2018 US Open Cup

2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Win & You’re In Review: Christos FC, La Maquina, NTX Rayados headline 14 amateur winners

November 23, 2017 by Josh Hakala

Players from the LA Wolves FC and Buena Park FC battle for the ball in a 2018 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Tmesis FC

The 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup open division qualifying tournament is now complete with 14 amateur teams from across the country punching their ticket to the 105th edition of the tournament.

There are plenty of familiar faces from recent years that will return to next year’s tournament. Christos FC, the Baltimore, Md. club that became just the 13th amateur club to reach the Fourth Round during the 2017 competition, will be back. La Maquina (Santa Ana, Calif.) took the Los Angeles Galaxy to extra time in 2016 and they are back for the third year in a row, and Lansdowne Bhoys (New York City), who pulled off a stunning upset the last time they qualified (2016) are back after missing out last year. Also, the NTX Rayados have qualified for a Modern Era record seventh consecutive tournament.

There are also some teams who will make their US Open Cup debut in 2018: FC Denver (Denver, Colo.), FC Kendall (Miami, Fla.), Kendall Wanderers (Boston, Mass.), Santa Ana Winds (Santa Ana, Calif.), and Rochester Rivar Dogz (Rochester, NY). Sporting AZ FC (Phoenix, Ariz.) are a new name to the tournament, but they are the same club as the Arizona Sahuaros, a club that has participated in the tournament in many forms: a pro club in the USL, an NPSL team and an independent team.

This was the third and final round of a new qualifying tournament that was launched three years ago by the US Soccer Federation. The new format welcomes all amateur teams that compete in US Soccer-sanctioned leagues (National leagues like the Premier Development League and the National Premier Soccer League base their qualifying on the previous season’s results) to sign up and compete in a single-elimination tournament.

2018 US Open Cup qualifying schedule/results

Let’s take a brief look at each game with links to each game’s match report.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18

Indios Denver FC (USASA/UPSL)
0:2 (AET)
FC Denver (USSSA/Colorado Amateur Soccer League)

In a battle between two Denver-based clubs seeking their first US Open Cup berth, FC Denver scored twice in extra time to come away with a 2-0 win over Indios Denver FC. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Azteca FC (USSSA/Colorado Premier League)
4:3
Harpo’s FC (USSSA/Colorado Premier League)
Broomfield County Commons Park Stadium – Broomfield, CO

A year ago, Azteca FC denied Harpo’s FC a chance to qualify for the US Open Cup. In this year’s rematch, Azteca FC did it again, with a 4-3 win over Harpo’s FC in an exciting match in Broomfield, Colo. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

FC Kendall (USASA / American Premier Soccer League)
4:2
Nashville United (USASA/Middle Tennessee Soccer Alliance)
E.S. Rose Park – Nashville, TN

FC Kendall traveled from Miami to Nashville and was greeted by some horrible weather as their game against Nashville United had to change venues a few hours before the game due to the heavy rain. In the end, the visitors received four goals from four different goalscorers to win 4-2 and earn their first trip to the US Open Cup. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Kendall Wanderers (USASA/Bay State Soccer League)
2:1
Mass United (USASA/American Soccer League)
Dilboy Stadium – Somerville, MA

In rainy day just outside of Boston, Kendall Wanderers defeated in-state foe Mass United FC 2-1 to earn the club’s first-ever US Open Cup berth. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Junior Lone Star U-23s (USASA/Philadelphia Premier Soccer League)
1:3
Lansdowne Bhoys FC (USASA/Cosmopolitan Soccer League)
Tibbetts Brooke Park – Yonkers, NY

Defending USASA Amateur Cup champion Lansdowne Bhoys FC ended the unlikely qualifying run of the Junior Lone Star Under-23s with a 3-1 win in Yonkers, NY. Lansdowne were led by Irish striker Daryl Kavanagh who scored a pair of goals to put the Bhoys back in the US Open Cup for the first time since 2016. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Motagua of New Orleans (USASA/Gulf Coast Premier League)
1:2
NTX Rayados (USASA/North Texas Premier Soccer Association)
Premier Park – Balch Springs, TX

NTX Rayados qualified for the US Open Cup for the seventh year in a row with a 2-1 home win over Motagua of New Orleans. The Rayados scored two goals in the final 10 minutes to come back to win. No open division amateur team has more consecutive Open Cup berths than the Rayados’ seven. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Galati FC (USASA/Arizona Champions League)
1:6
Sporting AZ FC (USASA/UPSL)
Chandler-Gilbert Community College – Chandler, AZ

Alejandro Aguilar scored a pair of goals to lead Sporting AZ FC, the club formerly known as the Arizona Sahuaros, to their first US Open Cup berth since the new club was launched last January. They defeated fellow Arizona club Galati FC 6-1 to punch their ticket. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

San Pedro Monsters (USASA/SoCal Premier League)
1:4
Santa Ana Winds FC (USASA/UPSL)
Lake Forest Sports Park – Lake Forest, CA

Santa Ana Winds FC made club history by qualifying for the US Open Cup for the first time, in their second attempt. Kramer Runager scored a pair of goals as the Winds defeated the San Pedro Monsters FC of the SoCal Premier League by a score of 4-1. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19

Phoenix SC (USASA/United Soccer League of Pennsylvania)
1:5
Christos FC (USASA/Maryland Major Soccer League)
Anne Arundel Community College – Arnold, MD

Christos FC stole the headlines with a run to the Fourth Round in last year’s tournament and they will be back for an encore in 2018 for an encore with a 5-1 home win over Phoenix SC (Oakford, Pa.). [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Stegman’s SC (USASA/Minnesota Amateur Soccer League)
1:2
Rochester River Dogz (USASA/Rochester District Soccer League)
Pittsford Thornell Farm Park Turf Field – Pittsford, NY

The Rochester River Dogz defended their home turf with a 2-1 win over the well-traveled Stegman’s SC from Minneapolis, Minn. With the win, the River Dogz, led by their head coach former Rochester Rhinos star Doug Miller, became the first open division amateur team from Western New York to qualify for the US Open Cup in the Modern Era (1995-present). [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Cal Victory FC (USASA/UPSL)
1:2
El Farolito (USASA/San Francisco Soccer Football League)
Boxer Stadium – San Francisco, CA

1993 US Open Cup champion El Farolito stormed into the 2018 US Open Cup with an 8-0 win over Cal Victory of the UPSL. The San Francisco Soccer Football League (SFSFL) champions and former Open Cup champions (1993) took care of business to qualify for the Open Cup proper rounds for the second consecutive season. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

South Florida FC (USASA/American Premier Soccer League)
1:2 (AET)
Red Force FC (USASA/American Premier Soccer League)
Kendall Soccer Park – Miami, FL

In a battle of South Florida clubs, Red Force FC edged South Florida FC in extra time to earn their second US Open Cup berth in a row and the club’s fourth trip to the tournament in the last four years. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON

La Maquina FC (USASA/UPSL)
4:1
Chula Vista FC (USASA/SoCal Premier League)
Chula Vista Elite Training Center – Chula Vista, CA

Edwin Borboa scored again as La Maquina continued their dominance in US Open Cup qualifying by earning their third straight US Open Cup berth. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Los Angeles Wolves FC (USASA/UPSL)
4:0
Buena Park FC (USASA/SoCal Premier League)
OC Great Park Championship Stadium – Irvine, CA

The Los Angeles Wolves punched their ticket a third straight Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a dominant 4-0 victory over Buena Park FC at Championship Stadium, at Great Park in Irvine, Calif. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

2018 US Open Cup qualifying: La Maquina continues qualifying dominance, clinches third straight Open Cup berth

November 22, 2017 by James Stroud

It was a beautiful Sunday in Chula Vista, just outside San Diego, as the home side Chula Vista FC prepared to host La Maquina – a juggernaut in their own right from up the road in Los Angeles. The beauty of the day would soon prove to be prophetic for La Maquina, but agonizingly taunting for Chula Vista FC, as the former rolled through the latter with ease in the final 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifying match, 4-1.

As the game kicked off, the crowd had trickled in and although there was only a small set of bleachers above a hill on the sideline, the atmosphere was lively for the Chula Vista faithful who expect a lot from their club that has qualified for the US Open Cup in two of the last three years.

Both clubs are known for their attacking flair and possession style of play, but it was clear from the beginning that La Maquina had manufactured the true threat, utilizing a high-pressure forward line that paid all the dividends.

Chula Vista wasted valuable energy chasing the game early as La Maquina owned much of the ball and it took less than 20 minutes for La Maquina to find their first goal. A misunderstanding between goalkeeper Sammy Quinones and defender Manuel Carrillo left Quinones out of position at the top of the box. As the pressure increased around Carrillo, he lost possession to former Chivas de Guadalajara forward Edwin Borboa who took full advantage and curved a shot from the corner of the box around the goalkeeper with his right foot. Borboa, who tied for the tournament lead with five goals in 2016 has been involved in a goal in nearly every qualifying and tournament game La Maquina has played in the last three years.

With that goal by Borboa, La Maquina never looked back.

In the 31st minute, La Maquina scored what would prove to be the winner by exploiting another defensive mistake by the CV back line, courtesy of Rosendo Castro.

Trailing 2-0 at the halftime, Chula Vista knew they were in trouble. After speaking with some players, it was clear that a drastic change would have to take place in the players’ mindsets to get back on track. As the second half began, it looked, for a moment, that they had accepted the mission as they opened the half at a full sprint, but La Maquina responded with cool heads and took advantage of the end to end confusion with an insurance goal, this time from the wing as a beautiful cross dropped right onto the head of Braulio Godinez.

All but out of reach for Chula Vista, the pushed on, finding a bit more breathing room as La Maquina fell back to close out the game. As they probed for a sniff of the goal, forward Alberto Diaz found himself on the receiving end of a slick give and go with one man to beat inside the box. As he took his touch, the defender brought him down with a hip check, and Chula Vista was awarded a lifeline. In the 59th minute, Francisco Ramirez slotted it home and wasted no time digging it out of the net, as Chula Vista suddenly seemed energized.

For the next ten minutes, Chula Vista streamed forward launching attacks straight down the middle of the pitch aiming to exploit a comfortable La Maquina back line. Ultimately, it wouldn’t be enough, as La Maquina took advantage of a quick break in the 72nd minute. As the ball was worked into the goal box, it was clear that Chula Vista had no fight left in them as Rosendo Castro walked his brace over the line. La Maquina continued to control the game and was awarded foul after foul around Chula Vista’s goal box for the remainder of the match, and just like they did in 2015, they eliminated Chula Vista in a Win & You’re In match.

La Maquina will attempt to outdo themselves in 2018’s US Open Cup that will feature no shortage of potential Cinerella stories. Chula Vista FC will not be granted any such opportunity, and with their elimination there will be zero San Diego representatives from amateur teams in next years competition, a massive disappointment to all in America’s Finest City.

For La Maquina, they continue their dominance over the qualifying tournament over the last three years. They have won all six of their qualifying matches and have outscored their opponents 22-3 and have never scored less than three goals in a game.

2018 US Open Cup qualifying: Rochester River Dogz make history by qualifying for first US Open Cup

November 21, 2017 by Brendan Doherty

Rochester River Dogz pose for a team photo before their 2018 US Open Cup qualifying match against Stegman's SC. Photo: Domenico Vella | Rochester River Dogz — Rochester River Dogz pose for a team photo before their 2018 US Open Cup qualifying match against Stegman’s SC. Photo: Domenico Vella | Rochester River Dogz

On a blustery afternoon amid chilling winds and freezing rain in Rochester’s suburb of Pittsford, NY, the Rochester River Dogz earned a place in the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Hosting Stegman’s Soccer Club, a local amateur side and the parent club of Minneapolis City SC of the National Premier Soccer League, the River Dogz are themselves related to the NPSL team founded under the same name and since re-branded to the Lancers.

The River Dogz would defend their home turf, prevailing 2-1 to become the first open division amateur team from Western New York to qualify for the US Open Cup in the Modern Era (1995-present).

The River Dogz entered the competition through the Rochester District Soccer League, an elite amateur circuit recognized by USASA, but used the players and kits from the NPSL side. Similarly, Stegman’s, a member of the Minnesota Amateur Soccer League, fielded much of its NPSL roster and suited up in MPLS City’s jerseys.

The visitors struck in just the first minute of play, before the Minnesota-style weather took hold.

Nicholas Hutton sent dangerous service into the area from the right wing. Forward Ben Wexler did well to meet the cross but his strike whistled off the crossbar. Stegman’s Timothy Wills reacted first and poked home the rebound to take the early lead.

After conceding, the River Dogz regrouped and mounted some chances of their own. The hosts appeared to notch a goal in quick response after the right winger cut inside and fired a shot on his left that fell nicely to a teammate for an easy rebound. The assistant referee has raised his flag, however, and the score remained 1-0 for the Minnesotans.

The Rochester River Dogz (white) and Stegman's SC square off in a 2018 US Open Cup qualifier at Pittsford Thornell Farm Park in Pittsford, NY. Photo: Domenico Vella | Rochester River Dogz — The Rochester River Dogz (white) and Stegman’s SC square off in a 2018 US Open Cup qualifier at Pittsford Thornell Farm Park in Pittsford, NY. Photo: Jameson Pester | Rochester River Dogz

Despite some flowing passing moves, Rochester’s equalizer came from another rebound. Rochester forced a turnover in Stegman’s third with coordinated pressure from midfield. Center forward Austin Gerber received a through ball that split Stegman’s defense and hit a heavy strike that goalkeeper Matt Elder reacted quickly to kick away. Unfortunately for the visitors, the balled popped out to attacking midfielder Stefanos Stamoulocatos and the former U.S. youth international buried the follow-up from a tight angle with his left foot to tie the match in the 26th minute.

Stegman’s number 11, Whitney Browne was active throughout the game. He forced Rochester’s Will Banahene into a diving save from a set piece in the opening 15 minutes and was not shy about unloading shots from distance either.

Rochester held court for much of the remainder of the first half. The River Dogz tried to build measured attacks through midfield, probing for an opening between defenders, while still effectively using the long ball upfield for Gerber to chase. In contrast, Stegman’s kept several players deep even when in possession in the final third.

In the second half, Stegman’s pushed forward more often looking for a second goal but left themselves more vulnerable to counterattacks. A quick break chance almost put the hosts ahead early in the second half but the shot from Anthony Rozzano’s cross bounced off the crossbar.

Rochester’s utility defender Alex Harling, having played center back, right back, and left back on Sunday preserved equity in the middle of the second half. Stegman’s capitalized on a poor pass from Rochester’s No. 14, who had just entered the match as a substitute, and attacked quickly through the middle. The visitors may have thought difficult part of the move was over when a Stegman’s attacker rounded Banahene, but Harling recovered expertly to clear the eventual shot off the goal line.

Shortly after nearly conceding on one end, Rochester grabbed the go-ahead goal at the other. Gerber received another well-timed through ball that put him through with Elder and set himself up for a right-footed instep shot curled low to the far post. To his credit, Elder got a touch on the shot but could not prevent the game-winner from dribbling over the line.

Facing elimination after an unforgiving qualification process, Stegman’s rose to the occasion. The visitors moved the ball around the field well while pressing forward with urgency, peppering Banahene’s goal with efforts.

“Stegmans came to play that’s for sure,” said River Dogz general manager/assistant coach Marc Mandell. “After an early goal a minute into the game, our players had to buckle down and focus on how to get back in the game. I was very pleased that we were able to come back being a goal down to win 2-1. Our goalkeeper Will Banahene was definitely the man of the match coming up with some huge saves and Austin Gerber came through with the game-winning goal for the second game in a row.”

Perhaps an effort to run the clock down, two Rochester players received bookings in the final minutes of the match. The first was to Rochester’s No. 11 for his part in some shoving and gesticulating during a fracas near the Stegman’s goal and the second was to Rozzano for time-wasting after he cleared a ball past the bleachers once it had already crossed the sideline.

Stegman’s players showed well and can be proud of their efforts (after raising the funds to cover their airfare), but it was Rochester that came away with the 2-1 victory.

With the win, the River Dogz will qualify for the 105th edition of the US Open Cup that will begin next May. Their head coach, who has plenty of US Open Cup experience as a player with the Rochester Rhinos, was proud of his team’s performance.

“Rochester has a ton of local talent and I am happy to see the community rally around these guys,” said Doug Miller, who scored the game-winning goal for the Rhinos in the 1999 US Open Cup Final. “This cup means a lot to me and my ex-teammates and to be a part of it again is exciting”

2018 US Open Cup qualifying: Christos FC beats Phoenix SC to qualify, plans to “go farther” than last year

November 21, 2017 by Craig Tower

Christos FC pose for a team photo after their 2018 US Open Cup qualifying match against Phoenix SC. Photo: Christos FC

Christos FC wore down their open division-qualifying visitors Phoenix SC on a sunny but windy day in Arnold, MD, taking the game 5-1 in front of approximately 50 fans. The hosts move on to the full Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the second year in a row, while Phoenix SC will try again next year to qualify, having last qualified in 2011.

Christos keeper Phil Saunders didn’t have much work during on the field, but in a pre-game interview he laid out his team’s challenges and strategies to a T. “Teams know our name and want to beat us, so we have to be extra good.” Still, he added, “our depth is unbelievable.”

It turns out that Christos were extra good on the day, and it was their depth that made the difference in defeating the storied Pennsylvania club.

Possession was relatively balanced at the start of the game, with both sides trading chances. Christos had the edge in chances created, but Phoenix left wing Dan Murtagh shaped a beautiful shot towards Saunders’s back post in the fifth minute, only to see it glance off the upper right corner of the goal.

Tyler Rudy put Christos on the board first with a beautiful 25-yard freekick that cleared the Phoenix wall before settling into the lower corner of Pratico’s goal in the 32nd minute. Christos kept the pressure on and found the goal again in the 38th minute when a cross by Cody Albrecht from the right found Daniel Baxter about 10 yards in front of goal. Baxter calmly settled the ball before shooting under Practico for the second goal.

Phoenix SC came out with renewed determination in the second half, but they weren’t able to conjure the kind of solid chances they’d seen at the beginning of the first half.

As Saunders predicted, the depth of the Christos side made the difference when Elton Joe subbed on for Caringi in the 69th minute, soon to be joined by Levi Houapeu and Christopher Panian. The pace of Joe and Houapeu caused Phoenix particular problems, but it was Joe’s blistering shot that drew blood in the 74th minute as he turned just inside the 18-yard box and rifled the ball into the upper right corner of the Phoenix goal. “Panian played it one time to me, and I just hit far post as hard as I could. It went there, exactly where I wanted it to,” Joe said after the game. Daniel Baxter pounced on a deflection off his own shot in the 78th minute to extend the Christos lead to four.

At that point, Phoenix SC started to lose control, registering yellow cards in the 78th (Joseph Brocker), 79th (Shane Kronick), and 80th minutes (Jamen Rowen) as they tried to halt the Christos attack.

Elton Joe was having none of it as he found himself behind the defense on a break in the 86th minute and settled the ball in the left corner after Pratico had saved a similar break by Joe in the 84th.

Ben Castor of the Phoenix registered a consolation goal in the 88th minute to ruin the Christos shutout.

After the game, Joe echoed Saunders on the strategy of bringing Joe off the bench: “The message from the coach coming off the bench was to come on the pitch and take over – or at least to close the game out.” Joe was confident about the prospects for Christos in 2018, having marched to the 4th round in the 2017 tourney before dropping a heartbreaking decision to DC United by a deceiving 4-1 scoreline. “We’re trying to come this year very strong. We’re definitely going to go farther than we went last year. That’s the plan.”

2018 US Open Cup qualifying: LA Wolves dominate Buena Park FC to reach third straight Open Cup

November 21, 2017 by Paul Blackman

The Los Angeles Wolves punched their ticket a third straight Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a dominant 4-0 victory over Buena Park FC at Championship Stadium, at Great Park in Irvine, Calif.

Though Buena Park put up a spirited effort toward the end of the game, the damage had been done. The Wolves’ possession game was uncontested by the Buena Park forwards early on. The Wolves’ center back pair of Carlos Figueroa and Mason Klerks was free to distribute the ball to the midfield where Buena Park were left wanting in their efforts to maintain possession. The Wolves fired on all cylinders from their wing backs Henry Escobar and Joel Ampofo to the speedy Sory Keita playing in defensive midfield position.

Far and away, the most dynamic player in attack was midfielder German Alfaro who reveled in the time and the space the Buena Park midfielders gave, keeping their distance from him, fearing a close contest would result in him playing the ball around them.

All four Wolves goals were scored in open play. Cesar Rivera started off with a pair of goals. He struck first in the 12th minute off of a Dimitry Zhuravlev assist and again in the 21st minute after an errant parry from Buena Park keeper David Padilla, giving the Wolves a 2-0 lead at halftime.

Players from the LA Wolves FC and Buena Park FC go up for a header in a 2018 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Tmesis FC

Alfaro came out fast in the second half, engineering a breakaway before receiving a sideways assist and beating the keeper. Zhuravlev scored their last in the 89th minute.

The Wolves’ shutout was nearly spoiled in the 82nd minute when Buena Park’s Nathan Darosa was fouled in the penalty area. A Grant Carlson penalty kick was turned away by Wolves goalkeeper Cesar Ortega who leaped to his right with arms outstretched. He parried the ball out of danger to maintain the clean sheet.

Throughout the match, Buena Park’s passing was disjointed, their forwards never quite fast enough to pursue a long ball option. Their attacking runs usually consisted of midfielder Darosa running into any space on the field which was covered effectively by the Wolves’ back four, preventing one-on-ones with Ortega.

Buena Park coach Arturo Gutierrez was not disappointed with his team’s performance, saying he was glad to have made it to the third round having beaten UPSL’s Santa Clarita Storm in the previous round.

For the Wolves, however, it was another day at the office. The organization can rightly be proud that they consistently perform well, and the players have nothing but time to hone their game and make another positive impression when the First Round of the Cup resumes next spring. The Wolves have reached the Third Round in each of the last two years and will hope to take the next step.

2018 US Open Cup Qualifying – Win & You’re In
Buena Park FC 0:4 LA Wolves

Scoring Summary
Cesar Rivera – 12th min.
Cesar Rivera – 21st min.
German Alfaro – Early 2nd half
Dimitry Zhuravlev – 89th min.

Shots
BPFC 6:9 LA

Booking Summary
BPFC: Valdemar Vera 67th min.
BPFC: Scott Locken 75th min.
BPFC: Jesse Funes 77th min.

Referee: Osvaldo Delgado
Assistant Referees: Alex Luttman, Maria Magana.
Fourth Official: David Ramirez

2018 US Open Cup qualifying: FC Kendall overcomes lengthy travel, bad storm to earn first USOC berth

November 20, 2017 by Josh Hakala

FC Kendall poses for a team photo after a 4-2 win over Nashville United in the 2018 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: FC Kendall

On Saturday, Nov. 18, FC Kendall’s flight left Miami at 6:30 a.m. and arrived in Nashville about four hours later. With only a few hours of sleep, the team anxiously waited and prepared for their “Win & You’re In” match in the 2018 US Open Cup qualifying tournament against Nashville United.

FC Kendall owner Mauro Grignola called it the “most important game in the history of the club thus far.”

After their lengthy trip to Nashville, which was a risky one considering they were flying out the morning of the gameday, they got settled and defeated the home team in a heavy rain storm, 4-2 to qualify for the US Open Cup for the first time.

The clouds were already thick when FC Kendall arrived in Music City before lunchtime. The winds picked up throughout the afternoon ahead of the 7 p.m. kickoff at Richard Siegel Soccer Park in nearby Murfeesboro, Tenn. With heavy rain in the forecast, the two teams agreed to move the match to the original venue, E.S. Rose Park in Nashville, (it was moved to Murfeesboro in the weeks leading up to the match) which featured an artificial turf field.

On the way to the field, players and coaches were receiving alerts on their phones informing them of a tornado warning. Fifteen minutes before kickoff, the rain stopped, but the gusty winds of more than 40 mph remained. The match commissioner and the referees decided that the game would begin on time.

After winning the coin flip, Nashville United decided to defend against the wind and they were more comfortable on their home field, creating a couple of chances which forced FC Kendall Ronald Garces into action in the opening five minutes.

FC Kendall, a team representing the American Premier Soccer League, started to build possession, and created a few wind-aided shots, but Nashville maintained control and no one was able to find a goal in the opening half-hour.

Shortly after the half-hour mark, FC Kendall took control of the match. It all started with an impressive combination play that found Daniel Gonzales on the right wing. Gonzales, a former captain at Florida International University, sent a low cross into the box where former Fort Lauderdale Strikers player Gonzalo de Mujica put the ball into the back of the net at close range.

Just a few minutes later, Gonzales was back at it again, as he made a run and was fouled just outside of the box. Former NASL player Martin Nunez, took the free kick and with a little help from the wind, he found the back of the net to make it 2-0.

And just a few minutes after the second goal, FC Kendall scored another. It was another similar combination play from the first goal. This time, it was Jona Andrade who was open on the right side of the penalty area. Andrade turned and beat the keeper with a low shot to the right of the netminder to give the visitors at three-goal lead.

Kendall did not take their foot off the gas pedal as they added one more goal before the halftime break. Santiago Schmid beat two defenders and fired a shot into the upper corner, to the left of the goalkeeper.

FC Kendall continued to put the pressure on but a couple of chances failed as they went into the halftime break with a 4-0 lead. On a windy and cold night, the visitors, used to the warm Florida weather raced into the locker room.

In the second half, Nashville came out firing and put pressure on Kendall. United received a pair of goals from Andrew Chamberlain (60th min.) and Joe Omondi (75th min.) but ultimately Kendall would hold on to win 4-2 to secure the club’s first-ever trip to the US Open Cup.

2018 US Open Cup qualifying: El Farolito crushes Cal Victory, qualifies without allowing a goal

November 20, 2017 by Thomas Hodul

The entrance sign at Matthew J. Boxer Soccer Stadium on Nov. 19, 2017. Boxer Stadium first opened back in 1953. Photo: Thomas Hodul

El Farolito stormed into the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with an 8-0 win over Cal Victory of the UPSL. The San Francisco Soccer Football League (SFSFL) champions and former Open Cup champions (1993) took care of business to qualify for the Open Cup proper rounds for the second consecutive season.

The match kicked off at 11:15 a.m. local time in San Francisco at historic Boxer Stadium. The early kickoff time seemed to have Cal Victory slightly asleep at the wheel.

El Farolito began the scoring inside of six minutes when Ederson De Silva dribbled the ball uncontested to the top of the box and curled his shot passed the helpless goalkeeper to start what became a long morning of scoring.

Gustavo Ruelas would add two more for El Farolito by the 12th minute of the match. The first goal came off of a beautiful cross from the right side off of the foot of Arnold Rivas, which Ruelas poked home, and a second from the left side off of the foot of Andres Rodriguez, which Ruelas headed home.

Carlos Montes, the hat trick hero for El Farolito in their opening round qualifying match, scored in the 30th minute to make the score 4-0 to the host side. Moments later, it got worse for Cal Victory when Jefferson Nunez made a dangerous tackle from behind and picked up his 2nd yellow, putting his team down to ten men.

MORE: California wildfires not stopping Cal Victory FC in quest for 2018 US Open Cup berth

El Farolito picked up a fifth goal just before the end of the first half to extend their lead to 5-0. Marco Lubel scored this time for El Farolito to send his team into the break with a commanding lead.

The scoring continued early in the second half for El Farolito as Carlos Montes scored in both the 48th and 55th minutes to once again pick up a hat trick in the US Open qualifying rounds. El Farolito added an eighth goal to put the final stamp on a decisive victory in the 65th minute, when Ederson De Silva picked up his second goal of the match.

“I’m really happy with the group. They have showed a lot of effort since the beginning of August since we had to get this roster together,” said El Farolito head coach Santiago Lopez. “They knew the goal was to qualify no matter how. I’m not surprised the way they did it with zero goals against in three games. It’s a great feeling to qualify and I’m really proud of the group.”

El Farolito did not allow a single goal during its qualifying run, outscoring all three opponents by a combined score of 16-0. They defeated Dynamos FC, 3-0 back on Sept. 23 and Academia FC, 5-0 on Oct. 22.

Following a long league season that saw his side earn the San Francisco League title once again, Lopez said, “I need a long break. It’s been since February we have been working. These guys deserve their long break and to rest up with their families. We will get back together end of January and start the planning for next year.”

El Farolito can now look ahead to the club’s second consecutive trip to the US Open Cup which is scheduled to begin in early May of 2018.

2018 US Open Cup qualifying: “Mentally strong” Santa Ana Winds beat San Pedro Monsters to earn first USOC berth

November 20, 2017 by Omar Avalos

Kyle O'Brien (orange) of Santa Ana Winds battles for the ball in a 2018 US Open Cup qualifier against the San Pedro Monsters. Photo: Santa Ana Winds — Kyle O’Brien (orange) of Santa Ana Winds battles for the ball in a 2018 US Open Cup qualifier against the San Pedro Monsters. Photo: Santa Ana Winds

Santa Ana Winds FC made club history by qualifying for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time, in their second attempt. The club defeated the San Pedro Monsters FC of the SoCal Premier League by a score of 4-1 at the Lake Forest Sports Park in Lake Forest, Calif.

Winds FC fell one game short of qualifying to the 2017 Open Cup, but much has changed from then until now. Most importantly, the club has found a consistency that has eluded them in the past. Continuity has been the key to their success as of late, in both UPSL play and Open Cup qualifying.

Winds FC got on the board in the 15th minute on a header by striker Kramer Runager. Two minutes later, he assisted striker Jordan Gorman on his first goal of the night. With Santa Ana up 2-0, the club got itself into trouble with disciplinary calls, first with an early yellow then with a red card in the 22nd minute. San Pedro took advantage of their man advantage to get one back on a header by Francisco Ramirez on a pass from Yoni Garcia in the 43rd minute.

With the momentum seemingly in San Pedro’s favor, Gorman came through again for Winds FC, this time in the 66th minute on a left-footed shot, assisted by midfielder and attack orchestrator Kyle O’Brien. Runager sealed the win for Santa Ana in the 84th minute with his second goal of the night on a fortuitous deflection in his favor caused by a Winds FC shot on goal, blocked by the San Pedro goalkeeper.

After the match, Winds head coach Jose Lopez attributed his club’s win to, “Doing the same things we’ve been working on in the last three to four months. We were mentally strong. We didn’t have to make any changes, and we were confident coming into this match.”

Santa Ana Winds FC returns to UPSL play, where they sit in fifth place behind regional powerhouses LA Wolves, OC Invicta, Orange County FC and La Máquina at the time of this writing with a record of 3W – 1L – 3T, while they await the draw for their First Round 2018 Open Cup opponent. Two of Winds FC’s three ties came against Invicta and La Máquina.

2018 US Open Cup qualifying: Daryl Kavanagh’s brace helps Lansdowne Bhoys qualify for second time

November 20, 2017 by Eugene O'Driscoll

Lansdowne Bhoys FC beat Junior Lone Stars U-23s to advance to qualify for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the second time in three years. The defending USASA Amateur Cup champions, playing in front of their home fans at Tibbetts Brooke Park in Yonkers, NY, won the game 3-1 to earn a spot in the 105th edition of the tournament next spring.

Irish forward Daryl Kavanagh, who spent time with numerous pro teams in his home country during his career, scored two of the three goals to lead Lansdowne to the win.

At the start, it was a very tense affair with both teams guilty of heavy touches and mishit passes. Lansdowne’s quality eventual shone through as the Bhoys started to grasp control of the game while Junior Lone Star looked dangerous on the counter. After a handful of chances for Lansdowne, Paco Navarro broke the deadlock after being slipped in from Lukas Zagres to give the Bhoys an early lead.

In the second half, the Bhoys tightened their grip on the game, coming close before a beautiful curling, left-footed Daryl Kavanagh effort gave them the second goal they were looking for.

Lansdowne Bhoys pose for a team photo before the club's 2018 US Open Cup qualifying match against Junior Lone Star U-23s. Photo: Lansdowne Bhoys FC — Lansdowne Bhoys pose for a team photo before the club’s 2018 US Open Cup qualifying match against Junior Lone Star U-23s. Photo: Larry Larkin | Lansdowne Bhoys FC

After that goal, it was generally one-way traffic and the Bhoys added a third as Kavanagh deftly flicked in an Andrew Sousa free kick. In the last ten minutes, Junior Lone Star had their best attacking spell of the game and were rewarded for their efforts as Momoh Dolley, a substitute, scored to ruin the shutout. For the Philadelphia-based Junior Lone Star, it would be the end to a rare qualifying run as the club’s senior team was eliminated in the opening round, while the Under-23s advanced all the way to the final round.

For the Bhoys, they qualify for the US Open Cup for the second time in club history. When they made their Open Cup debut in 2016, they made the most of it by defeating the Long Island Rough Riders (PDL) in the opening round before stunning the USL’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds on the road, 2-0. Their inaugural cup run would end with another road game, falling 2-0 at the Rochester Rhinos (USL).

Lansdowne manager Austin Friel was satisfied with the result and is looking ahead to the challenge that awaits his club when the US Open Cup begins next spring.

“I’m very happy to reach the first round,” Friel said with an eye toward the future and a reference to the past. “The next five months now is about preparing a squad to go as far as we can in the competition. We enjoyed our 2016 journey and want to go further this year.”

2018 US Open Cup qualifying: Azteca FC eliminates Harpo’s FC again to reach second straight USOC

November 20, 2017 by Jim Hart

It was a balmy 48 agrees Fahrenheit in Broomfield Colorado, a high-tech community just outside the Denver skyline where CenturyLink and its 55 story building dominates the skyline. A 3 pm kickoff almost certainly guaranteed a frigid ending to this exciting tie that will go down as a classic Colorado US Open Cup match.

Colorado is proving to be fertile ground for amateur clubs attempting to qualify for the US Open Cup, and today’s match was no exception, as this tie was filled with passion and more than a little physicality. This was a rematch of an exciting 2-1 match from a year ago that saw Azteca FC earn a first-ever trip to the US Open Cup and denied Harpo’s FC of Boulder, Colo. a third straight trip to the tournament. This year’s rematch went the same way with Azteca winning 4-3

As the match opened, it was clear that this big pitch was going to make for wide open play. Both sides used the flanks to enhance their attacks, with Azteca making especially good use of the right flank throughout the match. This would prove an issue for Harpo’s in the second half that could not be resolved.

Most of the first half was played with nervous tension filling the spaces. Neither side was able to set a marker in the ground until Harpo’s long time number 10, Kyle Luetkehans put one past the keeper to give Harpo’s the early lead in the 13th minute.

Things began to heat up at that point. Azteca were pressing their case on the attack and getting closer to a goal of their own when Harpo’s goalkeeper Zac Gibbens came out of his box and clipped Naoyas Aizawa of Azteca. This resulted in the awarding of a penalty kick to Azteca, which Erik Chavez put in the back of the net. This brought the score to 1-1

As the half was coming to a close there was a skirmish in front of the Harpo’s net. Azteca players had converged around the ball where Gibbens had just made a close save inside the six yard box. After the whistle blew Gibbens popped up off the deck with a lot of emotion. Several minutes of pushing and moving ensued, with the final result being red cards for both sides, unfortunately for Harpo’s one of those red cards went to Gibbens, leaving Harpo’s with the unenviable task of having to replace their starting goalkeeper.

The second half opened with each team down a man after the dual red cards. Harpo’s seemed to have left their game in the locker room, while Azteca came out ready to take the match by the scruff of the neck. Nine minutes into the second half Eric Hernandez fed Dehrian Ramirez for a goal that gave Azteca a 2-1 lead.

In what appeared to be Deja Vu all over again, Dehrian Ramirez recorded his brace in the 62nd minute on a play that looked eerily similar to the goal that was scored just minutes before. Azteca was rolling, Harpo’s looked like they had no answers at this point, In order to try to get some offense into the side, Harpo’s, team owner Johnny Freeston, who was sitting in for suspended coach Steve Lepper of Harpo’s, went to the bench to. swap out the center forwards, Stibe came on for Whittle in the 67th minute.

This strategy seemed to work as just three minutes later Dan Campbell pulled one back for Harpo’s, the scoreline now stood at 3-2, with Azteca hanging on to a one-goal advantage.

As the temperature dipped into the 30s and the light began to fade it seemed to give Azteca new life. They clung to their lead and kept the pressure on, looking for more goals. Suddenly in the 75th minute, Erik Chavez completed his brace and Dehrian Ramirez completed his hat-trick of assists on the day.

Azteca had an opportunity to park the bus, however, that is not their DNA. The primarily Mexican-American side is aggressive and loves to attack with the ball. They continued to keep the heat on and attempted to grab another goal.

Two minutes into extra time Harpo’s Leutkhens pulls one back for Harpo’s to make the match 4-3. Kyle has been a stalwart for the Boulder side for four seasons, and he was clearly the man of the match for Harpo’s on the day.

There were several candidates for man of the match from Azteca, but Dehrian Ramirez’s playmaking and his ability to be in the right place at the right time set him apart with three assists.

The qualifying tournament is over for the fall, as Azteca FC advances to the tournament proper for the second year in a row. They will look to improve on their one-and-done appearance in the 2017 competition. In their Open Cup debut, they lost a narrow 1-0 extra time decision, on the road, to the National Premier Soccer League’s FC Wichita.