After a hectic 10-week run in which 87 teams were eliminated over the first five rounds, the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup returns from a six week “summer vacation” with four Quarterfinal matchups on Tuesday, July 9 and Wednesday, July 10.
Among the eight Quarterfinalists, there are three previous champions (Sporting Kansas City, FC Dallas, Seattle Sounders FC) three USL Championship clubs (Sacramento Republic FC, New Mexico United & Indy Eleven), and a MLS club who have never reached the Open Cup Final (Los Angeles FC). Seattle and Kansas City are also gunning for a fifth Open Cup championship, which would tie the all-time record in the tournament’s 109-year history.
The Quarterfinal winners will advance to the Semifinals which are scheduled to take place the week of Aug. 27-28.
You can find the schedule and results for the Round of 16 and the goalscoring leaders here. You can find a review of every Round 1 game HERE and the Round 2 games HERE and the Round 3 games HERE and the Round 4 games HERE. The Round 5 / Round of 16 review can be found here.
TheCup.us will have reporters at every Quarterfinal game and will be providing live updates on X (Twitter), @USOpenCup.
All Quarterfinal matches will be broadcast live on Apple TV with links provided below.
A full round preview can be found below with video links and detailed info on each team’s 2024 US Open Cup run and history throughout the years.
Tuesday, July 9
Atlanta United FC (MLS)
vs.
Indy Eleven (USL-C)
Fifth Third Bank Stadium – Kennesaw, GA
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO (Apple TV)
Winner plays at FC Dallas or Sporting KC in Semifinals
If there was an award for Comeback Team of the Year, Indy Eleven would be top contenders for 2024. After getting off to a lackluster 1-1-4 start to their USL Championship campaign, and amid word the city was talking to unnamed investors and Don Garber about bringing an MLS club to Indianapolis, Indy Eleven caught fire. Starting with a 1-1 draw at Colorado Springs on April 20, Indy went on a nine-match unbeaten streak, the final eight of which were wins. The streak rocketed Indy up the standings, third behind Louisville City and the Charleston Battery, who were threatening to run away with the Eastern Conference.
Jack Blake leads the Indy offense with eight goals, tied for sixth place in the USL Championship. Augustine Williams (five goals), Douglas Martínez and Sebastián Guenzatti (three goals each) help lead the scoring charge that has Indy fourth in the league with 30 goals. Aedan Stanley, who joined Indy after two seasons with Miami FC, is tied for the league lead in assists with seven.
Atlanta United has had quite an up and down season thus far. A 3-2-2 start was followed by a 1-4-2 stretch. The club then ended June on a four-game unbeaten run, but head into their Open Cup Quarterfinal having lost their last two league games, including a 5-2 pounding from Real Salt Lake. All of this leaves the Five Stripes sitting just outside the Eastern Conference playoffs at 6-10-6.
Five players are largely responsible for Atlanta’s offense. Thiago Almada leads the way with six goals, and Giorgos Giakoumakis, Saba Lobjanidze, Daniel Rios and Jamal Thiaré follow with five goals each. The five players account for 26 of Atlanta’s 31 goals this year. Brooks Lennon leads with six assists, and Lobjanidze adds four helpers to his goal total.
Open Cup Pedigree
Outside of their 2019 title win, Atlanta United’s Open Cup history has been rather ordinary, as they’ve been eliminated after two games in three of their five previous appearances. The last time Atlanta reached the Quarterfinals was during their 2019 championship run. After they needed extra time to beat the Charleston Battery in front of an empty stadium, they beat the Columbus Crew on the road before they defeated Saint Louis FC of the USL Championship 2-0. After shutting out Orlando City on the road, they edged Minnesota United 2-1 in the championship game in front of 35,709 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the largest crowd to ever witness a US Open Cup Final. It was the first time that a Final was held indoors and the first time that a Georgia team had ever lifted the trophy.
In Atlanta’s short Open Cup history, they’ve faced Division 2 opposition just seven times resulting in a 4-2-1 record with the one draw resulting in a PK tiebreaker win. Atlanta’s only loss to a USL Championship foe in the Open Cup came last year in a 2-1 extra time defeat at the hands of Memphis 901 FC.
Open Cup success has been elusive for Indy Eleven, in eight previous appearances the club has lost in their opening game four times and was eliminated in their second game the other four times. Indy only has three Open Cup games against MLS, resulting in a 0-2-1 record, and all three games were on the road.
How they got here
Atlanta had an easy time with Charlotte Independence winning 3-0 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Ga. After a scoreless first half Nick Firmino put United up 2-0 with a brace, and Daniel Rios closed out the scoring near the end of the game.
Atlanta’s Round of 16 game at the Charleston Battery was significantly more difficult, as the MLS side battled host Charleston to a scoreless draw over 120 minutes before prevailing 5-4 in the penalty kick shootout. Goalkeeper Josh Cohen turned out to be the difference maker for Atlanta, saving Charleston’s final two penalty attempts as Atlanta converted their final five shots.
It was Charleston’s fourth Open Cup elimination at the hands of Atlanta United, having previously been knocked out of the tournament in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Indy Eleven opened its 2024 tournament with a 1-0 win over Chicago Fire II of MLS NEXT Pro. Douglas Martinez scored the lone goal in the 6th minute, and goalkeeper Yannik Oettl (who was a finalist for TheCup.us Player of the Round) kept Chicago out of his goal with 11 saves from 22 shots faced.
Before the Fourth Round, news broke that the city of Indianapolis had been in conversations with Major League Soccer (MLS) about bringing an expansion franchise to the market. This caused plans for “Eleven Park”, a brand new 20,000-seat stadium for the USL side to be halted while the city discussed details of a different plan, tailored to a potential new MLS club with an unnamed group of investors. Despite the drama, Indy Eleven proceeded to eliminate San Antonio FC 2-0 on the strength of goals from Augustine Williams and Jack Blake in the first ten minutes.
Indy Eleven’s Round of 16 against Detroit City FC looked to be their toughest hurdle yet, but it turned out to be the opposite. A 14th minute own goal from DCFC was followed in the first half by scores from Augustine Williams and Ben Ofeimu gave Indy a 3-0 lead at the half. Despite being outshot 17-6, Indy goalkeeper Hunter Sulte made seven saves to keep Detroit off the board and preserve a third straight shutout win with a 3-0 victory, giving Indy Eleven their first quarterfinal appearance in club history. It also marks the first time that a team from Indiana has reached the Quarterfinals since the Indianapolis Inferno did it in 1992.
Atlanta in the Quarterfinals
The city of Atlanta’s first foray into the Quarterfinals came in 1979 when Datagraphic fell to Tampa’s H. Brooks Dodge Chargers 2-1. The Atlanta Wolves became the first Atlanta team to win a Quarterfinal game when they beat the Chargers 5-2 the following year. Datagraphic returned in 1981 and defeated Olympic SC of Louisiana. Soccer City would be Atlanta’s final pre-Modern Era Quarterfinal participant in 1988. Until Atlanta United, the Atlanta Silverbacks were the only Modern Era club to reach the final eight, a 3-1 loss to the Chicago Fire in 2014.
Indianapolis in the Quarterfinals
Indianapolis only has one other appearance in the Quarterfinals, a 2-0 victory by the Indianapolis Inferno over St. Louis’ Scott Gallagher SC.
Atlanta United FC (MLS)
6th US Open Cup appearance (2017-2019, 2022, 2023)
2nd Quarterfinal appearance (2019)
Overall: 9-4-1 (1-0 PK)
Home: 7-2-0
vs. Div. 2: 4-2-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: 2019 US Open Cup champions
Indy Eleven (USL-C)
9th US Open Cup appearance (2014-2019, 2022, 2023)
1st Quarterfinal appearance
Overall: 7-7-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 1-5-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 0-2-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2014, 2016)
Tuesday, July 9
Sacramento Republic FC (USL-C)
vs.
Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
Heart Health Park – Sacramento, CA
Kickoff: 11 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: Apple TV
Winner hosts Los Angeles FC or New Mexico United in Semifinals
Like Atlanta, Seattle started their season slow, remaining just outside the playoff line. The Sounders then took off in June. After opening the month with a 2-1 loss to Kansas City, Seattle reeled off a five game unbeaten streak which is still ongoing. The hot run has propelled Seattle to sixth place in the Western Conference, although they have just a one point cushion over 10th place Austin FC.
Veterans Jordan Morris and Raul Ruidiaz lead the offense with eight goals each, accounting for over half the Sounders 31 goals this year. Albert Rusnák (10) and Obed Vargas (5) are the club’s assist leaders. Longtime goalkeeper Stefan Frei, who helped the Sounders win their most recent Open Cup title in 2014, has five clean sheets in his 18 games this year.
While Sacramento has been near the top of the USL Western Conference all year, recently they’ve hit a bit of a rough stretch. Their last five games have resulted in a 2-2-1 record, and they’ve only had back-to-back wins once this year. While they have one of the lowest scoring offenses in the USL Championship with just 21 goals in 17 games, their 13 goals conceded is tied for fewest in the league. Leading the defense is longtime goalkeeper Danny Vitiello, who leads the league with eight shutouts. The offense is led by Trevor Amman with eight goals. Amman set the single season goal scoring record for USL League One in 2023 with 23 while with the Northern Colorado Hailstorm.
Open Cup Pedigree
Sacramento has been the most consistent USL Championship club in recent years, having advanced to a third game in all but one of their eight previous appearances. They are also the last non-MLS club to reach the Final, having done so in 2022. Despite falling short in the 2022 Final, club legend Rodrigo Lopez was voted TheCup.us Player of the Tournament. Sacramento holds a remarkable 20-2-1 (1-1 PK) record in home Open Cup games, including a 14-game unbeaten streak stretching from 2017-2023. However, Republic only have a 5-6-2 (1-1 PKs) record against MLS teams, although their one previous Open Cup game versus Seattle in the 2018 Fourth Round resulted in a 2-1 extra time triumph for Sacramento.(Highlights)
Like Sporting Kansas City, Seattle is entering this year’s Open Cup looking to make history, as they are one championship away from joining Bethlehem Steel, Maccabee AC and the Fall River Marksmen as five time Cup champions. Historically Seattle haven’t played many Division 2 clubs in the Open Cup, with two of their last five encounters ending in defeat to the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2013 and Sacramento Republic in 2018, The loss to the Rowdies stopped an all-time record 22-game unbeaten run in the Open Cup, and prevented Seattle from a possible fourth straight Open Cup title (something no team has ever done).
The last five Open Cup tournaments haven’t been very successful for the Sounders, going “one-and-done” three times, and the other two lasting just two games. Seattle has had four teams in the Open Cup over the years. While Seattle is an impressive 30-4-4 at home in the Open Cup, their road record is a dreadful 8-14-4.
How they got here
Sacramento added yet another win to their impressive home Open Cup record with a 2-0 win over league rivals Monterey Bay FC in the Fourth Round. Kieran Phillips scored a few minutes after a Monterey own goal to set the final score before halftime. For the rest of the game 2022 Player of the Round winner goalkeeper Danny Vitiello kept Monterey off the board with several clearances and big saves.
Sacramento had a flair for the dramatic in their 4-3 extra time win over the San Jose Earthquakes in the Round of 16. Kieran Phillips’ two first half goal wiped out an early 1-0 San Jose lead, then their MLS foes leveled the score with just ten minutes remaining. San Jose jumped in front in the 100th minute, but Luis Rodrigues and Sebastián Herrera came to the rescue for Sacramento with goals in the 106th and 107th minutes. Phillips was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round for his performance in the game.
Seattle had a bit more work on their plate in eliminating Louisville City FC in front of a Seattle-friendly crowd at Starfire Soccer Complex. Up 2-0 midway through the second half on goals from Paul Rothrock and Danny Musovski, Louisville clawed their way back. After a successful penalty kick from Sean Totsch in the 67th minute, Jorge Gonzalez pulled Louisville level in the 89th minute. After 30 minutes of scoreless extra time, goalkeeper Andrew Thomas stepped up in the penalty tiebreaker, saving three attempts from Louisville before converting a PK of his own to win the shootout 5-4.
Seattle’s Round of 16 game was another nailbiter, as they squeezed past Phoenix Rising 2-1. A 68th minute Alex Roldan penalty kick cancelled out a PK from Phoenix’s Rami Cabral in the first half. With just two minutes remaining, Kalani Kossa-Rienzi ensured Seattle would avoid extra time and penalties this time around with the game winning goal.
Sacramento in the Quarterfinals
The Sacramento Republic are the only team from the California state capital to reach the Quarterfinals in the history of the Open Cup.
Seattle in the Quarterfinals
The city of Seattle’s first Quarterfinal appearance outside of the Sounders came back in 1970, when the Leif Erikson Vikings upset the San Francisco Scots to reach the final eight. The Vikings would lose on aggregate 6-4 to Los Angeles’ Croatian SC. Heidelberg Brewers would match the Vikings’ run in 1971, this time falling to LA’s Yugoslav American SC 3-0 over two legs. The Mitre Eagles (also known as Croatian SC and FOE Eagles #1) would represent Seattle in the final eight numerous times in the 1980s. The Eagles reached the Quarterfinals in 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986 and 1987, with wins coming in 1983 and 1987.
Sacramento Republic FC (USL-C)
8th US Open Cup appearance (2014-2019, 2022, 2023)
2nd Quarterfinal appearance
Overall: 22-7-2 (1-1 PK)
Home: 20-2-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. MLS: 5-6-2 (1-1 PK)
Best finish: Runner-Up (2022)
Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
26th US Open Cup appearance (1995-1997, 1999-2003, 2005-2019, 2022, 2023)
12th Quarterfinal appearance (7th in MLS)
Overall: 38-18-8 (5-3 PK) | 23-7-6 (4-2 PK) as MLS
Away: 8-14-4 (2-2 PK) | 4-5-3 (2-1 PK) as MLS
vs. Div. 2: 6-3-3 (2-1 PK) | 5-2-1 (1-0 PK) as MLS
Best finish: Champions (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014)
Wednesday, July 10
Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
vs.
FC Dallas (MLS)
Children’s Mercy Park – Kansas City, KS
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: Apple TV
Winner hosts FC Dallas or Sporting KC in Semifinals
Of the eight teams left in the running for the 2024 US Open Cup, Sporting Kansas City is the one club whose only hope for a trophy likely rests in winning the Open Cup. Currently 11 points adrift from a spot in the MLS playoffs, KC is anchored at the bottom of the MLS Western Conference with only the San Jose Earthquakes keeping them out of last place.
Despite Kansas City’s miserable season, the club ranks 12th overall in MLS in goals scored. Led by Will Agada’s five goals, eight other players have tallied two or more goals this year. Memo Rodriguez leads the way with five assists, and nine other players have at least two assists. Johnny Russell and Erik Thommy are also key players in the offense with four goals and three assists each. KC’s problem lies with their defense, allowing 46 goals in 22 games, second-worst in the league. Kansas City have allowed two or more goals in 13 games this season.
The fortunes for FC Dallas are a little bit better than KC, currently 11th in the MLS Western Conference and only five points out of a playoff spot. Dallas’ goalscoring nearly matches KC with 30 on the year, led by Petar Musa who sits just outside the league top 10 with 10 goals. Jesus Ferreira has four goals and four assists, one assist behind team leader Sebastien Lletget.
Dallas will look to overcome its Open Cup curse against Kansas City, having lost all five Cup games the clubs have faced off in (see below). This is also the second game this week the pair have faced each other in, having met in an MLS contest on July 7, although it’s tough to judge anything from that game as both teams elected to rest many of their regulars in anticipation of their Open Cup clash. For the record, Kansas City won the game 3-2.
Open Cup Pedigree
Initially known as the Kansas City Wiz, then the Kansas City Wizards, and now Sporting Kansas City, along with the Chicago Fire and Seattle Sounders, are on the cusp of joining Bethlehem Steel, Maccabee AC and the Fall River Marksmen as five-time Open Cup champions. After a slow first few years, KC hit their stride in the Open Cup, and since 2002 they’ve never gone more than two years between reaching at least the Quarterfinals. Sporting is also 7-2-3 against Division 2 opponents, with their last outright loss coming to the Minnesota Thunder in the 2005 Quarterfinals. Sporting are 16-11-3 (3-0 PKs) against MLS clubs but are on an eight-game Open Cup home winning streak, and a 14-game home unbeaten streak going back to 2014. KC’s last Open Cup home loss was a 3-1 defeat by the Portland Timbers in the 2014 Fifth Round.
For much of their Open Cup history FC Dallas has been one of the most successful MLS clubs, having reached at least the Quarterfinals 16 times, reaching the Final four times, and winning the Cup in 1997 and 2016. This year will mark the 17th trip to the Quarterfinals for FC Dallas, which is tied with St. Louis’ Kutis SC for the most in the history of the tournament (dating back to 1913). Since the 2016 title, Dallas reached the quarters in 2017 followed by three consecutive exits after two games and a 2-0 loss to Nashville SC in their opening game last year. Dallas’ record against fellow MLS clubs is less than stellar at 13-15-3 (2-1 in PKs). Their last win versus an MLS team in the Open Cup was a 3-1 home triumph over the Colorado Rapids in the 2017 Fifth Round.
How they got here
In their rematch from the 2022 Quarterfinals, Sporting Kansas City narrowly avoided a penalty shootout with Union Omaha, snatching a 2-1 win at the end of extra time. Omaha held a 1-0 lead at halftime, but Marinos Tzionis equalized for SKC just after the break. The teams battled through over 70 more minutes of scoreless play and just as it looked like a penalty shootout was necessary, Alan Pulido snuck a shot by Omaha goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu from the top of the penalty area to give Sporting the win.
In the Round of 16, KC dominated FC Tulsa 4-0 at home. Felipe Hernández scored on both sides of halftime and Stephen Afrifa and Marinos Tzionis provided the other goals as Sporting outshot Tulsa 34-3.
Dallas eased past Memphis 901 FC 1-0 in the Fourth Round. Logan Farrington’s first goal as a professional in the 73rd minute was all that was needed for Dallas to move on.
In the Round of 16, Dallas travelled to St. Petersburg, Fla. to battle the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL Championship and came away 2-1 winners. Goalkeeper Maarten Paes was peppered with 30 shots and made eight saves. Patrickson Delgado and Logan Farrington provided Dallas with goals in the first half and the Rowdies were kept off the board until Joshua Perez converted a penalty in the 85th minute for the home team.
Previous Open Cup Meetings
Kansas City and Dallas have met five times in the Open Cup, all of them home games for KC and each game won outright by Kansas City (no penalty shootouts). In addition, after the first three wins in 2004, 2015, and 2017, KC went on to win the Open Cup. Out of Open Cup matchups between the same two teams of four games or more, Kansas City isn’t the only teams who are undefeated. FC Dallas has swept all four meetings with the Colorado Rapids and the Chicago Fire have eliminated their rival Columbus Crew in all six of their meetings (that includes the 1998 Final)
Aug. 4, 2004 – Kansas City Wizards 4-0 Dallas Burn
The first Open Cup meeting between Dallas and Kansas City came in the 2004 Quarterfinals when both teams were still known as Kansas City Wizards and the Dallas Burn. After a scoreless opening half, KC broke the game open with four goals in the second half. Chris Klein (52’), Davy Arnaud (57’), Justin Detter (73’), and Alex Zotinca (88’) provided the scoring, with Arnaud providing an assist on Detter’s goal. Kansas City would go on to win their first Open Cup title with a 1-0 win over the Chicago Fire. Highlights
July 1, 2015 – Sporting Kansas City 6-2 Dallas Burn
Eleven years later the clubs would meet in the Fifth Round, and Dallas’ fortunes did not improve. Dom Dwyer exploded for four goals (5’, 30’, 41’, 69’) and Krisztian Nemeth added two more (45’+, 59’) as KC jumped out to a 5-0 lead in an eventual 6-2 victory. Michael Barrios (61’) and Kellyn Acosta (73’) netted consolation goals for Dallas. Just as they did in 2004, Sporting went on to win the Open Cup over the Philadelphia Union on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
July 11, 2017 – Sporting Kansas City 3-0 (aet) Dallas Burn
Dallas came into the 2017 quarterfinal contest as defending Open Cup champions, making this loss a bitter pill to swallow. KC were reduced to 10 men in the 15th minute when defender Seth Sinovic drew a straight red card. KC held on for a scoreless draw to force extra time. In the 101st minute Dallas’ Max Urruti was sent off for his second yellow card when his attempted bicycle kick struck KC defender Ike Opara in the head, resulting in Opara being stretchered off the field. In the vast amount of stoppage time because of Opara’s injury, Latif Blessing scored twice to put KC in firm control, In between Blessing’s goals, Dallas’s Javie Morales wassent off for pulling down Benny Feilhaber on a breakaway. Daniel Salloi scored the third and final goal in the 118th minute. KC would go on to win their fourth Open Cup title oner the New York Red Bulls 2-1. Highlights
June 16, 2018 – Sporting Kansas City 3-2 Dallas Burn
The closest of the five games took place in the Fifth Round of the 2018 tournament, when the teams traded the lead twice before KC’s late game winner. Carlos Gruezo put Dallas ahead in the 18th minute, only for Daniel Salloi to knot it up just before halftime. Salloi netted his second goal in the 66th minute, and eleven minutes later Roland Lamah answered for Dallas to level the score at 2-2. As extra time loomed, Yohan Croizet won the game for KC in the 89th minute. Unlike the previous three wins, KC did not go on to win the Open Cup, but instead were eliminated in the Quarterfinals by 4-2 by the Houston Dynamo, the eventual 2018 champions.
May 10, 2022 – Sporting Kansas City 4-2 (aet) Dallas Burn
The two clubs took part in another classic in the 2022 Fourth Round. Dallas jumped out to a 2-0 halftime lead on goals from Franco Jara (8’) and Edwin Munjoma (34’). Nikola Vujnovic cut the lead in half in the 60th minute, but Dallas appeared as though they would finally break their dry spell against KC in the Open Cup, but things fell apart in second half stoppage time. Dallas’ Jose Martinez was sent off in the seventh minute of stoppage time, and soon after Marinos Tzionis headed home a corner kick from Remi Walter to tie the game and force extra time. Four minutes into extra time disaster struck again for Dallas, as a shot blocked by goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer rebounded off the back of defender Edwin Cerrillo for an own goal. Khiry Shelton would ice the game in the 113th minute with KC’s fourth goal. Highlights
Kansas City in the Quarterfinals
Outside of sporting Kansas City’s success the city of Kansas City doesn’t have much quarterfinal history in the Open Cup. The only other appearance of a Kansas City team this deep in the tournament came in 1988, when a team called Udinese fell to St. Louis’ Busch Soccer Club 4-0. Udinese was the adult team of a club that fielded many youth teams in the Kansas City area.
Dallas in the Quarterfinals
The city of Dallas was first represented in the Quarterfinals in 1985 by Mean Green, founded by alumni of North Texas State University. The club would soon become one of the more successful teams in the country, making six appearances in the Quarterfinals as well as winning the National Amateur Cup in 1984 and 1988. Over its history the team switched a few times from Dallas Express, Dallas Inter, and even FC Dallas in 1989. From 1991-1994 the Dallas Rockets of the USISL reached the Quarterfinals four years in a row.
Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
24th US Open Cup appearance (1996-1998, 200-2006, 2008-2019, 2022, 2023)
11th Quarterfinal appearance
Overall: 34-16-7 (4-3 PK)
Home: 25-7-2 (2-0 PK)
vs. MLS : 16-11-3 (3-0 PK)
Best finish: Champions (2004, 2012, 2015, 2017)
FC Dallas (MLS)
25th US Open Cup appearance (1996-2008, 2011-2019, 2022, 2023)
17th Quarterfinal appearance (Tied for all-time lead)
Overall: 38-21-6 (5-1 PK)
Away: 15-14-2 (2-0 PK)
vs. MLS: 13-15-3 (2-1 PK)
Best finish: Champions (1997, 2016)
Wednesday, July 10
Los Angeles FC (MLS)
vs.
New Mexico United (USL-C)
BMO Stadium – Los Angeles, CA
Kickoff: 11 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: Apple TV
Winner plays at Seattle Sounders FC or Sacramento Republic FC in Semifinals
Unlike the other Quarterfinal matchups that feature at least one team fighting for the playoff lives, this encounter is a showdown of first place clubs. New Mexico United, first place in the USL Championship Western Conference, travels to California to face Los Angeles FC, leaders of the MLS Western Conference.
While New Mexico comes in with a slim +3 goal difference in league play, United have won four of their last five games. Head coach Eric Quill is off to an incredible start in his first full season with the club, having taken over from Zach Prince at mid-season last year. Greg Hurst leads the way with seven of New Mexico’s 23 goals on the year and goalkeeper Alex Tambakis has recorded five clean sheets. Despite holding an 7-0-0 record at home, United are just 4-4-1 on the road this year.
LAFC have been near the top of the table all season, and currently hold a 13-4-4 mark. LA’s offense and defense are among the best in MLS, their 43 goals scored is good for 3rd best in the league, and the 24 goals allowed 3rd fewest. Their one-two punch of Denis Bouanga (14 goals) and Mateusz Bogusz (12 goals) rank near the top of the MLS leaders. The pair also lead the team in assists with nine (Bouanga) and six (Bogusz). Veteran goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is second in MLS with eight clean sheets. LAFC got a bit of a break this week, as their MLS game at Houston this past Sunday was postponed due to the arrival of Hurricane Beryl.
Open Cup Pedigree
New Mexico’s best Open Cup performance came in their initial appearance in 2019, reaching the Quarterfinals by knocking off USL championship rivals Phoenix Rising and Colorado Springs Switchbacks, then upsetting the Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas before falling to Minnesota United in the Quarterfinals.
LAFC made a splash in their inaugural Open Cup appearance in 2018, reaching the Semifinals where they were ousted by the Houston Dynamo on penalties after a 3-3 draw. Since then, a Quarterfinal finish in 2019 is the deepest LAFC has gone, getting eliminated by “El Trafico” rivals LA Galaxy in 2022 & 2023. LAFC are 5-0-1 (1-0 PK) against USL/USL Championship clubs and have only ever played MLS or USL Div. 2 teams in their 14 Open Cup games.
How they got here
In the Third Round, a pesky Lubbock Matadors (NPSL) hung with New Mexico United for 58 minutes, then in the blink of an eye were down 3-0 when Harry Swartz, Daniel Bruce and Mukwelle Akale all scored in the span of four minutes for New Mexico on their way to a 3-1 victory.
In the Fourth Round, New Mexico pulled off the unexpected, knocking off MLS Western Conference leader Real Salt Lake 4-2. Zico Bailey opened the scoring with goals in the 17th and 19th minutes, earning him TheCup.us’ Player of the Round award. After trading goals in the first half, RSL closed the gap to one just after halftime, but Jacobo Reyes slammed the door shut with his 85th minute goal.
In the Round of 16, New Mexico ended the Cinderella dreams of the only Division 3 team remaining in the tournament, travelling to Queens, NY to eliminate MLS NEXT Pro’s New York City FC II 3-0. New Mexico took control after a scoreless second half, getting goals from Avionne Flanagan (50’), Talen Maples (65’) and Anthony Herbert (86’). Marco Micaletto provided assists on the first two goals.
LAFC kicked off their tournament in the Fourth Round, putting away the Las Vegas Lights 3-1. After the teams traded goals early in the second half, Cristian Olivera came through with a pair of scores in the 70th minute and stoppage time.
In the Round of 16, LAFC had little trouble with Loudoun United, defeating the USL Championship club 3-0. Timothy Tillman opened the scoring in the 8th minute and Cristian Olivera and Tomas Angel added second half goals.
New Mexico in the Quarterfinals
The state of New Mexico’s only other Quarterfinal appearance came in 1991, when the New Mexico Chiles of the SISL (now USL) defeated Strikers SC of Los Angeles 5-0. Enrique Serrano and Vlade Stanojevic each scored a pair of goals and Brook Miller added one more.
Los Angeles in the Quarterfinals
Clubs from Los Angeles have been a fixture in the Open Cup Quarterfinals since teams from the area began Open Cup play in 1954. Up until 1979 the team that won the Southern California qualifying tournament was guaranteed a spot in the final eight, thus teams from the Southland have made 49 Quarterfinal appearances, led by the LA Galaxy with 13, followed by Maccabee AC with 8, Los Angeles Kickers, LA Exiles and LAFC with three apiece.
Los Angeles FC (MLS)
5th US Open Cup appearance (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023)
3rd Quarterfinal appearance
Overall: 9-3-2 (1-1 PK)
Home: 7-2-0
vs. Div. 2: 5-0-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: Semifinals (2018)
New Mexico United (USL-C)
4th US Open Cup appearance (2019, 2022, 2023)
2nd Quarterfinal appearance
Overall: 8-3-2 (2-0 PK)
Away: 3-3-2 (2-0 PK)
vs. Div. 3: 1-0-0
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2019)