Open Division Local

2024 US Open Cup Qualifying: 109 clubs enter with Round 1 beginning Sept. 9-10

August 24, 2023 by Michael Battista

The US Soccer Federation announced the 109 clubs that will take part in Open Division Local qualifying for the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. In addition, the federation has announced the match-ups and schedule for both the First Qualifying Round (Sept. 9-10) and Second Qualifying Round (Sept. 30-Oct. 1). There are clubs from 23 states plus the District of Columbia, with the lion’s share coming from United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) with 47 teams from that league. The four rounds of single elimination matches will take place over the rest of 2023 with 11 qualifiers being determined. Match-ups will be geographical to minimize travel for all teams. The schedule is as follows:

September 9-10, 2023 – First Qualifying Round
September 30 – October 1, 2023 – Second Qualifying Round
October 21-22, 2023 – Third Qualifying Round
November, 18-19, 2023 – Fourth Qualifying Round

The pairings for the first two rounds can be found HERE. 67 teams in total will receive a bye to the second qualifying round, while the remaining 42 will contest the first round in 21 games total. 44 games will be played in the second round. By the end of the fourth round, only 11 teams will remain.

Two teams have already qualified for next year’s tournament and bypassed the qualifying phase. SC MesoAmerica from Los Angeles won the 2023 USASA National Amateur Cup earlier this month to qualify for their first US Open Cup. Likewise, AS Frenzi won the 2023 UPSL Spring Championship to qualify for 2024, becoming the first club to reach the First Round via this method.

Two other Open Division national leagues will bypass qualifying and enter in the First Round as well, using 2023 season results to determine entrants. USL League Two (USL-2) and National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) will each receive their own slots in the competition. UPSL, although meets Open Cup national league status, chose not to go down this qualifying route. Instead, it let each team in the league choose on its own if they want to participate or not in local qualifying.

The number of slots going to the Open Division qualifying track and the two national leagues is proportional to the number of clubs in each league or pool of teams. Based on the qualifying track receiving 11 slots for their 109 clubs, we can determine a rough estimate for the total number of Open Division qualifiers for the First Round next March.

As of publication of this article, US Soccer is planning for 34 to 36 total slots for the Open Division. This number will be adjusted as the professional leagues finalize their rosters of teams for the 2024 season. The reason it is a range is because the math works out for 34, 35, and 36 teams to result in 11 local qualifying slots for the 109 teams in that pool, which is the known value.

Here’s how it would work out if US Soccer has 34 slots for the Open Division in 2024.

SC MesoAmerica (Amateur Cup)
AS Frenzi (UPSL Spring Champion)
11 Local Qualifying out of 109 teams
9 NPSL out of 92 teams
12 USL League Two out of 120 teams

If there are 35 teams, there would be 10 NPSL teams instead of 9. If there are 36 teams, there would be 10 NPSL teams instead of 9 and 13 USL League Two teams instead of 12. As the slots move up or down going into 2024 based on the professional leagues finalizing their teams for next season, those slots will be given to or taken away from the combined pool of the two national league track leagues, NPSL and USL League Two. Local Qualifying will remain at 11 slots permanently for 2024 and the two other qualifiers from the Amateur Cup and UPSL will also remain.

Here are the entries for the 2024 Open Division Local qualifying tournament:

ALABAMA (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* FC Birmingham; Fultondale, Ala.

ARIZONA (3)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Coronado Athletic Club; Hereford, Ariz.
* SC Union Maricopa; Gilbert, Ariz.
Southwest Premier League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
* Sporting Arizona FC; Phoenix, Ariz.

CALIFORNIA (21)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Elk Grove Blues; Elk Grove, Calif.
* Escondido FC; Escondido, Calif.
* FC Folsom; Folsom, Calif.
* Irvine FC; Irvine, Calif.
* Irvine Zeta; Irvine, Calif.
* Laguna United FC; Laguna Niguel, Calif.
* Murrieta Soccer Academy; Temecula, Calif.
* Rebels Soccer Club; Chula Vista, Calif.
* Santa Monica Surf; Santa Monica, Calif.
* Trojans FC; Los Angeles, Calif.
* Valley 559 FC; Fresno, Calif.
NISA Nation (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
* Bay Area United FC; Oakland, Calif.
* Capo FC; San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
* Jasa RWC; Redwood City, Calif.
* Temecula FC; Temecula, Calif.
San Francisco Soccer Football League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
* International SF; San Francisco, Calif.
* SF Vikings SC; San Francisco, Calif.
* The Olympic Club; San Francisco, Calif.
National Soccer League (United States Specialty Sports Association-Soccer)
* Marin County Union SC; San Rafael, Calif.
* Real San Jose; San Jose, Calif.
West Coast Soccer Association (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
* UC Davis Club; Davis, Calif.

COLORADO (5)
Colorado Premier League (United States Specialty Sports Association-Soccer)
* Azteca FC; Denver, Colo.
* Colorado Rovers; Golden, Colo.
* FC Denver; Denver, Colo.
* Harpos FC; Longmont, Colo.
Mountain Premier League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
* Peak Eleven Football Club; Broomfield, Colo.

CONNECTICUT (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Ole Football Club; Ansonia, Conn.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (3)
American Premier League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
* Aegean Hawks FC; Washington, D.C.
* Yinz United; Washington, D.C.
DC Premier League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
* DCFC; Washington, D.C.

FLORIDA (18)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Chargers Soccer Club; Clearwater, Fla.
* Dade County FC; South Miami, Fla.
* Deportivo Lake Mary FC; Lake Mary, Fla.
* Florida Premier FC; Odessa, Fla.
* Harbor City FC; Melbourne, Fla.
* Leg-AZ World FC; Gainesville, Fla.
* Parkland Soccer Club; Parkland, Fla.
* Royal Palms Soccer Club; Palm Coast, Fla.
United States Soccer League (United States Specialty Sports Association-Soccer)
* CFL GOSA Spurs; Sanford, Fla.
* City Soccer FC; West Palm Beach, Fla.
* Florida Brothers; Dania Beach, Fla.
* Hodler Miami FC; Doral, Fla.
* Miami Soccer Academy; Miami Beach, Fla.
* Miami United FC; Miami Beach, Fla.
* Orlando FC Wolves; Longwood, Fla.
* O’Shea’s FC; West Palm Beach, Fla.
* Soccer Paradise FC; North Miami Beach, Fla.
Florida Gold Coast League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
* Hurricane FC; Boynton Beach, Fla.

GEORGIA (4)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Kalonji Pro-Profile; Dacula, Ga.
* North Georgia United; Calhoun, Ga.
Atlanta District Amateur Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
* Majestic Soccer Club; Atlanta, Ga.
* Terminus FC; Atlanta, Ga.

ILLINOIS (5)
Midwest Premier League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
* Berber City FC; Chicago, Ill.
* Chicago House AC; Chicago, Ill.
* Edgewater Castle Football Club; Chicago, Ill.
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Chicago Strikers; Chicago, Ill.
* Wisloka Chicago; Chicago, Ill.

MASSACHUSETTS (4)
Bay State Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* CD Faialense; Cambridge, Mass.
* FC Omens; Boston, Mass.
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Boston Street FC; Revere, Mass.
* Brockton FC United; Brockton, Mass.

MARYLAND (3)
Maryland Super Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* Christos FC; Gambrills, Md.
* Steel Pulse FC; Windsor Mill, Md.
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* MoCo 1776 FC; Gaitherrburg, Md.

NORTH CAROLINA (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Mint Hill FC; Mint Hill, N.C.

NEW JERSEY (3)
Eastern Premier Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* Real Central NJ Soccer; Lawrenceville, N.J.
Garden State Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* SC Vistula Garfield; Garfield, N.J.
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* New Jersey Alliance FC; Lyndhurst, N.J.

NEW MEXICO (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* UDA Soccer; Las Cruces, N.M.

NEVADA (1)
NISA Nation (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
* BattleBorn FC; Carson City, Nev.

NEW YORK (9)
Eastern Premier Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* Lansdowne Yonkers FC; Yonkers, N.Y.
* New York Greek American SC; Astoria, N.Y.*
* New York Pancyprian Freedoms; Astoria, N.Y.^
* Zum Schneider FC 03; Roosevelt Island, N.Y.
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* New York Braveheart SC; Central Islip, N.Y.
* NY Renegades FC; Hicksville, N.Y.
* Sahara Gunners FC; Buffalo, N.Y.
Cosmopolitan Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* Manhattan Kickers FC; Flushing, N.Y.
Rochester District Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* IASC Boom; Rochester, N.Y.

OHIO (1)
Ohio Valley Premier League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* Valhalla FC; Cincinnati, Ohio.

PENNSYLVANIA (6)
United Soccer League of Pennsylvania (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* Colonial SC; Plymouth Meeting, Pa.
* Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals; North Wales, Pa.**
* United German Hungarians; Ambler, Pa.
* Vereinigung Erzgebirge; Warminster, Pa.
Eastern Premier Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* Kensington Soccer Club; Philadelphia, Pa.
* Philadelphia Heritage SC; Philadelphia, Pa.

SOUTH CAROLINA (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* South Carolina United Heat; Lexington. S.C.

TENNESSEE (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Tennessee Tempo FC; Nashville, Tenn.

TEXAS (9)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Alamo City Soccer Club; San Antonio, Texas
* Foro SC; Dallas, Texas
* Tenfifteen FC; Dallas, Texas
Austin Men’s Soccer Association (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* Austin Longhorns; Austin, Texas
* Austin Thunder; Austin, Texas
Gulf Coast Premier League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* Central Texas Lobos; ; Austin, Texas
* Daggers CTX; Fort Hood, Texas
United States Soccer League (United States Specialty Sports Association-Soccer)
* Athletic Katy FC; Katy, Texas
* Houston FC; ; Pasadena, Texas

UTAH (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Provo Athletic Club; Provo, Utah

VIRGINIA (4)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Arlington SA; Arlington, Va
* VA Revolution Pro; Leesburg, Va
* Villarreal CF Virginia; Springfield, Va
Eastern Premier Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
* NoVa FC; Centreville, Va.

WASHINGTON (3)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
* Bellevue Athletic FC ; Snohomish, Wash.
* Holac FC; Seattle, Wash.
Recreational Adult Team Soccer (United States Specialty Sports Association-Soccer)
* Sharktopus Football Club; Seattle, Wash.

* 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)

Again, the match-ups and schedule for the first two qualifying rounds can be found HERE.

FACTS AND FIGURES

25 different leagues represented
23 different states plus the District of Columbia represented (two less than 2023 qualifying)
Four (4) teams have entered all five previous years of Open Division local qualifying: Colorado (2): Colorado Rovers, Harpos FC; New York (1): New York Pancyprian Freedoms; Pennsylvania (1): Vereinigung Erzgebirge

2023 US Open Cup: 107 clubs enter qualifying, will play for 9 places in 108th edition of tournament

August 19, 2022 by Jake Sillick

Wilber Gomez of Oyster Bay United (left) battles for the ball against a player from Westchester United in the final round of qualifying for the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Karla Esqueche | E&M Photography

The US Soccer Federation announced the 107 clubs that will take part in Open Division Local qualifying for the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The tournament will begin the weekend of Sept. 17-18. There are clubs from 25 states plus the District of Columbia, with the lion’s share coming from United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) with 46 teams from that league. Three or four rounds of single elimination matches will take place over the rest of 2022 with nine qualifiers being determined. Match-ups will be geographical to minimize travel for all teams. The schedule is as follows:

September 17-18, 2022 – First Qualifying Round
October 15-16, 2022 – Second Qualifying Round
November 19-20, 2022 – Third Qualifying Round
December, 17-18, 2022 – Fourth Qualifying Round

MORE: 2023 US Open Cup Qualifying Schedule/Results

Along with the 107 teams, Bavarian United from Milwaukee, won the 2022 USASA National Amateur Cup on Aug. 8, bypassing qualifying fully and entering in the First Round of the 108th edition of the tournament next March. This makes for a total of 108 clubs playing for 10 slots in the First Round from the “local qualifying” track.

Two other Open Division national leagues will bypass qualifying and enter in the First Round as well, using 2022 season results to determine entrants. USL League Two (USL-2) and National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) will each receive their own slots in the competition. UPSL, although meeting the criteria for national league status, chose not to go down this route, letting each team in the league choose on its own if they want to participate or not.

The number of slots going to the Open Division qualifying track and the two national leagues is proportional to the number of clubs in each league or pool of teams. Based on the qualifying track receiving 10 slots for their 108 clubs, we can determine a rough estimate for the total number of Open Division qualifiers for the First Round next March.

As of today, either 28 or 30 Open Division teams will participate in the 2023 US Open Cup next March. If that was to change, the qualifying track would be locked into their number of teams and the increase or decrease in the number of teams would be added to or taken away from the two national leagues. The only exception to this would be if the change is very large, where at that point they could add or take away teams from the qualifying track as well. This will all be determined in January 2023 when the pro leagues finalize their teams for the 2023 season.

We can also say based on the projected number of teams for each professional league for next season, as of today, the Division 3 teams will enter in the Second Round along with the Division 2 teams. Here is the current projected format for 2023

Round 1: 28 or 30 Open Division teams enter, 14-15 winners advance
Round 2: 45-46 Division 2 and Division 3 teams enter, with the 14-15 winners of the First Round, 29-30 winners advance
Round 3: 18-19 unseeded MLS teams enter, with the 29-30 winners of the Second Round, 24 teams advance
Round of 32: 8 seeded teams* enter, with the 24 winners of the Third Round, 16 teams advance
Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Final from there

* seeded teams are the 4 CCL participants with the 2 best remaining MLS Eastern Conference teams and 2 best remaining MLS Western Conference teams.

However, there is still a chance the Division 3 teams will enter in the First Round. Again, this will be determined in January 2023 when the pro leagues finalize their clubs for the 2023 season.

Using those projections, here is how the Open Division slots would be allocated to each “track” and the 311 total clubs involved in this process. USL League Two has 111 eligible US based clubs in the league and NPSL has 92 eligible US based clubs in the league. As a reminder, Bavarian United is counted in the local qualifiers pool and takes up one of the slots given to that pool of teams.

28 teams:
Local Qualifiers: (108/311) * 28 = 9.72 clubs (rounded up to 10)
USL League Two: (111/311) * 28 = 9.99 clubs (rounded up to 10)
NPSL: (92/311) * 28 = 8.28 clubs (rounded down to 8)

30 teams:
Local Qualifiers: (108/311) * 30 = 10.41 clubs (rounded down to 10)
USL League Two: (111/311) * 30 = 10.71 clubs (rounded up to 11)
NPSL: (92/311) * 30 = 8.87 clubs (rounded up to 9)

Here are the entries for the 2023 Open Division Local qualifying tournament:

ALABAMA (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
FC Birmingham; Fultondale, Ala.

ARIZONA (4)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Coronado Athletic Club; Hereford, Ariz.
FC Arizona; Chandler, Ariz.
Olympians FC; El Mirage, Ariz.
NISA Nation (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
SC Union Maricopa; Gilbert, Ariz.

CALIFORNIA (21)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
A.S. Los Angeles; Los Angeles, Calif.
Davis Legacy SC; Davis, Calif.
Desert FC; La Quinta, Calif.
Elk Grove Blues; Elk Grove, Calif.
Escondido FC; Escondido, Calif.
Irvine FC; Irvine, Calif.
Laguna United FC; Laguna Niguel, Calif.
OC Kings FC; Tustin, Calif.
Orange County FC; Mission Viejo, Calif.
Rebels Soccer Club, Chula Vista, Calif.
Trojans FC; Los Angeles, Calif.
NISA Nation (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Capo FC; San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
San Francisco Soccer Football League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Inter San Francisco, San Francisco, Calif.
Southwest Premier League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
LA Monsters FC; Redondo Beach
Modesto City Football Club; Modesto, Calif.
Olympiacos CA; Huntington Beach, Calif.
Outbreak FC, Long Beach, Calif.
Temecula FC; Temecula, Calif.
National Soccer League (United States Specialty Sports Association-Soccer)
Marin County Union SC; San Rafael, Calif.
Real San Jose; San Jose, Calif.
West Coast Soccer Association (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
UC Davis Club Soccer; Davis, Calif.

COLORADO (7)
Colorado Super League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake; Golden, Colo.
Azteca FC; Denver, Colo.
Boulder United FC; Boulder, Colo.
Colorado Rovers, Golden, Colo.
FC Denver; Denver, Colo.
Harpos FC; Longmont, Colo.
Mountain Premier League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Peak Eleven Football Club; Broomfield, Colo.

CONNECTICUT (1)
Connecticut Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Newtown Pride FC; Sandy Hook, Conn.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (3)
American Premier League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Aegean Hawks FC; Washington, D.C.
DC Premier League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
DCFC, Washington, D.C.
Team Tevez; Washington, D.C.

FLORIDA (19)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Clearwater Chargers SC; Clearwater, Fla.
Doral SC; Doral, Fla.
Florida Premier FC, Odessa, Fla.
Florida Soccer Soldiers; Medley, Fla.
Gainesville City FC; Ocala, Fla.
International Soccer Association; Boca Raton Fla.
Juventus Academy; Miami, Fla.
Naples City FC; Naples, Fla.
O’Shea’s FC; West Palm Beach, Fla.
National Soccer League (United States Specialty Sports Association-Soccer)
City Soccer FC; West Palm Beach, Fla.
Florida Brothers; Dania Beach, Fla.
Hurricane FC; Boynton Beach, Fla.
Miami Soccer Academy; Miami Beach, Fla.
Miami United FC; Miami Beach, Fla.
Naples United FC; Naples, Fla.
West Palm Beach Academy CF; West Palm Beach, Fla.
NISA Nation (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Club de Lyon; Orlando, Fla.
Deportivo Lake Mary FC; Lake Mary, Fla.
Central Florida Soccer League (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
Orlando FC Wolves; Longwood, Fla.

GEORGIA (2)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Kalonji Pro-Profile; Dacula, Ga.
TCSA; Ailey, Ga.

INDIANA (1)
Ohio Valley Premier League (US Club Soccer)
1927 SC; Fort Wayne, Ind.

ILLINOIS (1)
Midwest Premier League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Chicago House AC; Chicago, Ill.

KENTUCKY (2)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Bowling Green FC; Bowling Green, Ky.
Metro Louisville FC; Louisville, Ky.

MASSACHUSETTS (4)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Boston Street FC; Revere, Mass.
Unations FC; Worcester, Mass.
Bay State Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Brockton FC United; Brockton, Mass.
Eastern Premier Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Ruggles Pro FC; Framingham, Mass.

MARYLAND (3)
Maryland Super Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Christos FC, Gambrills, Md.
Steel Pulse FC; Windsor Mill, Md.
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Germantown City FC; Gaithersburg, Md.

NORTH CAROLINA (2)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Mint Hill FC; Mint Hill, N.C.
Triangle Adult Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Tobacco Road FC; Durham, N.C.

NEW HAMPSHIRE (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Santa Cruz FC; Nashua, N.H.

NEW JERSEY (5)
Garden State Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Jackson Lions FC; Toms River, N.J.
SC Vistula Garfield; Garfield, N.J.
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
New Jersey Alliance FC; Lyndhurst, N.J.
Eastern Premier Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Real Central NJ Soccer; Lawrenceville, N.J.
Scots-American Athletic Club; Nutley, N.J.

NEW MEXICO (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
UDA Soccer; Las Cruces, N.M.

NEVADA (1)
NISA Nation (U.S. Adult Soccer Assn.)
BattleBorn FC; Carson City, Nev.

NEW YORK (8)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Oyster Bay United FC; Sea Cliff, N.Y.
Queensboro FC II; Queens, N.Y.
Sahara Gunners FC; Buffalo, N.Y.
Eastern Premier Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Lansdowne Yonkers FC; Yonkers, N.Y.
New York Greek American SC; Astoria, N.Y.*
New York Pancyprian Freedoms; Astoria, N.Y.^
Rochester District Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
IASC Boom; Rochester, N.Y.
Cosmopolitan Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Manhattan Kickers FC; Flushing, N.Y.

OHIO (1)
Ohio Valley Premier League (US Club Soccer)
Valhalla FC; Cincinnati, Ohio.

PENNSYLVANIA (8)
United Soccer League of Pennsylvania (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals; North Wales, Pa.**
United German Hungarians; Ambler, Pa.
Vereinigung Erzgebirge; Warminster, Pa.
West Chester United SC; Chester Springs, Pa.
Lancaster City FC; Lancaster, Pa.
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Lancaster Elite; Lancaster, Pa.
Philadelphia Lone Star FC, Philadelphia, Pa.
Eastern Premier Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Kensington Soccer Club; Philadelphia, Pa.

SOUTH CAROLINA (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
South Carolina United Heat; Lexington. S.C.

TENNESSEE (1)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Beaman United FC; Nashville, Tenn.

TEXAS (6)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Alamo City Soccer Club; San Antonio, Texas
D’Feeters Kicks Soccer Club; Desoto, Texas
FC Fort Worth; Fort Worth, Texas
National Soccer League (United States Specialty Sports Association-Soccer)
D10 Lions FC; Spring, Texas
Galveston Pelicans FC; Galveston, Texas
Houston FC; Pasadena, Texas

VIRGINIA (1)
Eastern Premier Soccer League (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Nova FC; Centreville, Va.

WASHINGTON (2)
United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Bellevue Athletic FC; Snohomish, Wash.
Federal Way Men’s Open Sunday (US Adult Soccer Assn)
Legend Football Gold; Lake Forest Park, Wash.

* 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)

FACTS AND FIGURES
23 different leagues represented
25 different states plus the District of Columbia represented
5 teams have entered all five previous years of Open Division local qualifying: California (1): Outbreak FC; Colorado (2): Colorado Rovers, Harpos FC; New York (1): New York Pancyprian Freedoms; Pennsylvania (1): Vereinigung Erzgebirge

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

August 26, 2021 by Michael Battista

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

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 FC (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

August 24, 2021 by Michael Battista

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 Fútbol 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 Fútbol 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