Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2013 Second Round

2013 US Open Cup Second Round: Richmond pull away from Icon FC to set up another rematch with DC United

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Michael Callahan of the Richmond Kickers dribbles through the Icon FC defense. Photo: Suz Kitsteiner | Richmond Kickers

Despite some early setbacks, the USL Pro’s Richmond Kickers sent Icon FC of the USASA home packing, 4-1 Tuesday night. Icon FC, anchored by former US international Danny Szetela, didn’t go without a fight, however, tallying an early goal and holding tough until late in a rough, chippy affair.

It took just nine minutes for the first goal to be scored in this contest, as Icon FC’s Argjent Duka got on the end of defender Kevin Garcia’s through ball in the Richmond box and slotted a goal past Kickers keeper Andrew Dykstra. The celebrations didn’t last long as Richmond’s Stanley Nyazamba scored just seconds later off of a Joseph Ngwenya assist. Both of those players would be involved further as the game progressed. Ngwenya converted a penalty 14 minutes later after a Richmond player was dragged down in the box. The MLS veteran calmly placed his shot in the lower-right corner of the goal after catching Icon’s keeper, Chris Duggan, out of position with a stutter-step. Icon then turned on the pressure, forcing Dykstra into making two saves in a four-minute span right before halftime. Despite their efforts, Icon went into the half down 2-1.

Coming out of halftime, the Kickers started peppering the Icon goal. Richmond forward Nate Robinson narrowly missed the open goal in the 52nd minute and Ngwenya put a scissor-kick just high in the 55th. There was some controversy in the 58th minute, as two Icon players seemed to handle the ball inside of the box. Center referee Mark Gorak saw it differently and allowed play to go on. Richmond responded with two shots in rapid succession, both well saved by Dugan.

Three minutes later, Dugan couldn’t keep his string of great saves going when Kickers midfielder Mike Callahan collected a ball from Ngwenya on the right wing and attempted to cross it in. The cross skipped off the shin of Icon defender Teddy Niziolek and nestled neatly under the crossbar to give Richmond a 3-1 lead. The official scorer credited the goal to Callahan, his first in the tournament this year.

In the 68th minute, Icon FC won a free kick on the corner of the Richmond area and was looking to punch a second goal in directly. The shot was easily collected by Dykstra for his fourth save, and the Kickers played on. Gorak, the referee, started to put his mark on the game from this point, clamping down on fouls and dealing two Icon yellows in a ten-minute span. The discipline wasn’t the only action left, however, as Richmond forward Stanley Nyazamba got on the end of a ball from Nate Robinson in the 85th and put it past Dugan to propel the Kickers to a 4-1 win.

The Richmond Kickers move on to host MLS side D.C. United on May 28th at City Stadium. This will mark the second year in a row, and the sixth time overall, that the two teams have faced each other in Open Cup play with United winning the last five of the six meetings.

#USOC100

2013 US Open Cup Second Round: Atlanta Silverbacks top Georgia Revolution again in rematch

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On a gorgeous Tuesday night in Conyers, Georgia, the Georgia Revolution hosted the Atlanta Silverbacks in the Second Round U.S. Open Cup matchup.  Dubbed the “Battle for Atlanta,” the Atlanta Silverbacks advanced to the Third Round of the US Open Cup with a 3-2 win in a game of many chances and drama.

The contest was a rematch from the Second Round a year ago in which the Silverbacks also prevailed by a single goal, moving on with a 1-0 road victory courtesy of Raphael Cox strike in the 61st minute.

The visiting Silverbacks couldn’t have started Tuesday’s “Battle For Atlanta” any better, going up 1-0 in the fourth minute. After a poor headed clearance by Revolution defender Michael Nwiloh, Silverbacks forward Ruben Luna capitalized with a strong volley into the corner of the net from 20 yards out.

The Revolution came back and equalized in the 16th minute with a quick counter attack when forward Kwadwo Poku, who tallied a hat-trick last week, played Iain Smith through on goal.  The midfielder converted beautifully, sneaking a shot inside the near post to tie the game at 1-1.

The Silverbacks had a disallowed goal in the 29th minute when a tap-in from Silverbacks midfielder Horace James was called back for offside. Minutes later, the Silverbacks would have another chance to retake the lead when Mike Randolph was pulled down in the penalty area, earning a kick from the spot.

Ruben Luna was chosen to take the penalty and he blasted it into the right corner to make it 2-1 in the 31st minute.

The Revolution came out for the second half with a renewed focus on the attack in an attempt to find the tying goal, but the Silverbacks doubled their advantage.  Pablo Cruz connected on a pass from midfielder Milton Blanco from over 20 yards out to make it 3-1 in the 57th minute.

In the 61st drama unfolded when the Silverbacks bench was warned for dissent.  A few seconds later, a Silverbacks assistant coach was ejected from the game.

After play continued, the Revolution would immediately strike a surprising goal as midfielder Rene Enang converted on a low shot through traffic.  With about 30 minutes left, the Revolution were looking to equalize while the Silverbacks were doing everything to deny scoring chances.

The best chance to equalize came in stoppage time when Revolution substitute midfielder Ibrahima Sissoko saw a ball fall to his feet at the top of the box, but he blasted the wide open shot over the bar from 12 yards out.

The Silverbacks will face a tougher challenge next week as they will travel to play Real Salt Lake, who are sitting near the top of the Major League Soccer table.  Last year, the Silverbacks were embarrassed by the Seattle Sounders in the Third Round, 5-1, and will be looking to show some improvement on that result.

SILVERBACKS LINEUP: GK Nasco, D Bloom, D Navarro, D Reiss, D Randolph, M Menjivar, M Blanco, M Barrera, M James (Willis 67’), M Cruz (Uribe 80’), F Luna (Gulley 61’)

REVOLUTION LINEUP: GK Kramer, D Davis (Redding 85’), D Nicholson, D Nwiloh, D Papanikolopoulos, M DeBoer (Landberg 61’), M Enang, M Smith (Sissoko 74’), F Poku, F Sumpter, F Maduka

2013 US Open Cup Second Round: RailHawks down Dynamo 3-1 in Carolina Clash

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Though the visiting Carolina Dynamo of the PDL made things difficult and tense at times, the NASL Carolina RailHawks came away with a 3-1 victory Tuesday night, securing a Wednesday, May 29 home date with the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup.

Last year, the Carolina RailHawks entered play in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup riding a nine-game winless skid to open the NASL season. Moreover, the RailHawks knew that a loss to PSA Elite, their second round Open Cup opponent, meant squandering the lucrative opportunity to host the defending MLS champion L.A. Galaxy the next week. Carolina’s 6-0 onslaught over PSA Elite got the RailHawks off the schneid and set the stage for an improbable win over the Galaxy.

Tuesday night at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, a different RailHawks squad took the field, one atop the NASL standings and winners of all three of its home league matches. Yet, the Open Cup mission remained the same: defeat your lower division opponent and next week you get the chance to again host the reigning MLS Cup champion Galaxy. While the execution this year wasn’t nearly as overwhelming, the outcome was the same.

Three days after suffering their first league loss of the season in Atlanta, the somewhat leg-weary RailHawks sported a lineup of mostly regulars, particularly in the attacking third. However, a few new faces graced the starting 11, including goalkeeper Tim Murray and Scottish center back Kevin Rutkiewicz. Brian Ackley got the start over Zack Schilawski (more on that a bit later). Costa Rican signee César Elizondo made his RailHawks debut late in the match, and defender Eddie Ababio played 27 minutes off the bench.

From the outset it was obvious which was the stronger side as the RailHawks dominated possession for the vast majority of the opening stanza against a deep-lying Dynamo defense. But although the RailHawks outshot the Dynamo 9-3 in the first half, the home side proved frustratingly unable to finish their chances.

That compact defensive approach was part of the strategy for the Dynamo, a team largely comprised of offseason college players who only trained a handful of times prior to tonight’s match and just completed college exams. Nevertheless, it was also a team that defeated Chattanooga FC in an U.S. Open Cup shootout thriller a week ago.

“We wanted to come here and compete,” said Dynamo manager Marc Nicholls. “We wanted to make it a tough game. And we knew that we wouldn’t have the legs to necessarily press them as much as we like because we knew we couldn’t sustain that.”

The RailHawks got on the board in the 26th minute when Ty Shipalane jumped onto a loose ball roughly 25 yards out and uncorked a rocket that ricocheted off a Dynamo defender on its course and into the netting.

“Floyd was right in front of me, and I just jumped in front of Floyd just to be greedy a little bit,” an impish Shipalane said. “I saw the defender coming, then I saw that the goalkeeper was out of position. Lucky enough there was deflection, so credit to me for shooting it.”

Indeed, Shipalane’s self-congratulation was merited, as the RailHawks continued the oddest of team imperfections: a propensity to overpass and undershoot. One particular sequence is emblematic of the evening. In the 56th minute, Brian Shriver raced past the defense and directly toward the keeper. Yet, he forewent an open shot to lay the ball over to an open Austin da Luz. Da Luz then chose to forgo his own open shot and instead lay the ball off to Ackley atop the six-yard box. Ackley then deposited his sitter over the goal and into the pine tree forest behind the grandstands.

“I was disappointed in how we didn’t score more goals,” said RailHawks manager Colin Clarke. “We looked like we were trying to be Arsenal out there and walk it into the net. We’ve got to be a bit more ruthless and want to score goals and want to stick it in the back of the net.”

That lack of finishing bit the RailHawks in the 39th minute. N.C. State rising senior Alex Martinez – brother of RSL loanee Enzo Martinez – received the ball along the end line off a throw-in. Erroneously assuming the ball had crossed the line, defender Kupono Low backed off Martinez, permitting the midfielder to drive toward goal and unleash a short-range shot that ricocheted off a RailHawk and into the net for an own goal equalizer.

After more knocking at the door went unanswered , the RailHawks finally went ahead to stay in the 53rd minute. A long-range free kick from da Luz deflected off the head of Austen King and past goalkeeper Peyton Ford for a 2-1 lead.

The RailHawks failed to put the Dynamo totally away, thanks to missed chances by da Luz and particularly Ackley, who was gifted four shots in 74 minutes but only managed to put one on frame. A minute after Zack Schilawski came on for Ackley, the move paid off. Shipalane poked a through ball in the box ahead to Schilawski, who calmly one-touched it past Ford for the 3-1 advantage.

Nevertheless, the Dynamo didn’t go down without flashing the fight they exhibited in coming back from a 3-1 second half deficit against Chattanooga FC last week. In the 81st minute, Arthur Rex got behind the RailHawks defenders and poked a ball past Murray but right of goal. And in the 89th, Hakan Ilhan, the hat trick hero of last week’s win, found space for a short-range shot that bounded off the left woodwork.

“We knew it was going to be a difficult night,” Clarke said. “ came in, they worked hard, they defended very well. We didn’t get a goal as early as we liked, and then you start to wonder and worry.”

The match was the first-ever meeting between the RailHawks and Dynamo, a member of the USL PDL. And while the final score does not betray any RailHawks dominance, several game statistics do. For the match, the RailHawks outshot the Dynamo 19-6 (9-1 on-target) and earned six corner kicks to only one for the visitors that didn’t come until the 89th minute.

“The best team won,” Nicholls said. “I was very impressed with them. I thought they were terrific. I was pleased with our team, I thought we hung in there for the longest time.”

With no league game this weekend, the RailHawks’ full attention now turns to their rematch with the Galaxy next Wednesday. In preparation for the possibility, Clarke traveled to New York last weekend to scout the Galaxy during their MLS match against the Red Bulls.

Last week, Galaxy manager Bruce Arena groused about his team being “shuffled off” to North Carolina for their third round Open Cup match, despite the fact that the Galaxy were already traveling east for a weekend match against the New England Revolution. Though Arena’s complaint about cross-country travel for midweek cup matches sandwiched between weekend MLS matches may merit examination, it was the tenor of Arena’s remarks, in concert with his typical practice of fielding reservists for Open Cup play, that has rubbed some the wrong way.

It was also the tenor that Clarke indirectly referenced after Tuesday’s match.

“The pressure’s on ,” Clarke declared. “They got beat last year, and they were out of the Open Cup. I’m not sure what they’re going to do and how they’re going to view it – if they really value the tournament and want to win it. But it doesn’t matter who’s on the field. We know they’re going to be good, and we’ve got to be good.”

Last year, the Galaxy’s visit was a financial windfall for the club and a galvanizing event for the greater Triangle soccer community. It accelerated construction of WakeMed Stadium’s North Stands, and the three-game ticket bundle sold for the match paid dividends through even the final regular season home match of the season, which set a club attendance record for a home league game.

This year, there’s as little chance of Landon Donovan or Robbie Keane taking the field at WakeMed Park as there was David Beckham a year ago. However, it’s not every year that the defending MLS champion comes to town… well, maybe it is.

“I just think it’s a great occasion for us, for our supporters to come out and watch what has been the best team in the United States for the last four or five years.”

2013 US Open Cup Second Round: Fort Lauderdale survives scare from 10-man Laredo, advance via penalties

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It wasn’t as easy as they had hoped, but the second-tier NASL Fort Lauderdale Strikers advanced 7-6 in penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw against amateur PDL Laredo Heat in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match at Lockhart Stadium on Tuesday.

“That’s what the US Open Cup is all about,” said Strikers’ coach Daryl Shore. “You put everything on the line when you play these games.”

With the decision, Fort Lauderdale will host MLS Western Conference leading FC Dallas at Lockhart Stadium on Tuesday, May 28, in the Third Round of the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

After a first half of soccer that was about as uneventful as watching grass grow, Mark Anderson finally broke the nil-nil scoreline in the 54th minute when Darnell King raced down the middle, passing through the Heat’s defense and delivering a great ball to Anderson who had no trouble putting it in the net.

In the 66th minute, Laredo’s Daniel Galvan Barbosa was given a red card after he shoved Darnell King to the ground after King broke free from the defense.

Despite playing a man down in the last 24 minutes of regulation, Laredo still managed a goal from defender Camilo Bolero in the 83rd minute, tying the score at 1-1.

“When we went up a man I think we took the foot off the gas a little,” said keeper Matt Glaeser. “Bolero’s ball took a deflection and I went the wrong way, I could have done better.”

“Matt’s our goalkeeper,” assured Shore. “He’s been here a long time, he was just on a bad run lately but he came up huge for us in the end.”

After a deadlock score through 120 minutes of play, it took penalties to declare the winner.

Shot after shot, neither team missed a penalty try until Genaro Hernandez had his shot stopped by Matt Glaeser in the seventh round. Stephane Guillaume stepped up for the Strikers with a chance to win, but his shot was saved by Emmanuel Frias.

Then Gregory Mulamba’s attempt for Laredo was saved by Glaeser, his second consecutive save. Finally, Toni Stahl took his chance, and with a short run up, struck the ball low and to the left to win the shootout for the Strikers in the eighth round of the tiebreaker, sending them on to face FC Dallas.

“I expect them to bring their full team,” said coach Shore. “It’s a chance for our guys to face an MLS team and see what we are really about.”

“We’re going to have to come out and play a lot better than we did tonight if we want to beat FC Dallas,” said Glaeser. “But I do think we are capable of beating anyone.”

2013 US Open Cup Second Round: FC Tucson ousts another pro club with PK win at San Antonio

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A week after a stunning rally at home to knock off a third division USL Pro club, FC Tucson proved it was no fluke in the Second Round by taking the lead on the road against the second-tier NASL San Antonio Scorpions in a 2-2 draw and advancing via penalties by a 4-3 tiebreaker decision. The result means FC Tucson a return trip to the Lone Star State next week to face the reigning two-time MLS Cup runners-up Houston Dynamo.

FC Tucson coach, Rick Schantz, was delighted after the match. “It was kind of a gut-wrenching game to go up 2-1. I thought the boys were playing really well but we just couldn’t hold on.”

Scorpions coach Tim Hankinson was frustrated after the match. “Our lack of intensity throughout the game and lack of effectiveness was just inexcusable. Our players should be ashamed of the performance they put in.”

The two sides exchanged chances in the first half hour before the hosts found the opening tally. In the 20th minute, San Antonio’s Javier Saavedra came close to scoring the match’s first goal but his curling right-footed free kick sailed just wide of the post. A free kick allowed FC Tucson a chance of their own as David Clemens was left free on the far post, but his header went across the face and out.

A corner on the half-hour mark allowed the Scorpions to take the lead as Ramirez’s corner found Kevin Harmse at the near post where he headed the ball home powerfully for the opening goal.

“You try and get in the box.” said Harmse. “That’s what you earn your paycheck for. Just try and link up with the guys and create something.”

In truth, the Scorpions could have and maybe should have been further ahead but too often poor communication led to a final ball going astray and the Scorpions had to settle for a 1-0 lead at the break.

Esteban Bayona had a good opportunity in the 52nd minute after he was sent clean through the Tucson defense, but he overran the ball and couldn’t recover enough to shoot on target, opening the door for the visitors.

FC Tucson stunned the hosts in the 57th minute as they leveled the match when Ricardo Velasco hit a shot from distance that curled and snuck in between Vuolo and the post

The Scorpions responded almost instantly though as they countered up the pitch and sent a ball to Bayona, whose powerful shot was well saved.

David Clemens thought he’d put the PDL team in front in the 65th minute but the Scorpions were spared by the offside defense.

Two minutes later, however, FC Tucson did claim the lead in the 67th minute as Conner Brandt used his strength to get possession and passed to last week’s two-goal hero Conner Bevans. The striker, off coming off the bench to provide heroics struck again with a cross that was easily tapped home by Saeed Robinson.

“We should never get out-muscled,” said coach Hankinson, “We physically weren’t good enough, offensively weren’t good enough and defensively weren’t good enough.”

“We were very surprised that when w e ran at them and got behind their midfield four and ran at their back four, they kind of retreated as a group and let us come at them.” said Schantz.

The Scorpions had a chance in the 81st minute as Bayona broke free only to send his shot across the face of goal, and the hosts continued to press in the final 10 minutes, believing they captured the lead in the 83rd minute only to have Hans Denissen’s goal denied for timing his run poorly and being offside.

It should have been three for Tucson in the 87th when Daktoa Collins set up Ricardo Velasco in space but he shot well over the bar.

A lifeline was quite literally handed to the Scorpions in stoppage time as a handling penalty allowed Hans Denissen a chance from the spot, and he put his team back on level terms to send the match to extra-time.

In overtime the hosts had several opportunities to find a winner, but came up empty. Luka Vucko came close to scoring in the 94th minute from a long free-kick as he was left free to head at goal but sent his effort over the bar. In the 97th minute, Denissen was left free on the left and crossed for a wide open Bayona, who again couldn’t hit the target as he headed wide. One minute later Jordan held off his defender and got in to the box but saw his shot denied by a great Dallas Jaye save. The chances kept coming and in the 100th minute Bayona was again left free on a corner but his effort was right at the keeper, keeping it 2-2 after the first half of extra-time.

The second half of extra-time was a much more sedate affair but was nearly brought alive by Galbraith-Knapp whose shot from distance scraped the crossbar just missing the goal. San Antonio should have sealed it in the 115th minute as Vucko crossed for Jordan at point blank range but his header went wide.

After converted shots in the first round, the Scorpions stung themselves when Pat Phelan skied his effort on a stuttered approach to start the second round, leaving them behind a goal. Both sides scored in the third and fourth rounds but Kevin Harmse also put his shot over the bar for San Antonio in the fifth, sending FC Tucson through to the Third Round.

“We’re very disappointed,” lamented Harmse after the match, “Me personally and Pat personally, we’re two experienced leaders and we let the guys down in a big way.”

With the loss, the Scorpions lose their chance to host Houston Dynamo; something bitterly frustrating for Hankinson. “It’s also about the business of football. We also lost hosting Houston Dynamo and a packed stadium, which is an enormous piece of revenue for the club and we blew it.”

2013 US Open Cup Second Round: Famed coach Ercoli leads Rochester Rhinos past GPS Portland 1-0 in first game back

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Brendan Doherty & Rob Elder contributed to this report

After a terrible start to the season due to a torturous road schedule and a plague of injuries, the one thing the Rochester Rhinos can almost always count on for sunshine is the US Open Cup. Though it was not easy, the club posted its first win under returning, but interim, coach Pat Ercoli Tuesday night by defeating GPS Portland Phoenix of the PDL 1-0, advancing to play host to the New England Revolution, who also happen to be their MLS affiliate, in the Third Round.

Ironically enough, the deciding goal for Rochester on the night came from one of their loaned players from the Revolution, Bilal Duckett. The right back got his head on the ball at the far post in the 65th minute to redirect a corner from Danny Earls past the keeper for the win.

The victory is only the second on the year for the Rhinos, who played six of their first eight on the road and had lost both home contests, including Saturday’s late 1-0 decision to league leading Orlando City side that played over an entire half a man down, prompting the dismissal of head coach Jesse Myers the following day.

The change resulted in Ercoli returning to the sidelines for the first time since 2004, though he has been serving as COO. The USL Hall of Famer won 16 trophies as the head coach of the Rhinos reached the Final on seven occasions in major competitions, including a runners-up finish in 1996 and the famous 1999 championship campaign in the US Open Cup.

The opening sequences were fairly wide open as both teams enjoyed promising chances even though Lance Rozeboom and Tyler Rosenlund combined well to control midfield. Portland found a break on the counter attack that resulted in a couple of corners in the 10 minutes, but both were cleared by the Rhinos without much worry.

Ross LaBaeux was fouled in the 14th minute which allowed Danny Earls to play a ball in to Blake Brettschneider at the far post. He headed it back across the front of goal to Tam McManus who had the first real chance for the Rhinos with his first timed volley smacked off the crossbar. Reidy was active again for the Rhinos down the right flank and trying to cut inside to find a shot.

In the 18th minute Blake Brettschneider had a chance from service by Bilal Duckett but the Portland goalkeeper does well to block the attempt and smother and rebound. Brettschneider failed to keep up the pressure on Portland’s net as he appeared under the same spell as the rest of the Rhinos team as of late and was keen to pass the ball back at every chance.

GPS Portland’s first shot of the night came just after the hour mark but sailed wide of the mark without calling Nicht into action. Before the halftime whistle, GPS Portland had two yellow cards for late challenges

At the break the Rhinos had 4 shots, 2 on target, 4 corners, and 10 fouls. Portland only had one total shot, 2 corners and 4 fouls. There was a delay for a little over an hour as a summer thunderstorm passed through Rochester. GPS Portland took advantage of the time to regroup and came out for the second half to sub Ben Havey in for central midfielder Sean Rosa.

In the 54th minute Interim Head Coach Pat Ercoli, after watching Mike Reidy cross into the accepting arms of Portland goalkeeper Perron, decided he didn’t like what he was seeing on the field, 2012 Rhinos player of the year and USL All-League team J.C. Banks came on for Ross LaBaeux.

GPS Portland showed they weren’t pushovers in the 56th minute as Danny Earls cleared a headed corner kick off the line before Appiah’s forced Kristian Nicht into a diving save. In the 60th minute George Kyriazis comes off for Tyler Bellamy but it appears to be a hamstring injury not the upper body injury from the end of the first half.

Mike Reidy showed Pat Ercoli why he should stay in the starting line up by latching onto the end of a long ball in the 64th minute but his shot was saved by a diving Perron for a corner. New England Revolution loanee Duckett nodded home  the resulting corner served up by Danny Earls in the 65th minute.

Earls did well to overlap down the left side to cross balls into the box in the 83rd. Immediately after their goal the Rhinos pressed to apply the killing blow but after a corner kick the play moved back to the midfield.

In the 78th minute Bompart came out for Diebold who was active crossing into the box late. DaSilva went down under questionable contact outside of the area but the Portland bench was outraged calling for a penalty. Former Rochester Rhino Nano Short put a header just wide for Portland within the last 8 minutes.

The flow of the match swung back to Portland as they forced another Kodak-moment save from Kristian Nicht. Portland had a chance late but their free kick from within 30 yards was deflected out for a corner. The resulting kick was punched out by Kristian Nicht who earned his shutout.

The final whistle had the USL-Pro Rochester Rhinos over the PDL GPS Phoenix 1-0. The Rhinos their 18 year winning streak in their opening round in the US Open Cup alive and will now host their MLS affiliate New England Revolution next Tuesday at 7:35PM.

2013 US Open Cup Second Round: Savage puts Charleston Battery past Timbers U23s 1-0

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The Charleston Battery needed an hour to find a goal against the Portland Timbers U23s, but Austin Savage’s header on Tuesday night at Jeld-Wen Field in Portland was enough to send the USL Pro side on to the Third Round. On a night when four other PDL teams upset higher-seeded opponents, the Timbers U23s simply could not find the form that saw them into the Second Round last week against Sacramento Gold.

To say Savage’s goal was against the run of play would not be fair to Charleston, but the Timbers certainly had the better of the play and chances to start the second half. Mark Sherrod, Reinaldo Brenes and Gabriel Conelian applied the pressure on the Battery goal for several opportunities in the first part of the second half.

Yet a quick counter and a looping cross from Jose Cuevas in the 60th minute found Savage’s head in the six. The former Battery academy player positioned himself perfectly as Cuevas’ ball drifted just over Bryan Gallego’s head and allowed Savage to surprise Timbers goalkeeper David Meves with a strong header to the far post.

Meves looked like the hero for Portland when his 38th minute save kept the Timbers U23s in the game after Charleston’s Dane Kelly got on the end of a long ball in the box. Meves came off his line and denied Kelly just outside the six-yard box when it looked certain that the Battery would take a deserved lead. The save buoyed the Timbers through halftime and up to the hour mark when Savage finally scored.

Cuevas was the most dangerous player on the field throughout the game as Portland’s attackers could not do much with their limited chances. Cuevas, the 2012 USL Pro Rookie of the Year and Championship MVP, nearly opened scoring in the 17th minute but smashed his shot off the crossbar. Meves got a slight touch, denying the 23-year old and forcing the visiting Battery to wait until the hour for the lead.

The Battery move on to the Third Round where they are scheduled to host the San Jose Earthquakes at Blackbaud Stadium on Tuesday, May 28. They’ll host Rochester Rhinos on Saturday May 25 in league play as a prelude to the next round.

Scoring:

CHB: Austin Savage (Jose Cuevas), 60

Misconduct:

CHB: Zach Prince (caution), 11

CHB: Jarad van Schaik (caution), 20

POR: Mitch Lurie (caution), 55

CHB: Nicki Paterson (caution), 90

Line-ups:

POR: POR: GK David Meves, D Saad Abdul-Salam, D Mitch Lurie (Nick Palodichuk, 75), D Bryan Gallego, D Will Semore, M Eric Miller, M Zach Barnes, M Gabriel Conelian, F Zack Foxhoven (Jose Ribas, 62), F Reinaldo Brenes (Jaime Velasco, 73), F Mark Sherrod

Subs not used: GK Blake Hylen, D Travis Brent, D J.J. Greer, D Anthony Hobbs

CHB: GK Kevin Klasila, D Shawn Ferguson, D Colin Falvey, D Cody Ellison, D John Wilson, M Jarad van Schaik, M Zach Prince (Emmanuel Adjetey, 70), M Nicki Paterson, F Austin Savage (Taylor Mueller, 66), F Jose Cuevas, F Dane Kelly

Subs not used: GK Odisnel Cooper, D Mark Wiltse, F Heviel Cordoves

2013 US Open Cup Second Round: Teams battle with MLS waiting in Round 3 (previews, live updates at #USOC100)

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Tuesday night is the Round of Dreams for the US Open Cup as 32 teams go head-to-head knowing that at the end of the night one of them will be facing a Major League Soccer team in a week’s time. For the amateur clubs whose odds of beating an MLS team are slim, a win against a professional opponent from the second division NASL or third tier USL Pro will go down as a major accolade in their history. For the pro clubs, the chance to square off against the top tier in a meaningful match is one of the most important moments in their seasons.

Among the matches are a few local showdowns between sides from the same state, including several that are within the same metropolitan areas. In Florida, Orlando City (USL Pro) visits the Ocala Stampede (PDL) and the two professional Tampa Bay clubs from the NASL and USL Pro square off. Also in the south, the Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) visit the Georgia Revolution (NPSL) and the Carolina Railhawks (NASL) host the Carolina Dynamo (PDL). In the northeast, fellow Philadelphia Union affiliates Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro) and Reading United AC (PDL) will play one another in Reading while out west, the in-state showdowns will conclude with the LA Blues (USL Pro) playing host to the Ventura County Fusion (PDL).

ROUND 2 BROADCASTS

Charleston Battery at Portland Timbers U23s
AUDIO | VIDEO

Atlanta Silverbacks at Georgia Revolution
VIDEO

Icon FC at Richmond Kickers
VIDEO

Dearborn Stars SC at Dayton Dutch Lions
VIDEO

#USOC100

The Second Round also features a few cross-country meetings with the Sounders U23 side (PDL) traveling to Charlotte (USL Pro) and the Charleston Battery (USL Pro) visiting the Timbers U23 entry (PDL).

TheCup.us is working on launching a new website in honor of the 100th edition of the Open Cup, and as always, will have live updates from every single game of the competition. You can follow TheCup.us on Twitter (@USOpenCup) and on Facebook. The Twitter hashtag for the tournament this year is #USOC100.

Here is the schedule for the Second Round:

Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro) at Reading United AC (PDL)
 Don Thomas Stadium – Reading, PA – 7:00 p.m.
Broadcast: None
Winner gets: Road game vs. Red Bull New York (MLS)

Harrisburg City Islanders Open Cup records
Overall: 12-5-3 (2-1 PKs) | Away: 2-4-0 | vs. Amateur: 8-0-0
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 5-2 at Philadelphia Union of MLS in Quarterfinals)
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2007, 2009, 2010, 2012)

Reading United Open Cup records
Overall: 2-6-0 (2-4-0 as PDL) | Home: 2-1-0 | vs. Division 3: 0-4-0
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 2-1 at Charleston Battery of USL Pro in Round 2)
Best finish: 2012 Second Round (Lost 2-1 at Charleston Battery of USL Pro)

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#USOC100

Harrisburg has been one of the top clubs thus far in the USL Pro season with a 5-1-1 record. The City Islanders, whose lone defeat was at home to Charleston, is coming off a 2-2 draw against league-leading Orlando City over the weekend. The team features five players on loan from MLS affiliate Philadelphia Union (Don Anding, Leo Fernandes, Christhian Hernandez, Greg Jordan and Jimmy McLaughlin), and are led in scoring by Sainey Touray (5 goals, 3 assists) and Lucky Mkosana (3 goals, 1 assist).

Reading, meanwhile, are off to a dominant start to both competitions. After posting an 8-0 win in their league opener at home, they blanked Lehigh Valley last week in the First Round of the Open Cup 2-0 on goals from Darius Madison and Steve Neumann. They continued the shutout streak with a 3-0 win at home against the New Jersey Rangers in PDL action Sunday. Mario Pinto Neto (3 goals), Emanuel Sanchez (2 goals, 1 assist) and Jason Plumhoff (1 goal, 3 assists) are the leading scorers in league play.

GPS Portland Phoenix (PDL) at Rochester Raging Rhinos (USL Pro)
 Sahlen’s Stadium – Rochester, NY – 7:35 p.m.
Broadcast: None
Winner gets: New England Revolution (MLS) (Rochester hosts, Portland travels)

Rochester Raging Rhinos Open Cup records
Overall: 28-14-5 (3-2 PKs) | Home: 23-6-4 (2-2 PKs) | vs. Amateur: 10-0-0
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 3-0 at Philadelphia Union of MLS in Round 3)
Best finish: 1999 US Open Cup champions

GPS Portland Phoenix Open Cup records
Overall: 1-1-0 | Home: 1-1-0 | vs. USL-Pro: 0-0-0
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 3-2 vs. Brooklyn Italians of NPSL – Round 1)
Best finish: 2012 First Round (Lost 3-2 vs. Brooklyn Italians of NPSL)

It has been the worst start in Rhinos history. Plagued by injuries and a ruthless road schedule with back-to-back matches, the team is off to a 1-6-1 start. A narrow 1-0 home loss to league-leading Orlando City over the weekend in which they allowed the winner with a man advantage proved to be the breaking point as coach Jesse Myers, formerly a longtime assistant for the Richmond Kickers, was relieved of his post. The club appointed current COO and USL Hall of Fame coach Pat Ercoli, who guided the team through its memorable Open Cup campaigns, including the 1999 championship, as interim manager. Rochester has had player on loan from MLS affiliate New England Revolution in the form of Gabe Latigue, Tyler Polak, Matt Horth and Bilal Duckett, who was recently called back due to injury issues.

For Portland, the season kicked off with a thrilling 5-4 win at home against Vermont a week ago accompanied by a 2-0 win against Mass Premier Soccer (USASA) in the Open Cup First Round Tuesday. Over the weekend the club played to a scoreless stalemate against Seacoast United Phantoms in PDL action.

Icon FC (USASA) at Richmond Kickers (USL Pro)
 Richmond City Stadium – Richmond, VA – 7 p.m.
Broadcast: USLnation.com
Winner gets: DC United (MLS)  (Richmond hosts, Icon travels)

Icon FC Open Cup records
Overall: 1-0-0 | Away: 1-0-0 | vs. Division 3: 0-0-0
First entry

Richmond Kickers Open Cup records
Overall: 23-13-1 (1-0 PKs) | Home: 18-4-0 | vs. Amateur: 7-1-0
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 2-1 AET vs. DC United of MLS in Round 3)
Best finish: 1995 US Open Cup champions

The Kickers have been one of the dominant teams in USL Pro thus far and are just one of two unbeaten teams left at 4-0-3. Over the weekend the saw the visiting LA Blues snare a late 1-1 draw in USL Pro action. The club features numerous players on loan from MLS affiliate DC United, including starting goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra. Others are Taylor Kemp, Michael Seaton, Conor Shanosky and Casey Townsend, though he has been called in by DC of late. Brian Ownby of the Houston Dynamo has also spent time on loan with the Kickers, who are led in scoring by Joseph Ngwenya (6 goals) and Nathaniel Robinson (5 assists).

Icon FC, the New Jersey-based club that features former US international Danny Szetela, is coming off their first-ever Open Cup win, 4-1 over the Brooklyn Italians of the NPSL in Round 1. The victory was highlighted by a breakout performance by Argjent Duka, the brother of Dilly Duka of the Chicago Fire, who scored a hat trick.

Carolina Dynamo (PDL) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
 WakeMed Soccer Park – Cary, NC – 7 p.m.
Broadcast: None
Winner gets: Home game vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)

Carolina Dynamo Open Cup records
Overall: 10-9-1, 1-0 PKs (5-4-1, 1-0 PKs as PDL) | Home: 8-2-1 (5-2-1, 1-0 PKs as PDL ) | vs. Division 2: 2-2-0
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 3-1 at Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks of USASA in Round 1)
Best finish (as Division 3): 1996 Quarterfinals (Lost 2-0 at DC United of MLS)

Carolina RailHawks Open Cup records
Overall: 10-4-1 (0-1 PKs) | Home: 10-2-1 (0-1 PKs) | vs. Amateur: 4-0-0
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 2-1 vs. Chivas USA of MLS in Round 4)
Best finish: 2007 Semifinals (Lost 2-1 AET at New England Revolution)

The RailHawks are tied atop the NASL at 3-1-2 in a league where no team has really set themselves apart as clear contenders for the spring season title. The RailHawks had pulled away from a three-way tie the week before, but saw the gap closed when they suffered their first loss of the season over the weekend, dropping a 2-0 game in Atlanta. The team, which includes RSL loanee Enzo Martinez, is led in scoring by Brian Shriver (5 goals) and Austin Da Luz (1 goal 4 assists).

Aside from their 4-4 thriller against the NPSL’s Chattanooga FC decided in penalties, the team has has been dominant thus far with a pair of shutout wins in league play. They downed Virginia Beach 3-0 prior to the Open Cup opener and the Dynamo took a 1-0 decision Saturday in Northern Virginia on a fifth minute tally. Hakan Ilhan, who had a hat-trick last Tuesday, has one league goal while all the other tallies have been scored by different players.

Orlando City SC (USL Pro) at Ocala Stampede (PDL)
 Forest High School Soccer Field – Ocala, FL – 7 p.m.
Broadcast: None
Winner gets: Colorado Rapids (MLS) (Orlando hosts, Ocala travels)

Orlando City SC Open Cup records
Overall: 3-2-0 | Away: 1-2-0 | vs. Amateur: 3-0-0
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 3-2 at Sporting KC of MLS in Round 3)
Best finish: Third Round (2011, 2012)

Ocala Stampede Open Cup records
Overall: 1-0-0 | Home: 0-0-0 | vs. Division 3: 0-0-0
First entry

The Lions have arguably been the most impressive lower division pro club so far this year with a record of 7-1-2 as they have outscored the opposition 26-10. They posted a 2-2 draw in Harrisburg and a 1-0 win in Rochester over the weekend. They have been fueled by loanee Dom Dwyer (12 goals 1 assist) from MLS affiliate Sporting KC. His two-goal outing in Harrisburg was the fourth consecutive game with at least two goals and the fifth in a row in which he has scored. Other loaned players are Christian Duke, Yann Songo’o and goalkeeper Jon Kempin. If Dwyer is held out from being cup-tied by KC, Jamie Watson (4 goals 5 assists) would be the other go-to player for Orlando City.

After posting the 4-2 road win against Red Force (USASA) in the Open Cup last week the Stampede kicked off their league campaign, falling on the road to VSI Tampa Bay U23s in a heartbreaker in which a scoreless draw turned into a 2-0 loss with goals scored in the 90th and stoppage time.

Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) at VSI Tampa Bay FC (USL PRO)
 Plant City Stadium; Plant City, FL – 7 p.m.
Broadcast: None
Winner gets: Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) (VSI travels, Rowdies host)

VSI Tampa Bay FC Open Cup records
Overall: 0-0-1 (1-0 PKs) | Home: 0-0-0 | vs. Division 2: 0-0-0
First entry

Tampa Bay Rowdies Open Cup records
Overall: 2-2-0 | Home: 0-1-0 | vs. Amateur: 2-0-0
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 3-1 vs. Colorado Rapids of MLS in Round 3)
Best finish: 2012 Third Round (Lost 3-1 vs. Colorado Rapids of MLS)

In a rare derby match between the two Bay Area teams, the NASL entry based in St Petersburg comes into the match having pulled into a tie for the league lead at 3-1-2 this season. They won a thriller on the road in Minnesota over the weekend with a 90th minute winner from Keith Savage. The team, which 2-0-1 in their last three and has a 3-0-0 road record, is led in scoring by Luke Mulholland (4 goals 2 assists) and Georgi Hristov (2 goals 3 assists).

VSI Tampa Bay, meanwhile, is mid-table in USL Pro with a record of 4-3-0 and are 3-1-0 at home. The team was idle over the weekend after narrowly escaping an upset at the hands of Orlando City’s U23 PDL team via penalties following a 1-1 draw. The coach, Matt Weston, had stepped down a week prior to the Open Cup contest, which had conveniently fallen within a two-week idle period in league play for the team. VSI’s JT Noone has a chance to make history. If the Harrisburg, PA native scores a goal, he will become the first player in the Modern Professional Era (1995-present) to score a goal in five straight tournaments.

Des Moines Menace (PDL) at Minnesota United FC (NASL)
 Elizabeth Lyle Riley Stadium – St. Paul, MN – 8 p.m.
Broadcast: None
Winner gets: Road game vs. Sporting Kansas City (MLS)

Des Moines Menace Open Cup records
Overall: 8-6-1 (1-0 PKs) | Home: 5-3-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. Amateur: 4-1-0
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 2-0 vs. Minnesota Stars FC of NASL in Round 2)
Best finish: 2005 Fourth Round (Lost 6-1 at Kansas City Wizards of MLS)

Minnesota United FC Open Cup records
Overall: 3-2-0 | Home: 1-1-0 | vs. Amateur: 2-0-0
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 1-0 at San Jose Earthquakes of MLS in Round 4)
Best finish: 2012 Fourth Round ((Lost 1-0 at San Jose Earthquakes of MLS)

Renamed and newly branded from Minnesota Stars, the team overhauled the roster with some of the league’s top players from the past few seasons, but has not found consistency as of yet with a record of 2-2-2. They are coming off a late 3-2 loss at home to Tampa Bay in which poor defensive play led to all three goals for the visitors. On the offensive end though, returning player Simone Bracalello has been impressive with three goals and three assists.

The Menace went into the Open Cup contest with a 1-1 draw on the road the weekend before and after snatching the 1-0 home win against the NPSL’s Madison 56ers, Des Moines repeated the result in their PDL home opener against Winnipeg on a goal from defender Taylor Diem.

Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro) at Austin Aztex (PDL)
 House Park – Austin, TX – 8:30 p.m.
Broadcast: None
Winner gets: Road game vs. Portland Timbers (MLS)

Wilmington Hammerheads Open Cup records
Overall: 13-10-1 (1-0 PKs) | Away: 0-5-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. Amateur: 6-2-0
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 4-0 vs. Cal FC of USASA in Round 2)
Best Finish: Quarterfinals (2003, 2009)

Austin Aztex Open Cup records
Overall: 1-0-0 | Home: 1-0-0 | vs. Division 3: 0-0-0
First entry

The Hammerheads have struggled through the opening portion of the league campaign with a 2-5-0 record but are coming off a 2-1 victory against the Los Angeles Blues over the weekend – though it should be noted LA played in Richmond the night before. Wilmington’s two wins both came at home while they are 0-3 on the road being outscored 11-3. Paul Nicholson and defender Jamell Wallace are the only players with two goals.

The Aztex opened the league campaign with a 2-1 road win before getting the relatively easy 3-0 win at home against the NTX Rayados (USASA) in the Open Cup last week. Austin, now in the midst of a five-game home stand through the two competitions, edged visiting Houston 1-0 on Saturday with a goal from defender Aaron Guillen. Tony Rocha, who scored the third goal against NTX, has two goals on the young campaign.

FC Tucson (PDL) at San Antonio Scorpions (NASL)
 Toyota Field – San Antonio, TX – 8:30 p.m.
Broadcast: None
Winner gets: Houston Dynamo (MLS) (San Antonio Hosts, Tucson Travels)

FC Tucson Open Cup records
Overall 1-0-0 | Away: 0-0-0 | vs. Division 2: 0-0-0
First entry

San Antonio Scorpions Open Cup records
Overall: 2-1-0 | Home: 2-1-0 | vs. Amateur: 1-0-0
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 2-1 AET vs. Charlotte Eagles  in Round 4)
Best finish: 2012 Fourth Round (Lost 2-1 AET vs. Charlotte Eagles

Regular season champions a year ago, the Scorpions were raided for its top players during the offseason, leaving the opening of their new stadium as the only thing to really celebrate so far with a start that was winless prior to this weekend. They topped visiting Fort Lauderdale 3-1 to leap over the Strikers in the table with a record of 1-3-2. Hans Dennisen has two of the team’s six goals with Javier Saavedra having a goal and two assists.

FC Tucson kicked off their 2013 tournament in fine fashion, rallying from a goal down in the final eight minutes to defeat the Phoenix FC of USL Pro 2-1 in the First Round last week on a pair of goals from late sub Conner Bevans. The team had also rallied in their season opener the weekend before for a 1-1 draw in LA and moved to 1-0-1 on the season with a 3-1 victory against Southern California this past Saturday with a pair of goals from Ricardo Velasco. David Clemens also had a goal and assist.

Charleston Battery (USL Pro) at Portland Timbers U23s (PDL)
 JELD-WEN Field – Portland, OR – 10:30 p.m.
Broadcast: AUDIO (WQNT – Charleston) | VIDEO: PortlandTimbers.com
Winner gets: Home game vs. San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)

Charleston Battery Open Cup records (fix)
Overall: 23-12-4 (3-1 PKs) | Away: 4-5-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. Amateur: 8-1-0
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 3-0 vs. New York Red Bulls of MLS in Round 3)
Best finish: 2008 Runner-Up (Lost 2-1 at DC United)

Portland Timbers U23s Open Cup records
Overall: 1-1-0 | Home: 1-1-0 | vs.USL-Pro : 0-0-0
First entry

The Battery have been one of the better sides in USL Pro so far this season with a 6-2-0 record. Last week they dropped a narrow 1-0 decision on the road against unbeaten Charlotte but rebounded to pick up a 1-0 win in Houston over the weekend against the previously unbeaten Dynamo Reserves. The scoring has come from several players with Michael Azira (3 goals), Nicholas Paterson (3 goals 2 assists), defender John Wilson (2 goals) and Zachary Prince (2 goals 2 assists) leading the way. The team also features a pair of Vancouver Whitecaps PDL players on loan in the form of Ben Fisk and Emmanuel Adjetay.

The PDL club needed to come back from a two-goal deficit at home to advance in their 2013 campaign opener last week in the First Round to defeat Sacramento 3-2. Over the weekend the Timbers U23 side blanked Cascadia rival Sounders U23 2-0 with goals from Eric Miller and Zack Foxhoven, who scored the first goal in the Open Cup rally. They then posted a 2-1 road win over North Sound with a brace from Clark Phillips in the first 15 minutes.

Ventura County Fusion (PDL) at Los Angeles Blues (USL Pro)
 Titan Stadium – Fullerton, CA – 10 p.m .
Broadcast: None
Winner gets: Home game vs. Chivas USA (MLS)

Ventura County Fusion Open Cup records
Overall: 4-2-1 (0-1 PKs)| Home: 2-2-1 (0-1 PKs) | vs. Amateur: 3-0-1 (0-1 PKs)
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 1-0 vs. Chivas USA of MLS in Round 3)
Best finish: 2012 Third Round (Lost 1-0 vs. Chivas USA of MLS)

Los Angeles Blues Open Cup records
Overall: 2-2-0 | Home: 1-1-0 | vs. Amateur: 2-1-0
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 3-1 AET vs. Ventura County Fusion in Round 2)
Best finish: 2011 Third Round (Lost 2-1 at Los Angeles Galaxy of MLS)

In large part courtesy of a league-leading 11 games played, the Blues are mid-table at 4-5-2 so far this season in USL Pro. The team is coming off a trip to the east where they were able to find a late draw in Richmond 1-1 before falling to Wilmington 2-1. Scoring has been a team affair thus far this season with five players having at least two goals with George Davis the only one with three. Rodrigo Lopez (1 goal 4 assists) is also an offensive leader.

The Fusion came from behind twice last Tuesday in the First Round of the Open Cup, defeating FC Hasental of the NPSL 3-2 on a late strike. The team came into that match with a pair of wins, one home and one away, and snared a second 1-0 road victory over the weekend to move to 3-0-0 on the season. The team is led in scoring by Chase Minter (2 goals), who scored the 87th minute Open Cup winner, and Frankie Lopez (3 assists), who scored the first equalizer in the 45th against Hasental.

This is the third year in a row the Fusion and Blues have squared off in the US Open Cup. The Blues won on the Fusion’s home field in 2011 by a score of 1-0, but the Fusion returned the favor last year, upsetting LA 3-1 in extra time in front of their home fans.

Sounders FC U23s (PDL) at Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro)
 Queens University Sports Complex – Charlotte, NC – 7 p.m.
Broadcast: None
Winner gets: Chicago Fire (MLS) (Charlotte hosts, Seattle travels)

Sounders FC U23s Open Cup records
Overall: 1-0-0 | Away: 0-0-0 | vs. Division 3: 0-0-0
First entry

Charlotte Eagles Open Cup records
Overall: 8-10-0 | Home: 3-1-0 | vs. Amateur: 6-1-0
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 1-0 at Chivas USA of MLS in Quarterfinals)
Best finish: 2012 Quarterfinals (Lost 1-0 at Chivas USA of MLS)

The Eagles have arguably been overlooked so far this season with their unbeaten record due to the lack of games played, but the 1-0 win against Charleston last Tuesday in league play may have made a few people notice them at 3-0-3 with draws against Orlando City and Richmond as well. The defense has allowed just four goals in six games, three of them coming in the rare 3-3 draw at Richmond in which they rallied from two down. Four players – Christian Meza, Christian Ramirez, Nathan Thornton and defender Shaun Francis – each have a pair of goals, though Francis also has two assists to lead the team in total points.

A dominant 5-1 performance against Doxa Italia in the Open Cup to kick off their 2013 campaign has been followed by a complete nightmare in their opening weekend of league play. They were blanked 2-0 by Cascadia rival Timbers U23 and then fell 4-1 at Victoria in a game in which David Geno, who scored four in the Open Cup contest to earn TheCup.us Player of the Round honors, was knocked out with a potential broken foot and has skipped the trip to Charlotte.

Laredo Heat SC (PDL) at Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL)
 Lockhart Stadium – Fort Lauderdale, FL – 7:30 p.m.
Broadcast: None
Winner gets: Home game vs. FC Dallas (MLS)

Fort Lauderdale Strikers Open Cup records
Overall: 6-5-1 | Home: 6-1-0 | vs. Amateur: 4-1-1 (0-1 PKs)
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 2-1 at San Jose Earthquakes of MLS in Round 3)
Best finish: Third Round (2008, 2010, 2012)

Laredo Heat Open Cup records
Overall: 1-1-1 (0-1 PKs) | Away: 0-1-0 | vs. Division 2: 0-1-0
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 2-0 at San Antonio Scorpions of NASL in Round 2)
Best finish: 2012 Second Round (Lost 2-0 at San Antonio Scorpions of NASL)

The Heat shut down PSA Elite with strikes on either side of the half whistle, as Danny Garza and Leo Medeiros struck for the 2-0 victory. This is the second consecutive year Laredo has made the Second Round, admittedly having a less formidable foe in a bottom-table Fort Lauderdale of the NASL. Last year the Heat fell 2-0 to NASL regular season champions San Antonio Scorpions. They sit in second place with four points, two behind fellow Open Cup qualifier Austin Aztex.

The Strikers have been down this season, sitting last in the NASL table on four points. While taking a 3-1 road loss Saturday to San Antonio, the bright side is that they picked up their sole win in their last home game, a 2-1 win in Minnesota the previous Saturday. Fort Lauderdale must adjust from their recent 1-2-0 form in order to continue their recent Open Cup success.

Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) at Georgia Revolution (NPSL)
 RYSA Soccerplex – Conyers, GA – 7 p.m.
Broadcast: VIDEO
Winner gets: Road game vs. Real Salt Lake (MLS)

Atlanta Silverbacks Open Cup records
Overall: 5-7-2 (1-1 PKs) | Away: 2-4-2 (1-1 PKs) | vs. Amateur: 3-2-1 (PK)
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 5-1 at Seattle Sounders of MLS in Round 3)
Best finish: 2004 Fourth Round (Lost 4-1 vs. Kansas City Wizards of MLS)

Georgia Revolution Open Cup records
Overall: 3-1-0 | Home: 2-1-0 | vs. Division 2: 0-1-0
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 1-0 vs. Atlanta Silverbacks of NASL in Round 2)
Best finish: 2012 Second Round (Lost 1-0 vs. Atlanta Silverbacks of NASL)

Georgia had revenge on their mind, then almost lost their chance last week, as they had to withstand a rally from the PDL’s Real Colorado Foxes to get another chance at the Silverbacks. Kwadwo Poku scored a hat trick and Emeka Maduka added another to put the Revolution up 4-0, but the Foxes made a game of it, scoring three goals in a half hour and making the hosts sweat out the 4-3 win. The Revs have not played a game yet in the NPSL’s Flight Sunshine, with their first game set for Friday.

Atlanta is in third place in the NASL, one point back of leaders Carolina and Tampa Bay. Their last result was a 2-0 home win against the RailHawks, and they are even (1-1-1) on the road this season.  This is a rematch of last year’s Second Round game, the Silverbacks grabbing a 1-0 win before losing 5-1 to Seattle Sounders FC. Another trip West awaits the winner, this time heading to Utah.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro) at Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL)
 Carey Stadium – Ocean City, NJ – 7:30 p.m.
Broadcast: None
Winner gets: Philadelphia Union (MLS) (Pittsburgh hosts, Ocean City travels)

Ocean City Nor’easters Open Cup records
Overall: 8-5-0 (7-4-0 as PDL) | Home: 6-3-0 (5-2-0 as PDL) | vs. Division 3: 4-1-0
Last entry: 2009 (Lost 2-0 at DC United of MLS in Round 3)
Best finish: 2009 Third Round (Lost 2-0 at DC United of MLS)

Pittsburgh Riverhounds Open Cup records
Overall: 5-8-2 (0-2 PKs) | Away: 2-7-2 (0-2 PKs) | vs. Amateur: 3-2-1 (0-1 PKs)

The Riverhounds avoided a huge upset at the hands of RWB Adria, advancing on a late 1-1 equalizer and penalties from the Open Cup First Round last week at home. The team has had little to celebrate other than the opening of their newly built Highmark Stadium with a 1-4-4 record. The team’s only win has come at home as they are 0-3-3 on the road. Jose Angulo (4 goals 1 assist) and Matthew Dallman (5 assists) have been the offensive engine for the club.

Ocean City dispatched the NY Red Bulls U23 side from the NPSL with a pair of second half goals in the Open Cup First Round last week to open their 2013 campaign. In their PDL opener on the road this weekend the Nor’easters used a two goal first half to net a 2-1 win against Central Jersey.

Dearborn Stars (USASA) at Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro)
 Beavercreek High School – Beavercreek, OH – 7 p.m.
Broadcast: USLNation.com (video)
Winner gets: Road game at Columbus Crew (MLS)

Dearborn Stars Open Cup records
Overall: 1-0-0 | Away: 1-0-0 | vs. Division 3: 0-0-0
First entry

Dayton Dutch Lions Open Cup records
Overall: 4-3-0 (4-2-0 as USL-Pro) | Home: 1-0-0 | vs. Amateur: 3-0-0
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 3-0 at Sporting KC of MLS in Quarterfinals)
Best finish: 2012 Quarterfinals (Lost 3-0 at Sporting KC of MLS)

Dearborn made quite an impression for their first time in the Open Cup, knocking off perenial giant-killer Michigan Bucks 2-0 in Pontiac last week. Niki Djokic provided the fireworks for the Stars, who qualified through the USASA’s Second Region tournament with some controversy, but proved they belong, and look to take out an even bigger opponent in the Dutch Lions.

Dayton, who has generally been near the bottom rungs of USL-Pro since making the transition from the PDL, has used success in the Open Cup last year to springboard themselves to mid-table so far this year. They sit in eighth place with a winning record (3-2-1) while having played the fewest games of any USL-Pro team. Their low place last season also meant they were one of four USL-Pro teams in action in the First Round. However, River City Rovers proved to be no challenge, as Irakli Khutsidze, Eric Kissinger, and Tjeerd Westdijk all scored in a 3-0 rout of the PDL side. The Ohio team hopes to build on the success of last year in the Cup, knocking off the Columbus Crew before falling to eventual champion Sporting Kansas City in the Quarterfinals.

#USOC100

2013 US Open Cup: Potential Second Round pairings revealed

by

MORE: 100th US Open Cup kicks off tonight with two Preliminary Round games

Hours before the kick off of the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup the US Soccer Federation unveiled the pairings and host scenarios for the Second Round – on May 21 – of the tournament, which will feature the introduction of the majority of the second and third division professional leagues with four having already played in the First Round.

The second tier North American Soccer League contingent of six teams and eight remaining third tier USL Pro clubs will take on winners from the First Round of competition with at least three of the professional clubs set to open play on the road against amateur opposition and six others with a possibility of doing so. The USL Pro trio of Harrisburg City Islanders, Orlando City and Wilmington Hammerheads will all take to the road for the Second Round. Meanwhile, the NASL’s Tampa Bay Rowdies, Atlanta Silverbacks and Fort Lauderdale Strikers along with USL Pro’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Charleston Battery and Charlotte Eagles are in wait-and-see scenarios.

All 16 US-based MLS clubs (Division I) will enter the competition in Round 3 (May 28).

MORE FROM THECUP.US

Things you should know about Round 1

Things you should know about Round 2

TheCup.us is planning to launch a brand new website in honor of the 100th edition of the Open Cup, and as always, will have live updates from every single game of the competition. You can follow TheCup.us on Twitter (@USOpenCup) and on Facebook. The Twitter hashtag for the tournament this year is #USOC100.

Here is the schedule for the Preliminary Round, and the potential match-ups for the First and Second Round:

2013 US Open Cup Preliminary Round (May 7)
All Times Eastern

Georgia Revolution (NPSL) 1:1 Colorado Rovers (USSSA)
Georgia advances, 5-3 on penalty kicks
Shea Stadium – Highlands Ranch, CO – 10:30 p.m.

The Revolution are making their second straight appearance in the Open Cup and remain one of only two Georgia-based amateur teams to qualify for the tournament in the Modern Pro Era (2009 – Atlanta FC). They lost a tight 1-0 game to the Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) in the Second Round last year. The Colorado Rovers are not only making their first appearance in the Open Cup, but the organization they represent, the US Specialty Sports Association, are making their tournament debut as well.

FC Hasental (NPSL) 5:3 Fresno Fuego Future (US Club Soccer)
Chukchansi Park – Fresno, CA – 10 p.m.

The Fresno Fuego have been a member of the USL’s Premier Development League since 2003, but when they didn’t qualify for the 2013 US Open Cup (which was based on 2012 league results), they looked for another way to get in, so they entered the US Club Soccer qualifying tournament. The Fuego are best known for their 2003 Open Cup run where they upset two professional teams before falling to the Los Angeles Galaxy of MLS 3-1 in Round 4. They will host first-time entry FC Hasental who punched their ticket through the NPSL Western Conference’s preseason qualifying tournament.

2013 US Open Cup First Round (May 14/15)
All Times Eastern

Mass Premier Soccer (USASA) at GPS Portland Phoenix (PDL)
Memorial Field, Deering High School – Portland, ME – 8 p.m.

Mass Premier Soccer are making their first appearance in the Open Cup as they emerged out of the very challenging USASA Region I. They defeated Newtown Pride FC (Connecticut) 6-0 in the regional semifinals to become just the third Massachusetts-based USASA club to qualify for the tournament in the Modern Pro Era. GPS Portland Phoenix of the PDL are making their second straight Open Cup appearance and will also host for the second year in a row. Last year, they lost their opening game to the Brooklyn Italians (NPSL) 3-2. The Phoenix remain the only club (of any kind) from the state of Maine to qualify for the tournament in more than two decades.

Icon FC (USASA) at Brooklyn Italians (NPSL)
Aviator Sports Complex – Brooklyn, NY – 8 p.m.

Icon FC of New Jersey bring some experienced players for their first Open Cup run. The club, led by former DC United and US youth international Danny Szetela, are just the second USASA club from New Jersey to qualify (2012 – Jersey Shore Boca) since 1995 and they will face a club with a strong Open Cup resume. The Brooklyn Italians who compete in the NPSL, have won the Open Cup twice (1979 as “Brooklyn Dodgers” and 1991), and finished runner-up in 1990. Those accomplishments happened a long time ago, but they have had some recent accomplishments too. This is the fourth year in a row that the Italians have qualified for the tournament, and with last year’s 3-2 win against GPS Portland Phoenix, they earned their first Open Cup victory since winning it all in 1991.

New York Red Bulls U23s (NPSL) at Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL)
Carey Stadium – Ocean City, NJ – 7:30 p.m.

The last time the Ocean City Nor’easters qualified for the Open Cup was in 2009 when they were known as the Ocean City Barons. Since then, the club has undergone a makeover both on the field and off it. New manager Tim Oswald led the club to their best league finish since their undefeated season in 2004 and qualified for this year’s Open Cup. The Nor’easters are one of the best amateur clubs to compete in the Open Cup during the Modern Professional Era. They have six wins in the Open Cup since joining the PDL in 2003, with four of those coming against professional teams. Only the Michigan Bucks (12) and the Des Moines Menace (7) have more Open Cup wins as a PDL team than the Nor’easters (6) and only the Bucks have more professional team upsets (9) than Ocean City. The Red Bulls Under 23s also qualified for the tournament after a successful league performance in 2012. The Red Bulls are in the tournament for the first time won the Atlantic Division title, finishing 11-3-0, the second best record in the NPSL.

FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic (NPSL) at Reading United AC (PDL)
Don Thomas Stadium – Reading, PA – 7 p.m.

Reading United will host FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic in a battle of Eastern Pennsylvania clubs. Reading is competing in the tournament for a record fifth straight time, something no amateur club has done in the Modern Professional Era. Reading has their friendly rivals, Ocean City, to thank for keeping their streak alive. The Nor’easters, by virtue of finishing with the Eastern Conference’s best record, earned a berth, leaving the second place team, Reading, as the Mid-Atlantic’s representative. Reading, despite qualifying for the tournament seven times since 1996, they are 1-6-0 in the tournament and picked up their first-ever Open Cup win by defeating the New York Greek American Atlas last year. Sonic has tweaked their team name (formerly FC Sonic Lehigh Valley) for their second straight Open Cup appearance. In 2012, they were one-and-done, losing to the PDL’s Long Island Rough Riders 2-0 in the First Round.

Ocala Stampede (PDL) at Red Force (USASA)
Florida International Soccer Stadium – Miami, FL – 7:30 p.m.

A pair of first-time entries from Florida will square off in Round 1 with the USASA’s Red Force hosting the Ocala Stampede. The Red Force were the only USASA team from the state of Florida to enter the state qualifying tournament and therefore were given a bye into the regional tournament. The Red Force then won three games at the USASA Region III tournament in New Orleans to clinch a spot in the Open Cup. The Stampede qualified after a very successful inaugural season in the PDL. Ocala, which is located in Central Florida, just northwest of Orlando, won the Southeast Division title with an 11-3-2 record, which was the best record in the conference.

VSI Tampa Bay FC (USL PRO) at Orlando City U-23s (PDL)
Seminole Soccer Complex; Sanford, FL – 7 p.m.

The Orlando City U23s are back in the tournament for the fourth year in a row and the sixth time in franchise history. However, they are still seeking their first Open Cup win. Last year was their best chance, losing 2-1 at home to Jacksonville United (NPSL) on an 89th minute goal by Ramak Safi. VSI Tampa Bay FC are making their debut in USL Pro and the Open Cup this year.

Chattanooga FC (NPSL) at Carolina Dynamo (PDL)
Macpherson Stadium – Greensboro, NC – 7 p.m.

Chattanooga FC are back in the Open Cup for the first since 2011 after winning their division last season. Tennessee-based clubs are few and far between in the Open Cup. Prior to Chattanooga qualifying in 2011, the Memphis Express (PDL) were the last entry in 2002, and before that, the Nashville Metros are the only Volunteer State-based club to qualify. The Carolina Dynamo have qualified for the Open Cup for the 10th time (5th time as a PDL club) both as a professional and an amateur team. They are 10-9-0 all-time in the tournament, but have been one-and-done the last two trips to the tournament after their historic run to the Fourth Round in 2006. During that run, they eliminated two professional teams (Richmond Kickers, Seattle Sounders) before falling to the Houston Dynamo. 2013 marks the Dynamo’s third straight appearance in the competition.

Dearborn Stars (USASA) at Michigan Bucks (PDL)
Ultimate Soccer Arenas – Pontiac, MI – 7:30 p.m.

For just the second time in the Modern Professional Era (1995-present), two teams from the state of Michigan will square off in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The last time it happened was in 2001 when the Michigan Bucks defeated the Detroit-based Chaldean Arsenal 3-0 at White Pine Stadium in Saginaw, Mich. With a record 12 Open Cup wins, 9 of them against professional opponents, the Bucks have the strongest resume of any amateur team in the country. Last year, they bolstered their reputation as giant killers with their second win in franchise history over a Major League Soccer team, defeating the Chicago Fire 3-2 in extra time. Combined with their 1-0 road win over the New England Revolution in 2000, they are the only amateur team to defeat multiple MLS teams. They will host the Dearborn Stars who have been around since 1982, but are entering the tournament for the first time. When the two teams square off at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mich., it will be just the fifth Open Cup game in the 100-year history of the tournament to be played indoors.

RWB Adria (USASA) at Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO)
Highmark Stadium – Pittsburgh, PA – 7 p.m.

Since they launched in 1999, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds have qualified for the US Open Cup in 10 of their 14 seasons (the franchise was on hiatus in 2007). However, they have experienced very little success in the tournament. The club has only won multiple games in a tournament once and that was when they reached the Quarterfinals as an A-League team in 2001. Having said all that, it’s a new era in Pittsburgh as the Riverhounds opened their new soccer-specific Highmark Stadium near downtown Pittsburgh. Their opening round opponent, RWB Adria from Chicago, has been around since 1959 and have reached the semifinals twice (1978, 1991) but haven’t won a tournament game since 1991. They have qualified three times in the Modern Pro Era (1996, 2007, 2008) but lost to a professional team in their opening game each year.

River City Rovers (PDL) at Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO)
Beavercreek High School – Beavercreek, OH – 7 p.m.

The Dayton Dutch Lions were one of the tournament’s best Cinderella stories last year and they are back in 2013 looking to build on their success from a year ago. Despite struggling in their first two years as a professional franchise (they moved up from the PDL to USL Pro in 2011), and losing their opening game in both 2010 and 2011, the Dutch Lions surprised many by upsetting the Columbus Crew 2-1 in the Third Round. They continued their run by defeating the Michigan Bucks 2-1 in extra time to reach the Quarterfinals where they lost to eventual Open Cup champions Sporting Kansas City. Dayton’s run to the round of eight was made even more impressive by the fact that they did it without playing a single home game. This year, they kick off the 2013 tournament with their first-ever home game as they host the PDL’s River City Rovers. The Louisville, Kentucky-based Rovers have qualified for the tournament for the first time, benefiting from the fact that Forest City London, the team who finished in second place in the Great Lakes Division, are Canadian and are not eligible for the Open Cup. The Rovers qualified and are the first Kentucky-based club to take part in the tournament since the Louisville Alliance reached the Regional Semifinals in 1993.

Madison 56ers (NPSL) at Des Moines Menace (PDL)
Valley Stadium – West Des Moines, IA – May 15 at 8:30 p.m.

One of amateur soccer’s giants, the Des Moines Menace are back in the competition for the second year in a row, making their seventh all-time appearance. Only the Michigan Bucks (10) have qualified for the Open Cup more times among PDL teams. They enter the tournament as a 3rd place team because the Heartland Division champion, Thunder Bay Chill, are based in Canada. The Menace are tied with the Ocean City Nor’easters for second place among PDL teams with four professional team upsets (Michigan Bucks have 9). The Madison 56ers, who date back to 1956, are back in the tournament after a one year layoff. In 2011, they defeated Chicago’s AAC Eagles 4-0 before falling to the Chicago Fire’s PDL team 2-0 in Round 2. According to TheCup.us records, 2011 was the first tournament appearance for the 56ers since reaching the Regional Finals in 1991 (they lost to 2013 qualifier RWB Adria in penalty kicks that year)

NTX Rayados (USASA) at Austin Aztex (PDL)
House Park – Austin, TX – 8:30 p.m.

The Austin Aztex name is back in the US Open Cup after the previous version of the club left Austin to form Orlando City SC. New owners have brought the name back and launched a PDL franchise in 2012. A second place finish in the Mid-South Division last year was enough to get them back in the tournament. The North Texas Rayados from the USASA are back in the tournament for the second year in a row after cruising through the Region III tournament. They outscored their opponents 17-2 and won the Region III tournament. They not only earned a spot in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, but by defeating Florida’s Red Force 3-0 in the Region III title game, they will advance to the USASA Nationals in San Antonio.

Phoenix FC (USL Pro) at FC Tucson (PDL)
Kino Sports Complex Grandstand, Field 5 – Tucson, AZ – 10:30 p.m.

For the first time in the Modern Professional Era (and quite possibly ever), the US Open Cup will feature a game between two Arizona-based clubs. Both teams are first-time entries with USL Pro side Phoenix SC kicking off their inaugural campaign this year. FC Tucson qualified after a successful first season in the PDL last year, edging out the Fresno Fuego for second place in the Southwest Division with a 9-3-4 record.

Sacramento Gold (NPSL) at Portland Timbers U23s (PDL)
JELD-WEN Field – Portland, OR – 10:30 p.m.

The Timbers U23s are back in the tournament for the second year in a row, looking for their first win. Last year, they lost 3-1 in front of their home fans to USASA club PSA Elite. The Timbers are hoping their league success from the past three seasons, including the 2010 PDL championship, will translate into Open Cup success. On the other side, the Sacramento Gold from the NPSL are making their first appearance in the tournament, becoming just the second Sacramento-based club to qualify in the Modern Pro Era. The Sacramento Knights of the MPSL qualified through the USASA in 2004 and reached the Second Round before falling to the Utah Blitzz (Division III). The Gold qualified for the Open Cup through the NPSL’s preseason tournament where they cruised through the Northern Division, outscoring their three opponents 10-1, including a 5-1 championship game win over the Sonoma County Sol.

Doxa Italia (USASA) at Sounders FC U23s (PDL)
Sunset Chevrolet Stadium – Sumner, WA – 10 p.m.

Doxa Italia of the USASA are back in the tournament and will face first-time entry Seattle Sounders FC U23s in the opening round. Doxa last qualified for the Open Cup in 2011 (losing 3-1 to Ventura County Fusion in Round 1), and would have returned in 2012 but a little-known club called Cal FC handed them their only qualifying loss and they missed the cut. This year, Doxa returned the favor, handing Cal FC their only qualifying loss and leaving last year’s USASA Cinderella story on the outside looking in. No matter what they are called, the Seattle Sounders U-23s are making their first Open Cup appearance in franchise history. The club was originally known as Tacoma FC, but never qualified from 2006-2011. Last year, the team re-branded and enjoyed immediate success, winning the Northwest Division championship and reaching the final four in the PDL playoffs.

PSA Elite (USASA) at Laredo Heat SC (PDL)
Texas A&M International Soccer Complex – Laredo, TX – 9:15 p.m.

PSA Elite are back in the Open Cup for the second year in a row after dominating the USASA Region IV tournament this year. They outscored their opponents 26-4, including a pair of wins against fellow Open Cup qualifier Doxa Italia to punch their ticket to the Open Cup and the USASA National Finals. They won their first Open Cup game last year, defeating the Portland Timbers U23s (PDL) 3-1, but a cross-country trip to North Carolina was too much to ask as they were trounced 6-0 by the NASL’s Carolina RailHawks in Round 2. They will have another long trip on their hands this year as they will travel to Laredo, Texas to take on the Heat who are back in the Open Cup for a second straight year, and just the third time in franchise history. Three trips to the tournament in a decade is a surprising number for one of the best teams in the PDL. The 2007 league champion, and a three-time runner-up, the Heat qualified for the Open Cup for the first time back in 2006 when they nearly eliminated Dallas Roma FC in Round 1 before Roma began their historic run to the Fourth Round. Last year, the Heat returned, winning their first-ever Open Cup game, 4-2 over fellow Texas amateur club ASC New Stars (USASA) in extra time. They hit the road in Round 2 and lost 2-0 to the NASL’s San Antonio Scorpions. This is a PDL team that has qualified for the league playoffs nine years in a row, and have only failed to qualify once, during their inaugural season in 2004, so single-elimination tournaments are nothing new to them.

Real Colorado Foxes (PDL) at Georgia Revolution (NPSL)
RYSA Soccerplex – Conyers, GA – 7 p.m.

The Georgia Revolution (NPSL), making their second straight appearance in the tournament, will face the Real Colorado Foxes in Round 1. The Real Colorado Foxes (no relationship with the Colorado Foxes who took part in the 1995 US Open Cup), have qualified for the third year in a row as the second place team in the Heartland Division (Division champion Thunder Bay Chill are from Canada). The Foxes won their first-ever tournament game in 2011 when they defeated USASA’s DV8 Defenders from San Jose, Calif. 5-0. Then after being eliminated by fellow PDL side Kitsap Pumas the next round, they suffered another defeat at the hands of an amateur team, losing 3-1 to the KC Athletics (USASA) at home. If the Rovers are able to knock off the Revolution, it would make the first time in the Modern Professional Era (and possibly ever) that two Colorado-based clubs will meet in tournament play.

FC Hasental (NPSL) at Ventura County Fusion (PDL)
Ventura College; Ventura, Calif. – 10 p.m .

First-time entry FC Hasental will travel to Ventura to take on the Ventura County Fusion of the PDL. The Fusion qualified for the Open Cup for the first time back in 2010 and were one-and-done to the USASA’s Arizona Sahuaros. Each year after that, they have improved on the previous year’s performance. In 2011, they won a single game before being eliminated by the Los Angeles Blues (USL Pro). Last year, they won two games, including a revenge win over the Blues in Round 2. They nearly knocked off an MLS team, but were unable to overcome an early goal by Chivas USA, and lost 1-0.

2013 US Open Cup Second Round (May 21)
All Times Eastern

GPS Portland Phoenix (PDL)/Mass Premier Soccer (USASA) at Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO)
Sahlen’s Stadium – Rochester, NY – 7:35 p.m

Brooklyn Italians (NPSL)/Icon FC (USASA) at Richmond Kickers (USL PRO)
Richmond City Stadium – Richmond, VA – 7 p.m.

Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) at Reading United AC (PDL)
Don Thomas Stadium – Reading, PA – 7:30 p.m.
OR
Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) at FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic (NPSL)
Whitehall High School Soccer Complex – Whitehall, PA – 7:05 p.m.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO)/RWB Adria (USASA) at Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL)
Carey Stadium – Ocean City, NJ – 7:30 p.m.
OR
New York Red Bulls U-23s (NPSL) at Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO)
Highmark Stadium; Pittsburgh, PA – 7 p.m.
OR
New York Red Bulls U-23s (NPSL) vs. RWB Adria (USASA)
TBD

Michigan Bucks (PDL)/Dearborn Stars (USASA) at Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO)
Beavercreek High School – Beavercreek, OH – 7 p.m.
OR
Michigan Bucks (PDL)/Dearborn Stars (USASA) vs. River City Rovers (PDL)
TBD

Carolina Dynamo (PDL)/Chattanooga FC (NPSL) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
WakeMed Soccer Park – Cary, NC – 7 p.m.

Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) at VSI Tampa Bay (USL PRO)
Plant City Stadium – Plant City, FL – 7:30 p.m.
OR
Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) at Orlando City U23s (PDL)
Seminole Soccer Complex – Sanford, FL – 7 p.m.

Orlando City (USL PRO) at Ocala Stampede (PDL)
Trinity Catholic High School – Ocala, FL  – 7 p.m.
OR
Orlando City (USL PRO) at Red Force (USASA)
Florida International Soccer Stadium – Miami, FL – 7:30 p.m.

Des Moines Menace (PDL)/Madison 56ers (NPSL) at Minnesota United FC (NASL)
National Sports Center – Blaine, Minn. – 8 p.m.

FC Tucson (PDL)/Phoenix FC (USL PRO) at San Antonio Scorpions (NASL)
Toyota Field – San Antonio, TX – 8:30 p.m.

Wilmington Hammerheads (USL PRO) at Austin Aztex (PDL)
House Park – Austin, TX – 8:30 p.m.
OR
Wilmington Hammerheads (USL PRO) at North Texas Rayados (USASA)
Richland Community College – Dallas, TX – 9 p.m.

Ventura County (PDL)/FC Hasental (NPSL) at L.A. Blues (USL PRO)
Titan Stadium – Fullerton, CA – 9:30 p.m.

Charleston Battery (USL PRO) at Portland Timbers U23s (PDL)
JELD-WEN Field – Portland, OR – 10:30 p.m.
OR
Sacramento Gold (NPSL) at Charleston Battery (USL PRO)
Blackbaud Stadium – Charleston, SC – 7:30 p.m.

Sounders FC U-23s (PDL)/Doxa Italia (USASA) at Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO)
Queens University of Charlotte Sports Complex – Charlotte, NC – 7 p.m.

Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) at Georgia Revolution (NPSL)
RYSA Soccerplex – Conyers, GA – 7 p.m.
OR
Real Colorado Foxes (PDL) vs. Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL)
TBD

Laredo Heat (PDL)/PSA Elite (USASA) at Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL)
Lockhart Stadium – Fort Lauderdale, FL – 7:30 p.m.

—————————————————-


2013 US Open Cup Participating Teams

Major League Soccer (Division I – 16 teams): Chicago Fire, Chivas USA, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, LA Galaxy, New England Revolution, New York Red Bulls, Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC, Sporting Kansas City.

North American Soccer League (Division II – 6 teams): Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Minnesota United FC, San Antonio Scorpions, Tampa Bay Rowdies

USL Pro (Division III – 12 teams): Charleston Battery, Charlotte Eagles, Dayton Dutch Lions, Harrisburg City Islanders, Los Angeles Blues, Orlando City, Phoenix FC Wolves, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Richmond Kickers, Rochester Rhinos, VSI Tampa Bay FC, Wilmington Hammerheads.

USL Premier Development League – 16 places: The top two American-based teams from each division’s 2012 league standings. The teams will be: Austin Aztex, Carolina Dynamo, Des Moines Menace, FC Tucson, GPS Portland Phoenix, Laredo Heat, Michigan Bucks, Ocala Stampede, Ocean City Nor’easters, Orlando City U23s, Portland Timbers U23s, Reading United, Real Colorado Foxes, River City Rovers, Seattle Sounders U23s, Ventura County Fusion | PDL entry details [+]

National Premier Soccer League – 8 places: Brooklyn Italians, Chattanooga FC, FC Hasental, FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic, Georgia Revolution, Madison 56ers, New York Red Bulls U23s, Sacramento Gold

U.S. Adult Soccer Association – 8 places: Icon FC (New Jersey, Region I), Mass Premier Soccer (Massachusetts, Region I), Dearborn Stars SC (Michigan, Region II), RWB Adria (Illinois, Region II), North Texas Rayados (North Texas, Region III), Red Force (Florida, Region III), Doxa Italia (California South, Region IV), PSA Elite (California South, Region IV)

US Club Soccer – 1 place: Fresno Fuego Future

U.S. Specialty Sports Association – 1 place: Colorado Rovers

2013 US Open Cup Match Schedule

Preliminary Round – Date: May 7 – Number of Games: 2 – Teams: Georgia Revolution (NPSL) at Colorado Rovers (USSSA); FC Hasental (NPSL) at Fresno Fuego Future (US Club Soccer)

First Round – Date: May 14 – Number of Games: 18 – Teams: Preliminary Round winners plus USASA, NPSL, PDL entries and 4 USL Pro teams (Dayton Dutch Lions, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Phoenix FC Wolves and VSI Tampa Bay FC).

Second Round – Date: May 21 – Number of Games: 16 – Teams: First Round winners join remaining 8 USL Pro and 6 NASL teams.

Third Round – Date: May 28 – Number of Games: 16 – Teams: 16 Second Round winners are paired against 16 MLS sides.

Fourth Round – Date: June 12

Quarterfinals – Date: June 26

Semifinals – Date: Aug. 7 or 21

Final – Date: Oct. 1 or 2

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