U.S. Open Cup

LEXINGTON, Ky. — U.S. Soccer announced the results of the 2026 U.S. Open Cup Second Round draw Friday, setting up “LEX v LOU: Round Two” as Lexington Sporting Club will host rivals Louisville City FC at Lexington SC Stadium. 

The match is scheduled for Wednesday, April 1, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. ET. 

The non-league clash marks the second meeting between the in-state foes in the opening month of the season. It also ensures the two bitter enemies will meet across all three competitions in which Lexington will compete in 20206 — USL Championship league play, the Prinx Tires USL Cup and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. 

The first meeting went the way of the visitors, despite an Aaron Molloy strike for the ages and the largest crowd in LSC history.

Lexington enters Round Two on the back of a record-setting First Round performance, dismantling Flower City Union 9-0. The nine-goal outburst set a new club scoring record and matched the largest margin of victory in the USL’s modern era. 

The match featured eight different goal scorers, and Lexington did not allow a shot on target. 

LouCity advanced with a 2-0 win over Southern Indiana FC in the First Round, a club Lexington bested 5-0 in the opening round a season ago. 

LSC ONE Members currently have access to a special pre-sale offer. Members are encouraged to check their email inboxes for more information. 

Tickets for the general public will go on sale Monday, March 23 at 10 a.m. ET. 

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The biggest party in Lexington was hosted at Lexington SC Stadium Thursday night as the Greens began their 2026 Open Cup run with a 9-0 win over Flower City Union.

The nine goals were the most scored in club history, surpassing LSC’s previous scoring record of seven dating back to the 2024 season. They were also the most scored by any club in the First Round of the 2026 U.S. Open Cup so far.

Four players scored their first goals for the club in the match — Phillip Goodrum, Blaine Ferri, Malik Henry-Scott and Tarik Scott.

Nick Firmino got things going in the 30′ minute following a beautiful service from Xavier Zengue. The ball dropped to Firmino at the back post, and the Brazilian made no mistake.

Just five minutes later, LSC fans experienced déjà vu when Aaron Molloy obliterated a ball from 20 yards out, recreating his goal from Lexington’s season opener.

Marcus Epps also joined in on the action in the 40′ minute when he hammered home his own rebound following an initial save.

In the second half, Nick Firmino completed his brace two minutes into the period, courtesy of a gorgeous backheel flick from Phillip Goodrum.

Zengue scored his first goal of the season moments later, and Goodrum, LSC’s star striker acquired this past offseason, opened his Lexington account as well in the 61′ minute.

Blaine Ferri followed in tremendous fashion with a direct free kick goal that dipped over the wall and past the goalkeeper.

Brothers Malik Henry-Scott and Tarik Scott accounted for Lexington’s final two goals of the evening. Malik’s came in the run of play after collecting his own rebound and slotting it home. Tarik was dragged down inside the box for a penalty, and he converted the attempt he earned in the 83′ minute.

When all was said and done, LSC outshot Flower City 38-3 and did not allow a single shot on target all night.

GOALS

LEX: 30′ Nick Firmino (assist: Xavier Zengue)

LEX: 36′ Aaron Molloy

LEX: 40′ Marcus Epps

LEX: 48′ Nick Firmino (assist: Phillip Goodrum)

LEX: 53′ Xavier Zengue

LEX: 61′ Phillip Goodrum (assist: Alfredo Midence)

LEX: 68′ Blaine Ferri

LEX: 76′ Malik Henry-Scott

LEX: 83′ Tarik Scott (P)

LINEUPS

LEX: Oliver Semmle, Joe Hafferty, Kendall Burks, Javain Brown (58′ Jacob Greene), Xavier Zengue, Aaron Molloy (58′ Tarik Scott), Blaine Ferri (84′ Jonathan Stout), Marcus Epps (45′ Michael Adedokun), Alfredo Midence, Nick Firmino, Phillip Goodrum (72′ Malik Henry-Scott)

FCU: Michael Mejia, Matt Bamford, Ryan Fitzgerald, Kyle Nelson, Ely Sidibe (55′ Michael Cunningham), Nathan Masucci (56′ Gaven Egan), Takumi Horan (45′ Gavin Rice), Jack Hopson, Luca Dodge (56′ Nickolas Rippe), Dylan Rice (69′ Adam Grover), Rodrigo Almeida

UP NEXT

USL Championship play resumes for the Lexington SC men next week with a midweek clash vs. Brooklyn FC. The match is slated for Wednesday, March 25 at 7 p.m. ET.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Fans of “stats across all competitions,” rejoice! The 111th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is here, with Lexington Sporting Club hosting NPSL side Flower City Union Thursday night.

The Open Cup is the oldest ongoing national soccer tournament in the United States and spans all ranks of the sport, from the amateur levels to MLS. Matches played in the Open Cup do not count towards a club’s league record, nor do stats count towards a player’s single-season league stats.

Lexington’s first contest of the tournament comes against semi-professional squad Flower City Union, based in Rochester, New York. Should LSC advance, its Second-Round opponent is expected to be announced Friday, March 20.

Last season, Lexington won its First Round matchup in commanding fashion, 5-0. It was then defeated in the Second Round.

Tickets to the match start at only $5. They are also included with LSC ONE Members’ memberships.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET from Lexington SC Stadium.

SCOUTING FLOWER CITY 

Flower City Union operated in NISA from 2022-23, the first two years of the club’s existence. After posting a 2W-18L-3D record in its inaugural season, the club won the league in 2023 and moved to the NPSL.

Last season, Flower City finished first in the NPSL’s Great Lakes Conference with an 8W-1L-1D record and a +23 goal differential. Its season concluded in the Regional Finals with a 3-0 loss to Michigan Rangers FC.

2026 marks the first season the Rochester squad has qualified for the U.S. Open Cup since its 2023 title-winning campaign.

HOW TO WATCH 

The match will stream live on YouTube.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The magic of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is alive, and Lexington Sporting Club is ready for more. After securing its first-ever victory in the historic tournament, the club is charging into the second round, where it will take on Columbus Crew 2 on Tuesday, April 1, at 6:00 p.m. ET at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio. 

This year’s Open Cup run is already rewriting history for Lexington SC, which fell short in the first round last season. Now, with momentum on its side, the club is hungry for another statement win. The stakes are higher, the competition is tougher, and the path to a potential MLS showdown is getting closer. 

Founded in 1914, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the country’s oldest soccer competition, bringing together clubs from every level of the American soccer pyramid. Lexington SC is embracing the challenge, knowing that every victory brings national recognition and a shot at something bigger. 

About Lexington Sporting Club 

Lexington Sporting Club is a U.S. Soccer professional soccer club competing in the USL Championship (U.S. Soccer Second Division men’s professional soccer), and in USL Super League (U.S. Soccer First Division women’s professional soccer). The two professional teams are the pinnacle of the soccer ecosystem in Lexington that features more than 1,000 players within its youth and academy systems. Lexington SC has recently opened a 7500-seat, state-of-the-art stadium, indoor facilities and training fields. 

Media Contact: 

Emily Fields 

Marketing, Communications, Community 

Lexington Sporting Club 

efields@lexsporting.com 

(678) 313-8639 

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Lexington Sporting Club secured a 5-0 win over Southern Indiana FC inside Lexington SC Stadium in the club’s debut match in the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

After a two-goal performance on the road, there was no delay in action with the first goal being rocketed into the back of the net by Cory Burke in just the 13th minute of play. The goal was Burke’s first with the club, making his debut in the match. He was assisted by Alfredo Midence.

Things would go back and forth for much of the first half with a yellow card to Eliot Goldthorpe, but the Englishmen made up for it in the 42nd minute with the second goal of the night. The goal was unassisted.

“Eliot’s been fantastic,” Head Coach Terry Boss said. “He came in a touch late to preseason and it took him a little to get up and running – he’s a guy that, as a staff, we’re just constantly asking how do we get him on the field because he can beat you to the line, he can come inside, his ability to finish is fantastic. He’s been a hard worker. He’s a guy we’re really thankful to have a part of the group.”

Before long, the halftime period came and went with the Greens coming out with energy.

Proof of this energy was on display in the 46th minute as Midence secured the third LSC goal just one minute into the half.

The momentum didn’t stop there, however, as, following in his teammate’s footsteps, Lucas Stauffer launched a ball into the net, securing the fourth goal in the 53rd minute. The goal was the Kentucky native’s first in Lexington.

Things would get chippy with a pair of cautions, but the Greens weren’t done scoring as, wrapping up the game in a thrilling way, Braudilio Rodrigues joined in on the action, securing the team’s fifth and final goal in the 80th minute.

The full-time whistle would bring about Lexington’s advancement in the cup competition.

“It’s special. It’s the first year for us in the USL Championship as well and we’ve come in and we’ve set goals that we want,” Goldthorpe said. “We want to win trophies this year. We don’t want to be a team that’s going to build for a couple of years and then wait to win stuff. We want to win right off the bat. I think we inspired fans tonight and we played really well.”

Lexington SC controlled the possession in the match, holding onto the ball 82.3% of the time while also winning in expected goals with a 2.82-0.18 advantage.

Up next, the Greens stay on their home turf to face off against Indy Eleven, looking to secure back-to-back wins and stay undefeated in the USL Championship. The action kicks off at 7 p.m. ET from Lexington SC Stadium on Saturday, March 22.

About Lexington Sporting Club

Lexington Sporting Club is a U.S. Soccer professional soccer club competing in USL League One (U.S. Soccer third division men’s professional soccer), and in USL Super League (women’s professional soccer launching in 2024). The two professional teams are the pinnacle of the soccer ecosystem in Lexington that features more than 1,000 players within its youth and academy systems. Lexington SC in the process of building the club’s formal stadium, performance center and training fields.

LEXINGTON, KY – Lexington Sporting Club will host Southern Indiana FC in the First Round of the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, March 19, at 7:30 p.m. ET at  Lexington SC Stadium (200 Shives Drive, Lexington, KY 40509). 

The U.S. Open Cup, the nation’s longest-running soccer competition, features clubs from across all levels of the American soccer pyramid, providing a unique platform for teams to compete for national recognition and a chance to advance against higher-division opponents. 

Lexington Sporting Club, competing in USL Championship, will face Southern Indiana FC, a club from USL League Two, in a single-elimination match to determine which team advances to the next round. The fixture will be the first official home match for Lexington SC in 2025, giving fans an early opportunity to rally behind their club in tournament action. 

Lexington SC’s USL Championship season tickets are on sale now! If you are interested in ticketing opportunities, please call (859) 201-3932 or visit www.lexsporting.com/tickets.  

For more information about Lexington Sporting Club and its upcoming initiatives, please visit www.lexsporting.com   

About Lexington Sporting Club 

Lexington Sporting Club is a U.S. Soccer professional soccer club competing in the USL Championship (U.S. Soccer Second Division men’s professional soccer), and in USL Super League (U.S. Soccer First Division women’s professional soccer). The two professional teams are the pinnacle of the soccer ecosystem in Lexington that features more than 1,000 players within its youth and academy systems. Lexington SC has recently opened a 7500-seat, state-of-the-art stadium, indoor facilities and training fields. 

Media Contact: 

Emily Fields 

Marketing, Communications, Community 

Lexington Sporting Club 

efields@lexsporting.com 

(678) 313-8639 

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Lexington Sporting Club is set to face off against Vermont Green FC on the road on Tuesday. The match is set for 7:00 p.m. ET and will take place at Virtue Field at Archie Post Athletic Complex in Burlington, Vt. The match is part of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Lexington SC (1-0-1, 4 points) is coming off its first win of the season in which it defeated Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 1-0 on March 15. Yannick Yankam scored the lone goal of the contest.

Vermont Green finished third in the Northeast Division in USL League Two last season, missing out on the playoffs by 0.15 points per match. The Seacoast United Phantoms and Western Mass Pioneers qualified for the playoffs from the division and both were beaten in the first round.

TUNE IN:

• The match will be streamed live on USLSoccer.com.
• For in-game content, follow Lexington SC on Twitter and Instagram.
• For in-game stats, head to the Match Center.

GAME NOTES

Lexington Sporting Club is back in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for a second consecutive season, falling short against USL Championship outfit Louisville City FC in 2023.

Lexington SC has a new man in charge for the 2024 season with Darren Powell taking the reins for the club from interim head coach Nacho Novo. Sam Stockley, the club’s first gaffer, remains in his sporting director role, overseeing all men’s and boy’s soccer with the club.

Lexington SC and Vermont Green FC, hailing from USL League Two, have never faced off before in either club’s existence. For bonus points, the match will be LSC’s first match in the state of Vermont and will mark the 12th unique state the Boys in Green will have played in. Washington will be added later this season.

Both Vermont and Lexington SC don the color green, making the USL League Two side the second club that heavily emphasizes green that LSC will face in non-exhibition play. The first was Greenville Triumph SC in league play.

University of Kentucky standout and former MLS SuperDraft selection Eythor Bjorgolfsson briefly played for Vermont Green FC while he was in college. He has since returned to his home country of Norway to continue his professional career with Moss FK.

About Lexington Sporting Club  

Lexington Sporting Club is a U.S. Soccer professional soccer club competing in USL League One (U.S. Soccer third division men’s professional soccer), and in USL Super League (women’s professional soccer launching in 2024). The two professional teams are the pinnacle of the soccer ecosystem in Lexington that features more than 1,400 players within its youth and academy systems. Lexington SC in the process of building the club’s formal stadium, performance center and training fields.