With 22 games this weekend, the largest ever Open Division qualifying tournament kicks off. There’s 145 clubs from 29 states and 28 different leagues taking part. At stake are 16 Open Division spots in the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, with qualifying running through four rounds and finishing with 16 “Win and You’re In” contests on Nov. 22 and 23.
One major change to this year’s qualifying field is the inclusion of NPSL and USL League Two (USL-2) teams who did not make the cut through their league performance. Previous Open Cup participants Cleveland SC (NPSL), Ballard FC (USL-2) and Western Mass Pioneers (USL-2) are among the 10 NPSL and 4 USL League Two clubs who are taking a second shot at making the cut for 2026.
Also among the field of contenders are a number of historic clubs who have participated in the Open Cup long before the Modern Era. Scots-American Athletic Club (aka: Kearny Scots / Kearny Americans), and San Francisco’s Olympic Club and SF Vikings SC have been around for over 100 years.
Already waiting to be joined in the Open Cup field are 2025 National Amateur Cup winners West Chester United SC, UPSL Spring champions Tennessee Tempo FC and 2025 John Motta Trophy Winner (2025 Open Division prize money winner) El Farolito SC.
It all starts on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. ET with Black Cat FC of the UPSL hosting Edgewater Castle FC of the Midwest Premier League, and wraps up at 9 p.m. ET on Sept. 14 with a clash of historic rivals, 3-time Open Cup champions New York Pancyprian Freedoms against 4-time champs New York Greek American SC.
You can follow live updates from every game this weekend on X (Twitter) and Blue Sky – @USOpenCup.
Below you can find the full weekend schedule with a brief profile bio of each team:
Edgewater Castle FC (MWPL) vs. Black Cat FC (UPSL)
Redmond Recreational Complex – Bensenville, IL
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET
Edgewater Castle FC
Chicago, IL
This is the third time Edgewater has entered qualifying for the Open Cup. Both of the previous two attempts ended with losses to Chicago House AC, 3-1 in 2024 and 3-2 (after extra time) last year.
Black Cat FC
Chicago, IL
Black Cat FC are making their Open Cup qualifying debut. They finished 8-2-0 in the UPSL Midwest Central-South spring season. They were previous based in Lafayette, Indiana, but have since moved to Chicago.
Southern Indiana FC (UPSL) vs. Southern Indiana Guardians FC (UPSL)
Woehrle Athletic Complex – Jeffersonville, IN
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Southern Indiana FC
Jeffersonville, IN
After a successful qualifying run last year, Southern Indiana FC are back to try for two in a row. SIFC ran the table during the UPSL spring season, going 11-0-0 in the KY-TN division.
Southern Indiana Guardians FC
Floyds Knobs, IN
The Guardians return to qualifying after a failed attempt in 2025, where they lost their opening game to Bowling Green FC 3-0. The Guardians finished 6-4-0 in the UPSL Ohio/Indy South division Spring season.
Colonial SC (USLPA/USASA) vs. Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals (NPSL/USASA)
Ukrainian American Sports Center – North Wales, PA
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Colonial SC
Blue Bell, PA
Colonial SC are back for their third run at Open Cup qualifying, having been ousted after one game each time. The Ukrainian Nationals eliminated Colonial in 2024 3-1 (after extra time). Colonial ended the USL of Pennsylvania season 7-4-1.
Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals
Horsham, PA
Regular leaguemates of Colonial in the USL of Pa., the Uke Nats are entering qualifying through the NPSL this year. The Ukrainians are four-time US Open Cup Champions (1960-61, 1963, 1966). And are entering qualifying for the seventh time, and have yet to make the cut in the Modern Era. They finished 6-0-4 in the NPSL Keystone West Conference.
FC Bartlesville Buffaloes (UPSL) vs. Tulsa Athletic (TLFC)
Athletic Community Field – Tulsa, OK
Kickoff: 8 p.m ET
FC Bartlesville Buffaloes
Bartlesville, OK
The Buffaloes are making their qualifying debut this year, and posted a 9-0-1 record in the UPSL OK-AR division Spring season.The club was founded by four Oklahoma Wesleyan University alumni.
Tulsa Athletic
Tulsa, OK
Tulsa Athletic are one of the regular qualifiers from the amateur ranks. While this is their second attempt at qualifying though the Open Division tournament, they’ve advanced to the Open Cup proper seven times, six of those under the NPSL banner, last year as a UPSL club. Athletic have a run of qualifying four times in a row (2022-2025). This year they finished 7-4-1 in the inaugural season of The League for Clubs, and lost in playoff Semifinals to Metropolitan Oval Academy, 3-2
Wisloka Chicago (UPSL) vs. Chicago Strikers (UPSL)
College of DuPage – Glen Ellyn, IL
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
Wisloka Chicago
Chicago, IL
Wisloka for their third qualifying run after unsuccessful bids in 2024 and 2025. They were ousted by Chicago House each time by the same 2-1 scoreline. Wisloka finished 8-2-0 in the UPSL Midwest Central – North spring season, and defeated the Strikers 3-2 in UPSL play on April 19.
Chicago Strikers
Chicago, IL
The Strikers are making their third qualifying attempt after a pair of one and done efforts in 2024 and 2025. The Strikers finished the UPSL Midwest Central – North spring season 2-8-0, and fell to Wisloka 3-2 on April 19 in UPSL play.
Albion SC Silicon Valley (TLFC) vs. Eclipse Soccer Academy (UPSL)
Santa Cruz High School – Santa Cruz, CA
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
Albion SC Silicon Valley
Redwood City, CA
Albion SC Silicon Valley are making their first run at Open Division qualifying, and finished 5-2-5 in The League for Clubs NorCal division.
Eclipse Soccer Academy
Santa Cruz, CA
Eclipse are also making their debut in Open Cup qualifying, and finished 5-4-1 in the UPSL Division 1 NorCal South spring season. Division 1 is the second tier of the UPSL.
SF Vikings SC (SFSFL/USAS) vs. Napa Valley 1839 FC (TLFC)
Justin Siena High School – Napa, CA
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
SF Vikings SC
San Francisco, CA
SF Vikings SC are one of the oldest clubs in qualifying, having been founded in 1922 and debuting in the Open Cup in the 1956 tournament. It will be their third attempt at qualifying (2024, 2025), and have been eliminated by Inter San Francisco both years in the opening round (1-0, 4-1). Vikings finished 13-5-4 in 2025 SFSFL Premier Division.
Napa Valley 1839 FC
Napa, CA
Napa Valley 1839 FC are back after a failed qualifying debut last year. 1839 FC finished 13-3-1 in The League for Clubs NorCal Conference,and lost in TLFC Final on penalty kicks to Metropolitan Oval Academy after a 2-2 draw.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USLPA/USASA) vs. Vidas United FC (APSL/USASA)
John Bartram High School – Philadelphia, PA
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET
Vereinigung Erzgebirge
Warminster, PA
VE has entered every edition of qualifying since it was revamped. VE qualified once in 2002 and again in 2024. Last year they reached the final round of qualifying, where they lost to West Chester United 2-1. VE are one of the older clubs in the qualifying field, playing their first game in 1934. VE finished 9-3-0 in the USL of Pennsylvania’s 2024-25 season.
Vidas United FC
Philadelphia, PA
Vidas United are making their second qualifying run after a one-and-done effort last year. Vidas finished 6-10-2 in the APSL Delaware River Conference.
Christos FC (APSL/USASA) vs. Patuxent FA (APSL/USASA)
Liberty Sports Park– Upper Marlboro, MD
Kickoff: 2 p.m. ET
Christos FC
Baltimore, MD
Christos have qualified for the Open Cup four times, though the 2020 effort was nullified by a canceled tournament. In their Open Cup debut in 2017, they reached the Fourth Round where they took a 1-0 lead over D.C. United, gaining national attention from several sports media outlets. Christos finished 7-5-2 in the APSL Mid-Atlantic Conference, and defeated Patuxent 7-1 on September 28 in APSL play.
Patuxent FA
Arnold, MD
Patuxent are making another run at qualifying after being eliminated after their opening game in their debut last year. Patuxent finished 4-7-2 in the APSL Mid-Atlantic Conference. Patuxent lost to Christos 7-1 on Sept. 28 in APSL play. Patuxent also fields a team in USL League Two.
Norcal Shockwaves (SFSFL/USASA) vs. The Olympic Club (SFSFL/USASA)
Negoesco Stadium – San Francisco, CA
Kickoff: 5 p.m. ET
Norcal Shockwaves
Bay Area, CA
Making their qualifying debut, the Norcal Shockwaves had a very rough go in their first season playing in the San Francisco Soccer Football League First Division. Norcal lost all 18 of its games and had a goal difference of minus-199. They managed 15 goals, but allowed 214.
The Olympic Club
San Francisco, CA
The Olympic Club was founded in 1860 and the soccer team joined the San Francisco Soccer Football League (SFSFL) in 1916. Olympic made their Open Cup debut in the 1956 tournament. Olympic won the 2025 SFSFL Premier Division with a 16-3-3 record. This is their 3rd qualifying attempt (2024, 2020), and they qualified for the canceled 2020 tournament.
Colorado Rovers (CPL) vs. Boulder United FC (CPL/USSSA)
Broomfield Commons– Broomfield, CO
Kickoff: 5 p.m. ET
Colorado Rovers
Denver, CO
The Colorado Rovers have entered every qualifying tournament since 2016, but have yet to make the cut. They came closest in 2020, reaching the final round where they lost to FC Boulder Harpos 4-0. The 2020 Open Cup tourney ultimately was canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic. Rovers finished the 2025 spring season of the Colorado Premier League 2-4-2.
Boulder United FC
Boulder, CO
Boulder United are back for their fourth try at Open Cup qualifying. Each time (2022, 2023, 2025) they lasted just one game before elimination. United finished 2-5-1 in the 2025 spring season of the Colorado Premier League. BUFC won their lone CPL meeting with the Rovers 2-1 back on April 6.
Doradus FC (UPSL) vs. Oranje FC (DCPL/USASA)
The Fields at RFK Campus (Field 3)– Washington, D.C.
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET
Doradus FC
Springfield, VA
Doradus FC are making their Open Cup qualifying debut, and finished 3-4-3 in the UPSL DMV South B division.
Oranje FC
San Antonio, TX
Oranje FC are also making their initial Open Cup qualifying attempt. Oranje finished the 2025 Spring DC Premier League 7-1-2, and won the Spring championship with a 2-0 win over DCFC.
Sporting NTX (UPSL) vs. Denton Diablos (Metro PL/USSSA)
Alliance Park (Field 2) – Fort Worth, TX
Kickoff: 6:15 p.m. ET
Sporting NTX
Allen, TX
Sporting NTX are making their Open Cup qualifying debut, and posted a 7-2-1 record in the UPSL Texas North division.
Denton Diablos
Denton, TX
The former NPSL club qualified for the canceled 2020 Open Cup through the NPSL, where they played from 2019-2024. In 2025, the Diablos moved to USL League Two where they posted a 7-4-1 record in the Mid South Division. Denton are entering qualifying through the Metroplex Premier League, where their Under-23 team plays.
Real Central NJ Soccer (APSL/USASA) vs. Scots-American Athletic Club (GSSL/USASA)
Kearny High School – Kearny, NJ
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Real Central NJ Soccer
Trenton, NJ
RCNJ returns for a third try at Open Cup qualifying after a pair of one-and-done efforts the last two years. Real finished 4-13-2 in the APSL Delaware River Conference.
Scots-American Athletic Club
Kearny, NJ
The Scots-American Athletic Club,more commonly known as Kearny Scots, is the oldest club in the qualifying field, having been founded in 1895. The Scots have been involved in the Open Cup since 1915, when they reached the Quarterfinals. Kearny was also a member of the American Soccer League from 1934-1953. In more recent times the SAAC have entered Open Division qualifying just once, in 2023, and currently play in the Garden State Soccer League.
Dallas Atletico (MPL/USSSA) vs. FORO SC (UPSL)
Bishop Lynch High School – Dallas, TX
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Dallas Atletico
Dallas, TX
Dallas Atletico are making their Open Division qualifying debut, not to be confused with Atlético Dallas, an expansion club set to begin in the USL Championship in 2027.
FORO SC
Dallas, TX
FORO are two for two in Open Cup qualifying, making the cut each time they have entered qualifying. FORO pulled off upsets over pro teams in each of their Open Cup appearances. In 2024 they knocked off MLS NEXT Pro side Austin FC II on penalties after a dramatic equalizer in the final minute of extra time. Last year FORO defeated USL League One club Texoma FC 2-1 after extra time. Foro finished 8-2-0 in the UPSL Texas North division.
Arlington SA Pro (UPSL) vs. Aegean Hawks FC (APL/USASA)
Langley High School– McLean, VA
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Arlington SA Pro
Annandale, VA
After a year off, Arlington SA have returned to Open Division qualifying. In their debut in 2024 they fell to Yinz United 3-2 in the opening round. Arlington SA went 8-1-1 in the UPSL DMV South-A division.
Aegean Hawks FC
Arlington, VA
The Aegean Hawks have qualified for the Open Cup in 2007, 2009 and 2012, but have gone cold since. The Hawks have entered qualifying all but one year since 2016, and came close to returning to the Open Cup last year, falling 2-1 in the final round to Virginia Dream FC.
New Jersey Alliance FC (UPSL) vs. DOXA SC (APSL/USASA)
Flowers Park – New Rochelle, NY
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
New Jersey Alliance FC
Clifton, NJ
The Alliance are back after a successful qualifying attempt in 2025. Once in the Open Cup, NJA pushed USL League One club Chattanooga Red Wolves to penalties. Alliance also made it to the final round of qualifying in 2024, losing to Vereinigung Erzgebirge on PKs after a 0-0 draw.
Alliance FC finished the UPSL Northeast American division at 5-2-3.
DOXA SC
New Rochelle, NY
Founded in 1963, DOXA have been regular participants in the Open Cup since the mid-1970s
This is DOXA’s first attempt at Open Division qualifying. DOXA finished with a 5-12-5 mark in the APSL Metropolitan Conference.
American Soccer Club New York (NPSL) vs. New York Renegades (UPSL)
SUSA Orlin & Cohen Sports Complex (Field 2) – Central Islip, NY
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
American Soccer Club New York
Hempstead, NY
ASC New York are making their Open Division qualifying debut this year. ASC New York posted a 2-2-4 record in the NPSL North Atlantic Conference.
New York Renegades
Hicksville, NY
The New York Renegades are looking to return to the Open Cup after qualifying in 2025. In their qualifying debut in 2024 they were stopped by the New York Pancyprian Freedoms in the next to last round, The Renegades finished the UPSL Northeast American spring season with a 9-0-1 mark.
FC Denver (CPL/USSSA) vs. Peak Eleven FC (Mountain PL/USASA)
Pinnacle Athletic Complex – Thornton, CO
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
FC Denver
Denver, CO
FC Denver has participated in every Open Division qualifying tournament except the first one in 2016. They qualified for the Open Cup in 2018 and 2019, and have advanced past their opening game three years in a row. FC Denver posted a 1-5-2 record in the 2025 Spring Colorado Premier League season.
Peak Eleven FC
Superior, CO
Peal Eleven are making their fifth consecutive appearance in Open Division qualifying, beginning with their debut in 2022. The last three attempts have been one-and-done affairs, and were eliminated last year by FC Denver 2-1. Peak Eleven finished 7-3-0 in the 2025 Spring Mountain Premier League season.
Majestic SC (APSL/USASA) vs. Terminus FC (ADASL/USASA)
Brook Run Soccer Fields – Dunwoody, GA
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Majestic SC
Atlanta, GA
After a year off, Majestic are back in Open Division qualifying tournament for a third time. Their first entry was in 2018, then again in 2024. Both times the club advanced past their opening round game before elimination. Majestic finished 15-1-0 in the 2024-25 Atlanta District Amateur Soccer League, gaining promotion to the APSL Terminus Conference.
Terminus FC
Atlanta, GA
Terminus is back after their debut in 2024. In their lone qualifying attempt they were knocked out after one game. Terminus finished 9-5-1 in the 2024-25 Atlanta District Amateur Soccer League, and also swept the ADASL Summer League with a 10-0-0 record. Terminus also has a team in the new APSL Terminus Conference.
MSI Pro (UPSL) vs. Yinz United (APL/USASA)
Oakton High School – Vienna, VA
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
MSI Pro
Rockville, MD
MSI are back at it after their debut effort in 2025 took them to the Third Round of qualifying. MSI finished 7-2-1 in the UPSL DMV North.
Yinz United
Pittsburgh, PA
Yinz United return to qualifying after a one-year absence. In their debut in 2024, Yinz reached the Third Round, falling to Northern Virginia FC 2-1. While based in Maryland, the club was founded by a group from Pittsburgh where the clubs’ black and gold colors and the team name originates. Yinz is slang in Western Pennsylvania for the term “ya’ll”. Yinz United won the 2025 Spring APL championship.
NY Pancyprian Freedoms (APSL) vs. NY Greek American SC (APSL/USASA)
Hofstra Stadium – Hempstead, NY
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
New York Pancyprian Freedoms
Queens, NY
The three-time US Open Cup champions (1980, 1982, 1983) have entered qualifying every year since 2016 except for 2025, when they gained an Open Cup berth as National Amateur Cup Champions. The Freedoms have qualified twice since 2016, and six additional times in the Modern Era. The Freedoms topped the APSL Metropolitan Conference at 17-1-4, four points ahead of Greek American SC. The Freedoms won the only Open Division qualifying game between the two teams in 2016, prevailing 4-2.
New York Greek American SC
Queens, NY
Four-time US Open Cup champions (1967, 1968, 1969, 1974) have had a hard time in Open Division qualifying, winning just once in their six attempts. They have made the Open Cup cut six times in the Modern Era. Greek American SC finished second in the APSL Metropolitan Conference at 16-3-3, four points behind the Freedoms. Pancyprian Freedoms and Greek Americans faced each other twice in the 2024-25 APSL season. On Dec. 15, 2024 the Greeks prevailed 3-0, then on March 16 the clubs played to a 1-1 draw.