FCC 2

FC Cincinnati 2 begins its USOC campaign against a three-time winner

By Gracin Galbreath

Posted on March 20, 2025

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY—The glory of the Open Cup is returning—at least, it is for FC Cincinnati’s reserve team. A total of 16 MLS clubs qualified for the tournament, and unfortunately, the first team didn’t make the cut. But excitement is still there for the sickos.

FC Cincinnati 2 will begin their campaign in the 2025 US Open Cup with a Round One match against the New York Pancyprian-Freedoms.

THE PANCYPRIAN FREEDOMS

The NY Pancyprian Freedoms are one of the most storied amateur clubs in American soccer. They were founded in 1974 by Greek-Cypriot immigrants in Queens, and still have multiple players with Greek backgrounds. Pancyprian is a nod to their heritage and means “nationwide Cyprus.” They boast the third most titles in the history of the US Open Cup, lifting the famed trophy in 1980, 1982, and 1983. Additionally, they are the recent winners of the USASA National Amateur Cup, which booked their ticket to this season’s USOC.

They are competing in the American Premier Soccer League, a semi-pro league in the fourth division of US Soccer. It has a pro-rel system that is affiliated with various other amateur divisions. The league recently broke its regional partnership with NISA Nation and is looking to expand out of the Northeast to the Southeast.

This season, the Pancyprian Freedoms have impressed in the APSL’s Metropolitan Conference; their record is 11-2-1, and with 34 points, are three points clear at the top of the table. They have scored the most goals in their conference with 49—an average of 3.8 goals per game—and conceded the least with 13. They were also champions of the Metropolitian Conference last season, with a record of 17-1-2.

They boast a high-caliber squad for a fourth-division club. Their attacking midfielder/forward, Joseph Holland, was born in England and plied his trade for a few USL clubs. James Tristino, a midfielder, ended ’24 with 10 goals and 8 assists in 12 games—this was enough for him to be the assist leader in the EPSL. Luis Argudo, a winger, made 30 plus appearances for Columbus. Josh Levine is a 6’3” shot stopper who started at Penn State. Junior Rosero, a striker, has been a journeyman; he scored five goals and three assists in 10 NISA matches for Gold Star FC.

Pancyprian Freedoms may be amateur, but nothing about them feels like it; as director Paul Kontonis said, “[We] are known for playing with quality and purpose, we are a team with long history and we never give up!” They will be eagerly anticipating this match as another chance to assert themselves on the national stage.

THE ORANGE AND BLUE

In yet another offseason of rebuilding, FC Cincinnati 2 lost around five starters in Santos, Benalcázar, Tablante, Gibert, and Stitz. They would opt to sign talent from abroad, but also domestically with players like Tega Ikoba and Nate Crockford, as well as internally with academy and SuperDraft signings.

As a result, they have gotten off to a disappointing start under Tyrone Marshall. With a record of 0-0-2, they sit at the bottom of the East in MLS NEXT Pro. They dominated possession in their season opener against TFCII but were still beaten by a goal in the 30th minute. In their second match against New England II, they continued to find chances on goal but lost 0-2 after collapsing in the second half. They have yet to score—but this could be due to new signings that haven’t gelled yet.

Having to replace multiple players from the lineup has been the offseason theme for FCC2. Just like the ’23 season, they will need to relearn how to play as a unit, and this is a match where they can do so. What better place than a national tournament where more eyes than ever are on them?

Many fans of the Orange and Blue fondly remember the Cinderella run in the 2017 US Open Cup; led by Alan Koch, that team would make it to the semi-finals after upsetting Columbus and Chicago as a USL team. While Noonan’s boys won’t get a chance in this edition, maybe it will be FC Cincinnati 2 who will recapture some of that lower league nostalgia by making a run?

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tega Ikoba is FCC2’s player to watch. He was a quality addition to an already dynamic attack, having a couple appearances for Portland. This season, he will be leading the line as a lanky 6’3’’ striker. I anticipate him finding the back of the net.

In last season’s winning National Amateur Cup campaign, the Pancyprian Freedoms had four players tied for top goal scorer. One of those players was the aforementioned Joseph Holland. He is currently tied for second as the APSL’s top scorer with 13 goals in 10 games—as of May last year, he had 20 goals and four assists in 10 EPSL games. Needless to say, he is their player to watch.

WHAT TO EXPECT

There is no reason to underestimate the Pancyprian Freedoms. Not only are they top among active clubs in the APSL but also have bragging rights in this tournament. Their squad is high-caliber, boasting international and collegiate-level players alike. It will not feel like playing a fourth-division club.

Never before has FCC2 played in any tournament other than MLS NEXT Pro; this is their highest stage yet, and one where they can make a real impact. These players all have something to prove; they will be representing FC Cincinnati.

FC Cincinnati 2 may be favored to return to winning ways, but there is always magic in the cup. A cupset can occur in any match, even ones where teams are separated by multiple levels on the pyramid. Koch’s 2017 squad proved this.

Special thanks to Paul Kontoni, NY Pancyprian Freedoms club director, for agreeing to an interview with Cincinnati Soccer Talk and providing information about the NY Pancyprian Freedoms.