2025 US Open Cup

Draw for 2025 US Open Cup revealed, 110th tournament begins March 18

February 6, 2025 by Josh Hakala

2025 us open cup draw graphic 2 — Graphic by Phil Naegely & Frank Lanham

The “March Madness” of the 110th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup will kick off with 32 games next month. Beginning on March 18, the opening round will feature 32 Open Division amateur teams and 32 lower division professional sides.

The First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup will kick off with 10 games on Tuesday, March 18, followed by 14 games on Wednesday, March 19. The round will wrap up on Thursday, March 20 with eight games.

For the second year in a row, every First Round game will feature amateur vs. pro team matchups.

The Open Division teams include nine from USL League Two, seven from the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) and 14 teams that qualified via the Open Division Local qualifying tournament. The remaining two amateurs are Soda City FC, who qualified as the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) Spring season champion and four-time Open Cup champions New York Pancyprian Freedoms who punched their ticket as the 2024 US Adult Soccer Association (USASA) National Amateur Cup champion.

The professional sides entering in Round 1 include eight from the USL Championship (Div. 2), all 14 US-based clubs from USL League One (Div. 3) and 10 teams from MLS NEXT Pro (Div. 3). The rest of the USL Championship teams, the top eight clubs in each of the league’s conferences from last season, will enter in the competition later in the Third Round.

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

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

The winners from Round 1 will advance to face each other in the Second Round which is scheduled for the week of April 1-2. The 16 Second Round winners will advance to Round 3 where they will face the remaining 16 teams from the USL Championship. All Third Round winners will advance to Round 4 (Round of 32) where all 16 Major League Soccer teams will enter.

2025 US Open Cup Qualifying
2025 US Open Cup Schedule/Results
2025 US Open Cup Format

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

TUESDAY, MARCH 18

Hartford Athletic (USL-C) vs. New York Shockers (NPSL)
6:30 p.m. ET
Trinity Health Stadium; Hartford, CT

Sarasota Paradise (USL-2) vs. FC Naples (USL-1)
7 p.m. ET
Premier Sports Campus; Lakewood Ranch, FL

Miami FC (USL-C) vs. Naples United FC (NPSL)
7 p.m. ET
FIU Soccer Stadium; Miami, FL

New Jersey Alliance FC (UPSL) vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL-1)
7 p.m. ET
Site TBA

FC Motown (NPSL) vs. Westchester SC (USL-1)
7:30 p.m. ET
MSU Soccer Park at Pittser Field; Montclair, NJ

Asheville City SC (USL-2) vs. Greenville Triumph SC (USL-1)
7:30 p.m. ET
Greenwood Field; Asheville, NC

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

Texoma FC (USL-1) vs. FORO SC (UPSL)
8 p.m. ET
Bearcat Stadium; Sherman, TX

Tulsa Athletic (UPSL) vs. FC Tulsa (USL-C)
8:30 p.m. ET
Athletic Community Stadium; Tulsa, OK

AV ALTA FC (USL-1) vs. Ventura County Fusion (USL-2)
10:30 p.m. ET
Lancaster Municipal Stadium; Lancaster, CA

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19

Columbus Crew 2 (MLSNP) vs. New York Renegades FC (UPSL)
6 p.m. ET
Lower.com Field; Columbus, OH

Chattanooga FC (MLSNP) vs. Corpus Christi FC (USL-2)
6:30 p.m. ET
Finley Stadium; Chattanooga, TN

Appalachian FC (NPSL) vs. One Knoxville SC (USL-1)
7 p.m. ET
Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex; Boone, NC

Richmond Kickers (USL-1) vs. Virginia Dream FC (VSSL)
7 p.m. ET
City Stadium; Richmond, VA

Inter Miami CF II (MLSNP) vs. Miami United FC (UPSL)
7 p.m. ET
Chase Stadium; Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Sporting KC II (MLSNP) vs. Des Moines Menace (USL-2)
7:30 p.m. ET
Swope Soccer Village; Kansas City, MO

Lexington Sporting Club (USL-C) vs. Southern Indiana FC (UPSL)
7:30 p.m. ET
Lexington SC Stadium; Lexington, KY

Little Rock Rangers (USL-2) vs. Birmingham Legion FC (USL-C)
8 p.m. ET
Episcopal Collegiate School Wildcat Stadium; Little Rock, AK

El Paso Locomotive FC (USL-C) vs. Harpos FC (CPL)
9 p.m. ET
Southwest University Park; El Paso, TX

Real Monarchs (MLSNP) vs. El Farolito SC (NPSL)
9:30 p.m. ET
Zions Bank Stadium; Herriman, UT

Monterey Bay FC (USL-C) vs. International San Francisco SC (USASA / SFSFL / Calif.)
10 p.m. ET
Cardinale Stadium; Seaside, CA

Ventura County FC (MLSNP) vs. Laguna United FC (UPSL)
10:30 p.m. ET
William Rolland Stadium; Thousand Oaks, CA

Ballard FC (USL-2) vs. Spokane Velocity FC (USL-1)
10:30 p.m. ET
Interbay Stadium; Seattle, WA

LAFC 2 (MLSNP) vs. FC Arizona (NPSL)
10:30 p.m. ET
Titan Stadium; Fullerton, CA

THURSDAY, MARCH 20

Portland Hearts of Pine (USL-1) vs. CD Faialense (BSSL)
6:30 p.m. ET
Franklin Athletic Complex; Lewiston, ME

Long Island Rough Riders (USL-2) vs. Charlotte Independence (USL-1)
7 p.m. ET
Mitchel Athletic Complex; Uniondale, NY

Forward Madison FC (USL-1) vs. Duluth FC (NPSL)
7 p.m. ET
Breese Stevens Field: Madison, WI

South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1) vs. Harbor City FC (UPSL)
7 p.m. ET
Tormenta Stadium; Statesboro, GA

Carolina Core FC (MLSNP) vs. Soda City FC (UPSL)
7:30 p.m. ET
Truist Point; High Point, NC

FC Cincinnati 2 (MLSNP) vs. New York Pancyprian Freedoms (EPSL)
7:30 p.m. ET
NKU Soccer Stadium; Highland Heights, KY

Flatirons FC (USL-2) vs. Union Omaha (USL-1)
9 p.m. ET
Stermole Soccer Stadium; Golden, CO

Tacoma Defiance (MLSNP) vs. Washington AC (SRATS)
10 p.m. ET
Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, WA

2025 LAMAR HUNT US OPEN CUP SCHEDULE

First Round: March 18-20
Second Round: April 1-2
Third Round: April 15-16
Round of 32: May 6-7
Round of 16: May 20-21
Quarterfinals: July 8-9
Semifinal: Sept. 16-17
Final: Oct. 1

2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Results

February 5, 2025 by Jake Sillick

2022 US Open Cup Final trophy — Photo: Mathieu Starke

Click on the scores below for match reports
All Times Eastern / All future dates subject to change

League Abbreviation Key
Bay State Soccer League (BSSL)	Colorado Premier League (CPL)	Eastern Premier Soccer League (EPSL)	Major League Soccer (MLS)	MLS NEXT Pro (MLSNP)
National Premier Soccer League (NPSL)	San Francisco Soccer Football League (SFSFL)	Seattle Recreational Adult Team Soccer (SRATS)	United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)	United Soccer League of Pennsylvania (USLPA)
USL Championship (USL-C)	USL League One (USL-1)	USL League Two (USL-2)	Virginia Super Soccer League (VSSL)

ROUND 1	AWAY TEAM	TIME/SCORE	HOME TEAM	VENUE	WATCH
March 18	New York Shockers (NPSL)	0:3	Hartford Athletic (USL-C)	Trinity Health Stadium – Hartford, CT	YouTube
March 18	FC Naples (USL-1)	2:1	Sarasota Paradise (USL-2)	Premier Sports Campus – Lakewood Ranch, FL	YouTube
March 18	Naples United FC (NPSL)	1:4	Miami FC (USL-C)	FIU Soccer Stadium – Miami, FL	YouTube
March 18	Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL-1)	2:2 (5:4 PK)	New Jersey Alliance (UPSL)	Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium - Newark, NJ	YouTube
March 18	Westchester SC (USL-1)	1:0	FC Motown (NPSL)	MSU Soccer Park at Pittser Field – Montclair, NJ	YouTube
March 18	Greenville Triumph SC (USL-1)	0:0 (4:3 PK)	Asheville City SC (USL-2)	Greenwood Field – Asheville, NC	YouTube
March 18	Loudoun United FC (USL-C)	3:2	West Chester United SC (USLPA)	YSC Sports – Wayne, PA	YouTube
March 18	FORO SC (UPSL)	2:1 (AET)	Texoma FC (USL-1)	Bearcat Stadium – Sherman, TX	YouTube
March 18	FC Tulsa (USL-C)	1:0	Tulsa Athletic (UPSL)	Athletic Community Stadium – Tulsa, OK	YouTube
March 18	Ventura County Fusion (USL-2)	1:3	AV ALTA FC (USL-1)	Lancaster Municipal Stadium – Lancaster, CA	YouTube
March 18	Laguna United FC (UPSL)	0:7	Ventura County FC (MLSNP)	Dignity Health Sports Park Track Stadium - Carson, CA	YouTube
March 19	New York Renegades (UPSL)	1:4	Columbus Crew 2 (MLSNP)	Lower.com Field – Columbus, OH	YouTube
March 19	Corpus Christi FC (USL-2)	0:1 (AET)	Chattanooga FC (MLSNP)	Finley Stadium – Chattanooga, TN	YouTube
March 19	One Knoxville SC (USL-1)	3:0	Appalachian FC (NPSL)	Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex – Boone, NC	YouTube
March 19	Virginia Dream (VSSL)	3:1	Richmond Kickers (USL-1)	City Stadium – Richmond, VA	YouTube
March 19	Miami United FC (UPSL)	2:4	Inter Miami CF II (MLSNP)	Chase Stadium – Ft. Lauderdale, FL	YouTube
March 19	Des Moines Menace (USL-2)	2:1	Sporting KC II (MLSNP)	Swope Soccer Village – Kansas City, MO	YouTube
March 19	Southern Indiana FC (UPSL)	0:5	Lexington Sporting Club (USL-C)	Lexington SC Stadium – Lexington, KY	YouTube
March 19	Birmingham Legion FC (USL-C)	0:1	Little Rock Rangers (USL-2)	Episcopal Collegiate School Wildcat Stadium – Little Rock, AR	YouTube
March 19	Harpos FC (CPL)	1:5	El Paso Locomotive FC (USL-C)	Southwest University Park – El Paso, TX	YouTube
March 19	El Farolito (NPSL)	3:1 (AET)	Real Monarchs (MLSNP)	Zions Bank Stadium – Herriman, UT	YouTube
March 19	International San Francisco (SFSFL)	0:4	Monterey Bay FC (USL-C)	Cardinale Stadium – Seaside, CA	YouTube
March 19	Spokane Velocity FC (USL-1)	1:0 (AET)	Ballard FC (USL-2)	Interbay Stadium – Seattle, WA	YouTube
March 19	FC Arizona (NPSL)	1:7	LAFC 2 (MLSNP)	Titan Stadium – Fullerton, CA	YouTube
March 20	CD Faialense (BSSL)	0:4	Portland Hearts of Pine (USL-1)	Franklin Athletic Complex – Lewiston, ME	YouTube
March 20	Charlotte Independence (USL-1)	3:2 (AET)	Long Island Rough Riders (USL-2)	Mitchel Athletic Complex – Uniondale, NY	YouTube
March 20	Duluth FC (NPSL)	1:5	Forward Madison FC (USL-1)	Breese Stevens Field – Madison, WI	YouTube
March 20	Harbor City FC (UPSL)	0:3	South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1)	Tormenta Stadium – Statesboro, GA	YouTube
March 20	Soda City FC (UPSL)	2:4	Carolina Core FC (MLSNP)	Truist Point – High Point, NC	YouTube
March 20	NY Pancyprian Freedoms (EPSL)	0:0 (5:4 PK)	FC Cincinnati 2 (MLSNP)	NKU Soccer Stadium – Highland Heights, KY	YouTube
March 20	Washington AC (SRATS)	1:3	Tacoma Defiance (MLSNP)	Starfire Sports Complex – Tukwila, WA	YouTube
March 21	Union Omaha (USL-1)	2:1	Flatirons Rush (USL-2)	Stermole Soccer Stadium – Golden, CO	YouTube

ROUND 2	AWAY TEAM	TIME/SCORE	HOME TEAM	VENUE	WATCH
April 1	Lexington Sporting Club (USL-C)	0:3	Columbus Crew 2 (MLSNP)	Lower.com Field – Columbus, OH	YouTube
April 1	FORO SC (UPSL)	2:3	South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1)	Tormenta Stadium – Statesboro, GA	YouTube
April 1	Miami FC (USL-C)	0:3	Inter Miami CF II (MLSNP)	Chase Stadium – Ft. Lauderdale, FL	YouTube
April 1	Carolina Core FC (MLSNP)	1:2 (AET)	Charlotte Independence (USL-1)	Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews – Matthews, NC	YouTube
April 1	El Farolito (NPSL)	2:1	Monterey Bay FC (USL-C)	Cardinale Stadium – Seaside, CA	YouTube
April 1	LAFC 2 (MLSNP)	1:2 (AET)	AV ALTA FC (USL-1)	Lancaster Municipal Stadium – Lancaster, CA	YouTube
April 2	Virginia Dream (VSSL)	2:4	Loudoun United FC (USL-C)	Segra Field– Leesburg, VA	YouTube
April 2	Hartford Athletic (USL-C)	1:1 (2:4 PK)	Portland Hearts of Pine (USL-1)	Franklin Athletic Complex – Lewiston, ME	YouTube
April 2	NY Pancyprian Freedoms (EPSL)	2:3	Westchester SC (USL-1)	The Stadium at Memorial Field – Mt. Vernon, NY	YouTube
April 2	Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL-1)	1:1 (5:4 PK)	Chattanooga FC (MLSNP)	Finley Stadium – Chattanooga, TN	YouTube
April 2	One Knoxville SC (USL-1)	3:1	Greenville Triumph SC (USL-1)	Paladin Stadium at Furman University – Greenville, SC	YouTube
April 2	Little Rock Rangers (USL-2)	0:3	FC Naples (USL-1)	Paradise Coast Sports Complex – Naples, FL	YouTube
April 2	FC Tulsa (USL-C)	3:1	Forward Madison FC (USL-1)	Breese Stevens Field – Madison, WI	YouTube
April 2	Union Omaha (USL-1)	2:1	Des Moines Menace (USL-2)	Valley Stadium – West Des Moines, IA	YouTube
April 2	Spokane Velocity FC (USL-1)	1:2 (AET)	Tacoma Defiance (MLSNP)	Starfire Sports Complex – Tukwila, WA	YouTube
April 2	El Paso Locomotive FC (USL-C)	3:0	Ventura County FC (MLSNP)	Dignity Health Sports Park Track Stadium - Carson, CA	YouTube

ROUND 3	AWAY TEAM	TIME/SCORE	HOME TEAM	VENUE	WATCH
April 15	Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC	1:0	Columbus Crew 2	Lower.com Field - Columbus, OH	Paramount+
April 15	Rhode Island FC	2:1	Portland Hearts of Pine	Franklin Athletic Complex - Lewiston, ME	Paramount+
April 15	North Carolina FC	3:1	Charlotte Independence	Mecklenburg County Sportsplex - Matthews, NC	Paramount+
April 15	Loudoun United FC	1:2	Louisville City FC	Lynn Family Stadium - Louisville, KY	Paramount+
April 15	South Georgia Tormenta	0:4	Charleston Battery	Ralph Lundy Field - Mt. Pleasant, SC	Paramount+
April 15	San Antonio FC	0:1	Union Omaha	Caniglia Field - Omaha, NE	Paramount+
April 15	Orange County SC	2:2 (2:4 PK)	AV ALTA FC	Lancaster Municipal Stadium - Lancaster, CA	Paramount+
April 15	Oakland Roots SC	1:2 (AET)	Tacoma Defiance	Starfire Sports Complex - Tukwila, WA	Paramount+
April 16	Westchester SC	1:3	Detroit City FC	Keyworth Stadium - Hamtramck, MI	Paramount+
April 16	Tampa Bay Rowdies	1:1 (9:8 PK)	FC Naples	Paradise Coast Sports Complex - Naples, FL	Paramount+
April 16	Miami FC	0:1 (AET)	Indy Eleven	Michael A. Carroll Stadium - Indianapolis, IN	Paramount+
April 16	Phoenix Rising FC	1:1 (4:2 PK)	FC Tulsa	Hurricane Soccer and Track Stadium - Tulsa, OK	Paramount+
April 16	One Knoxville SC	2:3 (AET)	Colorado Springs Switchbacks	Wiedner Field - Colorado Springs, CO	Paramount+
April 16	El Paso Locomotive FC	2:2 (4:1 PK)	New Mexico United	UNM Track and Field and Soccer Stadium - Albuquerque, NM	Paramount+
April 16	El Farolito SC	0:1	Sacramento Republic FC	Heart Health Park - Sacramento, CA	Paramount+
April 16	Chattanooga Red Wolves	2:2 (4:3 PK)	Las Vegas Lights	Cashman Field - Las Vegas, NV	Paramount+

ROUND OF 32	AWAY TEAM	TIME/SCORE	HOME TEAM	VENUE	WATCH
May 6	Charleston Battery (USL-C)	0:2 (AET)	D.C. United (MLS)	Audi Field - Washington, DC	Paramount+
May 6	Charlotte FC (MLS)	4:1 (AET)	North Carolina FC (USL-C)	First Horizon Stadium - Cary, NC	Paramount+/CBS Sports Golazo
May 6	Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL-1)	0:1	Nashville SC (MLS)	GEODIS Park - Nashville, TN	Paramount+
May 6	New York Red Bulls (MLS)	4:1	Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USL-C)	Weidner Field - Colorado Springs, CO	Paramount+/CBS Sports Golazo
May 6	Portland Timbers (MLS)	3:2	Tacoma Defiance (MLSNP)	Starfire Sports Complex - Tukwila, WA	Paramount+/CBS Sports Network
May 7	New York City FC (MLS)	0:1	Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL-C)	Highmark Stadium - Pittsburgh, PA	Paramount+/CBS Sports Network
May 7	New England Revolution (MLS)	2:1	Rhode Island FC (USL-C)	Centrevlle Bank Stadium - Pawtucket, RI	Paramount+
May 7	Minnesota United FC (MLS)	1:0	Louisville City FC (USL-C)	Lynn Family Stadium - Louisville, KY	Paramount+
May 7	Indy Eleven (USL-C)	1:1 (4:5 PK)	Philadelphia Union (MLS)	Subaru Park - Chester, PA	Paramount+
May 7	Orlando City SC (MLS)	5:0	Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL-C)	Al Lang Stadium - St. Petersburg, FL	Paramount+
May 7	Detroit City FC (USL-C)	0:4	Chicago Fire (MLS)	SeatGeek Stadium - Bridgeview, IL	Paramount+
May 7	Union Omaha (USL-1)	0:2	St. Louis CITY FC (MLS)	Energizer Park - St. Louis, MO	Paramount+
May 7	AV ALTA FC (USL-1)	1:3	FC Dallas (MLS)	Toyota Stadium - Frisco, TX	Paramount+
May 7	El Paso Locomotive FC (USL-C)	2:3	Austin FC (MLS)	Q2 Stadium - Austin, TX	Paramount+
May 7	Houston Dynamo (MLS)	4:1 (AET)	Phoenix Rising FC (USL-C)	Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium - Phoenix, AZ	Paramount+/CBS Sports Network
May 7	Sacramento Republic FC (USL-C)	1:2	San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)	PayPal Park - San Jose, CA	Paramount+/CBS Sports Golazo

ROUND OF 16	AWAY TEAM	TIME/SCORE	HOME TEAM	VENUE	WATCH
May 20	Chicago Fire FC (MLS)	3:1	New England Revolution (MLS)	Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium - Providence, RI	Paramount+/CBS Sports Golazo
May 20	Portland Timbers FC (MLS)	0:1 (AET)	San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)	PayPal Park - San Jose, CA	Paramount+/CBS Sports Golazo
May 21	FC Dallas (MLS)	2:2 (3:4 PK)	New York Red Bulls (MLS)	Sports Illustrated Stadium - Harrison, NJ	Paramount+/CBS Sports Network
May 21	Charlotte FC (MLS)	3:3 (1:2 PK)	D.C. United (MLS)	Audi Field - Washington, D.C.	Paramount+
May 21	St. Louis CITY SC (MLS)	2:3	Minnesota United FC (MLS)	Allianz Field - St. Paul, MN	Paramount+
May 21	Nashville SC (MLS)	3:2	Orlando City SC (MLS)	Inter&Co Stadium - Orlando, FL	Paramount+
May 21	Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL-C)	1:4	Philadelphia Union (MLS)	Subaru Park - Chester, PA	Paramount+
May 21	Houston Dynamo FC (MLS)	1:3	Austin FC (MLS)	Q2 Stadium - Austin, TX	Paramount+

QUARTERFINALS	AWAY TEAM	TIME/SCORE	HOME TEAM	VENUE	WATCH
July 8	Chicago Fire FC (MLS)	1:3 (AET)	Minnesota United FC (MLS)	Allianz Field - St. Paul, MN	Paramount+/CBS Sports Network
July 8	Austin FC (MLS)	2:2 (4:2 PK)	San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)	PayPal Park - San Jose, CA	Paramount+/CBS Sports Golazo
July 9	D.C. United (MLS)	2:5	Nashville SC (MLS)	GEODIS Park - Nashville, TN	Paramount+/CBS Sports Golazo
Aug. 13	New York Red Bulls (MLS)	2:3	Philadelphia Union (MLS)	Subaru Park - Chester, PA	Paramount+/CBS Sports Network

SEMIFINALS	AWAY TEAM	TIME/SCORE	HOME TEAM	VENUE	WATCH
Sept. 16	Philadelphia Union (MLS)	1:3	Nashville SC (MLS)	GEODIS Park - Nashville, TN	Paramount+/CBS Sports Network
Sept. 17	Austin FC (MLS)	2:1 (AET)	Minnesota United FC (MLS)	Allianz Field - St. Paul, MN	Paramount+/CBS Sports Network

FINAL	AWAY TEAM	TIME/SCORE	HOME TEAM	VENUE TBD	WATCH
Oct. 1	Nashville SC (MLS)	2:1	Austin FC (MLS)	Q2 Stadium - Austin, TX	Paramount+/CBS Sports Network

2025 US Open Cup format revealed: More MLS teams return to competition

January 28, 2025 by Jake Sillick

UPDATE: Draw for 2025 US Open Cup revealed, 110th tournament begins March 18
2025 US Open Cup Schedule/Results

US Soccer has released the format and list of all teams participating in the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tournament proper.

Sixteen MLS teams will participate, doubling from the 8 that participated in 2024, but still not 100% participation as formats had in 2012-2023. MLS teams for this season and in 2026 will be limited to a maximum of 2 North American cup competitions in a given season. Those cup competitions are defined as Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup, US Open Cup, and Canadian Championship. This means that for US teams already qualified for Champions Cup and Leagues Cup, they will be excluded from the US Open Cup. MLS teams qualified based on the following criteria.

Teams participating in Concacaf Champions Cup are excluded from the Open Cup
Teams not participating in the 2025 Leagues Cup qualify for the Open Cup, ranked based on 2024 Supporters Shield Standings
The next best teams in the Supporters’ Shield Standings that are not in the Concacaf Champions Cup will enter the Open Cup.

There are 27 USA based MLS teams playing in 2025, meaning 11 will not enter this year, and of those 11, only 8 will have reserve teams participating in their place. Atlanta United FC, Colorado Rapids, and expansion San Diego FC will not have any representation from their club in the 2025 US Open Cup.

This year’s format includes guaranteed home or away games for the round of entry for USL Championship and MLS teams, which will ensure a greater number of MLS and USL Championship teams on the road than in the vast majority of years for early round games, where the top 2 divisions have hosted 73% against lower league opposition in the last 3 Open Cups (2022-2024) for Rounds 2-4. For Round 3, exactly 50% of USL Championship teams will host and for Round 4 exactly 50% of MLS teams will host. This also enables the teams predetermined to host to market and sell tickets to the games well in advance.

The best 4 eastern conference teams and best 4 western conference teams based on the 2024 season standings will get guaranteed home games for the two leagues. This only applies in Round 3 for those seeded USL Championship teams and Round 4 for those seeded MLS teams. The other 8 USL Championship teams entering in Round 3 and the other 8 MLS teams entering in Round 4 will be predesignated as away teams, for just those respective rounds Starting in the Round of 16, hosting rights will be determined in a random fashion should both teams in a match want to host and have venues capable of hosting.

TheCup.us has also obtained a copy of the team handbook, which lists expectations for professional teams to use primary venues when possible unless a scheduling conflict prevents the use. If an alternate venue must be used, then the home team will be on the hook financially for any differences in the cost to broadcast the match from the primary venue to the alternate venue.

Primary venues are defined as the venue where the highest number of league matches for a team are played in 2025. Alternate venues must meet hard minimum capacity requirements along with standard venue requirements, while primary venues do not have such hard capacity standards, but still must meet the standard venue requirements. Venue requirements had always listed “minimum seating capacity that is appropriate for the scheduled match/round,” but this is the first time that those minimums have been enumerated.

Hosting fees have also completely reverted to the old fixed cost structure after a trial year using solely a percentage of ticket revenue from the Round of 32 to the Final to fund the costs of the tournament like prize money, referee payments, and travel reimbursements. However, They are slightly larger than when they were last used in 2023, and in the Round of 32 and Round of 16, MLS teams will pay more money to host those matches than the lower divisions will ($50k for MLS, $20k for lower league). Every other round is the same for every team, with hosting fees starting at $1,500 for Rounds 1 and 2, and increasing up to a minimum of $300,000 to host the Final.

Ticket revenue cuts will not be going away entirely though. Along with a fixed hosting cost, 20 percent of ticket revenue will be given as a hosting fee for the semifinals and final, but that amount is capped for those 3 matches. The Final, for example, will not take in more than $575,000 in total hosting fees (fixed cost plus ticket revenue).

Reserve teams will return again this year from MLS NEXT Pro, 8 of the league’s 10 teams. The two independent teams, Chattanooga FC and Carolina Core FC, will automatically qualify. The 8 reserve teams that will take part are determined based on the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season standings, with teams whose first-team affiliates qualified excluded from the competition.

MLSNP reserve teams are only allowed to use players signed to the MLSNP roster or the MLS first team’s SUPPLEMENTAL roster (roster slots 21 and above.) Senior team players, or roster slots 1-20, will not be allowed to be loaned down unless exceptional circumstances require it, with a max of 3 of those players, and only with approval from US Soccer.

NISA, who is still working on a season that won’t begin until at least April, has agreed with US Soccer to sit out the US Open Cup for 2025.

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

Professional Division Teams

Major League Soccer

16 teams
(All 16 teams enter in the Round of 32)
Teams marked with ^ seeded as hosts in Round of 32. Teams without marks are designated road teams in the Round of 32 only.

Austin FC ^
Charlotte FC
Chicago Fire FC ^
D.C. United ^
FC Dallas ^
Houston Dynamo FC
Minnesota United
Nashville SC ^
New England Revolution
New York City FC
New York Red Bulls
Orlando City
Philadelphia Union ^
Portland Timbers
San Jose Earthquakes ^
St. Louis CITY SC ^

USL Championship

24 teams
(8 * teams enter in the First Round and 16 ** enter in the Third Round)
Teams marked with + seeded to host in Third Round. Teams without the + but are marked ** are predesignated as away teams in the Third Round only.

Birmingham Legion FC*
Charleston Battery** +
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (2024 USLC Champion)** +
Detroit City FC** +
El Paso Locomotive*
FC Tulsa*
Hartford Athletic*
Indy Eleven** +
Las Vegas Lights FC** +
Lexington SC*
Loudoun United FC*
Louisville City FC** +
Miami FC*
Monterey Bay FC*
New Mexico United** +
North Carolina FC**
Oakland Roots SC**
Orange County Soccer Club**
Phoenix Rising FC**
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC**
Rhode Island FC**
Sacramento Republic FC** +
San Antonio FC**
Tampa Bay Rowdies**

USL League One

14 teams
(Enter in the First Round)

AV ALTA FC
Charlotte Independence
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
FC Naples
Forward Madison FC
Greenville Triumph SC
One Knoxville SC
Portland Hearts of Pine
Richmond Kickers
South Georgia Tormenta FC
Spokane Velocity FC
Texoma FC
Union Omaha
Westchester SC

MLS NEXT Pro

10 teams
(Enter in the First Round)

Carolina Core FC
Chattanooga FC
Columbus Crew 2
FC Cincinnati 2
LAFC 2
Inter Miami CF II
Real Monarchs
Sporting KC 2
Tacoma Defiance
Ventura County FC

Amateur/Open Division Teams

(All 32 teams enter in the First Round)

NY Pancyprian Freedoms (EPSL / 2024 USASA National Amateur Cup Winner)
Soda City FC (South Carolina / UPSL Spring Champion)

Open Division Qualifying Round Winners

14 teams – winners from the four Open Cup Qualifying Rounds / Fall 2024

CD Faialense (Bay State Soccer League / Mass. / USASA)
FORO SC (Texas / UPSL)
Harbor City FC (Florida / UPSL)
Harpos FC (Colorado Premier League / Colo. / USSSA)
International San Francisco (San Francisco Soccer Football League / Calif. / USASA )
Laguna United FC (California / UPSL)
Miami United FC (Florida / UPSL)
Tulsa Athletic (Oklahoma / UPSL)
West Chester United SC(USL of Penn. / Pa. / USASA)
Virginia Dream (Virginia Super Soccer League / Va. / USASA)
Southern Indiana FC (Indiana / UPSL)
NY Renegades (New York / UPSL)
New Jersey Alliance (New Jersey / UPSL)
Washington Athletic Club (Seattle Recreational Adult Team Soccer / Washington / USASA)

National Premier Soccer League (NPSL)

7 teams – based on 2024 league play

Appalachian FC (North Carolina)
Duluth FC (Minnesota)
El Farolito (California)
FC Arizona (Arizona)
FC Motown (New Jersey)
Naples United FC (Florida)
New York Shockers (New York)

USL League Two

9 teams – based on 2024 league play

Asheville City SC (North Carolina)
Ballard FC (Washington)
Corpus Christi FC (Texas)
Des Moines Menace (Iowa)
Flatirons FC (Colorado)
Little Rock Rangers (Arkansas)
Long Island Rough Riders (New York)
Sarasota Paradise (Florida)
Ventura County Fusion (California)

2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Schedule

First Round: March 18-20
Second Round: April 1-2
Third Round: April 15-16
Round of 32: May 6-7
Round of 16: May 20-21
Quarterfinals: July 8-9
Semifinal: Sept. 16-17
Final: Oct. 1

2025 US Open Cup Qualifying: Laguna United cruise to first USOC berth with 6-2 win in San Diego

December 9, 2024 by MaryBeth Zmuda

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

San Diego Internacional hosted Laguna United FC as both UPSL sides sought a coveted spot in the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Laguna rolled over San Diego Inter in a decisive 6-2 victory, claiming the club’s first-ever Open Cup spot with a chance to potentially prove themselves against some of the best teams in the country.

Laguna United made the trip south to Mission Bay Stadium in San Diego with one thing on its mind and it showed. Within their crushing defeat of San Diego Internacional, they held a master class. Laguna operated like a well-oiled machine and had control of the entire match. This was in stark contrast to SD Inter who struggled to keep up with the visitors and essentially outplayed themselves.

#USOC2025 #WeWantTheCup
— US Open Cup News (@thecup.us) 2024-12-09T06:50:22.327Z

LUFC came out guns a blazing, grabbing four goals lead by halftime.

Left wing Michael Barrazas was responsible for two of those. He struck early with a banger in the 9th minute that was set up due to a defensive miscue. Barrazas would take advantage of another mistake at the back and double the lead in the 25th minute.

In the 32nd minute, San Diego forward Marck Cruz Benito was able to get the home side on the board as he cut the lead to 2-1.

Eight minutes later LUFC would respond. After making it past Inter’s entire defense Barrazas came face to face with goalkeeper John Neves whom he was easily able to maneuver the ball past. Barrazas then got an assist for himself when he and teammate, striker Yousef Farah, deftly moved up the pitch getting into range. Barrazas sent a perfectly timed and centered ball to the waiting foot of Farah who slotted it past the keeper to make it 3-1.

While the display of teamwork previously displayed was a thing of beauty, Farah’s second goal was what fans live for. A Laguna corner created a small melee in front Inter’s net. Farah was able to take advantage of a loose ball and performed a perfect bicycle kick past an unsuspecting Neves to make it 4-1 right before the half.

“(The bicycle kick goal) was huge,” said Laguna United center back Ben Nicholson. “The three goal cushion made a big difference. And the manner in which it was scored definitely contributed to the feeling that the game was going to go our way.”

The second half was a more subdued event. Laguna United was still playing strongly, but they were more about containment. SD Inter was again in contrast of their opponents. They appeared to be overthinking the game, rather than playing more instinctive. Laguna United would extend their lead in the 50th minute when Farah rounded the goalkeeper and slotted it home to complete the hat trick.

Luke Raley did manage to get another for SDI in the 69th minute. But this would be the end of scoring for them.

Laguna United would add a sixth and final goal from the penalty spot when Luke Newman drew a foul inside the box. Ben Nicholson would convert the PK to deliver a memorable result for LUFC with the club’s first-ever trip to the US Open Cup.

“This is a historic moment for our club that really dates back to 10 years of hard work,” said Laguna United director of coaching Sam Nicholson. “Our UPSL team is driven by home grown developed youth players with 10 different age groups represented between the 2010-2002 birth years bringing our current top youth players and our alumni together to achieve this goal. To be part of such a historic cup and have our name in that hat for the real first round is proud for our whole community.”

2025 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Weekend Review: 4 dramatic goalfests, 2 PK shootouts, 1 forfeit completes Open Division Local field

December 9, 2024 by Josh Hakala

The final weekend of the Open Division Local Qualifying tournament for the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is complete with seven teams clinching a spot in next spring’s 110th edition of the tournament.

The last seven games had a little of everything with two games finishing scoreless and having to be decided in a penalty kick shootout. Four games were high-scoring barnburners where the lowest-scoring game was five total goals and it was decided in the final seconds of extra time. And finally another spot was decided without a ball being kicked as Washington Athletic Club became the first Open Division Local team from the Evergreen State to qualify for the US Open Cup in the Modern Era (1995-present).

Of the seven teams that advanced to the tournament proper (which is expected to begin in March), three of them were first-time entries. They will join the following teams in the 2025 US Open Cup:

CD Faialense (BSSL/USASA)
Harpos FC (CPL/USSSA)
New Jersey Alliance FC (UPSL)
New York Renegades FC (UPSL)
Southern Indiana FC (UPSL)
Virginia Dream FC (VSSL/USASA)
West Chester United SC (USLPA/USASA)
Soda City FC (2024 UPSL Spring Champions).
NY Pancyprian Freedoms (2024 National Amateur Cup Champions)

Below you will find a brief recap of each game with a link to the full match report and video:

Harbor City FC celebrates after defeating FC America CFL Spurs 5-4 in a PK shootout (after a 0-0 draw) to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Harbor City FC

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
ROUND 4 (WIN & YOU’RE IN)

Harbor City FC (UPSL)
0:0
FC America CFL Spurs (USSL/USSSA)
Harbor City FC qualifies, 5-4 on penalty kicks
Melbourne High School; Melbourne, FL
FULL MATCH VIDEO: YOUTUBE

By: Taylor George

In a tense “Win and You’re In” matchup against United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) rivals FC America CFL Spurs, Harbor City FC punched their ticket to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup after an intense battle that ended in penalty kicks.

After 120 minutes of scoreless soccer, Harbor City would qualify for the 110th edition of the US Open Cup with a 5-4 win in the shootout with goalkeeper Bryce Notardonato making the decisive save.

For HCFC, it was a revenge result as both teams made their Open Cup qualifying debut last year and the Spurs eliminated City 1-0 on a Melvrik Fernandes goal in the 76th minute.

FULL MATCH REPORT

FORO SC celebrates after defeating Houston Regals SCA 4-2 to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: FORO SC

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
ROUND 4

FORO SC (UPSL)
4:2
Houston Regals SCA (USSL)
Prince of Peace; Carrollton, TX
FULL MATCH VIDEO: YOUTUBE

By: Jim Coppock

A cool, rainy night in Carrollton, Texas, saw hosts FORO SC defeat Houston Regals SCA by a 4-2 score in a “Win & You’re In” match. FORO SC took the lead twice only to see Houston equalize each time. But after taking the lead for a third time, they would hold on for the victory. With the win, FORO SC qualifies for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the second year in a row.

FORO SC have become perennial UPSL Championship contenders (three times in the UPSL semifinals), while Houston Regals are establishing themselves as a powerhouse in the Texas conference of the United States Soccer League (winning it all in 2022 and claiming the most recent Spring Texas title). Neither side considered themselves the underdog and neither played like it. Outside of the first and last five minutes, the game was end to end.

FULL MATCH REPORT

Tulsa Athletic celebrates after defeating Chicago House AC 5-4 in PKs (after a 0-0 draw) to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Tulsa Athletic

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
ROUND 4

Chicago House AC (MWPL)
0:0
Tulsa Athletic (UPSL)
Tulsa Athletic qualifies, 5-4 on penalty kicks
Langhorst Field; Elmhurst, IL
FULL MATCH VIDEO: YOUTUBE

By: Joe Chatz

There’s no easy path into the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, particularly throughout Open Division Local qualifying, but Tulsa Athletic managed to weather multiple storms and secured a spot in the 2025 edition of the tournament after defeating Chicago House AC 5-4 in a penalty kick shootout after a scoreless draw at Langhorst Field on the campus of Elmhurst University in Illinois.

The two sides had multiple chances in open play throughout the 120 minutes but neither side broke the deadlock, sending the match to penalty kicks. Tulsa didn’t miss from the spot and that was enough to secure their spot in the 2025 US Open Cup. With the shootout win, Tulsa Athletic qualified for the third year in a row and the seventh time in club history (all previous entries were as members of the NPSL). Meanwhile, Chicago was denied a third straight trip to the competition.

FULL MATCH REPORT

Miami United FC celebrates after a 3-2 extra time win over Red Force FC to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Miami United FC

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
ROUND 4

Miami United FC (UPSL)
3:2
Red Force FC (PFL)
After Extra Time
Ted Hendricks Stadium; Hialeah, FL
FULL MATCH VIDEO: YOUTUBE

By: Daniel Solana

On a beautiful night in Hialeah, Fla., two of South Florida’s most historic clubs faced off in a “Win & You’re In” game to punch their ticket to the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Miami United FC, were victorious over their rival Red Force in a fierce game that went to extra time. Fueled by a goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time of the second extra time period from their Argentine star player, Diego “Cachetes” Morales, “El Equipo del Pueblo” is on its way to the 110th edition of US Soccer’s historic tournament.

With the win, Miami United extends it’s record winning streak in the qualifying tournament to 13 games, and have qualified for the US Open Cup proper for the third year in a row and the seventh time in club history (2015, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2023, 2024, 2025)

FULL MATCH REPORT

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
ROUND 4

San Diego Internacional (UPSL)
2:6
Laguna United FC (UPSL)
Mission Bay High School; San Diego, CA
FULL MATCH VIDEO: YOUTUBE

By: Josh Hakala

Laguna United scored four first half goals and didn’t look back as they traveled south and defeated fellow UPSL side San Diego Internacional 6-2. Michael Barrazas got the offense rolling by scoring the first two goals and assisting on the third. For that third goal, Barrazas set up Yousef Farah for the first goal of his hat trick. Farah’s biggest of his three goals came just before halftime when he gathered a loose ball in the penalty area, flipped the ball up to himself and buried a bicycle kick goal past the diving goalkeeper to make it 4-1 at the halftime break. After Farah would complete the hat trick in the 50th minute, Ben Nicholson would add a late penalty kick to send LUFC to the US Open Cup for the first time in club history.

FULL MATCH REPORT

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
ROUND 4

International San Francisco (SFSFL/USASA)
5:4
Valley 559 FC (UPSL)
After Extra Time
James P. Lang Field; San Francisco, CA
FULL MATCH VIDEO: YOUTUBE

By: Jordan Beech

It was do-or-die in the Bay on Sunday night, and Leo Lazaro’s extra time heroics proved the difference as Inter San Francisco edged past Valley 559 FC, 5-4, at James P. Lang Field.

After missing out on back-to-back tournament appearances last year, Inter SF are headed back to the Open Cup for the 110th edition of the tournament. Inter made their debut in the Open Cup in 2023.

Leo Lazaro led the way with a brace on the night, scoring in the 85th and 99th minutes.Both times Lazaro scored to give the hosts the lead, with the 99th-minute tally standing as the difference in an otherwise even affair.

FULL MATCH REPORT

Washington AC (SRATS)
vs.
Las Vegas Legends FC (NISAN)
Nathan Hale High School; Seattle, WA
Washington AC qualifies for the 2025 US Open Cup via forfeit

By Josh Hakala

Washington AC earned a spot in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time in club history after the Las Vegas Legends informed them that they were forfeiting Saturday’s “Win & You’re In” match in Seattle.

“On our last weekend of the season during NISA Nation championships semi final and Finals we faced disciplinary issues with multiple players. Unfortunately that led us to not have enough players to field a team for the December 7th game,” said Las Vegas Legends owner and founder Meir Cohen. “This is very disappointing to some players and to the club as we were looking forward to make a run at the Open Cup as we did in 2022.”

“The Las Vegas Legends wishes WAC all the best in the First Round in March,” he added.

#USOC2025 Qualifying ("Win & You're In"): Congrats to Washington AC who becomes the first Open Division Local side to qualify from the state of Washington in the Modern Era (1995-pres) after Las Vegas Legends forfeited this weekend's match due to lack of player availability.Graphic: Frank Lanham
— US Open Cup News (@thecup.us) 2024-12-07T02:23:48.473Z

“It’s obviously not the way we wanted to qualify with our last game but there’s not much we can do about it,” said Washington AC head coach Mark Conrad. “We are excited to be in the tournament proper regardless.”

Washington AC comes from the Seattle Recreational Adult Team Soccer, the same league as 2024’s viral sensation Sharktopus FC. The teams have taken turns atop the SRATS, Washington AC winning the Winter and spring regular season and Sharktopus taking the summer section.

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.

Washington Athletic Club entered the competition with some rich history as they were founded in 1930. With the forfeit win, WAC becomes 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.

2025 US Open Cup Qualifying: Inter San Francisco qualifies again with 9-goal OT shootout with Valley 559

December 9, 2024 by Jordan Beech

It was do-or-die in the Bay on Sunday night, and Leo Lazaro’s extra time heroics proved the difference as Inter San Francisco edged past Valley 559 FC, 5-4, at James P. Lang Field.

After missing out on back-to-back tournament appearances last year, Inter SF are headed back to the Open Cup for the 110th edition of the tournament. Inter made their debut in the Open Cup in 2023.

Leo Lazaro led the way with a brace on the night, scoring in the 85th and 99th minutes. Both times Lazaro scored to give the hosts the lead, with the 99th-minute tally standing as the difference in an otherwise even affair.

The hosts were up inside the first minute of the match after a ball squared into the box caromed off a Valley 559 FC player and in the goal for an own goal to make it 1-0. Valley, however, erased that mistake in the fifth minute with Victor Faulk converting from the penalty spot.

#USOC2025 #WeWantTheCup
— US Open Cup News (@thecup.us) 2024-12-09T06:48:34.951Z

Inter took back the lead thanks to a long-range strike from Dylan Autran on the fast break in the 12th minute. The ball pinged around the midfield before falling to Autran’s feet. He took one look up at goal, noticed the Valley keeper off his line, and sent one screaming into the top left corner to make it 2-1.

Again Valley had a rebuttal. The Valley keeper got a hold of a bouncing ball and triggered a fast break down the left side. A trio of quick passes up the sideline saw Andrew Huerta slot a ball inside for a finish past the on-rushing Inter keeper.

A well-worked combination put Inter up 3-2 as halftime beckoned. After getting the Valley defense shifting, a lofted ball to the backside connected with Adrian Argosy who just stayed onside. He coolly finished to the back post for the hosts’ third goal of the match in the opening frame.

After the interval, it was Valley that struck first in the 60th minute. A nifty bit of work on the endline saw a Mason Gonzalez receive the ball inside the 18 yard box before hammering it into the side netting, to make it 3-apiece.

In a pattern seen all night, Inter thought they’d found the answer in the 85th minute via Leo Lazaro only to see Valley’s Andy Velasquez respond three minutes later to keep it level at 4-4.

Lazzaro’s extra time goal in the 99th minute proved to be the game-winner, and ultimately, it helped heal a wound from last year’s qualifying tournament when Inter lost 4-2 to FC Folsom (UPSL) in a “Win & You’re In” match.

“It could have been three years in a row to qualify for the Cup, but after last year’s heartbreak, losing in the final round, the way we lost, the pain was immense,” said Inter head coach and general manager Amir Darabi. “All we wanted was another chance to prove ourselves. This year, we made it back in style! Scoring 18 goals in just four games, we delivered entertaining performances every step of the way. Now, with this incredible achievement behind us, we’re dreaming even bigger and making exciting plans for the future!”

2025 US Open Cup Qualifying: Luis Peralta’s late OT goal sends Miami United to 4th straight USOC

December 9, 2024 by Daniel Solana

On a beautiful night in Hialeah, Fla., two of South Florida’s most historic clubs faced off in a “Win & You’re In” game to punch their ticket to the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Miami United FC, were victorious over their rival Red Force in a fierce game that went to extra time. Fueled by a goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time of the second extra time period from their Argentine star player, Diego “Cachetes” Morales, “El Equipo del Pueblo” is on its way to the 110th edition of US Soccer’s historic tournament.

With the win, Miami United extends it’s record winning streak in the qualifying tournament to 13 games, and have qualified for the US Open Cup proper for the fourth year in a row and the eighth time in club history (2015, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)

The first half saw Red Force struggle to get themselves in the game, while Miami United had a number of opportunities to break the scoreless draw. After a couple of cautions were showed to each team, Morales was able to slot through the opening goal of the match in the 43rd minute with a beautiful touch over the Red Force goalkeeper. Although, Red Force had a tough time cracking through MUFC defense, they were able to escape the half down by only a goal.

The second half was a different story that saw plenty of chances for both sides, most ending in near misses. MUFC had an opportunity to double the lead, but Santi Frean’s shot hit the crossbar. As the minutes began to dwindle, Red Force’s Santiago Fajardo would have a chance to tie the game, as his shot would go just wide of Sebastian D’Angelo’s goal.

In the 80th minute, Red Force’s captain, David Holguin, tied the game from the penalty spot; with a cheeky shot down the middle. With the game knotted at 1-1, the final minutes of the second half had all of the dramatics you’d expect between two teams fighting for a US Open Cup spot. United’s Serrano had the chance to send his team into the Cup, but couldn’t capitalize on a last minute sitter. As a result, the game was off to extra time.

As the temperatures dipped into the 60s in South Florida, both teams went into the overtime period showing signs of wear and tear after a hard fought 90 minutes. Both teams continued to show their grit, churning out opportunity after opportunity. In the 101st minute, MUFC finally broke through the Red Force defense to take the lead 2-1, with Luis Peralta’s right-footed rocket from outside the box.

Red Force nearly responded seconds later when D’Angelo stopped a breakaway attempt from Fajardo.

With the first half of extra time nearing it’s end, Red Force tied the game in dramatic fashion; ex-MUFC player, Diego Ochoa, struck a volley near post to pull Red Force even, at 2-2.

The second overtime started with an excellent play by the home side that resulted in a goal, which overturned by an offside call from the referees first assistant. It was a decision that caused a lot of controversy among the fans and teams in attendance.

While MUFC continued to push forward looking for a game winning goal, Red Force’s looked tired and was content to let the game go to penalties. In the final minutes of the game, MUFC’s Frea had a free kick denied by the woodwork.

But it was the MUFC’s first half hereo Luis Peralta who doubled his scoring total and not only avoided a penalty kick shootout but he ultimately punched his team’s ticket into the US Open Cup with another scorcher from outside the box, in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

After the goal, MUFC’s president and assistant coach were sent off and the shenanigans began. The game was delayed for a number of minutes, as the officials waited for the gentlemen to leave the pitch. Peralta, was also sent off in the final minutes after receiving a second yellow (the first was given to him after taking off his shirt after his first goal). In the end, Miami United’s depth was too much for Red Force to overcome and the side who called Hialeah home took home the hard fought victory.

After the loss, David Holguin, captain and veteran Red Force player, said “I am proud of the team tonight. We did the unthinkable with the great players we have, but unfortunately we were not on the same level physically, as they were.”

Holguin also talked about how he manages to continue to play at a high level into his 40s.

“I have to thank God,” the Red Force captain said. “It’s tough to continue to play against all of the young talent in South Florida, especially those who train on a daily basis. It’s all thanks to God that I can continue to play this beautiful game.”

“It feels great to qualify to the US Open Cup,” Peralta said about his two-goal performance. “It was a great team effort and overall I think we had a great game. I felt like I was playing in the big leagues, like MLS, or the Premier League, I felt great!”

“It was a debt that we had pending, and we had to win at any cost,” said Miami United manager Claudio Frean about his team earning a spot in the Open Cup. “It was an atypical game where we dominated the entire first half, and we ended up complicating ourselves toward the end of the game. But, overall we are extremely happy with the team, our fans and the city.”

2025 US Open Cup Qualifying: Tulsa Athletic qualifies for 4th straight USOC, ends Chicago House’s streak with PK shootout win

December 8, 2024 by Joe Chatz

There’s no easy path into the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, particularly throughout Open Division Local qualifying, but Tulsa Athletic managed to weather multiple storms and secured a spot in the 2025 edition of the tournament after defeating Chicago House AC 5-4 in a penalty kick shootout after a scoreless draw at Langhorst Field on the campus of Elmhurst University in Illinois.

The PK that secured Tulsa Athletic’s spot in the 2025 US Open Cup #USOC2025
— (@joechatz.bsky.social) 2024-12-08T23:48:30.925Z

The two sides had multiple chances in open play throughout the 120 minutes but neither side broke the deadlock, sending the match to penalty kicks. Tulsa didn’t miss from the spot and that was enough to secure their spot in the 2025 US Open Cup. With the shootout win, Tulsa Athletic qualified for the fourth year in a row and the seventh time in club history (all previous entries were as members of the NPSL). Meanwhile, Chicago was denied a third straight trip to the competition.

The matchday started well before kickoff for Tulsa, who lost 2-1 on Saturday to the Arkansas Wolves in the UPSL OK-AR Conference Championship Game at Hicks Park in Tulsa. Most of Tulsa’s squad were on the first flight out of Tulsa on Sunday, ensuring that they made it to Elmhurst with plenty of time before taking on their foes from the Midwest Premier League less than 24 hours after their last match took place multiple states away.

There wasn’t a whole lot of action in the first half as both goalkeepers consistently left their nets in order to quash counter attacking runs from the opposition’s forwards.

#USOC2025 Qualifying Final Round ("Win & You're In"): After 120 scoreless minutes, Tulsa Athletic pulls out the win over Chicago House AC 5-4 in PKs to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup tournament!
— US Open Cup News (@thecup.us) 2024-12-08T22:17:55.045Z

Tulsa nearly took the lead in the 68th minute as Ruben Torres hit a rocket that was tipped off the bar and away by House goalkeeper Ryan Grady.

House had two great chances to score but couldn’t find the back of the net. Ugo Achara hit a strike from 18 yards in the 87th minute that bounced off the crossbar and away from Tulsa’s net. Achara then was called offside in second half stoppage after effecting the goalkeeper’s eyesight on a House goal moments before the match went into extra time.

The match became more stretched out over the two 15 minute extra time periods but neither side’s use of longballs paid any dividends, sending the match to penalty kicks.

Both teams converted their first two attempts from 12 yards but Tulsa goalkeeper Bryson Reed dove to his right and denied House’s Gilberto’s Angeles’ effort to put the visitors ahead. After each side converted two more penalty kicks, Tulsa’s Edgardo Mira hammered his effort into the net to secure his team’s spot in the 2025 US Open Cup.

“Some of these guys have played two games in less than 24 hours so, yeah, they’re an incredible team, and I’m proud of the boys,” said Tulsa head coach John Woodhead. “I’m proud to be a part of it. It’s not just the team. It’s a big family of mine …”

“Entering the Open Cup next year is just awesome for the club and especially for the fans.”

2025 US Open Cup Qualifying: FORO SC returns to USOC on strength of three go-ahead goals

December 8, 2024 by Jim Coppock

The kickoff was delayed slightly due to the weather holding up the arrival of the Houston side. The late arrival did cut into Houston’s warm-up time, and it showed for the first (and last) few minutes. After about a 25-minute delay, the game finally got underway. FORO took the proverbial bull by the horns and bossed the game early; their first look at goal, though called back for a foul, was after just 35 seconds. The hosts wasted no further time in opening their accounts. Manuel Lopez stabbed in a cross at the back post from Eric Gomez Silva in the 4th minute, setting the pace for the evening.

#USOC2025 Qualifying ("Win & You're In"): FINAL! #FOROSC defeat 10-man @HoustonRegals, 4-2, to qualify for their 2nd consecutive Open Cup. Goals by Manuel Lopez, Nigel Katara, Matt Allbury & Eric Silva seal the win.
— US Open Cup News (@thecup.us) 2024-12-08T03:18:24.222Z

The trio of Edward Garcia, Victor Soria and Carlos Campos were a collective pest for the FORO defense. On the other side, Kyle Bennett, FORO’s talisman in last year’s tournament, was involved often in the attack and he had one assist tonight.

Houston’s first goal came from the head of Carlos Campos. A poor FORO defensive clearance led to a quick, free-flowing counterattack for Houston. Campos found himself with a free header from about a yard out after a beautifully floated-in cross from Edward Garcia in the 15th minute to level the score.

FORO re-took the lead for the second time from a corner kick. Kyle Bennett found himself in front of goal with a header opportunity, but his attempt lacked timing and power and ended up straight at the ground. The bouncing ball found Nigel Katawa who laced the rebound in for the second go-ahead goal in the 42nd minute.

The half would end a bit chippy, but nothing too serious, and the scoreboard would read 2-1 in favor of the home side.

Houston came flying out of the chute to start the second half. After just 67 seconds, Edward Garcia leveled the score from inside the penalty area. With the FORO defense in a bit of disarray, Carlos Campos settled a 15-yard pass, tapped the ball back to Victor Soria who hit a perfect leading ball through five FORO players for Garcia to run on to. Goalkeeper Gonzalo Martinez came well out to intercept but missed, and the ball rolled in from about 15 yards out. Houston had their second equalizer of the night in the 47th minute.

Houston looked like they might equalize a third time. Victor Soria had a trio of chances blocked all three times by Gonzalo Martinez in the 61st minute. Soria would have yet another terrific opportunity a couple minutes later but could not connect with the ball right in front of goal after splitting the center backs.

Despite the scoreline, both keepers had particularly good games.

FORO’s third goal was a masterpiece from Matt Albury. A sublime glancing header from just outside the near post to the back post in the 71st minute to put the hosts in front for the third time. A Houston player also got his head to the ball, but it was not going to be stopped. This goal would end up being the game winner.

In the 75th minute, Houston’s Pablo Hernandez had his arm extended from his body which deflected the ball inside the penalty area. The ball was heading goalward, and the arm came out away from the body. This was judged to be “DOGSO”, and he was sent off.

The resulting PK gave FORO a two-goal advantage for the first time on the night. Eric Gomez Silva stepped up and easily converted the penalty kick. FORO ramped up the pressure after the PK. Houston did not give up even when down to ten, and FORO did not park the bus. The final 14 minutes saw FORO ask all the questions and Houston give all the right answers, but the visitors were on the back foot for good after the penalty.

Eric Gomez Silva had a goal and an assist in the winning effort and Edward Garcia had the same tally in the losing effort for Houston.

The victory books FORO SC’s trip to the First Round proper in back-to-back years (2024, 2025). Saturday night’s win, extended FORO’s qualifying win streak to six games dating back to last year. In each of the last four qualifying games, FORO has scored four goals in each game.

Scoring Summary

FORO SC
4′ – Manuel Lopez (Eric Gomez Silva)
42′ – Nigel Katara (Kyle Bennett)
71’ – Matt Albury
77’ – Eric Gomez Silva (PK)

HOUSTON REGALS SCA
15’ – Carlos Campos (Edward Garcia)
47’ – Edward Garcia (Victor Soria)

RED CARD
76′ – Pablo Hernandez (Houston)

2025 US Open Cup Qualifying: Harbor City get revenge, win PK shootout to earn first USOC berth

December 8, 2024 by Taylor George

In a tense “Win and You’re In” matchup against United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) rivals FC America CFL Spurs, Harbor City FC punched their ticket to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup after an intense battle that ended in penalty kicks.

After 120 minutes of scoreless soccer, Harbor City would qualify for the 110th edition of the US Open Cup with a 5-4 win in the shootout with goalkeeper Bryce Notardonato making the decisive save.

For HCFC, it was a revenge result as both teams made their Open Cup qualifying debut last year and the Spurs eliminated City 1-0 on a Melvrik Fernandes goal in the 76^th minute.

“This is one of the things that we’ve been working on,” said Douglas Bonney, head coach of HCFC. “We won our league, and finished second in Florida. This has been a goal of ours since we’ve started the club, to qualify for the US Open Cup because we’re trying to build the club, and work our way up, so this is huge for us as a club.”

#USOC2025 Qualifying ("Win & You're In"): FINAL! Harbor FC advance to their first Open Cup 5-4 on PKs after extra time after a 0-0 draw.
— US Open Cup News (@thecup.us) 2024-12-08T03:06:35.691Z

The first half was marked with defensive discipline from both sides, with not many chances for either team. The Spurs had the best opportunity of the half when a shot by Pedro Espinola rattled the crossbar on what seemed like a guaranteed goal. HCFC’s Gene Lewis received a yellow card after a gritty first half which set the tone for the remainder of the game.

The second half was full of chances for both sides, most ending in near misses. HCFC earned multiple indirect free kicks but failed to capitalize, sending their shots high or wide. The Spurs also struggled to capitalize, despite some promising opportunities.

In the dying moments of the second half, the Spurs had two golden chances back to back, only to be denied by HCFC netminder Notardonato. In the last minute, Victor Blanco of the Spurs found himself in a 1-v-1 with the former Marshall University goalkeeper, who made another clutch save to keep the match scoreless in regulation and sent the game into extra time.

Overtime brought more drama, leading to a pair of heated 15-minute halves. Both teams had good chances but neither could find a breakthrough, sending the game into penalties.

In the shootout, HCFC held their nerve to win the game 5-4 in penalties, with Jordan Snell, Perrie Nascimento, Mario Licor, Samuel Leighton and Micah Smoak all converting their own goals successfully. The Spurs matched stride for stride until their fifth shooter failed to deliver under pressure, with HCFC’s Notardonato saving the attempt to send his club into the Open Cup.

“We’re just extremely proud of the grit that the team showed to fight for 120 minutes and all the way through penalties,” HCFC co-owners Jordan Snell andn Trey Collins said in a joint statement. “Qualifying for the Open Cup was our biggest goal for the year, so to achieve that is something that gives us a ton of joy. We’re excited for the energy that the community has brought to support us and we can’t wait to debut in the tournament proper in 2025.”

Snell, who played his college ball at Coker University (NCAA Div. 2) in South Carolina, is one of the few players on the roster with Open Cup experience. He spent three summer seasons (2015-17) with the Michigan Bucks (now Flint City Bucks) of USL League Two. In 2017, he assisted on Francis Atuahene’s game-winning goal as the Bucks upset Indy Eleven (NASL, Div. 2 pro) 1-0. Snell is hoping to help lead his amateur team to an upset of a pro team.

“I think the boys just need to enjoy the moment,” said Snell. “This is something that not a lot of people get to experience and we worked hard to earn our qualification. We need to trust that if we continue to put in the work as a collective unit, we can continue to have success against even the best teams.”