Bavarian SC pulled off the upset of the First Round, knocking off the USL Second Division’s Cincinnati Kings 1-0 at Bavarian Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wis. Bavarian becomes the first USASA team in the Professional Era (1995-present) to beat two professional teams in their club history. They knocked off the Reading Rage of the D3 Pro League (USL Second Division) in the Second Round of the 2003 tournament.
The Bavarians, making their first Open Cup appearance since 2004, scored the lone goal quickly. Brian Doherty crossed the ball to former USL First Division veteran Johnny Torres, who sent the ball to an onrushing Steve Sperl, who scored from 12 yards out in the 5th minute.
Cincinnati applied pressure, trying to net an equalizer, but the Bavarian defense remained solid. Just after halftime, Kings forward Mike McGinlay sent a shot over the crossbar. Cincinnati’s best shot at drawing level came in the 67th minute, when Kwame Sarkodie struck a hard shot from the left side of the penalty area that also sailed over the crossbar.
In three appearances in the US Open Cup, Cincinnati is 0-3, losing twice to USASA teams (Reggae Boyz (Indianapolis, Ind.), and another time to the PDL’s Michigan Bucks.
Bavarian SC advance to the Second Round, where they will travel to Cary, North Carolina to face the Carolina RailHawks on June 26.