that were clearly offside, one penalty in your favor not called, one elbow hit to the face of one of your defenders 20 feet from where the referee was standing that ends in a penalty , something is really wrong,” said Basulto. “That’s why my coach told me ‘we cannot continue with this circus’, and we walked off.”

This is the first time that since the Vega said regardless of how the game is going, or how well you believe the officiating is, you should finish the game.

“The situation with Miami Nacional was an embarrassment for the cup,” said Red Force owner/head coach Gabriel Vega. “I talked to the owner and he told me that they were abandon the game because the refs were against them … made a decision and I hope he will pay the consequences for the future of the Open Cup.”

The US Soccer Federation is currently reviewing the incident and will make a ruling at a later date.

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