USL-1 Rochester and Seattle survived contests that went into overtime, Carolina slipped by Brooklyn 1-0 and Atlanta needed penalties to advance in Austin. The USL-1 Portland Timbers were the lone professional USL side to be upset on the night, falling 3-2 in the final minute to a Hollywood United side that featured several former MLS and USL-1 veterans.
The Lone Upset
Hollywood stuns Portland late 3-2
A club featuring former professionals from the US and England, as well as a mix of Hollywood celebrities on occasion, fittingly wrote the movie plotline of the night as the lone amateur side to win against professional opposition on the night. Two penalties from former Timber Matt Taylor gave the visitors hope as regulation came to a close and Earl Alexander shocked the crowd in the 90th for the win.
The Close Calls
Seattle
wins 1-0 in OT at Arizona
The defending USL-1 champions and 2007 tournament semifinalists were nearly shocked in their opener on the road, tallying the game-winner in a scoreless stalemate with just two minutes left in overtime. Kenji Treschuk took advantage of a missed clearance for the win on a hot night in Phoenix.
Atlanta
advances past Austin in penalties
Facing a club that will be launching a USL-1 side next year, the Silverbacks survived a 2-2 draw with a 5-4 decision in penalties for the win. Spot kicks were the theme of the game with David Hayes having two from the mark during regulation, missing the first and making the second.
Rhinos top RWB Adria 2-1 in OT
Like Portland, the Rhinos had to contend with former players squaring off against them in their tournament opener. Their slow start to the season extended to the Open Cup with their lone goal in regulation coming on a Tiger Fitzpatrick penalty in the 74th only to see it negated by an equalizer four minutes from time. Hamed Diallo, who was taken down for the penalty, scored his first goal of the year in extra time for the victory.
Carolina
slips by Brooklyn 1-0
The PDL side nearly forced the RailHawks into overtime only to see Kupono Low connect on a free kick five minutes from time.
Winning on the Road
Palace
wins late in LA 2-1
Baltimore had to cross the nation for their fixture and on a night when the Lakers were victorious in the NBA Finals, the Legends were unable to duplicate the efforts. Pat Healey put the visitors on the board two minutes febore teh break and following a second half Kevin Gallaugher strike, he scored again two minutes before the end of the half for the win.
Cleveland clips Bucks 2-1
In a battle of league title contenders, the 5-1-3 USL-2 City Stars travelled to face 8-0-0 Michigan and came away from what is believed to be the first indoor US Open Cup match with a victory over one of the most storied amateur teams in modern tournament history. They fell behind just four minutes into the match, but Floyd Franks and Neil Hlavaty set one another up for a pair of goals before the break as the defense held for the remainder of the match.
Additional Reports
Battery
blank ASC New Stars 3-0
Darren Spicer scored his first goals of the year for the hosts - three to be precise. His first half hat-trick was good enough to put the visiting USASA side away as the Battery cruised to the victory.
Charlotte
storms past Clearwater 5-2
The Clearwater Galactics proved to be a challenge for the USL-2 league leaders in the early going. Dustin Swinehart set up Robert Ssejjemba and after falling behind 2-1, converted a penalty for a tie in the 54th. Two minutes later a storm delay interrupted play, and apparently the Galactics' momentum. When play resumed Swinehart and Ssejjemba each tallied a second goal, along with one from Jorge Herrera, to move onto the next round.
Miami
downs Bradenton 4-2
The visitors took a surprising early lead and after Miami had equalized, an own goal gave the Academics the lead again. It was not enough, however, as the Blues, who were upset in the First Round the last two years, were dedicated to advancing. A free kick leveled the action and Alex Afonso scored the winner in the 69th and, despite playing a man down since the 79th, added a fourth to secure the victory.
Richmond
silences Gunners 3-0
David Bulow set up Eliot Paschalis for the opening goal 11 minutes in and capped the scoring with a penalty in the 24th as the Kickers cruised to the win over nearby rival club to the PDL Kickers Future and W-League Kickers Destiny.
