FINAL: Steel City FC 1, Capital City Islanders 0 (2026 USOC Qualifying)

2026 U.S. Open Cup Qualifying – Third Round 

FINAL: Steel City FC 1, Capital City Islanders 0

STREAM: YouTube

Instant Recap

After a competitive, evenly played first half, Steel City FC would seize control at home in the second half and see off their intra-state challengers in a 1-0 victory to advance one step closer to an Open Cup proper return.

The two Keystone State sides spent the early portions of the match feeling each other out, with much of the battle playing out in a midfield scrap for possession. Both sides looked clean and comfortable, but aggressive pressing prevented any cohesion into the final third.

Steel City FC would find their footing first, generating several corners, free kicks, and moments of danger in the Capital City box, but were unable to find the critical moment or threaten the defense with a shot on-target. But the visitors grew more comfortable late in the half, generating a dangerous chance on a stoppage-time corner that led to a header pinging off the post – but nullified by a foul for a shove in the box.

The only stat-keeping record of note for the first half came in the 36th minute, as Capital City’s Josiah Ramirez came flying in late on a challenge in Steel City’s box in a bid to win back possession high. The challenge was both late and elevated, and the referee saw fit to issue a caution to cool things down. Otherwise, the halftime whistle would blow with zeroes on the scoreboard all around.

That would quickly change in the second half, however, as Steel City really took control of proceedings. Within five minutes of kickoff, Nicky Graeca played a stellar, central through-ball to the feet of Stefano Paulino, leaving him one-on-one with the Capital City keeper. Paulino would very calmly tap the ball beyond his reach, and it nestled into the bottom-right for the 1-0 lead for the hosts.

The chances would all flow through Steel City for the majority of the half, with Paulino consistently putting chances on-target and forcing saves out of the Capital City keeper and defense. Things also became progressively chippier as Capital City sought an equalizer, with several yellows handed out to either side for late challenges and dissent.

But despite the visitor’s efforts to press higher and higher, Capital City couldn’t seem to string together the sequences necessary to threaten Garret Watson in the Steel City net. The hosts would comfortably see out the closing moments defensively and secure their 1-0 victory.

Steel City FC advances to the fourth round in a few short weeks, just one win away from returning to the Open Cup proper for the first time since their 2024 debut, while Capital City’s debut qualifying attempt reaches its conclusion.

Match Day Updates

Follow along with live match updates here

Final – Steel City FC 1-0 Capital City Islanders. The hosts comfortably manage the remainder of the second half after their 49th minute goal from Stefano Paulino and advance to the fourth round of qualifying, one win away from returning to the Open Cup proper for the first time since 2024!

90′ – A stoppage-time corner for Capital City, even the goalkeeper up now! It’s taken to the far post, where Garret Watson gets his hands to it before being fouled, ending the danger. Just moments to go now.

90′ – We enter stoppage time as Capital City desperately presses further and further up-field – not many stoppages during play, so likely not long to hold on for the hosts.

81′ – Ten minutes to play, Steel City holding their 1-0 advantage and dropping a bit further deep to solidify defensively.

75′ – A hope-and-prayer header from Capital City sails easily wide of the far post, the attacks getting more desperate as we enter the final stages of this one.

70′ – Foul on the left wing won by Lundberg for Steel City. The hosts make several subs before the ensuing free kick, which is taken into the box. The ball sails, but is put back centrally from the right wing, where a one-touch effort just sails over the crossbar.

68′ – Garret Wilson with another routine save between the sticks on a shot from the left side of his box. Capital City’s #10 has been a thorn in the Steel City defense all day, but unable to find a breakthrough.

65′ – A brief stoppage now, as after some brilliant defensive work from Jervel Tobierre, the Capital City attacker he held off flopped and rolled around for a moment trying (and failing) to earn a call. He’s off for a moment and play carries on.

63′ – A yellow card issued to Steel City’s Cameron Territo. Ref appeared to be letting the foul stand on its own, but a bit of dissent afterwards brings him back to hand the card out.

59′ – And now a yellow card issued to Steel City’s Stefan Lundberg for a late foul along the sideline as well. Things getting a little rougher here late.

58′ – A yellow card issued to Capital City’s Derek Ramirez, as his late slide takes out the legs of a Steel City midfielder and their counter-attack.

49′ – GOAL, STEEL CITY FC! A brilliant through-ball up the middle leads to a one-on-one and it’s coolly finished by Stefano Paulino – who makes his second chance stick! The hosts seize the initiative early in the second half, 1-0!

46′ – Back underway in the second half, still all even on the scoreboard as each side tries to find the opener that is growing ever-more crucial as it gets later here.

Halftime – Steel City 0-0 Capital City Islanders. We’re all even through 45 minutes. Steel City had the majority of chances in the first half, but Capital City threatened late and came closest with a header off the post – nullified by a foul. Everything still up for grabs here.

45′ – A stoppage time corner here for Capital City late in the half. Nearly everyone forward for the visitors. The back-post corner is headed goalwards and off the post! However, a whistle goes for a shove and it wouldn’t have counted regardless.

43′ – A foul on Nicky Graeca along the right wing and Steel City will have a dangerous free kick here late. Taken short and then hooked to the back post, but the offsides flag comes up – always a risk with a training-ground routine.

40′ – A Steel City corner now late in this half, it’ll be an out-swinger. Taken towards the far post, brought down, and a shot is taken but deflected easily.

36′ – A late foul as the Capital City attacker flies in and we’ll have our first yellow card of the game issued to Josiah Ramirez.

31′ – A good cross-field ball from Capital City and the striker in the box gets a volley to it, but it’s deflected out for a corner well by Anthony Rowan. The ensuing visitor’s corner is swung in near-post and headed clear.

28′ – Now a Steel City free kick along the left wing, far from goal. It’s driven into the box towards the center, but is easily dealt with and cleared away.

26′ – Capital City free kick from the deep right-wing, taken towards the center of the Steel City box and reached by an attacker first, but his touch lets him down and it’s cleared away from danger.

23′ – Inches from a valuable chance for Capital City there, as the cross from the left wing just buzzed the tip of the foot of the on-rushing forward in front of goal. Any re-direct there and it’s a difficult moment for Garret Watson in net, but luck was on his side.

21′ – A clever one-two nearly comes off for Steel City as Stefan Lundberg was through on goal, but the Capital City keeper was quick off the line to cover.

18′ – A dangerous cross from the right wing and Stefano Paulino after the high Steel City press forces a turnover. But the header sails the crossbar and is through the uprights for a field goal.

12′ – Bit of a collision as Garret Watson comes out to claim an overhit ball over the top from Capital City. Clovis Kabre comes in aggressively to challenge and clips the Steel City keeper. All’s well though, and we’re back underway shortly.

10′ – A bit more forward progress, mostly Steel City’s way so far. A few dangerous balls over the top and into the final third, but no connecting pass or shots on targets just yet.

5′ – A midfield battle through the early portions here. Nobody quite stringing together the last pass into the final third, but each side looking fairly clean in possession.

1′ – And we’re off! Steel City moving from left-to-right on your feed, Capital City the other direction. 90 minutes of Open Cup qualifying action on the way!

0′ – It is a gorgeous fall afternoon here on the campus of Duquesne University. Steel City FC host the Capital City Islanders at Rooney Field – the smallest division one NCAA football stadium in the country – in Pittsburgh. Steel City are dressed in their traditional home blues, while Capital City is in a blue/white checkerboard top and white shorts.

Starting XIs

Colton Coreschi