VE Scores four first half goals to beat Colonial in US Open Cup qualifying

Chris Baker scored two goals, and Antoine Hoppenot added a goal and two assists to lead Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USLPA) to a 4-0 win over Colonial SC (USLPA) in Second Round Qualifying for the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. VE, a 2024 Open Cup qualifier, wasted no time avenging a loss to Colonial in league play a week earlier when Baker found the back of the net six minutes in.

Hoppenot, the longtime professional with the Philadelphia Union, Cincinnati FC, and several other USL clubs, broke the Colonial backline with a floated ball over the top. Baker controlled the pass, beat the remaining to the outside and finished with a left-footed strike that beat keeper Gavin Hendrick. Hoppenot scored VE’s second off a beautiful combination with Derek Antonini, settling the through ball before picking out the far corner.

Colonial had a brief rally through the middle of the half as midfielder Steve Hutchinson had a free kicked saved by VE keeper Steve Paul before sending in a number of dangerous corners that were cleared away by the VE center back pairing of Chris Williams and Aidan Watkins. As the mid-day heat kicked into gear on the turf of Victory Field in Whitemarsh, PA, so did the VE attack. A long build-up in the 38 th minute that started with the center backs ended with another combination from the VE front three as Hoppenot found Jalen Weatherspoon at the spot, and Weatherspoon wasted no time extending the lead to 3-0. Two minutes later, VE added a fourth off a multi-numbered attack that ended with a four on two and Hoppenot picking put Baker at the far post for Baker’s second of the game.

Despite an intense Colonial start to the second half, VE kept the hosts at safe distance and rode out the remainder of the game, nearly extending their lead several times if not for the strong efforts of Hendrick to keep the score line stable.

In March, VE fell 2-0 to the USL1’s Charlotte Independence at Cairn University on two-late goals. It was the club’s return to the Open Cup for the first time since 2002. Baker, who was born in Warminster and starred at Archbishop Wood, was only four years old at the time yet understands the meaning of Open Cup play. “We realize how much it resonates with the rest of the club,” he said after the game, “from the fans, to Rob [Oldfield-VE coach], to the board, to the youth teams, we really felt how much it brought the whole club together.”

Baker, along with the other front four of Hoppenot, Weatherspoon, and Antonini jumped on their league rivals early, which could be part retribution from last week’s loss and part motivation to advance. “It was more of just how we approached the game,” Baker added. “It was played on our terms the entire time, whereas last week we were slow out of the gate, ended the first half 0-0, and were on the back foot the entire time.”

VE will await their Third Round opponent in the upcoming draw. The next round will be played the last weekend of October.