New York Pancyprian Freedoms Advance to Second Round of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The New York Pancyprian Freedoms are moving on to the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup after a thrilling victory over MLS Next Pro side FC Cincinnati 2. The match, played on March 20th at NKU Stadium, ended in a 0-0 draw through regular and extra time before the Pancyprians triumphed 5-4 in penalty kicks.
Facing a large pro-Cincinnati crowd, the Pancyprians executed a disciplined and resilient defensive performance. Despite FC Cincinnati 2 controlling most of the possession, they struggled to create clear chances against the well-organized backline of the Pancyprians. Meanwhile, the Pancyprians remained dangerous on the counterattack, threatening to steal the game in regulation.
In the decisive penalty shootout, the Pancyprians showed composure and confidence, converting five of six spot kicks to seal the victory.
Head coach Andreas Chronis praised his players for their discipline and execution of the game plan. “I’m incredibly proud of the team’s effort tonight,” said Chronis. “The players executed the game plan to perfection. We defended selflessly and valiantly for 120 minutes, and showed incredible grit and character to get the result against a professional team.”
With this victory, the New York Pancyprian Freedoms move on to face USL League One side Westchester SC in the Second Round of the U.S. Open Cup. The match is set for April 2, 2025, at 7:00 PM at The Stadium at Memorial Field in Mount Vernon, NY (431 Garden Ave, Mount Vernon, NY 10553).
The Pancyprians have a storied history in the U.S. Open Cup, having won the prestigious tournament three times (1980, 1982 and 1983), cementing their legacy as one of the most successful amateur clubs in American soccer history. Over the decades, the club has remained a dominant force in regional and national competitions including winning the 2024 National Amateur Cup, continually representing the strength and commitment of our Cypriot and Greek community in New York City.
About the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Now in its 110th edition, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup has crowned U.S. Soccer’s national champion since 1914. The history-filled tournament is conducted on a single-game-knockout basis and is open to professional and amateur teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. In 1999, the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the U.S. was renamed to honor American soccer pioneer Lamar Hunt.
The 2025 U.S. Open Cup winner will earn a berth in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup 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 2025 tournament features a total purse worth $1 million that includes a $600,000 award for the champion. Los Angeles Football Club of MLS is the defending Champion. The 109th edition of the tournament concluded on September 25, 2024, with LAFC beating four-time Champions Sporting Kansas City 3-1 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles to become Open Cup Champions for the first time.
