Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Charlotte Independence

2026 US Open Cup Round 3: Charlotte FC dominate in Queen City derby vs. Independence

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Archie Goodwin of Charlotte FC celebrates with his teammates after scoring the opening goal against Charlotte Independence in the Third Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Forrest Wimberly - TheCup.us
Archie Goodwin of Charlotte FC celebrates with his teammates after scoring the opening goal against Charlotte Independence in the Third Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Forrest Wimberly – TheCup.us

MLS side Charlotte FC registered its largest win in club history with a 6-0 win over crosstown rival Charlotte Independence of USL League One in the first meeting between the two professional sides from the Queen City in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

The Independence went down to 10 men in the 23rd minute, and held on defensively until Australian forward Archie Goodwin opened the scoring for Charlotte FC in the 45th minute.Then the floodgates open, with goals by Henry Kessler in the 60th minute, Nimfasha Berchimas in the 68th, David Schnegg in the 73rd, Kerwin Vargas in the 86th, and Baye Coulibaly wrapped up the scoring in the 88th minute to send the MLS side to the Round of 16 for the fourth time in four tries.

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Supporters were buzzing with excitement as this much anticipated intracity rivalry finally came to fruition. And as the whistle started play, each team proved they were ready to give the fans a show.

But an early injury for the Independence forced coach Mike Jeffries to make a formation change, substituting midfielder Enzo Martinez for center back Kevin Riascos in the 16th minute. Seven minutes later, another hit to the Jacks as goalkeeper Giorgios Tasouris was sent off with a red card for denial of a goal-scoring opportunity against Charlotte FC’s Archie Goodwin.

That brought another quick pivot as young winger Viggo Ortiz (who had scored the match-winner in the previous round) was substituted out for goalkeeper Matt Levy. Both teams started to press, hoping that the other would break. As stoppage time was announced, Charlotte FC’s Goodwin scored on a quick header off a perfect shot from Rodolfo Aloko, who has just recently been signed to Charlotte FC from MLS NEXT Pro affiliate Crown Legacy FC.

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It had been like a dam broken open by the time Charlotte FC hit their stride in the second half.  Up a goal and a man, the team was ready for a statement win. Five more players contributed goals, including United States youth standout and homegrown player Nimfasha Berchimas.

This game marks his first significant minutes with Charlotte FC this season, typically playing for Crown Legacy, where he currently has six goals and an assist. When asked about his training, Berchimas mentions he seeks advice from more established Charlotte FC players, such as Wilfried Zaha.

“He gives me advice of how to play with first-team players,” he said. “He’s an attacker as well, so how to dribble, when to dribble, when to crossover. I’m just gonna keep listening to him and doing what he says.”

He is also a player with a plan.

“Every routine is the same for me,” he said. “I’m not going to change anything it’s a cup or a league game.”

Charlotte FC coach Dean Smith knows that all games can’t be like this.

“You won’t go and win every cup game 6-nil or 5-nil,” he said. “It’ll be 11 versus 11, which is something that was the main advantage we had today.  But we’ve got a squad, and we’ve got depth.”

Even with the man-up advantage, Smith expected the most from his players.

“You’ve still got to work hard, still got to run,” he said. “You’ve still got to call out the opposition, run them out of positions, and you’ve still got to do that when you’re against 10 or 11 men.”

And coming into the game, he knew better than to take his opponent lightly. 

Players from Charlotte FC and Charlotte Independence battle for the ball in the Third Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Forrest Wimberly - TheCup.us
Players from Charlotte FC and Charlotte Independence battle for the ball in the Third Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Forrest Wimberly – TheCup.us

“I said to the players before, there’s an expectation tonight that you’re going to win,” he added. “If you don’t treat it with respect and the opposition with the respect they deserve, you can sometimes get egg on your face.”

Based on the draw held prior to this round, Charlotte FC has top hosting priority for the next round of the Open Cup, and will be up against Atlanta United the week of April 28-29.  The club will return to MLS player Saturday, April 18th in traveling to NYCFC.

Charlotte Independence also resumes league play on the road Saturday at One Knoxville SC.

2026 US Open Cup Round 2: Viggo Ortiz’s late OT goal helps Charlotte Independence disarm Charleston Battery

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Viggo Ortiz of the Charlotte Independence dribbles the ball against the Charleston Battery in the Second Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Wade Wimberly - TheCup.us
Viggo Ortiz of the Charlotte Independence dribbles the ball against the Charleston Battery in the Second Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Wade Wimberly – TheCup.us

Two wildly different halves saw USL League One side Charlotte Independence and USL Championship side Charleston Battery go into extra time before a late extra-time goal from Charlotte secured their spot in the next round of the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a 3-2 win. 

The Jacks went up 2-0 with goals by Souaibou Marou in the 37th minute and Luis Alvarez in the 58th minute before the Battery came back with two of their own from Houssou Landry in the 70th minute and Maalique Foster in the 77th minute. But it was Viggo Ortiz, a former Charleston Battery player, scoring in the 119th minute for Charlotte that broke the stalemate which led to the victory.

With the win, Charlotte advances to the Third Round where they will face a team from Major League Soccer. The Independence have faced MLS opposition three times in US Open Cup play but have only won once. That win came in their inaugural season in 2015 when they went on the road and upset the New England Revolution.

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These teams have previously met at the US Open Cup in 2023, with Charleston winning 1-0 in Round 3 of the Open Cup. So far this year, the Charlotte Independence put up a strong 4-1 showing against debutante team Ristozi FC, while Charleston won 2-1 against the UPSL team Florida Badgers FC.

A fresh face contributed to the Jacks’ Cup run as Thabo Nare, one of two South Georgia Tormenta players that are on short-term contracts with the Independence (the other being Jonathan Nyandjo, who was subbed on in the 56th minute). When asked about his time with the Independence, Nare was all smiles. 

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“It was a little bit unexpected, but I signed a 25-day contract here about five days ago,” he said. Nare played the full game against Spokane Velocity FC in league play just one day after signing. “I didn’t expect to play as much as I have been, but honestly, I’m just excited to be back on the field with a good group of guys and a great coaching staff.” 

Marou scored the sole goal in the first half, a left-footed shot assisted by Alvarez in the 37th minute. Unfortunately, his game was cut short by injury in the 56th minute. Alvarez kept the momentum going, scoring as play resumed, with Enzo Martinez getting the assist. 

But Charleston Battery have overcome a 2-0 deficit this season already, and were ready to do it again. Landry slotted one in the bottom right of the net in the 70th minute. This was quickly followed by an open-net goal walked in by Foster in the 77th minute. It was the last goal either team saw in regular time.

Charleston’s Jeremy Kelly would earn his second yellow of the night in the eighth out of 13 minutes of stoppage time, forcing the Battery to go into extra time down a man. The two 15-minute halves might have felt like a slog, but neither team was willing to concede so easily. Each call was argued, players knowing that they couldn’t squander the possessions given to them, as the threat of a shootout lingered above them. 

It was Ortiz who brought much needed relief to Charlotte, who crowded the young forward after his shot made it in. 

“There are no words to describe how proud I am of this team and the fight we put out for 120 minutes,” said Charlotte’s captain, Clay Dimick. “Obviously, we went up 2-0 and it would have been nice to close it out 2-0, but to come back and get scored on twice, it shows that our mentality is everything this year.”

They’ll need that mentality to continue their undefeated status this season in league and cup play. Riddled with injuries, the Jacks are missing several key players. Head coach Mike Jeffries said that his players, “have a good spirit and we’ll fight through whatever.”

Charlotte will continue to the Round of 32, scheduled for the week of April 14-15. They will travel for their next USL League One game on Friday, April 3 against New York Cosmos. Charleston Battery will travel for their next game as well on Saturday, April 4 against Louisville City FC.

2026 US Open Cup Round 1: 2nd half push sends Charlotte Independence past Ristozi FC

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Players from the Charlotte Independence celebrate after scoring a goal against Ristozi FC in the FIrst Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Charlotte Independence
Players from the Charlotte Independence celebrate after scoring a goal against Ristozi FC in the FIrst Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Charlotte Independence

It was a thrilling debut for NPSL side Ristozi FC as they played their first Open Cup match against the USL League One team Charlotte Independence. Each team managed to find the back of the net in the first half, with an early goal by Charlotte’s Captain Clay Dimick in the 4th minute, and Ristozi’s Yohsuke Ono scoring in the 38th minute. The second half was all Jacks, however, with a go-ahead goal by Enzo Martinez in the 69th minute, and icing on the cake by Fabrice Ngah in the 87th minute and Christopher Jaime in the 89th minute to close out their 4-1 win.

The Baltimore-based Ristozi FC qualified for the Open Cup based on winning both the NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference championship and the East Region Championship in their first year in the league. As one of four NPSL National semifinalists, Ristozi FC gained an automatic spot in the first round. Last season, Charlotte Independence made it to the Third Round of the Open Cup, winning against the Long Island Rough Riders and Carolina Core FC before defeat by North Carolina FC. This is Charlotte Independence’s 10th appearance in the Open Cup.

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Both teams were eager as the game whistled to a start, and Charlotte Independence struck first.  Ristozi FC’s goalkeeper Jermaine Fordah blocked two quick shots from Luis Alvarez and Viggo Ortiz in the 3rd and 4th minutes, but Clay Dimick’s rebound shot stuck, giving the Jacks an early lead. Ristozi FC’s attempts over the next 30 minutes were varied and often, with most being waved away by the offside flag.  It took a poorly aimed clearance to give Ristozi hope and a tying goal in the 38th minute, scored by midfielder Yohsuke Ono.  It was obvious that a locker room rallying cry was needed at halftime for each time, the second half was up for grabs.

Charlotte Independence captain Clay Dimick knew just how to light that spark.  “These games are tough for us,” he remarked.  “The team we play against gives everything they have, and we have to treat it like business as usual.  And the scoreline says just that.  I’m really proud of the guys and the mentality we went out with to get the job done.”  After losing the lead, mentality was the name of the game. 

Head coach Mike Jeffries agrees.  “We came in at halftime and just made sure that we picked our heads up .” Jeffries has quite a lot of history with teams in the Open Cup.  This win marks the 18th time that he has been able to lead his team to the next round of the Open Cup competition.

The second half ramped up, and Ristozi FC’s Keeper Fordah was up against a tall task.  The English keeper was pelted with 16 shots on goal, with 10 of those being in the second half. Enzo Martinez, returning to the Charlotte Independence after four seasons away, wasn’t happy enough with the tie, and took advantage of an open net in the 69th minute, easily pulling Charlotte ahead. For Martinez, it was his seventh career US Open Cup goal, and his third career game-winning goal in tournament play.

Fordah kept the game close, but Ristozi’s offense just couldn’t make it happen before tiring out.  The Jacks took their time, and struck as the game was nearing its end, with two goals in quick succession by Fabrice Ngah and Christopher Jaime in the 87th and 89th minutes, respectively.  Players from the Independence were happy to speak with the NPSL side after the final whistle, remarking on their first appearance in the competition.

Enzo Martinez of the Charlotte Independence celebrates after scoring a goal against Ristozi FC in the FIrst Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Charlotte Independence
Enzo Martinez of the Charlotte Independence celebrates after scoring a goal against Ristozi FC in the FIrst Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Charlotte Independence

Charlotte Independence will compete in the next round of the Open Cup, scheduled for the week of March 31 – April 1. Their USL League One home opener is scheduled for Friday, March 27 against Spokane Velocity.  The NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference schedule has not yet been released, but aims for a start in May 2026.

2025 US Open Cup Round 3: North Carolina FC wins Dogwood Derby with Charlotte Independence

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North Carolina FC players celebrate after defeating Charlotte Independence 3-1 in the Third Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: North Carolina FC
North Carolina FC players celebrate after defeating Charlotte Independence 3-1 in the Third Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: North Carolina FC

The heated “Dogwood Derby” between USL Championship team North Carolina FC and USL League One team Charlotte Independence lived up to its name in the Third Round of the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. While NCFC was ahead in shots and possession, it was Independence’s Jon Baquero who struck first in the 49th minute. North Carolina was soon to answer with three goals in quick succession.  A goal in the 71st minute by Oalex Anderson and a brace by Rodrigo Da Costa in the 74th and 77th minute made for smooth sailing into the next round for NCFC, with the final score being 3-1.

As the match began, both teams saw quite a few chances, with NCFC striking with a shot in the first minute. Independence struck back with two back-to-back chances in the 8th and 9th minutes – both with Luis Alvarez involved. 

Independence’s next big chance was in the 39th minute, with Souaibou Marou’s shot sailing just over the crossbar. Plenty of set pieces were afforded to NCFC, but none were able to find the back of the net. And so, halftime came with a 0-0 stalemate. 

The second half began just as strongly as the first, with Oalex Anderson giving two shots in rapid succession within the first two minutes. As hot as NCFC started, Independence answered right back. 

Jon Baquero’s shot at close range hit true, with an assist from Luis Alvarez.  Now North Carolina was on the hunt for an equalizer and almost had one with a shot from Ahmad Al-Qaq in the 59th minute.  

There wasn’t much time to wait for that equalizer, with one of Anderson’s many shots on the night finally finding its target in the 71st minute. Control of the field shifted once again, punctuated by another goal from North Carolina, this time from Da Costa in the 74th minute, followed by another in the 77th minute, a brace for the Brazilian. 

For the remainder of the game, the Independence just couldn’t find the answer to such a quick cluster of goals. Once the final whistle blew, it was North Carolina heading into the next round.

North Carolina FC Sporting Director and Head Coach John Bradford was proud of his team’s accomplishments. 

“It was a quick turn-around for us having played in New Mexico this weekend and to get down here yesterday to play tonight. The guys did well after conceding a goal against the run of play – to stay disciplined and then get to respond – was positive and a whole team effort. The who came on really impacted the game.”  

And about this particular match-up, Bradford had this to say:

“It’s a good group, a well coached group, there’s a lot of respect for the Independence and we knew tonight was going to be a situation where we had to come in and try to be the aggressor and dictate the game and I thought we did that. And it won’t be long until we see them again.”

This is Bradford’s second time bringing NCFC to the round of 32 as Head Coach, and he has high hopes for his team. 

“I’ve followed the Open Cup for years, as well as the history of it, and so for us to be able to compete in it, is a privilege that we don’t take lightly. The opportunity for us to win, whether it be the league, the Jägermeister Cup, or the Open Cup, is something we want our players to value, and they do.”

NCFC travels south this weekend to play against Miami FC Saturday, April 19, and Charlotte Independence will host South Georgia Tormenta this Sunday in league play. Another instance of this rivalry looms close, with these teams meeting each other again in Cary, NC for the USL Jägermeister Cup opening match on April 26. North Carolina FC will play in the next round of the Open Cup on May 6 or 7. The draw for the next round will be this Thursday, April 17.

 

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: Charlotte Independence survive wild OT with Rough Riders

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Players from the Long Island Rough Riders (right) and the Charlotte Independence battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Long Island Rough Riders
Players from the Long Island Rough Riders (right) and the Charlotte Independence battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Long Island Rough Riders

The Long Island Rough Riders hosted the USL League One’s Charlotte Independence on a foggy evening in Uniondale, New York. Mitchel Field was the venue for the First Round of the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup fixture where there were goals galore, especially late in the game. The final goal was scored by Rafael Jauregui who bagged a brace before being subbed off in extra time. The match ended 3-2 in favor of the visitors who were tested and nearly brought to the brink of elimination.

The Rough Riders had their first berth in the United States’ oldest soccer tournament since 2008. The Independence, conversely, were in the US Open Cup in 2024. The Rough Riders came into the match having lost four of their last five competitive matches. Charlotte entered the fixture in considerably better form having only lost two of their last five and keeping clean sheets in their two victories.

Charlotte are lucky to have the guidance and leadership of someone with over 70 Premier League appearances, assistant coach Gaberial Obertan. Obertan faced some of the best players in the world during his 15+ year career but gave respect to the minnows and American soccer in general after the match.

“We have kind of the same experience in Europe, small clubs playing against bigger clubs,” said Obertan, who spent time with Manchester United and Newcastle United as a player. “You know what to expect, it was a tough game. They made our lives really tough. College players are getting better and better. So, I was not surprised that the level was good.”

The level of the match was indeed good. Goal number one was a cracking strike in the 49th minute from Jacob Woznicki, who was recently drafted by the LA Galaxy. Woznicki sliced through the ball causing it to swerve dramatically into the roof of the net. The Nassau County-based side took the lead deservingly through him before momentum shifted toward the end of the second half.

There were chances galore throughout the match but it became skewed toward the visitors after a triple substitution from the Rough Riders about midway through the second half.

Jauregui, a 20-year-old for Charlotte, showed his promise tonight, leading the lines and finishing clinically when called upon. Undoubtedly man of the match.

The Rough Riders were resilient in the face of stacked odd and adversity. Fourteen minutes into extra time, the ball was whipped into the box from the right hand side about waist high for Charlotte’s Christian Chaney. Chaney contorted his body to execute a delicious scissor kick resulting in the net piercing for Charlotte’s second.

Almost immediately after the Chaney front flip, back hand spring celebration, two more goals came, with one of them icing the game. 

Less than a minute after Chaney’s goal the Rough Riders were back into the game. Elia Khodri met a poor clearance off a set piece with a thunderous first time volley from about 15 yards from goal to tie the game back up at 2-2.

After some stoppage time for the goals, the first half of extra time ended and the opening minutes of the second half belonged to the Independence. They controlled possession and in the 107th minute a low cross was fired in from the left wing near the end line and a Long Island defender attempted to clear it to safety. The defender played the ball up the field but it fell right to the foot of Jauregui who volleyed it past the helpless goalkeeper to give them a lead that they would not relinquish.

“Our staff did a good job of not downplaying them,” said Charlotte captain and right back Clay Dimick about the importance of sealing the game after taking the lead in the 107th minute. “Our mentality is brilliant and I think that’s one thing that is going to carry us throughout the season.” 

The Jacks defense would hold strong for the last 13 minutes as the club would win their opening game for the third year in a row. It also marked the first time in club history that they won a game that ended after extra time and didn’t go to penalty kicks.

Charlotte will play again in seven days versus the Chattanooga Red Wolves who narrowly avoided defeat in penalties in Newark on Tuesday night.

 

2024 US Open Cup Round 4: Atlanta United takes over in 2nd half, blanks Charlotte Independence

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Daniel Rios of Atlanta United celebrates after scoring a goal against Charlotte Independence in the Fourth Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Wade Wimberly - TheCup.us
Daniel Rios of Atlanta United celebrates after scoring a goal against Charlotte Independence in the Fourth Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Wade Wimberly – TheCup.us

USL League One side Charlotte Independence traveled down to Fifth/Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia for some Open Cup “Action at the Fraction” against Atlanta United on Tuesday evening. After a slow start in the first half, United’s offense kicked in during the second half with a brace from Nick Firmino and a goal from Daniel Rios as Atlanta won 3-0. It was the 2019 US Open Cup champs’ first tournament win since 2022.

The two sides kicked off in beautiful weather in front of an announced crowd of 2,522.

A heavily rotated Atlanta United squad faced an early setback in the eighth minute as the recovering center back Stian Gregersen was forced off due to a concussion protocol concern. His replacement was Noah Cobb, a product of Atlanta’s academy and one who’s seen significant first team minutes recently.

The first half progressed rather quietly, save for a couple of dangerous free kick opportunities in favor of Charlotte, but tons of possession and half-chances by the Five Stripes. However, Atlanta United found themselves fortunate due to the absence of video review when Ronald Hernandez brought down Obregon Jr. just inside the box in the 38th minute. Despite the close call, the referee signaled for a free kick rather than awarding a penalty.

Ashton Gordon of Atlanta United FC (right) dribbles the ball against Fabrice Ngah of the Charlotte Independence in the Fourth Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Wade Wimberly - TheCup.us
Ashton Gordon of Atlanta United FC (right) dribbles the ball against Fabrice Ngah of the Charlotte Independence in the Fourth Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Wade Wimberly – TheCup.us

Though they dominated possession and generated numerous chances, Atlanta United struggled to convert their superiority into goals, a recurring theme in recent matches. Atlanta enjoyed 67% possession in the first half and took nine shots compared to Charlotte’s three, but they failed to find the breakthrough goal.

The defensive setup of Charlotte’s back five and low block presented significant challenges for Atlanta’s forwards, who struggled with clinical finishing in the final third.

Charlotte, for their part, seemed content to absorb all the pressure and try and strike on a counter. A slippery pitch caused multiple players to lose their footing, and Charlotte nearly took advantage early on after an Atlanta corner was played out to midfield. The last defender slipped, leaving Charlotte in a 1v1 vs keeper Josh Cohen, but the Independence weren’t urgent enough to set up the shot in time.

It wasn’t until the 52nd minute that the deadlock was broken, with Firmino putting the Five Stripes ahead after a well-executed cut-back and assist from Matt Edwards.

The momentum continued to favor Atlanta United as they made substitutions in the 63rd minute, bringing on Brooks Lennon and Caleb Wiley for Edwards and Ashton Gordon.

In the 70th minute, Wiley and keeper Josh Cohen played a crucial role in doubling the lead. A goal kick was taken by Cohen, looking to find Daniel Rios, who held off a Charlotte defender so the ball cleared over both of them. Meanwhile, an on-running Wiley snagged the ball and dribbled to the end line before providing an assist for Firmino’s second goal of the night.

Following the second goal, Atlanta United made two more changes, bringing on Bartosz Slisz and Xande Silva for Luke Brennan and Dax McCarty in the 71st minute. The hosts effectively sealed the victory in the 85th minute when Silva’s run down the flank culminated in a low cross to Rios, who slotted home the third goal of the night.

Atlanta United will now move on in the Open Cup to face either South Georgia Tormenta or Charleston Battery, and Charlotte Independence returns to league play against Forward Madison on Saturday.

2024 US Open Cup Round 3: Charlotte Independence needs PKs to survive goalfest with Rhode Island FC

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Austin Pack of the Charlotte Independence makes a save in the PK shootout against Rhode Island FC in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Wade Wimberly
Austin Pack of the Charlotte Independence makes a save in the PK shootout against Rhode Island FC in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Wade Wimberly

It was a wildly entertaining 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Third Round match held Tuesday night in Charlotte. The host Charlotte Independence played to a 4-4 draw with the visiting Rhode Island FC over 120 minutes of soccer ebbs and flows before Independence goalkeeper Austin Pack provided the decisive moment to separate the sides and push the hosts into the Round of 32. 

Just when it seemed like one team would create an advantage and begin to pull away something spectacular would happen and the game would be level again and right back where we started.

In the end, it was Charlotte who prevailed in the PK shootout by a score of 5-4. It was the Jacks’ second straight shootout win in the tournament and earned the club its first trip to the Fourth Round since their inaugural season in 2015.

The game started very brightly for the visitors from Rhode Island, a USL Championship expansion team making their first Open Cup appearance. They were trying to become the first Rhode Island team to win an Open Cup game since 1969. Rhode Island jumped out on the front foot and into the lead in the 11th minute as Conor McGlynn collected his own deflected shot and made little mistake on the second effort scorching the ball into the net for the early advantage. It was a cat-and-mouse game of the high Rhode Island FC backline tempting the Independence service to go up and over the top. The Independence then seemed to grow into the match looking to go over the Rhode Island FC backline and they earned a penalty kick off a trip in the box that JC Obregon Jr. slotted home in the 26th minute to level the score. 

The game settled into a midfield duel at that point and then in the 35th minute the Independence again burnt the very high Rhode Island FC backline with a ball over the top that Tresor Mbuyu wove around the onrushing keeper and into the net for the 2-1 lead. The announced crowd of 3,865 erupted in approval and it looked like the hosts would carry this advantage into the half. 

However, Nathan Messer of Rhode Island FC had other ideas as he found a loose ball and in an individual moment of brilliance tied the game squeezing in a long-range rocket from a tight angle in first-half stoppage time.

Exiting the halftime break knotted at 2-2 it was the visitors who came out the more aggressive and Clay Holstad ripped a swerving ball through the crowded Independence penalty box that had eyes for the far post and the Rhode Island FC 3-2 advantage.

After Rhode Island FC took most of the air out of the game with some slow deliberate possession, Charlotte’s Luis Alvarez, totally against the run of play, stole the ball off a Rhode Island FC defender before going on a surging run at the Rhode Island FC backline leveling the game 3-3 a low driven back-post shot.

Rhode Island FC almost won the game in the 90th minute with a quick burst of shots but Independence goalkeeper Austin Pack slammed the door shut with two point-blank saves to send the game to full time still deadlocked at 3-3.

Full time quickly turned into extra time and in the 95th minute the Independence looked to have won the match with another wild sequence in front of goal where Obregon Jr. found a way to put away his own rebound into a 4-3 lead.

Rhode Island FC’s Stephen Turnbull didn’t read the script and never quit on the match and in one of their final ventures forward in the 115th minute flipped the storyline one last time to tie the game at 4-4 and send the match to penalties.

Charlotte took an early advantage in the shootout but quickly gave that back with two shots skied high over the bar after four kickers. 

Rhode Island FC was on the verge of advancing with their fifth kick but Austin Pack made another clutch save to send the shoot out to sudden death. 

After two more rounds it was Charlotte clinging to a narrow 5-4 lead after Anton Sorenson buried his kick and Rhode Island FC needing to convert their seventh-round kick to stay alive in the Cup. As Rhode Island’s Gabriel Alves stepped up to the ball Austin Pack stayed big, stayed patient, and stayed focused parrying away the shot with a strong left hand to push the Independence into the Round of 32 in early May. After the kick, Pack just froze in his saving pose on the ground before being mobbed by his jubilant teammates.

“I am tremendously proud,” said Independence head coach Mike Jeffries. “It took a lot of character to go down twice in the game and find a way back. They showed the confidence to stay in the game and get it done. We talk a lot about the mentality needed to win, and the guys showed it tonight.  Certainly credit to Austin (Pack). Not just the penalties, but he kept us in the game when we needed it.”

The Ocean State had waited over 25 years to have a team back in the US Open Cup and have to go back over 80 years to 1941 to find the last time a Rhode Island squad posted a victory in an Open Cup match.  Despite the dramatic tie Tuesday night in Charlotte, ending this winless streak will have to wait another year for the Ocean State faithful.

Charlotte now looks ahead to the Round of 32 and must be dreaming of another deep run in the Cup like they posted in 2015 defeating MLS opponent New England Revolution en route to a Fifth-Round finish. Full highlights including each penalty kick are below.

2024 US Open Cup Round 2: Charlotte Independence survive PK shootout with upset-minded SCU Heat

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Charlotte Independence players celebrate after a penalty kick win over South Carolina United in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Photos by Laura Stroud
Charlotte Independence players celebrate after a penalty kick win over South Carolina United in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Photos by Laura Stroud

There was little to separate the two teams on the field Tuesday night in Charlotte in the Second Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The visiting South Carolina United Heat (UPSL) and the host Charlotte Independence (USL League One) played to a dramatic scoreless draw through 120 minutes that could only be broken by the strong right hand of Independence keeper Austin Pack in the fifth round of penalty kicks.

The South Carolina amateur side was looking for another road Cupset in North Carolina after they had knocked out Crown Legacy FC in the first round just two weeks ago.  The North Carolina pros were dealing with several injuries in their team selection and these changes disrupted the rhythm and circulation of the team.

“It was a hard night and they (SCU Heat) gave us a very good game,” said Independence head coach Mike Jefferies. “They were super organized. We were prepared in terms of what we expected from them, but I don’t think we were strong enough mentally going into the game. I thought we were casual with the first half, not sharp, let the game drift, and played at their tempo too much.”

The first half of the match saw both teams unable to find the final, quality ball in the attacking third resulting in mis-timed connections and errant shots from distance.  The Independence enjoyed a 2-to-1 edge in possession on the evening but this ball control wasn’t in the attacking half and never translated into dangerous chances inside the Heat penalty box.  The Heat were very organized defensively with large numbers behind the ball and the visitors were content to absorb the pressure and then break out on a quick counter when the moment arrived.

The second half saw the best chances in the run of play from both teams as the Heat in the 55th minute produced a wild scramble in a crowded Independence box that had Pack charging off his line blocking two Heat shots around the penalty spot.  The Independence in the 73rd minute after some quick combination play had a shot from the top of the box rattle off the bar to keep the score at 0-0.

During extra time both teams were searching for a long-range winner but none of these hopeful shots could find a way through the concentrated defensive blocks guarding their goals.  Both teams had emptied the tank over the 120 minutes played and two exhausted teams went to the spot to decide who advances into the third round.

SCU Heat kicked first and converted their penalty despite Austin Pack getting a touch to the ball in the Charlotte net. 

Zach Rowell then made a diving save for the Heat punching away the stutter-step Independence effort to give them the advantage.

Both players made the second penalty to make the score 2-1 Heat after two rounds.

The third Heat kicker slipped at the time of his penalty and Pack dove to the left and turned the stray ball away. Charlotte converted their third kick and it was knotted 2-2 after three kicks.

Both teams netted the fourth penalty to set up the final deciding moment of the match. 

Austin Pack waited for the left-footed Heat kicker to open his hips and then Pack dove confidently to his right to flip the advantage to Charlotte.  The final, penalty-winning kick was hammered high into the net by Charlotte defender Fabrice Ngah to send them through to the third round.

It was a very muted celebration as Ngah embraced Pack and his teammates after this exhausting match.  The Charlotte Independence now await Thursday’s Third Round draw to see which USL Championship side they face in couple of weeks.

In their Lamar Hunt US Open Cup debut the UPSL amateur side SCU Heat posted a 1-0-1 record recording two shutouts against professional opponents. The victory over MLS NEXT Pro Crown Legacy 1-0 and the draw versus USL One Charlotte Independence 0-0 are exactly the type results Heat head coach Asher Quave-Robinson prepares his side to deliver.  The Heat were on a mission to be “more than just a UPSL team” when they take the field. A solid debut and clever warmup shirt from the “drywall installers and substitute teachers” in the 2024 US Open Cup.

2024 US Open Cup Round 1: Charlotte Independence spoil the Open Cup return of Vereinigung Erzgebirge

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Players from the Charlotte Independence (blue) and Vereinigung Erzgebirge battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Justin Nunez
Players from the Charlotte Independence (blue) and Vereinigung Erzgebirge battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Justin Nunez

Vereinigung Erzgebirge welcomed Charlotte Independence to Carin University in Langhorne, Pa. on Thursday night. The rain and wind stayed away, and cool temperatures gave the perfect playing conditions for Open Cup soccer. The match was Vereinigung Erzgebirge’s first time playing in the first round in 22 years (though they did qualify for the 2020 tournament, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic). In one of the most important matches in V.E.’s long history, which dates back to 1969, over 400 people showed up to support the club and its program.

However, despite being a scoreless game well into the second half, the Independence scored a pair of late goals to prevail, 2-0 and advance to the Second Round. It was a positive start for a Charlotte club that came into the game having been eliminated in five of their last six Open Cup games.

Photos: https://twitter.com/phlsoccernow/status/1770977008777847273

Vereinigung Erzgebirge’s best chance of the night came early in 5th minute of play. A corner kick fell to Chris Baker, who directed it onto the crossbar. It inspired the team as Baker immediately turned to the crowd to wave for more noise and support. Big chances would be few and far between for Vereinigung Erzgebirge. Meanwhile, their counterparts, Charlotte Independence, had a relentless attack for much of the night.

In the 17th minute, Tresor Mbuyu received the ball in midfield and charged at goal. He fired a shot from outside the area that rose above the crossbar. It was a warning for Vereinigung Erzgebirge: no matter how well they created and played, Charlotte could turn the match instantly.

The game intensified just before halftime as Vereinigung Erzgebirge striker Jaylon Weatherspoon went to meet a cross with his head but was clattered into by the on-rushing Charlotte goalkeeper Austin Pack. Moments later, Charlotte’s Omar Ciss appeared to body-check Vereinigung Erzgebirge’s former pro Antoine Hoppenot after the whistle had gone. This sudden coming together of players playing the ball and defending their teammates boiled into a shouting match, resulting in yellow cards for each side. Both teams went into halftime without any severe consequences.

Players from the Charlotte Independence (blue) and Vereinigung Erzgebirge express frustrations after a foul in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Justin Nunez
Players from the Charlotte Independence (blue) and Vereinigung Erzgebirge express frustrations after a foul in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Justin Nunez

The halftime score was 0-0, as this would be a game of tactics, creation, and who would blink first. Given the gulf in resources, funding, and experience between the two teams, it was incredible that the match had remained this close.

In the second half, Vereinigung Erzgebirge did their best to go for the win. However, as the match wore on, it was clear that Charlotte was the more fit of the two sides. In the 72nd minute, Kharlton Belmar received a pass at the top of the 18-yard box, and laid it off for Omar Ciss. He fired a low shot past Vereinigung Erzgebirge goalkeeper Steve Paul for the game’s first goal and a well-deserved Charlotte lead. For Belmar, it was his first Open Cup assist since 2018 when he was a member of Sporting Kansas City.

Vereinigung Erzgebirge would go for it all shortly afterward. They made three attacking-minded substitutions and went to three at the back as they chased a goal. It wouldn’t pan out for them, as Charlotte took advantage and sealed the win in the 86th minute. This time, Omar Ciss set up the assist as he sent in a cross, which Kharlton Belmar guided perfectly into the net. It was Belmar’s fourth career Open Cup goal for his fourth different professional club (Portland Timbers 2, Sporting Kansas City, Nashville SC). 

The final score at full-time was 2-0 in favor of the visitors. After the match, head coach Mike Jefferies praised Vereinigung Erzgebirge for its professionalism and good nature.

“They’ve been fantastic,” Jeffries said, “I think they are a very proud club, and you can see that in how they handle themselves. They had a strong group today, and you can see that it’s a club the community is behind.”

Jeffries, who now has 13 career US Open Cup coaching wins (seven of them with Charlotte) was also pleased with the goal and the assist from Omar Ciss.

“This is his third year playing with us. We’re really pushing him to be more of a final third presence, and he showed up tonight.”

Vereinigung Erzgebirge head coach Rob Oldfield was sullen, but proud of his squad.

“We had them zero-zero at half,” said Oldfield. “We can’t ask for much better than that. It would have been nice if the shot that hit the crossbar had gone in, but nobody is kicking themselves. It was a well-played game by both sides.”

The dream for Vereinigung Erzgebirge may have ended, but they can look back on a historic night for their team, youth programs, and history. Meanwhile, Charlotte will focus on their Round 2 opponent and their return to league play.

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