2025 US Open Cup

2025 US Open Cup Round 1: FC Tulsa avenges loss to Tulsa Athletic in third part of derby trilogy

March 20, 2025 by John Tranchina

Taylor Calheira of FC Tulsa celebrates after scoring a PK goal against Tulsa Athletic in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: FC Tulsa

The conditions were ripe for a “Cupset” for quite a while, but in the end, FC Tulsa refused to comply with the script.

Despite an outstanding performance from Tulsa Athletic goalkeeper Jakub Grzesiak, FC Tulsa finally broke through when Taylor Calheira converted a penalty kick in the 84^th minute, enabling the USL Championship club to pull out a 1-0 victory in hostile territory at Athletic Community Field at Hicks Park in Tulsa on Tuesday night, in the first round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament.

Battling through intense wind, featuring gusts of up to 40 miles per hour, FC Tulsa survived the scare and advanced to the second round of the tournament against a still-to-be-determined opponent.

“We expected it to be very difficult, we talked about how it was going to be all about mentality, because of the conditions,” FC Tulsa coach Luke Spencer said afterwards. “The field is in no shape to play on, we knew that coming in, and with the wind as strong as it was, the game was never going to shape up to be a proper football game. From that standpoint, we’re very proud of the group. We showed some real character, some real fight and determination to find a way to win.”

With Athletic playing a man down from the 67^th minute, a hand ball was called in the box in the 83^rd minute, sending Calheira to the dot. He fired low, just inside the left goalpost, to beat Grzesiak for what became the game-winning goal.

“That’s what you practice for, and you just got to take the pressure and step up to take it and just be confident,” Calheira said of his mindset stepping up for the PK. “In the end, it won us the game and I’m happy about it, but it was a great team effort, and we couldn’t do it without the clean sheet and the defense today. It was great.”

It was a tough result for the home side to deal with, as they were hoping for a repeat of their big upset win over FC Tulsa in the 2023 U.S. Open Cup second round. With Grzesiak making at least four spectacular saves in the game, and nine total, Athletic managed to fend off the more skilled FC Tulsa for most of the night.

“I thought we had some really good moments in the game,” said Athletic coach John Woodhead. “With the game plan, we executed it to a T. We’ve been working really hard in training, and unfortunately, two big decisions didn’t go our way tonight. The sending off (of Vargas) was questionable, and obviously, the PK, he has handled it, however before that, there was an action that led him to handle it, and it didn’t get called.

“I’m super-proud of the boys. We worked our (butts) off, most of the fellas have been at work since 7 a.m. today, so to take them 90 minutes, to get a penalty one man down, it is what it is.”

As the game continued, FC Tulsa continued to press, refusing to get frustrated by the outstanding stops from Grzesiak. They stayed with the game plan and it paid off in the end.

“We stuck to the process, kept on believing, and the belief of this group is high,” Spencer said of his team, which has gotten off to a strong 2-0 start in the USL Championship season. “We thought down the stretch that we would get something. I thought Edwin (Laszo) coming on as a sub (in the 66^th minute) gave us something in the attack, and credit to their ‘keeper, Jakub, he came up big multiple times. He kept them in it, but we were happy to get the penalty at the end, for sure.”

There has been some animosity in the past between these two teams from the same city, the plucky, amateur Athletic having built up a solid, loyal following over the years, despite having led a somewhat nomadic existence at times, with about five different homes over the past 10 years. Meanwhile, the professional FC Tulsa team, which plays in downtown Tulsa, has had its ups and downs in the USL Championship, missing the playoffs in each of the past three seasons.

Those tensions seemed to spill over onto the pitch Tuesday night, with tempers flaring and multiple yellow cards given to both sides.

Spencer, whose bench received a yellow card of their own right before halftime, said his team was ready for the physicality of the contest.

Ultimately, that ended up really hurting the Athletic when star defender Gustavo Vargas was shown his second yellow of the night in the 67^th minute, turning into a red card ejection and leaving his team a man short the rest of the way.

Woodhead believes that was a turning point. His team had the wind behind them and some momentum at the time, especially after Luis Flores had just had their best scoring opportunity off a corner kick in the 60^th minute that forced FC Tulsa goalkeeper Johan Penaranda to make an excellent leaping save.

“I felt like we were having a spell and that was our time to get a goal, and obviously, the sending off ruined that for us,” Woodhead said. “It’s tough, the sending off obviously spoils the game and gives them the favor. Sometimes, the pro side coming to town, they get a few decisions. It is what it is.”

The Athletic, who won the NPSL National Championship in 2023 playing out of nearby Claremore, moved over to the UPSL last season (and back to Hicks Park) before joining the fledgling The League for Clubs for the upcoming 2025 season. To get into the U.S. Open Cup, they had to win three games during the amateur Midwest Region qualifying tournament last Fall. They defeated FC Bartlesville Buffaloes 4-0 on Oct. 26, then beat Woodland (Kansas) FC 8-0 on Nov. 16 before taking down Chicago House AC 0-0 (5-4 in PKs) in Elmhurst, Illinois, on Dec. 8 to make it in for the fourth straight year.

This was the third time these teams met in U.S. Open Cup play, with each having won once in the previous two contests. FC Tulsa won the first head-to-head matchup in the second round of 2022’s tournament with a 2-1 victory at their home stadium in downtown Tulsa, ONEOK Field, and the Athletic pulled off the stunning 1-0 upset in 2023’s U.S. Open Cup second round here at Hicks Field.

Last year, the Athletic lost 4-1 to USL1’s Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC in the first round, preventing another potential meeting in the third round, when FC Tulsa entered the tournament and beat the Hailstorm 2-1 at ONEOK Field. FC Tulsa went on to beat fellow USL Championship side Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 1-0 in the Round of 32 before falling 4-0 to Sporting Kansas City of MLS in the Round of 16, marking their deepest U.S. Open Cup run in their history.

Early on in this one, the Athletic survived several outstanding scoring chances over the first 15 minutes, as Grzesiak made outstanding diving saves in the seventh minute on Boubacar Diallo’s 25-yard blast from the left side and on Owen Damm’s 20-yard shot in the 12^th minute.

While FC Tulsa still enjoyed the territorial advantage over the next 15 minutes or so, generating several corner kicks and shots that missed the target, the Athletic started pushing back. Flores drilled a 30-yard shot that forced Penaranda to make a good save in the 35^th minute.

Tension and tempers started to bubble over in the final minutes of the first half as there were multiple confrontations between players, and three yellow cards handed out in a two-minute span in stoppage time.

Multiple cards were handed out in the second half as well.

Five minutes after Vargas was ejected, Calheira nearly set up a goal, but his pass was re-directed in front by Stefan Stojanovic, resulting in another excellent stop by Grzesiak.

The Athletic had another great chance to take the lead in the 77^th minute, when Flores boomed a 35-yard free kick that appeared headed for the upper right corner, but Penaranda made an outstanding diving stop to keep the score level.

Even though the home side Athletic had far more supporters in the crowd, FC Tulsa also had a vocal contingent of fans on hand. It was really a nice showing for the Tulsa soccer community overall.

“There was great fans, great atmosphere tonight,” Calheira acknowledged. “There’s no excuses of course, but the wind, the field, but in the end, you fight. It’s about passion and who wanted it more. We wanted it and we weren’t going to lose today.”

2025 US Open Cup Round 1: Late PK delivers Westchester SC a debut win over FC Motown

March 20, 2025 by Michael Battista

Westchester SC players celebrate after scoring a PK goal against FC Motown in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Westchester SC

The USL League One newcomers Westchester SC earned their first-ever US Open Cup victory over tournament veterans FC Motown on Tuesday night. A late penalty kick goal by Juan Carlos “JC” Obregón was the deciding factor in a back and forth clash at Montclair State University.

“I’m very pleased, the game itself was how we were hoping it wouldn’t go, but that said tremendous credit to Motown tonight,” Westchester head coach Dave Carton said after the game. “I thought we played well and Motown matched us, especially defensively… The boys stuck with it, stayed calm and found a way to win the game.”

Obregón, a native of nearby New York City, was called on in the 81st minute. A long ball from the left side reached the former Hartford Athletic player in the middle of the box with his back turned towards the net. With three defenders around him, Motown’s Daniel Cordeiro made contact with the attacker’s leg and sent him to the ground.

The USL journeyman and one-time Honduras national team player sent a low shot to the right corner, which Motown keeper Josh Schaffer correctly predicted but couldn’t get in front of.

“(It’s a) late game penalty to put the team ahead. That’s what we dream of, that’s what we practice for,” Obregón said after the game. “At that moment I just wanted to step up and help my team come out with a victory.”

The Motown bench protested the call and nearly equalized not long after, but couldn’t find the back of the net. The team, which reached the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) final last year, exits the tournament in the First Round for a third straight year.

The visiting WSC controlled the early portions of the match. The game’s first shot on target came from forward Prince Saydee, who attacked down the right side, cut around a Motown defender to get space in the box, and curled a shot just over the crossbar. The former Miami FC player was a key part of the attack for Westchester on the night, even if he didn’t get on the scoresheet.

Overall, Westchester’s size and speed advantage kept them in the driver’s seat for the first half hour. Motown’s only shot on target of the half came down to a free kick in the 11th minute, which was easily caught by keeper Dane Jacomen.

But as the half wore on, Motown started to do more than counter. The ball movement picked up and while they couldn’t get deep into the WSC end they were garning more ball possession time. The confidence built more, exemplified by a teamplay in the 40th minute. Erick Ruiz fed Maudwindo Germain, who juked defender Conor McGlynn multiple times to get to edge of the box. The ball was passed around outside the box before former pro Chris Bermudez struck a shot into a Westchester defender.

All of those players were regulars on the Motown team that reached the NPSL final last year. However the home side also brought in new faces. Of note, former Birmingham Legion players Eli Crognale and Anderson Asiedu, with the former starting, alongside defensive midfielder Eddie Speed – the son of Welsh international legend Gary Speed and a recent regular in the lower divisions of NYC soccer.

The second half saw Motown’s momentum really pick up. The amateurs held the ball and broke down the Westchester end of the field, though the team struggled to get more shots on target. When Westchester did get the ball, they still threatened and forced Schaffer to make some huge saves.

Obregón had a shot through traffic from the top of the box that forced the Ramapo College graduate to dive for the save early in the second half. Another long shot by him forced another diving save in the 57th. Overall, Schaffer made five saves in his first USOC start as the first choice Motown goalkeeper.

Coach Carton couldn’t give his team’s opponents anymore praise.

“We had a lot of possession and we didn’t get behind them as much as I would, and that’s down to how well they defended,” the coach said. “The keeper played well and (he) should be happy with his performance.”

In the game of inches, the penalty call decided the entire game. From his spot on the bench Carton didn’t get a good look at the foul, but praised his group for taking their time.

“It’s hard to comment because I didn’t really see it well. The FC Motown guys sounded and seemed really disappointed in it, so maybe they had a case,” Coach Carton said. “What I did like about it was that we were patient in the build up. We connected a lot of passes and we hit the ball from them for a while. So bringing the ball into a dangerous area I was happy with.”

Westchester has only played one other competitive game in their short history. The team’s first-ever USL League One match earlier this month ended 1-1, with both goals also being penalty kicks.

“We want to score goals from open play, but we’ll take them as they get them, you know, if the ball goes across the line, we’re happy,” the coach joked.

Overall, the crowd of 500 plus fans was well entertained. Much of the crowd consisted of Westchester supporters, something that Obregón and his teammates can’t get over considering how young the club is.

“It definitely gives us a lot of optimism going into the season for for our home games,” the forward said. “The Westchester fans made the drive here and supported us and gave us unwavering support for the full 90 minutes – which helped us get that energy and pull the result.”

Westchester now waits to see who they will face in the Second Round. That could be a potential match against Hartford Athletic, who Obregón played for early in his career.

“Going back to Hartford would be heartwarming because, you know, my time there was great,” he said. “I think I left a legacy there, so it would be nice to be received by the fans.”

Scoring Summary

81’ – Westchester SC – Juan Carlos “JC” Obregón (Penalty kick)

Lineups

FC Motown: Joshua Schaffer (GK), Jean Voltaire, Matthew Leong, Daniel Cordeiro (Andrew Maia 85’), Edward Speed, Eli Crognale (Luca Campbell 60’), Stevo Bednarsky, Erick Ruiz, Maudwindo Germain (Joseph Fala 85’), Israel Neto, Christopher Bermudez (Illia Tyrkus 85’)

Unused subs: Kendell Thomas, Anderson Asiedu, David Greczek (GK)

Manager: Toure Weaver

Westchester SC: Dane Jacomen (GK), Bobby Pierre, Conor McGlynn, Kemar Lawrence, Stephen Payne, Joel Johnson Alajarin (Oluwatobilba Adewole 85’), Noah Powder, Jonathan Bolanos (Ermin Mačkić 68’), Prince Saydee (Bryan Vásquez 75’), Juan Carlos Obregón Jr., Koen Blommestijn (Samory Powder 68’)

Unused subs: Andrew Hammersley (GK), Daniel Bouman

Manager: Dave Carton

Yellow Cards

Christopher Bermudez, FC Motown 22’

Edward Speed, FC Motown 59’

Juan Carlos Obregón Jr., Westchester SC 74’

Stephen Payne, Westchester SC 90+4’

Attendance: 534

Match Broadcast:

2025 US Open Cup Round 1 Review: Six amateur sides pull off upsets, debut clubs also advance

March 20, 2025 by Jordan Beech

2025 US Open Cup First Round Review — Photo: Anna Griffin Photography – @annagriffinphotography | Graphic by Phil Naegely

After Union Omaha held off Flatirons FC in Golden, Colo. on Friday night, the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup was officially complete. The First Round was action-packed, including six Cupsets, four matches decided after extra time, and three shootouts.

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FORO SC set the tone on Tuesday night, claiming a 2-1 extra-time victory over USL League One, and Open Cup debutant, Texoma FC. That set the stage for a second night that saw four more amateur sides upend their professional counterparts.

Virginia Dream FC dropped the Richmond Kickers in the first upset of the night before a star-studded Des Moines Menace edged Sporting KC II. Little Rock Rangers then got in on the act, holding Birmingham Legion FC at arm’s length before 2024 Open Cup darlings El Farolito pulled off some magic in 2025 with a win over Real Monarchs SLC.

The three-time Open Cup champion New York Pancyprian Freedoms put an exclamation mark on the First Round with a shootout triumph over FC Cincinnati 2.

Overall, 10 different clubs earned their first-ever win in the tournament proper, including eight debutantes.

The USL League One led the way with 11 teams advancing to the next round, followed by seven apiece from the USL Championship and MLS Next Pro. The USL League Two and USASA each had two teams advance, while the NPSL and UPSL each had one team move on.

The First Round concludes on Friday when USL League Two’s Flatirons FC plays host to Union Omaha at 9 PM Eastern Time in Golden, Colorado. The game was originally scheduled for Thursday but it was delayed due to a blizzard in Omaha that caused travel issues for Union Omaha.

Below you find a brief recap of every game from Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights with links to the full match report as they become available:

Hartford Athletic (USL-C)
3:0
New York Shockers (NPSL)

by Connor Bunnell

The Open Cup season began in the Insurance Capital of the World as USL Championship side Hartford Athletic cruised to a 3-0 victory over Albany amateurs New York Shockers.

Right from the start, Hartford established a crushing chokehold on the ball and the overall flow, and that vice grip held from flag to flag. Not only did Athletic maintain just under 80% total possession, but the Shockers got just one shot off all night, matching the number of times the visitors changed goalkeepers. The hosts, on the other hand, had no such troubles. Last year’s Open Cup goal involvements leader Jonathan Jimenez picked up right where he left off with an early assist, and by night’s end, Michee Ngalina and Adewale Obalola each had a goal and an assist to their names.

The win moves Hartford to 4-4-0 all-time in Cup action, including a perfect 4-0-0 against amateur teams.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Sarasota Paradise (USL-2)
1:2
FC Naples (USL-1)

by Jordan Beech

They left the scoring late, but a flurry of goals in the final 12 minutes, including a stoppage-time winner by Kevin O’Connor, saw FC Naples secure victory in their Open Cup debut.

Neither team was able to separate in the opening 45 minutes. Heading deep into the second half, it seemed that extra time would be necessary, but Karsen Henderlong put the visiting USL League One side up 1-0 in the 79th minute. Javier Salgado responded for the amateurs of USL League Two in the 88th minute before O’Connor tallied the matchwinner three minutes later.

FC Naples advances to take on Hartford Athletic in the Second Round in two weeks’ time.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Miami FC (USL-C)
4:1
Naples United FC (NPSL)

by Jordan Beech

Miami FC was clinical in their First Round matchup, dispatching amateur side Naples United FC, 4-1, on Tuesday night. Francisco Bonfiglio led the way for the hosts, bagging a first-half brace.

Bonfiglio scored in the 41st minute and again in the first minute of stoppage time to put the debutants from Naples in a 2-0 hole heading into the interval. Allen Gavilanes made it 3-0 in the 66th before Tobias Zarate put the hosts up 4-0 in the 69th minute. Jorge Moreno notched an 83rd-minute consolation for Naples United.

Miami FC 9-6-1 all-time in Open Cup play, including a 6-2-0 mark against amateur sides. It’s the first time Miami’s won their Open Cup opening match since 2023.

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New Jersey Alliance (UPSL)
2:2
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL-1)
Chattanooga Red Wolves advance 4-2 on penalty kicks

By Jordan Beech

Despite being short-staffed and playing a man-down from the 37th minute on, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC snuck past the UPSL’s New Jersey Alliance, 5-4 in a penalty kick shootout after a 2-2 draw on Tuesday night. Matthew Bentley led the way for Chattanooga, bagging a second-half brace.

Gharett Morris received a red card in the 37th minute, putting the visitors at a disadvantage. Open Cup debutants New Jersey Alliance took advantage of the extra man, going up 1-0 in the first minute of stoppage time thanks to Marlon Preciado. In the second half, Bentley put the Red Wolves on top after goals in the 65th and 84th minutes, but Joel Quist leveled the score at the death to send the match to extra time.

Neither team could find the breakthrough, necessitating penalty kicks which included a successful conversion by Chattanooga backup keeper Jason Smith who played the final four minutes of extra time as a field player. Chattanooga advances to the Second Round for the second straight season as a result of the PK triumph.

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FC Motown (NPSL)
0:1
Westchester SC (USL-1)

by Tim Abbott

Westchester SC came into this match against the nominal but experienced amateurs of FC Motown against the backdrop of their first-ever match, a 1-1 draw against fellow cup side Greenville Triumph, and at the start of a five-match road trip. The two sides combined for one shot on goal between them in the opening 15 minutes and as the game settled down, it was Westchester on the attack and Motown on the counter. As the match continued, the few chances came from WSC as they outpossessed and outshot their hosts, but were comfortably repelled by an organized Motown defence.

Having failed to break through from open play, Westchester capitalized on a defensive miscue as a rash tackle on the lively Juan Obregon set up the same player to score the winner from a penalty kick, with only nine minutes to play.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Asheville City SC (USL-2)
0:0
Greenville Triumph SC (USL-1)
Greenville Triumph advances 4-3 on penalty kicks

by Jason Herbert

In a battle for Tar Heel State supremacy, Greenville Triumph SC edged past their USL League Two counterparts in Asheville City SC, 4-3 in a penalty kick shootut after a scoreless draw on Tuesday night.

Despite a combined 24 shot attempts, only five were on frame through 120 minutes of action. Francois Djiba tallied three saves while his Greenville counterpart Seth Torman posted two saves. With no one able to break the deadlock, the match went to penalties where both keepers again saved one try apiece. Ultimately, Johnny Fenwick’s attempt that clanged off the crossbar on Asheville City’s fourth attempt was answered by a successful conversion by Sebastian Velazquez to finally determine a winner.

Greenville Triumph is now 4-4-1 (1-0 PK) overall in US Open Cup play and remain unbeaten against amateur sides in the tournament.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

West Chester United SC (USASA / USLPA)
2:3
Loudoun United FC (USL-C)

By Evan Konigsberg

Loudoun United got all it could handle from West Chester United, eventually dispatching their amateur hosts, 3-2, in the First Round of the 110th US Open Cup. Riley Bidois scored on either side of the interval to help lift the visitors from the USL Championship.

West Chester got on the board quickly thanks to Yassine Elkahloun’s 18th-minute penalty conversion, however, Bidois leveled the proceedings in 20 minutes later to send the match into halftime knotted at 1-1. Loudoun United quickly went up 3-1 in the second half through a Christian Sorto penalty and Bidois’ second of the evening before sweating out the final half-hour following Kenneth Roby’s tally in the 68th minute.

Loudoun United moves to 4-2-1 all-time in Open Cup competition, including just their second win on the road in the competition.

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Texoma FC (USL-1)
1:2
FORO SC (UPSL)
After Extra Time

By Adam Uthe

Bryan Padilla scored two goals 84 minutes apart to help visiting FORO SC secure a massive Cupset over professional side Texoma FC in extra time on a windy night in Sherman, Texas. First-half red cards to Ozzie Ramos and Nate Kopetsky saw both teams play with 10 men for the rest of the evening.

FORO got on the board early with a 15th-minute penalty conversion by Padilla, sending the amateurs into halftime nursing a 1-0 lead. Brandon McManus wasted little time in restoring parity, burying a shot in the 59th minute for the hosts. It took until the 99th minute for FORO to separate from their hosts as Padilla scored on the counter for what would prove to be the matchwinner.

FORO advanced past the First Round for the second time in as many appearances. Open Cup darlings a year ago, Tuesday night’s win moves them to 1-1-1 (1-0 PK) all-time in the competition as they advance to the Second Round for the second time in as many years.

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Tulsa Athletic (UPSL)
0:1
FC Tulsa (USLC)

By Jordan Beech

FC Tulsa left it late but emerged 1-0 winners over Tulsa Athletic in the third Open Cup version of the Tulsa Derby in the last four years. Taylor Calheira converted a PK in the 85th minute to send FC Tulsa through to the Second Round.

Both teams battled winds gusting up to 40 mph making an aerial offensive hard to come by. Tulsa Athletic did well to stymy their USL-Championship visitors, with Jakub Grzesiak recording six saves on the evening. Unfortunately, Grzesiak wasn’t equal to Calheira’s PK attempt following a handball in the box by an A’s defender.

FC Tulsa are now 4-7-1 all-time in Cup play as a result of Tuesday night’s win, while also nosing ahead in the Tulsa Derby, 2-1-0. This is the second year in a row that Tulsa has advanced past their first match in the tournament.

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AV ALTA FC (USL-1)
3:1
Ventura County Fusion (USL-2)

by Tim Thomas

AV ALTA FC opened the newly remodeled Lancaster Municipal Stadium in style with a commanding 3-1 victory over the Ventura County Fusion.

In a night of firsts it would be Jerry Desundes who etched himself in the history books by scoring AV ALTA’s first goal in any competition in the 28th minute of play. Ventura County would make it interesting in the 42nd minute after a long ball caught ALTA’s back line sleeping and led to a goal by Buba Fofanah. That lead wouldn’t last long as Desundes stepped up to the spot and drilled a penalty kick home at in the third minute of first half stoppage time. A goal for ALTA by Sebastian Cruz in the 52nd minute would put the game on ice.

This match not only marked AV ALTA’s first US Open Cup victory it was also the first victory for the club in any competition.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Ventura County FC (MLSNP)
7:0
Laguna United (UPSL)

by Connor Bunnell

In the single most lopsided match of the day, MLS NEXT Pro’s Ventura County FC absolutely whooped UPSL side Laguna United 7-0.

For about the first 20 percent of the match, it looked like it could be a competitive contest, but once LA Galaxy’s reserve side broke the deadlock, a flood of offense ensued, as Ventura County scored off of beautiful volleys, bizarre little dribbles, and everything in between. Cameroonian striker Aaron Bibout spearheaded the effort with the first hat trick of this year’s Cup, while Luis Müller put home one of his own immediately after wrapping up a trio of assists, making the German an instant frontrunner for the tournament’s top playmaker.

With this win, Los Dos are now 3-2-1 across all Open Cup appearances, as well as 2-1-0 since their rebrand as Ventura County FC last year.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19

Columbus Crew 2 (MLS NEXT Pro)
4:1
NY Renegades (UPSL)

By Jordan Beech

Brent Adu-Gyamfi led the way as Columbus Crew 2 cruised past NY Renegades, 4-1, on Wednesday night in First Round action. The match served as the Open Cup debut for both clubs.

Keesean Ferdinand drew first blood in the 44th minute before Adu-Gyamfi scored his first of two goals in the third minute of stoppage time to send Columbus into the break sporting a 2-0 advantage. Tristan Brown added a third goal in the 62nd minute before Adu-Gyamfi bagged his brace seven minutes later.

Jonathan Silveira scored for the visitors from the UPSL.

Columbus Crew 2 advances to the Second Round for the first time in club history as a result of Wednesday’s victory.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Chattanooga FC (MLS NEXT Pro)
1:0
Corpus Christi FC (USL-2)
After Extra Time

By Jordan Beech

Chattanooga FC got all they could handle as they played host to the amateurs of Corpus Christi FC. However, the MLS NEXT Pro side escaped the Cupset bid, scoring in the 112th minute through Markus Naglestad for the match’s lone goal.

A rough-and-tumble affair that saw nine yellow cards handed out, and neither team was able to find much joy through nearly 120 minutes of play. That all changed when Naglestad nodded home Milo Garvanian’s service from the left wing late for the win.

The win moves Chattanooga to 4-7-5 overall in Open Cup play. It’s the first time the MLS NEXT Pro side has won their opening-round match since 2023.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Appalachian FC (NPSL)
0:3
One Knoxville SC (USL-1)

By Jordan Beech

One Knoxville SC cruised in their First Round matchup against host Appalachian FC on Wednesday night, claiming a 3-0 win. Knoxville led from the 16th minute and largely held the amateurs from North Carolina at arm’s length the rest of the way.

Leo Santos, a full professional at just 18 years old, opened the affair in the 16th minute when he cleaned up a ball in Appalachian’s box. Carrying a 1-0 lead into the second half, Babacar Diene and Scott Mcleod tallied strikes of their own 11 minutes apart in the 63rd and 74th minutes to seal the match.

One Knoxville successfully advanced to the Second Round for a third straight year as a result of Wednesday night’s contest. Knoxville is now 2-2-0 overall in Open Cup action, with both wins coming on the road.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Richmond Kickers (USL-1)
1:3
Virginia Dream FC (USASA / VSSL)

By Tim Hotze

Capitalizing on set piece opportunities. Long balls. Hard pressing, and a goalkeeper making key saves in key moments. It’s the textbook method for defeating a higher-division opponent in the US Open Cup, but it paid off for Virginia Dream of the National Premier Soccer League who emerged with a 3-1 victory over the Richmond Kickers of USL League One. The game was the first-ever match in the tournament proper for Dream of Falls Church, Virginia, who were founded just three years ago and whose victory came in the same City Stadium in Richmond where the Kickers raised the championship banner after securing the 1995 US Open Cup title.

The game started off like a fantasy for the visitors, as forward Nicolas Likulia was hauled down in the box in the seventh minute, earning a penalty which he converted moments later. His team protected their lead through an increasingly strong onslaught from Richmond, but in the 36th minute, the Kickers had their equalizer when Michael Fitch cut in from the right side and laid off a short pass to James Vaugahn just outside of the box, who sent it across the goal and into the top-left corner of Joe Rice’s net, sending the two teams into the locker rooms level at half.

On the restart, it once again took Dream about seven minutes to find a goal, when an inswinging pass across a set piece was headed by Gnaoua Kossehasse across and then knocked in by Thomas Suchecki in the 53rd minute. Just seven minutes later, the NPSL side struck again when Leonardo Torres-Lopez saw off three Richmond defenders and got a pass to Akingbolahan Akinkoye who took a shot that deflected off goalkeeper Pabo Jara on its way to the net making it 3-1 for the visitors. Although Richmond would continue to dominate possession and had a few chances, Virginia stuck to their game plan and saw out the victory, advancing in their first-ever match of the Cup.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Inter Miami CF II (MLS Next Pro)
4:2
Miami United FC (UPSL)

by Connor Bunnell

In the big intercity clash of the day, MLS NEXT Pro’s Inter Miami CF II took a 4-2 win over UPSL side Miami United FC.

This Dále Derby was a tale of two halves, and the first half belonged to the amateurs, who took a 1-0 lead into the break thanks to a stunning free kick. However, Inter would catch United on the B-side as the Herons scored four unanswered, spearheaded by a brace from Yuval Cohen. Meanwhile, United’s Santiago Frean went from hero to zero, earning himself a backbreaking red card in the 74th minute. Though the amateurs fought valiantly and even pulled one back late, it wasn’t enough, and one of last year’s darlings became a one-and-done.

Thanks to their massive turnaround, Inter Miami II opens their Open Cup record with a win.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Sporting KC II (MLS NEXT Pro)
1:2
Des Moines Menace (USL-2)

By Tim Abbott

Des Moines Menace brought an experience-laden squad to the maelstrom of Swope Park, with a 15-year age gap between the average age of the two squads. But even with the aid of a wind gusting up to 45 mph at their backs, the home side failed to make their advantage count in the first half.

With the visitors gaining the wind advantage in the second half, it might have been expected that they would stroll away but neither team really asserted themselves and it took until near the hour mark for the deadlock to be broken, with a Sacha Kljestan penalty kick.

Their lead would only last five minutes, as SKCII loaded the box and Beckham Uderitz slotted home the equalizer. However, despite gaining more possession and shots than their visitors, it was Des Moines who move on, thanks to a second penalty — the last kick of the match for Kljestan, in the 74th minute after a quick counter by Leroy Enzugusi.

The win moves Des Moines to 15-14-4 overall in Open Cup action and is their third win over a Division 3 side. The win also secures the Menace’s passage to the Second Round for a third-straight tournament.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Lexington Sporting Club (USL-C)
5:0
Southern Indiana FC (UPSL)

By Jordan Beech

Five different players found the back of the net in Lexington Sport Club’s 5-0 romp of UPSL side Southern Indiana FC. The win is Lexington’s first in Open Cup play in their third appearance in the tournament.

Cory Burke bagged the opener in the 13th minute and the hosts never looked back, as Eliot Goldthorp made it 2-0 with a score in the 42nd minute.

Alfredo Midence, Lucas Stauffer, and Braudilio Rodrigues scored second-half goals to put the finishing touches on the outing.

Lexington moves to 1-2-0 all-time, notching their first win against an amateur side in Cup play. Their Second Round appearance matches their best-ever performance in 2023, though that year the Second Round was their first match of the tournament.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Little Rock Rangers (USL-2)
1:0
Birmingham Legion FC (USL-C)

By Jordan Beech

Caoimhin McConnell scored the lone goal of the match in the 48th minute as Little Rock Rangers claimed a Cupset over Birmingham Legion FC with a 1-0 win over the USL Championship side.

The Rangers’ defense was heroic all evening, weathering 13 shots from their professional counterparts. The amateurs from the River City allowed only three shots to test Tomasz Wroblewski — USL League Two’s reigning Golden Glove recipient who proved equal to the task each time.

Little Rock secured its first-ever win in the Open Cup in their second appearance all-time, sullying Birmingham’s perfect record against amateur competition in the process.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

El Paso Locomotive (USL-C)
5:1
Harpos FC (USSSA/CPL)

By Tim Abbott

Locomotive entered this match after scoring four but only drawing their last game, and after 10 minutes of 0-0 they steadily took out their frustration. Roberto Avila opened the scoring at that point. Bryan Romero made it two off a corner in the 37th minute and repeated the trick to put the game to bed in first-half stoppage time.

Braden Fidelak had the unfortunate distinction of making it 4-0 with an own goal, and Gabi Torres made it 5-0 in the 59th minute. Harpos eventually broke through just four minutes later, with Baptiste Debuire finishing a Quinn Matulis cross. But the Coloradans could not make further inroads.

The win is El Paso’s first in Open Cup play in the club’s fifth appearance all-time. It’s also the first time El Paso has advanced past their initial match in the tournament in club history.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Real Monarchs (MLS NEXT Pro)
1:3
El Farolito (NPSL)
After Extra Time

by Connor Bunnell

In a triumphant return for everyone’s favorite San Francisco burrito chain, reigning NPSL champions El Farolito took a thrilling 3-1 victory in extra time over MLS NEXT Pro’s Real Monarchs.

It was a chilly and chippy contest in Utah, and the Burrito Boys took the early edge in the 18th minute when last year’s co-Golden Boot winner Dembor Benson scored his first of the new Cup campaign. But after a sluggish start for Real Salt Lake’s reserves, the Monarchs would assert themselves, replacing the empty-calories possession of the first half with genuine attacking menace. That peaked with an equalizer from Antonio Riquelme, but despite quality chances from both sides, neither could find the definitive answer in the initial 90.

As time ticked down and tempers flared, the Monarchs’ defenders lost their cool. First, Kobi Henry drew a second yellow card right as the first half of extra time was winding down, giving away the numbers advantage. Then, substitute Loic Adjalala proceeded to have a disaster day, nearly getting himself sent off and giving away an all-important penalty. Herlbert Soto, who’d been great all day long, stepped up to take the shot and scored it, putting El Farolito back in the lead, before a dagger from Erik Arias sealed the visitors’ cupset.

With this result, the 1993 Open Cup champions have now started back-to-back runs with a road win over an MLS NEXT Pro side. El Farolito also moved to 3-0 against Division III clubs and 5-3-1 overall since adopting their current name.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Monterey Bay (USL-C)
4:0
International San Francisco (USASA/SFSFL)

By A.D. Mosier

Monterey Bay made quick work of International San Francisco, cruising past the amateur side 4-0 at home to advance to Round Two.

San Francisco’s first touch on the ball came 90 seconds into the match when they had to pull the ball out of the back of the net after Mobi Fehr tapped in the opener from inside the six yard box off a low-driven cross from Alax Dixion on the left flank. .

Xavi Gnaulati doubled the lead in the 26th minute, beating his defender to a driven ball from Luke Ivanovic inside the six-yard box. Gnaulati bagged his second in identical fashion, but from Dixon on the left side this time in the second minute of first half added time.

Playing on cruise control for the majority of the second half, Monterey capped the night’s scoring in the 84th minute when Adrian Rebollar’s searching ball found the diving Illijah Paul head at close range.

As a result of the win, Monterey Bay advances to the Second Round for a third consecutive tournament. The club is now 4-2-1 all-time in Open Cup play.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Ballard FC (USL-2)
0:1
Spokane Velocity FC (USL-1)
After Extra Time

By Jordan Beech

Spokane couldn’t have left it any later, edging past USL League 2’s Ballard FC by a ricochet off the post in the 121st minute of play to punch their ticket to the Second Round for a second straight season. It’s the second-straight year Spokane has dispatched Ballard to advance in the Open Cup.

Neither team could find the key to unlock the opposing defense through the first 120 minutes of action. However, with the match in the 121st minute, and penalties seeming like a certainty, Neco Brett found Anuar Pelaez outside the box. Pelaez took his shot and saw it bang off the post and in for the win.

Ballard thought they’d drawn level in the 126th minute, but the goal was judged offside.

Spokane is now 3-1-0 all-time in Open Cup action, including a 2-1-0 record on the road.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

LAFC 2 (MLS NEXT Pro)
7:1
FC Arizona (NPSL)

By Tim Thomas

Things started off poorly and got worse from there for FC Arizona as they lost on the road 7-1 against LAFC 2.

A mere 89 seconds into the match was all it took for LAFC 2 as Matt Evans notched the first goal of the game. From there, it was off to the races for the black and gold. Jude Terry at the tender age of 16 scored a brace, including his first professional goal in the 27th minute. Not to be outdone, Evans also secured a brace with a goal in the 65th minute.

Tommy Mihalic, Sebastian Nava and Kairo Walters also added goals in the 42nd, 83rd, and 92nd minutes respectively.

The lone FC Arizona goal was scored by Gabe Walters in the 59th minute.

This was LAFC 2’s debut match in the Open Cup and their first win. While FC Arizona remained winless in the tournament, they did secure their first-ever Open Cup goal.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

THURSDAY, MARCH 20

Portland Hearts of Pine (USL-1)
4:0
CD Faialense (USASA / BSSL)

By Jordan Beech

A debut match, a debut win for Portland Hearts of Pine who romped past CD Faialense, 4-0, in the host’s first-ever match in club history. Azaad Liadi led the way for Hearts of Pine with a goal on either side of halftime.

A raucous home crowd didn’t have to wait long for Maine’s newest professional outfit to score their inaugural goal with Walter Varela hammering home the opener in just the 17th minute of action. Liadi then volleyed home his first in the 29th minute off excellent service from Titus Washington.

Liadi added his second of the match in the 62nd minute, cleaning up the trash in front of the goal following a Washington effort on a free kick. Nathan Messer then put the finishing touches on the match seven minutes later with an absolute screamer from a free kick 35 yards out.

In the first Open Cup match in Maine since 2017, Hearts of Pine became the first professional outfit from the state to win a match in the tournament with Thursday night’s result.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Long Island Rough Riders (USL-2)
2:3
Charlotte Independence (USL-1)
After Extra Time

By AD Mosier

In one of the most thrilling First Round games this year, USL League One’s Charlotte Independence scored two goals in extra time to overcome the USL League Two’s Long Island Rough Riders on a damp, foggy night on Long Island.

Rafael Jauregul tallied a brace for the visitors, including the 107th-minute game-winner to put Charlotte through to the second round.

The Rough Riders’ Jacon Woznicki opened scoring four minutes into the start of the second half, smashing home a knuckling right-footed blast from the top of the penalty area after his first attempt on goal was blocked.

Jauregui pulled the visiting professionals level in the 79th minute, beating Rough Rider goalkeeper Eryk Dymora to the ball at the top of the six-yard box to make things level, which is how they stayed into extra time.

Christian Chaney’s vicious volley from 12 yards out put the visitors into the lead in the 104th minute off a cross on the right flank from right back, Clay Dimick.

Charlotte’s lead lasted just over sixty seconds with Elias Khodri stunning right-footed volley through traffic drew the home side level moments before the end of the first half of extra time.

Jauregui tallied the winner in the 107th minute from inside the penalty area after the Rough Rider defense could not get the ball clear.

The win puts the Independence through to the Second Round for the eighth time in club history.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Forward Madison FC (USL-1)
5:1
Duluth FC (NPSL)

By Tim Abbott

Forward Madison finished with a fistful of goals and a comfortable score-line but the course of the match may have been very different had Duluth FC’s Alex Mihov not raised his hands into the face of Nico Brown for a straight red card and a long slog with ten men.

Ferrety Sousa broke through 5 minutes later and though the BlueGreens capitalized on a defensive miscue to briefly make it 1-1, further goals from Eddie Munjoma, John Murphy Jr and two from Juan Galindrez salted the win away for the hosts.

Thursday night’s win moves Forward Madison to 5-4-0 all-time, including a 4-1-0 mark against amateur teams in Cup play. The win moves the Flamingoes to the Second Round in consecutive years.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1)
3:0
Harbor City FC (UPSL)

By Connor Bunnell

For the fourth straight year, South Georgia Tormenta of USL League One started their Open Cup run with a win, comfortably beating Melbourne, Florida amateurs Harbor City, 3-0.

The home side was in control from the jump, taking the lead halfway through the first half and denying Harbor City the chance to even try and equalize. Though the Floridians would finally take a few cracks at leveling the score in the second half, Tormenta substitute Niall Reid-Stephen personally put the game out of reach by scoring two goals five minutes apart, the latter of which officially put things on ice.

While Harbor City’s Open Cup debut ended in deflating fashion, Tormenta moved to a triumphant 8-3-0 all-time in the competition, including a perfect 4-0-0 at home.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Carolina Core FC (MLS NEXT Pro)
4:2
Soda City FC (UPSL)

By Jordan Beech

Carolina Core claimed a 4-2 win over UPSL counterpart Soda City FC on Thursday evening to advance to the Second Round of the Open Cup for a second straight year. Josuha Rodriguez led the way with two goals scored 40 minutes apart.

Rodriguez opened the scoring in the 18th minute thanks to a penalty kick to send Carolina into halftime with a 1-0 lead. He then bagged his brace in the 58th minute. Facundo Canete and Jacob Evans added insurance goals that ultimately proved necessary in the 69th and 72nd minutes, respectively.

With the match seemingly well in hand, the amateurs from Soda City made it interesting at the end with goals from Lamar Thompson in the 79th minute and Fauf Salifu in the 83rd minute.

Carolina Core is now 3-1-0 all-time in the Open Cup, with all three wins coming at the expense of amateur teams.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

FC Cincinnati 2 (MLS NEXT Pro)
0:0
NY Pancyprian Freedoms (USASA / EPSL)
NY Pancyprian Freedoms advance 5-4 on penalties

By Tyler Pilgrim

The legendary New York Pancyprian Freedoms, triple Open Cup champions from the early 80’s, traveled to northern Kentucky Thursday night to take on FC Cincinnati 2. New York, known for their energetic, pressing football, was content to sit back and let Cincinnati attempt to break them down through the course of the first half. Cincinnati maintained possession and played the majority of the first 45 minutes in Pancyprian’s defensive third, but they were unable to create any truly dangerous opportunities. Meanwhile, New York attempted to spring a few counters but they were quickly snuffed out by either Cincinnati’s defense or a lack of reinforcements assisting on the runs.

The second half started where the first left off, as Cincinnati created the best chance of the game with a simple cross into the box, but the ensuing header was well-defended and gobbled up by Pancyprian’s keeper, Josh Levine. The rest of the half was more of the same, with one last opportunity in regulation time by New York sliding sneakily just wide of the near post on a beautiful shot attempt. Extra time ensued, and despite a flurry of subs by both sides, Cincinnati continued to create the better chances but couldn’t find the back of the net. Extra time ended 0-0 and the match moved on to penalties.

The shootout took an early turn in favor of the home Cincinnati team as Luis Argudo of the Pancyprians skied his penalty chance in the second round. Cincinnati buried their next couple, even culminating in some celebratory dancing. The shimmy would be short-lived, however, as Brandon Kristel would miss his shot in the fifth round to draw the shootout back even. Jordan Bailon would then score his fifth for New York to send it to sudden death. Cincinnati’s William Kuisel then hit the bar on his attempt, leaving it for Pancyprian’s Jens Hoff to bury his shot to knock Cincinnati out of the Open Cup and win 5-4 on spot kicks.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Tacoma Defiance (MLS NEXT Pro)
3:1
Washington AC (USASA / SRATS)

By Tim Abbott

Washington Athletic Club made the trip to the hallowed ground of Starfire and took a shock 8th-minute lead as Kaito Yamada brought down WAC’s Lagos mere inches from the penalty area. With the wall forced to stand on the six-yard line, Nick O’Brien drove the free kick low and off the wall into the goal. Edson Charli equalized in the 37th minute for Defiance, chipping the ball in from an extremely acute angle.

It took only two minutes after the break for 2023 NPSL Golden Boot winner Yu Tsukanome to drift into space and finish neatly for Tacoma to claim the lead. Tsukanome made it 3-1 in the 71st minute to seal the win as the battery ran low for WAC.

Tacoma, who originally competed in the Open Cup under the Sounders 2 moniker, are now 3-1-0 all-time in the tournament.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

Flatirons FC (USL-2)
1:2
Union Omaha (USL-1)

By Tim Abbott

Union Omaha traveled to the foothills of the Rockies and could have led in the 5th minute but a shot went just wide. Having dominated possession, the visitors took the lead in the 28th minute after the Flatirons goalkeeper could only clear a corner into the path of Aaron Gomez, who laced the ball past the prostrate keeper. Flatirons’ first shot on target came in the 37th minute, off a deflected long-distance shot, comfortably saved.

Flatirons started the second half on the front foot and in the 68th minute, Smith had a chance flash high. Nonetheless, Union doubled their lead after a handball in the penalty area and Gallardo dispatched the PK. It took until the 83rd minute for Shjon Andrews to spoil the Union clean sheet with a bullet header at the back post off a Tobi Osifodunrin free kick but the rally came short and Union move on.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT

2025 US Open Cup Round 1 Preview: Thursday’s 7 games, blizzard-delayed match on Friday, wrap up round

March 20, 2025 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

2025 us open cup firsrt round preview graphic — Graphic by Phil Naegely & Frank Lanham

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Last we left you in December 2024, Open Division qualifying was wrapping up, determining the last of the six Open Division (amateur) clubs to gain a spot in the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Fast forward three months and Christmas Day for Open Cup enthusiasts (some may say Open Cup Sickos) has arrived, three days of wall-to-wall Open Cup action to kick off the 2025 tournament.

A total of 25 teams are making their Open Cup debuts, all entering in the First Round. Three of those opening round games pit debuting clubs against one another. Nine former champions are in this year’s field: Chicago Fire FC, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, New England Revolution, Orlando City, Richmond Kickers, New York Pancyprian Freedoms and El Farolito (then known as CD Mexico), with the Chicago Fire seeking their record-tying fifth Open Cup title. For the first time in the Modern Era, the defending Open Cup winners will NOT defend its championship, as Los Angeles FC will be represented by its MLS NEXT Pro team LAFC II, due to Los Angeles FC’s participation in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

After 24 games between Tuesday and Wednesday, the round wraps up with eight games on Thursday.

Follow TheCup.us on X (Twitter) @USOpenCup throughout the weekend for live updates from our reporters who will be at every stadium and with every First Round game being streamed online via YouTube, you can find links to those below.

Like millions of other users, we are transitioning over to BlueSky and we will have updates there as well.

Below you will find a preview of the 8 games kicking off on Thursday:

THURSDAY, MARCH 20

CD Faialense (USASA / BSSL) at Portland Hearts of Pine (USL-1)
Franklin Athletic Complex – Lewiston, ME
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

CD Faialense
Bay State Soccer League / USASA | Cambridge, MA
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Defeated FCY New York (UPSL) 3-1 in Round 4 of Open Division Qualifying
Founded: 1971
Manager: Paul Correia
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3:0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Founded in 1971, CD Faialense is the oldest club among the 16 Open Division qualifiers. Faialense finished atop the 2024 Bay State Soccer League Division 1 table with a 13-3-2 mark. They also won the BSSL title for the 2023 season.

In Open Division qualifying, after an opening round bye, Faialense had no trouble dispatching Boston Street FC (UPSL) 4-1. Former Harvard University standout Alessandro Arlotti led the way with a pair of goals. Faialense used the same scoreline to defeat Project Football (UPSL) in the Third Round, with goals coming from Garrett Leary, Gianluca Arlotti, Eoin Houlihan and Mirko Nufi. A hat-trick form Yanis Lakhlifi powered Faialense past Buffalo’s FCY New York 3-1 to book their spot in the 2025 US Open Cup.

CD Faialense celebrates after defeating FCY New York 3-1 to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: CD Faialense

Faialense is Portuguese meaning native or inhabitant of Faial, an island among the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. CD Faialense add to a long Open Cup history of Portuguese-rooted clubs from New England, from Emigrantes das Ilhas (2009, Brockton, Mass.) and Brockton FC Unted (2022 and 2024) to more legendary clubs like Ponta Delgada (1947 US Open Cup champions).

MORE: Clube Desportivo Faialense: Back to the Future in Cambridge, MA (US Soccer)

Portland Hearts of Pine
USL League One | Portland, ME
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2023
Manager: Bobby Murphy
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Hearts of Pine are the first club from Maine to play in the Open Cup since GPS Portland Phoenix of the PDL (USL League Two) in 2017 and are the first professional club from The Pine Tree State to make an Open Cup appearance. This will also be the first Open Cup game played in Maine since GPS Portland Phoenix lost to GPS Omens (USASA) 2-0 in Portland, Maine in the 2017 First Round.

The first player to sign with the club was Trinidadian midfielder Michel Poon-Angeron, who has made 17 appearances with the Trinidad and Tobago national team. Hearts of Pine are playing their Open Cup game in Lewiston, Maine because the multi-million dollar renovation of Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland will not be finished. Like former USL League One club Northern Colorado Hailstorm in 2023, the Open Cup will be the first ever game for Hearts of Pine.

MORE: Hearts of Pine Notebook: Preseason Success, Open Cup Tickets, and a Documentary

Charlotte Independence (USL-1) at Long Island Rough Riders (USL-2)
Mitchel Athletic Complex – Uniondale, NC
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

Charlotte Independence
USL League One | Charlotte, NC
8th US Open Cup appearance (2015-19, 2022-23)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2014
Manager: Mike Jefferies
Overall: 7-7-3 (2-1 PK)
Away: 5-5-0
vs. Amateurs: 5-2-2 (1-1 PK)
Best finish: Fifth Round (2015)

Charlotte has the second longest Open Cup history of all the USL League One teams with seven appearances. The club’s high point was a run to the Fifth Round (Round of 16) in 2015, when they upset the New England Revolution 1-0 in the Fourth Round. The Independence fell short of reaching the Quarterfinals, dropping a 3-1 decision to the Chicago Fire. Captain Jorge Herrera was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round for his performance against New England.

Charlotte Independence players celebrate after winning a PK shootout against Rhode Island FC in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Wade Wimberly

Charlotte finished the 2024 USL League One season in 6th place with a 9-6-7 record, exiting in the opening round of the playoffs. Leading goal scorer Juan Carlos Obregón (15 goals) left to sign with new USL-1 club Westchester FC.

Charlotte’s 2024 Open Cup run was a bit better than their USL-1 season. After opening with a 2-0 road win over amateur side Vereinigung Erzgebirge, Charlotte advanced twice via penalty shootouts over South Carolina Heat and Rhode Island FC at home. The Fourth Round saw them drop a 3-0 away decision to Atlanta United FC. Charlotte are 5-2-2 all-time against amateur clubs, and their last outright loss was in 2022 to North Carolina Fusion U-23s.

MORE: Charlotte Independence returns experienced core

Long Island Rough Riders
USL League Two | South Huntington, NY
10th US Open Cup appearance (1997, 2003-2006, 2010, 2012, 015, 2016, 2018)
How they qualified: Finished 1st in USL-2 Metropolitan Division
Founded: 1994
Manager: Tom Bowen
Overall: 6-9-0
Home: 4-3-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-3-0
Best finish: Quarterfinals (1997, as pro team), Second Round (2010, 2011, 2015, 2017 as amateur team)

The Long Island Rough Riders are one of the longest tenured teams from the NPSL or USL in this year’s tournament, starting play in 1994 when the USL was known as the USISL. The Rough Riders spent the first 13 seasons as a professional club. Starting with the 2007 season, Long Island voluntarily moved down to the Premier Development League (now USL League Two). For most of their USL-2 tenure Long Island has struggled to find success although the last few seasons that has changed, with the Rough Riders finishing first in the Metropolitan Division three out of the last four years. The club has proposed building a stadium on the campus of Suffolk County Community College’s Grant Campus in Brentwood with the goal of the Rough Riders to move up to USL League One.

Of Long Island’s nine previous Open Cup appearances, only one came while they were a pro club (1997), pulling off a 4-3 sudden death extra time win over the New England Revolution, then taking the MetroStars (NY Red Buls) to extra time before losing 1-0. As an amateur club, the Rough Riders haven’t had much success in Open Cup play, only advancing past their opening game three times out of eight tries. Remarkably, through 15 Open Cup games Long Island have never had to participate in a penalty shootout.

Duluth FC (NPSL) at Forward Madison FC (USL-1)
Breese Stevens Field: Madison, WI
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

Duluth FC
National Premier Soccer League | Duluth, MN
4th US Open Cup appearance (2018, 2019, 2024)
How they qualified: 2024 NPSL National Semifinals
Founded: 2016
Manager: Thomas Pazo
Overall: 0-2-2 (1-1 PK)
Away: 0-1-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. Div. 3: 0-1-0
Best finish: Second round (2018)

Duluth FC make their return to the Open Cup after missing out on the last two tournaments. Duluth began in 2015 in the Duluth Amateur Soccer League, and by 2017 had joined the NPSL. Duluth posted a 7-1-4 record in NPSL play last season, and made their way to the NPSL National Semifinals where they fell to eventual champions El Farolito 3-0. Edouard Nys finished third in the NPSL in 2024 with 12 goals in 10 games.

Duluth FC celebrates their PK victory over Dakota Fusion FC in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Seth Steffenhagen | Steffenhagen Photography

Duluth FC is unique in the sense that it requires its players and supporters to follow certain rules when it comes to match day behavior, requesting that both avoid swearing and other forms of offensive language.

While Duluth has yet to win an Open Cup game in four attempts, they have advanced once via penalty tiebreaker, outshooting the Dakota Fusion after a 4-4 extra time goal fest in their Open Cup debut in 2018.

MORE: Duluth FC announces Thomás Pazo as new head coach

Forward Madison FC
USL League One | Madison, WI
5th US Open Cup appearance (2019, 2022-24)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2018
Manager: Matt Glaeser
Overall: 4-4-0
Home: 2-2-0
vs. Amateurs: 3-1-0
Best finish: Third Round (2019, 2022)

Forward Madison’s 2025 Open Cup end in a penalty shootout loss, they shouldn’t be surprised with the way their big games in 2024 ended. First off, the Flamingoes reached the final of the inaugural USL Jägermeister Cup, only to lose to the Northern Colorado Hailstorm on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Two months later, in the USL League One semifinals, Madison was eliminated by the Spokane Velocity on penalties after a 0-0 draw. Those two results spoiled what was the best season since their debut campaign in 2019, as Madison finished with a 10-3-9 record and a third-place finish in the league.

Christian Chaney of Forward Madison celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Duluth FC in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Forward Madison

Their 2024 Open Cup run ended abruptly, after beating Duluth FC 2-0, Madison lost by the same score to Chicago Fire II of MLS NEXT Pro. Madison have yet to match their initial Open Cup outing in 2019 in which they beat 2018 National Amateur Cup champions Bavarian SC and upset USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive to reach the Third Round.

Breese Stevens Field has seen plenty of Open Cup action in the past, having been used as a home venue by the Madison 56ers during the 1980s and 1990s. Forward is the state motto of Wisconsin, and the flamingo in their logo represents the official bird of the city of Madison, a flamingo lawn ornament.

MORE: Forward Madison FC Partners with Amazonas FC

Harbor City FC (UPSL) at South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1)
Tormenta Stadium – Statesboro, GA
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

Harbor City FC
United Premier Soccer League | Melbourne, FL
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Drew with FC America CFL Spurs (USSL/USSSA) 0-0 (aet) in Round 4 of Open Division Qualifying, qualified on penalties 5-4
Founded: 2022
Manager: Douglas Bonney
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

After a first-round bye in their qualifying run, Harbor City blanked UPSL Florida Central rivals Deportivo Lake Mary FC 4-0. Derek Notardonato scored twice, with Perrie Nascimento and Gabe Shelton adding one each. In the Third Round, Harbor City cruised by another UPSL rival, Palm Beach Flames, 5-1. Notardonato and Nascimento led the way once again with three goals between them. In the final round Harbor City faces 2024 qualifier FC America CFL Spurs, and after 120 minutes of scoreless play, Harbor City prevailed on penalty kicks 5-4 to move on to the Open Cup for the first time.

Harbor City finished 4-1-3 in the UPSL Fall season. Derek Notardonato led the team in the Fall season with four goals, followed by Mario Licor and Perrie Nascimeno with three apiece.

South Georgia Tormenta FC
USL League One | Statesboro, GA
5th US Open Cup appearance (2019, 2022-24)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2015
Manager: Ian Cameron
Overall: 7-3-0
Home: 3-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 1-0-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2022)

South Georgia Tormenta FC (or just Tormenta FC) started as an amateur club in the PDL (USL League Two) in 2016. After three seasons they turned pro to join the newly created USL League One, although they still maintain a team in USL-2. After Tormenta won the 2022 League One championship, the club’s league fortunes have taken a downturn as they have missed the playoffs the last two seasons.

South Georgia Tormenta FC players celebrate after scoring a goal against the Savannah Clovers in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Holt Wimberly | TheCup.us

Tormenta have made four previous appearances in the Open Cup, prior to 2024 their best Cup run was in 2022 when they upset a pair of USL Championship teams (Charleston 1-0 and Birmingham 2-0) to reach the Third Round where they dropped a 3-1 decision to Inter Miami CF.

While 2024 saw them reach the Fourth Round again, they did so starting from the Opening Round, winning three games. First they got by amateurs FC America CFL Spurs 1-0, and followed with a resounding 4-0 win over the Savannah Clovers (NISA). In the Third Round, Tormenta upset USL Championship side FC Miami 4-2 with two goals in the final three minutes. The run came to an end with a 3-2 extra time loss to the Charleston Battery when the hosts scored the game winning goal in extra time stoppage time.

MORE: Interview with South Georgia Tormenta President Darin Van Tassell

Soda City FC (UPSL) at Carolina Core FC (MLS Next Pro)
Truist Point – High Point, NC
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

Soda City FC
United Premier Soccer League | Columbia, SC
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: 2024 UPSL Spring Champions
Founded: 2018
Manager: George Trifos
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

The second Open Division club to gain entry to the 2025 US Open Cup, Soda City FC are also the second club to benefit from an automatic Open Cup berth as UPSL Spring Champions, following 2023 winners AS Frenzi. Soda City captured the UPSL Spring title with a 3-2 win over Inland Empire FC at the Pittsburgh Riverhounds’ Highmark Stadium. Soda City doubled up on UPSL glory by winning the league’s Fall Championship with a 4-2 win over 2024 Open Cup qualifiers FC Folsom. Soda City posted a record of 21-1-3 in the Spring and Fall UPSL seasons

The name of the club comes from one of several nicknames for their home of Columbia, South Carolina. Columbia is often shortened to Cola, an abbreviation first created by the US Postal Service, thus the name Soda City.

MORE: ‘We are like a family’: Soda City FC wins back-to-back UPSL Championships

Carolina Core FC
MLS NEXT Pro | High Point, NC
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2024)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid as Independent MLS Next Pro club
Founded: 2022
Manager: Donovan Ricketts
Overall: 2-1-0
Home: 1-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 2-0-0
Best finish: Third Round (2024)

As an independent MLS NEXT Pro club with no affiliation with an MLS team, Carolina, along with Chattanooga FC, are free to enter the Open Cup every year. Carolina finished just outside the playoffs in the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season, scoring just 39 goals, one of the lowest totals in the league.

Carolina Core FC goalkeeper Andrew Pannenberg knocks the ball away from a Vermont Green FC player in a Second Round game in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Josh Wallace | Vermont Green FC

Carolina’s 2024 Open Cup debut went well, as they were one of three MLS NEXT Pro clubs to reach the Third Round. In the First Round, Carolina came out on top 3-2 versus Northern Virginia FC in a back and forth game. Next, they ended the upset dreams of amateur side Vermont Green 2-1 with a pair of second half goals. The run came to an end in the Third Round with a 1-0 loss to North Carolina FC.

Replacing former US international Roy Lassiter as head coach is longtime goalkeeper for the Jamaican National Team, Donovan Ricketts. Ricketts, who made 100 appearances for Jamaica between the posts, served as Carolina’s goalkeeping coach last year.

MORE: Goal 13 Foundation partners with Carolina Core FC

NY Pancyprian Freedoms (USASA / EPSL) at FC Cincinnati 2 (MLS NEXT Pro)
NKU Soccer Stadium – Highland Heights, KY
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

NY Pancyprian Freedoms
Eastern Premier Soccer League | Queens, NY
7th US Open Cup appearance in Modern Era (1999, 2002, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2016)
How they qualified: 2024 National Amateur Cup Champions
Founded:1974
Manager:Andreas Chronis
Overall: 4-5-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 1-4-0
vs. Div. 3: 1-1-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Champions (1980, 1982 and 1983)

The New York Pancyprian Freedoms are easily the most decorated team amongst the 32 amateur clubs in this year’s tournament, having won the US Open Cup three times in 1980, 1982 and 1983, along with many more deep runs in the tournament. The Freedoms also made two appearances in the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup in 1983 and 1984, reaching the Semifinals in 1984.

Members of the New York Pancyprian-Freedoms celebrate after winning the 2024 National Amateur Cup in DeKalb, Illinois. Credit: US Adult Soccer Association

Since 1995 the Freedoms’ Cup success has slowed down, qualifying twice in 1999 and 2002 as a professional club in the USL D-3 Pro League, and four times through the legendary Cosmopolitan Soccer League. They’ve reached the second round four times in the Modern Era (1995-present). The Freedoms gained a spot in the 2025 tournament by winning the 2024 National Amateur Cup with a commanding 6-0 victory over the Milwaukee Torrent of the NPSL. It was the club’s first-ever Amateur Cup title for the Freedoms.

The team was founded in 1974 to help draw attention to the Turkish occupation of Northern Cyprus, and many former members of the Greek and Cypriot national teams have taken the field for them.

MORE: The Very International, Very Local History of NY Pancyprian-Freedoms

FC Cincinnati 2
MLS NEXT Pro | Highland Heights, KY
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: FC Cincinnati entered in 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup
Founded: 2021
Manager:Tyrone Marshall
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

FC Cincinnati 2 will make their Open Cup debut due to FC Cincinnati participating in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup as one of the top finishers in the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield standings. FCC 2 finished the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season in first place in the Eastern Conference but were upset by #8 seed Crown Legacy FC 2-1 in the opening round of the playoffs.

Longtime Jamaica National Team defender and MLS veteran Tyrone Marshall leads the club from the sidelines, a position he has held since the team began in 2022.

Washington Athletic Club (USASA / SRATS) at Tacoma Defiance (MLS Next Pro)
Starfire Sports Complex – Tukwila, WA
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

Washington Athletic Club
Seattle Recreational Adult Team Soccer | Seattle, WA
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Won via forfeit over Las Vegas Legends FC (NISA Nation) in Round 4 of Open Division Qualifying
Founded: 1930
Manager: Mark Conrad
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs:0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Washington AC comes from the Seattle Recreational Adult Team Soccer, the same league as 2024’s viral sensation Sharktopus FC. Washington Athletic Club entered the competition with some rich history as they were founded in 1930.

Washington AC opened 2025 qualifying with a 4-3 win over Bellevue Athletic FC (UPSL) with Christian Soto scoring twice. In the Second Round, WAC defeated Holac FC (UPSL) 2-1, with Eric Lagos scoring twice to erase a 1-0 deficit. Finally, Washington returned home to blank the UPSL’s Deportivo Rose City 3-0 with Lagos once again scoring twice and joined on the scoresheet by Christian Soto. In the final round of qualifying, WAC received a “free pass” when opponents Las Vegas Legends were forced to forfeit due to a lack of players.

With the forfeit win, WAC became the first Washington-based club to qualify for the Open Cup in the Modern Era through Open Division Local qualifying. The only amateur clubs to ever qualify for the tournament from Washington were from USL League Two and the NPSL.

MORE; Washington Athletic Club makes U.S. Open Cup history

Tacoma Defiance
MLS NEXT Pro | Tacoma, WA
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2015)
How they qualified: Seattle Sounders entered in 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup
Founded: 2014
Manager: Hervé Diese
Overall: 2-1-0
Home: 2-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 1-0-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2015)

Tacoma Defiance make their Open Cup return due to Seattle Sounders participating in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup as one of the top finishers in the 2024 MLS Supporter Shield standings. Tacoma last participated in the Open Cup in 2015 Seattle Sounders 2, when the club played in the USL. They knocked off the Kitsap Pumas 14-2 and Portland Timbers 2-1, both in extra time.

In 2018 the club moved south to Tacoma and changed their name to Tacoma Defiance. The name references Point Defiance Park, a large public park in Tacoma. For the 2022 season Tacoma began playing in the newly created MLS NEXT Pro league. Tacoma finished 4th in the MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference, scoring a league high 59 goals.

Starfire Sports Complex, Tacoma’s home stadium, will host its 29th Open Cup game in the Modern Era, making it the fourth most used venue for Open Cup games since 1995. Tacoma are one of three different youth/reserve teams to make appearances in the Open Cup under the Sounders banner, the others being Seattle Sounders Selects (2002, PDL) and Seattle Sounders U-23 (2013, 2016-17, PDL)

MORE: Tacoma Defiance add 3 more players, including a familiar face

FRIDAY, MARCH 21

Union Omaha (USL-1) at Flatirons FC (USL-2)
Stermole Soccer Stadium – Golden, CO
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

The match was originally scheduled for Thursday, but it was moved to Friday after a blizzard in Omaha that caused some travel challenges for Union Omaha.

Flatirons FC
USL League Two | Arvada, CO
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Finished 1st in USL-2 Mountain Division
Founded: 2017
Manager: Oliver Twelvetrees
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

The debuting Flatirons FC started as the Colorado Rush in 2017 and is affiliated with the Rush Soccer youth soccer organization. Rush fielded three other teams in USL-2, Cedar Stars Rush, Daytona Rush SC, and Virginia Beach United. The team changed its name to Flatiron FC in 2022 to share branding with the affiliated youth academy the club started in Arvada, Colorado. Flatiron finished the 2024 USL-2 season atop the Mountain division at 8-1-3 but were eliminated in the opening round of the playoffs.

Union Omaha
USL League One | Omaha, NE
4th US Open Cup appearance (2022-2024)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2019
Manager: Dominic Casciato
Overall: 6-3-2 (2-0 PK)
Away: 2-2-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. Amateurs: 3-0-0
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2022)

Union Omaha nearly matched their best performance in the Open Cup in 2024. While they didn’t take down any MLS clubs this time, their list of opponents read as a who’s who of Modern Era Open Cup history. In the First Round, the Owls traveled to historic Lusitano Stadium to defeat Open Cup veterans Western Mass Pioneers 4-0. Next up was a 3-1 win over the Des Moines Menace, one of the more successful amateur clubs of the Modern Era. In the Third Round, Omaha used penalties to move past El Paso Locomotive after a 0-0 draw. Finally Omaha fell in the 120th minute to Sporting Kansas City 2-1 after extra time at home, in SKC’s bid to win the Open Cup for a record-tying fifth time.

Mark Bronnik of Union Omaha celebrates after scoring the winning PK in the shootout to beat the El Paso Locomotive in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Union Omaha

In 2022, the Owls knocked off two MLS clubs (Chicago Fire and Minnesota United) to reach the Quarterfinals. The run ended with a 6-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City, but the scoreline did not diminish Omaha’s feat of becoming the first team from Nebraska to reach the Quarterfinals and the first third division team to do so since 2013.

Omaha were involved in more Open Cup headlines in 2023, with a 5-1 loss to St. Louis City in front of a Third Round-record 22,423 fans at St. Louis.

Adding to a big Open Cup run was a successful showing in the 2024 USL League One season. After winning the Supporters’ Shield with a 15-4-3 record, Omaha went on to win the League One playoffs with a resounding 3-0 win over upstarts Spokane Velocity. The club’s only “failure” was not winning the inaugural USL Jägermeister Cup, losing 2-0 in the semifinals to the departed Northern Colorado Hailstorm.

MORE: Location of future Union Omaha soccer stadium in flux

2025 US Open Cup Round 1: Loudoun United holds off West Chester United to earn road win

March 19, 2025 by George Diamond

Loudoun United FC celebrates in the locker room after a 3-2 win over West Chester United in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Loudoun United FC

Loudoun United FC knocked West Chester United out in the First Round of the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on the back of a Riley Bidois brace. The home side were the ones who opened the scoring, via a Yassine Elkhaloun penalty kick. Although the amateurs kept the pressure on, Loudoun’s attack proved to be too powerful.

An elegant move saw an open Riley Bidois tap home from close range to equalize. After the half, Loudoun converted a penalty of their own, before Bidois bagged his second with an adept 1-v-1 finish. West Chester kept things interesting through a Kenneth Roby strike that brought them within one, but were unable to find a 3rd goal despite some late chances. The result sees Loudoun United advance to the Second Round. It marks the third year in a row that United has advancd in their first game.

On a pleasant evening that turned chilly with the sun’s setting, West Chester and Loudoun faced off for the first time in history under the lights at YSC Sports in Wayne, Pa. Both sides wasted no time, each creating several dangerous opportunities in the opening minutes of back and forth action. Under heavy pressure from three West Chester players, Riley Bidois lost the ball in his own half. Forward Joshua Luccini slipped midfielder Kenneth Roby in on net but Hugo Faroux’s kick save kept West Chester off the board.

The Pegasus responded with a few of their own attacks and it seemed like they would open the scoring. In the 7th minute, midfielder Benjamin Mines sent a curving cross onto the foot of forward Bidois, but the New Zealander’s shot was inches wide.

Not long after, the hosts opened the scoring in the 17th minute. Luccini played his winger Ayoub Mouhou into Loudoun’s area. Defender Alex Nagy applied pressure but his tackle attempt tripped Mouhou, causing head referee Joshua Encarnación to point to the spot. Yassine Elkhaloun stepped up and sent Loudoun keeper Faroux the wrong way, as he stroked home from 12 yards out.

West Chester, with the fans at YSC roaring them on, kept the pressure on Loudoun for the next several minutes. In the 22nd minute, Mouhou drove forward on the break and switched to Roby who cut back for midfielder Marcus Brenes’s late run. Brenes shot but Faroux was again equal to the task.

As the first half wore on, momentum swung in favor of Loudoun United. After probing the West Chester defence, the Pegasus took flight with an elegant maneuver to score. After regaining possession near midfield, the ball came to striker Christian Sorto. He bobbed and weaved through the West Chester wing before passing to Hurge. Hurge clipped a pinpoint cross to Mines, who volleyed a pass to a waiting Bidois at the back post for the leveller in the 37th minute.

The score remained at one apiece heading into the halftime break.

Early into the second half, Loudoun United would take the lead with a penalty of their own. In the 47th minute, a lurking Benjamin Mines was first to a spilled ball from WCU goalie Andrew Cooke. Mines collected and looked set to score but was brought down by Cooke in the keeper’s attempt to regain possession. Encarnación initially signaled advantage, as West Chester still had the ball, but Bidois’s miss caused the referee to point to the spot. Sorto was the chosen man for Loudoun. He shuffled his feet in the run up and sent Cooke the wrong way to give Loudoun the lead.

The Pegasus doubled their advantage not long after. Bidois would find his brace in the 61st minute. After a backheel flick from Sorto found midfielder Surafel Mengestu, the Ethiopian’s pass deflected off West Chester’s Ammit Bhogal and bounced favorably for Bidois. The Kiwi deftly finished past Cooke to bag his brace.

Not content to let things get boring, West Chester pulled one back in the 68th minute. Loudon substitute Yanis Leerman hit a hard pass to Mengestu who miscontrolled. Mouhou was ready to pounce and pushed past Mengestu before playing Roby through on goal. The former SUNY New Paltz Eagle made no mistake, and his low finish sent a shockwave of hope through YSC Sports.

With an impassioned West Chester pushing for an equalizer, there was always bound to be some drama. Deep into the 5 added minutes of stoppage time, the game threatened to boil over.

West Chester sub Giancarlo Vaccaro burned Loudoun’s Benjamin Mines with a slick dummy turn, and looked to be streaking towards goal. Mines, determined to stop the Eagles from scoring, could only haul Vaccaro down in desperation. As Encarnación blew for a foul, Vaccarro furiously went after Mines and pushed him to the ground, sparking an altercation between both teams.

After things calmed down, Encarnación booked both players and West Chester restarted with a free kick near mid-field. Every WCU player lined up in Loudoun’s box, including the goalie, in a final attempt to carve out a goal. After Loudoun cleared the initial ball, it came out to West Chester’s Ammit Bhogal on the edge of the box. Bhogal felt the push of the smaller Aaron Hurge, but went down too easily. Encarnación ignored the pleas of the WCU players and fans who felt otherwise, even booking Andrew Cooke for his excessive protest on the way back to his net.

That was the last meaningful action of the game as the whistle blew for full time shortly after.

When asked about his team’s performance on the night Loudon Head Coach Ryan Martin stated that lots of his players played well, with several making their first ever starts for the club he went to surmise the importance of winning in a knockout game, “… It’s really important when you get into these moments here…to find a way to advance. Whether it’s penalty kicks, last minute, when they got everybody in the box, it’s the last service of the game you got to find a way to clear it out and make a play. Our guys did enough to win the game. We made it harder on ourselves than we had to but, incredibly proud that they pulled off a result here on the road and in a tough place”.

Loudon will advance to the Second Round of the Open Cup and will look to reach at least the Round of 32 for the third year running. West Chester can hold their heads high but have not advanced past the opening round since 2019.

2025 US Open Cup Round 1: Chattanooga Red Wolves need PKs to survive upset bid from NJ Alliance

March 19, 2025 by Carlos Ochoa

The Chattanooga Red Wolves and the New Jersey Alliance square off at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium in Newark, NJ in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: New Jersey Alliance

Despite playing down a man for more than 80 minutes, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC overcame NJ Alliance FC in a dramatic penalty shootout, winning 4-2 after a 2-2 draw in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup on Tuesday night.

New Jersey struck first just before halftime, with Marlon Preciado finding the net one minute into stoppage time. Chattanooga, however, battled back in the second half after Garrett Morris was sent off with a red card in the 36th minute.

The Red Wolves equalized in the 65th minute when Matthew Bentley converted a penalty. Bentley struck again in the 84th minute, giving Chattanooga a 2-1 lead, but NJ forced extra time with a dramatic goal two minutes into stoppage time from Joel Quist.

With no available substitutes for the backline, Chattanooga was forced to bring on backup goalkeeper Jason Smith as an emergency defender after an injury to starter Eric Kinser.

Despite the adversity, the Red Wolves held firm through extra time and sealed the win in the penalty shootout with Bentley, Ualefi Rodrigues Dos Reis, Jason Smith, and Owen Green converting on their kicks against NJ goalkeeper, Yamil Macias. Red Wolves keeper, Ricardo Jerez, stopped Konrad Rodzen’s penalty while Christian Villegas missed on his attempt for New Jersey.

“We were poor, really, realy poor in the first half. Credit to New Jersey,” said Red Wolves head coach Scott Mackenzie. “They did a lot of stuff that was difficult or us, but at halftime we were very very honest with ourselves and got a very good reaction and we fought for the rest of the game.”

This marked the second year in a row that the Red Wolves have advanced to the Second Round.

2025 US Open Cup Round 1: Kevin O’Connor’s late winner gives FC Naples first US-41 derby victory

March 19, 2025 by Christian Gomez

A capacity crowd welcomed Sarasota Paradise (USL League Two) and visitors FC Naples (USL League One) for the opening night of the 110th edition of the United States Open Cup. Sarasota found themselves without many of their key players, as they are in the middle of the collegiate season. A team was put together and only trained with each other for a week in the lead up to this match. New USL-1 expansion side FC Naples are currently second in the table, in the midst of a congested schedule.

“We’re in the middle of three games in eight games, so trying to manage players’ bodies right as we’re about to fly out to Washington is key,” said FC Naples head coach Matt “Gaffa” Poland. They rolled into Sarasota fresh off their inaugural win against Forward Madison and looked to convert that into positive momentum as they began their Open Cup journey.

FC Naples showed that they had played some competitive games already this season as Kevein O’Connor scored an 88th minute go-ahead goal to send the visitors into the Second Round with a 2-1 win.

The game right off the bat had an in-state rivalry feel with players bouncing each other within the first 15 minutes. Sarasota had a majority of the chances, the stand out being a great chance in the 20th minute created by Sarasota’s captain Juan Rojas to Chris Solari, but goalkeeper Edward Delgado of FC Naples held down the fort and saved the shot. In the 30th minute, there was a rough challenge by Naples’ Jayden Onen, which resulted in the referee having to call order on the pitch as the chippy antics from both teams were getting excessive.

After the hydration break, the referee was quick to get the cards out, assigning a yellow card to Sarasota’s Nikola Sljivic after a rough challenge. Julian Cisneros led two good opportunities for FC Naples in the last minutes of the first half, but unfortunately couldn’t convert those into goals. Another card was handed out before the end of the first half to Sarasota’s Jivian Rodriguez.

The second half started with a calmer tempo, as both teams faced the possibility of going into extra time if the game stayed level. FC Naples had a really good opportunity in the 53rd minute when a shot from Julian Cisneros curved just barely off target. A rough challenge on Sarasota’s captain Juan Rojas unfortunately ended his night early, which brought on the introduction of Nicholas Colacci. The local player was a much needed boost for the home side as they proceeded to have multiple great chances.

The best chance for Sarasota came in the 68th minute, as Nikola Sljivic was dragged onto the ground by Naples defender Julian Cisneros in the box. With how fine the margins were in this game, this was the golden opportunity for Sarasota to dictate the tempo for the rest of the match. Chris Solari stepped up to the spot and Naples goalkeeper Edward Delgado made a masterful save to keep his side level.

With twenty minutes to go, both sides knew very well the goal was going to happen and could be the difference between advancing or not. FC Naples found the breakthrough in the 79th minute, as weekend brace scorer and substitute Karsen Henderlong broke the deadlock and gave his side the lead with ten minutes left in regulation.

“Coming off the bench in this game gives me an opportunity to bring something to the team and getting my head on that ball just motivated the team,” said Karsen post-game.

The anxiety could be felt around the ground as the hosts found themselves behind with minutes left, facing elimination. Up to this point, they put up a great fight against a leading League One side. A moment of magic would be needed to draw this game level.

“As a forward, zero-zero, you wanna get that goal and we came out here feeling that we weren’t the underdog,” said Sarasota’s forward Nicholas Colacci.

The homegrown kid took command of his side and kept willing them through in the dying minutes of the game. This seemingly unprepared side showed grit and had a moment of brilliance, as Nicholas’ brother, Antonio, made a picture perfect pass to Nicholas on a quick counter attack and when it came down to Colacci & Naples keeper Delgado, the forward was able to bring his side level with three minutes to go in regulation.

For all the twists and turns this game had, it had one more up its sleeve. With extra time seemingly inevitable, Naples’ midfielder Kevin O’Connor sent a dagger through the hearts of the home crowd with a 91st minute game winner.

“As you know, in the cup, anything can happen, so we made sure that we went through,” said Kevin O’Connor after the game.

With Sarasota intending on moving up to League One next season, the league may have caught lightning in a bottle with a marquee derby. There is so much to look forward to with this newly born Florida derby.

As Sarasota prepares for their League Two season starting in May, a great crowd and vibe around the stadium will hopefully lead into another successful year as they intend on going back-to-back in the League Two Southern Florida conference.

Winners FC Naples move on to possibly face Miami FC in the next round. They travel to Spokane this weekend to continue their inaugural league campaign. Definitely a team to look out for as they have come out swinging so far in both competitions.

2025 US Open Cup Round 1: Hartford Athletic kick off tourney with 3-0 win over NY Shockers

March 18, 2025 by Nathan Robillard

Players from Hartford Athletic celebrate after scoring a goal against the New York Shockers in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Hartford Athletic

Despite a severely shorthanded roster, Hartford Athletic’s opening match of the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup couldn’t have gone any smoother. Visiting NPSL amateur side New York Shockers left Trinity Health Stadium with just one shot on net Tuesday as the hosts cruised to a 3-0 First Round victory in front of more than 2,000 fans.

The Shockers held their own, but had virtually nothing to offer in the attack, finishing the night with an expected goal count of just 0.08 and taking just five total touches in the Hartford box. The Green and Blue bossed New York in nearly every offensive category, dominating the scoresheet in shots (15-1), final third entries (87-35), possession (80%), corners (9-0), and passes (759-197).

“ had all three of our front three score,” said Hartford head coach Brendan Burke. “ generated enough chances to have a few more goals and dominated the ball, but I thought it was just a clean professional performance. They didn’t have a look at our goal until maybe very late…We took it seriously. We played at a decent tempo.”

Red card suspensions, international call-ups and injuries piled up for the hosts ahead of the fixture, who entered the game with just four substitutes. However, any lingering concern that the lack of men caused quickly dissipated as Hartford dominated the game from the outset.

“We weren’t close to having an 18 tonight, so it was really good to see the starters start well, be fit enough, be in good enough form to play 90 minutes and to be ball dominant,” Burke said.

After suffering a 2-0 shutout at the hands of USL Championship newcomers Lexington SC in the season opener on March 8, it didn’t take long for Burke’s side to find the back of the net on Tuesday. The home side struck just 11 minutes in when a pair of Hartford newcomers registered its first goal involvements for the club. Getting on the end of a pass down the right side of the penalty area, Jonathan Jimenez fed Adewale Obalola with a low cross inside the six-yard box, who calmly deposited a left-footed finnish into the back of the net to give Hartford the lead.

“I think getting the ball to hit the net definitely builds confidence for our front three,” said Hartford defender Jordan Scarlett. “But just for the team as a general, and to come up with a clean sheet, that was big for us. definitely came at the right time.”

The Shockers continued to struggle offensively as the match went on, getting only as far as the occasional hopeful long ball that an organized Hartford defense dealt with every time with ease. Just before halftime, Hartford doubled the advantage – this time through a pair of returners – when Michee Ngalina played a well-weighted ball in behind for Mamdou Dieng, who took the ball down the left flank before sending a low across the face of goal and in off the far post.

“We’re taking it serious now,” Scarlett said. “Normally we would have put up a second team, but we’re going for the first team. In everything this year, we’re going for it…Coaches gave us a speech all week. We’re coming here to three goals or more. We got three.”

The third goal eventually came for Hartford with just three minutes to play in regulation, when an active Nglaina got involved once again. This time profiting off of an dangerous cross from Obalola, the forward picked it out of the air from close range to put the game away in the late stages.

Defensively, Hartford goalkeeper Anthony Siaha didn’t get his hands on the ball until the 80th minute, corralling a loose cross that was just about the most dangerous chance the visitors got all night to wrap up a convincing win for the Green and Blue – its first of the young season.

For Burke, who won the Open Cup as an assistant coach with Major League Soccer side Houston Dynamo in 2023, the win was a necessary step in the club’s growth in his second year at the helm.

“That’s something that you don’t forget,” Burke said. “For these guys, I think every step we get closer, you start to dream a little bit more…I think it’s important to chase every competition at this point. The club is growing and we did build a ton of momentum last year and fell just short.

This year is about building even more momentum.”

Hartford will be back in action on Saturday when they return to USL Championship play with a trip to Highmark Stadium to take on the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in search of its first league win. As for the Shockers – its NPSL campaign will kick off with a return to Trinity Health Stadium on May 4 with a visit to Hartford City FC.

2025 US Open Cup Round 1 Wednesday Preview: 13 pro vs. amateur matchups on tap

March 18, 2025 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

#USOC2025 Essentials

Wednesday is the busiest day of the First Round, featuring 13 matches, with nine teams making their debut (5 pro and 4 amateur).
Follow TheCup.us on X (Twitter) @USOpenCup throughout the weekend for live updates from our reporters who will be at every stadium and with every First Round game being streamed online via YouTube, you can find links to those below.

Like millions of other users, we are transitioning over to BlueSky and we will have updates there as well.

Below you will find a preview of the 13 games kicking off on Wednesday:

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19

New York Renegades (UPSL) at Columbus Crew 2 (MLS NEXT Pro)
Lower.com Field – Columbus, OH
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

New York Renegades
United Premier Soccer League | Hicksville, NY
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Drew 1-1 (aet) with Lansdowne Bhoys in Round 4 of Open Division Qualifying
Founded: 2019
Manager: Christian Turizon
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

This is one of three opening round games this year between debuting clubs.

The Renegades had a stellar year in the UPSL spring season, finishing 10-0-0 and reaching the Quarterfinals of 2024 Spring UPSL national playoffs. They were one of just three teams to go unbeaten and untied in 2024 UPSL Spring season. The Renegades finished 8-2-0 in the UPSL fall season. Forward Reneau Rances led the UPSL fall season with 28 goals.

The New York Renegades celebrate after beating Lansdowne Yonkers 4-1 in a PK shootout (after a 1-1 draw) to clinch a spot in the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Michael Anderer

The Renegades opened qualifying with a 4-3 win over one of the more historic clubs in the year’s qualifying field, the New York Greek American SC (EPSL). Oscar Rivas Romero led the way with a pair of goals in the first half. In the Third Round, the Renegades cruised past Leros SC (Long Island Soccer Football League) 6-0, Reneau Rances scoring twice. In the final round, the Renegades played to a 1-1 extra time draw with 5-time Open Cup qualifiers Lansdowne Yonkers, but prevailed in the penalty shootout 4-1.

Columbus Crew 2
MLS NEXT Pro | Columbus, OH
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Columbus Crew entered in 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup
Founded: 2021
Manager: Federico Higuaín
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Columbus Crew 2 earned their debut entry in the Open Cup when their parent club (Columbus Crew SC) gained entry into the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup as 2024 Leagues Cup champions. Crew 2 has been one of the better MLS NEXT Pro teams in its short life, winning the MLS NEXT Pro Championship in 2022 and finishing runners-up in 2023. 2024 was a bit of a step back, as they finished 7th in the Eastern Conference at 11-10-7, but still managed to reach the conference finals in the playoffs.

Taking over the reins as the new head coach is Federico Higuaín, who played eight seasons for the Crew, scoring 55 goals over 193 games. When Higuaín left Columbus as the Crew’s all-time regular season assist leader with 63. Higuaín was in charge of Inter Miami CF II from 2022-2024.

Corpus Christi FC (USL-2) at Chattanooga Football Club (MLS NEXT Pro)
Finley Stadium – Chattanooga, TN
6:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

Corpus Christi FC
USL League Two | Corpus Christi, TX
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Finished 1st in USL L2 Lone Star Division
Founded: 2017
Manager: Manuel Iwabuchi
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Active since 2017, Corpus Christi FC are set to make their debut in the US Open Cup. The club has been successful for the most part in their six USL League Two seasons, but 2024 was easily the best. Finishing 10-1-1, they reached the South Conference Final, losing 1-0 to fellow Cup qualifier Asheville City SC. 2025 will be the last season for the club in USL-2, with plans to move up to USL League One for the 2026 season. The team also has plans to construct a $28 million sporting complex that would include a 5,000 seat stadium.

Chattanooga FC
MLS NEXT Pro | Chattanooga, TN
9th US Open Cup appearance (2011, 2013-2017, 2022-2024)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid as Independent MLS NEXT Pro club
Founded: 2009
Manager: Chris Nugent
Overall: 3-7-5 (3-2 PK)
Home: 2-4-2 (2-0 PK)
vs. Amateurs: 1-2-3 (2-1 PK)
Best finish: Third Round (2014-2016, 2022-2023)

Chattanooga FC started out as an NPSL club in 2009, reaching the NPSL Championship four times. The club transitioned to a professional team to join NISA in 2019, where they became one of that league’s more successful teams despite not winning a league championship. In 2024 the club moved to MLS NEXT Pro, where they barely missed the playoffs. In the 2024 US Open Cup, Chattanooga FC were upset at home by amateur club Miami United FC 1-0.

Players from Chattanooga FC (left) and Miami United FC battle for the ball in a First Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Chattanooga FC

Chattanooga FC are by far the most experienced MLS NEXT Pro team as far as the Open Cup is concerned, having made nine previous appearances., Chattanooga’s deepest run came in 2015, when they advanced past the Ocala Stampede and Wilmington Hammerheads on penalties, only to lose in extra time to the NASL’s Atlanta Silverbacks 2-1.

Markus Naglestad, who led NISA in goals scored in 2022 and 2023 with 19 and 15 tallies, is returning to the club for 2025 after being away for much of the 2024 season.

Chattanooga have played eight of their 15 Open Cup games at home in Finley Stadium, where they are 2-4-2, with the two draws resulting in penalty tiebreaker wins. This will be the third time time Chattanooga has faced an amateur team since turning pro, their only win coming against the Des Moines Menace in the 2023 Second Round.

MORE: Chattanooga Football Club parts ways with CEO

One Knoxville SC (USLL1) at Appalachian FC (NPSL)
Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex – Boone, NC
7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

One Knoxville SC
USL League One | Knoxville, TN
3rd US Open Cup appearances (2023, 2024)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2021
Manager: Ian Fuller
Overall: 1-2-0
Away: 1-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 1-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2023, 2024)

One Knoxville began as an amateur team in USL League Two with the intent to eventually move to League One. After registering a 11-1-2 record and reaching the League Two Quarterfinals in the 2022 season, One Knoxville made the move to League One for the 2023 campaign, missing the playoffs. 2024 saw an improvement to a 9-5-8 record and a playoff berth, allowing a league low 16 goals but also scoring a league low 23.

Members of The Scruffs, a One Knoxville supporters group celebrate with the Smokey Mountain Series trophy after a 2-0 win over Asheville City in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: The Scruffs

Taking over as head coach for 2025 is Ian Fuller, who played 11 seasons for clubs in MLS and the USL Championship from 2002-2013 and had served as an assistant coach for Minnesota United from 2016-2024. Fuller nearly made history in 2008 when he led the Charleston Battery (USL) to the US Open Cup Final. He scored an early equalizer against D.C. United in the Final, but the MLS side would eventually lift the trophy with a 2-1 win.

After going one and done in their 2023 Open Cup debut, One Knoxville doubled that performance by defeating Asheville City SC (USL L2) 2-0 in the First Round, then dropping a 3-2 extra time decision to League One rivals Greenville Triumph.

MORE: One Knoxville SC to make ‘major announcement’ at season kickoff event

Appalachian FC
National Premier Soccer League | Boone, NC
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2023)
How they qualified: Finished 8-0-2 in NPSL Southeast Conference
Founded: 2020
Manager: Dale Parker
Overall: 0-1-1 (1-0 PK)
Home: 0-0-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. Div. 3: 0-1-0
Best finish: Second Round (2023)

Look out, the ‘squach is back in the Open Cup! After missing out last year, Appalachian FC make their return to the US Open Cup in 2025. A 8-0-2 record in the 2024 NPSL season was good enough to secure one of the league’s seven spots in this year’s field. Appalachian FC got its start in late 2020 when Appalachian State University discontinued varsity sports including men’s soccer due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jason O’Keefe, the head coach of the men’s soccer team and soccer executive Michael Hitchcock joined up with a group of local business owners to field a team in the NPSL. Their crest and mascot are among the more unique ones in American soccer, drawing on the folklore of Sasquatch sightings in North Carolina and the Appalachian Mountain region.

Appalachian FC mascot "Squatchy". Photo: Josh Floyd — Appalachian FC mascot “Squatchy”. Photo: Josh Floyd

Appalachian FC have been fairly successful in their three seasons of NPSL play, reaching the playoffs all three years. Head coach Dale Parker was named NPSL Coach of the Year in 2022.

Appalachian FC only have two Open Cup games to their credit, Advancing vie penalties after a 2-2 draw with North Carolina Fusion U-23s (USL-2), and a 2-0 loss to the Charlotte Independence (USL-1).

MORE: Appalachian FC roster starting to take shape ahead of U.S. Open Cup

Virginia Dream FC (USASA / VSSL) at Richmond Kickers (USLL1)
City Stadium – Richmond, VA
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

Virginia Dream FC
Virginia Super Soccer League/USASA | Falls Church, Virginia
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Defeated Aegean Hawks (APL) 2-1 in Round 4 of Open Division Qualifying
Founded: 2022
Manager: CJ Taylor
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Virginia Dream drew a bye through Rounds 1 and 2 of the Open Division Qualifying tournament. In the Third Round, Virginia defeated the UPSL’s Alexandria Reds 2-1 after extra time, both goals coming from Nico Likulia. In the final round Virginia knocked off 3-time Open Cup qualifiers Aegean Hawks 2-1, with Mike Akinkoye scoring the winner in the 89th minute.

MORE: Virginia’s Dream team dressing for the big occasion (US Soccer)

Virginia Dream FC celebrates after defeating the Aegean Hawks 2-1 to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Virginia Dream FC

Virginia Dream’s UPSL team finished 8-1-1 in 2024 spring season and reached the Round of 16 in the UPSL national playoffs. Their team in the Virginia Super Soccer League finished 9-0-1 in the summer season and finished 8-0-2 in the fall session. They also won the MSSL-VSSL SuperCup championship over Steel Pulse FC 6-1. Virginia was anchored through Open Cup qualifying and the VSSL Fall league by former D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid who has since signed with Miami FC (USL Championship).

Richmond Kickers
USL League One | Richmond, VA
25th US Open Cup appearance (1995, 1997, 2000-2002, 2004-2024)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 1993
Manager: Darren Sawatzky
Overall: 36-21-5 (2-3 PK)
Home: 29-8-2 (0-2 PK)
vs. Amateurs: 17-2-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: 1995 US Open Cup champions

The Richmond Kickers are one of three Open Cup champions in the First Round as the USL League One side will make its 20th straight Open Cup appearance. Aside from their championship win in 1995, Richmond has one Semifinal appearance (2011) and three trips to the Quarterfinals (2001, 2004, 2007) on their Open Cup resume. Since that Semifinal run in 2011, the Kickers have advanced to a third game just four times and have faced MLS opposition seven times without success.

Richmond Kickers players celebrate after scoring a goal against the Maryland Bobcats in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Stone Hendricks - Jessicastonehendricks.com — Richmond Kickers players celebrate after scoring a goal against the Maryland Bobcats in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Stone Hendricks – Jessicastonehendricks.com

Richmond, who were founded in 1993, have lost to amateur opposition just twice in 19 games, the last time coming at the hands of Christos in 2017 at City Stadium in Richmond. This game will mark the 35th Open Cup contest played at Richmond’s City Stadium, putting it one game away from tying the Modern Era high of 36 held by MUSC Heath/Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C., which has since closed.

In 2024, the Kickers bounced back somewhat from a near last place finish in 2023, claiming the final USL League One playoff spot with a 6-10-6 record. In last year’s Open Cup Richmond knocked off Christos FC (USASA) 1-0 and the Maryland Bobcats (NISA) 5-2, before falling to Loudoun United (USL-C) on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw.

MORE: A new look for the Kickers: ‘The club wouldn’t exist without Richmond’

Miami United FC (UPSL) at Inter Miami CF II (MLS NEXT Pro)
Chase Stadium – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

Miami United FC
United Premier Soccer League | Miami, FL
How they qualified: Defeated Red Force (PFL/USASA) 3-2 (aet) in Round 4 of Open Division Qualifying
Founded: 2013
Manager: Claudio Frean
7th US Open Cup appearance (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022-24)
Overall: 8-5-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 3-3-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. Div. 3: 2-1-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2018)

Back for their fourth straight Open Cup appearance, and seventh overall, Miami United has quite a task if they want to top last year’s performance. In the 2024 US Open Cup, Miami United knocked off pro clubs Chattanooga FC (1-0) and Club de Lyon (2-0), before falling to Memphis 901 FC (USL Championship) 2-0. Jhon Pajoy scored the very first goal of the 2024 tournament, and while no award was given for best goal of the tournament, his rocket free kick would have easily been a contender (SEE BELOW).

However, MU’s 2024 run doesn’t even rank as their deepest run in the Open Cup. Their most successful stint came in 2018 when they reached the Fourth Round (just 17 amateur teams have done it in the Modern Era) after defeating FC Kendall, Miami FC 2 and Jacksonville Armada to earn a game with Orlando City SC of MLS, which they lost 3-0.

In their qualifying run, Miami United received a bye in the First Round, then cruised past River Miami FC, powered by a hat-trick from Robertino Insua, and two additional goals from Alessandro Mazzetta. In the Third Round, the USSL’s O’Shea’s FC held Miami United to a 0-0 draw for 75 minutes, but Alejo Fernandez broke the deadlock and Robertino Insua scored twice in the final four minutes to keep Miami on track for the 2025 Open Cup. To clinch their spot in this years field, Miami United had to outlast Southern Florida rivals Red Force 3-2 after extra time. After trading goals in the first extra period, Diego Morales sent Miami home victorious with a goal in the 120th minute.

Players from Miami United FC (left) and Club de Lyon battle for the ball in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Kelly Gavin Photography

Inter Miami CF II
MLS NEXT Pro | Ft. Lauderdale, FL
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Inter Miami CF entered 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup
Founded: 2019
Manager: Cristian Ledesma
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Inter Miami CF II gets its first crack at Open Cup glory due to its parent club gaining a spot in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup as the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield winners. While Inter Miami were setting records in MLS, their reserve club was having a very good season of their own, finishing in third place in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference. The season would end abruptly, as Columbus Crew pulled off a 6-2 upset in the opening round of the playoffs.

Cristian Ledesma takes over as head coach from Federico Higuaín, who departed after last season to take over the head coach position at Columbus Crew 2. Ledesma played much of his 19-year career in Argentina, and served as an assistant coach with Inter Miami II the last three seasons.

Des Moines Menace (USL-2) at Sporting KC II (MLS NEXT Pro)
Swope Soccer Village – Kansas City, MO
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

Des Moines Menace
USL League Two | Des Moines, IA
15th US Open Cup appearance (2002-03, 2005-06, 2010, 2012-13, 2015-2017, 2019, 2022-24)
How they qualified: Finished 1st in USL-2 Heartland Division
Founded: 1994
Manager: Charlie Latshaw III
Overall: 14-14-4 (3-1PK)
Away: 6-7-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. Div. 3: 2-4-2 (2-0 PK)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2005)

For the fifth year in a row and 15th time overall, the Des Moines Menace are back in their familiar spot in the Open Cup. One of the great lower league upset darlings of the Open Cup in the Modern Era, the Menace have 14 Open Cup wins, and eight upsets of professional opponents, both of which are the second most among all amateur teams in the Modern Era (1995-present). Only the Flint City Bucks (15 wins, 10 pro upsets) have more in both categories. The Menace have missed out on just three Open Cup tournaments since 2010.

The Menace once again finished 2024 atop the USL-2 Heartland Division, going 9-1-2, though they were eliminated in the Midwest Conference Final 1-0 by Peoria City. The Menace are currently on a ten-season streak of finishing either first or second in their division in USL League Two.

Sacha Kljestan had an assist in 120 minutes of action for the Des Moines Menace in the club's First Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Des Moines Menace — Sacha Kljestan had an assist in 120 minutes of action for the Des Moines Menace in the club’s First Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Des Moines Menace

The Menace had a bit of fun during last year’s Open Cup run, not only wearing their kit from their debut season of 1994, but also attracting retired MLS legends Sacha Kljestan and Roger Espinoza to play for them in Open Cup games. Kljestan provided the assist on the opening goal for the Menace in their penalty shootout upset of pro side Capistrano FC.

For the ‘25 Open Cup the Menace figured why stop with three MLS stars? This year, Des Moines have announced no less than seven former MLS standouts for their Open Cup roster. Joining the returning Sacha Kljestan are Dax McCarty, Bradley Wright Phillips, Ozzie Alonso, Matt Hedges, Victor Ulloa and Justin Meram. Meram also appeared in last year’s Open Cup with NISA’s Michigan Stars, helping them reach the Third Round.

The Menace have advanced past their opening game in 11 of their previous 14 appearances. 2005 was Des Moines’ most successful run, defeating two pro teams (Charleston Battery 3-2, Atlanta Silverbacks 5-1), setting up a meeting with the Kansas City Wizards (Sporting KC) in the Fourth Round, which the Menace lost 6-1. They would meet the Wizards again in the 2006 Third Round, narrowly losing 2-1 on a 90th minute goal.

Des Moines have faced Division 3 opposition in the Open Cup in only 8 of their 32 Cup games, however this will mark their fourth game in a row they’ve faced off against a Division 3 team, where they are 1-2.

MORE: Des Moines’ proposed USL soccer stadium preparing to claim $23 million in state funding

Sporting Kansas City II
MLS NEXT Pro | Lawrence, KS
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Sporting Kansas City entered in 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup
Founded: 2015
Manager: István Urbányi
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Sporting Kansas City II are making their Open Cup debut due to their parent club’s participation in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup as 2024 US Open Cup runners-up. While Sporting’s MLS season was something to forget, Sporting KC II was a bit better, finishing in 10th in the Western Conference and just missing the playoffs. Their 53 goals scored were among the top 10 of the 29-team league, but allowing 57 goals made it hard win games.

Former Hungarian pro István Urbányi takes over as head coach, replacing Benny Feilhaber. Urbányi spent two seasons with San Jose after playing from 1980-1997 for various Hungarian clubs.

Sporting Kansas City II got their start in 2015 as Swope Park Rangers in the USL Championship, and after finishing runners-up in their first two seasons, the team regularly finished near the bottom of the standings. After the 2019 season the team changed its name to Sporting Kansas City II and beginning in 2022 moved to join the newly created MLS NEXT Pro league.

Southern Indiana FC (UPSL) at Lexington Sporting Club (USL-C)
Lexington SC Stadium – Lexington, KY
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

Southern Indiana FC
United Premier Soccer League | Jeffersonville, IN
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Defeated Dalton United (UPSL) 3-0 in Round 4 of Open Division Qualifying
Founded: 2022
Manager: Brad Hauter
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Just across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky, Southern Indiana FC (not to be confused with Southern Indiana Guardians, another UPSL club that competed in Open Cup qualifying), are the first Indiana club to reach the Open Cup through Open Division qualifying since the Indy Eleven NPSL team in 2016.

SIFC received a First Round bye in Open Division qualifying, then made their Open Cup qualifying debut on Oct. 6 with a 3-1 win over Valhalla FC (Ohio Valley Prem. League), with Jake Calderbank converting a pair of penalty kicks in the opening half, and Vladyslav Peretyatko adding the third. In the Third Round SDIFC rolled over UPSL rivals Bowling Green FC 5-0, getting goals from five different players (Ekuchi Salehe, Diallo Irakoze, Jake Calderbank, Kellen Clegg and Luca Perrin). Two goals from Dylan Marres (who weeks earlier played for Louisville City FC in the USL Championship) led SIFC past Dalton United (UPSL) 3-0 and into the 2025 US Open Cup.

Southern Indiana FC celebrates after defeating Dalton United 3-0 to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Southern Indiana FC

SIFC finished 9-0-1 in the UPSL Fall season, winning their final two games 8-0 and 14-0. Vladyslav Peretyatko led the Fall campaign with six goals, and nine other players scored two or more of the team’s 46 Fall season goals.

Lexington Sporting Club
USL Championship | Lexington, KY
3rd US Open Cup appearance (2023, 2024)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2021
Manager: Terry Boss
Overall: 0-2-0
Home: 0-1-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-1-0
Best finish: Second Round (2023)

Lexington’s second and final season in USL League One saw them repeat their 9th place finish from 2023, falling very short of the USL League One preseason prediction poll that tabbed them to win the 2024 championship. In the 2024 offseason Lexington moved up to the USL Championship, a move that was planned when the team started in 2021. Lexington’s 2024 Open Cup ended like their 2023 attempt, one and done. The difference is in 2023 they fell to Louisville City 1-0, while last year they traveled to Vermont and were upset by the Vermont Green of USL League Two in a wild 4-3 shootout.

MORE: Inside Terry Boss’ first preseason at Lexington Sporting Club

Birmingham Legion FC (USL-C) at Little Rock Rangers (USL-2)
Episcopal Collegiate School Wildcat Stadium – Little Rock, AR
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

Birmingham Legion FC
USL Championship | Birmingham, AL
5th US Open Cup appearance (2019, 2022-2024)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2018
Manager: Tom Soehn
Overall: 6-4-1 (1-0 PK)
Away: 1-2-0
vs. Amateurs: 2-0-0
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2023)

The name Legion is in reference to Birmingham’s historic Legion Field, built in 1927 and a long time (1948-1988) host to college football’s “Iron Bowl” rivalry game between the University of Alabama and Auburn University. Birmingham reached the USL Championship playoffs all five seasons they’ve existed, a streak stopped in 2024 with a 9th place finish in the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference.

Birmingham’s 2024 Open Cup run only lasted two games.

Stefano Pinho of Birmingham Legion FC celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Chattanooga Red Wolves in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Madeline Oliver

The Legion opened in Round 3 with a 4-2 extra time win over Chattanooga Red Wolves of USL League One, a win that saw Stefano Pinho become just the 13th player in the tournament’s Modern Era (1995-present) to score four or more goals in a single game. In the Fourth Round, Birmingham staged one of the more remarkable comebacks in Open Cup history. Down 3-0 at halftime to the Tampa Bay Rowdies, and 4-0 midway through the second half, Birmingham scored four times after the 82nd minute, including two goals in stoppage time, to tie the game at 4-4. Tampa ultimately would win 6-4 in extra time however.

After a pair of Third Round exits in the Open Cup in 2019 and 2022, Birmingham hit paydirt in 2023, reaching the Quarterfinals, knocking off Charlotte FC 1-0 In the Fifth Round in front of a record 12,722 fans at Protective Stadium. The record would be shattered for the Quarterfinal game against Inter Miami as an announced crowd of 18,418 witnessed the home side fall 1-0. (It was the 26th largest crowd to witness a US Open Cup game in tournament history)

Birmingham have played just 3 of their 11 Open Cup games away from home, two of those being in their Quarterfinal run of 2023. The Legion also has limited experience playing amateur teams in the Cup with just two games, the last being a 3-1 win over the NPSL’s Southern States SC Stars in the 2022 Second Round.

MORE: USMNT Star Chris Richards Becomes New Investor in Birmingham Legion FC

Little Rock Rangers
USL League Two | Little Rock, AR
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2019)
How they qualified: Finished 1st in USL L2 Mid South Division
Founded: 2016
Manager: Nick Doyle
Overall: 0-0-1 (0-0 PK)
Home: 0-0-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. Div. 2: 0-0-0
Best finish: First Round (2019)

Little Rock got its start in 2016 in the NPSL, and their first real taste of success came in 2018 when they finished 7-3-0 and reached the NPSL Regional Finals, earning a spot in the 2019 US Open Cup. In the 2019 Open Cup they were eliminated in the First Round on penalties by NTX Rayados after a 2-2 draw. In 2021, the Rangers moved to USL League Two, and after a couple disappointing years, Little Rock reached the Conference Finals in 2023 then followed up with a 9-0-3 season in 2024.

Harpos FC (USSSA/CPL) at El Paso Locomotive (USL-C)
Southwest University Park – El Paso, TX
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

Harpos FC
Colorado Premier League/USASA | Boulder, CO
3rd US Open Cup appearance (2015, 2016)
How they qualified: Defeated Azteca FC (CPL/USASA) 2-0 in Round 4 of Open Division Qualifying
Founded: 1997
Manager: Collin Harrison
Overall: 2-2-1 (1-0 PK)
Home: 1-0-0
Away: 1-2-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2015, 2016)

Harpos got its start in 1997 to give University of Colorado players and their friends a chance to get more games, and 18 years later they are making their third appearance in the US Open Cup. Having participated in every qualifying tournament since 2016, Harpos FC make their return to the Open Cup after an eight-year absence.

While Harpos last on-field appearance in the Open Cup was 2016, the club qualified for the 2020 edition, only to see it canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Harpos’ best showing was their debut year of 2015, when they reached the Second Round after winning 2-0 over KC Athletics (USASA) and advancing via penalties versus BYU Cougars (PDL) after a scoreless draw. Both appearances in 2015 & 2016 ended with losses to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks.

Harpos FC celebrate after a 2-0 win over Azteca FC as they qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Andrew Mosier

In 2025 qualifying, Harpos received a double bye through Rounds 1 and 2. In the Third Round, Harpos won 2-0 over CPL rivals FC Denver, Elijah Mereness accounting for all the scoring. In Round 4 Harpos finally overcame CPL rivals Azteca, a team that has eliminated Harpos in qualifying four times over the years. Second half goals from Jack O’Brien and Adam Mickelson powered Harpos to a 2-0 victory.

MORE: 2016 Meet the Underdogs: Harpo’s FC

El Paso Locomotive FC
USL Championship | El Paso, TX
5th US Open Cup appearance (2019, 2022-24)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2018
Manager: Wilmer Cabrera
Overall: 0-3-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. Home: 0-1-0
vs. Amateur: 0-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2019, 2022, 2023)

El Paso Locomotive began in 2019, filling the void left by the El Paso Patriots (1995 US Open Cup runners-up) when they ceased operations in 2013. Locomotive found success at first, reaching the Western Conference final two years in a row. El Paso gained one of the top two playoff seeds in 2021, only to be upset by the Oakland Roots in the First Round. In 2022, they missed the playoffs and just made the cut in 2023 with a 7th place Conference finish. 2024 was a season to forget for El Paso, finishing in last place with an 8-18-8 record, their 27 goals scored being second lowest in the league.

El Paso are still looking for their first Open Cup win since they began play in 2019. Locomotive have played only four Open Cup games. The game with Harpos is not only El Paso’s first against an amateur club in the Open Cup, but it is also their first against a team outside of USL League One. In 2019, they were shut out by Forward Madison 3-0, In 2022, the Central Valley Fuego posted a 4-1 win over El Paso , and in 2023, Locomotive fell 2-0 to their current opponents Union Omaha. El Paso came close in 2024, holding Omaha to a 0-0 draw before being eliminated on penalties.

MORE: El Paso Locomotive unveil alternate Graffiti Kits jersey, mural by prominent local artist

El Farolito (NPSL) at Real Monarchs (MLS NEXT Pro)
Zions Bank Stadium – Herriman, UT
Kickoff: 9:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

El Farolito
National Premier Soccer League | San Francisco, CA
5th US Open Cup appearance (2017, 2019, 2023, 2024)
How they qualified: 2024 NPSL Champions
Founded: 1985
Manager: Santiago Lopez
Overall: 4-3-1 (0-1)
Home: 1-1-1 (0-1)
Away: 3-2-0
vs. Div. 3: 2-0-0
Best finish: 1993 US Open Cup champions (as CD Mexico)

El Farolito’s 2024 season will be a tough act to follow. For starters there was their run in the Open Cup, in which the “burrito joint team” knocked off two professional clubs, MLS NEXT Pro’s Timbers2 (2-1) and USL League One’s Central Valley Fuego (2-1). Then they took USL Championship’s Oakland Roots to extra time before falling 2-1. During all that, team star Dembor Benson was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round for the Second Round, as well as TheCup.us’ Lower Division Player of the Tournament. The performance in the Open Cup earned Benson a professional contract with the Fuego. To put a cherry on top of it all, El Farolito defeated FC Motown 2-1 to win the NPSL Championship.

Johnatan Mosquera of El Farolito celebrates after scoring a goal against Timbers2 in the FIrst Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Craig Mitchelldyer-Portland Timbers

El Farolito is one of three former Open Cup champions (Richmond Kickers 1995 and New York Pancyprian Freedoms in 1980, 1982, 1983) among the opening round entrants, having won the US Open Cup in 1993 under the name CD Mexico. The club also reached the Final of the 1991 National Amateur Cup. El Farolito competed in the San Francisco Soccer Football League and California Premier Soccer Association for most of their existence before switching to the NPSL in 2018. In fact, El Farolito would have been making their fifth Open Cup appearance this year instead of their third but were disqualified in 2018 for switching leagues in the middle of the competition. (The club was the subject of TheCup.us’s “Meet the Underdogs” series back in 2017.)

El Farolito are 2-0 all-time against Division 3 opposition, both wins coming in last year’s run.

MORE: El Farolito is the Spice of the Open Cup

Real Monarchs
MLS NEXT Pro | Herriman, UT
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Real Salt Lake entered in 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup
Founded: 2014
Manager: Mark Lowry
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Real Monarchs are making their Open Cup debut due to their parent club Real Salt Lake participating in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup as one of the top clubs in the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield standings. The Monarchs got their start in 2015 playing in the United Soccer League, winning the championship in 2019. Other than a successful run from 2017-2019, the club usually finished near the bottom of the standing during their time in the USL. The team left the USL in 2022 to join the newly-formed MLS NEXT Pro, where their struggles have continued.

In 2024 the Monarchs just missed the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs, falling short on tiebreakers after finishing even on points with 8th place Houston Dynamo 2. The reserve club will try and better the showing in 2024 by Real Salt Lake, who were upset by New Mexico United 4-2 in their opening game.

International San Francisco (USASA / SFSFL) at Monterey Bay (USL-C)
Cardinale Stadium – Seaside, CA
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

International San Francisco
San Francisco Soccer Football League/USASA | San Francisco, CA
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2023)
How they qualified: Defeated Valley 559 FC (UPSL) 5-4 (aet) in Round 4 of Open Division Qualifying
Founded: 2021
Manager: Amir Darabi
Overall: 0-1-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 2: 0-0-0
Best finish: First Round (2023)

After missing out last year, Inter San Francisco make their return to the Open Cup. Inter’s lone Open Cup game is a 3-0 extra time defeat to 2024 sensations El Farolito in the 2023 First Round. Upon their founding in 2021, Inter started in the SFSFL 3rd tier, winning promotion two seasons in a row to reach the Premier Division.

In their qualifying campaign, Inter got off to a winning start in their opening game, defeating SFSFL rivals SF Vikings SC 4-1 on Oct. 6. Former MLS & USL veteran Matt Fondy led the way with two goals. In the Second Round, Inter prevailed in a wild 5-3 extra time affair with JASA RWC (UPSL). Fondy once again led Inter with a hat-trick, and Sergio Laguna Jacob Castro also scored in extra time, where both teams scored three goals in the final two minutes of the extra session.

Inter San Francisco celebrates after a 5-4 extra time win over Valley 559 to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Inter San Francisco

In their Third Round affair, Inter had an easier time with Real Galt FC (UPSL), coming away with a 4-1 win Javier Rivera Hernandez, Dylan Autran, Jack Callan and Adrien Argast. Inter are one of two teams to play four games in this year’s qualifying tournament, along with Chicago House AC. Inter’s Fourth Round game was a wild affair, a 5-4 extra time win over Valley 559 FC of the UPSL. Tied at 3-3, the teams traded goals in the final five minutes, and Leo Lazaro’s second goal of the game nine minutes into extra time gave Inter the edge to return to the Open Cup. Inter was the only Open Division qualifier to play four qualifying games, whereas all others Open Division qualifiers played three. In these four games ISF piled up an astonishing 18 goals.

MORE: The Ex-Pro Powering Amateurs International San Francisco

Monterey Bay FC
USL Championship | Seaside, CA
4th US Open Cup appearance (2022-2024)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2021
Manager: Jordan Stewart
Overall: 3-2-1 (0-1 PK)
Home: 2-0-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. Amateur: 0-0-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2023, 2024)

Monterey Bay’s lineage can be traced back to USL Championship club Fresno FC. After plans for a stadium fell through, owner Ray Beshoff ceased operations after the 2019 season, but retained the franchise rights, eventually choosing Monterey Bay. For the most part success has eluded the club since it was re-born in 2022, with the club anchored at the bottom of the standings. 2024 appeared to be a turning point, with the team winning four of its first seven games. The season took a turn as the club managed just four wins from their remaining 27 games, finishing with a franchise worst 8-16-10 record.

Jerry Ayon of Monterey Bay FC dribbles the ball against Irvine Zeta in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Kiera Winslow - Monterey Bay FC — Jerry Ayon of Monterey Bay FC dribbles the ball against Irvine Zeta in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Kiera Winslow – Monterey Bay FC

In an effort to turn things around, the club has added 13 new players to the roster, including Australians Jacob Muir and Luke Ivanovic, Danish forward Anton Søjberg and Swedish forward Adam Larson.

Monterey Bay has found a bit more success in the Open Cup, upsetting the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0, and then holding Los Angeles FC to a 2-2 draw before being eliminated on penalties in 2023. In 2024 they knocked off NISA rookie Irvine Zeta FC 2-1, then fell to USL Championship rivals Sacramento Republic 2-0. Inter San Francisco will be the first Open Division opponent in Monterey Bay’s short Open Cup history.

MORE: Monterey Bay FC continues international additions, signing Australian Ivanovic

Spokane Velocity FC (USL-1) at Ballard FC (USL-2)
Interbay Stadium – Seattle, WA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

Spokane Velocity FC
USL League One | Spokane, WA
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2024)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2021
Manager: Leigh Veidman
Overall: 2-1-0
Away: 1-1-0
vs. Amateurs: 1-0-0
Best finish: Third Round (2024)

Spokane had a respectable outcome for their debut USL League One season, finishing 7-9-6, good enough for 7th overall and a spot in the playoffs. Once there, the Velocity made a run to the Final, upsetting the Northern Colorado Hailstorm 3-0, then besting Forward Madison on penalties after a 0-0 draw. The dream ended with a 3-0 loss to Union Omaha in the Final.

Spokane’s Open Cup debut in 2024 went three games deep. First they knocked off this year’s opening round opponents, Ballard FC, 1-0 on a goal from Andre Lewis deep into second half stoppage time. In the Second Round, Spokane got more late game heroics, this time in the 85th minute as Luis Gil scored the winner in the 1-0 triumph over NISA’s Los Angeles Force. Round Three brought more late game heroics, as Lewis struck in second half stoppage time again to tie Las Vegas Lights 1–1 to force extra time. The USL Championship side would prevail 2-1 in the extra session.

Ballard FC
USL League Two | Seattle, WA
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2024)
How they qualified: Finished 1st in USL L2 Northwest Division
Founded: 2021
Manager: James Riley
Overall: 0-1-0
Home: 0-1-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-1-0
Best finish: First Round (2024)

Ballard FC return for their second straight Open Cup appearance. In their debut effort in 2024, Ballard pushed USL League One’s Spokane Velocity to the limit, with Spokane winning 1-0 on a goal very deep into second half stoppage time.

Ballard posted another successful season in USL League Two but fell short of its championship run of 2023. After finishing with a 9-3-2 record, they fell to Project 51O in the First Round of the playoffs.

The club was founded and is owned by former Seattle Sounders star Lamar Neagle. Returning as head coach is former Sounder James Riley, who spent three seasons in Seattle and is one of the most successful players when it comes to the US Open Cup in the history of the competition. He is one of two players in the Modern Era (1995-present) to lift the trophy five times (New England Revolution in 2007, Seattle Sounders FC 2009-11, D.C. United in 2013).

FC Arizona (NPSL) at LAFC 2 (MLS NEXT Pro)
Titan Stadium – Fullerton, CA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

FC Arizona
National Premier Soccer League | Phoenix, AZ
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2018)
How they qualified: 2024 NPSL West Region Finalist
Founded: 2016
Manager: Alejandro Aguilar
Overall: 0-1-0
Home: 0-1-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: First Round (2018)

FC Arizona got their start in 2016 and took the field the following year. The club has been largely successful throughout its tenure in the NPSL, reaching the playoffs every year.

FC Arizona are making their second appearance in the Open Cup, a four-tournament break since their initial run in 2018. FCA finished the 2024 NPSL season at 7-1-2, then had the fortune of a forfeit win over 10-0-0 Las Vegas Legends when their opponents ran afoul of the league. Arizona’s fortune stopped in the next round, losing 4-1 to eventual champions El Farolito. Reaching the West Region Final allowed FC Arizona to make the cut as one of the NPSL’s clubs in the Open Cup. Their club’s entry in the UPSL went 13-5-2 in the 2024 spring and fall seasons.

FC Arizona’s sole Open Cup appearance in 2018 lasted just one game, a 1-0 loss to Sporting AZ FC.

LAFC 2
MLS NEXT Pro | Fullerton, CA
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Los Angeles FC entered in 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup
Founded: 2023
Manager: Junior Gonzalez
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Los Angeles FC 2 is making their debut in the Open Cup due to Los Angeles FC being entered in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup as 2024 Leagues Cup runners-up. LAFC are also the 2024 US Open Cup Champions, as are the first Open Cup Champions in the Modern Era to not defend their championship.

LAFC 2 had a successful 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season, finishing in 5th place in the Western Conference, though they lost in the opening round of the payoffs.

2025 US Open Cup Round 1 Tuesday Preview: Soccer’s March Madness kicks off with 11 games

March 17, 2025 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

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A few things have changed compared to last year, More MLS teams are in the mix (16, up from last year’s 8). Eight teams from the USL Championship will start in Round 1, a change from last year when all 24 clubs for the USL’s top pro league entered in Round 3. This means the opening round will feature pro vs. amateur clubs in each matchup, with the survivors battling it out in the Second Round (April 1-2), and the Second Round winners facing the remaining 16 USL Championship clubs in the Third Round the week of April 15-16. All 16 MLS teams await the Third Round winners the week of May 6-7 in the Fourth Round.

A total of 25 teams are making their Open Cup debuts, all entering in the First Round. Three of those opening round games pit debuting clubs against one another. Nine former champions are in this year’s field: Chicago Fire FC, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, New England Revolution, Orlando City, Richmond Kickers, New York Pancyprian Freedoms and El Farolito (then known as CD Mexico), with the Chicago Fire seeking their record-tying fifth Open Cup title. For the first time in the Modern Era, the defending Open Cup winners will NOT defend its championship, as Los Angeles FC will be represented by its MLS NEXT Pro team LAFC II, due to Los Angeles FC’s participation in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Tuesday’s slate features eleven matches to open the tournament, with nine teams making their debut (4 pro and 5 amateur). There are 13 more games on Wednesday and then the round will conclude on Thursday with eight matches.

Follow TheCup.us on X (Twitter) @USOpenCup throughout the weekend for live updates from our reporters who will be at every stadium and with every First Round game being streamed online via YouTube, you can find links to those below.

Like millions of other users, we are transitioning over to BlueSky and we will have updates there as well.

Below you will find a preview of the 11 games kicking off on Tuesday:

TUESDAY, MARCH 18

New York Shockers (NPSL) at Hartford Athletic (USL-C)
Trinity Health Stadium – Hartford, CT
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

New York Shockers
National Premier Soccer League | Albany, NY
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: 2024 NPSL East Region Finalist
Founded: 2021
Manager: John Adeseko
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 2: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

In their four seasons in the NPSL, the New York Shockers have reached the playoffs each time. However, reaching the NPSL Eastern Regional Final last year allowed them to punch their ticket to the US Open Cup for the first time. The Shockers eliminated another Hartford club in the 2024 NPSL playoffs, besting Hartford City FC on penalties after a 1-1 extra time draw.

The Shockers are the first club from Albany to appear in the Open Cup in the Modern Era. However, Albany has had a taste of Open Cup action in the past. Albany Sport Club first represented New York’s capital in qualifying for the 1949 Open Cup and would be joined in 1950 by Albany AC. Sport Club would compete in the qualifying rounds throughout the 1950s, only gaining a few wins and never making a deep run.

Elvis Amoh of Hartford Athletic strikes the ball in a 2023 US Open Cup match against Lansdowne Yonkers FC. Photo: Hartford Athletic

Hartford Athletic
Hartford, CT | USL Championship
4th US Open Cup appearance (2019, 2022-2024)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2018
Manager: Brendan Burke
Overall: 3-4-0
Home: 3-2-0
vs. Amateurs: 3-0-0
Best finish: Third Round (2019, 2022, 2023)

While most clubs would view a 12-14-8 season as a disappointment, for Hartford it was a vast improvement over 2023. Finishing 4-24-6 and in last place in the Eastern Conference in 2023, Hartford ended 2024 just four points out of a playoff spot. Their 2024 Open Cup run did not go as well, lasting just one game with a 3-2 extra time loss to MLS NEXT Pro’s New York City FC II.

One major addition to Hartford’s roster is Jonathan Jimenez Vargas, formerly with New York City FC II and a major contributor to NYCFC II’s run to the final 16 in last year’s Open Cup. Vargas accounted for 23 goals and 11 assists over 71 appearances for NYCFC II, and finished in a three-way tie for the Open Cup goal scoring lead with 4.

Hartford has just seven Open Cup games under it’s belt, and have yet to advance to a third game. Their three wins have not only all been at home but have also all been earned against amateur opposition.

Participation in the Open Cup by teams from Hartford began in 1920, when the S.K.F. Club were eliminated in the opening round by New Haven FC. Hartford would remain quiet up until the Italian American Stars rose to prominence in the late 1950s and early 1960s, reaching the Eastern Quarterfinals in 1959, 1960 and 1961, as well as well as reaching the 1961 National Amateur Cup Final. Hartford’s Trinity Health Stadium (previously known as Dillon Stadium) has hosted Open Cup matches since Nov. 16, 1958, when the I-A Stars defeated Hartford’s KS Ogniwo 2-0 in the opening round of qualifying for the 1959 Open Cup.

FC Naples (USL-1) at Sarasota Paradise (USL-2)
Premier Sports Campus – Lakewood Ranch, FL
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

FC Naples
USL League One | Naples, FL
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2024
Manager: Matt Poland
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

This is the first of three opening round games this year between debuting clubs, and FC Naples is one of five new clubs from USL League One. FC Naples, along with Naples United are the first clubs representing Naples, Fla. in the Open Cup since the PDL’s Southwest Florida Adrenaline in 2015. The club also shares their stadium, Paradise Coast Sports Complex Stadium, with Naples United.

MORE: THE ‘GAFA’: Why FC Naples chose Matt Poland to be their first-ever head coach

Sarasota Paradise
USL League Two | Sarasota, FL
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Finished 1st in USL-2 South Florida Division
Founded: 2022
Manager: Mirko Dakovic
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3 : 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Just two seasons old, Sarasota earned a spot in this year’s Open Cup with an 8-1-3 record in the 2024 USL League Two season. They were defeated in the opening round of the playoffs by frequent Open Cup participants Brave SC (formerly The Villages SC). Near the end of the club’s first season in 2023, owner Marcus Walfridson announced he had hopes of turning the team pro and moving them to USL League One in 2025 or 2026, and in fact that move was announced in late February 2025, to take effect for the 2026 season.

Naples United FC (NPSL) at Miami FC (USL-C)
FIU Soccer Stadium – Miami, FL
7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

Naples United FC
National Premier Soccer League | Naples, FL
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Finished 7-2-1 in NPSL Gulf Coast Sunshine Conference
Founded: 2017
Manager: (Waiting for confirmation)
Overall: 0-0-0
Away:0-0-0
vs. Div. 2:
Best finish: N/A

Five years after initially qualifying, Naples United FC finally get their chance at the Open Cup, Earning a spot in the 2020 tournament after a successful 2019 NPSL season. Then the COVID-19 pandemic dropped the hammer on the 2020 tournament just before Naples United was to play their first cup game. Naples United earned their Open Cup spot not only with a 7-2-1 record during the 2024 NPSL season, but they also benefited from several clubs ahead of them declining their Open Cup spot. Naples United have reached the NPSL playoffs each of the last four seasons.

Miami FC
USL Championship | Miami, FL
7th US Open Cup appearance (2016-2019, 2022-2024)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2015
Manager: Gaston Maddoni
Overall: 8-6-1 (0-1 PK)
Home: 6-6-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. Amateurs: 5-2-0
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2017)

2024 was a year to forget for Miami FC, finishing in last place with a 3-29-2 record, 31 points behind 11th place Loudon United. To try and turn their fortunes around Miami signed Argentine veteran midfielder Sebastián Blanco, who made 176 appearances for the Portland Timbers between 2017 and 2023, scoring 41 goals. Also joining the club is former D.C United & USMNT goalkeeper Bill Hamid. Hamid already has had a taste of the 2025 US Open Cup, playing for Open Division qualifiers Virginia Dream last fall. However, due to a new rule from US Soccer, players who appear in Open Division qualifying are no longer cup-tied to the team they played for and are free to play for another team in the Open Cup proper.

Last year’s Open Cup stint didn’t go well with, ending after one game with a 4-2 loss to South Georgia Tormenta of USL League One.

Miami FC have competed in four different leagues since its start in 2016. After two seasons in the NASL, the club moved to the NPSL as Miami FC 2 for 2018 and 2019 while the NASL suspended operations. After winning the NPSL championship both seasons, Miami FC made the move to NISA and won the 2019 Fall Championship. Miami then settled in the USL Championship in 2020, and have struggled to find success, only reaching the playoffs in two of their four seasons there.

As a member of the NASL, Miami reached the Quarterfinals in 2017, knocking off Atlanta United 3-2 at home and Orlando City 3-1 away. The wins set up a Quarterfinal date with an even bigger Cinderella story, the red-hot FC Cincinnati of the USL. FC Cincinnati had knocked off two MLS clubs themselves (Columbus & Chicago), with the latter being nationally televised on ESPN in front of 33,287 fans in Cincinnati (it remains the fifth largest crowd to ever witness a US Open Cup match in tournament history). FC Cincinnati prevailed 1-0 over Miami, earning a spot in the Semifinals. Since their move to the USL, Open Cup success has eluded Miami, only winning two games out of five. Perhaps the highlight Miami’s recent Open Cup history was a 2-2 penalty kick loss to Inter Miami CF in front of 12,000 fans.

In its 15 Open Cup games played (home and away), Miami FC has yet to leave the state of Florida. In fact, every game but one has been played in the Miami metro area, (at Orlando City in 2017). Including this game with Naples United, Miami will have played 14 of its 16 total Open Cup games at home.

Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL-1) at New Jersey Alliance (UPSL)
Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium – Newark, NJ
7 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
USL League One | Chattanooga, TN
5th US Open Cup appearance (2019, 2022-24)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2018
Manager: Scott Mackenzie
Overall: 2-4-0
Away: 1-3-0
vs. Amateurs: 2-1-0
Best finish: Third Round (2024)

Since reaching the USL League One Final in 2022, Chattanooga has spent two seasons near the bottom of the league standings. An 8-17-7 10th place finish in 2023 was followed by a drop to 11th and a 5-14-3 mark.

Players from the Chattanooga Red Wolves celebrate after scoring a goal against Brockton FC United in the FIrst Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Danielle Proulx | IG: @danielleelynnee

The Red Wolves’ 2024 Open Cup run gave fans a small glimmer of enjoyment in a dismal season. For the first time in four appearances the club advanced past their opening game. In the First Round, Chattanooga held off an upset bid from amateurs Brockton FC United (UPSL) with a 4-2 extra time win. Next up was a 1-0 road win over another amateur club Apotheos FC (NPSL). The run ended in the Third Round against Birmingham Legion FC, but not without a fight. The Red Wolves took the USL Championship club to extra time before falling 4-2, with Birmingham’s Stefano Pinho accounting for all four of the winners’ goals.

MORE: Sean McDaniel Steps Down As GM And President Of Chattanooga Red Wolves

New Jersey Alliance
United Premier Soccer League | Clifton, NJ
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Drew 2-2 (aet) with Steel Pulse FC (MSSL) in Round 4 of Open Division Qualifying, qualified on penalties, 4-2
Founded: 2012
Manager: Robert Kruk
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

New Jersey Alliance got its start in 2012 in New Jersey’s Garden State Soccer League as Lyndhurst Alliance FC. The club fielded a team in the 2020 USPL Fall Season and the inaugural NISA Nation season in 2021. NJAFC finished the 2024 UPSL Northeast American South Fall season 6-2-2, Marlon Preciado led the team with seven goals.

New Jersey Alliance opened their 2025 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 Second Round win over SC Vistula Garfield (EPSL), Emiland Elezaj and Joshua Geller scoring in the second half. In the Third Round, the Alliance dominated Alloy Soccer Club (UPSL) 6-1 with Emiland Elezaj and Ramchwy St. Vil leading the way with a brace each. NJA clinched their Open Cup debut in dramatic fashion against Steel Pulse FC (MSSL). Stephen Jude scored for the Alliance in second half stoppage time to tie the game, then Dorgeles Coulibably evened the score at 2-2 in extra time stoppage time, NJA won the penalty shootout 4-2.

Westchester SC (USLL1) at FC Motown (NPSL)
MSU Soccer Park at Pittser Field – Montclair, NJ
7:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

Westchester SC
USL League One | Mount Vernon, NY
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded:2024
Manager: Dave Carton
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Westchester is one of five new clubs in USL League One this season. U.S. Men’s National Team & AFC Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams joined the ownership group of the club in January 2025. Adams also owns USL League Two club Hudson Valley Hammers, who appeared in the 2024 U.S. Open Cup.

Two big signings for Westchester include Center back Andrew Jean-Baptiste, who had played the last three seasons with Canadian Premier League club Valour FC and has played for the Haitian National team 15 times. Also joining Westchester is Honduran forward Juan Carlos Obregón, who scored 15 goals while with the Charlotte Independence in 2024, ranking second in USL League One.

MORE: How Westchester SC is building a club that can last

FC Motown
National Premier Soccer League | Morristown, NJ
8th US Open Cup appearance (2016-2019, 2022-2025)
How they qualified: 2024 NPSL Championship runners-up
Founded: 2012
Manager: Toure Walker
Overall: 3-5-2 (0-2 PK)
Home: 3-3-0
vs. Div. 3: 1-1-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Third Round (2022)

FC Motown return for their eighth consecutive tournament, only interrupted by the two that were cancelled due to COVID-19. No team from the NPSL has had a longer qualifying streak and only two amateur teams in the Modern Era have longer streaks (Reading United AC 12, NTX Rayados 9). Their best performance in the Open Cup came in 2022. After defeating pro club AC Syracuse Pulse 1-0 after extra time, they reached the Third Round where they played Rochester New York FC of MLS NEXT Pro to a 2-2 draw only to lose in a penalty shootout.

FC Motown 2022 US Open Cup AC Syracuse Pulse — Federico De Olivera of FC Motown celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against AC Syracuse Pulse in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Peter Bonilla

Leading from the sidelines is MLS veteran Dilly Duka, who played a handful of games for Motown in 2018 after concluding his MLS career. Along with being an Open Cup regular, Motown is consistently one of the top clubs in the NPSL, winning the league championship in 2022, and reaching the Final in 2018 and 2024. Motown posted an 8-0-2 record during the 2024 NPSL season, reaching the NPSL National Final where they fell to El Farolito 2-1. On their path to Final, Motown knocked off fellow 2025 Open Cup qualifiers Virginia Dream FC (1-0) and the New York Shockers (5-0).

Motown got their start in 2012 as FC Morristown in New Jersey’s amateur Garden State Soccer League. Motown’s name comes from the nicknames of Morristown, NJ, “Mo Town”, “The Mo”, and “Mo City”. In late 2017 the Clarkstown SC Eagles announced they would officially rebrand as FC Motown for 2018.

MORE: Jersey Boy & FC Motown Legend Dilly Duka Goes Home Again…Again

Greenville Triumph SC (USLL1) at Asheville City SC (USLL2)
Greenwood Field – Asheville, NC
7:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

Greenville Triumph SC
USL League One | Greenville, NC
5th US Open Cup appearance (2019, 2022-2024)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded:2018
Manager: Rick Wright
Overall: 4-4-0
Away: 2-2-0
vs. Amateurs: 1-0-0
Best finish: Third Round (2022, 2024)

In the 2024 US Open Cup, Greenville matched their deepest run by reaching the Third Round but also won two games in the same tournament for the first time. A 1-0 opening round win over South Carolina United FC (USL-2) was followed by a 3-2 extra time victory over USL League One rivals One Knoxville. The run ended with a 3-1 defeat to Louisville City of the USL Championship. Greenville has faced just one amateur opponent in its eight overall Open Cup games, the 2024 win over South Carolina United FC.

Louis "Chapa" Herrera (right) of Greenville Triumph SC celebrates with Zion Scarlett after scoring a goal against One Knoxville SC in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: One Knoxville SC — Louis “Chapa” Herrera (right) of Greenville Triumph SC celebrates with Zion Scarlett after scoring a goal against One Knoxville SC in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: One Knoxville SC

Greenville continued their run of successful USL League One seasons in 2024, finishing 11-4-7 and reaching the semifinals in the playoffs. Swiss forward Lyam MacKinnon lead USL League One with 16 goals, though he has moved on to Orange County SC of the USL Championship. Greenville has been one of the more successful clubs in USL League One since joining the league in 2019. In its five years in the league, Greenville have made the playoffs every year, finishing as championship runners-up in 2018 and 2021, and winning the title in 2020.

After four straight home games in its Open Cup history, Greenville’s trip to Asheville will mark their fifth consecutive road game in the tournament, dating back to a 2023 cross-country trip to face USL Championship club Phoenix Rising in the Second Round.

MORE: Rick Wright On Greenville’s New Season

Asheville City SC
USL League Two | Asheville, NC
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2024)
How they qualified: Finished 1st in USL L2 South Central Division
Founded: 2016
Manager: Scott Wells
Overall: 0-1-0
Home: 0-1-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-1-0
Best finish: First Round (2024)

Returning to the Open Cup after debuting in 2024, Asheville City SC hopes to improve on last year’s one-and-done performance, a 2-0 loss to One Knoxville of USL League One.

Asheville City SC got its start in 2016 as a member of the NPSL. After three seasons the team switched to USL League Two. Finishing second in the South Central division in 2022, Asheville City followed their 10-1-1 2023 season with a 10-0-2 mark in 2024 and a run to the USL-2 National Semifinals.

MORE: Asheville City SC: Half an Idea to Full-Fledged Family

Loudoun United FC (USL-C) at West Chester United SC (USASA / USLPA)
YSC Sports – Wayne, PA
7:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

Loudoun United FC
USL Championship | Leesburg, VA
3rd US Open Cup appearance (2023, 2024)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2018
Manager: Ryan Martin
Overall: 3-2-1 (1-0 PK)
Away: 1-1-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2023, 2024)

Loudoun United have played in the USL Championship since 2019, but only became eligible for the Open Cup last year once their status as D.C. United’s reserve club ended. Loudoun have lived at the bottom of the USL championship table each of their five seasons, only hitting double digits in wins once (11 in 2019). 2024 was no different for Loudoun, finishing 11-14-9, though they were just six points adrift of the final playoff spot.

Players from Loudoun United (right) and the Richmond Kickers battle for the ball in a Third Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Justin Nunez

Loudoun matched their furthest Open Cup run in 2024, advancing three games deep. Opening with a penalty kick win over the Richmond Kickers, Loudoun followed up with a long trip to the West Coast to beat league-mates Orange County SC 2-1. The run ended with a 3-0 loss to eventual Open Cup champions Los Angeles FC. West Chester United will be Loudoun United’s first amateur opponent in Open Cup play, with all six previous games coming against professional USL teams and MLS clubs.

MORE: Loudoun United FC prepares for 2025 season

West Chester United SC
United Soccer League of Pennsylvania/USASA | West Chester, PA
6th US Open Cup appearance (2016, 2019, 2022-24)
How they qualified: Defeated Vereinigung Erzgebirge 2-1 in Round 4 of Open Division Qualifying.
Founded: 1976
Manager: Blaise Santangelo
Overall: 0-5-2 (2-0 PK)
Away: 0-2-2 (2-0 PK)
vs. Div. 2 : 0-1-0
Best finish: Second Round (2016, 2019)

Mexican pro wrestling legend Mil Mascaras was known an “The Man of 1,000 Masks”, and West Chester United could be called “The Team of 1,000 Leagues”. WCU have qualified for the Open Cup five times in a row under three different league banners. It started in 2019 when WCU qualified through the Open Division from the United Soccer League of Pennsylvania. The NPSL team qualified for the 2020 tournament only to see it canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. WCU’s USL League Two team qualified in 2022 when the tournament resumed. In 2023 it was the USL of Pennsylvania team, and last year the NPSL team made the cut once again. For 2025, WCU returned to Open Division qualifying with their United Soccer League of Pennsylvania team.

Players from Ukrainian Nationals (left) and West Chester United SC battle for the ball in a 2025 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Leinbach Photography

West Chester’s path to the 2025 Open Cup took them past two rival USL of PA clubs rich in Open Cup history. They started with two-time Open Cup finalists (1977, 1994) United German Hungarians, whom West Chester rolled over 6-0. Josh Luchini scored four of the six goals. Next up was four-time Open Cup champions (1960, 1961, 1963 and 1966) Ukrainian Nationals, and West Chester United had no trouble winning, 6-1. Ridge Robinson tallied a hat-trick in the win. West Chester finished off their qualifying effort with another win over USL of PA rivals, this time a 2-1 victory over Vereinigung Erzgebirge.

West Chester does not have an outright win in their seven Open Cup games, although they have advanced twice via penalties. In 2016, WCU eliminated Fredericksburg FC on PKs after a 1-1 draw, and in 2019 got past the NPSL’s FC Baltimore Christos after another 1-1 draw.

West Chester finished atop the standings for the 2023/24 USL of Pennsylvania season at 12-1-0, and at the winter break of the 2024/25 season, West Chester are just 1-0-1, a combination of games postponed due to poor weather and WCU’s Open and Amateur qualifying games keeping them from playing more games.

MORE: ‘Legend’ Blaise Santangelo Fueling Dreams in West Chester

FORO SC (UPSL) at Texoma FC (USL-1)
Bearcat Stadium – Sherman, TX
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

FORO SC
United Premier Soccer League | Dallas, TX
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2024)
How they qualified: Defeated Houston Regals SCA (USSL/USSSA) 4-2 in Round 4 of Open Division Qualifying
Founded – 2017
Manager: Michel Garbini Pereira
Overall: 0-1-1 (1-0 PK)
Away: 0-1-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: Second Round (2024)

FORO was one of the highlights of the early rounds of the 2024 Open Cup, pulling off a memorable upset of Austin FC II of MLS NEXT Pro, scoring the tying goal in extra time stoppage time, all while down to 10 men, then winning the penalty kick tiebreaker. FORO’s Kyle Bennett earned TheCup.us Player of the Round honors for his performance in the match.

In FORO’s qualifying run, 2024 Open Cup hero Kyle Bennett once again came to the rescue in FORO’s 4-1 extra time win over D’Feeters Kicks SC (Dallas Soccer Association). With the game going into extra time at 1-1, Bennett caught fire, scoring three times in the extra session to advance FORO into the Third Round. In that Third Round game, FORO dispatched another DSA squad, StrikerZ DFW Soccer Club, 4-0 to advance to the final round against the USSL’s Houston Regals SCA. After trading goals at 2-2, FORO scored twice midway through the second half to secure their return to the Open Cup.

FORO finished 6-2-2 in the 2024 UPSL Texas North spring season and reached UPSL 2023 fall season final four. They finished 8-2-0 in the 2024 fall season, with Kyle Bennett the leading scorer at 10 goals.

FORO SC celebrates after winning a PK shootout against Austin FC II in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photos: Leinbach Photography

Texoma FC
USL League One | Sherman, TX
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2023
Manager: Adrian Forbes
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs : 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Texoma FC is one of five new teams in USL League One for 2025. The name Texoma combines the names of Texas and Oklahoma, since Sherman, Texas is not very far for the border with Oklahoma. Their crest features a Northern mockingbird and a Scissor-tailed flycatcher, which are the state birds of Texas and Oklahoma, respectively.

Head coach Adrian Forbes scored five goals for Luton Town FC in their run to the Fourth Round in the 2003-04 FA Cup, including a hat-trick in an opening round replay against Thurrock FC.

MORE: Texoma FC hires former Premiere League player Adrian Forbes as sporting director

FC Tulsa (USLC) at Tulsa Athletic (UPSL)
Athletic Community Stadium – Tulsa, OK
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

Tulsa Athletic
United Premier Soccer League | Tulsa, OK
7th US Open Cup appearance (2014, 2015, 2017, 2022-24)
How they qualified: 0-0 draw vs. Chicago House AC (MWPL/USSSA) in Round 4 of Open Division Qualifying, qualified on penalties 5-4
Founded: 2013
Manager: Jason Rogers
Overall: 3-5-1 (0-1 PK)
Home: 3-2-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 0-3-0
vs. Div. 2:
Best finish: Third Round (2023)

For the third time in four years the Tulsa Derby returns to the Open Cup. The UPSL’s Tulsa Athletic plays host to FC Tulsa of the USL Championship. The clubs first met in the 2022 Second Round, with FC Tulsa emerging 2-1 winners. Athletic got their revenge a year later with a 1-0 upset of FC Tulsa in the Second Round.

While Tulsa Athletic made their Open Division qualifying debut for the 2025 tournament, they are no strangers to the Open Cup. Tulsa has qualified for the Open Cup via the NPSL six times (2014, 2015, 2017, 2022, 2023, 2024). 2023 was their biggest year in the tournament, upsetting FC Tulsa in the Second Round to set up a Third Round date with Sporting Kansas City of MLS. Tulsa finished tied with Chicago House for the Open Division prize money as a result. Tulsa won the 2023 NPSL championship but left the league in the spring of 2024 due to differences with the league. Tulsa debuted in the UPSL in 2024 fall season and finished 9-1-0, but were upset in the playoffs 2-1 by Arkansas Wolves FC. Tulsa Athletic are also one of the founding teams in The League for Clubs, a USASA-affiliated amateur league set to kick off in 2025.

Players from Tulsa Athletic and FC Tulsa battle for the ball in their 2023 US Open Cup match. Photo: Tulsa Athletic

After receiving a bye in Round 1 of qualifying. Tulsa have steamrolled their way to this weekend’s game. In the Second Round, Tulsa blanked the UPSL’s FC Bartlesville Buffaloes 4-0. Mitchell Cashion scored twice, with the other goals coming from Jonathan Harris and a Bartlesville own goal. In the Third Round, qualifying rookies Woodland FC were no match for the Open Cup veterans, as Tulsa dominated in an 8-0 win, Jacob Zamaron leading the way with a hat-trick.

Leading into the final round of qualifying, Tulsa took part in one of the more unique moments in the Modern Era of the Open Cup. To decide who would host the game in the final round of qualifying, club owners Sonny Dalesandro (Tulsa) and Peter Wilt (Chicago) met halfway between the two cities in Union, Missouri to conduct a coin flip. Union City Administrator Jonathan Zimmermann flipped the coin and Chicago House AC came out winners. Tulsa ultimately came out on top, winning a penalty shootout 5-4 after a 0-0 extra time draw.

MORE: Tulsa Athletic & their Open Cup Field of Dreams

FC Tulsa
USL Championship | Tulsa, OK
9th US Open Cup appearance (2015-2019, 2022-24)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded – 2013
Manager: Luke Spencer
Overall: 3-7-1 (1-0 PK)
Away: 1-7-0
vs. Amateurs: 3-3-0
Best finish: Fifth Round (2024)

FC Tulsa started out as the Tulsa Roughnecks in 2014, paying homage to the NASL team that played from 1978-1984. After the team changed ownership in late 2019, the team was re-named FC Tulsa for the 2020 season. Tulsa has struggled in the bottom half of the standings for its nine seasons, only reaching the playoffs three times.

Tulsa’s 2024 ended with them missing the playoffs by five points with a 9-14-11 record, their 33 goals scored one of the lowest totals in the league. In the Open Cup, Tulsa matched their 2017 effort of winning two games, wins over the Northern Colorado Hailstorm (USL-1, 2-1) and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-C, 1-0), led to a Fifth Round encounter with Sporting Kansas City, resulting in a 4-0 loss.

Open Cup success for FC Tulsa has been hard to come by. Three of their last five appearances have ended after one game, and Tulsa’s only road win out of eight games came last year against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

While the original NASL avoided the Open Cup during its existence, in 1983 the Tulsa Roughnecks showed interest in entering. While it was too late to join the 1983 tournament, plans were made for 1984. Unfortunately, the league folded before that could happen, and Tulsa’s Open Cup plans had to be scrapped.

MORE: Kicking it up: FC Tulsa poised for big 2025

Ventura County Fusion (USL-2) at AV ALTA FC (USL-1)
Lancaster Municipal Stadium – Lancaster, CA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

Ventura County Fusion
USL League Two | Ventura, CA
10th US Open Cup appearance (2010-2017, 2023)
How they qualified: Finished 1st in USL L2 Southwest Division
Founded: 2006
Manager: Keith Costigan
Overall: 6-8-2 (1-1 PK)
Away: 3-2-0
vs. Div. 3: 2-3-0
Best finish: Third Round (2012, 2015)

Ventura County have played all 17 seasons of their existence in USL League Two, winning the league championship in 2009 and 2022. They’ve also finished first or second in their division 11 times in 16 seasons. In February the club announced the hiring of MLS NEXT Academy Director and MLS Apple TV commentator Keith Costigan as their head coach.

The Fusion had a run of appearing in eight consecutive Open Cups from 2010 to 2017, then made a return in 2023 after missing three tournaments. Their best performance came in 2012 and 2015, reaching the Third Round each time. Extra time wins over the NPSL’s Fullerton Rangers (6-2) and USL Pro Los Angeles Blues (3-1) in 2012 led to a meeting the Chivas USA, ending in a narrow 1-0 loss.

Starting for Ventura County in all three Open Cup games in 2012 was future Sacramento Republic legend Rodrigo Lopez, who would go on to be named TheCup.us Player of the Tournament in 2022. Lopez would go on to face the Fusion in the 2013 Second Round with the Los Angeles Blues, and again in the 2014 Second Round with Sacramento.

Three years later another Third Round run began with a penalty kick elimination of 2021 Cinderella darlings Cal FC, followed by a 2-1 win over LA Galaxy 2. The Fusion were then victims of a bit of an upset themselves when they lost to PSA Elite.

AV ALTA FC
USL League One | Lancaster, CA
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2023
Manager: Brian Kleiban
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Located an hour and a half north of Los Angeles, AV ALTA FC is one of five new USL League One teams for 2025. Former U.S. international and Minnesota United midfielder Miguel Ibarra was the club’s first signing in December 2024. Ibarra is a native of Lancaster, Calif.

AV stands for Antelope Valley, the region AV Alta based in or alternately “Aerospace Valley” since the region is known for its work in the aerospace industry. Alta comes from the name given to the wider region in the early 1800s when Alta California (“Upper California”) was province of New Spain.

MORE: Showcasing a homegrown star will be part of AV Alta’s ambitious launch plans

Laguna United FC (UPSL) at Ventura County FC (MLS NEXT Pro)
Dignity Health Sports Park Track Stadium – Carson, CA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube

Laguna United FC
United Premier Soccer League | Laguna Niguel, CA
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Defeated San Diego Internacional (UPSL) 6-2 in Round 4 of Open Division Qualifying
Founded: 2012
Manager: Sam Nicholson
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Starting as a youth soccer organization, Laguna United fielded their first UPSL team in the Spring 2021 season

In their third attempt at qualifying Laguna United pushed through to reach the US Open Cup for the first time. After receiving a First Round bye, Laguna mauled the shorthanded Trojans FC (UPSL) 14-0. Jacob Garcia, Andrew Bowles and Michael Barraza each had hat-tricks in the rout. Laguna’s Third Round game was much closer, with Sungho Yun and Uriel Morales scoring late in the second half to break a 1-1 tie created with Ryan Hubbard’s first half goal and securing a 3-1 win over Irvine FC of the UPSL.

Laguna United FC celebrate after defeating San Diego Internacional 6-2 to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Laguna United FC

Laguna United finished 7-3-1 in the 2024 UPSL SoCal North Spring season, and finished 7-2-1 in the Fall season, but lost 5-0 to Coachella FC in the SoCal North Conference playoff final. Michael Barraza led the team in the Fall season with 11 goals.

Ventura County FC
MLS NEXT Pro | Thousand Oaks, CA
4th US Open Cup appearance (2014-15, 2024)
How they qualified: LA Galaxy entered in 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup
Founded: 2014
Manager: Matt Taylor
Overall: 2-2-1 (0-1 PK)
Home: 2-2-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. Amateurs: 2-1-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Third Round (2014)

Formerly known as LA Galaxy II (or “Los Dos”), Ventura County FC are one of the few MLS NEXT Pro teams with an Open Cup history, dating back in 2014 and 2015. In 2014, LAG II reached the Third Round, where they fell to amateur club PSA Elite on penalties. The following year, they lost their opening game to Ventura County Fusion 2-1. In its limited Open Cup history, VCFC have played all five of its previous Open Cup games at home, and all but one of those games against amateur opponents.

Last year Ventura County played two Open Cup games, both against Irvine Zeta FC, the reserve team and their pro parent club. VCFC dispatched Irvine Zeta FC II 2-1, then fell to Irvine Zeta FC 3-0.

The Galaxy II played in the USL Championship until 2023, when MLS NEXT Pro started. The team changed its name to Ventura County FC just before the start of the 2024 season.

Except for 2015 when they finished runners-up in the USL Championship game, Ventura County has primarily finished in the bottom half of the standings. 2024 saw VCFC rise to 6th place, earning a playoff berth for the first time in three seasons.

Ventura County FC gained their spot in the Open Cup when the LA Galaxy gained participation in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup as 2024 MLS Cup champions.