2016 Second Round

2016 US Open Cup Round 2: Saint Louis FC hold off well-traveled AFC Cleveland, 2-0

May 24, 2016 by Phill Grooms

The Second Round of the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup brought well-traveled first round winner, AFC Cleveland, to Saint Louis, Missouri. There they met their end of their first trip to the Open Cup, falling 2-0 to the USL’s Saint Louis FC.

Cleveland had to defeat fellow National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) side, GPS Maine, in Maine, to get there, and they outscored them 1-0. The long trip paid off. However, they had their home opener three days later and then had to travel down to St. Louis four days after that. It was quite the trek.

AFC Cleveland President, Terry Lawriw, said ahead of the match, “The US Open Cup is very special to us as this is our first year qualifying.”

AFC Cleveland is in their fifth year of existence, but despite making the playoffs three of those years, this was their first trip to the competition (they qualified in 2013 but declined the invite due to player availability). Being a USL side, Saint Louis FC automatically qualified for the second year in a row after ousting the Des Moines Menace (PDL) and Minnesota United FC (NASL) last year before falling to eventual champion Sporting Kansas City, 1-0.

The second round action this year opened up with many long balls being sent down to the final third by St. Louis, especially down the right side. Many crosses were made from there, but were either cleared out or shot off target. Goalkeeper Anthony Flowers distinguished himself in many of these thwarted attacks. AFC Cleveland was able to counter these long balls several times. A few dangerous runs were made with Antonio Manfut and Vinny Bell looking the most dangerous.

The first truly distinguishing play came in the 8th minute. Jamiel Hardware took a shot on goal that was deflected by a handball in the box by AFC Cleveland. James Musa lined up the penalty shot for St. Louis and it was saved by Flowers. Saint Louis was able to redeem themselves in the 21st minute when Kentaro Takada sent a thru ball into the box to assist Jamiel Hardware’s chip over the goalkeeper.

It was around this time that Cleveland decided to start bunkering up a little bit more and St. Louis was able to retain much of the possession for the rest of the game. St. Louis took many chances, but none of their shots reached pay dirt until the 76th minute. Jordan Roberts received a pass on a fast run from Seth Rudolph, both impact subs, where he was able to juke the defender on the left side with some fancy moves and send a perfectly angled shot into the bottom right corner of the goal. That concluded the scoring for the night.

St. Louis head coach Dale Schilly said the he was able to give some reserve players some valuable playing time against an amateur opponent.

“Some of them are wanting to prove that they deserve more time and more opportunity,” said Schilly. “It’s important that they take advantage of the opportunities when given them … and tonight was one of those opportunities.”

Saint Louis will have to use their depth more in the coming weeks as they look to continue their run in USL play and US Open Cup play. They look to repeat last year’s Third Round penalty kick win against Minnesota United FC June 14 while AFC Cleveland looks for a second invite to the Open Cup with a good start in NPSL competition. They are already 2-0 this season.

2016 US Open Cup Round 2: Des Moines Menace add to upset resume, 2-0 over Tulsa Roughnecks

May 23, 2016 by Ian Knighton

For the seventh time in the club’s history, the Des Moines Menace of the Premier Development League (PDL) have beaten a pro team to advance to the next round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. This time, it was a 2-0 result at home against the USL’s Tulsa Roughnecks.

With seven upsets over professional teams — four against Division 2 teams (4-3-0), three against Div. 3 clubs (2-1-1, 1-0 PKs) — they are second only to the Michigan Bucks (9) for most among all amateur clubs in the Modern Era (1995-present).

The early minutes of the match were mostly dominated by the Roughnecks, but neither team would have a real shot on goal until the 14th minute when Des Moines’ Heath Preston fired an attempt just side of the net.

Tulsa continued to control the ball through the first half, which went into the break tied at 0-0.

The second half of the match would bring plenty of action.

In the 48th minute, Tulsa coach David Irving was sent off. The sending off of Irving was the first of many officiating decisions that would not be in the Roughnecks favor. Defender Mason Grimes would receive a yellow in the 56th minute followed by a red card being shown to forward Taylor Morgan just 10 minutes later.

It would quickly get worse for Tulsa as Des Moines’ Sean Hoek opened the scoring just two minutes after his squad went up a man. The Roughnecks managed to hold off an attacking Menace side until the 81st minute when a bullet shot from Elvir Ibisevic would put the match away for the Menace. The remaining nine minutes and stoppage time proved to be not enough for the 10-man Tulsa club to mount a comeback.

The win moves Des Moines on to the next round of the Open Cup where they will host San Antonio FC on June 1. Here, they will hope to add another pro team to their list of upsets and earn a fourth date with a Major League Soccer team in the Fourth Round.

2016 US Open Cup Round 2: Louisville City claws out 3-1 PK victory over Detroit City FC

May 23, 2016 by J.T. Alwin

Louisville City vs. Detroit City in the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Alena Shuckmann | Louisville City

Louisville City FC rode a little bit of luck and a lot of grit to beat amateur side Detroit City FC (NPSL) 3-1 in a penalty shootout after clawing out a 1-1 draw in extra time. Ilija Ilich salvaged what could have been a game of missed opportunities to counter a Sebastian Harris goal earlier in extra time, and Scott Goodwin allowed only one ball past him from the spot in during the shootout, notching a save while two Detroit kicks were no threat to the Louisville goal.

The game, played at Frazier Stadium on the campus of Bellarmine University due to scheduling conflicts with Slugger Field, had the hosts facing northward and pushing down on the gas. After the teams exchanged initial possessions, Louisville held possession for the most part, usually winning the ball back quickly from Detroit before they could get any sort of counter started. The home team got a scare early, after midfielder Kadeem Dacres hit the netting behind the goal after contact with Detroit keeper Steinwascher, and came up limping. Dacres stayed in, though would be subbed out at the half.

Louisville had a great chance early when midfield Aodhan Quinn was fouled hard by Zach Schewee just outside the box, earning a yellow for DCFC. Paolo DelPiccolo, however, sent the ensuing free kick wide right of the goal. This seemed to be the theme for most of the night for the Louisvillans, who dominated possession throughout the game, led 9-0 in both shots and corner kicks at the half, but only managed one shot on goal. Whether it was poor service on free and corner kicks, or crosses that were either just too far from the receiver or too close to a defender, or passing on clear chances for shots to get a closer look and coming up empty, a lack of finishing for the team in purple kept the game scoreless. A solid goalkeeping performance from Nathan Steinwascher, who replaced the reigning TheCup.us Player of the Round Evan Louro in net.

As Detroit built up momentum in the second half, Steinwascher’s brilliance was matched by Louisville City keeper Scott Goodwin. Goodwin sniffed out multiple crosses and free kicks, suffocating Detroit’s counterattacks. This set the stage for one of the unpredictable extra time periods that make the Open Cup what it is.

Louisville sub Ilija Ilich was attempting to corral a blocked shot ten minutes into the first extra period, when he was brought down by Matt Nance inside the box. Nance received a yellow, and Ilic a penalty kick. While the Serbian missed, a scrum after the rebound ended with Tyler Stevens being shown a straight red card. DCFC coach Ben Pirmann was heated over the call, and just two minutes later was shown the door himself after verbally confronting the ref. This seemed to energize the Michigan bunch, as a counterattack found Sebastian Harris fouled in front of the box a few moments later. Detroit sub Ali Al-Gashamy sent the free kick into the box, where Harris slotted home to give the visitors the lead.

Things seemingly went from bad to worse for Louisville in the second extra time period, as Conor Shanosky was tagged very quickly with his second yellow for dissent five minutes in. However, being at ten men each seemed to open things up for Louisville, as the rebound from a free kick in the final minute went right to Ilich, who made sure things would continue on even terms. The home side did not quit pressing for a winner, but ran out of time before they could do so.

Detroit City suddenly found themselves up again after the first round of penalty kicks, as Harris made his goal while LCFC’s Quinn had his shot saved. However, the hosts rebounded, as Paolo DelPiccolo and Ilich made their shots, followed by a George Davis miss, while Al-Gashamy and Dave Edwarson missed their shots, while Tyler Channell’s effort was saved. This left Cameron Lancaster with a chance to seal the victory, and he deked Steinwascher to end the match.

Louisville will travel up I-65 to play the NASL’s Indy Eleven on Wednesday, June 1 in Round 3.

2016 US Open Cup Round 2: LA Wolves hand Orange County Blues 3rd straight loss to amateur team

May 22, 2016 by Dennis Pope

Luis Mora scored the game-winner on home turf as the Los Angeles Wolves (UPSL) held on to defeat Orange County Blues (USL), 4-2 in a penalty kick shootout after a 1-1 draw, Wednesday night at Wilmington (Calif.) Banning High School.

“He lives around the block, the whole community is watching him; He takes the final kick and he buries it,” LA Wolves owner/head coach Yan Skwara said.

Skwara said Mora, a Banning High School graduate, wanted to be the fifth kick taker.

“He wanted it. He played on that field for four years for his high school, and he buries it,” Skwara said. “It couldn’t be more dramatic.”

Mora’s home-town finish punched the Wolves’ ticket to a third-round matchup against fellow UPSL side La Maquina. The winner plays at LA Galaxy (MLS) in the fourth round.

“(La Maquina) beating their opponents handily, I’ll say that,” Skwara said. “We’re not going in, by any means, with any sort of comfort level.”

Miguel Sanchez had a goal in the 72nd minute, and 20-year-old goalkeeper Kifi Kalani made two saves in the shootout win for Wolves, who continue to enjoy their first Lamar Hunt US Open Cup run.

“We have a blend of players and we’re in the (UPSL) playoffs,” Skwara said. “You want to come into any cup scenario in good form, and we are in good form right now. We’re on the rise.”

Sanchez started the shootout with a miss for Wolves, who were down 2-0 before Joey Chica and Gonzo Salguero scored to level.

Jeremiah Eglijie made it 3-2 but it was Kalani’s back-to-back blocks that gave Wolves a real advantage.

“(Kalani) had a (heck) of a game,” Skwara said. “He made two PK saves. That’s what happened.”

Grady Howe equalized in the 77th minute for OC Blues, which still suffered its fourth loss to an amateur side in its last six Cup entries, including its third straight. Blues previously lost to Ventura County Fusion in 2012, Fresno Fuego in 2014 and PSA Elite in 2015.

2016 US Open Cup Round 2: La Maquina earn second straight shutout, 2-0 over Sacramento Gold

May 21, 2016 by Alicia Rodriguez

Orange County’s La Maquina defeated NPSL side Sacramento Gold 2-0 at Westminster High School in Westminster on Wednesday in the US Open Cup Second Round.

The game remained scoreless through the first 70 minutes, but La Maquina scored two goals inside of 10 minutes, courtesy of Edwin Borboa and Jose Castro Perez, to grab the result and advance to the third round.

La Maquina, in their first ever US Open Cup tournament, controlled the run of play throughout the night, as second-time Open Cup participant Sacramento tried to hold firm and grab chances when they could.

“Basically, we just told the guys they have to keep playing the same way they have,” said La Maquina assistant coach Edson Martinez on Thursday.

“As soon as they were able to score that first goal, that gave them more confidence to score another one or two, which they did.”

The hosts, who went on the road to claim their first-round win over Portland Timbers U-23s, showed why they have been a successful tournament team in recent years on the local Southern California circuit, with former pros like Borboa, who won two Mexican league titles, meshing well with a core group of players who have been playing together for several years for the team.

Martinez praised Borboa’s “stellar performance” and ability to “always come through for the team,” an important feature in a tournament atmosphere, and also singled out the twin brothers in central midfield, the goal scorer Perez and his brother Rosando.

“They’re the motor of the team that keeps everyone going,” he said. “Those guys don’t stop, they just run, run, run.

“They’re twins, and they know what doing. They play with their eyes closed-type of thing.”

La Maquina will now host fellow UPSL competitors LA Wolves FC in the third round on June 1 at Westminster High School with a match-up against two-time US Open Cup winners LA Galaxy in the following round on the line.

2016 US Open Cup Round 2: Arizona United too much for in-state amateurs from FC Tucson

May 21, 2016 by Ted Prezelski

Long Tan's second goal for Arizona United against FC Tucson in the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Sidney Cervantes — Long Tan’s second goal for Arizona United against FC Tucson in the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Sidney Cervantes

The history of the US Open Cup is full of scrappy, amateur teams beating experienced, professional sides. We’ve seen it happen more than once this year already.

It did not, however, happen at Kino Stadium on Wednesday night, as FC Tucson fell to their northern neighbors Arizona United SC by a score of 5–0 at Tucson’s Kino Stadium.

It started off well for the hosts, said long time FC Tucson player Dom Papa.

“I thought when we came out we played well,” he said. “For the first twenty or twenty five minutes we controlled the game; we looked good in the midfield. But you know, they are big, they are fast, they play direct. I just think we weren’t ready to handle that kind of play.”

“We gave up one, and the wheels fell apart,” he added.

That “one” came in the 28th minute after a foul just outside the box set up English midfielder Luke Rooney for a free kick. He easily got it past Tucson keeper Borja Angiota.

Long Tan extended the lead for the visitors minutes later, finding the back of the net after slaloming through FC Tucson’s back line. Gibson Bardsley closed out the half with another goal for Arizona moments before the close of the half.

A fourth goal came from United’s Tyler Blackwood just minutes into the second half, but then came a spot of hope for the home team: a red card for Arizona’s Gibson Bardsley for poorly timed tackle on Tucson’s Sean Keith.

It was still hard for FC Tucson to take a shot when they got into the final third, thanks to the work of Arizona center full back Uchenna Uzo.

“There are not many players that are as big as I am on the field, and I think he’s twice my size,” said Tucson’s Papa, who the team has counted on for physical play in past years. “When you have a center back there that can destroy every attack we try to start, well, he’s a different level.”

Whatever spark that gave FC Tucson was extinguished in the 67th minute with Long Tan’s second goal. A flurry of shots from the home team in the closing moments of the match excited the crowd, but still left a zero on the board when the whistle blew.

Interestingly, FC Tucson’s defense only allowed a handful of shots. They went in and that’s what counts says United coach Frank Yallop.

“Our finishing was excellent. We were clinical when we had the chances. That’s the game,” he said after the match. “Long, Tyler Blackwood and Rooney showed their qualities today. I was proud of the whole team but I think they were pretty sharp in front of the goal.”

“We didn’t take the game for granted. We were 4-0 and got a red card and still scored another goal,” he added. “That’s a good sign for our league play.”

Arizona United is scheduled to play Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the next round, which is scheduled for June 1. The winner will play the Colorado Rapids in Round 4.

FC Tucson v Arizona United
Kino North Stadium

Scoring summary
AZU – Luke Rooney (27’)
AZU – Long Tan (33’)
AZU – Gibson Bardsley (45’+)
AZU – Tyler Blackwood (47’)
AZU – Tan (68’)

Misconduct summary
FCT – Dom Papa (27’, caution)
AZU – Gibson Bardsley (41’, caution)
FCT – Sean Keith (43’, caution)
AZU –Bardsley (54’, second caution, ejection)

FC Tucson: Borja Angoitia –Aaron Herrera (Edgar Reyna 77’), Gonnie Ben-Tal, Kyle Adams- Sean Keith, Evan Waldrep, Dom Papa, Musa Morris (Tate Schmitt 45’) – Jon Bakero, Minh Vu, Damian German (Alfonso Pinhiero 45’)

Arizona United SC: Carl Wosczcynski – Daniel Antúnez, Uchenna Uzo, Julian Ringhof, Brandon Poltronieri – Gibson Bardsley (ejected 54’), Miguel Timm (Blair Gavin 37’), Sam Garza – Luke Rooney (Duncan McCormick 58’), Long Tan, Tyler Blackwood (Tony Cascio 77’)

2016 US Open Cup Round 2: Colorado Springs Switchbacks end cup run of Harpo’s FC again

May 21, 2016 by Jim Hart

For the second year in a row the Colorado Springs Switchbacks have knocked Harpo’s FC out of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The match was played under the looming shadow of Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, Colorado in the home stadium of the Switchbacks. A crowd of about 600 was in attendance to witness the match in the cool Colorado spring. Snow was seen high on the peaks in the background, and a definite chill was in the air, especially for visiting Harpo’s FC of Boulder Colorado, an amateur side who plays in the Colorado Amateur Soccer League of the United States Sports Specialty Association (USSSA).

The first half started brightly for the Switchbacks. The athleticism of the USL side showed in the early stages of the match, then in the 17th minute, Martin Maybin scored a perfect goal on the run in against Harpo’s gymnastic goalkeeper Zac Gibbens, who was caught out and just missed the save. Harpo’s FC looked to be on their back heels early in the match, but after the 20 minute mark they began to take the game to the Switchbacks. Frontman Sawyer Frank broke through several times in the first half but was unable to find the net. The first half ended with the Switchbacks up by a goal, but Harpo’s knocking on the door.

The second half was all Harpo’s. Wave after wave of attack was thrust upon the Switchbacks defensive unit. The only discipline of the match occurred in the 61st minute with a yellow card to Switchbacks Saeed Robinson for a nasty tackle in the midfield.

In the 71st minute, the Switchbacks brought in fresh legs to help on the defensive side but the Harpo’s attack continued, and missed a shot from inside the six yard box late in the match. The all-out attack from Harpo’s left them defensively open. Robinson got free with the ball late in the match and Gibbens was able to stop the shot which then careened off the post to save the one goal deficit.

However, in the end it was all that the Switchbacks needed, the single goal was the decider as they earn a trip to Peoria to take on fellow USL side Arizona United in Round 3 with the Colorado Rapids waiting for the winner in the Fourth Round.

2016 US Open Cup Round 2: Seattle Sounders U23s eliminate Kitsap Pumas in all-PDL matchup

May 21, 2016 by Nick Schiffler

It took 90 minutes for the Kitsap Pumas to find their first goal, but once they did, they had safely booked their passage into the third round of the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Javier Castro smashed in a close-range shot in the final minute of regulation to lead Kitsap to a 1-0 victory over their PDL Northwest Division rivals, Seattle Sounders Under-23s, in Bremerton, Wash. on Wednesday night.

With the victory, the Pumas will travel to face Sacramento Republic of USL on June 1, with the winner of that match getting a chance to face off with a MLS squad. Sacramento easily defeated CD Aguiluchos USA 5-0 in their own Second Round matchup.

The Sounders began Wednesday’s match on the right foot, with David Olsen breaking into open space before firing a shot over the crossbar, but that was the best chance the visiting side would create in the first half. Kitsap began to earn more possession, resulting in a few dangerous looks at goal that kept Sounders goalkeeper Paul Christensen alert and busy.

Eighteen minutes into the first half, Kitsap’s Buba Jammeh smashed a long-range shot that the Sounders keeper was able to stay in front of and keep from the net. Then, in the 37th minute, Kitsap midfielder Jesus Sanchez curled a shot just to the outside of the post.

Kitsap continued to control possession as the second half began, although the Sounders were able to counter with numerous scoring chances of their own. One such opportunity from a free kick beat Kitsap keeper Matt Grosey but safely deflected off the crossbar.

The Pumas poured on the pressure as the second half wound down, hitting the bar once themselves and having a near-goal cleared off the goal line by a Sounders defender. But despite all the chances neither side could find the back of the net.

David Olsen came inches from giving the visitors the lead in the waning moments of the match. With the score somehow still 0-0, Olsen slalomed through the Kitsap defense, getting away a shot that caromed off the underside of the crossbar. But the ball did not go across the line, setting the stage for Kitsap’s Castro to provide a dramatic finish to the contest.

His goal came off a scramble in the goal box. The ball pinballed around the area until it deflected to Castro, lurking at the back post. He spun on his left foot and forced the ball into the net with his right, setting off a jubilant on-field celebration in front of the hometown Kitsap fans. Although there were still three minutes of stoppage time to be played, the wind was out of the Sounders’ sails and the game was effectively over.

Kitsap is in the middle of its sixth trip to the US Open Cup. Their most recent appearance came in 2015 when they crushed FC Tacoma 253 in the first round, 5-2, before getting knocked out 4-2 by Seattle Sounders FC 2.

The Sounders U-23s last entered the US Open Cup in in 2013 where they, too, succumbed in the second round. They defeated amateur side Doxa Italia 5-1 before being eliminated from the tournament by the then USL-PRO Charlotte Eagles.

The Pumas have had a rough start to the 2016 season. They sit at the bottom of the Premier Development League’s Northwest Division with -2 points after three games – the club was docked three points and awarded a forfeit for a violation of league roster rules in their opening match of the season.

There will be plenty of chances for the Sounders to gain revenge in the coming months. The two Northwest Division rivals face each other three more times in the 2016 PDL season, with the next matchup between the two coming in just 10 days.

But it will be Kitsap who moves on in the US Open Cup to face a very good Sacramento team – and maybe even get the chance to move on a little bit further.

2016 US Open Cup Round 2: Sacramento Republic adds another amateur blowout to its tournament resume

May 21, 2016 by Evan Ream

In what’s becoming an annual tradition, Sacramento Republic FC opened its Lamar Hunt US Open Cup campaign in emphatic fashion, defeating NPSL side CD Aguiluchos USA 5-0 Wednesday night at Bonney Field.

Oft-injured midfielder Max Alvarez proved the difference for the Republic, setting up three goals and scoring one for himself from dead balls to help Sacramento advance to a Third Round match-up against Kitsap Pumas of the PDL.

“We were very clinical from set plays, very clinical, right to the very end with Max’s goal,” said Republic head coach Paul Buckle. “We could have scored more, I wanted to score more goals. There were opportunities for our strikers to get more goals. They didn’t come, but I’m very pleased with the clean sheet.”

It took the Republic just 24 minutes to get the only goal it would need for the match, when midfielder Alfonso Motagalvan headed home an Alvarez corner kick past Aguiluchos keeper Kevin Gonzalez for a 1-0 lead.

Gonzalez had earlier saved a weak penalty from Tommy Stewart, giving the small traveling crowd hope for an upset.

Instead, the floodgates opened after Motagalvan’s goal.

In the 36th minute, Alvarez lined up on the left side of the field roughly 30 yards to goal and whipped in a free kick into the danger area of the box.

Though an Aguiluchos defender got a piece of it, the ball was never properly cleared, paving the way for Mackenzie Pridham to stab the ball home from close range.

Centerback Carlos Rodriguez, just 19-years-old and getting his first competitive minutes for the Republic, joined in on the fun in the 44th minute. The towering defender rifled a header into the back of the net off of yet another Alvarez set piece, this time a corner.

Prior to the game, Sacramento hadn’t scored a goal off of a corner kick since Sep. 13, 2014. Now they had two goals off such plays in a 20-minute period.

“It’s nice to have a couple ,” Alvarez said. “That’s something we’ve been working on. Guys are making better runs, something we’ve been working on as well. Everyone played their part in those goals. It was good to see a couple free kick goals for once. It’s been a long time.”

Stewart made up for his penalty miss in stoppage time, putting away the competitive aspect of the game with a finish off of a rebound from Gonzalez for a 4-0 lead.

Though Aguiluchos held their own for the majority of the second half, Alvarez stepped up to one final set piece in second half stoppage time to cap the night off.

From 25 yards out, the midfielder bent a left-footed free kick into the upper corner of the net to complete the 5-0 victory and send CD Aguiluchos USA home.

“To strike a football like that, into the top corner, if that was in the Premier League or La Liga, they’d be talking about that for weeks and weeks,” Buckle said.

With the victory, Sacramento improved to 5-0-0 in Open Cup play against fourth division sides, with 24 goals scored and just six allowed in those five games.

“It’s massive for us, we really do want to have a run in the Open Cup,” Buckle said. “In England, I had some wonderful times as head coach there, some incredible memories … this is my first game in the Open Cup. Five-nil is good. But my standards are very high. Our standards at the club are high. I know that in some cases tonight, we could have been a lot better.”

Leading up to the match, much of the conversation around the Internet involved the general dearth of online streams involving USL teams in the Second Round of the Open Cup.

The Republic were one such team that chose not to stream the match, so Aguiluchos chairman Roger Amaya took matters into his own hands, streaming the match live through his phone on the CD Facebook page.

However, the ability for fans of the team to actually watch the game didn’t help produce results on the field as the Oakland-based club dropped to 1-2 in all-time Open Cup play.

Evan Ream covers Sacramento Republic FC and soccer in Northern California for The Davis Enterprise. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @EvanReam

2016 US Open Cup Round 2: Chattanooga FC outlasts Reading United AC in PKs in battle of amateur powers

May 21, 2016 by Ian Foster

A scoreless draw is often left unwatched. This one should not have been, as two storied Fourth Division sides in Chattanooga FC and Reading United AC played a classic Second Round Lamar Hunt US Open Cup match before 3,641 at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga.

After 120 minutes of scoreless soccer, Chattanooga prevailed in penalty kicks 4-1 to advance to the Third Round. It was the third time in the last two years that Chattanooga has won a penalty kick shootout in the US Open Cup.

Reading United, playing their third competitive match in eight days, came out strong for the first 15 minutes. However, a few forays into the Chattanooga box produced few bona fide scoring opportunities and the home side, themselves playing just their second competitive match of the season, started to wrest control. In the 16th minute, Chattanooga’s John “Snoopy” Davidson, who plays his college ball at Covenant College, got on the end of a corner, heading a shot just wide.

Just like he had been shutting out the Atlanta Silverbacks in Round 1 a week ago, Steffan Kraus was brilliant in this match, particularly as Chattanooga FC started to turn the tide in the final 20 minutes of the first half. Off a corner kick in the 28th minute, Kraus parried away a wide-angle but close-range Chattanooga shot, with the rebound being shot off the post. Ten minutes later, a through ball sprung Will Roberts in on goal, but Kraus met the challenge. And just before the halftime whistle, Kraus somehow got his body in front of a cross a split second before a waiting Chattanooga player.

Reading did manage to get in a jab in the first half, with a point-blank header forcing a double-save out of Chattanooga keeper Tom Halsall in the 34th minute.

The chances continued into the second half, with Chattanooga continuing to enjoy the lot of them. Off a long throw in the 49th minute, Roberts nudged a header just wide of the Reading post. The continuous pressure and possession continued until it started to let up around the 60th minute. Reading had held against the storm, and looked to create a few chances on their own.

The 64th minute introduction of Zeca Ferraz looked to stopper Reading’s momentum, providing a new, exciting element to the game. Indeed, he nearly stole a goal by himself in the 67th minute, after dispossessing a Reading defender and nearly out-scrapping Kraus. Seven minutes later, Chattanooga got its best chance of the game when a free kick from just outside the box was rocketed past Kraus off the post.

It was Halsall’s turn to spring to action in the 81st minute when Danny Reynolds blundered a clearance, allowing a Reading attacker space in the box. But Halsall quickly closed the angle and the shot rolled to safety. Halsall again answered the call three minutes later in the 84th, before Ferraz put a spectacular and acrobatic effort just over the bar in the 85th. The back-and-forth continued, as a Reading attacker, in the 86th minute curled one that just missed the upper corner.

Alas, the final whistle blew and the desperation to avoid extra time, on both sides, was for naught.

The 30 minutes of extra time were as sleepy as the 90 minutes of regulation were exciting. Few chances emerged either side, with most coming in the form of floating crosses easily snatched by the in-form keepers. Penalties were destined and they came.

Throughout much of the 120 minutes, Chattanooga were the better side. The difference, either through skill or karma, finally bore out in the penalties. Chattanooga’s Kieran Bywater hammered the first penalty perfectly into the corner. Reading’s Nestor Aguilar took a staggered run-up to his first penalty and shanked it, leaving CFC up. Chattanooga could do no wrong, leaving Kraus with no chance as Ferraz and Reynolds coolly converted and Halsall made an awesome stop on Brad Fountain. John Carrier, with the first kick of the fourth round, ended the match with another perfect strike to the top corner.