2018 US Open Cup qualifying

2018 US Open Cup qualifying: El Farolito crushes Cal Victory, qualifies without allowing a goal

November 20, 2017 by Thomas Hodul

The entrance sign at Matthew J. Boxer Soccer Stadium on Nov. 19, 2017. Boxer Stadium first opened back in 1953. Photo: Thomas Hodul

El Farolito stormed into the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with an 8-0 win over Cal Victory of the UPSL. The San Francisco Soccer Football League (SFSFL) champions and former Open Cup champions (1993) took care of business to qualify for the Open Cup proper rounds for the second consecutive season.

The match kicked off at 11:15 a.m. local time in San Francisco at historic Boxer Stadium. The early kickoff time seemed to have Cal Victory slightly asleep at the wheel.

El Farolito began the scoring inside of six minutes when Ederson De Silva dribbled the ball uncontested to the top of the box and curled his shot passed the helpless goalkeeper to start what became a long morning of scoring.

Gustavo Ruelas would add two more for El Farolito by the 12th minute of the match. The first goal came off of a beautiful cross from the right side off of the foot of Arnold Rivas, which Ruelas poked home, and a second from the left side off of the foot of Andres Rodriguez, which Ruelas headed home.

Carlos Montes, the hat trick hero for El Farolito in their opening round qualifying match, scored in the 30th minute to make the score 4-0 to the host side. Moments later, it got worse for Cal Victory when Jefferson Nunez made a dangerous tackle from behind and picked up his 2nd yellow, putting his team down to ten men.

MORE: California wildfires not stopping Cal Victory FC in quest for 2018 US Open Cup berth

El Farolito picked up a fifth goal just before the end of the first half to extend their lead to 5-0. Marco Lubel scored this time for El Farolito to send his team into the break with a commanding lead.

The scoring continued early in the second half for El Farolito as Carlos Montes scored in both the 48th and 55th minutes to once again pick up a hat trick in the US Open qualifying rounds. El Farolito added an eighth goal to put the final stamp on a decisive victory in the 65th minute, when Ederson De Silva picked up his second goal of the match.

“I’m really happy with the group. They have showed a lot of effort since the beginning of August since we had to get this roster together,” said El Farolito head coach Santiago Lopez. “They knew the goal was to qualify no matter how. I’m not surprised the way they did it with zero goals against in three games. It’s a great feeling to qualify and I’m really proud of the group.”

El Farolito did not allow a single goal during its qualifying run, outscoring all three opponents by a combined score of 16-0. They defeated Dynamos FC, 3-0 back on Sept. 23 and Academia FC, 5-0 on Oct. 22.

Following a long league season that saw his side earn the San Francisco League title once again, Lopez said, “I need a long break. It’s been since February we have been working. These guys deserve their long break and to rest up with their families. We will get back together end of January and start the planning for next year.”

El Farolito can now look ahead to the club’s second consecutive trip to the US Open Cup which is scheduled to begin in early May of 2018.

2018 US Open Cup qualifying: “Mentally strong” Santa Ana Winds beat San Pedro Monsters to earn first USOC berth

November 20, 2017 by Omar Avalos

Kyle O'Brien (orange) of Santa Ana Winds battles for the ball in a 2018 US Open Cup qualifier against the San Pedro Monsters. Photo: Santa Ana Winds — Kyle O’Brien (orange) of Santa Ana Winds battles for the ball in a 2018 US Open Cup qualifier against the San Pedro Monsters. Photo: Santa Ana Winds

Santa Ana Winds FC made club history by qualifying for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time, in their second attempt. The club defeated the San Pedro Monsters FC of the SoCal Premier League by a score of 4-1 at the Lake Forest Sports Park in Lake Forest, Calif.

Winds FC fell one game short of qualifying to the 2017 Open Cup, but much has changed from then until now. Most importantly, the club has found a consistency that has eluded them in the past. Continuity has been the key to their success as of late, in both UPSL play and Open Cup qualifying.

Winds FC got on the board in the 15th minute on a header by striker Kramer Runager. Two minutes later, he assisted striker Jordan Gorman on his first goal of the night. With Santa Ana up 2-0, the club got itself into trouble with disciplinary calls, first with an early yellow then with a red card in the 22nd minute. San Pedro took advantage of their man advantage to get one back on a header by Francisco Ramirez on a pass from Yoni Garcia in the 43rd minute.

With the momentum seemingly in San Pedro’s favor, Gorman came through again for Winds FC, this time in the 66th minute on a left-footed shot, assisted by midfielder and attack orchestrator Kyle O’Brien. Runager sealed the win for Santa Ana in the 84th minute with his second goal of the night on a fortuitous deflection in his favor caused by a Winds FC shot on goal, blocked by the San Pedro goalkeeper.

After the match, Winds head coach Jose Lopez attributed his club’s win to, “Doing the same things we’ve been working on in the last three to four months. We were mentally strong. We didn’t have to make any changes, and we were confident coming into this match.”

Santa Ana Winds FC returns to UPSL play, where they sit in fifth place behind regional powerhouses LA Wolves, OC Invicta, Orange County FC and La Máquina at the time of this writing with a record of 3W – 1L – 3T, while they await the draw for their First Round 2018 Open Cup opponent. Two of Winds FC’s three ties came against Invicta and La Máquina.

2018 US Open Cup qualifying: Daryl Kavanagh’s brace helps Lansdowne Bhoys qualify for second time

November 20, 2017 by Eugene O'Driscoll

Lansdowne Bhoys FC beat Junior Lone Stars U-23s to advance to qualify for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the second time in three years. The defending USASA Amateur Cup champions, playing in front of their home fans at Tibbetts Brooke Park in Yonkers, NY, won the game 3-1 to earn a spot in the 105th edition of the tournament next spring.

Irish forward Daryl Kavanagh, who spent time with numerous pro teams in his home country during his career, scored two of the three goals to lead Lansdowne to the win.

At the start, it was a very tense affair with both teams guilty of heavy touches and mishit passes. Lansdowne’s quality eventual shone through as the Bhoys started to grasp control of the game while Junior Lone Star looked dangerous on the counter. After a handful of chances for Lansdowne, Paco Navarro broke the deadlock after being slipped in from Lukas Zagres to give the Bhoys an early lead.

In the second half, the Bhoys tightened their grip on the game, coming close before a beautiful curling, left-footed Daryl Kavanagh effort gave them the second goal they were looking for.

Lansdowne Bhoys pose for a team photo before the club's 2018 US Open Cup qualifying match against Junior Lone Star U-23s. Photo: Lansdowne Bhoys FC — Lansdowne Bhoys pose for a team photo before the club’s 2018 US Open Cup qualifying match against Junior Lone Star U-23s. Photo: Larry Larkin | Lansdowne Bhoys FC

After that goal, it was generally one-way traffic and the Bhoys added a third as Kavanagh deftly flicked in an Andrew Sousa free kick. In the last ten minutes, Junior Lone Star had their best attacking spell of the game and were rewarded for their efforts as Momoh Dolley, a substitute, scored to ruin the shutout. For the Philadelphia-based Junior Lone Star, it would be the end to a rare qualifying run as the club’s senior team was eliminated in the opening round, while the Under-23s advanced all the way to the final round.

For the Bhoys, they qualify for the US Open Cup for the second time in club history. When they made their Open Cup debut in 2016, they made the most of it by defeating the Long Island Rough Riders (PDL) in the opening round before stunning the USL’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds on the road, 2-0. Their inaugural cup run would end with another road game, falling 2-0 at the Rochester Rhinos (USL).

Lansdowne manager Austin Friel was satisfied with the result and is looking ahead to the challenge that awaits his club when the US Open Cup begins next spring.

“I’m very happy to reach the first round,” Friel said with an eye toward the future and a reference to the past. “The next five months now is about preparing a squad to go as far as we can in the competition. We enjoyed our 2016 journey and want to go further this year.”

2018 US Open Cup qualifying: Azteca FC eliminates Harpo’s FC again to reach second straight USOC

November 20, 2017 by Jim Hart

It was a balmy 48 agrees Fahrenheit in Broomfield Colorado, a high-tech community just outside the Denver skyline where CenturyLink and its 55 story building dominates the skyline. A 3 pm kickoff almost certainly guaranteed a frigid ending to this exciting tie that will go down as a classic Colorado US Open Cup match.

Colorado is proving to be fertile ground for amateur clubs attempting to qualify for the US Open Cup, and today’s match was no exception, as this tie was filled with passion and more than a little physicality. This was a rematch of an exciting 2-1 match from a year ago that saw Azteca FC earn a first-ever trip to the US Open Cup and denied Harpo’s FC of Boulder, Colo. a third straight trip to the tournament. This year’s rematch went the same way with Azteca winning 4-3

As the match opened, it was clear that this big pitch was going to make for wide open play. Both sides used the flanks to enhance their attacks, with Azteca making especially good use of the right flank throughout the match. This would prove an issue for Harpo’s in the second half that could not be resolved.

Most of the first half was played with nervous tension filling the spaces. Neither side was able to set a marker in the ground until Harpo’s long time number 10, Kyle Luetkehans put one past the keeper to give Harpo’s the early lead in the 13th minute.

Things began to heat up at that point. Azteca were pressing their case on the attack and getting closer to a goal of their own when Harpo’s goalkeeper Zac Gibbens came out of his box and clipped Naoyas Aizawa of Azteca. This resulted in the awarding of a penalty kick to Azteca, which Erik Chavez put in the back of the net. This brought the score to 1-1

As the half was coming to a close there was a skirmish in front of the Harpo’s net. Azteca players had converged around the ball where Gibbens had just made a close save inside the six yard box. After the whistle blew Gibbens popped up off the deck with a lot of emotion. Several minutes of pushing and moving ensued, with the final result being red cards for both sides, unfortunately for Harpo’s one of those red cards went to Gibbens, leaving Harpo’s with the unenviable task of having to replace their starting goalkeeper.

The second half opened with each team down a man after the dual red cards. Harpo’s seemed to have left their game in the locker room, while Azteca came out ready to take the match by the scruff of the neck. Nine minutes into the second half Eric Hernandez fed Dehrian Ramirez for a goal that gave Azteca a 2-1 lead.

In what appeared to be Deja Vu all over again, Dehrian Ramirez recorded his brace in the 62nd minute on a play that looked eerily similar to the goal that was scored just minutes before. Azteca was rolling, Harpo’s looked like they had no answers at this point, In order to try to get some offense into the side, Harpo’s, team owner Johnny Freeston, who was sitting in for suspended coach Steve Lepper of Harpo’s, went to the bench to. swap out the center forwards, Stibe came on for Whittle in the 67th minute.

This strategy seemed to work as just three minutes later Dan Campbell pulled one back for Harpo’s, the scoreline now stood at 3-2, with Azteca hanging on to a one-goal advantage.

As the temperature dipped into the 30s and the light began to fade it seemed to give Azteca new life. They clung to their lead and kept the pressure on, looking for more goals. Suddenly in the 75th minute, Erik Chavez completed his brace and Dehrian Ramirez completed his hat-trick of assists on the day.

Azteca had an opportunity to park the bus, however, that is not their DNA. The primarily Mexican-American side is aggressive and loves to attack with the ball. They continued to keep the heat on and attempted to grab another goal.

Two minutes into extra time Harpo’s Leutkhens pulls one back for Harpo’s to make the match 4-3. Kyle has been a stalwart for the Boulder side for four seasons, and he was clearly the man of the match for Harpo’s on the day.

There were several candidates for man of the match from Azteca, but Dehrian Ramirez’s playmaking and his ability to be in the right place at the right time set him apart with three assists.

The qualifying tournament is over for the fall, as Azteca FC advances to the tournament proper for the second year in a row. They will look to improve on their one-and-done appearance in the 2017 competition. In their Open Cup debut, they lost a narrow 1-0 extra time decision, on the road, to the National Premier Soccer League’s FC Wichita.

2018 US Open Cup qualifying: Kendall Wanderers earn first Open Cup berth with win over Mass United

November 20, 2017 by Michael Preston

Boston’s Kendall Wanderers moved into the First Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time in the Bay State Soccer League club’s long history with a 2-1 win over Mass United.

This season’s BSSL runners-up enjoyed more possession and chances than their United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) opponents in steady rain at Dilboy Stadium in Somerville, Mass. The Wanderers survived a late scare and held on to clinch a spot in the 105th edition of the tournament which is scheduled to begin in May of 2018.

Dave Sheehan broke the deadlock six minutes before halftime as the Wanderers left back ventured down the flank and chipped the advancing United keeper with a finish that was hacked clear in desperation, but had crossed the line. Mass United might have leveled deep into added time with the last kick of the half by Mohamed Saeed saw a chance roll agonizingly across the face of goal.

United had strong penalty claims for handball waved away after 62 minutes but Kendall had begun to take the upper hand with left wing raids through Francis Mulhern twice causing problems. In the 67th minute, Ian Sweeney saw a clear chance parried away and the loose ball fell to Mitch Justice, who was unable to react to the quick rebound, his finish deflected away for a corner.

Kendall Wanderers’ pressing paid off in the 73rd minute when the same three players combined to take a 2-0 lead. Justice picked up a loose ball 40 yards from goal, found Mulhern racing down the left, and his low cross was directed home from close range by Sweeney, formerly of Athlone Town of the League of Ireland.

Two minutes from fulltime, Mass United could have halved the deficit through Majid Saeed but he was unable to capitalize. However, United made the second half’s three minutes of injury time interesting, when a curling finish from Jeff Thomas wide on the left found the back of the net. That late goal would be too little, too late as the Wanderers would clinch a spot in the US Open Cup for the first time.

2018 US Open Cup qualifying: Sporting AZ wins one-sided battle of Arizona to qualify

November 19, 2017 by Yvette Sanchez

Sporting AZ FC earned its spot in the first round of the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with their 6-1 win over Galati FC.

Alejandro Aguilar scored a pair of goals to lead Sporting, the club formerly known as the Arizona Sahuaros, to their first US Open Cup berth since the new club was launched last January.

At the 4:30 mark Sporting AZ’s Alejandro Aguilar put the ball in the middle with a deflection from Galati, and it went in for the early lead, setting the tone for the entire night.

It was 15 minutes later that teammate Jose Ramos would kick it in with an assist from Robert Paul. Galati would remain scoreless through out the rest of the first half.

Sporting head coach Aiden Davison said, “We were effective, that’s about it, we’ve got a lot of work to do,” when it came to his teams performance throughout the night.

Andrew Weber Sporting AZ goalkeeper, said, “First half was a little sloppy on our part,” but they would quickly change the tempo, “I think we cleaned it up and got one right away in the second half.”

Sporting AZ, with a goal kicked in by Alejandro Aguilar, made the score 3-0 46 minutes into the game.

The goals would keep on coming, the 78-minute mark of the game would finally prove effective for Galati, making the score 4-1.

The deficit would quickly go to 5-1 at the 79-minute mark with a goal by Aguilar once again, with an assist from Jaime Olabarria.

In the closing minutes Galati’s Pablo Ramirez was red carded for throwing the ball at a member of Sporting AZ, in not the best of areas.

Weber said, “I just think defensively we were really solid.” The team is now going to regroup and focus on the 2018 tournament.

Davison said about their performance, “We’ve just got to do a lot of work on the training ground, which we will be doing because there some huge improvements to be made.”

Weber agreed with his coach saying, “Just regroup and get things tighter you know, as the rounds go on it get tougher and tougher and I think this group can definitely make a run at it if we get things tighter.”

Sporting AZ would finish the game with a score of 6-1 and will see their next opponents in 2018 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

2018 US Open Cup qualifying: NTX Rayados rally late to earn seventh straight Open Cup berth

November 19, 2017 by Adam Uthe

North Texas Rayados pose for a team photo before a 2018 US Open Cup qualifying match against Motagua of New Orleans. Photo: NTX Rayados

The North Texas Rayados scored twice in the final ten minutes to earn a 2-1 comeback victory over CD Motagua New Orleans and clinch a spot in the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Midfielder Christian Okeke, making his first-ever appearance in an Open Cup qualifier, scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute. With the win, Rayados have qualified for a Modern Era (1995-present) record seventh consecutive US Open Cup run.

North Texas has qualified for every US Open Cup since 2012, and no open division amateur club has a longer streak. Reading United of the Premier Development League holds the Modern Era record with nine consecutive Open Cup berths, which remains an active record.

The weather at kickoff was unseasonably chilly (for north Texas) with winds well over 20 miles per hour, making it especially difficult to play the ball through the air. Fortunately for both teams, the game plan involved keeping the ball on the ground.

The two sides took turns controlling possession and creating chances. Rayados failed to convert on two shots on goal in the first 15 minutes; one was saved point blank and the other struck the post. New Orleans took advantage of Rayados’ poor finishing and came up with the game’s first goal in the 27th minute. Steven Morris played Carson Gorecki through into the box and Gorecki finished the shot near post to put the visitors up 1-0.

The second half offered more of the same. Both sides continued to get into the final third and create chances but both failed to convert their respective opportunities. In the 67th minute, NTX had a golden opportunity in front of the net but the shot was shanked well over the goal.

It looked as though Rayados would be missing their first Open Cup since 2012, but the team showed their resolve and proved why they have appeared in the US Open Cup opening round schedule every year since 2012.

In the 82nd minute, a low cross was driven into the box where the keeper bobbled it until it deflected off one of his own defenders and then subsequently skipped off a Rayados attacker. Minutes later, Okeke found himself in the box and did his best Michael Jordan impression, shaking off his defender and firing past the keeper for the eventual game winner.

“It was nice. I know we missed a lot of chances in the game but it was nice.”, said Okeke.

Okeke is a testament to the quality of the program NTX Rayados has put together over the past seven years. With four regular players missing due to scheduling conflicts, Okeke stepped in and when his opportunity came, he comfortably converted the shot. While the weather may have scared a lot of fans away, those who were in attendance were treated to a very exciting, evenly-matched game of soccer.

“My heart is still pumping. It was a good game, but it was one of those you don’t want to happen to you.”, said North Texas head coach Tito Salas. He also admitted the weather got to some his players at some point during the game. “It’s hard to play when it’s cold … it’s not the same.”

Despite failing to convert any of their early chances, Rayados ultimately pulled out the win over a team they’ve now beaten twice in as many qualifying campaigns. They’ll be glad to have their full team back in the spring and will be feeling confident about their chances of advancing.

“Oh I think we can go pretty far. We’ll see though,” said Okeke.

2018 US Open Cup qualifying: FC Denver scores two extra time goals to qualify for first time

November 19, 2017 by Robert Wilson

FC Denver poses for a team photo before their 2018 US Open Cup qualifying match vs. Indios Denver FC. Photo: FC Denver

Two goals in the second half of extra time was enough for FC Denver to eliminate UPSL side Indios Denver and qualify for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup competition for the first time.

Through the first half of regulation, the two sides exchanged shots including free kicks called inches outside of the two 18-yard boxes, and attempts ricocheting off the two crossbars. As the second half progressed, FC Denver earned more and more possession and had several quality attempts on net, but Indios goalkeeper Diego Garcia could not be beat.

The turning point in the match occurred in the 89th minute when Indios midfielder Alejandro Alaniz was issued a red card after a last ditch tackle on a FC Denver breakaway.

Down a man, FC Denver dominated and eventually scored twice in extra time. The first goal came in the 107th minute when Mark Wallace’s left footed shot skipped under Indios goalkeeper. A minute later, Alex Bernhardt sealed the victory with a second goal, redirecting a low cross off the upright and into the back of the net.

FC Denver, who compete in the Colorado Amateur Soccer League, did not allow a single goal in their qualifying games with wins over three UPSL teams: Gam United (3-0), Fort Collins United (1-0), and Indios Denver FC (2-0, AET). FC Denver will make their US Open Cup debut next spring along with fellow Colorado club Azteca FC, as the only two representatives from the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) in the 105th edition of the tournament.

2018 US Open Cup Qualifying: Win & You’re In Weekend Preview

November 17, 2017 by Josh Hakala

The 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup open division qualifying tournament wraps up this weekend with 14 games played across the country. 28 amateur teams will battle for 14 spots in the 105th edition of the tournament for a chance to earn a shot at the pros next year.

This is the third and final round of this new qualifying tournament that was launched three years ago by the US Soccer Federation. The new format welcomes all amateur teams that compete in US Soccer-sanctioned leagues (National leagues like the Premier Development League and the National Premier Soccer League base their qualifying on the previous season’s results) to sign up and compete in a single-elimination tournament.

Of those 28 teams left, they feature a former US Open Cup champion, one of the oldest active clubs in the country, teams that have upset professional sides, six from the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL), and 15 squads that have never qualified for the competition before. In fact, six of the 14 games will be between teams who have never qualified, meaning there will be a minimum of six first-timers in the 2018 US Open Cup.

2018 US Open Cup qualifying schedule/results

There will be teams competing this weekend who have made a name for themselves in the last few years. Teams that have upset pro teams and made memorable Cinderella runs. Those teams include Christos FC (Baltimore, Md.), La Maquina (Los Angeles, Calif.), Harpo’s FC (Boulder, Colo.), Chula Vista FC (Chula Vista, Calif.), North Texas Rayados (Dallas, Tx.) and Lansdowne Bhoys FC (New York City).

But which teams will survive Win & You’re In Weekend? TheCup.us will have reporters at every game, so you can follow updates as they happen on TheCup.us Twitter account this weekend (@USOpenCup). Fans who are attending games, be sure to use the hashtag #USOC2018 to share photos, videos and more.

Results will be posted on the 2018 US Open Cup qualifying schedule/results page.

Let’s take a look at each game (All Times Eastern):

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18

Indios Denver FC (USASA/UPSL)
at
FC Denver (USSSA/Colorado Amateur Soccer League)
Aurora Sports Park – Aurora, CO
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET
LIVE STREAM

A pair of Denver clubs will square off with the winner qualifying for US Open Cup for the first time. FC Denver has yet to give up a goal in the competition, blanking a pair of UPSL teams thanks to goalkeeper Michael Moberg. They knocked out Gam United in Round 1, 3-0, followed by a 1-0 win over Fort Collins United back on Oct. 21. On the opposite end, the two games by Indios Denver, who is participating in the qualifying tournament for the first time, have been goalfests. They eliminated Colorado Premier League side FC Union Jerez 6-2 before punching their ticket to the final round with a 4-2 home win over the much-traveled IPS/Marathon Taverna.

There are rarely live streams for these qualifying matches, but fortunately for Open Cup fans, this is one that will have one. The live stream can be watched here.

Azteca FC (USSSA/Colorado Premier League)
at
Harpo’s FC (USSSA/Colorado Premier League)
Broomfield County Commons Park Stadium – Broomfield, CO
Kickoff: 5 p.m. ET
LIVE STREAM

A pair of Colorado Premier League rivals will square off in what will be a rematch from last year’s final qualifying round. Harpo’s FC, who has developed a strong following as the self-proclaimed “#bullshitpubteam”, was looking to qualify for the US Open Cup for the third year in a row when they met Azteca FC at an auxillary field at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. In 2015 and 2016, Harpo’s had reached the second round where they lost to the USL’s Colorado Springs Switchbacks (both losses by a single goal each). However, Azteca defeated them 2-1 to earn themselves their first-ever Open Cup berth.

Azteca defeated UPSL side Denver Metro FC, 2-0 in Round 1, followed by a dramatic 3-2 win over the Colorado Rush. Samuel Lazo’s game-winner deep into second half stoppage time capped off an improbable performance by the Rush, who were only able to field 10 players.

Harpo’s had their fair share of drama en route to the final round. They needed penalty kicks to knock off FC Boulder of the UPSL, and then needed a 30-yard strike from Stibe Torres in the 120th minute to stun Colorado Springs FC (UPSL). Watch the video below …

@StibeTorres match winning bomb from 30 yards out in the 120th minute! Assist from Ben Iiames.#bullshitpubteam #USOC2018 pic.twitter.com/RmVjJ34zlJ

— Harpos FC (@HarposFC) October 24, 2017

FC Kendall (USASA/American Premier Soccer League)
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Nashville United (USASA/Middle Tennessee Soccer Alliance)
Richard Siegel Soccer Park (Stadium Field) – Murfreesboro, TN
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

One of the teams who had to make a lengthy trip for their Round 3 match is FC Kendall who will make the journey from South Florida to Nashville (more than 900 miles by car). For the first time, the USSF is providing financial assistance for teams that have to make lengthy trips in qualifying and FC Kendall, will take advantage of that. However, the assistance will not cover all of their travel costs, so they started a crowdfunding campaign to help. When they arrive in Murfeesboro (just southeast of Nashville), they will face Nashville United who are trying to become the first Modern Era (1995-present) open division amateur team from Tennessee to qualify. The winner of this game will qualify for the first time.

Nashville received a first round bye and had scored a 3-0 home win over Majestic SC from Atlanta to move on to the final round. FC Kendall had to play one more game, but had little trouble in each of them. They thrashed Leu Blacks FC (UPSL) 11-0 and then traveled north and took out former US international Eddie Johnson and the Orlando Storm, 4-0.

Kendall Wanderers (USASA/Bay State Soccer League)
at
Mass United (USASA/American Soccer League)
Dilboy Stadium – Somerville, MA
Kickoff: 7:15 p.m. ET
LIVE STREAM

There can only be one. The two remaining Massachusetts-based clubs will square off to determine who will qualify for the 105th edition of the US Open Cup. Both Mass United and Kendall Wanderers are entering the qualifying tournament for the first time (Although Mass United had tried to qualify under the previous USASA format). Neither team had to leave the state to reach the final round. United needed penalty kicks to eliminate Southie FC, then shut out Safira FC 2-0, on a 40-yard bomb of a goal and a penalty kick. After bouncing the Boston Siege FC 5-2 in Round 1, the Wanderers also eliminated a team that has qualified for the tournament in penalty kicks. They defeated GPS Omens 4-3 in penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw.

Junior Lone Star U-23s (USASA/Philadelphia Premier Soccer League)
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Lansdowne Bhoys FC (USASA/Cosmopolitan Soccer League)
Tibbetts Brooke Park – Yonkers, NY
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET

Last year, Philadelphia-based Junior Lone Star FC made their US Open Cup debut. They were disappointed when their quest to qualify for 2018 ended in Round 1. However, the club’s Under-23 team has continued on. After defeating fellow Philadelphia Premier Soccer League side Salone FC, they escaped with a 3-2 road win over United German Hungarians, one of the oldest active clubs in the country. Now, the team that was founded by West African refugees are one win away from qualifying.

To accomplish that, they will have to get past one of the powerhouses from New York City’s famed Cosmopolitan Soccer League, Lansdowne Bhoys FC. The Bhoys qualified in 2016 and made the most of their Open Cup debut with a stunning upset of the USL’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds. After falling one game short last year, they are one game away for the second year in a row. The defending USASA Amatuer Cup champions got to the final round by defeating New Jersey’s Jackson Lions FC 2-1, followed by a penalty kick win over three-time US Open Cup champion New York Pancyprian Freedoms.

Motagua of New Orleans (USASA/Gulf Coast Premier League)
at
North Texas Rayados (USASA/North Texas Premier Soccer Association)
Premier Park – Balch Springs, TX
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET

Since 2012, every US Open Cup has featured the North Texas Rayados (although they were disqualified shortly before the 2016 tournament began). With a home win over Motagua of New Orleans, they would qualify for an open division record seventh year in a row.

These teams have a history. They were scheduled to play a “Win & You’re In” match in New Orleans during the inaugural 2016 open division qualifying tournament, but the round was canceled and all the participants were awarded spots in the US Open Cup. The next year, they met in the final round with North Texas winning 2-0. Now, they will face off again with a spot in the Open Cup on the line.

North Texas knocked off a pair of Austin-based clubs on the road to reach the final round, beating Central Texas Lobos 2-0, then Celtic Cowboys Premier, 4-1. Motagua needed a 4-1 road win over Mississippi-based Gaffa FC and then knocked off fellow Louisiana club Cajun SC, 3-1.

Galati FC (USASA/Arizona Champions League)
at
Sporting AZ FC (USASA/UPSL)
Chandler-Gilbert Community College – Chandler, AZ
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET

Both Arizona-based clubs battling for their first-ever US Open Cup berth only had to play one game to reach “Win & You’re In Weekend”. Sporting AZ of the UPSL and Galati of the Arizona Champions League each received first round byes. In Round 2, Galati FC cruised to a 6-1 win over Ojuelos Jalisco while Sporting rallied from a halftime deficit to score three straight goals to beat Inter Empireworks 3-1. Both clubs are seeking to become the first open division amateur club from Arizona to punch their ticket to the big dance since 2010.

San Pedro Monsters (USASA/SoCal Premier League)
at
Santa Ana Winds FC (USASA/UPSL)
Lake Forest Sports Park – Lake Forest, CA
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
LIVE STREAM

The Monsters and the Winds have both cruised into the final round with one-sided results. The Monsters produced back-to-back 4-0 wins over UPSL teams (Fontana International SC and SFV Scorpions SC). Santa Ana defeated Outbreak SC 5-2, which denied Outbreak a possible third straight US Open Cup appearance. The Winds blew past fellow UPSL side Newcastle United FC, 6-0. The winner of Saturday’s game will be making their first US Open Cup appearance.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19

Phoenix SC (USASA/United Soccer League of Pennsylvania)
at
Christos FC (USASA/Maryland Major Soccer League)
Anne Arundel Community College – Arnold, MD
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET

After years of trying to qualify, Christos FC made the most of their US Open Cup debut in 2017. They earned three straight shutouts, including a road upset of the USL’s Richmond Kickers, and gave D.C. United (MLS) a run for their money as their Cinderella run came to a close in Round 4. If they want to return to the Open Cup, they will have to get past one of the oldest active soccer clubs in the country in Phoenix SC. The Philadelphia-area club has been playing soccer since 1926, and hasn’t qualified for the Open Cup since 2011. Phoenix SC has yet to allow a goal in the competition while shutting out Upper Darby FC (3-0) and 2016 qualifier West Chester United (1-0).

Christos blanked Open Cup regular Aegean Hawks FC (Maryland) 3-0 in Round 1, but punching their ticket to Round 3 wasn’t easy. They needed a Chris Panian goal in the 117th minute to break a scoreless deadlock to knock off fellow Maryland club Izee Auto FC.

Stegman’s SC (USASA/Minnesota Amateur Soccer League)
at
Rochester River Dogz (USASA/Rochester District Soccer League)
Pittsford Thornell Farm Park Turf Field – Pittsford, NY
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET

Stegman’s SC, the parent club of Minneapolis City SC (NPSL), got a free pass into Round 2 after a forfeit. They then had to travel to the Chicago area, where they edged Aurora Borealis SC 3-2. Their reward? Another long trip, this time to Rochester, NY to take on first-time entry Rochester River Dogz. (They’re raising money to cover their travel costs.) Rochester also benefited from a forfeit. After a 2-1 win over 2017 qualifier Tartan Devils Oak Avalon (Pittsburgh, Pa.), they reached the final round after Ann Arbor FC was unable to make the trip from Southeast Michigan due to player availability.

Rochester are led by a head coach who knows a thing or two about the US Open Cup. Doug Miller spent nearly his entire outdoor career with the Rochester Rhinos, and he helped the club make history when they won the 1999 US Open Cup title. Miller came off the bench and scored the first goal in the Rhinos’ 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids in the championship game. The River Dogz will look to represent the city of Rochester, which is currently dealing with the possible folding of the Rhinos.

Cal Victory FC (USASA/UPSL)
at
El Farolito (USASA/San Francisco Soccer Football League)
Boxer Stadium – San Francisco, CA
Kickoff: 2:15 p.m. ET

The last two Northern California teams remaining in the tournament enter Sunday’s “Win & You’re In” match with vastly different resumes.

Cal Victory FC, a team that was impacted by the Northern California wildfires, are making their first attempt at qualifying and have reached the final round by defeating Real San Jose 3-2 and the Davis Legacy 4-2. The win over the Legacy featured one of the best individual performances of the round. With the Victory playing with 10 men for the entire second half, Jesus Zamudio scored four goals to give Cal a comeback victory.

El Farolito, on the other hand, have won the tournament before. Under the name “CD Mexico” they won the 1993 US Open Cup, but haven’t attempted to qualify until the federation created this new open division qualifying tournament in 2015. They punched their ticket to the tournament last year, but were eliminated in a penalty kick shootout with the Burlingame Dragons (PDL). This year, they have pitched back-to-back shutouts to reach Win & You’re In Weekend. They earned a 3-0 win over Dynamos FC (UPSL), followed by a 5-0 win over Academica SC.

South Florida FC (USASA/American Premier Soccer League)
at
Red Force FC (USASA/American Premier Soccer League)
Kendall Soccer Park – Miami, FL
Kickoff: 4 p.m. ET

A pair of South Florida-based American Premier Soccer League (APSL) teams will square off with a spot in the US Open Cup on the line. Red Force FC is looking to qualify for the fourth time in the last six years, while South Florida FC is making its qualifying tournament debut.

South Florida reached the final round the traditional way. They played 90 minutes of soccer against an opponent in two separate games, earning a 3-1 win over Miami United Under-23s and a 5-1 win over Boca Raton FC. Red Force started the competition with an 8-1 beating of UPSL side FC Ginga, but had an easier game in Round 2. After jumping out to a 4-0 first half lead of Miami Nacional SC, Red Force was awarded a penalty kick. Miami Nacional’s head coach was so infuriated with the call, and what he felt were numerous bad calls prior to that, he walked onto the field and refused to leave. Later, he ordered his team to leave the field and did not return, which ended the game in the 40th minute.

La Maquina FC (USASA/UPSL)
at
Chula Vista FC (USASA/SoCal Premier League)
Chula Vista Elite Training Center – Chula Vista, CA
Kickoff: 5 p.m. ET

Two teams who have made in headlines in recent years by upsetting professional teams will play each other with a spot in the US Open Cup on the line. Chula Vista FC is seeking a third trip to the tournament in the last four years, while La Maquina is trying to punch their ticket for the third year in a row.

This is a rematch of the final round of the 2016 qualifying tournament when La Maquina eliminated Chula Vista 4-0 to earn their first trip to the US Open Cup, which led to them advancing to Round 4 and nearly upsetting the Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS).

To get to “Win & You’re In Weekend”, La Maquina just needed a 5-0 win over Bell Gardens FC, which featured two goals from Edwin Borboa, to advance. In Round 2, the Las Vegas Mobsters of the UPSL forfeited to allow them a free pass into Round 3. Chula Vista had a one-sided win in Round 1 as well, cruising past Strikers FC South Coast (UPSL) 5-1. They advanced to the final round without scoring a single goal, because their 1-0 win over Valley United SC (UPSL) was decided on an own goal.

Los Angeles Wolves FC (USASA/UPSL)
at
Buena Park FC (USASA/SoCal Premier League)
OC Great Park Championship Stadium – Irvine, CA
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

The Los Angeles Wolves have reached the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in each of the last two years, and are now one win away from qualifying for a third straight year. To return to the tournament they will have to get past Buena Park FC, who are trying to qualify for the first time.

The Wolves just needed a 6-1 win over the Real Sociedad Royals to reach Round 2, where they received a free pass into Round 3 after Vanquish FC (UPSL) withdrew. Buena Park FC defeated a pair of UPSL teams to reach the final round, as they shutout Newport FC 3-0 and then defeated Santa Clarita Storm, 3-1.

The game was originally set to be played at JFK High School, but a few days before the game someone drove a vehicle on the playing field, leaving deep tire marks all over the pitch. This forced the game to be moved to Irvine, Calif.

2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2 Review: Familiar, new faces now just one win away

October 27, 2017 by Josh Hakala

Steven Robellada of Indios Denver FC salutes the fans in the stands in a 2018 US Open Cup qualifying match against IPS/Marathon Taverna. Photo: Indios Denver FC

MORE: 2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Results/Schedule

The second round of the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifying tournament is in the books as 28 open division amateur teams advanced to the third and final round of the competition.

Of those 28 teams that will take part in Round 3 next month (Nov. 18-19), 16 of them are seeking their first trip to the US Open Cup and they can accomplish that with one more victory.

Along with the new blood, there are a number of teams with some recent Open Cup experience, including eight from last year’s competition. There’s nine if you count Junior Lone Star FC from Philadelphia, but instead of it being their senior team that qualified in 2017, this time it’s their Under-23 squad who has made a surprising run to the final round.

There was plenty of drama in Round 2 as well including some familiar faces who just barely got through.

Christos FC (Baltimore, Md.), Harpo’s FC (Boulder, Colo.), and Azteca FC (Denver, Colo.) all scored late game-winning goals to survive and advance. One of the oldest active clubs in the country, Phoenix SC (est. 1926) from the Philadelphia area, also got through by the skin of their teeth with a 1-0 win.

Other notable games include three-time qualifier Red Force FC advancing after their opponent, Miami Nacional SC, walked off the field before halftime, and the Orlando Storm featured former US international Eddie Johnson, but it wasn’t enough to beat the shorthanded visitors from FC Kendall (Miami, Fla.). Also, North Texas Rayados cruised into the final round where they are seeking a record seventh consecutive Open Cup berth.

There was also a former US Open Cup champion that won and another that was eliminated. El Farolito (1993 champions) blew past Acadmica FC and three-time champions New York Pancyprian Freedoms (1980, 1982-83) were ousted by fellow Cosmopolitan Soccer League powerhouse, and reigning Amateur Cup champion, Lansdowne Bhoys FC.

And arguably the best game of the round took place in Northern California where Cal Victory FC, a team who has been directly impacted by the recent wildfires in the area, saw a breakout individual performance. Playing with 10 men the entire second half, Colombian striker Jesus Zamudio scored four goals, including three in the final 15 minutes, to come from behind to beat Davis Legacy, 4-2.

Unfortunately, there were 28 games on the schedule but only 25 of them were played. Three more teams (Ann Arbor FC, Las Vegas Mobsters and Vanquish FC) withdrew from the tournament, mostly due to lack of player availability. This allowed United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) powers Los Angeles Wolves FC and La Maquina to advance, along with first-timers Rochester River Dogz, led by their head coach, former Rochester Rhinos star Doug Miller. Unfortunately, this year has seen a total of eight teams forfeit, which is the most in the short three-year history of this qualifying format.

MORE: Travel costs are a barrier for many US Open Cup qualifying teams, now USSF is offering help

Below is a brief summary of all 25 matches with links to expanded match reports where available:

Home team listed on left

GPS Omens (USASA) 2:2 (3:4 PK) Kendall Wanderers (USASA)

A battle between two Massachusetts-based Bay State Soccer League rivals kicked off the Second Round. It took 60 minutes until GPS Omens opened the scoring with a goal from Charlie Romero. After Kendall went down to 10 men, it looked like GPS was ready to take another step toward qualifying for the US Open Cup for the fifth time in the last six years. However, Braima Samati scored off a delivery from Eric Robertson to equalize for the Wanderers in second half stoppage time to send the game into extra time.

In the extra session, GPS jumped in front again with Romero playing provider this time, assisting on Keith Caldwell goal around the 95th minute. But just like they did at the end of regulation, the Wanderers left it late with Robertson heading home a corner kick in the final minute of the game to force a penalty kick shootout. Evan Weagle would make a pair of saves in the shootout as Kendall won 4-3 to reach Round 3 as the club finds themselves one win away from qualifying for the US Open Cup for the first time.

Celtic Cowboys Premier (USSSA) 1:4 North Texas Rayados (USASA)

The North Texas Rayados have qualified for the US Open Cup every year since 2012 (although they were disqualified shortly before the 2016 tournament began). They took a step toward returning to the competition for a Modern Era record seventh consecutive time by traveling down to Austin and picking up a 4-1 win over the Celtic Cowboys Premier. Only two other amateur teams in the Modern Era have a longer qualifying streak: Reading United of the PDL with nine, and Ventura County Fusion with eight. North Texas already holds the open division amateur record with six. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Mass United FC (USASA) 2:0 Safira FC (USASA)

Mass United advanced to the final round of qualifying with a 2-0 win over Safira FC at Hormel Stadium in Medford, Mass. A tight battle throughout, it took a #SCTop10-worthy goal from 40 yards out by Soufiane Makane and a stoppage time penalty from Majid Saeed to reach the final scoreline. United will now face Kendall Wanderers next month in what will be a “Win & You’re In” match.

The scoring opener from Makane came in the 56th minute and got both the crowd and United bench to their feet. The 18-year-old deftly avoided two defenders to free himself and seeing the keeper a little out of place, delivered the perfect shot, arching just out of reach and into the top right corner to give United the lead. Majid Saeed would cap off scoring and the match with a goal from the spot in the final moments of stoppage time.

Although Safira’s technical skill was evident throughout, it was not enough to break through, being thwarted time and again by the United defense. United owner Jim Antonakas said, “It was a total team effort,” adding, “I’m very proud of our guys.”

Azteca FC (USSSA) 3:2 Colorado Rush (USSSA)

Azteca FC poses for a team photo before their 2018 US Open Cup qualifying game against the Colorado Rush. Photo: Azteca FC

The Colorado Rush showed up to Aurora, Colo. without a goalkeeper and with only 10 players. Rather than forfeiting, the Rush slapped some goalkeeper gloves on 40-year-old field player Adam Hudson and gave Azteca FC a scare on their home field. After a scoreless first half, it was actually the Rush who struck first with a penalty kick goal by former MLS player Colin Clarke in the 63rd minute.

However, Azteca would equalize moments later on a goal by Ivan Dominguez. The home team seemed poised to pull away when Salvador Brigido scored in the 81st minute to go up by one, but Ryan Hayward tied the game back up in the 88th. The game seemed on its way to extra time but Azteca had one more goal left in them as Samuel Lazo scored the game-winner deep into stoppage time to send Azteca to Round 3. If they win one more game, they will qualify for the second year in a row.

West Chester United (USASA) 0:1 Phoenix SC (USASA)

Players from Phoenix SC and West Chester United battle for the ball in a 2018 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Matt Ralph

In a battle between two Philadelphia area clubs, Ben Castor scored the game-winning goal in second half stoppage time to lift Phoenix SC to a 1-0 win over West Chester United. Phoenix SC goalkeeper Tony Pratico earned the clean sheet, which included a penalty kick save in the first half. Phoenix, one of the oldest active soccer clubs in the country (est. 1926) is seeking to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 2011. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Valley United SC (USASA) 0:1 Chula Vista FC (USASA)

Chula Vista FC can thank Valley United SC for punching their ticket to the final round of qualifying. The difference in the game came in the 76th minute when Chula Vista’s Angel Gonzalez fired a shot toward goal from about 30 yards out. The ball took a deflection and went over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net for the game’s only goal. This marked the first time in three years that Chula Vista has won a game by scoring less than four goals and they are now one win away from qualifying for the third time in four years.

FC Denver (USSSA) 1:0 Fort Collins United (USASA)

In the 71st minute, a corner kick turned into a goalmouth scramble and FC Denver’s Kyle Heppenstall put the ball into the back of the net to give the home team a 1-0 lead over fellow Colorado club Fort Collins United. That would be the only goal of the game as FC Denver’s Michael Moberg picked up a second straight clean sheet and advance to the final round of qualifying where they will host Indios Denver FC. The winner of that game will earn a trip to the US Open Cup for the first time.

San Pedro Monsters (USASA) 4:0 SFV Scorpions (USASA)

The San Pedro Monsters cruised to a 4-0 win over the SFV Scorpions, with Francisco Ramirez leading the way with a pair of goals. Ramirez opened the scoring with a penalty kick in the 30th minute with Yoni Garcia adding a second before halftime (40th min.). The Monsters put the game away in the 75th minute with Ramirez adding his second goal, with Andy Salguero putting a nail in the coffin five minutes later. The city of San Pedro has a rich US Open Cup history, dating back to the San Pedro Yugoslavs (1971 champions) and the McIlvaine Canvasbacks (1959 champions) and now the Monsters are one win away from qualifying for the first time to try to create their own legacy.

The Santa Ana Winds pose for a team photo before their 2018 US Open Cup qualifying match against Newcastle United. Photo: Santa Ana Winds

Santa Ana Winds (USASA) 6:0 Newcastle United FC (USASA)

The Santa Ana Winds dodged an early bullet with Newcastle United being awarded a penalty kick in the 28th minute, but their goalkeeper Harter Quinn came up big to stop the shot and shift the momentum. The Winds grabbed the momentum and never let go as Kyle O’Brien scored shortly after and the Winds would then score five unanswered to win the game 6-0. The Winds move on to the final round where they will host the San Pedro Monsters in a “Win & You’re In” match on Saturday, Nov. 18. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Ojuelos Jalisco (USASA) 1:6 Galati FC (USASA)

When Galati SC fell behind 1-0 in the 30th minute to fellow Arizona Champions League side Ojuelos Jalisco, their head coach Romeo Petrariu was concerned. Galati came into the game as a very young team and he wondered how his players would respond. And respond they did. Markito Aguilar answered with three unanswered goals to put Galati up 3-1 in the second half. Eric Gulczynski scored two more goals and Giuseppe Ferace added another to complete the second half route.

“We thought we could win, but we didn’t expect to win by such a big score,” said Petrariu. “We have a young team, and mentally they got down and they played a good game.”

Galati will now square off in an all-Arizona “Win & You’re In” match in Round 3 against Sporting AZ FC.

Sporting AZ (USASA) 3:1 Inter Empireworks FC (USASA)

Inter EmpireWorks FC took a 1-0 lead into halftime, but it wasn’t enough as Sporting AZ stormed back with goals from Cesar Mexia, David Alton, and Jose Ramos in the second half and advanced to the third round of US Open Cup qualifying with a 3-1 victory. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Stegman's SC poses for a team photo before the club's 2018 US Open Cup qualifying game against Aurora Borealis SC. Photo: Stegman's SC — Stegman’s SC poses for a team photo before the club’s 2018 US Open Cup qualifying game against Aurora Borealis SC. Photo: Stegman’s SC

Aurora Borealis SC (USASA) 2:3 Stegman’s SC (USASA)

Stegman’s SC made the trip down to Mooseheart, Ill., about an hour west of Chicago to take on Aurora Borealis SC in the second round of the 2018 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. In the end, after a wet and rainy game, Stegman’s prevailed, 3-2, on the strength of an extra time goal by Nick Hutton to send the Minneapolis-based club into the final round of qualifying. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

(Stegman’s SC is raising money to help cover the costs of flying the team to their Round 3 match in Rochester, NY to take on the River Dogz)

El Farolito (USASA) 5:0 Academica SC (US Club Soccer)

The 1993 Open Cup Champions, El Farolito, cruised into Round 3 of qualifying with a 5-0 victory over Liga NorCal side, Academica SC, from Turlock, Calif. Coming off of winning another San Francisco Soccer League title just two weeks ago, El Farolito looked dominant in almost every facet of the game. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Miami Nacional SC (USSSA) 0:4 (44′) Red Force FC (USASA)

Scot Gordon scored a hat trick in the first half for Red Force FC in 2018 US Open Cup qualifying against Miami Nacional. Photo: Red Force FC

In quite possibly the most bizzare outcomes of the tournament so far, Red Force FC only needed 40 minutes to break the will of Miami Nacional SC and to move on to the final round of qualifying. With a 4-0 lead, Red Force was setting up to take a penalty kick when Miami Nacional walked off the field in the 40th minute. Red Force is seeking to qualify for the Open Cup for the second year in a row and the fourth time overall and are now one step away. They will host fellow APSL side South Florida FC next month with a spot in the US Open Cup on the line. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

United German Hungarians (USASA) 2:3 Junior Lone Star U-23s (USASA)

Junior Lone Star FC qualified for the US Open Cup last year for the first time. After they were eliminated in the opening round of this year’s qualifying tournament last month, the Under-23 team is carrying the club’s flag with a 3-2 road win over the United German Hungarians. UGH has been playing soccer since the 1920s and is a two-time US Open Cup runner-up, but the newcomers from Junior Lone Star overcame an early deficit to deny the them a chance to reach the final round of the tournament. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Junior Lone Star U-23s (white) battle with United German Hungarians (red) in 2018 US Open Cup qualifying. Photo: Kari Berton

Christos FC (USASA) 1:0 (AET) Izee Auto FC (USASA)

Christos FC, who reached the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup last year, took a step toward returning to the tournament with a narrow 1-0 extra time win over fellow Maryland club Izee Auto FC.

It was a match highlighted by a strange situation where a player were Izee Auto player was shown a red card for what a Christos official called a “vicious” tackle. After the red card was issued, Izee players aggressively protested the call which led to the referee having a discussion with a linesman, which led to him changing the call and issued the offending player a yellow card, much to the surprise of those in attendance (and following online).

In the end, another Izee Auto player would be sent off later in the match, and Christos would find the winning goal deep in extra time when Chris Panian scored in the 117th minute.

Nashville United (USASA) 3:0 Majestic SC (USASA)

Nashville United is through to the final round of qualifying after a 3-0 home win over Atlanta-based Majestic SC. Nashville received goals from Joseph Omondi and Matthew Duffy before halftime, while Andrew Chamberlain added a third in the 60th minute to give the home side some breathing room for the final half-hour. United played down a man for the final 10 minutes due to an injury but they held on as goalkeeper Jonathan Guadaramma earned the clean sheet.

South Florida FC (USASA) 5:1 Boca Raton FC (USASA)

South Florida FC received an early goal from Ismael Longo in the 11th minute of the match and never looked back with a 5-1 win over Boca Raton FC. Mario Pedraza added a penalty kick and South Florida was up 2-0 when a player from each team was shown a red card. The score remained in place until the 75th minute when South Florida broke the game open with goals from Leonardo Acosta, Sebatiani Derosier and a stoppage time goal from Santiago Duque.

Colorado Springs FC (USASA) 1:2 (AET) Harpo’s FC (USSSA)
WATCH: Video Highlights

A stunning 30-yard strike in extra time by Stibe Torres was the difference as Harpo’s FC eliminated Colorado Springs FC and put the Boulder-based club one win away from qualifying for the third time in the last four years. Shane Wheeler opened the scoring in the 5th minute for Harpo’s but Colorado Springs equalized in the 88th minute to send the match into extra time.

@StibeTorres match winning bomb from 30 yards out in the 120th minute! Assist from Ben Iiames.#bullshitpubteam #USOC2018 pic.twitter.com/RmVjJ34zlJ

— Harpos FC (@HarposFC) October 24, 2017

New York Pancyprian Freedoms 0:0 (3:4 PK) Lansdowne Bhoys FC (USASA)

Two of the titans of the famed Cosmopolitan Soccer League in New York City battled for 120 minutes and neither could find a goal. The match had to be decided in penalty kicks with the reigning Amateur Cup champion Lansdowne Bhoys edging three-time US Open Cup champion New York Pancyprian Freedoms, 4-3. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Indios Denver FC players pose for a team photo ahead of the club's 2018 US Open Cup qualifying match against IPS/Marathon Taverna. Photo: Indios Denver FC — Indios Denver FC players pose for a team photo ahead of the club’s 2018 US Open Cup qualifying match against IPS/Marathon Taverna. Photo: Indios Denver FC

Indios Denver FC (USASA) 4:2 IPS/Marathon Taverna (USASA)

First-time entry Indios Denver welcomed the well-traveled IPS/Marathon Taverna (Portland, Ore.) to Colorado and earned a 4-2 win to become the fourth Colorado club to reach the final round of qualifying. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

MORE: Travel costs are a barrier for many US Open Cup qualifying teams, now USSF is offering help

Buena Park FC (USASA) 3:1 Santa Clarita Storm (USASA)

After being one-and-done on their home field each of the last two US Open Cup qualifying tournaments, Buena Park FC now has back-to-back wins and are one win away from qualifying. They defeated the Santa Clarita Storm, 3-1, to get there thanks to their hat trick hero Justin Funes. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Cajun SC (USASA) 1:3 Motagua of New Orleans (USASA)

Motagua of New Orleans and Cajun SC kicked off the scoring by trading goals on either side of halftime. Motagua’s left back Stu Hayers sent a long ball up to Carson Gorecki who headed it to Brandon Chagnard, who beat a couple of defenders to free himself for a shot that beat the goalkeeper in the 39th minute. After the break, Cajun answered with a goal by Dillon Gallet in the 51st minute. Four minutes later, Motagua re-took the lead and never looked back. Steven Morris made an overlapping run and squared the ball to Chagnard who tapped it in from close range. By the time Morris created the third goal, Cajun had received a red card and was playing with 10 men. Morris beat two defenders and fed it to Gorecki who’s shot deflected off a defender and into the back of the net to seal the deal.

Motagua, who qualified for the 2016 US Open Cup are now one win away from returning to the tournament for the second time in three years.

Orlando Storm (USASA) 0:4 FC Kendall (USASA)

After making the trip from Miami to Orlando with only 13 players, FC Kendall (formerly known as Uruguay Kendall) had a big task ahead of them with the home team Orlando Storm. The Storm entered the game undefeated in league play (Central Florida Soccer League) and when FC Kendall head coach Mauro Grignola looked across the field during warm-ups to find former U.S. international Eddie Johnson warming up with the Storm. Despite the travel, and playing an undefeated team featuring a player with World Cup experience, FC Kendall still managed to cruise to its second straight, one-sided shutout win (They defeated the UPSL’s Leu Blacks FC 11-0 in Round 1).

Kendall had the lead in less than 10 minutes with Christian Raudales scoring from close range.

In the 15th minute, Danny Gonzalez scored one of the best goals of the competition. Gonzalez received the ball with his back to the goal. With a defender behind him, he one-touch passed the ball to himself by chipping the ball over the head of the defender and then beat the keeper with a low, driving shot.

Eddie Johnson, playing as a center midfielder for much of the game, started taking over the game at this point, and FC Kendall dropped back into counter-attack mode to absorb the pressure. They held off Orlando and added a third goal around the 65th minute when Dani Villegas scored on a pass from Santi Schmid. Despite going down to 10 men after left back Pablo Valdez was shown a second yellow card, FC Kendall added a fourth on an impressive individual effort by Danny Gonzalez who dribbled through the defense and rounded the keeper to make it 4-0.

Cal Victory FC (USASA) 4:2 Davis Legacy (USASA)

Davis Legacy, a regular in US Open Cup qualifying the last two years, jumped out to an early lead with a 10th minute goal and it looked like the game was going to go their way when Cal Victory’s Jesus Quintero was sent off in the 44th minute. As the second half began, Cal Victory’s Colombian forward Jesus Zamudio began his breakout performance. Zamudio leveled the game just after the break only to see Davis re-take the lead in the 75th minute. The lead was short-lived as Zamudio tied the game again a minute later, and then completed his hat trick with a go-ahead goal on a free kick in the 88th minute. He would add a fourth in stoppage time to put the game away and deliver an inspired performance for a team that was directly affected by the recent Northern California wildfires. Now, they move on to the final round of qualifying. (MORE: Cal Victory’s GM and his family lost their home to the wildfire. Click here to give if you can)

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Below you will find the results for Rounds 1 and 2 and the schedule for Round 3. The schedule for Round 3 is subject to change. CLICK HERE for the most up-to-date Round 3 schedule.

2018 US Open Cup Qualifying – Round 3 (Win & You’re In – Final Round)
All Times Eastern / Home teams on the right

Date TBA	Kendall Wanderers (USASA/Bay State Soccer Lg)	AT	Mass United FC (USASA/American Soccer Lg)	Venue TBA	City TBA
Date TBA	Stegman’s SC (USASA/Minnesota Amat. Soccer Lg.)	AT	Rochester River Dogz (USASA/Rochester District Soccer Lg.)	Venue TBA	City TBA
Nov. 18	Indios Denver FC (USASA/UPSL)	4:30	FC Denver (USSSA/Colorado Amat. Soccer Lg.)	Aurora Sports Park	Aurora, CO
Nov. 18	Azteca FC (USSSA/Colorado Premier Lg.)	5:00	Harpo’s FC (USSSA/Colorado Premier Lg.)	Dick’s Sporting Goods Park Field ?	Commerce City, CO
Nov. 18	La Maquina (USASA/UPSL)	5:00	Chula Vista FC (USASA/SoCal Premier Lg.)	Chula Vista Elite Training Center	Chula Vista, CA
Nov. 18	South Florida FC (USASA/APSL)	6:30	Red Force FC (USASA/APSL)	Kendall Sports Park	Miami, FL
Nov. 18	FC Kendall (USASA/APSL)	7:00	Nashville United (USASA/Middle TN Soccer Alliance)	E.S. Rose Park	Nashville, TN
Nov. 18	Junior Lone Star U-23s (USASA/Philadelphia Prem. Soccer Lg.)	8:00	Lansdowne Bhoys FC (USASA/Cosmopolitan Soccer Lg.)	Tibbetts Brooke Park	Yonkers, NY
Nov. 18	Motagua of New Orleans (USASA/Gulf Coast Premier Lg.)	8:00	North Texas Rayados (USASA/North Texas Prem. Soccer Assoc.)	Premier Park	Balch Springs, TX
Nov. 18	Galati FC (USASA/Arizona Champions Lg.)	10:00	Sporting AZ FC (USASA/UPSL)	John Riggs Stadium	Mesa, AZ
Nov. 18	San Pedro Monsters FC (USASA/SoCal Premier Lg.)	10:00	Santa Ana Winds FC (USASA/UPSL)	Lake Forest Sports Park	Lake Forest, CA
Nov. 19	Phoenix SC (USASA/United Soccer League of PA)	1:00	Christos FC (USASA/Maryland Major Soccer Lg.)	Anne Arundel Community College	Arnold, MD
Nov. 19	Cal Victory FC (USASA/UPSL)	2:15	El Farolito (USASA/San Fran. Soccer Football Lg.)	Boxer Stadium	San Francisco, CA
Nov. 19	Los Angeles Wolves FC (USASA/UPSL)	6:00	Buena Park FC (USASA/SoCal Premier Lg.)	John F. Kennedy High School	La Palma, CA

2018 US Open Cup Qualifying – Round 2
All Times Eastern / Home teams on the right

Oct. 21	Kendall Wanderers (USASA/Bay State Soccer Lg)	2:2 (5:4 PK)	GPS Omens (USASA/Bay State Soccer Lg)	Hillside School	Marlborough, MA
Oct. 21	North Texas Rayados (USASA/North Texas Prem. Soccer Assoc.)	4:1	Celtic Cowboys Premier (USSSA/Austin Men’s Soccer Assoc.)	Onion Creek Soccer Complex	Austin, TX
Oct. 21	Safira FC (USASA/New England Over-The-Hill Soccer Lg)	0:2	Mass United FC (USASA/American Soccer Lg)	Hormel Stadium	Medford, MA
Oct. 21	Colorado Rush (USSSA/Colorado Amat. Soccer Lg)	2:3	Azteca FC (USSSA/Colorado Premier Lg)	Aurora Public Schools Stadium	Aurora, CO
Oct. 21	Las Vegas Mobsters FC (USASA/UPSL)	L:W (FORFEIT)	La Maquina (USASA/UPSL)	Valley High School	Santa Ana, CA
Oct. 21	Phoenix SC (USASA/United Soccer League of Pennsylvania)	1:0	West Chester United (USASA/United Soccer League of Pennsylvania)	West Chester United SC Turf Field	West Chester, PA
Oct. 21	Chula Vista FC (USASA/SoCal Premier Lg)	1:0	Valley United SC (USASA/UPSL)	Heritage High School	North Hills, CA
Oct. 21	Fort Collins United (USASA/UPSL)	0:1	FC Denver (USSSA/Colorado Amat. Soccer Lg)	Aurora Sports Park	Aurora, CO
Oct. 21	SFV Scorpions SC (USASA/UPSL)	0:4	San Pedro Monsters FC (USASA/SoCal Premier Lg)	Banning H.S. Soccer Stadium	Wilmington, CA
Oct. 21	Newcastle United FC (USASA/UPSL)	0:6	Santa Ana Winds FC (USASA/UPSL)	Lake Forest Sports Park	Lake Forest, CA
Oct. 21	Galati FC (USASA – Arizona Champ. Lg),	6:1	Ojuelos Jalisco (USASA – Arizona Champ. Lg)	Desert West Sports Complex	Phoenix, AZ
Oct. 21	Inter Empireworks FC (USASA / UPSL)	1:3	Sporting AZ FC (USASA / UPSL)	Phoenix Rising Stadium	Scottsdale, AZ
Oct. 21	Vanquish FC (USASA/UPSL)	L:W (FORFEIT)	Los Angeles Wolves FC (USASA/UPSL)	John Anson Ford Park	Bell Gardens, CA
Oct. 22	Stegman’s SC (USASA/Minnesota Amat. Soccer Lg)	3:2	Aurora Borealis SC (USASA/Premier Lg of America)	Ohio Moose Sports Complex	Mooseheart, IL
Oct. 22	Academica SC (USCS/LIGA NorCal)	0:5	El Farolito (USASA/SF Soccer Football Lg)	Boxer Stadium	San Francisco, CA
Oct. 22	Ann Arbor FC (USASA/Ann Arbor Prem. Development Lg)	L:W (FORFEIT)	Rochester River Dogz (USASA/Rochester District Soccer Lg)	Doug Miller Family Sports Park	Spencerport, NY
Oct. 22	Red Force FC (USASA/APSL)	4:0 (44′)	Miami Nacional SC (USSSA/APSL)	Ives Estates Park	Miami, FL
Oct. 22	Junior Lone Star U-23s (USASA/Philadelphia Prem. Soccer Lg)	3:2	United German Hungarians (USASA/United Soccer League of Pennsylvania)	United German Hungarian Club	Oakford, PA
Oct. 22	Izee Auto FC (USASA/Maryland Major Soccer Lg)	0:1 (AET)	Christos FC (USASA/Maryland Major Soccer Lg)	Anne Arundel Community College	Arnold, MD
Oct. 22	Majestic SC (USASA/Atlanta District Amateur Soccer Lg)	0:3	Nashville United (USASA/Middle TN Soccer Alliance)	Richard Siegel Soccer Park (Stadium Field)	Murfreesboro, TN
Oct. 22	Boca Raton FC (USASA/APSL)	1:5	South Florida FC (USASA/APSL)	Brian Piccolo Park	Cooper City, FL
Oct. 22	Harpo’s FC (USSSA/Colorado Premier Lg)	2:1 (AET)	Colorado Springs FC (USASA/UPSL)	Grace Center for Athletics	Colorado Springs, CO
Oct. 22	Lansdowne Bhoys FC (USASA/Cosmopolitan Soccer Lg)	0:0 (4:3 PK)	NY Pancyprian Freedoms (USASA/Cosmopolitan Soccer Lg)	Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.)	Jamaica, NY
Oct. 22	IPS/Marathon Taverna (USASA/Oregon Prem. Lg)	2:4	Indios Denver FC (USASA/UPSL)	Englewood High School Stadium	Englewood, CO
Oct. 22	Santa Clarita Storm (USASA/UPSL)	1:3	Buena Park FC (USASA/SoCal Premier Lg)	John F. Kennedy High School	La Palma, CA
Oct. 22	Motagua of New Orleans (USASA/Gulf Coast Prem. Lg)	3:1	Cajun SC (USASA/Gulf Coast Premier Lg)	Moore Park	Lafayette, LA
Oct. 22	FC Kendall (USASA/APSL)	4:0	Orlando Storm (USASA/Central Fla. Soccer Lg)	Lake Myrtle Sports Complex	Auburndale, FL
Oct. 22	Davis Legacy (USCS/Nor Cal Adult Prem. Lg)	2:4	Cal Victory FC (USASA/UPSL)	Casa Grande High School	Petaluma, CA

2018 US Open Cup Qualifying – Round 1

All Times Eastern / Home teams on the right
MORE: 2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1 Review

Sept. 23	Safira FC (USASA/New England Over-The-Hill Soccer Lg)	5:1	Unations FC (USASA/Bay State Soccer Lg)	Burncoat HS	Worcester, MA
Sept. 23	Boston Siege FC (USASA/UPSL)	2:5	Kendall Wanderers (USASA/Bay State Soccer Lg)	Danehy Park	Cambridge, MA
Sept. 23	GPS Omens (USASA/Bay State Soccer Lg)	8:3	Lynn United (USASA/UPSL)	Manning Stadium	Lynn, MA
Sept. 23	Lowcountry United (USASA/Charleston Soccer Lg)	0:2	Majestic SC (USASA/Atlanta District Amateur Soccer Lg)	Atlanta United Training Ground	Marietta, GA
Sept. 23	Mass United FC (USASA/American Soccer Lg)	3:3 (4:3 PK)	Southie FC (USASA/Bay State Soccer Lg)	Medford HS	Medford, MA
Sept. 23	Junior Lone Star U-23s (USASA/Philadelphia Prem. Soccer Lg)	3:1	Salone FC (USASA/Philadelphia Prem. Soccer Lg)	West Chester United’s Turf Field	West Chester, PA
Sept. 23	North Texas Rayados (USASA/North Texas Prem. Soccer Assoc.)	2:0	Central Texas Lobos (USSSA/Austin Men’s Soccer Assoc.)	Gregg-Clarke Park	Kyle, TX
Sept. 23	FC Denver (USSSA/Colorado Premier Lg)	3:0	Gam United FC (USASA/UPSL)	Aurora Public Schools Stadium	Aurora, CO
Sept. 23	Celtic Cowboys Premier (USSSA/Austin Men’s Soccer Assoc.)	3:2	Austin Real Cuauhtemoc (USCS/Texas Prem. Lg)	McMasters Athletic Complex	Georgetown, TX
Sept. 23	Boca Raton FC (USASA/APSL)	4:3	Hurricane FC (USASA/APSL)/APSL)	Seacrest Soccer Complex – Field 1	Delray Beach, FL
Sept. 23	Junior Lone Star FC (USASA/Philadelphia Prem. Soccer Lg)	1:4	West Chester United (USASA/United Soccer League of Pennsylvania)	West Chester United’s Turf Field	West Chester, PA
Sept. 23	Western Nevada FC (USASA/UPSL)	0:2	Davis Legacy SC (USCS/LIGA NorCal)	Davis Legacy Soccer Complex	Davis, CA
Sept. 23	Denver Metro FC (USASA/UPSL)	0:2	Azteca FC (USSSA/Colorado Premier Lg)	Aurora Public Schools Stadium	Aurora, CO
Sept. 23	Inter Empireworks FC (USASA / UPSL)	9:0	Chiapas FC (USASA – Arizona Champ. Lg)	Desert West Sports Complex (Field 1)	Phoenix, AZ
Sept. 23	ALLSTARS SC (USASA – Arizona Champ. Lg)	0:4	Ojuelos Jalisco (USASA – Arizona Champ. Lg)	Desert West Sports Complex (Synthetic Field)	Phoenix, AZ
Sept. 23	Oakland Pamperos (USASA/UPSL)	0:1	Academica SC (USCS/LIGA NorCal)	Academica Fields	Turlock, CA
Sept. 23	El Farolito (USASA/SF Soccer Football Lg)	3:0	Dynamos FC (USASA/UPSL)	Dougherty Valley HS	San Ramon, CA
Sept. 23	Pacific Side FC (USASA/UPSL)	2:3	Las Vegas Mobsters FC (USASA/UPSL)	Kellogg-Zaher Soccer Complex	Las Vegas, NV
Sept. 23	Outbreak FC (USASA/SoCal Premier Lg)	2:5	Santa Ana Winds FC (USASA/UPSL)	Lake Forest Sports Park	Lake Forest, CA
Sept. 23	Boise FC Cutthroats (USASA/UPSL)	2:3 (AET)	IPS/Marathon Taverna (USASA/Oregon Prem. Lg)	Rob Strasser Memorial Field	Portland, OR
Sept. 23	La Maquina (USASA/UPSL)	5:0	Bell Gardens FC (USASA/UPSL)	John Anson Ford Park	Bell Gardens, CA
Sept. 23	Cal Victory FC (USASA/UPSL)	3:2	Real San Jose (USASA/UPSL)	PAL Stadium	San Jose, CA
Sept. 23	CF Cachorros USA (USASA/UPSL)	2:3 (AET)	Vanquish FC (USASA/UPSL)	Great Park (Main Stadium)	Irvine, CA
Sept. 24	Red Force FC (USASA/APSL)	8:1	FC Ginga (USASA/UPSL)	Buccaneer Soccer Field (Barry Univ.)	Miami Shores, FL
Sept. 24	Newtown Pride FC (USASA/Connecticut Soccer Lg)	1:2	NY Pancyprian Freedoms (USASA/Cosmopolitan Soccer Lg)	Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.)	Jamaica, NY
Sept. 24	Izee Auto FC (USASA/Maryland Major Soccer Lg)	3:1 (AET)	NLS Graduates (USASA/Maryland Major Soccer Lg)	Banner Field at Latrobe Park	Baltimore, MD
Sept. 24	Aegean Hawks FC (USASA/Washington Prem. Lg)	0:3	Christos FC (USASA/Maryland Major Soccer Lg)	Troy Park (Field 4)	Elkridge, MD
Sept. 24	Upper Darby FC (USASA/Philadelphia Prem. Soccer Lg)	0:3	Phoenix SC (USASA/United Soccer League of Pennsylvania)	Phoenix Sports Club	Trevose, PA
Sept. 24	United German Hungarians (USASA/United Soccer League of Pennsylvania)	2:1 (AET)	Vereinigung Erzebirge (USASA/United Soccer League of Pennsylvania)	Vereinigung Erzgebirge Clubhouse	Warminster, PA
Sept. 24	Rochester River Dogz (USASA/Rochester District Soccer Lg)	2:1	Tartan Devils Oak Avalon (USASA/Greater Pittsburgh Soccer Lg)	Rooney Field (Duquesne Univ.)	Pittsburgh, PA
Sept. 24	Harpo’s FC (USSSA/Colorado Premier Lg)	2:2 (6:5 PK)	FC Boulder (USASA/UPSL)	Fairview HS	Boulder, CO
Sept. 24	FC Union Jerez (USSSA/Colorado Premier Lg)	2:6	Indios Denver FC (USASA/UPSL)	Englewood HS Stadium	Englewood, CO
Sept. 24	Newport FC (USASA/UPSL)	0:3	Buena Park FC (USASA/SoCal Premier Lg)	John F. Kennedy High School	La Palma, CA
Sept. 24	Miami United FC Under-23s (USASA/APSL)	1:3	South Florida FC (USASA/APSL)	Brian Piccolo Park	Cooper City, FL
Sept. 24	Colorado Rovers (USSSA/Colorado Premier Lg)	0:2	Colorado Springs FC (USASA/UPSL)	Grace Center for Athletics	Colorado Springs, CO
Sept. 24	InterUnited AC (USASA/APSL)	0:0 (3:4 PK)	Orlando Storm (USASA/Central Fla. Soccer Lg)	UCF Soccer & Track Stadium	Orlando, FL
Sept. 24	Motagua of New Orleans (USASA/Gulf Coast Prem. Lg)	4:1	Gaffa FC (USASA/Gulf Coast Prem. Lg)	Freedom Ridge Stadium	Ridgeland, MS
Sept. 24	AC Brea Steaua United (USASA/SoCal Premier Lg)	1:3	SFV Scorpions SC (USASA/UPSL)	Alemany HS	Mission Hills, CA
Sept. 24	Club El Azul (USASA/UPSL)	1:2 (AET)	Colorado Rush (USASA/UPSL)	Shea Stadium	Highlands Ranch, CO
Sept. 24	Lansdowne Bhoys FC (USASA/Cosmopolitan Soccer Lg)	2:1	Jackson Lions FC (USASA/Garden State Soccer Lg)	Jackson Justice Complex	Jackson, NJ
Sept. 24	FC Kendall (USASA/APSL)	11:0	Leu Blacks FC (USASA/UPSL)	Amelia Earhart Park Field 5	Hialeah, FL
Sept. 24	FC Greeley (USASA/UPSL)	1:5	Fort Collins United (USASA/UPSL)	Loveland Sports Park	Loveland, CO
Sept. 24	Santa Clarita Storm (USASA/UPSL)	5:0	UFA Hawks LA (USASA/UPSL)	Salesian HS	Los Angeles, CA
Sept. 24	Del Rey City SC (USASA/UPSL)	0:13	Newcastle United FC (USASA/UPSL)	SilverLakes Sports Complex	Norco, CA
Sept. 24	Fontana International SC (USASA/UPSL)	0:4	San Pedro Monsters FC (USASA/SoCal Premier Lg)	Banning HS Soccer Stadium	Wilmington, CA
Sept. 24	Chula Vista FC (USASA/SoCal Premier Lg)	5:1	Strikers FC South Coast (USASA/UPSL)	Lake Forest Sports Park	Lake Forest, CA
Sept. 24	Real Sociedad Royals (USASA/SoCal Premier Lg)	1:6	Los Angeles Wolves FC (USASA/UPSL)	John Anson Ford Park	Bell Gardens, CA
	Ann Arbor FC (USASA/Ann Arbor Prem. Development Lg)	W:L (FORFEIT)	Carpathia FC (USASA/Prem. Lg of America)	Avondale HS	Auburn Hills, MI
	Stegman’s SC (USASA/Minnesota Amat. Soccer Lg)	W:L (FORFEIT)	Santa Fe Wanderers KC (USASA/KC Kansas Soccer Lg)	Olathe District Activity Center	Olathe, KS
	Los Angeles SC (USASA/L.A. Municipal Lg)	L:W (FORFEIT)	Valley United SC (USASA/UPSL)	Heritage HS	North Hills, CA
	United Serbian SC (USASA/Wisconsin Soccer Lg)	L:W (FORFEIT)	Aurora Borealis SC (USASA/Premier Lg of America)	Ohio Moose Sports Complex	Mooseheart, IL
	Miami Nacional SC (USSSA/Nat’l Soccer Lg)	W:L (FORFEIT)	Miami Wolves FC (USASA/UPSL)	Flamingo Park	Miami Beach, FL