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Last we left you in December 2024, Open Division qualifying was wrapping up, determining the last of the six Open Division (amateur) clubs to gain a spot in the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Fast forward three months and Christmas Day for Open Cup enthusiasts (some may say Open Cup Sickos) has arrived, three days of wall-to-wall Open Cup action to kick off the 2025 tournament.
A few things have changed compared to last year, More MLS teams are in the mix (16, up from last year’s 8). Eight teams from the USL Championship will start in Round 1, a change from last year when all 24 clubs for the USL’s top pro league entered in Round 3. This means the opening round will feature pro vs. amateur clubs in each matchup, with the survivors battling it out in the Second Round (April 1-2), and the Second Round winners facing the remaining 16 USL Championship clubs in the Third Round the week of April 15-16. All 16 MLS teams await the Third Round winners the week of May 6-7 in the Fourth Round.
A total of 25 teams are making their Open Cup debuts, all entering in the First Round. Three of those opening round games pit debuting clubs against one another. Nine former champions are in this year’s field: Chicago Fire FC, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, New England Revolution, Orlando City, Richmond Kickers, New York Pancyprian Freedoms and El Farolito (then known as CD Mexico), with the Chicago Fire seeking their record-tying fifth Open Cup title. For the first time in the Modern Era, the defending Open Cup winners will NOT defend its championship, as Los Angeles FC will be represented by its MLS NEXT Pro team LAFC II, due to Los Angeles FC’s participation in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Wednesday is the busiest day of the First Round, featuring 13 matches, with nine teams making their debut (5 pro and 4 amateur).
Follow TheCup.us on X (Twitter) @USOpenCup throughout the weekend for live updates from our reporters who will be at every stadium and with every First Round game being streamed online via YouTube, you can find links to those below.
Like millions of other users, we are transitioning over to BlueSky and we will have updates there as well.
Below you will find a preview of the 13 games kicking off on Wednesday:
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19
New York Renegades (UPSL) at Columbus Crew 2 (MLS NEXT Pro)
Lower.com Field – Columbus, OH
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube
New York Renegades
United Premier Soccer League | Hicksville, NY
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Drew 1-1 (aet) with Lansdowne Bhoys in Round 4 of Open Division Qualifying
Founded: 2019
Manager: Christian Turizon
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A
This is one of three opening round games this year between debuting clubs.
The Renegades had a stellar year in the UPSL spring season, finishing 10-0-0 and reaching the Quarterfinals of 2024 Spring UPSL national playoffs. They were one of just three teams to go unbeaten and untied in 2024 UPSL Spring season. The Renegades finished 8-2-0 in the UPSL fall season. Forward Reneau Rances led the UPSL fall season with 28 goals.
The Renegades opened qualifying with a 4-3 win over one of the more historic clubs in the year’s qualifying field, the New York Greek American SC (EPSL). Oscar Rivas Romero led the way with a pair of goals in the first half. In the Third Round, the Renegades cruised past Leros SC (Long Island Soccer Football League) 6-0, Reneau Rances scoring twice. In the final round, the Renegades played to a 1-1 extra time draw with 5-time Open Cup qualifiers Lansdowne Yonkers, but prevailed in the penalty shootout 4-1.
Columbus Crew 2
MLS NEXT Pro | Columbus, OH
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Columbus Crew entered in 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup
Founded: 2021
Manager: Federico Higuaín
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A
Columbus Crew 2 earned their debut entry in the Open Cup when their parent club (Columbus Crew SC) gained entry into the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup as 2024 Leagues Cup champions. Crew 2 has been one of the better MLS NEXT Pro teams in its short life, winning the MLS NEXT Pro Championship in 2022 and finishing runners-up in 2023. 2024 was a bit of a step back, as they finished 7th in the Eastern Conference at 11-10-7, but still managed to reach the conference finals in the playoffs.
Taking over the reins as the new head coach is Federico Higuaín, who played eight seasons for the Crew, scoring 55 goals over 193 games. When Higuaín left Columbus as the Crew’s all-time regular season assist leader with 63. Higuaín was in charge of Inter Miami CF II from 2022-2024.
Corpus Christi FC (USL-2) at Chattanooga Football Club (MLS NEXT Pro)
Finley Stadium – Chattanooga, TN
6:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube
Corpus Christi FC
USL League Two | Corpus Christi, TX
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Finished 1st in USL L2 Lone Star Division
Founded: 2017
Manager: Manuel Iwabuchi
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A
Active since 2017, Corpus Christi FC are set to make their debut in the US Open Cup. The club has been successful for the most part in their six USL League Two seasons, but 2024 was easily the best. Finishing 10-1-1, they reached the South Conference Final, losing 1-0 to fellow Cup qualifier Asheville City SC. 2025 will be the last season for the club in USL-2, with plans to move up to USL League One for the 2026 season. The team also has plans to construct a $28 million sporting complex that would include a 5,000 seat stadium.
Chattanooga FC
MLS NEXT Pro | Chattanooga, TN
9th US Open Cup appearance (2011, 2013-2017, 2022-2024)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid as Independent MLS NEXT Pro club
Founded: 2009
Manager: Chris Nugent
Overall: 3-7-5 (3-2 PK)
Home: 2-4-2 (2-0 PK)
vs. Amateurs: 1-2-3 (2-1 PK)
Best finish: Third Round (2014-2016, 2022-2023)
Chattanooga FC started out as an NPSL club in 2009, reaching the NPSL Championship four times. The club transitioned to a professional team to join NISA in 2019, where they became one of that league’s more successful teams despite not winning a league championship. In 2024 the club moved to MLS NEXT Pro, where they barely missed the playoffs. In the 2024 US Open Cup, Chattanooga FC were upset at home by amateur club Miami United FC 1-0.
Chattanooga FC are by far the most experienced MLS NEXT Pro team as far as the Open Cup is concerned, having made nine previous appearances., Chattanooga’s deepest run came in 2015, when they advanced past the Ocala Stampede and Wilmington Hammerheads on penalties, only to lose in extra time to the NASL’s Atlanta Silverbacks 2-1.
Markus Naglestad, who led NISA in goals scored in 2022 and 2023 with 19 and 15 tallies, is returning to the club for 2025 after being away for much of the 2024 season.
Chattanooga have played eight of their 15 Open Cup games at home in Finley Stadium, where they are 2-4-2, with the two draws resulting in penalty tiebreaker wins. This will be the third time time Chattanooga has faced an amateur team since turning pro, their only win coming against the Des Moines Menace in the 2023 Second Round.
MORE: Chattanooga Football Club parts ways with CEO
One Knoxville SC (USLL1) at Appalachian FC (NPSL)
Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex – Boone, NC
7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube
One Knoxville SC
USL League One | Knoxville, TN
3rd US Open Cup appearances (2023, 2024)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2021
Manager: Ian Fuller
Overall: 1-2-0
Away: 1-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 1-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2023, 2024)
One Knoxville began as an amateur team in USL League Two with the intent to eventually move to League One. After registering a 11-1-2 record and reaching the League Two Quarterfinals in the 2022 season, One Knoxville made the move to League One for the 2023 campaign, missing the playoffs. 2024 saw an improvement to a 9-5-8 record and a playoff berth, allowing a league low 16 goals but also scoring a league low 23.
Taking over as head coach for 2025 is Ian Fuller, who played 11 seasons for clubs in MLS and the USL Championship from 2002-2013 and had served as an assistant coach for Minnesota United from 2016-2024. Fuller nearly made history in 2008 when he led the Charleston Battery (USL) to the US Open Cup Final. He scored an early equalizer against D.C. United in the Final, but the MLS side would eventually lift the trophy with a 2-1 win.
After going one and done in their 2023 Open Cup debut, One Knoxville doubled that performance by defeating Asheville City SC (USL L2) 2-0 in the First Round, then dropping a 3-2 extra time decision to League One rivals Greenville Triumph.
MORE: One Knoxville SC to make ‘major announcement’ at season kickoff event
Appalachian FC
National Premier Soccer League | Boone, NC
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2023)
How they qualified: Finished 8-0-2 in NPSL Southeast Conference
Founded: 2020
Manager: Dale Parker
Overall: 0-1-1 (1-0 PK)
Home: 0-0-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. Div. 3: 0-1-0
Best finish: Second Round (2023)
Look out, the ‘squach is back in the Open Cup! After missing out last year, Appalachian FC make their return to the US Open Cup in 2025. A 8-0-2 record in the 2024 NPSL season was good enough to secure one of the league’s seven spots in this year’s field. Appalachian FC got its start in late 2020 when Appalachian State University discontinued varsity sports including men’s soccer due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jason O’Keefe, the head coach of the men’s soccer team and soccer executive Michael Hitchcock joined up with a group of local business owners to field a team in the NPSL. Their crest and mascot are among the more unique ones in American soccer, drawing on the folklore of Sasquatch sightings in North Carolina and the Appalachian Mountain region.
Appalachian FC have been fairly successful in their three seasons of NPSL play, reaching the playoffs all three years. Head coach Dale Parker was named NPSL Coach of the Year in 2022.
Appalachian FC only have two Open Cup games to their credit, Advancing vie penalties after a 2-2 draw with North Carolina Fusion U-23s (USL-2), and a 2-0 loss to the Charlotte Independence (USL-1).
MORE: Appalachian FC roster starting to take shape ahead of U.S. Open Cup
Virginia Dream FC (USASA / VSSL) at Richmond Kickers (USLL1)
City Stadium – Richmond, VA
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube
Virginia Dream FC
Virginia Super Soccer League/USASA | Falls Church, Virginia
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Defeated Aegean Hawks (APL) 2-1 in Round 4 of Open Division Qualifying
Founded: 2022
Manager: CJ Taylor
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A
Virginia Dream drew a bye through Rounds 1 and 2 of the Open Division Qualifying tournament. In the Third Round, Virginia defeated the UPSL’s Alexandria Reds 2-1 after extra time, both goals coming from Nico Likulia. In the final round Virginia knocked off 3-time Open Cup qualifiers Aegean Hawks 2-1, with Mike Akinkoye scoring the winner in the 89th minute.
MORE: Virginia’s Dream team dressing for the big occasion (US Soccer)
Virginia Dream’s UPSL team finished 8-1-1 in 2024 spring season and reached the Round of 16 in the UPSL national playoffs. Their team in the Virginia Super Soccer League finished 9-0-1 in the summer season and finished 8-0-2 in the fall session. They also won the MSSL-VSSL SuperCup championship over Steel Pulse FC 6-1. Virginia was anchored through Open Cup qualifying and the VSSL Fall league by former D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid who has since signed with Miami FC (USL Championship).
Richmond Kickers
USL League One | Richmond, VA
25th US Open Cup appearance (1995, 1997, 2000-2002, 2004-2024)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 1993
Manager: Darren Sawatzky
Overall: 36-21-5 (2-3 PK)
Home: 29-8-2 (0-2 PK)
vs. Amateurs: 17-2-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: 1995 US Open Cup champions
The Richmond Kickers are one of three Open Cup champions in the First Round as the USL League One side will make its 20th straight Open Cup appearance. Aside from their championship win in 1995, Richmond has one Semifinal appearance (2011) and three trips to the Quarterfinals (2001, 2004, 2007) on their Open Cup resume. Since that Semifinal run in 2011, the Kickers have advanced to a third game just four times and have faced MLS opposition seven times without success.
Richmond, who were founded in 1993, have lost to amateur opposition just twice in 19 games, the last time coming at the hands of Christos in 2017 at City Stadium in Richmond. This game will mark the 35th Open Cup contest played at Richmond’s City Stadium, putting it one game away from tying the Modern Era high of 36 held by MUSC Heath/Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C., which has since closed.
In 2024, the Kickers bounced back somewhat from a near last place finish in 2023, claiming the final USL League One playoff spot with a 6-10-6 record. In last year’s Open Cup Richmond knocked off Christos FC (USASA) 1-0 and the Maryland Bobcats (NISA) 5-2, before falling to Loudoun United (USL-C) on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw.
MORE: A new look for the Kickers: ‘The club wouldn’t exist without Richmond’
Miami United FC (UPSL) at Inter Miami CF II (MLS NEXT Pro)
Chase Stadium – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube
Miami United FC
United Premier Soccer League | Miami, FL
How they qualified: Defeated Red Force (PFL/USASA) 3-2 (aet) in Round 4 of Open Division Qualifying
Founded: 2013
Manager: Claudio Frean
7th US Open Cup appearance (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022-24)
Overall: 8-5-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 3-3-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. Div. 3: 2-1-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2018)
Back for their fourth straight Open Cup appearance, and seventh overall, Miami United has quite a task if they want to top last year’s performance. In the 2024 US Open Cup, Miami United knocked off pro clubs Chattanooga FC (1-0) and Club de Lyon (2-0), before falling to Memphis 901 FC (USL Championship) 2-0. Jhon Pajoy scored the very first goal of the 2024 tournament, and while no award was given for best goal of the tournament, his rocket free kick would have easily been a contender (SEE BELOW).
However, MU’s 2024 run doesn’t even rank as their deepest run in the Open Cup. Their most successful stint came in 2018 when they reached the Fourth Round (just 17 amateur teams have done it in the Modern Era) after defeating FC Kendall, Miami FC 2 and Jacksonville Armada to earn a game with Orlando City SC of MLS, which they lost 3-0.
In their qualifying run, Miami United received a bye in the First Round, then cruised past River Miami FC, powered by a hat-trick from Robertino Insua, and two additional goals from Alessandro Mazzetta. In the Third Round, the USSL’s O’Shea’s FC held Miami United to a 0-0 draw for 75 minutes, but Alejo Fernandez broke the deadlock and Robertino Insua scored twice in the final four minutes to keep Miami on track for the 2025 Open Cup. To clinch their spot in this years field, Miami United had to outlast Southern Florida rivals Red Force 3-2 after extra time. After trading goals in the first extra period, Diego Morales sent Miami home victorious with a goal in the 120th minute.
Inter Miami CF II
MLS NEXT Pro | Ft. Lauderdale, FL
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Inter Miami CF entered 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup
Founded: 2019
Manager: Cristian Ledesma
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A
Inter Miami CF II gets its first crack at Open Cup glory due to its parent club gaining a spot in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup as the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield winners. While Inter Miami were setting records in MLS, their reserve club was having a very good season of their own, finishing in third place in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference. The season would end abruptly, as Columbus Crew pulled off a 6-2 upset in the opening round of the playoffs.
Cristian Ledesma takes over as head coach from Federico Higuaín, who departed after last season to take over the head coach position at Columbus Crew 2. Ledesma played much of his 19-year career in Argentina, and served as an assistant coach with Inter Miami II the last three seasons.
Des Moines Menace (USL-2) at Sporting KC II (MLS NEXT Pro)
Swope Soccer Village – Kansas City, MO
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube
Des Moines Menace
USL League Two | Des Moines, IA
15th US Open Cup appearance (2002-03, 2005-06, 2010, 2012-13, 2015-2017, 2019, 2022-24)
How they qualified: Finished 1st in USL-2 Heartland Division
Founded: 1994
Manager: Charlie Latshaw III
Overall: 14-14-4 (3-1PK)
Away: 6-7-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. Div. 3: 2-4-2 (2-0 PK)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2005)
For the fifth year in a row and 15th time overall, the Des Moines Menace are back in their familiar spot in the Open Cup. One of the great lower league upset darlings of the Open Cup in the Modern Era, the Menace have 14 Open Cup wins, and eight upsets of professional opponents, both of which are the second most among all amateur teams in the Modern Era (1995-present). Only the Flint City Bucks (15 wins, 10 pro upsets) have more in both categories. The Menace have missed out on just three Open Cup tournaments since 2010.
The Menace once again finished 2024 atop the USL-2 Heartland Division, going 9-1-2, though they were eliminated in the Midwest Conference Final 1-0 by Peoria City. The Menace are currently on a ten-season streak of finishing either first or second in their division in USL League Two.
The Menace had a bit of fun during last year’s Open Cup run, not only wearing their kit from their debut season of 1994, but also attracting retired MLS legends Sacha Kljestan and Roger Espinoza to play for them in Open Cup games. Kljestan provided the assist on the opening goal for the Menace in their penalty shootout upset of pro side Capistrano FC.
For the ‘25 Open Cup the Menace figured why stop with three MLS stars? This year, Des Moines have announced no less than seven former MLS standouts for their Open Cup roster. Joining the returning Sacha Kljestan are Dax McCarty, Bradley Wright Phillips, Ozzie Alonso, Matt Hedges, Victor Ulloa and Justin Meram. Meram also appeared in last year’s Open Cup with NISA’s Michigan Stars, helping them reach the Third Round.
The Menace have advanced past their opening game in 11 of their previous 14 appearances. 2005 was Des Moines’ most successful run, defeating two pro teams (Charleston Battery 3-2, Atlanta Silverbacks 5-1), setting up a meeting with the Kansas City Wizards (Sporting KC) in the Fourth Round, which the Menace lost 6-1. They would meet the Wizards again in the 2006 Third Round, narrowly losing 2-1 on a 90th minute goal.
Des Moines have faced Division 3 opposition in the Open Cup in only 8 of their 32 Cup games, however this will mark their fourth game in a row they’ve faced off against a Division 3 team, where they are 1-2.
MORE: Des Moines’ proposed USL soccer stadium preparing to claim $23 million in state funding
Sporting Kansas City II
MLS NEXT Pro | Lawrence, KS
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Sporting Kansas City entered in 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup
Founded: 2015
Manager: István Urbányi
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A
Sporting Kansas City II are making their Open Cup debut due to their parent club’s participation in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup as 2024 US Open Cup runners-up. While Sporting’s MLS season was something to forget, Sporting KC II was a bit better, finishing in 10th in the Western Conference and just missing the playoffs. Their 53 goals scored were among the top 10 of the 29-team league, but allowing 57 goals made it hard win games.
Former Hungarian pro István Urbányi takes over as head coach, replacing Benny Feilhaber. Urbányi spent two seasons with San Jose after playing from 1980-1997 for various Hungarian clubs.
Sporting Kansas City II got their start in 2015 as Swope Park Rangers in the USL Championship, and after finishing runners-up in their first two seasons, the team regularly finished near the bottom of the standings. After the 2019 season the team changed its name to Sporting Kansas City II and beginning in 2022 moved to join the newly created MLS NEXT Pro league.
Southern Indiana FC (UPSL) at Lexington Sporting Club (USL-C)
Lexington SC Stadium – Lexington, KY
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube
Southern Indiana FC
United Premier Soccer League | Jeffersonville, IN
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Defeated Dalton United (UPSL) 3-0 in Round 4 of Open Division Qualifying
Founded: 2022
Manager: Brad Hauter
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A
Just across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky, Southern Indiana FC (not to be confused with Southern Indiana Guardians, another UPSL club that competed in Open Cup qualifying), are the first Indiana club to reach the Open Cup through Open Division qualifying since the Indy Eleven NPSL team in 2016.
SIFC received a First Round bye in Open Division qualifying, then made their Open Cup qualifying debut on Oct. 6 with a 3-1 win over Valhalla FC (Ohio Valley Prem. League), with Jake Calderbank converting a pair of penalty kicks in the opening half, and Vladyslav Peretyatko adding the third. In the Third Round SDIFC rolled over UPSL rivals Bowling Green FC 5-0, getting goals from five different players (Ekuchi Salehe, Diallo Irakoze, Jake Calderbank, Kellen Clegg and Luca Perrin). Two goals from Dylan Marres (who weeks earlier played for Louisville City FC in the USL Championship) led SIFC past Dalton United (UPSL) 3-0 and into the 2025 US Open Cup.
SIFC finished 9-0-1 in the UPSL Fall season, winning their final two games 8-0 and 14-0. Vladyslav Peretyatko led the Fall campaign with six goals, and nine other players scored two or more of the team’s 46 Fall season goals.
Lexington Sporting Club
USL Championship | Lexington, KY
3rd US Open Cup appearance (2023, 2024)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2021
Manager: Terry Boss
Overall: 0-2-0
Home: 0-1-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-1-0
Best finish: Second Round (2023)
Lexington’s second and final season in USL League One saw them repeat their 9th place finish from 2023, falling very short of the USL League One preseason prediction poll that tabbed them to win the 2024 championship. In the 2024 offseason Lexington moved up to the USL Championship, a move that was planned when the team started in 2021. Lexington’s 2024 Open Cup ended like their 2023 attempt, one and done. The difference is in 2023 they fell to Louisville City 1-0, while last year they traveled to Vermont and were upset by the Vermont Green of USL League Two in a wild 4-3 shootout.
MORE: Inside Terry Boss’ first preseason at Lexington Sporting Club
Birmingham Legion FC (USL-C) at Little Rock Rangers (USL-2)
Episcopal Collegiate School Wildcat Stadium – Little Rock, AR
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube
Birmingham Legion FC
USL Championship | Birmingham, AL
5th US Open Cup appearance (2019, 2022-2024)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2018
Manager: Tom Soehn
Overall: 6-4-1 (1-0 PK)
Away: 1-2-0
vs. Amateurs: 2-0-0
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2023)
The name Legion is in reference to Birmingham’s historic Legion Field, built in 1927 and a long time (1948-1988) host to college football’s “Iron Bowl” rivalry game between the University of Alabama and Auburn University. Birmingham reached the USL Championship playoffs all five seasons they’ve existed, a streak stopped in 2024 with a 9th place finish in the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference.
Birmingham’s 2024 Open Cup run only lasted two games.
The Legion opened in Round 3 with a 4-2 extra time win over Chattanooga Red Wolves of USL League One, a win that saw Stefano Pinho become just the 13th player in the tournament’s Modern Era (1995-present) to score four or more goals in a single game. In the Fourth Round, Birmingham staged one of the more remarkable comebacks in Open Cup history. Down 3-0 at halftime to the Tampa Bay Rowdies, and 4-0 midway through the second half, Birmingham scored four times after the 82nd minute, including two goals in stoppage time, to tie the game at 4-4. Tampa ultimately would win 6-4 in extra time however.
After a pair of Third Round exits in the Open Cup in 2019 and 2022, Birmingham hit paydirt in 2023, reaching the Quarterfinals, knocking off Charlotte FC 1-0 In the Fifth Round in front of a record 12,722 fans at Protective Stadium. The record would be shattered for the Quarterfinal game against Inter Miami as an announced crowd of 18,418 witnessed the home side fall 1-0. (It was the 26th largest crowd to witness a US Open Cup game in tournament history)
Birmingham have played just 3 of their 11 Open Cup games away from home, two of those being in their Quarterfinal run of 2023. The Legion also has limited experience playing amateur teams in the Cup with just two games, the last being a 3-1 win over the NPSL’s Southern States SC Stars in the 2022 Second Round.
MORE: USMNT Star Chris Richards Becomes New Investor in Birmingham Legion FC
Little Rock Rangers
USL League Two | Little Rock, AR
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2019)
How they qualified: Finished 1st in USL L2 Mid South Division
Founded: 2016
Manager: Nick Doyle
Overall: 0-0-1 (0-0 PK)
Home: 0-0-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. Div. 2: 0-0-0
Best finish: First Round (2019)
Little Rock got its start in 2016 in the NPSL, and their first real taste of success came in 2018 when they finished 7-3-0 and reached the NPSL Regional Finals, earning a spot in the 2019 US Open Cup. In the 2019 Open Cup they were eliminated in the First Round on penalties by NTX Rayados after a 2-2 draw. In 2021, the Rangers moved to USL League Two, and after a couple disappointing years, Little Rock reached the Conference Finals in 2023 then followed up with a 9-0-3 season in 2024.
Harpos FC (USSSA/CPL) at El Paso Locomotive (USL-C)
Southwest University Park – El Paso, TX
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube
Harpos FC
Colorado Premier League/USASA | Boulder, CO
3rd US Open Cup appearance (2015, 2016)
How they qualified: Defeated Azteca FC (CPL/USASA) 2-0 in Round 4 of Open Division Qualifying
Founded: 1997
Manager: Collin Harrison
Overall: 2-2-1 (1-0 PK)
Home: 1-0-0
Away: 1-2-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2015, 2016)
Harpos got its start in 1997 to give University of Colorado players and their friends a chance to get more games, and 18 years later they are making their third appearance in the US Open Cup. Having participated in every qualifying tournament since 2016, Harpos FC make their return to the Open Cup after an eight-year absence.
While Harpos last on-field appearance in the Open Cup was 2016, the club qualified for the 2020 edition, only to see it canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Harpos’ best showing was their debut year of 2015, when they reached the Second Round after winning 2-0 over KC Athletics (USASA) and advancing via penalties versus BYU Cougars (PDL) after a scoreless draw. Both appearances in 2015 & 2016 ended with losses to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks.
In 2025 qualifying, Harpos received a double bye through Rounds 1 and 2. In the Third Round, Harpos won 2-0 over CPL rivals FC Denver, Elijah Mereness accounting for all the scoring. In Round 4 Harpos finally overcame CPL rivals Azteca, a team that has eliminated Harpos in qualifying four times over the years. Second half goals from Jack O’Brien and Adam Mickelson powered Harpos to a 2-0 victory.
MORE: 2016 Meet the Underdogs: Harpo’s FC
El Paso Locomotive FC
USL Championship | El Paso, TX
5th US Open Cup appearance (2019, 2022-24)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2018
Manager: Wilmer Cabrera
Overall: 0-3-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. Home: 0-1-0
vs. Amateur: 0-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2019, 2022, 2023)
El Paso Locomotive began in 2019, filling the void left by the El Paso Patriots (1995 US Open Cup runners-up) when they ceased operations in 2013. Locomotive found success at first, reaching the Western Conference final two years in a row. El Paso gained one of the top two playoff seeds in 2021, only to be upset by the Oakland Roots in the First Round. In 2022, they missed the playoffs and just made the cut in 2023 with a 7th place Conference finish. 2024 was a season to forget for El Paso, finishing in last place with an 8-18-8 record, their 27 goals scored being second lowest in the league.
El Paso are still looking for their first Open Cup win since they began play in 2019. Locomotive have played only four Open Cup games. The game with Harpos is not only El Paso’s first against an amateur club in the Open Cup, but it is also their first against a team outside of USL League One. In 2019, they were shut out by Forward Madison 3-0, In 2022, the Central Valley Fuego posted a 4-1 win over El Paso , and in 2023, Locomotive fell 2-0 to their current opponents Union Omaha. El Paso came close in 2024, holding Omaha to a 0-0 draw before being eliminated on penalties.
MORE: El Paso Locomotive unveil alternate Graffiti Kits jersey, mural by prominent local artist
El Farolito (NPSL) at Real Monarchs (MLS NEXT Pro)
Zions Bank Stadium – Herriman, UT
Kickoff: 9:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube
El Farolito
National Premier Soccer League | San Francisco, CA
5th US Open Cup appearance (2017, 2019, 2023, 2024)
How they qualified: 2024 NPSL Champions
Founded: 1985
Manager: Santiago Lopez
Overall: 4-3-1 (0-1)
Home: 1-1-1 (0-1)
Away: 3-2-0
vs. Div. 3: 2-0-0
Best finish: 1993 US Open Cup champions (as CD Mexico)
El Farolito’s 2024 season will be a tough act to follow. For starters there was their run in the Open Cup, in which the “burrito joint team” knocked off two professional clubs, MLS NEXT Pro’s Timbers2 (2-1) and USL League One’s Central Valley Fuego (2-1). Then they took USL Championship’s Oakland Roots to extra time before falling 2-1. During all that, team star Dembor Benson was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round for the Second Round, as well as TheCup.us’ Lower Division Player of the Tournament. The performance in the Open Cup earned Benson a professional contract with the Fuego. To put a cherry on top of it all, El Farolito defeated FC Motown 2-1 to win the NPSL Championship.
El Farolito is one of three former Open Cup champions (Richmond Kickers 1995 and New York Pancyprian Freedoms in 1980, 1982, 1983) among the opening round entrants, having won the US Open Cup in 1993 under the name CD Mexico. The club also reached the Final of the 1991 National Amateur Cup. El Farolito competed in the San Francisco Soccer Football League and California Premier Soccer Association for most of their existence before switching to the NPSL in 2018. In fact, El Farolito would have been making their fifth Open Cup appearance this year instead of their third but were disqualified in 2018 for switching leagues in the middle of the competition. (The club was the subject of TheCup.us’s “Meet the Underdogs” series back in 2017.)
El Farolito are 2-0 all-time against Division 3 opposition, both wins coming in last year’s run.
MORE: El Farolito is the Spice of the Open Cup
Real Monarchs
MLS NEXT Pro | Herriman, UT
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Real Salt Lake entered in 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup
Founded: 2014
Manager: Mark Lowry
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A
Real Monarchs are making their Open Cup debut due to their parent club Real Salt Lake participating in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup as one of the top clubs in the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield standings. The Monarchs got their start in 2015 playing in the United Soccer League, winning the championship in 2019. Other than a successful run from 2017-2019, the club usually finished near the bottom of the standing during their time in the USL. The team left the USL in 2022 to join the newly-formed MLS NEXT Pro, where their struggles have continued.
In 2024 the Monarchs just missed the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs, falling short on tiebreakers after finishing even on points with 8th place Houston Dynamo 2. The reserve club will try and better the showing in 2024 by Real Salt Lake, who were upset by New Mexico United 4-2 in their opening game.
International San Francisco (USASA / SFSFL) at Monterey Bay (USL-C)
Cardinale Stadium – Seaside, CA
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube
International San Francisco
San Francisco Soccer Football League/USASA | San Francisco, CA
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2023)
How they qualified: Defeated Valley 559 FC (UPSL) 5-4 (aet) in Round 4 of Open Division Qualifying
Founded: 2021
Manager: Amir Darabi
Overall: 0-1-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 2: 0-0-0
Best finish: First Round (2023)
After missing out last year, Inter San Francisco make their return to the Open Cup. Inter’s lone Open Cup game is a 3-0 extra time defeat to 2024 sensations El Farolito in the 2023 First Round. Upon their founding in 2021, Inter started in the SFSFL 3rd tier, winning promotion two seasons in a row to reach the Premier Division.
In their qualifying campaign, Inter got off to a winning start in their opening game, defeating SFSFL rivals SF Vikings SC 4-1 on Oct. 6. Former MLS & USL veteran Matt Fondy led the way with two goals. In the Second Round, Inter prevailed in a wild 5-3 extra time affair with JASA RWC (UPSL). Fondy once again led Inter with a hat-trick, and Sergio Laguna Jacob Castro also scored in extra time, where both teams scored three goals in the final two minutes of the extra session.
In their Third Round affair, Inter had an easier time with Real Galt FC (UPSL), coming away with a 4-1 win Javier Rivera Hernandez, Dylan Autran, Jack Callan and Adrien Argast. Inter are one of two teams to play four games in this year’s qualifying tournament, along with Chicago House AC. Inter’s Fourth Round game was a wild affair, a 5-4 extra time win over Valley 559 FC of the UPSL. Tied at 3-3, the teams traded goals in the final five minutes, and Leo Lazaro’s second goal of the game nine minutes into extra time gave Inter the edge to return to the Open Cup. Inter was the only Open Division qualifier to play four qualifying games, whereas all others Open Division qualifiers played three. In these four games ISF piled up an astonishing 18 goals.
MORE: The Ex-Pro Powering Amateurs International San Francisco
Monterey Bay FC
USL Championship | Seaside, CA
4th US Open Cup appearance (2022-2024)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2021
Manager: Jordan Stewart
Overall: 3-2-1 (0-1 PK)
Home: 2-0-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. Amateur: 0-0-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2023, 2024)
Monterey Bay’s lineage can be traced back to USL Championship club Fresno FC. After plans for a stadium fell through, owner Ray Beshoff ceased operations after the 2019 season, but retained the franchise rights, eventually choosing Monterey Bay. For the most part success has eluded the club since it was re-born in 2022, with the club anchored at the bottom of the standings. 2024 appeared to be a turning point, with the team winning four of its first seven games. The season took a turn as the club managed just four wins from their remaining 27 games, finishing with a franchise worst 8-16-10 record.
In an effort to turn things around, the club has added 13 new players to the roster, including Australians Jacob Muir and Luke Ivanovic, Danish forward Anton Søjberg and Swedish forward Adam Larson.
Monterey Bay has found a bit more success in the Open Cup, upsetting the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0, and then holding Los Angeles FC to a 2-2 draw before being eliminated on penalties in 2023. In 2024 they knocked off NISA rookie Irvine Zeta FC 2-1, then fell to USL Championship rivals Sacramento Republic 2-0. Inter San Francisco will be the first Open Division opponent in Monterey Bay’s short Open Cup history.
MORE: Monterey Bay FC continues international additions, signing Australian Ivanovic
Spokane Velocity FC (USL-1) at Ballard FC (USL-2)
Interbay Stadium – Seattle, WA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube
Spokane Velocity FC
USL League One | Spokane, WA
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2024)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2021
Manager: Leigh Veidman
Overall: 2-1-0
Away: 1-1-0
vs. Amateurs: 1-0-0
Best finish: Third Round (2024)
Spokane had a respectable outcome for their debut USL League One season, finishing 7-9-6, good enough for 7th overall and a spot in the playoffs. Once there, the Velocity made a run to the Final, upsetting the Northern Colorado Hailstorm 3-0, then besting Forward Madison on penalties after a 0-0 draw. The dream ended with a 3-0 loss to Union Omaha in the Final.
Spokane’s Open Cup debut in 2024 went three games deep. First they knocked off this year’s opening round opponents, Ballard FC, 1-0 on a goal from Andre Lewis deep into second half stoppage time. In the Second Round, Spokane got more late game heroics, this time in the 85th minute as Luis Gil scored the winner in the 1-0 triumph over NISA’s Los Angeles Force. Round Three brought more late game heroics, as Lewis struck in second half stoppage time again to tie Las Vegas Lights 1–1 to force extra time. The USL Championship side would prevail 2-1 in the extra session.
Ballard FC
USL League Two | Seattle, WA
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2024)
How they qualified: Finished 1st in USL L2 Northwest Division
Founded: 2021
Manager: James Riley
Overall: 0-1-0
Home: 0-1-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-1-0
Best finish: First Round (2024)
Ballard FC return for their second straight Open Cup appearance. In their debut effort in 2024, Ballard pushed USL League One’s Spokane Velocity to the limit, with Spokane winning 1-0 on a goal very deep into second half stoppage time.
Ballard posted another successful season in USL League Two but fell short of its championship run of 2023. After finishing with a 9-3-2 record, they fell to Project 51O in the First Round of the playoffs.
The club was founded and is owned by former Seattle Sounders star Lamar Neagle. Returning as head coach is former Sounder James Riley, who spent three seasons in Seattle and is one of the most successful players when it comes to the US Open Cup in the history of the competition. He is one of two players in the Modern Era (1995-present) to lift the trophy five times (New England Revolution in 2007, Seattle Sounders FC 2009-11, D.C. United in 2013).
FC Arizona (NPSL) at LAFC 2 (MLS NEXT Pro)
Titan Stadium – Fullerton, CA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube
FC Arizona
National Premier Soccer League | Phoenix, AZ
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2018)
How they qualified: 2024 NPSL West Region Finalist
Founded: 2016
Manager: Alejandro Aguilar
Overall: 0-1-0
Home: 0-1-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: First Round (2018)
FC Arizona got their start in 2016 and took the field the following year. The club has been largely successful throughout its tenure in the NPSL, reaching the playoffs every year.
FC Arizona are making their second appearance in the Open Cup, a four-tournament break since their initial run in 2018. FCA finished the 2024 NPSL season at 7-1-2, then had the fortune of a forfeit win over 10-0-0 Las Vegas Legends when their opponents ran afoul of the league. Arizona’s fortune stopped in the next round, losing 4-1 to eventual champions El Farolito. Reaching the West Region Final allowed FC Arizona to make the cut as one of the NPSL’s clubs in the Open Cup. Their club’s entry in the UPSL went 13-5-2 in the 2024 spring and fall seasons.
FC Arizona’s sole Open Cup appearance in 2018 lasted just one game, a 1-0 loss to Sporting AZ FC.
LAFC 2
MLS NEXT Pro | Fullerton, CA
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Los Angeles FC entered in 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup
Founded: 2023
Manager: Junior Gonzalez
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A
Los Angeles FC 2 is making their debut in the Open Cup due to Los Angeles FC being entered in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup as 2024 Leagues Cup runners-up. LAFC are also the 2024 US Open Cup Champions, as are the first Open Cup Champions in the Modern Era to not defend their championship.
LAFC 2 had a successful 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season, finishing in 5th place in the Western Conference, though they lost in the opening round of the payoffs.