Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

FC Golden State Force

Newtown Pride, FC Golden State Force to represent amateurs in 2021 US Open Cup

by

2019 USASA Amateur Cup champion Newtown Pride FC (left) and FC Golden State Force (USL League Two) will be the amateur representatives in the abbreviated 2021 US Open Cup.

After weeks of anticipation, the two Open Division sides taking part in the 2021 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup were announced today. 2019 USASA Amateur Cup champion Newtown Pride FC (Conn.) and USL League Two’s FC Golden State Force will represent the amateur field in the competition.

Following the cancelation of the First Round, which reduced the already abbreviated tournament from 24 teams to 16, both amateur teams will face yet-to-be-determined Major League Soccer sides in the Round of 16. These games are scheduled to take place between May 18-19. The draw for the tournament will take place May 4, the day after Major League Soccer completes its qualifying process.

Despite the announcement, the 2021 US Open Cup is still not set in stone. The US Open Cup committee is scheduled to meet on April 19 to determine if the 107th edition of the United States’ national championship will go ahead. The United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA), the country’s largest amateur soccer organization, recently sent a letter to the USSF calling for the cancelation of the very reduced competition. As of this article being published, US Adult Soccer Association president John Motta, the author of the letter, has not received a response from the federation.

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

This will be Golden State Force’s fourth straight appearance in an Open Cup tournament. Since joining USL League Two in 2016, the team has performed well enough each season, including three straight Southwest Division titles, to directly qualify for the competition. In 2018, the team became one of the few amateur teams in the Modern Era to ever reach the Fourth Round by beating professional sides Orange County SC (USL) and Las Vegas Lights FC (USL). The latter match was won off of a 90th minute game-winner from Allisson Faramilio, which earned him TheCup.us Player of the Round honors.

The team eventually fell to the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer, 3-1, but did take home $25,000 prize as the furthest advancing Open Division team that year.

Interestingly, the Force will not compete in the league they qualified from this year. The day prior to the draw, USL League Two announced the Southwest Division would forgo the 2021 season due to concerns centered around the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Force vice president and general manager Alex Lujan, his team had every intention of playing the 2021 league season, but none of the teams in the Southwest Division shared their view and the division voted down the plan to play this summer.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to compete in this year’s US Open Cup,” said Lujan shortly after learning the news.

Under normal circumstances, a team that does not play their league season is not eligible for the US Open Cup. However, a source within the USSF told TheCup.us that since the cancelation of their league season was due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Force are eligible to compete. While not participating in the 2021 league season will likely end their hopes of qualifying for the 2022 US Open Cup, Lujan plans to do whatever he can to have his team compete in league play.

This will be the first tournament appearance for Newtown Pride FC. The Connecticut-based club becomes the ninth team from the Nutmeg State to compete in the Modern Era (1995-present) and the first amateur, non-national league side to participate since Danbury United in 2007. Founded in 1999, the team won the 2019 USASA Amateur Cup to become just the second team to qualify for the US Open Cup via this method. The Amateur Cup champion was added as an automatic qualifier prior to the 2019 US Open Cup. 

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

“We’re honored, we’re humbled – to be blunt we’re just really excited,” Newtown Pride FC GM and founder Matt Svanda said on Twitter. “For us, this is a dream. It’s why we play. It’s 20 years in the making. But don’t get us wrong – we’re in this to compete.”

Newtown first attempted to qualify for the US Open Cup back in 2013, back when Open Division Local teams had to get in through USASA state and regional tournaments. After losing their opening match with the New York Pancyprian Freedoms, they had their controversial protest upheld and a replay was ordered. Newtown would win the replay in a penalty kick shootout, but would lose the “Win and You’re In” match that followed, 6-0 to Mass Premier Soccer (now GPS Omens). After not qualifying in 2014, they returned in 2015 and lost their opening match to Lansdowne Bhoys.

Since the USSF launched the current qualifying tournament format in 2016, the Pride have attempted to qualify every year and have fallen short each time. Their best result was a Second Round appearance in 2017 (following a forfeit) where they lost to Massachusetts side GPS Omens in a “Win & You’re In” match.

While Connecticut clubs have been competing in the US Open Cup since it’s inaugural tournament in 1913-1914, in the Modern Era, Newtown will be just the sixth Open Division Local team to punch their ticket from the Nutmeg State.

Reactions from other Open Division teams have been mixed. FC Motown, whose streak of Open Cup appearances ends at three, expressed disappointment but wished both teams luck. Others are going through their own stages of grief like Denton Diablos (anger), the Des Moines Menace (bargaining), and Louisiana Krewe (acceptance). USASA president Motta posted on social media that he and the rest of the organization were excited to see Newtown compete.

The only remaining unknown clubs are which MLS teams will take part. Only eight teams from the top division will compete and those will be decided based on the top 8 teams in the regular season standings (based on points per game) after three weeks of games (May 3).

2019 US Open Cup Round 1: Paul Caliguri’s Orange County FC defeats FC Golden State to set up OC matchup in Round 2

by

Players from Orange County FC celebrates after scoring a goal against FC Golden State Force in the First Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Omar Alonso
Players from Orange County FC celebrates after scoring a goal against FC Golden State Force in the First Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Omar Alonso

Orange County FC, who qualified for the 2019 edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup by finishing with one of the best records in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) in 2018, took advantage of every chance they had in Tuesday’s opening round match. The side opened up play in the tournament by earning a 2-0 triumph over FC Golden State Force at the Orange County Great Park-Championship Soccer Stadium.

The USL PDL (now USL League Two) Southwest Division Champions of 2017 and 2018 started the first half with an abundance of intensity, created chances, eventually finalizing the game with a huge difference in possession over their rivals. But David Preys and his Golden magical gloves were the two barriers they faced eventually not being able to cross that division.

Midfielder Cody Shelton scored the opening goal of the match in the 28th minute. Despite facing some stiff opposition OCFC pulled ahead with the second goal coming from Aaron Lombardi in 69th minute.

Shelton, who has been with OCFC since the 2018 NPSL regular season, seemed to be inspired by his beloved Liverpool FC who made a stunning comeback in the UEFA Champions League earlier that day. Shelton sent a right-footed shot from the center of the box to the right corner to open up the scoring when he received a back-heel

Orange County FC goalkeeper David Preys sends the ball upfield against FC Golden State Force in the First Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Omar Alonso
Orange County FC goalkeeper David Preys sends the ball upfield against FC Golden State Force in the First Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Omar Alonso

pass from Blake Frischknecht in the 27th minute.

The visitors did respond by insisting on creating chances, and applying pressuring, but the defense, led by goalkeeper David Preys, kept the score at 1-0 heading into the halftime break.

 

In the second half, Prey’s impressive saves made him the hero of the night. Over a period of seven minutes he saved two great opportunities with one hand. Gregory Salazar sent a dangerous left footed shot from the outside of the box to the center, but Prey secured the ball with one hand.

“ was the difference tonight and I told coach Bob on the other team that was the difference and it was not only key saves it was the quality of saves that typically goalkeepers don’t make those types of saves,” said Ocean City FC head coach Paul Caliguri after the match. “So it was really exciting to see his performance and it’s what allowed us to be victorious tonight.”

Another dangerous opportunity came from the visitors at the 57th minute when Daniel Trejo sent a cross looking for Louka Masset who was in the center of the box in a great position. He sent a right footed shot from there but Prey, with a nice diving save, rescued his team once again.

The second goal of the night in the city of Irvine would come at the 68th minute from a 25-yard free kick. Aaron Lombardi took a left footed shot to the bottom of the right corner of the net. It was a goal that would ultimately secure the win for OCFC at home.

The last spectacular save of the night happened minutes before the referee would blow the whistle. The Ruiz and Masset duo tried to capitalize one last opportunity in the 90th minute. Ricky Ruiz sent a cross and Louka Masset sent a left footed shot in the center of the box that was saved with those golden gloves in the top center of the goal by Preys with one hand.

 

Players from Orange County FC pose for a team photo before the club's First Round match against FC Golden State Force in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Omar Alonso
Players from Orange County FC pose for a team photo before the club’s First Round match against FC Golden State Force in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Omar Alonso

“Golden State was a great team and in a lot of ways they dictated the pace of the game they had a lot of possession,” said Caligiuri, the former US international and National Soccer Hall of Famer. “We had some key players. Our striker Blake , he played fantastic, we had a key moment in the free kick that gave us the second goal, and of course our goalkeeper played fantastic so there were some key players that made a difference, and we played a very good Golden State team.”

While there is plenty to celebrate for Orange County, the club is focused on their next big test: A Second Round match against Orange County SC. That wasn’t lost on Caliguri post-match.

“We have to focus on next week when we play OCSC and that’s going to be the first time in history that the two OC’s play each other,” he said. “So I don’t know if the fans are going to confuse between FC or SC but we’ll take it one game at a time and certainly we can learn some things tonight.”

Caliguri also heaped plenty of praise on the level of play in the region.

“When you look at OC and FC and you look at Golden State and you witness the level of play and the quality of players is really a true testament of the growth of soccer in this country, we hope we can build soccer specific stadiums for this level of soccer throughout the country.”

The winners of tonight’s match will face Orange County SC of the USL Championship on May 15 at the same venue as tonight’s game. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. local time.

Photo Credits: Omar Alonso

 

2018 US Open Cup: Allisson Faramilio of FC Golden State Force voted TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament

by


Former Corinthians standout Allisson Faramilio of FC Golden State Force, playing in his first season in the United States, was narrowly voted TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament for the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The award is voted on by the staff at TheCup.us and a select of panel of members from the North American Soccer Reporters. Faramilio narrowly edged Christian Okeke of the NTX Rayados, with Brian Ownby of Louisville City finishing third.

Allisson scored four goals in the first three rounds of the tournament and helped the Premier Development League’s (PDL) FC Golden State Force reach the Fourth Round of the 2018 tournament, where they were defeated by Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Los Angeles Galaxy. Allisson is the first outfield player to earn the award since 2015, when PSA Elite’s Michael Salazar recorded three goals and four assists in four games. The two prior award winners were both goalkeepers: FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt in 2017 and Fort Lauderdale Strikers’ Diego Restrepo in 2016.

“It is a unique moment … I am very happy,” Faramilio said of winning the award in his first season in the United States.

In Round 1, FC Golden State Force defeated Los Angeles Wolves (UPSL) with Allisson scoring the game-winner before being subbed off in the 72nd minute. He converted a penalty kick in Round 2 when Golden State pulled off a 4-2 road upset of the United Soccer League’s Orange County FC.

The Brazilian international saved his best performance for Round 3. Faramilio scored both goals in Golden State’s 2-1 upset win over another USL foe, this time the expansion side Las Vegas Lights. For his efforts, Faramilio was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round.

Ultimately, both club and player ran out of gas in Round 4 and Golden State were defeated by Los Angeles Galaxy 3-1.

The United States is just the latest stop for a player whose career has quite literally taken him around the world.

Born in Sao Paulo, Faramilio began playing the sport at the age of 14 and by the time he turned 19 had earned a place on the first team squad for top Brazilian side Corinthians. Unable to secure a long-term spot with one team, he went on to feature for eight different clubs in Brazil before leaving his homeland to play abroad. Since then, he has played for clubs in Japan, South Korea, Albania, and, most recently, Iraq. He signed with FC Golden State Force on March 6, 2018 and they became the 12th different club to secure his services.

“Allisson was an outstanding addition to the club last spring,” said FC Golden State Force executive director Alex Lujan. “He is obviously a very established, polished goal scorer, but also brought a lot of intangibles to the team. Our younger players benefited from his life experience, both on-and-off the pitch, as a professional footballer in Brazil as well as his positive attitude and infectious smile.”

In league play, Faramilio scored two goals in eight games as he was a part of a team that won the regular season Western Conference title, and finished with the third best record in the PDL.

Speaking through a translator, he noted that the level of competition he has faced during his current tenure with Golden State is pretty close that of his native Brazil. He praised the structure of the clubs in the US, even in the PDL where Golden State currently plays. Faramilio also noted that in his native Brazil, only the biggest clubs have a solid foundation in place for building teams that can contend for trophies. When asked to compare his game to another player – current or retired – he called out former Inter Milan striker and fellow countryman Adriano.

“My style of play compares to that of Adriano … I watched him play a lot and I was always a fan,” said Faramilio.

He also said there was not one specific moment from the 2018 tournament that stood out to him. He noted the significance of Golden State becoming the 14th amateur – and 16th open division – team to reach the Fourth Round in the Modern Era (1995-present) and how special it was to face a team of the Los Angeles Galaxy’s reputation. He did allow himself to take some pride in his two-goal performance in Round 3.

It turns out that 2018 was a banner year for amateur sides in the tournament. Not only did Golden State make history with their run, but Faramilio also narrowly beat out Christian Okeke, a striker for NTX Rayados, another amateur side. Rayados, playing in their seventh Open Cup in eight years, also advanced all the way to the fourth round and Okeke was a big reason why. He was a second half sub in each of the first three rounds and each time he scored the game winner for his side.

But in the end, the voters chose the 30-year-old Brazilian enjoying the latest stop on a career that has shown him, and all of us, just how global the game’s appeal really is.

Past winners of TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament 
2012: Danny Barrera (Cal FC – USASA)
2013: Ty Shipalane (Carolina RailHawks – NASL)
2014: Scott Goodwin (Carolina RailHawks – NASL)
2015: Michael Salazar (PSA Elite – USASA)
2016: Diego Restrepo (Fort Lauderdale Strikers – NASL)
2017: Mitch Hildebrandt (FC Cincinnati – USL)

Who should be voted 2018 US Open Cup’s TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament?

by

Finalists for the 2018 TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament (from left to right): Christian Okeke of NTX Rayados, Allisson Faramilio of FC Golden State Force, Tim Dobrowolski and Brian Ownby of Louisville City, Marios Lomis of North Carolina FC.
Finalists for 2018 TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament (from left to right): Christian Okeke of NTX Rayados, Allisson Faramilio of FC Golden State Force, Tim Dobrowolski and Brian Ownby of Louisville City, Marios Lomis of North Carolina FC.

UPDATE: Allisson Faramilio of FC Golden State Force edged Christian Okeke for the 2018 TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament

The heart of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is the underdog stories that arise nearly every year. Amateur teams and lower division professional teams attempt to make a name for themselves as they try to put themselves on the same field, and possibly defeat, teams from Major League Soccer.

Each year, TheCup.us has a Player of the Tournament award, but in 2012, an additional honor was added: TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament. The goal is to honor the players on lower division teams who have stood out and helped their team make a memorable run in the competition.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters but if YOU had a vote, which player do you think would win?

Here are the finalists (in alphabetical order):

Tim Dobrowolski (Louisville City FC – USL)
Dobrowolski played every minute in goal for Louisville City as they made their first trip to the Quarterfinals in the club’s short history. Louisville was the last lower division team standing, which earned them $25,000 in prize money. Dobrowolski earned a pair of shutouts in City’s first two games, then helped the team upset the New England Revolution (MLS) and defeat USL rival Nashville SC before the run ended with a one-sided loss to the Chicago Fire (MLS) on the road.

Round 2: 1 save, faced 3 shots in a 5-0 home win vs. Long Island Rough Riders (PDL)
Round 3: 2 saves, faced 11 shots in a 1-0 home win vs. Saint Louis FC (USL)
Round 4: 7 saves, 9 shots faced, 2 goals allowed (1 was an own goal) in a 3-2 home win vs. New England Revolution (MLS)
Round 5: 2 saves, 15 shots faced, 1 goal allowed in a 2-1 home win vs. Nashville SC (USL)
Quarterfinals: 3 saves, 17 shots faced, 4 goals allowed in a 4-0 road loss at Chicago Fire (MLS)

Allisson Faramilio (FC Golden State – PDL)
Faramilio scored at least one goal in each of the first three games of the tournament for FC Golden State Force as the PDL side became just the 14th amateur side (16th open division team) to reach the Fourth Round since 1996. Faramilio helped his team upset a pair of pro teams from the USL and his two-goal performance in Golden State’s 2-1 upset of the Las Vegas Lights in Round 3 earned him TheCup.us Player of the Round honors.

Round 1: Started, played 72 mins., scored the game-winning goal in a 3-1 home win over the Los Angeles Wolves FC (USASA)
Round 2: Started, played 76 mins., scored a PK goal in a 4-2 road win at Orange County SC (USL)
Round 3: Started, played 90 mins., scored 2 goals in a 2-1 home win vs. Las Vegas Lights (USL)
Round 4: Started, played 84 mins. in a 3-1 road loss at Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)

Marios Lomis (North Carolina FC – USL)
Lomis did everything he could to help North Carolina FC make a deep run in the US Open Cup. The Dutch forward scored a goal in all three games until the team’s run came to a halt in the Fourth Round when they lost a penalty kick shootout to D.C. United (MLS). Lomis converted his attempt, but NCFC would fall short, 4-3.

Round 2: Started, played 90 mins., scored 1 goal in a 3-0 home win vs. Lansdowne Bhoys FC (USASA)
Round 3: Started, played 90 mins., had 1 goal, 1 assist in a 4-1 home win vs. Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL)
Round 4: Started, played 120 mins., scored 1 goal in a 1-1 road draw at D.C. United (MLS), scored in the PK shootout but lost 4-3

Christian Okeke (NTX Rayados – USASA)
Okeke was this year’s super sub, coming off the bench in all four games for NTX Rayados and scoring three game-winning goals to help the Dallas-based amateur side reach the Fourth Round. That trip to the Fourth Round earned them a date with the Houston Dynamo (MLS) and was the furthest the team had advanced out of their eight consecutive trips to the tournament, a streak started in 2012. Okeke’s best performance came in the Second Round when he scored the game-tying penalty kick in the 90th minute and then scored what would be the game-winning goal in the 105th minute in a 5-2 extra time win over the USL’s OKC Energy FC. It was the Rayados’ first win over a pro team and it earned Okeke TheCup.us Player of the Round honors.

Round 1: 2nd half sub in the 53rd min., scored the game-winning goal in the 114th min. in a 2-1 OT home win vs. Fort Worth Vaqueros (NPSL)
Round 2: 2nd half sub in the 65th min., scored the game-tying goal in the 90th min. and the game-winner in the 105th min. in a 5-2 OT home win vs. OKC Energy FC (USL)
Round 3: 2nd half sub in the 64th min., scored the game-winner in the 86th min. in a 3-2 home win vs. FC Wichita (NPSL)
Round 4: 2nd half sub in the 53rd min. in a 5-0 road loss at Houston Dynamo (MLS)

Brian Ownby (Louisville City FC – USL)
There were several key field players that helped Louisville City FC reach the Quarterfinals of this year’s US Open Cup. It was a difficult decision, but Brian Ownby’s overall performance, highlighted by his TheCup.us Player of the Round performance in an upset of the New England Revolution (MLS) helped him stand out. Ownby was a consistent offensive threat for City in all four of their wins

Round 2: 2nd half sub in the 62nd min., scored 1 goal in a 5-0 home win vs. Long Island Rough Riders (PDL)
Round 3: Started, played 71 mins., in a 1-0 home win vs. Saint Louis FC (USL)
Round 4: Started, played 78 mins., assisted on the first goal and scored the game-winner in the 62nd min. in a 3-2 home win vs. New England Revolution (MLS)
Round 5: Started, played 75 mins. in a 2-1 home win vs. Nashville SC (MLS)
Quarterfinals: Started, played 90 mins. in a 4-0 road loss at Chicago Fire (MLS)

Past winners of TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament 
2012: Danny Barrera (Cal FC – USASA)
2013: Ty Shipalane (Carolina RailHawks – NASL)
2014: Scott Goodwin (Carolina RailHawks – NASL)
2015: Michael Salazar (PSA Elite – USASA)
2016: Diego Restrepo (Fort Lauderdale Strikers – NASL)
2017: Mitch Hildebrandt (FC Cincinnati – USL)

2018 US Open Cup Round 4: Ari Lassiter’s brace for LA Galaxy eliminates FC Golden State Force

by

Ari Lassiter of the LA Galaxy controls the ball against FC Golden State Force in the Fourth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: LA Galaxy
LA Galaxy controls the ball against FC Golden State Force in the Fourth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: LA Galaxy

Ari Lassiter had been the forgotten man on the L.A. Galaxy’s forward depth chart until he made everyone remember that he can score goals, too.

The 22-year-old striker scored twice as L.A. Galaxy (MLS) defeated FC Golden State Force (PDL), 3-1, on Wednesday night in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round game at StubHub Center’s Track & Field Stadium.

“His two goals were good but he probably could’ve had five,” LA Galaxy head coach Sigi Schmid said. “It was good for him to get those two, and his goal scoring is always appreciated.”

L.A. Galaxy is 3-0 in US Open Cup games in which Lassiter has scored since last season.

“As a striker it’s always important for me score goals and that’s what I came here to do,” said Lassiter, who had played predominantly for L.A. Galaxy II (USL) this season. “I need to contribute any way that I can and that’s what I did.”

It was the third and fourth Lamar Hunt US Open Cup goals of Lassiter’s career, and his left-footed scissor kick in the 38th minute was his first goal with the Galaxy’s first team since last July.

“It just set up nicely for me and sometimes you just have to go for that bicycle kick,” Lassister said. “I went for it and it paid off.”

Bradford Jamieson IV made his first start of the season and scored the game’s opening goal in the 15th minute for LA Galaxy, which will learn its next US Open Cup opponent on Thursday, June 7.

“I’m just taking it game-by-game and trying to focus on the little things,” said Jamieson, who had been sidetracked by concussions twice in the last two seasons. “I feel like getting sharper with every match and it’s coming along.”

LA Galaxy goalkeeper Justin Vom Steeg made some critical stops among his seven saves but Brazilian Pedro Fonseca scored in th for FC Golden State Force, which allowed as many goals against Galaxy as it had during its three previous tournament games.

2018 US Open Cup Round 3: Allisson Faramilio of FC Golden State Force named TheCup.us Player of the Round

by

Allisson Faramilio celebrates with his FC Golden State Force teammates after upsetting the Las Vegas Lights in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Michael Carranza - gossamr.com
Allisson Faramilio celebrates with his FC Golden State Force teammates after upsetting the Las Vegas Lights in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Michael Carranza – gossamr.com

Allisson Faramilio’s late game heroics for FC Golden State Force in an upset over USL newcomers Las Vegas Lights FC earned him TheCup.us Player of the Round honors for Round 3 of the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Faramilio was the runaway winner of the award after twice giving his Premier Development League (PDL) team the lead, the first time in the 75th minute and for good when he converted a stoppage time penalty kick. The goals were his third and fourth of this year’s competition. (Watch the goals below)

The award is voted on by the staff at TheCup.us and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters.

“It was very important, for me and for all of the Golden State Force,” Faramilio said of his winner. “For being the one time that the club arrives in that phase of the competition and for me being an attacker I’m always happy to be making goals and helping my teammates and team.”

One of the more experienced players on his team and in the predominantly Under-23 league, the 30-year-old Brazilian, who started his career in the Corinthians youth academy, doesn’t take his leadership role lightly.

“I am passing on tranquility for the youngsters,” he said.

Two other players, both professionals on USL teams in Louisville City FC’s Sean Totsch and North Carolina FC’s Austin da Luz, received strong consideration for the honor. But Faramilio’s role of dragon slayer won over the voters.

“Because of playing against a stronger team, being all professionals, we do not let down,” Faramilio said.

He and his teammates will get another date with a professional team in the competition when they travel to StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. to take on LA Galaxy on June 6.

“It will be an exciting match, and without a doubt, we will seek victory once again, respecting the Galaxy, more knowing that in the field anything can to happen,” he said.

2018 US Open Cup Round 3: Who should be the TheCup.us Player of the Round?

by

thecup-us-social-logoNow that the Third Round of the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is finished, it’s time to look back at some of the standout performances of the 12 matches.

From dominant displays to rocket shots to vital moments, there are plenty of great performances to choose from for TheCup.us Player of the Round.
The staff of TheCup.us and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters vote for the award, but if you had a vote, who would you choose?

Reyno Bustamante (Fresno FC, USL)
With Fresno FC locked in a tough extra-time period on the road against Sporting AZ FC (USASA), Bustamante worked some magic to score the game-winner in the 99th minute.

Austin da Luz (North Carolina FC, USL)
The veteran NCFC midfielder da Luz put on quite a performance, scoring the game-winning goal at home in a 4-1 victory against the Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL). He also assisted twice, on the game’s opening goal, as well as NCFC’s first insurance goal.

Allisson Faramillio (FC Golden State Force, PDL)
Going up against USL side Las Vegas Lights at home, Faramillio provided all of the offense Golden State needed. He scored the opener in the 75th minute, breaking a scoreless tie. After Vegas had tied the game a short time later, the Force earned a penalty kick in stoppage time, and Allisson was able to find the net to send his side home 2-1 winners.

Luiz Fernando (Richmond Kickers, USL)
With Richmond hosting fellow USL side Penn FC, Fernando started the game off on fire. He notched his first goal just 11 minutes in, and repeated the feat again in the 22nd minute. The Kickers would end up moving on to the Fourth Round, winning 3-2.

Christian Okeke (NTX Rayados, USASA)
After coughing up a 2-0 home lead within a span of five minutes against FC Wichita of the NPSL, the Rayados were on the ropes when they subbed in Okeke in the 82nd minute. Their faith in the forward was repaid just four minutes later, as he notched the game-winner in a 3-2 victory.

Jorge Rivera (Penn FC, USL)
Playing on the road against fellow USL team Richmond Kickers, Penn FC was on their heels after Luiz Fernando had a hot start (see above). However, Rivera helped dig the visitors out of the hole, getting them on the board at 36th minute, then tying the game with a half hour left. While his team would ultimately lose, Rivera’s effort was nothing short of heroic to prevent a possible blowout and rally his team.

Sean Totsch (Louisville City FC, USL)
King’s Cup rival Saint Louis FC (USL) came to town, in a match that largely came down to defense, and Totsch helped City’s backline limit chances and helped keeper Tim Dobrowolski keep a clean sheet. However, it was on the other end where Totsch was vital, running on the ball and launching an absolute screamer from five yards outside the box into the top left corner of the net, giving the home team a 1-0 win.

2018 US Open Cup Round 3: Faramillio’s late PK gives FC Golden State Force upset of Las Vegas Lights

by

USOC VGS-GSF FINALLeaving it late, FC Golden State Force played the role of giant killer again as they took down USL expansion side Las Vegas Lights 2-1. Golden State found an extra gear late, and cherished the role of the underdog. They controlled most of the game, putting the pressure on Vegas throughout, even when a Lights equalizer would have sent most amateur teams scrambling to park the bus and hope for a slip-up in a penalty kicks.

With the win, FC Golden State Force becomes the first PDL team since the 2012 Michigan Bucks to upset back-to-back professional teams in the tournament. Furthermore, the Force also make history as the 13th amateur side (15th open division team) to reach the Fourth Round of the competition. They will earn a date with a team from Major League Soccer in the next round and will attempt to do something no open division team has ever done in the Modern Era: advance beyond the Fourth Round.

Unlike last match vs. Orange County SC, Golden State took the initiative and pinned Las Vegas into defensive third of the pitch. The Force could have taken the lead early on, as Lights keeper Ricardo Ferrino saved a curling effort shot by Amilcar Lopez-Ruiz. The home side then had another chance to score as Sami Vilalva hit a shot just wide of the post, and Christian Torres rattled a shot off the crossbar in the 32nd minute. While failing to find the net, they clamped down on Las Vegas in the defensive end, limiting their chances on goal.

The second half saw Las Vegas start to control the match. While they didn’t carve out any chances, they forced Golden State to clear the ball out of danger, but right back to the Lights. The visitors finally had a golden chance to go in front, as Marco Cesar hit a point-blank shot over the bar from six yards out. Later, Golden State finally had a chance on a counterattack, as Vialva caught the ball and put a left-footed shot just wide of the post. The Force finally broke the pressure and started sustaining an attack, and finally hit paydirt in the 76th minute. Allisson Faramillio continued his Open Cup magic, curling a shot past Ferrino to put the home side up 1-0.

The Lights continued their attack, however, earning a corner kick, and Joel Huiqui evened the match ten minutes from time. However, instead of bunkering in, Golden State continued their attack. A minute into stoppage time, the Force earned a penalty kick, and Faramillio was able to score the game-winner. This puts the Man of the Match at four goals in the Open Cup, tied for second place. He scored another brace against Orange County SC in the previous round.

Manager Robert Friedland was overjoyed as the result.  He spoke about the performance of his team, “We just have to stay focused and stay on our task and keep our eye on the prize…I’m proud of my team and they impress me more every day. Tonight was a massive result.” He was also excited about the likeliness of playing against an MLS team, stating, “It’s thrilling, to be in the fourth round, to do our job, and get the chance to be able to do that, we are the Cinderella story.” They will be facing another strong side in the next round, but the Force are excited by the task ahead.

2018 US Open Cup Round 2: FC Golden State Force ready for Cinderella role after upset of Orange County SC

by

Players from FC Golden State Force celebrate a goal against the Orange County SC. Photo: Orange County SC
Players from FC Golden State Force celebrate a goal against the Orange County SC. Photo: Orange County SC

Orange County SC and their fans at The Championship Stadium in Irvine, Calif. were left stunned as the fourth-placed side in the Western Conference of the USL lost 4-2 to FC Golden State Force of the PDL. In the process, the home side tied a record for most losses by a professional team to an amateur side in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, with five such losses to their name.

The start of the first half was cagey for both sides as they looked to feel each other out. Then, Orange County SC began to control more possession as the half went on, but they couldn’t break down a stingy Golden State defense. Most passes went side to side and they couldn’t put any sustained pressure on the away side’s backline, but Golden State was the more effective team on offense, catching Orange County on the counter attack on a number of occasions.

The breakthrough came in the 28th minute as OCSC midfielder Christian Duke made an inch-perfect tackle and rifled a shot past Golden State keeper Jose Miranda. It was an act of individual grit, determination, and skill as he started and finished the attack.

Two minutes later, Golden State equalized with Tyler Allen slotting a cross just out of reach of Orange County keeper Andre Rawls. It was the response the away side needed.

Golden State’s defense got caught napping as the clinical Dane, Thomas Enevoldsen latched on to a through ball from midfielder Koji Hashimoto and curled a shot past Miranda to make it 2-1 OCSC.

From here, the average fan would have expected the home side to take control of the match. They didn’t.

Golden State Force had a dream start to the second half as Thomas Juel-Nielsen took down Pedro Fonseca in the box and Alisson then converted the penalty to make it 2-2 in the 49th minute and for a good stretch of the second half, it was the visitors who controlled play and sustained possession in the attacking third of the pitch.

Orange County had no response to the onslaught that faced them and they conceded the lead in the 67th minute, when Samuel Goni Vilava scored.

The home side tried to get back into the game but Golden State stifled them defensively and limited their chances created before Golden State put the final nail in the coffin when Jose Fonseca rounded Andre Rawls to finish off a perfectly-executed counter and make it 4-2.

Golden State head coach Jon Spencer was overjoyed after the match:

“It couldn’t feel any better, I’m proud. My guys never gave up, they were down, but never know what out means.”

When asked if he would keep the same game plan against another USL opponent in the Third Round, Spencer offered,“Someone’s got to play Cinderella.”

FC Golden State Force will host the USL’s Las Vegas Lights in the Third Round of the US Open Cup.

2018 US Open Cup Round 1: FC Golden State Force advance for second year in a row, 3-1 over LA Wolves

by

fc-golden-state-force-la-wolvesHome side FC Golden State Force eased past visitors Los Angeles Wolves in the First Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup by a score line of 3-1 at Rio Hondo College in Whittier, Calif.

Absorbing some early offensive pressure by the LA Wolves, GSF struck first against the run of play through a goal by Marcelo Manifredini in the 16th minute of the first half.

“They’re a pretty good possession team, so we kind of invited them to come play in our half a little, and then we were going to counter. And that’s how we got two out of the three goals, and it worked,” FC Golden State Force midfielder Jose Carrera-Garcia said.

Despite losing veteran center back Erlys Garcia-Baro in the 36th minute, the Force kept up the pressure through the half and maintained their counter attacking game plan.

“We have a big group with a lot of really good players who can step in. When the next players came in, there was no difference. We trust everyone in the group, everyone plays well and we just have to work hard and support each other,” Carrera-Garcia added.

If not for some defensive heroics by LA Wolves defender Mason Klerks, the score line could have easily been 3-0 going into the half. Klerks managed back to back clearances off of the goal line the 25th minute and provided a goal saving tackle in the box in 34th minute.

“The last 10 minutes of the first half, they had us on our back,” LA Wolves head coach Felipe Bernal said. “It seemed like they could’ve put one in at the end of the first half, but we managed to get away with that. I think that was the worst part of the game for us,”

It didn’t take long for the Force long to pick up where they left off in the first half, as they struck early in the second half through a 56th minute goal by Allisson Faramilio as the LA Wolves failed to clear their lines after a Golden State corner kick.

The LA Wolves remained in what seemed like defensive damage control early in the second half and the Force attack was able to break through with another goal in the 69th minute by Amilcar Lopez-Ruiz.

Having switched to a two forward attack in the middle of the second half, Jose Gomez was able to pull one back for the Wolves in 84th minute off of a long thrown in.

Despite Golden State seemingly dominating long stretches of the match they only outshot the visitors by 12-10 margin, but the LA Wolves lacked the finishing touch.

“Second half, we created some opportunities over here, but nobody closed up to tap it in” Bernal concluded. “Unfortunately, that’s the way it goes. You know soccer, it’s not how many opportunities you create, it’s the opportunities you take advantage of.”

Copyright © 2026 • Built by Jacob Martella Web Development