The field is starting to thin, and only 48 teams remain. After two exciting rounds, MLS enters the fray for the first time in the 2023 edition of the US Open Cup. Eighteen MLS teams enter in the Third Round, including two of the most successful teams in the Open Cup’s Modern Era – Seattle Sounders FC and Sporting Kansas City.
In addition to the MLS entrants, money is likely on the line as Chicago House AC and Tulsa Athletic are the final amateur sides left in this year’s tournament. Chicago House takes on Chicago Fire, while Tulsa will face Sporting KC.
Of the 24 Third Round matches, six feature teams solely from US Soccer’s lower divisions, and five will see MLS teams on the road to face their lower division opponent. Entering Tuesday night, there are 18 MLS teams, 20 from the USL Championship, five from USL League One, three NISA teams and one each from the NPSL and Midwest Premier League.
You can find a preview of each Third Round match, along with broadcast links. (Be sure to follow @USOpenCup on Twitter for live updates of every game)
TUESDAY, APRIL 25
Charlotte Independence (USL-1) at Charleston Battery (USL-C)
Patriots Point Soccer Stadium – Mount Pleasant, SC
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: NONE
By Adam Uthe
Two Southern sides firing on all cylinders face off when USL League One’s Charlotte Independence travel south of the (Carolina) border to take on USL Championship side Charleston Battery. Both teams are currently undefeated in league play and sitting atop the standings of their respective divisions/conferences.
Charlotte got their first Open Cup win since 2017 after defeating Appalachian FC 2-0 in Round 2. The win snapped a four-game losing streak in the tournament, with their previous three losses all coming at the hands of amateur teams. Goals from Khori Bennett and Clay Dimick were enough to see the North Carolina side through, but the name casual fans will want to watch is former MLS journeyman Miguel Ibarra. Independence coach Mike Jeffries declared Ibarra his “man of the match” in Round 2 and the USL League One league leaders will look to their star man for inspiration against an equally red hot side in Charleston team. Charlotte is seeking the club’s first win over a pro team since their inaugural season in 2015.
Charleston Battery find themselves undefeated and atop the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference after seven matches played so far this season. Their Second Round was also quite comfortable as they defeated amateur side and Open Cup debutants Savannah Clovers 4-1 with all four goals coming from different goal scorers. The win was the Battery’s 35th in the Modern Era (1995-present) which ranks fifth among all teams. In 2008 they made it all the way to the final, where they fell to MLS side DC United 2-1 at RFK Stadium.
In other words: this Round 3 matchup promises to have plenty of quality on display.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Charlotte Independence (USL-1)
7th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 6-5-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 4-3-0
vs. Div. 2: 1-2-0
Best finish: Fifth Round (2015)
Charleston Battery (USL-C)
22nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 35-18-7 (4-3 PK)
Home: 27-7-5 (2-3 PK)
vs. Div. 3: 6-2-0
Best finish: 2008 Runner-Up
Maryland Bobcats FC (NISA) at Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL-C)
Highmark Stadium – Pittsburgh, PA
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Bleacher Report
By Jim Coppock
The Maryland Bobcats travel again to Pittsburgh for a date with the Riverhounds at Highmark Stadium. This is the second Open Cup tilt between the two sides in as many years. Pittsburgh won that game 2-0, with goals either side of halftime by Toby Sims, in the Second Round of last year’s tournament. This is one of only six games not involving an MLS side.
Maryland is off to a good start in NISA league play (2-0-0), gathering all six points on offer so far, trailing only Chattanooga FC. Their 5-1 victory over Club de Lyon last Saturday was the start of a three-week break in league play. Former Detroit City player, Darwin Espinal, leads the team in scoring with two of the team’s six goals.
Pittsburgh is finding a mixed bag of results in USL Championship play (2-3-2, 9 pts.), losing 2 of their last 3 and sitting in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Albert Dikwa is the Riverhounds’ leading scorer with 4 of the team’s 7 goals, including a hat trick against Memphis 901 FC in week 2.
With Pittsburgh’s hot-and-cold form, could leave the game’s result up in the air with Maryland wanting to enter their long break on a high note at the expense of a higher division side.
The Riverhounds advanced to the Third Round after MLS Next Pro side Rochester New York FC folded. This marks the fourth year in a row that the Riverhounds have advanced beyond the opening round, which is the longest such streak in club history.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Maryland Bobcats FC (NISA)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-1-0
Away: 0-1-0
vs. Div. 2: 0-1-0
Best finish: Second Round (2022)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL-C)
19th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 14-16-3 (1-2 PK)
Home: 10-5-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. Div. 3: 1-1-0
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2001)
South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1) at Charlotte FC (MLS)
Mecklenburg County Sportsplex – Matthews, NC
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: CBS Sports Golazo
By Adam Uthe
This Southern showdown might look like a mismatch on paper, given the leagues they play in, but look close and there’s reason to believe this one will be competitive.
South Georgia Tormenta defeated USL Championship side Rio Grande Valley Toros 2-1 in Round 2; their third Open Cup win in club history. All three wins have come against teams from the USL Championship. Tormenta’s goals came from John Murphy Jr. and Kingsford Adjei, while goalkeeper Pablo Jara came up with a second half penalty save that proved to be decisive. Their league play has been inconsistent, but they still find themselves currently in third place in the USL League One standings with three wins and three losses.
Charlotte FC find themselves mired in mediocrity in their second season in MLS, currently sitting in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings with a minus-6 goal differential through the first nine games. That being said, they did reach the Round of 16 in their Open Cup debut in 2022, before eventually falling to the New York Red Bulls 3-1 and they just beat an in-form Columbus Crew side 1-0 on Sunday, so there’s reason for optimism in the Queen City.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1)
3rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-2-0
Away: 2-2-0
vs. MLS: 0-1-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2022)
Charlotte FC (MLS)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-1-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 2-0-0
Best finish: Fifth Round (2022)
Minnesota United FC (MLS) at Detroit City FC (USL-C)
Keyworth Stadium – Hamtramck, MI
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Bleacher Report
By Chuck Carlson
USL Championship side Detroit City FC (DCFC) host MLS’s Minnesota United in a Third Round Open Cup matchup of Upper Midwest professional teams. Both DCFC and United are coming off 1-0 league losses, so will be looking to turn things around in this first-ever meeting between the teams. Minnesota is currently 3-3-2, ranked seventh in the Western Conference standings, eight points behind first place St. Louis. Detroit City has struggled in the early league season with a 1-5-1 record, sitting in last place in the Eastern Conference. They are winless in their last five league matches (0-4-1). All but two of their competitive matches this season have been decided by a single goal, along with one scoreless draw.
Minnesota teams have participated in the Open Cup for many years, but Minnesota United didn’t start until 2010 when it was a member of the USSF’s Division 2 under the name of NSC Minnesota Stars. United entered the Cup for the first time as a MLS team in 2017, and fellow MLS team Sporting Kansas City promptly dispatched them 4-0 in United’s first Cup match. Their Cup performance improved significantly in 2019, when they beat Sporting KC 4-1 in the Fourth Round before thumping USL Championship side New Mexico United 6-1 on their way to reaching the Final where they fell to Atlanta United in front of a record crowd. Last year, they beat third-division Forward Madison and MLS’ Colorado Rapids before losing at home to USL League One’s Union Omaha in the Round of 16.
Founded in 2012, Detroit City FC are making their sixth Open Cup appearance, and second since moving to USL Championship in 2022. They struggled in their earliest Cup matches, never moving beyond Second Round until 2022, when they reached the Round of 32 before losing to fellow USL Championship side Louisville City in penalties. During that 2022 run, DCFC defeated the Columbus Crew 2-1 at home, so they will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak against MLS competition in Detroit.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Minnesota United FC (MLS)
12th US Open Cup appearance (5th as MLS team)
Overall: 11-9-2 (1-1 PK) | 6-4-1 (1-0 PK) as MLS
Away: 6-5-2 (1-1 PK) | 2-3-1 (1-0 PK) as MLS
vs. Div. 2: 1-1-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: 2019 Runner Up
Detroit City FC (USL-C)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-2-5 (2-3 PK)
Home: 3-0-3 (1-2 PK)
vs. MLS: 1-0-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2022)
Hartford Athletic (USL-C) at New England Revolution (MLS)
Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, MA
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: YouTube
By Eric Casey
Back before what is now known as Gillette Stadium was built in 2002, New England Revolution owner Robert Kraft came narrowly close to moving both his NFL and MLS teams to Hartford, Conn.
Now over 21 years later, USL Championship squad Hartford Athletic will travel just under 100 miles from Hartford to Foxborough to face the Revolution in the Third Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. The winner will be the sole representative of the New England area left in this year’s competition.
After a disappointing 2022 MLS season, the Revolution have seemingly recovered from the departures of Tajon Buchanan (Now with Club Brugge in Belgium) and Matt Turner (now with Arsenal); they currently sit tied with FC Cincinnati atop the Eastern Conference with 20 points, entering this US Open Cup match with a six game unbeaten streak. The team is averaging 1.67 goals per game so far in MLS play, and their usual starting goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic has allowed just eight goals in nine games, with four clean sheets.
The Revolution started last year’s competition in the Fourth Round, defeating FC Cincinnati 5-1 before being bounced in the Round of 16 by New York City F.C 1-0. In 2007, the club brought home the New England region’s first US Open Cup since Ponta Delgada SC of Fall River, Mass. won 60 years earlier in 1947. It was New England’s first major trophy.
New England also reached the Cup final in 2001 and 2016.
Founded in 2018, Hartford Athletic’s first win in club history came in their 2019 US Open Cup Second Round with a 2-1 win against New York Cosmos B. They advanced to the Third Round that year — a feat they would repeat last year — but have yet to make it further in the Cup. In this year’s USL Championship, they currently sit just outside the playoff picture in 9th place. Liberian striker Prince Saydee is tied for the third most goals in league play, with four.
Hartford made it to the Third Round by defeating Lansdowne Yonkers FC 3-0 at home earlier this month, with forward Elvis Amoh accounting for all three. He currently sits tied for first with New Mexico’s Josh Dolling in the chase for the competition’s golden boot. Hartford will need the full starpower of both Elvis and Prince on Tuesday, but a victory on the road against their nearby MLS competition would surely be the biggest accomplishment in the club’s young history.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Hartford Athletic (USL-C)
3rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-2-0
Away: 0-1-0
vs. MLS: 0-1-0
Best finish: Third Round (2019, 2022)
New England Revolution (MLS)
21st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 21-16-5 (3-2 PK)
Home: 14-5-3 (2-1 PK)
vs. Div. 2: 6-2-2 (1-1 PK)
Best finish: 2007 US Open Cup Champion
Union Omaha (USL-1) at St. Louis CITY SC (MLS)
CITYPARK – St. Louis, MO
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Bleacher Report
By Andrew Mosier
St. Louis CITY SC’s debut season in MLS has been, by all accounts, a spectacular success, if not a surprise. City enters Tuesday’s Third Round Open Cup match 6-2-1, sharing the top spot in the Western Conference with Seattle Sounders FC with 19 points. The year’s biggest surprise hope to carry the good form—and uphold longstanding traditions of St. Louis clubs in Open Cup play—in the club’s inaugural Open Cup match against USL League One’s Omaha Union.
Omaha, meanwhile, look to build on last year’s run to the Quarterfinals. They beat Des Moines Menace (USL-2) 2-1 in the Second Round and continued their run with an upset of the Chicago Fire (MLS) in penalty kicks (5-4) after playing to a 2-2 draw. Alexander Touche scored in the 120th minute to send the game to penalty kicks. In the Round of 32, Omaha knocked off fellow USL League One club Northern Colorado Hailstorm to earn them $25,000 in prize money as the Third Division club to advance the farthest. Behind goals from Hugo Kametani and Joe Brito, Omaha knocked off a second straight MLS opponent in Minnesota United to advance to the Quarterfinals against Sporting Kansas City. It was the first quarterfinal appearance in Open Cup history for a USL League One side. Unfortunately, the clock struck twelve for the Cinderella Omaha side at Children’s Mercy Park. Sporting washed over the Union 6-0.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Union Omaha (USL-1)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 4-1-1 (1-0 PK)
Away: 1-1-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. MLS: 1-1-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2022)
St. Louis CITY SC (MLS)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A
Tulsa Athletic (NPSL) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Children’s Mercy Park – Kansas City, KS
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: YouTube
By Jordan Beech
After upsetting local rival FC Tulsa for the club’s first-ever win over a professional side, Tulsa Athletic looks to continue their giant-killing ways against Sporting Kansas City. To do so, Tulsa will have to show out in front of a hostile KC Cauldron and a SKC side that has a storied history in the Open Cup.
Tulsa Athletic enters the Third Round for the first time in club history. The NPSL side advanced via KB Harris’ header in a 1-0 win over USL Championship side FC Tulsa. A win on Wednesday night would be the club’s first over an MLS side, as well as their first win on the road. Athletic is one of just two amateur sides still standing in the competition, and could stand to take home the $25,000 prize money given to the top-finishing amateur side. If they win and Chicago House loses to the Chicago Fire, Tulsa will take home the prize money. If both amateur teams lose, Tulsa would also win $25,000 on a tiebreaker. If both teams are eliminated and Chicago House is eliminated by penalty kicks, Chicago would take the prize money.
Sporting KC will be limping into the Open Cup, having opened the 2023 MLS season with an 0-6-3 record and has as many red cards as goals scored this season. However, the Open Cup could be just what the club needs to kick off their season as Peter Vermes’ side has won the competition three times over his tenure, and four times overall. Sporting reached the Semifinals of last year’s competition before falling 5-4 in penalty kicks after a scoreless draw vs. Sacramento Republic FC.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Tulsa Athletic (NPSL)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-3-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 0-2-0
vs. MLS: 0-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2014, 2022)
Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
23rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 31-15-7 (4-3 PK)
Home: 23-7-2 (2-0 PK)
vs. Amateurs: 4-0-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Champions (2004, 2012, 2015, 2017)
San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) at Monterey Bay FC (USL-C)
Cardinale Stadium – Seaside, CA
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Bleacher Report
By William Hodges
Fresh off their first ever Open Cup win (a 3-1 extra time road win over Central Valley Fuego), Monterey Bay FC looks to continue their Open Cup run Tuesday when they host the San Jose Earthquakes at Cardinale Stadium.
Monterey Bay held off a pesky Central Valley Fuego on the back of three extra time goals from Christian Volesky, Alex Dixon and Samuel Gleadle. They will need this kind of production and more heading into the third round. They are currently 3-2-2 in league play which is good for fifth in the USL Championship Western Conference. They are unbeaten in their last four games (3-0-1) in all competitions. Monterey Bay are the top scoring team in the league and boast the league’s top scorer in Alex Dixon with six.
San Jose Earthquakes enter tournament play for the first time in 2023. Their last match came in 2022 when they were eliminated 2-0 on the road against underdog and eventual Open Cup finalist Sacramento Republic FC in the Round of 16. The Quakes are still seeking the club’s first Open Cup title. In fact, San Jose has yet to reach an Open Cup Final after two Semifinal appearance in 2004 and 2017. Both Semifinal matches were close (1-0 road loss in 2004, PK loss on the road in 2017) and both came against Sporting Kansas City.
Just like Monterey Bay, the Quakes are also sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference. They are 4-3-2 and just had a four-game unbeaten streak (2-0-2) snapped this past Saturday with a 3-1 road loss against Real Salt Lake. Cristian Espinoza leads the team in scoring with six goals, which is good for third in the league.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
18th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 16-13-8 (4-4 PK)
Away: 7-8-5 (3-2 PK)
vs. Div. 2: 9-2-2 (2-0)
Best finish: Semifinals (2004, 2017)
Monterey Bay FC (USL-C)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-1-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. MLS: 0-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2022)
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26
Louisville City FC (USL-C) at FC Cincinnati (MLS)
TQL Stadium – Cincinnati, OH
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Bleacher Report
By Jordan Beech
It’s a rivalry renewed as Louisville City FC travels to take on FC Cincinnati in a special Open Cup edition of the Dirty River Derby. The derby – last played in 2021 – has been contested 12 times, with both teams owning five wins. However, the only other time the derby was played in the 2019 tournament, Cincinnati secured victory, 2-1, in extra time.
A 69th minute goal by Sean Totsch allowed LCFC to sneak past Lexington Sporting Club in a Bluegrass State affair in the Second Round. Louisville, who reached the Quarterfinals last year, on the strength of back-to-back penalty kick wins. They needed nine rounds of penalties to get past St. Louis City SC 2 at home followed by a win over Detroit City FC. They would fall 2-1 at home to Nashville SC. City enters Wednesday’s game with a 4-2-1 league record, which has them tied for second in the East. Since their Round 2 win, Louisville is unbeaten in their last three games (2-0-1).
FC Cincinnati has enjoyed a large measure of success in MLS league play this season, sitting second in the Eastern Conference with a 6-1-2 record. Sergio Santos currently leads the team with four goals. The MLS edition of the Orange and Blue haven’t had the same success in the Open Cup as the USL version. In 2017, their second year as a franchise, they reached the Semifinals (which included a narrow home win over Louisville City), and in 2018 they won two games before falling to MLS side Minnesota United in the Fourth Round. In 2019 and 2022, FC Cincinnati has had just one win each year before falling in their second game.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Louisville City FC (USL-C)
7th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 11-6-3 (3-0 PK)
Away: 3-5-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. MLS: 1-4-0
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2018)
FC Cincinnati (MLS)
6th US Open Cup appearance (3rd as MLS team)
Overall: 9-4-2 (1-1 PK) | 2-2-0 as MLS
Home: 7-1-2 (1-1 PK) | 2-0-0 as MLS
vs. Div. 2: 5-2-0 | 2-1-0 as MLS
Best finish: Semifinals (2017)
Flower City Union (NISA) at Loudoun United FC (USL-C)
Segra Field – Leesburg, VA
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Eleven Sports
By Jordan Beech
Flower City Union and Loudon United FC face each other in a class of lower division sides in the Wednesday night’s Third Round matchup. The meeting is one of just six in the Third Round that doesn’t feature an MLS team.
The visitors from Rochester, NY advanced to the Third Round for the second year in a row after dispatching Manhattan SC (USL-2), 3-1. Stephan Elias did the heavy lifting, bagging a first-half brace, while Alioune Diakhate tacked on an insurance goal late. Flower City reached the Third Round last season before falling to MLS-side DC United.
Loudoun United won their Open Cup debut last round, squeaking past USL League One’s North Carolina FC, 2-1, in extra time. Zachary Ryan gave United the 1-0 advantage in just the eighth minute of action, but NCFC evened the affair in the second half. It took most of extra time to find a winner, but eventually Loudoun’s Wesley Leggett found the decisive second goal.
In league play, Flower City are still seeking their first win. Their two games were both 1-0 road losses to Chattanooga FC and the Maryland Bobcats. Loudoun United are currently fourth in the USL Championship Eastern Conference with a game in hand. They are 3-2-1 and have won their last two league games, both of them by shutout. Zach Ryan has been the top scorer in the early season for United, as he’s second in the league in scoring with five goals.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Flower City Union (NISA)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-1-0
Away: 1-0-0
vs. Div. 2: 0-0-0
Best finish: Third Round (2022)
Loudoun United FC (USL-C)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-0-0
Home: 1-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 1-0-0
Best finish: N/A
Memphis 901 FC (USL-C) at Atlanta United (MLS)
Fifth Third Bank Stadium – Kennesaw, GA
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Bleacher Report
By Tyler Pilgrim
Atlanta United and Memphis 901 face off Wednesday for the first time ever in a match rife with storylines. Memphis gaffer Stephen Glass took the helm of the western-Tennessee club in November after coming off a stretch with Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen, a team which interestingly has a strategic partnership with Atlanta United. Prior to that stint, Glass was actually the Five Stripes’ interim manager for a short spell and the head coach of Atlanta United 2. With the likelihood of a fair amount of rotation amongst Atlanta’s squad Wednesday, there’s a distinct possibility some of Glass’ former players will be playing against him as Memphis looks to shake off the early season jitters. They struggled to dispatch USL League One squad One Knoxville in the prior round of the Cup, relying on a 124th minute goal by Jeremy Kelly.
Atlanta United, on the other hand, is preparing for a busy stretch of three matches in six days. Coach Gonzalo Pineda has never taken the Open Cup lightly, though, either as player or manager. He knows what it takes to win the entire tournament and won’t be afraid to unleash the talents of players like World Cup winner Thiago Almada and Greek international Giorgos Giakoumakis – assuming they’re healthy enough. Both are on the tail end of various knocks taken over the past two weeks, and Pineda is likely to give them as much rest as possible if his backups can afford him the luxury. United enter Wednesday’s game 5-1-3 in league play which finds them in third place in the Eastern Conference, two points out of first. They are unbeaten in their last four games (2-0-2).
In Open Cup play, Atlanta is coming off a tough 3-2 extra time loss to Nashville to knock them out of last year’s tournament, a match that saw them finally relinquish the title of US Open Cup champions. It was a title they held since 2019 and throughout the pandemic shutdown. Meanwhile, Memphis 901 was one-and-done last year (3-1 road loss vs. Chattanooga FC) and haven’t won a tournament game since their inaugural season in 2019 when they won a pair of games. One final piece to the puzzle, however, is Memphis 901’s goalkeeper Bill Hamid. The former DC United mainstay and 2013 US Open Cup champion, has always been a bit of a thorn in Atlanta’s side, and he’s suspected to be a vital player to thwart Atlanta’s high-flying attack.
Memphis 901 enter Wednesday’s game with a 1-2-2 record in league play which has them in eighth place in the West. They are unbeaten in their last four games (2-0-2) in all competitions.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Memphis 901 FC (USL-C)
3rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-2-0
Away: 1-1-0
vs. MLS: 0-1-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2019)
Atlanta United (MLS)
5th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 8-3-0
Home: 6-1-0
vs. Div. 2: 4-1-0
Best finish: 2019 US Open Cup champions
Indy Eleven (USL-C) at Columbus Crew (MLS)
Lower.com Field – Columbus, OH
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: YouTube
By Jason Herbert
The Third Round of the 108th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup has arrived and as usual has set the background for some epic match-ups placing MLS sides against lower tier teams, hence the beauty of an open cup format. The Columbus Crew enter the competition Wednesday as they host local USL Championship team Indy Eleven at Lower.com Field. This marks only the second ever tie between the clubs as they have only faced each other previously in a 2014 Fourth Round match that saw the Crew prevail with a 112th-minute winner to win, 2-1.
The Columbus Crew come into the US Open Cup on the rise as they are under first year head coach Wilfried Nancy. Nancy has seemingly changed the culture in Columbus by creating an intense, high-pressing team that has also given the likes of many young players new opportunities. Both Alex Matan and Aidan Morris have reaped the benefits of these opportunities as Matan has become an early season stamp in the lineup while Morris has used his opportunity to lead the team in scoring out of the midfield and also earn a national team call up. Crew fans also know that a certain Lucas Zelarayan continues to provide the creative drive within the team’s attack not only through the run of play but also on set pieces.
As for Indy Eleven, they enter the match in Columbus still searching to find their form. The Eleven come into the game 1-3-2 in USL play with a recent loss on Saturday to Monterey Bay that now places them in eighth place in the USL Championship. They are led by Solomon Asante who has bagged one goal and one assist for the side who have only tallied four goals on the season so far in USL play. However, Indy Eleven do have one cup win under their belt as they needed extra time to edge the defending NISA champs Michigan Stars, 3-1.
History tells us that the US Open Cup has favored the MLS side as the Crew are 23-17-3 overall in cup play with one US Open Cup in their trophy case from 2002, along with two additional final appearances in 1998 and 2010. The Indy Eleven have made it to the Fourth Round twice in their history (2014, 2016) while only facing MLS sides on a total of three occasions. While this may seem like business as usual, we would be remiss to not mention the early exit last year handed to the Crew when they traveled to Detroit City. Once again this sets the stage for the magic of the 108th Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Indy Eleven (USL-C)
8th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 4-6-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 0-4-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 0-1-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2014, 2016)
Columbus Crew (MLS)
22nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 23-17-3 (0-3 PK)
Home: 15-6-2 (0-2 PK)
vs. Div. 2: 7-3-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: 2022 US Open Cup champions
Richmond Kickers (USL-1) at D.C. United (MLS)
Audi Field – Washington, D.C.
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: RADIO ONLY
By Jordan Beech
The Richmond Kickers will travel to Audi Field in the nation’s capitol to face DC United in Third Round action. A return trip to the Round of 32 for either team is up for grabs with a win. This is the seventh all-time meeting between the two rivals in Open Cup play. Only the Sounders and the Timbers (8) have had more Open Cup meetings in the Modern Era (1995-present). But this is the first time the two teams have met in a decade. The last time they played was in 2013 when DC United needed penalty kicks to eliminate the Kickers in Richmond. United would move on to beat four straight MLS opponents to win the tournament.
Richmond, repping USL League One, reached the Third Round after squeaking past Second Round opponent Cleveland SC, 3-2. Emiliano Terzaghi, a three-time USL League One MVP, recorded two goals and assisted on a third to secure the Kickers’ passage into the next round. The Kickers will be hoping for better fortunes against MLS opposition in 2023 after bowing out against Charlotte FC, 5-1, in the Round of 32 last year. The 1995 US Open Cup champs are no stranger to MLS upsets. They have five on their resume, with one of them being against DC United (2004 Fourth Round)
Sporting a 3-4-2 record this season, United enter Wednesday’s affair looking for a third straight win across all competitions after dropping Orlando 3-1 over the weekend. DC United advanced to the Round of 32 last year after beating Flower City Union before being bounced out by the New York Red Bulls. Three-time winners of the Open Cup, DCU hasn’t lifted the Dewar Cup in a decade. In fact, they haven’t won multiple games in a single tournament since lifting the cup in 2013.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Richmond Kickers (USL-1)
23rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 34-20-4 (2-2 PK)
Away: 7-11-3 (2-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 5-14-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: 1995 US Open Cup champions
D.C. United (MLS)
23rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 34-15-7 (3-4 PK)
Home: 24-7-4 (1-3 PK)
vs. Div. 3: 10-2-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: 1996, 2008, 2013 US Open Cup champions
Inter Miami CF (MLS) at Miami FC (USL-C)
FIU Stadium – Miami, FL
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: CBS Sports Golazo
By Lee Ifans
It’s a Third Round rematch in South Florida for Miami FC and Inter Miami CF, who met at this stage in last year’s competition. That time the MLS side advanced 1-0 thanks to a late goal by Leonardo Campana. After a 3-1 win over South Georgia Tormenta (USL-1), Inter’s inaugural Cup run would end in Round 5 with a penalty kick loss on the road to the eventual champs, Orlando City SC.
Miami FC made it through a tricky Second Round tie vs Jacksonville Armada U-23s to get another shot at the new kids on the block. The 3-1 final score was somewhat flattering as the Armada took the lead. Claudio Repetto was the hero for Miami, coming off the bench to score a brace that proved to be the difference between the two sides. Miami FC defender Curtis Thorn was sent off for two bookable offenses in that game and will be unavailable for selection. Inter Miami should be close to full strength with the exception of Gregore who has a long term injury.
An Open Cup encounter between these near neighbors will be a welcome distraction for both sets of fans. Miami FC and Inter Miami have had poor starts to their league campaigns. Inter enters Wednesday with a 2-6-0 record, putting them second from the bottom. Inter has lost six straight games, with five of them by a single goal. Miami FC is 1-2-4, which is good for sixth place in the Eastern Conference. A bumper crowd is expected at FIU. Bragging rights and the chance to kick start faltering seasons are on the line, as well as a place in the next round.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Inter Miami CF (MLS)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-0-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 1-0-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. Div. 2: 1-0-0
Best finish: Fifth Round (2022)
Miami FC (USL-C)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 8-5-0
Home: 6-5-0
vs. MLS: 2-1-0
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2017)
Houston Dynamo (MLS) at Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL-C)
Al Lang Stadium – St. Petersburg, FL
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: NONE
By James Knowles (@RBLRJamesK)
The Third Round of the US Open Cup continues as Major League Soccer side Houston Dynamo travel to Florida’s west coast to take on the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL Championship. Al Lang Stadium will play host to a top tier club in a competitive setting for the first time since 2013. Back then, the Rowdies defeated the Seattle Sounders 1-0, which was a significant upset because it denied Seattle a chance to be the first club in tournament history to win four straight Open Cup titles.
Pulling off another upset will be more difficult than even the optics suggest. Each club is on a different trajectory in their season and form will probably play a role. The Rowdies are regularly playoff contenders – if they’re not competing for the top of their conference and the league table. Instead, at the moment, they are outside the playoff spots with only five points from seven games. Their only win on the season came at home to a team currently two places below them in the East, which followed their first win of the year against Nona FC in the Second Round of the Open Cup.
Houston, on the other hand, are well within the MLS playoff places with thirteen points from eight games. Their four wins on the season all came at home, with the only point the Dynamo have earned on the road coming against struggling New York Red Bulls in Harrison, N.J. This may lend the slightest bit of hope to a team from Tampa Bay still reeling from multiple dropped points in close games.
One question leading into this match is how seriously Houston will take things. In 2022, the Dynamo played their first Open Cup game against Rio Grande Valley Toros, using a mostly second string group to start. New coach Ben Olsen may want to shore up his bona fides to the local fan base by avoiding the dreaded Upset; or, possibly, he will look upon this game as a chance to give some younger players a run out.
The Rowdies have in the past lined up with a strong XI against MLS teams in the Open Cup. One need only look to the 2022 Third Round when they came up against another Florida club with some rivalrous history: Orlando City. This match eventually became chippy, with head coach Neill Collins getting sent off for his conduct.
While Houston, the 2018 US Open Cup champions, may not share a similar enmity, lower division clubs will often look to these occasions to prove their mettle. With a home crowd starved for success behind them, the Green and Gold will hope they can overcome the bright Orange from across the Gulf. The Dynamo will be hoping their quality shines through and they are able to overcome the Spirit of the Underdog to move onto the next round.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Houston Dynamo (MLS)
15th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 19-12-2 (1-1 PK)
Away: 3-7-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. Div. 2: 7-2-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: 2018 US Open Cup champions
Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL-C)
11th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 9-10-0
Home: 6-1-0
vs. MLS: 1-4-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2013, 2016)
Chattanooga FC (NISA) at Birmingham Legion FC (USL-C)
Alabama Soccer Stadium – Tuscaloosa, AL
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: YouTube
By Jordan Beech
In one of the few matches not featuring a first division side, Chattanooga FC travels to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to take on Birmingham Legion FC on Wednesday night. At stake, each club’s first-ever trip to the Round of 32.
Chattanooga FC reached the Third Round for the fifth time in club history after dispatching the Des Moines Menace, 4-1. In the club’s first road win in the cup competition, Chattanooga used a balanced approach that saw four different players find the back of the net against an outclassed host. Chattanooga won their first tournament game in six years with a 3-1 home win over Memphis 901 FC (USL-C), before falling to Atlanta United (MLS) 6-0 in the Third Round.
Chattanooga enters Wednesday’s game sitting atop the NISA standings with a 3-0-0 record. They have yet to allow a goal in league play with shutout wins over Gold Star Detroit (3-0), AlBION San Diego (5-0) and Flower City Union (1-0).
Birmingham Legion will face their second Chattanooga-based foe in as many rounds after beating the Red Wolves, 4-1. Former U.S. international Juan Agudelo did the heavy lifting with a brace as Collin Smith and Diba Nwegbo contributed goals as well in the winning effort. Legion will be without Grayson Dupont, who was sent off in the 55th minute of the Second Round match after receiving a second yellow card. Birmingham is looking to win back-to-back games in the tournament for the first time in their brief team history. In 2019 and 2022, they won their opening game before getting eliminated in the following round.
The Legion have gotten off to a good start in league play with a 4-2-1 record. They sit in second place in the Eastern Conference standings. They are coming off a 2-1 road win over Orange County SC, which snapped a two-game losing streak.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Chattanooga FC (NISA)
8th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-6-4 (3-1 PK)
Away: 1-3-2 (1-1 PK)
vs. Div. 2: 1-2-0
Best finish: Third Round (2014, 2015, 2016, 2022)
Birmingham Legion FC (USL-C)
3rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-2-0
Home: 2-1-0
vs. Div. 3: 1-1-0
Best finish: Third Round (2019, 2022)
Chicago House AC (USASA/Midwest PL) at Chicago Fire (MLS)
SeatGeek Stadium – Bridgeview, IL
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Team Website
By Jordan Beech
In a second-straight matchup between Peter Wilt-created clubs, Chicago House AC heads to SeatGeek Stadium to take on the Fire in a Chicago Derby. The matchup is one of two in the Third Round that sees an MLS side share the field with amateurs set on notching a “cupset”.
House reached the Third Round after a gutsy performance against USL League One’s Forward Madison. Down 2-1 and entering the final 15 minutes, Chicago forced extra time after captain AR Smith tied the match in the dying embers of stoppage time. Smith then bagged his brace in the first extra time period as the Midwest Premier League side held on to secure a Cupset. It was just the second time in the Modern Era (1995-present) that an amateur team had overcome a 2-goal deficit and defeated a pro team. AR Smith was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round for his performance.
Chicago House have a chance to win the $25,000 prize money as the amateur team that advances the farthest. If they win and Tulsa Athletic loses to Sporting Kansas City, Chicago will take home the prize money. If both amateur teams lose, Tulsa would also win $25,000 on a tiebreaker. If both teams are eliminated and Chicago House is eliminated by penalty kicks, Chicago would take the prize money on a tiebreaker.
The Fire are no strangers to the Open Cup. They are one of eight teams in tournament history to lift the trophy four times. They’ve been tricky for opponents to navigate this month, going unbeaten in April in league play. However, the club is searching for its first Open Cup title since 2006. No team in the 108-year history of the competition has more Semifinal appearances than the Fire (13), but they have bowed out in the opening match in each of the last two years. This is just the second time in club history that they have done that (2009 & 2010). They will look to snap that streak on Wednesday night in a stadium the club used to call home. Losing at home is something the Fire rarely do in this competition. They enter Wednesday’s contest 26-1-3 (1-2 PKs) all-time in front of their home fans. At SeatGeek Stadium specifically, they are 17-1-2 (1-1 PKs) all-time in Open Cup play. Overall, the Fire are currently riding a 10-game home unbeaten streak. Their last home game at Soldier Field in 2022 finished in a 2-2 draw with Union Omaha (USL-1), but they were eliminated 5-4 in penalty kicks.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Chicago House AC (USASA/Midwest PL)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-0-0
Away: 1-0-0
vs. MLS: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A
Chicago Fire (MLS)
24th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 42-16-7 (4-3 PK)
Home: 26-1-3 (1-2 PK)
vs. Amateurs: 1-1-0
Best finish: 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006 US Open Cup champions
San Antonio FC (USL-C) at Nashville SC (MLS)
GEODIS Park – Nashville, TN
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Bleacher Report
By Jordan Beech
A year removed from playing giant killers in a 2-1 win over Austin FC (MLS), San Antonio FC will be looking for similar fortunes as they travel to Tennessee for a Music City showdown with Nashville SC.
In the Second Round this year, San Antonio used a team largely composed of players from their youth academy to scrape out a 2-1 win over NISA’s Club de Lyon in extra time. Teenager Roman Holt converted from the spot in the 95th minute to secure victory for the USL Championship outfit. With a win on Wednesday, SAFC reach the Round of 32 for the second straight season. San Antonio are off to a positive start in league play with a 3-1-3 record, which has them in fourth place in the Western Conference. They enter the game without a win in their last three league games (0-1-2).
Nashville SC has been up and down to start the MLS season, going 3-3-3 and struggling to string wins together. Last season, NSC made it to the US Open Cup Quarterfinals following wins over Atlanta United FC and Louisville City FC before ultimately falling to Orlando City SC, 1-1 (6-5).
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
San Antonio FC (USL-C)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 8-4-2 (1-1 PK)
Away: 3-3-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 1-3-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2016, 2018, 2022)
Nashville SC (MLS)
4th US Open Cup appearance (2nd as MLS team)
Overall: 6-1-2 (0-2 PK) | 2-0-1 (0-1 PK) as MLS
Home: 5-0-1 (0-1 PK) | 1-0-0 as MLS
vs. Div. 2: 1-1-0 | 1-0-0 as MLS
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2022)
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL-1) at Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park – Commerce City, CO
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: YouTube (link coming soon)
By Jordan Beech
It’s a battle for Centennial State supremacy as Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC visits Dick’s Sporting Goods Park to take on the Colorado Rapids in Third Round action. Northern Colorado are looking for their second Cupset in as many matches. While the Rapids are looking to leave the past behind them and make new memories when it comes to the US Open Cup.
A pair of goals in extra time lifted the Hailstorm over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC of the USL Championship in the Second Round. After entering extra time knotted up at 1-1, Donald Benamna broke the deadlock before Marky Hernández put the finishing touches on Northern Colorado’s second-straight Open Cup triumph over Colorado Springs. A win on Wednesday would see Northern Colorado through to the Round of 32 for the first time in the club’s young history. The Hailstorm are not likely to be intimidated by playing a MLS side on the road. Last year, in their inaugural Open Cup run, they upset Real Salt Lake 1-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium. Northern Colorado’s only shot on goal went in that day and it was enough to pull off the upset.
The Hailstorm have yet to lose in league play after three games (1-0-2). They are in sixth place in the table with a few games in hand over most teams in the league.
Opposite of Northern Colorado are the Rapids, unbeaten in their last four matches but still sitting in 11th in MLS’s Western Conference. Though they’ve never lifted the Dewar Cup, the Rapids have enjoyed success in the competition, but that was a long time ago. They were runners up in 1999, falling to the Rochester Rhinos at Crew Stadium. Since that night in 1999 that saw the first lower division team win the Open Cup in the Modern Era, the Rapids have struggled. They haven’t won multiple games in a single tournament since that 1999 US Open Cup run. That’s a total of 17 tournaments in a row with 1 or fewer wins, the longest streak of its kind in the Modern Era. They have been “one-and-done” in each of the last three tournaments.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL-1)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-1-0
Away: 3-1-0
vs. MLS: 1-0-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2022)
Colorado Rapids (MLS)
21st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 13-19-1 (0-1 PK)
Home: 7-1-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. Div. 3: 3-2-0
Best finish: 1999 Runner-Up
Phoenix Rising FC (USL-C) at New Mexico United (USL-C)
Isotopes Park – Albuquerque, NM
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: YouTube (link coming soon)
By Jordan Beech
A Southwest grudge match is on the docket as the Third Round sees New Mexico United play host to Phoenix Rising FC. A replay of the 2022 Third Round matchup, Phoenix used goals from Joey Calistri and a late winner from Greg Hurst to knock out New Mexico in that game.
Carlos Harvey lifted PRFC over Greenville Triumph SC in the Second Round. His goal in the 21st minute of play proved decisive as the Phoenix defense stood tall to secure the clean sheet. A win on Wednesday would see Phoenix through to the Round of 32 for the second time in as many seasons, matching the club’s best finish in the competition.
Phoenix are 1-1-4 in league play which is good for eighth place in the Western Conference. Including the Greenville win in the Open Cup, Rising are unbeaten (2-0-3) in the club’s last five matches.
New Mexico United made short work of the UPSL’s UDA Soccer in the opening round. Josh Dolling notched a hat trick, while Jose Ariel Sosa, Justin Protillo and Daniel Bruce also got in on the action in a 6-0 win. The win saw United advance for the first time since the club’s inaugural cup run in 2019 season when United made it all the way to the Quarterfinals.
United have struggled in the early USL Championship season with a 1-3-1 record, which is tied for last place in the West. Their only league win was a 1-0 road win over Miami FC on March 18.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Phoenix Rising FC (USL-C)
8th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 7-5-2 (0-2 PK)
Away: 3-1-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. Div. 2: 1-2-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2014, 2022)
New Mexico United (USL-C)
3rd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 4-2-2 (2-0 PK)
Home: 2-0-0
vs. Div. 2: 1-1-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2019)
Real Salt Lake (MLS) at Las Vegas Lights FC (USL-C)
Cashman Field – Las Vegas, NV
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: KSL Sports
By Jordan Beech
Sin City’s Las Vegas Lights FC plays host to Real Salt Lake in one of just five matches in the Third Round that sees a first division side play on the road. A win for Las Vegas will secure the club’s first trip to the Round of 32, as well as victory in its first-ever meeting with a MLS side. While Real Salt Lake will be looking to erase the memories of last year’s early exit.
Las Vegas punched their ticket to the Third Round after a dominating 4-0 win over LA Force – the Lights’ first-ever win over a professional team in the Open Cup. Azriel González bagged a brace, while Zach Carroll and Erick Torres both found the back of the net as well. Last year, they were one-and-done against FC Tucson (USL League One) and the first two trips to the tournament saw them eliminated by amateur teams.
Las Vegas are the only team in USL Championship to not taste victory in league play. But they have at least earned points from their first five games, 0-1-4.
Real Salt Lake have been a bit up and down this season, entering Wednesday’s match with a 2-2-0 record in April across all contests. Jefferson Savarino leads RSL with three goals this season in seven matches played. The Claret and Cobalt are hoping for a better tournament in 2023 after falling 1-0 at home to Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC in the Third Round in 2022.
RSL has struggled in the US Open Cup in recent years. They are currently riding a seven-game winless streak, which is the longest of the Modern Era (1995-present). The last time they advanced was in the Fourth Round in 2016 when they eliminated the Wilmington Hammerheads in 2016. The last regulation win came in the 2015 Quarterfinals when they beat the LA Galaxy.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Real Salt Lake (MLS)
13th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 9-11-2 (1-1 PK)
Away: 0-5-0
vs. Div. 2: 3-4-0
Best finish: 2013 Runner-Up
Las Vegas Lights FC (USL-C)
4th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 3-3-0
Home: 3-1-0
vs. MLS: 0-0-0
Best finish: Third Round (2018, 2019)
Oakland Roots SC (USL-C) at Sacramento Republic FC (USL-C)
Heart Health Park – Sacramento, CA
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: NONE
By William Hodges
While two Northern California NBA teams will be competing across town on the hardwood on Wednesday night (Kings vs Warriors, Game 5), another regional matchup will be taking place at Heart Health Park between host Sacramento Republic FC and Oakland Roots SC.
The Roots come into Wednesday’s match after defeating 1993 Open Cup champion El Farolito 3-1 behind Johnny Rodriguez’s goal and assist. It was the club’s first Open Cup win. Republic FC was able to survive and advance to the Third Round after a wild 5-4 extra time win over a relentless Crossfire Redmond side that featured a flurry of goals in extra time. Republic defender Aldair Sanchez made quite the splash in his first professional start and first Open Cup match, logging 120 minutes and contributing two critical assists in the 80th and 85th minute to send the game to extra time.
Sacramento are currently one of two teams in the USL Championship who have yet to taste defeat. Republic FC is 5-0-2 and with 13 goals scored in their first 7 games, they are the second-best scoring team in the league. They are led offensively by the one-two punch of new signing Russell Cicerone and Luis Felipe who have four goals scored each.
Sacramento is coming off an incredible Open Cup run last year that saw them advance all the way to the championship game. They became just the second lower division team in history to eliminate three or more MLS teams in the same tournament when they knocked off San Jose, LA Galaxy and Sporting Kansas City. They reached the Final where they fell 3-0 on the road to Orlando City SC. They enter tonight’s game riding a 13-game home unbeaten streak which is the second-longest streak of its kind in the Modern Era.
Oakland is 2-3-1 so far in league play, currently in seventh place. They have lost their last two league games.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Oakland Roots SC (USL-C)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 1-1-0
Away: 0-1-0
vs. Div. 2: 0-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2022)
Sacramento Republic FC (USL-C)
8th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 19-6-2 (1-1 PK)
Home: 17-1-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. Div. 2: 5-0-0
Best finish: 2022 Runner-Up
San Diego Loyal (USL-C) at Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
Starfire Sports – Tukwila, WA
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: Bleacher Report
By Jordan Beech and Tyler Chott
One of the most successful teams in the Open Cup’s modern era enters the fray as Seattle Sounders FC – winners of four Open Cups – welcomes San Diego Loyal to the Starfire Sports Stadium for a Third Round meeting. It is a stadium that Seattle has advanced in 23 of the last 24 games.
San Diego reached the Third Round after dispatching their NISA neighbors, Albion San Diego, 2-0. Charlie Adams opened the scoring from the spot in the 27th minute before Evan Conway doubled the advantage in the second half. A win over Seattle would be San Diego’s first over an MLS side in the cup competition, and mark the club’s furthest advancement in the tournament.
After a year of struggles, Seattle is flexing their muscles once again. Boasting a 6-2-1 record in MLS play in 2023, Seattle is averaging nearly two goals per match this season. Last year, the Sounders bowed out in the Round of 32 – their debut round – after falling to the San Jose Earthquakes 10-9 in penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw.
In the Sounders locker room after dispatching Minnesota, coach Brian Schmetzer reminded his team that…
“…we’re going to put a renewed emphasis on the Open Cup. There’s guys that want to play and I might let them play. I’m telling you we’re gonna try and do well in this tournament. because it’s important. every f*cking game is important…”
It was difficult to see who Schmetzer was pointing at when mentioning that there are guys who want to play. It was likely players like Sota Kitahara, Ethan Dobbelaere, Danny Leyva and Reed Baker-Whiting. All of whom were on the bench with the first team and didn’t travel with the sounders MLS Next pro team who had a game in Houston. The only member of the Sounders young talent that did get a run out was Dylan Teves and he showed well enough that Schmetzer mentioned the good job he did after the game. If history is any guide we can expect to see this group on the field at Starfire on Wednesday
San Diego began play in the USL Championship in 2020. They were coached and currently owned by US National Team legend Landon Donovan. Seattle native and former Sounder, Deandre Yedlin is also a part owner of the team. They feature a few notable players including Joe Corona who is a former national team player and played 47 games with the LA Galaxy. Blake Bodily was a good college player for the UW Huskies.
They played on Sunday night in what is the first of three for San Diego in the next seven days. Miller’s team heads to the Pacific Northwest Wednesday for a match against the Sounders FC and then will play another league game on Saturday.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
San Diego Loyal (USL-C)
2nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 2-1-0
Away: 1-1-0
vs. MLS: 0-1-0
Best finish: Third Round (2022)
Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
25th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 36-17-7 (4-3 PK) | 21-6-5 (3-2 PK) as MLS
Home: 28-4-3 (2-1 PK) | 17-2-2 (1-1 PK) as MLS
vs. Div. 2: 4-3-2 (1-1 PK) | 3-2-0
Best finish: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014 US Open Cup champions
Orange County SC (USL-C) at Portland Timbers (MLS)
Providence Park – Portland, OR
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST: CBS Sports Golazo
By Wendy Pintor
Orange County Soccer Club qualifies into the Third Round of the 2023 Lamar Hunt Open Cup, coming in strong after defeating amateur side Capistrano FC in Round 2. It was a 5-0 win over the NISA Nation side that remarkably looked easier than predicted.
But unfortunately they will re-join the Open Cup after a 1-0 loss in league play to Indy Eleven this past weekend. After falling short at home, it leaves them in ninth place. They could face a younger, more inexperienced Portland team on Wednesday night. Regardless, it will be a huge test for Orange County.
After a 5-2 win over LA Force FC (NISA), Orange County stepped into the third round last year, but were defeated by a ruthless LAFC side. OCSC took the loss quickly as they ended without a chance to come back from a 5-1 deficit at the Banc of California Stadium. This also cut the dreams short for the team and the representation of the league to move on into the Fourth Round. Even with the addition of new young recruit Ben Norris, Orange County will face a big challenge in facing the Portland Timbers on the road. It remains to be seen if the Timbers will put out their full squad for the midweek Open Cup match.
After matching their deepest run in the tournament in 2019 (Semifinals), the Timbers were one-and-done in last year’s tournament, falling 2-0 to LAFC. Portland is seeking its first Open Cup trophy in hopes of erasing painful memories. The Timbers have twice suffered upset losses to amateur sides. Hollywood United beat them when they were a USL team in 2008, and Cal FC famously knocked them off in 2012.
The Timbers come out of the gate slowly, starting league play with a 2-5-2 record, which puts them in 10th place. This past Saturday, they suffered a 2-1 road loss to FC Cincinnati.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Orange County SC (USL-C)
11th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 7-8-2 (0-2 PK)
Away: 3-5-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 0-4-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2017)
Portland Timbers (MLS)
17th US Open Cup appearance (10th as MLS team)
Overall: 19-15-1 (0-1 PK) | 12-9-0
Home: 9-6-1 (0-1 PK) | 7-2-0
vs. Div. 2: 2-2-0
Best finish: Semifinals (2013, 2019)