Richmond Kickers 5 - 2 Maryland Bobcats FC

RICHMOND, Va. - The Richmond Kickers handled NISA side Marlyand Bobcats FC on Tuesday evening, 5-2, at City Stadium through a pair of goal contributions each from Dakota Barnathan and Nil Vinyals. The win was Richmond's 38th all-time victory in the U.S. Open Cup and marked the 26th victory against third or lower-division opponents in the tournament; Richmond's combined goal differential against such clubs in the competition now sits at a staggering +65.

The Kickers' 5-2 victory was their largest across all competitions since a 3-0 victory over Union Omaha on Oct. 27, 2022, their largest in U.S. Open Cup play since a 6-2 victory over Woodbridge Virginia Adult Soccer League club Virginia United FC in the First Round of the 2019 tournament, and their largest in U.S. Open Cup play against professional opposition since a 3-0 victory over NASL side Jacksonville Armada FC in the Third Round of the 2015 edition.

USLLEAGUEONE.COM PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Dakota Barnathan (RIC) – The USL Championship and League One veteran tallied his first professional brace in the contest. Barnathan added six recoveries, four duels won, four accurate long passes and two clearances.

SCORING SUMMARY

RIC – Vinyals (Penalty) 6' - WATCH
RIC – O'Dwyer 20' - WATCH
MD – Kooistra 24' - WATCH
RIC – Barnathan (Vinyals) 45+3' - WATCH
MD – Espinal (Pritchett) 71' - WATCH
RIC – Sierakowski (Billhardt) 83' - WATCH
RIC – Barnathan 88' - WATCH

Charlotte Independence 0 - 0 (4 - 3) SOUTH CAROLINA UNITED HEAT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte Independence advanced to the Third Round of the 2024 U.S. Open Cup on penalties, 0-0 (4-3), against UPSL side South Carolina United Heat on Tuesday evening at American Legion Memorial Stadium. The Jacks controlled the match through nearly every statistical category, leading the Heat in possession (65% to 35%), total shots (15 to 12), passes completed (649 to 287) and saves (6 to 2). South Carolina, though, placed six shots on target to Charlotte's two, forcing goalkeeper Austin Pack into action often.

Through 120 minutes of play, the match finished scoreless, and Charlotte advanced to its fourth-ever penalty shootout. A pair of strong denials from Pack and convincing conversions from Luis Álvarez and Fabrice Ngah, among others, confirmed the second penalty shootout victory in club history.

USLLEAGUEONE.COM PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Austin Pack (CLT) – The reigning USL League One Goalkeeper of the Year recorded six saves and helped his side shut out the visiting Heat throughout regulation. The 30-year-old shot-stopper completed 93% of his passes and added eight completed long balls and seven recoveries.

PENALTY SHOOTOUT

SC – Søren Nygård, scored; Matheus Barrozo, scored; Will Inalien, saved; Ronaldo Fortune, scored; Ivan Vlek, saved
CLT – Juan Carlos Obregón, Jr., saved; Nick Spielman, scored; Luis Álvarez, scored; Kharlton Belmar, scored; Fabrice Ngah, scored

Central Valley Fuego FC 1 - 2 El Farolito

MERCED, Calif. - Central Valley Fuego FC fell to NPSL club and 1993 U.S. Open Cup champions El Farolito on Tuesday evening, 2-1, at Bobcat Field. Carrera-García converted a penalty to open the scoring in the 19th minute, but a brace from Dembor Benson proved decisive for El Farolito. The NPSL side largely dominated a physical affair in Merced, edging Fuego FC in nearly every statistical category to claim its second consecutive victory over professional opposition.

USLLEAGUEONE.COM PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Dembor Benson (ELF) – After scoring the match-winning goal in the First Round of the 2024 U.S. Open Cup against Portland Timbers 2, the 28-year-old Honduran forward secured a brace in El Farolito's 2-1 victory over Central Valley. 

SCORING SUMMARY

CV – Carrera-García (Penalty) 19' - WATCH
ELF – Benson 45+2' - WATCH
ELF – Benson (Yabur) 88' - WATCH