CHICAGO (April 5, 2023) – The 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, U.S. Soccer’s national championship, garnered its first Cupsets of the Second Round as Tulsa Athletic (NPSL) and South Georgia Tormenta (USL League 1) joined two of last year’s giant killers Union Omaha and Northern Colorado Hailstorm (both USLL1) in advancing past higher division opposition. With 27 of 29 Second Round matches now in the books, attention shifts to the final two games of the round and the exciting matchups that will be determined by the Third Round Draw.
Although the aforementioned quartet were the only teams to pull off Cupsets during Wednesday night’s massive slate of 17 matches across the country, they were not alone in earning the respect of some of the bigger dogs in the competition. Amateur side Crossfire Redmond (NPSL) had the result of the round in their hands as they took the lead against last year’s Open Cup runners up Sacramento Republic FC (USLC) on two occasions and also fought back to tie late on before eventually succumbing 5-4 in a thrilling extra-time goal fest.
Earlier in the evening, amateurs Ocean City Nor’easters (USLL2) nearly claimed what would have been a similarly dramatic win against Maryland Bobcats (NISA). The Open Division club tied the match 2-2 in the dying moments of regulation, only for the Division III pros to flip the script in extra time as Phillip Brown’s goal with the last touch of the ball allowed the Bobcats to escape with the victory.
In all, USLC (Div. II) clubs showed up well on the night with 10 of 15 teams moving on to the next round. Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USLC) also advanced via forfeit. Div. III teams saw some success with three of nine USLL1 and two of five NISA clubs advancing. Only one amateur team, Tulsa Athletic, survived the night and the Second Round to this point.
U.S. Soccer will conduct the Third Round Draw at 6:30 pm ET on Thursday. The Draw, available to watch on the B/R app and B/R Football YouTube, will serve as the lead-in to the final game of the week, which sees 1995 Open Cup champs Richmond Kickers (USLL1) host amateurs Cleveland SC at 7 p.m. ET on the B/R app and B/R Football YouTube.
The Open Cup Third Round welcomes 18 lower-seeded Division I (MLS) clubs to the competition. Teams in the Third Round will be pooled geographically into groups of either four or six (depending on geographic distribution) with the Div. I clubs distributed as evenly as possible among the groups. All Div. I sides will be drawn to face a Second Round winner and not another Division I club.
Second Round Recaps
Charlotte Independence (USLL1) 2, Appalachian FC (NPSL) 0
The hosts dominated virtually every statistical category. A first-half penalty kick from Charlotte’s Khorie Bennett, as well as a second half goal from Clay Dimick, was all the Independence needed to separate themselves at the end of 90 minutes. Bennett drew the pivotal foul inside the box in the 24th minute and then finished from the spot in the 25th. Charlotte’s accurate passing allowed them to carry long streaks of possession from start to finish, as well. In the 66th minute, Charlotte’s outside backs teamed up for the insurance policy. Left back Avionne Flanagan crossed the ball to right back Clay Dimick, who put the ball in the bottom right corner for the final 2-0- margin.
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 sent home a 33rd minute goal. The lead wouldn’t last however, as Indy Eleven’s Harrison Robledo scored in the 59th minute, assisted by Solomon Asante. At full time, the game was even 1-1, but in the 92nd minute, Indy’s substitute Adrián Diz Pe put the ball away to give the USLC 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 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 that they are 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 was 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 was able to find space and 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, 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, late match winner.
Maryland Bobcats FC (NISA) 3, Ocean City Nor’easters (USLL2) 2 AET
As the second period of extra time was in its dying moments, Maryland Bobcats were able to secure a last-gasp victory through Phillip Brown’s headed goal on the last touch of the excruciating 120-minute game. It was a stark turn around 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 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 4-1. The win came despite going down to 10 men in the second half after Grayson Dupont was shown a red card receiving 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. Chatanooga’s lone goal came courtesy of Aaron Lombardi in the 80th 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 score 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 right-wing 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, 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 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 goal 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 to a mere handful of shots. In the 58th minute, Union Omaha’s centerback 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 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 cupset against its 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-time 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 back heel 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 advances past their higher-tiered in-sate rivals for the second consecutive year.
Orange County SC (USLC) 5, Capo FC (Calif.) 0
After a slow start, Orange County SC found its 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 cup debut, headed in Daniel Pedersen's free kick from the left flank for a two-goal halftime advantage. After Capo was 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 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 already causing heart attacks. 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, which reached the Open Cup Final last year, had to come from behind multiple times to win its 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 goal scorer since 2011, got Republic FC on the board with just 10 minutes to go, and Cicerone grabbed the first equalizer in the 85th minute to push the match to overtime. Unfazed, Crossfire’s Munier Hussen scored just two minutes into OT, but Cicerone added his second equalizer in the 97th before Lewis scored again in the 105th to give Sacramento its first lead at 4-3. Crossfire was 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 be however, as Fenwick flexed his muscles, scoring his first career game-winner to move Republic FC onto 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 its crosstown rival 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 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, which moves to 2-0-0 vs. Albion San Diego in Open Cup play and advances 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 in regulation to move on to the next round. The game saw a combined nine yellow cards and went into extra time 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 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 goal in the 64th minute for Lights, which 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 its 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.
