Despite a Nor'easter coming down on New York City over the weekend, 2026 US Open Cup Qualifying continued. But the weather was not the biggest factor in one controversial match.
Sunday night's US Open Cup Qualifier between Lansdowne Yonkers FC and Doxa FCW featured an early goal apparently scored through the side netting that should have been disallowed, and a red card was shown to the opposing head coach for objecting when it was allowed to stand.
As of now, Lansdowne Yonkers are advancing to the Third Qualifying Round after winning 2-1. But Doxa have officially filed a protest with US Soccer over the result.
Michael Battista
What happened
The disputed run of play arrived early in the Second Qualifying Round match between Lansdowne Yonkers and Doxa, both of which compete in the American Premier Soccer League's Metropolitan Conference alongside other New York City teams. The game was held at one of Doxa's regular home fields, Joseph F Fosina Field in New Rochelle, NY, as rain poured down.
A break down the right side saw Lansdowne's Ali Dawha get behind the defense in the fifth minute. He let off a curving shot past the advancing Doxa keeper, former NYCFC II player Giuliano Santucci. The ball found the back of the net, but seemingly came in via an open gap in the netting on the right side of the goal.
Doxa FCW vs Lansdowne Yonkers FC | Official Broadcast
The center referee signaled for a goal as the Doxa players immediately jumped to protest. After a moment, the official walked over to the linesman, who, after a brief discussion, nodded his head before the center official once again signaled for a goal.
What followed was close to ten minutes of arguing between Doxa players, staff, and match officials. As players continued to plead their case, the official walked over to the net, where he was joined by Doxa head coach Paul Grafas, who walked through the gap between the post and the net to make his case. He was shown a yellow card for his display, then a red card as he continued to argue on the field.
Doxa FCW vs Lansdowne Yonkers FC | Close Upvia NYCosmosSC on BlueSky
When you listen to the broadcast, you can hear the announcers and others discuss whether they could walk over and show the referee the video from the match broadcast. In fact, the broadcasters are not allowed to involve themselves in the officiating of the game, and VAR does not exist at this level whatsoever.
After a yellow card was shown to Doxa player Grady Kozak, a member of Doxa's staff successfully fixed the net. By then, almost ten minutes had elapsed: The goal was scored at 4:45 on the clock, but play did not get resumed until 13:20.
Once the game resumed, Lansdowne added a second goal in the 25th minute thanks to an excellent run by former Marist University star Jared Juleau, who broke down the defense and stepped around two defenders to score. Doxa was able to get one back in the 43rd when Julio Espinal's corner kick was headed in by Milorad Sobot.
Doxa pushed for an equalizer in the second half, throwing men forward, but couldn't break the Lansdowne defense again. Doxa lost, 2-1, and Lansdowne were awarded a spot in the third round of qualifying.
Match Broadcast | Doxa FCW vs. Lansdowne Yonkers | U.S. Open Cup Qualifying
Aftermath
Hudson River Blue confirmed that Doxa has filed a protest with the US Soccer Federation following the conclusion of the match. Doxa manager Peter Legakis affirmed the information. His team will pay the fee to protest by Wednesday, and hope that a decision will be made soon.
Legakis also informed HRB that the option of walking off the field in protest was brought up, but he pushed back on the idea.
"I'm hoping that they say replay (the game) because this was in the 5th minute," Legakis told HRB. "Being down in the 5th minute, it can change everything."
Lansdowne Yonkers have not replied to a request for comment at this time.
According to Legakis, US Soccer would look to have any additional matches completed by this coming weekend and no later.
Why it matters
The US Open Cup continues to be one of an amateur team's best ways to get recognition in the national soccer. Doxa, a 53-year-old organization founded as a Greek heritage side, are trying to get back into the Open Cup for the first time since the mid-1970s.
Lansdowne also knows the power of the Open Cup. The side have grown in recent years, with much of that credited to their previous appearances in the tournament, including a 2016 cupset over Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC of the then-third division United Soccer League. Lansdowne now have two National Amateur Cup titles, and a growing youth organization underneath the men's senior team.
The winners of the Second Qualifying Round will be two wins away from participating in the US Open Cup proper. This year saw the introduction of the John Motta Trophy, awarded to the amateur team that advances the furthest in the tournament. The winner not only will get silverware, they will be presented with a check for $50,000 and automatic qualification to the following edition of the US Open Cup.
No stranger to controversy
Since the tournament restarted in 2022 following the COVID-19 pandemic, disputes featuring local teams have picked up. In 2022, following a loss in a First Round match, Morristown, NJ side FC Motown protested the result, claiming their opponent, West Chester United SC of West Chester, PA, had used an illegal substitution with a player re-entering the match.
That protest was upheld by US Soccer, and the game was replayed, with Motown winning and advancing. Of note, like Sunday's match, that protest was supported by video footage that documented the mistake made by the referees.
That winning streak did not last long for Motown, however. The following year, the side once again protested following a First Round loss in the 2023 tournament. After losing to Manhattan SC in the Bronx, the side claimed the field used by the hosts was too small and not allowed by USSF regulations. That protest was declined, and Manhattan advanced.
Michael Battista
