Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Maryland Bobcats FC

2024 US Open Cup Round 2: Richmond Kickers win chippy affair with Maryland Bobcats, 5-2

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Richmond Kickers players celebrate after scoring a goal against the Maryland Bobcats in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Stone Hendricks - Jessicastonehendricks.com
Richmond Kickers players celebrate after scoring a goal against the Maryland Bobcats in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Stone Hendricks – Jessicastonehendricks.com

The Richmond Kickers notched its second competitive win of the season with a 5-2 win over the Maryland Bobcats, moving into Round Three of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the fifth straight year. The result also saw the Kickers earn its 36th all-time Open Cup win, tying for fifth in the Modern Era (1995-present) with FC Dallas and the Charleston Battery.

The Kickers got off the mark early, earning a penalty in the 5th minute after the official seemed to spot a handball from Luis Almeida off a Chandler O’Dwyer shot. Nil Vinyals’ shot sent keeper Trevor Jackson the wrong way with a low shot to the left for his first goal of the 2024 season.

From then on, the match took a chippy tone, with yellow cards issued to both teams before the 15th minute. Richmond dominated possession but the Bobcats played a physical game and took several opportunities to make forays forward.

Richmond’s out-of-possession pressing paid off in the 20th minute, when an errant pass at the back led to Jackson taking a heavy touch in the six-yard box. O’Dwyer was there to tap the ball in from close range and score his first goal of the season.

Maryland responded quickly, earning a corner a few minutes later. A scramble in the box saw the ball drop to Abdul Kooistra’s feet and the centerback made no mistake in finishing past Richmond keeper Pablo Jara. 

Richmond rallied to finish the first half strong. A free kick on the left wing saw Vinyals play an arcing ball into the box that centerback Dakota Barnathan finished with a powerful header. Halftime saw the Kickers ahead 3-1 on goals and the teams even 2-2 on cards.

Undeterred by the scoreline, the Bobcats came out bright in the second half. Putting the Kickers backline under pressure as they tried to clear the ball, Darwin Espinal earned a penalty after drawing a foul from Justin Sukow. His shot agonizingly hit the crossbar on a Panenka attempt. Maryland’s difficulties were compounded just two minutes later when Josselin Possian earned his second yellow of the night in the 61st minute and was sent off.

Yet the Bobcats weren’t finished quite yet. Despite his penalty miss, Espinal brought his side back within a goal with a thunderous strike in the 71st minute from outside the box.

Despite being an early contender for goal of the tournament, his efforts weren’t enough to rally the Bobcats and the Kickers added two more goals late. Nil Vinyals played Adrian Billhardt in off a gorgeous one-touch through ball and the winger squared it to Ryan Sierakowski to tap in in the 83rd minute while Barnathan added a second goal to his tally and player of the match performance, finishing at the right post off a corner in the 88th.

Richmond Kickers head coach Darren Sawatzky spoke approvingly of his team’s performance after the game.

“We worked on some things and they showed up,” said Sawatzky. “Chandler and the timing of his counterpress was perfect. He scored a great goal. We’ve been waiting for some guys to take some opportunities and they took them. I’m really happy with it.”

Richmond is now 9-0-1 (1-0 PK) all-time vs. Division 3 teams and the result saw them score their most goals in a game since they beat Virginia United FC 6-2 in the 2019 Second Round. It was a night to forget for the Bobcats, while Richmond will aim to build off their momentum as they seek their first league win since July 3, 2023 this weekend against Central Valley Fuego in USL League One play.

KATE’S OPEN CUP NOTE: We knew Mike Watts and Devon Kerr were trouble when they walked in tonight. Keen listeners of the broadcast might have noticed not one, not thirteen, but 235 Taylor Swift song titles used by the duo during their commentary. Truly a fearless choice from these two masterminds. And with that being said … a blank space in Round 32? You can write Richmond Kickers’ name.

2024 US Open Cup Round 1: Darwin Espinal’s brace leads Maryland Bobcats to win at West Chester United

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Players from the Maryland Bobcats FC (red) and West Chester United battle for the ball in their First Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Don Robson | DonRobson.com
Players from the Maryland Bobcats FC (red) and West Chester United battle for the ball in their First Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Don Robson | DonRobson.com

On a chilly spring evening in Wayne, PA, the visiting Maryland Bobcats faced off against a determined West Chester United side in the opening round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The Bobcats, a professional side from the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) proved to be too strong for the hosts from the NPSL. Darwin Espinal scored both goals in a 2-0 road win as Maryland advanced to Round 2.

A passionate crowd of around 250 people gathered in the bleachers and behind the goal at the YSC Complex. Following a call to action from the Sons of Ben, many members of Philadelphia Union supporters groups attended to lend their voices in support of local soccer and the Open Cup. Additionally, a smaller but equally passionate contingent of Maryland Bobcats fans could be seen proudly flying the distinct Maryland state flag in the stands.

Maryland Bobcats FC got off to a strong start and were duly rewarded for their efforts. In the 8th minute, a long ball forward from the defense was skillfully knocked on by Amo-Gottfried. The winger raced down the wing with blistering speed, leaving the West Chester defenders trailing in his wake. Although Sanders rushed off his line, the winger managed to slip a pass across the face of goal to Darwin Espinal, who calmly slotted the ball home. Despite Maryland’s initial dominance, West Chester United gradually settled into the game and began creating opportunities of their own.

After a sustained period of possession, United’s Robinson intercepted an errant Bobcat back-pass. Dribbling around the center back, he squared the ball for Roby Kenneth, only for it to be cleared by a Bobcat defender into the woods surrounding the complex.

Around the 35th minute, a foul set up one of West Chester’s better chances. A long ball forward saw the United winger beat his defender just outside the edge of the box. Jacob Campell brought down the winger, resulting in a yellow card and a free kick. However, some West Chester supporters felt the foul occurred on the line of the box and should have been a penalty. Despite a well-worked free kick routine, the resulting shot sailed over the bar.

The two best chances of the half for West Chester came in added time. A precise entry ball initiated a smooth sequence resulting in a one-two pass that put Mason Miller through on goal. However, Miller’s shot went straight at Trevor Jackson, and the rebound was sent wide. Shortly after, a crunching tackle from Brenes initiated a counterattack that led to an inviting ball across the face of goal, forcing the Bobcats to clear. West Chester were unable to capitalize on their momentum, and halftime saw Maryland Bobcat FC holding onto a narrow 1-0 lead.

As the second half unfolded, tensions rose, and the game became increasingly physical. Yellow cards were brandished as both teams fought fiercely. Early in the second half, John Ricks received a yellow card for pushing a Bobcat attacker to the turf while challenging for the ball.

Maryland was able to double their advantage in the 57th minute following a good attack from West Chester. After United Forward Robinson produced a nice turn and shoot opportunity, the Bobcats hit on the counterattack. Jackson initiated play with a throw out to the wing, and Maryland recycled play between the midfielders and defenders until a lane opened along their right sideline.

Amo-Gottfreid again used his pace to burn the United defender and played a low first-time cross to Thiam, who squared it to Espinal, who beat his defender and scored. In a series of eleven passes, nearly every Bobcat player touched the ball. For Espinal, it was his second goal of the evening and the fifth US Open Cup goal of his career. Espinal scored a pair for Maryland last year, and his first tournament goal came back in 2017 with the South Florida Surf of the PDL (now USL League Two).

Ricks was almost sent off for a second bookable offense; however, the referee reconsidered and opted to keep the card in his pocket, much to the chagrin of Maryland’s coaching staff. The ensuing free kick was sent into the box by Maryland and headed on to the winger, who rifled a shot at goal. Sanders made an incredible save, tipping the ball onto the post to keep United alive with 15 minutes left.

In the 77th minute, United came agonizingly close to scoring. A long ball switched the field of play and was settled by Roby. He cut back and beat one defender before holding off two more and slipping Brenes into the box behind him. Brenes unloaded a powerful shot that forced a diving save from Jackson to tip the ball over the bar.

The match concluded with the Maryland Bobcats booking their ticket to the second round of the US Open Cup, scheduled for April 2-3. Their triumph was a testament to their cohesive teamwork, clinical finishing, and impressive goalkeeping. Meanwhile, West Chester United can take pride in their valiant effort and attacking creativity, despite falling short on the night.

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: Toby Sims’ brace leads Pittsburgh Riverhounds over Maryland Bobcats

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Toby Sims Pittsburgh Riverhounds Maryland Bobcats 2022 US Open Cup
Toby Sims of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Maryland Bobcats in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Chris Cowger | Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC continued their unbeaten run to the season by defeating Maryland Bobcats FC 2-0 in the Second Round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The win marked their fifth game in all competitions without a loss to start their campaign. This time, the Hounds were propelled by some fresh faces as head coach Bob Lilley played a heavily rotated side that included many of the club’s young players. Leading the youthful crop was winger Toby Sims, whose two goals marked the first professional goals of his career.

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Sims broke open a cagey first half in the 37th minute when Luis Argudo got onto the end of Jesse Williams’ touchline through ball and lofted a cross for Sims to slot home just inside the post. The Englishman then doubled Pittsburgh’s lead in the 56th minute. 17-year-old Wyatt Borso drilled a cross the width of the pitch that found its way past a fallen Bobcat defender and onto the foot of Sims. Sims controlled and then curled his shot past the outstretched arm of Maryland’s keeper.

The first-year pro made the most of his cup opportunity by bagging his first goals under contract and in a Hounds shirt. Sims, a typical wingback, took advantage of Lilley’s surprise decision to play him further up the pitch.

“I found out yesterday when he released the starting 11,” said Sims, who was an All-American at Chowan University, an NCAA Division 2 program in North Carolina. “I never played that position before, so I was a bit apprehensive going into the game. I definitely got more comfortable as the game went on. I got more touches and it paid off in the end.”

Sims was one of a handful of new additions to Lilley’s squad that got a chance to prove themselves, as the experienced coach turned over his starting lineup to keep key members of the first team fresh for the upcoming west coast road trip in USL Championship league play. The crew of newly crowned professionals did not let the chance slip away and gave their boss more to think about as the season progresses.

“We want to build depth, we want to keep growing,” said Lilley, who is now tied with Bob Bradley and Adrian Heath for fourth place in the Modern Era with 19 career coaching wins in the US Open Cup. “We asked them to step up, take care of this game, and they did. That’s important for their psyche.”

Sims expressed his eagerness to squeeze out more playing time for himself, perhaps in an unexpected new position.

“Getting the opportunity was something I definitely felt like I needed to take. Hopefully further down the line it gets me more minutes, if not I’ll keep working ‘til I do.”

Both teams struggled in the first half hour of the match to create a pattern of play, leading to a stalemate on possession and no significant chances. Eventually the Hounds chipped away at Maryland’s left side of the defense, Argudo sneaking behind on multiple occasions before providing the assist to Sims that ended the deadlock.

In the second half, Lilley switched his attack plan to the right and Sims exposed the back line’s vulnerability once again. The Bobcats look lost for options at a comeback, settling for unsuccessful long balls that Pittsburgh’s stingy center backs swallowed up to kill off the game.

Jahmali Waite started in goal for the Riverhounds, making just two second half saves to earn the clean sheet in his professional debut.

The Riverhounds await to see their Third Round opponent in the 107th US Open Cup, as the draw will be announced on Friday, April 8. 

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