U.S. Open Cup | Familiarity Abounds In Third Round Matchups

The U.S. Open Cup offers matchups that would rarely happen in a competitive atmosphere. Teams from different leagues battle for the ultimate goal of lifting the Cup. It also offers a chance to see former players who have moved on to different teams and leagues around the country.

When the nine NASL sides enter the competition there are plenty of familiar faces in new places.

The Charlotte Independence, FC Cincinnati, and OKC Energy have the most representatives with ties to the NASL.

Former Indy Eleven loanee Brian Brown has scored three times for the Independence, while Enzo Martinez, who is familiar to the Carolina RailHawks has also scored three times in USL play. The RailHawks will play host to the Independence at WakeMed Soccer Park.

Omar Cummings, who scored 10 goals in the NASL a year ago, is a member of the FC Cincinnati side that travels to Al Lang Stadium to face the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Andrew Weideman, who was on Ottawa Fury FC’s squad that reached The Championship Final last year is also in the squad. Former Minnesota United goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt has earned the starting position for the USL expansion side.

The Energy, which will take on Rayo OKC at Miller Stadium, have former Indy Eleven defender Kyle Hyland and current Indy forward Wojciech Wojcik on loan. Daniel Jackson spent the latter part of the Fall Season on loan with the RailHawks and scored the game-winning goal in Carolina’s win over the LA Galaxy in 2014. Former Atlanta Silverbacks ‘keeper C.J. Cochran provided heroics for the Energy in the second round, scoring the game-winning penalty in a shootout against Detroit City FC.

The Wilmington Hammerheads have former NASL Golden Glove winner John Smits, who was recently with FC Edmonton. Jeff Michaud is on loan from the Tampa Bay Rowdies with the USL side.

Several notable players from USL sides have moved to the NASL in the offseason, including Matt Fondy and Bryan Burke from Louisville City and the former Scaramento Republic pair, Justin Braun and Nemanja Vukovic, who are both with Indy.

While there may be familiarity when the third round of the Cup kicks off, there will certainly be no love lost between the players vying to ultimately claim silverware.