After two of their teams lost in the Qualifying Round of the U.S. Open Cup last week, the remaining teams of the United States Adult Soccer Association waved their banner high Wednesday night, as four USASA clubs advanced to the Second Round of the tournament, and another nearly joined them. This marks the first time since 1995, when professional clubs began entering the cup, that three or more USASA clubs have advanced past the first round.

The most emphatic victory of the night was in Phoenix, Arizona, where the Arizona Sahuaros, a team without a league, trounced the PDL’s BYU Cougars 5-1. After a scoreless first half, Arizona opened the scoring on a Brian Thames goal, and soon after Giber Becerra added two of his own. BYU’s Brock Trejo tallied in between the goals from Becerra, but that would be all the scoring for the Cougars on the night. The Sahuaros will now welcome the USL First Division’s Virginia Beach Mariners to the desert in Round Two.

Dallas’ Roma FC also advanced, outlasting the host Laredo Heat of the PDL 4-2 on penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw. The Heat led twice in the match, in regulation on Ernesto Contreras’ goal and then in the first minute of the second overtime on a goal by Hector Vallejo. Roma FC, though, equalized through Brad Flanagan in the 50th minute and John Calandro with 4 minutes left in the second OT. The winner of this game was incorrectly listed here due to inaccurate information supplied to USOpenCup.com.

In Santa Rosa, California, the Sonoma County Sol got by the Ogden Outlaws of the PDL on penalties, after playing to a 1-1 draw after extra time, and Milford International slipped past Chicago’s Lightning 1-0.

The Dallas Mustang Legends forced the Des Moines Menace into some late game drama, falling 3-2. The Menace took a 1-0 lead just before the half, when Tomas Boltnar stepped to the spot in the 40th minute and converted a penalty, awarded when Armin Mujdzic was fouled in the box. The Mustang Legends wasted no time after the restart, tying the match on a Mike Anderson goal in the 51st minute. The tie didn’t last long however, as Tomas Boltnar struck again two minutes later off of a set piece. Dallas once again tied the score at 2-2, which lasted until the 86th minute, when Edwin Disang beat three Mustang defenders to give the Menace a dramatic victory.

"It was the same story as it has been these past few games, we create tons of chances and don’t capitalize and then are a bit unsteady in the back at the wrong moments. We have been solid from 18 to 18 but in both goal boxes not quite efficient," Menace coach Casey Mann was quoted after the match . "The guys battled hard and overcame mistakes and that is the most important thing. We didn’t hang our heads, kept battling, and prevailed." Des Moines will now travel to St. Paul to face the USL First Division Minnesota Thunder in the Second Round.

The Michigan Bucks began to relive their amazing cup run in 2000, with a 2-0 win over USL Second Division club Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The Bucks jumped out to an early lead, though a goal from Kenny Uzoigwe, off an assist from Nate Jafta, who has assisted on nearly all of Uzoigwe’s goals this season. Soon after halftime, Mychael Turpin doubled the lead, again with the help of Nate Jafta, in the 51st minute. The Bucks defense held on the rest of the way to secure the victory, and advance to the second round, where they will host another USL Second Divison club, the Cincinnati Kings.

“We have been in a bit of a funk the past few games, and we just needed
someone to step up and get the fire going." Bucks head coach Dan Fitzgerald said after the game. "We just didn’t click the past few games, but it came to us today in the U.S. Open Cup. This is why these boys come to play for the Bucks and the team effort tonight was one I have not witnessed thus far this season. We beat a VERY good team tonight, and it took every man and everything we had to do it.”

The other USL Second Division team to see cup action Wednesday night, the Wilmington Hammerheads, prevailed 3-1 over the PDL’s Virginia Bach Submariners. Anthony Maher, Kenny Both and Junior Zarate tallied for Wilmington in the win, while Dave Horst scores the lone goal for the Subs late in the game. Wilmington will now move on to face their USL Second Divison arch-rivals, the Charlotte Eagles.

The match between the Cape Cod Crusaders and Carolina Dynamo was postponed due to severe weather. The game has been rescheduled for June 15.

Carolina advance to Round Two
Dynamo eliminate Crusaders a day after rain out