Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2022 US Open Cup

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Who should be voted TheCup.us Player of the Round?

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Photo: Benny Blanco | @Bennyy_Blanco

With the entrance of MLS teams into the tournament, there was room for dramatic upsets in the Third Round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Twenty-four teams advanced to the Round of 32 where eight more MLS teams are set to join them in the competition (May 10-11).

There were some spectacular individual performances in the thrilling Third Round of the 107th edition of the tournament.

The Player of the Round award is voted on by TheCup.us staff and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters but if YOU had a vote, which player do you think would win?

Here are the finalists (in alphabetical order):

Dion Acoff
Union Omaha (USL League One)

Acoff provided the assist for the goal at the death in extra time to tie the game at 2-2 and send it to a penalty shootout against the Chicago Fire (MLS) and then scored the winning PK in the sixth round to seal the upset on the road, 5-4.

Alvaro Barreal
FC Cincinnati (MLS)

After a scoreless 90 minutes, Barreal turned up the heat in extra time, scoring both goals (one PK) to give Cincinnati a 2-0 home win at TQL Stadium over former USL rival Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL Championship).

Robert Cornwall
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL League One)

Cornwall scored the lone goal of Northern Colorado Hailstorm’s match against Real Salt Lake (MLS) in dramatic fashion, with a volley from the top of the box in the 70th minute.  This gave Hailstorm an impressive 1-0 upset over RSL in the club’s first-ever season of existence.

Jordan Farr
San Antonio FC (USL Championship)

Farr made seven saves over the course of San Antonio’s home match against Austin FC (MLS) to preserve the 2-1 upset in extra time.  Most notably, he accomplished a dramatic double save in the final seconds of the game while tangled on the ground with another player to prevent the game from being decided on penalties.                                 

Ola Kamara
DC United (MLS)

Kamara was involved in all three of DC United’s goals against Flower City Union (NISA), scoring two of them (one PK) and assisting on the other as DC scored in a flurry in the last twenty minutes to avoid the upset in Rochester with a 3-0 win.

Ryotaro Kawashima
California United Strikers FC (NISA)

After being subbed on in the 63rd minute for his debut, the 22-year-old Kawashima scored the game-winning goal in stoppage time to lift Cal United over FC Tucson (USL League One) and avoid extra time.  The win gave Cal United a spot as the only NISA team to make it to the Fourth Round of this year’s tournament.

Rodrigo Lopez
Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)

Lopez had a hand in both goals scored by Sacramento Republic in their 2-1 home win over Central Valley Fuego FC (USL League One).  After providing the assist on the first goal right before halftime, he stepped up to the spot in the fifth minute of second half stoppage time to slot home the clutch penalty to win the game in regulation.

Kyle Morton
Louisville City FC (USL Championship)

Though he wasn’t tested much, Morton kept a clean sheet through 120 minutes to take Louisville City to penalties against St. Louis City SC 2 (MLS Next Pro) after a scoreless draw. He then made two critical saves in the thrilling shootout that went to the 10th round, giving Lou City the 9-8 PK win.

Maxi Rodriguez
Detroit City FC (USL Championship)

Rodriguez scored a second half brace to give Detroit City their first win over a MLS team with a 2-1 comeback home win over the Columbus Crew (MLS) in front of a raucous crowd in Detroit.  After being down since the 7th minute, Rodriguez’s goals gave Detroit the comeback, culminating with the game-winner in the 86th minute.

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: LAFC score five ‘beautiful goals’ in dominant win over Orange County SC

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Cal Jennings of LAFC celebrates his goal against Orange County SC with Latif Blessing and Carlos Vela in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: LAFC

Creating a large lead in the first half of the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup would place the Los Angeles Football Club in the next round after defeating Orange County Soccer Club, 5-1. 

“Yeah, one round, which was the objective tonight is happy with the goals we scored, the quality of the football, and the goals were excellent. Something we’ve been working on and wanting to improve, not just playing successfully, meaning giving around further getting three points in the league, but scoring beautiful goals,” LAFC head coach, Steve Cherundolo said. 

At the sound of the whistle, LAFC came onto the pitch full force and within the first minute had their first shot straight shot on goal. While that opporunity passed, the momentum for that moment did not lighten up. 

However, OCSC would return the same energy and a shot from almost mid-field would barely brush the fingers tips of LAFC goalie John McCarthy and go over the post thus losing OCSC’s closest opportunity to being first on the board. 

In the 13th minute, LAFC in its offensive push at the top of the box Danny Musovski would complete a pass from Jose Cifuentes and hit the lower far corner of the post that was just out of reach of the OCSC goalie’s hand. 

Following the goal, OCSC didn’t lose sight of its energy and was quick to try and make a turnaround. OCSC held off the LAFC offense for as long as they could and tried to create meaningful offensive strides. 

Yet, in a breakaway move during LAFC’s offensive advance a volley from Diego Palacios into the mid of the goalie box would find the foot of Cristian Arango and back into the net. 

By the 34th minute, the 2-0 score would be in LAFC’s favor. 

Now trailing behind, OCSC began to lose its formation just a bit and would continue to fend off the LAFC offense. 

In the final minute of the half, OCSC goalie, Patrick Rakovsky stepped to the side of the post to block a potential shot. However, Musovski saw the chance to pass the ball to his teammate Arango who had a clear shot of the unguarded side of the goal. 

Arango would gain his second goal of the night and lengthen the lead to 3-0. 

As the second half was underway, both teams entered the field with the same determination and aggression. It was evident that LAFC wanted to keep a clean slate but OCSC was eager to get at least one goal in. 

However, that heated play would only lead to a card being awarded during the play in the 55th minute. In a defensive move, LAFC Palacios would commit a foul that would give him the first and only yellow of the match. 

In a round of substitutions in the 63rd minute, LAFC Cal Jennings and Carlos Vela would be assets for the team. 

Just a few minutes later in the 68th minute, Jennings would be added to the list of scores after a pass from fellow teammate Franco Escobar led him to in front of the box, for a clean shot. 

“It was awesome. It’s something you know that when I signed here, I was dreaming about, you know, scoring in front of a crowd and the 3252 and it happened to me so I’ll take it. Whether it’s one in the six-yard box or outside the box, every goal counts,” Jennings said. 

LAFC would lead 4-0, but that would change again in the next few minutes. 

In the 71st minute, in another swift offensive push, off the right side of the field, Vela would make a short pass to the center of the goalie box where Musovski would claim his second goal of the night. 

With the lead now 5-0, OCSC still battled to at least get one goal and their efforts would finally be awarded in the 73rd minute. 

OCSC Erick Torres would find himself in front of the goalie and take a shot that was passed to him by his teammate Tommy McCabe and make the score 5-1. 

“We want to play our game and put the game on our terms. And every minute, that doesn’t always work out,” Cherundolo said. “But I’m not too concerned with the scoreline, we want to play our style of play and we’re trying to do that at every moment possible.”

The goal seemed to put a fire into the OCSC and put more pressure on LAFC’s defense. However, that would not be enough to even out the score. 

The match would conclude with a score of 5-1, in LAFC’s favor and eliminate OCSC from the competition. It was the most goals scored by LAFC in the club’s brief history that includes two previous Open Cup appearances.

LAFC’s next opponent in the U.S. Open Cup will be determined in the next drawing on Friday, but until then they return their focus back on their spring season. 

“In terms of who we play next. We’ll just have to wait and see the draw. I don’t think we’re thinking too much about it yet until we see who we’re playing and then we’ll do our preparation after that,” Musovski said. 

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Rodrigo Lopez lifts Sacramento Republic over CV Fuego with 90th min. PK

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Rodrigo Lopez (left) of Sacramento Republic FC celebrates after scoring a goal against Central Valley Fuego in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Sacramento Republic FC
Rodrigo Lopez (left) of Sacramento Republic FC celebrates after scoring a goal against Central Valley Fuego in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Sacramento Republic FC

Central Valley Fuego FC came into the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a load of confidence. After taking down El Paso Locomotive (USL Championship) in Round 2, Fuego FC battled Sacramento Republic FC in a close match at Heart Health Park. 

For the third time in US Open Cup history, the Indomitable Club was welcoming a Fresno-based professional team to the Golden State’s capitol, curious enough they have all been matchups in the Third Round. In 2014 and 2019, Republic FC came out on top and moved on to the next round. Tonight was no different, with Sacramento coming out with a 2-1 win on the strength of a Rodrigo Lopez penalty kick in the 90th minute.

“When you play cup games, it’s all about winning,” said Mark Briggs, Sacramento Republic FC head coach. “And we’ve won, we’re in the draw tomorrow and that’s all that matters.”

This win did not come easy. 

While Republic dominated in the first half and headed into halftime with a 1-0 lead courtesy of Dan Casey, the second half was a different story. CV Fuego FC came out with a change in attitude and mentality. Martin Vasquez’s side pushed the lines forward and started to attack with a higher frequency. A familiar foe in Villyan Bijev, who spent three seasons in a Sacramento uniform, led the attack for Fuego FC and Republic captain Rodrigo Lopez was aware of that. 

“You saw Villyan Bijev everytime he got the ball in the second half he was a threat,” said Lopez. “We just needed to be a bit more aware, but in the end we did what we had to do and we won, which was the most important thing.” 

The game almost seemed like a chess game between Vasquez and Briggs. The first 15 minutes of the game Fuego FC did not attack, sat back and limited Lopez getting involved.They did a good job closing down space and closing down Luis Felipe and Douglas Martinez Jr. as well. Even then, Republic relied on Keko and Lewis to create chances on goal. The Fuego goalkeeper made three big saves in the first half. 

In the second half, as mentioned, Vasquez modified to a more offensive mindset. Bijev was moved to the left flank instead of in the central part of the field. A turning point came in the 75th minute when Fuego substitute Renato Bustamante came in for Diego Casillas. Last 15 minutes of the game, down 1-0, Vasquez was going for it. His decision paid dividends as Bustamante’s first contact with the ball turned into a goal two minutes later after Bijev beat his defender and crossed the ball in for Renato to hit the back of the net. 

In the dying minutes of regulation, Sacramento pushed numbers forward and Matt LaGrassa drew a penalty kick after being taken down in the box by a CV Fuego defender. The home crowd ignited after the whistle was blown.  

Rodrigo Lopez was the clear choice to take the spot kick. 

“There’s nobody else I would want in those moments,” said Briggs. “We all know what ‘Roro’ brings, his qualities, but the things he does off the field make him an exceptional captain as well. I think he led by example again tonight.” 

The 90th-minute goal was Rodrigo Lopez’s fifth career US Open Cup goal, second-most in Sacramento Republic history.

With this win, Republic FC also extended their home winning streak to eight games, which is the longest active streak and tied for the fourth longest of the Modern Era (1995-present) of the US Open Cup. 

“Hopefully we can get a home game, get this place rocking and hopefully we can beat an MLS team and make some noise in the cup,” Briggs said after the game. “And also show MLS what they’re missing with this club.”

The next day, the Indomitable Club found out that they will, in fact, have a home game in the Fourth Round of the tournament. However, it won’t be against an MLS side. Republic FC will host fellow USL Championship rival Phoenix Rising FC on May 11.

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Greg Hurst’s late winner helps Phoenix Rising win rematch with New Mexico United

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Greg Hurst (left) of Phoenix Rising FC celebrates after scoring a goal in the 81st minute against New Mexico United in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Eryn Nicholson | Phoenix Rising FC
Greg Hurst (left) of Phoenix Rising FC celebrates after scoring a goal in the 81st minute against New Mexico United in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Eryn Nicholson | Phoenix Rising FC

On a warm night in Chandler, Ariz., Phoenix Rising hosted New Mexico United in the Third Round of thee 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Phoenix would win the game by a score of 2-1. The one-goal victory is the second such winning margin in five days; the teams having met the previous Saturday in a USL Championship contest.

After an unfortunate deflection in the opening minutes gave Phoenix the lead on an own goal, New Mexico answered in the second half with an equalizer from Nico Brett in the 65th minute.

But the hero for the home team would be Greg Hurst who headed home the go-ahead goal in the 81st minute. It avenged a 2019 Open Cup meeting between the clubs that saw United prevail in penalty kicks.

The game started with the home side in control, pinning New Mexico back in defense. After not quite two minutes completed, the referee would have words with Phoenix’s Jason Farrell and New Mexico’s Chris Wehan after a testy exchange.

Just three minutes later, Phoenix’s Joseph Calistri sent a ball across the penalty area, which was deflected by William Seymore, which fell between the outstretched arm of GK Ford Parker and the crossbar to put the home side in front. Joseph Calistri and Roderick Epps would spend the first half troubling the New Mexico back line.

New Mexico could not find second gear for the first 17 minutes. The visitors would continue to grow confident, forcing Phoenix netminder Ben Lundt into more and more activity. The New Mexico captain Sam Hamilton would go off in the 31st due to injury. His replacement, Obiarrah Preston Tabortetaka, would make an immediate impact by driving into the Phoenix goal area in his first possession. He, Illia Ilic and Neco Brett would become a thorn for the Phoenix defense.

In spite of the one-sided beginning, both sides would amass six shots with one on goal in the first half.

The second half began with New Mexico applying the pressure from the whistle. Both sides moved the ball well and created good chances. The second round extra time hero for Phoenix, Claudio Repetto, would find himself in consistently good positions, but adjudged to be offside several times. Roderick Epps would continue to trouble New Mexico with several good chances, but no goal to show for it.

In the 65th minute, Harry Swartz would, from inside his own half, send a 45-yard pass to a streaking Neco Brett. Bretty coolly split two defenders and slotted it with his left foot to level the score. It was the culmination of a good spell of possession and creativity for the visitors.

Players from Phoenix Rising FC and New Mexico United battle for the ball in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Eryn Nicholson | Phoenix Rising FC
Players from Phoenix Rising FC and New Mexico United battle for the ball in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Eryn Nicholson | Phoenix Rising FC

Both teams again would trade opportunities and possession for several minutes. Finally, in the 81st minute, a team-goal would begin from a goal kick. The 8-pass sequence that involved 7 players, culminating in a headed goal by Greg Hurst, from a Santi Moar header to put the Rising in front for good. New Mexico’s GK, Ben Lundt seemed to think the shot was going wide and was frozen to the spot as the ball gently glanced off the inside of the post. It is Hurst’s second game-winning goal against New Mexico in as many games.

The Phoenix Rising advance to the round of 32, the draw for which will be held April 21st at noon ET.

Both teams continued to press for another goal, but no more were to be had.

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Hailstorm FC’s only shot on goal a spectacular game-winner in upset of RSL

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Robert Cornwall of Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Real Salt Lake in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Ashley Potts | Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC
Robert Cornwall of Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Real Salt Lake in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Ashley Potts | Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC

Can a first-year third-division team go on the road in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, give up 16 shots and only put one on frame, and concede 61% of possession against an MLS team?

Hail yeah, they can.

Robert Cornwall scored the only goal of the match in the 70th minute, and Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC stunned Real Salt Lake 1-0 Wednesday night in front of an announced crowd of 19,301 ticket consumers at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Goalkeeper Thomas Olsen, a former third-round MLS SuperDraft pick by the Colorado Rapids in 2018, made two saves to earn the shutout for Northern Colorado.

The Hailstorm, founded in 2021, did something very few clubs have ever done. Northern Colorado played their first match in club history in the US Open Cup. And what a win it was. The Hailstorm traveled away to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USL Championship) and beat them 1-0 in extra time on April 6, courtesy of an extra-time winner from Jerry Desdunes. Now, after a draw and a loss on the road to begin league play, they rebound with a dramatic home win over an MLS side.

“This one is even sweeter,” Northern Colorado coach Éamon Zayed said after the match, comparing the RSL win to the Switchbacks upset in Round 2. “So proud of our players tonight. They brought everything, every ounce of effort, every ounce of fight. They were solid, we talked about it, we had a game plan. We wanted to remain compact and hard to break down.”

The Hailstorm won’t win many style points in the club’s Open Cup debut, either against the Switchbacks or RSL. But in the end, they’ll win the only way that matters.

As far as soccer aesthetics go, Wednesday’s match wasn’t much less of an eyesore than before — but the result is all that matters, or at least it was to the Colorado players who rushed the field after the win and the two assistant coaches in the visiting box who hugged and screamed obscenities at the crowd beneath them for most of the nine minutes of stoppage time.

With the loss, Real Salt Lake’s winless streak in the US Open Cup continues, dating back to a 2016 penalty kick shootout win over the now-defunct Wilmington Hammerheads (penalty kick results are officially listed as a draw). With that result going down as a draw, RSL has gone winless in seven-straight matches in Open Cup play — the longest such streak by an MLS club in the Open Cup’s Modern Era. Its five-match home winless streak is the longest active winless skid in the Modern Era, as well.

RSL out-shot the Hailstorm 16-5, but only placed two shots on goal to Colorado’s one — the destined rip into the top shelf by Cornwall that was all the difference with 20 minutes left in regulation. With several RSL players standing around, a couple drawn out of position, and some appealing to the sideline referee for an offside call, the Hailstorm surrounded Cornwall as he ran to the corner flag, hands at his earns, drinking in the boos of the home crowd that was less than the announced attendance number.

Robert Cornwall of Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC dribbles the ball against Real Salt Lake in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Ashley Potts | Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC
Robert Cornwall of Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC dribbles the ball against Real Salt Lake in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Ashley Potts | Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC

“You can do well defensively for 89 minutes, and in that one moment, it can cost you the game,” RSL manager Pablo Mastroeni said. “We’ll go back and look at that.

“But the first half just wasn’t good enough — it wasn’t good enough with the ball and in the attacking third. With these teams who are playing for everything, it’s important to get on the board early. They grew into the game, and the guy scored an otherworldly goal.”

The MLS side, which stretched its winless skid to five matches across all competitions with the loss, also had six shots blocked, and couldn’t convert on eight attempts from the corner flags, were caught offside three times, and lost the number of duels in the outfield, 52-44.

Stats can say a lot of things, but the only one that mattered in the end was this: Hailstorm 1, Real Salt Lake 0.

“I think the game is won and lost inside the boxes,” Mastroeni said. “You’ve got to make defensive plays, and you’ve got to make plays on offense.

“The cohesion of the front group wasn’t there in the first half. When Pablo (Ruiz) came in, it changed that. But you’ve got to have quality in that final third if you want to score goals — and tonight we didn’t have that.”

Salt Lake brought back a handful of first-team players from injury — goalkeeper David Ochoa, defender Justen Glad and midfielder Jasper Loffelsend — to pair with a handful of first-team players and even more Real Monarchs and academy players to cobble together a first-choice lineup.

In all, seven RSL players made Open Cup debuts, including Loffelsend, Ochoa, Bode Davis, Bobby Pierre, Pierre Reedy, Chris Garcia and Rubio Rubin as the two sides played to a scoreless first half. Glad came off just after the 60th minute in favor of 17-year-old RSL center back Jaziel Orozco, who was recently called into camp with the United States’ U-20 youth national team beginning Sunday.

RSL out-shot their lower-division Cinderella group, 8-1 before the break, including the only two shots on goal while holding 52% of possession. But the hosts couldn’t break through, and Cornwall gave Northern Colorado the lead in the 70th minute with a banger underneath the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.
But the final touch wasn’t there. The tactical adjustment in the final third wasn’t there.

Most importantly, the goal — the essence of the sport, in many ways — wasn’t there.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t get the goal,” Orozco said. “We created some chances, but couldn’t score. I’m disappointed, but we’ve got to move on.”

After becoming just the 16th team in the Modern Era to start a tournament with back-to-back shutout wins, Northern Colorado advances to the Fourth Round where they will travel to take on fellow USL League One side Union Omaha on May 10.

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Jordan Farr’s OT heroics preserve San Antonio FC win over Austin FC

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San Antonio FC goalkeeper Jordan Farr makes a save in the club's match against Austin FC in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: San Antonio FC
San Antonio FC goalkeeper Jordan Farr makes a save in the club’s match against Austin FC in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: San Antonio FC

It took withstanding a barrage of attacks late, but San Antonio FC got the job done, winning 2-1 over Austin FC after extra-time in front of a sold-out and loud Toyota Field in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Austin broke the scoreless deadlock in the 47th minute. Diego Fagundez was played in by Sebastian Driussi, and despite a tight angle, placed his strike carefully past Jordan Farr to give the Major League Soccer side the lead in the club’s Open Cup debut.

San Antonio FC sent the match to extra-time in the 83rd minute. A perfect cross from Justin Dhillon found Elliot Collier who was able to continue his vein of goalscoring form and bury it at the near post.

In the 96th minute an unexpected source found the goal to put the USL Championship side ahead. Carter Manley placed a perfect header past the keeper to score his first goal for San Antonio FC after a great cross from Mitchell Taintor.

For the first time in San Antonio FC history it felt like a derby, with the capacity crowd lifting the roof off the media side of the stadium in what was not only the club’s first-ever win over an MLS opponent, it was San Antonio’s first-ever win over a professional opponent (NOTE: San Antonio’s PK win over Colorado Springs in 2018 is officially listed as a draw, per US Open Cup rules)

San Antonio looked to capitalize early, perhaps knowing that the MLS side’s fitness would be better in the stretch. That led to plenty of shots early but mostly from distance as a disciplined Austin defense kept the hosts from getting into the box.


It was mistake after mistake in the 27th minute when Austin should have hit the lead. A mishit ball bounced off the post and into Diego Fagundez who couldn’t control it enough. The ball was loose in close range before the SAFC defense managed to clear it off the line.

It should have been a San Antonio lead in the 34th minute when a good run from Deshane Beckford saw him able to cut the ball back. But he got no help from his teammates only being able to put it across the face of goal.

Being a goal down, San Antonio FC had to open up for the rest of the second half which created an end-to-end match but the end-product from the hosts just didn’t match up.


In the 67th minute, Santiago Patino worked magic on the wing to get clear to send a ball square. Unfortunately his teammates weren’t on the same page, keeping them off the scoreboard.

San Antonio had the ball in the back of the net in the 76th minute but it was only after the whistle had already gone as Patino was pinned for offside.

Austin woke up after going behind and were only denied from a winner at the death by a clearance off the line by Dhillon who had run the length of the field.

At the very end of stoppage time a fracas broke out in the San Antonio right corner but ultimately the officials thought nothing of it.

Jordan Farr rescued his team in the 94th minute when Rodney Reyes was played through on goal but Farr’s quick thinking was enough to get the save and allow his team to clear.

San Antonio FC goalkeeper Jordan Farr punches the ball away in his club's match against Austin FC in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: San Antonio FC
San Antonio FC goalkeeper Jordan Farr punches the ball away in his club’s match against Austin FC in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: San Antonio FC

At the very end of the first half of extra-time a corner perfectly found Patino but his volley bounced into the pitch which was too hard and sent it over the bar keeping Austin in the match.

The woodwork denied Austin in the 110th minute as the packed San Antonio FC defense couldn’t cover every angle and Felipe Martinez got on the end of a Jon Gallagher cross but could only find the bar.


Farr was at his best again with four minutes to play as Hector Jimenez hit a ball along the ground, with pace but Farr got his body behind it to send his side through.

In what proved to be the last attack of the game, five minutes into stoppage time, there was chaos in the box as Farr could only punch clear but San Antonio scrambled. Austin then fired a shot from just outside the box which took a deflection in front and fell into the path of Austin’s Felipe Martins at the edge of the six-yard box. Martins slid to the ground to try to get a touch to it but Farr came out to meet him and the two met at the ball and it deflected away from goal, but only a few yards away. Austin’s Rodney Renes pounced on the loose ball with the goalkeeper and Martins still on the ground after their encounter just a few seconds ago. Renes immediately shot the ball on frame, but despite having nearly the entire goal to choose from, his quick reaction shot saw him send the ball directly at Farr, who was sitting on his backside in front of goal.

Moments later, the whistle blew, which triggered jubilation among the San Antonio players and their fans.

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Louisville City spoils Hackworth’s return, ends St. Louis CITY 2’s only USOC run

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Joshua Wynder of Louisville City FC celebrates his winning goal in the PK shootout against St. Louis CITY 2 in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: EM Dash Photography
Joshua Wynder of Louisville City FC celebrates his winning goal in the PK shootout against St. Louis CITY 2 in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: EM Dash Photography

St Louis City SC 2 interim head coach, John Hackworth, made his return to Lynn Family Stadium to take on his former club, Louisville City FC, in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The young MLS Next Pro side hung with the two-time USL champs through 90 minutes and extra time, maintaining a 0-0 scoreline, before falling short in penalty kicks, 9-8.

Hackworth suddenly and unceremoniously departed Louisville after the first regular-season match of 2021 and would later join St Louis City SC as director of coaching. Upon his exit, Danny Cruz, a former player and friend of Hackworth, would assume the title of interim head coach of Louisville City before later earning the job permanently. Now, the mentor faced off against his mentee. While both teams fought for an opportunity to advance in the competition, there were undeniable additional motivations for each team to want the win.

It was an uphill battle for St Louis as the team, whose average age is slightly over 20, played defensively, looking for counter-attacking opportunities against a notoriously stingy Louisville defense. City held Louisville to only four total shots (one on target) in the first half, but only found two shots (none on target) for themselves.

The second half drifted even further in the home team’s favor. With over 60% of possession, Louisville City fired off nine shots and four on target to St Louis City’s zero.

In the 59th minute, LouCity found the first serious goal-scoring opportunity. Enoch “Matiti” Mushagalusa dished the ball over to Brian Ownby, whose near-post shot was deflected out.

Only ten minutes later, a Louisville cross in front of the goal was nearly poked in the far post by Napo Matsoso. Wilson Harris had the best opportunity of the night to find a lead when, at the 75-minute mark, he took a shot central in the St Louis City SC box that was kept out of goal by the heroics of goalkeeper Michael Creek who dove and got a single hand on the shot and kept it out.


The match remained scoreless and crept into extra time as fans’ enthusiasm transformed into nervousness. Only a few shots were registered in extra time as the tactical chess match between Coach Hackworth and Coach Cruz required penalty kicks to determine the victor.

Fans flooded the Waterfront supporters section behind the goal on the northern side of the pitch where the match was to be determined. An early stop of St Louis City’s Max Schneider on the first kick and a miss from Louisville City’s Jorge Gonzalez on his team’s third was the only glimmer of hopes for each side until St Louis’ Dida Armstrong’s shot was saved on the 10th try. 16-year-old Louisville native, Josh Wynder, stepped up to the spot and made his attempt to send Louisville into the Fourth Round of the Cup.

“Tonight felt like a playoff game,” said Louisville City head coach Danny Cruz. “Us doing the penalties, and you see all the crowd over there with everybody loud and screaming — it certainly feels like that and those moments are beneficial for the growth of the group. We had a lot of young guys take penalties in those moments tonight, and I walked away very impressed, and that is not easy.”

Jorge Gonzalez of Louisville City FC battles for the ball against St. Louis CITY 2 in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: EM Dash Photography
Jorge Gonzalez of Louisville City FC battles for the ball against St. Louis CITY 2 in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: EM Dash Photography

Post match, St Louis City SC head coach John Hackworth acknowledged the challenge his team was up against.

“I’m really proud of my team. I don’t know if you guys know — there were a lot of teenagers on the field,” said Hackworth. “To come into this stadium against that quality of players, it says a lot about where they are. They are young and got there in a shot amount of time.”

It was one of the longer penalty kick shootouts of the Modern Era (1995-present). This was just the seventh shootout since 1995 to last 10 rounds of more.

With that result, St Louis City SC 2 has likely seen its last run in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup as next season the senior team will be assembled and joining the fray as a Division 1 MLS contender, thus making them ineligible.

Louisville City, who won their first penalty shootout since the 2017 USL Championship Eastern Conference final against New York Red Bulls 2, will advance to Round 4 for the third tournament in a row and the fourth time in the club’s six all-time appearances. Louisville also remains undefeated in Open Cup play at home, extending the club’s home unbeaten streak to nine games (7-0-2, 2-0 PKs), the third-longest active unbeaten streak in the competition.

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Atlanta United begin delayed title defense with blowout of Chattanooga FC

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Atlanta United forward Luiz Araújo dribbles the ball during the match against Chattanooga FC in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Kyle Hess | Atlanta United
Atlanta United forward Luiz Araújo dribbles the ball during the match against Chattanooga FC in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Kyle Hess | Atlanta United

Nearly two years and eight months after it hoisted the U.S. Open Cup in front of more than 35,700 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta United opened its long-awaited title defense in convincing fashion.

Behind a trio of first-half goals in the span of a quarter-hour – including a first-half brace from Dom Dwyer – and three more in the second half, Atlanta cruised to a comprehensive 6-0 victory over the NISA’s Chattanooga FC at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Ga.

Marcelino Moreno added a goal from the penalty spot, and Luiz Araujo and Brooks Lennon each added second-half tallies of their own as well, as Atlanta booked its place in the Open Cup’s Round of 32, 966 days after defeating Minnesota United 2-1 in the 2019 US Open Cup Final.

It was the positive start to the competition the Five Stripes needed. Captain and goalkeeper Brad Guzan suffered a ruptured Achilles during a league match against FC Cincinnati on Saturday while the club was already without Josef Martinez following a knee procedure weeks prior.


“I told the team that they (showed) good intensity today,” said Atlanta head coach Gonzalo Pineda. “I was very happy with how fast we moved the ball from side to side, and especially on the ground and especially through the midfielders. When we did that, we were really dangerous.”

Atlanta opened the scoring in the 21st minute through Ronald Hernandez, as Andrew Gutman’s cross into the scoring area found the Venezuelan right back. Hernandez snuck it past Chattanooga goalkeeper Kevin Gonzalez for just his second goal for the club to make it a 1-0 lead for the hosts.

The advantage grew to 2-0 just minutes later in the 25th, as Dwyer flicked a well-timed header into the net following a perfect ball from Jake Mulraney. Dwyer made it a double for himself in the 35th, as he lasered a strike from outside the box to increase Atlanta’s lead to 3-0.

“He’s an experienced No. 9 in this league that we know is able and capable of scoring goals,” Pineda said. “It was good to see that performance…I’m very happy for him and his confidence.”

US Open Cup Career
Goalscoring Leaders
(Modern Era 1995-present)
16
Sebastien Le Toux
13
David Bulow
Kenny Cooper
Johnny Menyongar
Jaime Moreno
12
Melvin Tarley
11
Dom Dwyer
10
6 tied with 10

That makes three goals in as many appearances with Atlanta for the former U.S. international, once one of MLS’s most lethal strikers but now looking to rediscover his scoring touch after a spell of disappointing form over the past several years.

“Honestly, I’m in a good place,” Dwyer said of joining the club after two years at Toronto FC and several seasons at Atlanta rival Orlando City SC prior to that. “Atlanta’s believed in me as a club, and signed me to a multiple-year contract, so for me, it’s trying to perform each week, whether I’m asked to start or come off the bench, or whatever it is”

For Dwyer, it was his 10th and 11th career US Open Cup goals, which is fourth most in the Modern Era (1995-present). Dwyer scored three for Orlando City in 2013 (as a member of USL Pro), before scoring six between the 2015 and the Open Cup winning 2017 Sporting Kansas City teams.

Atlanta United weren’t done, though. Mulraney was taken down in the box near the end line, leading referee Matthew Thompson to point to the spot. Moreno stepped up and converted the resulting penalty to make it 4-0 less than 10 minutes into the second half. Araujo added Atlanta’s fifth goal with a nifty finish in the 67th, while Brooks Lennon capped the scoring in the 84th minute as Atlanta improved to 5-0-0 all-time in Open Cup play at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.

It was in stark contrast to Saturday’s league match against Cincinnati, a 0-0 stalemate that followed a 1-0 loss to expansion side Charlotte FC. With a club Open Cup record six-goal effort against Chattanooga, though, Pineda expressed hope that the performance would kickstart a flagging attack, starting with Sunday afternoon’s league contest at Inter Miami CF.

“ were a bit more composed in the final third, even though, still, there were some chances that we let go because the last touch, the last pass wasn’t quite there,” Pineda said. “I felt that today they gained confidence…Hopefully is that night that will help us in the future to score more goals.”

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Minnesota United blanks Forward Madison in rain-soaked border battle

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Bongokuhle Hlongwane of Minnesota United battles for the ball in the club's match against Forward Madison in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Minnesota United
Bongokuhle Hlongwane of Minnesota United battles for the ball in the club’s match against Forward Madison in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Minnesota United

Minnesota United traveled across the border into Wisconsin and blanked USL League One’s Forward Madison 2-0 in a third round Lamar Hunt US Open Cup match at a rain-soaked Breese Stevens Field. Adrien Nuhou and Brett Kallman scored each of the MLS side’s goals off of corners from Joseph Rosales, with Madison unable to secure a shot on goal during the contest.

Despite Madison controlling possession for the first 10 minutes, Minnesota had the first chance of the match in the 17th minute when the Flamingo’s Christian Enriquez’s clearing attempt was misplayed off his own foot. The ball fell perfectly to Minnesota’s Hunou, whose effort from less than five yards missed the mark.

Minutes later, the Loons nearly scored once again. Oneil Fisher played a dangerous cross that was played out by Madison keeper Phil Breno, thwarting the Minnesota attack. Subsequent attempts for Minnesota were interrupted due to the Loons being called offside three times in the opening 25 minutes.

Oneil Fisher continued to create chances in dangerous areas for his teammates. In the 34th minute, Fisher made a run down the left flank and crossed the ball into the penalty area for Hunou, whose shot on goal was deflected away by Breno.

After almost six minutes of additional time, Minnesota’s Hunou had space in the penalty area and was able to find DJ Taylor on the opposite end of the box. Taylor’s first touch was played perfectly to the right foot of Abu Danladi, whose strike was deflected out of play.

Neither team would be able to score before halftime. Madison was unable to generate a shot on goal, while Minnesota had two opportunities that forced Breno to work.

Six minutes into the second half, Minnesota United were finally able to break through the Madison defense.

Rosales took the Loons’ corner and swung the ball toward the back post. Hunou found the ball and turned it into the back of the Madison net to give Minnesota the 1-0 lead in the 51st minute.

Minnesota United celebrates after scoring a goal in the rain against Forward Madison in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Minnesota United
Minnesota United celebrates after scoring a goal in the rain against Forward Madison in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Minnesota United

Hunou nearly doubled the Loons’ lead in the 66th minute after Rosales again found the Minnesota number 23 in the penalty area. This time Breno was there to get in front of Hunou’s shot and his defense was able to clear.

Mitchell Osmond was assessed a yellow card in the 72nd minute for a bad tackle that gave Minnesota a free-kick in a dangerous spot. The subsequent service from Roberts was perfectly placed at the Madison back post, but there was nobody there to finish the chance.

It was the Minnesota captain, Kallman, who would put the game away for the Loons. An 82nd minute corner kick from Roberts met the head of Kallman, whose header doubled the Minnesota lead and sent the Loons’ into the Fourth Round.

Minnesota dominated possession 66% to 34% and outshot Madison 15-3 with five of the Loons’ chances being on goal.

Minnesota United, who became the first Minnesota club in history to reach the US Open Cup Final the last year this tournament was played in 2019, will advance to Round 4 where they will host fellow MLS side Colorado Rapids on May 11.

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Charlotte FC avoids upset in debut, beats Greenville in OT

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Christian Ortiz of Charlotte FC celebrates after scoring a goal against Greenville Triumph in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Charlotte FC
Christian Ortiz of Charlotte FC celebrates after scoring a goal against Greenville Triumph in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Charlotte FC

A record home crowd of over 4,000 fans was not enough to lift USL League One’s Greenville Triumph to a cupset victory over Major League Soccer’s Charlotte FC in the Third Round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The capacity crowd, which featured a sizeable contingent of traveling Charlotte fans, were treated to a back-and-forth affair that ended after extra time sending the visitors home with a 2-1 victory. Charlotte FC’s Harrison Afful played the hero, scoring the game-winning goal in the 106th minute to give the expansion side a win in their US Open Cup debut.

The first half was a fairly balanced affair with each team finding plenty of chances to take the lead.

The deadlock was broken just before halftime when Charlotte’s Titi Ortiz defied the laws of physics by scoring with a ball that was nearly over the end line following a Paul Christensen save. That goal came in the 39th minute and sent the visitors into the locker room with a 1-0 halftime lead.


Coming out of the break, Greenville coach John Harkes made one substitution but shifted the formation adding an additional striker up top. That move paid quick dividends as the Triumph created plenty of big chances early in the second half. They would eventually get one in the back of the net when Jake Keegan scored in the 59th minute. Keegan received a pass near the top of the box and then ripped a shot past the goalkeeper to tie the game.

Going into the first extra time period, Greenville once again looked to be on the front foot creating chances to take the lead. But much to the dismay of the home fans, Charlotte’s Harrison Afful would find that breakthrough goal in stoppage time of the first extra period. He approached the penalty area and played a one-two with Kamil Jóźwiaka, received the ball back and fired a shot past Christensen to give them the expansion side the lead in the 106th minute.

The second period saw Greenville throwing everything they had at the visitors, but tired legs on both sides, and a strong defensive block for Charlotte, saw the team from North Carolina hold onto the 2-1 victory.


Charlotte advances to the Fourth Round where they will face the Richmond Kickers (USL-1) on May 11.

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