Richmond Kickers 1 - 0 Christos FC

RICHMOND, Va. - The Richmond Kickers on Wednesday evening claimed their 37th all-time U.S. Open Cup victory with a 1-0 win over Maryland Major Soccer League side Christos FC. The Kickers peppered the Christos 'keeper with seven shots on target and controlled the pace of the match. Adrian Billhardt's goal in first-half stoppage time proved enough to power Richmond past Christos and avenge the club's loss to the Baltimore-based side in the 2017 U.S. Open Cup.

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Adrian Billhardt (RIC) – Billhardt capitalized on a Christos mistake in the box, firing in his second goal in as many matches for his new club. The German midfielder added six recoveries, five duels won and two chances created.

SCORING SUMMARY

RIC – Billhardt 45+1' - WATCH

SOUTH CAROLINA UNITED FC 0 - 1 GREENVILLE TRIUMPH SC

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Greenville Triumph SC defeated USL League Two's South Carolina United FC on Wednesday evening to claim its first victory over an in-state opponent in club history and lock up a spot in the Second Round of the 2024 U.S. Open Cup. Leo Castro's 45-minute winner - his 15th for the club - was enough to secure the victory over the Bantams in the state's capital.

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Leo Castro (GVL) – The League One Player of the Week in Week 1 registered a goal in his 13th different competition across his 16-year professional career. The Colombian scored his 80th professional goal in his 330th professional match - also tallying six shots and six duels won - to help Greenville to a First Round win.

SCORING SUMMARY

GVL – Castro (MacKinnon) 45' - WATCH

ASHEVILLE CITY SC 0 - 2 ONE KNOXVILLE SC

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - In the third edition of the Smoky Mountain Series, One Knoxville SC retained the Boot and claimed its first U.S. Open Cup victory with a 2-0 victory over its former USL League Two South Central Division rival, Asheville City SC. The hosts put together more offensive chances than the visitors, but One Knox's dominance in possession and a pair of first-half goals would prove to be the difference between the First Round contest.

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James Thomas (KNX) – Having former Smoky Mountain Series experience from Knoxville's League Two days, Thomas helped his side retain the Boot with an assist on Callum Johnson's goal in first-half stoppage time. The English defender also recorded six recoveries, six duels won, three tackles won, two clearances and completed nearly 80% of his passes.

SCORING SUMMARY

KNX – Castro 13' - WATCH
KNX – Johnson (Thomas) 45+4' - WATCH

FC FOLSOM 1 - 2 CENTRAL VALLEY FUEGO FC

FOLSOM, Calif. - In his first U.S. Open Cup experience as a player or coach, Central Valley Fuego FC Head Coach Jermaine Jones led his side to a 2-1 victory over young UPSL side FC Folsom on Wednesday evening. In the largely even contest, a pair of sensational services from Moe Espinoza and José Carrera-García helped Jason Ramos and Shavon John-Brown score a goal apiece, advancing Fuego FC into the Second Round of the U.S. Open Cup in the third consecutive tournament.

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José Carrera-García (CV) – The 28-year-old Mexican midfielder assisted a Shavon John-Brown goal in the second consecutive match, this time assisting the match-winning score. Carrera-García also contributed to Fuego FC's victory with 10 recoveries, nine passes into the final third, four duels won, three tackles won and a passing completion rate of 94%.

SCORING SUMMARY

CV – Ramos (Espinoza) 9' - WATCH
FOL – Wilondja (Pando) 51' - WATCH
CV – John-Brown (Carrera-García) 82' - WATCH

BALLARD FC 0 - 1 SPOKANE VELOCITY FC

SEATTLE - In a U.S. Open Cup debut for both sides, first-year side Spokane Velocity FC and defending USL League Two champions Ballard FC battled through 90 minutes of regulation before Andre Lewis smashed a ball into the back of the net seven minutes into stoppage time, earning Spokane its first-ever U.S. Open Cup victory in front of a packed Memorial Stadium in downtown Seattle. The defensive contest saw Ballard record two shots on target, while Spokane's lone shot on target proved to be the winner.

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Andre Lewis (SPK) – The former Jamaica international bagged his first goal for the club in his third appearance to help Velocity FC claim its first win in the U.S. Open Cup. 

SCORING SUMMARY

SPK – Lewis 90+7' - WATCH