Totally unbiased look at 2019 USOC 1st-round matchups
A look at the top game in each region, plus honorable mentions
With U.S. Soccer’s unveiling of the first-round matchups of the 2019 U.S. Open Cup, the most compelling time in American soccer is nearly upon us.
Each year, the nation’s top amateur teams from two national amateur leagues (USL League Two and the NPSL) as well as local qualifiers from the open division compete in the opening round and attempt to secure a David vs. Goliath match against the professional teams entering in the second round and beyond.
This year, the introduction of six USL League One teams means there’ll be several amateur vs. professional matches in the first round. Unlike the leagues running simultaneously, the cross-competitive nature of the Open Cup leads to some of the most memorable matches and incredible underdog stories you’ll see each year. Christos FC, sadly absent from this year’s edition after losing in the qualifying rounds, made their remarkable run in 2017’s edition to the fourth round before falling to MLS’ D.C. United. The same edition played host to then-USL club FC Cincinnati’s remarkable run to the semifinals, where they ultimately fell to the New York Red Bulls in extra time.
With history in mind and the first-round pairings unveiled, we take a look at the most compelling match in each of the four regions as well as some honorable mentions in each.
Northeast Region
New York Red Bulls U23 (USLL2) vs. FC Motown (NPSL) – May 7, 7:30 p.m. ET – New York Red Bulls Training Facility, East Hanover, N.J.
This region is chock-full of exciting matches, but the biggest treat features two clubs that were among the best in their respective leagues in 2018.
New York Red Bulls U23 play host in their first-round match against FC Motown, as they make their fifth all-time appearance in the USOC. Historically, the club has struggled to find success in the tournament, reaching the second round only once in 2014, beating open division qualifier Vermont Voltage before losing to the USL’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Their USOC struggles don’t affect their league performance, however, as Red Bulls U23 is constantly chock-full of MLS-level talent and has been dangerous in their time in both the NPSL and USLL2 (formerly the Premier Development League). The club won the NPSL in their 2014 campaign — defeating Chattanooga FC in the final of an undefeated season — and won its division in either league six times while never finishing with a sub-.500 record in its history since launching in 2010. Most recently, Red Bulls U23 finished 10-1-3 and was Eastern Conference runner-ups in the 2018 PDL season.
FC Motown is no slouch either, as the 2018 NPSL finalist enters its third-consecutive USOC (once as an open division club, twice as a member of the NPSL). After launching in 2012, the club ran rampant in the amateur Garden State Soccer League, winning that league title from 2014-17 before making the leap to the NPSL. In its two seasons against improved competition, Motown has still thrived, reaching the North East Regional final in 2017 (as the Clarkstown Eagles), and falling to Miami FC 2 in the NPSL Cup final in 2018. They also hold the advantage in head-to-head history against Red Bulls U23, defeating them in last year’s tournament in the first round.
Two traditional powerhouse clubs meeting for a second-consecutive USOC in a grudge match? That’s the definition of compelling.
Honorable mentions
New York Cosmos B (NPSL) vs. Black Rock FC (USLL2) – May 7, 7:30 p.m. ET – Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium, New York, N.Y.
Richmond Kickers (USLL1) vs. Virginia United (Va.) – May 7, 7 p.m. ET – City Stadium, Richmond, Va.
Lansing Ignite FC (USLL1) vs. AFC Ann Arbor (NPSL) – May 8, 7 p.m. ET – Cooley Law School Stadium, Lansing, Mich.
Southeast Region
Greenville Triumph SC (USLL1) vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC (USLL1) – May 8, 7 p.m. ET – Legacy Early College Field, Greenville, S.C.
This four-match region contains a few oddities of note, but the sole professional vs. professional match in the first round highlights the bunch.
Greenville Triumph SC is one of the nation’s newest professional soccer clubs, having just recently made its debut in the new USL League One in the third division of the USSF pyramid. In their first USOC appearance, Greenville will rematch against Tormenta FC, which was their debut opponent back on March 29 in a 0-1 loss on the road. Triumph SC earned the first win in club history one week later, taking a 2-1 result over Lansing Ignite FC in the club’s first home match in front of a sellout crowd of 4,014. Separated by a three or four hour drive, this burgeoning regional match has all the makings of a fun head to head for years to come, and this opening chapter in its USOC history should be an exciting time in Greenville, S.C.
Tormenta FC is also in the midst of its professional debut season, currently atop the USLL1 table with two wins and a draw through three matches. As mentioned above, the club opened their professional history with the first match in USLL1 history — a 1-0 home win over Greenville in front of their own sellout crowd of 3,519 — and have kept the gas on since. Although this is the club’s debut professional season, Tormenta FC has competed in USSL2 (formerly the PDL) since 2016 and most recently won their division in the 2018 season, while simultaneously reaching the second round of the 2018 USOC, defeating fellow USLL2 club the Myrtle Beach Mutiny before falling to USL Championship club the Charleston Battery. While the USLL1 side takes on Greenville, Tormenta FC 2 is continuing to compete in USLL2 and will also feature in the USOC against USLL1 side Chattanooga Red Wolves SC. The two Tormenta FC sides cannot meet prior to the USOC Final.
Honorable mentions
Miami FC (NPSL) vs. Florida Soccer Soldiers (Fla.) – May 8, 7 p.m. ET – Buccaneer Field, Miami Shores, Fla.
South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 (USLL2) vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USLL1) – May 8, 7 p.m. ET – Erk Russell Park, Statesboro, Ga.
Central Region
Bavarian SC (Wisc.) vs. Forward Madison FC (USLL1) – May 7, 7:30 p.m. CT – Uihlein Soccer Park, Milwaukee
An amateur powerhouse takes on a newly formed professional club that has captured the nation’s attention in our Central Region focused match.
Bavarian SC is a renowned amateur club with a ridiculously rich history in both league play and the USOC. Currently the defending champions of the UPSL, Bavarians SC is on a three-season streak as champions of the PLA in 2016-17 in addition to their current UPSL title, and is also the current USASA National Amateur Cup winners — a title they have previously captured in 1976, 2001, 2002 and 2003. The club also has a rich history in the USOC, competing in their ninth edition this season. In 1993 and 1994, the club reached the semifinals and finals of the last USOCs prior to the reintroduction of professional clubs to the tournament. After a nine-year absence, they returned in 2003 and 2004 as a travelling club before making another four appearances in 2007 (NPSL), 2009 (USASA), 2012 and 2013 (both NPSL). The club took a two-year hiatus from playing in 2014-15, but returned to competition in 2016 and now make their long-awaited return to the USOC. There’s no amateur club — and very few professional clubs — in this year’s competition that can match the storied history of Bavarians SC, and many will be watching with great interest, your humble writer included.
Quite the counter to Bavarians SC, Forward Madison FC has little history to speak of so far, making their debut on April 6 in USLL1 in a 1-0 road loss against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC. Despite only recently making their appearance on the scene, the latest club of managing director Peter Wilt (who helped launch the Chicago Fire and Indy Eleven as president of those clubs, as well as the recently sanctioned National Independent Soccer Association set to launch this fall), has made a massive impact and has rapidly ascended in popularity and notoriety. Launching like they were fired out of a cannon, the club lives by the edict of going “Full Mingo,” a reference to the plastic pink flamingos that dot the lawns of Madison, Wisc., as well as the club’s crest. With a fun, interactive persona, the club has quickly become beloved by many American soccer fans, and their first-round match against a club like Bavarians SC will only bring further attention to this phenomena.
Honorable mentions
Little Rock Rangers (NPSL) vs. NTX Rayados (Texas) – May 8, 7 p.m. CT – Episcopal Collegiate School, Little Rock, Ark.
Laredo Heat SC (NPSL) vs. Brazos Valley Cavalry FC (USLL2) – May 8, 8:15 p.m. CT – Texas A&M International University, Laredo, Texas
West Region
Orange County FC (NPSL) vs. FC Golden State Force (USLL2) – May 7, 7:30 p.m. PT – Orange County Great Park – Championship Soccer Stadium, Irvine, CA
A first-round winner from the 2018 USOC meets last year’s tournament darlings, coming off a deep run.
Founded in 2009, Orange County FC competed in the renowned SoCal Premier League through the 2016 season, building a groundswell of support and organization ahead of a 2017 move to the NPSL. The club made a splash in its debut in their new league, reaching the California Regional final before falling to CD Aguiluchos USA, just shy of the national semifinals. Their performance was good enough to earn them a spot in the 2018 USOC, the club’s first appearance in the tournament, where they earned their first win, 3-0, over open division qualifier Santa Ana Winds FC before falling in the second round to USL Championship club Fresno FC. Orange County FC repeated their NPSL success in 2018, reaching the West Region finals but ultimately falling to FC Mulhouse Portland — securing themselves a spot in the 2019 USOC for their second-consecutive appearance.
The FC Golden State Force are an incredibly talented USLL2 Western Conference club, which has seen league success as well as a highlight-reel USOC run in 2018 all the way to the fourth round. Winners of the Southwest Division for the past two consecutive seasons, the club makes its third-straight appearance in the USOC with a lot to live up to after last year’s performance. After a comfortable 3-1 win over open division qualifier LA Wolves FC in the first round, the Force took down a professional side in the USL’s Orange County SC 4-2 in the second round. The Force repeated their success in the third round, downing another USL club in the Las Vegas Lights FC 2-1. This led to a matchup against one of MLS’ most historically successful and renowned clubs in the LA Galaxy. Unfortunately for the Force, another upset wasn’t on the cards, as they fell 1-3. But their run into the tournament brought eyes to the club and likely marked a target on their backs in the first round this year as a club to watch.
Honorable mentions
Cal FC (Calif.) vs. FC Mulhouse Portland (NPSL) – May 7, 7:30 p.m. PT – Calabasas High School, Calabasas, Calif.
Follow Colton on Twitter: @cjcoreschi.
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