Life After MLS: The 2024 US Open Cup First Round

The century-old American soccer tournament known as the US Open Cup entered 2024 in a completely different light. In December, MLS announced that its teams would not participate in the tournament for the first time since the league's inception in 1996. The news sent shockwaves through the American soccer world. As it stands, just eight Major League Soccer clubs are set to enter the competition in the Round of 32, with the stated reason being fixture congestion. Nine teams opted to send their MLS NEXT Pro reserve sides to the USOC, while the remaining 12 teams will have no involvement in 2024. This obviously lead to widespread outcries and controversy, but the show goes on regardless. Many seem to forget that. The Open Cup pushes on in all its glory, with some of the most incredible stories in all of sports. While a big change, brand new opportunities have opened.

Rather than sulk in the fact that over 70% of MLS teams will not participate in the tournament, I sought out to find those best stories in round one. Whether it be cupsets or late winners, I wanted to speak to the heroes of the tournament, who might otherwise not get the attention they deserve for their play. The first round took place across three days, from March 19th to March 21st. There was no shortage of headlines.

Some of the biggest upsets came via the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL). MLSNP teams show up with the name recognition, but they still must earn the result. As the popular sports phrase goes, that's why they play the games. Crown Legacy FC handily won the Eastern Conference regular season in their inaugural season in 2023, clearing by ten points. The difference with MLS NEXT Pro is that many of the best players on each team graduate to the first team full-time, for example Iuri Tavares and Patrick Agyemang for Charlotte FC. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Wilterlynd Inalien of South Carolina United Heat sent Crown Legacy packing.

MLS lost another one of its affiliates at the hands of Dallas' Foro SC. Austin FC II features prospects Jimmy Farkalun, CJ Fodrey and Sebastien Pineau, but it proved not quite enough. With not even five second left to play in stoppage time of extra time, Foro's Kyle Bennett personified the magic of the Open Cup. He rose like a salmon in the box, clearly wanting the ball more than anyone else on the pitch, before powering home a header straight down Main Street. Foro went onto take the match in penalties.

Undoubtedly the greatest story of all in the first round was El Farolito SC. The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) club is based out of a San Francisco taco shop. The team was originally formed using the funds it acquired through food sales at its shop. Come 2024, the team sent Portland Timbers 2 home in the most dramatic of fashions at Providence Park. The Timbers' reserve side struck first after a goalkeeping mistake, but Sebastian Yabur picked his team up and tied the game. After Harvey Neville, son of Phil Neville, was sent off, the game turned on its head. Dembor Benson scored and El Farolito held onto the road victory, advancing their run to round two.

While upsets are fun, especially in March, the drama stretches much further. With that being said, not all MLS NEXT Pro sides struggled to get a result. Chicago Fire II was unstoppable during its 6-0 thrashing of Chicago City SC. The team recorded 31 shots and conceded just five. David Poreba, who spent last season with the aforementioned Crown Legacy, was at the center of it all. Poreba scored and assisted in the match, while creating the most chances (5), winning the most tackles (2), fouls (4) and duels (6) out of any player in the match.

"I just think we as a team played a well rounded game," Poreba said. "We were able to dominate possession and create good chances which allowed me get those goal contributions. It definitely could have been even better, but the win is the most important thing. I think we will only get better as we continue to play together because of the talent we have."

A brand new MLSNP team called Carolina Core FC introduced themselves to the USOC in chaotic fashion. After taking a lead and losing it to a NoVa FC team headlined by Bill Hamid and Oniel Fisher, Carolina's David Polanco came alive to knot the game at two a piece. Polanco was not done there, as he played the most perfect of through balls to Joshua Rodriguez to win the game in the late moments.

Towards the end of the match with the energy of our fans and the subs that came in we knew we could turn it around," Polanco said. "Scoring in the first five minutes of the second half to tie it just gave us an extra boost to keep going and knowing we could win it. Emotions were high the team was doing everything possible to get the win and we’re happy we got the result in front of our fans who support us til the end."

Down in Tennessee, the Chattanooga Red Wolves hosted a wild one against Brockton FC United. Late drama and two 90th minute goals for Brockton sent the game to extra time. There, Brockton was met by the hero off the bench in Ropapa Mensah. As the clock waned, Mensah flicked on a header that found its way in at 116'. Less than four minutes later, Mensah scored what was essentially an empty netter from long range to confirm the win.

"It was a great feeling you know, to score a goal is a great feeling, but to score two in that manner and help the team qualify is more exciting," Mensah said. "We let a two-goal lead slip so it was exciting to restore that and finish on a good note."

Charlotte Independence of USL League One took down Vereinigung Erzgebirge, through their central midfielder Omar Ciss. It took over 70 minutes to break the scoring, but Ciss slotted a clean left-footed finish in at the near post. Soon after, an inch-perfect cross to the back post added an assist to Ciss' resume. Charlotte is dancing into round two with a 2-0 victory.

I’m just feeling comfortable with my position because I move a lot with and without the ball around the field," Ciss said. "Mostly I like participating on the attacking side when we have the ball.

For the Los Angeles Force of the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), attacker Joel Quist lead the way. The former Hartford Athletic forward is a brand new addition to the squad, and it seems he got integrated quickly. Quist slid for a low cross into the area, squeezing it into the back of the net and kicking down the corner flag in celebration. Their opponent, Redlands, responded almost immediately. When the Force needed a winner, Quist was there again to set it up. He softly nodded down a header directly to his teammate, Jose Montes De Oca, who made absolutely no mistake smashing it home to claim the 2-1 win for LA.

"God orchestrated it," Quist said. "The pre-match preparation was impeccably carried out. We’re all thrilled about the team’s depth. Each session, every match, we’re fully dedicated to our ultimate goal. We understand our roles and are committed to the game plan."

USL League One side Central Valley Fuego FC stole a win late in regulation. The hero was Shavon John-Brown. A masterfully played ball over the top from Jose Carrera-Garcia connected with John-Brown, who brought the ball down softly right at the edge of the box. He finished it off with a match-winning chip at 82' that the goalkeeper got a touch on, but not quite enough to keep it out. CVF is moving onto round two.

"My emotions were all over the place, because in that second half they scored to make it 1-1 and I knew going forward they would have the momentum," John-Brown said. "So, in my head it was only to make sure that our team gets the next goal."

The last team we'll focus on is Spokane Velocity, a fairly new USL League One side. USL2 team Ballard FC kept things close for the first 96 minutes of the match, but that was still not enough to send the match to extra time. With a minimum of four added minutes signaled, Spokane pushed on as the clock moved into the seventh minute of stoppage time. Spokane used a long throw-in, which bounced around in the box. It fell all the way to the top, where Andre Lewis was just waiting to pounce, as he laced his left-footed shot into the upper 90 to win it.

"It was an exciting moment for me, as you know it’s the game winner, and also the first Open Cup game for the club, and to get the winner, I was feeling great man," Lewis said.

The first round is in the books, but as the tournament advances, the focus will still remain on the lack of MLS clubs. What many fail to realize is the incredible opportunity this provides to all the lesser-known players hoping to make a name for themselves. These players like to play the best competition, but they know that the cup is up for grabs more than it has ever been in recent history. I asked each of the previously quoted players for their thoughts on the new opportunity the US Open Cup provides:

David POREBA (CHI): "We know there has been a lot of controversy around it, but for us and other Next Pro teams, it’s an incredible opportunity to be able to compete in such a historic tournament. It gives us all extra exposure, and an opportunity to play against professional teams from other leagues, and ultimately a chance to win a trophy. So, we are definitely excited and grateful and looking forward to the next game."

Ropapa MENSAH (CHT): "It’s an opportunity and a very big platform for everyone to showcase their talent, competitions like this makes everyone put in their best effort because the whole America is watching, and it’s refreshing."

David POLANCO (CCFC): "This year could bring a lot of surprises to people and great games. I feel that it’s a great opportunity for all the teams involved, including us to showcase to the people that we can compete at the highest level possible. This new format of the US Open Cup can bring a big surprise towards the end of the cup, and here at Carolina Core we’re doing everything possible to get as far as we can for our fans and our community"

Omar CISS (CLT): "It’s tough because we use to have opportunities playing against MLS teams, but we need to playing our best because we have a chance to get far in the Open Cup. I hope this year one of the League One teams will win it, hope Charlotte Independence will be the team."

Joel QUIST (LA): "It’s an opportunity for us players to shine. We are all hungry this year to win, and it starts with the Open Cup. We all have something to prove."

Shavon JOHN-BROWN (CVF): "With [only eight MLS teams participating] surely they will be some upsets, we already see some happening. This tournament to me is very entertaining, it’s not everyday you start the season with a win or go home game, so it’s always good to have a tournament like that around."

Andre LEWIS (SPO): "It’s very hard whenever you play a knockout game because we all know it’s whoever turns up that day that will be the better team, or you can say it’s who wants it more. For me, I see it as game by game, yes I would would to win the Open Cup, but we will see how far we can go."

That's a wrap on the opening week of the historic US Open Cup. Matches will return for round two very soon, on Tuesday, April 2nd. Some teams will to continue writing their story, while some will undoubtedly be forced to a halt. Fresh teams will enter the spotlight, as is always the case in a knockout tournament such as this one. The lack of MLS representation in the 2024 edition of the Open Cup should not take away from the pure magic of the tournament.