US OPEN CUP 1st ROUND WRAP: Chaos Top Fort Pitt: Riverhounds Up Next

Charleston Chaos celebrate their goal in the opening minutes of their 1-0 defeat of Fort Pitt Regiment last night. (Photo Courtsey of Charleston Daily Mail)

It was the first U.S. Open Cup game ever played in the state of West Virginia, and the home team made the most of it, as Daniel Smee’s header from a corner kick in the fifth minute was all the West Virginia Chaoswould need to hold off the Fort Pitt  Regiment, 1-0 at Schoenbaum Stadium.

For a complete game story, you can see Charleston Daily Mail Tom Bragg’s recap here. 
The Chaos will now travel to Pittsburgh, for a second round encounter with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Highmark Stadium, next Wednesday night, May 20.   It will be a 7 p.m. kickoff.
The Riverhounds have two former Chaos players on their roster, current USL’s leading goal scorer Rob Vincent and their most capped player, Sterling Flunder.
You can find recaps of all of the games last night in the U.S. Open Cup’s first round on U.S. Soccer’s web site.
In addition, the brackets have been set to include the potential third round matches.   What we know, according to Thecup.us, the winner of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds-WV Chaos match will take on the winner of Wilmington Hammerheads (USL) vs Chattanooga match on May 27 at an undeterimined site.     The fourth-round draw has not been deterimined yet that will provide the opponent for the winner of the third round match.  It appears it will likely be a NASL or MLS team.   We’ll have to just take it one week at a time.
As for the Regiment, they will now prepare for the NPSL opener, on May 29 at Indiana Fire. They also announced yesterday that they will be playing all home games at Upper St. Clair Stadium (Upper St. Clair High School) in the South Hills. Their home opener vs Michigan Stars is slated for Saturday, June 7, 2 p.m. kickoff.

John Krysinsky

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).