Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Tavio Palazzolo

2027 US Open Cup Qualifying: Vermont Green earns 2nd straight USL-2 title, USOC berth

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Vermont Green FC celebrates after beat the Flint City Bucks 2-1 in the 2026 USL League Two championship game. Photo: Vermont Green FC
Vermont Green FC celebrates after beat the Flint City Bucks 2-1 in the 2026 USL League Two championship game. Photo: Vermont Green FC

A rainy night at historic Atwood Stadium hosted a battle between the four-time USL League Two champion and perennial US Open Cup giant-killer Flint City Bucks and the current title holders Vermont Green FC. A 2027 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup spot was on the line as the league champion earned an automatic bid, but only Flint was eligible to earn it on the night as Vermont already qualified through winning the Hank Steinbrecher Cup. In the end, it was the Vermont Green that lifted the trophy for the second straight season, winning 2-1 on the road and allowing an additional qualifier to make it through the overall table: San Francisco City FC.

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With the win, Vermont becomes the fourth team to win back-to-back USL-2 titles and the first since the Cape Cod Crusaders were repeat champions in 2002 and 2003.

Vermont came out strong, controlling the midfield and creating a multitude of chances within the match. The first real opportunity came in the 9th minute as Diego Rosas received a ball on the run along the right wing. This led to a cross that was intercepted by goalkeeper and former MLS player and returning Bucks legend Steve Clark.

Clark appeared in four seasons for the Bucks from 2006-2009, helping the club win their first of four league titles. The Mason, Mich. native played for four Major League Soccer teams (Columbus Crew, D.C. United, Houston Dynamo FC, Portland Timbers FC) before retiring in 2025.

This first chance started a trend that continued throughout the first half where VGFC would possess the ball in midfield, get it into the attacking third, and then before a real chance to score could develop, someone from the Bucks’ back line would step in and thwart the opportunity.

In the 15th minute, Rosas had another chance into the box poked away by Carles Zomeno. Then in the 19th, a cross from Nikos Clark-Tosczak found Rosas, but his shot was deflected away by a sliding Bucks defender. The ensuing corner as well as a follow-up opportunity into the box were both headed away by Ellis Jones.

The Bucks saw their first real sniff at goal in the 24th minute. A break into Vermont’s defensive end by Jack Roman and Remi Agunbiade led to Roman getting stifled at the top of the box. The clearance landed at the feet of Wes Carnevale, but his shot went wide of the net. Additional chances by Vermont Green came later in the first half, but the defensive line as well as Clark stood their ground to keep the game scoreless going into halftime.

The second half started looking much like the first, with Vermont continuing to get chances that bent, but didn’t break, Flint’s back four. Clark got more into the action in the 49th minute as a long ball from 30 yards out forced the keeper to collect near the far post. He also stepped in a little over a minute later as Xavier O’Neil received a cross from Rosas and shot low to the ground from near the top corner of the box, forcing Clark to get low and grab the effort.

Vermont’s chipping away eventually broke through in the 62nd minute. Trym Linberg intercepted a pass 25 yards from net, found Rosas along his right side, and then Rosas sent a floater toward the back post. Jones went to clear it as he had been doing all night, but instead used his left foot to tuck the ball past a helpless Clark and give the visitors the long-awaited 1-0 lead.

That lead would only last two minutes. On the ensuing possession after kickoff, the Bucks responded. A free kick by Carnevale found the head of Jones near the top of the box, where he directed it across the goal to Matthew Paiva on the right side. Paiva was able to one-time the ball with another header, this time directed into the net past flailing Green goalkeeper Seth Wilson to bring the match level at 1-1.

After the final whistle, Vermont Green FC players celebrate following a 2-1 win over the Flint City Bucks in the USL League Two championship game. Photo: Tavio Palazzolo
After the final whistle, Vermont Green FC players celebrate following a 2-1 win over the Flint City Bucks in the USL League Two championship game. Photo: Tavio Palazzolo

Vermont wouldn’t let the quick equalizer deter them. They continued to press on, and they would be rewarded for their efforts. In the 75th minute, a long ball was sent to David Ajagbe, but was sent just out of his reach and towards an on-running Clark at the top of his box. Seeing as he needed to leave the area to get to the ball first, he failed to control the first touch. Ajagbe was able to then head it forward into the box, where Clark tackled Ajagbe in the process of attempting to recover the ball. He earned a yellow card and faced a penalty kick as a result. In stepped Ryan Zellefrow to take the spot kick, where he tucked the ball inside the left post just past a diving Clark to give Vermont Green the lead for good in the 76th minute.

The Bucks, seeing their championship hopes slipping away, started to throw everything into the attack in the last ten minutes of the match. A multitude of chances were created, but all were either saved by Wilson or cleared away by the defense. Their last attempt came in the final minute of stoppage time with a free kick from midfield that didn’t find anyone, leading to a Vermont throw-in and the final whistle.

Vermont clinched their second-straight championship, and having already punched their ticket to the 2027 US Open Cup, opened the door for San Francisco City FC to qualify for the first time since 2018.

2026 US Open Cup Round 3: 10-man Chicago Fire survive late push, win rematch with Detroit City FC

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Jonathan Dean of the Chicago Fire dribbles the ball against Detroit City FC in the Third Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Detroit City FC
Jonathan Dean of the Chicago Fire dribbles the ball against Detroit City FC in the Third Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Detroit City FC

It was a repeat matchup for Detroit City FC and the Chicago Fire in the US Open Cup Round of 32, having met last year in Bridgeview, Illinois. Even though the match produced the same winner, the change in venue to Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, Mich., provided the backdrop for a much closer and feistier contest as the Fire advanced with a 2-1 win on the strength of a brace from Jason Shokalook.

“We knew it was going to be difficult – the surface, the lighting, the crowd,” said Fire coach Gregg Berhalter. “When we saw the red in the corner and we scored our own goals and they were cheering and all the other crowd was quiet, that’s what this is all about. That’s what the US Open Cup is about.”

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Detroit City provided the first chance of the contest in the 5th minute as a pass from Maxi Rodriguez found poacher Darren Smith on the run behind the defense. His shot from the right side went wide of the left post past a diving Chris Brady.

The Fire set the tone in the match with some physicality. Viktor Radojevic ran into Jeciel Cedeño along the touch line after the DCFC playmaker had pushed the ball away in the 7th minute, shortly followed by a foul by Fire defender Jonathan Dean on Ates Diouf. In the 13th minute, Chicago midfielder Mauricio Pineda fouled Haruki Yamazaki, then on the restart, fouled him again, earning himself the first yellow card of the match.

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Detroit’s best chance of the first half came in the 26th minute, and it came from the foot of Smith once again. A long pass from Diouf found Smith on the right side near the top of the box, where he then looked to get around Fire defender and captain Jack Elliott. He then fired a similar ball toward the left side that hit the post and bounced back out.

Those chances came back to haunt Le Rouge. In the 32nd minute, Detroit captain Devon Amoo-Mensah fouled Puso Dithejane just outside the box on the left side near the end line, leading to a Fire free kick. Philip Zinckermagel whipped an inswinger that was delightfully flicked into the net by Jason Shokalook at the near post while getting held by DCFC defender Tommy Silva for a 1-0 lead.

It was Shokalook’s first goal for the first team side and his second overall for his USOC career (his first coming in 2024 against Forward Madison for Chicago Fire FC 2).

It did not take Shokalook long to double his tally, and by extension, his club’s. In the 36th minute, he received a pass from Dawid Poreba at the top of the box, took two touches around Detroit defender Callum Montgomery, and hit a shot low to the right post under goalkeeper Carlos Herrera to go ahead, 2-0.

Both said their connection from the second-team and carried over to this match.

“I’ve always had full confidence in him,” Poreba said. “I knew I just needed to get him the ball in that instance, and he did the rest and scored.”

We’ve played together for multiple years in MLS Next Pro, so now it’s great to do it with him at the first team level,” Shokalook said. “It was a great pass.”

Jason Shokalook of the Chicago Fire celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Detroit City FC in the Third Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Chicago Fire FC
Jason Shokalook of the Chicago Fire celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Detroit City FC in the Third Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Chicago Fire FC

Both teams got their chances in the second half as both goalkeepers got tested. In the 61st minute, Diouf came streaking down the left from midfield, ran toward the near post and then hit a tight angle shot, forcing Brady to make a point blank save. Five minutes later in the 66th, a give-and-go saw Fire halftime substitute Maren Halle-Selassie receive the pass back near the top of the box, chest it down, and then volley a shot that forced Herrera into a diving save.

Detroit City got a goal back in the 78th minute, and it came from the foot of their USL Championship Golden Boot-leading striker Smith. Yamazaki received the ball from Herrera at midfield, ran the length of the right sideline past two Chicago players, then sent a cross to Smith in the box, where he calmly placed a shot past Brady near the left post to put Le Rouge within one.

In the 80th minute, things appeared to get worse for Chicago as they went down to 10 men. Dithejane committed a foul near midfield in front of the rowdy Keyworth supporters that earned him a straight red card. Almost as if on cue, a train then rolled by the stadium blaring their horn, riling up the crowd to a fever pitch.

This was followed up by multiple corner kick opportunities for Detroit City starting in the 82nd minute, of which came to fruition. Detroit continued to push with the extra man for the remainder of the match, sending multiple shots wide of the net in stoppage time.

In the end, Chicago held on to earn their first win toward a potential fifth US Open Cup trophy that has eluded all Modern Era teams.

2026 US Open Cup Round 2: Detroit City FC earns first regulation win vs. Flint City Bucks in rivalry renewal

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PLayers from Detroit CIty FC (red) and the Flint City Bucks battle for the ball in a Second Round match in the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Flint City Bucks
PLayers from Detroit CIty FC (red) and the Flint City Bucks battle for the ball in a Second Round match in the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Flint City Bucks

The Flint City Bucks and Detroit City FC are each other’s most common opponents in the US Open Cup, and they faced off for the fourth time on Wednesday night. This was the first time since Le Rouge elevated from the amateur ranks to become a professional side; and it opened the door for the Bucks to claim another victory against a pro team, something they have done a Modern Era record 11 times.

Instead, Detroit scored late in the first half and held on to advance with a win in regulation over the Bucks for the first time, defeating the Flint side 1-0 at Don Batchelor Stadium in Grand Blanc, Mich. with nearly 2,700 fans in attendance.

It was Detroit City’s first regulation win against the Bucks in their four meetings. The previous three meetings were all when both clubs were amateur sides with the Bucks winning 3-0 in 2015, and DCFC winning in a penalty kick shootout in 2016 and 2018.

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An early yellow card was shown to Detroit City’s Kobe Hernandez-Foster for dragging down Bucks midfielder Matt Dreas in the third minute. This was a sign of Flint pushing the tempo early in the match. They came out pressing the USL Championship side, occasionally intercepting passes and creating chances while keeping Detroit in their own defensive end.

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Detroit City found their footing about 15 minutes in, getting multiple crosses into the box from the left wing in the span of 30 seconds, but both chances were cleared. It was followed up with a long ball to Jeciel Cedeño, who sent a header wide left. Detroit continued to push for chances in the first half, but that led to getting caught on the back foot as Flint found an opening for a counterattack in the 33rd minute. A DCFC corner was cleared and found Bucks midfielder Ollie Moller-Jensen, who ran from the top of his own box to 35 yards out from the opposite net, where he launched a shot to be collected by Detroit keeper Carlos Saldaña.

The consistent attempts by Detroit City FC to break through eventually did so. In the 40th minute, Alex Dalou received a pass on the left wing from Tommy Silva and proceeded to replicate his goal from Round 1. He carried the ball from the wing to the top of the box and then fired a bouncing shot past Bucks keeper Isaiah Goldson for the 1-0 lead.

The Bucks had a quick chance to answer back before halftime as a bouncing ball failing to be cleared by Detroit City fell to the foot of Bucks defender Matthew Paiva, who found captain Wes Carnevale in the box. Carnevale took one touch and then fired a point-blank shot at the net. Saldaña stuck out his left foot to make the quick save and kept his team up at the break.

Neither team would let up in the second half. A corner in the 53rd minute by Hernandez-Foster was sent toward the net, but it was Cedeño who blocked his own team’s attempt. A quick counter by the Bucks found the foot of Moller-Jensen, who looked to mimic Dalou’s goal but was blocked by Rhys Wiliams.

Arguably, Flint’s best opportunity of the night came in the 64th minute but it wasn’t Saldaña who saved the day. Jordy Lopez, who had found himself on the scoresheet in the Round 1 win against Madison, sent in a cross from the right side to a waiting Moller-Jensen lining up from 12 yards out. He fired a shot destined for the net, but Rhys Williams was there to stick out his right foot, block the ball, and keep the lead for Le Rouge.

Both clubs came up with a couple more tries to get on the scoreboard, but it was to no avail. Ryan Williams looked to score from a free kick in the 68th minute, just as he had done two years prior in Houston against the defending champion Dynamo, but his attempt was blocked by the Bucks’ wall. A few minutes later in the 74th, on the other end, Jack Roman received a pass and took a shot from the top of the box that was sent wide right.

In the end, Detroit City FC found themselves the narrow victors and advanced in their third straight meeting with the Bucks, having also done so in 2016 and 2018. Up next for Detroit City? A fifth straight year matching up with a side from Major League Soccer. 

“I would love to have an MLS club at Keyworth,” said head coach Danny Dichio. “I haven’t had that yet… It would be my dream.” 

If the draw were to play out in DCFC’s favor, it would be the first time hosting MLS since Minnesota United in 2023, the year before Dichio took the reins. (UPDATE: Detroit City FC will host Chicago Fire FC in Round 3)

2026 US Open Cup Round 1: Giant killer Flint City Bucks upset another pro team after USOC hiatus

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Players from the Flint City Bucks celebrate after scoring a goal against Forward Madison in the First Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Amanda Thick | Flint City Bucks
Players from the Flint City Bucks celebrate after scoring a goal against Forward Madison in the First Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Amanda Thick | Flint City Bucks

For the first time in eight years, the Flint City Bucks accepted the invite to compete for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. They faced a team in Forward Madison FC that wasn’t even announced into existence until eight days after Flint’s last Open Cup match in 2018. Despite the long absence, they picked up right where they left off. Living up to their reputation as perennial giant killers, defeating the visitors from Wisconsin 2-0 in Grand Blanc, Mich.

WIth the win, the Bucks eliminate a professional team for the 11th time in team history, the most of any Open DIvision team in the Modern Era (1995-present). Much of that success has come at the expense of clubs from the Third Division, as Flint City improves to 5-4-0 all-time against clubs from that level.

Both teams got off on a strong foot, but Flint City proved to be a bit more aggressive at the start. Giving up three free kicks in their own defensive end in the first seven minutes. They created their own attacking effort in the 9th minute as a multiple passing effort led to Ollie Moller-Jensen taking a shot from 12 yards out, only for Madison defender and captain Turner Humphrey to block the attempt.

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The Bucks would continue to press for the next few minutes and would find a lucky break in the 13th minute. Moller-Jensen carried the ball in from midfield and sent a through ball to a streaking Jack Roman along the left sideline. Roman would then cut in and take a tough angled shot that was parried away by Forward Madison keeper Tenzing Manske. However, the ball was pushed straight into teammate Stephen Annor Gyamfi. Unfortunately for the Madison defender, he was unable to control the incoming ball as it deflected off his knee into the net, giving the home side a 1-0 lead via an own goal.

The Bucks would continue to press for a second, as just a few minutes later in the 16th, Jack Roman would take the ball down the left wing toward the box, cut in past a couple defenders, and take a shot at the far post. The shot would sail wide of the right post, but it showed that Flint wasn’t willing to stop at one.

Forward Madison would pick up on this effort and start pressing for an equalizer. This came to a crescendo starting around the 37th minute. Madison kept consistent possession for almost the entirety of the next four minutes, creating chance after chance. But each time, Flint City’s defense was there to clear the ball away once it entered the box.

Their best chance in the first half came in the 44th minute as a cross from Mbongeni Kanyane found the head of Annor Gyamfi, who was desperate to right his wrong from earlier in the match. He directed it toward the crossbar hoping it would dip underneath, but Bucks goalkeeper Isaiah Goldson was equal to the task, tipping the shot over the bar.

AMATEUR TEAMS WITH MOST PRO TEAM UPSETS (MODERN ERA)

Flint City Bucks – 11
Des Moines Menace – 9
Ocean City Nor’easters – 6

The second half would see additional chances from both sides, with Madison coming through with their own opportunity in the 51st minute as Kanyane found himself with a bouncing ball near the left sideline from 25 yards out. That didn’t stop him from taking a swing at the net from distance, as his ball was directed over the bar by Goldson to keep the lead for Flint.

The 67th minute was the Bucks’ chance to extend their lead, and they capitalized. A long ball from Tweneboa Kodua in the back found Roman near the left 18-yard corner, where he settled it, cut back, and sent a flat cross into the middle to find Jordy Lopez. He took just enough of a touch to stop the ball and then fired it from the top of the box into the upper left corner of the net to give Flint City a 2-0 lead.

Broxton Arpachinda of the Flint City Bucks dribbles the ball against Enrique Machasen WIlkins of Forward Madison in the First Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Amanda Thick | Flint City Bucks
Broxton Arpachinda of the Flint City Bucks dribbles the ball against Enrique Machasen WIlkins of Forward Madison in the First Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Amanda Thick | Flint City Bucks

Seeing their hopes dwindle, Madison had a couple more chances to try and get back into the match, but each time they failed. A corner kick led to a spilled save attempt in the 81st which was subsequently cleared, and in the 83rd Tyler Trimnal redirected a cross from Keith Romanshyn via a header, but that was calmly grabbed by Goldson.

Stoppage time would see a little feistiness emerge as the Bucks’ Luke Spadafora held back Trimnal on a run, earning a yellow card. As players jostled for position near Flint’s 18-yard box waiting for the subsequent Madison free kick, a Bucks player appeared to fall to the turf, and a subsequent red card was issued to Forward Madison’s Turner Humphrey.

The whistle would sound a few minutes later, securing the Bucks’ 11th win over a professional side, their first since 2017 when they defeated Indy Eleven (then a member of NASL). Even though there were plenty of chances on the attack, head coach Paul Doroh wanted to highlight the team effort to keep the clean sheet.

“We talked a lot about keeping them off the scoreboard and giving us a chance to win a game, and everybody bought into that effort to defend first.”

2026 US Open Cup Round 1: Detroit City FC overcome early deficit, rout Michigan Rangers

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Players from Detroit City FC and the Michigan Rangers battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Detroit City FC
Players from Detroit City FC and the Michigan Rangers battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Detroit City FC

It was a game of firsts. With a  game moved indoors to a new Open Cup venue due to inclement weather, the Michigan Rangers of the NPSL made their tournament debut, and multiple new players made their first Cup appearance for their club. In the end, the result was another first: a regulation win for Detroit City FC against an Open Division side as they defeated the Rangers 5-1 at Legacy Center in Brighton, Michigan.

The start of the match saw the debutants make an early statement. A foul by new DCFC defender Tommy Silva on Rangers attacker Matthew Whelan in the fifth minute led to a free kick from 35 yards out. Up stepped Giuseppe Barone, who blasted an absolute rocket into the near side of the net. A diving Carlos Saldaña was only able to get enough of a touch to deflect it slightly up, but not enough to stop it. With that blast, the Michigan Rangers took an unexpected early 1-0 lead over the professional side in the sixth minute.

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That strike appeared to give Detroit City a reality check, as after that point they turned on the jets to push for an equalizer. They earned multiple chances in the next 10 minutes, with the biggest chance in that stretch coming in the 15th minute as a long cutting run down the right wing by Preston Tabort Etaka led to a cross to Abdoulaye Diop near the top of the box. Diop then one-timed a shot and forced Michigan goalkeeper Sebastian Doppelhofer to make a diving save to his left to keep the lead.

The lead held by the visitors vanished in the 22nd minute after a flurry of chances by Detroit City. A cross in from the left wing by Silva to Jeciel Cedeño led to a shot that was headed off the line. The rebound landed at the feet of Tabort Etaka, who after a couple of touches to control the ball was able to lay into the ball with his right foot. The save attempt was made by Doppelhofer with his right foot, but as with Saldaña’s effort at the other end, the touch wasn’t enough to keep the ball from going in the net.

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Detroit had an opportunity to take the lead in the 30th minute as a free kick from Tabort Etaka found the head of Connor Rutz. That header hit the right post before a rebound was crossed back to him for a second failed attempt.

Detroit City manager Danny Dichio made three changes at halftime to help spark his side to take control of the match, including the return of Maxi Rodriguez after a year in Rhode Island. Those changes paid dividends on the scoresheet. The lead was grabbed by DCFC in the 56th minute as a team effort of passes led the ball from the right wing. It was touched by four players in quick succession before falling to Rodriguez near the top of the box. Rodriguez then took a step and placed the ball into the side netting, beating Doppelhofer to give DCFC the 2-1 lead. This put Rodriguez not only on the scoresheet for the night but for the third straight Open Cup and the fourth in five years.

Rodriguez then returned the favor to the player who earned the assist on his goal, Alex Dalou, in the 65th minute. Dalou created a give-and-go with Rodriguez to receive the ball along the left wing. He then streamed in toward the top of the box and hit a ball into the upper corner beyond Doppelhofer’s reach to increase Detroit City’s lead to 3-1. When asked about the apparent camaraderie between the new teammates leading to multiple goals, Dalou shared that he’s trained with Rodriguez in the offseason. 

“It’s easy to play with Maxi, and if anyone knows he’s a great guy to play with, and unselfish,” he said.

Detroit tacked on a couple more goals later in the match. In the 81st minute, a blocked shot led to a counterattack by Rodriguez, who carried the ball past midfield then found a streaking Ates Diouf on the right side behind the defense. Diouf calmly placed the ball home to extend the lead to 4-1.

The scoring finished off the same way Detroit’s tally started, with Tabort Etaka. From the midfield, Diop sent in a through ball to Tabort Etaka, who made a run past the defense down the right side and received the ball in time to take a couple steps and put it home to earn a brace and cap the game at 5-1 for the “home” side. 

With the win, Detroit City FC gets their first regulation victory over an Open Division side in their first meeting against an Open Division side since moving to the professional ranks in 2020.

2025 US Open Cup Round 3: Cedeno’s PK, Smith’s stoppage time finish send Detroit City FC through

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Detroit City FC players celebrate after scoring a goal against Westchester SC in the Third Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Detroit City FC
Detroit City FC players celebrate after scoring a goal against Westchester SC in the Third Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Detroit City FC

Detroit City FC welcomed a Third Division club to Keyworth Stadium for the fourth straight year to start its US Open Cup journey, but faced off against their first USL League One opponent – one playing a professional side in the competition for the very first time: newcomers Westchester SC. This match finished as all the rest of those aforementioned matches have: with a Le Rouge victory as DCFC won, 3-1, after two late goals by Jeciel Cedeño and Darren Smith.

With the win, Detroit City FC moves on to the Round of 32, guaranteeing a chance to play a Major League Soccer team. Head coach Danny Dichio, having felt the joys of advancing past an MLS side last year (they defeated 2023 Champions Houston Dynamo on penalties on the road), is looking to host one this time around. 

“I’d love to host an MLS club here. I really would,” he said. “To have an MLS club here at Keyworth on a magical night. That’s my dream for the Open Cup this year.”

Detroit’s Michael Bryant was wearing the captain’s armband for the night with long-time captain Stephen Carroll taking the night off, as were many regular Detroit City players due to a rotated squad. Players like Haruki Yamazaki and Dominic Gasso earned their first starts of the season. Meanwhile, Westchester essentially fielded a fully rested starting lineup since they had last weekend off.

Other than an early corner kick by Westchester earned after a turnover within 30 seconds of kickoff, Detroit dominated play for the first 20 minutes of the match, controlling the vast majority of possession and sending in chance after chance. However, none of those efforts particularly threatened Westchester goalkeeper Dane Jacomen. The 18th minute saw the first true build up by the visitors, working the ball in the DCFC half for a while until a through ball was effectively guided beyond the end line by Bryant. 

The best chance of the first half for Detroit came in the 43rd minute, when Bryant sent a long ball from the back towards striker Ben Morris. Westchester defender Tobi Adewole was able to get his head to it, but it allowed Morris to sneak past him. The ball just got away from him though as Jacomen was able to collect. Three minutes later saw Westchester’s best chance of the half as it approached the end. A Noah Powder corner kick caught goalkeeper Carlos Saldaña off his line, and Jonathan Bolanos settled the delivery inside the six. Unfortunately for the visitors, Gasso was there to clear out the danger.

The second half saw more excitement and more physicality. The first shot on target by either side came courtesy of Powder in the 48th minute. He was given a layup from teammate Juan Obregon about 25 yards out, but his resultant shot trickled into the box and was easily collected by Saldaña. Six minutes later in the 54th, Morris found himself with the ball near the end line surrounded by two defenders. He was able to get it toward the top of the six-yard box, where Sebastian Guenzatti sent a bicycle kick just wide right. The physicality came courtesy of Gasso, who in the 55th minute made a reckless challenge on Westchester defender Stephen Payne, earning himself a yellow card.

The 71st minute finally saw the first goal of the match, and it came via an initial feed from Yamazaki on the left wing to Jay Chapman in the box near the end line. He was able to send a flat cross to Morey Doner at the penalty spot, where Doner sent a one-timer past a helpless Jacomen, giving Le Rouge the 1-0 lead. His celebration? The Macarena, coordinated with Cedeño – in Doner’s own words – “a week in advance.”

That lead wouldn’t stay there for long, though. Just five minutes later in the 76th, Powder sent a ball up to Obregon near the top of the box. He settled it (partially with his face) and volleyed a rocket just under the crossbar beyond the reach of Saldaña to tie it at 1-1. It was Obregon’s fifth US Open Cup goal (his third this year).

The goals kept coming late. Detroit had the opportunity to take the lead for good in the 84th minute as Ates Diouf stormed into the box, only for Powder to stick out his foot in and tackle him. A penalty was called, and Cedeño stepped up to the spot. His shot was fired into the left corner past a diving Jacomen, who guessed correctly, but couldn’t reach far enough to deflect. The goal from the spot gave Detroit City the 2-1 lead they needed.

DCFC got a capper in stoppage time to secure the win. In the 94th minute, Payne (on the left wing) looked to relieve pressure by sending a ball back to Jacomen. However, Detroit substitute Jordan Adebayo-Smith, witnessing the slow roller, would seize the opportunity. He was able to touch the ball forward just before crashing into Jacomen, leaving the ball trickling towards an empty net. Smith was there to put it home and give Le Rouge the 3-1 victory.

Yamazaki, named Man of the Match for his tough play and chance creation having played the full 90 minutes, embraced the idea of playing in his first match at home for Detroit. 

“I felt really good since the first minute of the game. … I’ve never played in front of that crowd before, so it kept me going,” he said.

 

2024 US Open Cup Round 3: Late winner by Maxi Rodriguez adds smoke to Detroit City FC, Michigan Stars rivalry

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Maxi Rodriguez of Detroit City FC celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal against the Michigan Stars in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Jon DeBoer
Maxi Rodriguez of Detroit City FC celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal against the Michigan Stars in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Jon DeBoer

Smoke, darkness, and smell was anticipated to be the theme of the evening at historic Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, Mich., but it took until the third minute of second half stoppage time for it to be fully unleashed. It came in the form of a goal from Maxi Rodriguez on a through ball from captain Stephen Carroll to give Detroit City FC (USL Championship) a 1-0 win over longtime foe Michigan Stars FC (NISA).

Both teams came out with high energy, knowing the stakes of not only a Cup match, but a derby match. Despite these teams currently playing in different leagues, these two teams have faced off in all but two years since 2013 (mostly in league play). Their last battle came in the 2022 Second Round as Le Rouge cruised to a 3-0 victory.

The Stars brought a lineup that included multiple MLS veterans in local standout Justin Meram as well as Harrison Afful. Meanwhile, Detroit City rotated their roster, giving a few players such as Daniel Espeleta and goalkeeper Carlos Saldaña their first starts of the year, while keeping standouts such as Carroll, Rodriguez, and former Stars defender Devon Amoo-Mensah in the lineup.

Both teams looked to pressure on the offensive end, but each team’s respective defense was able to neutralize opportunities early. The first threatening chance didn’t come until the 10th minute as Detroit’s Yazeed Matthews received a through ball on the right side of the 18 yard box from Rodriguez, only for his effort to hit the side netting.

They earned a second chance in the 23rd minute as Rodriguez set up another chance, this time for Espeleta, who cut past a defender only for Stars goalkeeper Tatenda Mkuruva to step in to knock the ball away.

Just before halftime is when things started to heat up to the expected temperature fans have come to expect from this matchup. In the 43rd minute, Rodriguez earned a yellow card for a challenge on Meram after he turned the ball over.

Less than a minute later, Stars midfielder Colin Stripling would run through Rodriguez, knocking him over and earning his own yellow card from referee Kevin Fikar. Detroit would get one last chance before half as a long ball found the feet of Matthews near the top of the box, where he shot while fighting off Afful. Mkuruva would come up with a big save to keep the scoreline 0-0 at the break.

The first big play of the second half came courtesy of a defensive effort from Detroit. Meram found himself at midfield with only one man to beat, but Carroll was up to the task, sliding in to clear the ball away and erasing a clear opportunity for the Stars.

Michigan would get their first chance at testing Saldaña in the 61st minute, as midfielder Hunter Olson would receive a long ball from midfield on the right side near the top of the box, then cut around Amoo-Mensah and sliced a shot toward the back post. Saldaña was able to make a diving grab to keep the clean sheet intact.

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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

Things got heated in the 78th minute, as multiple cards of multiple colors were shown to the Michigan Stars. It started when Olson chased down DCFC midfielder Abdoulaye Diop and pulled him down. As Olson had already been on a yellow, this meant that he would be sent off. Perceived as a soft foul by the offending side, altercations led to a red card being issued to one of the Michigan coaches, as well as a yellow card to Meram.

Now with the man advantage, Detroit was hoping to capitalize on the numbers and get the goal they had been pushing for. It took until the 93rd minute for the goal to arrive.

It started as a similar play from before, with Carroll stealing the ball from Meram’s feet at midfield. Head up, he then sent a through ball to a streaking Rodriguez, who found the ball at the top of the box and one-timed a shot over a diving Mkuruva and in the net to give the home side the lead.

The goal was Rodriguez’s fifth career US Open Cup goal (four of them for Detroit City FC) and his first since he put away three goals in the 2022 tournament.

Said Carroll after the match: “Maxi was wide open in the middle of the goal and so I was like ‘I’ll do it’ …Maxi was in a great spot.”

A two-minute smoke delay followed (apropos considering the history of this matchup), and with the initial expectation of seven minutes of stoppage time, it was assured that the clock would run well past that. Two more cards would follow, first a second yellow and sending off for Detroit’s Brett Levis in the 97th, followed by a yellow on the Stars’ Sebastian Chalbaud for an arm to the face of Rodriguez. Physical as expected, the match finished ten on ten when the referee blew the whistle after 12 extra minutes.

Artist’s rendition of Keyworth Stadium while it was under construction in 1936. Source: Detroit Free Press
Artist’s rendition of Keyworth Stadium while it was under construction in 1936. Source: Detroit Free Press


With the victory, Detroit City FC moves on to the Round of 32, having won their first cup match in each of the last three seasons.

As they prepare for their next test, first year head coach Danny Dichio has no plans to take this US Open Cup lightly.

“The (Open) Cup is important, and I want (the players) to take it important, and to go as far as we can in this tournament.”

2023 US Open Cup Round 3: Minnesota United overcomes Detroit City with trio of second half goals

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Emmanuel Iwe of Minnesota United FC gestures to the crowd in his club's 2023 US Open Cup match against Detroit City FC. Photo: Minnesota United FC
Emmanuel Iwe of Minnesota United FC gestures to the crowd in his club’s 2023 US Open Cup match against Detroit City FC. Photo: Minnesota United FC

Three goals in six minutes helped Minnesota United FC (MLS) erase a one-goal deficit in the second half as the Loons defeated Detroit City FC (USL Championship) 3-1 at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, Mich.

Yazeed Matthews scored his second goal of the US Open Cup early in the match to give Le Rouge the lead, but Franco Fragapane, Emmanuel Iwe, and Luis Amarilla all were able to get on the scoresheet to turn the tide in favor of the Major League Soccer side.

Detroit was able to make their statement early in the match in the fifth minute as Matthews and Devon Amoo-Mensah were able to trade passes after intercepting a clearance. This ultimately culminated in a Matthews strike from about 25 yards out. The ball went past a diving Clint Irwin, bounced off the left post, and trickled in toward the opposite side, eerily mimicking the penalty kick goal scored by Maxi Rodriguez last year in this round that brought DCFC the win over the Columbus Crew.

The goal by the home side appeared to wake up the visitors from St. Paul, as they turned up the pressure quickly. The pressure steamed over in the 15th minute as they failed to capitalize on a counter-attack, with the pass to Cameron Dunbar in the box deflecting back off his feet. Oneil Fisher, who had played for the Loons last year (appearing in two of their USOC matches), was able to collect the ball and move toward the line, where Amarilla caught up with him and checked him into the sideline. Words were exchanged involving the referee, Kervin Arriaga, and MNUFC head coach Adrian Heath, ultimately leading to Heath being shown a yellow card.

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

The remainder of the first half saw both sides trading chances. One set came in the 28th minute, as Fragapane slid the ball forward for Amarilla, but Steinwascher was able to slide in and collect. On the ensuing counter for Detroit, Ben Morris sent the ball wide to Fisher, who pushed a one-time pass into the box where Connor Rutz wasn’t able to get the shot on frame. Arguably the best chance for Minnesota in the first half was in the 38th minute when they had a pair of corners, both of which led to shots on frame only to be blocked.

Minnesota United was able to put their stamp on the match in the second half, pressing the Detroit City back line and testing Steinwascher a multitude of times, forcing him to make five saves in the first 15 minutes. The breakthrough came in the 60th minute as Fragapane received the ball in the box, and laid it off for Dunbar, who passed it back to Fragapane behind the defensive line. Fragapane was able to put the ball in the top shelf to tie the match at 1-1.

From that point, the goals for the Loons came quickly. Just three minutes later in the 63rd, Iwe received the ball off a deflection, took a step to the left, and fired a shot that deflected off a guarding Michael Bryant and over an unsuspecting Steinwascher. Just like that, Minnesota went from down 1-0 to up 2-1, turning the match on its head.

The goals didn’t stop there, though. Again just three minutes later, in the 66th minute, Minnesota widened the lead. A corner kick resulted in a header by Brent Kallman that was cleared by Abdoulaye Diop. However, that clearance landed at the foot of Amarilla 12 yards out, who volleyed the shot, again deflected, into the net.

DCFC’s best chance to make up ground came in the 85th minute as Skage Simonsen sent a ball past midfield to a streaking Morris on a counterattack, hoping to catch Irwin off guard. Irwin was able to make a diving save, shutting the door to the possibility of a comeback by the underdog side.

With the win, Minnesota earned its first win of this year’s competition after getting upset by Union Omaha (USL League One) last year. On the other end, Detroit City FC loses their first US Open Cup match in regulation time since 2015, when they, as an amateur side, were defeated 3-0 by the Michigan Bucks (now Flint City Bucks).

2023 US Open Cup Round 2: Detroit City spoils Gold Star’s debut with 1-0 win at Keyworth

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Detroit City FC goalkeeper Ryan Shellow made two saves and kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Gold Star Detroit in his US Open Cup debut. Photo: Jon DeBoer
Detroit City FC goalkeeper Ryan Shellow made two saves and kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Gold Star Detroit in his US Open Cup debut. Photo: Jon DeBoer

A late first half goal was all Detroit City FC (USL Championship) needed to get past local opponent and new club Gold Star FC Detroit (NISA), winning 1-0 at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, Mich. A Yazeed Matthews header over an onrushing Brandon Barnes was the difference in the match, though Gold Star pushed late and often for the equalizer.

DCFC rotated their side from their last league match while their opponents from nearby Livonia started most of the same players from their first-ever match on the road against Chattanooga FC over the weekend. Gold Star looked to send a message early by playing DCFC physically as the Third Division side wanted to make their presence known. This message eventually led to a pair of yellow cards against Gold Star in the 14th and 16th minutes for Hunter Gibbons and Max Rugova, respectively.

Detroit City was able to create the majority of chances in the first half, but none had truly threatened Gold Star FC goalkeeper Brandon Barnes until the 34th minute, when he was able to save a Maxi Rodriguez free kick from well outside the box while Yazeed Matthews challenged him.

Gold Star’s best chance of the first half came in the 38th minute as Alexander Dalou carried the ball into the box from the left side, then threaded the ball through four defenders to a wide open Rugova. Then Rugova hit a one-time shot that Ryan Shellow was able to save.

The only goal of the match came in the 43rd minute as Adrian Billhardt (who would prove to be the man of the match) served up a long ball into the box from 40 yards out. On the bounce, Matthews was able to get his head over Gold Star defender Leonel Palma and knock the ball beyond the outstretched hands of Barnes to give Detroit City FC the lead.


With that goal, Matthews scored his first goal in his first US Open Cup appearance. Billhardt and Matthews would attempt to repeat their feat late in first half stoppage time as a header from Matthews was sent wide right.

Post match, Billhardt commented on Matthews’ runs into the box and the play that led to the goal: “I always knew that was making good runs and fantastic run by him and an even greater finish.”

The second half saw some more opportunities from each side, but Gold Star got the better of the chances, especially as the game carried on. The first came in the 49th minute as DCFC defender Stephen Carroll had the ball swiped from him by Dalou near the defensive corner. Dalou then crossed the ball into the box to a waiting Josh Gatt , but he pushed the shot just wide left. For Gatt, a Michigan native who spent time playing professionally overseas, including a couple of caps with the U.S. National Team. 

Gold Star FC made some tactical subs in the 62nd and 70th minutes that would prove to be crucial in helping them put on the pressure to get the equalizing goal. The key substitution made was Roddy Green, who had previously played for Detroit City FC from 2017-2021 and was a fan favorite in his time with Le Rouge. He has made his mark in the Open Cup previously, having scored the winning penalty kick to lead DCFC over the Michigan Bucks in the First Round in 2018.


The best chance of the second half happened to land at Green’s feet with just minutes to spare. In the 89th minute, Gatt served up a cross to Green on the far post as DCFC goalkeeper Shellow scrambled to get into position, but Green fumbled his first touch. He was able to recover, but then sent a shot well over the crossbar.

“There were a number of moments where the coaching staff pretty much broke the chairs provided to us getting up excited thinking we had the moment,” said Gold Star head coach Alex Lubyansky. “But it was a genuine valiant effort tonight.”

DCFC goalkeeper Ryan Shellow, normally the second-choice keeper behind Nate Steinwascher, made two saves in his first USOC appearance and was able to earn a clean sheet. With the 1-0 win, Detroit City FC have now advanced in consecutive tournaments for the first time in their history and increase their home unbeaten streak in the tournament to six games. Le Rouge moves on to face an opponent to be determined in Round 3.The draw will take place later this week.

2022 US Open Cup Round 4: History repeats as Louisville City silences crowd with PK win over Detroit City FC

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Louisville City players celebrate after winning a PK shootout 4-2 against Detroit City FC (after a 1-1 draw) in the Fourth Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Louisville City FC
Louisville City players celebrate after winning a PK shootout 4-2 against Detroit City FC (after a 1-1 draw) in the Fourth Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Louisville City FC

Detroit City FC and Louisville City FC may now be competitors in the USL Championship, but it’s been a while since meeting in the US Open Cup. Much like 2016 when the teams last met in Cup play, Louisville City advanced on penalties to the Round of 16 after a 1-1 draw with host Detroit, who were then an amateur side in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).

With the 4-2 win in the shootout, Louisville City is one of the last lower division sides remaining. The last time they made it this far was 2018, when they reached the Quarterfinals before bowing out to the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer.

Both sides were tested early in the match. In the 4th minute, DCFC striker Francis Atuahene was served a long ball from Maxi Rodriguez along the right wing, where he was able to get past the defense and hit a shot toward the back post. Louisville goalkeeper Kyle Morton made the diving save to his right to stop the effort. Four minutes later, LCFC’s Brian Ownby was the recipient of his own long ball toward the net, but his advance into the box was cleared by Detroit’s Deklan Wynne before the goal could be threatened.

The game continued back and forth until the 12th minute. Atuahene intercepted a failed clearance from the Louisville defense and lobbed the ball past defender Sean Totsch. Totsch then recovered to clip Atuahene in the box, earning DCFC a penalty kick.

Just like in Detroit’s win over the Columbus Crew in the previouus round, reigning TheCup.us Player of the Round Maxi Rodriguez stepped up to take the spot kick. This time, he went the opposite way of Morton, going to his left to give Le Rouge the 1-0 lead in the 14th minute. It was Rodriguez’s third goal of this tournament (second from the penalty spot), and fourth of his USOC career.

Although Louisville City went down, they were not discouraged, and kept pressing on. They earned a free kick just outside of the box after a cleared corner led to Antoine Hoppenot checking Joshua Wynder to the turf in the 16th minute. Paolo DelPiccolo took the free kick, aiming for the top left corner. However, Steinwascher was able to tip the ball off the crossbar and back into his possession.

Louisville was rewarded for their efforts in the 24th minute, as a corner kick led to multiple LCFC players touching the ball prior to Wes Charpie taking a shot from the top of the six-yard box. His effort was blocked by Connor Rutz, but the rebound fell to striker Wilson Harris, who was able to bury the ball into the back of the net and equalize the match. It was Harris’ second goal of the tournament. The first was the lone goal in the team’s 1-0 home win over Chattanooga Red Wolves (USL League One) in the Second Round.

LCFC was able to earn one last chance before halftime. Ownby was able to head a one-time cross toward the net. He had Steinwascher beat, but not defender Devon Amoo-Mensah, as he headed the ball off the line.

The second half saw more chances from both sides, but neither were able to break the deadlock. The last 10 minutes of regulation saw Louisville City earn more opportunities as the limited roster for DCFC due to injuries appeared to catch up with them, but the Detroit City back line held firm, and the result led to extra-time.

Each club had one good chance to take the lead in extra time, but neither were successful. Detroit’s came first in the 102nd minute as substitute Billy Forbes sent in a cross for Pato Botello Faz inside the box. Botello Faz was able to volley a shot on target, but a diving stop by Morton prevented the home side from taking advantage. In the 109th minute, it was Louisville’s turn. A feed into the box turned in to a one-time shot, but a sliding Amoo-Mensah blocked the opportunity.

For the second round in a row, Louisville City’s match would be decided by a penalty kick shootout. In Round 3, they defeated St. Louis CITY 2 (MLS Next Pro) 9-8 after a scoreless draw. While Lou City entered the game having never lost a shootout (2-0), Detroit City, as a club, entered the night as one of the most experienced clubs, having reached PKs on four occasions (2-2 record).

Sean Totsch started the penalty kick session for Louisville and put the first shot away. Goals were then traded by Rodriguez and Niall McCabe. The second DCFC kick, taken by Rhys Williams, was saved by a diving Morton, leaving Louisville with a 2-1 lead after two rounds. Harris and Hoppenot then both put away their kicks as LCFC led 3-2 after three. Ian Soler was able to bury his penalty, putting DCFC on the brink. Their captain Stephen Carroll stepped to the spot ready to keep his club alive, but instead skied the shot over the crossbar, leaving Louisville City victorious.

Prior to their Fourth Round match against Louisville City FC in the 2022 US Open Cup, banners hung by Detroit City FC supporters are shown. Photo: Ottavio Palazzolo
Prior to their Fourth Round match against Louisville City FC in the 2022 US Open Cup, banners hung by Detroit City FC supporters are shown. Photo: Ottavio Palazzolo

Detroit City FC leaves the tournament, but not before claiming victory over an MLS side (Columbus Crew) and advancing the furthest they’ve ever been in the USOC, surpassing two Second Round finishes from 2016 and 2018 as an amateur side. The game itself was the focus of the night with much of the pre-game controversy fading to the background. Normally the crowd at Keyworth Stadium is known for being energetic from the first whistle to the last, but notably, the supporters of Le Rouge stayed silent for the first five minutes of the match in protest of the club enforcing a rule about displaying profanity on signs and clothing. Traveling Louisville City supporters remained quiet in solidarity. Once the clock hit the 5:00 mark, the rowdiness of the stadium was restored and the “censorship” drama was moved to the background.

For Louisville City, they advance to the Round of 16, and extend their unbeaten streak in all competitions to 13 games. They will learn their opponent on Thursday when the USSF conducts the draw for the Fifth Round.

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