College players get U.S. Open Cup run out

by Travis Clark

May 9, 2019

This week marked the second round of the U.S. Open Cup, the oldest soccer competition in the United States.

With USL League Two and NPSL sides competing this week, below is a quick roundup of some of the Division I players in action on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Tormenta FC 2 wins big against pro competition

Playing their first competitive match in Tuesday’s U.S. Open Cup match, Tormenta FC 2’s mostly-college players secured a comfortable 3-0 victory against the Chattanooga Red Wolves SC.

South Carolina midfielder provided a goal and an assist for Tormenta FC 2, which also started Akron players Tor Saunders and defender Daniel Strachan. Max Edwards (Florida Gulf Coast) and Jarvian Wigfall (Georgia Southern) were some of the other DI players in the lineup.

Full ⏰ between @TormentaFC_2 and @ChattRedWolves and it's Tormenta who come away with the 3-0 win. #USOC2019

Check out the highlights ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/h7evt4AAwL
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 8, 2019

Red Bulls Academy alumni lead U23s to shootout win

One of the big pieces of the Red Bulls’ success is their Under-23 team, which features a blend of top college talent and Academy alumni.

The Red Bulls U23s drew 4-4 in a wild second round matchup against FC Motown, winning 5-4 on spot kicks after 120 minutes. Loyola (MD)’s Brian Saramago scored a goal and notched an assist, while Seton Hall’s J.P. Marin also scored a goal, with current Red Bulls Academy midfielder Omar Sowe was on the score sheet.

Other DI players in the lineup include goalkeeper Marcelin Gohier (Manhattan), CC Uche (Ohio State), Jonah Conway, Skylar Conway (Marist) and Vincent Borden (Rutgers).

Re-live the U-23s exciting victory in penalty kicks from the first round of the @OpenCup! #USOC2019 | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/SFG2y7eBjO
— Red Bulls Academy (@RedBullsAcademy) May 8, 2019

Penn State striker on the double for Reading

Two first-half goals from Nittany Lions forward Jeremy Rafanello were enough for Reading United, which held off Junior Lone Star for a 2-1 win in the second round.

United, which is affiliated with the Philadelphia Union Academy, rolled out a starting lineup full of alumni. Along with Rafanello, Kalil ElMedkhar (Kentucky) and Lamine Conte (Louisville), DI players like Gabriel Machado (NC State) and Aaron Molloy (Penn State) also saw significant run in the victory.

.@PhillyLoneStar, playing in their 2nd Open Cup, put up a good fight, but @ReadingUnited move on to the Second Round for a 2nd straight year. GAME 📺 HIGHLIGHTS⤵️ #USOC2019 pic.twitter.com/7645pavPjA
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 9, 2019

The Villages SC advance on penalties

One of the wildest games of the week took place in Florida, as The Villages SC advanced past Lakeland Tropics on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw.

George Mason’s Tunde Akinlosutu and Loyola (MD)’s Josh Fawole featured in the starting lineup for the triumphant Villages side, which is a blend of amateurs and college soccer talent.

West Chester United knocks out DI-heavy FC Baltimore Christos

NPSL side FC Baltimore Christos saw its Open Cup run halted in the second round by an amateur-heavy West Chester United side. It was a battle that ended in a 1-1 draw, with West Chester United advancing to the next round on penalty kicks by a 5-4 score.

Among the Division I players in the starting lineup for FC Baltimore include Jake Dengler (Connecticut), Jonathan Sousa, Davey Mason, Eddy Rodriguez, Nicholas Brown (Loyola (MD)) and Cesar Marconi (UMBC).