Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Player of the Round

2024 US Open Cup Final: Omar Campos of LAFC voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

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2024 us open cup final player of the round
Graphic by Phil Naegely

For his late heroics in Los Angeles FC’s 3-1 extra time win over Sporting Kansas City in the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final on Wednesday, Sept. 28, Omar Campos has been selected TheCup.us Player of the Round.

The left-foot-dominant defender’s unpredictable right-footed finish that curled beyond Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia earned the Black and Gold its first etch onto the Dewar Challenge Trophy.

“Truly it was a lovely moment to see the people scream,” Campos added. “For everyone to get up — it was something very emotional to me.”

LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo opted for the defender 67 minutes into a final that saw Black and Gold forward Olivier Giroud put the hosts in front eight minutes into the second half before midfielder Erik Thommy leveled the scoring for the Wizards after an hour of play.

With three minutes remaining before the end of the first extra time, Campos found himself in unfamiliar territory.

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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

“Omar has been fantastic not just because the goal,” Cherundolo said following LAFC’s 1-0 win over St. Louis City SC on Wednesday. “Defensively he broke up a lot of plays. His positioning has been much, much better. He’s understanding covering width, but also, he’ll shoulder up the center back at the same time which means your positioning is perfect, and yeah he’s improving before our eyes and that’s a great sign.”

Campos’ move started at the touchline. He noticed forward Cristian Olivera drag two defenders away from goal so his decision to turn his run forward into the inside of the field became the key step in what happened next.

“I’m always near the wings,” Campos admitted about his unusual choice to take up space centrally. “I’ve never tried to hit it with my right, but it was something that in the moment I didn’t hesitate to shoot.”

Olivera noticed the left-back and released him with a pass that led the goalscorer toward the top of the box. After ghosting past midfielder Zorhan Bassong and setting his hips, Campos’ shot whipped around defender Robert Castellanos and past the goalkeeper for LAFC’s game-winning goal that got the Black and Gold over the hump after failing to win in each of its last three finals appearances.

“It was actually the first time I’ve seen him strike the ball with his right foot since he’s got here,” Cherundolo said. “He is somebody who is technically very good in possession.

“Can beat you one-v-one. These are the things we show him weekly, ask him to do daily.”

His five duels won led all substitute players while his three of four successful dribbles was the highest success rate of all players that attempted two or more dribbles.

Campos’ emergence on the LAFC left side has allowed Cherundolo to adjust his backline that will look to move defender Ryan Hollinshead into the right side of a back three after the Black and Gold have used the latter on the left side of a line of four defenders.

2024 TheCup.us Player of the Round
FINAL: Omar Campos (LAFC)
SEMIFINALS: Tim Melia (Sporting KC)
Q-FINALS: Augustine Williams (Indy Eleven)
RD. 5: Kieran Phillips (Sacramento Republic)
RD. 4: Zico Bailey (New Mexico United)
RD. 3: Stefano Pinho (Birmingham Legion)
RD. 2: Dembor Benson (El Farolito SC)
RD. 1: Kyle Bennett (FORO SC)

With three games remaining in Major League Soccer’s regular season before MLS Cup Playoffs begin, Cherundolo has some time to figure out how Campos and his latest formation can help LAFC succeed in the postseason.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel of from the North American Soccer Reporters, and select backers from TheCup.us’ Patreon. Anyone interested in voting for this award in future rounds may consider pledging $10 or more and help us with the continuing coverage of the US Open Cup and research on the tournament’s storied history. 

Campos beat out a pair of teammates for the award. Kei Kamara, who came off the bench and scored the third goal in the match, finished second, followed by LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris who made four saves in the championship game.

Campos’ win is just the third time since 2006 that a defender has won the award for the Final. He joins last year’s winner Griffin Dorsey (Houston Dynamo FC), and Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City) in 2012.

2024 US Open Cup Semifinals: Tim Melia of Sporting KC voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

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tim melia sporting kansas city
Photo by Sporting Kansas City | Graphic by Phil Naegely

After a stellar performance where he made four saves on his way to a clean sheet and a spot in the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final, Tim Melia of Sporting Kansas City has been voted TheCup.us Player of the Round.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel of from the North American Soccer Reporters, and select backers from TheCup.us’ Patreon. Anyone interested in voting for this award in future rounds may consider pledging $10 or more and help us with the continuing coverage of the US Open Cup and research on the tournament’s storied history. 

Denis Bouanga of Los Angeles FC finished as the runner-up with his game winning goal from the penalty spot on the road against the Seattle Sounders FC, and Melia’s Sporting KC teammate and goalscorer Johnny Russell finished third.

Melia’s four saves against USL side Indy Eleven came spread out as it seemed every time they had possession, they pushed forward quickly to try and test the 38-year-old. 

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

Melia now has two straight games with at least four saves, the other match being against FC Dallas in the Quarterfinals where he made seven saves including a late diving save in the 122nd minute on a close range Sebastian Llegget shot that would have been the equalizer.

TheCup.us has been awarding a Player of the Round award since 2006. During that time, Melia has won the award three times, which is more than anyone during that span. Melia has won this award two times (2015 Final, 2017 Final) during his time at Sporting KC, and once as a member of the Charleston Battery in 2010.

In addition, he also won TheCup.us Player of the Tournament in 2017 where he led his club to their fourth US Open Cup title where they defeated New York Red Bulls 2-1 in the Final. He kept three shutouts en route to the title, only allowing two goals in five matches.

Melia’s road to this stage has been arduous. Before arriving at Sporting KC in 2015 he served as Chivas USA’s backup keeper in 2013. During his time there, he made six appearances where he conceded 11 goals. But when Chivas USA dissolved in 2014, he ended up in the MLS goalkeeper pool, which seemed like a black hole for someone at the age of 28. But in 2015, Sporting KC had a goalkeeper sized hole as all three of their first team keepers were hurt, and Melia took the opportunity as quick as he could and proved he still had it. He went on to win 2015 MLS Comeback Player of the Year along with two US Open Cup titles in 2015 and 2017, along with the latter years MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award.

He looks to help bring home Sporting KC’s fifth US Open Cup title on Wednesday September 25 when he faces LAFC in the final, where he will possibly play his last final for the club he spent the majority of his career at.

 

2024 US Open Cup Semifinals: Who should be voted TheCup.us Player of the Round?

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Photo by LAFC Communications | Graphic by Phil Naegely

The Semifinals of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup are complete with Sporting Kansas City and Los Angeles FC punching their ticket to the Final.

Sporting Kansas City are seeking to win a record-tying fifth US Open Cup title, and they got there with a 2-0 home win over Indy Eleven (USL Championship) on Tuesday night. The day after, Los Angeles FC needed just a single goal to get past Seattle Sounders FC. With a 1-0 win at Starfire Soccer Complex, LAFC will play in the club’s first-ever Open Cup Final.

There were some key players that propelled both teams into the tournament’s 109th championship game and are being considered for TheCup.us Player of the Round.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters, and select backers from TheCup.us’ Patreon. If you’d like to vote in this, or upcoming rounds, consider pledging $10 or more and help us continue to cover the US Open Cup and research its long history. If you did have a vote, which player do YOU think should win?

Here are the finalists (in alphabetical order):

Denis Bouanga (Los Angeles FC): Bouanga started, played all 90 minutes and scored the lone goal from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute in LAFC’s 1-0 road win over Seattle Sounders FC (MLS).

Tim Melia (Sporting Kansas City): Melia started, played all 90 minutes, made five saves and earned a clean sheet in a 2-0 home win over Indy Eleven (USL-C).

Johnny Russell (Sporting Kansas City): Russell started, played 88 minutes and scored opening goal (14th min.) in Sporting KC’s 2-0 home win over Indy Eleven (USL-C).

2024 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Augustine Williams of Indy Eleven voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

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2024 us open cup quarterfinals winner
Photo by Indy Eleven | Graphic by Phil Naegely

Indy Eleven has followed a very successful recipe during the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Get an early first half goal(s) and then defend well as a team when the inevitable surge happens when their opponents try to get back into the game.

In Indy’s games against the Chicago Fire FC II (MLS NEXT Pro), San Antonio FC (USL Championship), and Detroit City FC (USL Championship), they scored their first goal in the 6th, 2nd, and 14th minutes, respectively. Indy then added to their totals in each of those games by keeping their foot on the gas in the first half, having now scored seven of their eight goals in the tournament in the first half of play. In nearly all the games, they were officially outshot by their opponents, but have used team defense to stifle any comeback attempts.

In their 2-1 quarterfinal win on the road against MLS side Atlanta United, that successful recipe remained the same. A common factor for Indy’s goals versus Atlanta, as well as their early goal-scoring starts in the previous rounds has been Augustine Williams. Williams was involved in both of Indy’s goals against Atlanta United to secure their advancement to play Kansas City in the semifinals. It was Williams’ finish in the 31st minute that put Indy ahead, and it was his cross late in the game on a counterattack that a retreating Dax McCarty inadvertently redirected into his own goal that solidified the win for the Boys in Blue. Williams’ goal and unofficial assist to the own goal was enough for him to be awarded the honor of TheCup.us’ Player of the Round.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters, and select backers from TheCup.us’ Patreon. Anyone interested in voting for this award in future rounds may consider pledging $10 or more and help us with our continuing coverage of the US Open Cup and research its storied history.

The striker from Sierre Leon is no stranger to scoring goals in the USL Championship or in the US Open Cup, ranking ninth all-time in the USL in goals scored with 71 goals, while also being tied for fifth all-time in the league with 11 career braces. Williams helped the Charleston Battery get to the league’s championship game last season by leading the team in goals with a career-high 16, and is currently battling this year with Jack Blake to be Indy Eleven’s top scorer.

Indy Eleven We Want The Cup Shirt
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While Williams’ five goals in league play have him tied for 24th in scoring in the USL Championship, it’s been his ability to find the goal in the US Open Cup that has proven to be instrumental during Indy Eleven’s US Open Cup run. Williams has accounted for a goal in three of Indy’s four games and has been the first goal scorer in two of those games. Williams has never been afraid of the moment when it comes to the US Open Cup. In June 2017, Williams scored the Portland Timbers’ only goal in a 2-1 loss to the Seattle Sounders, in his debut for the Timbers.

“I have always liked the Open Cup and the chance to compete against MLS teams. All levels of teams can be part of the Cup. Whether it’s Atlanta or Portland or Kansas City for us in the next game, I like the chance to compete against those teams to give us a chance to win against them to advance.”

It took a little bit longer for Indy Eleven to find the opening goal against Atlanta United than it had in the previous rounds, but Indy were able to ride Augi’s first half goal and the late McCarty own goal to overcome the team’s first conceded goal of the tournament. Indy’s 2-1 win against Atlanta was the club’s first victory against an MLS team, while also becoming the first Indiana team since 1992 to reach the tournament’s semifinals when the Indianapolis Inferno achieved the same feat. Williams has been a major factor in the team’s US Open Cup success, and will likely need to remain that way if the club wants to extend its run to the Final.

2024 US Open Cup Round of 16: Kieran Phillips of Sacramento Republic voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

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Graphic by Phil Naegely

After bagging a brace and leading his squad to a “cupset” of the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Round of 16, Kieran Phillips of the Sacramento Republic FC has been voted as TheCup.us Player of the Round. 

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel of from the North American Soccer Reporters, and select backers from TheCup.us’ Patreon. Anyone interested in voting for this award in future rounds may consider pledging $10 or more and help us with our continuing coverage of the US Open Cup and research its storied history.

Atlanta United’s Josh Cohen finished second in the voting after posting a clean sheet and two saves during penalties as United got past Charleston Battery on the road. Indy Eleven’s Hunter Sulte was third with a clean sheet and seven saves in their 3-0 win over Detroit City FC.

Phillips, on loan from EFL Sky Bet Championships side Huddersfield Town AFC, secured a brace while starting and going 79 minutes in the extra-time triumph. The Huddersfield, England, native now has three goals in Open Cup action – the brace was his first as a member of Sacramento Republic.

He first drew Sacramento level in the 17th minute, putting the cap on a terrific move that saw the forward finish Luis Felipe’s cross from the left wing. Phillips followed that up in the 38th minute when he connected on Jack Gurr’s cross from the right wing for a right-footed finish.

The win pushed Sacramento Republic into the Quarterfinals for the second time in three years. Sacramento, one of three USL Championship sides still standing, will host Seattle Sounders FC on Tuesday, July 9.

2024 US Open Cup Round of 16: Who should be voted TheCup.us Player of the Round?

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Photo by Vermont Green | Graphic by Phil Naegely

There are just eight teams remaining in the 109th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. To get there we had eight Round of 16 games with a number of impressive individual performances. But which player deserves to be TheCup.us Player of the Round?

Since 2006, TheCup.us has set out to honor the best individual performance of each round.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters, and select backers from TheCup.us’ Patreon. If you’d like to vote in this, or upcoming rounds, consider pledging $10 or more and help us continue to cover the US Open Cup and research its long history. If you did have a vote, which player do YOU think should win?

Here are the finalists (in alphabetical order):

Denis Bouanga, LAFC (MLS) – Started, played 79 minutes, assisted on two of the team’s three goals in a 3-0 home win vs. Loudoun United.

Josh Cohen, Atlanta United (MLS) – Started, played 120 minutes, made four saves, kept a clean sheet through regulation and extra time, and saved two penalties in the shootout to beat Charleston Battery (USL-C), 5-4 on the road.

Felipe Hernández, Sporting Kansas City (MLS) – Started, played 90 minutes and scored the first and third goals (38’, 63’) in Kansas City’s 4-0 home win over FC Tulsa (USL-C).

Marco Micaletto, New Mexico United (USL-C) – Started, played 75 minutes and had two assists including the game-winner in New Mexico’s 3-0 road win over NYCFC II (MLS NEXT Pro).

Maarten Paes, FC Dallas (MLS) – Started, played 90 minutes and the only goal he allowed was a penalty kick, made eight saves while facing 30 shots and 10 corner kicks in a 2-1 road win over Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL-C).

Kieran Phillips , Sacramento Republic (USL Championship) – Started, played 79 minutes, scored the first two goals (17’, 38’) in Sacramento’s 4-3 extra time home win over the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS).

Hunter Sulte, Indy Eleven (USL Championship) – Started, played 90 minutes, kept a clean sheet while making seven saves on 17 shots and 10 corner kicks in a 3-0 home win over Detroit City FC (USL-C).

2024 US Open Cup Round 4: Zico Bailey of New Mexico United voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

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Zico Bailey New Mexico United TheCup.us Player of the Round 2024 US Open Cup
Photo: Jacob Terrell | Graphic: Phil Naegely

New Mexico United’s already impressive Lamar Hunt US Open Cup record against MLS sides improved once again in the Round of 32 due in large part to the play of Zico Bailey. The Nevada native made light work of two early attempts from outside the arc to put the USL Championship side out to a lead they would never look back in a 4-2 home win against Real Salt Lake.

Bailey’s brace earned him a tightly won race for TheCup.us Player of the Round honors. In one of the closest votes ever, Bailey beat out MD Myers (Charleston Battery) and Carlos Saldana (Detroit City FC) by just two points (3 points for a first place vote, 1 point for a second place vote). Myers and Saldana were tied for second place. This marks the first time a player from New Mexico United has claimed the award.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters, and select backers from TheCup.us’ Patron. Anyone interested in voting for this award for upcoming rounds, consider pledging $10 or more and help us continue to cover the US Open Cup and research its long history.

Bailey’s performance in the Open Cup further cements the decision that head coach Eric Quill made when bringing in the midfielder on a short-term contract in August of 2023. After joining the Black & Yellow, Bailey played a pivotal role in United’s late-season playoff push.

Not necessarily known for his shooting ability, Bailey’s performance was that much more special as it was the fastest two-goal sequence in United’s history. In the 17th and 19th minutes, Bailey was played into space at the top of the arc. The first ball came via Sergio Rivas, which Bailey turned into a goal in the bottom left, while the second was a moment that When Playing It Out Of the Back Goes Wrong would appreciate. An interception by Dayonn Harris then found Bailey alone at the top again and made Real Salt Lake pay for their mistakes twice in as many minutes.

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

“It’s something we talked about in the pre-game,” said Bailey speaking to media after the win. “We wanted to start the game well and set the tone early. We wanted to make sure that we made the first big momentum play of the night and we did that.”

When asked about scoring two goals in a match, Bailey said he couldn’t remember ever doing it before, let alone that fast.

Upsetting MLS clubs is nothing new for the New Mexico-based club, and Bailey helped his club jump out to an early start. Led by Bailey, United upset an MLS side for the third time in only their fourth appearance in the tournament, having made their debut in 2019, when they made a Cinderella run to the Quarterfinals.

Bailey, only 23, made his professional debut back in 2017 as a member of LA Galaxy II. Since then, Bailey made his way to the MLS with FC Cincinnati from 2020-2022. After being released, he spent time with San Antonio FC in 2023, before being picked up by Quill and United. Bailey’s versatility on the pitch has seen him play both as a defender and a midfielder for the Black & Yellow, excelling in both. 

2024 US Open Cup Round 4: Who should be voted TheCup.us Player of the Round?

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the cup.us player of the round round 4 graphic
Photo by Vermont Green | Graphic by Phil Naegely

The 109th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is down to 16 teams after the completion of the Fourth Round. There were a number of impressive individual performances but which player deserves to be TheCup.us Player of the Round?

Since 2006, TheCup.us has set out to honor the best individual performance of each round.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters, and select backers from TheCup.us’ Patreon. If you’d like to vote in this, or upcoming rounds, consider pledging $10 or more and help us continue to cover the US Open Cup and research its long history. If you did have a vote, which player do YOU think should win?

Here are the finalists (in alphabetical order):

Manuel Arteaga, Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL Championship)
Arteaga came off the bench in the 62nd minute and scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal in the 101st minute and then an insurance goal in the 109th minute in the Rowdies’ 6-4 extra time home win over the Birmingham Legion (USL-C).

Zico Bailey, New Mexico United (USL Championship)
Started and played all 90 minutes and scored the first two goals (I7′, 19′) in New Mexico United’s 4-2 home upset win over Real Salt Lake (MLS).

Nick Firmino, Atlanta United (MLS)
Started and played 88 minutes and scored the first two goals (52′, 71′) in Atlanta United’s 3-0 home win over the Charlotte Independence (USL League One).

Cal Jennings, Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL Championship)
Started and played 80 minutes and scored a hat trick (33′, 45+4′, 79′) in the Rowdies’ 6-4 extra time home win over the Birmingham Legion (USL-C).

Jonathan Jiménez, NYCFC II (MLS NEXT Pro)
Started and played all 90 minutes and scored the game’s only goal in the 6th minute in NYCFC II’s 1-0 home win over the Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL-C).

Wesley Leggett, Loudoun United (USL Championship)
Started and played 90 minutes and scored both goals (22′, 64′) in Loudoun United’s 2-1 road win at Orange County SC (USL-C).

MD Myers, Charleston Battery (USL Championship)
Started and played 120 minutes and scored all three goals (21′, 45+3′, 120+1′) including the game-winner in stoppage time of extra time in Charleston’s 3-2 extra time win at home over the South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1).

Tyler Pasher, Birmingham Legion (USL Championship)
Started and played 120 minutes in a 6-4 extra time loss on the road against the Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL-C). Pasher assisted on an 89th minute goal to cut the Legion’s deficit to 4-2, and then scoring two goals of his own in stoppage time to send the game into extra time.

Cristian Olivera, Los Angeles FC (MLS)
Olivera came off the bench in the 63rd minute and scored what would prove to be the game-winner in the 70th minute and an insurance goal in stoppage time in LAFC’s 3-1 win over Las Vegas Lights (USL-C).

Carlos Saldaña, Detroit City FC (USL Championship)
The DCFC goalkeeper started and played 120 minutes and made four saves in a 3-3 draw on the road against the Houston Dynamo FC (MLS). In the penalty kick shootout, Saldana made one save and scored the winning PK himself in a 10-9 win.

Andrew Thomas, Seattle Sounders (MLS)
Thomas started and played 120 minutes, made four saves in a 2-2 draw at home against Louisville City FC (USL-C). In the PK shootout, Thomas became just the 12th goalkeeper in the Modern Era (1995-present) to make three saves in a shootout, and then scored the winning PK in a 5-4 win.

2024 US Open Cup Round 3: Who should be voted TheCup.us Player of the Round?

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2024 thecup.us player of the round

With 16 more games in the books, there were a number of impressive individual performances in the Third Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. But which player deserves to be TheCup.us Player of the Round?

Since 2006, TheCup.us has set out to honor the best individual performance of each round.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters, and select backers from TheCup.us’ Patreon. If you’d like to vote in this, or upcoming rounds, consider pledging $10 or more and help us continue to cover the US Open Cup and research its long history. If you did have a vote, which player do YOU think should win?

Here are the finalists (in alphabetical order):

Jerry Ayon, Monterey Bay FC (USL Championship)
Started and played 90 minutes in his debut with the club and scored both goals (32nd min., 65th min.) in a 2-1 home win over Irvine Zeta (NISA).

Taylor Calheira, NYCFC II (MLS NEXT Pro)
Started and played 120 minutes, scored two goals (63rd min., 99th min. equalizer) in a 3-2 extra time road win at Hartford Athletic (USL-C).

Rashid Nuhu (Union Omaha, USL-1)
Started and played 120 minutes, made six saves in a scoreless draw at home vs. El Paso Locomotive (USL-C). He made the deciding save in a 5-3 win in the PK shootout.

Dane Jacomen (Loudoun United – USLC)
Started, played 120 minutes, made 4 saves in a scoreless draw on the road against the Richmond Kickers. Made 1 save in the 5-4 PK shootout win to send them to Round 4.

Juan Carlos Obregón Jr , Charlotte Independence (USL League One)
Started, played 105 minutes, scored two goals (26th min. PK, 95th min. go-ahead goal) in a 4-4 home draw (5-4 PK win) vs. Rhode Island FC (USL-C).

Yannik Oettl, Indy Eleven (USL Championship)
Started, played 90 minutes, made 11 saves from 22 shots faces, earned a clean sheet in a 1-0 road win at Chicago Fire FC II (MLSNP).

Nighte Pickering, Memphis 901 FC (USL Championship)
Started, played 90 minutes, scored both goals (31st min., 85th min.) in a 2-0 home win vs. Miami United FC (USSSA/USSL).

Stéfano Pinho, Birmingham Legion (USL Championship)
Started, played 111 minutes, scored all four goals (48th min., 80th min., 105th+1 min., 107th min.) in a 4-2 extra time home win over Chattanooga Red Wolves (USL-1). He became the 13th player in the Modern Era to score four or more goals in a single game and just the second to score them all after halftime.

2024 US Open Cup Round 2: Dembor Benson of El Farolito voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

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2024 US Open Cup Round 2 Player of the Round
Photo by Central Valley Fuego || Graphic by Phil Naegely

El Farolito continued their marauding run in the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in no small part due to their striker in-form, Dembor Benson. The Honduran forward was able to clinch the equalizer just before halftime and also scored the winning goal for the second time in a row in an Open Cup match.

Benson’s inspired form in front of goal has catapulted El Farolito Soccer Club into US Open Cup headlines and earned himself TheCup.us Player of the Round award for the Second Round.

The Player of the Round award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters and select backers (those that pledge $10 or more) from TheCup.us’ Patreon team.

Benson received 72% of the first place votes, running away with the award by a wide margin over second place Jonathan Jimenez (NYCFC II) and third place finisher Mark Hernandez (Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC).

Benson comes from a strong soccer family headlined by his older brother Honduran international Jerry Bengston. (NOTE: According to Benson, the two have different surnames due to a registration error that has yet to be fixed.) Bengston made 69 appearances for the Honduran national team and is the nation’s seventh all-time leading goal scorer. Dembor has undoubtedly lived up to his family name recently, scoring five goals in his last five games. 

The in-form striker is not only scoring a high number of goals but scoring them in crucial moments, getting the winner against Timbers2 in Round 1, as well as a brace to knab the equalizer and the winner in the dying minutes against Central Valley Fuego.

After giving up an early goal, El Farolito came from behind to beat the Fuego thanks to Benson pouncing on a rebound from a long ball inside the box. Benson placed it on the right side.

Then, he was an 88th minute hero, scoring the equalizer at the far post following a pass from Sebastian Yabur inside the box.

Next up, El Farolito will face Oakland Roots SC who are not only local neighbors but were the team that knocked them out of the competition last year.

“To be honest that game, I take it as a ‘Clasico’ or something like that,” said Benson. “The truth is I’m feeling anxious, already visualizing what will happen (in the game) on Tuesday … It’s going to be a beautiful game as they are the favorites before the game but we have been showing that El Farolito isn’t just any team. El Farolito is a team that against whoever will fight, will give everything and that day will not be the exception.”

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