Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Tulsa Athletic

2025 US Open Cup Qualifying: Tulsa Athletic qualifies for 4th straight USOC, ends Chicago House’s streak with PK shootout win

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Tulsa Athletic celebrates after defeating Chicago House AC 5-4 in PKs (after a 0-0 draw) to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Tulsa Athletic
Tulsa Athletic celebrates after defeating Chicago House AC 5-4 in PKs (after a 0-0 draw) to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Tulsa Athletic

There’s no easy path into the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, particularly throughout Open Division Local qualifying, but Tulsa Athletic managed to weather multiple storms and secured a spot in the 2025 edition of the tournament after defeating Chicago House AC 5-4 in a penalty kick shootout after a scoreless draw at Langhorst Field on the campus of Elmhurst University in Illinois. 

The PK that secured Tulsa Athletic’s spot in the 2025 US Open Cup #USOC2025

— (@joechatz.bsky.social) 2024-12-08T23:48:30.925Z

The two sides had multiple chances in open play throughout the 120 minutes but neither side broke the deadlock, sending the match to penalty kicks. Tulsa didn’t miss from the spot and that was enough to secure their spot in the 2025 US Open Cup. With the shootout win, Tulsa Athletic qualified for the fourth year in a row and the seventh time in club history (all previous entries were as members of the NPSL). Meanwhile, Chicago was denied a third straight trip to the competition. 

The matchday started well before kickoff for Tulsa, who lost 2-1 on Saturday to the Arkansas Wolves in the UPSL OK-AR Conference Championship Game at Hicks Park in Tulsa. Most of Tulsa’s squad were on the first flight out of Tulsa on Sunday, ensuring that they made it to Elmhurst with plenty of time before taking on their foes from the Midwest Premier League less than 24 hours after their last match took place multiple states away.

There wasn’t a whole lot of action in the first half as both goalkeepers consistently left their nets in order to quash counter attacking runs from the opposition’s forwards. 

#USOC2025 Qualifying Final Round ("Win & You're In"): After 120 scoreless minutes, Tulsa Athletic pulls out the win over Chicago House AC 5-4 in PKs to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup tournament!

— US Open Cup News (@thecup.us) 2024-12-08T22:17:55.045Z

Tulsa nearly took the lead in the 68th minute as Ruben Torres hit a rocket that was tipped off the bar and away by House goalkeeper Ryan Grady. 

House had two great chances to score but couldn’t find the back of the net. Ugo Achara hit a strike from 18 yards in the 87th minute that bounced off the crossbar and away from Tulsa’s net. Achara then was called offside in second half stoppage after effecting the goalkeeper’s eyesight on a House goal moments before the match went into extra time.

The match became more stretched out over the two 15 minute extra time periods but neither side’s use of longballs paid any dividends, sending the match to penalty kicks. 

Both teams converted their first two attempts from 12 yards but Tulsa goalkeeper Bryson Reed dove to his right and denied House’s Gilberto’s Angeles’ effort to put the visitors ahead. After each side converted two more penalty kicks, Tulsa’s Edgardo Mira hammered his effort into the net to secure his team’s spot in the 2025 US Open Cup. 

“Some of these guys have played two games in less than 24 hours so, yeah, they’re an incredible team, and I’m proud of the boys,” said Tulsa head coach John Woodhead. “I’m proud to be a part of it. It’s not just the team. It’s a big family of mine …”

“Entering the Open Cup next year is just awesome for the club and especially for the fans.”

 

2024 US Open Cup Round 1: Northern Colorado Hailstorm beat NPSL champs to extend win streak

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Players from the Northern Colorado Hailstorm celebrate after scoring a goal against Tulsa Athletic in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: US Soccer

For the third straight year, USL League One’s Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC has won their opening match of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The visiting Hailstorm dispatched Tulsa Athletic, the reigning NPSL champions, 4-1, at Athletic Community Field at Hicks Park on Tuesday night in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup.

Coming off the bench, Ethan Hoard put in a dominant 28 minutes of action, collecting a goal and an assist to salt the match away for Northern Colorado.

“It was a good performance. We had to change a couple of things to suit us, to suit the pitch,” said Northern Colorado head coach Eamon Zayed. “I respect every single opponent we play and I knew that had the potential to cause us issues, even going back to their Cupset last year.”

Forcing a flurry of saves from Bryson Reed in the first 10 minutes of the match, Northern Colorado started on the front foot and never relented. McCain Clarke provided excellent service for the visitors both from the run of play down the right side as well as from the corner.

Though the A’s defense stood tall for nearly the entire first half, they would unfortunately find themselves in a 1-0 hole after a 43rd minute goal from Lucky Opara. A scramble in the box eventually saw the ball fall to the feet of Johnny Fenwick who squared it to Opara who calmly slotted it between Reed’s legs for the opening goal.



“I knew the first goal was going to be key,” explained Zayed. “Luckily, we got it right before halftime. That was massive – probably changed the flow of the game.”

Despite a bright start from the hosts, Northern Colorado weathered the early second-half chance from Tulsa before doubling their advantage through captain Irvin Parra.  Clarke’s threat down the right side again proved the distance as he whipped a cross to the near side that Parra then nodded home to the back post.

“McCain’s best attribute is his delivery,” said Zayed. “McCain has a great right foot. He’s been waiting for his chance…Delighted for him.”

In the 65th minute, the Hailstorm found another goal. A pair of 62nd minute subs connected on the goal, with Ethan Hoard slotting a ball to Marky Hernandez. Hernandez’s shot took a slight deflection that wrong-footed Reed to make the lead 3-0.

With the game well in hand, Hoard pushed the visitors ahead 4-0 in the 85th minute. Clarke knicked the ball off a Tulsa player’s foot to spring a fast break, pushing the ball ahead to Isidro Martinez down the right wing. Martinez whipped the ball in to Hoard who was all alone in the middle of the box, curling it past Reed for Northern Colorado’s final goal of the match.

“Ethan is a big guy, he’s also quick,” Zayed said. “ was delighted for him – good to get the goal.”

Not to be denied a goal on the evening, Tulsa put the finishing touches on the scoreline in the 88th minute from a scorcher of a free kick by Rio Mello from 35 yards out.

The win moves Northern Colorado to 4-2-0 all-time in Open Cup play, including 3-0-0 in their opening-round contests and 1-0 against NPSL sides. Tuesday was Northern Colorado’s first time playing in the First Round. Their next match will be April 2-3 with the opponent still to be determined by draw after the conclusion of the First Round.

Tulsa Athletic moves to 3-5-1 all-time in US Open Cup competition. The club is now 2-3-1 in First Round matches, and 0-1-0 against USL-1 sides.

2023 US Open Cup Round 3: Sporting KC blanks Tulsa Athletic to earn first win of 2023

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Daniel Salloi of Sporting Kansas City fires a shot against Tulsa Athletic in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Sporting KC
Daniel Salloi of Sporting Kansas City fires a shot against Tulsa Athletic in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Sporting KC

Sporting Kansas City withstood an early error by goalkeeper John Pulskamp and won their first competitive game of 2023, defeating Tulsa Athletic 3-0 in front of 9,912 at Children’s Mercy Park.

Sporting KC equaled their MLS goal total for the season in the win, with Daniel Salloi, Alan Pulido, and Marinos Tzionis putting their names on the score sheet. Pulido’s goal was his first since 2021, having missed all of last season due to a knee injury.

In the 17th minute, Tulsa forward Jordan Watson latched onto a long ball over the top that put him in alone on Pulskamp, who brought Watson down in the penalty area. Referee Jose Lara immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Defender Chris Taylor stepped up to take the penalty, but his attempt was blocked by a good save from Pulskamp to keep the game scoreless.

Sporting KC drew first blood in the 33rd minute. Salloi dispossessed midfielder Roman Torres and unleashed a shot from just outside the 18. Tulsa goalkeeper Bryson Reed got a hand to the shot, but the ball went off the post and into the back of the net.

The hosts doubled their lead in the 54th minute through Pulido, making his U.S. Open Cup debut. Salloi received a pass on the left side of the penalty area from Sporting KC II loanee Ethan Bryant. Salloi then drove toward the end line and crossed it toward the back post. Pulido was waiting and redirected the ball past Reed for his first goal since 2021, having missed the entire 2022 season due to a knee injury.

When asked about Pulido’s goal after the match, Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes said, ?I’ll give a lot of credit to him because after the game on Saturday, on the plane he came to me right away and he said, ?isten, I really want to play on Tuesday. I have got to keep increasing not just my minutes, but I?e got to keep getting around the ball and be in the game and be around 11v11.?At the time, I was not even considering him for the game.?

Tzionis finished the scoring in the 68th minute. The Cypriot international ran onto the penetrating pass of midfielder Erik Thommy and put a low shot just past the near post from a sharp angle for his third career goal for the club.

Asked whether or not the confidence gained from the win will carry over to league play, Vermes said, ?ell, I hope it does. We had to change the team up again. That? normal; other teams are doing the same thing. You lose some continuity. We haven’t had a lot of that as well. But it was good for those guys, like I said, to hit the back of the net. I think that part was important.?

Sporting KC resumes league play on Saturday with a home match against CF Montreal. They will learn their next US Open Cup opponent on Thursday during the 4th round draw.

2023 US Open Cup Round 2: Tulsa Athletic upset FC Tulsa in sequel to last year’s Tulsa derby in a public park in Tulsa

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Players from Tulsa Athletic and FC Tulsa battle for the ball in their 2023 US Open Cup match. Photo: Tulsa Athletic
Players from Tulsa Athletic and FC Tulsa battle for the ball in their 2023 US Open Cup match. Photo: Tulsa Athletic

Tulsa Athletic fans stormed the pitch as their beloved club pulled off what many are calling the biggest win in club history as they stunned FC Tulsa 1-0 Wednesday night in Round Two of the 2023 US Open Cup.

Tulsa Athletic head coach Jason Rogers was stunned. The last time these two teams met, FC Tulsa won 2-1 at ONEOK Field last year.

“We talked about this the other day, but you know, when you watch the FA Cup in England and you see those 4th and 5th tier guys or teams,” Rogers said. “You don’t think it’s ever going to happen to you or your group.”

It was a slow start to the game like two boxers feeling each other out before throwing haymakers. The first punch thrown was by Tulsa Athletic in the 18th minute as forward Aaron Ugbah took the first shot on goal after getting past the backline of FC Tulsa. FC Tulsa keeper Austin Wormell made the save, but this was just the beginning.

The two sides went back and forth, blow-for-blow counter-attacking. Athletic launched the ball through the air, into the box and Ugbah went wide of the left post, missing the back of the net by inches.

FC Tulsa put on the pressure in the 27th minute, Forward Siad Haji put a corner into the box, but Athletic keeper Bryson Reed made a fantastic save.

FC Tulsa put on a quick counterattack, Nate Worth received a pass from Luca Sowinski, and Worth floated the ball into the box for Watz Leazard, who took two shots on goal before going down with an injury after being fouled.

Athletic had back-to-back corners and was trying to put together a run to the box, Leazard fouled and received a yellow, allowing Athletic to get a free kick, which they failed to convert.

Ugbah once again made a terrific run down the right side, but missed in the 44th minute, resulting in a goal kick.

Mitchell Cashion took an incredible shot outside the box and Wormell made an equally incredible save, the Athletic were awarded a corner with two minutes of stoppage time.

FC Tulsa was driving down the pitch, but their run was cut short after Leazard was hit with a hard tackle. He did return to the game, however.

The scoring opened up after Aimar Membrila was given a yellow card for something said to the referee and Roman Torres received a free kick about 25 yards out.

The knockout blow came when Torres floated the ball into the box and K.B. Harris opened the scoring, giving Tulsa Athletic the lead in the 63rd minute on a terrific header near the back post.

“Man, we actually had a plan at halftime to play that ball back post on the first set piece,” Harris said. “It ended up working out, I was open, had to call one of my guys off, but it ended up going in so we’ll take it, man, we’ll take it.”

In the final 15 minutes, FC Tulsa ramped up the attacking play, subbing on Moses Dyer, Blaine Ferri, and Milo Yosef.

Torres shot on goal, but Wormell made a fantastic save in the 82nd minute. From there FC Tulsa continued to put pressure on, but it was too little too late as Tulsa Athletic left Hicks Park with the win.

2023 US Open Cup Round 1: Tulsa Athletic misses two PKs, holds on for 1-0 win over Brazos Valley Cavalry

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Stefan Cvetanovic (left) of Tulsa Athletic scored the lone goal of the match against Brazos Valley Cavalry in the First Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Randy Randolph
Stefan Cvetanovic (left) of Tulsa Athletic scored the lone goal of the match against Brazos Valley Cavalry in the First Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Randy Randolph

Tulsa Athletic gets another crack at local professional side FC Tulsa as the hosts defeated USL League Two side Brazos Valley Cavalry (Texas) FC, 1-0, in the First Round of the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Wednesday night at Hicks Park.

Despite missing two penalties, Tulsa Athletic took a 1-0 advantage in the 31st minute of action when Tulsa newcomer Stefan Cvetanovic took the ball away from a Brazo defender. Cvetanovic hit a strike to the near post and put the green and yellow up 1-0 in the first half. 

“He’s just a brilliant player,” Tulsa Athletic head coach Jason Rogers said of Cvetanovic, who was a first-team NAIA All-American at Oklahoma Wesleyan last season. “He can score unbelievable goals so we are very happy to have him.” 


With the win, Tulsa Athletic’s second straight in the first round after defeating Azteca (Colo.) FC, 3-0, last year in Tulsa, the green and yellow play host to FC Tulsa on April 5 at 7 p.m. at Hicks Park. The Tulsa Derby is a rematch from last year’s Second Round match where FC Tulsa defeated Tulsa Athletic 2-1 at ONEOK Field in Tulsa.

“It feels good to get that first win,” Rogers said. “I’ll take the win, and let’s get ready for the next round.”

Brazos Valley Cavalry, who won the Lone Star Division of USL League Two last year, played without any substitutes as the Texas side traveled only 11 players. And Brazos played the final few minutes with only 10 men after a second yellow card was issued to Kyle Davis. 


Tulsa earned their first penalty after midfielder Joe Garcia was taken down in the box in the 28th minute. Garcia stepped up to take the penalty, but Brazos goalkeeper Victor Villarreal made a kick save to keep the match scoreless.

The second penalty opportunity for Tulsa came in the 63rd minute after a handball. Tulsa’s Jordan Watson’s strike went high and over the goal as the green and yellow went 0-2 from the spot in the match.


Tulsa’s Bryson Reed earned the shutout win in goal, totaling five saves in 90 minutes.

“Bryson is special,” Rogers said. “He’s the best goalkeeper in Tulsa. I can tell you that.”

Tulsa’s back three defense of Chris Taylor, Alejandro Chavez and Javier Reyes helped keep the pressure off Reed in the back.

“Javo and Ale on the right and left did a wonderful job 1-v-1 tonight,” Taylor said. “They proved their value in many opportunities”

Villareal from Bravos Valley finished with four saves in 90 minutes.

2022 US Open Cup Round 2, Day 1 Review: MLS Next Pro wins debut, one amateur side survives

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Toby Sims Pittsburgh Riverhounds Maryland Bobcats 2022 US Open Cup
Toby Sims of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds dribbles against the Maryland Bobcats in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Chris Cowger | Pittsburgh Riverhounds

The first MLS NEXT Pro team to enter the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup scored the league’s first win in the Second Round of the tournament, and USL League Two scored an upset over a nearby USL League One counterpart Tuesday night as 11 teams punched their tickets to the next round of the 107th edition of the US Open Cup. 

Round 2 continues Wednesday with 13 matches, with seven more to be decided Thursday. All of the games will be broadcast live on ESPN+ 

If you appreciate our coverage of the US Open Cup for the last (nearly) two decades, and want to see it grow in the future, consider joining our Patreon team by clicking above.

Several MLS clubs will join the competition in the Third Round, which will hold a draw Friday to determine the matchups. The draw is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET. 

Here’s a look at all 11 Second Round matches from Tuesday.

Click here for a preview of all the Round 2 games on Wednesday and Thursday

North Carolina Fusion U-23s (USL League Two) 4:2 Charlotte Independence (USL League One)
American Legion Memorial Stadium – Charlotte, NC
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The North Carolina Fusion U23 pulled off the first upset of the second round, knocking off their professional USL League One opponent Charlotte Independence 4-2 in Charlotte.

Charlotte opened the scoring after 14 minutes when Shalom Dutey found the end of a Ayrton Paez free kick just in front of goal near the post, beating Fusion goalkeeper Josh Perryman. Twenty-three minutes later, a shot by Faisal Almabaslat was blocked by Charlotte goalkeeper Keegan Meyer, but Luis Neto was right there to put away the rebound to draw the Fusion level 1-1. It took Charlotte just five minutes to regain the lead, as Ivan Luquetta took the ball to the touch line in the penalty area, then passed back to Paez for the goal.

The Fusion tied things up minutes into the second half when Joao Silva took a shot at the top of the box that deflected off a Charlotte defender. Charlotte was reduced to 10 men in the 76th minute when Tresor Mbuyu was sent off for an altercation with a Fusion player after a hard tackle. With just a few minutes remaining in regulation, Charlotte goalkeeper Meyer fumbled an easy shot by Alexandre Horveno, and Tom Marriott scored on a wide-open goal. The Fusion cemented the upset in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Colton Sessoms easily scored on a 3-on-1 breakaway, the youngster’s fourth goal of the night, to book a spot in the third round. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Maryland Bobcats (NISA) 0:2 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Championship)
Highmark Stadium – Pittsburgh, PA
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

On a rainy Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh, the USL Championship Riverhounds entertained the visiting Maryland Bobcats of NISA. A pair of goals from Toby Sims on either side of halftime was all the Riverhounds needed to see off the Bobcats 2-0 and advance to the third round. Simms’ first goal came in the 38th minute from the center of the penalty area off a Luis Argudo assist. Almost 10 minutes into the second half, Simms tallied from the left side of the penalty area on a Mohamed Sesay assist. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

St. Louis CITY 2 (MLS NEXT Pro) 2:0 Indy Eleven (USL Championship)
Michael A. Carroll Track and Soccer Stadium (IUPUI) – Indianapolis, IN
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

St. Louis City 2 notched the first-ever Open Cup win for a MLS NEXT Pro team with a 2-0 victory over Indy Eleven of the USL Championship.

St. Louis drew first blood when Joshua Yaro sent an attempted clearance back into the box, where Era Armstrong collected the ball and beat Indy goalkeeper Tim Trilk. The reserve club of the future St. Louis MLS club doubled their lead in the 72nd minute when Armstrong passed to substitute Celio Martins, who then fed Wan Kuzain at the top of the box for the goal. From then on. Indy only managed a couple of chances on goal and the St. Louis reserves made their way to the third round. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Michigan Stars FC (NISA) 0:3 Detroit City FC (USL Championship)
Keyworth Stadium – Hamtramck, MI
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

In a battle of former NISA rivals, the USL Championship Detroit City FC smoked the Michigan Stars 3-0 in Detroit.

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "Champions" shirt, honoring the five clubs from the pre-Modern Era (1914-1994) to win four or more US Open Cup titles. Visit THECUP.US SHOP
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “Champions” shirt, honoring the five clubs from the pre-Modern Era (1914-1994) to win four or more US Open Cup titles. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

Just as the first half looked to end scoreless, Detroit stuck twice on corner kicks. In the 45th minute, Connor Ruiz put away a Maximilliano Rodriguez corner kick. In the second minute of stoppage time, Rodriguez served up another corner, and this time Matthew Lewis headed the ball home for a 2-0 lead. For the rest of stoppage time, the air was filled with smoke from jubilant City supporters.

 

After a pair of crosses Detroit extended their lead to 3-0 in the 63rd minute. After Michigan headed away an initial cross, Michael Bryant sent the ball back into the box, where Connor Ruiz headed the ball to the feet of Matthew Lewis for his second goal of the game. From that point, Detroit easily saw out the remaining time to book their first ever appearance in the third round. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

The Villages SC (USL League Two) 0:6 Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL Championship)
Al Lang Stadium – St. Petersburg, FL
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The Villages SC of USL League Two were no match for the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL Championship, with the hosts steamrolling to a 6-0 win. Lucky Mkosana quickly put the Rowdies ahead 2-0 with two goals early in the first half. Jordan Scarlett pushed the lead to 3-0 on a header from a Jake Areman free kick. In the 53rd minute Mkosana appeared to have completed his hat-trick, connecting on a cross from Jake Areman, however the goal was later credited to Kyle Greig.

The goals continued to flow in as Jake LaCava (63rd minute) and Laurence Wyke (73rd minute) finished the rout of their amateur opponents, and confirmed a spot in the third round for the Rowdies. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Des Moines Menace (USL League Two) 1:2 Union Omaha (USL League One)
Morrison Stadium (Creighton Univ.) – Omaha, NE
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The Menace opened the scoring in the 15th minute when a shot from Gabriel Rodriguez struck the crossbar and was swatted away by Omaha goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu. Corey Hertzog then slammed home the loose ball. Five minutes later, Union found the equalizer when John Scearce headed home a corner from Joseph Brito.

Union Omaha kept control most of the second half, and with nine minutes remaining, Omaha gained the lead on a Menace mistake when Alefu Bertini accidentally headed a lobbed pass from Conor Doyle past his own goaleeper. Omaha withstood a desperate Menace search for an equalizer to win their debut Open Cup match and advance to the third round. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Tulsa Athletic (NPSL) 1:2 FC Tulsa (USL Championship)
ONEOK Field – Tulsa, OK
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The USL Championship’s FC Tulsa came out on top in the Tulsa derby, defeating the NPSL’s Tulsa Athletic, 2-1.

FC Tulsa wasted no time grabbing the lead, as Jorge Corrales sent a cross into the box that Brian Brown managed to put away while being pulled down by a Tulsa Athletics defender. FC Tulsa scored again in the 19th minute, this time on a Ronald Rodriguez header off a corner kick from Joaquin Rivas. Tulsa Athletic had a few promising free kicks in the rest of the half but the score remained 2-0 at the break.

Despite being outshot by a wide margin, Tulsa Athletic managed to cut the lead in half with thirteen minutes remaining. Halftime substitute Billy Nzojyibwami’s goal from the right side of the penalty area gave the amateurs a glimmer of hope. But FC Tulsa kept the visitors at bay in the final minutes to book their place in the third round. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

D’Feeters Kicks (USCS / The Roja League) 1:3 San Antonio FC (USL Championship)
Lynchburg City Stadium – Lynchburg, VA
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

For 45 minutes, the amateur D’Feeters Kicks had hope of an upset over the professional San Antonio FC of the USL Championship. However, in four quick minutes that dream was interrupted.

San Antonio scored three goals in four minutes of the second half to separate themselves from their amateur guests en route to a 3-1 win. In the 53rd minute, Henrik Sakshaug scored from the top of the penalty area after a free kick pinballed between players from both teams. Just a minute later, a shot by Justin Dhillon deflected off a D’Feeters defender, allowing Connor Maloney to easily beat goalkeeper Anthony Rodriguez for San Antonio’s second goal. Three minutes later, Sakshaug struck again from the center of the penalty area, assisted by Shannon Gomez, and suddenly San Antonio were comfortably ahead 3-0.

D’Feeters regained a slight glimmer of hope when San Antonio goalkeeper Matt Cardone was unable to handle a long shot from the left side, allowing Sebastian Mendez to easily tap home the goal. With seven minutes remaining, D’Feeters were reduced to 10 men when Juan Ramirez was shown his walking papers after a hard foul. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Las Vegas Legends FC (NPSL) 0:5 New Mexico United (USL Championship)
Univ. of New Mexico Soccer Complex – Albuquerque, NM
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The NPSL’s Las Vegas Legends saw their luck run out in the second round as New Mexico United of the USL Championship rolled to an easy 5-0 victory.

The hosts set the tone in the seventh minute when Chris Wehan converted a penalty after Sergio Rivas was fouled by the Legends’ Hector Casillas. Jerome Kiesewetter scored the first of his two goals from close range in the 17th minute, and Randy Ovouka placed his shot in the bottom left corner of the goal five minutes from halftime for a 3-0 lead at the break.

Carl Sainte made it 4-0 from a shot outside the penalty area shortly after halftime. Eduardo Guzman was sent off in the 82nd minute, leaving Las Vegas with 10 men. New Mexico was awarded another penalty with four minutes remaining after another foul by Hector Casillas in the box. Kiesewetter stepped to take the penalty and New Mexico cruised to a berth in the third round. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

El Paso Locomotive (USL Championship) 1:4 Central Valley Fuego (USL League One)
Lamonica Stadium (Clovis H.S.) – Clovis, CA
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Sean Walker

Villyan Bijev scored a brace, and USL League One side Central Valley Fuego stunned El Paso Locomotive of the USL Championships, 4-1 at Lamonica Stadium in Clovis, California.

Nathan Smith and Christian Chaney also scored for the Fuego, which needed less than five minutes to score and never looked back.

Bijev opened the scoring in just the fourth minute, chipping the goalkeeper from the left side of the box to put Central Valley up 1-0 mere moments into the game. The goals kept coming, too, through Smith’s golazo in the 15th minute and a second from Bijev in the 44th minute en route to a 3-0 halftime advantage. Chaney added a goal in the 62nd minute for the Fuego.

Eric Calvillo scored in the 90th minute for El Paso, which turned out to be the first Open Cup goal in Locomotive history for the 2019 debutants. El Paso was playing its second of three games in eight days after a four-match winless skid to open USL Championship play, and had traveled up the California coast following Sunday’s 3-2 loss to the San Diego Loyal in league play.  [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

LA Force FC (NISA) 2:5 Orange County SC (USL Championship)
Orange County Great Park (Championship Stadium) – Irvine, CA
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Sean Walker

Former Real Salt Lake homegrown signing Milan Iloski had a goal and an assist as Orange County SC of the USL Championship rolled by the NISA’s LA Force, 5-2 at Championship Stadium in Irvine, California.

Daniel Pedersen, Sean Okoli, Mikko Kuningas and Kobi Henry each added a goal for Orange County, which converted five of its six shots on target into goals and out-shot the Force 22-15.

Samuel Goni scored a brace for LA Force FC, including a 37th-minute strike that pulled the Open Cup debutants within 3-1 at halftime. But Iloski dished a pinpoint backheel pass to Kuningas to restore Orange County’s three-goal lead, and Henry’s goal in the 69th minute helped seal the win for good.  [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: FC Tulsa wins tournament’s first Tulsa derby

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FC Tulsa Tulsa Athletic 2022 US Open Cup
Players from FC Tulsa (white) and Tulsa Athletic battle for the ball in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: FC Tulsa

Separated by a mere 15 miles, FC Tulsa and Tulsa Athletic went for bragging rights in the first-ever Tulsa Derby to highlight Tuesday’s Second Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup before the hosts FC Tulsa took a 2-1 win at ONEOK Field.

If you appreciate our coverage of the US Open Cup for the last (nearly) two decades, and want to see it grow in the future, consider joining our Patreon team by clicking above.

From the first 10 minutes, it was all FC Tulsa.

Brian Brown put the home side in front with a goal in the fifth minute, sliding towards net to finish off a feed from Diego Corrales and offer the strong start from FC Tulsa in front of a crowd of 2,300 supporters.

Down 1-0, it would be the 13th minute before Athletic would have any appreciable possession. Jordan Watson showed good skill in making a deep run along the goal line but could not set up a shot on goal.

Ronald Rodríguez headed in the second goal on a corner served up by El Salvador international Joaquín Rivas, giving FC Tulsa a 2-0 halftime lead.

Brown and Rivas had just returned from a call-up with “La Selecta,” making the return trip to Tulsa last Thursday after featuring in three appearances for El Salvador in World Cup qualifying. It was the first goal in a Tulsa uniform for Brown who like Rodriguez joined the club in the offseason.

The second half started much more briskly, but still dominated by FC Tulsa. In the 60th minute, Athletic’s Jo Garcia lifted a long ball deep in the area from a free kick, but none of the three Athletic players could get a boot to it leaving them still in a two-goal deficit.

Deep in the game, substitute Billy Nzojyibwami made a fantastic run down the right side and chipped FC Tulsa goalkeeper Austin Wormell to cut the deficit to 2-1. In the 87th minute, Athletic’s Bryson Reed saved a sure goal by Gabi Torres to keep it a one-goal game.

Tulsa Athletic goalkeeper Bryson Reed made six saves, keeping the ball out of the back of the net for the final 72 minutes. But the damage had been done.

FC Tulsa will learn its third-round opponent Friday with the Open Cup third-round draw held by U.S. Soccer. The draw is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. ET.

If Tulsa draws an MLS club, it will be the USL side’s first competitive match against a team from the top division since a 2-1 loss to FC Dallas in the fourth round of the Open Cup in 2017.

 

Goal scorers

FC Tulsa 5’ Brian Brown

FC Tulsa 18’ Ronald Rodríguez, assist Ronald Rodríguez

Tulsa Athletic 77’ Billy Nzojyibwami, assist Joe Garcia

2022 US Open Cup Round 1: Tulsa Athletic blanks Azteca FC to earn first USOC win

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Tulsa Athletic vs Azteca FC 2022 US Open Cup
Tulsa Athletic celebrates Joe Garcia’s penalty kick goal in the 72nd minute against Azteca FC in the First Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Lori Scholl

The contest between Tulsa Athletic and Azteca FC was a battle of teams without a US Open Cup victory. Ninety minutes later, Tulsa would be the team to change that stat with a 3-0 win in the First Round.

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The game started fast with Tulsa on the front foot. Azteca, however, were equal to every attack and had a few good opportunities themselves.

Tulsa jumped out to the lead in the 25th minute when Matthew Rodgers found a wide open Aaron Ugbah on the oppos

ite side of goal who coolly slotted the ball home to make it 1-0. Azteca’s Marlon Borja needed to be carried off after a crunching tackle, as Tulsa’s Vinicius de Oliveira went through his ankle.

The rest of the first half remained evenly matched, but still the attacking edge stayed with Tulsa into the second half where Tulsa found another gear while Azteca could only thwart the attacks against them.

In the 71st minute, David Paniaqua was adjudged to have brought down Jordan Watson for a penalty, which was perhaps dubious. Regardless, Joseph Garcia stepped to the ball and found his left-hand post. Marcos Madera did get his right hand to it, but the kick could not be stopped, for a 2-0 lead. The wheels seemed to start to come off for Azteca.

Just three minutes later, Joseph Ruiz sent a cross across the face of goal and found Ruben Torres who tapped in to give the home side an insurmountable 3-0 lead. Four minutes after that, Cesar Meza was sent off for a two-handed jersey pull against a Tulsa player. The disadvantage in manpower would make it a mountain too big to climb for the visitors.

In the 87th minute, a contentious PK non-call against Tulsa took the wind out of Azteca’s sails. Til Zinnhardt clattered into Azteca’s Freddy Fragozo in the penalty area without a touch on the ball, and both players tumbled and stayed down briefly. Azteca could not mount a meaningful attack after that, as the end was moments away.

The win gives Tulsa Athletic a Tulsa derby date with FC Tulsa of the USL Championship on April 5 in the Second Round.

 

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