Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2018 US Open Cup

2018 US Open Cup Round 3 review: USL dominates, but three Open Division sides break through to MLS round

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NTXTwo amateur teams, a pro team from the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) and eight United Soccer League (USL) teams joined North Carolina FC in the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Wednesday night.

Five matches featured USL v USL match-ups while USL newcomers Las Vegas Lights FC were the lone USL team to fall to an opponent from outside the league. Las Vegas was bounced from its first Open Cup by PDL team FC Golden State Force.

On-loan (and cup-tied) Atlanta United forward Gordon Wild helped the Charleston Battery avoid falling victim to the defending NPSL champions while pro NPSL side Miami United FC got revenge for last year’s loss in a 2-0 win over fellow pro NPSL team the Jacksonville Armada.

Only one game ended in penalties, the all-USL battle between San Antonio FC and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, which San Antonio ended up surviving to advance with a 5-3 shootout win.

Scroll down to get a brief recap of all 12 games (with links to match reports as they become available)

#USOC2018 coverage:
* 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup schedule, results
* 2018 US Open Cup statistical leaders

News
* USSF allows NY Cosmos B, Miami FC 2, Jacksonville Armada into 2018 US Open Cup
* El Farolito, 1993 US Open Cup champions, disqualified from 2018 tournament
* Why is it against the rules to change leagues during the US Open Cup?
* FC Cincinnati at Gettler Stadium: “Like Metallica playing a small venue”

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LIVE VIDEO (USSoccer.com)
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After Ocean City’s Uros Ilic cancelled out NCFC’s opener by Marios Lomis earlier in the game, the hosts then cranked up the Austin da Luz show. Besides assisting on the opener, the midfielder notched the game-winning goal, as well as another assist, as North Carolina pulled away for a comfortable victory over their PDL guests. NCFC will attempt to improve on their record of 5-7-1 (1-0 in PKs) against MLS clubs in the Fourth Round.
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LIVE VIDEO (USSoccer.com)
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Charleston Battery hosted NPSL side Elm City Express, and for most of the night the visitors hung in tough against their second division competition. However, in the waning minutes, forward Gordon Wild, on loan from Atlanta United, continued his goalscoring prowess for the Battery with a pretty run and finish in the box in the 84th minute, knocking out the defending NPSL champions Elm City Express. MLS teams need to be wary of Charleston, who has eliminated nine teams from the country’s top division (second-most of any lower division team) and of the team’s 23 games against MLS opposition, 15 of them have gone to extra time or beyond (7-12-4, 2-2 PKs).
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LIVE VIDEO (USSoccer.com)
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Louisville City has dominated the King’s Cup derby, losing only once to Saint Louis FC. They weren’t about to change history in this match, dominating possession and refusing to give SLFC much of a chance at goal. Defender Sean Totsch launched a rocket past Saint Louis goalie Tomas Gomez to ensure City the win. Gomez had a solid day otherwise, making eight saves, many of them single-handedly keeping his side in the game. LCFC hopes to finally notch a win against an MLS team in the Fourth Round, losing their only previous encounter to the Chicago Fire 1-0 in extra time in 2015.
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LIVE VIDEO (USSoccer.com)
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Jimmy McLaughlin scored before halftime and Lance Laing and Daniel Haber added two goals in the second half to lead FC Cincinnati back to the Fourth Round. McLaughlin opened the scoring in the 39th minute off an assist from Emery Welshman. The Riverhounds did pull a goal back late with a strike from Danny Chin assisted by Andrew Lubahn but were unable to make up any more ground in stoppage time.
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LIVE VIDEO (USSoccer.com)
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Luiz Fernando scored a brace inside 22 minutes, but the Richmond Kickers needed an 83rd minute game-winner from Heviel Cordovés to advance to the Fourth Round. After surrendering goals in the 13th and 22nd minute, Penn FC cut the lead in half on a corner kick when Jorge Rivera redirected a shot from Saalih Muhammad on goal in the 36th minute. Muhammad leveled the score in the 60th minute when he collected a long pass from Fabio De Sousa. Cordovés spoiled the comeback when he was left all alone in front of goal to score his fifth career Open Cup goal off a cross from Austin Yearwood.
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LIVE VIDEO (USSoccer.com)
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A Tomas Granito golazo in the 21st minute gave Miami United FC a lead they would never relinquish in a battle of two professional NPSL clubs. This game was also a rematch of a game won by the Armada (then in NASL) in last year’s competition. Nicolas Gorobsov doubled the lead in the 26th minute, and the Miami defense was able to keep the Armada off the scoreboard through the full 90 minutes, even with eight minutes of second half stoppage time added at the end of the match.
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LIVE VIDEO (USSoccer.com)
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Former New York Red Bulls and Bethlehem Steel FC forward Brandon Allen marked his arrival in Nashville with a goal 19 minutes in, thanks to an assist from Tucker Hume. London Woodberry added a goal 11 minutes later to put Nashville up 2-0 at the break. Napo Matsoso pulled a goal back for the PDL’s Mississippi Brilla, coming off an assist from Christian Kirchoff. However, this was as close as the game would get. Robin Shroot put the game to rest in the 90th minute with a goal assisted by Ropapa Mensah.
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LIVE VIDEO (USSoccer.com)
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Super sub Christian Okeke, the reigning TheCup.us Player of the Round, scored his third game-winner of this year’s tournament to lead NTX Rayados to the Fourth Round of the competition with a 3-2 win over FC Wichita. With the win, Rayados becomes the 15th open division team (13th amateur team) and just the 7th non-PDL / non-NPSL team to reach the Fourth Round.
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LIVE VIDEO (USSoccer.com)
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San Antonio FC advanced to the Fourth Round on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw with USL rival Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. San Antonio got on the board in the 8th minute on a Rafael Castillo penalty kick awarded for a handball in the box but the Switchbacks leveled the score when Tobenna Uzo powered home a Josh Suggs corner in the 26th minute. Scoreless the rest of the way, San Antonio converted all five of their penalties to win the shootout 5-3 and advance to the next round.
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LIVE VIDEO (USSoccer.com)
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USL newcomers Las Vegas Lights FC had their first US Open Cup campaign cut short by PDL club FC GoldenState Force, which won 2-1 on a 90th minute penalty kick from Allisson Faramilio. Faramilio put the Force up a goal from open play on a 75th minute strike assisted by Matthew Powell, but Joel Huiqui found an equalizer six minutes later off a corner kick from Christian Torres. The Force become just the 13th amateur team (15th open division team) in the Modern Era to reach the Fourth Round.
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LIVE VIDEO (USSoccer.com)
Ryan Flood put Sporting AZ FC, an amateur team from the United Premier Soccer League, in the lead in the 66th minute with a strike from distance but Fresno FC found an equalizer on a long distance blast of their own from Danny Barrera in the 75th minute. Needing overtime, Renato Bustamente scored the game-winner in the 99th minute off an assist from Juan Pablo Caffa. Sporting AZ made it interesting deep into overtime, but were unable to convert a couple of dangerous free kick chances.
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LIVE VIDEO (USSoccer.com)
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USL rivals Sacramento Republic FC and Reno 1860 FC played a tight game that was settled in the 69th minute with a stunning goal by Keven Alemen who helped the Republic advance to Round 4 for the fourth time in the last five years.

2018 US Open Cup Round 3: Faramillio’s late PK gives FC Golden State Force upset of Las Vegas Lights

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USOC VGS-GSF FINALLeaving it late, FC Golden State Force played the role of giant killer again as they took down USL expansion side Las Vegas Lights 2-1. Golden State found an extra gear late, and cherished the role of the underdog. They controlled most of the game, putting the pressure on Vegas throughout, even when a Lights equalizer would have sent most amateur teams scrambling to park the bus and hope for a slip-up in a penalty kicks.

With the win, FC Golden State Force becomes the first PDL team since the 2012 Michigan Bucks to upset back-to-back professional teams in the tournament. Furthermore, the Force also make history as the 13th amateur side (15th open division team) to reach the Fourth Round of the competition. They will earn a date with a team from Major League Soccer in the next round and will attempt to do something no open division team has ever done in the Modern Era: advance beyond the Fourth Round.

Unlike last match vs. Orange County SC, Golden State took the initiative and pinned Las Vegas into defensive third of the pitch. The Force could have taken the lead early on, as Lights keeper Ricardo Ferrino saved a curling effort shot by Amilcar Lopez-Ruiz. The home side then had another chance to score as Sami Vilalva hit a shot just wide of the post, and Christian Torres rattled a shot off the crossbar in the 32nd minute. While failing to find the net, they clamped down on Las Vegas in the defensive end, limiting their chances on goal.

The second half saw Las Vegas start to control the match. While they didn’t carve out any chances, they forced Golden State to clear the ball out of danger, but right back to the Lights. The visitors finally had a golden chance to go in front, as Marco Cesar hit a point-blank shot over the bar from six yards out. Later, Golden State finally had a chance on a counterattack, as Vialva caught the ball and put a left-footed shot just wide of the post. The Force finally broke the pressure and started sustaining an attack, and finally hit paydirt in the 76th minute. Allisson Faramillio continued his Open Cup magic, curling a shot past Ferrino to put the home side up 1-0.

The Lights continued their attack, however, earning a corner kick, and Joel Huiqui evened the match ten minutes from time. However, instead of bunkering in, Golden State continued their attack. A minute into stoppage time, the Force earned a penalty kick, and Faramillio was able to score the game-winner. This puts the Man of the Match at four goals in the Open Cup, tied for second place. He scored another brace against Orange County SC in the previous round.

Manager Robert Friedland was overjoyed as the result.  He spoke about the performance of his team, “We just have to stay focused and stay on our task and keep our eye on the prize…I’m proud of my team and they impress me more every day. Tonight was a massive result.” He was also excited about the likeliness of playing against an MLS team, stating, “It’s thrilling, to be in the fourth round, to do our job, and get the chance to be able to do that, we are the Cinderella story.” They will be facing another strong side in the next round, but the Force are excited by the task ahead.

2018 US Open Cup Round 3: Kevin Aleman’s stunning free kick lifts Sacramento Republic past Reno 1868 FC

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USOC SAC-RNO FINALUSL sides Sacramento Republic and Reno 1868 FC tangled in a Third Round match in Nevada, with the Republic coming out victorious. The away side held control for most of the match, but couldn’t break through until about twenty minutes from time. Keven Alemán’s free kick just outside the box hit the back of the net, sending Sacramento through to the Fourth Round, earning the right to play an MLS side.

The first half was wide open, with the Republic creating the few major chances that occurred in the half. They started in the 8th minute, when Hayden Partain was played in by Jaime Villarreal, but missed the cross. Again in the 28th minute, the visitors had another chance, but Alemán saw his effort tackled away at the last possible second. Their best chance of the first half came in the 32nd minute, when an awful Reno back pass played in Cameron Iwasa, but 1868 keeper Kyle Ihn expertly saved Iwasa’s effort.

“We had the better chances in the first half. We didn’t take them. Ian’s teams are tough and well organized,” said Sacramento Head Coach Simon Elliott, as the game went into the half scoreless. “It is always a battle whenever we play them.” Elliott elaborated, “I think when you are on the front foot, we need to take advantage and be more clinical. You let good teams stick around like Reno and they will punish you. They punished us last time, but this time we got away with it.”

The second half played out much like the first half, as Sacramento controlled possession and pushed for the break through goal. The goal eventually came from Man of the Match Keven Alemán. He expertly curled in a free kick from the top of the box, giving the Republic the 1-0 advantage. “He was motivated,” said Elliott about his star player on the night. “He’s been out for a little while with an injury, so he was motivated to play. He got a little frustrated at times in the first half, but what was really pleasing is that he kept going and kept going and got his reward with a really nice goal. So we are delighted for him.”

Following the goal, Reno finally started to build their way into the match, with most of their best chances coming late in the game as they searched for an equalizer. They had a chance in the 83rd minute from Danny Musovski, but the visitors expertly blocked the effort. This began a spell of heavy pressure for the final 10 minutes of the match. 1868 got close to an equalizer three times in stoppage time. First, Christian Thierjung fired over the bar, then Danny Musovski’s diving header hit the post, and finally Connor Johnson fired wide from range as the match ended 1-0 in favor of the Republic.

The win puts Sacramento Republic back in the Fourth Round for the fourth time in their five year existence. They will attempt to improve on their 1-2-1 (0-1 in PKs) record and repeat a win over MLS from last year, when they beat Real Salt Lake 4-1 in the same round.

2018 US Open Cup Round 3: San Antonio FC wins tense PK shootout with Colorado Springs Switchbacks

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Tempers boiled over between San Antonio FC and the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Photo: San Antonio FC
Tempers boiled over between San Antonio FC and the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Photo: San Antonio FC

San Antonio FC (USL) defeated league rival Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USL) in penalty kicks Wednesday night to advance to the Open Cup’s Fourth Round. This is the second time, and first since 2016, that SAFC will advance to the Fourth Round, and also marks San Antonio’s first penalty shootout victory ever. Colorado Springs failed to reach the Fourth Round for the second consecutive year, last reaching it in 2016.

The first half got off to a quick start when 16-year-old San Antonio FC Academy product Ethan Bryant earned a penalty in the 8th minute. Veteran midfielder Rafa Castillo then calmly dispatched the ball past Colorado Springs goalie Moise Pouaty, sending him the opposite direction. On Bryant, head coach Darren Powell said, “The boy’s 16 years old. He comes out tonight and plays 120 minutes in his first professional game and he didn’t look out of place at all.”

The visitors would equalize in the 26th minute off a Josh Suggs corner kick. Switchbacks forward Tobenna Uzo headed home the corner past Matt Cardone. San Antonio had a chance to take the lead going into halftime; some fancy footwork in the box created a searing shot from Maxi Rodriguez which forced Pouaty into a stretch to prevent the goal.

San Antonio's Mikey Lopez reacts after kicking the match-winning penalty kick as San Antonio FC defeated Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Photo: Darren Abate | USL
San Antonio’s Mikey Lopez reacts after kicking the match-winning penalty kick as San Antonio FC defeated Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Photo: Darren Abate | USL

The second half saw much of the same attacking sense by both sides but Colorado looked to get the game-winner as they pushed forward more frequently than San Antonio. The match got more physical halfway through after some hard fouls, and no calls, by both clubs. Colorado Springs nearly took the lead late off what would have been an own goal by Chris Christian – to the relief of the home fans, the ball just went over the bar in front of goal for a corner. Full time would ultimately come with both sides still in a deadlock.

Extra time was more of the same: Colorado Springs was the more aggressive team, testing the San Antonio defense, trying to wear them down. The visitors had many chances to take the lead, none better than a golden opportunity that went just wide left as Switchbacks forward Martin Maybin was 1v1 with Cardone. The extra period ended with a scrum near midfield as Saeed Robinson saw his second yellow after a hard tackle. The extra time whistle blew before San Antonio could take advantage of being a man up on the Switchbacks.

In the penalty shootout, San Antonio FC scored all five of their goals while Colorado Springs midfielder Uriel Macias sailed his shot, Colorado’s fourth, above the crossbar. Mikey Lopez scored his next shot which sent SAFC to the next round. SAFC defender and captain Stephen McCarthy was relieved to get a win in PK’s, “It’s so great. That’s it. It’s great.”

2018 US Open Cup Round 3: NTX Rayados edge FC Wichita with another game-winner from super sub Christian Okeke

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NTXIt couldn’t have happened any other way. NTX Rayados second half substitute Christian Okeke scored in the 86th minute and the Dallas-based amateur side advanced past FC Wichita 3-2 to earn their first-ever Fourth Round appearance in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

For the third time in as many rounds, Okeke came off the bench and made the difference. He scored the extra-time game winner in Round 1 against Fort Worth Vaqueros and then scored the (eventual) winner (in extra time) in Round 2 against United Soccer League (USL) side OKC Energy.

“It’s great,” a breathless Okeke said of his “super sub” role after the game “(As long as) we keep winning, I’m always happy.”

Asked if the team has ever considered starting Okeke, captain and club co-founder Tito Salas was pretty direct.

“No. Christian is Christian. He knows the plan. It’s been working – why change it?”

The goal was Okeke’s fourth of the 2018 tournament, which puts him in second place behind Miami United’s David Ochoa.

Rayados are joined in Round 3 by two other open division teams, Miami United, a pro team from the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) and FC Golden State Force an amateur team from the Premier Development League. In the Modern Era (1995-present) of the tournament, only seven open division teams from outside of the PDL and the NPSL have reached the Fourth Round. The draw for the Fourth Round will take place on Thursday, May 24 at 11 a.m. EST when the Rayados will find out which MLS team they will play in Round 4.

The first half unfolded slowly as both teams traded brief spells of possession, searching each other for weaknesses on the back line. NTX controlled the ball more, but failed to create anything dangerous. Then in the sixth minute, a square pass from the right side found no one – from either team – in the center of the field right outside the box. Ramos swooped in from his holding midfield position and fired off a shot that took a deflection off a Wichita defender. The ball went just beyond the fingertips of Wichita goalkeeper Mark Weir. NTX slowly took more control of the game, holding possession and probing Wichita for weaknesses.

Then in the 24th minute, Sergio Lara chased down a long ball over the top that found its way into the box. He clashed with a Wichita defender in what appeared to be a fair challenge, but a penalty was awarded. Lucio Martinez, who scored a perfect free kick in NTX’s Round 1 win over Fort Worth Vaqueros, hit his penalty poorly and Weir was able to get down in time to parry it aside. It would’ve been a wasted opportunity for Rayados, but four minutes later it was Escalera’s turn to get on the end of a long ball over the top. Escalera and Weir came out to meet the ball at the same time on the edge of the box and Escalera needed only one touch to win the duel and poke the ball into the back of the net.

USOC FCW-NTX FINALWichita coach Blake Shumaker felt a change was needed and in the 37th minute, he swapped out left back Luis Vidal Pla in favor of Matthew Clare. The momentum slowly swung back towards Wichita, who created several chances toward the end of the first half, mostly through target forward Franck Tayou, but nothing got past Rayados goalkeeper Eduardo Cortes Sanchez. NTX carried the 2-0 lead into the break.

In contrast with what was a relatively clean first half, the second half got off to a rough start. Rayados forward Sergio Lara went down under a hard challenge and had to be helped up, but would eventually carry on. Then in the 57th minute, Salas picked up a yellow card for a rash challenge in the middle of the field. Three minutes later, Wichita winger Thomas Wells played Jose Landaverde, who scored the stoppage time winner for Wichita in Round 2, through in on goal. Sanchez came out to meet him, but Landaverde held on long enough to get the touch he needed to get the goal. NTX immediately brought on Okeke and Antonio Hernandez, but in the 65th minute Wichita earned a corner kick and midfielder Andres Ochoa rose high enough to get his head on it and push it past Sanchez. Suddenly the game was tied and momentum seemed to shift back to Wichita.

Wichita began to possess the ball more and Rayados looked visibly frustrated; as did their several hundred supporters. Lara and Jose Goncalves Toledo were both booked and it looked like the dream run might end for NTX. Then Okeke dribbled through multiple defenders, into the six-yard box, only to have his effort snuffed out for a corner. Momentum swung back to the home side and in the 86th minute, Victor Pinal picked up a poor clearance from the Wichita defense, carried it to the edge of the penalty area, and found Okeke inside the box, who clinically placed his shot into the upper 90 on the far post.

Tensions boiled over in the aftermath of the goal and a member of the Wichita technical staff was ejected from the bench, as was reserve Kieran Laking. NTX’s Sergio Lara was also sent off, setting up a tense final few minutes of the game. Wichita got one last chance in stoppage time, but Tayou couldn’t convert the chance and Rayados became the 15th open division side ever to reach the fourth round of the tournament.

“It’s a beautiful thing. It’s a beautiful feeling. It’s time to enjoy it now.”, Salas said after the game, surrounded by his family and close friends. Like several members of the team, Salas is married with kids and had to rearrange several family events and school events (he works as an assistant principal in the Dallas Independent School District) to get ready for the game, but for him it was worth the extra effort.

“That’s fine. They’re out here with us. It’s a family environment.”

Rayados will have to wait until Thursday’s draw to learn their fate for Round 4, but Okeke is already ready to go.

“I’m excited. With this group of guys, anything can happen. I think we’re all going into it thinking we can win.”

2018 US Open Cup Round 3: MLS-bound Nashville SC ousts Brilla to earn date with MLS team

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USOC MISS-NVL FINALComing off a huge upset of Indy Eleven in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, PDL’s Mississippi Brilla rolled into Nashville hoping to pick off another USL team. However, Nashville SC have yet to lose at home this year, and were looking to maintain the Cup momentum they earned last week when they defeated crosstown rivals Inter Nashville.

In the end, some order was restored to the universe as the professionals beat the amateurs, but just barely. Nashville held on to defeat a very dangerous Brilla side 3-1 in front of a crowd of 1,047 at the Vanderbilt University Soccer Complex.

Mississippi came here with a terrific win under their belt, and they looked very confident,” said Nashville SC head coach Gary Smith. “These games are extremely difficult. You’re favorites, I said it last week, a bit of a banana skin. Our attitude was good, we started off well, couldn’t have asked for much more in the first half other than to really have finished the game off.”

Complete midfield dominance by Nashville combined with defensive miscues by Brilla to offer up plenty of chances in the first half. Nashville’s first goal came in the 20th minute when Brandon Allen scored off an assist by Tucker Hume. Robin Shroot stole the ball just outside the penalty area and played the ball to Hume, who faked a shot and laid the ball off to Allen, who beat Jordan Bell with a left-footed shot just inside the post.

The Shroot/Hume combination has continued to bring success to NSC, with the former getting two assists and the latter getting both goals against Inter Nashville in the Second Round.

Brandon Allen was playing in his first game for Nashville SC, having signed just the day before from Bethlehem Steel, also of the USL.

Allen nearly got a second goal in the 24th minute after a hard foul in the 18-yard box led to a Nashville penalty kick. Allen made a decent effort on the PK, but Brilla’s Bell made a quality diving save to his right, denying Allen.

Just five minutes later another foul led to Nashville defender London Woodberry scoring his first goal of the season, a curling a free kick around the wall from 24 yards out, putting the ball just inside the right post to give the home team a 2-0 lead going into the half.

Brilla failed to register even one shot in the first half, and it seemed like the game was all but over – but after the halftime, the game turned upside down.

The PDL team from Mississippi came out and took over. They controlled possession, pressed hard, and within fifteen minutes had pulled back a goal and looked like they might be on the verge of another upset. Nashville’s CJ Cochran made several desperate saves and it looked like his team might weather the storm until Christian Kirchoff’s cross from the right wing found the head of Napo Matsoso and with 30 minutes remaining the game was 2-1.

Nashville were content to continue absorbing Brilla’s pressure, and it almost didn’t work out for them. Mississippi came agonizingly close on several occasions, and until Robin Shroot scored his first goal of the season in the 91st minute off the counterattack, overtime seemed like it might be in the cards. Nashville SC goes on to the Fourth Round, but Mississippi Brilla can hold their heads high, having had a great run.

The draw for the Fourth Round will be held May 24 for June 6 matchups that will feature the introduction of MLS teams to Cup competition.

2018 US Open Cup Round 3: Miami United sink Armada to become first NPSL team to reach Round 4

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USOC MUFC-JAX FINALThe Jacksonville Armada FC may have had home-field advantage, but that’s where their fortune ended Wednesday night in their quest to advance in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Taking on Miami United FC, the two National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) clubs fought for every possession, but it was Miami who came away with the only goals in the Third Round match.

Miami drew first blood in the 20th minute off a great ball that was fed to Tomas Granitto. The Miami midfielder took a shot from outside the box and banked it in off of the far post. It was one of the more impressive goals of the tournament and it gave United the momentum they needed.

Just six minutes later, Miami United earned a free kick just outside the box on the left wing. Nicolas Gorobsov stepped up to take the shot, curling it past the wall to the far post to double the advantage.

Though the scoreboard showed a 2-0 result for Miami, Jacksonville actually owned a distinct shot advantage, 20-4. However, just six of those shots were put on frame, and all were tidied up by Miami goalkeeper Oscar Peterson.

“We had a thousand chances to score a goal and we didn’t score,” said the clearly disgruntled Armada head coach, Mark Lowry. “We had five, six, seven, eight, nine chances to score and we didn’t. That’s what happened.”

With tonight’s win, Miami United becomes the first team in NPSL history to reach the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup. United are just the second open division pro team to reach Round 4, joining the 2016 Kitsap Pumas, back when they were a member of the Premier Development League.

They now await the results of tomorrow’s Fourth Round draw ahead of MLS’ entry into the competition. The draw is set to take place at 11 AM (ET).

2018 US Open Cup Round 3: Late goal gives Richmond Kickers 3-2 win over Penn FC

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Richmond Kickers celebrate with their fans during a Third Round match in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography
Richmond Kickers celebrate with their fans during a Third Round match in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography

The Richmond Kickers rode an offensive surge from Luiz Fernando and the late heroics of Heviel Cordovés on Wednesday night in a 3-2 victory against Penn FC in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Fernando and Jorge Rivera traded two goals apiece for Richmond and Penn respectively before Cordovés ultimately sealed the match for the Kickers with a late winner.

Though there were only two yellow cards administered, it proved to be a physical affair on both sides. Weathering the early pressure by Penn FC, Fernando latched onto the end of a long ball sent in by Conor Shanoksy and finished with a volley in the 13th minute to put the USL side up, 1-0.

Fernando would go on to double his joy and Richmond’s advantage in the 22nd minute. The forward collected a centering pass from Yudai Imura in the middle of the box before slotting it home for his second of the match.

Despite a raucous crowd enjoying an early two-goal lead, Rivera provided a lifeline for Penn FC heading into halftime after scoring his first of the match in the 36th minute. Following a corner given up by Richmond goalkeeper Trevor Spagenberg, Rivera linked up with Saalih Muhammad to pull one back for the visitors.

With a one-goal deficit coming out of the break, Penn FC picked up where they left off with an aggressive push forward. Penn finally managed to level the affair in the 60th minute after Fabio De Sousa unlocked the Richmond defense and sent Rivera on with only Spagenberg to beat. Rivera did well to dodge the on-rushing Richmond keeper before tapping in the equalizer.

“We were playing to avoid extra time there at the end,” commented Kickers coach Leigh Cowlishaw after the game. “We were excited to try and get that chance at a home game that’s so exciting for the city later in the tournament.”

With just seven minutes remaining in the match, Heviel Cordovés found the winner for the home side. Cordovés did well to float in to space behind the defense, and Austin Yearwood sent in a low cross that the forward finished, unmarked, with a left-footed volley.

Despite a few solid chances for Penn FC in the dying embers of the match, Richmond’s defense proved sturdy enough to weather the storm and earn advancement to the Fourth Round.
For the first time since 2015, the Kickers have won two matches in their Open Cup campaign. It was also the club’s 30th all-time US Open Cup which moves them into a tie for seventh on the all-time list. Richmond now awaits the announcement of their next opponent, which will be determined through a draw on Thursday morning at 11 a.m. EST.

2018 US Open Cup Round 3: FC Cincinnati beats Pittsburgh Riverhounds to earn another date with MLS team

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Players from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and FC Cincinnati battle for the ball in a Third Round match in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Delaney Hoolahan
Players from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and FC Cincinnati battle for the ball in a Third Round match in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Delaney Hoolahan

FC Cincinnati will have a chance at big game hunting once again, as their 3-1 victory against fellow USL side Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC saw them advance in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

This will make two consecutive years that Cincinnati has reached the Fourth Round.

Cincinnati will get another shot at a MLS upset thanks to the three goals scored against a host Pittsburgh team that had yet to concede at home in the 2018 USL season. Cincinnati punctured Pittsburgh’s typically stingy back line in the 39th minute as Jimmy McLaughlin ran onto a Emery Welshman one-touch through ball lobbed over the defense. McLaughlin controlled and slotted it past Hounds goalkeeper Dan Lynd at the far post.

The winning goal proved to a long, low-driving free-kick from Cincinnati left back Lance Laing in the 61st minute. Lynd couldn’t react fast enough to the speedy strike, which one-hopped into the net on his left-hand side. Cincinnati sealed the win two minutes later after a shot from Welshman took an unfortunate deflection off Pittsburgh defender Hugh Roberts and fell right into the path of Daniel Haber, who finished the gifted chance into an open net.

Cincinnati head coach Alan Koch’s squad showed a technical superiority over Pittsburgh, as intricate combination passes helped chip away at the defensive fortress the Hounds had built at Highmark Stadium in their earlier matches.

“I’m glad to see for the guys sake that the hard work they’ve put in training gets rewarded,” Koch said. “Something like that can look simplistic at times, but it’s not that easy. To play one- or two-touch and move the ball very quickly is not easy when you play a good team like Pittsburgh.” A near own-goal from Cincinnati debutant Sem de Wit early in the second half almost saw them lose control of the match. Hounds forward Christiano Francois delivered a dangerous cross that de Wit sliced onto his own crossbar. The rebound fell to Pittsburgh’s Neco Brett who sailed his attempt over the bar. Dennis Chin managed a consolation goal in the 88th minute. After Andrew Lubahn danced around a couple Cincinnati defenders, his low shot ricocheted off the post right to Chin to smash it home. Noah Franke could have provided for some frantic last moments as a clear chance fell to him in stoppage to cut the lead to one, but Franke hesitated and the full-time whistle blew soon after.

Now FC Cincinnati will await their fourth round draw already with proof they have what it takes to defeat a club from America’s premier competition. Last year, they marched past MLS’ Columbus Crew SC in the Fourth Round and proceeded to knock off the Chicago Fire on their way to a surprise cup run to the Semifinals.

“I think the run we went on last year gave our entire group a sense of belief,” Koch said. “You can see it amongst the players. We embrace every challenge. It’s doesn’t matter who were playing. If it’s an MLS team, we know they are going to be loaded with top quality players, but we’ll fight in every single game.”

2018 US Open Cup Round 3: Sean Totsch’s ‘special moment’ boosts Louisville City FC past Saint Louis FC

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USOC STL-LOU FINALWith the prize a likely opportunity to challenge a Major League Soccer side next in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, it took a major-league type of strike to seal a Louisville City FC 1-0 victory over Saint Louis FC in a Third Round match Wednesday.

Defender Sean Totsch scored an unassisted screamer of a goal in the 58th minute to tilt an otherwise deadlocked game in the host club’s favor.

“I’ve had a couple good goals in college like that — mostly training goals,” Totsch said. “But it was my special moment. It’s really hard to describe. I just kind of took my space, closed my eyes and hoped for the best.”

He got the shot off as a trio of Saint Louis FC defenders parted at just the right moment. Visiting goalkeeper Tomas Gomez never had a chance at stopping the only goal scored at the University of Louisville’s Lynn Stadium.

Most of the 2,008 fans in attendance went into a frenzy. A few, of course, were wearing Saint Louis FC’s green and navy blue colors.

Both USL clubs entered the league in 2015, playing their inaugural match against one other. But multiple changes in Saint Louis FC’s conference affiliation have impeded the rivalry. This year, Saint Louis is back to the West and LouCity still in the East, meaning this is the only competitive meeting they’ll have barring a postseason meeting.

Totsch’s highlight goal made it a memorable one.

“Relief” is what went through LouCity’s Oscar Jimenez’s mind when he saw the goal. Coach James O’Connor echoed that, saying he was “very pleased.”

“I’ve seen Totsch hit those in training,” Jimenez said. “I saw him stepping up and stepping up. In my head I’m like, ‘Shoot it. Shoot it. Shoot it.’ He shot it — and such a great goal.”

Added O’Connor: “I think it was fantastic technique.”

LouCity moved on to the Cup’s Fourth Round for just the second time as a result. In 2015, the boys in purple took the Chicago Fire to extra time before falling 1-0 on the road.

After suffering consecutive defeats in league play, the club has now rattled off three straight wins across all competitions. O’Connor’s side by no means overwhelmed Saint Louis FC, but the squad seemed to get the better of chances, out-shooting the visitors, 10-7.

It took Gomez’s diving 36th-minute save off a Jimenez free kick to keep things level in the first half. Saint Louis FC offered little in response to Totsch’s goal, aside from a loose ball scrum in the box off a corner in stoppage time. LouCity keeper Tim Dobrowoslki corralled back possession to secure the win.

“We always know it’s going to be very organized,” O’Connor said of Saint Louis FC’s defense, “and it’s going to be difficult to break them down.”

He credited a second game in a week on a “bigger field” at Lynn Stadium — LouCity plays its regular-season home games in a Triple-A baseball stadium — for room to operate offensively.

Additionally, the matchup brought back a pair of former LouCity stalwarts in defender Sean Reynolds and midfielder Kadeem Dacres. Both started for Saint Louis FC in their first seasons with the club, and were welcomed by applause. There are good vibes between the clubs despite their past rivalry, with O’Connor a close friend, too, of Saint Louis coach Anthony Pulis, a former Orlando City SC teammate during their own playing days.

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