Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2014 US Open Cup

2014 US Open Cup Round 3: Richmond Kickers rally to beat New York Greek Americans in lightning-filled match

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After a three-hour lightning delay, the Richmond Kickers score two goals to beat the New York Greek American Atlas 2-1. Photo: Richmond Kickers
After a three-hour lightning delay, the Richmond Kickers scored two goals to beat the New York Greek American Atlas 2-1. Photo: Richmond Kickers

Despite a three-hour storm delay that saw heavy rain and lightning dominate the evening, the Richmond Kickers were able to get a comeback victory over New York Greek American Atlas SC thanks to two second half goals from George Davis IV & Tishan Hanley.

Before the rain arrived, much of the opening moments of the match match was spent with both sides fighting to generate attack in their respective ends of the field as Richmond midfielder Shay Spitz and New York’s Christian Camacho moving around the pitch trying to create offense.

It would be Atlas striking first and making their presence known to the fans inside City Stadium thanks to a quick counterattack by the club during the the 21st minute.

New York midfielder Stephan Bareas and forward Chris Megaloudis raced down the wing and center of the pitch, respectively. Bareas sent the ball on a low cross to Megaloudis, finding the forward on the run and deep in the box.

Megaloudis’ shot went low to the right side, beating Richmond goalkeeper Joe Willis and elevating Atlas to a one-goal lead over the Kickers.

Richmond tried to level the score quickly on the opposite end of the pitch as defender Shane Johnson moved forward into the attacking zone and sent a quick pass into the box. That pass found midfielder Luke Vercollone, who wanted to take the shot first-time but was unable to make a quality connection with the ball, deflecting toward Atlas goalkeeper Ryszard Gorski, who was able to grab and protect the ball to maintain their single goal lead.

Both teams would be forced to exit the field and fans asked to leave the stands as thunderstorms impacted the area around the stadium at the 33:37 mark of the first half.

The game would be delayed for three hours and eight minutes with players returning to the pitch at 10:43 pm.

With a small number of fans left in the stands, Richmond and New York shook off the cobwebs and returned to the business at hand. The final eleven minutes of the first half saw the Kickers attempt to get on the board but halftime would see Atlas maintain their one-goal advantage.

The second stanza of the match saw Richmond increase the attack and force New York to play in their own zone. That offensive commitment by the Kickers would pay off thanks to the efforts of forward George Davis IV in the 48th minute.

Richmond forward Tishan Hanley was able to set up Davis IV on a give-and-go play inside the box of the New York goalkeeper Gorski and the quick shot beat the Atlas netminder and allowed the Kickers to level the match early in the second half.

The attack continued for the Kickers with several instances of Richmond spreading the ball around the zone via low passes and high crosses, forcing New York to stay active in their defensive zone.

The go-ahead goal for the Kickers came in the 82nd minute off a fast-moving switch play by Richmond’s Samuel Asante. His play found midfielder Sascha Gorres who was able to move the ball with ease to forward Tishan Hanley, who headed the ball into the back of the net, giving Richmond their first lead of the night.

With the lead, the Kickers turned to goalkeeper Joe Willis, who made several strong saves to maintain the team’s one-goal lead. Even with Willis’ saves, New York was not deterred and generated several scoring opportunities.

The 83rd minute saw Richmond commit a foul, leading to an Atlas free kick. The set piece, taken by Atlas defender Christian Arrieta, could not beat the defensive wall created by the Kickers, leading to the ball going back out of the zone. New York whipped it back into the box trying to convert but Willis was alert and made the save.

New York’s late push continued in the 89th minute with a corner kick that found Atlas midfielder Atonios Papasevastos in the box only to see his header denied by the crossbar.

The final whistle was blown at 11:49 p.m., four hours and 49 minutes after the first kickoff at 7:00 p.m.

The Kickers will now face Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution on June 18 at Richmond City Stadium at 7 p.m.

2014 US Open Cup Round 3: San Antonio Scorpions overcome early deficit, defeat upset-minded Rayados 4-2

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San Antonio Scorpions logoDespite a slow start, the North American Soccer League’s (NASL) San Antonio Scorpions managed to defeat the upset-minded North Texas Rayados of the United States Amateur Soccer Association (USASA) by a final score of 4-2 in a Third Round US Open Cup match.

San Antonio fell behind early as NTX Rayados scored twice in the first 20 minutes to take the lead, which they ultimately carried to halftime. First it was Rayados captain Ryan Spence who pounced on a loose ball off a scramble in the box following a corner kick by Jaime Lovegrove in the 11th minute.

Then in the 20th minute, substitute Alberto Rodriguez, who had replaced the injured Salas just minutes before, was on the receiving end of a punt from goalkeeper Eduardo Cortez and managed to chip Scorpions goalkeeper Jeremy Vuolo.

Desperate for a goal, head coach Alen Marcina brought on his top striker Walter Restrepo to start the second half and Restrepo repaid him in kind with a diving header in the 49th minute courtesy of a Josue Soto cross.

Forward Sainey Touray scored the next two for San Antonio five minutes apart in the 64th and 69th minutes. His second goal came courtesy of another Josue Soto assist. Soto would cap off the evening’s affairs by converting a 76th minute penalty kick that had been drawn by Touray.

The win over NTX Rayados helped San Antonio erase some recent Open Cup demons. They were upset in their first match of the 2013 Open Cup by USL-PDL side FC Tucson. However, in 2012, the Scorpions managed to win their first two Open Cup matches in their inaugural season, including an upset win over MLS side Houston Dynamo.

The Scorpions will now travel to Frisco, Texas to take on FC Dallas in a fourth round Open Cup match on Tuesday, June 17 at 8pm CDT. San Antonio striker Eric Hassli is quite familiar with FC Dallas; he made 15 appearances for the MLS club in 2013.

2014 US Open Cup Round 3: Carolina RailHawks eliminate Charlotte Eagles; will host Chivas USA for third straight year

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carolina-railhawks-logoThe last time the Carolina RailHawks faced the Charlotte Eagles in a competitive soccer match was the First Round of the 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The RailHawks won that game 1-0 at WakeMed Soccer Park.

Four years later, another U.S. Open Cup clash between the in-state avian rivals produced a similar outcome. The RailHawks clipped the Eagles 2-0 Wednesday evening in Cary, paced by two first-half goals from Nazmi Albadawi and Jun Marques Davidson. Carolina now advances to the Fourth Round of the 2014 Open Cup and will host Chivas USA of Major League Soccer on June 14.

The win also extends the RailHawks’ home unbeaten streak to 20 games.

Four days following the RailHawks’ draw at NASL-leading Minnesota United FC, manager Colin Clarke ran out a nearly full-strength side against the USL Pro opponent. The lone notable exception was the insertion of backup goalkeeper Scott Goodwin, making his first start since joining Carolina. With a possible MLS home match hanging in the balance, it was a curious decision to leave Akira Fitzgerald, just named NASL Player of the Week for his clean sheet against Minnesota United last Saturday, on the bench.

However, Goodwin proved up to the task. The former UNC Tar Heel standout made five saves to earn a clean sheet, including a couple of leaping fingertip deflections in the second half to preserve the RailHawks’ advantage.

“Scott’s a very good keeper,” Clarke said. “He deserved his chance. He’s worked very hard and pushes Akira every single day. He deserves a chance to play.”

Carolina got that advantage beginning in the 14th minute. With the Eagles playing a high back line coupled with a compact, eight block midfield, the RailHawks met some difficulty cracking the Charlotte defensive alignment. However, RailHawks’ midfielder Ty Shipalane tends to disrupt opponents’ best laid schemes, and so he did again against Charlotte. Driving off the right wing, Shipalane poked a ball into the box that found its way to midfielder Nazmi Albadawi. The former NC State standout gathered possession before turning to fire a left-footed shot that skimmed across the face of Eagles goalkeeper Brock Duckworth and into the far net for a 1-0 lead.

“Ty made a great run,” Albadawi said. “He always attracts two or three defenders whenever he gets the ball. He played me a good ball in, and I was able to turn over my shoulder. I just went for it, took a shot with my left foot and it went in far post.”

It was solid outing for Albadawi, who scored his first goal as a RailHawk in his second consecutive start. He proved an effective two-way threat, coupling effective defensive play with dangerous distribution, including several effective long balls over the top of the encroaching Eagles back line.

Davidson said Albadawi did lots of little things to help the RailHawks.

“ was in a spot where he could get the ball and distribute it for us at the right time,” Davidson said. “He played into space when he needed, and he scored a good goal that gave us confidence and made the game easier.”

In the 40th minute, RailHawks center back Toni Stahl left the match after sustaining a couple of first-half knocks, the last a rib injury whose severity remains undetermined.

In the waning seconds of the first half, the RailHawks notched their second goal. Forward Mike Grella blazed a trail toward goal, carrying a defender along the way. Grella’s angled blast was deflected away by Duckworth, but the ricochet bounded toward the center of the box and into the path of a streaking Davidson. The RailHawks’ captain buried the loose ball into an open net.

Davidson, who missed last Saturday’s game at Minnesota in order to attend his sister’s wedding, admitted he can’t remember the last time he scored a goal.

“When the ball went to Grella, I looked around and everyone was tired,” Davidson said. “So I thought this our last chance of the first half, I’m going to spin as hard as I can and see what happens. If Grella scores from that, great. If he doesn’t, I could get the rebound. The rebound happened, so I just had to tap it in.”

A back and forth second half was mostly highlighted by missed opportunities for both teams. Carolina easily could, and probably should have scored two or three additional goals against a tired Eagles team forced to push forward. At the same time, Charlotte generated multiple opportunities, including a whopping 12 corner kicks for the game. In the end, Carolina and Charlotte attempted 11 shots each.

Eagles manager Mark Steffens said it was emblematic of a team that has experienced difficulty scoring goals all season.

“We’re not a high scoring team,” Steffens said. “Some of the guys we signed who we felt like would be goalscorers for us have not produced.”

Steffens also said his team’s recent run of road matches left them flagged coming into a hot, humid midweek match. Earlier this month, Charlotte played two matches in California and another in Arizona. Last Wednesday, the Eagles traveled to Orlando and last Saturday, they played in Richmond, VA. This Saturday’s match back in Charlotte will be the Eagles first home game since April 25.

“We’ve been on the road all month,” Steffens said. “Been out to California and Arizona, so we didn’t have any life tonight. We were dead, not only in our press but in our passing and movement. Everything was off a little bit.”

Clarke was happy with his team’s performance against a higher caliber opponent than the RailHawks have faced to open their U.S. Open Cup account the previous two years.

“I think everyone was maybe expecting it was going to be easy for us to get to the next round,” said Clarke. “But they’re a very good team, and it was a tough night with the humidity. I’m absolutely delighted with the result.”

The RailHawks return to NASL league play this Saturday when they host the Tampa Bay Rowdies. When Carolina hosts Chivas USA in June, it will be the third consecutive year the RailHawks have hosted the MLS side in Open Cup competition.

“We’ve had some great nights in this competition over the last couple of years,” said Clarke, alluding to the RailHawks’ two victories over the LA Galaxy and last year’s win over Chivas USA. “We’re looking for another one on the 14th.”

2014 US Open Cup Round 3: New York Cosmos win Open Cup debut, will host Red Bulls in Round 4

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The New York Cosmos defeated the Brooklyn Italians 2-0 in their US Open Cup debut. Photo: New York Cosmos
The New York Cosmos defeated the Brooklyn Italians 2-0 in their US Open Cup debut. Photo: New York Cosmos014

Reigning NASL Champions, the New York Cosmos entered the Third Round of the US Open Cup with a win against NPSL’s Brooklyn Italians. Brooklyn struggled early on with their composure. Head coach Lucio Russo told reporters after the game that he hoped his team could keep the score level for the first 30 minutes. He knew that the longer it took the NASL squad to score, the more nervous they would become.

Unfortunately,by the time the clock hit thirty, Russo’s squad was already down 2-0. The Cosmos scored their first goal off a short corner play in the 16th minute. Spanish defender Ayoze would end up with the ball just outside the Italian box, sending in a cross that was put away by centerback Jimmy Ockford. While continuing to dominate possession, the Cosmos would add another goal at the 30 minute mark. Hagop Chirishian took a rebound off Brooklyn goalkeeper Parkinson, pushing the ball to the back of the net.

The Cosmos tallied 16 shots in the first half compared to Brooklyn’s three, but the Cosmos also bettered the Brooklyn squad in another statistic that they would not want the lead in: fouls. The Cosmos were called for nine fouls while Brooklyn only five. Both teams would go into halftime which one player each being shown a yellow card: Yvener Diese (Brooklyn) and Hagop Chirishian (NY Cosmos).

Brooklyn would make one change to start the second half with forward Juan Aguiar replacing midfielder Diego Zuniga in an obvious attempt to change the game quickly. The game would change very quickly, but the way the Italians hoped. Italians midfielder Salvatore Barone picked up a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on the Cosmos’ Dane Murphy in the 22nd minute. Head referee Andres Pfefferkorn had just put his cards away and blew the whistle to restart play when Barone took down another Cosmos player drawing his second yellow in less than a minute’s time. Brooklyn would play down a man for the next half an hour.

The Cosmos bombarded the Italians with quick lateral passes and crosses but they could not break through the tough defense solidified by Kirk Scarlett and Tim Parker. Parker, a former St John’s defender, looked right at home on the Belson turf, but it would be Scarlett with the defensive play of the match clearing a ball off the goal line that had made its way past Parkinson.

Not even the addition of substitute Hans Denissen could help the Cosmos put a little more breathing room between them and the nine-man Brooklyn squad. The final whistle would propel the Cosmos onto the Fourth Round which will include another NY Derby match-up. The Cosmos will host MLS’s New York Red Bulls at Shuart Stadium in Hempstead, NY, on June 14. When asked about the upcoming game against the Red Bulls, Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese said that he thinks it will great for the sport of soccer. He added that the Cosmos are excited about and that it will be a good thing for New York.

Tonight’s game marked the first ever appearance for the famed New York Cosmos franchise in US Open Cup history . The Brooklyn Italians are no strangers to the tournament winning the Lamar Hunt trophy in 1979 and 1991.

2014 US Open Cup Round 3: Harrisburg City Islanders hold off Baltimore Bohemians 4-2; will face Philadelphia Union in Round 4

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Harrisburg City IslandersThe PDL’s Baltimore Bohemians hosted the Harrisburg City Islanders at Calvert Hall High School’s Russo Field in Towson, MD, in the third round of the US Open Cup, hoping to upset the USL Pro side. The Islanders found the net three times in the first half, however, and cruised to a 4-2 victory, setting themselves up for a June 17th fourth-round matchup against their MLS  parent club, the Philadelphia Union.

The game opened under warm sunny skies, but a chill wind and gray clouds enveloped the home field during the second half. The Bohemians’ hopes were eclipsed sooner than that, as Morgan Langley scored in the eighth minute for Harrisburg. Man of the match Jimmy McLaughlin received the ball just inside the Bohs half, blew by his defender and ran the ball in towards the goal on the endline, before slicing a pass in to Langley who punched the ball in from a few yards out.

According to McLaughlin, the goal followed their game plan to a T. “That was kind of what we were looking to do – connect a couple passes in the middle, and then spray it out wide to our wingers with some pace and try to make something happen,”  McLaughlin said. The Bohs did their best to counter the strategy, and in the 19th minute Ryan Tuck tried a bit too hard, when he caught the top of speedy Jose Barril’s foot with his studs and earned a yellow card for the infraction.

To their credit, the Bohs, who played a 4-1-3-2 formation, did not bunker against the pro side. Baltimore was unlucky not to score between the 20th and 30th minutes as they peppered Harrisburg’s goal with a series of attempts, including shots by Brandon Allen, Marquez Fernandez, and Allen’s Georgetown teammate Austin Martz. McLaughlin noted the strong play of the Bohemians, saying, “It took a little to kind get into the game, but I think once we settled in we showed our quality and put together a couple really nice goals.”

In fact, he was the author of the next strike, putting an emphatic end to the danger and making the score 2-0, with a curling shot to the far post from about 22 yards out off of a pass by Barrill. The Islanders ended their first half run with a penalty. Bohs keeper Andrew Harris grabbed Danny DiPrima after the Islander nodded an awkwardly bouncing ball just over him and was rushing to rejoin it before it crossed the endline. McLaughlin stepped up and planted the ball firmly in the back of the net to give the Islanders a 3-0 lead going into halftime.

The sides battled more or less evenly in the second half as the Bohs did a better job at countering the wing play by Harrisburg. The Islanders seemed content to nurse their lead while the Bohs tried to penetrate the Islanders with their own wing play, forcing City’s Brian Sylvestre to make two consecutive saves from sharp angles resulting in corners in the 49th and 51st minutes. Play became a bit chippier with yellows being awarded to Harrisburg’s Barril and Baltimore’s Fernandez in the 60th and 72nd minutes respectively.

The Bohs finally found the net as second half sub Kingsley Onwuka plucked the ball off a defender and punched it home to reduce the deficit to two. That seemed to ignite the Islanders, however, as Langley made an explosive run in the 80th minute down the right wing, eventually beating Harris with a curving shot just inside the near post. Onwuka netted again in the 87th off a cross from Malcolm Harris to give the Bohs a glimmer of hope. As the skies grayed, though, a quick but ugly altercation in midfield saw Baltimore’s Matt Shinsky sent off, while Harrisburg’s Langley saw a yellow for his part in the fracas.

The Islanders move on to meet their MLS parent club, the Philadelphia Union, in the fourth round. The matchup at PPL Park will be a US Open Cup rematch of the 2012 quarterfinal thriller where the Islanders pushed Philly to the brink before the Union claimed their first semifinal spot in the tournament. McLaughlin is looking forward to the matchup, which he previewed this way: “I think it’s funny how the affiliate teams get matched up against their parent teams. You saw that Kansas City and Orlando City. Anything can happen with these games and I think there’s gonna be a lot of passion on both sides. I think it should be a fun one to watch and a fun one to play in.”

2014 US Open Cup Round 3 preview: NASL joins tournament as teams battle for dates with MLS (with broadcast links)

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Lamar Hunt US Open Cup logoUPDATE: Colin Rolfe of the Rochester Rhinos scored the game-winning goal in the 119th minute to give the Rochester Rhinos a 2-1 win over Reading United AC in the opening game of the Third Round. The Rhinos will host defending Open Cup champion DC United in Round 4. Read the full recap here.

The Third Round of the 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup kicks off tonight with the Rochester Rhinos of USL PRO hosting PDL regular Reading United AC at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester. On Wednesday, 15 more games are on the schedule in arguably the most exiciting rounds of the 101st edition of the tournament as all 16 winners will earn a date with a team from Major League Soccer.

You can follow all of tonight’s games on Twitter @USOpenCup and by using this year’s hashtag #USOC2014.

Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) at Baltimore Bohemians (PDL)
Calvert Hall College High School; Towson, MD – 5:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: None
If Harrisburg wins … they play at Philadelphia Union (MLS) on June 17
If Baltimore wins … they play at Philadelphia Union (MLS) on June 10

#USOC2014 LINKS 

2014 Round 3 previews
Notable upsets in Round 3 history
Things you should know about Round 3
2014 Round 4 draw scenarios
2014 Player of the Round winners 

2014 US Open Cup results
2014 US Open Cup bracket
2014 US Open Cup goalscoring leaders
The First Cup series (1913/14)
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Harrisburg City Islanders Open Cup records
Overall: 13-6-3 (2-1 PKs) | Away: 3-5-0 | vs. Amateur: 9-1-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 1-0 at Reading United AC  of PDL – Round 2)
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2007, 2009, 2010, 2012)
How they got here …
Round 2: 4-0 road win at FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic (NPSL)

Baltimore Bohemians Open Cup records
Overall: 1-0-0  |  Home: 1-0-0 | vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Last entry: First entry
Best finish: N/A
How they got here …
Round 2: 4-1 home win vs. Icon FC (USASA)

 

#USOC2014 BROADCASTS
(All broadcasts embedded down this page) 

Atlanta Silverbacks at Chattanooga FC (7:30 ET)
Orlando City U23s at Charleston Battery (7:30 ET)
Dayton Dutch Lions at Indy Eleven (7:30 ET)
Laredo Heat at Ft. Lauderdale Strikers (7:45 ET)
Radio: OKC Energy at Arizona United (10:30 ET)

The City Islanders will travel to Baltimore to take on the PDL’s Bohemians after dismantling Lehigh Valley United of the NPSL with four second half goals in their opening game. They will be looking to avoid a repeat of last year, when they were knocked out by another PDL side, Reading United AC. Their sole USL PRO match since then saw them take a 5-3 win against Dayton, moving them up a spot to 12th in the 14 team league, though they have the most games in hand of any team.

Harrisburg have made a name for themselves since their first appearance in the tournament since 2007. Since then, they have eliminated five Major League Soccer teams and have reached the Quarterfinals four times. Their loss to Reading in the opening round was their first one-and-done tournament experience and their first loss to an amateur team.

Baltimore took down Icon FC of the USASA 4-1 in their first-ever Open Cup match last round. Their league form hasn’t benefited, however, as they’ve lost 2-1 to FA Euro and 3-0 to Reading United AC to start the season. They currently sit with one point, tied for last place in the Mid-Atlantic Division with Northern Virginia Royals and Ocean City Nor’easters. Player/coach Santino Quaranta, who made his coaching debut against Icon FC, will be hoping to right the ship against their pro competition.

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NY Greek American Atlas (USASA) at Richmond Kickers (USL PRO)
Richmond City Stadium; Richmond, VA – 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: None
If Richmond wins … they host New England Revolution (MLS) on June 18
If New York wins … they play at New England Revolution (MLS) on June 11

New York Greek American Atlas Open Cup records (Modern Pro Era)
Overall: 1-4-0 | Away: 1-2-0 | vs. Div. 3: 0-1-0
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 2-1 at Reading United AC of PDL – Round 1)
Best finish (all-time): US Open Cup champions 1967, 1968, 1969, 1974
How they got here …
Round 2: 2-0 road win at Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL)

Richmond Kickers Open Cup records
Overall: 25-13-2 (1-1 PKs) | Home: 19-4-1 (0-1 PKs) | vs. Amateur: 9-1-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 4-2 in PKs after 0-0 draw vs. DC United of MLS – Round 3)
Best finish: 1995 US Open Cup champions
How they got here …
Round 2: 6-1 road win at RVA FC (NPSL)

After their 6-1 thrashing of defending NPSL champion RVA FC in the first Richmond derby game in tournament history, the 1995 US Open Cup champion Richmond Kickers will now host New York Greek American Atlas, who have four Open Cup titles to their name.

The Kickers’ league form has also been impressive of late, gaining seven points in three matches since their Open Cup tilt on May 14. They traveled to Oklahoma City and Chicago for a 4-1 defeat of Energy FC and a scoreless draw against the Fire’s reserve team, then beat the Charlotte Eagles 2-0 at home. Richmond is currently tied for third in USL PRO, at 19 points along with the Sacramento Republic.

In 1995, the Kickers upset three professional teams en route to winning the 1995 Open Cup title, and have remained one of the best lower divisions in the tournament ever since. They have won 25 games all-time and still have their 2011 tournament run fresh in their memories, giving hope for lower division soccer fans nationwide. They became the first lower division team to upset two straight MLS teams on the road before falling one win short of the final with a 2-1 loss to the Chicago Fire in the Semifinals.

New York, who won Open Cup titles in 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1974, beat the PDL’s Ocean City Nor’easters 2-0, with a brace by Josh Trott to give the Greeks their first tournament win of the Modern Professional Era (1995-present). Greek American Atlas are in a strange position compared to most sides in the tournament, as their regular season is actually over. GAA’s league, the Cosmopolitan Soccer League, uses a fall-spring season instead of a summer season, with playoffs happening in May. Greek American Atlas had won their division, yet suffered a 3-2 upset loss to New York Pancyprian Freedoms in the playoffs. It will take a win for the team to continue their season, and not hang up their uniforms until September.

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RWB Adria (USASA) at Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO)
Highmark Stadium; Pittsburgh, PA – 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: None
Winner plays at Chicago Fire (MLS) on June 18

RWB Adria Open Cup records (Modern Pro Era)
Overall: 1-3-2 (1-1 PKs) | Away: 1-3-2 (1-1 PKs) | vs. Div. 3: 0-1-1 (0-1 PKs)
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 5-3 in PKs after 1-1 draw at Pittsburgh Riverhounds – Round 1)
Best finish (all-time): Semifinals (1978, 1991)
How they got here …
Round 1: 3-1 PK road win (1-1 draw) at Detroit City FC (NPSL)
Round 2: 1-0 OT road win at Michigan Bucks (PDL)

Pittsburgh Riverhounds Open Cup records
Overall: 6-9-3 (1-2 PKs) |  Home: 4-2-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. Amateur: 4-3-2 (1-1 PKs)
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 1-0 at Ocean City Nor’easters of PDL – Round 2)
Best finish: 2001 Quarterfinals (Lost 3-2 in OT at Chicago Fire of MLS)
How they got here …
Round 2: 3-1 home win vs. New York Red Bulls U23s (NPSL)

United States Amateur Soccer Association (USASA) side RWB Adria will visit Highmark Stadium on Wednesday, May 28 to take on the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in a Midwestern showdown.

A year ago, in the same stadium, RWB nearly advanced to the Second Round for the first time in the Modern Professional Era (1995-present), but the Riverhounds defeated them 5-3 in a penalty kick shootout after finishing 1-1 after 120 minutes.

Chicago-based RWB Adria look like tournament darlings right now after a pair of dramatic victories in the first two rounds of the US Open Cup. In the first round they went to Livonia, Mich. and defeated National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) side Detroit City FC in penalty kicks 3-1 after regulation and extra time ended with the score tied at 2-2. By the time it got to penalty kicks, both sides had already been reduced to nine men each. Adria almost didn’t get that far though as they needed a second half stoppage time goal from Vlad Bacia, who would go on to be named TheCup.us’s Player of the Round for the first round. It didn’t get any easier in the second round as their match against Premier Development League power Michigan Bucks. The score was 0-0 at the end of the first 90 minutes before Carlos Muños scored in the 93rd minute and the Croatian-infused amateur side held on to defeat their second straight Michigan-based opponent. This is the furthest the team has advanced in the Modern Professional Era (1995-present).

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds entered the Open Cup in the Second Round and managed to defeat the New York Red Bulls U-23 side by a final score of 3-1. The first half was quite lively with each team getting one goal by the time the halftime whistle blew. But the USL-PRO Riverhounds would get second half goals from Jose Angulo and Rob Vincent to move on to Round 3. Pittsburgh will be hoping their good fortunes in the Open Cup distract from their poor form in USL PRO play this season. The Riverhounds have only managed to take three points from their first nine games, which led the last place team to fire their manager Justin Evans. Former Fulham striker Collins John has been the lone bright spot with three goals in seven appearances this season.

While RWB Adria, who reached the tournament’s final four in 1978 and 1991, are enjoying their best tournament performance in over two decades, the Riverhounds are still looking for a tournament run to hang their hat on. 2001 was the only time Pittsburgh won multiple games in a single tournament and they were an A-League team back then (Div. 2 professional). Since that run to the Quarterfinals that year, they are under .500 overall (6-9-3, 1-2 PKs), and have been eliminated by an amateur club four times, which is more than any professional team since 1995.

The winner of this game, which kicks off at 7pm ET, will travel to Bridgeview, Illinois to take on Major League Soccer (MLS) side Chicago Fire on Wednesday, June 18 at 7:30pm CT.

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Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, NC – 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: None
If Charlotte wins … they host Chivas USA (MLS) on June 17
If Carolina wins … they host Chivas USA (MLS) on June 14

Charlotte Eagles Open Cup records
Overall: 10-11-0 | Away: 5-9-0 | vs. Div. 2: 1-4-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 2-0 vs. Chicago Fire of MLS – Round 3)
Best finish: 2012 Quarterfinals (Lost 1-0 at Chivas USA of MLS)
How they got here
Round 2: 3-1 home win vs. Carolina Dynamo (PDL)

Carolina RailHawks Open Cup records
Overall: 13-5-1 (0-1 PKs) | Home: 13-2-1 (0-1 PKs) | vs. Div. 3: 4-1-1 (0-1 PKs)
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 3-0 at Real Salt Lake of MLS in Quarterfinals)
Best finish: 2007 Semifinals (Lost 2-1 in OT at New England Revolution of MLS)
How they got here … First game

It’s a North Carolina Derby match as the Charlotte Eagles of USL PRO make the two and a half hour drive to Cary, North Carolina to take on the North American Soccer League’s (NASL) Carolina Railhawks at WakeMed Soccer Park on Wednesday, May 28 at 7:30PM EDT.

This will be the second meeting between the two teams in Open Cup play. The RailHawks opened up the 2010 tournament (then a member of USSF Division 2) with a 1-0 home win over the Eagles on a first half goal by Sallieu Bundu

The Charlotte Eagles defeated another North Carolina opponent, Carolina Dynamo (USL-PDL), in the Second Round by a score of 3-1 to advance to this point. The Colombian duo of Jorge Herrara and Jose Guzman led the line for the Eagles with Herrera notching two goals and an assist while Guzman added the third goal as they coasted past the Dynamo. Herrera now has six Open Cup goals to his name and his next one will make him Charlotte’s all-time leading goalscorer in the tournament. The Eagles currently sit in 9th place in the USL PRO standings with nine points from their first nine matches of the season.

This will be the first 2014 Open Cup match for the Carolina RailHawks as NASL sides enter the field in the Third Round. The RailHawks are right in the middle of the NASL standings as they sit in fifth place out of ten teams with 11 points from their first seven matches played. Carolina are led by forward Zack Schilawski, who has three goals and two assists so far this season. Former University of North Carolina standout Enzo Martinez is right behind him with two goals.

The RailHawks are traditionally tough to beat at home in the tournament, amassing a 13-2-1 (0-1 in PKs) Open Cup record at WakeMed Soccer Park. Ever since reaching the Semifinals in their first entry in 2007, they have been a force in the Open Cup. They have never lost their opening game (6-0-0), and are 13-5-1 (0-1 in PKs) overall.

The Eagles don’t have history on their side, as the USL PRO side has only had one year (2012) where they won multiple games in the competition. That 2012 run was a magical run for them as they upset MLS side FC Dallas and the NASL’s San Antonio Scorpions before losing a tight road game against Chivas USA (MLS) in the Quarterfinals.

The winner of this game will move on to host MLS side Chivas USA in the Fourth Round.

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Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) at Chattanooga FC (NPSL)
Finley Stadium; Chattanooga, TN – 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: VIDEO (YouTube)
If Atlanta wins … they host Real Salt Lake (MLS) on June 14
If Chattanooga wins … they host Real Salt Lake (MLS) on June 18

Atlanta Silverbacks Open Cup records
Overall: 7-9-2 (1-1 PKs) | Away: 3-6-2 (1-1 PKs) | vs. Amateur: 4-3-1 (1-0 PKs)
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 3-2 in OT at Real Salt Lake of MLS – Round 3)
Best finish: 2004 Fourth Round (Lost 4-1 vs. Kansas City Wizards of MLS)
How they got here … First game

Chattanooga FC Open Cup records
Overall: 1-1-1 (0-1 PKs) | Home: 1-0-0 | vs. Div. 2: N/A
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 4-1 in PKs after 4-4 draw at Carolina Dynamo of PDL – Round 1)
Best finish: N/A
How they got here …
Round 2: 3-1 home win vs. Wilmington Hammerheads (USL PRO)

LIVE BROADCAST: ATLANTA AT CHATTANOOGA

After playing road games in their respective league matches over the weekend, the Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) will travel to Finley Stadium on Wednesday to face off against Chattanooga FC (NPSL).

The Silverbacks took an important 2-1 victory at FC Edmonton over the weekend, thanks to goals by Jaime Chavez and Kwadwo Poku. Meanwhile, the neighbor from the north had back-to-back league matches this weekend, which resulted into three out of possible six points.

Chattanooga fell 3-2 against the New Orleans Jesters, however, rebounded the following day with a 1-0 win at Pensacola City.

While the Open Cup has been known to showcase small teams going up against bigger teams, Chattanooga will enter Wednesday’s match as the underdog despite knocking out USL PRO side Wilmington Hammerheads on May 14, which ended 3-1 in favor of the NPSL side. With the win, Chattanooga became the first NPSL club to defeat a professional side and the first Tennessee club to win a tournament game since 2002 (Memphis Express – PDL). They are led by reigning TheCup.us Player of the Round Luke Winter, who scored two goals in the upset of the Hammerheads.

While Chattanooga has the homefield advantage, the Silverbacks haven’t lost to an amateur side since 2005 (Des Moines Menace – PDL) and after only winning multiple games in a tournament once in franchise history, the Silverbacks are motivated to put together their first defining Open Cup run.

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Orlando City U23s (PDL) winner at Charleston Battery (USL PRO)
Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, SC – 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: VIDEO (YouTube)
If Orlando City U23s win … play at Portland Timbers (MLS) on June 17
If Charleston wins … host Portland Timbers on June 18

Orlando City U23s Open Cup records
Overall: 1-5-1 (0-1 PKs) | Away: 1-2-1 (0-1 PKs) | vs. Div. 3: 0-1-1 (0-1 PKs)
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 5-3 in PKs after 1-1 draw vs. VSI Tampa Bay of USL PRO – Round 1)
Best finish: N/A
How they got here …
Round 2: 2-1 home win vs. Jacksonville United (NPSL)

Charleston Battery Open Cup records
Overall: 26-6-4 (3-1 PKs) | Home: 21-6-3 (2-1 PKs) | vs. Amateur: 10-1-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 5-2 in OT at Real Salt Lake of MLS – Round 4)
Best finish: 2008 US Open Cup Runner-Up
How they got here …
Round 2: 4-1 home win vs. Panama City Beach Pirates (PDL)

LIVE BROADCAST: ORLANDO CITY U23S AT CHARLESTON BATTERY

After entering the last round with a tournament-high six-game US Open Cup winless streak, the Young Lions of Orlando City won their first-ever US Open Cup match against Jacksonville United FC. Now they face an even tougher task in the next round: a visit to Blackbaud Stadium on Wednesday for a meeting with the Charleston Battery.

The Battery throttled their way into the third round, defeating the Panama City Beach Pirates 4-0 on May 14 thanks to a hat trick by Cuban forward Haviel Cordoves. The match on Wednesday won’t come any better for the Battery, who look to pick up more momentum after a league win at Pittsburgh (their first victory after a two-game losing streak).

Meanwhile, the Orlando City U23s have the tough task of traveling to a hostile Blackbaud Stadium. Despite being unbeaten in an early PDL season, it will be hard to go up against a Battery side. Charleston is already on form, are 9-1-0 against amateur clubs all-time in Open Cup play and have never been upset by a lower division team at home.

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Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) at Orlando City (USL PRO)
Seminole Soccer Complex; Sanford, FL – 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: None
If Tampa Bay wins … play at Colorado Rapids (MLS) on June 10
If Orlando City wins … play at Colorado Rapids (MLS) on June 17

Tampa Bay Rowdies Open Cup records
Overall: 4-3-0 | Away: 3-2-0 | vs. Div. 3: 1-0-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 2-0 at Portland Timbers of MLS – Round 4)
Best finish: 2013 Fourth Round (Lost 2-0 at Portland Timbers of MLS)
How they got here … First game

Orlando City SC Open Cup records
Overall: 11-5-0 | Home: 8-1-0 | vs. Div. 2: N/A
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 5-1 at Chicago Fire of MLS – Quarterfinals)
Best finish: 2013 Quarterfinals (Lost 5-1 at Chicago Fire of MLS)
How they got here …
Round 2: 4-1 home win vs. Ocala Stampede (PDL)

In one of the juiciest Third Round match ups, Orlando City SC hosts I-4 rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies on Wednesday at the Seminole Soccer Complex. It will be their second meeting this year, after the Lions took a demanding 3-0 victory last month.

The Rowdies rallied back over the weekend, beating Florida rivals Fort Lauderdale Strikers 3-2 at Al Lang Stadium, which saw Blake Wagner score in the dying minutes to give the Rowdies the win after trailing 2-0 in the first half.

OCSC paved their way into the third round after defeating the Ocala Stampede 4-1, thanks to braces from Corey Hertzog and Dennis Chin. The Lions, however, did not have a league match over the weekend but instead played an exhibition game with AS Roma on Friday, which resulted into a 1-0 result in favor of the Italian giants.

Orlando is looking to build on last year’s run to the Quarterfinals from last year while Tampa Bay is looking to continue their streak of winning their opening game every time they enter the tournament (2010, 2012, 2013).

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Brooklyn Italians SC (NPSL) at New York Cosmos (NASL)
Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.); Queens, NY – 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: None
If Brooklyn wins … play at New York Red Bulls on June 11
If New York wins … host New York Red Bulls on June 14

Brooklyn Italians Open Cup records (Modern Pro Era)
Overall: 2-4-0 | Away: 2-3-0 | vs. Div. 2: N/A
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 4-1 vs. Icon FC of USASA – Round 1)
Best finish: 2012 Second Round (Lost 3-0 at Rochester Rhinos of USL PRO)
How they got here …
Round 2: 4-2 road win at Jersey Express (PDL)

New York Cosmos Open Cup records
Overall: N/A | Home: N/A | vs. Amateur: N/A
Last entry: First entry
Best finish: N/A
How they got here … First game

History will be made as the New York Cosmos will make their US Open Cup debut against a club that has won the tournament twice. The reboot of the vaunted NASL side will make their debut against another local squad, the Brooklyn Italians of the NPSL. The original NASL did not permit its clubs to compete in the Open Cup, not wanting to risk the league’s reputation against amateur sides, which means that the Cosmos, playing in the new NASL, will get their first teaste of the tournament on Wednesday. After winning the fall league title, their league form this spring has been solid, as they sit in a second-place tie with the San Antonio Scorpions, both with 13 points from 7 games.

Brooklyn, who won the US Open Cup title in 1979 and 1991, are representing the NPSL in the tournament for the fifth straight year. They reached the Third Round after overcoming a slow start to beat the PDL’s Jersey Express 4-2. After being down 1-0 at the half, the Italians erupted for four goals to turn back their fellow amateur side. They have only played one game since their Open Cup bout, a 2-1 road win against the Rhode Island Reds. They sit atop the NPSL’s North Atlantic Division, with wins in all three games they have played. They sit three points above New York Red Bulls’ U23 squad, though the Red Bulls have a game in hand.

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Laredo Heat (PDL) at Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL)
Lockhart Stadium; Fort Lauderdale, FL – 7:45 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: VIDEO (YouTube)
The winner plays at Houston Dynamo (MLS) on June 11

Laredo Heat Open Cup records
Overall: 3-1-2 (0-2 PKs) | Away: 0-1-1 (0-1 PKs) | vs. Div. 2: 0-1-1 (0-1 PKs)
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 7-6 in PKs after 1-1 draw at Fort Lauderdale Strikers of NASL – Round 2)
Best finish: Second Round (2012, 2013)
How they got here …
Round 2: 2-1 home win vs. Red Force (USASA)

Fort Lauderdale Strikers Open Cup records
Overall: 6-6-2 (1-1 PKs) | Home: 6-2-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. Amateur: 4-1-2 (1-1 PKs)
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 2-0 vs. FC Dallas of MLS – Round 3)
Best finish: Third Round (2008, 2010, 2012, 2013)
How they got here … First game

LIVE BROADCAST: LAREDO AT FORT LAUDERDALE

The Laredo Heat travel to south Florida when they visit the Fort Lauderdale Strikers at Lockhart Stadium for the second year in a row on Wednesday.

The Heat suffered a 1-0 defeat to the Houston Dutch Lions over the weekend, while the Strikers also suffered a defeat as well, falling 3-2 to the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the dying minutes after squandering a two-goal lead.

Laredo enter Round 3 after opening their tournament run with a 2-1 victory over Miami-based Red Force (USASA) on May 15 and are hoping to get the best of the Strikers who eliminated them in penalty kicks last year, 7-6 after a 1-1 draw. The Strikers enter 2013 still seeking their first defining tournament run. The team has never won more than two games in a single competition and have been eliminated twice by amateur clubs.

There is a lot on the line as the winner of Wednesday’s game will advance to Round 4 to face the Houston Dynamo of MLS. Laredo has never met an MLS club in Open Cup play, while the Strikers have never defeated one (0-4-0)

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Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO) at Indy Eleven (NASL)
Carroll Stadium; Indianapolis, IN – 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: VIDEO (YouTube)
Winner plays at Columbus Crew (MLS) on June 17

Dayton Dutch Lions Open Cup records
Overall: 6-4-0 | Away: 4-4-0 | vs. Div. 2: 0-1-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 2-1 at Columbus Crew of MLS – Round 3)
Best finish: 2012 Quarterfinals (Lost 3-0 at Sporting KC of MLS)
How they got here …
Round 2: 2-0 road win at Schwaben AC (USASA)

Indy Eleven Open Cup records
Overall: 0-0-0  |  Home: 0-0-0 | vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Last entry: First entry
Best finish: N/A
How they got here: First game

LIVE BROADCAST: DAYTON AT INDY ELEVEN

One of the NASL’s off-the-field success stories this year with home crowds exceeding 10,000 fans, the Indy Eleven should have a strong crowd at Michael Carroll Stadium (the site of the 1997 US Open Cup Final) out in support for the first Open Cup game in club history. The Eleven should also be fired up for the match not only due to the success general manager Peter Wilt has had in the tournament (4 Open Cup titles in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006 with the Chicago Fire) but also because it’s an opportunity for the team to earn it’s first-ever victory in a regular season competition (0-3-4 in the NASL’s Spring Season). The Eleven are lead by forward Mike Ambersley, whose 3 goals has him tied for 2nd in the NASL.

It’ll be a short drive for the Dayton Dutch Lions (the cities are only about 100 miles apart), who come into the match after defeating amateur side Schwaben AC in the Second Round back on May 14. Since then, the Lions have gone on to lose their next two USL PRO matches and a friendly against their affiliate club, the Columbus Crew of MLS. While Dayton hasn’t been lighting it up on the field, they’ll be gunning for the club’s latest upset in the Open Cup. They beat the Crew in 2012 on the way to the Quarterfinals and a run to the Fourth Round last year before falling in another match with the Crew.

The winner goes on to face the Columbus Crew on June 17 at the University of Akron’s Cub Cadet Field.

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North Texas Rayados (USASA) at San Antonio Scorpions (NASL)
Toyota Field; San Antonio, TX – 8:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: None
Winner plays at FC Dallas (MLS) on June 14

North Texas Rayados Open Cup records
Overall: 0-2-1 (1-0 PKs) | Away: 0-2-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. Div. 2: N/A
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 2-0 at Austin Aztex of PDL – Round 1)
Best finish: N/A
How they got here
Round 2: 4-2 PK road win after 4-4 draw at Austin Aztex (PDL)

San Antonio Scorpions Open Cup records
Overall: 2-1-1 (0-1 PKs) | Home: 2-1-1 (0-1 PKs) | vs. Amateur: 1-0-1 (0-1)
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 4-3 in PKs after 2-2 draw vs. FC Tucson of PDL – Round 1)
Best finish: 2012 Fourth Round (Lost 2-1 in OT vs. Charlotte Eagles of USL PRO)
How they got here: First game

The San Antonio Scorpions come in to this match with wounds from 2013’s failure in the US Open Cup still raw. After winning two games in their inaugural cup run in 2012, which included an upset of the Houston Dynamo (MLS), the Scorpions were upset in their opening round by the PDL’s FC Tucson.

Luckily for the Scorpions the squad is vastly changed with a strike force in that match of Hans Denissen and Blake Wagner, replaced by Eric Hassli and Tomasz Zahorski. Given Hassli’s well-published fitness concerns, it is unlikely that he will play any part in a match that the Scorpions will expect to win easily. Concerns of a repeat of 2013 will stop the Scorpions from taking it easy and in Walter Restrepo the Scorpions have an adequate back-up. Expect to see Jeremy Vuolo in goal for David Bingham. It’s been a mixed bag for the Scorpions in 2014 with an undefeated road record, but they’ve struggled at home, with just one win. The Scorpions will be hoping a big win in the cup can turn that record around.

The North Texas Rayados have had no such issues, being a USASA side, they have not had the rigors of a tight league season to exert themselves in, and so the Scorpions tough travel (coming from Canada) could play in to the Rayados’ hands. Despite that the second round match up certainly took it out of them as a thrilling finish and then a penalty shootout saw North Texas advance in their opening game for the first time in three attempts. Alberto Rodriguez was the key to getting past the Aztex as he scored a pair of goals and converted the winning penalty kick in the shootout. He was a constant thorn in the side of the Aztex and will be expecting big things against the Scorpions.

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Minnesota United FC (NASL) at Des Moines Menace (USASA)
Valley Stadium; West Des Moines, IA – 8:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: None
Winner plays at Sporting KC (MLS) on June 18

Minnesota United FC Open Cup records
Overall: 3-3-0 | Away: 2-1-0 | vs. Amateur: 2-1-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 1-0 at Des Moines Menace of PDL – Round 2)
Best finish: 2012 Fourth Round (Lost 1-0 at San Jose Earthquakes of MLS)
How they got here: First game

Des Moines Menace Open Cup records (USASA team)
Overall: 1-1-0 | Home: 1-1-0 | vs. Div. 2: N/A
Last entry: 2011 (Lost 1-0 vs. Chicago Fire PDL – Round 1)
Best finish: First Round (2011)
How they got here
Round 2: 3-0 home win vs. Real Colorado Foxes (PDL)

For the third year in a row, the Des Moines Menace will face Minnesota United. After Minnesota won the first meeting, but the Menace will be looking for a repeat of last year’s 1-0 upset. The PDL club, who actually qualified through the USASA this year, handily defeated PDL side Real Colorado Foxes 3-0 in the Open Cup’s Second Round and come into this match with a 2-0-0 record in the PDL’s Heartland Division.

Des Moines, as a USASA entry, has minimal experience, qualifying back in 2011 under the name the “Iowa Menace.” They lost their opening match to the Chicago Fire PDL 1-0. The PDL version of the Menace are one of the top amateur clubs in the tournament with nine wins, including four wins over professional teams.

Minnesota come into the match atop the NASL table with a 5-1-1 record in the spring season behind a league-leading four goals from Christian Ramirez. As well, their five goals allowed is amongst the lowest in league. The Loons enter this edition of the Open Cup ready for revenge against the Menace and, if they can handle that, look poised to be competitive in the tournament.

Aside from the upset last year at the hands of the Menace, Minnesota had a fair amount of success in their first two trips to the tournament. In 2010, they won their opening match against the KC Athletics (USASA) before falling to AC St. Louis (Division 2 professional), but in 2012, they defeated Des Moines in the opening round before upsetting Real Salt Lake (MLS) on the road and losing a tight game against the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS).

There’s even more on the line as the winner of thi re-match will take on Sporting Kansas City at Sporting Park on June 18.

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Oklahoma City Energy FC (USL PRO) at Arizona United SC (USL PRO)
Peoria Sports Complex; Peoria, AZ – 10:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: RADIO
If Oklahoma City wins … play at LA Galaxy (MLS) on June 11
If Arizona wins … will host LA Galaxy (MLS) on June 18

Oklahoma City Energy FC Open Cup records
Overall: 1-0-0 | Away: N/A | vs. Div. 3: N/A
Last entry: First entry
Best finish: N/A
How they got here
Round 2: 2-0 home win vs. Tulsa Athletics (NPSL)

Arizona United SC Open Cup records
Overall: 1-0-0 | Home: N/A | vs. Div. 3: N/A
Last entry: First entry
Best finish: N/A
How they got here
Round 2: 3-2 road win vs. Portland Timbers U23s (PDL)

A pair of USL PRO expansion teams square off with a chance to make a big splash in their inaugural seasons. The winner of the Oklahoma City Energy and Arizona United will earn a date with the Los Angeles Galaxy in Round 4.

Arizona got their first taste of the US Open Cup last round against a determined amateur side in the PDL’s Portland Timbers U23s. Arizona avoided an embarrassing upset in their first-ever game by scoring three goals after the 84th minute to erase a 2-0 defiicit. Daniel Antunez scored the game-winning goal on what would prove to be the final kick of the game in second half stoppage time to send United to the Third Round.

Oklahoma City had a slightly less difficult road game as they defeated the NPSL’s Tulsa Athletics 2-0 in front of nearly 4,000 fans in Tulsa. Dave Leichty and Cyprian Hedrick both scored for OKC as they won what is believed to be the first-ever all-Oklahoma Open Cup match in tournament history.

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Fresno Fuego (PDL) at Sacramento Republic (USL PRO)
Charles C. Hughes Stadium; Sacramento, CA – 10:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: None
Winner plays at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) at June 11

Fresno Fuego Open Cup records
Overall: 5-2-0 | Away: 2-2-0 | vs. Div. 3: 2-0-0
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 7-2 at Fort Lauderdale Strikers of NASL – Round 2)
Best finish: 2003 Fourth Round (Lost 3-1 at LA Galaxy of MLS)
How they got here
Round 2: 2-0 home win vs. Orange County Blues (USL PRO)

Sacramento Republic Open Cup records
Overall: 1-0-0 | Home: 1-0-0 | vs. Amateur: 1-0-0
Last entry: First entry
Best finish: N/A
How they got here
Round 2: 2-1 home win vs. Ventura County Fusion (PDL)

PDL side Fresno Fuego will travel about three hours north to take on USL PRO newcomer Sacramento Republic on Wednesday, May 28 in the Third Round.

The Fuego overcame a bit of controversy in their Second Round match as they defeated Orange County Blues of the USL PRO, despite having three players declared ineligible right before kickoff. The match was delayed about 45 minutes while the confusion was sorted out, but Fresno ultimately pulled off the upset thanks to a pair of first half goals by Abraham Campos and Jose Cuevas that came just three minutes apart. The Fuego have faced very little adversity in their PDL campaign though as they currently sit atop the Southwest Division of the Western Conference with 35 points from 14 matches played so far this season. Paul Islas has been the star of the PDL season with nine goals in nine appearances.

Sacramento Republic have gained a lot of national attention for their attendance numbers in their inaugural season. They saw over 20,000 fans pass through the gates in their home opener and have averaged roughly 18,000 since the opener. On the field, Sacramento shook off Fresno’s PDL rivals Ventura County Fusion with a come from behind 2-1 victory in the Second Round thanks to goals from Harrison Delbridge and Dakota Collins. Sacramento conceded midway through the first half, but scored twice in the second to advance. Delbridge, who scored the Republic’s first goal in the 59th minute, had previously played for Ventura County. Sacramento are currently tied with the Richmond Kickers for third place in the USL PRO standings with 19 points in their first ten matches played.

The Fuego continue to long for the good old days, as they qualified for the tournament in their inaugural season in 2003 and became the first PDL team to reach the Fourth Round (only three have done it since). They upset two pro teams before falling 3-1 to the Los Angeles Galaxy. They wouldn’t qualify again until 2012, and after qualifying as a US Club Soccer team (Fresno Fuego Future) in 2013, the Fuego PDL side are back.

The winner will advance to travel to Kezar Stadium to face MLS’s San Jose Earthquakes in the fourth round on Wednesday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m. local time.

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PSA Elite (USASA) at LA Galaxy II (USL PRO)
StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium; Carson, CA – 10:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: None
If PSA Elite wins … play at Seattle Sounders (MLS) on June 18
If LA Galaxy win … they host Seattle Sounders (MLS) on June 18

PSA Elite Open Cup records
Overall: 2-2-1 (1-0 PKs) | Away: 2-2-0 | vs. Div. 3: N/A
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 2-0 at Laredo Heat of PDL – Round 1)
Best finish: 2012 Second Round (Lost 6-0 at Carolina RailHawks of NASL)
How they got here
Round 1: 3-2 PK win after 1-1 draw vs. Los Angeles Misioneros (PDL)
Round 2: Advanced after San Diego Flash (NPSL) forfeited

LA Galaxy II Open Cup records
Overall: 1-0-0 | Home: 1-0-0 | vs. Amateur: 1-0-0
Last entry: First entry
Best finish: N/A
How they got here
Round 2: 6-1 home win vs. Cal FC (USASA)

Amateur side PSA Elite will travel to the Stub Hub Center Track & Field Stadium to take on Los Angeles Galaxy II, the reserve side for MLS’s Los Angeles Galaxy.

At the same StubHub Center field, PSA Elite needed penalty kicks to defeat another Los Angeles-based side, L.A. Misioneros of the PDL, in their First Round Open Cup match. PSA saw defender Noah Gaines sent off with a second yellow card in the 61st minute, but held on to force extra time. In the first 15 minutes of extra time, Misioneros’ Javier Castro made it 1-0, but PSA managed to regroup and converted a late penalty kick via Jose Ferciado to send it to a shootout. Ferciado would go on to score the decisive PK that sent PSA through to the Second Round, where PSA advanced after their opponents, San Diego Flash, were forced to forfeit after they were unable to secure a field to host the match.

Los Angeles Galaxy II, also known as ‘Los Dos’, advanced to the Third Round after defeating Cal FC in Round 2 by a final score of 6-1. Cal FC, under the leadership of former US international Eric Wynalda, made headlines in the 2012 Open Cup after they upset MLS’s Portland Timbers in the Third Round. However, any dreams of a repeat dream run for the Thousand Oaks-based amateur side were quickly dashed as Galaxy II’s Alejandro Covarrubias scored just six minutes in and Los Dos never looked back. It took just 33 minutes for the scoreline to read 5-0 in favor of Los Angeles thanks to a pair of goals from Travis Bowen. The Galaxy II have impressed in their inaugural USL PRO season as well. They currently sit in second place, behind future MLS side Orlando City SC, with 21 points from their first 11 matches. Former UCLA standout Chandler Hoffman has led the line with seven goals in nine appearances.

The winner of this match will take on MLS side Seattle Sounders in the fourth round of the Open Cup.

2014 US Open Cup Round 3: Rochester Rhinos survive Reading United upset bid with Colin Rolfe OT winner

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Colin Rolfe scored his first career US Open Cup goal in the 119th minute as the Rochester Rhinos defeated Reading United 2-1. Photo: James Kenneth Studio
Colin Rolfe scored his first career US Open Cup goal in the 119th minute as the Rochester Rhinos defeated Reading United 2-1. Photo: James Kenneth Studio | Rochester Rhinos

The Rhinos left it late in extra time again as Rochester narrowly defeated Reading United AC 2-1

Putting to the test a 12-0-0 record against amateur sides, and a 15-0-1 record against sides from lower leagues, Rochester squeaked out a result against Reading United AC with the game-winning goal coming in the 119th minute by Colin Rolfe.

With the win, the Rhinos advance to the Fourth Round where they will host defending US Open Cup champion DC United from Major League Soccer. The game is scheduled to take place at Sahlen’s Stadium on June 17 at 7 p.m. The Rhinos, who won the 1999 US Open Cup title, will be seeking their first MLS upset since 2009.

Coming into Tuesday night’s match, all eyes were on Reading United AC forward Darius Madison. Madison scored four goals in his last two PDL matches, and had a goal and three assists in the club’s tournament opener before facing the Rhinos. His speed was a threat throughout regulation and made his first impact in the 8th minute when the speedy forward was able to muscle Tony Walls, Rochester’s most imposing player, off the ball but he was closed down before he could get his shot away.

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Reading’s best chance of the first half came from the foot of Nick Surkamp. The forward beat Rochester’s offside trap on a pass from midfield and took a couple touches before firing a heavy shot on frame. Goalkeeper John McCarthy dove to his left to make an improvised save on Surkamp’s shot in the 12th minute.

Inside the first half hour the game settled into a rhythm that appeared to suit both teams. Rochester had the majority of possession but Reading remained dangerous as the visitors were not afraid to run directly at the heart of the Rhinos’ defense with the ball at their feet. By the halftime whistle, the visitors were leading in shots with 4 to Rochester’s 2. Both teams picked up their efforts in the second half.

Attacking midfielder Minh Vu entered the game in the 55th minute and didn’t take long to get involved in the action for the Rhinos. Running away from goal inside the area, Vu flicked a pass wide left for Johnny Mendoza who cut a low cross back towards the penalty spot. Club captain Tyler Rosenlund eyed up a shot but Quincy Thomas did enough to push him off-balance in his run-up.

The amateur side found the game’s first goal in the 66 minute. Ignacio Maganto played an incisive ball for Surkamp that split Rochester’s central defenders. As Surkamp drove into the area, McCarthy came off his line to close down the angle but the forward smartly looped his shot over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.

Reading’s celebrations were short-lived, however, as Rochester responded immediately from the kickoff. Alex Dixon received the ball in the right-hand channel and cut inside before delivering a tempting low ball across the face of goal. Mendoza did well to slide through the center of the area after a lung-busting run to poke the ball home past a helpless goalkeeper Alex Bono. Rochester’s equalizer came within a matter of seconds after the restart in the 66th minute.

Rochester had a chance to win the match in regulation in the 83rd minute. Pushing up from central defense to the left wing, Tony Walls sent a cross into a packed 18-yard box and the ball fell to JC Banks. Banks initially shimmied to his right to shake a defender but then stumbled and laid the ball off to Vu, whose shot was saved well by Bono.

Referee Chris Trottier showed a yellow card to Darius Madison in the 76th minute for persistent fouling. The forward’s tussles with Babacar Diallo at the end of regulation could have earned either player a second booking from a different referee. Madison was not as lucky with a physical challenge on Walls in the 97th minute, for which he received his second booking and, subsequently, his marching orders.

While it would be easy to say that the red card to Reading’s most dangerous player changed the complexion of the game, Rochester was already in the ascendancy before Madison’s dismissal. Reading didn’t manage a single shot in 30 minutes of extra time as Rochester surged forward with wave after wave of attacks.

Substitutes Minh Vu and JC Banks were particularly active for Rochester but Levi Houapeu, who entered the game in the 103rd minute, set up the crucial play for the home side. Houapeu drove down the right wing and his quick feet drew a free kick in a promising position. Though Mendoza had been suffering from a cramp in his right hamstring minutes before and forward Colin Rolfe had been gassed for all of extra time, the two players connected on that free kick to seal victory for the Rhinos.

Mendoza said after the game that he caught a signal from Rolfe as he was placing the ball for his free kick and decided to send the ball in quickly to the near post. “We looked at each other and there was no one in the space there, so I played it to him then.” Rolfe ending up getting contact with the his left thigh as he flicked the ball into the bottom corner on the far side of the net in the 119th minute.

There wasn’t much time left in the match after Rochester’s celebrations ended and the relief among Rhinos’ players and coaching staff was palpable. On the other hand, several of Reading United AC’s players received treatment for cramps on the field after the final whistle, having played at a high level for 120 minutes.

Facing amateur clubs in the cup this year hasn’t provided any relief from the rigors of USL PRO for Rochester as the team has gone late in extra time on both occasions. “Every time you play a PDL team or any team in the Open Cup, it’s gonna be a dogfight,” Mendoza said. “We were fortunate to win this game.”

Rochester head coach Bob Lilley admitted that while he was pleased with the immediate response from his team after going behind in the 66th minute, the Rhinos shouldn’t have gone to extra time. “For me, we should have created more throughout the rest of the game,” Lilley said. Tuesday night’s victory extends the Rhinos’ undefeated record against amateur sides in the US Open Cup to 13-0-0.

US Open Cup notes: With the win, the Rhinos improve to 13-0-0 against amateur teams in Open Cup play. Of those 13 games, 10 of them have been decided by a single goal. Of their 17 games that have gone to extra time, the Rhinos improve to 10-2 all-time in games decided in extra time, and remain 3-2 in matches decided in penalty kicks.

2014 US Open Cup Second Round: Luke Winter’s brace helps Chattanooga FC to historic win, earns TheCup.us Player of the Round

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chattanooga-fc-logoLuke Winter added to his growing list of achievements as his two goals propelled Chattanooga FC to a historic US Open Cup win in Round 2. By defeating the Wilmington Hammerheads 3-1 on May 14, the Tennessee club became the first NPSL side to register a win against professional competition. Prior to CFC’s victory, NPSL clubs were 0-15-0 against professional teams. Winter’s role in the significant victory earned him TheCup.us Player of the Round Award for the 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup’s Second Round.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters.

With a slate of Modern Pro Era record 23 games on the schedule for the Second Round of the tournament there were bound to be some standout performances. The teams and players involved did not disappoint with as many as 13 different players receiving votes for the award.

The wide open vote came down to Winter and four other players: Heviel Cordoves (Charleston Battery), Darius Madison (Reading United AC), Alfredo Rodriguez (North Texas Rayados) and Josh Trott (NY Greek American Atlas). In the end, Winter’s historic brace was enough to separate himself from the pack to earn Player of the Round honors.

Winter also makes a little individual history as he joins Gustavo Villalobos of FC Hasental (2013 Preliminary Round) as the only two NPSL players to ever win Player of the Round.

Photo: Chattanooga FC
Photo: Chattanooga FC

Winter could do no wrong during his shift against Wilmington. In his time of the field, he proved more than a handful for the Hammerheads defense. The CFC forward took advantage of a poorly executed Wilmington offside trap to volley home his first goal of the game in the 21st minute. From there his night only got better. In the 63th minute, taking advantage of a Wilmington team down a man, Winter headed in a scintillating cross from Luis Trude. The goal proved to be the game winner as Chattanooga became the first Tennessee club to win a tournament game since the PDL’s Memphis Express in 2002.

“It was a great team performance,” said Winter. “Everything worked well together and things just clicked for us. I scored two goals but both assists were spot on, making it easier for me.

“Now we’re eyeing up and can’t wait for the challenge,” he added.

Winter is no stranger to producing award-winning performances. The Norwich, England native scored three consecutive hat tricks in NPSL play in 2012, and racked up multiple awards during his collegiate career at Tennessee Wesleyan University. In addition to his TheCup.us Player of the Round Award, Winter also received considerable attention for NPSL National Player of the Week honors for the week of May 12-18. Ultimately, FC Buffalo’s Russell Cicerone forward edged out the CFC forward for the award.

Winter is also familiar with, and up to, the level of play in the US Open Cup, notching a goal and an assist in CFC’s loss to the Carolina Dynamo (PDL) in the first round of last year’s tournament. His brace against Wilmington provided a victory that mollified the sting of CFC’s two previous first round exits to professional opponents in 2011 and 2013, and helped the club earn the first victory for a Tennessee club since 2002 (Memphis Express – PDL)

2014 TheCup.us Player of the Round winners
Round 1: Vlad Baciu (RWB Adria – USASA)
Round 2: Luke Winter (Chattanooga FC – NPSL)

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

FULL MATCH REPLAY

2014 US Open Cup Round 2 review: Largest round in Modern Pro Era brings more drama, another forfeit

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Arizona United put heavy pressure on the Timbers' goal in the second half, producing three goals in the final 10 minutes. Photo: Craig Mitchelldyer | Portland Timbers
Arizona United put heavy pressure on the Timbers’ goal in the second half, producing three goals in the final 10 minutes. Photo: Craig Mitchelldyer | Portland Timbers

The Second Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup took place on May 13 and 14 with a record 24 games on the schedule. After a rare forfeit, the remaining 23 games did not disappoint as all 46 teams were looking to book a place in the next round, which features the entrance of NASL clubs into the competition.

Arizona United SC (USL Pro) 3:2 Portland Timbers U23s (PDL)
Arizona United Soccer Club was the author of a stunning comeback to end their second round match, winning 3-2 over the home side Portland Timbers U23s on May 13. After trailing 2-0 entering the 84th minute, Arizona scored three goals in the final 10 minutes, including a game-winner on what proved to be the final kick of the game. After winning their Open Cup debut, they will host fellow USL PRO expansion team Oklahoma City Energy FC on May 28. MATCH REPORT [+]

Jacksonville United FC (NPSL) 1:2 Orlando City U23s (PDL)
Orlando City U23s snapped the tournament’s longest winless streak (6) by defeating the NPSL’s Jacksonville United for their first Open Cup victory in club history. After trading goals in the first half, the deciding goal came in the 58th minute when a Jacksonville own goal gave Orlando their first win since they first qualified back in 2000 as the Central Florida Kraze. Orlando next meets USL PRO side Charleston Battery at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston. MATCH REPORT [+]

Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro) 2:0 Schwaben AC (USASA)
The Dayton Dutch Lions entered their match against Schwaben AC of Chicago as favorites. The Ohio outfit is a regular participant in the tournament, while Schwaben were making their first Cup appearance in 50 years. The 1956 Open Cup runner-up from Illinois controlled the game early on, but could not create anything with their early possession. Unfortunately for Schwaben, the Lions proved their class soon enough as Eli Gardner scored a goal off a Jesjua Angoy-Cruyff cross just after the 30th minute. The goal proved the spark that the Lions needed to control the game. Angoy-Cruyff, the grandson of the Dutch legend, doubled the lead in the second half with a goal of his own to the third round where they are scheduled to meet NASL newcomer Indy Eleven. MATCH REPORT [+]

Icon FC (USASA) 1:4 Baltimore Bohemians (PDL)
Making their tournament debut, the Baltimore Bohemians did not want to disappoint their home fans as they took on Icon FC from Montville, NJ. The Boh’s made sure not to disappoint, and took an early lead in the 15th minute after local boy Mamadou Kansaye scored via a penalty kick. The Bohs increased their lead just seven minutes later in the 22nd minute when Austin Martz scored on a counter attack. Icon FC valiantly tried to claw their way back into the game for the remainder of the first half, but a Jarod Laventure red card in the 42nd minute hampered the visiting New Jersey squad. Brandon Allen, who was meeting his teammates for the first time that night, and Brian Graham added a fourth goal to give Baltimore a 4-1 win and a date with the Harrisburg City Islanders in Round 3. MATCH REPORT [+]

Alfonso Motagalvan of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds slides in for a tackle against the New York Red Bulls U23s in their second round US Open Cup match. Photo: Terry O'Neil | Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Alfonso Motagalvan of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds slides in for a tackle against the New York Red Bulls U23s in their second round US Open Cup match. Photo: Terry O’Neil | Pittsburgh Riverhounds

New York Red Bulls U23s (NPSL) 1:3 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro)
The first half between the New York Red Bulls Under-23s and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds proved a lively affair with each team scoring a goal. However, the second half was all Pittsburgh as Jose Angulo and Rob Vincent each scored to give the Riverhounds a 3-1 win. With the win, the Riverhounds earn a rematch against USASA side RWB Adria on May 28. MATCH REPORT [+]

NY Greek American Atlas (USASA) 2:0 Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL)
On a foggy and rainy night in New Jersey, the Ocean City Nor’easters took on four-time Open Cup Champions New York Greek American Atlas at Carey Stadium. The weather proved prophetic for Ocean City’s chances in the game as the NY amateur club got a pair of goals from Josh Trott to give them a 2-0 win at the stadium known as ‘The Beach House.’ For as much success as the Greeks have had over the years, entering their match against the Nor’easters, they were previously winless (0-4-0) in the Modern Professional Era (1995-present). Now they move on to face a another former US Open Cup champion as they will travel to Richmond to take on the Kickers in Round 3. MATCH REPORT [+]

Greater Binghamton FC (NPSL) 2:5 Reading United AC (PDL)
Reading United AC pulled away from NPSL foe Greater Binghampton Thunder FC in the second half with three unanswered goals to win 5-2. Reading’s highest goal output in club history was largely courtesy of Darius Madison who scored a goal and added three assists. Reading will next face the fabled Rochester Rhinos of USL PRO at Sahlen Stadium in Rochester, NY. MATCH REPORT [+]

Richmond Kickers (USL Pro) 6:1 RVA FC (NPSL)
After weeks of hype, the Richmond Kickers met RVA FC in the first edition of the Richmond Derby at Sportsbackers Stadium. The game’s first half did not live up to its lofty billing as the Kickers thoroughly dominated RVA FC. The Kickers scored three goals and held RVA FC to zero shots in the first frame. The second half was more of the same as the 1995 US Open Cup champions notched two more goals to put the game out of reach at 6-1. The Kickers advance to the Third Round to meet New York Greek American Atlas at home. MATCH REPORT [+]

Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro) 4:0 Lehigh Valley United (NPSL)

The Harrisburg City Islanders celebrate one of their four goals in their 4-0 win over Lehigh Valley United Sonic. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger
The Harrisburg City Islanders celebrate one of their four goals in their 4-0 win over Lehigh Valley United Sonic. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

Lehigh Valley United hosted the City Islanders in their Second Round Cup match, after edging out GPS Portland Phoenix (PDL) in their First Round game a week ago. This game against Harrisburg mirrored Lehigh Valley’s previous game as both teams failed to score in the first half and the winning team pulled away in the second half. Unfortunately for the NPSL side, it was the City Islanders that pulled away, scoring four goals down the stretch to earn their first tournament shutout since 2012. Harrisburg, which has been among the teams with the most home games since 2007, hit the road for the fourth straight game, this time to Baltimore to play the PDL’s Bohemians on May 28. MATCH REPORT [+]

Carolina Dynamo (PDL) 1:3 Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro)
USL Pro side Charlotte Eagles fought their way past Carolina Dynamo of the PDL thanks largely to the production of Columbian duo Jorge Herrera, who notched two goals and one assist, and Juan Guzman whose lone goal started the scoring for the home side. The match was even until Guzman’s 43rd minute tally off a Herrera assist, but the second half largely favored the Eagles. Herrera’s two unassisted goals sandwiched a strike by Mamadee Nyepon of the Dynamo.

Herrera, who now has six career US Open Cup goals, needs just one more to become the Eagles’ all-time leading goalscorer. They will head to Cary, NC for Round 3 where they will take on the Carolina RailHawks.  MATCH REPORT [+]

RWB Adria (USASA) 1:0 (AET) Michigan Bucks (PDL)
For the second round in a row, USASA competitor RWB Adria of Chicago took down a Metro Detroit team, this time with an overtime victory over PDL hosts Michigan Bucks. After 90 minutes the sides were level with no goals scored, but Adria found the winner in the 93rd minute when Carlos Muños received a cross and beat two defenders to fire the Croatian side’s only goal home. The amateur side then packed into their defensive end and denied the Bucks for the remainder of overtime. Adria has been competing in the Open Cup for decades, but last week’s penalty kick win over Detroit City FC and this round’s overtime win over the Bucks marked the first time the club has advanced in the tournament during the Modern Professional Era (1995-present). They will go for their first pro upset when they travel to Pittsburgh for a rematch with USL PRO’s Riverhounds. MATCH REPORT [+]

Ocala Stampede (PDL) 1:4 Orlando City (USL Pro)
Strike duo Dennis Chin and Corey Hertzog each bagged a brace as Orlando City claimed a 4-1 victory over the Ocala Stampede during Second Round play at the Seminole Soccer Complex. The Stampede were able to get on the scoreboard in the 61st minute when Ben Knight converted on an Orlando City back line error, beating goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski.

With the victory, Orlando City will host the Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) on May 28 in Round 3. MATCH REPORT [+]

Panama City Beach Pirates (PDL) 0:4 Charleston Battery (USL Pro)

Heviel Cordoves of Charleston Battery dribbles through traffic against the Panama City Beach Pirates of the PDL. Photo: Charleston Battery
Heviel Cordoves of Charleston Battery dribbles through traffic against the Panama City Beach Pirates of the PDL. Photo: Vin Duffy | Charleston Battery

Heviel Cordoves logged his first professional hat trick and fellow Cuban teammate Maikel Chang scored his first goal as a pro Saturday to lead the Charleston Battery to a 4-0 win over visiting Panama City Beach Pirates. Second-year forward Cordoves scored twice in the first half, missed a penalty kick in first-half stoppage time, and then took a pass from rookie midfielder Dante Marini, shrugged off a defender and finished strong in the box in the 50th minute. Chang actually opened the scoring with a volley off a cross from Justin Portillo in the fifth minute.

The match was delayed by 15 minutes as US Soccer officials and Panama City Beach wrangled over the eligibility of three Pirates players. The dispute ended with the three being sent to the locker room, leaving reserve ‘keeper Andrea Giombetti as the sole replacement. He was called to duty when defender Anderson Savage was injured in the 19th minute, before Charleston had established their dominance. The Battery move on to the Third Round and will host the Orlando City U23s at Blackbaud Stadium. MATCH REPORT [+]

Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro) 1:3 Chattanooga FC (NPSL)
Chattanooga entered the game as just another NSPL side trying to advance in the tournament as they took on the Wilmington Hammerheads for a spot in the Cup’s Third Round. Don’t tell the Chattahooligans that their club is the same as any other, and today they would be correct as Chattanooga became the first NSPL club to defeat a professional team in the tournament. The NPSL, which launched in 2003, entered the 2014 tournament 0-15-0, but Luke Winter’s two goals helped CFC pull off the upset, 3-1. The victory sees CFC advance to the Third Round to take on the NASL’s Atlanta Silverbacks. MATCH REPORT [+]

Western Mass Pioneers (PDL) 1:2 (AET) Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro)
The Western Mass Pioneers pushed the Rochester Rhinos to extra time, but a pair of late goals doomed the PDL side in a 2-1 loss at Sahlen’s Stadium in the Second Round of the US Open Cup. The match remained scoreless through regulation, only to become a three-goal bonanza in the second period of extra time when Levi Houapeu (110’) and Thomas Obasi (114’) both scored for the Rhinos, while Will Daniels (117’) brought one back for the Pioneers. With the win, the Rhinos advance to the Third Round, where they’ll host Reading United AC at Sahlen’s Stadium on May 28. MATCH REPORT [+]

Brooklyn Italians SC (NPSL) 4:2 Jersey Express (PDL)
The NPSL’s Brooklyn Italians survived a slow start and advanced with a four-goal second half performance against the PDL’s Jersey Express at the J. Malcolm Simon Stadium on the campus of New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, NJ. The first half belonged to Open Cup debutante’s Jersey Express who went to the locker room with a 1-0 lead, courtesy of William Torreson Paulino’s free kick in the 12th minute that found Markus Hackett at the far post to open the scoring. Brooklyn’s turnaround started early in the second half with a goal by Jiro Barriga, followed by a goal from a penalty kick by Salvatore Barrone, and two goals after the 80th minute by Yvener Guerrier. The Italians next take on another Open Cup first-timer in the New York Cosmos at St. John’s University in a much-anticipated Third Round matchup. MATCH REPORT [+]

Oklahoma City Energy (USL Pro) 2:0 Tulsa Athletics (NPSL)
The Tulsa Athletics of the NPSL hosted the Oklahoma City Energy FC (USL PRO) for the first time as both teams made their Open Cup debuts. In the end, the professional expansion team Energy FC were too much for the amateur side as Dave Leichty and Cyprian Hedrick scored a goal in each half to win the game 2-0. The Energy now earn a spot in the Third Round where they will travel to Peoria, AZ to take on fellow USL Pro expansion team Arizona United SC on May 28. MATCH REPORT [+]

Real Colorado Foxes (PDL) 0:3 Des Moines Menace (USASA)
The Des Moines Menace stepped up in a big way in the Second Round, defeating the Real Colorado Foxes 3-0 to earn their first win as a USASA representative (they failed to qualify out of the PDL, but were successful in the USASA tournament). Menace goals were scored by Nico Wright at five minutes, Alec Bartlett just before halftime, and Sean Dong in the 53rd minute. The Menace will face NASL entry Minnesota United FC at home on May 28 in the Third Round. MATCH REPORT [+]

North Texas Rayados (USASA) 4:4 (4:2 PK) Austin Aztex (PDL)
In a rematch from last year’s competition, the North Texas Rayados of the USASA traveled south to take on the PDL’s Austin Aztex, hoping to avenge last year’s 2-0 opening round loss. The Rayados fell behind three times, each time finding their way back. After a second half stoppage time equalizer took the game into extra sessions, North Texas finally took the lead in the 118th minute. Before the celebration could begin, Austin tied the game in the final minute to force penalty kicks. North Texas won the PK shootout to advance to Round 3 for the first time in club history. The Rayados will travel to San Antonio to take on the NASL’s Scorpions in the Third Round on May 28. MATCH REPORT [+]

Orange County Blues (USL Pro) 0:2 Fresno Fuego (PDL)
The Fresno Fuego pulled off one of the upsets of the Second Round, knocking off USL Pro side Orange County Blues 2-0 behind some solid defending and two opportunistic goals. Fresno ran into trouble before the match even kicked off as three of their players were ruled ineligible, and the match kicked off nearly 45 minutes late as a result of the roster confusion. Abraham Campos and Jose Cuevas scored within three minutes of each other late in the first half to give the Fuego their pass to the next round. They travel north on May 28 to take on the USL PRO’s Sacramento Republic. MATCH REPORT [+]

Red Force (USASA) 1:2 Laredo Heat (PDL)
Miami’s USASA entrant Red Force fell to hosts Laredo Heat of the PDL in a wild 2-1 clash marked by a penalty, a fight, and five red cards. Miguel Fernandez tallied from the penalty spot for the Heat but teammate Danny Garza got the game-winner in the second half following a Red Force equalizer from Stiven Salinas. The real heat was generated in the 39th minute, however, when Red Force’s Kevin Nylen and Laredo’s Fernandez collided in the air and fell to the ground. Players from both teams leaped into a heated scrum which only ended after four red cards and one yellow card had been issued. Kevin Nylen and Heber Hernandez from Red Force FC as well as Laredo Heat’s Joao Monteiro and Yair Hernandez were all ejected while Salvador Luna was issued the yellow card. The Heat advance to the Third Round of the US Open Cup with a match at Fort Lauderdale Strikers’ Lockhart Stadium on May 28. MATCH REPORT [+]

PSA Elite (USASA) W:L (FORFEIT) San Diego Flash (NPSL)
San Diego Flash advanced to the Second Round last week due to a forfeit, and in an ironic twist to this tournament, dropped out of the tournament due to another. San Diego could not find a suitable home field, and were forced to allow PSA Elite to move on without a game. FULL STORY [+]

Ventura County Fusion (PDL) 1:2 Sacramento Republic (USL Pro)
In a game that the Republic controlled the whole way, it took 78 minutes to finally shake the upset-minded Fusion. A counterattack goal by Jordan Rideout in the 36th minute gave Ventura County the lead that held through the half. Ironically enough, Sacramento went level through a pair of former Fusion players. Harrison Delbridge headed in a Rodrigo Lopez free kick in the 59th minute to even the score. Anxious to get their first Open Cup win under their belts, the northern California team finally broke through with 12 minutes left when Dakota Collins caught a rebound after a save by Ventura’s Trey Mitchell and sent it past the keeper for the winner. Sacramento will host another PDL Southwest Division side, the Fresno Fuego, at 10:30 pm on May 28. MATCH REPORT [+]

Cal FC (USASA) 1:6 LA Galaxy II (USL Pro)
There would be no Cinderella magic this year for Cal FC. LA Galaxy II got off to a running start with a goal from Alejandro Covarrubias just six minutes into the game and the team never looked back. This was just a prelude of a lopsided game, as the score stood 5-0 to Galaxy II just 33 minutes in, thanks to a brace by Travis Bowen and goals by Bradley Diallo and Bradley Jamieson. LA will host PSA Elite on May 28. MATCH REPORT [+]

2014 US Open Cup Round 2: Harrisburg City Islanders’ score four in second half, shut out Lehigh Valley United

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The Harrisburg City Islanders celebrate one of their four goals in their 4-0 win over Lehigh Valley United Sonic. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger
The Harrisburg City Islanders celebrate one of their four goals in their 4-0 win over Lehigh Valley United Sonic. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

It took more than 45 minutes of shooting for the Harrisburg City Islanders to find the back of the net, but when they did, they couldn’t stop. They eventually got four in a 4-0 shut out victory over Lehigh Valley United Sonic in Round 2 of the 2014 US Open Cup.

It was Jose Barril who eventually opened the floodgates for the City Islanders in the 48th minute, and he did it in spectacular fashion. Fellow Islander Luan Silva’s cross deflected to Barril, who hit a scorching shot from 20 yards out past the outstretched arms of Sonic goalie Charlie Sales, and into the net.

But until that goal, the City Islanders, who play in USL Pro, looked far from dominant. Lehigh Valley, which plays in the NPSL, took the game to its professional opponents in the first half. Both teams had chances, including Sonic, who tested Harrisburg keeper Brian Sylvestre several times.

“It’s great to play a pro team,” Sonic coach Dave Weitzman said. “We really came out and achieved our game plan in the first half—we made it tough on them and frustrated them.”

The USL Pro side came out with a new intensity in the second half however, as evidenced by the Barril goal. More than just the score, the away side’s passing was crisper and faster. Clesio Bauque was extremely dangerous in the half, with only the exploits of Sales keeping him from potentially scoring a hat trick.

The Harrisburg City Islanders and Lehigh Valley United Sonic battle for the ball in their Second Round US Open Cup match. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger
The Harrisburg City Islanders and Lehigh Valley United Sonic battle for the ball in their Second Round US Open Cup match. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

Harrisburg finally broke the game open in the 82nd minute. Second-half substitute Garret Pettis collected a bad back-pass on the left side of the field. He ran past two defenders and the goalie before hitting a hard-angle shot into the right-side netting.

Then, Bauque finally got the goal he had come so close to netting several times. Another second-half substitute, Jimmy McLaughlin found Bauque right at the top of the penalty area. Bauque collected and powered the ball past the keeper to make it 3-0 in extra time. Just a minute later, Bauque was involved again, this time with an assist to Danny DiPrima, who made it 4-0.

Weitzman said, “The score was not real indicative of how we played. We came out in the second half on our heels.”

Harrisburg advances to the Third Round of the US Open Cup, where it will travel to face the Baltimore Bohemians of the PDL. The City Islanders recovered well from last year when they lost their opening match for the first time in club history (Reading United AC). They are hoping to rekindle the magic run they had in 2012, when they knocked off two MLS sides (New York Red Bulls, New England Revolution) en route to a Quarterfinal appearance.

FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic vs. Harrisburg City Islanders
Whitehall High School – Whitehall, PA

Scoring Summary:

HCI: Jose Barril (unassisted) 48’
HCI: Garret Pettis (unassisted) 82’
HCI: Clesio Bauque (Jimmy McLaughlin) 90+
HCI: Danny DiPrima (Bauque) 90+

Lineups:

LVU: Charlie Sales; Brendon Boucaud, Conor Osborne, Julian Plummer, Ali Famili; Toric Robinson (Joe-Joe Jappah, 58’), Michael Gonzalez, Thomas Mustac, Danny Gonzalez (George Tsirukis, 75’); Shastri Spencer (Patrick Letourneau, 79’), Tucker Sandercock

HCI: Brian Sylvestre; Raphael Cox, Matthew Bahner, Richie Marquez, Colin Zizzi; Jason Pelletier, Neil Shaffer, Luan Silva (Danny DiPrima, 86’), Robbie Derschang (Jimmy McLaughlin, 76’); Clesio Bauque, Jose Barril (Garret Pettis, 68’)

Bookings:

LVU: Shastri Spencer (Caution-68’)
HCI: Raphael Cox (Caution-68’)
HCI: Jason Pelletier (Caution-87’)

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