Extra time, a red card thrashing, a literal mismatch and a tight clash.

The 2027 U.S. Open Cup Second Qualifying Round had it all over the past weekend, as four sides punched their tickets into the next round of qualification - just two wins away from the tournament proper.

Let's get into it.

CD Faialense (BSSL) 3:2 Brockton FC United (UPSL)

In their third head-to-head matchup, CD Faialense took a butt-clenching 3:2 victory into the Third Qualifying Round to take place at the end of the month.

Striker Martin Vician, CD Faialense's goalscoring leader during qualifying last year, was taken down in the box in the 10th minute. Gianluca Arlotti would take the penalty to get out to a one-goal lead.

It didn't take long for Brockton to find their way back into the game. One-on-one with the keeper, Former Revs II player Meny Silva returned the favor to tie the game in the 14th minute.

Former Italy youth international Alessandro Arlotti would match his brother in goals to restore the lead for the Cambridge, MA side in the last minute of first-half play.

Applying heavy pressure via waves of attack, Brockton's Leo Alves would take a snap shot in the 67th minute to draw his side level once again. The game looked to be heading the way they'd hoped 2026 Qualifying would have ended. Luck would unfortunately not be on their side, as Graham Brenner – another returnee from last year – found the net after chesting down a cross to win the game in the 96th minute of extra time.

South Coast Union (UPSL) 2:8 Fall River FC (UPSL)

Regular season form held true in a South Coast thumping as Fall River FC piled on goals over their neighbor and intra-league opponent South Coast Union.

The first half was eventful and the most competitive between these two sides. Ricky Macedo would open the scoring for South Coast Union, scoring from outside the 18. Fall River answered with a goal of their own, then the two sides would exchange goals once again.

Before the half was over, Jeff Feede of South Coast Union would earn a second yellow and be sent off.

The second half would spell collapse for the New Bedford side down to 10 men. Fall River's Aidan Bagley, Cody Granville, Yorik Sajbin and Kevin Correia were among the goalscorers as their team put six unanswered past South Coast Union to cap a 2:8 victory, advancing to the next round emphatically.

FC Omens (BSSL) 3:1 Atletico Boston (BSSL)

The Battle for Boston gave us some classic U.S. Open Cup shenanigans as FC Omens managed to secure a victory through two stoppage time goals to avoid going to extra time.

With games scheduled last minute and players often having other commitments that prevent them from having large rosters, Atletico Boston began the match with just 10 men. Despite the disadvantage, they'd end up controlling much of the possession - an advantage helping them stay fresh by running less.

Luis Sartor would have to exit the game after a non-contact injury. Luckily, by this point, Prince Loney-Bailey had arrived and was able to take his place on the field - Atletico's only available sub.

The 10-man side pulled a shock lead in the 53rd minute through Alex Shterenberg, who got behind everyone but the keeper to slot home the opening goal.

As the second half grew on, FC Omens clawed more of the game away from Atletico. They'd use their man advantage on a corner kick with less than 20 to go, as Tyler Johnson headed the equalizer home.

Stoppage time blew the game wide open. Drake Byrd hit a free kick from well outside the box to give FC Omens the lead for the first time of the night at 90+3', while Caleb Ribeiro would allow them to exhale with another goal in the fifth minute of added time.

Somerville United FC (APSL) 0:1 KO Elites FC (APSL)

In a double debutant clash, Connecticut's only Open Division representation secured advancement to the Third Qualifying Round - only two wins away from earning a spot in the tournament proper.

The first half would be a tight contest - each team having a couple of chances, though the game would remain deadlocked at 0:0 after 45.

Halfway through the second half, KO Elites' Lamar Chancey managed to rip a shot along the ground into the right side of the net from just inside the box to open the scoring. His goal would prove to be the winner in the lowest-scoring fixture in New England this round, completing an exciting upset victory.

CD Faialense (Cambridge, MA), Fall River FC (Fall River, MA), FC Omens (West Roxbury, MA) and KO Elites FC (Hartford, CT) will move on to the Third Qualifying Round, where they'll likely face each other - though it is possible they could draw a New York-based team.

Due to proximity, the BSSL's CD Faialense will likely meet intra-league opponent FC Omens, leaving KO Elites to take on Fall River FC. Though the latter matchup has never previously occurred, FC Omens took a 3:1 victory over CD Faialense during their last meeting on September 12.

The Third Qualifying Round takes place Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1. The four remaining sides will find out their next opponents some time in the next week.