High Country Sports

Category: Professional

  • Few surprises, many good picks for Round 1 of NFL Draft

    By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — I have studied a great many of the prospects and these are my candid notes about how the 2023 NFL Draft developed in the April 27 Round 1.

    Specific random notes:

    • Given how much the NFL values the passing offense, it was surprising to see two RBs (Bijon Robinson at No. 8 Atlanta and Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12 by Detroit) drafted before the first wide receiver (Seattle’s pick of Jaxson Smith-Njiba at No. 20)
    • Before the draft, there was a lot of speculation that as many as five QBs could go in Round 1. That didn’t happen, with Kentucky’s Will Levis and Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker now having to wait for Round 2, possibly Round 3.
    • Biggest disappointments as far as dropping out of the first round goes, to my thinking, were QB Will Levis (Kentucky), TE Michael Mayer (Notre Dame), and CB Joey Porter, Jr. (Penn State).

    My best Round 1 drafts by a team:

    • Indianapolis Colts for drafting QB Anthony Richardson, who I predict will become the best QB out of this class.
    • Houston Texans by not only getting their QB in CJ Stroud at No. 2, but also traded up to No. 2 to pick one of the outstanding defensive players in Will Anderson, Jr.
    • Atlanta Falcons for surprising everyone by selecting Bijon Robinson, RB, at No. 8.
    • Philadelphia Eagles, who didn’t have too many obvious needs except maybe at RB after losing Miles Sanders to the Panthers, who bolstered their defense by snatching up two Georgia Bulldogs who fell further than expected, DT Jalen Carter and OLB Nolan Smith.
    • Washington Commanders drafting Emmanuel Forbes, DB, out of Mississippi State.

    The Draft Picks

    1. Carolina Panthers drafted Bryce Young, QB, from the University of Alabama. I understand the pick and all of the hoopla around a very good college player and Heisman Trophy winner. He may very well prove to be the best Day 1 NFL starter in this draft class, but I do not believe he is the best long-term solution at the position. I watched an hour of highlight films on each of the purported top three players: Young, C.J. Stroud (Ohio State) and Anthony Richardson (Florida). My pick after watching the tape and considering the physical and mental characteristics? Richardson. I understand there is less of a body of work to study, which made it hard to take a guy this high, but I believe in the guy.
    2. Houston Texans drafted C.J. Stroud, QB, from Ohio State. Per my earlier comments, Stroud would have been my second QB pick, if Richardson was off the board. A big, strong, passer who didn’t have too many needs to improvise behind OSU’s offensive line, but he has that ability, as he showed against the University of Georgia. The Texans passed on Richardson, but they got a very good one in Stroud and someone to build around.
    3. The first surprise of the night, Arizona traded the No. 3 pick to the Houston Texans who selected Will Anderson, Jr., LB, from the University of Alabama. No argument here and a prediction: within three years, the Houston Texans will go deep into the playoffs.
    4. Indianapolis Colts drafted Anthony Richardson, QB, from the University of Florida. In my opinion, Indy stole the crown jewel of the 2023 NFL Draft. My impressions after watching the tape, the University of Florida product is Cam Newton, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and Justin Herbert all rolled into one. He has been downgraded by the so-called experts because of his alleged inaccuracy as a passer, but if you look at the tape there are several passes last season that were on the money but muffed by the intended receiver. He has the size, athleticism and instincts to be great. And, for the local crowd of football fans, at 4.40 he is almost as fast as former App State wide receiver Jalen Virgil (4.37).
    5. The Seattle Seahawks drafted Devon Witherspoon, CB, from the University of Illinois. The Illini have not done much in college football for several years now, but Witherspoon is a consensus All-American and the highest rated cornerback on most analysts’ lists. Pete Carroll values defense and this could prove to be a terrific selection.
    6. Arizona Cardinals drafted Paris Johnson, Jr., OT, from Ohio State. This makes a lot of sense because they need not just more offensive line protection for franchise QB Kyler Murray, but players that can open space and create opportunities.
    7. Las Vegas Raiders drafted Tyree Wilson, EDGE, from Texas Tech. If this team was still in Oakland, I could see the metal mouths and chain wearers going absolutely crazy. Wilson is really good at bringing pressure at the opposing QBs. I know they signed Jimmy Garropolo to play QB and all, but [a] they could easily have used some top drawer QB talent to develop and [b] any QB — as well as running back Josh Jacobs — could use some offensive line help.
    8. Atlanta Falcons drafted Bijon Robinson, RB, from the University of Texas. For many, this is a reach at this point in the draft because the NFL general style of play is pivoting more to the passing game. And yet, I think this is a terrific pick for the Falcons because Robinson is arguably a generational talent. The Falcons have good talents in Tyler Allgeier and an explosive, but somewhat aging Cordarrelle Patterson (32), but the Falcons were among the leaders in rushing the football last year and a good investment in running backs makes sense and they got among the best to ever come out of college.
    9. Philadelphia Eagles drafted Jalen Carter, DT, from the University of Georgia. Carter’s stock dropped a little because of some off-field issues that raised character concerns, but he is a terrific defensive presence. From a strictly football perspective, I would like to see a higher level of fitness. That said, he is a strong inside presence. The Eagles were a top-ranked defensive team on their way to winning the Super Bowl this past season. The added strength to an already strong unit. Having lost Miles Sanders, they might have easily drafted a running back as a greater need, but Robinson is probably the only RB to consider taking this high. With Robinson unavailable, picking Carter is a good pick for the Eagles.
    10. Chicago Bears drafted Darnell Wright, OT, from the University of Tennessee. The Volunteers had a pretty explosive offense last season and their offensive line performance is a good reason. The Bears have needed better protection and opportunity creation for their running backs as well as franchise QB Justin Fields. This was a good pick that addressed an important need.
    11. Tennessee Titans drafted Peter Skoronski, OL, from Northwestern University. The Titans have several needs including potentially at QB, WR and OL. They addressed the need at OL with a versatile guy who could play guard or tackle. They don’t have a lot of help behind Derrick Henry at RB, so that could have been a consideration, but Henry and QB Ryan Tannehill probably appreciate the selection as much as anyone else on the planet.
    12. Detroit Lions drafted Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, University of Alabama. This was probably the second true surprise of the night because most observers didn’t expect two RBs to go in the first dozen selections. There is no question, though, that Gibbs is a talented RB with many of the same talent characteristics and versatility of guys like former Panther and current San Francisco 49er Christian McCaffrey. The Lions could also have done well in drafting a WR with the suspension of Jameson Williams for betting on football, we understand, but RB makes sense because D’Andre Swift has had injury problems and David Montgomery coming over from the Bears may not provide the best total depth.
    13. Green Bay Packers drafted Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, from the University of Iowa. Defensive needs abound. The pick makes sense.
    14. Pittsburgh Steelers acquired the pick from the New England Patriots and drafted Broderick Jones, OT, from the University of Florida. Terrific pick in helping out QB Kenny Pickett and the offense’s passing attack with protection. Very strong and a sub-5.0 40-yard dash time. That is rare for a 6-5, 311 lb. man.
    15. New York Jets drafted Will McDonald IV, LB, from Iowa State. Watching tape on McDonald, impressed with his quickness and resilience after contact. The Jets appear to be turning around the team with the trade for QB Aaron Rodgers and strengthening the defense is just another positive step.
    16. Washington Commanders drafted Emmanuel Forbes, DB, from Mississippi State. Cornerback was one of the greatest pre-draft needs. Head coach Ron Rivera is known for valuing defense, defense, and defense, so getting one of the best defensive backs in the draft follows. New offensive coordinator and assistant head coach Eric Bienemy might have wanted to add someone on the offensive side,
    17. The New England Patriots drafted Christian Gonzalez, CB, the University of Oregon. Arguably, the Patriots top two needs were offensive line help and cornerback. Gonzalez has good burst and great length. Very versatile, so this fills a need. Personally, I am not impressed with the Patriots’ QB room, so they could have gone that way, too, although WR is a greater need — a better offensive weapon for whoever plays QB (I like Zappe over Jones, but they have a bigger investment in Jones so will give him every shot).
    18. Detroit Lions drafted Jack Campbell, ILB, from the University of Iowa. For a big guy, 6-4+, 249 lbs., Campbell’s 4.65 40-yard dash time is pretty impressive.  The Lions continue to build on both sides of the ball.
    19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Calijah Kancey, DT, from the University of Pittsburgh. I am a little surprised that Tampa Bay did not go for Will Levis, the highly rated QB from Kentucky, to fill out the depth chart behind Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask, but strengthening their defensive interior plugs another need. Levis has the potential to be a quality starter, so it is a little surprising to see the former KY Wildcat drop further than this.
    20. Seattle Seahawks drafted Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, from Ohio State. Geno Smith, the Seahawks’ QB, must be grinning about this selection in his team’s adding another weapon to his WR arsenal, which also includes DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. The former Buckeye WR follows a long line of high quality wide receivers coming out of the school in recent years.
    21. Los Angeles Chargers drafted Quentin Johnston, WR, from TCU. Both of the Chargers’ terrific veterans, Mike Williams and Kenan Allen, have had injury problems in recent years and, arguably, are getting long in the tooth as wide receivers go. Adding Johnston to give QB Justin Herbert another reliable target makes sense. Johnston is taller than many WRs (6-3, 208 lbs.) and has solid 40-yard speed. A deep threat with a good radius for catching 50-50 balls.
    22. Baltimore Ravens drafted Zay Flowers, WR, from Boston College. A little small, but an electric playmaker and Baltimore needs more help at the position. After re-signing QB Lamar Jackson, giving him more offensive weapons is a really good call. Flowers reminds me of Tyreek Hill.
    23. Minnesota Vikings drafted Jordan Addison, WR, from the University of Southern California.  The Vikings need help in the defensive secondary, where they were roasted last year (31st in total yards given up last season), but with Adam Thielen going to the Panthers, the team needs a WR complement to take some pressure off of emerging superstar Justin Jefferson. Addison is that guy. The Vikings also need to look for some QB depth behind Kirk Cousins.
    24. New York Giants drafted Deonte Banks, CB, from the University of Maryland. One of several quality cornerbacks in this year’s draft. Good size and speed and everything a defensive coordinator likes to have in covering WRs and TEs.
    25. Buffalo Bills traded up for this pick and drafted Dalton Kincaid, TE, from the University of Utah. The first TE taken on the night, Kincaid has the skills and talent to really be a hybrid WR. Could prove a great complement to Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, and Dawson Knox. Good pick.
    26. Dallas Cowboys drafted Mazi Smith, DT, from the University of Michigan. With a prospective rushing orientation this next season according to various sources, drafting a tight end might have made as much sense here for the Cowboys. While Smith is not the highest rated DT on many boards, he is a quality player and will plug up the defensive interior.
    27. Jackson Jaguars drafted Anton Harrison, OT, from Oklahoma. I like getting more protection for QB Trevor Lawrence. Harrison is the first Oklahoma player taken this year, which is a little unusual for one of the best college football programs in the country, historically. OT wasn’t the Jaguars’ greatest perceived need, but it is a smart selection.
    28. Cincinnati Bengals drafted Myles Murphy, DE, from Clemson University. Cornerback, tight end, and offensive line might have been more serious needs, but Murphy is a quality pick and strengthens the Bengals’ perimeter.
    29. New Orleans Saints drafted Bryan Bresee, DT, from Clemson University. Back to back defensive line selections from Clemson. Like the tape on Bresee, especially on run defense, will force offenses to attack the perimeter more often.
    30. Philadelphia Eagles drafted Nolan Smith, LB, from the University of Georgia. This is the second Georgia Bulldogs defensive player taken by Philly in the first round and he runs 4.3 40-yard dash speed. Exciting pick for the Eagles because I didn’t expect Smith to drop this far.
    31. Kansas City Chiefs drafted Felix Anudike=Uzomah, DE, from Kansas State. The Chiefs stayed in-state to bolster their defense, but I am a little surprised they didn’t go OL or WR, which on the surface are higher needs.

  • Blowing Rock’s Colley, Tuxbury lower their legal PRs in Rotterdam Marathon

    By David Rogers. ROTTERDAM, Netherlands — Even in elite distance running where the competing athletes are highly trained, different race patterns evolve. In the NN Rotterdam Marathon on April 16, two Blowing Rock-based ZAP Endurance team members used different approaches to recording new (legal) personal bests for the 26.2 miles distance.

    Annmarie Tuxbury of Blowing Rock’s ZAP Endurance elite running team runs the NN Rotterdam Marathon on April 16. Photo courtesy of Rotterdam Marathon Live

    Andrew Colley

    Andrew Colley placed No. 16 out of 16,837 athletes of all ages and genders competing in the Rotterdam Marathon. In the Men’s Division, there were 12,980 runners.

    Andrew Colley received plenty of encouragement along the route of the Rotterdam Marathon on April 16. Photo courtesy of Rotterdam Marathon Live

    “We were targeting closer to a 2:09 for Andrew,” ZAP Endurance head coach Pete Rea said after Colley crossed the finish line, “so in one sense the 2:11.26 is a disappointment. In reality, though, it is not because Andrew lowered his personal best from 2:12:15, which he previously established in Duluth, Minn., in 2019. In those intervening four years, Andrew has endured a lot, including injuries, so he is really just now hitting his stride. He had a rough last 8k today that probably cost him a minute and a half, but overall it was an outstanding performance. He’ll run again in the fall and I will not be surprised if gets closer to 2:08.”

    In addition to lowering his personal best, Colley’s 2:11.26 makes him the sixth ZAP Endurance team member to become eligible to run in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for the marathon distance on Feb. 3, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. His Rotterdam time is well below the 2:18 qualifying standard set by USA Track and Field.

    Examining the performance graphics provided by NN Rotterdam Marathon officials, in achieving his new personal best Colley ran a pretty steady pace for the first half of the race, approaching 20 kilometers per hour (approx. 12.43 miles per hour). At about the 13 mile mark, Colley slowed his pace slightly, to roughly 19.3 kilometers per hour (11.8 mph) until he reached just before the 22-mile marker. At that point, his pace dropped off to just over 11 mph at the finish.

    For the entire race, Colley’s average speed was 19.26 km/hr (11.96 mph) and his average pace was 3:07 minutes per kilometer, which converts to a 5-minute per mile pace.

    Annmarie Tuxbury

    Annmarie Tuxbury finished No. 205 overall, but at No. 17 vs. the 3,854 women running in the Rotterdam Marathon on April 16.

    Annmarie Tuxbury of Blowing Rock’s ZAP Endurance elite running team in the 2023 NN Rotterdam Marathon on April 16. Photo courtesy of Rotterdam Marathon Live

    “Annmarie had a rough outing, too, but still lowered what is considered her legal marathon time, to 2:35.53. What is considered legal is where the elevation change from start to finish does not drop excessively,” explained Pete Rea, ZAP Endurance head coach. “She ran a 2:31:31 this past December, in Sacramento, which qualified her for the U.S. team trials next February, but ‘legal’ means that any fast times would not be considered for a world record. For example, because of the elevation changes in the Boston Marathon, that historic race’s results do not receive world record consideration.

    “Annmarie is still relatively new to the ZAP Endurance team,” Rea added, “so we are still getting to know her as an athlete. From a coaching standpoint, today’s race was a good one that contributed a lot of datapoints for us to analyze and determine how we need to alter her training, if any at all.”

    In reviewing the performance graphics provided by Rotterdam Marathon officials, Tuxbury ran a pretty even pace until she approached the 13-mile mark. At the point her pace dropped off quickly, losing almost a full mile per hour, and maintained that new, slightly slower pace until approximately the 22-mile mark. At that point she gradually increased her speed until she closed the last mile and a half at or near her fastest time of the day.

    That’s Annmarie Tuxbury of Blowing Rock-based ZAP Endurance leading the peloton full of guys on April 16, in the NN Rotterdam Marathon. Photo courtesy of Rotterdam Marathon Live.

    Over the full race, her average speed was 10.09 mph, running at 5:58 minutes per mile.

    Including Colley and Tuxbury, ZAP Endurance now has six team members qualified to compete for a spot on the U.S. national team going to next year’s Paris Olympics. Tyler Pennel (2:12:16), Whitney Macon (2:32:48), Tristin Van Ord (2:27:07), and Josh Izewski (2:12.45) have previously met the U.S. team trials standard (2:18 for men, 2:37 for women). Non-resident ZAP Endurance team members Joanna Thompson and Joe Stilin are also looking to qualify for the U.S. team trials in races this summer and fall.

     

     

  • Blowing Rock’s Ryan Ford wins Men’s Elite 5000m race at Mt. Sac Relays, ZAP trio shines in historic event

    By David Rogers. WALNUT, Calif. — It might have been close to “tax day” for most Americans on April 14, but a trio of Blowing Rock-based ZAP Endurance athletes overcame the taxing challenge of long distance running at the historic Mt. Sac Relays, staged in the Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College.

    ZAP’s Ryan Ford and Dan Schaffer finished first and third, respectively, in a field of 28 athletes competing in the Men’s Elite Division at the 5,000 meters distance. Just about 15 minutes earlier, ZAP’s Tristin Van Ord finished in third place among the 25 elite runners competing in the Women’s Elite Division of the 5,000 meters.

    The Mt. Sac Relays were first held in 1959 and every year since, drawing among the nation and world’s top high school, collegiate and elite track and field athletes.

    Left to right, Dan Schaffer, Tristin Van Ord, and Ryan Ford helped ZAP Endurance show dominance at the 5,000 meters distance in the 2023 Mt. Sac Relays. While Ford won the Elite Men’s 5,000m, Schaffer was No. 3 in the same race and Van Ord finished No. 3 in the Elite Women;s 5,000m. Photo courtesy of Pete Rea, ZAP Endurance

    It may have been ironic for Van Ord to compete so well at Mt. Sac, which is exactly a marathon race’s distance (26.2 miles) from downtown Los Angeles. Van Ord, who has already qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in the marathon, is aiming for a spot on the U.S. team going to the Paris Olympics in 2024. For the former Appalachian State cross country star, the Mt. Sac Relays race at the short end of distance running was little more than “speed work” in her training regimen, ZAP Endurance head coach Pete Rea explained to High Country Sports in a pre-event interview.

    ZAP already has five team members qualified for the Olympic Trials in the marathon may end up with a couple more. Schaffer and Ford are candidates for the Olympic team at the shorter distance races, such as the 5,000, as well as middle distance competitions.

    Van Ord was among the leaders from the start in the women’s race, running behind the initial leader, but took over the pace-setting responsibilities as the athletes completed the first lap. She held the lead until the last few laps when she slipped back into No. 3 position and the “slipstream” of the two runners in front of her, helping maintain a substantial gap between the leaders and the rest of the pack.

    Veerle Bakker, an elite runner from The Netherlands running unattached and known more for her performances in the 3,000m steeplechase, finished in the No. 1 position with a personal best of 15:39.42. Her previous best at 5,000 meters, according to World Athletics, was 15:54.19. She was closely followed across the line by Dani Shanahan, affiliated with the McKirdy Trained team, based in Houston, Texas, as the No. 2 finisher in 15:41.06. Shanahan was a pre-race favorite to win, having run a 15:17.62 in 2021.

    At No. 3, and also running a personal best, Van Ord finished just three seconds behind the leader in 15:42.78. Her previous PR was 15:45.03, set in July 2022, in the Jack Kemp Stadium on the campus of Occidental College in Los Angeles, according to World Athletics.

    Blowing Rock based ZAP Endurance runner Ryan Ford crosses the finish line in first place for the Men’s Elite 5,000 meters race at the Mt. Sac Relays on April 15. Teammate Dan Schaffer was No. 3, with 28 elite athletes competing. Photo courtesy of RunnerSpace webcast

    Ford Runs Away for the Win, Schaffer close behind

    For most of the Men’s Elite Invitational 5,000-meter race, Ford and Schaffer shuffled back and forth into the lead after following a “rabbit” from Missouri University in the early laps. Eastern Kentucky University’s Abdelhakim Abouzouhir hung with them for the entire race and the trio established themselves as the clear lead pack. With three laps to go, the EKU runner edged into the lead, but in the next to last lap, Ford put himself in another gear and established a big lead gap as if he were shot out of a cannon. With a strong kick, Ford finished over five seconds ahead of Abouzouhir, with a winning time of 15:43.43, slightly slower than his personal best set in Fayetteville, Ark., in May of 2022 (13:34.79). Schaffer and Abouzouhir battled each other for the runner-up spot, with Abouzouhir getting the edge in 13:47.73 and Schaffer just a half-second behind at No. 3, in 13:48.26.

    Kansas State University’s Stephen Kielhofner was narrowing the gap at the end but came up short in 13:51.20.

    ZAP head coach Pete Rea was understandably in good spirits after the two races.

    “Tonight was a great start to the outdoor season for Tristin, Ryan and Dan,” Rea told High Country Sports. “Tristin grabbed a personal best to open the year and Ryan to get the win on this big stage are real positives. Dan also competed very well, which sets him up for the Penn Relays in two weeks.”

  • Five ZAP athletes competing this weekend, in opposite directions — and distances

    By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — For those keeping tabs on the High Country’s elite professional running team, ZAP Endurance, five members will be competing in the upcoming weekend.

    Sailing Across the Pond

    Andrew Colley and Annmarie Tuxbury will run in the NN Rotterdam Marathon on Sunday, an annual, early April marathon event that has been staged continuously in The Netherlands since 1981.

    On Feb. 18, Colley helped the U.S. national cross country team to a No. 6 finish in the World Cross Country Championships held in New South Wales, Australia. A week later, on Feb. 25, Tuxbury blew away her female competitors in winning the Run Wilmington Half Marathon (13.1 miles), completing the course a full minute and 46 seconds ahead of the nearest women’s division finisher.

    As a relatively flat course, the Rotterdam marathon is widely considered to be “fast” and an important event to enter for anyone on the fringe of posting a qualifying time for the U.S. Olympic Trials at the marathon distance.

    “Rotterdam is one of the fastest marathon courses in the world,” ZAP Endurance head coach Pete Rea explained to High Country Sports. “Annmarie has already qualified for the Trials (2:31 at the U.S. Marathon Championships, in December). However, this is a great opportunity for Andrew to do so and improve upon his personal best of 2:12.13 from Grandma’s Marathon (Duluth, Minn.) in 2019. A side note about the historical significance of this event: Carlos Lopes (Portugal) won the 1984 Olympic Gold Medal in the marathon and broke the world record at Rotterdam in 1985 (2:07.12).

    ZAP Endurance already has five team members qualified to run in the U.S. Olympic Trials for the marathon, including Josh Izewski (qualifying with a 2:12.26 time in Houston, in 2022) and Tyler Pennel (2:12.16, Houston, 2023) among the men and Tristin Van Ord (2:27.07, Houston, 2023), Annmarie Tuxbury (2:31.22, CAL Invitational, Sacramento, Calif., 2022), and Whitney Macon (2:32.44, Rotterdam, 2022).

    Go West, Young Men and Women

    Dan Schaffer, Ryan Ford and Tristin Van Ord will competed wearing ZAP Endurance colors on Friday, April 14, in the Elite Division of the 5,000 meters.

    When it comes to distance running, Schaffer and Ford are established “speed merchants” at 5,000-meters, both having distinguished resumes at that distance during their college years. Both runners made their professional debuts at the 5,000-meter distance in the USATF Men’s 5k Road Championships back in November, running in and around New York City’s Central Park. Ford finished just outside the top 10, at No. 13, while Schaffer was only seconds behind at No. 21. More recently, in January, Schaffer won the Indoor Mile event at the Hokie Invitational hosted by Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., besting an elite field of collegiate and unattached professional athletes.

    Van Ord is aiming for a spot on the U.S. team in the marathon for the Paris Olympics, so competing at the 5,000-meter distance amounts to “speed work” in her overall training plan.

    ZAP Endurance head coach Pete Rea explained to High Country Sports, “The basic premise is to be a great marathoner you occasionally have to step down in distance, developing skills at more power-oriented events such as the 5,000 or cross-country. For Tristin to make a run at the Paris Olympic Games (2024) in the marathon, we need to improve on all aspects of her running, including her speed. In running jargon, the 5,000 meters distance is also known as ‘the bottom end.’”

  • Charlotte Independence masters Appalachian FC, 2-0, to advance in U.S. Open Cup

    By David Rogers. MATTHEWS, N.C. —  In many respects, the U.S. Open Cup second round soccer match between Charlotte Independence and Appalachian FC was Goliath vs. David. Unlike Biblical times, Goliath prevailed on this occasion.

    At Mecklenburg County Sports Complex on a beautiful, early spring evening, April 5, in front of 2,564 enthusiastic soccer fans — including a large, vocal and drum pounding contingent supporting Appalachian FC — Charlotte won, 2-0.

    All photographic images by David Rogers, including BONUS PHOTOS at bottom of article.

    Charlotte center forward Khori Bennett scored his team’s first goal in the 25th minute on a penalty kick, banging a “worm burner” just under the outstretched arms of a diving Appalachian FC goalkeeper, Jake Agnew.

    Appalachian FC goalkeeper Jake Agnew dives for penalty kick by Charlotte Independence’s Khori Bennett, just missing the save opportunity on April 5. Photographic image by David Rogers

    Back row defender Clay Dimick rallied to the front for the second Independence goal, in the 66th minute. From the center of the box, Dimick received a pass from Avionne Flanagan on a cross and right-footed the ball into the bottom right corner for the score.

    Charlotte applied offensive pressure early and often, Bennett coming close to scoring with his first shot in only the 3rd minute of play, his right footed shot from outside the box missing left.

    Appalachian’s chances were few. Max Landau took a free kick in the attacking half of play in the 83rd minute, just moments after teammate London Williams had taken one in the attacking half at the 80th minute. Williams was also awarded attacking half free kicks in the 56th minute and 38th minute.

    In a classy display, the Appalachian FC team went to the stands after their 2-0 loss to Charlotte independence to thank the fans. Photographic image by David Rogers

    A hold-your-breath moment came early in the second half when FC’s Thomas de Graauw went down on a bad foul by Charlotte’s Luis Alvarez, who was shown a yellow card for the infraction. Play was stopped for approximately two minutes while the medical staff attended to de Graauw.

    Of note, four minutes of injury time were added to each half.

    A total of 26 fouls were called in the match, 11 against Charlotte, 15 against Appalachian FC. While there were no red cards, the officials pulled a whopping eight yellow cards, five against Independence and three against the Sasquatch crew.

    Ever attacking, Charlotte was flagged for offsides on four occasions, Appalachian FC only once. Each team had four corner kick opportunities, Appalachian FC’s coming mostly in the second half.

    Reflecting how little offensive punch the visitors from Boone could put together on this night, Appalachian FC only had three shot attempts, none on target, so veteran goalkeeper Austin Pack recorded no saves for Charlotte. By comparison, Charlotte Independence took 17 shots on goal, five of which were on target, so Appalachian FC goalkeeper Agnew had three saves on the night.

    Even in losing, however, you have to give the High Country visitors credit for a performance that limited Charlotte Independence, a professional team, to just two goals over the 90 minutes of play.

    “I am disappointed in the result but the reality of the situation is that there is a big gap between the two teams,” said Appalachian FC head coach Dale Parker. “Our job the last two weeks (since winning the first round game) was to bridge that gap as much as possible. I thought we applied ourselves pretty well in the first half and in the second half we competed really, really well and created a few chances. Again, disappointed in the result but I think that second half showed that we can compete at this level. I am so, so proud of our boys.”

    Parker said that his players initially tried to apply the same kind of attacking pressure for  which Appalachian FC has become known in National Premier Soccer League play, but they quickly backed off.

    “Charlotte was just too good,” said Parker. “We tried to test their ability to play out of the back and their ability to break our press was evident. After two or three times it was difficult for our boys to run 50-60 yards in recovery. The second half we changed the game plan a little bit to absorb and tried to hit them on the break. The second half looked better. That second goal was unfortunate because I think if we could have kept it at 1-nil and created one or two more (offensive) chances, we could have been back in it. But the level that Charlotte put out in the first half put us on our back foot a little bit, more than we would have wanted.”

    Parker conceded that the “gap” between the two teams included some combination of talent, fitness and preparation, the latter made more of a challenge because the players on the Appalachian FC roster are coming from far and wide.

    “To give you an idea, over the last month we have had eight practices,” said Parker. “Independence is three weeks into their (regular) season and sitting at the top of their league in USL1. They train together virtually every day. We brought our guys together three days in advance to prepare for this one.”

    Parker pointed out that by being able to train together every day, Charlotte’s players are at a peak level of fitness, especially being three games into their season.

    “By comparison, our guys aren’t training full time right now. They have been asked to do things on their own, but the differences in the physical levels is to be expected in this kind of competition,” said Parker.

    To understand the value in being a highly trained, full-time soccer player, Glassdoor, the job search site, reports that a Charlotte Independence player’s base salary is a little more than $55,000. The median is more than $75,000. As a semi-professional team, Appalachian FC players might get some food and lodging stipends, but most have other jobs.

    Appalachian FC now returns to preparing for the upcoming National Premier Soccer League schedule, starting in May. Charlotte FC travels to Cary, to play North Carolina FC on April 8 before returning to the Queen City for two home matches against Union Omaha (Nebraska) on April 19 and Central Valley Fuego FC, based in Fresno, Calif. (April 22).

    BONUS PHOTOS

  • Ten candidates for ‘next level’ perform for NFL and CFL scouts, NASCAR in App State ‘Pro Day’

    By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Clipboards and stopwatches were on hand in abundance on March 30 at Appalachian State’s Sofield Indoor Practice Facility, as well as in the North End Zone facility and Kidd Brewer Stadium. That’s because 27 National Football League scouts were on hand, as well as representatives from the Canadian Football League and NASCAR’s Stewart-Haas Racing organization for the Mountaineers’ 2023 “Pro Day.”

    Ten seniors and “super seniors” were put through their paces in various performance tests and skill drills, some generally for all positions but others that were position specific.

     

    Steve Jones, Jr. had a good Pro Day at App State, with the fastest 40-yard dash time of 4.47 seconds and smoothly running various drills. Photographic image by David Rogers

    Notably not represented among the participating observers were the Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints, according to the list compiled by the university’s Strategic Communications team. All of the others had one or more scouts or coaches on hand to evaluate the 10 candidates, all hoping to continue playing football at the next level by being selected during the NFL Draft, April 27-29, or at least signing a UDFA (undrafted free agent) contract. From the CFL were the British Columbia Lions. An interesting wrinkle to the representatives evaluating the talent was in Stewart-Haas Racing. Many of the pit crew members in NASCAR are former college football players as the teams have gotten more athletic over the years.

    The testing results, as compiled by App State Sports’ Strategic Communications team:

    Offensive lineman Cooper Hodges shows some speed and quickness at App State Pro Day on March 30. Photographic image by David Rogers

    “Pro Day continues to emphasize the growth of our program and the quality of our student athletes,” Appalachian State athletic director Doug Gillen noted to High Country Sports on the sideline of the event. “They come to App State to play at the highest level of college football so it is great to see all of the NFL scouts here today. Our student athletes are having an opportunity to showcase their skills.”

    The growth of Pro Day is not lost on Gillen either.

    “We are seeing more and more scouts come every year for Pro Day,” Gilllen said before adding, “but really we see them come through every week, so we know there is a lot of interest in the quality of college football here at App State. This is just another testament to what we are doing and the opportunities we provide for teams to recruit some of our players.”

    Running back Camerun Peoples is put through the paces in a drill before dozes of NFL team scouts and coaches on Pro Day at App State, March 30. Photographic image by David Rogers

    App State’s strategic communications team added miscellaneous notes and perspective on some of the student-athletes’ individual performances:

    • Running back Cameron Peoples and edge rusher Nick Hampton were back in Boone after playing in the Reese’s Senior Bowl and participating in the NFL Combine, in Indianapolis. For Pro Day, those two primarily focused on position drills after going through the comprehensive testing portion at the Combine.
    • Steve Jones, Jr. ran the fastest 40-yard dash, at 4.47, but the 6 fee, 5.625 inchs, 301 lb. Anderson Hardy drew perhaps the most cheers when the offensive lineman posted a 40 yard dash time of 4.96.
    • Tight end Henry Pearson’s 30 repetitions on the bench press of 225 lbs. would have ranked him highest among the tight ends at the Combine.
    • Peoples did not test on the bench press at the Combine, but is 19 reps on Pro Day would have been good enough for No. 4 at the Combine.
    • Brice showed off his arm strength, accuracy and leadership by directing an extensive outdoor throwing session with several on-the-money deep throws, including one that resulted in a smooth, over-the-shoulder catch from Pearson. Both running backs also ran routes for Brice, as did some veteran receivers on the 2023 team, and Hodges delivered a few snaps as a center after starting at tackle for the Mountaineers and playing guard in his all-star game appearance.
    Henry Pearson’s 4.79 seconds in the 40-yard dash was respectable on NFL Pro Day at App State on March 30, but his 30 bench press reps at 225 lbs. would have placed him No. 1 among tight ends at the earlier NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Photographic image by David Rogers

     

  • Movin’ on: Appalachian FC advances in Open Cup after win over Fusion in OT

    By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. —Another chapter in Appalachian FC’s storied beginning was written on March 22. Call them the Sasquatch Armada, if you will, or even call them a motley crew, but the Boone-based, semi-pro soccer team is for real after a stirring, double overtime win against the North Carolina Fusion at Ted Mackorell Soccer Stadium.

    After 90 minutes of regulation and two 15-minute overtime periods that ended in a 2-2  deadlock, the match was decided on penalty kicks. When two Fusion kicks sailed over the goal and a third hit the crossbar while Appalachian FC’s first two attempts by Max Landau and Kevin Arguello found gold in the back of the net, the outcome was already a foregone conclusion. Kevin De Lange’s third successful penalty kick for FC was just icing on the proverbial cake.

    Photographic image by David Rogers

    During the early penalty kicks, emotions among fans in the field side seats were already bubbling. When De Lange’s boot put an exclamation point on the outcome, those VIP seat holders stormed the field, surrounded the players and celebrated exuberantly in the southwest corner.

    This wasn’t just another early season soccer win for the Sasquatchers. This victory meant they would advance to the second round of the 108th Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, keeping alive prospects for potentially playing against a Major League Soccer franchise in a later round if they keep winning.

    The night before, Appalachian FC head coach Dale Parker was sketching out tactics and strategy for the attacking style he prefers on what might as well have been bar napkins at Rivers Street Ale House in Boone for his thrown together, but carefully chosen roster of players. Some were regular members of the team, others newcomers coming together just for this U.S. Open Cup series. Regular season play for the National Premier Soccer League franchise doesn’t begin for another couple of months, so many of the normally rostered players were unavailable for a pre-season tilt due to school or occupational commitments.

    So Parker and his assistants, with club management, may have done their best work in assembling a pre-season roster capable of carrying out the coach’s game plan even without being able to practice much as a team.

    It worked. Appalachian FC made short work of imprinting the team’s attacking style of play on the game when the all-black clad unit worked upfield in the opening seconds and Camden Holbrook found the back of the net after an assist credited to Carson Dinger, all before the first minute had ticked off the clock.

    Then, just 32 minutes into the first half, Holbrook gave the home crowd even more to cheer about when he ripped in a second goal, the assist this time credited to De Lange.

    The NC Fusion made things interesting just before halftime when in the 38th minute  Juancho Fernandez knocked in a goal, assisted by Sam Bethell, making the score 2-1 going into intermission.

    That is the way the game stayed in the see-saw battle for possession and defense until a free kick was awarded to the Fusion in the 78th minute, just outside the penalty box and just to the left of the net’s middle (see photo below). Appalachian FC goalkeeper Jacob Agnew set up his “wall” so that it would take an almost perfect kick for the Fusion’s Federico Ferreira to make good on his attempt.

    And he did, the ball arching and curving just inside the upper right corner of the net, tying the game at 2-2.

    The two 15-minute overtime periods went scoreless, setting up the penalty kick drama.

    Estimated attendance for the match on an almost perfect night, weather-wise, after the rain cleared earlier in the afternoon, was 1,500 sitting in the packed grandstands, the field side seats, and lining the grassy berms on the west side.

    Appalachian FC advances to Round 2 on April 5, 7:00 p.m. against Charlotte Independence. Location was not yet available as of press time but this story will be updated as soon as the venue is identified.

    MORE PHOTOS

    Photographic image by David Rogers
    Photographic image by David Rogers
    Photographic image by David Rogers
    Photographic image by David Rogers
    Photographic image by David Rogers
    Photographic image by David Rogers
    Photographic image by David Rogers
    Photographic image by David Rogers
    Photographic image by David Rogers

     

  • High Country Sports Daily Digest: March 17, 2023

    By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Ongoing inclement weather adversely impacted local athletic competitions, but there is some news to report from outside the area.

    COLLEGE

    March 16-17 — App State Wrestling @ NCAA Wrestling Championships in Tulsa, Okla.

    None of the App State wrestlers made it out of the Championship bracket’s round 1, nor out of the Consolation bracket’s Round 1, but it hardly put a damper on the Mountaineers’ record-breaking season. Under head coach John Mark Bentley, the program continues to show growth while dominating Southern Conference competition. Noteworthy in Round 1 of the Championship bracket were the close, 3-2 losses by Caleb Smith (125 lb. weight class) and Tommy Askey (157) to wrestlers from bigger NCAA Division I schools (West Virginia and Michigan, respectively).

    • 125 lb. – Caleb Smith (26-7)
      • Championship Rd. 1 – lost to Killian Cardinale (West Virginia), by Decision 3-2
      • Consolation Rd. 1 – lost to Michael DeAugstino (Northwestern), by Decision 7-2
    • 133 lb. – Ethan Oakiey (21-13)
      • Preliminary Rd. – defeated McGwire Midkiff (North Dakota State), by Decision 5-3
      • Championship Rd. 1 – lost to Roman Bravo-Young (Penn State), by Major Decision 12-3
      • Consolation Rd. 1 – lost to Joe Heilmann (Rutgers) by Decision 8-4
    • 157 lb. – Tommy Askey (29-13)
      • Championship Rd. 1 – lost to Will Lewan (Michigan), Decision 3-2
      • Consolation Rd. 1 – lost to Jason Kraisser (Iowa State), by Decision 7-2
    • 165 lb. – Will Formato (28-10)
      •  Championship Rd. 1 – lost to Patrick Kennedy (Iowa), by Decision 7-2
      • Consolation Rd. 1 – lost to Tanner Cook (South Dakota State), by Fall 1:11
    • 174 lb. – Will Miller (24-12)
      • Preliminary Rd. – lost to John Worthing (Clarion), by Decision 8-4
      • Preliminary Rd. – lost to Jackson Turley (Rutgers), by Decision 12-6

    App State Baseball

    • March 17 – Defeated Marshall in Charleston, W.Va., 12-4, in the Mountaineers’ Sun Belt Conference season opener. App State scored their 12 runs on 15 hits, led by a home run (Golston Gillespie) and four doubles by Xavier Moronta, Hunter Wilder, and Andrew Terrell (2). The Mountaineers took advantage of an ample amount of “small ball,” including stolen bases by Grey LaSpaluto, Luke Drumheller, Hayden Cross, Wilder, and Terrell (2). Pitcher Xander Hamilton picked up the win in six strong innings as the starter. Although App State picked up single runs in innings 1,5,6,7, and 8, the Mountaineers put the game on ice with a 7-run 9th inning.

    PROFESSIONAL

    Carolina Panthers

    The Panthers have been busy in the free agent market, according to sources ranging from ESPN to NFL.com. Among the signings are some significant names:

      • Strengthened the QB position by signing Andy Dalton (formerly New Orleans) to a 2-year, $11 million deal that includes $8 million guaranteed.
      • Strengthened the RB position by signing Miles Sanders (formerly Philadelphia) to a reportedly 4-year, $25.4 million deal that includes $13 million guaranteed.
      • Addressed TE position by signing Hayden Hurst (formerly Cincinnati) to a 3-year, $21.75 million deal, including $13 million guaranteed.
      • Other signings include OL Justin McCray (Houston), Center Bradley Bozeman (Carolina), DL Shy Tuttle (New Orleans), DL DeShawn Williams (Denver), and Safety Vonn Bell (Cincinnati)

     

  • High Country Sports Daily Digest: March 16, 2023

    By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — If your head is spinning from all of the cancellations and postponements in the High Country sports world because of inclement weather, join the club! Here are summary results from recent competitions.

    RECENT SCORES AND RESULTS

    • App State Wrestling @ NCAA Division I Championships in Tulsa on March 16
      • Round 1, 125 lbs. – No. 5 Caleb Smith (APP) lost to No. 28 Killian Cardinale (W. Virginia), by Decision, 3-2
      • Round 1, 133 lbs. – No. 33 Ethan Oakley (APP) lost to No. 1 Roman Bravo-Young (Penn State), by Major Decision, 12-3
      • Round 1, 157 lbs. – No. 24 Tommy Askey (App) lost to No. 9 Will Lewan (Michigan), by Decision, 3-2
      • Round 1, 165 lbs. – No. 27 Will Formato (APP) lost to No. 6 Patrick Kennedy (Iowa), by Decision, 7-2
    • ZAP Endurance
      • March 11 — Tyler Pennel finished No. 1 in the Oskar Blues 4-Mile, setting a new course record of 18:43, and almost five minutes ahead of the second place finisher. He ran a 4:41 mile pace for the four miles in Brevard, N.C.
    • App State Baseball
      • March 14 — lost to West Virginia, 18-1
      • March 15 — lost to West Virginia, 18-5
    • Watauga Baseball
      • March 15 — lost to Weddington, 5-2. The Pioneers scored first, but could not overcome six errors in the field.
    • App State Men’s Golf
      • March 14 — Finished No. 3 in the Bash at the Beach tournament in North Myrtle Beach (Surf Golf & Beach Club), in an 18-team tournament. Oral Roberts was No. 1, University of Connecticut was No. 2, then App State at No. 3 and Long Island Univ. at No. 4. In order of finish, other schools competing were Delaware, Utah Valley, Queens, Dayton, Rhode Island, Rider, Presbyterian, Navy, Bucknell, Holy Cross, App State B, North Carolina A & T, North Carolina Central, and Maryland-Eastern shore.
    • App State Softball @ Middle Tennessee Univ. tournament
      • March 12 — defeated Green Bay, 11-6
      • March 12 — defeated Western Illinois, 3-0
      • Finished the tournament at 4-1
    • App State Women’s Tennis
      • March 12 — Defeated Louisiana-Monroe, 4-0

  • Step 1 in a soccer ‘path’: Appalachian FC holds tryouts

    By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — With temperatures hovering in the high 30s, it was almost cold enough for the persistent rain to be called a “wintry mix.” The three dozen athletes aspiring to gain a roster spot in the 2023 edition of Appalachian FC weren’t concerned about the weather on Feb. 25.

    Coming from all over the East Coast and at least as far away as Ohio and New York, the prospects included several returning players from the 2022 season roster. That team earned a 7-1-3 record in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), the 97-team semi-professional association regarded as the fourth tier of organized soccer in the U.S. — and it is expanding, adding new teams, for the 2023 season.

    Appalachian FC encourages a fast, attacking style of play that is highly entertaining and the candidates trying out on Feb. 25 were owning it from the get-go. Photographic image by David Rogers

    Appalachian FC formed in 2021 when the Appalachian State men’s program was disbanded due to budget concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now preparing for its third season, Appalachian FC is looking to build on a post-season appearance in only the second year of existence in 2022, a season that also saw head coach Dale Parker named NPSL “Coach of the Year.”

    Returning to lead the program again in 2023, Parker was excited by the upcoming season’s prospects in speaking with High Country Sports after the tryout sessions on Feb. 25.

    Appalachian FC head coach Dale Parker is returning for his third year leading the semi-professional club. In its second year (2022), the team won the Southeast Conference title of the National Premier Soccer League, made up of almost 100 clubs throughout the U.S. Photographic image by David Rogers

    “Each year, we are getting better skilled and more proficient athletes wanting to become a part of what we are creating here,” said Parker. “Part of it, of course, is the location. For a summer soccer program, it doesn’t get much better than Boone, North Carolina, which we already know as a tourist destination and vacation spot, a place to get out of the oppressive summer heat off the mountain. The rest of it though, is the community support we are receiving here, from the ownership group and sponsors, to the many fans that are attending our games. And when you add to that formula that we want to play a fast-paced, exciting, and attacking style of soccer that is highly entertaining, you get a winning combination.

    ‘Squatchy’ is itchin’ to get on the field. ‘Put me in, Coach. I’ll show ’em what an attacking style of play is supposed to be like.’ Photographic image by David Rogers

    “For the players, this is a terrific opportunity to display their talents,” added Parker. “Some are trying to get back onto the professional teams by showing their ability to still perform at a high level. Others are on their way up, having graduated from college and wanting to take their game to the next level. Some are still in college, already playing at a high level but wanting to improve their skills through a summer experience. Certainly, the college coaches love it because their guys are going to stay fit and in many cases even improve their level of fitness.”

    Parker’s “day job” is as head soccer coach at Lander University in Greenwood, S.C., as of January. The former Lees-McRae soccer star was a 2-time All-American while competing for the Bobcats, including helping his team to an appearance in the NCAA Division II national championship game in 2009.

    Some three dozen players from all over the East Coast met at Ted Mackorell Soccer Stadium for the Appalachian FC tryouts. Photographic image by David Rogers

    After 12 years supervising a youth soccer program in the Washington, D.C. area of northern Virginia, Parker has advanced fairly rapidly through the college coaching ranks. From 2019 to 2021, he was the lead assistant coach for Lander University, was hired for the 2022 season at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn., where in one year he turned around a 2-13-2 program to 10-8-1, advancing to the South Atlantic Conference championship game.

    With the retirement of longtime Lander head coach Lee Squires, Parker jumped at the chance to become head coach of the Bearcats when offered the opportunity late last year.

    Parker continues to find coaching success with Appalachian FC, now in his third year. In year one, building on a core group of former App State men’s team athletes, Appalachian FC garnered third place in the NPSL’s Southeast Conference. Then, in the program’s sophomore season (2022), the High Country’s finest went on a run that included an NPSL Southeast Conference regular season title, a Southeast Conference tournament championship, and a berth in the NPSL national quarterfinals.

    GOOOOAAAALLLLLL! A ‘white’ team player scooted the ball past the goalkeeper for a score during the Appalachian FC tryouts on Feb. 25 at Ted Mackorell Soccer Stadium. Photographic image by David Rogers

    A fixture on the Appalachian FC roster is Max Landau, a fullback who doubles as a graduate assistant for Parker at Lander University. A native of England, Landau has a passion for soccer from a very early age.

    “From the time I could walk, I have had a soccer ball at my feet,” said Landau. “I love the game.”

    He also is a devotee of Dale Parker.

    “I am here because I believe in Coach Parker,” said Landau. “He has created an environment for success.”

    The ‘blue’ team goes on attack down the sideline during the Appalachian FC tryouts on Feb. 25 at Ted Mackeroll Soccer Stadium. Photographic image by David Rogers

    When asked about what is primarily responsible for Appalachian FC’s rapid ascent in the NPSL, Landau didn’t hesitate.

    “Togetherness,” he explained, in one word. “We have come together from so many different places and so many different backgrounds. Different ethnicities. Some Americans and some international players. Different college programs and different top level backgrounds. But we have one common goal and that is to create the best team possible here in Boone, with Appalachian FC. It is highly athletic and a lot of fun both off and on the field with our attacking, very entertaining style of play.”

    Coaches, senior executives, and members of the ownership group gathered for a photo op after the Appalachian FC tryouts on Feb. 23. Photographic image by David Rogers

    Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Looms Large

    As soon as Appalachian FC settles on its roster, probably within the next two weeks according to Parker’s final address to all of the candidates trying out on Feb. 25, the team will begin to prepare in earnest for an important competitive opportunity: the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, a knockout competition that could potentially end with a match against a Major League Soccer opponent. The first round is 14 games from March 21-23, and Appalachian FC has been invited as one of eight NPSL teams looking to advance and learned on Feb. 3 that they will host the North Carolina Fusion Under-23 team in the first round on Wednesday, March 22, at Ted Mackorell Stadium, kickoff time TBA.

    Other NPSL teams include El Farolito, FC Motown, Tulsa Athletic, Crossfire Premier, Cleveland SC, and Hartford City FC.

    The first round is just an early step in a potential path to playing against professional teams. The first round “open division” winners will be joined in the second round by the full field of non-Major League Soccer professional teams. All of the 14 first round winners are guaranteed a second round matchup against a professional opponent.

    ABOUT THE LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP

    (from ussoccer.com)

    Now in its 108th edition, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – U.S. Soccer’s National Championship – has crowned a champion since 1914 in every year except 2020 and 2021. The history-filled tournament is conducted on a single-game-knockout basis and open to all professional and amateur teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. In 1999, the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the United States was renamed to honor American soccer pioneer Lamar Hunt.

    The 2023 U.S. Open Cup winner will earn $300,000 in prize money, a berth in the 2024 Concacaf Champions League and have its name engraved on the Dewar Challenge Trophy – one of the oldest nationally-contested trophies in American team sports – now on permanent display at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco, Texas. The runner-up will earn $100,000, while the team that advances the furthest from each lower division will take home a $25,000 cash prize.

    Orlando City SC are defending Open Cup champions, having earned the club’s first tournament title thanks to a 3-0 victory against second-division (USL Championship) side Sacramento Republic FC on September 7, 2022 in a Final played before a capacity crowd at Orlando’s Exploria Stadium.

    usopencup.com is the official website of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Fans can also follow the competition on Twitter and Instagram @OpenCup and Facebook @OfficialOpenCup.