READING, Pa. — The Cosmos will begin their latest Lamar Hunt/U.S. Open Cup quest on the road.
The two-time defending North American Soccer League champions will play at Reading United AC after the Premier Development League team defeated the Clarkstown Eagles, 1-0, in a first-round encounter Wednesday night.
Frantzdy Pierrot converted a penalty kick in first-half stoppage time for the lone goal of the match at Exeter Township High School.
It was the sixth consecutive time that Reading won its Open Cup opener, which is a modern record for an amateur team.
Reading played the final 14 minutes of regulation and four minutes of second-half added time after Aaron Molloy was awarded his second yellow card in the 76th minute.
The hosts held on the rest of the way to book a spot in the second round.
They will welcome the Cosmos at Exeter Township H.S. at 7:30 p.m.
“The U.S. Open Cup is a competition we always look forward to play,” Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese said in a statement.