2015 was the hearkening of a new era of sorts for the USL. A handful of expansion teams joined the league and eight MLS clubs launched reserve sides that would take part in the third-division of the American professional soccer system for the first time. The first big test for the revamped league, now at 24 teams, would be its performance in the US Open Cup, particularly against clubs from the two higher divisions, NASL and MLS.
With the third round of the competition now complete, I think it’s safe to say the league has exceeded expectations to this point. Seven of the 15 ties that took place Wednesday were between USL and NASL teams. The USL was victorious in all seven. I’m not sure even the most optimistic assessment of the league’s prospects had them realizing as much success as they did.
For the NASL, it’s back to the drawing board after only two of the nine US-based teams came away with wins against lower division competition. It’s arguably the worst performance in the tournament for the league since it was first granted entry in 2012. Only the New York Cosmos and Atlanta Silverbacks were able to advance to the fourth round and even Atlanta needed extra time to emerge victorious against the NPSL’s Chattanooga FC.
If there’s one team that could be classified as a Cinderella for the remainder of the tournament, it’s PSA Elite. The USASA side (effectively the US sixth division) defeated the PDL’s Ventura County Fusion to become the only non-professional side left among the final 32. A harrowing encounter with 2014 MLS Cup Champions LA Galaxy awaits in the fourth round.
Quick recaps of all 15 third round matches can be found below. League affiliations for all teams are in parentheses.
US Open Cup Third Round Summary
Seattle Sounders FC II (USL) 2, Portland Timbers II (USL) 1 [AET]
One round before the senior sides face each other in an impromptu Cascadia showdown, their USL reserve teams went at it. After a scoreless first half at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, WA, T2 defender Rennico Clarke put the visitors ahead in the 54th minute. The Sounders would equalize 11 minutes later when Andy Craven, who leads the team in goals and is third in USL during the regular season with five, found the back of the net. The game would remain tied through the rest of regulation and go to extra time where Seattle’s Pablo Rossi scored the eventual game-winner in the 104th minute.
Next match: at Real Salt Lake, June 17th 10 PM ET
Rochester Rhinos (USL) 3, Harrisburg City Islanders (USL) 1 [AET]
The Rhinos would find themselves in trouble early when forward Steevan dos Santos received his second yellow in the 38th minute. However, Harrisburg was unable to capitalize in regulation with the game remaining scoreless through 90 and remaining so through the first extra period. That’s when the drama would unfold.
The Islanders would appear to be in the drivers’ seat when striker Brett Jankouskas beat Rhinos goalkeeper Brandon Miller one minute into the second fifteen minutes of extra time. No more than a minute later Rochester would respond. Midfielder Kenardo Forbes would net his second of the competition after scoring the game-winner last week against GBFC Thunder. Asani Samuels assisted on that goal and wasn’t finished, scoring two goals in the 115th and 120th minute respectively to secure an improbable comeback win for the Rhinos.
Next match: at Philadelphia Union, June 16th, 7:30 PM ET
Richmond Kickers (USL) 3, Jacksonville Armada (NASL) 0
Who knew that by the end of the night this result would represent more of a trend than an exception to the rule as regards how the USL fared against the NASL. The hosts would open up the scoring 20 minutes in when Brian Ownby, who’s tied with teammate Matthew Delicate for the regular season team lead in points, found the back of the net off a corner. 18 minutes later Jason Yeisley would double the Kickers’ lead.
Things didn’t get much better for Jacksonville in the second half. The 51st minute would see Armada FC goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo take down midfielder Hugh Roberts in the box. George Davis IV would convert the penalty and put the icing on the cake for what would be a fairly decisive win for the Kickers.
Next match: vs. Columbus Crew SC, June 17th, time TBA
Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL) 1, Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) 0
Riverhounds midfielder Rob Vincent has been a fairly reliable goalscorer for the club during the regular season. After all, he’s second in USL with six goals through nine games. It was only fitting, then, that he was able to conjure up some second half stoppage time heroics by netting the only goal of the game and sending another NASL side crashing out of the tournament.
Next match: vs. DC United, June 17th, time TBA
Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) 2, Chattanooga FC (NPSL) 1 [AET]
When Chattanooga FC’s leading scorer in NPSL play Luke Winter nailed the ball past Silverbacks goalkeeper C.J. Cochran in the 87th minute, it looked like another NASL side was poised for a humiliating loss. However, in the final minute of regulation the home side conceded a penalty kick that Atlanta’s Shaka Bangura calmly finished. Four minutes into the second extra period, forward Jaime Chavez would cap a tremendous comeback with the eventual game-winner that staved off a disastrous result for the Silverbacks.
Next match: at New York Red Bulls, June 16th, 7:30 PM ET
Charlotte Independence (USL) 1, Carolina Railhawks (NASL) 0
The weather wasn’t kind to these two North Carolina foes on Wednesday as thunderstorms in the area forced the match to kick off 30 minutes late. For the Railhawks, neither was the final result. Goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre, fresh off a successful two-match stint with MLS’ Philadelphia Union, made some fine saves but was beaten in the 81st minute by Charlotte forward Ryan Finley for the only goal of the game.
Next match: at New England Revolution, June 17th, 7:30 PM ET
Charleston Battery (USL) 3, Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) 2
The Strikers have struggled in US Open Cup play since their first foray into the tournament in 2012. In six matches, they’ve only won once and lost four, including Wednesday’s result against Charleston. New signing Bruno Nunes put Fort Lauderdale ahead six minutes in. Ricky Garbanzo would equalize for the Battery in the 30th minute but ten minutes later the Strikers would retake the lead courtesy of Dani Sanchez.
The lead appeared safe until late in the second half when two Charleston goals three minutes apart from Zach Prince and Dane Kelly put USL’s second best team in terms of points up for good.
Next match: vs. Orlando City SC, June 17th, 7:30 PM ET
Louisville City FC (USL) 2, Indy Eleven (NASL) 0
Much like the Charlotte-Carolina game, this match was forced to start late due to inclement weather in the Indianapolis area. Both sides had a few quality chances throughout regulation but were unable to convert. Scoreless through 90 minutes, extra time was necessary and the visitors made the most of it. Nate Polak put Louisville up 1-0 in the 115th minute and Sidney Rivera, making his first start of the year, added an insurance tally to end the US Open Cup hopes of another NASL club.
Next match: at Chicago Fire, June 16th 8:30 PM ET
New York Cosmos (NASL) 3, Jersey Express (PDL) 0
The Cosmos were a rare bright spot for their league on Wednesday night. Facing a Jersey Express team riding high after their upset win over New York Red Bulls II in the previous round, they took it to them early. Goals in the 14th and 40th minute from Leo Fernandes and Sebastian Guenzatti respectively put the Cosmos firmly in control at the halftime whistle.
Haji Wright, formerly a standout player in the LA Galaxy academy, made his first appearance for New York as a 79th minute sub. He immediately showed his promise two minutes later, drawing a foul in the box. Mads Stokkelien would convert the subsequent penalty to seal the three-goal victory.
Next match: vs. New York City FC, June 16th, time TBA
Saint Louis FC (USL) 1, Minnesota United FC (NASL) 1 [AET]
(STLFC advances 3-1 on penalty kicks)
The World Wide Technology Soccer Park in St. Louis probably saw the most drama-filled match of the night. Future MLS club Minnesota United FC and USL expansion side Saint Louis FC traded goals in the second half, then played a scoreless extra 30 minutes before contesting a penalty shootout. The home side would eventually triumph when Minnesota’s Christian Ramirez hit the post in the fourth round of PKs.
Next match: at Sporting Kansas City, June 16th, 8:30 PM ET
Oklahoma City Energy (USL) 1, Tulsa Roughnecks (USL) 0
Oklahoma City got the majority of chances on net in this game and were able to finish one in the 82nd minute courtesy of a Peter Toth screamer that originated from way outside the box. The midfielder had seen a mere 59 minutes of action in four regular season games for the Energy, coming on as a second half sub in all four. Tulsa was only able to register three total shots the entire game.
Next match: at FC Dallas, June 16th, 9:00 PM ET
Austin Aztex (USL) 2, San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) 0
This was perhaps the most surprising of the USL wins on Wednesday, if anything due to the fact the Scorpions are the defending NASL champions and the Aztex are one of four expansion teams in their league. Defender Mikey Ambrose would open the Aztex account in the 50th minute with a long range blast that beat Scorpions goalie Daryl Sattler. Trevin Caesar, the second-leading scorer for Austin in the regular season with three, doubled the visitors’ advantage with a 78th minute counterattack goal.
It’s a welcome result for a club whose stadium was underwater earlier in the week due to the historic flooding currently gripping parts of Texas.
Next match: at Houston Dynamo, date TBA, 9:00 PM ET
Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL) 1, Real Monarchs (USL) 0
Of the four USL expansion franchises, three currently find themselves paired up with MLS clubs in the next round after Wednesday’s games, including Colorado Springs. The Switchbacks got on the board five minutes into the match when Aaron King fired the ball past goalkeeper Eric Osswald. The visiting side would weather both an hour-and-a-half lightning delay as well as a determined Monarchs side that would outshoot Colorado Springs 11-2 in the second half to leave Sandy, UT with a win.
Next match: at Colorado Rapids, June 16th, 9:00 PM ET
PSA Elite (USASA) 2, Ventura County Fusion (PDL) 1
The lone match of the third round not involving clubs from the Big Three divisions of US pro soccer was quite the thriller. In the end, PSA Elite would break a 1-1 tie via a Justin Dillon goal in the 80th minute. With the result, the USASA side is the last team standing from the lower divisions of the American soccer pyramid and as such will win a $15,000 prize from the tournament organizers.
Next match: at LA Galaxy, June 17th, 10:30 PM ET
Sacramento Republic FC (USL) 7, Chula Vista FC (USASA) 3
The defending USL champions received quite the spirited challenge from the youngsters at Chula Vista FC. The amateurs found themselves tied with Sacramento in the 40th minute after Francis Ramirez converted a penalty kick and only trailed 2-1 at halftime.
Sac Republic FC would turn on the jets early in the second half to make it 5-1 midway through. Still, CVFC had no quit in them, netting goals in the 74th and 81st minute to keep the game close. In the end, however, Sacramento would add two more, including an 89th minute tally from Adnan Gabeljic which would give him a hat trick for the night.
Next match: at San Jose Earthquakes, June 16th, 10:30 PM ET
