USL Cup Week 2 Recap: Sacramento rolls, Loudoun stuns Louisville, Phoenix wins wild shootout

Week 2 of the USL Jägermeister Cup brought thrilling action and defining results across all six groups. Sacramento Republic FC emerged as the standout, dismantling Las Vegas Lights 4-0 at Heart Health Park. With goals from four different players and a clean sheet from Jared Mazzola, Sacramento leads Group 1 with six points and zero goals conceded. Head coach Neill Collins rotated effectively, keeping his squad fresh and dominant on both ends of the pitch.

Loudoun United shocked perennial contender Louisville City with a 2-1 victory at Segra Field, their first over LouCity since 2019. Abdellatif Aboukoura scored his 10th goal of the season, while goalkeeper Hugo Fauroux came up big in stoppage time to preserve the win. Loudoun now tops Group 5 and remains unbeaten at home this year, marking a new chapter for the club’s aspirations.

Phoenix Rising played out a wild 3-3 draw with New Mexico United before winning the penalty shootout 3-2. Ihsan Sacko netted a brace, and Peter Rakovsky made three penalty saves to secure the bonus point. Colorado Springs also kicked off its campaign with a win over El Paso, setting up a crucial late-June doubleheader in Group 2 with San Antonio and New Mexico.

Elsewhere, Charlotte Independence staged a stunning comeback to draw 2-2 and win the shootout against Lexington thanks to a brace from Christian Chaney. Tampa Bay Rowdies climbed to second in Group 6 after Ollie Bassett's dramatic stoppage-time winner against South Georgia Tormenta. Meanwhile, Monterey Bay, Indy Eleven, and Birmingham Legion all maintained perfect records, reinforcing their knockout stage ambitions.