2019 US Open Cup

Bring on MLS: USSF announces 2019 US Open Cup Round 4 draw, schedule

May 30, 2019 by Jake Sillick

Bring on MLS Game of Thrones Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design — Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design

The remaining 32 teams in the 106th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup learned their opponents for the Fourth Round.

The United States Soccer Federation announced the draw and schedule for the Fourth Round of the 106th edition of the tournament that will take place June 11-12. In Round 4, 11 winners of Round 3 will join the 21 Major League Soccer teams in 16 matches. All winners from the 3rd round were paired against a MLS team, leaving 5 matches for the 10 remaining MLS teams to pair up with. Teams were grouped into 8 regional groups of 4 teams. By rule, five groups contained 3 MLS teams and three groups contained 2 MLS teams. Teams were then randomly matched up from within their regional group.

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 4 will advance to the Round of 16 which is scheduled to be played June 19.

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

#USOC2019 ESSENTIALS
2019 US Open Cup Schedule/Results (with links to every match report)
Things you should know about the Third Round of the US Open Cup (Modern Era)
Notable upsets in the Third Round of the US Open Cup (Modern Era)

2019 US Open Cup statistical leaders
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

NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference currently ineligible for 2020 US Open Cup
Every US Open Cup game to stream on ESPN+ in multi-year media rights deal

SUPPORT US OPEN CUP COVERAGE ON THECUP.US
Appreciate what we do? Help improve our coverage by joining TheCup.us Patreon team!
VISIT THECUP.US STORE

THECUP.US PLAYER OF THE ROUND
Round 1: Charles Boateng – Richmond Kickers
Round 2: Bryant Martin – Florida Soccer Soldiers

#USOC2019 QUALIFYING
2019 US Open Cup qualifying schedule/results
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
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

MEET THE UNDERDOGS SERIES
Milwaukee’s Bavarian Soccer Club, proudly amateur since 1929
West Chester United battle tested from long journey back to US Open Cup
NTX Rayados grooming “new generation” to keep qualifying streak going
Academica SC earns first US Open Cup berth after more than 40 years as a club
FC Denver using US Open Cup to build to “higher level”
First year Florida Soccer Soldiers winning with “respect, pride and commitment”

Date	Game (home team listed first)	Time	Venue
June 11	Columbus Crew SC (MLS) vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USLC)	7 p.m. ET	MAPFRE Stadium; Columbus, Ohio
June 11	New York Red Bulls (MLS) vs. New England Revolution (MLS)	7:30 p.m. ET	Montclair State University Soccer Park; Montclair, N.J.
June 11	Charleston Battery (USLC) vs. Atlanta United FC (MLS)	7:30 p.m. ET	MUSC Health Stadium; Charleston, S.C.
June 11	Houston Dynamo (MLS) vs. Austin Bold (USLC)	7 p.m. CT	BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, Texas
June 11	Saint Louis FC (USLC) vs. Chicago Fire (MLS)	7:30 p.m. CT	World Wide Technology Soccer Park; Fenton, Mo.
June 11	Real Salt Lake (MLS) vs. Los Angeles FC (MLS)	8 p.m. MT	Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
June 11	San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) vs. Sacramento Republic FC (USLC)	7:30 p.m. PT	Avaya Stadium; San Jose, Calif.
June 12	D.C. United (MLS) vs. Philadelphia Union (MLS)	7 p.m. ET	Audi Field; Washington, D.C.
June 12	New York City FC (MLS) vs. North Carolina FC (USLC)	7 p.m. ET	Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.); Jamaica, N.Y.
June 12	FC Cincinnati (MLS) vs. Louisville City FC (USLC)	7:30 p.m. ET	Nippert Stadium (Univ. of Cincinnati); Cincinnati, Ohio
June 12*	Minnesota United FC (MLS) vs. Sporting Kansas City (MLS)	7 p.m. CT	Allianz Field; St. Paul, Minn.
June 12	FC Dallas (MLS) vs. OKC Energy FC (USLC)	7 p.m. CT	Westcott Field (Southern Methodist Univ.); Dallas, Texas
June 12	Memphis 901 FC (USLC) vs. Orlando City SC (MLS)	7:30 p.m. CT	Mike Rose Soccer Complex; Memphis, Tenn.
June 12	Colorado Rapids (MLS) vs. New Mexico United (USLC)	7 p.m. MT	Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, Colo.
June 12	LA Galaxy (MLS) vs. Orange County FC (NPSL)	7:30 p.m. PT	Dignity Health Sports Park Track Stadium; Carson, Calif.
June 12	Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) vs. Portland Timbers (MLS)	7:30 p.m. PT	Cheney Stadium; Tacoma, Wash.

* Date changed 5/31

Round of 16 Draw – June 13

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 Round 3: Game-by-game review

May 30, 2019 by Jordan Beech

2019 US Open Cup Round 3 review — Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design

In recent years, the Third Round has been one of the most compelling rounds of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The reward for winning a Third Round game is a matchup with a Major League Soccer team. Or better yet, a home game against a MLS team.

The headline of Round 3 was the NPSL’s Orange County FC making history by traveling to Las Vegas and upsetting Eric Wynalda’s Lights FC. The win not only helped OCFC earn their first-ever date with a MLS team, but it also earned them $25,000 in prize money as the last remaining Open Division team in the 106th edition of the tournament.

Elsewhere, there was a seven-goal thriller in Norman, Okla., some late game-winning goals in Sacramento and Louisville, and the Charleston Battery advancing with a rare penalty kick shootout shutout.

Scroll down for links to other US Open Cup coverage, including a game-by-game summary of each Round 3 matchup.

2019 US Open Cup statistical leaders
2019 US Open Cup Round 1: Game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Game-by-game review

NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference currently ineligible for 2020 US Open Cup
Every US Open Cup game to stream on ESPN+ in multi-year media rights deal

SUPPORT US OPEN CUP COVERAGE ON THECUP.US
Appreciate what we do? Help improve our coverage by joining TheCup.us Patreon team!
VISIT THECUP.US STORE

THECUP.US PLAYER OF THE ROUND
Round 1: Charles Boateng – Richmond Kickers
Round 2: Bryant Martin – Florida Soccer Soldiers

Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL-C)
3:4
OKC Energy (USL-C)

The lightning that delayed the match for more than two hours wasn’t the only thing that was electric on Tuesday night as Oklahoma City Energy FC played host to the Tampa Bay Rowdies at John Crain Stadium in Norman, Okla. After taking an early lead in the 2nd minute thanks to Omar Gordon, the Energy found themselves trailing 2-1 off goals from Brandon Allen and Antoine Hoppenot inside the first 24 minutes. Alexy Bosetti leveled the affair in the 27th minute before assisting on Christian Eissele’s goal five minutes later, sending OKC up 3-2 heading into halftime. Brandon Allen quickly got the Rowdies back to level pegging to start the second half, but OKC had one final answer thanks to Deshorn Brown.

The win sends Energy FC to the Fourth Round for the fourth time in five years. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Florida Soccer Soldiers (USASA/UPSL)
0:1
North Carolina FC (USL-C)

Cup darlings Florida Soccer Soldiers held tough, but ultimately succumbed to North Carolina FC’s pressure as the hosts came away with a 1-0 victory on Wednesday night at WakeMed Soccer Park. DJ Taylor scored the lone goal of the match in the 47th minute off a pass from Steven Miller after both teams battled to a 0-0 draw in the opening 45 minutes. North Carolina advances to the Fourth Round by virtue of their win, where they’ll hope for better fortune against a soon-to-be-named MLS side than they’ve experienced in six of the last seven years. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Indy Eleven (USL-C)
0:1
Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-C)

Coming off the bench, Kenardo Forbes scored his fourth career US Open Cup goal to send the Pittsburgh Riverhounds through to the Fourth Round for just the fourth time in club history. The late winner came in the 85th minute of a low shot from distance. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Birmingham Legion (USL-C)
0:1
Louisville City (USL-C)

A penalty kick in the 90th minute proved the difference in a tightly-contested fight between the Birmingham Legion and Louisville City on Wednesday night. Brian Ownby was the one who drew the foul in the box, but it was Sean Totsch who hammered home the penalty to secure the win for the host side. The win marks Louisville’s safe passage to the Fourth Round for the second straight year, where they’ll meet up with an MLS opponent to be determined Thursday morning. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Forward Madison (USL-1)
1:3
Saint Louis FC (USL-C)

A pair of goals inside the first six minutes of action proved disastrous for Forward Madison as Saint Louis FC secured a 3-1 victory. Paris Gee drew first blood in the second minute of action before Guy Abend doubled the advantage four minutes later. Though Don Smart did pull one back for the USL League One side in the 38th minute, Saint Louis’ Russell Cicerone iced the match with the hosts’ third goal in the 72nd minute. With the win, Saint Louis advances to the Fourth Round for just the third time in club history. They’ll find out their opponent during the Fourth Round drawing tomorrow at 11 a.m. ET. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Hartford Athletic (USL-C)
0:4
Memphis 901 (USL-C)

Memphis ran rampant, picking up a clean sheet and putting four past 10-man Hartford Athletic to reach the Fourth Round. Marc Burch got Memphis on the board in just the sixth minute after converting from the spot. Jochen Graf then scored the next two goals in the 21st and 59th minutes, respectively. After Hartford’s Sam De Wit picked up a straight red in the 61st minute, Morgan Hackworth put the finishing touches on the victory with a final goal seven minutes from full time. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Charleston Battery (USL-C)
1-1 (3:0 PKs)
Nashville SC (USL-C)

The Charleston Battery needed penalty kicks to eliminate Nashville SC after a 1-1 draw and advance to the Fourth Round. Nicque Daley had the Battery in front in the 24th minute, but Kharlton Belmar staved off elimination for Nashville by restoring parity in the 72nd minute. After no player was able to break the deadlock through extra time, Charleston proved the more clinical side from the spot to secure their safe passage. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

San Antonio FC (USL-C)
2:4
Austin Bold (USL-C)

The Austin Bold gave their home fans plenty to cheer about as they emerged 4-2 victors on Wednesday night to become just the second Austin-based team to win a Third Round game in the US Open Cup. Kleber Giacommazi, Sonny Guadarrama and Andre Lima effectively decided the match with three first-half goals before San Antonio FC ruined the clean sheet with a goal through Walter Restrepo. Lima and Jack Barmby traded goals in the second half to give the match its final scoreline. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

New Mexico United (USL-C)
2:1 (AET)
Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL-C)

It required an additional 30 minutes, but New Mexico United advanced past the Colorado Springs Switchbacks, 2-1, after extra time. With the win, New Mexico United becomes the Land of Enchantment’s first squad to advance to the Fourth Round in the Modern Era. Battling to a deadlock in the first half, Colorado Springs’ Jordan Burt broke through with a 52nd-minute strike. However, Chris Wehan rescued United from defeat with a goal in the 87th minute to send the match to extra time. Rony Argueta changed the calculus of the match three minutes into the first extra time period, picking up a red card, which Kevaughn Frater almost immediately capitalized on with the match-winner two minutes later. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Orange County FC (USL-C)
5:3
Las Vegas Lights (USL-C)

In a game where advancement odds shifted more than a roulette wheel, Orange County FC scored twice in the dying moments of regulation to advance into the Fourth Round over the Las Vegas Lights. Blake Frischknecht’s incredible goal in the 89th minute gave his group the lead before Oscar Flores sealed it with a stoppage time goal off the bench. The team becomes the first National Premier Soccer League side to beat two professional teams in a single tournament since the league’s founding in 2003 while Vegas folds in the Third Round for the second straight year. Orange County also becomes the first NPSL club to claim the tournament’s Open Division prize money. This year, the amount is $25,000.

A quick start by Orange County including a goal by Cody Shelton six minutes in and a Lights own goal ten minutes later put the visitors up early. Eric Wynalda’s squad was able to cut the lead in half after Santiago Echavarria was brought down in the OCFC box allowing him to convert a pk but the amateur group entered the break up by two once again when Dakota Collins scored his second goal of the tournament. A comeback looked from Vegas looked as though the game was heading to extra time after Edwin Rivas and Junior Josue Sandoval both scored for their team, the latter’s tying goal coming in the 85th minute but were unable to hold the lead as regulation time ran out. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Fresno FC (USL-C)
0:1
Sacramento Republic (USL-C)

Sacramento Republic waited until the last minute to do it, but they defeated the visiting Fresno FC 1-0 to advance to the next round of the US Open Cup. It took 122 minutes, but Fresno finally cracked and forward Stefano Bonomo headed home the winner to seal Fresno’s demise, guaranteeing the Republic will be drawn into the Fourth Round of the Open Cup. It wasn’t easy, Fresno played their part from the very first moments of the match, key players used positive combination play to attack the channels all night, but Sacramento’s backline failed to relent to the pressure. The Republic probably should have won it in regular time though – the only bit of drama in the match was a 65th minute strike by Sam Werner, which rocketed off the crossbar and past the goal line. However, it bounced out so quickly that the goal was not awarded and play continued. It was probably justice then, for the Republic to avoid going to penalties and move on in the tournament. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

2019 US Open Cup Round 3: New Mexico United, aided by Switchbacks red card in OT, advance to Round 4

May 30, 2019 by Jason Smith

Players from the Colorado Springs Switchbacks (left) and New Mexico United battle for the ball in a Third Round matchup in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Isaiah J. Downing/Switchbacks FC

On a cold rainy night, New Mexico United defeated the Colorado Springs Switchbacks for the second time in a row, this time bringing their Four Corners Cup rival’s US Open Cup run to a bitter end, 2-1.

The USL Championship Western Conference rivals faced off for the second time in 10 days, with the expansion powerhouse from New Mexico winning the league game 3-1 at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs. United, who are currently in first place in the league in their inaugural season, continued their inaugural US Open Cup campaign by defeating the last place Switchbacks in Wednesday’s Third Round matchup.

With the win, United continues to add to their Open Cup resume as they only New Mexico-based club in the Modern Era to win a tournament game.

Colorado Springs held their own in the first half, largely pushing the New Mexico side to the brink and controlling the run of play. Both teams brought their regular starters to the match, with only New Mexico captain, and former Switchback captain, Josh Suggs taking the night off.

FT in the Wild West!?@NewMexicoUTD makes an impressive comeback to take the win over @SwitchbacksFC!

Final | 2-1 NM | #USOC2019

? Highlights ⤵ pic.twitter.com/5npzFDj9i4

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 30, 2019

After a scoreless first half, the Switchbacks opened the scoring early in the second half, when Jordan Burt found the lower-left hand corner to beat keeper Cody Mizzel for a goal. After taking the lead, the home-side Colorado Springs elected to play defense, often dropping nine players into the defensive third in an effort to keep the high-scoring New Mexico side from equalizing.

The plan nearly worked, with 16-year-old goalkeeper Abraham Rodriguez making several spectacular saves and the defense frustrating New Mexico. Finally, in the 87th minute, former Switchback Kevaughn Frater found Chris Wehan open in front of the goal to equalize the game at 1-1, sending the match into extra time.

Extra time opened immediately with a bit of controversy. In the 93rd minute, a New Mexico player appeared to be pulled down in the box, and a penalty kick was awarded. In the ensuing rush, referee Karen Abt and Switchback midfielder Rony Argueta collided. Abt, feeling that the contact unnecessary, immediately issued Argueta a red card. New Mexico United’s Kevaugn Frater calmly converted the penalty kick to give the visitors the lead, 2-1.

The 10-man Switchbacks never managed to overcome the turn of events, and largely spent the extra 30 minutes stuck in their defensive third as New Mexico controlled the ball. New Mexico ended the night victorious, much to the delight of the 20-30 traveling supporters.

The loss is the third straight year the Switchbacks have been eliminated in the Third Round, having lost to San Antonio in 2018 in PKs, and to the Oklahoma City Energy in 2017. With the exit out of the US Open Cup, the Switchbacks continue the USL Championship season looking to improve their last play position.

New Mexico United move on to the Fourth Round in their inaugural Open Cup run where they will travel to take on MLS side Colorado Rapids.

2019 US Open Cup Round 3: Sonny Guadarrama carries Austin Bold FC to dominant win over San Antonio FC

May 30, 2019 by Zach Smith

Sonny Guadarrama of Austin Bold FC was involved in three of the team's four goals (1 goals, 2 assists) in a 4-2 win over San Antonio FC. Photo: Austin Bold FC — Sonny Guadarrama of Austin Bold FC was involved in three of the team’s four goals (1 goals, 2 assists) in a 4-2 win over San Antonio FC. Photo: Austin Bold FC

Sonny Guadarrama lofted the ball into the box, where Klèber headed it up and smashed it off the volley past a diving San Antonio FC keeper to give Austin Bold FC an early lead on Wednesday night.

It was a stunning start to a dominant game for the Bold, which beat their Texas rivals 4-2 in the Third Round of the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and will travel to face off with the Houston Dynamo in the Round 4 next month.

“He did more of the work, mine was the easy part,” Guadarrama said.

San Antonio FC scored in the waning moments of both halves. Wálter Restrepo scored with a close-range shot in the 44th minute to cut the Austin lead to a pair of goals at the break, and Jack Barmby scored four minutes into extra time.

Guadarrama finished with one goal and two assists in the game, while forward Andre Lima finished with a brace and Klèber started things off with the game’s opening goal.

As the dust settles…?⚽

The battle for the Lone Star State is won by @AustinBoldFC over @SanAntonioFC 4-2!?

Final | 4-2 AUS | #USOC2019 pic.twitter.com/svefGCIV9i

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 30, 2019

“Sonny is becoming the Sonny from the past after two years off,” Bold head coach Marcelo Serrano said. “He’s playing for the community that he loves. That’s the reason we brought him back. Every game, he’s increasing his level and he’s getting the fitness back again. He’s a baller.”

After losing two straight games for the first time all season, Austin experimented with a 4-3-3 formation for the first time, with Guadarrama in the middle and Lima, Klèber and Isaac Promise up top.

It worked, as the Bold outshot San Antonio 26-16 — including a 9-6 advantage in shots on target — and had 52 percent of the possession.

“We’re disappointed with the outcome of the game,” San Antonio FC head coach Darren Powell said. “We were able to play some young players who earned valuable experience and now know what it’s like to play at this level. It was a very open game with plenty of chances both ways, but the bottom line is we need to regroup and prepare for our league game on Saturday.”

The Bold locker room is filled with former MLS players and players with Open Cup experience.

Defenders Amobi Okugo and Jermaine Taylor each spent a few seasons in the top professional league, and Okugo was a member of Sporting Kansas City when they won the Open Cup in 2015.

Diego Restrepo was the starting goalkeeper for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers that reached the Quarterfinals of the tournament in 2016, upsetting MLS teams D.C. United and Orlando City SC along the way. That year, Restrepo was voted TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament.

The Open Cup is something that Austin has made a high priority in its first-ever season.

“We knew what was at stake,” Guadarrama said. “When we started back in February, one of our bigger goals was to be on a bigger (stage) and we knew for that to happen we have to play against an MLS team.”

2019 US Open Cup Round 3: Brian Ownby returns to spark Louisville City to late win over Birmingham Legion

May 30, 2019 by Daniel Karell

Sean Totsch steps up to take the game-winning penalty kick in Louisville City's 1-0 win over Birmingham Legion in the Third Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Louisville City FC — Sean Totsch steps up to take the game-winning penalty kick in Louisville City’s 1-0 win over Birmingham Legion in the Third Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Louisville City FC

It was a stalemate for 60 minutes. Louisville City FC controlled the tempo and possession, but Birmingham Legion was content to sit back and try to steal a goal in transition.

Then, Brian Ownby entered the field.

The veteran attacker, playing as a central striker instead of his usual winger role, helped spark Louisville City’s offense and eventually earned his side a penalty kick in the 90th minute. Centerback Sean Totsch stepped up and calmly scored to give Louisville City a 1-0 win over Birmingham in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Wednesday at Lynn Stadium on the campus of the University of Louisville.

“We didn’t’ play the way we wanted to in the first half, but I loved the response coming out of halftime,” Louisville City head coach John Hackworth said following the match. “It was a tough halftime talk, a lot of honest, direct conversation in there. The guys accepted it and went out and played a much better second half.

“You saw when Paolo (DelPiccolo) and Ownby came in, first of all, just fantastic to have those guys back. It was always an objective to get them 30 minutes tonight, but to do it when it’s 0-0 and they come on and be really impactful and allow us to play so much better, that was really nice to see.”

Full Game Highlights | @loucityfc await the 4th round draw of #USOC2019 and an MLS opponent after a LATE penalty conversion put them past @bhmlegion 1-0 pic.twitter.com/2qjPLhp1ym

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 30, 2019

The appearance for Ownby was his first in nearly two months, after he suffered a knee injury following Birmingham’s 3-2 USL Championship league win on March 30 over Louisville City at Louisville Slugger Field. The match also marked a return for captain and central midfielder DelPiccolo for the first time since suffering an injury in mid-March.

In the first half, both team’s game plans seemed to be playing out, with Louisville City stringing passes through midfield and around the backline, probing for a weak spot in the Birmingham defense, while Birmingham looked to find forward Chandler Hoffman in space on the break. Hoffman spent a memorable season in Louisville in 2016, scoring 14 league goals on the way to making the Eastern Conference finals.

With a league game coming on Saturday, both teams made a handful of lineup changes, including having Louisville City midfielder Niall McCabe tested out at the head of the forward three, a decision that ultimately didn’t pay dividends.

However, despite Louisville City’s possession, it was unable to do much with it. Left back Shaun Francis may have had the home side’s best chance of the half when he jumped for a header in the box as he strayed way up the field, but it was re-directed out for a corner by his defender.

Birmingham meanwhile nearly scored a brilliant goal just seconds before halftime. Gael Mabiala, a former UAB Blazer who stayed in Birmingham after college, found himself wide open on the left side of the box. Mabiala took a touch to set himself and then curled an effort past the diving arms of Louisville City goalkeeper Chris Hubbard. Unfortunately for Mabiala, it dinked off the far post and dribbled across the face of goal before being cleared to safety. Six inches inside and it likely would have been a goal.

The game turned on its head with the introductions of DelPiccolo and Ownby.

Suddenly, Louisville City had a holding midfielder with a better range of passing, as he picked out George Davis IV and McCabe down the wings on multiple occasions. But it was Ownby who made life a mess for the Birmingham backline, always playing on the back shoulder of his defender and breaking the offside trap nearly a half-dozen times.

Finally, in the 90th minute, after goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel had made a couple of nice point-blank saves on Ownby, the Louisville City man found his opening. A beautifully chipped ball over the top led to a clear breakaway for Ownby. Ownby attempted to round Van Oekel but the goalkeeper tripped up Ownby, leading to a penalty kick and a yellow card for Van Oekel.

Totsch immediately grabbed the ball and after a couple of hesitation steps, calmly sent Van Oekel the wrong way.

“I knew it was going in,” Totsch said. “We talked before the game and they said that I was going to have it if there was going to be a pen (sic). We had some chances before, George (Davis IV) had one and Ownby had one leading up to it. It was the 89th minute there, and I said, ‘all right, this is my chance here.’ I had a goal last year, same round of the Open Cup to score and win, so I figured, why not do it again.”

With the win, Louisville City advances to the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup for the second straight season where they will play at MLS newcomer FC Cincinnati. Last year, Louisville City defeated the New England Revolution, 3-2, in a thrilling match in the fourth round. Instead of feeling excited about the prospect of facing another MLS opponent, Totsch said that the team had this as a goal at the start of the season.

“This is what we expect,” Totsch said after the game, before Thursday morning’s Fourth Round draw. “We want to come out and win and we expect to face an MLS team every year. We have the expectation in our own locker room that no matter what it is, we’re going to come out and we’re going to win and we’re going to face an MLS team when we come to that, and it’s going to be a good game and we’re going to give them everything.”

2019 US Open Cup Round 3: Paul Caligiuri’s Orange County FC “shock the world” in 5-goal-flush upset of Las Vegas Lights

May 30, 2019 by Michael Battista

Orange County FC celebrate in the locker room after the club's 5-3 upset win over Las Vegas Lights FC in the Third Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Orange County FC — Orange County FC celebrate in the locker room after the club’s 5-3 upset win over Las Vegas Lights FC in the Third Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Orange County FC

With the game tied 3-3 heading into the 89th minute and after seeing his team give up a two-goal lead while holding a man advantage, Blake Frischknecht put himself in the front of the net as Cody Shelton’s cross came from the right side. The ball bounced as it approached him while one of his teammates fell to the ground directly in front of him. The Las Vegas native focused and lifted his right leg just enough to redirect the ball past a diving Angel Alvarez and earned his team their second lead of the night.

After one final insurance tap-in by Oscar Flores in stoppage time, the full-time whistle blew sending National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) side Orange County FC to the Fourth Round of the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup over the Las Vegas Lights of the USL Championship, 5-3.

The cherry on top is that Frischknecht had tried out for the Lights not long after the organization began fielding a team. Instead of sticking around to play under head coach Eric Wynalda he chose to return to NCAA Division I play at Utah Valley and pursue opportunities in the NPSL and USL League Two.

Including OCFC’s Second Round win over Orange County SC (no relation) two weeks ago, this is the first time any NPSL team has ever beaten two professional sides in a single Open Cup tournament and also the first time any team from the league has taken home the prize money for advancing the farthest from the Open Division. Wednesday night’s win, combined with the loss by North Carolina FC’s win over the Florida Soccer Soldiers, OCFC earned $25,000.

That ol’ Cup Magic. ??? #Cupset

Few gave @NPSLSoccer amateurs @ocfcsoccer a chance against @USLChampionship pros @lvlightsfc, but that didn’t stop the part-timers as they roared to a 5-3 win & a date with an @MLS team in the Fourth Round.

? Highlights | #USOC2019 pic.twitter.com/ttVEGfrRUy

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 30, 2019

These two goals came after a two-goal second half comeback from the Lights who were looking to advance into the Fourth Round for the first time in its two-year history. The team, which was also eliminated by an Open Division entrant last season when it fell to USL League Two side FC Golden State Force, scored the late game equalizer when Junior Sandoval stepped up and converted a free kick attempt. Preys dove to stop the kick as it rocketed from the right side but the bullet smashed into the far post with five minutes left before stoppage time.

Players from Orange County FC (left) and Las Vegas Lights battle for the ball in their Third Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Lucas Peltier | IG: lucaskpeltier

The game got started in the right direction for Orange County when they got on the board in the sixth minute. Shelton silenced a majority of the 2,378 in attendance when he converted Peter Gregory’s header into a goal for his second of the tournament. His header from the center of the penalty area found the top right corner before Alvarez could react.

For a team that played a very defensive strategy against its Orange County counterpart in the previous round, the team pushed up and played hard against Vegas. Multiple chances early on and pace moving across both ends of the field saw both teams stretching their legs and passes. One pass by the Light’s Mobi Fehr was critical in the 16th minute as his pass back towards Alvarez caught the keeper out of place before trickling in for an own goal, giving OCFC the two score lead.

Shelton believes their opponents didn’t take the game or them seriously which allowed his teammates to come out at full strength and take advantage.

“Las Vegas didn’t want to work,” Shelton said after the match. “ grabbed our hard hats and lunch pails and went to work and did what we knew we would.”

Paul Caligiuri Orange County FC vs. Eric Wynalda Las Vegas Lights Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design — Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design

Coming into the match, OCFC head coach and former U.S. Men’s National team star Paul Caligiuri made it clear in an open declaration that his team was not the favorite in this match. But the man who helped the United States qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 40 years back in 1994 told announcers Bobby Warshaw and David Gass his team had something of their own to do.

“We’re gonna shock the world and we’re going to win the hearts of America when we knock off Eric Wynalda and the Las Vegas Lights,” he said prior to Wednesday night’s match.

The Lights worked enough to earn themselves a penalty kick not long after the error when a throw pass to Santiago Echavarría into the OCFC box brought a challenge from Rayan Holland that resulted in a foul. Echavarría converted in the 23rd and brought his team’s deficit to one but the group couldn’t keep the pressure constant.

When they did bring a chance the young netminder David Preys, who made two saves in the penalty shootout in Round 2 that got his team to this game, came up with a stop in the first half.

Robert de Niro once said in the movie “Casino” that “In Vegas, everybody’s gotta watch everybody else.” That statement rang true in the 35th minute when a long goal kick by Preys found multiple OCFC heads before landing at the feet of Dakota Collins on the left side of the field all alone with a near clear lane to the LVL zone. He charged toward the net as the defense neared before smacking a straight shot off his left foot between Alvarez and the left goalpost.

After the match, Collins told TheCup.us that if his team kept on the offense throughout the game, the group knew what the end result would be.

“We just remained disciplined kept pushing to create chances and at the end of the day we always believed we would win,” Collins said. “We ended up scoring five goals and creating even more chances so we truly felt we also deserved the result.”

The OCFC strategy was best described as making the most of its chances even if they weren’t common. The NPSL team didn’t have the ball as much as Vegas did but realistically the amount of threatening possessions between the two wasn’t leaning towards the USL Championship side. With their team down by multiple goals, the Lights took a page from the Orange playbook and got on the board quickly when Edwin Rivas Jr. ripped a shot from beyond the 18 following a series of passes.

Echavarría sent the final set-up under pressure to the 20-year old Colombian national who tucked it into the lower right corner to once again put his team within one.

Multiple chances ensued for each side over the next 45. Echavarría headed a tying chances wide not long after his assist as the home team began to keep the ball in the opposite end for more extended periods of time.

The backline of Joshua Davis, John Holland, and Tekodah Lobsiger along with midfielder Aaron Lombardi all began to default back into the same style of play that worked against OCSC. The only difference being that their opponent this week lacked the same amount of clear chances on net.

Frischknecht nearly had a chance to seal it early as well in the 61st minute as he had a near break into the left side of the penalty area. Under pressure, his shot to the near post, not unlike the Rivasone prior, was blocked by a diving Alvarez to force an unsuccessful corner kick.

“Get it!” #USOC2019 ❤️

Amateurs @ocfcsoccer are up for their date with @LAGalaxy of @MLS. pic.twitter.com/JBnajC8i26

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 30, 2019

Orange County now moves on to face Zlatan Ibrahimović and the LA Galaxy, the same team Caligiuri played for in the early years of Major League Soccer, on the road as the sole remaining non-professional unit in the competition. For many players while the outcome was what they expected the chance is something they’ve only dreamed about.

“To earn the chance to play against an MLS team in this tournament is huge,” Collins said. “Every game becomes more special for our club and we are going to keep showing our work retain every game we play.”

2019 US Open Cup Round 3: Sacramento Republic advance past Fresno FC with OT win on final kick of game

May 30, 2019 by Josh Duder

Stefano Bonomo of the Sacramento Republic celebrates his game-winning goal with his teammates in the club's Third Round match against Fresno FC in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Sacramento Republic — Stefano Bonomo of the Sacramento Republic celebrates his game-winning goal with his teammates in the club’s Third Round match against Fresno FC in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Sacramento Republic

Sacramento Republic waited until the last minute to do it, but they defeated the visiting Fresno FC 1-0 in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Wednesday night.

The game had mostly petered out, despite a few rockets sent in by Fresno, and it seemed destined to head to a penalty kick shootout. Until there was a slight collision along the right channel at the top of the 18 yard box, the ball was collected by Villyan Bijev and his cross sizzled past the face of the goal. The camera caught up to the play just in time to find a centering pass, back from just above the touchline, and towards the center of the scrum. After playing a full 122 minutes, forward Stefano Bonomo twisted his body and headed the ball home. Sealing Fresno’s demise and guaranteeing the Republic will be drawn into the Fourth Round of the Open Cup.

With the win, Sacramento advances to the Fourth Round for the fifth time in the club’s six-year history.

Fresno played their part from the very first moments of the match, with former Blackburn Rovers and Wolverhampton man Jemal Johnson working combination play with Juan Pablo Caffa in channels to create chances. Fresno’s forward, Qudus Lawal, has had a great month, with four goals in four appearances – including the winner in the club’s Second Round road win over El Farolito, but failed to make an impact tonight.

Additionally, despite the hard work by Renato Bustamonte and Seth Moses, the Foxes of Fresno just couldn’t crack Sacramento’s code. Fresno led Sacramento in shots and possession halfway through the first half, but by the end of the full 120 minutes, they succumbed to Sacramento’s home field advantage. In all competitions, Head Coach and former Sacramento assistant, Adam Smith has been defeated by his old club twice this season. Surely July 3 is circled on his calendar.

A finish for the books! ??@SacRepublicFC takes down @FFCFoxes in a back-and-forth battle on the LAST touch of the match!

Final | 1-0 AET | #USOC2019

? Highlights ⤵ pic.twitter.com/sBvbG2SXlS

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 30, 2019

Sacramento should have won it in regular time though – Sam Werner, hero from Sacramento’s previous match against Reno 1868, struck a shot off the crossbar and past the goal line in the 65th minute of play. However, it bounced out so quickly that the goal was not awarded and play continued. Had VAR been used, the goal may have been given. Head coach Simon Elliot took a gamble and made a few changes to his lineup, they seemed to payoff in the end.

Sacramento sit 14th in their league table and have lost three of their last five. With another crucial match coming this Saturday, some regular starters had to sit, or come on later. Fresno, who sit third in their USL Championship table, will look to recover their positive form when they play away to Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the league.

2019 US Open Cup Round 3: Saint Louis FC pulls away from Forward Madison to earn another date with MLS

May 30, 2019 by Matthew Bird

Players from Saint Louis FC celebrate a goal against Forward Madison in the Third Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Saint Louis FC

For the first time in the club’s five-year history, Saint Louis FC earned a regulation win over a professional team in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. In Wednesday night’s Third Round match, Russell Ciccerone scored a 72nd minute goal to help Saint Louis FC pull away from USL League One side Forward Madison FC, 3-1.

With the win, Saint Louis will take on a Major League Soccer team for the third time in Round 4. The opponent will be revealed on Thursday morning at 11 a.m. ET when the United States Soccer Federation will announce the Fourth Round draw on Twitter.

Saint Louis FC jumped out to an early two goal lead against Madison as Paris Gee struck low past Brian Sylvestre after only two minutes. It was the fastest US Open Cup goal in club history.

Then Guy Abend doubled the lead four minutes later when he finished from close range off a Matt Bahner cross. It promised to be a long night for the Flamingos as Abend again curled a shot just over the Madison bar after 17 minutes.

However Daryl Shore’s team settled down and began to find their feet in the game and were beginning to find some success on the flanks and have some sustained pressure. A cross by Christian Diaz in the 23rd minute eluded right back Bahner and the header from Barriga Toyama went just wide of Tomas Gomez, making his first start of the season in goal. Just two minutes later the threat came from the other wing as Paulo Junior hit the post from a Jeff Michaud cross as Madison enjoyed their best spell of the game thus far.

The service. The header. A thing of beauty from @LewisHilton4 and @R_Cicerone7 ? pic.twitter.com/XZHTaqAkT7

— Saint Louis FC (@SaintLouisFC) May 30, 2019

Madison were richly rewarded, however fortuitously as Phan Kavita allowed a soft pass to skip under his foot and Don Smart raced onto the resulting loose ball to smash his shot past a stranded Gomez to half the deficit after 38 minutes.

The second half was almost a carbon copy of the first, only Sylvestre’s heroics saved Madison as he managed to scoop an Abend header from the line and a certain third for STLFC in the 49th minute. Madison tried in vain to get an equalizer but the Saint Louis defense were once again as stoic as they have been all season just allowing seven goals in 12 games and limited Madison to long range efforts which Gomez comfortably saved.

@AbendGuy there in the right place at the right time ? pic.twitter.com/G7RyC6A0Tz

— Saint Louis FC (@SaintLouisFC) May 30, 2019

A third for Saint Louis was always on the cards and it came in the 75th minute. Russell Ciccerone and Lewis Hilton enjoyed some nice play in the midfield with Ciccerone’s shot blocked for a corner. It was the same combination off the corner as the Hilton inswinger was neatly headed home by Ciccerone for Saint Louis’ third on the night and put pay to any Madison fightback.

The game ebbed towards closure, however Coach Pulis was able to bring on academy product Nichi Vlastos for his second professional game alongside Kip Keller who made his first senior appearance for STLFC.

“We’ve had a stop-start month and I was glad we managed to get the rustyness out of us tonight.” Said Pulis after the game.”It’s a strange one getting two early goals, We started well, but credit to Madison they played some really nice stuff and caused us some problems, they’ll do well in League One going forward.”

Here’s a look at that @Paris_Gee goal ? pic.twitter.com/aVDCTTIN6N

— Saint Louis FC (@SaintLouisFC) May 30, 2019

2019 US Open Cup Round 3: Charleston Battery withstands Nashville SC pressure, pitches shutout in PK shootout win

May 30, 2019 by Tim Sullivan

Kyle Nelson of the Charleston Battery (No. 3) challenges for a header against Nashville SC in a Third Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Jay Wilkinson | Nashville SC

120 minutes wasn’t enough time to find a winner between Nashville SC and Charleston Battery in the Third Round of the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The squads battled to a 1-1 draw through regulation, and through stoppage time. In a knockout situation, that means only one thing: penalties.

Battery winger Zeiko Lewis drilled his first shot. Nashville SC defender Liam Doyle saw his saved by Philip Breno. Battery defender Leland Archer coolly put his home. Another save for Breno, this time keeping midfielder Matt LaGrassa out of the goal. While Jarad van Schaik skied his next attempt, by the time Nashville midfielder Lebo Moloto followed with a hit crossbar, Charleston striker Ian Svantesson needed only to hit one shot to end the game.

He put it home, Charleston survives and advances.

“For a coach, it’s pretty simple,” said Battery head coach Mark Anhaeuser of the shootout. “It stinks for players, because there’s a lot of nerves, they’re nervous, and heavy legs. In the end, it comes down to who really can hit that ball, and put it in the spot they want to. Our first two were very good, and we put them in under pressure, and my goalkeeper made two really strong saves.”

.@Chas_Battery – 2008 runners-up – are Open Cup royalty & they’re into the Fourth Round after a hard-fought 1-1 draw (AET) and a PK shootout against @NashvilleSC. Now they get a shot at team from @MLS. ?

? Highlights | #USOC2019 pic.twitter.com/Zscvpfm0s3

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 30, 2019

The shootout was a rare one. It marked just the third time in the Modern Era (1995-present) that a shootout ended with the score of 3-0. The first time it happened, the Charleston Battery upset the Chicago Fire (MLS) in the Third Round of the 2010 US Open Cup.

The shootout win capped a solid performance for Breno, who made four saves in the run of play to hold Nashville to just one goal – despite 27 shots from the hosts. In fact, Nashville dominated in many statistical metrics, with 68.4% of the possession, a passing accuracy of 87.4% to Charleston’s 66.5%, and five corners taken to the Battery’s four.

The game is not about dominating the ancillary stats, though: it’s about scoring. The teams did the same amount in regulation, and that opened the door for the shootout to determine the final outcome.

Players from the Charleston Battery and Nashville SC (yellow) battle for the ball in their Third Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Jay Wilkinson | Nashville SC

The Battery struck first, with striker Nicque Daley turning on a ball near midfield, taking five touches and popping the ball over the shoulder of NSC keeper Connor Sparrow in the 24th minute. Nashville would finally respond in the 72nd, with Kharlton Belmar putting home a cross from striker Ropapa Mensah, who found himself alone in space on a through-ball from Alan Winn. At that point, Nashville seemed to capture all the momentum, and Anhaeuser’s side was merely holding on for dear life.

“They caught us there for about 20 minutes and we got fortunate they didn’t score,” he admitted. “They got one on the counter there, which they picked up. Then they had their guys forward, and I think they got a little tired. Even we caught them at the end, and hit the post, crossbar, and we were just unlucky.”

The Battery advance to the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup, and will find out their fate in terms of opponent – and location – Thursday. For a team that’s played two on the road already, first traveling to USL League One side Greenville Triumph, and then to Nashville SC’s satellite location in the suburbs of Music City, they’re hopeful of drawing a home match next.

“We’re going to see tomorrow,” Anhaeuser said with a laugh. “I’m just going to pray we get a home game. Two road games in the Open Cup is so difficult. The heat, multiple games in a week, and my guys deserve all the credit. What you do, you get a game vs. an MLS team. These guys deserved it; they played a heck of a game – defended very well.”

The last team from outside MLS to advance to the US Open Cup Final (the Battery lost 2-1 to DC United in 2008) keeps their dream alive in the 2019 edition of the tournament. The Battery advance to the Fourth Round for the third year in a row.

2019 US Open Cup Round 3: Super sub Kenardo Forbes saves Pittsburgh Riverhounds, earns rare date with MLS

May 30, 2019 by John Krysinsky

Kenardo Forbes of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds celebrates his 85th minute goal against Indy Eleven in the Third Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Riverhounds SC

When playing in a one-and-done tournament like the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, all that matters for each club is to survive and advance to the next round.

Nobody knows that better than Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC’s veteran head coach, Bob Lilley and one of his most trusted players, Kenardo Forbes.

While Lilley’s Hounds struggled to create many scoring opportunities for much of its Third Round Open Cup match against USL Championship foe Indy Eleven, all they needed was one opportunistic moment to pull out a 1-0 win at Highmark Stadium on Wednesday night.

“I like that we dug in a little bit in the second half and at least got in the game,” said Lilley, who won his 18th career US Open Cup game as a coach, tying him for fourth among all coaches in the Modern Era. “In the first half, I don’t think we had a shot on goal. We had two long range efforts by Neco (Brett), but nothing in the box.”

With a scoreless match hanging in the balance, Lilley found salvation from a player that’s been the field general for his teams since 2015, when they were in Rochester together.

Lilley turned to Forbes as his first substitute in a match that was in danger going to extra time.

Four minutes after entering the match, the 31-year old Jamaican midfielder received a pass from Noah Franke, who broke toward the box from the right side, drawing a trio of Indy Eleven defenders, then found his veteran teammate in a wide open space to his left.

With plenty of room and space to work, Forbes drilled a shot into the lower left side of goal in the 85th minute to deliver some Open Cup magic that turned out to be the game-deciding strike.

It came down to the wire!?

A late goal breaks the tie and sends the @RiverhoundsSC to victory over @IndyEleven!?

Final | 1-0 PIT | #USOC2019

? Highlights ⤵ pic.twitter.com/4enDaRrb3z

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 30, 2019

“You know it was open, like 10 yards open, like 20 yards out, so I had to shoot it,” Forbes said, as he provided a simple explanation.

On the other side, Indy had its share of chances, and failed to capitalize.

At the center of many of its best chances, was Eleven forward Thomas Enevoldsen — who was denied twice by diving saves from Riverhounds keeper Kyle Morton, who earned the clean sheet for the Hounds, finishing the night with five saves.

The Hounds changed things up tactically, slightly from what they’ve doing for most of this year, opting to come out in a 5-3-2 formation intended to press Indy’s possession efforts.

In the first half, Indy had its way in this chess match, keeping the ball at a 63 percent rate, with the only two shots on target, the only three corners and attempting a hundred more passes than the Hounds.

The first dazzling save came in the 41st minute, when the Danish striker waiting just outside the center of the Pittsburgh 18-yard box. Enevoldsen would strike first time, unleashing a right footed effort that would have found the upper left 90 – if not for the outstretched paw of Morton.

“It’s just one of those things you gotta shuffle over make sure you kind of have your part of the hole covered right,” Morton said after the match.

Then in the 50th minute, Enevoldsen struck a shot from outside the box. The driven shot resulted another top-notch stop by Morton. Former Riverhound, Tyler Pasher nearly redirected the rebound into net.

To that point, the Hounds couldn’t muster a shot on frame.

Then, they started to bring a bit more energy and finally began to disrupt Indy’s ability to possess the ball out of the back, which they seemed to be doing with ease for most of the first 55 minutes.

Brett finally earned the Hounds’ first shot on target of the night in the 59th minute after taking advantage of an Indy give-away.

The striker sent a low blast at the cage, which was corralled by Indy’s goalkeeper Jordan Farr.
In the 71st minute, Thomas Vancaeyezeele sent in a cross to Anthony Velarde, who was sitting right in the center of the box. The first-year pro opted not to shoot, but then dumped it off to Sammy Kahsai.

Kahsai took a rip, then the ball stayed in the air, redirected by both Brett and Ryan James, who dropped a header into the waiting hands of Farr.

As the match entered the final ten minutes of regulation, both teams subbed on All-USL veterans. Indy brought on the USL’s all-time leading scorer Dane Kelly in the 73rd minute.

While it was Forbes who found the game-winner after coming on for Kahsai in the 81st minute, a 20-goal scorer in USL a season ago, Enevoldsen had yet another shot at redemption in the 88th minute after midfielder Kenney Walker played in a header that found the Danish forward wide open at the back post.

With a chance to slide the shot inside the near post, Enevoldsen instead tried to sneak it under Morton to the right side, and the ball dribbled wide of the post.

The Hounds held on, and earned an opportunity to take on an MLS club for the first time since 2015, even if it wasn’t exactly what Lilley drew up.

“Second half at least we made runs in behind them. We did press at times and we put some balls in good areas,” Lilley explained. “But we didn’t execute well.”

Forbes though, made the most of his chance in a rare opportunity to come on as a sub to help his team out when they weren’t playing its best.

“For the first time in a while, I got on the field when a couple of guys are tired, advantage for me, so I take advantage of it,” Forbes said. “It was good even though we made a couple errors in the back. It was just one of those games.”

For the second time in five years the Hounds have now advanced to the Open Cup’s 4th Round, as the last time the Hounds advanced this far, they beat the Tampa Bay Rowdies on a late regulation strike from Rob Vincent that proved to be the difference in 2015.

On Thursday morning, Pittsburgh will find out its next opponent (a Major League Soccer club that will enter the tournament at this stage, at a site and date, most likely June 11 or 12, to be determined).

While the two sides take different paths in this tournament, with Pittsburgh getting an additional shot at Open Cup glory, the clubs are just getting started with each other, as they’ll meet again in a USL Championship match on Saturday, and again later this season.

“The game is about scoring goals.” Indy Eleven Head Coach Martin Rennie. “Tonight we hardly gave up any chances and ended up with a defeat. In the first half we actually played really well.
We were in complete control of the game and passed the ball well and again had a couple of decent chances. “We have to take those, because, if you don’t, the game stays tight and there’s the chance that if you don’t take the next one, or the next one, or the next one then the other team might get one, and that’s what happened tonight.”

Lineups:

Riverhounds SC: Kyle Morton – Ryan James, Uchenna Uzo, Joe Greenspan, Tobi Adewole, Noah Franke – Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Sammy Kahsai (Kenardo Forbes 80’) , Anthony Velarde (Robbie Mertz 82’) – Neco Brett (Dani Rovira 87’), Steevan Dos Santos
Subs not used – Austin Pack, Mark Forrest, Kevin Kerr, Christian Volesky

Indy Eleven: Jordan Farr – Matthew Watson, Neveal Hackshaw, Karl Ouimette – Patrick Barrett, Macauley King, Kenneth Walker, Tyler Gibson – Tyler Pasher, Thomas Enevoldsen, Joshua Penn (Dane Kelly 72’)
Subs not used – Alioune Diakhate, Ayoze Garcia Perez, Emerson Nieto, Mitchell Osmond, Mario Perez

Scoring Summary:
PIT – Kenardo Forbes 85’ (Noah Franke)
Misconduct Summary:
PIT – Ryan James 43’ (caution)
PIT – Joe Greenspan 74’ (caution)

“We haven’t seen the Hounds live dangerously under Bob Lilley too much.”@RiverhoundsSC survived the razor’s edge in another @opencup win, setting up their first MLS showdown since ’15.@PghSoccerScribe & @MattyIcePGH joined me on #PghPostgame!

LISTEN: https://t.co/Y3mnonhpCM

— Matt Gajtka (@MattGajtka) May 30, 2019