What started on March 18 with 80 teams has now been reduced to the final 16 through 80 games and two hectic months of play.
For the first time ever, 15 of the 16 teams are from Major League Soccer. Just one club, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC of the USL Championship, remains from the pool of 80 teams below MLS. Also, among the field of 16 are eight former Open Cup champions, including the Chicago Fire who are going for their record-tying fifth Open Cup crown.
Seven of the sixteen teams have reached the Quarterfinals once in the past three tournaments, while three teams (Austin FC, Charlotte FC and St. Louis CITY SC) have never made a Quarterfinal appearance.
Before we conclude the Fifth Round and head off into the summer break, feel free to review the goals from Round 4, courtesy of CBS Sports Goalazo America, while you read our recap of the round:
Follow TheCup.us on Blue Sky @thecup.us and X (Twitter) @USOpenCup for live updates from our reporters who will be at every stadium and with every Fifth Round game being broadcast live on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo, you can find links to those below.
TUESDAY, MAY 20
New England Revolution (MLS) vs. Chicago Fire FC (MLS)
Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium – Providence, RI
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: PARAMOUNT+
The Chicago Fire continue their 14-year search for a record-tying fifth US Open Cup championship when they travel to Providence, Rhode Island to face the New England Revolution in the Fifth Round.
For New England, being the home team is more or of a relative term, since 15 of their previous 24 Open Cup home games have been played away from Gillette Stadium. Five have been played at Veterans Memorial Stadium in New Britan, Conn., three each at Lusitano Field in Ludlow, Mass. and Harvard University’s Soldiers Field in Boston, two at Harvard’s Jordan Field and one each in Providence, RI at Brown University’s Stevenson Field and Anderson Stadium at Providence College.
The Revs two previous Open Cup games at Providence were both win over the Rochester Rhinos of the USL, 2-1 in the 2014 Fifth Round, and 3-0 in the 2017 Fourth Round. The only other Open Cup game in the Modern Era to be played at Providence was the USASA’s Bridgeport Italians 3-2 win over the USL D3 Pro’s Rhode Island Stingrays at Pierce Memorial Stadium in East Providence. According to TheCup.us records, the last known Open Cup game played at Providence before the Modern Era was a New England qualifying game on November 11, 1962 between Providence Italia and Fall River Sports at Triggs Memorial Stadium, which Italia won 2-1.
PAST US OPEN CUP MEETINGS
Chicago and New England have met three times previously in the Open Cup, the last time being in 2016, when the clubs met in the Semifinals. Kei Kamara gave the Revs an early lead through a penalty, but David Accam tied the game for the Fire with his fifth goal of the tournament, tying him for the lead with Edwin Borboa La Marquina FC. Je-Vaughn Watson gave the lead back to New England a few minutes before halftime, and Teal Bunbury clinched the win with his 85th minute goal to send New England to their third Open Cup Final, the last one they have been to.
The first meeting came on August 3, 2005 in the Fourth Round. The teams played to a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes, and in extra time CJ Brown and Andy Herron (his second goal) scored minutes apart in the opening 15 minutes of extra time to put Chicago up 3-1, and Andy Dorman would cut the lead to 3-2 in the 120th minute, but it was too little too late.
The teams met again the following year, this time in the Quarterfinals. Andy Herron’s goals in each half cancelled out Taylor Twellman’s lone goal for the Revolution, and Chicago won 2-1 and would go on to claim their fourth Open Cup championship.
PATH TO THE ROUND OF 16
Chicago cruised in their Fourth Round affair, defeating Detroit City FC (USL-C) 4-0 on goals from Hugo Cuypers, Omari Glasgow, Maren Haile-Selassie and a Detroit own goal.
New England shook off the upstart Rhode Island FC (USL-C) 2-1 when Cristiano Oliveira finally broke a 1-1 deadlock in the 88th minute.
CURRENT FORM
Chicago are currently 5-4-4 in the MLS Eastern Conference, and are 3-0-1 in all competitions in May after suffering a 7-2 thrashing at Nashville at the end of April. Hugo Cuypers leads the team with 8 goals and ties him for fourth in the league while Jonathan Bomba ‘s 5 assists is tops on the team.
New England are just below Chicago in the standings at 5-4-3, and have scored just 12 goals, fifth lowest in the league. Carles Gil has accounted for half of those goals. However their 10 goals allowed is lowest in MLS. Goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic has five clean sheets in his 11 games played. The Revs are on a 7-game unbeaten streak across all competition going back to mid-April.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Chicago Fire FC
Major League Soccer | Chicago, IL
25th US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 1998
Manager: Gregg Berhalter
Overall: 46-17-7 (4-3 PK)
Away: 16-15-3 (2-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 24-11-2 (2-0 PK)
Best finish: Champions (1998, 2000, 2003, 2006)
When the Chicago Fire franchise was launched in 1998, they were an instant success, especially in the US Open Cup. The Fire are perhaps the most successful MLS club in the Open Cup with four championship wins in six Final appearances, 13 Semifinal appearances (most in US Open Cup history), and 15 Quarterfinal appearances (2nd most in US Open Cup history).
In league play, they’ve been far less successful. After winning MLS Cup in their debut year of 1998, the only other accolade the Fire has earned was the Supporters’ Shield in 2003. The club is on a dreadful seven season run of missing the MLS Cup playoffs.
The Windy City is home to four other Open Cup champions besides the Fire. Teams such as Bricklayers FC, Sparta A & BA, Croatian SC and AAC Eagles among many others ensured a Chicago team was a contender for the crown.
New England Revolution
Major League Soccer | Foxborough, MA
22nd US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 1996
Manager: Caleb Porter
Overall: 23-17-5 (3-2 PK)
Home: 15-6-3 (2-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 8-11-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: Champion (2007)
Outside of their lone Open Cup championship in 2007 and two other Final appearances in 2000 and 2016, New England’s Open Cup history is lackluster. 13 of their 21 previous appearances in the Open Cup have ended after just two or fewer games.
The Revs league record isn’t much better, with just one Supporters Shield in 2021, and five appearances in the MLS Cup Final (2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2014) with no championships.
Massachusetts has been home to five other Open Cup Champions, with eight titles among them. Leading the way are the Fall River Marksmen, winners of five Open Cup titles. The club had the unique situation of being based in Fall River, Mass., but playing their home games just across the border in Tiverton, R.I. This was done to circumvent Massachusetts Blue Laws that prohibited charging admission for games played on Sunday.
San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) vs. Portland Timbers FC (MLS)
PayPal Park – San Jose, CA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m.
LIVE VIDEO: PARAMOUNT+
The Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes, a pair of teams with plenty of recent history in the Open Cup, meet in San Jose seeking their first Quarterfinal appearance in five and seven years respectively. Portland last reached the Quarterfinals in 2019, where they defeated Los Angeles FC 1-0 to advance to their second Semifinals appearance. San Jose last reached the Quarterfinals in 2017, where a 3-2 win over the LA Galaxy propelled them to the Semifinals for the first time since 2004. Portland and San Jose are the only MLS teams with 10+ Open Cup appearances who have never appeared in a Final.
San Jose and Portland have met once already this year in MLS play on May 3 at San Jose. Cristian Espinoza scored two goals and assisted on another, and Cristian Arango had a goal and two assists as the Earthquakes won 4-1.
PAST OPEN CUP MEETINGS
The first Open Cup meeting between the clubs came in 2004 in the Fourth Round when Portland was still in the USL. In front of over 10,000 at Portland’s PGE Park, Ronnie Ecklund, Ramiro Corrales and Dwayne DeRosario scored for the ‘Quakes in a 3-0 win as they would eventually advance to their first ever Semifinal appearance.
The teams met again the following year, again in the Fourth Round in Portland, and San Jose came away as 2-0 winners on goals from Wade Barrett and Brian Mullan.
Eleven years would pass until the next Open Cup meeting, but this time the Timbers had joined MLS.
Once again in the Fourth Round in 2016 at Portland in front of 16,000+ fans, the Timbers came out on top 2-0 on goals from Dairon Aprilla and Jack McInerney. Two years later, again in the Fourth Round at Portland, the Timbers repeated their 2-0 triumph from two years prior, Dairon Asprilla scoring once again and joined by Jeremy Ebobisse on the score sheet.
ROAD TO THE ROUND OF 16
Portland narrowly avoided the embarrassment of losing to their rival’s reserve team, beating Tacoma Defiance of MLS NEXT Pro 3-2. After trailing 2-1 for much of the second half, Gage Guerra brought Portland level in the 80th minute, then Kevin Kelsy converted a penalty kick in second half stoppage time to win it.
San Jose took care of one of the more dangerous USL teams in Open Cup play, beating Sacramento Republic 2-1. Amahl Pellegrino and Preston Judd scored in the opening half as the ‘Quakes held a 2-0 lead until Sacramento scored deep into stoppage time.
CURRENT FORM
Portland are in the top 4 of the MLS Western Conference at 6-3-5, and are 2-0-2 in their last four games across all competitions, and are coming off a 1-1 home draw with eternal rival Seattle Sounders. Felipe Mora leads the team with five goals, and Antony Alves Santos has seven assists, putting him second in the league.
San Jose sits mid-table at 5-6-3, still a vast improvement to the last place finish in 2024. The ‘Quakes are the best scoring team in the league with 29 goals. Cristian Arango is second in MLS with 9 goals and Cristian Espinoza tops the league with 11 assists, On the down side, San Jose has allowed 23 goals in their 14 league games.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Portland Timbers
Major League Soccer | Portland, OR
18th US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2001
Manager: Phil Neville
Overall: 21-16-1 (0-1 PK) | 13-10-0 (in MLS)
Away: 11-9-0 | 6-7-0
vs. MLS: 10-9-0 | 5-7-0
Best finish: Semifinals (2013, 2019)
The Portland Timbers have had a disappointing Open Cup history. In its 10 appearances as an MLS club, Portland have reached the Semifinals twice in 2013 and 2019 and the Quarterfinals in 2014 and 2018. On the downside, the Timbers have been eliminated after their first or second game six times, including their last two appearances in 2022 and 2023.
In MLS play, the Timbers won one championship in 2015 and reached the MLS Cup Final in 2018 and 2021, though two of the last three seasons they’ve missed the playoffs.
San Jose Earthquakes
Major League Soccer | San Jose, CA
20th US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 1996
Manager: Bruce Arena
Overall: 18-15-8 (4-4)
Home: 11-5-2 (1-1)
vs. MLS: 2-9-5 (1-4 PK)
Best finish: Semifinals (2004, 2017)
Outside of a 2017 Semifinal appearance, San Jose’s Open Cup record isn’t very impressive. 12 times they’ve been eliminated after just two games, and 4 of those were “one and done”. San Jose have the most Open Cup appearances of any MLS team (20) without making an appearance in the Final. San Jose was once a powerhouse in MLS, winning MLS Cup in 2001 and 2003 and the Supporters Shield in 2002.
That all changed after the 2005 season, when the club rebranded as the Houston Dynamo. MLS awarded San Jose a new franchise, retaining the records of the original Earthquakes. The only ray of light was winning the Supporters Shield in 2013. Since the team was reborn in 2007, the ‘Quakes have reached the MLS Cup playoffs just five times. The city of San Jose first dipped heir toe into the Open Cup pool during the 1970 tournament, when the San Jose Latinos entered. Throughout the 70’s teams like the San Jose Portuguese AC , San Jose Grenadiers and San Jose Lobos would be regular entrants and would make the occasional deep run. The San Jose Oaks won the Open Cup in 1992 2-1 over Vasco da Game of Bridgeport, Conn.
The Earthquakes are led by Bruce Arena who led D.C. United to an Open Cup title in 1996. After falling short in penalty kicks with D.C. in the 1997 Final (to the Dallas Burn), Arena has not led a team to the championship game since. In fact, since 1997, only two of his teams (2015 and 2016 LA Galaxy) have survived more than two games in a single tournament. Arena, one of American soccer’s all-time great coaches, has a career Open Cup coaching record of 16-10-2 (1-1 PKs). He has 11 US Open Cup Major titles (MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield, CONCACAF Champions Cup, US Open Cup) to his credit, which is tied with Sigi Schmid with the most.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21
New York Red Bulls (MLS) vs. FC Dallas (MLS)
Sports Illustrated Stadium – Harrison, NJ
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m
LIVE VIDEO: PARAMOUNT+
FC Dallas visits Harrison, N.J. for the first time in Open Cup play, seeking to return to the Quarterfinals for an 18th time, which would be the most of any club in the 110-year history of the tournament. The New York Red Bulls, two years removed from their 2022 Semifinals appearance, look to take another step in returning there after missing last year’s tournament
After four tournaments that ended abruptly between 2018-2023, FC Dallas broke through and reached the Quarterfinals in 2024 and are looking to make it two years in a row.
PAST US OPEN CUP MEETINGS
There has been just one other meeting between the clubs in the Open Cup, way back in 1997 when both teams played under different monikers. In front of a sparse crowd of 1,200 at Columbia University’s Baker Field, the Dallas Burn defeated the NY/NJ MetroStars 2-1 in golden goal extra time. An 18th minute goal from Damian gave Dallas a 1-0 for much of the game, but the Metros Brazilian forward Branco scored the equalizer in the 85th minute. Thirteen minutes into extra time Jorge Flores won it for Dallas. Dallas went on to win the 1997 Open Cup, the first of two championships. The game is also the only other time Dallas has played an Open Cup game in New York City or New Jersey.
ROAD TO THE ROUND OF 16
In the Fourth Round FC Dallas got by first year USL League One side AV ALTA FC 3-1. After Lucho Acosta gave Dallas an early 1-0 lead, Atla’s Osvaldo Lay stunned the MLS clyb with a strike from near the center circle to tie the game 1-1. Kaick gave the lead back to Dallas just before halftime and Bernard Kamungo scored the insurance goal in the 71st minute.
The Red Bulls traveled to a cold and rainy Colorado Springs to face the USL Championship Switchbacks, and left 4-1 winners. Mohammed Sofo scored twice in the first half, and Dennis Gjengaar and Sean Nealis added second half goals.
CURRENT FORM
FC Dallas are in the bottom half of the western Conference standings at 4-5-4, and are coming off a 2-0 loss to Copa Tejas rivals Houston Dynamo. THree players, Luciano Acosta, Anderson Julio and Petar Musa lead the team with three goals apiece, and Musa has three assists.
The Red Bulls are just outside the playoff cutoff at 5-6-3, and are coming off a 2-0 loss to Hudson River Derby rivals New York City FC. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting sets the pace for the team with seven goals and Omar Valencia has five assists.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
FC Dallas
Major League Soccer | Frisco, TX
26th US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 1996
Manager: Eric Quill
Overall: 39-22-6 (5-1 PK)
Away: 15-15-2 (2-0)
vs. MLS: 13-16-3 (2-1 PK)
Best finish: Champions (1996, 2016)
FC Dallas are making their 26th Open Cup appearance, the most among MLS teams. During that time, FC Dallas ranks 4th among all clubs in the Modern Era with 38 wins and have advanced via penalty shootout an additional five times.
The club, formerly known as the Dallas Burn, has won the Open Cup twice in 1997 and 2016 as well as appearing in the Final in 2005 and 2007. Dallas has reached the Semifinals nine times, which is tied for the third most in the history of the tournament. FCD reached the Quarterfinals last year for the 17th time in club history, which moved them into a tie with Kutis SC (St. Louis) for the most in tournament history.
New York Red Bulls
Major League Soccer | Harrison, NJ
24th US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 1996
Manager: Sandro Schwarz
Overall: 28-21-4 (2-2)
Home: 13-6-3 (1-2)
vs. MLS: 12-13-4 (2-2 PK)
Best finish: Final (2003, 2017)
As the MetroStars, the club reached the Semifinals three times (1997, 1998, 2000) and made one appearance in the Final (2003). After rebranding as the New York Red Bulls, another deep run did not come until a return to the Final in 2017. Then 2022 saw the club make another Semifinal run.
In MLS play, the Red Bulls have yet to win a championship, reaching the MLS Cup Final twice (2008, 2024) and winning the Supporters Shield three times (2013, 2015, 2018). The 1923 Final between Scullin Steel and Paterson FC was played at Harrison Field, where a parking garage now stands near Sports Illustrated Stadium.
The Red Bulls hold a 13-6-3 record at home in the Open Cup, but also are just 12-13-4 against MLS opposition, and five of those six home losses have been to fellow MLS clubs.
D.C. United (MLS) vs. Charlotte FC (MLS)
Audi Field – Washington, D.C.
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
LIVE VIDEO: PARAMOUNT+
In a battle of Open Cup rookies versus one of the “O.G.’s” of the Open Cup Modern Era, Charlotte FC make their way to the nation’s capital to face D.C. United, winners of three Open Cup championships who are trying to end an 11-year drought of reaching the Final.
D.C is trying to snap an eight-tournament streak of not advancing past its second game. On the other hand, Charlotte is trying to top their first two Open Cup appearances in which they went three games deep each time.
While D.C. are 25-7-4 all-time in Open Cup home games, they are just 3-2 at Audi Field. In fact, their last win in the Cup against an MLS side came in 2019 with a 2-1 extra time win over the Philadelphia Union at Audi.
ROAD TO THE ROUND OF 16
D.C United opened the Third Round with a rematch of the 2008 Open Cup Final, as well as a new chapter of the Coffee Pot Cup by defeating the Charleston Battery 2-0 at home in extra time. Jacob Murrell and Jared Stroud scored in the extra session to put D.C. in the Fifth Round. Randall Leal assisted with both goals as United head coach Troy Lesesne picked up a win against his former club.
To face D.C., Charlotte had to first repel the upset bid of North Carolina FC (USL-C). All the scoring took place in extra time after NCFC held Charlotte scoreless through 90 minutes. Liel Abada scored for Charlotte in the 97th minute, but NCFC equalized a minute later.
Patrick Agyemang gave Charlotte the lead again in the 104th minute, and Nikola Petkovic and Kerwin Vaegas scored near the end of extra time to make it 4-1.
CURRENT FORM
Charlotte are 6-7-1 in the Eastern Conference and are on a five-game losing streak in MLS. Liel Abada and Wilfred Zaha are tied for the team lead with four goals apiece, while Pep Biel has six assists.
D.C are in the bottom half of the MLS standings at 3-6-5, and have not scored a goal in the past three games. Their 25 goals allowed are second highest in the league. Christian Benteke is responsible for six of United’s 13 goals.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
D.C. United
Major League Soccer | Washington, D.C.
24th US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 1996
Manager: Troy Lesesne
Overall: 36-16-7 (3-4 PK)
Home: 26-7-4 (1-3 PK)
vs. MLS: 11-12-3 (0-3 PK)
Best finish: Champion (1996, 2008, 2013)
With three Open Cup titles (1996, 2008, 2013), two additional Finals appearances (1997, 2009) and three Semifinal appearances (2001, 2003, 2006, 2010), D.C. United has one of the better Open Cup resumes. However, since the club’s 2013 US Open Cup title, success has been limited, as United have failed to advance past a second game in eight attempts. D.C’s MLS record is similar, after winning four MLS titles from 1996-2007 the well has run dry, including the current four-season drought of missing the playoffs.
Washington D.C.’s first known club to participate in the Open Cup was Heurich Brewers, who took part in the Maryland qualifying tournament for the 1937 Open Cup. It wouldn’t be until the late 1960s when teams from D.C. would become regulars in the tournament. Club Espana claimed the city’s lone pre-Modern Era title in 1987 via penalty kicks over Seattle’s Mitre Eagles, the first Open Cup title decided by penalties.
Charlotte FC
Major League Soccer | Charlotte, NC
3rd US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2022
Manager: Dean Smith
Overall: 5-2-0
Away: 2-2-0
vs. MLS: 01-1-0
Best finish: Fifth Round (2022, 2023)
Charlotte FC has only played in two tournaments, but each time they won two games and lost on the road in the Fifth Round. In their last entry in 2023, they lost 1-0 to the Birmingham Legion FC (USL Championship). Last year, they didn’t enter the Open Cup.
Prior to the Modern Era, the city of Charlotte has had a limited Open Cup history. It’s limited to hosting the USASA Region III Finals in 1991. The Charlotte Eagles have had the best result in the Modern Era, reaching the Quarterfinals in 2012 as a member of USL Pro (Div. 3). The Charlotte Independence have had a couple of tournaments where they advanced three times in a single tournament (2015, 2024).
Minnesota United FC (MLS) vs. St. Louis CITY SC (MLS)
Allianz Field – St. Paul, MN
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
LIVE VIDEO: PARAMOUNT+
St. Louis CITY SC, a team from one of the more historic Open Cup cities, travel north to face Minnesota United FC, a team looking to return to the Open Cup success they had in 2019.
After sending their MLS NEXT Pro team to the Open Cup last year, Minnesota United return to try and match their 2019 run to the Final. 2022 and 2023 ended in disappointment for the Loons, falling to Union Omaha 2-1 in the 2022 Fifth Round, and falling 4-0 to eventual champs Houston Dynamo in 2023 in the same round.
Surprisingly, this isn’t the first time Minnesota United has tangled with pro teams in the Open Cup. From 2010-2016 when they were still part of the NASL, MNU faced St. Louis teams three times. In 2010 when they were known as NSC Minnesota Stars, they fell to AC St. Louis 1-0. Under their current name in 2015, Minnesota were eliminated on penalties by a different St. Louis team Saint Louis FC, after a 1-1 draw. Finally in 2016 Minnesota United returned the favor, beating Saint Louis FC 2-0.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Minnesota and St, Louis just met in MLS play this past weekend at Allianz Field. Minnesota came out on top 3-0 on goals from Tani Oluwaseyi (33′), Joaquin Pereyra (62′) and Julian Gressel (78′).
ROAD TO THE ROUND OF 16
St. Louis had a rematch with their very first Open Cup opponents, Union Omaha, but this time the score and crowd were much smaller. After winning 5-1 in from of 22,423 in 2023, St. Louis had to settle for a 2-0 win in front of about 6,000 this year. Joseph Zalinsky (68’) and João Klauss (87’) scored in the second half to top their USL League One opponents.
Despite being outshot 15-6, Minnesota United went to Kentucky and escaped with a 1-0 win over Louisville City FC (USL-C). Darius Randell scored the lone goal in the 65th minute.
CURRENT FORM
St. Louis are second to last in the Western Conference at 2-7-5, with just 11 goals scored. CITY are on a 10-game league winless streak, managing just three draws in that period.
Minnesota are on the opposite end of the table, trailing first place Vancouver with a 7-3-4 mark. Tani Oluwaseyi leads with six goals and five assists and Joaquin Pereyra has seven assists.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
St. Louis CITY FC
Major League Soccer | St. Louis, MO
2nd US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2023
Manager: Olof Mellberg
Overall: 2-1-0
Away: 0-1-0
vs. MLS: 0-1-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2023)
While St. Louis CITY’s Open Cup history is limited by their two games in 2023, the city they represent is rich in Open Cup history. However, St. Louis CITY entered The Crescent City is home to ten different clubs that have won the US Open Cup, appearing in the Final 21 times. The last St. Louis club to reach the Final was Busch SC in 1988. St. Louis was first represented in the Cup in 1920, with Ben Miller SC defeating Fore River FC 2-1 for the city’s first championship. St. Louis clubs would reach the final from 1920-1924. Stix, Baer & Fuller (aka Central Breweries and Shamrocks SC) reached the Final six straight times from 1932-1937, a feat unmatched in Open Cup history.
In the Modern Era, St. Louis’ Open Cup record has been a bit more modest. The St. Louis Lions of the PDL (now USL League Two) appeared in 2008 and 2009, failing to win a game. AC St. Louis was the first pro team in the Modern Era, making just one run in 2010, reaching the Third Round. The most successful club was Saint Louis FC of the USL, making five appearances from 2015-2019, making a run to the Quarterfinals in 2019 where they upset both the Chicago Fire (2-1) and FC Cincinnati (1-0) before losing to eventual champion Atlanta United FC 2-0.
Minnesota United FC
Major League Soccer | Saint Paul, MN
13th US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2010
Manager: Eric Ramsay
Overall: 13-10-3 (2-1 PK) | 8-5-2 (2-0 PK) (MLS)
Home: 5-4-1 (1-0 PK) | 4-1-1 (1-0 PK) (MLS)
vs. MLS: 5-8-1 (1-0 PK) | 4-5-1 (1-0 PK) (MLS)
Best finish: Final (2019)
Since Minnesota joined MLS in 2017 they’ve had respectful results, reaching the Final in 2019 and going three games deep in 2022 and 2023. In MLS, the Loons have yet to win a championship, but have reached the playoffs five of the last six seasons.
The Twin Cities were represented by the MInnesota Thunder earlier in the Modern Era, reaching the Semifinals in 2005. Thunder legend Johnny Menyongar is tied for second with three other players with 13 Open Cup goals in the Modern Era.
According to TheCup.us records, the first known team from Minnesota to enter the Open Cup was the Minneapolis Tigers in 1958. Throughout the 1960s, teams like the St. Paul Blackhawks and Ukrainian SC would represent the region in Open Cup play but found little success.
Orlando City SC (MLS) vs. Nashville SC (MLS)
Inter & Co Stadium – Orlando, FL
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
LIVE VIDEO: PARAMOUNT+
Two former USL rivals meet for the second time in the US Open Cup, when Nashville SC treks to Inter & Co Stadium to face 2022 US Open Cup champions Orlando City SC.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
The lone Open Cup meeting between the clubs came in the 2022 Quarterfinals. After a scoreless first half Nashville struck first through Hany Mukhtar in the 52nd minute. Orland would get a dramatic equalizer in the fourth minute of second half stoppage time when Rodrigo Schlegel knocked in a free kick that rattled in front of the goal. After a scoreless extra time Orlando won the penalty shootout 6-5 and would eventually go on to win the 2022 U.S. Open Cup.
Since joining MLS, Orlando have lost just three Open Cup games at home but are also just 4-4-4 against MLS opponents. Orlando are currently on a six game Open Cup home win streak, all six games coming in their 2022 title run. On the other hand, Nashville are 3-1-1 against MLS teams since joining the league in 2022.
ROAD TO THE ROUND OF 16
In the Fourth Round, despite outshooting their opponents 14-3, Nashville only managed a 1-0 win over the Chattanooga Red Wolves from USL League One. Josh Bauer scored the lone goal in the 18th minute.
Orlando had the largest win of the Third Round, hammering the Tampa Bay Rowdies 5-0. Gustavo Caraballo led the way with two goals, and Ramiro Enrique, Duncan McGuire and Dagur Thórhallsson added the rest. It was Orlando’s largest margin of victory over a pro team in the Open Cup.
CURRENT FORM
Nashville are currently 4th in the Eastern Conference at 7-4-3 and are 4-0-2 in their last six league and cup games. Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge share the team lead with six goals apiece, Daniel Lovitz and Andy Najar shared the assist lead with Mukhtar with four.
A 3-0 win over CF Inter Miami on Sunday leaves Orlando two points behind Nashville at 5-2-7 and are on a 12-game unbeaten streak over all competitions. Martin Ojeda leads the way with eight goals and goalkeeper Pedro Gallese has six clean sheets over 13 games.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Nashville SC
Major League Soccer | Nashville, TN
5th US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2018
Manager: B.J. Callaghan
Overall: 9-2-2 (0-2 PK) | 5-1-1 (0-1 PK) (MLS)
Home: 8-0-1 (0-1) | 4-0-0 (MLS)
vs. MLS: 3-1-0 (0-1 PK) | 2-1-1 (0-1 PK) (MLS)
Best finish: Fifth Round (2018, USL) | Quarterfinals (2022, MLS)
In their first year as a USL club in 2018, Nashville knocked off the Colorado Rapids on their way to the Fifth Round. Once joining MLS they reached the Quarterfinals in 2022 and made another three-game run in 2023 while starting a round earlier. Last year, Nashville SC did not enter the competition.
Last year, Nashville SC finished 9-16-9 and missed the MLS playoffs for the first time since joining the league in 2018.
The first notable club from the city of Nashville to participate in the Open Cup was the Nashville Blues in the late 1980s, though they didn’t have much success. In the Modern Era, the A-League’s Nashville Metros reached the Quarterfinals in 1997, upsetting the Kansas City Wizards (Sporting KC) 3-1 in the Third Round.
Orlando City SC
Major League Soccer | Orlando, FL
14th US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2008
Manager: Oscar Pareja
Overall: 22-12-5 (5-0 PK) | 10-6-5 (5-0 PK) (MLS)
Home: 15-4-3 (3-0 PK) | 6-3-3 (3-0 PK) (MLS)
vs. MLS: 6-10-4 (4-0 PK) | 4-4-4 (4-0 PK) (MLS)
Best finish: Champion (2022)
Orlando City have tasted Open Cup success since their debut as a USL club in 2009, their best run coming in 2013 when they reached the Quarterfinals and upset the Colorado Rapids and Sporting Kansas City along the way. Open Cup glory continued in their MLS years, reaching the Semifinals in 2019 then finally winning it all in 2022.
Philadelphia Union (MLS) vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL-C)
Subaru Park – Chester, PA
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
LIVE VIDEO: PARAMOUNT+
Teams representing opposite ends of the Keystone state meet for the first time in official competition when the Pittsburgh Riverhounds , the lone survivor from the USL Championship, travel to Chester, Pa. to take on the Philadelphia Union.
The Union are unbeaten in their last 12 home games (9-0-3, 2-1 PKs) in Open Cup play with their last loss coming in the 2014 Final against the Seattle Sounders. Union have scored 24 goals during that run, while allowing only 8. Philadelphia are undefeated against Division 2 teams with a 3-0-1 record.
Pittsburgh are just 5-13-2 in Open Cup road games, and have only beaten MLS opposition three times, two of those wins coming against the New England Revolution and Columbus Crew SC during their 2023 Quarterfinal run.
ROAD TO THE ROUND OF 16
In the Third Round, Philly was taken to the limit by Indy Eleven, surviving via penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. Afte taking a 1-0 lead in the 6th minute through Alejandro Bedoya, Indy tied the score right after halftime. Despite 33 shots, Philadelphia could not score the winner after 120 minutes. Union converted all five spot kicks to win the shootout 5-4.
The Riverhounds pulled off the lone upset of the Third Round, and in dramatic fashion. With extra time looming, second half sub Roberto Ydrach headed home a Robbie Mertz corner kick six minutes into second half stoppage time to stun New York City FC 1-0. Ydrach’s first professional goal earned him TheCup.us Player of the Round honors.
CURRENT FORM
Pittsburgh are 2-5-2 in the USL Championship Eastern Conference and are 0-4-1 in their last five league games, scoring a paltry six goals over nine games.
Philadelphia has the best record in MLS at 9-3-2, their 27 goals scored is tops in the league as well. Tal Baribo leads MLS with 11 goals, and Quinn Sullivan’s seven assists ties him for second in the league.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Pittsburgh Riverhounds
USL Championship | Pittsburgh, PA
21st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 1998
Manager: Bob Lilley
Overall: 17-18-3 (1-2)
Away: 4-13-2 (0-2)
vs. Div. 3: 2-1-0
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2001, 2023)
Founded in 1998, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds are the second oldest club in the USL Championship, behind only the Charleston Battery (1993). Initial success eluded the Riverhounds, only occasionally reaching the playoffs. With the building of Highmark Stadium in 2013, the club’s fortunes have turned around, making the playoffs nine of the last 12 seasons, including the last seven.
Pittsburgh’s Open Cup history has been short on success, having been knocked out of the tournament nine times in their opening game (most recently in 2024), and another five times after their second game. However, in 2023 the team matched their Quarterfinal run of 2001, knocking off MLS clubs New England Revolution and Columbus Crew. The five-game run shattered the teams’ previous high of three games in 2001, 2008 and 2015, and took them to their second Quarterfinal appearance in team history.
Teams from the Western Pennsylvania area have won four Open Cup titles, the last coming in 1956 with the Harmarville Hurricanes winning their second title. In the 1940s and 1950s teams from the area regularly found themselves reaching the Semifinals. From 1942-1956 Western Pennsylvania teams reached the Final eight times.
Philadelphia Union
Major League Soccer | Chester, PA
11th US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2010
Manager: Bradley Carnell
Overall: 16-6-8 (4-4 PK)
Home: 15-2-3 (2-1 PK)
vs. Div. 2: 3-0-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: Final (2014, 2015, 2018)
Philadelphia has one of the better Open Cup resumes without winning a title among MLS clubs, though recent tournaments have put a blemish on that. They’ve been to three Open Cup Finals (2014, 2015, 2018), but their last three appearances have been “one and done” appearances against D.C. United in 2019, Orlando City in 2022 and Minnesota United in 2023.
Prior to the Modern Era, clubs from Philadelphia have made nine appearances in the Open Cup Final, winning the Open Cup five times. Leading the way are the Ukrainian Nationals, who won the tournament four times (1960, 1962, 1963 and 1966).
Austin FC (MLS) vs. Houston Dynamo FC (MLS)
Q2 Stadium – Austin, TX
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: PARAMOUNT+
An Open Cup edition of the Copa Tejas concludes the Fifth Round as Austin FC welcome the Houston Dynamo to Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.
While the Open Cup result will not count in the Copa Tejas standings, the winner of the game will no doubt be a bonus in the rivalry. The Copa Tejas is a supporters trophy using the MLS results in games between Houston Dynamo FC, Austin FC and FC Dallas to determine a winner.
Houston and Austin met on April 26 at Houston in MLS play, with Houston coming out on top 2-0. Czech international Ondřej Lingr opened the scoring on the 61st minute, and Ezequiel Ponce doubled the margin with eleven minutes remaining.
Austin FC, along with Charlotte FC and St. Louis City SC, are one of three teams among the final 16 that have never reached the Quarterfinals. While Houston doesn’t have the greatest road record in the Open Cup at 6-7-1, they are on a four-game road winning streak, the first three games coming in Houston’s 2023 championship run.
ROUND TO THE ROUND OF 16
To get to the Fifth Round, Houston had to work an extra 30 minutes to beat Phoenix Rising 4-1. Tied 1-1 after regulation time, the Dynamo grabbed the lead when Jack McGlynn scored in the 99th minute. The result was solidified on goals from Ezequiel Ponce (112’) and Sebastian Kowalczyk (115’).
Austin FC didn’t have to work overtime, but they did have to stage a stunning comeback. Down 2-0 to El Paso Locomotive for the first 73 minutes, Brandon Vázquez began a run that saw Austin score three times in eight minutes. Myrto Uzuni followed with the game-tying goal, assisted by Vázquez, three minutes later, then Vázquez scored his second in the 80th minute for a 3-2 lead. Owen Wolff assisted on both of Vázquez’s goals.
CURRENT FORM
Houston is 4-6-4 in the Western Conference and Austin is right above them at 5-6-3. Ezequiel Ponce leads Houston with three goals and Griffin Dorsey has five assists. Brandon Vasaquez is Austin’s leading scorer with four goals and Owen Wolff leads with three assists.
US OPEN CUP HISTORY
Houston Dynamo FC (MLS)
Major League Soccer | Houston, TX
17th US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2006
Manager: Ben Olsen
Overall: 26-12-3 (1-2 PK)
Away: 7-7-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 11-10-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: Champions (2018, 2023)
The Houston Dynamo are like the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. In 1996 the Ravens relocated to Baltimore from Cleveland and promptly won a Super Bowl. Houston left San Jose after the 2005 seasons, then won back-to-back MLS Cups in 2006 and 2007. The club has been looking for its third championship since then.
The Dynamo have had success in the Open Cup as well, winning championships in 2018 and 2023. Their 2024 title defense was stopped cold by Detroit City FC on penalties after a 3-3 draw. It was just the fourth time in the Modern Era that a defending champ was eliminated in their opening game the following tournament.
The city of Houston made a mark on the Open Cup before any of its clubs did. The 1983 Open Cup Semifinals and Final were hosted at Houston’s Delmar Stadium, and won by New York Pancyprian Freedoms in a 4-3 goal fest over St. Louis’ Kutis SC.
Austin FC
Major League Soccer | Austin, TX
3rd US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2021
Manager: Nico Estévez
Overall: 2-2-0
Home: 2-1-0
vs. MLS: 0-1-0
Best finish: Fifth Round (2023)
Next to St. Louis CITY SC, Austin FC has the least experience in the Open Cup among MLS clubs, with just four games played.
The City of Austin also has a limited history in the Open Cup. The highest profile team in the pre-Modern Era is perhaps the Austin Soccadillos, who entered the 1991 tournament, winning their group in USISL qualifying only to fall 3-0 to the other group winner in the USISL qualifying final, the Richardson Rockets, who would go on to reach the 1991 US Open Cup Final.
In the Modern Era, six other teams represented Austin in the Open Cup.
First up was the Austin Lone Stars of the USL D3 Pro League, appearing in three tournaments from 1997-1999, only posting a 2-3 record.
Amateur club Real Madrid won the USASA Region III qualifying tournament in 2002 but lost their lone Cup game.
In 2008, the Austin Aztex U-23s qualified through the PDL (now USL League Two), being eliminated on penalty kicks by the Atlanta Silverbacks after a 2-2 draw. The Aztex U-23s were the development team of the USL’s Austin Aztex, who would move in 2010 and become Orlando City SC.
The new Austin Aztex qualified as a PDL cub in 2013 and 2014 without much success, then again in 2015 when the club turned pro and moved up to the USL, reaching the Third Round where they lost 2-0 to the Houston Dynamo.
In 2019, the USL Championship’s Austin Bold matched the Aztex 2015 run, reaching the Third Round before also falling to the Houston Dynamo, this time 3-2.
Finally the only other team currently calling Austin its home is Austin FC II, who appeared in 2024 and were upset by FORO SC on penalties.