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2020 US Open Cup

2020 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1: Athletic Katy loses lead, survives in PKs over 10-man Houston FC

September 29, 2019 by Louis Roesch

Players from Athletic Katy FC pose for a team photo before the club's 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match against Houston FC. Photo: Athletic Katy FC
Players from Athletic Katy FC pose for a team photo before the club’s 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match against Houston FC. Photo: Athletic Katy FC

Athletic Katy FC survived a hat trick by Chance Arney, an electrical outage and two extra times to defeat Houston FC 5-4 on penalty kicks on Saturday night. The win propelled Katy to the Second Round of the Open Division Local Qualifying Tournament for the 2020 Lamar Hunt US Open qualifying. The game took place just two weeks to the day after Houston FC had defeated Athletic Katy FC 2-1 in regular season UPSL play.

Athletic jumped on top early, scoring three times in the first 16 minutes of play. Armando Mosquera opened the scoring as he stole the ball on a miscue by HFC keeper Rhett Box Rojas. Rojas had gathered a loose ball and tried to roll it to one of his defenders when Mosquera pounced on the ball and drilled it home.

One minute later, Rheem Osevwe doubled the Athletic lead slotting a shot past Rojas. Four minutes after that, it was Osevwe netting a brace in the 16th minute for a seemingly insurmountable lead.

Trailing 3-0 at the break, Houston head coach Bruce Talbot rallied his team to not give up.

Three minutes into the second half, Arney pulled one back, lasering a shot inside the far post past a stunned Katy goalkeeper Julio Valencia.

Down two goals, things became worse for Houston FC when referee Ruben Campillo showed HFC back-up keeper Josue Resendiz a red card for language and going nose to nose with the official. Resendiz had subbed on for Rojas in the 26th minute and kept Athletic at bay.

 

Down a man, Talbot turned to Cypress native Chris Gooding to man the pipes. Just a year removed from playing at nearby Cypress High School, and playing his first season of college soccer at Gardner Webb University, Gooding was playing goalkeeper for the first time and made one sterling stop after another to give his team a chance. Talbot said after the regulation period that Gooding was a tremendous player who cared the most about doing whatever it takes to help his team win.

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2020 Round 1 game-by-game review

Arney brought Houston FC to within a goal with his second of the night in the 86th minute, setting the stage for his heroics in stoppage time. Two minutes into stoppage time, Campillo whistled Francisco Medina a yellow card for a foul that occurred in the box. Arney, the Katy Taylor High School senior who completed the comeback with a penalty kick conversion.

Scoreless after the first extra time, the lights went out at Campbell Road Sports Park in Houston. The 15 minute outage gave both sides a breather, particularly HFC who had been playing down a man for more then 30 minutes. In the second overtime, Gooding came up big and Athletic came up empty forcing the match to penalty kicks. Gooding stopped Osevwe on a curling shot to the near post that would have made a professional keeper proud, followed by a kick save moments later that delayed the inevitable.

Athletic Katy FC’s Brandon Martinez ended the dream for Houston FC who despite playing down a man for nearly 45 minutes and one point down to eight due to a facial injury forced the game to PKs.

Julio Valencia, Athletic Katy FC head coach shared these thoughts following the win;

“It was a good game,” said Valencia. “Both teams gave it all and left it on the pitch. Missed opportunities and bad mistakes they were costly but getting the win is a great feeling and motivation for the next round.”

With the win, Athletic Katy advances to the Second Round of qualifying where they will travel to Lafayette, La. to take on first-year entry Louisiana Krewe on Saturday, Oct. 19. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

Filed Under: 2020 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, Feature - Qualifying, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Qualifying Tagged With: 2020 US Open Cup Qualifying, athletic katy fc, houston fc

2020 US Open Cup Qualifying: Round 1 game-by-game review

September 27, 2019 by Josh Hakala


UPDATED 9/29/19 – 3 a.m.

Just under one month removed from the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final, the 107th edition of the United States’ national championship has begun with Open Division Local qualification games across the country. For 78 teams, 39 games across the weekend of Sept. 21 and 22 were either the first step or early exit from the competition. For eight other teams that received a bye into Round 2, their road begins in October.

One game, between Athletic Katy FC and Houston FC, was delayed to a later date due to poor field conditions. When it was finally played on Sept. 28, it turned out to be one of the most dramatic matches of the round. 

The stakes were high in the single-elimination games. Hurricane FC and International Soccer Association played to a 1-1 draw and needed a combined total of 17 successful penalty kicks to decide a winner while debuting Alta California Sol needed goals at both ends to defeat fellow UPSL team USA Soccer Stars FC. Shocks were high as well as 4-time tournament champions Ukrainian Nationals were defeated in their first game by Vereinigung Erzgebirge. Rebels SC had their starting goalkeeper break his ankle 10 minutes into the game and with a defender putting on the gloves, they still managed to force penalty kicks with Chula Vista FC, but ultimately fell short. While still mourning the loss of friend and teammate Colin Clark, who passed away just over a month ago, The Colorado Rush advanced in a game that wasn’t allowed to finish because Club El Azul had five players and their head coach sent off.

This is the fifth year of U.S. Soccer organized qualification for Open Division Local teams, which are Open Division teams that are not part of the two national leagues: the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) and USL League Two (USL-2). As always, TheCup.us will provide the most up-to-date information and coverage of US Open Cup qualifying and the tournament proper. Check below for a short recap of each match.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 21

Kendall Wanderers
(USASA / UPSL)
0:4
Safira FC
(USASA / Bay State Soccer League)

For the third year in a row, the Boston-based Safira FC won its opening round game in the Open Division Local qualifying tournament. On Saturday, the team kicked off the competition with a 4-0 win over fellow Massachusetts club Kendall Wanderers. They received a first half goal from Rigoberto Jimenez and pulled away in the second half with goals from Hugo Bomfim, Michael Rincon and a second from Jiminez.

Safira, who compete in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL), are attempting to qualify for the US Open Cup for the first time. Last year, the group came close to punching its ticket. Safira advanced to the final round of qualifying and fell short, losing 3-0 to West Chester United in a Win & You’re In match.

Celtic Cowboys Premier pose for a team photo before their match in the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2020 US Open Cup. Photo: Celtic Cowboys Premier
Celtic Cowboys Premier pose for a team photo before their match in the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2020 US Open Cup. Photo: Celtic Cowboys Premier

Celtic Cowboys Premier
(USSSA / Austin Men’s Soccer Association)
7:1
Central Texas Lobos
(USASA / Gulf Coast Premier League)

The Celtic Cowboys Premier advanced to the Second Round of qualifying for the third straight year after defeating the Central Texas Lobos, 7-1. Dave O’Brien opening the game with two goals in the first half and former University of New Mexico player Chris Wright scored four times in the second half. Stephen Cperk rounded out scoring while Wright and Hasan Nhew assisted on two goals each.

The Lobos were competing in their second qualifying tournament. The team lost its opening round game in the 2018 competition, but didn’t enter last year.

Juve-Pro Soccer
(USASA / UPSL)
0:1
Brockton FC United
(USASA / Bay State Soccer League)

A second half goal by Ericksson “Ricky” Alves lifted Brockton FC United over Juve-Pro Soccer, 1-0 in a battle of Boston area clubs. The free kick goal gave Brockton its first-ever US Open Cup qualifying win as the team’s tournament debut sees them advance into the Second Round. Juve-Pro Soccer loses in the first round of qualifying for the second straight year after falling in 2019 to Boston City FC II by the same score.

The Miami United Under-23s players before their 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match against Atletico Miami CF. Photo: Miami United FC
The Miami United Under-23s players before their 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match against Atletico Miami CF. Photo: Miami United FC

Atletico Miami CF
(USASA / UPSL)
3:7
Miami United FC U-23s
(USASA / UPSL)

After losing their opening round game in 2018, and taking a year off in 2019, the Miami United Under-23s scored five times in the first half to cruise past fellow UPSL side Atletico Miami CF, 7-3. United reach the Second Round for the first time with William Stamatis and Juan Bazan each scoring a pair of goals. Marco Meola, Frank Fraggetti and Carlos Rodriguez also added a goal each to their team’s total. Stamatis joins the team after playing a key role in the 2019 US Open Cup run of the Florida Soccer Soldiers that saw them reach the Third Round.

While the Under-23 team has never qualified for the US Open Cup, Miami United’s senior team has a strong US Open Cup resume. The NPSL side has qualified in three of the last five years. Their biggest Open Cup run came in 2018 where it defeated two professional teams (Miami FC 2, Jacksonville Armada FC) from the NPSL to reach the Fourth Round. There, they became the first NPSL club to play against an MLS team when they lost to Orlando City SC.  

The NTX Rayados' "Starting 10" pose for a photo prior to their 2020 US Open Cup qualifier against FC Fort Worth SC. Reece Wilson arrived late to the game, so the team had to start with 10 players. Photo: NTX Rayados
The NTX Rayados’ “Starting 10” pose for a photo prior to their 2020 US Open Cup qualifier against FC Fort Worth SC. Reece Wilson arrived late to the game, so the team had to start with 10 players. Photo: NTX Rayados

NTX Rayados
(USASA / North Texas Premier Soccer Association)
4:2
FC Fort Worth SC
(USASA / UPSL)

NTX Rayados took the first step toward qualifying for the US Open Cup for the ninth consecutive year with a 4-2 win over FC Fort Worth SC. The North Texas had to make a tough decision that resulted in the team starting the match with 10 men. Reece Wilson was listed in the team’s starting 11, but he arrived late from the airport. Since he was already listed in the starting 11, if head coach Tito Salas wanted to replace him, he would have to use one of his three subs. Rather than wasting the substitution before kickoff, they managed without him, playing the first 10 minutes down a man. After finishing the first half tied at 1-1, the Rayados scored three second-half goals to advance to Round 2.

The NTX goalscorers were Reece Wilson, Mohamed Sesay, Kevin Ellis, and Luis Hernandez.

Players from World Class Premier and SOCA line up pre-game for their 2020 US Open Cup qualifier. Photo: World Class Premier
Players from World Class Premier and SOCA line up pre-game for their 2020 US Open Cup qualifier. Photo: World Class Premier

SOCA
(USASA / Soccer Organization of the Charlottesville Area)
1:4
World Class Premier Elite FC
(USASA / UPSL)

After an early goal for hosts SOCA (Soccer Organization of the Charlottesville Area), World Class Premier played lock-down defense and its offense came alive to the tune of four goals to claim a 4-1 win. SOCA jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute. World Class Premier tied the match ten minutes later as Idrissa Sesay netted in the 25th to equalize. The visitors then took the lead in the 35th minute through Olakunle Banjo and added a third on the strike of halftime as Saidou Toure found the back of the net to give World Class Premier a 3-1 lead at the break.

World Class Premier scored its fourth and final goal of the match as Philip Blystone got on the scoresheet in the 65th minute before seeing the game out to earn the first round qualifying win 4-1.

World Class Premier fell painfully short of qualifying in their first attempt last year. After three straight wins in the qualifying tournament, WCP lost to Virginia United in penalty kicks in the “Win & You’re In” match.

Club ATLetic

(USASA / Atlantic District Amateur Soccer League)
0:1
Georgia Revolution FC Reserves
(USASA / Atlantic District Amateur Soccer League)

Sebastian Sandoval scored the lone goal of his team’s match on a throw-in from Scott Redding in the 30th minute as the Georgia Revolution FC Reserves downed Atlanta’s Club ATLetic, 1-0, to advance to the Second Round. This is the first time that the Revolution have entered a reserve team into the Open Division Local qualifying tournament. The senior team, which competes in the NPSL, qualified and performed well in the 2012 and 2013 US Open Cup. They have won three games during those two cup runs, but were eliminated both times in the Second Round by the NASL’s Atlanta Silverbacks. Both losses were decided by a single goal.

Players from Chula Vista FC and Rebels SC battle for the ball in their 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Chula Vista FC
Players from Chula Vista FC and Rebels SC battle for the ball in their 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Chula Vista FC

Chula Vista FC
(USASA / SoCal Premier League)
2:2 (4:5 PK)
Rebels SC
(USASA / SoCal Premier League)

An incredibly brave performance fell short on Saturday night as Chula Vista FC advanced to Round 2 with a penalty kick shootout win over Rebels SC. About 10 minutes into the game, with Chula Vista leading 1-0 after a goal by Julio Martinez in the first minute, the goalkeeper for Rebels SC suffered a reported broken ankle. The game was stopped as he had to be transported to a nearby hospital in an ambulance. The Rebels had to carry on without a backup goalkeeper on the roster. Vincent Acevedo, a defender, stepped in to replace him despite having not played as a goalkeeper since he was about 15 years old. Even so, he played well against a talented Chula Vista team that has qualified for the Open Cup twice (2015, 2017) and upset a pro team (Arizona United of the USL in 2015).

Since Acevedo was inserted into the game, the Rebels tied the game up only to see former TheCup.us Player of the Round winner Alberto Diaz take back the lead for Chula Vista before halftime. The Rebels would find another equalizer in the 70th minute off a free kick and no one would find the back of the net until the penalty kick shootout, where Chula Vista prevailed 5-4 to advance to Round 2.

Steel FC
(USASA / Greater Pittsburgh Soccer League)
3:1
Germantown City FC
(ANFEEU / Woodbridge Soccer League)

A trio of first-half goals from Steel FC allowed the host Pennsylvania club to defeat Germantown City FC out of Maryland 3-1 in the opening qualifying round for the 2020 US Open Cup.

Matt McDyer netted the first goal for the hosts, finding the back of the net in the 16th minute. Steel FC then added two goals in three minutes as Anthony Virgara tallied in the 37th minute and Christian Lewandowski scored two minutes later to take a commanding halftime lead.

Germantown City FC found a consolation goal in the 84th minute through Diego Velazquez but could not push for the comeback as Steel FC claimed a 3-1 victory.

Steel FC, who compete in the Greater Pittsburgh Soccer League, advances to the Second Round of the tournament in their qualifying debut [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Coyotes FC
(USASA / UPSL)
2:3
San Antonio Runners
(USASA / UPSL)

Michael Maldonado’s heads-up play with a 60-yard kick from midfield off the restart in the 72nd minute gave his San Antonio Runners a 3-2 win over Coyotes FC to advance to the Second Round of Open Division of qualifying.

After Coyotes scored in the 71st minute, Maldonado booted the ball off the restart to surprise the Coyotes’ defense and goalkeeper to put his squad in the lead. Bryan Flores opened the scoring in the 6th minute to give San Antonio the lead. After Coyotes tied the match 30 minutes later to force a 1-1 score at the half, John Mendoza gave San Antonio the lead once again with a penalty kick goal in the 51st.

The Runners pick up their first-ever qualifying tournament win, after being one-and-done in their debut last year.

Louisiana Krewe FC
(USASA / Gulf Coast Premier League)
5:2
Northshore United
(USASA / Gulf Coast Premier League)

Henrique Pimpao scored a hat trick for the Louisiana Krewe in the First Round victory over Northshore United in a 5-2 victory.

Pimpao got the scoring started in the 14th minute of the match and the Krewe doubled the lead as Ricardo Caliman scored six minutes later. Matheus Fulini tacked on a 42nd minute goal to make it 3-0 before Northshore was able to capitalize and make it 3-1 at the half. Pimpao scored in the 50th minute and would later complete the hat trick. The Krewe allowed an own goal to complete the scoring in the match as they win in their qualifying debut.

Hurricane FC
(USASA / UPSL)
1:1 (9:8 PK)
International Soccer Association
(USASA / UPSL)

Hurricane FC defeated the International Soccer Association 9-8 in a penalty kick shootout after finishing in a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes. The winning team’s only goal in regulation came from Jesus Castellano. In its fourth qualification tournament, the Hurricanes are advancing to the Second Round for the third time in club history. Last year, the UPSL side reached the Third Round of qualifying but fell to eventual 2019 Cinderella story Florida Soccer Soldiers. Hurricane FC is attempting to qualify for the first time in club history.

A player from FC Boulder Harpos fires a shot against FC Denver in their 2020 US Open Cup qualifying game. Photo: Colorado Soccer Magazine
Freddie Braun of FC Boulder Harpos fires a shot against FC Denver in their 2020 US Open Cup qualifying game. Photo: Colorado Soccer Magazine

FC Denver
(USSSA / Colorado Premier League)
0:2
FC Boulder Harpos
(USSSA / Colorado Premier League)

Two teams with previous US Open Cup experience met in a First Round tilt in Denver. FC Denver was looking to qualify for the third consecutive year, having played in both the 2018 and 2019 editions, while FC Boulder Harpos looked to return for the first time since 2016, and the first time since the merger of FC Boulder and Harpos FC. Playing in windy conditions, FC Boulder Harpos took its first step towards returning to the national tournament by claiming a 2-0 victory.

FC Boulder Harpos grabbed the lead in the 31st minute on a goal from former MLS player Freddie Braun. An insurance tally in the 74th minute from Shane Wheeler doubled the advantage for FC Boulder Harpos and the visiting side was able to close out the 2-0 victory.

Logroñes Denver Soccer Club
(USASA / Colorado Super League)
2:6
Colorado Rovers
(USSSA / Colorado Premier League)

Colorado Rovers defeated the Logrones SC by 6-2 in a one-sided contest at North Stadium in Denver in the first meeting between the two sides in Open Cup play. For Logrones’, which play in the Colorado Super League, this was its first qualification tournament while the Colorado Premier League’s Rovers have not only participated in every competition since the new format was introduced in 2015, but have attempted to get in to the US Open Cup before that. Qualifying in 2013 and 2014.

The first half was fast and furious, with the most dangerous chances falling to Logrones, but the Rovers managed to nab two goals in as many minutes by Kyle Emge in the 19th and Nick Pena in the 20th minute to lead at halftime. The second half saw Rovers dominate the play, running out to a 4-0 advantage on a brace by Bryce Townsend in the 53rd and 55th minutes, before the shutout was busted by a Logrones penalty kick in the 59th minute. Former MLS player Ritchie Kotschau tallied a fifth goal in the 65th minute and Mark Herschberger capped off the scoring in the 80th minute to put the game out of reach. Logrones added one more on the stroke of full time.

USA Soccer Stars FC
(USASA / UPSL)
1:2
Alta California Sol
(USASA / UPSL)

Celso Lagunas scored in the 13th and 82nd minutes to lead the Alta California Sol to the win, 2-1 over the USA Soccer Stars FC in the team’s first qualification tournament. Justin Garcia assisted on the first Lagunas marker while J.C. Torres — who entered as a sub at the start of the second half — was credited with an assist on the second goal. Alta keeper Adrian Gonzalez had a clean sheet for the first 86 minutes before the USA Soccer Stars scored late.

Gonzalez was tested in the first half, needing to make a key save midway through while also getting help from his top bar on a penalty kick attempt.

Newport FC
(USASA / UPSL)
1:4
SC Trojans FC
(USASA / SoCal Premier League)

In its second US Open Cup qualifying appearance, two goals within two minutes gave SC Trojans FC an early lead that it would not relinquish against Newport FC. The team, which competed in the 2018 qualification tournament, is the only college-based team taking part this season.

Marsuk Dilla scored the first two goals in the 17th and 18th minutes of the game off of his left foot. Jack Queen and Emanuel Azage scored goals before halftime to give them a 4-0 lead heading into the break.

Newport FC was able to pull a goal back in the second half but SC Trojans FC cruised to a 4-1 victory as it advanced to round two of qualifying.

L.A. Monsters FC
(USASA / SoCal Premier League)
4:0
Valley United SC
(USASA / UPSL)

L.A. Monsters FC took a step toward qualifying for the first time with a 4-0 win over Valley United SC. Edward Delgado Robles opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, then Andy Vargas Nunez, Edgard Armando Gonzalez Jr. and Andy Meza Salguero added second half goals for the win.

The Monsters fell one game short of qualifying for the 2018 US Open Cup, but lost their opening round game last year to Outbreak FC.

Real San Jose
(USASA / UPSL)
1:1 (2:4 PK)
Outbreak FC
(USASA / SoCal Premier League)

By Jamon Moore

At PAL Stadium in San Jose, Calif., Outbreak FC overcame an early third minute goal from Real San Jose’s Denis Sorto, scored their own in the 10th minute courtesy of Torey Edwards, then went on to win in penalties. In the shootout, the well-traveled Southern California team prevailed, 4-2.

Although Outbreak FC controlled the match and the total shots, both sides missed excellent chances to get a second goal in regulation and overtime, forcing the penalty shootout. Oscar Aguero missed Outbreak FC’s second attempt in the shootout, hitting the post, but goalkeeper Matthew Swaneveld saved Real San Jose’s third attempt. Real San Jose’s fourth attempt hit the post, leaving Matthew Murphy to seal the win by making Outbreak FC’s fifth and final attempt, and pushing them into the second round of qualifiers to be held later in October.

Outbreak FC coach Trent Bryson commented after the game, “I wish we would have finished a couple more chances. I felt like we created more than they did, and actually held onto the ball more than I thought we were going to. But we just couldn’t get one on frame, it seemed like.”

Real San Jose had a full bench, while Outbreak FC only had two available subs. It seemed like Outbreak FC was starting to lose steam in the overtime session. “We learned (three years ago) when we went to double overtime versus the (Seattle) Sounders (U-23 team) — I learned to hold one guy back, just in case.”, Bryson remarked when asked about his short bench. “(We) learned to conserve a little better that we did that time (against Seattle), because they went all out. I think being in this position again helped us.”

Real San Jose missed an excellent chance in the 103rd minute when substitute Heriberto Guerrero Montoya’s shot was saved off the goal line by Outbreak FC defender Nathan Kolano. Both teams had shots hit off the post and into the side netting after their goals in regulation time.

Outbreak FC from Orange County, Calif., has had some recent success in the US Open Cup. The team reached the second round of qualifiers in 2018 and the first round of the tournament proper in 2016 and 2017.

Oakland Stompers celebrate a goal against Contra Costa FC in the 2020 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Oakland Stompers
Oakland Stompers celebrate a goal against Contra Costa FC in the 2020 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Oakland Stompers

Oakland Stompers
(USASA / UPSL)
1:0
Contra Costa FC
(USASA / UPSL)

By Isis Piccillo

Oakland Stompers recouped their 4-0 loss in league play to Contra Costa FC by winning 1-0 in the opening round of the Open Division qualifying tournament for the 2020 US Open Cup. Following many frustrated attempts at goal in the first half, Oakland Stompers’ Khalid Arramdani finally slipped a cross through Contra Costa defenders to Leonardo Hinostroza, who sent it to the back of the net.

The teams maintained even possession in the first half, with goalkeepers from both teams forced to palm multiple shots over the crossbar. Forward Arramdani sliced down the flanks on multiple occasions, but with no result before halftime. 

In the second half, the Stompers returned with heightened energy, relentlessly attacking the Contra Costa goal. Hinostroza scored in the 67th minute and attributed the team’s change of pace to the halftime talk emphasizing momentum.

“The Contra Costa defenders were playing hard,” he said, “but when we pressured them, they gave us the ball every time.”

Contra Costa worked to retaliate but struggled to maintain possession in the final third. 

The Oakland Stompers look towards Round 2 as they attempt to qualify for the first time. 

SUNDAY, SEPT. 22

A shot from a 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match between the Jackson Lions and CSA Westchester. Photo: Michael Battista
A shot from a 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match between the Jackson Lions and CSA Westchester. Photo: Michael Battista

Cedar Stars Academy Westchester
(USASA / Cosmopolitan Soccer League)
2:1
Jackson Lions FC
(USASA / Garden State Soccer League)

By Michael Battista

A late goal lifted CSA Westchester to victory against Jackson Lions FC in US Open Cup qualifying on Sunday. Ovan Oakley’s run up the middle and low shot to beat the advancing keeper sent his team through to the second round in its first qualifying appearance.

The teams played a scoreless first half as neither side could gain an advantage over the other. CSA Westchester opened the scoring in the 52nd minute as Chris Katona found the back of the net off a pass from Max Garcia but, due to an injury and only two additional players, the team had entered the second half with no subs on the bench. The tired legs put pressure on the Westchester goalkeeper, who failed to make a grab in the 58th minute and allowed Walter Calderon, a member of CSA in Cosmopolitan Soccer League play, to respond and level scoring in the 58th minute.

Despite being the home team at Ramapo College, the game was played on one of the school’s secondary fields due to a scheduling conflict. The sloped, grass pitch made play difficult as the game became sloppy and fouls picked up. Late on, Jackson’s Ryan Bailey was initially carded with a yellow before the official reached for the red card following apparent disparaging remarks.

The Jackson Lions have now failed to qualify for the Open Cup in four straight attempts, taking part in every qualification tournament since 2017. The team had its best result last year when it reached the Second Round. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Steel Pulse FC
(USASA / Maryland Major Soccer League)
2:3
Tartan Devils Oak Avalon
(USASA / Greater Pittsburgh Soccer League)

By Craig Tower

On a hot day in Elkridge, Maryland, the Tartan Devils of Pittsburgh edged Baltimore’s Steel Pulse FC 3:2 to move into the second round of qualifying for the US Open Cup. Both teams were flagging in the second half, but the Tartan Devils held on to their halftime advantage in spite of their tired legs.

The first half held few clear opportunities for either side until the 44th minute when the Tartan Devils stunned Steel Pulse with a pair of quick strikes. Gregory Annan drew first blood for the PA side with a 44th minute shot on a breakaway from the right side of the Steel Pulse goal, leaving the keeper Gabriel Nieba with no hope of making the save. Not content to enter halftime with a one-goal lead, the Devils found a second through Marcelo Vazquez-Casas in the 45th minute on another breakaway to stun the Marylanders before the break.

The pace had slowed in the second half with the Devils showing more energy moving forward through quick breaks orchestrated by Rami Bensasi to release Annan, Vazquez-Casas, and later substitute Jacob Thiel. Steel Pulse managed to capture possession intermittently, and it was during one of those phases that Malian defensive midfielder Siré Keïta banged home a clever flick-on from a teammate in the 69th minute. His 25-yard shot caught Winter Fondi completely flat-footed as it crossed from the right side of the goal to the left. 

As the teams flagged, it looked like there would be no more goals in the second half. The Tartan Devils weren’t done, though, and Vazquez-Casas headed a fine diagonal ball in the 84th minute from right to left across the Steel Pulse goal to find Jacob Thiel running into side-volley the third goal for the Pittsburgh side. Steel Pulse got the last word in the 86th minute, though, on a shot by Thomas Ndebugre, but neither side had any more goals in them after that.

Chas Wilson of West Chester United after scoring a goal against Danubia Swabian in the 2020 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Matt Ralph | Brotherly Game
Chas Wilson of West Chester United after scoring one of his four goals against Danubia Swabian in the 2020 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Matt Ralph | Brotherly Game

Danubia Swabian of Philadelphia SC
(USASA / USL of PA)
0:5
West Chester United
(USASA / USL of PA)

By Matt Ralph

Chas Wilson had a hat trick and assisted on another goal in a 5-0 win for West Chester United to kick off their return to local qualifying against United Soccer League of Pennsylvania rival Danubia Swabian SC after a successful campaign last year that eventually led to a second round exit against USL Championship team Birmingham Legion. 

AJ Bishop opened the scoring in the 4th minute when he got low to head home a looping cross from right back Sam Bollinger at the far post. West Chester doubled their lead 20 minutes later with another header, this one for Wilson off a cross from Troy Amspacher. 

Wilson was denied a chance to stretch the lead to three before the break when his shot off a cross from Bishop was denied by Danubia goalkeeper Daniel Saint-Pol, who had a number of key stops on the day to limit the damage for a Danubia team that was in Open Cup qualifying for the first time in about a decade. Andreas Bartosinski had a shot from distance turned away with a tip over the bar and Bishop hit the post in attempts that would’ve added to the lead before halftime.

The third goal came for the Predators when Wilson was able to pounce on a rebound from Saint-Pol off a low line drive from Amspacher in the 66th minute. 

Andreas Bartosinski was played in on a pass by Ryan Fincher in the 84th minute but Saint-Pol was there again to keep the ball out but the rebound eventually fell to Wilson, who was able to beat Saint-Pol inside the post to complete his hat trick. Wilson went back to the defense to finish out the game but ended up still being involved in setting up another goal when he took a little flick from Bishop down the right flank and played a cross Bollinger was able to get a foot on to touch past the keeper in second half stoppage time. 

Brian Erlich and Evan Bleiler combined on the clean sheet in goal, but neither keeper had too much to do on a day when West Chester dominated possession and created a slew of chances on the offensive side of the gray turf field at Rosemont College.

Ukrainian Nationals
(USASA / USL of PA)
1:4
Vereinigung Erzgebirge
(USASA / USL of PA)

A pair of historic clubs met in North Wales, Penn. on Sunday afternoon for a US Open Cup qualifying match. Ukranian Nationals, which has won the competition four times, hosted Vereiningung Erzgebirge, who looked to return to the tournament for the first time since 2002.

Vereiningung Erzgebirge received two goals from Greg Shertzer in the opening half, the second of which turned out to be the game winner, to take the 2-0 lead.

Derek Antonini and Devlin Mette added a goal each in the second half, but the Nationals would later ruin the clean sheet, but VE, which started playing soccer in 1969, advanced with a 4-1 win.

Players from Inocentes FC and Lone Star Republic (red) battle for the ball in their 2020 US Open Cup qualifier. Photo: Lone Star Republic
Players from Inocentes FC and Lone Star Republic (red) battle for the ball in their 2020 US Open Cup qualifier. Photo: Lone Star Republic

Lone Star Republic
(USASA / UPSL)
1:2
Inocentes Futbol Club
(USASA / UPSL)

Inocentes Futbol Club traveled to Frankel Field in Addison, Texas to face Lone Star Republic. Going up 2-0 early in the second half, Inocentes FC held off a late push from Lone Star Republic to win 2-1 and move one step closer to earning a place in its first US Open Cup.

Inocentes FC took the lead just before halftime as Carlos Zarate pounced on a loose ball at the top of the box and slotted it into the net for a 1-0 lead. The team then earned a penalty kick in the 61st minute which was converted by Ivan Kovacevic for the 2-0 lead.

In the 65th minute, Lone Star Republic was able to pull one back as a poor clearance fell to the feet forward Corey Cantor who tucked it home to bring the score to 2-1, but late foul resulted in a Republic player receiving his second yellow of the match later in the half. The hosts were unable to complete the comeback as Inocentes advanced to Round 2.

San Juan FC
(USASA / UPSL)
2:0
International Portland Select / Marathon Taverna
(USASA / Oregon Premier League)

International Portland Select / Marathon Taverna of Oregon was unable to replicate last year’s run of upsets in the qualifying rounds; they traveled to Salt Lake City and lost 2-0 to San Juan FC. The game was played at Zions Bank Training Center, where San Juan FC of the UPSL has been nearly impossible to beat in the league.

Tonight was no different, as Cristian Molina Escobar beat the keeper in a 1-on-1 by going over the top around the 34th minute. Later, in the second half, Robert Kostovski doubled the lead for San Juan FC after IPSFC’s keeper made an error in the 62nd minute. San Juan FC were able to keep a normally dangerous IPSFC off the scoreboard and secure the win. IPS FC will head home, knocked out, and San Juan win their opening game in the qualifying tournament for the second year in a row.

Charleston United
(USASA / UPSL)
1:1 (2:4 PK)
Soda City Sorinex FC
(USASA / Central League)

Just under a year after being eliminated by America Soccer Club in the Third Round of qualifying, with the former later forfeiting its next match, Soda City Sorinex FC returned to the US Open Cup and began 2020 with a win over Charleston United, 1-1 (4:2 on pks)

The visitors got on the board first in the 25th minute, when Graham Jermstad’s push into Charleston territory seemingly ended with a long pass. The United center-back intercepted but mishit the ball with the keeper advancing on it, allowing it to roll into the net for an own-goal.

The Charleston defense held on for the rest of the game and pushed back Soda City, allowing the team to equalize and score its first ever USOC Qualifying goal in the 70th minute. A cut into the middle by the left center-back allowed for a curling long shot that found its way past the keeper in the 70th minute.

After 90 minutes and an additional 30 couldn’t produce a winner, the two teams stepped up for the penalty kick shootout to determine who went through. Both teams made their first two shots on the left side and missed their third, but Sorinex slammed its fourth into the top of the netting in the fourth round. A Charleston skied attempt allowed Soda City to advance with a successful fifth round kick to the left side.

Players from Azteca FC and Athletic Club of Sloan's Lake (red) battle for the ball in their 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Colorado Soccer Magazine
Players from Azteca FC and Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake (red) battle for the ball in their 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Colorado Soccer Magazine

Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake
(USSSA / Colorado Premier League)
0:5
Azteca FC
(USSSA / Colorado Premier League)

By Jim Coppock

Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake AC Sloan’s Lake made their US Open Cup qualifying debut against Azteca FC, who have the distinction of having never lost a qualification round match – Five wins from five matches dating back to 2016. On Sunday, Azteca extended that unbeaten streak with a 5-0 win. Jovany Herrera and Daniel Jimenez both scored twice for their team while Erik Chavez rounded out scoring with a single goal.

The first minute of the game would set the tone for the rest of it. Azteca fizzed a shot just wide after less than 20 seconds. The first half was fiercely contested, but ultimately one-way traffic to Azteca, as they ran up a 3-0 lead going into the break on goals in the 13th and 17th minute from Jovany Herrera Delgado and another in the 23rd minute.

The second half continued the way the first half ended, with Azteca on the front foot as they added another goal in the 52nd minute. Down 4-0, Sloan’s Lake saw some improved possession in the final 15 minutes, but it was too little, too late. Aside from a shot by Kwame Antwi that hit the goalpost in the 56th minute, Sloan’s Lake was unable to threaten the Azteca goal. Azteca FC would add another goal in second half stoppage time to cruise to the win and advance to the next round of qualifying that will take place in October.

Players from the Colorado Rush pose for a team photo before their 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match against Club El Azul. Photo: Colorado Rush
Players from the Colorado Rush pose for a team photo before their 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match against Club El Azul. Photo: Colorado Rush

Colorado Rush
(USSSA / Colorado Super League)
3:2 (AET)
Club El Azul
(USSSA / Colorado Premier League)

After playing to a 1-1 tie through 90 minutes of regulation, chaos erupted in extra time between the Colorado Rush and Club El Azul. Five players and the Club El Azul were sent off, which forced the referee to end the game early. However, before the match went off the rails, the Colorado Rush scored twice and held off a late push to win the game 3-2. 

The Rush were playing this game with heavy hearts as they are mourning the death of teammate and former MLS player Colin Clark. They wore black arm bands and played a tightly-contested 90 minutes with Club El Azul, who opened the scoring in the 65th minute. The Rush responded with a goal from Alex Olivera just two minutes late..

The teams continued into extra time where Club El Azul had a player receive his second yellow card to bring them down to 10 men in the first period of extra time. The Rush took advantage with Fabricio Barancoski scoring a pair of goals in the second period of extra time. Down 3-1, Club El Azul cut the lead to one just a few minutes later, but in the final five minutes of extra time, the game got out of hand. A Club El Azul player was red carded for a tackle, and that set off some serious protests from his teammates and the head coach. In the end, three additional players and the coach were given their marching orders for dissent and verbal abuse, leaving the team with six players. Without the minimum number of players available, the referee called for an end to the match.

With the 3-2 win, the Rush advanced as they attempt to punch their ticket to the US Open Cup for the first time since making their tournament debut in 2017. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Art Aghasi of Cal FC (right) plays the ball against Quickening in the 2020 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Victor Friedman | Cal FC
Art Aghasi of Cal FC (right) plays the ball against Quickening in the 2020 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Victor Friedman | Cal FC

Quickening
(USASA / SoCal Premier League)
2:9
Cal FC
(USASA / UPSL)

An absolutely dominating performance saw Cal FC blow up Quickening 9-2 in the opening round of 2020 US Open Cup qualifying on Sunday.

Former MLS player Orr Barouch opened the scoring for Cal FC in the 14th minute. After a spell of 18 minutes without a goal, the floodgates opened as Cal FC scored five more before the end of the first half.  Former LA Galaxy academy player Willie Raygoza scored the second for Cal FC in the 32nd minute, with Barouch tallying his second of the match three minutes later. Romario Lomelli scored in the 38th min, followed by German Alfaro four minutes later. Then, two minutes after that, Raygoza added his second in the 44th minute as Cal FC took a dominating 6-1 lead into halftime. Raygoza completed his hat trick in the 58th minute and Auggie Caseraz and Artur Agahsi rounded out the scoring for Cal FC. Quickening added another late goal but it wasn’t enough to prevent the competition’s most lopsided result to date.

Cal FC, best known for their upset of the Portland Timbers of MLS in 2012, are attempting to qualify for the second year in a row, and the fifth time in club history (2012, 2014, 2015, 2019).

Deportivo Lake Mary
(USASA / UPSL)
1:2
Orlando FC Wolves
(USASA / Central Florida Soccer League)

Orlando FC Wolves advance for the first time to the next round in the US Open Cup qualifiers after getting a late goal in the 120th minute with 10 men to get the victory over Deportivo Lake Mary 2-1.

After a scoreless 90 minutes both teams regrouped for extra time. In the 96th minute, Gui Salvagno broke the deadlock for Deportivo Lake Mary to give his team the lead early in the additional half. The Wolves midfielder Akeem Flemmings received a red after getting his second yellow for a late tackle and was sent off.  In the 113th minute Patrick Bond equalizes for the Orlando FC Wolves. OFC pushed forward late in the match to get a winner as the match look towards penalties but in the 120th minute Grant Blackhurst dribble past two defenders and blast the game winning shot past the keeper for the victory. This is the first qualifying win for the Wolves and will await their next challenge in the second round.

CD Huateras poses for a team photo before the club's 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match vs. FC Millenium. Photo: CD Huateras
CD Huateras poses for a team photo before the club’s 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match vs. FC Millenium. Photo: CD Huateras

FC Millennium International
(USASA / UPSL)
2:3
CD Huateras
(ANFEEU / Woodbridge Soccer League)

CD Huateras, one of the five Asociacon Nacional Futbol en USA (ANFEEU) entries, came back to win their debut match in the qualifying tournament, edging FC Millennium, 3-2. Eryck Martines gave FC Millennium, the home team, an early lead with a goal in the first minute. CD Huateras would equalize with a goal by Christian Najar around the 30th minute. After halftime, Erick Colindres would score around the 60th minute to give FC Millennium the lead back. Then, CD Huateras would snatch the lead back. With about 10 minutes to play, CD Huateras was awarded a penalty kick which was converted by George Urias. Then, two minutes later, Kevin Echevaria would complete the comeback with the game-winning goal.

 

Alianza FC poses for a team photo before the club's 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match vs. Doradus FC. Photo: Alianza FC
Alianza FC poses for a team photo before the club’s 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match vs. Doradus FC. Photo: Alianza FC

Doradus FC
(ANFEEU / Woodbridge Soccer League)
1:2
Alianza Futbol Club
(ANFEEU / Woodbridge Soccer League)

After the Asociacon Nacional Futbol en USA (ANFEEU) made it’s US Open Cup qualifying debut last year with two entries (Virginia United qualified). The ANFEEU now has five entries for the 2020 tournament, and the opening round featured two clubs from that organization, with both of them hailing from the Woodbridge Soccer League (Va.). In this game, Alianza FC edged Doradus FC 2-1 to advance to Round 2.

The difference in the game was two first half goals from Mauricio Martinez and Everton Bailey. Doradus pulled one back in second half stoppage time but their late push wasn’t enough as Alianza moved on in their qualifying debut.

Florida Soccer Soldiers
(USASA / UPSL)
2:0
Red Force FC
(USASA / UPSL)

One of last year’s best underdog stories, the Florida Soccer Soldiers, faced a big test in the First Round of the qualifying tournament as they try to return to the US Open Cup. They hosted fellow Miami-based club Red Force FC, who have qualified four times (2013, 2014, 2017, 2018), and came away with a 2-0 win. Their success last year, which saw them reach the Third Round of the US Open Cup, and upsetting professional side Charlotte Independence, may have contributed to the loss of some key players who were signed by bigger clubs. But the team is back and they got on the board early when Sebastian Aldunate scored from an Andres De Somocurcio cross in the 7th minute. After going into the halftime break up 1-0, the Soccer Soldiers doubled their lead early in the second half with De Somocurcio getting one of his own off a rebound. 

Players from FC Union Jerez celebrate during their 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match against Gam United FC. Photo: Colorado Soccer Magazine
Players from FC Union Jerez celebrate during their 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match against Gam United FC. Photo: Colorado Soccer Magazine

Gam United FC
(US Club Soccer / Mountain Premier League)
1:2
FC Union Jerez
(USSSA / Colorado Premier League)

In a hard-fought contest, FC Union Jerez bested GAM United 2-1. GAM started brightly with a goal from Triston Austin in the 2nd minute. Jerez equalized in the 23rd minute through Cristian Rodriguez, and then Ismael Rodriguez Jr. converted a game-winning penalty kick early in the second half. With the victory, FC Union Jerez advance to the second qualifying round for the first time.

Players from Lansdowne Yonkers FC get some instructions from their head coach before their match against Clifton Elite FC in the 2020 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Lansdowne Yonkers FC
Players from Lansdowne Yonkers FC get some instructions from their head coach before their match against Clifton Elite FC in the 2020 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Lansdowne Yonkers FC

Clifton Elite FC
(USASA / Garden State Soccer League)
2:4
Lansdowne Yonkers FC
(USASA / Cosmopolitan Soccer League)

By Michael Battista

Four first half goals were enough to launch Lansdowne Yonkers FC past Clifton Elite FC, 4-2. Yonkers, the two time US Open Cup proper qualifier, controlled possession for the first 45 and over-ran the Clifton defense.

Dean Dillon, a recent Lansdowne signee from League of Ireland Premier Division side Shamrock Rovers, scored twice including the opener in the 24th minute. After being fed the ball, Dillon chipped a shot from the top right of the penalty area over the keeper’s head. David Ardvidsson slammed in another goal in the 37th minute off a missed cross from the opposite corner. Before halftime, two defensive errors in the 44th and the first minute of stoppage time, cost Clifton. A failed ball pickup by Clifton keeper Ryan Linder, allowed Nicolai Andersen and Dillon to put the game out of reach for the Garden State Soccer League side.

The second half saw more even play as Lansdowne slowed down, giving Clifton a chance to push up. Frustration finally bubbled into results when team captain Isimohi Bello scored twice in stoppage time, the first off a headed Clifton free-kick and the second from a run up the right side after Yonkers restarted. The former Lansdowne player, who was with the team during its 2016 Open Cup run to the Third Round, had one more chance but couldn’t cut the lead to one before the final whistle.

Lansdowne returns to the Second Round of Cup qualifying after being eliminated in its first game last year by fellow Cosmopolitan Soccer League side and three-time USOC champions, New York Pancyprian-Freedoms.

Livonia City FC poses for a team photo before their 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match against Wayne County Sporting. Photo: Livonia City FC
Livonia City FC poses for a team photo before their 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match against Wayne County Sporting. Photo: Livonia City FC

Livonia City FC
(USASA / Michigan Premier Soccer League)
2:2 (5:4 PK)
Wayne County Sporting
(USASA / Michigan Premier Soccer League)

By David Hebestreit

A late night match in Southeast Michigan turned into quite the thriller as Livonia City FC and Wayne County Sporting went to penalty kicks under the lights.

Wayne County Sporting, making their qualifying debut, jumped out to a 2-0 lead in just over a half hour, with Diego Barajas firing a shot that was saved before Ahmed Al Shareefi put the rebound into the back of the net in the 7th minute. In the 31st minute, Edwin Rodriguez drew a penalty kick that was converted by Barajas to give the visitors a 2-0 lead.

Livonia City fought back, as Ardit Dushkaj scored in the 57th minute and later converted an equalizing penalty kick in second half stoppage time to send the match into extra time.

2-2! ARDIT ties it up! His second of the night! 10 men Livonia City still fighting! pic.twitter.com/NeTQIAn9qW

— Livonia City F.C. (@LivoniaCityFC) September 23, 2019

A late red card for Livonia City left them to play with 10 men for both extra time periods, but Wayne County Sporting could not take advantage and the match went to penalty kicks.

Down 3-2 after four rounds of penalty kicks, Livonia City converted its fifth kick then denied the fifth attempt from Wayne County Sporting to send it into sudden death penalty kicks. In the eighth round, Livonia City converted and keeper Erik VerHoef made the save to send the hosts on to the next round of qualifying. It was a game of redemption for Livonia, who were eliminated in their qualifying debut last year in a penalty kick shootout to FC Maritsa (St. Louis) in the Third Round. Had they advanced, they would have played in a “Win & You’re In” game in the final round.  

Oxnard Guerreros FC pose for a team photo before their 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match against Santa Monica United FC. Photo: Oxnard Guerreros FC
Oxnard Guerreros FC pose for a team photo before their 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match against Santa Monica United FC. Photo: Oxnard Guerreros FC

Oxnard Guerreros FC
(USASA / UPSL)
2:0
Santa Monica United FC
(USASA / UPSL)

A pair of second half goals propelled Oxnard Guerreros FC to a 2-0 win over Santa Monica United FC. After playing to a 0-0 tie through half time, Raul Yepez scored in the 65th minute to put the home side up 1-0. Jesse Tamayo then found the back of the net seven minutes later to extend Oxford’s lead to two, which is where it would finish to give Oxnard its first qualifying win in team history. 

Academica SC
(US Club Soccer / LIGA NorCal)
4:1
PV United
(USASA / UPSL)

A trio of second half goals saw Academica SC claim a 4-1 win over PV United. The team is seeking to qualify for the US Open Cup through the qualification tournament for a second straight year.

Cody Golbad opened the scoring in the 15th minute, pouncing on a loose ball in the box and finding the back of the net. Ramiro Ceja added the second in the 48th minute on a header and then tallied his second, the team’s third, in the 60th minute, both on assists from Golbad.

A goal from PV United in the 66th minute saw the visitors try to claw their way back in at 3-1, but a 78th minute goal from Luis Hernandez ended any questions about the final result, and Academica SC closed out the 4-1 win. 

Matt Fondy of Olympic Club steps up to take a penalty kick against JASA RWC in the 2020 US Open Cup Qualifying. Photo: 3pointsport (IG)
Matt Fondy of Olympic Club steps up to take a penalty kick against JASA RWC in the 2020 US Open Cup Qualifying tournament. Photo: 3pointsport (IG)

JASA RWC
(USASA / UPSL)
0:4
Olympic Club
(USASA / San Francisco Soccer Football League)

PHOTO GALLERY by 3pointsport (IG)

By Michael Battista

Solid performances on offenses, aided by a plethora of former professional talent, and at the back led to a 4-0 win for Olympic Club as they traveled to play JASA RWC.

A hard-fought first half seemed destined to head into the break with the score knotted at zeroes, but a penalty shortly before halftime gave Olympic Club an opportunity to break the deadlock. Former Chicago Fire and North Carolina FC player Matt Fondy stepped up and shot left, while JASA’s Alan Cruz dove right, giving the club a 1-0 lead.

Just four minutes into the second half Olympic Club’s momentum continued as Diego Rovira finished off a corner kick to double his team’s lead. The 65th minute saw Fondy juke around the JASA defenses before finding former Seattle Sounder Aaron Kovar charging up the left side. A low slam into the opposite corner was enough to get passed an extending Cruz in net. Thomas Sanner, formerly of the Vancouver Whitecaps, headed in the final goal in the 72nd minute.

Players from Athletic Katy FC pose for a team photo before the club's 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match against Houston FC. Photo: Athletic Katy FC
Players from Athletic Katy FC pose for a team photo before the club’s 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match against Houston FC. Photo: Athletic Katy FC

SATURDAY, SEPT. 28

Athletic Katy FC
(USASA / UPSL)
3:3 (5:4 PK)
Houston FC
(USASA / UPSL)

When Athletic Katy jumped out to a 3-0 halftime lead, it appeared to be an easy night for the home side against Houston FC. And when Houston’s backup goalkeeper, who replaced the starter in the 26th minute, was sent off in the 75th minute, the game appeared all but over. The emergency goalkeeper was Chris Gooding, a young player just a couple years removed from high school soccer with no experience wearing the goalie gloves. However, despite playing down a man with an inexperienced goalie, Chance Arney, who scored the opening goal for Houston in the 49th minute, added another in the 86th minute, and a stoppage time equalizer from the penalty kick to send the match into extra time. After two scoreless extra time periods, and a delay when the lights went out at the stadium, the match went to penalty kicks. There, Athletic Katy prevailed 5-4 to advance to the next round. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Filed Under: 2020 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, Feature - Qualifying, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Qualifying Tagged With: 2020 US Open Cup Qualifying

2020 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1: Ovan Oakley’s late winner helps CSA Westchester edge Jackson Lions

September 26, 2019 by Michael Battista

A shot from a 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match between the Jackson Lions and CSA Westchester. Photo: Michael Battista
A shot from a 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match between the Jackson Lions and CSA Westchester. Photo: Michael Battista

In Sunday’s first 2020 US Open Cup qualifier, Cedar Stars Academy Westchester (known in tournament logs as CSA Westchester) defeated Jackson Lions FC, 2-1, off a late goal and a confusing red card. Ovan Oakley’s late run up the midfield and low finish past an advancing Charlie Cunliffe put the Lions up 2-1 before the team’s keeper made two critical saves in stoppage time to preserve the lead.

With the win, Westchester, a team full of players from across New Jersey and some from Connecticut, who rarely train together, will play three-time US Open Cup champion and fellow Cosmopolitan Soccer League side New York Pancyprian Freedoms in the Second Round next month.

In a record year for New Jersey teams, with three attempting to qualify for the tournament proper, Cedar Stars’ first-ever attempt to qualify got off to a rocky start before kickoff even began. The team, arriving 30 minutes before kickoff and under-manned, were forced to move to a secondary field at Ramapo College in Mahwah, N.J. due to a scheduling conflict, meaning the game would be played on a grass pitch with sloped sides.

“I felt the (field) surface didn’t really suit us even though it was our home game,” said Cedar Stars head coach Austin Friel. “We tried to have it on the turf but because we put 12 o’clock kickoff there was a clash with a college lacrosse game. We just had to adjust to it and play on the grass.”

Chris Katona, the team’s leading scorer the past two seasons in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League, said he hadn’t really played on grass since high school, and that fact, plus the slopes, did play a factor in the game.

“It’s a lot different element because you’re not on turf, the ball’s not going as smooth,” Katona said. “(The players) have to concentrate a little more because it touches and they got to get used to it. It played a little bit of a factor but (we) were able to control the ball and play our style.”

Despite the setbacks and not having a key starters due to travel issues, Jackson came out of the gate fast. The Garden State Soccer League team taking part in its fourth straight Open Cup qualifying tournament and pulled out all the stops it could, including having one of their players fly up from Florida just for the game. It seemed to work in the early going as the Lions held a majority of possession early on but failed to finish any chances.

A late Cedar Stars push just before the half saw Ryan Adeleye head a long pass into the net but it was called offside. The centerback remained down as trainers and teammates rushed over before he left the game, leaving his team to play with 10 for the remaining few minutes. Adeleye was transported to a local hospital for a cut near one of his eyes. Despite him being cleared at the time for a concussion and only needing stitches, this forced CSA to use both of its subs before the second half kicked off, leaving no players on the bench.

Jackson once again led the pace early in the second half, with striker Ryan Bailey nearly getting a breakaway chance in the 49th minute before his left footed shot sailed over the crossbar and into the side of a passing van on nearby Route 202. But the team couldn’t hold control as long and allowed Max Garcia to feed Katona in the 52nd minute for the opening score.

For his part, Garcia played the full 90 minutes across the field, disrupting numerous Lions plays and feeding balls forward to Katona, Oakley, and others who were open with a chance to challenge Cunliffe.

“Maxi has worked hard over the past year in regards to getting in shape and getting into gameplay,” Katona said. “He’s setting the standard bar high … He’s been a huge impact player for us (and will be) going forward.”

The back-and-forth began to swing more towards Jackson favor after the goal, and the push paid off in the 58th minute when a poor pickup by the CSA keeper allowed Walter Calderon to slip the ball into the net and level the score. With the heat blaring down on the natural grass, both teams pushed for the late winner with the Lions looking out of gas as time went on. Katona and Garcia both missed chances for their team but a foul in the 87th minute changed everything.

A collision between two players, instigated by Bailey, saw the official initially pull a yellow card for the Jackson player. After a few moments, she returned with a red card for Bailey for what seemed to be for comments after the play. The man advantage gave CSA the break it needed and not long after play resumed Matt Nigro found a charging Oakley who scored the game winner.

For Friel, who coached the CSL’s Lansdowne Bhoys (now Lansdowne Yonkers) during its 2016 US Open Cup run to the Third Round, knows his team has a long road ahead of them.

“I still don’t think we’re even (at) 50%,” he said. “I still think we’re 50% away from where we should be whenever it gets to crunch time in the season.

“Obviously in any cup competition you want to progress as far as you want to go,” Friel continued. “Happy enough to get through to the next round. But the players know there’s a lot of hard work to do to go further. This team’s capable of going to the third or fourth round, like I as a coach have done before, so that’s the aim but we’ll take it one game at a time.”

Filed Under: 2020 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, Feature - Qualifying, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Qualifying Tagged With: 2020 US Open Cup Qualifying, CSA Westchester, Jackson Lions FC

2020 US Open Cup Qualifying: Steel FC keep level heads in 3-1 win over Germantown City

September 25, 2019 by John Krysinsky

Players from Steel FC (left) and Germantown City chase the ball in a 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Brad Oskowski
Players from Steel FC (left) and Germantown City chase the ball in a 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Brad Oskowski

After watching Steel FC through 45 minutes take command of its Open Division Local Qualifying game for the 2020 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, one might get the impression that this was a seasoned, experience squad that’s been in this situation before.

The reality was, Steel FC were making its debut in US Open Cup qualifying as they dominated Germantown City FC of Maryland, winning 3-1 at Shady Side Academy on Saturday night.

“We knew what we had coming into this match. A lot of hard work over the past few years, and we put it to good use with a 3-1 win,” Brian Luchini, Steel FC manager said after the match.

From the start, even as both sides looked a bit uneasy, giving a number of balls away, Steel FC sat back in a 4-5-1 formation, calmly absorbing some pressure, but quickly took command of the match.

By the 12th minute, Steel FC were clearly on the front foot, setting up three corner kicks, sending crosses into the box and stretching its opponents by using all sides of the Shady Side field with accurate diagonal balls.

Taking its time possessing the ball around the box in the 15th minute, Steel FC found some magic when Matt Bischoff opted to play the ball back to defender Matt McDyer.

The former Penn State product drilled a shot from 30 yards out that sailed into the upper right corner past the extended arms of GCFC keeper Yusupha Fofana that gave Steel FC the early lead.

“That’s McDyer doing what he does best,” Luchini said afterwards, describing McDyer’s strike as a ‘cracker’. “He put his foot through it. We got a great deflection.

Germantown City continued to struggle to play the ball out of the back.

As the first half concluded, it was clear that Steel FC were wearing down the Maryland-based side.

Steel FC had Germantown on its heels, and stuck with a one-two punch late in the first half.

Bischoff was the table setter again — sliding a ball through for former Pittsburgh Riverhound Anthony Virgara. Once into the box, Virgara got around Fofana to tap in a clinical finish for the two-goal lead.

Only two minutes later, Bischoff intercepted a pass just beyond midfield, quickly found Christian Lewandowski making a run through the middle of the field.

Lewandowski then really turned on the jets, splitting through Germantown’s two center backs and into the box. With Fofana coming off the line, Lewandowski took a touch to the left, then slotted his shot just inside the left post to give Steel City a commanding 3-0 lead.

Players from Steel FC (left) and Germantown City chase the ball in a 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Brad Oskowski
Players from Steel FC (left) and Germantown City chase the ball in a 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Brad Oskowski

Steel FC’s back line were well-positioned and handled a few Germantown advances in the first half, and conceded just one corner kick.

Goalkeeper Brendan Birmingham made one save in the first half that came in the early moments when GCFC’s Mani Wolcott broke down the left side, and sent a bending shot from 16 yards.  Birmingham did have to go down to retrieve it, but had it all the way.

The second half provided a more physical battle, as both sides exchanged hard tackles and yellow cards, while Steel FC’s back line dominated Germantown’s forward for much of the match. Both Lewandowski and Bischoff were assessed yellow cards.

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“We were able to keep our heads level,” Luchini said. “And I haven’t seen our back line lose many headers at all.”

With Virgara, Rob Heuler and Bischoff controlling possession in the middle, Steel FC continued its assault through the early part of the second half, but couldn’t add to its lead.

A back-and-forth sequence in the 77th and 78th minutes provided a few spectacular saves.

First, Fofana was left alone, but he shut down Steel FC’s best chance of the second half when sub Ramsey Hartley had a point blank chance from eight yards out.

Germantown’s counter chance resulted in a cross from Jose Panigua on the right side to Aldo Ruiz.  GCFC’s number 10 sent a header to the inside of the left post, but Birmingham lunged to make a big save.

The final ten minutes, Germantown finally flipped the script, and kept coming forward with numbers. The visitors’ persistence paid off — as Diego Velazquez buried his shot from the top of the box to close the lead to 3-1.

Germantown pressed in the dying moments to cut the lead, but couldn’t find another tally.

The next step for Steel FC, founded as a club in 2015 which has quickly risen through the ranks, will be hosting fellow Pittsburgh area club Tartan Devils Oak Avalon in the Second Round. The two teams will square off on Sunday, Oct. 20 at Highmark Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

“We just want to look forward. It’s one step at a time,” Luchini said. “We’re here — in this moment doing what we do best, and that’s coming out with a victory.”

POST MATCH INTERVIEW WITH STEEL FC’s BRIAN LUCHINI

Filed Under: 2020 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, Feature - Qualifying, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Qualifying Tagged With: 2020 US Open Cup Qualifying, germantown city fc, steel fc

2020 US Open Cup Qualifying: In honor of Colin Clark, Colorado Rush win red card-shortened OT battle

September 25, 2019 by Tom Arnison

Players from the Colorado Rush pose for a team photo before their 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match against Club El Azul. Photo: Colorado Rush
Players from the Colorado Rush pose for a team photo before their 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match against Club El Azul. Photo: Colorado Rush

It took a spirited extra time effort from the Colorado Rush to defeat Club El Azul in the first qualifying round of the 2020 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The Rush edged Club El Azul 3-2 in a match that had to be ended early due to a flurry of red cards.

The Rush came to their home field at Addenbrooke Park with heavy hearts. Colin Clark, a local legend played eight seasons in Major League Soccer — five of them with the Colorado Rapids — and also played for the Rush in recent years. Clark passed away suddenly from a heart attack on Aug. 26. Clark had also spent a lot of time teaching the game to the next generation, including a stint as the director of coaching with the Rush. His memorial service was held earlier in the week.

“You are so emotionally drained” said Rush’s 43-year-old ‘utility player’ Adam Hudson. “But, you can either take that and totally fold up, or you can take it and turn it into a positive thing which is probably what anyone like Colin would want anyway.”

The Rush, who wore black arm bands in honor of their fallen teammate, would see the majority of the chances on goal in the first half. But in the opening 20 minutes, Club El Azul of the Colorado Premier League would take the lead against the run of play and force the Rush onto the back foot. The teams would see out the half with even possession.

In the second half, In the 65th minute, Rush winger Alex Olivera found a space at the top of the box and hit a dangerous ball with his left that looped over Azul’s keeper and into the back of the net. Only Alex knows if the ball was a shot or a cross.

“We needed some luck tonight,” said Hudson. “Alex is not a left-footed player.  Colin was.”

Rush’s keeper Luke Heaton would make a spectacular top-corner save off of a blast from a Azul corner kick to keep his team in the game.

A rejuvenated Rush side would force the game to extra time.

In the 91st minute, Hudson entered the game wearing the No. 11 shirt formerly worn by his close friend Colin Clark. Shortly thereafter, luck would lend itself to the Rush again as an Azul player would receive a second yellow after he pushed a Rush player to the ground in frustration right in front of the fourth official.

Going into the second period of overtime, and with the man advantage, target forward Fabricio Barancoski would give the Rush the lead by redirecting a goal-bound header from Nick Hartman over the keeper and into the top of the net.

The Rush would double the lead after Barancoski would work a 2-on-1 break with Omar Sandoval who would take the end line and send the ball back across the goal for Barancoski to finish clinically.

Club El Azul fought back immediately with a laid off shot from the top of the box that would find its way under Heaton’s outstretched arm.

With about five minutes left, trailing by one, Azul would not prove strong enough to finish out the game after a second player was sent off for a bad tackle. This decision outraged Club El Azul so much so that three players were sent off, including their head coach. This left them with six players, one fewer than the minimum required, so the referee called for the game to come to an end with a few minutes left on the clock.

The Rush, who qualified for the US Open Cup for the first time in 2017, advance to Round 2 where they will take on FC Boulder Harpos on Oct. 20.

“Colin loved the Open Cup,” said coach Joe Rush after the game. “This run, this season, it is all dedicated to Colin.”

“When you play for a person that you loved and looked up to in the soccer sense, playing professionally the way he did … it kind of helps you,” said Hudson. “Some don’t know the impact he had on our lives and on the field.”

 

Filed Under: 2020 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, Feature - Qualifying, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Qualifying Tagged With: 2020 US Open Cup Qualifying, Club El Azul, Colorado Rush

2020 Open Cup Qualifying: US Soccer announces second qualifying round match-ups

September 23, 2019 by Jake Sillick

Players from Chula Vista FC (right) and Rebels SC battle for the ball during their Open Division Local Qualifying match for the 2020 US Open Cup. Photo: Chula Vista FC
Players from Chula Vista FC (right) and Rebels SC battle for the ball during their Open Division Local Qualifying match for the 2020 US Open Cup. Photo: Chula Vista FC

The United States Soccer Federation announced the match-ups for the second round of local qualifiers for the 2020 US Open Cup.

There are now 49 teams remaining to qualify for next year’s tournament proper. 48 will participate in this second round, after the postponed first round match between Athletic Katy FC and Houston FC is rescheduled and completed.

The teams that are taking part in the competition are mostly amateur — although there are no rules limiting professional teams from participating.

The Open Division Local Qualifying tournament was launched in 2016 as an alternative to holding state and regional qualifying tournaments. Now, all teams from any US Soccer-affiliated leagues just need to register. The competition begins in the fall and all entrants are divided up regionally to minimize travel, with the teams that advance the furthest qualifying for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup which will begin in the spring. The number of teams that will qualify for the tournament, and the number of rounds that will be required, is yet to be determined as it will depend on the number of professional teams that will take part in the 107th edition of the Open Cup next year.

One team has already punched their ticket into the 2020 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Newtown Pride FC  won the 2019 USASA Amateur Cup championship which earned them an automatic berth into next year’s Open Cup. The Connecticut-based club has qualified for the first time after being unsuccessful each year since 2013 to qualify, finally getting over the hump.

The match-ups for the second round of the qualifying tournament are listed below:

2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – Second Qualifying Round Schedule

East Region

Date Game (home team listed first) Time Venue
Oct. 19 Safira FC (Mass.) vs. Brockton FC United (Mass.) 1 p.m. ET Dilboy Stadium; Somerville, Mass.
Oct. 19 CD Huateras (Va.) vs. World Class Premier Elite FC (Md.) 6 p.m. ET Howison Homestead Soccer Complex, Field 1; Woodbridge, Va.
Oct. 19 West Chester United (Pa.) vs. Lansdowne Yonkers FC (N.Y.) 7 p.m. ET West Chester United Turf Field; West Chester, Pa.
Oct. 20 CSA Westchester (N.J.) vs. New York Pancyprian Freedoms (N.Y.) 12 p.m. ET Ramapo College of New Jersey, Stadium Field; Mahwah, N.J.
Oct. 20 United German Hungarians (Pa.) vs. Vereinigung Erzgebirge (Pa.) 3 p.m. ET Trifecta Sporting Club, Stadium Field; Oakford, Pa.
Oct. 20 Virginia United (Va.) vs. Alianza Futbol Club (Va.) 6 p.m. ET George Hampton Middle School; Woodbridge, Va.
Oct. 20 Christos FC (Md.) vs. Federal City Wanderers (D.C.) 6 p.m. ET Glen Burnie High School; Glen Burnie, Md.
Oct. 20 Steel FC (Pa.) vs. Tartan Devils Oak Avalon (Pa.) 7 p.m. ET Highmark Stadium; Pittsburgh, Pa.

Central Region

Date Game (home team listed first) Time Venue
Oct. 19 NTX Rayados (Texas) vs. Inocentes Futbol Club (Texas) 7 p.m. CT Premier Park, Field 1; Balch Springs, Texas
Oct. 19 San Antonio Runners (Texas) vs. Celtic Cowboys Premier (Texas) 7 p.m. CT UTSA Campus Recreation Field Complex – South; San Antonio, Texas
Oct. 19 Louisiana Krewe FC (La.) vs. Athletic Katy FC (Texas)/Houston FC (Texas) winner 7 p.m. CT St. Thomas More Catholic High School; Lafayette, La.
Oct. 19 Springfield FC (Ill.) vs. Nashville United (Tenn.) 7 p.m. CT Springfield Area Soccer Association; Springfield, Ill.
Oct. 19 Ann Arbor FC (Mich.) vs. Livonia City FC (Mich.) 8 p.m. ET Legacy Center Sports Complex; Brighton, Mich.
Oct. 20 Orlando FC Wolves (Fla.) vs. Hurricane FC (Fla.) 5 p.m. ET Sylvan Lake Park; Sanford, Fla.
Oct. 20 Florida Soccer Soldiers (Fla.) vs. Miami United FC U23 (Fla.) 6 p.m. ET Miramar Regional Park; Miramar, Fla.
Oct. 20 Soda City Sorinex FC (S.C.) vs. Georgia Revolution FC Reserves (Ga.) 7 p.m. ET Saluda Shoals Soccer Park; Columbia, S.C.

West Region

Date Game (home team listed first) Time Venue
Oct. 19 Chula Vista FC (Calif.) vs. Academica SC (Calif.) 3:15 p.m. PT Terra Nova Park; Chula Vista, Calif.
Oct. 19 Cal FC (Calif.) vs. Alta California Sol (Calif.) 6:30 p.m. PT Orange County Great Park, Field 16; Irvine, Calif.
Oct. 19 Outbreak FC (Calif.) vs. Oxnard Guerreros FC (Calif.) 7 p.m. PT Orange County Great Park, Field 19; Irvine, Calif.
Oct. 20 Olympic Club (Calif.) vs. Oakland Stompers (Calif.) 11 a.m. PT Beach Chalet Soccer Fields; San Francisco, Calif.
Oct. 20 FC Union Jerez (Colo.) vs. Azteca FC (Colo.) 2 p.m. MT Broomfield Commons, Field TBD; Broomfield, Colo.
Oct. 20 FC Boulder Harpos (Colo.) vs. Colorado Rush (Colo.) 3 p.m. MT Fairview High School; Boulder, Colo.
Oct. 20 Colorado Rovers (Colo.) vs. San Juan FC (Utah) 5 p.m. MT Dicks Sporting Goods Park, Field 8; Commerce City, Colo.
Oct. 20 SC Trojans FC (Calif.) vs. L.A. Monsters FC (Calif.) 7:15 p.m. PT Orange County Great Park, Field 19; Irvine, Calif.

Third Qualifying Round: Nov. 23-24
Fourth Qualifying Round (if necessary): Dec. 21-22

 

Filed Under: 2020 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, Feature - Qualifying, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Qualifying Tagged With: 2020 US Open Cup Qualifying

2020 US Open Cup qualifying schedule, results

September 19, 2019 by Jake Sillick

Click on the scores below for match reports
All Times Eastern / All future dates subject to change

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ROUND 1 AWAY TEAM TIME HOME TEAM VENUE
Sept. 21, 2019 Safira FC (USASA) 4:0 Kendall Wanderers (USASA) Danehy Park, Field 3; Cambridge, MA
Sept. 21, 2019 Central Texas Lobos (USASA) 1:7 Celtic Cowboys Premier (USSSA) Onion Creek Soccer Complex, Field 8 ; Austin, TX
Sept. 21, 2019 Brockton FC United (USASA) 1:0 Juve-Pro Soccer (USASA) Taunton Sports Soccer Club; Taunton, MA
Sept. 21, 2019 Miami United FC U23 (USASA) 7:3 Atletico Miami CF (USASA) Jr. Orange Bowl Stadium – Ives Estates Park; Miami, FL
Sept. 21, 2019 FC Fort Worth Soccer Club (USASA) 2:4 NTX Rayados (USASA) Premier Park, Field 1; Balch Springs, TX
Sept. 21, 2019 World Class Premier Elite FC (USASA) 4:1 SOCA (USASA) Charlottesville High School, Stadium Turf Field; Charlottesville, VA
Sept. 21, 2019 Georgia Revolution FC Reserves (USASA) 1:0 Club ATLetic (USASA) Dunwoody Springs Elementary School; Sandy Spring, GA
Sept. 21, 2019 Rebels Soccer Club (USCS) 2:2 (4:5 PK) Chula Vista FC (USCS) Terra Nova Park; Chula Vista, CA
Sept. 21, 2019 Germantown City FC (ANFEEU) 1:3 Steel FC (USASA) Shady Side Academy; Pittsburgh, PA
Sept. 21, 2019 San Antonio Runners (USASA) 3:2 Coyotes FC (USASA) Holy Trinity Catholic High School, Field 1; Temple, TX
Sept. 21, 2019 Northshore United (USASA) 2:5 Louisiana Krewe FC (USASA) St. Thomas More Catholic High School; Lafayette, LA
Sept. 21, 2019 International Soccer Association (USASA) 1:1 (8:9 PK) Hurricane FC (USASA) Seacrest Soccer Complex, Field 1; Delray Beach, FL
Sept. 21, 2019 FC Boulder Harpos (USSSA) 2:0 FC Denver (USSSA) Aurora Sports Park, Field 4; Aurora, CO
Sept. 21, 2019 Colorado Rovers (USSSA) 6:2 Logroñes Denver Soccer Club (USASA) North Stadium/1st Bank Field; Denver, CO
Sept. 21, 2019 Alta California Sol (USASA) 2:1 USA Soccer Stars FC (USASA) Lake Forest Sports Park, Field B; Lake Forest, CA
Sept. 21, 2019 SC Trojans FC (USCS) 4:1 Newport FC (USASA) Orange County Great Park, Field 15; Irvine, CA
Sept. 21, 2019 Valley United SC (USASA) 0:4 L.A. Monsters FC (USCS) Orange County Great Park, Field 19; Irvine, CA
Sept. 21, 2019 Outbreak FC (USCS) 1:1 (4:2 PK) Real San Jose (USASA) PAL Stadium; San Jose, CA
Sept. 21, 2019 Contra Costa FC (USASA) 0:1 Oakland Stompers (USASA) Raimondi Park; Oakland, CA
Sept. 22, 2019 Jackson Lions FC (USASA) 1:2 CSA Westchester (USASA) Ramapo College of New Jersey; Mahwah, NJ
Sept. 22, 2019 Tartan Devils Oak Avalon (USASA) 3:2 Steel Pulse FC (USASA) Troy Park; Elkridge, MD
Sept. 22, 2019 West Chester United (USASA) 5:0 Danubia Swabian (USASA) Rosemont College, Main Varsity Field; Bryn Mawr, PA
Sept. 22, 2019 Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USASA) 4:1 Ukrainian Nationals (USASA) Ukrainian American Sports Center, Main Turf Field; North Wales, PA
Sept. 22, 2019 Inocentes Futbol Club (USASA) 2:1 Lone Star Republic (USASA) The Greenhill School, Frankel Field; Addison, TX
Sept. 22, 2019 IPS/Marathon Taverna (USASA) 0:2 San Juan FC (USASA) Zions Bank Stadium; Herriman, UT
Sept. 22, 2019 Soda City Sorinex FC (USASA) 1:1 (4:2 PK) Charleston United (USASA) Drayton Hall Elementary School; Charleston, SC
Sept. 22, 2019 Azteca FC (USSSA) 5:0 Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake (USSSA) Lakewood Memorial Field; Lakewood, CO
Sept. 22, 2019 Club El Azul (USSSA) 2:3 (AET) Colorado Rush (USASA) Addenbrooke Park; Lakewood, CO
Sept. 22, 2019 Cal FC (USASA) 9:2 Quickening (USCS) Lancaster National Soccer Center, Field 33; Lancaster, CA
Sept. 22, 2019 Orlando FC Wolves (USASA) 2:1 (AET) Deportivo Lake Mary (USASA) Sylvan Lake Park; Sanford, FL
Sept. 22, 2019 CD Huateras (ANFEEU) 3:2 FC Millennium International (USASA) Heurich Community Park, Turf Field; Hyattsville, MD
Sept. 22, 2019 Alianza Futbol Club (ANFEEU) 2:1 Doradus FC (ANFEEU) George Hampton School – Woodbridge, VA
Sept. 22, 2019 Red Force FC (USASA) 0:2 Florida Soccer Soldiers (USASA) Miramar Regional Park; Miramar, FL
Sept. 22, 2019 FC Union Jerez (USSSA) 2:1 Gam United FC (USCS) Lowry Sports Complex Park, Turf Field 2; Denver, CO
Sept. 22, 2019 Lansdowne Yonkers FC (USASA) 4:2 Clifton Elite FC (USASA) Athenia Steel Recreation Complex; Clifton, NJ
Sept. 22, 2019 Wayne County Sporting (USASA) 2:2 (4:5 PK) Livonia City FC (USASA) Schoolcraft College; Livonia, MI
Sept. 22, 2019 Santa Monica United FC (USASA) 0:2
Oxnard Guerreros FC (USASA) Del Sol Stadium; Oxnard, CA
Sept. 22, 2019 PV United (USASA) 1:4 Academica SC (USCS) Our Lady of the Assumption Park; Turlock, CA
Sept. 22, 2019 Olympic Club (USASA) 4:0 JASA RWC (USASA) Red Morton Community Park, Bechet Field; Redwood City, CA
Sept. 28, 2019 Houston FC (USASA) 3:3 (4:5 PK)
Athletic Katy FC (USASA) Campbell Road Sports Park Stadium; Houston, Texas
BYES: NY Pancyprian Freedoms, United German Hungarians, Christos FC, Nashville United
Virginia United, Ann Arbor FC, Federal City Wanderers, Springfield FC
ROUND 2 AWAY TEAM TIME HOME TEAM VENUE
Oct. 19, 2019
Brockton FC United (USASA) 2:0 Safira FC (USASA) Dilboy Stadium – Somerville, MA
Oct. 19, 2019
World Class Premier Elite FC (USASA) 4:5 (AET)
CD Huateras (ANFEEU) Howison Homestead Soccer Complex (Field 1) – Woodbridge, VA
Oct. 19, 2019
Academica SC (USCS) 3:3 (1:2 PK)
Chula Vista FC (USCS) Terra Nova Park – Chula Vista, CA
Oct. 19, 2019
Lansdowne Yonkers FC (USASA) 2:4 West Chester United (USASA) West Chester United Turf Field – West Chester, PA
Oct. 19, 2019
Inocentes Futbol Club (USASA) 0:7 NTX Rayados (USASA) Premier Park (Field 1) – Balch Springs, TX
Oct. 19, 2019
Celtic Cowboys Premier (USSSA) 3:0 San Antonio Runners (USASA) UTSA Campus Recreation Field Complex South – San Antonio, TX
Oct. 19, 2019
Athletic Katy FC (USASA) 2:3 Louisiana Krewe FC (USASA) St. Thomas More Catholic HS – Lafayette, LA
Oct. 19, 2019
Nashville United (USASA) 8:0 Springfield FC (USASA) Springfield Area Soccer Association – Springfield, IL
Oct. 19, 2019
Livonia City FC (USASA) 6:2 Ann Arbor FC (USASA) Legacy Center Sports Complex – Brighton, MI
Oct. 19, 2019
Alta California Sol (USASA) 1:3 Cal FC (USASA) Orange County Great Park (Field 9) – Irvine, CA
Oct. 19, 2019
Oxnard Guerreros (USASA) 7:1 Outbreak FC (USCS) Orange County Great Park (Field 19) – Irvine, CA
Oct. 19, 2019
Oakland Stompers (USASA)
2:4
Olympic Club (USASA)
Beach Chalet Soccer Fields – San Francisco, CA
Oct. 20, 2019
NY Pancyprian Freedoms (USASA) 2:0 CSA Westchester (USASA) Ramapo College of New Jersey (Stadium Field) – Mahwah, NJ
Oct. 20, 2019
Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USASA) 2:0 (AET)
United German Hungarians (USASA) General Ronald K. Nelson Field (Bryn Athyn College) – Bryn Athyn, PA
Oct. 20, 2019
Azteca FC (USSSA) 3:2 (AET)
FC Union Jerez (USSSA) Broomfield Commons, Field TBD; Broomfield, CO
Oct. 20, 2019
Hurricane FC (USASA) 7:1 Orlando FC Wolves (USASA) Sylvan Lake Park (Field D); Sanford, FL
Oct. 20, 2019
Colorado Rush (USASA) 0:6 FC Boulder Harpos (USSSA) Fairview HS – Boulder, CO
Oct. 20, 2019
Miami United FC U-23 (USASA) 2:1 Florida Soccer Soldiers (USASA) Jr. Orange Bowl Stadium (Ives Estates Park) – Miami, FL
Oct. 20, 2019
Alianza Futbol Club (ANFEEU) 1:2 Virginia United (ANFEEU) George Hampton Middle School – Woodbridge, VA
Oct. 20, 2019
Federal City Wanderers (USASA) 1:7 Christos FC (USASA) Glen Burnie HS – Glen Burnie, MD
Oct. 20, 2019
Tartan Devils Oak Avalon (USASA) 1:3 (AET)
Steel FC (USASA) Highmark Stadium – Pittsburgh, PA
Oct. 20, 2019
San Juan FC (USASA) 1:2 Colorado Rovers (USSSA) Dicks Sporting Goods Park (Field 8) – Commerce City, CO
Oct. 20, 2019
L.A. Monsters FC (USCS) 4:1 SC Trojans FC (USCS) Orange County Great Park (Field 22) – Irvine, CA
Nov. 2, 2019
Georgia Revolution FC Reserves (USASA) 2:4
Soda City Sorinex FC (USASA) Saluda Shoals Soccer Park – Columbia, SC
ROUND 3 AWAY TEAM TIME HOME TEAM VENUE
Nov. 23, 2019
L.A. Monsters FC (USCS)
2:2 (4:5 PK) Chula Vista FC (USCS)
Terra Nova Park – Chula Vista, CA
Nov. 23, 2019
Hurricane FC (USASA)
0:4
Miami United FC U-23s (USASA) Kendall Soccer Park – Miami, FL
Nov. 23, 2019
Nashville United (USASA) 4:0
Soda City Sorinex FC (USASA) Ben Lippen HS – Columbia, SC
Nov. 23, 2019
Livonia City FC (USASA)
0:1
Louisiana Krewe FC (USASA)
St. Thomas More Catholic HS – Lafayette, LA
Nov. 23, 2019
Celtic Cowboys Premier (USSSA)
0:3
NTX Rayados (USASA)
Premier Park (Field 1) – Balch Springs, TX
Nov. 23, 2019
Olympic Club (USASA)
3:1
Azteca FC (USSSA)
Ridgeview HS – Aurora, CO
Nov. 23, 2019
Cal FC (USASA)
2:1 Oxnard Guerreros (USASA)
Del Sol Stadium – Oxnard, CA
Nov. 24, 2019 NY Pancyprian Freedoms (USASA) 1:0 (58′) Brockton FC United (USASA) Everett Memorial Stadium – Everett, MA
Nov. 24, 2019
West Chester United (USASA) 1:2
Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USASA) William Tennant HS – Warminster, PA
Nov. 24, 2019
Colorado Rovers (USSSA)
0:4
FC Boulder Harpos (USSSA)
Fairview HS – Boulder, CO
Nov. 24, 2019
Virginia United (ANFEEU)
3:1
CD Huateras (ANFEEU)
Howison Homestead Soccer Complex – Woodbridge, VA
Nov. 24, 2019
Steel FC (USASA)
2:3
Christos FC (USASA)
North County HS – Glen Burnie, MD

Filed Under: 2020 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, Feature - Qualifying, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Qualifying Tagged With: 2020 US Open Cup Qualifying

2020 US Open Cup qualifying: First Round matchups for Open Division Local tournament announced

August 26, 2019 by Josh Hakala

Players from the Celtic Cowboys and the San Antonio Runners challenge for the ball in a 2019 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Zach Smith
Players from the Celtic Cowboys and the San Antonio Runners challenge for the ball in a 2019 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Zach Smith

UPDATE (9/11/19): Due to the withdrawal of Izee Auto FC from their league competition (and disqualifying them from the US Open Cup), US Soccer rearranged the first round draw. There will now by 8 teams receiving a bye into the second round instead of five. Eighty of the 88 teams will participate in the first round of qualifying. The matches below have been updated and include dates, times, and venues. The original article from August 26, 2019 is left unchanged below:


With the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final set to take place tomorrow, the qualifying tournament for next year’s tournament has been announced.

The United States Soccer Federation announced the first round matchups for next month’s Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2020 US Open Cup.

Out of the 89 teams that registered to take part, five of them received byes into the second round, leaving 84 teams to play 42 games over the weekend of Sept. 21-22. Dates, times and venues for each game will be announced at a later date.

The teams that are taking part in the competition are mostly amateur — although there are no rules limiting professional teams from participating — and represent 18 different states and the District of Columbia (21 different state soccer associations).

Players from West Chester United celebrate after a 1-0 win over VE in the 2019 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Matt Ralph | BrotherlyGame.com
Players from West Chester United celebrate after a 1-0 win over VE in the 2019 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Matt Ralph | BrotherlyGame.com

The teams will represent 18 different states and the District of Columbia (21 different state associations) and will feature teams from 26 different leagues. For the fifth year in a row, the most represented league is the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) which entered 33 teams, which is two fewer than the 35 they entered in last year’s competition, and six fewer than the 39 that participated in the 2018 qualifying tournament.

The Open Division Local Qualifying tournament was launched in 2016 as an alternative to holding state and regional qualifying tournaments. Now, all teams from any US Soccer-affiliated leagues just need to register. The competition begins in the fall and all entrants are divided up regionally to minimize travel, with the teams that advance the furthest qualifying for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup which will begin in the spring. The number of teams that will qualify for the tournament, and the number of rounds that will be required, is yet to be determined as it will depend on the number of professional teams that will take part in the 107th edition of the Open Cup next year.

Of the 89 teams, 53 of the teams have competed in the Open Division tournament before, leaving 36 new teams.

One team has already punched their ticket into the 2020 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Newtown Pride FC  won the 2019 USASA Amateur Cup championship which earned them an automatic berth into next year’s Open Cup. The Connecticut-based club has qualified for the first time after being unsuccessful each year since 2013 to qualify, finally getting over the hump.

The matchups for the opening round of the qualifying tournament are listed below:

2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – Open Division Local Qualifying Schedule


First Qualifying Round
East Region

Date Game (home team listed first) Time Venue
Sept. 21 Kendall Wanderers (Mass.) vs. Safira FC (Mass.) 12 p.m. ET Danehy Park, Field 3; Cambridge, Mass.
Sept. 21 Juve-Pro Soccer (Mass.) vs. Brockton FC United (Mass.) 7 p.m. ET Ashland High School; Ashland, Mass.
Sept. 21 SOCA (Va.) vs. World Class Premier Elite FC (Md.) 7 p.m. ET Charlottesville High School, Stadium Turf Field; Charlottesville, Va.
Sept. 21 Steel FC (Pa.) vs. Germantown City FC (Md.) 7:45 p.m. ET Shady Side Academy; Pittsburgh, Pa.
Sept. 22 CSA Westchester (N.J.) vs. Jackson Lions FC (N.J.) 12 p.m. ET Ramapo College of New Jersey; Mahwah, N.J.
Sept. 22 Steel Pulse FC (Md.) vs. Tartan Devils Oak Avalon (Pa.) 2 p.m. ET Troy Park; Elkridge, Md.
Sept. 22 Danubia Swabian (Pa.) vs. West Chester United (Pa.) 2:30 p.m. ET Rosemont College, Main Varsity Field; Bryn Mawr, Pa.
Sept. 22 Ukrainian Nationals (Pa.) vs. Vereinigung Erzgebirge (Pa.) 3 p.m. ET Ukrainian American Sports Center, Main Turf Field; North Wales, Pa.
Sept. 22 FC Millennium International (Md.) vs. CD Huateras (Va.) 6 p.m. ET Heurich Community Park, Turf Field; Hyattsville, Md.
Sept. 22 Doradus FC (Va.) vs. Alianza Futbol Club (Va.) 6 p.m. ET Howison Homestead Soccer Complex; Woodbridge, Va.
Sept. 22 Clifton Elite FC (N.J.) vs. Lansdowne Yonkers FC (N.Y.) 8:15 p.m. ET Athenia Steel Recreation Complex; Clifton, N.J.

First Round Byes (5): Christos FC (Md.); Federal City Wanderers (D.C.); New York Pancyprian Freedoms (N.Y.); United German Hungarians (Pa.); Virginia United (Va.)

Central Region

Date Game (home team listed first) Time Venue
Sept. 21 Celtic Cowboys Premier (Texas) vs. Central Texas Lobos (Texas) 12 p.m. CT Onion Creek Soccer Complex, Field 8; Austin, Texas
Sept. 21 Atletico Miami CF (Fla.) vs. Miami United FC U23 (Fla.) 4:30 p.m. ET Kendall Soccer Park; Miami, Fla.
Sept. 21 NTX Rayados (Texas) vs. FC Fort Worth Soccer Club (Texas) 5 p.m. CT Premier Park, Field 1; Balch Springs, Texas
Sept. 21 Club ATLetic (Ga.) vs. Georgia Revolution FC Reserves (Ga.) 7 p.m. ET Dunwoody Springs Elementary School; Sandy Spring, Ga.
Sept. 21 Coyotes FC (Texas) vs. San Antonio Runners (Texas) 7 p.m. CT Holy Trinity Catholic High School, Field 1; Temple, Texas
Sept. 21 Louisiana Krewe FC (La.) vs. Northshore United (La.) 7 p.m. CT St. Thomas More Catholic High School; Lafayette, La.
Sept. 21 Hurricane FC (Fla.) vs. International Soccer Association (Fla.) 8 p.m. ET Seacrest Soccer Complex, Field 1; Delray Beach, Fla.
Sept. 22 Athletic Katy FC (Texas) vs. Houston FC (Texas) 11 a.m. CT San Jacinto College South Campus; Houston, Texas
Sept. 22 Lone Star Republic (Texas) vs. Inocentes Futbol Club (Texas) 2 p.m. CT The Greenhill School, Frankel Field; Addison, Texas
Sept. 22 Charleston United (S.C.) vs. Soda City Sorinex FC (S.C.) 4 p.m. ET Drayton Hall Elementary School; Charleston, S.C.
Sept. 22 Deportivo Lake Mary (Fla.) vs. Orlando FC Wolves (Fla.) 5:30 p.m. ET Sylvan Lake Park; Sanford, Fla.
Sept. 22 Florida Soccer Soldiers (Fla.) vs. Red Force FC (Fla.) 6 p.m. ET Miramar Regional Park; Miramar, Fla.
Sept. 22 Livonia City FC (Mich.) vs. Wayne County Sporting (Mich.) 8:30 p.m. ET Schoolcraft College; Livonia, Mich.

First Round Byes (3): Ann Arbor FC (Mich.); Nashville United (Tenn.); Springfield FC (Ill.)

West Region

Date Game (home team listed first) Time Venue
Sept. 21 Chula Vista FC (Calif.) vs. Rebels Soccer Club (Calif.) 4:30 p.m. PT Terra Nova Park; Chula Vista, Calif.
Sept. 21 FC Denver (Colo.) vs. FC Boulder Harpos (Colo.) 7 p.m. MT Aurora Sports Park, Field 1; Aurora, Colo.
Sept. 21 Logroñes Denver Soccer Club (Colo.) vs. Colorado Rovers (Colo.) 7:30 p.m. MT North Stadium/1st Bank Field; Denver, Colo.
Sept. 21 USA Soccer Stars FC (Calif.) vs. Alta California Sol (Calif.) 7 p.m. PT Lake Forest Sports Park, Field B; Lake Forest, Calif.
Sept. 21 Newport FC (Calif.) vs. SC Trojans FC (Calif.) 7 p.m. PT Orange County Great Park, Field 15; Irvine, Calif.
Sept. 21 L.A. Monsters FC (Calif.) vs. Valley United SC (Calif.) 7:30 p.m. PT Orange County Great Park, Field 19; Irvine, Calif.
Sept. 21 Real San Jose (Calif.) vs. Outbreak FC (Calif.) 7:30 p.m. PT PAL Stadium; San Jose, Calif.
Sept. 21 Oakland Stompers (Calif.) vs. Contra Costa FC (Calif.) 8:30 p.m. PT Raimondi Park; Oakland, Calif.
Sept. 22 San Juan FC (Utah) vs. IPS/Marathon Taverna (Ore.) 1 p.m. MT Zions Bank Stadium; Herriman, Utah
Sept. 22 Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake (Colo.) vs. Azteca FC (Colo.) 2 p.m. MT Lakewood Memorial Field; Lakewood, Colo.
Sept. 22 Colorado Rush (Colo.) vs. Club El Azul (Colo.) 3 p.m. MT Addenbrooke Park; Lakewood, Colo.
Sept. 22 Quickening (Calif.) vs. Cal FC (Calif.) 2 p.m. PT Lancaster National Soccer Center, Field 33; Lancaster, Calif.
Sept. 22 Gam United FC (Colo.) vs. FC Union Jerez (Colo.) 4 p.m. MT Lowry Sports Complex Park, Turf Field 2; Denver, Colo.
Sept. 22 Oxnard Guerreros FC (Calif.) vs. Santa Monica United FC (Calif.) 6:30 p.m. PT Del Sol Stadium; Oxnard, Calif.
Sept. 22 Academica SC (Calif.) vs. PV United (Calif.) 7 p.m. PT Our Lady of the Assumption Park; Turlock, Calif.
Sept. 22 JASA RWC (Calif.) vs. Olympic Club (Calif.) 7 p.m. PT Red Morton Community Park, Bechet Field; Redwood City, Calif.

First Round Byes: None


Second Qualifying Round:
Oct. 19-20
Third Qualifying Round: Nov. 23-24
Fourth Qualifying Round (if necessary): Dec. 21-22

Filed Under: 2020 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, Feature - Qualifying, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Qualifying Tagged With: 2020 US Open Cup Qualifying

Open Division Local qualifying for 2020 US Open Cup begins Sept. 21-22 with 89 teams

August 21, 2019 by Jake Sillick

FC Denver celebrates after the club's 4-1 win over Gam United FC in their 2019 US Open Cup qualifier. Photo: FC Denver Twitter
FC Denver celebrates after the club’s 4-1 win over Gam United FC in their 2019 US Open Cup qualifier. Photo: FC Denver Twitter

The 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final is just six days away, but teams are already making arrangements for next year’s tournament.

Today, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) announced the entries for the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2020 US Open Cup.

The federation’s Open Division Local Qualifying tournament will feature 89 entries from across the country and the majority of them will begin play in the competition’s opening round on Sept. 21-22. The draw for the first round will take place on Monday, Aug. 26.

The teams will represent 18 different states and the District of Columbia (21 different state associations) and will feature teams from 26 different leagues. For the fifth year in a row, the most represented league is the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) which entered 33 teams, which is two fewer than the 35 they entered in last year’s competition, and six fewer than the 39 that participated for the 2018 qualifying tournament.

The Open Division Local Qualifying tournament was launched in 2016 as an alternative to holding state and regional qualifying tournaments. Now, all teams from any US Soccer-affiliated leagues just need to register. The competition begins in the fall and all entrants are divided up regionally to minimize travel, with the teams that advance the furthest qualifying for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup which will begin in the spring. The number of teams that will qualify for the tournament, and the number of rounds that will be required, is yet to be determined as it will depend on the number of professional teams that will take part in the 107th edition of the Open Cup next year.

Of the 89 teams, 53 of the teams have competed in the Open Division tournament before, leaving 36 new teams.

One team has already punched their ticket into the 2020 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Newtown Pride FC  won the 2019 USASA Amateur Cup championship which earned them an automatic berth into next year’s Open Cup. The Connecticut-based club has qualified for the first time after being unsuccessful each year since 2013 to qualify, finally getting over the hump.

2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – Open Division Local Qualifying Schedule

First Qualifying Round: Sept. 21-23
Second Qualifying Round: Oct. 19-20
Third Qualifying Round: Nov. 23-24
Fourth Qualifying Round (if necessary): Dec. 21-22

2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Open Division Teams Entering via the Local Qualifying Track
Listed by State and League (Sanctioning Body) Affiliation

California (20)
LIGA NorCal (US Club Soccer)
Academica SC*; Turlock, Calif.

San Francisco Soccer Football League (Calif. Soccer Assn.-North/USASA)
Olympic Club; San Francisco, Calif.

SoCal Premier League (Calif. State Soccer Assn.-South/USASA)
Chula Vista FC; Chula Vista, Calif.
L.A. South Bay Monsters FC; Irvine, Calif.
Outbreak FC; Long Beach, Calif.
Quickening; Lancaster, Calif.
Rebels Soccer Club; Madison, Calif.
SC Trojans FC; Irvine, Calif.

United Premier Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Alta California Sol; Santa Barbara, Calif.
Cal FC*; Wilmington, Calif.
Contra Costa FC; Walnut Creek, Calif.
JASA RWC; Redwood City, Calif.
Newport FC; Lake Forest, Calif.
Oakland Stompers; Oakland, Calif.
Oxnard Guerreros FC; Oxnard, Calif.
PV United; Watsonville, Calif.
Real San Jose; San Jose, Calif.
Santa Monica United FC; Santa Monica, Calif.
USA Soccer Stars FC; Glendale, Calif.
Valley United SC; North Hills, Calif.

Colorado (10)
Colorado Premier League (U.S. Specialty Sports Assn.)
Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake; Lakewood, Colo.
Azteca FC; Broomfield, Colo.
Club El Azul; Broomfield, Colo.
Colorado Rovers; Broomfield, Colo.
FC Boulder Harpos; Boulder, Colo.
FC Denver*; Aurora, Colo.
FC Union Jerez; Broomfield, Colo.

Colorado Super League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Colorado Rush; Lakewood, Colo.
Logroñes Denver Soccer Club; Denver, Colo.

Mountain Premier League (US Club Soccer)
Gam United FC; Denver, Colo.

District of Columbia (1)
District Sports Premier League (Metro D.C-Virginia Soccer Assn./USASA)
Federal City Wanderers; Washington, D.C.

Florida (8)
Central Florida Soccer League (Florida State Soccer Assn./USASA)
Orlando FC Wolves; Winter Springs, Fla.

United Premier Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Atletico Miami CF; Miami, Fla.
Deportivo Lake Mary; Sanford, Fla.
Florida Soccer Soldiers*; Miramar, Fla.
Hurricane FC; Delray Beach, Fla.
International Soccer Association: Miami, Fla.
Miami United FC U23; Miami, Fla.
Red Force FC; Miami, Fla.

Georgia (2)
Atlanta District Amateur Soccer League (Georgia State Soccer Assn./USASA)
Club Atletic; Sandy Spring, Ga.
Georgia Revolution FC Reserves; Locust Grove, Ga.

Illinois (1)
United Premier Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Springfield FC; Springfield, Ill.

Louisiana (2)
Gulf Coast Premier League (Louisiana Soccer Assn./USASA)
Louisiana Krewe FC; Lafayette, La.
Northshore United; Mandeville, La.

Maryland (5)
Maryland Major Soccer League (Md. State Soccer Assn./USASA)

Christos FC; Glen Burnie, Md.
Izee Auto FC; Columbia, Md.
Steel Pulse FC; Windsor Mill, Md.

United Premier Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
FC Millenium International; Hyattsville, Md.
World Class Premier Elite FC; Boyds, Md.

Massachusetts (4)
Bay State Soccer League (Mass. Adult State Soccer Assn./USASA)
Brockton FC United; Brockton, Mass.
Kendall Wanderers; Cambridge, Mass.

United Premier Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Juve-Pro Soccer; Ashland, Mass.
Safira FC; Sommerville, Mass.

Michigan (3)
Ann Arbor Premier Development League (Michigan Soccer Association/USASA)
Ann Arbor FC; Ann Arbor, Mich.

Michigan Premier Soccer League (Michigan Soccer Association/USASA)
Livonia City FC; Livonia, Mich.
Wayne County Sporting; Riverview, Mich.

New Jersey (3)
Cosmopolitan Soccer League (New Jersey Soccer Assn./USASA)
CSA Westchester; Tinton Falls, N.J.

Garden State Soccer League (New Jersey Soccer Assn./USASA)
Clifton Elite FC; Clifton, N.J.
Jackson Lions FC; Jackson, N.J.

New York (2)
Cosmopolitan Soccer League (Eastern New York State Soccer Assn./USASA)
Lansdowne Yonkers FC; Yonkers, N.Y.
New York Pancyprian Freedoms^; Queens, N.Y.

Oregon (1)
Oregon Premier Soccer League (Oregon Adult Soccer Assn./USASA)
International Portland Select (IPS)/Marathon Taverna; Portland, Ore.

Pennsylvania (7)
Greater Pittsburgh Soccer League (Pa. West Soccer Assn./USASA)
Steel FC; Pittsburgh, Pa.
Tartan Devils Oak Avalon; Pittsburgh, Pa.

United Soccer League of Pennsylvania (Eastern Pa. Soccer Assn./USASA)
Danubia Men’s Soccer; Bryn Mawr, Pa.
Ukrainian Nationals; North Wales, Pa.
United German Hungarians; Oakford, Pa.
Vereinigung Erzgebirge; Warminster, Pa.
West Chester United*; West Chester, Pa.

South Carolina (2)
Central League (South Carolina Amateur Soccer Assn./USASA)
Soda City FC Sorinex; Columbia, S.C.

United Premier Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Charleston United; Charleston, S.C.

Tennessee (1)
Middle Tennessee Soccer Alliance (Tennessee State Soccer Assn./USASA)
Nashville United; Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Texas (10)
Austin Men’s Soccer Association (U.S. Specialty Sports Assn.)
Celtic Cowboys Premier; Austin, Texas

Gulf Coast Premier League (Louisiana Soccer Assn./USASA)
Central Texas Lobos; Austin, Texas

North Texas Premier Soccer Association (North Texas Soccer Assn./USASA)
NTX Rayados*; Balch Springs, Texas

United Premier Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Athletic Katy FC; Houston, Texas
Coyotes FC; Temple, Texas
FC Fort Worth Soccer Club; Forth Worth, Texas
Houston FC; Houston, Texas
Inocentes Futbol Club; Forth Worth, Texas
Lone Star Republic; Addison, Texas
San Antonio Runners; San Antonio, Texas

Utah (1)
United Premier Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
San Juan FC; Herriman, Utah

Virginia (6)
Soccer Organization of the Charlottesville Area (Metro D.C-Virginia Soccer Assn./USASA)
SOCA; Charlottesville, Va.

Woodbridge Soccer League (Asociacion Nacional Fútbol en USA/U.S. Soccer)
Alianza Futbol Club; Woodbridge, Va.
CD Huateras; Woodbridge, Va.
Doradus Futbol Club; Woodbridge, Va.
Germantown City FC; Woodbridge, Va.
Virginia United*; Woodbridge, Va.

* Advanced to 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
^ Three-time U.S. Open Cup Champion (1980, 1982-83)

Facts and Figures of Open Division Teams Entering via the Local Qualifying Track:

  • 26 different leagues represented (including two new leagues added this year)
  • 18 different states plus the District of Columbia represented (one new state added this year: Tennessee)
  • 20 teams entering from California alone
  • 10 teams each from Colorado and Texas
  • 8 teams from Florida
  • 7 teams from Pennsylvania
  • 6 teams from Virginia
  • 5 teams from Maryland
  • 4 teams from Massachusetts
  • 3 teams each from Michigan and New Jersey
  • 2 teams each from Georgia, Louisiana, New York and South Carolina
  • 1 team each from the District of Columbia, Illinois, Oregon, Tennessee and Utah
  • 53 teams are veterans of Open Division local qualifying, having participated in at least one of the four previous competitions
  • 14 teams have entered all four previous years of Open Division local qualifying: Calif. (3): Chula Visa FC, Outbreak FC, Valley United; Colorado (3): Colorado Rovers, Colorado Rush, FC Boulder Harpos; Florida (1): Red Force FC; New York (2): Lansdowne Yonkers FC, New York Pancyprian Freedoms; Oregon (1): IPS/Marathon Taverna; Pennsylvania (3): Tartan Devils Oak Avalon, Vereinigung Erzgebirge; West Chester United SC; Texas (1): NTX Rayados
  • 36 teams are entering Open Division local qualifying for the first time
  • 74 teams are from U.S. Adult Soccer Association-affiliated leagues
  • 8 teams are from U.S. Specialty Sports Association-affiliated leagues
  • 5 teams are from Asociacion Nacional Fútbol en USA-affiliated leagues
  • 2 teams are from US Club Soccer-affiliated leagues
  • 7 teams entering 2020 Open Division local qualifying reached the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup first round; five of these reached the second round; one of these (Florida Soccer Soldiers) reached the third round
  • New York Pancyprian Freedoms are a three-time U.S. Open Cup Champion (1980, 1982-83)

 

Filed Under: 2020 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, Feature - Qualifying, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Qualifying Tagged With: 2020 US Open Cup Qualifying

Which NPSL teams will qualify for 2020 US Open Cup?

August 9, 2019 by Michael Battista

Miami FC celebrate their 2019 NPSL championship. Photo: NPSL
Miami FC celebrate their 2019 NPSL championship. Photo: NPSL

The 2019 National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) season was just as much about off-the-field activities as it was on-the-field play. A new proposed professional league with up to 11 members, a tournament to launch the project off, new teams kicking off, and more, were all some of the pieces that made the year interesting. However, as the summer season comes to a close, many things have changed as the future of the league and some of the best teams remains uncertain. Despite this, we now have a clearer picture as to what teams have the inside track to qualify for the 2020 edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

How this list is made is determined by using the format previously used in the 2019 US Open Cup Handbook and the newly released 2020 US Open Cup Open Division Handbook.

After years of either steady or increasing berth totals for teams between 2011 and 2018, the NPSL experienced its first decrease in tournament slots in 2019 going from 18 (22 after including last minute Play-in teams) to 14. With expansion coming across the board from Major League Soccer, to USL League One, and the newly-created National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), it would seem likely that the number of berths for both NPSL and USL League Two would go down.

There is hope however, as it was announced last month in the 2020 Open Cup Open Division Handbook that the First Round of the tournament would kick-off in late March or early April 2020. While there is no set format for the tournament yet, it is possible this early start could function as a round where more local qualifiers or Open Division teams join the tournament early – similar to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament’s First Four. Only one other Open Division team is a known participant in next year’s tournament: Connecticut side Newtown Pride FC who won the 2019 National Amateur Cup earlier this month.

NPSL’s CLASSIFICATION RULES

Heading into the 2019 US Open Cup, the NPSL has 87 teams that are eligible for the competition divided into four regions: South (25), West (24), Midwest (21), and Northeast (17). The Northeast Region, which would typically have 22 teams, loses the five clubs from the Mid-Atlantic Conference due to them not playing a 10-game regular season – a required minimum for Open Cup qualification. Since tournament bids are staggered in a way to reward regions with more teams, this puts teams from the Northeast at a significant disadvantage after the top eight.

Orange County FC celebrates after their 2019 US Open Cup Second Round match against Orange County SC. OCFC won 5-3 in PKs after a 2-2 draw to become just the 5th NPSL team to upset a pro team. Photo: Glenn Feingerts
Orange County FC celebrates after their 2019 US Open Cup Second Round match against Orange County SC. OCFC won 5-3 in PKs after a 2-2 draw to become just the 5th NPSL team to upset a pro team. Photo: Glenn Feingerts

Additionally, it is unclear how the NPSL will rank teams from the Keystone Conference since it’s champion, FC Motown, was directly impacted by being beaten by a Mid-Atlantic side, FC Baltimore Christos, to reach the final eight. In this case we’ve listed out two options as it affects the Northeast Region’s Keystone Conference: the left side represents if the list starts with the best playoff performance from the Keystone and then goes into points per game (PPG), while the right starts with the best team from the conferences in PPG order. These affect places 8, 18, and 24 on the list.

The first eight possible berths are awarded to teams that advanced deep into the 2018 NPSL playoffs. Slots one and two are reserved for the champion and runner-up, respectively. Slots three and four are given to the teams that reached the semifinals and teams four through eight are held by the remaining quarterfinalists.

NPSL ranks largely by points per game, but prioritizes at least one Open Cup bid for every division. It’s important to consider where a team plays (conference and division) when you read the teams listed and take extraneous factors into consideration such as teams folding, declaring themselves ineligible, changing leagues, or more.

There are many teams in the top spots with announced plans to move to professional leagues (NISA or NPSL’s possible semi-pro league) but as seen with Tormenta 2 last year, a team’s berth can be given to a newly-created amateur team that stays in the league while the first team moves on.

It’s near certain that teams listed in the top eight are all but guaranteed a spot in the 107th edition of the US Open Cup. After that, teams are ranked based on criteria that the NPSL has come up with in accordance with the Open Cup Committee. This information can be found inside the 2020 edition of the handbook (page 15).

With all that out of the way, here are the 2020 NPSL US Open Cup berth rankings:

#1 – Miami FC (NPSL Champion, South Region – Sunshine Conference)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: 4*
*2016-19 … including Miami FC NASL history and Miami FC 2 NPSL history
Best Open Cup Finish: 2017 Quarterfinals (1-0 loss vs FC Cincinnati of USL)

Players from Florida Soccer Soldiers (yellow) and Miami FC battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Orovio Photography
Players from Florida Soccer Soldiers (yellow) and Miami FC battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Orovio Photography

For the first time in history, the NPSL has a two-time league champion. Miami FC, which won the title last year under the name Miami FC 2, became the first team in the league’s 20+ year history to win back-to-back titles after the group beat fellow former North American Soccer League (NASL) side New York Cosmos B, 4-1, on Aug. 3.

Miami’s eighth trophy in four years has surely qualified them for a spot in the US Open Cup in 2020. The team has a lengthy resume in the tournament, with the high of reaching the Quarterfinals in 2017 after beating two MLS sides in Orlando City SC and Atlanta United FC – the latter one year away from winning MLS Cup, while also recently losing in 2019’s First Round to the Florida Soccer Soldiers, one of this year’s Cinderella stories, 2-1, after giving up two second half goals. Interestingly, the club has never lost in the same round twice in its four previous Open Cup runs.

This year, the team only lost one game in the regular season en route to a 9-1-0 record. They followed that up with another conference title in the playoffs by downing Jacksonville Armada U-23s and Miami United FC – the latter needing a late game comeback. On the regional side, a chippy battle against Chattanooga FC saw the team scored twice in the second half to advance to the regional final where Tulsa Athletic was handily defeated, 4-1. The final challenge before the final was the league’s final non-professional team left standing, Cleveland SC, who scored early on Miami but could not stay ahead as they fell, 4-1.

#2 – New York Cosmos B (NPSL Finalist, Northeast Region – North Atlantic Conference)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: 6 (2014-2019 … including New York Cosmos NASL history)
Best Open Cup Finish: 2018 Fifth Round (2014, 2015, 2016)

Aaron Dennis celebrates his goal for the New York Cosmos against Black Rock FC in the First Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Matthew Levine | New York Cosmos
Aaron Dennis celebrates his goal for the New York Cosmos against Black Rock FC in the First Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Matthew Levine | New York Cosmos

The New York Cosmos B may have failed to add another NPSL Championship to their resume but the team’s performance during the season wow’d fans at both Mitchel Athletic Complex and Columbia University in New York City.

This is the second year that the Cosmos’ NPSL team has acted as the club’s “senior” team, after the NASL went on hiatus following the conclusion of the 2017 season. The team’s second season was much better than the first, winning the North Atlantic Conference with an undefeated record of 13-0-1. The Cosmos won the subsequent conference playoffs over the only team they dropped points to, the Brooklyn Italians, 1-0, before beating FC Baltimore in the Northeast Region Final, 3-1. The three pieces of silverware were thanks to an overpowering offense. The reason the team only allowed four goals in the regular season is more on the fact that they scored 47 through 14 more than any defensive strategy.

Forward Bljedi Bardic, who scored the late-game winner in the team’s 2019 US Open Cup First Round match against Black Rock FC and scored one of the goals of the tournament in a losing effort to Hartford Athletic in the Second Round, earned the triple after taking home conference, regional, and national XI honors for his efforts.

The Cosmos organization hasn’t reached the Fifth Round of the tournament since 2016 while it had a club playing in the NASL. Now that the club starts play as an Open Division competitor, it will have more challenges to face if it wants a chance to defeat an MLS side for a fourth time.

#3 – ASC San Diego (NPSL Semifinalist, West Region – Southwest Conference)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: 1 (2017 … as Albion SC Pros)
Best Open Cup Finish: 2017 First Round (3-2 loss vs Chula Vista FC of the USASA)

Despite only barely making the playoffs (ranked 25th in the final NPSL Power Rankings), and only averaging a 2.06 goal-per-game average, ASC San Diego’s deep playoff run has set it up to return to the US Open Cup for a second time. In a city where two professional teams have been recently announced, Ziggy Korytoski’s team won three road games in a row to reach the National Semifinals behind a goalkeeper and stout defense that played well when it mattered.

In a stacked Southwest Conference, San Diego finished one point above 2019 US Open Cup Cinderella story Orange County FC to earn the third playoff spot for the conference into the regional playoffs. The team traveled to three separate states as it took on fellow California team FC Golden State, Washington state’s Crossfire Redmond, and the self-named FC Arizona while beating all of them on either penalty kicks or by a single goal. Goalkeeper Jean Antoine was a key factor, including offensively when he stepped up for a penalty kick in the team’s win over FCGS, but not even he could stop New York Cosmos B. The team fell in New York, it’s fourth state in as many weeks, 2-0, in the semifinals.

#4 – Cleveland SC (NPSL Semifinalist, Midwest Region – East Conference)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: None

Fun times in Cleveland today! In only its second season, Cleveland SC outdid its inaugural performance by winning the Eastern Conference, the Midwest Region, and reaching the NPSL National Semifinals. In the ten games that the team played during the regular season, only two were losses while the rest resulted in three points. A team that had success in nearly every category, Cleveland saw a player take home conference XI honors for every position including head coach Ryan Osborne while goalkeeper Marijo Musa took home both conference and Midwest Region XI honors.

The top seed in the Midwest Region faced the Rochester Lancers, who were coming off short rest after resuming a halted game the day before to advance, and won, 6-4, in extra time. The next challenge was Detroit City FC in the regional final, something DCFC had already won once back in 2017. At halftime and down by two goals, coach Osborne stuck with his already tested players which allowed Tom Beck and Antonio Manfut to equalize before 15 minutes had past. In penalties, with both teams down men due to red cards, three skied shots from Detroit saw Cleveland reach the National Semifinals for the first time in club history and for the first time in the city since the former AFC Cleveland had won the NPSL championship in 2016.

Despite losing to Miami FC, 4-1, on the road, the team is in prime position for The Forest City to be represented in the US Open Cup in 2020.

#5 – Tulsa Athletic (NPSL Quarterfinalist, South Region – Heartland Conference)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: 3 (2014, 2015, 2017)
Best Open Cup Finish: 2014 Second Round (2-0 loss vs Oklahoma City Energy FC of the USL Pro)

3,834 fans showed up to watch the Tulsa Athletics and the Oklahoma City Energy play their first US Open Cup game. Photo: Tulsa Athletics

Tulsa Athletic have always been a force in the Heartland Conference but for a second time in club history the team fell at the doorstep of the National Semifinals. The top eight finish should be enough for the club to qualify for it’s fourth trip to the US Open Cup and first in three years.

The A’s cruised to the conference regular season title with an unbeaten record of 7-0-3, totaling 24 points and a full 11 ahead of second place Little Rock Rangers. Head coach Joey Ryan and his group only allowed eight goals heading into the conference playoffs where they only allowed two more in two games while scoring a total of eight. A lopsided, 6-2 win over Ozark FC set up a conference title match between Demize NPSL which the team won, 2-0.

Lonestar Conference champion Fort Worth Vaqueros put up a valiant effort but work from regional XI defender Gustavo Vargas helped his team to a 3-1 win. A loss in the South Region Final, 4-1, to Miami FC ended the team’s season.

#6 – FC Arizona (NPSL Quarterfinalist, West Region – Southwest Conference)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: 1 (2017)
Best Open Cup Finish: 2017 First Round (1-0 loss vs Sporting Arizona FC of the United Premier Soccer League)

FC Arizona has steadily inched itself into the US Soccer landscape and with its best result in NPSL to date under its belt, a second US Open Cup berth looks to be on the table. The squad reached the Elite Eight of the league playoffs while playing against some of the toughest competition the NPSL has to offer.

The team finished second in the Southwest Conference behind the offensive juggernaut that was FC Golden State (67 goals in 18 games). Despite stiff competition across the board, Arizona finished with a 12-1-5 record. Forward Cesar Mexia earned conference, regional, and national XI honors. This was in addition to his other honor: 2019 NPSL Golden Boot winner. The Obregón, Sonora, Mexico native’s 18 goals during the regular season helped propel his team into the postseason, where he once again showed his skill by scoring the go-ahead goal in his team’s 4-0 win against San Ramon FC in the West Region Quarterfinals.

A extra-time goal against last year’s US Open Cup Open Division local qualifier Academica SC helped the team reach the regional final for the first time in club history. However, ASC San Diego, who upset FC Golden State in the regional quarterfinals, continued their unexpected run after an FCA own-goal gave them a lead and advancement, 2-1. Still the club will be looking for a chance to redeem it’s 2017 First Round loss to local qualifier Sporting Arizona FC should they return in the 2020 US Open Cup.

#7 – Detroit City FC (NPSL Quarterfinalist, Midwest Region – Great Lakes Conference)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: 4 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2018)
Best Open Cup Finish: 2016 Second Round (1-1 (3:1 PKs) loss vs Louisville City FC of the USL Championship)

Detroit City FC fans celebrate a PK shootout win over the Michigan Bucks in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Jon DeBoer | DCFC
Detroit City FC fans celebrate a PK shootout win over the Michigan Bucks in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Jon DeBoer | DCFC

One of the fastest growing brands in the NPSL, Detroit City FC finished the 2019 season with a respectable finish in the Midwest Regional Final. A penalty kick loss, 2-2 (3-2), including three attempts that were launched over the crossbar might be the last soccer the club plays until the Members Cup tournament kicks off but the play that got them there is definitely enough for a US Open Cup berth.

The team finished up regular season play in the Great Lakes Conference with a near perfect record of 10-1-3 and 39 goals scored – 14 more than the next best team, second place AFC Ann Arbor. Two 5-0 wins against FC Indiana and a season sweep against Toledo Villa FC with a combined scoreline of 11-0 are only some of the examples of how dangerous Trevor James’ team can be. Forward Max Todd was a huge part of that front line and the Great Lakes Conference XI member showed that by scoring the game-clinching goal against Minneapolis City FC in the Region Semifinals.

For a team with professional ambitions that has never beaten a professional side in the US Open Cup, 2020 may be a turning point for the Motor City club.

#8 – FC Motown/Atlantic City FC (Northeast Region – Keystone Conference, 1.9/2.2 points per game)

FC Motown:
Number of US Open Cup appearances: 4 (2016-17 as Clarkstown Eagles*, 2018, 2019)
Best Open Cup Finish: 2018 Round 2 (3-1 loss vs Penn FC of USL)
*Additional appearance in 2017 as local qualifier playing under FC Motown name

Atlantic City FC:
Number of US Open Cup appearances: None

The first of three Keystone Conference conundrums sees 2018’s NPSL National Finalist and 2019’s Keystone Conference regular season champion face-off. With Northeast Region bids coming the least often of the four conference, and Keystone only getting half of those, it’s within the realm of possibility that the team that makes it here is the sole representation for the group.

FC Motown will be looking to reach the Open Cup for the third straight year as an organization in the league and fourth overall under the name. Following a loss in 2019’s First Round to the New York Red Bulls U-23s (USL League Two) in one of the tournament’s most exciting matches, the team kept playing along in the regular season but couldn’t break through to the top of the table. With only a 1.9 points per game average and a record of 6-3-1, the stats alone wouldn’t be enough for the team to qualify.

Dilly Duka of FC Motown scores what would be the game-winning goal against the New York Red Bulls U-23s in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson | TheCup.us
Dilly Duka of FC Motown scores what would be the game-winning goal against the New York Red Bulls U-23s in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson | TheCup.us

On the last day of the regular season with five teams vying for four conference playoff spots, Motown fell to Atlantic City FC but did enough to earn the third seed. An upset win over West Chester United SC, 3-2, in which the home team scored twice in the second half to nearly comeback set-up a final at Madison University against fourth seed Philadelphia Lone Star FC. Both squads were upset in the First Round of the US Open Cup only a few months prior and a trophy might have been the first step toward another chance in 2020. Motown’s Joseph Fala scored 20 minutes in and Chris Katona sealed the game with a late penalty kick to win the conference title, 2-0.

The team’s loss to the US Open Cup ineligible FC Baltimore in the Northeast Conference semifinal puts this eighth spot in limbo as the committee decides how to rank the teams.

On the other side, Atlantic City FC completed its second season by taking home silverware as the Keystone Conference regular season champions. The team edged West Chester for the top seed via the head-to-head tiebreaker after the two teams met in the season opener resulting in a 4-1 win for ACFC. After that, the team climbed the table past WCU, Motown, FC Monmouth and others to finish with a 7-2-1 record. For their efforts, goalkeeper Matt Perella, midfielder Walter Calderon, and forward Alexander Satrustegui earned conference honors while Calderon took home Northeast Region XI honors as well.

The team’s first-ever playoffs ended after a rain-soaked match against Philly Lone Star ended in a 2-1 defeated, but with a 2.2 points per game average, the best in the conference, the team has a chance to make its first-ever US Open Cup and become the first team ever from Monopoly City to qualify for the tournament in the Modern Era.

#9 – Midland-Odessa Sockers FC (South Region – Lone Star Conference, 2.42 points per game)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: 2 (2015*, 2018, 2019)
* As member of USL League Two (formerly PDL)
Best Open Cup Finish: 2015 Second Round (3-1 loss vs Oklahoma City Energy FC of USL)

Players from FC Denver and Midland-Odessa Sockers FC (blue) battle for the ball in their First Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Midland-Odesssa Sockers FC
Players from FC Denver and Midland-Odessa Sockers FC (blue) battle for the ball in their First Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Midland-Odesssa Sockers FC

The Sockers didn’t need Chattanooga FC to drop out of the tournament to jump in the rankings this year, as the Lone Star Conference regular season champions and playoff finalists have quite the resume heading into ranking time. The group is seeking its third straight US Open Cup berth after it’s most recent performance saw the team lose to local qualifier FC Denver in the First Round.

In the team’s 12 regular season games, it only allowed seven goals while scoring 27 and earning a 9-1-2 record. This included a home and away series against Dallas City FC which the club won by a combined score of 12-0. For their efforts, goalkeeper Lukas Betz, defender Andrew White, midfielder Erwin Regules, and forward Julio Vargas Luna were all awarded conference XI roles following the season.

The Sockers were not able to make much of a splash in the playoffs however, beating Dallas City once again, 9-1, in the semifinals before losing to Fort Worth Vaqueros FC in the final, 2-1.

#10 – FC Davis (West Region – Golden Gate Conference, 2.36 points per game)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: None
The second year FC Davis impressed in a stacked Golden Gate Conference by finishing on top with a 8-1-2 record for its first ever trophy.

Playing against well-knows such as Academica SC & El Farolito, the team needed to content with Open Cup caliber offenses on multiple occasions. Goalkeeper Jonathon Laughlin and defender Brian Ford both did their parts in helping to lock down the back-line and keep the team’s goals allowed to only 18, the least by any playoff team in the conference, and earned themselves conference XI honors.

Despite the team’s postseason only lasting one game thanks to a 3-1 loss at home to Academica, a high points per game average and playing in a conference with the second most tournament berths spells a decent shot for the team to make the US Open Cup.

#11 – Minneapolis City SC (Midwest Region – North Conference, 2.33 points per game)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: None

Whitney Browne of Minneapolis City celebrates one of his two goals against Oakland County FC in the second round of the 2017 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Daniel Mick | http://www.danielmickcreative.com/USOC-Minneapolis-City-v/

Minneapolis City SC are well-known for their escapades with the US Open Cup. Not in the tournament, as they’ve yet to qualify for one, but surrounding it.

City are best known for being disqualified from the 2017 Open Division Local qualifying tournament when they violated tournament rules by switching leagues (from the Premier League of America to the NPSL) in the middle of the qualifying process. This was followed up last year when Minneapolis was ranked 16th in NPSL Open Cup rankings but the federation reduced the number of entries to 14, and they were left on the outside looking in.

This year, the Crows have put themselves in the best position to qualify yet. The team was able to win the Midwest Region’s North Conference by a single point over Med City FC thanks to leading scorers Will Kidd, Nick Hutton, and Justin Oliver who combined for 13 goals in the regular season. The team won four games with four or more goals scored, leading the group to a 9-2-1 record heading into the playoffs.

After falling to Med City in the final game of the regular season, Minneapolis defeated the team in the Midwest Region Quarterfinals, 2-1, before falling to Detroit City FC, 2-0, on the road in the semifinals.

#12 – Chattanooga FC (South Region – Southeast Conference, 2.2 points per game)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: 6 (2011, 2013-17)
Best Open Cup finish: 2015 Third Round (2-1 extra time loss vs Atlanta Silverbacks of NASL)

Chattanooga FC finished another outstanding year in the NPSL and once again finds itself in the 12th spot among ranked league teams. Despite qualifying last year, the team declined it’s invitation citing difficulties in balancing preparation with the then-upcoming Founders Cup tournament (now “Members Cup”), and what it called “ biggest schedule in our history.”

While it’s unknown how 2020 will play out, 2019 saw success on the field as CFC won the Southeast Conference for an eighth time. Behind a 7-2-1 record and a conference-best +18 goal differential, it was no surprise when they picked up a pair of Southeast playoff wins over Inter Nashville FC & Asheville City SC by a combined score of 7-1. For his part, midfielder Juan Hernandez earned conference, regional, and national XI honors from the league as voted on by fans, media, and the NPSL staff.

In a chippy, aggressive Regional Semifinal match, Miami FC overcame the Chattanooga back-line to advance, 2-0.

Rasmus Hansen of the Brooklyn Italians chases a loose ball against the New York Cosmos B in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson | TheCup.us
Rasmus Hansen of the Brooklyn Italians chases a loose ball against the New York Cosmos B in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson | TheCup.us

#13 – Brooklyn Italians (Northeast Region – North Atlantic Conference, 2.36 points per game)
Number of (Modern Era) US Open Cup appearances: 7 (2010-15, 2018)
Best Finish: 1979*, 1991 US Open Cup Champions
* Under the name Brooklyn Dodgers

After missing the tournament last year by three berth slots, the two-time tournament champion Brooklyn Italians have once again made it into the top 20 of NPSL teams while looking for an 8th Open Cup appearance in the Modern Era. A record of 10-1-3, including averaging just over two goals per game, helped the group reach the North Atlantic Conference Final and move up four spots in the rankings from last season.

The Italians’ biggest challenge this season came from the New York Cosmos B, who featured a roster full of pros. Brooklyn would lose 4-1 at home before playing to a scoreless draw in the penultimate game of the regular season. Still an offensive force, aided by North Atlantic Conference XI members Vitorio Argeri and Patrick Guier, the team scored 43 while only allowing 15 in 14 games. The season came to an end for the second straight year at the hands of Cosmos B, who defeated Brooklyn. 1-0. in the conference final.

#14 – Crossfire Redmond (West Region – Northwest Conference, 2.2 points per game)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: None

Crossfire Redmond ended its inaugural NPSL season with a Northwest Conference, a West Region semifinal appearance, and top half bid to gain entry into the 2020 US Open Cup.

The team, which is run under the Crossfire Premier organization which has an excellent track record in terms of youth development, played to a 7-2-1 record in conference play while totaling 30 goals in those 10 games (averaging three goals a game). Club director and former US international Bernie James led his squad into the playoffs where the team defeated conference foe OSA FC, 7-1, in their first game before falling to eventual region champions ASC San Diego.

#15 – Med City FC (Midwest Region – North Conference, 2.25 points per game)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: None

After back-to-back fourth place finishes in the NPSL’s North Conference, Med City FC finds itself after it’s first-ever postseason at what was the cutoff point for teams last year hoping to make the US Open Cup from the league. The team based out of Rochester, Minn. reached the Midwest Region quarterfinals but fell to their fellow statesmen Minneapolis City SC, 2-1, after all three goals came within a span of 10 minutes.

City’s season ended in the North with a 8-1-3 record, only one point behind Minneapolis for the conference’s top spot. The two teams clashed during the regular season with a draw, followed by a win by Med in the regular season finale, 1-0. However, the Crows were able to beat Neil Cassidy and his team by getting around the well-oiled back-line led by defender Nicholas Itopoulos that had only allowed eleven goals up until the playoffs.

#16 – Naples United FC (South Region – Sunshine Conference, 2.4 points per game)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: None

Playing in the same conference as the defending league champions (Miami FC), Naples United FC finished its respectable season with an appearance in the Sunshine Conference Playoffs and a handful of team honors.

The group finished second overall in the conference with a record of 8-2-0, with their only losses coming against Miami FC in meetings that came on just as many weeks in the home and away series. Looking past this, the team from Naples, Fla. pushed hard in the top heavy conference, where the best teams would obviously make one of the four playoff spots. Starting the year off with a three-game winning streak that saw the team outscored opponents 9-2, this year’s Sunshine Conference XI head coach Carlos Adducci used the depth of his roster to remain perfect against all other Sunshine foes.

The result after the regular season was quick though after a 2-1 loss in the conference playoffs to Miami United FC sent the team home early. However, on points per game, Naples is still ahead of United which means it holds the better chance for a US Open Cup spot.

#17 – FC Golden State (West Region – Southwest Conference, 2.56 points per game)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: None

Unlike the similarly named sister club FC Golden State Force in USL League Two, FC Golden State was not able to go far in its league playoffs as the Western favorites were one-and-done.

The team, which led the Southwest Conference and the entire NPSL in goals scored with 67 (through 18 games), put up a record of 15-2-1. When the playoff positioning put the squad against ASC San Diego, an in-conference opponent that had split the season series, the two sides knew it would be a challenge. Both scored twice forcing the game into extra time and eventually penalty kicks where ASC advanced.

#18 – Atlantic City FC/West Chester United SC (Northeast Region – Keystone Conference, 2.2 points per game each)

Atlantic City FC:
Number of US Open Cup appearances: None

West Chester United SC:
Number of US Open Cup appearances: 1 (2016*, 2019*)
*As an Open Division Local qualifier
Best Open Cup Finish: 2016 Round 2 (2-0 loss vs City Islanders FC of the United Soccer League)

The second Keystone Conference spot is contested between Atlantic City FC, should the league rank based on overall league finishes including playoffs, and West Chester United SC, should it be ranked based on regular season performance and points per game. ACFC has already been discussed previously at the 8th spot.

West Chester United finished the 2019 NPSL regular season by just missing the first overall playoff seed in the conference due to the season opening loss to Atlantic City. Despite this, the 7-2-1 record Conference XI coach Blaise Santangelo’s group had put together was a solid enough resume to inspire confidence. Forward Troy Amspacher had been a threat all season long in conference and the team let up the least amount of goals of any of its’ conference playoff competition (12). Despite this, the 2018 NPSL National Finalist FC Motown overtook the team at home with three goals heading into the second half. Two goals from Christopher Donovan and Evan Vare gave the team the chance to tie but to no avail.

WCU will be looking to make the cup for a second straight year after it’s fully amateur, local league side reached the final tournament last season and defeated FC Baltimore Christos in the First Round.

#19 – Duluth FC (Midwest Region – North Conference, 2.17 points per game)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: 2 (2018, 2019)
Best Open Cup Finish: 2018 Round 2 (2-0 loss vs Saint Louis FC of USL)

Duluth FC celebrates their PK victory over Dakota Fusion FC in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Seth Steffenhagen | Steffenhagen Photography
Duluth FC celebrates their PK victory over Dakota Fusion FC in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Seth Steffenhagen | Steffenhagen Photography

Duluth FC’s best NPSL season to date was followed up with its best Open Cup performance. However, they had a lackluster finish to the league season.

After reaching the national semifinals in 2018, the team missed the Midwest Region Playoffs by finishing third in the North Conference by one point. Med City FC’s 3-1 win over the team on June 22 was one of the key reasons how the two-time Open Cup participants failed to make the playoffs.

Despite this, The BlueGreens high scoring offense, which included a 11-0 win over LC Aris FC in the final regular season game, has put the team in the top 20 of NPSL berths.

20th Denton Diablos FC (South Region – Lone Star Conference, 2.25 points per game)

21st Orange County FC (West Region – Southwest Conference, 2 points per game)

22nd Miami United FC (South Region – Sunshine Conference, 2.1 points per game)

23rd AFC Ann Arbor (Midwest Region – Great Lakes Conference, 2.14 points per game)

24th West Chester United SC/FC Motown (Northeast Region – Keystone Conference, 2.2/1.9 points per game)

25th OSA Seattle FC (West Region – Northwest Conference, 1.8 points per game)

26th Fort Worth Vaqueros (South Region – Lone Star Conference, 2 points per game)

27th Grand Rapids FC (Midwest Region – Great Lakes Conference, 2.07 points per game)

28th Kingston Stockade FC (Northeast Region – North Atlantic Conference, 1.79 points per game)

29th San Ramon FC (West Region – Golden Gates Conference, 1.73 points per game)

30th Greenville FC (South Region – Southeast Conference, 1.9 points per game)

Filed Under: 2020 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, US Open Cup Tagged With: 2020 US Open Cup Qualifying, NPSL

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U.S. Open Cup History

1935 National Challenge Cup Semifinals: After 29 days, Central Breweries win 3-game Western Final

The Western Final of the 1934/1935 National Challenge Cup featured one of Chicago’s best teams from the first 30 years of the tournament against a St. Louis team that would form their own dynasty.

  • 1995 US Open Cup: Rob Ukrop of Richmond Kickers voted TheCup.us Player of the Tournament
  • 1995 US Open Cup Final: Jeff Causey of Richmond Kickers voted TheCup.us Player of Round
  • 1995 US Open Cup Final: Richmond Kickers survive heat, beat El Paso Patriots in PKs to win title
  • 1995 US Open Cup Final Preview: El Paso Patriots hosting amateur Richmond Kickers in “El Sauna”
  • 1995 US Open Cup Semifinals: Jake Arrambide of El Paso Patriots voted TheCup.us Player of Round

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