US Open Cup First Round Recap: Duluth FC @ Forward Madison FC
On Tuesday night in Madison, WI one of the perennial powers of the NPSL North in Duluth FC made their return to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
The last time the BlueGreens had played in the tournament was 2019 where they fell in the opening round to USL2 side Des Moines Menace on penalties. This match was different for Duluth and the handful fans who made the trip down with the team, the BlueGreens would be facing off against a professional club, rather than another amateur side. Duluth FC and head coach Sean Morgan have been in that situation previously as well. In 2018, Duluth hosted the now defunct St. Louis FC club ultimately falling 2–0 in their second round encounter.
Their opponents in Forward Madison FC were also no strangers to the Open Cup, having participated in all three seasons possible since the club formed. With a 3-3 tournament record, the 'Mingos looked to improve on their outing in 2023 where they fell 3–2 to MWPL side Chicago House AC in their only match of the competition.
Forward Madison made a near wholesale change with their Starting XI from the previous weekend. Michael Chilaka and Stephen Payne were the only returning starters from USL1 season opener. Madison's 2023 top scorer Christian Chaney made his return to the Starting XI, his first start since coming back from injury.
https://twitter.com/ForwardMSNFC/status/1770208707533472232
"Predominantly we're recruiting NCAA players and it becomes a little bit challenging because they changed the rules. We can't have a lot of those guys eligible after May 1st," Duluth FC manager Sean Morgan said about constructing the roster for the match. "So I think we did quite well to get a fair amount of returners who have previously played for us in the last year maybe two in some cases three and have that continuity. And then try and introduce quality into the squad in areas that are key in helping us for the game."
https://twitter.com/DuluthFC/status/1770219013043315145
Madison came out of the gate hard and fast controlling the pace without question during the opening minutes. That constant offensive pressure paid off for Forward Madison when Christian Chaney snatched the opening goal less than 10 minutes into play.
"We want to play forward first. We do want to get into the opponents half and create better chances in them. I think we did that in our first two games."Forward Madison coach Matt Glaeser said post match.
https://twitter.com/ForwardMSNFC/status/1770230220756296081
Following the early goal Madison was content to relax offensively while defensively heavily pressuring Duluth. The result was Duluth FC not getting a shot off during the opening 45 minutes of play.
The second half started in very similar fashion to the first. Madison pressing hard offensively, pushing for that second goal. A second goal, once again a one touch effort coming from Christian Chaney just eight minutes into the second half.
"I was just trying to focus on hitting the target and it ended up going in. Really good goal I'm really happy I got to score," Madison forward Christian Chaney said to media post match.
https://twitter.com/ForwardMSNFC/status/1770244330550112463
From there on Madison, with a 2–0 lead once again slipped back into slowing down pace when in possession and heavily pressuring Duluth when out of possession. The BlueGreens managed two shots in that second half of play, the first being a header by Joe Pickering that missed just wide left of goal. The second being a blast from Tyler Limmer that went over the crossbar and out of play.
"I think one of the biggest aspects in terms of key takeaways, as you go up the levels the speed of play increases. I think that was obvious at times tonight," Duluth FC manager Sean Morgan told the media.
The loss ends Duluth FC's third venture into the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and turns their attention towards finishing roster construction for the upcoming NPSL season. Duluth FC begins their sixth season in the NPSL on Wednesday, May 15th against Joy Athletic Club at Public Schools Stadium in Duluth. The BlueGreens are also set to participate in the second edition of the Minnesota Super Cup.
Forward Madison meanwhile continues their journey in the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The 'Mingos second round match will pit them up against MLS Next Pro side Chicago Fire II. That match will be played at 7pm on Wednesday, April 3rd at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, IL.
US Open Cup First Round Preview: Duluth FC @ Forward Madison
Today is the day everyone, the local league season is [kind of] underway once again. In addition to this Border Battle with Duluth FC opening their season at Forward Madison. Des Moines Menace, Chicago House, and others will open their season in the 2024 edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. This has been a massively different start to the 2024 edition and a match has not been played yet. A long delay initially started following Major League Soccer's announcement they would not play in the tournament and intended to send their MLS Next Pro affiliates instead. This kicked off a long drawn out conversation for the format, which included fears the USOC would be scrapped entirely for this year.
This was settled on March 1st when the United States Soccer Federation finally revealed the tournament format. Gone were all MLS teams participating, reverting back to the partial participation common through 2011. In were some of the affiliated MLS Next Pro sides, allowing affiliated lower league clubs back in for the first time since the 2015 edition.
The Magic of the Cup
The US Open Cup is the only true national soccer championship in the United States. Due to the lack of promotion and relegation, along with most league's tendencies to self isolate interleague play is rare. This is one of the few times each season clubs from different leagues play each other. This makes the Open Cup truly unique in American sports as there is no equivalent in other sports. There is no baseball tournament where the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks can play the Minnesota Twins and no hockey tournament where the Quad City Storm could face the Iowa Wild. The NBA does have an in season tournament, but it includes no G League teams.
The Open Cup also provides every team something to compete for in every match. The furthest advancing lower league side from each division earns $25,000. The runner-up earns a cool $100,000 and the tournament champion gets $300,000 and a place in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup. With only eight MLS teams participating in 2024 it is quite possible the Cup could see it's first non-MLS winner since the 1999 Rochester Raging Rhinos.
Forward Madison FC (USL1)
The 'Mingos are the clear favourites to win in this first round clash. The professional side has already been together for a full preseason unlike Duluth. Madison has also already opened their 2024 league campaign with a 1-1 draw with South Georgia Tormenta FC. Madison will look to lean on 2023 top scorer Christian Chaney to overpower the BlueGreens. Matt Glaeser is in his 3rd Season in charge of the 'Mingos and will certainly be hoping to avoid another Cupset like last season.
Duluth FC (NPSL)
The BlueGreens return to the US Open Cup for the first time in nearly five years and for the first time under fourth year manager Sean Morgan for their first match of 2024, a full two months before NPSL play begins. This is not the first time Duluth has had to assemble a squad on short notice for the Open Cup. Duluth FC previously qualified for the 2018 and 2019 editions. In 2018 Duluth defeated fellow NPSL North club Dakota Fusion on penalties in an absolute classic before falling in the Third Round to the now defunct St. Louis FC club. In 2019 the BlueGreens fell on penalties to Des Moines Menace in the First Round.
Tune in via US Soccer here
Other Area Matches
All Matches on Wednesday, March 20:
Chicago City SC (USL2) @ Chicago Fire II (MLSNP) – 7pm CT
SeatGeek Stadium – Bridgeview, IL
Stream here
MNUFC2 (MLSNP) @ Chicago House AC (MWPL) – 7pm CT
Langhorst Field – Elmhurst, IL
Stream here or follow our coverage on Northland Soccer Journal
Des Moines Menace (USL2) @ Capo FC (NISA) – 9:30pm CT
Jserra Catholic High School - San Juan Capistrano, CA
Stream here