chicago fc united

2022 US Open Cup Round 1: Cleveland SC equalize late, oust Chicago FC United in OT

March 23, 2022 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

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

On a cold and rainy night at George Finnie Stadium in Barea, Ohio, the last thing most people would want to do is play 120 minutes of soccer in such dreary conditions. On this night, Cleveland SC was grateful to wait the extra 30 minutes to dry off as a 90th minute goal gave the home side a chance to win their first ever US Open Cup game in extra time over Chicago FC United (USL League Two).

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Cleveland had the first decent chance on goal in the 7th minute when Filip Sparavec sent a cross into the box, but Chicago goalkeeper Andrews Vasquez was able to catch the ball before Vinnie Bell could get his head on it. At the other end Chicago earned three corner kicks in a row before the final one was headed away to safety.

The opening goal came in the 18^th minute as Chicago’s Mounir Alami sent the ball into the box from the left wing, and Cleveland defender Boban Cancar lifted his leg to block the ball, redirecting it and sending it past goalkeeper Conor Cable for an own goal.

For the remainder of the first half, Cleveland had most of the possession, and in the 30th minute Vinny Bell passed to Sparavec into the goal mouth, but Vasquez blocked the ball at the post and defender Pau Mateo was able to clear the ball away from danger. Cleveland managed one more corner kick in the 38th minute, but it amounted to nothing. Halftime came with Chicago FC United up 1-0.

Ten minutes into the second half Cleveland’s Andrew Nichols had an excellent chance at goal inside the penalty area but Vasquez was equal to the task. A couple minutes later Chicago’s Jesus Perez forced Cable to make a diving fingertip save directly in front of goal to keep Chicago from doubling its lead.

For most of the rest of the second half, Chicago stifled any Cleveland attempt to create any scoring chances, although the home side was nearly gifted an own goal of their own in the 73rd minute when Chicago defender Kenton Fadel sent an awkward clearance to Vasquez. For most of the next 15 minutes Chicago created many chances, winning multiple corner kicks but were unable to get the game clinching goal.

Finally, Mike Derezic collected a Vinny Bell throw-in down the left wing, dribbled past Fadel and shot between two Chicago defenders, placing the ball into the right side of the goal giving Cleveland a 90th minute equalizer, sending the 200 or so shivering fans into delight. A few minutes of stoppage time passed, and one final Chicago attack nearly broke the hearts of Cleveland as Paul Mateo sent a shot off a corner kick dead center on goal that Cable was able to swat away, sending the game into 30 minutes of extra time.

The first 15 minutes of extra time saw each team win corner kicks, but nothing materialized from the attacks and the score remained 1-1. Just two minutes into the second half of extra time Cleveland found their game winning goal. Substitute Kieran Toland collected Chris Cvecko’s throw-in and sent a cross which appeared to be partially deflected by Fadel, sending the ball looping into the goalmouth for Vinnie Bell to nod home for a 2-1 Cleveland lead.

For the rest of the way Cleveland was able to keep Chicago in check, and the brave souls that remained in the seats screamed for what felt like an eternity for the referee to blow the final whistle. While waiting for that final whistle, Cable was called upon once more to make a save on a point blank header from Ezau Millan. Finally, the final whistle came and Cleveland SC and its wet, cold fans could warm up and celebrate their first ever Open Cup victory.

Next up for Cleveland SC is a trip north on April 6 to face Forward Madison of USL League One in the Second Round.

Scoring Summary
18’ – Chicago FC United – Own Goal (Boban Cancar)
90’ – Cleveland SC – Mike Derezic (Vinny Bell)
107’ – Cleveland SC – Vinny Bell (Kieran Toland)

Lineups

Cleveland SC: Conor Cable (GK), Chris Cvecko, Boban Cancar (Alexandru Rumleanschi 83’), Miem Derezic (Kokai Minami 112’), Admir Sujevic, Daniel Koniarczyk (Kieran Toland 73’), Andrew Nicholas (Lukas Haka 66’), Corban McAvinew, Alec Nagucki, Vinny Bell, Filip Sparavec (Benjamin Hryszko 46’)

Manager: Lewis Dunne

Chicago FC United: Andres Vasquez (GK), Kervin Fadel, Jacob Graiber, Andy Lomeli (Max Todd 115’), Pau Mateo (Alan Rubio 103’), Giann Magno, Jesus Perez, Peder Olsen, Amine Airaki (Ezau Millan 46’), Mounir Alami (Isiah Nieves 82’) , Ricardo Avalos (Bukola Abdulwahab-Omotose 66’)

Manager: Kyel Retzlaff

Yellow Cards
Filip Sparavec, Cleveland 14’
Amine Airaki, Chicago 40’
Lukas Haka, Cleveland 112’

Referee: Austin Saini
Linesmen: Michael Nickerson, James Duling
Fourth Official: Stephen Milhoan
Att: 200

2017 US Open Cup Round 3: Christos FC, last amateur team, win to earn $15K, date with D.C. United

June 1, 2017 by Tom Arnison

Christos FC continued its Cinderella run in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a narrow 1-0 road win over the PDL’s Chicago FC United.

By the end of the night, Christos FC was the last amatuer team still standing in the tournament, which earns them a $15,000 cash prize. The win also makes them the 13th amateur team in the Modern Era (1995-present) to reach the Fourth Round, where they will play D.C. United of Major League Soccer on June 14.

“It was a great team effort from all the players and coaches,” said Christos FC founder and general manager Jody Haislip. “Couldn’t have envisioned a better start to the game but sometimes that bites you in the ass. You kind of want to sit back and rest on the lead but the guys didn’t do that and we still generated a few solid opportunities.”

Christos FC opened the scoring in the first minute off a throw-in from the right corner. The long throw found the head of Peter Caringi, who won TheCup.us Player of the Round honors for his hat trick in Round 1 against Fredericksburg FC (NPSL). Caringi flicked the ball to the back post where Levi Houpeau was able to force the ball into the back of the net.

Houpeau, who was a Third Round MLS SuperDraft pick by the Philadelphia Union out of Maryland-Baltimore County, scored his first career US Open Cup goal, and it proved to be the difference.

MORE >> 2017 Meet the Underdogs: After 20 years, amateur power Christos FC makes US Open Cup debut

The first half was a very physical affair with fouls from both sides disrupting the flow of play. In the 32nd minute, Caringi would muscle off a defender before curling a shot around the keeper and into the net, only to be ruled offside by the assistant referee.

Mark Segbers would be the lone attacking threat for Chicago FC United in the first half, working his way into the box from the left side to generate two shots on goal, but he was unable to beat Phil Saunders, last round’s top performer.

Momentum would switch in the second half when United midfielder Chris Mueller would hit a dipping shot from the top of the box that Saunders would nudge just over the bar. From that point on, United would keep the ball in the offensive half for most of the match, forcing Christos to rely on the long ball. Segbers and Mueller would generate several chances through link-up play, but only to be turned away by Saunders time and time again.

After 90 minutes of play, a visibly exhausted Christos side would weather the storm from United and advance 1-0.

After three straight road wins in the club’s first-ever trip to the tournament, they will play a fourth road game in Round 4. Although, fortunately, that road game will be in their home state when they face D.C. United at the Maryland Soccerplex in Boyds, Maryland.

For Christos, the fact that they started the day one win away from a game against a Major League Soccer team was a little hard to ignore.

“When the Fourth Round draw was announced it definitely was a ‘wow’ moment,” said Haislip, who started the club back in 1997. “It just had to be D.C. . If it were the Union or another club it would still be the biggest game of our lives but to go up against them will be what Baltimore soccer needs and wants. The entire city of Baltimore and surrounding areas will be behind us and we will put an forth an effort that they will be proud of win or lose.”

2017 US Open Cup Round 2: PDL’s Chicago FC United hands Pittsburgh Riverhounds record-breaking upset loss

May 21, 2017 by Nik Myles

Chicago FC United knocked off the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, 3-1, on Wednesday night in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The name of the team may be new to some fans, but this is the same franchise that, up until recently, was tied to the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer. The upset win over Pittsburgh, the club’s second over a pro club (New Hampshire Phantoms in 2004), gives United its ninth US Open Cup win, which ranks 4th among all amateur teams in the Modern Era (1995-present).

The Chicago side, which is still two weeks away from the start of its Premier Development League season, took an early lead when an unmarked Mark Segbres headed home a cross from the right flank, beating Pittsburgh’s Barbadian international goalkeeper Keasel Broome.

FC United goalkeeper Sawyer Jackman kept the Riverhounds off the board until the 57th minute, when Pittsburgh’s Olakunle Banjo managed to level the score.

The USL side, which already is nine games into its season, continued to press for a go-ahead goal, but was unable to dent the United defense.

Mark Segbres performed a little bit of wing wizardry down the right flank for Chicago United in the 72nd minute, pulling the ball back for substitute Tom Barlow, who scored from two yards out.
Pittsburgh continued to press the home side’s goal, with Corey Hertzog blazing a shot over the bar in the 78th minute, but the Riverhounds left themselves open to a counterattack.

Chicago tacked on an insurance goal in second-half stoppage time, after Oscar Gonzalez eluded several Pittsburgh defenders in the corner. He slipped the ball to Ryan Sierakowski, who cemented the win for his team.

For the Riverhounds, the loss marked an unfortunate piece of history. Pittsburgh has now been eliminated by six different amateur teams in US Open Cup play. No professional team in the Modern Era (1995-present) has more upset losses.

With the win, Chicago United will host fellow giant-killer Christos FC in the Third Round. Christos defeated the Richmond Kickers, 1-0, on Wednesday. The winner will travel to Maryland to take on D.C. United of Major League Soccer.

2017 US Open Cup Round 1: Chicago FC United advances on Grand Rapids FC own goal

May 16, 2017 by Alex Picchietti

After Wednesday’s temporary weather delay turned into a postponement, Chicago FC United and Grand Rapids FC finally played their opening round US Open Cup fixture on Friday, May 12. The match was once again held at Joe Bean Stadium in Wheaton, Ill., this time under sunny skies. The hosts used a late Grand Rapids own goal to propel them to a 1-0 First Round victory.

Grand Rapids FC brought an amped up core of supporters down I-94 with them for the game. This was their first ever appearance in the Open Cup, which they earned by finishing first place in their division last season. PDL-side Chicago FC United, on the other hand, have plenty of experience in this tournament, playing in 12 games over the last 13 years under the Chicago Fire umbrella, a relationship that ended recently.

Charlie Trout, United’s coach for the match (current coach and former MLS and SPL star Jamie Smith was unavailable), says the rainout “affected both sets of players differently,” but conceded that it likely affected the away team to a greater extent.

The game, played in front of 150 fans on a Friday afternoon, was a back and forth struggle in which both teams failed to create more than a handful of quality chances. A specific player who stood out was Sawyer Jackman, the goalkeeper for Chicago FC United.

Coach Trout individually praised the Chicago native and Florida Gulf Coast University student athlete, crediting him in particular for “keeping in the game from the 65th to the 75th minute.”

The game was a defensive struggle all the way until the end when it was seemingly poised for extra time. However, Grand Rapids’ fortunes quickly and abruptly changed when defenseman Peter Brown netted an own goal in the 90th minute.

With not enough time left to equalize, Chicago FC United were able to hold on and advance. This was their eighth all-time victory in the Open Cup, and their first since 2012.

Chicago FC United will play host in their Second Round match, this time to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL on Wednesday at Martin Stadium on the campus of Northwestern University.

Trout said that his players will “have to show fight and character,” adding that they will have to “go in there and be brave” to get the result desired.