CHATTANOOGA FC ADVANCE TO THIRD ROUND OF U.S. OPEN CUP
The second round of the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup provided plenty of drama as well as a path for clubs to advance to the tournament’s third round on June 1.
SECOND ROUND RECAPS:
Chattanooga FC (NPSL) 0, Reading United AC (PDL) 0 (4-1 PKs)
While both teams saw multiple chances to score, neither could find the back of the net, sending the match to extra time, which yielded penalty kicks. Chattanooga FC sunk its first four penalties, while Reading United AC could only convert one, continuing the NPSL side’s good fortune on penalty kicks in the tournament. Chattanooga FC will face the Harrisburg City Islanders (USL) on June 1.
Miami Fusion FC (NPSL) 0, Wilmington Hammerheads (USL) 6
The Wilmington Hammerheads dominated from start to finish in their 6-0 win against Miami Fusion FC Wednesday night. It took just six minutes for Justin Moose to put the USL side on the board and another three for Logan Miller to double the lead. Austin Martz got in on the scoring with goals in the 23rd and 32nd minutes to take Wilmington into halftime with a 4-0 lead. Not wanting to leave the second half dry, the Hammerheads’ Kyle Parker earned a brace with goals in the 78th minute and second half stoppage time to give Wilmington the 5-0 victory. Wilmington will head down to Florida to face Miami FC (NASL) in the Third Round on June 1.
Detroit City FC (NPSL) 0, Louisville City FC (USL) 0 (1-3 PKs)
Looking to make some noise in this year’s U.S. Open Cup, Detroit City FC headed south to take on Division III pro side Louisville City FC. After a scoreless 90 minutes, the visitors, who had been reduced to 10 men in the 103rd minute, snagged the lead when defender Seb Harris put home a feed from Ali Al-Gashamy. With only five minutes remaining, Ilija Ilic came to the rescue for Louisville City, scoring the equalizer after his side had also had a man sent off. Despite taking a 1-0 lead thanks to Harris after the first round of penalty kicks, DCFC saw the rest of its chances go begging, while Louisville’s Paolo DelPiccolo, Ilic, and Cameron Lancaster converted to send Louisville City to a third round match-up with NASL side Indy Eleven on June 1.
FC Cincinnati (USL) 2, Indy Eleven NPSL (NPSL) 1
Awarded a penalty kick after an Indy Eleven NPSL hand ball in the box, FC Cincinnati’s Omar Cummings converted the spot kick in the 36th minute. Minutes later, Indy Eleven’s Vincent Mitchell equalized to push the score to 1-1 heading into halftime. Straight off the bench in the second half, Cincinnati’s Jimmy McLaughlin grabbed the game-winner in the 61st minute to seal the new USL side’s first-ever U.S. Open Cup victory. FC Cincinnati will travel to play the Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) on June 1.
AFC Cleveland (NPSL) 0, Saint Louis FC (USL) 2
Saint Louis FC topped AFC Cleveland 2-0 in the Second Round of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night. Saint Louis forward Jamiel Hardware chipped the ‘keeper for the game’s first goal in the 22nd minute. Jordan Roberts doubled Saint Louis’ lead in the 77th minute thanks to an impressive assist from Seth Rudolph. Saint Louis is set to host NASL’s Minnesota United FC in the third round on Wednesday, June 1.
San Antonio FC (USL) 3, Corinthians FC of San Antonio (NPSL) 1
Playing their first-ever U.S. Open Cup match, it took San Antonio FC only three minutes to find their first goal in the competition as Jason Johnson finished off a feed from debutant Jacques Francois. Corinthians responded after halftime as Callum Chapman-Page helped make a game of it for the amateur side in the 47th minute. Undeterred, San Antonio FC powered towards the win, as newcomer Francois restored the lead with a scorching blast in the 70th minute, before icing the match four minutes later. With the 3-1 win, San Antonio FC will visit Des Moines Menace in third round play on June 1. For further information on this match click here.
La Maquina (Calif., Open Division) 2, Sacramento Gold (NPSL) 0
La Maquina welcomed NPSL club Sacramento Gold to Orange County Wednesday night and sent their state rivals back up I-5 after a decisive 2-0 win for the hosts. La Maquina finally converted their constant pressure into goals late in the second half at Boswell Field at Westminster High School, tallying in the 70th and 79th minutes. José Castro Pérez had the second goal for the home side and wowed the crowd with his elegant play from midfield throughout the game. La Maquina advance to the third round to meet L.A. Wolves FC in another matchup of Southern California clubs.
Sacramento Republic FC (USL) 5, CD Aguiluchos USA (Calif.) (NPSL) 0
Sacramento Republic FC opened its 2016 U.S. Open Cup journey with an impressive performance in a 5-0 victory over CD Aguiluchos USA. After having a PK saved by Aguiluchos goalkeeper Kevin Gonzalez, Sacramento Republic began to take advantage of set pieces. Max Alvarez assisted Alfonso Motagalvan and Carlos Rodriguez on two first half corner kick goals and set up another in the 35th minute when his free kick was deflected to Mackenzie Pridham, who smashed home a shot from close range. Sac Republic added goals in stoppage time of both halves as Thomas Stewart scored just before halftime and Max Alvarez curled in a free kick in second half stoppage time. Sacramento hosts Kitsap Pumas in the third round on June 1.
