SARASOTA, Fla. – All three USL League Two clubs in action on the first night of the U.S. Open Cup failed to advance to the Second Round after falling in their respective matches.

Sarasota Paradise FC – 1, FC Naples – 2 

Sarasota Paradise hosted Sunshine State rival FC Naples in the first competitive match between the two sides before Sarasota joins its counterpart in USL League One next season. The first half finished scoreless with Sarasota creating the best chance in the 19th minute with a shot that was saved by FC Naples goalkeeper Edward Delgado. The game would open up in the second half as Sarasota earned a penalty kick in the 69th minute, but Chris Solari’s low effort was saved by Delgado. FC Naples then opened the scoring in the 79th minute with a header at the back post following a corner. Sarasota would level the match in the 88th minute with a goal by Nicholas Colacci, but FC Naples would score the winner in stoppage time with a goal from substitute Kevin O’Connor to advance to the Second Round.  

Asheville City SC – 0(3), Greenville Triumph SC – 0(4) 

Asheville City SC and Greenville Triumph SC played to a scoreless draw in regulation and extra time to force the First Round contest to be settled from the penalty spot. Clay Obara started the shootout in style as his cheeky “panenka” looped over Greenville goalkeeper Seth Torman to give the home side a strong start. After exchanging conversions, Victor Strömsten and Johnny Fenwick missed their efforts for Asheville City to see Greenville Triumph advance. 

AV ALTA FC – 3, Ventura County Fusion – 1 

Ventura County Fusion visited their Californian neighbors in Antelope Valley and went behind in the 28th minute after Jerry Desdunes opened the scoring for the hosts. Ventura County would get a goal back just before halftime when Abubakar Fofanah got on the end of a long ball and slotted it past AV ALTA goalkeeper Carlos Avilez, but Desdunes would convert from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time to regain the lead at the break. AV ALTA would seal the victory with an early second-half goal in the 52nd minute from Sebastian Cruz to knock out Ventura County Fusion in the First Round.