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2023 US Open Cup: Which NPSL teams could qualify?

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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

The 2022 National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) season has reached the Final Four. With the vast majority of the season completed, we can take a look at which teams will have the highest priority of qualifying for the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

How this list is made is determined by using the format outlined in theΒ 2023 US Open Cup Open Division Handbook.

After years of either steady or increasing berth totals for teams between 2011 and 2018, the NPSL experienced its first decrease in tournament slots in 2019 going from 18 (22 after including last minute Play-in teams) to 14. This stayed steady for the 2020 tournament with 14 entrants before COVID-19 would cancel both the 2020 and 2021 tournaments.Β  It then decreased again with only 10 entrants in the 2022 tournament. With expansion coming across the board from all professional leagues, it would seem likely that the number of berths for both NPSL and USL League Two could go down again or at best remain level. The final allocation will not be determined until the professional leagues have finalized their entrants in early January 2023.

NPSL’s CLASSIFICATION RULES

Heading into the 2023 US Open Cup, the NPSL has 92 teams that are eligible for the competition divided into four regions: South (30), East (29), Midwest (18), and West (15).

The first eight possible berths are awarded to teams that advanced deep into the 2022 NPSL playoffs. Slots one and two are reserved for the champion and runner-up, respectively. Slots three and four are given to the teams that reached the semifinals and teams five through eight are held by the remaining quarterfinalists. Teams finishing at the same round will be ordered by regular season points per game. The Top 8 teams are:

  1. FC Motown (national champion)
  2. Crossfire Redmond (national runner-up)
  3. Muskegon Risers (national semifinalist, 2.6 PPG)
  4. Tulsa Athletic (national semifinalist, 2.42 PPG)
  5. Jacksonville Armada FC U-23 (regional finalist, 2.83 PPG)
  6. El Farolito (regional finalist, 2.4 PPG)
  7. Appalachian FC (regional finalist, 2.1 PPG)
  8. Cleveland SC (regional finalist, 2.08 PPG)

After that, the next spots are purely given out on a regular season points per game basis to the next team in the next region that gets a spot. This is ordered by the the number of teams in each region. For the 2023 Open Cup, it would go South, East, Midwest, West, South, East, Midwest, West, and so forth until every spot has been filled. If a team declines the spot or is ineligible to take any spot, the next team in the region ranking gets the spot. What this means is if, for example, 11 NPSL teams qualify for the 2023 Open Cup, it will be guaranteed to be 3 teams each from the South, East, and Midwest regions, and 2 teams from the West region, even if it’s a team much further down a regional ranking compared to a team from another region.

It’s near certain that teams listed in the top eight are all but guaranteed a spot in the 108th edition of the US Open Cup. But if there’s more, there could be a third team from each region. More than 12 teams is unlikely given the number of Open Division slots overall.

With all that out of the way, here are the 2022 NPSL US Open Cup berth rankings. This year we will give the rankings for each region, with 1st place being the regional champion, and 2nd place being the region runner up. The teams are then ordered by PPG, with the tiebreakers being average goal difference and then average goals scored.

x- Regional Champion, y- Regional runner-up

EAST REGION

Rank Team GP W L T GF GA GD Pts Pts/GP GD/GP GF/GP
1 x-FC Motown 10 7 1 2 32 13 19 23 2.3 1.9 3.2
2 y-Appalachian FC 10 6 1 3 25 12 13 21 2.1 1.3 2.5
3 Hartford City FC 10 8 0 2 21 8 13 26 2.6 1.3 2.1
4 Electric City Shock 10 7 1 2 29 10 19 23 2.3 1.9 2.9
5 Alexandria Reds 10 7 2 1 20 10 10 22 2.2 1 2
6 West Chester United SC 10 6 1 3 26 13 13 21 2.1 1.3 2.6
7 Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 10 6 1 3 22 14 8 21 2.1 0.8 2.2
8 Northern Virginia United 10 6 2 2 20 13 7 20 2 0.7 2
9 Virginia Beach City FC 10 5 1 4 18 11 7 19 1.9 0.7 1.8
10 Valeo FC 10 5 2 3 19 13 6 18 1.8 0.6 1.9
11 Georgia Revolution FC 10 4 2 4 26 12 14 16 1.6 1.4 2.6
12 Jackson Lions FC 10 5 4 1 32 23 9 16 1.6 0.9 3.2
13 North Alabama SC 10 4 3 3 16 15 1 15 1.5 0.1 1.6
14 Apotheos FC 10 3 2 5 13 10 3 14 1.4 0.3 1.3
15 FC Frederick 10 4 5 1 18 18 0 13 1.3 0 1.8
16 Cedar Stars 10 2 3 5 12 18 -6 11 1.1 -0.6 1.2
17 New York Shockers 10 2 4 4 16 16 0 10 1 0 1.6
18 Philadelphia Lone Star FC 10 3 6 1 23 29 -6 10 1 -0.6 2.3
19 Torch FC 10 3 6 1 14 24 -10 10 1 -1 1.4
20 Kingston Stockade FC 10 2 5 3 11 15 -4 9 0.9 -0.4 1.1
21 FC Monmouth 10 1 4 5 10 19 -9 8 0.8 -0.9 1
22 Atlantic City FC 10 2 6 2 11 24 -13 8 0.8 -1.3 1.1
23 LSA Athletico Lanier 10 2 6 2 7 27 -20 8 0.8 -2 0.7
24 Georgia Storm SA 10 2 7 1 14 25 -11 7 0.7 -1.1 1.4
25 Pennsylvania Classics 10 2 7 1 15 27 -12 7 0.7 -1.2 1.5
26 Grove Soccer United 10 2 8 0 5 20 -15 6 0.6 -1.5 0.5
27 Hershey FC 10 1 6 3 9 27 -18 6 0.6 -1.8 0.9
28 First State FC 10 1 7 2 16 25 -9 5 0.5 -0.9 1.6
29 Syracuse FC 10 0 5 5 8 17 -9 5 0.5 -0.9 0.8

SOUTH REGION

Rank Team GP W L T GF GA GD Pts Pts/GP GD/GP GF/GP
1 x-Tulsa Athletic 12 9 1 2 36 10 26 29 2.416667 2.166667 3
2 y-Jacksonville Armada FC U-23 12 11 0 1 36 11 25 34 2.833333 2.083333 3
3 Miami Beach Club de Futbol 10 8 2 0 25 8 17 24 2.4 1.7 2.5
4 Laredo Heat SC 12 8 1 3 30 8 22 27 2.25 1.833333 2.5
5 Southern States Soccer Club 12 9 3 0 35 14 21 27 2.25 1.75 2.916667
6 OKC 1889 FC 12 8 2 2 20 14 6 26 2.166667 0.5 1.666667
7 Miami United FC 10 7 3 0 26 10 16 21 2.1 1.6 2.6
8 Central Florida Panthers SC 10 7 3 0 25 12 13 21 2.1 1.3 2.5
9 FC Brownsville 12 8 3 1 38 15 23 25 2.083333 1.916667 3.166667
10 Corinthians FC of San Antonio 12 7 2 3 29 20 9 24 2 0.75 2.416667
11 Irving FC 12 6 1 5 31 11 20 23 1.916667 1.666667 2.583333
12 Denton Diablos FC 12 7 4 1 31 15 16 22 1.833333 1.333333 2.583333
13 Lubbock Matadors SC 12 6 4 2 25 15 10 20 1.666667 0.833333 2.083333
14 New Orleans Jesters 12 6 5 1 28 24 4 19 1.583333 0.333333 2.333333
15 Pensacola FC 12 6 5 1 21 23 -2 19 1.583333 -0.16667 1.75
16 Sunflower State FC 12 5 4 3 19 20 -1 18 1.5 -0.08333 1.583333
17 Naples United FC 10 4 4 2 22 11 11 14 1.4 1.1 2.2
18 Demize NPSL 12 4 4 4 18 20 -2 16 1.333333 -0.16667 1.5
19 AFC Mobile 12 4 7 1 19 20 -1 13 1.083333 -0.08333 1.583333
20 Arkansas Wolves FC 12 4 7 1 18 21 -3 13 1.083333 -0.25 1.5
21 Club Atletico Saint Louis 12 4 8 0 18 29 -11 12 1 -0.91667 1.5
22 CF10 Houston FC 12 3 7 2 15 38 -23 11 0.916667 -1.91667 1.25
23 Forth Worth Vaqueros FC 12 3 8 1 17 25 -8 10 0.833333 -0.66667 1.416667
24 Florida Roots 12 3 9 0 18 39 -21 9 0.75 -1.75 1.5
25 Miami Dutch Lions FC 10 1 7 2 8 23 -15 5 0.5 -1.5 0.8
26 Reign FK 12 1 9 2 12 27 -15 5 0.416667 -1.25 1
27 Austin United FC 12 1 10 1 16 44 -28 4 0.333333 -2.33333 1.333333
28 Coyotes FC 12 1 10 1 9 50 -41 4 0.333333 -3.41667 0.75
29 Magia FC 10 1 9 0 7 49 -42 3 0.3 -4.2 0.7
30 Tallahassee SC 12 0 10 2 12 38 -26 2 0.166667 -2.16667 1

MIDWEST REGION

Rank Team GP W L T GF GA GD Pts Pts/GP GD/GP GF/GP
1 x-Muskegon Risers 10 8 0 2 33 10 23 26 2.6 2.3 3.3
2 y-Cleveland SC 12 8 3 1 33 14 19 25 2.083333 1.583333 2.75
3 Med City FC 14 11 1 2 35 11 24 35 2.5 1.714286 2.5
4 Duluth FC 14 11 2 1 43 12 31 34 2.428571 2.214286 3.071429
5 FC Columbus 10 6 2 2 31 18 13 20 2 1.3 3.1
6 Pittsburgh Hotspurs 12 8 4 0 24 15 9 24 2 0.75 2
7 Dakota Fusion FC 14 7 4 3 36 28 8 24 1.714286 0.571429 2.571429
8 Minneapolis City SC 14 7 6 1 29 27 2 22 1.571429 0.142857 2.071429
9 FC Buffalo 12 5 6 1 15 20 -5 16 1.333333 -0.41667 1.25
10 Carpathia FC 10 3 4 3 15 20 -5 12 1.2 -0.5 1.5
11 Sioux Falls Thunder FC 14 3 6 5 27 28 -1 14 1 -0.07143 1.928571
12 Minnesota TwinStars FC 14 4 9 1 22 42 -20 13 0.928571 -1.42857 1.571429
13 Erie Commodores 12 3 7 2 13 23 -10 11 0.916667 -0.83333 1.083333
14 Akron City FC 12 2 6 4 10 23 -13 10 0.833333 -1.08333 0.833333
15 FC Milwaukee Torrent 10 2 6 2 20 22 -2 8 0.8 -0.2 2
16 Joy St. Louis Park 14 3 10 1 15 36 -21 10 0.714286 -1.5 1.071429
17 LC Aris FC 14 3 11 0 21 44 -23 9 0.642857 -1.64286 1.5
18 Panathinaikos Chicago 10 1 8 1 8 37 -29 4 0.4 -2.9 0.8

WEST REGION

Rank Team GP W L T GF GA GD Pts Pts/GP GD/GP GF/GP
1 x-Crossfire Redmond 10 4 1 5 16 10 6 17 1.7 0.6 1.6
2 y-El Farolito FC 10 8 2 0 38 11 27 24 2.4 2.7 3.8
3 Sacramento Gold FC 10 8 1 1 29 12 17 25 2.5 1.7 2.9
4 Napa Valley 1839 FC 10 8 2 0 32 11 21 24 2.4 2.1 3.2
5 International Portland Select FC 10 6 1 3 24 6 18 21 2.1 1.8 2.4
6 SC Brave Lions 10 7 3 0 24 14 10 21 2.1 1 2.4
7 Contra Costa FC 10 4 5 1 28 25 3 13 1.3 0.3 2.8
8 Academica SC 10 4 5 1 19 18 1 13 1.3 0.1 1.9
9 FC Davis 10 4 5 1 16 27 -11 13 1.3 -1.1 1.6
10 Oakland SC 10 3 5 2 19 28 -9 11 1.1 -0.9 1.9
11 FC Arizona 10 2 4 4 13 21 -8 10 1 -0.8 1.3
12 Las Vegas Legends FC 10 2 5 3 20 24 -4 9 0.9 -0.4 2
13 Sonoma County Sol FC 10 2 8 0 14 37 -23 6 0.6 -2.3 1.4
14 OSA Seattle FC 10 1 8 1 7 29 -22 4 0.4 -2.2 0.7
15 Oakland Stompers 10 0 8 2 10 36 -26 2 0.2 -2.6 1

2022 US Open Cup Round 1: As teammate fights for life, FC Motown wins inspired replay in 90th min.

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FC Motown 2022 US Open Cup
FC Motown pose for a team photo prior to the club’s match vs. West Chester United in the First Round of the 2022 US Open Cup in Montclair, NJ. The team wore shirts in support of teammate Sanclair Tueno, who was hospitalized after an accident this past weekend. Photo: FC Motown

FC Motown forward Ryan Peterson is the only person who truly knows whether his game winning goal was a cross or a shot. Ultimately, the goal in the 90th minute won FC Motown its First Round replay against West Chester United SC, 1-0, on Friday night in Montclair, N.J. This is the first time West Chester United, who won the original game 3-2 in extra time, have ever lost in the tournament’s first round.

Motown moves on to play National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) side AC Syracuse Pulse in the next round. That game is this week, April 6, back at Montclair State University.

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The team’s win wasn’t easy physically or emotionally. The Motown players took the field knowing one of their teammates is currently battling for his life. Defender Sainclair Tueno, who came on in the original Round 1 match last week as an extra time substitute, was hit by a speeding car last weekend near Pittsburgh. He is currently in a coma and on life support.

In the days since, teammates and members of the soccer community have come together to rally around his team.

Tueno’s family is currently raising money on GoFundMe to help cover medical expenses, something Motown has helped raise funds for in the last few days.

Even after his game winning goal, surrounded by his teammates near the corner flag, Peterson knew someone was missing.

β€œI was just thinking about Sainclair the entire time,” Peterson said. β€œYou know, how he’d be out there with us celebrating. So I just wanted to get it for him.

β€œWe wanted to come get this game for him because what he brings to the table, every practice, every game, is just raw emotion and heart and we wanted to bring that out and show that even without him we could still bring out the best of our team.”

The crowd of 176 braved frigid and windy weather for the historic match at MSU (Montclair State University) Soccer Park. Motown’s successful protest regarding an illegal West Chester substitute in last week’s original game meant the two teams played in the first protest replay in the tournament’s Modern Era since 1995. In a testament to how evenly-matched both clubs were, Friday’s game was nothing like last week’s original match. Motown head coach Ε aΔ‡ir Hot didn’t seem surprised.

β€œWhoever got that one breakthrough was always going to win,” the former New York Red Bulls homegrown player explained. β€œThat’s how all of our games versus them are. It’s never a blowout, it’s never a game that you can be complacent in and just relax. It’s always tough versus West Chester.”

That breakthrough would have to come without some key players on both sides. West Chester was missing Blaise Milanek, the goal scorer from last game who was at the center of the protest, as he continues to deal with a concussion. For Motown, former Ghanaian national team player Gideon Baah did not suit up either. The former RBNY defender cited lung issues ahead of kickoff and was kept out of the lineup. He was the team’s best defender in the original game. Combined his absence with Tueno’s and the home team was lacking in natural center back talent for the night.

Like last week, Motown came out fast to start off. The first 15 minutes saw a string of Celtic attacks against the opposing backline and goalkeeper Cameron Sanders. Last week’s goal scorer Joseph Fala nearly opened the scoring in the 11th minute after tipping at a West Chester pass near midfield. Breaking through a sliding defender, the former USL Championship player beat Sanders to the ball and recovered it on the left side of the box with the keeper out of place. His shot from a tight angle rolled past the open goal, not coming close to the line with no one there to tap in either.

That quick start is where the similarities ended. The original match was defined by each team controlling one of the two halves. Motown, with arguably more high-end talent, controlled that game’s first 45 minutes and took a 2-0 lead into the break. West Chester, a squad of depth and fitness, had the endurance to control the second half and extra time to win, 3-2. The replay, however, was far more evenly contested.

After the home team’s surge, Motown had trouble maintaining a consistent offensive attack. Haitian youth international Nerlin Saint-Vil, the star goal scorer from last week, had two to three players on him whenever he got the ball. It was rare for him to break and use his speed like he had done in the original game.

β€œWe didn’t want to hurt us, so we just put pressure on him and we figured if we close him we keep them from getting a counter. He actually didn’t get up the field too much on us. We actually made him turn back a lot,” said West Chester head coach Blaise Santangelo. β€œWe just want to close stuff quicker. So that we’re defending just in that grid.”

His best chance of the game was in the 15th minute. A long Motown cross from the right side headed for the opposite post. As one of his teammates extended a leg to keep it in the air, Saint-Vil went for a bicycle kick just outside of the goal area. Not able to fully connect, the ball went wide of the net.

For its part, West Chester was able to garner a lot of possession time. The USL League Two representatives found a ton of success moving along Motown’s sidelines. Carter Burris was a constant annoyance in the first 45 minutes on the right, making space and crossing into the seemingly wide open penalty area. On the left, Troy Amspacher duel threatened with the ability to cut into the middle at nearly a whim.

β€œWe thought that if we got wide we could get up and exploit them – especially on Troy’s side,” Santangelo explained. β€œI don’t think we changed the point of attack quick enough. The three goals that came last week were all quick changes, attack and backside goals. We weren’t successful doing that, but we created opportunities that should be finished in the game.”

Those chances were only stopped by man of the match David Greczek. The Morristown keeper made two critical saves in the first half to keep the game scoreless. In the 25th minute, Amspacher attempted to pass up the ball just outside of the penalty area. The pass to Charles Wilson was tipped, allowing Amspacher to recover the ball away from a diving Jean Voltaire. One-on-one from the penalty spot, the Rutgers University alum extended his leg out to save what should have been the opening goal.

West Chester United FC Motown 2022 US Open Cup
West Chester United (blue) and FC Motown prepare for kickoff in their replay match at Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ in the First Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Michael Battista

Seven minutes later, Burris’ right side crossing ability came into play again. His long pass into the box initially missed a jumping Wilson but reached a charging Spencer Burkhardt. The Seton Hall star was uncovered and his header in the goal area was somehow kept out. Greczek leaped up and caught the ball with his extended right arm, moving quickly to get under it and catch it inbounds to negate a possible corner.

Both coaches threw praise at the former Swope Park Rangers goalkeeper. Coach Hot was visibly holding back emotions when speaking about his performance after the game.

β€œHe was due for a big one and he knows how special this game was for Sainclair,” Hot said. β€œHe came into the locker room, actually, after the game to give us a big hug to say; β€˜Thank you for trusting me’.”

The biggest takeaway from the first half was that West Chester didn’t need to wait for Motown to slow down. The original game broke down for the home side after Saint-Vil and Dilaver “Dilly” Duka came off. In the replay, the visitors were challenging consistently almost immediately.

Following the break, the game fell into a deadlock. If there was a heatmap available for this game, the second half would have its biggest reading at midfield – possibly just inside of the West Chester side. When asked about it after the match Peterson said he and his teammates just needed to play simple. As he put it, they needed to β€œstick to the X’s and O’s.”

β€œWhat we’ve been lacking is in the second half, we’ve been coming out too flat, too unprepared,” explained Peterson. β€œWe wanted to make sure that coming into the second half we were on top of things. We knew the game plan. How to go forward. How to defend them.”

Celtic was able to do that even after its best players had to leave the field. Despite being his team’s best attacking option, Fala was subbed off in the 65th minute. Three minutes later, Saint-Vil went down after an attempted cross to Duka and left the game not long after. Then, almost cruelly, the former Columbus Crew player aggravated a previous injury. In the 77th minute, Duka seemingly slipped on the ball and attempted to turn while going down. He immediately grabbed his left leg and needed help getting off the pitch.

After the game, it was mentioned by team staff that Duka probably won’t be available for a few weeks.

In terms of chances, Peterson led the way in the final 45. It looked as though the striker scored the game winner in the 73rd minute. Kian Alberto’s corner kick found his head and got past Sanders before a West Chester player dove into the goal to keep it out. The linesman ruled no goal and play continued.

In terms of offense, outside of that one chance neither team had real looks on goal. West Chester especially lacked a convincing drive into the Motown end. Despite how different this game was to its predecessor it seemed destined that both teams were heading to overtime.

In the final minute, Motown made one final charge up the left side. Voltaire played the ball up to Johannes Pieles, who had come on in place of Duka. Under pressure, the second half sub jumped and headed the ball forward to Peterson who chested the ball down and ran along the penalty area’s left line. With defender Clay Moyer right next to him, the striker lifted the ball towards the goal where it dinged off the right post, deflected off Sanders, and into the back of the net.

The goal was eerily similar to another big-time score by Peterson. The former Detroit City FC player’s talent for long shots from the left side earned his former team its first-ever league title in late 2020. That game-winning goal against the Oakland Roots SC won DCFC the NISA Fall Championship at historic Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, Mich.

Having previous experience on a NISA team, including a Fall 2021 stint with San Diego 1904 FC (now Albion San Diego), Peterson knows the challenge that lies ahead for Motown.

β€œWe know that going into the next round it’s a NISA team, they’re going to bring it obviously representing the pro ranks,” he said. β€œWe’re not afraid of anybody. We know what we’re capable of doing. They’re coming to us, we have the home field advantage. They’re a new NISA team, we’ve been together for years. We’re not scared, we’re up for the challenge.”

While it may not have been the action that determined the outcome, what happened after the final whistle could be the most impactful moment of the night. It isn’t rare to see a head coach talking to his players in the locker room after a match. Win or lose, usually the man in charge will take a few moments to speak to the tired group. They’ll congratulate them, console them, prepare them for what’s to come and so on. That isn’t anything new.

FC Motown logoWhat is special is when the opposing coach does it to the other team. After the game, both head coaches took time to speak to the opposing players in their respective locker rooms. For two teams that compete against one-another constantly, in multiple leagues and regional tournaments, the situation surrounding the game was harder than actually playing it. Coach Hot wasn’t didn’t hold back his feelings even after seeing his team win the game.

β€œI hate it. I don’t like it at all. It sucks. It’s always going to be a lose-lose,” he said. β€œFor Blaise and I it’s always going to be bittersweet. If Blaise and them went through, I’d put on a West Chester jersey right after the game and I’d cheer for them. Under these circumstances no one ever wants to win.

β€œTruthfully I don’t feel great about the win but hey it’s soccer, it’s sports, that’s what happens … If you get put in that position you can never be happy. It sucks to see your friend, who came over here down 2-0 and ended up winning 3-2 in a spectacular game, gets thrown out the window for something that was small. It is what it is and we have to accept it, they have to accept it and move on.”

It’s a sentiment Santangelo shared as well. The West Chester coach noted the whole event, from win to protest to loss, is a learning experience for his young players.

β€œThe respect is there for the players and their coaching staff. Those guys work just like we work,” Santangelo said. β€œIt’s difficult. I think people saw West Chester and what we did last week and they know the real outcome of that game. I’m just glad that the adjudication committee at least heard our side of it.”

While the result might be hard, what comes next is easy – moving on to the next challenge. The team has a date with another northeast powerhouse, US Open Cup darling Christos FC, next Sunday in the USASA Region I Amateur Cup. That’s included with continued state league games and the upcoming summer seasons in both the NPSL and USL-2. For them, the story doesn’t end in a controversy-filled game at Montclair State.

β€œWhen you play it at this kind of level and these are high stake games – you’re gonna win some, you’re gonna lose some,” he said. β€œBut we always go back to just getting on the training pitch. That’s most important for us.”

Scoring Summary
90’ – FC Motown – Ryan Peterson

Lineups

FC Motown: David Greczek (GK), MardochΓ©e Samuel PompΓ©e, Mike Da Fonte, Zach Perez, Jean Voltaire, Daniel Cordeiro, Kian Alberto, Dilly Duka (Johannes Pieles 76′), Joseph Fala (Hayden Criollo 64′), Ryan Peterson,Β  Nerlin Saint-Vil (Federico Deoliveira 69′)

Manager: Šaćir Hot

West Chester United SC: Cameron Sanders (GK), Shane Bradle, Clay Moyer, Levi Maruca, Ryan Fincher (Justin Jaime 90+1′), Spencer Burkhardt (Derek Ramirez 79′), Conor Bradley, Michael Gonzalez, Charles Wilson (Jacob Gosselin 40′), Troy Amspacher, Carter Burris (Samuel Brown 79′)

Manager: Blaise Santangelo

Yellow Cards
Kian Alberto, Motown 54’

Attendance: 176

Link to match broadcast (Subscription to ESPN+ required): https://www.espn.com/espnplus/player/_/id/e924f18e-60fe-4d88-bb0b-b3ceacfc91e9#bucketId=2

2022 Meet the Underdogs: Contra Costa FC making most of unique US Open Cup chance

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Contra Costa vs Metro FC 2022 US Open Cup Qualifying
Contra Costa FC poses for a team photo after the club’s 8-7 penalty kick win over Metro FC, following a 1-1 draw in the 2022 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Contra Costa FC

At the start of 2021, Contra Costa FC wasn’t sure if it would be playing a season in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). One year later and the team is busy building its roster for a US Open Cup debut, adding younger players and veterans to their squad.

The club was founded in 2015 out of San Francisco’s East Bay but only recently developed into a senior men’s squad.

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In the past few years this program has grown large enough to include multiple teams. Outside of the NPSL side, the club also has another team Atletico East Bay that plays in a different local league with a much younger squad. Most of Contra Costa FC’s roster used during the qualifying rounds was from that team with an average age around 20 years old.

β€œWe wanted to give Atletico the ability to gain experience playing against teams with much more experience footballers,” said Contra Costa FC Chairman Gus Laredo. β€œAfter a successful campaign we decided it was time to throw them to the lions, so to speak.”

The club’s inaugural season in the NPSL hasn’t officially taken place. The league’s Golden Gate Conference was unable to compete in a traditional league season due to California’s COVID regulations regarding travel. Instead, the NPSL created the Return to Play Series, a shortened “stand-alone” season that wasn’t eligible to compete for league’s national title. Contra finished sixth in the regular season and lost in the playoff quarterfinal.

More importantly, US Soccer allowed the team and other Golden Gate members to enter Open Cup’s Open Division Local qualifying tournament for 2022. Despite the NPSL being a “national league”, the team’s inability to compete for the national title and automatic berths gave enough cause to allow for a waiver to be created.

In total, Contra Costa and three other NPSL teams (FC Davis, Oakland Stompers, and 1993 Open Cup champion El Farolito) entered qualifying. Only the former lasted all four rounds in the west region to reach the tournament proper.

The majority of Contra’s players come from the Richmond and San Pablo area. Laredo gave some insight into the club’s vision and what type of talent Contra Costa FC looks for in the East Bay.

β€œWe are a no-pay-to-play model,” said Laredo. “In other words we do not charge any money to the players for anything. Coach Bejan Esmaili, who is also a great friend of mine, firmly believe that the beautiful game of soccer should be accessible to everyone from the grass roots to all levels of competition without financial barriers.”

β€œOur program looks for young, dedicated youth and amateur players from these local communities that not only have advance soccer skills, but also have strong family bonds and possess ‘a no quit character’ to become future leaders that will give back to their communities and mentor future generations.”

Laredo also mentioned that his club’s ambitions are ever-growing. Last year, the team’s ownership group acquired a minority stake in Thisted FC, a Danish side that competes in the country’s second division. It means not only to give players chances to play in this country but abroad too.

18-year-old Braulio Maravilla of Contra Costa FC battles for the ball against San Francisco Metro FC in a 2022 US Open Cup Qualifying match. Photo: CANOSPICTURES

β€œOur goal as a club is to create a platform offering players opportunities,” said Laredo. β€œWhere always happy to work with USA pro leagues but we also have strong alliances to pro clubs Sao Joao de Ver in Portugal, Liga 3 and Thisted FC in Denmark league 2. We have the ability to send players to these two clubs and plan to do so either to train or look to win a spot on their rosters.”

Contra Costa FC’s path to qualifying for the US Open Cup began last October on Halloween when it defeated UPSL side Modesto City FC 3-1 in the second qualifying round. Contra Costa FC received a pair of first-half goals from Addison Escobar and Fernando Lara. Roberto Gonzalez scored in the second half to clinch the win for Contra Costa FC.

In the third qualifying round, Contra Costa FC faced fellow NPSL side El Farolito. Despite being the younger team, Costa was able to go toe-to-toe at P. Lang Park in San Francisco. Escobar gave his team the early 1-0 lead in the first half. Even though El Faro equalized in the 50th minute, Roberto Gonzalez scored to give Contra Costa a 2-1 lead in the 64th. El Farolito tied the game off a header in the 71st minute but Escobar added his second of the night and scored the game-winning goal in stoppage time to defeat the one-time Open Cup champions, 3-2.

A player from Contra Costa FC battles for the ball against San Francisco Metro FC in a 2022 US Open Cup Qualifying match. Photo: CANOSPICTURES

In the fourth and final round, it was a marathon as Contra Costa had to get through 10 rounds of penalty kicks against San Francisco Metro to qualify for the 2022 U.S. Open Cup. Contra was down early on in the match after 24 minutes when former professional Matt Fondy scored to give Metro a 1-0 lead. After halftime Contra equalized in the 61st minute with a goal from Roberto Gonzalez.

In the shootout, goalkeeper Carlos Herrera made big saves to keep his team in the match and in the 10th round Fernando Lara converted from the spot to send CCFC to qualify for the US Open Cup for the first time.

Preparing to battle a Portland Timbers U-23s team (USL League Two) will be another new challenge in the First Round but Laredo feels his young team will make the most of this opportunity to elevate their game.

β€œWhat you will see on Wednesday, March 23 is a young group of 18 men that will fight until the final whistle,” said Laredo, who knows for many, if not all of his players, this is an opportunity of a lifetime to play against an outfit with links to Major League Soccer. β€œA majority of the starting XI for Contra Costa FC will be 18 and 19 year olds which is likely to be younger than the Portland Timbers U-23s who have a deep, mature and experience player pool.”

Contra Costa FC will travel for a midweek matchup at John Chambers Field in Salem, Oregon where they’ll face the Timbers U-23s. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET. The winner will travel south to take on Sacramento Republic FC of the USL Championship on April 7.

Eric Wynalda returns to assist Las Vegas Legends in 2022 US Open Cup

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Eric Wynalda looks on from the sidelines in the Las Vegas Lights’ Third Round match against Orange County SC in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Lucas Peltier – lucaspeltierphoto.com

UPDATE (3/22/22): Eric Wynalda has clarified that he is not the head coach of the Las Vegas Legends, but is working more behind the scenes with the club, assisting head coach Jose Rivera

National Soccer Hall of Famer Eric Wynalda announced on his podcast Wynalda for the Win on Friday that he will be making a return to coaching this season to lead the Las Vegas Legends. The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) side is making it’s tournament debut in the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The former US men’s national team star’s announcement marks his first foray into coaching since being appointed to lead Las Vegas’s USL Championship team, the Las Vegas Lights, during their 2019 season. In 36 games as head of the Lights, Wynalda posted a 12-16-8 record before being replaced by Frank Yallop midway through the 2020 season.

After the Lights, Wynalda was hired to coach New Amsterdam FC (NISA) in July of 2020, but stepped down due to personal reasons shortly before the beginning of the season.

The father of six will make his return to Las Vegas soccer this time at the amateur level with the Legends, where he will hope to duplicate the US Open Cup success he had as manager of Cal FC. In 2012, with Wynalda in charge, Cal FC reached the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup in a Cinderella run that saw them defeat both USL Pro side Wilmington Hammerheads 4-0, followed by a stunning road upset of MLS’ Portland Timbers, 1-0 in extra time.

US Open Cup Coaching Win % (Modern Era)
(min. 8 games)
1. Dave Sarachan – 0.789
2. Scott Schweitzer – 0.750
3. Tom Soehn – 0.727
4. Tom Fitzgerald – 0.700
5. ERIC WYNALDA – 0.692

β€œI like to discover these players who haven’t really had the opportunity to play at the club level … and now through a platform like this, like the Lamar Hunt Open Cup, we can assemble a team that in my opinion, can go toe to toe with any MLS side,” Wynalda said during his podcast.

The victory over the Timbers, who played their regular starting lineup in the match, marked just the sixth time that an amateur team eliminated an MLS team. However, it was the first time an Open Division Local amateur side defeated an MLS team in a non-shootout. It remains not only one of the biggest upsets of the US Open Cup’s Modern Era (1995-present), but one of the biggest in the history of the tournament.

As a player, Wynalda played in just five US Open Cup games, two of them in 1998 with the San Jose Clash (now Earthquakes), and three of them in 2001 when he helped the Chicago Fire reach the Semifinals. He has had much more Open Cup success as a head coach for four different clubs (Cal FC, Atlanta Silverbacks, Los Angeles Wolves FC, Las Vegas Lights). Out of all the Modern Era coaches since 1995, Wynalda has the fifth best win percentage (0.692) with a 9-4-0 record. In his four Open Cup runs, he has reached the Third Round every time and his deepest run in the competition came in 2014 when he led the NASL’s Atlanta Silverbacks to the Quarterfinals. Atlanta was one of five North American Soccer League clubs to ever reach the Quarterfinals.

Wynalda will be looking to help the Legends recapture that magic.

β€œThe reason I came to Las Vegas was to see this city grow, and to capitalize on the talent pool that exists here in Las Vegas,” Wynalda added. “Because at times, in my experience, I would say it is just as good if not better than what I have seen in Los Angeles.”

One advantage that the Legends have going for them is the minimal roster restrictions for Open Division National teams (NPSL, USL League Two). As long as the players that are recruited aren’t cup tied (i.e. played for another team in last fall’s US Open Cup qualifying tournament), and are willing and able to sign an amateur reinstatement form, they can recruit whoever they want.

The Legends were founded in 2012 as an indoor soccer team, splitting home games between the Orleans Arena and the Las Vegas Sports Park until the team’s dissolution in 2016. In 2019, team owner and general manager Meir Cohen announced the team’s return, this time as an outdoor member of the NPSL. After its debut season was cut short due to the pandemic in 2020, the team finished first in the league’s Southwest Division last year. Thanks to the league’s playoff format and a number of other western teams taking 2021 off due to COVID, the Legends high place finish allotted them one of the NPSL’s automatic tournament berths.

This will be the team’s first season competing in the US Open Cup, which was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic for the past two years, ending the tournament’s run of 106 consecutive years of play.

2022 US Open Cup Qualifying: Next batch of matchups announced for Rounds 2, 3

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Players from Vereinigung Erzgebirge celebrate after scoring a goal against West Chester United in the 2020 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Matt Ralph | Brotherly Game
Players from Vereinigung Erzgebirge celebrate after scoring a goal against West Chester United in the 2020 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Matt Ralph | Brotherly Game

The October batch of games in the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is fast approaching. In total, 31 games will kick off across the country this weekend between Oct. 16-17, reducing the current field of 63 down to 32.

The teams that are taking part in the competition are mostly amateur β€” although there are no rules limiting professional teams from participating. As of now the field contains representation from 14 different states and the District of Columbia (18 different leagues). For the sixth year in a row, the most represented league is the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL), which entered 30 teams to start and currently has 23 teams still active.

For 2022 qualifying US Soccer has slightly altered the way regional rounds are held. In previous years all teams compete in the same round across the country during the same window, with an example being that two teams from the northeast playing against one another are in the same round as two teams from the west coast playing against one another. While this was simple, issues arose when regions with less teams got to later rounds forcing long travel.

For a recent example, during the 2020 qualifying tournament, Michigan side Livonia City FC were forced to travel to Louisiana for their Third Qualifying Round draw against Louisiana Krewe FC.

To try and counter this, USSF has implemented individual regional rounds, meaning regions with higher team participation (Southeast & West) will go through four rounds of qualifying. Meanwhile, the other two regions (Northeast & Central) will only play three rounds of qualifying. The latter two regionals began last month in the “Second Qualifying Round” while the former two had four teams each begin in the “First Qualifying Round”. This weekend will be the subsequent qualifying round for each.

Last month’s round formatting was not the only confusion surrounding the tournament. Ahead of the first games US Soccer mandated that all teams register all rostered players, including both US Citizens and internationals. Normally this would not be an issue however the federation reportedly asked for almost all players that were previously accepted to be re-added and were particularly meticulous about the submission formats.

Multiple teams spoke to TheCup.us to voice frustration over the situation. Colorado Rush manager Joe Webb detailed that his team having multiple minors made registering more difficult. The tournament rules state that all adult roster members need to be SafeSport certified in order to be eligible to play but according to the team member the situation for minors was less than clear.

“If by some miracle of God we for thru this weekend then its possible I could get it done,” Webb said. “We have quite a few coaches and we are all SafeSport certified, (I’m) just not sure what it takes to get the others done.”

Rush lost to Colorado Super League rival Azteca FC, 4-1, with only ten players available for the match.

In another instance the Jackson Lions experienced a situation where two of its own players needed to be reclassified as amateur prior to his rescheduled match earlier this month. The two players previously played professionally for USL Championship sides in 2016 and 2018 respectively but had been approved to play in 2020 qualifying for the team. Lions owner Mike Durazzo was told he needed to get those teams to sign release forms in an email sent a few hours before his team’s game kicked off.

In total, five teams forfeited their qualifying matches, not including EFA Metro’s rescinded forfeit against Jackson Lions, breaking the previous record for most forfeits in a single round that was previously set in 2017 qualifying (4). The most forfeits in a single tournament is eight which was set during 2018 qualifying. Three of the teams that forfeited claimed their reason for doing so was because of registration issues, with EFA also claiming that before they successfully appealed and got their game rescheduled.

One additional team won’t be taking part in the qualifying tournament, but this one is due to league disputes. Miami Beach CF entered the tournament as a member of the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) but was removed on Sept. 16.

After speaking with sources from both sides the situation is as follows; Miami Beach CF competed in the UPSL in the 2021 Spring season and entered the qualifying tournament as a member of the league. During the year, the team jumped to the National Soccer League (NSL) but attempted to add a separate reserve (Under-23) team to the UPSL, which the league refused to allow. Therefore, the club was denied a spot in the US Open Cup qualifying tournament because they both switched leagues (first team) and were not in good standing in the UPSL (U-23s).

US Soccer therefore announced the City Soccer FC (Fla.) vs. Miami Sun FC (Fla.) First Round match would now be counted for the Second Round. Despite the federation claiming Miami “withdrew” from the tournament team CEO and founder Tony Lafrate vehemently refutes that wording.

“They kicked us out because I wanted to call the team Miami Beach Under 23,” Lafrate told TheCup.us. “It’s really sad. We’ve wanted to compete in for three years and our players were very excited.” His team will continue to compete in the NSL and is looking forward to a possible 2023 qualifying campaign.

The number of slots (teams advancing to the tournament proper) for each region is as follows:

  • Northeast (32 clubs/4 slots available)
  • Southeast (18/2)
  • Central (16/2)
  • West (26/3)

The 11 advancing local qualifiers will joinΒ 2022 National Amateur Cup championΒ Lansdowne Yonkers FC in the first round proper. With this new information, TheCup.us is now projecting in the range of 30 to 32 Open Division slots. NPSL and USL League Two (USL2) are projected to receive either 9 or 10 slots depending on what the final total is.

30 Open Division slots:

  • 11 + 1 Local Qualifying
  • 9 NPSL
  • 9 USL2

31 Open Division slots:

  • 11 + 1 Local Qualifying
  • 10 NPSL
  • 9 USL2

32 Open Division slots:

  • 11 + 1 Local Qualifying
  • 10 NPSL
  • 10 USL2

The cancelled 2020 tournament had 38 Open Division slots. The continued expansion of MLS, both USL professional leagues, and NISA will end up bumping out some Open Division teams. This could potentially be fewer than the 32 Open Division slots for the 2019 US Open Cup. Any adjustments to the Open Division total slots will be adjusted in the NPSL and USL League Two pools. Local Qualifying pool is locked in to these 11 slots plus Lansdowne Yonkers’ berth. This will be finalized in early Jan. 2022 after the professional team entry deadline of Dec. 31.

The Open Division Local Qualifying tournament was launched in 2016 as an alternative to holding state and regional qualifying tournaments. Now, all teams from any US Soccer-affiliated leagues just need to register. The competition begins in the fall and all entrants are divided up regionally to minimize travel, with the teams that advance the furthest qualifying for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup which will begin in the spring.

Stay tuned to our social media feeds/website for updates.

The match-ups for the October round of the qualifying tournament are listed below:

2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – October Open Division Local Qualifying Schedule
All Times Eastern

Second Qualifying Round
Southeast Region

Date Game (home team listed first) Time Venue
Oct. 16 Miami Soccer Academy (Fla.) vs. Naples City FC (Fla.) 7 p.m. Flamingo Park – Abel Holtz Stadium; Miami Beach, FL
Oct. 16 Georgia Revolution FC Reserves (Ga.) vs. Georgia Storm FC (Ga.) 7:30 p.m. Luella High School Stadium; Locust Grove, GA
Oct. 16 Orlando FC Wolves (Fla.) vs. Oceanway FCΒ (Fla.) 7:30 p.m. East Orange District Park; Christmas, FL
Oct. 17 South Carolina United Heat (S.C.) vs. Atletico Atlanta (Ga.) 5 p.m. Southeastern Freight Lines Soccer Center; Columbia, SC
Oct. 17 Florida Brothers (Fla.) vs. Red Force FCΒ (Fla.) 6 p.m. Dr. Lester B. Brown Park; Miami Gardens, FL
Oct. 17 Palm Beach Breakers (Fla.) vs. International Soccer AssociationΒ (Fla.) 7 p.m. Lake Lytal Park; West Palm Beach, FL
Oct. 17 Florida Soccer Soldiers (Fla.) vs. Hurricane FC (Fla.) 8 p.m. Tropical Park Stadium; Miami, FL

(The originally scheduled First Qualifying Round match between City Soccer FC (Fla.) and Miami Sun FC (Fla.) from September 18, which City won, 3-2, was later reclassified as a “Second Qualifying Round” match due to Miami Beach CF’s removal from the tournament. Practically, this could be seen as a bye for City Soccer FC since their next qualifying match will be next month.)

West Region

Date Game (home team listed first) Time Venue
Oct. 16 Modesto City FC (Calif.) vs. Contra Costa FC (Calif.) 4 p.m. The House Modesto; Modesto, CA
Oct. 16 Oakland Stompers (Calif.) vs. El FarolitoΒ (Calif.) 9 p.m. Burrell Field; San Leandro, CA
Oct. 16 JASA RWC (Calif.) vs. Metro FCΒ (Calif.) 10:15 p.m. Red Morton Community Park – Bechet FIeld; Redwood City, CA
Oct. 17 BattleBorn FC (Nev.) vs. FC Davis (Calif.) 4 p.m. Douglas High School (Grass Field); Minden, NV
Oct. 17 Desert Communities SC Pathfinders (Calif.) vs. Villarreal Las Vegas (Nev.) 6 p.m. Helendale Community Park; Helendale, CA
Oct. 17 L.A. Monsters FC (Calif.) vs. Outbreak FC (Calif.) 6 p.m. Wilmington Athletic Complex; Wilmington, CA
Oct. 17 Chula Vista FC (Calif.) vs. White Tigers FC (Calif.) 6:30 p.m. Terra Nova Park; Chula Vista, CA
Oct. 17 Inter San Francisco (Calif.) vs. Real San Jose (Calif.) 8:15 p.m. Beach Chalet Fields (Field 4); San Francisco, CA
Oct. 17 Escondido FC (Calif.) vs. Rebels SC (Calif.) 9 p.m. Mount Miguel High School; Spring Valley, CA
Oct. 17 Sporting ID11 (Calif.) vs. Rose City FCΒ (Calif.) 9 p.m. Lake Forest Sports Park (Turf Field A); Lake Forest, CA
Oct. 17 San Fernando Valley FC (Calif.) vs. Trojans FC (Calif.) 9:30 p.m. Sepulveda Basin Sports Complex; Los Angeles, CA
Oct. 17 Real Sociedad Royals (Calif.) vs. Capistrano FC (Calif.) 11 p.m. Orange County Great Park (Field 13); Irvine, CA

Second Round Byes: None

Third Qualifying Round
Northeast Region

Date Game (home team listed first) Time Venue
Oct. 16 DC Cheddar (D.C.) vs. Districtonia Futbol (D.C.) 1:30 p.m. The Fields at RFK Campus (Field 3); Washington, D.C.
Oct. 16 Kendall Wanderers (Mass.) vs. Brockton FC United (Mass.) 2 p.m. James P. Falzone Memorial Park; Waltham, MA
Oct. 16 Westchester United FC (N.Y.) vs. Jackson Lions FC (N.J.) 5 p.m. Brewster HS; Brewster, NY
Oct. 16 Virginia United FC (Va.) vs. Nova FC (Va.) 7 p.m. George Hampton Middle School; Woodbridge, VA
Oct. 17 Rockville SC (Md.) vs. Lynchburg FC (Va.) 3 p.m. Laytonia Recreational Park (Turf Field); Gaithersburg, MD
Oct. 17 Philadelphia Lone Star FC (Pa.) vs. Vereinigung Erzgebirge (Pa.) 3:30 p.m. John Bartram HS Football Field; Philadelphia, PA
Oct. 17 IASC Boom (N.Y.) vs. FC Maritsa (Ill.) 5 p.m. East Rochester Public HS; East Rochester, NY
Oct. 17 NY Pancyprian Freedoms (N.Y.) vs. Oyster Bay United FC (N.Y.) 8 p.m. Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.); Queens, NY

Third Round Byes: None

Central Region

Date Game (home team listed first) Time Venue
Oct. 16 Southwest FC (Texas) vs. Gam United FC (Colo.) 9 p.m. Eastside Sports Complex; El Paso, TX
Oct. 16 Harpos FC (Colo.) vs. Peak Eleven FC (Colo.) 9 p.m. Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (Field 8); Commerce City, CO
Oct. 16 Azteca FC (Colo.) vs. Colorado Rovers (Colo.) 9 p.m. Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (Field 10); Commerce City, CO
Oct. 17 D’Feeters Kicks SC (Texas) vs. Houston Hotshots (Texas) 4:45 p.m. Lake Ridge High School; Mansfield, Texas

Third Round Byes: None

Third Qualifying Round (Southeast, West), Fourth Qualifying Round (Central, Northeast): Nov. 20-21
Fourth Qualifying Round (Southeast, West): Dec. 18-19

2022 US Open Cup qualifying: 92 teams learn Round 1 opponents for Open Division Local tournament

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Players from Chula Vista FC and Rebels SC battle for the ball in their 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Chula Vista FC
Players from Chula Vista FC and Rebels SC battle for the ball in their 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Chula Vista FC

Less than a week after the teams had been announced for Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Qualifying each one now knows when they’ll play their first game. The United States Soccer Federation announced the first round match-ups for next month’s Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2022 US Open Cup.

The teams that are taking part in the competition are mostly amateur — although there are no rules limiting professional teams from participating — and represent 17 different states and the District of Columbia (23 different leagues). For the sixth year in a row, the most represented league is the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL), which entered 30 teams.

The 92 teams have been separated into four regions (East, Southeast, Central, and West) and will now compete against other teams within their region. Unlike in previous years, USSF is making two regions go through an additional round. Both the Southeast and West regions have a high number of teams participating, 18 and 24 respectively, and both will have two First Qualifying Round matches next month. They’ll finish their qualifying tournament with a fourth round in mid-December.

The other two regions, East and Central, will only have three qualifying rounds. However US Soccer is calling the first games of their tournaments the “Second Qualifying Round”. This means their fourth round (aka third match and final matches) will take place in November.

The number of slots (teams advancing to the tournament proper) for each region is as follows:

  • Northeast (32 clubs/4 slots available)
  • Southeast (18/2)
  • Central (16/2)
  • West (26/3)

The 11 advancing local qualifiers will join 2022 National Amateur Cup champion Lansdowne Yonkers FC in the first round proper. With this new information, TheCup.us is now projecting in the range of 30 to 32 Open Division slots. NPSL and USL League Two (USL2) are projected to receive either 9 or 10 slots depending on what the final total is.

Junior Lone Star U-23s (white) battle with United German Hungarians (red) in 2018 US Open Cup qualifying. Photo: Kari Berton
Junior Lone Star U-23s (white) battle with United German Hungarians (red) in 2018 US Open Cup qualifying. Photo: Kari Berton

30 Open Division slots:

  • 11 + 1 Local Qualifying
  • 9 NPSL
  • 9 USL2

31 Open Division slots:

  • 11 + 1 Local Qualifying
  • 10 NPSL
  • 9 USL2

32 Open Division slots:

  • 11 + 1 Local Qualifying
  • 10 NPSL
  • 10 USL2

The cancelled 2020 tournament had 38 Open Division slots. The continued expansion of MLS, both USL professional leagues, and NISA will end up bumping out some Open Division teams. This could potentially be fewer than the 32 Open Division slots for the 2019 US Open Cup. Any adjustments to the Open Division total slots will be adjusted in the NPSL and USL League Two pools. Local Qualifying pool is locked in to these 11 slots plus Lansdowne Bhoys’ berth. This will be finalized in early January 2022 after the professional team entry deadline of December 31.

The Open Division Local Qualifying tournament was launched in 2016 as an alternative to holding state and regional qualifying tournaments. Now, all teams from any US Soccer-affiliated leagues just need to register. The competition begins in the fall and all entrants are divided up regionally to minimize travel, with the teams that advance the furthest qualifying for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup which will begin in the spring.

The match-ups for the opening round of the qualifying tournament are listed below:

2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – Open Division Local Qualifying Schedule

First Qualifying Round
Southeast Region

Date Game (home team listed first) Time Venue
Sept. 18 Orlando FC Wolves (Fla.) vs. Deportivo Lake Mary FC (Fla.) 6:30 p.m. ET East Orange District Park; Christmas, Fla.
TBD City Soccer FC (Fla.) vs. Miami Sun FC (Fla.) TBD Gaines Park; West Palm Beach, Fla.

First Round Byes (14): Florida (10): Florida Brothers, Florida Soccer Soldiers, Hurricane FC, International Soccer Association, Miami Beach Club de Futbol, Miami Soccer Academy, Naples City FC, Oceanway FC, Palm Beach Breakers, Red Force FC; Georgia (3): Atletico Atlanta, Georgia Revolution FC Reserves, Georgia Storm FC; S.C. (1): South Carolina United Heat

West Region

Date Game (home team listed first) Time Venue
Sept. 18 FC Davis (Calif.) vs. Davis Legacy SC (Calif.) 12 p.m. PT Playfields Park Soccer Stadium; Davis, Calif.
Sept. 18 Gremio FC San Diego (Calif.) vs. Rebels Soccer Club (Calif.) 7 p.m. ET Mira Mesa High School Stadium; San Diego, Calif.

First Round Byes (22): Calif. (20): Capistrano FC, Chula Vista FC, Contra Costa FC, Desert Communities SC Pathfinders, El Farolito, Escondido FC, Inter San Francisco, JASA RWC, L.A. Monsters FC, Metro FC, Modesto City Football Club, Oakland Stompers, Outbreak FC, Real San Jose, Real Sociedad Royals, Rose City FC, San Fernando Valley FC, Sporting ID11, Trojans FC, White Tigers FC; Nevada (2): BattleBornFC, Villarreal Las Vegas

Second Qualifying Round
East Region

Date Game (home team listed first) Time Venue
Sept. 18 Kendall Wanderers (Mass.) vs. Newtown Pride FC (Conn.) 10 a.m. ET Pine Banks Park; Malden, Mass.
Sept. 18 Philadelphia Lone Star FC (Pa.) vs. Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals (Pa.) 3 p.m. ET John Bartram High School Football Field; Philadelphia, Pa.
Sept. 18 Pittsburgh City United FC (Pa.) vs. IASC Boom (N.Y.) 5 p.m. ET Monroeville Community Park West; Monroeville, Pa.
Sept. 18 Oyster Bay United FC (N.Y.) vs. New York Greek American SC (N.Y.) 5:30 p.m. ET Darcy Field; Rockville Centre, N.Y.
Sept. 18 DC Cheddar (D.C.) vs. Corinto FC (Va.) 7 p.m. ET RFK Stadium Auxilliary Turf Field; Washington, D.C.
Sept. 18 Nova FC (Va.) vs. Springfield FC (Va.) 7 p.m. ET Evergreen Sportsplex; Leesburg, Va.
Sept. 18 Districtonia Futbol (D.C.) vs. Alianza Futbol Club (Va.) 7 p.m. ET Riggs LaSalle Recreation Center; Washington, D.C.
Sept. 18 EFA Metro (N.J.) vs. Jackson Lions FC (N.J.) 7 p.m. ET Athenia Steel Recreation Complex; Clifton, N.J.
Sept. 18 FC Maritsa (Ill.) vs. Lexington Landsharks (Ky.) 7 p.m. CT O’Fallon Family Sports Park; O’Fallon, Ill.
Sept. 18 New Amsterdam FC ll (N.Y.) vs. New York Pancyprian Freedoms (N.Y.) 8 p.m. ET Hudson Sports Complex; Warwick, N.Y.
Sept. 19 United German Hungarians (Pa.) vs. Vereinigung Erzgebirge (Pa.) 2:30 p.m. ET Temple University Ambler Campus; Ambler, Pa.
Sept. 19 Lynchburg FC (Va.) vs. Aegean Hawks FC (Md.) 3 p.m. ET Lynchburg City Stadium; Lynchburg, Va.
Sept. 19 C.A. United (Va.) vs. Rockville Soccer Club (Md.) 4 p.m. ET George Hampton Middle School; Woodbridge, Va.
Sept. 19 New Jersey Alliance FC (N.J.) vs. Westchester United F.C. (N.Y.) 6:30 pm ET Athenia Steel Recreation Complex; Clifton, N.J.
Sept. 19 Toros FC (Va.) vs. Virginia United FC (Va.) 7 p.m. ET George Hampton Middle School; Woodbridge, Va.
Sept. 19 Brockton FC United (Mass.) vs. Unations FC (Mass.) TBD Randolph High School; Randolph, Mass.

Second Round Byes: None

Central Region

Date Game (home team listed first) Time Venue
TBD FC Denver (Colo.) vs. Peak Eleven Football Club (Colo.) TBD TBD
Sept. 18 Lone Star Republic (Texas) vs. D’Feeters Kicks Soccer Club (Texas) 8 p.m. CT Crum Lacrosse and Sports Field; Dallas, Texas
Sept. 18 Southwest Football Club (Texas) vs. San Antonio Runners (Texas) 7 p.m. MT Eastside Sports Complex; El Paso, Texas
Sept. 19 Harpos FC (Colo.) vs. FC Union Jerez (Colo.) 3 p.m. MT Fairview High School; Boulder, Colo.
Sept. 19 Colorado Rovers (Colo.) vs. Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake (Colo.) 3 p.m. MT Victoria Sports Park; Golden, Colo.
Sept. 19 Colorado Rush (Colo.) vs. Azteca FC (Colo.) 5 p.m. MT Long Lake Regional Park; Arvada, Colo.
Sept. 19 Boulder United FC (Colo.) vs Gam United FCΒ  (Colo.) 5 p.m. MT Broomfield Commons, Field TBD; Broomfield, Colo.
Sept. 19 Houston Hotshots – Greenspoint FC (Texas) vs. Athletic Katy FC (Texas) 7 p.m. MT British International School of Houston; Katy, Texas

Second Round Byes: None

Note: The draw is missing Gam United FC (Colo.) and Boulder United FC (Colo.). The information for that match was taken directly from one of the teams on social media.

Second Qualifying Round (Southeast, West), Third Qualifying Round (Central, Northeast): Oct. 16-17
Third Qualifying Round (Southeast, West), Fourth Qualifying Round (Central, Northeast): Nov. 20-21
Fourth Qualifying Round (Southeast, West): Dec. 18-19

2022 US Open Cup qualifying: 92 teams approved for Open Division Local tournament

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Cal FC players huddle up prior to their 2020 US Open Cup qualifier against Oxnard Guerreros. Photo: Victor Friedman | Cal FC
Cal FC players huddle up prior to their 2020 US Open Cup qualifier against Oxnard Guerreros. Photo: Victor Friedman | Cal FC

Virginia United FC and CD Huateras finished out their 2020 US Open Cup third qualifying round match surrounded in chaos. The 3-1 scoreline ensured United was set to make it’s second straight tournament while their fellow Virginia side had earned three red cards in the final minute of regulation. Then 20-year-old Christian Osorio scored the game sealer in the 90th minute in Woodbridge to make his team the final side into the 107th edition of the tournament.

The game wrapped up just after 9 p.m. Eastern time on Nov. 24, 2019, the last time a U.S. Soccer-sanctioned US Open Cup qualifier took place. Now, 639 days and two cancelled tournaments later, the qualifying tournament for the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is taking shape.

On Monday night, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) announced the entries for the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2022 US Open Cup. In total, 92 teams from 17 different states plus the District of Columbia will attempt to qualify for what will now officially be the 107th edition of America’s national soccer championship.

Despite initially being worded as “if needed”, USSF has announced there will be four rounds of qualifying for teams to compete in. This will be the second time a fourth round is used in open division local qualifying but it will be the first time it is announced at the start of the tournament (the 2019 tournament qualifying fourth round was a late addition after the third round was already complete).

For the sixth year in a row, the most represented league of the 23 taking part is the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) which entered 33 teams. The total is the same amount the nearly ten year old league saw enter the 2020 qualifying competition. One league that might be surprising to see in the competition is the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), whose teams are normally not allowed to compete in local qualifying due to it’s status (along with USL League Two) as a National League. However teams in the NPSL’s Golden Gate Conference were not able to participate in the league’s regular competition in 2021, holding a separate table and playoffs. Four teams from that conference have been allowed to take part including 1993 US Open Cup champions El Farolito SC.

Within the group, 50 of the teams have previously competed in the Open Division tournament before. This includes three previous Open Cup champions; New York Greek American SC (NY), New York Pancyprian Freedoms (NY), Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals (PA). Two others, Trojans FC (University of Southern California) and San Antonio Runners (University of Texas, San Antonio), are rare examples of teams based out of college campuses.

Another returning team is Newtown Pride FC who was one of the few teams to qualify for both the cancelled 2020 and 2021 tournaments. Initially earning an entry as 2019 National Amateur Cup champions, the Connecticut side was one of only two open division teams to be selected via random draw for the abbreviated 2021 tournament. If the team wants to actually compete in its first US Open Cup it will need to do something it has yet to do; win in local qualifying.

There is also plenty of intrigue when it comes to some of the 42 new faces hoping to make history. New Amsterdam FC ll, reserve side of it’s National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) namesake, is competing out of the newly formed Eastern Premier Soccer League (EPSL). The league is a joint effort between the Cosmopolitan Soccer League and Maryland Majors Soccer League to have regional promotion and relegation between top amateur sides. In total, four other teams from the league are attempting to qualify.

Additionally, NAFC II is the first reserve side of a professional team to ever attempt qualification via Open Division Local Qualifying.

The Open Division Local Qualifying tournament was launched in 2016 as an alternative to holding state and regional qualifying tournaments for each of the participating leagues and organizations. Now, all teams from any US Soccer-affiliated leagues just need to register. The competition begins in the fall and all entrants are divided up regionally to minimize travel, with the teams that advance the furthest qualifying for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, which will begin in the spring. The number of teams that will qualify for the tournament is yet to be announced as the draw for the competition will be announced in the coming days. What is known is that the qualifying tournament will require four rounds.

As has been the case since 2018, one Open Division Local team already knows they will be in the 2022 tournament. Lansdowne Yonkers FC (New York) won the 2022 National Amateur Cup championship over Cal FC (CA), 2-1, earning them an automatic berth into the first round proper. The team, formerly known as Lansdowne Bhoys FC, will be making their third tournament appearance (2016, 2018). During its inaugural cup run, the Bhoys reached the third round of the 2016 tournament, defeating professional side Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL) along the way.

With this announcement, TheCup.us can make a reasonable estimate on the number of Open Division teams and the allocation among the three qualification pools (local qualifying, NPSL, and USL League Two.) Our estimates last month stated that 56 teams total would be participating in the first round between USL League One (USL1), National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), and the Open Division. As of now, there are 10 eligible USL1 teams and 12 eligible NISA teams, leaving 34 teams left to split among the Open Division. Currently projections are leaving out any potential independent teams that could participate in the proposed second pro league by MLS. If these independently-owned teams transfer over from existing professional leagues, that would either increase or keep the same the number of slots for the Open Division. If these are new professional teams (or revived from hiatus) then that would decrease the number of slots for the Open Division. However, with no concrete news since the initial announcement on June 21, the league is excluded for now until more is announced.

There are 93 teams in the Local Qualifying pool (Lansdowne Bhoys FC is included in that), 76 teams in the NPSL pool, and 75 teams in the USL League Two (USL2) pool. 244 teams total. Simple math can determine the number of teams for each pool.

Local Qualifying: (93 / 244) * 34 = 12.96 rounded up to 13 slots. Lansdowne Bhoys FC takes up one of those slots, the remaining 12 will be determined in qualifying this fall.

NPSL: (76 / 244) * 34 = 10.59 rounded up to 11 slots. Which NPSL clubs could qualify can be found here.

USL2: (75/244)*34 = 10.45 rounded down to 10 slots. Which USL2 clubs could qualify can be found here.

2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – Open Division Local Qualifying Schedule

First Qualifying Round: Sept. 18-19
Second Qualifying Round: Oct. 16-17
Third Qualifying Round: Nov. 20-21
Fourth Qualifying Round: Dec. 18-19

2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Open Division Teams Entering via the Local Qualifying Track
Listed by State and League (Sanctioning Body) Affiliation

California (24)
National Premier Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Contra Costa FC; Concord, Calif.
El Farolito; San Francisco, Calif.
FC Davis^^; Davis, Calif.
Oakland Stompers; Oakland, Calif.

National Soccer League (U.S. Specialty Sports Assn.)
Real San Jose; San Jose, Calif.

San Francisco Soccer Football League (Calif. Soccer Assn.-North/USASA)
Inter San Francisco; San Francisco, Calif.
Metro FC; San Francisco, Calif.

Southwest Premier League (U.S. Specialty Sports Assn.)
Capistrano FC; San Clemente, Calif.
Chula Vista FC^^; Chula Vista, Calif.
L.A. Monsters FC; Wilmington, Calif.
Outbreak FC; Long Beach, Calif.
Real Sociedad Royals; Irvine, Calif.

United Premier Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Davis Legacy SC; Davis, Calif.
Desert Communities SC Pathfinders; Helendale, Calif.
Escondido FC; Spring Valley, Calif.
Gremio FC San Diego; San Diego, Calif.
JASA RWC; Redwood City, Calif.
Modesto City Football Club; Modesto, Calif.
Rebels Soccer Club; Spring Valley, Calif.
Rose City FC; Arcadia, Calif.
San Fernando Valley FC; Glendale, Calif.
Sporting ID11; Lake Forest, Calif.
Trojans FC; Irvine, Calif.
White Tigers FC; Poway, Calif.

Colorado (10)
Colorado Premier League (U.S. Specialty Sports Assn.)
Boulder United FC; Superior, Colo.
Colorado Rovers; Golden, Colo.

Colorado Super League (Colorado Soccer Assn./U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake; Wheat Ridge, Colo.
Azteca FC; Golden, Colo.
Colorado Rush; Arvada, Colo.
FC Denver; Denver, Colo.
FC Union Jerez; Arvada, Colo.
Gam United FC; Denver, Colo.
Peak Eleven Football Club; Boulder, Colo.
Harpos FC^^; Boulder, Colo.

Connecticut (1)
Connecticut Soccer League (Connecticut State Soccer Assn./USASA)
Newtown Pride FC^^; Newtown, Conn.

District of Columbia (2)
DC Premier League (Maryland State Soccer Assn./USASA)
DC Cheddar; Washington, D.C.

Woodbridge Soccer League (Asociacion Nacional FΓΊtbol en USA)
Districtonia Futbol; Washington, D.C.

Florida (14)
National Soccer League (U.S. Specialty Sports Assn.)
City Soccer FC; West Palm Beach, Fla.
Florida Brothers; Miami Gardens, Fla.
Hurricane FC; Delray Beach, Fla.
Miami Soccer Academy; Miami, Fla.
Orlando FC Wolves; Orlando, Fla.
Palm Beach Breakers; West Palm Beach, Fla.
Red Force FC; Miami Gardens, Fla.

United Premier Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Deportivo Lake Mary FC; Lake Mary, Fla.
Florida Soccer Soldiers; Miami Beach, Fla.
International Soccer Association: Boca Raton, Fla.
Miami Beach Club de Futbol; Miami Gardens, Fla.
Miami Sun FC; Miami, Fla.
Naples City FC; Naples, Fla.
Oceanway FC; Jacksonville, Fla.

Georgia (3)
Atlanta District Amateur Soccer League (Georgia State Soccer Assn./USASA)
Georgia Revolution FC Reserves; Locust Grove, Ga.

United Premier Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Atletico Atlanta; Milton, Ga.
Georgia Storm FC; Carrollton, Ga.

Illinois (1)
Metro East Football Association (Illinois State Soccer Assn./USASA)
FC Maritsa; O’Fallon, Ill.

Kentucky (1)
Ohio Valley Premier League (US Club Soccer)
Lexington Landsharks; Lexington, Ky.

Maryland (2)
Maryland Major Soccer League (Maryland State Soccer Assn./USASA)
Rockville Soccer Club; Gaithersburg, Md.

Washington Premier League (Maryland State Soccer Assn./USASA)
Aegean Hawks FC; Boyds, Md.

Massachusetts (3)
Bay State Soccer League (Massachusetts Adult State Soccer Assn./USASA)
Brockton FC United; Brockton, Mass.
Kendall Wanderers; Malden, Mass.

United Premier Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Unations FC; Marlborough, Mass.

New Jersey (3)
Garden State Soccer League (New Jersey Soccer Assn./USASA)
Jackson Lions FC; Jackson, N.J.

United Premier Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
EFA Metro; Clifton, N.J.
New Jersey Alliance FC; Clifton, N.J.

New York (6)
Eastern Premier Soccer League (USASA Region I)
New Amsterdam FC ll; Warwick, N.Y.
New York Greek American SC*; Bronx, N.Y.
New York Pancyprian Freedoms^/^^; Queens, N.Y.

Rochester District Soccer League (Western New York Soccer Assn./USASA)
IASC Boom; Irondequoit, N.Y.

United Premier Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Oyster Bay United FC; Rockville Centre, N.Y.
Westchester United F.C.; Yonkers, N.Y.

Nevada (2)
United Premier Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
BattleBornFC; Minden, Nev.
Villarreal Las Vegas; Las Vegas, Nev.

Pennsylvania (5)
United Premier Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Philadelphia Lone Star FC; Philadelphia, Pa.
Pittsburgh City United FC; Monroeville, Pa.

United Soccer League of Pennsylvania (Eastern Pennsylvania Soccer Assn./USASA)
Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals**; North Wales, Pa.
United German Hungarians; Ambler, Pa.
Vereinigung Erzgebirge^^; Warminster, Pa.

South Carolina (1)
United Premier Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
South Carolina United Heat; Columbia, S.C.

Texas (6)
Dallas Soccer Alliance (U.S. Specialty Sports Assn.)
Lone Star Republic; Dallas, Texas

National Soccer League (U.S. Specialty Sports Assn.)
Athletic Katy FC; Katy, Texas
Houston Hotshots – GPFC; Katy, Texas
San Antonio Runners; San Antonio, Texas

The Roja League (US Club Soccer)
D’Feeters Kicks Soccer Club; Dallas, Texas

United Premier Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Southwest Football Club; El Paso, Texas

Virginia (8)
Eastern Premier Soccer League (USASA Region I)
Nova FC; Leesburg, Va.
Virginia United FC^^; Woodbridge, Va.

United Premier Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Lynchburg FC; Lynchburg, Va.

Woodbridge Soccer League (Asociacion Nacional FΓΊtbol en USA)
Alianza Futbol Club; Woodbridge, Va.
C.A. United; Woodbridge, Va.
Corinto FC; Woodbridge, Va.
Springfield FC; Woodbridge, Va.
Toros FC; Woodbridge, Va.

* Four-time U.S. Open Cup Champion (1967-69, 1974)
^ Three-time U.S. Open Cup Champion (1980, 1982-83)
** Four-time U.S. Open Cup Champion (1960-61, 1963, 1966)
^^ Qualified for cancelled 2020 US Open Cup tournament

2022 US Open Cup: Which NPSL teams could qualify?

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The Denton Diablos celebrate the club’s 2021 NPSL championship. Photo: NPSL

The 2021 National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) season has now finished with the Denton Diablos FC lifting the trophy by defeating Tulsa Athletic. With the entire season completed, we can take a look at which teams will have the highest priority of qualifying for the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

How this list is made is determined by using the format previously used in the 2020 US Open Cup Open Division Handbook as well as the newly-released 2022 US Open Cup Open Division Handbook.

After years of either steady or increasing berth totals for teams between 2011 and 2018, the NPSL experienced its first decrease in tournament slots in 2019 going from 18 (22 after including last minute Play-in teams) to 14. This stayed steady for the 2020 tournament with 14 entrants before COVID-19 would cancel both the 2020 and 2021 tournaments. With expansion coming across the board from Major League Soccer (MLS), to USL League One (USL1), and the newly-created National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), it would seem likely that the number of berths for both NPSL and USL League Two would go down. Official announcements of preliminary allocations of each Open Division pool (USL League Two, NPSL, and Open Division local qualifying) will be coming in August according to the Open Cup calendar.

NPSL’s CLASSIFICATION RULES

Heading into the 2022 US Open Cup, the NPSL has 76 teams that are eligible for the competition divided into four regions: East (25), South (20), Midwest (18), and West (13). The West Region had two of its three divisions not participate in the main NPSL league competition this season because of the pandemic and restrictions in western states like California, Washington, and Oregon. As a result, NPSL moved one division, the Lone Star Conference, from the South Region to the West Region. Since tournament bids are staggered in a way to reward regions with more teams, this puts teams from the West at a significant disadvantage after the top eight.

The first eight possible berths are awarded to teams that advanced deep into the 2021 NPSL playoffs. Slots one and two are reserved for the champion and runner-up, respectively. Slots three and four are given to the teams that reached the semifinals and teams five through eight are held by the remaining quarterfinalists.

NPSL ranks largely by points per game, but prioritizes at least one Open Cup bid for every division. It’s important to consider where a team plays (conference and division) when you read the teams listed and take extraneous factors into consideration such as teams folding, declaring themselves ineligible, changing leagues, or more.

It’s near certain that teams listed in the top eight are all but guaranteed a spot in the 107th edition of the US Open Cup. After that, teams are ranked based on criteria that the NPSL has come up with in accordance with the Open Cup Committee. This information can be found inside the 2022 edition of the handbook (page 15).

With all that out of the way, here are the 2022 NPSL US Open Cup berth rankings:

1st – Denton Diablos FC (NPSL Champion – Lone Star Conference)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: None

The Denton Diablos are the first ever NPSL national champions from the state of Texas and they did it in only their second season. The 5-2 win in the title game against Tulsa Athletic, including a goal from West Ham product and team captain Eoin Wearen in front of front of 2,394 fans at home, capped off a hectic season and frustrating year and a half. Forward Trevor Amann, who scored six goals during the regular season for the fifth-most in the West Region, scored two more in the championship match to lead his side to it’s first major trophy.

After leading the Lone Star Conference with an 8-1-1 record, Denton cruised to the conference title beating No. 4 seed Katy 1895 FC and No. 2 seed Laredo Heat SC by a combined score of 10-1. Under normal circumstances, Denton would have advanced to the South Region playoffs following that win. However, with both the Golden Gate and Northwest conferences on hiatus due to COVID-19, the league decided to shift the Lone Star into the west. The Diablos dispatched Southwest champion FC Golden State, 4-2, before edging Cleveland SC on the road, 4-3, in a extra-time national semifinal thriller.

The title win follows the team after it had qualified for the 2020 tournament before it’s cancelation. When the 2021 tournament was shrunk down, including the elimination of the entire first round, the team openly voiced their displeasure on social media. Team co-founder Damon Gochneaur talked to TheCup.us last year and finished his remarks by saying:

“Put an asterisk next to this year, because it’s not an Open Cup, it’s a Closed Cup. But this isn’t at all surprising, we began working on our plans for 2022 qualification long ago, and this changes them none.”

In the end, those plans were successful as the club looks ahead to the 2022 US Open Cup.

2nd – Tulsa Athletic (NPSL Runner-up – Heartland Conference)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: 3 (2014, 2015, 2017)
Best Open Cup Finish: 2014 Second Round (2-0 loss vs Oklahoma City Energy FC of the USL Pro)

After an appearance in the South Region Final in 2019, Tulsa Athletic followed up their most successful season with a deep playoff run. While the team failed to take home the title against Denton it did secure the second highest priority allocation spot for NPSL teams wanting to make the 2022 US Open Cup.

After finishing second in the Heartland Conference regular season, Tulsa needed two narrow wins in the playoffs to reach the regional stage. A narrow penalty-kick win over expansion side OKC 1889 FC and a narrow 2-1 win over the top seed Demize NPSL gave the team it’s second straight conference title. Midfielder Joe Garcia led the team in goals with seven in the regular season and three more during the playoffs. Meanwhile, the backline and players like goalkeeper Bryson Reed kept the team’s goals allowed to just nine during the regular season, one of the lowest in the league.

Athletic will be hoping to finally make it’s fourth Open Cup appearance next year after it’s 2020 entry was stopped due to COVID.

3rd – FC Baltimore Christos (NPSL Semifinalist, East Region Champion – Mid-Atlantic Conference)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: 1 (2018)
Best Open Cup Finish: 2018 First Round (1-1 (4:5 pk) loss vs West Chester United SC of USL of Pennsylvania)

A scene from the first half of the First Round match between West Chester United and FC Baltimore Christos in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: @finchamphoto
A scene from the first half of the First Round match between West Chester United and FC Baltimore Christos in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: @finchamphoto

Following a year of ineligibility after not playing enough regular season games, the Mid-Atlantic Conference powerhouse FC Baltimore Christos completed their most successful season since their founding in 2018. A third straight conference title, East Region Championship, and a first trip to the national semifinals (and hosting) earned the group a top priority slot in USOC allocations.

The team went undefeated regular season (8-0-2) as one of the most dangerous dual threat forces in the league. A defense that allowed only eight goals during the regular season was run by committee most of the season. Former Clemson player Michael Zierhoffer and current University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) keeper Jailon Gillespie each played one half during most of the season, and it worked. Combined with an offense lead by England native Kelan Swales and University of Maryland player Ben Bender, who each lead the team with six goals each, and you have a force of young talent. The reshaped conference, which now included Open Cup regular Philadelphia Lone Star FC, never felt like much of a threat.

A bye to the conference final allowed Baltimore to cruise to it’s third straight trophy, 3-0, over Lone Star with one goal coming from Guam National Team player Alex Lee. An early second half goal against Hartford City in the East Region semifinals and a penalty kick shootout in the final against FC Motown made sure that Christos’ first regional title did not come easy. The team could not carry the momentum into the national semifinals, even as hosts, as Tulsa Athletic escaped with a 1-0 win following an early first half goal.

While Baltimore is hoping to make it’s second tournament appearance, the Christos name has become synonymous with the competition. Oddly enough, Christos FC and FC Baltimore Christos have never qualified for the same tournament including the cancelled 2020 edition.

4th – Cleveland SC (NPSL Semifinalist, Midwest Region Champion – Rust Belt Conference)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: None

Fun times in Cleveland again! A second straight trip to the national semifinals, including conference and regional titles, has solidified Cleveland SC as one of the top tier teams in the NPSL. Multiple players stood out this season but goalkeeper Conor Cable stood out earning the 2021 Renegade GK NPSL Golden Glove award from the league. In all, his 12 appearances in 2021 saw him allow just 13 goals including postseason matches. Meanwhile head coach Lewis Dunne earned a second straight spot in the Conference XI selections.

After only winning the Rust Belt Conference by two points over Pittsburgh Hotspurs, Cleveland needed to win in the regional quarterfinals as the lowest ranked conference champion. Former AFC Cleveland star and current team leader Vincent Bell struggled to find the net in the playoffs after leading the team in the regular season (6). Instead, players like Admir Suljevic needed to step up. The Bosnia native scored five goals in the postseason, including both penalty kicks in the regional semifinals against FC Milwaukee Torrent (2-1 win), to help push his team to a second year of Midwest silverware.

Despite losing to Denton Diablos in extra time, 4-3 (the second time the team has lost to the eventual champs), Cleveland is once again in prime position to be The Forest City’s representative in the 2021 tournament.

5th – FC Motown (NPSL Quarterfinalist, East Region – Keystone Conference)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: 4 (2016-17 as Clarkstown Eagles*, 2018, 2019)
Best Open Cup Finish: 2018 Round 2 (3-1 loss vs Penn FC of USL)
*Additional appearance in 2017 as local qualifier playing under FC Motown name

Dilly Duka of FC Motown dribbles against the New York Red Bulls U-23s in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson | TheCup.us
Dilly Duka of FC Motown dribbles against the New York Red Bulls U-23s in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson | TheCup.us

FC Motown will be looking to reach the Open Cup for the fourth straight year as an organization. It’s a feat not many national league teams can hold themselves to in a world where players move on so regularly. But for Motown, the team’s 2021 roster is filled with familiar names, both from their own history and locally. Both defender Roy Boateng and forward Dilly Duka have played professionally within the New York Red Bulls organization. Meanwhile, forward Ryan Peterson made his presence known after he joined the team following a fall championship with Detroit City FC in NISA. After leading the team in goals he was named to both the conference and region XI selections.

After going 0-1-1 in the regular season against Atlantic City FC (following a win being overturned due to a roster infraction), Motown upset the No. 2 seed Aces on the road and held off a late-game comeback, 3-2. In the conference final at home against an unexpected foe, Peterson and former New Amsterdam FC striker Michael Bello each scored a goal to send Celtic to the regionals. What followed in Baltimore was truly both ends of the spectrum when it comes to results; Boateng headed in a 90th minute game winner in the semifinals against Georgia Revolution before three straight missed penalties allowed FC Baltimore Christos to reach the national semifinals.

Motown is still hoping to make a deep run in the tournament to face a professional side. The team’s last appearance ended in 2019’s First Round to the New York Red Bulls U-23s (USL League Two) in one of the tournament’s most exciting matches.

6th – Southern States Soccer Club (NPSL Quarterfinalist, South Region – Gulf Coast Conference)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: None

In a season filled with first-year clubs, Southern States SC is the only one to break the top 15. Despite a three-game scoreless skid midseason , the Stars finished their inaugural year third in the Gulf Coast conference with a record of 9-1-4. Coached by Chelsea Academy product and former Chattanooga FC player Carl Reynolds, the unit is a true mix of local southern talent and overseas players. This includes Oxford, England native and 2020 Seattle Sounders SuperDraft selection Danny Reynolds who led the team with four goals in the regular season.

In the playoffs, a mild upset over No. 2 seed Pensacola FC set up a battle of the underdogs in the conference final. However prior to the match multiple players from No. 4 seed New Orleans Jesters tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the game to be postponed and eventually called off. With one win separating them from the South Region Final, the Stars easily handled Sunshine Conference champion Naples United FC, 5-1, to secure a top eight allocation spot.

If selected for the tournament the Stars could clash with fellow Magnolia State side Mississippi Brilla FC of USL League Two, who also finished their season with a high priority allocation spot.

7th – Minneapolis City SC (NPSL Quarterfinalist, Midwest Region – North Conference)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: None

Going by points-per-game Minneapolis City SC was the regular season champion of the NPSL in 2021. The Crows had the longest winning streak in the league (10 games), scored the most goals of any team during the regular season (44), and had the highest points per game of any team in the league (2.75). Overall the North Conference champions and Midwest Region finalists could be viewed as the most well rounded teams in the country right now.

Their 11-0-1 record was not due to one star player. The team’s leading scorer in the regular season, Mohamed Youssef, only netted six goals which tied him for ninth most in the Midwest Region alone. College players like Eli Goldman and local teenage rising star Kevin Andrews, whose played professionally in Portugal with S.U. Sintrense, are only a two of a wide field of rotating names that kept the Crows atop the standings. This was even seen during the playoffs when three different players scored in Minneapolis’ 3-0 win over Carpathia FC (including Goldman who scored the game winner).

The most successful season in City’s history has put them in the best position to qualify for the tournament that they’ve ever had. But sufficed to say we’ve been here before.

When it comes to the US Open Cup the Crows are best known for not taking part in increasingly heart breaking ways. During the 2017 Open Division Local qualifying tournament they violated tournament rules by switching leagues (from the Premier League of America to the NPSL) in the middle of the qualifying process and were disqualified. In 2018, a top seeded Minneapolis was ranked 16th in NPSL Open Cup rankings but the federation reduced the number of entries to 14, leaving them on the outside looking in. Finally, in 2020, the team finally qualified for a tournament and paired to play Chicago FC United (USL2) in the First Round before COVID-19 brought the tournament, and much of the sports world, to a screeching halt.

8th – FC Golden State (NPSL Quarterfinalist, West Region – Southwest Conference)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: None

FC Golden State is the only team from the West Region proper to break the top 15. Since the much larger Lone Star Conference was added to the west in order to make up the numbers following two conferences going on hiatus, the five teams in the Southwest have almost become afterthoughts. Even still, the benefit of a region only having two conferences is that at least one from each has to make the national quarterfinals.

FCGS finished second in their conference with a record of 5-4-1, one point behind the Las Vegas Legends FC. The team’s 37 goals scored was helped by the influx of talent from the organizations professional outfit, the Los Angeles Force. Four days after falling in the National Independent Soccer Association championship. striker Cristian Gordillo scored four goals for Golden State against Temecula FC. The Mexican national stuck around the squad and played in all three of the team’s playoff matches, scoring two goals in the regional stage. Since this isn’t open division local qualifying, players like Gordillo won’t be cup-tied come the 2022 tournament.

Of note, sister club FC Golden State Force was unable to play last season in USL League Two due to it’s conference going on COVID-19 hiatus. The Force have their own Cup history and were even selected as one of the two open division teams for the 2021 tournament prior to it’s cancelation.

9th – Georgia Revolution (East Region – Southeast Conference, 2.5 points per game)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: 2 (2012, 2013)
Best Open Cup Finish: 2012 Second Round (1-0 loss vs Atlanta Silverbacks of NASL)

The Georgia Revolution completely reinvented themselves in the new look Southeast Conference. With the departure of heavyweight Chattanooga FC last year and the fact that the Revs were the only non-expansion side in the six team conference, theΒ team earned it’s first winning season since 2013 and won it’s first ever conference title. The roster was anything short of familiar however with four-year veteran Sagi Hirsch being the most senior name on the roster on a squad of new faces.

The 8-1-1 record saw Georgia enter the playoffs as the top seed in the conference. A penalty kick win over LSA Athletico Lanier (Louisiana) and a narrow 2-1 win over in-state rival Georgia Storm secured head coach Ricky Davey’s side it’s biggest accomplishment in team history. The trip to Baltimore for the regional playoffs was short however as a second half comeback by FC Motown knocked the Revs one game short of a top eight allocation.

The east’s high team count put the Revolution as the first team on the outside which could mark the end of a near decade tournament doubt.

10th – Miami United (South Region – Sunshine Conference, 2.2 points per game)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: 3 (2015, 2017, 2018)
Best Open Cup Finish: 2018 Fourth Round (3-0 loss vs Orlando City SC of MLS)

David Ochoa of Miami United FC playing against the Jacksonville United FC in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Miami United FC
David Ochoa of Miami United FC playing against the Jacksonville United FC in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Miami United FC

Following the departure of two-time league champion The Miami FC, the other Miami club stepped up its game. Miami United finished first in the highly-competitive conference with a record of 7-1-2 and forward Nicolas Micoli scored the six most goals in the whole league (11). But for the third straight season United’s campaign came to an end in the conference final after a huge 4-1 upset by Naples United.

Prior to the 2020 tournament’s cancelation the team’s Under 23 side earned a spot as an open division local qualifier.

11th – Hartford City FC (East Region – North Atlantic Conference, 2 points per game)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: None

Almost as a follow up to the success of 2019 National Amateur Cup champion Newtown Pride FC, Hartford City FC is looking to become the first open division national league team to qualify since 2010 (Elm City Express). With a 6-2-2 record and North Atlantic Conference title City has a fine resume despite it’s relatively early playoff exit.

Every playoff match for Hartford was decided by one goal. A conference semifinal win over expansion side Valeo FC only came thanks to a lone Noah Silverman goal midway through the first half. Against rival Kingston Stockade FC, with a spot in the regional final four at stake, both teams battled with City barely nudging a 3-2 win. The game was 2-2 after 45 minutes but Cooper Knecht’s second goal of the night was the only one to find the back of the net in the second half. Even the team’s loss in the East Region semifinals was 1-0.

12th – FC Milwaukee Torrent (Midwest Region – Great Lakes Conference, 2.7 points per game)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: None

FC Milwaukee Torrent is hoping to become the first non-open division local side from its city to qualify for the tournament since 2003 (Milwaukee Wave United). After a two year hiatus, the first being self imposed in 2019, Torrent returned to the field and only lost one game in the Great Lakes Conference (9-0-1) regular season. German native Alexander Filian helped lead the team on offense with six goals.

It’s strong record earned it a bye into the Midwest Region semifinals but the team still fell to Cleveland SC, 2-1.

13th – Jacksonville Armada FC U-23 (South Region – Gulf Coast Conference, 2.57 points per game)
Number of (Modern Era) US Open Cup appearances: 3 (2012 & 2014 as Jacksonville United FC*, 2017)
Best Open Cup Finish: 2017 Round 2 (3-0 loss vs Tampa Bay Rowdies of USL)

Despite being a reserve side with no first team Jacksonville Armada U-23 dominated the newly created Gulf Coast Conference in 2021. Lead by Armada/Jacksonville United regular Tommy Križanović, the team broke double digit wins in the regular season going 12-0-2. Players like forward Jovoney Brown (9) and Alexandros Lerides (6) were part of an offensive unit that that used younger talent to great effect.

An upset to No. 4 seed New Orleans Jesters in the conference semifinals and the fact that the Sunshine Conference needed a team listed, lowers Armada’s ranking into the teens.

14th – West Chester United SC (East Region – Keystone Conference, 2.7 points per game)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: 2 (2016*, 2019*)
*As an Open Division Local qualifier
Best Open Cup Finish: 2016 Round 2 (2-0 loss vs City Islanders FC of USL)

West Chester United finished the Keystone Conference regular season with a record of 9-0-1, enough for the top seed in the playoffs and with one of the highest points per game marks in the league. United was able to accomplish this despite the organization pulling double duty with seasons in both the NPSL and USL League Two. However, a conference semifinal upset to No. 4 seed FC Monmouth crushed any hopes for the team’s first deep run in the NPSL playoffs.

There is an interesting situation however. Since West Chester finished atop the Mid Atlantic Division in USL2 they are in line for the third tournament spot from that league. Meaning the team could put both squads in the tournament (with neither being able to face one-another until the final) or they could decline an allocation from one league which would open up a spot for a new team.

15th – Laredo Heat SC (West Region – Lone Star Conference, 2.3 points per game)
Number of US Open Cup appearances: 6
Best Open Cup Finish: 2014 Round 4 (1-0 loss vs Houston Dynamo of MLS)

Houston Dynamo's Will Bruin and Laredo Heat's Adan Villavicencio battle for the ball in their Fourth Round US Open Cup match in 2014. Photo: Wilf Thorne/Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo’s Will Bruin and Laredo Heat’s Adan Villavicencio battle for the ball in their Fourth Round US Open Cup match in 2014. Photo: Wilf Thorne/Houston Dynamo

When the topic of Texas non-professional teams pops up the Laredo Heat are bound to be brought up. The team’s six appearances in the tournament makes them one of the most successful open division sides in the Modern Era. This season in the NPSL, the team’s 7-2-1 record was bolstered behind one of the best defenses in the league with only eight goals allowed.

However a poor playoff showing and a region switch has severely crippled the Heat’s chance to return to the tournament. Since the Lone Star Conference was shifted to the 13 team West Region, the at-large slots are few and far between. Two draws in the regular season kept Laredo out from the first seed in the conference playoffs, and a loss to Denton in the conference final kept the team away from a top eight guaranteed spot.

With the last two tournaments, including 2020, only having 14 NPSL teams take part the Heat are right on the edge of making it.

16th – Pittsburgh Hotspurs (Midwest Region – Rust Belt Conference, 2.4 points per game)

17th – Atlantic City FC (East Region – Keystone Conference, 2.6 points per game)

18th – Demize NPSL (South Region – Heartland Conference, 2.4 points per game each)

19th – Duluth FC (Midwest Region – North Conference, 2.25 points per game)

20th – New York Shockers (East Region – North Atlantic Conference, 1.9 points per game)

21st – Las Vegas Legends FC (West Region – Southwest Conference, 2 points per game)

22nd – Pensacola FC (South Region – Gulf Coast Conference, 2.07 points per game)

23rd – Kingston Stockade FC (East Region – North Atlantic Conference, 1.9 points per game)

24th – Med City FC (Midwest Region – North Conference, 2 points per game)

25th – Miami Dutch Lions FC (South Region – Sunshine Conference, 1.9 points per game)

26th – Georgia Storm SA (East Region – Southeast Conference, 1.7 points per game)

27th – Midland-Odessa Sockers FC (West Region – Lone Star Conference, 1.8 points per game)

28th – Carpathia FC (Midwest Region – Great Lakes Conference, 2 points per game)

29th – Naples United FC (South Region – Sunshine Conference, 1.8 points per game)

30th – Valeo FC (East Region – North Atlantic Conference, 1.7 points per game)

31st – FC Buffalo (Midwest Region – Rust Belt Conference, 1.4 points per game)

32nd – Northern Virginia United (East Region – Mid-Atlantic Conference, 1.7 points per game)

33rd – OKC 1889 FC (South Region – Heartland Conference, 1.7 points per game)

34th – FC Arizona (West Region – Southwest Conference, 1.7 points per game)

35th – Appalachian FC (East Region – Southeast Conference, 1.6 points per game)

36th – FC Columbus (Midwest Region – Great Lakes Conference, 1.4 points per game)

37th – New Orleans Jesters (South Region – Gulf Coast Conference, 1.43 points per game)

38th – Katy 1895 FC (West Region – Lone Star Conference, 1.4 points per game)

39th – LSA Athletico Lanier (East Region – Southeast Conference, 1.3 points per game)

40th – Boca Raton FC (South Region – Sunshine Conference, 1.4 points per game)

41st – Joy St. Louis Park (Midwest Region – North Conference, 1.17 points per game)

42nd – FC Monmouth (East Region – Keystone Conference, 1.2 points per game)

43rd – Irving FC (West Region – Lone Star Conference, 1.4 points per game)

44th – Central Florida Panthers SC (South Region – Sunshine Conference, 1.2 points per game)

45th – Philadelphia Lone Star FC (East Region – Mid-Atlantic Conference, 1.2 points per game)

46th – Dakota Fusion FC (Midwest Region –North Conference, 1 point per game)

47th – First State FC (East Region – Keystone Conference, 1 point per game)

48th – Arkansas Wolves SC (South Region – Heartland Conference, 1.2 points per game)

49th – Panathinaikos Chicago (Midwest Region – Great Lakes Conference, 0.9 points per game)

50th – Coyotes FC (West Region – Lone Star Conference, 1.2 points per game)

51st – Boston City FC (East Region – North Atlantic Conference, 1 point per game)

52nd – AFC Mobile (South Region – Gulf Coast Conference, 1.07 points per game)

53rd – Sioux Falls Thunder FC (Midwest Region – North Conference, 0.75 points per game)

54th – Electric City Shock (East Region – Keystone Conference, 1 point per game)

55th – Port City FC (South Region – Gulf Coast Conference, 0.93 points per game)

56th – ASC San Diego (West Region – Southwest Conference, 0.9 points per game)

57th – Torch FC (East Region – Keystone Conference, 0.9 points per game)

58th – Erie Commodores FC (Midwest Region – Rust Belt Conference, 0.7 points per game)

59th – Tallahassee FC (South Region – Gulf Coast Conference, 0.93 points per game)

60th – Virginia Beach City FC (East Region – Mid-Atlantic Conference, 0.8 points per game)

61st – Rochester Lancers (Midwest Region – Rust Belt Conference, 0.7 points per game)

62nd – FC Brownsville (West Region – Lone Star Conference, 0.8 points per game)

63rd – North Alabama SC (East Region – Southeast Conference, 0.7 points per game)

64th – Reign FK (South Region – Heartland Conference, 0.9 points per game)

65th – Syracuse FC (Midwest Region – Rust Belt Conference, 0.6 points per game)

66th – FC Frederick (East Region – Mid-Atlantic Conference, 0.7 points per game)

67th – Florida Roots FC (South Region – Gulf Coast Conference, 0.36 points per game)

68th – Temecula FC (West Region – Southwest Conference, 0.4 points per game)

69th – Metro Louisville FC (East Region – Southeast Conference, 0.7 points per game)

70th – LC Aris FC (Midwest Region – North Conference, 0.25 points per game)

71st – Storm FC (South Region – Sunshine Conference, 0 points per game)

72nd – Hershey FC (East Region – Keystone Conference, 0 points per game)

73rd – Fort Worth Vaqueros FC (West Region – Lone Star Conference, 0.1 points per game)

74th – FC Indiana (Midwest Region – Great Lakes Conference, 0.2 points per game)

75th – Dallas City FC (South Region – Heartland Conference, 0 points per game)

76th – Greater Lowell Rough Diamonds (East Region – North Atlantic Conference, 0 points per game)

Michael Battista contributed to this article.

Which NPSL, USL League Two teams are likely to play in 2020 US Open Cup?

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The Des Moines Menace huddle up before kickoff of their First Round match vs. Duluth FC in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Des Moines Menace
The Des Moines Menace huddle up before kickoff of their First Round match vs. Duluth FC in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Des Moines Menace

Despite the official announcement not happening until Jan. 9, teams from both recognized Open Division National Leagues (National Premier Soccer League and USL League Two) have been receiving word and announcing their acceptance into the 2020 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on social media.

Not all the news is good however. Earlier this month, US Soccer announced the revamped format for the 2020 tournament which included teams from Major League Soccer entering in separate rounds and the First Round kicking off in March. The latter note comes at a cost for some Open Division teams that rely on NCAA athletes who are not allowed to play in the tournament before May 1. It has already been announced that both Reading United AC and the Flint City Bucks, the 2019 USL-2 finalists, have already publicly stated they will not field teams in the tournament due to roster concerns. TheCup.us also confirmed that the NPSL’s Midland-Odessa Sockers FC, who have qualified three times in the last five years, will also not be participating due to the schedule change.

With more teams switching leagues or declining spots, TheCup.us has been able to track down and confirm the 13 NPSL and 10 USL-2 teams that will join the 13 Open Division Local qualifiers in the First Round come March.

#USOC2020 ESSENTIALS

Newtown Pride FC win first Amateur Cup title, qualify for 2020 US Open Cup
2020 US Open Cup Qualifying Schedule / Results
2020 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1 Game-By-Game Review
2020 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2 Game-By-Game Review
2020 US Open Cup Qualifying Win & You’re In Weekend Game-By-Game Review
2020 US Open Cup Qualifying Goalscoring Leaders

USL League Two champion Flint City Bucks sitting out 2020 US Open Cup after schedule β€˜travesty’
Reading United AC declines 2020 US Open Cup entry due to β€˜abhorrent’ schedule change, more teams to follow
Without college players available, 2020 US Open Cup schedule cripples NPSL, USL-2 teams

In our 18th year of covering the US Open Cup, support TheCup.us by joining our Patreon team!

National Premier Soccer League

Since 2011, National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) teams have been awarded berths in the US Open Cup based on previous season results. Coming into 2020, that has not changed. However, as a result of teams joining other leagues and teams not being able to field a roster due to a lack of NCAA talent, some of the highest β€œranked” teams will not be collecting their league allocated slot. This means, the next best team from their region can claim it.

This is easily trackable using our NPSL Open Cup ranking article (Ex: Miami FC is not participating through NPSL, so the next best South Region team, Tulsa Athletic, moves into the #1 spot).

Teams that were in-line or close to having a berth but declining are:
(*Would not have made it without teams from their region declining)

  • Miami FC (Moved to NISA, will not field team in NPSL)
  • New York Cosmos B (Will not field team in NPSL) (Confirmed)
  • Detroit City FC (Moved to NISA, will not field team in NPSL) (Confirmed)
  • Midland-Odessa Sockers FC (Confirmed to TheCup.us)
  • Chattanooga FC (Moved to NISA, will not field team in NPSL)
  • Brooklyn Italians (Will not field team in NPSL) (First reported by TheCup.us)
  • Orange County FC*
  • AFC Ann Arbor (Moved to USL-2)*
  • Grand Rapids FC (Moved to USL-2)*
  • Greenville FC*

Here are the NPSL teams that will compete in the 2020 US Open Cup:

(*Would not have qualified without a team declining a spot)

  • Tulsa Athletic (NPSL Quarterfinalist, South Region – Heartland Conference) (Tweet)
  • FC Motown (Northeast Region – Keystone Conference) (Tweet)
  • ASC San Diego (NPSL Semifinalist, West Region – Southwest Conference) (Tweet)
  • Cleveland SC (NPSL Semifinalist, Midwest Region – East Conference) (Tweet)
  • Naples United FC (South Region – Sunshine Conference)* (Instagram Post)
  • FC Arizona (NPSL Quarterfinalist, West Region – Southwest Conference) (Instagram Post)
  • Minneapolis City SC (Midwest Region – North Conference) (Tweet)
  • Atlantic City FC (Northeast Region – Keystone Conference) (Tweet)*
  • Denton Diablos FC (South Region – Lone Star Conference) (Tweet)*
  • FC Davis (West Region – Golden Gate Conference) (Tweet)
  • Med City FC (Midwest Region – North Conference) (Facebook post)*
  • Miami United FC (South Region – Sunshine Conference)*
  • West Chester United SC (Northeast Region – Keystone Conference) (Tweet)*
  • Fort Worth Vaqueros (South Region – Lone Star Conference) (Tweet)*

Of note is that Miami United FC’s Under-23 team also qualified for the tournament through local qualifying. The organization has confirmed to TheCup.us that both squads will play in 2020. According to Open Cup rules, they will not be allowed to play one another unless both reach the Final.

USL League Two

USL League Two teams (formerly the Premier Development League) have been receiving first round spots in the US Open Cup since the start of the Modern Era in 1995. This year will be no different. However, as a result of teams switching leagues and teams not being able to accommodate the March start date of the 2020 tournament, some of the highest ranked teams will not be collecting their league allocated spot meaning the next highest team will be awarded.

It’s also unclear if there was a change to USL League Two’s allocation process as the Flint City Bucks say they have declined the spot offered to them. They were originally 14th on our ranking list, but as league champion they may have been offered a US Open Cup berth.

Besides Flint City, two other teams will not be taking their spot in the tournament. Reading United, as Mid-Atlantic Division Champion, has declined their spot due to the schedule change, ending their Modern Era record streak of 11 qualifications in a row.

Colorado Pride Switchbacks U-23s, the Mountain Division champion, will not be fielding a team in USL-2 next season at all, so their spot is given to another team.

Here are the qualified teams:

  • Des Moines Menace (Heartland Division champion)
  • Western Mass Pioneers (Northeast Division champion) (Tweet)
  • FC Golden State Force (Southwest Division champion)
  • South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 (Deep South Division champion)
  • The Villages SC (Southeast Division champion) (Tweet)
  • Chicago FC United (Great Lakes Division champion) (Tweet)
  • North Carolina Fusion U23 (South Atlantic Division champion) (Tweet)
  • GPS Portland Phoenix (At-Large)
  • SC United Phantoms (At-Large) (Tweet)
  • Corpus Christi FC (At-Large) (Tweet)

We are still waiting to hear back from one more division winner, the Mid South Division champion Brazos Valley Cavalry on whether they have entered into the cup. The next team in line after that is Ventura County Fusion. Ventura County is still exploring the option of playing.

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: NPSL West tournament continues this weekend; Sacramento Gold qualify (UPDATED)

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UPDATE: According to the San Diego Flash’s official website, the Orange County Spartans had to forfeit their 2-0 win over San Diego Boca due to improper player registration.

UPDATE (3/24 – 12:41 a.m. ET): The Sacramento Gold have qualified for the 2013 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a 5-1 win over the Sonoma County Sol. Β FC Hasental also advanced to a “Win & You’re In” match next weekend with a 2-1 win over the Santa Clarita Storm. Results updated below.

The National Premier Soccer League Western Conference is holding a qualifying tournament for the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, and the competition is down to six teams. Of the six remaining teams, just two will advance to the US Open Cup, and according to NPSL officials, both will begin play in Round 1.

Each division of the Western Conference will submit their winner into the 2013 Open Cup, and the Northern Division has already determined their championship game. On Saturday, March 23, the Sacramento Gold will host the Sonoma County Sol at River City High School in West Sacramento in a “Win & You’re In” match. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.

The Sacramento Gold reached the Northern Division final with a pair of shutout victories away from home. On March 9, they traveled to Oakland, Calif. and defeated CD Aguiluchos USA 3-0. The scoring opened with an own goal in the 31st minute, and the game remained tight until John Jones and Eliot Ricks-Chambers scored clinching goals in the 78th and 83rd minute respectively.

“We came away with a positive result but we only expect to get better,” said Sacramento coach Ruben Mora. “With a lot of returning players it will not take long to find our rhythm. You can’t say enough about the role the solid defense and goalkeeping played in the shutout.”

A week later, the Gold earned a 2-0 win at Real San Jose to punch their ticket to the final where they will face the Sol who only needed to win one game to reach the championship game. The Sol received a bye into the semifinals and defeated the San Francisco Stompers 5-2 on March 16.

The Sol are the only team in the field who have qualified for the US Open Cup. They have reached the tournament four times: 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010. They have a 1-3-2 (1-1 in PKs) record in their four appearances with their lone regulation win coming against the PDL’s Orange County Blue Star in 2009.

In the other bracket, the final four is set with the Orange County Spartans — formerly known as the Fullerton Rangers — traveling to San Diego to take on the Flash, while Santa Clarita will host FC Hasental. Both games will take place on March 23 and are both are scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. local time.

The Spartans were the only team that had to earn their way into the semifinals, as they defeated San Diego Boca 2-0 in the opening round. FC Hasental was scheduled to play the Las Vegas Stallions in Round 1, but according to Hasental team officials, the Stallions failed to submit the necessary paperwork for their players and were forced to forfeit. The Flash and Santa Clarita both received byes into the semifinals.Β The final is set for March 30.

Last year, the NPSL received 6.5 spots and the West had 1.5 berths. The Rangers qualified while the Bay Area Ambassadors claimed the “half berth.” Bay Area faced fellow California club Stanislaus United Turlock Express in a play-in game — Stanislaus United won that match 3-0 to become the first US Club Soccer team to qualify for the Open Cup.

This year, the NPSL received eight spots, and three of those teams have been confirmed: FC Sonic Lehigh Valley, Madison 56ers and Chattanooga FC. According to NPSL officials, the two teams that emerge from the Western Conference will join those three teams in the first round of the US Open Cup. The remaining three teams are still to be determined, with two of them beginning their cup run in the Qualifying Round against either the US Club Soccer representative or the US Sports Specialty Association representative. The third team will begin play in Round 1.

2013 NPSL Western Conference Southern Division qualifying

First Round (March 17)
Las Vegas Stallions at FC Hasental*
*Las Vegas forfeits (player paperwork issues)
San Diego Boca FC 0:2 Orange County Spartans**
**Orange County forfeits (player paperwork issues)

Semifinals (March 23/24)
FC Hasental 2:1 Santa Clarita – Mar. 23
San Diego Boca 2:4 San Diego Flash – Mar. 24

Final (March 30) – “Win & You’re In”
FC Hasental vs. San Diego Flash
Del Norte High School – 5 p.m. PT

2013 NPSL Western Conference Northern Division qualifying

First Round (March 9)
Sacramento Gold 3:0 CD Aguiluchos USA

Semifinals (March 16)
Sacramento Gold 2:0 Real San Jose
San Francisco Stompers 2:5 Sonoma County Sol

Final (March 23) –Β “Win & You’re In”
Sonoma County Sol 1:5 Sacramento Gold
River City High School (West Sacramento)

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