The Premier Development League was the biggest winners of the first round of the Lamar Hunt/U.S. Open Cup Wednesday night, as nine teams advanced to the next round.
Eight sides each from the National Premier Soccer League as well as local qualifiers also advanced to the next stage. Eight First Round matches went to extratime, while six were decided by penalty kicks.
The Chicago FC United-Grand Rapids FC match was abandoned in the third minute due to inclement weather. The game will be replayed in its entirety, with the rescheduled date still to be announced.
The winners join professional Division II clubs in the competition’s second round Wednesday, May 17.
U.S. Soccer will conduct the pairing process for the Third Round of the Open Cup on Thursday, May 11 at Soccer House in Chicago Thursday.
The third round is scheduled to be played May 31.
Here is a recap of the first round:
Tuesday, May 9
Red Force (Fla.) 2, South Florida Surf (PDL) 4
The competition began with a bang as South Florida Surf of the Premier Development League (PDL) routed Red Force FC 4-2 in a goal-littered opening contest at Tropical Park in Miami.
The Surf was dominant all over the pitch in a lively first half. They stymied Red Force FC in midfield, cutting off the supply lines to the home side’s talented No. 10 Stiven Salinas, who was a member of the Red Force team that reached the Second Round of the 2014 Open Cup. And after dominating possession in the early going, South Florida Surf took a well-deserved lead after ten minutes when Manuel Gonzales curled home a delicious free kick over the wall and down into the lower corner of the net. They kept the pressure on the home side as the first half wore on, but were unable to extend their lead. And as so often is the case, they paid a price for their missed chances. Gilbert Ruiz curled a shot home from 20 yards out that took a wicked deflection before nestling in the side netting to even the score five minute before halftime.
The leveler proved little more than a false-dawn for the home team, who were second-best for the whole of the contest. Jeff Michaud made it 2-1 for South Florida early in the second-half after pushing home from close-range following a tasty piece of approach work from Darwin Espinal. Bradley Farias finished off a similar pattern shortly after to make it 3-1 and Michaud picked up his second of the game in the 76th minute with the best goal of the day. He controlled brilliantly at the edge of the area before firing into the top corner with his left foot. A late goal from Salinas for Red Force was nothing more than consolation as South Florida Surf booked a dream date with North American Soccer League (NASL) leaders Miami FC on May 17.
Wednesday, May 10
Fredericksburg FC (NPSL) 0, Christos FC (Md.) 3
Maryland-based Christos FC hit the road to open its Open Cup campaign and scored a 3-0 win against NPSL side Fredericksburg FC of Virginia thanks to a Peter Caringi hat trick. Christos FC got off to a dream start, taking the lead in the fourth minute, but it wasn’t until the second half that they struck again with Mamadou Kansaye feeding Caringi to double the lead in the 50th. Caringi then capped off his high-flying performance in the 87th minute with the game’s final goal, handing Open Cup debutants Christos FC their first win in the tournament as well as a Second Round date with USL side Richmond Kickers on May 17.
Atlanta Silverbacks (NPSL) 4, SC United Bantams (PDL) 1
Playing at home, Atlanta took early advantage when Abraham Lansana converted on a brilliant opportunity in the fourth minute. The NPSL side increased its lead when Belize international Deon MacCauley put back a rebound in the 20th, taking the home side into the break with a comfortable 2-0 advantage. MacCauley added his second on the other side of halftime, but SC United Bantams pulled back within two when Leandro Brown converted a 79th minute penalty. The PDL side’s hopes were dashed two minutes later when Thomas Hunter restored the three-goal lead, sending the Silverbacks on to a Second Round home date with the USL’s Charleston Battery.
El Farolito (Calif.) 0, Burlingame Dragons (PDL) 0 (5-6 PK)
It required 120 minutes of scoreless play and penalty kicks, but the Burlingame Dragons recorded their first win in U.S. Open Cup play with a 6-5 advantage from the spot. El Farolito did well to hang on and force penalties, having played with 10 men since Luis Nieves was sent off for a two-footed tackle in the 52nd minute. The Dragons will travel to Stanford University to take on the NASL’s San Francisco Deltas in the Second Round.
Western Mass Pioneers (PDL) 2, Boston City FC (NPSL) 2 (4-5 PK)
In a wild come-from-behind win at Lusitano Stadium in Ludlow, Mass., Boston City FC twice hauled back one-goal deficits to advance 5-4 on penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw against Western Mass Pioneers. The Pioneers took the first lead of the game five minutes into the second half when Mike Goncalves put home an Evan Burokas feed. As time started to become a factor, Boston brought on three attacking players in search of a goal and was rewarded for the gamble when Jhonata Batista equalized with 13 minutes left in regulation. After heading to overtime, Burokas added to his offensive output with what the Pioneers must have thought was the winner just 42 seconds into the extra period, especially after Boston FC saw a red card handed out to Paulo Henrique. Boston was further reduced to eight men on the field due to red cards shown to captain Ronaldo Vieira and Kamali Webson, but not after Webson had clipped home a smart equalizer for the visitors, knotting the match at 2-2. The match headed to penalties but not after a fourth red card was handed out, this time to the Pioneers’ Toto. Boston’s Kevin Herrera stepped up in the final round to net the crucial PK for the Lions and set up a Second Round clash against fellow adult amateur side GPS Omens (Mass.).
New Jersey Copa FC (NPSL) 1, FC Motown (N.J.) 2 (a.e.t.)
In a Garden State Derby, hosts New Jersey Copa FC took the lead when Ryan Campbell latched onto a missed header at the back and broke through the Motown defense in the 26th minute. Putting on the pressure to close the half, the visitors would tie things up in the 39th minute when a dangerous cross from the left by Rodrigo Santiago careened off the cross bar and fell for Dritan Sela who poked up the rebound. Neither side could find the go-ahead goal before the end of 90 minutes, forcing extra time where Samuel Gehman’s highlight-reel free kick curved into the top left corner, giving the side a 2-1 comeback win and a Second Round date with 1999 U.S. Open Cup winners Rochester Rhinos.
Charlotte Eagles (PDL) 2, Chattanooga FC (NPSL) 0
The Charlotte Eagles used two second-half goals against the visiting 2016 NPSL Southeast Conference champions Chattanooga FC to earn a 2-0 First Round victory. Charlotte broke the stalemate when Kelvin Omondi cleaned up a rebound off the post in the 72nd minute. With Chattanooga pressing for an equalizer, the Eagles’ Joao Costa forced a turnover on the left flank and slotted a low shot past the ‘keeper to cap the scoring in the 89th. The Eagles will host cross-town rivals Charlotte Independence of the USL in the Second Round, just as they did in a 2-0 loss in the first-ever Queen City Derby in last year’s competition.
Carolina Dynamo (PDL) 2, Legacy 76 (NPSL) 1
The Carolina Dynamo secured advancement with a 2-1 win against Legacy 76 on Wednesday night. Dynamo midfielder Shane Mecham gave the home side an early lead when he found the top corner in the 13th minute. Trailing 1-0 at the half, Legacy 76 evened the score on a Max Poelker tally in the 49th minute. Carolina was quick to regain the lead when Mamadee Nyepon found the back of the net from distance eight minutes later. The Dynamo are set to host NASL side North Carolina FC in the next round on Wednesday, May 17.
Miami United FC (NPSL) 2, Boca Raton FC (Fla.) 1
Miami United jumped ahead early when a ball over the top was flicked on into the path of Matías Menza who launched a first-time rocket from the top of the box that tucked inside the right post in the seventh minute. After going into the break with a 1-0 deficit, Boca Raton FC brought things level when Martini Bontempo expertly timed his near-post run on a free kick to flick home the equalizer in the 57th minute. The tying goal set up a rough-and-tumble end to the match, but Miami United FC’s Nacho Calcagno popped up with a dramatic 87th minute winner to push the home side to a Second Round home date against NASL side Jacksonville Armada FC.
Jacksonville Armada U -23 (NPSL) 2, The Villages SC (PDL) 1
An all-Florida battle saw The Villages SC earn a great start when Erickson Alves gave the visiting side a 1-0 lead in the first minute. Jacksonville Armada U-23s fought back after halftime, getting the equalizer from Joshua Castellanos in the 58th. Just as the match looked destined for extra time, Ciaran McKenna set up Cameron Grassmyer for the 89th minute winner, sending Jacksonville to a Second Round date away to the NASL’s Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL) 3, Junior Lone Star FC (Pa.) 1
Perennial U.S. Open Cup participants Ocean City Nor’easters ran out to a quick 2-0 lead against tournament hopefuls Junior Lone Star, as Ignacio Tellecha’s cross picked out Fredlin Mompremier in the fourth minute. The PDL side double its advantage just seven minutes later when Ismael Noumansana connected with Tyler Collishaw, pushing Ocean City to a comfortable 2-0 halftime lead. Undeterred by the deficit, Junior Lone Star struck back in the 62nd minute when a lofted ball into the box from Kouassi N’Guessan by Yaya Fane. The side from Philadelphia came close to the tying goal on multiple occasions, but Ocean City dashed their hopes when Akeil Barrett iced the match in the 83rd minute. The Nor’easters now advance to a Second Round home date with the USL’s Harrisburg City Islanders.
Reading United AC (PDL) 1, Clarkstown SC Eagles (NPSL) 0
Reading United AC topped Clarkstown SC Eagles with a 1-0 home win in the First Round on Wednesday evening. Reading’s Frantzdy Pierrot earned a penalty in the waning minutes of the first half, but saw his initial attempt was saved, but the attacker alertly followed up his shot and nodded past the diving ‘keeper for the game’s only tally. The victors are set to host defending NASL champions New York Cosmos in the Second Round.
Michigan Bucks (PDL) 1, AFC Ann Arbor (NPSL) 0
A first-half goal from Andre Landell sent the Michigan Bucks to the U.S. Open Cup Second Round at the expense of tournament debutants AFC Ann Arbor. Daniel de Oliveira picked off a pass from the Ann Arbor goalkeeper in the 12th minute and fed Landell, who slotted into the net for the game’s lone goal. The Bucks cruised through the second half ans into a Second Round home clash against NASL side Indy Eleven.
Derby City Rovers (PDL) 1, Tartan Devils Oak Avalon (Pa.) 1 (4-3 PK)
The Tartan Devils bested the Derby City Rovers 4-3 in penalties following a 1-1 tie through 120 minutes of play in U.S. Open Cup action. Derby City’s Igor Ibrahimkadic put the Rovers up 1-0 when he sent a low shot past the goalkeeper’s right side in the 12th minute. The Tartan Devils were rewarded for their strong second-half effort when Robert Heuler redirected an 89 th minute free kick to force extra time. Neither team could find the decisive goal over the additional 30 minutes, but the local qualifying side took the momentum, edging Derby City in the shootout decider to set up their Second Round home match with the USL’s Louisville City FC.
GPS Portland Phoenix (PDL) 0, GPS Omens (Mass.) 2
Portland, Maine hosted an all GPS encounter as GPS Portland Phoenix took on GPS Omens. Omens, undefeated 2016 Bay State Soccer League (Massachusetts) champions, got off to a quick start as Jake Johnson struck in the second minute. Ben Shuleva added a goal in the 25th minute for Omens, who held on for the 2-0 win. GPS Omens move on to face Boston City FC in a Second Round Boston Derby.
Chicago FC United (PDL) vs. Grand Rapids FC (NPSL) – Postponed
Match abandoned in the third minute due to inclement weather.
Dutch Lions FC (NPSL) 3, NTX Rayados (Texas) 1
A choppy, back-and-forth first half between Dutch Lions FC and NTX Rayados morphed into a goal storm in the second 45 as the Dutch Lions took the lead and never looked back en route to punching their ticket to the Second Round. Three of the game’s four goals all came within the opening four minutes of the second half, as the Dutch Lions raced out to a 2-0 lead courtesy of goals by Jose Pablo Covarrubias and Lawal Olayimika only to surrender an own goal, making for a tense remainder of the match. But in the final minute of regulation, Jerry Scholman iced the match with a goal to cement the final 3-1 score line and set up a Second Round showdown against San Antonio FC (USL) on May 17.
FC Wichita (NPSL) 1, Azteca FC (Colo.) 0 (a.e.t.)
FC Wichita battled for 120 minutes, weather delay not included, en route to a 1-0 extra-time win against an undermanned Azteca FC amateur side. Azteca faced an uphill battle when Christian Moran was shown a red card for a tough tackle in the 12th minute, but managed to hang on for nearly 80 minutes to force extra time. FC Wichita’s Travis Pittman registered the lone goal from the right side of the box when a deflected shot fell to his feet in the 104th minute. Wichita’s defense stood tall in the final half of extra time to maintain the shutout and earn a Second Round game against Saint Louis FC in the Second Round.
Des Moines Menace (PDL) 1, AFC Cleveland (NPSL) 3
In a second-half goal fest, AFC Cleveland pulled away from the Des Moines Menace for a 3-1 win, but only after a 75th minute strike gave them the initial advantage. An evenly contested game that saw action at both ends of the pitch draw terrific saves from each team’s goalkeeper looked as though it could head for extra time, but a penalty awarded to Cleveland in the 75th minute opened the door for Admir Suljevic to put AFC ahead from the spot. The Menace would not go quietly, hitting the post before Hayden Partain equalized for the home side with eight minutes remaining. But after another Partain chance narrowly cleared the bar, Cleveland bagged two late goals in the 87th and 91st minutes through Christopher Cvecko and Reymar Klochko, respectively, to move on to a Second Round clash with FC Cincinnati (USL) on May 17.
Tulsa Athletic (NPSL) 1 OKC Energy U- 23s (PDL) 1 (2-4 PK)
Just as it looked like the two sides would head into halftime scoreless, a well-worked buildup from OKC would lead to Matthew Puig burying a 44 th minute effort to give the visitors a 1-0 lead at the break. Tulsa went on the front foot looking for the equalizer and pulled level in the 80th minute when a well-placed cross from picked out Declan Fitzpatrick who nodded home the dramatic leveler. Neither team could find the decisive goal in extra time, leading to the penalty kick decider, where OKC Energy goalkeeper Eric Dick saved Tulsa’s first take to propel the side to a 4-2 shootout win. OKC Energy U-23s move on to a Second Round date with the USL’s Tulsa Roughnecks on May 17.
Sonoma County Sol (NPSL), 1 Anahuac FC (Nev.) 1 (4-5 PK)
It’s as if Sonoma County Sol and Anahuac FC were destined to go to penalties all along. After 100 minutes of back and forth chances, Sonoma County finally broke the stalemate at the century mark when Marco Barragan found the back of the net. Trailing for the first time all game, FC Anahuac netted an equalizer one minute later to bring the teams level. Ultimately, Anahuac proved victorious, topping Sonoma County 5-4 in penalty kicks to advance to the Second Round for a matchup with Sacramento Republic FC.
Albion SC Pros (NPSL) 2, Chula Vista FC (Calif.) 3
Albion were handed an early blow when Luke Staats was shown a 16 th minute red card. The home side held on through a nervy, scoreless match until the flood gates opened when Chula Vista FC’s Alberto Diaz broke the deadlock in the 74th minute. Albion had a chance to equalize just after the goal when David Luquen was chopped down in the box by CVFC defender by Gilberto Lopez, but the striker put his attempt off the bar. Just four minutes later, Chula Vista defender Gilberto Lopez was shown a second yellow card for a foul in the box, leading to his ejection and an Albion penalty kick. Just two minutes later, Lopez was sent packing when he committed a hand ball in the box, resulting in a follow-up penalty kick. The second attempt was coolly converted by Luan Oliveira to bring things level in the 79th minute. Chula Vista then grabbed the go-ahead goal when Jaime Verdin pounced on a rebound in the 89th , before Oscar Hernandez added an insurance strike in the second minute of stoppage time. That goal would end up being needed as Albion pulled one back through Lester Hayes a minute later, but the comeback was too late as Chula Vista outlasted the NPSL side to set up their Second Round clash with LA Wolves FC.
FC Golden State Force (PDL) 2, Outbreak FC (Calif.) 0
Despite playing most of the match with 10 men, FC Golden State Force notched a 2-0 victory against Outbreak FC on Wednesday evening. The Force found the scoresheet early when Mark Verso tallied in the seventh minute. FC Golden State found the back of the net again on a 21st minute tally from Bruno Lavandoski, but were forced to play a man down for most of the match when Dominic Oduro was sent off in the 29th minute. The Force will host Orange County SC of the USL in the Second Round of the competition.
Fresno Fuego (PDL) 4, La Máquina FC (Calif.) 1
Jose Cuevas ignited a rowdy crowd at Chukchansi Park with a tally in the 19th and minute as Fresno Fuego hosted La Máquina FC. La Máquina, who had advanced to the Fourth Round of the 2016 U.S. Open Cup only to fall to LA Galaxy in extra time, would not go down easy and Jose Montes de Oca leveled the match in the 64th minute. Fresno went back ahead on another Cuevas goal in the 73rd minute and poured it on with additional strikes from Joey Chica and Etiando Tavares for a 4-1 win. Fresno moves on to host the USL’s Phoenix Rising FC in the Second Round.
Ventura County Fusion (PDL) 1, Moreno Valley Fútbol Club (Calif.) 2
Ventura County Fusion did its best to overcome an early two-goal deficit, but it’s last-minute effort wasn’t enough in a 2-1 win for Moreno Valley Fútbol Club. Former Fusion player Javier Castro gave Moreno Valley a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute, followed by a Norberto Ochoa insurance goal four minutes later. Ventura County failed to convert an 84th minute penalty, but Kevin Feucht put them on the board in the final moments of the game. Moreno Valley will travel to Oklahoma City for a contest against the OKC Energy FC in the Second Round.
FC Tucson (PDL) 3, Colorado Rush (Colo.) 1
A pair of late goals sent FC Tucson through to the Second Round of the 2017 U.S. Open Cup after a 3-1 defeat of the Colorado Rush. Tucson got off to a quick start with Gio Vasquez rising above the crowd to nod home and early corner kick in the third minute. Daniel Wooliscroft replied quickly for the Rush, capitalizing on a Tucson defensive error to know the match. It was a tug-of-war from that point until Tucson began to turn the screw with 15 minutes remaining. Pinheiro rattled a shot off the bar and Tucson created a handful of chances that went awry before Moshe Perez nipped in at the death of regulation to net an 89th minute winner. Pinheiro then put the match out of reach for Colorado, scoring on a breakaway to make it 3-1 while the Rush had pushed all players forward in search of a last-ditch equalizer. FC Tucson moves on to face the Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL) on May 17.
OSA FC (NPSL) 0, Sounders FC U -23 (PDL) 0 (5-3 PK)
With no score to show in 120 minutes of play, OSA FC topped Sounders FC U-23 5-3 in penalty kicks in a battle in Seattle. OSA goalkeeper Joshua Adachi did well to stop one of Seattle’s four attempts, guessing correctly on Macauley King’s lofted effort en route to victory. Besting its cross-town foe, OSA FC advances to the Second Round and will host the USL’s Reno 1868 FC.
L. A. Wolves FC (Calif.) 4, San Diego Zest (PDL) 2
Chuck Pitts opened the scoring for L.A. Wolves in the 36th minute. Miguel Sanchez doubled the advantage by getting on the end of a corner kick just before the hour mark and L.A. Wolves got a third goal in the 62nd. The San Diego Zest regained some hope when substitute Joseph Fortini pulled one back in the 70th minute, but L.A. Wolves took back the three-goal advantage when Paolo Cardozo’s individual effort in the box led to an own goal. San Diego got a consolation penalty kick from Patrick McGrath in the 86th, but it wasn’t enough to spark a full comeback as L.A. Wolves FC booked their Second Round date against Chula Vista FC.
2017 U.S. Open Cup Second Round Schedule
| Date | Game | Time | Venue |
| May 17 | Atlanta Silverbacks (NPSL) vs. Charleston Battery (USL) | 5 p.m. ET | Atlanta Silverbacks Park; Atlanta, Ga. |
| May 17 | Richmond Kickers (USL) vs. Christos FC (Md.) | 7 p.m. ET | City Stadium; Richmond, Va. |
| May 17 | Rochester Rhinos (USL) vs. FC Motown (N.J.) | 7 p.m. ET | Capelli Sport Stadium; Rochester, N.Y. |
| May 17 | Boston City FC (Mass.) vs. GPS Omens (Mass.) | 7 p.m. ET | Brother Gilbert Stadium; Malden, Mass. |
| May 17 | Miami United FC (NPSL) vs. Jacksonville Armada (NASL) | 7 p.m. ET | Ted Hendricks Stadium; Hialeah, Fla. |
| May 17 | Carolina Dynamo (PDL) vs. North Carolina FC (NASL) | 7 p.m. ET | Macpherson Stadium; Greensboro, N.C. |
| May 17 | Charlotte Eagles (PDL) vs. Charlotte Independence (USL) | 7 p.m. ET | Charlotte Christian School; Charlotte, N.C. |
| May 17* | Tartan Devils Oak Avalon (Pa.) vs. Louisville City FC (USL) | 7 p.m. ET | Highmark Stadium; Pittsburgh, Pa. |
| May 17 | FC Cincinnati (USL) vs. AFC Cleveland (NPSL) | 7 p.m. ET | Nippert Stadium (Univ. of Cincinnati); Cincinnati, Ohio |
| May 17 | Miami FC (NASL) vs. South Florida Surf (PDL) | 7:30 p.m. ET | Cobb Field (Univ. of Miami); Coral Gables, Fla. |
| May 17 | Michigan Bucks (PDL) vs. Indy Eleven (NASL) | 7:30 p.m. ET | Ultimate Soccer Arenas; Pontiac, Mich. |
| May 17 | Reading United AC (PDL) vs. New York Cosmos (NASL) | 7:30 p.m. ET | Exeter Township Senior High School; Reading, Pa. |
| May 17 | Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL) vs. Jacksonville Armada U-23 (NPSL) | 7:30 p.m. ET | Al Lang Stadium; St. Petersburg, Fla. |
| May 17 | Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL) vs. Harrisburg City Islanders (USL) | 7:30 p.m. ET | Carey Stadium; Ocean City, N.J. |
| May 17 | Grand Rapids FC (NPSL) vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL) -or- |
7:30 p.m. ET | Pat Patterson Field (Crestwood Middle School); Kentwood, Mich. |
| May 17 | Chicago FC United (PDL) vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL) | 7 p.m. CT | Martin Stadium (Northwestern Univ.); Evanston, Ill. |
| May 17 | FC Wichita (NPSL) vs. Saint Louis FC (USL) | 7 p.m. CT | Stryker Soccer Complex; Wichita, Kan. |
| May 17 | Dutch Lions FC (NPSL) vs. San Antonio FC (USL) | 7 p.m. CT | Dutch Lions FC Soccer Facility; Conroe, Texas |
| May 17 | Tulsa Roughnecks FC (USL) vs. Oklahoma City Energy U23 (PDL) | 7 p.m. CT | Hurricane Soccer & Track Stadium; Tulsa, Okla. |
| May 17 | OKC Energy FC (USL) vs. Moreno Valley Fútbol Club (Calif.) | 7 p.m. CT | Taft Stadium; Oklahoma City, Okla. |
| May 17 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USL) vs. FC Tucson (PDL) | 6 p.m. MT | Weidner Field; Colorado Springs, Colo. |
| May 17 | Fresno Fuego (PDL) vs. Phoenix Rising FC (USL) | 7 p.m. PT | Fresno State Soccer & Lacrosse Stadium; Fresno, Calif. |
| May 17 | FC Golden State Force (PDL) vs. Orange County SC (USL) | 7 p.m. PT | Citrus College; Glendora, Calif. |
| May 17^ | L.A. Wolves FC (Calif.) vs. Chula Vista FC (Calif.) | 7:30 p.m. PT | Azusa Pacific University Soccer Field; Azusa, Calif. |
| May 17 | Sacramento Republic FC (USL) vs. Anahuac FC (Nev.) | 7:30 p.m. PT | Papa Murphy’s Park; Sacramento, Calif. |
| May 17 | San Francisco Deltas (NASL) vs. Burlingame Dragons FC (PDL) | 7:30 p.m. PT | Stanford University; Stanford, Calif. |
| May 17 | OSA FC (NPSL) vs. Reno 1868 FC (USL) | 7:30 p.m. PT | Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, Wash. |
*Venue changed 4/27
^Venue changed 5/10
