FORWARD MADISON FC 2 - 0 DULUTH FC

MADISON, Wis. - Forward Madison FC cruised to victory on Tuesday evening against NPSL side Duluth FC in the First Round of the 2024 U.S. Open Cup. The 'Mingos largely dominated the BlueGreens across 90 minutes of play, limiting Duluth to just two shots - none of which landed on target. Christian Chaney scored in the ninth and 53rd minute to confirm Madison's fourth all-time U.S. Open Cup victory. Across its six home openers, Madison has accrued a record of 3-1-2, outscored opponents by a combined five goals and recorded five shutouts.

USLLEAGUEONE.COM PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Christian Chaney (MAD) – The 29-year-old forward registered his eighth career brace on Tuesday. Chaney also won five duels, won two tackles and completed 65% of his passes.

SCORING SUMMARY

MAD – Chaney (Fuderer) 9' - WATCH
MAD – Chaney (Sousa) 53' - WATCH

VERMONT GREEN FC 4 - 3 LEXINGTON SC

BURLINGTON, Vt. - In the first U.S. Open Cup match played on Vermont soil across the tournament's 110-year history, Lexington SC narrowly fell to USL League Two side Vermont Green FC in a 4-3 thriller. In front of over 4,000 fans at a sold-out Virtue Field, Vermont and Lexington braved the near-freezing temperatures and constructed the highest-scoring U.S. Open Cup match since the Round of 32 a year ago.

Vermont scored twice within the first 10 minutes of the contest to set the tone, later jumping out to a 4-1 advantage by the 50th minute. Of note, Lexington's first goal was scored by 19-year-old Louisville City FC loanee Isaac Cano on his first professional start. An 18-minute, second-half brace from Cameron Lancaster was not enough for Lexington who bow out of the tournament following its first match for the second consecutive season.

USLLEAGUEONE.COM PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Cameron Lancaster (LEX) – The LouCity legend opened his Lexington account in the 60th minute of the match and completed his 15th career brace just 18 minutes later. Lancaster fired off eight total shots and completed nearly 80% of his passes. 

SCORING SUMMARY

VER – Barrett (Lockermann) 5' - WATCH
VER – Lockermann (Bazini) 10' - WATCH
LEX – Cano (Onen) 20' - WATCH
VER – Labovitz (Céspedes) 24' - WATCH
VER – Ashford 50'- WATCH
LEX – Lancaster 60' - WATCH
LEX – Lancaster (Méndez) 78' - WATCH

SOUTH GEORGIA TORMENTA FC 1 - 0 FC AMERICA CFL SPURS

STATESBORO, Ga. - South Georgia Tormenta FC downed USSSA Soccer side FC America CFL Spurs on Tuesday evening at Tormenta Stadium to pick up its first win of the season. The Ibises flew out to a quick start and never looked back; Nick Akoto scored the match-winning goal just five minutes into the match - the quickest winner recorded in the U.S. Open Cup since New Mexico United scored its winning goal two minutes into its 2023 Second Round matchup with UDA Soccer. Former United States Youth National Team goalkeeper Drew Romig helped South Georgia seal victory with three saves and a clean sheet in his club debut.

USLLEAGUEONE.COM PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Nick Akoto (TRM) – Entering his second season in Statesboro, the 25-year-old defender recorded his third goal and sixth goal contribution with South Georgia. Akoto added nine duels won, two tackles won, two clearances and completed nearly 75% of his passes.

SCORING SUMMARY

TRM – Akoto (Spengler) 5' - WATCH

TULSA ATHLETIC 1 - 4 NORTHERN COLORADO HAILSTORM FC

TULSA, Okla. - In its first official matchup with a club from a lower division, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC handled NPSL side Tulsa Athletic, 4-1, at Hicks Park on Tuesday evening in the First Round of the 2024 U.S. Open Cup. The Hailstorm thoroughly dominated Tulsa in most statistical categories, racking up over eight times as many expected goals as the hosts and out-shooting them 24 to eight. Despite being out-possessed by 63% to 37%, the Hailstorm put together a 42-minute stretch that produced four goals to confirm the club's fourth all-time U.S. Open Cup victory.

USLLEAGUEONE.COM PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Ethan Hoard (NCO) – A former standout with RKC Third Coast in USL League Two, Hoard made the most of his 28 minutes on the pitch in the second half, just 10 days after making his professional debut. The 22-year-old forward tallied his first professional assist in the 65th minute and first professional goal in the 85th minute.

SCORING SUMMARY

NCO – Opara 43' - WATCH
NCO – Parra (Clarke) 50' - WATCH
NCO – Hernández (Hoard) 65' - WATCH
NCO – Hoard (Martinez) 85' - WATCH
TUL – Mello 87'