Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Michael Battista

2026 National Amateur Cup: USASA Region I tournament begins with four forfeits

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Leros SC during their USASA Region I Amateur Cup match versus Hoboken FC 1912. Photo: Julian Camilo

The 102nd edition of the National Amateur Cup began last month in the Northeast. It was dominant wins and forfeits so far in the first wave of games in the USASA Region I tournament for the 2026 Amateur Cup.

The 2026 edition of the United States Adult Soccer Association top tournament will once again grant an automatic bid into the follow year’s Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Meaning this is already 2027 US Open Cup qualifying.

Region I, which is made up of teams from the Northeast, is down to the Quarterfinals after battles between state champions and runner-ups. The region will eventually crown a champion that will be the representative at the National Finals, alongside the other three USASA Regions.

Here’s a look at each of the six Region I games played so far:

Graphic by Frank Lanham

Sunday, March 22

Baltimore City FC (MD, MSSL)
L:W
West Chester United SC (PA, USLPA)
Bryn Athen College – Bryn Athen College, PA

The defending USASA National Amateur Cup champions advanced to the next round via forfeit. West Chester SC, a few days removed from a grueling 2-1 loss to Loudoun United FC in the First Round of the 2026 US Open Cup, reached the Region I Quarterfinals after their opponent Baltimore City FC could not play.

No official reason was given by Baltimore City FC for this decision.

BCFC qualified for the tournament as 2025-26 Stewart Cup finalists, which is the tournament in Maryland to crown a for the state’s amateur champion. The team lost to Christos FC, 3-0, in the final back on March 8. West Chester qualified for the tournament not as defending champions but as 2025-26 Bill O’Neill Amateur Cup finalists, which is Eastern Pennsylvania’s tournament to determine state amateur champions. WCU beat rivals Vereinigung Erzgebirge (VE Club), 4-3, on March 13.

2026 US Open Cup Round 1: Loudoun United survives late flurry to avoid road upset

Vereinigung Erzgebirge (PA, USLPA)
5:1
Syndicate FC (VA, NVSL)
John R. Lewis High School – Springfield, VA

Vereinigung Erzgebirge (VE Club) left little doubt in their opening match of the Region I tournament, beating Syndicate FC, 5-1, behind a hat-trick and a brace. Former University of Delaware forward Justin Ruth scored twice in the first half and capped it off with his team’s last goal in the second half.

Syndicate qualified for the tournament as Metropolitan DC-Virginia Soccer Association (MDCVSA) state cup finalists. The team lost to Los Toros, 9-0, in the final on February 21. VE will be looking to avenge a few tough losses from 2025, losing in the penultimate round of 2026 Open Cup qualifying to Oaklyn United FC last fall and not even qualifying for last year’s Amateur Cup after a tough run in the state tournament.

Goal scorers

VE Club:

  • Justin Ruth 25′, 42′, 65′
  • Derek Antonini 50′, 51′

LG:

  • Peter Atanga 85′

MATCH BROADCAST (Northern Virginia Soccer League)

Saturday, March 28

Lansdowne Yonkers FC (NY, APSL)
4:0
South Costal Union (MA, APSL)
Greater New Bedford Vocational High School – New Bedford, MA

Lansdowne Yonkers FC scored twice in each half for an easy opening round win against South Costal Union, 4-0. Both American Premier Soccer League sides were coming off successful runs in their conferences last season, but Lansdowne’s depth was too much for SCU to handle.

It got started early when Seamas Keogh, former Ireland youth national team and first division pro player, sent a corner kick into the box in the ninth minute. Nicolas Macri Badessich headed the ball into the left side for his first of two goals and giving Lansdowne an early lead. The New York side kept pushing and eventually Macri pushed on the right side, sending a ball into the box where a SCU player accidentally slide tackled the ball into his own net while trying to send it out. Yonkers followed up in the second half with two goals in two minutes. Macri knotched his brace in the 63rd before a bad restart allowed former Irish professional Danú Kinsella-Bishop to score a long distance shot in the 65th.

Lansdowne are back in the Amateur Cup after reaching the 2025-26 Dr. Manning Cup final, the state cup for teams in the Eastern NY State Soccer Association. No word on when that final will be played against Leros SC. Union qualified after reaching the final of the Massachusetts State Amateur Cup, where the fell to Locos Gunners, 4-1.

Goal scorers

LYFC:

  • Nicolas Macri Badessich 9′ (Seamus Keogh)
  • Own Goal 22′
  • Nicolas Macri Badessich 63′
  • Danú Kinsella-Bishop 65′ (Marco Charnas)

MATCH BROADCAST (New Logical Sports)

Hoboken FC (NJ, APSL)
0:3
Leros SC (NY, APSL)
SUSA Complex Field #1 – Central Islip, NY

Long Island side Leros SC held back Hoboken FC 1912 before securing the win late, 3-0, to advance into the Region I Quarterfinals. The two American Premier Soccer League Metropolitan Conference teams had already met twice in the regular season, drawing both times including a 3-3 draw on March 15. This time, the home side came away with the win.

Yohance Alexander scored the game winner midway through the first half, when a long ball to Junior Rosero was played towards him in the middle of the box. Alexander got around his defender and gave a right footed shot into the right corner.

Leros SC celebrates after beating Hoboken FC 1912 3-0 in the 2026 USASA Region I Amateur Cup tournament. Photo: Leros SC
Leros SC celebrates after beating Hoboken FC 1912 3-0 in the 2026 USASA Region I Amateur Cup tournament. Photo: Leros SC

It was an MVP performance for Mason Chetti, who was involved in both team’s goals late in the second half. The midfielder and Ronkonkoma, NY native used his speed to frustrate the Hoboken defense all night, creating a number of chances. He also capped it off with a nice front flip celebration after scoring his goal. It was also a huge return for team captain Luis Argudo, the former Major League Soccer and USL Championship player, who returned to the team after serving a four game red card suspension.

Leros qualified for its first amateur cup tournament after reaching the 2025-26 Dr. Manning Cup final, the state cup for teams in the Eastern NY State Soccer Association. That included a shock win over defending Region I Amateur Cup champion New York Pancyprian-Freedoms last December in the Manning Cup semifinals. It capped off a busy 2025 for the Long Island team, including a promotion playoff win in June that promoted the team from the Long Island Soccer Football League into the APSL. Hoboken returned to the amateur cup through a slate of qualifying through the New Jersey Soccer Association.

Goal scorers

Leros:

  • Yohance Alexander 28′ (Junior Rosero)
  • Harry Cooke 86′ (Mason Chetti)
  • Mason Chetti 90+3′ (Macoumba Ba)

MATCH BROADCAST (Game In Frame)

Sunday, March 29

Club Atlético Los Toros (VA, APL)
W:L
Ristozi FC (MD, NPSL)
Mustang Stadium – Owings Mills, MD

A second forfeit hit the Region I Round of 16 when it was confirmed to TheCup.us that Ristozi FC of the National Premier Soccer League would not be competing in the tournament. The game was to come nine days after the side lost in the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup First Round to USL League One side Charlotte Independence. No official reason for the decision was given.

Club Atlético Los Toros advance to the regional quarterfinals. They qualified for the amateur cup tournament as Metropolitan DC-Virginia Soccer Association (MDCVSA) state cup finalists. The team beat Syndicate FC, 9-0, in the final on February 21.

There is no official method of NPSL qualification for the Amateur Cup regional tournaments, though Region I likes to have one in the Northern half of the bracket and one of the Southern half. Ristozi finished second in the Mid-Atlantic Conference regular season during in 2025, before winning the conference title over Virginia Dream FC in the playoffs and eventual reaching the NPSL East Region Final.

2026 US Open Cup Round 1: 2nd half push sends Charlotte Independence past Ristozi FC

Jugadores (PA, GPSL)
0:5
Christos FC (MD, APSL)
Arundel High School – Gambrills, MD

Maryland powerhouse Christos FC dominated in their first game, beating Pittsburgh, PA area side Jugadores, 5-0, to reach the Region I Quarterfinals. University of Maryland, Baltimore County alumni Spencer Hanks scored a brace for his team. Though the real star of the match was Brandon Burkholder who took advantage of a bad Jugadores play and scored a bicycle kick goal from the top of the box.

Christos qualified for the tournament as 2025-26 Stewart Cup finalists, which is the tournament in Maryland to crown a for the state’s amateur champion. The team beat Baltimore City FC, 3-0, in the final back on March 8. There is no official record of how Jugadores qualified for the tournament as Western Pennsylvania’s lone representation.

Goal scorers

Christos:

  • Spencer Hanks (x2)
  • Daniel Baxter
  • Juston Rainey
  • Brandon Burkholder

MATCH BROADCAST (DMV Sports Media)

Unscheduled forfeits

Santa Cruz FC (MA, NPSL)
L:W
Loco Gunners (MA, BSSL)
Madison Park High School – Boston, MA

A fourth and final forfeit for the opening round of the Region I Amateur Cup. Loco Gunners of the Bay States Soccer League advance into the Quarterfinals after a confusing series of events with the National Premier Soccer League.

According to a source close to the situation, Gunners were originally supposed to play Flower City Union of the National Premier Soccer League. However the defending Great Lakes Conference champions, who also lost 9-0 to Lexington SC in the First Round of the 2026 Open Cup, were swapped with NPSL expansion side Santa Cruz FC. That team has now forfeit for unknown reasons, making it the second NPSL team in Region I to refuse to take the field.

Gunners qualified after reaching the final of the 2025-26 Massachusetts State Amateur Cup, where the team beat South Coast Union, 4-1.

2026 US Open Cup Round 1: Lexington SC open floodgates in club record 9-goal win vs. Flower City Union

Beech St. FC (NH, UPSL)
L:W
SC Vistula Garfield (NJ, APSL)
Garfield High School – Garfield, NJ

A third forfeit was confirmed by USASA to TheCup as it was revealed Beech St. FC would not be traveling to face SC Vistula Garfield. No official date was ever given for this game to take place.

Beech St. has not provided TheCup with an official reason for this decision. USASA told TheCup that the team was not able to field a team this early ahead of their season.

The manner in which Beech St. qualified for the tournament is not known at this time. Interestingly, Beech St. only competes in the United Premier Soccer League – which is not part of the United States Adult Soccer Association. However, because New Hampshire does not have an established USASA adult state league, the UPSL team was allowed to enter. Vistula qualified for the amateur cup through a slate of qualifying through the New Jersey Soccer Association.

USASA Region I, Round 2 (Quarterfinal) Matchups

(Away team listed first, games to be played between April 19 to 26)
West Chester United SC (USLPA) vs Club Atlético Los Toros (APL) vs WEST CHESTER UNITED EPA
Leros SC (APSL) vs Vistula Garfield SC (APSL)
Loco Gunners vs Lansdowne Yonkers FC (APSL)
Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USLPA) vs Christos FC (APSL)

2026 National Amateur Cup: Primer and regional information

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The Fritz Marth Cup, awarded to the winner of the National Amateur Cup tournament. Photo: United States Adult Soccer Association
The Fritz Marth Cup, awarded to the winner of the National Amateur Cup tournament. Photo: United States Adult Soccer Association

This article is part of TheCup.us’ National Amateur Cup coverage.

The 102nd edition of the National Amateur Cup has kicked off in the Northeast and Midwest. For the eighth straight tournament, the crown jewel of the United Adult Amateur Soccer Association (USASA) plays a part in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Whichever team is left standing as national champion will automatically qualify for the 2027 US Open Cup.

For the tournament, the United States is divided into four regions. Region I in the Northeast, Region II in the Midwest, Region III in the South, and Region IV in the West. All regions hold their own Amateur Cup tournaments with their own formats. The winners from each region play in a four-team national tournament.

For a more in-depth primer on the tournament, you can read our “What is the National Amateur Cup?” article.

Let’s get a quick update about where we are right now at the start.

REGION I (NORTHEAST)

Of the four, the USASA Region I Amateur Cup is the one with the highest competitive caliber. The competition is, for the most part, highly selective in terms of what teams qualify for it. The 16 teams taking part represent eight state soccer associations and the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). Five of these state associations sent both their state cup champion and finalist to the tournament, while one sent two teams that qualified through a separate slate of knockout games. These associations are:

  • Eastern New York
  • Eastern Pennsylvania
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Metropolitan DC-Virginia Soccer Association
  • New Jersey

Both Western Pennsylvania and New Hampshire sent one team each, with no stated qualification method listed. The NPSL sent two teams into the tournament, once again with no listed qualification method. All of these teams can be found on our schedule page.

Of the last ten National Amateur Cup champions, six have come from the Northeast – including four which directly qualified for the Open Cup.

This includes defending National Amateur Cup champion West Chester United SC, who are coming off a Round 1 exit in the 2026 US Open Cup last month.

The tournament is set to run between this Sunday, March 22 to June 6, 2026. The format is single elimination knockout, with the bracket of 16 teams split between North and South. The American Premier Soccer League (formerly known as the Eastern Premier Soccer League) is the most represented league in the region with six teams participating. Maryland, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania are the most represented states in the tournament with each having three teams taking part. The last two teams will play the regional final at the Ukrainian American Sport Center in Horsham, PA.

The schedule is as follows:

  • Round 1 – March 22-29
  • Quarterfinals – April 19-26th
  • Semifinals – May 10-17
  • Final – Saturday, June 6

A complete Round 1 recap of the tournament can be found here: *LINK When Ready later today*

2025 National Amateur Cup: West Chester United wins Region I title, heads to nationals

REGION II (MIDWEST)

Registration for the USASA Region II Amateur Cup, also known as the Bill Davey Amateur Cup, closed on March 8. Teams from the region’s 14 state associations and National Premier Soccer League were eligible to sign up. The region uses open admission, meaning any eligible team may enter the tournament. The format is a single-elimination knockout bracket.

In total, 18 teams representing six state associations are taking part in the tournament. The Midwest Premier Soccer League is the most represented league in the region with seven teams participating. Wisconsin is the most represented state in the tournament with five teams taking part.

Regional began in late March, with each round expected to have a two week window periods set for each round. The final will be hosted by Ft. Wayne Sport Club, which is the same as 1927 SC that is taking part in the tournament, in Fort Wayne, IN.

  • Round 1 – Competition window closes Sunday, April 5, 2026
  • Round 2 – Competition window closes Sunday, April 19, 2026
  • Quarterfinals – Competition window closes Sunday, May 3, 2026
  • Semifinals – Competition window closes Sunday, May 17, 2026
  • Final – Sunday, May 31, 2026

Of the 18 teams taking part, 16 will compete in Round 1 before the winners of those games meet in Round 2. Defending regional champion RWB Adria (IL, MWPL) and regional finalist FC Milwaukee Torrent (WI, NPSL) will enter in the Quarterfinal Round.

Round 1 matchups are as follows;

(Home team listed first)

  • Goshen City FC (IN, MWPL) vs Steel City FC (IL, MWPL)
  • Valhalla FC (OH, OVPL) vs 1927 SC (IN, MWPL)
  • Ypsilanti Athletic FC (MI, MUSL) vs Drita Soccer Club (MI, APSL)
  • Monroe United (MI, APSL) vs Livonia City FC (MI, APSL)
  • Bavarian United SC (WI, MWPL) vs United Serbian Soccer Club (WI, WSL)
  • Chicago House AC (IL, MWPL) vs RKC Third Coast FC (WI, MWPL)
  • Green Bay Glory (WI, MWPL) vs Camargo FC (MN, MASL)
  • Vlora FC (MN, MASL) vs Minnesota Blizzard FC (MN, NPSL)

* Blizzard also has a team in the Minnesota Amateur Soccer League (MASL). That team goes by the name Blizzard FC II, so this is the NPSL first team.

A full round recap for this round will be published to TheCup.us soon. Please check our schedule page for updated results, game locations, and kickoff times.

2025 National Amateur Cup: Tyler Bagley bags four goals to give RWB Adria Region 2 title

REGION III (SOUTH)

The USASA Region III Amateur Cup is scheduled to take place between Friday May 29 and Sunday, May 31, 2026 at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro, TN.

No format has been announced at this time. However, Region III typically involves a group stage and single elimination knockout style tournament. In years past, teams have been broken up into groups before playing three games over the course of two days (Friday and Saturday). The top performing teams in these groups advance to a knockout round on Sunday, with either four semifinalists playing two games in one day to determine a champion or only the top teams from each group playing in a final.

Teams that compete in leagues that are part of the following state associations are permitted to enter;

  • Alabama Soccer Association
  • Arkansas Soccer Association
  • Florida Adult Soccer Association
  • Georgia State Soccer Association
  • Louisiana Soccer Association
  • Mississippi Soccer Association
  • North Carolina Adult Soccer Association
  • North Texas Soccer Association
  • Oklahoma Soccer Association
  • South Carolina Soccer Association
  • Tennessee State Soccer Association
  • Texas State Soccer Association South

Teams that compete in the National Premier Soccer League from one of the above states are also permitted to enter.

2025 National Amateur Cup: Well-rested Say Word FC wins Region III title over ASC New Stars

REGION IV (WEST)

The USASA Region IV Amateur Cup is scheduled to take place between Friday June 26 and Sunday, June 28, 2026 at the Western Sports Park in Farmington, UT.

The region looks to be using the same format it implemented last year, which is similar to Region III with a group stage and single elimination knockout style tournament.

Teams will likely be broken up into groups before playing three games over the course of two days (Friday and Saturday). The top performing teams in these groups advance to a knockout round on Sunday, with either four semifinalists playing two games in one day to determine a champion or only the top teams from each group playing in a final.

In the meantime, interested teams from the following state associations, and the National Premier Soccer League, may sign up prior to the deadline of Monday, May 25, 2026:

  • Alaska State Soccer Association
  • Arizona State Soccer Association
  • California Soccer Association – North
  • California State Soccer Association – South
  • Colorado Soccer Association
  • Hawaii Soccer Association
  • Idaho State Soccer Association
  • Montana State Soccer Association
  • Nevada Adult Soccer Association
  • New Mexico State Soccer Association
  • Oregon Adult Soccer Association
  • Utah Soccer Association
  • Washington State Adult Soccer Association
  • Wyoming Soccer Association
2025 National Amateur Cup: Sin City FC score late to win USASA Region IV tournament

National Amateur Cup Finals

According to USASA Region II, the 2026 National Amateur Cup Finals will be held in Milwaukee, WI between Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25. The exact hosting venue is unknown at this time.

The four regional champions will play a semifinal match on Friday, with the two winners advancing to Saturday’s national championship game. The winner of that will take home the Fitz Marth Amateur Cup, prize money, and automatic qualification to the 2027 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

2026 US Open Cup Round 1: Set pieces power Hartford Athletic past FC Motown STA

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Photo: Michael Battista

Hartford Athletic used the power of set-pieces to defeat FC Motown STA, 2-0, on Wednesday night in Newark, New Jersey. The defending USL Cup champions battled the defending USL League Two Metropolitan Division champs on a chilly night in Newark. But even a rotated roster with four players making their professional debut was enough for the Second Division side to secure victory thanks to a goal in each half.

With the win, Hartford stays perfect against amateur teams in the US Open Cup. In six tournaments the team has a record of 5-0-0 against Open Division sides.

“We gave four guys their pro debut tonight, which was awesome. Two academy players and two players that had just signed on 25-day (contracts), and actually our goalkeeper (Enzo Carvalho), that was his first pro game out of college as well,” said head coach Brendan Burke. “That says a lot about the system.The guys have learned the system through preseason and we just said stick to the structure and keep it simple and just grind through them because eventually our fitness level should take over the game and I think it did.”

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The first half was a struggle as both teams looked for an early foothold at Lubetkin Field on the campus of the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). Winger Galen Flynn, one of the players making his pro debut on the night, tore up the right side, finding space and trying to line the ball into the box on multiple attempts.

That threat persisted all match, while Motown struggled to get offense going. The side’s momentum was constantly stuttered by an aggressive Hartford side that wasn’t afraid to give up free kicks in their own end. Motown kickers consistently struggled to get air under their attempts and multiple kicks into the box were scuttled away easily. 

The visitors jumped ahead in the 32nd minute when El Salvador international Andrés Hernández sent a corner kick into the box that found the head of defender TJ Presthus. The flicked header sailed past Motown keeper Dominic Ridge and gave Hartford a 1-0 lead.

Motown had two chances to tie the game before halftime. A long shot by Niklas Thanhofer was bobbled by the rookie Carvalho, and nearly pounced on by an attacking Noah Levy in the 38th. A minute later, Thanhofer struck again when a series of attempts by him in the box ended with Carvalho out of position and an attempt needed to be headed off the line by a Hartford defender.

The half ended with a final push by Motown, with former Richmond Kicker Rivendi Pierre-Louis being unable to get under a long ball in the box while under pressure.

“We knew they had a back line of four and it was important for us to get the second ball and starting from there, try to do the 2 v 1s on the outsides and that’s what we try to do,” Hernández explained. “We did pretty good set pieces. We’ve been practicing them so it’s good.”

The second half saw both teams begin to make subs. Motown introduced names like regular defender Joseph Fala and younger players like defender Peter Tolkin, brother of US Men’s National Team and 2. Bundesliga club Holstein Kiel defender, John Tolkin. Hartford, on the other hand, began taking out more regulars. Defender Adrián Diz, midfielder Beverly Makangila, and a late sub on for the team’s biggest offseason addition in forward Augustine “Augi” Williams.

It didn’t take long for Hartford to essentially seal the result. A free kick early in the second half set up Hernández deep in Motown territory on the left side of the box. His curving shot got past the head of his own teammate but hit inside the far post to make it 2-0.

“Just quality, individual quality from Andres in those two moments, that changes games,” Burke said about his goal scorers. “TJ hunts the ball so well in set piece situations. He did it all year last year, and scored some really big goals for us from that.”

Motown pushed up trying to find any sort of momentum but struggled to get dangerous chances. Pierre-Louis and striker Luciano Sanchez especially had moments against the Hartford backline but couldn’t get that final touch.

Motown ended the match with 11 shots to Hartford’s six, and five shots on target to their opponent’s two. The difference was those two went in. The amateurs did mitigate their professional opponents to only goals scored on set-pieces. But for the fourth straight tournament Motown exited the Open Cup in the Round 1.

Of the 206 fans in attendance at NJIT, a loud and passionate portion belonged to the Bonanza supporter’s group from Hartford. A group that Burke knows stands behind his boys no matter where they play.

“Those guys showed up when we won the (USL Cup) last year, out in Sacramento. All those same guys, I think were there, so it’s awesome to have support. That means a lot to the players. It means a lot to the staff,” Burke said. “It gives you a little extra energy in a setting where, honestly, it’s pretty flat. There’s only 100 people here. So when they’re banging the drum and singing the whole time and they’re out here in the freezing cold, that gives you a little extra. I think the guys rewarded them for coming down tonight.”

When asked what team he might want to face next, whether it be rivals Rhode Island FC or the cupset ready Vermont Green FC, Hernández kept it cool.

“Any team that comes, we’re gonna have to do the same thing, win those games, and we’re gonna be focused on that,” he said.

Graphic by Frank Lanham

2026 US Open Cup First Round draw announced

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Nashville SC celebrate after winning the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, which they will not be defending in the 2026 tournament (Credit: US Soccer)
Nashville SC celebrate after winning the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, which they will not be defending in the 2026 tournament (Credit: US Soccer)

The 111th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup will kickoff in a month and a half with 32 games across three days. Beginning on March 17, 32 Open Division amateur teams, ranging from national champions to Cinderellas in waiting, will take on lower division professional teams.

The March Madness begins with 10 games on Tuesday, March 17 to kick off the 2026 US Open Cup. That will be followed by 15 games on Wednesday, March 18 before concluding with seven games on Thursday, March 19.

This is the third year in a row that every First Round match in the Open Cup be amateur versus professional.

Of the 64 teams taking part in the First Round, 32 come from the Open Division. Further breaking that down sees 10 from USL League Two (USL-2) and five from the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). The remaining 17 teams qualified via the Open Division Local Qualifying Tournament (15), or by winning a select competition such as the USASA National Amateur Cup (West Chester United SC) or the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) Spring National Championship (Tennessee Tempo FC).

There has also been a late team substitution, as Cruizers FC (Modesto, CA) have replaced Hickory FC (Hickory, NC) for a National Premier Soccer League auto-bid. Hickory, which won the 2025 NPSL National Championship over Open Cup regulars El Farolito SC last summer, departed the league to join USL League Two during the off-season. US Soccer rules dictate that Open Division teams must remain in the league from which they qualified from, or qualified for while in, for the duration of their tournament run. As such, Hickory was removed. They are replaced by Cruizers, who joined the NPSL last season and qualified based on reaching the NPSL West Region Final (aka the National Quarterfinals) in the playoffs.

Usually, this would be based on which team from the national quarterfinals had the highest Points-Per-Game in the regular season. However Cruizers get in based on the fact that every other team around them has either already qualified via the NPSL, qualified via another method, or left the league all together.

The professional sides entering in the First Round include 17 from the USL Championship (Div. 2), 13 clubs from USL League One (Div. 3) and two teams from MLS NEXT Pro (Div. 3).

The remaining USL-C, USL-1, and independent MLSNP teams will not take part in the tournament. This includes all USL-C teams that finished in the bottom half of their respective conference tables during the 2025 USL-C season. Additionally, no expansion teams from any league will take part since the qualification method for this year’s tournament was based on the 2025 regular season results.

Reserve teams are also no longer allowed again due to the newly established “one club, one entry” rule, which also requires the highest division team in a club to be entered.

The matchups were chosen geographically with the primary goal being professional teams playing against an Open Division team.

The home team for each game was determined by random selection when both teams applied to host and met the tournament’s hosting criteria. According to US Soccer’s release: “Random selection was also used in cases where there was no logical geographic fit or there were more than two teams from the same proximity.”

The winners from Round 1 will advance to face each other in the Second Round which is scheduled for the week of March 31 to April 1. The 16 Second Round winners will advance to Round 3 where they will face the 16 Major League Soccer (Div. 1) teams that lye in wait.

For the early rounds, select matches will be broadcast on Paramount+ and simulcast on CBS Sports Network or CBS Sports Golazo Network. Any matches not picked up by CBS will be broadcast on U.S. Soccer’s YouTube channel.

2026 US Open Cup Qualifying
2026 US Open Cup Schedule/Results (Coming soon)
2026 US Open Cup Format

2025 U.S. Open Cup – First Round Schedule
Home team listed first, all start times listed in Eastern

TUESDAY, MARCH 17

South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1) vs. FC America CFL Spurs (UPSL)
6 p.m. ET
Tormenta Stadium; Statesboro, GA
BROADCAST: YouTube

Richmond Kickers (USL-1) vs. Northern Virginia FC (USL-2)
6:30 p.m. ET
City Stadium; Richmond, VA
BROADCAST: YouTube

Rhode Island FC (USL-C) vs. CD Faialense (BSSL)
7 p.m. ET
Centreville Bank Stadium; Pawtucket, RI
BROADCAST: YouTube

Vermont Green FC (USL-2) vs. Portland Hearts of Pine (USL-1)
7 p.m. ET
Virtue Field; Burlington, VT
BROADCAST: Paramount+/CBS Sports Network

Detroit City FC (USL-C) vs. Michigan Rangers FC (NPSL)
7:30 p.m. ET
Keyworth Stadium; Hamtramck, MI
BROADCAST: YouTube

Steel City FC (USL-2) vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL-C)
7:30 p.m. ET
Rooney Field; Pittsburgh, PA
BROADCAST: YouTube

West Chester United SC (USLPA) vs. Loudoun United FC (USL-C)
7:30 p.m. ET
YSC Sports; Wayne, PA
BROADCAST: YouTube

Colorado Spring Switchbacks FC (USL-C) vs. Azteca FC (CPL)
8 p.m. ET
Weidner Field; Colorado Springs, CO
BROADCAST: YouTube

Indy Eleven (USL-C) vs. Des Moines Menace (USL-2)
8 p.m. ET
Grand Park Events Center; Westfield, IN
BROADCAST: Paramount+/CBS Sports Golazo Network

Phoenix Rising FC (USL-C) vs. San Ramon FC (TLfC)
10 p.m. ET
Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium; Phoenix, AZ
BROADCAST: YouTube

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18

Chattanooga FC (MLSNP) vs. Kalonji Pro-Profile (UPSL)
6 p.m. ET
Finley Stadium; Chattanooga, TN
BROADCAST: YouTube

Asheville City SC (USL-2) vs. Greenville Triumph SC (USL-1)
6:30 p.m. ET
Greenwood Field (UNC Asheville); Asheville, NC
BROADCAST: YouTube

Charleston Battery (USL-C) vs. Badgers FC (UPSL)
6:30 p.m. ET
Patriots Point; Mount Pleasant, SC
BROADCAST: YouTube

Louisville City FC (USL-C) vs. Southern Indiana FC (UPSL)
7 p.m. ET
Lynn Family Stadium; Louisville, KY
BROADCAST: YouTube

FC Naples (USL-1) vs. Red Force FC (PFL)
7 p.m. ET
Paradise Coast Sports Complex; Naples, FL
BROADCAST: YouTube

FC Motown STA (USL-2) vs. Hartford Athletic (USL-C)
7 p.m. ET
Lubetkin Field (NJIT); Newark, NJ
BROADCAST: Paramount+/CBS Sports Network

SC Vistula Garfield (APSL) vs. One Knoxville SC (USL-1)
7:30 p.m. ET
Garfield HS; Garfield, NJ
BROADCAST: YouTube

BOHFS St. Louis (MWPL) vs. Union Omaha (USL-1)
8 p.m. ET
Lindenwood University; St. Charles, MO
BROADCAST: Paramount+/CBS Sports Golazo Network

Little Rock Rangers (USL-2) vs. FC Tulsa (USL-C)
8 p.m. ET
Episcopal Collegiate School; Little Rock, AR
BROADCAST: YouTube

San Antonio FC (USL-C) vs. ASC New Stars (HFA)
8:30 p.m. ET
Toyota Field; San Antonio, TX
BROADCAST: YouTube

New Mexico United (USL-C) vs. Cruizers FC (NPSL)
9:30 p.m. ET
UNM Soccer Stadium; Albuquerque, NM
BROADCAST: YouTube

Sacramento Republic FC (USL-C) vs. El Farolito SC (NPSL)
10 p.m. ET
Heart Health Park; Sacramento, CA
BROADCAST: YouTube

AV ALTA FC (USL-1) vs. Valley 559 FC (UPSL)
10:30 p.m. ET
Lancaster Municipal Stadium; Lancaster, CA
BROADCAST: YouTube

Ventura County Fusion (USL-2) vs. Spokane Velocity FC (USL-1)
10:30 p.m. ET
Ventura College Stadium; Ventura, CA
BROADCAST: YouTube

Orange County SC (USL-C) vs. Laguna United FC (UPSL)
10:30 p.m. ET
Championship Soccer Stadium; Irvine, CA
BROADCAST: YouTube

THURSDAY, MARCH 19

Carolina Core FC (MLSNP) vs. Virginia Dream FC (UPSL)
6 p.m. ET
Truist Point; High Point, NC
BROADCAST: YouTube

Charlotte Independence (USL-1) vs. Ristozi FC (NPSL)
6:30 p.m. ET
American Legion Memorial Stadium; Charlotte, NC
BROADCAST: YouTube

Flint City Bucks (USL-2) vs. Forward Madison FC (USL-1)
6:30 p.m. ET
Don Batchelor Stadium; Grand Blanc, MI
BROADCAST: YouTube

Lexington SC (USL-C) vs. Flower City Union (NPSL)
7 p.m. ET
Lexington SC Stadium; Lexington, KY
BROADCAST: YouTube

Westchester SC (USL-1) vs. NY Renegades FC (UPSL)
7:30 p.m. ET
Mount Vernon Memorial Field; Mount Vernon, NY
BROADCAST: YouTube

Tennessee Tempo FC (UPSL) vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL-1)
8 p.m. ET
Richard Siegel Soccer Complex; Murfreesboro, TN
BROADCAST: YouTube

Laredo Heat SC (USL-2) vs. El Paso Locomotive FC (USL-C)
8:30 p.m. ET
PEG Energy Stadium; Laredo, TX
BROADCAST: YouTube

2025 National Amateur Cup Final: West Chester United’s late OT winner books spot in 2026 US Open Cup

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West Chester United celebrates after defeating RWB Adria 4-3 in extra time to win the 2025 USASA National Amateur Cup championship. Photo: West Chester United
West Chester United celebrates after defeating RWB Adria 4-3 in extra time to win the 2025 USASA National Amateur Cup championship. Photo: West Chester United

The 2025 National Amateur Cup was a game of headers. In total, four of the seven goals came off the head of either a West Chester United SC or RWB Adria player. Of course, deep in stoppage time, a header was the deciding score.

In the 120th minute, moments away from going to penalty kicks, defender Joseph McDaid got under a simple cross from Dylan Lacy in the box, sending the ball into the back of the net and giving West Chester the 4-3 win and its first-ever National Amateur Cup championship.

The win marked the first Amateur Cup win by a team from Eastern Pennsylvania since Philadelphia Inter won it back-to-back in both 1973 and 1974.

The win also qualifies West Chester for the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The team has now qualified for seven tournaments as an organization. It has also accomplished a rare feat by qualifying for America’s national championship in four different ways; As an NPSL team (2024), as a USL League Two team (2022), through local qualifying (2016, 2019, 2023, 2025), and now through the National Amateur Cup (2026).

West Chester head coach Blaise Santangelo couldn’t be more proud of his group, who grinded through a USASA Region I gauntlet to reach the Championship game for the first time in seven years.

“This is the one we’ve been chasing since 2018. The “Holy Grail” of amateur soccer trophies,” Santangelo said. “A storybook finish after 120+ minutes is the thing that movies are made of. A tremendous group of players, coaches, & staff! The opportunity to bring the cup back to Philly after 50+ years is amazing.”

2025 USASA Amateur Cup coverage
2025 Amateur Cup Results
2025 Amateur Cup Stat Leaders
Full Amateur Cup Coverage (TheCup.us)

WCU, RWB Adria advance to NAC Final
West Chester United wins Region I title
RWB Adria wins Region II title
Say Word FC wins Region III title
Sin City FC wins Region IV title

The game at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wis. was the second in two days for both West Chester and RWB. Both teams won tight semifinal matches on Friday night, meaning their match in the Stadium wasn’t going to be at full strength.

RWB entered the game seeking both a third National Amateur Cup and also revenge. The last time these two teams met was in the 2015 Werner Fricker Amateur Open Cup Final, which West Chester won to secure its first-ever national championship. 

West Chester got on the board first in the 11th minute. A play in the box saw Ridge Robinson play around the left side before getting near the end line and shooting toward the keeper. That shot was blocked, but Robinson extended a leg to pass off to Josh Luchini who sent a left footed shot into the back of the net.

Graphic: Frank Lanham

RWB, playing only a few hours away from their home of Chicago, did not go away. The team, missing two players and their head coach due to red cards earned in the semifinal against Say Word FC, held off the West Chester attack for the remainder of the first half.

The equalizer came against the run of play when a long ball to Jesus Dani Mendoza on the right side allowed the midfielder to send a low ball into the box. Among the chaos, Victor Manon slid on the ball to put a shot on target and make it 1-1.

West Chester struggled to adapt to this and ten minutes later Manon struck again. A corner kick sent into the box by Jesus Dani Mendoza saw Manon jump up and head a shot into the back of the net to make it 2-1 just before halftime.

west chester united we want the cup shirt
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Manon, a former Mexican professional player who has won the CONCACAF Champions Cup on three occasions with CF Pachuca, looked to add the crown jewel of the USASA to his trophy cabinet.

Following halftime, United responded nearly immediately. In the 47th minute, a ball into the box was deflected by an RWB player and heading to the end line. The Adria keeper ran to punch it away, keeping it in play and preventing a corner kick. But with ample space on the left side West Chester recovered and sent the ball back into the box, where former Philadelphia Union II and current Princeton University midfielder Jack Jasinski headed in the equalizer.

The side from Pennsylvania nearly went ahead a few minutes later when a trip in the box sent Dylan Lacy to the spot, where his penalty kick attempt was easily saved in the 52nd minute.

From this point, the game entered a lull in action as both teams tried to regain momentum. Fog began to roll over the field from nearby Lake Michigan as the humid temperatures began sending players down with cramps. Mixed in were both teams going to ground, either trying to stop play for a breather or looking for an advantageous call.

Following an RWB Adria player being helped off the field with injury in the 70th minute, West Chester began to attack once again. The United Soccer League of Pennsylvania side earned a free kick in the 74th minute about 40 yards out from net. The ball was sent into the area by Dylan Lacy and headed into the left side of the net by defender Giuliano Whitchurch to give West Chester a 3-2 lead.

With time winding out, RWB looked for ways to challenge West Chester keeper August Axtman. A long shot forced the keeper into a diving two-handed save in the 81st minute and West Chester desperately tried to hold the ball to run out the clock. With five minutes of stoppage time, RWB’s run looked over until a West Chester player committed a foul which led to a free kick in the Chicago team’s end. With only seconds remaining, the ball ran up the left side of the field, playing into the middle of the box before heading toward Manon near the right post. With his back to goal, he backheeled a no-look shot by Aaron Sandoval into the net to equalize at the death, about six minutes into stoppage time.

West Chester United celebrates after defeating RWB Adria 4-3 in extra time to win the 2025 USASA National Amateur Cup championship. Photo: West Chester United
West Chester United celebrates after defeating RWB Adria 4-3 in extra time to win the 2025 USASA National Amateur Cup championship. Photo: West Chester United

Both teams were level at the end of regulation, meaning at least 30 minutes of extra time and potentially penalty kicks would be needed to crown a champion.

“It was very upsetting to give up a goal in added time of 90+ minutes. We thought we had it closed up and they kept coming at us,” Santangelo said. “To (RWB’s) credit they never gave up.”

The first half of extra time came and went without much action. In the second extra time half, both teams exchanged set-piece attempts in one-another’s ends looking for the go-ahead. West Chester looked to have won the game in the 119th minute when a long ball sailed over a RWB defender’s head and came to Dylan Lacy on the right side. He played the ball into the box, saw a West Chester shot saved, before also seeing the rebound attempt slam off the crossbar.

On the ensuing corner kick, RWB failed to clear the ball, eventually leading to another ball into the box. This time, Columbia University defender Joseph McDaid lifted his head up and redirected the ball in for the national championship winning goal in the 120th minute of extra time.

West Chester United held on through the remaining stoppage time to claim its first-ever National Amateur Cup. Its something Santangelo and his group knows means something to an area rich with soccer history.

“Having the opportunity to change current day soccer in Philadelphia is a tribute to all of those over the last 101 years that have played this game in an our great city,” he said. “Surely an inspiration for our club and other clubs for the future! A ride of a lifetime!”

MATCH BROADCAST

SATURDAY, JULY 26

RWB Adria (IL, Region II)
3:4
West Chester United SC (PA, Region I)
After Extra Time
Stadium at Uihlein Soccer Park – Milwaukee, WI

Goal scorers

RWB

  • Victor Manon 34′, 44′, 90+6

WCU

  • Josh Luchini 11′ (Ridge Robinson)
  • Jack Jasinski 47′
  • Giuliano Whitchurch 75′ (Dylan Lacy)
  • Joseph McDaid 120′ (Dylan Lacy)

2025 National Amateur Cup championship preview: 4 teams seek title, 2026 US Open Cup spot

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Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

While the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Quarterfinals are nearly complete, the next tournament is already fast approaching. Another entry in the 2026 US Open Cup will be determined this weekend in Milwaukee as the United States Adult Soccer Association holds the Semifinals and the Final of the 2025 National Amateur Cup.

For the seventh year in a row, the winner of the USASA’s National Amateur Cup will qualify for next year’s US Open Cup. The tournament is taking place at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wis.

The champions of each of the four regions will play semifinal games on Friday night, before a championship game is held on Saturday night. The USASA will also be wrapping up tournaments to crown champions in the women’s amateur cup, as well as the Over-30 and Over-40 divisions.

To learn more about the Amateur Cup as a whole, consider reading our primer on it.

What is the National Amateur Cup?

This year’s regional champions is a mix of familiar faces and new competition.

RWB Adria is a regular of Midwest soccer and is seeking not only its third National Amateur Cup but its sixth US Open Cup appearance of the Modern Era (1995-present). They are, however, the only team here with previous NAC pedigree.

West Chester United got close in 2018 but fell just short to champions Milwaukee Bavarian SC. The team has won other national titles, like the Werner Fricker Open Cup and the Hank Steinbrecher Cup, but two wins this weekend would give the Predators its first National Amateur Cup championship.

The Fritz Marth Cup, awarded to the winner of the National Amateur Cup tournament. Photo: United States Adult Soccer Association


2025 USASA Amateur Cup coverage
2025 Amateur Cup Results/Schedule
2025 Amateur Cup Stat Leaders
Full Amateur Cup Coverage (TheCup.us)

West Chester United wins Region I title
RWB Adria wins Region II title
Say Word FC wins Region III title
Sin City FC wins Region IV title

 

The rest of the field is all new faces looking for their first taste of national titles and the US Open Cup.

Say Word FC first made headlines when it joined The Soccer Tournament (TST) in 2023, hoping to win $1 million dollars on national TV. Since then, the club has continued to grow and now plays locally in North Carolina state leagues.

Sin City FC is even newer, having only formed in 2024 and playing in regional leagues such as the Southwest Premier League and NISA Nation.

This weekend’s schedule is as follows:

(All game times listed in EASTERN STANDARD TIME)

Friday, July 25

Say Word FC (NC, Region III) vs RWB Adria (IL, Region II)
Pat Jones Field at Uihlein Soccer Park – Milwaukee, WI
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: N/A

Sin City FC (NV, Region IV) vs West Chester United SC (PA, Region I)
Stadium at Uihlein Soccer Park – Milwaukee, WI
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

Saturday, July 26

Winner A vs Winner B
Stadium at Uihlein Soccer Park – Milwaukee, WI
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

Meet the teams

Region I (Northeast)

Team: West Chester United SC
League: United Soccer League of Pennsylvania
Founded: 1976
Number of National Amateur Cups: 0
Top goal scorer: Dylan Lacy & Kenneth Roby (4 goals each)

Road to the Finals

  • @ Das Bierhalle FC, 7-0
  • vs Alexandria Reds, 11-0
  • vs Christos FC, 3-0*
  • vs New York Pancyprian Freedoms, 3-0

Region II (Midwest)

Team: RWB Adria
League: Midwest Premier League
Founded: 1959
Number of National Amateur Cups: 2 (2011, 2013)
Top goal scorer: Tyler Bagley (6 goals)

Road to the Finals

  • @ United SC, 2-0
  • @ Rockford FC, 2-0 AET
  • vs Bavarian United SC, 4-1
  • vs FC Milwaukee Torrent, 4-0
  • vs Michigan Rangers FC, 6-2

Region III (South)

Team: Say Word FC
League: North Carolina Soccer League
Founded: 2022
Number of National Amateur Cups: 0
Top goal scorer: Claudio Garcia-Yanez & Renato Hanzek (2 goals each)

Road to the Finals

  • vs Peachtree SC, 7-0
  • vs ASC New Stars, 2-2
  • vs Brute Force FC, forfeit
  • vs ASC New Stars, 1-0

Region IV (West)

Team: Sin City FC
League: NISA Nation
Founded: 2024
Number of National Amateur Cups: 0
Top goal scorer: David Villanueva (5 goals)

Road to the Finals

  • vs Peak Eleven FC, 5-1
  • vs Medallo City FC, 8-1
  • vs Viking FC, 1-0
  • vs Red Devils FC, 4-3

Those interested in seeing the other schedules for this weekend’s USASA tournaments (women’s amateur cup, Over 30 championship, and Over 40 championship) can follow this link for match information and stream links.

2025 National Amateur Cup: Tyler Bagley bags four goals to give RWB Adria Region 2 title

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RWB Adria celebrates after beating the Michigan Rangers FC 6-2 in the USASA Region II Amateur Cup Final. Photo: RWB Adria
RWB Adria celebrates after beating the Michigan Rangers FC 6-2 in the USASA Region II Amateur Cup Final. Photo: RWB Adria

On July 5, RWB Adria beat Michigan Rangers FC, 6-2, to win the 2025 USASA Region II Amateur Cup. Adria will now play for the National Amateur Cup later this week in Milwaukee, Wis. against the four other regional champions. 

RWB Adria, a Chicago-area club that dates back to 1959,  is seeking its third-ever National Amateur Cup (2011, 2013), which would also secure the team its first US Open Cup appearance since 2015. General manager Ante Loncar is excited for the opportunity to play in the final four.

“It’s been a long road to get back, playing games against powerhouse Bavarians and two of the top NPSL Midwest teams in the Milwaukee Torrent and Michigan Rangers,” Loncar said. “We seem to be clicking at the right time and looking forward to playing in the final four.”


2025 USASA Amateur Cup coverage
2025 Amateur Cup Results/Schedule
2025 Amateur Cup Stat Leaders
Full Amateur Cup Coverage (TheCup.us)

West Chester United wins Region I title
Say Word FC wins Region III title
Sin City FC wins Region IV title

 

The game at Techny Prairie Park in Northbrook, Ill. was set to be a clash between a top team in the Midwest Premier League and the visiting National Premier Soccer League upstarts.

It went right for the Chicago side in the first half, scoring five goals including a hat-trick by former Las Vegas Lights player Tyler Bagley in the first 28 minutes.

Bagley started with a successful penalty kick attempt in the 10th minute, before notching a brace in the 16th minute. Bagley, who spent time with Inter Miami II in 2022, secured the hat-trick in the 24th minute.

When it looked like the Rangers had no answer, the NPSL side clawed back a goal through Liam Smith just three minutes later.

RWB Adria got back to a three-goal lead in the 35th minute when Alejandro Sanchez scored a free kick goal from just outside the box on the right side. Ten minutes later, Bagley notched a fourth goal to make it 5-1.

Adria added one more in the second half when Ukrainian national Zaha Shkidchenko scored his first of the tournament. Michigan Rangers got a goal from Sean Keane but it wasn’t enough for a comeback.

RWB now joins the West Chester United Predators (Region I champions), Say Word FC (Region III champions), and Sin City FC (Region IV champions) in the national final four, set to take place in Milwaukee on Friday, July 25. The championship game is scheduled for Saturday, July 26.

 

2025 National Amateur Cup: Midwest quarters, semis leave 2 teams vying for Region II title

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The Fritz Marth Cup, awarded to the winner of the National Amateur Cup tournament. Photo: United States Adult Soccer Association
The Fritz Marth Cup, awarded to the winner of the National Amateur Cup tournament. Photo: United States Adult Soccer Association

With June nearly complete, and three of the four regional champions officially qualified for the National Amateur Cup, that just leaves Region II (the Midwest) as the last spot available for the national final four in Milwaukee. Two teams have qualified for the Region II final sometime in July.

Michigan Rangers FC of the National Premier Soccer League have made the most of their Amateur Cup debut. The team knocked off Open Cup regulars Chicago House AC in the Quarterfinals before cruising past Michigan Stars U-23s in the semifinals. They will face a juggernaut of Midwest soccer; Chicago-based RWB Adria of the Midwest Premier League. The two-time National Amateur Cup champion beat long-time rival Bavarian United SC from Wisconsin in the Quarterfinals and then stunned the defending Region II champion and defending national runner-up FC Milwaukee Torrent in the Semifinals.

Read on below for quick updates on every Region II Quarterfinal and Semifinal match.


2025 USASA Amateur Cup coverage
2025 Amateur Cup Results/Schedule
2025 Amateur Cup Stat Leaders
Full Amateur Cup Coverage (TheCup.us)

REGION II (MIDWEST) – QUARTERFINALS

Wednesday, June 4

Chicago House AC (IL, MWPL)
0:3
Michigan Rangers FC (MI, NPSL)
Stuart Field at the Illinois Institute of Technology – Chicago, IL

Goal scorers

MRFC:

  • Mason Smith 32’ (Liam Smith), 58’
  • Liam Smith 37’ (Charlie Davis), 43’ (Vianney Duran)

Saturday, June 7

Valhalla FC (OH, OVPL)
1:5
Michigan Stars U23 (MI, MWPL)
Charity J Lucas Soccer Stadium – Milford, OH

Goal scorers

Valhalla:

  • Justin Rosa 73’

Stars:

  • Evan Combs 16’
  • Yousuf Zetuna 35’
  • Gjon Melakuqi 66’, 74’, 90+1’

Match Broadcast

Valhalla FC vs. Michigan Stars u23 – USASA National Amateur Cup (Region 2 Quarterfinals)

Wednesday, June 11

RWB Adria (IL, MWPL)
4:1
Bavarian United SC (WI, MWPL)
Techny Park Fields – Northbrook, IL

Goal scorers

RWB:

  • Zahtar Skidenchenko (x3)
  • Cam Williams

BUSC:

  • Unknown

Thursday, June 12

Vlora FC (MN, MASL)
3:5
FC Milwaukee Torrent (WI, NPSL)
Burnsville High School – Burnsville, MN

Goal scorer

Vlora:

  • Ignacio Gonzalez 27’
  • Ciro Ottado 30’
  • Miguel Leon 48’

FCMT:

  • Javier Steinwascher 20’, 22’, 58’ (PK)
  • Gabe Voung 61’, 73’

Match Broadcast

Vlora FC vs. FC Milwaukee Torrent (2025 USASA National Amateur Cup)

REGION II (MIDWEST) – SEMIFINALS

Tuesday, June 24

Michigan Stars U23 (MI, MWPL)
1:3
Michigan Rangers FC (MI, NPSL)
Michigan Stars Sports Center – Washington, MI
(Originally scheduled to be hosted by at Madonna University)

Goal scorers

Stars:

  • Babacar Sene 45+1’

MRFC:

  • Cameron Power 5’
  • Chris Mendez 28’
  • Kevin Hubbel 90+3’

Match Broadcast

FC Milwaukee Torrent (WI, NPSL)
0:4
RWB Adria (IL, MWPL)
Hart Park – Wauwatosa, WI

Goal scorers

RWB:

  • Nick Kljaban 4’ (Tonio Cortez)
  • Zahtar Skidcenko 14’
  • Tyler Bagley 50’ (Luka Ivancic), 82’ (Cam Williams)

Match Broadcast

2025 National Amateur Cup: Well-rested Say Word FC wins Region III title over ASC New Stars

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Say Word FC celebrates after winning the 2025 USASA Region III Amateur Cup championship. Photo: Say Word FC
Say Word FC celebrates after winning the 2025 USASA Region III Amateur Cup championship. Photo: Say Word FC

On Sunday, Say Word FC won the 2025 USASA Region III Amateur Cup, becoming the second team to qualify for the 2025 National Amateur Cup Finals. The team completed a gauntlet of games, culminating with a 1-0 win on Sunday afternoon against ASC New Stars.

Say Word, competing in its first-ever Region III tournament, will now head to Milwaukee later this summer for a chance at a national title and a spot in the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

2025 USASA Amateur Cup coverage

2025 Amateur Cup Results/Schedule
2025 Amateur Cup Stat Leaders
Full Amateur Cup Coverage (TheCup.us)

West Chester United wins Region I title
Northeast Final, Midwest Quarterfinals

Last Sunday’s final was the culmination of a three day, six team tournament featuring clubs from across the southern United States. In total, six teams representing three states descended on Browns Summit, N.C.

Separated into two groups of three teams, each team played three games against opponents from the opposite group. The two teams with the highest point total after three games, regardless of group, would advance to the final on Sunday.

Weather played a factor in the tournament. Saturday, June 14 saw harsh rain sweep across North Carolina and postponed all soccer matches that evening for Region III. The games were instead played on Sunday morning, pushing the Regional final to the afternoon.

Two additional issues came from this however. Firstly, Say Word FC’s final group stage opponent, Brute Force FC, was unable to field a full squad for its final match on Sunday. That meant Say Word advanced to the final without playing a game that morning. Their opponent ASC New Stars, which had traveled all the way from Houston, battled and narrowly beat two-time defending regional champion Tobacco Road FC on Sunday morning.

The second issue was the final itself, which was pushed up from 2 pm to 1 pm local time in order to avoid incoming storms. Giving ASC New Stars even less time to recover before the championship match.

In the end, the Texas side still gave Say Word a tough match. The New Stars held the fresh squad scoreless through the first half, but Lionel Mobiang scored early in the second half for what would be the game’s only goal. New Stars were shown a red card 70 minutes in as well, making a difficult situation near insurmountable.

Below is a complete recap of the entire Region III tournament, with scores from each of the group stage games.

FRIDAY, JUNE 13

Tobacco Road FC (NC, TASL)
9:1
Brute Force FC (GA, ADASL)
Bryan Park Soccer Complex, BP Field 3 – Browns Summit, NC

TRFC:

  • Tyler Petz (x2)
  • William Casey
  • Jahmir Flowers
  • Ali Al-Qaq
  • Boni Salinas
  • Carlos Lemona
  • Austin Briggs
  • Ryan Rosales

BFFC:

  • Guilherme Caldas

Say Word FC (NC, NCSL)
7:0
Peachtree SC (GA, ADASL)
Bryan Park Soccer Complex, BP Field 7 – Browns Summit, NC

SWFC:

  • Claudio Garcia-Yanez (x2)
  • Renato Hanzek
  • Parker Spesock
  • Francis Boafo
  • Cristian Romero
  • Diego Giffuni

Tar Devils SC (NC, NCSL)
0:4
ASC New Stars (TX, HFA)
Bryan Park Soccer Complex, BP Field 8 – Browns Summit, NC

ASC:

  • Dessaline Felix Allison (x3)
  • Ivan Luquetta

SATURDAY, JUNE 14

ASC New Stars (TX, HFA)
2:2
Say Word FC (NC, NCSL)
Bryan Park Soccer Complex, BP Field 2 – Browns Summit, NC

ASC:

  • Hani Ahmad
  • Miguel Zapata

SWFC:

  • Renato Hanzek
  • Alejandro Lopez

Brute Force FC (GA, ADASL)
2:3
Tar Devils SC (NC, NCSL)
Bryan Park Soccer Complex, BP Field 3 – Browns Summit, NC

BFFC:

  • Guilherme Caldas
  • Rando Esaie

TDSC:

  • Jose Garcia
  • Don Williams Jr.
  • Brian Potocnik

Peachtree SC (GA, ADASL)
1:6
Tobacco Road FC (NC, TASL)
Bryan Park Soccer Complex, BP Field 7 – Browns Summit, NC

PSC:

  • Pedro Marinho

TRFC:

  • Mateo Perdomo (x2)
  • Carlos Lemona
  • Sean Ellis
  • Tommy Robertson
  • Rodrigo Byrne

SUNDAY, JUNE 15 (9 AM)

(The third games of group stage play were originally scheduled to be played on Saturday, June 14 at 8 PM. However adverse weather forced the matches to be postponed until Sunday morning, also pushing the time of the USASA Region III Final back into the early afternoon.)

Tobacco Road FC (NC, TASL)
1:2
ASC New Stars (TX, HFA)
Bryan Park Soccer Complex, BP Field 2 – Browns Summit, NC

TRFC:

  • Kevan Kahoussi

ASC:

  • Ivan Luquetta
  • Diego Herrera (PK)

Tar Devils SC (NC, NCSL)
3:0
Peachtree SC (GA, ADASL)
Bryan Park Soccer Complex, BP Field 3 – Browns Summit, NC

TDSC:

  • Jose Garcia (x2)
  • Michael Pasca

Say Word FC (NC, NCSL)
W:L
Brute Force FC (GA, ADASL)
Bryan Park Soccer Complex, BP Field 7 – Browns Summit, NC

Due to lack of players, Brute Force FC forfeit their final group stage match against Say Word FC.

Final Group Stage Standings

TeamGroupPointsWinsDrawsLosesGFGAPD
Say Word FCA7210122+10
ASC New StarsB721083+5
Tobacco Road FCA6201164+12
Tar Devils SCA620167-1
Brute Force FCB0003315-12
Peachtree SCB0003116-15

SUNDAY, JUNE 15 (1 PM)

Say Word FC (NC, NCSL)
1:0
ASC New Stars (TX, HFA)
Bryan Park Soccer Complex, BP Field 2 – Browns Summit, NC

SWFC:

  • Lionel Mobiang

2025 National Amateur Cup: West Chester United wins Region I title, heads to nationals

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West Chester United SC poses with the USASA Region I Amateur Cup after beating New York Pancyprian Freedoms, 3-0, in the final (Credit: West Chester United SC)
West Chester United SC poses with the USASA Region I Amateur Cup after beating New York Pancyprian Freedoms, 3-0, in the final (Credit: West Chester United SC)

West Chester United SC dominated New York Pancyprian Freedoms on Saturday evening in the 2025 USASA Region I Amateur Cup Final. The Pennsylvania side won, 3-0, and earned a direct spot in the 2025 National Amateur Cup tournament later this summer. The win is West Chester’s second-ever regional amateur cup but first since the tournament began awarding direct US Open Cup qualification in 2017.

The New York Pancyprian Freedoms, the defending National Amateur Cup champions, will not be able to defend their title in Milwaukee. West Chester meanwhile will attempt to win their first ever National Amateur Cup. The team is two wins away from both the natty and a guaranteed spot in the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

On a soggy day at the Ukrainian American Sports Center in Horsham, Pa., West Chester technically played the role of the visitors despite being only a couple miles from home. They opened the scoring in the 12th minute when goalkeeper Tino Kneis sent a ball down the field to a running Josh Luchini. He finished the play with a successful low shot past the Freedoms’ goalkeeper to make it 1-0.

The Freedoms looked stunned. The goal marked only the second time this tournament that the team had trailed. Speaking to Philadelphia Soccer Now after the game West Chester head coach Blaise Santangelo noted how the Freedoms still couldn’t be overlooked.

“Getting up early on them was super huge,” he said.  “They’ve been down to Lansdowne (Yonkers FC) twice recently, and they’ve come back to win 3-2 so we knew they weren’t going to go away without giving a fight.”

West Chester kept the pressure early and capitalized once again before the half hour mark. A free kick by Dylan Lacy found the head of Ridge Robinson on the left side of the box. The attempt found the back of the net to make it 2-0 in the 28th. The goal was Robinson’s third of the tournament.

New York exited the half trying to cut into the deficit. The defending champs pulled the West Chester backline but couldn’t break through. It forced the New York goalkeeper to push up into the Predators’ end. In the 84th minute, defender John Ricks headed the ball to substitute Tomas Ascoli. A quick pass to Jack Jasinski saw the Princeton player hit a slow roller on goal that made it across the goal line.

That was the nail in the coffin for the Freedoms title defense. When the full time whistle sounded, coach Santangelo congratulated everyone in his group for their effort on the day.

“I tell the guys every year at the beginning of the year, this is the one, this is the one we need to win,” Santangelo said. “We lost in the final to Milwaukee Bavarians in 2018 and this is one we’ve been trying to get to and to finally get back there. We still have a lot of work, we’re going to play against some great competition, I’m sure, but it’s to get out of this region is pretty special. A lot of times national champs come out of this region.”

The following two paragraphs come directly from Philadelphia Soccer Now’s recap of the match.

The trip to Milwaukee in late July will be the third final four event of the season for the Predators, who are managing multiple leagues and competitions with a deep and talented pool of players ranging from teenagers to players approaching their 30s and older. They came up short last weekend in the Hank Steinbrecher Cup to champions El Farolito in the semifinal but have a chance to win the American Premier Soccer League title next weekend in addition to this third opportunity.

Saturday’s final for West Chester United nearly didn’t happen. After losing to Christos FC in the semifinal, West Chester United filed a protest that was upheld by the league office in Chicago.

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