The Myrtle Beach Mutiny are all about making history in 2018.

Starting this Saturday in Charlotte, the team will be looking to win back-to-back PDL South Atlantic Division titles in one of the toughest divisions in the league.

But first, they’ll play host to a major American soccer tournament for the first time in their history.

On May 9, the Mutiny welcome South Georgia Tormenta FC to the coast for a first-round match in the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. This will be the first-ever U.S. Open Cup match hosted in Myrtle Beach.

Due to their switch from NPSL to PDL in 2017, the Mutiny were not allowed to accept their bid into the 2017 US Open Cup, and with the strong side they fielded last year, they might have made some noise. This season though, the Mutiny organization is ready to make that run in the oldest soccer tournament in the United States.

Patrick Piscitelli, Sports Director and General Manager of the Mutiny, says that while the process of preparing for an Open Cup match has been stressful, the Mutiny organization is excited.

“I am shocked that we got a home bid. I think it is great that we get to host. We are going to be going up against some of the best teams in the country and we are really thrilled to have that opportunity to compete.”

While the Myrtle Beach area is more known for its baseball and football locally, Piscitelli believes that hosting the Open Cup gives the Grand Strand an important opportunity to connect with its local soccer club.

The organization has been pulling out all the stops to get the word out about the U.S. Open Cup being hosted in the area. Piscitelli has gone on local television broadcasts, has talked in local schools, and of course he has made the podcast/radio circuit as well.

The Mutiny want fans there on May 9.

“This is our eighth year here in Myrtle Beach and people still don’t know that we are around. We hope that another great season in the PDL and a run in the Open Cup will show people that the Mutiny are for real.”

Both 2017 matches against the Mutiny’s Open Cup opponent, Tormenta FC, ended in 1–1 draws. But there are no draws in the USOC: whether it takes extra time or penalties, someone will be advancing to the next round to face the Charleston Battery on May 16.

The Mutiny host Tormenta FC on May 9 at North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Be there!

For our previous coverage of the Mutiny here at SNST, you might want to check out this link. Chris Davis and Ben Goshorn also discuss all things PDL on the Soccer ’n’ Sweet Tea podcast “Amateur Hour.” (Subscribe here.)

We’ll be trying to cover all things Myrtle Beach soccer here at Soccer ’n’ Sweet Tea throughout the 2018 season. Want to help us? Let us know!

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