On Tuesday, May 19th and Wednesday, May 20th the second round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup played out throughout the country. The second round marked the entrance of teams from USL into the competition, and as such there were a number of David - Goliath meetings. Read on for comprehensive coverage of every match...
Tuesday May 19th
Portland Timbers II (USL) 2, Michigan Bucks (PDL) 0
Goals: Belmar (POR) min. 55, 1-0. Fatawu (POR) min. 90+3, 2-0.
The team known as "T2" got off to a winning start in their first ever Open Cup match as goals from Kharlton Belmar and midfielder Fatawu Safiu took them to a victory over PDL side Michigan Bucks. After a goalless first half, T2 picked up a goal early in the second after a wonderful set up from midfielder Seth Casiple. After the goal, Portland was content to sit deep and defend. Michigan strode forward in numbers looking for an equalizer, but were hit on the break by another pinpoint pass from Casiple. After he played in Fatawu, the Ghanaian ended the game and sent T2 into the third round.
Read Matthew Evans' full recap here: https://www.vavel.com/en-us/soccer/491152-belmar-strike-lifts-portland-timbers-2-into-third-round-of-us-open-cup.html
Wednesday May 20th
Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL) 3, West Virginia Chaos (PDL) 0
Goals: Vincent (PIT) min. 9, 1-0. Moloto (PIT) min. 10, 2-0. Kerr (PIT) min. 87, 3-0.
Goals from Rob Vincent, Lebo Moloto and Kevin Kerr were more than enough as the Pittsburgh Riverhounds comprehensively beat the West Virginia Chaos to qualify for the third round. Vincent opened the scoring with a terrific strike after just nine minutes, and then picked up a commanding lead just 14 seconds after the restart. After West Virginia messed up the kick off, Moloto latched onto a missed defensive clearance and made it 2-0. From there, Pittsburgh comfortably controlled the game before making it 3-0 late on through Kerr.
Chattanooga FC (NPSL) 1, Wilmington Hammerheads (USL) 1 (Chattanooga wins 5-3 on penalties)
Goals: Zimmerman (WMH) min. 37, 0-1. Ochieng (CFC) min. 63, 1-1.
For the second time in history an NPSL side has knocked off a professional side. Take a wild guess at who the first team was to accomplish this same feat? That's right, it was Chattanooga last year. On Wednesday night, they went on the road and came back from a goal down to upset Wilmington for the second year running. After equalizing, they kept the match knotted up for another 60 minutes before they held their nerve in a penalty shootout to win 5-3.
Richmond Kickers (USL) 2, Virginia Beach City FC (NPSL) 0
Goals: Shiffman (RCK) min. 47, 1-0. Yeisley (RCK) min. 89, 2-0.
The Kickers thoroughly dominated their amateur opponents on Wednesday night, outshooting them 15-3. However, neither side were able to take their chances in the first half. Yet in the second half Richmond got on the scoresheet almost straight after the restart. Nate Shiffman buried a header at the far post after a scrum in the box. Richmond continued to attack and miss chances right up until the 89th minute, when Jason Yeisley nodded the ball home to leave the result in no doubt.
Louisville City FC (USL) 1, Lansing United (NPSL) 0
Goals: Brown-OG (LOU) min. 48, 1-0.
An ugly, tense encounter between these two sides on Wednesday night ended with the tournament debutants picking up their first ever victory. Although chances were at a premium throughout and Louisville never truly convinced, a Matt Brown own goal early in the second half is enough to send them on to the third round.
Harrisburg City Islanders (USL) 3, Reading United (PDL) 0
Goals: DiPrima (HCI) 1-0. Benbow (HCI) 2-0. Tribbett (HCI) 3-0.
Harrisburg City comprehensively beat Reading United in one of the two biggest blowouts in the second round. It wasn't close, but Harrisburg laid down a bit of a marker as a team who could just do something in this tournament.
Rochester Rhinos (USL) 1, Greater Binghamton FC Thunder (NPSL) 0
Goals: Forbes (RR) min. 39, 1-0.
Although the score doesn't really show it, this was a comprehensive victory for the Rhinos. They thoroughly outplayed their semipro opponents all night, and had a goal disallowed in addition to the one scored by Kenardo Forbes in the first match. They now have a great chance of going on to the fourth round after being drawn against the Harrisburg City Islanders in the third round.
Charleston Battery (USL) 1, Miami United (NPSL) 0
Goals: Cordoves (CHB) min. 40, 1-0.
Another game, another USL team grinding out a 1-0 victory over a lesser opponent. It seemed to be the theme of the round, and that was proven true here as the Battery battled their way to a critical victory. Charleston dominated Miami, and it was just an inability to take their chances that led to the score being so close. The lone goal came from forward Heviel Cordoves, who finished a great attacking move after a 1-2 with Memo Rodriguez.
Charlotte Independence (USL) 4, Upward Stars (NPSL) 1
Goals: Carle (UWS) min. 12, 0-1. Zahorski (CHI) min. 20, 1-1. Martinez (CHI) min. 40, 2-1. Zahorski (CHI) min. 44, 3-1. Zahorski (CHI) min. 90+2, 4-1.
Finally, a proper goal fest. The largest margin of victory in the second round saw a hat trick from Tomasz Zahorski take Charlotte on their way to a comfortable victory. Although a goalkeeping error gave the Stars an early lead after just 12 minutes, the Stars true class shone through later on. Zahorski was undoubtedly the man of the match, and earned their place in the next round.
Real Monarchs (USL) 1, Long Island Rough Riders (PDL) 0
Goals: Velazco (RM) min. 77, 1-0.
Wait, a USL team ground out a 1-0 win over a lower league team? Where have we seen this before? The motif of the second round was repeated here as well as another superior team put in a thoroughly professional performance to pick up the win and move on to the next round. The Monarchs were not the better team by a significant amount, but when Ricardo Velazco put away the chance created by Max Rauhofer, the game was put out of reach.
Jersey Express (PDL) 1, New York Red Bulls II (USL) 0
Goals: Karcz (JE) min. 59, 1-0.
One of the great upsets of recent US Open Cup history. The PDL side followed the formula of so many former league sides who manage to pull off upsets: sit back, defend in numbers and nick a goal off a set piece. That's exactly what they did on Wednesday, as they came in with a great gameplan and frustrated RBII to no end before Chris Karcz found the game's only goal. What an upset.
Tulsa Toughnecks (USL) 1, Seacoast United Phantoms (PDL) 0
Goals: Bond (TUL) min. 59, 1-0.
The winner for goal of the round undoubtedly must go to Chad Bond of the Tulsa Toughnecks for his goal directly off a corner. Yes, this most rarest of goals, an Olimpico, was put in by Bond in the second round. Although the match itself was tight and not easy on the eye, this goal is undoubtedly its bright spot.
Saint Louis FC (USL) 2, Des Moines Menace (PDL) 1 AET
Goals: Gaul (STL) min. 68, 1-0. Hellman (DMM) min. 85, 1-1. Lynch (STL) min. 98 2-1.
Ah yes, the first extra time thriller of the second round. The Menace had entertained hopes of making a run in this year's Open Cup, especially after holding off a late fight back from the Madison Fire in the first round. However, their run ended on Wednesday. It appeared that things were meant to be for them when they managed to pull level after going a goal and a man down, but Jermie Lynch found a winner for Saint Louis eight minutes into extra time.
Oklahoma City Energy (USL) 3, Midland/Odessa Sockers (PDL) 1
Goals: Grieg (OKC) min. 42, 1-0. Townsend (OKC) min. 51, 2-0. Sanchez (MOS) min. 68, 2-1. Greig (OKC) min. 70, 3-1.
A superb brace from Kyle Greig was more than enough for the Oklahoma City Energy to see off a spirited fightback from the Midland/Odessa Sockers and send the Energy on to the third round. The Energy scored goals either sides of half time to put themselves in full command of the match, but the Sockers responded terrifically to going down 2-0. They battled trying to get back into the game, but lost their focus immediately after pulling a goal back. Once Greig made it 3-1, the match was over.
Austin Aztex (USL) 2, Laredo Heat (PDL) 0
Goals: Cuero (AA) min. 28, 1-0. Fekete (AA) min. 73, 2-0.
Austin comprehensively dominated throughout this match, particularly in the first half and got the goal that they deserved less than half an hour into the match when Andres Cuero took a ball down on his chest and lobbed the keeper for a lovely goal. Austin continued to put a stranglehold on the match, and picked up the match's second goal in the 73rd minute when Brian Fekete rounded off a terrific team move.
Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL) 2, Harpo's FC (USSSA) 1
Goals: Maybin (CSS) min. 2, 1-0. Maybin (CSS) min. 35, 2-0. Haber (HFC) min. 49, 2-1.
And so USL's continued expansion brings more success in the US Open Cup. Yet another USL team won their first ever Open Cup match, this time on the back of a brace from Marty Maybin. Maybin led the Switchbacks' domination throughout the first half, and they had a well deserved lead at the break. However, the amateur players responded after the break and quickly pulled a goal back through Kevin Haber. They continued to forward, and after the Switchbacks had a man sent off with 15 minutes left withstood a late onslaught to move on.
PSA Elite (USASA) 2, Orange County Blues (USL) 1
Goals: Salazar (PSA) min. 19, 1-0. Bjurman (PSA) min. 61, 2-0. Feeley (OCB) min. 90, 2-1.
Now this is what a cup competition is all about. The local amateur side gets to host a big team from several divisions above them, and they thoroughly outplay them before going on to win. The names of Michael Salazar and Mats Bjurman will be remembered in the annals of history as the players who took PSA Elite to their greatest ever win. Although rookie Tyler Feeley pulled a late goal back for the Blues, it was a case of too little, too late for the USL side.
Chula Vista FC (USASA) 3, Arizona United (USL) 0
Goals: Diaz (CVFC) min. 36, 1-0. Pinal (CVFC) min. 48, 2-0. Diaz (CVFC) min. 71, 3-0.
Well well well. As soon as we finish speaking about a team from the amateur ranks pulling off an upset over a pro side, along comes another one. Chula Vista FC traveled east for a match few gave them a chance of winning, and they thoroughly outplayed their hosts to advance on to the third round. Much as Michael Salazar and Mats Bjurman will be remembered by PSA Elite, Alberto Diaz and Angel Pinal will be remembered by Chula Vista.
Ventura County Fusion (PDL) 2, Los Angeles Galaxy II (USL) 1
Goals: LaGrassa (VCF) min. 30, 1-0. Amaya (LAII) min. 45+, 1-1. Danladi (VCF) min. 90+ 2-1.
Here's your final upset from round 2, as a third "small" team from Southern California managed to pull off yet another upset. After Matt LaGrassa opened the ball midway through the first half, Adonis Amaya converted a penalty just before the break to send the two sides into the half at level pegging. The team known as Los Dos dominated the second half, but were never able to find a goal. They were made to pay for that when defender Dave Romney conceded possession to Abu Danladi who went on to blast the ball into the back of the net and seal a stoppage time winner for the unfancied side.
Sacramento Republic (USL) 4, Sonoma County Sol (PDL) 2
Goals: Stewart (SR) min. 9, 1-0. Gonzalez (SR) min. 12, 2-0. Nuno (SCS) min. 26, 2-1. Stewart (SR) min. 43, 3-1. Stewart (SR) min. 61, 4-1. Nuno (SCS) min. 73, 4-2.
Read Kyle Sennikoff's full recap here: https://www.vavel.com/en-us/soccer/491589-sacramento-republic-advance-in-the-us-open-cup-behind-tommy-stewart-s-hat-trick.html
Seattle Sounders II (USL) 4, Kitsap Pumas (PDL) 2 AET
Goals: Tongovolu (SSII) min. 26, 1-0. Rossi (SSII) min. 40, 2-0. Ramos (KP) min. 66, 2-1. Ramos (KP), min. 90+, 2-2. Rossi (SSII) min. 93, 3-2. Craven (SSII) min. 120+, 4-2.
It seems now that no one can wait for Round three and then round four of the US Open Cup, because each will bring a Cascadia Cup clash. US Soccer has given the world of soccer a gift by drawing S2 and T2 together in the third round, and then drawing the first teams against each other in the fourth round. However, all of that would not have been possible if it were not for S2's ability to fight back after blowing a two goal lead right at the final whistle. They were able to respond, and were well worth their victory.