The US Open Cup. It’s the oldest ongoing soccer competition in American soccer, and the third-longest-running in the world. Currently it’s in its 103rd edition. Contested by more than 90 clubs from the three professional leagues sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation, including Major League Soccer, North American Soccer League and United Soccer League, as well as amateur clubs in the earlier rounds of the tournament. It’s a chance for the smaller clubs to take their shot at the big boys through a single-elimination knock-out tournament. Tonight, FC Cincinnati played it’s first US Open Cup match hosting Indy Eleven NPSL at Nippert Stadium…

The supporters groups started to file into The Bailey…

Here we go…

Penalty!

GOOOOOAL!!! 1-0 FC Cincinnati!

Indy Eleven NPSL pulled one back to level the game at one all…

After the goal, Indy supporters set off one of the biggest smoke bombs I’ve ever seen…

At half, it was still 1-1…

I guess that sprinkle donut is going to be a regular fixture at halftime…

The second half was about to start…

FC Cincinnati had a free kick in a dangerous spot just outside the box…

But couldn’t capitalize.

GOOOOOAL!!! Finally. 2-1 FC Cincinnati!

FC Cincinnati had a third goal disallowed for some reason. The match ended 2-1 to FC Cincinnati. FC Cincinnati really should have had at least 4 or 5 goals if they could have taken more of their chances. There were a bunch of great team moves that they just couldn’t finish and put in the back of the net. But the important thing is they won. And advance to the next round of the tournament…

FC Cincinnati moves on to the next round of the US Open Cup where they’ll face the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the NASL on June 1 at 7:30pm. 🙂