TWO NPSL TEAMS ADVANCE TO THIRD ROUND OF OPEN CUP

It was history in the making for the NPSL Wednesday night as two teams advanced to the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup. Chattanooga FC’s victory against a professional club was the first by an NPSL team in the competition’s history.

Brooklyn Italians SC, which has already won two U.S. Open Cup titles, now faces off against a NASL opponent in a true New York derby.  We wish our teams the best of luck moving forward.

Chattanooga FC (NPSL) 3, Wilmington Hammerheads (USL PRO) 1: Chattanooga FC added to a record-breaking Second Round of the U.S. Open Cup with a 3-1 win against the Wilmington Hammerheads. Luke Winter scored a brace as Chattanooga held off a Hammerheads team that was reduced to 10 men inside the first 15 minutes of the match. A stoppage time goal ensured Chattanooga would move on to the Third Round, where it will face the Atlanta Silverbacks on May 28.

Brooklyn Italians SC (NPSL) 4, Jersey Express (PDL) 2: A late three-goal surge in the second half propelled the Brooklyn Italians past the Jersey Express in an East Coast thriller. Down 1-0 at half to a strike from Jersey’s Markus Hackett, Brooklyn tied the score in the 50th minute through Jiro Barriga. Another goal for Jersey in the 63rd minute saw Brooklyn trail again, but the match turned in the 74th minute when Barriga earned a penalty kick. Salvatore Barone buried his shot from the spot before two strikes from Yvener Guerrier in the final 10 minutes sent the Italians on to play the New York Cosmos in the Third Round on May 28.

Richmond Kickers (USL PRO) 6, RVA FC (NPSL) 1:  The Richmond Kickers scored three goals in each half in a Richmond, Virginia, derby in the Second Round of the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Sports Backers Stadium. The match was part of ussoccer.com’s “Game of the Round” coverage of the 101st edition of the U.S. Open Cup.  With the victory, the Kickers will host New York Greek American Atlas (USASA) in the Third Round at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 28, at Richmond City Stadium.

Orlando City U23s (PDL) 2, Jacksonville United FC (NPSL) 1: The Orlando City U23s beat Jacksonville United FC, using a second-half own goal from Jacksonville that would prove to be the game-winner. Orlando advances to the Third Round and will travel to play the Charleston Battery on May 28.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO) 3, New York Red Bulls U-23s (NPSL) 1: Tied at halftime, Matt Dalman fed Jose Angulo for the go-ahead goal in the 68th minute as the Pittsburgh Riverhounds scored twice in the second half and advance to the Third Round. The Riverhounds will next host RWB Adria on May 28.

Reading United A.C. (PDL) 5, Greater Binghamton FC Thunder (NPSL) 2: Led by Darius Madison’s goal and three assists, Reading United A.C. scored three second-half goals to put away Greater Binghamton FC Thunder to advance to the Third Round. Reading United will travel to take on the Rochester Rhinos on May 28 in Round 3 action.

Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) 4, FC Lehigh United Sonic (NPSL) 0: The Harrisburg City Islanders erased a scoreless first half by scoring four goals in the final 45 minutes en route to a 4-0 victory. Jose Barril’s 48th-minute tally proved to be the winner. Harrisburg City advances to play the Baltimore Bohemians in Round 3 on May 28.

Oklahoma City Energy FC (USL PRO) 2, Tulsa Athletics (NPSL) 0: Energy FC muscled past the Tulsa Athletics in a chippy Oklahoma derby thanks to goals from David Leichty in the 10th and Pete Caringi in the 69th minutes, respectively. Oklahoma City advances to the Third Round where it will meet Arizona United on May 28.