It’s very simple. If you win your Third Round game, you earn a date with a Major League Soccer team.
Out of the 15 games on Wednesday, June 1, five of them feature amateur teams against professionals with eight more of them between USL and NASL. The remaining two games are between a pair of USL clubs and two amateur teams, meaning that Round 4 is guaranteed to have at least one amateur team against a MLS team.
The USL vs. NASL matchups will be an opportunity for the NASL to redeem itself. Last year, the USL won all seven meetings between the leagues (6-0-1, 1-0 PKs)
Which teams will earn a date with a MLS team?
Below, you will find links to our coverage on TheCup.us, as well as previews from all 20 games, including video and audio links where available. You can get all the latest updates from every game through Twitter, using the hashtag #USOC2016. Use that same hashtag on Instagram to share your US Open Cup-related photos.
NOTE: Links and embedded video for the games tonight will be added below as they become available
NOTE: Each scoreboard listed below all say “FINAL” — we are working on fixing this.
#USOC2016 coverage:
* 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup schedule, results (video/audio links)
* 2016 US Open Cup bracket (TheCup.us)
* 2016 Meet the Underdogs series
* USSF’s new US Open Cup qualifying tournament has challenges to address after year one
* Things you should know about the Third Round of the US Open Cup
* Notable upsets in the Third Round of the US Open Cup (Modern Era)
* Series of forfeits, teams with ineligible players overshadow 2016 US Open Cup
* 2016 US Open Cup Round 2 review
* MLS-owned USL teams no longer eligible for 2016 US Open Cup, confirms USSF
* One is enough: NPSL champion New York Cosmos B withdraws from 2016 US Open Cup
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Winner plays at DC United (MLS) on June 15
Fort Lauderdale Strikers Open Cup records
Overall: 6-8-2 (1-1 PKs) | Home: 6-3-1 (1-0 PKs) | Away: 0-5-1 (0-1 PKs) | vs. Div. 3: 0-1-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 3-2 at Charleston Battery of USL in Round 3)
Best finish: Third Round (2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)
Richmond Strikers Open Cup records
Overall: 29-15-2 (1-1 PKs) | Home: 22-6-1 (0-1 PKs) | Away: 6-9-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. Div. 2: 4-2-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 3-1 vs. Columbus Crew of MLS in Round 4)
Best finish: 1995 US Open Cup champions
Do not adjust your screen: this Round 3 fixture does, in fact, kickoff at 11 a.m. ET. Indeed, a special set of circumstances led to this decision. Fort Lauderdale’s ownership group scheduled an international friendly between Guatemala and Venezuela at Lockhart Stadium, where the Strikers play their NASL home games for the evening of June 1. Ownership say they did this intentionally, citing a “business decision”, and attempted to reschedule with the Kickers before ultimately settling on the current date and time because they did not want to lose their hosting rights.
On the field, the Strikers are in a bit of better form lately. They’ve taken 10 of a possible 12 points in the month of May, though that has been in response to a slow start to league play. They currently sit in seventh place in the NASL standings. If the Strikers are going to win this one, they’ll need their veterans to step up and that means former MLS journeymen Julius James and Maicon Santos. Santos, in particular, will be critical as he leads the team with four goals in seven league games this season; no other player has more than one.
The Richmond Kickers also find themselves currently in seventh place in their own league (USL Eastern Conference) standings. Their recent league form has been more inconsistent but they did comfortably dispose of amateur Cinderella side Aromas Café 4-0 in the second round of the Open Cup two weeks ago. While USL sides are typically populated former American college soccer standouts (like Kickers’ striker Brian Ownby, a Richmond native), the catalyst so far this season for Richmond has been Japanese international Yudai Imura. The Tokyo native played collegiate soccer in Japan and leads the team with three goals. He was quiet in the Kickers’ Open Cup victory over Aromas Café, but he does lead the team in corner kicks taken and could be an X-factor against a Fort Lauderdale side currently conceding 1.1 goals per game.
The winner of this one will head to Boyds, Maryland to take on DC United of MLS.
Winner hosts Orlando City SC (MLS) on June 15
LIVE VIDEO: CHARLESTON BATTERY AT JACKSONVILLE ARMADA
Charleston Battery Open Cup records
Overall: 29-13-6 (3-3 PKs) | Home: 24-6-5 (2-3 PKs) | Away: 5-6-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. Div. 2: 6-0-1 (1-0 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (Draw 4-4, Lost 8-7 in PKs vs. Orlando City SC of MLS in Round 4)
Best finish: 2008 Runner-Up (Lost 2-1 at DC United of MLS in Final)
Jacksonville Armada Open Cup records
Overall: 0-1-0 | Home: 0-0-0 | Away: 0-1-0 | vs. Div. 3: 0-1-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 3-0 at Richmond Kickers of USL in Round 3)
Best finish: 2015 Third Round (Lost 3-0 at Richmond Kickers of USL)
The Battery caught a break in their second round matchup. After losing to The Villages SC in penalty kicks, it was later discovered that The Villages used an ineligible player. The Battery filed a protest and the US Open Cup committee ruled in their favor, allowing the Battery to advance. This avoided Charleston getting eliminated three years in a row by a team from Florida in penalties.Charleston is doing well in league play, currently sitting in fourth place in the USL East at 5-3-3. They’ve won three of their last four USL matches, despite a home loss to Louisville City FC on Saturday.
The Battery are one of the most successful lower division teams when it comes to US Open Cup play, having finished runner-up in 2008 and reaching the Quarterfinals six times, which is more than any other lower division team in the Modern Era. The club’s 29 Open Cup wins rank fifth among all clubs in the Modern Era (they trail only Chicago Fire, Seattle Sounders, Rochester Rhinos and DC United).On the other end of table is Jacksonville Armada, who have had a disappointing season to say the least. They enter The Cup with a 1-5-2 record in the NASL, putting them in last place. Scoring has been an issue for Jacksonville, they’ve been shut out in four of their five losses.
This is the second year for the Armada who were one-and-done in their inaugural cup run last year. Jacksonville traveled to Richmond and lost to the USL’s Kickers 3-0.
If momentum has anything to do with it, Charleston would appear to have the advantage. But of course in the Open Cup setting, anything can happen.
If Lansdowne Bhoys wins … play at New York Red Bulls on June 15
OR
If Rochester Rhinos wins … host New York Red Bulls on June 15
Lansdowne Bhoys Open Cup records
Overall: 2-0-0 | Home: 0-0-0 | Away: 2-0-0 | vs. Div. 3: 1-0-0
Last entry: N/A (First entry)
Best finish: N/A (First entry)
Rochester Rhinos Open Cup records
Overall: 35-16-6 (3-3 PKs) | Home: 29-7-4 (2-2 PKs) | Away: 4-9-2 (1-1 PKs) | vs. Amateur: 15-0-0
Last entry: 2015 (Drew 0-0, Lost 3-1 in PKs at Philadelphia Union of MLS in Round 4)
Best finish: 1999 US Open Cup champions
Quite possibly the biggest David vs. Goliath matchup of the Third Round as 1999 US Open Cup champion Rochester Rhinos will host the Lansdowne Bhoys, an amateur club from the Cosmopolitan League in New York City.
The Rhinos have the second-most wins of any club in the Modern Era and have a championship under their belt. While the Bhoys, who have become a powerhouse in the fabled Cosmopolitan League in recent years, are making their first-ever appearance in the tournament.
The Rhinos are the defending USL champions but are 4-2-3 and are sitting nine points clear of first place currently. Rochester already dismantled an amateur side from the East Coast with a 7-0 win over Southie FC (Boston). Lansdowne Bhoys needed victories over the Long Island Rough Riders (PDL) in Round 1 and then pulled off an upset on the road by shutting out the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, 2-0.
Winner plays at Philadelphia Union (MLS) on June 15
Harrisburg City Islanders Open Cup records
Overall: 16-8-3 (2-1 PKs) | Home: 10-2-3 (2-1 PKs) | Away: 6-6-0 | vs. Amateur: 12-1-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 3-1 in OT vs. Rochester Rhinos of USL in Round 3)
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2007, 2009, 2010, 2012)
Chattanooga FC Open Cup records
Overall: 1-3-4 (3-1 PKs) | Home: 1-2-2 (2-0 PKs | Away: 0-1-2 (1-1 PKs) | vs. Div. 3: 1-1-1 (1-0 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 2-1 in OT vs. Atlanta Silverbacks of NASL in Round 3)
Best finish: Third Round (2014, 2015)
The Harrisburg City Islanders are one of the giant killers among the lower division teams of the Modern Era. They have advanced far enough to play a MLS team 10 times and five of those times, they have eliminated their opponents. Their list of victims include DC United (2007), New England Revolution (2009, 2012), and the New York Red Bulls (2010, 2012).
As a USL side, the Harrisburg City Islanders entered the Cup in the second round and squared off against West Chester United. City was able to down United on their own turf by a score of 2-0, with one of the goals coming from offseason addition Bobby Warshaw. The goal was the first one for Warshaw in a Harrisburg uniform, as he is normally a defensive midfielder, but was able to find the back of the net on this one.As an amateur team from the NPSL, Chattanooga FC received a rare bye into the Second Round. They managed to escape Round 2 with a hard-fought penalty kick victory after 120 minutes of scoreless soccer with the PDL’s Reading United AC. However, once it got to the penalty kicks, it was smooth sailing, as Chattanooga won those by a 4-1 margin.
Though Chattanooga gets to host the Islanders, Harrisburg has to be considered the favorites going against an amateur side, but it’s worth noting that Chattanooga’a claim to fame is that they are the only NPSL team in history to eliminate a professional team. They eliminated the Wilmington Hammerheads (USL) in back-to-back years in 2014 and 2015.
Winner plays at New York City FC (MLS) on June 15
LIVE VIDEO: JERSEY EXPRESS AT NEW YORK COSMOS
Jersey Express Open Cup records
Overall: 4-2-0 | Home: 2-1-0 | Away: 2-1-0 | vs. Amateur: 3-1-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 3-0 at New York Cosmos of NASL in Round 3)
Best finish: 2015 Third Round (Lost 3-0 at New York Cosmos of NASL)
New York Cosmos Open Cup records
Overall: 3-2-1 (1-0 PKs) | Home: 3-0-1 (1-0 PKs) | Away: 0-2-0 | vs. Amateur: 2-0-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 4-1 at NY Red Bulls of MLS in Round 5)
Best finish: Fifth Round (2014, 2015)
It’s right back to Jamaica (New York) for Jersey Express as they look to take down another high profile New York side.The Express played at Belson Stadium, home of St. John’s University, and defeated three-time US Open Cup champion New York Pancyprian Freedoms in Round 2. They’ve only played two PDL games so far this season, but they’ve taken four points and former pro Chris Karcz has two goals in as many games. The Jersey Express may have been a bit fortunate against the Freedoms as some felt the amateur side deserved a penalty kick late in the match, but the PDL side got the result and know it will take more than luck to advance this time around.
Last year, the Express their first appearance in the tournament and they made quite an impression. They defeated four-time Open Cup champion New York Greek American SC, and upset the New York Red Bulls 2 (USL) 1-0 before falling to the New York Cosmos in Round 3. They will get another crack at the Cosmos this year at the very same stadium that they fell 3-0 to the NASL powerhouse.
The Cosmos currently find themselves atop the NASL league standings and you don’t have to spend much time sifting through the stats sheet to know why. Venezuelan international and former Borussia Monchengladbach playmaker Juan Arango has three goals and three assists in nine starts this season. His favorite target has been former Columbus Crew striker Jairo Arrieta, who has tallied two goals and two assists of his own in eight league starts. But perhaps the biggest name on this Cosmos roster is former Tottenham midfielder Niko Kranjcar. He’s only notched one goal and one assist so far but he’s been a rock in the middle of the field, allowing Arango to venture forward more often and act as the team’s main creator.
The Cosmos have pulled off two signature wins in their first two Open Cup runs. They dominated the New York Red Bulls 3-0 in 2014 and eliminated New York City FC in a dramatic match that ended in penalty kicks last year. However, after each of those games, they were unable to take the next step, falling to a MLS opponent in Round 5.
The winner of this match will travel to Fordham University in the Bronx for a showdown with star-studded New York City FC.
Winner hosts New England Revolution (MLS) on June 15
LIVE VIDEO: CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE AT CAROLINA RAILHAWKS
Charlotte Independence Open Cup records
Overall: 4-1-0 | Home: 1-0-0 | Away: 3-1-0 | vs. Div. 2: 1-0-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 3-1 at Chicago Fire of MLS in Round 5)
Best finish: 2015 Fifth Round (Lost 3-1 at Chicago Fire of MLS)
Carolina RailHawks Open Cup records
Overall: 15-7-2 (1-1 PKs) | Home: 15-4-2 (1-1 PKs) | Away: 0-3-0 | vs. Div. 3: 5-2-1 (0-1 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 1-0 vs. Charlotte Independence of USL in Round 3)
Best finish: 2007 Semifinals (Lost 2-1 in OT at New England Revolution of MLS)
The Independence faired well in their first Open Cup matchup against their cross-town opponent, Charlotte Eagles. Their easy 2-0 win came in the middle of a tough stretch for Charlotte. After starting league play 5-2, they have since fallen to 5-3-2.Charlotte made a big splash in their first Open Cup run last year. They won three games, including one over the RailHawks on the road. They also became the only lower division team to defeat a MLS team in regulation when they beat the New England Revolution 1-0 in Round 4.
They’ll match up against a team that’s had a lot of success in previous Open Cup, the Carolina RailHawks. The RailHawks reached the Semifinals in their inaugural season in 2007 and later made the Quarterfinals in 2013 and 2014 before suffering a 1-0 loss to the Independence in the Third Round last year. Carolina is currently in fifth place in NASL with a 4-3-1 record, and the RailHawks need a win badly. Since starting the year 4-0, they haven’t won a match since April 23 and getting some revenge for last year’s loss could help the club get back on track.
Winner plays at Columbus Crew (MLS) on June 15
LIVE VIDEO: FC CINCINNATI AT TAMPA BAY ROWDIES
FC Cincinnati Open Cup records
Overall: 1-0-0 | Home: 1-0-0 | Away: 0-0-0 | vs. Div. 2: 0-0-0
Last entry: N/A (First entry)
Best finish: N/A (First entry)
Tampa Bay Rowdies Open Cup records
Overall: 4-5-0 | Home: 1-1-0 | Away: 3-4-0 | vs. Div. 3: 1-2-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 1-0 at Pittsburgh Riverhounds of USL in Round 3)
Best finish: 2013 Fourth Round (Lost 2-0 at Portland Timbers of MLS)
The US Soccer Federation tries its best to seed the Open Cup by geography, but there will always been the occasional odd team out. A team that is forced to travel a long distance when there is an odd number of teams in their region. Case in point: USL side FC Cincinnati will make the trek down to Florida to take on the NASL’s Tampa Bay Rowdies.
In the words of Cincinnati.com: FC Cincinnati has become an American soccer outlier. The team is playing in its inaugural season and is already averaging just over 17,000 fans per game in Nippert Stadium, the home of the University of Cincinnati’s college football team. The team is dominating local and regional media coverage and its merchandise can be found all over the greater Cincinnati area; they’ve even “earned” a friendly next month with 2016 FA Cup runner-up Crystal Palace. They’re backing it up on the field as well, currently in third place in the USL’s Eastern Conference with 16 goals in 10 league games so far this season.
FC Cincinnati kicked off its inaugural US Open Cup run with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Indy Eleven’s NPSL team. With the win, FC Cincy became the first professional team from the city to win a Open Cup game in the 103-year history of the tournament.
Tampa Bay has made headlines recently as well, but for a different reason. The Rowdies signed former English Premier League star Joe Cole this spring, who has notched an assist in each of his first three games with the club. He’s the reigning NASL Player of the Week after scoring in the Tampa Bay’s 2-0 win over Minnesota this past weekend. Rowdies supporters will be hoping his form continues to hold as the club looks to lift itself up out of sixth place in the standings.
The winner of this match earns a date with the Columbus Crew of MLS in the next round, a mouthwatering prospect for the orange and blue supporters of FC Cincinnati in particular.
If Louisville City wins … host Chicago Fire (MLS) on June 15
OR
If Indy Eleven wins … will play at Chicago Fire (MLS) on June 15
LIVE AUDIO: LOUISVILLE CITY AT INDY ELEVEN
Louisville City FC Open Cup records
Overall: 2-1-1 (1-0 PKs) | Home: 0-0-1 (1-0 PKs) | Away: 2-1-0 | vs. Div. 2: 1-0-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 1-0 in OT at Chicago Fire of MLS in Round 4)
Best finish: 2015 Fourth Round (Lost 1-0 in OT at Chicago Fire of MLS)
Indy Eleven Open Cup records
Overall: 1-2-0 | Home: 1-1-0 | Away: 0-1-0 | vs. Div. 3: 1-1-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 2-0 in OT vs. Louisville City FC of USL in Round 3)
Best finish: 2014 Fourth Round (Lost 2-1 in OT at Columbus Crew of MLS)
Indy Eleven will be playing in their first Cup game of the season, as this is the round where NASL teams enter the competition. Their partner team, Indy Eleven NPSL, bowed out in the last round in a 2-1 loss to FC Cincinnati. Indy is in second place in the NASL, and sport an undefeated record with three wins and five draws. They will look to continue those winning ways when they host USL side Louisville City.Louisville, a USL team, won a dramatic game against Detroit City FC which saw a player from each side get a red card and the Detroit head coach get dismissed. If that wasn’t enough drama for a game, the score after 120 minutes was 1-1, and kicks from the mark saw Louisville advance, 3-1.
Indiana vs. Kentucky is a strong college basketball rivalry, but the Open Cup could plant the seeds for a soccer version. This is a revenge game for the Eleven as Louisville eliminated them 2-0 in extra time in last year’s Third Round. Louisville has the most points in the USL currently and could be on track for a second straight win. But Indy have fresher legs and will be hosting again, though with two teams at the tops of their respective tables, it will be hard to call this one an upset no matter who wins.
Winner hosts Sporting Kansas City (MLS) on June 15
LIVE VIDEO: MINNESOTA UNITED FC AT SAINT LOUIS FC
Minnesota United FC Open Cup records
Overall: 4-4-1 (0-1 PKs) | Home: 1-2-0 | Away: 3-2-1 (0-1 PKs) | vs. Div. 3: 0-0-1 (0-1 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (Drew 1-1, Lost 3-1 in PKs at Saint Louis FC of USL in Round 3)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2012, 2014)
Saint Louis FC Open Cup records
Overall: 2-1-1 (1-0 PKs) | Home: 2-0-1 (1-0 PKs) | Away: 0-1-0 | vs. Div. 2: 0-0-1 (1-0 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 1-0 at Sporting KC of MLS in Round 4)
Best finish: 2015 Fourth Round (Lost 1-0 at Sporting KC of MLS)
Minnesota United will be playing in their first Cup game of the season, as this is the round where NASL teams begin. This is expected to be the club’s last season in the NASL as they are planning to make the jump to MLS next year. With a host of former MLS players, including Jeb Brovsky, Bernardo Anor, and Ben Speas, they should prove a formidable challenge for Saint Louis FC.United are looking to build on the club’s only signature win: a 3-1 road win over Real Salt Lake (MLS) in 2012. They have failed to beat any professional teams aside from that RSL contest, but then again, this is just their sixth trip to the tournament.
Saint Louis, of the USL, had an easy home win in the second round as they faced amateur side AFC Cleveland and topped them by a final of 2-0. Jamiel Hardware and Jordan Roberts were the goalscorers. A fairly successful tournament last year saw Saint Louis losing to the eventual champions, Sporting Kansas City, but not before beating this very same Minnesota team. Though the rosters are very different now, Minnesota will be pushing to avenge last year’s cup loss.
Winner plays at Real Salt Lake MLS) on June 15
LIVE VIDEO: WILMINGTON HAMMERHEADS AT MIAMI FC
Wilmington Hammerheads Open Cup records
Overall: 15-12-2 (1-1 PKs) | Home: 14-5-1 (0-1 PKs) | Away: 1-7-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. Div. 2: 2-3-1 (1-0 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (Drew 1-1, Lost 5-3 in PKs vs. Chattanooga FC of NPSL in Round 2)
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2003, 2009)
Miami FC Open Cup records
Overall: 0-0-0 | Home: 0-0-0 | Away: 0-0-0 | vs. Amateur: 0-0-0
Last entry: N/A (First entry)
Best finish: N/A (First entry)
Wilmington has had a feast-or-famine kind of season with their scoring. They hold a 3-4-3 record, but in games where they score more than two goals, they are 4-0. The rest of the year has been filled with low scoring losses and draws.This trend has been on full display in the last two weeks, with their 1-0 loss to Charleston bookended by a 6-0 Open Cup win over Miami Fusion FC (NPSL) and a 3-1 win at Toronto FC II. It sounds obvious, but Wilmington really needs to get their offense going if they want to advance. The Hammerheads are a team that haven’t had a solid in cup run in a few years. The last time they won multiple games in a tournament was in 2011. Then they were eliminated by amateur teams in 2012 (Cal FC), 2014 (Chattanooga FC) and 2015 (Chattanooga FC).
Miami FC has struggled in NASL play, posting a 1-4-3 record. Earlier in the year, defense was the struggle for this team. They went through a stretch where they allowed two or more goals in four straight games. The last few weeks have been kinder to Miami, with a 0-0 draw followed by a 1-0 win over FC Edmonton last week.This is Miami’s first trip to the tournament. There was a Miami FC in the USL from 2006-2010, but they were re-branded as the Fort Lauderdale Strikers prior to the 2011 season.
IF Rayo OKC wins … host FC Dallas (MLS) on June 15
OR
IF OKC Energy wins … plays at FC Dallas (MLS) on June 15
LIVE VIDEO: OKC ENERGY AT RAYO OKC
Oklahoma City Energy Open Cup records
Overall: 3-2-1 (1-0) | Home: 3-2-1 (1-0) | Away: 0-0-0 | vs. Div. 2: 0-0-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 4-1 at FC Dallas of MLS in Round 4)
Best finish: 2015 Fourth Round (Lost 4-1 at FC Dallas of MLS)
Rayo OKC Open Cup records
Overall: 0-0-0 | Home: 0-0-0 | Away: 0-0-0 | vs. Amateur: 0-0-0
Last entry: N/A (First entry)
Best finish: N/A (First entry)
Oklahoma City Energy FC (USL) take on Rayo OKC (NASL) on Wednesday at Yukon Miller Stadium in Yukon, OK, just west of Oklahoma City. It’s a matchup that fans have been waiting for as the two OKC teams, that play in rival leagues will finally face off in a game that matters. Some additional fuel was added to the rivalry fire when Rayo OKC announced on Twitter that they would not be reserving a section for away supporters.
@TheGridOKC @chrisbrannick85 pic.twitter.com/9XHretdkqU
— RayoOKC (@RayoOKC) May 26, 2016
The Energy are coming off a great run of form, winning their last three league matches. They look to go into the Rayo’s home stadium and secure a win. The Rayos, on the other hand, have had a difficult run of form, heading into the match with a draw and two losses in their last three league matches.
This is the first US Open Cup match for Rayo OKC, while this is the third trip to the tournament for the Energy. The only highlight in the Energy’s brief Open Cup history was a narrow 1-0 win over the Tulsa Roughnecks, a fellow USL side in last year’s tournament.
The winner of this match will face FC Dallas (MLS) in the next round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on June 15. The Rayos would host that match if they win, while the Energy would travel to Frisco to play.
Winner plays at Houston Dynamo MLS) on June 15
LIVE VIDEO: SAN ANTONIO FC AT DES MOINES MENACE
San Antonio FC Open Cup records
Overall: 1-0-0 | Home: 1-0-0 | Away: 0-0-0 | vs. Amateur: 1-0-0
Last entry: N/A (First entry)
Best finish: N/A (First entry)
Des Moines Menace Open Cup records
Overall: 12-9-1 (1-0 PKs) | Home: 7-3-1 (1-0 PKs) | Away: 5-5-0 | vs. Div. 3: 2-1-1 (1-0 PKs)
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 2-1 in OT at Saint Louis FC of USL in Round 2)
Best finish: 2005 Fourth Round (Lost 6-1 at Kansas City Wizards of MLS)
San Antonio FC (USL) are heading to West Des Moines, Iowa to take on the red-hot Des Moines Menace (PDL) in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The Menace have not yet lost a match this season in all competitions. In the three league matches leading up to this tie, the Menace have outscored their opponents 8-1, while recording two shutouts in that span.
San Antonio has struggled to find results in the month of May, recording two losses and two draws in that time and are 2-4-4 overall.
Normally, one wouldn’t consider a PDL vs. USL matchup to be a dangerous one, but the Menace aren’t your average PDL team. They are coming off a 2-0 win over the USL’s Tulsa Roughnecks which is the seventh time that they have eliminated a pro team in their club’s history. Only the Michigan Bucks (9) have more among all of the amateur teams in the Modern Era (1995-present).
San Antonio FC, playing in their first Open Cup tournament, picked up a 3-1 home win over fellow San Antonio side Corinthians in Round 2.The winner advances to a June 15 match at Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, TX.
Winner plays at Colorado Rapids MLS) on June 15
Colorado Springs Switchbacks Open Cup records
Overall: 3-1-0 | Home: 2-0-0 | Away: 1-1-0 | vs. Div. 3: 1-0-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 4-1 at Colorado Rapids of MLS in Round 4)
Best finish: 2015 Fourth Round (Lost 4-1 at Colorado Rapids of MLS)
Arizona United Open Cup records
Overall: 3-2-0 | Home: 1-2-0 | Away: 2-0-0 | vs. Div. 3: 1-0-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 3-0 vs. Chula Vista FC of USASA in Round 2)
Best finish: 2014 Fourth Round (Lost 2-1 vs. LA Galaxy of MLS)
Arizona United moved into the third round of the tournament with a bang, crushing in-state rivals FC Tucson 5-0 on the road. Long Tan netted a goal in each half as United rolled, even after Gibson Bardsley’s second-half ejection required them to play with 10 men for the final 35 minutes of the match. It was a nice rebound for the club after suffering an embarrassing 3-0 loss at home to Southern California amateur side Chula Vista FC last year.
Colorado Springs will present a bigger challenge, having already beaten Arizona twice in USL play this season. United may need to rely on their defense to keep the game tight and change their fortunes against their Rocky Mountain rivals. Only twice in 12 games (all competitions) this season has Arizona scored more than two goals in a game, and they have just seven goals in ten matches against USL opponents.
The Switchbacks started their second Open Cup run the same way they started their first a year ago. They picked up a one-goal win over Boulder, Colo. amateur side Harpo’s FC. Just like last year, Colorado Springs are matched up with a USL side in Round 3 (last year they defeated the Real Monarchs 1-0) and if they win, they will earn a road date with the Colorado Rapids. Last year, the Rapids got the best of them, winning 4-1.
Colorado Springs called on their depth to knock off Harpo’s FC in the second round. They’ll need to do so again to defeat Arizona United on Wednesday for the third time this year.
At a minimum, they’ll be missing their head coach Steve Trittschuh. Assistant coach Wolde Harris will be helming the team in Arizona.
The Switchbacks very well could opt to rest starters again, as they are off to a flying 6-2-1 start in league play and may prioritize Saturday’s match against Saint Louis FC. At least one or two members of their solid attacking trio – forwards Miguel Gonzalez, Martin Maybin and Saeed Robinson – will likely start, giving Colorado Springs a still-dangerous attack.
Winner plays at LA Galaxy MLS) on June 15
Los Angeles Wolves Open Cup records
Overall: 1-0-1 (1-0 PKs) | Home: 0-0-1 (1-0 PKs) | Away: 1-0-0 | vs. Amateur: 1-0-0
Last entry: N/A (First entry)
Best finish: N/A (First entry)
La Maquina Open Cup records
Overall: 2-0-0 | Home: 1-0-0 | Away: 1-0-0 | vs. Amateur: 2-0-0
Last entry: N/A (First entry)
Best finish: N/A (First entry)
It’s very rare to have a pair of amateur clubs meeting in the Third Round of the US Open Cup with a game against a Major League Soccer team on the line. What’s even more rare is that two amateur teams from the same league will square off. La Maquina and the Los Angeles Wolves FC, both of the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) will battle at Westminster High School in Westminster, Calif. for the right to play the mighty Los Angeles Galaxy in Round 4 on June 15.
Despite playing in the same league, this will be the first-ever official meeting between the two clubs. The two met in a friendly last year with the Wolves coming away with a 2-0 win. They did not have a league meeting because they played in different conferences.
The Wolves lost their First Round game to the Ventura County Fusion (PDL), but it was discovered that the Fusion fielded an ineligible player and were disqualified. LA followed that up with a 4-2 penalty kick win over the USL’s Orange County Blues after a 1-1 draw.
La Maquina has benefited from a favorable draw. Not so much in the way of travel, but in terms of opponents. The club has yet to play a professional opponent. They traveled to Portland, Ore. and defeated the Timbers U23s (PDL) 2-0 and then returned home a week later and shut out the Sacramento Gold (NPSL) by the same scoreline.
Read about both clubs in our Meet the Underdogs series: La Maquina | LA Wolves FC
Winner plays at Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) on June 15
Kitsap Pumas Open Cup records
Overall: 4-5-1 (1-0 PKs) | Home: 3-3-0 | Away: 1-2-1 (1-0 PKs) | vs. Div. 3: 0-1-0
Last entry: 2015 (Lost 4-2 in OT at Seattle Sounders 2 of USL in Round 2)
Best finish: 2011 Third Round (Lost 2-1 at Seattle Sounders of MLS)
Sacramento Republic Open Cup records
Overall: 5-1-1 (0-1 PKs) | Home: 5-0-0 | Away: 0-1-1 (0-1 PKs) | vs. Amateur: 5-0-0
Last entry: 2015 (Drew 2-2, Lost 6-5 in PKs at San Jose Earthquakes of MLS in Round 4)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2014, 2015)
The Kitsap Pumas organization has made no secret about their desire to eventually move their club up from the PDL into the third-division USL. They’ll get a chance to prove they can compete with that higher quality of opponent on Wednesday night against the Sacramento Republic of the USL.Keeping it close will be key for Kitsap. The defense is on a bit of a roll recently, having conceded just one goal in the last three games (two wins and a draw). Captain and defender Corey Keitz will be in charge of keeping his back line calm. If Kitsap are going to spring the upset, playing for a shutout may be necessary, because Kitsap’s still-developing attack could find it hard to create many chances against a stingy Sacramento defense.Kitsap has been a regular in the Open Cup since their inaugural season in 2009. They have qualified six of their eight seasons. While they have proven to be one of the best amateur teams, holding a 4-1-1 (1-0 PKs) since 2009, they are 0-4-0 against professional teams during that time. A win would be a welcome addition to their Open Cup resume.
Similar to Kitsap, Sacramento are desperate to show the soccer world that they can compete at a higher level. For them, the level is MLS, and with a third-round win, they would get that chance by setting up their first-ever meeting with four-time US Open Cup champion Seattle Sounders FC.Sacramento has found success in 2016 by simply not allowing many goals. Veteran goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek, 36, is the only member of the Republic older than 30 and has been a rock for them all season. But backup Evan Newton started in Sacramento’s 5-0 blowout of CD Aguiluchos USA in the second round of the tournament, so he may get the call again against Kitsap.
This is the fourth Open Cup run for the Republic and they are still seeking a signature win in the competition. They have fallen short of beating the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS), losing 2-1 in 2014 and losing a penalty kick shootout last year. They’ve proven they can handle the amateur clubs (5-0-0, 24 goals for, 6 goals against), but they need a signature win to put on their young Open Cup resume.