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Three local (well, based in New York and New Jersey) lower-league clubs have advanced to the second qualifying round of the 2017 US Open Cup. Brick Lions, FC Motown, and Lansdowne Bhoys march on to the next round.
For Sacir Hot's FC Motown, the first round of USOC qualifying was anti-climactic.
Four-time US Open Cup champions NY Greek American SC forfeit against FC Motown @usopencup #2017USOC pic.twitter.com/qnsUjRHPir
— Bob Larson (@Bob_Larson) September 12, 2016
@usopencup they even had diappointed fans pic.twitter.com/ItmEdQ05iI
— Bob Larson (@Bob_Larson) September 12, 2016
#USOC2017 news: Our photog just told me Greek Americans called an hour before kickoff to inform @FCMotown1 they didn't have enough players
— TheCup.us (@usopencup) September 12, 2016
Absent an opponent to play, FC Motown claims the win and move forward. Former New York Red Bulls player Sacir Hot will have to wait a little longer for his coaching debut.
Brick Lions posted an emphatic win over Vereinigung Erzgebirge (Warminster, PA) to sail into the second qualifying round.
5-2 win today on to the next round #USOC2017 #lamarhunt #bricklionsfc @GardenStateSocc @usopencup pic.twitter.com/xWEurmTJS8
— Brick Lions FC (@LionsFC_TR) September 11, 2016
Lansdowne Bhoys had to work a little harder for their qualification, forcing overtime against New York Pancyprian Freedoms (the team that bounced RBNY U-23s out of the 2016 USOC).
#USOC2017 qualifying FINAL: @Lansdownebhoys rally from down 2-0 to force OT & beat Pancyprian Freedoms 3-2 on late PK | @TommySmythESPN
— TheCup.us (@usopencup) September 11, 2016
Bhoy Christiano Francois scoring the winner in extra time. Fantastic debut Bhoy @TommySmythESPN @CosmoLeague pic.twitter.com/PUVZWIl4kU
— Lansdowne Bhoys FC (@Lansdownebhoys) September 11, 2016
If the name Christiano Francois sounds familiar: he was on trial with NYRB II earlier this season. His new club seems to be enjoying his work.
More from Christiano last night! #ball player @TommySmythESPN @CosmoLeague @IrelandinNY pic.twitter.com/Qj67q24TzS
— Lansdowne Bhoys FC (@Lansdownebhoys) September 11, 2016
Sadly, the second qualifying round will pit Lansdowne Bhoys against FC Motown in mid-October: only one can progress. Brick Lions will face Pennsyvania's Junior Lone Star in the next round.
A third qualifying round is scheduled for November.
Once A Metro will keep you posted on the progress of the NY and NJ lower-league teams in the 2017 US Open Cup.