The US Open Cup is back, and the first round was as exhilarating as ever. Cup-sets abounded, with Vermont Green, Asheville City, the Virginia Dream, the Flint City Bucks, and Tennessee Tempo all advancing over professional foes. Two clubs cleared the eight-goal mark in blowout wins. A 14-year-old scored!
To celebrate the fun, I’m handing out superlatives for the first round. From the best goals and assists to the wackiest moments in between them, let’s dig in.
Best Cup-set (and Best Atmosphere)
Vermont Green are one of the stories in American soccer, and they proved it once again on Tuesday night. The club won a USL League Two national title last summer and kept that momentum alive in their Open Cup opener. In front of a packed house at Virtue Field, Vermont downed Portland Hearts of Pine by a 1-0 margin – and it wasn’t even that close.
