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Nine NASL Clubs Enter U.S. Open Cup Fold on Wednesday

June 1, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release


NEW YORK - Nine North American Soccer League (NASL) clubs will take the field in the country's oldest soccer competition, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, on Wednesday, beginning their quest for glory in the tournament's 103rd edition.

Eight of the nine NASL sides will host third-round games against competition from the United Soccer League (USL) and Premier Development League (PDL), and the winners will move on to play teams from Major League Soccer (MLS).

The majority of Wednesday's clashes are either rematches from recent years or feature familiar faces from previous seasons, coming together to create what should be an exciting Cup round.

Here is a rundown of each third-round matchup featuring an NASL side:

Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) vs. Richmond Kickers (USL)

11 a.m. ET | Wednesday, June 1

Broward College South | Pembroke Pines, Fla.

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers enter their home clash against the Richmond Kickers riding some momentum. The club has picked up 10 points over the course of its current four-game unbeaten streak and has jumped into sixth place in the NASL Spring Season Standings. Maicon Santos is the team's leading scorer with four goals in league play, and in the defensive half, the Strikers have gotten some tremendous performances from goalkeeper Diego Restrepo since his insertion into the lineup.

The Kickers dispatched Aromas Café FC, 4-0, in the second round of the competition. In league play, Brian Ownby and Yudai Imura have scored three goals to lead the team.

Jacksonville Armada FC (NASL) vs. Charleston Battery (USL)

7 p.m. ET | Wednesday, June 1

Southern Oak Stadium | Jacksonville, Fla.

Jacksonville Armada FC is coming off an encouraging performance in its 1-1 draw against visiting Indy Eleven. The Armada FC scored on a spectacular effort from defender Matt Bahner, who has scored twice this season to lead the club. Welsh youngster Danny Barrow also put in an impactful shift, looking lively throughout his time on the field.

The Charleston Battery, who actually fell to amateur side The Villages SC in penalties in the previous round, moved on to face Jacksonville after their opponent was deemed to have fielded an ineligible player. Romario Williams has been the danger man for the Battery, knocking in six league goals in 11 games.

New York Cosmos (NASL) vs. Jersey Express (PDL)

7:30 p.m. ET | Wednesday, June 1

Belson Stadium | Queens, N.Y.

The New York Cosmos picked up a key result in the most recent round of league action to move closer to the NASL Spring Season Championship. Now, the club is hoping for a similar level of success in the Cup. Venezuelan icon Juan Arango has led the way in the attacking areas for New York with three goals and three assists on the season thus far.

Jersey Express knocked of the New York Pancyprian Freedoms to advance to the third round of the Cup. The Express has played two league games in the PDL this year, with Christopher Karcz leading the team with two goals.

Carolina RailHawks (NASL) vs. Charlotte Independence (USL)

7:30 p.m. ET | Wednesday, June 1

WakeMed Soccer Park | Cary, N.C.

The Carolina RailHawks should be well rested heading into their Cup match with the Charlotte Independence after having a week off from league play. The RailHawks have reached the quarterfinal stage of the competition in two of the last three years.

The Independence moved past the Charlotte Eagles with a 2-0 triumph in the previous round. The RailHawks will match up against a few of their former players in the Independence squad, including one of its top scorers, Enzo Martinez, who has scored three times in USL play this year.

Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) vs. FC Cincinnati (USL)

7:30 p.m. ET | Wednesday, June 1

Al Lang Stadium | St. Petersburg, Fla.

The Tampa Bay Rowdies have been boosted by the arrival of former Premier League champion Joe Cole, who scored a goal and assisted on another, in the Rowdies' recent 2-0 road win in Minnesota. In goal, Matt Pickens has been a rock for Tampa Bay as it heads into this Cup game with confidence.

Making waves in the USL with its big attendance figures, FC Cincinnati advanced to the Cup's third round after a 2-1 win over Indy Eleven NPSL. The Cincinnati roster is packed with former NASL players, including Andrew Weideman, who has scored three times in 2016. Sean Okoli, though, leads the side with four goals in 10 games.

Indy Eleven (NASL) vs. Louisville City FC (USL)

7:30 p.m. ET | Wednesday, June 1

Carroll Stadium | Indianapolis, Ind.

Still unbeaten in NASL play this year, a veteran Indy Eleven side carries its strong form into Wednesday's contest against Louisville City FC. Goalkeeper Jon Busch, a former Cup winner himself, has been strong in goal, while the attack has been led by Irish-born Libyan international Eamon Zayed (three goals) and Justin Braun (two goals).

Louisville City lost its top scorer from last year, Matt Fondy, but Chandler Hoffman has picked up the slack with seven goals in league play. The USL side was able to move past Detroit City FC in the second round after getting taken to the brink, only to knock off the NPSL team in a penalty shootout.

Miami FC (NASL) vs. Wilmington Hammerheads (USL)

8 p.m. ET | Wednesday, June 1

Ocean Bank Field | Miami, Fla.

Miami FC is fresh off its first league win and remains at home to face the Wilmington Hammerheads. Ariel Martinez has been the catalyst for Alessandro Nesta's side, scoring a stunning game-winning goal against FC Edmonton on Saturday night. As a first-year club, Miami will get its first taste of Cup competition this week.

The Hammerheads put on a clinical display against another South Florida side in the previous round, defeating Miami Fusion FC (NPSL) by a 6-0 scoreline. Bruno Perone has four tallies for the Hammerheads, who also have Tampa Bay Rowdies loanee Jeff Michaud in the squad. Another familiar face is John Smits, who won the NASL Golden Glove with FC Edmonton in 2014.

St. Louis FC (USL) vs. Minnesota United (NASL)

8 p.m. ET | Wednesday, June 1

World Wide Technology Soccer Park | St. Louis, Mo.

Minnesota United is the lone NASL side hitting the road for a third round Cup game. The Loons have dropped their last two contests, but boast a devastating attacking arsenal highlighted by Christian Ramirez and Stefano Pinho, among others.

St. Louis FC beat NPSL side AFC Cleveland, 2-0, in its first encounter in the Cup in 2016. In league play, Irvin Herrera has scored six times in eight games, and will be a player Minnesota will need to keep an eye on.

Rayo OKC (NASL) vs. Oklahoma Energy FC (USL)

9 p.m. ET | Wednesday, June 1

Miller Stadium | Yukon, Okla.

A highly anticipated derby will finally come to fruition as Rayo OKC plays host to its neighbor, Oklahoma Energy FC. Rayo OKC has been led by its veteran core, including NASL's top scorer, Michel, who has been on target five times. The club will hope home-field advantage helps sway the first derby in its favor. Like Miami FC, Rayo OKC is also getting its first taste of Cup action.

Energy FC moved through to the third round in dramatic fashion after playing a scoreless 90 minutes, plus extra time. Goalkeeper CJ Cochran converted his spot kick to lift Oklahoma City past Mississippi Brilla, 10-9, in the shootout. Dani Konig leads the side with two goals, with former Indy Eleven midfielder Kyle Hyland recently finding the back of the net as well.



North American Soccer League Stories from June 1, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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