For me, the most obvious take away of last nights action in US Open Cup was how good, energetic and creative the young NYCFC 2 is.
This is critical because New York City itself has produced very few elite soccer talents in the last 30 years. I’m talking about the city itself not Westchester, Long Island or Jersey. So a strong NYCFC 2 is good for the sport imo.
For the 2nd cup match NYCFC has looked arguably the best side in the tournament. And the opposition they faced has been high-end. First, it was FC Motown. Last night it was Red Bull 2.
Richmond defeated Maryland 5-2 in a match that was open and included a red card. But special mention of the Bobcats Darwin Espinal scoring has to be made. Espinal now nearing 30 continues to be an elite player wherever he goes.
He’s a legend in my parts having attended the same same high school as I did (and winning Florida player of the year while there)and it remains for me one of the greatest regrets I have about the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of NASL 2.0 that such a prodigious local talent was allowed to sign with rival Tampa Bay in his first pro stint. That’s what thinking globally instead of locally leads to (that particular Strikers ownership was focused on being a “global brand”).
Lubbock and El Farlito won again which is fantastic for this tournament.
The Michigan Stars have become a difficult team to be neutral about because of their ownership and some of the fights they’ve picked, but boy are they a fun team to watch, which they were for significant portions of the last few NISA seasons as well. Ultimately, I’m pleased the won last night because Minnesota United 2 showed me nothing.
I’ll be out in Broward College tonight for the big matchup between Miami United whose pedigree in this tournament speaks for itself and NISA’s Club de Lyon, a club that has given more Florida kids an opportunity to play professionally than any other club in the last few years.
I’m looking forward to it.
I'm glad NYCFC 2 is showing creativity because NYCFC has been tough to watch this season. Not a Cushing fan having followed Man City women for a long time. And, yes, I know he won the league with them but there has to be a reason so many stars left under his stewardship with Bronze returning after he left and her contract was up.
Juncaj wins 😱
The only time in my life I’ve ever rooted for an MLS team