FINAL: Steel City FC 3, FCY New York 2 (2026 USOC Qualifying)

2026 U.S. Open Cup Qualifying – Second Round 

FINAL: Steel City FC 3, FCY New York 2

STREAM: YouTube

Instant Match Recap

Steel City FC held on in a desperately fought encounter to see off FCY New York of the UPSL to win their second round U.S. Open Cup qualifying match, 3-2, taking another step closer to returning to the competition proper.

Steel City FC wasted no time after kickoff. An early high-press forced a defensive turnover from the FCY New York centerback pairing, which fell nicely to Nicholas Niebauer. His slightly scuffed effort nonetheless fell to Stefano Paulino who slotted it into the open net to give the hosts an early 1-0 advantage in the 3rd minute.

Both sides would press heavily in the first half, battling for the important second goal. Ultimately the hosts would take advantage first, as Nicholas Niebauer would earn a penalty with a clever run by his man on the right wing of the FCY New York box. Cameron Territo would step up for the hosts and finish the chance, slotting it low-left under the diving goalkeeper to double Steel City’s advantage to two – a lead they’d carry into the halftime break.

But FCY New York wasn’t out of it yet. Just before the hour mark, a clever run into the box saw Steel City’s defense caught flat-footed, leading to a penalty. Ali Alomari stepped up for the visitors and slotted it into the upper-right corner beyond Garret Watson’s grasp in goal, cutting the deficit in half and making it 2-1 in the 59th minute.

The visitors wouldn’t have to wait long for the equalizer. After a misplayed back-pass handed FCY New York a corner, the ensuing in-swinger was headed home by Witman Hernandez in the 69th minute despite a hand on it from Watson in goal, leaving things equalized with 20 minutes to play.

But Steel City would get the last laugh. A great run from Donrick Richards by his defender left him no option but to sweep his legs from behind, leading to a penalty. Territo would step up for another effort, with his initial effort saved, but parried straight back to him for an easy tap-in rebound – giving Steel City a 3-2 lead in the 82nd minute.

Despite a desperate flurry late from FCY New York with corner after corner and chance after chance, Steel City’s defense held strong until the final whistle, securing a 3-2 win and advancement to the third round of U.S. Open Cup qualifying.

Match Day Updates

Follow along with live match updates here

90′ – Corner after corner for FCY New York here as they desperately seek an equalizer, but the Steel City defense is coming up huge so far. Can they hold on for 5-6 minutes of stoppage time?

87′ – A dangerous free kick here for FCY New York, centrally at the top of the 18-yard box, surely going to be taken direct at this stage. It’s ripped towards goal and on-target, brilliantly taken, but brilliantly saved by Watson once again to keep it level!

82′ – GOAL, Steel City FC! Cameron Territo steps up to take it again and his initial effort is saved, but parried right back to him and he slots the rebound in easily. The hosts regain their lead, 3-2, with under ten to play.

78′ – Penalty! Steel City’s Donrick Richards beats his man on the right wing and is swiped down from behind. The hosts will have a chance to take the lead after the refs handle discipline with some pushing and shoving.

74′ – A free kick from near the corner coming for Steel City, and they’ll effectively take it as one. It swings well over everyone, gets headed back across, but a great grab from the FCY New York keeper ends the danger.

69′ – And the mistake comes back to bite Steel City FC! The in-swinging corner is headed home by Witman Hernandez to equalize for FCY New York! This one is far from over folks!

68′ – Whew, dangerous backpass there from the Steel City defense is luckily out for only an FCY New York corner. Fortunate escape from a self-inflicted mistake for Steel City.

64′ – A quick counter and now it’s FCY New York with a corner as they seek an equalizer, but Watson is quick off his line to claim it.

62′ – Steel City seeking to answer back quickly, as a deflected shot is put out for a corner. Taken in-swinging centrally, but punched away and eventually cleared.

58′ – Penalty for FCY New York as the runner is dragged down in the box. Ali Alomari steps up and slots it top-bins to Garret Watson’s right to pull one back for FCY New York, it’s a 2-1 Steel City lead.

57′ – A gentle chip from Nick Niebauer clears the keeper, but also clears the crossbar despite a little roar from the crowd.

50′ – A massive save from Garret Watson at point-blank range as he’s able to tip a surefire goal over the bar! A tremendous job for the veteran goalkeeper!

46′ – We’re back underway with the second half, Steel City holding their 2-0 lead as we kickoff the second 45 minutes.

Halftime – Steel City took an early lead just a few minutes in, and then doubled it with a later penalty, to bring a 2-0 lead into the break. Both teams pressing aggressively for more goals, and it won’t be comfortable.

36′ – PENALTY! Nick Niebauer beats his man on the left-wing and slips into the box where he’s brought down and the referee has zero hesitation. Cameron Territo to take, and he sneaks it under the keeper for the goal! Steel City FC take a 2-0 lead!

35′ – The left-footed effort from the edge of the 18-yard box is taken towards goal but blocked well by the Steel City wall before being cleared away. The hosts maintain their 1-0 lead, but lots of action in both directions.

28′ – More pressure along the Steel City right wing yields a corner this time. It swings to the far post, and the visiting keeper misses it, but is bailed out by a kind whistle from the ref for a foul on Steel City.

27′ – Foul from FCY New York in the defensive third gives Steel City a chance to swing a dangerous free kick into the box, but it’s handled by the visitor’s defense.

26′ – A left-footed shot after a cut-in from the Steel City right-winger sails the crossbar, but the pressure continues mounting from the home side’s heavy press.

20′ – A dangerous midfield turnover gives FCY New York a breakaway chance. A hard shot attempt from the right side of goal is brilliantly saved by Garret Watson in net and cleared away, big moment for the man in net!

16′ – A yellow card picked up by Steel City’s Jack Nury for a dangerous tackle on the left side of the defensive box. The ensuing dangerous FCY New York free kick is taken towards goal, but happily cleared away by the Steel City defense.

3′ – GOAL, Steel City FC! A defensive turnover by FCY New York’s defensive pairing falls to Nicholas Niebauer, who picks up the assist to Stefano Paulino! The hosts lead with a rapid strike, 1-0!

1′ – The referee blows the whistle and FCY New York kicks us off for U.S. Open Cup qualifying action here in the second round! Steel City are attacking from left-to-right on your feeds in this first half. It’s win or go home on the quest to qualify for the 2026 Open Cup!

0′ – Teams are emerging from the locker rooms with just a few minutes until kickoff. It’s a cool, overcast mid-60s at Founders Field, with a light breeze potentially playing a factor during today’s game. Steel City wear their traditional home blues with yellow accents, while FCY New York wear their white and black tops with red trim and black shorts.

Starting XI