Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2023 US Open Cup

2023 US Open Cup Round 3: Birmingham Legion need PKs to edge Chattanooga FC

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Birmingham Legion players celebrate after scoring a goal against Chattanooga FC in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Jackson O’Bryant
Birmingham Legion players celebrate after scoring a goal against Chattanooga FC in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Jackson O’Bryant

Birmingham Legion took on NISA side Chattanooga FC in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and secured safe passage into the next round after goalkeeper Trevor Spagenberg saved an easy Leonel Alvarenga penalty which sent the Tuscaloosa crowd home happy with a 4-3 (1-1) win in kicks.

The match was played in Tuscaloosa at the University of Alabama’s soccer complex in front of a crowd of 150 people. The game started slow with both sides not looking very comfortable on the ball but the hosts found the net first.

In the 31st minute, forward Prosper Kasim took advantage of a poor clearance and punished Chattanooga with a beautiful curling effort from the outside of the box. Kasim’s shot took the goalkeeper completely by surprise and all Jean Antoine could do was admire the ball curl into his net.


The goal seemingly took the life out of a confident Chattanooga side but the held onto the game by keeping the score at 1-0 going into the half. Birmingham were comfortable throughout the entire half and were rarely ever challenged. The home side ended the first half on top and full of confidence for the next 45 minutes.

Chattanooga had other ideas however for how the second half would play out. With swift passing, controlled possession, and more attempts on goal; you would have assumed that it was an entirely different team on the pitch than the one seen in the first half.

In the 68th minute Chattanooga’s constant attacks finally paid off after winger Taylor Gray was fouled in the box after some silky touches to get past his defender. Norwegian forward Markus Naglestad stepped up to the spot and sent the keeper the opposite direction to equalize for the away side.

This goal seemed to wake up the home side as they went all out attack in order to find a winner. Chattanooga however were comfortable and confident in their ability to deter any attack formed. Chattanooga can thank their lucky stars that they had Jean Antoine between the sticks as the goalkeeper kept the ball out of the net with some spectacular saves in order to push his team to the finish line.

With the score tied at 1-1 after an eventful 90 minutes, extra time began and Birmingham were relentless with their attacking presence as they tested Chattanooga’s back line on multiple occasions. Jean Antoine kept his side from conceding yet again stopping several shots after swift attacking plays from Birmingham kept penetrating the backline of Chattanooga.

With the score still tied after an additional 30 minutes, both teams scored their first penalty all the way until the second set. Coming up big again, Jean Antoine saved back-to-back penalties from Juan Agudelo after coming off of his line for the first penalties. Chattanooga missed the following penalty which kept the penalty score at 1-1.

Every player converted until Leonel Alvarenga’s penalty to keep the shootout was saved by Spagenburg. A cruel ending to an incredible run for Chattanooga FC and a big sigh of relief for Birmingham as they escape and move onto the Fourth Round for the first time in their history.

2023 US Open Cup Round 3: Teenager Brooklyn Raines gives Houston Dynamo win over Tampa Bay Rowdies

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Brooklyn Raines of the Houston Dynamo attempts a shot against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Houston Dynamo
Brooklyn Raines of the Houston Dynamo attempts a shot against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Houston Dynamo

The Houston Dynamo earned a narrow shutout win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies on the road, despite the home team’s best efforts to pull off an “cupset”. A first half goal by Houston’s 18-year-old homegrown signing Brooklyn Raines just before halftime was the difference as the Rowdies’ valiant effort in St. Petersburg, Fla. fell short. Despite being a lower-division squad, the Rowdies pushed their first-tier opponents Houston Dynamo right to the end — literally — with the last kick of the game being a shot blocked out to touch as Houston advanced in a 1-0 Third Round US Open Cup victory.

The Rowdies will desperately want those chances back, but the Dynamo left St. Petersburg, Fla. with a win in their opening game of the tournament for the ninth year in a row. 


From the first minute, each team seemed up for the occasion. The pressure was high and the club from Texas got the better of the early passages. Two set pieces to the far post found their man and the ball back into the middle was dangerous on both plays. However, the second-division Rowdies fought their way back and began to settle into a rhythm of their own. With cross field switches to men in space, Tampa Bay tried to break down the wings where they could whip a ball in or even shoot from far. Nothing would get close enough, though.

As the halftime whistle neared and the score remained level, Corey Baird found himself in space on the wing for Houston multiple times. The Dynamo tried to find him quickly, but could not do so before the 43rd minute. However, the break was on. The zone vacated by Tampa Bay’s 17-year-old left wingback became a trap after looking so open beforehand. Baird was closed down by left center back Aaron Guillen, only to find the streaking Brooklyn Raines open at the top of the box. A late tracking run from Johnson was not enough to put Raines off his shot, and the Orange went in 1-0 at the break.

The second half presented an entirely different game from the first. Houston took off their goalscorer at halftime as well as their most famous player, Mexican central midfielder Hector Herrera. In their place came on players whose job would be to slow the game down, maintain control, and keep the Rowdies at bay. Further substitutions over the rest of the half did not allow the Dynamo to do that, however, and Tampa Bay came storming back.

Needing a goal to stay alive, the Rowdies made several attacking changes and hoped the fresh legs would lead to more opportunities. After hitting the post in the first half, Tampa Bay threw wave after wave at their Major League counterparts and did everything they could to find an equalizer. Conner Antley and second-half subs Dayonn Harris and Ryan Spaulding all had cross after cross repelled or blocked wide, while usual second-stringer Andrew Tarbell proved his worth in net for the Dynamo.

Good buildup went to waste in the end, as no player in Green and Gold could put it in the back of the net. After the game, manager Neill Collins — still serving a suspension following a contentious Open Cup match in 2022 versus Orlando City — said his Rowdies team could look upon their effort with pride even if they never got what they needed. He said they finally played the typical Rowdies way after what has been a very slow start to the USL season.

On the other side of things, Houston will take heart from their ability to weather a beating and come out on the other side. They bent and were bent, but they never broke. In their gray jerseys, the Dynamo drew like clouds over Tampa Bay, and spoiled a party for the locals. This experience will serve their young goalscorer well as they try to build as a team on this win for the Fourth Round to come.

2023 US Open Cup Round 3: Inter Miami CF needs PKs to beat Miami FC in second Magic City Clasico

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Jean Mota of Inter Miami CF dribbles the ball against Miami FC in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Inter Miami CF
Jean Mota of Inter Miami CF dribbles the ball against Miami FC in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Inter Miami CF

In what turned out to be an exciting match for all patrons in attendance at Florida International University, the second act of the Magic City Clásico became both managers’ worst nightmare as Inter Miami outlasted Miami FC, 5-3 in penalties after a 2-2 draw in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Despite the win, Inter coach Phil Neville likely remains on the hot seat as his team will now carry heavy legs into a road contest with Columbus in MLS play. 

For Miami FC’s Anthony Pulis, the loss will likely reflect poorly on him, despite getting the most out of an already short roster that is hampered by injuries.

Miami FC opened the scoring with a goal from Christian Sorto in the second minute of play. Claudio Repetto played an incoming pass with a crafty flick that released Sorto into space and beat IMCF’s Drake Callender to the near post.

Inter Miami dominated possession for the entire match throwing ball after ball into Miami FC’s defense. As the game found its way into the 89th minute, it looked as though Miami FC was going to avenge last year’s 1-0 loss to Inter Miami on the very same field. But then a cross from the right wing by Inter’s Jean Mota found Shanyder Borgelin who headed it in from point blank range to even the match and send it into extra time.

The teams played a quiet first half of extra time. In the second half, a Miami FC long ball to Ryan Telfer was defended poorly and a back pass from Inter Miami’s DeAndre Yedlin found itself in the back of the net in the 116th minute. Once again, Miami FC was just a few minutes away from victory and Inter Miami took it away.

Less than two minutes later, Inter tied the match with a header in the 118th minute from Ryan Sailor. A high cross came in from the left wing and Sailor outjumped a defender at the far post and beat the keeper. 

In penalties, it was a shooter’s gala until Miami FC’s keeper Alejandro Zendejas got his hand to Jean Mota’s penalty attempt but could not keep the ball from the back of the net. The next shooter, Ryan Telfer, took a run up that could best be described as a late-night stroll through a park, and lifted his attempt into the eighth row of Inter Miami’s supporters. Kamal Miller buried the final Inter attempt to send them through to the Fourth Round of the Open Cup for the second year in a row.

2023 US Open Cup Round 3: With PK goal, PK save DC United edges Richmond Kickers as rivalry renewed

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Alex Bono of D.C. United celebrates after saving a penalty kick against the Richmond Kickers in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: D.C. United
Alex Bono of D.C. United celebrates after saving a penalty kick against the Richmond Kickers in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: D.C. United

On a perfect spring evening for soccer at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., D.C. United manager Wayne Rooney gambled he could get by the Richmond Kickers in the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a squad composed primarily of the very young (five starters couldn’t legally buy a beer) and those playing themselves back into shape after layoffs.  Their opponent was was the Richmond Kickers, a highly-motivated USL League One side led by their Argentine goal scoring talisman Emiliano Terzaghi, who has delighted Kickers fans with 48 goals over 82 appearances. Rooney’s gamble paid off as D.C. was able to sneak by their frequent US Open Cup rivals to the south 1-0 on a second half penalty kick.

It was the seventh all-time meeting in US Open Cup play, the second most common matchup in the tournament’s Modern Era (1995-present). It was their first meeting since 2013.

The first half was slow to take shape. United struggled to make meaningful progress going forward and had some dicey moments trying to play out of the back. The Kickers had the better chances  most of the half with Matthew Bentley on the right flank combining with Terzaghi. Terzaghi had a clear chance midway through the half unmarked about twelve yards from the goal but D.C. keeper Alex Bono, in his first start of the season, anticipated the shot and saved the attempt.

In the later stages of the first half United made some credible efforts at opening the scoring. Recently-reacquired midfielder Emil Asad almost pulled off an “Olimpico” in the 34th minute, grazing the crossbar directly off a corner kick. Running up top for D.C., Kristian Fletcher and Ted Ku-DiPietro worked hard but had no good looks at goal.

Andy Najar was a consistent bright spot for D.C. throughout the evening. Najar steadied an inexperienced, and sometimes nervous, United back line, was the most consistent and effective player moving the ball out of D.C.’s defensive third and was dangerous going forward. United assistant coach Pete Shuttleworth praised Najar performance, his first game back after injury.

“It was good to get Andy back in. I think he tired a bit at the end, which was natural,” said Shuttleworth. “You saw his ability when he got on the ball. He’s a phenomenal talent.”

United’s Lewis O’Brien, recently acquired from Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League, replaced Ruan at halftime and lifted the largely inexperienced D.C. squad. O’Brien supplied much needed vision and direction. O’Brien’s entry really changed the tenor of the game.

Najar’s creativity and energy were rewarded in the 51st minute when a darting run into the box resulted in his being fouled and referee JC Griggs pointing to the penalty spot. Asad stepped up and converted the spot kick, slotting the ball to Kickers’ keeper Akira Fitzgerald’s right.

Richmond coach Darren Sawatzky tried to inject energy into his squad, making four substitutions by the 70th minute. Richmond had sustained periods of pressure and were rewarded with a penalty because of a clumsy challenge by D.C. centerback Hayden Sargis on Kharlton Belmar. Terzaghi’s attempt was only slightly off-center and at a good height for Bono.  To the the dismay of the roughly 150 Kickers fans who made the trip north, and were noisy and boisterous throughout the match, Bono made a relatively easy stop diving to his left.

There were a couple nervy moments left in the match, but Bono was not called on for any more heroics. Rooney’s gamble paid off.  He rested his starters. and the three-time Open Cup champions survive the opening round of the competition for the fourth year in a row. The Kickers have a lot of positives to take away from the match. They played evenly with a club two divisions above them and were unlucky not to get to extra time.

“At the end of the day I felt we did enough to win the game tonight,” said Sawatzky. “I feel for the guys because it was a great performance, but it’s an MLS club – they took the three points.”

2023 US Open Cup Round 3: Memphis 901 scores late equalizer, OT winner in upset of Atlanta United

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Memphis 901's Phillip Goodrum celebrates after scoring a PK goal vs. Atlanta United in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Memphis 901 FC
Memphis 901’s Phillip Goodrum celebrates after scoring a PK goal vs. Atlanta United in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Memphis 901 FC

It was a fresh match between two sides with absolutely no history — at least on paper — but Wednesday’s Third Round tie between visiting Memphis 901 and 2019 US Open Cup winner Atlanta United conjured up some of the best underlying storylines a Cup match could manifest in a 2-1 Memphis victory in extra time at to advance to the Round of 32.

Memphis 901’s new manager, Stephen Glass, was Atlanta United 2’s gaffer early in their tenure before becoming interim manager of the first team in 2020. He left for Aberdeen in Scotland before arriving in Memphis in November of 2022, where he took over a team ripe with former MLS and Atlanta United 2 talent. The proverbial chip on the shoulder was on full display Wednesday night as Glass took absolute advantage of the tools at his disposal to helm another 2023 “Cupset.”

Atlanta — playing host at Fifth Third Bank Stadium on the campus of Kennesaw State University — started the match well, slotting a goal in the third minute, but it would ultimately be Glass’ side that came out on top.

Atlanta quickly became lax and Memphis’ chances racked up one by one — as did Atlanta’s yellow cards. That lack of inspiration seemed to progress into an inability to string together passes or win duels, and 901 continued to take advantage. Memphis was finally rewarded in the 96th minute when a penalty was given via a late tackle in the box, and former Atlanta United 2 player Phillip Goodrum stepped to the spot. He calmly buried it past Atlanta keeper Clement Diop and forced extra time.

The killer blow came moments later as extra time began. A sustained spell of pressure forced a turnover against Atlanta, and Memphis drove forward with numbers into the box. Nighte Pickering took full advantage of his opportunity and put the Tennessee side up 2-1. Atlanta continued to push for the equalizer but ultimately came up short, leaving behind one of their most distraught performances — in all competitions — in history.

“I felt that today Memphis were more ready for the battle, they were trying to win the duels and do everything they can to put pressure on us,” said Atlanta United coach Gonzalo Pineda. “It didn’t manifest today.”

The Memphis playbook was on full display the entire match; from the opening whistle they were disrupting Atlanta’s desire to possess the ball and play from the back. But it was a quick Atlanta switch from right to left by Luiz Araujo that found Tyler Wolff early — and somewhat against the run of play — to give Atlanta the quick 1-0 lead when Wolff fired the ball just past former D.C. United keeper Bill Hamid.

It all went downhill for the Five Stripes from that moment.

Memphis continued to win the battles, as Pineda eloquently described in his post-match press conference, while the Five Stripes fell short on their individual duels.

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“This happens to be more mental to me than any other thing,” Pineda described of his team’s overall performance. “But the reality is today, we didn’t play well. And we need to correct many things.”

Luis Abram, Araujo, Wolff, and Ajani Fortune all received yellow cards during the match as frustration appeared to creep through the team.

Halftime came and went with no subs to either side, and the match progressed similarly to the first half. Memphis created multiple chances and shots, ultimately finishing the match with 12 corners, 30 total shots with 10 on goal. Meanwhile, Atlanta United settled for 11 total shots with two on goal and three corners. Memphis also forced Diop, a seasoned keeper with plenty of MLS and first-team experience, to tie his career high number of saves at eight. Memphis simply passed both the eye test and stat test as the better team, while Atlanta floundered.

“We are in shock because they didn’t beat us with quality, they beat us because of attitude,” said Atlanta wingback and captain Ronald Hernandez. “We are upset about it because we talked about it before the game. We as a team are more upset than you guys.”

It all came to a head in the 96th minute when Memphis finally got the opportunity they were looking for. Juanjo Purata went in for a sliding tackle in the box and just missed the ball, instead catching Goodrum’s legs and giving up the penalty for him to take. Goodrum made no mistake and leveled the game at 1-1 in the dying seconds, forcing the extra 30 minutes against his former club.

Memphis rapidly struck again in the 100th minute when Pickering was able to firmly redirect a short cross from Luiz Fernando past Diop. The last solid opportunity for Atlanta to find an equalizer came from forward Machop Chol in the 103rd minute, but Hamid was positioned well and made a comfortable save.

The 2-1 scoreline would hold and be the final nail in the coffin for Atlanta, as they burned out of the Open Cup as quickly as they entered.

Memphis, on the other hand, will view this as one of their best results in team history, and the first time they’ve ever defeated an MLS side.

“I think after the first goal in the first half we couldn’t really get set and they kept coming,” Wolff said. “We didn’t have many answers. It just wasn’t great.”

Memphis are now unbeaten in their past five matches in all competitions, and appear to be entering a more confident run of form as Glass settles in as manager.

That mindset will be vital if they wish to surpass their previous Open Cup best finish from 2019, where they exited in the Fourth Round. Meanwhile, Atlanta will return to league play on Saturday against Nashville, who pulled out a 1-0 win over San Antonio FC in their own Open Cup match.

2023 US Open Cup Round 3: Loudoun United dominates Flower City to continue inaugural Cup run

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Photo: Loudoun United
Kalil ElMedkhar of Loudoun United | Photo: Loudoun United

Start to finish it was all Loudoun United as the USL Championship side made quick work of Flower City Union in a 5-0 win for the home side. The star of the show was no other than Tommy Williamson who scored a first half brace.

It didn’t take long for Williamson or Loudoun United to get started as he opened the scoring in the 6th minute. It’d be Panos Armenakas who’s darting run into the box would lead him to find his striker who from inside the box was able to slot it home.

The second goal for both Williamson and Loudoun would come from a giveaway in the Flower City midfield and this time it’d be ElMedkhar who’d find the No. 9 who made no mistake and doubled their lead in the 35th minute.


A bright spot for Flower City though was the performance of midfielder Oscar Sanchez who all night was able to beat the first wave of press and carry the ball deep for NISA side. Sanchez would force multiple saves and created a lot of chances in the opening 45 minutes.

It’d be a back breaking third goal though as Loudoun would triple their lead this time through the man in form Zach Ryan. The former Stanford standout has been simply unplayable this season as the goal against Flower City would mark his 9th goal contribution in Loudoun’s opening six games. the ninth being assisted by Samake in the 40th minute. 

A bench had a big part to play in the win for Loudon and nothing encapsulates that more than Abdoul Zanne’s goal in just the 49th minute. He had just replaced Armenakas at halftime and he wasted no time as he would pounce on a deflection from the Flower City keeper and make it 4-0.

The final goal of the match would come from the man who helped create one in the first half. It’d be Kalil ElMedkhar to be the final man on the scoresheet, scoring the same way as his teammate Zanne. It came from a good save from Flower City keeper Michael Mejia who did well to parry away the shot but an unmarked Elmedkhar would have a simple finish in the end and would make it 5-0 in the 62nd minute.

Loudoun United are embarking on what is now a good run of form and they’ll need it as they will host an MLS side for the first time at Segra Field. 

2023 US Open Cup Round 3: FC Cincinnati scores late winner in revival of Dirty River Derby with Louisville City

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Alvaro Barreal of FC Cincinnati prepares to cross the ball against Louisville City in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: FC Cincinnati
Alvaro Barreal of FC Cincinnati prepares to cross the ball against Louisville City in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: FC Cincinnati

While FC Cincinnati’s roster has completely changed since the heyday of its USL Championship rivalry, Louisville City has retained a contingent of players well-versed in the intensity of this matchup.

TQL Stadium played host to its first Dirty River Derby during the Third Round of the 2023 US Open Cup as Louisville City made the trek north to take on its regional rivals for the first time since 2019. The visiting side maintained more possession and created more scoring opportunities. However, it was host Cincinnati that claimed victory with a late goal from Arquimides Ordonez in a 1-0 victory.

FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan was critical of his team’s outing, “Overall, I think it was sloppy for what we expect out of a lot of guys. But like I’ve said plenty of times before, the important part was that we advanced in the competition, they did a good job of winning the game in the 90 minutes.

“And certainly the guys that came on I thought did a good job.”

Only seven minutes into the match, Ordonez broke through LouCity’s backline unmarked and got around Louisville keeper Kyle Morton, but central defender Sean Totsch was there to block the shot. A few minutes later, veteran LouCity striker Cameron Lancaster fired off a goalbound shot that was blocked by FCC’s Alex Kann. Lancaster got the rebound and attempted a cheeky backheel shot that was a touch off the mark. It was Lancaster again at the 23-minute mark with a shot aimed at the near post that narrowly went wide.

The home team immediately responded with an opportunity of their own after Louisville defender Wes Charpie was stripped of the ball by Dominique Badji, who was denied a shot by LouCity’s Totsch. Lancaster participated in a similar sequence minutes later; won the ball pressing, but he went for a chipped shot that was off the mark. Both teams saw out the remainder of the first half without any more close calls. Louisville City slightly out-possessed and out-shot Cincinnati halfway through the match.

The back-and-forth affair continued into the second half. Both teams made changes around the 60-minute mark as Alvaro Barrela and Matt Miaga entered the match for Cincinnati and Wilson Harris and Josh Wynder came in for Louisville.

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LouCity’s Harris got his head to a set-piece ball lobbed into the box in the 67th minute, but there was not enough power behind it to avoid Cincy’s Kann securing the ball. LouCity’s Ray Serrano and Amadou Dia entered the match in the 71st minute. Those changes marked a change in shape for the visitors. Louisville changed from a 4-3-3 to a 3-5-2.

FCC’s Barreal got into the action with a shot of his own that was secured by Morton in the 77th minute. Only a few minutes later, Louisville made yet another change, bringing in midfielder Tyler Gibson. Following that move, Cincinnati responded by subbing in Brandon Vazquez. At the 85th minute, Ordonez broke the deadlock, burying a cross from Barreal, sending the home supporters in the Bailey into a frenzy. Cincinnati’s Yuya Kubo came into the match in the 90th minute to help see off the club’s Open Cup victory seeing them enter the Fourth Round of the competition.

“Really encouraging performance from the group,” said Louisville City head coach Danny Cruz despite the result. “We created a ton of chances — certainly missed chances that we need to finish. But I know for a fact that my guys left everything on the field.”

With that win, FC Cincinnati improved to 10-4-2 all-time in the USOC. Despite having not been part of previous Dirty River Derbys, Noonan appreciates its significance.

“It’s always good to win the rivalry games, the games that have a little bit more meaning with certain players that have been a part of it with the fan base, with the clubs,” he said. “That part’s nice, you always want to win those games, regardless of how you win them.”

2023 US Open Cup Round 3: Monterey Bay FC takes advantage of San Jose Earthquakes mistake to earn first MLS upset

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Christian Volesky of Monterey Bay FC scored the lone goal against the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Kiera Winslow Monterey Bay FC
Christian Volesky of Monterey Bay FC scored the lone goal against the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Kiera Winslow Monterey Bay FC

Monterey Bay FC capitalized on some key MLS starters sitting for the San Jose Earthquakes and the USL Championship side nabbed a ‘Cupset’ by downing the visitors, 1-0, off the strength of a goal from Christian Volesky while goalkeeper Antony Siaha stopped four shots for the clean sheet.

Frank Yallop — the Monterey Bay FC coach and a San Jose Earthquakes legend — was delighted with his team’s performance, praising their ability to capitalize on the Earthquakes’ mistakes.
He was also full of praise for Volesky, who scored the crucial goal and was named the USL Championship’s Player of the Week earlier this week and for the second time this season.

”I feel confident. The team feels confident,” Volesky said. “To get a clean sheet, that was our goal tonight.

“(We) got a goal early, and we got the clean sheet. So if we win, prove a point a little bit. And we’re excited for what’s next.”

This result knocked the Earthquakes out of the US Open Cup and gave Monterey Bay FC and fellow USL teams a much-needed confidence boost as one to pull off a Cup upset.

San Jose will be left to ponder what could have been if they had played the entire starting squad the whole match. Luchi González, the San Jose Earthquakes coach, was disappointed with the result, acknowledging that his team had not played their best game. He also lamented the absence of key players, which had affected his team’s performance.

”It’s tough. That’s the beauty of Open Cup is you have nights like these,” González said. “At the end of the day, we didn’t get the draw at home. We would have loved to play at home, but this is close enough. So we felt good. We played here in preseason. We had a really competitive game against them then. I felt our preparation was very good. The players had a great attitude in the week of training, and approach to this game. And I felt we competed really well.”

The game took place at the Cardinale Stadium in Monterey, California, where the attendance was higher than a usual Tuesday night match.

Monterey Bay FC started the game strong, with the high press leading to a recovery of the ball in the 26th minute, which was slotted in the back of the net by Volesky. This goal resulted from some sloppy play from the Earthquakes’ Centerback Rodrigues. San Jose goalkeeper Daniel, who had not been in the best form since being purchased in the off-season, could not prevent the ball from going in.

The Earthquakes had been dominating the possession in the first half. However, they had failed to create any significant chances. They were missing key players, such as Jeremy Ebobisse and Cristian Espinoza, as they sat on the bench, which showed their inability to break through the opposition’s defense. With the lack of options up front, they were taking desperate shots instead of trying to work in a well-placed cross.

The situation changed in the second half when González brought on Cristian Espinoza and Jamiro Monteiro, two of their best offensive options.

Espinoza immediately made an impact, making a brilliant run that left his defender behind and providing the deadliest cross of the game. But no Quake was in the box to finish it.

The second half was more evenly contested, with both teams creating some excellent chances. The game went back and forth, with back-to-back saves from both keepers, keeping out stellar shots from the opposition. Monterey Bay had an opportunity to double the score in the 90th minute. However, Daniel made a crucial save to prevent a late goal.

2023 US Open Cup Round 3: Sporting KC blanks Tulsa Athletic to earn first win of 2023

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Daniel Salloi of Sporting Kansas City fires a shot against Tulsa Athletic in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Sporting KC
Daniel Salloi of Sporting Kansas City fires a shot against Tulsa Athletic in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Sporting KC

Sporting Kansas City withstood an early error by goalkeeper John Pulskamp and won their first competitive game of 2023, defeating Tulsa Athletic 3-0 in front of 9,912 at Children’s Mercy Park.

Sporting KC equaled their MLS goal total for the season in the win, with Daniel Salloi, Alan Pulido, and Marinos Tzionis putting their names on the score sheet. Pulido’s goal was his first since 2021, having missed all of last season due to a knee injury.

In the 17th minute, Tulsa forward Jordan Watson latched onto a long ball over the top that put him in alone on Pulskamp, who brought Watson down in the penalty area. Referee Jose Lara immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Defender Chris Taylor stepped up to take the penalty, but his attempt was blocked by a good save from Pulskamp to keep the game scoreless.

Sporting KC drew first blood in the 33rd minute. Salloi dispossessed midfielder Roman Torres and unleashed a shot from just outside the 18. Tulsa goalkeeper Bryson Reed got a hand to the shot, but the ball went off the post and into the back of the net.

The hosts doubled their lead in the 54th minute through Pulido, making his U.S. Open Cup debut. Salloi received a pass on the left side of the penalty area from Sporting KC II loanee Ethan Bryant. Salloi then drove toward the end line and crossed it toward the back post. Pulido was waiting and redirected the ball past Reed for his first goal since 2021, having missed the entire 2022 season due to a knee injury.

When asked about Pulido’s goal after the match, Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes said, ?I’ll give a lot of credit to him because after the game on Saturday, on the plane he came to me right away and he said, ?isten, I really want to play on Tuesday. I have got to keep increasing not just my minutes, but I?e got to keep getting around the ball and be in the game and be around 11v11.?At the time, I was not even considering him for the game.?

Tzionis finished the scoring in the 68th minute. The Cypriot international ran onto the penetrating pass of midfielder Erik Thommy and put a low shot just past the near post from a sharp angle for his third career goal for the club.

Asked whether or not the confidence gained from the win will carry over to league play, Vermes said, ?ell, I hope it does. We had to change the team up again. That? normal; other teams are doing the same thing. You lose some continuity. We haven’t had a lot of that as well. But it was good for those guys, like I said, to hit the back of the net. I think that part was important.?

Sporting KC resumes league play on Saturday with a home match against CF Montreal. They will learn their next US Open Cup opponent on Thursday during the 4th round draw.

2023 US Open Cup Round 3: Record crowd watches St. Louis CITY crush Union Omaha in USOC debut

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Players from St. Louis CITY SC and Union Omaha battle for the ball during their match in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Will Bramlett @YBrammer
Players from St. Louis CITY SC and Union Omaha battle for the ball during their match in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Will Bramlett @YBrammer

Not many cities appreciate the US Open Cup like St. Louis. With more than 100 years of history, and now an Open Cup Third Round attendance record to add to its storied past as 22,423 at CityPark had much to celebrate as St. Louis City SC soared past Union Omaha, 5-1.

It was City’s first appearance in the storied competition and one that they have been looking forward to.

“We spoke to the group this week about what this tournament means to the city of St. Louis,” St. Louis manager Bradley Carnell said. “We wanted to head into this game with intensity and a lot of bravery.”

St. Louis’ intensity was instantly noticeable as Aziel Jackson scored in the third minute, a left-footed shot from the outside of the box to the bottom left corner.

Carnell wanted his squad to keep up the pressure but Union Omaha held back St. Louis for the rest of the first half. Omaha tested St. Louis at times but the scoreline was largely due to the performance of Omaha keeper Rashid Nuhu. His eight saves in the game kept it within striking distance, but that wouldn’t last long.

Three minutes into the second half, Célio Pompeo drove into the box and sent a powerful ball toward Nuhu’s back post. Midfielder Joe Gallardo successfully blocked the cross, but the deflection resulted in an own-goal against Gallardo.

St. Louis CITY SC had an announced attendance of 22,423 at CITYPARK in St. Louis, MO. against Union Omaha in the 2023 US Open Cup. It broken the Modern Era (1995-present) record for attendance. Photo: Kevin Hall
St. Louis CITY SC had an announced attendance of 22,423 at CITYPARK in St. Louis, MO. against Union Omaha in the 2023 US Open Cup. It broken the Modern Era (1995-present) record for attendance. Photo: Kevin Hall

With a two-goal lead, St. Louis continued to pressure Omaha’s backline, resulting in 23 shot attempts.

St. Louis benefited from strong performances everywhere on the field.

“Every time we put the ball in dangerous places, good things happen,” Célio said. “We love playing like that.”

Célio stayed involved, this time setting up Akil Watts for his first-ever City goal, a right-footed shot from the right side of the box to the high center of the goal. Watts also had a productive match, completing 42 passes throughout the match along with six passes into the final third.

Aziel Jackson continued his man-of-the-match performance by securing a brace in the 66th minute with a left-footed shot from the center of the box to the bottom right corner.

Union Omaha hurt St. Louis though, grabbing a goal and cutting the score to 4-1 from a Pedro Dolabella left-footed shot from the right side of the six-yard box to the bottom right corner.

St. Louis slammed the door shut with a fifth goal in the 88th minute, as a newly substituted Eduard Löwen cut through Omaha defenders en route to easily finding the bottom corner of the goal behind Nuhu.

“Yeah, it was really special,” Jackson said of the win.

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