Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2019 US Open Cup

2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Fresno FC “win ugly” and advance against El Farolito

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Fresno FC's Elijah Martin (3) Martin reaches to kick the ball while El Farolito's Ronaldo Herrera (7) and Aramis Haywood (4) looks on in a US Open Cup second round at Boxer Stadium in San Francisco, CA on May 15, 2019. (Photo: Douglas Zimmerman)
Fresno FC’s Elijah Martin (3) Martin reaches to kick the ball while El Farolito’s Ronaldo Herrera (7) and Aramis Haywood (4) looks on in a US Open Cup second round at Boxer Stadium in San Francisco, CA on May 15, 2019. (Photo: Douglas Zimmerman)

Fans were left to wait until the 76th minute during a very tense affair between home side, El Farolito and Fresno FC for a match winner in Wednesday’s US Open Cup Second Round match at historic Boxer Stadium in San Francisco. At halftime, Adam Smith’s one change made the difference as forward Qudus Lawal was able to slot home after a mix-up in communication in El Farolito’s backline and goalkeeper Luis Castro.

El Farolito’s Edson Carona (11) chases Fresno FC goalkeeper Sam Howard (28) as he kicks a ball out of bounds during a US Open Cup second round at Boxer Stadium in San Francisco, CA on May 15, 2019. (Photo: Douglas Zimmerman)

The Foxes were 1-0 winners on the day and will travel to Sacramento in two weeks time to take on fellow USL Championship club, Sacramento Republic FC. El Farolito, previous US Open Cup winners in 1993, hosted the Second Round match after their 2-1 victory and wonder-strike from Leonard Fredes in Turlock last week defeated Academica SC. Unfortunately, last week’s hero, Fredes was unavailable for the match after breaking his arm when he hit the ground after his Sportscenter-worthy game-winner.

Twelve minutes into the match, Fresno FC center back, Sam Strong was issued a yellow card for a rash challenge on Carlos Montez during a counter attack. He had to play cautiously and carefully throughout the half to ensure he was not sent off. A minute later, Montez had some freedom off a corner with a chance on a half volley but he dragged his shot wide.

Fresno FC were given an opportunity right after during a free kick, which was just outside the area on the right. From 22 yards away, captain Juan Pablo Caffa’s attempt flashed wide to the near post.

After about 20 minutes, both sides seem to settle into the match. Just before the half hour mark, El Farolito’s Aramais Hayward blazed a curling effort close after a nice buildup by the home team. However, the best chance of the first half fell to Jemel Johnson after his strike beat the goalkeeper, hit the underside of the bar and was cleared off the line.

At halftime, Adam Smith made one change in tinkering with his strike partnership. Qudus Lawal joined Jemel Johnson in the attack. In the 52nd minute, the ball was cleared off the Fresno FC backline after a slow looping header that beat the Sam Howard during a El Farolito free kick. About 10 minutes later, Fresno’s Renato Bustamante was alone after a missed clearance from El Farolito inside the area, but Castro read the angle beautifully.

A couple of crosses bothered Castro in a matter of minutes and which led to him receiving medical attention.

As the match slowed into its final 15 minutes, a quick throw in El Farolito’s half and a chip toward goal caused confusion between Castro and Angel Chavarria. The two collided and the ball popped loose resulting in Lawal’s match winner. A proper goalscorer’s strike to settle things.

El Farolito had two golden opportunities about five minutes from time while pushing for the equalizer. In a patient buildup, Wilmar Aguinaga had a wonderful effort from the top of the 18 saved by Howard. The ensuring corner saw Chavarria free by himself, but his header went over the bar.

Fresno FC’s victory means that they’ll face Sacramento Republic FC in two weeks time.

On the match, coach Adam Smith said: “I wasn’t very happy at halftime. I wasn’t that happy in the second half either. Sometimes you have to win ugly. We won ugly today, but I’ll take 1-nil any day of the week, at the end of the day. It’s nice to get the win and be able to move on in the competition.”

2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Las Vegas Lights shut out Cal FC in Eric Wynalda “Derby”

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Tabort Etaka Prestdon of the Las Vegas Lights dribbles the ball against the Cal FC defense in Tuesday's Second Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Las Vegas Lights
Tabort Etaka Prestdon of the Las Vegas Lights dribbles the ball against the Cal FC defense in Tuesday’s Second Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Las Vegas Lights

It was a small but rambunctious crowd on hand to see the hometown Las Vegas Lights FC defeat Cal FC 2-0 in Round 2 of the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Tuesday night at Cashman Field in the Lights’ fourth home victory of the year.

Lights head coach Eric Wynalda’s former team put up a valiant fight, but an early 15th minute goal by Lights forward Sammy Ochoa, and an even quicker 50th minute goal by Victor Rojas proved too much for a scrappy Cal FC team to overcome.

Wynalda said he was happy with the Lights’ performance, and that he actually regretted having to play his former club so early in the tournament.

Las Vegas Lights Eric Wynalda
Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design

 

“It’s a ton of emotion, to be fair I would have rather played further along in the competition. I’m not saying it was unfair to them, we just know these guys really well … the fact that our guys have played against them in so many games, is an advantage for us,” said Wynalda, who also credited his own side’s versatility and the ability of his players to adapt and play out of position.

 

“We had guys playing for the first time for our club. We had guys playing multiple positions, multiple systems … to come out of it 2-0, our club is very proud of the work that we put into this,” he added. “The preparation, all of it, to get a result like this against a very good side, it is something to be proud of.”

The Lights controlled much of the early possession, creating chances until finally Edwin Rivas’s cross found Ochoa’s head to put the Lights up 1-0. Immediately after the goal, Cal appeared to find its footing in the game, and dominated most of the remainder of the first half.

It appeared as if Cal would equalize multiple times, but each attempt was thwarted by the Lights’ bend-but-don’t-break defense and the sure hands of goalkeeper Angel Alvarez, who earned a clean sheet in his first start of the season.

The teams went into the locker rooms at halftime with the Lights leading 1-0, but with Vegas very much on its back heel. However, halftime adjustments by Wynalda, including two substitutions (former Cal player Pablo Cruz and Junior Sandoval came on for Matt Thomas and Edwin Rivas, respectively) proved to be the boost the Lights needed to regain control of the game.

Rojas’s goal — his first as a member of the Lights — was the knockout punch that took Cal out of the game.

Tempers rose like the Vegas desert heat as the match neared its end, with each team earning a pair of second-half yellow cards. Cruz even nearly came to blows with Cal goalkeeper Kevin Marquez before things finally boiled over during stoppage time. Cal’s Victor Vasquez and Vegas’s Jonathan Levin had to be separated as well, and both were issued red cards just before the full-time whistle blew.

The Lights are now left with just two subs for their Round 3 match. The Lights bench is depleted due to players’ cup ties with previous teams, as well as injuries.

2019 US Open Cup Round 2: San Antonio FC’s youth movement earns win over Laredo Heat

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Laredo Heat SC plays San Antonio FC during a US Open Cup soccer match, Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Texas. San Antonio won 2-0. (Darren Abate/USL)
Laredo Heat SC plays San Antonio FC during a US Open Cup soccer match, Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Texas. San Antonio won 2-0. (Darren Abate/USL)

It was a historic night for San Antonio FC as it faced its first Open Cup opponent, Laredo Heat. It was the first time San Antonio and Laredo faced off in club history, but that wouldn’t be the only firsts of the night in Round 2 of the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

It was a wave of young talent on the field for San Antonio FC as three of the club’s academy prospects took the pitch for the first time, and 21-year-old Pascal Eboussi scored one of the team’s two goals in a 2-0 win. 31-year-old veteran Ever Guzman scored the other goal as San Antonio advanced to Round 3.

Leo Torres, Jose Gallegos and Carson Price each saw their first action as San Antonio FC started getting chances early and often as Billy Forbes and Cheno Guzman had a strong connection.

Laredo Heat goalkeeper Carlos Herrera did a great job at keeping the match scoreless. Laredo had a great chance in the 12th minute off a corner kick, but San Antonio FC would be the first to get on the board.

Jack Barmby placed a great corner at the top of the six-yard box in the 17th minute and Eboussi, a defender, was able to head the ball into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.

That wouldn’t be Barmby’s only assist as he followed that up with a short pass from a corner kick that found the foot of Guzman, who ripped it in just under the post.

“It was always going to be a scrappy game,” Barmby said. “Credit to them. They played well, but we got the win and we’re through, which is what we wanted.”

Laredo Heat would receive a total of four yellow cards — three in the second half — and were unable to slip one past San Antonio FC keeper Jonathan Viscosi who had a clean sheet.

San Antonio FC will face the Austin Bold in Round 3 of the Open Cup at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday May 29.

2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Steinberger leads Tampa Bay Rowdies past The Villages SC, into Round 3

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Players from the Tampa Bay Rowdies (right) and The Villages SC battle for the ball in their Second Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Tampa Bay Rowdies
Players from the Tampa Bay Rowdies (right) and The Villages SC battle for the ball in their Second Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Tampa Bay Rowdies

The Tampa Bay Rowdies advanced to the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup after a 4-1 home win against The Villages SC (USL League Two). Midfielder Zach Steinberger was the driver of the Rowdies offense on the night with a goal and two assists, putting in a star-studded performance to help the Rowdies win their tournament opener for the third time in the last four years.

Brandon Allen, Antoine Hoppenot, and Leon Taylor got on the scoresheet as well for the Rowdies while Vandyke Gyau scored for The Villages. On the other end of the pitch, the Rowdies keeper Chris Konopka stole the show with some truly tremendous saves in what could have been a much closer match.

The Villages played with tremendous effort and passion, but the Rowdies were not to be undone in front of their home fans. The score was held level for some time and there was the thought that the visitors would grab the shock early goal.

“We spoke before the game that these games almost feel like a lose-lose because you’re expected to win,” said Rowdies head coach Neill Collins. “I thought tonight they went out and played fantastically well. We should have been up before we were, but we just kept going. There’s so many positives to take out of tonight.”

Early in the match, The Villages SC showed their determination and confidence by utilizing a rather aggressive counter-pressing scheme when losing the ball in the final third. This led to several counter-attacking opportunities for the Rowdies as the visitors struggled to mark runners in behind. With the Rowdies wingbacks enjoying a lot of verticality, thanks to the coverage by the three center backs, they were able to force The Villages into defending man-to-man.

Offensively, The Villages enjoyed time in possession between the first two defensive lines of the Rowdies, with Poku and Doherty unwilling to step out of their mid-block to apply pressure on the opposing holding midfielders.

After many chances in the first half, the Rowdies finally opened the scoring in the 43rd minute with a towering header by the Burkina Faso national teamer Mohamed Kone. Zach Steinberger would get his first assist of the match and the Rowdies would be content going into halftime up a goal.

However, it didn’t take long for the second. The Villages committing numbers forward at the end of the half to level the tie and the Rowdies forward Antoine Hoppenot broke behind the defense and found an open Steinberger who slotted home just before half.

The second half the match was open once again, and The Villages regained their fighting spirit. After a few quality chances for the visitors it would be another counterattack for the Rowdies in the 62nd minute to seal the win. This time it was Steinberger himself who found space behind the Villages defense and contributed another, providing a lofted cross just behind Brandon Allen who put it past Jerfesson with a tremendous effort.

The Villages refused to leave this match without something to show, and rightfully so. They continued to throw numbers forward until the final minutes, forcing the home side into some rash challenges forcing a yellow card from midfielder Robbie Soronellas in the 83rd minute and one from Mohamed Kone in the 88th. It would be from Kone’s foul that The Villages took a deep free kick opportunity by way of Gabriel De Freitas who found a marauding Vandyke Gyau who beat his man and netted a first-time chance past Konopka.

In stoppage time The Villages continued their pursuit until a missed clearance by Gyau saw Rowdies substitute Leon Taylor round the keeper and close out the match at 4-1.

The Rowdies advance to the third round of the US Open Cup and will face fellow USL team OKC Energy FC in Norman, Okla. on May 29. Since they first entered the tournament in 2010, Tampa Bay has yet to defeat a professional team from the second division (0-3-0).

2019 US Open Cup Round 2: OKC Energy avenge last year’s upset, eliminate NTX Rayados

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Amer Sasivarevic of OKC Energy FC celebrates his goal in the 51st minute against NTX Rayados in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Lori Scholl
Amer Sasivarevic of OKC Energy FC celebrates his goal in the 51st minute against NTX Rayados in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Lori Scholl

Oklahoma City Energy FC was able to exact a measure of revenge in the Second Round of the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, dropping visiting NTX Rayados FC, 3-1, at John Crain Field on the campus of the University of Oklahoma. The win avenges OKC’s loss to Rayados in the Second Round of the 2018 edition of the Open Cup.

“The way the Open Cup gets set up, you play a bit geographical,” said OKC head coach Steve Cooke. “Last year, I think it ended up being a great night for us because it changed a lot of mentalities in our locker room. In turn, that changed our mentality tonight.”

After a scoreless first half, Energy FC’s Amer Sasivarevic and Christian Eissele scored on either side of Christian Okeke’s lone goal for NTX Rayados. Je-Vaughn Watson put the finishing touches on the win with a goal in stoppage time.

Oklahoma City had the better chances in the first half and were unfortunate not to find a breakthrough in the opening frame. In the final 15 minutes alone, OKC had three chances, but were stymied either by Rayados goalkeeper Emannuel Frias or the post.

Frias did well to make up for going the wrong way on a shot from Sasivarevic in the 30th minute, making a last-gasp kick save to maintain parity in the match. Energy FC followed that up with Kyle Hyland’s effort from outside the box in the 43rd minute that caromed off the cross bar before Alexy Bosetti saw his free kick from 19 yards out saved.

“These are not easy games, don’t kid yourself,” said Cooke. “They came here to win the game.”

OKC finally drew first blood in the 52nd minute after earning a corner kick. Alexy Bosetti teed up the corner, with Sasivarevic nodding it home from six yards out to give Energy FC a hard-earned 1-0 lead. For Sasivarevic, it was extra special to get a goal in his professional debut.

OKC Energy goalkeeper Bryan Byars comes off his line to make a play on the ball against the NTX Rayados in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Lori Scholl
OKC Energy goalkeeper Bryan Byars comes off his line to make a play on the ball against the NTX Rayados in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Lori Scholl

However, the lead was short lived as Rayados drew level just 10 minutes later. After being sprung free for a long run, Christian Okeke finished low to Bryan Byars’ near post in the 62nd minute. The goal would shift the momentum to the North Texas club’s side briefly, but they were unable to capitalize. Okeke, normally the team’s super sub, made a rare start in the game. Last year, he came off the bench in all four Open Cup games for the Rayados, scoring four goals, one late equalizer and three game-winners, which made him a finalist for TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament.

Sasivarevic, who was industrious all night, made sure OKC went up for good after getting taken down in the box and earning his side a penalty. Eissele stepped up to the spot and emphatically finished over the outstretched arm of Frias in the 81st minute to put Energy FC back on top. Watson converted on OKC’s second penalty in stoppage time after Omar Gordon was taken down by Frias Ramirez in the box on a solo run.

As a result of their win, OKC advances to the Third Round of the Open Cup for the fourth time in five years when they host Tampa Bay Rowdies on May 29.

“Any time you get to test yourself against the best it’s a good night,” Cooke said. “Tampa Bay Rowdies have a storied history. To get a game against probably as good a team as there is in the league right now is going to be great for us.”

2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Shorthanded Florida Soccer Soldiers find a way to upset Charlotte Independence

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Florida Soccer Soldiers pose for a team photo before their game against Miami FC in the First Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Orovio Photography
Florida Soccer Soldiers pose for a team photo before their game against Miami FC in the First Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Orovio Photography

The Florida Soccer Soldiers found a way. Despite being the underdogs, despite a long trip up to Charlotte from Miami, despite going a man down in the second half and despite trailing by a goal in extra time, the Florida Soccer Soldiers finished off a second straight upset Tuesday night, beating Charlotte Independence 5-4 in a penalty kick shootout in the Second Round of the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

“This is huge, man,” said Florida forward Valentin Sabella, who scored the tying goal in extra time. “Coming all the way from Miami, first time playing a professional team in an official match, and being able to beat them the way we did is absolutely incredible.”

Florida’s dream run will continue with another road game in Round 3 at the winner of Wednesday’s match between the Richmond Kickers (USL League One) and North Carolina FC (USL Championship).

MORE >> 2019 Meet the Underdogs: First year Florida Soccer Soldiers winning with “respect, pride and commitment”

It was an uphill road for the Florida Soccer Soldiers of the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL). Charlotte controlled possession, especially in the first half, never trailed and had multiple chances to win the game in the final moments of regular time.

Independence defender Hugh Roberts opened the scoring off a 31st-minute free kick from Enzo Martinez. The free kick found Hassan Ndam at the far post and he headed it to the near post where Roberts punched it in to give the Independence a 1-0 lead. It was Roberts’ second career US Open Cup goal, his first since 2016 when he was a member of the Richmond Kickers.

Charlotte had a plethora of chances to double the lead. One of the best came in first half stoppage time, when Abdoulie Mansally found himself wide open in the box with the ball. But, after a short hesitation, he lifted the right-footed shot over the crossbar.

“Offensively we’ve got to be more clinical,” said Charlotte coach Jim McGuinness, whose team has just one win in 10 USL Championship matches. “You know, creating chances has been off the charts all season, to be honest with you. We’re up at 16, 17 shots every game, but we’re not making that count on the scoreboard and I think that’s really hurting us.”

The Soccer Soldiers also had their chances. The best in the first half came on a Sabella breakaway in the 42nd minute, but the speedy forward’s shot went just right of the goal.

The Soccer Soldiers finally broke through in the 78th minute, when Adolfo Suazo headed home a long cross to the far post from Daniel Meneses to knot the game at 1-1.

Then, everything seemed to go the Independence’s way.

Florida’s Antonioni Gonzalez was sent off with his second yellow card in second half stoppage time. A few minutes later, Florida keeper Bryant Martin made an incredible, game-saving save on a Dominic Oduro header. And in the dying embers of regular time, it looked like Ndam scored a game-winner off a rebound in the box, but it was negated by an offside call and the game went to extra time tied 1-1.

Charlotte pounced quickly in the first extra period. Enzo Martinez’s shot in the 92nd minute was saved, but the ball fell to the feet of Oduro just outside the six-yard box and he poked home the goal, giving the Independence a 2-1 lead. For Oduro, it was his eighth career US Open Cup goal, which ranks among the Modern Era’s top 20 goalscorers.

That goal seemed like it would be enough against the short-handed Soccer Soldiers. But the lead vanished the final minute of the second period of extra time. Sabella took advantage of a poor back pass by Ndam, beat Charlotte keeper Curtis Anderson and slid home the goal that tied the game at 2-2 and forced the penalty shootout.

“I know sometimes defenders tend to like playing it back,” Sabella said about the goal. “I read the play. I don’t know … it just happened. I can’t explain it. I don’t know how.”

The first four players for each team made their penalty. Then Florida’s Sabella came through in the clutch again, making fifth kick to put the pressure on Charlotte. Soccer Soldiers keeper Martin, who had nearly saved two penalties earlier in the shootout, guessed right, dove to his right and saved Enzo Martinez’s attempt to give Florida the win.

But the Soccer Soldiers aren’t done yet.

“There are nine games in this competition,” Sabella said. “We’re past two already. Seven to go. We believe in ourselves to get that far, trust me.”

2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Neco Brett’s brace help Pittsburgh Riverhounds blank Dayton Dutch Lions

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Neco Brett of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds celebrates after scoring a penalty kick goal in the 57th minute against Dayton Dutch Lions in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Chris Cowger | Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Neco Brett of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds celebrates after scoring a penalty kick goal in the 57th minute against Dayton Dutch Lions in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Chris Cowger | Pittsburgh Riverhounds

After 50 minutes, it appeared the Dayton Dutch Lions were making a serious bid to keep its all-time unbeaten record at Highmark Stadium intact.

Things turned sour quickly for Dayton though, as Neco Brett scored twice in a 12-minute span in the second half and Anthony Velarde added an assist and a late goal to spoil the USL League Two club’s upset bid, as the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC turned things up a notch to defeat Dayton, 3-0, in the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match.

While the Hounds dominated possession (59% to 41%) and had more shots (15-8, 9-4 on target), Dayton asserted themselves well, and responded numerous times with chances that could have turned the tide of the match.

In the 52nd and 53rd minutes, with the game remaining scoreless, Dayton had back-to-back chances to take the lead.

Tate Robertson, who scored the game winner last week in Erie, put his play making abilities on display in his return to Pennsylvania. In his first chance of the second half, he broke through on left side to send a very dangerous ball right at the center of the six yard line for Gabriel Pewu but the big forward just missed on connecting with the ball.

A minute later, Robertson took one himself from the left edge of the box, forcing Riverhounds goalkeeper Austin Pack to his left to make a save that kept the match scoreless.

“Certainly a nervy moment. A couple of those could have gone in for them, and it would have been a completely different game,” Dan Visser, Riverhounds assistant coach said. “We had opportunities in the first half. Neco had a few clean chances in the first half, and didn’t score, and in the second half, we did covert those chances.

The Hounds, who lined up in a 5-4-1 formation, featured numerous players who haven’t played significant minutes in league play thus far this season. It was an opportunity for those players to get valuable game experience, but also contribute to the Hounds first Open Cup win at home since 2015.

Players from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (left) and the Dayton Dutch Lions battle for the ball in Tuesday's Second Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Chris Cowger | Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Players from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (left) and the Dayton Dutch Lions battle for the ball in Tuesday’s Second Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Chris Cowger | Pittsburgh Riverhounds

“The Open Cup is really good for that. Get some new guys time. They played very well.” Visser added. “For one, it’s a mid-week game so just in terms of saving some legs for the weekend some rotation is necessary. But then the nature of the open cup just allows us to get some new faces in, and I think they showed well.”

Dayton showed its ability to keep the ball against a quality and well organized pro side, and create dangerous chances in the final third.

“In the first half, we held our own, and we had some pretty good chances,” Dan Griest, Dayton’s Head Coach said. “In the fifth minute, we had a great opportunity there, and had a chance to go up 1-0 early in the match.

Still, for much of the first half, the Hounds dominated play — and the hometown kid, midfielder Robbie Mertz, making his first-ever start as a Hound, was at the center of numerous opportunities.

“His effort was really good,” Brett said of Mertz, and all of his teammates. “All of us, we’re professionals. Whenever the coach calls on you, you have to show up. That’s his job to get out there and do his very best. It doesn’t matter if you’re a rookie or if you’ve played a few years in the league.”

Mertz delivered a free kick chance in the first minute that almost found Brett on the back post, then sent a shot toward the bottom right corner of the cage in the 6th minute but was denied by Dayton’s goalkeeper Federico Barrios.

Just minutes later, Brett booted a right-footed attempt on target but another save by Barrios kept the Hounds off the board.

The duo of Mertz and Brett nearly struck gold again in the 40th minute.
Off of a cross from the rookie, Brett sent a shot on target from a difficult angle but the shot was punched away by the goalkeeper.

Riverhounds SC finished the opening period with seven total shots, four of those coming on target. On the defensive side of the pitch, the club managed to hold Dayton to just one total shot in the first 45 minutes.

Unable to capitalize on its aforementioned chances right after the 50th minute, Dayton still never backed down.

Instead, the Hounds stepped up the pressure, and Brett got behind a pair of defenders on a through ball played into the right side of the box in the 57th minute.

“I was making a run as a ball was played for me, got past them, and was clipped from behind,” Brett said.

Sure enough, the Riverhounds leading scorer in 2018, stepped up to bury his third penalty kick goal in all competitions this season to break the scoreless affair.

Twelve minutes later Brett and Velarde hooked up as Velarde drove quickly into the box, drawing a few defenders, then finding Brett to his right.

And this time, Brett didn’t hold anything back, blasting a shot into the back of the net.

“I was confident. I’ve been working hard all week and trying to score goals. It was just one of those chances and I made use of it,” Brett said.

The Dutch Lions showed a lot of fight — right until the end of the match, when Robertson created another chance as the game entered the 90th minute. This time, as he tried to get past two defenders on the edge of the left side of the box, he was knocked to the ground, earning a penalty kick.

With Robertson still hobbling from getting knocked down, Dayton’s Jackson Dietrich took the penalty attempt.

Dietrich though, missed his chance — sending his shot wide left.

The Hounds quickly responded, as late substitution Jordan Dover delivered a perfectly placed cross from the right side into the center of the box for Velarde, who put the final nail in the coffin with a clinical finish for the 3-0 lead.

“I was fortunate to get a good play, Jordan found me and I was just able to put it away. It feels good,” Velarde said. ”

For Velarde, who started three league matches and has now made appearances in all of the Hounds nine contests this season, it was his first opportunity to play a full match, picking up a goal and an assist.

“I think it’s always good to play the full 90. I’m used to playing until the 70th minute and then coming off. It was a good experience. It’s always good to play a full 90, then look back at the game and see how you played the full 90 instead of coming off the bench,” Velarde added.
While the Hounds provided its younger players with a boost of confidence and advanced into the next round, Dayton came away with a lot of positives.

“The scoreline was 3-0, but we gave a very good account for ourselves tonight. Obviously, they’re (Riverhounds) a professional team, and they do a lot of things really well. Our players showed they’re very technical, but fitness really showed in the second half though.”

With the win, the Riverhounds advance to the third round of the long-running competition, where they’ll host the winner of the Lansing United-Indy Eleven match which will be played on Wednesday.

Game Highlights:

Lineups:

Riverhounds SC – Austin Pack – Noah Franke, Uchenna Uzo, Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Tobi Adewole, Dani Rovira (Kenardo Forbes 90′) – Sammy Kahsai, Ryan James – Robbie Mertz (Jordan Dover 81′), Anthony Velarde – Neco Brett (Steevan Dos Santos 81′)
Subs not used: Kyle Morton, Joe Greenspan, Kevin Kerr, Christian Volesky

Dayton Dutch Lions – Federico Barrios – Abdul Kooistra, Eric Hutton, Jake Stovall (Tristan Lyle 81′), Gerogios Charkoutsakis – Harvey Slade, Zachary Buescher – Jackson Dietrich, Tate Robertson Keir, Jonas Fjellberg (Tomás Bernedo 42′) – Gabriel Pewu (Donovan Segree 69′)
Subs not used: Jack Steele, Jasminko Dizdarevic, Austin Kinley, James Lamb

Scoring Summary:
PIT – Neco Brett 57′ (penalty)
PIT – Neco Brett 69′ (Anthony Velarde)
PIT – Anthony Velarde 90’+2 (Jordan Dover)

2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Nashville SC holds off pesky South Georgia Tormenta 2

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Nashville SC players celebrate one of their three goals in the club's 3-2 win over South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Jay Wilkinson | Nashville SC
Nashville SC players celebrate one of their three goals in the club’s 3-2 win over South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Jay Wilkinson | Nashville SC

A matchup between a USL Championship side and a League Two team may look like a blowout before the game even kicks off, but that wasn’t the case tonight in the Nashville area. While Nashville SC still earned the win, South Georgia Tormenta 2 was able to keep the contest close throughout. In the end, it’s survive and advance, and NSC did just that with the 3-2 victory.

“They look a wonderful team, I’ve got to say,” said Nashville head coach Gary Smith. “For an amateur group, they have performed at a magnificent level tonight, bearing in mind we’ve got what constitutes most of a first team group out there.

“You’re going to see teams go out tonight to amateur groups, and you see it all around the world. I’ve seen it many times in England in the FA Cup where lower-league teams beat the bigger fish not because they’re necessarily more talented, but they’ve got bigger hearts on the day and their attitude has dragged them through. Maybe the talented players don’t quite get themselves up for the game, and tonight our players have gotten themselves up for the game.”

The Boys in Gold got the scoring started early, with Ropapa Mensah running onto a throughball from fellow winger Alan Winn, and finishing confidently past Tormenta keeper Tor Saunders. After just eight minutes of gameplay, Nashville found itself on top. Winn would be on the receiving end for Nashville’s second goal, running free on goal after service between the lines from midfielder Bolu Akinyode. His shot curled side-netting to give the hosts a 2-0 lead.

The professional side with a multi-goal lead in the first half may seem like a guarantee, but Tormenta was able to respond shortly before halftime. A failed clearance and a scramble at the back found winger Adrian Billhardt alone on goal against Nashville keeper Connor Sparrow. He was able to poke the ball past Sparrow and slot it home to cut the halftime lead to just one goal.

Nashville responded after the half with striker Cameron Lancaster managing to roll the ball over the line after rounding the keeper on service from Winn – his second assist of the night, and third goal in which he was involved.

Once again, though, the amateur side wouldn’t go down without a fight. Striker James Meehan was waiting in the center of the six-yard box on a corner kick, and Jordan Skelton’s header to him took one hop before Meehan nodded it home, as well.

Tormenta would create more moments of danger – including a corner kick opportunity that saw a ball sail just over the bar seconds before full-time – but was unable to find that moment of Open Cup magic to slay the giants and move on to the third round. Nonetheless, after taking down League One team Chattanooga Red Wolves SC last weekend, there’s no shame in the performance for the amateurs.

“Always pleased to advance in the Cup,” Smith said. “It’s completely different to league play. You’ve got to get yourself in the winning column and you advance. I thought the application was terrific, attitude from the outset was spot-on, and in these games that are always difficult against a young and fearless side that have come here and given everything they’ve got and have nothing to lose, I thought our guys maybe just missed out on extending the lead at good times. The only disappointment for me will be a bit of a freak goal in the first one and then conceding from the set piece.”

With the victory, Nashville SC advances to take on the winner of Wednesday’s battle between the Charleston Battery and the Greenville Triumph SC. Nashville managed to slay a giant of its own last year – Colorado Rapids of MLS – and advance to the Round of 16 before falling to rival Louisville City FC. With a solid first salvo in the books, they’ll be looking to eclipse that run in 2019.

2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Hartford Athletic edges New York Cosmos to earn club’s first-ever win

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Nikolaj Lyngø of Hartford Athletic plays the ball against the New York Cosmos B in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Hartford Athletic
Nikolaj Lyngø of Hartford Athletic plays the ball against the New York Cosmos B in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Hartford Athletic

Hartford Athletic scored twice in a strong first half performance to claim a 2-1 win for the expansion USL Championship side’s first victory at Al-Marzook Field at the University of Hartford campus.

With the win, Hartford becomes the first professional team from the state of Connecticut to win a US Open Cup game since the Connecticut Wolves (A-League, Div. 2 pro) back in 2001.

For Hartford head coach Jimmy Nielsen, who won the US Open Cup as a player in 2012 with Sporting Kansasa City, the season has been a struggle. After a loss in league play to Memphis 901 over the weekend, the hope is that this win is a sign of things to come.

“I was very disappointed after last week’s performance and I let the players know everyone’s job is on the line here,” said Nielsen. “It’s all about Saturday, you got to get out there and preform and get some results. We’ve struggled to get those results but today was hopefully a little turnaround for us.”

Before Hartford’s first half goals, it was nearly the New York Cosmos B side that scored first in the 10th minute following a corner, but Hartford keeper Jacob Lissek parried the shot off the crossbar and his defense cleared.

In the 16th minute, Hartford’s recent signing Harry Swartz opened the scoring with a smart finish at the back post, slotting home a pass from Giuseppe Gentile. Barely ten minutes later, Hartford won a dangerous free kick that earned Cosmos winger Aaron Dennis a yellow card in the 24th.

On the ensuing free kick, Hartford’s Mads Jorgensen went direct on goal and his bouncing effort eluded Cosmos keeper Santiago Castano at the near post to double Hartford’s lead to 2-0 with the goal officially credited in the 25th minute.

In first half stoppage time, Swartz went looking for his second goal, only to be denied by Castano who eventually claimed the rebound that fell and settled at mouth of the goal. Castano’s second save of the half preserved the 2-0 scoreline going into halftime.

The Cosmos got back into the game near the hour mark, when striker Bljedi Bardic smashed a rocket of a goal into the upper ninety in the 57th minute to cut the defecit to 2-1 Hartford. About ten minutes later, the Cosmos nearly found the equalizer when Daniel Szetela found the crossbar with another tremendous shot only to be denied by the frame.

A late stoppage time flurry from the Cosmos saw Efrain Burgos have a shot deflected out for a corner and Bardic have a shot parried away by Lissek at the near post, but the Cosmos were unable to convert the ensuing corners. Some strong hold up play by Hartford substitute Mac Steeves and strong keeping by Lissek closed out the seven minutes of stoppage time as Hartford claimed a spot in the Third Round against the winner of Memphis 901 FC (USL-C) and New York Red Bulls U-23s (USL League Two).

“ is new for a lot of people, it’s more than 100 years old, this Open Cup, it’s tradition, there’s a good history that’s been made in the past,” said Nielsen. “I know this year it’s not about me, I’ve had the pleasure to win the tournament myself so I know how big it can be. Now we’re probably going to play Memphis in the next round, that was my motivation going into this game, because this past week we had, in my opinion, our worst performance of the year against Memphis and we have a chance to bounce back against them.”

Hartford will be on the road in Round 3 and will play the winner of Memphis 901 FC (USL Championship) and the New York Red Bulls Under-23s (USL League Two) on May 29.

2019 US Open Cup Round 1: Charles Boateng of Richmond Kickers voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

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Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design
Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design

When the Richmond Kickers announced the loan signing of Charles Boateng, coach David Bulow said that the Ghanaian striker is a player few would know but one no-one would forget. The 21-year-old announced himself in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup First Round scoring four goals against Virginia United.

After becoming the first player to score four goals in the US Open Cup since Dom Dwyer in 2015, Boateng has been voted TheCup.us Player of the Round. The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters and select backers (those that pledge $10 or more) of TheCup.us’ Patreon.

Boateng finished just ahead of NTX Rayados’ Mariano Fazio. Fazio – the younger brother of AS Roma’s Federico Fazio – assisted the Rayados’ opening goal and tied the game at 2-2 in the dying seconds before scoring the winning penalty kick.

Other players nominated included El Faralito’s Leonardo Fredes, Cal FC’s Orr Barrouch, and Bryant Martin of Florida Soccer Soldiers. Fredes made ESPN’s SportCenter Top 10 with his spectacular bicycle kick to seal a 2-1 win over Academica SC while breaking his arm in the process. Orr Barrouch was merely a step behind Boateng as the Israeli scored a hat-trick in Cal FC’s 5-1 win over FC Mulhouse Portland. Martin was nominated on the back of a string of saves to prevent NPSL champions Miami FC from adding to their opening tally, allowing the Florida Soccer Soldiers to come back with an impressive 2-1 win.

Boateng quickly gave the Kickers a 2-0 lead after 23 minutes with a five-minute brace. The first goal was a pure striker’s finish, stabbing home Eli Lockaby’s cross. The second was a neat front-post scissor kick to steer Joe Gallardo’s cross home.

With the game at 4-1, Boateng provided quality in addition to quantity as the striker picked up the ball from the center circle before unleashing a ferocious shot from close to 30-yards leaving Manuel Medrano no chance in the Virginia United goal. His final contribution to the game was to finish off a Luke Pavone pass from the edge of the area as the Ghanaian sustained an injury in the act of scoring.

Boateng is just the 12th player to score four or more goals in the Modern Era of the US Open Cup. He also becomes the third Kicker to score a hat-trick in the cup, the last being his coach, David Bulow, at the same stage in 2011. McColm Cephas was the first to do it in the Third Round of the 2005 tournament.

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