U.S. OPEN CUP QUALIFYING RECAP

Sonoma County Sol, CD Aguiluchos USA, and San Diego Flash all advanced in U.S. Open Cup qualifying over the weekend.

Sonoma County moved on thanks to a 4-3 win over Real San Jose.  Brandon Boone, Carlos Hernandez, Tyler Hurst, and Taylor Varnadore each landed a goal for the Sol.  Edwin Luna, Jose Avalos, and Daniel Martinez all scored for RSJ.

“I thought we showed a ton of heart to come back from 2-0 down and fight back and win the game,” Sol head coach Vinnie Cortezzo stated. “It’s a great feeling.”

CD Aguiluchos USA dominated the SF Stompers FC 8-1.  The leading scorer was former Sonoma County Sol striker and 2013 NPSL Player of the Year Ross Middlemiss, who scored four goals in the match.

“No excuses, it just wasn’t our night,” Stompers GM Billy Forte stated.  ”CD Aguiluchos USA were ready from the start and they capitalized.  Things fell apart.  The good thing is that it is one game.  We have made a lot of changes and the new players to our organization got their first real taste of NPSL action.  I know we have the quality; we just need to learn make adjustments and bounce back for our season and home opener on March 28th versus Sacramento.”

San Diego needed penalty kicks to decide the result of their match after 120 minutes of play.

Deportivo Coras USA took an early lead with a goal from Francisco Hernandez in the 3rd minute, but Brandon Zuniga tied things up 1-1 for the Flash in the 19th minute. Jock Duach then put San Diego up 2-1 in the 27th before Cristian Zamora equalized ten minutes later.  No further goals were scored and the Flash advanced on PKs.