2022 US Open Cup Round 2 Review: After 31 games, two amateur teams left as MLS joins tourney next TheCup.us

Photo: California United Strikers FC

The third round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is set as eight more teams punched their tickets to the first introduction of some MLS teams.

After three-straight days of competition, the second-division USL Championship boasts the most wins with 15, followed by third-division USL League One with eight wins to just three losses.

The third-division NISA went 4-6 in its Open Cup debut, capped by an incredible performance by 15-year-old debutant Marcus Lee of California United Strikers. 

MLS NEXT Pro was 2-0 in the nascent league’s first tournament appearance, including Rochester New York FC’s (formerly Rochester Rhinos) rebirth in the Cup that went deep into the second half before finding a winner.

USL League Two and the NPSL each won one Second Round game, while no amateur clubs from US Club Soccer, the UPSL or EPSL will advance to the Third Round.

Round 3 will be decided by a formal draw, hosted Friday at noon ET on U.S. Soccer’s YouTube and Twitter pages.

Scroll down for a brief recap and links to a full match report for all 31 games.

South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL League One) 1:0 Charleston Battery (USL Championship)
Patriot’s Point Soccer Stadium – Mt. Pleasant, SC
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Tim Abbott

Behind closed doors, after weather caused damage to the stadium, in an early kickoff, Charleston Battery fell behind to a 61st minute bullet of a header from former Battery player Arthur Bosua and despite out possessing and out shooting Tormenta, the USL Championship side was knocked out of the Cup. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Lansdowne Yonkers FC (USASA/EPSL) 0:1 Rochester New York FC (MLS Next Pro)
Monroe Community College – Rochester, NY
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Tim Abbott

The reborn Rochester made their debut in this season’s Cup against the USASA Amateur Cup winners from Yonkers and it was neat interplay inside the box which culminated in a point blank finish from RNY’s Gibran Rayo to seal the win, deep into stoppage time at the end of the first half [+] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON

Memphis 901 FC (USL Championship) 1:3 Chattanooga FC (NISA)
Finley Stadium – Chattanooga, TN
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Clement Williams

Chattanooga FC took full advantage of their home-field advantage at Finley Stadium, upsetting Memphis 901 after jumping out to a 3-1 lead in the first half.

Chattanooga opened and closed the first half with goals. They started with a flourish through Alex Mcgrath, who finished off a terrific nutmeg pass from Brett Jones to take an early lead. The higher division Memphis team largely had regained control of the match in the ensuing minutes, but yet again found themselves conceding: Cerro’s cross eventually was turned in by Travis Ward after a save from Memphis’ keeper.

After an injury to CFC’s Franky Martinez, Memphis pulled one back a few minutes later through a Patrick Seagrist wonderstrike. However, a goal right on the stroke of half time from Taylor Gray restored CFC’s 2 goal lead just before the whistle. After a scoreless second half, CFC’s cupset victory ensured a representative from Chattanooga reaches Round 3 after their crosstown rivals, the Red Wolves, were eliminated earlier in Round 2. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Oakland Roots FC (USL Championship) 0:2 Greenville Triumph (USL League One)
Triumph Stadium at Legacy Early College – Greenville, SC
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The cross country trip by the USL Championship’s Oakland Roots turned out to be a wasted trip, as the Greenville Triumph of USL League One sent them back to California with a 2-0 defeat.

Grenville opened the scoring 29 minutes into the game when Lucsa Coutinho sent a long pass from midfield, which Jake Keegan struck a first-time looping shot over the head of Roots goalkeeper Taylor Bailey. Oakland had a trio of good chances near the end of the half to level the score, but Greenville survived them all for a 1-0mlead at the break.

Oakland continued to test Greenville goalkeeper Paul Christensen through the first half, but the Triumph netminds kept a clean sheet. After surviving another round of Oakland attacks at the end of the second half, Greenville broke away on a 2 v 1 attack in stoppage time, and Jacob Labovitz fed Don Smart, who easily doubled Grenville’s lead and put them in the Third Round. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON

Oyster Bay United (USASA/UPSL) 1:3 Hartford Athletic (USL Championship)
Dillon Stadium – Hartford, CT
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Clement Williams

An uneventful first half in Hartford gave way to a goalfest in the second half. It was the USL side in Hartford who took the lead with Joel Johnson’s header in the 49th minute. Just 10 minutes later, Oyster Bay were given a way back into the game when Hartford’s Tulu brought down Sebastian Ruiz in the box. Tulu was lucky to escape without a second yellow card, but that silver lining was soon overshadowed by Junior Rosero’s equalizer from the ensuing spotkick. Luka Prpa then restored Hartford’s lead with a finish off a cross spilled by the keeper, before a stoppage time breakaway goal from Prince Saydee doubled Hartford’s lead and ended their upstart UPSL opponent’s impressive tournament run. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Southern States SC Stars (NPSL) 1:3 Birmingham Legion FC (USL Championship)
Univ. of Alabama Soccer Stadium – Tuscaloosa, AL
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr. and Clement Williams

Birmingham Legion played rude hosts to the NPSL’s Southern States FC Stars, running out 3-1 winners to advance to the Third Round.

Through a scoreless opening half, Birmingham dominated the run of play, with new signing Juan Agudelo taking numerous shots. After the interval, Birmingham’s fruitless attacks finally blossomed into goals. In the 48th minute, Prosper Kasim scored a highlight goal, taking an arching shot which dropped down behind Stars goalkeeper Hector Grajeda.

Midway through the half, Birmingham struck twice in two minutes. In the 62nd minute, Bruno Lapa took a Enzo Martinez pass at the top of the box and sent a low shot into the lower left corner. A minute later Marlon hit the lower right side of the net for a commanding 3-0 lead.

Southern States scored a breakaway goal in the 73rd minute when Mason Walsh’s shot rolled into the net after Legion goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg mishandled the ball, but it wasn’t enough to spoil the American international Agudelo’s debut for Birmingham. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

San Fernando Valley FC (USASA/UPSL) 0:5 California United Strikers FC (NISA)
Orange County Great Park (Championship Stadium) – Irvine, CA
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Sean Walker

Tony Lopez scored a brace, and 15-year-old Open Cup debutant Marcus Lee added a goal and an assist as California United Strikers cruised to a 5-0 victory over San Fernando Valley FC in the second round Thursday night at Championship Soccer Stadium. 

Lee opened the scoring just four minutes into the match, but the teenager didn’t stop there in the rout after a dream start for the NISA side.

Lopez doubled the advantage in the 15th minute, finishing off a through ball from Felipe Liborio to make it 2-0. Aydan Bowers made it 3-0 just after the half-hour mark for United. 

Lee added an assist after a long run of possession in the second half, dribbling through a defender before dishing to Guilherme Dallagnoi Farias for the 4-0 advantage in the 70th minute. 

Lopez scored his second goal with a cheeky chip from the edge of the area that sailed over the goalkeeper in the 78th minute for the 5-0 advantage. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON

Portland Timbers U23 (USL League Two) 0:6 Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)
Heart Health Park – Sacramento, CA
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Sean Walker

Duke Lacroix tallied a brace, and Sacramento Republic FC scored early and often en route to a 6-0 rout of Portland Timbers U-23 in the second round Thursday at Heart Health Park. 

Lacroix put the Republic up 1-0 in the 13th minute before Damia Vlader doubled the advantage in the 22nd minute. 

Matt LaGrassa made it 3-0 with a goal in the 26th minute, Rodrigo Lopez struck goal No. 4 in the 30th minute, and goals by Lacroix and Zeikko Lewis in the 41st minute gave Sacramento a 6-0 halftime advantage. 

The Republic out-shot the Timbers 27-3, including a 12-0 margin on frame, with 73% of possession and an unreal 89.5 percent passing accuracy to advance to face their third-round opponent, which will be learned in Friday’s draw. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT COMING SOON

ROUND 2 DAY 1 RESULTS (WEDNESDAY)

Flower City Union (NISA) 1:0 (AET) Western Mass Pioneers (USL League Two)
Lusitano Stadium – Ludlow, MA
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The Open Cup debut for NISA’s Flower City Union began in Ludlow, Massachusetts against the USL League Two Western Mass Pioneers.

Flower City held 69% of the first half possessions, but each team’s shots were near even and the clubs entered the half scoreless. The NISA pros took the lead just four minutes into extra time when Alex Ainscough passed to Lukas Fernandes, who then dribbled amongst a group of Pioneers defenders before getting the goal.

Flower City found their backs against the wall in the 110th minute when Marcus Micheletti was shown a red card from stepping on the back of a downed Pioneers player after a corner kick. Flower City survived a flurry of Western Mass chances in the final minutes to secure the first Open Cup win for a team from NISA. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Richmond Kickers (USL League One) 1:0 Northern Virginia FC (USASA/EPSL)
Venue Virginia Revolution Sportsplex; Leesburg, Va.
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The Richmond Kickers of USL League One traveled to just outside Alexandria, Virginia to face the EPSL’s Northern Virginia FC.

Richmond opened the scoring midway through the first half when David Olden put away a close-range shot from an assist by Matthew Bentley.

Richmond controlled the game the rest of the way, allowing only two NoVa shot attempts, although the EPSL club did win seven corner kicks, including a couple late in the game. The Kickers held NoVa at bay to make their way to the third round. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

FC Motown (NPSL) 1:0 (AET) AC Syracuse Pulse (NISA)
Montclair State University Soccer Park; Montclair, N.J.
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

NISA’s AC Syracuse Pulse made their Open Cup debut against the NPSL’s FC Motown at Montclair, New Jersey. FC Motown played with a heavy heart as their teammate Sainclair Tueno lay in a coma after being struck by a car last week.

The majority of the opening half was listless, with the teams combining for just three shots on goal towards a 0-0 halftime score. The teams slugged it out for another scoreless 45 minutes, and extra time would be needed. It was Motown’s second extra time game of the tournament, though the first against West Chester United was annulled by a successful Motown protest.

Kian Albdreto nearly gave Motown the lead in the 95th minute with a shot right in front of goal, but Syracuse goalkeeper Mcklin Robinson was able to block his attempt and clear.Motown finally got their goal two minutes later on a breakaway when Semual Pompee passed back to Federico De Oliveira for a wide open shot into goal. Syracuse nearly tied the score on a corner kick, but narrowly missed just outside the post. Motown survived the remaining Syracuse attempts to equalize in extra time, and booked the clubs first ever spot in the third round. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

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Miami United FC (NPSL) 0:3 Miami FC (USL Championship)
Florida International Univ. Soccer Stadium – Miami, FL
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Miami FC jumped out in front after just 12 minutes on a penalty. Miami United’s Miguel Benito brought down Lamar Walker in the area, and Kyle Murphy stepped up and put the spot kick in the bottom right corner. 

FC Miami doubled its lead eighteen minutes later when Adonijah Reid struck from outside the penalty area after a Miami FC corner kick. Miami FC padded their lead in the 82nd minute on a Lamar Walker-assisted goal from Romeo Parkes. The pros saw out the final eight minutes and earned a spot in the third round. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (USL Championship) 2:1 North Carolina FC (USL League One)
WakeMed Soccer Park – Cary, NC
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The USL League One’s North Carolina FC played host to Rio Grande Valley FC Toros of the USL Championship.

Despite Rio Grande Valley having a majority of the possession, North Carolina broke the scoreless tie just before halftime. Jaden Servania blasted a rocket from the top of the penalty area that Toros goalkeeper Colin Miller had no chance to save.

The Toros equalized in the 54th minute when Frank Lopez found himself one-on-one with NCFC goalkeeper William Pulisic after a defensive miscue, easily finding the net. Rio Grande Valley took the lead with ten minutes remaining when Frank Nodarse collected a pass from Ricky Ruiz outside the top of the penalty area and sent a line drive past Pulisic. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL League One) 0:1 Louisville City FC (USL Championship)
Lynn Family Stadium – Louisville, KY
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The Chattanooga Red Wolves of USL League One took a trip to the Bluegrass State to face the USL Championship’s Louisville City FC.

The opening half was rather uneventful as the Red Wolves managed just one shot attempt to Louisville’s seven, with the teams scoreless at the break. As Louisville continued to control play in the second half, they finally took the lead in the 75th minute. Wilson Harris collected the rebound of a contested pass , and beat Red Wolves goalkeeper Carlos Alivez one-on-one. Ian Pino nearly doubled Louiville’s lead minutes later, but his header went over the bar.

Chattanooga’s only real chance the rest of the way was a header by Devin Benton close to goal, but it went wide to the left. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Cleveland SC (NPSL) 0:3 Forward Madison FC (USL League One)
Breese Stevens Field – Madison, WI
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The NPSL’s Cleveland SC traveled north to face Forward Madison FC of USL League One.

Madison had a couple dangerous chances midway through the first half, but Cleveland goalkeeper Conor Cable was equal to the task. The home club finally broke through in the 37th minute when Justin Sukow took an assist from Alann Torres in the center of the box and scored. Just before halftime Madison doubled their lead when Cesear Murillo one-timed a pass from Cyrus Rad.

Nazeem Bartman extended the lead to 3-0 for Madison when he scored from up close when Cable  mishandled a shot. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL League One) 1:0 Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USL Championship)
Weidner Field – Colorado Springs, CO
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Sean Walker

Jerry Desdunes scored the only goal of the match in the sixth minute of extra time, and Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC stunned its USL Championship opponents in Colorado Springs, 1-0 in front of 1,099 fans at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Hailing from USL League One, the Hailstorm were reduced to 10 men in the 27th minute with Irvin Parra’s red card. But the Open Cup debutants threw everything into defending, holding off 26 shots from the Switchbacks and their dominating 73% possession. 

Northern Colorado goalkeeper Danny Faundez kept the shutout through regulation, setting up Desdunes’ heroics in extra time. 

The 20-year-old Floridian who previously played for Peachtree City in USL League Two redirected Lachlan MCLean’s pass in the 96th minute with one touch, burying the ball inside the far post for the Hailstorm’s first-ever goal in magical fashion. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

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Las Vegas Lights FC (USL Championship) 2:3 FC Tucson (USL League One)
Kino North Stadium – Tucson, AZ
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Sean Walker

USL League One side Tyler Allen scored the match-winning goal with a banger in the 77th minute to lift FC Tucson to its first Open Cup win in four years with a 3-2 victory over Las Vegas Lights FC at Kino Sports Complex. 

After a tight first half, Jacob Crull put Tucson ahead 1-0, finishing off a corner kick just before halftime to give the hosts the edge over the USL Championship side at the break. 

Mohamed Traore leveled the match with a goal from the same corner, pulling one back for Las Vegas with a strong header in the 65th minute to equalize. 

But Tucson converted on a goalkeeper gaffe — an Olympic-Oh-No from Bedoya in the corner off the gloves of Abraham Romero — in the 71st minute to retake the lead. 

Just over six minutes later, Allen ripped a blast from the edge of the six-yard box to put Tucson up, 3-1. 

Daniel Crisostomo pulled one back for Lights FC in the 80th minute, sliding a ball off the inside of his boot to pull within 3-2. But it was too little for the USL Championship side playing the recently promoted amateur squad to the professional ranks. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Valley United FC (NISA) 0:1 Phoenix Rising FC (USL Championship) (AET)
Phoenix Rising Stadium at Wild Horse Pass – Chandler, AZ
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Sean Walker

The wait was well worth it for Phoenix Rising FC. Claudio Reppetto made sure of it. 

The 25-year-old forward from Genoa, Italy struck the only goal of the match after 115 minutes of a scoreless play to lead Rising to its first Open Cup victory since 2017 with a 1-0 win over NISA upstarts Valley United FC at Wild Horse Pass. 

Arturo Rodriguez delivered a ball into the area that caromed off a defender and fell right to Reppetto, who volleyed the shot into the back of the net and ended with a shirtless celebration near the corner flag. 

After more than 110 minutes of scoreless soccer wherein Rising limited Valley United to just eight shots, including two on goal, Repetto finally converted on Phoenix’s 19th attempt of the night. 

Not even a yellow card could spoil the win. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

San Diego Loyal SC (USL Championship) 2:1 Albion San Diego (NISA)
Canyon Crest Academy – San Diego, CA
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Sean Walker

Taylor Crull scored the match-winner in the 89th minute, and San Diego Loyal went on the road in their Open Cup debut to hold off NISA side Albion San Diego, 2-1. 

Evan Conway gave the Loyal the early lead just before the break, nodding one home just before the break to give the visitors a 1-0 halftime lead. 

Mayele Malango scored for Albion San Diego in the 65th minute, but the lead didn’t last long. 

Crull nodded home a well-placed corner kick with his head in the 89th minute, fishing inside the back post to send the USL Championship outfit into the third round. 

The NISA debutants were then forced down to 10 men via Jacob Haupt’s red card in the second minute of extra time to see out the result. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Monterey Bay FC (USL Championship) 1:2 Bay Cities FC (NISA)
PayPal Park – San Jose, CA
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Sean Walker

Equalizers don’t always last long, and such was the case in Bay Cities’ stunning 2-1 win over Monterey Bay FC. 

After Robbie Crawford’s goal in the 87th minute leveled the match at 1-1, Edson Cardona needed just four more minutes — including one minute of stoppage time — to send the NISA side into the third round of the US Open Cup. 

Rei Dorwart gave Bay Cities the early lead in the 55th minute, but Monterey Bay didn’t give up in the match played at PayPal Park in San Jose. The USL Championship side out-shot Bay Cities 14-10, but only put three shots on target — including Crawford’s late goal from Morey Doner. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

ROUND 2 DAY 1 RESULTS (TUESDAY)

North Carolina Fusion U-23s (USL League Two) 4:2 Charlotte Independence (USL League One)
American Legion Memorial Stadium – Charlotte, NC
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The North Carolina Fusion U23 pulled off the first upset of the second round, knocking off their professional USL League One opponent Charlotte Independence 4-2 in Charlotte.

Charlotte opened the scoring after 14 minutes when Shalom Dutey found the end of a Ayrton Paez free kick just in front of goal near the post, beating Fusion goalkeeper Josh Perryman. Twenty-three minutes later, a shot by Faisal Almabaslat was blocked by Charlotte goalkeeper Keegan Meyer, but Luis Neto was right there to put away the rebound to draw the Fusion level 1-1. It took Charlotte just five minutes to regain the lead, as Ivan Luquetta took the ball to the touch line in the penalty area, then passed back to Paez for the goal.

The Fusion tied things up minutes into the second half when Joao Silva took a shot at the top of the box that deflected off a Charlotte defender. Charlotte was reduced to 10 men in the 76th minute when Tresor Mbuyu was sent off for an altercation with a Fusion player after a hard tackle. With just a few minutes remaining in regulation, Charlotte goalkeeper Meyer fumbled an easy shot by Alexandre Horveno, and Tom Marriott scored on a wide-open goal. The Fusion cemented the upset in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Colton Sessoms easily scored on a 3-on-1 breakaway, the youngster’s fourth goal of the night, to book a spot in the third round. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Maryland Bobcats (NISA) 0:2 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Championship)
Highmark Stadium – Pittsburgh, PA
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

On a rainy Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh, the USL Championship Riverhounds entertained the visiting Maryland Bobcats of NISA. A pair of goals from Toby Sims on either side of halftime was all the Riverhounds needed to see off the Bobcats 2-0 and advance to the third round. Simms’ first goal came in the 38th minute from the center of the penalty area off a Luis Argudo assist. Almost 10 minutes into the second half, Simms tallied from the left side of the penalty area on a Mohamed Sesay assist. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

St. Louis CITY 2 (MLS NEXT Pro) 2:0 Indy Eleven (USL Championship)
Michael A. Carroll Track and Soccer Stadium (IUPUI) – Indianapolis, IN
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

St. Louis City 2 notched the first-ever Open Cup win for a MLS NEXT Pro team with a 2-0 victory over Indy Eleven of the USL Championship.

St. Louis drew first blood when Joshua Yaro sent an attempted clearance back into the box, where Era Armstrong collected the ball and beat Indy goalkeeper Tim Trilk. The reserve club of the future St. Louis MLS club doubled their lead in the 72nd minute when Armstrong passed to substitute Celio Martins, who then fed Wan Kuzain at the top of the box for the goal. From then on. Indy only managed a couple of chances on goal and the St. Louis reserves made their way to the third round. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Michigan Stars FC (NISA) 0:3 Detroit City FC (USL Championship)
Keyworth Stadium – Hamtramck, MI
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

In a battle of former NISA rivals, the USL Championship Detroit City FC smoked the Michigan Stars 3-0 in Detroit.

Just as the first half looked to end scoreless, Detroit stuck twice on corner kicks. In the 45th minute, Connor Ruiz put away a Maximilliano Rodriguez corner kick. In the second minute of stoppage time, Rodriguez served up another corner, and this time Matthew Lewis headed the ball home for a 2-0 lead. For the rest of stoppage time, the air was filled with smoke from jubilant City supporters.

After a pair of crosses Detroit extended their lead to 3-0 in the 63rd minute. After Michigan headed away an initial cross, Michael Bryant sent the ball back into the box, where Connor Ruiz headed the ball to the feet of Matthew Lewis for his second goal of the game. From that point, Detroit easily saw out the remaining time to book their first ever appearance in the third round. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

The Villages SC (USL League Two) 0:6 Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL Championship)
Al Lang Stadium – St. Petersburg, FL
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The Villages SC of USL League Two were no match for the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL Championship, with the hosts steamrolling to a 6-0 win. Lucky Mkosana quickly put the Rowdies ahead 2-0 with two goals early in the first half. Jordan Scarlett pushed the lead to 3-0 on a header from a Jake Areman free kick. In the 53rd minute Mkosana appeared to have completed his hat-trick, connecting on a cross from Jake Areman, however the goal was later credited to Kyle Greig.

The goals continued to flow in as Jake LaCava (63rd minute) and Laurence Wyke (73rd minute) finished the rout of their amateur opponents, and confirmed a spot in the third round for the Rowdies. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Des Moines Menace (USL League Two) 1:2 Union Omaha (USL League One)
Morrison Stadium (Creighton Univ.) – Omaha, NE
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The Menace opened the scoring in the 15th minute when a shot from Gabriel Rodriguez struck the crossbar and was swatted away by Omaha goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu. Corey Hertzog then slammed home the loose ball. Five minutes later, Union found the equalizer when John Scearce headed home a corner from Joseph Brito.

Union Omaha kept control most of the second half, and with nine minutes remaining, Omaha gained the lead on a Menace mistake when Alefu Bertini accidentally headed a lobbed pass from Conor Doyle past his own goaleeper. Omaha withstood a desperate Menace search for an equalizer to win their debut Open Cup match and advance to the third round. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Tulsa Athletic (NPSL) 1:2 FC Tulsa (USL Championship)
ONEOK Field – Tulsa, OK
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The USL Championship’s FC Tulsa came out on top in the Tulsa derby, defeating the NPSL’s Tulsa Athletic, 2-1.

FC Tulsa wasted no time grabbing the lead, as Jorge Corrales sent a cross into the box that Brian Brown managed to put away while being pulled down by a Tulsa Athletics defender. FC Tulsa scored again in the 19th minute, this time on a Ronald Rodriguez header off a corner kick from Joaquin Rivas. Tulsa Athletic had a few promising free kicks in the rest of the half but the score remained 2-0 at the break.

Despite being outshot by a wide margin, Tulsa Athletic managed to cut the lead in half with thirteen minutes remaining. Halftime substitute Billy Nzojyibwami’s goal from the right side of the penalty area gave the amateurs a glimmer of hope. But FC Tulsa kept the visitors at bay in the final minutes to book their place in the third round. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

D’Feeters Kicks (USCS / The Roja League) 1:3 San Antonio FC (USL Championship)
Lynchburg City Stadium – Lynchburg, VA
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

For 45 minutes, the amateur D’Feeters Kicks had hope of an upset over the professional San Antonio FC of the USL Championship. However, in four quick minutes that dream was interrupted.

San Antonio scored three goals in four minutes of the second half to separate themselves from their amateur guests en route to a 3-1 win. In the 53rd minute, Henrik Sakshaug scored from the top of the penalty area after a free kick pinballed between players from both teams. Just a minute later, a shot by Justin Dhillon deflected off a D’Feeters defender, allowing Connor Maloney to easily beat goalkeeper Anthony Rodriguez for San Antonio’s second goal. Three minutes later, Sakshaug struck again from the center of the penalty area, assisted by Shannon Gomez, and suddenly San Antonio were comfortably ahead 3-0.

D’Feeters regained a slight glimmer of hope when San Antonio goalkeeper Matt Cardone was unable to handle a long shot from the left side, allowing Sebastian Mendez to easily tap home the goal. With seven minutes remaining, D’Feeters were reduced to 10 men when Juan Ramirez was shown his walking papers after a hard foul. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Las Vegas Legends FC (NPSL) 0:5 New Mexico United (USL Championship)
Univ. of New Mexico Soccer Complex – Albuquerque, NM
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

The NPSL’s Las Vegas Legends saw their luck run out in the second round as New Mexico United of the USL Championship rolled to an easy 5-0 victory.

The hosts set the tone in the seventh minute when Chris Wehan converted a penalty after Sergio Rivas was fouled by the Legends’ Hector Casillas. Jerome Kiesewetter scored the first of his two goals from close range in the 17th minute, and Randy Ovouka placed his shot in the bottom left corner of the goal five minutes from halftime for a 3-0 lead at the break.

Carl Sainte made it 4-0 from a shot outside the penalty area shortly after halftime. Eduardo Guzman was sent off in the 82nd minute, leaving Las Vegas with 10 men. New Mexico was awarded another penalty with four minutes remaining after another foul by Hector Casillas in the box. Kiesewetter stepped to take the penalty and New Mexico cruised to a berth in the third round. [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

El Paso Locomotive (USL Championship) 1:4 Central Valley Fuego (USL League One)
Lamonica Stadium (Clovis H.S.) – Clovis, CA
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Sean Walker

Villyan Bijev scored a brace, and USL League One side Central Valley Fuego stunned El Paso Locomotive of the USL Championships, 4-1 at Lamonica Stadium in Clovis, California.

Nathan Smith and Christian Chaney also scored for the Fuego, which needed less than five minutes to score and never looked back.

Bijev opened the scoring in just the fourth minute, chipping the goalkeeper from the left side of the box to put Central Valley up 1-0 mere moments into the game. The goals kept coming, too, through Smith’s golazo in the 15th minute and a second from Bijev in the 44th minute en route to a 3-0 halftime advantage. Chaney added a goal in the 62nd minute for the Fuego.

Eric Calvillo scored in the 90th minute for El Paso, which turned out to be the first Open Cup goal in Locomotive history for the 2019 debutants. El Paso was playing its second of three games in eight days after a four-match winless skid to open USL Championship play, and had traveled up the California coast following Sunday’s 3-2 loss to the San Diego Loyal in league play.  [+] FULL MATCH REPORT

LA Force FC (NISA) 2:5 Orange County SC (USL Championship)
Orange County Great Park (Championship Stadium) – Irvine, CA
BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Sean Walker

Former Real Salt Lake homegrown signing Milan Iloski had a goal and an assist as Orange County SC of the USL Championship rolled by the NISA’s LA Force, 5-2 at Championship Stadium in Irvine, California.

Daniel Pedersen, Sean Okoli, Mikko Kuningas and Kobi Henry each added a goal for Orange County, which converted five of its six shots on target into goals and out-shot the Force 22-15.

Samuel Goni scored a brace for LA Force FC, including a 37th-minute strike that pulled the Open Cup debutants within 3-1 at halftime. But Iloski dished a pinpoint backheel pass to Kuningas to restore Orange County’s three-goal lead, and Henry’s goal in the 69th minute helped seal the win for good.  [+] FULL MATCH REPORT