2016 US Open Cup

2016 US Open Cup Round 3: Jacksonville Armada need OT to earn first tournament win, 2-1 over Charleston Battery

June 3, 2016 by Neil Blackmon

Patrick Otte of the Jacksonville Armada celebrates with Armada fans after scoring a goal against the Charleston Battery in the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Gary Lloyd McCullough | Jacksonville Armada

The Jacksonville Armada defeated the Charleston Battery 2-1 after extra time in the third round of the 2016 US Open Cup Wednesday night at picaresque Southern Oak Stadium on the campus of Jacksonville University. A capacity crowd of 1,200 saw the Armada win for the first time since an April 15 NASL league triumph over The Miami FC. The win was also the first US Open Cup win for the Jacksonville Armada in their young franchise history.

The chances came early and often for Jacksonville, who dominated possession in the game’s first twenty minutes. Matt Fondy, starting in place of the struggling Alhassane Keita, rewarded manager Tony Meola’s confidence, holding the ball up well and creating multiple chances with his vision and passing. Only the first of a handful of marvelous saves from Charleston goalkeeper Odisnel Cooper, who earned seven caps for Cuba before defecting in 2012, kept the game on level terms after fifteen minutes. The Armada broke through, however, in the 17th minute on a late run by Patrick Otte, who buried a Matt Fondy lay-off.

Charleston, however, looking to become one of, if not the first US Open Cup side to advance a round after losing the prior round (a penalties defeat to Villages SC was overturned due to The Villages fielding an ineligible player) leveled quickly.

Montreal Impact loanee Romario Williams delivered a splendid ball with a defender on his shoulder to an onrunning Chris Tsonis, who easily slotted past Miguel Gallardo to bring the Battery level. Williams was a handful for Jacksonville all evening, his physical and speedy runs stretching the Armada on the counterattack consistently. been so physical and strong he often lacks supporting runs.

In the second half, the Armada again controlled the ball and collected the most chances. Junior Sandoval’s blast in the 48th minute was saved well by Odisnel Cooper in the 48th minute and Beto Navarro fired over the goal from seven yards in the 54th minute, but the go-ahead goal would not come.

Indeed, it was Charleston who nearly took the lead in the 64th minute on a fantastic run by Romario Williams, who manhandled Beto Navarro and fired across the net only to have Miguel Gallardo deflect the ball away. That chance was the closest either side came to scoring until extra time.

Patrick Otte of the Jacksonville Armada celebrates his goal against the Charleston Battery in the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Gary Lloyd McCullough | Jacksonville Armada

Alhassane Keita, who entered in the second half for Matt Fondy, nearly put Jacksonville ahead in the first fifteen minutes of extra time, only to be denied by the wingspan of Cooper. Cooper’s save came moments after it appeared Alex Dixon was taken down in the area by Brian Woodbine, only to see referee Kevin Terry Jr. signal “play on.”

The teams remained even until the 108th minute, when Junior Sandoval played a ball to Alex Dixon on the edge of the area and Dixon played a one-time lovely flick to Keita, who beat Cooper far post to give the Armada the winner. The goal was the first for Keita in any competition all year for Jacksonville, and a sigh of relief for the Guinean, who led the Armada in goals in their inaugural season.

The win was particularly meaningful for Tony Meola, who captained Sporting Kansas City (then the Wizards) to a US Open Cup championship in 2004. “It means a lot to me personally, with Lamar Hunt’s name on the trophy, a man who was special to me and a competition that was special to me for the nine years I was in Kansas City. We said we’d do our best to put the best team out and we did that tonight.”

Meola was pleased to see Alhassane Keita, his troubled goalscorer, end his slump, but even more pleased to see a young player like Alex Dixon make a difference with the game-winning assist. “I’m happy for Keita, obviously, but one guy I’m particularly happy for is Dixon, because it has been tough for him, to be completely fair, and he came in tonight and did everything he was asked to do. Of course I’m happy for the group, but sometimes certain guys when you see them every day, you want to see them do well.”

Dixon deflected the praise. “It’s not about anyone or me. I was happy to contribute and make a little difference. I saw Sandoval cut in and then Keita peeled off and I flicked it his direction. He did the rest but we’re thrilled to get the result.”

Jacksonville will host Orlando City in fourth round action on June 15.

2016 US Open Cup Round 3: Switchbacks’ recent dominance of Arizona United carries over into Open Cup play

June 3, 2016 by Alex Didion

The Colorado Springs Switchbacks defeated USL foe Arizona United 3-0 in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Wednesday night.

Arizona United SC’s most successful run in the US Open Cup ended with a lopsided elimination at the hands of a familiar enemy. The Switchbacks and United had already played two matches this season prior to this game that were within USL play, with the Switchbacks coming out on top both times, 2-0 in Colorado and 3-1 in Arizona. The Switchbacks own the all-time series between the clubs, winning all four matches in league play. Colorado also holds the Arizona United team record for largest margin of defeat in franchise history, a 5-0 loss United suffered during the 2015 season.

“We’ve kind of got a rivalry going, I wouldn’t say we don’t like each other, we both get up for the games,” said Switchback goalkeeper Billy Thompson.

The Switchbacks had control throughout much of the game, and they were able to capitalize on an opportunity in the 39th minute to get the scoring started. A free kick saved by United keeper Jordan Stagmiller was rebounded in by Switchbacks midfielder and captain Luke Vercollone to put the Switchbacks on the board first.

In the 59th minute, forward Aaron King struck again for Colorado off of a deflected shot from forward Saeed Robinson. Vercollone kept his hot streak going late in the game, scoring his second goal in the 83rd minute to seal victory for the visitors. For Vercollone, it was his fourth and fifth US Open Cup goals of his career.

The Switchbacks normally play much more of an up-tempo, pressing style defense, which would obviously wear players out quickly in the heat. Players praised the coaching staff after the game for putting together a game plan that focused on countering attacks instead of trying to just create them, and as Thompson said “hats off to the coaching staff, they got us prepared and we came out and executed.”

“We had a gameplan and we stuck to it,” Vercollone said after the game. When asked about preparing for a match in the Arizona heat, Vercollone said “We actually wore rain jackets at practice leading up to it.”

The night for Arizona United was marked by frustration. Head coach Frank Yallop, a three-time US Soccer Major champion (2 MLS Cups, 1 MLS Supporters’ Shield), was sent off in the 45th minute for dissent towards the officials, as he was loudly berating them from early on in the game.

The temperature was creeping around 100 degrees throughout the duration of the match, leading to several mandatory water breaks called by the officials. Three United players also received yellow cards: midfielders Luke Rooney and Blair Gavin, along with forward Tyler Blackwood.

“I can understand his frustration, I don’t want to badmouth the ref too much, him, the fourth official, and the linesmen have made terrible calls,” said Rooney when asked about his head coach being sent off.

United did not lack in opportunities, however, as the team had numerous corner attempts and chances to score but could not get it done. Their best opportunity may have come in the first half. In the 38th minute, forward Long Tan got the ball inside the box and spun a shot around that was deflected away by Thompson. Blackwood came sprinting in from the top and got his head on the ball, but a diving kick save by Switchbacks defender Josh Suggs kept United off the board.

The Switchbacks now advance to the Fourth Round of the Open Cup tournament, where they will play at their in-state MLS rival, the Colorado Rapids, on June 15. It is a rematch from last season where the Rapids won handily, 4-1.

2016 US Open Cup Round 3: Kitsap Pumas do their homework, stun Sacramento Republic

June 2, 2016 by Evan Ream

Sometimes all it takes for an upset in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is a bit of homework.

Or for the Premier Development League’s Kitsap Pumas in its 3-1 victory over against the USL’s Sacramento Republic FC, a massive scouting report put together by a former Sports Illustrated writer.

“This genius to my right here put together a fantastic scouting report on ,” said Pumas head coach Cameron MacDonald, pointing to goalkeeper coach and former SI man Liviu Bird. “Our staff are pretty committed. We spend hours and hours studying footage. We had a plan.”

That game plan involved shutting down Sacramento’s bombing fullbacks to deny them of their biggest offensive threats and making the Republic play through the middle where its mainly defensive midfielders failed to create anything of consequence.

“We’ve prepared as well as we thought we possibly could,” MacDonald said. “In my reflection of the game, I don’t think anyone watching it back can be disappointed with the way they played and with the outcome.”

Of course, the ball still had to be dispatched into the back of the net by the young Pumas team, who with the victory earned a fourth round match-up with intrastate side Seattle Sounders FC.

The goals epitomized the players MacDonald lined up on his front line: they came in rapid bursts at great pace towards the goal.

First, Mike Ramos found Javier Castro near the edge of the box in the 60th minute. Castro quickly cut around his man and dispatched the ball into the back of the net for a shock 1-0 lead.

Sacramento scored one minute later when local high school product Cameron Iwasa tapped in a missed clearance.

But just two minutes after that, Ramos would tally the winner, driving home a rebound from a save that Republic goalkeeper Evan Newton couldn’t quite corral.

In the 65th it was over. Castro neatly curled a ball to the far post after a giveaway to complete his brace and give Kitsap one of the biggest upsets of the young tournament.

“If you look at our record in the PDL the last couple of seasons, unbeaten in the regular season last year, one loss the year before,” MacDonald said. “The (players) on the field are on the verge and we’ve seen we can go toe-to-toe with a strong USL lineup … The USL is only a small step away from us. If you do your homework and you have boys that believe in themselves and work together, we’ve seen you can grind out results like this.”

It was a milestone victory for the Pumas who have enjoyed so much success in league play over the years. Now, after four unsuccessful attempts, Kitsap can add “upset a professional team in the US Open Cup” to their club resume.

Republic head coach Paul Buckle didn’t mince his words when speaking to reporters after the match – there would be no excuses from his side.

“You certainly can’t make two mistakes like we did on the back line and expect to advance,” he said. “They’ve punished us and they deserved to go through.”

And as for that June 15 Kitsap date with the Sounders?

“It’s a huge ask for us, but it’s exciting,” MacDonald said. “Some of our guys will go on and play at a good level and maybe have many more nights like that, but other guys knew that they had 90 minutes tonight to earn what might be one shot against an MLS team in their career.

“When that’s the motivation going in it, it’s pretty incredible what can be achieved. We’ll look forward to it. We’ll prepare like we prepared for this and go in with our game plan and see what happens.”

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 3 review: The NASL strikes back

June 2, 2016 by Harrison Huntley

The United Soccer League (USL) certainly had the upper hand in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup last year, holding the North American Soccer League (NASL) winless in all seven matchups (0-6-1, 0-1 PKs) between the rival leagues. This year, the NASL rebounded as seven of the nine entries advanced to the Fourth Round, including six of them that eliminated USL teams.

As impressive as the NASL was on Wednesday night, they weren’t the only headliners. Sharing the spotlight was a pair of amateur teams that won to punch their ticket to the Fourth Round, a place that very few fourth division teams have ever reached. Both came late in the evening as Southern California side La Maquina won an all-United Premier Soccer League matchup with the Los Angeles Wolves while the Kitsap Pumas closed out the round with a stunning 3-1 upset of the Sacramento Republic. La Maquina will face the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Pumas will take on the Seattle Sounders and if either one of them are able to pull off the massive upset in Round 4, they will be the first amateur team since 1995 to reach the Round of 16.

The round also featured the long-awaited Oklahoma City derby, the Carolina RailHawks breaking a goalscoring record and more. Check out a brief recap of each Third Round game with links to the full match report (Check back as more will be added):

Strikers’ goalkeeper Diego Restrepo was looking for redemption. Twice during the regular season, the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers faced a penalty kick and both times he failed to stop a shot. Restrepo saved three of four penalties and made three saves in the game to lead Fort Lauderdale into the Fourth Round. FULL MATCH REPORT »

Both teams scored in the first half, but neither could break the tie in the second. A 107th minute goal for Jacksonville’s Keita gave his club the advantage they would need to win its first Open Cup game in the team’s brief history. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]

A free kick broke the scoreless tie in the second half, and Rochester added another to seal the win. The two goals in an 11-minute span helped the Rhinos end the cup run of the amateur Lansdowne Bhoys from New York City. With the win, Rochester improves to 16-0-0 all-time against amateur clubs and earns a date with the New York Red Bulls of MLS. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]

Harrisburg needed a second half rally to get past the hometown Chattanooga FC. The City Islanders trailed 1-0 entering the 71st minute, but two goals in 11 minutes helped Harrisburg survive and advance. FULL MATCH REPORT

A near-perfect free kick gave New York the lead early, and a late header did all but put this game away. With the win, the Cosmos earn a date with New York City FC of MLS for the second year in a row. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]

As hard as it is to believe, this was a scoreless draw at the end of regulation. The RailHawks scored a record five extra time goals to change a close result to a lopsided one against the Charlotte Independence, who played the majority of the match with 10 men due to an early red card.
An early goal had Tampa Bay Rowdies fans on edge all night, but it turned out to be the only goal they would need. The Rowdies will take on the Columbus Crew in the next round. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]

Louisville held the 1-0 advantage at the half, but Indy came all the way back, netting two goals in 10 minutes to emerge with the win to set up an intriguing Fourth Round matchup with the Chicago Fire of MLS. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]

Wilmington scored two goals in the first five minutes of the match and held off Miami FC for the remainder of the match. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]
Minnesota United avenged last year’s loss to Saint Louis FC by scoring a counter attack goal in the 69th minute and then adding a late clincher to put the game out of reach. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]

In the first meeting between two Oklahoma City clubs, the USL’s Energy FC took down the NASL’s Rayo OKC 2-1 in extra time in a true city derby. A 107th minute goal by Kyle Hyland was the game-winner and any comeback hopes were dashed when Rayo OKC received a pair of late red cards. FULL MATCH REPORT »

Des Moines shut out San Antonio through 72 minutes, but Sam McBride came through with his first professional goal to tie the game and Jacques Francois scored the game-winner nine minutes later and the visitors held on for the win to avoid the upset. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]
The Switchbacks, who had already defeated Arizona United twice in league play this year, made it three wins in a row as they cruised to a 3-0 victory to set up an all-Colorado matchup with the Rapids in Round 4. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]
Former Chivas de Guadalajara player Edwin Borboa scored both goals in a rare all-amateur Third Round match as La Maquina defeated fellow United Premier Soccer League team Los Angeles Wolves FC, 2-0. The Southern California club earns a date with the Los Angeles Galaxy. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]
Arguably the biggest surprise of the round came when the PDL’s Kitsap Pumas traveled south and upset the USL’s Sacramento Republic, 3-1. All four goals in this match came in a frantic five-minute span starting in the 60th minute. For the Pumas, it was their first-ever win over a pro team, and their reward is a Round 4 road match with four-time US Open Cup champion Seattle Sounders. FULL MATCH REPORT [+]

2016 US Open Cup Round 3: City Islanders comeback denies Chattanooga FC chance to make NPSL history

June 2, 2016 by Ian Foster

Chattanooga FC hosted the Harrisburg City Islanders with a chance at becoming the first NPSL team to earn a game against an MLS team. However, the City Islanders, who are known for being giant-killers in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, played spoiler as they rallied to beat Chattanooga FC 2-1 to deny the amateur side a chance to add a third pro team upset to its resume.

With the win, the City Islanders earn a date with the Philadelphia Union, Harrisburg’s MLS affiliate, in Round 4. Since the two clubs are just affiliated, and don’t share an owner, they are allowed to compete in the tournament against each other. This will be the third meeting between the Eastern Pennsylvania clubs.

Chattanooga and Harrisburg played a mostly even first 40 minutes, with Chattanooga controlling much of the possession but the teams garnering equal chances. Chattanooga’s Juan Hernandez proved dangerous from the get-go, springing Michael Brooks on a through ball through the Islanders defense in the 15th minute. Two minutes later, Hernandez shot it himself, clipping the crossbar.

Chattanooga’s goalkeeper Tom Halsall, who had kept Reading off the board in the last round while delivering two critical penalty saves, made what may have been the save of the tournament in the 40th minute off a header from a free kick.

The sides were gearing to go into the half level until Harrisburg’s Shane Johnson gave up a somewhat cheap corner in the 44th minute. The ensuing kick set up perfectly for Hernandez, who scissor-kicked it off a defender, off the head of Soren Yohaschek, and into the goal. It seemed likely that Yohaschek had hit it from an offside position, but the sequence was too chaotic for any assistant referee, so the goal was awarded, and the home fans cheered what they hoped to be a third straight defeat of a USL side in the US Open Cup.

All was going well for Chattanooga until Harrisburg’s 65th minute introduction of the speedy Craig Foster. He immediately showed danger, making a cutting run into the box in the 66th minute, freeing himself for a shot that required a desperation sliding block by a Chattanooga defender.

Harrisburg continued putting the Chattanooga goal under siege. A penalty shout was (rightfully) denied as a header off a corner kick flew into the hand of Hernandez in the 68th minute. The equalizer was coming though.

And it did, in the 72nd minute as Foster slipped behind the Chattanooga defender at the near post and jabbed home the point-blank volley. The goal saved the USL side from possible elimination, but no one celebrated, instead picking the ball out of the net and running back to their half to restart the game. They were looking for the kill shot, understandable for a team in the midst of a grueling USL season.

Eight minutes later, Samuel Goni broke the Harrisburg back line, only to be called offside. The call, while quite unpopular among the partisans, seemed just correct upon replay. Harrisburg sprung on the counter and a moment later, Paul Wilson, another second-half substitute, struck home the kill shot after Foster drew the defense to his side of the box before laying it off to Wilson for the easy finish.

Not used to the US Open Cup rules of three substitutes per game (the NPSL allows seven) and in the midst of a match-heavy stretch, Chattanooga seemed gassed as the minutes ticked down on their Open Cup run. However, Hernandez and Luis Trude engineered one last effort, as Trude spun around a defender and fired a shot that deflected out for a 93rd-minute corner kick. However, the corner was headed away and the ref blew his whistle.

2016 US Open Cup Round 3: Early goal advances Tampa Bay Rowdies past FC Cincinnati

June 1, 2016 by Zach Smith

Georgi Hristov scored in the 11th minute and the Tampa Bay Rowdies held off surging FC Cincinnati 1-0 Wednesday night in the Third Round of the US Open Cup.

Cincinnati of the USL outshot the NASL Rowdies 14-7 but only had a pair of shots on target and had an 8-3 advantage in corners in the second Open Cup game of their first season as a franchise. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, will travel to Ohio to face off with MLS side Columbus Crew SC in the Fourth Round on June 15.

“We did great with our effort and intensity,” Rowdies head coach Stuart Campbell said. “It’s tough playing a team from that league because they’ve got nothing to lose. The longer the game went, the more got numbers forward.”

Kenney Walker had the best chance of the first half for FC Cincinnati less than ten minutes in with a shot from the top of the box that was pushed aside by Rowdies goalkeeper Matt Pickens.
Hristov let a long, high ball from Neill Collins up the right side take a big bounce in the box in the 11th minute and took three touches to get around the two defenders before slotting it past Cincinnati goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt.

“Right before the game, me and Neill were talking about it,” Hristov said. “I was ready for that run, I knew he was going to play the ball there and it worked out. The whole team played well and we deserved to win.”

Each team had five shots apiece in the first half, but Cincinnati had just one shot on goal compared to three for Tampa Bay.

“It’s always crucial to get the first goal and set the tempo of play,” Campbell said. “They’re a threat going forward and we knew they had goals in them so I never moan anyone for shooting.”

Cincinnati came out in the second half pushing hard for a goal. An early chance was easily corralled before a weak shot from the top of the box by Ross Tomaselli was deflected and forced Pickens into a diving save to his right.

Both teams could have had a man sent off with under 30 minutes to play. Pickens came out of his net in the 66th minute and went one-on-one before clearing the ball with no foul given. The Rowdies came right back when Hristov was taken down from behind at midfield four minutes later. Tomaselli was given a yellow.

Cincinnati had its best chance of the second half with less than five minutes to play. Sean Okoli tapped a header back to Andrew Wiedeman just above the penalty spot, but he sent it way over the bar. Antoine Hoppenot had another chance to level the game a minute later but he too sent it wide of the post.

Advancing to the Fourth Round is already one step further than Tampa Bay has gotten in recent years. The Rowdies lost in Round 3 the last two years and they last won an Open Cup game against VSI Tampa Bay FC in the Second Round in 2013.

“This is my fifth season here and we don’t have a good record,” Campbell said. “I’m delighted to get a win and progress to the next round against a good MLS team. It’s about time we had a run in this competition.”

2016 US Open Cup Round 3: Energy FC win first Oklahoma City derby over Rayo OKC

June 1, 2016 by Jay F. Marks

Substitute Kyle Hyland powered home a header in extra time to propel Oklahoma City Energy FC past crosstown rival Rayo OKC, 2-1, in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup.

Hyland, who may have been the smallest man on the pitch at the time, said fullback Kyle Harris did a good job getting up the line and whipping a ball into the box, just over leaping striker Wojciech Wojcik.

“I was able to get my head on it and it went in,” said Hyland, who entered the match in the 62nd minute.

The goal proved to be the match-winner in the first ever matchup between Energy FC, a third-year USL franchise, and Rayo OKC, which is eight games into its first season in the NASL. It was also Rayo’s first-ever U.S. Open Cup game.

The match drew 4,385 fans to Rayo’s home, Miller Stadium in the Oklahoma City suburb of Yukon.

Energy players were jubilant after the game, which ended with Rayo fielding only nine players after two late red cards.

Energy coach Jimmy Nielson said his team was “extremely weak” for much of the first half, but found its footing after going behind on a 43rd minute goal by Rayo’s Billy Forbes.

The Rayo winger pounced on a rebound, smashing the ball past Energy goalkeeper Cody Laurendi, after a nice interplay on the right wing by Georgios Samaras and Kosuke Kimura.

Samaras played a ball into the middle of the box to fullback Richard Menjivar. Menjivar’s shot was saved by Laurendi, but Forbes was there to capitalize on the loose ball.

Nielson said going down 1-0 seemed to galvanize his team.

“I think we were a little bit too impressed” with the NASL side, the coach said.

The Energy responded quickly with a goal just before halftime. Fullback Kalen Ryden carried by ball along the end line and placed a perfect ball into the box for Sebastian Dalgaard to bury in the back of the net.

In the second half, the Energy seemed to be the better side, but neither team was able to add to its goal tally.

The stalemate continued in the first period of extra time, as Rayo goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes kept the game tied with a diving 99th minute save to prevent an Energy header from nestling in his net.

Hyland scored early in the second overtime period, then Rayo saw a ball glance off the inside of the post off a set piece two minutes later.

It was the home team’s last threat however, as the Energy was able to fend off Rayo’s long-ball attacks.

The USL side was able to hold possession to bolster its defense in the game’s dying minutes, forcing Rayo to attempt some questionable tackles to win the ball back.

Midfielder Derek Boateng earned two quick yellows in the 115th minute for a late tackle and some harsh words for referee Daniel Radford.

Rayo captain Michel was sent off a few minutes later, drawing his second yellow card for a tackle inside the Energy’s goal box. The foul sparked a brief scuffle that resulted in a yellow card for Energy keeper Laurendi.

After the final whistle, Energy players celebrated in front of a large knot of traveling fans, while Rayo players trudged back into their locker room.

Rayo coach Alen Marcina said his team dominated the match, but was not able to capitalize on its scoring chances.

“In my humble opinion, the better team lost,” Marcina said. “We put ourselves in this position by not burying chances.

“You’ve got to them them in the back of the net. You’ve got to be clinical.”

The stats kept by the NASL show both teams managed 19 shots, but Rayo had six shots on target to Energy FC’s five. Possession was relatively even, with Rayo managing a 53-47 advantage.

With the win, Energy FC advances to plays FC Dallas, its MLS affiliate, in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup. FC Dallas will host the match June 15 at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

2016 US Open Cup Round 3: Fort Lauderdale Strikers earn rare PK shutout over Richmond Kickers

June 1, 2016 by Zach Smith

Players from the Richmond Kickers and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers track down a ball in the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Kelsey Hinds | Fort Lauderdale Strikers

Diego Restrepo was looking for redemption. Twice during the regular season, the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers went to penalties and both times he failed to stop a shot.

He recovered in a huge way in the third round of the Open Cup.

Restrepo saved three of four penalties and made three saves in the game as the Strikers beat the Richmond Kickers 2-0 on penalties after drawing 1-1 Wednesday afternoon. They will take on DC United in the Fourth Round on June 15.

“I’ve always been confident in my penalties,” Restrepo said. “Penalty shootouts are what goalkeepers dream of – it’s our big chance to showcase our talent.”

On the first shot of the game, Manny Gonzalez gave the hosts a one-goal lead after a bending free kick goal just two minutes in. Less than 30 minutes later, Richmond’s Yudai Imura got in behind the back line for the equalizer.

Charlie Horton of the Richmond Kickers goalkeeper tries to save a goal by Fort Lauderdale Strikers' Manny Gonzalez in the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Kelsey Hinds | Fort Lauderdale Strikers — Charlie Horton of the Richmond Kickers goalkeeper tries to save a goal by Fort Lauderdale Strikers’ Manny Gonzalez in the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Kelsey Hinds | Fort Lauderdale Strikers

Victor Pagliari Giro scored the first PK for the Strikers and Geison Moura won it on the fourth try. Restrepo saved three of the four shots from the Kickers and the other was missed wide of the net. It was the first time a shootout finished 2-0 in modern Open Cup history.

“It was one of the toughest atmospheres in terms of field conditions that I’ve played on in my life,” Restrepo said of the 90-plus degree temperatures and high humidity. “It wasn’t great for either team.”

Strikers midfielder Adrianinho was brought down just outside the 18-yard box right after the opening whistle and Gonzalez’s ensuing free kick bent around the Richmond wall for the opening goal of the third round and tying the fastest Open Cup goal in Strikers history.

Facing an early deficit, the Kickers pushed forward. Richmond’s Anthony Grant, Imura, and defenders Alex Lee and William Yomby all had shots on goal for the Kickers, but Diego Restrepo kept them at bay.

After a short water break due to temperatures nearing triple digits, Grant fed Imura with a low ball that he slotted past Restrepo. Both teams had their chances the rest of the half, but neither could capitalize.

That trend continued in the second half until the 76th minute when lightning was spotted and the game was delayed for 30 minutes. After the delay, both teams pushed for the game-winner but Restrepo continued his big day with two saves.

Ramon Nuñez’s free kick found Maicon Santos, who headed it home for what looked like the go-ahead goal at the beginning of the first half of extra time for Ft. Lauderdale, but it was called back after an offside call.

Restrepo continued his huge game in the shootout, saving three penalties and keeping an opponent scoreless for just the second time in the Modern Era (1995-present) of the US Open Cup.

With the draw, however, Ft. Lauderdale now has a six-game winless streak, tying Orlando City U23, Chico Rooks and Carolina Dynamo for the Modern Era Open Cup record. The Strikers will look to snap that streak and earn their first-ever win against a MLS team when they face DC United on June 15 at the Maryland Soccerplex.

After losing two of its first four NASL regular season games, Ft. Lauderdale hasn’t lost in five straight in five straight games in all competitions. The Strikers host league-leading New York Cosmos this Saturday and travel to Edmonton on June 12 before continuing the Open Cup.

“There are only five guys from last year on this year’s roster so it takes some time to bond,” Restrepo said. “Time makes everything better and we’re clicking. Now and we’ve got keep fighting and playing.”

2016 US Open Cup Third Round preview: Who will earn dates with MLS? (video, audio links)

June 1, 2016 by Josh Hakala

The Third Round of the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is here. It’s a round that if you’re a lower division team and you’re having trouble marketing the Third Round to the local media and fans, then maybe marketing isn’t your calling.

It’s very simple. If you win your Third Round game, you earn a date with a Major League Soccer team.

Out of the 15 games on Wednesday, June 1, five of them feature amateur teams against professionals with eight more of them between USL and NASL. The remaining two games are between a pair of USL clubs and two amateur teams, meaning that Round 4 is guaranteed to have at least one amateur team against a MLS team.

The USL vs. NASL matchups will be an opportunity for the NASL to redeem itself. Last year, the USL won all seven meetings between the leagues (6-0-1, 1-0 PKs)

Which teams will earn a date with a MLS team?

Below, you will find links to our coverage on TheCup.us, as well as previews from all 20 games, including video and audio links where available. You can get all the latest updates from every game through Twitter, using the hashtag #USOC2016. Use that same hashtag on Instagram to share your US Open Cup-related photos.

NOTE: Links and embedded video for the games tonight will be added below as they become available

NOTE: Each scoreboard listed below all say “FINAL” — we are working on fixing this.

#USOC2016 coverage:
* 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup schedule, results (video/audio links)
* 2016 US Open Cup bracket (TheCup.us)
* 2016 Meet the Underdogs series
* USSF’s new US Open Cup qualifying tournament has challenges to address after year one
* Things you should know about the Third Round of the US Open Cup
* Notable upsets in the Third Round of the US Open Cup (Modern Era)
* Series of forfeits, teams with ineligible players overshadow 2016 US Open Cup
* 2016 US Open Cup Round 2 review
* MLS-owned USL teams no longer eligible for 2016 US Open Cup, confirms USSF
* One is enough: NPSL champion New York Cosmos B withdraws from 2016 US Open Cup

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BROADCAST: NONE
Winner plays at DC United (MLS) on June 15

Fort Lauderdale Strikers Open Cup records
Overall: 6-8-2 (1-1 PKs) | Home: 6-3-1 (1-0 PKs) | Away: 0-5-1 (0-1 PKs) | vs. Div. 3: 0-1-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 3-2 at Charleston Battery of USL in Round 3)
Best finish: Third Round (2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)

Richmond Strikers Open Cup records
Overall: 29-15-2 (1-1 PKs) | Home: 22-6-1 (0-1 PKs) | Away: 6-9-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. Div. 2: 4-2-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 3-1 vs. Columbus Crew of MLS in Round 4)
Best finish: 1995 US Open Cup champions

Do not adjust your screen: this Round 3 fixture does, in fact, kickoff at 11 a.m. ET. Indeed, a special set of circumstances led to this decision. Fort Lauderdale’s ownership group scheduled an international friendly between Guatemala and Venezuela at Lockhart Stadium, where the Strikers play their NASL home games for the evening of June 1. Ownership say they did this intentionally, citing a “business decision”, and attempted to reschedule with the Kickers before ultimately settling on the current date and time because they did not want to lose their hosting rights.

On the field, the Strikers are in a bit of better form lately. They’ve taken 10 of a possible 12 points in the month of May, though that has been in response to a slow start to league play. They currently sit in seventh place in the NASL standings. If the Strikers are going to win this one, they’ll need their veterans to step up and that means former MLS journeymen Julius James and Maicon Santos. Santos, in particular, will be critical as he leads the team with four goals in seven league games this season; no other player has more than one.

The Richmond Kickers also find themselves currently in seventh place in their own league (USL Eastern Conference) standings. Their recent league form has been more inconsistent but they did comfortably dispose of amateur Cinderella side Aromas Café 4-0 in the second round of the Open Cup two weeks ago. While USL sides are typically populated former American college soccer standouts (like Kickers’ striker Brian Ownby, a Richmond native), the catalyst so far this season for Richmond has been Japanese international Yudai Imura. The Tokyo native played collegiate soccer in Japan and leads the team with three goals. He was quiet in the Kickers’ Open Cup victory over Aromas Café, but he does lead the team in corner kicks taken and could be an X-factor against a Fort Lauderdale side currently conceding 1.1 goals per game.

The winner of this one will head to Boyds, Maryland to take on DC United of MLS.

BROADCAST: VIDEO
Winner hosts Orlando City SC (MLS) on June 15

LIVE VIDEO: CHARLESTON BATTERY AT JACKSONVILLE ARMADA

Charleston Battery Open Cup records
Overall: 29-13-6 (3-3 PKs) | Home: 24-6-5 (2-3 PKs) | Away: 5-6-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. Div. 2: 6-0-1 (1-0 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (Draw 4-4, Lost 8-7 in PKs vs. Orlando City SC of MLS in Round 4)
Best finish: 2008 Runner-Up (Lost 2-1 at DC United of MLS in Final)

Jacksonville Armada Open Cup records
Overall: 0-1-0 | Home: 0-0-0 | Away: 0-1-0 | vs. Div. 3: 0-1-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 3-0 at Richmond Kickers of USL in Round 3)
Best finish: 2015 Third Round (Lost 3-0 at Richmond Kickers of USL)

The Battery caught a break in their second round matchup. After losing to The Villages SC in penalty kicks, it was later discovered that The Villages used an ineligible player. The Battery filed a protest and the US Open Cup committee ruled in their favor, allowing the Battery to advance. This avoided Charleston getting eliminated three years in a row by a team from Florida in penalties.Charleston is doing well in league play, currently sitting in fourth place in the USL East at 5-3-3. They’ve won three of their last four USL matches, despite a home loss to Louisville City FC on Saturday.

The Battery are one of the most successful lower division teams when it comes to US Open Cup play, having finished runner-up in 2008 and reaching the Quarterfinals six times, which is more than any other lower division team in the Modern Era. The club’s 29 Open Cup wins rank fifth among all clubs in the Modern Era (they trail only Chicago Fire, Seattle Sounders, Rochester Rhinos and DC United).On the other end of table is Jacksonville Armada, who have had a disappointing season to say the least. They enter The Cup with a 1-5-2 record in the NASL, putting them in last place. Scoring has been an issue for Jacksonville, they’ve been shut out in four of their five losses.

This is the second year for the Armada who were one-and-done in their inaugural cup run last year. Jacksonville traveled to Richmond and lost to the USL’s Kickers 3-0.

If momentum has anything to do with it, Charleston would appear to have the advantage. But of course in the Open Cup setting, anything can happen.

BROADCAST: NONE
If Lansdowne Bhoys wins … play at New York Red Bulls on June 15
OR
If Rochester Rhinos wins … host New York Red Bulls on June 15

Lansdowne Bhoys Open Cup records
Overall: 2-0-0 | Home: 0-0-0 | Away: 2-0-0 | vs. Div. 3: 1-0-0
Last entry: N/A (First entry)
Best finish: N/A (First entry)

Rochester Rhinos Open Cup records
Overall: 35-16-6 (3-3 PKs) | Home: 29-7-4 (2-2 PKs) | Away: 4-9-2 (1-1 PKs) | vs. Amateur: 15-0-0
Last entry: 2015 (Drew 0-0, Lost 3-1 in PKs at Philadelphia Union of MLS in Round 4)
Best finish: 1999 US Open Cup champions

Quite possibly the biggest David vs. Goliath matchup of the Third Round as 1999 US Open Cup champion Rochester Rhinos will host the Lansdowne Bhoys, an amateur club from the Cosmopolitan League in New York City.

The Rhinos have the second-most wins of any club in the Modern Era and have a championship under their belt. While the Bhoys, who have become a powerhouse in the fabled Cosmopolitan League in recent years, are making their first-ever appearance in the tournament.

The Rhinos are the defending USL champions but are 4-2-3 and are sitting nine points clear of first place currently. Rochester already dismantled an amateur side from the East Coast with a 7-0 win over Southie FC (Boston). Lansdowne Bhoys needed victories over the Long Island Rough Riders (PDL) in Round 1 and then pulled off an upset on the road by shutting out the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, 2-0.

BROADCAST: VIDEO
Winner plays at Philadelphia Union (MLS) on June 15

Harrisburg City Islanders Open Cup records
Overall: 16-8-3 (2-1 PKs) | Home: 10-2-3 (2-1 PKs) | Away: 6-6-0 | vs. Amateur: 12-1-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 3-1 in OT vs. Rochester Rhinos of USL in Round 3)
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2007, 2009, 2010, 2012)

Chattanooga FC Open Cup records
Overall: 1-3-4 (3-1 PKs) | Home: 1-2-2 (2-0 PKs | Away: 0-1-2 (1-1 PKs) | vs. Div. 3: 1-1-1 (1-0 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 2-1 in OT vs. Atlanta Silverbacks of NASL in Round 3)
Best finish: Third Round (2014, 2015)

The Harrisburg City Islanders are one of the giant killers among the lower division teams of the Modern Era. They have advanced far enough to play a MLS team 10 times and five of those times, they have eliminated their opponents. Their list of victims include DC United (2007), New England Revolution (2009, 2012), and the New York Red Bulls (2010, 2012).

As a USL side, the Harrisburg City Islanders entered the Cup in the second round and squared off against West Chester United. City was able to down United on their own turf by a score of 2-0, with one of the goals coming from offseason addition Bobby Warshaw. The goal was the first one for Warshaw in a Harrisburg uniform, as he is normally a defensive midfielder, but was able to find the back of the net on this one.As an amateur team from the NPSL, Chattanooga FC received a rare bye into the Second Round. They managed to escape Round 2 with a hard-fought penalty kick victory after 120 minutes of scoreless soccer with the PDL’s Reading United AC. However, once it got to the penalty kicks, it was smooth sailing, as Chattanooga won those by a 4-1 margin.

Though Chattanooga gets to host the Islanders, Harrisburg has to be considered the favorites going against an amateur side, but it’s worth noting that Chattanooga’a claim to fame is that they are the only NPSL team in history to eliminate a professional team. They eliminated the Wilmington Hammerheads (USL) in back-to-back years in 2014 and 2015.

BROADCAST: VIDEO
Winner plays at New York City FC (MLS) on June 15

LIVE VIDEO: JERSEY EXPRESS AT NEW YORK COSMOS

Jersey Express Open Cup records
Overall: 4-2-0 | Home: 2-1-0 | Away: 2-1-0 | vs. Amateur: 3-1-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 3-0 at New York Cosmos of NASL in Round 3)
Best finish: 2015 Third Round (Lost 3-0 at New York Cosmos of NASL)

New York Cosmos Open Cup records
Overall: 3-2-1 (1-0 PKs) | Home: 3-0-1 (1-0 PKs) | Away: 0-2-0 | vs. Amateur: 2-0-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 4-1 at NY Red Bulls of MLS in Round 5)
Best finish: Fifth Round (2014, 2015)

It’s right back to Jamaica (New York) for Jersey Express as they look to take down another high profile New York side.The Express played at Belson Stadium, home of St. John’s University, and defeated three-time US Open Cup champion New York Pancyprian Freedoms in Round 2. They’ve only played two PDL games so far this season, but they’ve taken four points and former pro Chris Karcz has two goals in as many games. The Jersey Express may have been a bit fortunate against the Freedoms as some felt the amateur side deserved a penalty kick late in the match, but the PDL side got the result and know it will take more than luck to advance this time around.

Last year, the Express their first appearance in the tournament and they made quite an impression. They defeated four-time Open Cup champion New York Greek American SC, and upset the New York Red Bulls 2 (USL) 1-0 before falling to the New York Cosmos in Round 3. They will get another crack at the Cosmos this year at the very same stadium that they fell 3-0 to the NASL powerhouse.

The Cosmos currently find themselves atop the NASL league standings and you don’t have to spend much time sifting through the stats sheet to know why. Venezuelan international and former Borussia Monchengladbach playmaker Juan Arango has three goals and three assists in nine starts this season. His favorite target has been former Columbus Crew striker Jairo Arrieta, who has tallied two goals and two assists of his own in eight league starts. But perhaps the biggest name on this Cosmos roster is former Tottenham midfielder Niko Kranjcar. He’s only notched one goal and one assist so far but he’s been a rock in the middle of the field, allowing Arango to venture forward more often and act as the team’s main creator.

The Cosmos have pulled off two signature wins in their first two Open Cup runs. They dominated the New York Red Bulls 3-0 in 2014 and eliminated New York City FC in a dramatic match that ended in penalty kicks last year. However, after each of those games, they were unable to take the next step, falling to a MLS opponent in Round 5.

The winner of this match will travel to Fordham University in the Bronx for a showdown with star-studded New York City FC.

BROADCAST: VIDEO
Winner hosts New England Revolution (MLS) on June 15

LIVE VIDEO: CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE AT CAROLINA RAILHAWKS

Charlotte Independence Open Cup records
Overall: 4-1-0 | Home: 1-0-0 | Away: 3-1-0 | vs. Div. 2: 1-0-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 3-1 at Chicago Fire of MLS in Round 5)
Best finish: 2015 Fifth Round (Lost 3-1 at Chicago Fire of MLS)

Carolina RailHawks Open Cup records
Overall: 15-7-2 (1-1 PKs) | Home: 15-4-2 (1-1 PKs) | Away: 0-3-0 | vs. Div. 3: 5-2-1 (0-1 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 1-0 vs. Charlotte Independence of USL in Round 3)
Best finish: 2007 Semifinals (Lost 2-1 in OT at New England Revolution of MLS)

The Independence faired well in their first Open Cup matchup against their cross-town opponent, Charlotte Eagles. Their easy 2-0 win came in the middle of a tough stretch for Charlotte. After starting league play 5-2, they have since fallen to 5-3-2.Charlotte made a big splash in their first Open Cup run last year. They won three games, including one over the RailHawks on the road. They also became the only lower division team to defeat a MLS team in regulation when they beat the New England Revolution 1-0 in Round 4.

They’ll match up against a team that’s had a lot of success in previous Open Cup, the Carolina RailHawks. The RailHawks reached the Semifinals in their inaugural season in 2007 and later made the Quarterfinals in 2013 and 2014 before suffering a 1-0 loss to the Independence in the Third Round last year. Carolina is currently in fifth place in NASL with a 4-3-1 record, and the RailHawks need a win badly. Since starting the year 4-0, they haven’t won a match since April 23 and getting some revenge for last year’s loss could help the club get back on track.

BROADCAST: VIDEO
Winner plays at Columbus Crew (MLS) on June 15

LIVE VIDEO: FC CINCINNATI AT TAMPA BAY ROWDIES

FC Cincinnati Open Cup records
Overall: 1-0-0 | Home: 1-0-0 | Away: 0-0-0 | vs. Div. 2: 0-0-0
Last entry: N/A (First entry)
Best finish: N/A (First entry)

Tampa Bay Rowdies Open Cup records
Overall: 4-5-0 | Home: 1-1-0 | Away: 3-4-0 | vs. Div. 3: 1-2-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 1-0 at Pittsburgh Riverhounds of USL in Round 3)
Best finish: 2013 Fourth Round (Lost 2-0 at Portland Timbers of MLS)

The US Soccer Federation tries its best to seed the Open Cup by geography, but there will always been the occasional odd team out. A team that is forced to travel a long distance when there is an odd number of teams in their region. Case in point: USL side FC Cincinnati will make the trek down to Florida to take on the NASL’s Tampa Bay Rowdies.

In the words of Cincinnati.com: FC Cincinnati has become an American soccer outlier. The team is playing in its inaugural season and is already averaging just over 17,000 fans per game in Nippert Stadium, the home of the University of Cincinnati’s college football team. The team is dominating local and regional media coverage and its merchandise can be found all over the greater Cincinnati area; they’ve even “earned” a friendly next month with 2016 FA Cup runner-up Crystal Palace. They’re backing it up on the field as well, currently in third place in the USL’s Eastern Conference with 16 goals in 10 league games so far this season.

FC Cincinnati kicked off its inaugural US Open Cup run with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Indy Eleven’s NPSL team. With the win, FC Cincy became the first professional team from the city to win a Open Cup game in the 103-year history of the tournament.

Tampa Bay has made headlines recently as well, but for a different reason. The Rowdies signed former English Premier League star Joe Cole this spring, who has notched an assist in each of his first three games with the club. He’s the reigning NASL Player of the Week after scoring in the Tampa Bay’s 2-0 win over Minnesota this past weekend. Rowdies supporters will be hoping his form continues to hold as the club looks to lift itself up out of sixth place in the standings.

The winner of this match earns a date with the Columbus Crew of MLS in the next round, a mouthwatering prospect for the orange and blue supporters of FC Cincinnati in particular.

BROADCAST: AUDIO
If Louisville City wins … host Chicago Fire (MLS) on June 15
OR
If Indy Eleven wins … will play at Chicago Fire (MLS) on June 15

LIVE AUDIO: LOUISVILLE CITY AT INDY ELEVEN

Louisville City FC Open Cup records
Overall: 2-1-1 (1-0 PKs) | Home: 0-0-1 (1-0 PKs) | Away: 2-1-0 | vs. Div. 2: 1-0-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 1-0 in OT at Chicago Fire of MLS in Round 4)
Best finish: 2015 Fourth Round (Lost 1-0 in OT at Chicago Fire of MLS)

Indy Eleven Open Cup records
Overall: 1-2-0 | Home: 1-1-0 | Away: 0-1-0 | vs. Div. 3: 1-1-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 2-0 in OT vs. Louisville City FC of USL in Round 3)
Best finish: 2014 Fourth Round (Lost 2-1 in OT at Columbus Crew of MLS)

Indy Eleven will be playing in their first Cup game of the season, as this is the round where NASL teams enter the competition. Their partner team, Indy Eleven NPSL, bowed out in the last round in a 2-1 loss to FC Cincinnati. Indy is in second place in the NASL, and sport an undefeated record with three wins and five draws. They will look to continue those winning ways when they host USL side Louisville City.Louisville, a USL team, won a dramatic game against Detroit City FC which saw a player from each side get a red card and the Detroit head coach get dismissed. If that wasn’t enough drama for a game, the score after 120 minutes was 1-1, and kicks from the mark saw Louisville advance, 3-1.

Indiana vs. Kentucky is a strong college basketball rivalry, but the Open Cup could plant the seeds for a soccer version. This is a revenge game for the Eleven as Louisville eliminated them 2-0 in extra time in last year’s Third Round. Louisville has the most points in the USL currently and could be on track for a second straight win. But Indy have fresher legs and will be hosting again, though with two teams at the tops of their respective tables, it will be hard to call this one an upset no matter who wins.

BROADCAST: VIDEO
Winner hosts Sporting Kansas City (MLS) on June 15

LIVE VIDEO: MINNESOTA UNITED FC AT SAINT LOUIS FC

Minnesota United FC Open Cup records
Overall: 4-4-1 (0-1 PKs) | Home: 1-2-0 | Away: 3-2-1 (0-1 PKs) | vs. Div. 3: 0-0-1 (0-1 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (Drew 1-1, Lost 3-1 in PKs at Saint Louis FC of USL in Round 3)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2012, 2014)

Saint Louis FC Open Cup records
Overall: 2-1-1 (1-0 PKs) | Home: 2-0-1 (1-0 PKs) | Away: 0-1-0 | vs. Div. 2: 0-0-1 (1-0 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 1-0 at Sporting KC of MLS in Round 4)
Best finish: 2015 Fourth Round (Lost 1-0 at Sporting KC of MLS)

Minnesota United will be playing in their first Cup game of the season, as this is the round where NASL teams begin. This is expected to be the club’s last season in the NASL as they are planning to make the jump to MLS next year. With a host of former MLS players, including Jeb Brovsky, Bernardo Anor, and Ben Speas, they should prove a formidable challenge for Saint Louis FC.United are looking to build on the club’s only signature win: a 3-1 road win over Real Salt Lake (MLS) in 2012. They have failed to beat any professional teams aside from that RSL contest, but then again, this is just their sixth trip to the tournament.

Saint Louis, of the USL, had an easy home win in the second round as they faced amateur side AFC Cleveland and topped them by a final of 2-0. Jamiel Hardware and Jordan Roberts were the goalscorers. A fairly successful tournament last year saw Saint Louis losing to the eventual champions, Sporting Kansas City, but not before beating this very same Minnesota team. Though the rosters are very different now, Minnesota will be pushing to avenge last year’s cup loss.

BROADCAST: VIDEO
Winner plays at Real Salt Lake MLS) on June 15

LIVE VIDEO: WILMINGTON HAMMERHEADS AT MIAMI FC

Wilmington Hammerheads Open Cup records
Overall: 15-12-2 (1-1 PKs) | Home: 14-5-1 (0-1 PKs) | Away: 1-7-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. Div. 2: 2-3-1 (1-0 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (Drew 1-1, Lost 5-3 in PKs vs. Chattanooga FC of NPSL in Round 2)
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2003, 2009)

Miami FC Open Cup records
Overall: 0-0-0 | Home: 0-0-0 | Away: 0-0-0 | vs. Amateur: 0-0-0
Last entry: N/A (First entry)
Best finish: N/A (First entry)

Wilmington has had a feast-or-famine kind of season with their scoring. They hold a 3-4-3 record, but in games where they score more than two goals, they are 4-0. The rest of the year has been filled with low scoring losses and draws.This trend has been on full display in the last two weeks, with their 1-0 loss to Charleston bookended by a 6-0 Open Cup win over Miami Fusion FC (NPSL) and a 3-1 win at Toronto FC II. It sounds obvious, but Wilmington really needs to get their offense going if they want to advance. The Hammerheads are a team that haven’t had a solid in cup run in a few years. The last time they won multiple games in a tournament was in 2011. Then they were eliminated by amateur teams in 2012 (Cal FC), 2014 (Chattanooga FC) and 2015 (Chattanooga FC).

Miami FC has struggled in NASL play, posting a 1-4-3 record. Earlier in the year, defense was the struggle for this team. They went through a stretch where they allowed two or more goals in four straight games. The last few weeks have been kinder to Miami, with a 0-0 draw followed by a 1-0 win over FC Edmonton last week.This is Miami’s first trip to the tournament. There was a Miami FC in the USL from 2006-2010, but they were re-branded as the Fort Lauderdale Strikers prior to the 2011 season.

BROADCAST: VIDEO
IF Rayo OKC wins … host FC Dallas (MLS) on June 15
OR
IF OKC Energy wins … plays at FC Dallas (MLS) on June 15

LIVE VIDEO: OKC ENERGY AT RAYO OKC

Oklahoma City Energy Open Cup records
Overall: 3-2-1 (1-0) | Home: 3-2-1 (1-0) | Away: 0-0-0 | vs. Div. 2: 0-0-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 4-1 at FC Dallas of MLS in Round 4)
Best finish: 2015 Fourth Round (Lost 4-1 at FC Dallas of MLS)

Rayo OKC Open Cup records
Overall: 0-0-0 | Home: 0-0-0 | Away: 0-0-0 | vs. Amateur: 0-0-0
Last entry: N/A (First entry)
Best finish: N/A (First entry)

Oklahoma City Energy FC (USL) take on Rayo OKC (NASL) on Wednesday at Yukon Miller Stadium in Yukon, OK, just west of Oklahoma City. It’s a matchup that fans have been waiting for as the two OKC teams, that play in rival leagues will finally face off in a game that matters. Some additional fuel was added to the rivalry fire when Rayo OKC announced on Twitter that they would not be reserving a section for away supporters.

@TheGridOKC @chrisbrannick85 pic.twitter.com/9XHretdkqU

— RayoOKC (@RayoOKC) May 26, 2016

The Energy are coming off a great run of form, winning their last three league matches. They look to go into the Rayo’s home stadium and secure a win. The Rayos, on the other hand, have had a difficult run of form, heading into the match with a draw and two losses in their last three league matches.

This is the first US Open Cup match for Rayo OKC, while this is the third trip to the tournament for the Energy. The only highlight in the Energy’s brief Open Cup history was a narrow 1-0 win over the Tulsa Roughnecks, a fellow USL side in last year’s tournament.

The winner of this match will face FC Dallas (MLS) in the next round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on June 15. The Rayos would host that match if they win, while the Energy would travel to Frisco to play.

BROADCAST: VIDEO
Winner plays at Houston Dynamo MLS) on June 15

LIVE VIDEO: SAN ANTONIO FC AT DES MOINES MENACE

San Antonio FC Open Cup records
Overall: 1-0-0 | Home: 1-0-0 | Away: 0-0-0 | vs. Amateur: 1-0-0
Last entry: N/A (First entry)
Best finish: N/A (First entry)

Des Moines Menace Open Cup records
Overall: 12-9-1 (1-0 PKs) | Home: 7-3-1 (1-0 PKs) | Away: 5-5-0 | vs. Div. 3: 2-1-1 (1-0 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 2-1 in OT at Saint Louis FC of USL in Round 2)
Best finish: 2005 Fourth Round (Lost 6-1 at Kansas City Wizards of MLS)

San Antonio FC (USL) are heading to West Des Moines, Iowa to take on the red-hot Des Moines Menace (PDL) in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The Menace have not yet lost a match this season in all competitions. In the three league matches leading up to this tie, the Menace have outscored their opponents 8-1, while recording two shutouts in that span.

San Antonio has struggled to find results in the month of May, recording two losses and two draws in that time and are 2-4-4 overall.

Normally, one wouldn’t consider a PDL vs. USL matchup to be a dangerous one, but the Menace aren’t your average PDL team. They are coming off a 2-0 win over the USL’s Tulsa Roughnecks which is the seventh time that they have eliminated a pro team in their club’s history. Only the Michigan Bucks (9) have more among all of the amateur teams in the Modern Era (1995-present).

San Antonio FC, playing in their first Open Cup tournament, picked up a 3-1 home win over fellow San Antonio side Corinthians in Round 2.The winner advances to a June 15 match at Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, TX.

BROADCAST: NONE
Winner plays at Colorado Rapids MLS) on June 15

Colorado Springs Switchbacks Open Cup records
Overall: 3-1-0 | Home: 2-0-0 | Away: 1-1-0 | vs. Div. 3: 1-0-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 4-1 at Colorado Rapids of MLS in Round 4)
Best finish: 2015 Fourth Round (Lost 4-1 at Colorado Rapids of MLS)

Arizona United Open Cup records
Overall: 3-2-0 | Home: 1-2-0 | Away: 2-0-0 | vs. Div. 3: 1-0-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 3-0 vs. Chula Vista FC of USASA in Round 2)
Best finish: 2014 Fourth Round (Lost 2-1 vs. LA Galaxy of MLS)

Arizona United moved into the third round of the tournament with a bang, crushing in-state rivals FC Tucson 5-0 on the road. Long Tan netted a goal in each half as United rolled, even after Gibson Bardsley’s second-half ejection required them to play with 10 men for the final 35 minutes of the match. It was a nice rebound for the club after suffering an embarrassing 3-0 loss at home to Southern California amateur side Chula Vista FC last year.

Colorado Springs will present a bigger challenge, having already beaten Arizona twice in USL play this season. United may need to rely on their defense to keep the game tight and change their fortunes against their Rocky Mountain rivals. Only twice in 12 games (all competitions) this season has Arizona scored more than two goals in a game, and they have just seven goals in ten matches against USL opponents.

The Switchbacks started their second Open Cup run the same way they started their first a year ago. They picked up a one-goal win over Boulder, Colo. amateur side Harpo’s FC. Just like last year, Colorado Springs are matched up with a USL side in Round 3 (last year they defeated the Real Monarchs 1-0) and if they win, they will earn a road date with the Colorado Rapids. Last year, the Rapids got the best of them, winning 4-1.

Colorado Springs called on their depth to knock off Harpo’s FC in the second round. They’ll need to do so again to defeat Arizona United on Wednesday for the third time this year.

At a minimum, they’ll be missing their head coach Steve Trittschuh. Assistant coach Wolde Harris will be helming the team in Arizona.

The Switchbacks very well could opt to rest starters again, as they are off to a flying 6-2-1 start in league play and may prioritize Saturday’s match against Saint Louis FC. At least one or two members of their solid attacking trio – forwards Miguel Gonzalez, Martin Maybin and Saeed Robinson – will likely start, giving Colorado Springs a still-dangerous attack.

BROADCAST: NONE
Winner plays at LA Galaxy MLS) on June 15

Los Angeles Wolves Open Cup records
Overall: 1-0-1 (1-0 PKs) | Home: 0-0-1 (1-0 PKs) | Away: 1-0-0 | vs. Amateur: 1-0-0
Last entry: N/A (First entry)
Best finish: N/A (First entry)

La Maquina Open Cup records
Overall: 2-0-0 | Home: 1-0-0 | Away: 1-0-0 | vs. Amateur: 2-0-0
Last entry: N/A (First entry)
Best finish: N/A (First entry)

It’s very rare to have a pair of amateur clubs meeting in the Third Round of the US Open Cup with a game against a Major League Soccer team on the line. What’s even more rare is that two amateur teams from the same league will square off. La Maquina and the Los Angeles Wolves FC, both of the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) will battle at Westminster High School in Westminster, Calif. for the right to play the mighty Los Angeles Galaxy in Round 4 on June 15.

Despite playing in the same league, this will be the first-ever official meeting between the two clubs. The two met in a friendly last year with the Wolves coming away with a 2-0 win. They did not have a league meeting because they played in different conferences.

The Wolves lost their First Round game to the Ventura County Fusion (PDL), but it was discovered that the Fusion fielded an ineligible player and were disqualified. LA followed that up with a 4-2 penalty kick win over the USL’s Orange County Blues after a 1-1 draw.

La Maquina has benefited from a favorable draw. Not so much in the way of travel, but in terms of opponents. The club has yet to play a professional opponent. They traveled to Portland, Ore. and defeated the Timbers U23s (PDL) 2-0 and then returned home a week later and shut out the Sacramento Gold (NPSL) by the same scoreline.

Read about both clubs in our Meet the Underdogs series: La Maquina | LA Wolves FC

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Winner plays at Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) on June 15

Kitsap Pumas Open Cup records
Overall: 4-5-1 (1-0 PKs) | Home: 3-3-0 | Away: 1-2-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. Div. 3: 0-1-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 4-2 in OT at Seattle Sounders 2 of USL in Round 2)
Best finish: 2011 Third Round (Lost 2-1 at Seattle Sounders of MLS)

Sacramento Republic Open Cup records
Overall: 5-1-1 (0-1 PKs) | Home: 5-0-0 | Away: 0-1-1 (0-1 PKs) | vs. Amateur: 5-0-0
Last entry: 2015 (Drew 2-2, Lost 6-5 in PKs at San Jose Earthquakes of MLS in Round 4)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2014, 2015)

The Kitsap Pumas organization has made no secret about their desire to eventually move their club up from the PDL into the third-division USL. They’ll get a chance to prove they can compete with that higher quality of opponent on Wednesday night against the Sacramento Republic of the USL.Keeping it close will be key for Kitsap. The defense is on a bit of a roll recently, having conceded just one goal in the last three games (two wins and a draw). Captain and defender Corey Keitz will be in charge of keeping his back line calm. If Kitsap are going to spring the upset, playing for a shutout may be necessary, because Kitsap’s still-developing attack could find it hard to create many chances against a stingy Sacramento defense.Kitsap has been a regular in the Open Cup since their inaugural season in 2009. They have qualified six of their eight seasons. While they have proven to be one of the best amateur teams, holding a 4-1-1 (1-0 PKs) since 2009, they are 0-4-0 against professional teams during that time. A win would be a welcome addition to their Open Cup resume.

Similar to Kitsap, Sacramento are desperate to show the soccer world that they can compete at a higher level. For them, the level is MLS, and with a third-round win, they would get that chance by setting up their first-ever meeting with four-time US Open Cup champion Seattle Sounders FC.Sacramento has found success in 2016 by simply not allowing many goals. Veteran goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek, 36, is the only member of the Republic older than 30 and has been a rock for them all season. But backup Evan Newton started in Sacramento’s 5-0 blowout of CD Aguiluchos USA in the second round of the tournament, so he may get the call again against Kitsap.

This is the fourth Open Cup run for the Republic and they are still seeking a signature win in the competition. They have fallen short of beating the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS), losing 2-1 in 2014 and losing a penalty kick shootout last year. They’ve proven they can handle the amateur clubs (5-0-0, 24 goals for, 6 goals against), but they need a signature win to put on their young Open Cup resume.

2016 Meet the Underdogs: La Maquina fighting to earn respect in inaugural US Open Cup run

June 1, 2016 by Ted Prezelski

La Maquina lines up for player introductions before their 2016 US Open Cup qualifying match with Chula Vista FC. Photo: La Maquina

After traveling from Southern California to Portland, Ore. and dispatching the Portland Timbers U-23s (PDL) 2-0 in the opening round of the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, La Maquina has gotten the attention of the American soccer public. They followed up that performance with another 2-0 shutout in Round 2 against the NPSL’s Sacramento Gold.

They were one of eight teams entering the First Round for the first time and are a bit of an unknown.

The Santa Ana, Calif.-based club finished second in the southeast division of United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) after last year’s spring/summer season. Then the club qualified for the US Open Cup with wins in the open division tournament over Strikers FC and a surprising 4-0 defeat of former Open Cup darlings Chula Vista FC in October and November respectively.

Then things got weird.

La Maquina faced San Nicolas in an UPSL quarterfinal playoff match in December. An altercation followed the match involving players, coaches and fans. UPSL reviewed the incident and handed down hefty penalties to both teams: San Nicholas was docked six games and La Maquina was banned for the winter season.

You read that right: La Maquina were ejected from the league for the next session of play.

“It was not an easy decision, especially when you have two good teams at the table,” said UPSL commissioner Yan Skwara. “As a league, we have a zero tolerance for violence and stay firm with that. At the end of the day, I think both teams have learned from this and they will be better citizens both on and off the field.”

Both teams have served their suspensions and La Maquina will return to the league for 2016’s spring/summer session.

The team’s suspension from the league hasn’t stopped them from playing. They have continued to schedule matches and have posted strong wins in a series of friendlies against local clubs, including a recent 6-0 victory against newly-rebranded PDL side LA Laguna.

Unlike most of their counterparts, the team drew another amateur side, fellow UPSL side Los Angeles Wolves, for the Third Round. They are eager to prove themselves in the Open Cup.

The team draws most of its players from the Orange County area, and counts former members of Pateadores among its ranks. One exception is Edwin Borboa, the 33-year old former chivas de Guadalajara forward who last played professionally for Liga de Ascenso club Lobos.

“The guys are really motivated. This is what they have been waiting for,” said coach Edson Martinez. “We have had a lot of games lately, and we should be playing harder teams.”

“If we win Wednesday, anything is possible,” he added.

Martinez y La Maquina will get that chance after this round where they will face the Los Angeles Galaxy. He isn’t worried. He says that his team has something special that the others don’t.

“We’ve played together for a long time. That’s the difference,” he said. “A lot of guys that could be playing on a PDL team want to play for La Maquina. They like playing here.”

Kristen Gehrke also contributed to this report