Cupsets & Sunsets: #USOC2023 Second Round Rundown

Indy Eleven (USLC) 1, Michigan Stars FC (NISA) 1, 3-1 AET

Despite falling behind early, it was Indy Eleven who proved victorious against plucky underdogs Michigan Stars. The Stars struck first when Nebojsa Popovic hammered home a 33rd-minute goal. The lead didn’t last however, as Indy Eleven’s Harrison Robledo pulled back in the 59th minute, assisted by Solomon Asante. The game was even 1-1 at full time but, in the 92nd minute, Indy substitute Adrián Diz Pe put the ball away to give the USL Championship squad the 2-1 advantage. Juan Tejada added to the lead with a goal in stoppage time of the first half of extra time. The final 3-1 tally sends Indy Eleven into the Third Round of the Open Cup yet again.

 

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USLC) 1, Rochester New York FC (MLSNP) 0 (Forfeit)

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds automatically advanced to the Third Round after Rochester New York FC announced they were ceasing operations. The result is recorded as a 1-0 victory via forfeit in favor of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

 

Louisville City FC (USLC) 1, Lexington Sporting Club (USLL1) 0

The cleverly dubbed ‘El Blue Grassico’ went the way of Louisville City FC, as the Boys in Purple produced a second-half goal and never looked back.  Debutants Lexington Sporting Club looked to extend their stay in the tournament, but couldn’t quite find the production in the opposition’s half. For large portions of the match, Lou City were able to take up residence inside Lexington’s half and connect on multiple passes. The winning moment came in the second half when Louisville City’s right back Sean Totsch found space to get his head onto a cross from midfielder Paolo Del Piccolo for the game’s only goal in the 69th minute. 

 

Loudoun United FC (USLC) 2, North Carolina FC (USLL1) 1 AET

It took 120 minutes to decide the battle between Loudoun United and North Carolina FC, but the hosts scored in the second period of extra-time to take the victory. Loudoun took the early lead with a seventh-minute header from Zach Ryan that was assisted by Kalil ElMedkar.  North Carolina FC fans would have to wait until the second half for a response.  In the 68th minute, Jaden Servania scored an unassisted equalizer from the top of the box. With both periods of extra-time close to expiring and penalty kicks approaching, Loudoun United’s Abdoul Zanne was able to connect with Wesley Leggett for the dramatic (and late) match winner.

 

Maryland Bobcats FC (NISA) 3, Ocean City Nor’easters (USLL2) 2 AET

As the second period of extra-time entered its dying moments, Maryland Bobcats were able to secure a last-gasp victory through Phillip Brown’s headed goal on the last touch of an excruciating 120-minute game. It was a stark turnaround in a hard-fought match that the Bobcats thought they had sewn up in regulation. The home side had held a 2-1 advantage late in the second half, but Vilius Labutis found the magic touch for Ocean City in stoppage time to send the two sides to the dramatic extra-time session. The Nor’easters had opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, when Kaleb Jackson was able to get his head on a cross from João Oliviera. The Bobcats returned the favor with two goals in the second half – scored by veteran Darwin Espinal before the two decisive late goals turned the match on its head multiple times. The drama wasn’t limited to the scoreboard either as players from both clubs received red cards midway through the first half.

Chattanooga Red Wolves (USLL1) 1, Birmingham Legion FC (USLC) 4

It was largely one-way traffic as the Birmingham Legion won handily. The win came despite going down to 10 men in the second half after Grayson Dupont was shown a red card (for a second yellow). The Legion goals came from a trio of sources: two from former MLS standout Juan Agudelo (one in stoppage time at the end of the first half and one in the 63rd minute), Collin Smith (one in the 47th minute), and one from Diba Nwegbo in the 88th minute. Chattanooga's lone goal came courtesy of Aaron Lombardi in the 80^th minute.

 

South Georgia Tormenta FC (USLL1) 2, Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (USLC) 1

John Murphy could not have timed his first goal any better, and Kingsford Adjei added a spectacular insurance goal for the defending USL League One champions in a Cupset at Tormenta Stadium in Statesboro, Ga. Mukwelle Akale's nifty right-wing cross set up Murphy's goal from the right side of the penalty area, lifting the hosts into a 1-0 lead in the 39th minute. Adeji beat RGV goalkeeper Carlos Uriel Merancio on a brilliant volley off a Nicholas Akoto cross in the 82nd minute after the Div. II pros had nearly tied the match. Tormenta goalkeeper Pablo Jara made a crucial save on Gabriel Benitez's 70th-minute penalty kick, which rebounded directly back to Benitez, who rifled the ball wide right. The visitors did cut the lead in half on Ricardo Ruiz's tally a minute into second-half stoppage time but they could not find the equalizer during eight minutes of added time.

Des Moines Menace (USLL2) 1, Chattanooga FC (NISA) 4

Chattanooga FC struck twice in each half and pulled a huge road triumph at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines, Iowa. Taylor Gray, who assisted on two goals, set up the visitors' first in the 23rd minute. His header from the left side found Markus Naglestad, who scored from point-blank range. Twelve minutes later, Damian Rodriguez doubled the lead with a 10-yard blast. Des Moines sliced the margin in half on Fernando Garcia's long-range blast past goalkeeper Jonathan Burke in the 69th minute. Chattanooga, however, put the game away with two consecutive goals. Alex McGrath chipped the ball over keeper Victor Makela, who had ventured well out of the net to clear a ball only seconds prior in the 72nd minute. Second-half substitute Juan Louis closed out the scoring, slotting home Gray's second assist in the 85th minute.

 

Union Omaha (USLL1) 2, El Paso Locomotive (USLC) 0

Union Omaha took another step toward repeating their 2022 giant-killing run with a 2-0 Cupset of El Paso Locomotive. Both sides were eager to move up the field and look for opportunities, but Union Omaha’s defense kept El Paso restricted to a mere handful of shots. In the 58th minute, Union Omaha’s center-back Junior Palacios was able to capitalize on a great feed from forward Steevan Dos Santos to give the underdogs a 1-0 lead. Within 15 minutes, Dos Santos went from assisting to scoring. Joe Brito - hero of Union Omaha’s 2022 Cup run – picked out Dos Santos at the top of the box where he swept the ball home. Union Omaha head coach, Dominic Casciato, a former Assistant Coach at El Paso, earned his first-ever win as a manager with the sound of the final whistle.

Tulsa Athletic (NPSL) 1, FC Tulsa (USLC) 0

KB Harris tallied the lone goal in the second half as Tulsa Athletic pulled off a huge Cupset against their professional rivals at Hicks Park in Tulsa, Okla. Harris converted a long free kick that originated from the right side past goalkeeper Dallas Odle in the 63rd minute. Athletic goalie Bryson Reed registered the clean sheet. The match had an old-timey feel to it as supporters from both teams sat in their own chairs or stood, lining most of the pitch with a barrier separating them from the action.

 

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USLC) 1, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USLL1) 1, 1-3 AET

It took a while for the goals to come – but once the first was scored, they started pouring in. The scoring didn’t begin until the 82nd minute when Marco Rios played the ball to Drew Skundrich who slotted it home with a nifty backheel shot for the Switchbacks. With their backs against the wall, Northern Colorado equalized with two minutes of regulation play left. Trevor Amann headed home from close range via an Arthur Rogers cross. In extra-time, the Hailstorm got the go-ahead goal through a diving header at the back post courtesy of Donald Benamna, with Mark Hernández assisting. The final nail in the coffin was a rocket blast from Marky Hernández in the 107th minute. Northern Colorado advanced past their higher-tiered in-state rivals for the second consecutive year.

 

Orange County SC (USLC) 5, Capo FC (Calif.) 0

After a slow start, Orange County SC found their footing as the SoCal club recorded a lopsided win against 10-man Capo FC at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, Calif. The visitors made a game of it in the opening half hour as Parker Scalzo had a great scoring opportunity saved by goalkeeper Cody Cropper. Orange County's first scoring sequence came in the 33rd minute when Emil Nielsen bolted down the left flank before depositing the ball into the far corner past netminder Nathan King. Seconds into first-half stoppage time, 17-year-old Bryce Jamison, in his Open Cup debut, headed in Daniel Pedersen's free kick from the left flank for a two-goal halftime advantage. After Capo were reduced to 10 players due to Sergio Montes' second yellow card in the 62nd minute, Milan Iloski added a third goal seven minutes later, slipping the ball past King. Thomas Amang (87th) and Iloski (penalty kick three minutes into injury time) added late goals.

 

Sacramento Republic FC (USLC) 2, Crossfire Redmond (NPSL) 2, 5-4 AET

Last year’s cardiac kids are causing heart attacks again. Zeiko Lewis and Russell Cicerone each scored twice after the 80th minute, and Johnny Fenwick scored the eventual game-winning goal in the 112th as Sacramento Republic FC, who reached the Open Cup Final last year, had to come from behind multiple times to win their tournament opener at Heart Health Park in Sacramento. Richard Aman scored in the seventh minute and River Stewart added a second in the 13th as Crossfire Redmond held a shocking 2-0 lead at halftime. Lewis, Bermuda’s top international scorer since 2011, got Republic FC on the board with just ten minutes to go, and Cicerone grabbed the first equalizer in the 85th minute to push the match to extra-time. Unfazed, Crossfire’s Munier Hussen scored just two minutes into the first period, but Cicerone added his second equalizer in the 97th before Lewis scored again in the 105th to give Sacramento their first lead at 4-3. Crossfire were relentless, however, and clawed back to tie the match at 4-4 with a goal in the 110th from Aman (his second). The Cupset was not to be, however, as Fenwick flexed his muscles and scored his first career game-winner to move Republic FC to the Third Round for a fourth consecutive tournament.

 

San Diego Loyal SC (USLC) 2, Albion San Diego (NISA) 0

The San Diego Derby came down to a few key moments. Charlie Adams converted a penalty kick midway through the first half, and Evan Conway added a late strike as the Loyal shutout their crosstown rivals at SDSU Sports Deck in San Diego. 18-year-old attacker Xavi Gnaulati earned a penalty in the 24th minute and Adams – Loyal team captain – stepped up to the spot and scored the opening goal, the club’s first in the Open Cup under new coach Nate Miller. Conway tucked in an insurance goal in the 84th minute for Loyal, who move to 2-0-0 vs. Albion San Diego in Cup play and advance to the Third Round for the second consecutive year.

 

Central Valley Fuego FC (USLL1) 0, Monterey Bay F.C. (USLC) 0, 1-3 AET

Monterey Bay F.C.’s first trip into extra-time was a good one. Against Central Valley Fuego FC, the visiting USL Championship club notched three goals after going scoreless through regulation to move on to the next round. The game saw a combined nine yellow cards and went into extra-time periods with both teams showing goose eggs on the scoreboard. As the players tired and the game opened up, Christian Volesky scored the go-ahead goal via an Alex Dixon assist in the 97th minute. Siaha Ngnepi gave the visitors some needed padding with a long-range strike in the 110th minute as Zahir Vazquez tallied for the Fuego in the 116th minute, drawing the home side to within a goal. But Sam Gleadle put any thoughts of a dramatic comeback to bed with Monterey’s third goal in the 120th minute.

Las Vegas Lights FC (USLC) 4, Los Angeles Force (NISA) 0

The Lights proved too bright, even for the Force. Azriel Gonzalez scored twice in the first half as Las Vegas Lights led 3-0 by halftime en route to a 4-0 shutout win at Peter Johann Soccer Field on the campus of UNLV in Las Vegas. Gonzalez scored from a free kick near the top of the box in the 16th minute, and got in behind the Los Angeles defense for a 2-0 lead in the 23rd minute. Justin Ingram’s one-touch blast beat Force goalkeeper Brandon Gomez to make it 3-0 in the 37th minute – and Eric ‘Cubo’ Torres added a fourth in the 64th minute for Lights, who advance to the Third Round for the first time since 2019.

 

Phoenix Rising FC (USLC) 1, Greenville Triumph SC (USLL1) 0

Carlos Harvey is finally getting his chance to make his mark in the United States. The Panamanian international’s headed goal in the first half proved decisive as Phoenix Rising FC won their tournament opener for the second consecutive year. Formerly of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Harvey rose up above a defender to get his head on a cross and put the ball in the back of the net for a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute. Rising goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky sprung into action in second-half stoppage time, diving high to his right to cover the upper corner in the 92nd minute and preserve the shutout.

April 4

Miami FC (USLC) 3, Jacksonville Armada FC (NPSL) 1

Second-half substitute Claudio Repetto scored twice in the final eight minutes to snap a 1-1 deadlock in Miami FC's favor at FIU Soccer Stadium. The visiting Armada finished what was a physical match with nine men, Miami with 10. Repetto, who entered the match in the 64th minute, volleyed home a left-wing cross by Aedan Stanley in the 82nd minute before he converted a penalty kick in the 85th to seal the match. With visions of a Cupset, Jacksonville grabbed a 33rd-minute lead as Luto Tom sent a pass over the Miami defense to a racing Charles Eloundou – who beat goalkeeper Jacob McGuire. A minute later, the hosts equalized as Ryan Telfer headed in a corner kick from the left side past keeper Nicklas Rulle. Tom was given his marching orders after being awarded his second yellow card in the 43rd minute. Miami, however, wound up playing a man down after Curtis Thorn received his second yellow five minutes into the second half. The visitors were reduced to nine players when Ayrton Redmore received his second yellow in the 84th minute.

 

Hartford Athletic (USLC) 3, Lansdowne Yonkers FC (EPSL) 0

Ghanaian striker Elvis Amoh had a night to remember with Hartford Athletic as the Connecticut side captured a first victory of 2023 across all competitions with a resounding 3-0 result over storied amateurs Lansdowne Yonkers FC. After several quality chances on goal in the opening minutes, Athletic finally broke the deadlock when Amoh opened the scoring with a 27th-minute goal -- assisted by Kyle Edwards. Though the clubs went to halftime separated by a single goal, Hartford Athletic looked to be the club in control and used the second half to add more insurance on the scoreboard. In the 73rd minute, Hartford were awarded a penalty kick, which was coolly placed by Amoh to get him one step closer to his eventual hat-trick. The evening was capped off with a third goal from Amoh in the 82nd minute with the assist provided by Jeciel Cedeño. Hartford Athletic finished the night with 24 shots -- 9 of which were on goal.

 

One Knoxville SC (USLL1) 1, Memphis 901 FC (USLC) 1, 1-2 AET

In one of the most dramatic finishes in recent years, Jeremy Kelly scored four minutes into stoppage time of the second extra-time period to boost Memphis past their hosts at Regal Soccer Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. As the match appeared headed to a shootout, Aaron Molloy sent in a corner kick that deflected off a Knoxville player to Kelly, who buried a seven-yard shot past goalkeeper Peter Swinkels. Ninety seconds after that, the final whistled sounded. Memphis drew first blood in the 38th minute when Dylan Borczak headed home Molloy's free kick from the left side, from six yards out. Knoxville knotted things up in the 56th minute as Ilja Ilic converted a penalty kick to the lower right corner, sending goalkeeper and former USMNT man Bill Hamid the wrong way.

 

Detroit City FC (USLC) 1, Gold Star Detroit (NISA) 0

USL Championship club Detroit City FC narrowly avoided a scare in their 1-0 victory over NISA side Gold Star Detroit. In the opening minutes, confidence was high for Gold Star as they were able to put some quality pressure on their higher-division hosts. As the first half wore on, Detroit City FC put together their own attempts on goal and had a big chance go to waste. But the hosts did find the back of the net shortly before halftime. In the 43rd minute, Yazeed Matthews scored the lone goal and match winner. The scorer finished the night with three shots, two of which were on goal, and he was only dispossessed once. With the win, Detroit City move a step closer to matching last year's Open Cup run -- which ended in the Fourth Round after an historic win over MLS’ Columbus Crew.

 

Tampa Bay Rowdies (USLC) 2, Nona FC (USLL2) 0

Co-2022 Open Cup top-scorer Lucky Mkosana scored one goal and assisted another in the first half to pace the Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg. Mkosana set up JJ Williams, who slotted the ball past Nona goalkeeper Rafael Santos in the 25th minute. Seven minutes later, Mkosana buried a cross from Dayonn Harris for a two-goal advantage. Tampa keeper Connor Sparrow recorded the clean sheet. Rowdies head coach Neill Collins was not allowed to sit on the bench as he served a suspension due to a red card he received when Tampa Bay were eliminated by eventual champion Orlando City SC in the 2022 Third Round last April. He will be back on the bench when his Rowdies face 2018 Open Cup champions Houston Dynamo of MLS at home in the Third Round. 

Flower City Union (NISA) 3, Manhattan SC (USLL2) 1

It was an action-packed evening at the Rochester Community Sports Complex, as Flower City Union and Manhattan SC battled it out. When it was all said and done, Flower City Union walked away the victor with a 3-1 win at home. Flower City scored first with a goal from Stephen Elias in the 36th minute, following a corner kick. The home side doubled their lead before halftime with another goal from Elias, this time from open play and the top of the goal area. Manhattan SC made things interesting in the 71st minute after Bibi Karamoko was able to find space inside Flower City’s box and place the ball in the upper corner. Just over ten minutes later, though, Flower City separated themselves from the visitors when Alioune Diakhate scored in the 82nd minute.  Flower City will next play tournament debutants Loudoun United of the USL Championship as they look to get past the Open Cup Third Round for the first time in club history.

 

Charleston Battery (USLC) 4, Savannah Clovers FC (NISA) 1

Augi Williams keeps putting the charge in the Battery. Robbie Crawford scored before halftime and Williams, Charleston’s leading scorer with 16 goals in 2022, got on the scoresheet early in the second half en route to a 4-1 victory at Patriots Point Soccer Stadium in Mount Pleasant. Crawford opened up Savannah’s defense in the 36th minute when his shot was deflected inside the area but beat Clovers keeper Jack Pondy under the bar -- and Williams put a one-touch finish on a clinical give-and-go five minutes into the second half for a 2-0 lead. Tristan Trager scored his first goal for the Battery two minutes after the hour mark before Andy Sanchez put Clovers on the board in the 75th minute. Nick Markanich added one more for Charleston, who advanced out of the Second Round for the first time since 2019 and will play USL League One side Charlotte Independence in the next round.

 

San Antonio FC (USLC) 1, Club De Lyon FC (NISA) 1, 2-1 AET

Roman Holt smiled before and took a bow after scoring the game-winning penalty in extra-time. The 18-year-old academy player stepped up to the spot and calmly slotted a shot to the lower-left corner in the first extra-time period as the reigning USL Championship kings were forced to come from behind at Toyota Stadium in San Antonio, Texas. Augustine Ortiz, one of only 12 players rostered by Club de Lyon, pounced on a rebound off the post in the 62nd minute as the visitors shocked the crowd by taking an initial lead. Dane Augustin equalized for San Antonio FC in the 79th minute with his left-footed curler that snuck inside the far post and sent the match to extra-time. In the first period, Max Salinas was fouled on a darting run into the box, resulting in a penalty kick and Holt bagging SAFC the lead. Goalkeeper Carlos Mercado made two reaction saves late in the second extra-time to preserve the victory for San Antonio FC – who now face Nashville SC of MLS in the Third Round.

New Mexico United (USLC) 6, UDA Soccer (UPSL) 0

The first US. Open Cup match between two New Mexico clubs was very one-sided. Jose Sosa scored his first professional goal in the third minute, and Joshua Dolling scored three times in the second half as New Mexico United ran away from their amateur opponents at Rio Rancho High School Stadium. Journeyman midfielder Justin Portillo (30) scored his ninth goal in 34 appearances for New Mexico United in the first half -- and Dolling had goals in the 48th, 61st and 73rd minutes in United’s tournament-opening win. Sosa, making his debut, scored on an assist from Englishman Daniel Bruce, who also added a goal to help lead New Mexico United to the Third Round for the second straight year (where they’ll host USL Championship league mates Phoenix Rising).

 

Oakland Roots (USLC) 3, El Farolito (NPSL) 1

Emotions ran high in the East Bay on the Opening Night of the 2023 Open Cup’s Second Round. Johnny Rodriguez had a goal and an assist, and Wolfgang Prentice scored twice in the first half as Oakland Roots -- playing now at CSU-East Bay’s historic soccer-specific Pioneer Stadium in Hayward, Calif. -- won a first Open Cup match in club history. Rodriguez’s headed goal in the 12th minute – his third in three matches across all competitions this season – came from a free kick. And Wolfgang Prentice added goals in the 19th and 24th minutes for the Roots, who lost in their tournament debut last year. Ricardo Delgado converted a penalty right after halftime to give El Farolito hope, but a series of late confrontations led to Jehimy Arias receiving a second caution for dissent. Despite being forced to finish the game with 10 men, the 1993 Open Cup champions gave a strong account of themselves, hitting the bar late on as they tried to mount an ultimately unsuccessful comeback. The Roots move on to meet area neighbors and USL Championship league mates Sacramento Republic in the Third Round.

The Third Round of the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup runs between 25 and 26 April – and will consist of all the winners from this Second Round plus the first batch of Major League Soccer (MLS) sides from the country’s top division.