2022 US Open Cup

2022 US Open Cup Round 1 review: After two years off, America’s tournament roars back

April 2, 2022 by Josh Hakala

West Chester United vs FC Motown 2022 US Open Cup — Players from West Chester United (blue) and FC Motown battle for the ball in their First Round match in the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Matt Ralph | BrotherlyGame.com

The long-awaited return of the magic that is the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup arrived in full force over two nights this week. 32 Open Division amateur teams squared off and 15 of them advanced to the Second Round where they will face professional teams.

Fans will have to wait a little while longer to find out who the 16th winner will be. One game (Northern Virginia FC at Lynchburg FC) was unable to finish due to severe weather. That game will be replayed in full next week.

Six teams from USL League Two, five from the NPSL, and four Open Division Local teams punched their ticket to the next round which will take place the week of April 5-7.

Here is a brief review of the 15 games (with full match report links):

West Chester United (USL-2)
3:2 (AET)
FC Motown (NPSL)
MSU Soccer Park (Montclair State Univ.) – Montclair, NJ
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Grace Ott

A clash of experienced US Open Cup teams West Chester United and FC Motown was a whirlwind, as West Chester emerged victorious, 3-2, in extra time. Motown had a 2-0 halftime lead but West Chester fought back and sent the game into extra time, where a Jacob Gosselin goal in the 93rd minute proved to be the game-winner. West Chester United will host a upcoming Second Round match against Syracuse AC (NISA).

FC Motown protested the result of this match due to an illegal substitution made by West Chester United SC. The protest was upheld and the original result has been nullified. The game was replayed on April 1 and FC Motown came away with a 1-0 home win. Ryan Peterson scored the game-winning goal in the 90th minute. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Chicago FC United (USL-2)
1:2 (AET)
Cleveland SC (NPSL)
George Finnie Stadium (Baldwin Wallace Univ.) – Berea, OH
BROADCAST: USSF’s YOUTUBE

By Grace Ott

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Cleveland’s SC’s US Open Cup debut got off to a memorable start as it advanced against Chicago FC United (USL League Two) in extra time, 2-1. Chicago took the lead in the 17th minute on a deflected goal and were ahead most of the match. Cleveland scored in the final minutes of regulation to extend the game to extra time, where it hit the winner in the 107th minute. Cleveland will travel to Wisconsin in two weeks to take on Forward Madison FC. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Oyster Bay United FC (USASA/UPSL)
3:0
Hartford City FC (NPSL)
Dillon Stadium – Hartford, CT
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Jordan Beech

Led by Junior Rosero’s goal and two assists, US Open Cup debutant Oyster Bay United FC claimed a resounding 3-0 road win over Harford City FC. The eight-month-old club did all of its damage in the first half before comfortably seeing out the second half. Oyster Bay will return to the same stadium to take on Hartford Athletic in the Second Round. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

2022 Meet the Underdogs: Oyster Bay United

Orlando FC Wolves (USSSA/NSL)
0:6
The Villages SC (USL-2)
The Villages SC Complex – Summerfield, FL
BROADCAST: USSF’s YOUTUBE

By Grace Ott

In an eighth straight US Open Cup appearance The Villages SC thoroughly dominated debutants Orlando FC Wolves 6-0, breaking the club’s five-game Open Cup winless streak. Two players each scored a brace as The Villages SC broke its US Open Cup single-game club record for goals scored. The Villages will travel to take on the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Second Round on April 5. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

2022 Meet the Underdogs: Orlando FC Wolves

Southern States SC 2022 US Open Cup — Players from Southern States SC pose for a team photo before their 2022 US Open Cup match in Round 2. Photo: Southern States SC

Georgia Revolution FC (NPSL)
1:3
Southern States SC Stars (NPSL)
The Oakes – Hattiesburg, MS
BROADCAST: USSF’s YOUTUBE

By Jordan Beech

Southern State Soccer Club’s US Open Cup debut emerged with a 3-1 win over visiting Georgia Revolution FC. Thomas Shepherd bagged a second-half brace for the Stars to secure the victory after Jean Lucas Rivera put the Stars up 1-0 in the first half. Revolution’s Karim Tmimi put his team on the board in the 82nd minute but the Stars held on to earn a date with Birmingham Legion FC in the Second Round on April 7. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

D’Feeters Kicks SC (USCS/The Roja League)
3:2
Denton Diablos FC (NPSL)
UNT Soccer and Track & Field Stadium – Denton, TX
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Grace Ott

There was plenty of drama for the US Open Cup debuts of D’Feeters Kicks SC and Denton Diablos FC. D’Feeters from US Club Soccer’s Roja League, emerged victorious over the reigning NPSL champions, 3-2. A very back-and-forth affair saw goals from five different players in the first half and bookings handed out in the second. By the end of the game, three players had seen red, leaving D’Feeters with ten men and Denton with nine to finish the match. Carlos Flores received the final red just seconds after being shown a yellow for dissent about an apparent missed goal-line handball in the final minutes. D’Feeters will travel to face USL Championship side San Antonio FC in the Second Round on April 5. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

2022 Meet the Underdogs: D’Feeters Kicks SC

DAY 2: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "Champions" shirt, honoring the five clubs from the pre-Modern Era (1914-1994) to win four or more US Open Cup titles. Visit THECUP.US SHOP — Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “Champions” shirt, honoring the five clubs from the pre-Modern Era (1914-1994) to win four or more US Open Cup titles. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

Escondido FC (USASA/UPSL)
2:6
San Fernando Valley FC (USASA/UPSL)
Sepulveda Basin Sports Complex – Encino, CA
BROADCAST: USSF’s YOUTUBE

By Adam Uthe

Wednesday’s matches got started with a bang as hosts San Fernando Valley FC took down Escondido FC in a 6-2 victory. Both California amateur sides were making their US Open Cup debuts and they made sure to provide plenty of fireworks. San Fernando Valley’s Tomas Bosuel got things started in the 27th minute with the first of three goals for him on the night. Then assisted on his club’s second goal of the match in the 43rd minute, setting up teammate Irvin Rivas. Escondido earned a penalty in the 45th minute just before halftime and David Acherrandio converted from the spot to pull one back for the visitors. The match looked to be fairly even going into the break. Then, San Fernando’s Giancarlo Ponciano scored a minute after halftime and Bousuel went on to add two more to complete his hat trick as the home team ran away with it in the second half. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

2022 Meet the Underdogs: Escondido FC

Lansdowne Yonkers FC (USASA/EPSL)
1:1
Ocean City Nor’easters (USL-2)
(Lansdowne advances 4-3 on PKs)
Carey Stadium – Ocean City, NJ
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Adam Uthe

On a rainy and windy night in Ocean City, N.J., the reigning National Amateur Cup champion Lansdowne Yonkers FC rolled in and came away with a 4-3 penalty kick victory after a 1-1 draw with the Ocean City Nor’easters (USL League Two). Ocean City’s Pablo Marques got things started for the home side with an 8th minute goal, but Lansdowne were quick to respond. Shamir Mullings equalized for the visitors four minutes later to make it 1-1 and that scoreline held for the remainder of regulation as the two sides traded half chances but no breakthrough goal came. Lansdowne managed to hit the post in the 87th minute, but Ocean City’s defense held firm and extra time came calling. The first 15 minutes of extra time proved uneventful, but in the 116th minute Marques earned his second yellow and was sent off, leaving the home side with 10 men the rest of the way. Lansdowne were unable to take advantage though and the two sides went to penalties with heavy rain falling throughout extra time. Each team converted three of their first five penalties, but it was Mullings who came away with the winner for the visitors in the sixth round. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

2022 Meet the Underdogs: Lansdowne Yonkers FC

Northern Virginia FC (USASA/EPSL) at Lynchburg FC (USASA/UPSL)
Lynchburg City Stadium – Lynchburg, VA
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: USSF’s YOUTUBE

By Josh Hakala

With Northern Virginia FC leading 1-0 with a beautiful goal off a volley in the 15th minute, the game was brought to a halt in the 37th minute due to lightning. About a minute after the game restarted, Lynchburg equalized off a rebound. In the 78th minute, lightning struck again and the players were pulled off the field. Unfortunately for the fans and the teams who came out to brave the rain in Lynchburg, Va., the match would not resume. According to team officials, the game was suspended and the match will be replayed at a later date.

On March 27, U.S. Soccer announced the game would be replayed on Wednesday, March 30, at the Lynchburg City Stadium. Northern Virginia would win the replay 3-1 to win the club’s first-ever US Open Cup game. After trading first half goals, Jean-Phillippe Ayolmbong scored just after halftime while Jhonny De Souza converted an 85th minute penalty kick to put the game away. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

2022 Meet the Underdogs: Lynchburg FC

2022 Meet the Underdogs: Northern Virginia FC

North Carolina Fusion U-23s (USL-2)
W:L (Forfeit)
South Carolina United FC (USL-2)
SEFL Soccer Complex – Columbia, SC
BROADCAST: USSF’s YOUTUBE

By Joshua Taylor

The North Carolina Fusion U-23s had to go to extra time but managed to come back from a goal down to defeat SC United Bantams 3-1 in Round 1 of the US Open Cup at the SEFL Soccer Complex. The first half saw both teams battle it out as the Fusion outshot the Bantams 6-2 in the first half. The best chance for the Fusion came in the 34th minute when Tom Marriott was in the box but his shot went wide past the net. In the 38th minute, the Fusion were called for a foul when SC United forward Edmundo Robinson was taken down in the box and the referee awarded a penalty kick to the Bantams. Robinson buried his shot past Fusion goalkeeper Joshua Perryman to give SC a lead which they carried into halftime. In the second half, the Fusion had multiple chances to get the equalizer early on but was unable to covert. However, in the 82nd minute, Steven Hernandez’s shot hit the crossbar and bounced over the goal line and beat Bantams goalkeeper Gustavo to get the equalizer at 1-1. In extra time the Fusion took the lead on Marriott’s goal in the 105th minute. Hernandez added another goal in the 118th to put the match away. The Fusion will travel to play USL Championship side Charlotte Independence in the Second Round. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

After the match, it was learned that SC United fielded multiple ineligible players, so the match is officially listed as a forfeit. [+] FULL STORY

Brockton FC United (USASA/Bay State Soccer Lg)
0:2
Western Mass Pioneers (USL-2)
Lusitano Stadium – Ludlow, MA
BROADCAST: USSF’s YOUTUBE

By Jed Henderson

USL-2 side Western Mass Pioneers advanced with a 2-0 victory in front of a home crowd at Lusitano Stadium at the expense of US Open Cup debutants Brockton FC United of the Bay State Soccer League. Neither side was able to score in the first half, but a surging run against the run of play from Pioneers’ Gabe Ganzer forced United FC defender Rudney Delgado to see red for denying a goal scoring opportunity late in the first half. The Pioneers pushed its advantage quickly in the second half with Ganzer nodding home a looping header in the 48th minute. The Pioneers were reduced to ten men in the 69th minute as Joshua Calderon went studs up into a challenge on Leandro Alves to receive his second yellow. Despite returning to parity with ten men on the field, the Pioneers continued to push and found a late stoppage time goal via Jacob Mannix, who kept his close-range effort low to squeeze past the keeper. With their first tournament win since 2014, the Pioneers enter the Second Round as hosts on April 6 to Flower City Union, a newly-formed NISA side that will play its first professional match this weekend. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

2022 Meet the Underdogs: Brockton FC United

City Soccer FC (USSSA/NSL)
1:3
Miami United FC (NPSL)
Ted Hendricks Stadium – Hialeah, FL
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Adam Uthe

Hosts Miami United FC defeated City Soccer FC 3-1 in Round 1 of the US Open Cup behind a pair of goals from Lucas Espindola. It took awhile, but this one still managed to produce plenty of drama with all four goals coming in the 79th minute or later. Robertino Insua got things started for Miami United with a goal in the 79th minute, but first time amateur qualifiers City Soccer needed just two minutes to respond as Oscar Escobar Reyes equalized in the 81st. Espindola then took the game over and scored the go-ahead goal in the 83rd minute before putting it away for good with a converted penalty kick in the 5th minute of stoppage time to send the NPSL side through to the next round. They’ll face Miami FC in Round 2. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

2022 Meet the Underdogs: City Soccer FC

Minneapolis City SC (NPSL)
2:4
Des Moines Menace (USL-2)
Valley Stadium – West Des Moines, IA
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Minneapolis City SC, a team making its US Open Cup debut despite qualifying on three previous occasions, visited Iowa for a showdown with the USL League Two powerhouse Des Moines Menace. Lionel Vang opened the scoring for Minneapolis City in the 20th minute with a thunderous free kick from 12 yards outside the penalty area. Des Moines equalized in the 38th minute when a mistake by a Minneapolis defender allowed Maximiliano Galizzi to put Gabrial Rodriguez’s pass away from right in front of the goal. William Rodrigues put the Menace ahead in the 57th minute, but it took Minneapolis just three minutes to level the score at 2-2 through Luic Mesanvi. Des Moines regained the lead in the 69th minute on a goal from substitute Alessandro Salvadego, and he added to the lead with a second goal nine minutes later. That was all the Menace needed to secure a 4-2 victory and a date in the Second Round with Union Omaha of USL League One. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Azteca FC (USASA/Colorado Super Lg)
0:3
Tulsa Athletic (NPSL)
Case Soccer Complex (Oral Roberts Univ.) – Tulsa, OK
BROADCAST: USSF’s YOUTUBE

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

For 72 minutes, Azteca FC held Tulsa Athletic close, but eventually the NPSL club pulled away for a 3-0 victory in its US Open Cup First Round matchup. Aaron Ugbah opened the scoring for Tulsa in the 25th minute from a Matthew Rogers cross across the penalty area. From there Azteca held the score to 1-0 through most of the second half. In the 72nd minute, Joseph Garcia converted a penalty kick after Jordan Watson was brought down in the penalty area. Joseph Ruiz assisted Ruben Torres three minutes later to break the game open for Tulsa. Azteca was reduced to 10 men in the 79th minute after Cesar Meza accumulated two yellow cards in the span of five minutes. Tulsa Athletic moves on to an inter-city derby in the Second Round against Tulsa FC of the USL Championship. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

2022 Meet the Underdogs: Azteca FC

Contra Costa FC (NPSL)
1:2
Portland Timbers U-23s (USL-2)
John Chambers Field – Salem, OR
BROADCAST: USSF’s YOUTUBE

By Josh Hakala

After a scoreless first half, the Portland Timbers U-23s broke the deadlock with a Thomas Peterson goal on a cross by Noah Dreves. Eddie Sanchez doubled the lead in the 67th minute. It appeared as though the Timbers were going to go home with a shutout victory but Contra Costa scored off a free kick in the 90th minute, giving the home team a little scare before the referee blew the final whistle. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

2022 Meet the Underdogs: Contra Costa FC

Park City Red Wolves SC (USL-2)
2:3
Las Vegas Legends FC (NPSL)
Peter Johnson Soccer Field (UNLV) – Las Vegas, NV
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Tim Abbott

Las Vegas slowly tightened the screw on their outmatched visitors as the evening progressed, and goals from Samuel Aina (10th min.), Brandon Vargas (34th min.) and a remarkable Roberto Soto solo effort in the 68th minute seemed to have sealed their passage to the next round. However, out of nowhere, in the 85th minute, Park City rallied and scored twice through Leonardo Fuchs and Kevin Jara-Collante before their furious efforts were brought to an end by the referee’s whistle. They were left to concentrate efforts on overthrowing Des Moines in League Two. The Legends, on the other hand, move on to face the professionals of USL Championship side New Mexico United. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

2022 US Open Cup Round 1: As teammate fights for life, FC Motown wins inspired replay in 90th min.

April 2, 2022 by Michael Battista

FC Motown 2022 US Open Cup — FC Motown pose for a team photo prior to the club’s match vs. West Chester United in the First Round of the 2022 US Open Cup in Montclair, NJ. The team wore shirts in support of teammate Sanclair Tueno, who was hospitalized after an accident this past weekend. Photo: FC Motown

FC Motown forward Ryan Peterson is the only person who truly knows whether his game winning goal was a cross or a shot. Ultimately, the goal in the 90th minute won FC Motown its First Round replay against West Chester United SC, 1-0, on Friday night in Montclair, N.J. This is the first time West Chester United, who won the original game 3-2 in extra time, have ever lost in the tournament’s first round.

Motown moves on to play National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) side AC Syracuse Pulse in the next round. That game is this week, April 6, back at Montclair State University.

The team’s win wasn’t easy physically or emotionally. The Motown players took the field knowing one of their teammates is currently battling for his life. Defender Sainclair Tueno, who came on in the original Round 1 match last week as an extra time substitute, was hit by a speeding car last weekend near Pittsburgh. He is currently in a coma and on life support.

In the days since, teammates and members of the soccer community have come together to rally around his team.

Tueno’s family is currently raising money on GoFundMe to help cover medical expenses, something Motown has helped raise funds for in the last few days.

Even after his game winning goal, surrounded by his teammates near the corner flag, Peterson knew someone was missing.

“I was just thinking about Sainclair the entire time,” Peterson said. “You know, how he’d be out there with us celebrating. So I just wanted to get it for him.

“We wanted to come get this game for him because what he brings to the table, every practice, every game, is just raw emotion and heart and we wanted to bring that out and show that even without him we could still bring out the best of our team.”

The crowd of 176 braved frigid and windy weather for the historic match at MSU (Montclair State University) Soccer Park. Motown’s successful protest regarding an illegal West Chester substitute in last week’s original game meant the two teams played in the first protest replay in the tournament’s Modern Era since 1995. In a testament to how evenly-matched both clubs were, Friday’s game was nothing like last week’s original match. Motown head coach Šaćir Hot didn’t seem surprised.

“Whoever got that one breakthrough was always going to win,” the former New York Red Bulls homegrown player explained. “That’s how all of our games versus them are. It’s never a blowout, it’s never a game that you can be complacent in and just relax. It’s always tough versus West Chester.”

That breakthrough would have to come without some key players on both sides. West Chester was missing Blaise Milanek, the goal scorer from last game who was at the center of the protest, as he continues to deal with a concussion. For Motown, former Ghanaian national team player Gideon Baah did not suit up either. The former RBNY defender cited lung issues ahead of kickoff and was kept out of the lineup. He was the team’s best defender in the original game. Combined his absence with Tueno’s and the home team was lacking in natural center back talent for the night.

Like last week, Motown came out fast to start off. The first 15 minutes saw a string of Celtic attacks against the opposing backline and goalkeeper Cameron Sanders. Last week’s goal scorer Joseph Fala nearly opened the scoring in the 11th minute after tipping at a West Chester pass near midfield. Breaking through a sliding defender, the former USL Championship player beat Sanders to the ball and recovered it on the left side of the box with the keeper out of place. His shot from a tight angle rolled past the open goal, not coming close to the line with no one there to tap in either.

That quick start is where the similarities ended. The original match was defined by each team controlling one of the two halves. Motown, with arguably more high-end talent, controlled that game’s first 45 minutes and took a 2-0 lead into the break. West Chester, a squad of depth and fitness, had the endurance to control the second half and extra time to win, 3-2. The replay, however, was far more evenly contested.

Hit and hope | ????

Ryan Peterson of @fc_motown lets loose from a wild angle in the dying seconds of the game to score a wacky goal that will likely seal the win over @WCUSCPredators and a place in the Second Round.

1-0 | #USOC2022 pic.twitter.com/nR4uTpBPtZ

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) April 2, 2022

After the home team’s surge, Motown had trouble maintaining a consistent offensive attack. Haitian youth international Nerlin Saint-Vil, the star goal scorer from last week, had two to three players on him whenever he got the ball. It was rare for him to break and use his speed like he had done in the original game.

“We didn’t want to hurt us, so we just put pressure on him and we figured if we close him we keep them from getting a counter. He actually didn’t get up the field too much on us. We actually made him turn back a lot,” said West Chester head coach Blaise Santangelo. “We just want to close stuff quicker. So that we’re defending just in that grid.”

His best chance of the game was in the 15th minute. A long Motown cross from the right side headed for the opposite post. As one of his teammates extended a leg to keep it in the air, Saint-Vil went for a bicycle kick just outside of the goal area. Not able to fully connect, the ball went wide of the net.

For its part, West Chester was able to garner a lot of possession time. The USL League Two representatives found a ton of success moving along Motown’s sidelines. Carter Burris was a constant annoyance in the first 45 minutes on the right, making space and crossing into the seemingly wide open penalty area. On the left, Troy Amspacher duel threatened with the ability to cut into the middle at nearly a whim.

“We thought that if we got wide we could get up and exploit them – especially on Troy’s side,” Santangelo explained. “I don’t think we changed the point of attack quick enough. The three goals that came last week were all quick changes, attack and backside goals. We weren’t successful doing that, but we created opportunities that should be finished in the game.”

Those chances were only stopped by man of the match David Greczek. The Morristown keeper made two critical saves in the first half to keep the game scoreless. In the 25th minute, Amspacher attempted to pass up the ball just outside of the penalty area. The pass to Charles Wilson was tipped, allowing Amspacher to recover the ball away from a diving Jean Voltaire. One-on-one from the penalty spot, the Rutgers University alum extended his leg out to save what should have been the opening goal.

West Chester United FC Motown 2022 US Open Cup — West Chester United (blue) and FC Motown prepare for kickoff in their replay match at Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ in the First Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Michael Battista

Seven minutes later, Burris’ right side crossing ability came into play again. His long pass into the box initially missed a jumping Wilson but reached a charging Spencer Burkhardt. The Seton Hall star was uncovered and his header in the goal area was somehow kept out. Greczek leaped up and caught the ball with his extended right arm, moving quickly to get under it and catch it inbounds to negate a possible corner.

Both coaches threw praise at the former Swope Park Rangers goalkeeper. Coach Hot was visibly holding back emotions when speaking about his performance after the game.

“He was due for a big one and he knows how special this game was for Sainclair,” Hot said. “He came into the locker room, actually, after the game to give us a big hug to say; ‘Thank you for trusting me’.”

The biggest takeaway from the first half was that West Chester didn’t need to wait for Motown to slow down. The original game broke down for the home side after Saint-Vil and Dilaver “Dilly” Duka came off. In the replay, the visitors were challenging consistently almost immediately.

Following the break, the game fell into a deadlock. If there was a heatmap available for this game, the second half would have its biggest reading at midfield – possibly just inside of the West Chester side. When asked about it after the match Peterson said he and his teammates just needed to play simple. As he put it, they needed to “stick to the X’s and O’s.”

“What we’ve been lacking is in the second half, we’ve been coming out too flat, too unprepared,” explained Peterson. “We wanted to make sure that coming into the second half we were on top of things. We knew the game plan. How to go forward. How to defend them.”

Celtic was able to do that even after its best players had to leave the field. Despite being his team’s best attacking option, Fala was subbed off in the 65th minute. Three minutes later, Saint-Vil went down after an attempted cross to Duka and left the game not long after. Then, almost cruelly, the former Columbus Crew player aggravated a previous injury. In the 77th minute, Duka seemingly slipped on the ball and attempted to turn while going down. He immediately grabbed his left leg and needed help getting off the pitch.

After the game, it was mentioned by team staff that Duka probably won’t be available for a few weeks.

In terms of chances, Peterson led the way in the final 45. It looked as though the striker scored the game winner in the 73rd minute. Kian Alberto’s corner kick found his head and got past Sanders before a West Chester player dove into the goal to keep it out. The linesman ruled no goal and play continued.

In terms of offense, outside of that one chance neither team had real looks on goal. West Chester especially lacked a convincing drive into the Motown end. Despite how different this game was to its predecessor it seemed destined that both teams were heading to overtime.

In the final minute, Motown made one final charge up the left side. Voltaire played the ball up to Johannes Pieles, who had come on in place of Duka. Under pressure, the second half sub jumped and headed the ball forward to Peterson who chested the ball down and ran along the penalty area’s left line. With defender Clay Moyer right next to him, the striker lifted the ball towards the goal where it dinged off the right post, deflected off Sanders, and into the back of the net.

The goal was eerily similar to another big-time score by Peterson. The former Detroit City FC player’s talent for long shots from the left side earned his former team its first-ever league title in late 2020. That game-winning goal against the Oakland Roots SC won DCFC the NISA Fall Championship at historic Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, Mich.

Having previous experience on a NISA team, including a Fall 2021 stint with San Diego 1904 FC (now Albion San Diego), Peterson knows the challenge that lies ahead for Motown.

“We know that going into the next round it’s a NISA team, they’re going to bring it obviously representing the pro ranks,” he said. “We’re not afraid of anybody. We know what we’re capable of doing. They’re coming to us, we have the home field advantage. They’re a new NISA team, we’ve been together for years. We’re not scared, we’re up for the challenge.”

While it may not have been the action that determined the outcome, what happened after the final whistle could be the most impactful moment of the night. It isn’t rare to see a head coach talking to his players in the locker room after a match. Win or lose, usually the man in charge will take a few moments to speak to the tired group. They’ll congratulate them, console them, prepare them for what’s to come and so on. That isn’t anything new.

What is special is when the opposing coach does it to the other team. After the game, both head coaches took time to speak to the opposing players in their respective locker rooms. For two teams that compete against one-another constantly, in multiple leagues and regional tournaments, the situation surrounding the game was harder than actually playing it. Coach Hot wasn’t didn’t hold back his feelings even after seeing his team win the game.

“I hate it. I don’t like it at all. It sucks. It’s always going to be a lose-lose,” he said. “For Blaise and I it’s always going to be bittersweet. If Blaise and them went through, I’d put on a West Chester jersey right after the game and I’d cheer for them. Under these circumstances no one ever wants to win.

“Truthfully I don’t feel great about the win but hey it’s soccer, it’s sports, that’s what happens … If you get put in that position you can never be happy. It sucks to see your friend, who came over here down 2-0 and ended up winning 3-2 in a spectacular game, gets thrown out the window for something that was small. It is what it is and we have to accept it, they have to accept it and move on.”

It’s a sentiment Santangelo shared as well. The West Chester coach noted the whole event, from win to protest to loss, is a learning experience for his young players.

“The respect is there for the players and their coaching staff. Those guys work just like we work,” Santangelo said. “It’s difficult. I think people saw West Chester and what we did last week and they know the real outcome of that game. I’m just glad that the adjudication committee at least heard our side of it.”

While the result might be hard, what comes next is easy – moving on to the next challenge. The team has a date with another northeast powerhouse, US Open Cup darling Christos FC, next Sunday in the USASA Region I Amateur Cup. That’s included with continued state league games and the upcoming summer seasons in both the NPSL and USL-2. For them, the story doesn’t end in a controversy-filled game at Montclair State.

“When you play it at this kind of level and these are high stake games – you’re gonna win some, you’re gonna lose some,” he said. “But we always go back to just getting on the training pitch. That’s most important for us.”

Scoring Summary
90’ – FC Motown – Ryan Peterson

Lineups

FC Motown: David Greczek (GK), Mardochée Samuel Pompée, Mike Da Fonte, Zach Perez, Jean Voltaire, Daniel Cordeiro, Kian Alberto, Dilly Duka (Johannes Pieles 76′), Joseph Fala (Hayden Criollo 64′), Ryan Peterson, Nerlin Saint-Vil (Federico Deoliveira 69′)

Manager: Šaćir Hot

West Chester United SC: Cameron Sanders (GK), Shane Bradle, Clay Moyer, Levi Maruca, Ryan Fincher (Justin Jaime 90+1′), Spencer Burkhardt (Derek Ramirez 79′), Conor Bradley, Michael Gonzalez, Charles Wilson (Jacob Gosselin 40′), Troy Amspacher, Carter Burris (Samuel Brown 79′)

Manager: Blaise Santangelo

Yellow Cards
Kian Alberto, Motown 54’

Attendance: 176

Link to match broadcast (Subscription to ESPN+ required): https://www.espn.com/espnplus/player/_/id/e924f18e-60fe-4d88-bb0b-b3ceacfc91e9#bucketId=2

2022 US Open Cup Round 1: Northern Virginia FC pulls away in replay with Lynchburg FC

March 31, 2022 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

Northern Virginia FC Nova FC 2022 US Open Cup First Round — Northern Virginia FC celebrates after the club’s 3-1 win over Lynchburg FC in the First Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: NoVa FC

In a replay of their game from last week that was stopped due to severe weather in the 79th minute, Northern Virginia FC (NoVa FC) used a pair of second half goals to push past Lynchburg FC, 3-1 in the First Round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Like last week, this match was played at Lynchburg City Stadium in Lynchburg, Va.

With the win, Northern Virginia, a club that was launched in 1998, tasted victory in the tournament for the first time. It was just the third US Open Cup in NoVa FC’s history, and the club’s first appearance since 2000.
With the nearest bolt of lightning somewhere near the Mississippi River, the teams started off the first half of the replay trading goals, similar to their original game. After 13 minutes, NoVA FC opened the scoring when Taofik Lucas-Walker sent a pass into the penalty area from the right wing. The ball bounded off the foot of Jean-Philipe Ayolmbong, and Luke Campbell sent it past Lynchburg goalkeeper Alonso Gutierrez for the 1-0 lead.

“It was great to get the win and it wasn’t easy by any means,” said Northern Virginia FC head coach Kareem Sheta. “Lynchburg knows their strengths and plays to them well. I think when we brought changes on, the level never really dropped and I think fitness started to kick in a bit.”
Just as they did in the first game, Lynchburg wasted no time equalizing. Just 12 minutes later, Tudor Barna sent a cross into the penalty area, where Mitchell Reed headed the ball home just in front of goal. Reed was Lynchburg’s goal scorer in the previous match a week ago.

“I thought we did well trying to control the variables that we could and let everything else path it’s on way,” said Sheta. “I think our biggest adjustments were just in the wide areas, just getting the ball in and out of our feet a bit faster was key since the field was much narrower then our home field.”
NoVa wasted no time taking the lead for good after the break. Jean-Philip Ayolmbong, who was credited with an assist on the opening goal, stole an errant Lynchburg pass near midfield. He then dribble around two Lynchburg defenders before beating Gutierrez with a shot in the penalty area.
The visitors put the game away in the 83rd minute when substitute Jhonny De Souza was brought down just inside the penalty area. De Souza, who has played multiple seasons for the club’s USL League Two team, converted the spot kick himself and NoVa was home free at 3-1.
Tempers seemed to boil over a bit in stoppage time when Lynchburg’s Bhayle Kearns was issued a straight red card for upending and slamming De Souza to the turf. De Souza was also ordered to leave the game for his part in the scuffle.
NoVa FC moves on to meet another Virginia rival in the second round, as they host the Richmond Kickers of USL League One on April 6. The game will be played at the Virginia Revolution Sportsplex in Leesburg, Va.

“We’re more than happy to host Richmond and we have a good relationship with Rob Ukrop and I’ve been chatting off and on with Darren about players over the past few years,” said Sheta. “I think this is what the Open Cup is about. Small amateur teams with guys that work 9-to-5 and train twice week being able to share the field and spot for game with a pro team like Richmond that has a great history, especially in the Open Cup. We wish them safe travels, and we’re looking forward to giving the local community a good experience at our home at the Revolution Sportsplex.

Match Broadcast via US Soccer’s YouTube channel

2022 Meet the Underdogs: Northern Virginia FC back in US Open Cup after two decades

March 30, 2022 by Sean Maslin

Northern Virginia FC Meet the Underdogs 2022 US Open Cup — Northern Virginia FC celebrates the club’s 5-0 win over Districtonia Futbol in the final round of the 2022 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: NoVa FC

They say Virginia is for lovers. While that may be true, it is also for some pretty good football as well.

For decades, the region has played host to some of the top sides across the footballing spectrum. Perhaps no side displays that level of quality, persistence, and passion for developing top-level players than Northern Virginia FC (NoVa FC), who will face fellow Virginia side Lynchburg FC in the First Round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Wednesday (7:30 pm EST, YouTube).

Now, those reading at home might be wondering Wait, didn’t this match already happen? The answer to that question is sort of. The two sides squared off last Wednesday at Lynchburg Stadium. NoVa FC took the lead in the 16th minute thanks to a brilliant goal from KJ Nadeau. Lynchburg tied it up on a goal from Mitch Reed in the 41st minute, setting off potentially a very enticing second half.

Then … the rain and lightning happened. While the first band of lightning and downpour delayed just before halftime, the second stopped the match completely at around the 61st minute. According to the US Open Cup rules, since both sides were unable to complete the match within 48 hours of stoppage, the game is required to be played in full. In case one is wondering why two sides couldn’t make up the match in that short of time: the distance between Lynchburg and Leesburg, where NoVa FC are based, is about a three hour drive with massive congestion along all major roads.

For NoVa FC head coach Kareem Sheta, the opportunity for a second chance at Lynchburg in better weather is worth it.

“Last Wednesday was the first time that we had ever played against Lynchburg so we are really taking this opportunity to learn from that game,” said Sheta. “While we were obviously pleased with taking the early lead, they are a very talented side. So for us, and in particular for our younger players, this a great chance for them to learn and take what they saw and apply it to the next match in hopefully much better weather.”

PHOTOS: Northern Virginia FC vs. Districtonia Futbol (2022 US Open Cup Qualifying)

As opposed to Lynchburg, who just started up in the Virginia area, NoVa FC have a long storied history within Virginia soccer. Since it’s founding in 1998 under the name the Northern Virginia Royals, the side has been a family operation with Kareem’s father being one of the original owners. His son, Kareem’s brother, Ahmed still plays for the team and is the club’s Director of Soccer.

Kareem’s father, Mo, was in charge of the Royals team that last qualified for the US Open Cup as a pro team in 1999 and 2000. In both years, they lost their opening round game, falling to the PDL’s Cocoa Expos 5-3 at RFK Stadium in their debut, followed by a 3-2 road loss to the Hampton Roads Mariners (A-League, Div. 2) in 2000.

Since 1999, the club has made a reputation of being one of the top sides in Virginia, winning multiple state and national titles.

After playing in the USL’s D-3 Pro League (later known as the Pro Soccer League and the USL Second Division) from 1998-2005, the Royals joined the Premier Development League (now known as USL League Two) where they remain to this day. For a brief time between 2015 and 2020 the team rebranded into Evergreen FC before falling back to it’s roots. That un-rebrand coincided with the club expanding into the then-newly created Eastern Premier Soccer League (EPSL), which is the league it qualified through for this year’s US Open Cup. This past winter, they joined the third division of the Major Arena Soccer League and will be playing in the finals of that competition on Saturday at the Winchester SportsPlex. The club has a 60-player roster with a first and second team. They have also added a women’s program with the side kicking off play in the inaugural season of the USL’s re-launched W-League this May.

NoVa’s EPSL team began their journey to the US Open Cup by entering the Open Division Local qualifying tournament. They began with a 2-0 home win over Springfield FC, followed by a 2-1 road victory over former league-mates Virginia United FC. NoVa qualified with a convincing 5-0 win over Districtonia Futbol, despite finishing the game with just nine players.

Brandon Williamson Northern Virginia FC Districtonia Futbol NOVA FC 2022 US Open Cup Qualifying — Brandon Williamson of Northern Virginia FC battles for the ball across Districtonia Futbol in the Final Round of the 2022 US Open Cup Qualifying tournament. Photo: Sean Maslin

“As a club, we essentially made a decision to go year-round about three years ago. From 2007 to about 2019 we were just USL-2 team,” said Kareem Sheta. “So we would just get guys to come out for the summer, play the USL-2 season, and then send them back to college and all of the local guys would just scatter and go play for their local teams. At a certain point, we made a decision to focus on the development of the local guys and so we put some resources in time into a group that can compete year-round. I think that has been the difference as to why we have done so well in USL 2. We have a core group of players that have played year-round consistently and I think that has made a big difference.”

NoVa’s core group of players is one that many in the region should be familiar with given their strong ties to both youth, college, and professional soccer. Nadeau, who scored the goal in the washed out game against Lynchburg, was the club’s top scorer in qualifying, scoring four goals in three games. Nadeau played college soccer at Lenoir-Rhyne University. Goalkeeper Calle Brown was a standout in net for the University of Virginia before going on to play professionally for the Seattle Sounders and the Houston Dynamo. Midfielder Brandon Williamson (pictured) was a D.C. United Youth Academy product who went on to play college soccer at Duke University and later at Loudoun United (USL Championship). Midfielder Tyler Clegg is a redshirt senior at James Madison University, and is the younger brother of Brandon Clegg who, after a strong season with NoVa last year, signed a professional contract with the Maryland Bobcats FC.

The club also has two younger players that have broken through into the first roster that are primed to make a difference both in the Open Cup and in league play this year: forward JP Ayolmbong (who scored twice in the final round of qualifying) and Illiass Lagjhibi, an 18 year old that Sheta described as having “an endless motor.”

2022 Meet the Underdogs: Lynchburg FC

While winning the Open Cup is obviously a dream goal for Sheta and NoVa FC, winning the club’s first-ever US Open Cup game and getting into the next round where they would host the Richmond Kickers (USL League One) would be another huge marker for the club. So too is providing greater opportunities for their players to play at the highest level. Last year, the club had four players move on to professional teams, an accomplishment the club takes a lot of pride in. The club is also looking forward as well to continuing their success in both the EPSL, which started play again this month, and the USL League Two season which starts in May.

2022 US Open Cup Round 1: USSF uphold Motown protest, will replay West Chester this Friday

March 28, 2022 by Michael Battista

FC Motown, West Chester United SC, Daniel Cordeiro, Dilly Duka, Joseph Fala, 2022 US Open Cup, First Round — FC Motown players celebrate following Joseph Fala’s goal late in the first half against West Chester United SC in the First Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Matt Ralph | BrotherlyGame.com

As first reported by TheCup.us, U.S. Soccer upheld a protest filed by FC Motown regarding the team’s extra time loss last Tuesday to West Chester United SC. The federation announced on Sunday that the two teams will replay the full match this Friday, April 1, at Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM. This is only the second time in the Modern Era (1995-present) that a result has been successfully protested into a full second match.

Motown’s protest was reviewed by the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Adjudication and Discipline Panel. In conclusion, the panel determined that:

West Chester United SC was permitted by the referee to field an illegal substitute.
The result of the March 22 FC Motown and West Chester United First Round has been voided.
FC Motown and West Chester United are to replay this First Round Open Cup match at the first possible date, and no later than Sunday, April 3.

The winner of this game is still scheduled to host National Independent Soccer Association side AC Syracuse Pulse in the Second Round on Wednesday, April 6.

When reached for comment, West Chester head coach Blaise Santangelo said he accept the outcome and his team was ready for the replay.

“It’s not often that you get the chance to play in the First Round of the U.S. Open Cup twice in the same year,” Santangelo joked.

Motown co-owner Dan Karosen told TheCup.us he believes this is the right outcome.

“Given the difficult circumstances I think U.S. Soccer got to the correct decision,” he said. “Unfortunately, there was a rules violation that impacted a terrific game. A fresh start replay gives both teams a chance to move in the Open Cup under normalized game conditions.”

Karosen also said that U.S. Soccer confirmed the match will be broadcasted. Unlike the original game, it will not be on ESPN+, though. This likely means the replay will be shown on the federation’s YouTube page.

The protest stemmed from an incident late in the second half of the original game. West Chester forward Blaise Milanek tied the score at 2-2 in the 78th with a jumping header off a long cross by Levi Maruca. Following the goal, Milanek was visibly unsteady and checked on by teammates. As he left the field to be looked at by medical staff, fourth official Rafael Martinez told West Chester head coach Blaise Santangelo that his team could use a “temporary sub” while Milanek was checked out. The official told this to the coaching staff multiple times. United’s Ryan Fincher entered the game at that point. In the 84th minute, Milanek returns to the game and Fincher exits the field. The goal scorer remained in the game for the rest of regulation before being subbed out “officially” between the second half and first extra time half.

In it’s ruling, U.S. Soccer noted that this fact was not disputed by any parties. The panel also noted that the Fourth Official was the party that presented the possibility a player re-entering the match after exiting via a Concussion Substitution Card. This is likely what saved West Chester from a forfeit loss.

Motown and West Chester are no strangers to one-another. The two teams are members of three shared leagues (National Premier Soccer League, USL League Two, and the regional Northeast Elite Soccer League) and regularly compete in USASA Region I tournaments. That familiarity that helped convince Karosen to protest the last game after finding out about the substitute, noting just how much of a coin-flip the original game was. Had this been a blowout loss, Motown probably wouldn’t have used resources to file this protest. But considering the close outcome, team officials agreed that they needed to intervene. That meant protesting a result against a club which Karosen, in the words of coach Santangelo following West Chester’s original win, communicates with almost every day.

“We have a great relationship and have the utmost respect for the West Chester United program. We feel that they are one of the best in the nation and played a terrific game on Tuesday,” Karosen explained. “Unfortunately, this situation is unique and given the stakes we had a duty to our players to protest the result. Hopefully, as we move on from this, the heated feelings from Tuesday’s game will dissipate and our relationship will get back on track. What people don’t realize is that these amateur clubs don’t have the huge support staff to vet every rule and protocol. These things happen unfortunately at our level.”

Motown actually faced a similar situation last season in the NPSL. The team’s Keystone Conference regular season title hopes were crushed after a June 2021 Motown win, 2-1, was protested by Atlantic City FC. Motown unintentionally made a roster violation that wasn’t caught by either the team or fourth official. The result was overturned into a 3-0 win for ACFC and Motown finished in the season third place, having to go on the road for the playoffs.

“We know how painful it is for West Chester and sympathize with that,” Karosen said. “That being said, we are at a high enough level where you have to follow rules and protocols and have to accept the decision of U.S. Soccer.”

The committee’s decision means that the first game, essentially, never happened. That includes nullifying the red card earned by Motown goal scorer Joseph Fala. Karosen confirmed that he along with most, if not all, of the players from last Tuesday should be available for the replay. It also means Motown’s two best players, former Major League Soccer star Dilly Duka and Haitian youth international Nerlin Saint-Vil, have a chance to heal up.

The two players were the stars for the New Jersey side last Tuesday. Saint-Vil especially was a menace to West Chester’s back line. His speed was unmatched and he worked as a key connector in almost all of Motown’s attacks. Either he was the one spearing threw the defense himself, passing off to other players, or even running the entire length of the field to hamper an opposing offensive player.

However, he played nearly all of the first half with an ankle injury that forced him out of the game in the 53rd minute. Duka, who had been injured in the team’s friendly against Penn State University 48 hours prior, only lasted 45 minutes.

“As we expected going in, we felt we had more difference makers but they had a more fit and cohesive team,” Karosen said. “ The results of that played out as we had a dominant first half and they had a dominant second half and extra time.

He continued on by saying “Dilly and Nerlin are two of the best players in amateur soccer that we could find in a 20 million person metro area. We just don’t have subs who can replicate their ability… The game changed when those players came out.”

Replays are nothing new in the U.S Open Cup. Historically, they were commonplace in the tournament’s early editions. This was helped by the fact that if a match ended in a tie, a replay would be played at the visiting team’s grounds. However, replays due to rule violations were also just as common – with the inaugural National Challenge Cup having two separate protested results that led to replays.

Read: The First Cup: Farr Alpaca’s protest upheld as Second Round draw announced (Nov. 8, 1913)

Read: The First Cup: USFA reverses, orders replay of Niagara Falls Rangers, MacNaughton Rangers Second Round match (Jan. 6, 1914)

In the Modern Era (1995-present), a successful protest and replay is much rarer. There has only been one other protest since 1995 that resulted in a replay. On June 11, 1995, the Richmond Kickers (USISL Premier League) defeated Fairfax Spartans SC (USASA), 5-2, in a First Round match. Spartans SC filed a protest, claiming that they were not given enough notification for a change in kickoff time. They won and a replay was ordered for June 18, where the Maryland club once again lost, 6-1. The Spartans attempted to protest again by saying Richmond used ineligible players, five of which were injured, but were denied. The Kickers went on to win the 1995 tournament over the El Paso Patriots, 1-1 (4:2 on penalty kicks).

2022 US Open Cup statistical leaders

March 27, 2022 by Josh Hakala

Sacramento Republic’s Rodrigo Lopez sits atop both the goals and assists leaderboard with four apiece. Photo: Sacramento Republic

GOALS

Four Goals
Facundo Torres	Orlando City SC	MLS
Rodrigo Lopez	Sacramento Republic FC	USL-C
Three Goals
Maxi Rodriguez	Detroit City FC	USL-C
Alvaro Barreal	FC Cincinnati	MLS
Dejan Joveljic	LA Galaxy	MLS
Cristian Arango	Los Angeles FC	MLS
Hany Mukhtar	Nashville SC	MLS
Carles Gil	New England Revolution	MLS
Lewis Morgan	New York Red Bulls	MLS
Luis Felipe	Sacramento Republic FC	USL-C
Tomas Bosuel	San Fernando Valley FC	UPSL
Lucky Mkosana	Tampa Bay Rowdies	USL-C
Two Goals
Dom Dwyer	Atlanta United FC	MLS
Luiz Araujo	Atlanta United FC	MLS
Tony Lopez	California United Strikers FC	NISA
Villyan Bijev	Central Valley Fuego	USL-1
McKinze Gaines	Charlotte FC	MLS
Daniel Rios	Charlotte FC	MLS
Rafael Czichos	Chicago Fire FC	MLS
Sebastian Mendez	D’Feeters Kicks SC	USCS / The Roja Lg.
Ola Kamara	D.C. United	MLS
Alessandro Salvadego	Des Moines Menace	USL-2
Matthew Lewis	Detroit City FC	USL-C
David Acherrandio	Escondido FC	UPSL
Franco Jara	FC Dallas	MLS
Jake Keegan	Greenville Triumph SC	USL-1
Ariel Lassiter	Inter Miami CF	MLS
Kevin Cabral	LA Galaxy	MLS
Danny Musovski	Los Angeles FC	MLS
Wilson Harris	Louisville City FC	USL-C
Lucas Espindola	Miami United FC	NPSL
Adrien Honou	Minnesota United FC	MLS
Adam Buksa	New England Revolution	MLS
Jerome Kiesewetter	New Mexico United	USL-C
Luquinhas	New York Red Bulls	MLS
Cesar Araujo	Orlando City SC	MLS
Benji Michel	Orlando City SC	MLS
Junior Rosero	Oyster Bay United FC	USASA/UPSL
Toby Sims	Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC	USL-C
Duke Lacroix	Sacramento Republic FC	USL-C
Henrik Sakshaug	San Antonio FC	USL-C
Cade Cowell	San Jose Earthquakes	MLS
Jack Skahan	San Jose Earthquakes	MLS
Thomas Shephard	Southern States SC Stars	NPSL
Felipe Hernandez	Sporting Kansas City	MLS
Johnny Russell	Sporting Kansas City	MLS
Daniel Salloi	Sporting Kansas City	MLS
Khiry Shelton	Sporting Kansas City	MLS
Rafael Vacas	The Villages SC	USL-2
Noe Meza	Union Omaha	USL-1
One Goal
Mayele Malango	ALBION San Diego	NISA
Thiago Almada	Atlanta United FC	MLS
Ronald Hernandez	Atlanta United FC	MLS
Brooks Lennon	Atlanta United FC	MLS
Marcelino Moreno	Atlanta United FC	MLS
Diego Fagundez	Austin FC	MLS
Edson Cardona	Bay Cities FC	NISA
Rei Dorwhat	Bay Cities FC	NISA
Prosper Kasim	Birmingham Legion FC	USL-C
Bruno Lapa	Birmingham Legion FC	USL-C
Marlon	Birmingham Legion FC	USL-C
Ayden Bowers	California United Strikers FC	NISA
Guilherme Farias	California United Strikers FC	NISA
Shinya Kadono	California United Strikers FC	NISA
Ryotaro Kawashima	California United Strikers FC	NISA
Kevin Lopez	California United Strikers FC	NISA
Marcus Lee	California United Strikers FC	NISA
Omar Nuno	California United Strikers FC	NISA
Renato Bustamonte	Central Valley Fuego	USL-1
Christian Chaney	Central Valley Fuego	USL-1
Nathan Smith	Central Valley Fuego	USL-1
Harrison Afful	Charlotte FC	MLS
Christian Ortiz	Charlotte FC	MLS
Yordy Reyna	Charlotte FC	MLS
Andre Shinyashiki	Charlotte FC	MLS
Shalom Dutey	Charlotte Independence	USL-1
Ayrton Paez	Charlotte Independence	USL-1
Taylor Gray	Chattanooga FC	NISA
Alex McGrath	Chattanooga FC	NISA
Travis Ward	Chattanooga FC	NISA
Oscar Escobar Reyes	City Soccer FC	USSSA/NSL
Vinny Bell	Cleveland SC	NPSL
Michael Derezic	Cleveland SC	NPSL
Nicolas Mezquida	Colorado Rapids	MLS
Gyasi Zardes	Columbus Crew SC	MLS
Roberto Gonzalaz	Contra Costa FC	NPSL
Miles Byass	D’Feeters Kicks SC	USCS/The Roja Lg.
Miles Myass	D’Feeters Kicks SC	USCS/The Roja Lg.
Nigel Robertha	D.C. United	MLS
Julio Vargas	Denton Diablos	NPSL
Brandon Cerda	Denton Diablos	NPSL
Maximiliano Galizzi	Des Moines Menace	USL-2
William Rodrigues	Des Moines Menace	USL-2
Gabriel Rodriguez	Des Moines Menace	USL-2
Connor Rutz	Detroit City FC	USL-C
Eric Calvillo	El Paso Locomotive FC	USL-C
Jader Obrian	FC Dallas	MLS
Edwin Munjoma	FC Dallas	MLS
Federico De Olivera	FC Motown	NPSL
Dilly Duka	FC Motown	NPSL
Joseph Fala	FC Motown	NPSL
Ryan Peterson	FC Motown	NPSL
Tyler Adams	FC Tucson	USL-1
Gio Calixtro	FC Tucson	USL-1
Jake Crull	FC Tucson	USL-1
Bradley Bourgeois	FC Tulsa	USL-C
Brian Brown	FC Tulsa	USL-C
Ronald Gomez	FC Tulsa	USL-C
Lukas Fernandes	Flower City Union	NISA
Nazeem Bartman	Forward Madison FC	USL-1
Cesar Murillo	Forward Madison FC	USL-1
Justin Sukow	Forward Madison FC	USL-1
Karim Tmimi	Georgia Revolution FC	NPSL
Don Smart	Greenville Triumph SC	USL-1
Joel Johnson	Hartford Athletic	USL-C
Connor McGlynn	Hartford Athletic	USL-C
Luke Prpa	Hartford Athletic	USL-C
Prince Saydee	Hartford Athletic	USL-C
Corey Baird	Houston Dynamo	MLS
Carlos Ferreira	Houston Dynamo	MLS
Samuel Junqua	Houston Dynamo	MLS
Leonardo Campana	Inter Miami CF	MLS
Jean Mota	Inter Miami CF	MLS
Robbie Robinson	Inter Miami CF	MLS
Clayton Torr	LA Force FC	NISA
Samuel Goni Villava	LA Force FC	NISA
Javier Hernandez	LA Galaxy	MLS
Owen Lambe	LA Galaxy	MLS
Shamir Mullings	Lansdowne Yonkers FC	USASA/EPSL
Samuel Aina	Las Vegas Legends FC	NPSL
Roberto Soto	Las Vegas Legends FC	NPSL
Brandon Vargas	Las Vegas Legends FC	NPSL
Daniel Crisostomo	Las Vegas Lights FC	USL-C
Mohammed Traore	Las Vegas Lights FC	USL-C
Mamadou Fall	Los Angeles FC	MLS
Ryan Hollingshead	Los Angeles FC	MLS
Cal Jennings	Los Angeles FC	MLS
Brian Ownby	Louisville City FC	USL-C
Mitchell Reed	Lynchburg FC	USASA/UPSL
Patrick Seagrist	Memphis 901 FC	USL-C
Kyle Murphy	Miami FC	USL-C
Romeo Parkes	Miami FC	USL-C
Adonjuah Reid	Miami FC	USL-C
Robertina Insua	Miami United FC	NPSL
Loic Mesanvi	Minneapolis City FC	NPSL
Lionel Vang	Minneapolis City FC	NPSL
Abu Danladi	Minnesota United FC	MLS
Brent Kallman	Minnesota United FC	MLS
Emanuel Reynoso	Minnesota United FC	MLS
Robbie Crawford	Monterey Bay FC	USL-C
Ake Loba	Nashville SC	MLS
CJ Sapong	Nashville SC	MLS
Etan Zubak	Nashville SC	MLS
Nico Brett	New Mexico United	USL-C
Raddy Ovouka	New Mexico United	USL-C
Carl Sainte	New Mexico United	USL-C
Chris Wehan	New Mexico United	USL-C
Thiago Andrade	New York City FC	MLS
Maxime Chanot	New York City FC	MLS
Heber	New York City FC	MLS
Santiago Rodriguez	New York City FC	MLS
Tom Barlow	New York Red Bulls	MLS
Omir Fernandez	New York Red Bulls	MLS
Patrick Klimala	New York Red Bulls	MLS
Aaron Long	New York Red Bulls	MLS
Dylan Nealis	New York Red Bulls	MLS
Zach Ryan	New York Red Bulls	MLS
John Tolkin	New York Red Bulls	MLS
Jaden Servania	North Carolina FC	USL-1
William Lorentz	North Carolina Fusion U-23s	USL-2
Tom Marriott	North Carolina Fusion U-23s	USL-2
Luis Neto	North Carolina Fusion U-23s	USL-2
Joao Silva	North Carolina Fusion U-23s	USL-2
Robert Cornwall	Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC	USL-1
Jerry Desdunes	Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC	USL-1
Jean-Phillippe Ayolmbong	Northern Virginia FC	USASA/EPSL
Luke Campbell	Northern Virginia FC	USASA/EPSL
Jhonny De Souza	Northern Virginia FC	USASA/EPSL
Pablo Marques	Ocean City Nor’easters	USL-2
Kobi Henry	Orange County SC	USL-C
Milan Iloski	Orange County SC	USL-C
Mikko Kuningas	Orange County SC	USL-C
Sean Okoli	Orange County SC	USL-C
Daniel Pedersen	Orange County SC	USL-C
Erick Torres	Orange County SC	USL-C
Ercan Kara	Orlando City SC	MLS
Alexandre Pato	Orlando City SC	MLS
Andres Perea	Orlando City SC	MLS
Mauricio Pereyra	Orlando City SC	MLS
Rodrigo Schlegel	Orlando City SC	MLS
Junior Urso	Orlando City SC	MLS
Franco Paz	Oyster Bay United FC	USASA/UPSL
Sebastian Ruiz	Oyster Bay United FC	USASA/UPSL
Brandon Fucts	Park City Red Wolves	USL-2
Kevin Jara-Collante	Park City Red Wolves	USL-2
Stuart Finlay	Philadelphia Union	MLS
Greg Hurst	Phoenix Rising FC	USL-C
Claudio Repetto	Phoenix Rising FC	USL-C
Thomas Peterson	Portland Timbers U-23s	USL-2
Eduardo Sanchez	Portland Timbers U-23s	USL-2
Zach Moran	Richmond Kickers	USL-1
David Olsen	Richmond Kickers	USL-1
Emiliano Terzaghi	Richmond Kickers	USL-1
Frank Lopez Garcia	Rio Grande Valley FC Toros	USL-C
Frank Nodarse Chaves	Rio Grande Valley FC Toros	USL-C
Jesus Batiz	Rochester NY FC	MLSNP
Pedro Dolabella	Rochester NY FC	MLSNP
Wilterlynd Inalien	Rochester NY FC	MLSNP
Gibran Rayo	Rochester NY FC	MLSNP
Dan Casey	Sacramento Republic FC	USL-C
Matt LaGrassa	Sacramento Republic FC	USL-C
Zeiko Lewis	Sacramento Republic FC	USL-C
Douglas Martinez	Sacramento Republic FC	USL-C
Damia Viader	Sacramento Republic FC	USL-C
Elliot Collier	San Antonio FC	USL-C
Connor Maloney	San Antonio FC	USL-C
Carter Manley	San Antonio FC	USL-C
Evan Conway	San Diego Loyal	USL-C
Taylor Crull	San Diego Loyal	USL-C
Ramiro Alejandro Hermida	San Fernando Valley FC	USASA/UPSL
Giancarlo Ponciano	San Fernando Valley FC	USASA/UPSL
Irvin Rivas	San Fernando Valley FC	USASA/UPSL
Ousseni Bouda	San Jose Earthquakes	MLS
Paul Marie	San Jose Earthquakes	MLS
Niko Tsakiris	San Jose Earthquakes	MLS
Jimmy Medranda	Seattle Sounders FC	MLS
Fredy Montero	Seattle Sounders FC	MLS
Arthur Bosua	South Georgia Tormenta FC	USL-1
Jake Dengler	South Georgia Tormenta FC	USL-1
Kazaiah Sterling	South Georgia Tormenta FC	USL-1
Curtis Thorn	South Georgia Tormenta FC	USL-1
Jean Lucas Rivera	Southern States FC Stars	NPSL
Mason Walsh	Southern States SC Stars	NPSL
Kortne Ford	Sporting Kansas City	MLS
Marinos Tzionis	Sporting Kansas City	MLS
Nikola Vujnovic	Sporting Kansas City	MLS
Ezra Armstrong	St. Louis CITY 2	MLSNP
Wan Kuzain	St. Louis CITY 2	MLSNP
Kyle Greig	Tampa Bay Rowdies	USL-C
Jake LaCava	Tampa Bay Rowdies	USL-C
Jordan Scarlett	Tampa Bay Rowdies	USL-C
Laurance Wyke	Tampa Bay Rowdies	USL-C
Jose Victor France	The Villages SC	USL-2
Daniel Oliveira	The Villages SC	USL-2
Juan Rojas	The Villages SC	USL-2
Payton Roush	The Villages SC	USL-2
Joseph Garcia	Tulsa Athletic	NPSL
Billy Nzojyibwami	Tulsa Athletic	NPSL
Ruben Torres	Tulsa Athletic	NPSL
Aaron Ugbah	Tulsa Athletic	NPSL
Joseph Brito	Union Omaha	USL-1
Conor Doyle	Union Omaha	USL-1
Hugo Kametani	Union Omaha	USL-1
John Scearce	Union Omaha	USL-1
Alex Touche	Union Omaha	USL-1
Gabriel Ganzer	Western Mass Pioneers	USL-2
Jacob Mannix	Western Mass Pioneers	USL-2

Own Goals (One each)
Boban Cancar	Cleveland SC (for Chicago FC United)	NPSL
Alfei Bertini	Des Moines Menace (for Union Omaha)	USL-2
Edwin Cerrillo	FC Dallas (for Sporting KC)	MLS
Teenage Hadebe	Houston Dynamo (for Rio Grande Valley FC Toros)	MLS
Abraham Romero	Las Vegas Lights (for FC Tucson)	USL-C
Will Seymore	New Mexico United (for Phoenix Rising FC)	USL-C
Frank Nodarse	Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (for Houston Dynamo)	USL-C
Conor Donovan	Sacramento Republic FC (for LA Galaxy)	USL-C

ASSISTS

Four Assists
Rodrigo Lopez	Sacramento Republic FC	USL-C
Three Assists
Yordy Reyna	Charlotte FC	MLS
Luquinhas	New York Red Bulls	MLS
Jake Areman	Tampa Bay Rowdies	USL-C
Two Assists
Andrew Gutman	Atlanta United FC	MLS
Felipe Liborio Jr.	California United Strikers FC	NISA
Villyan Bijev	Central Valley Fuego	USL-1
Maxi Rodriguez	Detroit City FC	USL-C
Robert Taylor	Inter Miami CF	MLS
Indiana Vassilev	Inter Miami CF	MLS
Samuel Grandsir	LA Galaxy	MLS
Jose Cifuentes	Los Angeles FC	MLS
Franco Fragapane	Minnesota United FC	MLS
Joseph Rosales	Minnesota United FC	MLS
Brandon Bye	New England Revolution	MLS
Cameron Harper	New York Red Bulls	MLS
Patryk Klimala	New York Red Bulls	MLS
Aaron Long	New York Red Bulls	MLS
Lachlan McLean	Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC	USL-1
Benji Michel	Orlando City SC	MLS
Junior Rosero	Oyster Bay United FC	UPSL
Matt LaGrassa	Sacramento Republic FC	USL-C
Ferrety Sousa	Sacramento Republic FC	USL-C
Tomas Bousel	San Fernando Valley FC	UPSL
Jean Lucas Rivera	Southern States FC Stars	NPSL
Khiry Shelton	Sporting Kansas City	MLS
Kyle Greig	Tampa Bay Rowdies	USL-C
Christopher Dilan	The Villages SC	USL-2
Daniel Oliveira	The Villages SC	USL-2
Joseph Brito	Union Omaha	USL-1
One Assist
Harold Hanson	ALBION San Diego	NISA
Dom Dwyer	Atlanta United FC	MLS
Jake Mulraney	Atlanta United FC	MLS
Miles Robinson	Atlanta United FC	MLS
Marcelino Moreno	Atlanta United FC	MLS
Sebastian Driussi	Austin FC	MLS
Alex Crongale	Birmingham Legion FC	USL-C
Enzo Martinez	Birmingham Legion FC	USL-C
Anderson Asiedu	Birmingham Legion FC	USL-C
Omar Nuno	California United Strikers FC	NISA
Gustavo Villalobos	California United Strikers FC	NISA
Marcus Lee	California United Strikers FC	NISA
Brady Treinen	California United Strikers FC	NISA
Bay Kurtz	California United Strikers FC	NISA
Tony Lopez	California United Strikers FC	NISA
Ozzie Ramos	Central Valley Fuego FC	USL-1
Nathan Smith	Central Valley Fuego FC	USL-1
Kamil Jozwiak	Charlotte FC	MLS
Christian Ortiz	Charlotte FC	MLS
Andre Shinyashiki	Charlotte FC	MLS
Ivan Luquetta	Charlotte Independence	USL-1
Ayrton Paez	Charlotte Independence	USL-1
Ian Cerro	Chattanooga FC	NISA
Brett Jones	Chattanooga FC	NISA
Kevin Velasquez	City Soccer FC	NSL
Vinny Bell	Cleveland SC	NPSL
Kieran Toland	Cleveland SC	NPSL
Ola Kamara	D.C. United	MLS
Luis Hernandez	D’Feeters Kicks SC	Rjoa Lg
Adrian Renteria	D’Feeters Kicks SC	Roja Lg
Alejandro Estrada	Denton Diablos	NPSL
Ryley Kraft	Des Moines Menace	USL-2
Gavriel Rodriguez	Des Moines Menace	USL-2
Robert Tomlin	Des Moines Menace	USL-2
Antoine Hoppenot	Detroit City FC	USL-C
Connor Rutz	Detroit City FC	USL-C
Eder Borelli	El Paso Locomotive FC	USL-C
Christian Bahena	Escondido FC	UPSL
Haris Medunjanin	FC Cincinnati	MLS
Jader Obrien	FC Dallas	MLS
Szabolcs Schon	FC Dallas	MLS
Kian Alberto	FC Motown	NPSL
Ryan Peterson	FC Motown	NPSL
Johannes Pieles	FC Motown	NPSL
Samuel Pompee	FC Motown	NPSL
Burke Fahling	FC Tucson	USL-1
Luca Mastrantonio	FC Tucson	USL-1
Brian Brown	FC Tulsa	USL-C
Jorge Corrales	FC Tulsa	USL-C
Alex Ainscough	Flower City Union	NISA
Cyrus Rad	Forward Madison FC	USL-1
Alann Torres	Forward Madison FC	USL-1
Alexander McIlroy	Georgia Revolution FC	NPSL
Lucas Coutinho	Greenville Triumph SC	USL-1
Jacob Labovitz	Greenville Triumph SC	USL-1
Evan Lee	Greenville Triumph SC	USL-1
Danny Barrera	Hartford Athletic	USL-C
Rashawn Dally	Hartford Athletic	USL-C
Luke Prpa	Hartford Athletic	USL-C
Roberto Avila	Houston Dynamo	MLS
Darwin Quintero	Houston Dynamo	MLS
Joevin Jones	Inter Miami CF	MLS
Jose Villarreal	LA Force FC	NISA
Efarin Alvarez	LA Galaxy	MLS
Raheem Edwards	LA Galaxy	MLS
Paul McVeigh	Lansdowne Yonkers FC	USASA/EPSL
Roberto Molina	Las Vegas Lights FC	USL-C
Alvaro Quezada	Las Vegas Lights FC	USL-C
Diego Placios	Los Angeles FC	MLS
Danny Musovski	Los Angeles FC	MLS
Franco Escobar	Los Angeles FC	MLS
Carlos Vela	Los Angeles FC	MLS
Kwadwo Opoku	Los Angeles FC	MLS
Coben Bone	Louisville City FC	USL-C
Amadou Dia	Louisville City FC	USL-C
Tudor Barna	Lynchburg FC	USASA/UPSL
Laurent Kissiedou	Memphis 901 FC	USL-C
Lamar Walker	Miami FC	USL-C
Robertina Insua	Miami United SC	NPSL
Zachary Susee	Minneapolis City FC	NPSL
Kervin Arriaga	Minnesota United FC	MLS
Morey Doner	Monterey Bay FC	USL-C
Tah Anunga	Nashville SC	MLS
Hany Mukhtar	Nashville SC	MLS
Luke Haakenson	Nashville SC	MLS
Alen Muyl	Nashville SC	MLS
Handwalla Bwana	Nashville SC	MLS
Carles Gil	New England Revolution	MLS
Tommy McNamara	New England Revolution	MLS
Maliek Howell	New Mexico United	USL-C
Harry Swartz	New Mexico United	USL-C
Gabriel Pereira	New York City FC	MLS
Santiago Rodriguez	New York City FC	MLS
Heber	New York City FC	MLS
Dru Yearwood	New York Red Bulls	MLS
Jamie DiLuzio	North Carolina Fusion U-23s	USL-2
Victor Cascon	North Carolina Fusion U-23s	USL-2
Jean-Phillippe Ayolmbong	Northern Virginia FC	USASA/EPSL
Jason Plumhoff	Ocean City Nor’easters	USL-2
Kevin Partifa	Orange County SC	USL-C
Daniel Pedersen	Orange County SC	USL-C
Sean Okoli	Orange County SC	USL-C
Tommy McCabe	Orange County SC	USL-C
Joao Moutinho	Orlando City SC	MLS
Mauricio Pereyra	Orlando City SC	MLS
Facundo Torres	Orlando City SC	MLS
Junior Urso	Orlando City SC	MLS
Ben Walter	Park City Red Wolves SC	USL-2
Caleb Wight	Park City Red Wolves SC	USL-2
Jose Martinez	Philadelphia Union	MLS
Santi Moar	Phoenix Rising FC	USL-C
Luis Argudo	Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC	USL-C
Wyatt Borso	Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC	USL-C
Noah Dreves	Portland Timbers U-23s	USL-2
Alexis Luna-Ramirez	Portland Timbers U-23s	USL-2
Matthew Bentley	Richmond Kickers	USL-1
Dakota Barnathan	Richmond Kickers	USL-1
Isidro Martinez	Rio Grande Valley FC Toros	USL-C
Ricardo Ruiz	Rio Grande Valley FC Toros	USL-C
Jesus Batiz	Rochester New York FC	MLSNP
Pedro Dolabella	Rochester New York FC	MLSNP
Gibran Rayo	Rochester New York FC	MLSNP
Zeiko Lewis	Sacramento Republic FC	USL-C
Luther Archimede	Sacramento Republic FC	USL-C
Emil Cuello	Sacramento Republic FC	USL-C
Lee Desmond	Sacramento Republic FC	USL-C
Douglas Martinez Jr.	Sacramento Republic FC	USL-C
Shannon Gomez	San Antonio FC	USL-C
Justin Dhillon	San Antonio FC	USL-C
Mitchell Taintor	San Antonio FC	USL-C
Jack Blake	San Diego Loyal	USL-C
Alejandro Guido	San Diego Loyal	USL-C
Cristo Deras	San Fernando Valley FC	USASA/UPSL
Michael Rodriguez	San Fernando Valley FC	USASA/UPSL
Jan Gregus	San Jose Earthquakes	MLS
William Richmond	San Jose Earthquakes	MLS
Kelyn Rowe	Seattle Sounders	MLS
Adrian Bilhardt	South Georgia Tormenta FC	USL-1
Jamil Roberts	South Georgia Tormenta FC	USL-1
Owen Green	South Georgia Tormenta FC	USL-1
Mason Walsh	Southern States SC Stars	NPSL
Clayton Adams	Southern States SC Stars	NPSL
Edwin Cerrillo	Sporting Kansas City	MLS
Remi Walter	Sporting Kansas City	MLS
Felipe Hernandez	Sporting Kansas City	MLS
Nicolas Isimat-Mirin	Sporting Kansas City	MLS
Logan Ndenbe	Sporting Kansas City	MLS
Marinos Tzionis	Sporting Kansas City	MLS
Joshua Yaro	St. Louis CITY 2	MLSNP
Celio Pompeu	St. Louis CITY 2	MLSNP
Jordan Scarlett	Tampa Bay Rowdies	USL-C
Juan Rojas	The Villages SC	USL-2
Austin Lakasik	The Villages SC	USL-2
Matthew Rogers	Tulsa Athletic	NPSL
Joseph Ruiz	Tulsa Athletic	NPSL
Joseph Garcia	Tulsa Athletic	NPSL
Dion Acoff	Union Omaha	USL-1
Kemal Malcolm	Union Omaha	USL-1
John Scearce	Union Omaha	USL-1
Jacob Manix	Western Mass Pioneers	USL-2
Gabriel Ganzer	Western Mass Pioneers	USL-2

2022 US Open Cup Round 1: NC Fusion awarded forfeit win, decide to play game anyway against SC United

March 26, 2022 by Lawson Murrell

The crowd of 1,384 at SEFL Soccer Complex in Columbia, SC thought they were watching a 2022 US Open Cup First Round match. Instead they unknowingly saw an exhibition game between the North Carolina Fusion U-23s and SC United Bantams. Photo: SC United Bantams

On Wednesday, the North Carolina Fusion U-23s pulled off a dramatic extra time win, 3-1, over SC United Bantams at the SEFL Soccer Complex in Columbia, S.C.. For the fans in the stands and those watching the YouTube broadcast, they thought they were watching a First Round game in the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

As it turns out, it was just an exhibition game.

During pre-match roster checks, the South Carolina United FC 18-player roster was found to only have 10 players eligible to compete in the US Open Cup. The host club was presented with two options; play the match with the 10 eligible players or accept a forfeit and play a friendly against the Fusion.

With both teams already warmed up and a crowd assembled, the teams agreed to the latter option. The exhibition match was not under the authority of the US Open Cup. The original tournament contest was officially recorded as a forfeit and the Fusion were awarded a 1-0 win to advance to the Second Round.

Despite the cup match being called off and an exhibition game played in its place, the game was still streamed live on US Soccer’s YouTube channel. According to a team official for South Carolina United, the team was informed that the forfeit would be announced by the USSF. However, during the broadcast commentators made no mention of this being an exhibition match. On multiple occasions, it was noted that the winner of this game would move on to play the Charlotte Independence in the next round.

In accordance with the official US Open Cup handbook any team that forfeits a cup game is subject to fines determined by the Adjudication and Discipline Panel. Said team will also be assessed/forfeit the performance bond ($1000) that each team provides when registering.

According to the USSF, the commissioner will not recommend further disciplinary action as far as a team suspension or a match ban. South Carolina United FC competes in the USL League 2 and is managed by volunteer and part-time team officials. The complete Bantams roster was cleared to compete in the league, however, eight of the players remained ineligible for the cup which the team was alerted to just before the match was scheduled to begin.

A Bantams team official expressed good will towards the USSF and US Open Cup and pointed to a simple clerical error in not registering the full roster with the cup, emphasizing the team did not intentionally attempt to field ineligible players.

Match Broadcast, Still titled “2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup”

2022 US Open Cup Round 1: FC Motown protests West Chester United result, cites substitution rule

March 24, 2022 by Michael Battista

West Chester United Blaise Milanek FC Motown 2022 US Open Cup — Players from West Chester United gather around Blaise Milanek following his goal against FC Motown in their First Round match in the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Matt Ralph | BrotherlyGame.com

UPDATE (March 27, 2022): U.S. Soccer has upheld FC Motown’s protest against West Chester United SC. The original result from Tuesday, March 22, a 3-2 extra time win for United, has been nullified. This has been confirmed individually with both teams.

The two sides will play a Full Replay of their First Round match this Friday, April 1, at Montclair State University. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 PM. No broadcast information has been announced.

Original story

The first game of the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is being protested.

FC Motown is appealing the result of its 3-2 First Round extra time loss to West Chester United SC from Tuesday night. The reasoning stems from an alleged violation of Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and FIFA rules in regards to player substitutions. The New Jersey team filed to injunction on Wednesday afternoon to US Soccer. This has been confirmed by both teams and the USSF.

The matter will now be reviewed, discussed, and ruled on by the US Open Cup Adjudication & Discipline Panel. West Chester is currently scheduled to host AC Syracuse Pulse of the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) in the Second Round on Wednesday, April 6.

TheCup.us has received a confirmed copy of Motown’s protest letter to US Soccer. In it, the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) side claims West Chester received a “competitive advantage” after Protocol B of the substitution rules were not properly followed.

The point of contention came immediately after West Chester’s tying goal in the 78th minute. After Blaise Milanek headed in Levi Maruca’s pass, the now prone scoring player remained on the ground, visibly shaken. His teammates crowded around him and Milanek held his head and remained seated on the ground for over a minute. This moment was captured and shared in the tweet below.

Blaise Milanek ‘21 puts his body on the line ????

The alum uses his head off a wonder cross to level @WCUSCPredators and send them to the next round of the @opencup.#GoLehigh pic.twitter.com/HHceFI3bhp

— Lehigh Men's Soccer (@LehighMSoccer) March 23, 2022

Following this, Milanek exits the field of play and is examined by medical staff.

The protest stems from what happened next.

In the 79th minute, U.S. Soccer’s official match report lists Ryan Fincher as coming in for Milanek. This was observed by TheCup.us contributor Matt Ralph (BrotherlyGame.com) and the match commissioner in the press box across the field at Montclair State University. However, it is not listed on other publicly available match reports such as ESPN.

In the 84th minute, five minutes after walking onto the sideline, Milanek returns to the game and Fincher exits the field. The goalscorer remained in the game for the rest of regulation before being subbed out “officially” between the second half and first extra time half. Reports such as ESPN confirm that Clay Moyer entered the game at this point.

The 2022 US Open Cup Handbook, Finalists’ Edition states in Section 303 “Match play” that:

“(a) Each team will be allowed to select not more than 18 players from its official league roster who shall be designated for its match day roster… A team may use not more than 3 substitutes from its match day roster unless a match proceeds into extra time, in which case an additional substitution shall be granted… Once a player leaves the match and is replaced by a substitute, the player leaving may not re-enter the match. As permitted by the Laws of the Game, the Committee may consider adding a provision for additional substitutions for a player suffering a concussion injury.”

When reached for comment, West Chester United head coach Blaise Santangelo told TheCup.us that this error solely fell on fourth official Rafael Martinez. As Milanek left the field, Martinez approached the head coach and told him he had a “temporary sub”. Santangelo questioned this and even doubted that was allowed in the tournament. Martinez insisted that the team could replace the injured player since he was suspected of having a concussion.

Santangelo provided TheCup.us videos of the match’s ESPN+ broadcast feed. In it, an unseen person, who Santangelo says is fourth official Rafa Martinez, is heard saying the USL League Two team has a “temporary sub”.

Martinez was applying rules previously in place by the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and currently used by MLS Next. The rules currently used by the latter allow teams to make temporary substitutions while players being evaluated for concussions are checked by medical staff.

Quote (Page 11):

“The temporary substitution will not count against the team’s total number of allowed substitutions or substitution moments. If the player being evaluated has received clearance from the HCP or an ATC to return to the game, that player may re-enter at any stoppage of play and must replace the original temporary substitute, who will remain an available substitute and will be permitted to re-enter the game.”

Like most US Soccer leagues and competitions, the US Open Cup has added “concussion substitutes” in the time since the 2019 tournament concluded. The 2022 US Open Cup is participating in the International Football Association Board trial of additional concussion substitutes, specifically utilizing Protocol B (the same in place for all U.S.-based professional leagues this year). This all can be found in the Open Cup handbook under the “Concussion Substitution Trial” section. But in essence: Each team receives up to two ‘concussion substitutes’. For each concussion sub used, the opposing team receives one additional substitution.

In no place does the rulebook allow a player who is suspected of being concussed to be temporarily substituted out of the game.

In this situation, the match commissioner was not seated at midfield between the two benches, which is common, but according to US Soccer, it is not a requirement. Instead, he was seated in the press box across the field. This meant an official, who may have known the correct ruling procedure, was not readily available to directly aid any of the other match officials. While he was reachable in the press box, a US Soccer official claims the match commissioner was not consulted.

Also, as the home side, Motown is required to produce two complete sets of cards for each team (one set each) to use for substitutions. These cards are color coded for normal substitutions (white, five cards), concussion substitutions (pink, 2 cards), and additional substitutions (blue, 2 cards). According to the source, and confirmed by Santangelo himself, Motown did not provide any colored cards for concussion subs. Each team only received white cards to use.

Coach Santangelo is ready to accept whatever ruling US Soccer hands down. However, he made it clear that he believes his team’s performance on the field should speak for itself.

Realistically, U.S. Soccer has four options in regards to this protest.

The protest is thrown out (unlikely considering the evidence)
The protest is upheld, West Chester is disqualified and Motown advances
The protest is upheld, the game is restarted entirely
The protest is upheld, the game is restarted from the point of the error (84th minute, the point where Milanek re-entered the match, score tied 2-2)

Interestingly, if option four is chosen it wouldn’t be the first time it has happened in US Soccer in the last six months. In October 2021, a USL Championship match between The Miami FC and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds was replayed starting from the 67th minute, 11 days after originally completing. Following the original game, which finished 0-0, it was revealed that a match official erroneously disallowed a Pittsburgh goal. The error, described as a misapplication of the FIFA Laws of the Game, forced a replay from the moment of the infraction and the Riverhounds went on to win a 23 minute game, 1-0.

Interesting note: Miami played FC Motown in the 2018 NPSL National Championship. So both teams from that final may very well compete in separate shortened replays (due to referee error) within half-a-year of each other.

2022 US Open Cup Round 1: Timbers U-23s take over 2nd half, beat Contra Costa FC, 2-1

March 24, 2022 by Josh Duder

Portland Timbers U-23s Contra Costa FC 2022 US Open Cup — Portland Timbers U-23s celebrate a goal against Contra Costa FC in the First Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Rafa Perez Diaz

Contra Costa FC of the NPSL made the nearly 600-mile trip from Walnut Creek, Calif. to Salem, Ore. to participate in their first ever US Open Cup match and despite dominating possession in the first half and showing signs of fantastic play, the Portland Timbers Under-23s sent them home with a 2-1 defeat. The Timbers took advantage of two opportunities in the second half and that was the difference to give the club their first Open Cup win since 2018.

For the Timbers U-23s, this was not their first match in the tournament, in fact, they have appeared in the Cup five times prior to tonight’s win, earning two wins (both against NPSL opponents), and now they have three wins and will advance to visit Sacramento Republic in Round Two – a stage which they have not, in fact, progressed past.

The match kicked off at approximately 7:06 local time with light drizzle beginning moments before first kick – overcast and cool the teams started off in dramatically different formations; Timbers head coach, Matt Broadhead, had his side lined up in an aggressive 3-5-2 playing two true wingbacks keeping the width and feeling comfortable getting forward with former MLS central defender, and Gambia national team player, Mamadou “Futty” Danso anchoring the defense. Initially, the Timbers absorbed the Contra Costa attack but within a quarter of an hour, the visiting team from California was taking control of the match.

Contra Costa, on the other hand, came out in a standard 4-3-3 and while they didn’t play the ball down the sidelines, they swung the ball, through possession, from side to side easily enough – often times resulting in pulling the Timbers players out of position as they chased the visitors around. It was in those moments of imbalance when captain Addison Escobar or Alonzo Del Mundo would put a pass through or turn on a defender and slip right into an attacking lane to put a shot on goal – the first serious chance coming in the 8th minute with Timbers keeper Quinn McCallion collection the ball after a deflection. McCallion was kept very busy in the first half with the visitors heading it just over, toe-poking it wide, or scuffling a chance at the far post on a corner – Contra Costa registered 11 shots in the first half.

When the whistle blew for the first half, the crowd could be heard mumbling how they were in trouble and that Contra Costa was playing around and through the home team – the prevailing opinion was that all it would take is one goal and the Timbers would be out of it.

At the half, CCFC player, Luis Felix confirmed that the team were playing a possession-based style “playing in a 4-3-3 and staying patient – keeping possession.” In fact, Contra Costa held possession for 65% of the first half and early in the second half, we saw more of the same, with Contra Costa dominating the ball for a really good spell. What’s more, the Timbers were showing signs of desperation and out-fouling the visitors as well.

However, something switched on for the home team and Futty Danso could be heard as a calming and organizing on-field influence. They stopped chasing the ball and instead compacted the space between their midfielders and backline. Post-match, Futty confirmed that they had adjusted to Contra Costa by changing the space they gave them to operate in.

Portland Timbers U-23s 2022 US Open Cup — Portland Timbers U-23s fans release a smoke bomb during the team’s match against Contra Costa FC in the First Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Rafa Perez Diaz

“Obviously, when you have a 39-year-old player you have to play a little bit deeper,” said Danso. “But yeah, we did change the line of confrontation a little bit, push up a little bit and confront them a little bit higher instead of letting them have us, and it was joy, and we got success out of that.”

Indeed the Timbers did, with a 51st minute goal, from Thomas Peterson sliding in at the far post off a deflection from Noah Dreaves’ cross in from the right side.

Contra Costa retained their heads and continued to play with the same style, not chasing the score, but rather, try to find a crack in the home team’s defense. However, the Timbers were resilient and kept their shape – if anything, the first goal seemed to give them the impetus to seek more and there was a noticeable shift in their attack. No longer were they responding only to what the visitors let them have, they were now on the front foot and seemingly attacking when it suited them.

In the 67th minute, Alexis Luna found himself in the middle of the attacking third with the ball and sent the ball to the right for Eddie Sanchez, who found himself with plenty of space in front of him. As Sanchez moved into the box, he shifted from his right foot to his left and shot it low, along the ground, where it snuck past Roberto Llamas, for the Timbers’ second goal of the match.

The visitors responded by adjusting from four at the back to pushing a player up and playing a higher line. In the 71st minute, the Timbers responded by making changes themselves and bringing on fresh legs. Sanchez, Reyes, and Peterson came off to make way for Zhvidze, Labate and Gardinez. A few minutes later Nguyen came on for Peralta for Timbers and Contra Costa brought on Christian Garcia for the injured Nate Carrasco. Two more subs for Contra Costa in the 83rd and Timbers made an additional change in the 85th. Then the shocker came when five minutes of additional time was announced after the later stages of the second half seemed to just cruise by.

Immediately thereafter, Danso was called for a foul just outside the box. Roberto Gonzalez, who had three shots on goal all game, stuck the ball well and put one past McCallion, who had been working on a clean sheet for the previous 90 minutes. That was Gonzalez’ fourth in four matches, including qualifying matches leading up to this contest.

Contra Costa got their tails up for the last four minutes of the match but were unable to keep the pressure up, giving the ball away in the crucial waning moments of the game.

2022 US Open Cup Round 1: Las Vegas Legends hold off Park City to earn first win

March 24, 2022 by Thomas Viola

Las Vegas Legends Park City Red Wolves 2022 US Open Cup — Yuval Cohen of the Las Vegas Legends (left) and Park City Red Wolves battle for the ball during a First Round match in the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Lesly Rodriguez – LBShots

On a brisk spring night in Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Legends earned their first ever US Open Cup victory with a 3-2 win over the Park City Red Wolves at Peter Johann Field.

Buoyed by two first half goals, the Legends held off a late Red Wolves comeback attempt to secure their place in the next round of the US Open Cup, where they will face New Mexico United of the USL Championship on April 5.

The Legends wasted no time drawing first blood in the match, with a goal from team captain Samuel Aina just under ten minutes into the game. A second goal from Brandon Vargas in the 33rd minute helped cap off a half in which the Legends dominated both on the field and on the scoreboard, and saw them head into the locker room with a 2-0 lead at the break.

“In the beginning of the game, we controlled very well,” said Legends head coach Jose Rivera after the game. “Towards the end of the match, we started to get tired.”

That late game took its toll on the Legends squad, nearly costing them the match.

A 68th minute goal from Roberto Soto, who took advantage of a lapse in the Red Wolves defense to make an impressive solo run, gave the Legends a three goal advantage, and proved to be the goal that would decide the game.

Rivera opted to use four of his five substitutions simultaneously midway through the second half, and an injury to defender Daniel Osuji just minutes later left the team without the ability to replace tired legs, and allowed for the Red Wolves to make a late comeback.

After dominating the first 75 minutes of the match, the Legends began to tire and the Red Wolves attack found life in the form of an 84th goal for Brandon Fuchs, on what was Park City’s first real scoring chance from play (they had threatened on a pair of corner kicks earlier in the game, but struggled to break down the Legends defense from the run of play).

Halfway through stoppage time, substitute Kevin Jara-Collante was able to navigate a shot through a crowded Legends box to cut the deficit to just one goal, and giving the Red Wolves hope of a late comeback.

Las Vegas Legends fans smoke 2022 US Open Cup — Fans set off smoke bombs during the Las Vegas Legends’ match against Park City Red Wolves in the First Round in the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Lesly Rodriguez – LBShots

However, it was not to be as the Legends held on to close out the game and go home as 3-2 winners.

“It was great playing at UNLV, in Vegas, and to beat this team here shows that we are a big Vegas team, and I think that we are the strongest team in Vegas – I’m proud to say it,” said 18-year-old midfielder Elad Cohen, who came onto the game as one of the subs in the 61st minute for the Legends.
Cohen’s father, Meir, is the owner of the Legends and was equally thrilled at the team’s victory Wednesday night.

The Park City Red Wolves return to Utah to prepare for the upcoming NPSL season, while the Legends get ready to head to New Mexico to take on New Mexico United.

“I believe we are ready to compete,” said Rivera about next round’s matchup. “We will prepare with a lot of excitement … with a lot of concentration. The boys are ready, you can find a lot of quality in our team, and it is something that we are very proud of … the boys can do it.”

Coach Rivera’s squad will have a little over a month to prepare before their May 4 fixture in the next round in New Mexico.