2019 US Open Cup

2019 US Open Cup: USSF announces potential Round 2 pairings, hosting scenarios

April 17, 2019 by Josh Hakala

Nashville SC fans cheer on their team against Inter Nashville FC in a Second Round match in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Nashville SC

The teams in the First Round of the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup now know who they could play in Round 2.

The United States Soccer Federation announced the potential pairings for the Second Round of the 106th edition of the tournament that will take place the week of May 14-15. In Round 2, the 25 teams from the USL Championship (Division 2 pro) will join the competition.

The hosts for the First Round, and all future rounds, are determined by random selection. If both teams apply to host and both teams meet the federation’s minimum venue standards, then the home team is decided by random draw.

The winners from Round 2 will advance to the Third Round which is scheduled to be played during the last week of May. Major League Soccer teams will join the tournament in Round 4.

All games will be broadcast live on ESPN+ as part of the tournament’s new media rights agreement.

The dates and kickoff times for each game still have to be finalized. See the results of the draw listed below:

#USOC2019 NEWS
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2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 3 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round game-by-game review
Every US Open Cup game to stream on ESPN+ in multi-year media rights deal
Florida Soccer Soldiers qualify for first time after America SC withdraws
More pros, less amateurs, an extra sub in 2019 US Open Cup format
Chattanooga FC qualifies for 2019 US Open Cup, but opts out
Bavarian SC qualify for 2019 US Open Cup by winning Amateur Cup title

Northeast Region

Date	Game (home team listed first)	Time	Venue
TBD	Hartford Athletic (USLC) vs. New York Cosmos B (NPSL)/Black Rock FC (USLL2) winner	TBD	Al-Marzook Field (Univ. of Hartford); Hartford, Conn.
	FC Motown (NPSL) vs. Memphis 901 FC (USLC)		Ranger Stadium (Drew University); Madison, N.J.
	-or-
	Memphis 901 FC (USLC) vs. New York Red Bulls U23 (USLL2)		AutoZone Park; Memphis, Tenn.
	Erie Commodores FC (NPSL) vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USLC)		McConnell Family Stadium (Gannon Univ.); Erie, Pa.
	-or-
	Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USLC) vs. Dayton Dutch Lions (USLL2)		Highmark Stadium; Pittsburgh, Pa.
	FC Baltimore (NPSL) vs. Birmingham Legion FC (USLC)		Homewood Field (Johns Hopkins Univ.); Baltimore, Md.
	-or-
	Birmingham Legion FC (USLC) vs. West Chester Predators (Pa.)		BBVA Compass Field; Birmingham, Ala.
	Indy Eleven (USLC) vs. Lansing Ignite FC (USLL1)/AFC Ann Arbor (NPSL) winner		Sellick Bowl; Indianapolis, Ind.
	North Carolina FC (USLC) vs. Richmond Kickers (USLL1)/Virginia United (Va.) winner		Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, N.C.
	Louisville City FC (USLC) vs. Reading United AC (USLL2)/Philadelphia Lone Star FC (NPSL) winner		Lynn Stadium (Univ. of Louisville); Louisville, Ky.

Southeast Region

Date	Game (home team listed first)	Time	Venue
TBD	Greenville Triumph SC (USLL1) vs. Charleston Battery (USLC)	TBD	Legacy Early College Field; Greenville, S.C.
	-or-
	Charleston Battery (USLC) vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC (USLL1)		MUSC Health Stadium; Charleston, S.C.
	Tampa Bay Rowdies (USLC) vs. Lakeland Tropics (USLL2)/The Villages SC (USLL2) winner		Al Lang Stadium; St. Petersburg, Fla.
	Nashville SC (USLC) vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 (USLL2)/ Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USLL1) winner		Dean A. Hayes Track & Soccer Stadium (Middle Tennessee State Univ.); Murfreesboro, Tenn.
	Charlotte Independence (USLC) vs. Miami FC (NPSL)/Florida Soccer Soldiers (Fla.) winner		Mecklenburg County Sportsplex; Matthews, N.C.

Central Region

Date	Game (home team listed first)	Time	Venue
TBD	Des Moines Menace (USLL2) vs. Saint Louis FC (USLC)	TBD	Cownie Soccer Park; Des Moines, Iowa
	-or-
	Saint Louis FC (USLC) vs. Duluth FC (NPSL)		World Wide Technology Soccer Park; Fenton, Mo.
	OKC Energy FC (USLC) vs. Little Rock Rangers (NPSL)/NTX Rayados (Texas) winner		John Crain Field (Univ. of Oklahoma); Norman, Okla.
	Austin Bold FC (USLC) vs. Tulsa Roughnecks (USLC)		Bold Stadium; Del Valle, Texas
	San Antonio FC (USLC) vs. Laredo Heat SC (NPSL)/Brazos Valley Cavalry FC (USLL2) winner		Toyota Field; San Antonio, Texas
	El Paso Locomotive FC (USLC) vs. Bavarian SC (Wis.)/Forward Madison FC (USLL1) winner		Southwest University Ballpark; El Paso, Texas
	Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USLC) vs. Midland-Odessa Sockers FC (NPSL)/FC Denver (Colo.) winner		Weidner Field; Colorado Springs, Colo.
	Phoenix Rising FC (USLC) vs. New Mexico United (USLC)		Casino Arizona Field; Scottsdale, Ariz.

West Region

Date	Game (home team listed first)	Time	Venue
TBD	Academica SC (Calif.) vs. Frenso FC (USLC)	TBD	Academica Field; Turlock, Calif.
	-or-
	El Farolito (NPSL) vs. Frenso FC (USLC)		Boxer Stadium; San Francisco, Calif.
	Sacramento Republic FC (USLC) vs. Reno 1868 FC (USLC)		Papa Murphy’s Park; Sacramento, Calif.
	Las Vegas Lights FC (USLC) vs. Cal FC (Calif.)/FC Mulhouse Portland (NPSL) winner		Cashman Field; Las Vegas, Nev.
	Orange County SC (USLC) vs. Orange County FC (NPSL)/FC Golden State Force (USLL2) winner		Orange County Great Park – Championship Soccer Stadium; Irvine, Calif.

First Round – May 7 & 8

Northeast Region

Date	Game (home team listed first)	Time	Venue
May 7	Richmond Kickers (USLL1) vs. Virginia United (Va.)	7 p.m. ET	City Stadium; Richmond, Va.
May 7^	New York Red Bulls U23 (USLL2) vs. FC Motown (NPSL)	7 p.m. ET	New York Red Bulls Training Facility; East Hanover, N.J.
May 7^	FC Baltimore (NPSL) vs. West Chester Predators (Pa.)	7:45 p.m. ET	Homewood Field (Johns Hopkins Univ.); Baltimore, Md.
May 8	Erie Commodores FC (NPSL) vs. Dayton Dutch Lions (USLL2)	7 p.m. ET	McConnell Family Stadium (Gannon Univ.); Erie, Pa.
May 8	Lansing Ignite FC (USLL1) vs. AFC Ann Arbor (NPSL)	7 p.m. ET	Cooley Law School Stadium; Lansing, Mich.
May 8	Reading United AC (USLL2) vs. Philadelphia Lone Star FC (NPSL)	7 p.m. ET	Alvernia University Stadium; Reading, Pa.
May 8*	New York Cosmos B (NPSL) vs. Black Rock FC (USLL2)	7:30 p.m. ET	Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium (Columbia Univ.); New York, N.Y.

* Date changed 4/11

^ Time changed 4/16

Southeast Region

Date	Game (home team listed first)	Time	Venue
May 7	Lakeland Tropics (USLL2) vs. The Villages SC (USLL2)	7 p.m. ET	Lake Myrtle Sports Complex; Auburndale, Fla.
May 7	South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 (USLL2) vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USLL1)	8 p.m. ET	Erk Russell Park (Georgia Southern Univ.); Statesboro, Ga.
May 8	Greenville Triumph SC (USLL1) vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC (USLL1)	7 p.m. ET	Legacy Early College Field; Greenville, S.C.
May 8	Miami FC (NPSL) vs. Florida Soccer Soldiers (Fla.)	7 p.m. ET	Buccaneer Field (Barry Univ.); Miami Shores, Fla.

Central Region

Date	Game (home team listed first)	Time	Venue
May 7	Bavarian SC (Wis.) vs. Forward Madison FC (USLL1)	7:30 p.m. CT	Uihlein Soccer Park; Milwaukee, Wis.
May 7*	Laredo Heat SC (NPSL) vs. Brazos Valley Cavalry FC (USLL2)	8:15 p.m. CT	Texas A&M International Univ.; Laredo, Texas
May 8	Little Rock Rangers (NPSL) vs. NTX Rayados (Texas)	7 p.m. CT	Episcopal Collegiate School; Little Rock, Ark.
May 8	Des Moines Menace (USLL2) vs. Duluth FC (NPSL)	7:30 p.m. CT	Cownie Soccer Park; Des Moines, Iowa
May 8	Midland-Odessa Sockers FC (NPSL) vs. FC Denver (Colo.)	7:30 p.m. CT	Grande Communications Stadium; Midland, Texas

* Date changed 4/11

West Region

Date	Game (home team listed first)	Time	Venue
May 7	Academica SC (Calif.) vs. El Farolito (NPSL)	7:30 p.m. PT	Academica Field; Turlock, Calif.
May 7	Cal FC (Calif.) vs. FC Mulhouse Portland (NPSL)	7:30 p.m. PT	Calabasas High School; Calabasas, Calif.
May 7	Orange County FC (NPSL) vs. FC Golden State Force (USLL2)	7:30 p.m. PT	Orange County Great Park – Championship Soccer Stadium; Irvine, Calif.

Third Round – May 29*

Fourth Round – June 12*

Round of 16 – June 19* (also June 18-23 if home team chooses and visiting team has at least three non-game days on each side of chosen date, with any overlap of U.S. MNT Gold Cup games on June 18 and June 22 disallowed)

Quarterfinals – July 10*

Semifinals – August 7*

Final – August 27 or 28

* Any game from the Fourth Round through to the Semifinal Round where one of the participants has a league game the following Friday will be moved up a day (exception to this occurs when the team’s opponent is scheduled for a league game the preceding Sunday; in this case, the provisions in the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Handbook to determine the match date will prevail). In addition, any game chosen by U.S. Soccer to be broadcast nationally in any round is subject to being moved up a day. The Commissioner has the authority to set outside of the confirmed schedule the date for any match if such a change is in the best interests of the tournament.

2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Results

April 10, 2019 by Josh Hakala

Atlanta United FC celebrates their 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup championship. Photo: Allison Andrews — Atlanta United FC celebrates their 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup championship which is still the last cup played to completion. Photo: Allison Andrews

Click on the scores below for match reports
All Times Eastern

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2019 US Open Cup bracket (TheCup.us)

ROUND 1 [+] ROUND RECAP	AWAY TEAM	RESULT	HOME TEAM	VENUE
May 7	Virginia United (ANFEEU / Woodland Soccer Lg.)	2:6	Richmond Kickers (USL-1)	City Stadium – Richmond, VA
May 7	The Villages SC (USL-2)	1:1 (8:7 PK)	Lakeland Tropics (USL-2)	Lake Myrtle Beach Sports Complex – Auburndale, FL
May 7	FC Motown (NPSL)	4:4 (3:5 PK)	NY Red Bulls U-23s (USL-2)	MSU Soccer Park (Montclair State Univ.) – Montclair, NJ
May 7	West Chester United (USASA / USL of PA)	1:1 (5:4 PK)	FC Baltimore Christos (NPSL)	Homewood Field (Johns Hopkins Univ.) – Baltimore, MD
May 7	Chattanooga Red Wolves FC (USL-1)	0:3	South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 (USL-2)	Erk Russell Park (Georgia Southern Univ.) – Statesboro, GA
May 7	Forward Madison FC (USL-1)	2:0	Bavarian SC (USASA/UPSL)	Uihlein Soccer Park – Milwaukee, WI
May 7	Brazos Valley Cavalry FC (USL-2)	0:1	Laredo Heat SC (NPSL)	Texas A&M International Univ. – Laredo, TX
May 7	El Farolito (NPSL)	2:1	Academica SC (USCS/LIGA NorCal)	Academica Field – Turlock, CA
May 7	FC Mulhouse Portland (NPSL)	1:5	Cal FC (USASA/UPSL)	Orange County Great Park (Field 25) – Irvine, CA
May 7	FC Golden State Force (USL-2)	0:2	Orange County FC (NPSL)	Orange County Great Park (Champ. Stadium) – Irvine, CA
May 8	Dayton Dutch Lions (USL-2)	2:1	Erie Commodores FC (NPSL)	McConnell Family Stadium (Gannon Univ.) – Erie, PA
May 8	Philadelphia Lone Star FC (NPSL)	1:2	Reading United AC (USL-2)	Alvernia Univ. Stadium – Reading, PA
May 8	South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1)	0:1	Greenville Triumph SC (USL-1)	Legacy Early College Field – Greenville, SC
May 8	Florida Soccer Soldiers (USASA / UPSL)	2:1	Miami FC (NPSL)	Buccaneer Field (Barry Univ.) – Miami Shores, FL
May 8	Black Rock FC (USL-2)	1:2	New York Cosmos B (NPSL)	Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium (Columbia Univ.) – Manhattan, NY
May 8	NTX Rayados (USASA / North Texas Premier Soccer Assoc.)	2:2 (4:2 PK)	Little Rock Rangers (NPSL)	Episcopal Collegiate School – Little Rock, AR
May 8	Duluth FC (NPSL)	0:0 (1:3 PK)	Des Moines Menace (USL-2)	Des Moines Christian HS – Urbandale, IA
May 8	FC Denver (USSSA / Colorado Premier Lg.)	2:1	Midland-Odessa Sockers FC (NPSL)	Grande Communications Stadium – Midland, TX
May 8	AFC Ann Arbor (NPSL)	1:2	Lansing Ignite FC (USL-1)	Lansing Catholic HS – Lansing, MI

ROUND 2 [+] ROUND RECAP	AWAY TEAM	TIME	HOME TEAM	VENUE
May 14	Florida Soccer Soldiers (USASA / UPSL)	2:2 (5:4 PK)	Charlotte Independence (USL-C)	Mecklenburg County Sportsplex – Matthews, NC
May 14	Dayton Dutch Lions (USL-2)	0:3	Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL-C)	Highmark Stadium – Pittsburgh, PA
May 14	The Villages SC (USL-2)	1:4	Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL-C)	Al Lang Stadium – St. Petersburg, FL
May 14	New York Cosmos B (NPSL)	1:2	Hartford Athletic (USL-C)	Al Marzook Field (Univ. of Hartford) – Hartford, CT
May 14	South Georgia Tormenta 2 (USL-2)	2:3	Nashville SC (USL-C)	Dean A. Hayes Track & Soccer Stadium (Middle Tennessee State Univ.) – Murfreesboro, TN
May 14	NTX Rayados (USASA / North Texas Premier Soccer Assoc.)	1:3	Oklahoma City Energy FC (USL-C)	John Crain Field (Univ. of Oklahoma) – Norman, OK
May 14	Tulsa Roughnecks (USL-C)	0:2	Austin Bold FC (USL-C)	Bold Stadium – Del Valle, TX
May 14	Laredo Heat SC (NPSL)	0:2	San Antonio FC (USL-C)	Toyota Field – San Antonio, TX
May 14	Cal FC (USASA)	0:2	Las Vegas Lights FC (USL-C)	Cashman Field – Las Vegas, NV
May 15	Fresno FC (USL-C)	1:0	El Farolito (NPSL)	Boxer Stadium – San Francisco, CA
May 15	Lansing Ignite (USL-1)	0:1	Indy Eleven (USL-C)	Sellick Bowl (Butler Univ.) – Indianapolis, IN
May 15	Richmond Kickers (USL-1)	1:4	North Carolina FC (USL-C)	Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park – Cary, NC
May 15	Reading United AC (USL-2)	0:3	Louisville City FC (USL-C)	Lynn Stadium (Univ. of Louisville) – Louisville, KY
May 15	Charleston Battery (USL-C)	2:1	Greenville Triumph (USL-1)	Legacy Early College Field – Greenville, SC
May 15	New York Red Bulls U-23s (USL-2)	1:3	Memphis 901 FC (USL-C)	AutoZone Park – Memphis, TN
May 15	West Chester United SC (USASA)	1:4	Birmingham Legion (USL-C)	BBVA Compass Field – Birmingham, AL
May 15	Saint Louis FC (USL-C)	1:1 (3:1 PK)	Des Moines Menace (USL-2)	Cownie Soccer Park – Des Moines, IA
May 15	Forward Madison FC (USL-1)	3:0	El Paso Locomotive FC (USL-C)	Southwest University Ballpark – El Paso, TX
May 15	FC Denver (USSSA / Colorado Premier Lg.)	0:1	Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USL-C)	Weidner Field – Colorado Springs, CO
May 15	New Mexico United (USL-C)	2:2 (4:3 PK)	Phoenix Rising FC (USL-C)	Casino Arizona Field – Scottsdale, AZ
May 15	Reno 1868 FC (USL-C)	0:1	Sacramento Republic (USL-C)	Papa Murphy’s Park – Sacramento, CA
May 15	Orange County FC (NPSL)	2:2 (5:3 PK)	Orange County SC (USL-C)	Orange County Great Park (Championship Stadium) – Irvine, CA

ROUND 3 [+] ROUND RECAP	AWAY TEAM	SCORE	HOME TEAM	VENUE
May 28	Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL-C)	3:4	Oklahoma City Energy FC (USL-C)	John Crain Field (Univ. of Oklahoma) – Norman, OK
May 29	Florida Soccer Soldiers (USASA/UPSL)	0:1	North Carolina FC (USL-C)	Koka Booth (Field 2) at WakeMed Soccer Park – Cary, NC
May 29	Indy Eleven (USL-C)	0:1	Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-C)	Highmark Stadium – Pittsburgh, PA
May 29	Birmingham Legion (USL-C)	0:1	Louisville City FC (USL-C)	Lynn Stadium (Univ. of Louisville) – Louisville, KY
May 29	Forward Madison FC (USL-1)	1:3	Saint Louis FC (USL-C)	World Wide Technology Soccer Park – Fenton, MO
May 29	Hartford Athletic FC (USL-C)	0:4	Memphis 901 FC (USL-C)	Mike Rose Soccer Complex – Memphis, TN
May 29	Charleston Battery (USL-C)	1:1 (3:0 PK)	Nashville SC (USL-C)	Dean A. Hayes Track & Soccer Stadium (Middle Tennessee State Univ.) – Murfreesboro, TN
May 29	San Antonio FC (USL-C)	2:4	Austin Bold FC (USL-C)	Bold Stadium – Del Valle, TX
May 29	New Mexico United (USL-C)	2:1 (AET)	Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USL-C)	Weidner Field – Colorado Springs, CO
May 29	Fresno FC (USL-C)	0:1 (AET)	Sacramento Republic FC (USL-C)	Papa Murphy’s Park – Sacramento, CA
May 29	Orange County FC (NPSL)	5:3	Las Vegas Lights FC (USL-C)	Cashman Field – Las Vegas, NV

ROUND 4 [+] ROUND RECAP	AWAY TEAM	TIME	HOME TEAM	VENUE
June 11	Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL-C)	0:1	Columbus Crew SC (MLS)	MAPFRE Stadium – Columbus, OH
June 11	New England Revolution (MLS)	3:2 (AET)	New York Red Bulls (MLS)	Montclair State University Soccer Park – Montclair, NJ
June 11	Austin Bold FC (USL-C)	2:3	Houston Dynamo (MLS)	BBVA Compass Stadium – Houston, TX
June 11	Chicago Fire (MLS)	1:2	Saint Louis FC (USL-C)	Hunter Stadium (Lindenwood Univ.) – St. Charles, MO
June 11	Los Angeles FC (MLS)	3:0	Real Salt Lake (MLS)	Rio Tinto Stadium – Sandy, UT
June 11	Sacramento Republic FC (USL-C)	3:4	San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)	Avaya Stadium – San Jose, CA
June 12	Philadelphia Union (MLS)	1:2 (AET)	D.C. United (MLS)	Audi Field – Washington, D.C.
June 12	North Carolina FC (USL-C)	0:4	New York City FC (MLS)	Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.) – Jamaica, NY
June 12	Louisville City FC (USL-C)	1:2 (AET)	FC Cincinnati (MLS)	Nippert Stadium (Univ. of Cincinnati) – Cincinnati, OH
June 12	Sporting Kansas City (MLS)	1:4	Minnesota United FC (MLS)	Allianz Field – St. Paul, MN
June 12	Oklahoma City Energy FC (USL-C)	0:4	FC Dallas (MLS)	Westcott Field (Southern Methodist Univ.) – Dallas, TX
June 12	Orlando City SC (MLS)	3:1	Memphis 901 FC (USL-C)	Mike Rose Soccer Complex – Memphis, TN
June 12	New Mexico United (USL-C)	2:2 (4:2 PK)	Colorado Rapids (MLS)	Dick’s Sporting Goods Park – Commerce City, CO
June 12	Orange County FC (NPSL)	0:3	Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)	Dignity Health Sports Park Track Stadium – Carson, CA
June 12	Portland Timbers (MLS)	2:1	Seattle Sounders (MLS)	Cheney Stadium – Tacoma, WA
June 13	Charleston Battery (USL-C)	1:3 (AET) (Closed Door)	Atlanta United FC (MLS)	Fifth Third Bank Stadium (Kennesaw State Univ.) – Kennesaw, GA

** Any game from the Fourth Round through to the Semifinal Round where one of the participants has a league game the following Friday will be moved up a day (exception to this occurs when the team’s opponent is scheduled for a league game the preceding Sunday; in this case, the provisions in the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Handbook to determine the match date will prevail). In addition, any game chosen by U.S. Soccer to be broadcast nationally in any round is subject to being moved up a day. The Commissioner has the authority to set outside of the confirmed schedule the date for any match if such a change is in the best interests of the tournament.

ROUND 5 [+] ROUND RECAP	AWAY TEAM	SCORE	HOME TEAM	VENUE
June 18	Atlanta United FC (MLS)	3:2	Columbus Crew SC (MLS)	MAPFRE Stadium – Columbus, OH
June 18	Minnesota United FC (MLS)	3:2	Houston Dynamo (MLS)	BBVA Compass Stadium – Houston, TX
June 19	New York City FC (MLS)	2:1	D.C. United (MLS)	Audi Field – Washington, D.C.
June 19	New England Revolution (MLS)	1:2 (AET)	Orlando City SC (MLS)	Exploria Stadium – Orlando, FL
June 19	New Mexico United (USL-C)	2:1	FC Dallas (MLS)	Westcott Field (Southern Methodist Univ.) – Dallas, TX
June 19	FC Cincinnati (MLS)	0:1	Saint Louis FC (USL-C)	Worldwide Technology Soccer Park – Fenton, MO
June 19	Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)	0:4	Portland Timbers FC (MLS)	Providence Park – Portland, OR
June 20	San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)	1:3	Los Angeles FC (MLS)	Banc of California Stadium – Los Angeles, CA
* Also June 18-23 if home team chooses and visiting team has at least three non-game days on each side of chosen date, with any overlap of U.S. MNT Gold Cup games on June 18 and June 22 disallowed)

QUARTERFINALS [+] ROUND RECAP	AWAY TEAM	SCORE	HOME TEAM	VENUE
July 10	Saint Louis FC (USL-C)	0:2	Atlanta United FC (MLS)	Fifth Third Bank Stadium (Kennesaw State Univ.) – Kennesaw, GA
July 10	New York City FC (MLS)	1:1 (4:5 PK)	Orlando City SC (MLS)	Exploria Stadium – Orlando, FL
July 10	New Mexico United (USL-C)	1:6	Minnesota United FC (MLS)	Allianz Field – St. Paul, MN
July 10	Portland Timbers FC (MLS)	1:0	Los Angeles FC (MLS)	Banc of California Stadium – Los Angeles, CA
SEMIFINALS	AWAY TEAM	SCORE	HOME TEAM	VENUE
August 6	Atlanta United FC (MLS)	2:0	Orlando City SC (MLS)	Exploria Stadium – Orlando, FL
August 7	Portland Timbers FC (MLS)	1:2	Minnesota United FC (MLS)	Allianz Field – St. Paul, MN

FINAL	AWAY TEAM	SCORE	HOME TEAM	VENUE
August 27	Minnesota United FC (MLS)	1:2	Atlanta United FC (MLS)	Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, GA

2019 US Open Cup: USSF announces First Round draw, so what are the most intriguing matchups?

April 10, 2019 by Josh Hakala

The Houston Dynamo lift the trophy after winning the 2018 US Open Cup title. Photo: Houston Dynamo

The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) announced the results of the draw for the First Round of the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The opening round of the 106th edition of the tournament will feature 19 games that will take place May 7-8.

The games will feature 32 teams from the Open Division (mostly amateur teams outside of the top three professional divisions), and the six U.S.-based clubs from USL League One (Division 3).

The Round 1 winners will advance to Round 2 where 25 U.S.-based teams from the USL Championship (Division 2) will join the competition the following week. The potential Second Round opponents are scheduled to be announced on April 17.

This year’s US Open Cup features 84 entries in all, which is down from 97 the year before, and a Modern Era (1995-present) record 99 in 2017. It is the lowest number of entries since 80 teams entered in 2014.

The 2019 competition will see quite a few changes, including the return of a professional third division. For the last two years, there was no third division sanctioned league and now USL League One will begin play. Other new faces include Virginia United, an amateur team from the Woodbridge (Va.) Soccer League will be the first-ever entry from the recently-formed Asociacon Nacional Futbol en USA (ANFEEU).

Other highlights include 37 different states represented, which is a Modern Era record. Also, the first-ever entries from the states of Alabama (Birmingham Legion FC, an expansion team from the USL Championship) and Arkansas (Little Rock Rangers from the NPSL) will take part. The states of Georgia (3), Texas (9) and Tennessee (3) will also have a Modern Era record number of entries this year.

One of the biggest changes for this year’s tournament is the recently-announced media rights deal with ESPN+. According to the announcement, the partnership with the sports media giant will see every game of this year’s tournament (and for the next three tournaments) streamed live on the media giant’s direct-to-consumer sports streaming service that currently has more than two million subscribers.

The winner of the tournament will receive $300,000, an amount that was increased prior to the 2018 tournament, which was won by the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer. The runner-up will receive $100,000. The team that advances the furthest from each division (Division 2 pro, Division 3 pro, Open Division) will get $25,000, respectively.

In addition to the $300,000, the winner of the tournament will receive a berth in the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League.

Here are a few notable matchups from the opening round, followed by the full Round 1 schedule below:

NOTABLE ROUND 1 MATCHES

Richmond Kickers (USL-1) vs. Virginia United (ANFEEU/Woodbridge Soccer League)

The 1995 US Open Cup champion Richmond Kickers are one of the longest-running pro clubs and are the only USL League One team with Open Cup experience (they have the 8th-most wins of any team of the Modern Era). They will meet an amateur team in Virginia United that is making their US Open Cup debut, but are not exactly a new club. Founded in 2008, United are part of the Woodbridge (Va.) Soccer League and got into the Open Cup out of the Open Division Local qualifying tournament by eliminating four teams, including Open Cup power Christos FC.

New York Red Bulls U-23s (USL-2) vs. FC Motown (NPSL)

The 2018 National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) runners-up, FC Motown, will be on the road to start the Open Cup but they won’t have to leave the state of New Jersey as they take on the New York Red Bulls U-23s of USL League Two (USL-2) at the first team’s training facility in East Hanover, NJ. This will be a rematch of a first round match from 2018, where Motown advanced, 2-1, behind two Dilly Duka goals in the first half. The young reserve side will be entering its’ fifth tournament in 2019 and will be looking to reach the second round for the first time since 2014 – the same year the team won the NPSL championship (before moving to USL League Two). Motown will be taking part in its’ third straight US Open Cup, second under the FC Motown name. They recently absorbed the Clarkstown Eagles FC.

Greenville Triumph SC (USL-1) vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1)

The second ever match between USL-1 foes Greenville Triumph and South Georgia Tormenta FC will be in the First Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. While the South Carolina side will have home field advantage, Tormenta has the slight edge in terms of Cup experience, making it to the Second Round last year in its debut appearance. In the team’s previous meeting on Friday, March 29, South Georgia beat Greenville, 1-0, in the first-ever USL League One match. Greenville is led by Hall of Famer and D.C. United legend John Harkes who won the US Open Cup in 1996 and was a member of the Sheffield Wednesday team that finished runner-up to Arsenal in the 1993 FA Cup Final.

Bavarian SC (USASA/UPSL) vs. Forward Madison FC (USL-1)

Bavarian SC, the oldest club in the 2019 US Open Cup field (founded in 1929) is back in the US Open Cup for the first time since 2012. The Bavarians have been competing in the US Open Cup since the 1930s and reached the Semifinals in 1993 and 1994. The club finished as runner-up in 1994. The Milwaukee side got into the tournament by winning the 2018 USASA Amateur Cup title. Their reward is a tough First Round test as they will host USL League One expansion team Forward Madison (Wis.) FC. Madison has some Open Cup experience within its organization in managing director Peter Wilt, who spearheaded the creation of the club. Wilt has three US Open Cup championship rings during his time as the general manager of the Chicago Fire (1998, 2000, 2003). There has only been one all-Wisconsin US Open Cup battle in the tournament’s Modern Era and that took place in the Third Round in 2003 when Bavarian SC fell to the Milwaukee Wave United (A-League, Div. 2 pro). Wave United ended up falling to Peter Wilt’s Chicago Fire in the following round.

Academica SC (US Club Soccer / LIGA NorCal) vs. El Farolito (NPSL)

This Northern California matchup is the pair that has the most years of experience between the two clubs. Academica SC, a first-year entry from Turlock, Calif., was founded in 1972, while San Francisco’s El Farolito, who won the 1993 US Open Cup title under the name CD Mexico, began play in 1985. Academica defeated three straight Northern California teams in the qualifying tournament to get in, but needed a dramatic penalty kick shootout win over the International Portland Select to punch their ticket. El Farolito is back in the tournament for the first time since making their Modern Era debut in 2017. Last year, they qualified but were later disqualified for changing leagues in the middle of the qualifying tournament.

2019 US Open Cup First Round Schedule

Date	Game (home team listed first)	Time	Venue
May 7	FC Baltimore (NPSL) vs. West Chester Predators (Pa.)	7 p.m. ET	Homewood Field (Johns Hopkins Univ.); Baltimore, Md.
May 7	Richmond Kickers (USLL1) vs. Virginia United (Va.)	7 p.m. ET	City Stadium; Richmond, Va.
May 7	New York Cosmos B (NPSL) vs. Black Rock FC (USLL2)	7:30 p.m. ET	Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium (Columbia Univ.); New York, N.Y.
May 7	New York Red Bulls U23 (USLL2) vs. FC Motown (NPSL)	7:30 p.m. ET	New York Red Bulls Training Facility; East Hanover, N.J.
May 8	Erie Commodores FC (NPSL) vs. Dayton Dutch Lions (USLL2)	7 p.m. ET	McConnell Family Stadium (Gannon University); Erie, Pa.
May 8	Lansing Ignite FC (USLL1) vs. AFC Ann Arbor (NPSL)	7 p.m. ET	Cooley Law School Stadium; Lansing, Mich.
May 8	Reading United AC (USLL2) vs. Philadelphia Lone Star FC (NPSL)	7 p.m. ET	Alvernia University Stadium; Reading, Pa.

Southeast Region

Date	Game (home team listed first)	Time	Venue
May 7	Lakeland Tropics (USLL2) vs. The Villages SC (USLL2)	7 p.m. ET	Lake Myrtle Sports Complex; Auburndale, Fla.
May 7	South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 (USLL2) vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USLL1)	8 p.m. ET	Erk Russell Park (Georgia Southern Univ.); Statesboro, Ga.
May 8	Greenville Triumph SC (USLL1) vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC (USLL1)	7 p.m. ET	Legacy Early College Field; Greenville, S.C.
May 8	Miami FC (NPSL) vs. Florida Soccer Soldiers (Fla.)	7 p.m. ET	Buccaneer Field (Barry Univ.); Miami Shores, Fla.

Central Region

Date	Game (home team listed first)	Time	Venue
May 7	Bavarian SC (Wis.) vs. Forward Madison FC (USLL1)	7:30 p.m. CT	Uihlein Soccer Park; Milwaukee, Wis.
May 8	Little Rock Rangers (NPSL) vs. NTX Rayados (Texas)	7 p.m. CT	Episcopal Collegiate School; Little Rock, Ark.
May 8	Des Moines Menace (USLL2) vs. Duluth FC (NPSL)	7:30 p.m. CT	Cownie Soccer Park; Des Moines, Iowa
May 8	Midland-Odessa Sockers FC (NPSL) vs. FC Denver (Colo.)	7:30 p.m. CT	Grande Communications Stadium; Midland, Texas
May 8	Laredo Heat SC (NPSL) vs. Brazos Valley Cavalry FC (USLL2)	8:15 p.m. CT	Texas A&M International Univ.; Laredo, Texas

West Region

Date	Game (home team listed first)	Time	Venue
May 7	Academica SC (Calif.) vs. El Farolito (NPSL)	7:30 p.m. PT	Academica Field; Turlock, Calif.
May 7	Cal FC (Calif.) vs. FC Mulhouse Portland (NPSL)	7:30 p.m. PT	Calabasas High School; Calabasas, Calif.
May 7	Orange County FC (NPSL) vs. FC Golden State Force (USLL2)	7:30 p.m. PT	Orange County Great Park – Championship Soccer Stadium; Irvine, Calif.

Second Round – May 14 & 15*

Third Round – May 29*

Fourth Round – June 12*

Round of 16 – June 19*
(also June 18-23 if home team chooses and visiting team has at least three non-game days on each side of chosen date, with any overlap of U.S. MNT Gold Cup games on June 18 and June 22 disallowed)

Quarterfinals – July 10*

Semifinals – August 7*

Final – August 27 or 28

2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round game-by-game review

April 9, 2019 by Michael Battista

Players from NTX Rayados huddle up before the club's Fourth Round match against FC Maritsa in the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Mirco Daniel — Players from NTX Rayados huddle up before the club’s Fourth Round match against FC Maritsa in the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Mirco Daniel

What started with 94 teams has been whittled down to seven. The fourth and final round for the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup took place over the weekend of April 6-7 with six matches playing out.

The mix of winners includes three first time participants in the tournament as Virginia United FC, Florida Soccer Soldiers, and Academica SC will all be making their tournament debuts when the competition begins the first week of May. It came down to the wire for all the first timers that actually played a game since both VAU and ASC needed late-game heroics and penalty kicks to make the tournament.

While the new kids get adjusted, the slate of returning teams features years of tournament experience and history.

After going on hiatus in 2016, Cal FC makes its’ return to the Open Cup after cruising past Santa Ana Winds FC on the road, 4-1. The team is making its’ fourth trip to the tournament and is best known as the first Open Division Local club to beat a Major League Soccer team without needing penalty kicks when it advanced past the Portland Timbers, 1-0, back in 2012.

Both FC Denver and West Chester United are going to take part in their second US Open Cup after defeating Southwest FC and Safira FC respectively. For the Colorado side, their comeback win this round may go down as one of the club’s greatest accomplishments in its’ 10+ year history.

NTX Rayados’ win over St Louis’ FC Maritsa earned the team its’ eighth straight tournament berth, the most by an Open Division Local team in the Modern Era (Reading United AC of USL League Two holds the overall Open Division record with an active record of 11). Last year, the team reached the Open Cup’s Fourth Round after defeating NPSL sides Fort Worth Vaqueros FC, FC Wichita, and USL’s Oklahoma City Energy FC before falling to the eventual champion Houston Dynamo of MLS.

The draw for the First Round will take place on April 10, with the subsequent Second Round possible pairings coming out a week later on April 17. The first round of the Open Cup itself is scheduled to take place during the weekend of May 7-8. The 19 matches will be contested between eight local qualifiers, 14 NPSL teams, 10 USL League 2 teams, and six USL League 1 teams.

#USOC2019 NEWS
2019 US Open Cup qualifying schedule/results
2019 US Open Cup Round 1 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 2 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 3 game-by-game review
Every US Open Cup game to stream on ESPN+ in multi-year media rights deal
2019 US Open Cup qualifying: Florida Soccer Soldiers qualify for first time after America SC withdraws
More pros, less amateurs, an extra sub in 2019 US Open Cup format
Chattanooga FC qualifies for 2019 US Open Cup, but opts out
Bavarian SC qualify for 2019 US Open Cup by winning Amateur Cup title

NORTHEAST REGION

West Chester United Predators (USASA – United Soccer League of Pennsylvania – West Chester, PA)
3:0
Safira FC (USASA – UPSL – Sommerville, MA)

West Chester United are heading back to the US Open Cup for the first time since 2016 after denying Boston-area side Safira FC. A back-and-forth first half ended with WCU’s Chad Poarch scoring the winning goal for his team in stoppage time. Two more goals by Peter Nolan put the game out of reach for West Chester, who were playing their fourth straight road game of the competition. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

MID-ATLANTIC REGION

World Class Premier Elite FC (USASA – Maryland Major Soccer League – Boyds, MD)
2:2 (5:4 PK)
Virginia United FC (ANFUSA – Woodbridge Soccer League – Woodbridge, VA)

While another team from its’ state was the favorite to win their basketball tournament earlier this week, the underdog run for Virginia United FC is only just beginning as the team celebrates qualification into their first US Open Cup. Luis Aguilar’s two penalty kicks late in the second half and late in the second half of extra time, kept United alive and forced a penalty kick shootout. Goalkeeper Manuel Medrano became the hero for VAU when he made the critical block on WCP’s fifth attempt, leaving his team the chance to advance with the subsequent kick – which they did. United will not only make their US Open Cup debut in 2019, but they will be the first club from the recently formed Asociacon Nacional Futbol en USA (ANFEEU) to qualify for the competition. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

SOUTHEAST REGION

Florida Soccer Soldiers (USASA – United Premier Soccer League – Hialeah, FL)
W:L (forfeit)
ASC America SC (USASA – United Premier Soccer League – Jacksonville, FL)

The second entrant from the local qualifying punched their ticket to the U.S. Open Cup without taking the field. The Florida Soccer Soldiers advanced into the tournament proper because their Fourth Round opponent, America SC, left the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) due to financial reasons. This is the Soldiers’ first trip to the US Open Cup. [+] FULL STORY

CENTRAL REGION

FC Maritsa (USASA – United Premier Soccer League – St. Louis, MO)
0:5
NTX Rayados (USASA – North Texas Premier Soccer Association – Dallas, TX)

NTX Rayados is heading to its’ eighth straight US Open Cup tournament after making team history by reaching the Fourth Round of last year’s competition. The team’s win over FC Maritsa on the road ends a qualification run that included two games decided by penalty kicks including an 11-round thriller against Motagua of New Orleans in the third round. Sergio Lara’s two goals in the game helped extend the team’s Modern Era (1995-present) tournament qualifying record while Maritsa falls in its’ attempt to become the first Open Division Local team from Missouri to qualify since the KC Athletics in 2010. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

MOUNTAIN REGION

FC Denver (USSSA – Colorado Premier League – Aurora, CO)
4:3
Southwest FC (USASA – United Premier Soccer League – El Paso, TX)

After letting in three goals to Southwest FC in the first half, FC Denver came back to force overtime and win in what the team described as “the best match of (their) 13 year history.” The team will take part in its second US Open Cup after debuting last year and reaching the Second Round. Southwest’s three-goal lead was chipped at during the first half stoppage time before Denver scored twice later on to extend the game. Two minutes before the halfway point of extra time when Cesar Castillo’s low shot reached the back of the net to give his team the win in one of the most unexpected comebacks this qualifying cycle. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGION

Cal FC (USASA – United Premier Soccer League – Thousand Oaks, CA)
4:1
Santa Ana Winds FC (USASA – United Premier Soccer League – Lake Forest, CA)

In the battle between UPSL foes, Cal FC punched its’ ticket for the U.S. Open Cup with a win over Santa Ana Winds FC. Three second half goals, including a contender for best goal of the qualifying tournament by UC Riverside star Romario Lomeli, stunted the possible comeback from Santa Ana. The future NPSL Founders Cup member will be entering its fourth Open Cup tournament and first since 2015. The qualification also comes after the team recently returned from a two year hiatus last year, which caused some stir after the club’s First Qualifying Round opponent, San Nicolas FC, filed a complaint to USSF. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

WEST REGION

IPS/Marathon Taverna (USASA – Oregon Premier League – Portland, OR)
3:3 (1:3 PK)
Academica SC (US Club Soccer – LIGA NorCal – Turlock, CA)

120 minutes, 15 cards, and three goals in stoppage time all added up as an eight-manned Academica SC survived past the nine-player IPS/Marathon Taverna to qualify for its first ever Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Manuel Villegas’ goal, his third and probably most important during USOC qualifying, came late in stoppage time for ASC to forced overtime. Marathon’s Borce Atanasov gave the home team hope when he sunk a goal in the 98th minute to retake the lead, but another late stoppage time equalizer by Academica’s Gerardo Cazares forced penalty kicks where the visitors would clinch advancement. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

2019 US Open Cup Qualifying: Former pros, familiar faces put Cal FC back in tournament

April 8, 2019 by Omar Avalos

Romario lomeli from Cal FC celebrates a goal as part of a 4-1 win against Santa Ana Winds in the Fourth Round of the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Victor Friedman — Romario Lomeli from Cal FC celebrates a goal as part of a 4-1 win against Santa Ana Winds in the Fourth Round of the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Victor Friedman

Cal FC outclassed Santa Ana Winds FC by a score of 4-1 on Sunday at the Lake Forest Sports Park in Lake Forest, Calif. The “Win & You’re In” qualifier sent Cal FC back to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time since 2015, and Winds FC back to the drawing board.

Cal FC, a team best known for their 2012 upset of Major League Soccer’s Portland Timbers, was an all-around better squad, from the opening minute. They pressed defensively as a unit, had a surgical, vertical counterattack and held possession more effectively. The Thousand Oaks, Calif. side pressed high causing much confusion and, especially, imprecise vertical passes from the Winds FC back line to the midfield. Cal FC effectively shut down that circuit, and contained the Winds midfield. Santa Ana was forced to play lob after lob from their defensive line, at best hoping to connect with a forward.

A player from Cal FC takes a shot against Santa Ana Winds in the Fourth Round of the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Victor Friedman

“Really pleased to get a positive result against a very good team,” said Cal FC head coach Keith Costigan. “I thought we created a number of chances and scored some really good goals. We also defended well as a group and limited the Winds’ chances.”

Cal FC scored the opening goal in the 16th minute on a lob to the center striker German Alfaro who broke the Winds FC defense and blasted a shot from distance to put them ahead 1-0. Winds FC had the misfortune of burning two substitutes due to injury and accumulated only one corner kick and one shot, with two yellow cards, by the end of the first half.

Santa Ana started the second half more aggressively and brought on striker Jordan Gorman, creating the more dangerous chances and showing life to start the half, but Cal FC capitalized masterfully in the 48th minute on Winds FC’s aggressiveness. Very soon after the Santa Ana side was looking like the one near scoring, Alfaro received a pass from Richard Menjivar, a former USL veteran who was part of the 2012 Cal FC team. Menjivar found Alfaro and he launched a volley from about 30 yards out to beat the Winds goalkeeper to double the lead.

Winds FC made it a game in the 56th minute, on a brilliant chip shot by Gorman brought Santa Ana to within one. The Orange County team had its moments of good attacking play, but their defense appeared discombobulated 10 minutes later in what resulted in the best goal of the night.

That Cal FC goal began when the Winds defense failed to man mark on a Cal FC corner kick. A corner kick found its way all the way through to opposite corner where a Cal FC player tracked it down and crossed to the far post. No one was there to meet the ball so former UC Riverside star Romario Lomeli ran onto it and launched a right-footed blast from a tight angle that ended up in the upper corner inside the far post to make it 3-1 in the 66th minute.

Cal FC put the game away about a minute later as they took advantage of a disoriented Winds FC defense. They used precise passing to break down the backline and ultimately Danny Barrera, who was the 2012 TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament for Cal FC before moving on to play in the USL, created the goal. Barrera unselfishly played a ball across to former Chicago Fire midfielder Orr Barouch who tapped in the team’s fourth goal in the 70th minute.

Josh Hakala also contributed to this report

2019 US Open Cup Qualifying: Academica SC uses 3 stoppage time goals to stun IPS, qualify for first time in PKs

April 7, 2019 by Micaela Brewer

Players from IPS Marathon Taverna (red) and Academica SC battle for the ball in a Fourth Round match in the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Brittney Virgo

In the final round of the Open Division Local qualifying tournament, International Portland Select (IPS) Marathon Taverna (IPS) and Academica SC battled for a spot in the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. At Academica Fields in Turlock, Calif., both teams were seeking their first-ever trip to American soccer’s national championship. It was a physical battle between the two clubs with more than 15 cards handed out, and the match ultimately finished with teams playing 9 versus 8.

Fans from Academica SC set off smoke bombs during the club's Fourth Round match in the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Brittney Virgo — Fans from Academica SC set off smoke bombs during the club’s Fourth Round match in the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Brittney Virgo

Twice, the hometown Academica SC snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, scoring two late goals to send the match into extra time, and then scoring another equalizer deep into stoppage time of the second extra time period. In the end, after finishing extra time tied at 3-3, the match would be decided by a penalty kick shootout and the hosts did not disappoint, winning 3-1 to punch their ticket to the 106th edition of the US Open Cup.

Both teams came out with a fire and a drive to win. The first goal occurred in the 37th minute. A long ball was distributed by IPS goalkeeper Bernardo Palma Sosa, which got mis-headed by an Academica defender. Nathaniel Pogue ran in behind and went 1-on-1 with the goalie, and beat him to give the Portland, Ore.-based side a 1-0 lead.

IPS would add to their lead in the second half when Gerson Mejia scored in the 69th minute. Mejia took a quick touch and shot into the upper left side of the goal. Mejia then took off his shirt in celebration and added to the booking summary by earning a yellow card.

Academica SC made an amazing comeback in the final minutes of regulation. In the 91st minute, Brennan Canfield sunk the ball into the lower corner with an assist from Edwin Rodriguez. One minute later, the ball was bouncing in IPS’ box and Manuel Villegas pounced on it and volleyed it past Sosa to tie the game at 2-2 and force extra time.

In the first half of overtime, in the 98th minute, Borce Atanasov restored the lead for IPS for the visitors by putting one away on a pass from Alcides Thomas. A few minutes later, Thomas received a second yellow card and was sent off to leave IPS down a man.

Just before the end of the first half of extra time, Academica’s Adrian Plascencia was shown a second yellow, and Mejia from IPS received a straight red card. Another Academica player exited the game due to injury and was unable to be replaced because the home team had used all of their substitutions.

When the second half of extra time began, both teams were playing with nine players.

With stoppage time approaching, Academica’s chances of equalizing received a blow when Jose Barriga brought the home team down to eight players when he received a second yellow card.

With all of the injuries, cards and delays, roughly five minutes of time was added to the end of the second half of extra time and Academica took full advantage of the added time. ASC had a direct free kick a couple of yards outside of the 18-yard box. Gerardo Cazares sent the home crowd into a frenzy when he beat Sosa in the 124th minute to force a penalty kick shootout with the score tied 3-3.

The shootout began with IPS digging themselves a hole that they ultimately wouldn’t climb out of as Maxime Gorillot missed the target. After both teams traded goals, Jose Luis Rodriguez missed for Academica as Round 3 began tied at 1-1.

Alonso Lara stepped up for the home team by saving back-to-back attempts by Brannon Romac and Joaquim Capuia of IPS. Ramiro Ceja and finally Jorge Carmoa scored to win the shootout 3-1 and send Academica SC to the US Open Cup for the first time in club history.

Academica head coach Sergio Sousa was proud of how his team fought through the adversity.

“There was a time where the guys were thinking that their bodies were failing them, but everyone just kept digging for each other. We look forward to representing the valley well .”

2019 US Open Cup Qualifying: FC Denver erases 3-0 deficit to beat Southwest FC in OT

April 7, 2019 by Phil Baki

FC Denver poses for a team photo after the club's 4-3 extra time win over Southwest FC in the final round of the 2019 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: FC Denver — FC Denver poses for a team photo after the club’s 4-3 extra time win over Southwest FC in the final round of the 2019 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: FC Denver

Comebacks in soccer are part of what makes this game so compelling and FC Denver accomplished one of the biggest in recent Lamar Hunt US Open Cup history against Southwest FC at Del Valle High School in El Paso, Texas to book a place in the 2019 edition of the tournament. Goals from a Peter Jacobson penalty, Lashaw Salta, Tyler Chauncey and Cesar Castillo saw FC Denver turn around a 3-0 deficit. Southwest FC had built that advantage with goals from Alexis Gomez, David Lopez, and a penalty from Joshua Morales.

“I still don’t have words for exactly what happened,” said FC Denver player/manager Drew Melin.

With the win, FC Denver punches their ticket to the US Open Cup for the second year in a row. Last year, in their tournament debut, they defeated fellow Colorado Premier League side Azteca FC before falling on the road to the USL’s Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

Players from FC Denver (green) and Southwest FC battle for the ball in a Fourth Round match in the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: James Clifton

The match began with the home team on top of proceedings and, although it took just shy of half an hour to come, the breakthrough felt like it would only ever arrive at one end of the field. After a SWFC chance was put behind by FCD, the ensuing corner was well-delivered by Isaiah Segoviano and met thunderously by Alexis Gomez and hit the back of the net.

They scored again two minutes later when captain David Lopez latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the box and in a peculiarity of the game, played a pass off of the referee. The inadvertent give-and-go put Lopez through on FCD’s goal and he finished low to the keeper’s right to quickly double SWFC’s lead.

Things went from bad to worse for FCD as one minute from the end of the half, Cesar Sosa was brought down in the area and the penalty kick was professionally dispatched by Joshua Morales to give the El Paso side a commanding 3-0 lead.

Just when things looked over and done for FCD, a glimmer of hope appeared.

FCD went to the other end of the field and in stoppage time at the end of the half earned a penalty of their own for a very similar foul to the one SWFC was awarded. Peter Jacobson took his penalty with aplomb and the sides headed into halftime with two goals of separation.

The second half began much like the first, with both teams taking time to settle into the pace of the new arrangement.

“We changed formation to go a bit more narrow and tighter, and it stopped them from playing the way they wanted,” said Melin.

This change worked for FCD extremely well and eventually paid dividends in front of goal. Lashaw Salta had struggled to find joy coming in from the right but with 20 minutes to play he got his first real opportunity and took it, finishing through a crowd low to the keeper’s left.

Eight minutes later, the comeback was completed.

Tyler Chauncey, having put in an industrious shift up to that point, scored the easiest of tap ins after a great run down the right by Alex Bernhardt.

Both teams spent the next ten minutes nearly winning the game in regulation, but the clock struck 90 and it would take a further thirty minutes to separate the clubs.

It was just two minutes before the halfway point of extra time when FCD’s took the lead with a fourth unanswered goal. Cesar Castillo got hold of the ball on the edge of the area and his turn and low finish were as clinical as they come. They had come all the way back and then taken the lead in what is one of the most stunning comebacks of the 2019 qualifying tournament.

Castillo has played a big role in Denver’s success in the tournament the last two years. He scored a hat trick in last year’s Open Cup win over Azteca FC, and was a finalist for TheCup.us Player of the Round. Last December, Castillo also had a goal and assist in a win over Gam United FC that helped FCD reach Saturday’s “Win & You’re In” match.

But the match did not end there.

Things got predictably chippy as tensions flared, and after a foul in the center of the field, a spat broke out that saw both Brian Roddy for FCD and David Lopez for SWFC sent off, leaving both teams to finish with 10 men. Southwest had their numbers reduced again around the 112th minute with another red card, but they still managed one more opportunity to tie the game. Their last roll of the dice came from substitute Joel Barboza who blazed over from 18 yards out with the final chance to equalize and FC Denver had done it. The Colorado club is headed back to the US Open Cup for the second straight season and made it seven straight qualifying round wins.

Melin added before heading off to celebrate the win, “The way we can come together, the core we have, the chemistry is unreal. We know what we have to do. We know the type of effort we can put in. There is no ceiling for this team”

2019 US Open Cup Qualifying: NTX Rayados cruises past FC Maritsa to extend qualification record

April 7, 2019 by John Lenard

NTX Rayados players celebrate during their Fourth Round match against FC Maritsa in the 2019 US Open Cup Open Division Local qualifying tournament. Photo: NTX Rayados

The NTX (North Texas) Rayados came into Saturday night’s game looking to qualify for a record-extending eighth Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, while their opponents, FC Maritsa were aiming to make some history of their own. Rayados already have a reputation as one of the toughest Open Division Local teams in the country, and last year had their best run in team history by reaching the Fourth Round. They did that by defeating the Fort Worth Vaqueros (USL League Two), OKC Energy FC (USL), and FC Wichita (NPSL) before falling to the eventual champion Houston Dynamo (MLS) on the road.

Maritsa, who traveled to Dallas from St. Louis, were unable to prevent Rayados from extending their Modern Era (1995-present) qualifying record as the home team came away with a 5-0 win.

Rayados’ Sergio Lara put in a masterful performance, scoring two goals and contributing to the play which resulted in the opening own-goal. The game reached its peak intensity early in the first half and never let up, with a total of six yellow cards handed out between the two sides with several tense and heated moments on the field.

“We’re reliving where we left off last year,” player/coach Tito Salas said following the win. It’s clear the Open Cup means a lot to Salas and his teammates. “That’s why we’re in, that’s why we’re still playing, you know, believe it or not.”

The game was moved to the turf field at Mercy Street Sports Complex in Dallas due to thunderstorms that soaked the original venue’s grass field. With more rain in the forecast, the Rayados played it safe and moved the game. In the end, the weather conditions ended up being ideal.

The opening goal was an own-goal as defensive disorganization on the part of Maritsa saw the ball deflected into the wrong net. Seven minutes later, Maritsa’s Richard Schmermund was issued a yellow card for a clumsy tackle, which seemed to set both teams off.

From there through the rest of the first half, Maritsa channeled their early frustrations into pressure against Rayados, and Rayados responded by getting physical. Salas received a yellow in the 37th minute, followed almost immediately by another yellow to goalkeeper Emmanuel Frias Ramirez.

The first half ended with Rayados leading 1-0 but with two players already on a yellow card. After the break, whatever speech Maritsa coach Stefan St. Louis gave worked, as Maritsa began the half with a meaningful sense of urgency, pushing hard against the Rayados defense.

After a Maritsa player picked up a yellow card in the 54th minute, tempers cooled down for a moment, which saw Maritsa let up the pressure just enough for Sergio Lara to bury the ball into the back of the net from just inside the box in the 67th.

Tempers immediately flared again, with another yellow card issued to Rayados’ Lucio Martinez in the 69th, who responded with a goal of his own to put Rayados up 3-0 in the 70th.

Maritsa’s side became increasingly visibly and audibly frustrated. When midfielder Vadim Cojocov looked for assistance but found none, he chirped “Anybody over there? Fine, I’ll do it myself,” before attempting to shake three Rayados defenders.

With tempers still high, Rayados’ Reyes Vargas received the sixth yellow of the night for a clearly unnecessary challenge against a Maritsa counter, and the resulting free kick came dangerously close to putting the visitors on the board. The build up from the ensuing goal kick led to a pass to Lara, who scored his second goal of the night which might have once again taken a deflection off an opposing defender.

Four minutes later, Rayados sealed the deal and clinched their eighth appearance in the Open Cup with their fifth of the night, a very cheeky goal scored by Mariano Fazio which was set up by several tight passes from a very, very short corner. Rayados had taken two previous corners that were deflected wide to repeat the set piece, and with long corners not working, they went as short as possible.

The spirit of the Open Cup is a major factor behind Rayados continuing to play year after year.

“To be honest, the Open Cup is the reason why we’re still competing,” Salas said. “I know there’s gonna be a time where it’s gonna come to an end, but as long as we’re still in it, we’re gonna enjoy it and try and maximize the experience.”

With an eighth straight US Open Cup appearance continue to add to their tournament resume. No other Open Division Local (Open Division teams not in USL League Two or the NPSL) team in the Modern Era has more than four consecutive appearances. Now the Rayados have doubled that.

2019 US Open Cup Qualifying: West Chester United returns to the Cup with 3-0 win at Safira FC

April 7, 2019 by Michael Preston

Players from West Chester United (right) and Safira FC battle for the ball during their Fourth Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup Open Division Local qualifying tournament. Photo: Chris Aduama

West Chester United won a fourth straight 2019 US Open Cup qualifying match away from home to qualify for the First Round of the competition with a 3-0 win over Boston-based Safira FC at Dilboy Stadium in Somerville, Mass.

Having stolen the lead during first half stoppage time through Chad Poarch, United put the contest away in the second half thanks to two Peter Nolan strikes, with all three goals coming from set pieces.

“It means the world to us,” said West Chester head coach Blaise Santangelo of his team qualifying for the second time in club history. “Four road wins and it’s been a lot of work for the guys. We’ve been focused to win and get into the tournament since we lost the automatic bid in the National Amateur Cup Final against Bavarian SC.”

A patchy first half failed to present many clear scoring chances, with Safira misfiring after West Chester had dictated the opening quarter of an hour. From one of five corners won before the break, Matthew Vidal delivered a left-footed in-swinger, but Thiago Teixeira failed to fully connect with his header at the near post and the ball was cleared, summing up the hosts’ frustrating half.

With 41 minutes played, Charles Wilson broke free on a promising West Chester counter attack, but with a teammate to either side, played a harmless ball through the middle and the outnumbered hosts were relieved to clear the danger.

The deadlock was broken by the only chance of the first half a minute into stoppage time. Troy Amspacher’s long throw into a crowded penalty area was flicked on by Enda O’Neill and Poarch fired home having broken free at the far post to give Unite the edge.

“I told the guys when we came out here that when we played this team in June , we missed an opportunity just before halftime, so when the ball went out of bounds, because the field is tight, we now have a throw in that’s like a corner kick,” explained Santangelo. “So, I told the defenders to go up and play it like a corner kick and we knew it was less than a minute to the half. Enda got a great head on the ball and Chad had a fantastic finish from about ten yards out.”

West Chester carried that momentum into the second half and nine minutes after the break, Matthew Greer produced a spectacular 25-yard effort on the turn that left Safira keeper Patrick Vilela rooted to the spot but flashed just wide of the right-hand post.

West Chester continued to press and it was no surprise when the visitors doubled their lead after 57 minutes. Greer’s vicious in-swinging corner was met with a power-header from close range by Nolan who was unmarked with the goal at his mercy. Two minutes later, the same combination almost paid off again, but this time Nolan was crowded out.

On the hour mark, with United pressing for a third goal, Greer delivered a free kick from 35 yards out and Nolan claimed the decisive touch with a defender’s body also making contact to beat Vilela from within a crowded goalmouth for a 3-0 advantage.

“We are really disappointed because we didn’t play a good game and while they didn’t control the game, we made mistakes and they caught us when we didn’t pay attention,” said Safira coach Andre Ferreira. “We made mistakes on all three goals and the goal in the first half really frustrated our players going into halftime.”

For Nolan, the two-goal performance was a bit of redemption. When these two clubs met in the Amateur Cup last summer, he was shown a red card in the 9th minute, leaving his team shorthanded.

West Chester now returns to the US Open Cup for the first time since they made their tournament debut in 2016. That year, they eliminated the NPSL’s FC Fredericksburg in penalty kicks before hosting the USL’s Harrisburg City Islanders where they fell 2-0.

Every US Open Cup game to stream on ESPN+ in multi-year media rights deal

April 5, 2019 by Josh Hakala

For the first time in the tournament’s 106-year history, American soccer fans will be able to watch every game of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

On Friday morning, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) announced an exclusive multi-year media rights deal with ESPN+ that will make every game of the tournament available on the company’s direct-to-consumer sports streaming service. In February, Disney announced that ESPN+ had surpassed 2 million subscribers, so this will give soccer’s national championship for the United States a much-needed boost in exposure.

According to the USSF, the agreement, which was negotiated by Soccer United Marketing, is a four year deal and will run through the 2022 US Open Cup.

“The U.S.Open Cup is America’s version of what is truly unique about soccer around the world –knockout format club tournaments that invite the ‘Davids’ and the ‘Goliaths’ from all levels of the sport to compete against one another to determine the nation’s top team,” Burke Magnus, Executive Vice President, Programming and Scheduling, ESPN said in the release. “This exciting property joins a robust collection of soccer’s best domestic cup competitions on ESPN+.”

This year, all 83 games of the 2019 tournament, from Round 1 (May 7-8) to the Final (date TBD), will air on ESPN+. However, it is unclear whether any of the games will find their way onto ESPN’s cable channels.

In recent years, there has been an increased effort by the federation to make more Open Cup games available via online streaming, through YouTube, and more recently on the streaming platform mycujoo. But the tournament has made very few appearances on major broadcast networks.

In the US Open Cup’s Modern Era (1995-present), the tournament has had very limited television exposure. Only 41 US Open Cup matches have been broadcast on a national or regional cable network; the vast majority of which were aired live. Of those 41 broadcasts, 23 aired the championship game and 11 featured Semifinal matches. In fact, between 2004 and 2018, there have only been four non-championship matches shown on television prior to the Final.

Last year, the only match that was broadcast live on national television was the 2018 US Open Cup Final between the Houston Dynamo and the Philadelphia Union, which was shown live on ESPN2 and the Univision Deportes Network.

In the tournament’s Modern Era fans interested in watching the tournament have had, for the most part, only two choices: to watch the games in person, or to watch online. Local fans could watch the games in person, which is not always easy because most Open Cup matches are played midweek, further discouraging travelling fans. Sometimes an online stream of the match has been available. While efforts have been made to get more games streaming online, the quality of those online streams have been inconsistent, especially in the early rounds when mostly amateur and lower division pro teams are responsible for organizing the live stream.

It is unclear, at this point, what costs, if any, will be incurred by the home team, or what role the home team will play in the production when it comes to these new streaming requirements.

ESPN+ is a subscription service that costs $4.99 per month (or $49.99 per year) and gives fans access to thousands of live sporting events, including league games from Major League Soccer, the USL Championship and other European soccer leagues and competitions.