Vermont Green FC centerback Egor Akulov has been named to the 2026 U.S. Open Cup Team of the Second Round for his performance against Westchester SC, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced today.
Akulov was a clear standout for the Green, playing all 120 minutes against Westchester SC, completing the most passes and winning the most tackles according to FotMob. The computer science major at the University of Washington—who took a quick leave of absence from his studies—also calmly converted his penalty in the shootout.
Despite the Green’s exit from the single-elimination tournament, Akulov anchored a backline that conceded zero goals in 210 minutes against two professional teams: Portland Hearts of Pine and Westchester SC, both of USL1.
Fear not, Vermont Green fans, this is not the last you’ve seen of Egor Akulov, as the 2025 NCAA National Champion is set to make his return to Vermont in June for the USL League Two title defense.
Congratulations on the recognition, Egor!
2026 U.S. Open Cup Team of the Second Round
GK – Jonanthan Burke (One Knoxville SC)
D – Egor Akulov (Vermont Green FC)
D – Julian Cisneros (FC Naples)
D – Lee Desmond (Sacramento Republic FC)
D – Samuel Owusu (Union Omaha)
M – Luis Álvarez (Charlotte Independence)
M – Simon Carlson (Asheville City SC)
M – Dominik Wanner (Sacramento Republic FC)
M – Jamie Webber (FC Tulsa)
F – Kyle Edwards (Sacramento Republic FC)
F – J.J. Williams (Rhode Island FC)
Bench
GK – Matías Molina (Westchester SC)
D – Sam Layton (Richmond Kickers)
D – Talen Maples (Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC)
M – Alex Dalou (Detroit City FC)
M – Andrés Ferrín (FC Naples)
M – Eliot Goldthorp (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC)
F – Daniel Mangarov (Chattanooga FC)
Coach
Mike Jeffries (Charlotte Independence)