CHICAGO (March 24, 2022) - The second night of the 2022 U.S. Open Cup First Round featured a strong showing from home teams as nine clubs followed the six winners from Tuesday night in advancing to the Second Round, which is scheduled for April 5-7.
Seven of the nine teams to advance on the night did so from the comfy confines of their home turf. Only Lansdowne Yonkers FC survived a road contest to advance with a 4-3 penalty shootout victory against Ocean City Nor'easters after the teams played to a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes.
Although NC Fusion U23 also advanced as a road team, their berth in the Second Round came by virtue of a South Carolina United FC forfeit, which is officially recorded as a 1-0 win for the Fusion. Additionally, the match between Lynchburg FC and Nova FC will be rescheduled after both teams agreed inclement weather prevented the game from being completed. The match, which was terminated in the 77th minute, will be replayed in its entirety by Wednesday, March 30.
The 16 victorious First Round sides will be joined by 46 professional Division II (USL Championship) and Division III (USL League One, NISA, and MLS NEXT Pro) clubs in the competition’s Second Round. The 31 Second Round matches, which will all air on ESPN+, begin on Tuesday, April 5, with 11 matches, followed by another 13 games on Wednesday, April 6. The round concludes on Thursday, April 7, with seven final contests.
FIRST ROUND RECAPS – Night Two:
Ocean City Nor'easters (USL League Two) 1, Lansdowne Yonkers FC (N.Y.) 1 (1-1; 3-4 PKs)
Shamir Mullings scored Lansdowne Yonkers’ lone goal in regulation and converted the game-winning penalty kick in the shootout against the Ocean City Nor'easters on a rainy and windy night at Carey Stadium in Ocean City, N.J. Lansdowne won the tie-breaker, 4-3, as goalkeeper Abdou Karim Danso saved Kevin Curran's attempt. Two of Ocean City's penalty tries hit the crossbar. Andrew Sousa, Joseph Devivo and Kyle Parish connected on their shootout attempts for the winners from Yonkers. It looked like it was going to be a goal-fest early on as the teams traded tallies in the opening 12 minutes of the first half. Pablo Da Silva's bouncing shot eluded Danso to give Ocean City an eighth-minute lead. Mullings, however, equalized four minutes later past keeper Keasel Broome after a nice run down the right flank. Da Silva could not participate in the shootout as he was red carded in the 116th minute. Lansdowne will now visit Rochester New York FC (MLS NEXT Pro) for a second-round encounter at Monroe Community College in Rochester, N.Y. on April 7 at 7 p.m. ET.
Lynchburg FC (Va.) vs. Nova FC (Va.), suspended
The game was terminated in the 77th minute due to a second weather delay at the Lynchburg City Stadium in Lynchburg, Va. No determination has been made on when the match might resume or be replayed. One option is to start from the time of suspension on Thursday or Friday. The other possibility would be to replay the contest on Saturday or later. If that occurs, Wednesday's game will be recorded as a draw and all statistics will count. At the time of the suspension, the score was tied at 1-1. KJ Nadeau's header lifted Nova FC into a 10th-minute lead. Following the first delay, Lynchburg scored when Mitchell Reed tapped home a rebound after goalkeeper Calle Brown made a save in the 38th minute.
Western Mass Pioneers (USL League Two) 2, Brockton FC United (Mass.) 0
Gabrial Ganzer and Jacob Mannix each recorded a goal and an assist in the second half to lead Western Mass Pioneers over Brockton FC United at Lusitano Stadium in Ludlow, Mass. Playing with a man advantage after Brockton's Rudney Delgato was red carded for a hard foul on Ganzer in the 44th minute, that same Western Mass attacker headed home a looping right-wing feed from Mannix four minutes into the second half. Ganzer returned the favor in stoppage time, setting up Mannix off a quick counterattack for an insurance goal. Both teams finished with 10 men as the Pioneers' Joshua Calderon received his marching orders in the 70th minute. Western Mass will host again vs. Division III pros Flower City Union (National Independent Soccer Association) in the Second Round at Lusitano Stadium.
Miami United FC (NPSL) 3, City Soccer FC (Fla.) 1
Three late goals in a frenetic five-minute stretch decided a back-and-forth South Florida fixture as Miami United FC edged City Soccer FC. After goals in the 79th and 82nd minutes knotted the game at a goal apiece, Lucas Sebastian Espindola scored the game winner in the 83rd minute to lead Miami United to a win at Ted Hendricks Stadium in Hialeah, Fla. Miami United FC’s Robertino Insua scored on a dazzling free-kick to open the scoring, but City Soccer FC found an answer three minutes later. On the ensuing restart, Espindola ran onto a loose ball in the attacking third and scored the game winner. Miami United added a bonus goal from the penalty spot in stoppage time and now will take on cross-town rivals Miami FC in a Second Round contest on April 6 at Florida International University.
Des Moines Menace (USL League 2) 4, Minneapolis City SC (NPSL) 2
The Des Moines Menace were inhospitable hosts to a flock of birds who flew into town for the first time. Alessandro Salvedego scored twice as the defending USL League 2 champions doubled up the visiting Mighty Crows from Minneapolis City SC at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines, Iowa. Within 10 minutes of entering the match as a substitute, Salvedego gave the Menace the lead with a great finish before tacking on an insurance goal in the 78th minute. Lionel Vang’s laser beam of a free-kick from 30-plus yards gave MPLS City a lead in the 20th minute, and Ekoue Loic Mesanvi also scored for the visitors in their long-awaited Open Cup debut. Maxi Galizzi and William Rodrigues had early goals for Des Moines, who will now travel to USL League One champions Omaha Union in a Second Round match on April 5.
Tulsa Athletic (NPSL) 3, Azteca FC (Colo.) 0
Tulsa Athletic struck three unanswered goals as they cruised past 10-man Azteca FC at the Case Soccer Complex on the campus of Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla. Aaron Ugbah, Joseph Garcia and Ruben Torres found the net for the hosts. Ugah gave the Tulsans all the scoring they needed in the 25th minute, slotting in a cross from the left by Matthew Rogers. Garcia converted a penalty in the 72nd minute, and substitute Ruben Torres put the finishing touches on the win with a 75th-minute strike. Azteca FC played the final 11 minutes with 10 men after Cesar Meza was issued with his second yellow card. Goalkeeper Bryson Reed recorded the clean sheet. The result sets up a Tulsa derby on April 5 as Tulsa Athletic visits Division II pros FC Tulsa (USL Championship) at ONEOK Field in Tulsa, Okla. at 7:30 p.m. CT.
San Fernando Valley FC (UPSL) 6, Escondido FC (UPSL) 2
Thomas Agustin Bosuel recorded a hat-trick in his Open Cup debut to power San Fernando Valley FC over familiar United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) rivals Escondido FC at Sepulveda Basin Sports Complex in Encino, Calif. Bosuel lifted the hosts into the lead in the 29th minute, and Irvin Rivas doubled it from close range, beating goalkeeper Lenny Islas in the 43rd minute. Only seconds later Escondido sliced the margin in half as David Achaerandio converted a penalty kick past goalkeeper Steve Acosta for his first goal of the match, after Rivas committed a foul in the box. Less than a minute into the second half, center back Giancarlo Ponciano picked up a loose ball and restored San Fernando Valley's two-goal lead. Bosuel struck for his second goal against the run of play in the 62nd minute and added his third tally in the 65th. Achaerandio pulled one back for the visitors in the 79th minute. Substitute Ramiro Hermida closed out the scoring with a 30-yard effort in the 90th minute as San Fernando Valley SC will now visit Division III pros California United Strikers (NISA) in a Second Round affair at Orange County Great Park - Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, Calif. on April 7 at 7:30 p.m. PT.
Portland Timbers U23 (USL League 2) 2, Contra Costa FC (Calif.) 1
Medical student Thomas Peterson dissected Contra Costa FC’s defense en route to victory with Portland Timbers U23. Peterson got in behind the defense to score at the back post in the 51st minute as Timbers U23 frustrated their opponents to win at John Chambers Field in Salem, OR.
Peterson opened the scoring with a shot off his knee from a clinical cross from Noah Dreves, and Eduardo Sanchez rebounded after taking a knock early in the match to make it 2-0 with an easy left-footed strike in the 68th minute. Roberto Gonzalez scored on a blistering free-kick from just outside the penalty area in stoppage time, but it wasn’t enough as Contra Costa FC lost its first-ever U.S. Open Cup match. Goalkeeper Quinn McCallion made six saves in his first start for Timbers U23, who move on to play Division II pros Sacramento Republic FC in a Second Round match on April 7.
Las Vegas Legends FC (NPSL) 3, Park City Red Wolves SC (USL League 2) 2
First-half goals set the tone as Las Vegas Legends FC barely held on against Park City Red Wolves FC in the final game of the night. Samuel Aina and Brandon Vargas scored early goals, and Legends FC survived a late comeback at Peter Johann Soccer Field on the campus of UNLV in Las Vegas, Nev. Aina scored the opener for Legends FC with a deft flick, and Vargas doubled the lead going into halftime. Roberto Soto added a goal in the 70th minute as Legends FC took a commanding lead, but Red Wolves SC clawed back with goals in the 84th and 92nd minutes, respectively. With a first U.S. Open Cup win under their belt, Legends FC now travel to face USL Championship side New Mexico United FC in a Second Round match on April 5.
South Carolina United FC vs. NC Fusion U23 (NC Fusion advance by forfeit)
NC Fusion U23 advanced due to a South Carolina United FC forfeit, which was officially recorded as a 1-0 win for the Fusion. During roster check prior to the match, South Carolina United SC presented an 18-player game day roster that included only 10 players who were cleared to play in the U.S. Open Cup. With a tournament match not permitted to start with a player known to be ineligible on the official game day roster, the club was given the option to proceed with 10 players. The club elected to forfeit. Already warmed up for the game and with a good crowd present, North Carolina Fusion U23 and the hosts agreed to play an exhibition match that was won by North Carolina 3-1 in extra time.
First Round Results
Tuesday, March 22
Result |
Game (home team listed first) |
Venue |
2-3 AET |
FC Motown (NPSL) vs. West Chester United SC (USLL2) |
MSU Soccer Park; Montclair, N.J. |
2-1 AET |
Cleveland SC (NPSL) vs. Chicago FC United (USLL2) |
George Finnie Stadium; Berea, Ohio |
0-3 |
Hartford City FC (NPSL) vs. Oyster Bay United FC (N.Y.) |
Trinity Health Stadium; Hartford, Conn. |
6-0 |
The Villages SC (USLL2) vs. Orlando FC Wolves (Fla.) |
The Villages SC Complex; Summerfield, Fla. |
3-1 |
Southern States SC Stars (NPSL) vs. Georgia Revolution FC (NPSL) |
The Oakes; Hattiesburg, Miss. |
2-3 |
Denton Diablos FC (NPSL) vs. D'Feeters Kicks Soccer Club (Texas) |
UNT Soccer and Track & Field Stadium; Denton, Texas |
Wednesday, March 23
Result |
Game (home team listed first) |
Venue |
1-1 (1-1; 3-4 PKs) |
Ocean City Nor'easters (USLL2) vs. Lansdowne Yonkers FC (N.Y.) |
Carey Stadium; Ocean City, N.J. |
1-1 (Terminated) |
Lynchburg FC (Va.) vs. Nova FC (Va.) |
Lynchburg City Stadium; Lynchburg, Va. |
0-1 Forfeit |
South Carolina United FC (USLL2) vs. NC Fusion U23 (USLL2) |
SEFL Soccer Complex; Columbia, S.C. |
2-0 |
Western Mass Pioneers (USLL2) vs. Brockton FC United (Mass.) |
Lusitano Stadium; Ludlow, Mass. |
3-1 |
Miami United FC (NPSL) vs. City Soccer FC (Fla.) |
Ted Hendricks Stadium; Hialeah, Fla. |
4-2 |
Des Moines Menace (USLL2) vs. Minneapolis City SC (NPSL) |
Valley Stadium; West Des Moines, Iowa |
3-0 |
Tulsa Athletic (NPSL) vs. Azteca FC (Colo.) |
Case Soccer Complex (ORU); Tulsa, Okla. |
6-2 |
San Fernando Valley FC (Calif.) vs. Escondido FC (Calif.) |
Sepulveda Basin Sports Complex; Encino, Calif. |
2-1 |
Portland Timbers U23 (USLL2) vs. Contra Costa FC (Calif.) |
John Chambers Field; Salem, Ore. |
3-2 |
Las Vegas Legends FC (NPSL) vs. Park City Red Wolves SC (USLL2) |
Peter Johann Soccer Field (UNLV); Las Vegas, Nev. |
Second Round Schedule
Tuesday, April 5
Time |
Game (home team listed first) |
Venue |
7 p.m. ET |
Charlotte Independence (USLL1) vs. North Carolina Fusion U23 (USLL2) |
American Legion Memorial Stadium; Charlotte, N.C. |
7 p.m. ET |
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USLC) vs. Maryland Bobcats FC (NISA) |
Highmark Stadium; Pittsburgh, Pa. |
7:30 p.m. ET |
Tampa Bay Rowdies (USLC) vs. The Villages SC (USLL2) |
Al Lang Stadium; St. Petersburg, Fla. |
7:30 p.m. ET |
Detroit City FC (USLC) vs. Michigan Stars FC (NISA) |
Keyworth Stadium; Hamtramck, Mich. |
7:30 p.m. ET |
Indy Eleven (USLC) vs. St. Louis CITY 2 (MLSNP)* |
Michael A. Carroll Track and Soccer Stadium (IUPUI); Indianapolis, Ind. |
7 p.m. CT |
Union Omaha (USLL1) vs. Des Moines Menace (USLL2) |
Morrison Stadium (Creighton Univ.); Omaha, Neb. |
7:30 p.m. CT |
FC Tulsa (USLC) vs. Tulsa Athletic (NPSL) |
ONEOK Field; Tulsa, Okla. |
7:30 p.m. CT |
San Antonio FC (USLC) vs. D'Feeters Kicks Soccer Club (Texas) |
Toyota Field; San Antonio, Texas |
7:30 p.m. MT |
New Mexico United (USLC) vs. Las Vegas Legends FC (NPSL) |
Univ. of New Mexico Soccer Complex; Albuquerque, N.M. |
7:30 p.m. PT |
Central Valley Fuego FC (USLL1) vs. El Paso Locomotive FC (USLC)* |
Lamonica Stadium (Clovis H.S.); Clovis, Calif. |
7:30 p.m. PT |
Orange County SC (USLC) vs. Los Angeles Force (NISA) |
Orange County Great Park – Championship Soccer Stadium; Irvine, Calif. |
* Home team reassigned Feb. 24
Wednesday, April 6
Time |
Game (home team listed first) |
Venue |
7 p.m. ET |
West Chester United SC (USLL2) vs. AC Syracuse Pulse (NISA) |
WCUSC/PF Kildare's Pub Turf Field; West Chester, Pa. |
7 p.m. ET |
North Carolina FC (USLL1) vs. Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (USLC) |
WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, N.C. |
7 p.m. ET |
Charleston Battery (USLC) vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC (USLL1) |
Patriot's Point Soccer Stadium; Mt. Pleasant, S.C. |
7 p.m. ET |
Miami FC (USLC) vs. Miami United FC (NPSL) |
Fla. International Univ. Soccer Stadium; Miami, Fla. |
7:30 p.m. ET |
Western Mass Pioneers (USLL2) vs. Flower City Union (NISA) |
Lusitano Stadium; Ludlow, Mass. |
7:30 p.m. ET |
Louisville City FC (USLC) vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USLL1) |
Lynn Family Stadium; Louisville, Ky. |
7 p.m. CT |
Forward Madison FC (USLL1) vs. Cleveland SC (NPSL) |
Breese Stevens Field; Madison, Wis. |
7 p.m. MT |
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USLC) vs. Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USLL1) |
Weidner Field; Colorado Springs, Colo. |
7:30 p.m. MST |
FC Tucson (USLL1) vs. Las Vegas Lights FC (USLC) |
Kino North Stadium; Tucson, Ariz. |
7:30 p.m. MST |
Phoenix Rising FC (USLC) vs. Valley United FC (NISA) |
Phoenix Rising Stadium at Wild Horse Pass; Chandler, Ariz. |
7:30 p.m. PT |
Bay Cities FC (NISA) vs. Monterey Bay F.C. (USLC) |
PayPal Park; San Jose, Calif. |
7:30 p.m. PT |
ALBION San Diego (NISA) vs. San Diego Loyal SC (USLC) |
Canyon Crest Academy; San Diego, Calif. |
Time |
Game (home team listed first) |
Venue |
6:30 p.m. ET |
Richmond Kickers (USLL1) vs. Lynchburg FC (Va.) |
City Stadium; Richmond, Va. |
|
-or- |
|
8 p.m. ET |
Nova FC (Va.) vs. Richmond Kickers (USLL1) |
Virginia Revolution Sportsplex; Leesburg, Va. |
Thursday, April 7
Time |
Game (home team listed first) |
Venue |
7 p.m. ET |
Hartford Athletic (USLC) vs. Oyster Bay United FC (N.Y.) |
Trinity Health Stadium; Hartford, Conn. |
7 p.m. ET |
Rochester New York FC (MLSNP) vs. Lansdowne Yonkers FC (N.Y.) |
Monroe Community College; Rochester, N.Y. |
7 p.m. ET |
Chattanooga FC (NISA) vs. Memphis 901 FC (USLC) |
Finley Stadium; Chattanooga, Tenn. |
7 p.m. ET |
Greenville Triumph SC (USLL1) vs. Oakland Roots (USLC) |
Triumph Stadium at Legacy Early College; Greenville, S.C. |
7 p.m. CT |
Birmingham Legion FC (USLC) vs. Southern States SC Stars (NPSL) |
Protective Stadium; Birmingham, Ala. |
7:30 p.m. PT |
Sacramento Republic FC (USLC) vs. Portland Timbers U23 (USLL2) |
Heart Health Park; Sacramento, Calif. |
7:30 p.m. PT |
California United Strikers FC (NISA) vs. San Fernando Valley FC (Calif.) |
Orange County Great Park – Championship Soccer Stadium; Irvine, Calif. |