Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Albion San Diego

2023 US Open Cup Round 2: San Diego Loyal wins second straight “Stay Clasico” vs. ALBION San Diego

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San Diego Loyal players celebrate after scoring a gaol against ALBION San Diego in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: San Diego Loyal
San Diego Loyal players celebrate after scoring a gaol against ALBION San Diego in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: San Diego Loyal

USL Championship side San Diego Loyal SC bested ALBION San Diego 2-0 in the Second Round of the 2023 edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Wednesday night. It was a rematch of last year’s “Stay Classico” that took place in Round 2.

The packed “Loyal” crowd at San Diego State University’s Sports Deck (located on top of a parking garage) witnessed a match seemingly controlled by the home side from the opening kickoff.

After several close opportunities, San Diego Loyal’s midfielder and captain Charles Adams converted a penalty kick in the 25th minute with a beautifully placed shot into the bottom right corner. The USL side’s lead was doubled in the second half through forward Evan Conway after he slotted in a fast-paced run from the left flank in the 52nd minute.

San Diego Loyal nearly added a third, however was denied by ALBION San Diego’s Benjamin Roach onto the crossbar. The match also marked San Diego Loyal goalkeeper Duran Ferree’s first professional clean sheet.

This win gives San Diego Loyal a second consecutive Third Round appearance, and the second consecutive year that they knocked out ALBION San Diego in Round 2. Loyal was eliminated in the Third Round last year at the hands of the Los Angeles Galaxy.

“Guys that stepped in and did amazing,” said San Diego’s Morgan Hackworth. “It just shows that this team has great depth and a lot of guys gave some amazing performances. We’ve got a great team and this tournament is really special so it means a lot to get the win and keep moving on. Survive and advance, baby. Come on!”

With their victory, San Diego Loyal will have a long trip north to take on another MLS team, this time it’s the four-time Open Cup champion Seattle Sounders FC. The game will be played on April 26.

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: Late goal gives Loyal SC, Landon Donovan first USOC win in battle of San Diego

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Taylor Crull San Diego Loyal ALBION San Diego 2022 US Open Cup
Taylor Crull celebrates with his San Diego Loyal teammates after scoring an 89th minute go-ahead goal against ALBION San Diego in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: San Diego Loyal

Widely known as America’s finest city, San Diego hosted a Second Round Lamar Hunt US Open Cup match between two first-time participants: ALBION San Diego and San Diego Loyal. Supporters from both teams packed Canyon Crest Academy’s stadium, home of the reinvigorated ALBION soccer club who are now participating in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA, Div. 3 pro).

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The night was electric with the Loyal supporters setting the tone and bouncing to the beat of the drums for over 90 minutes.

San Diego Loyal, the USL Championship side led by their head coach, US National Team legend Landon Donovan, scored two dramatic late goals, one in each half to secure a 2-1 win and to punch their ticket to the Third Round of the 107th edition of the US Open Cup.

ALBION put up a fight and made things difficult for the Loyal when they equalized in the 65th minute through Mayele Malango who found himself at the end of a good cross inside the box to make the final 25 minutes enthralling for those in attendance.

The Loyal starting eleven consisted of two homegrown talents in Calvin Jay Fodrey (18) and Xavi Gnaulati (17) who were both signed through their part-time youth development program, Loyal Select. The 18 and 17 year old teenagers each displayed an impressive performance against a stout ALBION team who fought until the very end. A third homegrown player, Davi Santos (17) came on in the 63rd minute to see out the game.

The first goal scored by the Loyal was in the final minute of the first half when Evan Conway ran onto a well-timed through ball by Jack Blake following quick build up play into the ALBION half. Conway ran past his defender and slid to get to the ball first, the goalkeeper got a touch on the ball but it was not enough to keep the ball from rolling into the back of the net.

Following the ALBION equalizer in the 65th minute, the game got really scrappy with both teams battling all over the pitch. The record shows seven fouls called by the officials in the minutes leading up to the game winning goal.

In the 89th minute, Loyal earned a corner kick and it was through this set piece that the USL Championship team scored the game winner when Alejandro Guido placed an in-swinging corner kick with his right foot onto the head of Taylor Crull who rose highest to head the ball into the net.

The final few minutes were full of frustration by the home team and with seven minutes of added time, the battle continued. In the second minute of added time ALBION’s Jacob Haupt was shown a straight red card for violent conduct.

An inspired Loyal team held off the home team in the final minutes and earn their right to continue their journey into the Third Round. They will learn their opponent in Round 3 on Friday at Noon ET.


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