Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2022 US Open Cup

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: Central Valley Fuego make statement in USOC debut

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Central Valley Fuego 2022 US Open Cup Villyan Bijev
Villyan Bijjev of Central Valley Fuego dribbles the ball against El Paso Locomotive FC in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: CV Fuego FC

On paper, Central Valley Fuego were the underdog. Anyone watching would have a hard time determining which club competed in Division 2 and which was from a Division 3 league. The Fuego of USL League One (Div. 3 pro) dominated in their Second Round Lamar Hunt US Open Cup against the USL Championship’s (Div. 2 pro) El Paso Locomotive, 4 -1 on Tuesday night.

Despite not playing in their usual home field of Fresno State Soccer Stadium, CVF attracted many fans to the larger Lamonica Stadium in Clovis, Calif. and made them feel right at home on a memorable night.

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The scoring began early as Fuego left back Nathan Smith pumped a long ball down the left flank to Villyan Bijev. The Bulgarian calmly collected the ball and casually chipped the onrushing El Paso goalkeeper to open the scoring in the 4th minute.

Philipp Beigl nearly made the same mistake twice as an almost identical play occurred in the ninth minute. A direct long ball was played up to Fuego striker Christian Chaney as El Paso keeper Beigl ran towards the top of his box. Chaney went for the chip but this time, Beigl made the save.

El Paso Locomotive had their best chance of keeping the game competitive in the 12th minute. Former MLSer Luis Solignac dispossessed Nathan Smith in Fuego’s defensive third, deftly turned the corner at the edge of the 18 yard box, and played a low pass in for Eric Calvillo. But Calvillo’s side-footed effort went directly into Fuego keeper Ofek Antman’s midsection to keep El Paso off the board.

Bijev had a hand in the Fuego’s second of the night moments later, taking the corner and although the ball was cleared out of the box, the clearance was weak. The bouncing ball was met by an onrushing Nathan Smith with a full head of steam, and the former LA Galaxy homegrown fired a terrific shot with his laces from 30 yards out. The ball never stopped rising as it thundered into the top corner in the 15th minute for the 2-0 advantage.

The goal ranked No. 6 on Sportscenter’s Top 10 list on Tuesday evening.

From then on the rate of chances decreased somewhat and was replaced instead by a higher than usual amount of fouls and bookings. Both El Paso fullbacks were booked within a minute of each other. Eder Borelli for bringing down Bijev in the 24th minute and Shavon John-Brown was guilty of pulling down a CVF attacker.


In the 35th minute as the ball went out of play over the end line, Luis Solignac hit the turf following minimal contact from a Fuego defender. The referee informed Solignac that there was no foul but this incident sparked a small melee that included a lot of pushing and shoving of players from both teams. Ultimately, only a yellow card was produced to El Paso’s Aaron Gomez.

Bijev found his brace in the 44th minute. Adding a lovely solo effort that displayed his technical qualities, Bijev diced up two El Paso defenders and carried the ball into the box. After dancing past the second defender, he wrapped his foot around the ball and guided it past Beigl’s far post.

El Paso manager John Hutchinson attempted to spark a comeback by making three changes during the break but things went from bad to worse for El Paso. Shavon John-Brown was sent off following a challenge that earned him his second yellow card in the 58th minute.


Fuego almost immediately used their man advantage as they scored their fourth goal of the night in the 62nd. Bijev delivered a corner kick to the back post and Christian Chaney jumped highest to head it home.

In the 83rd minute, Fuego coach Jaime Ramirez opted to sub in his backup keeper Mitchell North for the largely unbothered Ofek Antman. The Fuego fans in the seats at Lamonica Stadium were having a blast all night. They stayed lively and got loud for all four of their goals, even utilizing the classic ‘Olé’ chant following a long bout of possession.

Eric Calvillo did a little to spoil their fun in the 90th minute when he scored El Paso Locomotive’s first goal in the club’s Open Cup history, finding the ball outside the box and finishing strongly past Mitchell North.

 

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: FC Tulsa wins tournament’s first Tulsa derby

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FC Tulsa Tulsa Athletic 2022 US Open Cup
Players from FC Tulsa (white) and Tulsa Athletic battle for the ball in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: FC Tulsa

Separated by a mere 15 miles, FC Tulsa and Tulsa Athletic went for bragging rights in the first-ever Tulsa Derby to highlight Tuesday’s Second Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup before the hosts FC Tulsa took a 2-1 win at ONEOK Field.

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From the first 10 minutes, it was all FC Tulsa.

Brian Brown put the home side in front with a goal in the fifth minute, sliding towards net to finish off a feed from Diego Corrales and offer the strong start from FC Tulsa in front of a crowd of 2,300 supporters.

Down 1-0, it would be the 13th minute before Athletic would have any appreciable possession. Jordan Watson showed good skill in making a deep run along the goal line but could not set up a shot on goal.

Ronald Rodríguez headed in the second goal on a corner served up by El Salvador international Joaquín Rivas, giving FC Tulsa a 2-0 halftime lead.

Brown and Rivas had just returned from a call-up with “La Selecta,” making the return trip to Tulsa last Thursday after featuring in three appearances for El Salvador in World Cup qualifying. It was the first goal in a Tulsa uniform for Brown who like Rodriguez joined the club in the offseason.

The second half started much more briskly, but still dominated by FC Tulsa. In the 60th minute, Athletic’s Jo Garcia lifted a long ball deep in the area from a free kick, but none of the three Athletic players could get a boot to it leaving them still in a two-goal deficit.

Deep in the game, substitute Billy Nzojyibwami made a fantastic run down the right side and chipped FC Tulsa goalkeeper Austin Wormell to cut the deficit to 2-1. In the 87th minute, Athletic’s Bryson Reed saved a sure goal by Gabi Torres to keep it a one-goal game.

Tulsa Athletic goalkeeper Bryson Reed made six saves, keeping the ball out of the back of the net for the final 72 minutes. But the damage had been done.

FC Tulsa will learn its third-round opponent Friday with the Open Cup third-round draw held by U.S. Soccer. The draw is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. ET.

If Tulsa draws an MLS club, it will be the USL side’s first competitive match against a team from the top division since a 2-1 loss to FC Dallas in the fourth round of the Open Cup in 2017.

 

Goal scorers

FC Tulsa 5’ Brian Brown

FC Tulsa 18’ Ronald Rodríguez, assist Ronald Rodríguez

Tulsa Athletic 77’ Billy Nzojyibwami, assist Joe Garcia

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: New Mexico United dominates Las Vegas to earn first home win

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New Mexico United vs Las Vegas Legends 2022 US Open Cup
New Mexico United moves the ball up the field against the Las Vegas Legends in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Seth Biddulph

New Mexico United knows all about playing against Goliath in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Tonight, though, they were Goliath when they hosted the Las Vegas Legends (NPSL) in United’s first-ever home Open Cup match. And it showed on the pitch from the second the opening whistle blew.

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With a 5-0 win over Las Vegas, New Mexico United picks up the club’s first win over an amateur team and the first win in front of their home fans.

“You just try to take it like every game, it doesn’t matter who you play,” said United midfielder Will Seymore. “The objective is to win. When you underestimate a team that you don’t really know anything about, you can get giant killed like that. I think we just had to approach it like the professionals we are, like every other game and hold our standards.”

The hosts set the tone of the night early, showing a willingness to take what the Legends were willing to give them. While the visitors played narrow at the back, United looked to play through the wingbacks, Raddy Ovouka and Daniel Bruce. By utilizing the wide areas, it allowed other members of United to make runs through the back line, and in the 7th minute, Sergio Rivas was played in behind and drew out Legends keeper Hector Casillas, who conceded an early penalty.

Chris Wehan would get the nod and coolly slotted home the attempt, going to the bottom left corner.

From there, the floodgates opened. In the 17th, Jerome Kiesewetter, who opened his club account, doubled the lead after cleaning up the rebound after a header from Rivas went off the crossbar.

Ovouka would increase the lead to three goals in the 40th, finishing from just outside the six-yard box.

Even the halftime break couldn’t slow down United’s momentum, as moments into the second half, Carl Sainte extended the lead once again. After a Rivas cross was cleared away from the face of the goal, the ball fell to the young Haitian midfielder. Sainte stepped into his shot from 21 yards out and laced it into the left corner of the net.

An already bad night for Las Vegas got even worse when Eduardo Guzman saw yellow for the second time in the 82nd minute and was sent off. Down to 10 men and scrambling to prevent any further damage, Casillas conceded a second penalty in the 86th. Kiesewetter was given the opportunity to stand over the spot and converted once again to give United their fifth goal of the evening.


Scoring Summary
7’ – New Mexico United – Chris Wehan (Pen)
17′ – New Mexico United – Jerome Kiesewetter
40′ – New Mexico United – Raddy Ovouka (Chris Wehan)
47′ – New Mexico United – Carl Sainte
86′ – New Mexico United – Jerome Kiesewetter

Lineups
New Mexico United: Ford Parker (GK), Will Seymore, Alexis Souahy (Austin Yearwood 45′), Rashid Tetteh (Sam Hamilton 79′), Carl Sainte, Mike Azira, Chris Wehan (Tabort-Etaka Preston 52′), Raddy Ovouka, Daniel Bruce, Sergio Rivas (Justin Portillo 79′), Jerome Kiesewetter
Manager: Zach Prince

Las Vegas Legends: Hector Casillas (GK), Eduardo Guzman, Abdel Kuwa, Jameel Neptune, Maliek Howell (Daniel Osuji 63′), Jesus Gonzalez (Julio Vargas 56′), Elad Cohen (Mohamed Kuwa 46′), Roberto Soto, Samuel Aina (Esequiel Coronel 46′), Brandon Vargas (Yuval Cohen 56′), Daniel Rangel
Manager: Jose Rivera

Yellow Cards
Daniel Rangel, Las Vegas 57′
Abdel Kuwa, Las Vegas 64′
Eduardo Guzman, Las Vegas 73′
Jerome Kiesewetter, New Mexico 78′
Hector Casillas, Las Vegas 86′

Red Cards
Eduardo Guzman, Las Vegas 82′ (second yellow)
Attendance: 2,128

 

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: Teenager scores twice to help San Antonio FC keep win streak

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Henrik Sakshaug San Antonio FC 2022 US Open Cup
17-year-old Henrik Sakshaug of San Antonio FC became the youngest player in team history to score two goals in the club’s 3-1 win over D’Feeters Kicks SC in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: San Antonio FC

At 17 years old, Henrik Sakshaug — making just his second appearance with San Antonio FC’s senior team — scored twice during a four-minute stretch in the second half to help the home side defeat Dallas-based D’Feeters Kicks SC by a score of 3-1.

Sakshaug, one of several teenagers from the San Antonio academy system getting the start for the USL Championship side, became the youngest player in San Antonio FC history to score two goals in a match.

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With the win, San Antonio extends the club’s winning streak in opening round games to five, and improves to 6-0-0 all-time against amateur teams.

After a scoreless first half, San Antonio injected some urgency into the second, bringing on first team captain Connor Maloney coming out of the break. The midfielder made his presence felt almost immediately, creating multiple chances, including one to his right back Shannon Gomez, but Gomez was denied at point blank range by D’Feeters goalkeeper Anthony Rodriguez from about eight yards out.

The breakthrough finally came for the home side in the 53rd minute. Brazilian midfielder PC played a free kick into the box that D’Feeters failed to sufficiently clear. The ball fell kindly for Sakshaug on the edge of the penalty box and the youngster buried a clinical low driven shot that was mature beyond his current age. A minute later, Maloney added a goal of his own after getting on the end of another failed clearance by the D’Feeters defense. In the 57th minute, Gomez played a perfect square ball into the box and Sakshaug calmly finished for his second of the night.

D’Feeters quickly pulled one back in the 61st as Cardone failed to corral an early cross and Sebastian Mendez was inside the six-yard box to finish off the chance. Moments later Oscar Romero put a header just wide of the near post and the visitors continued to apply pressure right up until Juan Ramirez was sent off in the 83rd minute with his second yellow card of the night. Sakshaug almost completed the hat trick, but his late chance was denied by Rodriguez and he would have to settle for a mere brace in the breakout performance of his young career.

The home side controlled possession early in the first half but could only generate half chances, including a wasted corner kick in the opening two minutes. San Antonio kept up pressure and managed to test D’Feeters’ Rodriguez in the 15th minute. San Antonio whipped in a corner kick that the 20 year old Rodriguez failed to pluck out of the air, but San Antonio couldn’t capitalize on the loose ball in the box. The hosts continued to control possession and keep the ball in DKSC’s half, but no chances came.

D’Feeters abruptly breathed new life into the game with a low, driven early cross in the 29th minute that was smothered by San Antonio’s Matt Cardone before it could reach its target. Two minutes later, DKSC’s Miles Byass had the best chance of the half for the visitors, but his shot inside the box missed the far post by a matter of inches. Both teams continued to grow into the game and traded more chances, but neither could find a decisive goal and halftime arrived with the scoreline still stuck at 0-0.

San Antonio advances to the Third Round with an opponent to be determined on Friday, April 8 at Noon Eastern Time.

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: St. Louis City 2 wins debut at Indy Eleven

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Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium at IUPUI
Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium at IUPUI. Photo: St. Louis CITY 2

A visiting MLS Next Pro St. Louis CITY 2 team imposed itself with a goal in each half to knock hosts and USL Championship side Indy Eleven out of the US Open Cup with a 2-0 win in the Second Round of the US Open Cup.

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St. Louis CITY 2 ceded 64% of possession to its second division opponents, but outpaced them on shots 7-6 and looked the more dangerous team for all but 15 minutes after the half.

The visiting side is the sole incarnation of the club that will enter a side in MLS next year, and has several players who are being warehoused in the third division in anticipation that they may play next year. Still, the Indy Eleven side had to compete with them this year and may have expected to dominate. That never happened.

Indy dominated possession from the start, but St Louis’ press paid off in the 17th minute. A botched clearance by the Eleven ended up falling to Josh Yaro in the midfield, who pinged a neat on-time cross out of the air to Ezra Armstrong on the left wing, just inside the 18. Armstrong settled the ball with his thigh and half-volleyed the ball with his left decisively past the Eleven’s backup keeper, Tim Trilk, to open the scoring.

St. Louis continued to press, and looked close to scoring during stretches before the half hour mark and again around the 37th minute when Armstrong combined twice with Vitor Dias on two occasions.

After the half, Indy came out forcefully for the first 15 minutes, and pushed its attack down the left side of the visiting defense. The Eleven managed three menacing crosses in the 51st, 55th, and 58th from that side, but each was intercepted just off the goal line by St. Louis keeper, Michael Creek.

St. Louis countered around the 70th minute, pushing the hosts back on their heels, and in the 72nd minute Armstrong pinged a ball from the left wing to substitute Célio Martins. He controlled the ball and slipped it to Wan Kuzain who snuck the ball inside the far post with a low shot for the second-half goal.

St. Louis now advances to the Third Round of the US Open Cup with a possible opportunity to face a MLS squad. The draw for Round 3 will be announced on Friday at Noon ET.

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: Detroit City FC blanks local rival Michigan Stars, earn first “win”

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Matt Lewis Detroit City FC Michigan Stars FC 2022 US Open Cup
Matt Lewis of Detroit City FC celebrates with some fans during the club’s Second Round match against Michigan Stars FC in the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Jon DeBoer – Detroit City FC

It took until nearly halftime, but Detroit City FC eventually broke through with two set piece headers in the span of two minutes, then added another goal in the second half to get past a familiar foe in the Michigan Stars by the score of 3-0 at historic Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, Mich.

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For Detroit City FC, it was not only a win over a local rival, but it was the club’s first official US Open Cup victory. Le Rouge had advanced twice as an amateur side in the NPSL, but both were by penalty kick shootouts, which are officially recognized as draws.

The Stars of the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) pressured Detroit’s midfield in the first few minutes, but once Le Rouge got their feet under them, the possession of the match was theirs to lose. As has been the case with many of the matchups these teams have played over the years, the game became physical rather quickly. The first yellow card was shown to Michigan’s Elias McCloud in the 9th minute for a late tackle on DCFC’s Brad Dunwell.

The turning point may have come in the 23rd minute. In the second of three successive corner kicks for Detroit (USL-C), Devon Amoo-Mensah, the former captain of the Stars from last season, fired a volley from near the penalty spot, only for Stars goalkeeper Tatenda Mkuruva to make a diving save. On the play following the third corner, Mkuruva may have been injured as he was gesturing to his eye. After a check from the training staff, play continued until the 26th minute when he dropped to the ground holding his head. He was unable to continue and was subbed out for backup goalkeeper Paul Lewis.

After this point, City was able to capitalize by bringing a flurry of chances into the attacking third, but wasn’t able to test the backup keeper until the 44th minute when Francis Atuahene forced a diving save out for a corner. On the ensuing play, Maxi Rodriguez delivered a ball from the left side into the box that found the head of Connor Rutz for the opening goal in the 45th minute.

Less than two minutes later, in what appeared to be a mirror image from the last goal, Rodriguez was able to serve another goal from the corner, this time from the right side. Matt Lewis was able to get over Jacob Campbell and head the ball into the back post to put DCFC up 2-0 just before halftime.

Detroit was able to tack on a third goal in the 63rd minute as Michael Bryant sent in a cross from the right to Rutz, who headed it in front of goal for Lewis to fire it home from the top of the box. They were almost able to add a fourth tally in the 69th minute as a corner kick found Lewis, who was able to send a deflected header toward net, but the Stars defense was able to clear it off the line.

DCFC goalkeeper Nate Steinwasher was barely called upon as Michigan did not have an attempt on goal, and he was able to earn a clean sheet.

Detroit City FC fans set off smoke bombs during the club's match against Michigan Stars FC in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Nick Miko
Detroit City FC fans set off smoke bombs during the club’s match against Michigan Stars FC in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Nick Miko

With the 3-0 win, Detroit City FC breaks scored more than two goals in an Open Cup game for the first time. It was also the first win by an amateur team from Michigan since 2017 when the Michigan Bucks (now Flint City Bucks) defeated Indy Eleven.

DCFC will learn their opponent in Round 3 when the draw is announced at Noon on Friday.

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: Tampa Bay Rowdies cruise in rematch with The Villages SC

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Tampa Bay Rowdies The Villages SC 2022 US Open Cup Photo by Morgan Tencza
Kyle Greig (22) and Yann Ekra of the Tampa Bay Rowdies celebrate a goal against The Villages SC in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Morgan Tencza

For the second straight round, The Villages SC were part of a 6-0 result. However, instead of the drubbing they dealt Orlando FC Wolves in the First Round off the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the USL League Two side was on the opposite end of the scoreline. The Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL Championship scored early and often en route to a Second Round victory. 

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An announced crowd of 2,579 witnessed a rematch of the Second Round of the last US Open Cup that was played back in 2019, also played at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Rowdies also won that match convincingly, by the score of 4-1.

Having cruised to a 3-0 lead on the back of two first-half goals from Lucky Mkosana — both assisted by Kyle Greig — Tampa Bay turned its attention towards some history for the club, handing professional debuts to just-signed Academy players Tate Johnson and Santi Castaneda.

“The most important thing was to move on to the next round,” said Rowdies head coach Neill Collins. “I thought it was important for two reasons. The players, I think they want that opportunity to play against the best. And for our fans. I get the impression they want us to progress and have those nights in the Open Cup hopefully here at Al Lang. So I’m pleased we’re on to the next round. Any night you can have the opportunity to give two young players that trained with us for two months and played in preseason games their professional debuts, that’s a good night.”

Also making their mark on the scoresheet were Jordan Scarlett, heading in a cross from Jake Areman in the 36th minute; Kyle Greig, getting to another cross put in by Areman in the 53rd; Jake LaCava in the 63rd, hammering home shortly after being introduced as a second-half sub; and Laurence Wyke in the 73rd. The midfielder made a run down the right side before turning in and lobbing the ball at the near post, where Gried just missed out on tapping home, but a moment’s hesitation by the GK meant that Wyke’s ball found it’s way across the line. The six-goal outburst set a new club record for goals scored in an Open Cup match, surpassing the four Tampa Bay scored previously against The Villages in 2019.

“We had a vision going into the game,” Mkosana said. “Neill told us to press from the front and we were able to keep that organization. Everything came from just playing and taking our chances. It was a really good effort from the team.”

Despite the scoreline, the visitors put up a valiant effort and created several chances for themselves, most notably around the 30th minute, but were unable to give their contingent of traveling supporters something to celebrate.

Tampa Bay will now wait until Friday to learn it Third Round opponent and will undoubtedly hope to be handed an opportunity to host an MLS side at Al Lang Stadium, where the club is currently undefeated in its previous five Open Cup matches.

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: NC Fusion snaps road streak, hands Charlotte another upset loss

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American Legion Memorial Stadium
American Legion Memorial Stadium

For the third time in club history, and the third tournament in a row, the Charlotte Independence have been eliminated from the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup by an amateur team. The North Carolina Fusion U-23s join the Ocean City Nor’easters (2018) and the Florida Soccer Soldiers (2019) in knocking the Jacks out of the competition.

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The Fusion U-23s, who were the USL League Two runner-up last season, defeated the Independence 4-2 to earn the club’s first win over a pro team since 2006. It also snapped an eight-game road losing streak for the Fusion in the Open Cup, the longest such streak in the Modern Era (1995-present). The last time the Fusion won a road game in the Open Cup was in 1999 when they were a Div. 3 pro team (USL D-3 Pro League) and traveled across the country to upset the Orange County Zodiac of the A-League (Div. 2 pro).

Not many fans made it out to American Legion Memorial Stadium due to torrential downpours in the Charlotte Metro region. But the ones that were in attendance saw a hard-fought and scrappy match.

The Independence would get on the board first, thanks to a Shalom Dutey header off a set piece in the 14th minute.

Luis Neto would equalize in the 37th minute for the Fusion.

Ayrton Paez would put the Jacks back in front just before halftime, thanks to an assist from Ivan Luquetta.

The second half would see tempers flare between the in-state squads. Some pushing and shoving would eventually lead to Tresor Mbuyu, of the Independence, being shown a red card in the 76th minute.

Just before the end of regulation, Tom Marriott of the Fusion would score his first goal of the match in the 88th minute. William Lorentz would seal the victory for the amateur side with a goal five minutes into second half stoppage time, right before the full-time whistle.

“It was a massive win for the club,” said Fusion goalkeeper Josh Perryman.

Since joining USL League Two in 2004 under the name Carolina Dynamo, the Fusion have eliminated four professional teams. Only three amateur clubs in the Modern Era have more pro team upsets than North Carolina. (Flint City Bucks 10; Des Moines Menace 7; Ocean City Nor’easters 6)

Perryman said his Fusion teammates came into the match with a mindset of “no fear” and are eager to see who their next opponent will be in the Third Round. The draw for Round 3 will take place at Noon on Friday.

 

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: Toby Sims’ brace leads Pittsburgh Riverhounds over Maryland Bobcats

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Toby Sims Pittsburgh Riverhounds Maryland Bobcats 2022 US Open Cup
Toby Sims of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Maryland Bobcats in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Chris Cowger | Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC continued their unbeaten run to the season by defeating Maryland Bobcats FC 2-0 in the Second Round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The win marked their fifth game in all competitions without a loss to start their campaign. This time, the Hounds were propelled by some fresh faces as head coach Bob Lilley played a heavily rotated side that included many of the club’s young players. Leading the youthful crop was winger Toby Sims, whose two goals marked the first professional goals of his career.

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Sims broke open a cagey first half in the 37th minute when Luis Argudo got onto the end of Jesse Williams’ touchline through ball and lofted a cross for Sims to slot home just inside the post. The Englishman then doubled Pittsburgh’s lead in the 56th minute. 17-year-old Wyatt Borso drilled a cross the width of the pitch that found its way past a fallen Bobcat defender and onto the foot of Sims. Sims controlled and then curled his shot past the outstretched arm of Maryland’s keeper.

The first-year pro made the most of his cup opportunity by bagging his first goals under contract and in a Hounds shirt. Sims, a typical wingback, took advantage of Lilley’s surprise decision to play him further up the pitch.

“I found out yesterday when he released the starting 11,” said Sims, who was an All-American at Chowan University, an NCAA Division 2 program in North Carolina. “I never played that position before, so I was a bit apprehensive going into the game. I definitely got more comfortable as the game went on. I got more touches and it paid off in the end.”

Sims was one of a handful of new additions to Lilley’s squad that got a chance to prove themselves, as the experienced coach turned over his starting lineup to keep key members of the first team fresh for the upcoming west coast road trip in USL Championship league play. The crew of newly crowned professionals did not let the chance slip away and gave their boss more to think about as the season progresses.

“We want to build depth, we want to keep growing,” said Lilley, who is now tied with Bob Bradley and Adrian Heath for fourth place in the Modern Era with 19 career coaching wins in the US Open Cup. “We asked them to step up, take care of this game, and they did. That’s important for their psyche.”

Sims expressed his eagerness to squeeze out more playing time for himself, perhaps in an unexpected new position.

“Getting the opportunity was something I definitely felt like I needed to take. Hopefully further down the line it gets me more minutes, if not I’ll keep working ‘til I do.”

Both teams struggled in the first half hour of the match to create a pattern of play, leading to a stalemate on possession and no significant chances. Eventually the Hounds chipped away at Maryland’s left side of the defense, Argudo sneaking behind on multiple occasions before providing the assist to Sims that ended the deadlock.

In the second half, Lilley switched his attack plan to the right and Sims exposed the back line’s vulnerability once again. The Bobcats look lost for options at a comeback, settling for unsuccessful long balls that Pittsburgh’s stingy center backs swallowed up to kill off the game.

Jahmali Waite started in goal for the Riverhounds, making just two second half saves to earn the clean sheet in his professional debut.

The Riverhounds await to see their Third Round opponent in the 107th US Open Cup, as the draw will be announced on Friday, April 8. 

2022 US Open Cup Round 1: Who should be voted TheCup.us Player of the Round?

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Photo: Lesly Rodriguez – LBShots

There was plenty of drama among the Open Division amateur teams in the opening round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Sixteen teams advanced to Round 2 where they will face professional teams the week of April 5-7.

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There were plenty of standout individual performances in the First Round of the 107th edition of the tournament.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters but if YOU had a vote, which player do you think would win?

Here are the finalists (in alphabetical order):

Jean-Philippe Ayolmbong
Northern Virginia FC (USASA/EPSL)

Ayolmbong assisted on NoVa FC’s opening goal in the 13th minute, and then scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal in the 48th minute in his club’s 3-1 road win over Lynchburg FC (USASA/UPSL).

Tomas Bosuel
San Fernando Valley FC (USASA/UPSL)

Bosuel contributed the only hat trick of the First Round in a wild 6-2 victory over Escondido FC (USASA/UPSL) plus drew a penalty that added another SFVFC goal.

Lucas Espindola
Miami United FC (NPSL)

Espindola scored a late go-ahead goal in the 83rd minute plus a PK goal in stoppage time to give Miami United FC (NPSL) a 3-1 home win over City Soccer FC (USSSA/NSL). With the win, MUFC earns a date with USL Championship side Miami FC in the next round.

Dave Greczek 
FC Motown (NPSL)

Greczek made four saves and earned a clean sheet in FC Motown’s 1-0 home win over West Chester United (USL-2). After the original match was complete, the USSF ordered the game to be replayed after FC Motown protested the result (West Chester won 3-2 in extra time) after WCU made an illegal substitution.

Jacob Mannix
Western Mass Pioneers (USL-2)

Mannix played a part in both of the Pioneers’ goals in their 2-0 home win over Brockton FC United (USASA/Bay State Soccer League). A cross early in the second half was headed in by Gabriel Ganzer then, after having to play most of the rest of the half with 10 men, he sealed the victory with a goal in stoppage time.

Junior Rosero
Oyster Bay United FC (USASA/UPSL)

Rosero helped make Oyster Bay United’s Open Cup debut a memorable one, playing a part in all three goals in their 3-0 road win over Hartford City (NPSL). The forward opened scoring in the 16th minute and assisted on the others to help send the new club to the Second Round where they will play Hartford Athletic (USL Championship).

Alessando Salvedego
Des Moines Menace (USL-2)

Salvedego put the Menace ahead for good with two second half goals in a 4-2 home win against Minneapolis City (NPSL).

 

HONORABLE MENTION – GOAL OF THE ROUND

Lionel Vang
Minneapolis City SC (NPSL)

Vang opened the scoring in the 20th minute in his team’s match against Des Moines. The free kick strike from 31 yards out was so good it made SportsCenter’s Top 10 the next day, taking home silver as the #2 best play from the previous day.

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