The 2015 installment of the Lamar Hunt United States Open Cup got underway and there were two games that got the tournament started. In case you don’t know, the U.S. Open Cup is the oldest soccer competition in the United States as teams have been competing in this tournament since 1914. Long before the times of organized soccer leagues in the US, this trophy has taken teams from all over the US and made them champions.

The 2015 edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is officially underway!

As stated above the 2015 edition commenced today and the two games that were played today were between San Francisco City FC vs. Cal FC and the other game was between Harpo’s FC and KC Athletics. If these four teams seem unfamiliar, it’s because they are as they belong to the fourth and fifth divisions of the American Soccer Pyramid. But just because these weren’t MLS or NASL quality teams, doesn’t mean they didn’t put on one heck of a matchup.

The game between SFCFC and Cal FC took place in Kesar Stadium in San Francisco, CA in front of a sizable crowd of 1,400 plus and it was the notable game of the day. The first half started off slow as both teams couldn’t find the back of the net, but they were very close to. The opening period also saw a chippy game as you could see the intensity of both teams boil over a bit and things got a bit testy, but nothing out of the ordinary. The game’s first goal came in the second half as Cal FC earned a penalty kick and Chris Cummings converted from the spot for the 1-0 lead. SFCFC then equalized in the 76th minute from a beautiful cross by Randy Mendoza found George Plakorus who netted the tying goal. The game looked like it was headed to overtime when in the 87th minute, another penalty was called in Cal FC’s favor and Johnny Bravo (no not the cartoon character) put Cal FC ahead and sealed their win. After the game SFCFC’s manager, Andrew Gardner, was visibly upset with the officials as after the final whistle blew, he made a beeline towards the referees and voiced his displeasure with them. But to no avail, his team was knocked out of the tournament and Cal FC moves on to face the Ventura County Fusion of the Premier Development League.

The second game featured two teams from the fifth division in Harpo’s FC, from Commerce City, Colorado, and KC Athletics, from Kansas City, Missouri. This game was played in front of a sparse crowd in Dick’s Sporting Good Park, Field #20 in Colorado and it ended up in a victory for the home side. Much like the first game, things really didn’t get started until the second half, when in the 60th minute Dan Campbell scored the game’s first goal for Harpo’s. Both teams had good chances as they went back and forth, but Harpo’s controlled most of the game’s possession. Ten minutes later, Harpo’s scored their second goal as Shane Wheeler received a long pass from midfield, controlled it, rounded the keeper, and had an easy shot at goal to seal the deal for Harpo’s 2-0. Harpo’s will now travel to Provo, Utah to face the BYU Cougars soccer team in the first round of the US Open Cup.

The first round of the US Open Cup will feature fourth division teams from the PDL and the National Premier Soccer League and will play on May 13.