Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2022 US Open Cup

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: FC Dallas wins 8th straight opener, 2-1 over FC Tulsa

by

Franco Jara of FC Dallas celebrates after scoring a goal against FC Tulsa in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Tobias | FC Dallas
Franco Jara of FC Dallas celebrates after scoring a goal against FC Tulsa in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Tobias | FC Dallas

Two time US Open Cup winners FC Dallas moved into the Fourth Round of the tournament with a 2-1 win over FC Tulsa at Toyota Stadium on Tuesday night.

“The players were on edge, they gave a lot and I think they deserve a lot of credit,” said FC Tulsa head coach Michael Nsien. “You see some of the guys that played 90 minutes were going nonstop and were spent after the match. It is hard to take moral victories because we are professionals and we are competitive people, but in terms of what game speed is supposed to look like, I think we’ve seen today what we expect from our players, and we just need that continuity now.”

Franco Jara opened the scoring for the hosts just after the half hour from the penalty spot. The Argentine was felled by a clumsy challenge by Johnny Fenwick, before rolling the ball calmly down the middle of the goal.

The lead would only hold for ten minutes. Rodrigo da Costa sent in a corner, flicked on by Ronald Rodriguez, wasn’t dealt with by Lucas Bartlett in the Dallas back line. After a couple of stabs at the ball by the rookie, Bradley Bourgeois swiped the ball home from inside the six yard box.

Tulsa threatened a vastly changed FC Dallas side, pressing high and playing positively.

“I like what they proposed,” said FC Dallas head coach Nico Estevez. “They tried to play, they have tools and resources to build from the back, and it makes it more difficult when a team wants to come here to play because you have to be worried about how you’re going to press and win the ball.”

Jader Obrian restored FC Dallas’ lead in the 66th minute. Szabolcs Schon broke down the left, crossing from deep for Obrian to meet at the back post with an acrobatic volley.

Jimmy Maurer, a veteran of the New York Cosmos teams that knocked out New York Red Bulls and New York City FC in back to back Open Cup seasons, was called into action early by Joaquin Rivas. Brian Brown should have restored parity in the 71st minute, with the hosts again struggling at a set-piece, but the substitute could not control his close range header.

The MLS side began to bring in more familiar faces with the likes of US Men’s National Team striker Jesus Ferreira and franchise record signing Alan Velasco.
Ferreira – tied for leading scorer in Major League Soccer – had the ball in the net in the final minute, finishing off a pass from Jader Obrian, but the former Tulsa Roughnecks loanee was judged to be offside.

FC Dallas wins their opening round game in the tournament for the eighth year in a row. With the victory they advance to take on Sporting Kansas City on the road on May 11.

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: South Georgia Tormenta earn second road shutout vs. USL Championship side

by

South Georgia Tormenta 2022 US Open Cup
Players from South Georgia Tormenta celebrate during the club’s match against Birmingham Legion FC in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: South Georgia Tormenta FC

On a beautiful spring night in Birmingham, Ala., South Georgia brought the storm to the Birmingham Legion and easily dispatched the USL Championship club, 2-0.

In the first meeting between Tormenta and this Birmingham side since 2018, the Ibis continued right where they left off with another two-goal victory. While on the world may see this as a “cupset”, absolutely nobody in Tormenta is surprised.

Early on in the match, Legion FC took early control, dominating the ball and the pace of play, but Tormenta held on strong. Through the first 30 minutes, Legion were outshooting South Georgia 8-1, but shots do not always equal goals.

In the 33rd minute, Tormenta would take a 1-0 lead. And it was just their second shot of the night.

The build up was created with a ball played down the left wing in the Birmingham end of the field. Tormenta’s Kingsford Adjei cut back to his right at the corner of the 18-yard box and fired a low shot into the mixer. The ball found its way through the players in front of goal, forcing the goalkeeper to make a diving save to his left. The rebound would fall to Curtis Thorn who tucked the ball into the back of the net.

Just 13 minutes later, Jake Dengler got himself on the scoresheet just before halftime. After a corner kick, the ball fell to Dengler inside the box and he beat the keeper to score his first goal as a professional. This goal, though early in the game, felt like the dagger through the heart of the Legion’s cup run.

This was not Dengler’s first experience scoring in the US Open Cup, bagging a goal for FC Baltimore Christos (NPSL) in a 1-1 draw against West Chester United. He would eventually set up to take a shot during the penalty, where he calmly tucked it away to keep the Christos alive.

In the second half, Tormenta continued to showcase their dominance over Birmingham as they completely shut down the Legion attack while also continuing to flex their offensive muscles. Though no more goals were scored, the way Tormenta played was just an overwhelming amount of swagger.

“It is not something that I install, it’s something the entire club installs,” said Tormenta head coach Ian Cameron about his team’s confidence. “We know who we are. We don’t get ahead of ourselves. Everybody is very, very proud to put on the Tormenta badge. Sometimes we get beat, sometimes we win, but no matter what, the spirit of the group will always be there.”

For Tormenta, it was the club’s second straight road win against a USL Championship side, having defeated the Charleston Battery in the opening round.

Tormenta advance to the Fourth Round where they will play a third straight road game, this time in South Florida where they will take on Inter Miami CF (MLS) on May 10.

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Inter Miami CF travels to Miami, wins USOC debut over Miami FC

by

Inter Miami CF Miami FC 2022 US Open Cup
Players from Inter Miami CF (left) and Miami FC battle for the ball in a Third Round match in the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Miami FC

It was one of the most anticipated match up of the round. Years of talking points on the internet, memes, divided loyalties, and political agendas led to Tuesday night’s game. Inter Miami CF of MLS made the trek down to … Miami to finally play in Miami-Dade County against established club Miami FC of the USL Championship. A great turnout of 11,153 at FIU Stadium got to see history as the first Miami Clasico was played in the Third Round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The match was tightly-contested with Inter Miami edging the hosts 1-0 on an 83rd minute goal by Leonardo Campana to give the club a win in its US Open Cup debut.

The ball rolled off with both teams being cautious and testing each other’s limits. Inter Miami had trouble breaking down Miami FC’s shape and didn’t create many offensive opportunities. Around 25 minutes in, Miami FC became the dominant force and made multiple attempts at opening up the scoring; none were successful and defended well by Inter.

In the final minutes of the first half, Inter Miami earned not one, not two, but five yellow cards in quick succession. Going into the halftime break, Miami FC had the upper hand as Inter had to make changes to address their tactics and the collection of yellow cards they accumulated.

Inter Miami CF Miami FC 2022 US Open Cup
Players from Inter Miami CF (left) and Miami FC battle for the ball in a Third Round match in the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Miami FC

Inter Miami made two changes before the start of the second half, with head coach Phil Neville taking off two of his yellow carded players (Jairo Quinteros and Noah Allen) and bringing on Christopher McVey and U.S. National Team defender DeAndre Yedlin. Their impact was felt instantly as Inter came out attacking. A scramble inside the box in the 50th minute saw three attempts on goal made by Inter but all were either blocked or saved by Miami FC’s defense.

As the half went on, Inter kept bending Miami FC but their defense would not break. Risk management was taken into consideration as yellow carded players from Inter kept being subbed off, lessening the risk of a red being given for a second offense. The best opportunity for a goal from Miami FC came in the 74th minute with Florian Valot taking an on-target free kick which was saved by Drake Callender.

With no more substitutions left with less than 15 minutes remaining, it was clear Phil Neville intended to finish off the game in regulation and needed a late goal to seal it.

In the 83rd minute, substitute Christopher McVey chipped the ball into the box, which allowed teammate Robert Taylor to assist Leonardo Campana’s game-winning goal. One of the last actions of the game saw Damion Lowe get his second yellow card of the night, which sent him off & made him ineligible for the next round. That will be something Inter Miami will have to address in the next round as they saw out the final seconds and won the game 1-0, eliminating Miami FC.

While the scoreline and the history books will show Inter Miami as the victors, the South Florida soccer community showed up and were the real winners. Getting over eleven thousand spectators on a Tuesday night against an NBA playoff game plus an Major League Baseball game going on at the same time is no small accomplishment. The stadium was rocking the entire night with both sets of supporters groups willing their teams on. It was finally a showcase to the country, and the local community. It was a testimate to the sports potential in the city’s crowded sports and entertainment landscape.

“This needs to happen more,” said Neville about the atmosphere at the stadium.

Neville went on to say that Inter Miami is making the Open Cup a top priority: “This is a competition we’re going to go for.”

With the club’s stated ambition of being a regular participant in the CONCACAF Champions League, Inter Miami are a team to keep an eye on in the 2022 edition of the tournament as they chase the cup and a berth into the CCL.

With the win, Inter Miami advance to Round 4 where they will host USL League One side South Georgia Tormenta FC on May 10 at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Alvaro Barreal’s OT brace leads FC Cincinnati past Riverhounds

by

FC Cincinnati Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2022 US Open Cup Luciano Acosta
Luciano Acosta of FC Cincinnati dribbles against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: FC Cincinnati

Riding the momentum of a strong start to their USL Championship campaign and a convincing win in their Second Round U.S. Open Cup match due to a brace from Toby Sims, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds traveled to face FC Cincinnati hoping to upset an MLS team that’s still working to find success at the top level. However, it was Alvaro Barreal’s turn for a brace that ended up dispatching the Hounds as Cincinnati won 2-0 after 120 minutes of play.

“I needed it,” he said. “Luckily, I’ve been able to get back on the pitch and I was able to score two goals tonight. It’s been a while without a goal, a while without playing.
“I hope this is the beginning of a new season in the best way.”

This is FC Cincinnati’s ninth win through 14 Open Cup matches and its first USOC win in their current home, TQL Stadium.

With both teams fielding a number of players making either their first starts of the season or earning some of their first significant playing time of the year, neither team could generate much in the way of offensive rhythm early on. Towards the middle of the period, the Riverhounds aimed to control possession rather than to play defensive against their top-tier counterparts. Despite improved pace, neither side would score in the half.

FC Cincinnati We Want The Cup shirt US Open Cup
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

“I thought the first half, we were too often when we won the ball playing negative, and we weren’t able to advance with the ball with any kind of numbers advantage,” said FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan. “I thought we were a little too safe, and they’re organized, credit to Bob and their team, they do a very good job of staying organized and being tough to break down.”

As the second half kicked off, FC Cincinnati mounted their best offensive pressure thus far but Pittsburgh’s keeper Jahmali Waite, in only his second pro start, stepped up to hold off a flurry of challenges and keep his squad in the game. Cincinnati’s Allan Cruz found himself alone near the penalty spot but rang his shot off the right post. Minutes later, Waite handily made a save off a header from just outside the goal area to keep Cincinnati at bay.

As time drew on in the second and neared full time, Cincinnati upped the tempo, seemingly aiming to finish off the game before reaching extra time. Chaos ensued in front of the Riverhounds net with PRSC bunkering in to defend the attacks, eventually ending in a goal line clearance. The game reached 90 minutes still scoreless.

In extra time, Barrealstepped up. In the 95th minute, the midfielder made his way unchallenged through the left side of the box, forcing Waite to engage, resulting in a foul and penalty kick. Barreal easily put that away over the keeper’s left shoulder to give the MLS side the lead. He followed that up with another goal minutes later as a collision between opposing players left the ball to Barreal on that same left side of the box. A cross to the far-side put Cincinnati up 2-0 and on to the eventual win.

“It’s tournament play, you’ve got to find a way to win a game, and we were able to do that,” Noonan said. “Certainly you want to do it in a certain way, which I think as the game progressed, we found more ideas and more objectives that we were looking for, in how we went about winning the game.”

2022 US Open Cup Round 3 Review: Four MLS teams crash out, close games galore

by

2022 US Open Cup Detroit City FC
Detroit City FC fans celebrate a goal against the Columbus Crew in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Jon DeBoer | Detroit City FC
#USOC2022 Essentials

2022 US Open Cup Results/Schedule
2022 US Open Cup Statistical Leaders
2022 US Open Cup Qualifying Results

Things you should know about the Third Round

Notable upsets in the Third Round (Modern Era)

USOC rule changes since 2019 tournament

Villyan Bijev of Central Valley Fuego voted
TheCup.us Player of the Round (Round 2) 

2022 Meet the Underdogs Series

Support TheCup.us

Appreciate what we do? Join our Patreon team
Shop TheCup.us Store
We need writers, graphics/website gurus, more
CONTACT US

The dust has settled on the Third Round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with both days bringing fans a reminder of what they were missing while the tournament was on hiatus for two years.

Round 3 was one of the most competitive rounds in recent memory with 17 of the 24 games decided by one goal, or finishing in a draw and going to penalty kicks. For fans who are just here for the (c)upsets, there were plenty of those, with four Major League Soccer (MLS) teams being eliminated by lower division opposition.

The last two amateur sides were eliminated but they didn’t go down without a fight. North Carolina Fusion U-23s (USL League Two) seemed destined for penalty kicks until the Richmond Kickers (USL League One) broke their hearts with an 118th minute goal. Elsewhere, playing on the road against Rochester New York FC (MLS Next Pro), FC Motown (NPSL) scored an equalizer in second half stoppage time to force extra time. In the end, FC Motown would fall in the penalty kick shootout, but they would come away with a consolation prize of $25,000 as the Open Division team that advanced the farthest (winning the tiebreaker with North Carolina Fusion). This means, for the first time since 2013, there will not be an amateur team in the Fourth Round.

When it was all said and done, 11 lower division teams survived and advanced with five teams from the USL Championship, four from USL League One, and just one team each from NISA (California United Strikers FC) and MLS Next Pro (Rochester New York FC). Those 11 teams will join the 13 MLS teams that won Third Round games in Round 4 where the eight remaining MLS teams will join the competition.

The draw for the Fourth Round will take place on Thursday at Noon ET on U.S. Soccer’s YouTube and Twitter pages. After the games on Wednesday, the USSF announced the regional groups that will make up the format of the draw. 

Scroll down for a brief recap of all 24 Third Round games with links to a full match report as they become available:

NOTE: Due to some technical difficulties with the site, we were unable to publish our recaps last night. We apologize for the delay. TheCup.us received a massive traffic spike this week and need to upgrade the servers to be able to handle the increased traffic. Anyone who would like to help us cover those additional costs, we encourage you to join our Patreon team to help us expand and improve our coverage. 

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

FC Motown (NPSL) 2:2 Rochester New York FC (MLS Next Pro)
Monroe Community College – Rochester, NY
Rochester New York FC advances 4-3 in penalty kicks

One of the two amateur survivors of the First Round, FC Motown went to Northwest New York to face Rochester New York FC of MLS Next Pro, and Rochester managed to survive 30 minutes of extra time with just nine men to pull out a penalty shootout win after a 2-2 draw.

Rochester grabbed the lead 22 minutes into the game when Gibran Rayo allowed a pass from Wilterlynd Inalien to roll onto Pedro Dolabella, who beat Motown goalkeeper David Greczek. Rochester doubles their lead in the 38th minute hit the bottom left of the goal off an assist from Gabriel Costa.

FC Motown wasted no time responding, as two minutes later Dilly Duka took a cross from Ryan Peterson to cut the RNYFC lead in half. It was Duka’s fourth career USOC goal, adding to his three goals scored for Motown in 2018. Halftime game and the score stood at 2-1 in favor of Rochester.

Five minutes into the second half Rochester were reduced to 10 men when Lamar Batista picked up his second yellow card of the game for a foul on Motown’s Mardochée Pompée.

Rochester looked to push their lead to 3-1 when they were awarded a penalty kick in the 78th minute, but Greczek saved Wilterlynd Inalien’s shot to the lower left corner to keep Motowns’s hopes alive. Rochester was put further in a hole when Pedro Dolabella was shown a straight red card for elbowing a Motown player in the back of the head.

Motown made Rochester pay for being short handed, as Joseph Fala put away his own rebound off the post in stoppage time to level the score at 2-2. Soon after full time ended and Rochester was tasked with playing another 30 minutes with nine men.

Remarkably short-handed Rochester held on for the full 30 minutes of extra time to force a penalty shootout. Rochester brought on goalkeeper Caique as an extra time stoppage time sub for the shootout to replace the starter who appeared to be shaken up.

Motown’s initial attempt by Dilly Duka was saved by Caique, but Motown’s David Greczek responded with back to back saves of Rochester penalties. Caique saved another Motown penalty, and with the shootout score 2-2, Caique looked to have saved Kian Alberto’s kick, but was ordered to be taken again when Caique stepped off his line too soon. On the first attempt of sudden death, Motowns’ Zachary Perez sent his shot high over the bar, allowing Milan Vanacker to win the shootout for Rochester. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT

North Carolina Fusion U23 (USL League Two) 0:1 (AET) Richmond Kickers (USL League One)
City Stadium – Richmond, VA

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The Richmond Kickers hosted the North Carolina Fusion U-23s, of USL League Two, one of two remaining amateur clubs in this year’s Open Cup

The first half started slow, with neither team recording a shot attempt until the 27th minute.

North Carolina was forced to make an early substitution when forward Luis Neto was forced out of the game with an injury. Halftime ended 0-0 with neither team having any real threats to score.

Towards the end of the second half both teams had tremendous chances to take the lead. Alexandre Horveno nearly gave the Fusion the lead in the 86th minute on a breakaway, but goalkeeper Wil Palmquist snuffed out the attempt. Full time was called and the teams set off for another 30 minutes to break their scoreless tie.

Neither team could score through most of extra time, and as the game creeped closer to a penalty shootout, Richmond ended the hopes of the amateurs in the 118th minute. A long free kick was sent into the box where Dakota Barnathan collected the ball and sent a shot to the near post that was knocked down by Emiliano Terzaghi and snuck past the post and into the goal. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT

New York Red Bulls (MLS) 2:1 Hartford Athletic (USL Championship)
Dillon Stadium – Hartford, CT

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The New York Red Bulls made their first-ever trip to Connecticut to face Hartford Athletic of the USL Championship, and despite a statistically dominating performance, managed just a 2-1 victory.

New York got off to a quick start firing off six shot attempts in the first ten minutes. In the 18th minute, the pressure paid off as Lewis Morgan scored on a low shot to the left corner off an assist from Luquinhas. Aaron Long made it 2-0 for the Red Bulls when he tapped in a rebound of a shot that Hartford goalkeeper Jimmy Slayton blocked away. The half finished with NYRB up 2-0, but outshooting Hartford 23-0.

Hartford scored on its very first shot of the match in the 51st minute, Conor McGlynn putting away a Danny Barrera free kick. Despite cutting the lead to 2-1, Hartford never managed many more chances, being outshot 30-4, Christian Casseres Jr. picked up a straight red card in stoppage time for the Red Bulls, so he will miss their Fourth Round game [*] FULL MATCH REPORT

Charlotte Football Club (MLS) 2:1 (AET) Greenville Triumph SC (USL League One)
Triumph Stadium at Legacy Early College – Greenville, SC

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Charlotte FC went south for a battle of the Carolinas with Greenville Triumph SC of USL League One in front of a sold out Triumph Stadium in Greenville.

After 39 minutes, Charlotte got on the board when Christian Ortin tapped in a rebound from a Paul Christiansen save. Seven minutes later, the halftime whistle blew with Charlotte holding a 1-0 advantage.

Greenville, led by head coach John Harkes, tied the game in the 59th minute when Jake Keegan hit from outside the penalty area on an Evan Lee assist, beating goalkeeper George Marks in the bottom left of goal. The rest of the half finished without any more scoring and extra time loomed to break the 1-1 tie.

In stoppage time of the first fifteen minutes of extra time, Charlotte’s Kamil Jozwiak and Harrison Afful traded passes which led to Afful beating goalkeeper Christiansen with a shot to the bottom right corner. For the remaining 15 minutes Greenville continued to push but could not break through, and as the referee blew his whistle to end the game the Charlotte players collapsed to the turf in relief. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT

Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL Championship) 1:2 Orlando City (MLS)
Osceola County Stadium – Kissimmee, FL

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The Tampa Bay Rowdies went East to Orlando for a showdown of Central Florida supremacy with Orlando City SC.

The Rowdies had the first good chances to open the scoring around the 20th minute, with two attempts blocked followed by a pair of corner kicks. The half ended scoreless, with both teams combining for 16 fouls, 10 called on the Rowdies.

Orlando took a 1-0 lead in the 52nd minute on a Alexandre Pato penalty kick after Aaron Guillen fouled Benji Michal in the box. The Lions doubled their lead eleven minutes later when Junior Urso put away a slightly deflected header by a Tampa Bay defender.

Tampa wasted no time responding when Lucky Mkosana scored off a scramble as the ball got away from a diving Mason Stajduhar in the 65th minute. Orlando City held on the rest of the way to secure their spot in the Fourth Round. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT

Chattanooga Football Club (NISA) 0:6 Atlanta United FC (MLS)
Fifth Third Bank Stadium – Kennesaw, GA

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Atlanta United welcomed NISA’s Chattanooga FC to Fifth Third Bank Stadium and had an easy time, rolling out to a 6-0 victory.

Atlanta scored two goals in four minutes midway through the first half. Roland Hernandez scored first in the 21st minute off a Andrew Gutman cross, and Dom Dyer followed four minutes later off a Jake Mulraney cross. Dwyer scored his second with a shot to the bottom right corner, and the MLS hosts were well in control at halftime with a 3-0 lead. With a pair of goals, Dwyer brought his career US Open Cup goalscoring total to 11, which puts him into seventh place in the Modern Era record books.

Atlanta added a fourth in the 53rd minute on a Marcelo Moreno penalty pick. Atlanta continued to have their way with the visitors, adding two more goals through Luiz Araujo (67th minute) and Brooks Lennon (81st minute) [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON

St. Louis CITY 2 (MLS Next Pro) 0:0 Louisville City FC (USL Championship)
Lynn Family Stadium – Louisville, KY
Louisville City wins 9-8 in penalty kick shootout

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Louisville City and St. Louis CITY 2 slugged it out for 120 minutes without a score, then needed ten rounds of the penalty shootout to decide that Louisville City would progress to the Fourth Round.

Louisville outshot St. Louis 15-3, and earned eight corner kicks to St. Louis’ none. Louisville had a pair of great scoring chances in each half that forced St. Louis goalkeeper Michael Creek to make difficult saves each time.

Louisville’s Kyle Morton saves St. Louis’ first attempt of the shootout by Max Schneider, and then Jorge Gonzales missed his chance on Louisville’s third attempt. From then on everyone converted their penalty attempt, and it looked as though Morton adn Creek would need to test each other from the spot. Before it got to that point, Morton saved Dida Armstrong’s spor kick, and Josh Wynder followed with a successful attempt to send Louisvilel to the Fourth Round. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON

Minnesota United FC (MLS) 2:0 Forward Madison FC (USL League One)
Breese Stevens Field – Madison, WI

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Forward Madison hosted Minnesota United at a wet and chilly Breese Stevens Field, but it was the visitors who came out on top with a 2-0 victory.

Minnesota had a majority of the offensive chances in the first half, but could not push through so the score remained 0-0 at the break. Six minutes after the restart, Adrien Hunou put Minnesota United ahead on a Joseph Rosales cross that followed a corner kick.

Minnesota continued to hold the majority of play through the second half, and doubled their lead in the 83rd minute through Brent Kallman on a Joseph Rosales cross.

Forward Madison went down to 10 men in the 84th minute when Drew Connor was shown a straight red, and Minnesota saw out the rest of the game to earn a spot in the Fourth Round for the 2019 US Open Cup runners-up. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON

Austin FC (MLS) 1:2 (AET) San Antonio FC (USL Championship)
Toyota Field – San Antonio, TX

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

MLS debuants Austin FC came to San Antonio and left upset victims, dropping a 1-0 game to San Antonio FC of the USL Championship.

After a scoreless first half, Austin FC took the lead early in the second half on a Diego Fagundez goal off an assist from Nicky Hernandez.

With eight minutes remaining,  Justin Dhillon sent a cross into the box, and Elliot Collier beat goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell, putting San Antonio level with Austin.

Six minutes into extra time San Antonio pulled ahead when Carter Manley headed home a headed pass from Mitchell Taintor from close range. For the rest of extra time San Antonio withstood multiple good chances from Austin, and with the final whistle chalked up a Fourth Round berth. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON

Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL League One) 1:0 Real Salt Lake (MLS)
Rio Tinto Stadium – Sandy, UT

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Despite being outshot 16-5, the Northern Colorado Hailstorm held on after a second half goal to upset Real Salt Lake 1-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Northern Colorado’s “golden Goal” came in the 70th minute when Lachlan McLean headed the back out of the penalty area, and Robert Cornwall met the ball with a first touch volley right past RSL goalkeeper David Ochoa.

Northern Colorado withstood RSL’s attack for the rest of the half, and an agonizing 11 minutes of stoppage time, to take home a major upset in their debut season. For RSL, they added to an unfortunate record, as that loss, the club’s Open Cup winless streak reached seven, a Modern Era record for MLS clubs. The team’s home winless streak also tied a Modern Era record at five. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON

New Mexico United (USL Championship) 1:2 Phoenix Rising FC (USL Championship)
Phoenix Rising Stadium at Wild Horse Pass – Chandler, AZ

By Tim Abbott

Phoenix Rising and New Mexico United met for the second time in a week, with a scheduling quirk putting the two USL Championship sides together in the league four days ago. Rising emerged from that match with a win.

The home side went ahead in the Cup game in fortunate fashion after a Phoenix cross deflected off the head of Will Seymore to wrong foot the New Mexico keeper, Ford Parker.  

However, Nico Brett leveled the Cup match in the 65th minute from the center of the penalty area and Parker proved himself at the back with a point blank save.  

Nonetheless, Greg Hurst put Phoenix Rising back ahead with a deft header off the far post past the keeper and it was enough to secure the second win from two. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON

Central Valley Fuego FC (USL League One) 1:2 Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)
Heart Health Park – Sacramento, CA

By Tim Abbott

Sacramento, the home side, dominated possession and went ahead against the lower league pros of Fuego with a goal from Dan Casey just before half time, from close range after a corner was crossed in. 

Renato Bustamante tied the match up in the 76th minute from the center of the box from a cross from the reigning TheCup.us Player of the Round Villyan Bijev. But it was ultimately the USL Championship side who would advance with a penalty kick in the last minute of stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes, dispatched by Rodrigo Lopez.  [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON

Orange County SC (USL Championship) 1:5 Los Angeles Football Club (MLS)
Banc of California Stadium – Los Angeles, CA

By Tim Abbott

LAFC glided comfortably into the Fourth Round. Daniel Musovski scored two and assisted one goal, with his goals assisted by Jose Cifentes and Carlos Vela respectively. LAFC also got two from Cristian Arango (one assisted by Diego Palacios as well as the tally assisted by Daniel Musovski) and one from Cal Jennings from close range (assisted by Franco Escobar) as the MLS side showed a ruthless streak from the center of the box.

Orange County SC had a similar amount of shots to their MLS opponents, but only had four on target to their opponents total of ten. OCSC finally broke through with a consolation in the 73rd minute from Erick Torres off a corner. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON


TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2022

D.C. United (MLS) 3:0 Flower City Union (NISA)
Rochester Community Sports Complex – Rochester, NY

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

A rainy and cold Rochester greeted D.C. United for their Third Round U.S. Open Cup game with Flower City Union of NISA. The NISA rookies held firm for 73 minutes until the MLS visitors broke the game open for a 3-0 win.

The opening half ended scoreless due to the great play of Flower City goalkeeper Maykell Ortega, who faced nine shots from a D.C. United attack that included regular starters Ola Kamara and Michael Estrada.

Flower City continued to hold D.C. United at bay for most of the second half, until the MLS team finally broke through in the 73rd minute. A shot by Ola Kamara hit the post, and on the follow up shot Ortega fumbled the ball, allowing Kamara to easily head the ball into goal. D.C. then broke the game open, Nigel Robertha scored in the 81st minute, and Kamara got his second from the penalty spot four minutes later. The rest of the half quietly ran out and D.C. United booked a spot in the Fourth Round. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT

Inter Miami CF (MLS) 1:0 Miami FC (USL Championship)
FIU Stadium – Miami, FL

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Inter Miami made their way to Ricardo Silva Stadium at Florida International University for their Third Round U.S. Open Cup match against Miami FC, aka the “Miami Classico”, and had to wait until late to book their spot in the Fourth Round.

The first half started quietly with the teams tied at 0-0, although Inter Miami got a bit rambunctious with four players receiving yellow cards in a five minute span just before halftime.

Inter came out for the second half looking for the lead and almost got it. Robert Taylor and Leonardo Campana had chances in front of goal that were kept out by goalkeeper Connor Sporrow.

Inter Miami finally broke through in the 83rd minute when Leonardo Campana beat Sparrow with a shot assisted by Robert Taylor. Inter Miami held on the rest of the way, although they will be without Damion Lowe in the next round as he was sent off following a second yellow card in stoppage time. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL Championship) 0:2 (AET) FC Cincinnati (MLS)
TQL Stadium – Cincinnati, OH

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds traveled down the Ohio River to Cincinnati and put up a good fight for 95 minutes, but FC Cincinnati managed to come out with a 2-0 extra-time win.

The Riverhounds had a great chance in the 40th minute when Daniel Griffin took a shot near the left post, but Cincy goalkeeper Roman Celentano snuffed out the chance. The first half ended with Pittsburgh holding an advantage on shots at 6-3.

In the 50th minute, Cincy had a flurry of chances. Allan Cruz hit the right post with a shot, then Nicholas Markanich’s shot from the rebound was swatted away by Jamal Waite. Markanich followed up with a shot that went high of the goal. The hosts had another great chance ten minutes later when Waite was forced to make a diving save on Alvasro Barreal’s shot.

Cincinnati could have pulled ahead in the 82nd minute if not for the heroics of Arturo Ordonez. After a scramble in the box a shot by Luciano Acosta got by Waite, but Ordonez was on the goalline behind him to clear it away with a header. Pittsburgh continued to ward off Cincinnati attacks for the rest of the half, and 30 minutes of extra time was needed.

Cincinnati broke the game open in extra time. In the 95th minute, Alvaro Barreal scored on a penalty after he was fouled in the box. Four minutes later Barreal scored again on a breakaway to make it 2-0. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT

Columbus Crew SC (MLS) 1:2 Detroit City FC (USL Championship)
Keyworth Stadium – Hamtramck, MI

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The Columbus Crew traveled to a packed and windy Keyworth Stadium to face Detroit City FC of the USL Championship.

Columbus got off to a quick start when Gyasi Zardes converted a penalty kick in the 7th minute after Detroit’s Abdoulaye Diop fouled Aidan Morris of the Crew inside the penalty area. Detroit outshot the Crew 6-2 in the first half despite Columbus holding 62% of possession, and the half ended 1-0 in favor of the visitors.

Detroit got their equalizer in the 62nd minute when Maxi Rodriguez scored on a header off a cross from Antoine Hoppennot. Detroit nearly took the lead in the 76th minute when a corner kick rattled around the box before being cleared.

With five minutes to go Maxi Rodriguez put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot. Michsael Bryant was fouled in the box by Josh Williams, and Rodriguez sent the spot kick off the left post and behind goalkeeper Evan Bush.

Detroit withstood multiple Crew attacks for the rest of the game, and after seven minutes of stoppage time Le Rouge was able to celebrate their upset. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT

South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL League One) 2:0 Birmingham Legion FC (USL Championship)
Preston Goldfarb Field (Birmingham-Southern Col.) – Birmingham, AL

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The South Georgia Tormenta of USL League One came to Birmingham looking for an upset, and that’s exactly what they got with a 2-0 win over Birmingham Legion of the USL Championship.

In the 33rd minute Birmingham goalkeeper Trevor Spengenberg managed to get his fingertips on a long Torments shot, and Curtis Thorn was right there to easily put away the goal for a 1-0 lead.

Just before halftime South Georgia made it 2-0. Jamil Roberts sent a corner kick right in from the goal, and a sliding Jake Dengler easily put the ball in a wide open net.

Gabriel Cabral nearly added a third for Tormenta when his shot bounced off the crossbar in the 63rd minute. Birmingham’s attempts to pull level came to nothing, and South Georgia was on its way to the Fourth Round. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT

Union Omaha (USL League One) 2:2 Chicago Fire FC (MLS)
Soldier Field – Chicago, IL
Union Omaha advances, 5-4 on penalty kicks

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

An active first half finished scoreless, the Fire outshooting Omaha 13-5. In the 20th minute Chicago had a flurry of shots that were cleared away for corner kicks, with the final shot coming off the crossbar.

In the 53rd minute Chicago were awarded a penalty after Jhon Duran was fouled by Eddie Gordon. Rafael Czichos stepped up and put the Fire ahead 1-0.

Chicago stifled Omaha’s attack until the 68th minute when Noe Meza fired home a rocket from inside the penalty area off a defensive rebound to bring the USL League One underdogs level. Omaha had a few more chances as the half wore down, and as extra time loomed, the Fire brought on a trio of their regular starters on as subs in a bid to win the game in extra time and avoid penalties.

Extra time remained scoreless for 25 minutes when Chicago was awarded another penalty. Brian Gutierrez was brought down on the left side of the box by Emir Alihdzic, and Czichos stepped up again to convert the spot kick and give Chicago a 2-1 lead.

Just as Chicago looked to see out the rest of extra time, Union Omaha got their equalizer in stoppage time when Alex Touche put away a centering pass from Dion Acoff to give Union a dramatic equalizer.

Kacper Przybylko started off the penalty shootout, and hit the crossbar to immediately put the Fire at a disadvantage. Omaha made their first two attempts, then Noe Meza had his shot saved by Spencer Richey. The shootout was tied 4-4 after each team took five shots, and in the first attempt of sudden death, the Fire’s Miguel Navarro had his shot saved by Rashid Nuhu.

Dion Acoff stepped up for Union and easily beat Richey to give Omaha a 5-4 shootout win, and a Cinderella spot in the Fourth Round. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT 

FC Tulsa (USL Championship) 1:2 FC Dallas (MLS)
Toyota Stadium – Frisco, TX

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Using mostly a team of reserves, FC Dallas held off FC Tulsa of the USL Championship, 2-1, to advance to the Fourth Round.

Dallas’ first goal came after 32 minutes. Johnny Fenwick fouled Franco Jara in the box, and Jara took the penalty kick himself and beat goalkeeper Sean Lewis to his right for a 1-0 lead.

Ten minutes later Tulsa leveled the score. After a Tulsa corner kick the ball rattled around just in front of goal, and Bradley Bourgeois tapped in the loose ball.

Dallas took the lead back ten minutes into the second half when Szabolcs Schon sent a curling cross into the box, which was met by Jader Obrian, who beat Lewis with a light shot.

FC Dallas finished the game not allowing Tulsa any real chances to score to advance to the Fourth Round. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT

Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (USL Championship) 1:2 Houston Dynamo FC (MLS)
PNC Stadium – Houston, TX

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The Houston Dynamo welcomed the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros to PNC Stadium, narrowly avoided extra time with a stoppage-time winner.

Houston’s scoring began on a Toros mistake. Thorleifur Ulfarsson sent a cross into the penalty area and in an attempt to clear, Frank Nodarse sent the ball past his own goalkeeper for an own goal.

Houston returned the favor just minutes into the second half. In the 48th minute, a corner kick from RGV’s Michael Nelson seemed to go into the goal untouched, but was later credited as an own goal by Houston’s Teenage Hadebe.

Rio Grande Valley had a great chance to take the lead in the 61st minute when they were awarded a penalty when Frank Lopez was fouled in the area. Lopez tapped up himself to take the kick, but his shot was blocked by Michael Nelson, which bounced off the crossbar and out.

After both teams made 90th minute subs to prepare for extra time, Houston’s San Junqua rendered the extra 30 minute unnecessary as he headed home a cross from Roberto Avila in the third minute of stoppage time to advance Houston to the Fourth Round. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT

California United Strikers FC (NISA) 2:1 FC Tucson (USL League One)
Kino North Stadium – Tucson, AZ

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

FC Tucson took an early lead in the 19th minute when Giovanni Calixtro took a pass from Burke Fahling, then dribbled across the top of the penalty area before beating goalkeeper Steven Barrera with a low shot.

In the 71st minute California United drew level. Brady Treinen sent a long pass from the defensive half that found Omar Nuno. After beating a Tucson defender, Nuno sent a shot past goalkeeper Carlos Merancio to tie the score 1-1.

Just as it appeared extra time would be needed, Cal United got the dramatic winner. Cal Kurtz sent a cross in from the right side which was too high for Omar Nuno in front of goal. Substitute Ryotaro Kawashima collected the ball and fired a shot past Merancio to put his club into the Fourth Round. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT

Bay Cities FC (NISA) 0:5 San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
PayPal Park – San Jose, CA

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The San Jose Earthquakes had an easy time with NISA’s Bay Cities FC, cruising to a 5-0 victory on their way to the Fourth Round.

San Jose’s first goal came on a free kick from just outside the penalty area. Jack Skahan took the kick from the top of the penalty area and beat goalkeeper Ian Mcgrane with a shot to the top right corner. The Earthquakes doubled their lead nine minutes before halftime when Paul Marie took a shot from outside the penalty area off a rebound.

San Jose got its third in the 59th minute on a penalty after Ousseni Bouda was brought down by Jonathan Partida. Bouda took the kick himself and converted to the bottom left corner of goal.

Bay Cities did not get its first shot attempt until the 71st minute, San Jose outshooting them 23-3. Niko Tsakiris put San Jose up 4-0 in the 82nd minute. The hosts added insult to injury with a fifth goal in the 88th minute when Bouda scored his second. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT

San Diego Loyal SC (USL Championship) 0:1 Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
Dignity Health Sports Park – Carson, CA

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

San Diego Loyal manager Landon Donovan led his side into his old stomping grounds at Carson, California, but the LA Galaxy were rude hosts, running out as 1-0 winners and advancing to the Fourth Round.

The Galaxy took a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute. Kevin Cabral sent a shot off the left post, but the ball came right back to him and he was able to effortlessly put the ball in. San Diego didn’t have many chances in the opening half, which ended 1-0 in favor of the Galaxy.

The clubs traded chances early in the second half, but the Galaxy were able to subdue the USL Championship visitors and hold on to a 1-0 win. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Union Omaha equalize late, upset Chicago Fire in PKs

by

Union Omaha Chicago Fire 2022 US Open Cup Soldier Field
Union Omaha celebrate after eliminating the Chicago Fire 5-4 in penalty kicks (after a 2-2 draw) in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup at Soldier Field. Photo: Union Omaha

It took over 120 minutes and penalty kicks, but USL League One’s Union Omaha made their journey to Soldier Field and defeated Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire 3-2 (5-4 penalty kicks) in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Dion Acoff, who entered the match in the 62nd minute, scored the game-winning penalty kick in the 6th round of kicks to send the Owls into the fourth round in what is their first appearance in this tournament.

Fire Defender Rafael Czichos, who was a late addition to the Fire’s starting 11, scored each of the Fire’s goals from the penalty spot. Union Omaha was able to score each of their goals from open-play, responding to each of the Fire’s goals in combination with scores from Noe Meza and Alex Touche, respectively.

After sharing the ball in the opening moments, the Fire dominated possession in the first half.

The first action of the match came in the form of a seventh minute caution against Chicago’s Sergio Oregel for a dangerous tackle on Emir Alihodzic. Making his debut in the Fire’s first team, the 16-year-old Oregel Jr. nearly played the full 90 minutes for the Fire, coming off in second half stoppage time.

The Fire’s defense was shaky early. Union Omaha nearly broke through after Jhon Jairo Espinoza turned the ball over deep in the Fire’s own half. Omaha’s Alex Bruce cut across the penalty area with the ball, but was unable to secure a shot on goal.

Chicago Fire Union Omaha 2022 US Open Cup
Players from Union Omaha (left) and the Chicago Fire battle for the ball in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Chicago Fire FC

The Fire nearly responded with a goal of their own. After winning successive corners in the 20th minute, the ball bounced around the penalty area until it found Kendall Burks. Burks’ effort went off the post and the Fire attack was turned away.

Moments later, Durán broke through the Omaha defense and eventually found the Brian Gutierrez. Gutierrez ripped a shot on goal, which was deflected away by Rashid Nuhu.

The Fire nearly broke through on a 42nd minute corner kick. Chinoso Offor met the ball at its apex and found the target, only for Nuhu to turn it away.

The match was scoreless after 45 minutes, with the Fire controlling the ball 69% of the first half to the tune of six corners and four shots on goal. First touches let the Fire’s strikers down, while Union Omaha struggled to maintain possession once their counter was thwarted.

Chicago was finally able to jump ahead in the 53rd minute. Jhon Durán was mauled in the penalty area by a recently introduced Eddie Gordon, giving Chicago the opportunity from the penalty spot.

Union Omaha US Open Cup We Want The Cup shirt
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

The Fire’s Raphael Czichos, a last-minute addition to the starting lineup, took the penalty kick and drilled it into the right-corner of the net to give the Fire a 1-0 lead.

After exchanging possession for a few minutes, Union Omaha finally struck back when they finally got their first shot on goal.

Following a few shots that were turned away by Chicago Fire defenders, the ball fell to the foot of Omaha substitute Noe Meza in the 68th minute inside the penalty area. Meza unleashed a rocket off his right foot that found the back of the Fire net to level the match at one, earning his first professional goal in the process.

Omaha nearly struck again in the 86th minute. The ball was crossed into the Chicago penalty area before being half-cleared by keeper Spencer Richey. The ball bounced between Omaha forwards, before the Fire were finally able to thwart the Owls’ attack.

Chicago should’ve won the match in regulation. Brian Gutierrez’s 90th minute cross found the head of Chinoso Offor, who turned the ball toward the net. The ball bounced in front of goal, just missing the foot of Victor Bezerra before Omaha was able to clear.

That would be the last chance for either team in regulation.

A poor tackle from Jhon Jairo Espinoza gave Union Omaha a free-kick just outside of the penalty area in the 98th minute for the first real chance of extra time. Alihodzic struck the ball well with his right foot, but the effort was turned away by Spencer Richey.

Minutes later, Chicago Fire nearly had a goal of their own. After making a run down the channel, Stanislav Ivanov found Kacper Pryzbylko in front of goal, but the Fire’s number 11 missed his shot wide.

In the second extra time period, Meza nearly secured a brace for the Owls. After taking two dribbles in the 111th minute, Meza unleashed a rocket that was deflected away by Chicago’s Richey.

It took until the 115th minute for the Fire to regain the lead. Brian Gutierrez was tackled in the penalty area by Omaha’s Alihodzic, earning the Fire a penalty. Again, it was Czichos who buried the penalty into the right corner to give the Fire the 2-1 lead.

But Union Omaha refused to go away. In the waning moments of the second period of extra time, the Owls drew level once again. Following a run down the right flank, the ball fell perfectly to the substitute Alex Touche. Touche took his time and pushed the ball past Richey to tie the match at 2 in the 122nd minute, sending the match to penalty kicks.

Kacper Pryzbylko was the first to step to the penalty spot and the Fire striker’s shot screamed off the bar. After exchanging goals, Noe Meza’s effort was saved by a diving Richey to level the penalties at 2. Both clubs exchanged two more goals before the Fire’s Miguel Navarro had his penalty saved by Nuhu diving to his right. The Owls’ Dion Acoff stepped up to the spot and scored, securing the first USL League One upset over a MLS team in Open Cup history after winning the penalty shootout 5-4.

Chicago Fire Manager Ezra Hendrickson did not mince words in his post-match press conference when describing his team’s performance. “I don’t think tonight we displayed Chicago Fire soccer,” said Hendrickson. “It was just not intense enough. We didn’t play fast enough and I felt like we were too casual on the night.

“We warned these guys that, when you play a team like this from a lower division, they feel like they have a lot to prove. They’re gonna come, they’re gonna bring intensity, they’re gonna bring the effort and we have to match that. And I don’t think that we did that tonight.”

Union Omaha advance to the round of 32 which will be played on May 10 and 11. The round of 32 draw will take place Friday, April 22.

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Maxi Rodriguez creates smokeshow in Detroit City’s upset of Columbus Crew

by

Detroit City FC Columbus Crew 2022 US Open Cup Maxi Rodriguez
Maxi Rodriguez (airborne) and his Detroit City FC teammates celebrate after scoring a goal against the Columbus Crew in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Jon DeBoer | Detroit City FC

It was 2012 the last time an MLS side visited Michigan, the same year Detroit City FC began play in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). That year the Michigan (now Flint City) Bucks defeated the Chicago Fire in extra time. 10 years later, now playing as a pro side in the USL Championship, DCFC didn’t need extra time to upset the Columbus Crew, winning 2-1 on two second-half goals by Maxi Rodriguez to advance in their first U.S. Open Cup match against Major League Soccer opposition.

Both sides came out making calculated advances in the first few minutes, but an early foul in the Detroit City FC penalty box changed the course of the game. Aidan Morris was taken down from behind by Abdoulaye Diop, leading to a Crew penalty kick. Gyasi Zardes was able to place the penalty just past the outstretched arms of Le Rouge goalkeeper Nate Steinwascher in the 7th minute to give Columbus the 1-0 lead.

Energized by the goal, the Crew were able to dictate play for a good 15-20 minutes. That didn’t stop DCFC from making a couple of plays of their own, pressing on the counter attack but unable to break through with a clear chance. The last 15 minutes of the first half gave City a few more opportunities to level the match, but the Columbus defense was able to steer away any threats, keeping the score 1-0 Crew at halftime.

The second half started with an exciting play just more than a minute in when Zardes received a long through ball behind the DCFC back line. Steinwascher stepped up to the play and slid in to keep Zardes from being able to earn his second goal. Although it is unclear if there was contact made, the referee made no call as the ball rolled out for a goal kick. Zardes got another crack in the 60th minute as Marlon Hairston sent a cross to him at the top of the six-yard box, but defender Matt Lewis was able to just get a foot in front as Zardes’ shot was deflected skyward.

2022 US Open Cup Detroit City FC
Detroit City FC fans celebrate a goal against the Columbus Crew in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Jon DeBoer | Detroit City FC

Four minutes later, Detroit City FC found an equalizer. Upon receiving a throw-in, Antoine Hoppenot was able to fight off a challenge from Hairston and cross the ball to a posted Rodriguez, who headed the ball home to get the Keyworth crowd celebrating.

Finding themselves now level with the USL side, Columbus were not ready to sit back. Shortly after kickoff, Alexandru Matan received a pass from a sliding Aidan Morris on the left side of the box and had a quick attempt at goal, only for Steinwascher to dive and get his left hand on the ball to deflect it wide.

After multiple chances by both sides in a back-and-forth physical second half, it was another penalty that was able to give Detroit City FC the edge. Having received a cross into the box from Deklan Wynne in the 84th minute, Michael Bryant turned toward net only to have Crew defender and captain Josh Williams pull him down. Rodriguez would step to the spot and put away his second goal of the match in the 86th minute, his penalty kick hitting the left post and trickling beyond the goal line.

The Crew, knowing for certain that they need a goal to keep their team alive, pushed ahead hard in the final few minutes, but the DCFC back line held firm to help close out the match, sending the fans at Keyworth into delirium.

With the win, Detroit City FC advances to the Fourth Round for the first time in the club’s history. Their goal scorer and man of the match, Rodriguez scored his second and third goals in the US Open Cup, having scored his first for San Antonio FC in 2018 in a Second Round win over the NPSL’s Midland-Odessa Sockers FC. Meanwhile, the Columbus Crew are bounced out of the tournament in their first match for the third time in the last four seasons.

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Ola Kamara helps DC United pull away late from Flower City Union

by

Nigel Robertha DC United Flower City Union 2022 US Open Cup
Nigel Robertha of D.C. United dribbles in on goal against Flower City Union in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Mathieu Starke

UPDATE: D.C. United has fired head coach Hernán Losada

Third-tier side Flower City Union of the NISA held MLS’ D.C. United for much of the Third Round match in the U.S. Open Cup, but a 73rd-minute goal by forward Ola Kamara opened up the floodgates as the top-tier squad advanced to the next round of the domestic cup competition with a 3-0 win in Rochester, NY.

“The only goal tonight was to win, to go to the next round,” said D.C. United head coach Hernan Losada. “And at the same time, give a lot of minutes and opportunities to players who didn’t play much the last couple of weeks. So both goals were achieved.

“That’s the only thing that matters tonight. We go back to DC without injuries. Players can get match rhythm and we went through to the next stage.”

The emphatic 3-0 score sends three-time Cup winners D.C. into the Fourth Round while Flower City’s first experience in the Open Cup ends after two matches.

“We knew they would have more possession, it’s pretty typical for this type of matchup. We still wanted to go in and play our style, play forward when we can,” said Flower City Union head coach Zach Agliata.

“For the first half, I thought we played with them, up until 70-75 minutes in. I couldn’t be more proud of the guys. They battled for it and I told them they would have to. They rose to the occasion. When you get a big club coming in, the guys raise their standards.”

4-19-22 US Open Cup DC United @ Flower City Union

Both D.C. United and Flower City Union have struggled in their respective leagues and were looking for a strong performances in the Cup to jump-start its seasons.

Flower City Union has not won a match in three attempts so far in the third-tier NISA, with just a slender Open Cup win over Western Mass Pioneers in the last round as the team’s only success of the campaign. In similarly dire straits heading into Tuesday’s match, D.C. United has lost four straight MLS games after starting the season with two consecutive wins.

“It’s just that these kind of games are never easy,” Losada said. “I’ve been in a lot of those games where you might believe it’s going to be an easy game just because of the level of the opponent but when you play against a good structure, a good organization with 11 players on their own half, the most difficult thing is the first goal.”

The stand-out performer for the home team was goalkeeper Maykell Ortega. He produced a kick save on Michael Estrada from point-blank range in the 12th minute and had the wherewithal to pressure Edson Flores into sending his shot over the bar.

Estrada had another chance for D.C. in the 22nd minute after Ted Ku-DiPietro played a slicing diagonal pass into the area. As Ortega came off his line, Estrada attempted to place his shot back the way his pass came but missed wide of the post.

In the 33rd minute, Griffin Yow received a long ball over the top from midfield and gently guided the ball into the back of the net but the referee had already whistled for offside.


As the visitors piled on pressure with possession in the attacking half, they left themselves vulnerable to potential counter attacks. Flower City tried to feed Jay Lee several times as the first half wound down but the lone striker was called offside in the 37th, 39th and 40th minutes.

Ku-DiPietro did well to beat Flower City’s Lukas Fernandes and Auston Kranick in the right channel before cutting inside to take a shot. The home side’s 24-year-old goalkeeper smothered the attempt in the 43rd minute.

Flower City had a meaningful goal-scoring opportunity just before the half-time whistle. Right-back Benjamin Watson hit a long ball upfield that Lee controlled in the channel before cutting in on Tony Alfaro and unleashing a shot from a tight angle. D.C. goalkeeper Jon Kempin blocked the shot but gave up a rebound that agonized through the goal mouth with no attacking players pushed forward to crash the loose ball.

The second half carried on with D.C. controlling the run of play and Flower City looking for chances on the break. One such chance came on a rare venture forward from midfielder Jordan Saling who battled several visiting players to maintain possession before dishing the ball out wide to an overlapping Watson. With multiple targets to aim for, the full-back’s 66th minute cross was too close to Kempin.

Second-half substitute Nigel Robertha was active in the Flower City penalty area, including the play prior to the break-through goal. The Dutch forward drew defenders to him before dropping the ball to Kamara, whose shot rang off the frame of the goal. Flower City’s defense half-cleared the rebound before substitute Tyler Freeman and Drew Skundrich combined to move the ball wide to Ku-DiPietro. The 20-year-old midfielder sent a cross into the box from the right wing and Ortega bobbled the ball at his near post, allowing Kamara to crash the net and head in the game’ first goal in the 73rd minute.

In the 81st minute, Robertha doubled D.C.’s lead with a simple finish from close range. Yow did well to knock down an attempted clearance and play a pass forward to Kamara, whose square ball eluded several Flower City defenders. Robertha received his pass, took a touch outside with his right foot to create separation from center back Andriy Demydiv, and coolly slotted his shot past an on-rushing Ortega.

Despite his first-half heroics, Ortega earned a yellow card in the 85th minute for making contact with Kamara after the Norwegian forward dribbled past him. Kamara dispatched the ensuing penalty for his second goal of the night the following minute.

Agliata was full of praise for his goalkeeper and noted the work that Ortega has put in since joining the team.

“He was just incredible. We’ve got a fantastic goalkeeper coach and Maykell has picked up a lot. He came up big in this match,” he said. “I just feel bad for him that the ones that got past him, did get past him. He played really well.

“I just feel really proud of all the boys. I told them they would have to fight and they rose to it and they did fight. They earned this type of feeling, this moment. They’re all positive, which is good. They’re looking forward to Maryland .”


 

2022 US Open Cup Round 3, Day 1 Review: Two MLS teams fall, more late drama Tuesday

by

2022 US Open Cup Detroit City FC
Detroit City FC fans celebrate a goal against the Columbus Crew in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Jon DeBoer | Detroit City FC

When Major League Soccer joins the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the tournament gets a boost. The bread and butter of this 107-year-old competition is the potential for an upset with a lower division team knocking off one of the clubs from the top division. A David vs. Goliath matchup, as it’s commonly referred to.

#USOC2022 Essentials

2022 US Open Cup Results/Schedule
2022 US Open Cup Statistical Leaders
2022 US Open Cup Qualifying Results

Things you should know about the Third Round

Notable upsets in the Third Round (Modern Era)

USOC rule changes since 2019 tournament

Villyan Bijev of Central Valley Fuego voted
TheCup.us Player of the Round (Round 2) 

2022 Meet the Underdogs Series

Support TheCup.us

Appreciate what we do? Join our Patreon team
Shop TheCup.us Store
We need writers, graphics/website gurus, more
CONTACT US

On Tuesday night, the first of two matchdays for the Third Round took place and two of those Goliaths fell. Detroit City used their home field advantage at Keyworth Stadium to come from behind and knock off the Columbus Crew, while Union Omaha (USL League One) stunned the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field in a dramatic penalty kick shootout.

Elsewhere, California United Strikers scored in second half stoppage time to beat FC Tucson and advance to Round 4. Five other MLS teams received scares with four of them winning one-goal games, while FC Cincinnati was taken to extra time before eliminating the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Championship).

Round 4 will be decided by a formal draw, hosted on Thursday on U.S. Soccer’s YouTube and Twitter pages.

Check out a preview of all 13 of Wednesday’s games (with ESPN+ video links) and scroll down for a brief recap and links to a full match report for all 11 of Tuesday’s games:

D.C. United (MLS) at Flower City Union (NISA)
Rochester Community Sports Complex – Rochester, NY

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

A rainy and cold Rochester greeted D.C. United for their Third Round U.S. Open Cup game with Flower City Union of NISA. The NISA rookies held firm for 73 minutes until the MLS visitors broke the game open for a 3-0 win.

The opening half ended scoreless due to the great play of Flower City goalkeeper Maykell Ortega, who faced nine shots from a D.C. United attack that included regular starters Ola Kamara and Michael Estrada.

Flower City continued to hold D.C. United at bay for most of the second half, until the MLS team finally broke through in the 73rd minute. A shot by Ola Kamara hit the post, and on the follow up shot Ortega fumbled the ball, allowing Kamara to easily head the ball into goal. D.C. then broke the game open, Nigel Robertha scored in the 81st minute, and Kamara got his second from the penalty spot four minutes later. The rest of the half quietly ran out and D.C. United booked a spot in the Fourth Round. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON

Inter Miami CF (MLS) at Miami FC (USL Championship)
FIU Stadium – Miami, FL

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Inter Miami made their way to Ricardo Silva Stadium at Florida International University for their Third Round U.S. Open Cup match against Miami FC, aka the “Miami Classico”, and had to wait until late to book their spot in the Fourth Round.

The first half started quiet with the teams tied at 0-0, although Inter Miami got a bit rambunctious with four players receiving yellow cards in a five minute span just before halftime.

Inter came out for the second half looking for the lead and almost got it. Robert Taylor and Leonardo Campana had chances in front of goal that were kept out by goalkeeper Connor Sporrow.
Inter Miami finally broke through in the 83rd minute when Leonardo Campana beat Sparrow with a shot assisted by Robert Taylor. Inter Miami held on the rest of the way, although they will be without Damion Lowe in the next round as he was sent off following a second yellow card in stoppage time. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL Championship) at FC Cincinnati (MLS)
TQL Stadium – Cincinnati, OH

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds traveled down the Ohio River to Cincinnati and put up a good fight for 95 minutes, but FC Cincinnati managed to come out with a 2-0 extra-time win.
The Riversounds had a great chance in the 40th minute when Daniel Griffin took a shot near the left post, but Ciny goalkeeper Roman Celentano snuffed out the chance. The first half ended with
Pittsburgh holding an advantage on shots at 6-3.

In the 50th minute Cincy had a flurry of chances. Allan Cruz hit the right post with a shot, then Nicholas Markanich’s shot from the rebound was swatted away by Jamal Waite. Markanich followed up with a shot that went high of the goal. The hosts had another great chance ten minutes later when Waite was forced to make a diving save on Alvasro Barreal’s shot.

Cincinnati could have pulled ahead in the 82nd minute if not for the heroics of Arturo Ordonez. After a scramble in the box a shot by Luciano Acosta got by Waite, but Ordonez was on the goalline behind him to clear it away with a header. Pittsburgh continued to ward off Cincinnati attacks for the rest of the half, and 30 minutes of extra time was needed.

Cincinnati broke the game open in extra time. In the 95th minute Alvaro Barreal scored on a penalty after he was fouled in the box. Four minutes later Barreal scored again on a breakaway to make it 2-0. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON

Columbus Crew SC (MLS) at Detroit City FC (USL Championship)
Keyworth Stadium – Hamtramck, MI

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The Columbus Crew traveled to a packed and windy Keyworth Stadium to face Detroit City FC of the USL Championship.

Columbus got off to a quick start when Gyasi Zardes converted a penalty kick in the 7th minute after Detroit’s Abdoulaye Diop fouled Aidan Morris of the Crew inside the penalty area. Detroit outshot the Crew 6-2 in the first half despite Columbus holding 62% of possession, and the half ended 1-0 in favor of the visitors.

Detroit got their equalizer in the 62nd minute when Maxi Rodriguez scored on a header off a cross from Antoine Hoppennot. Detroit nearly took the lead in the 76th minute when a corner kick rattled around the box before being cleared.

With five minutes to go Maxi Rodriguez put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot. Michsael Bryant was fouled in the box by Josh Williams, and Rodriguez sent the spot kick off the left port and behind goalkeeper Evan Bush.

Detroit withstood multiple Crew attacks for the rest of the game, and after seven minutes of stoppage time Le Rouge was able to celebrate their upset. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON

South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL League One) at Birmingham Legion FC (USL Championship)
Preston Goldfarb Field (Birmingham-Southern Col.) – Birmingham, AL

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The South Georgia Tormenta of USL League One came to Birmingham looking for an upset, and that’s exactly what they got with a 2-0 win over Birmingham Legion of the USL Championship.

In the 33rd minute Birmingham goalkeeper Trevor Spengenberg managed to get his fingertips on a long Torments shot, and Curtis Thorn was right there to easily put away the goal for a 1-0 lead.

Just before halftime South Georgia made it 2-0. Jamil Roberts sent a corner kick right in from the goal, and a sliding Jake Dengler easily put the ball in a wide open net.

Gabriel Cabral nearly added a third for Tormenta when his shot bounded off the crossbar in the 63rd minute. Birmingham’s attempts to pull level came to nothing, and South Georgia was on their way to the Fourth Round. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON

Union Omaha (USL League One) at Chicago Fire FC (MLS)
Soldier Field – Chicago, IL

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

An active first half finished scoreless, the Fire outshooting Omaha 13-5. In the 20th minute Chicago had a flurry of shots that were cleared away for corner kicks, with the final shot coming off the crossbar.

In the 53rd minute Chicago were awarded a penalty after Jhon Duran was fouled by Eddie Gordon. Rafael Czichos stepped up and put the Fire ahead 1-0.

Chicago stifled Omaha’s attack until the 68th minute when Noe Meza fired home a rocket from inside the penalty area off a defensive rebound to bring the USL League One underdogs level. Omaha had a few more chances as the half wore down, and as extra time loomed, the Fire brought on a trio of their regular starters on as subs in a bid to win the game in extra time and avoid penalties.

Extra time remained scoreless for 25 minutes when Chicago was awarded another penalty. Brian Gutierrez was brought down on the left side of the box by Emir Alihdzic, and Czichos stepped up again to convert the spot kick and give Chicago a 2-1 lead.

Just as Chicago looked to see out the rest of extra time, Union Omaha got their equalizer in stoppage time when Alex Touche put away a centering pass from Dion Acoff to give Union a dramatic equalizer.

Kacper Przybylko started off the penalty shootout, and hit the crossbar to immediately put the Fire at a disadvantage. Omaha made their first two attempts, then Noe Meza had his shot saved by Spencer Richey. The shootout was tied 4-4 after each team took five shots, and in the first attempt of sudden death, the Fire’s Miguel Navarro had his shot saved by Rashid Nuhu.

Dion Acoff stepped up for Union and easily beat Richey to give Omaha a 5-4 shootout win, and a Cinderella spot in the Fourth Round. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON

FC Tulsa (USL Championship) at FC Dallas (MLS)
Toyota Stadium – Frisco, TX

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Using mostly a team of reserves, FC Dallas held off FC Tulsa of the USL Championship, 2-1, to advance to the Fourth Round.

Dallas’ first goal came after 32 minutes. Johnny Fenwick fouled Franco Jara in the box, and Jara took the penalty kick himself and beat goalkeeper Sean Lewis to his right for a 1-0 lead.

Ten minutes later Tulsa leveled the score. After a Tulsa corner kick the ball rattled around just in front of goal, and Bradley Bourgeois tapped in the loose ball.

Dallas took the lead back ten minutes into the second half when Szabolcs Schon sent a curling cross into the box, which was met by Jader Obrian, who beat Lewis with a light shot.

FC Dallas finished the game not allowing Tulsa any real chances to score to advance to the Fourth Round. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON

Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (USL Championship) at Houston Dynamo FC (MLS)
PNC Stadium – Houston, TX

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The Houston Dynamo welcomed the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros to PNC Stadium, and narrowly avoided extra time with a stoppage-time winner.

Houston’s scoring began on a Toros mistake. Thorleifur Ulfarsson sent a cross into the penalty area and in an attempt to clear, Frank Nodarse sent the ball past his own goalkeeper for an own goal.

Houston returned the favor just minutes into the second half. In the 48th minute, a corner kick from RGV’s Michael Nelson seemed to go into the goal untouched, but was later credited as an own goal by Houston’s Teenage Hadebe.

Rio Grande Valley had a great chance to take the lead in the 61st minute when they were awarded a penalty when Frank Lopez was fouled in the area. Lopez tapped up himself to take the kick, but his shot was blocked by Michael Nelson, which bounced off the crossbar and out.

After both teams made 90th minute subs to prepare for extra time, Houston’s San Junqua rendered the extra 30 minute unnecessary as he headed home a cross from Roberto Avila in the third minute of stoppage time to advance Houston to the Fourth Round. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON

California United Strikers FC (NISA) at FC Tucson (USL League One)
Kino North Stadium – Tucson, AZ

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

FC Tucson took an early lead in the 19th minute when Giovanni Calixtro took a pass from Burke Fahling, then dribbled across the top of the penalty area before beating goalkeeper Steven Barrera with a low shot.

In the 71st minute California United drew level. Brady Treinen sent a long pass from the defensive half that found Omar Nuno. After beating a Tucson defender, Nuno sent a shot past goalkeeper Carlos Merancio to tie the score 1-1.

Just as it appeared extra time would be needed, Cal United got the dramatic winner. Cal Kurtz sent a cross in from the right side which was too high for Omar Nuno in front of goal. Substitute Ryotaro Kawashima collected the ball and fired a shot past Merancio to put his club into the Fourth Round. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON

Bay Cities FC (NISA) at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
PayPal Park – San Jose, CA

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The San Jose Earthquakes had an easy time with NISA’s Bay Cities FC, cruising to a 5-0 victory on their way to the Fourth Round.

San Jose’s first goal came on a free kick from just outside the penalty area. Jack Skahan tgook the kick from the top of the penalty area and beat goalkeeper Ian Mcgrane with a shot to the top right corner. The Earthquakes doubled their lead nine minutes before halftime when Paul Marie took a shot from outside the penalty area off a rebound.

San Jose got its third in the 59th minute on a penalty after Ousseni Bouda was brought down by Jonathan Partida. Bouda took the kick himself and converted to the bottom left corner of goal.

Bay Cities did not get its first shot attempt until the 71st minute, San jose outshooting them 23-3. Niko Tsakiris put San Jose up 4-0 in the 82nd minute. The hosts added insult to injury with a fifth goal in the 88th minute when Bouda scored his second. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON

San Diego Loyal SC (USL Championship) at Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
Dignity Health Sports Park – Carson, CA

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

San Diego Loyal manager Landon Donovan led his side into his old stomping grounds at Carson, California, but the LA Galaxy were rude hosts, running out as 1-0 winners and advancing to the Fourth Round.

The Galaxy took a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute. Kevin Cabral sent a shot off the left post, but the ball came right back to him and he was able to effortlessly put the ball in. San Diego didnt have many chances in the opening half, which ended 1-0 in favor of the Galaxy.

The clubs traded chances early in the second half, but the Galaxy were able to subdue the USL Championship visitors and hold on to a 1-0 win. [*] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Previewing all 24 games with ESPN+ video links

by

Greenville Triumph supporters 2022 US Open Cup
Photo: Chandler Jarrell @chandlerjarrell

 

Major League Soccer teams have joined the 2022 US Open Cup with 17 teams entering the competition this week. The remaining eight US-based MLS teams will join the tournament in Round 4.

Twenty-nine lower division professional teams (15 USL Championship, 8 USL League One, 4 NISA, 2 MLS Next Pro) survived Round 2 along with two amateur teams (FC Motown of NPSL; North Carolina Fusion U-23s of USL League Two).

There are a number of juicy matchups, including Landon Donovan’s return to Los Angeles, Wilmer Cabrera’s return to Houston, a pair of rivalry matches in Florida, the first Columbus (Ohio) vs. Detroit (Michigan) matchup in decades, and New Mexico United and Phoenix Rising add another chapter outside of the USL Championship.

#USOC2022 Essentials

2022 US Open Cup Results/Schedule
2022 US Open Cup Statistical Leaders
2022 US Open Cup Qualifying Results

Things you should know about the Third Round
Notable upsets in the Third Round (Modern Era)
USOC rule changes since 2019 tournament

Villyan Bijev of Central Valley Fuego voted TheCup.us Player of the Round (Round 3) 

2022 Meet the Underdogs Series
Azteca FC
Brockton FC United
City Soccer FC
Contra Costa FC
D’Feeters Kicks SC
Escondido FC
Lansdowne Yonkers FC
Lynchburg FC
Northern Virginia FC
Orlando FC Wolves
Oyster Bay United
San Fernando Valley FC

Support TheCup.us

Appreciate what we do? Join our Patreon team
Shop TheCup.us Store
We need writers, graphics/website gurus, more
CONTACT US

All games this round, and the rest of the tournament, will be broadcasted on the ESPN+ subscription service.

As always, TheCup.us will have reporters at every game and will be providing in-game updates on Twitter (@USOpenCup) and as we have done for more than a decade, the hashtag we recommend is #USOC2022.

Below you will find a brief preview of all 24 of this week’s games with links to each broadcast:

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Flower City Union (NISA) vs D.C. United (MLS)
Rochester Community Sports Complex – Rochester, NY
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

There was once a time when D.C. United could almost be penciled for a spot in the Semifinals at the start of any Open Cup they entered. Nine out of their first 14 Cup appearances from 1996-2013 saw the club finish as a semifinalist of better. Since 2014, D.C. have fallen on hard times in Cup play, failing to advance past their second game in their last six appearances.

While this is Flower City’s first Open Cup tournament, D.C. United is well acquainted with clubs from Rochester in the Open Cup. Starting in the 1996 Final, D.C. has faced the Rochester Rhinos (now Rochester New York FC of MLS Next Pro) a total of five times. United won the first four encounters (1996 (3-0), 2000 (3-0), 2008 (2-0), 2009 (2-1)) before the Rhinos came out on top 1-0 in the Fourth Round for the 2014 competition. This will also mark the second trip to Rochester in Open Cup play for United since that 2014 loss.

Flower City earned their spot in the Third Round with a 1-0 extra time win over the Western Mass Pioneers of USL League Two on a goal from Oukas Fernandes in the 93rd minute.. It was the first ever Open Cup victory by a club from NISA (until Bay Cities FC became the second later that night, and California United Strikers and Chattanooga FC joined them the following day).

D.C. United got off to a good start to the MLS season, winning its first two games against Charlotte FC (3-0 and FC Cincinnati (1-0). After that they have lost four straight, the streak being extended this past weekend with a 3-2 loss to Austin FC where Austin scored three goals in the final ten minutes, including the winner in the 90th minute. Ola Kamara leads the team with four goals scored.

Flower City have had a rough start to their debut NISA season, losing all three of their games, scoring just once while allowing 10 goals. AC Syracuse Pulse agreed to postpone their NISA game with Flower City scheduled for this past weekend, allowing their Rochester rivals to be well rested for their Open Cup game.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Flower City Union (NISA)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

D.C. United (MLS)
22nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 33-14-7
Away: 9-9-2
vs. Division 3: 9-2-1 (1-0 PKs)
Best finish: US Open Cup Champions (1996, 2008, 2013)

Miami FC (USL Championship) vs Inter Miami CF (MLS)
FIU Stadium – Miami, FL
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

If you appreciate our coverage of the US Open Cup for the last (nearly) two decades, and want to see it grow in the future, consider joining our Patreon team by clicking above.

In 2017 as a professional club in the NASL, Miami FC defeated two Major League Soccer clubs (Atlanta United 3-2 at home & Orlando City 3-1 away) to earn a Quarterfinal date with an even bigger Cinderella story, the red hot FC Cincinnati of the USL. FC Cincinnati had knocked off two MLS clubs themselves (Columbus & Chicago), with the latter being nationally televised on ESPN in front of 33,287 fans in Cincinnati. FC Cincinnati prevailed 1-0 over Miami, earning a spot in the semifinals. 2017 was the only time Miami FC faced a team from MLS, as the following year the NASL suspended operations and Miami FC transferred its remaining players to its NPSL team. In 11 Open Cup games, Miami FC has yet to play a game outside of Florida. In fact, the only Open Cup game Miami FC has played outside of the Miami metro area was their win at Orlando City SC in 2017.

To reach the Third Round, Miami FC beat the NPSL’s Miami United FC 3-0. Goals from Adonijah Reid (30th minute) and Romeo Parker (82nd minute) added onto a 12th minute Kyle Murphy penalty.

Inter Miami have gotten off to a dismal start in the 2022 MLS season. After a season opening 0-0 draw with Chicago, the club lost their next four games in a row. They broke the streak with a 3-2 upset win over 2021 MLS Supporter Shield winners New England Revolution. Miami added to that with a 1-0 away win over Seattle this past weekend. Leonardo Campana leads the team with four goals scored.

Miami FC’s start in the 2022 USL Championship has been a little bit better. Miami is currently 3-2-1 in the USL Championship Eastern Conference, and riding a two game win streak over Hartford (2-0) and Tampa Bay (1-0). Goalkeeper Connor Sparrow is tied for second in the league with three clean sheets.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Miami FC (USL Championship)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 7-4-0
Home: 5-4-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 2-0-0
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2017)

Inter Miami CF (Major League Soccer)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Division 2: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

FC Cincinnati (MLS) vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL Championship)
TQL Stadium – Cincinnati, OH
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

Players from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and FC Cincinnati battle for the ball in a Third Round match in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Delaney Hoolahan
Players from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and FC Cincinnati battle for the ball in a Third Round match in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Delaney Hoolahan

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Cincinnati’s Open Cup history actually goes all the way back to the 1931 tournament, when teams from the Queen City began entering the Ohio district’s qualifying rounds. The teams didn’t find much success and by the end of the 1930’s the city went dormant in Open Cup play until the early 1970s. Western Pennsylvania has been part of the Open Cup from its beginning in 1914, when Braddock FC dropped a 3-2 extra time game to Bethlehem Steel on Dec. 6, 1913. Three teams from Western Penn. have won the Open Cup: Harmarville Hurricanes (1952, 1956), Gallatin (1942), and Morgan-Strasser (1949).

The Riverhounds have met FC CIncinnati once before in the Open Cup, back when Cincy was a USL club. In the 2018 Third Round, Pittsburgh lost to Cincinnati 3-1 at the Riverhounds’ Highmark Stadium.

FC Cincinnati of course had their famous Open Cup run in 2017 as a USL club, reaching the semifinals and drawing crowds over 30,000 to three of the games they hosted that year. In fact, three of the top six attended Open Cup games in history are games hosted by FC Cincinnati. The game that put them on center stage was their epic Fifth Round contest with the Chicago Fire, which was televised live on ESPN. After a 0-0 draw Cincinnati advanced on penalty kicks, and went on to push the New York Red Bulls to extra time before losing 3-2 in the semifinals.

Toby Sims Pittsburgh Riverhounds Maryland Bobcats 2022 US Open Cup
Toby Sims of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds dribbles against the Maryland Bobcats in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Chris Cowger | Pittsburgh Riverhounds

In the Third Round, the Riverhounds used a pair of Toby Sims goals on either side of halftime to get past the Maryland Bobcats of NISA 2-0. FC Cincinnati have won their opening match in each of the four tournaments they have been involved in, although their last appearance in 2019 ended in an upset road loss to Saint Louis FC in the Fifth Round. One thing in Cincinnati’s favor is the Riverhounds road record in the Open Cup, which is a dismal 3-11-2. Pittsburgh’s last road win was in 2018 (2-1 over Erie Commodores), but prior to that they had lost seven road games in a row.

The ‘Hounds record against MLS teams isn’t not much better, 1-5-0 with their only win being their very first Open Cup game with MLS opposition, a 2-0 home win against the Colorado Rapids in the 2001 Second Round.

After finishing the 2021 season with a 4-22-8 record, FC Cincinnati’s 2-4-1 start to the new season could be seen as progress, though they are in the middle of a three game-winless streak (0-2-1). Brandon Vasquez leads the team with five goals scored, which is tied for tops in the league with four other players.

The Riverhounds are in good shape in the USL Championship, sitting second in the Eastern Conference at 4-1-1, winners of three of their last five. Dane Kelly and Alberrt Dikwa each have four goals, putting them in the top five in USL-C.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

FC Cincinnati (MLS)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 8-3-2 (1-1 in Major League Soccer)
Home: 6-1-2 (1-0 in Major League Soccer)
vs. Division 2: 4-2-0 (1-1 in Major League Soccer)
Best finish: Semifinals (2017)

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL Championship)
18th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 12-15-3 (1-2 PKs)
Away: 3-11-2 (0-2 PKs)
vs. Division 3: 1-3-0
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2001)

Detroit City FC (USL Championship) vs Columbus Crew SC (MLS)
Keyworth Stadium – Hamtramck, MI
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

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: Detroit City FC

The first known meeting between the cities of Detroit and Columbus in US Open Cup play came in 1977 in the First Round. Detroit’s Macedonian FC Vardar traveled to Columbus to face Macedonian SC, and came away as 4-2 victors. Vardar would be halted in the next round by Cleveland’s Karadjordje by the same score. The only time the Crew has faced a team from Michigan was in the 2006 Third Round, when the Crew beat the Michigan Bucks (now Flint City Bucks), 4-1 in a game played in Rochester Hills, Mich.

Since its run to the 2010 Open Cup Final success has been hard for the Crew to find. In its nine tournament appearances since then, Columbus has failed to advance beyond two matches each time. Four times (2011, 2012, 2017, 2018) the Crew dropped its opening game.

Detroit City won its first Open Cup game as a professional club, defeating former league mates Michigan Stars 3-0. Matthew Lewis scored twice to add to a Connor Ruts opening goal. Maximilliano Rodriguez assisted on two goals via corner kicks. Detroit City’s previous four Open Cup appearances came as an amateur NPSL club, and during their time as a pro club with NISA, the Open Cup had been canceled.

In the early going Detroit City is showing they could make a successful move from NISA to the USL Championship, sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference at 3-1-2. Their one loss was the first game of the season, since then they have gone five games unbeaten.Goalkeeper Nathan Steinwascher has provided three clean sheets, and former MLS player Antoine Hoppenot leads the team with three goals.

Columbus got off to a good start with two wins and a draw in their first three games, but since then they are mired in a four game winless streak (1 draw, 3 losses) in which the Crew have failed to score in the last three games.. Lucas Zelarayan’s four goals lead the team.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Columbus Crew (MLS)
21st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 23-16-3
Away: 7-9-1 (0-1 PKs)
vs. Division 2: 8-2-1 (0-1 PKs)
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champions (2002)

Detroit City FC (USL Championship)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-2-4 (2-2 PKs)
Home: 1-0-2 (1-1 PKs)
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2016, 2018)

Birmingham Legion FC (USL Championship) vs South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL League One)
Preston Goldfarb Field (Birmingham-Southern Col.) – Birmingham, AL
8 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Birmingham Legion Southern States 2022 US Open Cup
Players from Birmingham Legion FC celebrate after scoring a goal against Southern States SC in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Birmingham Legion FC

South Georgia wound up playing their Third Round game at the Charleston Battery at 11 a.m. on April 7 after the game was pushed back a day due to inclement weather. In addition there were zero fans in attendance due to stadium damage caused by a previous storm. The Tormenta took advantage of the reduced home field advantage to pull off a 1-0 surprise on the strength of Athur Bosua’s 61st minute goal. The loss snapped a pair of massive streaks for the Battery. Charleston’s 14-game opening round win streak came to an end (second-longest streak of the Modern Era), along with the club’s nine-game home unbeaten streak.

Birmingham handled the NPSL’s Southern States SC Stars pretty easily in their 3-1 Third Round win. Prosper Kasim, Bruno Lapa and Marlon gave the Legion a 3-0 lead in the second half before Southern States pulled back a consolation goal. Birmingham outshot their amateur opponent 22-8.

Neither team has much Open Cup history heading into the contest. Prior to 2022, South Georgia’s lone Open Cup game was a 1-0 loss to leaguemates Greenville Triumph in the 2019 Second Round. Birmingham’s only other Open Cup appearance was in the same year, a 4-1 home win over West Chester United (then an Open Division Local qualifier), followed by a 1-0 elimination at Louisville City FC.

Birmingham have struggled to get going, currently 1-3-2 in the USL Championship Eastern Conference. The club has scored just four goals in six games, spread out among four different players.

South Georgia have played just two games in the USL League One season thus far. They opened with a 1-0 loss to North Carolina FC, followed by a 0-0 draw with Union Omaha.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Birmingham Legion FC (USL Championship)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-1-0
Home: 2-0-0
vs. Division 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: Third Round (2019)

South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL League One)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-1-0
Away: 1-1-0
vs. Division 2: 1-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2019, 2022)

Chicago Fire FC (Major League Soccer) vs Union Omaha (USL League One)
Soldier Field – Chicago, IL
8 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

 

Chicago Fire: 2000 US Open Cup champions

The Chicago Fire are a single team Open Cup record book. Four championships, two other finals appearances, seven runs to the semifinals. The only time the Fire has gone more than one tournament without reaching the semis was between 2007-2010. This has led the Fire to 13 semifinal appearances, the most in the 107-year history of the Open Cup.

The last Open Cup game played at Soldier Field was the 2000 Open Cup Final, when the Fire defeated the Miami Fusion 2-1 on a Hristo Stoichkov first half score and an 88th minute own goal by Miami’s Tyrone Marshall. Chicago’s home Open Cup unbeaten streak sits at nine games, tied for second among active streaks with Sporting Kansas City, and two behind Philadelphia Union (11). They are tied with Seattle for the longest ever Modern Era home winning streak at 19. The Fire’s all-time home record in the tournament is an impressive 26-1-2 (1-1 PKs) with their only outright home loss coming in the 2013 Semifinals, a 2-0 loss to D.C. United.

The Fire also have the most Open Cup wins in the modern era, checking in with 42 victories, three ahead of Rochester New York FC of MLS Next Pro (formerly Rochester Rhinos). Chicago’s record against Division 3 teams in the Open Cup site at 11-1-1, and the last time they were eliminated by a team from that level was in the 2010 Third Round by the Charleston Battery on penalties after a scoreless draw at home. Their only outright loss to a D-3 club was in 2009,  a 1-0 road defeat to the Wilmington Hammerheads.

 

Union Omaha Des Moines Menace 2022 US Open Cup
Players from Union Omaha celebrate after scoring a goal against the Des Moines Menace in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Trev Hellman @trevhellman

The Fire’s last Open Cup appearance ended on a down note however, a 2-1 road loss to Saint Louis FC of the USL Championship in 2019.

On the other hand, the Fire’s USL League One opponents Union Omaha have an Open Cup history that stretches…to two weeks ago. Union made their Open Cup debut against the Des Moines Menace, and dispatched the stubborn USL League Two side 2-1. John Scearce got Union level after an early Menace goal, and eventually won the game on an 81st minute own goal.

Union Omaha has two draws to its credit in its first two USL League One games, a 2-2 draw with Forward Madison followed by a scoreless tie with South Georgia Tormenta.

After a disappointing 2021 season the Chicago Fire are off to a decent start in 2022 at 2-1-4, although all four draws have been scoreless. The Fire have just five goals over seven games, so Gabriel Slonina’s five clean sheets have been much needed.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Chicago Fire (MLS)

23rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 42-16-6 (4-2 PKs)
Home: 26-1-2 (1-1 PKs)
vs. Division 3: 11-1-1 (1-0 PKs)
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champions (1998, 2000, 2003, 2006)

Union Omaha (USL League One)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Away: 1-0-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

FC Dallas (MLS) vs FC Tulsa (USL Championship)
Toyota Stadium – Frisco, TX
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The defending champion FC Dallas battled the Tulsa Roughnecks at Southern Methodist University in the Fourth Round of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: FC Dallas
The defending champion FC Dallas battled the Tulsa Roughnecks at Southern Methodist University in the Fourth Round of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: FC Dallas

The two-time Open Cup champs FC Dallas have quietly built up an impressive resume over their previous 22 appearances. Dallas have lifted the trophy twice (1997, 2016) but they have been a model of consistency by reaching at least the Quarterfinals in 16 of the club’s 22 appearances. Their 16 Quarterfinal appearances are only second all-time to the 17 held by St. Louis powerhouse Kutis SC.

The two clubs met back in the 2017 Fourth Round when FC Tulsa was known as the Tulsa Roughnecks. Current Nashville SC assistant coach Kosuke Kimura tied the game at 1-1 for Tulsa in the second half after Coy Craft’s first half goal gave Dallas the lead. FC Dallas won the game in stoppage time on a Modou Jadama (now with Hartford Athletic) own goal. This will mark the fifth time in the last six tournaments FC Dallas has hosted a team from Oklahoma. The other three times the visitors were the Oklahoma City Energy, all Fourth Round matches that FC Dallas won. FC Dallas has not lost an opening game in the Cup since their 2-0 loss in the Third Round against the Charlotte Eagles in 2012.

FC Tulsa snapped their four game Open Cup winless streak in the Second Round by winning the Tulsa Derby against Tulsa Athletic of the NPSL. Brian Brown and Ronald Gomez gave Tulsa an early 2-0 lead that held through most of the game, until Athletic cut the lead in half with fifteen minutes remaining.

FC Dallas are looking to rebound from a 7-15-12 finish in 2021, and are getting off to a good start in 2022. The club is 3-1-3 thus far and are on a five game unbeaten streak (3 wins, 2 draws). Jesus Ferreira leads the team with 5 goals and Brandon Servania has provided three assists.

FC Tulsa are currently 3-4-0 in the USL Championship Western Conference. Tulsa  is one of the top scoring teams in the league with 12, but they have allowed 13 goals. J.J. Williams leads the scoring charge for Tulsa with 4 goals.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

FC Dallas (MLS)
23rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 35-19-6 (5-1 PKs)
Home: 21-7-3 (5-1 PKs)
vs. Division 2: 19-2-2 (2-0 PKs)
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champions (1997, 2016)

FC Tulsa (USL Championship)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-5-1 (1-0 PKs)
Away: 0-4-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-1-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2017)

Houston Dynamo FC (MLS) vs Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (USL Championship)
PNC Stadium – Houston, TX
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Wilmer Cabrera Houston Dynamo 2018 US Open Cup Final
Wilmer Cabrera coaches the Houston Dynamo in the 2018 US Open Cup Final against the Philadelphia Union. Photo: Houston Dynamo

The Toros and Dynamo have had a rather unique relationship as Open Cup opponents. From 2016 to 2020 the Toros served as a “hybrid affiliate” of Houston, meaning the Dynamo were responsible for handling the soccer duties of the club (selecting players & coaches), while the ownership group (Lone Star) took care of the day-to-day operations of the club. As a result, the Toros were not eligible to the Open Cup during that time since the team were using players solely under contract with the Dynamo. In December 2020 the club parted ways with Houston, becoming an independent team, thus becoming eligible to play in the Open Cup.

The Toros do have one other connection with Houston. Their head coach, Wilmer Cabrera, led Houston to its only Open Cup championship in 2018, the first time a team from South Texas has won the Open Cup. Cabrera was in charge of the dynamo from 2016-2019. Cabrera was brought on by Rio Grande this season as their new manager.

Houston has quite a remarkable home field record in the Open Cup, having played 20 of their 30 cup games at home. 13 of their last 16 Cup games have been at BBVA Compass Stadium, including the last eight games. Their entire championship run (5 games) in 2018 was played at BBVA. Houston has lost a Cup game to a non-MLS opponent since their 1-0 road loss to the San Antonio Scorpions of the NASL in the 2012 Third Round.

Rio Grande Valley started their Open Cup history with their Second Round victory over North Carolina FC of the USL League One. After falling behind 1-0, Frank Garcia and Frank Chaves scored second half goals to lift the Toros to a 2-1 win.

In their first season as an independent club, Rio Grande Valley have bookended wins around a four game losing streak, which they snapped with a 1-0 victory over New York Red Bulls II this past weekend. Frank Lopez has four of the club’s five goals scored this season.

Houston are currently 3-1-3 and in the middle of a five-game unbeaten streak (3 wins, 2 draws). Darwin Quintero leads the team with four goals. Quintero was the goalscoring champion from the 2019 US Opene Cup with Minnesota United, netting a Modern Era-record tying six goals.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Houston Dynamo (MLS)
14th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 17-11-2 (1-1 PKs)
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Division 2: 5-2-1 (0-1 PKs)
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champions (2018)

Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (USL Championship)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Away: 1-0-0
vs. MLS: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

FC Tucson (USL League One) vs California United Strikers FC (NISA)
Kino North Stadium – Tucson, AZ
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Marcus Lee Cal United Strikers San Fernando Valley FC 2022 US Open Cup
Marcus Lee of Cal United Strikers FC celebrates his goal against San Fernando Valley FC in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Jace Medina | IG: @face.off.media

FC Tucson are looking to advance past their second tournament game for the first time since their Open Cup debut in 2013 when they reached the Third Round. 2013 was also the only other time Tucson has played multiple professional clubs in the same tournament. Opening with a 2-1 win over Phoenix FC (USL Pro, Division 3), Tucson then knocked off San Antonio Scorpions (NASL, Division 2) on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Their run ended with a loss to the Houston Dynamo of MLS 2-0.

With their first five Cup appearances coming as an amateur club in the PDL (USL League Two), Tucson played their first ever Open Cup game as a professional club in the Second Round, knocking off the Las Vegas Lights of the USL Championship 3-2. Jake Crull and Tyler Adams scored before and after a Las Vegas own goal, and held off a late Vegas rally for the win.

California United Strikers FC made their Open Cup debut in the Second Round with a resounding 5-0 win over San Fernando Valley FC of the UPSL. The star of the show was 15-year old Marcus Lee, who scored the opening goal in the 4th minute and assisted on another. Lee has his very own supporters group from the high school he attends, and is believed to be the youngest player to score an Open Cup goal in the Modern Era. Lee fell just short of being named TheCup.us Player of the Round.

Just two games into their USL League One season, FC Tucson opened with a 4-0 loss to Richmond, but rebounded to draw Forward Madison 1-1 this past weekend.

California United Strikers are unbeaten three games into the 2022 NISA season. They started with a pair of scoreless draws versus Bay Cities and Valley United, and got their first win, and goals, against Los Angeles Force this past weekend with a 2-0 victory.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

FC Tucson (USL League One)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 5-5-1 (1-0 PKs)
Home: 5-2-0
vs. Division 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: Third Round (2013 … as USL-2 team)

California United Strikers FC (NISA)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Division 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

San Jose Earthquakes (Major League Soccer) vs Bay Cities FC (NISA)
PayPal Park – San Jose, CA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Bay Cities FC Monterey Bay FC 2022 US Open Cup
Edson Cardona of Bay Cities FC celebrates his goal with his teammates in a match against Monterery Bay FC in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Lyndsay Radnedge – @el_radical_photos

Bay Cities has the unique distinction of playing at the same venue two rounds in a row as both the home and visiting team. For their Second Round match with Monterey Bay FC, neither team put in a bid to host, so the match was held at the Earthquakes’ PayPal Park, with Bay Cities designated as the home team. This time around they play as the visitors against the normal tenant’s acting as hosts.

The Earthquakes are on a four game home Open Cup winning streak that goes back to 2017. The club has had limited success in their 16 previous Cup appearances, having reached the Quarterfinals nine times but only advancing to the Semifinals twice (2004 & 2017). The Earthquakes only have had five games against division 3 opponents, going 2-2-1 (1-0 in PKs), and perhaps the most notable of those was in 1997, when the upstart San Francisco Bay Seals of the D3 Pro League pulled off a 2-1 upset.

In the Second Round, Bay Cities FC had the most dramatic win thus far in this year’s tournament. Holding a 1-0 lead on a Rei Dorwhat goal midway through the second half, Monterey Bay FC scored with three minutes remaining to tie the game at 1-1. In stoppage time Edson Cardona took advantage of a defensive miscue to score the dramatic winner.

In the very early stages of their 2022 NISA season, Bay Cities sit at 0-1-2, with two scoreless draws and a 2-0 loss to Valley United FC, and should be well rested as they had this past weekend off in league play.

The Earthquakes could not have envisioned a worse start to 2022, sitting dead last in the Western Conference at 0-4-3 and the only team in the league without a win. The Quakes will enter the Open Cup with a brand new man in charge, as the club announced they are moving on from manager Matias Almeyda.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
17th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 15-12-7 (3-4 PKs)
Home: 8-5-2 (1-1 PKs)
Division 3: 2-2-1 (1-0 PKs)
Best finish: Semifinals (2004, 2017)

Bay Cities FC (NISA)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Los Angeles Galaxy (Major League Soccer) vs San Diego Loyal SC (USL Championship)
Dignity Health Sports Park – Carson, CA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Taylor Crull celebrates with his San Diego Loyal teammates after scoring an 89th minute go-ahead goal against ALBION San Diego in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: San Diego Loyal

LA Galaxy legend Landon Donovan returns to his old stomping grounds, this time on the opposite sideline as manager of the San Diego Loyal. Donovan scored five goals for the Galaxy in Open Cup play, all in 2005 & 2006 when the club reached the Final both years, winning in 2005.

It’s been 16 years since the Galaxy’s back-to-back Finals appearances, and since then they’ve struggled to find consistent success. 2007 through 2014 saw a string of tournaments the Galaxy did not qualify for or were eliminated after just two games. 2015 saw a return to the Quarterfinals followed by a Semifinal (2016) and another Quarterfinal (2017). The last two tournaments the Galaxy were stopped by the Portland Timbers each time.

The Galaxy have faced San Diego opponents twice in their history. LA defeated the San Diego Flash of the A-League 3-2 in 1999 and 2-0 in 2000, both times at San Diego and in the Fourth Round.

The Galaxy have a four game home winning streak stretching back to 2017. They have also lost just three home Open Cup matches all time, and haven’t lost to a Division 2 opponent since 2013, when they fell in the Third Round to the Carolina RailHawks of the NASL.

San Diego Loyal won their debut Cup contest in the Second Round against NISA’s ALBION San Diego 2-1. Evan Conway gave the Loyal a 1-0 lead just before halftime , and Taylor Crull scored the game winner in the 89th minute.

The Galaxy are off to a good start in the 2022 MLS season, currently 4-2-1, and recently beating rivals Los Angeles FC 2-1 in the “El Trafico” derby. Chicarito is among the league’s leading goal scorers with five this season. Raheem Edwards leads the team with five assists.

San Diego are riding high in the USL Championship, on top on the Western Conference at 5-2-1, and are the highest scoring team in the league with 18 goals, six more than the next closest team. Kyle Vassell leads the attack with five goals, and nine other players have added their name on the scoresheet this season.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
17th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 32-17-1 (1-0mPKs)
Home: 23-3-0
Division 2: 10-4-0
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champions (2001, 2005)

San Diego Loyal SC (USL Championship)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Away: 1-0-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Rochester New York FC (MLS Next Pro) vs FC Motown (NPSL)
Monroe Community College – Rochester, NY
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

FC Motown 2022 US Open Cup AC Syracuse Pulse
Federico De Olivera of FC Motown celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against AC Syracuse Pulse in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Peter Bonilla

FC Motown has already had quite a ride despite only playing two rounds in this years tournament. Their First Round game with West Chester United was replayed when Motown’s protest of an improper substitution was upheld. Motown then won the replay on a Ryan Peterson goal in the 90th minute.

Before the replay the team was dealt an emotional blow when Sinclair Tueno was struck by a car, leaving him in a coma. Motown then pulled off an upset in the Second Round over AC Syracuse Pulse of NISA, taking the game to extra time where Federico De Olivera scored the eventual game winning goal in the 95th minute. FC Motown are one of two teams to advance from the First Round of this year’s tournament.

The Rochester Rhinos had been on hiatus since 2018 due to financial difficulties, finally returning to play this season in MLS Next Pro under new ownership and a new name: Rochester New York FC. Rochester are the only independent club in the league, and if they remain they’ll stay eligible to enter future Open Cup tournaments. In their 23 Open Cup appearances, RNYFC has played a remarkable 45 of their 63 Open Cup games at home, where they hold a 33-8-4 record. The club’s 39 Modern Era Open Cup win ranks only second behind the Chicago Fire with 42. For the last sixteen times Rochester had played in the Open Cup, they have advanced to face an MLS club, a streak that runs back to 2002.

The club has never lost to an amateur side in 19 Open Cup games, adding to that record with a 1-0 win over Lansdowne Yonkers in the Second Round. Girban Rayo’s goal in first half stoppage time was enough for Rochester to see off the amateurs. The clubs faced off in 2017 Second Round when FC Motown was a USASA club, with Rochester coming away 3-0 winners.

In the early MLS Next Pro season, Rochester is near the bottom of the Eastern Conference at 0-1-2, having played all three games on the road. FC Motown has yet to start its NPSL season.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Rochester New York FC (MLS Next Pro)
23rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 39-18-6 (3-3 PKs)
Home: 33-8-4 (2-2 PKs)
vs. Amateurs: 19-0-0
Best finish: Champions (1999)

FC Motown (NPSL)
4th US Open Cup appearance
NOTE: Merged with Clarkstown SC Eagles after 2017 season, which had 2 appearances in 2016 and 2017)
Overall: 4-2-1 (0-1 PKs)
Away:
vs. Division 3: 3-0-1 (0-1 PKs)
Best finish: Second Round (2017, 2018, 2022)

Richmond Kickers (USL League One) vs North Carolina Fusion U23 (USL League Two)
City Stadium – Richmond, VA
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

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

North Carolina Fusion U-23s are one of two teams (FC Motown the other) that have advanced from this years First Round. In the Second Round the Fusion upset Charlotte Independence of USL League One 4-2. Goals from Luis Neto and Joao Silva kept the Fusion level with Charlotte at 2-2. Tom Marriot’s 88th minute goal have NCF the late lead and William Lorentz put the game away deep into stoppage time. Richmond won their Second Round game 1-0 over Northern Virginia FC at home. The lone goal was netted by David Olden, his first goal in over four years while away from the game battling injuries.

The Fusion, who qualified as South Atlantic Division champions and USL League Two runner-up, have a rich history dating back to 1993 when they were founded as the Carolina Dynamo. The Fusion made their Open Cup debut in 1996. The club made five appearances as a Division 3 pro team before joining USL League Two (then known as the PDL) in 2004.

The Kickers and Fusion met in Open Cup play once before. In the 2006 Second Round, the Fusion (then as the Carolina Dynamo) pulled off a 1-0 upset over the Kickers. This was followed by a 3-2 extra time upset of the Seattle Sounders of USL-1. The run ended in the Fourth Round with a 4-2 loss at the Houston Dynamo, ending the teams best-ever Open Cup run.

The Kickers have been involved in the Open Cup since 1995, winning that year’s tournament as an amateur club. Their most recent deep run came in 2011 when they knocked off two MLS clubs (Columbus & Kansas City) to reach the semifinals, where they lost to the Chicago Fire 2-1. Over the years Richmond has jumped between second and third level USL leagues, having spent 2017 and 2018 in the USL, then moving down when USL League One was created. The Kickers are 13-2-1 (1-0 PKs) against amateur opponents, their last loss coming in 2017 when they were upset 1-0 by amateur side Christos FC.

Early on in the USL League One season, Richmond are 1-1-1. The Kickers opened with a resounding 4-0 win over FC Tucson, then cooled off with a 1-1 draw versus Northern Colorado, then a 1-0 loss to Charlotte this past weekend. North Carolina Fusion U-23s have yet to begin its USL League Two season.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Richmond Kickers (USL League One)
22nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 32-19-4 (2-2 PKs)
Home: 25-7-1 (1-0 PKs)
Amateurs: 14-2-1 (1-0 PKs)
Best finish: 1995 US Open Cup champions

North Carolina Fusion U23 (USL League Two)
13th US Open Cup appearance (8th as USL-2 team)
Overall: 13-12-1 (1-0 PKs) | 8-7-1 (1-0 PKs) as USL-2
Home: 3-9-0 | 1-4-0 as USL-2
vs. Division 3: 3-2-0 | 3-2-0 as USL-2
Best finish: Fourth Round (2006)

Hartford Athletic (USL Championship) vs New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Dillon Stadium – Hartford, CT
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Hartford Athletic Oyster Bay United 2022 US Open Cup
Hartford Athletic players celebrate a goal scored against Oyster Bay United in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Hartford Athletic

The New York Red Bulls have a bit of a split personality in their Open Cup history. As the Metrostars, the club reached the Semifinals four times, making a championship game appearance in 2003 (1-0 loss to Chicago Fire). When the team changed its name to Red Bulls, it went nine years without advancing past a second game, going 3-7-0 in that span. A blip of success came in 2015 with a Quarterfinal appearance, then a trip to the Final in 2017. In the two tournaments after that disappointment returned with early exits each time at the hands of MLS clubs.

Not only is this the Red Bulls first ever Open Cup trip to Connecticut, it’s alsol as the first time NYRB has played a team from the state in the Open Cup. The Red Bulls record against division 2 opponents is 7-5, although most of the losses came in the Metrostars era.

Hartford Athletic’s Open Cup history is limited to the 2019 tournament, beating NY Cosmos B 2-1 before falling to leaguemates Memphis 901 FC 4-0 in the Third Round. Dillon Stadium has been a venue for the Open Cup dating back 64 years. The first known Open Cup game at Dillon was on Nov. 16, 1958, as Hartford’s Italian American Stars won 2-0 over KS Ogniwo. This was followed on Dec. 7, 1958 with a 5-4 extra time win by the Stars over Boston Italia. The Stars fell 3-2 in the following round to eventual runners-up Fall River SC.

Hartford Athletic are off to a bad start to the USL Championship season, sitting last in the Eastern Conference at 0-4-1, the only team in the league without a win. Hartford are on a four-game losing streak, which was extended this past weekend with a 2-0 loss to Miami FC.

The Red Bulls are off to a 3-2-2 start in the 2022 MLS season. Lewis Morgan leads the way with three goals, and Frankie Amaya and Patryk Klimala have provided three assists each thus far.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

New York Red Bulls (Major League Soccer)
US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 22-20-3 (2-1 PKs)
Away: 11-13-1 (0-1 PKs)
Division 2: 7-5-0
Best finish: Final (2017)

Hartford Athletic (USL Championship)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-1-0
Home: 2-0-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2019)

Greenville Triumph SC (USL League One) vs Charlotte Football Club (MLS)
Triumph Stadium at Legacy Early College – Greenville, SC
7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

Greenville Triumph Oakland Roots 2022 US Open Cup
Greenville Triumph players celebrate after scoring a goal against Oakland Roots in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Chandler Jarrell @chandlerjarrell

Greenville just barely has more Open Cup experience than Charlotte, having played two games in the 2019 tournament, a 1-0 win over South Georgia Tormenta of USL-1, and a 2-1 loss to the Charleston Battery.

In the Second Round, Greenville hosted the Oakland Roots of the USL Championship, and came away as 2-0 victors, despite being outshot 17-9. Jake Keegan gave the Triumph a 1-0 first half lead, and Don Smart got the clincher in the fourth minute of second half stoppage time.

After dropping their first three games, Charlotte has turned around a bit, winning three of their last five, but are coming off a 2-1 loss to New England this past weekend. Karol Swiderski leads the new club with four goals, and Benjamin Bender is tops on the team with three assists.

Greenville is 0-1-1 in the early USL League One season. They opened with a 2-0 loss to Northern Colorado, then followed up with a 1-1 draw with North Carolina FC this past weekend.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Greenville Triumph SC (USL League One)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-1-0
Home: 2-1-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2019)

Charlotte FC (MLS)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Orlando City SC (Major League Soccer) vs Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL Championship)
Exploria Stadium – Orlando, FL
7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

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

Tampa Bay had no trouble in the Second Round, rolling past The Villages SC (USL League Two), 6-0. Lucky Mkosana led the way with two goals, while Jordan Scarlett, Kyle Greig, Jake LaCava and Laurence Wyke added a goal each. The 6-0 win was the largest in the Rowdies’ Open Cup history, and extended their home winning streak in the tournament to five.

Orlando City started in 2009 in USL First Division (Div. 2 pro) as the Austin Aztex, where they reached the Third Round in 2009 and 2010. Success followed them in their move to Orlando, with the peak being a 2013 run to the Quarterfinals, knocking off two MLS clubs (Colorado & Sporting KC) along the way. In 2015, the club moved up to MLS, adding to their resume a pair of Quarterfinal runs (2015 & 2018), and a Semifinal spot in 2019 where they fell to Atlanta United 2-0.

Orlando and Tampa Bay met in the Cup in the 2014 Third Round, when Orlando was in USL Pro and Tampa Bay was a part of the NASL. The Columbus Crew’s Kevin Molino scored twice for Orlando City in their 4-1 win over the Rowdies.

The Rowdies are only 1-3 against MLS teams, but that single win was huge. The Rowdies’ 1-0 upset of the Seattle Sounders in 2013 ended Seattle’s chances of becoming the first club in tournament history to four-peat, and snapped the club’s all-time record 22-game unbeaten streak. Tampa also has the second-longest road losing streak in the Modern Era, dropping their last seven road Cup games.

Orlando City are near the  top of the Eastern Conference in MLS at 4-2-2, and have a two-game win streak following their 2-1 victory over Columbus this past weekend. Junior Urso leads the Orlando attack with three goals and two assists. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese has recorded five clean sheets in seven starts.

The Rowdies have lost just once in their first seven games, sitting third in the USL Championship Eastern Conference at 3-1-3. Jake LaCava leads the team with three goals, and goalkeeper CJ Cochran has three clean sheets in his six games.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Orlando City SC (MLS)
12th US Open Cup appearance | 6th in Major League Soccer
Overall: 17-11-3 (3-0 PKs) | 5-5-3 (3-0 PKs) in Major League Soccer
Home: 11-4-1 (1-0 PKs) | 2-3-1 (1-0 PKs) in Major League Soccer
vs. Division 2: 3-2-0 | 2-2-0 in Major League Soccer
Best finish: Semifinals (2019)

Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL Championship)
10th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 8-9-0
Home: 3-8-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 1-3-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2014, 2016)

Forward Madison FC (USL League One) vs Minnesota United FC (MLS)
Breese Stevens Field – Madison, WI
7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Tim Abbott / Chuck Nolan Jr.

Osvaldo Alonso of Minnesota United FC dribbles the ball against New Mexico United in the Quarterfinals of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Minnesota United FC
Osvaldo Alonso of Minnesota United FC dribbles the ball against New Mexico United in the Quarterfinals of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Minnesota United FC

The Battle of the Birds sees Minnesota United make the short trip southeast to face a Forward side who dispatched NPSL side Cleveland SC 3-0 in the previous round.

Forward Madison are taking part in the US Open Cup for the second time after making a splash in their 2019 debut. Madison picked up a 2-0 road win over Bavarian SC in the club’s first-ever USOC game before traveling south to blank El Paso Locomotive (USL Championship) 3-0 to earn the Division 3 pro $25,000 prize money. Their run would end with a 3-1 road loss at Saint Louis FC (USL Championship).

Minnesota began as the Minnesota Stars in the USSF Division 2 in 2010 before joining the NASL the following year. The club’s only highlight during its NASL era was a 3-1 road upset of Real Salt Lake (MLS) in 2012. They joined MLS as Minnesota United FC in 2017 and after a pair of short-lived runs, United became the first team from the North Star State to reach the Final, falling to Atlanta United, 2-1

The state of Minnesota’s Open Cup history goes back deep into the roots of the current side and is highlighted by a Semifinal berth by Minnesota Thunder.

The match already marks the furthest that a Wisconsin side has made it in the Modern Era, although amateur powerhouse Bavarian United made the Round of 16 every year between 1972 and 1975, Croatian Eagles made the same round in 1943, 1944 and 1945 and Falk Field Club in 1944. However, all of those clubs are Milwaukee-based and the pedigree is not as deep in Madison.

From 1988-1991 the Madson 56ers rose to prominence, representing Wisconsin all four years in the tournament proper. In 1991, the 56ers reached the Quarterfinals where they lost to Chicago’s RWB Adria on penalties after a 4-4 draw.

Minnesota’s first entry in the Open Cup game in the 1958 tournament, when the Minneapolis Tigers were the only entry from the state. The Tigers lost to Milwaukee’s Serbian SC 2-1 in extra time, and in the following years the Minnesota entry would play the Wisconsin winner, but failed each time to get past their neighbors to the East.

Minnesota are currently 3-2-2 in early MLS play, having snapped a two game losing streak with a 3-1 win over Colorado this past weekend. Their eight goals have been spread out among six players, with Luis Amarilla and Robin Lod leading the way with two apiece.

Forward Madison has played to a draw in all three of their USL League One games. A 1-1 draw with Chattanooga was followed by a 2-2 tie with Union Omaha. This past weekend saw another 1-1 draw, this time with FC Tucson.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Forward Madison FC (USL League One)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-1-0
Home: 1-0-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-0-0
Best finish: Third Round (2019)

Minnesota United (Major League Soccer)
11th US Open Cup appearance | 4th in Major League Soccer
Overall: 9-8-2 (1-1 PKS) | 4-3-1 (1-0 PKs) in Major League Soccer
Away: 5-5-2 (1-1 PKs) | 1-3-1 (1-0 PKs) in Major League Soccer
vs. Division 3: 1-0-1 (0-1 PKs) | 0-0 in Major League Soccer
Best finish: Final (2019)

Atlanta United FC (Major League Soccer) vs Chattanooga Football Club (NISA)
Fifth Third Bank Stadium – Kennesaw, GA
7:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Tim Abbott

Pity Martinez of Atlanta United FC prepares to lift the trophy after winning the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Logan Riely | Atlanta United
Pity Martinez of Atlanta United FC prepares to lift the trophy after winning the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Logan Riely | Atlanta United

Defending champions Atlanta United enter this year’s competition having had to wait three years to defend their crown. They’ve played four games at Fifth Third Bank Stadium to the north of Atlanta. The first three wins were all against Charleston Battery of the USL Championship and they also beat fellow Championship side Saint Louis FC 2-0 in the Quarterfinals. Therefore, despite never having played a Division 3 professional side before, the Five Stripes enter this game undefeated against professional opponents in Cobb County.

Chattanooga have never faced an MLS side and only have two wins overall from seven US Open Cup appearances, although they have won three penalty shootouts.

They advanced to the Third Round with a win in a Tennessee tussle over USL Championship side Memphis 901.

The Third Round is the furthest they have ever advanced.

Atlanta’s first prominent team in the Open Cup was Datagraphic in the early 1980s. Datagraphic reached the Quarterfinals in 1979, and then the Semifinals in 1981. The club also won the 1979 National Amateur Cup.

Atlanta are 3-2-2 on the season in MLS so far, good for 4th place in the Eastern Conference. Their season has been up and down so far, alternating wins, losses and draws without putting any kind of streak together. Eight players have scored for Atlanta this season, with Josef Martinez leading with a pair of goals.

Chattanooga have drawn both of their matches so far this season, a scoreless draw with Valley United, and a 1-1 stalemate with the Maryland Bobcats. Chattanooga had this past weekend off from NISA play.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Atlanta United (Major League Soccer)
4th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 7-2-0
Home: 5-1-0
vs. Division 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champions (2019)

Chattanooga FC (NISA)
7th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-5-4 (3-1 PKs)
Away: 0-2-2 (1-1 PKs)
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-0-0
Best finish: Third Round (2014, 2015, 2016)

Louisville City FC (USL Championship) vs St. Louis CITY 2 (MLS Next Pro)
Lynn Family Stadium – Louisville, KY
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Wilson Harris Louisville City Chattanooga Red Wolves 2022 US Open Cup
Wilson Harris of Louisville City FC celebrates his goal in the 75th minute against Chattanooga Red Wolves in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Connor Cunningham

Louisville City have been one of the more successful USL Championship teams in recent Open Cup play. Louisville holds a 10-5-1 all-time record in the Cup, and are 7-0-1 with one win on penalties, with an ongoing eight-game home unbeaten streak, the third-longest active streak.

St. Louis CITY 2 is one of two teams (along with Rochester New York FC) from the new MLS Next Pro league to participate in this season’s Open Cup. Normally reserve teams of MLS clubs are not allowed entry into the Open Cup, but since City’s parent MLS club does not start play until the 2023 season they are able to take part in this year’s tournament.

St. Louis CITY 2 became the first MLS Next Pro team to win an Open Cup game with their 2-0 victory over Indy Eleven of the USL Championship. Ezra Armstrong gave St. Louis a first half lead, and Wan Kuzain padded the lead in the second half. Louisville had a bit tougher task with Chattanooga Red Wolves of USL League One, squeaking out a 1-0 win on a Wilson Harris goal with 15 minutes remaining.

The first confirmed team from Kentucky to enter the Open Cup was in the 1993 edition, when the Louisville Soccer Alliance fell to Milwaukee’s Bavarian SC, 2-0.

St. Louis is one of the legendary cities in Open Cup history, with 10 Open Cup championships having been won by teams from the city. Stix Baer & Fuller lead the way with three (1933-1935), followed by Kutis SC (1957, 1986) and Simpkins Ford (1948,1950) with two each. Ben Miller (1920), Scullin Steel (1922), and Busch SC (1988) each have one.

Louisville City are on top of the USL Championship Eastern Conference with a 5-0-2 record, and have a two game win streak after their 5-2 victory over Western Conference leading San Diego Loyal this past weekend. Louisville’s Wilson Harris is among the top goal scorers of the league with four, and goalkeeper Kyle Morton has a league leading five clean sheets to his credit.

St. Louis CITY 2 has yet to lose in MLS Next Pro, holding a perfect 3-0-0 record. Six players have shared in the clubs seven goals, with Akil Watts leading with two.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Louisville City FC (USL Championship)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 10-5-1 (1-0 PKs)
Home: 7-0-1 (1-0 PKs)
vs. Division 3: 1-0-0
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2018)

St. Louis CITY 2 (MLS Next Pro)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Away: 1-0-0
vs. Division 2: 1-0-0
Best finish: N/A

San Antonio FC (USL Championship) vs Austin FC (MLS)
Toyota Field – San Antonio, TX
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

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

San Antonio have made decent runs in their short Open Cup history, twice going three rounds deep in 2016 and 2018. In those years their tournament ended at the hands of MLS teams. In 2016, that dropped a 4-0 decision to Houston, and in 2018 FC Dallas stopped their run 1-0. Five of San Antonio’s last six Open Cup games have been at Toyota Field, where they hold a 2-1-1 (1-0 PKs) record in Cup play.

Austin has been represented four times in the Open Cup in the Modern Era. The Austin Lone Stars took part from 1997-1999. From 2008-2010 the Austin Aztex (2009, 2010) and Austin Aztex U-23s (2008) saw Cup play before the Aztex moved to Orlando. Finally, a new version of the Aztex joined the PDL in 2012, qualifying twice in 2013 & 2014 before moving up to the USL and playing in the 2015 tournament. Combined, the teams had a 5-5-2 (0-2 PKs) record in the Open Cup, with only the USL Aztex facing an MLS club, a 2-0 loss to Houston in the 2015 Fourth Round. The first Modern Era team from Austin was the Austin Lone Stars who qualified as a D-3 Pro League team three straight years from 1997-1999. 

Austin FC are in second place in the MLS Western Conference at 4-1-2, and are the highest scoring team in the league with 17 goals along with LAFC. They are unbeaten in the last four games, including a current two game winning streak. Sebastian Driussi leads the team with five goals, and Diego Fagundez is tops for Austin with five assists.

San Antonio is off to a flying start at 5-1-0 in the USL Championship, winning four of their last five games. Elliot Collier leads the team with 3 goals, and David Loera has two.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

San Antonio FC (USL Championship)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 6-3-2 (1-1 PKs)
Home: 3-1-1 (1-0 PKs)
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-1-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2016, 2018)

Austin FC (Major League Soccer)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Division 2: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Real Salt Lake (Major League Soccer) vs Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL1)
Rio Tinto Stadium – Sandy, UT
Kickoff: 9:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Northern Colorado Hailstorm Colorado Springs Switchbacks 2022 US Open Cup
Players from Northern Colorado Hailstorm (white) and the Colorado Springs Switchbacks battle for the ball in their Second Round match in the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Northern Colorado Hailstorm

Northern Colorado had the odd distinction of their debut Open Cup match also being their first-ever match as a club. Despite being outshot 25-9 by the host Colorado Springs Switchbacks, the Hailstorm pulled off the 1-0 upset in extra time on Jerry Desdunes’ goal in the 96th minute.

Real Salt Lake has just two notable Open Cup runs in their 11 previous appearances. In 2013 they reached the Final, losing 1-0 to D.C. United. Then in 2015, RSL reached the Semifinals. RSL’s last three tournaments have been “one and done” for the club, and since their 2015 Semifinal appearance, the club has not won a game outright in five attempts. On the bright side, RSL is 3-0-1 against division 3 opponents, but their overall cup record is just 9-10-2 (1-1 PKs).

The first known Utah club to participate in the Open Cup was Hellas All Stars of Salt Lake City, who fell to Maccabee AC (Los Angeles) 7-1 in the Second Round of the 1975 tournament.

Northern Colorado are 0-1-1 in USL League One so far. They opened the season with a 1-1 draw against Richmond, and this past weekend fell 2-1 to Charlotte.

RSL sit at 3-2-3 in the Western Conference of MLS. A previous three game winning streak was stopped by a loss and two draws. RSL hit a brick wall this past weekend, getting pounded by New York City FC, 6-0. RSL’s 10 goals are spread out among seven different players, with Tata Schmidt and Bobby Wood the leaders with two each.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Real Salt Lake (MLS)
12th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 9-10-2 (1-1 PKs)
Home: 9-5-2 (1-1 PKs)
vs. Division 3: 3-0-1 (1-0 PKs)
Best finish: Final (2013)

Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL League One)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Away: 1-0-0
vs. Major League Soccer: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Phoenix Rising FC (USL Championship) vs New Mexico United (USL Championship)
Phoenix Rising Stadium at Wild Horse Pass – Chandler, AZ
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

New Mexico United celebrates their penalty kick win over Phoenix Rising FC in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Michael Rinconn | PHXRisingFC.com
New Mexico United celebrates their penalty kick win over Phoenix Rising FC in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Michael Rinconn | PHXRisingFC.com

Phoenix Rising has struggled in its six Open Cup appearances, holding a 5-4-2 (0-2 PKs) record, while holding a 2-4-1 (0-1 PKs) record at home. They are 1-2-1 (0-1 PKs) against teams from their own league or division.

New Mexico United’s debut Open Cup appearance in 2019 was a history-making one that ended in the Quarterfinals. On their way they defeated Phoenix Rising in the Second Round on penalties, then knocked off Colorado Springs Switchbacks 2-1 in extra time. In the Fourth Round, NMU took down their first MLS opponent, defeating the Colorado Rapids on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Up next was a 2-1 win over FC Dallas. The run came to a halt with a 6-1 loss to Minnesota United. All five of New Mexico’s Cup games have been on the road, and if they advance this year they will be visitors as well since their agreement with Isotope Park allows for only USL Championship games.

Phoenix holds a 3-2-0 advantage over New Mexico United in USL Championship play since 2019. The teams will be very familiar with each other as they played a USL Championship game at Phoenix on April 16. Phoenix came out on top 1-0, and avoided a draw in the final minute when Phoenix goalkeeper Benjamin Lundy saved a penalty kick from New Mexico’s Chris Wehan.

Phoenix had a hard time with Valley United FC (NISA) in the Second Round. Claudio Repetto broke the scoreless draw after 115 minutes to give Phoenix a 1-0 win. New Mexico United had a much easier time with their second round opponents, defeating the NPSL’s Las Vegas Legends, 5-0. Four different players scored for New Mexico, with Jerome Kiesewetter leading the way with a pair of goals.

Phoenix’s win over New Mexico this past weekend moves them to 4-2-0, while New Mexico drops to 2-1-2in the USL Championship. Phoenix now has a three game winning streak, while New Mexico has gone winless in its last three games (2 draws, 1 loss). Luis Seijas leads Phoenix in scoring with three goals, while Aodhan Quinn has added three assists. New Mexico’s scoring is lead by Nico Brett with three goals, and Harry Swartz with two.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Phoenix Rising FC (USL Championship)
7th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 5-4-2 (0-2 PKs)
Home: 2-4-1 (0-1 PKs)
vs. Division 2: 0-1-1 (0-1 PKs)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2014)

New Mexico United (USL Championship)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-1-2 (2-0 PKs)
Away: 2-1-2 (2-0 PKs)
Division 2: 2-0-1 (1-0 PKs)
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2019)

Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship) vs Central Valley Fuego FC (USL League One)
Heart Health Park – Sacramento, CA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

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
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

Sacramento are nearly unbeaten at home in the Open Cup, carrying a 13-1-0 record with an active eight-game home winning streak dating back to 2017, the longest current streak of its kind.

Sacramento has gone as deep as the Fifth Round on two occasions, in 2017 and 2018. Each time they knocked off MLS opposition, 3-1 over Real Salt Lake in 2017, and a 2-1 extra time win over Seattle in 2018. The Fuego will be the first division 3 opponents Sacramento has faced in their Open Cup history.

The Central Valley Fuego are a new team in USL League One, and if the name sounds familiar, it’s a nod to the Fresno Fuego of USL League Two fame (then PDL). The Fresno Fuego made four Open Cup appearances between 2003 and 2017.

Central Valley reached the Third Round with a 4-1 dismantling of El Paso Locomotive of the USL Championship. TheCup.us Player of the Round Villyan Bijev scored twice and assisted on another. Nathan Smith and Christian Chaney had the other Fuego goals.

Sacramento had no trouble beating the Portland Timbers U-23s, 6-0 in the Second Round. Sacramento held a 6-0 lead at halftime and eased up in the second half so as not to run up the score on the youngsters.

Central Valley are 1-0-1 in USL League One. They opened the season with a 2-0 win over Greenville, and then pulled out a 3-3 draw against Charlotte when Bijev scored the tying goal in stoppage time.

Sacramento are 3-1-1 in the USL Championship, and are unbeaten in their last three games (2 wins, 1 draw). Douglas Martinez and Rodrigo Lopez share the team lead in goals scored with two apiece.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)
7th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 14-5-1 (0-1 PKs)
Home: 13-1-0
vs. Division 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: Fifth Round (2017, 2018)

Central Valley Fuego (USL League One)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Division 2: 1-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Los Angeles FC (Major League Soccer) vs Orange County SC (USL Championship)
Banc of California Stadium – Los Angeles, CA
10:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Benny Feilhaber of LAFC celebrates a goal against the Sacramento Republic in the Fifth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: LAFC
Benny Feilhaber of LAFC celebrates a goal against the Sacramento Republic in the Fifth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: LAFC

Los Angeles FC has a long way to go to catch up to the Galaxy, but in their two Open Cup appearances so far they’re off to a good start. Their debut in 2018 saw them reach the Semifinals where they were eliminated by the Houston Dynamo on penalties after a 3-3 draw. In 2019 all three of their opponents were from MLS, and after knocking off Real Salt Lake and the San Jose Earthquakes, LAFC fell to the Portland Timbers 1-0 in the Quarterfinals. Of the seven Open Cup games LAFC has played, five have been at Banc of California Stadium, and they have a 4-1 record there.

LAFC also has a historical hill to climb to reach the heights set by the Open Cup champions of Los Angeles. Leading the way is Maccabee AC with five Championships (1973, 1975, 1977, 1978 & 1981), tied with Bethlehem Steel and Fall River Marksmen/New Bedford Whalers for the most Open Cup titles in history. Other LA winners include the Los Angeles Galaxy (2001, 2005), Los Angeles Kickers (1958, 1964), and McIlvaine Canvasbacks (1959)

Orange County has yet to defeat an MLS club in the Open Cup, losing all three games. Their last MLS opponent was the LA Galaxy in the 2017 Fourth Round, which ended 3-1 in favor of the Galaxy. All of Orange County’s 15 Open Cup games have been played against teams from California.

Orange County got to the Third Round with a convincing 5-2 win over LA Force of NISA. Five different players scored for OCSC.

Orange County are in the bottom half of the Western Conference in the USL Championship at 1-2-2, going three games without a win (2 draws, 1 loss). Milan Iloski and Sean Okoli have four of the team’s five goals, each with two.

Los Angeles FC are off to a great start at 5-1-1, winning four of their last five, good for first place in the Western Conference. The LAFC’s 17 goals are tied with Austin FC for most in the league. Carlos Vela leads the team with four goals, with the other 13 spread out among nine other players.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Los Angeles FC (Major League Soccer)
3rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 5-1-1
Home: 4-1-0
vs. Division 2: 2-0-0
Best finish: Semifinals (2018)

Orange County SC (USL Championship)
10th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 6-7-2 (0-2 PKs)
Away: 3-4-1 (0-1 PKs)
vs. MLS: 0-3-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2017)

Copyright © 2026 • Built by Jacob Martella Web Development