2018 US Open Cup Round 1 preview: 25 games across the country ramp up 105th tournament

After the Portland Timbers U-23s officially kicked off the First Round last night with a blowout win, the 105th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup kicks into high gear tonight with 25 games. The winners will advance to Round 2 where almost all of them will face professional teams from the United Soccer League next week.

Here is a brief preview of each of tonight’s game (most of which will have live video streams available):

#USOC2018 coverage:
* 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup schedule, results
* 2018 US Open Cup statistical leaders

News
* USSF allows NY Cosmos B, Miami FC 2, Jacksonville Armada into 2018 US Open Cup
* El Farolito, 1993 US Open Cup champions, disqualified from 2018 tournament
* Why is it against the rules to change leagues during the US Open Cup?
* FC Cincinnati at Gettler Stadium: “Like Metallica playing a small venue”

2018 Meet the Underdogs series
* Christos FC
* FC Denver
* FC Kendall
* Kendall Wanderers
* La Maquina FC
* Los Angeles Wolves FC
* NTX Rayados
* Red Force FC
* Rochester River Dogz
* Santa Ana Winds
* Sporting AZ FC

Qualifying
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying results
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Win & You’re In review
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 2 review
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 1 review

* Things you should know about the First Round of the US Open Cup

* Support TheCup.us: Special “TheCup.us” Del Rey City jerseys available for purchase
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Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL) at AFC Ann Arbor (NPSL)
Scicluna Field (Eastern Michigan University) – Ypsilanti, MI
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Live online video

One of the top NPSL teams in AFC Ann Arbor (12-1-1 in 2017) will host one of the Open Cup’s best amateur teams of the Modern Era on Wednesday at Eastern Michigan University. Only two amateur teams in the country (Michigan Bucks, Des Moines Menace) have more pro team upsets (5) or wins (9) in the Modern Era (1995-present) than the Nor’easters.

Ann Arbor made their Open Cup debut last year, falling 1-0 on the road against the Michigan Bucks (PDL), so they will be looking to pick up the club’s first Open Cup win when they host their first-ever Open Cup game. In fact, they have a chance to make history because according to TheCup.us records, there has never been an Ann Arbor-based team that has won a US Open Cup game in tournament history.

While the Mighty Oak (AFC Ann Arbor) are entering their fourth year, the Nor’easters are entering their 22nd year. The winner will travel to North Carolina to take on the USL’s Charlotte Independence on May 16.

Elm City Express (NPSL) at Western Mass Pioneers (PDL)
Lusitano Stadium – Ludlow, MA
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Live online video

Elm City Express made an impression in their inaugural NPSL season, beating out 95 other teams to take the season title. The New Haven team posted a 14-1-2 record in league and playoff play on their way to becoming champions as the first Connecticut club to reach a US Open Cup Final since Bridgeport’s Vasco da Gama in 1992. Head coach Ted Haley was rewarded for the run with the NPSL’s Coach of the Year selection.

The Western Mass Pioneers enter their 20^th season playing at Lusitano Stadium in Ludlow, Mass. under sixth year head coach Federico Molinari. The Pioneers are celebrating their eleventh US Open Cup qualification since their first tourney appearance in 1998. Their last appearance was in 2017, when they dropped a first round penalty kick shootout to Boston City FC (NPSL). The now-historic side reached the third round in 2005, losing at home to the Chicago Fire (MLS) 3-1. The team boasts six Open Cup victories (one, in 1998, was a forfeit by the New York Greek Americans) and will be looking to add to that total in their important anniversary year.

New York Red Bulls U-23s (PDL) at FC Motown (NPSL)
Ranger Stadium – Madison, NJ
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Live online video

New York Red Bulls U-23s, the PDL squad of the New York Red Bulls MLS team, won the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Division with a 12-1-1 record, racking up 37 points and posting a goal difference of 51 scored and 14 allowed. The side lost Brian White, the 2017 PDL Golden Boot and Most Valuable Player, to the USL’s Red Bulls II. Forward Janos Loebe and goalie Dayne St. Clair headline the squad.

Morristown, N.J. amateurs FC Motown merged with the Clarkstown Eagles in the offseason ahead of the 2018 NPSL season. It was part of a remarkable development for what started as a co-ed rec league side in 2012. Coach Sacir Hot was the fourth academy player signed by the New York Red Bulls, and he still collaborates with the Red Bull Academy. Having led FC Motown into the club’s first ever US Open Cup appearance in 2017, Hot added two ex-MLS players to the squad for 2018. Defender Hunter Freeman featured for Red Bulls, New York Cosmos, and Miami FC (NASL), among others, and midfielder and New Jersey native Dilly Duka appeared for the Columbus Crew, Chicago Fire, and Montreal Impact and is looking to use his stint with Motown to recover from an offseason ankle injury that cut short his most recent MLS stint with the Red Bulls.

Christos FC (USASA) at Reading United AC (PDL)
Alvernia University Stadium – Reading, PA
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Live online video

Christos FC appear in their second consecutive US Open Cup, after years of striving to reach the First Round.  In 2017, they finally broke through as a true Cinderalla team, taking down USL opponent Richmond Kickers and two open division teams before landing a dream matchup against D.C. United in the Fourth Round. They fell to DC 4-1, but they drew national media attention as the “band of brothers” who never practice and hit the bar the night before games. The club doesn’t hide that reality, but the core players have also had national success, winning an Under-19 Maguire Cup with the Baltimore Bays, and a national amateur championship and the Amateur Open Cup with Christos, and going to the NCAA semifinals with the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Standout players from that core group like forwards Pete Caringi III and Levi Houapeu, midfielder Mamadou Kansaye, and goalkeeper Phil Saunders are back from last year’s team, and new additions in the midfield (Tyler Rudy) and defense (Malcolm Harris) will add depth to the side. The USASA side plays their fall seasons in the Maryland Majors Soccer League and now dedicates the spring to state and national Cup play.

Reading United AC holds the longest qualification streak for any Modern Era amateur side, reaching the first round for ten years running; they also boast a six year first round winning streak. Last year’s team defeated the New York Cosmos in the Second Round, only to fall to the Harrisburg City Islanders in the Third Round.

The Pennsylvania side returns three key offensive players in forwards Khori Bennett and Pierre Reedy and Irish midfielder Aaron Molloy, the PDL’s 2017 Young Player of the Year. They are joined by six Philadelphia Union Academy graduates hoping to take the next step to Bethlehem Steel: defenders Rob Campbell, Will Campbell, Mo Conde and Lamine Conte, along with midfielders Joe Dezart and Zach Zandi. This core group of players took Reading to one of the best records in the PDL in 2017 with twelve victories and will provide stability that many PDL teams find difficult to achieve.

Rochester River Dogz (USASA) at Erie Commodores FC (NPSL)
Gannon University Field – Erie, PA
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Live online video

This will be the first-ever appearance in the US Open Cup proper tournament for both sides.

The Erie Commodores were founded nine years ago and their team motto is ‘Don’t Give up the Ship,’ a notable quote credited to Oliver Hazard Perry – a famous American naval figure and hero of the War of 1812. Previously known as the Admirals, they re-branded as the Commodores in 2015. Competing in NPSL, Erin finished in first place in the regular season in Midwest-East in 2017 to earn a spot in the Open Cup. This actually isn’t the first time they have qualified. the Admirals qualified in 2013, but declined to enter the US Open Cup due to player availability and financial concerns.

In a year where Rochester’s USL side, the 1999 US Open Cup winning Rhinos, are on hiatus due to financial reasons, the River Dogz will be the lone Western New York representative in the tournament. Maybe then it’s no coincidence that the River Dogz are inextricably linked to the Rhinos, who remain the only team from outside Major League Soccer (MLS) to win the Open Cup since 1996 (the year of MLS’ founding). Team captain Jake Schindler was there nearly 20 years ago, as the team’s ball boy, and current River Dogz head coach, Doug Miller, scored the winning goal for the Rhinos in the 1999 US Open Cup Final.

Jacksonville Armada FC (NPSL) at SIMA Aguilas (PDL)
Monteverde Academy – Monteverde, FL
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Live online video

The Jacksonville Armada comes into this match as one of the first teams with a win in the 2018 US Open Cup. With the North American Soccer League (NASL) being denied Division 2 sanctioning by the federation, the league decided to cancel the 2018 season. The three remaining NASL teams appealed to the USSF to be allowed to enter the US Open Cup and that request was granted.

With three new teams added late in the process, a Preliminary Round had to be created. Jacksonville was one of the winners in the preliminary round, triumphing over The Villages SC (PDL) 2-1. Wesley Charpie and Ciaran Kilduff were the goalscorers for Jacksonville.

Now they face SIMA Aguilas, a PDL team out of Montverde, Fla. Aguilas is a new team, founded as an expansion team in the PDL on January 27, 2017.  This will also be Aguilas’ first game of the season. A message from their head coach Mike Potempa on their website states ““We are very excited with the athletes we will have on campus and it will only add another layer to the SIMA. Program inching us closer and closer to professional soccer here at Montverde Academy. We are currently working hard and will continue to train to prepare for any and every competitive opportunity that comes our way!”

Inter Nashville FC (NPSL) at Charlotte Eagles (PDL)
Mecklenburg County Sportsplex – Matthews, NC
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Live online video

After a hoisting a trophy their last time out in the Premier Development League final, the Charlotte Eagles kick off their 2018 campaign hosting Inter Nashville of the NPSL in a first round match in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Both teams kick off their regular seasons on Saturday so tonight’s contest will feature plenty of new faces on both sides.

The Eagles are making their 14th Open Cup appearance against an Inter Nashville team that was founded in 2017 and is making its tournament debut. The Eagles have advanced to the second round each of the last two years after failing to qualify in 2015, their first season since dropping from the professional USL level to the amateur PDL league.

Inter Nashville qualified with a 6-2-4 record in the Southeast West Division in their first season in the NPSL, tying on points with second place Chattanooga FC. Charlotte finished second in the PDL’s South Atlantic Division with a 9-2-3 record and went on to beat Thunder Bay Chill 2-1 to capture the club’s first PDL championship and third overall in its 27-year history.

Red Force FC (USASA) at Miami FC 2 (NPSL)
FIU Stadium – Miami, FL
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Live online video

Miami FC 2 is an NPSL expansion team that will begin Sunshine Conference play in 2018.  They defeated FC Miami City 2-1 in the Preliminary Round of this year’s US Open Cup.  The team was intended to be a reserve team for Miami FC, but the postponement of the NASL season made that plan fall apart.  Thus, Miami FC 2 replaced the senior squad in the Open Cup.

The team signed many players from Miami FC, so they will immediately field quality players who won both the Spring Season and Fall Season NASL Championships last season.  The senior squad also made it to the Quarterfinals of the Open Cup last season, so Miami FC 2 will have that added tournament experience.

Red Force FC is a Miami-based club that plays in the APSL.  The club was founded in 2009 and has been one of the top teams in the league.

Red Force is in its fourth US Open Cup, and the team maneuvered through three qualifying rounds to get to this point.  They defeated FC Ginga, Miami Nacional SC, and South Florida FC. The team’s will be hoping to equal its best showing in the tournament, which came in 2014.  In that Open Cup, the team defeated the Colorado Rovers in the first round before falling to the PDL’s Laredo Heat in the next round.

South Georgia Tormenta FC (PDL) at Myrtle Beach Mutiny (PDL)
North Myrtle Beach Sports Park – Little River, SC
Kickoff: 7:10 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Live online video

The Tormenta are in their third year of existence, and this will be their first entrance into the US Open Cup. Earlier this year, the squad was announced as one of the founding members for the newly formed USL DIII, which will begin play in 2019. Though they currently play in the amateur PDL, Tormenta’s roster features an impressive seven different nationalities. They have players from USA, Germany, England, Canada, Brazil, Sweden, and Togo.

The Myrtle Beach Mutiny have been around since 2011, and this will be their second trip to the US Open Cup. The first came in 2016, when the team was a member of the NPSL. The team came close to winning in 2016, losing to the Charlotte Eagles 3-2 in extra time after a penalty went against them in the 111^th minute. The Mutiny had to claw back from down 2-0, with Ryan Arambula (currently with the Charleston Battery) scoring in the 68^th minute, and the equalizer coming from Jon Ander Ibarrondo in stoppage time. This year, the team features a mix of high school and college players.

Kendall Wanderers (USASA) at Seacoast United Phantoms (PDL)
Seacoast United Sports Park – Amesbury, MA
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: NONE

A battle between two of the best logos in the tournament will happen in the first round. Kendall Wanderers are making their first appearance in the Open Cup despite being in existence since the 1970s. Formerly known as the Black Roses, their logo features a penguin and a black rose as a nod to the club’s heritage. The road to the cup hasn’t been easy for the Wanderers. Read more on their journey here.

The Seacoast United Phantoms, formerly known as the New Hampshire Phantoms, have also been around for a while. Founded in 1996, they’ve played in a variety of leagues over the years, most affiliated with the USL. This is their sixth appearance in the Open Cup. Their best run came in 2003 when they made the third round before falling to the Rochester Rhinos 4-1. They’ve produced quality players in the past, including current MLS player Jeff Larentowicz, as well as goalkeepers Kyle Singer, T.J. Tomasso (who is currently with AFC Ann Arbor), Travis Worra, and Preston Burpo.

Michigan Bucks (PDL) at Detroit City FC (NPSL)
Keyworth Stadium – Hamtramck, MI
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Live online video

It is the third meeting between these two rivals. There are so many reasons why this is one of the better rivalries in the amateur soccer world. The Michigan Bucks have been around since 1996 and are the most accomplished amateur team in the country, having a laundry list of accomplishments both in league play and in the US Open Cup. No one has more Open Cup wins, pro teams upsets, and more impressively, more MLS team upsets (2). However, they lack a strong fan following and play about 20 minutes north of downtown Detroit in the city of Pontiac.

On the other side, Detroit City FC are in their sixth season and have taken the NPSL by storm with their one of a kind fan following that draws thousands per game (even to exhibition games). Now, the team’s accomplishments at the box office and in the stands are starting to match their accomplishments on the field. They reached the NPSL Semifinals this past year and are hoping to build on that in 2018.

The two teams each play in rival leagues and you can assume that the Bucks would love to have Detroit City’s fan support and Detroit City would love to have the Bucks’ trophy case and Open Cup resume. That’s what makes this one of the most compelling games of the First Round.

FC Kendall (USASA) at Miami United (NPSL)
Ted Hendricks Stadium – Hialeah, FL
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Live online video

South Florida has many strong amateur soccer teams – and this match provides a showcase of this.

Miami United FC are the more established and experienced of the two sides in Open Cup competition. The club will be looking for yet another win in first round, as they’re two-for-two in both of its appearances, winning opening round matches in 2015 and 2017. Founded in 2012, they are currently coached by former Argentina professional player Gerardo Reinoso.

While the United may be based in Hialeah, Kendall FC are a fascinating group founded in 2008 by Uruguayan immigrants. FC Kendall are led by their all-time top scorer and founder Mauro Grignola. While it’s the club’s first time in the Open Cup, were Florida State Cup champions in 2014, and have competed in the Fourth Division American Premier Soccer League.

Lansdowne Bhoys FC (USASA) at Brooklyn Italians (NPSL)
LIU Athletic Complex – Brooklyn, NY
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Live online video

The two-time Open Cup Champion Italians began the week with an Open Cup play-in game win, beating the NPSL version of the legendary NY Cosmos, 3-2 at LIU on Sunday. In a tight affair, the current Northeast Conference Player of the Year, Rasmus Hansen, scored with five minutes remaining in the contest when he cut in from the right and hammered home with his left foot the goal-ahead goal.

The Italians will have a quick turnaround on Wednesday against National Amateur Cup holders Lansdowne Bhoys out of Yonkers, N.Y.  Landsowne ave become an amateur juggernaut in recent years – and had a successful run in the Open Cup in 2016, when they upset Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Highmark Stadium, 2-0, in the second round.

In 2017, the Bhoys won two national titles within a two-week span. The team secured the Fritz Marth U.S. Amateur Cup championship and the Fricker Cup. Lansdowne also won the Dr. Manning Cup as Eastern New York State Soccer Association champions.

Kingston Stockade FC (NPSL) at Long Island Rough Riders (PDL)
John Burns Park – Massapequa, NY
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Live online video

Kingston Stockade FC is a newcomer to the US Open Cup. The Kingston, New York club was formed in 2015, and they began NPSL play in May of 2016.

The team had a great deal of success in just their second season. They finished at the top of the NPSL Atlantic White regular season standings, qualifying for the conference playoffs in the process. A dramatic extra-time goal gave them a 2-1 win over Hartford City FC, thus giving them both an Atlantic White Conference Championship and a berth in the Northeast Regional Semifinals. A 6-3 loss to the Clarkstown SC Eagles ended the their season, but they did enough to garner their first ever Open Cup appearance. Familiarity will be key for the team, as 22 players from last season’s squad are returning for this season.

The Long Island Rough Riders are making their ninth appearance in the US Open Cup. The team’s best tournament showing was a quarterfinal appearance in 1997. The club was formed in 1994 and has been one of the more established New York clubs. Former MLS players such as Tony Meola, Chris Armas, and Edson Buddle have passed through their ranks. Recently, the club has become the PDL affiliate for New York City FC.

The Rough Riders finished the 2017 PDL regular season with an 8-2-4 record. This was good enough to clinch both second place in the Northeast Division and an Eastern Conference Playoff berth. The team advanced to the Eastern Conference Final after defeating the New York Red Bulls U-23s and the Myrtle Beach Mutiny. However, the Rough Riders fell to the eventual PDL Champion Charlotte Eagles in penalty kicks.

Mississippi Brilla FC (PDL) at New Orleans Jesters (NPSL)
Pan American Stadium – New Orleans, LA
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Live online video

The Mississippi Brilla and New Orleans Jesters square off in First Round action at 7 PM at the Pan American Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. This marks the fourth all-time appearance for Brilla, while the Jesters are embarking on their inaugural US Open Cup campaign. For both teams, their First Round matchup marks their first match in 2018.

Brilla returns nine players from last season’s squad that fought all the way to the PDL National Semifinals in 2017, including six players from a defensive unit that allowed a miserly six goals throughout the entirety of the regular season. The squad is headlined by Jordan Skelton, an All-American centerback, and Jordan Bell, a goalkeeper who gave up just eight goals in 15 starts, and also served as the team captain.

Opposite Brilla, the host side returns 14 from last year’s squad that compiled an 8-0-4 record during the regular season. Goalkeeper Chad Collins returns between the sticks for the Jesters after picking up three clean sheets and allowing just 12 goals last season.

Oklahoma City Energy U-23s (PDL) at FC Wichita (NPSL)
Adair Austin Stadium (Friends Univ.) – Wichita, KS
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Live online video

The OKC Energy U23s and FC Wichita will open up their 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup campaigns at the Trinity Academy in Wichita, Kansas, at 7 PM.

With a 12-1-1 record in the Mid South Division last year, the Energy took home the Division crown. They matched a potent offense (39 goals) with a stingy defense (10). This year, they boast Southern Methodist’s leading scorer from 2017, Garrett McLaughlin, an Oklahoma native who scored 14 times for the Mustangs this past fall. They’ll also employ the services of Daryl Dike, another Oklahoma native who is the brother of former Portland Timbers Bright Dike, and Courtney Dike, a member of the Nigerian Women’s National Team.

Like the Energy, FC Wichita also took home silverware last season after claiming the Heartland Conference title, their second title since they began competing in 2015. Unlike the Energy, who have yet to play a match this year, Wichita opened up their season on May 6 with a resounding 5-0 victory over Ozark FC. Newcomer Nelson Landeverde currently owns the team lead with two goals.

For both squads, this marks the second straight year of competition in the Open Cup. Wichita fell in the First Round last year, while the Energy U23s advanced past the First Round before falling to the Tulsa Roughnecks in the Second Round.

Dakota Fusion FC (NPSL) at Duluth FC (NPSL)
Public Schools Stadium – Duluth, MN
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Live online video

Two teams are set to make history when Dakota Fusion FC and Duluth FC meet at 7:30 PM at the James S. Molosky Stadium in Duluth, Minnesota. For both clubs, it marks their first foray into Open Cup action.

Both teams are on the newer end, with Duluth wrapping up their inaugural season in 2015, while Fusion only began play in 2016.

In an odd quirk, the two sides set to compete in the First Round are members of the same North Conference of the NPSL. Last season, the teams split four games, 2-2. The teams also finished first and second in the conference, with Duluth edging the Fusion from the top spot by a single point.

Both squads are set to open their 2018 seasons during Wednesday’s meeting.

Lakeland Tropics (PDL) at Midland-Odessa FC (NPSL)
Grande Communications Stadium – Midland, TX
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Live online video

The Midland-Odesssa Sockers and Lakeland Tropics will have plenty of fresh legs when they square off during their 2018 US Open Cup first round showdown at Grande Communications Stadium in Midland, Texas. Both teams will be looking to see what they’re made of when they open their competitive seasons Wednesday night.

The Sockers return to the Open Cup after a two-year absence. They were denied a spot in the 2016 edition of the tournament after finishing the season tied with Mississippi Brilla first place in the Premier Development League’s (PDL) Mid-South Division. Unfortunately for the Sockers, Brilla won the season the series with a 2-1-1, putting them into the tournament on a tiebreaker. Last year, Midland-Odessa were disqualified when they moved from the PDL to the more regional-centric National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) in the middle of the year. In their last appearance in the 2015 Open Cup, the Sockers defeated the Tulsa Athletics 3-1 in Round 1 before falling by the same score to the United Soccer League’s (USL) Oklahoma City Energy.

The Tropics, meanwhile, find themselves in the Open Cup for the first time ever, having just played their first season in the PDL last year. It’s an exciting time for the new club, but head coach Eoghan Conlon is trying to temper expectations, especially with their PDL opener coming just three days later.

“We’re going to treat it like any other game, just win and advance to the next round. We’re not trying to over hype it too much for the players,” he told the team’s website ahead of the team’s Cup debut. “The approach we’re taking is we’ll just focus on Wednesday, and when Saturday comes, we’ll focus on that then. We can’t really mentally prepare for the two of them.”

Forward Ricardo Diegues leads the line for the Tropics after scoring ten goals in the team’s inaugural season last summer. His strike partner, Victor Parreiras, will be unavailable after suffering a knee injury while playing for the Lakeland-based Florida Tropics this past winter in the Major Arena Soccer League. The Tropics will also trot out former Sockers Caio Ruiz and Fernando Machado; both featured for Midland-Odessa in 2016.

The winner will earn a second round matchup with the USL’s San Antonio FC. If Midland-Odessa wins they will get to host again in the next round and if Lakeland wins, they will find themselves back in the Lone Star state.

Fort Worth Vaqueros (NPSL) at NTX Rayados (USASA)
Richland Community College – Dallas, TX
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Live online video

Nationally you’ll hear Dallas and Fort-Worth lumped together, but make no mistake: the two cities are very much independent of one another. A new local rivalry may be born when the Fort-Worth Vaqueros travel to Richland Community College on Wednesday night to take on NTX Rayados in Round One of the 2018 US Open Cup.

On paper, you might assume the Vaqueros are the favorite heading into this one. The Vaqueros won the 2017 Regular Season championship and qualified for the 2018 Open Cup after being ranked No.9 among all NPSL teams nationwide at the end of last summer. The team made the playoffs for the first time and set club records for points and wins in a single season. Their 2018 campaign is off to a positive start as well after they won their season opener 2-0 on the road against Houston Regals. The Vaqueros, formed in 2013, have started carving a name for themselves locally in the nation’s 17^th most populated city and appear to have plenty of momentum on their side as they prepare for their Open Cup debut.

Their opponents, however, know what it takes to compete in the Open Cup. NTX Rayados have qualified for seven consecutive tournaments and only missed out on the 2016 edition after they were disqualified (the night before their first round game) for failing to participate in league play that season. Recent history hasn’t been kind to them – they were eliminated in Round One in 2015 and 2017 – but in 2014 the team advanced to the third round and took an early 2-0 before eventually falling 4-2 to the now-defunct San Antonio Scorpions of the not-quite-defunct North American Soccer League (NASL). Manager and co-founder Tito Salas has seen it all with Rayados and his teammates, many of whom are returning from playing college soccer, will not be afraid of the challenge a semi-pro team presents.

Expect fireworks in this one, with the winner travelling north of the Texas-Oklahoma border to take on the USL’s Oklahoma City Energy in Round Two.

San Francisco City FC (PDL) at CD Aguiluchos USA (NPSL)
Raimondi Park – Oakland, CA
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Live online video

This is a rematch of the 2016 first round game played in San Francisco at the Beach Chalet in which the visiting Aguiluchos of Oakland, California won 3-0. The Aguiluchos are entering the Open Cup for their 3^rd time and currently hold a 1-2 record in the Tournament having lost in round 1 to Ventura County in 2014 and to Sacramento Republic of the USL in round 2 in 2016.

SF City is also entering the Tournament’s proper rounds for their 3^rd time, but have yet to register a win. They currently have a 0-2 record in the Tournament. The supporter-owned PDL Club first reached the Tournament proper in 2015 as a member of US Club soccer. They lost that night by a score of 2-1 against Cal FC, but were able to pull in a crowd of nearly 1,500 for that game at Kezar Stadium.

The Aguiluchos are mid way through their NPSL season and currently lead the NPSL Golden Gate Conference as they try to return to the NPSL semifinals for a 3^rd time in 4 years. SF City began their PDL season this past weekend with a 2-0 loss vs. Fresno FC U23.

Azteca FC (USSSA) at FC Denver (USSSA)
North Stadium – Westminster, CO
Kickoff: 9:15 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Live online video

Azteca FC and FC Denver have quickly become rivals in the Colorado amateur circuit, having previously faced off in the Colorado State Cup and play in the Colorado Premier League. Their familiarity with one another makes this an intriguing matchup, as hosts FC Denver hope to make their open cup debut a memorable one.

FC Denver kept 3 consecutive clean sheets during their qualifying run through the play-in rounds. Their preparations for the Open Cup included playing USL preseason matches against St. Louis FC, whose supporter group “St Louligans” helped raise money towards FC Denver’s first round costs. FC Denver look to earn a victory over Azteca FC in their Open Cup debut.

Azteca FC competed in the Open Cup for the first time last year, knocking out the favored Harpo’s FC for the last spot. Despite bus problems, Azteca FC made it to Kansas to face FC Wichita, where their run ended with a 1-0 loss in added extra time. Azteca FC proved to be unsatisfied with the result, and knocking out former USOC participants Colorado Rush and Harpo’s FC again during their 2018 qualifying campaign.

The winner between the two teams will travel to Colorado Springs to face USL side Colorado Spring Switchbacks.

Los Angeles Wolves (USASA) at FC Golden State Force (PDL)
Rio Hondo COllege – Whittier, CA
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Live online video

FC Golden State Force are a team on the rise. After joining the PDL in 2016, they’ve compiled an 18-5-5 record in the league. The PDL semi finalists also advanced to the second round of the US Open Cup last year, after a 2-0 win over Outbreak FC, a team mainly known for futsal. Unfortunately their luck ran out the next round as they were hammered by Orange County S.C. of the USL 5-2. Gone is leading scorer Mark Verso (13 goals, 5 assists), but with a team made up of almost entirely Californian colleges, the Force are expecting to bounce right back.

The Los Angeles Wolves are one of the best UPSL squads around. Not only do they have talent, but they are also a fearless team. In 2016, the Wolves advanced all the way to the Third Round of the tournament, where they lost to fellow UPSL rivals, La Máquina FC. The following year, Wolves made it to the second round, falling to Orange County SC with a roster that includes former professional talent like Chris Klute, Paolo Cardozo, and Bryan de la Fuente, the Wolves look ready to let everyone know the UPSL is for real.

Santa Ana Winds FC (USASA) at Orange County FC (NPSL)
Orange County Great Park (Championship Stadium) – Irvine, CA
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Live online video