2025 US Open Cup

2025 US Open Cup Round 1: Lexington Sporting Club blanks Southern Indiana to earn first USOC win

March 21, 2025 by Jon Hunt

Eliot Goldthorp of Lexington Sporting Club celebrates his 42nd minute goal against Southern Indiana FC in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Christian Kantosky | Lexington Sporting Club

Lexington Sporting Club (LSC) hosted Southern Indiana FC (SIFC) at Lexington SC Stadium last night in the First Round of the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The match marked Lexington’s first-ever home Open Cup match and Southern Indiana’s first time appearing in the post-amateur qualifying rounds. The final score would be heavily in the host’s favor, as Lexington cruised away with a 5-0 victory over Southern Indiana.

Southern Indiana FC, the 2024 Fall season champion of the KY-TN Conference in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL), did their best to hang with Lexington SC, managing to have 3 chances early within Lexington’s box in the first 10 minutes and getting 2 shots on goal in the 2nd half. Still, the boys in teal largely maintained a deep low block, allowing Lexington to control the ball in their defensive zone, trying their best not to let the floodgates open up fully.

On the other side Lexington SC, now competing in the USL Championship after spending the last 2 seasons in USL League One, showcased their championship-level talent from start to finish and dominated all aspects of the game. Lexington controlled the ball the entire game with 82% of the possession in addition to completing 799 passes compared to SIFC’s 173. They consistently shut down Southern Indiana’s momentum. They cut deep into SIFC’s zone all game long, creating multiple chances in Southern Indiana’s penalty box (40 touches total in that area), with 6 big chances created and 8 corners taken on the night.

Regarding the victory, Eliot Goldthorp, who picked up a goal and assisted on the night, said about the historic win for Lexington:

“It’s special. It’s the first year for us in the USL Championship as well and we’ve come in and we’ve set goals that we want,” Goldthorpe said after the match. “We want to win trophies this year. We don’t want to be a team that’s going to build for a couple of years and then wait to win stuff. We want to win right off the bat. I think we inspired fans tonight and we played really well.”

The result propels Lexington Sporting Club into the second round, with a handful of local opponents possibly on the table again, which could make for an exciting match.

2025 US Open Cup Round 1: Loaded with ex-MLS stars, Des Moines Menace “amateurs” defeat Sporting KC II

March 21, 2025 by Liam Keating

Sacha Kljestan of the Des Moines Menace strikes a ball against Sporting KC II in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Des Moines Menace

With weather that was nothing short of ridiculous, the old heads of Des Moines Menace took down the kids, Sporting KC II, 2-1, in the First Round of the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

“This is the most historical tournament that we have in North American sports,” Des Moines’ Sacha Kljestan said. “I’ve always loved the tournament and I am just fortunate and grateful that the Menace gave us an opportunity to live out our dreams one more time, now two more times.”

Over 40 mph gusts of wind and rain took over the pitch. The wind blew in one direction going north to south and it was key for both teams to take advantage with the wind at their back.

“This is crap. This is not soccer weather,” Des Moines midfielder Benny Felihaber said with a smile. “The worst weather is wind. Obviously there was a lot of wind.”

In the first half, SKC II enjoyed the wind, but they were unable to capitalize. Macielo Tschantret had one of the top chances in the opening minutes. He blasted a shot just over the crossbar.

SKC II did most of its damage in the final 15’ of the first half. Beckham Uderitz drilled a shot from outside the box which hit the bar and went out of play. The home side had 10 first-half corners.

Des Moines didn’t have the ball inside SKC II’s half until the 25’ mark. They had no clear cut chances in the first half as they tried to survive.

“That was the mentality of the group. As soon as we lost the coin toss, we were like, ‘crap, alright,’” Felihaber said. “It was a half of trying to keep it 0-0. We got some lucky hits off of the crossbar. We defended kind of for our lives in that first half.”

In the second half, the Menace earned two penalty kicks which were both calmly taken by Sacha Kljestan. The first penalty occurred in the 56’ with the Menace on the front foot. Felihaber attacked the goal mouth and was brought down by Jacob Bartlett.

“It was a penalty, but I draw it, though,” Felihaber said. “Bartlett said he touched the ball, but I don’t think he touched the ball. I could be wrong, but I don’t think he touched the ball at all.”

SKC II found a rhythm following their opponent’s goal. The MLS Next Pro team attacked against the wind against the former MLS star studded squad that featured players Bradley Wright-Phillips, Dax McCarty, Justin Meram and Matt Hedges.

The home team tied the match through Uderitz, who scored in the 65’. A Sporting KC II pass form the end line to the middle of the box saw Uderitz drill one with the inside of his foot into the back of the net.

The Des Moines Menace pose for a team photo before a match against Sporting KC II in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Des Moines Menace

In the 75’, Des Moines sent a through ball down the near sideline to Leroy Enzugusi. SKC II shouted for offsides as he ran onto the ball. Enzugusi was brought down in the box and the referee pointed to the spot for the second penalty of the game.

“He was , he was really offside,” SKC II head coach Istvan Urbanyi said.

Kljestan took a hold of the ball and buried the goal, giving Des Moines a 2-1 lead. He took a few steps and started to dance in celebration.

“Our coach said, if you score, you better celebrate. You never know when it’s going to be your last goal or your last game or all that stuff,” Kljestan said. “It’s a stupid dance from the Talking Heads, the punk band from the 80s. We’ve been messing around and doing that in the studio.”

Des Moines held on for the final 15 minutes to earn the win. SKC II had a few chances to equalize, but nothing clear cut as goalkeeper Enzo Carvalho made four saves in the game.

It was a homecoming game for Feilhaber as he coached SKC II for the previous three seasons. He was able to put some tackles on his former players while they repaid the favor in a game that only the US Open Cup could deliver.

“It’s all love, dude,” Felihaber said. “I’ve loved coaching these guys for the last three years. Not all of them have been here for all three years, but I have a lot of respect for these guys. It was a blast playing against them.”

The win sends Des Moines to the next round of play. Kljestan recruited former MLS friends to play in this game against SKC II. The current Apple TV announcer shared some big news on if anyone could join the Menace in the future.

“Stay tuned,” Kljestan said. “I can’t reveal too much, but we will see.”

2025 US Open Cup Round 1: Inter Miami CF II takes over in 2nd half, rolls past Miami United

March 20, 2025 by Daniel Solana

Players from Inter Miami CF II celebrate after scoring a goal against Miami United in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Inter Miami CF II

Hosts Inter Miami CF II scored four second-half goals to rally past its lower division foe in a 4-2 US Open Cup First Round win over visiting Miami United at Chase Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

First Half: Miami United Strikes First

Miami United of the UPSL wasted no time in pressing forward against their MLS NEXT Pro hosts with Diego Morales firing a right-footed shot in the third minute, only to be denied by Inter Miami CF II goalkeeper Matias Marin. The home side responded quickly, as Sebastian D’Angelo, Miami United’s goalkeeper, was called into action in the sixth minute, making a crucial save to keep the match scoreless.

After an exciting opening five minutes, the tempo of the game slowed, with young Herons struggling to find attacking clarity in the final third. The breakthrough finally came in the 35th minute, when a careless foul by Bailey Spark of Inter Miami CF II set up a free kick opportunity for Santiago Frean. Frean made no mistake, curling his shot past Marin to give Miami United a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.

Second Half: Inter Miami CF II Roars Back

Inter Miami CF II came out strong in the second half, determined to turn the match around. The aggressive start paid off in the 49th minute, when Idoh Zelzter-Zubida unleashed a thunderous right-footed strike, blasting the ball past D’Angelo to level the score at 1-1.

Miami United continued to push forward and thought they had restored their lead, but a controversial offside call denied them a goal. The momentum shifted after this disallowed goal, and hosts in pink took full advantage.

Within minutes, the Herons struck twice in quick succession, with Mateo Saja (65th minute) and Yuval Cohen (70th minute) finding the back of the net, putting the home side up 3-1. The Miami United fans were furious, as the referees continued to make questionable offside calls and overlooked what appeared to be a clear penalty for the visitors.

In the 82nd minute, Cohen secured his brace, slotting home his second goal of the night to extend the lead to 4-1.

Playbeating Miami United 4-2 in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Inter Miami CF II

Miami United’s Late Fightback Falls Short

Despite the deficit, Miami United refused to back down. In the closing minutes, Sebastian Luzuriaga managed to slip one past Marin, giving the visitors a consolation goal and making the score 4-2.

Final Thoughts

Though Inter Miami CF II secured the victory, Miami United showed tremendous heart and resilience, battling fiercely across the 90 minutes. Controversial officiating decisions played a role, frustrating the visitors, but Inter Miami’s second-half dominance proved decisive.

With the 4-2 victory, Inter Miami CF II advances to the next round of the U.S. Open Cup, while Miami United exits the tournament, despite putting up a strong fight. The magic of the U.S. Open Cup is alive and well, and this match was a perfect example of its unpredictable drama.

Inter Miami CF II goalkeeper, Matias Marin, said about the win, “It was a very important game for us. We want the glory and to get to the top, so we are very happy to start with this win at home.”

2025 US Open Cup Round 1: Virginia Dream delivers Richmond Kickers rare upset loss

March 20, 2025 by Henry Colonna

Players from the Virginia Dream and the Richmond Kickers battle for the ball in a First Round match in the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Hendricks

The Virginia Dream pulled off a ‘Cupset’ in the First Round of the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Wednesday night, defeating the host Richmond Kickers 3-1 at City Stadium. The Dream, a lower-division side from the USASA-affiliated Virginia Super Soccer League, capitalized on defensive lapses and clinical finishing to send the USL League One club crashing out of the tournament.

The Kickers, playing at City Stadium for the first time since October 2024, rotated five players from their opening two matches of the regular season and struggled to find cohesion against a well-organized Virginia Dream squad.

Goalkeeper Joe Rice, who recently came out of retirement to join the Dream, said there was significance in the victory.

“This is a little bit more than an amateur team,” Rice said. “We have a bunch of ex-pros here, as you saw from the game tonight. We are a well-balanced, organized team, and I think it just goes to show the guys’ commitment. It’s a Cupset for a reason. Don’t call us Cinderella, but we’re going to try to go as far as we can.”

Elijah Amo, who played a key role in Virginia’s attacking presence, praised the atmosphere at City Stadium.

“It was a good atmosphere. Always fun to play in this game, especially because the crowd always gets very into it,” Amo said. “I was just trying to be dangerous as a winger, create a little chaos for the other team’s backline, and do what I could.”

After an early spell of pressure from Richmond, the Dream took control of the match and created the more dangerous opportunities despite being outpossessed nearly 2-to-1 on the evening.

The visitors struck first in the 8th minute when Nicholas Lukulia weaved past defender Gui Franca in the box and was brought down, earning a penalty. Lukulia converted the spot kick to give Virginia a 1-0 lead.

The Kickers responded in the 36th minute, equalizing through a well-worked attack to tie the match heading into halftime.

But Virginia quickly reasserted control in the second half. Thomas Suchecki restored the visitors’ lead in the 53rd minute, finishing from close range after a precise chip-pass from Gnaoua Kossehasse.

In the 61st minute, Virginia put the game out of reach when Akingbolahan Akinkoye broke free on a counterattack and slotted his shot past Richmond goalkeeper Pablo Jara, securing a famous victory for the Dream.

Kickers fans, hoping for a strong showing ahead of Saturday’s home opener, left disappointed as their club fell to an amateur opponent in the Open Cup for just the third time in 25 tournament appearances. The last time it happened was at City Stadium in 2017 when they fell to Christos FC.

For Virginia, the win marked another milestone in its recent rise. The club earned a spot in the Open Cup after navigating the Open Division Qualifying tournament, where they knocked off three-time qualifiers Aegean Hawks to secure their place in the competition.

2025 US Open Cup Round 1: One Knoxville “tickled pink” with road win over Appalachian FC

March 20, 2025 by Becca Mitchum

A crisp mountain backdrop set the scene as NPSL side Appalachian FC and USL League One team One Knoxville met on the second night of the 2025 US Open Cup. The teams seemed equally matched, but goals from Leo Santos (16’), Babacar Diene (63’), and Scott McLeod (74’), as well as a clean sheet from Knoxville’s goalkeeper Johan Garibay ensured their place in the next round with a 3-0 victory.

The teams wasted no time showing their strength, but a corner kick given in the 15th minute to One Knoxville led to the sole goal of the first half. A right-footed strike by Santos found the back of the net, with a headed assist from Dani Fernandez.

When asked about the match, defender Dani Fernandez said it was tough with this being their second away game in a row.

“We just came from Seattle, and winning and having a clean sheet on the road is very special,” he said. Fernandez also credited Appalachian FC, saying that this was a very competitive match.

Coming into the second half, One Knoxville heavily rotated its squad, using all five substitutions to bring out fresh legs from the locker room. Even so, Appalachian made it clear that they weren’t giving up without a fight, pressing against the professional team when possible.

In the 63rd minute, Knoxville doubled the lead from a free kick taken by Diene. Chances continued to come for Appalachian, but the second goal was joined by a third just 11 minutes later, with Diene assisting McLeod’s strike in the 74th minute. Eventually, it was Appalachian substitute Jeremiah Luoma (one of the team’s returning players) with the biggest chance for ruining a clean sheet: a powerful header that sailed just over the crossbar in the 85th minute.

One Knoxville’s coach Ian Fuller cited the team’s travel earlier this week against Spokane Velocity FC and praised his club for its resilience.

“This isn’t an easy competition to win in – you saw it last night – teams in the higher divisions have lost, so it’s not easy to come on the road after our travel and the preparation,” Fuller said. “We were finally able to break through with three set piece goals and (we’re) tickled pink to have a shutout.

“But you have to give App FC a lot of credit. They fought really, really hard and made it really difficult on us. We’re happy to move on.”

What’s next for these teams? Appalachian FC’s NPSL season begins May 10 at home against Port City FC and One Knoxville will visit Texoma FC this Saturday. One Knoxville will continue its Open Cup journey in the next round on either April 1 or 2.

2025 US Open Cup Round 1: Markus Naglestad’s OT winner sends Chattanooga FC past Corpus Christi FC

March 20, 2025 by Jed Henderson

Chattanooga FC players celebrate after scoring a goal against Corpus Christi FC in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Chattanooga FC

Chattanooga FC advanced to the Second Round of the 2025 US Open Cup after an extended battle against amateur side Corpus Christi FC. Super sub Markus Naglestad made the difference with a header in extra time to help the professional side reach Round 2.

The occasion marked milestones for both clubs; Corpus Christi FC made its debut in the Open Cup after an impressive, high scoring performance in the USL League Two Lone Star Division. Chattanooga brought more experience to the battle, featuring in the Open Cup for the 10th time, looking to avenge a first-round loss in 2024.

Chattanooga FC entered the match with an undefeated start to the season under new head coach Chris Nugent. Nugent was sure to field a strong eleven for the match, noting the quality of the amateur side they were facing.

“I know they’re an amateur team, but they’re not a pub team. They’re high-level players.”

Corpus Christi head coach Manuel Iwabuchi travelled with a squad that was heavily changed from the side that reached the USL2 quarter-finals last year, but talented nonetheless.

The match proved to be a physical affair with few chances actually testing the goalkeeper on either end. Corpus Christi did well to absorb the pressure of their opponents and even carved out a few chances on the counterattack. Ultimately, both sides were quicker to pick up a foul than to allow a sniff at goal, and despite spells of pressure from Chattanooga, ninety minutes passed with more yellow cards than efforts on target, and nothing more than routine saves at either end.

Perhaps the most important moment of the first ninety came in the 76^th minute, when Markus Naglestad subbed in for Chattanooga. The club’s all-time top goal scorer was ready to add to his tally.

As the ninety minutes ended, with extra time and the threat of penalties looming, there was a hint of cupset in the air, as the Open Cup so faithfully produces every round. Chattanooga brought extra urgency to extra time, and it paid dividends in the 112^th minute.

After a spell of pressure and possession, Chattanooga got the ball to the feet of Milo Garvanian on the left wing. His whipped in cross split two defenders to find the head of Markus Naglestad. The Norwegian made no mistake as he nodded the ball down into the far corner, finally beating the keeper and giving Chattanooga FC the 1-0 lead.

With the lead finally in hand, Chattanooga was able to comfortably see out the game, earning a victory and second round berth after 120 minutes. After the game, Naglestad described the emotions of breaking the deadlock in extra time.

“They did a great job. And obviously, when it goes into extra time, you’re playing a team that on paper you should beat, so you’re kind of dreading, are we going to pens? We were just lucky that we were able to get that one goal we needed to survive and advance.”

In advancing, Chattanooga FC now face cross-town rivals Chattanooga Red Wolves for the first time ever. The historic second round matchup will take place at Finley Stadium on Wednesday, April 2.

2025 US Open Cup Round 1: Columbus Crew 2 dominate NY Renegades in USOC debut

March 20, 2025 by Tyler Fisher

Players from Columbus Crew 2 celebrate after scoring a goal against the New York Renegades in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Columbus Crew 2

The 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup kicked off Wednesday night for Columbus Crew 2, as they made their inaugural appearance in the prestigious tournament for the first time as they hosted New York Renegades FC. Led by former Columbus Crew captain Federico Higuain, the Capybaras – which the team was dubbed in 2023 – helped Higuain advance to the next round of the U.S. Open Cup for the first time in his career, defeating the Renegades 4-1.

Columbus dominated the possession battle, holding 75% to the Renegades 25% while having 14 shot attempts (12 on target).

Crew 2 got the scoring started late in the first half with Keesean Ferdinand getting on the end of a ball inside of the penalty area, heading it into the back of the net. Brent Adu-Gyamfi then doubled the Crew’s lead late in first half stoppage time with his left-footed shot just before the half.

The second half mirrored the first, with Columbus on the front foot, forcing the Renegades to tire again.

Tristan Brown got his first of the night in the 62nd minute before Adu-Gyamfi secured his brace in the 69th minute.

Jonathan Silveira scored the lone goal for the Renegades in the 80th minute with a left-footed shot from outside of the 18-yard box and into the net at the far post, but it couldn’t propel the Renegades to pull another back before the final whistle.

Not only was this win the first for the Capybaras in the Open Cup, but it was also the first time that head coach Federico Higuain advanced in the tournament in his career.

Columbus Crew 2 is back in action Sunday March 23, as they travel to take on Inter Miami CF II.

2025 US Open Cup Round 1: Greenville Triumph need PKs to survive amateurs from Asheville City

March 20, 2025 by Ian Livingston Brooking

Greenville Triumph SC players and fans celebrate during the club's First Round match against Asheville City in the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Greenville Triumph SC — Greenville Triumph SC players and fans celebrate during the club’s First Round match against Asheville City in the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Greenville Triumph SC

Asheville City SC threw everything and the kitchen sink at USL League One side Greenville Triumph SC Tuesday night, forcing penalties after 120 minutes of scoreless action between the two Carolina sides. However, Sebastian Velasquez drove the nail in the coffin on Asheville’s chances of advancing, scoring the winning penalty as the Triumph took the shootout 4-3.

“Someone actually got in my head from the crowd and they reminded me of 2013, of the MLS Cup where I missed a PK and he kept saying my name and saying ‘I remember Kansas City’,” Velasquez recalled.

Velasquez, who was born in Colombia but grew up in the Upstate of South Carolina, felt this was his chance to redeem himself with this Greenville team and for his hometown. For Triumph head coach Rick Wright, he believed Velasquez would seal the deal and send Greenville to the next round.

“We know it’s never over until it’s over he’s very secure. He’s a vet, you know? He’s our last guy,” Wright said.

Despite a rather uneventful first half, Greenville were the more dominant side but neither them or Asheville could find their place in the match. The first big chance for either side came in the 57th minute when Asheville’s Simon Carlson took a shot well beyond 25 yards but it flew over the bar. A few minutes later, Greenville’s Leo Castro saw his shot saved by Francois Djiba. The Triumph had a chance to seal it in the 87th minute but Ropapa Mensah’s shot went just wide.

In added extra time, it was Asheville City who were the more dominating side, with big chances coming in the 95th, 101st and 109th minutes. The 101st was the biggest chance where the ball trickled into the center of the box, right to Asheville’s Robby Lyons only to see it sail over the crossbar.

“You’re going to miss chances like that but he’s a strong kid. He’ll learn from it but overall, his performance was fantastic,” said Asheville City head coach Scott Wells following the loss.

In the shootout, both sides traded goals in the first two rounds. Greenville took advantage after Asheville’s Victor Stromsten saw his spot kick saved by Seth Torman. Asheville managed to get the advantage back after Ropapa Mensah had his penalty saved, only to see the advantage dissipate in the next penalty as Johnny Fenwick hit it with too much power and it caromed off the crossbar.

Enter Sebastian Velasquez, who slotted the penalty home with ease and went on to celebrate with the traveling fans that made the roughly 60-plus mile journey from the Upstate to Greenwood Field in Asheville Tuesday night.

“We’re not happy about the performance but I think resilience brought us together as a team and we were able to win,” Velasquez said.

The Triumph will take on fellow USL League One side Westchester SC in the next round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. That match is set to be played on either April 1st or 2nd.

No matter what, Wright said his team is looking forward to the next round.

“We’ve upset some people before, you know. We beat Oakland a couple of years ago,” Wright recalled, also mentioning the scares his side gave Louisville City and Charlotte FC in the past few seasons. “Like you say, the magic of the cup. I know that the guys look forward to it.”

2025 US Open Cup Round 1: Miami FC cruises to 4-1 home win over Naples United FC

March 20, 2025 by Daniel Solana

Francisco Bonfiglio of Miami FC celebrates after scoring a goal against Naples United FC in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Miami FC

On a crisp night at FIU Soccer Stadium, Miami FC and Naples United squared off in the first round of the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Miami FC, the home side, took control of the match and eventually sealed a dominant victory, 4-1, though both teams struggled to find attacking rhythm early on. Francisco Bonfiglio led Miami FC with a first half brace.

With the win, Miami FC advances to the Second Round after falling in the opening match last year to South Georgia Tormenta FC, 4-2. Miami improves to 9-6-1 all-time in the tournament.

First Half: A Slow Start and a Breakthrough

The match kicked off at 7:03 p.m., with Miami FC donning their all-orange kits, while Naples United, the amateurs from the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) lined up in royal blue. Miami set up in a 4-3-1-2 formation, while Naples opted for a 4-4-2, looking to maintain defensive structure against their more experienced opponents.

The opening 15 minutes saw Miami FC dominate possession, yet neither team could establish a clear attacking threat. Miami’s first real opportunity came in the 15th minute, when a set piece led to a chance inside the box, only for the ball to deflect off Daltyn Knutson’s back, denying them a clean shot on goal.

The best opportunity of the first half arrived in the 22nd minute, when Miami FC broke through for a one-on-one opportunity, but failed to convert. Meanwhile, Naples United struggled to create much offensively, their first real look at goal coming in the 35th minute off a free kick, after Daltyn Knutson conceded a foul just outside the box.

With pressure mounting, Miami FC finally found the breakthrough in the 41st minute. A perfectly placed cross from the right side met the head of Francisco Bonfiglio, who directed it past the keeper to the left side of the goal, giving Miami a 1-0 lead. Five minutes later, during the stoppage time, Bonfiglio got his brace and increased Miami FC’s lead to 2-0 going into the break.

Second Half: Miami Pulls Away

Naples United made a couple of substitutions at halftime, and their adjustments paid off with a few promising attacks early in the second half. However, Miami FC remained in control and continued to push forward.

As Miami built their lead to 3-0 with a timely goal by Allen Gavilanes, they shifted tactics moving to a three-man backline to manage the game and solidify their dominance. It took only a few minutes for Miami FC to secure their 4th goal of the night, by way of Tobias Zarate, virtually ending all hope for a Naples United comeback.

In the closing moments of the games, Naples United forward Jorge Moreno was able to get one back for the visitors to avoid the shutout.

A notable storyline of the night was the presence of Juan Sebastián Verón’s son, Deian Veron, who wore the #11 jersey for Miami FC, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the match.

In the end, Miami FC’s experience and tactical discipline proved too much for Naples United, as they secured a convincing 4-1 victory to advance in the U.S. Open Cup.

Final Thoughts

Despite a slow start, Miami FC asserted themselves as the superior side, finding key goals at the right moments to take control. Naples United showed resilience but lacked the cutting edge needed to capitalize on their chances. With this win, Miami FC moves on to the next round, looking to continue their cup run.

“Happy, above all, for the team, and also on a personal level because I was able to help the team win,” said Francisco Bonfiglio after the game. “It was important to win today. It’s a cup match, it’s a single-elimination game, and if we lose, we’re out. Also, it’s the team’s first victory of the year, so a lot to look forward too.”

2025 US Open Cup Round 1: AV ALTA FC beat Ventura County Fusion in club’s inaugural match

March 20, 2025 by Spencer Johnson

Sebastian Cruz of AV ALTA FC fires a shot against Ventura County FC in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: AV ALTA FC

It was a frigid night of firsts for AV ALTA FC as they defeated Ventura County Fusion FC 3-1 Tuesday night in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Fans were bouncing, excited to see AV ALTA in the newly remodeled Lancaster Municipal Stadium. The first goal in club history came from Jerry Desundes, who recorded a brace. AV ALTA’s first US Open Cup saw them win 62% possession and pour on 19 shots, 10 of which were on target.

From the beginning, AV ALTA sought to retain possession through simple and effective passing. After probing the Ventura County defense, a breakthrough came in the 28^th minute after physical hold up play by Joaquin Acuna allowed Desundes to find some space and smash the ball in the back of the net.

Ventura County equalized after a long ball was sent to a streaking Buba Fofanah behind AV ALTA’s defense in the 42^nd minute. The celebrations were halted before half time when AV ALTA was awarded a penalty in the third minute of stoppage time after a poor tackle from Dorian Drucks. Desundes’ slow approach led to a powerful penalty shot which put AV ALTA up going into half time.

The second half continued to focus on effective passes and putting pressure on the defense. It paid off early in the second half as c dashed towards goal and beat Drucks to make it 3-1.

A penalty was awarded in the 75th minute after Jerry Desundes was taken down in the box. As Desundes stepped to the spot the crowd chanted “Jerry, Jerry” a la the Jerry Springer show. This time, Drucks stretched to save the penalty. ALTA ensured Ventura County had little time on the ball for the rest of the match, earning the club a 3-1 win, the first in club history

After the match, Desundes said the team wanted to give the supporters a good showing after the last match.

“Losing the first match made us work harder as a team. We wanted to give the fans things to cheer for”.