HALF OF U.S. OPEN CUP THIRD ROUND’S SECOND MATCHDAY DECIDED IN PENALTY KICKS
Chattanooga Red Wolves’ Upset at Las Vegas, Tampa Bay Rowdies’ 10-Round Shootout Triumph Highlight Night Full of Extra Action;
Phoenix Rising FC & El Paso Locomotive FC Also Win Away Affairs in PKs While Indy Eleven & Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Notch Added Extra Time Wins to Advance;
Round of 32/Round of 16 Draw to Be Hosted on CBS Sports Golazo Network’s Morning Footy Thursday at 9:15 a.m. ET
ATLANTA (April 16, 2025) – The second matchday of the U.S. Open Cup’s Third Round was a bit … extra.
What the evening lacked in upsets – though there was indeed one to close up shop – it made up for with bonus soccer, as six of the evening’s eight games gave the people added extra time action. In total, a full half of the Third Round’s fixtures – eight of 16 contests across the last two nights – were extended into at least an extra 30-minute session.
In four of those, the added extra time periods still weren’t enough. It was the first and last penalty shootouts of the evening that brought the most drama, starting with the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ 9-8 triumph in a 10-round marathon over FC Naples that set the night’s unpredictable tenor. USL League One outfit Chattanooga Red Wolves posted the lone upset of the night, their 4-3 PK win at Las Vegas Lights FC following a 2-2 comeback draw making the Tennessee side a perfect 3-for-3 in penalties so far this tournament.
Two of the three all-USL Championship affairs also went to penalties. In the first Derby del Camino Real in Open Cup history, El Paso Locomotive FC hung tough to draw even at 2-2 at the death of regulation, then pushed past their archrival New Mexico United via a 4-1 thumping in pens. Phoenix Rising also went on the road and captured a 4-2 penalty victory following a 1-1 draw, staving off FC Tulsa’s late onslaught while a man down to do so.
Indy Eleven was seconds away from going to penalties against Miami FC, but last year’s Semifinalists stepped up at the last possible moment through Hayden White, whose 123rd minute tally gave Indiana’s Team a 1-0 victory. Last year’s USL Championship champion, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, also needed added time to move past One Knoxville SC, with sub Anthony Fontana’s 103rd minute finish proving the winner.
Out west it was 2022 Finalist Sacramento Republic FC putting in a business-like effort in dispatching El Farolito, 1-0, sending the NPSL side from San Francisco out as the tournament’s last Open Division team standing for a second straight year. Even the night’s only game decided by two goals, Detroit City FC’s 3-1 triumph over Westchester FC, was tied in the 85th minute, when a penalty conversion pushed DCFC ahead for good.
The 16 victors over the last two nights and the 16 clubs from Major League Soccer set to enter the tournament need not wait long to learn next steps. The Round of 32/Round of 16 Draw will take place Thursday at 9:15 a.m. ET, as part of CBS Sports Golazo Network’s flagship program, Morning Footy. The Draw will combine pairs of Third Round winners and MLS sides, all drawn from eight groups of four teams.
Every match moving forward in the 110th edition of U.S. Soccer’s Club Championship will stream live on Paramount+, and Round of 32 matches to be simulcast via CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network will be announced on Thursday afternoon as part of the full Round of 32 schedule.
2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Third Round
Matchday #2 – Wednesday, April 16
Detroit City FC 3-1 Westchester SC
FC Naples 1-1, 1-1 (aet), 8-9 (PKs) Tampa Bay Rowdies
Indy Eleven 0-0, 1-0 (aet) Miami FC
FC Tulsa 1-1, 1-1 (aet), 2-4 (PKs) Phoenix Rising FC
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 2-2, 3-2 (aet) One Knoxville SC
New Mexico United 2-2, 2-2 (aet), 1-4 (PKs) El Paso Locomotive
Sacramento Republic FC 1-0 El Farolito
Las Vegas Lights FC 2-2, 2-2 (aet), 3-4 (PKs) Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
Matchday #1 – Tuesday, April 15
Columbus Crew 2 0-1 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Portland Hearts of Pine 1-2 Rhode Island FC
Louisville City FC 2-1 Loudoun United FC
Charlotte Independence 1-3 North Carolina FC
Charleston Battery 4-0 South Georgia Tormenta FC
Union Omaha 1-0 San Antonio FC
AV ALTA FC 2-2, 2-2 (aet), 4-2 (PKs) Orange County SC
Tacoma Defiance 1-1, 2-1 (aet) Oakland Roots SC
2025 U.S. Open Cup Third Round Match Capsules
Matchday #2 – Wednesday, April 16
Detroit City FC (USLC) 3-1 Westchester SC (USLL1)
Late goals by second-half substitutes Jeciel Cedeno and Darren Smith lifted the hosts to the win at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, Mich. Cedeno's penalty kick snapped a 1-1 deadlock in the 85th minute as he drilled his attempt into the upper left corner past a diving goalkeeper Dane Jacomen. Noah Powder set up the PK, fouling Alassane Diouf in the box. Four minutes into stoppage time, Smith gave the hosts some breathing room. He took advantage of a defensive error by Westchester, slipping the ball into an open net. Another second-half sub, Jay Chapman sent a left-wing cross from near the end line to Morey Doner, who fired home a nine-yard shot to lift Detroit to a 1-0 lead in the 71st minute. Five minutes later, however, Westchester equalized on forward Juan Obregon, who scored in his third successive cup match off a pretty, 22-yard attempt. He looped his shot into the upper left corner past keeper Carlos Saldana. Detroit outshot Westchester, 24-6, putting away three of their four shots that were on target.
FC Naples (USLL1) 1-1, 1-1 (aet), 8-9 (PKs) Tampa Bay Rowdies (USLC)
The match between the Tampa Bay Rowdies and FC Naples picked up right where the first matchday of the Third Round left off – then upped the ante with the Rowdies surviving the cupset bid after 10 rounds of penalties. Naples defender Julian Cisneros’ decisive shot hit the top of the crossbar and sailed over after Rowdies defender Forrest Lasso made their ninth penalty – and eighth in succession after Leo Fernandes saw his second attempt saved. While the match wasn’t decided until after 120 minutes of play, the action on the scoreboard started early. Rowdies midfielder Pacifique Niyongabire scored first in the 26th minute off a perfectly placed short header from Manuel Arteaga found his run into the area. Not one minute later, Naples notched the equalizer as Luka Prpan found the back of the net on an assist from Jayden Onen’s cross from the left side of the box. Two first-half goals just seconds apart, but then neither team would score again. Naples got extremely close in stoppage time, setting up an almost perfect strike with the Rowdies goalkeeper compromised, but the veteran Lasso stepped in to make a remarkable last-second block on the goalline. After two wins, the first Open Cup run for FC Naples came to a memorable end, while Tampa survived and advanced by pulling out a tough one on the road.
Indy Eleven (USLC) 0-0, 1-0 (aet) Miami FC (USLC)
Even if it came a day late, Hayden White got himself (and the rest of the Boys in Blue, by proxy) the best 30th birthday present he could ask for – Indy Eleven’s passage into the Fourth Round on a walk-off winner at Carroll Stadium on the IU Indianapolis campus. Miami goalkeeper Bill Hamid’s tip over the bar of Elliot Collier’s point-blank header midway through the first half thwarted the only big chance for either side in a tight opening 45 minutes. Hamid’s opposite number, Reice Charles-Cook, was given the start between the posts by Indy gaffer Sean McAuley, and his quiet start burst to life with a tip save of his own 54 minutes in on Deian Veron’s heavy volley from distance. As regulation waned and the match entered the extra 30 minutes it became clear this would be a “first goal wins” scenario, and Charles-Cook was determined not to be the one to crack. His leaping push of Kevin Hoyos’ blast in the 107th minute sent the chance off the woodwork, keeping things scoreless and seemingly destined for penalties. While regular IXI ‘keeper Hunter Sulte entered just before the 120th minute his shootout services would not be needed, as White darted through the six untouched in the third minute of stoppage time to nod home Indy native Cam Lindley’s corner kick past a helpless Hamid.
FC Tulsa (USLC) 1-1, 1-1 (aet), 2-4 (PKs) Phoenix Rising FC (USLC)
In a goalkeeper showcase, Patrick Rakovsky stood tallest. Rakovsky made two penalty saves – one in overtime and another to start the shootout – as Phoenix Rising FC won its Open Cup opener at University of Tulsa’s Hurricane Soccer and Track Stadium in Tulsa, Okla. FC Tulsa goalkeeper Johan Penaranda was forced into a triple save in the eighth minute, and the home side proved its defensive prowess with a sliding save from right center back Harvey St. Clair late in a scoreless first half. Jearl Margaritha gave Phoenix Rising FC the lead five minutes into the second half with a composed finish at the back post after FC Tulsa’s backline had overrun the play. The Dutch winger, left alone to take a touch and pick his spot, buried a shot past Penaranda, who slipped as the play shifted from left to right and was unable to scramble into position. Phoenix Rising FC forward Remi Cabral received a second yellow card and was sent off in the 75th minute, and FC Tulsa found an equalizer in the 86th minute when Stefan Lukic tucked in a cross at the back post. FC Tulsa’s 22-year-old forward Taylor Calheira hit the post in the second overtime to set up a dramatic finish, which featured Rakovsky stopping a penalty kick attempt from Calheira a minute into stoppage time in order for the match to be determined with more kicks from the mark. In the shootout, Rakovsky started with a save and Phoenix Rising FC’s kickers did not miss in moving the club onto the Round of 32 for the second consecutive season.
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USLC) 2-2, 3-2 (aet) One Knoxville SC (USLL1)
Substitute midfielder Anthony Fontana scored in the 103rd minute to settle this see-saw battle at Wiedner Field in Colorado Springs, Colo. Midfielder Yosuke Hanya created the goal with some fine moves on the left side, which allowed him to find Fontana, who buried his chance past goalkeeper goalie Johan Garibay from seven yards. Stavros Zarokostas received his second yellow card in the 120th minute, forcing the visitors to play with 10 men for three minutes of stoppage time. Knoxville started off the game with a bang, scoring in the second minute when forward Babacar Diene chested down a long ball on the right flank, bolted into the area and beat goalkeeper Christian Herrera from seven yards to the far-left post. Four minutes into the second half, Colorado Springs knotted it up at ones. Midfielder Marco Micaletto, who came on at halftime, sent in a corner kick that Steven Echevarria put away at the near left post past Garibay. Micaletto's impressive effort boosted the hosts into lead in the 82nd minute, converting a return pass from Fontana from the middle of the box. Only a minute later, Knoxville equalized as Zarokostas volleyed home Kempes Tekiela’s flick from six yards on a sequence that started with a throw-in.
New Mexico United (USLC) 2-2, 2-2 (aet), 1-4 (PKs) El Paso Locomotive (USLC)
The first Open Cup edition of the Derby del Camino Real between USL Championship rivals New Mexico United and El Paso Locomotive was a tempestuous, action-packed affair that ultimately broke in favor of the visitors from the Lone Star State. Daniel Carter gave El Paso an early 1-0 lead when he headed home in the 21st minute. Poor distribution from Loco’s goalkeeper Sebastian Mora-Mora gifted New Mexico a leveler as his pass was picked off by McKinze Gaines, who squared it across the top of the box for Marlon Vargas to sweep home in the 39th minute. The Black and Yellow then rode the hot hand of their own goalkeeper, Kristopher Shakes, throughout the second half until Jaylin Lindsey struck the go-ahead goal for the hosts in the 72nd minute. The teams headed to extra time on the last kick of regulation when El Paso’s Wilmer Cabrera – the eponymously named son of its head coach – collected a Hail Mary ball in the New Mexico box and fired home deep into stoppage time. Cabrera then hit the winning penalty in the fourth round of the shootout after 30 minutes of extra time weren’t enough to separate the two sides.
Sacramento Republic FC (USLC) 1-0 El Farolito (NPSL)
The 2022 Finalists from California’s capital entered the Open Cup by ending the latest dream run of El Farolito, the last amateur club standing for a second consecutive year. Sacramento Republic FC got on the scoresheet in the 29th minute when forward Sebastian Herrera headed in a long curving cross from Republic FC captain and club legend Rodrigo Lopez to make it 1-0. With the assist, Lopez now has 12 all-time assists in the Open Cup, which is the most in the tournament's modern era. While the first half was fairly evenly matched, it was the Republic who capitalized on one of the few chances from either side. The second half was similar to the first half -- few chances, but both teams were grinding, if 13 yellow cards is any indication. Farolito was able to put several solid shots on frame over the final 20 minutes, as were the Republic, but in the end, the early goal from Herrera was enough to knock off the skilled and pesky side from San Francisco. With the win, Republic FC advanced to Round 4 and moved to 23-8-2 in the Open Cup, including a blistering 20-3-1 all-time record at home.
Las Vegas Lights FC 2-2, 2-2 (aet), 3-4 (PKs) Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
The Red Wolves are 3-for-3 in shootouts in this year’s Open Cup. Goalkeeper Ricardo Jerez made the match-winning save on the tenth and final kick of the shootout as Chattanooga Red Wolves SC won another penalty-kick performance, this time on the road at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nev. Forward Zahir Vasquez got Chattanooga on the scoreboard first with a curled shot around Las Vegas Lights FC goalkeeper Nicholas Ammeter in the 19th minute. Edison Azcona earned a penalty and converted from the spot in the 43rd minute to equalize for Las Vegas, but Pedro Hernandez pulled the same move on the other side of halftime as the Red Wolves regained the lead at 2-1 in the 48th minute. A powerful left-footed strike from substitute Christian Pinzon got Las Vegas level again in the 62nd minute, and then the teams played another 60 minutes without producing a goal. In the shootout, Ammeter made an early save but Chattanooga’s kickers did not otherwise miss before Jerez’ left hand made the stop that will send the Red Wolves on to the Round of 32 for the first time.
About the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Now in its 110th edition, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup has crowned U.S. Soccer’s national champion since 1914. The history-filled tournament is conducted on a single-game-knockout basis and is open to professional and amateur teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. In 1999, the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the U.S. was renamed to honor American soccer pioneer Lamar Hunt.
The 2025 U.S. Open Cup winner will earn a berth in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup and have its name engraved on the Dewar Challenge Trophy – one of the oldest nationally contested trophies in American team sports – now on permanent display at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco, Texas. The 2025 tournament features a total purse worth $1 million that includes a $600,000 award for the champion.
Los Angeles Football Club of MLS is the defending Champion. The 109th edition of the tournament concluded on September 25, 2024, with LAFC beating four-time Champions Sporting Kansas City 3-1 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles to become Open Cup Champions for the first time.
