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Notable First Round USOC upsets
1997 - Bridgeport Italians (USASA) 3, Rhode Island Stingrays (D3 Pro) 2
With the USASA clubs reeling from losing "their" cup to the USISL and MLS, the amateur clubs of the USASA looked forward to proving to the higher level clubs that they still belonged. On this summer day in East Providence, Rhode Island, the Bridgeport Italians proved they did belong. Their opponents, the Rhode Island Stingrays, would eventually make the playoffs of the Third Division USL Pro League, but wound up seeing an early exit for themselves from the Cup. Marek Jurkonski, Pierre Venditti and Allen Zuniga scored for Bridgeport to give them a 3-2 win over the Stingrays. The Italians went on to lose a close 1-0 game to the Long Island Rough Riders in the next round, but they fulfilled the dream of every USASA club, they beat one of the "big boys".
2003 - Bavarian SC (USASA) 2, Des Moines Menace (PDL) 1
The Bavarian SC had built a fine reputation for themselves, winning three straight National Amateur Cup titles in a row, and were looking to add the scalp of a USL club to their trophy case. The Des Moines Menace hosted the Bavarians in the first round of the 2003 Cup, and got more then they bargained for. The first half went back and forth, ultimately ending 0-0 at halftime. As the second half began, the sluggish looking Menace allowed Bavarian to go on the attack, finally breaking through in the 66th minute, when Ryan Seymour caught Des Moines goalkeeper Warren van der Westhuizen off gaurd, and floated the ball into the net. For the next 28 minutes, the Bavarians held on strong, but the Menace, with a flair for the dramatic, came through with a goal when Daryl Brazeau headed home a free kick in stoppage time to draw the game even. In the 111th minute of extra time, Bavarian Brian Doherty collected the ball at midfield and blasted a 35 yard shot past van der Westhuizen and into the net, stunning the 3,152 fans at Cara McGrane Memorial Stadium. Bavarian SC went on to upset the Reading Rage in the next round, setting up the Milwaukee derby matchup with the Milwaukee Wave United.
Other notable First Round upsets
1996 - San Jose Oaks (USASA) 3, California Jaguars (USISL Select) 2
1999 - United German Hungarians (USASA) 2, New Jersey Stallions (D3 Pro)
2000 - Uruguay SC (USASA) 2, Central Florida Kraze (PDL) 1
2000 - Mexico SC (USASA) 3, San Gabriel Valley Highlanders (PDL) 2
2001 - Uruguay SC (USASA) 3, Miami Strike Force (PDL) 2
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