2018 US Open Cup qualifying

2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2: Justin Funes hat trick leads Buena Park FC past Santa Clarita Storm

October 26, 2017 by Omar Avalos

MORE: 2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Results/Schedule

The sun pelted all in attendance during the Buena Park FC’s Second Round 2018 US Open Cup Qualifying match against FC Santa Clarita on Sunday, Oct. 22. It was 94 degrees at kickoff at John F. Kennedy High School in La Palma, Calif. in what turned out to be a rugged, scrappy match for both sides. But it was the home side Buena Park FC of the So Cal Premier League that defended their rugged, natural grass pitch most effectively, grinding out a 3-1 win over the UPSL side.

The hero for Buena Park was Justin Funes who scored all three goals for the home side to send the club into the final round of qualifying for the first time. This is a nice redemption for a club that in the pervious two qualifying tournaments crashed out in the opening round in both years. Both of those games were played on their same home field (JFK High School), both to the same opponent (Outbreak SC), and both with one-sided scorelines (5-1, 5-0).

Now, after back-to-back home wins in this year’s competition, BPFC are one win away from punching their ticket to the US Open Cup.

Buena Park got on the board in the 19th minute when Grant Carlson snuck behind the backline on a throw-in. Carlson collected the ball and sent in a cross that was redirected by Funes into the back of the net. About 10 minutes later the game was tied thanks to an individualistic effort by FCSC midfielder Brandon Cando. It would be all the UPSL side would get given the scrappy Buena Park defense that fought off every FCSC onslaught, header and breakaway. BPFC was absolutely resolute in their box.

Buena Park went up 2-1 in the 40th minute when Scotty Locken split the defense and fed the ball to Funes who put the ball between the keeper’s legs for his second goal. FCSC didn’t quit before the halftime break as they battled back to hit the post before time expired.

Just like his first two goals, Funes completed his hat trick thanks to some good ball movement from his teammates. Jonathan Rojas beat a pair of defenders on the right wing and crossed the ball to Nathan Da Rosa who trapped the ball and fed Funes, who hit a one-timer with his left foot to beat the keeper in the 62nd minute.

FCSC continued to fight to get back in the game. The Storm missed two really clear chances including a late missed penalty kick and a direct shot on goal. FCSC was also denied a free kick goal on a great, outstretched stop by Buena Park goalkeeper David Padilla, late in the game.

Buena Park FC weathered all the elements thrown at them, resolutely, from the pelting heat, a rugged pitch and a battling opponent to emerge victorious and move on to the Third Round of 2018 US Open Cup qualifying.

2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2: Indios Denver FC use home field advantage to oust Oregon’s IPS/Marathon Taverna

October 26, 2017 by Jim Hart

MORE: 2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Results/Schedule

On a gorgeous autumn afternoon in the suburb of Englewood Colo., in a high school football stadium with a view of downtown Denver, Indios Denver FC treated their guests rather rudely by dispatching them in a 4-2 manner in front of about 250 mostly Indios supporters.

Indios, a club founded in 2015, is mostly Hispanic in its cultural connections and its members.

The opponents, International Portland Select (IPS) / Marathon Taverna is a club that hails from Portland Ore., and has competed in the last two US Open Cup qualifying tournaments, but just picked up their first win in the last round of this year. They are well-traveled since they are the only team from the Pacific Northwest to enter the competition, and since there’s no local teams to play against they often have to make lengthy trips or teams have to make lengthy trips to play them in the Rose City. IPS had traveled the day before the match to Denver and were feeling some of the effects of jet lag and altitude.

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

The match was an ideal setup, two very talented teams that were ready to show off their skills and put on a great show for the fans. And a great show was what they delivered.

The opening half started off with 20 minutes of high energy box-to-box action. Right off the bat in the 10th minute Indios’ Julio Rodriguez picked up a yellow for aggressive play. There were a lot of nerves showing early and players were over-anxious and wanted to make big plays. A trend that would be seen for most of the match.

The scoreline was finally broken in the 16th minute with an own goal scored of Indios. Putting the hosts on the board first. Less than a minute later, Indios put another in the net when Christian Ochoa buried a shot.

The game then went into a more structured period. Both teams seemed to get a handle on their defensive posture, the pace of the match slowed, then in the 38th a through ball made its way into Pablo Salinas whot put it in the back of the net for IPS to cut the lead in half.

The 40th minute saw a substitution for Indios as Cristian Gomez came on for the injured Sajjad Alfatlawi. Which brought the game into halftime with Indios leading 2-1. Indios was controlling the game pretty well at this point, they had more shots on goal, had a few corner kicks and felt more comfortable on the front foot.

As the sun began to set in the west, long evening shadows began to take over the pitch. Indios was playing into the sun, however, there was no seeming effect on the players. Coach Jose Edgar Espinoza said after the game that Indios kept trying the counter-attack against IPS’ high line on the offside trap. Indios continued to push that line with ball after ball over the top.

Goal kicks were launched 60-70 meters into the on-rushing attackers to try to break the IPS high line. With a very slick play off a back heel pass in the box by Steven Robellada buried the third golazo and scored the winner.

In the 55the minute, ’ IPS’ Nathan Pogue tightened the score up at 3-2 with a lightening bolt direct free kick that definitely got Indios attention.

As the match started getting late the physicality started heating up. What was a somewhat gentlemanly match began to turn into a yellow card every couple of minutes as the time ticked away. The 3-2 scoreline made IPS push all of their attacking players forward, until suddenly Indios had three players open in front of the net.

Suddenly bodies were on the pitch, mayhem was the order of the day and a penalty was called. Said penalty was dispatched in the 95th minute of play and that was that on a 4-2 victory for the home side.

According to Indios captain Jose Hernandez, Sunday’s win was an inspired performance as one of their assistant coaches, Jaime Hernandez was back in Mexico for funeral services for his mother.

“This win is dedicated to Jaime,” Hernandez said.

As for IPS Marathon, they will head back to the Northwest and try for another year. Traveling to Colorado can be difficult under the best conditions and these were very good conditions for a match

2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2: Amateur Cup titleholders Lansdowne Bhoys edge Pancyprian Freedoms in PKs

October 25, 2017 by Brendan Doherty

MORE: 2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Results/Schedule

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 Amatuer Cup champion Lansdowne Bhoys edging three-time US Open Cup champion New York Pancyprian Freedoms, 4-3.

The Bhoys and the Freedoms have both qualified for the US Open Cup in recent years.

The Bhoys from the New York metropolitan area qualified for the 2016 edition of the tournament after defeating Newtown Pride FC and Worcester FC during qualification. That year Lansdowne Bhoys defeated PDL side Long Island Rough Riders 2-1 before traveling to Pennsylvania to stun the USL’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds, 2-0. The cup-run ended with a 2-0 loss in Rochester at the hands of the Rhinos in the Third Round.

The team fell to FC Motown during qualification for 2017 tournament but returned to try to earn a spot for 2018. Lansdowne Bhoys FC defeated Jackson Lions FC of New Jersey’s Garden State Soccer League in the opening round on September 24.

The Pancyprian Freedoms defeated Newtown Pride of Connecticut 2-1 in the first round of qualifying last month.

The club has a storied history that includes both the amateur side in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League dating back to 1979 and the professional team founded in 1999 as the New York Freedom. The Freedoms pushed eventual champion Rochester Raging Rhinos to the brink in extra time during the second round of the 1999 Open Cup.

More recently, the amateur side qualified for the 2016 Open Cup and showed well. The Freedoms defeated PDL-side New York Red Bulls U-23s 2-1 in the first round and narrowly lost to another PDL team, Jersey Express 1-0.

These two sides know each other well both from league play in the CSL and in amateur cup competitions, including 2017 Open Cup qualifying last autumn. In that contest, Lansdowne Bhoys prevailed 3-2 over New York Pancyprian Freedoms after extra time in Yonkers on September 10, 2016.

The teams also met just two weeks prior to Sunday’s cup showdown, a CSL match on Oct. 10 that ended 1-1 in Yonkers. Within CSL, NY leads the league in scoring with 2.4 goals per game average and Lansdowne has the stingiest defense in the division allowing just 0.75 goals per contest.

Both the familiarity between the teams and the prize at stake added venom to Sunday night’s match. The first half was chippy, with five bookings, but produced saves from both goalkeepers. New York’s forward Andreas Chronis forced a clearance off the line in the 27th minute and struck the woodwork in the 65th.

Lansdowne Bhoys defenders had their backs against the wall late in regulation when Craig Purcell got his body in front of a header from Luis Esteves in the 90th minute.

In extra time, Lansdowne goalkeeper Abdoukarim Danso, who played during the team’s previous cup run and won TheCup.us Player of the Round, came off his line to close down New York’s Adam Himeno. The best chance of the second period of extra time came off the foot of Lansdowne Bhoys’ Joseph Lopez but his long-distance effort missed the target.

After 120 scoreless minutes of soccer could not separate the Bhoys and Freedoms, the teams lined up for a shootout. Sunday night’s opponents proved evenly matched even from the spot as the Bhoys finally prevailed.

Perhaps energized from his extra time heroics, Danso stole the show with three saves from the line as his side now advances to the third qualifying round to be played in November against the Junior Lone Star Under-23s from Philadelphia.

Lansdowne Bhoys head coach Austin Friel is now one game away from taking his team back to the Open Cup while the Pancyprian Freedoms cast attention back to their undefeated start to the league

2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2: Youth is served as Junior Lone Star U-23s eliminate UGH

October 25, 2017 by Michael Berton

MORE: 2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Results/Schedule

The next US Open Cup Cinderella story might come out of Eastern Pennsylvania. The clock has not yet struck midnight for the young, but talented, Junior Lone Star Under-23s, who upset one of the oldest clubs in the United States in the second round of Open Cup qualifying.

Two-time US Open Cup runners-up, United German Hungarians (UGH), were favorites to win, hosting the developmental U23s. While the Junior Lone Star parent club made the Open Cup last year, the U-23s were entered into qualifying this year to just earn some valuable experience. The young team from Philadelphia showed that they are playing for more than just practice, beating UGH 3-2 at the home of the team that has been around since the 1920s.

The game was wide open from the start. Junior Lone Star was not afraid to attack, and UGH was more than happy to try to catch the U-23s on the counter attack. Ten minutes in, UGH threatened to open the scoring, but the Junior Lone Star keeper was up to the task, making two point blank saves in a row.

Just as the U-23s seemed to have control of the contest, UGH nabbed the opening goal. Jacob Mulinge crossed from the right, the ball was flicked on and John Gravelle, who played college soccer at La Salle, knocked it easily into the net.

United German Hungarians (red) celebrate a goal by John Gravelle against the Junior Lone Star U-23s in a 2018 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Kari Berton

Junior Lone Star got the equalizer right after halftime. In the 50th minute, a long ball over the top found Elijah Ema, who calmly slotted the ball past the keeper into the net. Six minutes later, Junior Lone Star’s Opeyemi Amao made it 2-1 when he made a darting run from the left side into the box, then curled the ball around the keeper.

The U-23s got yet another goal in the 73rd minute on a free kick. The cross found the head of John Quaye, who made it 3-1.

It was a tense final few minutes for the young side from Philadelphia. The U-23s goalie made multiple saves to preserve the lead. UGH did get a second goal from Gravelle in second half stoppage time, but Junior Lone Star held on for the victory.

Junior Lone Star U-23s have a chance at a Cinderella story in the 2018 Open Cup. Now, they are just one win away from making that tournament. To get into the competition, they will have to overcome the reigning Amateur Cup champions on the road when they travel to New York City to face the Lansdowne Bhoys FC. A win, which would be considered an upset, would certainly solidify their Cinderellla status.

2018 US Open Cup Qualifying: Red Force FC advance after Miami Nacional quits before halftime

October 25, 2017 by Omar Moubayed

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

MORE: 2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Results/Schedule

Two Miami-based clubs went at it in the second round of qualifying for the 105th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Red Force FC and Miami Nacional SC faced off at Ives Estates Park on Sunday afternoon with the goal of advancing to the next round of qualifying. While players from both squads showed up, it was evident only one turned up to play.

Red Force FC of the American Soccer League is no stranger to the US Open Cup. They’ve made noise in years past and qualified for the first round of the 2017 cup. Despite being ousted by South Florida Surf, the boys in Red managed to earn a qualifying position for a 2018 cup run. As soon as the whistle blew, it was all Red Force on the scoreboard.

After an early scoring chance from Miami in the opening few minutes of the game, Red Force FC opened the scoring in the 15th minute as former Florida International Panther Mathew Treumun put one in the back of the net off a beautiful feed from Gilbert Ruiz.

After that, the crowd was welcomed to the Scott Gordon show. Gordon became a thorn in the side of Nacional as he collected a hat trick in the span of 14 minutes. Finishing up passes from Christopher Munoz, Stiven Salinas, and Daniel Gomez, the former Fort Lauderdale Striker ran Nacional off the field; literally.

Yes they did. This should be looked at by the tournament. They can’t allow teams to just quit.

— Red Force FC (@RedForceFC09) October 22, 2017

Red Force FC was awarded a penalty in the 40th minute of the match that was protested by Nacional. Their head coach David Garcia walked onto the field to argue the call with the referee and refused to leave. In the end, he ordered his team to walk off the pitch and they would not return for the match. The game would officially be called in the 44th minute. In a comment from Red Force’s Twitter account, they replied to the forfeit update posted by TheCup.us by saying “This should be looked at by the tournament. They can’t allow teams to just quit.”

According to Miami’s team president Gaston Basulto, a series of bad calls by the referee led to his head coach’s on-field protest. Among his complaints about physical play, he claims that Red Force had as many as six offside plays that were not called in the opening 40 minutes. Those plays led to a pair of Red Force goals and the controversial penalty kick call that ultimately brought the game to it’s untimely end.

“When your has two goals that were clearly offside, one penalty in your favor not called, one elbow hit to the face of one of your defenders 20 feet from where the referee was standing that ends in a penalty , something is really wrong,” said Basulto. “That’s why my coach told me ‘we cannot continue with this circus’, and we walked off.”

This is the first time that since the Vega said regardless of how the game is going, or how well you believe the officiating is, you should finish the game.

“The situation with Miami Nacional was an embarrassment for the cup,” said Red Force owner/head coach Gabriel Vega. “I talked to the owner and he told me that they were abandon the game because the refs were against them … made a decision and I hope he will pay the consequences for the future of the Open Cup.”

The US Soccer Federation is currently reviewing the incident and will make a ruling at a later date.

2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2: Sporting AZ defeats Inter EmpireWorks behind second half rally

October 25, 2017 by Adam Uthe

MORE: 2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Results/Schedule

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.

Inter came out of the gate strong, registering a shot on target within the first 60 seconds of the game. They finally broke Sporting’s defense down in the 32nd minute when William Arechiga received a quick pass from Daniel Frias and buried a low, driven shot into the back of the net. Inter kept the pressure up and had it not been for a stellar performance from Sporting goalkeeper Andrew Weber, the margin might have been wider at halftime.

Sporting, however, regrouped at the break and their second half rally got started in the 56th minute when they were awarded a questionable penalty that Cesar Mexia calmly converted past Inter goalkeeper Christopher Salado. Seven minutes later, Jose Ramos found David Alton at the top of the box and Alton finished his chance to give the hosts a 2-1 lead. Ramos went on to score one himself to seal the win for Sporting in the 83rd minute.

WATCH: Sporting AZ FC vs. Inter Empireworks FC (Video Highlights)

The score line may not have accurately reflected Inter’s efforts, especially in the first half. Weber, a former MLS journeyman who has a handful of appearances to his name for five different MLS teams, finished the night with eight saves and had it not been for his efforts the outcome may have been different. He said as much after the game.

“We weathered the storm at the end and got the result. I’m very pleased about that.”

His coach, Aidan Davison, added that Sporting always had a chance to win; they just needed to take it.

“I think we were unfortunate to go down one-nil. We weren’t doing too much wrong. So it was a case of just sticking to the gameplan and believing in what we can do, and be effective, and we did that.”

Sporting won the Arizona Conference title during their inaugural season in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) this past spring, but Davison and nearly the entire roster were not part of that team. Regardless, after a solid opening win, they have momentum heading into their third round qualifier against Galati SC from the Arizona Champions League.

Sporting also has a solid Open Cup resume in it’s club history as they are a re-brand of the old Arizona Sahuaros, a club that has qualified for the tournament six times, twice as a D-3 Pro club (1998, 1999) and four times (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010) as an amateur side.

That next match will take place on Nov. 18 with the winner becoming the sixth open division amateur team to make the tournament from Arizona. In addition to the Sahuaros’ four trips to the In fact, four of the five previous teams to qualify were the Arizona Sahuaros (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010), the club that has ties to Sporting AZ.

2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2: Well-prepared Santa Ana Winds overwhelm Newcastle United, 6-0

October 24, 2017 by Omar Avalos

MORE: 2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Results/Schedule

Santa Ana Winds FC defeated fellow UPSL club Newcastle United (Upland, CA) by a score of 6-0 on Saturday, October 21 at the Lake Forest Sports Park, in Round 2 of 2018 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. The win was the club’s first second round win in club history, in its second Open Cup qualifying campaign.

Winds FC patiently weathered NUFC’s intensity in the first half and gradually settled in, taking control of the game by taking possession, and demonstrating their squad depth and conditioning for the full 90 minutes. NUFC in contrast, had only one sub on the bench and became fatigued, while Winds FC had four subs to work with.

NUFC looked like they would be rewarded for their efforts and intensity early on and were given a penalty kick in the 28th minute, but were denied by former Chico State goalkeeper Harter Quinn. The momentum switched to Winds FC shortly thereafter. Santa Ana created danger through gaps left in the NUFC midfield, attacked up the left wing and into the box, where a player was knocked down on an attempted assist. Midfielder Kyle O’Brien then converted the PK to put Winds FC up 1-0.

The second goal came on a corner kick and failed clearance near the end of the first half that Arellano Juan punched home. The third goal also came on a corner kick, in the 60th minute by Israel Espinoza. After Espinoza’s goal, the Winds ran away with the match, piling on another three goals by Gorman Jordan, Runager Kramer and Khalil Zaidon and winded (no pun intended) NUFC had no answer. The final score was 6-0.

After the match, team owner Leonel López attributed his team’s win to training sessions. Winds FC has a way of looking like a seasoned squad, comfortable on possession, able to weather their opponent’s opening onslaught well, which then allows them to control the pace of the match. Their chemistry is running smoothly as a result of continuity in lineups.

When asked about his team’s win, Winds coach José López was impressed and happy that his players executed the plan.

“Lots of collective effort, lots of weeks of training,” said coach Lopez. “We’re trying to organize them the best way possible for them to be able to solve games. I think it’s the good mentality of each player that’s allowing us to be patient and to have good cohesion.”

The Winds move on to the final round where they will host the San Pedro Monsters on Saturday, Nov. 18 at Lake Forest, Calif. with the winner qualifying for the US Open Cup for the first time.

2018 US Open Cup Qualifying: El Farolito follow up league title with dominant Round 2 win over Academica SC

October 24, 2017 by Thomas Hodul

MORE: 2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Results/Schedule

The 1993 Open Cup Champions, El Farolito, cruised into round three 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.

The game kicked off at 11:15 a.m. at historic Boxer Stadium, home to the oldest running soccer leagues in the country. El Farolito looked intent on defending their home field and earning a place in the third round of the 2018 US Open Cup qualifying tournament.

The match was fairly balanced for the first 10-15 minutes of the game before El Farolito was able to break though in the 15th minute with a wonderful team goal. Herbert Alferez received a great ball over the top before centering it to Marco Iubel who rounded the keeper and slotted it home to send the host on their way.

Academica had their best chance to equalize in the 32nd minute when Jorge Carmona went direct for goal off of a corner kick, but El Farolito stand-out defender Jansen Salton expertly cleared it off the line to maintain his side’s 1-0 advantage.

The host doubled their advantage just before the break when Herbert Alferez scored from the spot to make the score 2-0 in favor of El Farolito heading into the break.

El Farolito kept their foot on the gas like they usually do and added a third goal once again from the penalty spot, this time from Rodolfo Espiniza in the 50th minute.

Not long after that, in the 52nd minute, Academica’s top player of the day went down, needing an ambulance. This caused at least a 20-minute delay to the match. When the match resumed, it was played at a different pace, almost as if the match had already been finished.

El Farolito added two more goals in the lengthy stoppage time that was added to the game. One of these goals was from Ederson Da Silva who expertly finished into the side netting to make the score 4-0, before Jorge Hernandez added a fifth from the penalty spot.

The former champions secured their place in the next round and will host the UPSL side from Petaluma, Calif., Cal Victory, in Round 3 with a spot in the 2018 US Open Cup on the line.

2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2: Nick Hutton’s OT winner sends Stegman’s SC into final round

October 24, 2017 by Nik Myles

MORE: 2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Results/Schedule

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.

A kickoff that clashed with both the Chicago Bears and Decision Day in Major League Soccer, led to a sparse crowd witnessing a tightly contested battle in miserable conditions, eventually justly shaded by the visitors.

Aurora opened the scoring after about 15 minutes, when Arturo Garza swung a 25-yard free kick around the wall and into the top corner. The temptation in these moments is always to look at the wall and the keeper, but sometimes the shot is just too good.

The visitors were more composed on the ball, and more organised across the field, and it was only a matter of time before they found the equaliser. Home keeper Eduardo Sandoval did not look at home in the keeper’s jersey all day, and one can only hope that it was simply the vagaries of the US Open Cup scheduling that led him to be standing between the posts. His lack of confidence was finally exposed on the half hour mark as Tim Willis picked his pocket and scored the easiest goal of his career.

Five minutes later Stegman’s took the lead, as their perseverance with long diagonal balls paid off, allowing Olsen to lash home past the hapless Sandoval.

Stegman’s deserved their halftime lead, but Aurora came out for the second half with increased vigor. In the 50th minute, Ryan Salazaar pulled the ball down on the edge of the area, and ripped one past Matt Elder in the visitor’s goal.

The second half was a more even affair than the first, with the wet and windy conditions not really helping the game as a spectacle. Both sides traded blows, but clear cut chances were few and far between.

Extra time offered more of the same. Both teams were understandably exhausted, and tricky play gave way to hopeful punts downfield. Lacking anyone to hold the ball up on either side, it was always likely to be a set play that decided this. And so it was that Stegman’s stand-out player, Martin Brown, curled in a corner in the 100th minute, which was met with interest by left back Nick Hutton, leaving Sandoval grasping at thin air.

Aurora tried to battle back, but lacked any clinical incision. The stuffing was knocked out of them, and after 120 minutes, Stegman’s deserved the win.

With the win, Stegman’s moves on to the final round of qualifying where they will have to hit the road again. This time, they have a much longer trip to Western New York ahead of them to take on the Rochester River Dogz. Even though the US Soccer Federation now offers some financial assistance to teams so they can cover travel costs, with back-to-back road games Stegman’s still needs help. The club has launched a fundraising campaign to help pay for their travel to Rochester.

Man of the Match (Aurora): Corey Novotney
Man of the Match (Stegman’s): Martin Brown

2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Schedule, Results (Open Division Amateur)

October 23, 2017 by Josh Hakala

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

Nov. 18	Indios Denver FC (USASA/UPSL)	0:2 (AET)	FC Denver (USSSA/Colorado Amat. Soccer Lg.)	Aurora Sports Park	Aurora, CO
Nov. 18	Azteca FC (USSSA/Colorado Premier Lg.)	4:3	Harpo’s FC (USSSA/Colorado Premier Lg.)	Broomfield Co. Commons Park Stadium Field	Broomfield, CO
Nov. 18	FC Kendall (USASA/APSL)	4:2	Nashville United (USASA/Middle TN Soccer Alliance)	Richard Siegel Soccer Park	Murfreesboro, TN
Nov. 18	Kendall Wanderers (USASA/Bay State Soccer Lg)	2:1	Mass United FC (USASA/American Soccer Lg)	Dilboy Stadium	Somerville, MA
Nov. 18	Junior Lone Star U-23s (USASA/Philadelphia Prem. Soccer Lg.)	1:3	Lansdowne Bhoys FC (USASA/Cosmopolitan Soccer Lg.)	Tibbetts Brooke Park	Yonkers, NY
Nov. 18	Motagua of New Orleans (USASA/Gulf Coast Premier Lg.)	1:2	North Texas Rayados (USASA/North Texas Prem. Soccer Assoc.)	Premier Park	Balch Springs, TX
Nov. 18	Galati FC (USASA/Arizona Champions Lg.)	1:6	Sporting AZ FC (USASA/UPSL)	Chandler-Gilbert Community College	Chandler, AZ
Nov. 18	San Pedro Monsters FC (USASA/SoCal Premier Lg.)	1:4	Santa Ana Winds FC (USASA/UPSL)	Lake Forest Sports Park	Lake Forest, CA
Nov. 19	Phoenix SC (USASA/United Soccer League of PA)	1:5	Christos FC (USASA/Maryland Major Soccer Lg.)	Anne Arundel Community College	Arnold, MD
Nov. 19	Stegman’s SC (USASA/Minnesota Amat. Soccer Lg.)	1:2	Rochester River Dogz (USASA/Rochester District Soccer Lg.)	Pittsford Thornell Farm Park Turf Field	Pittsford, NY
Nov. 19	Cal Victory FC (USASA/UPSL)	0:8	El Farolito (USASA/San Fran. Soccer Football Lg.)	Boxer Stadium	San Francisco, CA
Nov. 19	South Florida FC (USASA/APSL)	1:2 (AET)	Red Force FC (USASA/APSL)	Kendall Sports Park	Miami, FL
Nov. 19	La Maquina (USASA/UPSL)	4:1	Chula Vista FC (USASA/SoCal Premier Lg.)	Chula Vista Elite Training Center	Chula Vista, CA
Nov. 19	Los Angeles Wolves FC (USASA/UPSL)	4:0	Buena Park FC (USASA/SoCal Premier Lg.)	OC Great Park Championship Stadium	Irvine, CA

2018 US Open Cup Qualifying – Round 2
All Times Eastern / Home teams on the right
Click the score for more details
MORE: 2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2 Review

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
Click the score for more details
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