Final Arizona team falls in U.S. Open Cup

Sporting Arizona FC made it into the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup by defeating Phoenix Rising FC in over time. It looked like the scenario would be repeated again at Mesa’s John Riggs Stadium on Wednesday night against Fresno FC. Fresno’s Renato Bustamante ended that notion.

Things looked good early on with Sporting’s Ryan Flood scoring first in minute 66. It only took a few minutes for Fresno to even things up with a goal from former Sacramento Republic player Danny Barrera. An overtime goal from Bustamante put the visitors on top in the 99th minute.

The tournament started with four Arizona teams, the largest Grand Canyon State contingent in the Open Cup’s history. The fact that the field got whittled down was mostly Sporting’s fault: they knocked both Arizona FC and Phoenix Rising FC out of the tournament. FC Tucson was out after a defeat on May 16th to Las Vegas Lights FC.

Other notable Wednesday night results

FC Golden State Force 2 (Faramillio 75’, 90’) – Las Vegas Lights 1 (Huiqui 81’)

We have ourselves a “cupset.” Golden State Force, frequent opponents of FC Tucson, have accomplished a feat few amateur sides have accomplished: they have eliminated two professional teams from the tournament. Golden State previously beat Orange County SC. 

They join the company of Cal FC (2012), Michigan Bucks (2012) and FC Tucson (2013) in that accomplishment.

Golden State hopes to join the company of amateur sides that have beaten MLS teams with a match against the Los Angeles Galaxy, scheduled for early June. Zlatan Ibrahimovic? Should be a piece of cake.

Sacramento Republic FC 1 (Alemán 88’) – Reno 1868 FC 0

Two late chances from former FC Tucson attacker Danny Musovski couldn’t find the back of the net and the team lost at home courtesy of a free kick from Keven Alemán.

North Texas Rayados 3 (Ramos 6’, Escalera 28’, Salas 86’) – FC Wichita 2 (Landaverde 60’, Ochoa 65’)

As if losing weren’t bad enough, FC Wichita hit the showers to find that their locker room had been burgled. The team has set up a GoFundMe page to help the players, all of whom are amateur.