Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2024 US Open Cup

2024 US Open Cup Round 1: Niels Lellouch’s late winner gives Michigan Stars first USOC win

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Michigan Stars players celebrate after scoring a goal against Steel City FC in the FIrst Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Samuel Allen
Michigan Stars players celebrate after scoring a goal against Steel City FC in the FIrst Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Samuel Allen

With an impressively packed stadium at Ambrose Urbanic Field, the NPSL’s Steel City FC took to the field in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time in club history on Thursday night, as they hosted professional opposition in the Michigan Stars FC of NISA in a night to remember.

In the end, it was the Stars who prevailed, with Nels Lellouch scoring the game’s only goal in the 83rd minute to give Michigan their first Open Cup win in their third attempt.

With the Stars representing a substantial step up in level of opposition for the reigning Great Lakes Conference champions – having won the NISA championship in 2022 and reaching the final in 2023 – the amateurs proved more than up to the challenge, largely dominating the early proceedings.

The first half saw the match played almost entirely in Michigan’s half, with Steel City pressing high, generating turnovers, and dangerous opportunities. The action began early with a dangerous free kick in the third minute, put on frame for the first shot on-target by veteran forward Nicky Kolarac.

While the Stars attempted to sit back and counter, Steel City was far more aggressive, constantly leaving the visitors with no room to maneuver and just not precise enough to generate meaningful danger. The constant pressure resulted in two first-half yellow cards to Michigan defenders, further compounding their efforts to stymie the flying Steel City attack.

The best opportunity of the half was generated by a clever run from Steel City midfielder Ryan Mertz, who cleverly slipped behind the Stars defense, was found by an equally clever ball through, and blasted a right-footed shot that rang the crossbar to a massive shout from the packed crowd.

Forward Nathan Prex was a constant threat for the hosts, generating several headers on frame from crosses and set pieces, forcing several saves from Stars goalkeeper Tatenda Mkuruva. One such attempt was parried to the feet of Kolarac, who’s good chance at goal was blasted over the crossbar.

The Stars best chance of the first half came on a big ball over the top from the defense. Forward Praise Maduekwe got on the end of that pass and found himself one-on-one with Steel City keeper Garret Watson, who made the crucial save before the assistant referee ultimately raised her flag to signal offsides.

Ultimately, despite the Steel City dominance, the clubs went to the dressing room at level pegging – leaving Steel City feeling the better of the two sides, but with missed chances to potentially rue later on.

As the second half got underway, the Stars came out far more aggressively, throwing bodies forward to break the aggressive Steel City press to good results. The opening stages of the half were a much more even affair than the first period of play. The first chance went the visitor’s way, as a 55th minute corner resulted in a header just wide of goal.

The hosts were not to be counted out however, as Steel City generated a substantial chance of their own in the 62nd minute. A long ball over the top turned into a two-on-two opportunity with Plex controlling the initial pass before finding substitute forward Pat Koenig. With just the goalkeeper to beat, Koenig’s shot did get around his opposite number, but just sailed above the crossbar.

The breakthrough finally came in the 83rd minute, as a dangerous attacking free kick from the right wing was delivered by Michigan’s Daniel Wright and found the head of Niells Lellouch. His redirected header to the back post beat everyone in Steel City’s defense and trickled over the line to give the Stars the lead. For the Stars, it was not only the first goal of the night, but it was also the team’s first shot on goal.

Despite a valiant effort from the hosts for the final 10-plus minutes of regulation and stoppage time, they were unable to find an equalizer and the final whistle blew with the scoreline at 1-0 in favor of the Stars. Still, the crowd of 1,142 at Ambrose Urbanic Field lifted their voices in pride at the strong showing from the hosts.

With that result, the Michigan Stars advanced to the Second Round of the Cup. Steel City meanwhile continues its preparation for the upcoming NPSL season, where they seek to defend their Great Lakes Conference title and return to the Cup as soon as possible.

2024 US Open Cup Round 1: Spokane Velocity’s stoppage time winner stuns Ballard FC crowd

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Players from Spokane Velocity (right) and Ballard FC battle for the ball in a First Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Blake Dahlin
Players from Spokane Velocity (right) and Ballard FC battle for the ball in a First Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Blake Dahlin

Spokane Velocity were victorious in their first-ever match in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and they did it in dramatic fashion. Andre Lewis scored the game’s only goal deep into second half stoppage time to give the USL League One expansion team a 1-0 win over Ballard FC, the reigning champions of USL League Two.

“That was a real Open Cup game. Let’s just say it was a difficult environment with the fans they had here and a difficult surface to play on,” said Spokane head coach Leigh Veidman. “Really scrappy, really direct, big game about duels and defending and ultimately, just finding a way to win. And that’s what we did tonight.”

The game was played at Memorial Stadium in Seattle in front of nearly 2,500 fans. It was just the third time in the Modern Era (1995-present) that the venue has hosted a US Open Cup game. The first involved a team from Spokane when in 1999 the Seattle Sounders’ USL team defeated the PDL’s Spokane Shadow 3-1.

In the opening 30 minutes of the game, Ballard FC, the amateur side, appeared to be the favorite with backheel flicks, bombing runs, give-and-goes and twice as many shots gave the home crowd a lot to be excited about. Despite having the early momentum, neither team was able to find the back of the net. Both teams made two substitutions around the 60th minute, but the changes in tactics didn’t break the deadlock.

For most of the game Spokane couldn’t get out of their own half except for a few breakaways. When they did, it would be on the opposite side of the pitch from Khai Briscoe who, playing as an inverted wing back for Ballard, saw a lot of the ball and kept a lot of Spokane’s attack at bay.

The match appeared headed to extra time but referee announced there was at least four minutes of stoppage time left in regulation. Additional stoppages led to even more time to be added and Spokane needed every second. In the seventh minute of stoppage time, the Velocity received a throw in from the right wing deep in Ballard FC territory. The long throw came made its way to the penalty area and found the head of a player inside the six and skipped out toward the top of the box where Smith ran onto it and volleyed it into the back of the net.

The game-winning goal silenced an otherwise enthusiastic home crowd and sent Spokane into the Second Round, which is scheduled for the week of April 2-3.

With the win, the Spokane Velocity become the first professional team from Spokane to win a US Open Cup game, and are the first team of any level to win a game since 1999 when the Spokane Shadow (PDL, now USL League Two) beat the Chico Rooks of the D-3 Pro League in the opening round.

2024 US Open Cup Round 1: Jordan Adebayo-Smith’s hat trick carries Minnesota United reserves past Chicago House

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Jordan Adebayo-Smith of MNUFC2 takes a shot against Chicago House AC in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: MNUFC2
Jordan Adebayo-Smith of MNUFC2 takes a shot against Chicago House AC in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: MNUFC2

MNUFC2 handled last year’s Cinderella from the Midwest on a cold night in Elmhurst, Ill.

435 fans showed up on the night at Elmhurst University, mostly in support of Chicago House AC, the amateur side from the Midwest Premier League. Although there were a few Minnesota United scarves scattered throughout.

Jordan Adebayo-Smith, Minnesota’s lone first team player, scored all three goals for his side, all in the second half to give United’s reserve side a 3-0 win.

“Super happy for Jordan to get a hat-trick on the night,” said MNUFC2 head coach Justin Ferguson after the match. “I think it’s a great opportunity for us to get some young players some minutes as well. Super happy for all of the academy kids that could make their professional debuts tonight.”

Adebayo-Smith’s first goal in the 52nd minute was assisted by 18-year-old academy graduate Keith “Kage” Romanshyn Jr., who rounded House’s centerback Cesar Murillo 45 yards from goal on left, before advancing and delivering a slight through pass to his striker who settled and finished the ball calmly into the bottom right corner.

Adebayo-Smith’s second goal three minutes later was less calm. Loïc Mesanvi, the 20 year-old right winger from Togo, collected a weighted ball from the midfield at the top corner of the 18. After a couple touches to the inside, Mesanvi fed the ball square to his striker at the top of the 18 who settled to his right and finished with a rocket over an outstretched Halterman.

Chicago House AC’s manager, Matt Poland knew it was time for a change and began bringing in fresh, offensive legs in the 61st, 77th, and 82nd minutes. In 2023, it only took the House 15 minutes to solidify a comeback against USL League One professional side Forward Madison, but no comeback of the sort was in the cards tonight.

In the fifth and final minute of added time, MNUFC2’s 17-year-old and second half substitute Dominic Mawing cleared a ball from the back that was collected by Adebayo Smith at the left side of midfield. Adebayo-Smith would turn on the jets to secure his hat trick, leaving both House’s right and center backs in the dust before rounding Halterman to put a cap on the night.

Adebayo-Smith joins a select group of players from Minnesota-based pro teams to score a hat trick in the tournament: Johnny Menyongar (Minnesota Thunder, 2000 & 2002), Melvin Tarley (2005) and Angelo Rodriguez (Minnesota United FC, 2019).

“This is the oldest soccer tournament in the country, it’s an honor to be a part of it. I think that (the academy kids) should be excited that they get to make their professional debut, but also to get a chance to play in a tournament like (this) is class. I am glad the organization believes in young players and gives them the opportunity to do that.”

2024 US Open Cup Round 1: Ex-MLS players help Des Moines Menace add to cupset resume with PK win at Capo FC

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Sacha Kljestan had an assist in 120 minutes of action for the Des Moines Menace in the club's First Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Des Moines Menace
Sacha Kljestan had an assist in 120 minutes of action for the Des Moines Menace in the club’s First Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Des Moines Menace

The 109th edition of the historic Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament is underway this week and as in previous incarnations the 2024 version has already produced incredibly exciting matches. The match between Capistrano FC (NISA) and the Des Moines Menace (USL-2) at JSerra Stadium fit that bill to a T.

The headlines entering the match was the recruiting of the Menace. The USL League Two powerhouse added former US international Sacha Kljestan and former MLS goalkeeper Brian Rowe to the roster and both players played significant roles. Kljestan assisted on the opening goal in the second half only to see Parker Scalzo equalize for Capo FC less than 15 minutes later. Then in extra time, Leroy Enzugusi put the Menace ahead in the 117th minute, only to see Scalzo tie it up again in the final minute to send the match into penalty kicks. Des Moines would win the shootout 5-4 with Kljestan scoring the last goal for the visitors.

With the shootout win, the Menace earn their eighth pro team upset in Open Cup history, second-most of any amateur team in the Modern Era (1995-present). Only Des Moines’ rival the Flint City Bucks have more with 10.

The match was a slow burn that turned into roaring fire by the time the final whistle was blown. The first half was a display of both sides trying to show who wanted it more with possession and shots being split, mostly, evenly. And though home and away were consistent with shots taken, Capo had more on target which gave Des Moines keeper Brian Rowe a chance to shine. With several consecutive shots by the likes of Cole Sime and Omar Sabbagh that could have, possibly should have, put Capo  FC on the board, Rowe showed his speed and skill, preventing the ball from finding the back of the net. For Rowe, it was his eighth US Open Cup appearance, with the seven previous appearances coming with the LA Galaxy of MLS.

Capo keeper Nate King had his own opportunities to show his stopping power including a shot from inside the box by Kijestan in the 18 yard box. As the first half wound down the shots and blocks continued leaving the match tied at 0-0 as the teams headed off for the halftime break.

The way the first half looked one might assume that Capo would be the first to light up the scoreboard, but it was Des Moines that cracked the seal with a rocket from Cyrus Harmon that was able to find its way past King in the 53rd minute giving them the lead. As play carried on, several sets of fresh legs sent in for both sides kept this match moving at the high level of play we saw in the first 45.

The extra boost of energy finally cleared the way for the home side to reply to Des Moines’ earlier goal.  In the 66th minute, Capo’s Scalzo sent one in, dead center, leaving the Menace’s Rowe unable to get a glove on it, tying the score at 1-1. 

Players from the Des Moines Menace celebrate after scoring a goal against Capistrano FC in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Des Moines Menace
Players from the Des Moines Menace celebrate after scoring a goal against Capistrano FC in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Des Moines Menace

As the match moved on frustration started to show through. The second half would culminate with two back to back handballs, one for each side, a yellow card shown to Capo team captain Daniel Segal in the 78th minute, a long series of fouls, and a score still knotted at one. Overtime was upon these tired teams.  

Capo FC showed the first glimmer of hope to break the tie. Daniel Segal had a chance from a corner sent in by Lukas Ender that he unfortunately sent high over the crossbar. As the exhaustion, passion and desire to move to the Cup’s second round came together, the chippiness that can happen also reared its head. Segal, Capo’s skipper, was shown yellow a second time, resulting in his ejection from the match. The home team was now down to 10 men and still had 25 minutes of playing time left on the clock. Des Moines attempted to capitalize on their man advantage with two shots in quick succession but were unable to complete the task.

The shots continued to come from both sides but none would get between the pipes until minute 117 when Leroy Enzuguzi smashed a close range missile past Nate King giving a 2-1 lead to the visitors. With only three minutes left in overtime, the disappointment of the Capo team was visible. In the final three minutes, the 10 man home side popped off three shots on target, the third of which found the back of the net. A ball was sent in and Rowe was unable to catch it and Scalzo pounced on the loose ball with seconds left in extra time. With the score tied at 2-2, the whistle signaled the end of play and the start of a shootout to determine who moves on in the tournament.

Players from the Des Moines Menace celebrate after scoring a goal against Capo FC in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Des Moines Menace
Players from the Des Moines Menace celebrate after scoring a goal against Capo FC in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Des Moines Menace

The shootout would be quick but exciting as each side converted their first four attempts. The anticipation was thick in the air as two more shots were to come. Kljestan was the fifth player for Des Moines and after playing 120 minutes, he scored. Then Capo’s goalscorer Scalzo went next and skied his attempt well over the bar to send the Menace to the Second Round.

“To go through all the extra time and penalties, and come away with the victory and get on to Round 2 is brilliant,” said Menace head coach Troy McKerrel.

With this as his first match at the helm of the Menace he also said that this win is a good way to set the tone and he intends to continue forward in the same way. 

2024 US Open Cup Round 1: LA Force score late goal to earn first USOC win vs. Redlands FC

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LA Force FC pose for a team photo before their First Round match against Redlands FC in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: LA Force FC
LA Force FC pose for a team photo before their First Round match against Redlands FC in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: LA Force FC

In a struggle between aggression and keeping calm on the pitch in the First Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, LA Force was able to keep it’s formation and come out victorious, 2-1, over Redlands FC. 

“It was a tough one, you know, like they came to play, we knew that. They had a point prove,  playing with the semi pro NPSL team … but we got together, we did our thing and we made sure we got the results,” LA Force’s Joel Quist said.

At the sound of the whistle, it became apparent the first half would be a battle of possession. While LA Force demonstrated they could hold a 60/40 possession; Redlands FC showed a different type of play. When holding the ball, Redlands FC capitalize those moments quickly to get around LA Force’s defensive line and create opportunities with close finishes. 

However, both team’s defense held strong and deflected any shots out of range of the goal or out of bounds. With numerous attempts to gain the lead, both teams would remain scoreless. 

It wasn’t until the 40th minute, that LA Force would find its self taking the lead. An assist from Dante Brigida to Quist just inches in front of the goalkeeper would put them in the lead, but not for very long. 

A few moments later in the 42nd minute, Redlands FC Ethan Kovach would even the score with a shot in the far right corner or the goal. 

The half would end shortly after with the score remaining 1-1. 

As second half went underway, the game’s intensity amplified. Several minor fouls began to add up, tempers slowly were raising against each other and the calls being made by the referee were being questioned. Eventually two yellow cards would be tacked on to the two that were already awarded in the first half. 

“If you follow the game, especially in the beginning of the season, you know, it’s a  little bit rusty. But you have to be aggressive sometimes to win games,” head coach Dekel Keinan said. 

Much like the first half, both teams kept a consistent attempt at shots but none would bring them into the lead. Nearing the end of regulation period, in the 84th minute LA Force would see it’s second goal of the night. Another great pass from Brigdia to Quist, who would then find Jose Salvador Montes De Oca Gonzalez’s feet for a straight powerful shot to the back of the net. 

Raising the score 2-1, light more fuel into Redlands FC to create another equalizer. However, another four yellow cards would be awarded (Redlands – two; LA Force – two) in the duration of extra time to the second half and end with LA Force moving on to the next round and earning the club’s first-ever Open Cup win (in three tries). 

“It was a great experience for for our players for the good the Open Cup game. Credits for Redlands, you know they gave us all my players are really proud of them. They did great. And this is just our first step. Hopefully we’ll have more of those nights,” Keinan said. 

2024 US Open Cup Round 1: Irvine Zeta use early banger to hold off Amateur Cup champs in USOC debut

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Players from Irvine Zeta FC and Meso America battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: NISA
Players from Irvine Zeta FC and Meso America battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: NISA

In its first official match in history, new NISA club Irvine Zeta FC squeaked out a victory to advance into the Second Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Amateur side SC MesoAmerica, winners of the 2023 USASA National Amateur Cup, battled to the end but Zeta midfielder Shinya Kadono’s first half thunderbolt from 30 yards out lifted the hosts to a 1-0 win at Championship Soccer Park in Irvine on Wednesday night.

“At the end it was a just result,” Zeta head coach Daniel Gonzalez said. “We played the game we wanted to play, we got the job done and that’s what we needed.”

A moment of brilliance on the defensive end from Irvine goalkeeper Mitchell North capped off Kadono’s solo effort on a night where edging out a victory to set the right tone for the club’s future turned out to be more important than winning pretty.

Kadono, a local boy who grew up in Irvine, struck the MesoAmerica net just after the ten minute mark when his darting run from the left sideline and into the central area earned him a window of space to release an unstoppable shot directly into the side netting.

Zeta’s first ever goal came after just 12 minutes via the local boy who is also the club’s captain.

“ is a great player,” Gonzalez said about his midfielder and his trademark goal-scoring maneuver. “He tries that at practice.

“We work on it every day and he hits them really well.”

Zeta’s early lead earned them the chance to sit back and absorb pressure while MesoAmerica frustrated itself in front of the 18-yard box.

North had a fairly quiet evening barring one key moment 30 minutes after the starting whistle that kept the hosts in the lead.

“I get the credit for scoring,” Kadono said. “But we should give more credit for those saves out there.

“Especially with that first half save.”

The captain and first-ever goal-scorer for Irvine didn’t hesitate to credit his goalkeeper after the save on MesoAmerica forward Leo Espinoza who should have tied the game at one after half an hour.

“I knew what he was going to do,” North said as Espinoza broke toward goal on the one-on-one chance. “He closed his hips and pulled it to my right, so I went with it early and guessed him right.”

The right-legged stop proved as big as Kadono’s opener as the hosts managed to see out the narrow one-goal win.

Frustration boiled over for MesoAmerica late in the game when left-back substitute Gonzalo Salguero picked up a second yellow card for a late challenge, leaving the visitors a goal and a man down with two minutes remaining.

The Second Round draw will take place on Friday with the tournament resuming the week of April 2-3.

2024 US Open Cup Round 1: Late goal by Central Valley Fuego gives coach Jermaine Jones first USOC win

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Central Valley Fuego huddle prior to the club's match against FC Folsom in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Central Valley Fuego
Central Valley Fuego huddle prior to the club’s match against FC Folsom in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Central Valley Fuego

Central Valley Fuego FC got a late goal from Shavon John-Brown in the 82nd minute that secured a tough road victory against FC Folsom at Folsom Lake College in the opening round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Only a year in existence, FC Folsom was making their inaugural Open Cup appearance after becoming the first team ever in the UPSL NorCal North Division to qualify for the tournament via the four-game Qualifying Rounds. They certainly gave FC Fuego everything they could handle, but the visitors survived and came out on top 2-1.

Fuego FC captain Jason Ramos got the scoring started in the 9th minute. After a corner was played short, Ernesto Espinoza turned towards goal and whipped a left-footed curling ball towards the back post, which Ramos powerfully headed home. 

FC Folsom would level the match in the 51st minute on a corner kick by captain Dalton Pando, who found Moshi Wilondja in front of goal to make it 1-1. Both sides had ample opportunities across the next 30 minutes, until John-Brown sealed the match. 

Fuego FC coach and former US international standout, Jermaine Jones was pleased with the result, although he expressed some frustration over the lack of accommodations for his team who traveled over three hours for the game.

“I think the match was good, but everything around the match is sometimes difficult,” said Jones. “We arrived here and we don’t have chairs in the locker room and that should not be. Then you realize why MLS is saying they don’t want to play. If it’s not professional, that’s where I step in and say it’s not good. in the end, I am just happy with the result, it was an open game for the fans, and now we focus on the league.”

MORE: FC Folsom father-son duo out to make debut Open Cup noise

Jones also credited the go-ahead goal to the team’s ability to keep the moving and make it difficult for FC Folsom, which is something he had been saying leading up to the match.

With the win, Fuego FC punched their ticket to the Second Round and will find out later this week who play on either April 2 or 3. Meanwhile, FC Folsom now turns their attention to UPSL play.

2024 US Open Cup Round 1: Chicago Fire II explodes in second half to pull away from Chicago City

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Chicago Fire II players celebrate after scoring a goal against Chicago City SC in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Chicago Fire II

It was competitive until it wasn’t as Chicago Fire II rolled over Chicago City SC 6-0 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Ill. in the Round 1 of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The MLS NEXT Pro side featured a handful of players from its first team though they were largely buoyed by players from the Fire’s second team. USL League Two’s Chicago City featured players of local talent from the Chicagoland area as the team is not currently in season and many of the regular players were unavailable for selection.

City had the first chance of the match and Christian Marquez could have done better with his opportunity. Marquez got in behind the Fire II defense in the third minute but his on-target effort hardly tested veteran MLS goalkeeper Spencer Richey.

Fire II took the lead for good in the sixth minute with some help from Chicago City. Fire II’s Giovanni Granda played a cross into City’s penalty area and Aleksandr Labovic knocked the ball into his own net to give the hosts the 1-0 lead.

Fire II doubled the lead just before the halftime whistle when the 16-year-old Granda slotted a shot into the corner of the net after Michael Nesci found him in the middle of the penalty area, giving the match its 2-0 scoreline at the break.

Fire II removed three First Team players at halftime and that’s when the floodgates opened.

After a listless 20 minutes to begin the second half, Fire II came alive.

David Poreba collected a loose ball in the Chicago City penalty area in the 65th minute and controlled it well enough to hit a shot between the legs of goalkeeper Carlos Fernández to make it 3-0. Poreba teamed up with Nesci moments later as the future Indiana Hoosier made it 4-0 for the hosts in the 70th minute.

Harold Osorio, the player of the highest repute in the match, played the entire time and scored a lovely goal from a free kick in the 84th minute. Vitaliy Hluyt won Fire II a centrally-located free kick 20 yards from Chicago City’s goal and Osorio stepped up and bounced a shot perfectly over the hands of Fernández and into the back of the net to make it 5-0. Osorio said that he had practiced that bounce-shot free kick and wanted to be on the scoresheet after seeing his side dominating the contest.

“It was a good opportunity to score,” Osorio said through a translator. “Obviously, every player wants to score and I am no exception. I saw the chance, I saw that I was very close to the goal and I had to take the chance.”

To add to the shenanigans, the 15-year-old Hluyt added a goal of his own in the 86th minute with the assist going to 2024 MLS SuperDraft pick Jason Shokalook.

Fire II outshot Chicago City 31-5 and had 15 shots on target compared to only two for the visitors.

Fire II head coach Ludovic Taillandier was content with his side’s effort just three days after winning a MLS Next Pro season opener over FC Cincinnati 2.

“When we play the game in any kind of cup format, you play to win,” Taillandier said. “I told the guys that on this side of things they achieved, they’re completely objective. And that was good, it’s all about growing. We want to get better each game. We tried to work on our philosophy, our style of play.”

“We asked the players to also be ambitious in the way we want to win, not just on the results. And I thought halfway through, we said okay, we got two in the first, we need to do more than two for the second. They were speaking to each other on the field as well, we need to do better than the first half. But in general, we’re very proud of the guys.”

Taillandier was happy about the effort he saw from the young players on his squad, many of whom came up through the Fire Academy.

“We are very proud to be able to say that we had a lot of academic products on the field,” he said. “And I think that’s important to realize that we played this game at the start (with) four players from our Academy. U-17, U-19, from our academy, with more coming in the second half from the bench. And that’s also something very important to say.

“We are working with a vision and developing players from the Academy. And to see scoring goals and Vitaliy , at 15 years old on the field tonight, scoring a goal. It’s fantastic. I’m very proud of them.”

2024 US Open Cup Round 1: New York Red Bulls II cruise to victory over Hudson Valley Hammers

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New York Red Bulls II players celebrate after scoring a goal against the Hudson Valley Hammers in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: New York Red Bulls iI
New York Red Bulls II players celebrate after scoring a goal against the Hudson Valley Hammers in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: New York Red Bulls iI

New York Red Bulls II of MLS NEXT Pro cruised to a 5-1 victory over the Hudson Valley Hammers (USL-2) on a cold, windy night in Montclair, N.J. to advance to Round 2 of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Wednesday.

The frigid conditions did not do any favors for either team. In the opening minutes, New York Red Bulls II goalkeeper Aiden Stokes fell down unimpeded, and Hudson Valley had an early chip from midfield go wide with the swirling wind. There was further chaos in the 12th minute as a dangerous pass from Hudson Valley was intercepted by NYRBII striker Mohammed Sofo. Sofo was immediately tackled by Hudson Valley’s Dylan Evande, but as he was the last defender bringing down a striker, he was shown a red card. A steep hill became a vertical climb for Hudson Valley as they were reduced to 10 men.

It would take just five minutes for the Red Bulls II to take advantage. Sofo ran onto a diagonal pass into the Hudson Valley penalty area and squared a low cross for Dylan Sullivan to give the home side a 1-0 advantage. Sofo was a menace to Hudson Valley much of the night and his hard work paid off when he scored the second goal of the game in the 43rd minute. Ibrahim Kasule’s shot from just outside the box was parried right into the path of Sofo, who was quickest to react and smashed it home. Red Bulls II may have felt a little warmer up 2-0 at the halftime break.

Red Bulls II added to its lead in the second half with goals from Antigua and Barbuda youth international Aiden Jarvis in the 63rd minute, Malick Dembele in the 83rd minute, and Kasule rounded out the scoring in second-half stoppage time. The Hammers fought bravely given their situation. They would have their moment of Open Cup magic in the 79th minute, when Israel Neto received a bouncing pass inside the Red Bull 2 penalty area, took a touch over goalkeeper Aiden Stokes, and then finished the shot with an audacious bicycle kick into the empty Red Bull 2 net. It was the first US Open Cup goal in Hudson Valley Hammers history and it will be tough to beat. Although it was not enough to inspire a Cupset, it is surely something the team can take away from this year’s tournament.

Another source of immense pride for both teams was goalkeepers Aiden Stokes and Steven Ortiz. Each parried, punched, and powered through the conditions to keep their respective sides in the match. Although the score line may seem ugly, Ortiz faced 14 shots on target from Red Bulls II and put in an excellent shift for his short-handed team. The same can be said of Stokes, who may have conceded the late goal to Neto but still commanded his area well and wasn’t afraid of what must have been a very heavy, and wet soccer ball.

The frigid conditions did not deter the supporter clubs of Red Bull Arena’s Southward (Empire Supporters Club, Viking Army, and Torcida 96), who sang loudly and proudly through the 90 minutes in support of their club’s future stars. They also voiced their disapproval of recent US Open Cup decisions by Major League Soccer in this year’s tournament.

Despite the politics, this match had friendly undertones, as the Hudson Valley Hammers were founded with the help of former Red Bulls academy product, and Hudson Valley native, Tyler Adams. As soon as the match got underway, amicable relationships were put on pause as both clubs fought for the right to advance.

2024 US Open Cup Round 1: One Knoxville blanks Asheville City to advance, lift rivalry trophy

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One Knoxville Sporting Club celebrates after a 2-0 win over Asheville City in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: One Knoxville Sporting Club
One Knoxville Sporting Club celebrates after a 2-0 win over Asheville City in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: One Knoxville Sporting Club

Asheville City SC’s first appearance in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup was a short one thanks to a dominating first-half showing from One Knoxville SC, its opening-round opponent on Wednesday night.

Behind two first-half goals, including a last-second strike in injury time from midfielder Callum Johnson, One Knoxville claimed a 2-0 victory in front of a crowd of 1,115 at UNC Asheville’s Greenwood Field.

“They say the perfect time to score is right before halftime because it dictates the pace of the second half,” Knoxville coach Mark McKeever said of Johnson’s late goal. “It completely changed the dynamic of this game.”

Johnson’s late dramatics capped a dominating first-half performance that saw Knoxville get out to an early lead. Forward Rodolfo Johnson poked a shot past Asheville keeper Tyler Turner in the 13th minute for a 1-0 advantage, which was almost doubled 10 minutes later when midfielder Angelo Kelly-Rosales got behind the defense but couldn’t get past Turner.

Members of The Scruffs, a One Knoxville supporters group celebrate with the Smokey Mountain Series trophy after a 2-0 win over Asheville City in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: The Scruffs
Members of The Scruffs, a One Knoxville supporters group celebrate with the Smokey Mountain Series trophy after a 2-0 win over Asheville City in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: The Scruffs

Asheville’s offense was held without a shot until the 29th minute, but forward Mason Duval nearly found the equalizer with a shot just over the crossbar in the opening minute of injury time. Knoxville outshot Asheville 6-3 in the first half and also dominated time of possession.

“You have to credit Asheville, though,” McKeever said. “They fought hard tonight. They didn’t let us close things out.”

Knoxville defender Jalen Crisler was sent off with his second yellow card of the match in the 61st minute after a hard challenge just outside of the 18-yard box. Asheville’s offense was able to press with the extra man, but despite 11 second-half shots and several corners, failed to find the back of the net.

In his professional debut, Knoxville goalkeeper Johan Garibay finished with a clean sheet and drew praise from his coach.

“I think he deserves man of the match for his performance today,” McKeever said.

With the win, Knoxville advances to Round 2 of Cup play, which will be played April 2-3.

The victory also adds another chapter to a growing regional rivalry. Wednesday night’s game was the third meeting between the clubs as they play for a hiking boot-shaped trophy in their Smokey Mountain Series. The trophy was welded by Knoxville native Alex Magnuson, who played college soccer at East Tennessee State University.

Now, One Knoxville returns home with the trophy and the bragging rights until the next meeting in the Smokey Mountain Series.

 

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