U.S. Open Cup Second Round Brings Plenty Of Upsets
By Sean Maslin
If the second round of the 2015 U.S. Open Cup was any indication of how the tournament might play out this season it seems that it is the year of the upset. This week’s saw the introduction of the USL into the tournament. Yet despite the heightened competition it was the underdogs that would have their moment to shine.
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Of the 21 matches that took place on Wednesday, there was perhaps no greater upset than the Ventura County Fusion’s 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy II. Although the Galaxy II were resting some of their starters, they did hold the lion’s share of possession during the match. But a late goal by forward Abu Danlandi gave the Fusion the victory and the chance to play in the Open Cup third round for just the third time in their history.
Galaxy II were not the only lower-division MLS affiliate to lose on Wednesday night. Red Bulls II also struggled against the Jersey Express losing 1-0.The Express gained the lead after forward Chris Karcz headed home a cross in the 56th minute. This was the Express’ first-ever win in the U.S. Open Cup.
In other U.S. Open Cup action FC Chattanooga of the NPSL outlasted the Wilmington Hammerheads 5-3 on penalties.
Meanwhile the Colorado Spring Switchbacks of USL held on for dear life as they were taken to the limit by amateur side Harpo FC. Harpo, who are sponsored by Avery Brewing Company, nearly came back from the brink with a goal by Kevin Haber in the 49th minute. But two early goals by Switchbacks forward Martin Maybin were enough.
Full results from the second round (courtesy of U.S. Soccer🙂
| Date | Game | Result | Venue |
| May 20 | West Virginia Chaos (PDL) at Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL) | 0-3 | Highmark Stadium; Pittsburgh, Pa. |
| May 20 | Chattanooga FC (NPSL) at Wilmington Hammerheads (USL) | 1-1 (5-3 PK’s) | Legion Stadium; Wilmington, N.C. |
| May 20 | Virginia Beach City FC (NPSL) at Richmond Kickers (USL) | 0-2 | Richmond City Stadium; Richmond, Va. |
| May 20 | Greater Binghamton FC Thunder (NPSL) at Rochester Rhinos (USL) | 0-1 | Sahlen’s Stadium; Rochester, N.Y. |
| May 20 | Louisville City FC (USL) at Lansing United (NPSL) | 1-0 | East Lansing Soccer Complex; East Lansing, Mich. |
| May 20 | Harrisburg City Islanders (USL) at Reading United A.C. (PDL) | 3-0 | Don Thomas Stadium; Reading, Pa. |
| May 20 | Miami United (NPSL) at Charleston Battery (USL) | 0-1 | Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, S.C. |
| May 20^ | Upward Star (NPSL) at Charlotte Independence (USL) | 1-4 | Eagle Field at Winthrop; Rock Hill, S.C. |
| May 19# | Portland Timbers 2 (USL) at Michigan Bucks (PDL) | 2-0 | Ultimate Soccer Arenas; Pontiac, Mich. |
| May 20 | Real Monarchs SLC (USL) at Long Island Rough Riders (PDL) | 1-0 | St. Anthony’s High School; South Huntington, N.Y. |
| May 20 | New York Red Bulls II (USL) at Jersey Express (PDL) | 0-1 | NJIT Soccer Stadium; Newark, N.J. |
| May 20 | Seacoast United Phantoms (PDL) at Tulsa Roughnecks (USL) | 0-1 | Hurricane Soccer & Track Field; Tulsa, Okla. |
| May 20 | Des Moines Menace (PDL) at Saint Louis FC (USL) | 1-1, 1-2 AET | St. Louis Soccer Park; Fenton, Mo. |
| May 20 | Oklahoma City Energy (USL) at Midland/Odessa Sockers (PDL) | 3-1 | Grande Communications Stadium; Midland, Texas |
| May 20 | Laredo Heat (PDL) at Austin Aztex (USL) | 0-2 | House Park; Austin, Texas |
| May 20 | Harpo’s FC (USSSA) at Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL) | 1-2 | Sand Creek Stadium; Colorado Springs, Colo. |
| May 20* | Orange County Blues (USL) at PSA Elite (USASA) | 1-2 | University High School; Irvine, Calif. |
| May 20 | Chula Vista FC (USASA) at Arizona United SC (USL) | 3-0 | Scottsdale Stadium; Scottsdale, Ariz. |
| May 20 | Ventura County Fusion (PDL) at LA Galaxy II (USL) | 2-1 | StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium; Carson, Calif. |
| May 20 | Sonoma County Sol (NPSL) at Sacramento Republic FC (USL) | 2-4 | Bonney Field; Sacramento, Calif. |
| May 20 | Kitsap Pumas (PDL) at Seattle Sounders 2 (USL) | 2-2, 2-4 AET | Starfire Stadium; Tukwila, Wash. |
2015 U.S. Open Cup Third Round Schedule (Courtest of U.S. Soccer🙂
| Date | Game | Time/Result | Venue |
| May 27 | Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) at Chattanooga FC (NPSL) | 7:30 p.m. ET | Finley Stadium; Chattanooga, Tenn. |
| May 27 | Charlotte Independence (USL) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL) | 7:30 p.m. ET | WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, N.C. |
| May 27 | Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) at Charleston Battery (USL) | 7:30 p.m. ET | Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, S.C. |
| May 27 | Louisville City FC (USL) at Indy Eleven (NASL) | 7:30 p.m. ET | Carroll Stadium; Indianapolis, Ind. |
| May 27 | Jersey Express (PDL) at New York Cosmos (NASL) | 7:30 p.m. ET | Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.); Queens, N.Y. |
| May 27 | Rochester Rhinos (USL) at Harrisburg City Islanders (USL) | 7 p.m. ET | Skyline Sports Complex; Harrisburg, Pa. |
| May 27 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL) at Real Monarchs SLC (USL) | 7 p.m. MT | Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah |
| May 27^ | Portland Timbers 2 (USL) at Seattle Sounders 2 (USL) | 1 p.m. PT | Starfire Stadium; Tukwila, Wash. |
| May 27 | Jacksonville Armada (NASL) at Richmond Kickers (USL) | 7 p.m. ET | Richmond City Stadium; Richmond, Va. |
| May 27 | Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) at Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL) | 7 p.m. ET | Highmark Stadium; Pittsburgh, Pa. |
| May 27 | Minnesota United FC (NASL) at Saint Louis FC (USL) | 7 p.m. CT | St. Louis Soccer Park; Fenton, Mo. |
| May 27 | Austin Aztex (USL) at San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) | 7:30 p.m. CT | Toyota Field; San Antonio, Texas |
| May 27 | Oklahoma City Energy (USL) at Tulsa Roughnecks (USL) | 7:05 p.m. CT | ONEOK Field; Tulsa, Okla. |
| May 27 | Chula Vista FC (USASA) at Sacramento Republic FC (USL) | 7:30 p.m. PT | Bonney Field; Sacramento, Calif. |
| May 27 | PSA Elite (USASA) at Ventura County Fusion (PDL) | 7 p.m. PT | Ventura College Sportsplex; Ventura, Calif. |