US Open Cup Update: The NISA Side of Things
USOC Round 3 is done and we have to take a moment and look back over the matches that involved our favorite Division 3 clubs.
Flower City Union 0 - 3 DC United
Sometimes NISA cannot catch a break. After already losing a regular season match to weather (Pulse/CFC), Flower City Union got a wet and cold (mid 30s) evening to host MLS side DC United. While the club appeared to draw better than it has for its regular season matches, the weather definitely impacted the enjoyment of the people that did attend the match. For FCU, however, the weather was effectively a 12th man, helping to stymie the visiting Division 1 side effectively for the entirety of the first half and much of the second. Flower City’s best chance came on the counter, just before halftime, when Jay Lee sprinted down the right side and almost slotted it home. The shot skidded wide and the clubs went into half scoreless.
The second half would eventually show the quality of the visiting DC United, who would score 3 in quick succession, two from Ola Kamera (including a penalty) and one from Nigel Robertha, all in less than 10 minutes (seventy-third to eighty-first minute). The match showed the quality of the Flower City Union, who held its own less than two months into its history as a pro club. Plenty to be excited about, regardless of the scoreline.
San Jose Earthquakes 5 - 0 Bay Cities FC
This match was going to be a tough one from the day it was announced. Bay Cities has shown to be good enough to hang with the NISA West clubs, but not quite good enough to beat them. Facing an MLS side was always going to be a challenge. San Jose, in the middle of a coaching change and all the turmoil that can bring, were hoped to be unfocused and looking ahead of this match, but not so. San Jose came into this match locked in, and scored 5 goals with 5 different players. The MLS side outshot BCFC, 23-3. For Bay Cities, just three matches into its NISA campaign and four matches total as a professional club, this year’s Open Cup was a worthwhile experience and definitely something to build on. Club founder Anders Perez put it best “What we have been able to accomplish in such a short time span is nothing short of amazing. This is just the beginning. All while using local talent both on and off the field. Now time to focus on the league.”
FC Tucson 1 - 2 California United Strikers
The tying score from Omar Nuño.
If any team had a chance to advance, the best chance was California United Strikers. After winning a match against an amateur side in round 2, Strikers went on the road to face FC Tucson, a fellow D3 level club. While Cal had struggled to score goals in NISA play, it put five in the net against San Fernando Valley. Which offense would show up in this round?
Strikers gave up the first goal in the 17th minute to scores in the 17th minute. Giovani Calixtro scored for Tucson and fears of another NISA side being eliminated began to brew. Well into the second half, Omar Nuño put his golden boot to use and scored the goal that tied the match in the 71st. Then 30 minutes later, in stoppage time, 22-year old Ryotaro Kawashima put in the winner. NISA gets its first ever fourth round berth on a spectacular game winner.
This morning, it was announced that they get to host LA Galaxy in Round 4. More on that match soon enough.
Atlanta United Chattanooga FC
When Chattanooga knocked off Memphis convincingly in round 2, 3-1, it was hard to not believe this team had legs to go far in this year’s tournament. When the draw was announced and CFC got defending USOC Champion, Atlanta United, the hope began to fade. The NISA faithful continued to hope for Atlanta to overlook the match, for Rod Underwood’s tactics to carry the team to another against-the-odds win. But oh boy, that was not the case!
Kevin Gonzalez punts the ball against Atlanta United.
Atlanta came out aggressive, constantly putting pressure on Kevin Gonzalez in goal for CFC. Ronald Hernandez scored the first goal in the 21st minute and it was off to the races for the home side. Former USMNT Dom Dwyer put in two in quick succession and the final score of 6-0 showed the dominance of the MLS side. Chattanooga FC had shone in the previous rounds against USLC talent, but the gap was too wide in this matchup with a Division 1 side. Shout out to a large squad of Chattahooligans who brought a bit of Chattanooga on the road in support.