Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2013 First Round

2013 US Open Cup First Round: Home teams, hat tricks dominate the opening round full of comebacks

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The First Round of the 2013 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup belonged to the home teams for the 100th edition of the tournament Tuesday night as one game remains on Wednesday. The hosts advanced in 13 of the 17 contests on the night with the four road teams that are moving on all coming out of contests versus opponents that were virtually in-state.

The USL Pro VSI Tampa Bay survived a scare from the PDL Orlando City U23s, reaching the next round 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw against their Central Florida opposition. In another Florida showdown, the PDL Ocala Stampede were 4-2 winners in Miami against Red Force of the USASA. In Michigan, the longtime amateur powerhouse Bucks finally fell victim to their amateur peers, dropping their match against the upstart Dearborn Stars. Though they are not in the same state, the USASA’s Icon FC of North Jersey knocked off the nearby Brooklyn Italians of the NPSL 4-1.

Comebacks were the other major theme on the night as it appeared no lead was safe. The most dramatic of the comebacks was in Greensboro where the Carolina Dynamo, who took the initial lead, fell behind to visiting Chattanooga FC 3-1 but came back to pull even at three each, sending the match to overtime. Chattanooga scored with five minutes left, but Carolina answered with another equalizer two minutes later and prevailed in penalties. The Georgia Revolution also nearly saw a similar collapse after posting a four-goal advantage against the visiting Real Colorado Foxes, but held on for the one-goal victory.

There were several other rallies that proved critical in advancing. The USL Pro Pittsburgh Riverhounds avoided elimination, finding an equalizer against RWB Adria (USASA) and taking the penalty shootout. FC Tucson (PDL) knocked off their USL Pro state foes Phoenix FC, coming from behind for a 2-1 win with a late game-winner. Unlike their Cascadia rival Seattle Sounders U23s that cruised to a 5-1 win on four first half goals from David Geno, the Portland Timbers U23s had to come back at home from a two-goal deficit to knock off the NPSL Sacramento Gold 3-2. And in California, the host Ventura County Fusion (PDL) fell behind twice but found a late strike to win 3-2 against FC Hasental (NPSL).

There were also a number of individual performances that stood out in Round 1. Prior to this year, there had never been more than two hat tricks in a single round. On Tuesday night, there were four. Geno of the Sounders U23s became just the first amateur player, and just the 10th overall, to score four goals in a game in the Modern Professional Era, while Hakan Ilhan (Carolina Dynamo), Kwadwo Poku (Georgia Revolution) and Argjent Duka (Icon FC) each scored a trio of goals.

TheCup.us Links:
2013 US Open Cup bracket
2013 US Open Cup results
2013 US Open Cup goalscoring leaders
2013 US Open Cup Third Round pairings set for MLS entry
Meet the USASA: Class of 2013
Things you should know about Round 2
The First Cup series: A look back at the first National Challenge Cup
#USOC100

River City Rovers (PDL) 0:3 Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro) –
DAY: Irakli Khutsidze – 8th min.
DAY: Eric Kissinger – 27th min.
DAY: Tjeerd Westdijk (Charles Hertsenberger) – 48th min.

Mass Premier Soccer (USASA) 0 :: 2 GPS Portland Phoenix (PDL) –
POR: Pierre Omanga (Emmanuel Appiah) 1st min.
POR: Pierre Omanga (PK) 89th min.

Icon FC (USASA) 4 :: 1 Brooklyn Italians (NPSL) –
ICON: Argjent Duka – 13th min.
ICON: Argjent Duka – 52nd min.
ICON: Kevin Garcia – 70th min.
ICON: Argjent Duka – 79th min.
BRO: Tim Parker – 79th min.

NY Red Bulls U23s (NPSL) 0 :: 2 Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL) –
OCN: Duke Lacroix – 14th min.
OCN: Nick Perea (Frank Tweneboa) – 58th min.

FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic (NPSL) 0 :: 2 Reading United AC (PDL) – REA: Darius Madison (Larry Ndjock) – 50th min
REA: Steve Neumann (Wes Charpie) – 55th min.

Ocala Stampede (PDL) 4 :: 2 Red Force (USASA) –
OCA: Jack Bailey (Sam Duininck) – 8th min.
RED: Heber Hernandez – 21st min. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
OCA: Kenny Hogg (PK) – 47th min.
RED: Heber Hernandez – 53rd min.
OCA: Jack Bailey (Kenny Hogg) – 62nd min.
OCA: Kenny Hogg – 88th min.

VSI Tampa Bay FC (USL Pro) 1 (5) :: (3) 1 Orlando City U-23s (PDL) –
TB: Andriy Budnyy (Alex Freitas) – 7th min.
ORL: Nicolas Russo (Ian Svantesson) – 90th min.

Chattanooga FC (NPSL) 4 (1) :: (4) 4 Carolina Dynamo (PDL) –
CAR: Alex Martinez – 22nd min.
CHA: Luke Winter – 53rd min.
CHA: Thibault Charmey – 66th min.
CHA: Chris Ochieng – 75th min.
CAR: Hakan Ilhan (PK) – 80th min.
CAR: Hakan Ilhan – 88th min.
CHA: Fynn Glover – 115th min.
CAR: Hakan Ilhan (Kevin Durand) – 118th min.

Penalty Kicks
CAR: Hakan Ilhan – GOAL
CHA: Jose Ferraz – GOAL
CAR: Jennings Rex – GOAL
CHA: Sias Reneke – SAVED
CAR: Holden Fender – GOAL
CHA: Chris Ochieng – SAVED
CAR: Kevin Durand – GOAL

Dearborn Stars (USASA) 2 :: 0 Michigan Bucks (PDL) –
DEA: Niki Djokic – 57th min.
DEA: Niki Djokic – 90th min.

RWB Adria (USASA) 1 (3) :: (5) 1 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro) –
RWB: Carlos Munoz – 17th min.
PIT: Seth C’deBaca (Rob Vincent) – 53rd min.

Penalty Kicks
RWB: Vlad Baciu – GOAL
PIT: Jose Angulo – GOAL
RWB: Semir Mesanovic – GOAL
PIT: Mike Green – GOAL
RWB: Igor Dimov – GOAL
PIT: Rob Vincent – GOAL
RWB: Adnan Ejupovic – MISS
PIT: Matthew Dallman – GOAL
RWB: MISS
PIT: Kevin Kerr – GOAL

NTX Rayados (USASA) 0 :: 3 Austin Aztex (PDL) –
AUS: Andres Cuero – 14th min.
AUS: Own Goal (Clifford Spencer) – 33rd min.
AUS: Tony Rocha – 85th min.

Phoenix FC (USL Pro) 1 :: 2 FC Tucson (PDL) –
PHO: Diego Faria (Aaron King) – 63rd min.
TUC: Conner Bevans – 82nd min.
TUC: Conner Bevans (Saaed Robinson) – 90th min.

Sacramento Gold (NPSL) 2 :: 3 Portland Timbers U23s (PDL) –
SAC: Max Alvarez – 5th min.
SAC: Max Alvarez – 25th min.
POR: Zack Foxhoven – 37th min.
POR: Gabriel Conelian (Unassisted) – 41st min.
POR: Mark Sherrod – 78th min.

Doxa Italia (USASA) 1 :: 5 Seattle Sounders U23s (PDL) – 
SEA: Darwin Jones – 13th min.
SEA: David Geno – 19th min.
SEA: David Geno (Darwin Jones) – 36th min.
SEA: David Geno (Mauricio DeLeon) – 38th min.
SEA: David Geno – 45th min.
DOX: Bryan Byrne – 68th min.

PSA Elite (USASA) 0 :: 2 Laredo Heat SC (PDL) –
LAR: Danny Garza 1 (Leo Medeiros 1) 44
LAR: Leo Medeiros 1 (Yosmel De Armas 1) 47

Real Colorado Foxes (PDL) 3 :: 4 Georgia Revolution (NPSL) –
GA: Kwadwo Poku (Rene Enang) 15th
GA: Emeka Maduka (Kwadwo Poku) 40th min.
GA: Kwadwo Poku (unassisted) 43rd min.
GA: Kwadwo Poku (unassisted) 56th min.
RC: Alex Tarnoczi (unassisted) 63rd min.
RC: Chris Salvaggione (Aaron Skipworth) 64th min.

RC: Aaron Skipworth (Luigi Clendening) 79th min.

FC Hasental (NPSL) 2 :: 3 Ventura County Fusion (PDL) –

HAS: Agustin Cazarez (Alberto Anguiano) 39

VC: Frankie Lopez (Ema Boateng) 45
HAS: Gustavo Villalobos 65
VC: Patrick Otte (pen) 77
VC: Chase Minter (Dylan Riley) 87

Madison 56ers (NPSL) 0 :: 1 Des Moines Menace (PDL) –
DMM: Jimmy Tulloch – 50th min.
#USOC100

2013 US Open Cup First Round: Ventura County Fusion rallies twice for historic win over FC Hasental (video)

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In a showdown of two Los Angeles area clubs, it was a true back and forth affair with the visiting FC Hasental side taking the lead twice before ultimately falling 3-2 on a late goal from the Ventura County Fusion, sending them on to face the Los Angeles Blues of USL Pro in Round 2.

With the win, the Fusion made history by tasting victory in three straight Open Cup tournaments. The Michigan Bucks (1999-2001) are the only other amateur team to win at least one game in three consecutive tournaments during the Modern Professional Era (1995-present).

The dramatic contest started to heat up near the half-hour mark when Agustin Cazarez nearly put Hasental up in the 27th minute with a shot that rang off the woodwork and was subsequently cleared away from the line by defender Dylan Riley.

Cazarez, however, would find the opener 12 minutes later. A ball over the top sent Alberto Anguiano down the left edge of the box all alone. He turned his gaze inside the box and seeing a nearing defender crossed it into the area where it was brought down at the penalty mark by a Fusion defender, who fell after making the hard twist back to make the play. The ball, consequently, was left wide open for the incoming Cazarez, who ripped it home from 11 yards out.

Two minutes before the break it appeared the hosts would have a perfect chance to pull even when Peter Schmetz was taken down while attempting to cross the ball within the area, but Hagop Chirishian’s spot kick to the lower left was denied by Hasental keeper Trey Mitchell.

The equalizer, however, did come just before the intermission for the Fusion when Ema Boateng, after being fouled, launched a free kick toward the far post where Frankie Lopez got his head on it to make things even.

Hasental again had some quality chances initially in the second half, chief among them being a shot from Ruben Rodriguez in the 63rd that forced a dynamic save from Sam Hayden.

Despite the pressure, it was an unexpected quick play that resulted in the visitors reclaiming the lead four minutes later. A bouncing ball was cleared out by the Hasental center back and headed forward at midfield over the defense, putting Gustavo Villalobos, who scored twice in the opening round a week ago, through in a goal similar to the club’s tallies last week.

The Fusion, though, would get another chance to pull even from the penalty spot after defender Connor Dreschler was fouled in the area by Kleber Ortiz. This time Patrick Otte put away the subsequent penalty in the 77th minute to create a tension-filled final 13 minutes.

Hasental nearly took the lead again five minutes later when Armando Gaitan slipped a 40-yard free kick narrowly over the crossbar, but it was Ventura County who would find the winner.

In the 87th minute Riley drove forward and sent a fantastic cross in to Chase Minter, who finished with a diving header. The Fusion nearly added another in stoppage time for insurance when Chirishian sent a free kick into the upper corner, forcing a brilliant save from Mitchell a minute into the added-on time.

Scoring Summary
HAS: Agustin Cazarez (Alberto Anguiano) 39
VC: Frankie Lopez (Ema Boateng) 45
HAS: Gustavo Villalobos 65
VC: Patrick Otte (pen) 77
VC: Chase Minter (Dylan Riley) 87
Discipline
HAS: Joel Contreras (yellow) 33
VC: Kip Colvey (yellow) 63
Lineups
VC: Sam Hayden; Kip Colvey, Connor Drechsler, Peter Schmetz, Dylan Riley; Patrick Otte, Hagop Chirishian, Manny Guzman (Steve Palacios 55); Ema Boateng (Artur Aghasyan 65), Chase Minter, Frankie Lopez
HAS: Trey Mitchell; Ruben Rodriguez, Sebastian Rivas, Kleber Ortiz (Ericson Penate 88), Joel Contreras; Agustin Cazarez, Alberto Rosas, Armando Gaitan (Milan Radovic 45); Gustavo Villalobos, Alberto Anguiano, Manuel Cazares (Liviu Leu 77)

FC Hasental Highlights

Cazarez Goal

Villalobos Goal

Mitchell PK Save

#USOC100

2013 US Open Cup First Round: Ocala Stampede earn first tournament win, 4-2 over Red Force

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It was a night of firsts for the Ocala Stampede of the PDL—the most important being the club’s first US Open Cup victory in the 100th incarnation of the storied tournament.

The Stampede were making their first Open Cup appearance, qualifying by winning the PDL’s Southeast Division last year. Their opponents were Red Force, the only USASA squad from Florida to enter the tournament this year. Playing at Red Force’s home field at Florida International University Stadium, the Stampede were able to pull out a 4-2 victory.

Jack Bailey scored Ocala’s first-ever Open Cup goal in the 8th minute. Controlling play early, Ocala’s Sam Duininck found Bailey with a cross, which the forward was able to convert into an early goal.

The home side would soon respond, however. In the 21st minute, Heber Hernandez took a free kick that was deflected into the Ocala net, evening the game at one apiece.

The game remained tied through the rest of the first half, but that changed early in the second. The Stampede’s Kenny Hogg was fouled in the Red Force penalty area almost immediately after the whistle to start the half. Hogg stepped up to take the penalty himself, converting in the 46th minute to give Ocala a 2-1 lead.

Red Force, which competes in the SSM Premier League, rallied a second time in front of its home fans. Hernandez was at the forefront again, hitting a rocket of a volley from twenty yards out that Stampede keeper Alex Bolowich could not save. The score was now knotted at 2-2, with momentum seemingly in Red Force’s favor. An Ocala substitution would change all of that, however.

Ocala brought in midfielder Christian Blandon in the 60th minute, and he immediately made his mark. Less than two minutes after entering the game, Blandon found Hogg, who laid the ball off to Bailey. The Ocala forward became the first Stampede player to earn a brace in Open Cup play when he calmly slid the ball past the Red Force goalie and into the net.

After a span of physical play, Hogg put the game away with his second goal of the game. Red Force did not have any more comebacks left in them, and Ocala came away with its first US Open Cup victory.

With the win, Ocala earned the right to host its first Open Cup home game. The Stampede will take on Orlando City SC of USL Pro in Round Two. Next Tuesday, they will be hoping for one more first—an upset victory over a professional side.

2013 US Open Cup First Round: Ocean City Nor’easters storm the Red Bulls U23s, 2-0

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The first round of the 2013 U.S. Open Cup kicked off last night in Ocean City, New Jersey with the Ocean City Nor’easters playing host to the Red Bulls New York U23 squad. After a game of many chances, The Nor’easters were victorious with a 2-0 win and will face the Pittsburgh Riverhounds whom defeated RWB Adria on penalty kicks 1-1 (5-4).

Ocean City became tied in second with the Des Moines Menace in terms of wins by a PDL team in the Open Cup. For the Red Bulls U23s, this was their debut in the cup after qualifying with an 11-3-0 record in the NPSL last season.

The RBNY U-23s were first to attempt a shot on goal, but the Nor’easter defense quickly quelled the attack. Ocean City responded immediately, and had the best chance in the 6th minute. Forward Markhau Lacroix muscled himself behind the Red Bulls’ defense and slotted a shot just wide of the far post, for the best chance within the first ten minutes of the match.

Ocean City continued to apply pressure on the Red Bulls and it finally paid off in the 15th minute. A goal kick taken by Nor’easters’ keeper Keasel Broome fell to Markhaus Lacroix who broke free from the Red Bulls’ defense. Lacroix made sure not to miss this attempt and put it right past RBNY keeper Max Brown to put Ocean City up 1-0.

The first half belonged to the Nor’easters, as the RBNY U23s struggled to break into their offensive third. The Ocean City defense had no problem repelling any and all attacks that the U23s could muster. Ocean City however, had no problems getting through the RBNY defense. Lacroix had a field day on the wing, finding himself often alone on the wing, with opportunities to cross it into the RBNY box.

The Red Bulls did manage to threaten the Nor’easters keeper when a shot low shot from RBNY forward Brandon Allen forced Nor’easters to get down low to keep it 1-0 Ocean City at the half.

The second half started as the first ended, with Ocean City pressing hard, hoping to increase their lead. The Red Bulls did their best to absorb the pressure and were handling it relatively well for the most part. Just like the first half, the Red Bulls had difficulties getting into the Ocean City defensive area. The Nor’easters found themselves on the counterattack often, but each attack broke down near the Red Bulls box.

Ocean City finally got the second goal they were looking for around the 60th minute. Nor’easters forward Frank Tweneboa managed to put a low cross into the box where it was met by midfielder Nick Perea who put it past substitute RBNY keeper Joe Ohaus. That made it 2-0 Ocean City with a half hour left to play. The Nor’easter defense tightened up after the second goal, making opportunities for the U23s very rare.

The Nor’easters continued keeping pressure on the RBNY defense, but couldn’t find the third breakthrough. All the while, RBNY absorbed the pressure, occasionally getting the ball out to the midfield where they continued to struggle. Still down 2-0, the U23s pushed on, hoping to pull one back. They had an appeal for a handball, but the ref waved it off and that would be the end of the match.

With the win, Ocean City moves up to seven wins in US Open Cup play and will host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of USL Pro at Carey Stadium in Ocean City, New Jersey on May 21st, 7:30 kickoff.

The Red Bulls U23 coach Simon Nee was disappointed with the result, after such a good season last year in the NPSL.

“We knew it was going to be a competitive game tonight, you know both teams struggled to find rhythm in the first half of the game. It was a battle, it was scrappy. They got behind us, I thought we defended too high on the first goal and we got caught. It was a good goal, a good finish. The second half, we tried to play our game a little bit more. It was a bobbly field, we knew mistakes would happen, but, we could live with that. As long as we tried to play our philosophy, which is to pass and move and keep the game simple, and in spells we did a much better job at that.”

2013 US Open Cup First Round: Lone goal in lone game gives Des Moines Menace win over Madison 56ers

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Jimmy Tulloch of the Des Moines Menace scores the game-winning goal against the Madison 56ers in the First Round of the 2013 US Open Cup in West Des Moines, IA. Photo: Pat Ward | Des Moines Menace

As the lone holdover from the scheduled night of the First Round, the Des Moines Menace and Madison 56ers had all the attention Wednesday evening. Set-up for a battle, the game did not disappoint and became the only first-round match with a 1-0 finish.

Earning the program’s first home-win in the 100-year old tournament since 2006, the Des Moines Menace (1-0-1), will move on to face Minnesota United FC (2-2-1 NASL) of the North American Soccer League in the Second Round next week. Opening its 2013 home-stand with a win, the Menace found the net just once out of its 10 shots on goal. One is all that was needed for first year head coach, Mike Jeffries squad.

“I’m happy and relieved,” commented Jeffries. “No matter what game it is, the first is always tough to get.”

Despite dominating the first half, taking five shots and earning eight corners, the score rested at 0-0. Coming out of the gates hot for the second 45, the Menace put it on the 56ers and didn’t stop until the final whistle was blown.

Just six minutes into the second stanza, Jimmy Tulloch notched his first goal in a Menace uniform; a header from the corner of the six-yard box that was just out of the reach of Madison goalkeeper Ryan Onwukwe’s hands.

“It feels great to score for this club,” said Tulloch. “Great victory. There is a lot of pride here and I’m happy to score.”

While the Menace look forward to competing against professional foes, the 56ers return to the NPSL with a chance to reclaim its title as the Midwest Region Champions. Holding a record of 17-6 in the 2012 season, the club remains a force to reckon with.

Preparing for the Second Round of the tournament, coach Jeffries is excited to get his team out there and compete without the pressure as the favorite.

“We go in to the next game a little bit of an underdog,” said Jeffries. “Most of the guys want to play professionally, this is the chance for them to showcase their abilities.”

Minnesota United FC has the host for the matchup on Tuesday, May 21.

2013 US Open Cup First Round: Laredo Heat shuts out PSA Elite to reach Round 2

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The Laredo Heat advanced to the second round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the second consecutive year, downing California amateur club PSA Elite 2-0 Tuesday night at Texas A&M International University. Laredo product Danny Garza and Brazilian forward Leo Madeiros, a rising senior at NAIA Texas-Brownsville, accounted for the Heat goals on either side of halftime.

The Heat, in their third Open Cup appearance, will travel to face the NASL’s Fort Lauderdale Strikers on Tuesday, May 21, in second-round action.

Like Laredo, PSA Elite reached the second round last year thanks to an opening-round win over the Portland Timbers U23s. A team made up mostly of former California college players, Tuesday’s squad included former U.S. U-17 international and current Akron standout Alfred Koroma at forward and American Samoa international Rawlston Masaniai alongside former Charleston Battery standout Darren Spicer in midfield.

Laredo was dangerous down the flanks in the early going, and forward Ljubomir Kocic, an indoor standout who played at Division II Incarnate Word in San Antonio, rang the crossbar with a shot in the 12th minute. The Heat came close to the opening goal again just three minutes later, but midfielder Hector Vallejo fired a shot high.

PSA’s best chances came mostly from set pieces, but Laredo goalkeeper Emmanuel Frias was rarely troubled, making just two saves for the game at the same field on which he played his college soccer. At the other end, former Cal State Fullerton goalkeeper Trevor Whiddon had his hands full, stopping a shot from Medeiros in the 30th minute.

Laredo’s breakthrough came shortly before halftime, when a corner kick fell to Garza at the top of the box, and his left-footed drive slipped through the hands of Whiddon for the opening goal, deflating PSA Elite’s halftime emotions.

The Heat put the game away early in the second half, as Cuban outside back Yosmel De Armas got forward to deliver a cross to the back post, where Medeiros fired a volley into the side netting to double Laredo’s lead. Whiddon had one more big save in him, stoning substitute Alejandro De la Garza in the 70th minute to finish with four stops, but Laredo breezed to the win.

The Heat are now 2-1 all-time against USASA teams in the Open Cup; Laredo beat ASC New Stars last year but fell in penalty kicks way back in 2006 at the beginning of Dallas Roma’s Cinderella run. Laredo will get its second crack at an NASL squad next week and will hope to improve on last year’s 2-0 loss at the hands of the San Antonio Scorpions.

PSA Elite 0:2 Laredo Heat
May 14, 2013 — Texas A&M-International University Soccer Complex, Laredo TX
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup — Round 1

Scoring Summary:
LAR — Danny Garza 1 (Leo Medeiros 1) 44
LAR — Leo Medeiros 1 (Yosmel De Armas 1) 47

PSA Elite — Trevor Whiddon, Joel Bagby (Mitch Boland 65), Everett Pitts, Ryan Lee, Marco Franco, Rawlston Masaniai, Darren Spicer (Brandon Mulhall 84), Enrique Cardenas, Omar Jessey (Jesse Escalante 59), Athony Hamilton, Alfred Koroma.
Substitutes Not Used: Brent Reis, Lee Nishanran, Ray Estrada.

Laredo Heat — Emmanuel Frias, Yair Hernandez, Felipe Souza, Carmilo Botero, Yosmel De Armas, Gregory Mulamba, Juan de Dios Ibarra (Omar Lopez 84), Hector Vallejo, Daniel Garza (Daniel Navarro 89), Ljubomir Kocic (Alejandro De la Garza 57), Leonardo Medeiro
Substitutes Not Used: Jesus Cisneros, Placide Buduri, Eusebio Garcia, Eduardo Gonzalez.

Misconduct Summary:
LAR — Felipe Souza (caution) 26
PSA — Ryan Lee (caution) 51
LAR — Hector Vallejo (caution) 74

Referee: Kyle Phillips
Referee’s Assistants: Chris Gordon; Midge Van Es
4th official: Benny Del Castillo
Attendance: 734

2013 US Open Cup First Round: David Geno of Sounders U23s makes history in route of Doxa Italia

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The Seattle Sounders Under-23 team did not waste time booking their place in the Second Round of the US Open Cup, scoring five goals in the first half to defeat Doxa Italia 5-1 in Sumner, Wash. The Sounders will travel to North Carolina to face the Charlotte Eagles of USL Pro in the next round on May 21.

Seattle’s Darwin Jones opened the scoring in the 13th minute before David Geno tallied four goals in a span of 26 minutes. Doxa’s Bryan Byrne added the consolation strike for the California amateur side in the second half.

The Sounders controlled the game early on, with Jones getting isolated repeatedly on the left wing. On one of those occasions, he beat his man, and finished to the far post past the keeper to give the Sounders a 1-0 lead.

Doxa’s Kyle Holland responded immediately after with a shot barely kept out by Sounders keeper Zac Lubin, and for a few minutes it looked like Doxa might be able to make a game of it.

But Geno stopped any momentum from building with his first goal in the 19th minute. The buildup began with an Aodhan Quinn cross to Mauricio DeLeon, whose initial shot shot was blocked by Doxa keeper Justin Commins. But Geno was on hand to smash home the rebound and double the score.

Seattle kept pressing, with several chances, including a DeLeon shot that fizzed across the face of the goal. Any doubts about the match were put to bed in the 36th minute when Geno scored again. Jones sent in a cross to the wide-open Geno at the far post, who had a simple tap-in finish.

Geno completed his hat trick three minutes later, when he audaciously flicked a DeLeon pass up and over the goalkeeper with the side of his foot and into the net. He added his fourth goal just before the end of the first half on a breakaway, which he slotted past the onrushing Commins.

With the game’s outcome no longer in doubt, the Sounders stepped off the gas pedal a bit in the second half, substituting Geno out and ceding more of the possession to Doxa Italia. The amateur side started to take advantage, creating more opportunities than they had in the first half.

With his four-goal performance, Geno became the first player on an amateur team to score four goals in a game in the Modern Professional Era (1995-present). Only 9 other players have scored four goals in a game since 1995, and none of them played for a team lower than Division II.

One of those ended in Byrne grabbing a goal to salvage some pride when he reacted quickly, ran onto a deflected free-kick and knocked it into the net in the 68th minute. He nearly pulled back a second goal 12 minutes later, when his header was barely kept out by a diving Lubin.

But in the end, it was a comfortable 5-1 victory for the Sounders U-23 side, moving them on to the next round of competition. They will have just seven days to regroup before flying across the country to face Charlotte, a team that made a surprise run to the Quarterfinals last year.

Scoring Summary:
SEA – Darwin Jones 13′
SEA – David Geno 19′
SEA – David Geno (Darwin Jones) 36′
SEA – David Geno (Mauricio DeLeon) 38′
SEA – David Geno 45′
DOX – Bryan Byrne 68′

Sounders FC U-23 – Zac Lubin, Michael Uyehara, Mark Lee, Chris Brundage, Lucas Baldwin, David Geno (Ian Lange 45), Aodhan Quinn (Michael Gallagher 59), Darwin Jones (Michael Harris 73), Mauricio DeLeon, Steve Mohn, Adam West.

Substitutes Not Used: Ben Dragavon, Abdul Aman, Michael David, Miles Byass.

TOTAL SHOTS: 16; FOULS: 12; OFFSIDE: 3; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 4.

Doxa Italia – Justin Commins, Justin Valashinas, Ryan Purtell, Joe Cartlidge, Nissa Hatifie (Eddie Pinto 45), Devin Toohey, Steve Chirgwin (Sean Lockhart 64), Greg Piechota, Kyle Holland, Bryan Byrne, Ryan Taylor (Ilia Nazarov 64).

Substitutes Not Used: Devin Shrade, Ricky Figuerod, Richie Million, Matt Urton.

TOTAL SHOTS: 5; FOULS: 5; OFFSIDE: 0; CORNER KICKS: 0; SAVES: 4.

Misconduct Summary:
Sounders FC U-23: Michael Uyehara (caution) 71′
Doxa Italia: Sean Lockhart (caution) 72′
Doxa Italia: Joe Carlidge (caution) 89′

Referee: Katja Koroleva
Referee’s Assistants: Baboucarr Jallow, Ray Moffit Jr.
4th Official: Timon Berry

Attendance: 473
Time of Game: 7:00 p.m. PST
All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial

2013 US Open Cup First Round: Austin Aztex blanks NTX Rayados despite playing down a man

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The 100th edition of the US Open Cup had its first round on Tuesday and Austin Aztex won their first US Open Cup game since the squad’s rebirth thanks to a 3-0 win against amateurs NTX Rayados despite playing with 10 men for a majority of the contest.

Andres Cuero scored in the first half and Tony Rocha added one in the second half for the Aztex while the team benefitted from a Rayados own goal in the first half.

Austin will play the Wilmington Hammerheads in the second round on May 21 at House Park in Austin.

It was all Austin in the early going but the USL PDL team that opened its season on Saturday could not find a final touch to put the ball in right away.

In the third minute Austin’s Kris Tyrpak got the ball on the right of the box and hit a powerful shot in space that came back off the crossbar allowing North Texas to clear safely.

North Texas had a chance in the 10th minute as Victor Pinal broke free but timed his run poorly as he was flagged off for an offside.

Austin took the lead in the 14th minute after a shot from Chuy Cortez was saved but the Rayados failed to clear, which allowed Cuero to sneak the ball in. North Texas’ Raul Herrera made the save after it crossed the line.

Cortez nearly had a goal of his own as the roles were reversed with Cuero on the edge of the box volleying across for Cortez before shooting over the bar.

Later, Austin’s Aaron Guillen was shown a straight red card for contact with Herrera, who rolled around theatrically. To the referee’s credit Herrera was also shown a yellow for simulation.

The Aztex replaced Cortez with Walker Hume to cover Guillen’s position at the center defense in an effort to keep their passage into the second round safe.

Austin doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute as Tyrpak’s shot was redirected by Clifford Spencer into the back of his own net.

The second half started nervously with neither side really taking charge in what was an end-to-end period that produced little in a final product.

Austin had the first chance of the second half after a fluid series of passes allowed Tyrpak space in the box but he went wide of the post with his shot.

After the opening ten minutes of the half, North Texas saw plenty of the ball, but the closest it got was a solid shot from Alberto Rodriguez that could only find Austin keeper Josh Mikolewicz’s hands.

Austin looked content with a two-goal lead and a man disadvantage as they held off the Rayados and operated on the counter.

In the 72nd minute, Cuero ran at goal from the right and had a powerful low shot blocked away by Herrera over the crossbar.

Austin had a corner that almost went in off the foot of Rocha, but the ball was pushed out before the same happened again on the resulting corner. North Texas was able to recover in the scramble and clear the ball.

North Texas had a good chance in the 77th minute as Reese Wilson got through and saw his initial effort saved before the rebound was cleared by Zach Pope.

Austin added a third in the 85th minute as Rocha’s footwork bamboozled the Rayados defense before squeezing it through Herrera.

Herrera came to the rescue in stoppage time to prevent a fourth as Max Gunderson made a superb run and crossed for Jacob Powell but quick work from the keeper allowed him to make the stop.

2013 US Open Cup First Round: Georgia Revolution holds off Real Colorado Foxes rally, escapes with 4-3 win

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It was a game of two halves as the Georgia Revolution held off a thrilling comeback from the Real Colorado Foxes and advanced to the next round of the US Open Cup with a 4-3 win. The Revolution will host the Atlanta Silverbacks for the 2nd year in a row in the 100th edition of the tournament.

The Revolution held a 3-0 lead at halftime following a standout performance from Ghanian forward Kwadwo Poku with two goals an an assist.

His first goal came in the 15th minute with a strike in the top right corner and it was assisted by Rene Enang.

In the 40th minute, Poku assisted an Emeka Maduka goal slotted in the bottom right corner.

Minutes later, Poku put the Revs up 3-0 in the 43rd minute on an unassisted goal where he stole the ball from the Foxes back line and slotted through on a breakaway.

In the second half, the Revs were on the scoreboard first and it was yet another unassisted Poku goal. The hat trick was complete as he put the Revs up 4-0 in the 56th minute and they looked set to cruise.

The Foxes would have other plans, and Alex Tarnoczi made the score 4-1 in the 63rd minute on a shot that was deflected in.

One minute later, the game was on with yet another Colorado goal, this time scored by Chris Salvaggione assisted by Aaron Skipworth and that cut the lead to two.

The comeback continued with another Foxes goal, this time Skipworth converted on a headed cross from Luigi Clendening in the 79th minute. Now the score was 4-3 and the Foxes had 11 minutes plus 3 minutes of injury time to equalize.

The neutral fan would have loved some extra time, but the final whistle ended the match with the Revolution edging out the Foxes, 4-3.

The player of the match was undoubtedly Poku, who contributed to all four goals. For the Foxes, the substitute combination of Skipworth and Clendening in the 56th minute changed the match as they combined for a goal and two assists.

Stats:

Revs- Foxes

Shots: 11-8
Corners: 5-0
Saves: 2-3
Fouls: 5-5
Offsides: 3-3

2013 US Open Cup First Round: Dayton Dutch Lions open tournament with 3-0 win over River City Rovers

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On a night when the most of the four USL Pro clubs struggled against amateur opposition (1-1-2 with two advancing in penalties), the Dayton Dutch Lions were the only club to earn an outright victory, downing River City Rovers of the PDL Great Lakes Division 3-0 on goals from three different players.

It did not take long for the USL Pro side to take the lead, finding the opener just eight minutes into the contest when the ball popped up at the top of the penalty area. Irakli Khutsidze leaped into the air to meet the ball with a shoulder high volley that he drove past the visiting keeper from 17 yards.

In the 27th minute, Eric Kissinger doubled the advantage when he picked up a loose ball and ripped a shot from the edge of the box just a couple yards away from where the first goals came from, firing it inside the post from 18 yards.

The game nearly turned into a rout in the first half, but River City goalkeeper Taylor Hafling made several quality saves to keep the gap at two goals going into the break.

Hoping to rally, the Rovers came out looking to attack at full steam. It backfired, however, as the offensive pressure allowed Dayton to fly down the field on a quick counter three minutes into the period, with Charles Hertsenberger working with scorer Tjeerd Westdijk in the final third to lock the game up as things went quietly the rest of the way.

The Dutch Lions, who are 3-2-0 in league play, will host the USASA’s Dearborn Stars in Round 2 on May 21. The winner will take on a club from Major League Soccer in the Third Round on May 28. Last year, Dayton was one of the surprise teams of the tournament, upsetting the Columbus Crew and reaching the Quarterfinals despite finishing in the bottom half of the league table.

Scoring Summary

DAY: Irakli Khutsidze – 8th min.
DAY: Eric Kissinger – 27th min.
DAY: Tjeerd Westdijk (Charles Hertsenberger) – 48th min.

Rovers starting line-up: Taylor Hafling; Peter May, Aljosa Stankovic, Luis Ramirez, Robertson Tarver; Lindokuhle Mfeka, Callum Tychowski, Dean Abdehov, Pierce Kiembi, Richard Ballard, Lwandiso Gonya

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