Drama and Intrigue of the U.S. Open Cup Continues

Six matches went into added extra time. Two matches went all the way to penalty kicks. One match was forfeited long before it began. Another match was forfeited a day after it ended. The excitement, the energy, and the play, reminded American soccer fans why this venerable competition has been around for 103 years.

The first round of the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was full of fireworks. In your head, you might be thinking of some pub team getting beaten by a group of U-23 players who’ve been on a two-a-day training routine since they were twelve. Think again.

Harpo’s FC and La Maquina, both amateur teams, defeated Albuquerque Sol FC and Portland Timbers U23, both professional developmental teams, by margins of 2-0. West Chester United upset Fredericksburg FC in P.K.’s while Miami Fusion FC opened up the floodgates in added extra time to win 4-1 over Boca Raton FC.

The greatest scoring margin between squads in the first round was three goals, and only three matches had this result. The games were tight, and the tension boiled over into nothing but excellent and edge-of-your-seat soccer.

The round wasn’t without controversy. The Ventura County Fusion defeated L.A. Wolves FC 2-1, but U.S. Open Cup Adjudication and Discipline Panel upheld L.A.’s protest that Ventura utilized a player connected with another organization’s roster, nullifying the result and moving the Wolves to the second round.

And now the next round looks to carry the same aura of intensity and intrigue with slightly more star appeal, as USL teams enter into the tournament. This is where Orlando City came into play from 2010-2014, when they were members of the USL.

Below are the matchups and start times for the second round, some of which are being streamed live. Audio and video links, if they are available, can be found by clicking the hyperlinked matchups below.

Note: All game dates are Wednesday, May 18th unless noted.