Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2023 US Open Cup

2023 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 3 Review: 18 teams move on to final round

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Brockton FC United (white) battle Unations FC in the Third Round of the Open Division Qualifying tournament for the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Mass Soccer
Brockton FC United (white) battle Unations FC in the Third Round of the Open Division Qualifying tournament for the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Mass Soccer

The start of the FIFA World Cup may have paused professional soccer around the world but not everything is on hold. Across the country 36 teams played last weekend looking to inch one step closer to the 108th US Open Cup tournament.

The Third Qualifying Round for 2023 saw 18 games played in 13 states and the District of Columbia. Only California and Florida saw more than one game played over Saturday and Sunday speaking to how spread out the games were. Some teams traveled long distances, reaching as far as 700 miles between opponents, while others simply needed to pay a toll to cross a New York City borough bridge.

Of the team’s competing in the third round ten competed in the 2022 tournament (in some form). Only seven of this group survived to keep their chances of a return alive for at least one more month.

The winners from this round move on to December’s fourth and final qualifying games. Those will take place between November 17-18 with the winners advancing to the tournament proper.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19

Florida Premier FC (UPSL / USASA)
2:4
Club de Lyon (NISA Nation)
Young Pine Park; Orlando, FL
MATCH VIDEO

By Tim Abbott

NISA Nation’s Club de Lyon took a topsy-turvy affair in Orlando. Florida Premier from Tampa, and the UPSL, took the short trip across Central Florida and took the lead in the 5th minute from a direct free kick. CDL equalized in the 26th minute, after a searching cross into the box made it to the far post for a tidy finish by Felipe Hurtado.

Florida Premier took back the lead in the 55th minute after a corner kick was headed in. Club de Lyon returned the favor only five minutes later from Mateo Borelli. The NISA Nation region champions finally got in front behind two goals from Kewin Duque, with the final one coming off a good cross in the 63rd minute.

(At the time of publication, Florida Premier had not responded to confirm goal scorers)

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Chicago House AC (Midwest Premier League / USASA)
2:1
Metro Louisville FC (UPSL)
Woehrle Athletic Complex; Jeffersonville, IN

By Katherine Reed

Chicago House AC took a step toward qualifying for the US Open Cup for the first time with a 2-1 road win over the UPSL’s Metro Louisville FC.

It was a brisk 37 degrees when House and Metro kicked off at Woerhle in Jeffersonville, Ind. The match started off chippy, and early on (9th min.) House was awarded a penalty when a collision between the Metro keeper and House’s Nico Williams was deemed a foul. Seo In Kim converted the penalty while William was taken by ambulance for treatment for a facial injury.

The match was back and forth until Metro equalized in the 28th minute when Erbin Trejo hit home with a short range shot. The equalizer energized the home side and possession leaned their way until the match took another turn.

In the 36th minute, a scuffle broke out when Chicago’s AR Smith committed a foul in his defensive third and his teammate, Daniel Hayes, physically interjected himself. It took five minutes for the officiating team to work out who deserved a card and, surprisingly, only the one red card was given to Hayes.

Despite going down a man, House was spurred on by Kim who was constantly pressing Chicago forward. Heath Martin shut down any chances Metro had down their right side. Frustration became more apparent from Metro with several players spending quite a bit of time on the ground. In the 65the minute, Metro received their own red card when Trejo picked up his second yellow card. About 10 minutes later, saw the ball in the back of the net from a deflected shot by Jedidiah McCloud and House celebrating what would ultimately be the game-winner.

Match Broadcast:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12CIyzdUjI8

Match Broadcast (Spanish feed):

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D10 Lions FC (National Soccer League / USSSA)
0:2 (74’)
D’Feeters Kicks Soccer Club (UPSL)
Lake Ridge High School; Mansfield, TX
Match abandoned in 74th min. after D10 Lions player spit at referee

By Adam Uthe

The Third Round qualifying match for the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup between D10 Lions FC and D’Feeters Kicks SC was abandoned in approximately the 74th minute. With D’Feeters leading 2-0, they advanced to next month’s Fourth Qualifying Round. The early ending was after D10 Lions player Ran Vahnono spat in the direction of the referee after receiving a red card for violent conduct. After the referee announced the match was being abandoned, a player kicked him and made contact with his heel.

The red card to Vahnono came after he shoved a D’Feeters player standing over the ball, waiting to take a free kick. Once the red card had been raised, Vahnono’s teammates Farid Orellana and Oscar Romero both came between Vahnono and the referee. The official looked ready to raise his arm for another card as the group’s tensions raised. Moments later, after the interaction, the official blew his whistle to declare the match abandoned.

Click here for the full match report from Adam Uthe

Match Broadcast (Spanish)
First half: https://www.facebook.com/Heynz1991/videos/1105534000156516/
Second half: https://www.facebook.com/Heynz1991/videos/1801508833545292/

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Nova FC (Eastern Premier Soccer League / USASA)
1:0
DCFC (DC Premier League / USASA)
Jelleff Recreation Center; Washington, D.C.

By Sam Luebke

Northern Virginia FC (Eastern Premier Soccer League/USASA) battled the elements, a small pitch and a determined and well organized DCFC (DC Premier League/USASA) team to gain a victory and continue their campaign to qualify for the 2023 US Open Cup.

It was a chilly and damp 41 degrees at kickoff at Jelleff Recreation Center in D.C. The pitch is a cozy 100 x 62.5. Perhaps for these reasons, and maybe a bit of US Open Cup nerves, much of the play in the first half was choppy and disconnected. NoVa FC had trouble maintaining possession and getting into a rhythm. It was obvious NoVa FC were having trouble adapting to the tight confines and used to having a bit more time and space on the ball. DCFC defended bravely and with good structure. There were few high-quality scoring opportunities generated until the very end of the first half.

These conditions and pitch favored DCFC’s direct approach. They had the better chances that emerged in the first half, including a couple of credible efforts, taking advantage of the small pitch, from just inside NoVa FC’s half.

However, Northern Virginia’s quality shone through in the 42nd minute when a neat one touch outside of the right foot pass by Ahmed Sheta and a neat turn and clean finish by Vagner Marquis gave NoVa a lead going into halftime.


DCFC faced a difficult road in their comeback attempt as NoVa FC had posted clean sheets in their previous two US Open Cup qualifiers. NoVa FC keeper Tyler Back continued his streak and posted a third shutout as his defenders closed the door on DCFC in the second half. NoVa FC adjusted to the pitch and were much better integrated and generally looked more confident in the half. They were denied a second goal on a tight offsides call in the 51st minute.

DCFC had two solid scoring chances, but their touch betrayed them in front of goal. The game ended on an exciting note as Tyler Back left the box with the ball in his hands to join a fracas, deep in stoppage time. After a quick conference with the officials to discuss if the ball was in play, DCFC was awarded a free kick dead center, right on the 18. But the wall did its job and NoVa FC moved on to the next round in their quest to qualify for the second year in a row.

Highlights:

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Oyster Bay United FC (UPSL)
1:4
Lansdowne Yonkers FC (Eastern Premier Soccer League / USASA)
Tibbetts Brooke Park; Yonkers, NY

Lansdowne Yonkers secured their spot in the next round of the qualifying tournament with a 4-1 win over Oyster Bay United. Despite the cold, more than 100 fans turned out for the cup tie and they were treated to some wonderful soccer. Joseph Devivo gave Lansdowne the lead in the 33rd minute from a beautiful volley just outside the six yard box. They would take the lead into halftime.

Lansdowne nearly doubled their lead in the opening minute of the second half but were denied by a good save from Oyster Bay goalkeeper and captain Jean Carlo Perez. Shaquile Sanchez would double Landsdowne’s lead in the 61st minute after a shot rebounded to him and left him right in front of goal with just the keeper to beat. Julio Espinal would give Oyster Bay United a deserved goal in the 65th minute after beating Landsdowne down the right flank and slotting home. Shawn Genus would add the finishing touches as he scored goals three and four for Landsdowne. His fourth was from a tight angle near the touch line but he managed to beat Jean Carlo Perez.

“There is always a winner and always a loser,” said Oyster Bay United head coach Josue Esqueche. “We need to go back to train and see what we need to get better and what we need to reinforce. I’m just happy for the guys. We did everything we could to be in the main cup.”

“The most pleasing aspect of the way we played wasn’t actually the goals, it was the way we defended,” said Landsdowne assistant coach Craig Purcell. “The intensity that the boys worked out of possession to get the ball back and then feed it to the players in attack to score goals. That’s where the goals come from.”

Match Broadcast:

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IASC Boom (Rochester District Soccer League / USASA)
1:2
SC Vistula Garfield (Garden State Soccer League / USASA)
Athenia Steel Recreation Complex; Clifton, NJ

By Josh Hakala

SC Vistula Garfield scored a late goal to edge IASC Boom, 2-1 to advance to the final round of qualifying for the 2023 US Open Cup.

IASC Boom, the reserve team for the UPSL’s Roc City Boom in Rochester, N.Y., were happy to play a road game in Clifton, N.J. with the amount of snow back home being measured in feet rather than inches.

Vistula Garfield opened the scoring about 10 minutes into the game with some build up on the left wing. Nick Kozdron collected the ball and played a long pass to the far post where Dean Wright had made a nice run. Wright played the ball back across goal to Wojciech Piwowarczyk who headed the ball into the back of the net.

IASC Boom answered midway through the second half when a Vistula corner kick was headed out by Dom Francis. IASC Boom’s Ayub Jeylani collected the ball and dribbled up to midfield where he played a through ball to Austin Gerber who scored to level the game at 1-1.

Vistula, who are undefeated in the Garden State Soccer League’s Super Division, kept their unbeaten run alive with a game-winner with about 10 minutes left in the match. Just like the first goal, it was created from the left wing. Viktor Pervushkin beat a few defenders down the line and managed a low, hard cross. The IASC Boom goalkeeper dove out to punch the ball, but punched it right to former pro Christopher Karcz. The former New York Red Bulls player controlled the ball and finished inside the six yard line.

Vistula, a club with a 70-year history, are now one win away from qualifying for the US Open Cup for the first time in the Modern Era (1995-present).According to TheCup.us records, Vistula Garfield has participated in the tournament as far back as 1971.

Match Broadcast:

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Escondido FC (UPSL)
3:7
Orange County FC (UPSL)
Lake Forest Sports Park; Lake Forest, CA

By Kathryne Padilla

A late comeback from Orange County FC resulted in a 7-3 victory over Escondido FC in the third qualifying round of the U.S. Open Cup.

“Escondido FC is a great team,” said Orange County FC head coach Paul Caligiuri. “But certainly from the OCFC side, going down to zero and coming back and winning this game. It says a lot about our character as a group, and the depth of our team was a tough game all around.”

Just seconds after starting the match, Escondido FC created a play with a header aimed directly at the goal but was blocked by Orange County FC’s keeper. Multiple close opportunities would follow suit after for Escondido as they held most of the possession for the duration of the half.

Frustration loomed over most of Orange County FC’s players, and the tension seemed to grow between each other as they worked to regain composure.

Escondido’s Raymond Soro would find fellow teammate Robert Guerrero Escobedo’s feet, who would go one-on-one with OCFC’s goalie. A simple chip over the goalkeeper’s shoulder would put Escondido in the lead.

A few minutes after Escobedo’s goal, Marcos Celestino would lengthen Escondido’s lead to 2-0 in the 43rd minute.

The first half would end shortly, with OCFC falling into a deficit.

As the second half commenced, there was a noticeable change in attitude for all of OCFC’s players. Finally holding their shape, OCFC pushed pressure on Escondido’s defense.

“Certainly, in the first half, Escondido worked way harder than OCFC, and they capitalized on their chances. And you know, we had a nice talk at halftime, a realization that’s either come back from a two-zero deficit or you go home, and if you don’t want to go home, we knew that we had to score relatively quickly in the second half when we did so. And I think that lifted,” Caligiuri said.

However, the game’s intensity remained, and in an attempt to score, one of OCFC’s players collided with Escondido’s goalie, Juan Barragan. At this time, the game was delayed for a brief moment to check on Barragan. At this time, a discussion between the OCFC head coach and a referee occurred but resulted in Caliguri being awarded a yellow card.

Throughout the match, players from both teams were given several warnings for fouls they had committed, but at this time of the match, no yellow cards were given out.

When the second half resumed, in the 61st minute, OCFC Jonathan Joel Umana would start a long run for his team after completing a pass from Lorenzo La Violette, bringing the score 2-1.

Not long after, in the 68th minute, La Violette would add himself to the list of goal scorers and tie the game. However, just a few minutes later, Jose Montes De Oca would bring OCFC into the lead in the 70th minute with a shot to the upper left corner of the goal.

The match favored OCFC with a score of 3-2.

Just a goal away from tying the game, a red card was awarded to Escondido FC’s Joshua Hernandezin the 77th minute. It was unclear what Hernandez was awarded the card for, but it dealt with some misconduct.

With just 10 players on the field and time running out. In the 90th minute of the match, Escondido’s Yerry Mendez was able to get that final goal to tie the match at 3-3. Six extra minutes were added to the regulation period but would end with the game going into extra time.

In the 93rd minute, OCFC’s Montes De Oca would gain his second goal of the evening, giving his team the lead early into extra time. Montes De Oca did not stop there; in the 100th minute, he completed his hat trick for the match, which resulted in a 5-3 lead.

Right before the extra time half, OCFC Miguel Moreno Rodriguez would follow Montes’ energy and add to their lead. In the 115th minute, Rodriguez gives OCFC a 6-3 lead over Escondido.

After a quick half, the remaining 15 minutes of extra time continued. Escondido FC battled to get any opportunities to create a comeback. But in the 127th minute, OCFC’s Umana would solidify his team’s win with a final goal bringing their victory to 7-3.

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20

Olympians FC (UPSL)
1:3 (AET)
UDA Soccer (UPSL)
UDA at New Mexico State University; Las Cruces, NM

By Josh Hakala

A pair of UPSL clubs squared off with the hosts, UDA Soccer, overcoming an early deficit to score three straight goals to beat Olympians F, 3-1.

It was the visitors from Arizona who struck first when Eddie Jasso caught the UDA goalkeeper off his line. Jasso launched a shot from near midfield and beat the keeper to give the Olympians an early lead.

The Olympians appeared to be cruising with a 1-0 lead but the game changed in the 75th minute. An Olympians player received his second yellow card and was sent off leaving the visitors down a man for the final 15 minutes. It looked as though the shorthanded Olympians were going to survive, but in the 87th minute, Marco Millan delivered an impressive cross and the equalizer was headed home by Jose “Jay” Mustielis to tie the game.

The game remained tied into the second extra time when the Olympians received another blow to their chances of advancing. Another player received a second yellow card, bringing them down to nine men. UDA would finally take advantage with about five minutes remaining when Will Hansen delivered a ball from the right side of the field to Keane Garcia, who headed it past the goalkeeper.

Two minutes later, UDA, Alan Vargas Gudino connected on a cross to make it 3-1 and that’s how the score would finish.

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Brockton FC United pose for a team photo before their match vs. Unations FC in the Third Round of the Open Division Qualifying tournament for the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Mass Soccer
Brockton FC United pose for a team photo before their match vs. Unations FC in the Third Round of the Open Division Qualifying tournament for the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Mass Soccer

Unations FC (UPSL)
2:5
Brockton FC United (Bay State Soccer League / USASA)
Randolph High School; Randolph, MA

Unations FC, in their third attempt at US Open Cup qualifying, visited Brockton FC, who are looking for their second consecutive trip to the Open Cup proper, at Randolph High School in Randolph, Mass. Two goals and two assists from Antonio Correia would see Brockton FC win the contest 5-2.

Brockton’s Antonio Correia, assisted by Ro, opened the scoring in the 32nd minute. The home side would increase their lead in the 40th from Kily, with a low strike to the far post. Brockton led 2-0 going into halftime.

The second half was busier, staring almost immediately. Unation’s Richie Rivera cut the lead to one with an assist from Patrick Ejide in the 46th. Michael Mohamed would equalize in the 56th with a chip over the top of the Brockton GK. Brockton would find the right answers starting in the 70th minute from Leonardo Teixeira, assisted by Antonio Correia to regain the lead at 3-2. The pair would reverse roles in the 80th when a Texeira pass led to Correia’s second goal of the day to lead 4-2. A late insurance goal in the 88th, a second Correia assist found Euclides Mendoca to seal the deal.

Brockton FC is now one win away from back-to-back US Open Cups. A victory in the “Win and You’re In” round, Dec. 17-18 will send them through.

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Players from West Chester United and Vereinigung Erzgebirge (green) battle for the ball in their Third Round Open Division Qualifier for the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Matt Ralph | BrotherlyGame.com
Players from West Chester United and Vereinigung Erzgebirge (green) battle for the ball in their Third Round Open Division Qualifier for the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Matt Ralph | BrotherlyGame.com

West Chester United SC (USL of Pennsylvania / USASA)
4:0
Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USL of Pennsylvania / USASA)
Vereinigung Erzgebirge Clubhouse; Warminster, PA

West Chester United SC cruised to a 4-0 victory over Vereinigung Erzgebirge. Early pressure from West Chester put their oppononets on the backfoot from the start. The cold and wind did not yield a beautiful game, but there were many well-worked opportunities by both teams in the first half. West Chester took the lead on a penalty by Derek Ramirez in the 11th minute and later doubled their lead in the 18th minute through Finn Reese, who was later to be named man of the match. VE had a great opportunity cleared right in front of goal a few minutes before halftime, but they could not find the goal they needed.

The second half saw United pull away and cement their place in the next round. Mason Miller gave his team their third goal of the afternoon in the 61st minute and later Reese set up Jake Gosselin to round out a complete 4-0 victory. There were opportunities for Verinigung Erzgebirge but they could not find a way back into the game.

Afterwards, West Chester United coach Blaise Santangelo was pleased with the win despite the touch conditions away from home. “When we come here we’re not looking for pretty points because they are going to constantly run at you for 90 minutes. You just have to find a way to get a ball over the line.”

Meanwhile Vereinigung Erzgebirge coach Rob Oldfield lamented the poor start by his team. “Giving up the early was terrible. It just put us down. Heads went down and we didn’t respond well.” Many at the club hope to return to the competition next year.

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Azteca FC (Colorado Super League / USASA)
5:1
Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake (Colorado Super League / USASA)
Wheat Ridge High School; Wheat Ridge, CO

On a cold, snowy Sunday at Wheat Ridge High School, Azteca FC visited AC Sloans Lake in a 3rd qualifying round game. Azteca are looking for their 4th tournament proper appearance (2017, 2018, 2022); Sloans Lake is looking for their first appearance. Azteca would win this contest by a 5-1 score line.

This one began with both teams helping to clear the snow-covered ground so the game could even be played.


Azteca FC, opened the scoring off of a goalpost rebound from a Sloans Lake effort in the 21st minute from Anthony Miranda. In the 34th, Freddy Fragozo increased the lead to 2-0, sending the Sloans Lake keeper the wrong way on a PK. Freddy Fragozo would get his brace just two minutes later, in the 36th. With a 3-0 halftime lead, it appeared to be cruise control for Azteca from then on.

The second half saw a little more joy from the hosts, pulling a goal back by Adam Everett in the 75th minute and reducing the deficit to two goals. Azteca found more late goals when Jovany Herrera hit a double in the 82nd and 88th minutes, to ensure the win.

With the victory, Azteca FC await word of their opponent in December’s “Win and You’re In” game, to be played on the 17th or the 18th.

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Tobacco Road FC (Triangle Adult Soccer League / USASA)
0:3
South Carolina United Heat (UPSL)
Southeastern Freight Lines Soccer Center; Columbia, SC
MATCH VIDEO

By Forrest Wimberly

The South Carolina United Heat used a quick pair of goals in the first half to move past the visiting Tobacco Road FC Sunday night in Columbia, S.C.

Tobacco Road FC only traveled and dressed 10 players due to several players having playing duties with another Tobacco Road FC team. Despite being short-handed the Tobacco Road FC team played some stubborn defense holding the SCU Heat scoreless until the 33rd minute.

The high pressure of the Heat constantly pinned the visitors in their half and a quick passing sequence in the 33rd minute was the first goal for the Heat. Just two minutes later, the Heat struck again finishing a driven cross inside a crowded penalty box. Leading 2-0 at the half the Heat kept pressing the attack adding their third and final goal on a 1-v-1 breakaway in the 75th minute. Tobacco Road had one good look at goal in the 85th minute off a quick restart but the alert Heat keeper was ready to punch the high shot away to preserve the clean sheet.

The SCU Heat now advance to the “win-and-you’re-in” game for a second straight year. A year ago, a Covid-19 outbreak within the Heat squad forced a forfeit in this same game. Just one match away from the 2023 US Open Cup, the SCU Heat advanced tonight and looked focused on bigger prizes just ahead in the next round of qualifiers the weekend of Dec. 17-18.

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Davis Legacy SC (UPSL)
0:5
Inter San Francisco (San Francisco Soccer Football League / USASA)
Beach Chalet Soccer Field; San Francisco, CA

By Michael Koenig

Nikolai Littleton’s second half hat trick powered Inter San Francisco to a 5-0 win over undermanned Davis Legacy. Only nine Davis players made the trip to San Francisco and they were reduced to an eight man squad when Kennedy Chongo had to leave in the 34th minute mark because of an apparent injury to one of his fingers.

Inter was a constant threat to score throughout the first half, but Davis was able to keep them off of the scoreboard thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Anthony Gonzalez Cruz, who made key saves on shots by Littleton in the 14th minute and Dylan Autran less than a minute later. Inter was also unlucky when Littleton’s shot hit the crossbar in the 22nd minute.

But the host side broke the game open in the second half as the Davis defense began to wear down. Javier Rivera Hernandez opened the scoring in the 54th minute on a low shot that deflected off of Gonzalez Cruz’s leg and into the back of the net. Littleton scored his hat trick with goals in the 58th, 75th, and 82nd minute. Then former pro Matt Fondy closed out the scoring with a goal in the 85th minute.

Match Broadcast:

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Beaman United FC (UPSL)
4:4
Kalonji Pro-Profile (UPSL)
Shiloh Generals Stadium; Snellville, GA
Beaman United advances 4-3 on penalty kicks

By Federico Pravettoni

Sunday night madness in Snellville, Ga. as Beaman United defeated Kalonji Pro-Profile in penalty kicks in the third round of the Open Division Qualifying tournament for the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. This was after the two teams finished tied at 4-4 after 120 minutes.

In a thrilling roller coaster match that saw eight goals, a red card, a goalkeeper scoring, and the woodwork hit twice in extra time, penalties were needed to send Beaman past Kalonji through the next round of the tournament.

Within the opening minutes of the match, the Georgian side took a surprising early lead on a counterattack with Anthony Sumo after Beaman’s defense gave away the ball too easily at half field.

Despite the early disadvantage, with great patience, cohesion and perseverance Beaman took control of the match.

In the 17th minute, the Lions got their first real chance when left back Daniel Picken crossed the ball from the left flank for Kwadwo Poku, whose header in the box went just inches wide of the goal.

Beaman continued to push and created two good chances with Austin Morenzoni and Alphonso Gooden, but neither was unable to finish.

In the final minutes of the first half Kalonji Pro-Profile caught Beaman’s defense off-guard. Forward Junior Sandoval exploited the chance sliding it past the Lions’ goalkeeper Alex Rodriguez making it 2-0.

Minutes later Sandoval almost made it 3-0 for the Georgians, but the ball went just wide of Rodriguez’s net.

The Lions did not lose composure or temper and in extra time found the back of the net with a left-footed shot by midfielder Michael Reed, sending Beaman on a one goal difference at half-time.

In the second 45 minutes, Beaman started strong and came close to finding the tie with a right-footed attempt looking for the front post by Gooden, which was saved by a superb Kalonji goalkeeper Henry Pleitez.

Despite total Beaman dominion, Kalonji sat back and waited for its opportunity. In the 64th minute, the Georgian side surprised Beaman’s defense on another counterattack, and almost found the third of the night with the forward on a 1-v-1 with Rodriguez, who deflected it into a corner.

Minutes later, Sumo made himself dangerous in Beaman’s box with a header through good coordination and positioning, but the ball went wide.

In the 72nd minute, Kwadwo Poku, who has nine career US Open Cup goals on his resume, received the ball from the right in the attacking third. He dribbled through two Kalonji defenders and released a missile into the net just below the bar, making it 2-2 for Beaman.

The Lions’ equalizer did not last long though, as a deadly Kalonji Pro-Profile on counterattacks did it again to surprise Beaman’s defense line. With two forwards against the sole Rodriguez, it was an easy tap-in for Sandoval to bring Kalonji back on top.

The drama does not end here. Beaman hit the crossbar on a Kwadwo Poku header in the 80th minute off a corner. Ten minutes later, just before extra time, Lions midfielder Brandon Gonzalez delivered a great corner. Pleitez came out of the goal and missed the ball. Seth Poku capitalized on the opportunity, drawing the game for Beaman.

In the first overtime period the intensity slightly decreased, but No. 22 for Kalonji Pro-Profile was awarded a red card for what was deemed as dissent forcing the side from Georgia to play a man down. 12 minutes into the second overtime period, Seth Poku received the ball from the right flank, anticipated the defender with a quick touch, set up his left foot and finished, giving Beaman the lead for the first time in the game. With a few minutes left plus extra time, Kalonji Pro-Profile was now playing against the clock to find a late equalizer.

In the 123rd minute, Kalonji delivered a free kick which hit the post, and on the rebound an unmarked Pleitez was able to tap the ball into the back of the net, making it 4-4. The ref then blew the whistle sending the game to penalties.

Sandoval and Seth Poku both scored the first two penalties. Sumo then missed for Kalonji while Matheus Souza Tonon did not to give Beaman a 2-1 lead. In the third and fourth round Beaman missed a penalty while Kalonji finished both, re-equalizing the score. Rodriguez with the crucial save denied Carr from the spot on the fifth penalty for Kalonji Pro-Profile. Kwadwo Poku with the experience did not miss, allowing Beaman United to defeat Kalonji Pro-Profile at penalties and advance to the fourth and final round of the tournament.

“It means a lot to win against a good team, Kalonji, physical and direct in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup,” said head coach Gift Ndam

“This means a lot,” said Beaman player Nathaniel Bedai. “Not only to the team, to our families and to our fans, it means a lot for those supporting us and those who have been with us all through these times through the summer and through the cold.”

“The key was hard work, and then never give up,” said Bedai. “You fight until the end. It’s not over until it’s over. We wanted to win, the determination was to win.”

With the win, Beaman United advances to the fourth qualifying round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, to be played the weekend of Dec. 17-18.

Match Broadcast:

 

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Naples City FC (UPSL)
3:0
Miami Soccer Academy (National Soccer League / USSSA)
Monsignor Edward Pace High School; Miami Gardens, FL

In a very rainy Miami Gardens, Fla. and after a weather delay that lasted almost an hour, Miami Soccer Academy hosted Naples City FC. Naples City were looking for US Open Cup revenge over Miami, after Miami ended City’s qualifying run last year. Naples City would get it, as 3-0 victors.

First half goals in the 15th and 18th minutes propelled Naples to an early lead. Miami did not shy away from looking to cut the deficit. The first 15 minutes of the second half saw them in charge of the game. A fluke deflection led to a 61st minute goal for Naples City, to alleviate the pressure and seal the victory.

No information about the Naples goal scorers were made available.

With the victory, Naples City awaits their opponent in the “Win and You’re In” round to be held December 17 & 18.

Match Broadcast:

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City Soccer FC (National Soccer League / USSSA)
2:3
Miami United FC (National Soccer League / USSSA)
Ted Hendricks Stadium; Hialeah, FL
MATCH VIDEO

By Michael Battista

Miami United FC denied City Soccer FC a second consecutive Open Cup appearance by beating the West Palm Beach side, 3-2. A fanatic four goal first half gave way to stiff defense later on. In the end a free kick goal from United’s Robertino Insúa, his second goal in as many qualifying games, was the deciding factor.

City took control early as rain trickled down across South Beach. A corner kick in the 3rd minute found a friendly head towards the near post. The ball redirected towards the far post and into the netting to put the visitors up, 1-0. The lead, City’s only one of the match, lasted only six minutes. Miami United responded with a goal from Miguel Benito in the 9th minute. A City goal kick was intercepted just before midfield and passed to Benito on the right side. He cut towards the center, trying to play around a defender, before taking a shot from the corner of the box. The ball may have been slightly redirected but the attempt screamed into the top netting over the City keeper.

Andrea Pastore, a former Italian professional player, gave Miami the lead in the 25th minute. After scoring in the last round against UPSL’s International Soccer Association his shot on Sunday from the top of the box went over the keeper’s head once again. But much like City’s first lead, United’s did not last long. The visitors played excellent counter football the entire match and eight minutes after going down they responded. As the rain picked up intensity a game restart found Miami lexically passing the ball back on the right side. A City player intercepted near midfield and charged down the left side. Going towards the net, he shot low around an advancing keeper’s left side to tie the game at 2-2 in the 33rd.

The weather started to clear up after this and defense started to come out. Miami had to wait until the 55th minute to find a game-winner. A free kick just outside the box left Insúa facing a five man wall. Looking directly at the net and with a City player lying on the ground behind four of his teammates, he elected to shoot high. The attempt went between two of the jumping defenders and curved to the left. The City keeper barely reacted as the ball hit the back of the netting to make 3-2.

Miami advances hoping to qualify for their sixth US Open Cup tournament (2015, 2017, 2018, 2020*, & 2022) with a win in the next round.

Both Miami and City are members of the National Soccer League. While Miami’s first team competes in a higher division (NSL South Florida – Elite Division) this won’t be its last meeting with City. Miami’s U-23 team and City both play in the NSL South Florida – Premier Division (2nd tier of NSL’s Florida group). The two sides finished the regular season next to one another with City in fourth and Miami in fifth. They’ll play in a playoff quarter final on November 27.

Miami U-23s won the lone regular season meeting, 1-0, on Oct. 1.

* 2020 tournament qualification came via open division qualifying and with the organization’s Under-23 team (tournament eventually canceled)

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BattleBorn FC (NISA Nation / USASA)
1:0
Legend Football Gold (Federal Way Men’s Open Sunday / USASA)
Saghalie Park; Federal Way, WA

BattleBorn FC, in their second attempt in US Open Cup qualifying, traveled to Federal Way, Wash. and defeated Legend Football Gold by a score of 1-0. The lone goal of the game came from the penalty spot in the 30th minute. Jonathan Cuevas dribbled past a defender and was taken down in the penalty area to earn his team a PK. Joaquin Garcia stepped up to take the spot kick and converted it to put the visitors ahead.

Five minutes after the goal, the visitors gained another advantage. Karsimi Konneh, who scored the lone goal in LFG’s win last round, was sent off. The hosts would spend the remaining 55 minutes of the match down a man and were unable to find an equalizer. The win sends the Nevada side to next month’s “Win and You’re In” round the weekend of Dec. 17-18.

 

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Capistrano FC (NISA Nation / USASA)
L:W
Desert FC (UPSL)
Hovely Park (Field 3); Palm Desert, CA

The day of the game, Capistrano FC was contacted by the United States Soccer Federation to inform them that they would be advancing to the Fourth Round of the qualifying tournament. This was because Desert FC, the hosts, did not have enough available players. By advancing, Capo FC will reach a “Win & You’re In” match for the second tournament in a row, and will try to qualify for the first time in team history.

2023 US Open Cup Qualifying: Referee ends match early after D10 Lions player spits at him, D’Feeters advance

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D'Feeters Kicks SC and D10 Lions warm up prior to their Open Division Qualifying match for the 2023 US Open Cup in Mansfield, TX. Photo: Adam Uthe
D’Feeters Kicks SC and D10 Lions warm up prior to their Open Division Qualifying match for the 2023 US Open Cup in Mansfield, TX. Photo: Adam Uthe

UPDATE (11/23/22): TheCup.us has learned that the reason for the match ending early was because a player spit in his direction and once the game was abandoned, the official was kicked. This has been reflected in the story below

The Third Round qualifying match for the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup between D10 Lions FC and D’Feeters Kicks SC was abandoned in approximately the 74th minute. With D’Feeters leading 2-0, they advanced to next month’s Fourth Qualifying Round. The early ending was after D10 Lions player Ran Vahnono spat in the direction of the referee after receiving a red card for violent conduct. After the referee announced the match was being abandoned, a player kicked him and made contact with his heel. 

The red card to Vahnono came after he shoved a D’Feeters player standing over the ball, waiting to take a free kick. Once the red card had been raised, Vahnono’s teammates Farid Orellana and Oscar Romero both came between Vahnono and the referee. The official looked ready to raise his arm for another card as the group’s tensions raised. Moments later, after the interaction, the official blew his whistle to declare the match abandoned.

Before the decisive incident took place, two Lions players and one member of the coaching staff had also been sent off for various offenses. Kingsley Cabo-Verdiana was issued a second yellow card in the 50th minute and eight minutes later his teammate Olbin Guity was issued a red card. Then in the 64th minute, a member of the Lions coaching staff was issued his second yellow card for dissent. All told, 10 yellow cards and four red cards were officially issued to the Lions prior to the 74th minute when the situation become untenable for the officials.

“The opposing team were getting abusive physically and verbally with , so they left for their safety,” said D’Feeters head coach Edgar Hernandez. He added that the center official “wasn’t even calling the game poorly” in his opinion.

A screen shot of the live stream of the Open Division Qualifying match for the 2023 US Open Cup between D'Feeters Kicks SC and D10 Lions FC. This was the scene shortly before the match was abruptly ended in the 74th minute.
A screen shot of the live stream of the Open Division Qualifying match for the 2023 US Open Cup between D’Feeters Kicks SC and D10 Lions FC. This was the scene shortly before the match was abruptly ended in the 74th minute.


As for the game itself, D’Feeters Kicks took control with forward Sebastian Mendez registering multiple shots on goal in the first seven minutes, but neither chance really threatened the keeper.

D10 responded with their best chance of the half in the 15th minute. A long throw-in managed to reach the six yard box but the subsequent header failed to find the back of the net. Mendez continued to test the Lions’ backline and hammered a well struck free kick that was ultimately secured by D10 goalkeeper Jorgely Rodriguez.

The frustration first set in for the visitors in the 23rd minute when Guity was issued his first yellow card. It ultimately turned out to be the first of five issued to D10 Lions in the first half, including the first yellow for the aforementioned coach for dissent.

Finally, the breakthrough for D’Feeters – and Mendez – came with the forward crushing a shot from 18 yards after a quick restart from a free kick; Rodriguez could not even react in time to muster a save attempt. The home side took the 1-0 advantage with them into the break.

It looked, for a moment, like the Lions might regain control of the match early in the second half. Orellana was brought on as a sub coming out of the halftime break and immediately forced a save from D’Feeters keeper Anthony Rodriguez that resulted in a corner. But the Lions could not capitalize and the visitors seemed to pass the point of no return once Cabo-Verdiana was sent off moments later.

Right before the chaos began, D’Feeters doubled their lead. D’Feeters were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box after the Lions keeper was judged by the assistant to have handled it outside the box. Mendez took the free kick right away and he found Oscar Ocampo completely unmarked in front of goal and he beat the keeper to make it 2-0.

D10 Lions team captain David Perez was critical of the officials for the fallout. Accusing the center referee of favoring the D’Feeters and initiating the physical confrontation at the end.

He tells TheCup.us that at the time of publication that the team was exploring their options about possibly protesting the outcome with the federation. 

For his part, D’Feeters coach Edgar Hernandez praised his side after the game for their composure.

“Our guys kind of played our game. We stayed relaxed. We didn’t fall into any of the, I guess, frustrations of the other team … at the end of the day, what matters is the result and getting to the next round.”

The match is likely to be reviewed by US Soccer’s Disciplinary Panel, but as things stand D’Feeters will advance in qualifying. In addition to seeking their second consecutive (and second overall) Open Cup qualification, D’Feeters are also preparing for an upcoming playoff match in National Premier Soccer League play.

2023 US Open Cup Qualifying: Previewing Round 3 with 18 games this weekend

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Players from Vereinigung Erzebirge (left) and Philadelphia Lone Star FC battle for the ball in a 2023 US Open Cup qualifier. Photo: Carl Gulbish | @carlgulbishpho1
Players from Vereinigung Erzebirge (left) and Philadelphia Lone Star FC battle for the ball in a 2023 US Open Cup qualifier. Photo: Carl Gulbish | @carlgulbishpho1

Starting with 107 teams, the hopeful qualifiers for next year’s 2023 US Open Cup are down to just 36 teams. 71 teams have already been eliminated over two rounds, and there is still one more round to go in December where it will be win and you’re in.

The 108th edition of the Open Cup started off better than last year. While 2022’s qualifying round was filled with forfeits, only two games have so far. The biggest story of the first qualifying round is how many familiar faces went down in their first match. Two former champions failed to escape the first weekend while two 2022 competitors were pushed to the brink. The second round saw even more of those teams go down such as United German Hungarians and New York Greek American SC, both having made multiple Finals in the past.

The 18 winners of this third round will then face off in the fourth and final round of qualifying December 17-18. Those 9 winners will qualify for the First Round proper next March 2023.

Here is the preview for the 18 matches being played this weekend.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19

Florida Premier FC (UPSL / USASA) at Club de Lyon (NISA Nation)
Young Pine Park; Orlando, FL
Kickoff: 3 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA

Florida Premier FC | Tampa, FL
UPSL Florida West Division
2022 Spring Season: 5-3-2, 17 pts., 21 GF 18 GA, 2nd place
2022 Fall Season: 5-1-3, 18 pts., 20 GF 8 GA (ONGOING)

Club de Lyon | Orlando, FL
NISA Nation Florida Region
2022 Spring Season: 10-1-1, 31 pts., 48 GA 8 GA, 1st place

Florida Premier finished second in the UPSL Florida West Division Spring season with a 5-2-3 record, Florida Premier began in 1979 as the West Pasco Youth Soccer Association, while Gainesville City FC got their start in 2021.

Club de Lyon won the NISA Nation Florida Region with a 10-1-1 record, and their 48 goals scored was tops among all the NISA Nation teams. Victor Rojas led all of NISA Nation with 8 goals and 12 assists during the 2022 Spring season.

In the first round of qualifying Florida Premier FC defeated fellow UPSL club Clearwater Chargers 4-0. Stewart Vigh scored twice, both assisted by Oliver Drost and Daht Faal and Nico Colacci provided the other goals. In the second round Premier ousted Gainesville City FC (UPSL) 2-1. Premier grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 5th minute and Vigh added another in first half stoppage time.

Club de Lyon opened their 2023 qualifying run with a 3-0 win over fellow Orlando and NISA Nation club Deportivo Lake Mary. Victor Rojas (PK), Damian Duda scored for Lyon, with the final goal coming from an own goal off a shot by Rojas. In the Second Round, Lyon ousted 2022 qualifier Orlando FC Wolves 3-1 on three unanswered goals after falling behind 1-0 in the 5th minute.

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Chicago House AC (Midwest Premier League / USASA) at Metro Louisville FC (UPSL)
Woehrle Athletic Complex; Jeffersonville, IN
Kickoff: 4 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA

Chicago House AC | Chicago, IL
Midwest Premier League West
2022 Spring Season: 5-1-5, 20 pts., 27 GF 8 GA, 4 GA, 4th place

Metro Louisville FC | Louisville, KY
UPSL KY-TN Division
2022 Spring Season – 6-3-1, 19 pts., 24 GF 11 GA, 3rd place
2022 Fall Season – 6-4-0, 18 pts., 20 GF 25 GA, 4th place

Metro Louisville FC are making their Open Cup qualifying debut this year. Metro just missed the UPSL Ohio division playoffs, finishing 1 point behind Fut Ohio SC in the 6 team Ohio Division Spring season. After starting their UPSL Fall season with a four-game winning streak, Louisville finished winning just two of their final six games.

Metro Louisville drew a bye in the first round of qualifying, and in round 2 defeated Valhalla FC of the Ohio Valley Premier League 1-0. Louisville only had 11 players available, and a 28th minute goal from Alejandro Trejo was enough to see Metro through to the next round.  Full match video

Chicago House AC began playing in NISA in the 2021 Fall season but left the league after that first season due to a dispute between team owners and league officials. As a result, House were voted out of the league and left unable to participate in the 2022 Open Cup. The team spent 2022 playing in the semi-pro Midwest Premier League. CEO Peter Wilt has expressed interest in returning to NISA for the 2023 season.

Chicago House AC had a bye in the first round of qualifying. In the second round House were pushed to the limit by Ft. Wayne’s 1927 SC of the Ohio Valley Premier League. after going down 1-0 in the 8th minute, Chicago House equalized one minute into stoppage time on a Seo-in Kim penalty kick. After a scoreless extra tie, Chicago prevailed 4-3 in the penalty tiebreaker.  Full match video

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D10 Lions FC (National Soccer League / USSSA) at D’Feeters Kicks Soccer Club (UPSL)
Lake Ridge High School; Mansfield, TX
Kickoff: 6 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA

D10 Lions FC | Houston, TX
National Soccer League Texas Conference
2022 Spring season: 4 pts., 5th place

D’Feeters Kicks Soccer Club | Dallas, TX
UPSL Texas North Division
2022 Spring Season: 7-1-2, 23 pts., 62 GF 6 GA, 1st place
2022 Fall Season: 5-1-4, 19 pts, 29 GF 16 GA, 2nd place

D’Feeters qualified for the 2022 Open Cup, knocking off the NPSL’s Denton Diablos 3-2 before losing to the USL Championship’s San Antonio FC 3-1 in the Second Round. DFKSC finished first in the UPSL Texas North with a 7-1-2 record and a dominating +56 goal difference.

D’Feeters Kicks opened their 2023 qualifying run with a 5-1 win over FC Fort Worth, five different players scoring for DFKFC. The win was a bit of payback for FC Fort Worth defeating D’Feeters Kicks in the UPSL Texas North playoffs in June. In the second round D’Feeters knocked off Alamo City Soccer Club (UPSL) 3-2, with Sebastian Mendez scoring all three goals.

After drawing a first-round bye, D10 faced off with NSL rivals Houston FC in the second round, coming away with a contentious 3-2 victory. D10 took a 2-1 lead in the first half on a pair of goals from David Perez. In the second half 10 lost their starting goalkeeper after receiving a straight red card for handling the ball outside the penalty area. D10 lost another player to a red card, and Houston FC held a 2-man advantage for a while until one of their players was sent off. D10 scored late in the game to take a 3-2 lead and survived nearly 10 minutes of second half stoppage time to hold on for the win.

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Nova FC (Eastern Premier Soccer League / USASA) at DCFC (DC Premier League / USASA)
Jelleff Recreation Center; Washington, D.C.
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA

NoVa FC | Leesburg, VA
Eastern Premier Soccer League Mid-Atlantic Division
2021/22 Season: 12-1-0, 36 pts., 66 GF 15 GA 1st place

*Won 2021/22 Mid-Atlantic Division Playoffs
2022/23 Season – 6-0-0. 18 pts., 28 GF 4 GA (ONGOING)

DCFC | Washington, D.C.
DC Premier League D1
2022 Spring Season: 6-4-1, 22 pts., 42 GF 11 GA, 3rd place
2022 Fall Season: 6-0-2, 20 pts., 22 GF 4 GA (ONGOING)

Northern Virginia FC had quite a season in 2022. NoVa qualified for the 2022 Open Cup, winning their first round game 3-1 over EPSL rivals Lynchburg FC, and narrowly lost 1-0 to the Richmond Kickers of USL League One. NoVa also finished in first place in the EPSL Mid-Atlantic Division with a 12-0-1 record, and also won the Division playoffs. Finally, NoVa nearly gained automatic qualification to the 2023 Open Cup, losing the 2022 National Amateur Cup Final to Bavarian United FC 1-0.

NoVa began their 2023 qualifying run with a penalty shootout win over Steel Pulse FC of the Maryland Super Soccer League. Steel Pulse held NoVa to a scoreless draw for 120 minutes, 110 of which Steel Pulse played with 10 men. NoVa prevailed in the shootout 3-1 to advance.

NoVa’s second round game was much easier, cruising past Germantown FC of the UPSL 6-0. Vagner Marques opened the scoring early in the game and assisted on Kevin Nadeau’s goal in the 30th minute. Nadeau struck again just before halftime by heading in a free kick from Jhonny De Souza. Marques added his second goal just after halftime, and Nadeau completed his hat trick with an easy goal after an error by Germantown’s goalkeeper. Frankie DiOrio finished NoVa’s scoring with a rocket free kick.

DCFC are making their qualifying debut this year, and to open their Open Cup qualifying debut DCFC overcame DC Premier League rivals Team Tevez, coming out 4-2 winners after extra time. Harrison Engoren and Charles Touch eave DCFC a 2-0 halftime lead, and in extra time Engoran scored a second time and Ryan Mahoney added the insurance goal.

In the second round DCFC pulled off somewhat of an upset, knocking off Open Cup regulars Christos FC on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Christos jumped out to a first half lead, but DCFC tied the game midway through the second half on a penalty kick from Ergoren. In the penalty shootout DCFC converted all five of their spot kicks, while Christos missed their opening attempt.

Despite finishing third in the DC Premier League Spring season, DCFC held a league high +31 goal differential.

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Oyster Bay United FC (UPSL) at Lansdowne Yonkers FC (Eastern Premier Soccer League / USASA)
Tibbetts Brooke Park; Yonkers, NY
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA

Oyster Bay United | Oyster Bay, New York
UPSL Northeast American Division
2022 Spring Season: 8-2-0, 24 Pts. 51 GF 9 GA, 2nd place
2022 Fall Season: 10-0-2, 32 pts., 59 GF 12 GA, 1st place

Lansdowne Yonkers FC | Yonkers, NY
Eastern Premier Soccer League Metropolitan Division
2021/22 Season: 12-1-5, 41 pts., 43 GF 15 GA, 3rd place
2022/23 Season: 6-1-1, 19 pts., 21 GF 7 GA (ONGOING)

Oyster Bay United is looking to qualify for their second straight Open Cup. In 2022 they knocked off a pair of three-time Open Cup champions in qualifying, defeating NY Greek American SC and NY Pancyprian Freedoms. A 4-1 win over Westchester United sent them to their first ever Open Cup. Oyster Bay defeated Hartford City FC of the NPSL 3-0 in the opening round but fell 3-1 to Hartford Athletic of the USL Championship.

Lansdowne Yonkers FC return to Open Cup qualifying after having earned a spot in last year’s tournament as 2021 National Amateur Cup champions. Lansdowne also qualified for the Open Cup in 2016 and 2018 as members of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League. The club also previously won the National Amateur Cup in 2017. Lansdowne have racked up three wins in the Open Cup proper, with their biggest coming in 2016 as a 2-0 upset of USL Championship side Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

Lansdowne received a bye in the opening round, and in the second round defeated EPSL rivals NY Greek American SC 3-0. Shamir Mullings gave Lansdowne a 1-0 halftime lead and Bala Danso and Daryl Kavanaugh added two more in the second half.  Full Match Video

Oyster Bay United had little trouble with UPSL division rivals Queensboro FC II 4-1 in their qualifying opener after a first round bye. After giving up an own goal in the first half, the rest of the scoring was all Oyster Bay. Mathew Carriel and Duga Dambelly gave OBU the lead at halftime, and Junior Rosero and Sebastian Ruiz scored the final two goals in the second half.  Full Match Video

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IASC Boom (Rochester District Soccer League / USASA) at SC Vistula Garfield (Garden State Soccer League / USASA)
Athenia Steel Recreation Complex; Clifton, NJ
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA

IASC Boom | Rochester, NY
Rochester District Soccer League
2022 Season: 12-1-1, 37 pts., 62 GF 24 GA, 1st place

SC Vistula Garfield | Garfield, NJ
Garden State Soccer League Super Division
2021-22 Season: 7-4-2, 23 pts., 26 GF 17 GA, 2nd place
2022-23 Season: 5-0-0. 15 pts., 19 GF 8 GA (ONGOING)

IASC Boom are the reserve club of the UPSL’s Roc City Boom and are also known as Italian American SC Bakshi FC in the Rochester District Soccer League. IASC are making their second run at USOC qualifying, having fallen short last year with a penalty kick loss to FC Maritsa in the Third Round of qualifying. Roc City Boom finished the UPSL Spring season with a 8-2-0 record in the Western New York division, and reached the Round of 16 of the UPSL National playoffs.

IASC Boom had a first round bye in qualifying, and in the second round came out 3-1 winners over Sahara Gunners FC of the UPSL. Witman Hernandez scored twice, and Ali Shawish added another, all in the first half. Full Match Video

Celebrating its 70th anniversary, Vistula have often entered Open Cup qualifying in the past, but this is their first appearance since qualifying was revamped in 2015. Vistula’s first known appearance in the Open Cup came in qualifying for the 1971 tournament. Vistula pulled off a bit of an upset in the opening round of qualifying, knocking off NY Pancyprian Freedoms 1-0. Goalkeeper Anthony Caruso kept the Freedoms scoreless, and 40-year-old Christopher Karcz headed home the winner for Vistula in the 89th minute.

In the second round Vistula faced off with GSSL rivals Jackson Lions FC. Paul Kondratowicz opened the scoring for Vistula in the first half and Nicholas Kozdron converted a penalty in the second. Jackson pulled back a goal late on a penalty kick but Vistula held on to advance.

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Escondido FC (UPSL) at Orange County FC (UPSL)
Lake Forest Sports Park; Lake Forest, CA
Kickoff: 11 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA

Escondido FC | Escondido, CA
UPSL Socal South Division
2022 Spring Season: 6-1-3, 21 pts., 33 GF 11 GA, 2nd place
2022 Fall Season: 4-1-3, 15 pts., 19 GF 9 GA (ONGOING)

Orange County FC | Mission Viejo, CA
UPSL Socal North Division
2022 Spring Season – 8-1-3, 27 pts., 42 GF 10 GA, 2nd place.
UPSL Socal Central Division
2022 Fall Season – 9-0-1, 28 pts., 41 GF 12 GA, 1st place

Escondido FC had a successful Open Cup qualifying debut last year, defeating Sporting ID11 3-1 in the final round. Escondido got their second qualifying attempt off to a good start with a win over Rebels SC on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Marcos Rodrigo Celestino equalized in the second half, and Christian Bahena put Escondido temporarily ahead in extra time. Escondido had another tough game in the second round, nudging out a 1-0 win over Outbreak FC of the Southwest Premier League. Omar Rodriguez Corral scored for the winners in the 3rd minute.

OCFC return to Open Cup qualifying after a six-year hiatus, with their lone qualifying game ending in a 3-0 loss to La Marquina FC in 2017. Orange County turned a second-place finish in the UPSL Socal North Spring season into a championship run, going all the way in the UPSL playoffs to defeat Beaman United 3-1 in the Final. Orange County are managed by U.S. Men’s National team legend Paul Caligiuri.

Orange County FC cruised to a 7-1 win in their opening qualifying game over Temecula FC (SWPL), jumping out to a 4-0 lead after 30 minutes, adding three more goals I the second half.

Escondido finished second in the UPSL Socal South Division spring season, then made their way to the UPSL Round of 16, losing to eventual champions Orange County FC 2-1. Angel De Leon scored for Escondido, while Oscar Flores and Jose Montes De Oca found the net for Orange County. Full game video (in Spanish)

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20

Olympians FC (UPSL) at UDA Soccer (UPSL)
UDA at New Mexico State University; Las Cruces, NM
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA

Olympians FC | El Mirage, AZ
UPSL Arizona Division
2022 Spring Season: 7-1-2, 23 pts., 41 GF 22 GA, 1st place
2022 Fall Season: 10-0-1, 31 pts., 32 GF 8 GA, 1st place

UDA Soccer | Las Cruces, NM
UPSL West Texas-New Mexico Division
2022 Spring Season: 6-2-2, 20 pts., 25 GF 11 GA, 1st place
2022 Fall Season: 5-3-0, 15 pts., 26 GF 16 GA, 2nd place

UDA is a soccer academy at New Mexico State University that allows players to receive year-round training while enrolled at New Mexico State. UDA had a successful 2022 Spring season, finishing first in the West Texas-New Mexico Division with a 6-2-2 record, and advancing to the UPSL National Quarterfinals.

Olympians FC won the UPSL Arizona Division with a 7-1-2 record, then advanced to the UPSL National playoffs by winning the Arizona Division playoffs. Olympians FC joined the UPSL during the 2020 Spring season and reached the Final of the UPSL 2020 Fall playoffs.

After a first round bye, UDA had no problem with Coronado Athletic Club (UPSL), winning 4-0. Mattias Cavallo put UDA up 1-0 at the half, and in the second half Eric Gomez-Silva scored twice, and Marco Millan added the final goal.

Olympians FC also received a first round bye and opened their qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win over Valley FC Raiders of NISA Nation. Josias Ortiz opened the scoring in the 6th minute. In the second half Valley FC Raiders were reduced to 9 men through a red card and an injury, and Olympians eventually got their second goal when Agustin Orozco put away a deflected shot from teammate Roberto De Lima.

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Unations FC (UPSL) at Brockton FC United (Bay State Soccer League / USASA)
Randolph High School; Randolph, MA
Kickoff: 2 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA

Unations FC | Worcester, MA
UPSL New England Division
2022 Spring Season: 5-3-2, 16 pts., 14 GF 14 GA, 3rd place
2022 Fall Season: 4-6-0, 12 pts., 17 GF 28 GA 6th place

Brockton FC United | Brockton, MA
Bay State Soccer League, Division 1
2022 Season – 7-8-3, 24 pts., 47 GF 45 GA , 4th place

Brockton FC United are looking to advance to their second straight Open Cup after qualifying in 2022. Their qualifying run last season finished with a dominating 17 goals scored against just three allowed. While Brockton’s BSSL team is U-21, the club will have their senior team on the field as most of the U-21 players are with their college teams now. The Brockton FC United UPSL team went 10-0-0 this past spring but were upset in the New England Division playoffs by Santa Cruz FC.

Unations FC faced the Brockton FC United UPSL team back in May, with Brockton cruising to a 6-1 victory.

After first round bye qualifying, Brockton defeated Boston Street FC 1-0 in the second round in a game that featured an “only in the U.S.; Open Cup moment. After a Boston Street protest that the field was too narrow, and it was indeed one year short when measured. Given a 7 p.m. deadline to fix the issue, Brockton supporters bought field chalk from a local hardware store to re-line the field and finished one minute before the deadline to avoid a Brockton forfeit. On the field, Antonio Correira scored the lone goal in the 64th minute off of a free kick from Geo Alves.

Unations FC also received a first-round bye, and advanced via forfeit over Santa Cruz FC (UPSL) due to player unavailability for Santa Cruz. The Third round marks the farthest Unations have advanced in qualifying, as their previous qualifying attempts in 2018 & 2022 ended after one game.

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West Chester United SC (United Soccer League of Pennsylvania / USASA) at Vereinigung Erzgebirge (United Soccer League of Pennsylvania / USASA)
Vereinigung Erzgebirge Clubhouse; Warminster, PA
Kickoff: 2 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA

Vereinigung Erzgebirge | Warminster, PA
United Soccer League of Pennsylvania Men’s Major
2021/22 Season: 14-0-1, 35 pts., 43 GF 8 GA, 1st place
2022/23 Season: 3-2-0, 11 pts., 14 GF 4 GA (ONGOING)

West Chester United SC | West Chester, PA
United Soccer League of Pennsylvania Men’s Major
2021/22 Season: 13-2-0, 39 pts., 70 GF 13 GA, 2nd place
2022/23 Season: 3-0-1, 9 pts., 23 GF 5 GA (ONGOING)

Vereinigung Erzgebirge is one of the more historic clubs in the qualifying field, the club having been founded in 1931 with the soccer team emerging soon after. The first known Open Cup appearance VE made was qualifying for the 1958 tournament. Since then, the club has been a regular in Open Cup competition. More recently, VE has qualified for the Open Cup just twice, in 2002 and again for the cancelled 2020 edition. VE had an outstanding 2021-22 campaign in the United Soccer League of Pennsylvania, finishing atop the league with a 14-0-1 record. VE’s only league blemish was a 1-1 draw versus United German Hungarians.

In addition to the USL of PA, West Chester United fields teams in USL League Two and the NPSL. WCU’s USL-2 team qualified for the Open Cup last season, while their USL of PA team made the cut in 2016 & 2019. WCU’s USL-2 & NPSL teams are unlikely to make the cut to qualify from either league for 2023. WCU also reached the National Amateur Cup Final in 2018 and have won the USL 0f PA championship four straight seasons from 2015/16-2018/19. West Chester United finished the ‘21-‘22 USL of PA season in second place behind champions Verinigung Erzgebirge, holding a +57 goal difference. 2022 was the first time since 2016 that their USL of PA team did not enter qualifying, as their USL-2 team had secured an Open Cup spot through league play.

VE bested West Chester United 3-2 in USL of PA play back on Sept. 26, and ironically were set to face off again in league play on Nov. 20, but that match has been rescheduled for the Open Cup qualifying game.

In the first round Vereinigung Erzgebirge tackled another mainstay of Open Cup qualifying, Philadelphia Lone Star of the UPSL, coming away with a 2-1 win. Kevin Smolyn and Johnny Ciarlante scored second half goals to avenge VE’s loss to Lone Star in last year’s qualifying. In the second round VE overcame the UPSL’s Lancaster Elite 2-0. Derek Antonini scored the first goal for VE in the 11th minute, then assisted on Chris Bakers goal four minutes after halftime. Match Highlights

WCU opened Open Cup qualifying his year with a 2-1 win over fellow USL of PA club and four time Open Cup champions Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals. After the Uke Nats jumped out to an early lead, but Finn Reese leveled the score a few minutes before halftime. As extra time seemed certain, Derek Ramirez stepped up to convert a penalty kick in second half stoppage time.  West Chester United blanked another USL of PA rival, United German Hungarians, 4-0 in the second round. After a scoreless opening half, WCU broke through for four goals. Finn Reese led the way with two goals and an assist, with Levi Maruca and Clay Moyer scoring the other two. Match Highlights

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Azteca FC (Colorado Super League / USASA) at Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake (Colorado Super League / USASA)
Wheat Ridge High School; Wheat Ridge, CO
Kickoff: 3 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA

Azteca FC | Denver, CO
Colorado Super League
2022 Spring Season: 6-0-1, 19 pts., 27 gf 10 ga, 2nd place

Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake | Golden, CO
Colorado Super League
2022 Spring Season: 2-4-1, 7 pts., 13 GF 16 GA, 5th place

As rivals in the Colorado Super League, Azteca and Sloan’s Lake met last April in league play, with Azteca FC coming out on top 2-1.

Azteca FC have made it to the Open Cup three times, in 2017, 2018 and 2022, but have yet to record a win in the tournament proper.  In 2022 qualifying Azteca qualified for the Open Cup knocking off Colorado Rush (4-1), Colorado Rovers (5-2) and Harpo’s FC (4-3 aet).

Azteca knocked off Colorado Rovers, another club from the Colorado Super League, 3-1 in the opening round of qualifying. Saul Garcia, Jovany Herrera and Freddy Fragozo scored for Azteca. In the second round Azteca defeated FC Denver, another Super League rival, 4-1. After FC Denver took an early 1-0 lead Azteca scored four unanswered goals. Brice Colcombe equalized in the first half, and Jovany Herrera (PK), Saul Garcia and Jose Bencomo (PK) scored the second half goals.

Sloan’s Lake picked up their first ever qualifying win in the opening round, 3-0 over Peak Eleven FC of the Mountain Premier League. Jacob Love, Jack O’Brian and Miguel Camerolinga scored second half goals in the win. Love is a former player of Italian Serie B club AC Capri. The second round saw Sloan’s Lake up against a fellow Super League club, Boulder United, and came away with a 2-1 win. Down 1-0 from the fourth minute on, Sloan’s Lake scored two goals in the final ten minutes to pull out the win. JD Michael tied the game for Sloan’s Lake in the 86th minute, and Jacob Love netted the winner in the fourth minute of second half stoppage time.

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Tobacco Road FC (Triangle Adult Soccer League / USASA) at South Carolina United Heat (UPSL)
Southeastern Freight Lines Soccer Center; Columbia, SC
Kickoff: 5 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA

Tobacco Road FC | Durham, NC
Triangle Adult Soccer League Men’s 1
2022 Spring Season: 5-3-2, 17 pts., 26 GF 21 GA

South Carolina United Heat | Columbia, SC
UPSL Mid-Atlantic Division
2022 Spring Season: 9-0-1, 27 pts., 39 GF 7 GA, 1st place (Spring Season)
2022 Fall Season: 10-0-0, 30 pts., 54 GF 7 GA, 1st place

Tobacco Road’s TASL team serves as the reserve team of their USL 2 club, although the club has yet to participate in the Open Cup proper at any level. Tobacco Road returns to Open Cup qualifying after a five-year hiatus. The club last entered qualifying in 2016 and forfeited their opening game to CD Motagua of New Orleans due to travel costs. This year the team received a bye in the first round. tobacco Road came a few games from avoiding qualifying altogether, reaching the semifinals of the Region III section of the 2022 National Amateur Cup. The champion of the Amateur Cup qualifies automatically for the next season’s Open Cup.

South Carolina United Heat are looking to make up for a disappointing end of their 2022 Open Cup qualifying campaign. After defeating Atletico Atlanta (3-1) and Georgia Revolution FC Reserves (3-2 aet), SCU Heat were forced to forfeit their final qualifying game to Orlando FC Wolves due to a COVID-19 outbreak among the team, missing out on a change to qualify for the Open Cup. The Heat won the UPSL Mid-Atlantic division Spring season with a 9-0-1 mark but fell in the first round of the playoffs to Georgia FC 2-0.

SC Heat took its first step towards avenging last year’s disappointing finish, defeating TCSA of the UPSL 4-0 in the Second round of qualifying.  Two goals from Rodane McKenzie powered the Heat, with Alejo Binaghi, Mitch Backer scoring the other two.

Tobacco Road opened its qualifying campaign with a 3-1 win over Mint Hill FC of the UPSL. Joaquin Del Rosario opened the scoring for Tobacco Road in the first half, and Jordan Snell and Orlin Roque scored second half goals.

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Davis Legacy SC (UPSL) at Inter San Francisco (San Francisco Soccer Football League / USASA)
Beach Chalet Soccer Field; San Francisco, CA
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA

Davis Legacy SC | Davis, CA
UPSL Norcal North Division
2022 Spring Season: 11-1-0, 33 pts., 74 GF 10 GA, 1st place
2022 Fall Season: 5-4-1, 16 pts., 28 GF 18 GA (ONGOING)

Inter San Francisco | San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Soccer Football League Majors Division
2022 Season: 15-2-3, 47 pts., 68 GF 32 GA, 1st place
*Won promotion to SFSFL Premier Division

David Legacy have entered Open Cup qualifying 5 times since 2016 but have failed to reach the finish line. The closest they came was in 2016 when they lost to San Francisco City FC 4-3 in the final round of qualifying. 2022 Spring season play was a different matter, as Davis finished first in the UPSL Norcal North Division with a 11-1-0 record, with a +64 goal difference. David then won the Division playoffs and advanced to the IPSL National Quarterfinals, where they lost to eventual champions Orange County FC.

Inter San Francisco began in the SFSFL First Division (3rd tier) then won promotion to the Majors Division in 2021. In the 2022 season Inter SF won the Major Division with a 15-3-2 record to move up to the Premier Division. Inter SF made their initial Open Cup qualifying run for the 2022 tournament, defeating Real San Jose 4-2 before losing to Sporting ID11 3-1.

Inter began their 2023 qualifying run with a 5-0 win over Marin United. Former Oakland Roots pro Matt Fondy scored twice, while Dyan Autran, Nikolai Littlejohn (both former Roots players), and Gerardo Burgos added the other goals. In the second round of qualifying, Inter SF had no trouble in dispatching Real San Jose of the National Soccer League 4-0. Dylan Autran scored twice and assisted on Gamal Compaore’s goal for a 3-0 halftime lead. Matt Fondy added the fourth off of a corner kick.

Davis Legacy opened their 2023 qualifying run with a 4-3 win over UC Davis Club Soccer. Junior Kazeem and JJ Rigo scored two goals apiece. In the second round, David Legacty had another close contest in their 2-1 win over Elk Grove Blues of the UPSL. The game remained scoreless until the 81st minute when Elk Grove took the lead, leading to Davis scoring twice in the following seven minutes. James Togbah leveled the score in the 84th minute, and Lesia Simon Thetsane put Davis up for good in the 88th.

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Beaman United FC (UPSL) at Kalonji Pro-Profile (UPSL)
Shiloh Generals Stadium; Snellville, GA
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA

Beaman United FC | Nashville, TN
UPSL KY-TN Division
2022 Spring Season: 8-1-1, 25 pts., 53 GF 8 GA, 1st place
2022 Fall Season: 7-1-2, 23 pts., 41 GF 15 GA, 2nd place

Kalonji Pro-Profile | Dacula, GA
UPSL Georgia Division
2022 Spring Season: 7-3-1, 22 pts., 41 GF 16 GA, 3rd place

Beaman went on to reach the UPSL National Semifinals, defeating the Dodge City Toros 2-1, then lost to Orange County FC 3-1 in the UPSL Championship game. Beaman also appeared to reach the 2022 National Amateur Cup Semifinals after defeating ASC New Stars 3-0 to win the Region III tournament but were later disqualified due to ineligible players.

Kalonji Pro-Profile is the top team of the Kalonji Soccer Academy, and fields U-23 and U-17 teams in the UPSL as well.

After a first round bye. Beaman United opened it’s 2023 Open Cup qualifying run with a 3-1 won over the UPSL’s Bowling Green FC. Alphonso Gooden scored first for Beaman in the 22nd minute. Eight minutes later former NYCFC midfielder Kwadwo Poku doubled the lead. After seeing their lead cut in half just after halftime, Beaman regained their two goal advantage through a tap in goal from Hayden Black.

Beaman captain Kwadwo Poku has an interesting US Open Cup resume from his earlier playing days. In addition to his nine career tournament goals, he is one of two players to score a goal in three consecutive tournaments for three different teams at three different levels. Poku scored for the Georgia Revolution (NPSL) in 2013, Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL, Div. 2 pro) in 2014 and then for New York City FC (MLS, Div. 1) in 2015.

Kalonji also had a first round bye, and recorded a 5-1 victory in the qualifying opener over FC Birmingham of the UPSL. Kalonji jumped out to a quick lead after a 5th minute goal from USL Championship veteran Junior Sandoval. Frantz Rooby Dalusma doubles Kalonji’s lead 12 minutes later, and in an “only in the U.S. Open Cup” moment, the game was stopped for ten minutes while players searched the woods surrounding the field to find one of the game balls. In the second half Dalusma netted his second goal with Anthony Sumo Jr. and Kofi Twumasi finished the scoring,  Full Game Video

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Naples City FC (UPSL) at Miami Soccer Academy (National Soccer League / USSSA)
Monsignor Edward Pace High School; Miami Gardens, FL
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA

Naples City FC | Naples, FL
UPSL Florida West Division
2022 Spring Season: 4-4-2, 14 pts., 9 GF 11 GA
2022 Fall Season: 5-3-2, 17 pts., 15 GF 13 GA (ONGOING)

Miami Soccer Academy | Miami Beach, FL
National Soccer League Florida Elite Division
2022 Spring Season: 1st place, regular season champions
2022 Fall Season: 5-2-1, 16 ps. 18 GF 9 GA (ONGOING)

Naples City’s will be looking for a bit of revenge, and their first attempt at Open Cup qualifying ended abruptly in 2022, losing their opening game 2-1 to Miami Soccer Academy. Naples City FC struggled in the UPSL Florida West Division in the 2022 Spring season, finishing 4-4-2 and a sixth-place finish.

After a first round bye Naples City defeated Naples United FC of the NSL 4-0 in a game stopped in the 65th minute due to severe weather. Raidel Ramos, Alejandro Martinez and Mateo Rolon scored first half goals, and Martinez added another in thew second half before heavy rain stopped the match. Full Match Video

Miami Soccer Academy are making their second run at Open Cup qualifying, with their debut last year ending in a 3-1 defeat to Open Cup qualifiers Orlando FC Wolves in the Third Round. MSA had a very successful Spring season in the NSL Florida Elite Division, finishing first and then winning the Elite Division playoffs.

MSA defeated the UPSL’s O’Shea’s FC 2-1 in the opening round of qualifying. In the second round MSA needed extra time for a 3-1 win over Juventus Academy of the UPSL. After dropping in a 1-0 hold just before halftime, MSA responded just after the break on a Jeff Mesidor goal.  Neither team could find the net the rest of the way, but just three minutes into extra time Kemar Jordan have MSA the lead. In the 110th minute Jhojan Leyton padded MSA’s lead for the eventual final score.

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City Soccer FC (National Soccer League / USSSA) at Miami United FC (National Soccer League / USSSA)
Ted Hendricks Stadium; Hialeah, FL
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA

City Soccer FC | West Palm Beach, FL
National Soccer League Florida Division Premier Division
2022 Spring Season: 2nd place, won Elite Division playoffs
2022 Fall Season: 5-4-0, 15 pts., 22 GF 11 GA (ONGOING)

Miami United FC | Miami Beach, FL
National Soccer League Florida Division Elite Division
2022 Spring Season: 7th place
2022 Fall Season: 1-3-2, 5 pts., 9 GF 12 GA (ONGOING)

Miami United U-23 have entered Open Cup qualifying twice in the past. Their first foray in qualifying came in 2018 with a one and done entry. In 2020 qualifying Miami United qualified with a 4-0 win over Hurricane FC, but the Open Cup was ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Miami United ‘s NPSL club have qualified for the Open Cup four times (2015, 2017, 2018 & 2022), with their deepest run coming in 2018 when they reached the Fourth Round.

Miami United won their opening round qualifying game 3-1 over NSL rivals Florida Brothers, Miami United then whitewashed the UPSL’s International Soccer Association 5-0 in the second round.

After Manuel Conte opened the scoring for Miami United, a pair of players with overseas professional experience added to the first half score line. Andrea Pastore (formerly of Serie B & Serie C in Italy) scored the team’s second goal in the 31st minute and Robertino Insúa (Club Atlético San Lorenzo, Argentina) followed to make it 3-0 in the 38th minute. Miguel Benito and Shamar Shelton finished the scoring in the second half.

City Soccer FC are making their second qualifying appearance after a successful 2022 run. In last year’s qualifying City Soccer racked up 14 goals scored against 4 allowed, topped off by a 4-0 win over Florida Soccer Soldiers to qualify. In the tournament proper City Soccer lost 3-1 to the NPSL’s Miami United FC in a wild game in which all four goals were scored in the final 15 minutes. City Soccer again encountered Florida Soccer Soldiers in the opening round of 2023 qualifying and came away with a 3-2 victory. FSS sent the game into extra time in the 90th minute, and City Soccer won the game in the final minute of extra time.

In the second round City Soccer encountered another NSL club, Hurricane FC, and came away with a 2-0 win. City Soccer jumped in from just second before the halftime whistle, and then doubled their lead a few minutes after the restart.

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BattleBorn FC (NISA Nation / USASA) at Legend Football Gold (Federal Way Men’s Open Sunday / USASA)
Saghalie Park; Federal Way, WA
Kickoff: 8 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA

BattleBorn FC | Minden, NV
NISA Nation Pacific Region
2022 Spring Season: 5-0-1, 16 pts., 32 GF 5 GA, 1st place

Legend Football Gold | Lake Forest Park, WA
Federal Way Men’s Open Sunday
2022 Spring Season: 5-1-4, 19 pts.., 1st place

Legend Football Gold are the champions of the four team Federal Way Men’s Open Sunday league and are making their Open Cup qualifying debut. The league and all the teams are sponsored by www.legendsportsvideo.com. The league is also known as the Kajumulo City League after Alex Kajumulo, a long-time fixture of local soccer in the Seattle area originally from Tanzania, who supplies the league with kits through Kajumulo World Sports.

After a first round bye, Legends opened their qualifying run with a 1-0 win over Bellevue Athletic FC of the UPSL. Karsimi Konneh scored the lone goal of the game in the 19th minute.

BattleBorn FC are making their second attempt at Open Cup qualifying, having reached the Third Round last where they lost to Metro FC 1-0. BattleBorn finished first in the NISA Nation Pacific Region at 5-0-1. BattleBorn began their 2023 qualifying run with a 4-2 win over Medesto City Football Club of the Southwest Premier League. Junior Mahi gave BattleBorn a 1-0 lead just 30- seconds into the game, and Joaquin Garcia Broggi netted two more in the opening half, with Jonathan Cuavas helping on all three goals. Broggi finished his hat trick in the second half.  Modesto began a modest comeback but could only cut the score to 4-2.

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Capo FC (NISA Nation / USASA) at Desert FC (UPSL)
Hovely Park (Field 3); Palm Desert, CA
Kickoff: 9:30 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA

Capo FC | San Juan Capistrano, CA
NISA Nation Southwest Region
2022 Spring Season: 8-1-1, 25 pts., 32 GF 12 GA, 1st place

Desert FC | La Quinta, CA
UPSL Socal East Division 1
2022 Spring Season: 4-6-1, 12 pts., 25 GF 25 GA
2022 Fall Season: 4-2-2, 14 pts., 16 GF 13 GA (ONGOING)

Desert FC make their Open Cup qualifying debut this year, receiving a bye in the opening round. The club had been established in the UPSL Women’s league in Spring 2021, with the Men’s team being established for the 2022 Spring season in the Socal East Division, UPSL Division 1.

As part of the Southwest Premier League Capo FC got to the final round of 2022 Open Cup qualifying, where they lost to San Fernando Valley FC 2-1. Capo finished first in the NISA Nation Southwest Region with an 8-1-1 record.

Capo won their opening 2023 qualifying game via forfeit when their opponents, OC Kings FC of the UPSL, did not have enough eligible players to play. In the second round, Capo had to wait an extra 72 hours to top the UPSL’s Laguna United FC 4-1, as lightning forced the match scheduled for Sunday Oct. 15 to be pushed to Oct. 19. Capo jumped on top quickly through a Daniel Segal goal in the 4th minute, soon followed by Fatmir Becovic’s tally. Hevany Mota scored just before and after halftime, and Capo held the four goal advantage until Laguna pulled one back late in the game.

Desert FC opened with a resounding 6-1 win over LA Monsters of the Southwest Premier League. Erick Guzman and Jovanni Molina each racked up hat tricks in the victory.

2023 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2 Review: Regulars cruise, new faces shine

by

Miami United FC players celebrate during their 2023 US Open Cup Second Qualifying Round match against International Soccer Association at Broward College-South Campus in Pembroke Pines, FL (Credit: Miami United FC)

As many professional leagues in the United States enter playoff time another knockout tournament is underway. The 108th edition of the US Open Cup and its second qualifying round continued last weekend. It featured amateur competition for multiple leagues and associations from the Open Division of the United States Soccer Pyramid.

The 7th edition of the US Open Cup Qualifying Tournament saw 36 matches played across the country. For 37 teams this was their first match in the competition this year after receiving a bye last round. While many returning names moved, including an astounding nine teams from last year’s tournament proper, a few notable ones crashed out in upset losses. Teams such as FC Denver and Christos FC, which have made their names in previous tournaments, were eliminated this round.

The winners from this round move on to next month’s third qualifying games. Those will take place between November 19-20,



SATURDAY October 15


Oyster Bay United FC (UPSL)
4:1
Queensboro FC II (UPSL)
Queens College Varsity Soccer Field; Flushing, NY


By Dave Einhorn

Oyster Bay United cruised past Queensboro II FC into Round 3 of the 2023 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Oyster Bay United defeated Queensboro II FC at Queens College by a score of 4-1 on Saturday morning. The tie was a rematch of the United Premier Soccer League American Division Final played this past spring, where it was Queensboro II who took the spoils. Like that match, Queensboro jumped out front within ten minutes, taking an early 1-0 lead from an own goal.

Queensboro looked to settle the game with their lead but could not contain Oyster Bay United. Mathew Carriel scored a brilliant equalizer from the left-side edge of the box in the 14th minute. Duga Dambelly gave Oyster Bay the lead in the 32nd minute after he slotted home a through ball from midfield past the keeper. The 2-1 score at halftime suggested it was anyone’s game.

After the second-half whistle, Oyster Bay talisman Junior Rosero scored his team’s third goal, putting more pressure on Queensboro II FC to respond. Both teams traded fouls, free kicks, and corner-kick opportunities. Oyster Bay cemented their victory with a fourth goal from Sebastian Ruiz in the 61st minute. The full-time score: Oyster Bay United 4 and Queensboro II FC 1.

There were different emotions at the end of the game. Queensboro II FC coach Diego Gomez talked about mental strength in his team: “We need to keep believing and keep playing and try to hardship. In the second half, we were not able to play at our level. Meanwhile,

Oyster Bay United coach Josue Esqueche looks towards the next round: “We’re not where we want to be yet, but we’re on the right track. If we continue like this, we will accomplish the same goal we had last season, the main rounds .

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South Carolina United Heat (UPSL)
4:0
TCSA (UPSL)
Paul Thigpen Chevrolet; Vidalia, GA

By Forrest Wimbley

On a sunny day in Vidalia, Georgia, the South Carolina Heat steamrolled TCSA in the second qualifying round by a 4-0 score.

The visitors from South Carolina began the scoring in the 7th minute with a skillful chip over the TCSA keeper by Alejo Binaghi. The Heat turned up the temperature when Mitch Backer scored a second goal from a long cross in the 31st made, making it 2-0. The visitors continued their domination in the 43rd minute, with Rodane McKenzie cleaning up a second ball from a free kick. SC United was in cruise control with a 3-0 halftime lead. An 82nd minute goal from McKenzie put the game to bed once and for all.

The Heat are attempting to qualify for the US Open Cup for the first time. Last year, they advanced to the final round only to forfeit the “Win & You’re In” match.

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Kalonji Pro-Profile (UPSL)
5:1
FC Birmingham (UPSL)
Pleasant Grove Soccer Complex; Pleasant Grove, AL

By Kaylor Hodges

On a sunny 85-degree Saturday in Pleasant Grove, Ala., Kalonji Pro-Profile made the 190-mile drive from Lawrenceville, Ga. Kalonji Pro-Profile came out in their traditional 4-2-3-1 and bagged their goal early from former professional Junior Sandoval in the 5th minute. FC Birmingham, playing the 3-3-3-1, looked a step behind from the bounce.

In the 17th minute, a controversial moment as Kalonji Pro-Profile scored after not one, but two goal line clearances off of the crossbar, Frantz Rooby Dalusma doubled the visitors’ lead, despite the pleading of offsides from the home fans.

Midway through the first half, an impromptu hydration break was called as all the balls were lost in the woods surrounding the pitch. At least ten minutes were lost as players entered the thicket to attempt to find at least one game ball. Immediately on the restart, Finn Dowdey gets a yellow card brandished for studs to the shin. Five minutes later, another yellow card was given out to FC Birmingham. As the first half moved on, Kalonji-Pro Profile moved to an extremely aggressive 3-4-2-1 that looked more like a 3-2-5 in attack. In the dying minutes of the half, Dalumsa gets his first half brace on a rocket from 25 yards out, despite FC Birmingham’s keeper Cosmas Uzoaru getting a solid paw on the ball.

To start the second half, Cosmas Uzoaru gets three massive saves to keep his Falcons Squad in the match and raise his save total to 8 through the 50th minute. In the 55th minute, Anthony Sumo Jr. got on the end of a pass at the top of the box to beat the Frenchman in net to put Kalonji Pro-Profile up 4-0. In the 77the minute, FC Birmingham grabbed a goal back thanks to Finn Dowdey on their first shot on goal in the match. In the 84th, Kalonji Pro-Profile’s Kofi Twumasi put the boys in red up 5-1 after a rebound goal. This would be the final goal of the game as the victors move on to their next round of the US Open Cup.

BROADCAST



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Metro Louisville FC (UPSL)
1:0
Valhalla FC (Ohio Valley Premier League / USCS)
Charity J. Lucas Multi-Purpose Athletic Complex; Milford, OH


By Brandon Gee

Metro Louisville traveled to Milford, Ohio, with only 11 players, to take on Valhalla FC and finished victorious, 1-0.

The lone goal was scored by Alejandro Trejo in the 28th minute after an errant clearance by Valhalla goalkeeper, Ian McNamara. McNamara’s kick landed right at the feet of the approaching Trejo who chested it down, took one step and chipped a left-footed ball over McNamara’s head into the upper 90.

https://twitter.com/MetroLouFC/status/1581406599825932289?s=20&t=VUclRXRJdDkucUuKiqyI5Q

Metro Louisville, who are attempting to qualify for the first time in club history, now awaits word of their opponent in the third qualifying round to be held Nov. 19-20.

BROADCAST


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FC Denver (Colorado Super League / USASA)
1:4
Azteca FC (Colorado Super League / USASA)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, CO


By Matt Pollard

Azteca FC won a heated rivalry match with FC Denver on Saturday afternoon to advance to the third round of US Open Cup Qualifying.

Azteca came out the better side, with Denver’s defense bending but not breaking. However, Cesar Castillo found Juan Torres on a run in behind in the 20th minute. Torres went bottom far corner to give Denver the 1-0 lead. 

Nine minutes later, Azteca equalized. Off a throw in, Denver goalkeeper Drew Johnson bobbled the ball. Brice Colcombe pounced on it and buried it with his first touch.

Denver was better to start the second half. They were sharper on the ball and had good sequences in transition. The game turned against them however in the 53rd minute. Azteca got on a break with Jovany Herrera taken down from behind by Carlos Castro in the box. A penalty was called and Castro was given a straight red. Herrera converted the penalty easily, making it 2-1

Castillo found center back Brian Roddy set pieces but could not convert as Denver tried to battle back. There were shouts for a penalty in the 64th when Liam Creedon was taken down by
Azteca defender Jose Bencomo, but the cross was out of reach

The game was put away in stoppage time. Saul Garcia scored on a breakaway in the 88th minute. Azteca won a second penalty minutes later with Bencomo converting. The match ended 4-1

“We came out flat. The red card was harsh. slows down, has no choice but to run into his back. That changed the game. From there, failed to execute down a man. We gave them too much space in midfield. It’s execution and composure. We didn’t have that,” FC Denver Head Coach Andy Goellner told thecup.us post game.

“It’s the highlight of the year. Everyone of us is competing to play with the big boys. You’re playing the best teams. It’s always fun,” Goellner added sentimentally when asked about the significance of the competition. 

 
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Boston Street FC (UPSL)
0:1
Brockton FC United (Bay State Soccer League / USASA)
Rocky Marciano Stadium; Brockton, MA

By Liz McQuikin (Recap used with permission from Mass-Soccer.org)

Brockton FC hosted Boston Street FC in the second round of US Soccer’s Lamar Hunt Open Cup Qualifying Round. The drama in this game started before kickoff when Boston Street Soccer questioned whether the Marciano Stadium turf met the Open Cup’s minimum standard of 65 yards in width. After several measurements by field officials, it was determined that the field was one yard too narrow.

Before declaring a Brockton forfeit, USSF gave Brockton FC until 7 p.m. for their field to meet the minimum standards. Brockton supporters were able to obtain field chalk from a local hardware store and the team and fans banded together to re-line the field.  Finishing at 6:59pm, with just a minute before the deadline, the game was saved and the fans would get to see their teams play.  This round would have a winner determined on the pitch after all!

Boston Street came out strong.  They demonstrated good speed, quick passes, and pressure in their attacking third. Early on, they forced a few mistakes from the Brockton defensive line and created some opportunities off corners.  Brockton adjusted to the tenacious Boston Street pressure and began to create counter opportunities.

In the twenty fourth minute, Brockton was awarded a PK on a foul in the box. Boston Street goalie and captain, PJ Mundis, made a fantastic save as seen here: PK Save

The game remained scoreless through halftime.  In the sixty-fourth minute, Brockton was able to convert a set piece served by #8 “Geo” Alves and finished by #21 Antonio Correira as seen here:  Brockton Goal

After Brockton’s goal, there were a few more opportunities by Brockton including this cross by #20 Elizandro Cardosa to an attempted bicycle kick by #11 Nilton Texixeira Andrade: Brockton Late Game Opportunity. The game remained 1-0 to the final whistle and the Brockton keeper, Benvindo Barros, turned in a clean sheet.

Fans and supporters were glad this game was played because both teams turned in solid performances and represented their clubs well.

Brockton FC will move on to the third qualifying round of the Open Cup.

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Houston FC (National Soccer League / USSSA)
2:3
D10 Lions FC (National Soccer League / USSSA)
Matias Almeyda Training Center; Houston, TX


By John Raycroft

D10 Lions FC won a heated matchup against Houston FC 3-2 to advance to the next round of qualifying. The D10 Lions got a goal in the 10th Minute from David Perez, to get out to an early lead. The Lions had control of the midfield from the start and dominated possession early on. They continued to pressure Houston FC for the first quarter hour until the second goal from Perez in the 26th Minute.

Houston FC seemed to calm down after the second goal and started to push back against the Lions leading to a goal in the 36th Minute from Michel Anthony Luster. Some late first half attacks and free kicks poised no threat to either side as the half ended 2-to-1 with the D10 Lions in the lead. 

The second half opened with fireworks as the D10 Lions goalie got called for a handball and tackle outside of the box which led to a red card and a free kick for Houston FC. The Lions had to replace their goalie as a result, and Houston FC capitalized on the opportunity to level it with a goal from Mahmoud Adawin. The intensity rose as the second half continued including multiple yellow cards for D10 coaches.

A red card for violent play for the Lions’ Axel Cabrin, led to Houston FC having a two man advantage for an extended period. The game would get more and more physical as play continued resulting in a red card for Houston’s Jesus Herrera Vargas. As the sun was dropping low in the sky and visibility decreasing by the minute, contingency plans were made to ensure lighting would be available in case the game went to extra time. The D10 Lions managed to grab a late goal to take a 3-2 lead that they would hold onto until the end of the game. The game ended up with more than 10 minutes of stoppage time due to red cards, goals, and injuries throughout the second half. D10 Lions escaped a very physical, back and forth game while down multiple players at one point to secure their advancement.

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Santa Cruz FC (UPSL)
L:W (Forfeit)
Unations FC (UPSL)
Fore Kicks II; Marlborough, MA


Santa Cruz were forced to forfeit this contest due to player unavailability, which means Unations advance to the third qualifying round which is scheduled for Nov. 19-20. Unations’ previous tournament resume includes being one-and-done in both 2018 and 2022 qualifying. This will be the farthest they’ve ever reached, all while never playing a single game.


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Gainesville City FC (UPSL)
1:2
Florida Premier FC (UPSL)
GSports Clubhouse Field; Trinity, FL

Florida Premier FC hosted fellow United Premier Soccer League side Gainesville City FC on a clear and mild night of US Open Cup qualifying action. The home side came out in control and drew first blood in the 10th minute off a lovely curling shot to the upper right corner. Heading into the latter end of the first half, Gainesville began to generate chances, mainly through their striker Dorian Jackson. Though Premier controlled the majority of possession, the visiting side would make occasional forays into FPFC’s third, including a penalty shout when a Gainesville City player was taken down just inside the box

As passions flared on both sides, and especially the visiting bench, Florida Premier was able to take advantage of the chaos to add a second goal in first half stoppage time. Left back Stewart Vigh found himself alone in the middle of City’s 18 and one-timed a shot toward the bottom left of the goal. Gainesville’s goalkeeper got a palm on the ball, but not enough to keep it out.

The second half began much the same as the first, with Florida Premier maintaining control of the tempo and Gainesville City’s manager’s protestations eventually earning him a yellow card in the 56th minute. Both teams began making substitutions around the hour mark, and play opened up on both ends. The Gainesville keeper was able to smother a barrage of shots from Premier and was once bailed out by a heroic goal line clearance from one of his defenders. 

With less than ten minutes left in the match, the visitors were able to turn up the pace. The hard work of Dorian Jackson paid off in the 88th as he controlled a cross with his chest and turned to volley in a laser of a shot, giving a spark of hope to the orange-clad away side. The late goal turned out to be too little too late as Premier steadied themselves and saw out the remaining short stoppage time period to claim a well-earned victory and move on in qualification. 


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Club de Lyon (NISA Nation / USASA)
3:1
Orlando FC Wolves (Central Florida Soccer League / USASA)
Econ Soccer Complex; Orlando, FL


Patrick Sandidge scored in the 5th minute to open the scoring for Orlando FC Wolves, who made their US Open Cup debut last year. But the game would turn around with Club de Lyon scoring three unanswered goals to advance to Round 3. 


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Germantown City FC (UPSL)
0:6
Nova FC (Eastern Premier Soccer League)
Virginia Revolution Sportsplex; Leesburg, VA

By Liam Wolfe

Northern Virginia Football Club (NoVa FC) was able to comfortably take down Germantown City 6-0 on a crisp fall night off the back of a KJ Nadeau hat-trick.

It did not take long for the defending EPSL champions and Amateur Cup runners up to get on the scoreboard as in the 13th minute it would be Vagner Marques who’d get on the end of a Alton “POP” West cross and get the home side an early lead.

Germantown City struggled all night with giveaways in the middle of the pitch and NoVa would capitalize on one of those mistakes in the 30th minute after Marques would make a fantastic run past three Germantown defenders before laying it off to Nadeau who had a simple finish to the bottom left of the net.

NoVa’s third and Nadeau’s second would come right on the edge of halftime as Jhonny De Souza would take a free kick quickly and was able to find the head of Nadeau who directed it over the Germantown keeper Aboubacarr Sinera to add to their lead.

NoVa would make it 4-0 in the 50th minute after substitute JP Ayolmbong would perfectly slip in his pass to beat the offside trap and into the path of Marques would dribble around the goalie and get his third goal contribution of the day.

Nadeau was able to finish off his hat trick and it might’ve been the easiest goal of his career after Pierre Richard would send a looping cross to the back post and it appeared the keeper misread the passes trajectory as he would run beyond the ball and leaving Nadeau with a free header into a empty net in the 64th minute,

NoVa really did leave the best of last as their sixth goal of the night was simply jaw-dropping. After it appeared that NoVa’s Will Zarco was in on goal it’d be a last ditch challenge only a few inches outside the box. Up stepped the center back Frankie DiOrio for the free-kick, the defender would fire off an absolute rocket of the shot into the very top left corner and stamp of a very impressive NoVa FC win. 

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D’Feeters Kicks Soccer Club (UPSL)
3:2
Alamo City Soccer Club (UPSL)
Alamo Sportsplex; San Antonio, TX


Sebastian Mendez was the difference, scoring a hat trick to lead D’Feeters Kicks SC to a 3-2 road win over Alamo City SC. Mendez scored two goals in the first half and each time he scored, Alamo would answer with a goal of their own. Mendez would complete his hat trick in the second half to send the Kicks into Round 3.

D’Feeters are seeking to qualify for the US Open Cup for the second year in a row after punching their ticket in their first-ever attempt last season.

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Beaman United FC (UPSL)
3:1
Bowling Green FC (UPSL)
The Pit (Bowling Green Junior High); Bowling Green, KY

By Federico Pravettoni


On a chilly Saturday night at The Pit, the Golden Lions fell short to Beaman United FC from Nashville by a score of 3-1.

From the first minutes of the match, Beaman started strong and took control of the game with great spells of possession while the home side struggled to play their game.

After a few chances in the first 15 minutes, Beaman found the lead with a goal by Alphonso Gooden in the 22nd minute. The forward, assisted from the right flank, readied himself inside the box and finished with a great touch in the top right corner.

Beaman continued to dominate and came close to doubling the advantage with a header by midfielder and captain Kwadwo Poku.

Later, in the 30th minute, the captain found the back of the net in a 1v1 with Golden Lion goalkeeper Chas Cross, giving Beaman a 2-0 advantage.

The visitors continued to push as they maintained hold of the ball and looked to find their third of the night with Seth Poku, but stopped by an impressive cross to keep BGFC afloat.

In the second 45 minutes, the home side came out with a completely different approach and with just three minutes into the half, shortened the advantage with a goal by Jacob Liddy – who won the challenge with Beaman’s defender and finished with a shot on the ground in the bottom left corner beating BUFC goalkeeper Alex Rodriguez.

The Golden Lions made themselves dangerous again and came close to finding the equalizer.

In the 78th minute, however, Beaman found the third of the night off a devastating counterattack ended with a tap-in goal by forward Hayden Black, sealing the game to crush Bowling Green’s hopes for a comeback.

“We’re proud of our guys, it’s our first experience doing this,” said BGFC head coach Evan Sutherland. “They stayed together and gave it a fight tonight.”

Despite the loss, Sutherland believes this is a valuable experience for the team’s growth moving forward.

“It’s really about growing and getting this experience, these experiences, this is so valuable for these guys because like I said, we got a lot of guys that are 19, 20 years old,” he said. “We’re going to grow, we’re going to keep getting better and you know, see if we come back here next year and move forward.”

Beaman captain Kwadwo Poku has an interesting US Open Cup resume from his earlier playing days. In addition to his nine career tournament goals, he is one of two players to score a goal in three consecutive tournaments for three different teams at three different levels. Poku scored for the Georgia Revolution (NPSL) in 2013, Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL, Div. 2 pro) in 2014 and then for New York City FC (MLS, Div. 1) in 2015. He shared his thoughts on the game and the final result.

“It’s really important, it’s our first you know, I think for Beaman, it’s our first Open Cup game and obviously, everybody wants to be in the US Open Cup regardless of what level, so you know, the guys were determined to win,” he said.

With the win, Beaman advances to the third qualifying round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, to be played Nov. 19-20.

“It’s going to get harder and harder and harder,” said Poku. “You got to take it one at a time, you got to work day in day out because it’s not going to get easy, so, again, you know, we will train and we will do our best to get to where we want to get to.”

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Inter San Francisco (San Francisco Soccer Football League / USASA)
4:0
Real San Jose (National Soccer League / USSSA)
PAL Stadium; San Jose, CA


By Abel Anguiano

Inter San Francisco took down Real San Jose by a score of 4-0 at PAL Stadium in San Jose on Saturday in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup qualifying tournament. It was a rematch of last year’s opening round qualifying game, which Inter won by a score of 4-2.

What began as a decently even match eventually turned into San Francisco domination. Half an hour into the match, Inter would net their first after a Dylan Autran shot found its way past the goalkeeper to put the visitors up by one. At the death of the first half, Inter struck twice more with Dylan Autran netting his second and assisting Gamal Compaore to make it 3-0 at the break.

The second half was a much more tame game of football, but Real San Jose still found themselves overwhelmed by the attacking presence of Autran and former pro Matthew Fondy. The latter would find the back of the net after a corner kick play, putting the game to bed. The rest of the game lacked drive from the home side while San Francisco played as if they were playing a practice scrimmage. The match ended 4-0 with Real San Jose finding themselves out of the competition for the fourth year in a row, while Inter San Francisco advanced to the next round.

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Davis Legacy SC (UPSL)
2:1
Elk Grove Blues (UPSL)
11 p.m.  Bartholomew Sports Park; Elk Grove, CA


By Marco Lopez

Davis Legacy SC defeated Elk Grove Blues by a final score of 2-1 at the Bartholomew Sports Park in the 2nd round of the 2023 US Open Cup qualifying tournament.

After a close 4-3 win against UC Davis Club Soccer in the 1st round on Sept. 17, Davis Legacy SC again took the victory over Elk Grove Blues in a very intense matchup highlighted by physical defense. The first half was an all-out dogfight with several opportunities being just short of a goal, whether it was a 1 on 1 or a long ball. And for the beginning of the second half, it seemed like the scoring drought would continue for both teams. That is until Gabriel Moreno scored in the 81st minute to put Elk Grove Blues up 1-0. 

This, however, gave Davis new life and motivation as they would go on to score two goals within four minutes of each other to seal the game. James Togbah would score in the 84th minute while Lesia Simon Thetsane would land the finishing blow in the 88th minute. With that being said, both soccer clubs played a very gutsy match with each giving maximum effort. But the offensive pressure that Davis’s front line exerted in the second half was too much Elk Grove in the end.

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16


Coronado Athletic Club (UPSL)
0:4
UDA Soccer (UPSL)
Field of Dreams Soccer Complex; Las Cruces, NM


By Edward Camp

UDA Soccer took on the visiting Coronado Athletic Club of Cochise County, Arizona in Las Cruces, New Mexico. From the opening kick, UDA dominated every aspect of the game. Mattias Cavallo scored the opener in the 15th minute for UDA, who kept up pressure on Coronado throughout the rest of the first half.

Coronado would take their only shot on goal early in the second half before Eric Gomez-Silva scored a brace in the 59th minute and the 61st minute to put UDA up 3-0.

Marco Millan put up their fourth in the 75th minute to close out the scoresheet. By then, Coronado had seemingly accepted their fate, playing with little urgency as UDA dropped back to defend their win.


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IASC Boom (Rochester District Soccer League / USASA)
3:1
Sahara Gunners FC (UPSL)
Dobson Field (D’Youville University); Buffalo, NY


By Jonathan Molik

On a stereotypical gloomy Sunday in Buffalo, NY we saw the Sahara Gunners host the IASC Boom. Witman Hernandez opened the scoring early for Boom with a goal on the counterattack in the fourth minute. It only took them twelve minutes to notch a second goal. This time Witman was providing the setup for Ali Shawish to slot it home between the legs of the keeper. In the twenty second minute we see the Gunners grab one back. Off a corner kick, Kovan connects with a powerful header and slams it into the back of the net. Keeping with how things were going, it only took Boom sixty seconds to regain their two goal lead thanks to another great finish from Witman Hernandez.

The technically gifted Gunners were unable to keep up with the quality of possession and teamwork on display from Boom. The Gunners lacked the last pass in the final third of the field and because of this failed to create scoring opportunities. The game finished 3-1 in favor of Boom.

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Lancaster Elite (UPSL)
0:2
Vereinigung Erzgebirge (United Soccer League of Pennsylvania / USASA)
Vereinigung Erzgebirge Clubhouse; Warminster, PA


By Greg Oldfield

Derek Antonini scored early and added an assist to lead Vereinigung Erzgebirge past Lancaster

Elite 2-0 in the Second Round of qualifying for the 2023 US Open Cup. The hosts and current leaders in the United Soccer League of Pennsylvania jumped on the board 11 minutes in when Angelo Dambalas played a diagonal ball to Antonini that beat the Lancaster back line. Antonini took a few touches before beating reserve keeper Andrea Disomma.

VE Goals (video courtesy of Scott Reiber)


Chris Baker doubled the VE lead four minutes into the second half after Dambalas forced a turnover and sprung Antonini free again down the right side. Antonini beat the Lancaster back, and Baker smashed home the cross from inside the six. In the 78th minute, Alec Neumann played Antonini in over the top, but the VE forward’s shot hit the crossbar. Minutes from the end, VE’s Greg Shertzer jumped on an Evan Vare long ball with only Disomma to beat, but his unselfish layoff to Antonini forced an incredible sprawling save by the Lancaster keeper. Lancaster nearly pulled one back in the 90th minute when reserve forward Troy Mead’s shot hit the outside post.

Despite the loss, Lancaster coach Gino Disomma was pleased with his team’s effort.

“We’re on the younger side,” he said. “I think the inexperience showed a little bit.”

Lancaster won the first round 3-2 over USLPA side Lancaster City FC in extra time. The UPSL team is currently eighth in the Northeast Division. “We’re happy to have been in the second round,” Disomma said. “We’re a new team coming together, so just the experience of getting this, and as we grow, I think it’s going to be better for us as well.”

VE will await their opponent for the third round of qualifying, which will take place the weekend of November 18 th -20 th . Last year, VE was knocked out in the third round by Philadelphia Lone Star FC. VE defeated Lone Star 2-1 in the first round in September. Antonini is excited about advancing, and when asked about what his team needs to do to prepare for the next opponent, he said:

“Just keep guys healthy and get all our guys here. We were missing some good players, Mike Reese, Sean Peckham, and Steve Neumann. If we can get those guys and we’re healthy, we can compete with anybody.”

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West Chester United SC (United Soccer League of Pennsylvania / USASA)
4:0
United German Hungarians (United Soccer League of Pennsylvania / USASA)
Temple University Ambler Campus; Ambler, PA


By Matt Ralph (BrotherlyGame.com)

Finn Reese had a pair of goals and an assist in a four-goal second half to lead West Chester United to a win over his former team on Sunday afternoon. After a scoreless first half with chances falling to both teams – Chas Wilson hit the crossbar in the best chance of the half – Reese found the breakthrough in the 57th minute. It came from a pass into the box from Thomas King that Reese was able to collect and fire with his right foot across his body to beat UGH keeper James Brett.

Playing with the 1-0 lead, West Chester was able to find more space moving forward in the thick grass and doubled their advantage 12 minutes later when Reese played a long lofted ball right into the path of substitute Levi Maruca, who still had some work to do to beat two defenders and Brett but showed his technical skill to do so.

UGH still had some life left – West Chester captain Luca Mellor put out several fires on dangerous counters from Jason Pixley and Sixtus Akinlosuto – but didn’t have an answer to match West Chester’s fresh legs coming off the bench. Reese reached into his bag of tricks and pulled out a rabbit when he was able to touch a ball from King around his defender, collect it off the back spin and poke it home to make it 3-0 in the 70th minute. Whether he intended it or not, it was a lovely goal reminiscent of Dutch great Dennis Bergkamp.

Substitute Clay Moyer fired home the fourth of the day after finding space at the top of the box and placing it into the bottom corner with a kiss off the left post. The goal was assisted by substitute Mason Miller and substitute Jake Gosselin was inches away from adding a fifth minutes later off a well played through ball from Moyer. In the end, the game was closer than the 4-0 score line but the class of Reese and the depth of the Predators’ bench proved the difference. 

Man of the Match: Finn Reese. He had two great goals and a lovely assist but could’ve had more with two perfectly placed passes into the box. He was also a force defensively and defending set pieces. Luca Mellor and Thomas King also deserve a mention for their standout play on the day too. 

Highlights:

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1927 SC (Ohio Valley Premier League / USCS)
1:1
Chicago House AC (Midwest Premier League / USASA)
Hales Franciscan High School ; Chicago, IL
Chicago House AC advance 4-3 in penalty kicks


By Joe Chatz

Chicago House Athletic Club utilized a 91st minute equalizer to advance to the third round of Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifying Sunday after defeating 1927 Fort Wayne Sporting Club 4-3 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw at Hales Franciscan High School in Chicago. 

Less than eight minutes into the match, Chicago found themselves down a goal. Fort Wayne’s Uriel Macias was taken down in the penalty area, earning his side a penalty that Breno Boccoli de Oliviera slotted home to give the visitors the 1-0 lead. 

Fort Wayne maintained the lead until the first minute of second half stoppage time when Chicago was awarded a penalty kick after Seo-in Kim was taken down in the penalty area. Kim netted the subsequent penalty kick and sent the match into extra time. 

Neither side generated much of an attack in either of the extra time periods save for Chicago’s Adam Mann being sent off in the 120nd minute after receiving his second yellow card, sending the match to spot kicks.

Fort Wayne’s Boccoli de Oliviera went first and gave his side the 1-0 lead at the spot. Chicago’s Shannon Seymour then skied his attempt over the crossbar, keeping his side down a goal. 

After both teams scored in the second and third rounds, Chicago’s keeper Anthony Halterman took center stage. Halterman saved both the fourth and fifth penalty kicks from Fort Wayne before stepping to the spot himself, needing to score to win the match. Halterman’s shot beat the keeper to his right and sent Chicago into the third round of qualifying

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Boulder United FC (Colorado Super League / USASA)
1:2
Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake (Colorado Super League / USASA)
Wheat Ridge High School; Wheat Ridge, CO


By Andrew Mosier

Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake scored twice in the final 10 minutes of the match to advance past Boulder United FC 2-1 in the second round of 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifying. Jacob Love put the hosts ahead in the 94th minute after JD Michael put the match on level terms with four minutes to play in regulation. Arnuflo Becerra Garcia opened the scoring in the fourth minute to put the visitors up 1-0 before either team had a chance to settle into the match. After an even first half and start of the second, the game grew frantic and foul-riddled with six cautions and an ejection in the final half-hour of the match as Sloan’s Lake pushed for an equalizer.

Michael netted his first goal of the qualifying cycle from his center back position, carefully pushing the ball to the near post after Boulder could only partially clear the ball after a Sloan’s Lake set piece. With time waning, it looked like both teams were content to go to extra time when Jack O’ Brian found Love with a little space in the middle of the field with pin-point service. With more time than he had enjoyed all game, Love had little trouble scoring his second goal this qualifying cycle.

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Mint Hill FC (UPSL)
1:3
Tobacco Road FC (Triangle Adult Soccer League / USASA)
Durham County Memorial Stadium; Durham, NC


By Michael Battista

Tobacco Road FC pulled away in the second half against Mint Hill FC and finished the match with 3-1 winning scoreline. Jordan Snell and Orlin Roque both got goals in the second half for the home side. Joaquin Del Rosario opened up the scoring in the first half.

Tobacco’s first open cup qualifying win came after a seemingly quiet first half. Del Rosario’s goal in the 25th minute, assisted by Cameron Steele, was the culmination of a more experienced team taking control. Steele headed the ball across the box towards Rosario who tapped in the go-ahead goal. Of note, Steele last played in the US Open Cup in a 2018 North Carolina FC (USL Championship) win over Lansdowne Bhoys FC in the Second Round. That type of experience benefited Tobacco against Mint City, which only completed its inaugural UPSL campaign earlier this summer.

After the break, Tobacco doubled their lead quickly when Roque found Snell to make it 2-0 off a breakaway. However, the visiting UPSL side responded. Erick “Junior” Rivas assisted Edin Velagic on a goal less than sixty second after TBFC to make it 2-1. Mint couldn’t break the bank on a tying goal however. In the 65th minute, Snell paid Roque back and assisted on his game sealing score to make it 3-1. The quick cut-in from the right wing and left strike into the upper corner of the net from 30 yards out had little chance of being saved.

Mint City’s inaugural Open Cup campaign ends after one game while Tobacco looks ahead to the next round. Road came close to qualifying for the tournament earlier this summer when they competed in the National Amateur Cup. In the USASA Region III tournament, they reached the semifinal where the team fell to eventual (disqualified) champion Beaman United FC.



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Naples United FC (National Soccer League / USSSA)
0:4
Naples City FC (UPSL)
Paradise Coast Sports Complex; Naples, FL
Match was ended in the 65th min. due to weather


In a match between a pair of clubs from Naples, Fla., it was Naples City who cruised to a 4-0 win over Naples United FC. City jumped out to a 3-0 lead at halftime with goals from Raidel Ramos, Alejandro Martinez and Mateo Rolon, they would add a fourth in the second half but the match was halted in the 65th minute due to severe weather.

BROADCAST


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Lansdowne Yonkers FC 3  (Eastern Premier Soccer League / USASA)
3:0
New York Greek American SC 0 (Eastern Premier Soccer League / USASA)
Fleming Park; Yonkers, NY

By Dave Einhorn

Landsdowne Yonkers FC moved into the third round of US Open Cup qualifying after moving past the New York Greek Americans, 3-0. Yonkers started the game on the front foot as they took an early lead within five minutes. Shamir Mullings got on the end of a ball launched upfield and skillfully guided it past the goalkeeper. Each side had to substitute a player for injuries sustained in the first half. Neither side was happy with the referee’s decisions on fouls. NY Greek Americans grew into the game but could not find a first-half equalizer. The score was 1-0 at half-time.

Lansdowne did waste any time in the second half. Bala Danso volleyed home a cross in the 47th minute to double the lead. NY Greek Americans pushed on, having a goal ruled out for offside, but could not otherwise find an answer. Tensions mounted in the 65th minute when Chris Katona took a throw-in that hit a Lansdowne player in the head. Katona was sent off, and NY Greek Americans were down to ten men. Lansdowne added one more goal from Daryl Kavanagh in the 83rd minute.

After the game, Lansdowne Yonkers head Coach Sean Kelly said, “our gameplan went well from the very start. We worked hard for each other, and overall I think that set the momentum for the game.” Meanwhile, Jack Nuttall of NY Greek Americans said, “We have to give credit to Lansdowne; they’re a great team. For us, I think we need to make sure we’re set to go from the . here is to start the game properly.”

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Christos FC (Maryland Super Soccer League / USASA)
1:1
DCFC (DC Premier League / USASA)
Jelleff Recreation Center; Washington, D.C.

DCFC advances 5-4 on penalty kicks


By Sam Luebke

In US Open Cup play, DC Premier League side DCFC beat Maryland Super Soccer League side Christos FC on penalty kicks. Christos FC controlled the play throughout the match, holding a clear edge in possession. Christos FC players Morgan Lussi, with the ball at his feet, and Cody Albrecht, knocking balls from the back, led the Christos FC attack. Christos FC was rewarded with a deserved Lussi goal off a goalmouth scramble in the 32’. Christos FC carried the lead into halftime.

However, Christos FC were not able to generate clear goal scoring opportunities and put the game away. Throughout the match, DCFC defended confidently and competently and always looked dangerous on the counter attack. DCFC’s penalty kick goal, at 67’, converted by Harrison Engoren, was against the run of play but well deserved given their energy and poise.

The score remained 1-1 through 90’ and through both periods of extra time.  In the penalties, DCFC was perfect, converting all five. Christos FC miss on the first PK was the difference between these two clubs tonight. DCFC’s Jonathon Horlyck converted the fifth PK, giving DCFC the victory.


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Outbreak FC (Southwest Premier League / USASA)
0:1
Escondido FC (UPSL)
San Pasqual High School; Escondido, CA


By Mathias Medel

The second round of the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup qualifiers continued in San Diego, Calif., as Escondido FC (UPSL) emerged victorious over opponents Outbreak FC (SWPL) with a score of 1-0. 

Both teams came into the match having won their last qualifier in penalties, however none were needed on a night where neither team could develop clear chances on goal. It took only three minutes for the home side to get on the scoresheet through a corner header by midfielder Omar Rodriguez Corral, who also scored the winning penalty in his team’s round one win. 

For the next 87 minutes, however, Escondido FC struggled to maintain possession, with Outbreak FC also lacking any promising opportunities on goal. 

With their win, Escondido FC looks to their round three matchup on the weekend of Nov. 19.


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SC Vistula Garfield (Garden State Soccer League / USASA)
2:1
Jackson Lions FC (Garden State Soccer League / USASA)
Donovan Catholic High School; Toms River, NJ


By Michael Battista

In a battle of Garden State Soccer League rivals, SC Vistula Garfield knocked off Jackson Lions FC, 2-1, to advance into the Third Round of qualifying.

Jackson, a qualifying tournament regular, held a majority of possession early in the first half and kept most of the action in Vistula’s end. However, they failed to capitalize on any chances while Vistula waited patiently for chances to counter. In the 20th minute, Garfield’s Paul Kondratowicz found himself with the ball just outside the penalty area. The NJIT senior shot from the right side, over Lions’ keeper Jhan Paul Mayorga, and into the opposite side netting to make it 1-0. As the game evened out each team fell into a highly defensive front. It was something Jackson excelled at last season in the GSSL, only allowing eight goals all season. However on Sunday it was a defensive error that cost them when a foul in the box sent Garfield’s Nicholas Kozdron to the spot. He converted his subsequent game-winning penalty kick in the 60th minute to make it 2-0.

The Lions offense tried to bounce back but were missing captain David Nigro. The former Monmouth University star left the game at halftime with an apparent injury. While other players like Rutgers alumni and Danish professional Vincenzo Pugliese and former NPSL Golden Boot winner Matt Nigro, brother to David, the team couldn’t find enough consistency in time. Dan Pizzimenti converted a penalty kick of his own with five minutes to play but it was too little, too late. Jackson’s roster depth couldn’t overcome Vistula, who only had one player available on the bench for a sub.

The Lions loss is their second straight in qualifying after winning their opening match. The team has yet to make an appearance in the tournament proper. Garfield meanwhile is continuing to thrive in 2022. Currently celebrating its 70th anniversary, the club has seen much success on the field this past year. It finished runner-up in the GSSL Super Division this past season, won a game in the Amateur Cup regionals, and defeated a former US Open Cup champion last round in qualifying. Garfield, the oldest polish soccer club in the country, is making its first appearance in tournament qualifying (since USSF took control in 2015).


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City Soccer FC (National Soccer League / USSSA)
2:0
Hurricane FC (National Soccer League / USSSA)
Seacrest Soccer Complex; Delray Beach, FL

By Austin Robillard

In what was a rather chippy game at the Seacrest Soccer Complex between Hurricane FC and City Soccer FC, the control that City had over the course of the match was enough to go through by way of a 2-0 scoreline.

Both sides were physical early on, resulting in a couple of early yellow cards throughout the first half. City dominated possession through the first forty-five minutes, but the apparent “bend, don’t break” attitude in defending from Hurricane was working quite well. It wasn’t until the last play of the half that City finally broke through. 

A line-breaking pass in behind the Hurricane defense and a one-on-one chance with their keeper with only seconds to play in the half put City up 1-0. Their #16 rounded the young Hurricane goalie and finished simply into an empty net.

Six minutes into the second half, after Hurricane had made some substitutions, City were able to double their lead. Hurricane couldn’t withstand the barrage of attacks that City was putting forth, and the second and final goal of the game, coming in the fifty-first minute, was enough to put Hurricane down and out for the count.

The game had opened up a bit for both sides and remained very physical, but Hurricane wasn’t  able to find a goal to put them back in the match. Their best chance came with about five minutes left in the game, and the striker, unfortunately, bottled a one-on-one chance with the City keeper. With space everywhere, he found his shot going right at the goalie for a simple save.

The game ended 2-0, and City Soccer FC will be on their way to the third round of qualifying thanks to their possession dominance and getting clinical at crucial moments. They’re looking to make the tournament for the second straight year. Hurricane FC, however, will plan for next year’s cup run and focus on its UPSL season in 2022.



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Juventus Academy (UPSL)
1:3 (AET)
Miami Soccer Academy (National Soccer League / USSSA)
Monsignor Edward Pace High School; Miami Gardens, FL

It’s been a bad October for teams named Juventus. First Juventus F.C. was upset by Israel side Maccabi Haifa F.C. in the Champions League group stage. Now last weekend, Juventus Academy fell, 3-1, in extra time to Miami Soccer Academy. Which is the bigger loss? You be the judge.

Miami controlled the match possession wise and lead in shots on goal (18 to 2). But that didn’t mean they controlled the game entirely. Juventus took the lead with the last play of the first half and went into the break ahead. After halftime, MSA responded with a tying goal from Jeff Mesidor in the 48th minute. Neither side could find the back of the net for the rest of the half. In extra time, Miami once again started quickly and scored in the 93rd minute thanks to Kemar Jordan. A clinching goal in the final minute of the first ET half (115th) from Jhojan Leyton made it 3-1. The scoreline remained and MSA moved on to next month’s third round.

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Miami United FC (National Soccer League / USSSA)
5:0
International Soccer Association (UPSL)
UPSL Stadium (Broward College-South Campus); Pembroke Pines, FL

By Michael Battista

Miami United FC had little trouble downing the International Soccer Association (ISA) on Sunday night. The team won, 5-0, to move on in the qualifying tournament.

Two players with overseas professional experience scored goals in the first half. Andrea Pastore (formerly of Serie B & Serie C in Italy) scored the team’s second goal in the 31st minute. Not long after Robertino Insúa made it 3-0 in the 38th minute. The former Club Atlético San Lorenzo San Lorenzo (Argentina) player is returning after scoring a goal in last year’s First Round with Miami. Manuel Conte opened the scoring in the 20th minute.

United kept the pressure in the second half and saw additional goals from Miguel Benito (71’) and Shamar Shelton (83’).

Miami United has been fairly active in the Open Cup since its founding in 2012. The main team, which competes in the National Premier Soccer League, has qualified for the tournament via the national league track four times. Its most recent qualification came last year where United defeated local qualifier City Soccer FC in the First Round before falling to USL Championship side (The) Miami FC. United’s U-23 team, as members of the UPSL, qualified for the canceled 2020 tournament (aka why the first team declined its earned bid that year – since half the roster was cup-tied).

United confirmed to TheCup.us that the team taking part in qualifying is its first team squad.


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BattleBorn FC (NISA Nation / USASA)
4:2
Modesto City Football Club (Southwest Premier League / USASA)
Central Catholic High School; Modesto, CA

By Michael Battista

BattleBorn FC took a commanding four goal lead and survived an attempted comeback by Modesto City FC to advance, 4-2, to the third qualifying round.

The lone Nevada team in this year’s tournament only needed 30 seconds to get on the board. Junior Mahi, who also plays for USL League Two side San Francisco Glens SC, finished off a 30 yard diagonal pass from Jonathan Cuevas to go up, 1-0. Cuevas wasn’t done helping as the next goal started with a throw-in by him to forward Joaquin Garcia Broggi. He drilled past defenders and beat the Modesto keeper for a tap into the corner to make it 2-0.

The defending NISA Nation Pacific Region champions weren’t done before halftime. Cuevas once again found Broggi, this time off a chip pass, on-side and past the back line. The forward faked out the keeper and walked in his second goal of the game. Not wanting to leave matters to chance, Broggi cemented the hat-trick in the second half. On a run, winger Mahi took the ball up to the end line and played a pass into the box near the penalty spot. Broggi taped the ball into the left corner.

Modesto City scored two goals in the second half but ran out of time. Ramon Alcazar recovered the ball from high pressing the opposition and then took down field. He smashed it the net around the 63rd minute. The second came off a corner kick where captain Diego Medina headed a ball down towards Raul Cortez. He subsequently used his head to redirect the ball into the net. Medina saw a second yellow card in the 79th minute but Modesto nearly scored down a man in the 85th minute, keeping the pressure until the very end.


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Temecula FC (SWPL / USASA)
1:7
Orange County FC (UPSL)
Orange County Great Park (Field 12); Irvine, CA


By Brian Harrington

A cool Sunday evening at Field 12 of the Great Park Sports Park in Irvine, CA was the location for OCFC vs Temecula FC 2nd round US Open Cup qualifying action. OCFC controlled the ball for the majority of the first 30 minutes and were up 4-0 quickly. The last 15 minutes of the first half Temecula did better pushing into midfield and their fan base should be noted for showing up in numbers with drums and chants and sticking with their team through the tough start.

Minute 48 of the second half Temecula came out with more energy and brought the score to 4-1. The energy faded into more balanced possession for the remainder of the game ending with a final of 7-1 in favor of OCFC.


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Legend Football Gold (Federal Way Men’s Open Sunday / USASA)
1:0
Bellevue Athletic FC (UPSL)
Bellevue College Soccer Field; Bellevue, WA


In a game played at Bellevue College just outside of Seattle, the visitors Legend Football Gold came away with a 1-0 win over Bellevue Athletic FC. In a game short on offense, the lone goal came early when Karsimi Konneh of Legend Football Gold received a ball over the top of the Bellevue defense. He ran onto it and found himself 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper and he slotted it into the lower corner to open the scoring in the 19th minute. That would be one of the few shots on goal for the road team. Most of the game would be filled with long ball attempts by Legend FG but few chances. The Legend defense would hold Bellevue to even fewer chances as they were unable to break the shutout.

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Valley FC Raiders (NISA Nation / USASA)
0:2
Olympians FC (UPSL)
Pioneer Park; Peoria, AZ


By Jim Coppock

Olympians FC hosted Valley FC Raiders at Pioneer Park on a gorgeous Sunday evening and came out 2-0 victors in front of about 100 supporters. This was the Olympians’ first game in their first attempt at qualification and Valley’s second game in their first attempt.

All 90 minutes were played at a high tempo and there was no clear winner until second half stoppage time. Both halves were an end-to-end grudge match. 

Olympians would open up their goal account early; the 6th minute from Josias Ortizwith a blast from about 28 yards out. 

In the 56th minute, Valley’s #17, Lorenzo Davalos was sent off after a clumsy challenge from behind on Eduaro Jasso. In spite of being short handed, Valley continued attacking pressure.

Valley Raiders would go a second man down through injury in the 90th minute, Hector Canton would need to be helped off the field; he would not return. Three minutes later, a build up from Olympians resulted in a close range blast by #14, Roberto De Lima. This would be deflected and fall to the foot of #7, Agustin Orozco, who slotted home to put the game away, finally.

Olympians’ Paolo Cardozo would establish himself as the engine of the team, playing both sides of midfield and under the forward line. Most attacks went through him, if not started outright by him. On the other side, Valley’s #8, Victor Rolph, had the same role for his team. Both teams had many good attacking efforts and both goalkeepers had fantastic saves to keep the score close.

The win advances Olympians to the third qualifying round, to be held November 19-20, with an opponent to be determined later.

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Desert FC (UPSL)
6:1
LA Monsters FC (Southwest Premier League / USASA)
Orange County Great Park (Field 8); Irvine, CA


In their Open Cup qualifying debut, Desert FC cruised to a 6-1 win over the LA Monsters FC at Orange County Great Park. The UPSL newcomers eliminated the Monsters, handing them their second straight one-and-done qualifying run. LA’s lone goal came from Nahoul Gonzales in the 65th minute via a converted penalty kick.

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19

Capo FC (NISA Nation / USASA)
4:1
Laguna United FC (UPSL)
La Paz Sports Park; Laguna Niguel, CA

By Michael Battista

Capo FC needed to a few extra days but waisted no time in their match against Laguna United FC. Capo, short for Capistrano Football Club, won Wednesday’s game 4-1. The original match on Sunday night was initially delayed due to lightning in the area before both team’s ran up against a venue curfew. The groups instead met once again at La Paz Sports Park 72 hours later.

Daniel Segal scored in the 4th minute for Capo to get the ball rolling before Fatmir Becovic doubled up the score in the 15th minute. Hevany Mota added two goals of his own as well, closing out the first half in the 39th minute. He then opened the second with another quick score in the 47th minute. It wasn’t smooth sailing for Capo to close out the match. Sergio Montes saw two yellow card in quick succession in the 71st & 77th minutes, forcing his team to play down a man for the rest of the match. Laguna capitalized with a goal from Alex Fafilek in the 83rd but that was it.

Capo is taking part in it’s second straight Open Cup qualifying tournament. Last year, the team reached the final round before falling to San Fernando Valley FC, 2-1.

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2023 US Open Cup Qualifying: Second Round commences this weekend with 36 matches

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Aegean Hawks (black) take on Christos FC in a 2018 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Sean Maslin
Aegean Hawks (black) take on Christos FC in a 2018 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Sean Maslin


Just 72 teams remain of the 107 that started in qualifying for the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The 35 winners from the first round now join the 37 teams that received a first round bye. Those 37 teams were either picked at random or received a bye due to their geography to other teams. From here, three more qualifying rounds will be played, resulting in 9 qualifiers for the First Round “Proper” next March 2023.

The 108th edition of the Open Cup started off better than last year. While 2022’s qualifying round was filled with forfeits, only two games have so far. The biggest story of the first qualifying round is how many familiar faces went down in their first match. Two former champions failed to escape the first weekend while two 2022 competitors were pushed to the brink. Will we see more in this second round of qualifying?

The 36 winners of this second round will then face off in the thrid round of qualifying November 19-20. Those winners will then play in the fourth round this year with the final games taking place December 17-18.

Here is the preview for the 36 matches being played this weekend.

SATURDAY October 15 

Oyster Bay United FC (UPSL) at Queensboro FC II (UPSL)

10:30 a.m. Queens College Varsity Soccer Field; Flushing, NY

Oyster Bay United | Oyster Bay, NY

UPSL Northeast American Division

2022 Spring Season – 8-2-0, 24 Pts. 51 GF 9 GA, 2nd place Spring Season)

2022 Fall Season – 6-0-1 19 pts., 41 GF 7 GA (ONGOING)

Queensboro FC II | Queens, NY

UPSL Northeast American Division

2022 Spring Season – 8-1-1, 25 Pts. 38 GF 7 GA, 1st place (Spring Season)

2022 Fall Season – 6-1-2 17 pts., 27 GF 5 GA (ONGOING)

Queensboro FC II and Oyster Bay United are very familiar with each other, as Oyster Bay finished one point behind first place Queensboro FC II in the UPSL Northeast American Division Spring 2022 season. Queensboro were responsible for Oyster Bay’s only two losses out of ten games, winning 1-0 in April and 3-1 in June.  The two clubs are scheduled to meet again four days after their Open Cup qualifying game in a UPSL fall season contest.

QFC II won their first round qualifying game 5-0 over Scots American Athletic Club (aka Kearny Scots). Queensboro made it to the UPSL National Finals, falling to Beaman United FC 4-3 in the semifinals. The team is the academy/reserve team for the USL Championship club that is set to debut in 2023.

Oyster Bay United is looking to qualify for their second straight Open Cup. In 2022 they knocked off a pair of three-time Open Cup champions in qualifying, defeating NY Greek American SC and NY Pancyprian Freedoms. A 4-1 win over Westchester United sent them to their first ever Open Cup. Oyster Bay defeated Hartford City FC of the NPSL 3-0 in the opening round but fell 3-1 to Hartford Athletic of the USL Championship.

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SATURDAY October 15 

South Carolina United Heat (UPSL) at TCSA (UPSL)

2 p.m.  Paul Thigpen Chevrolet; Vidalia, GA

South Carolina United Heat | Columbia, SC

UPSL Mid-Atlantic Division

2022 Spring Season – 9-0-1, 27 pts., 39 GF 7 GA, 1st place (Spring Season)

2022 Fall Season – 5-0-0, 15 pts., 32 GF 4 GA (ONGOING)

TCSA | Vidalia, GA

UPSL Georgia Division Division 1

2022 Spring Season – 2-7-1, 7 pts, 12 GF 27 GA, 8th place (Spring Season)

2022 Fall Season – 1-3-0, 3 pts., 10 GF 14 GA (ONGOING)

South Carolina United Heat are looking to make up for a disappointing end of their 2022 Open Cup qualifying campaign. After defeating Atletico Atlanta (3-1) and Georgia Revolution FC Reserves (3-2 aet), SCU Heat were forced to forfeit their final qualifying game to Orlando FC Wolves due to a COVID-19 outbreak among the team, missing out on a chance to qualify for the Open Cup. The Heat won the UPSL Mid-Atlantic division Spring season with a 9-0-1 mark, but fell in the first round of the playoffs to Georgia FC, 2-0

TCSA (Toombs County Soccer Association) had a rough go in their initial season, finishing in last place of the Division 1 UPSL Georgia Division with a 2-1-7 record. Division 1 is a step below UPSL Premier. 

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SATURDAY October 15 

Kalonji Pro-Profile (UPSL) at FC Birmingham (UPSL)

3 p.m. Pleasant Grove Soccer Complex; Pleasant Grove, AL

Kalonji Pro-Profile | Dacula, GA

UPSL Georgia Division

2022 Spring Season – 7-3-1, 22 pts., 41 GF 16 GA, 3rd place 

FC Birmingham | Fultondale, AL

UPSL Georgia Division

2022 Spring Season – 5-5-1, 16 pts., 28 GF 18 GA, 7th place

2022 Fall Season – 4-2-0, 12 pts., 13 GF 12 GA (ONGOING)

This is the debut appearance in Open Cup qualifying for both clubs. FC Birmingham was founded in 2020 and began play in the UPSL this past spring. Kalonji Pro-Profile is the top team of the Kalonji Soccer Academy, and also fields U-23 and U-17 teams in the UPSL. Both teams received a bye to the second round of qualifying

Kalonji and Birmingham met once in the UPSL Georgia Division Spring season on June 4, with Kalonji coming out as 4-1 victors. Nicholas Amoako scored twice for Kalonji, with Kofi Twumasi and Karim Tmimi netting the other goals. Russell L. Hines accounted for Birmingham’s lone score.

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SATURDAY October 15

Metro Louisville FC (UPSL) at Valhalla FC (Ohio Valley Premier League / USCS)

4 p.m. Charity J. Lucas Multi-Purpose Athletic Complex; Milford, OH

Metro Louisville FC | Louisville, KY

UPSL KY-TN Division

2022 Spring Season – 6-3-1, 19 pts., 24 GF 11 GA, 3rd place

2022 Fall Season – 4-2-0, 12 pts., 12 GF 13 GA (ONGOING)

Valhalla FC | Cincinnati, OH

Ohio Valley Premier League

Ohio Valley Premier League River Division

2022 Summer Season – 5-2-1, 16 pts., 30 GF 11 GA, 4th place

Valhalla piled up the goals in the Region II (Midwest) tournament in the 2022 National Amateur Cup., The club won their first two games 7-3 and 6-2 before losing 2-1 to Chicago’s Schwaben AC in the Quarterfinals. Valhalla, founded in 2019, are making their debut in Open Cup qualifying and received a bye in the first round.

Metro Louisville FC are making their Open Cup qualifying debut and received a bye in the first round. Metro just missed the UPSL Ohio division playoffs, finishing one point behind Fut Ohio SC in the six team Ohio Division Spring season. The team is currently on a four-game winning streak in the UPSL Fall season.

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SATURDAY October 15 

FC Denver (Colorado Super League / USASA) at Azteca FC (Colorado Super League / USASA)

5 p.m. Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, CO

FC Denver | Denver, CO

Colorado Super League

2022 Spring Season – 6-0-1, 19 Pts., 20 GF 5 GF, 1st place

Azteca FC | Denver, CO

Colorado Super League

2022 Spring Season – 6-0-1, 19 pts., 27 gf 10 ga, 2nd place

FC Denver and Azteca FC finished tied with 19 points at the top of the Colorado Super League Spring 2022 standings with 6-0-1 records, but Denver claimed the top spot by winning the first tiebreaker which was goals allowed. In the CSL playoffs fellow qualifying participant Harpo’s FC took out both clubs. Harpo’s defeated Azteca 4-3 in the semifinals, then defeated FC Denver 1-0 in the final. 

FC Denver got a bit of revenge in the first round of qualifying, defeating Harpo’s 2-0 on goals from Ismail Garcia and Leo Castillo. Azteca knocked off Colorado Rovers, another Colorado Super League, 3-1 in the opening round of qualifying. Saul Garcia, Jovany Herrera and Freddy Fragozo scored for Azteca.

Both teams have had success in Open Cup qualifying. FC Denver qualified for the Open Cup in 2018 & 2019, and each time advanced to the Second Round. Azteca FC have made it to the Open Cup three times, in 2017, 2018 and 2022, but have yet to record a win in the tournament proper. In 2022 qualifying FC Denver lost in the second round on penalties to Peak Eleven FC after a 0-0 draw, while Azteca qualified for the Open Cup knocking off Colorado Rush (4-1), Colorado Rovers (5-2) and Harpo’s FC (4-3 aet).

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SATURDAY October 15 

Boston Street FC (UPSL) at Brockton FC United (Bay State Soccer League / USASA)

6 p.m. Rocky Marciano Stadium; Brockton, MA

Boston Street FC | Boston, MA

UPSL New England Division

2022 Spring Season – 5-4-1, 16 pts. 16 GF 14 GA, 2nd place (Spring season)

2022 Fall Season – 3-3-1, 10 pts., 16 GF 15 GA (ONGOING)

Brockton FC United | Brockton, MA

Bay State Soccer League, Division 1

2022 Season – 5-8-2, 17 pts., 33 GF 41 GA (ONGOING)

Boston Street FC finished second in the 2022 UPSL New England Division with a 5-4-1 mark,  Boston Street opened their debut Open Cup qualifying run with a 0-0 extra time draw with Ruggles Pro FC of the EPSL, then needed 16 rounds of penalties to prevail 13-12 in the shootout. It was the longest penalty kick tiebreaker in Open Cup qualifying since 2015. Boston Street FC was founded in 2012 primarily to play pick-up games, and eventually grew to play in local leagues and field a UPSL team.

Brockton FC United are looking to advance to their second straight Open Cup after qualifying in 2022. Their qualifying run last season finished with a dominating 17 goals scored against just three allowed. While Brockton’s BSSL team is U-21, the club will have their senior team on the field. The Brockton FC United UPSL team went 10-0-0 this past spring, but were upset in the New England Division playoffs by Santa Cruz FC

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SATURDAY October 15 

Houston FC (National Soccer League / USSSA) at D10 Lions FC (National Soccer League / USSSA)

6 p.m. Matias Almeyda Training Center; Houston, TX

Houston FC | Houston, TX

National Soccer League Texas Conference

2022 Spring season – 6 pts, 4th place

D10 Lions FC | Houston, TX

National Soccer League Texas Conference

2022 Spring season – 4 pts., 5th place

Houston FC begin their first ever Open Cup qualifying campaign by steamrolling the Galveston Pelicans FC 10-1. It was the most lopsided Open Cup qualifying victory since Newcastle United (UPSL) routed Del Rey City (UPSL) 13-0 in the opening round of 2017 qualifying. Quinton Bridges led the scoring barrage with three goals and Mahmoud Adwani added two more, Sergio Calvillo, Otney Crawford, Chukwuemeka Nwachukwu, Alejandro Vigil, Michael Luster and scored the rest.

Houston FC will face NSL Texas rivals D10 Lions FC , who they met this past season in NSL Texas play. Houston came out 4-1 winners. D10 are making their debut in Open Cup qualifying and received a bye in the first round.

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SATURDAY October 15 

Santa Cruz FC (UPSL) at Unations FC (UPSL)

6:30 p.m.  Fore Kicks II; Marlborough, MA

(Santa Cruz FC forfeits due to player availability)

Santa Cruz FC | Lowell, MA

UPSL New England Division

2022 Spring Season – 5-4-1, 15 Pts., 20 GF 11 GA, 4th place

2022 Fall Season – 6-1-0, 18 pts., 19 GF 6 GA (ONGOING)

Unations FC | Worcester, MA

UPSL New England Division

2022 Spring Season – 5-3-2, 16 pts., 14 GF 14 GA, 3rd place

2022 Fall Season – 4-4-0, 12 pts., 16 GF 18 GA (ONGOING)

UPDATE: Santa Cruz FC forfeits the match due to player availability.

Santa Cruz is making their Open Cup qualifying debut, while Unations FC makes their return after failed attempts in 2018, when they were part of the Bay State Soccer League, and 2022. Both teams had a first-round bye in the current qualifying run.

Unations defeated Santa Cruz in a 4-3 shootout in their lone meeting during the USL Spring season. Santa Cruz got their revenge a few weeks later in the UPSL playoffs. After upsetting undefeated Brockton FC United 5-4, Santa Cruz came out 3-o winners over Unations in the New England Division final. The teams are set to face each other in the UPSL Fall season a week after their Open Cup Qualifying game.

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SATURDAY October 15 

Gainesville City FC (UPSL) at Florida Premier FC (UPSL)

7 p.m.  GSports Clubhouse Field; Trinity FL

Gainesville City FC | Ocala, FL

UPSL Florida Central Division

2022 Spring Season – 2-7-1, 7 pts., 14 GF 36 GA, 6th place

2022 Fall Season – 1-4-1, 4 pts, 6 GF 13 GA (ONGOING)

Florida Premier FC | Tampa, FL

UPSL Florida West Division

2022 Spring Season – 5-3-2, 17 pts., 21 GF 18 GA, 2nd place

2022 Fall Season – 2-1-1, 7 pts., 11 GF 6 GA (ONGOING)

While Gainesville City FC drew a bye for the first round of qualifying, Florida Premier FC defeated fellow UPSL club Clearwater Chargers 4-0. Stewart Vigh scored twice, both assisted by Oliver Drost and Daht Faal and Nico Colacci provided the other goals. Both Gainesville City and Florida Premier are making their Open Cup qualifying debuts.

Florida Premier finished second in the UPSL Florida West Division Spring season with a 5-2-3 record, while Gainesville City had a difficult Spring season in the UPSL Florida Central Division, finishing 2-1-7. Florida Premier began in 1979 as the West Pasco Youth Soccer Association, while Gainesville City FC got their start in 2021.

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SATURDAY October 15 

Club de Lyon (NISA Nation / USASA) at Orlando FC Wolves (Central Florida Soccer League / USASA)

7 p.m. Econ Soccer Complex; Orlando, FL

Club de Lyon | Orlando, FL

NISA Nation Florida Region

2022 Spring Season – 10-1-1, 31 pts., 48 GA 8 GA, 1st place

Orlando FC Wolves | Orlando, FL

Central Florida Soccer League Open Division

2022 Spring Season – 6-0-2, 20 pts., 21 GFD 3 GA

2022 Fall Season – 4-0-0, 12 pts., 19 GF 3 GA (ONGOING)

Club de Lyon opened their 2023 qualifying run with a 3-0 win over fellow Orlando and NISA Nation club Deportivo Lake Mary. Victor Rojas (PK), Damian Duda scored for Lyon, with the final goal coming from an own goal off a shot by Rojas.

Club de Lyon won the NISA Nation Florida Region with a 10-1-1 record, and their 48 goals scored was tops among all the NISA Nation teams. Victor Rojas led all of NISA Nation with 8 goals and 12 assists during the 2022 Spring season.

Orlando FC Wolves had a bye in the first round of 2023 qualifying and are aiming to return to the Open Cup after qualifying for the 2022 edition. The Wolves fell in the First Round to The Villages SC, 6-0, but won the 2022 CFSL Spring season with a 6-0-2 record.

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SATURDAY October 15 

Germantown City FC (UPSL) at Nova FC (Eastern Premier Soccer League / USASA)

7:45 p.m. Virginia Revolution Sportsplex; Leesburg, VA

Germantown City FC | Germantown, MD

UPSL DMV Division

2022 Spring Season – 6-3-3, 21 Pts., 24 GF 16 GA, 6th place

2022 Fall Season 3-1-3, 12 pts, 20 GF 14 GA (ONGOING)

Nova FC | Leesburg, VA

Eastern Premier Soccer League Mid-Atlantic Division

2021/22 Season – 12-1-0, 36 pts., 66 GF 15 GA 1st place

Won 2021/22 Mid-Atlantic Division Playoffs

2022/23 Season – 3-0-0. 9 pts., 10 GF 3 GA (ONGOING)

Northern Virginia FC had quite a season in 2022. The team qualified for the 2022 Open Cup, winning their first round game 3-1 over EPSL rivals Lynchburg FC, and narrowly lost 1-0 to the Richmond Kickers of USL League One. Nova also finished in first place in the EPSL Mid-Atlantic Division with a 12-0-1 record, and also won the Division playoffs. Finally, Nova nearly gained automatic qualification to the 2023 Open Cup, losing the 2022 National Amateur Cup Final to Bavarian United FC 1-0.

Northern Virginia  began their 2023 qualifying run with a penalty shootout win over Steel Pulse FC of the Maryland Super Soccer League. Steel Pulse held Nova to a scoreless draw for 120 minutes, 110 of which Steel Pulse played with 10 men. Nova prevailed in the shootout 3-1 to advance.

Germantown City FC are making their first appearance in Open Cup qualifying, and in the opening round pulled off a 2-1 win over three-time Open Cup qualifiers Aegean Hawks FC. After Aegean went ahead in the opening 10 minutes, Christian Okomo and Stephane Mankemi tallied for Germantown. Germantown finished 6th in a competitive 2022 Spring season of the UPSL DMV Division, a 6-3-3- record leaving them just six points behind first placed Sure Sports FC

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SATURDAY October 15 

D’Feeters Kicks Soccer Club (UPSL) at Alamo City Soccer Club (UPSL)

8 p.m.  Alamo Sportsplex; San Antonio, TX

D’Feeters Kicks Soccer Club | Dallas, TX

UPSL Texas North Division

2022 Spring Season – 7-1-2, 23 pts., 62 GF 6 GA, 1st place

2022 Fall Season – 3-1-1, 10 pts, 21 GF 12 GA (ONGOING)

Alamo City Soccer Club | San Antonio, TX

UPSL Texas South Division

2022 Spring Season = 6-3-1, 19 pts., 17 GF 8 GA, 2nd place

2022 Fall Season – 5-0-0, 15 pts., 25 GF 3 GA (ONGOING)

D’Feeters Kicks opened their 2023 qualifying run with a 5-1 win over FC Fort Worth, with five different players scoring for DFKFC. The win was a bit of payback for FC Fort Worth defeating D’Feeters Kicks in the UPSL Texas North playoffs in June. D’Feeters qualified for the 2022 Open Cup, knocking off the NPSL’s Denton Diablos 3-2 before losing to the USL Championship’s eventual 2022 regular season champion San Antonio FC, 3-1, in the Second Round. DFKSC finished first in the UPSL Texas North with a 7-1-2 record and a dominating +56 goal difference.

Alamo City are making their Open Cup qualifying debut and received a bye in the First Round. City finished second in the UPSL Texas South Division with a 6-1-3 record but made their way through the Division playoffs to reach the final 32, where they lost to UDA Soccer Crimson on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

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SATURDAY October 15 

Beaman United FC (UPSL) at Bowling Green FC (UPSL)

8 p.m.  The Pit (Bowling Green Junior High); Bowling Green, KY

Beaman United FC | Nashville, TN

UPSL KY-TN Division

2022 Spring Season – 8-1-1, 25 pts., 53 GF 8 GA, 1st place

2022 Fall Season – 4-1-1, 13 pts., 19 GF 11 GA (ONGOING)

Bowling Green FC | Bowling Green, KY

UPSL KY-TN Division

2022 Spring Season – 7-2-1, 22 pts., 45 GF 22 GA, 3rd place

2022 Fall Season – 1-4-1, 4 pts., 11 GF 19 GA (ONGOING)

Beaman United and Bowling Green FC finished 1st and 3rd in the UPSL KY-TN Division Spring season. Beaman posted a n 8-1-1 mark with a +45 goal difference, while Bowling Green was 7-2-1. In their one time the teams met in UPSL play, Beaman United cruised to a 7-2 victory.

2023 marks the first time each club has entered Open Cup qualifying, and both teams received a bye in the first round.

Beaman went on to reach the UPSL National Semifinals, defeating the Dodge City Toros 2-1, them losing to Orange County FC 3-1 in the UPSL Championship game. Beaman also appeared to reach the 2022 National Amateur Cup Semifinals after defeating ASC New Stars 3-0 to win the Region III tournament but were later disqualified due to ineligible players.

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SATURDAY October 15 

Capo FC (NISA Nation / USASA) at Laguna United FC (UPSL)

10 p.m.  La Paz Sports Park; Laguna Niguel, CA

Capo FC | San Juan Capistrano, CA

NISA Nation Southwest Region

2022 Spring Season – 8-1-1, 25 pts., 32 GF 12 GA, 1st place

Laguna United FC | Laguna Niguel, CA

UPSL SOCAL North Division

2022 Spring Season – 8-3-1, 25 pts., 42 FA 20 GA, 4th place

2022 Fall Season – 2-1-1, 7 pts., 9 GF 6 GA (ONGOING)

Capo FC, as part of the Southwest Premier League, got to the final round of 2022 Open Cup qualifying, where they lost to San Fernando Valley FC 2-1. Capo finished first in the NISA Nation Southwest Region with an 8-1-1 record. The team won their opening 2023 qualifying game via forfeit when their opponents, OC Kings FC of the UPSL, did not have enough eligible players to play.

Laguna United won their first round qualifying game 3-0 over Olympiacos CA of the Southwest Premier League. Yousef Farah scored twice, and backup goalkeeper Jeremy Caringella, subbed on as a striker, scored the third goal. The side finished 4th in the UPSL Socal North Division with a 8-3-1, finishing just four points out of first place.

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SATURDAY October 15 

Inter San Francisco (San Francisco Soccer Football League / USASA) at Real San Jose (National Soccer League / USSSA)

10 p.m. PAL Stadium; San Jose, CA

Inter San Francisco | San Francisco, CA

San Francisco Soccer Football League Majors Division

2022 Season – 15-2-3, 47 pts., 68 GF 32 GA, 1st place

*Won promotion to SFSFL Premier Division

Real San Jose | San Jose, CA

National Soccer League Pacific

2022 Fall Season – 1-1-1, 4 pts., 4 GF 7 GA (ONGOING)

Inter San Francisco began in San Francisco Soccer Football League (SFSFL) First Division (3rd tier) then won promotion to the Majors Division in 2021. In the 2022 season Inter SF won the Major Division with a 15-3-2 record to move up to the Premier Division. Inter SF made their initial Open Cup qualifying run for the 2022 tournament, defeating Real San Jose 4-2 before losing to Sporting ID11 1-3. Inter began their 2023 qualifying run with a 5-0 win over Marin United. Former Oakland Roots SC and Chivas USA pro Matt Fondy scored twice, while Dyan Autran, Nikolai Littlejohn (both former Roots players), and Gerardo Burgos added the other goals.

Real San Jose are making their fifth appearance in Open Cup qualifying since 2018 and are also looking for their first victory. RSJ’s last qualifying game was against Inter San Francisco in 2022 qualifying, resulting in a 4-2 loss for Real San Jose. Real San Jose began in 2007, playing in the NPSL for ten years before moving to the UPSL in 2017. In 2021 the club began play in the National Soccer League Pacific Division.

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SATURDAY October 15 

Davis Legacy SC (UPSL) at Elk Grove Blues (UPSL)

11 p.m.  Bartholomew Sports Park; Elk Grove, CA

Davis Legacy SC | Davis, CA

UPSL Norcal North Division

2022 Spring Season – 11-1-0, 33 pts., 74 GF 10 GA, 1st place

2022 Fall Season – 3-2-1, 10 pts., 17 GF 11 GA (ONGOING)

Elk Grove Blues | Elk Grove, CA

UPSL Norcal North Division

2022 Spring Season – 6-5-1, 19 pts., 27 GF 21 GA, 6th place

2022 Fall Season – 1-4-1, 4 pts., 6 GF 16 GA (ONGOING)

David Legacy have entered Open Cup qualifying 5 times since 2016 but have failed to reach the finish line. The closest they came was in 2016 when they lost to San Francisco City FC 4-3 in the final round of qualifying. 2022 Spring season play was a different matter, as Davis finished first in the UPSL Norcal North Division with a 11-1-0 record, with a +64 goal difference. David then won the Division playoffs and advanced to the IPSL National Quarterfinals, where they lost to eventual champions Orange County FC

Elk Grove didn’t have nearly as much success as Davis Legacy in the UPSL Norcal North Division, finishing with a 6-5-1 record. The clubs met on Oct. 1 in the UPSL Fall season, with Davis Legacy coming out 6-0 victors on the strength of four goals from Benjamin Elkins.

David Legacy opened their 2023 qualifying run with a 4-3 win over US Davis Club Soccer. Junior Kazeem and JJ Rigo scored two goals apiece. Elk Grove Blues drew a bye in the first round.

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SUNDAY October 16 

Coronado Athletic Club (UPSL) at UDA Soccer (UPSL)

12 p.m.  Field of Dreams Soccer Complex; Las Cruces, NM

Coronado Athletic Club | Sierra Vista, AZ

UPSL Arizona Division

2022 Spring Season – 3-6-1, 10 pts., 16 GA 36 GA, 5th place

2022 Fall Season – 2-3-0, 6 pts., 9 GF 14 GA (ONGOING)

UDA Soccer | Las Cruces, NM

UPSL West Texas-New Mexico Division

2022 Spring Season – 6-2-2, 20 pts., 25 GF 11 GA, 1st place

2022 Fall Season -3-1-0, 9 pts., 15 GF 7 GA (ONGOING)

UDA and Coronado are making their debut in Open Cup qualifying, and both teams received a bye in the opening round.

UDA is a soccer academy at New Mexico State University that allows players to receive year-round training while enrolled at New Mexico State. UDA had a successful 2022 Spring season, finishing first in the West Texas-New Mexico Division with a 6-2-2 record, and advancing to the UPSL National Quarterfinals. Coronado AC didn’t find nearly as much success in the 2022 Spring season, finishing 3-6-1 in the Arizona Division.

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SUNDAY October 16 

IASC Boom (Rochester District Soccer League / USASA) at Sahara Gunners FC (UPSL)

2 p.m.  Dobson Field (D’Youville University); Buffalo, NY

IASC Boom | Rochester, NY

Rochester District Soccer League

2022 Season – 12-1-1, 37 pts., 62 GF 24 GA, 1st place

Sahara Gunners FC | Buffalo, NY

UPSL Western New York Division Division 1

2022 Spring Season – 8-2-0. 23 pts., 29 GF 17 GA, 2nd place

The cities of Buffalo and Rochester have a long history in the U.S. Open Cup, having battled in the Northwest New York district ever since the Open Cup began in 1914, and the cities collide once again in 2023 Open Cup qualifying. 

IASC Boom are the reserve club of the UPSL’s Roc City Boom and are also known as Italian American SC Bakshi FC in the Rochester District Soccer League. IASC are making their second run at USOC qualifying, having fallen short last year with a penalty kick loss to FC Maritsa in the Third Round of qualifying.

Buffalo’s Sahara Gunners FC are making their debut in Open Cup qualifying and finished the UPSL Western NY Division season with an 8-2-0 record, falling short of the Division title by just one on goal difference. The Gunners play in Division 1, which is one step below UPSL Premier

Both teams received a bye in the first round of qualifying.

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SUNDAY October 16 

Lancaster Elite (UPSL) at Vereinigung Erzgebirge (United Soccer League of Pennsylvania / USASA)

2 p.m. Vereinigung Erzgebirge Clubhouse; Warminster, PA

Lancaster Elite | Lancaster, PA

UPSL Northeast American Division

2022 Spring Season – 4-4-2, 14 pts., 16 GF 24 GA, 7th place

2022 Fall Season – 3-4-2, 11 pts., 10 GF 26 GA (ONGOING)

Vereinigung Erzgebirge | Warminster, PA

United Soccer League of Pennsylvania Men’s Major

2021/22 Season – 14-0-1, 35 pts., 43 GF 8 GA, 1st place

2022/23 Season – 2-2-0, 8 pts., 10 GF 4 GA (ONGOING)

 

Vereinigung Erzgebirge is one of the more historic clubs in the qualifying field, the club having been founded in 1931 with the soccer team emerging soon after. The first known Open Cup appearance VE made was qualifying for the 1958 tournament. Since then, the club has been a regular in Open Cup competition. More recently, VE has qualified for the Open Cup just twice, in 2002 and again for the canceled 2020 edition. VE had an outstanding 2021-22 campaign in the United Soccer League of Pennsylvania, finishing atop the league with a 14-0-1 record. VE’s only league blemish was a 1-1 draw versus United German Hungarians.

Vereinigung Erzgebirge tackled another mainstay of Open Cup qualifying, Philadelphia Lone Star of the UPSL, coming away with a 2-1 win. Kevin Smolyn and Johnny Ciarlante scored second half goals to avenge VE’s loss to Lone Star in last year’s qualifying.

Lancaster Elite won their opening round qualifying game 3-2 after extra time over Lancaster City FC of the USL of PA. Lancaster City sent the game to extra time with a stoppage time goal, but Jack Weaver gave Elite the lead for good in the 110th minute.

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SUNDAY October 16 

West Chester United SC (United Soccer League of Pennsylvania / USASA) at United German Hungarians (United Soccer League of Pennsylvania / USASA)

2:30 p.m. Temple University Ambler Campus; Ambler, PA

West Chester United SC | West Chester, PA

United Soccer League of Pennsylvania Men’s Major

2021/22 Season – 13-2-0, 39 pts., 70 GF 13 GA, 2nd place

2022/23 Season – 2-1-0, 6 pts., 17 GF 5 GA (ONGOING)

United German Hungarians | Philadelphia, PA

United Soccer League of Pennsylvania Men’s Major

2021/22 Season – 9-4-3, 30 pts., 33 GF 19 GA, 4th place

2022/23 Season – 1-0-2, 5 pts., 8 GF 4 GA (ONGOING)

 

In addition to the USL of PA, West Chester United fields teams in USL League Two and the NPSL. WCU’s USL-2 team qualified for the Open Cup last season, while their USL of PA team made the cut in 2016 & 2019. WCU’s USL-2 & NPSL teams are unlikely to make the tournament field  from either league for 2023. WCU also reached the National Amateur Cup Final in 2018 and have won the USL 0f PA championship four straight seasons from 2015/16-2018/19. West Chester United finished the ‘21-‘22 USL of PA season in second place behind champions Vereinigung Erzgebirge, holding a +57 goal difference. 2022 was the first time since 2016 that their USL of PA team did not enter qualifying, as their USL-2 team had secured an Open Cup spot through league play.

United German Hungarians have a long history in the Open Cup, with their first known appearance coming in Eastern Pennsylvania qualifying for the 1958 Open Cup. Since the mid-60s UGH have been regular participants in both the Open and National Amateur Cups, winning the Amateur Cup in 1965 and appearing in the Final six times in both competitions (Open 1977 & 1993, Amateur 1964, 1970, 1977 & 1999). The UGH club was founded in 1910, and the first soccer team was organized in 1922. UGH is currently in a long drought in qualifying for the Open Cup, having last made the cut in 1999.

West Chester United and UGH met twice in the 2021-23 USL of PA season, with WCU coming out on top both times, 2-0 and 4-2. In the opening round of qualifying, West Chester United bested USL of PA rivals Ukrainian Nationals 2-1. Goals from Finn Reese kept WCU level and a Derek Ramirez converted penalty in second half stoppage time for the win. UGH opened their 2023 qualifying run with a 3-0 win over Kensington SC of the EPSL. Gabe Dwyer, Mike Liska and Jason Rocha scored UGH’s goals.

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SUNDAY October 16

1927 SC (Ohio Valley Premier League / USCS) at Chicago House AC (Midwest Premier League / USASA)

3 p.m. Hales Franciscan High School; Chicago, IL

1927 SC | Ft. Wayne, IN

Ohio Valley Premier League River Division

2022 Summer Season – 9-1-0, 27 pts, 52 GF 3 GA, 1st place

Chicago House AC | Chicago, IL

Midwest Premier League West

2022 Spring Season – 5-1-5, 20 pts., 27 GF 8 GA, 4 GA, 54th place

1927 SC is Ft. Wayne Sport Club’s entry in the U-23 Ohio Valley Premier League. Sport Club was founded in 1927 and is known to have participated in the Open Cup in 1986 & 1987, and again in 1991 & 1993, though with little success. 1927 SC won the 2022 OVPL playoffs to lift the Sportiff Cup, defeating the West Virginia Highlanders 3-0. They competed in the National Amateur Cup this past year, winning their first match against Teranga Lions (MI), 9-2, before falling to United Serbians SC (WI), 4-3 AET.

Chicago House AC began playing in NISA in the 2021 Fall season but left the league after that first season due to a dispute between team owners and league officials. As a result, House were voted out of the league and left unable to participate in the 2022 Open Cup. The team spent 2022 playing in the semi-pro Midwest Premier League. CEO Peter Wilt has expressed interest in returning to NISA for the 2023 season. Both 1927 SC & Chicago House AC had byes in the first round of qualifying.

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SUNDAY October 16 

Boulder United FC (Colorado Super League / USASA) at Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake (Colorado Super League / USASA)

4 p.m. Wheat Ridge High School; Wheat Ridge, CO

Boulder United FC | Boulder, CO

Colorado Premier League Premier Division

2022 Spring Season – 4-3-1, 13 pts., 21 GF 20 GA, 5th place

2022 Fall Season – 4-1-0, 12 pts., 15 GF 7 GA (ONGOING)

Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake | Golden, CO

Colorado Super League

2022 Spring Season – 2-4-1, 7 pts., 13 GF 16 GA, 5th place

This is Boulder United’s second attempt at Open Cup qualifying, with the first ending after a 3-0 loss to Gam United FC in 2022 qualifying. Sloan Lake are also making their second qualifying run and suffered a similar fate as Boulder United, losing to the Colorado Rovers 2-1 in last year’s qualifying. While Boulder United received a first-round bye, Sloan Lake picked up their first ever qualifying win in the opening round, 3-0 over Peak Eleven FC of the Mountain Premier League. Jacob Love, Jack O’Brian and Miguel Camerolinga scored second half goals in the win. Love is a former player of Italian Serie B club AC Capri.

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SUNDAY October 16 

Mint Hill FC (UPSL) at  Tobacco Road FC (Triangle Adult Soccer League / USASA)

5 p.m. Durham County Memorial Stadium; Durham, NC

Mint Hill FC | Mint Hill, NC

UPSL Mid-Atlantic Division

2022 Spring Season – 4-6-0, 12 pts., 18 GF 25 GA, 8th place

2022 Fall Season – 2-3-1, 7 pts. 10 GF 15 GA (ONGING)

Tobacco Road FC | Durham, NC

Triangle Adult Soccer League Men’s 1

2022 Spring Season – 5-3-2, 17 pts., 26 GF 21 GA

Tobacco Road’s TASL team serves as the reserve team of their USL 2 club, although the club has yet to participate in the Open Cup proper at any level. Tobacco Road returns to Open Cup qualifying after a five-year hiatus. The club last entered qualifying in 2016 and forfeited their opening game to CD Motagua of New Orleans due to travel costs. This year the team received a bye in the first round. Tobacco also competed in USASA Region III’s Amateur Cup regional this past summer, reaching the semifinal but falling to eventual (disqualified) champion Beaman United FC.

Mint Hill FC are making their Open Cup qualifying debut this year and received a bye in the first round. The team struggles in their UPSL Spring campaign, finishing 8th in the Mid-Atlantic Division with a 4-6-0 record. The club is one of the newest in this year’s Open Cup qualifying field, having been founded early in 2022.

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SUNDAY October 16

Naples United FC (National Soccer League / USSSA) at Naples City FC (UPSL)

6 p.m. Paradise Coast Sports Complex; Naples, FL

Naples United FC | Naples, FL

National Soccer League Florida South Premier

2022 Spring Season – Could not find

2022 Fall Season – 0-1-2, 1 pts., 3 GF 9 GA (ONGOING)

Naples City FC | Naples, FL

UPSL Florida West Division

2022 Spring Season – 4-4-2, 14 pts., 9 GF 11 GA

2022 Fall Season – 3-1-0, 9 pts., 5 GF 3 GA (ONGOING)

Naples United are making their qualifying debut, and Naples City’s first attempt at Open Cup qualifying ended abruptly in 2022, losing their opening game 2-1 to Miami Soccer Academy. Naples United’s NPSL team had qualified for the 2020 Open Cup through their 2019 NPSL season record, but the tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team that competes in the NSL Florida South Premier division is a U-23 team.

Naples City FC struggled in the UPSL Florida West Division in the 2022 Spring season, finishing 4-4-2 and a sixth-place finish. Both Naples City and Naples United drew a first-round bye in 2023 Open Cup qualifying.

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SUNDAY October 16 

Lansdowne Yonkers FC (Eastern Premier Soccer League / USASA) at New York Greek American SC (Eastern Premier Soccer League / USASA)

6 p.m. Fleming Park; Yonkers, NY

Lansdowne Yonkers FC | Yonkers, NY

Eastern Premier Soccer League Metropolitan Division

2021/22 Season – 12-1-5, 41 pts., 43 GF 15 GA, 3rd place

2022/23 Season – 4-0-1, 13 pts., 11 GF 3 GA (ONGOING)

New York Greek American SC | Queens, NY

Eastern Premier Soccer League Metropolitan Division

2021/22 Season – 10-5-2, 32 pts., 47 GF 21 GA, 5th place

2022/23 Season – 3-1-0, 9 pts., 7 GF 2 GA (ONGOING)

Lansdowne Yonkers FC return to Open Cup qualifying after having earned a spot in last year’s tournament as 2021 National Amateur Cup champions. Lansdowne also qualified for the Open Cup in 2016 and 2018 as members of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League. The club also previously won the National Amateur Cup in 2017. Lansdowne have racked up three wins in the Open Cup proper, with their biggest coming in 2016 as a 2-0 upset of USL Championship side Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

New York Greek American SC have the best Open Cup pedigree of all the teams alive in this year’s qualifying. NYGA have won the Open Cup 4 times (1967-1969, 1974), and reached the Final one other time in 1989. NYGA SC have qualified for the Open Cup six times since 1995 but are looking for their first bid since 2015.

In EPSL Metropolitan Division play during the 2021-22 season, Lansdowne and NYGA played to a pair of 0-0 draws. Lansdowne prevailed over the Greeks on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the 2021-22 Manning Cup (NY State Cup), which Lansdowne eventually won over Zum Schneider FC 03 2-1 in the Final

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SUNDAY October 16 

Christos FC (Maryland Super Soccer League / USASA) at DCFC (DC Premier League / USASA)

6:30 p.m. Jelleff Recreation Center; Washington, D.C.

Christos FC | Gambrills, MD

Maryland Super Soccer League Division 1

2022 Spring Season – 6-2-1, 19 pts., 24 GF 11 GA, 3rd place

2022 Fall Season – 5-0-0, 15 pts., 24 GF 4 GA (ONGOING)

DCFC | Washington, D.C.

DC Premier League D1

2022 Spring Season – 6-4-1, 22 pts., 42 GF 11 GA, 3rd place

2022 Fall Season – 2-0-1, 4 pts., 8 GF 1 GA (Ongoing)

Christos FC had quite a successful year in 2022, winning the “quadruple” of Maryland state cups: Rowland Cup (Maryland state cup), Stewart Cup (Maryland Amateur Cup), Maryland O-30 & O-40 cups. Christos are also the 2016 National Amateur Cup champions and have qualified for the Open Cup twice (2017 & 2018). By far their most famous moment came in the 2017 Open Cup when they faced D.C. United in the Fourth round and jumped out to a 1-0 lead early in the first half. Christos stayed tied with D.C. for much of the game until the MLS side scored three times in the final ten minutes. Christos also qualified for the canceled 2020 Open Cup and are return to qualifying after not entering in 2022.

DCFC overcame DC Premier League rivals Team Tevez in the opening round of qualifying, cooming out 4-2 winners after extra time. Harry Engoren and Charles Touch eave DCFC a 2-0 halftime lead, and in extra time Engoran scored a second time and Ryan Mahoney added the insurance goal. Despite finishing third in the DC Premier League Spring season, DCFC held a league high +31 goal differential. DCFC are making their qualifying debut this year.

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SUNDAY October 16 

Outbreak FC (Southwest Premier League / USSSA) at Escondido FC (UPSL)

6:30 p.m. San Pasqual High School; Escondido, CA

Outbreak FC | Long Beach, CA

Southwest Premier League – SoCal Premier League Over 30

2022 Spring Season – 4-0-1, 13 pts., 22 GF 8 GA, 1st place

2022 Fall Season – 2-1-0, 6 pts., 9 GF 4 GA (ONGOING)

Escondido FC | Escondido, CA

UPSL Socal South Division

2022 Spring Season – 6-1-3, 21 pts., 33 GF 11 GA, 2nd place

2022 Fall Season – 2-0-1, 7 pts., 8 GF 3 GA (ONGOING)

Escondido FC had a successful Open Cup qualifying debut last year, defeating Sporting ID11 3-1 in the final round. Escondido got their second qualifying attempt off to a good start with a win over Rebels SC on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Marcos Rodrigo Celestino equalized in the second half, and Christian Bahena put Escondido temporarily ahead in extra time. In UPSL play Escondido finished second in the Socal South Division, then made their way to the UPSL Round of 16, losing to eventual champions Orange County FC, 2-1.

Outbreak FC also opened their 2023 qualifying run with a penalty tiebreaker win after a scoreless draw with AS Los Angeles. Former LA Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Rowe, who announced his retirement from pro soccer last year,  kept AS Los Angeles scoreless for 120 minutes, then saved two of their penalty attempts to lead Outbreak to the next round. Outbreak have entered Open Cup qualifying every year since 2016 but are looking to qualify for the first time since 2017.

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SUNDAY October 16

SC Vistula Garfield (Garden State Soccer League / USASA) at Jackson Lions FC (Garden State Soccer League / USASA)

7 p.m.  Donovan Catholic High School; Toms River, NJ

SC Vistula Garfield | Garfield, NJ

Garden State Soccer League Super Division

2021-22 Season – 7-4-2, 23 pts., 26 GF 17 GA, 2nd place

2022-23 Season – 3-0-0. 9 pts., 12 GF 5 GA (ONGOING)

Jackson Lions FC | Jackson Township, NJ

Garden State Soccer League Super Division

2021-22 Season – 7-3-1, 23 pts., 30 GF 8 GA, 3rd place

2022-23 Season – 2-1-0, 6 pts., 8 GF 6 GA (ONGOING)

Vistula just barely finished better than Jackson in the Garden State Soccer League Super Division 2021-22 season. Vistula finished second with 23 points, while Jackson was a point behind. Vistula and Jackson played to a 0-0 draw in GSSL Super Division play in April, Vistula and Jackson played on Oct. 7 in the Garden State Soccer League Super Division, with Vistula prevailing 5-3. Pawel Kondratowicz notched a hat trick for Vistula.

Celebrating its 70th anniversary, Vistula have often entered Open Cup qualifying in the past, but this is their first appearance since qualifying was revamped in 2015. Vistula’s first known appearance in the Open Cup came in qualifying for the 1971 tournament. Vistula pulled off a bit of an upset in the opening round of qualifying, knocking off NY Pancyprian Freedoms 1-0. Goalkeeper Anthony Caruso kept the Freedoms scoreless, and 40-year-old Christopher Karcz headed home the winner for Vistula in the 89th minute.

Jackson Lions FC have participated in qualifying every year since 2015 but have yet to advance to the Open Cup proper. The closest the Lions came was in 2016 when they reached the final round, losing to Junior Lone Star 3-2. Jackson’s 2022 qualifying run ended in disappointment with a forfeit loss to West Chester United in the Third Round. Jackson got off to a good start in qualifying for the 2023 tournament with a 4-2 win over Real Central NJ Soccer of the EPSL. Chris Thorsheim and Joel Quist scored two goals apiece for Jackson in the win.

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SUNDAY October 16 

City Soccer FC (National Soccer League / USSSA) at Hurricane FC (National Soccer League / USSSA)

8 p.m.  Seacrest Soccer Complex; Delray Beach, FL

City Soccer FC | West Palm Beach, FL

National Soccer League Florida Division Elite Division

2022 Spring Season – 2nd place, won Elite Division playoffs

2022 Fall Season – 2-1-0, 9 pts., 7 GF 1 GA (ONGOING)

Hurricane FC | Boynton Beach, FL

National Soccer League Florida Division Elite Division

2022 Spring Season – 5th place

2022 Fall Season – 0-0-3, 0 pts., 4 GF 13 GA (ONGOING)

City Soccer FC are making their second qualifying appearance after a successful 2022 run. In last year’s qualifying City Soccer racked up 14 goals scored against 4 allowed, topped off by a 4-0 win over Florida Soccer Soldiers to qualify. In the tournament proper City Soccer lost 3-1 to the NPSL’s Miami United FC in a wild game in which all four goals were scored in the final 15 minutes. City Soccer again encountered Florida Soccer Soldiers in the opening round of 2023 qualifying and came away with a 3-2 victory. FSS sent the game into extra time in the 90th minute, and City Soccer won the game in the final minute of extra time. 

Hurricane FC have entered qualifying every year since 2017 and have reached the final round twice (2017 & 2020). Last year Hurricane’s qualifying run ended after one game with a 5-1 loss to Florida Soccer Soldiers. Hurricane had a bye in this year’s first round.

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SUNDAY October 16 

Juventus Academy (UPSL) at Miami Soccer Academy (National Soccer League / USSSA)

8 p.m.  Monsignor Edward Pace High School; Miami Gardens, FL

Juventus Academy / Athletum Miami FC | Miami, FL

UPSL Florida South Division

2022 Spring Season – 7-5-1, 22 pts., 28 GF 23 GA, 8th place

2022 Fall Season – 3-0-4, 13 pts., 23 GF 15 GA (ONGOING)

Miami Soccer Academy | Miami Beach, FL

National Soccer League Florida Elite Division

2022 Spring Season – 1st place, regular season champions

2022 Fall Season – 3-0-0, 9 ps. 11 GF 2 GA (ONGOING)

 

Juventus Academy, based in Miami, are making their debut in Open Cup qualifying and are represented by their UPSL Premier team Athletum Miami FC. Athletum finished in 8th place in the 14-team UPSL Florida South spring season. they are off to 3-0-4 start in the Fall season. Athletum opened this year’s qualifying with a 4-3 win over UPSL Florida South rivals Doral SC. Lucas Coro, Matias Paredes and Jacopo Camilli pushed Athletum to a 3-0 lead, and Edu Ramirez scored the fourth in the second half.

Miami Soccer Academy are making their second run at Open Cup qualifying, with their debut last year ending in a 3-1 defeat to Open Cup qualifiers Orlando FC Wolves In the Third Round. MSA had a very successful Spring season in the NSL Florida Elite Division, finishing first and then winning the Elite Division playoffs. MSA are off to a 3-0-0 start in the fall season. MSA defeated the UPSL’s O’Shea’s FC 2-1 in the opening round of qualifying.

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SUNDAY October 16 

Miami United FC-23 (National Soccer League / USSSA) at International Soccer Association (UPSL)

9 p.m.  UPSL Stadium (Broward College-South Campus); Pembroke Pines, FL

Miami United FC U-23 | Miami Beach, FL

National Soccer League Florida Division Elite Division

2022 Spring Season – 7th place

2022 Fall Season – 0-0-2, 0 pts., 2 GF 4 GA (ONGOING)

International Soccer Association | Boca Raton, FL

UPSL Florida South Division

2022 Spring Season – 1-10-2, 5 pts., 25 GF 61 GA, 12th place

International Soccer Association are making their second run at Open Cup qualifying after their debut last year. In 2022 qualifying ISA reached the Third Round where they lost to City Soccer FC 7-2. ISA struggled in the UPSL Spring season, finishing 12th in the Florida South Division.

Miami United U-23 have entered Open Cup qualifying twice in the past. Their first foray in qualifying came in 2018 with a one and done entry. In 2020 qualifying Miami United qualified with a 4-0 win over Hurricane FC, but the Open Cup was ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Miami United NPSL parent club have qualified for the Open Cup four times (2015, 2017, 2018 & 2022), with their deepest run coming in 2018 when they reached the Fourth Round.

Miami United won their opening round qualifying game 3-1 over NSL rivals Florida Brothers, while ISA took hoe a 5-3 winm over West Palm Beach Academy of the NSL.

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SUNDAY October 16 

BattleBorn FC (NISA Nation / USASA) at Modesto City Football Club (Southwest Premier League / USSSA)

9 p.m.  Central Catholic High School; Modesto, CA

BattleBorn FC | Carson, NV

NISA Nation Pacific Region

2022 Spring Season – 5-0-1, 16 pts., 32 GF 5 GA, 1st place

Modesto City Football Club | Modesto, CA

Southwest Premier League – Pacific Premier League

2022 Spring Season – 2-4-4, 10 pts., 15 GF 23 GA, 3rd place

2022 Fall Season – 0-3-0, 0 pts., 2 GF 10 GA (ONGOING)

Modesto City enter their second Open Cup qualifying campaign looking for their first win after exiting last year’s qualifying after one game with a 3-1 loss to Contra Costa FC of the NPSL. Medesto finished 3rd in the Spring season of Pacific Premier League of the SWPL but are off to a rough start in the fall season at 0-0-3.

BattleBorn FC are also making their second attempt at Open Cup qualifying, having reached the Third Round last where they lost to Metro FC 1-0. BattleBorn finished first in the NISA Nation Pacific Region at 5-0-1. Both teams received a bye in the First Round.

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SUNDAY October 16 

Temecula FC (Southwest Premier League / USSSA) at Orange County FC (UPSL)

9 p.m.  Orange County Great Park (Field 12); Irvine, CA

Temecula FC | Temecula, CA

Southwest Premier League – SoCal Premier League

2022 Spring Season – 6-3-1, 19 pts., 30 GF 18 GA, 2nd place

Orange County FC | Mission Viejo, CA

UPSL Socal North Division

2022 Spring Season – 8-1-3, 27 pts., 42 GF 10 GA, 2nd place.

2022 Fall Season – 5-0-1, 16 pts., 28 GF 8 GA (ONGOING)

OCFC return to Open Cup qualifying after a six-year hiatus, with their lone qualifying game ending in a 3-0 loss to La Marquina FC in 2017. Orange County turned a second-place finish in the UPSL Socal North Spring season into a championship run, going all the way in the UPSL playoffs to defeat Beaman United 3-1 in the Final. Previously a member of the NPSL, Orange County reached the Fourth Round of the 2019 tournament, beating USL Championship neighbor Orange County SC and Las Vegas Lights FC. They fell to Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy but earned $25,000 as the farthest reaching Open Division team – the first NPSL team to ever do so.

Temecula are looking to rebound their team image in the SWPL. Founded in 2013, the team joined the NPSL in 2014 and never once made the postseason Southwest Conference during its six year tenure. Temecula departed the league during the COVID-19 pandemic hoping to re-focus the organization and joined the San Diego Premier League, a subdivision of the Southwest Premier League.

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SUNDAY October 16 

Legend Football Gold (Federal Way Men’s Open Sunday / USASA) at Bellevue Athletic FC (UPSL)

10 p.m. Bellevue College Soccer Field; Bellevue WA

Legend Football Gold | Lake Forest Park, WA

Federal Way Men’s Open Sunday

2022 Spring Season – 5-1-4, 19 pts.., 1st place

Bellevue Athletic FC | Snohomish, WA

UPSL Pacific Northwest Division

2022 Spring Season – 2-8-0, 6 pts., 10 GF 31 GA, 6th place

2022 Fall Season – 1-1-1, 4 pts., 5 GF 7 GA (ONGOING)

Legend Football Gold are the champions of the four team Federal Way Men’s Open Sunday league and are making their Open Cup qualifying debut. The league and all the teams are sponsored by Legends Sports Video. The league is also known as the Kajumulo City League after Alex Kajumulo, a long-time fixture of local soccer in the Seattle area originally from Tanzania, who supplies the league with kits through Kajumulo World Sports

Bellevue Athletic are also making their Open Cup qualifying debut and finished a disappointing 2-8-0 in the USPL Spring Season. The club is looking to turn their fortunes around in the fall campaign, where they currently hold a 1-1-1 record.

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SUNDAY October 16 

Valley FC Raiders (NISA Nation / USASA) at Olympians FC (UPSL)

10 p.m.  Pioneer Park; Peoria, AZ

Valley FC Raiders | Gilbert, AZ

NISA Nation Southwest Region

2022 Spring Season – 1-0-9, 3 pts., 10 GF 46 GA, 6th place

Olympians FC | El Mirage, AZ

UPSL Arizona Division

2022 Spring Season – 7-1-2, 23 pts., 41 GF 22 GA, 1st place

2022 Fall Season – 4-0-1, 13 pts., 18 GF 3 GA (ONGOING)

Both clubs are making their Open Cup qualifying debut this year. Olympians FC received a bye in the first round, while Valley FC Raiders were 5-1 winners over FC Arizona (UPSL). Kevin Olivarez scored twice, and Rubin Phiri, Eduardo Lazaro, and Bwaleso Igulu completed the scoring.

Olympians FC won the UPSL Arizona Division with a 7-1-2 record, then advanced to the UPSL National playoffs by winning the Arizona Division playoffs. Valley FC Raiders struggled in their NISA Nation Spring campaign, finishing last with a 1-9-0 record

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SUNDAY October 16

Desert FC (UPSL) at LA Monsters FC (Southwest Premier League / USSSA)

10:30 p.m. Orange County Great Park (Field 8); Irvine, CA

Desert FC | La Quinta, CA

UPSL Socal East Division 1

2022 Spring Season – 4-6-1, 12 pts., 25 GF 25 GA

2022 Fall Season – 2-2-1, 8 pts., 12 GF 11 GA (ONGOING)

LA Monsters FC | Redondo Beach, CA

Southwest Premier League -Socal Premier League 

2022 Spring Season – 5-10-1, 16 pts, 33 GF 51 GA, 5th place

LA Monsters are regulars of Open Cup qualifying, having entered almost every year since 2016, minus one absence in 2017. Three times the Monsters have reached the final round of qualifying (2016, 2018 & 2020), but were stopped each time. The Monsters opened their 2023 qualifying run on September 17 with a 3-0 win over Irvine FC of the UPSL. Steven Ramirez led the way with a pair of goals, and Oswaldo Rodriguez completed the scoring for the Monsters. The Monsters had a rough go in the Spring season of the Socal Premier League, finishing 5-10-1. 

Desert FC make their Open Cup qualifying debut after receiving a bye in the opening round. The club had been established in the UPSL Women’s league in Spring 2021, with the Men’s team being established for the 2022 Spring season in the Socal East Division 1 Division.

2023 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1 Review: Recapping all 34 games

by

Players from Vereinigung Erzebirge (left) and Philadelphia Lone Star FC battle for the ball in a 2023 US Open Cup qualifier. Photo: Carl Gulbish | @carlgulbishpho1
Players from Vereinigung Erzebirge (left) and Philadelphia Lone Star FC battle for the ball in a 2023 US Open Cup qualifier. Photo: Carl Gulbish | @carlgulbishpho1

Two weeks ago Orlando City SC lifted the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup by defeating Sacramento Republic FC, 3-0. The finish of the 2022 edition has little room to breath as the new cycle has already kicked off. Last weekend saw the first qualifying round of the 2023 tournament begin around the country featuring Open Division teams. In total, 34 matches took place across eleven states and the nation’s capital.

The 108th edition of the Open Cup started off better than last year. While 2022’s qualifying round was filled with forfeits, only one game was this year. And even still, a game was played despite the ruling. The biggest story of the first qualifying round is how many familiar faces went down in their first match. Two former champions failed to escape the first weekend while two 2022 competitors were pushed to the brink.

Due to the size of the qualifying field, a grand total of 37 teams were granted byes through the first round. They’ll join the field of victors from last weekend in October’s second qualifying round. All teams will play in the fourth round this year with the final games taking place December 17-18.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2022

Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals (USL of Pennsylvania / USASA)
1:2
West Chester United (USL of Pennsylvania / USASA)
Ukrainian American Sports Center; North Wales, PA

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Kicking off the 2023 U.S. Open Cup Qualifying campaign were rivals from the United Soccer League of Pennsylvania, West Chester United and the Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals. West Chester has previously qualified as a USASA team in 2016 & 2019, and their USL League Two club made the cut for the 2022 tournament.

On the opposite side, the Ukrainian Nationals are 4-time Open Cup champions (1960, 1961, 1963 & 1966), however they have yet to qualify for the Open Cup in the “Modern Era” (since 1995).

The Ukrainians jumped out to an early lead on a 12th minute goal from Jacob Gier, who played with Lehigh Valley United of USL League Two this past season. Equalizing in the 38th minute for West Chester was Finn Reese on an assist from Mike Gonzalez. Just as extra time seemed certain, West Chester were awarded a penalty in second half stoppage time, and Derek Remierez, who played this past summer with WCU’s USL League Two squad, converted the spot kick to send his team to the next round of qualifying.

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Houston FC (National Soccer Leagues / USSSA)
10:1
Galveston Pelicans FC (National Soccer Leagues / USSSA)
San Jacito College South; Houston, TX

Houston FC took one step closer to the 2023 US Open Cup with a comprehensive 10-1 victory over the Galveston Pelicans at San Jacito College South. Led by a hat trick by Quinton Bridges and a double by Mahmoud Adwani, Houston raced into the break with 5-0 lead. The second half saw five more Houston goals and Galveston’s goose egg was broken up by a goal from Ronaldo Garcia.

This marks just the fourth time since this new qualifying tournament began in 2015 that a team has reached double digit goals. 

With the win, Houston advances to the Second Qualifying round to be held October 15-16 with their opponent to be determined.

Houston FC goalscorers: Quinton Bridges (3), Mahmoud Adwani (2), Sergio Calvillo, Otney Crawford, Chukwuemeka Nwachukwu, Alejandro Vigil, Michael Luster. Galveston Pelicans: Ronaldo Garcia.

MOST LOPSIDED GAMES (Modern Qualifying Tournament, 2015-present)

1. Union Dubuque F.C. (MWPL) 14:0 Spartan FC (WPASL) – 2021 USASA Region II Amateur Cup Round 1
2. Newcastle United (UPSL) 13:0 Del Rey City SC (UPSL) – 2018 Qualifying Rd. 1
3. Strikers FC South Coast (UPSL) 11:0 AC Brea Steaua (SoCal Premier Lg.) – 2017 Qualifying Rd 1
3. FC Kendall (APSL) 11:0 Leu Blacks FC (UPSL) – 2018 Qualifying Rd. 1
3. Kalonji Pro-Profile (APSL) 1:12 SCU-Heat (UPSL) – 2021 USASA Region III Amateur Cup Group Stage
6. HOUSTON FC (NSL) 10:1 GALVESTON PELICANS FC (NSL) – 2022 Qualifying Rd. 1

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City Soccer FC (National Soccer Leagues / USSSA)
3:2
Florida Soccer Soldiers (UPSL)
Broward College-South Campus; Pembroke Pines, FL

In a rematch of last year’s “Win & You’re In” match, City Soccer FC and Florida Soccer Soldiers met again in US Open Cup Qualifying. This time it was the opening round. But it was a similar result as City Soccer came out on top by the score of 3-2.

City Soccer are seeking their second straight USOC berth, while Florida Soccer Soldiers will have to wait until next year to try to recapture the magic of their 2019 run that saw them knock off the Charlotte Independence (USL Championship) to reach the Third Round.

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Club de Lyon (NISA Nation / USSSA)
3:0
Deportivo Lake Mary FC (NISA Nation / USSSA)
Showalter Field; Winter Park, FL

In a battle of two Orlando-area clubs, Club de Lyon shutout Deportivo Lake Mary FC, 3-0. This is Club de Lyon’s first entry into US Open Cup qualifying, while DLM was attempting to qualify for the second time in as many years (they lost to Orlando FC Wolves, 4-0 in the opening round).

Victor Rojas opened the scoring in the first 20 minutes with a penalty kick. It remained a one-goal game until the final 10 minutes when Damian Duda doubled the lead and then an own goal (off a shot from Rojas) in stoppage time put the game away.

Club de Lyon are a new club competing in NISA Nation. They have already gotten off to a positive start having won the first edition of NISA Nation’s Florida Region.

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Oyster Bay United FC (UPSL)
2:1 (AET)
New Jersey Alliance FC (UPSL)
Darcy Field; Rockville Centre, NY

Oyster Bay United logo

Oyster Bay United took a step toward returning to the US Open Cup with a 2-1 extra time win over New Jersey Alliance FC. Mike Bello put the visitors on top in the 4th minute. New Jersey, who attempted to qualify for the first time last year (lost in the second round to West Chester United), held that 1-0 lead until the very end.

However, United’s Said Giorgini equalized deep in second half stoppage time to send the match into extra time. Leonel Zelaya, a standout at Queens College (NCAA D-2) would score what would prove to be the game-winner in the 101st minute to send Oyster Bay into the next round.

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Juventus Academy (UPSL)
4:3
Doral SC (UPSL)
Broward College-South Campus; Pembroke Pines, FL

A pair of South Florida-based first-time qualifying entries squared off in Pembroke Pines, Fla. on Saturday. Juventus took control of the game early with three straight goals by Lucas Coro, Matias Paredes and Jacopo Camilli. Doral pulled one back before halftime as a shot was mishandled by the Juventus goalkeeper. A header right in front of goal took a bounce in front of goal and the keeper tried to make the stop but was unable to get enough of his hands to it as it ended up over his head and into the back of the net.

In the second half, Doral put the pressure on, earning a penalty kick. However, the goalkeeper dove to his left to get a piece of the low driving shot as it deflected off the post, deflected off his body before he could gather it. But Doral’s pressure would pay off as they cut the lead to 3-2. However, the comeback hopes were dashed with a cross from the right wing that was tapped in by Juve’s Edu Ramirez. Doral would add a late goal but it wasn’t enough as Juventus advanced to Round 2.

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Germantown City FC (UPSL)
2:1
Aegean Hawks FC (American Premier League / USASA)
River Hill High School Stadium; Clarksville, MD

Three-time Open Cup qualifiers Aegean Hawks of the American Premier League got off on the right foot against Germantown City FC (UPSL). They scored in the opening 10 minutes, only to see the lead disappear about 15 minutes later. Christian Okomo equalized for the home team with a shot from just outside the 18-yard box on the left side around the 25th minute. In the second half, Stephane Mankemi scored what would prove to be the game-winner in the 65th minute. Franklin Reyes was out on the left wing and delivered a cross which found Mankemi for the tap-in. With the win, Germantown City picks up a win in their Open Cup qualifying debut.

Germantown City FC poses for a team photo after the club's 2-1 win over Aegean Hawks FC in the 2023 US Open Cup Qualifying tournament. Photo: Germantown City FC
Germantown City FC poses for a team photo after the club’s 2-1 win over Aegean Hawks FC in the 2023 US Open Cup Qualifying tournament. Photo: Germantown City FC

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FC Fort Worth (UPSL)
1:5
D’Feeters Kicks Soccer Club (UPSL)
Southwest High School; Fort Worth, TX

After earning their first ever Open Cup qualification in 2022, D’Feeters Kicks SC began their 2023 qualifying campaign with a decisive 5-1 victory over UPSL rivals FC Fort Worth at Southwest High School in Fort Worth, Texas. The two sides were already quite familiar with each other after a Spring 2022 UPSL league campaign that ended with DKSC finishing first and Fort Worth finishing second with just a single point separating the two sides in the final standings; though D’Feeters did finish with a resounding goal difference of +56. 

All five of the visitors’ goals came from different goalscorers, but it was Oscar Ocampo and Sebastian Mendez who led the way with each tallying both a goal and an assist. The home side were right there in it at halftime, but three second half goals from DKSC, including two in the final 10 minutes, left no doubt about the final result. 

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LA Monsters FC (Southwest Premier League / USASA)
3:0
Irvine FC (UPSL)
Wilmington Athletic Complex; Wilmington, CA

The LA Monsters have been regulars in the US Open Cup qualifying tournament since the modern format began in 2016 but have fallen painfully close to punching their ticket. After losing three times in “Win & You’re In” matches (2016, 2018, 2020), the Monsters are determined to take that next step. They got off to a positive start with a 3-0 home win over UPSL side Irvine FC, who were making their qualifying debut. A first half brace by 22-year-old Colombian Steven Ramirez (15th min., 30th min.) gave them a two-goal advantage at halftime. Oswaldo Rodriguez put the game out of reach in the 75th minute. Player/coach Larry Sanchez, the son of the team’s head coach Leo Sanchez, earned the clean sheet for the Monsters.

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SC Vistula Garfield (Garden State Soccer League / USASA)
1:0
New York Pancyprian Freedoms (Eastern Premier Soccer League / USASA)
Athenia Steel Recreation Complex; Clifton, NJ

By Michael Battista

SC Vistula Garfield knocked off three time Open Cup champion New York Pancyprian Freedoms, 1-0, thanks to a late game stunner.

The Freedoms controlled possession for most of the match. However the New York soccer institution was stopped by Garfield’s keeper Anthony Caruso. The former New Jersey Institute of Technology keeper earned the clean sheet in trial by fire, coming up huge on multiple Freedom chances. The winning moment came in the 89th minute as Garfield threw the ball long near the box. A quick flick to the far post saw Christopher Karcz (40 years old) dive for the header, sending the ball into the back of the net.

Vistula Garfield have entered the Open Cup in the past, but this is their first attempt since Open Division qualifying was revamped in 2016. The team, celebrating its 70th anniversary is having a tremendous year on the field. The team reached the semifinals of the USASA Region I Amateur Cup, knocking off FC Motown in the state final and Fall River FC in the regionals. A result of the team continuing to build on it’s long time heritage.

The Freedoms have entered Open Cup qualifying each of the last six years, qualifying for the 2016 tournament and the canceled 2020 edition. The Freedoms have also won three Open Cup Championship in 1980,.1982 and 1983. The team has also either qualified or attempted to qualify for every Open Cup tournament since it’s inception in the 1970s.

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Nova FC (Eastern Premier Soccer League / USASA)
0:0
Steel Pulse FC (Maryland Super Soccer League / USASA)
Nova FC advance on penalties, 3-1
VA Revolution Sportsplex; Leesburg, VA

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

2022 Open Cup qualifier Nova FC of the Eastern Premier Soccer League hosted Steel Pulse FC of the Maryland Super Soccer League.

Steel Pulse were reduced to 10 men after losing a player to a red card after 10 minutes. Pulse wound up going another 110 minutes down a man as the teams battled to a scoreless draw, leading tio a penalty shootout.

In the shootout Steel Pulse missed on two of their first three attempts, while Nova converted all three. Nova then missed on their fourth attempt, but Steel Pulse failed to convert their fourth shot, giving Novas the shootout win and advancing them to the Second Round of qualifying on October 15-16

Steel Pulse were making their third attempt at qualifying since 2019, while Nova advanced to the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup.
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Lansdowne Yonkers FC (Eastern Premier Soccer League / USASA)
5:0
Manhattan Kickers FC (Cosmopolitan Soccer League / USASA)
Tibbetts Brooke Park; Yonkers, NY

By Michael Battista

Lansdowne Yonkers FC dominated their former league-mates Manhattan Kickers FC, 5-0, just north of New York City proper. The former Bhoys’ hunt for a fourth Open Cup berth will continue into next month’s round. The Kickers’ inaugural qualification run ended in disappointment as the team looks ahead to the 2022-23 Division 1 season in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League.

Yonkers’ newcomer Shawn Genus made his presence known, scoring three of his team’s five goals, including two in the first half (14’, 42’). Julio Espinal knocked in a shot in the 17th minute while Joseph DeVivo scored in the 44th. The Kickers looked out of their depth against Lansdowne. A final goal in the 81st minute via a penalty kick by Genus to complete his hat trick saw the team to the final whistle.

Lansdowne Yonkers FC vs. Manhattan Kickers FC – YouTube

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FC Denver (Colorado Super League / USASA)
2:0
Harpos FC (Colorado Super League / USASA)
Northfield High School; Denver, CO

Long time local rivals FC Denver and Harpos FC squared off for the third time in USOC qualifying, at Northfield High School in Denver. The two sides met last June in the Colorado Super League final, with Harpos coming out on top.

FC Denver is attempting to qualify for the first time since 2019, while Harpos FC are attempting to qualify for the first time since the canceled tournament of 2020 (prior to that 2016). A crowd of about 75 saw FC Denver come out 2-1 winners.

FC Denver would start the scoring in the 19th minute when Alex Stephan’s through ball found Leo Castillo for a shot. The shot was deflected into the path of Ismail Garcia who slotted home to take the 1-0 lead. Castillo took a free kick in the 43rd minute which deflected in front of goal and found the back of the net to give FC Denver a 2-0 lead going into halftime.

Both sides started the second half brightly, but Harpos would soon begin to wear down the Denver defense. After several good chances in the middle third of the half, Harpos would win a PK and convert it in the 90th minute. Not enough to save Harpos aspirations, FC Denver wins 2-1.

With the win, FC Denver advances to the Second Qualifying round to be held October 15-16 with their opponent to be determined.

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FC Arizona (UPSL)
5:1
Valley FC Raiders (NISA Nation / USASA)
Bell Bank Park; Mesa, AZ

In an all-debutantes’ affair, FC Arizona and Valley FC Raiders met in USOC qualifying. Valley FC Raiders came out the winners 5-1. This is the first meeting between the two teams in any competition and the first qualifying game in the first attempt for both teams.

The first half started fast. Both sides had good possession and chances. Valley would draw first blood when Kevin Olivarez would score his first of the evening in the 23rd minute. Ruben Phiri scored from a long-range blast in the 30th minute. FC Arizona keeper, Adrian Thomas, brought down an attacker outside his penalty area and was sent off in the 44th minute. Field player Yuki Enomoto would step into goal to deal with the resulting free kick, which was put away by Olivarez for his second of the night. The half ended 3-0 to the NISA Nation side.

The second half began with FC Arizona looking for a goal. They would dominate the games for several stretches, but to little joy. Valley’s Eduardo Lazaro would score in the 80 to make the lead 4-0. Just a few minutes later, Jesus Ruiz would get a great cross from Jordi Figueroa to break the shut out, making it 4-1. The momentum shifted quickly and in the 88th minute, Bwaleso Igulu would put the game to bed once and for all pushing the lead to 5-1.

With the win, Valley FC Raiders advances to the Second Qualifying round to be held October 15-16 with their opponent to be determined.

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Laguna United FC (UPSL)
3:0
Olympiacos CA (Southwest Premier League / USASA)
La Paz Sports Park; Laguna Niguel, CA

A pair of first-time entries from Southern California met in Laguna Niguel, Calif. with Laguna United FC defeating Olympiacos CA, 3-0. Yousef Farah opened the scoring with a penalty kick just before halftime. He would add a second goal from the run of play around the 70th minute, followed by a third goal from the team’s backup goalkeeper Jeremy Caringella who subbed on as a striker. United goalkeeper Ivan Hernandez earned the clean sheet for the home team.

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UC Davis Club Soccer (West Coast Soccer Association / USASA)
3:4
Davis Legacy SC (UPSL)
Dairy Outdoor Recreation Complex (UC Davis); Davis, CA

The Davis Legacy have been regulars in US Open Cup qualifying since 2016 (with the exception of 2020), but have yet to qualify for the US Open Cup proper. After two straight one-and-dones (2019, 2022), the Legacy picked up a 4-3 win over UC Davis Club Soccer.

UC Davis fall short in their Open Cup qualifying debut, joining a relatively small list of college club teams that have tried and failed to join the tournament.

UC Davis didn’t waste any time in taking the lead, scoring goals in the 7th and 12th minute of the match.  Davis Legacy’s tandem of Junior Kazeem and JJ Rigo were each able to score and tie the match before halftime.  The duo took charge in the second half as well, adding two more goals and creating an insurmountable lead.
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2022

Ruggles Pro FC (Eastern Premier Soccer League / USASA)
0:0
Boston Street FC (UPSL)
Boston Street advances 13-12 in penalty kicks
Fore Kicks II; Marlborough, MA
MATCH VIDEO

A pair of Massachusetts-based US Open Cup qualifying debutants met in Marlborough, Mass. on Sunday afternoon. While the match went 120 minutes without a goal, the two teams made up for it in the penalty kick shootout.

In the end, Boston Street FC advanced to the next round in the longest PK shootout in the tournament’s modern qualifying format (which began in 2015). Boston Street defeated Ruggles Pro FC 13-12 in a shootout that lasted 16 rounds.  

The first five rounds of the shootout ended in a 3-3 tie and rounds 3 through 11 resulted in mirrored results. Boston Street’s Eddie Yepes was able to bury his shot, which placed all of the tournament hopes and pressure on his teammate, goalkeeper PJ Mundis.  When Ruggles’ Michelle Lorran took his penalty kick, Mundis dove to his right, but was able to kick-save the ball away from the goal line. The tournament dreams of Boston Street FC were kept alive with that kick save. While the club redirects their focus back on the UPSL season, they can rest assured that they aren’t finished in their hopes to qualify for next year’s edition of the US Open Cup.

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Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USL of Pennsylvania / USASA)
2:1
Philadelphia Lone Star FC (UPSL)
Vereinigung Erzgebirge Clubhouse; Warminster, PA

Players from Vereinigung Erzebirge (left) and Philadelphia Lone Star FC battle for the ball in a 2023 US Open Cup qualifier. Photo: Carl Gulbish | @carlgulbishpho1
Players from Vereinigung Erzebirge (left) and Philadelphia Lone Star FC battle for the ball in a 2023 US Open Cup qualifier. Photo: Carl Gulbish | @carlgulbishpho1

Vereinigung Erzgebirge advanced to the second round of qualifying for the 2023 US Open Cup tournament after a 2-1 win against Philadelphia Lone Star FC. There were no goals in the first half but the second half was where all the action began. Kevin Smolyn scored the first goal in the match for VE in the 50th minute to put them ahead 1-0. Lone Star would respond in the 64th minute with a goal from Alvin Dahn. The score remained level until stoppage time when Johnny Ciarlante scored the game-winning goal to seal the win for Vereinigung Erzgebirge and avenge their loss (by the same score) to Lone Star in the qualifying rounds last year. VE advances in the opening round for the third tournament in a row in hopes of qualifying for the first time since 2002. (NOTE: VE qualified in 2020, but the tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic) 

https://twitter.com/BrotherlyGame/status/1571579570201022470

Goal highlights:

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Lancaster City FC (United Soccer League of Pennsylvania / USASA)
2:3 (AET)
Lancaster Elite (UPSL)
Lancaster Catholic High School Stadium; Lancaster, PA

We got the Lancaster, Pa. derby as both Lancaster Elite and Lancaster City made their debuts in the qualifying rounds for the 2023 US Open Cup. Lancaster Elite led City 2-1 at the half but City scored a dramatic equalizer in second half stoppage time. Jack Weaver would score for Lancaster Elite to give them the lead 3-2 in added extra time in the 110th minute, which was enough to send them through to the next round.  

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Team Tevez (DC Premier League / USASA)
2:4 (AET)
DCFC (DC Premier League / USASA)
Fields at RFK; Washington, D.C.

We got a rivalry match in  the nation’s capital as DCFC edged out Team Tevez 4-2 after added extra time to advance to the next round of qualifying for the U.S. Open Cup. It was a battle of the DC Premier League’s 2021 fall champions (DCFC) and the 2022 spring champions (Team Tevez) with both teams making their qualifying debut. In the first half, DCFC scored a pair of goals from Harry Engoren in the 41st and Charles Touche in the 43rd minute to put DCFC 2-0 going into halftime. However in the second half Team Tevez would respond quickly. They got a goal in the 48th minute from Colin Patch to cut the lead in half. Then, about 10 minutes later, Alex Firth scored the equalizer for Team Tevez. After 90 minutes, the game would go into extra time and DCFC would score two goals to get the win. Harry Engoren scored his second goal of the match and Ryan Mahoney added the insurance goal for DCFC to move on to the second round of qualifying. 

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Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake (Colorado Super League / USASA)
3:0
Peak Eleven Football Club (Mountain Premier League / USASA)
Wheat Ridge High School; Wheat Ridge, CO

AC Sloan’s Lake advanced to the second round of qualifying with their first tournament win, 3-0 over local rivals Peak Eleven FC.

All the scoring came in the second half, sparked by a goal from each of the team’s starting forwards. Former AC Carpi (Italian Serie B) player Jacob Love connected in the 48th minute, while Jack O’Brian, who won a national title with Stanford in 2017, doubled the lead in the 52nd. Miguel Camerolinga put the game out of reach in the 64th minute.

For Peak Eleven, it was a one-and-done tournament after advancing last year in a dramatic PK shootout over FC Denver in their debut. They missed their first two attempts and managed to come back and win 4-3.

For Sloan’s Lake, they advance to Round 2 of the tournament which will be held Oct. 15-16 with their opponent to be determined.

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Clearwater Chargers SC (UPSL)
0:4
Florida Premier FC (UPSL)
Glenn Oaks Park; Clearwater, FL

Florida Premier FC put on a dominating performance at Glenn Oaks Park as they shutout the Clearwater Chargers SC 4-0 to advance to the second round of qualifying. Both teams had some solid chances in the first half. Florida Premier had missed their penalty kick in the 10th minute, while Clearwater had a chance to score in the 21st minute but their shot hit the crossbar.

Florida would finally break through in the 42nd minute. Daht Faal won the ball at the top of the box, dribbled around the goalkeeper and put the ball into the back of the net before the defense could close him down.

Three minutes into the second half, Oliver Drost stole the ball from a Clearwater defender and played the ball across to Stewart Vigh at the opposite post to make it 2-0. In the 56th minute, Drost played provider again, beating two defenders and sending a ball across to Vigh who added his second of the night.

The game appeared to be out of reach when Alejandro Quintero Stewart played a through ball in behind the defense to Nico Colacci who beat the keeper to the ball and made it 4-0.

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Colorado Rovers (Colorado Super League / USASA)
1:3
Azteca FC (Colorado Super League / USASA)
Victoria Sports Park; Golden, CO

In a rematch from last year’s qualifying tournament, Azteca FC beat fellow Colorado Super League side Colorado Rovers, 3-1. It was the fourth time in as many tournament entries that they have won their opening game. Out of those four attempts, they have qualified three times (2017, 2018, 2022). Azteca dominated in the first half scoring three goals. Saul Garcia scored in the 6th minute from outside the box to put Azteca FC ahead 1-0. Jovany Herrera scored from a free kick to extend the lead to 2-0. Freddy Fragozo scored from another free kick chance to put Azteca up by three before halftime. The Rovers would add a goal late in the 83rd minute from Micah Herrmann but Azteca FC held on for the 3-1 victory.

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Kensington Soccer Club (Eastern Premier Soccer League / USASA)
0:3
United German Hungarians (USL of Pennsylvania / USASA)
Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School; Philadelphia, PA

The United German Hungarians, one of the oldest active clubs in the country, defeated Kensington SC 3-0 to advance to the second round. Gabe Dwyer scored the first goal for UGH off a header to give them a 1-0 lead in the first half. In the 54th minute, Mike Liska doubled UGH’s lead followed by Jason Rocha who would add one more goal to put UGH ahead 3-0 and seal the win.

For UGH, a team that was an Open Cup runner-up in 1977 and 1993, it was their first qualifying win since the 2018 competition when they beat Vereinigung Erzgebirge, 2-1 in extra time. The club has not qualified for the tournament since that runner-up finish in 1993.

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Miami United FC (National Soccer Leagues / USSSA)
3:1
Florida Brothers (National Soccer Leagues / USSSA)
Ted Hendricks Stadium (Milander Park); Hialeah, FL
MATCH VIDEO

Miami United FC cruised into the second round of the qualifying tournament with a 3-1 win over fellow National Soccer League side Florida Brothers. They scored off a corner kick in the 11th minute. Nine minutes later, a free kick from about 35 yards out took a bounce in front of the Florida Brothers goalkeeper who was already going to the ground and it went over his outstretched arms. In the 62nd minute, a crowded  box saw a pass sent out to the top of the box and it was drilled into the upper 90 to make it 3-0 United. Florida would break up the shutout late but Miami would move on to Round 2.

Highlights (spanish)

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Real Central NJ Soccer (Eastern Premier Soccer League / USASA)
2:4
Jackson Lions FC (Garden State Soccer League / USASA)
MCCC Soccer Stadium; West Windsor, NJ

Jackson Lions defeated Real Central NJ Soccer 4-2 to move on to the second round of qualifying for the first time. The Lions scored first in the 28th minute from Christopher Thorsheim. Jackson Lions would get another goal early in the second half to go up 2-0. The Lions scored another goal in the 59th minute to go up 3-0. Real Central NJ Soccer would get one back in the 61st minute to cut the score to 3-1. The Lions would add another goal later in the second half to go up 4-1. RCNJ would add one more late goal in the 88th minute but it was not enough as the Lions advance.

Jackson Lions FC pose for a team photo before the club's 2023 US Open Cup qualifier vs. Real Central New Jersey. Photo: Jackson Lions FC
Jackson Lions FC pose for a team photo before the club’s 2023 US Open Cup qualifier vs. Real Central New Jersey. Photo: Jackson Lions FC

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Scots-American Athletic Club (Eastern Premier Soccer League / USASA)
0:5
Queensboro FC II (UPSL)
Kearny High School Stadium; Kearny, NJ

By Michael Battista

Queensboro FC II cruised past Scots-American Athletic Club, 5-0, in what might be the largest age gap ever between two Open Cup teams. Former LA Galaxy academy product Jonathan Santillan scored four of his team’s goals in a continuation of his performance last season in the UPSL.

He got to work quickly, taking advantage of a stunned Kearny Scots squad and scoring the opening goal in the 2nd minute. The pace of the game was simple from there; QBFC would attack and Kearny would clear the ball before repeating. In the 29th minute, one of these attacks forced a Scots foul on the last QBFC player on a break in the box. Santillan pulled a panelka calmly to make it 2-0 in the 23rd minute. Six minutes later, the former USYNT U-15 player struck from distance on the right side of the field, sending Scots’ keeper Arturo Botero diving in vain.

In the second half Kearny gained possession more but the game still fell into QBFC’s control. In total, possession favored the visiots somewhere around 70 percent. Joshua Saavedra scored in the 65th minute for Queensboro II to make it 4-0. The final nail came in stoppage time, with Queensboro down to 10 men due to an injury, where Jona finished off an excellent low cross from the right side as the game’s final play.

Kearny Scots exit the competition after making their first appearance of the Modern Era. The team first appeared in the second ever National Challenge Cup (1914-15) and dates officially back to the 1800s. TheCup.us’ *incomplete* records have their last USOC match back in 1948.

Queensboro meanwhile advanced to the second round to continue their stellar 2022. The academy/reserve team to the yet-to-launch USL Championship reached the UPSL national semifinals in their inaugural season this past Spring/Summer.

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Inter San Francisco (San Francisco Soccer Football League / USASA)
5:0
Marin County Union SC (National Soccer Leagues / USSSA)
Beach Chalet Soccer Field; San Francisco, CA

By Michael Koenig

Inter SF cruised to a 5-0 victory over Marin County Union SC in a match played in windy and rainy conditions at the Beach Chalet. Last year, Inter made it to the third round of qualifying in its Open Cup debut, beating Real San Jose in a driving rainstorm at the Beach Chalet before losing 3-1 to Sporting ID11 in Lake Forest, California. This match marked Marin County Union’s Open Cup debut.

Inter added several players with professional experience for its Open Cup run, including former MLS and USL veteran Matt Fondy. After wrapping up his professional career with the Oakland Roots, Fondy helped Olympic Club of San Francisco qualify for the Open Cup in 2019 and led SF Metro to the final qualifying round in 2021 before losing in a shootout. 

Inter dominated the match from the opening whistle, thanks to a goal from Fondy in the 11th minute and another from Gerardo Burgos in the 38th minute. The second half was more of the same, with Fondy adding another in the 51st minute. Two other former Roots players also got onto the scoresheet later in the second half, with Dylan Autran scoring a few minutes later and Nikolai Littleton converting a penalty kick opportunity in the 80th minute to enable Inter to move on to the second round and a possible rematch with Real San Jose.

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Miami Soccer Academy (National Soccer Leagues / USSSA)
2:1
O’Shea’s FC (UPSL)
Monsignor Edward Pace High School; Miami Gardens, FL

Miami Soccer Academy held on to defeat O’Shea’s FC 2-1 to move on to the second round of qualifying. Miami Soccer Academy scored in the 11th minute with a goal from Christopher Torres and they held on to that lead into halftime. In the 60th minute O’Shea’s FC would get an equalizer from RC to tie the match 1-1. Five minutes later, Miami Soccer Academy would get their second goal and held on for the win. 

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New York Greek American SC (Eastern Premier Soccer League / USASA)
3:3
Newtown Pride FC (Connecticut Soccer League / USASA)
New York advances 11-10 in penalty kicks
Hofstra University Soccer Stadium; Hempstead, NY

It was a dramatic matchup on Long Island as NY Greek American SC advance on penalty kicks 11-10 against Newtown Pride FC to advance to the second round. After Newtown opened the scoring, Kurt Cameron equalized in the 32nd minute for the 4-time US Open Cup champs. Newtown re-took the lead in the 74th minute only to see Cameron tie the game back up seven minutes later. The match went into extra time and this time it was Cameron giving New York the lead in the 97th minute. The Greeks appeared to be escaping with a win only to see Newtown equalize in the 120th minute.

In the shootout, the first 10 rounds of penalty kicks produced 10 goals on each side. In Round 11, the Greeks’ goalkeeper made a save, followed by the 11th straight goal by New York to send them into the next round.

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Outbreak FC (Southwest Premier League / USASA)
0:0
AS Los Angeles (UPSL)
Outbreak advances 4-2 in penalty kicks
Orange County Great Park; Irvine, CA

Outbreak FC, a US Open Cup qualifying regular, needed penalty kicks to get past qualifying debutants AS Los Angeles. After a scoreless 120 minutes, Outbreak relied on their former MLS goalkeeper Brian Rowe and won the shootout 4-2. Rowe, who spent most of his pro career with the LA Galaxy, made two saves, and guessed correctly on two others but couldn’t keep them out. After Trent Bryson missed the opening attempt for Outbreak, the team converted the next four (William Sanchez, Edgar Ortiz, James Turner, Matthew Murphy) to advance to Round 2. Outbreak is seeking to return to the tournament for the first time since their back-to-back appearances in 2016 and 2017.

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Rebels SC (UPSL)
2:2
Escondido FC (UPSL)
Escondido FC advances 3-1 on penalty kicks
Mount Miguel High School; Spring Valley, CA

By Mathias Medel

Round one of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualification schedule continued in San

Diego as a battle between two UPSL sides saw the visitors, Escondido FC, defeat Rebels SC 3-1 in a penalty kick shootout after a 2-2 draw.

The game began at a slow pace, with the referee handing out several yellow cars for players from both sides. Just three minutes before halftime, the home side’s Rafael Lua Rojo scored a tap-in to send the Rebels into the break with a 1-0 lead.

Coming back from halftime, Escondido FC looked like the better side, and equalized in the 69th minute off of a brilliant solo run from Marcos Rodrigo Celestino. With regulation time not being enough to find a winner, the game headed into extra time, where Escondido FC found the back of the net off of Christian Bahena’s curling shot into the right side net in the 98th minute.

Rebels SC responded with a well-timed volley by Edwing Zambrano off of a corner kick in the 107th minute, eventually sending the game into a penalty shootout. After both teams missed their first penalty, it was Rebels SC who couldn’t recover, with two of their shots hitting the crossbar. Escondido FC capped off the night with a win after Omar Rodriguez Corral converted from the spot, and ending the shootout in a 3-1 win.

Live stream 

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International Soccer Association (UPSL)
5:3
West Palm Beach Academy CF (National Soccer Leagues / USSSA)
Broward College-South Campus; Pembroke Pines, FL

For the second straight qualifying tournament, the International Soccer Association (ISA) began with a win over a Palm Beach team. Last year, they blanked the Palm Beach Breakers, 4-0 to kick off their qualifying run. This year, they defeated West Palm Beach Academy CF, 5-3.

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OC Kings FC (UPSL)
at
Capo FC (NISA Nation / USASA)
Capo FC advances after OC Kings FC forfeited due to lack of player availability
Lake Forest Sports Park; Lake Forest, CA

OC Kings FC only had 14 eligible players entering their Open Cup qualifying debut over the weekend. Certainly not an ideal number of players, but enough to play. Unfortunately, three of those players were goalkeepers and two of them were injured. So without a full roster, OC Kings FC forfeited. However, the two teams still played a friendly on Sunday anyway.
—————————————————————————
Trojans FC (UPSL)
1:3
Orange County FC (UPSL)
Duarte High School; Duarte, CA
MATCH VIDEO

Despite an equalizer in the first half, Orange County FC was able to prevail over fellow UPSL club Trojans FC with a final score of 3-1. Orange County FC opened the scoring, broke the deadlock with a penalty kick, and then added a third goal shortly before halftime. Trojans FC were unable to affect the scoreline in the second half, failing to qualify for the tournament in their fifth attempt.

2023 US Open Cup qualifying results

by

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

Twitter (#USOC2023) | Facebook | Instagram | Flickr | Reddit

Table key
Associations US Adult Soccer Association
(USASA)		 US Club Soccer
(USCS)		 US Specialty Sports Association
(USSSA)		 United Premier Soccer League
(UPSL)
Leagues

 American Premier League
(APL)		 Bay State Soccer League
(BSSL)		 Central Florida Soccer League
(CFSL)		 Colorado Super League
(Colo SL)
Connecticut Soccer League
(Conn SL)		 Cosmopolitan Soccer League
(Cosmo SL)		 DC Premier League
(DCPL)		 Eastern Premier Soccer League
(EPSL)
Federal Way Men’s Open Sunday
(FWMOS)		 Garden State Soccer League
(GSSL)		 Maryland Super Soccer League
(MSSL)		 Midwest Premier League
(MWPL)
Mountain Premier League
(MPL)		 National Soccer League
(NSL)		 NISA Nation
(NISAN)		 Ohio Valley Premier League
(OVPL)
Rochester District Soccer League
(RDSL)		 San Francisco Soccer Football League
(SFSFL)		 Southwest Premier League
(SWPL)		 Triangle Adult Soccer League
(TASL)
United Soccer League of Pennsylvania
(USLPA)		 West Coast Soccer Association
(WCSA)

ROUND 1 AWAY TEAM Assoc.
 SCORE
 Assoc.
 HOME TEAM VENUE
Sept. 17 West Chester United SC (USLPA) USASA 2:1 USASA Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals (USLPA) Ukrainian American Sports Center; North Wales, PA
Sept. 17 Galveston Pelicans FC (NSL) USSSA 1:10 USSSA Houston FC (NSL) San Jacito College South; Houston, TX
Sept. 17 City Soccer FC (NSL) USSSA 3:2 UPSL Florida Soccer Soldiers (UPSL) Broward College-South Campus; Pembroke Pines, FL
Sept. 17 New Jersey Alliance FC (UPSL) UPSL 1:2 (AET) UPSL Oyster Bay United FC (UPSL) Darcy Field; Rockville Centre, NY
Sept. 17 Deportivo Lake Mary FC (NISAN) USASA 0:3 USASA Club de Lyon (NISAN) Showalter Field; Winter Park, FL
Sept. 17 Doral SC (UPSL) UPSL 3:4 UPSL Juventus Academy (UPSL) Broward College-South Campus; Pembroke Pines, FL
Sept. 17 Aegean Hawks FC (APL) USASA 1:2 UPSL Germantown City FC (UPSL) River Hill High School Stadium; Clarksville, MD
Sept. 17 D’Feeters Kicks Soccer Club (UPSL) UPSL 5:1 UPSL FC Fort Worth (UPSL) Southwest High School; Fort Worth, TX
Sept. 17 Irvine FC (UPSL) UPSL 0:3 USSSA LA Monsters FC (SWPL) Wilmington Athletic Complex; Wilmington, CA
Sept. 17 New York Pancyprian Freedoms (EPSL) USASA 0:1 USASA SC Vistula Garfield (GSSL) Athenia Steel Recreation Complex; Clifton, NJ
Sept. 17 Steel Pulse FC (MSSL) USASA 0:0 (1:3 PK) USASA Northern Virginia FC (EPSL) VA Revolution Sportsplex; Leesburg, VA
Sept. 17 Manhattan Kickers FC (Cosmo SL) USASA 0:5 USASA Lansdowne Yonkers FC (EPSL) Tibbetts Brooke Park; Yonkers, NY
Sept. 17 Harpos FC (Colo SL) USASA 1:2 USASA FC Denver (Colo SL) Northfield High School; Denver, CO
Sept. 17 Valley FC Raiders (NISAN) USASA 6:1 UPSL FC Arizona (UPSL) Bell Bank Park; Mesa, AZ
Sept. 17 Olympiacos CA (SWPL) USSSA 0:3 UPSL Laguna United FC (UPSL) La Paz Sports Park; Laguna Niguel, CA
Sept. 17 Davis Legacy SC (UPSL) UPSL 4:3 USASA UC Davis Club Soccer (WCSA) Dairy Outdoor Recreation Complex (UC Davis); Davis, CA
Sept. 18 Boston Street FC (UPSL) UPSL 0:0 (9:8 PK) USASA Ruggles Pro FC (EPSL) Fore Kicks II; Marlborough, MA
Sept. 18 Philadelphia Lone Star FC (UPSL) UPSL 1:2 USASA Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USLPA) Vereinigung Erzgebirge Clubhouse; Warminster, PA
Sept. 18 Lancaster Elite (UPSL) UPSL 3:2 (AET) USASA Lancaster City FC (USLPA) Lancaster Catholic High School Stadium; Lancaster, PA
Sept. 18 DCFC (DCPL) USASA

4:2 (AET)

 USASA Team Tevez (DCPL) Fields at RFK; Washington, D.C.
Sept. 18 Peak Eleven Football Club (MPL) USASA 0:3 USASA Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake (Colo SL) Wheat Ridge High School; Wheat Ridge, CO
Sept. 18 Florida Premier FC (UPSL) UPSL 4:0 USASA Clearwater Chargers SC (UPSL) Glenn Oaks Park; Clearwater, FL
Sept. 18 Newtown Pride FC (Conn SL) USASA 3:3 (10:11 PK) USASA New York Greek American SC (EPSL) Hofstra University Soccer Stadium; Hempstead, NY
Sept. 18 Azteca FC (Colo SL) USASA 3:1 USASA Colorado Rovers (Colo SL) Victoria Sports Park; Golden, CO
Sept. 18 United German Hungarians (USLPA) USASA 3:0 USASA Kensington Soccer Club (EPSL) Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School; Philadelphia, PA
Sept. 18 Florida Brothers (NSL) USSSA 1:3 USSSA Miami United FC (NSL) Ted Hendricks Stadium (Milander Park); Hialeah, FL
Sept. 18 Jackson Lions FC (GSSL) USASA

4:2

 USASA Real Central NJ Soccer (EPSL) MCCC Soccer Stadium; West Windsor, NJ
Sept. 18 O’Shea’s FC (UPSL) UPSL 1:2 USSSA Miami Soccer Academy (NSL) Monsignor Edward Pace High School; Miami Gardens, FL
Sept. 18 Queensboro FC II (UPSL) UPSL 5:0 USASA Scots-American Athletic Club (EPSL) Kearny High School Stadium; Kearny, NJ
Sept. 18 Marin County Union SC (NSL) USSSA 0:5 USASA Inter San Francisco (SFSFL) Beach Chalet Soccer Field; San Francisco, CA
Sept. 18 Escondido FC (UPSL) UPSL 2:2 (3:2 PK) UPSL Rebels SC (UPSL) Mount Miguel High School; Spring Valley, CA
Sept. 18 West Palm Beach Academy CF (NSL) USSSA 3:5 UPSL International Soccer Association (UPSL) Broward College-South Campus; Pembroke Pines, FL
Sept. 18 Capistrano FC (NISAN) USASA W:L (FORFEIT) UPSL OC Kings FC (UPSL) Lake Forest Sports Park; Lake Forest, CA
Sept. 18 A.S. Los Angeles (UPSL) UPSL 0:0 (2:4 PK) USSSA Outbreak FC (SWPL) Orange County Great Park; Irvine, CA
Sept. 18 Orange County FC (UPSL) UPSL 3:1 UPSL Trojans FC (UPSL) Duarte High School; Duarte, CA
BYES: 1927 SC, Alamo City Soccer Club, BattleBorn FC, Beaman United FC, Bellevue Athletic FC, Boulder United FC, Bowling Green FC, Brockton FC United, Chicago House AC, Christos FC, Coronado Athletic Club, D10 Lions FC, Desert FC, Elk Grove Blues, FC Birmingham, Gainesville City FC, Hurricane FC, IASC Boom, Kalonji Pro-Profile, Legend Football Gold, Metro Louisville FC, Mint Hill FC, Modesto City Football Club, Naples City FC, Naples United FC, Olympians FC, Orlando FC Wolves, Real San Jose, Sahara Gunners FC, Santa Cruz FC, South Carolina United Heat, TCSA, Temecula FC, Tobacco Road FC, UDA Soccer, Unations FC, Valhalla FC
             
ROUND 2 AWAY TEAM Assoc. SCORE
 Assoc. HOME TEAM VENUE
Oct. 15 Oyster Bay United FC (UPSL) UPSL 4:1 UPSL Queensboro FC II (UPSL) Queens College Varsity Soccer Field; Flushing, NY
Oct. 15 South Carolina United Heat (UPSL) UPSL 4:0 UPSL TCSA (UPSL) Paul Thigpen Chevrolet; Vidalia, GA
Oct. 15 Kalonji Pro-Profile (UPSL) UPSL 5:1 UPSL FC Birmingham (UPSL) Pleasant Grove Soccer Complex; Pleasant Grove, AL
Oct. 15 Metro Louisville FC (UPSL) UPSL 1:0 USCS Valhalla FC (OVPL) Charity J. Lucas Multi-Purpose Athletic Complex; Milford, OH
Oct. 15 FC Denver (Colorado SL) USASA 1:4 USASA Azteca FC (Colo SL) Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, CO
Oct. 15 Boston Street FC (UPSL) UPSL 0:1 USASA Brockton FC United (BSSL) Rocky Marciano Stadium; Brockton, MA
Oct. 15 Houston FC (NSL) USSSA 2:3 USSSA D10 Lions FC (NSL) Matias Almeyda Training Center; Houston, TX
Oct. 15 Santa Cruz FC (UPSL) UPSL L:W (FORFEIT) UPSL Unations FC (UPSL) Fore Kicks II; Marlborough, MA
Oct. 15 Gainesville City FC (UPSL) UPSL 1:2 UPSL Florida Premier FC (UPSL) GSports Clubhouse Field; Trinity, FL
Oct. 15 Club de Lyon (NISAN) USASA 3:1 USASA Orlando FC Wolves (CFSL) Econ Soccer Complex; Orlando, FL
Oct. 15 Germantown City FC (UPSL) UPSL 0:6 USASA Northern Virginia FC (EPSL) Virginia Revolution Sportsplex; Leesburg, VA
Oct. 15 D’Feeters Kicks Soccer Club (UPSL) UPSL 3:2 UPSL Alamo City Soccer Club (UPSL) Alamo Sportsplex; San Antonio, TX
Oct. 15 Beaman United FC (UPSL) UPSL 3:1 UPSL Bowling Green FC (UPSL) The Pit (Bowling Green Junior High); Bowling Green, KY
Oct. 15 Inter San Francisco (SFSFL) USASA 4:0 USSSA Real San Jose (NSL) PAL Stadium; San Jose, CA
Oct. 15 Davis Legacy SC (UPSL) UPSL 2:1 UPSL Elk Grove Blues (UPSL) Bartholomew Sports Park; Elk Grove, CA
Oct. 16 Coronado Athletic Club (UPSL) UPSL 0:4 UPSL UDA Soccer (UPSL) Field of Dreams Soccer Complex; Las Cruces, NM
Oct. 16 IASC Boom (RDSL) USASA 3:1 UPSL Sahara Gunners FC (UPSL) Dobson Field (D’Youville University); Buffalo, NY
Oct. 16 Lancaster Elite (UPSL) UPSL 0:2 USASA Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USLPA) Vereinigung Erzgebirge Clubhouse; Warminster, PA
Oct. 16 West Chester United SC (USLPA) USASA 4:0 USASA United German Hungarians (USLPA) Temple University Ambler Campus; Ambler, PA
Oct. 16 1927 SC (OVPL) USCS 1:1 (3:4 PK) USASA Chicago House AC (MWPL) Hales Franciscan High School; Chicago, IL
Oct. 16 Boulder United FC (Colo SL) USASA 1:2 USASA Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake (Colo SL) Wheat Ridge High School; Wheat Ridge, CO
Oct. 16 Mint Hill FC (UPSL) UPSL 1:3 USASA Tobacco Road FC (TASL) Durham County Memorial Stadium; Durham, NC
Oct. 16 Naples United FC (NSL) USSSA 0:4 (65′) UPSL Naples City FC (UPSL) Paradise Coast Sports Complex; Naples, FL
Oct. 16 Lansdowne Yonkers FC (EPSL) USASA 3:0 USASA New York Greek American SC (EPSL) Fleming Park; Yonkers, NY
Oct. 16 Christos FC (MSSL) USASA 1:1 (4:5 PK) USASA DCFC (DCPL) Jelleff Recreation Center; Washington, D.C.
Oct. 16 Outbreak FC (SWPL) USSSA 0:1 UPSL Escondido FC (UPSL) San Pasqual High School; Escondido, CA
Oct. 16 SC Vistula Garfield (GSSL) USASA 2:1 USASA Jackson Lions FC (GSSL) Donovan Catholic High School; Toms River, NJ
Oct. 16 City Soccer FC (NSL) USSSA 2:0 USSSA Hurricane FC (NSL) Seacrest Soccer Complex; Delray Beach, FL
Oct. 16 Juventus Academy (UPSL) UPSL 1:3 (AET) USSSA Miami Soccer Academy (NSL) Monsignor Edward Pace High School; Miami Gardens, FL
Oct. 16 Miami United FC (NSL) USSSA 5:0 UPSL International Soccer Association (UPSL) UPSL Stadium (Broward College-South Campus); Pembroke Pines, FL
Oct. 16 BattleBorn FC (NISAN) USASA 4:2 USSSA Modesto City Football Club (SWPL) Central Catholic High School; Modesto, CA
Oct. 16 Temecula FC (SWPL) USSSA 1:7 UPSL Orange County FC (UPSL) Orange County Great Park (Field 12); Irvine, CA
Oct. 16 Legend Football Gold (FWMOS) USASA 1:0 UPSL Bellevue Athletic FC (UPSL) Bellevue College Soccer Field; Bellevue, WA
Oct. 16 Valley FC Raiders (NISAN) USASA 0:2 UPSL Olympians FC (UPSL) Pioneer Park; Peoria, AZ
Oct. 16 Desert FC (UPSL) UPSL 6:1 USSSA LA Monsters FC (SWPL) Orange County Great Park (Field 8); Irvine, CA
Oct. 19 Capistrano FC (NISAN) USASA 4:1 UPSL Laguna United FC (UPSL) La Paz Sports Park; Laguna Niguel, CA
 BYES: None
             
ROUND 3
 AWAY TEAM Assoc. TIME
 Assoc. HOME TEAM VENUE
Nov. 19 Florida Premier FC (UPSL) UPSL 2:4 USASA Club de Lyon (NISAN) Young Pine Park; Orlando, FL
Nov. 19 Chicago House AC (MWPL) USASA 2:1 UPSL Metro Louisville FC (UPSL) Woehrle Athletic Complex; Jeffersonville, IN
Nov. 19 D10 Lions FC (NSL) USSSA 0:2 (74′) UPSL D’Feeters Kicks Soccer Club (UPSL) Lake Ridge High School; Mansfield, TX
Nov. 19 Northern Virginia FC (EPSL) USASA 1:0 USASA DCFC (DCPL) Jelleff Recreation Center; Washington, D.C.
Nov. 19 Oyster Bay United FC (UPSL) UPSL 1:4 USASA Lansdowne Yonkers FC (EPSL) Tibbetts Brooke Park; Yonkers, NY
Nov. 19 IASC Boom (RDSL) USASA 1:2 USASA SC Vistula Garfield (GSSL) Athenia Steel Recreation Complex; Clifton, NJ
Nov. 19 Escondido FC (UPSL) UPSL 3:7 (AET) UPSL Orange County FC (UPSL) Lake Forest Sports Park; Lake Forest, CA
Nov. 20 Olympians FC (UPSL) UPSL 1:3 (AET) UPSL UDA Soccer (UPSL) UDA at New Mexico State University; Las Cruces, NM
Nov. 20 Unations FC (UPSL) UPSL 2:5 USASA Brockton FC United (BSSL) Randolph High School; Randolph, MA
Nov. 20 West Chester United SC (USLPA) USASA 4:0 USASA Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USLPA) Vereinigung Erzgebirge Clubhouse; Warminster, PA
Nov. 20 Azteca FC (Colo SL) USASA 5:1 USASA Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake (Colo SL) Wheat Ridge High School; Wheat Ridge, CO
Nov. 20 Tobacco Road FC (TASL) USASA 0:3 UPSL South Carolina United Heat (UPSL) Southeastern Freight Lines Soccer Center; Columbia, SC
Nov. 20 Davis Legacy SC (UPSL) UPSL 0:5 USASA Inter San Francisco (SFSFL) Beach Chalet Soccer Field; San Francisco, CA
Nov. 20 Beaman United FC (UPSL) UPSL 4:4 (4:3 PK) UPSL Kalonji Pro-Profile (UPSL) Shiloh Generals Stadium; Snellville, GA
Nov. 20 Naples City FC (UPSL) UPSL 3:0 USSSA Miami Soccer Academy (NSL) Monsignor Edward Pace High School; Miami Gardens, FL
Nov. 20 City Soccer FC (NSL) USSSA 2:3 USSSA Miami United FC (NSL) Ted Hendricks Stadium; Hialeah, FL
Nov. 20 BattleBorn FC (NISAN) USASA 1:0 USASA Legend Football Gold (FWMOS) Saghalie Park; Federal Way, WA
Nov. 20 Capistrano FC (NISAN) USASA W:L (Forfeit) UPSL Desert FC (UPSL) Hovely Park (Field 3); Palm Desert, CA
BYES: None 
             
ROUND 4
 AWAY TEAM Assoc. TIME
 Assoc. HOME TEAM VENUE
Dec. 17 Chicago House AC (MWPL) USASA 1:1 (8:7 PK) USASA Brockton FC United (BSSL) Randolph High School; Randolph, MA
Dec. 17 Club de Lyon (NISAN) USASA 2:1 (AET) UPSL South Carolina United Heat (UPSL) Southeastern Freight Lines Soccer Center; Columbia, SC
Dec. 17 UDA Soccer (UPSL) UPSL 4:4 (4:1 PK) USASA Azteca FC (Colo SL) Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (Field 8); Commerce City, CO
Dec. 17 Inter San Francisco (SFSFL) USASA 5:1 USASA BattleBorn FC (NISAN) Douglas High School; Minden, NV
Dec. 17 West Chester United SC (USLPA) USASA 2:1 USASA Northern Virginia FC (EPSL) Virginia Revolution Sportsplex; Leesburg, VA
Dec. 17 Lansdowne Yonkers FC (EPSL) USASA 2:0 USASA SC Vistula Garfield (GSSL) Athenia Steel Recreation Complex; Clifton, NJ
Dec. 18 D’Feeters Kicks Soccer Club (UPSL) UPSL 3:4 (AET) UPSL Beaman United FC (UPSL) Richard Siegel Soccer Complex; Murfreesboro, TN
Dec. 18 Naples City FC (UPSL) UPSL 1:2 USSSA Miami United FC (NSL) Milander Park; Hialeah, FL
Dec. 18 Capistrano FC (NISAN) USASA 0:0 (3:2 PK) UPSL Orange County FC (UPSL) Orange County Great Park (Field 13); Irvine, CA
             
             

  1.  

2023 US Open Cup: 107 clubs enter qualifying, will play for 9 places in 108th edition of tournament

by

Wilber Gomez of Oyster Bay United (left) battles for the ball against a player from Westchester United in the final round of qualifying for the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Karla Esqueche | E&M Photography
Wilber Gomez of Oyster Bay United (left) battles for the ball against a player from Westchester United in the final round of qualifying for the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Karla Esqueche | E&M Photography

The US Soccer Federation announced the 107 clubs that will take part in Open Division Local qualifying for the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The tournament will begin the weekend of Sept. 17-18. There are clubs from 25 states plus the District of Columbia, with the lion’s share coming from United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) with 46 teams from that league. Three or four rounds of single elimination matches will take place over the rest of 2022 with nine qualifiers being determined. Match-ups will be geographical to minimize travel for all teams. The schedule is as follows: 

September 17-18, 2022 – First Qualifying Round
October 15-16, 2022 – Second Qualifying Round
November 19-20, 2022 – Third Qualifying Round
December, 17-18, 2022 – Fourth Qualifying Round

MORE: 2023 US Open Cup Qualifying Schedule/Results

Along with the 107 teams, Bavarian United from Milwaukee, won the 2022 USASA National Amateur Cup on Aug. 8, bypassing qualifying fully and entering in the First Round of the 108th edition of the tournament next March. This makes for a total of 108 clubs playing for 10 slots in the First Round from the “local qualifying” track.

Two other Open Division national leagues will bypass qualifying and enter in the First Round as well, using 2022 season results to determine entrants. USL League Two (USL-2) and National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) will each receive their own slots in the competition. UPSL, although meeting the criteria for national league status, chose not to go down this route, letting each team in the league choose on its own if they want to participate or not.

The number of slots going to the Open Division qualifying track and the two national leagues is proportional to the number of clubs in each league or pool of teams. Based on the qualifying track receiving 10 slots for their 108 clubs, we can determine a rough estimate for the total number of Open Division qualifiers for the First Round next March.

As of today, either 28 or 30 Open Division teams will participate in the 2023 US Open Cup next March. If that was to change, the qualifying track would be locked into their number of teams and the increase or decrease in the number of teams would be added to or taken away from the two national leagues. The only exception to this would be if the change is very large, where at that point they could add or take away teams from the qualifying track as well. This will all be determined in January 2023 when the pro leagues finalize their teams for the 2023 season.

We can also say based on the projected number of teams for each professional league for next season, as of today, the Division 3 teams will enter in the Second Round along with the Division 2 teams. Here is the current projected format for 2023

Round 1: 28 or 30 Open Division teams enter, 14-15 winners advance
Round 2: 45-46 Division 2 and Division 3 teams enter, with the 14-15 winners of the First Round, 29-30 winners advance
Round 3: 18-19 unseeded MLS teams enter, with the 29-30 winners of the Second Round, 24 teams advance
Round of 32: 8 seeded teams* enter, with the 24 winners of the Third Round, 16 teams advance
Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Final from there

* seeded teams are the 4 CCL participants with the 2 best remaining MLS Eastern Conference teams and 2 best remaining MLS Western Conference teams.

However, there is still a chance the Division 3 teams will enter in the First Round. Again, this will be determined in January 2023 when the pro leagues finalize their clubs for the 2023 season.

Using those projections, here is how the Open Division slots would be allocated to each “track” and the 311 total clubs involved in this process. USL League Two has 111 eligible US based clubs in the league and NPSL has 92 eligible US based clubs in the league. As a reminder, Bavarian United is counted in the local qualifiers pool and takes up one of the slots given to that pool of teams.

28 teams:
Local Qualifiers: (108/311) * 28 = 9.72 clubs (rounded up to 10)
USL League Two: (111/311) * 28 = 9.99 clubs (rounded up to 10)
NPSL: (92/311) * 28 = 8.28 clubs (rounded down to 8)

30 teams:
Local Qualifiers: (108/311) * 30 = 10.41 clubs (rounded down to 10)
USL League Two: (111/311) * 30 = 10.71 clubs (rounded up to 11)
NPSL: (92/311) * 30 = 8.87 clubs (rounded up to 9)

Here are the entries for the 2023 Open Division Local qualifying tournament:

ALABAMA (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
FC Birmingham; Fultondale, Ala.


ARIZONA (4)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Coronado Athletic Club; Hereford, Ariz.
FC Arizona; Chandler, Ariz.
Olympians FC; El Mirage, Ariz.
NISA Nation (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
SC Union Maricopa; Gilbert, Ariz.


CALIFORNIA (21)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
A.S. Los Angeles; Los Angeles, Calif.
Davis Legacy SC; Davis, Calif.
Desert FC; La Quinta, Calif.
Elk Grove Blues; Elk Grove, Calif.
Escondido FC; Escondido, Calif.
Irvine FC; Irvine, Calif.
Laguna United FC; Laguna Niguel, Calif.
OC Kings FC; Tustin, Calif.
Orange County FC; Mission Viejo, Calif.
Rebels Soccer Club, Chula Vista, Calif.
Trojans FC; Los Angeles, Calif.
NISA Nation (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Capo FC; San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
San Francisco Soccer Football League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Inter San Francisco, San Francisco, Calif.
Southwest Premier League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
LA Monsters FC; Redondo Beach
Modesto City Football Club; Modesto, Calif.
Olympiacos CA; Huntington Beach, Calif.
Outbreak FC, Long Beach, Calif.
Temecula FC; Temecula, Calif.
National Soccer League (United States Specialty Sports Association-Soccer)
Marin County Union SC; San Rafael, Calif.
Real San Jose; San Jose, Calif.
West Coast Soccer Association (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
UC Davis Club Soccer; Davis, Calif.


COLORADO (7)
Colorado Super League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake; Golden, Colo.
Azteca FC; Denver, Colo.
Boulder United FC; Boulder, Colo.
Colorado Rovers, Golden, Colo.
FC Denver; Denver, Colo.
Harpos FC; Longmont, Colo.
Mountain Premier League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Peak Eleven Football Club; Broomfield, Colo.


CONNECTICUT (1)
Connecticut Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Newtown Pride FC; Sandy Hook, Conn.


DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (3)
American Premier League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Aegean Hawks FC; Washington, D.C.
DC Premier League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
DCFC, Washington, D.C.
Team Tevez; Washington, D.C.


FLORIDA (19)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Clearwater Chargers SC; Clearwater, Fla.
Doral SC; Doral, Fla.
Florida Premier FC, Odessa, Fla.
Florida Soccer Soldiers; Medley, Fla.
Gainesville City FC; Ocala, Fla.
International Soccer Association; Boca Raton Fla.
Juventus Academy; Miami, Fla.
Naples City FC; Naples, Fla.
O’Shea’s FC; West Palm Beach, Fla.
National Soccer League (United States Specialty Sports Association-Soccer)
City Soccer FC; West Palm Beach, Fla.
Florida Brothers; Dania Beach, Fla.
Hurricane FC; Boynton Beach, Fla.
Miami Soccer Academy; Miami Beach, Fla.
Miami United FC; Miami Beach, Fla.
Naples United FC; Naples, Fla.
West Palm Beach Academy CF; West Palm Beach, Fla.
NISA Nation (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Club de Lyon; Orlando, Fla.
Deportivo Lake Mary FC; Lake Mary, Fla.
Central Florida Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Orlando FC Wolves; Longwood, Fla.


GEORGIA (2)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Kalonji Pro-Profile; Dacula, Ga.
TCSA; Ailey, Ga.


INDIANA (1)
Ohio Valley Premier League (US Club Soccer)
1927 SC; Fort Wayne, Ind.

ILLINOIS (1)
Midwest Premier League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Chicago House AC; Chicago, Ill.


KENTUCKY (2)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Bowling Green FC; Bowling Green, Ky.
Metro Louisville FC; Louisville, Ky.


MASSACHUSETTS (4)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Boston Street FC; Revere, Mass.
Unations FC; Worcester, Mass.
Bay State Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Brockton FC United; Brockton, Mass.
Eastern Premier Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Ruggles Pro FC; Framingham, Mass.


MARYLAND (3)
Maryland Super Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Christos FC, Gambrills, Md.
Steel Pulse FC; Windsor Mill, Md.
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Germantown City FC; Gaithersburg, Md.


NORTH CAROLINA (2)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Mint Hill FC; Mint Hill, N.C.
Triangle Adult Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Tobacco Road FC; Durham, N.C.


NEW HAMPSHIRE (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Santa Cruz FC; Nashua, N.H.


NEW JERSEY (5)
Garden State Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Jackson Lions FC; Toms River, N.J.
SC Vistula Garfield; Garfield, N.J.
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
New Jersey Alliance FC; Lyndhurst, N.J.
Eastern Premier Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Real Central NJ Soccer; Lawrenceville, N.J.
Scots-American Athletic Club; Nutley, N.J.


NEW MEXICO (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
UDA Soccer; Las Cruces, N.M.


NEVADA (1)
NISA Nation (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
BattleBorn FC; Carson City, Nev.


NEW YORK (8)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Oyster Bay United FC; Sea Cliff, N.Y.
Queensboro FC II; Queens, N.Y.
Sahara Gunners FC; Buffalo, N.Y.
Eastern Premier Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Lansdowne Yonkers FC; Yonkers, N.Y.
New York Greek American SC; Astoria, N.Y.*
New York Pancyprian Freedoms; Astoria, N.Y.^
Rochester District Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
IASC Boom; Rochester, N.Y.
Cosmopolitan Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Manhattan Kickers FC; Flushing, N.Y.


OHIO (1)
Ohio Valley Premier League (US Club Soccer)
Valhalla FC; Cincinnati, Ohio.


PENNSYLVANIA (8)
United Soccer League of Pennsylvania (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals; North Wales, Pa.**
United German Hungarians; Ambler, Pa.
Vereinigung Erzgebirge; Warminster, Pa.
West Chester United SC; Chester Springs, Pa.
Lancaster City FC; Lancaster, Pa.
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Lancaster Elite; Lancaster, Pa.
Philadelphia Lone Star FC, Philadelphia, Pa.
Eastern Premier Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Kensington Soccer Club; Philadelphia, Pa.


SOUTH CAROLINA (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
South Carolina United Heat; Lexington. S.C.


TENNESSEE (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Beaman United FC; Nashville, Tenn.


TEXAS (6)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Alamo City Soccer Club; San Antonio, Texas
D’Feeters Kicks Soccer Club; Desoto, Texas
FC Fort Worth; Fort Worth, Texas
National Soccer League (United States Specialty Sports Association-Soccer)
D10 Lions FC; Spring, Texas
Galveston Pelicans FC; Galveston, Texas
Houston FC; Pasadena, Texas


VIRGINIA (1)
Eastern Premier Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Nova FC; Centreville, Va.


WASHINGTON (2)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Bellevue Athletic FC; Snohomish, Wash.
Federal Way Men’s Open Sunday (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Legend Football Gold; Lake Forest Park, Wash.

* Four-time U.S. Open Cup Champion (1967-69, 1974)
^ Three-time U.S. Open Cup Champion (1980, 1982-83)
** Four-time U.S. Open Cup Champion (1960-61, 1963, 1966)

FACTS AND FIGURES
23 different leagues represented
25 different states plus the District of Columbia represented
5 teams have entered all five previous years of Open Division local qualifying: California (1): Outbreak FC; Colorado (2): Colorado Rovers, Harpos FC; New York (1): New York Pancyprian Freedoms; Pennsylvania (1): Vereinigung Erzgebirge

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