WESTERN MASS PIONEERS 0 - 4 UNION OMAHA

LUDLOW, Mass. - Union Omaha on Thursday evening secured its sixth U.S. Open Cup victory in just its third participation in the tournament, defeating USL League Two's Western Mass Pioneers at a frigid Lusitano Stadium. Joe Gallardo's hat trick - the first of the 2024 U.S. Open Cup - and a suffocating defensive performance that only allowed one Western Mass shot powered the Owls past the Pioneers.

USLLEAGUEONE.COM PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Joe Gallardo (OMA) – No other choice here. The former United States youth international netted the first hat trick of his professional career and just the fifth in Union Omaha history. 

SCORING SUMMARY

OMA – Gallardo (Gómez) 4' - WATCH
OMA – Dos Santos (Dolabella) 67' - WATCH
OMA – Gallardo (Mastrantonio) 73' - WATCH
OMA – Gallardo (Bronnik) 89' - WATCH

VEREINIGUNG ERZGEBIRGE 0 - 2 CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE

LANGHORNE, Pa. - The Charlotte Independence picked up their seventh win in their 14th U.S. Open Cup match, defeating historic United Soccer League of Pennsylvania club Vereinigung Erzgebirge with a pair of late goals. Omar Ciss and Kharlton Belmar teamed up with a goal and assist each, and the Independence's defense stood tall for 90 minutes, allowing just one shot on target throughout the contest.

USLLEAGUEONE.COM PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Omar Ciss (CLT) – The back-to-back League One Young Player of the Year finalist recorded the second multi-goal-contribution match of his five-year professional career, scoring the match-winning goal in the 72nd minute and adding an assist 14 minutes later. The Senegalese midfielder also recorded seven recoveries, created six chances, won three duels and completed 82% of his passes.

SCORING SUMMARY

CLT – Ciss (Belmar) 72' - WATCH
CLT – Belmar (Ciss) 86' - WATCH

CHATTANOOGA RED WOLVES SC 4 - 2 BROCKTON FC UNITED (A.E.T.)

HARRISON, Tenn. - In a back-and-forth contest in Harrison, Tenn., Chattanooga Red Wolves SC earned its first-ever U.S. Open Cup victory with an extra-time victory against UPSL club Brockton FC United. The Red Wolves raced out to a two-goal lead thanks to a pair of converted penalties before Brockton responded with a pair of goals of their own in the closing minutes of the match. Ropapa Mensah's brace off the bench ultimately sent the Red Wolves into the Second Round.

USLLEAGUEONE.COM PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Ropapa Mensah (CHA) – The former Ghana youth international and USL Championship veteran opened his 2024 account with a four-minute brace late in extra time. Across 61 minutes of action, Mensah won one penalty, 12 duels and three fouls.

SCORING SUMMARY

CHA – O. Hernández (Penalty) 26' - WATCH
CHA – Marsh (Penalty) 66' - WATCH
BFC – Totti (Tavares) 89'
BFC – Teixeira (Tavares) 90+5' - WATCH
CHA – Mensah (Lukic) 116' - WATCH
CHA – Mensah (O. Hernández) 120' - WATCH