The 106th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup kicks off tonight with 10 games as lower division teams — mostly amateurs — begin their quest to be this year’s Cinderella story.
With nine games on the schedule for Wednesday, the opening round promises to have plenty of drama, but what’s probably more exciting for fans of the US Open Cup is that for the first time, the entire first round (and the entire tournament) will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
Since 2003, fans who wanted to follow the opening round of the second-oldest, continually-operating soccer tournament in the world, would have to rely on updates from this site, or, in later years, the occasional live audio or video stream. Now, fans who are unable to attend a match in person, can watch every game from the comfort of their home, or through their favorite mobile device.
The first round features 32 open division teams (14 NPSL, 10 USL League Two, 8 Open Division Local) and six USL League One (Div. 3 pro) teams. The winners will advance to Round 2 where 25 USL Championship (Div. 2 pro) teams will enter.
Below is a preview of all 10 of Tuesday’s opening round games.
#USOC2019 NEWS
2019 US Open Cup Schedule/Results
Things you should know about the First Round of the US Open Cup (Modern Era)
2019 US Open Cup qualifying schedule/results
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 3 game-by-game review
2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round game-by-game review
Every US Open Cup game to stream on ESPN+ in multi-year media rights deal
Florida Soccer Soldiers qualify for first time after America SC withdraws
More pros, less amateurs, an extra sub in 2019 US Open Cup format
Chattanooga FC qualifies for 2019 US Open Cup, but opts out
Bavarian SC qualify for 2019 US Open Cup by winning Amateur Cup title
MEET THE UNDERDOGS SERIES
Milwaukee’s Bavarian Soccer Club, proudly amateur since 1929
West Chester United battle tested from long journey back to US Open Cup
NTX Rayados grooming “new generation” to keep qualifying streak going
Academica SC earns first US Open Cup berth after more than 40 years as a club
FC Denver using US Open Cup to build to “higher level”
First year Florida Soccer Soldiers winning with “respect, pride and commitment”
Virginia United (ANFEEU/Woodbridge Soccer League) at Richmond Kickers (USL-1)
City Stadium – Richmond, VA
Kickoff: May 7 – 7 p.m. ET
Round 2 scenarios: Winner plays at North Carolina FC (USL-C) May 15
BROADCAST: ESPN+
By Jake Sillick
Virginia United is the first club ever from the new US Soccer affiliate member Asociación Nacional Fútbol en Estados Unidos (ANFEEU). Playing out of the Woodbridge Soccer League in northern Virginia, Virginia United defeated Open Cup darling Christos FC in the third qualifying round to get to the win-and-you’re-in match against World Class Premier Elite FC of Maryland. Virginia United would go on to win that match in penalties to qualify for their first-ever US Open Cup. This will also be the first time Virginia United matches up against a professional team of any level in a cup match.
Richmond Kickers, the 1995 US Open Cup winners, are participating in the First Round of the US Open Cup for the first time since 2011 after moving to the newly-formed USL League One (3rd division pro). Richmond sits in third place currently of the 10-team league, with eight points on the season so far and seven points from their last three matches. A semifinal appearance in 2011 is the closest Richmond has come to winning their second US Open Cup after the 1995 championship. Richmond’s leading scorer is Joe Gallardo with three goals on the season, while Akira Fitzgerald has three clean sheets out of six matches.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Virginia United (ANFEEU/Woodbridge Soccer League)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: N/A
Home:N/A
vs. Open Division:N/A
Best finish:N/A
Richmond Kickers (USL League One)
21st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 30-18-4 (2-2 PK)
Home: 24-7-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. Open Division: 12-2-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: 1995 US Open Cup champions
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West Chester United (USASA/USL of PA) at FC Baltimore Christos (NPSL)
Homewood Field (Johns Hopkins University) – Baltimore, MD
Kickoff: May 7 – 7:45 p.m. ET
Round 2 scenarios: If West Chester United wins, they play at Birmingham Legion (USL-C) on May 15 .. if FC Baltimore wins, they host Birmingham Legion (USL-C) on May 15
BROADCAST: ESPN+
By Michael Berton
West Chester United is making its second US Open Cup appearance, the first coming in 2016. In that tournament, West Chester defeated Fredericksburg FC of the NPSL before falling to the Harrisburg City Islanders of the USL (now Penn FC). Since then, the club joined the NPSL, in addition to continuing to compete in the United Soccer League of Pennsylvania (this is the team that qualified). That USL-PA squad won the 2017-2018 league season with a perfect 20-0-0 record, and lead the league in the current season with a 13-1-0 record. West Chester also made it to the final of the 2018 National Amateur Cup. United won four straight road games in the qualifying tournament to secure its berth.
FC Baltimore Christos (formerly FC Baltimore 1729) joined the NPSL in 2018 as an expansion side. Baltimore won the Mid-Atlantic Conference with a 7-2-1 record before losing in the conference playoff final. In November 2018, FC Baltimore then announced a partnership with 2017 Open Cup darlings Christos FC, which had beaten a pro team on the way to a berth in the Fourth Round, where the club took a 1-0 lead on D.C. United before losing 4-1. Remaining two distinct teams, FC Baltimore nonetheless hopes to use some of that Christos magic for its 2019 Open Cup run. Baltimore Christos opens up its NPSL season on May 4.
2019 Meet the Underdogs: West Chester United battle tested from long journey back to US Open Cup
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
West Chester United (USASA/USL of PA)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-1-1 (1-0 PK)
Away: 0-0-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. Open Division: 0-0-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: 2016 Round 2 (lost 2-0 vs. Harrisburg City Islanders (USL, Div. 2 pro)
FC Baltimore Christos (NPSL)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: N/A
Home:N/A
vs. Open Division:N/A
Best finish:N/A
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FC Motown (NPSL) at New York Red Bulls U-23 (USL-2)
MSU Soccer Park at Pittser Field – Montclair, NJ
Kickoff: May 7 – 7 p.m. ET
Round 2 scenarios: If FC Motown wins, they host Memphis 901 FC (USL-C) on May 15 .. if New York Red Bulls U-23 wins, they play at Memphis 901 FC (USL-C) on May 15
BROADCAST: ESPN+
By Michael Battista
For the second straight year, FC Motown and New York Red Bulls U-23 will kick off their Open Cup against one another on Tuesday night. While the game was originally set to be played at the New York Red Bulls Training Facility, U.S. Soccer recently announced that the game will instead be played at Montclair State University, the home of New York Red Bulls II of USL Championship. The two teams have only met the one previous time, where two Dilly Duka first half goals erased a one goal New York lead to advance the Morristown side, 2-1.
FC Motown enter the 2019 U.S. Open Cup as the defending Keystone Conference and Northeast Region champion of NPSL, while also being the 2018 national runner-up. The Morristown side has reached the Second Round twice in as many years as both a local qualifier in 2017 and as a member of the NPSL in 2018 (following its’ merger with Clarkstown Eagles SC). The game against New York Red Bulls U23 will be the first competitive one using professional players this year, with the team recently fell in the quarterfinals of the 2019 Werner Fricker Open Cup to Lansdowne Yonkers FC. Only a few days after the Open Cup match on May 11th the squad will also have a NPSL game against Philadelphia Lone Star FC. The roster includes 2018 NPSL Golden Ball winner Matt Nigro, former New York City FC / Orlando City SC defender RJ Allen, and former New York Cosmos midfielder Jimmy Mulligan among others.
The New York Red Bulls U-23 side is looking to earn it’s second trip to the tournament’s Second Round and first since 2014, the same year the club won the NPSL championship before departing for the then-named Premier Developmental League. Despite little success in the Open Cup, the team has been a consistent force in league play making the playoffs seven of the nine years its been active including two national championship game appearances. Last season the team reached the Mid-Atlantic Conference Final where it lost to eventual national runner-up Reading United AC. The game won’t factor much into USL League Two competition this year since the team’s next league contest isn’t until Saturday, May 18.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
FC Motown (NPSL)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
(4th including Clarkstown SC Eagles history)
Overall: 2-2-0 (2-4-0)
Away: 1-1-0 (1-2-0)
vs. Open Division: 2-0-0 (2-2-0)
Best finish: Second Round (2017, 2018)
New York Red Bulls U-23 (USL-2)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-4-0
Home: 1-0-0
vs. Open Division: 1-3-0
Best finish: 2014 Round 2 (lost 3-1 to Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro, Div. 3))
Forward Madison FC (USL-1) at Bavarian SC (USASA / UPSL)
Uihlein Soccer Park – Milwaukee, WI
Kickoff: May 7 – 8:30 p.m. ET
Round 2 scenarios: Winner plays at El Paso Locomotive FC (USL-C) on May 15
BROADCAST: ESPN+
By Michael Battista
Between Forward Madison FC and Milwaukee Bavarian SC there is a combined history of eight Modern Era US Open Cup appearances, one finals appearance, and a National Amateur Cup title. However, all of that history is on the Milwaukee side. Forward Madison is entering its first year of existence in the newly-created USL League One (Div. 3 pro) while the Bavarians have a history dating back 90 years across multiple leagues. This will be the first meeting between the two Wisconsin sides as both look to earn a statement win.
In its first year of existence, Forward Madison FC is in its’ debut U.S. Open Cup as probably the crowd favorite. The team is entering the First Round with a USL-1 record of 2-1-2, including the team’s first home win against Toronto FC 2, 3-1, on May 4. Don Smart, who’s appeared in five Open Cup tournaments in his career with FC New York, Indy Eleven, and Miami FC, assisted twice and scored the clinching goal in that contest. Following the game, the Mingos will be heading to Chattanooga, Tenn. to play the Chattanooga Red Wolves SC on May 11 in league play, a mere four days before the team would have to play El Paso Locomotive FC (USL-C) in Texas should they advance to the Second Round.
The Bavarians have a deep US Open Cup history with very little to show for it this decade. After a two year period between 1993 and 1994 where the club reached the national semifinal and the final respectively, falling in the latter to Greek-American A.C. of San Francisco, 3-0, it took the team ten years to qualify again in 2003. The team is in it’s eighth tournament in the Modern Era and first since 2013, following which the organization went on hiatus for two years before returning . Milwaukee was able to qualify for the first time since its return to competitive play through its 2018 National Amateur Cup win over West Chester United, 2-0.
This will mark just the second time in the Modern Era that two Wisconsin teams have squared off in the US Open Cup. The first time was at the same stadium as Tuesday’s match when Bavarian SC took on Milwaukee Wave United (A-League, Div. 2 pro) back in 2003. (Wave United won 4-1 to earn a date with the Chicago Fire of MLS in the next round)
2019 Meet the Underdogs: Milwaukee’s Bavarian Soccer Club, proudly amateur since 1929
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Bavarian SC (USASA/UPSL)
8th US Open Cup appearance (Modern Era)
Overall: 3-7-0
Home: 2-1-0
vs. Div. 3: 2-1-0
Best finish: 1994 Runner-Up
Forward Madison FC (USL-1)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: N/A
Home:N/A
vs. Open Division:N/A
Best finish:N/A
The Villages SC (USL-2) at Lakeland Tropics (USL-2)
Lake Myrtle Sports Complex – Auburndale, FL
Kickoff: May 7 – 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+
By Jake Sillick
Fellow Southeast division foes of USL League Two (formerly Premier Development League) meet in the opening round of the US Open Cup. The Villages SC, participating in the Open Cup for the seventh consecutive year, have only advanced in the tournament twice, with their last win coming on a 1-0 decision against Kraze United in 2016. Their run of seven straight Open Cup appearances is the third-longest streak among any Open Division team of the Modern Era (1995-present). The Villages SC have reached the Second Round twice, the first time came in their inaugural cup run in 2013, and aforementioned 2016 tournament. After that 2016 win over Kraze United, they appeared to have won their first game against a professional opponent when they defeated the Charleston Battery of the USL, but it was later ruled that The Villages used an ineligible player and was disqualified.
The last two years, The Villages have fallen to the Jacksonville Armada’s NPSL team, both by the same scoreline of 2-1.
To qualify this year, The Villages posted 30 points last season in league play including nine wins which landed them one of USL-2’s ten spots this year.
The Lakeland Tropics are entering the Open Cup for the second consecutive season after posting a 30-point USL League Two campaign last season. Last season, in their Open Cup debut, they were sent all the way to Midland, Texas in the first round where they lost to Midland-Odessa Sockers FC of the NPSL, 3-0. For this season, they get to stay home and will host the first round match.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
The Villages SC (USL-2)
7th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-5-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 1-3-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. Open Division: 2-2-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Second Round (2013, 2016)
Lakeland Tropics (USL-2)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-1-0
Home: N/A
vs. Open Division: 0-1-0
Best finish: 2018 First Round
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Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL-1) at South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 (USL-2)
Erk Russell Park – Statesboro, GA
Kickoff: May 7 – 8 p.m. ET
Round 2 scenarios: Winner will play at Nashville SC (USL-C) on May 14
BROADCAST: ESPN+
By Jake Sillick
Chattanooga Red Wolves are a brand new expansion team from the newly formed USL League One (Div. 3 pro). So far in the League One seaon, Chattanooga finds itself in a logjam for 4th through 9th places all at seven points in the ten-team league. Coached by Tim Hankinson, who has coached four different teams in the US Open Cup in his career (Tampa Bay Mutiny, Colorado Rapids, San Antonio Scorpions, Indy Eleven), Chattanooga has wins over Forward Madison and South Georgia Tormenta this season. Their most recent match was a scoreless draw against Orlando City B.
South Georgia Tormenta’s move to USL League One left an opening for its existing USL League Two team. The Tormenta organization decided to form a 2nd team to fill that void. South Georgia Tormenta finished 2018 undefeated in USL League Two with 11 wins out of 14. The 36 points were the third highest total in the league last year. Last season was also South Georgia’s only US Open Cup appearance, where they defeated Myrtle Beach Mutiny in the first round before falling to Charleston Battery in the second round.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 (USL-2)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-1-0
Home: N/A
vs. Open Division: 1-0-0
Best finish: 2018 Second Round
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL-1)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: N/A
Away: N/A
vs. Open Division: N/A
Best finish: N/A
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Brazos Valley Cavalry FC (USL-2) at Laredo Heat SC (NPSL)
Texas A&M International University Soccer Complex – Laredo, TX
Kickoff: May 7 – 9:15 p.m. ET
Round 2 scenarios: Winner will play at San Antonio FC (USL-C) on May 14
BROADCAST: ESPN+
By Michael Battista
Like many of these First Round matchups, this Lone Star State standoff pits a relatively new team against one with years of league and tournament experience. Brazos Valley Cavalry FC and Laredo Heat SC almost seem like polar opposites of one another with many of the former’s players coming from the Houston Dynamo’s academy, which makes sense since the side is partially controlled by the MLS team, while the latter has been a community driven, independent amateur side for over a decade. This will be the first meeting between the two teams.
In its third season of play, Brazos Valley Cavalry FC was able to qualify for the 2019 tournament due to a strong performance in the PDL (now USL League Two) last year. After finishing 2017 with a record of 7-1-6, just missing the playoffs in the Mid South Division, the team returned and won the highly competitive division in 2018 just above OKC Energy U-23s. Brazos fell in the PDL Conference Semifinals to SIMA Águilas, 2-1, but the division win clinched a spot in this year’s Open Cup. Due to USL League Two’s season schedule, the team won’t need to worry about league games until the end of the month leaving the group to focus on the tournament.
Laredo Heat are returning to the US Open Cup for the first time since 2015 where the team reached the Second Round. After the 2015 PDL season, the team went on hiatus citing issues with the lack of growth in competition within the league’s Mid-South Division. The team returned in 2018 as a National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) expansion side and immediately found success going undefeated in the Lone Star Conference, winning the conference playoffs, before falling in the NPSL Regional Semifinals. The Heat are probably best known for its 2014 Open Cup run where they upset the Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) on the road which earned them a Fourth Round date with the Houston Dynamo of MLS. They gave the Dynamo all they could handle, before falling 1-0 at BBVA Compass Stadium.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Laredo Heat SC (NPSL)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 4-3-3 (1-2 PK)
Home: 3-0-2 (1-1 PK)
vs. Open Division: 3-0-2 (1-1 PK)
Best finish: 2014 Fourth Round (Lost 1-0 at Houston Dynamo of MLS)
Brazos Valley Cavalry FC (USL-2)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: N/A
Away: N/A
vs. Open Division: N/A
Best finish: N/A
El Farolito (NPSL) at Academica SC (USCS/Liga NorCal)
Academica Field – Turlock, CA
Kickoff: May 7 – 10:30 p.m. ET
Round 2 scenarios: Winner will host Fresno FC (USL-C) on May 15
BROADCAST: ESPN+
By Michael Berton
San Francisco’s El Farolito began play in 1985 and won the 1993 US Open Cup title under the name CD Mexico. The club had won the San Francisco Soccer Football League in 2017 and got through the Open Cup qualifying process to make the tournament that year for the first time in the Modern Era (1995-present). El Farolito fell in the first round on penalty kicks to the Burlingame Dragons of the PDL (now USL League Two). The club qualified again in 2018 but where disqualified for moving to the NPSL after qualifying. This won’t be an issue for the club in 2019, having won the NPSL Golden Gate Conference in 2018 with a 9-0-5 record (eventually losing in the second round of the playoffs). El Farolito is five games into its 2019 NPSL season, currently sporting a 2-3-0 record, but with a 3-1 win over Academica SC, Tuesday night’s Open Cup opponents.
Despite being founded in 1972, Academica SC will be making the club’s first trip to the US Open Cup this year as the lone qualifier from US Club Soccer. The Turlock, Calif.-based club defeated three straight Northern California teams in the qualifying tournament to get in, but needed a dramatic penalty kick shootout win over International Portland Select in the final round to punch its ticket. Academica competes in both the NPSL and Liga NorCal. In fact, the club is in the same conference as El Farolito, but finished fifth last season. In Liga NorCal play this year, Academica is in third with an 8-6-1 record.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
El Farolito (NPSL)
2nd US Open Cup appearance (Modern Era)
Overall: 0-0-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: N/A
vs. Open Division: 0-0-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: 2017 First Round
Academica SC (USCS/Liga NorCal)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: N/A
Away: N/A
vs. Open Division: N/A
Best finish: N/A
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FC Mulhouse Portland (NPSL) at Cal FC (USASA/UPSL)
Calabasas High School – Calabasa, CA
Kickoff: May 7 – 10:30 p.m. ET
Round 2 scenarios: Winner will play at Las Vegas Lights (USL-C) on May 14
BROADCAST: ESPN+
By Michael Battista
FC Mulhouse Portland and Cal FC will be meeting for the first time on what is looking to be a crisp, humid California evening. FC Mulhouse Portland is entering 2019 after it’s most successful season which saw the team reach the national stage in the NPSL playoffs. On the other hand, Cal FC is just returning from a two-year hiatus and with plans to join the NPSL Founders Cup later this year.
FC Mulhouse Portland, previously known as Portland Spartans FC, is entering the competition as the defending Western Region Champions of the NPSL and a national semifinalist. A plethora of talent aided the team during that run and will be returning for this season including former Portland Timbers star Freddy Braun who scored three goals during the team’s playoff run last season, and New Zealand national team call up (Under-17 & Under-20) Anthony Hobbs can be fully ready for the match. Portland’s next non-tournament game is against Crossfire Redmond on Saturday, May 18, meaning this will be the first competitive game for the team.
Cal FC is a Southern California team best known for its US Open Cup run to the Fourth Round in 2012, where the team earned multiple “cupsets”. That year, led by head coach Eric Wynalda, they had a win against the 2011 PDL champions Kitsap Pumas, traveling across the country to upset USL Pro side Wilmington Hammerheads, and stunning Major League Soccer’s Portland Timbers on the road. The latter win was the first win by amateur team over an MLS side without needing penalty kicks. This will be Cal FC’s first tournament since 2015 and the team has already been making news during qualification. After the first qualifying round, the team’s opponent San Nicolas FC filled a complaint with the USSF regarding Cal’s eligibility and during the third round against California United FC II the two teams needed to restart their match after the original match was halted in the 89th minute when the lights at the field went out due to a local curfew ordinance. Much like its teams of the past, the club features a core of young talent from the area, and a number of former pros. The team is led by their head coach, Fox TV broadcaster Keith Costigan.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Cal FC (USASA/UPSL)
4th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 4-2-1 (0-1 PK)
Home: N/A
vs. Open Division: 2-0-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: 2012 Fourth Round (Lost, 5-0 at Seattle Sounders FC of MLS)
FC Mulhouse Portland (NPSL)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: N/A
Away: N/A
vs. Open Division: N/A
Best finish: N/A
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FC Golden State Force (USL-2) at Orange County FC (NPSL)
Orange County Great Park – Championship Soccer Stadium – Irvine, CA
Kickoff: May 7th, 10:30 p.m. ET
Round 2 scenarios: Winner will play at Orange County SC (USL-C) on May 15
BROADCAST: ESPN+
By Michael Berton
FC Golden State Force of USL League Two (formerly PDL) are no strangers to both league and Open Cup success. Founded in 2016, FC Golden State Force won the USL-2 Southwest Division in 2017 and 2018, advancing to the playoff semifinals in 2017 and losing on penalty kicks in the first round in 2018. Golden State Force have also made US Open Cup runs in that time frame. Making its debut in 2017, the club beat Outbreak FC before falling to USL side Orange County SC in Round 2. In 2018, Golden State went even further, beating LA Wolves FC, getting revenge over Orange County, then upsetting a second USL team in Las Vegas Lights, before losing 3-1 to the LA Galaxy in the Fourth Round. The club already got its USL League Two season off on the right foot with a 3-2 win over Orange County II on May 4. As if the club hasn’t had enough of Orange County teams, a win on Tuesday over Orange County FC (NPSL) would set up a matchup with Orange County SC (USL Championship) for the third year in a row.
One of the biggest reasons for their run to the Fourth Round last year was the play of former Corinthians standout Allisson Faramilio who scored four goals in the first three rounds of the tournament to help the Force reach Round 4. For his efforts, Faramilio was narrowly voted the 2018 TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament.
Not to be confused with the USL Championship club Orange County SC, Orange County FC competes in the NPSL. Founded in 2009, the club was part of the SoCal Premier League until 2016, when it joined the NPSL. Orange County finished third in the Southwest Conference in 2018, but won two games in the playoffs before losing in the regional finals. Making its Open Cup debut in 2018 led by head coach Paul Caligiuri, Orange County beat Santa Ana Winds FC 3-0 before losing in Round 2 to Fresno FC of the USL. Orange County FC is already 10 games into its NPSL season, currently in third place with a 6-2-2 record.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
FC Golden State Force (USL-2)
3rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 4-2-0
Away: 1-1-0
vs. Open Division: 2-0-0
Best finish: 2018 Fourth Round (Lost, 3-1 at LA Galaxy of MLS)
Orange County FC (NPSL)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-1-0
Home: 1-0-0
vs. Open Division: 1-0-0
Best finish: 2018 Second Round