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2026 U.S. Open Cup Fan-Voted Goal and Save of the Round Nominees - First Round
Vote for your favorite goals and saves from the First Round of the 2026 U.S. Open Cup
The First Round of the U.S. Open Cup delivered plenty of action across 31 matches, from long-range bangers to clutch penalty kick stops. Now, it’s your chance to vote for your favorite goals and saves from the First Round. Voting runs through Thursday, March 26 at 5 p.m. ET, and the winners will be announced on Friday, March 27.
GOAL OF THE ROUND - NOMINEES
Devin Boyce (Asheville City SC vs. Greenville Triumph SC) - Boyce bagged his second goal in as many matches for Triumph SC, executing a long-range free kick to perfection in Greenville’s loss against Asheville City SC.
Braiden Kalonji (Chattanooga FC vs. Kalonji Pro-Profile) - A rebounded penalty kick save led to 14-year-old Braiden Kalonji—the youngest goalscorer in recorded Open Cup history—chipping in an improbable goal from the edge of the penalty area to give the visiting Kalonji Pro-Profile the lead in Chattanooga.
Aaron Molloy (Lexington SC vs. Flower City Union) - Captaining Lexington SC in his first season with the club, Molloy chested down the ball before smashing in an exquisite strike from distance in LSC’s 9-0 dismantling of Flower City Union.
Jamie Webber (Little Rock Rangers vs. FC Tulsa) - The former South Africa youth international doubled Tulsa’s advantage in Arkansas, absolutely rifling in a powerful shot on the volley in the Scissortails’ 4-2 victory against the Rangers.
SAVE OF THE ROUND - NOMINEES
Liam Gibbs (BOHFS St. Louis vs. Union Omaha) - Despite the difficult scoreline, Gibbs made a diving stop late—one of five saves on the evening against USL League One power Union Omaha—to prevent the Owls from finding another goal.
Christian Herrera (Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. Azteca FC) - Now with over 100 appearances with the Switchbacks, Herrera made the seventh penalty kick save of his decade-long professional career, helping his side hang on to a 3-0 shutout victory against Azteca FC.
Angel Ruiz-Hernandez (New Mexico United vs. Cruizers FC) - The Cruizers FC shot-stopper kept the contest level late, leaping to push a New Mexico chance up and over the bar in the 68th minute.
Richard Sánchez (San Antonio FC vs. ASC New Stars) - The 31-year-old veteran made the first penalty kick save of his professional career, going the right way to deny ASC New Stars an opening goal early in the second half.
