Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2024 US Open Cup

2024 US Open Cup Round 3: FC Tulsa earns first win vs. pro team, 2-1 over Hailstorm FC

by

Photo: FC Tulsa

It’s close to a 24 hour road trip from Windsor in northern Colorado to the oil capital of Tulsa. For the Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC, it will likely feel longer on the way back, for the winless USL League One side, as they fell to FC Tulsa, 2-1.

For FC Tulsa, it was the club’s first win over a pro team in the competition in team history. Out of the four times they have advanced, three of them were against amateur teams, and a fourth was a penalty kick shootout win over San Antonio FC (US Open Cup games that go to PKs are officially listed as a “draw”)

FC Tulsa pinned the Hailstorm into their defensive third for much of the opening twenty minutes, winning a series of corner kicks but failing to capitalize. The pressure would continue against Hailstorm’s low block without threatening the Coloradan goal mouth.  

In fact, the best chance for either side came when a Noah Powder free kick for Hailstorm was whipped in from the left hand side of the penalty area, only for Tulsa keeper Michael Creek to deny a Brecc Evans header at point blank range, in the 32nd minute.

It took a mental error by Powder at the other end for FC Tulsa to go ahead, with the Trinidad and Tobago international hip checking Blaine Ferri to the ground in the penalty area in the 37th minute. Diogo Pacheco snuck his penalty kick just past the left hand of Edward Delgado into the goal. 

In the 44th minute, substitute Milo Yosef added to the margin, driving a ball into the near post from 24 yards out after a free kick wasn’t fully cleared. Hailstorm closed out the first half on the attack, securing back to back corners, the last one marginally past an onrushing Bruno Rendon.  

Northern Colorado Hailstorm fought their way back into the game and in the 65th minute, substitutes combined as Isidro Martinez pulled a goal back with a sumptuous curler into the Tulsa net after Ethan Hoard laid the ball back to the top of the box.

Alex Dalou had a shot kicked clear by Hailstorm keeper Delgado in the 68th minute, with the FCT player claiming a penalty, but it was not given. 

Diogo Pacheco of FC Tulsa celebrates after scoring a goal against Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: FC Tulsa
Diogo Pacheco of FC Tulsa celebrates after scoring a goal against Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: FC Tulsa

The last few minutes saw end to end action, although neither side threatened until Camilo Ponce sliced a half volley wide in the 80th minute for FC Tulsa. Ethan Hoard returned the favor, muscling in and earning a corner with a shot. David Garcia, who got the winner against Rapids 2 in the Second Round, had a second chance shot blocked by Creek. Ethan Hoard drove in, with the clock approaching 90, but a ball across the box was missed by Lucky Opara and Hailstorm’s challenge evaporated.  

“Going back to the Rapids 2 game, it had been 10 days since we played, so we were rusty and we were awful in that first half, just like tonight. This time we gave ourselves too big a mountain to climb,” Hailstorm FC head coach Éamon Zayed said.

2024 US Open Cup Round 3: Indy Eleven earns first USOC road win, 1-0 over Chicago Fire II

by

Indy Eleven fans set up shop at SeatGeek Stadium before their club's' 2024 US Open Cup Third Round match against Chicago Fire FC II. Photo: David J Ziemba | @davidjziemba
Brickyard Battalion sets up shop at SeatGeek Stadium before their club’s 2024 US Open Cup Third Round match against Chicago Fire FC II. Photo: David J Ziemba | @davidjziemba

In a match that featured a significant gap in both average age and experience, the difference on the night proved far narrower as Indy Eleven defeated Chicago Fire FC II 1-0 on Wednesday night at SeatGeek Stadium in the Third Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

With just one league win each so far in 2024, a trip to the Round of 32 awaited as a potential boost for either team.

Fire II named just one senior player, 20-year-old Javier Casas, Jr., in the starting XI to which head coach Ludo Taillandier made two changes from the team’s 5-5 draw with New York Red Bulls II last weekend in MLS NEXT Pro play.

Indy Eleven’s lineup included former Fire forward Elliot Collier (54 appearances in four seasons) and current Fire loanee Laurence Wootton, as head coach Sean McAuley made seven changes after losing at home to the Charleston Battery last time out.

The young Fire II group showed good early energy, but they collapsed defensively in the fourth minute, as Indy’s Jack Blake slid an easy through ball behind the Fire backline for Douglas Martinez to run on to and smash past Patrick Los.

“We want to start well and strong in every game because that’s your moment of unbalancing the opponent and trying to get ahead in the game, not letting any team settle into a rhythm,” Eleven head coach Sean McAuley said.

“We wanted to start hard and fast, and I thought that’s what we did,” Collier added.

Fire II offered a few bright moments in their efforts to chase the game, most notably through the work of David Tchetchao down the right wing, but failed to produce any great opportunities. Martinez nearly doubled his tally in the 38th minute but blazed a shot over Los’ goal from 15 yards out. The USL Championship side took the one-goal lead into the break.

“I thought we were excellent in the first 20, 30 minutes of the first half and could have gone more than 1-0 up,” McAuley said.

Fire II made two halftime changes, with Sergio Oregel, Jr. swapping places with fellow first-teamer Casas, Jr., and Giovanni Granda replacing Tchetchao. While the young Fire continued to explore ways to create chances, control of the play remained steady with Indy.

Their control didn’t yield many chances, however, as Fire II came closer to equalizing than Indy did to grow their lead. The clock ultimately ran down on the game and on Fire II’s Open Cup adventure as the visitors advanced to the round where the seven Major League Soccer teams participating will enter the competition.

“I think the biggest thing for us is the clean sheet,” said Collier, as Indy Eleven has conceded 15 goals in just six USL-C games this season. “We’ve been scoring goals every game, and enough goals to win the game but we’ve been giving up too many goals.”

Added McAuley: “It was a bit touchy at the end but that’s adversity that we’ve gone through and kept a clean sheet. So, all in all, we’re in the next round.”

2024 US Open Cup Round 3: Union Omaha add to El Paso Locomotive USOC struggles with PK win

by

Mark Bronnik of Union Omaha celebrates after scoring the winning PK in the shootout to beat the El Paso Locomotive in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Union Omaha
Mark Bronnik of Union Omaha celebrates after scoring the winning PK in the shootout to beat the El Paso Locomotive in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Union Omaha

Different pitch, same result for Union Omaha as for the second consecutive year Los Búhos would oversee El Paso Locomotive’s exit from the US Open Cup, advancing 5-3 on penalties. An occasionally frantic 120 minutes saw the teams finish scoreless despite a missed Locos penalty, several incredible saves, and a late red card for Noah Dollenmayer that opened the door for the hosts decide the match in extra time. A breakthrough wouldn’t come, however, and the match came down to a well-timed Rashid Nuhu save and a cooly slotted final penalty kick by 17-year-old Mark Bronnik. 

Last year, Omaha beat El Paso 2-0 at Creighton University in the Second Round.

Despite being the side in the lower division, Union Omaha came out of the starting gates quickly.  Their tenacious pressing led to several shaky moments at El Paso’s back that put keeper Ramón Pasquel under duress early in his first start of the season.  The FC Juarez loanee found himself facing a shot in the 2nd minute from Lagos Kunga following a turnover deep in the defensive half that was kept out by the striker’s hesitation and timely defending in front of goal.

That would end up being a sign of things to come for both sides.  A stout Omaha midfield would control the game and force the Locomotive back line into mistakes or poorly played long balls, the hosts would attack up the wings, and in the final moments the attack would fizzle out either by off-target shooting or Los Locos finding just enough to keep the ball out of the net.

When El Paso was able to connect their passes together, the danger was very real.  The visitors’ first real opportunity to show their teeth came in the 24th minute as defender Nick Hinds worked his way past two Owls to make some space on the left side.  With time to place his cross, he found Javier Nevarez, who took the ball on his right foot and blasted a shot on target.  Rashid Nuhu’s diving save would be the first of six often mind-boggling saves that would keep the clean sheet intact. Nevarez, on the other hand, would also continue to be a major thorn in Omaha’s side.

Play returned to favor the hosts as they outpaced, out-muscled, and out-skilled an Locomotive team that seemed to be lacking steam. El Paso looked like they had no answer for the attacking creativity of Los Búhos and were playing dangerously close to the fire.

That is until the end of the first half when Nevarez took the ball in the attacking third and slipped past Marco Milanese to take a run toward the box. Milanese was able to catch up just enough to foul Nevarez just outside the penalty area to give El Paso a free kick in a tempting area.  As Joaquin Rivas struck the free kick, Nortei Nortey blocked shot with an arm extending from his body. The referee was in perfect position to see the foul and pointed immediately to the spot.

Unfortunately for Locomotive, Amando Moreno’s kick sailed well over Nuhu and the supporters behind his goal.  Minutes later, they would have the ball in the back of the net, but that would be ruled offsides.  By the time the half time whistle blew, the feeling was that El Paso may have squandered the best chances they’d seen all night.

If the first half was hallmarked by the hosts’ control of the match, the second half would be noted for its chaos.  Neither side could build on the positives they’d created in the first half, and the opening 15 minutes were marred by poor passing, turnovers, and a lack of any momentum for either team.  There were still the occasional sharp runs and moments of creativity, but the match had gotten more physical as each side tried to break through the frustration and find the opener.

By the time the first substitutions came on the energy and pace had evened out between the teams.  Union Omaha continued on their way to dominating the shot chart (32-12), but a heavy majority of those would be off the mark or blocked.  Locomotive would make better use of their chances, putting a total of six on Nuhu’s frame, but the Búho’s number one would show his quality time and again.

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

The match had the chance to turn itself on its head in the 90+3 minute when Noah Dollenmayer would receive a straight red card for a dangerous challenge at the ankles of Marco Milanese.  The Locomotive defender was initially shown a yellow card, however, after consulting with his assistants, Referee Esad Omanovic upgraded the card and reduced the visitors to 10-men going into extra time.

With the man advantage, Omaha began the extra period much the same way as they began the first half.  In the 91st minute, Brandon Knapp was able to find a completely unmarked Adam Aoumaich inside the Locomotive box, but Aoumaich’s shot would sail over the bar.  7 minutes later, a Ryen Jiba corner would find Joe Gallardo who put a close range shot into Pasquel’s body.  The rebound fell to Marco Milanese who put the shot over the bar.

As the second half of extra time came around, both teams ran at each other alternating squandered chances, yellow cards, and the occasional word or two for the referee.  Despite their renewed energy and efforts, this match was seemingly destined to end 0-0 and have to be decided by penalties.

Electing to go first, Omaha put their first two penalties into the net, matched by Los Locos.  Adam Aoumaich’s kick wasn’t the prettiest in the world, but managed to get in off Pasquel’s glove to give Omaha a 3-2 advantage awaiting Gonzalo Pelúa’s kick.  The young Uruguayan would test Nuhu to the keeper’s right, but Nuhu was well on it to put Los Búhos on the brink of the next round.

The two teams would trade penalties bringing up 120th minute substitute Mark Bronnik. Despite his age, the Brooklyn native placed a pinpoint shot in the bottom left corner that left Pasquel with no chance, despite his guessing correctly.  The youngster was mobbed by his teammates as he send Union Omaha on to the next round, and El Paso back to the station for the second straight year.

After the match, Omaha’s Dominic Casciato had nothing but praise for the mentality of his team, and of the 17-year-old match winner.  “Sometimes when you have that many shots and that many opportunities and the ball doesn’t go in, you start to think maybe this isn’t going to be our night…but the guys have got a real strong mental capacity to break through.”

On Mark Bronnik taking the final kick, Casciato said, “I told him to take the fifth one. We’ve got a lot of confidence in him, he’s a top young player, and he’s going to have a really good career.”

Union Omaha will need every bit of that confidence and mentality as they continue their all-competitions unbeaten run to start the season and look forward to the entrance of the seeded-USL Championship clubs as well as the entrance of MLS first-team sides in the upcoming round of 32. On the other side, El Paso is winless in their first four appearances in the US Open Cup, joining MLS side NYCFC as the only teams in the Modern Era to fail to win their first four consecutive Open Cup games.

2024 US Open Cup Round 3: Four Stefano Pinho goals carry Birmingham Legion to OT win over Chattanooga Red Wolves

by

Stefano Pinho of Birmingham Legion FC celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Chattanooga Red Wolves in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Madeline Oliver
Stefano Pinho of Birmingham Legion FC celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Chattanooga Red Wolves in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Madeline Oliver

In the Third Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, Birmingham Legion FC and Chattanooga Red Wolves SC had a rematch of last year’s Second Round match up, this time down at The University of Montevallo. This matchup in 2023 resulted in a 4-1 win in the Scenic City for Birmingham, but this year was tougher as the Legion equalized twice, forced extra time and ultimately won 4-2 in front of a capacity crowd.

The story of the match was a four-goal performance by Birmingham’s Stefano Pinho as he scored two equalizers in regulation and two more goals in extra time to send the Legion to the Round of 32. Pinho becomes just the 13th player in the tournament’s Modern Era (1995-present) to score four or more goals in a single game. In fact, he’s just the second during that span to score four goals after halftime.

The match started with a flurry of chances for Birmingham, with several corners and early fouls in Birmingham’s favor, but Chattanooga weathered that storm. At the 12-minute mark, the deadlock was broken by a picture-perfect set piece by the Red Wolves. Ricky Ruiz, the 2021 USL League One assists leader, put in a perfect ball into the box that was headed into the back of the net by Leo Folla.

Immediately after the resulting kickoff, Jake Rufe quickly picked up a yellow to open Legion’s book. Legion had several more chances to put a ball on target, but none to the worry of Tim Trilk, the Red Wolves keeper. That frustration really showed as in the 34th minute, Enzo Martinez picked up a yellow card on a late challenge. Outside of some small chances on each side, the first half ended up fizzling out with Red Wolves up 1-0 as they were seeking to reach the Fourth Round for the first time in club history.

The second half started with Tyler Pasher coming on for Enzo Martinez, and his impact was felt immediately with a beautiful corner finding the head of Stefano Pinho in the 48th minute to pull things level.

The match continued to gain intensity as Tabort Etaka Preston picked up a yellow card in the 57th minute. That intensity fully bubbled over as Legion goalkeeper Matt VanOekel and Red Wolves’ Ropapa Mensah had a nasty collision in the box, resulting in a Chattanooga penalty and a VanOekel yellow card, that was slotted away by Ricky Ruiz to give Chattanooga its second lead of the night in the 76th minute. Not even five minutes later, Pasher found Pinho again on a corner to draw the match back to level the score at 2-2 in the 80th minute.

The match fully went in the favor of Birmingham when Pinho was through on goal, and Gustavo Fernandes did what he had to do, and pulled him down just outside of the box, resulting in a red card for the Red Wolves in the first minute of second half stoppage time. Despite being down a man, Chattanooga managed to hold on to the draw long enough to force extra time.

In extra time, Birmingham continued to tighten the screws on Chattanooga, and at the very end of the first half of extra time, Pinho found himself on the end of yet another corner, this time provided by Kobe Hernandez-Foster in the first minute of stoppage time in the first period of extra time to give Birmingham their first lead of the night.

To start the second half of extra time, Prosper Kasim, the hero of Legion’s Open Cup run in 2023, turned provider and played a through ball to Pinho, who slotted it away for his fourth of the night, and the first open play goal of the night between the two teams. To end the night, 15-year-old Ramiz Hamouda made his first appearance for Birmingham Legion.

The match ended 4-2, but the scoreline does not reflect just how well Chattanooga played, but it is once again that Legion come out triumphant against the Red Wolves of Chattanooga to earn their way into the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup for the second year in a row.

2024 US Open Cup Round 3: South Georgia Tormenta’s man advantage sparks second half comeback at Miami FC

by

South Georgia Tormenta FC pose for a team photo before a match against Miami FC in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: South Georgia Tormenta FC
South Georgia Tormenta FC pose for a team photo before a match against Miami FC in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: South Georgia Tormenta FC

South Georgia Tormenta FC continued its US Open Cup undefeated mark against Second Division competition as the USL League One side scored three second-half goals with a man advantage in a 4-2 victory over host USL-C’s Miami FC on Wednesday night at Florida International University.

The win gave South Georgia a third win in a single tournament for the first time in club history.

It wrapped a game full of drama that overshadowed the night with many calls from the referees coming into question that certainly gave manager Antonio Nocerino plenty to assess going forward for his team.

It was apparent in the first few minutes that Tormenta hadn’t lost momentum after a dominant Round Two win against Savannah Clovers.

Early in the first half, Tormenta seemed to step on the pedal and apply pressure, causing multiple issues at the back with Miami defender Dalton Knuston mistiming his passes playing from the back.

This sent Nocerino into a frenzy immediately, clearly not impressed with how his team was handling the game.

Nerves were on the rise as the referee made no mistake on a foul in the 13th minute by Knuston which led to a free kick outside the penalty box. The defense seemingly asleep and confused, miscommunicated with keeper Khadom Ndiaye, who could not prairie the ball properly, and fell to a simple tap-in header for defender Jake Dengler in the 12th that left Miami FC stunned in front of their fans.

Despite shouts of frustration — especially with Frank Lopez and Nicolas Cardona who seemed to not able to connect on the switch-up play — Miami immediately had their answer in the 20th minute with forward Luisinho producing a moment of brilliance turning over his marker and shooting from distance with a thunderous shot in the top right corner that even Miami’s bench stood to celebrate with the forward.  

After that it was Miami’s game to play for, with Tormenta sitting back and absorbing the offensive pressure until the end of the half.

Ndiaye, who had a nightmarish first few minutes, clashed with Gabriel Rodriguez in a corner that sent both tumbling to the ground with Ndiaye instantly shown a red card without any hesitation and left Miami down to 10 men for the remaining five minutes.

Miami’s bench and staff were furious as they shouted “This is not American football! This is soccer. That is no way a red card!”

Miami FC’s academy product Daniel Gagliardi came in as a substitute keeper. Making his debut at only 19 years old, he seemingly showed no nerves.

With Miami stuck in their half in the final minutes, all they did well was hope and pray for another moment of brilliance. Their prayers were surprisingly answered quickly after Frank Lopez wrestled out defender Callum Stretch — beating him with physicality — and darted forward, slotting in a low cross for Luisinho to score his second of the night, sending Miami into halftime despite being a man down, 2-1.

Tormenta’s creator of ideas with two assists already in the tournament, Philip Spengler, immediately made an impact, slicing in a through pass that allowed captain Conor Doyle to tie up the match at 2-2 in the 70th.

Unlike in the first half, Miami lost its legs in the second half with their only hope being that they could maybe hold on until extra time. That never came as Tormenta, with fresh substitutes, had the team firing on all cylinders.

Tormenta scored to take the lead again, with Stretch redeeming himself after his mistake at the end of the first half from a rebounded header into the bottom corner.

With Miami having no choice but to send players forward to salvage some luck, even if it meant leaving the back exposed, it proved faulty in the end. Another corner allowed Tormenta to go on the counter which left a 3-on-2 which allowed Foneca to easily cutback and square it for late substitute Sebastian Vivas who sealed Tormenta’s comeback win in an impressive style.

Ian Cameron could be heard from the sidelines calmly congratulating his team, “Well managed lads, these things matter.”

An upset Daltyn Knuston admitted that the referee’s decision proved too much in the end.

“We knew the lead going in (second half) and we were just gonna have to sit in and try to catch a breakaway but, they kept up the pressure for 45 minutes so it was always going to be hard,” Knuston said.

2024 US Open Cup Round 3: Nighte Pickering’s brace sends Memphis 901 FC past Miami United

by

Nighte Pickering of Memphis 901 FC scored two goals against Miami United FC in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Memphis 901 FC
Nighte Pickering of Memphis 901 FC scored two goals against Miami United FC in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Memphis 901 FC

Cupset-minded Miami United FC of the United States Soccer League fell to Memphis 901 FC of the USL Championship 2-0 on Wednesday night. Memphis was powered by a brace from US youth international (Under-19) forward Nighte Pickering lifted the home side over the tenacious amateurs from south Florida.

The win is the first in all competitions for Memphis since the USL Championship opener against Las Vegas back on March 9.

The victory comes just over a week before the one-year anniversary of the dramatic extra-time game winner Pickering netted against Atlanta United in the 2023 edition of the US Open Cup.

Though his goals tonight may not have been as dramatic as the one scored in Kennesaw, Pickering capitalized on superb service from former US men’s national team member Emerson Hyndman in the 31st minute and winger Dylan Borczak in the 85th.

Memphis controlled the game early, with a golden opportunity off a corner in the 3rd minute when Miami keeper Cristian Blanco was called into service to save a good header and gobble up the rebound.

Akeem Ward’s curled shot from 22 yards in the 15th minute and a good 29th minute Oscar Jimenez run into the box that forced a diving Blanco to smother a dangerous cross seemed to be a sign of things to come. But Miami United FC, who dispatched Chattanooga FC and Club de Lyon to get to Memphis, didn’t look out of place against the second tier side once they settled into the game. Santiago Frean found himself in on goal in the 18th minute, only to have a backtracking Jimenez do enough to force a weak shot Memphis keeper Tyler Deric was able to corral. Miami even looked to go ahead in the 22nd minute, where a mishandled free kick by Deric was put into the net only to be called offside.

Pickering’s 31st minute goal was made possible by a beautiful, lofted pass from Hyndman that found him beating an offside trap, with Miami’s right back, Sebastian Luzuriaga, kept him onside when the rest of the backline stepped up. Both Pickering and wigner Luis Fernando were in on goal with no defenders between them and Blanco. Pickering waited for Blanco to come of his line, sliding the ball neatly inside the left post with his left foot.

Again showing that they did indeed belong on this stage, Miami responded with another free kick in the 35th minute, forcing Deric to make a spectacular double save. Miami continued to look dangerous towards the end of the first half, forcing Deric to make another save in the 41st minute after some questionable Memphis defending in the box.

Memphis made one change at the break, as Fernando gave way to Borczak after the former picked up a minor knock. Early in the second half, the game was fairly even with teams sharing half chances. Miami nearly scored a spectacular goal after Ward lost the ball in the 55th minute and the curling shot nearly missed the top left corner.

The game seemed to devolve somewhat after that chance as Miami picked up four yellow cards in the next eight minutes and Memphis adding one a minute later in the 63rd. After exchanging a few half chances, in the 85th minute, Borczak beat a defender down the right and send in a cross that found Pickering beating his man from four yards out to salt the game away.

Of his young forward, Memphis 901 FC head coach Stephen Glass said, “He was excellent. He was unfortunate not to score three or four.”

The scoreline may have favored Memphis, but Miami United actually put more shots on frame
(5-3) and controlled nearly as much of the ball as Memphis (46-54). Despite his brace, Pickering
said the team knew it would be a difficult game.

“It’s always going to be a tough game. They’re playing with a different type of intensity and fire.”
Glass agreed: “To be honest, if we were not on our game tonight they could have (won). So we had to be at our best; we had to be strong; we had to be good on the ball. Full respect to Miami.”

2024 US Open Cup Round 3: Loudoun United leans on academy kids, edge Richmond Kickers in PKs

by

Players from Loudoun United (right) and the Richmond Kickers battle for the ball in a Third Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Justin Nunez
Players from Loudoun United (right) and the Richmond Kickers battle for the ball in a Third Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Justin Nunez

The beauty of the Open Cup was on full display Wednesday night at City Stadium in Richmond, Virginia as USL League One Richmond Kickers took on intrastate rival and Championship side Loudoun United in a tightly fought match that in the end took penalties to decide Loudoun as a winner.

In the end, a goalkeeper was the hero as Dane Jacomen saved Arthur Bosua’s attempt to win the game, capping off a MOTM performance in his first start of the season for Loudoun.

“I was proud of the guys to come out and defend well. We created a lot of really good chances. In the end, we had four academy kids on the field so we had to go pretty deep to make it happen,” said Loudoun head coach Ryan Martin. “When you look at this — digging deep and going 120 minutes without conceding against a pretty good team — it’s a springboard of confidence.”

The match started slowly, with both teams starting heavily rotated XIs. Dominating possession, Loudoun began to turn up the pressure before the 15th minute but Richmond absorbed it and grew into the game as the half progressed. Two of the key moments in the first half were disciplinary: Richmond’s Zaca Moran picked up a 12th-minute yellow, and his teammate Nicholas Simmonds earned a yellow in the 25th, after a dangerous tackle on Keegan Hughes. After receiving treatment on his ankle, Hughes initially played on but found himself unable to continue, coming off in the 36th minute.

The rest of the half was open with both teams creating chances, though Loudoun looked the likelier to score, keeping Richmond keeper Ryan Shellow on his toes in his first start for the Kickers.

Both teams made changes at the half, opening the game up even further. The match saw quality chances on either end, with both backlines and goalkeepers pulling out increasingly heroic blocks and saves as the game wore on. Both teams had quick breakaways, with Ryan Sierakowski in on goal for Richmond and Christiano François finding space for Loudoun but both keepers came out quickly and made themselves big to earn the save. Adrian Billhardt caused considerable trouble down the right wing for Richmond and François made up for his miss with several dangerous carries into the Richmond box.

Photo: Justin Nunez

Unfortunately for both teams’ front lines, both backlines stood strong. Shins, backs, knees, foreheads from close range, even other attackers’ bodies — every defensive weapon available was deployed to block Richmond’s 11 and Loudoun’s 12 shots (numbers which seem conservatively counted by my estimate). And more impressively, with very little discipline required. Despite the sometimes frenetic defending, neither team earned a penalty. Loudoun’s only yellow was shown to striker François and Richmond’s backline picked up their only yellow in the 113th minute.

Extra time was more of the same, with both teams finding opportunities and defensive heroics displayed on both ends. The intensity never dropped and both teams looked as though they believed they could find the winner.

Ultimately, it took penalties. And unsurprisingly, very little separated the sides as the shootout progressed. Both teams demonstrated nerves of steel, with nine straight spot-kicks converted until Jacomen’s save to give the Championship side the win.

“I think when you look around the world at cups, and with MLS teams pulling out of the Open Cup, this really is the beauty of it,” Martin said. “Games like this and atmospheres like this involving two good teams in two fun cities — it’s fun for everyone.”

2024 US Open Cup Round 3: North Carolina FC’s youth “mission” pays off, 1-0 over Carolina Core

by

Julian Placias of North Carolina FC scored the lone goal in his team's 1-0 win over Carolina Core FC in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Greg Ng
Julian Placias of North Carolina FC scored the lone goal in his team’s 1-0 win over Carolina Core FC in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Greg Ng

A physical match on a cool Wednesday night at WakeMed Soccer Park in front of an announced crowd of 1,112 fans featured just one goal and one red card. The good news for host North Carolina FC was, their player netted the goal, and the red card was assessed to the other side.

North Carolina FC needed just one strike, a second-half score from youngster Julian Placias, to beat Carolina Core FC 1-0 in the Third Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

“I thought the guys played well tonight,” NCFC coach John Bradford said. “Competed well, and the first shutout we’ve had in a little while – I think that was important for us. Really pleased with the overall effort, and I really think (the win) speaks to the club’s mission being able to play young players and have faith, trust and support in them, and see them flourish on a great stage.”

For NCFC, the victory marks the eighth time it has advanced to the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup. It’s also the first time NCFC has won a match in the century-old soccer tournament since 2019, snapping a three-game losing streak.

This season is the first active one for Carolina Core FC. The MLS NEXT Pro side is based in High Point, N.C. – which is located about 85 miles west of the home of NCFC in North Carolina’s Triangle. The two teams played a preseason friendly that NCFC won 5-2, but this Tar Heel State Derby marked the first official meeting between the two sides with real stakes.

Carolina Core FC advanced to this stage of the Open Cup by besting Vermont Green FC of USL League Two, 2-1, on the road two weeks ago.

“We expected a really good game out of them,” said NCFC forward Garrett McLaughlin, who provided the assist on Placias’ goal. “John got us ready and showed us the film. They’ve had some good results this year. We expected it was going to be a tough game.”

With a 5-3-2 formation, NCFC dominated possession early on in the match – controlling the ball 71% of the time at one point – but didn’t get a good look at its opponent’s net until the 21st minute. Unfortunately for the home team, Jacori Hayes couldn’t find the goal with a left-footed attempt from inside the box after getting a feed from Placias. Moments later, Jaden Servania put a shot on-target, but it was saved by Carolina Core’s Alex Sutton, who dove low and to his left to halt the attempt.

Nelson Flores Blanco had a chance at a score in the 42nd minute for NCFC after hauling in a cross, but Sutton batted the ball over the bar to keep the score tied heading into intermission.

In the 61st minute, NCFC finally broke through. After McLaughlin corralled the rebound from his own miss a second time in the span of a few seconds, he then settled the ball, spun around and fed a pass to Placias, who was standing unmarked at the far post and blasted a right-footed shot into the back of the net with relative ease.

“It was scrappy at times. We only put away one, but that’s all we needed,” McLaughlin said. “I’m really, really happy for (Placias). He’s been training really well and getting more and more opportunities. To see him score and celebrate, it was kind of like a weight lifted off his shoulders. Happy I could provide that for him.”

The goal was the first for Placias in an NCFC uniform. The product of the LA Galaxy academy just turned 18 less than two weeks ago.

Kyrome Lumsden, a 16-year-old midfielder who came up in LAFC’s academy, made his professional debut by subbing on for NCFC in the 69th minute. He picked up the first yellow card of his pro career in the 83rd minute for a hard tackle in the midfield.

Moments later, referee Josh Parke gave Carolina Core’s bench a yellow card after receiving some jawing from head coach Roy Lassiter – the former U.S. men’s national team forward. Lassiter remained unpleased in the 88th minute when what seemed to be the equalizing goal for the Core was called off after the scoring player, Josuha Rodriguez, was whistled for being offside. The Core bench was then given a second yellow card after assistant coach Amado Guevara voiced frustrations. In the 90th minute, Guevara was sent off with a second yellow card that turned red after touching a NCFC player.

In all, the game featured 12 yellow cards.

Collin Martin of North Carolina FC dribbles against Carolina Core FC in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Greg Ng
Collin Martin of North Carolina FC dribbles against Carolina Core FC in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Greg Ng

“I didn’t expect the amount of fouls and kind-of nonsense yellow cards that came as the game wore on. But we have to deal with it, and that’s part of it,” Bradford said. “You hopefully will see very little of our guys talking to the referees and wasting time on things they can’t change.”

Another well-known name on Carolina Core’s bench, goalkeeping coach Donovan Ricketts – who played in 100 games for the Jamaican national team – at the very least had to be happy with performance of Sutton, who finished the match with seven saves and allowed just one goal despite facing 15 shots from NCFC.

“I thought their goalie had a fantastic game,” McLaughlin said.

The home side’s goalkeeper played well too. It was the first start at WakeMed Soccer Park for 20-year-old Antonio Carrera between the pipes for NCFC and he finished the game with a clean sheet, not allowing Carolina Core to score on four shot attempts.

“It was a team effort,” Carrera said. “It wasn’t clean, it wasn’t pretty, but we got the job done – which, in the Open Cup, is what you need.”

Carolina Core is 0-2-1 in the MLS Next Pro season, while NCFC is 1-2-3 so far in its first season back in the USL Championship after spending three campaigns in USL League One.

North Carolina FC will play in the Round of 32 on May 7 or 8.

2024 US Open Cup Round 3: Oakland Roots rally to end El Farolito’s cup run in extra time

by

Ali Elmasnaouy (right) of the Oakland Roots SC celebrates after scoring a goal in the 98th minute in a 2-1 win over El Farolito in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Oakland Roots SC
Ali Elmasnaouy (right) of the Oakland Roots SC celebrates after scoring a goal in the 98th minute in a 2-1 win over El Farolito in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Oakland Roots SC

Prior to kickoff, one may have thought that this fixture seemed lopsided with El Farolito being an amateur team in the 4th division of US Soccer. Though Oakland Roots, the favorites from the USL Championship, were finally able to come away victorious 2-1, the game remained an extremely competitive affair right up until the final whistle in extra time.

It was a rematch from the Second Round of last year’s US Open Cup which the Roots’ won 3-1 at the same venue at CSUEB Pioneer Stadium in Hayward, Calif.

El Farolito shocked everyone by finding the back of the net first via a header by the reigning TheCup.us Player of the Round, Dembor Benson. A mishit volley off of a cross, bounced around in the box and perfectly found itself on the head of Benson who directed the ball into the top left corner, outside of the keeper’s reach putting the San Francisco team 1-0 up in the 12th minute.

Roots refused to take the goal laying down and spent the rest of the half knocking on El Farolito’s door. The siege continued until the 46th minute just before the halftime whistle. An expertly placed cross from the right side by 19 year old, Ilya Alekseev found Guillermo Diaz who had ghosted into space with a late run toward the back post. Diaz headed the ball powerfully into the back of the net to draw the game level before the break. 

The remainder of normal time was a very cagey affair with seven yellow cards as well as one red card awarded to El Farolito player Edgard Kreye before the 90 minute whistle. Though many cards were given, there would be no more goals until extra time. 

In the first half of extra time the Oakland Roots took their opportunity to stick their nose in front and complete the comeback. In the 97th minute, a curling ball from deep, skipped off of Trayvone Reed and bounced directly into the path of Ali Elmasnaouy who skillfully flicked the ball past the keeper, finding the back of the net. 

In the 110th (105+5) minute, El Farolito managed to get one last chance before the end of the first period of extra time with Benson finding space in behind the defense following a mistake from Neveal Hackshaw. The defender misread the header and allowed the ball fly over him and land at the feet of Benson, prompting the keeper to rush off his line which queued Benson to attempt to chip him. The chip beat the keeper but ended up being slightly wide, denying El Farolito their golden chance to claw their way back level.

Less than a minute after the start of the second period of extra time Roots player Trayvone Reed received a second yellow card for a foul on El Farolito’s Jhoann Yabur. Suddenly, Roots find themselves having to defend a lead with another half of extra time left and one less player to defend with.

Through a great display of defensive focus and rigidity, Oakland Roots were able to keep El Farolito at bay despite having only 29% possession in the second period of extra time. 

El Farolito continued fighting until the bitter end but ultimately it was the favorites who came out on top in what was only their second occasion playing extra time in club history. 

Oakland head coach Noah Delgado elected to play multiple youngsters in this match with five teenagers seeing the field, one of which getting the assist for the equalizer and another scoring the winning goal.

“A special night for those boys, we knew El Farolito is a good team … so we knew it would be a difficult game …” said Delgado. “Playing younger players, developing players, developing local … it’s great to see them getting to contribute and playing in a cup game which is a little more testing than what they are used to.”

2024 US Open Cup Round 3: Charlotte Independence needs PKs to survive goalfest with Rhode Island FC

by

Austin Pack of the Charlotte Independence makes a save in the PK shootout against Rhode Island FC in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Wade Wimberly
Austin Pack of the Charlotte Independence makes a save in the PK shootout against Rhode Island FC in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Wade Wimberly

It was a wildly entertaining 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Third Round match held Tuesday night in Charlotte. The host Charlotte Independence played to a 4-4 draw with the visiting Rhode Island FC over 120 minutes of soccer ebbs and flows before Independence goalkeeper Austin Pack provided the decisive moment to separate the sides and push the hosts into the Round of 32. 

Just when it seemed like one team would create an advantage and begin to pull away something spectacular would happen and the game would be level again and right back where we started.

In the end, it was Charlotte who prevailed in the PK shootout by a score of 5-4. It was the Jacks’ second straight shootout win in the tournament and earned the club its first trip to the Fourth Round since their inaugural season in 2015.

The game started very brightly for the visitors from Rhode Island, a USL Championship expansion team making their first Open Cup appearance. They were trying to become the first Rhode Island team to win an Open Cup game since 1969. Rhode Island jumped out on the front foot and into the lead in the 11th minute as Conor McGlynn collected his own deflected shot and made little mistake on the second effort scorching the ball into the net for the early advantage. It was a cat-and-mouse game of the high Rhode Island FC backline tempting the Independence service to go up and over the top. The Independence then seemed to grow into the match looking to go over the Rhode Island FC backline and they earned a penalty kick off a trip in the box that JC Obregon Jr. slotted home in the 26th minute to level the score. 

The game settled into a midfield duel at that point and then in the 35th minute the Independence again burnt the very high Rhode Island FC backline with a ball over the top that Tresor Mbuyu wove around the onrushing keeper and into the net for the 2-1 lead. The announced crowd of 3,865 erupted in approval and it looked like the hosts would carry this advantage into the half. 

However, Nathan Messer of Rhode Island FC had other ideas as he found a loose ball and in an individual moment of brilliance tied the game squeezing in a long-range rocket from a tight angle in first-half stoppage time.

Exiting the halftime break knotted at 2-2 it was the visitors who came out the more aggressive and Clay Holstad ripped a swerving ball through the crowded Independence penalty box that had eyes for the far post and the Rhode Island FC 3-2 advantage.

After Rhode Island FC took most of the air out of the game with some slow deliberate possession, Charlotte’s Luis Alvarez, totally against the run of play, stole the ball off a Rhode Island FC defender before going on a surging run at the Rhode Island FC backline leveling the game 3-3 a low driven back-post shot.

Rhode Island FC almost won the game in the 90th minute with a quick burst of shots but Independence goalkeeper Austin Pack slammed the door shut with two point-blank saves to send the game to full time still deadlocked at 3-3.

Full time quickly turned into extra time and in the 95th minute the Independence looked to have won the match with another wild sequence in front of goal where Obregon Jr. found a way to put away his own rebound into a 4-3 lead.

Rhode Island FC’s Stephen Turnbull didn’t read the script and never quit on the match and in one of their final ventures forward in the 115th minute flipped the storyline one last time to tie the game at 4-4 and send the match to penalties.

Charlotte took an early advantage in the shootout but quickly gave that back with two shots skied high over the bar after four kickers. 

Rhode Island FC was on the verge of advancing with their fifth kick but Austin Pack made another clutch save to send the shoot out to sudden death. 

After two more rounds it was Charlotte clinging to a narrow 5-4 lead after Anton Sorenson buried his kick and Rhode Island FC needing to convert their seventh-round kick to stay alive in the Cup. As Rhode Island’s Gabriel Alves stepped up to the ball Austin Pack stayed big, stayed patient, and stayed focused parrying away the shot with a strong left hand to push the Independence into the Round of 32 in early May. After the kick, Pack just froze in his saving pose on the ground before being mobbed by his jubilant teammates.

“I am tremendously proud,” said Independence head coach Mike Jeffries. “It took a lot of character to go down twice in the game and find a way back. They showed the confidence to stay in the game and get it done. We talk a lot about the mentality needed to win, and the guys showed it tonight.  Certainly credit to Austin (Pack). Not just the penalties, but he kept us in the game when we needed it.”

The Ocean State had waited over 25 years to have a team back in the US Open Cup and have to go back over 80 years to 1941 to find the last time a Rhode Island squad posted a victory in an Open Cup match.  Despite the dramatic tie Tuesday night in Charlotte, ending this winless streak will have to wait another year for the Ocean State faithful.

Charlotte now looks ahead to the Round of 32 and must be dreaming of another deep run in the Cup like they posted in 2015 defeating MLS opponent New England Revolution en route to a Fifth-Round finish. Full highlights including each penalty kick are below.

Copyright © 2026 • Built by Jacob Martella Web Development