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2018 US Open Cup: Pros from Miami FC 2 are too much for FC Miami City

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Miami FC 2's newest signing, Dario Suarez, celebrates after coming off the bench and scoring in his debut against FC Miami City in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: @LemonCityLive
Miami FC 2’s newest signing, Dario Suarez, celebrates after coming off the bench and scoring in his debut against FC Miami City in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: @LemonCityLive

While uniforms are largely the same, the name of the team is slightly different, and it is technically a new franchise but Miami FC 2 of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) continued its senior team’s form in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. With nearly half of the roster from last year’s Miami FC NASL team that reached the Quarterfinals, “2” cruised to a 3-1 win over FC Miami City in the Preliminary Round on Sunday night.

Don Smart, Dario Suarez and Jeff Michaud all scored for Miami FC 2 as the club advances to the First Round where they will face another Miami-based amateur team Red Force FC on Wednesday, May 9 at the FIU Stadium.

The 105th edition of the US Open Cup began at Tropical Park Stadium in Miami, on a field that is normally reserved for high school competitions and high level amateur fixtures. In a setting unknown to the Miami FC organization, FC Miami City found comfort on their home pitch. Perhaps just a bit too much comfort.

Miami FC relished every opportunity as the play-in competitor in a tournament they almost did not get a chance to compete in. Miami took full advantage of an early defensive collapse by City when a cross found Kris Tyrpak on the back post, who slotted it past City keeper Hugo Fauroux. The assistant referee would save City and Fauroux early on by judging Tyrpak offside and the game would remain scoreless.

In the 11th minute, Tyler Polak, one of the 19 players on the Miami FC roster who came into the game with Open Cup experience, found Tyrpak with a ball down the left flank. Tyrpak was quick to locate Don Smart hanging on the opposite end of the technical area and placed a cross across the mouth of goal. With a diving effort Smart beat Fauroux and put Miami ahead officially this time.

Over the next 10 minutes of play Miami would continue to be the aggressor, pinning City into their own half. With one of the few attacking efforts City would have, a ball down their own left flank would force Tyler Ruthven into a hard challenge to disrupt possession. The referee would find the tackle a touch dangerous and disciplined Ruthven with the first yellow card of the match.

In the 30th minute, City would suffer a huge blow to their defensive forces. 2018 PDL player to watch, Kevin Coiffic, would suffer an injury and be replaced by Dylan Hauss. Hauss would find himself tested early and often after coming onto the pitch, passing each test Miami threw in front of him.

Moments before the end of the first half, Miami effectively disrupted a City counter attack. As the ball was worked back to Dylan Mares, a potential horror would ensue. City’s Ethan Sonis would come in from behind with studs up plowing through Mares. Mares collapsed clutching his left knee leaving the Miami FC faithful holding their breath hoping that the dynamic midfielder could continue. The referee showed leniency against Sonis issuing only a yellow card despite calls for a straight red.

At the start of the second half, Vincenzo Rennella would be subbed off for newly-signed Dario Suarez. The former AFC Ann Arbor striker wasted no time getting involved with the attack, releasing Tyrpak for a strike that would be saved by Fauroux. City would find the strength to head the other way off the back of Fauroux’s save and earn a corner in the 55th minute. The low-driven corner would pinball around the Miami technical area before landing at the feet of City’s Deshawon Nembhard. Nembhard wasted no time smashing it low and in the corner, out of the reach of Miami FC goalkeeper Mario Daniel Vega, to bring the game level at one.

Unimpressed, Miami would rush to take the kickoff and pounce down the field. Keeping City penned into their own technical area, Miami would find Tyrpak down the left hand side again. His cross would be cleared out of the box but only as far as Suarez. Suarez wasted no time opening his Miami FC account and blasted a shot into the upper 90 bringing Miami back into the lead.

Despite City’s best efforts to bring the game level again, all their attacks would end comfortably in the hands of Vega or off target. Miami would find themselves getting the best chances in the remainder of the night as Suarez missed a pair of sitters (one catching the outside of the post). Ariel Martinez and Kris Tyrpak would find their nights cut short as Sean McFarlane and Aly Hassan would get some playing time.

After the Tyrpak substitution, Miami would collect their final goal of the night. A throw-in would begin a pinball of sorts between Polak, Suarez, and Jeff Michaud. Michaud would make a cut on the outside of the technical area to open up space for his right foot. His curler would leave Fauroux frozen and ice the game for Miami FC. Michaud’s goal was his sixth career tournament goal as he has notched at least one goal in each of the last three years.

The win comes as a sigh of relief for Miami FC as their first three NPSL matches all ended in 1-1 draws. The final 30 minutes really proved to be the deciding factor as the City stamina began to wither. The early rounds of the tournament are always a challenge for PDL teams since the overwhelming majority of teams depend on college players, who, in most cases, aren’t finished with classes until the first week of May.

FULL MATCH REPLAY

USSF allows NY Cosmos B, Miami FC 2, Jacksonville Armada into 2018 US Open Cup in unprecedented decision

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Despite not qualifying for the 2018 US Open Cup, Jacksonville Armada U-23s, New York Cosmos B, and Miami FC 2 will be allowed in because their senior teams were left out as members of the NASL.
The three remaining North American Soccer League (NASL) teams Jacksonville Armada, New York Cosmos, and Miami FC are being allowed to enter the 2018 US Open Cup.

UPDATE: All three Play-In Round games will take place on May 6. Click here for the full schedule.

A little over two weeks ago, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) announced the format for the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The 105th edition of the United States championship tournament would feature 94 teams, but last Friday afternoon, in an unprecedented decision, the federation added three teams that didn’t originally qualify for the competition into the 2018 field.

The New York Cosmos B, Jacksonville Armada Under-23s, and Miami FC 2, the three reserve teams for the remaining clubs in the North American Soccer League (NASL), will be allowed to enter the US Open Cup. Since the NASL canceled the 2018 season, the three teams shifted their remaining players to their reserve squads which all compete in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) as professional teams.

In previous years, the only way for NPSL teams entered the US Open Cup is through the NPSL qualifying process, which is determined (somewhat complexly) by the previous year’s league and playoff results. Cosmos B and the Armada U-23s failed to qualify and Miami FC 2 are a 2018 expansion team and did not compete in league play last season.

The statement from the US Open Cup Committee read: “The Committee carefully considered the teams’ exceptional situation which involved all three moving from Professional Division II status in 2017 to solely Open Division league participation earlier this year. Since the move occurred after the Open Division league’s 2018 Open Cup entry deadline in mid-2017, the Committee decided to allow the three teams the opportunity to compete in the 2018 edition of the U.S. Open Cup.”

All three teams accepted their invitations and will enter the tournament in a newly-created Play-In Round that is scheduled to take place the weekend of May 5-6.

US Soccer announced on Monday, April 2 that the New York Cosmos B will face the Brooklyn Italians FC of the NPSL, while the PDL’s FC Miami City will take on Miami FC 2, and The Villages SC (PDL) will face off with the Jacksonville Armada. The winners of those three matches will move on to the First Round on May 9.

The dates, times and locations for the Play-In Round will be announced at a later date. Brooklyn, FC Miami City and The Villages will have the first option to host and according to the press release, they have until 4 p.m. ET on Friday, April 6 to submit their hosting proposal to the federation.

The USSF will also announce the First Round pairings and the potential Second Round matchups on Wednesday, April 4.

“These three teams, the players and the coaching staff and their fans, who had planned to participate in the 2018 US Open Cup, and because they are no longer in a professional league and because now they are participating in an amateur league, they missed all of the deadlines to participate in the 2018 tournament,” said John Motta, President of the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) and Open Cup committee member. “This situation was out of their control … and in my opinion, we had to find a way to allow these three teams to participate. Because it’s not the fault of any of the players, their fans, their coaches, so let’s take the politics aside and let them play.”

The NASL lost their Division 2 professional sanctioning on Sept. 3, 2017, which was after the registration deadline to enter the Open Division qualifying tournament for the 2018 US Open Cup.

The argument, as detailed in a letter submitted to the USSF by New York Cosmos chairman Rocco Commisso and shared on social media, laid out a number of complaints.

One of them being that Indy Eleven and North Carolina FC both left the NASL and were automatically entered into the US Open Cup as members of the USL. The main difference between the two situations is that since 2012, every US-based professional team is automatically entered into the competition. The Premier Development League (PDL) and the NPSL both choose their Open Cup entries based on the previous season’s results. All other teams are required to enter the Open Division qualifying tournament.

The letter also cited MLS (Los Angeles FC) and USL (Nashville SC, Las Vegas Lights FC, Fresno FC) expansion teams as examples of clubs that have been allowed to enter the tournament. Again, all professional teams are automatically entered into the Open Cup, so this is common practice.

Miami FC CEO Sean Flynn also submitted a similar letter to the US Soccer Federation.

TheCup.us has confirmed that the three NPSL teams will all be competing in the 2018 league season and the US Open Cup tournament as fully professional teams. There is no rule, either at the federation level or with the NPSL itself that prevents them from doing this. Although they are in the minority, they are not the only NPSL teams that compete in the league as professionals.

Earlier this year, amateur side El Farolito, winners of the 1993 US Open Cup, were disqualified for switching leagues during the qualifying process. They made the move from the San Francisco Soccer Football League (SFSFL) to the NPSL. Motta was quick to point out the difference between the two situations. One of them had a choice.

“These NASL teams were left out, through no fault of their own … while made a decision to change leagues mid-way through and that’s a clear violation of the Open Cup bylaws,” said Motta.

Section 202c1i of the Open Cup Handbook clearly states: “To remain eligible throughout the tournament, a team must remain a playing member in good standing within its club/league competition, starting from the Open Division entry deadline (which was last summer) and continuing until the Open Cup Final for the competition year.”

One minor detail is that the Jacksonville Armada Under-23s, who prior to this year were largely made up of college players, are putting that franchise on hiatus as the team converts to a fully-professional roster. Miami FC 2, which was announced prior to the NASL canceling the 2018 season, will remain under that name despite the team being converted to a roster full of NASL players. The New York Cosmos will be entering their usual professional roster under the name “Cosmos B”, therefore, just like Miami FC 2, they will be making the club’s first tournament appearance.

With this change, for the first time in tournament history, the NPSL will have more entries (22) than the PDL (20). This will also give the state of Florida 11 entries and the state of New York seven entries in this year’s tournament, both are Modern Era records.

Ian Foster also contributed to this report

2017 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Djiby Fall’s historic winner, FC Cincinnati’s historic defense blanks Miami FC

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FC Cincinnati celebrate their 1-0 win over Miami FC in the US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Miami FC
FC Cincinnati celebrate their 1-0 win over Miami FC in the US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Miami FC

FC Cincinnati’s impregnable defense, sound goalkeeping and some timely counterattacking proved a winning formula again, as they upended NASL spring champion Miami FC 1-0 on the road Wednesday night. A Miami FC season high crowd of 10,145 witnessed the Senegalese striker Djiby Fall become the hero for FC Cincinnati once again, tallying his fourth goal of the US Open Cup. Remarkably, all four have been game-winners, making him the first player in the US Open Cup Modern Era (1995-present) to score four of them in a single tournament.

FC Cincinnati’s Mitch Hildebrand, the reigning TheCup.us Player of the Round, is now on the brink of a pair of Modern Era records after earning his fourth straight clean sheet (the team’s fifth straight). He now has a 469-minute personal scoreless streak which is just a few minutes away from Jon Conway’s (San Jose Earthquakes 2000-01) personal record of 473 minutes. Hildebrandt’s 390-minute single-tournament shutout streak is 63 minutes away from breaking that record held by Chris Eylander of the Seattle Sounders of the USL in 2008.

In the Miami game, Hildebrandt made his case for back-to-back Player of the Round honors with three saves, including a game-saving stop late in the contest on a Kwadwo Poku attempt.

FC Cincinnati becomes the first non-MLS side to reach the Semifinals since the Richmond Kickers of the USL advanced to the final four in 2011. FCC will host the New York Red Bulls of MLS on Aug. 15 (8 p.m. EST) at Nippert Stadium where they have drawn record crowds in each of their last two Open Cup matches.

The hosts came out the aggressors, creating a great chance on a good combination between Dylan Mares and Stefano Pinho, who made a blistering run through the left channel. Pinho’s cross just missed everything: dodging an on-running Enzo Rennella near post, skidding past a lunging Mitch Hildebrandt and then sliding just beyond the reach of a late running Poku.

Early chance from Pinho aside, it was a clever tactical decision from FC Cincinnati manager Alan Koch that helped the Queen City visitors who had the better of the play throughout the first half hour. Using his forwards Danni König and Djiby Fall to apply heavy off-ball pressure, Cincinnati made life difficult on the Miami FC back four to move the ball out of the Miami final third. On one occasion, a Rhett Bernstein back pass forced Vega to distribute and his errant pass was intercepted by König, who fired just wide of the right post.

The pressure from Cincinnati helped the visitors continuously create dangerous moments in the opening half, as they forced Miami’s crucial defensive midfielder Richie Ryan, so often a smooth distribution conduit to the creative Miami attackers, very deep. With Ryan functioning almost as a third centerback, Miami’s spacing was disjointed and the team struggled to build any rhythm in possession. The disrupted rhythm made Miami fore things too, with playmakers Poku and Pinho often opting to take multiple defenders on rather than making simple passes into space. The result was a disjointed Miami attack throughout.

This was undoubtedly the plan, and Cincinnati manager Alan Koch was thrilled with the way his team executed in the first half.

“Without question, we wanted to make it hard on Miami to build any rhythm or tempo,” Koch said. “We felt the best way to do that was to pressure the center backs and force Richie Ryan to come back and help. We made him drop deep and they suffered moving the ball as a result.”

Hildebrandt agreed.

“We came into the game with a line of confrontation in mind and we executed it,” said the Cincinnati keeper. “We held our line and we pressured their back line off the ball. I’ve played against Richie Ryan before, when he was with Ottawa and I was with Minnesota. I know and we knew how he can spray the ball around and how important he is to them moving the ball. We did a great job making it harder on him.”

Cincinnati was able generate chances with the ball as well, thanks to the clever play centrally of Aodhan Quinn and the solid play wide from Justin Hoyte, a former Arsenal player and Trinidad and Tobago international. On one first half sequence, Hoyte galloped down the left, cutting inside and waiting on the ball for support before switching the point of attack just outside the area. The switch freed up Quinn, who put a move on Mason Trafford and chipped just high of Daniel Vega from about 21 yards.

Still, when Hildebrandt collected a header off a Richie Ryan cross deep into first half stoppage time, the teams were level headed to the break, despite the visitors looking the more inspired side, outshooting Miami 8-3 and creating the better chances throughout the opening 45.

For Hildebrandt, after breaking Chris Eylander’s (2008 Seattle Sounders, USL) single-tournament shutout streak record of 453 minutes, he deflected praise for the record-setting performance.

“I never thought I’d go 500 minutes without allowing a goal, but all credit to the team and coaches for that,” Hildebrandt said. “Our coaches have done a great job at putting together plans and keeping it simple in terms of giving individual instructions that we can execute. They did that again tonight against a great team in tough conditions.”

The hosts seized the initiative out of the gate in half number two, with manager Alessandro Nesta responding to the backline struggles by moving his line much higher early in the second half. The move paid immediate dividends, as Miami moved the ball with fluidity and tempo.

A menacing run and cross by Blake Smith nearly forced a Cincinnati own goal in the 52nd minute, and the ensuing corner saw Hunter Freeman find Rhett Bernstein in a bit of space, only to see the defender’s shot deflect off a lunging Sem de Wit. Another strong Freeman corner in the 60th minute was headed centrally by Poku, only to see Cincinnati clear away desperately.

But Cincinnati again responded, and this time, the visitors were rewarded for their resilience when Hoyte made a strong run on the left flank and dribbled around Freeman. His cross found late running Djiby Fall at the near post, who slotted home past Daniel Vega for the game’s first goal.

Predictably, Cincinnati dropped into a deep shell after taking the lead, and Miami struggled to find the final ball. A silly foul by Sem de Wit, who had plenty of help defense, gave Miami a free kick in a dangerous position in the 76th minute, and again Freeman delivered a dangerous ball only to see Hildebrandt save substitute Michel’s header on the far post.

Following a water break, Blake Smith found another substitute, Ariel Martinez on a slicing cross, but the Cuban forward headed harmlessly high into the stands. Miami’s best chance to equalize came in minute 88, when Poku made a dazzling run through the center of the pitch, beating three Cincinnati defenders and firing at Hildebrandt, who made a stunning save. Rennella made a great run and had a chance to hammer home the rebound far post, but couldn’t get his body squared and shouldered the ball just wide.

Unfortunately, in the final minutes of the game FC Cincinnati received a heavy blow when Fall received a yellow card. Combined with yellow cards he received against AFC Cleveland (Round 2) and Louisville City FC (Round 3), that gave him three, which according to tournament rules means he will receive a one-game suspension and will miss the Semifinal match against the Red Bulls.

Miami manager Alessandro Nesta credited the opponent for making life difficult.

“They made it hard for us to move the ball,” Nesta said. “We made changes in the second half, pushed up our line, pushed up our wings, moved our forwards central. In the end, we had chances to score and win. Against Atlanta, Poku scored in the end. Tonight, he doesn’t. That’s football. Sometimes you lose.”

Cincinnati’s reward for the victory is a home semifinal against the New York Red Bulls. It’s another chance to showcase one of America’s blossoming soccer cities, and that’s not lost on Cincinnati’s players and coaches.

“To play in front of those types of crowds, 20,000-30,000 fans a night in only our second year, it’s incredible,” Hildebrandt said. “The way they have embraced us, even though it is only our second year, I feel like the club and the city deserve this run.

Alan Koch agreed with his star goalkeeper.

“What we have in Cincinnati and what we’re building, it isn’t just special in the United States,” he said. “It’s special globally. To have that type of immediate connection with your city is incredible. We want to keep it going.”

2017 US Open Cup Quarterfinals preview: Miami FC hosts FC Cincinnati in battle of underdogs (Live Video)

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Miami FC (NASL) and FC Cincinnati (USL) will square off in the Quarterfinals, assurring that at least one lower division team will reach the Semifinals for the first time since 2011.
Miami FC (NASL) and FC Cincinnati (USL) will square off in the Quarterfinals, assurring that at least one lower division team will reach the Semifinals for the first time since 2011.

Links to full #USOC2017 coverage located at the bottom

In a battle of tournament underdogs, the NASL’s Miami FC will host the USL’s Cincinnati FC Wednesday night in a Lamar Hunt US Open Cup quarterfinal. The game, rescheduled from July 12 due to inclement weather, will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET and be live streamed online (it will be embedded above when it’s made available). The winner will become the 13th lower division side to reach the Open Cup semifinals since 1996, and the first since 2011 (Richmond Kickers, USL)

Adding a little extra flavor to the matchup, it features a team from the NASL and the USL. The two leagues have been rivals since a handful of teams broke away from the USL to form the NASL back in 2010. This is the 21st Open Cup meeting between NASL and USL sides, with the USL holding a narrow 10-8-2 edge in those contests.

A reasonable accounting would suggest Miami FC, champions of the NASL’s spring season, are the favorites, but circumstances have changed for the two clubs in the three weeks since the postponement of the original quarterfinal. While Miami have lost only two games during the NASL’s spring season, they suffered easily their most convincing defeat of the year Saturday in their NASL fall season opener against the New York Cosmos.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati, led by the reigning TheCup.us Player of the Round, goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt. The Oakland University (Mich.) product, who carries a staggering US Open Cup personal shutout streak of 379 minutes into the quarterfinal, is better-rested. Entering the July 12 match, the Queen City club would have been playing for the seventh time in 19 days. Entering the Aug. 2 reschedule, the schedule has slowed, and despite a 3-2 loss over the weekend to the Rochester Rhinos, Cincinnati play tonight’s game with far fresher legs.

Mitch Hildebrandt made 10 saves and stopped three of the Chicago Fire's four penalty kick attempts to send FC Cincinnati to the Quarterfinals. Photo: Erik Schelkun | FC Cincinnati
Mitch Hildebrandt made 10 saves and stopped three of the Chicago Fire’s four penalty kick attempts to send FC Cincinnati to the Quarterfinals. Photo: Erik Schelkun | FC Cincinnati

Above all, tonight’s game is a credit to two smart front offices, an intriguing contrast of soccer styles, with Alan Koch and Cincinnati’s compact, organized defense and counterattacking style a stylistic opposite to Miami FC’s possession-intensive pressure attack.

Still, Cincinnati aren’t without goalscoring threats, led by Senegal international Dijby Fall, who has tallied three goals for the side in the Open Cup. There is attacking depth in Jamaica international Omar Cummings and the bruising Dane, Danni König. There is also Premier League veteran and former Arsenal product Justin Hoyte, a Trinidad and Tobago international, who provides speed and width on the break, and often plays off the bench, giving the team an electric option as legs tire.

Cincinnati will also have fresh faces available, as recently acquired striker Kevin Schindler, who has played for Werder Bremen, will be eligible for Wednesday’s match. Vancouver Whitecaps product Sem de Wit, a centerback, is unlikely to travel for the fixture but would be eligible to play if he did.

The Cincinnati calling card is defense, starting with a stout midfield that covers ground first. Aodhan Quinn, Kenney Walker and Paul Nicholson patrol the midfield, putting in hard tackles and waiting for the opponent to make mistakes, distributing quickly in transition when Cincy win the ball. And behind them, Cincinnati play an organized trap and when all else fails, have Hildebrandt, whose heroics against the Columbus Crew and the Chicago Fire are a huge reason the club are here.

Miami FC, with their cupboard of attacking talent in the tournament’s leading scorer Stefano Pinho, Ariel Martinez, Jaime Chavez, Enzo Rennella and Kwadwo Poku, will test Cincinnati’s defense as intensely as any team they’ve played in this competition. And this time, there won’t be 30,000 fans at Nippert Stadium urging Cincinnati forward. But Miami know and respect what a difficult challenge it will be to finally be the team that breaks through and scores against Cincinnati in this competition.

“Cincinnati are a good team that’s very good at what they do, especially defensively,” said Miami FC captain Michael Lahoud. “They have had an amazing Open Cup run to get to this round, and have really benefited from their inspiring home crowds. I expect them to be well organized and a lethal counter-attacking team, looking to take advantage of whatever chance they get, while keeping it extremely tight at the back.”

Stefano Pinho of Miami FC scored one of his three goals against Orlando City in the Fourth Round of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Miami FC
Stefano Pinho of Miami FC scored one of his three goals against Orlando City in the Fourth Round of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Miami FC

Still, Miami FC are eager to show they are more than just a splendid blend of attacking riches. They defend too, as one would expect from a team managed by Alessandro Nesta, a World Cup winner with Italy nicknamed “The Minister of Defense.”

“If you play for Nesta, you’ll defend,” Kwadwo Poku said. “We have to suffer that together.”

The orange and blue have done enough defensively to get to this point, despite conceding two goals to both the South Florida Surf (PDL) and more understandably, Atlanta United of MLS. They stifled the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ counterattack and frustrated Kaka and Orlando City for ninety minutes, using defensive pressure to earn chances high up the pitch. It’s a formula for success, and the club are looking forward to building on the championship resume they secured in the spring.

“We are excited about the match and the opportunity to take one step closer to one of our biggest goals this season,” Lahoud said. “It will be an incredible night for my teammates, the fans, and the city of Miami.”

If Miami do win, they will become the first team from the state of Florida to reach the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup semifinals since 2000 (Miami Fusion, MLS). Meanwhile, Cincinnati are playing to become the first team from southern Ohio to reach the semifinals of the competition since the Columbus Crew accomplished the feat in 2010. No team from either city has ever lifted the US Open Cup trophy, and no lower division team has done so since the Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League) in 1999.

One underdog’s dream will live on. And with these two well-coached and well-constructed teams, who’s to say it stops there?

FC Cincinnati Open Cup records
Overall: 4-1-1 (1-0 PK) | Home: 4-0-1 (1-0 PK) | Away: 0-1-0 | vs. Div. 2: 1-1-0
Last entry: 2016 (Lost 1-0 at Tampa Bay Rowdies of NASL in Round 3)
Best finish: 2016 Third Round (Lost 1-0 at Tampa Bay Rowdies of NASL)
Leading goalscorer: Djiby Fall – 3 goals (T-2nd in 2017 US Open Cup)

How they got here
Round 2: 1-0 (AET) home win vs. AFC Cleveland (NPSL)
Round 3: 1-0 home win vs. Louisville City FC (USL)
Round 4: 1-0 home win vs. Columbus Crew (MLS)
Round 5: 0-0 home draw (3-1 PK win) vs. Chicago Fire (MLS)

Miami FC Open Cup records
Overall: 4-1-0 | Home: 3-1-0 | Away: 1-0-0 | vs. Div. 2: 1-0-0
Last entry: 2016 (Lost 2-1 vs. Wilmington Hammerheads of USL in Round 3)
Best finish: 2016 Third Round (Lost 2-1 vs. Wilmington Hammerheads of USL)
Leading goalscorer: Stefano Pinho – 4 goals (1st in 2017 US Open Cup)

How they got here
Round 2: 3-2 home win vs. South Florida Surf (PDL)
Round 3: 2-0 home win vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL)
Round 4: 3-1 road win vs. Orlando City SC (MLS)
Round 5: 3-2 home win vs. Atlanta United (MLS)

#USOC2017 coverage:

Quarterfinals
* Wondolowski’s brace gives Earthquakes first USOC win over rival Galaxy
* Inspired Sporting KC explode in OT to dethrone FC Dallas
* BWP scores late winner as Red Bulls edge 10-man Revolution

* 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup schedule, results
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 1 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 2 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 3 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 4 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round of 16 review
* 2017 TheCup.us Player of the Round winnners
* 2017 US Open Cup bracket (TheCup.us)
* 2017 US Open Cup statistical leaders
* A map of all 99 entries for the 2017 US Open Cup
* 2017 Meet the Underdogs series
* 2017 US Open Cup qualifying Round 2 review: 14 more teams advance as Round 3 moved to next year
* 2017 US Open Cup qualifying Round 1: Scores and recaps from every game

#USOC2018 qualifying coverage

* Which NPSL teams will qualify for 2018 US Open Cup?
* Which PDL teams will play in the 2018 US Open Cup? 

MORE:
* Cincinnati’s forgotten US Open Cup history
* California Clasico isn’t new: North has battled South in US Open Cup since 1950s
* Who is the US Open Cup equivalent to Lincoln City FC and their magical FA Cup run?
* Eric Wynalda hired to lead LA Wolves for 2017 US Open Cup run
* Reading United qualifies for record 9th straight US Open Cup, seeking more than an opening round win
* Things you should know about the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup
* The nine upsets of the US Open Cup Quarterfinals (Modern Era)

* Support TheCup.us: New Del Rey City jerseys available for purchase
* Appreciate what we do at TheCup.us? Donate here
* TheCup.us is looking for writers/editors, graphics, WordPress gurus & people who can handle digital ad sales (paid position). Email us here

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Hosting scenarios for 2017 US Open Cup Semifinals, Final announced; FC Cincinnati, Miami FC try again

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Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS. Photo: Sporting KC
Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS. Photo: Sporting KC

There is one quarterfinal match still to be played, but the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) announced the hosting scenarios for the Semifinals and the Final for the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

After last Wednesday’s match was postponed due to lightning, the match between FC Cincinnati and Miami FC had to be postponed. The makeup date was announced today as well, with both teams trying again on Wednesday, Aug. 2 at Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami, Fla. First kick is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

The winner of that match will become just the fifth lower division team to host a Semifinal since 1996. (1996 Rochester Rhinos, 1997 San Francisco Bay Seals, 2007 Seattle Sounders, 2008 Charleston Battery)

Either FC Cincinnati or Miami FC will host the New York Red Bulls (MLS) in the Semifinals. If Miami FC wins, the NASL side will take on the Red Bulls on Aug. 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Riccardo Silva Stadium. If FC Cincinnati wins, the USL side will host their game at Nippert Stadium, a place where they have eliminated back-to-back MLS opponents while drawing more than 30,000 fans in each game. That game would take place on Aug. 15 at 8 p.m. ET.

Sporting Kansas City will host the other Semifinal against the San Jose Earthquakes on Aug. 9 at 8:30 p.m. ET at Children’s Mercy Park.

After Friday’s draw for the semifinal hosting scenarios, the priority ranking for the Final took place. The priorty ranking and hosting scenarios are as followed:

1. Sporting Kansas City

2. New York Red Bulls

3. Miami FC/FC Cincinnati Winner

4. San Jose Earthquakes

Or to put it another way: If Sporting Kansas City wins their Semifinal match, they will host whoever emerges from the other Semifinal (Cincinnati/Miami/New York). If the San Jose Earthquakes win, the winner of the other Semifinal will host the championship game.

This year’s US Open Cup Final will take place on Sept. 20. The kickoff time will be announced at a later date. To date, there has not been an announcement about any broadcast plans for the Semifinals or the Final. Last year, ESPN aired the Semifinals and the Final.

2017 US Open Cup Quarterfinals Preview: Underdogs Miami FC, FC Cincinnati fight for spot in Semifinals

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FC Cincinnati (USL) at Miami FC (NASL)
Wednesday, July 11 – 7:30 p.m. EST
Riccardo Silva Stadium – Miami, FL

BROADCAST: ONLINE VIDEO

Winner will play New England Revolution / New York Red Bulls winner (Site / Date TBD)

FC Cincinnati Open Cup records
Overall: 4-1-1 (1-0 PK) | Home: 4-0-1 (1-0 PK) | Away: 0-1-0 | vs. Div. 2: 1-1-0
Last entry: 2016 (Lost 1-0 at Tampa Bay Rowdies of NASL in Round 3)
Best finish: 2016 Third Round (Lost 1-0 at Tampa Bay Rowdies of NASL)
Leading goalscorer: Djiby Fall – 3 goals

Miami FC Open Cup records
Overall: 4-1-0 | Home: 3-1-0 | Away: 1-0-0 | vs. Div. 2: 1-0-0
Last entry: 2016 (Lost 2-1 vs. Wilmington Hammerheads of USL in Round 3)
Best finish: 2016 Third Round (Lost 2-1 vs. Wilmington Hammerheads of USL)
Leading goalscorer: Stefano Pinho – 4 goals (1st in 2017 US Open Cup)

Miami FC (NASL) and FC Cincinnati (USL) will square off in the Quarterfinals, assurring that at least one lower division team will reach the Semifinals for the first time since 2011.
Miami FC (NASL) and FC Cincinnati (USL) will square off in the Quarterfinals, assurring that at least one lower division team will reach the Semifinals for the first time since 2011.

In a battle of darling underdogs, the NASL’s Miami FC will host the USL’s FC Cincinnati Wednesday night in a 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup quarterfinal. The game will begin at 7:30 p.m. and can be watched online (video will be embedded above). The winner will become the eighth lower division side to reach the Open Cup semifinals since 1996. This is also the 21st Open Cup meeting between rival leagues NASL and the USL, with the USL holding a narrow 10-8-2 (1-1 PKs) edge in those contests.

A reasonable accounting would suggest Miami FC are the favorites, having already secured the NASL’s Spring Season Championship with room to spare following a 7-0 thrashing of the San Francisco Deltas, which saw Stefano Pinho, who leads the 2017 US Open Cup in goalscoring, scoring four goals. Miami have lost only two games this season and in defeating the Tampa Bay Rowdies in Third Round action, already eliminated one of five USL teams ahead of Cincinnati in the USL table. Still, no game is won on paper and Cincinnati enter tonight’s quarterfinal playing tremendous defense in the competition, having not allowed a single goal in four matches. The reigning Player of the Round winner goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt has shut out Louisville City, the Columbus Crew and the Chicago Fire and hasn’t allowed an Open Cup goal since last year’s Third Round loss to the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

The game is a credit to two smart front offices and an intriguing game featuring a contrast of styles, with Alan Koch and Cincinnati’s compact, organized defense and counterattacking style, a stylistic opposite to Miami FC’s possession-intensive pressure attack. Still, Cincinnati aren’t without goal-scoring threats, led by Senegal international Djiby Fall, who became just the third player in the Modern Era to score three consecutive game-winnig goals in the Open Cup. There is attacking depth in Jamaica international Omar Cummings and the bruising Dane, Danni König. There is also a Premier League veteran and former Arsenal product Justin Hoyte, a Trinidad and Tobago international who provides speed and width on the break, and often plays off the bench, giving the team an electric option as legs tire.

But the calling card is defense, starting with a stout midfield that covers ground first. Aodhan Quinn, Kenney Walker and Paul Nicholson patrol the midfield, putting in hard tackles and waiting for the opponent to make mistakes, distributing quickly in transition when Cincy win the ball. And behind them, Cincinnati play an organized trap and when all else fails, have Hildebrandt, whose heroics against the Columbus Crew and the Chicago Fire are a huge reason the club are here.

Cincinnati kicked off their Open Cup run with a 1-0 extra time win over defending NPSL champion AFC Cleveland, followed by a 1-0 win against fellow USL side Louisville City FC. In Round 3, the most fans to ever show up for a non-Final (30,160) were in Cincinnati to watch their team upset the Crew 1-0 at Nippert Stadium. The fourth consecutive home crowd (and a national audience on ESPN) saw an even bigger crowd (32,287) in the Round of 16 when Cincinnati finished scoreless with the Chicago Fire before winning in penalty kicks, thanks to three saves by Hildebrandt in the shootout.

After being one-and done in their inaugural Open Cup appearance last year, Miami FC has cruised into the Quarterfinals with a pair of wins over MLS opposition. The run started with a 3-2 home win over the South Florida Surf (PDL), followed by a 2-0 win at home over the Tampa Bay Rowdies. They hit the road in Round 4 and came away with a convincing 3-1 upset of Orlando City SC where Pinho scored a hat trick and Player of the Round honors. To get to the Quarterfinals, they had to pull off a dramatic win at home over MLS expansion side Atlanta United where Kwadwo Poku scored a goal on what proved to be the final kick of the game to pull off the 3-2 “cupset”.

Miami FC, with their cupboard of attacking talent in Pinho, Poku, Ariel Martinez, Jaime Chavez, and Enzo Rennella, will test Cincinnati’s defense as intensely as any team they’ve played in this competition. And this time, there won’t be 30,000 fans at Nippert Stadium urging Cincinnati forward. But Miami know and respect what a difficult challenge it will be to finally be the team that breaks through and scores against Cincinnati in this competition.

“Cincinnati are a good team that’s very good at what they do, especially defensively,” Miami FC captain Michael Lahoud said Monday. “They have had an amazing Open Cup run to get to this round, and have really benefited from their inspiring home crowds. I expect them to be well-organized and a lethal counter-attacking team, looking to take advantage of whatever chance they get, while keeping it extremely tight at the back.”

Still, Miami FC are eager to show they are more than just a splendid blend of attacking riches. They defend too, as one would expect from a team managed by Alessandro Nesta, a World Cup winner with Italy nicknamed “The Minister of Defense.”

“If you play for Nesta, you’ll defend,” Kwadwo Poku said. “We have to suffer that together.”

The orange and blue have done enough defensively to get to this point, despite conceding two goals to both the South Florida Surf and more understandably, Atlanta United of MLS. They stifled the Rowdies counterattack and frustrated Kaka and Orlando City for 90 minutes, using defensive pressure to earn chances high up the pitch. It’s a formula for success, and the club are looking forward to building on the championship resume they secured Saturday night.

“We are excited about the match and the opportunity to take one step closer to one of our biggest goals this season,” Miami FC captain Michael Lahoud said. “It will be an incredible night for my teammates, the fans, and the city of Miami.”

If Miami do win, they will become the first team from the state of Florida to reach the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup semifinals since 2000 when the Miami Fusion (MLS) ultimately made a run to the Final. Meanwhile, Cincinnati are playing to become the first team from southern Ohio to reach the semifinals of the competition since the Crew accomplished the feat in 2010. FC Cincinnati are already the first team from the Queen City to advance this far in the tournament.

One underdog’s dream will live on. And with these two well-coached and well-constructed teams, who’s to say it stops there?

#USOC2017 coverage:
* 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup schedule, results
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 1 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 2 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 3 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 4 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round of 16 review
* 2017 TheCup.us Player of the Round winnners
* 2017 US Open Cup bracket (TheCup.us)
* 2017 US Open Cup statistical leaders
* A map of all 99 entries for the 2017 US Open Cup
* 2017 Meet the Underdogs series
* 2017 US Open Cup qualifying Round 2 review: 14 more teams advance as Round 3 moved to next year
* 2017 US Open Cup qualifying Round 1: Scores and recaps from every game

MORE:
* Who is the US Open Cup equivalent to Lincoln City FC and their magical FA Cup run?
* Eric Wynalda hired to lead LA Wolves for 2017 US Open Cup run
* Reading United qualifies for record 9th straight US Open Cup, seeking more than an opening round win
* Things you should know about the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup
* The nine upsets of the US Open Cup Quarterfinals (Modern Era)

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2017 US Open Cup Round 5: Poku’s last second winner gives Miami FC dramatic upset of Atlanta United

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Miami FC upset a second straight MLS opponent with a 3-2 win over Atlanta United. Photo: Miami FC
Miami FC upset a second straight MLS opponent with a 3-2 win over Atlanta United. Photo: Miami FC

A storybook breakaway goal from Kwado Poku in stoppage time helped Miami FC defeat Atlanta United 3-2 Wednesday night at Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami.

The thrilling victory marks the second-consecutive year an NASL side based in south Florida has reached the quarterfinals of the Open Cup, after the now-defunct Fort Lauderdale Strikers accomplished the feat in 2016.

It was a deserved result for the hosts, who created the better chances throughout the second half. Miami captain Michael Lahoud credited the side’s character.

“I think Atlanta was shell-shocked. Usually how it works is the MLS side scores the first goal and the lower division side gives up,” Lahoud said. “We didn’t. We kept going, and it says everything about who we are.”

Manager Alessandro Nesta agreed with his captain’s assessment.

“For us it’s important, for the coaching staff and the players,” Nesta said. “This is a dream for us — but a dream costs nothing. You have to believe and you have to have the character to work to get it right.”

Nesta added his side needed character on a night they made plenty of mistakes.

“We didn’t play our best football; the possession was sloppy and we made mistakes,” he said. “But we fought through it, and we beat a team managed by Tata Martino. Managing him is an honor. Beating him is … wow,” the Italian legend said with a smile. “But now — we go back to work.”

Early on, however, Martino’s Atlanta took the initiative, a high line and withering pressure pinning Miami FC back. The pressure earned Atlanta two bright early chances to take the lead. First, an uncharacteristic turnover from Lahoud sent Julian Gressel and Kevin Kratz crashing towards the goal, only to see Kratz’s blast parried away by Miami goalkeeper Danie Vega. Minutes later, it was Atlanta’s 17-year-old hometown star Andrew Carleton slaloming through the orange and blue defense and again forcing Vega to punch-save away.

Eventually, Miami adjusted to the frenetic tempo of the match, however, and were able to settle the game, and even earn chances on the break, exploiting number advantages through the middle thanks to Atlanta’s high defensive line. Miami nearly took the lead in minute 28, a blast from Dylan Mares with a defender on the shoulder saved bravely by Atlanta’s Alec Kann.

In the 34th minute, however, it was Atlanta who made the breakthrough, with another talented Atlanta youngster, Brandon Vazquez heading home on a set piece. The goal was the first set piece goal in Atlanta United’s young club history, and also marked the first time in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup that Miami FC trailed.

The lead for the MLS visitors was short-lived.

Only three minutes later, Chris McCann gave the ball away near midfield and Kwadwo Poku deftly played a pass to Stefano Pinho. The Brazilian forward, who was TheCup.us’ Player of the Round for Round 4, turned his defender with a slick stepover and finished far post, tying the game.

Both teams had splendid chances to enter the halftime dressing rooms with a lead. First, Stefano Pinho collected a Richie Ryan pass on the left wing and darted past Tyrone Mears, only to see his hard and high shot blocked away by Kann. Then it was Atlanta’s turn to nearly score on a dynamic run, with Carleton attacking a pocket of space between the Miami FC CB’s and volleying just over Vega’s net. All told, it was fair the sides were level at the half, with chances created and possession nearly level.

The second half began with more Atlanta pressure, but this time, Miami made the adjustment, cycling the ball quickly through Lahoud to the wings and attacking the young Atlanta flanks. One such sequence helped Miami earn a free kick in the 51st minute. Moments later, Rhett Bernstein’s head met Hunter Freeman’s parabola service, beating Alec Kann and giving Miami FC a 2-1 lead.

Lahoud credited Miami’s fitness for withstanding Atlanta’s high pressure, and ultimately, helping the side gain a bit of control in the match.

“I don’t think Atlanta took us lightly,” Lahoud said. “They are fighting for their playoff lives and they are managing their schedule. They rested some players, but they played their game. With the high pressure they play, if you come down to Miami, good luck in this heat and humidity. They just couldn’t sustain it.”

For a good spell after the hosts took the lead, it looked like they’d add to it.
Another McCann giveaway sent Miami off to the races, Poku playing a soft ball to Enzo Renella, who chipped across Pinho, who beat a defender to the ball but clipped his volley just high far post.

The near-miss seemed to revive Atlanta, who ratcheted up the pressure until Andrew Carleton changed the game again in the 74th minute, dribbling past a pursuing Blake Smith and putting a shimmy on Poku, who chopped him down in the area. Referee Jose Carlos Rivero pointed to the spot, and Julian Gressel, one of the stars of Atlanta’s inaugural MLS campaign, calmly scored to level the proceedings.

Once again, as befitting the rollicking back and forth nature of this match, both sides had tremendous chances to score the vital third goal.

A series of fast, physical counterattacking runs by Pinho and Poku gave Miami two fine chances, only to see Rennella miss cutback passes to Poku in space on each occasion. Meanwhile, Atlanta would pressure Miami centrally, with substitution Lagos Kunga, a veteran of the U.S. U-20 World Cup quarterfinalists, doing well to peel away Miami defenders and create space for Kratz and Vazquez to run on centrally.

With extra time — and lightning — looming on the near horizon, Miami had one final chance to win in regulation. Rennella and Poku won a midfield fifty-fifty, with the latter emerging with the ball and making a final barrel towards the Atlanta net. With Atlanta’s Carlos Carmona closing, Poku managed to stay upright and hit a soft shot past an onrushing Kann, sending the crowd of 9,404 into raptures and the hosts into the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup quarterfinals. For Poku, it was his 9th career US Open Cup goal.

Miami will host the quarterfinal against FC Cincinnati (USL) on July 12.

2017 US Open Cup Round 4: Stefano Pinho’s hat trick for Miami FC earns TheCup.us Player of the Round

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Stefano Pinho of Miami FC celebrates one of this three goals against Orlando City SC (MLS) in the Fourth Round of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Miami FC
Stefano Pinho of Miami FC celebrates one of this three goals against Orlando City SC (MLS) in the Fourth Round of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Miami FC

Stefano Pinho finally feels at home in America.

The Miami FC forward, who was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round for the Fifth Round of the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, is feeling confident and settled in his third year playing professionally in the United States.

Pinho scored a hat trick in a 3-0 road upset of Orlando City SC (MLS) to become just the third Brazilian to win the award. The Player of the Round honor is voted on by the staff of TheCup.us and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters.

Playing in a global city, for a global footballing icon, on a great team helps. But the secret to that happiness? Being a new Dad.

“I’m a father now, and it changes everything,” Pinho said on a classically humid but not unpleasant Miami June day last week. “My son watches me in the stands and I want to show him that effort and attention to detail and playing hard matter.”

His son must be pleased with what he’s seeing. The product of storied Brazilian side Fluminense has scored seven goals in all competitions and tallied two assists, and has Miami FC poised for even more in the Open Cup.

Stefano Pinho of Miami FC becomes the third Brazilian in the Modern Era to score a hat trick in the US Open Cup. The previous two are also Miami-based: Welton of the Miami Fusion (MLS) in 2000 and Paulo Jr. of Miami FC (USL) in 2010. Photo: Miami FC
Stefano Pinho of Miami FC becomes the third Brazilian in the Modern Era to score a hat trick in the US Open Cup. The previous two are also Miami-based: Welton of the Miami Fusion (MLS) in 2000 and Paulo Jr. of Miami FC (USL) in 2010. Photo: Miami FC

“There’s no question we have a chance to keep winning,” Pinho said. “We have the best players in NASL in Poku and Enzo (fellow forward Vincenzo Rennella). It’s easy to play with those guys. You’ve seen the results. We can rely on talent but we also can beat you with tactics. When you know and trust the tactics, it is easier to play aggressively with confidence.”

Stefano Pinho’s talent has been on display wherever he’s gone since arriving in America.

His spell with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers saw him lead the league in scoring in 2015, and while he didn’t score as prolifically as he would have liked last year with Minnesota United, his movements and presence helped Christian Ramirez score 18 goals for the MLS-bound Loons. This season, as a new Dad playing in a stable situation in Miami, Pinho has felt looser and more confident.

“It’s the happiest I’ve been,” Pinho said. “I’ve played for good teams before and I’ve played for great managers like Gunter (Kronsteiner, who managed him with the Strikers). But now I have both and I’m happy off the field.”

Pinho says it is different for a player to play for an icon like Miami FC manager Alessandro Nesta.

“With Nesta, he has such a big name in global soccer, if he says, ‘Do this,’ you race to ‘Do this,’” he said with a laugh. “You grow up and see him play for Italy, for Milan, and now he’s your coach. It makes me proud to play for him, but you also want to do well to show him you are a good footballer.”

Pinho also thinks he’s benefited from playing for a defender, as strange as that is for a forward to say. He credits Nesta’s tactical mind for the victory over Orlando City.

“(Nesta) saw how high and wide they’ll push their fullbacks and thought we would have space in the channels,” Pinho said. “We did. We saw the space and cycled the ball there and attacked it and I was able to finish.”

Pinho was able to finish, becoming the first player in the history of Orlando City’s stadium to tally a hat trick. Again, the Brazilian deflected credit.

“I’ve improved playing for Gunter, who has a clever tactical mind. I’ve improved playing for Nesta, who is teaching me how defenders think,” he said. “If you play for a defender as great as he was, you soak in what he knows about defender movement and you learn from it. Plus, he appreciates forwards because you need goals to win games.”

Fortunately for Miami FC and their manager, Stefano Pinho has delivered plenty of those.

Pinho was the runaway winner of the award for Round 4. The battle for second place was fairly wide open. Other players who received consideration included Djiby Fall (FC Cincinnati, USL), Julian Buescher (D.C. United, MLS), Dennis Castillo (Colorado Rapids, MLS), and Mitch Hildebrandt (FC Cincinnati, USL)

2017 TheCup.us Player of the Round winners

Round 1: Pete Caringi III (Christos FC, USASA)
Round 2: Phil Saunders (Christos FC, USASA)
Round 3: Fabian Cerda (Tulsa Roughnecks, USL)
Round 4: Stefano Pinho (Miami FC, NASL)

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