This weekend, 16 teams punched their ticket to the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Those 16 amateur clubs will participate in the opening round of the 111th edition of the tournament that is set to begin in the Spring.
Half of the teams that qualified with victories in the weekend’s “Win & You’re In” games hail from the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL).
Out of the 16 clubs that qualified, six of them are making their first appearance in the US Open Cup’s Modern Era. One of those first-timers, SC Vistula Garfield, had entered the US Open Cup decades ago.
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The games were largely competitive with 14 of the 16 games being decided by two goals or less.
You can find a brief summary of all 16 games with links to the full match report below.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22
Croatia Cleveland (North Coast Soccer Lg./USASA)
2:3
Steel City FC (USL League Two)
Mentor High School Soccer Stadium – Mentor, OH
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
Steel City FC continued Pittsburgh’s soccer success, following the Riverhounds winning the USL Championship earlier in the day, by qualifying for the 2026 US Open Cup. They defeated Croatia Cleveland 3-2 in Mentor, Ohio to punch their ticket to the 111th national championship.
Croatia took an early lead when Ben Truax scored in the 13th minute. Near the end of the first half, Steel City jumped ahead 2-1. In the 42nd minute, Sam Boehm beat Croatia goalkeeper Marijo Musa one-on-one, then Jack Nury sent a low, diving header in to make it 2-1 in stoppage time.
Steel City extended the lead to 3-1 in the 62nd minute when Nick Graecea converted a penalty kick. AFC Cleveland & Cleveland SC Open Cup veteran Michael Derezic pulled one back for Croatia with a PK of his own in the 79th minute, but Cleveland could not find the equalizer as Steel City booked a return to the Open Cup after their initial appearance in 2024 as part of the NPSL.
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL MATCH REPORT
FC Lonestar GPSE (UPSL)
2:5
CD Faialense (BSSL/USASA)
Veterans Memorial Stadium – Lawrence, MA
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
CD Faialense secured their second straight US Open Cup appearance by defeating the UPSL’s FC Lonestar GPSE 5-2 at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Mass.
Alessandro Negri, who attended nearby Merrimack College got Faialense on the board first in the 16th minute with a shot that took a deflection off a Lonestar defender Two minutes later Martin Vician doubled the visitors lead.
Taking advantage of a midfield turnover, Max Krause extended Faialense’s lead to 3-0 in the 36th minute. A minute later Lonestar got their first goal through Luke Stavros Campbell, but Krause restored Faialense’s three goal advantage in the 38th minute with a 30-yard blast.
In the second half Eddie Yepes pulled the hosts back to within two by converting a penalty kick, but with a few minutes remaining Jonathan Klein, who scored the extra time game winner in Faialense’s Third Round game, ended all doubt with a shot from near the penalty spot to make the final score 5-2 in favor of CD Faialense.
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL MATCH REPORT
Southern Indiana FC (UPSL)
2:0
Briar United FC (UPSL)
Green Valley Soccer Complex – New Albany, IN
By Chuck Nolan Jr.
High-scoring Southern Indiana FC gained their second consecutive berth in the U.S. Open Cup with a 2-0 home victory over Raleigh, North Carolina’s Briar United FC (UPSL).
Southern Indiana, who had scored 21 goals in their previous three qualifying games, were held scoreless by Briar United for 73 minutes. That’s when Elorm Dogbey sent in a shot that was cleared at the goal line by a Briar United defender, only to see the ball fall to the feet of Kellan Clegg, who volleyed a shot over the outstretched hand of the Briar goalkeeper for a 1-0 lead.
SIFC nearly made it 2-0 in the 80th minute when Clegg sent a pass into the box to Daniel Nkurunziza, whose header was tipped away by the goalkeeper. Three minutes later Southern Indiana would get their second goal via the penalty spot when Saladi Husseini was fouled. Nate Brown stepped up to convert the kick and seven minutes later Southern Indiana were officially part of the 2026 U.S. Open Cup field.
With scorelines of 10-0, 4-1, 7-1 and 2-0, SIFC finished 2026 qualifying with 23 goals, equaling the mark for most goals scored in a qualifying run since 2016, held by Laguna United with 23 in last year’s qualifying tournament.
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MSI Pro (UPSL)
0:2
Virginia Dream FC (UPSL)
After Extra Time
Martin Luther King Jr. Recreational Park (Field 4) – Silver Spring, MD
By Sam Brummitt
Virginia Dream FC and MSI Pro came into Saturday’s “Win & You’re In” match on the heels of one-sided wins. Their match was anything but as the two teams went 105 minutes before the first goal was scored. MSI played most of the game shorthanded as their starting goalkeeper Yusupha Fofana had to be subbed out at halftime due to injury. Then in the 68th minute, MSI’s Alexander Ouldbrahim received his second yellow card. With no subs on the bench, MSI had an uphill climb. In the 105th minute, Virginia Dream’s Zoumana Diarra scored a goal off a cross. Then, in the 113th minute, Williams-Merlin Yami scored on a counter attack.
With this 2-0 win over MSI Pro, Virginia Dream has qualified for the Open Cup tournament for the second year in a row. In their first appearance in the Open Cup tournament last spring, they upset USL League One club Richmond Kickers 3-1 before bowing out in the second round with a 4-2 loss to USL Championship club Loudoun United. Virginia Dream has won five of the last six season titles in the Virginia Super Soccer League. With a roster composed of a number of former collegiate D1 players and experience in the tournament proper last year, they will be a formidable opponent in the opening round of the Open Cup next spring.
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL MATCH REPORT
Ballard FC (USL League Two)
0:1
Valley 559 FC (UPSL)
Interbay Stadium – Seattle, WA
By Jon Sicotte
A late free kick from Ernesto Espinoza lifted Valley 559 FC to a 1-0 win over Ballard FC on Saturday night at Interbay Stadium, securing the Fresno club’s first-ever berth in the US Open Cup. Espinoza converted in the 87th minute after Josh Zambrano drew a foul just outside the box, curling a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Lars Helleren and breaking open a match that had been tense and scoreless throughout.
Ballard nearly broke through when Nii Engmann finished a loose ball in the 31st minute, but the goal was nullified for offside, and Quincy Amarikwa missed a clear chance in the 77th when he pushed a 1-on-1 attempt wide. Despite more than 10 minutes of stoppage time, Ballard couldn’t find an equalizer as Valley’s defense held firm.
The win capped a breakthrough moment for Valley 559 FC, which had fallen short in qualifying in both 2023 and 2024. Valley now awaits its first-round matchup in the 2026 tournament while returning to UPSL NorCal South league play.
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL MATCH REPORT
Next Level Soccer (UPSL)
3:3
Azteca FC (CPL/USSSA)
Azteca FC advances 4-3 in penalty kicks
Higley High School – Gilbert, AZ
By Jim Coppock
A longtime participant in Open Cup qualifying, Azteca FC travels south to face one of the qualifying newcomers, Next Level Soccer.
On a cool and very rainy evening in Gilbert, AZ, Next Level Soccer hosted Azteca FC from Denver, CO. This is the first ever meeting between the teams. A high energy contest ended 3-3 after extra time, with Azteca winning the penalty shootout 4-3.
The game started very fast with Next Level making the first push on goal in the second minute. Edgar Olivas opened the scoring for the visitors in the 7th minute, cleaning up a loose ball from a corner kick. The half would continue at a rapid pace throughout. Both teams were on the front foot for short spells. Ex-MLS player, Don Tchiao, would level the scores in the 41st minute. In a goal mouth scramble. Next Level’s leading scorer, Danny Baca put the home side in front, 2-1, in the 45th minute.
Next Level would not hold the lead for long. Luis Reyes found himself in a position to deal with a rebound in front of goal, and did, putting Azteca on level terms in the 53rd minute. No more goals would be scored in regulation despite numerous shots flying at both ends.
In extra time, two more goals were scored. Azteca’s Eduardo Hermosillo scored in the 105+1 minute to send the visitors to the front. In the second half of extra time, just when it looked like Azteca would cross the line, Next Level’s Ricardo Arguello would find an equalizer in the 119th minute, sending the game to a shootout.
With the result, Azteca has now qualified for the tournament proper for the fifth time.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL MATCH REPORT
Laguna United FC (UPSL)
4:2
San Diego Internacional (UPSL)
La Paz Sports Park – Laguna Niguel, CA
By MaryBeth Zmuda
For the second year in a row, Laguna United FC punched their ticket to the US Open Cup with a win over San Diego Internacional. Last year, the two teams met in San Diego at Mission Bay Stadium in a “Win & You’re In” match and Laguna cruised to a 6-2 win to advance to the US Open Cup for the first time in club history.
On Saturday night, the two UPSL sides met again, this time at La Paz Sports Park in Laguna Niguel, Calif. The result was very similar with Laguna United winning 4-2.
All of the scoring came in the first half and it was San Diego who broke through first with Brandon Cortez putting a header past the United goalkeeper in the 4th minute.
Four minutes later, Mikey Barraza equalized. Laguna jumped out in front with a goal from Woody Angell, but in the 36th minute, Cortez scored his second of the game to bring San Diego level.
United would regain the lead for good with goals in the 39th and 42nd minutes. Woody Angell scored his second goal of the game from the penalty spot. Three minutes later, Angell assisted on Marc Birkelund’s goal. That 4-2 halftime lead would hold up for the remainder of the game. LUFC advances to the US Open Cup proper where they will try to improve on their debut last year. They lost their first round game to MLS NEXT Pro side Ventura County FC 7-0 on the road.
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL MATCH REPORT
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23
BOHFS St. Louis (MWPL/USASA)
3:2
Chicago House AC (MWPL/USASA)
St. Mary’s High School – St. Louis, MO
By Tim Thomas
A pair of Midwest Premier League teams squared off to see who would go to the US Open Cup. Open Cup veterans Chicago House took on debutants BOHFS St. Louis. In the end BOHFS would prevail and become the first Open Division (amateur) club from St. Louis to qualify in the Modern Era (1995-present).
The match started out with all the intensity of a title game. In the 31st minute Adam Utley would open the scoring for BOHFS after stealing the ball off a House defender. House would even it up with a 40th minute Ricardo Alvos goal. Two minutes later Brian Bement would regain the lead for BOHFS with a volley off a set piece.
BOHFS started the second half with guns blazing. In the 54th minute Elliot Goodwin scored for BOHFS with an assist by Liam Collins. Chicago House refused to die and Avalos would secure a brace with a goal in stoppage time. It was too little too late as BOHFS would hold off a late flurry of House chances to secure the win.
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL MATCH REPORT
FC America CFL Spurs (UPSL)
1:1
Harbor City FC (UPSL)
FC America CFL Spurs advances, 5-4 in penalty kicks
Lake Mary High Stadium – Lake Mary, FL
By Josh Hakala
A pair of UPSL rivals from Florida squared off with a spot in the 2026 US Open Cup on the line. In last year’s qualifying tournament, Harbor City FC eliminated FC American CFL Spurs in penalty kicks. On Sunday, the Spurs got their revenge, knocking out Harbor City 5-4 in penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw.
The two teams traded first half goals starting in the 6th minute when Harbor City’s Andrew Bennett headed home a bouncing ball over the keeper in the middle of the box. The Spurs equalized a little more than 10 minutes later when Akeem Flemmings scored on a header.
No one would find the back of the net until the penalty kick shootout when the Spurs prevailed 5-4.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL MATCH REPORT
Oaklyn United FC (APSL/USASA)
1:2
SC Vistula Garfield (APSL/USASA)
Rowan University Soccer Stadium – Glassboro, NJ
By Josh Hakala
SC Vistula Garfield are heading to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time in the Modern Era after a 2-1 win over fellow APSL side Oaklyn United.
SC Vistula did all of their scoring in the first half through Emiland Elezaj. The former New York Red Bulls academy player, who also competed in The Soccer Tournament for Kwik Goal FC, broke the scoreless draw with a penalty kick goal in the 35th minute.
Just four minutes later, Elezaj would strike again. A low-driving cross was sent in from the left wing where an Oaklyn defender blocked it but Elezaj retrieved the ball on the left side of the box and chipped the goalkeeper to the far post.
Oaklyn would make it interesting in the final minutes as Jade Mesias scored on a penalty kick, but United would be unable to find the equalizer.
With the win, SC Vistula Garfield, a New Jersey club that dates back to 1952 will make their return to the tournament for the first time since the 1970s.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL MATCH REPORT
Miami United FC (UPSL)
3:5
Florida Badgers FC (UPSL)
After Extra Time
Central Broward Park – Lauderhill, FL
By Josh Hakala
It was a back-and-forth affair between two UPSL powerhouses with vastly different resumes. Florida Badgers FC, making their US Open Cup qualifying debut, ended Miami United FC’s run of three consecutive trips to the tournament proper with a 5-3 extra time win.
The Badgers, who had a league record of 17-0-2 in the Spring and Fall seasons combined, jumped out to the early lead with Guido Cacciabue scoring in the 7th minute.
Miami United’s Dave Junior Altidor, who scored a game-winning goal in stoppage time in the opening round against Fort Myers City FC, would tie the game in the 24th minute.
The Badgers would re-take the lead in the 66th minute after Castinde cut back from the left wing and beat the keeper to the far post.
Robertino Insua, one of Miami’s top players, would pull them level with a penalty kick goal in the 77th minute.
Tied at 2-2, the match would go to extra time and it was Miami that would take the lead for the first time after Teo Candido volleyed home a shot into the upper corner in the 93rd minute.
Ten minutes later, Davie answered for the Badgers with a volley of his own to tie the game back up at 3-3.
The game appeared to be headed to penalty kicks but the Badgers Schimiliguen “Jhonny” Castin scored a stoppage time winner where he chipped the goalkeeper. Castin, who was the team’s top goalscorer in the Fall season, would put the game away deep into stoppage time with a penalty kick that resulted in United’s Insua getting sent off.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL MATCH REPORT
Zum Schneider FC (APSL/USASA)
2:4
NY Renegades FC (UPSL)
Jack McManus Field – New York, NY
By David Einhorn
The New York Renegades defeated Zum Schneider 4-2 on Sunday night to clinch the club’s second straight US Open Cup berth. The Renegades were heavily-favored, but both sides contested well: trading goals, well-timed shots, and hard tackles throughout the 90 minutes.
Renegades drew first blood in the opening minutes, but Zum Schneider signaled their intent to fight with a quick equalizer not long after. The cat and mouse game continued as once again, Renegades took the lead in the second half only for Zum Schneider to equalize later on.
When all signs pointed to extra time, the Renegades found the breakthrough. They scored not one, but two stoppage time goals to ensure that they would be moving on to the 2026 US Open Cup.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL MATCH REPORT
Denton Diablos (MSSL/USSSA)
0:0
ASC New Stars (HFA/USASA)
ASC New Stars advance 4-3 in penalty kicks
Mean Green Soccer Stadium – Denton, TX
By Adam Uthe
ASC New Stars are back in the Open Cup for the first time since 2012 after surviving going down to 10 men in extra time and ultimately prevailing on penalties over hosts Denton Diablos. New Stars goalkeeper Emmanuel Frias saved the final two penalties from Denton and that was enough to see the Houston side advance.
Denton controlled the match from the opening kick, earning three corners inside of the first 10 minutes. Striker Jay Lee came in having scored two goals in two separate matches in the earlier rounds of qualifying, but his good form seemed to abandon him when it mattered most. As the game went on, ASC began to gain confidence exploiting the gaps in Denton’s backline in transition. By the time extra time arrived, it looked as if it was anyone’s game – even after ASC center back Eric Robertson received his second yellow card in the 113th minute.
Both sides converted their first three penalties in the shootout before Frias’s heroics. Camilo Botera Fonseca stepped up and buried the fifth and decisive attempt for New Stars.
This will ASC’s fourth appearance in the Modern Era, with their previous appearances occurring in 2008, 2011, and 2012.
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL MATCH REPORT
Kalonji Pro-Profile (UPSL)
1:0
Potros FC (UPSL)
Shiloh High School – Snellville, GA
By Calum Ewing
A couple hundred fans packed into Shiloh High School in Snellville, Georgia playing salsa music, banging bleachers, and showing home support for first time Open Cup qualifying Kalonji Pro-Profile in a 1-0 win over UPSL rivals Potros FC.
Kalonji had the game’s first scoring opportunity in the 11th minute when Atlanta United 2 standout Karim Tmimi played a low ball from the left wing straight to an open Thierry Joules in the box. However, Cameron Verona came up huge in goal for Potros with a kick-save to stop the effort from point-blank range. The away side’s biggest chance would be in the 33rd minute in which Sebi Morrello flicked the ball with his back heel towards the top left corner while moving and facing away from goal. Kalonji’s goalkeeper Ashon Maynard dove rapidly to his right and made a ridiculous save (maybe the save of the tournament thus far), pushing the ball with one hand onto the crossbar.
In the 54th minute, Kalonji won a corner and rocketed a shot back towards goal from 30 yards out. It was blocked by Potros, and then the ref confidently pointed to the spot for a handball! From the stands and on replay, it was impossible to tell how correct the decision was with the pace on the shot, but the home side would not miss out on their chance to take the lead. Left back Grant Carr would step up and slot the ball home in the bottom right corner, and young Kalonji fans would invade the pitch to celebrate. After the fans went back to their seats, they saw a gritty defense shut down Potros’ ball movement and win 1-0 for Pro Profile’s first ever Open Cup appearance.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL MATCH REPORT
Red Force FC (PFL/USASA)
4:1
City Soccer FC (UPSL)
Kendall Soccer Park (Field 3) – Miami, FL
By Connor Bunnell
Miami side Red Force FC of the Premier Fútbol League defended their turf in style Sunday night, taking down UPSL side City Soccer FC 4-1 to punch a long-awaited ticket back to the Open Cup.
In the early going, City looked the stronger side, and Auner Escobar appeared to confirm it when he scored in the 6th minute. The visitors from West Palm Beach nearly managed to carry that lead into the break, but Stiven Salinas had his say in the 42nd minute and tied things back up. That ensured it was still anybody’s ballgame when the whistle sounded for halftime.
When play resumed for the second half, the pendulum swung hard in the hosts’ direction. John John Diaz, who’d been essential in the buildup to Red Force’s equalizer, snagged the spotlight for himself by starting a brace in the 62nd and finishing it four minutes later.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing from there, especially after forward Santiago Fajardo earned a red card to reduce Red Force to just ten men. However, the River Plate-inspired hosts successfully fended their challengers off the rest of the way, and with a final long-range dagger from David Ochoa in stoppage time, Red Force cemented a 4-1 victory.
With the win, Red Force are back in the Open Cup for the fifth time in team history. They last reached the big dance in 2018, where they fell to Miami FC 2 in the First Round.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL MATCH REPORT
San Ramon FC (TLFC/USASA)
2:1
The Olympic Club (SFSFL/USASA)
Tiffany Roberts Field – San Ramon, CA
By Connor Bunnell
San Ramon FC wrote a triumphant new chapter in club’s history Sunday night by winning 2-1 at home against reigning San Francisco Soccer Football League (SFSFL) champions The Olympic Club to clinch the final Open Division qualifying spot of the 2026 US Open Cup.
At kickoff, the fog of war was no metaphor, as a thick blanket of the stuff covered the pitch.
Olympic were quick to seize the upper hand, parlaying a 5th minute free kick into a Kaya Fabriette goal, with Andrew Ellis’s head pass assisting in between.
However, the hosts would soon learn to weaponise the conditions. In the 22nd minute, San Ramon’s Roberto Gonzalez took a direct free kick from 20 yards out, and with the keeper unable to see through the fog, the equalizer sailed home untouched. The San Franciscan visitors would come dangerously close to stealing the lead back by the end of the half, but couldn’t make it stick, leaving it all tied after 45.
In the clearer conditions of the second half, San Ramon’s Carver Jensen emerged as the clear hero of the night. With a cut in from the left and a perfect slice into the bottom corner, Jensen completed the comeback in the 58th minute. Once the hosts had the lead, they sped off like a Supra at Suzuka, and after over half an hour of refusing to let the Olympians catch back up, SRFC celebrated a hard-earned 2-1 victory.
After over fifty years of not even trying to reach the Open Cup, San Ramon have now made it in on their first try, and did so in impressive style. Meanwhile, Olympic Club, who last qualified for the tournament in the COVID-cancelled 2020 edition, will have to wait one more bitter year to finally get their place on the national stage back.
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL MATCH REPORT
