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Cape Cup Crusaders!
Cape Cod qualifies with dramatic 3-2 win at Rhode Island; Western Mass on the brink of elimination
The Cape Cod Crusaders had a flair for the dramatic Friday night, clinching a U.S. Open Cup spot  with a thrilling 3-2 come from behind win at Rhode Island. First, they were reduced to 10 men, when Carl Smith was sent off in the 73rd minute. Down 3-1 with 10 minutes remaining, Ronald Murphy, who netted the first tally for the visitors, scored in the 81st and 83rd minutes to pull the Crusaders back in front, and into the Open Cup. This will mark the fourth appearence in the Cup for Cape Cod, the first since 2004, when they lost in the third round to the Richmond Kickers in extra time.
In Ludlow, Massachusetts, the Western Mass Pioneers took a huge step back in the quest for a USL Second Division U.S. Open Cup berth, losing to the Charlotte Eagles 2-1. Clay Roberts scored twice for Charlotte early in the game, and Kyle Tiexeira came off the bench to pull the Pioneers within one with 12 minutes left, but Charlotte held on for the victory. The loss leaves Western Mass to rely on others if they are to move on to the U.S. Open Cup. The Pioneers will need either a Pittsburgh loss at Harrisbug, or a draw or loss for Wilmington at home vs. Cincinnati.
In other PDL qualifying action, the El Paso Patriots were eliminated from Cup contention, losing to the Austin Lightning 3-2. Daniel Frias scored twice in the second half to bring the Patriots to within one, but it wasn’t enough for the win.
The match between the Delaware Dymasty and Virginia Beach Submariners was stopped due to lightning, but may be played on Sunday, a daw after the Dynasty travel to Richmond to face the Kickers Future.
The race in the Western Conference was blown wide open, with Orange County defeating Los Angeles 2-0,l BYU topping Tacoma FC 3-0 and Ogden winning over Yakima 1-0.
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