Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2024 US Open Cup

2024 US Open Cup Round 2: Stoppage time winner in OT gives Northern Colorado Hailstorm dramatic win over Colorado Rapids 2

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Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC players celebrate a goal against Colorado Rapids 2 in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Evan Munoz
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC players celebrate a goal against Colorado Rapids 2 in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Evan Munoz

It took all 120 minutes, but the Northern Colorado Hailstorm advanced to the Third Round of 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup beating the Colorado Rapids 2, 3-2 in extra time, at Dicks Sporting Goods Park.

Second half substitute defender David Garcia made up for missing an open header only moments before, tapping in a Lucky Opara cross at the 120-minute mark to break the deadlock.

“I was going to be thinking about that one if the game ended on a tie,” Garcia said. “I stayed up after that and we got another cross in. When the cross came in it was going to Jake . I said ‘Dummy!’ and he left it for me. It was just an easy tap in.”

After an uninspired first half from both teams, Wayne Frederick put the Rapids 2 in the lead two minutes after the start of the second half, running onto a chipped ball from Marlon Vargas. Frederick chested the ball in stride to set up a simple finish from seven yards out.

“We woke up after they got that first goal,” said Hailstorm coach Éamon Zayed. “We were off the pace in the first half. We have a lot of guys just coming back into the team who haven’t played a lot of minutes yet. The goal woke us up. We were much better after that goal.

Marky Hernández, whom Zayed was forced to bring off the bench due to a lack of fitness, drew the Hailstorm level in the 59th minute moments after entering the match, getting his own rebound after Rapids 2 defender, Michael Edwards denied his first opportunity off a driven cross from Noah Powder on the right side.

“Marky so good at putting himself in the box,” Zayed said. “He scored quite a few goals for us last year. He’s just getting his fitness back. He’s not ready to start yet.”

After 20 minutes of frantic, back-and-forth play, the Hailstorm took the lead with 10 minutes to play thanks to carelessness on the ball from a fatigued Vargas. Ethan Hoard dispossessed Vargas and was played over the top of the Rapids back line by Hernández. Hoard turned the corner and smashed the ball to the far post. The goal was Hoard’s second in Open Cup play. 

“We got punished for being half a second late,” said Rapids 2 head coach, Erik Bushey. “Key moments define big games. Unfortunately, we were on the wrong end of them tonight.”

With time winding down Zayed brought in Garcia to play as an extra defender to see out the game as the Rapids 2 threw players forward in search of an equalizer. They got it when 2024 draft pick, Kimani Stewart-Baynes, smashed a mis-hit clearance by Opara inside the penalty area in the 92nd minute. Stewart-Baynes’ goal came on the heels of a game-winning-assist in the Colorado Rapids’ win over LAFC last weekend.

With only seconds left in added time, Powder nearly ended things for the Rapids 2, smashing a ball off the base of the goalpost from 35 yards out, beating Rapids 2 goalkeeper Adam Beaudry but not the woodwork.

After neither team could generate any scoring chances in the first half of extra time, Garcia nearly put the game away in the 119th minute, putting his free header just over the crossbar.

“I brought him on to see out the game, play him as an extra defender,” Zayed said. “Then we ended up going to a back three and he was playing right back. I know he wants to get up on the end of things.”

Garcia atoned for his miss moments later, sliding Opara’s cross from the left flank just inside the far post for the win.

“This is a big win for us,” Zayed said. “On paper we’re both third division, but we’re two completely different clubs. They’re trying to bleed players through to the first team. That’s what they’re all about. Performance is the name of the game for them. We’re trying to win. We’re trying to get results and win.”

2024 US Open Cup Round 2: Union Omaha ends Des Moines Menace’s star-studded cup run

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Steevan Fortes Dos Santos of Union Omaha dribbles against Des Moines Menace defenders in a Second Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Trevor Hellman - @trevhellman
Steevan Fortes Dos Santos of Union Omaha dribbles against Des Moines Menace defenders in a Second Round match of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Trevor Hellman – @trevhellman

Big names and bigger dreams weren’t enough for Des Moines Menace to overcome a stout Union Omaha as they fell to the USL League One side by a score of 3-1 on Wednesday night. Goals on each side of halftime from Pedro Dolabella and Marco Milanese plus a very late dagger from substitute Menace alum Lagos Kunga propelled Los Búhos into the Third Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

With the win, Union Omaha won their opening game in the tournament for the third year in a row and improved their home record in their brief three-year history to 4-0-0.

The visitors from Des Moines came in to Omaha with five former MLS players in their starting eleven, but couldn’t get much going in the first half. Both teams seemed content to feel each other out with Omaha getting the larger share of possession and the Menace staying mostly compact and ready to break on the counter. Every time the visitors broke, however, two or three Owls would track back and block off any danger in attack.  Similarly, Union Omaha would find themselves in dangerous positions on the wings, but just unable to connect on the final pass to expose Brian Rowe’s goal.

In the 22nd minute the first major chance of the night would go Omaha’s way as Pedro Dolabella found Dion Acoff in stride and running past his defender to unleash a rocket shot from just outside the box that rang heavily off the crossbar. Less than a minute later, Joe Gallardo would ring out a shot from the other side of the box that forced Rowe into a spectacular diving save to keep the game scoreless.

Sacha Kljestan and his Des Moines Menace teammates shake hands with Union Omaha players before their Second Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Trevor Hellman - @trevhellman
Sacha Kljestan and his Des Moines Menace teammates shake hands with Union Omaha players before their Second Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Trevor Hellman – @trevhellman

The pressure on the USL-2 side would continue until Union Omaha finally broke through in the 34 minute.  Playing from a free kick, Joe Gallardo took the ball up the left wing and found Aáron Gomez just outside the six-yard box.  Gomez was able to drop the ball back to Pedro Dolabella who calmly slotted home from about 15 yards out to open the scoring past a helpless Menace defense.  This was Dolabella’s second goal in US Open Cup competition, following his tally against MLS side St. Louis City in 2023.

Union Omaha continued on the front foot, asking a lot of questions of the Menace defense, but Des Moines answered all of them keeping the score at 1-0 heading into halftime.

That wouldn’t last long, however, as two minutes after the break, Marco Milanese would extend the Omaha lead following a scramble in the goal mouth off a well taken corner. Steevan Dos Santos out jumped his marker to put the ball in the path of Luca Mastrantonio who fired a point blank shot at Rowe. The Menace keeper did well to keep it out, but couldn’t stop the rebound shot, nor the 2-0 lead.

The two sides would continue to trade jabs (and yellow cards) for the majority of the second half, but with Union Omaha still seeming firmly in control.  That control would falter in the 87th minute as Leroy Enzugusi put his name on the scoresheet after finding a path through the Búho back line from a perfect pass from Braden Allen.  Rashid Nuhu was late to react and while he did get a small touch on the ball, Enzugusi was able to keep control, round the keeper, and give the Menace life going into injury time.

That life put a spark in the Menace who made the final minutes of the match rather nervy for the home crowd. There were several chances that could have gone Des Moines’ way until substitute Lagos Kunga put the match beyond doubt. 

In the ninth minute of stoppage time, the former Menace forward found himself alone in space just outside the box on a pinpoint pass from Nortei Nortey. Having just had a wonderful chance saved by Rowe a minute earlier, Kunga cut inside and let go with his left foot to put this match, and Des Moines’ Cup run, to bed.

When asked about the clinching goal, Kunga responded in high spirits. “This is what we live for,  moments like this, to come in, get a goal, to help the team win.”

And while it may have been a goal that knocked his former club from the Cup, it was obvious he enjoyed the moment, saying “They say when you play your old team, you get a little extra motivation, so it felt good.”

For Union Omaha, that feeling will continue into the next round as they take their 17-game unbeaten streak in all competitions (dating back to last season) to the test.  They take on USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive who enter the 2024 US Open Cup in Round 3. For Des Moines Menace, it’s another empty-handed trip back home to await the start of the USL-2 season, and another chance to dream of a trophy.

2024 US Open Cup Round 2: Chicago Fire II bring heat on cold night in win over Forward Madison

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Jason Shokalook of the Chicago Fire II celebrates after scoring a 90th minute goal against Forward Madison in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Chicago Fire FC
Jason Shokalook of the Chicago Fire II celebrates after scoring a 90th minute goal against Forward Madison in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire FC II survived the cold and snow to move past Forward Madison FC to the Third Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in what ended up being a comfortable 2-0 victory.

The MLS NEXT Pro side pulled ahead via David Poreba’s goal in the 11th minute. The Fire II midfielder pounced on a ball served in by Omari Glasgow that was not well handled by Madison goalkeeper Martin Sanchez. The cross from the right-hand side ended up in the six-yard box where Sanchez deflected the ball right to Poreba, who just needed to tap the ball into the empty net. 

“We knew that with the weather that the keeper could spill some shots,” said Poreba of his goal. “Credit to Omari not even for that play but throughout the game he was putting in some really good  good crosses from the wing.”  

It wouldn’t get easier for the Mingos. They had to make an early substitution when forward Mauro Cichero went down shortly after the goal was scored and they had to burn a substitution early.

Fire II continued to pressure them as the first half pushed on. Harold Osorio hit one off the bottom of the crossbar in the 26th minute and continued to control possession in the first half ending up with 52% possession when the half-time whistle was blown.

Madison did have their chances in the first half but never really threatened to score. Their best attempt was a shot from Nazeem Bartman after a Fire II turnover in midfield led to a well-worked counterattack. His shot however curled past the far post.       

The first 15 minutes of the second half were largely the same. Fire II mostly controlled the game and Madison looked to get shots in when they could. But Midway through the second half, though things started looking up for the Mingos. Head coach Matt Glaeser turned to his firepower on the bench by bringing in Ferrety Sousa, Derek Gebhard, and Jimmie Villalobos to try and get a tying goal.

Those moves helped Madison go on the front foot. They started to have more possession and looked more likely to score the second goal of the game for a long time in the second half, but they couldn’t find that crucial final ball to put them on the board.

It all fell apart for them late. Fire II missed a few chances on the counterattack with substitute Jason Shokalook barely missing a couple of crosses. He didn’t miss his third opportunity, however. A ball played over the top by Lamonth Rochester found Shokalook’s foot, he won his 1v1 with the goalkeeper and Fire II were up 2-0 with just four added minutes left to play.

“It just happened instinctually]. I just got the ball moving as quick as I could did what I could and it worked out perfectly.” Shokalook said of his first goal in a Fire II shirt. “You’re put in different scenarios that are very game-like all week in practice so things like this become second nature.”

Madison had one last shot at a goal in garbage time. A free kick won in a dangerous place was struck just wide before the final whistle blew to end the game and Fire II into the Third Round of the Open Cup.

While this is Chicago Fire II’s first time playing in the Open Cup, this is not a first for the organization. The Fire have won this tournament four times, most recently in 2006. Fire II are looking to build on that legacy with a deep cup run. As for Madison, it’s back to the grind of USL League One where they look to once again make the playoffs and best their quarterfinal appearance from last season.    

2024 US Open Cup Round 2: Chattanooga Red Wolves edge Apotheos FC to reach Third Round for first time

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Chattanooga Red Wolves players celebrate in the locker room after a 1-0 road win over Apotheos FC in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
Chattanooga Red Wolves players celebrate in the locker room after a 1-0 road win over Apotheos FC in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Chattanooga Red Wolves SC

Metro-Atlanta based Apotheos FC – one of the few amateur teams remaining in the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup – played host to USL League one side Chattanooga Red Wolves on a cool, windy evening at Silverbacks Park on Wednesday. With their First Round match forfeited by NISA’s Georgia Lions, the match at Silverbacks Park in Atlanta would be the first Open Cup match for a young Apotheos NPSL club. The Open Cup run would be short-lived, however, as a stingy Chattanooga team kept the clean sheet and netted an early second half goal to win, 1-0.

With the win, Chattanooga wins multiple games in a single tournament for the first time. They will also advance to the Third Round for the first time. They will found out their next opponent on Thursday, April 4 at 1 p.m. ET.

The game began promptly at 7:45 p.m. and both teams found it difficult to establish a rhythm. Chattanooga’s Lucas Coutinho was shown a yellow in only the second minute for a stout challenge in midfield, but both teams seemed to struggle with understanding which infractions the officials would be calling and which they’d be letting slide. Chattanooga carried the bulk of possession in the first half and created a handful of decent chances, though it was Apotheos that almost struck first off a fortuitous rebound that goalkeeper Timothy Trilk was able to smother just as the shot was coming.

Halftime came and went, and Chattanooga continued to pressure Apotheos. The breakthrough arrived in the 50th minute after a series of rebounds in the box eventually led to the ball finding its way to the feet of Stefan Lukic, who wasted no time in slotting it somewhere a stubborn Abraham Mendieta couldn’t save.

Apotheos head coach Jonathan Mercado made a series of subs throughout the second half and switched from a 4-2-3-1 to more of a 3-5-2 in an attempt to net an equalizer. Apotheos created a couple of opportunities but struggled to connect many passes through the midfield, instead relying on their talented and quick wingers to progress the ball.

Player from Chattanooga Red Wolves SC and Apotheos FC prepare for their Second Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Tyler Pilgrim | TheCup.us
Player from Chattanooga Red Wolves SC and Apotheos FC prepare for their Second Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Tyler Pilgrim | TheCup.us

Two minutes of stoppage time were added, and well after the two minutes were over, Apotheos had a golden chance to tie the game in the dying seconds. A bit of chaos in the box led to a powerful shot by Apotheos, but a Chattanooga defender was barely able to get a leg in the lane for the block, and the referee subsequently blew the whistle for full time.

“This game was important to us, because we haven’t played as much as we planned on playing,” said Chattanooga head coach Scott Mackenzie about the postponements to their stadium. “I think what you saw from them was an identity, we knew we had to dominate possession and really dominate both sides of the ball. We just have to build on that going into the league.”

Chattanooga returns to USL League One play as they will take on Central Valley Fuego next weekend.

2024 US Open Cup Round 2: Carolina Core’s comeback win over Vermont Green spoils night for sold out crowd

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Players from Carolina Core FC (left) and Vermont Green FC battle for the ball in a Second Round game in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Josh Wallace | Vermont Green FC
Players from Carolina Core FC (left) and Vermont Green FC battle for the ball in a Second Round game in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Josh Wallace | Vermont Green FC

Anyone who ventured to Virtue Field at the University of Vermont on Wednesday night to see Vermont Green FC host Carolina Core FC in the Second Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup they got their money’s worth. Despite seeing Vermont taste defeat in the US Open Cup for the first time, 2-1 to the visitors, fans were treated to penalties, plenty of cards, snow and most importantly- free ice cream from local favorite Ben and Jerry’s.

Vermont scored a first half penalty kick, only to see Carolina Core FC battle back in the second half. The independent MLS NEXT Pro side, led by their head coach, former MLS star Roy Lassiter, equalized in the 60th minute with a PK of their own and Josuha Rodriguez scored the go-ahead goal in the 70th minute to send the capacity crowd of more than 2,500 disappointed.

The scoring started in the 28th minute, shortly after a break in play to allow for Papa Ndoye of Carolina and Moussa Ndiaye of Vermont, both from Senegal, to break their fast at sundown in accordance with Ramadan. It would be the hosts who got on the board first courtesy of Yaniv Bazini after he was taken down in the box and calmly slotted his penalty home. This goal broke a deadlock between the two teams which saw chances for both sides.

The vast majority of Carolina Core’s productive play in the first half came down the right flank, trying to take advantage of the fact that Vermont’s left back, Nick Lockermann, pushed very high up the field trying to extend his hot form from the First Round game against Lexington SC where he recorded an assist in the victory. Despite these chances, Vermont goalkeeper Nathan Schnur stood his ground and made multiple quality saves- something he would also do in the second half, keeping his side ahead at the end of the first 45, 1-0.

This result at halftime emboldened fans even more who sold out the stadium, something Vermont head coach Adam Pfeifer was clearly happy about.

Carolina Core FC goalkeeper Andrew Pannenberg knocks the ball away from a Vermont Green FC player in a Second Round game in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Josh Wallace | Vermont Green FC
Carolina Core FC goalkeeper Andrew Pannenberg knocks the ball away from a Vermont Green FC player in a Second Round game in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Josh Wallace | Vermont Green FC

“We’re incredibly fortunate and grateful for everybody that devotes their time and money to coming out and supporting the guys and the community,”  Pfiefer said. “It’s obviously incredibly special.”

The visitors eventually found their equalizer with their own penalty in the 60th minute after Papa Ndoye placed the ball past Schnur and finally broke the wall that was the Vermont goalkeeper.

The side from North Carolina eventually took the lead in the 70th minute thanks to halftime substitute Josuha Rodriguez who put his team up after an initial CCFC shot was saved but placed directly in the path of the Houndaran. It was his second game-winning goal in as many games in the competition. Rodriguez scored the winning goal in the 82nd minute to the team’s 3-2 comeback win at home over Northern Virginia FC (USL-2) in Round 1.

Despite the potential advantage with the sudden influx of snow late on in the game, Vermont could not find the equalizer it so desperately fought for.

Eventually, the Green ended the match with 10 men after striker Jacob Labovitz was handed a straight red card from referee Brendan Fanning in the 90th minute after an incident which preceded a corner for Vermont in the dying embers of the game. Video shows that Carolina’s Ibrahim Covi fouled Labovitz which led to the retaliation. As is common in the game of soccer, it was the retaliation that was spotted by the official and Labovitz was sent off and Covi received a yellow card.

“The opposition was very good tonight,” said Carolina head coach Roy Lassiter, who despite being one of the all-time great goalscorers in MLS history during his career, scored just one Open Cup goal in 11 career matches. “Their fans were engaged and supported them very well. However, I thought our discipline was better and our fight was good. We showed a lot of intelligence in the match, and we knew it was our moment. We outshot them, had more corner kicks, and had a better share of possession. I knew it was just a matter of time before we would score.”

 

2024 US Open Cup Round 2: South Georgia Tormenta dominates Savannah Clovers FC in rare Peach State battle

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South Georgia Tormenta FC players celebrate after scoring a goal against the Savannah Clovers in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Holt Wimberly | TheCup.us
South Georgia Tormenta FC players celebrate after scoring a goal against the Savannah Clovers in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Holt Wimberly | TheCup.us

The South Georgia Tormenta FC stormed past the visiting Savannah Clovers FC 4-0 Wednesday night in Statesboro to book their spot in the Third Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.  Tormenta scored early, added a late second-half goal, another one in stoppage-time and dominated the patterns of play in-between during this first-ever meeting of Coastal Georgia regional opponents.

With just seconds expired in the first half the Tormenta high pressure forced a Clovers’ turnover in the attacking third of the field that Pedro Fonseca whipped into the Clovers’ box where Niall Watson nodded the hosts into the lead in the 2nd minute.  From this opening moment, Tormenta never looked back.

More Tormenta pressure constantly turned the ball over in advantageous positions and kept the Clovers off-balance as they tried to find a way back into the match. Tormenta looked like a team playing in their sixth competitive match (four USL-1 and two US Open Cup) while the Clovers were more unsure of their patterns playing in just their second competitive match of the year due to the delayed start to the 2024 NISA regular season.

Tormenta added a second goal in the 35th minute as Jackson Khoury drove a low cross through the Clovers’ box eluding all the runners except Joshua Ramos who smashed the ball into the open net for the 2-0 halftime advantage.

In the 58th minute Tormenta’s Fonseca again provided a perfect service from the flank finding a streaking Sebastian Vivas inside the box with a low driven ball for a third goal on the night.  The nightcap to balance the scoring came with just seconds to play in the 90th minute as Austin Wehner was first to react to a loose ball in the box pouncing on the opportunity to push the final score to 4-0.

Goalkeeper Drew Romig posted another Open Cup clean sheet for Tormenta and was there to put out any dangerous moments the Clovers created.

“It’s always helpful to score early,” said Tormenta head coach Ian Cameron after the game. “But what I really liked about the group is how they responded to that goal, they went back on the front foot. It was a very solid performance. David Proctor (Clovers head coach) is a good coach with a good group of players. There’s lots of good footballers in this county and Savannah Clovers have a bunch of them but I thought our unity, our team culture, our organization showed tonight.”

Wednesday’s game marked just the third time in the Modern Era (1995-present) that an Open Cup game has featured an all-Georgia matchup. In 2012, the NASL’s Atlanta Silverbacks defeated the NPSL’s Georgia Revolution 1-0 in the Second Round. The two teams met again the following year in the same round, with the Silverbacks winning 3-2.

South Georgia Tormenta now waits for the third round draw to see which USL Championship side they will face in mid-April.

2024 US Open Cup Round 2: Louis ‘Chapa’ Herrera’s OT winner lifts Greenville Triumph past One Knoxville

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Louis "Chapa" Herrera (right) of Greenville Triumph SC celebrates with Zion Scarlett after scoring a goal against One Knoxville SC in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: One Knoxville SC
Louis “Chapa” Herrera (right) of Greenville Triumph SC celebrates with Zion Scarlett after scoring a goal against One Knoxville SC in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: One Knoxville SC

Louis “Chapa” Herrera had not scored a goal since 2021.

He was playing for El Paso Locomotive and scored in a loss. Over the next three seasons, he failed to record a goal.

On Wednesday in Knoxville, that changed. Herrera scored the extra-time winner in Greenville Triumph SC’s 3-2 win over fellow USL League One rival One Knoxville SC.

“He’s not a goal scorer, but he was in the right place at the right time and stuck it away,” Greenville head coach Rick Wright said. “He had a chance a little bit later. So, we were very excited for him.”

Greenville Triumph started the scoring early on, as Lyam MacKinnon took a chance in the 15th minute. One Knoxville goalkeeper Johan Garibay made the initial save, but the rebound fell to MacKinnon, which he put away.

One Knoxville was given an opportunity just three minutes later, as the club was awarded a penalty off a handball. Kempes Tekiela put it past the goalkeeper to level the score.

MacKinnon earned his brace in the 33rd minute. He took advantage of a deflection to find himself close to the goal with just Garibay to beat. He used his left foot to put the ball across his body for his second goal of the evening.

Tekiela leveled the score once again, this time from open play. Thanks to a crafty assist by Innocent Nshuti, Tekiela found himself with some space in the box. He took advantage, leveling the game after the 62nd minute.

Greenville Triumph was awarded a penalty with just five minutes remaining, giving Brandon Fricke a great opportunity to send his side through. He tried to beat Garibay to his right but couldn’t do so as Garibay saved his team’s chances.

He couldn’t do so in added time, as Herrera dispatched the game-winning goal in the second half of extra time. Leonardo Castro made a run down the left wing, cut inside to draw the defenders near the penalty box and played the ball left to a wide open Herrera making an overlapping run. Herrera took a couple of touches, moved it to his right foot and curled a shot to the far post to beat the goalkeeper in the 107th minute.

One Knoxville had several chances to find the equalizer, but Greenville Triumph was able to see out the game through their defending and their perseverance of draining time holding the ball in the corners.

With 16 USL Championship teams entering in the Third Round, Wright wants to take the opportunity and play a new opponent. The draw for the Third Round will be held on Thursday at 1 p.m. ET.

“I’d like to play a Championship team because we’re going to play all these other guys in the league,” Wright said. “So a little different team that we’ll have to play against. Hopefully, we’ll host because we’ve been on the road for the last little bit.”

2024 US Open Cup Round 2: Miami United make USSSA history with upset of Club de Lyon

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Players from Miami United FC (left) and Club de Lyon battle for the ball in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Kelly Gavin Photography
Players from Miami United FC (left) and Club de Lyon battle for the ball in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Kelly Gavin Photography

On a breezy evening in Pembroke Pines, Fla., Miami United triumphed over Club de Lyon (NISA) with a dominant 2-0 win in the Second Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Although a bit shaky than the home team would have liked, United pulled off the upset in a drama-filled game at UPSL Stadium at Broward College South campus.

With the win, Miami United makes history. United, a member of the United States Soccer League, becomes the first team from the United States Specialty Soccer Association (USSSA) to reach the Third Round of the US Open Cup.

After a nervy back and forth from both teams in the opening 20 minutes star ex Atletico Nacional John Pajoy from Colombia found the back of the net after a good pressure from Alejo Fernandez against defender Andrew Anyafo who could not parry the ball correctly allowed Fernandez to whip in a cross for a 1-0 lead. It was Pajoy’s second goal in as many Open Cup games this year. He scored the lone goal in Miami’s 1-0 upset win over Chattanooga FC (MLS NEXT Pro) in Round 1. By then, Club de Lyon lost momentum and could not break under Miami’s attacking spell after the goal.

United had many chances to extend the lead as fullback Serrano even tried a few shots on goal and Pajoy hit the woodwork just before halftime. Martinez could barely get a whiff of the ball from then as Club de Lyon sat further and further back and could not get past their own half.

During halftime, Miami head coach Claudio Frean pleaded with his team to not become complacent and close the game out in the second half.

“We’re alright guys. Relax, relax,” Frean shouted. “We cannot get crazy here.”

These words of encouragement were enough for Miami to attack the same way they did after they scored the first goal. Finally, after a string of chances, Serrano, after some passing exchanges with Insua the number 10 set him up down the flank to make a run that allowed him to make another low cross where Fernandez had an easy tap-in with no defender seemingly marking him.

From then on, it was smooth sailing until minute 71 where the match began to get heated.

Club de Lyon’s Malik Thom received a long pass in behind the defense and found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. United defender Frank Fraggetti attempted to track him down and mis-timed a tackle and knocked Thom down in the box and the referee called for a penalty kick. Fraggetti received a second yellow card for thet foul and was sent off.

The bench was infuriated with the call and many were protesting from the staff with the referee threatening to expel multiple staff members from Miami United’s side.

Club de Lyon had a chance to cut the lead in half from the penalty spot, and spending the remaining 20 minutes with a man advantage. Juan Martinez stepped up to take the penalty, but he not only had his attempt saved, but when the rebound came back to him, Miami goalkeeper Cristian Blanco saved that one too as the crowd and the team cheered as if they had won a final.

“Vamos Carajo!” was heard shouted from the bench.

After that missed opportunity, despite being a man up, Club de Lyon’s players seemed deflated and had no way to break Miami’s concentrated defense. Even with fresh legs and substitutions, it proved to be too late after Blanco’s heroics shut them down from a comeback.

Once full time was called, Miami United players cheered Ole Ole Ole as fans jumped into the stadium to join in on the fun. The home advantage was respected and it was full of emotions from start to finish but not without its complications that will definitely have Claudio Frean looking for improvements going into the Third Round.

“It was a tough match, they are a great rival,” admitted Pajoy after the match. “I think the team was able to handle that stress and thank God the goals came and we were able to get the win, step by step.”

About 200 spectators attended to watch as Miami’s new project of building a competitive team for the US Open Cup continues to make waves. United, who is competing in its sixth tournament, will try to match it’s best run in 2018 where the reached the Fourth Round.

Miami United needed to keep the momentum after their win over Chattanooga and tonight over Club De Lyon, as an early elimination would raise questions surrounding Claudio Frean and his team. And this has proven to be a good start on all accounts.

Club De Lyon by contrast had more experience on their roster in this tournament so many felt the pros from NISA were the favorites. Juan Martinez the team’s 38-year-old captain, caused problems for Miami’s defenders through various parts in the game, but the Argentinian international just could not get going during the game and will be exiting the tournament early.

2024 US Open Cup Round 2: Dembor Benson’s brace propels El Farolito to historic upset of Central Valley Fuego

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El Farolito pose for a photo prior to their match against Central Valley Fuego in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: El Farolito
El Farolito pose for a photo prior to their match against Central Valley Fuego in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: El Farolito

El Farolito isn’t through with scoring upset victories in the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and has obtained yet another historic result on the road, this time in the heart of California’s San Joaquin Valley.

The National Premier Soccer League side came from behind to knock off USL League One’s Central Valley Fuego FC 2-1 in Merced, CA thanks to two goals from striker Dembor Benson.

El Farolito, an amateur club named after a local Mexican restaurant in San Francisco, became the first NPSL side to upset consecutive professional team opponents in regulation, previously stunning MLS NEXT Pro side Timbers2, 2-1 at Providence Park in Round 1.

Orange County FC was the last amateur side to beat two professional teams in the same tournament, defeating FC Golden State Force (USL-2), 2-0, before advancing against Orange County SC (USL-C), 2-2 (5-3 PK), but their second round match went to penalties.

Lopez called for intensity from his players and went on the offensive from the beginning. Fuego FC had trouble advancing from its own half as El Farolito put high pressure on its back line in an attempt to recover the ball closer to goal.

In the 12th minute the NPSL side almost opened the score early on as Benson connected a header that bounced off the post and ended up in the hands of Fuego FC keeper Andre Zuluaga.

Fuego FC was awarded a penalty just a few minutes later following a slide tackle inside the box, which Jose Carrera-Garcia converted into a goal to make it 1-0 for the hosts.

However, El Farolito kept pressing as Benson found the late first-half equalizer, capitalizing on a rebound from a long ball inside the box, and placed it in the bottom right corner of the net.

Players from El Farolito (left) and Central Valley Fuego battle of the ball in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Central Valley Fuego
Players from El Farolito (left) and Central Valley Fuego battle of the ball in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Central Valley Fuego

Lopez’s team remained persistent in pushing forward during the second half and came close. Just as they did in Round 1, El Farolito came from behind to win it thanks to a late goal from Benson, who netted the ball in the 88th minute at the far post following a pass from Sebastian Yabur inside the box.

This was Benson’s third goal of the cup and his second match-winner after scoring the decisive goal in the previous round against TImbers2.

Benson celebrated the win with his teammates, all of whom called him over for the team photo in front of the scoreboard as he carried his son in his hands with him.

“To me this is more than just a team, it’s a big family,” Benson said. “I’m so happy and proud to be a part of this. It’s not easy to get on a bus and travel five hours to beat such a tough team. It’s been nothing but joy for me since this team opened its doors to me.”

Regardless of picking up a win over Fuego FC head coach and former USMNT standout Jermaine Jones, El Farolito head coach Santiago Lopez expressed how grateful he is to lead his team to victory in the tournament.

“I’m very honored to be a part of the US Open Cup and be involved with this group,” Lopez said. “Jermaine Jones is a great coach. Regardless if it was him or someone else we still have to compete, and I wish him all the luck in the world.” 

It’s the club’s first time in the Third Round in the Modern Era of the US Open Cup.

2024 US Open Cup Round 2: Charlotte Independence survive PK shootout with upset-minded SCU Heat

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Charlotte Independence players celebrate after a penalty kick win over South Carolina United in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Photos by Laura Stroud
Charlotte Independence players celebrate after a penalty kick win over South Carolina United in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Photos by Laura Stroud

There was little to separate the two teams on the field Tuesday night in Charlotte in the Second Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The visiting South Carolina United Heat (UPSL) and the host Charlotte Independence (USL League One) played to a dramatic scoreless draw through 120 minutes that could only be broken by the strong right hand of Independence keeper Austin Pack in the fifth round of penalty kicks.

The South Carolina amateur side was looking for another road Cupset in North Carolina after they had knocked out Crown Legacy FC in the first round just two weeks ago.  The North Carolina pros were dealing with several injuries in their team selection and these changes disrupted the rhythm and circulation of the team.

“It was a hard night and they (SCU Heat) gave us a very good game,” said Independence head coach Mike Jefferies. “They were super organized. We were prepared in terms of what we expected from them, but I don’t think we were strong enough mentally going into the game. I thought we were casual with the first half, not sharp, let the game drift, and played at their tempo too much.”

The first half of the match saw both teams unable to find the final, quality ball in the attacking third resulting in mis-timed connections and errant shots from distance.  The Independence enjoyed a 2-to-1 edge in possession on the evening but this ball control wasn’t in the attacking half and never translated into dangerous chances inside the Heat penalty box.  The Heat were very organized defensively with large numbers behind the ball and the visitors were content to absorb the pressure and then break out on a quick counter when the moment arrived.

The second half saw the best chances in the run of play from both teams as the Heat in the 55th minute produced a wild scramble in a crowded Independence box that had Pack charging off his line blocking two Heat shots around the penalty spot.  The Independence in the 73rd minute after some quick combination play had a shot from the top of the box rattle off the bar to keep the score at 0-0.

During extra time both teams were searching for a long-range winner but none of these hopeful shots could find a way through the concentrated defensive blocks guarding their goals.  Both teams had emptied the tank over the 120 minutes played and two exhausted teams went to the spot to decide who advances into the third round.

SCU Heat kicked first and converted their penalty despite Austin Pack getting a touch to the ball in the Charlotte net. 

Zach Rowell then made a diving save for the Heat punching away the stutter-step Independence effort to give them the advantage.

Both players made the second penalty to make the score 2-1 Heat after two rounds.

The third Heat kicker slipped at the time of his penalty and Pack dove to the left and turned the stray ball away. Charlotte converted their third kick and it was knotted 2-2 after three kicks.

Both teams netted the fourth penalty to set up the final deciding moment of the match. 

Austin Pack waited for the left-footed Heat kicker to open his hips and then Pack dove confidently to his right to flip the advantage to Charlotte.  The final, penalty-winning kick was hammered high into the net by Charlotte defender Fabrice Ngah to send them through to the third round.

It was a very muted celebration as Ngah embraced Pack and his teammates after this exhausting match.  The Charlotte Independence now await Thursday’s Third Round draw to see which USL Championship side they face in couple of weeks.

In their Lamar Hunt US Open Cup debut the UPSL amateur side SCU Heat posted a 1-0-1 record recording two shutouts against professional opponents. The victory over MLS NEXT Pro Crown Legacy 1-0 and the draw versus USL One Charlotte Independence 0-0 are exactly the type results Heat head coach Asher Quave-Robinson prepares his side to deliver.  The Heat were on a mission to be “more than just a UPSL team” when they take the field. A solid debut and clever warmup shirt from the “drywall installers and substitute teachers” in the 2024 US Open Cup.

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