Cupset City: U.S. Open Cup Underdogs Bite Big | OneFootball

Josep pulled the preview straw for this round; I get to discuss the outcomes. Well, I certainly wasn’t expecting to see THREE lower division teams advance through, though each had their own unique style and method of doing so. Here are each of the three #CUPSETs analyzed.

Union Omaha 1 – 0 San Antonio FC

Here’s what Josep wrote yesterday: Two weeks ago I would have shrugged this one as a no-brainer for San Antonio. But two straight losses have tarnished SAFC’s glow and Union Omaha could pull off an upset. The Owls will need to be disciplined in defense, and ruthless on the attack. SAFC won’t give them many windows.

He wasn’t that far off base. Dion Acoff’s goal in the 36th minute would be the only one scored. Honestly, SAFC keeper Richard Sánchez should have better, though he did have a tip-top save a few moments earlier. As for the rest of the match, the Owls did their part to stymie the SAFC attack, despite giving them 65% of the possession. Omaha also matched to be nearly equal on shot attempts (11:10) and on frame efforts (3 apiece).

Not to take away from this result, which is HUGE for Nebraska, but this was the dullest of our Tax Day cupsets.

AV ALTA FC 2 (4) – 2 (2)  Orange County SC

Once again, Josep: Approximately 100 miles apart, it still takes around 2.5 hours to drive between the stadiums, and that assumes no traffic in the Los Angeles basin. Despite playing in different divisions these two are fairly even on paper. Both teams are coming off recent league wins.

No disrespect to my esteemed colleague, but he missed some salient points. First, AV Alta is one of the new USL-1 clubs that was started in 2025, just like Portland Hearts of Pine or Westchester SC. Their first ever win, and goal, came in the U.S. Open Cup first round when they defeated Ventura County Fusion 3 – 1.

Unlike Hearts of Pine, or the lower ranked El Farolito, AV Alta doesn’t seem to be garnishing that much underdog love from the greater online soccer community. That should change after this statement win. Although AV Alta have only played seven games, there’s a tangible animosity between them and Orange County. Three players required treatment for blood-drawing injuries.

OCSC’s Ousmane Sylla struck first. He was only one yard off the goal line when he whipped in a shock effort that somehow found the back of the net. The statistical likelihood of converting a shot from that position was 0.7%. AV Alta took the blow in stride, however, entering the locker room with only that anomalous wonder goal on the scoresheet.

Second Half Turnaround

In the second half, AV Alta took the game by the reins. They dominated the possession, their one-on-one challenges, and created chances when they could. In the 68th minute Luca Mastrantonio headed home one of those chances off a corner. Seven minutes later Emmanuel Alaribe was the lucky beneficiary of a deflected shot that fell right a hit feet in the box. He was able to slip it in on frame despite slipping on the turf to send the boisterous crowd into full celebration mode.

But OCSC would not be denied. In the 83rd minute Mouhamadou War, one of the shorter players on the pitch, just nipped in front of the Alta keeper to redirect a cross. The crowd’s demeanor shifted, at one point sullying themselves with a popular homophobic chant during OC’s goal kikc, but that moment was short-lived and thankfully not repeated during stoppage.

As they headed into Round 3’s first extra time, 30 fouls had been committed; four goals scored.

Extra Time

Knowing what the result was (having popped over to watch the Roots game in real time), I returned later to watch the extra time. Frankly, there wasn’t much happening. Both teams seemed content to let this go into a shootout, putting together a few efforts here and there, but nothing of any real danger. Two minutes before time, Alta subbed out their keeper. bringing on 25 year old Trinidadian international Denzil Smith. A bold move by coach Brian Kleiban.

And it paid off. Denzil Smith stretched way out and pushed Kyle Scott’s effort wide. When Nico Benalcazar lifted his shot over the crossbar, the door was wide open for AV Alta. Miguel Pajaro, who played the entire match in a swim cap to staunch the bleeding from a head gash, did not miss his opportunity to put his side through. His shot rippling the side netting and the celebrations commenced in Lancaster.

Tacoma Defiance 2 – 1 Oakland Roots

Josep: I think the Roots are happy they didn’t pull El Farolito in this round, despite having to travel north for the match. With their win on Saturday, the Roots should have the confidence to defeat the Sounders’ academy team. Oakland has more experience (26.2 year avg.) over the Defiance (20.8 year avg.)

Experience certainly didn’t play a role in the first half, perhaps because Roots were resting some of their usual starting attackers. Oakland were anemic and listless, allowing Tacoma too many chances to drive into their defensive third. It was on one of these drives, and the resulting foul, when Peter Kingston stepped up to the ball. His right footed effort curled over the wall and into the far corner, leaving the Roots reserve keeper Raphael Spiegel flat footed. To be fair, Tacoma probably should have had a second a few minutes later, and another Rosario free kick required a spectacular save to keep the scoreline at 1 – 0. Tacoma did earn three yellows, and it was a question whether that would be a factor.

Second Half

The second half was a completely different story. Tacoma lost some energy, and Oakland slowly built momentum. When coach Gavin Glinton brought on Peter Wilson, Wolfgang Prentice and Luis Sinisterra with 30 minutes to play the Roots’ threat level immediately escalated. With this renewed vigor, the Roots’ pressure finally yielded fruit when Tacoma defender Kaito Yamada’s extended right arm deflected a cross. Neveal Hackshaw stepped up to the spot and casually hit it home.

Oakland continued to hammer on Tacoma, but just couldn’t find a way into the goal. But with all momentum going their way, the announcers even stated that there didn’t seem to be any logical outcome except a Roots goal.

But soccer is not a logical game. It doesn’t not always reward effort, and can ruthlessly punish the slightest mistake. In the 108th minute a defensive lapses by savvy veteran Hackshaw allowed Jackson Khoury to place the ball back towards the top of the box. Osaze De Rosario’s subsequent shot took a slight deflection and drifted into the net. It was only Tacoma’s second shot on target the entire game.

In the end, Oakland was not out-coached. Glinton’s substitutions delivered renewed energy and turned the game in their direction. They were not out-played. For the majority of the game Oakland out-hustled and out-performed their opponents.

Sometimes you just lose.