I didn’t know this, but the old NASL - the one with Pelé and Beckenbauer - didn’t participate in the Open Cup (the National Challenge Cup, then).

So this business of the top pro league in the US disrespecting the Cup isn’t new.

Wow, New York Pancyprian-Freedoms, an amateur side from Astoria, NY, playing in the Metropolitan League, have defeated FC Cincinnati II, the MLS Next Pro side, on PKs.

Pancyprians are a storied American amateur club, with three Open Cups (then the National Challenge Cup) to their name: ‘80, ’82, and ’83.

They were formed about fifty years ago, to use soccer to promote the Greek Cypriot cause, after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974.

Defiance are really lucky to still have 11 players on the field. This doesn't seem like an unjust scoreline right now, but I also have an unusual bias.

Weak backpass from our left flank turns the ball over and leads to an easy goal.

If you're an expansion team and you want to endear yourself to the public, stomping an amateur side 3-0 in the Open Cup is a fine way to do it.

Tell me the game is being played in the opposition half without *saying* the game is being played in the opposition half.

Minute 35, a red card to Duluth.

Well-deserved, but the referee had his back turned and the line official did absolutely nothing.

Game on.

The cold weather and it being a weeknight means tonight is lightly attended, but still plenty of hardy Mingos fans to watch Forward Madison and Duluth playing in the #USOpenCup

GOAL HEARTS!

Walter Varela scores the first goal in Hearts of Pine history.

UP THE HEARTS!

First Starting XI in Portland Hearts of Pine history.

This evening Forward Madison kick off their #USOpenCup campaign against Duluth.

Hopefully the Mingos can get back on track with a solid win tonight.

The age of Hearts has begun.

Portland Hearts of Pine play their first match EVER tonight in the U.S. Open Cup against CD Faialense.

Not gonna lie, it makes me smile to see old man Bradley Wright-Phillips out there on the field again.

#MLS #USOpenCup #RBNY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFkBqv4KBrM&ab_channel=U.S.Soccer

No context American soccer.

(Re-posting to Mastodon from Bsky). Hat tip @rollercoasterrj.bsky.social

I love the Open Cup formats in #soccer, and tonight’s #USOpenCup fixture between AV Alta FC and Ventura County Fusion is a great example of why. Really good, clean attacking soccer from both teams, with some top shelf skill and discipline on display… …yet one of the teams is amateur, on their debut in this competition, solidly outperformed the pro team, and deservedly won. I can’t wait to see more of them!

[edit] I misidentified one of the teams - they’re both amateur, and the team that won plays one division higher than the other team. So not quite the upset I thought it was, but still an excellent game!