Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2023 US Open Cup

2023 US Open Cup Round 1: Hevany Ramos-Mota helps Capo FC pull away from Ventura County Fusion

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Capistrano FC poses for a team photo before the club's match against Ventura County Fusion in the First Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Capo FC
Capistrano FC poses for a team photo before the club’s match against Ventura County Fusion in the First Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Capo FC

In its first ever US Open Cup match, Capistrano FC enjoyed a veteran-like second half to come-from-behind and advance to the Second Round of America’s oldest soccer tournament.

Hevany Ramos-Mota’s two goals and an assist led Capo FC in its 4-1 win over Ventura County Fusion in the First Round of the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Wednesday at Ventura College Sportsplex.

The game-winning goal was scored by Ramos-Mota in first half of stoppage time after the Fusion attack hit the post three times in the first 45 minutes.


“To walk out of here with a 4-1 result is an unbelievable result and a huge win for us,” Capo FC head coach Peter Carey said. “We have a youth club, and these guys are inspiring a bunch of kids back home.

“It’s bigger than just a game for us so we’re enjoying the moment we’re having right now.”

The hosts started the game on the right foot, scoring the game’s first goal just six minutes into the match through Jerry Desdunes’ back-post tap-in. For Desdunes, it marked the second tournament in a row that he has scored a goal. Last year, he scored the game-winning goal for the Northern Colorado Hailstorm (USL League One) in the 96th minute as they knocked off the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USL Championship). 

Just 10 minutes later, Capo FC equalized against the run of play when Ramos-Mota, surrounded by three players, surged into the box and crossed the ball to Joshue Gallardo for the close-range finish.

“It was a shitty start from us to be honest,” Carey said. “They had a lot of chances and it could have been a different result. But I think as the game went on, we found our rhythm and confidence, and I told these guys at the beginning of the game, ‘if we score our chances, we’ll win the game,’ and that’s what we did.”


The Fusion ended the half in frustration after leading the shot column 9-2 after 30 minutes of play.

In the final 15 minutes of the first half, Ventura went on to hit the bar on three occasions while Capo FC equalized and brought the shot tally to 9-6.


Ramos-Mota went from provider to scorer three minutes into first half stoppage time when Sergio Vega nodded a cross back across the six-yard box for the former to knock the ball beyond the line for the lead.

“We were aware of that,” Ramos-Mota said postgame about his team’s underdogs tag going into this game. “No one believed in us, but we believed in us so we came here and we believed. We say every day in practice to believe so we came here and left with a win.”

In the second half, Capo FC went from looking like the timid newcomer, lucky to be ahead after 45 minutes, to showing that they belong in the US Open Cup.


Just eight minutes into the second frame, Capo FC extended its lead via Parker Scalzo.

The forward lost his marker and pounced on a loose ball inside the box to make it 3-1 with 37 minutes left for Capo FC to hold onto and advance to the next round.

“We had our chances just didn’t put them away,” Fusion head coach Mike Elias said. “It could have been 4-0 before they scored their first and it’s a different game.”

With 13 minutes left, Ramos-Mota capped off his man of the match performance with his second goal of the night.

He received the ball with his back to goal, set himself up to turn and shoot in one motion, and finished past Ventura goalkeeper Matthew Escareno.


The loss for Ventura means five consecutive home losses in the Cup, tying the record for most consecutive losses at home in the tournament.

Up next for Capo FC is a meeting with USL Championship outfit Orange County Soccer Club in the Second Round.

“It’s obviously a big fish for us,” Carey said about facing OCSC. “We’ve been surprising people so far now let’s try our best to surprise again and see what happens.

“We’re excited to get here and we’re going to work hard to prepare for that.”

2023 US Open Cup Round 1: Crossfire Premier win tournament debut with shutout of Project 51O

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Players from Project 51O (white jersey) and Crossfire Premier square off in a match in the First Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Project 51O
Players from Project 51O (white jersey) and Crossfire Premier square off in a match in the First Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Project 51O

Three well-earned goals sealed a convincing victory for Crossfire Redmond over Project 51O in the First Round of the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The 3-0 win in their tournament debut led to a satisfied feeling on their long bus ride home from the Bay Area to Redmond, Wa. 

With the win, Crossfire Premier earn a long-awaited first victory in the tournament. They qualified for the first time for the 2020 US Open Cup, which was ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They will have a big task ahead of them in Round 2 as they will travel to Sacramento where they will face Republic FC, last year’s tournament runner-up. 

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In the first half, it was Project 51O, a development team for the USL Championship’s Oakland Roots, who had most of the ball. This was due to some clever passing in the defense and midfield. Captain Abdulahi Mohamed in particular provided a strong sense of calm when passing out of the back. 

Despite not having a majority of the possession, Crossfire looked to be more efficient with their time on the ball especially when going forward. They approached the final third with intensity and purpose which kept the 51O keeper busy throughout the first 45 minutes. However, it wasn’t until the second half where Crossfire’s precision began to pay off.

Lucas Hauswirth was the player to open the scoring on the night. After receiving the ball on the right side of the pitch, Hauswirth beat his defenders and attempted a low driven cross which deflected off the keeper and by good fortune found its way into the back of the net. A goal which not only gave Crossfire the lead early on in the second half, but also gave them the confidence to continue being a threat until the final whistle.

As the game went on, Project 510 would continue to showcase their passing ability as well as their great movement off the ball but would continuously fall short when approaching the final third. Early balls in behind to their forwards were repeatedly either cut out or swept up by the Crossfire goalkeeper.

Despite looking dangerous, it wasn’t until the 84th minute that Crossfire were able to get another point on the board. After a scrap for the ball near the half moon circle outside 510’s box, the ball fell to Eric Howard who launched a shot off the post and in to score the second goal of the match.

It wasn’t long after when Crossfire found their third and final goal following a fast breakaway by substitute Hamza Haddadi in the 94th minute. A ball over the top found Haddadi on the right side of the pitch, giving him the opportunity to show his pace as he outran his defender and placed his shot across the face of the goal, where it hit the post and went in to finish the game off once and for all. 

 

2023 US Open Cup Round 1: UDA Soccer from New Mexico State becomes first college team to advance

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More than 500 fans came out to support UDA Soccer at New Mexico State University to see them play the Park City Red Wolves. It was the largest crowd the team has ever had for a game. Photo: UDA Soccer
More than 500 fans came out to support UDA Soccer at New Mexico State University to see them play the Park City Red Wolves. It was the largest crowd the team has ever had for a game. Photo: UDA Soccer

UDA at New Mexico State University made history Wednesday night beating Park City Red Wolves 1-0 in the First Round of the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Jose Puente calmly slotted home a 78th minute penalty kick to put UDA through to the Second Round where they will face New Mexico United (USL Championship) on the road.

“That was such a tight, incredibly hard-fought game, we knew it was going to come down to one mistake either way,” said UDA head coach Blake Ordell. “We were able to take advantage and we did a good job keeping the shutout. I’m incredibly proud of everyone. We made history tonight.”

More than 500 vocal fans—the largest in the program’s two-year history—packed the New Mexico State University Soccer Complex to cheer UDA on to its first tournament win in its Open Cup debut. With the win, UDA becomes the first team affiliated with a college or university to advance out of the First Round in the Modern Era (1995-present). The only college team to even qualify since 1995 was BYU of USL League Two (then known as the PDL). They qualified three times in 2006, 2007 and 2015 but failed to reach the Second Round. 

It was clear the game was going to be a test of wills from the opening whistle. The two youth-filled amateur teams took turns running at the other without creating any real chances on goal.

Thirty minutes in, the visitors called for a penalty when UDA goalkeeper made contact with Park City forward Zachary Lifferth as he went to goal. The speedy Lifferth gave UDA defenders fits all night, but was unable to get anything threatening on goal.

The second half started as the first ended, with both teams looking for some modicum of control, which neither team was willing to concede.

“They made things incredibly difficult for us,” Ordell said. “Credit to them. They would not let us play the way we like to play.”

It wasn’t until the 70th minute of the match that UDA was able to string multiple passes together in their attacking third. Attacking down the left flank, that sent Selah Alyones in on goal in the 78th minute. Alyones was unceremoniously chopped down from behind for a clear penalty.

Up stepped Puente while Park City did everything they could to get into his head. Multiple players had words with him while Ronaldo Onu kicked the turf at the penalty spot away. Onu received a caution for his efforts.

“They were doing everything to get in my head,” Puente said. “I just tried to focus on making the shot, not what they were doing.”


Puente paused during his approach, making the goalkeeper move early. He calmly put the ball the other way and took off to celebrate in front of the standing-room-only crowd.

The final 10 minutes was hectic and chippy as Park City threw everything they had forward, missing two opportunities and forcing UDA goalkeeper Mario Castillo to make several important saves to keep the clean sheet.

With the win, UDA advances to face a pro team for the first time in Round 2. They will take on New Mexico United who had an impressive Open Cup debut of their own back in 2019, reaching the Quarterfinals. The game will take place in Albuquerque at the University of New Mexico Soccer Complex on April 4. 

“Tactically, I expect things to be very different in the next round,” Ordell said. “We’re looking forward to the challenge. Hopefully we can keep making history.”

 

2023 US Open Cup Round 1: Nona FC’s early goal holds up in 1-0 win vs. Club de Lyon B

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Nona FC celebrates after defeating Club de Lyon 1-0 in the First Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Tommy Cardinal
Nona FC celebrates after defeating Club de Lyon 1-0 in the First Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Tommy Cardinal

Nona FC held off a second half barrage from Club De Lyon B after going down a man in the second half to advance to the Second Round of the 2023 US Open Cup on Wednesday.

After the game, Nona FC was victorious in the club’s tournament debut. The reigning USL League Two Southeast Division champions will head west to take on the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL Championship on April 4.

It was a battle between two Orlando-area clubs held at the Austin-Tindall Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Fla.

Nona got onto the scoresheet almost immediately. Midfielder Sergio Barbosa sent in a through ball to former Cameroon youth international Will Eyang, who used his strength to hold off defenders and slot it home just a minute into the game. For Eyang, it was the first career US Open Cup goal for a player who spent time with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Championship) last season.

“We train that play every day,” said Barbosa, who has played professionally in Brazil and most recently in India before joining Nona FC. “We’ve only been training together for 45 days, so it’s all about the coach. We just do what the coach tells us.”

The match was fiery with eight yellow cards. In the 64th minute, Nona midfielder Jefferson Silva was shown his second yellow card, resulting in his sending off.

With the man advantage, Lyon pushed to equalize and had many chances. Their best chance was a diagonal cross that fell directly at the feet of forward Ignacio Ten Lopez, but it was too close to Nona goalkeeper Rafael Santos who snatched the ball before Lopez could get a shot off.

Nona head coach Guilherme Soares was an accomplished youth soccer coach in the area before being hired with Nona FC last year. He said playing with a disadvantage was something the team practiced often.



“I always told them in preparation that there is no space for mistakes. Sometimes you get a red card, even if in my opinion that was a mistake by the referee, but we train a lot 14 players against 8,” Soares said. “We are always ready for those situations, and today it paid off.”

2023 US Open Cup Round 1: Des Moines Menace capitalize on Beaman United mistakes in 3-0 win

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The Des Moines Menace pose for a team photo before their match against Beaman United in the First Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Des Moines Menace
The Des Moines Menace pose for a team photo before their match against Beaman United in the First Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Des Moines Menace

The Des Moines Menace advanced to the Second Round of the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Wednesday night in Murfreesboro, Tenn. defeating host Beaman United FC with a 3-0 win.

Despite being in total control of an even, balanced match, the win for the Menace came down to Beaman’s defensive mistakes and a lack of finishing in the final third from the home side. Scoring two goals off of counterattacks and one from the penalty spot. With the win, Des Moines advanced in their opening game for the third year in a row. It is also the 14th tournament win as a member of USL League Two (15th overall), the second-most of any amateur team in the Modern Era (1995-present).

In the 15th minute, Beaman built well with former pro Kwadwo Poku picking up the ball at midfield and dribbling through a couple of Des Moines players. Just before the eighteen, he released it to Michael Jones Jr. on the left flank who crossed in first time looking for Kwadwo’s brother Seth Poku, who was unable to finalize on a slide tackle.

In the 18th minute, Des Moines came close to Beaman’s goal with a free kick 30-yards out, but hit it slightly wide of the left post.

Minutes later, the Menace exploited Beaman’s Achilles heel – defending counterattacks.

Following a great combination between three Des Moines player and sloppy defending from the Lions, Menace No. 10 Christopher Bermudez set up forward Gabriel Rodriguez with a back-heel pass through the legs of a Beaman defender. From there, Rodriguez found himself 1-v-1 with Beaman goalkeeper Alex Rodriguez, slotting the ball into the far, bottom corner to find the lead for the visitors. It marked the second tournament in a row that Rodriguez notched a goal for the Menace. Last year, he scored the opening goal in Des Moines’ 2-1 Second Round loss to Union Omaha (USL-1).

In the 41st minute, the Seth Poku-Jones duo created another important chance for Beaman, looking for the equalizer. Poku, with his creativity found Jones through Des Moines’ defense with a chipped ball, but the winger couldn’t keep it low enough, sending it slightly over the top left part of the crossbar on a left-footed volley attempt in the box.

As the second half started, Beaman maxed its rpm to try to find a goal.

MORE >> Beaman: United together (feature story)

A great solo run and attempt by Adubiore in the 56th minute required the Menace goalkeeper to tip the ball into a corner kick.

About 60 seconds later, Des Moines quickly recovered the ball from the corner kick and won a throw-in close to Beaman’s box. The Menace played it quickly finding the forward inside the box, who was slide tackled incautiously from behind by a Beaman defender.

The ref blew the whistle, pointing to the penalty spot. Gabriel Rodriguez converted for Des Moines making it 2-0. 

This time Alex Rodriguez for Beaman was unable to replicate his previous Open Cup, saving penalties glory to keep his side afloat.

With 30 minutes left and the game uphill for the Lions, Jones kept Beaman alive flying up and down the right flank and providing great service in the box.

Beaman, however, still couldn’t finish and in the last play of the game, off of another counterattack, Des Moines found the third goal of the night, ending Beaman’s first-ever Open Cup run.

In previous Open Cup qualifier matchups, the Lions had accustomed fans and spectators to breathtaking comebacks and a myriad of goals, while still lacking something defensively.

Against the Menace, Beaman also lacked finishing in the final third and a little bit of luck, costing them a spot in Round 2.

“This is football,” said Beaman coach Gift Ndam, after the game. “We will come back stronger.”

With a whole new spring UPSL season to play, the Lions have the perfect chance to test, work and continue to build ahead of the fall Open Cup qualifying rounds.

Des Moines coach Dean Johnson highlighted the challenge in preparing a match against a debutant, newcomer team like Beaman.

“Yeah, it was difficult because we didn’t have too much information on them, so we were kind of going in blind,” Johnson said. “It’s very hard to prep for that. We kind of focused on what we could do rather than the other team and I think it worked out pretty well for us today.”

The Menace will continue its journey taking on Chattanooga FC on April 5 in Round 2 of the tournament.

“We plan on going as far as we can and then we got a tough game in the next round, but we’re at home in front of our great fans and that’d be a really, really good one and we fully expect to win,” said Johnson.

Des Moines’ scorer Gabriel Rodriguez is hungry for more.

“Obviously, we want to play against an MLS team, so we’re going for it,” he said. “Plans for me, I just want to keep winning. I just want to help the team with goals.”

2023 US Open Cup Round 1: Appalachian FC lose lead, hold off shorthanded NC Fusion U-23s in PKs

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Players from Appalachian FC celebrate after scoring a goal against NC Fusion U-23s in the First Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Josh Floyd
Players from Appalachian FC celebrate after scoring a goal against NC Fusion U-23s in the First Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Josh Floyd

On a lovely, 53-degree night in Boone, N.C., the NPSL’s Appalachian FC hosted veteran USL League Two side, North Carolina Fusion U-23s in a First Round US Open Cup contest. Despite playing the majority of the match with a man advantage, AFC would see a 2-0 lead disappear and the match would end up in a penalty kick shootout. After a 2-2 draw, Appalachia would win the shootout to advance in its first US Open Cup game, against a team with 28 tournament games on its resume.

The debutantes would advance to the Second Round and a date with Charlotte Independence (USL League One) on April 5.


Appalachian FC, wasted no time in opening their Open Cup scoring account. Carson Dinger found Camden Holbrook after just 45 seconds to take the lead.

After a long build up from the back, a booming 40-yard, cross field ball was settled by Dinger who found Holbrook running in the center forward channel. Holbrook chipped a clean shot between opponents for Appalachia’s first Open Cup goal. Dinger would remain active force at both ends throughout the first half.

The Fusion did eventually grow into the game. Their first real attempt on goal coming in the 9th minute. Both sides had had only a few practice sessions together before this game, and the rust showed at times. There were good build ups in both directions for the next 20 minutes until Kevin de Lange found Camden Holbrook for his second tally in the 32nd minute.

London Williams picked up a loose ball in the midfield and charged down the right-hand side. He crossed through the penalty area behind a couple of teammates, when de Lange hit the brakes, turned and laid a perfect ball to the feet of an onrushing Holbrook. He would then fire low to the keeper’s left for a 2-0 lead.


From there the game was on. Just a few minutes later, a header by Juan “Juancho” Fernandez would cut the deficit in half. Fred Ferreira would have his run stopped in the right side of the box. What looked like a routine clearance was deflect by a Fusion player and the ball fell to the foot of Sam Bethell, who sent a powerful cross to the top of the goal area when an unmarked Juancho headed home to pull a goal back for the visitors.

In the 40th minute, the game changed when Brian Torre was shown a straight red card for a aggressive challenge leaving the Fusion down a man before halftime.

Despite being down a man, Juancho nearly equalized on a volley in the third minute of stoppage time.

NC Fusion went into halftime with a slight edge in possession. Appalachian were better with shots; two goals/shots on goal from their four chances compared to one goal/shot on goal from six chances.

The second half began with the Fusion showing some fatigue. They still had chances, but they were not as creative as in the first half. The home team had the first shot of the half in the 48th, but it was smothered by Adam Forster. Juancho and Fred Ferreira were a perpetual thorn in the sides of the Appalachian defense. The first half of the second half was a grudge match going back and forth. Good possession in the middle, but not many decent chances coming from it. 

In the 77th minute, Tererai Chawira brought down Dave Neijenhuis at the top of the penalty arc from a corner kick. The resulting free kick was right footed into the upper 90 by Fred Ferriera to bring the scores level.

Despite the man advantage, Appalachian seems to be slower to most balls. The Fusion had the better ideas but couldn’t convert. Neither side looked 90 minutes fit.


In the first half of extra time, good chances were had by both teams, but Appalachian had more of them. Nearly a potential winner less than a minute in. Despite this, Appalachian looked the more tired of the sides despite a man advantage for 50 minutes. Both sides pushed for a go-ahead goal. Both came up short.

In the second half, NC Fusion’s Adam Burchell’s night would end suddenly on second yellow in the 116th minute on what most would consider a ridiculous reason. An Appalachian attack was shut down on a save which led to a clearance into touch. Burchell ran to the ball kid, got the ball, and ran away from the point of the throw-in with it, thus delaying a restart. His tomfoolery earned him a second yellow and an early trip to the dressing room. Appalachian FC, however, were unable to mount a meaningful attack with a two-man advantage for the last five minutes.

The penalty kick shootout was as short as you could possibly get. The first three Fusion attempts were missed; two of them over the bar, and the other hit the crossbar. The first three attempts by AFC were scored by Landau, Arguelo and de Lange to give the home team a 3-0 win.

It was just the fourth time in the Modern Era (1995-present) that a PK shootout finished with the score 3-0. It was also just the fifth time that a team missed three attempts in a single shootout, but it was the first time that all three misses resulted in a 3-0 scoreline. 

With the shootout win, a “squatchy” Cinderella may have begun.  

Appalachian FC mascot "Squatchy". Photo: Josh Floyd
Appalachian FC mascot “Squatchy”. Photo: Josh Floyd

Penalty Kicks

NCF        Neijenhuis (Miss – high) 0-0
APP        Landau (Goal) 0-1
NCF        Leray (Miss – high) 0-1
APP        Arguelo (Goal) 0-2
NCF        Bethell (Miss – crossbar) 0-2
APP        de Lange (Goal) 0-3


2023 US Open Cup Round 1: Ocean City Nor’easters score 3 unanswered to beat West Chester United

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Piero Sabroso of the Ocean City Nor'easters celebrates after scoring a goal against West Chester United in the First Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Matt Ralph | Philadelphia Soccer Now
Piero Sabroso of the Ocean City Nor’easters celebrates after scoring a goal against West Chester United in the First Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Matt Ralph | Philadelphia Soccer Now

The Ocean City Nor’easters scored three unanswered goals and held on in the game’s final minutes to beat West Chester United 3-1 in the opening game of the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Tuesday night at YSC Sports in Wayne, Pa. For the Nor’easters, it was the club’s 12th Open Cup win as an amateur side (13th overall), the third-most in the Modern Era (1995-present) behind Flint City Bucks (15) and the Des Moines Menace (13).

As the lone matchup on the opening day of the 2023 tournament, both teams played a spirited back and forth game that saw quality chances from the opening kickoff to the final whistle. Dylan Evande’s 60th minute header put the visitors up 2-1, and Andre Sabino’s penalty kick seven minutes later proved enough as the Nor’easters withstood a furious onslaught from the two-time Amateur Cup champions that forced multiple clearances off the line and a few remarkable saves by Brady Hochman to see out the game.

With the win, Ocean City will travel south to face the Maryland Bobcats (NISA) in the Second Round at the Maryland Sportsplex. The last time Ocean City played at that venue was in the 2009 US Open Cup when they narrowly lost to D.C. United on two late goals. The Storm are now 5-4-0 all-time in USOC road games and 13-8-2 overall.

Ocean City and West Chester came out of firing on the fast turf, trading a number of flying tackles and quick transitions. West Chester nearly jumped on the scoresheet in the second minute on a free kick from Kyle Tucker just outside the box, but Hochman made a sprawling top hand save to deny the hosts.


After several surges of possession from both sides, Ocean City’s striker Piero Sabroso appeared to have the opener in the 11th minute when he cut through the West Chester defense and slotted the ball past Cameron Sanders. But the Peruvian was whistled for a foul, and on the ensuing restart, West Chester scored the game’s first goal. Luca Mellor played a long ball from deep within his own half that beat the Ocean City backline. Finn Reese, a former Ocean City player, chased down the ball just ahead of Hochman, dribbling around the keeper and tucked it into the empty net for a 1-0 lead.

Six minutes later, Ocean City equalized on a stunner from Andres Lattore, which should be a candidate for goal of the round. Kevin Curran whipped in a free kick that bounced around the box several times before the ball popped out into the path of Lattore, who unleashed a cracker from the top of the box that hit the back of the net before Sanders had a chance to react.

Tied at 1-1, Ocean City began to carry more of the play, and in the 27th minute Sabroso had another chance denied by the West Chester keeper. Two more chances late in the half, one from Sabino in the 34th minute, and another from Vilius Labutis in the 45th, missed the frame by inches and sent the teams into the break tied at one goal apiece.

Minutes into the second half, Sabroso nearly broke the deadlock, but his long range strike was denied by the post. Ocean City found the go-ahead goal in the 60th minute when Curran’s in-swinging free kick just inside the right corner met Evande at the six. Evande outjumped numerous players and headed the cross into the net for the 2-1 lead.

Ocean City picked up a third in the 67th minute after a scramble at the top of the box led to Sabino’s shot being blocked by Mellor’s hand inside the box. Referee Joshua Encarnacion pointed to the spot, and Sabino converted the ensuing penalty to extend the lead to 3-1.

Both teams made several changes to maintain the intensity, and as West Chester pushed the game’s momentum, Ocean City stayed compact and composed, stopping multiple chances late to preserve the win and advance.


“I’m super pumped,” an emotional first-year Ocean City coach Matt Perrella said after the game. “They’ve trained together for four days, so finding the right players to come in who have the heart and will to win was massive.” With the USL League Two season months away, Ocean City found a way to pull together a roster that could compete immediately in the tournament, and although they may have needed some time to gel, the visiting coach was proud of the way his players performed, even as a slight underdog coming into the game.

Perrella, who was an assistant with Ocean City for two seasons before getting promoted to head coach just a few months ago, was complimentary of his goalkeeper.

“Brady Hochman,” he said, “what a stud, what an amazing game he had.” Perrella, himself a former Rider University goalkeeper and the Nor’easters backup netminder on the night, was impressed with Hochman’s early save on Tucker’s free kick.

“It’s more difficult if you go 25 minutes without making a save and then you’re called to action, so I think that save prepped him for 90 minutes.”

This was the fourth straight win for Ocean City against West Chester. The Nor’easters swept all three meeting in USL League Two play last season, but this United side qualified as a member of the United Soccer League of Pennsylvania. The two rivals will meet three more times in league play this summer.



Ocean City’s striker Sabroso, who helped Bethel University (Ind.) win an NAIA national championship this past season, enjoyed his first experience in the Open Cup and the way his teammates came together in a short time.

“I’m used to two months of preseason then the season,” he said after the game, “and making an improvised trip, meeting players from around the world, and training just four days and win this match and play as brothers felt nice.”

Defender Osman Barrie, who is from New Jersey and previously played for Lone Star FC, also enjoyed his first Open Cup match.

“Coach prepared us well for this,” he said. “He told us this is not going to be a 1-1 kind of game. There’s going to be goals, and it’s going to be a 90-minute game.”

The defender asserted his presence throughout the game and reflected on how well his team defended at the end. “We knew as soon as we got that goal, we gotta stay on the defensive and stay switched on, and I think we did that for the most part.”

Andre "Dede" Sabino of the Ocean City Nor'easters celebrates after scoring a goal against West Chester United in the First Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Matt Ralph | Philadelphia Soccer Now
Andre “Dede” Sabino of the Ocean City Nor’easters celebrates after scoring a goal against West Chester United in the First Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Matt Ralph | Philadelphia Soccer Now



“It’s a tough night if you don’t finish goals,” West Chester coach Blaise Santangelo said after the game. “I think we could have gone up 3-1, and in less than 5-10 minutes, we’re down 3-1.”

West Chester had the advantage of being the more cohesive side, fresh after securing an EPSA Cup double in recent weeks with wins over United German Hungarians in both state finals.

“We’re not going to win this tournament,” he said, “and now we go on to the next tournament. It was a great night of soccer.”

West Chester has advanced in the tournament twice by penalty kicks, but ended the night still seeking the club’s first official win in the competition.

Last year, West Chester was bounced 1-0 in a First-Round replay by FC Motown. The amateur side will continue regional play in both the USASA Amateur Cup and the Werner Fricker Open Cup, the latter of which the Predators will seek to defend their 2022 national title.

For Ocean City, they will return to the Maryland Soccerplex in Boyds, Md. for Round 2 against the Maryland Bobcats. The Nor’easters have upset six professional teams, the third-most of any amateur team in the Modern Era. A seventh would tie Des Moines for second-most since 1995. 

 

 

2023 US Open Cup Round 1 Preview: Amateurs kick off 108th tournament eyeing date with pros in Round 2

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The 108th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup kicks off this week with 14 first round matchups featuring amateur teams from the fourth tier of the US soccer pyramid.

One hundred seven teams entered the Open Division Local qualifying tournament that wrapped up in mid-December. After four arduous rounds the field was whittled down to 10 teams. As US Amateur Cup winners, Bavarian United SC earned a berth into Round 1. Also entering the competition in this round are eight NPSL and 10 USL League Two sides. NPSL and USL-2 sides, which are Open Division National leagues, qualify based on the previous season’s record.

Most, but not all, of the opening round games will be streamed online. All links are available below. 

Round 1 winners will face second and third division professional teams April 4-6.

The team that advances furthest in the tournament from each division receives $25,000.


TUESDAY, MARCH 21

Ocean City Nor’easters (USL-2)
3:1
West Chester United (USLPA)
YSC Sports – Wayne, PA
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Bleacher Report



By Josh Hakala

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "We Want The Cup" shirt in your team's colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

In the first contest of the 2023 US Open Cup, the Ocean City Nor’easters travel to West Chester United. The host side sits in fourth place currently in the United Soccer League of Pennsylvania season (3-1-0, 10 pts.). Ocean City’s USL League Two season won’t begin until May 20.

West Chester qualified with four road wins in the tournament’s Open Division Local qualifying tournament. They edged four-time champion Philadelphia Ukrainians, 2-1, followed by a 4-0 win over the United German Hungarians. They picked up another win over a Philly-area team with a rich history, with a 4-0 win over Vereinigung Erzgebirge. They punched their ticket to the tournament with a 2-1 win over Northern Virginia FC.

Ocean City qualified by winning the Mid-Atlantic Division with an undefeated regular season record (11-0-3). Three of those league wins were against West Chester United (2-1, 2-1, 2-0).

Three players to watch for West Chester are Ridge Robinson (6 goals – second in the league) and Finn Reese and Levi Maruca (both with 5 – tied for third in the league). Reese is a former Ocean City player. 

Like a lot of USL League Two and NPSL teams, the Nor’easters largely rely on active college players to fill out their roster. This means, like last year, the team will likely construct a roster made up of former and local players. NCAA players are not available to play for summer league teams until May 1. 

West Chester is competing for the third straight US Open Cup after qualifying last year after edging the Nor’easters for the Mid-Atlantic Division title. (They would later eliminate Ocean City in the USL League Two playoffs) In 2016 and 2019, United’s USL of Pennsylvania team qualified through the Open Division Local qualifying tournament. They have advanced twice out of the First Round with penalty kick shootout wins over Fredericksburg FC (NPSL) in 2016 and FC Baltimore Christos (NPSL) in 2019. But they are still seeking their first official “win” in the tournament. 

The Ocean City Nor'easters celebrate the club's Mid-Atlantic Division championship after a 2-0 home win over West Chester United on July 10, 2022 at Carey Stadium in Ocean City, N.J. Photo: Jack Verdeur
The Ocean City Nor’easters celebrate the club’s Mid-Atlantic Division championship after a 2-0 home win over West Chester United on July 10, 2022 at Carey Stadium in Ocean City, N.J. Photo: Jack Verdeur



Ocean City is making the club’s 11th appearance in the tournament, and is one of the most successful amateur sides of the Modern Era (1995-present). Only two amateur teams in the country (Flint City Bucks and the Des Moines Menace, both of USL-2) have more Open Cup wins (11) and professional team upsets (6) than Ocean City has as a USL-2 team. Of those six wins over professional opposition, five of them were shutouts in front of their home fans at Carey Stadium (“The Beach House”).

The Nor’easters have also reached the Third Round four times, including two games against Major League Soccer teams. In 2009, they narrowly lost to D.C. United 2-0 on the road, and in 2013, they put a scare into the Philadelphia Union but the MLS side scored a controversial 90th minute game-winner to avoid the upset.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Ocean City Nor’easters (USL-2)
11th US Open Cup appearance (1 as a pro team)
Overall: 12-8-2 (0-2 PKs)
Away: 8-4-1
vs. Amateurs: 6-1-1
Best finish: Third Round (2005, 2009, 2013, 2018)

West Chester United (USASA / USLPA)
4th US Open Cup appearance (3rd as local qualifier)
Overall: 0-3-2 (2-0 PKs)
Home: 0-1-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-1-2 (2-0 PKs)
Best finish: Second Round (2016, 2019)


WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22

Inter San Francisco (SFSFL) at El Farolito (NPSL)
Ohlone College Soccer Field – Fremont, CA
Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Bleacher Report


By Rich Flemings

El Farolito, then known as CD Mexico, won the 1993 US Open Cup championship.
El Farolito, then known as CD Mexico, won the 1993 US Open Cup championship.

Fresno-area soccer fans will be treated to a gem of a matchup, as Ohlone College Soccer Field will be the site in which a tournament debutante, Inter San Francisco, takes the field against El Farolito, a club that won the US Open Cup in 1993 under the name CD Mexico.

For the past two years, Inter San Francisco has dominated the San Francisco Soccer Football League (SFSFL).  En route to their US Open Cup qualification, Inter had to win four straight matches, culminating in a 5-1 win over BattleBorn FC on a snowy field in Minden, Nevada last December. This capped off a dominant Open Division Local qualifying tournament as San Francisco didn’t allow a goal until that “Win & You’re In” match against BattleBorn. They outscored their four opponents by a combined score of 19-1. This may be a dream come true for the young club, but they’ll work hard to extend their stay as they face off against a club with history in the tournament.

El Farolito, founded in 1985, has participated in the US Open Cup on three separate occasions during the Modern Era (1995-present). After being one-and-done in their first Modern Era appearance in 2017 with a penalty kick loss to Burlingame Dragons FC (USL League Two), the club picked up a win in their last appearance in 2019. They beat Academica SC (US Club Soccer) 2-1 before falling short to Fresno FC of the USL Championship. El Farolito has won the San Francisco Soccer Football League six times between 2007 and 2017, before joining the NPSL in 2018. 

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Inter San Francisco (USASA / SFSFL)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

El Farolito (NPSL)
3rd US Open Cup appearance (Modern Era)
Overall: 1-1-1 (0-1 PK)
Home: 0-1-0
vs. Amateurs: 1-0-1 (0-1 PKs)
Best finish: US Open Cup Champions (1993 as Club Deportivo (CD) Mexico)

NC Fusion U23 (USL-2) at Appalachian FC (NPSL)
Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex – Boone, NC
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Bleacher Report


By Jim Coppock

Players from the Richmond Kickers (green) and North Carolina Fusion U-23s go up for a header in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography
Players from the Richmond Kickers (green) and North Carolina Fusion U-23s go up for a header in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography

North Carolina Fusion U-23s will travel about two hours west to Boone, N.C. for a contest with Open Cup debutante side, Appalachian FC, in an all-North Carolina affair.

NC Fusion qualified for their 14th tournament (most of that history under the name Carolina Dynamo) through the USL League 2 qualification process, based on previous season’s finishing (1st place South Atlantic Division, 11-1-2). The team lost in the National Semifinal last year to the Long Island Rough Riders.

Three-year-old Appalachian FC qualified for their first Open Cup through the NPSL’s qualification process, based on previous season’s finishing (1st place Southeast Conference, 6-1-3). The team lost to eventual champions, FC Motown, in the Eastern Regional Final.

Last year’s Open Cup featured something uniquely Open Cup. NC Fusion U23s traveled to Columbia, S.C. to take on the SC United Bantams. What was discovered during the pre-game process was that SCU had only 10 Cup-eligible players on their roster. Instead of playing with 10 men, the teams agreed that SC United would forfeit and the teams would play an exhibition game. None of those almost 1,400 in attendance, or watching via YouTube, knew that it was an exhibition game. The Fusion won the exhibition, after extra time, 3-1. They then went on to defeat Charlotte Independence in Round 2 before falling to Richmond Kickers on a 118th minute game-winner in Round 3.

The Fusion open their USL League 2 season on May 10 at home against Charlotte Independence, while Appalachian’s first opponent in the NPSL is still to be determined.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

North Carolina Fusion U-23s (USL-2)
14th US Open Cup appearance (5 as pro team)
Overall: 11-12-1 (1-0 PKs) | 6-7-1 (1-0 PKs) as USL-2 team
Away: 2-9-0 | 0-4-0 as USL-2 team
vs. Amateurs: 7-2-1 (1-0 PKs) | 3-1-1 (1-0 PKs) as USL-2 team
Best finish: Quarterfinals (1996) (as pro team)

Appalachian FC (NPSL)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Nona FC (USL-2) at Club de Lyon (NISAN)
Austin-Tindall Sports Complex – Kissimmee, FL
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Eleven Sports

By Rich Flemings

Club de Lyon celebrates after defeating South Carolina United Heat 2-1 in extra time to qualify for the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Forrest Wimberly
Club de Lyon celebrates after defeating South Carolina United Heat 2-1 in extra time to qualify for the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Forrest Wimberly

Two clubs new to the US Open Cup will face off at Austin-Tindall Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Fla. Nona FC, competing in USL League Two since 2022 will line up against Club de Lyon, who is playing their first season in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA).

Nona FC, based in Orlando, started competing in USL League Two last season and didn’t skip a beat.  In their first season, Nona FC won the Southeast Division by seven points, qualified for the playoffs, and lost in the Conference Quarterfinals.  Last month, USL League Two announced the new division alignments, which placed Nona FC in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference. The club starts their pursuit of another division title on May 10th.

Also based in the Orlando area, Club de Lyon was founded last year and will compete for the first time in 2023.  The NISA Nation side earned their bid to the US Open Cup via an equalizer in the 91st minute and ultimately winning 2-1 over SC United Bantams in their last match of qualification. However, the situation took an interesting turn when the club decided to join the professional side of NISA. This means that as a pro team, Club de Lyon were automatically entered into the US Open Cup. But since their NISA Nation side had already qualified, they were also part of the tournament. The problem is, many of the players from CDL’s NISA Nation team are part of the pro team’s roster, but since they competed in the Open Cup qualifying tournament, they were cup-tied to the amateur team.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Nona FC (USL-2)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Club de Lyon (NISAN)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A


FC Motown (NPSL) at Manhattan SC (USL-2)
Marillac Field (College of Mt. St. Vincent) – Bronx, NY
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: YouTube


By Rich Flemings

FC Motown 2022 US Open Cup AC Syracuse Pulse
Federico De Olivera of FC Motown celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against AC Syracuse Pulse in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Peter Bonilla

Marillac Stadium in the Bronx will see FC Motown, the top Open Division club from the 2022 US Open Cup, return to the tournament to face first-time competitor Manhattan SC in the First Round.

FC Motown is no stranger to the US Open Cup, competing in the tournament for the sixth time in club history.  Founded in 2012, Motown won the 2022 NPSL Conference, Regional, and National championships. While competing in the Open Cup, Motown is 4-2-2 all time in the tournament. In 2022, the club won a pair of games, including a 1-0 extra time upset of AC Syracuse Pulse (NISA). They won $25,000 as a result of being the farthest-reaching Open Division team.  They’ll face off against a newcomer to the Cup, Manhattan SC.

Based in the Bronx and founded in 1997, Manhattan SC has never played in the US Open Cup, but that hasn’t stopped the club from experiencing success in USL League Two. This will be Manhattan SC’s fourth year competing in USL League Two.  In 2022, the club finished atop the Metropolitan Division of Eastern Conference and qualified for the playoffs, where the club lost in the Conference Quarterfinals. When the USL League Two divisions were announced last month, Manhattan SC found themselves placed in familiar territory, back in the Metropolitan Division.  Their season starts on May 21.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

FC Motown (NPSL)
5th US Open Cup appearance (4th as NPSL team)
NOTE: Merged with Clarkstown SC Eagles after 2017 season, which had 2 appearances in 2016 and 2017)
Overall: 4-2-2 (0-2 PKs)
Away: 1-1-1 (0-1 PKs)
vs. Amateurs: 3-0-1 (0-1 PKs)
Best finish: Third Round (2022, farthest reaching Open Division team)

Manhattan SC (USL-2)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Des Moines Menace (USL-2) at Beaman United FC (UPSL)
Dean A. Hayes Track & Soccer Stadium (MTSU) – Murfreesboro, TN
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: YouTube



By Rich Flemings

Des Moines Menace 2022 US Open Cup
The Des Moines Menace celebrate scoring a goal vs. Minneapolis City SC in the First Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Jose Calderon @digitaljose

Murfreesboro, Tenn. is the place to be on Wednesday as one current league champion, Beaman United FC, faces off against another club with its own history of league championships, the Des Moines Menace.

Despite having never played in the US Open Cup, Beaman United FC enters the match as the 2022 United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) runner-up. The club found their way into the tournament after a pair of road wins over fellow UPSL opposition. They beat Bowling Green FC (KY) 3-1, followed by a penalty kick shootout win over Kalonji Pro-Profile (after a 4-4 draw) and then a come-from-behind victory, involving two blocked penalties and two goals in extra time. That “Win & You’re In” 4-3 victory over D’Feeters Kicks (Dallas) took place in December and ensured their participation in the First Round of action for the first time. The team is headlined by a former pro Kwadwo Poku, who made a career for himself  in the United States based on performances in the US Open Cup. He was discovered by Eric Wynalda and the Atlanta Silverbacks after a standout performance against them for NPSL side Georgia Revolution. Then signed with New York City FC of MLS. 

Des Moines Menace is a club all too familiar with the US Open Cup, making their 15th appearance this year, which is tied with the Flint City Bucks for most by any amateur team in the Modern Era. Founded in 1994, the Menace have won their division in nine different seasons and took home the USL League Two championship twice (2005, 2021).  Their best finish in the tournament came in 2005, when they made it to the Fourth Round. Among all the amateur teams in the Modern Era, only the Flint City Bucks have more tournament wins than the Menace (13) and professional team upsets (7). 

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Des Moines Menace (USL-2)
15th US Open Cup appearance (13 as USL-2 team)
Overall: 13-12-3 (2-1 PKs)
Away: 5-7-0
vs. Amateurs: 7-2-1 (1-0 PKs)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2005)

Beaman United FC (UPSL)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Bavarian United (MWPL) at Chicago House AC (MWPL)
Langhorst Field (Elmhurst University) – Elmhurst, IL
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Bleacher Report


By Adam Uthe

Bavarian United celebrate the club's 2022 USASA Amatuer Cup title after a 1-0 win over Northern Virginia FC on Aug. 7, 2022. Photo: Bavarian United
Bavarian United celebrate the club’s 2022 USASA Amatuer Cup title after a 1-0 win over Northern Virginia FC on Aug. 7, 2022. Photo: Bavarian United

It’s a Midwestern version of the Old Guard vs. the New Kids on the Block. Bavarian United returns for the ninth time in the Modern Era and will travel to Chicago to face off with first time qualifiers Chicago House AC.

Bavarian United is actually the result of a merger between Bavarian SC and Inter Northshore FC. Bavarian SC, a team that dates back to the 1920s, reached the peak of their powers in the early 90s when they were semifinalists in 1993 and then runners up in 1994. The 2023 version of Bavarian United qualified by winning the the 2022 USASA Amateur Cup back in August. Patrick Coleman’s goal was enough to see them life the trophy over Northern Virginia FC.

Chicago House AC, meanwhile, are making their Open Cup debut. They took a different, but no less difficult path to the 2023 tournament. Two of their three qualifying victories had to come via penalty shootouts. Their Round 4 qualifying win came after nine rounds of penalties in conditions so dark, the officials had to have discussion before deciding to proceed with the shootout. Not only that, but they were visiting Brockton FC United over 1,000 miles from home in Massachusetts. It was the fifth-longest distance traveled by a team since the new qualifying format began in 2015.

Chicago House AC began playing in NISA in the 2021 fall season, but left the league after that first season due to a dispute between team owners and league officials. As a result, House were voted out of the league and left unable to participate in the 2022 US Open Cup. The team spent 2022 playing in the Midwest Premier League. The club’s CEO is Peter Wilt, a man who won multiple US Open Cup titles as general manager of the Chicago Fire (MLS). 

The winner of this one will travel to Madison, Wisconsin to take on USL-1 side Forward Madison FC.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Bavarian United (MWPL)
9th US Open Cup appearance (Modern Era)
Overall: 3-8-0
Away: 1-6-0
vs. Amateurs: 1-3-0
Best finish: 1994 Runner-Up

Chicago House AC (MWPL)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Brazos Valley Cavalry (USL-2) at Tulsa Athletic (NPSL)
Hicks Park – Tulsa, OK
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: YouTube


By Jordan Beech

Tulsa Athletic vs Azteca FC 2022 US Open Cup
Tulsa Athletic celebrates Joe Garcia’s penalty kick goal in the 72nd minute against Azteca FC in the First Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Lori Scholl

Hicks Park in Tulsa, Okla., will play host to the US Open Cup First Round matchup between Brazos Valley Calvary of USL-2 and Tulsa Athletic of NPSL. While both teams have a limited history in the knockout tournament, both teams will be looking to make their mark in 2023.

Brazos Valley is returning to Open Cup action for the first time since 2019 when they fell to NPSL side Laredo Heat, 1-0. The Calvary qualified after dominating the Lone Star Division of USL-2 with an 11-2-1 record, securing a division title and a ticket to the USL-2 playoffs. A win on Wednesday would be the first in club history for Brazos Valley.

Under a new manager in Jason Rogers, Tulsa Athletic have a chance to make the Second Round for the second time in as many years and third all-time. The A’s were a dominant force in the NPSL last season, posting a 9-2-1 record, a Heartland Conference title, and a spot in the NPSL national semifinals. Tulsa will look to build off their first ever win in Open Cup action – a 3-0 win over the UPSL’s Azteca FC – and make it two straight for the NPSL over Brazos Valley.

The winner of Wednesday night’s affair will move on to face USL Championship side FC Tulsa on Wednesday, April 5. 

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Brazos Valley Cavalry FC (USL-2)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-1-0
Away: 0-1-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-1-0
Best finish: First Round (2019)

Tulsa Athletic (NPSL)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-3-1 (0-1 PKs)
Home: 1-1-1 (0-1 PKs)
vs. Amateurs: 1-1-1 (0-1 PKs)
Best finish: Second Round (2014, 2022)


Park City Red Wolves (USL-2) at UDA Soccer (UPSL)
New Mexico State Soccer Field – Las Cruces, NM
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: YouTube



By Andrew Mosier

It has been eight years since a college or university affiliated team qualified for the US Open Cup. Brigham Young University was the last—and only in the Modern Era of the Open Cup—in 2015. In three tries, BYU never made it out of the First Round.

UDA Soccer celebrates after defeating Azteca FC 4-1 (after a 4-4 draw) in a PK shootout to qualify for the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Andrew Mosier
UDA Soccer celebrates after defeating Azteca FC 4-1 (after a 4-4 draw) in a PK shootout to qualify for the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Andrew Mosier

When the UDA soccer academy at New Mexico State University—UDA at NMSU, or just UDA for short—hosts the Park City Red Wolves, they hope to build upon the foundation BYU laid for college affiliated teams in the Open Cup.

UDA operates as New Mexico State University’s men’s soccer program, wearing both the UDA and NMSU crests when they play. To be part of the academy players must be enrolled in school—either MNSU, its affiliated community college working towards transferring to MNSU, or a local high school. But it is more than just a university club team. Based on the three UDA academies in England, UDA at NMSU is a European-style academy, training and playing year-round. It is the only one of its kind in the United States. The club currently fields three teams competing in the United Premier Soccer League, college club leagues, elite youth leagues, the Open Cup, and other competitions. Because UDA is a de facto college team, the team’s average age hovers around 20-years-old. The program began playing in 2021 and entered Open Cup qualifying for the first time in 2022.

In the spring of 2021 UDA at NMSU entered its first team into competition, finishing a respectable 5-1-2, good for second in the seven-team West Texas-New Mexico division of the UPSL. For the fall 2021 season, the club moved to the intensely competitive UPSL Arizona division. UDA won the ten-team division, winning eight and drawing two. In the spring of 2022 UDA moved back to the West Texas-New Mexico division, going 6-2-2 to win the division and earn a berth in the UPSL post season tournament and in the inaugural UPSL Champions Cup, featuring four of the top UPLS teams from the United States versus four top teams from the UPLS Mexican divisions. 

This is the second consecutive Open Cup appearance for the Park City Red Wolves, which are loosely affiliated with the USL League One Chattanooga Red Wolves. The Red Wolves qualified for the 2022 Open Cup as USL-2 Mountain Division champions, losing 3-2 at Las Vegas Legends (NPSL) in Round 1. 

Founded in 2018, the Red Wolves began play in the 2019 USL-2 season, finishing third in the Mountain Division. After the 2020 season was cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic, the club moved operations to nearby Salt Lake City but kept the Park City moniker. They won the 2021 Mountain Division going 5-2-3 in the regular season, losing to the Portland Timbers U23s in penalty kicks after playing to a 3-3 draw in the Western Conference finals, automatically qualifying them for the 2022 Open Cup.

In 2022 the Red Wolves repeated as Mountain Division champions, going 8-2-2 in the regular season, losing 3-1 to the Southern California Seahorses in the Western Conference semifinals. That division title was enough to give them a berth in the 2023 US Open Cup. 

UDA started their qualifying journey in Round 2 with a 4-0 win over Coronado Athletic Club (UPSL), followed by a 3-1 extra time win over Olympians FC (UPSL). They punched their ticket to the tournament with a dramatic 4-4 draw vs. Azteca FC, which resulted in a 3-1 penalty kick shootout win.

MORE >> Meet the Underdogs: UDA Soccer, a rare college team qualifies for US Open Cup  


Crossfire Premier (NPSL) at Project 51O (USL-2)
Ohlone College Soccer Field – Fremont, CA
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: NO

By Adam Uthe

Two west coast Open Cup debutants will square off in Fremont, Calif. when NPSL side Crossfire Premier visit USL-2’s Project 510.

Crossfire Premier did qualify once previously for the 2020 Open Cup, but that tournament was never played due to the COVID-19 outbreak so 2023 will mark their official debut. Project 510 is the developmental side for USL Championship side Oakland Roots SC. They qualified by finishing first in the 2022 Southwest Division of USL-2 in their inaugural season.

The winner of this one will have a tall task ahead of them as they travel to the California capital to take on 2022 Open Cup runners up and USL Championship side Sacramento Republic.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Crossfire Premier (NPSL)
1st US Open Cup appearance (Qualified for canceled 2020 tournament)
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Project 51O (USL-2)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A


Capistrano FC (NISAN) at Ventura County Fusion (USL-2)
Ventura College Sportsplex – Ventura, CA
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Bleacher Report


By Adam Uthe

Travis Bowen of the Ventura County Fusion scrambles past a Chivas USA defender during a Third Round match in the 2012 US Open Cup. Photo: Aaron Schmidt

Two southern California sides will go head-to-head when Open Cup first timers Capistrano FC (aka Capo FC) travel to the Ventura to face Ventura County Fusion of USL-2.

Capo FC are not only making their Open Cup debut, but 2023 will be the inaugural season playing in the National Independent Soccer Association Nation (NISAN). Their road to the 2023 tournament crossed all four rounds of qualifying, but they did catch a break as two of their four wins came via forfeit. Their Round 4 victory over the UPSL’s Orange County FC was hard fought though – they managed to win the penalty shootout by narrow 3-2 margin after the first 120 minutes of the march finished scoreless.

Ventura County Fusion are no strangers to the Open Cup as they make their 9th appearance in club history. Their best finish came in 2012 when they advanced to Round 3 and they’ll be looking to carry over the positive momentum of their 2022 USL-2 Southwest Division second place finish.

The winner of this one will travel to Irvine, Calif. to take on USL Championship side Orange County SC. If Ventura County advances, it will be the fourth time the two teams will have met in Open Cup play. 

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Capistrano FC (NISAN)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Ventura County Fusion (USL-2)
9th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 6-7-2 (1-1 PKs)
Home: 3-5-2 (1-1 PKs)
vs. Amateurs: 4-3-2 (1-1 PKs)
Best finish: Third Round (2012)

THURSDAY, MARCH 23

Lionsbridge FC (USL-2) at Cleveland SC (NPSL)
North Olmsted High School – North Olmsted, OH
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Eleven Sports

By Jake Sillick

Cleveland SC vs Chicago FC United 2022 US Open Cup
Cleveland SC’s Mikey Derezic celebrates his equalizer against Chicago FC United in their First Round match in the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Luigi Musto

In one of the longer road trips of the round, Lionsbridge FC of Newport News, Va. travels all the way to the Cleveland suburb of North Olmstead to face Cleveland SC. Lionsbridge finished with the top regular season record of all USL League Two teams last season, going undefeated and winning 12 of 14 matches with a 12-0-2 record. That easily won the Chesapeake Division in the league. They would be stopped in the playoffs in the first round by Vermont Green FC though. This is their first US Open Cup appearance.

Cleveland SC continues their streak of qualifying for the Open Cup this season after another stellar NPSL season performance last season. Cleveland SC just pipped the Rust Belt championship over Pittsburgh Hotspurs by one point. Their qualification though would come down to Midwest Region playoff performance though, where they defeated Pittsburgh Hotspurs and Med City FC to secure their spot in the Midwest Region Final, where they would lose to Muskegon Risers. The regional final performance was enough secure their place. In the Open Cup last season in their first appearance, the club defeated Chicago FC United 2-1 in extra time before falling to Forward Madison of USL League One in the second round 3-0.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Lionsbridge FC (USL-2)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Cleveland SC (NPSL)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-1-0
Home: 1-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 1-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2022)

Miami United FC (NSL) at Jacksonville Armada FC U-23 (NPSL)
Hodges Stadium – Jacksonville, FL
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: YouTube and Twitch



By Jake Sillick

Miami United FC players celebrate during their 2023 US Open Cup Second Qualifying Round match against International Soccer Association at Broward College-South Campus in Pembroke Pines, FL (Credit: Miami United FC)

A pair of Florida clubs will face off for the right to go up against Miami FC in the Second Round. Jacksonville Armada have competed in this tournament from many divisions, pro and amateur, but have been a NPSL side for the last few years. Last season the Armada went all the way to the South Region Final which earned their spot in the competition after a stellar run through the Gulf Coast Conference, winning the regular season and playoff titles. The Armada have been tight to the chest on what their roster will look like, but there will be some players available from their NPSL team, and they have a relationship with the local academy Jacksonville FC, who play in UPSL, making a Round of 16 run in the most recent national playoffs over the fall and winter.

They’ll face familiar opposition in Miami United FC. This iteration of United qualified from the National Soccer League and going through local qualifying last fall. Miami United defeated Florida Brothers, International Soccer Association, City Soccer, and Naples City, scoring at least two goals in each match en route to qualifying. Miami United have also qualified from NPSL and have even been in the same division as Jacksonville in some seasons. Miami United also defeated a Jacksonville Armada team in the Third Round of the 2018 tournament 2-0.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Miami United FC (NSL)
5th US Open Cup appearance (1st as local qualifier)
Overall: 6-4-0
Away: 3-3-0
vs. Amateurs: 6-0-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2018)

Jacksonville Armada FC U-23 (NPSL)
4th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-3-0
Home: 1-1-0
vs. Amateurs: 2-1-0
Best finish: Second Round (2012, 2014, 2017)


Lansdowne Yonkers FC (EPSL) at Hartford City FC (NPSL)
Trinity Health Stadium – Hartford, CT
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Bleacher Report



By Andrew Mosier

If there is one thing we know going into this 2023 US Open Cup First Round match between Lansdowne Yonkers FC and Hartford City FC is that Lansdowne Yonkers FC can score goals.

Lansdowne Yonkers FC celebrate after the club's 2-0 win over Vistula Garfield in the 2023 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Michael Battista
Lansdowne Yonkers FC celebrate after the club’s 2-0 win over Vistula Garfield in the 2023 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Michael Battista

In four rounds of local qualifying wins, Lansdowne banged in 14 goals, winning 5-0, 3-0, 4-1, and 2-0 to qualify them for the Open Cup a second year running. Shawn Genus led scoring for Lansdowne in qualifying with five goals over three games including a Round 1 hat trick and a Round 3 brace. Seven different players scored goals for Lansdowne in qualifying. And they are just as impressive in early Eastern Premier Soccer League play, putting 14 past opposing goalkeepers in three games for 4-0, 6-1, and 4-0 wins. Shaquille Sanchez tallied twice in the club’s 4-0 league win on Saturday. 

Considerably less is known about Lansdowne’s First Round host, Hartford City FC. As NPSL North Atlantic Conference regular season winners, Hartford earned one of eight automatic berths awarded to the NPSL, which sits on the fourth tier of the US Soccer Pyramid, the same as Lansdowne. Hartford City have not played a competitive game since losing 2-0 to the New York Shockers in the North Atlantic Conference playoff in July. Returning from last year’s Open Cup squad are captain Mark Grant and defender Andrew Geres, along with a spate of returning college players from the squad that went undefeated in NPSL regular season play including defenders Larson Richards (Eastern Connecticut State), Taj Salawu (Holy Cross); forwards Tremaine Bryan (University of Hartford), Khalid Rose (Central Connecticut State); midfielders Alex Clarke (Bucknell University, and Hikaru Jujiwara (New England Revolution II).

This is both team’s second consecutive trip to US Soccer’s big dance. In 2022, Hartford City received one of NPSL’s automatic berths in its debut Open Cup appearance, losing 3-0 at home to Oyster Bay United (UPSL) in the first round. Lansdowne qualified for the 2022 tournament as U.S. Amateur Cup winners. They played the Ocean City Nor’easters (USL-2) to a 1-1 draw in the opening round, advancing on penalty kicks (4-3), then falling to Rochester New York FC (MLSNP) 1-0 in round two. 

Coincidently, Lansdowne beat Hartford City’s 2022 Open Cup opponent, Oyster Bay United FC, 4-1 in the final round of qualifying this year. 

Lansdown Yonkers was founded in 1997 as Lansdowne Bhoys FC, based in Yonkers, just north of New York City. They played in the historic and highly competitive Cosmopolitan Soccer League, the premier league for teams from in and around New York City since 1923, winning four consecutive league championships (2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17). 

The club changed to its current name in 2019, when the Cosmopolitan Soccer League and Maryland Major Soccer League partnered to form the elite Eastern Premier Soccer League. The EPSL now features teams from Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Teams are promoted and relegated up and down the EPSL tier system based on league performance. Lansdowne Yonkers FC won the league inaugural championship in 2020-21. 

The club has two U.S. Amateur Cup titles: the first as Lansdowne Boys FC in 2017, beating the Milwaukee Bavarian SC. The second came in 2021, as Lansdown Yonkers FC, beating Cal FC for the title. 

Lansdowne has appeared in four Open Cups: 2016, 2018, 2022, 2023. As local qualifiers in 2016 the club beat the Long Island Rough Riders (USL-2) 2-1, then upset second-division Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-C) before falling to the Rochester Rhinos (USLC) 2-0 in the Third Round. It was the club’s best performance. In 2018, again as local qualifiers, the club beat the Brooklyn Italians (NPSL) 2-0 in the opening round before losing to North Carolina FC (USLC) 3-0. As U.S. Amateur Cup champions in 2021, the club qualified automatically for the 2022 Open Cup where they slipped past the Ocean City Nor’easters on penalty kicks in round one before losing 1-0 to Rochester New York FC (MLSNP). 

Hartford City FC was founded in 2015 but did not begin competing until 2017, when it joined the fourth-tier National Premier Soccer League. In 2021 it won its conference title, advancing to the regional semifinal, and earning the club an automatic bid to the 2022 Open Cup. The club was eliminated in the first round of its Open Cup debut, 3-0, by Oyster Bay United FC (UPSL). 

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Lansdowne Yonkers FC (EPSL)
4th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-3-1 (1-0 PKs)
Away: 3-2-1 (1-0 PKs)
vs.  Amateurs: 2-0-1 (1-0 PKs)
Best finish: Third Round (2016)

Hartford City FC (NPSL)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-1-0
Home: 0-1-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-1-0
Best finish: First Round (2022)

 

2023 Meet the Underdogs: UDA Soccer, a rare college team qualifies for US Open Cup

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UDA Soccer celebrates after defeating Azteca FC 4-1 (after a 4-4 draw) in a PK shootout to qualify for the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Andrew Mosier
UDA Soccer celebrates after defeating Azteca FC 4-1 (after a 4-4 draw) in a PK shootout to qualify for the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Andrew Mosier

It’s been three months since UDA’s epic 2023 US Open Cup qualifying win over three-time Open Cup qualifier, Azteca FC 5280. But even now, UDA technical director and coach Tahlon Drake has a hard time containing his emotions when he talks about it.

“It’s games like that that remind us why we do this in the first place. To qualify our first time out, on the road, in the cold at altitude, to come back and tie the game twice after going down a man, it was truly something special,” Drake said of the 4-4 heavyweight slugfest that was ultimately decided at the penalty spot. “And then for our ‘keeper to step up and make three saves in the shootout. The whole thing was just incredible.”

2023 US Open Cup Qualifying: UDA Soccer vs. Azteca FC
Photo: Casey Morris | UDA Soccer

Drake leads the University Degrees Abroad men’s soccer academy program at New Mexico State University. UDA operates as New Mexico State University’s men’s soccer program, wearing both the UDA and NMSU crests when they play. But it is more than just a university club team. Based on the three UDA academies in England, UDA at NMSU is a European-style academy, training and playing year-round. It is the only one of its kind in the United States. The club currently fields three teams competing in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL), college club leagues, elite youth leagues, the US Open Cup, and other competitions. Because UDA is a de facto college team, the team’s average age hovers around 20-years-old.

“All of our kids have to be enrolled in school,” Drake said. “We want to make sure we are changing lives through education. We’re not just a vessel on the football field. Ultimately, we want them to get an education, because the ball stops rolling for everybody at some point.”

UDA opens the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at home versus 2022 USL League Two Mountain Conference champions, Park City Red Wolves, on Wednesday, March 22 at the NMSU Soccer Athletic Complex.

In qualifying, UDA is only the second team in the Modern Era of the Open Cup (1995-present) directly affiliated with a college or university to qualify for the tournament proper. Teams from the University of Florida, Oklahoma University, Louisiana-Lafayette, and the University of Southern California have entered qualification in the past, but only Brigham Young University, which competed in the PDL—now USL League Two—from 2003-2017, qualifying for the Open Cup in 2006, 2007, and 2015. 

What is UDA?

University Degrees Abroad was founded in 2018 at the University of Cheshire and has since expanded to eight universities in England and Wales offering foreign students a pathway to degrees from those institutions, with the University of Chester and University of Gloucestershire offering soccer academies through the universities. The initial success of the program UDA Program Director and former NMSW assistant woman’s basketball coach, Jeff Thompson, floated the idea of incorporating the UDA soccer academy model with an American university. NMSU seemed like the perfect partner, with first-class facilities in place for its NCAA Division I women’s program, a climate conducive to year-round play, and lots of local talent to help build the program.

“Because NMSU only had a woman’s program, we were able to go to them and say, ‘We want to be your men’s division one program, just not under NCAA rules,’” Drake said.

2023 US Open Cup Qualifying: UDA Soccer vs. Azteca FC
Photo: Casey Morris | UDA Soccer

With the agreement with NMSU in place in 2019, Drake, Ordel, and a support staff began to build the program. Then COVID-19 hit.

“We didn’t even get to have a proper training session until 2021,” Drake said. “It wasn’t until then things really got started.”

In the spring of 2021, the club entered the first UDA team into competition, finishing a respectable 5-1-2, good for second place in the seven-team West Texas-New Mexico division of the UPSL. For the fall 2021 season, the club moved to the intensely competitive UPSL Arizona Division. UDA won the ten-team division, winning eight and drawing two. In the spring of 2022 UDA moved back to the West Texas-New Mexico division, going 6-2-2 to win the division and earn a berth in the UPSL post season tournament. They beat the San Antonio Surf in penalty kicks and the Arizona-based River Valley Bully’s 1-0 before falling to the Dodge City Toros 4-1 in the quarterfinals.

The quarterfinal appearance qualified UDA to play in the inaugural UPSL Champions Cup, featuring four of the top UPSL teams from the United States versus four top teams from the UPSL Mexican divisions. UDA finished winless in its group versus Mexican sides Deportivo Teziutlan and Altiplano FC, and Chicago Nation FC from the U.S.

“It was a learning experience for all of us,” Drake said. “We grew a lot as a team and as an organization during that time. Our program is about so much more than just getting the immediate result.”

Entering the fall 2022 UPSL season, UDA moved back to the West Texas-New Mexico division. For the first time the club fielded two teams. UDA Crimson finished second in the division going 5-3-0. UDA White finished at the bottom of the five-team table going 1-7-0.

“We put a lot of energy and effort into qualifying for the Open Cup,” Drake said. “Maybe at the expense of league play. But it paid off in the end.”

How They Got Here

With first round byes for both clubs, UDA opened 2023 Open Cup qualifying at home versus UPSL side Coronado Athletic from Sierra Vista, Ariz. UDA had little trouble, cruising to a 4-0 win over the Coronado club that finished in the middle of the table for the fall 2022 UPSL Arizona division. Mattias Cavallo put UDA up in the 15th minute followed by a second-half brace by captain Eric Gomez-Silva the capper by Marco Millan with fifteen minutes to play. Next up was fall 2022 Arizona division and UPSL national champion Olympians FC.

2023 US Open Cup Qualifying: UDA Soccer vs. Azteca FC
Photo: Casey Morris | UDA Soccer

“We had played Olympians before,” Drake said. “We knew it was going to be a difficult game. “They made it incredibly tough for us to play. I was incredibly proud of the way our boys handled themselves. Of the 18 cards shown in that game, we only received four of them.”

UDA played much of the game down a goal after 19-year-old goalkeeper Mario Castillo was caught off his line with a ball hit from near midfield. The game became a chippy, choppy affair. The tide turned in the 75th minute when Olympians were reduced to 10 men. UDA’s Jay Mustielis leveled the score in with just three minutes to play in regulation. In the second period of extra time Olympians went down another player making way for Keane Garcia to get on the end of Will Hanes cross to put UDA up 2-1. Alan Gudino put the game out of reach at 3-1 just before the final whistle.

The Fourth Round draw sent UDA to face Denver-based Azteca FC 5280, on one of the surrounding fields of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, home of the Colorado Rapids (MLS). A massive storm had blown through earlier in the week dumping more than a foot of snow that had been plowed into piles at each end of the synthetic field.

Going into the match, Drake said the conditions were going to be a factor.

“Some of our guys have never even seen snow before,” he said before the match. “The cold and altitude are going to make things interesting for us.”

For the better part of the last decade, Azteca FC 5280 has reigned as one of Colorado’s top amateur sides, playing in the incredibly competitive Colorado Super League, qualifying for the Open Cup three times (2017, 2018, 2022). Azteca failed to advance beyond the first round in all three Open Cup appearances.

“We knew Azteca was going to be good,” Drake said. “They qualified for the Open Cup in 2022. We knew they were very dynamic up front. But we have never been the kind of team to change the way we did things based on an opponent. That is one of the things we try to instill from the beginning. We play the way we play. Let everyone else adapt to us, not the other way around. We want to play thorough our attacking mids, with our number 10 stepping high and go at ‘em.

‘Go at ‘em’ is exactly what UDA did in what would become a qualifying match for the ages. UDA landed the first punch in the 14th minute when Gudino combined with Jose Rivan down the left flank resulting in an easy tap in from close range to put the visitors up 1-0.

Azteca responded immediately, leveling the score in the 20th minute, then smashing in a second at the 36th minute mark to go up 2-1. Then Daniel Ruiz Galan pulled UDA level just before the halftime whistle, slotting a Lucas Burch cross to the far post from close range.

After a hectic start to the second half, Azteca took the lead for a second time, going up 3-2, when a controversial penalty was given in the 63rd minute. Drake was shown a red card for his vociferous protests of the penalty call from the bench and will watch his club’s inaugural Open Cup match from the stands.

More importantly, UDA will also be without midfield lynchpin and captain, Gomez-Silva, who was shown a second yellow card with less than ten minutes to play in the Azteca match. Gomez-Silva was one of UDA’s top recruits, having spent time in the system of La Liga club Real Sociedad.

2023 US Open Cup Qualifying: UDA Soccer vs. Azteca FC
Photo: Casey Morris | UDA Soccer

“Eric is tough to replace. He sees the game so well; he is so good on the ball. He is the leader,” Drake said. “We are going to miss his presence, his experience, everything a player of his quality brings. But we have someone we believe can step up do all the things Eric does so well.”
With time running out UDA began to throw numbers forward, almost making it look like Azteca was the team playing short-handed. Then Alfredo Villescas got on the end of a corner kick to pull the game level again, at 3-3, forcing extra time.

Azteca took firm control of the first overtime period, scoring on a recycled set piece in the 107th minute after UDA failed to clear the ball. After the goal, UDA threw everything they had forward. Just moments before the final whistle Garcia found himself inside the Azteca six-yard box with the ball at his feet. He slotted home the equalizer sending the game to penalty kicks, where UDA’s 19-year-old goalkeeper stole the show.

UDA’s Garcia shot first, making his attempt. Castillo then saved Azteca’s first shot to his left, but was ruled to have left his line before the ball was kicked. He saved the re-take, this time to his right. Blake Bastain put UDA up 2-0 in the shootout. Azteca then converted their second kick making it 2-1. Villescas converted his kick to make it 3-1, then Castillo made a one-handed save to his left, leaving it up to Gudino, who calmy put the ball straight down the middle to put UDA into the tournament proper.
“I think it says so much about what we are doing, how far we have come in such a short period of time,” Drake said. “Qualifying for the Open Cup was one of our goals when we started. To do it the first time out, the way we did it, is just incredible.”

US Open Cup Round One

With the 2023 Spring UPSL season not yet underway, UDA has been playing regional professional teams, and competing against college club teams to prepare for its Open Cup debut versus Park City Red Wolves, winners of the USL League Two Mountain Division for the past two seasons. This is the second consecutive Open Cup appearance. They list 3-2 at Las Vegas Legends (NPSL) last year. Like UDA, Park City are out of season. Park City kicks off its 2023 USL League Two season May 27.

“Honestly, we don’t know a lot about them,” Drake said. “The best we can do is go out and play the way we want to play and see what happens.”

2023 US Open Cup: Rochester NY FC becomes first pro team to forfeit match after ceasing operations

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Kevin O’Toole of NYCFC dribbles the ball against Rochester New York FC in the Fourth Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. This is Rochester NY FC’s final Open Cup match. Photo: NYCFC

US Soccer has announced that Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC of USL Championship will receive a 1-0 forfeit win over Rochester NY FC of MLS NEXT Pro. This is after the club formerly named the Raging Rhinos has suspended all operations and will not be playing a 2023 season in the league.

This is a first for a professional team in the Modern Era (1995 to present), with a possible exception for when Colorado Rapids of MLS replaced the Colorado Foxes of the A-League in the 1996 tournament after the Foxes did not have enough players to compete due to World Cup qualifying at the same time as the match. At the time of this article’s publication, we have not confirmed if the Foxes withdrawal officially went down as a forfeit.

All forfeits are referred to the Open Cup Adjudication and Discipline Panel. Section 307 of the US Open Cup policy states: If a team forfeits or fails to appear timely for a match, the team forfeits the match and must pay a fine that is at least equal to 3 times the entry fee of that team. The Adjudication and Discipline Panel shall determine the amount of the fine.

Division III teams like Rochester NY FC pay a $400 entry fee, making it a minimum fine of $1200. The separate $1500 performance bond all teams must post will not be returned to Rochester as well. The Panel also has the power to enforce penalties that are not monetary.

In the past, professional teams will decide before US Soccer finalizes the competition team list and format whether they are operating for the upcoming year. This announcement of Rochester’s withdrawal from MLS NEXT Pro comes after US Soccer had already decided the final format and announced the first and second round schedule on Feb. 3 and Feb. 16, respectively. These announcements were delayed from their planned January 2023 releases. Round 1 is scheduled to be played March 21-23 and Round 2 is scheduled to be played April 4-6.

Had this been decided in a more timely manner before US Soccer had to finalize the competition, the current format would have resulted in 30 Open Division slots instead of 28 for Round 1. This is because Rochester NY FC was a second round entrant, which means their place in the second round needs to be filled by a winner of a first round match, thus requiring two more teams. By rule, these two extra slots would be allocated to the two Open Division National Leagues, NPSL and USL League Two, with each league receiving one additional slot.

According to TheCup.us records regarding the NPSL here, the next team that would have qualified for the 2023 US Open Cup is Med City FC of Rochester, Minnesota. We have confirmed with the club that they were fully intending on participating in the competition had they been invited.

According to TheCup.us records regarding USL League Two here, the next team that would have qualified for the 2023 US Open Cup is Kalamazoo FC of Michigan. At the time of this article’s publication, we have not confirmed with them or any other club who would have accepted an invitation had they been invited. If Kalamazoo FC did not want to participate, the invitation may have gone to Long Island Rough Riders or Western Mass Pioneers as the next two best teams.

Adding specifically Med City FC to the tournament would have changed how the Round 1 draw and schedule panned out. Instead of Des Moines Menace traveling to Murfreesboro, TN to play Beaman United, the Menace would have had a much shorter trip up to Rochester, MN. Round 1 and Round 2 matches are paired up with geography in mind as best as possible.

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds become the beneficiaries of this forfeit, making it one fewer game they have to play on the schedule and one game closer to the $25,000 prize as the furthest advancing Division II team. While their fellow league members in Division II USL Championship will be playing a second round match as scheduled. As Sacramento Republic did last season, they are also one game closer to the champion prize of $300,000 or the finalist prize of $100,000.

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