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USL United Soccer League Championship

Four PDL Clubs Advance to Open Cup Third Round

May 22, 2013 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release


TAMPA, Fla. - The Des Moines Menace, Ocean City Nor'easters, Reading United and FC Tucson all reached the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night, tying a USL Premier Development League record in the process, after a dramatic night of action in the 100th edition of the tournament.

Only once previously have four PDL teams advanced to the third round, with the Boulder Rapids, Cape Cod Crusaders, Carolina Dynamo and Chicago Fire Reserves all advancing to the same stage in 2004. Now, the Menace will have the opportunity to face defending champion Sporting Kansas City, the Nor'easters the Philadelphia Union, United the New York Red Bulls and Tucson the Houston Dynamo Tuesday night as they try to continue their fairytale runs.

Eight USL PRO teams also advanced to the third round, with teams such as Orlando City, the Charleston Battery and the Richmond Kickers getting the opportunity to welcome MLS opponents next week as they aim for a place in the Round of 16.

Tucson Downs Scorpions in Shootout

SAN ANTONIO - FC Tucson's players held their nerve, while a pair of San Antonio Scorpions did not, as the PDL club defeated its second professional opponent in as many games to continue its run in the Open Cup with a 4-3 penalty shootout victory on Tuesday night after the teams had played to a 2-2 draw through regulation and overtime.

Tucson fell behind in the first half, but got back on level terms in the 57th minute as Ricardo Velaszo struck from distance. Tucson then took the lead 10 minutes later, Saeed Robinson scoring from close range off a cross by Connor Bevans, who was his side's hero in its victory against Phoenix FC in the opening round.

Tucson came close to claiming victory in regulation, only for San Antonio to be awarded a penalty kick in the final minute that was converted by Hans Dennisen. In extra time, goalkeeper Dallas Jaye played a key role, as he had at times in the opening 90 minutes, as Tucson sent the game to a shootout. All four shooters for Tucson then converted from the spot, while the Scorpions missed in the second and fifth rounds, to send the PDL side to a meeting with the Houston Dynamo.

"It's big time," Velazco said. "It's big time for Arizona. It's big time for the staff, for all the FC Tucson fans and for me. ... This goes to Arizona. This goes out to all of Tucson and the supporters who have been behind us. This goes out to all of them."

With its win, FC Tucson is the first side from Arizona to advance this far in Open Cup history. It will face the Dynamo next Wednesday at BBVA Compass Stadium at 8:30 p.m. ET.

DES MOINES 1, MINNESOTA 0: A late goal by Brandon Fricke, who headed home a corner in the 86th minute by Jimmy Tulloch, gave the Des Moines Menace victory against Minnesota United. Scott Angevine recorded the shutout for the Menace, and will now go up against his former team as Des Moines heads to play Sporting Kansas City Tuesday night at Sporting Park.

READING 1, HARRISBURG 0: Mario Pinto scored the only goal as Reading United defeated its fellow Philadelphia Union affiliate, the Harrisburg City Islanders. Pinto, last week's PDL Player of the Week, ran onto a long clearance from goalkeeper John McCarthy and volleyed a finish home in the ninth minute. Harrisburg tried to find an equalizer, but United's defense held firm as the club advanced to the third round, and defeated a professional side for the first time.

OCEAN CITY 1, PITTSBURGH 0: The Ocean City Nor'easters recorded their fifth victory against professional sides in the Open Cup, putting them tied for second all-time, as a second-half goal by Ken Tribbett proved the difference against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Tribbet's goal set up a visit to face the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park next Tuesday in the third round for the Nor'easters, who also reached the third round in their last appearance in the tournament in 2009.

CAR. RAILHAWKS 3, CAR. DYNAMO 1: The Carolina Dynamo got a goal from David Martinez, but were unable to overcome a strong second half by the Carolina RailHawks after entering the halftime break tied.

FT. LAUDERDALE 1 (7), LAREDO 1 (6): The Ft. Lauderdale Strikers defeated the Laredo Heat 7-6 in a penalty shootout after the teams played to a draw through regulation and overtime. Camilo Botero scored with seven minutes remaining for the Heat to send the game to extra time, but the Strikers' Toni Stahl scored the game-winning penalty in the eighth round after a miss preceding it by the Heat.

Kickers Set Up D.C. Clash

RICHMOND, Va. - A pair of goals by Stanley Nyazamba helped the Richmond Kickers take a 4-1 victory against Icon FC in the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday night, setting up a clash with the Kickers' MLS affiliate, D.C. United, at City Stadium Tuesday.

Icon FC took the lead in the ninth minute, Argjent Duka opening the scoring, but two minutes later Nyazamba evened the game as he was able to run onto a pass by Joseph Ngwenya and shoot into the left corner of the net.

Richmond took the lead from the penalty spot in the 24th minute, Ngwena firing home after he had been brought down in the area. The Kickers continued to carry much of the play from there, with an own goal extending their lead in the 62nd minute after a cross by Mike Callahan was turned into his own net by an Icon FC defender. Nyazamba then completed the win late in the game, curling a shot home from the left side of the penalty area.

ROCHESTER 1, GPS PORTLAND 0: Bilal Duckett scored the only goal as the Rochester Rhinos took victory against the GPS Portland Phoenix in a game that was delayed by lightning at halftime. Duckett finished off a cross from Danny Earls in the 65th minute, giving the Rhinos a home contest with their MLS affiliate, the New England Revolution, in the third round Tuesday.

DAYTON 4, DEARBORN 1: The Dayton Dutch Lions needed extra time, but were able to pull away late as Gibson Bardsley scored twice in the additional 30 minutes to take victory against the Dearborn Stars. The Dutch Lions will now face the Columbus Crew in a rematch from last year's third round, a contest Dayton won 2-1 at Crew Stadium.

TB ROWDIES 2, VSI TAMPA BAY 1: Two goals by Georgi Hristov before halftime gave the Rowdies victory at Plant City Stadium. Tony Donatelli had a chance to give VSI an early lead, but hit the post with a penalty kick, and while JT Noone pulled VSI even midway through the first half, Hristov's goal just before the halftime break proved decisive.

ORLANDO 2, OCALA 1: Dom Dwyer scored the opening goal, giving him 13 in all competitions this season, as Orlando City took victory against the Ocala Stampede. Dwyer scored in the 27th minute, and Adama Mbengue added a second just after halftime, as the Lions earned the right to host the Colorado Rapids at the Florida Citrus Bowl in the third round.

WILMINGTON 2, AUSTIN 0: The Wilmington Hammerheads got a goal in either half to defeat the Austin Aztex. Richard Isberner converted a 23rd-minute penalty kick that saw Aztex goalkeeper Devin Cook receive a red card. The Hammerheads got an insurance goal in the 68th minute as an Aztex defender scored and own goal, giving the Hammerheads a trip to face the Portland Timbers in the third round.

CHARLOTTE 3, SOUNDERS FC U23 0: Jorge Herrera scored a pair of goals as the Charlotte Eagles advanced to the third round against the Sounders FC U23 at the Queens Sports Complex. After a scoreless first half, Drew Yates broke the deadlock, and then Herrera struck twice to put the game away and set up a visit from the Chicago Fire to Winthrop University next Wednesday.

LOS ANGELES 5, VENTURA COUNTY 1: Four different Blues found the back of the net, with Mehrshad Momeni striking twice, as the Blues cruised into the third round and a contest with Chivas USA. Shay Spitz had a goal and an assist for the Blues in the opening 10 minutes, and Los Angeles built a 5-0 lead at the halftime break before the Fusion pulled back a late consolation goal.

CHARLESTON 1, PORTLAND U-23s 0: Former Clemson and SC United Bantams standout Austin Savage scored the only goal as the Charleston Battery defeated the Portland Timbers U-23s at JELD-Wen Field. Savage scored on the hour mark, heading home a cross by Jose Cuevas, to set up a home date with the San Jose Earthquakes.

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