Local amateur side NTX Rayados have done it again. The little club that could from the North Texas Premier Soccer Association has once again knocked off a higher league, semi-pro club to advance in the 2019 US Open Cup. Rayados knocked off two NPSL sides - Fort Worth Vaqueros and FC Wichita - as well as USL side OKC Energy last year before falling to MLS side Houston Dynamo in the 4th Round.

Having qualified for the US Open Cup for an 8th straight year - a record streak in the modern era (1995-present) for open division teams - Rayados drew a road match against NPSL side Little Rock Rangers in the 1st Round. Little Rock Rangers are the first Arkansas participants in the 105-year history of the US Open Cup.

On Wednesday evening, after their flight was canceled due to weather and the club was forced into a last minute road trip, Rayados rallied to tie the game in the final seconds and now advance after a 4-2 penalty kick shootout win.

With a late equalizer & peerless penalty-taking, @Ntxrayados edged @lrrangers to reach the Second Round of #USOC2019. GAME 📺 HIGHLIGHTS ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/635AlltRHx — U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 9, 2019

Reece Wilson opened the scoring for Rayados, then Alex Guadron tied the game for Rangers at 1-1. Sabelo Hlongwane gave Rangers the 2-1 lead that lasted till the dying seconds of play.

Reyes Vargas of Rayados received a deserved red card in the 87th minute forcing the club to play down a man for the rest of regulation and all of the 30 extra-time. Former North Texas SC trialist Mariano Fazio scored the stoppage-time goal to tie the game at 2 right at the death.

The match was played at Episcopal Collegiate instead of the Rangers' normal home stadium, War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, because the U.S. Open Cup requires a grass field for all of its matches.

NTX Rayados advance to face OKC energy in a rematch of last years' 5-2 extra time 2nd round upset. The 2019 2nd round matchup will take place on May 14th at John Crain Field at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma, at 7:30 pm CT. OKC Energy currently sits 5th in the Western Conference of the USL Championship with a 4-2-3 record.

Dale dale dale Rayados ! pic.twitter.com/NehsYOIwdb — NTX Rayados Academy (@Ntxrayados) May 9, 2019