Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Carolina Core FC

2026 US Open Cup Round 1: Virginia Dream FC are pro team nightmare with upset of Carolina Core FC

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Graphic by Frank Lanham

Virginia Dream FC (UPSL) took on Carolina Core FC (MLS Next Pro) in the first round of the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Virginia Dream secured the win 2-1, to move onto the second round. The match took place at Truist Point Stadium in High Point, N.C., Thursday night.

Zoumana Diarra and Akingbolahan Akinkoye led the way for Virginia with one goal each while Tim Zeegers netted Carolina’s lone goal.

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“This is what the Open Cup is all about,” said Virginia Dream Head Coach Charles Taylor. “Cup magic, amateur teams trying to get themselves tested against these pro teams in the first, second round, and for us last year, we were able to get past another professional team in the first round. So we knew what it was going to take coming back on the road here again down in North Carolina against a very strong Carolina Core team. We couldn’t be more proud of the things that we’ve been training and things we’ve been working on, coming down here with the mentality to compete and showcase what our club is all about. We are super excited for the second round, and we can’t wait to showcase to the nation what Virginia Dream is about.”

Carolina Core was able to keep the ball on the offensive side of the field, but Virginia Dream’s defense was able to stay strong early on, with a very patient pace, not letting anyone through. 

CCFC had chances to take a first-half lead, as a shot just under the 36th minute hit the left post, just missing. A diving save from goalkeeper Nick Holliday stopped a Virginia Dream chance to score first in the match. Anthony Sumo Jr. had a shot on goal, but it was denied. Both teams went into halftime tied 0-0.

Carolina Core received two yellow cards in the first half, but Virginia Dream could not capitalize. 

The second half would get off to a raucous start. A Dominique Colon throw-in saw Ricardo Montenegro find Zeegers for the lead to give Carolina Core a 1-0 lead in the 52nd minute. However, Virginia Dream responded quickly in the 58th minute, as Elijah Amo found Diarra in space to tie the game. 

Multiple subs were made by Carolina after the Virginia goal as the squad looked to regain the lead. Jesus Ibarra subbed in for Dyllan John, but received a yellow card quickly. Virginia was able to capitalize as Akinkoye, who continues to see success in the Open Cup, put the ball in the back of the net with his right foot to take a 2-1 lead in the 78th minute.

Despite having more corner kicks and a yellow card issued to Hector Guerrero in the 95th minute, it was too late for Carolina as Virginia held on to win by one.

Carolina finished with six yellow cards while Virginia only had two. Virginia Dream moves onto the Second Round for the second consecutive year. Last year, they knocked of the Richmond Kickers of USL League One.

2025 US Open Cup Round 2: Marou’s OT goal gives Charlotte Independence first pro win in 10 years

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Souaibou Marou of the Charlotte Independence celebrates after scoring a goal against Carolina Core FC in the Second Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Charlotte Independence
Souaibou Marou of the Charlotte Independence celebrates after scoring a goal against Carolina Core FC in the Second Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Charlotte Independence

While USL League One side Charlotte Independence and MLS NEXT Pro team Carolina Core FC have only met in preseason matches prior to the 2025 US Open Cup, the tension on the field was that of storied rivals that had something to prove.  A hectic start saw goals on each side after only ten minutes on Tuesday night, but the game was pulled into extra time before the game winner by Souiabou Marou in the 93rd minute.  

Mike Jeffries, head coach of the Charlotte Independence, has spent a lot of time in and around the  US Open Cup. Tuesday’s 2-1 extra time win was the 17th time in his career that he has led a team to the next round of the competition, which is tied for 10th most of any coach in the Modern Era (1995-present).

“I love the Open Cup, because it’s fun, and I’ve been on both sides of the coin, being the underdog with the amateur team and trying to figure out how to get a result, and then also being the favorite in a game, or being an MLS club that’s expected to win some of the games,” said Jeffries.

With this mindset, it’s easy to see the intensity that Jeffries instills in players season after season with the club.

An unfortunate goalkeeping error by Andrew Pannenburg led to an early lead by the Independence, with Luis Alvarez scoring easily on an empty net in only the 2nd minute of the game. Carolina Core responded numerous times over the next few minutes, most notably with a blocked shot on goal in the 7th minute.  So it’s no wonder that they were able to equalize in the 10th minute with a goal from Josuha Rodriguez, assisted by Derek Cuevas.  A grueling pace was set for the rest of the half, both teams urging each other to get ahead once more.

As the second half began the tone on the field seemed more subdued, with less urgency seen from both teams.  There were plenty of shots taken, each player itching for that winning goal, with a free kick in the 58th minute giving Carolina Core their most clear cut chance. But no goals were given, and extra time loomed in Matthews, N.C.  

In almost a repeat of the beginning of the game, the deciding goal was scored within the first three minutes of extra time.  Souaibou Marou, in his first season with the team, made the angles work for him and brought Charlotte Independence one step closer to the next round of the Cup. All they had to do was survive the remainder of the extra time, and Carolina Core wasn’t going to make it easy for them.  Tensions rose, tempers flared, and after a few small scuffles, the final whistle blew.  

Independence Captain Clay Dimick was proud of his teammates’ performance.

“The team did everything you could ask from them,” said Dimick. “Mentality was the biggest thing we wanted to harp on going into this game and from minute one to minute 120 the mentality was there.  is a way to see how far you can go … the players, the staff, we believe that we have a lot of quality and can play with teams in the higher divisions than us, and it’s a good chance to showcase that.” 

With the win, Charlotte wins back-to-back extra time games to advance to Round 3 which is scheduled for the week of April 15-16. Tuesday’s win marked the first time they have elimated a pro team in the Open Cup without the use of penalty kicks since the club’s inaugural season in 2015. That year, Charlotte upset the Carolina RailHawks of the NASL (now North Carolina FC) and the New England Revolution (MLS) to reach the Fifth Round. The only pro team Charlotte has eliminated since then was last year when they beat Rhode Island FC (USL Championship) 5-4 in a PK shootout after a 4-4 draw.

Charlotte Independence will compete in the next round of the Open Cup, which is scheduled for the week of April 15-16.  In regular league play, they will visit Greenville Triumph on Saturday.  Carolina Core will have their home opener for the MLS NEXT Pro season this Saturday against NYCFC II.

2025 US Open Cup Round 1: Joshua Rodriguez sparks Carolina Core to 4-2 win over Soda City

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Players from Carolina Core FC celebrate after scoring a goal against Soda City FC in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Carolina Core FC
Players from Carolina Core FC celebrate after scoring a goal against Soda City FC in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Carolina Core FC

A thrilling team performance saw MLS NEXT Pro team Carolina Core FC continue to the next round of the 2025 US Open Cup after defeating back-to-back UPSL Champion Soda City FC. An early penalty in the 18th minute by Joshua Rodriguez laid the groundwork for Carolina Core’s dominant performance throughout the game, leading to a final score of 4-2 after eventually conceding two late goals to the visiting Soda City FC. 

With this game being the last chance of a first-round cupset in the Carolinas, eyes turned to Soda City to see if they had the little bit of Open Cup magic needed to make it happen. But Carolina Core, one of the two independent MLS NEXT Pro teams, had the first opportunity as Joshua Rodriguez was fouled in the box, quickly converting the penalty awarded to them.

The High Point, North Carolina-based team continued to keep control of the ball, achieving 75% possession in the first half. Each team had chances of their own before halftime came; Soda City with strong free kicks in the 34th and 39th minutes, and a Carolina shot on goal was deftly saved by Soda City goalkeeper Jacob Cotton in the 36th to keep it 1-0 at the break.

As the players returned to the field, it was palpable how much Carolina wanted another goal, and how hard Soda City was going to try to keep that from happening. In the 59th minute, Rodriguez achieved a brace (assisted by Facundo Canete) and added an extra air of confidence to the Next Pro side. Canete scored a goal of his own in the 69th minute, followed closely by Jacob Evans’s free kick goal in the 72nd. 

It seemed like a clean sheet was inevitable, and possibly even more goals to add to the tally for Carolina when a pair of goals in the 80th and 84th minute from Soda City forwards Lamar Thompson and Rauf Salifu, respectively, kept the amateur team’s hope alive. But there simply wasn’t enough time as the final whistle blew.

In winning this game and continuing to the next round of the US Open Cup, coaches and players alike aim to give Open Cup matches the same strength as regular league play. 

Evans, in his second year with the team, said that the team “can become complacent if we try and treat a little bit different, so we just went into it like a normal game, and I think that’s what helped to win tonight.” 

The Core has made it at least past the First Round in both years of competing in the Cup, but coach Donovan Ricketts has his sights set on making it at least to the Round of 32. 

“These competitions are one game at a time, because if you lose, you go home.” Ricketts said. “This is a competition that we want to push as far as we can and we earmark this competition because we want to face an MLS opponent this year, so we’re taking it seriously.” 

Carolina have its next MLS NEXT Pro league game on March 24, visiting NYCFC II, before it will play in the Second Round on either April 1 or 2. Soda City FC will play SCU Heat in Columbia, South Carolina on March 30.

 

2024 US Open Cup Round 3: North Carolina FC’s youth “mission” pays off, 1-0 over Carolina Core

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Julian Placias of North Carolina FC scored the lone goal in his team's 1-0 win over Carolina Core FC in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Greg Ng
Julian Placias of North Carolina FC scored the lone goal in his team’s 1-0 win over Carolina Core FC in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Greg Ng

A physical match on a cool Wednesday night at WakeMed Soccer Park in front of an announced crowd of 1,112 fans featured just one goal and one red card. The good news for host North Carolina FC was, their player netted the goal, and the red card was assessed to the other side.

North Carolina FC needed just one strike, a second-half score from youngster Julian Placias, to beat Carolina Core FC 1-0 in the Third Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

“I thought the guys played well tonight,” NCFC coach John Bradford said. “Competed well, and the first shutout we’ve had in a little while – I think that was important for us. Really pleased with the overall effort, and I really think (the win) speaks to the club’s mission being able to play young players and have faith, trust and support in them, and see them flourish on a great stage.”

For NCFC, the victory marks the eighth time it has advanced to the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup. It’s also the first time NCFC has won a match in the century-old soccer tournament since 2019, snapping a three-game losing streak.

This season is the first active one for Carolina Core FC. The MLS NEXT Pro side is based in High Point, N.C. – which is located about 85 miles west of the home of NCFC in North Carolina’s Triangle. The two teams played a preseason friendly that NCFC won 5-2, but this Tar Heel State Derby marked the first official meeting between the two sides with real stakes.

Carolina Core FC advanced to this stage of the Open Cup by besting Vermont Green FC of USL League Two, 2-1, on the road two weeks ago.

“We expected a really good game out of them,” said NCFC forward Garrett McLaughlin, who provided the assist on Placias’ goal. “John got us ready and showed us the film. They’ve had some good results this year. We expected it was going to be a tough game.”

With a 5-3-2 formation, NCFC dominated possession early on in the match – controlling the ball 71% of the time at one point – but didn’t get a good look at its opponent’s net until the 21st minute. Unfortunately for the home team, Jacori Hayes couldn’t find the goal with a left-footed attempt from inside the box after getting a feed from Placias. Moments later, Jaden Servania put a shot on-target, but it was saved by Carolina Core’s Alex Sutton, who dove low and to his left to halt the attempt.

Nelson Flores Blanco had a chance at a score in the 42nd minute for NCFC after hauling in a cross, but Sutton batted the ball over the bar to keep the score tied heading into intermission.

In the 61st minute, NCFC finally broke through. After McLaughlin corralled the rebound from his own miss a second time in the span of a few seconds, he then settled the ball, spun around and fed a pass to Placias, who was standing unmarked at the far post and blasted a right-footed shot into the back of the net with relative ease.

“It was scrappy at times. We only put away one, but that’s all we needed,” McLaughlin said. “I’m really, really happy for (Placias). He’s been training really well and getting more and more opportunities. To see him score and celebrate, it was kind of like a weight lifted off his shoulders. Happy I could provide that for him.”

The goal was the first for Placias in an NCFC uniform. The product of the LA Galaxy academy just turned 18 less than two weeks ago.

Kyrome Lumsden, a 16-year-old midfielder who came up in LAFC’s academy, made his professional debut by subbing on for NCFC in the 69th minute. He picked up the first yellow card of his pro career in the 83rd minute for a hard tackle in the midfield.

Moments later, referee Josh Parke gave Carolina Core’s bench a yellow card after receiving some jawing from head coach Roy Lassiter – the former U.S. men’s national team forward. Lassiter remained unpleased in the 88th minute when what seemed to be the equalizing goal for the Core was called off after the scoring player, Josuha Rodriguez, was whistled for being offside. The Core bench was then given a second yellow card after assistant coach Amado Guevara voiced frustrations. In the 90th minute, Guevara was sent off with a second yellow card that turned red after touching a NCFC player.

In all, the game featured 12 yellow cards.

Collin Martin of North Carolina FC dribbles against Carolina Core FC in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Greg Ng
Collin Martin of North Carolina FC dribbles against Carolina Core FC in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Greg Ng

“I didn’t expect the amount of fouls and kind-of nonsense yellow cards that came as the game wore on. But we have to deal with it, and that’s part of it,” Bradford said. “You hopefully will see very little of our guys talking to the referees and wasting time on things they can’t change.”

Another well-known name on Carolina Core’s bench, goalkeeping coach Donovan Ricketts – who played in 100 games for the Jamaican national team – at the very least had to be happy with performance of Sutton, who finished the match with seven saves and allowed just one goal despite facing 15 shots from NCFC.

“I thought their goalie had a fantastic game,” McLaughlin said.

The home side’s goalkeeper played well too. It was the first start at WakeMed Soccer Park for 20-year-old Antonio Carrera between the pipes for NCFC and he finished the game with a clean sheet, not allowing Carolina Core to score on four shot attempts.

“It was a team effort,” Carrera said. “It wasn’t clean, it wasn’t pretty, but we got the job done – which, in the Open Cup, is what you need.”

Carolina Core is 0-2-1 in the MLS Next Pro season, while NCFC is 1-2-3 so far in its first season back in the USL Championship after spending three campaigns in USL League One.

North Carolina FC will play in the Round of 32 on May 7 or 8.

2024 US Open Cup Round 2: Carolina Core’s comeback win over Vermont Green spoils night for sold out crowd

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Players from Carolina Core FC (left) and Vermont Green FC battle for the ball in a Second Round game in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Josh Wallace | Vermont Green FC
Players from Carolina Core FC (left) and Vermont Green FC battle for the ball in a Second Round game in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Josh Wallace | Vermont Green FC

Anyone who ventured to Virtue Field at the University of Vermont on Wednesday night to see Vermont Green FC host Carolina Core FC in the Second Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup they got their money’s worth. Despite seeing Vermont taste defeat in the US Open Cup for the first time, 2-1 to the visitors, fans were treated to penalties, plenty of cards, snow and most importantly- free ice cream from local favorite Ben and Jerry’s.

Vermont scored a first half penalty kick, only to see Carolina Core FC battle back in the second half. The independent MLS NEXT Pro side, led by their head coach, former MLS star Roy Lassiter, equalized in the 60th minute with a PK of their own and Josuha Rodriguez scored the go-ahead goal in the 70th minute to send the capacity crowd of more than 2,500 disappointed.

The scoring started in the 28th minute, shortly after a break in play to allow for Papa Ndoye of Carolina and Moussa Ndiaye of Vermont, both from Senegal, to break their fast at sundown in accordance with Ramadan. It would be the hosts who got on the board first courtesy of Yaniv Bazini after he was taken down in the box and calmly slotted his penalty home. This goal broke a deadlock between the two teams which saw chances for both sides.

The vast majority of Carolina Core’s productive play in the first half came down the right flank, trying to take advantage of the fact that Vermont’s left back, Nick Lockermann, pushed very high up the field trying to extend his hot form from the First Round game against Lexington SC where he recorded an assist in the victory. Despite these chances, Vermont goalkeeper Nathan Schnur stood his ground and made multiple quality saves- something he would also do in the second half, keeping his side ahead at the end of the first 45, 1-0.

This result at halftime emboldened fans even more who sold out the stadium, something Vermont head coach Adam Pfeifer was clearly happy about.

Carolina Core FC goalkeeper Andrew Pannenberg knocks the ball away from a Vermont Green FC player in a Second Round game in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Josh Wallace | Vermont Green FC
Carolina Core FC goalkeeper Andrew Pannenberg knocks the ball away from a Vermont Green FC player in a Second Round game in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Josh Wallace | Vermont Green FC

“We’re incredibly fortunate and grateful for everybody that devotes their time and money to coming out and supporting the guys and the community,”  Pfiefer said. “It’s obviously incredibly special.”

The visitors eventually found their equalizer with their own penalty in the 60th minute after Papa Ndoye placed the ball past Schnur and finally broke the wall that was the Vermont goalkeeper.

The side from North Carolina eventually took the lead in the 70th minute thanks to halftime substitute Josuha Rodriguez who put his team up after an initial CCFC shot was saved but placed directly in the path of the Houndaran. It was his second game-winning goal in as many games in the competition. Rodriguez scored the winning goal in the 82nd minute to the team’s 3-2 comeback win at home over Northern Virginia FC (USL-2) in Round 1.

Despite the potential advantage with the sudden influx of snow late on in the game, Vermont could not find the equalizer it so desperately fought for.

Eventually, the Green ended the match with 10 men after striker Jacob Labovitz was handed a straight red card from referee Brendan Fanning in the 90th minute after an incident which preceded a corner for Vermont in the dying embers of the game. Video shows that Carolina’s Ibrahim Covi fouled Labovitz which led to the retaliation. As is common in the game of soccer, it was the retaliation that was spotted by the official and Labovitz was sent off and Covi received a yellow card.

“The opposition was very good tonight,” said Carolina head coach Roy Lassiter, who despite being one of the all-time great goalscorers in MLS history during his career, scored just one Open Cup goal in 11 career matches. “Their fans were engaged and supported them very well. However, I thought our discipline was better and our fight was good. We showed a lot of intelligence in the match, and we knew it was our moment. We outshot them, had more corner kicks, and had a better share of possession. I knew it was just a matter of time before we would score.”

 

2024 US Open Cup Round 1: Carolina Core use second half comeback to win first USOC debut vs. NoVa FC

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Josuha Rodriguez of the Carolina Core celebrates after scoring a goal against Northern Virginia FC in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Caleb Livengood
Josuha Rodriguez of the Carolina Core celebrates after scoring a goal against Northern Virginia FC in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Caleb Livengood

Carolina Core FC entered halftime of its debut 2024 US Open Cup match facing a 2-1 deficit, but CCFC wasn’t fazed in the slightest. 

Hosting Northern Virginia FC in Greensboro, N.C., the Foxes fed off the raucous energy from its droves of supporters that filled UNCG Soccer Stadium to inspire a two-goal, second-half comeback. 

CCFC’s 3-2 First Round win was earned by a heroic, 82nd minute goal from striker Joshua Rodriguez, who beat NoVa’s back line after midfielder David Polanco laced a silky smooth pass through the defense.

With a one-on-one with the keeper, Rodriguez didn’t think twice. He slipped the game-winner past and slotted it home, embracing his supporters in the stands with just minutes left on the clock to send his squad through to the next round. 

Polanco, received the same kind of embrace from the Carolina Core fans when he scored the game-tying goal 32 minutes earlier. Just after an energizing halftime break, Polanco sparked his team and started the thrilling second half with a point blank shot propelled into the top left corner in the 50th minute after a rebound off the NoVa keeper. 

“And the fans also having all this support is absolutely incredible,” said Polanco who played his college ball at NCAA Division 2 school Barry University (Fla.). “Finishing the first half, in the locker room, we were all fired up. We knew that we couldn’t let the fans down and it was just a team thing.”

Polanco and company’s relentless attack earned two second half goals for his team and kept the focus off of CCFC goalkeeper Alex Sutton for the final 45 minutes. An increased level of energy and focus after halftime resulted in a dominant second half for the foxes, one that was formed from their refusal to give up. 

“I think the energy we bought in the second half really helped us, you know, turn that score back around, we’d been down before and came back,” said Carolina head coach Ray Lassiter, who despite a prolific pro career in MLS only scored one goal in 11 US Open Cup matches as a player. “And, you know, these guys are just resilient. They’re gonna keep on going. And, you know, we needed everybody involved in it to get it done.”

In addition to the final goal of the night, Carolina Core also nabbed the opener in the 18th minute after midfielder Drake Hadeed intercepted a pass and arced a shot from outside the box over the head of NoVa’s Bill Harris for a stunning goal. 

However, while CCFC was firing shots left and right in the second half, and got out to a 1-0 lead early on, NoVa FC took over the contest with two goals within six minutes near the end of the first half. 

Instead of CCFC doubling its lead, a goal from midfielder Facundo Canete was called back for offsides. Shortly after, NoVa took its shot and didn’t miss — the visitors were on the board thanks to a 34th minute score from forward Noah Holmes. 

Minutes later, NoVa doubled down on Holmes’ score with a 40th minute strike from forward Alexander Abril that was assisted by defender Michael Medina. Once fed an expertly placed low cross from Medina, Abril smashed his score past Sutton for his team’s second goal in less than 10 minutes. 

The visitors entered halftime with a 2-1 lead, but Polanco and his squad had other plans for the second half. Even despite some near misses from Carolina Core, the Foxes dominant attack in the latter 45 minutes prevailed, silencing NoVa’s attack and finding the net while doing so. 

Ultimately, Polanco’s equalizer and Rodriguez’s go-ahead breakaway goal proved to be the difference for Carolina Core FC in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup’s first round for the Foxes. 

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