With the Semifinals of the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup approaching in a few days, the road to the 2027 US Open Cup already got under way over the weekend. The opening round of the Open Division Local Qualifying tournament for the 2027 competition kicked off with 26 games and one more that was postponed.
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The 26 winners have advanced to the Second Round which is scheduled to take place the weekend of Oct. 3-4.
The game between Potros FC (UPSL) and Buckhead SC (APSL) was supposed to kick off the qualifying tournament on Sept. 12 but heavy rain caused flooding at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Ga. The game has been moved to Sept. 19 at the same location.
Below you will find a brief summary of every game of the First Round.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
DC Hyper (UPSL)
3:0
Oranje FC (DC Premier Lg.)
Prince George Community College – Largo, MD
Match Broadcast (YouTube)
By Christian Collins
DC Hyper played a strong 3-0 win over Oranje FC for its first-ever US Open Cup qualifying victory on a cloudy afternoon in Prince George’s County, Md.
Though the scoreline was lopsided, Oranje FC generated a strong amount of goal scoring opportunities and hit the post twice, but struggled mightily after going down a man in the 55th minute after a straight red card.
DC Hyper’s attack was consistently generating high-quality opportunities throughout the game, with the defense maintaining a clear sheet despite Oranje FC being able to hold large shares of possession and generating scoring chances of their own. Oranje FC goalkeeper Daniel Ordaz was frequently called upon to make saves, while Donatos Ndjami Ngcock was often dangerous attacking DC Hyper’s right side.
The first half started with a quick goal from DC Hyper in under three minutes, with Lucas Telles converting a close-range shot following the very first corner kick of the game. Despite the early concession, Oranje FC held the lion’s share of possession until DC Hyper scored again in the 15th minute. Waylon Vinicius made a quick run through Oranje FC’s defense and forced a save from Daniel Ordaz, but Gabriel Medina put his leg in the way of the Oranje FC clearance attempt just in time to deflect the ball into the net.
Oranje FC’s day went from bad to worse during the second half. After thinking they scored in the 54th minute in a moment of chaos following a corner, the goal was waved off by the referee for a foul in the box leading to Nathanael Eggleston loudly voicing his displeasure at the official. The very next minute, DC Hyper scored their third goal after captain Luiz Garcia was played through the right side of the box and calmly converted his shot past Ordaz. Eggleston received a straight red card during the goal celebrations after continuing a profanity-laced tirade for the earlier disallowed goal. The game from there fizzled out as both sides had limited subs available, with DC Hyper failing to convert a number of follow-up chances while Oranje FC struggled to generate many opportunities with only 10 men.
Naples United FC (SCL)
5:1
SWFL SC (UPSL)
Seacrest Country Day School – Naples, FL
By Michael Anderer
It was a battle for Southwest Florida supremacy as Naples United FC defeated the newly-formed SWFL SC, 5-1, in the first meeting between the two sides. SWFL SC fielded a weakened roster as four of its key players did not qualify for the Open Cup due to recent US immigration policy changes regarding Haitian refugees. Naples United FC faced their own challenges as weather in the area limited their practice availability coming into the matchup. Naples United’s roster included two recent USL League One players from the inaugural season of FC Naples, in midfielder Chris Heckenberg and defender Gustavo Fernandes.
Both teams showed poise and confidence moving the ball and playing out of pressure in the early minutes of the game. In the 15th minute, Naples opened the scoring as Heckenberg laid a ball outside to Xavier Rimple. The former University of Pennsylvania standout cut inside and placed a strong strike into the bottom near corner past the dive of SWFL’s David Charlotin for a 1-0 lead.
Trailing early in the game was not the only challenge for SWFL as one of their starting midfielders, David Alexander, was forced to leave the game with a leg injury in the 18th minute. Six minutes later, United captain Jonathan Gonzalez doubled the lead with his first of two goals.
Luck was clearly against SWFL as a save off a corner kick bounced off defender Dyvenson Decime for an own goal in the 30th minute. The home side took a comfortable 3-0 lead into the halftime break. Naples United FC’s coach, Vicente Sandoval, made his first change during the intermission replacing Gustavo Fernandes with Julio Da Costa De Silva.
Knowing their Open Cup run would end with a loss, SWFL SC pushed the game forward and challenged United’s defense but ultimately the risk exposed the SWFL defense. In the 80th minute they conceded a penalty with a tackle at the top of the box. Jonathan Gonzalez coolly stepped up and bested Charlotin with a firm shot down the middle from the spot to make it 4-0.
SWFL SC got a late goal in the 84th minute from their captain, Juan Garcia to bring the score to 4-1, but the celebration would not last long as the homeside netted its fifth and final goal as substitute Gabriel Pisotoni De Oliveira picked up a loose ball in the midfield and blast it into the top corner to seal the game in stoppage time.
“The team played well, they came together when they needed to,” said Naples United FC’s General Manager, Felipe Pereira. “We have a competitive team and we’re excited about the next round.”
“It was an incredible win, our first win this year in the Open Cup,” said Naples goalkeeper Maykell Ortega. He added that, “unity and playing as a team, playing simple and being creative when they had to,” were keys to dominating the first battle of the region.
Florida Island United FC (UPSL)
2:3
Boca Jrs Miami FC (UPSL)
Oak Grove Park – Miami, FL
By Michael Battista
Boca Jrs Miami FC downed Florida Island United FC, 3-2, in the First Qualifying Round of the 2027 US Open Cup.
Boca got on the board early when Douglas Silveira opened the scoring in the sixth minute. He notched a brace midway through the first half, scoring in the 35th minute to make it 2-0.
It wasn’t smooth sailing for Boca however. Goalkeeper Jonathan Gleason was shown a straight red card in the 20th minute, meaning a backup keeper needed to take his place. The man advantage didn’t last for Island United though, as they saw a player sent off with a red in the 30th minute as well. The game stayed 10 vs. 10 for the remainder of the match.
In the second half, Miami was graced by a goal from Leonel Milano in the 65th to make it 3-0. The three goals were just enough, holding back Island United after Florida scored two goals through 90 minutes, though they never led or were able to even tie the score.
United’s inaugural USOC campaign comes to a disappointing end for a side that reached a conference final in the UPSL last season. Miami is ahead of their previous USOC run, with its inaugural campaign ending in one match after a 3-0 loss to Miami United FC.
Croatia Cleveland (NCSL)
1:1
Steel City FC (USL-2)
Mentor HS – Mentor, OH
Steel City wins 4-3 on penalties
Match Broadcast (YouTube)
By Tim Abbott
It took longer than they probably expected, but USL League Two Central Conference Semifinalist Steel City FC advanced in the playoffs at the expense of Open Cup veterans Croatia Cleveland for the second year in a row, winning 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Croatia took the lead against the run of play through Marco Valentic just before halftime after stealing a clearance by Steel City goalkeeper Garret Watson, then outmaneuvering a Steel City defender to beat Watson.
The visitors only took two minutes after halftime to level the score through Sam Boehm. After stealing the ball at midfield, Nathan Prex dished off to Boehm who placed a shot just inside the post that left Croatia goalkeeper Marjio Musa frozen.
Steel City dominated extra time without breaking through, as Watson started the penalty shootout on the right foot by saving the opening attempt by Croatia’s Marco Valentic. Each team then converted their remaining PKs. After each team made their next three, Croatia goalkeeper Marjio Musa stepped up to the spot, but his shot was saved by Watson. On Steel City’s final shot, Gabriel Norris converted to put his club into the next round.
PK Shootout summary
Croatia – Marco Valentic (SV), Ben Truax (G), Michael Derezic (G), Danny Kalic (G), Marijo Musa (SV)
Steel City – Nicholas Graeca (G), Anass Hadran (G), Cameron Territo (G), Owen Christopher (SV), Gabriel Norris (G)
Bowleys Athletic (UPSL)
4:1
MSI (UPSL)
Eastern Regional Park – Middle River, MD
Match Broadcast (YouTube)
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
Bowleys Athletic made a statement in their Open Cup qualifying debut, cruising past their UPSL DMV North rivals MSI, 4-1.
Bryson Baker put Bowleys up 1-0 in the 8th minute after Peter Gansallo connected with him at the top of the penalty area. Bowleys extended the lead to 3-0 before halftime. In the 31st minute Blake Hoskins was brought down in the box after a pass from Gansallo, and Greg Adams stepped up to convert the spot kick. Three minutes later Adams fed Baker on a breakaway for Bowleys’ third goal.
Just after the break, MSI put themselves back in the game when Fomujang Chunga headed in a long pass to make it 3-1. Bowleys made the MSI comeback a short one when in the 69th minute Adams scored his second goal off a volley from Chee-Behn Wesseh, putting Bowleys up 4-1. The loss stops MSI’s bid of repeating last year’s run in which they reached the Final Round of qualifying before falling to Virginia Dream 2-0 after extra time.
Florida Badgers FC (UPSL)
1:0
Red Force FC (PFL)
Broward College – Pembroke Pines, FL
Match Broadcast (YouTube)
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
In a battle of 2026 Open Cup qualifiers, the UPSL’s Florida Badgers needed a single goal to end Red Force FC’s bid for a 6th Open Cup appearance. Florida won the game 1-0 in Pembroke Pines, Fla.
After a scoreless opening half Dave Don blasted a shot from the top corner of the penalty area, leaving the Red Force goalkeeper motionless. Don recorded an assist in the Badgers near-upset of the Charleston Battery in the 2026 First Round this past March.
Badgers goalkeeper Marc Barthelmy picked up the clean sheet and was also in goal in the game versus the Battery. The loss ends Red Force’s two-year streak of reaching the final qualifying round, while the Badgers move on in an attempt to return to the Open Cup after their debut in 2026.
Swarm FC (USL-2)
5:0
Prima FC (APSL)
Marathon Soccer Park – Austell, GA
Match Broadcast (YouTube)
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
In a battle of two clubs making their qualifying debut, Swarm FC of USL League Two dominated Prima FC of the APSL, 5-0.
Swarm jumped in front after 15 minutes on an own goal from Prima when a pass deflected off a defender and into the goal. Three minutes later, the lead grew to 2-0 when Daniel DeLeon buried a shot from the top of the penalty area. As stoppage time began at the end of the first half Rodrigo Lopez streaked past a couple Prima defenders and scored after his initial shot was blocked.
Handicapped by playing with no players on its bench, Prima was shown no mercy from the USL League Two side. In the 68th minute, second-half sub Matheus Brandao blasted a shot from about 25 yards out to make it 4-0 Swarm. The final nail in the coffin came at 75 minutes when Segun Afolabi snuck a shot between the legs of Prime goalkeeper Mitchell Barry.
Lansdowne Yonkers FC (APSL)
1:0
New York Athletic Club (APSL)
Tibbetts Park – Yonkers, NY
Match Broadcast (YouTube)
By Dave Einhorn
Lansdowne Yonkers defeated New York Athletic Club 1-0 on Saturday night in the opening round of the 2027 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. The game was deadlocked at 0-0 for much of the match. Both clubs had opportunities on breakaways, and each keeper made tremendous saves.
In the end, it was Seamus Keogh’s free kick that separated the two sides. It started with Musa Bala Danso’s distraction as he stood near the four-man wall in front of the New York Athletic’s goalkeeper, player and manager Vasilios Dimopoulos. Keogh placed his shot perfectly where Danso had been standing, and thus Dimopoulos went the wrong way and was tricked into letting it fly in untouched.
“I think I was fortunate that it went on target. I think we probably deserved it, but I don’t think we were anywhere up to our standards,” said goal scorer Seamus Keogh after the match.
Temecula FC (UPSL)
5:0
Problems FC (NISA Nation)
Chaparral HS – Temecula, CA
Match Broadcast (YouTube)
By Myles Hartwell
A very one-sided match saw Temecula FC cruise past Problems FC to keep the club’s qualifying dreams alive in a 5-0 win. Temecula dominated possession from the jump. All that time on the ball paid off with an early screamer of a goal from Beto Renteria in the sixth minute. The dominance continued throughout the first half.
In the 16th minute, Diego Valle made it 2-0 with a miraculous goal straight from a throw-in. Valle ended the first half with another goal to complete his brace and a 3-0 advantage.
Throughout the first half, the gap in quality was clear. Problems FC just couldn’t get a foothold in the game. They couldn’t retain possession and get out of their own half. Temecula’s press was relentless. Problems had to resort to the long ball, but even that couldn’t solve their on the ball issues. The second half was more of the same. Temecula kept up their press and Problems couldn’t figure out how to break it. Hoofing long balls to the halfway line wasn’t cutting it. The severe lack of ball retention plagued Problems for the rest of the match. Misplaced passes and mistakes in their own half did not help their efforts.
Frustration set in for Problems. Fouls became more frequent in the second half. It eventually boiled over with a red card for Problem’s Anthony Caudillo. Once Problems went down to 10 men, it truly felt like the game had fully passed them by. All their fight and willingness to attack was gone. Temecula bagged two more goals in the second half via Noah Mabra and Ronaldo Fernandez.
Temecula was on a different level as Valle was the standout player. On top of his two goals, his creativity and work off the ball did not go unnoticed. Overall, a very imposing performance to build from as Temecula FC looks to overcome their 2024 heartbreak to reach the US Open Cup for the first time.
Chicago Strikers (UPSL)
1:1
Ethos United (UPSL)
Marmion Academy – Aurora, IL
Ethos United advances, 4-3 on penalty kicks
Match Broadcast (YouTube)
By Tom Arnison
It took Kicks from the Spot for Ethos United to advance past fellow UPSL Midwest Conference opponent Chicago Strikers in Round 1 of Open Division Qualifying.
Ethos would take the lead early in the contest after the ball took a weird bounce off the turf and struck a Strikers defender’s hand inside their own box. Forward Enrique Gudino would send the Strikers’ keeper the wrong way to put his side up 1-0. Continuing to press, Ethos would mount the pressure and create roughly twice as many attacking chances as the Strikers.
Momentum would shift briefly in the 20th minute when Strikers midfielder Parker Gawne would steal the ball in his offensive half. With a 4-on-2 breakaway, Gawne would feed left-winger Dominick Godde into the box. Gawne took one touch inside to create a better angle before curling the ball past the Ethos keeper and into the top right corner of the goal.
Ethos keeper Alex Ortiz would make a big save in the 27th minute, denying the Strikers’ right-winger with his feet from close range. The follow-up shot would be blocked by a defender before being cleared to safety.
Ethos’ early dominance would disappear in the second half with the game tied at 1-1. Parker Gawne and fellow midfielder Sergio Reyes would refine their tiki-taka approach, providing their side with the bulk of possession in the second half. Both sides served up plenty of crosses, but few resulted in any real chances. The match would head to extra time.
With tired legs on both sides, it would be the substitutes who provided some spark in the final 30 minutes. Strikers forward Danny Al-Fanek would provide good hold-up play for his side and nearly get on the end of a few crosses sent into the box. Ethos substitute left-winger Bryan Alvarez would provide pace down the touchline, putting Strikers defender Ryan Barry on skates on more than one occasion. Neither was able to give their side the lead, so the game would head to Kicks from the Spot to determine a winner.
The Strikers would shoot first in the shootout, but fail to capitalize. Sergio Reyes would shoot to Alex Ortiz’s right, with Ortiz making a fantastic diving save at full extension to give his side the advantage. Ortiz would also save the Strikers’ fourth kick, parrying the ball up into the air with an extended leg. After looping in the air, the ball would hit the turf and bounce backward toward the net, only to hit the post before falling behind the net. The final score of the shootout would be 4-3 in favor of Ethos.
STG Premier FC (SWPL)
5:0
Be Pro FC (SWPL)
Snow Canyon HS – St. George, UT
By Jim Coppock
In a battle of Open Cup debutantes, STG Premier FC and BePro FC, both from the Southwest Premier League, met in St. George, Utah Saturday evening. Hosts STG Premier are coming off a solid Spring season, finishing with 7-3-0 with one of those losses by forfeit to BePro FC. This match ended up a one-sided affair as STG Premier raced out to a 4-0 halftime lead en route to a 5-0 win.
Alvaro “Tito” Garcia got his side in front in the ninth minute from a loose ball in front. Issa Hamed Kone was 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper but lost possession. The ball found Garcia for the 1-0 lead and the first of his two goals.
Zack Trimming was the beneficiary of a parried ball from a Tyson Nguyen free kick to make it 2-0 in the 33rd; the first of his two goals. The last five minutes of the half saw the game get put out of reach. Garcia got his second goal in the 40th minute. Trimming settled a long ball out of the back and found Garcia who was running at goal to make it three. In the 44th, Kone ran onto a ball at the left post, outrunning a BePro defender and the goalkeeper, to tap home for 4-0 at the break.
Trimming completed his brace in the 50th minute from a long ball by Daniel Brubaker to make it 5-0. The rest of the game was a back and forth ground battle, but no serious chances by either side. BePro went down to 10 men in the 82nd, when Juan Luis Sanchez was shown red, but the hill was already much too big to climb for the visitors.
Sin City FC (NISA Nation)
2:1
Las Vegas United FC (SWPL)
Mater Academy East – Las Vegas, NV
Match Broadcast (YouTube)
By Connor Bunnell
Saturday night ended in a battle of Open Cup qualifying debutantes, as NISA Nation side Sin City came down from suburban North Las Vegas into the city proper and took out the Southwest Premier League’s Las Vegas United, 2-1.
After a mostly unproductive first half in both directions, Sin City broke through first, with Frederico setting up Roberto Soto in the 43rd minute. United responded by storming out of the gate in the second half and forcing some close calls, which paid off in the form of a penalty earned in the 62nd minute. Three minutes later, Lamar Hayes successfully kicked it in, putting the Villarreal Academy LV affiliates back on level terms.
However, that itself only lasted another three minutes before Frederico found Soto again, doubling their respective assist and goal tallies for the night as Sin City got back in front. Despite Marthyn Herrera earning a red card in the 90th, forcing the suburbanites to knuckle down through stoppage time, the score held and Sin City advanced.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
Peachtree FC (APSL)
4:5
Kalonji Pro-Profile (UPSL)
Mount Paran Christian School – Kennesaw, GA
Match Broadcast (YouTube)
By Tim Abbott
In this metro Atlanta derby, it was the club from Gwinnett County that advanced from a back-and-forth slugfest, seeking to continue their journey towards a second consecutive US Open Cup berth.
Defense was optional. Kalonji Pro Profile scored first in the 7th minute with Zain W Hylton scoring the first of his four goals on the day. It was the second time he reached the mark in two matches. Pedro Marinho equalized for Peachtree in the 20th minute and then put his team ahead 10 minutes later.
Hylton equalized for KPP in the second minute of first half stoppage time to send the game deadlocked into the halftime break.
Hylton’s hat trick arrived, and with it another Kalonji lead, in the 65th minute. Only two minutes later it was 4-2 when Hylton scored his fourth. Peachtree FC pulled within one in the 77th minute but Savik Morton scored Kalonji’s fifth and final goal. PFC made it 5-4 from the penalty spot in the 85th minute but that’s as close as they would get in the first round’s 9-goal thriller..
Southern Indiana Guardians FC (UPSL)
1:3
Mockingbird Valley Premier (OVPL)
Woehrle Athletic Complex – Jeffersonville, IN
After Extra Time
Match Broadcast (YouTube)
By Zach Allen-Kelly
Mockingbird Valley Premier crossed the river to bring home a 3-1 extra time win in their first-ever Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifying appearance Sunday against Southern Indiana Guardians.
The game started with a flurry of activity for the 2026 Ohio Valley Premier League champions, who were denied by the crossbar twice in the opening 20 minutes. In what would be a theme for the night, the Guardians responded with a quick counter attack in the 21st minute, but the first shot of the afternoon for the home team was a bit wide.
A 39th minute penalty kick goal from former Louisville City wing Richard Ballard gave Mockingbird Valley the first lead of the night. The lead was short lived though, with the Guardians equalizing only two minutes later on a quick strike from forward Maximus LeRoy.
The game entered halftime even at 1-1 and not much would change in the next 45 minutes. Mockingbird Valley continued to control possession, but were unable to break through the Guardians defense in the final third, and the home team were quick to capitalize on any Mockingbird mistakes with a counter. In the end, defense won the day in the second half, with the 1-1 scoreline holding through the end of regulation and sending the game to extra time to determine who would make it to the next round.
After playing the first 90 minutes to a stalemate, Mockingbird was able to quickly put the game away in extra time with a pair of goals in the 91st and 96th minutes from Igor Ibrahimovic and Dylan Tufty. Guardians fought hard but the two goal lead was too much for the Jeffersonville side to overcome, sending Mockingbird on to the next round of qualification with a 3-1 victory.
Five Rivers SC (UPSL)
1:4
SC Vistula Garfield (APSL)
Joseph Medwick Park – Carteret, NJ
Match Broadcast (YouTube)
By Michael Battista
Four unanswered goals in the second half propelled SC Vistula Garfield past Five Rivers SC, 4-1, and into the Second Qualifying Round. On a humid evening in Carteret, playing on top of a sweltering artificial turf in front of just under 60 fans (57 total), the Polish heritage side overcame a much younger, hungrier group in a game that included a DJ blasting music in a public sports complex. The side from the American Premier Soccer League is one step closer to returning to the US Open Cup, after a solid performance earlier this year in a Round 1 defeat to One Knoxville.
Things didn’t start well for Vistula, who had players arriving late for the game. The team started the match with 10 men, as their eleventh, Emiland Elezaj, sprinted across the pitch just as the opening half was about to kick off (He entered in the fourth minute). That man advantage and their opponent’s weak warmup allowed Five Rivers to take early control of the match. While things settled, the home side still pulled ahead in the 40th minute thanks to a Corrado Carbone Jr. goal from right in front of the net.
After a passionate halftime heater from some of the players, Vistula turned it on. A foul in the Fall River box sent Elezaj to the spot in the 67th (hand motion), allowing him to convert and make it 1-1. Two minutes later in the 69th minute, a throw-in by Vistula made its way into the box where Gabriel Costa pulled off a sensational bicycle kick to score and put his team ahead, 2-1.
Five Rivers pushed their lines up looking for an equalizer but that allowed Garfield the chance to seal it. Goals in the 86th and the second minute of stoppage time by John McGeechan and Martin Czovek, respectively, put the game out of reach for the home side.
“It’s a huge confidence boost,” player coach Christopher Karcz said after the game. “The past few years, historically, we’ve kind of gotten off to a slower start than normal. You saw today, it kind of happened in the first half, but, a real great second half, fighting coming down from 1-0. Like a game that really matters – you know, one loss and you’re done.
“(The guys) showed great, great character, some quality in the second half, so yeah, amazing, amazing boost for our confidence.”
Highlight
Arlington SA Pro (UPSL)
0:2
Virginia Dream FC (UPSL)
Thomas Jefferson HS – Alexandria, VA
Match Broadcast (YouTube)
By Evan Konigsberg
Virginia Dream continued its recent dominance in US Open Cup qualifying on Sunday night, defeating Arlington SA Pro 2-0 in a battle of UPSL teams. The win was the Dream’s sixth win from six US Open Cup Qualifying Round matches.
Virginia cashed in from a set piece early in the first half. A deep free kick from Diarra Zoumana found Jake Campbell who headed home to give Dream a 1-0 lead. The visitors kept Arlington at bay for the rest of the first half.
Dream doubled the lead in the 73rd minute after a bit of controversy. The ball went out wide, and Arlington defenders pulled up thinking the ball had gone out of bounds. The linesman did not raise his flag and Dream played on, scoring from the chance they went on to create. Emmanuel Akinkoye received a lay off from Zoumana, finishing off the post and in to double the lead as they held on to the clean sheet.
Akron City FC (USL-2)
4:3
Lorain County Leviathan FC (USL-2)
ForeFront Field – Avon, OH
Match Broadcast (YouTube)
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
In a battle of USL League Two Great Forest division rivals, Akron City seemed to end the game before it started, only to see the Lorain County Leviathan stage a near comeback.
Akron City wasted no time in putting Lorain County in a deep hole, racing out to a 2-0 lead on a pair of goals from Tamas Nagy. Thirty seconds into the game, Lazar Ivanis stole the ball from a Leviathan defender then sent a pass into the middle of the box for Nagy to easily beat goalkeeper Zoltan Nagy, Just three minutes later, Jannis Schmidt dribbled into the box with multiple Leviathan defenders around him and managed to pass to Nagy for his second goal in three minutes. In an interesting twist, Leviathan goalkeeper Zoltan Nagy is Tamas’ brother and both played with the NPSL’s Cleveland SC in 2025. Akron extended its advantage to 3-0 when Ali Alomari slipped a shot past a sprawling Nagy, who got a touch on the ball but could not stop the shot
In the 61st minute, Lorain County began its comeback when Ryan Sommerfield stole a pass in the Akron City end and found a streaking Julien Freeman who shot past goalkeeper Paval Majerle. Tamas Nagy had a golden opportunity for goal #3 in the 66th minute when he found himself one-on-one with his brother Zoltan, but stumbled before he could get a shot off. In the 73rd minute, the lead was cut to 3-2 when Landon Kuhn received a pass that kept him just onside and Kuhn was able to easily put a shot in goal.
Freeman almost had the equalizer for Lorain County in the 77th minute when he found himself one-on-one with Majerle, but Freeman’s shot went straight at the goalkeeper. In the 81st minute, the Leviathan had a close call followed by disaster. Akron’s Julio Espinoza got past a charging Zoltan Nagy, and his header seemed destined to cross the goal line until defender Elek McDonald was able to make a sliding clearance. On the ensuing throw-in, Ali Alomari managed to dribble across the penalty area and slot home a shot to make it 4-2.
Unwilling to concede defeat. Lorain County clawed back yet again in the 87th minute when Freeman received a through ball that kept him onside and got his shot past sliding Majerle. In the end it was too little too late as the clock ran down on Lorain County’s efforts to find an equalizer and force extra time. For the second year in a row, Akron City advanced past their opening game.
Doradus FC (UPSL)
2:1
Northern Virginia FC (APSL)
West Springfield HS – West Springfield, VA
Match Broadcast (YouTube)
By Clement Williams
On a wet night in West Springfield, the UPSL’s Doradus FC and APSL’s Northern Virginia FC battled through a back-and-forth and often contentious intrastate US Open Cup qualifier.
Torrential pre-game rain gave way to a rainbow just before kickoff, and yet, the turf’s wet condition continued to set the stage for the thrills and spills we would see across the 120 minutes of regular and extra time.
NoVa FC tended to control possession from the back and through the midfield. On the other end, Doradus FC’s direct play, particularly through their right winger and captain Collins Frimpong, continually kept the visitors’ defense occupied.
As far as difference-makers, Eleven was apparently the lucky number on the day. Both sides’ number 11s scored the goals and were instrumental to their team’s respective attacks.
It was the aforementioned Doradus #11, Collins Frimpong, who opened the scoring, albeit against the run of play. His impressive run down the right wing was topped off with a clinical finish. Meanwhile, after a few NoVa chances went uncapitalized, a tough tackle in the box yielded a penalty, at the cost of sidelining NoVa’s Alton West. It was then #11 and continual dangerman Gyuwon Chong who leveled the score from the corresponding spot kick.
Thereafter, there proved not much to split the two sides. The second half’s assorted fouls, injuries, substitutions, and various controversies proved enough to carry the tense affair into extra time.
Some remarked it seemed inevitable the game would come down to penalties, a prophecy that proved at least half-true, when five minutes into extra time, NoVa FC keeper Theodore Kolasky had no chance but to bring down Doradus’ counter-attacking forward David Cole. Frimpong, Doradus’ captain, dispatched the corresponding penalty to top off an impressive performance: one unfortunately punctuated with acute cramping towards the final whistle after his 100+ prior minutes of hard running.
NoVa FC will go home feeling perhaps a little hard done by, having had so many unrealized opportunities: most notably, a disallowed bicycle kick. In the end, however, it was ultimately Doradus’ determination that got them over the line and into the next round.
Tennessee United SC (UPSL)
0:6
Tennessee Tempo FC (UPSL)
Drakes Creek Park – Hendersonville, TN
By Josh Hakala
The battle of Tennessee in the opening round of the Open Division qualifying tournament for the 2027 US Open Cup was a one-sided affair. Tennessee Tempo FC defeated Tennessee United 6-0 in Hendersonville.
Tempo FC didn’t take long to take control of the match. About 15 minutes in, Omarian Obrian delivered a corner kick and Medina Scarlett scored at the near post. Not long after, Mario Rodriguez made a run down the left wing, cut inside to the right and beat the goalkeeper just inside the near post to give Tempo FC a 2-0 lead.
Obrian would score a very similar goal to give his team a three-goal lead around the 33rd minute, followed by a half-volley from about 30 yards out by Mike Rozkhov.
After halftime, Nico Riveros chested a ball down to a volley outside the box. Mario Rodriguez would add his second goal to round out the scoring.
With the win, Tempo FC advances to the next round as the 2026 UPSL Spring champions seek to qualify for the US Open Cup for the second straight year.
UFA Lawrenceville (UPSL)
0:6
Terminus FC (ADASL)
Rhodes Jordan Park – Lawrenceville, GA
By Josh Hakala
Terminus FC earned their first US Open Cup qualifying win in three tries with a 6-0 victory over UFA Lawrenceville.
Akani Agbaje opened the scoring for Terminus with two goals in the first 34 minutes (9’, 34’). Colin Vogel added a third in the 37th minute as the visitors went into the halftime break with a 3-0 lead.
Jean Malilo would put the game away in the second half with a hat trick.
Timbers SC (MPL)
0:6
FC Denver (CPL)
David A. Lorenz Regional Park – Highlands Ranch, CO
By Ian McClintock
FC Denver turned a tight opening-round contest into a rout Sunday night, defeating Timbers SC 6-0 in the first round of the 2027 US Open Cup qualifying tournament.
The match shifted decisively in the 36th minute when the Timbers goalkeeper was shown a red card, leaving his side to play the remainder of the night with 10 men. FC Denver capitalized just before halftime as Roque Flores broke through in the second minute of stoppage time, sending Denver into the break with a 1-0 advantage.
The floodgates opened almost immediately after the restart. Marko Isakovic doubled Denver’s lead in the 47th before Lorenz Hoover made it 3-0 nine minutes later. Joshua Guzman joined the scoring in the 72nd minute, then struck again in the 80th minute to complete his brace and put the result beyond doubt.
Hoover added his second goal in the 89th minute, completing a six-goal performance that sent FC Denver comfortably into the next round of qualifying. Denver maintained its composure after the pivotal red card, pairing a clean sheet with five second-half goals in a commanding start to its US Open Cup journey as the club seeks a third trip to the competition and the first since 2019.
Osner’s FC (UPSL)
3:2
American Soccer Club NY (NPSL)
Floyd Bennett Sports Complex – Brooklyn, NY
Match Broadcast (YouTube)
By Connor Bunnell
After a valiant back-and-forth Brooklyn brawl, UPSL side Osner’s FC emerged victorious in a 3-2 result over NPSL side American Soccer Club NY.
There was plenty of action from the jump, including a near clearance-turned-goal moment in the 11th, but the first breakthrough came in the 27th minute when an Osner’s free kick by Haitian defender Denilson Pierre deflected into the net. Nine minutes later, American deployed a mix of speed, power, and placement to level it again, keeping things where they’d be for the rest of the first half.
In the 56th, Osner’s took the lead once again with a rocket of a strike towards the far post by Sully Corneille. But they’d enjoy that lead for only four minutes, as American scored a free kick of their own, this one going in by itself. The deadlock held for most of the rest of the half, with some heroic work from ASC’s man in net, but in the 86th minute, another Osner’s banger, this time by Joel Favard, went past, the near post, and that proved to be the game winner.
Yinz United (SSL)
10:1
Patuxent FA (APSL)
Langley HS – McLean, VA
Match Broadcast (YouTube)
By Jim Coppock
Yinz United hosted Patuxent FA on Sunday in McLean, Va. with both teams taking part in their third qualifying attempt. It would be the hosts who would continue on to the next round, powered by Hamza Moosvi and his five-goal performance in a 10-1 victory. After kickoff was delayed by 38 minutes, the teams took their allotted 15 minutes of warm up and lined up, just to have the lights fail. The lights needed 15 minutes to cool down before relighting.
Hamza Moosvi started the night off with a 24-minute first half hat trick. His first in the 9th minute from a short tap-in, assisted by Fares Tello. The second in the 23rd minute, another tap in, this time from Malik Thom. His first half scoring would finish nine minutes later from the penalty spot after Malik Thom was brought down by the Patuxent Keeper, David Pawlowski. Malik Thom rounded out the scoring in the 42nd minute. Patuxent’s Ralph Garner misplayed a ball in front of his own goal, Thom raced in and slotted it home for the four-goal buffer. It was one-way traffic from there on.
Halftime sub, Jeff Rosenberg, made an immediate impact with a goal and an assist in the first five minutes of the second half. Not before, however, Patuxent put a scare into the hosts, scoring 50 seconds after the restart. Tesfaye Solomon headed home a cross from Abdul-Kadril Adeniji Jr.to cut the deficit to three. Just over two minutes later, Rosenberg raced up the left side and fed Hamza Moosvi at the back post for his fourth goal. Just 73 seconds later, Rosenberg ran on to a bouncing ball that split the Patuxent defense in half, to chip the keeper from the edge of the penalty area and make the score 6-1. Jose Noriega tallied in the 57th on a 29-yard chip shot from Jake Bannon for 7-1.
Rosenberg got his second assist of the night when he again fed Moosvi for his fifth goal, in the 60th minute, a carbon copy of the 49th minute goal to make it 8-1. Viktor Petrusevski came off the bench and added two goals in the 75th and the 87th. The first a 60-yard run and pretty, bending, low shot after receiving from Michael Kozlovski to go 9-1 up. The nightcap goal came from a breakaway. Moosvi received a pass out of the back, but the keeper forced his run wide. A quick look up saw Petrusevski wide open in front of goal, Moosvi’s pass was tucked away for a 10-1 final score.
Hamza Moosvi had 5 goals and an assist; Viktor Petrusevski had 2 goals and Jeff Rosenberg added a goal and 2 assists on the night. Patuxent is one and done for the third time in three attempts. David Pawlowski had 15 saves in a losing effort.
Shark Coast FC (USL-2)
2:1
FC Kanks (UPSL)
XL Lake Nona – Orlando, FL
By Taylor George
Shark Coast FC opened up its US Open Cup qualifying debut, edging FC Kanks 2-1 in a competitive first round matchup.
The Sharks wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. Around the fifth minute forward Adam Benrahou delivered a dangerous freekick to the backpost that Nathan Mansanto converted to give the Sharks an early lead. That advantage held through halftime, sending the Sharks up 1-0.
FC Kanks came out into the second half hungry and found an equalizer around the 50th minute when forward Blair Dorman found the back of the net to bring Kanks level.
The match turned scrappy as both teams worked for the winning goal and Wade Stinson emerged as Shark Coast’s hero. His goal in the final minutes of the match secured Shark Coast a memorable victory as they head into the second qualifying round.
StrikerZ DFW (DSA)
1:4
FORO SC (TLFC)
McKinney Boyd HS – McKinney, TX
Match Broadcast (YouTube)
By Josh Hakala (IN PROGRESS!)
FORO SC took the first step toward qualifying for the US Open Cup for the third time in club history with a 4-1 road win over StrikerZ DFW.
It was the home team took the lead in the 8th minute when they were gifted an own goal by Surafel Anks.
Late in the second half, FORO SC equalized, took the lead and ran away with the game. The Dallas-based club scored four straight goals to put themselves into the second round. Brayan Padilla tied the game in the 73rd minute on an assist by Jorge Delgado.
The loss is the third straight one-and-done appearance in the qualifying tournament for StrikerZ.
7:27 OG Surafel Anks
112:30 Brayan Padilla
A- Jorge Delgado
135:33 Sebastian Coronado
A- Brayan Padilla
137:33 Jacob Tekle
A- Daniel Escorcia
141:13 Rafael Rodriguez
A- Daniel Escorcia
Peak Eleven FC (MPL)
4:0
Colorado Rovers (CPL)
Pinnacle Athletic Complex – Thornton, CO
Match Broadcast (YouTube)
By Andrew Mosier
Peak Eleven FC advanced to the second round of US Open Cup qualifying for the second consecutive year on the strength of a Taylor Smyser brace in a 4-0 win Sunday night at a windswept Pinnacle Athletic Complex in Thornton, Colo.
Miguel Camorlinga and Joseph Mandevani added goals for Peak Eleven FC in the win.
Smyser put the host side up 1-0 in the 20th minute off a threaded pass from Mandevani which found Smyser streaking to the far post for his first of two goals on the night.
Camorlinga made it 2-0 in the 35th minute after pinballing into the Rovers penalty area, finishing to the far post from eight yards out.
Smyser tallied his second of the night in the 61st minute thanks to the hard work of Mandevani, who fought through a hard challenge to find Smyser unmarked in the right channel, who finished coolly to the far post for his brace.
Mandevani took advantage of the numbers Rangers were throwing forward in the final quarter of an hour, leading a two person counter attack with Smyser. Mandevani drew Rovers goalkeeper Ambrose Bryson off his line, deftly chipping from the top of the penalty area to put the game out of reach in the 74th minute.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
Potros FC (UPSL)
3:1
Buckhead SC (APSL)
Agnes Scott College – Decatur, GA
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
Match Broadcast (YouTube)
In the final match of the First Round, postponed from September 12 due the field at Agnes Scott College being too soggy, Potros FC came away 3-1 winners over Buckhead Sc of the American Premier Soccer League.
Potros got the scoring started in the 18th minute when Pedro Valenzuela fed Porfirio Carrasco-Diaz, who then lofted a 25-yard shot which caught the Buckhead goalkeeper off-guard. Just before halftime Potros doubled their lead, Valenzuela was the assist man again, finding Danny Moreira down the left side and then dribbled across the penalty area and placed a shot in the top right corner of the goal.
Buckhead wasted no time after the restart pulling themselves back into the game. In the 49th minute Daniel Duran Gonzalez collected the ball at midfield and sent a pass to a steaking Elad Khaleef Bogle, who touched it past onrushing Potros goalkeeper Cameron Verona, and placed his shot into an empty net.
Potros gave themselves some breathing room in the 80th minute. After a sequence where the ball pinballed in front of the Buckhead goal, Fidel Mba Nsi sent a long pass into the box for Marc “Dadynho” Bineau, who collected it and sent it post the Buckhead goalkeeper for a 3-1 lead.
Potros will face another Atlanta area APSL club in Terminus FC in the Second Round on October 4 at Marietta High School in Marietta, Georgia.
