D'Feeters Kicks SC

2023 US Open Cup Qualifying: Beaman United rally twice, beat D’Feeters 4-3 in OT

December 20, 2022 by Jed Henderson

Beaman United celebrate after edging D'Feeters Kicks SC 4-3 in extra time to qualify for the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Jed Henderson — Beaman United celebrate after edging D’Feeters Kicks SC 4-3 in extra time to qualify for the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Jed Henderson

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "We Want The Cup" shirt in your team's colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP — Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

Beaman United FC booked a spot in the 2023 edition of the US Open Cup after emerging victorious over D’Feeters Kicks SC in a 120-minute 4-3 victory. D’Feeters twice took the lead in regulation but were pegged back twice and eventually defeated by the home team in extra time. Beaman United’s hero was goalkeeper Alejandro Rodriguez who saved two penalties, one deep into extra time, to push his team to victory.

The message was clear from the beginning: “win and you’re in.” Anticipation for the game was only expounded as travel delays pushed back kickoff, but both teams were ready for the first whistle to start the battle.

The game quickly settled in a clear pattern: hosts Beaman looked to possess and break down their opponents, while D’Feeters stayed compact, springing forward on counter-attack opportunities.

The visitors found success early on. Oscar Ocampo hit a shot off the post in the 5th minute, and Juan Ramirez forced a big save from a 1-on-1 chance in the 11th minute. However, the visitors were not to be held at bay forever. In the 15th minute, Johnathon Diaz played a curling through ball with the outside of his foot to find Oscar Ocampo’s run behind the defense. Ocampo rounded the keeper and slotted home to put D’Feeters up 1-0.

In the 20th minute, Beaman had a chance to equalize from a corner as Kwadwo Poku’s header hit the post. The ball quickly traveled to the other end of the field where Juan Ramirez was taken down in the box to earn a penalty for D’Feeters. Beaman keeper Alejandro Ramirez dove correctly and saved his first penalty of the night to keep Beaman in the game. The game remained 1-0 at the half.

Beaman United pushed for an early second half equalizer and found it in the 50th minute. Hayden Black cushioned a cross into the path of Seth Poku, who had time to line up a sweetly hit half-volley to level the score.

D’Feeters went back in front in the 61st minute when Paul Gorish finished off a mazy run with a low strike to take back a 2-1 lead. Just six minutes later, Seth Poku won a penalty and converted for Beaman to bring the score back to 2-2. More chances came throughout a physical second half, but the teams were destined for extra time as the final whistle blew with the teams level.

Five minutes into extra time, Beaman took the lead for the first time as Nathaniel Bedai struck a beautiful volley from the top of the box to sneak past the keeper and put the hosts ahead 3-2.

The second half of extra time got even crazier. After hitting the post again in the 107th minute, D’Feeters earned a penalty that Roberto Gonzalez converted to level the score in the 113th minute. In the 117th minute, Joseph Omondi chested down a cross and slammed it home to put the home side up 4-3. The game appeared to be decided, but in the 118th minute D’Feeters earned yet another penalty, their third of the night. Alejandro Ramirez stepped up again to save his second penalty and preserve the lead.

“I just try to watch the way the player is going to run, look at his body, and then just trust myself, play mind games, tell them I know where you’re going,” Ramirez said about how he was able to save two of the three penalties he faced.

After four nervy minutes of stoppage time, the final whistle blew, and Beaman United FC had a ticket to the US Open Cup.

“It was a good team effort so I’m thankful for them,” Ramirez said.

Head coach Gift Ndam added: “I’m just excited that we won. D’Feeters are a great team. I just want to go celebrate with the guys.” When asked how it feels to have a place in the US Open Cup, h had only three words: “It feels great!”

2023 US Open Cup Qualifying: Referee ends match early after D10 Lions player spits at him, D’Feeters advance

November 20, 2022 by Adam Uthe

D'Feeters Kicks SC and D10 Lions warm up prior to their Open Division Qualifying match for the 2023 US Open Cup in Mansfield, TX. Photo: Adam Uthe — D’Feeters Kicks SC and D10 Lions warm up prior to their Open Division Qualifying match for the 2023 US Open Cup in Mansfield, TX. Photo: Adam Uthe

“The opposing team were getting abusive physically and verbally with , so they left for their safety,” said D’Feeters head coach Edgar Hernandez. He added that the center official “wasn’t even calling the game poorly” in his opinion.

A screen shot of the live stream of the Open Division Qualifying match for the 2023 US Open Cup between D'Feeters Kicks SC and D10 Lions FC. This was the scene shortly before the match was abruptly ended in the 74th minute. — A screen shot of the live stream of the Open Division Qualifying match for the 2023 US Open Cup between D’Feeters Kicks SC and D10 Lions FC. This was the scene shortly before the match was abruptly ended in the 74th minute.

As for the game itself, D’Feeters Kicks took control with forward Sebastian Mendez registering multiple shots on goal in the first seven minutes, but neither chance really threatened the keeper.

D10 responded with their best chance of the half in the 15th minute. A long throw-in managed to reach the six yard box but the subsequent header failed to find the back of the net. Mendez continued to test the Lions’ backline and hammered a well struck free kick that was ultimately secured by D10 goalkeeper Jorgely Rodriguez.

The frustration first set in for the visitors in the 23rd minute when Guity was issued his first yellow card. It ultimately turned out to be the first of five issued to D10 Lions in the first half, including the first yellow for the aforementioned coach for dissent.

Finally, the breakthrough for D’Feeters – and Mendez – came with the forward crushing a shot from 18 yards after a quick restart from a free kick; Rodriguez could not even react in time to muster a save attempt. The home side took the 1-0 advantage with them into the break.

It looked, for a moment, like the Lions might regain control of the match early in the second half. Orellana was brought on as a sub coming out of the halftime break and immediately forced a save from D’Feeters keeper Anthony Rodriguez that resulted in a corner. But the Lions could not capitalize and the visitors seemed to pass the point of no return once Cabo-Verdiana was sent off moments later.

Right before the chaos began, D’Feeters doubled their lead. D’Feeters were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box after the Lions keeper was judged by the assistant to have handled it outside the box. Mendez took the free kick right away and he found Oscar Ocampo completely unmarked in front of goal and he beat the keeper to make it 2-0.

D10 Lions team captain David Perez was critical of the officials for the fallout. Accusing the center referee of favoring the D’Feeters and initiating the physical confrontation at the end.

He tells TheCup.us that at the time of publication that the team was exploring their options about possibly protesting the outcome with the federation.

For his part, D’Feeters coach Edgar Hernandez praised his side after the game for their composure.

“Our guys kind of played our game. We stayed relaxed. We didn’t fall into any of the, I guess, frustrations of the other team … at the end of the day, what matters is the result and getting to the next round.”

The match is likely to be reviewed by US Soccer’s Disciplinary Panel, but as things stand D’Feeters will advance in qualifying. In addition to seeking their second consecutive (and second overall) Open Cup qualification, D’Feeters are also preparing for an upcoming playoff match in National Premier Soccer League play.

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: Teenager scores twice to help San Antonio FC keep win streak

April 6, 2022 by Adam Uthe

Henrik Sakshaug San Antonio FC 2022 US Open Cup — 17-year-old Henrik Sakshaug of San Antonio FC became the youngest player in team history to score two goals in the club’s 3-1 win over D’Feeters Kicks SC in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: San Antonio FC

At 17 years old, Henrik Sakshaug — making just his second appearance with San Antonio FC’s senior team — scored twice during a four-minute stretch in the second half to help the home side defeat Dallas-based D’Feeters Kicks SC by a score of 3-1.

Sakshaug, one of several teenagers from the San Antonio academy system getting the start for the USL Championship side, became the youngest player in San Antonio FC history to score two goals in a match.

If you appreciate our coverage of the US Open Cup for the last (nearly) two decades, and want to see it grow in the future, consider joining our Patreon team by clicking above.

With the win, San Antonio extends the club’s winning streak in opening round games to five, and improves to 6-0-0 all-time against amateur teams.

After a scoreless first half, San Antonio injected some urgency into the second, bringing on first team captain Connor Maloney coming out of the break. The midfielder made his presence felt almost immediately, creating multiple chances, including one to his right back Shannon Gomez, but Gomez was denied at point blank range by D’Feeters goalkeeper Anthony Rodriguez from about eight yards out.

The breakthrough finally came for the home side in the 53rd minute. Brazilian midfielder PC played a free kick into the box that D’Feeters failed to sufficiently clear. The ball fell kindly for Sakshaug on the edge of the penalty box and the youngster buried a clinical low driven shot that was mature beyond his current age. A minute later, Maloney added a goal of his own after getting on the end of another failed clearance by the D’Feeters defense. In the 57th minute, Gomez played a perfect square ball into the box and Sakshaug calmly finished for his second of the night.

D’Feeters quickly pulled one back in the 61st as Cardone failed to corral an early cross and Sebastian Mendez was inside the six-yard box to finish off the chance. Moments later Oscar Romero put a header just wide of the near post and the visitors continued to apply pressure right up until Juan Ramirez was sent off in the 83rd minute with his second yellow card of the night. Sakshaug almost completed the hat trick, but his late chance was denied by Rodriguez and he would have to settle for a mere brace in the breakout performance of his young career.

The home side controlled possession early in the first half but could only generate half chances, including a wasted corner kick in the opening two minutes. San Antonio kept up pressure and managed to test D’Feeters’ Rodriguez in the 15th minute. San Antonio whipped in a corner kick that the 20 year old Rodriguez failed to pluck out of the air, but San Antonio couldn’t capitalize on the loose ball in the box. The hosts continued to control possession and keep the ball in DKSC’s half, but no chances came.

D’Feeters abruptly breathed new life into the game with a low, driven early cross in the 29th minute that was smothered by San Antonio’s Matt Cardone before it could reach its target. Two minutes later, DKSC’s Miles Byass had the best chance of the half for the visitors, but his shot inside the box missed the far post by a matter of inches. Both teams continued to grow into the game and traded more chances, but neither could find a decisive goal and halftime arrived with the scoreline still stuck at 0-0.

San Antonio advances to the Third Round with an opponent to be determined on Friday, April 8 at Noon Eastern Time.

Just a few minutes later he followed that up with his second ✌️#Defend210 | #OurFuture https://t.co/NejHWSguNY pic.twitter.com/nDekAQaogG

— San Antonio FC (@SanAntonioFC) April 6, 2022

2022 US Open Cup Round 1: D’Feeters Kicks edge NPSL champs in heated affair

March 23, 2022 by Daniel Crooke

Steven Chavez, D'Feeters Kicks SC, Denton Diablos FC, 2022 US Open Cup, First Round, Goal — D’Feeters Kicks SC midfielder Steven Chavez (17) celebrates with his teammates following his goal against Denton Diablos FC in the First Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Carlos Hernandez

Five goals and three red cards ensured that a cold night in Denton gave way to a heated atmosphere as NPSL national champions Denton Diablos fell to local qualifier, D’Feeters Kicks SC.

After initially qualifying for the cancelled 2020 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, a sense of the hosts finally getting their day in the cup was buoyed on as Julio Vargas met Alex Estrada’s cross to give Denton a 10th minute lead.

DKSC soon turned the score around after Sebastian Mendez stole the ball away in the Denton back line to level things before reigning UPSL Championship MVP Miles Byass slid home a Luis Hernandez cross to give the Dallas side the advantage in the 35th minute. Adrian Renteria looked to have extended the lead moments later but for an offside call against Byass, who didn’t appear to be involved in the passage of play.

Brandon Cerda brought things level once more, taking advantage of a heavy defensive touch but Steven Chavez restored the lead on the stroke of half time, turning home an Renteria cross off the front post.

DKSC may be new to the Open Cup and the UPSL Premier Division, but are familiar with Denton having played under their current guise and as Harrington FC in the local Roja League competitions. The game had threatened to get chippy, and the second half did not disappoint.

MORE: Meet the Underdogs: D’Feeters Kicks SC

Despite trailing, the Diablos had a man advantage early in the second half after Renteria kicked a ball at Antonio Perez as the Denton sub stayed on the ground after being fouled in the 53rd minute. The referee initially showed the card to DKSC’s Miguel Ojeda before one of the assistants corrected the mistaken identity.

With 20 minutes to go, the hosts lost that advantage as Alex Estrada saw red for a stamp on Angel Ramirez.

The game’s excitement ground to a halt until stoppage time. Denton’s Julian Barajas produced a beautiful piece of play, popping the ball over a defender before running on to the ball and smashing a shot that was narrowly tipped away for a corner. The resulting set piece was then headed and blocked on the line by an arm.

As D’Feeters Kicks broke down field, an incensed Diablos team chased down the opposition with captain Carlos Flores conceding a free kick. His remonstrations at the potential penalty decision saw a yellow and then a red card waved in his direction as DKSC held out for a second round fixture with San Antonio FC on April 5.

2022 Meet the Underdogs: D’Feeters Kicks ready for new era in Dallas

March 17, 2022 by Adam Uthe

D’Feeters Kicks SC pose for a team photo before the club’s 2022 US Open Cup qualifying match against Southwest FC. Photo: D’Feeters Kicks SC

For the first time in 10 years, an amateur club not named NTX Rayados will represent the city of Dallas in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. After a two year hiatus during the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Open Cup is back and there’s a new squad out of Dallas that’s ready to take up the mantle. D’Feeters Kicks Soccer Club (DKSC), in their first ever Open Cup qualification, will represent the DFW metroplex.

The D’Feeters Kicks Soccer Club (DKSC) was formed in 2018 when two youth clubs, one for girls (D’Feeters) and one for boys (Dallas Kicks), merged together. That was also the year program director Edgar Hernandez organized FC Harrington, an adult men’s team initially made up of players who regularly played pickup games at Harrington Park in Duncanville, a south Dallas suburb. Duncanville isn’t exactly “run down” but the southern portion of the Dallas metroplex tends to get overshadowed by many far more affluent neighborhoods and suburbs to the north. Hernandez saw an opportunity to shine some light on an underappreciated community.

“I began this program because I felt there was a lot of talent in the South Dallas area that was being overlooked and that never was given the opportunity to play at a higher level,” said Hernandez who handles administrative duties and also assists his father, Edgar, with coaching as well. “Why go play for other programs when you can play at home in front of your family and friends and still compete and train at a high level? Our community is so passionate for the game and I felt like our program brings everyone together to celebrate our community’s talent.”

In the summer of 2020, the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) imposed strict travel restrictions on it’s members during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hernandez’s side was pulled into a southern division and traveled to Houston, Texas where it managed to win the Central Conference Championship. This was all while missing several key players from Southern Methodist University (SMU), who had to quarantine and could not travel to Houston in order to prepare for their fall season.

It should be noted that despite technically being a “national” league, the UPSL is actually made up of multiple regional conferences/divisions. The league is currently in the process of gaining official “National League” status from U.S. Soccer and recently acquired associate member status at the recent AGM session. It should gain full status, and therefor automatic US Open Cup berths, at the end of 2023.

It wasn’t until 2021 that FC Harrington came under the D’Feeters Kicks banner. Prior to that, the team had started out in the 3rd division of the UPSL (as FC Harrington) and has since worked its way up to the Premier Division, the highest level of the league. Their new UPSL campaign will begin in April after the Open Cup gets underway.

DKSC has also expanded to other local leagues. The Roja League, which competes under US Club Soccer, started in 2020 as a local outfit for teams in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Kicks joined for the summer, also known as Verano, season and have enjoyed success in the competition. The team finished the 2021 Invierno season (winter) season in first place and reached the championship final. D’Feeters also entered US Open Cup qualifying as a member of the Roja League.

In terms of support, the team has plenty of experienced talent.

Miles Byass, who joins DKSC from another UPSL Premier Division side, Foro SC, is expected to lead the line. Byass was named an honorable mention all-Pac-10 selection at San Diego State and also featured for the Seattle Sounders Under-23 team in 2013. Byass isn’t the only newcomer either. Former FC Dallas and North Texas SC (the USL affiliate of FC Dallas) player Oscar Romero hopes to join D’Feeters but there are questions around his fitness that may limit his availability.

If all else fails, the club still has its all-time leading scorer Sebastian Mendez available to support Byass in attack. Mendez’s 85th minute converted penalty turned out to be the winner in their 2-1 Third Round qualifying win over Southwest FC. Prior to that, D’Feeters Kicks SC took down Houston Hotshots – Greenspoint FC in the Second Round of qualifying via an extra time penalty converted by captain Miguel Ojeda. This is the first year DKSC has attempted to qualify for the Open Cup and Hernandez is trying to maintain perspective going into their first match.

“We are 100 percent focused and locked in on our first round match up with Denton. We aren’t even thinking about the second round at the moment,” said Hernandez. “Of course, we would love to make a deep run but you can’t get lost in the bigger picture and that is why we are taking the Open Cup game by game.”

D’Feeters Kicks SC will travel north to UNT Soccer and Track & Field Stadium in Denton on Tuesday, March 22 where they will face the National Premier Soccer League’s (NPSL) Denton Diablos in Round 1.

2022 US Open Cup Qualifying: Late PK lifts D’Feeters Kicks to first USOC

November 24, 2021 by Dan Vaughn

Sebastian Mendez’s 85th minute penalty kick helped D’Feeters Kicks SC edge Southwest FC, 2-1, in a “Win & You’re In” match to advance to the 2022 US Open Cup for the first time in club history.

After its previous qualifying win, Southwest had every reason to assume that it would be clear sailing in its final match. Fresh off a 6-1 opening round win over the San Antonio Runners and a massive 7-1 win over GAM United (Colo.), the El Paso club looked ready to host their third straight home game againt D’Feeters at Eastside Soccer Complex. DKSC had a much tougher run in its previous match, winning in extra time with a penalty kick 2-1 over the Houston Hotshots-Greenspoint FC. But when Dallas-based DKSC arrived in El Paso, all bets were off.

“I’m proud of the effort of the guys that traveled to El Paso and left it all on the field,” said D’Feeters program director Edgar Hernandez Jr., who helped coach the team with his brother Dominick with their father Edgar Hernandez Sr. not available to coach the team. “We were missing our stud striker, Oscar Romero, this time through injury. We also had one of our starting center backs serving a one-game suspension. We had a lot of factors playing against us leading up to the game as we only made it to El Paso with one field player as a sub. The team knew we were up against a good squad as they had won their past two rounds by large margins, but our guys came out motivated. Our possession, passes, runs, and tactical awareness were on point. We took advantage of our opportunities and made sure we controlled the tempo of the game once we went up.”

The weather was chilly for those in the audience, but just right for those flying around the field in warmups. Under the El Paso lights, the match kicked off with both clubs throwing aggressive tackles at each other.

It seemed both clubs were intent to press and counter-press relentlessly throughout the first half. In the first 30 minutes, chances were there but no points were on the board.

That changed soon after as DKSC’s Steven Chavez put the ball past the Southwest keeper to open the scoring. The road goal was the product of consistent pressure on the El Paso backline. It wouldn’t last long, however, as Southwest FC would even up the score just five minutes later as Danny Chairez scored for the home side.

DKSC seemed to have brought just the first 11 on the trip, as the bench was empty except for coaching staff, which would have seemed to be a big detriment to their pressing approach, but you wouldn’t have guessed that in the second half. If anything, it seemed the home side seemed to slow a step or two. That was especially true on the left side as run after run would free up behind the wing for DKSC, offering chances for crosses into the box. Southwest seemed too slow in attack, not having many solutions for the visiting defense. Not enough shots were put on frame.

The match seemed destined to end in a draw until a penalty kick call was made with about five minutes remaining in regulation. Mendez stepped up to the spot and after multiple stutter steps, he buried the ball past the goalkeeper who guessed correctly but was unable to get a hand on it as he dove to his right. This would prove to be the game-winner. The win was entirely earned as DKSC was the aggressor throughout the evening and should be a tough out when the competition proper begins next spring.

“This win is very special for the program,” said Hernandez Jr., who is the brother of FC Dallas midfielder Nicky Hernandez. “This is the first Open Cup qualification for the club in our first qualifying run. These are the special moments we have been building towards. The program has received a lot of support from the local soccer community to get where we are now and we know that. We wouldn’t be where we are without that support. We are excited for this upcoming Open Cup!”