After a hiatus of two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup makes its return tonight with six games on tap. 32 of the 103 teams will begin their journey tonight and Wednesday (10 games), with underdog dreams of a date with a Major League Soccer club.
This year’s tournament includes a lot of fresh faces with seven of the 12 teams competing in tonight’s first game night will be making their Open Cup debut.
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All of the games on opening round of the 107th edition of the country’s old cup competition feature amateur teams that if they win, will be rewarded with a game against a professional team in the next round (April 5-7), and potentially an MLS opponent in Round 3.
All of the First Round games will be streamed live on either ESPN+ or the United States Soccer Federation’s YouTube channel.
As always, TheCup.us will have reporters at every game and will be providing in-game updates on Twitter (@USOpenCup) and as we have done for more than a decade, the hashtag we recommend is #USOC2022.
Below you will find a brief preview of all six of Tuesday’s games. Broadcast links will be added when they are made available.
West Chester United (USL-2) at FC Motown (NPSL)
MSU Soccer Park (Montclair State Univ.) – Montclair, NJ
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
West Chester United and FC Motown have teams in both the NPSL and USL League Two. FC Motown qualified through the NPSL, while West Chester got their bid from USL League Two.
FC Motown have signed defender Gideon Baah, a one time Ghanain international who spent time with the New York Red Bulls in 2016 & 2017. Baah returns to the U.S. after spending two seasons playing for Kazakhstan club Shakhter Karagandy, as well as stints in Finland and Belarus. FC Motown has appeared in the last four Open Cup tournaments that have been played. Their debut in 2017 was as an Open Division Local team from the Garden State Soccer League before qualifying the last two tournaments as a member of the NPSL.
West Chester is one of the larger amateur clubs with teams competing in multiple leagues. The Predators’ NPSL and USL League Two teams both finished first in their divisions in 2021 but fell short in each league’s playoffs. West Chester has warmed up for the Open Cup with friendly matches against New York Red Bulls II (3-2 win) and Philadelphia Union II (4-0 loss).
This is West Chester United’s third US Open Cup appearance, with their first two appearances (2016, 2019) coming as members of the United Soccer League of Pennsylvania. West Chester qualified via the Open Division Local Qualifying tournament. In each appearance, they advanced in their opening game in a penalty kick shootout, each time eliminating an NPSL team. So the club is still seeking its first official “win”.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
West Chester United (USL-2)
3rd US Open Cup appearance (1st as USL-2 team)
Overall: 0-2-2 (2-0 PKs)
Away: 0-1-2 (2-0 PKs)
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-2 (2-0 PKs)
Best finish: Second Round (2016, 2019)
FC Motown (NPSL)
4th US Open Cup appearance
NOTE: Merged with Clarkstown SC Eagles after 2017 season, which had 2 appearances in 2016 and 2017)
Overall: 2-2-1 (0-1 PKs)
Home: 1-1-0
vs. Amateurs: 2-0-1 (0-1 PKs)
Best finish: Second Round (2017, 2018)
Chicago FC United (USL-2) at Cleveland SC (NPSL)
George Finnie Stadium (Baldwin Wallace Univ.) – Berea, OH
Kickoff: 7:15 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: USSF’s YOUTUBE
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
Chicago FC United has been a team of many names through its seven USOC appearances. In their 2004 Cup debut they were known as the Chicago Fire Reserves, the next season they switched to Chicago Fire Premier. When they returned in 2009 the club went by the name Chicago Fire PDL. Their fourth moniker Chicago Fire U23 (2015-16) did not see Open Cup play. The club discontinued its relationship with the MLS club and settled on its current name in 2017.
Chicago has one of the strongest resumes among the amateur teams of the Modern Era (1995-present). The club’s nine wins are tied for fourth-most among all of the amateur teams, two of them against professional teams. Chicago has also made three trips to the Third Round (2004, 2011, 2017). Their last tournament appearance in 2017 saw them upset the Pittsburgh Riverhounds before falling to fellow amateur side Christos FC in the Third Round (Christos FC would move on and make a memorable stand against D.C. United in the following round).
Cleveland SC’s 2022 US Open Cup appearance is the first by a Cleveland team since AFC Cleveland in 2017. Cleveland’s canceled 2020 NPSL season is sandwiched between a pair of first place finishes in their division, each ending in a loss in the NPSL playoffs at the National semifinal. The club was set to make their Open Cup debut in 2020 and then in 2021 before both tournament\s were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cleveland SC’s home, George Finnie Stadium, saw plenty of Open Cup action in the 1970s. The first Open Cup game at Finnie was a 3-0 win by Cleveland’s Inter Italia over four time champions Ukrainian Nationals on April 28, 1973. Inter then defeated another four time winner NY Greek American in the Eastern Final before losing to Maccabee AC 5-3 (aet) in the final.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Chicago FC United (USL-2)
7th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 9-6-0
Away: 4-4-0
vs. Amateurs: 7-1-0
Best finish: Third Round (2004, 2011, 2017)
Cleveland SC (NPSL)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: N/A
Best finish: N/A
Oyster Bay United FC (USASA/UPSL) at Hartford City FC (NPSL)
Dillon Stadium – Hartford, CT
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
Both Oyster Bay and Hartford City are making their U.S. Open Cup debuts this season.
On their way to qualifying for the 2022 tournament, Oyster Bay took victories over a pair of clubs with deep Open Cup history last fall. First was a victory in a penalty kick shootout over four time Open Cup winners NY Greek American SC after a scoreless draw. In the following round, Oyster Bay prevailed 2-0 over three time cup winners New York Pancyprian Freedoms. They punched their first trip to the tournament with a 4-1 road win over Westchester United of the UPSL.
2022 MEET THE UNDERDOGS: OYSTER BAY UNITED FC
Hartford City, playing in their fourth season in the NPSL, qualified after winning the North Atlantic Conference (6-2-2) and winning a pair of playoff games before falling in the Regional Semifinals.
Dillon Stadium had been a venue for the Open Cup dating back 64 years. The first Open Cup game at Dillon was on Nov. 16, 1958, as Hartford’s Italian American Stars won 2-0 over KS Ogniwo. This was followed on Dec. 7, 1958 with a 5-4 extra time win by the Stars over Boston Italia. The Stars fell 3-2 in the following round to eventual runners-up Fall River SC.
MORE: Balistierri and Grant to Lead Hartford City FC in U.S. Open Cup Run (NPSL.com)
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Oyster Bay United FC (USASA/UPSL)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: N/A
Best finish: N/A
Hartford City FC (NPSL)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: N/A
Best finish: N/A
Orlando FC Wolves (USSSA/NSL) at The Villages SC (USL-2)
The Villages SC Complex – Summerfield, FL
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: USSF’s YOUTUBE
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
Of all of the Open Division qualifiers, Orlando FC Wolves had the longest path to the 2022 U.S. Open Cup, being one of six teams to start in the first qualifying round, while everyone else began in the second round. The Wolves started with a pair of 4-0 wins over UPSL clubs Deportivo Lake Mary FC & Oceanway FC. A 3-1 victory over fellow NSL club Miami Sports Academy in the third round led to a fourth round “Win and You’re In” forfeit victory when South Carolina United Heat was forced to withdraw due to a COVID outbreak among their players. The Wolves also reached the Region III final of the 2021 National Amateur Cup.
MEET THE UNDERDOGS: ORLANDO FC WOLVES
The Villages SC have become regulars in the U.S. Open Cup since their formation in 2012 as the Ocala Stampede. After missing out on the 2012 tournament because they were a new franchise, they have qualified for every tournament since, including the canceled 2020 & 2021 editions. The Villages have lost just twice out of 24 regular season games for the 2019 & 2021 USL League Two seasons, but their regular season success has failed to produce deep runs in the playoffs. In the Open Cup, they have advanced just three times in 10 matches (2-6-2, 1-1 PKs) and have yet to upset a pro team in four attempts (0-4-0). However, they currently have the longest active qualifying streak of any amateur club with eight straight trips to the Open Cup.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Orlando FC Wolves (USSSA/NSL)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: N/A
Best finish: N/A
The Villages SC (USL-2)
8th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-6-2 (1-1 PKs)
Away: 1-4-2 (1-1 PKs)
vs. Amateurs: 2-2-2 (1-1 PKs)
Best finish: Second Round (2013, 2014, 2016, 2019)
Georgia Revolution FC (NPSL) at Southern States SC Stars (NPSL)
The Oakes – Hattiesburg, MS
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: USSF’s YOUTUBE
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
Southern States SC Stars began play in the NPSL in the 2021 season, finishing with a 9-4-1 record, reaching the regional finals of the NPSL playoffs. Southern States are just the third team from Mississippi to play in the Open Cup since 1995. The others are the Jackson Chargers (‘98) and Mississippi Brilla (‘09, ‘12, ‘16 & ‘18). We could have had two Mississippi teams in the same tournament for the first time in tournament history, but despite qualifying for this year’s Open Cup through their USL League Two results, Brilla declined to enter.
The Georgia Revolution appeared in back to back Open Cup tournaments in 2012 & 2013, but then hit a rough patch in the NPSL where they struggled from 2014-2019. After the 2020 NPSL season was canceled due to COVID-19, the Revolution roared back in 2021 with a 10-1-2 record, the best regular season result in team history. The Revolution’s reserve team nearly qualified themselves. They reached the third round of Open Division qualifying before falling to the South Carolina United Heat 3-2 in extra time.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Georgia Revolution FC (NPSL)
3rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-2-0
Away: 1-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 3-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2012, 2013)
Southern States SC Stars (NPSL)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: N/A
Best finish: N/A
D’Feeters Kicks SC (USCS/The Roja League) at Denton Diablos FC (NPSL)
UNT Soccer and Track & Field Stadium – Denton, TX
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: ESPN+
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
In one of four opening round matchups between Open Cup rookies, the D’Feeters and Diablos are actually no strangers to one another, as the Diablos field a team in The Roja League as well as one in the NPSL. Similarly, D’Feeters has a team in the UPSL as well as The Roja League. Denton qualified through their 2021 NPSL season results, while D’Feeters made their way through Open Division Local qualifying last fall.
In the Roja League, D’Feeters finished in first place in the winter season, reaching the championship final. In qualifying for the 2022 Cup, D’Feeters followed a forfeit win in their opening qualifying game with a 2-1 extra time victory over Houston Hotshots GPFC. They punched their ticket to this year’s tournament with a 2-1 win over Southwest Football Club.
The Denton Diablos had qualified for the canceled 2020 & 2021 Open Cup tournaments through the NPSL. Denton left now doubt in qualifying for 2022, finishing 8-1-1 in the NPSL Lone Star Conference, and then battling their way to win the NPSL Championship over Tulsa Athletic 5-2.
2022 MEET THE UNDERDOGS: D’FEETERS KICKS SC
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
D’Feeters Kicks SC (USCS/The Roja League)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: N/A
Best finish: N/A
Denton Diablos FC (NPSL)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: N/A
Best finish: N/A
