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US Open Cup Central

2027 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2 Preview: 32 games on tap Saturday, 31 more Sunday

October 3, 2026 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

Photo: Carlos Hernandez – Black Cat Photography – IG @black_catphoto | Graphic: Frank Lanham

The largest round of Open Division qualifying in the Modern Era kicks off on Saturday, October 3 when 64 teams face off in 32 matches. 62 more clubs finish the Second Round the following day on October 4. The 126 teams in this year’s Second Round eclipses the then-record 118 teams that took part in the 2026 Second Round of qualifying. One team has already advanced to the Third Round, as the UPSL’s Columbus Astray were awarded a 1-0 forfeit victory over West Virginia United of USL League Two.

The 64 winners from Round Two will meet in the Third Round on Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2026. The Final Round of qualifying will be on Nov. 21-22, 2026, when 16 teams will make the cut for the 2027 U.S. Open Cup, joining the other 16 clubs from the Open Division who have already earned spots in next year’s tournament.

TheCup.us will have live updates, including video links where available from every game of the round on X (Twitter) and Blue Sky. 

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3

Vereinigung Erzgebirge (APSL / USASA)
vs. 
Philadelphia Soccer Club (APSL / USASA)
Vereinigung Erzgebirge Clubhouse – Warminster, PA
Kickoff: 2 p.m. ET

Vereinigung Erzgebirge (Warminster, PA)

Vereinigung Erzgebirge continues their quest for Open Cup berth #3 after falling short the last three years.VE has entered every edition of qualifying since it was revamped in 2016 and qualified once in 2002 and again in 2024. Last year they reached the Third Round of qualifying, where they lost to Oaklyn United 2-1. VE are one of the older clubs in the qualifying field, playing their first game in 1934. VE finished 7-1-3 in the USL of PA 2026-26 season and joined the APSL Delaware River Conference for the 2026-27 season.

Philadelphia Soccer Club (Philadelphia, PA)

Philadelphia Soccer Club are making their qualifying debut this year and finished 11-5-6 in 2025-26 APSL Delaware River Conference.

Players from the Charlotte Independence (blue) and Vereinigung Erzgebirge battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Justin Nunez
Players from the Charlotte Independence (blue) and Vereinigung Erzgebirge battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Justin Nunez

Olympiacos CA (UPSL)
vs.
Irvine FC (UPSL)
Pleasant View Park – Huntington Beach, CA
Kickoff: 5 p.m. ET

Irvine FC (Irvine, CA)

Irvine FC are making their fifth straight appearance in qualifying with the last two attempts seeing them reach the third round where they were eliminated by Laguna United each time. Irvine posted a 5-0-5 record in the 2026 UPSL Spring season.

Olympiacos CA (Huntington Beach, CA)

Olympiacos CA are back in qualifying after having last appeared in 2023 qualifying. Olympiacos finished 2-0-8 in the 2026 UPSL Division 1 Spring season.


Naples United FC (Sunshine Conference League / USSSA)
vs.
Inter City FC (UPSL)
North Collier Regional Park – Naples, FL
Kickoff: 5 p.m. ET

Naples United FC (Naples, FL)

Naples United return to qualifying after a year off. Their previous appearances in 2023 and 2025 ended after just one game. Naples United played in the NPSL from 2017-2025. The club played in the Sunshine Conference Soccer League this past summer and began playing in the 2026 UPSL Division 1 Fall season.

Naples United advanced to the Second Round with a 5-1 win over SWFL SC of the UPSL. Team captain Jonathan Gonzalez scored twice while Xavier Rimple, Gabriel Pisotoni De Oliveira and an own goal added to the scoring.

Inter City FC (Naples, FL)

Inter City are making their qualifying debut this year and posted a 9-2-1 record in the 2026 UPSL Spring season.


Steel City FC (USL League Two)
vs.
FCY New York (UPSL)
UPMC Graham Field – Pittsburgh, PA
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET

Steel City FC (Pittsburgh, PA)

Steel City earned their first Open Cup bid in 2024 with their performance in the 2023 NPSL season and secured a spot in the 2026 tournament through the Qualifying tournament. Steel City moved to USL League Two in 2025, In their first three seasons, Steel City played under the name Pittsburgh Hotspur. Steel City finished 9-3-0 in the 2026 USL League Two Great Forest Division and reached the Central Conference Semifinals.

Players from Steel City FC (right) and Croatia Cleveland battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2027 US Open Cup Qualifying tournament. Photo: Carlos Hernandez – Black Cat Photography – IG @black_catphoto
Players from Steel City FC (right) and Croatia Cleveland battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2027 US Open Cup Qualifying tournament. Photo: Carlos Hernandez – Black Cat Photography – IG @black_catphoto

Steel City FC advanced to the Second Round by defeating Croatia Cleveland 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. Sam Boehm tied the score just after halftime and goalkeeper Garret Watson stopped two of Croatia’s penalty attempts in the shootout.

FCY New York

Buffalo, N.Y.

FCY New York are making their third straight qualifying attempt. In their debut they reached the final round, losing to CD Faialanse 3-1, and last year crashed out in their opening game to Steel City FC 3-2. In the 2026 UPSL Spring season FCY finished 4-3-3 but managed to reach the Round of 16 in the UPSL National playoffs.

Steel City and FCY also met last year in the Second Round, with Steel City coming out on top 3-2.


Colonial SC (APSL / USASA)
vs.
Vidas United FC (APSL / USASA)
Victory Field – Plymouth Meeting, PA
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET

Colonial SC (Plymouth Meeting, PA)

Colonial SC are making their fourth straight qualifying attempt. Last year was the first time they advanced past their opening game. Colonial finished 3-2-5 in the USL of PA 2025-26 season and joined the APSL Delaware River Conference for the 2026-27 season.

Vidas United FC (Philadelphia, PA)

Vidas United are making their third run at qualifying, having gone out after their opening game the first two times in 2025 & 2026. Vidas finished 6-3-13 in the 2025-26 APSL Delaware River Conference.


New Jersey Alliance FC (UPSL)
vs.
Ironbound SCP (UPSL)
Athenia Steel Park – Clifton, NJ
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET

New Jersey Alliance FC (Lyndhurst, NJ)

New Jersey Alliance FC are back for their 6th straight qualifying run. In 2024 and 2025 Alliance reached the Final Round, making the cut in 2025. Alliance finished 7-1-3 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season and reached the Round of 32 in the UPSL National playoffs.

New Jersey Alliance FC celebrates after defeating Steel Pulse FC 4-2 in a PK shootout (after a 2-2 draw) to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Michael Battista
New Jersey Alliance FC celebrates after defeating Steel Pulse FC 4-2 in a PK shootout (after a 2-2 draw) to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Michael Battista

Ironbound SCP (Kearny, N.J)

Ironbound SCP are back for their second attempt at qualifying after an unsuccessful debut last year. Ironbound finished 4-1-6 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season.

The club is the result of a merger in 2024 of the Ironbound Soccer Club and Sport Club Portuguese, a club founded in 1921 and regular participant in the Open Cup throughout its history.

New Jersey Alliance FC and Ironbound SCP have met twice in the 2026 Spring and Fall UPSL seasons. First on May 30 Alliance came out on top 2-0 on goals from Dorant Bokshi and Ronald Jones. In the Fall season on August 30 Alliance won again 4-1. Luca Campbell, Josh Geller, Christopher Rubio and Lucas Miquel Castrillo scored for Alliance and Ricardo Oliviera tallied the lone Ironbound goal.


Florida Badgers FC (UPSL)
vs.
O’Shea’s FC (UPSL)
Broward College – Pembroke Pines, FL
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

Florida Badgers FC (Boynton Beach, FL)

The Badgers are making their second qualifying run after finding success last year in their debut, defeating Miami United 5-3 after extra time to qualify for the 2026 US Open Cup. The Badgers finished 11-1-1 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season, reaching the Round of 32 in the UPSL National playoffs.

O’Shea’s FC (West Palm Beach, FL)

O’Shea’s FC have competed in the last four qualifying tournaments but have yet to reach the Final Round. O’Shea’s FC finished 5-3-5 in the 2026 UPSL Division 1 Spring season.

In the First Round the Badgers defeated Red Force FC 1-0, another 2026 Open Division qualifier. Dave Don scored the lone goal for the Badgers and recorded an assist in the Badgers near-upset of the Charleston Battery in the 2026 First Round this past March. 


Cape Coral City FC (UPSL)
vs.
Charlotte County FC (NPSL-RL / USASA)
William & Mary Ann Smith Sports Complex – Babcock, FL
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

Cape Coral City FC (Cape Coral, FL)

Cape Coral City are not only making their qualifying debut but are also making their debut as a club. The team has played five games thus far in the 2026 Fall UPSL season, its inaugural campaign.

Charlotte County FC (Punta Gorda, FL)

Charlotte County played in the NPSL-RL for the 2026 Summer season and are also fielding a team in the UPSL Division 2 Fall season.

The clubs met on August 1 in the UPSL Summer Cup, with Charlotte County winning 6-3. Raidel Ramos netted a hat trick for the winners.


CD Faialense (Bay State Soccer League / USASA)
vs.
Brockton FC United (UPSL)
Malden Catholic High School – Malden, MA
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

CD Faialense (Cambridge, MA)

CD Faialense have qualified for the 2025 and 2026 Open Cups and are currently on a six-game winning streak in qualifying. Faialense won the BSSL Division 1 championship in 2023 and 2024, and finished runners-up in 2025, finishing 11-2-5. Faialense are currently 7-2-1 in the 2026 BSSL season and are also in the Semifinals of the 2026 BSSL McKenzie Cup.

Max Krause of CD Faialense rests after a 5-2 win over FC Lonestar to clinch a spot in the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: CD Faialense
Max Krause of CD Faialense rests after a 5-2 win over FC Lonestar to clinch a spot in the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: CD Faialense

Brockton FC United (Brockton, MA)

Two-time Open Cup qualifiers, Brockton FC United are back for their fifth time in Open Division qualifying. Brockton reached the final round the first four times, qualifying in 2022 & 2024. Last year they lost in their opening game to eventual 2026 qualifiers CD Faialense 1-0. Brockton finished 6-3-1 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season, reaching the UPSL National playoffs where they fell to the NY Renegades 3-0 in the Round of 32.

2022 Meet the Underdogs: Brockton FC United

CD Faialense and Brockton FC United have met twice before in Open Cup qualifying. The first meeting came in the Third Round of 2024 qualifying with Brockton FC United winning 3-2. The other meeting came last year in the Third Round once again, with Faialense gaining revenge with a 1-0 win.


WC Predators (APSL / USASA)
vs.
Oaklyn United FC (APSL / USASA)
Scott Auto Field – West Chester, PA
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

Oaklyn United FC (Oaklyn, NJ)

Oaklyn United are entering qualifying for the third year in a row. Last year they reached the Final Round before falling to fellow APSL club SC Vistula Garfield 2-1. Oaklyn finished 17-0-5 in the 2025-26 APSL Delaware River Conference.

WC Predators (West Chester, PA)

WC Predators changed their name from West Chester United but are still the same club that has been dominant in the amateur ranks. The Predators have qualified five times since 2016, four through the qualifying tournament and last year as 2025 National Amateur Cup winners. The club has become known for qualifying through their teams in USL League Two, NPSL, the National Amateur Cup and Open Division qualifying.

The Predators finished 20-2-0 in 2025-26 APSL Delaware River Conference., and 2025 & 2026 APSL Champions carry an unbeaten run of 47 matches across all APSL competitions. Ridge Robinson led the team with 34 goals scored.

The clubs have met twice since April in the 2025/26 APSL season. The Predators won both contests, first on April 22 3-21, made again in the APSL playoffs on June 7 2-0.


Bulldogs SC (UPSL)
vs.
Jersey Shore Boca (APSL / USASA)
Geick Park – Old Bridge, NJ
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

Bulldogs SC (East Brunswick, NJ)

Bulldogs SC return for their second qualifying run after last year’s debut in which they reached the Third Round before losing to SC Vistula Garfield 1-0. The Bulldogs were 5-1-5 during the 2026 UPSL Spring season.

Jersey Shore Boca (West Creek, NJ)

After a 10-year absence Jersey Shore Boca are returning to qualifying. The only other time Boca participated in qualifying was for the 2016 Open Cup, where they reached the Final Round before losing to NY Pancyprian Freedoms 2-1. Jersey Shore finished 6-1-15 in the 2025-26 APSL Delaware River Conference.


Grove United (UPSL)
vs.
Virginia Dream FC (UPSL)
River City Sportsplex – Midlothian, VA
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

Grove United (Richmond, VA)

Grove United are making their second qualifying run after their debut last year, in which they reached the Third Round where they were eliminated by Briar United FC via penalties after a 1-1 draw. Grove finished the 2026 UPSL Spring season with a 3-3-4 record.

Virginia Dream FC celebrate after a 2-0 extra time win over MSI Pro in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Virginia Dream FC
Virginia Dream FC celebrate after a 2-0 extra time win over MSI Pro in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Virginia Dream FC

Virginia Dream FC (Arlington, VA)

Two-time Open Cup qualifiers Virginia Dream are out to make it three in a row this year. Making the cut in 2025 and 2026, Virginia Dream has yet to lose a qualifying game in 5 starts. Virginia Dream finished 8-2-0 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season.


FC America CFL Spurs (UPSL)
vs.
Stetson FA (UPSL)
Lake Mary High School – Lake Mary, FL
Kickoff: 7:15 p.m. ET

FC America CFL Spurs (Winter Park, FL)

Two-time Open Cup qualifiers FC America CFL Spurs will make an attempt at #3 with their fourth consecutive entry into qualifying. The Spurs have reached the final in all three of their previous attempts, qualifying in 2024 and 2026, and narrowly missing three in a row in 2025 when they fell to Harbor City FC on penalties after a 0-0 draw. Spurs finished the 2026 UPSL Spring season at 9-2-1.

Stetson FA (DeLand, FL)

Stetson FA are making their second attempt at qualifying after a one-and-done effort in their debut last year. Stetson finished 4-4-3 in the 2026 UPSL Division 1 Spring season.


Green Bay Glory (Midwest Premier League / USASA)
vs.
Milwaukee Bavarians (Milwaukee Premier League / USASA)
Aldo Santaga Stadium – Green Bay, WI
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET

Green Bay Glory (Green Bay, WI)

Green Bay Glory are making their Open Cup qualifying debut and finished 4-2-4 in the 2026 Midwest Premier League season. Green Bay is unique in that the club started as a women’s team in 2019, then expanded to include a men’s team in 2024.

Bavarian United celebrate the club's 2022 USASA Amatuer Cup title after a 1-0 win over Northern Virginia FC on Aug. 7, 2022. Photo: Bavarian United
Bavarian United celebrate the club’s 2022 USASA Amatuer Cup title after a 1-0 win over Northern Virginia FC on Aug. 7, 2022. Photo: Bavarian United

Milwaukee Bavarians (Glendale, WI)

Also known as Bavarian United or Bavarian SC, the club was founded in 1929 and made its first appearance in the Open Cup in 1956. Bavarian has made 9 appearances in the Open Cup in the Modern Era, but this is their first entry into Open Division qualifying. The club qualified for the 2019 & 2023 tournaments as National Amateur Cup Champions, a title the club has won six times. Milwaukee Bavarians finished 12-0-1 in the 2025-26 Milwaukee Premier League season. They also fielded a team in the Midwest Premier League, where they finished 7-0-3.

The Bavarians defeated Green Bay Glory 2-1 after extra time on July 15 in the Wisconsin Challenge Cup Final. The clubs also met twice during the 2026 Midwest Premier League season, with the Bavarians winning both games 3-1 and 2-1.


Ethos United (UPSL)
vs.
Chicago House AC (Midwest Premier League / USASA)
Lions For Hope Sports Complex – Chicago, IL
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

Ethos United (Lisle, IL)

Ethos United previously competed as United SC and have entered qualifying for the 2025 and 2026 Open Cups, each time being eliminated after one game. After sitting out the 2026 UPSL Spring season, the club is returning for the Fall session. Ethos also fields a team in the Greater Chicago Soccer League, where they went 9-1-2 in the Premier Division.

Ethos United advanced to the Second Round via penalty kicks over Chicago United after a 1-1 draw. Enrique Gudino scored the lone goal for Ethos, while goalkeeper Alex Ortiz saved two penalties in the shootout.

Players from Chicago House AC celebrate after beating RWB Adria 3-2 in a PK shootout (after a 1-1 draw) in the 2026 USASA Region 2 Amateur Cup Final. Photo: Victoria Sanders | @veesanders
Players from Chicago House AC celebrate after beating RWB Adria 3-2 in a PK shootout (after a 1-1 draw) in the 2026 USASA Region 2 Amateur Cup Final. Photo: Victoria Sanders | @veesanders

Chicago House AC (Elmhurst, IL)

Chicago House have reached the final round of qualifying in all four of their qualifying attempts, making the cut in 2023 and 2024, and falling via penalties to Tulsa Athletic in 2025  and losing to BOHFS St. Louis 3-2 last year. Chicago House is co-owned by Peter Wilt, who has helped start other clubs such as Chicago Fire FC, Chicago Red Stars, Indy Eleven, Forward Madison and Green Bay Voyageurs FC. House was a founding member of NISA but only played one season after a falling out with the league, prompting a move to the Midwest Premier League. 

House finished 4-2-4 in the 2026 Midwest Premier League season and won the Region II Championship in the 2026 National Amateur Cup, losing to Champions El Farolito in National Semifinals 2-0.


Sporting NTX (Metroplex Premier League / USSSA)
vs.
Denton Diablos (USL League Two)
Paul Quinn College – Dallas, TX
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET

Sporting NTX (McKinney, TX)

Sporting NTX are making their second appearance in Open Cup qualifying after their debut last year. Sporting finished 3-1-6 in the 2026 Metroplex Premier League season.

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

Denton Diablos (Denton, TX)

Denton Diablos are entering qualifying for the second straight year. Last year the Diablos reached the Final Round where they fell to ASC New Stars on penalties after a 0-0 draw. Denton has previously qualified for the 2022 Open Cup as a member of the NPSL. Denton finished 8-1-3 in the 2026 USL League Two Ranger Division, and reached USL2 playoff Semifinals where they lost to Vermont Green 7-1

This is a rematch of last year’s encounter in the First Round of 2026 qualifying, where Denton came out 6-2 winners.


Master Joga (Dallas Soccer Alliance / USASA)
vs.
Arkansas Wolves 2 (UPSL)
JJ Pearce B Field Stadium – Richardson, TX
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET

Master Joga (Carrollton, TX)

Master Joga are making their second appearance in Open Cup qualifying after their debut last year. Master Joga won the 2026 Summer Open 1 division of the Dallas Soccer Alliance.

Arkansas Wolves 2 (Alexander, AR)

The reserve club of the NPSL’s Arkansas Wolves make their qualifying debut this year. Wolves 2 finished 6-1-1 in the UPSL OK-AR division and advanced to the UPSL National playoffs, losing to eventual National Finalist Central Kansas United 3-2 in the Round of 32.


Osner’s FC (UPSL)
vs.
NY Renegades FC (UPSL)
Floyd Bennett Sports Complex – Brooklyn, NY
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET

Osner’s FC (Brooklyn, NY)

Osner’s FC are making their second ever qualifying run after debuting last year, where they were eliminated by Zum Schieder FC in the Second Round 7-3 after extra time. Osner’s finished 6-2-2 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season. 

Osner’s won their First Round game against American Soccer Club NY 3-2. Denilson Pierre, Sully Corneille and Joel Favard provided the scoring, with Favard netting the winner in the 86th minute.

NY Renegades FC (Hicksville, NY)

The NY Renegades look to earn their third U.S. Open Cup berth in a row and they enter qualifying for the fourth time. Last year the Renegades defeated Zum Schneider FC 3-2 in the final round and in 2025 qualifying got by Lansdowne Yonkers FC via penalties after a 1-1 draw.

In the 2026 UPSL Spring season the Renegades finished 9-1-0 and reached the UPSL National Semifinals where they missed out on claiming one of the two UPSL berths with a 3-1 loss to Miami United FC.

Osner’s and the Renegades met on May 16 in the UPSL Spring season. Renegades won 2-1 on goals from Sebastian Ruiz Restrepo and Reneau Rances. Frantzdy Succe scored Osner’s goal.


Lansdowne Yonkers FC (APSL / USASA)
vs.
Red Hook FC (UPSL)
Tibbetts Park – Yonkers, NY
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET

Lansdowne Yonkers FC (Yonkers, NY)

Four-time qualifiers Lansdowne Yonkers FC are making their 10th qualifying appearance.

Players from Lansdowne Yonkers FC in front of the New York City skyline. Credit: Lansdowne Yonkers FC
Players from Lansdowne Yonkers FC in front of the New York City skyline. Credit: Lansdowne Yonkers FC

Lansdowne have qualified three times through Open Division qualifying (2016, 2018, 2024) and again in 2022 as National Amateur Cup champions. They’re looking to return to the Open Cup after a three-year absence. Lansdowne finished 17-2-3 in the 2025-26 APSL Metropolitan Conference, just two points behind leaders NY Greek Americans. Lansdowne finished runners-up in the 2026 National Amateur Cup, losing to El Farolito 3-1 after extra time.

Lansdowne won their First Round game 1-0 over APSL rivals New York Athletic Club, with Seamus Keogh scoring from a free kick.

Red Hook FC (Brooklyn, NY)

Red Hook Football Club are making their debut in qualifying this year. Red Hook finished 9-0-1 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season.


RGV Red Crowns (The League for Clubs / USASA)
vs.
Central TX Coyotes FC (The League for Clubs / USASA)
Harlingen Field – Harlingen, TX
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET

Central Texas Coyotes FC (Temple, TX)

Central Texas Coyotes FC are making their qualifying debut this year, and finished 4-0-6 during the 2026 season in the League for Clubs South Texas Conference

RGV Red Crowns (Harlingen, TX)

RGV Red Crowns are making their qualifying debut this year. The name Red Crowns references the red-crowned parrot which is found in some parts of Texas along the border with Mexico. RGV Red Crowns finished 7-2-1 during the 2026 season in the League for Clubs South Texas Conference

RGV Red Crowns dominated their meetings with the Coyotes in The League for Clubs 2026 season, winning both games 4-0 and 5-0.


Oklahoma United FC (The League for Clubs / USASA)
vs.
Tulsa Athletic (The League for Clubs / USASA)
Chad Richison Stadium – Edmond, OK
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET

Oklahoma United FC (Oklahoma City, OK)

Oklahoma United FC are making their qualifying debut this year. Oklahoma United FC finished 8-1-1 in the 2026 season in the League for Clubs Red River Conference and reached the League for Clubs Semifinals, losing to Iron Rose FC 3-2.

Tulsa Athletic (Tulsa, OK)

Tulsa Athletic are one of the regular qualifiers from the amateur ranks. While this is their third attempt at qualifying though the Open Division tournament, they’ve advanced to the Open Cup proper seven times, six of those under the NPSL banner, and finally in 2025 as a UPSL club. Tulsa Athletic were one of the founding members of the League for Clubs in 2024. Tulsa Athletic finished the 2026 season with a record of 5-1-4 in the League for Clubs Mid-American Conference.

In their only meeting during the 2026 League for Clubs season, Oklahoma United FC defeated Tulsa Athletic 1-0 in the South Region playoff Final on July 20 on a goal from Kai Phillip.


Aurora FC (Houston Football Association / USASA)
vs.
Houston Lions FC (United States Soccer League / USSSA)
Matias Almeyda Training Center – Houston, TX
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET

Aurora FC (Houston, TX)

Aurora FC are making their qualifying debut this year and finished 15-2-0 in the 2025-26 Houston Football Association season.

Houston Lions FC (Spring, TX)

Houston Lions FC are making their qualifying debut this year and were Champions of the 2026 USSL Texas Spring season.


Napa Valley 1839 FC (The League for Clubs / USASA)
vs.
Bay Area United FC (UPSL)
Justin Siena High School – Napa, CA
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET

Napa Valley 1839 FC (Napa, CA)

Napa Valley 1839 FC are back for their third straight qualifying run after two unsuccessful attempts Napa Valley played eight seasons in the NPSL before moving to The League for Clubs in 2025 and also fielded a team in the UPSL. Napa Valley 1839 FC finished 5-2-3 in the 2026 season in the League for Clubs NorCal conference

Bay Area United FC (Oakland, CA)

Bay Area United are back for their second consecutive qualifying run and third overall. Last year United fell in the opening round to fellow UPSL club Ariana FC 2-1 after extra time. BAU finished 7-2-1 in the 2026 UPSL NorCal South spring season.


Norcal Shockwaves (San Francisco Soccer Football League / USASA)
vs.
JSC Jasa (Southwest Premier League / USASA)
Crocker Amazon Soccer Fields – San Francisco, CA
Kickoff: 10:00 p.m. ET

Norcal Shockwaves (Sausalito, CA)

The NorCal Shockwaves are making their second ever qualifying run after debuting last year and finished 0-0-11 in the 2026 SFSFL First Division season with a -228 goal difference.

JSC Jasa (Redwood City, CA)

JSC Jasa are making their qualifying debut this year and finished 9-3-1 in the 2026 Spring SWPL/Pacific Premier League season.


San Ramon FC (The League for Clubs / USASA)
vs.
Academica SC (USL League Two)
Tiffany Roberts Field – San Ramon, CA
Kickoff: 9:30 p.m. ET

San Ramon FC (San Ramon, CA)

2026 qualifiers San Ramon FC are back to try and make it two in a row, qualifying for the 2026 Open Cup by defeating The Olympic Club 2-1 in the Final Round. San Ramon FC finished 9-0-1 in the 2026 season in the League for Clubs NorCal conference

Academica SC (Turlock, CA)

Academica returns to qualifying after a six-year absence. The club last participated in qualifying for the cancelled 2020 Open Cup, and qualified for the 2019 tournament. Academica SC finished 4-3-7 in the 2026 USL League Two NorCal Division season.


Laguna United FC (UPSL)
vs.
Temecula FC (UPSL)
La Paz Sports Park – Laguna Niguel, CA
Kickoff: 9:30 p.m. ET

Laguna United FC (Laguna Hills, CA)

Laguna United are making their fifth straight qualifying appearance and are aiming for their third consecutive berth in the Open Cup after qualifying in 2025 and 2026. Laguna finished 8-2-3 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season.

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

Temecula FC (Temecula, CA)

Temecula FC returns to qualifying after a two-year absence. Temecula’s last appearance was in 2024 qualifying where they reached the final round before losing to Irvine Zeta FC 3-1. Temecula FC finished 7-1-2 in the 2026 UPSL Spring s

Temecula cruised to a 5-0 win over Problems FC in the First Round. Diego Valle scored two goals and Beto Renteria, Noah Mabra and Ronaldo Fernandez scored one each.


CV United FC (UPSL)
vs.
SF Vikings SC (San Francisco Soccer Football League / USASA)
Robertson Park – Livermore, CA
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET

CV United FC (Dublin, CA)

CV United FC made their qualifying debut last year as Ariana FC, reaching the Third Round before falling to San Francisco’s The Olympic Club 4-1. United finished the 2026 UPSL Division 1 Spring season 4-2-4. The club changed their name to CV United FC at the end of the 2026 Spring season.

SF Vikings SC (San Francisco, CA)

SF Vikings SC are one of the oldest clubs in qualifying, having been founded in 1922 and debuting in the Open Cup in the 1956 tournament. It will be their fourth year in a row entering qualifying. They have been eliminated in their opening game the previous three times. Vikings finished 9-2-11 in the 2026 SFSFL season.


Oakland Stompers (NPSL / USASA)
vs.
Sonoma Valley United (UPSL)
Antioch High School – Antioch, CA
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET

Oakland Stompers (Fairview, CA)

The Oakland Stompers are returning to qualifying for a fourth time after a four-year absence, having last taken part in qualifying for the 2022 Open Cup. The Stompers finished 6-2-2 in the 2026 NPSL season.

Sonoma Valley United (Sonoma, CA)

Sonoma Valley United are making their debut in qualifying this year. Sonoma Valley finished 2-1-7 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season.


Sin City FC (NISA Nation / USASA)
vs.
STG Premier FC (Southwest Premier League / USASA)
Mater Academy East – Las Vegas, NV
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET

Sin City FC (North Las Vegas, NV)

Sin City FC are making their qualifying debut this year and finished 8-0-2 in the 2026 NISA Nation Spring season. Sin City also reached the Region IV Final of the 2026 National Amateur Cup.

STG Premier FC (St. George, UT)

STG Premier FC are making their qualifying debut this year and finished 7-0-3 in the 2026 SWPL / Nevada Premier League Spring season.

In their opening game Sin City edged Las Vegas United FC of the SWPL 2-1. Roberto Soto scored twice with Federico Díaz García assisting on both goals.

STG had little trouble in the First Round, winning 5-0 over SWPL rivals Be Pro FC. Alvaro “Tito” Garcia and Zack Trimming Issa each had a pair of goals and Hamed Kone added #5.


International San Francisco (San Francisco Soccer Football League / USASA)
vs.
CF San Rafael (The League for Clubs / USASA)
Crocker Amazon Soccer Fields – San Francisco, CA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET

International San Francisco (San Francisco, CA)

Inter San Francisco are entering Open Cup qualifying for the sixth time. They qualified in 2023 and 2025, and reached the final round in 2024. Starting in the historic San Francisco Soccer Football League (SFSFL) 3rd tier, ISF won promotion two straight seasons after their debut in 2022. Inter SF finished 12-4-6 in the 2026 SFSFL season.

Inter San Francisco celebrates after a 5-1 win over BattleBorn FC in the 2023 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Inter San Francisco
Inter San Francisco celebrates after a 5-1 win over BattleBorn FC in the 2023 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Inter San Francisco

CF San Rafael (San Rafael, CA)

CF San Rafael return for a second try at qualifying after an unsuccessful run last year, in which they went one-and-done. San Rafael finished 2-1-7 in the 2026 season in the League for Clubs NorCal conference


Capo FC (NISA Nation / USASA)
vs.
DC Monsters (Southwest Premier League / USASA)
Vista Hermosa Sports Park – San Clemente, CA
Kickoff: 10:45 p.m. ET

Capo FC (San Juan Capistrano, CA)

After a two-year layoff Capo FC is returning to qualifying. Capo had previously entered from 2022-2024, reaching the Final Round in 2022 and qualifying in 2023. Capo participated in the 2024 Open Cup as a professional club through NISA. Capo FC finished 4-0-6 in the 2026 NISA Nation Spring season.

Players from Orange County SC and Capo FC battle for the ball in their match in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Orange County SC
Players from Orange County SC and Capo FC battle for the ball in their match in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Orange County SC

DC Monsters (Redondo Beach, CA)

Formerly LA Monsters, the club changed to DC monsters over the summer. Monsters have entered qualifying six precious times, but this is their return after a three-year hiatus. Monsters reached the Final Round in 2016, 2018 and 2020, but have yet to qualify for the Open Cup. DC Monsters finished 3-2-2 in the 2026 Spring SWPL/Socal Premier League season.


San Diego Internacional FC (UPSL)
vs.
Chula Vista FC (Southwest Premier League / USASA)
Mission Bay High School – San Diego, CA
Kickoff: 11 p.m. ET

San Diego Internacional FC (San Diego, CA)

San Diego Internacional FC are making their third qualifying attempt and have reached the final round in the previous two but came up short, losing to Laguna United both times in 2025 & 2026. Internacional finished 7-1-2 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season.

Chula Vista FC (Chula Vista, CA)

Chula Vista FC celebrate after winning a PK shootout against LA Monsters FC that clinches a spot in the 2020 US Open Cup. Photo: Steve Wood | Chula Vista FC
Chula Vista FC celebrate after winning a PK shootout against LA Monsters FC that clinches a spot in the 2020 US Open Cup. Photo: Steve Wood | Chula Vista FC

This is Chula Vista FC’s eighth entry into qualifying, only missing out in 2023, 2024 and 2026. The club has qualified for the 2017 Open Cup and the cancelled 2020 Edition. CVFC also qualified for the 2015 Open Cup, reaching the Third Round where they fell to the Sacramento Republic 7-3. The last qualifying game Chula Vista played was in 2025, when they lost to San Diego Internacional 3-2 in the Third Round. Chula Vista finished 8-1-0 in the 2026 Spring SWPL/San Diego Super Liga season.


SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4

In the lone game not scheduled for this weekend, the UPSL’s Columbus Astray were awarded a 1-0 forfeit victory over West Virginia United of USL League Two.

Columbus Astray are making their qualifying debut and finished the 2026 UPSL Spring season with a record of 6-1-3.

Mockingbird Valley Premier (Ohio Valley Premier League / US Club Soccer)
vs.
Tennessee Tempo (UPSL)
Mercy Academy – Louisville, KY
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET

Mockingbird Valley Premier (Louisville, KY)

Mockingbird Valley Premier are making their qualifying debut this year and finished 9-1-0 in the 2026 Ohio Valley Premier League season.

Mockingbird Valley Premier had to work an extra 30 minutes to defeat the UPSL’s Southern Indiana Guardians FC 3-1 in the First Round. Former Louisville City player Richard Ballard scored from the penalty spot in regulation, and Igor Ibrahimovic and Dylan Tufty scored early in extra time.

Tennessee Tempo FC (Nashville, TN)

Qualifying in 2026 as the 2025 UPSL Spring Champions, Tennessee Tempo are back in the qualifying mix after failing to defend their championship. In their previous two qualifying attempts Tennessee reached the Final round each time, qualifying in 2023 (as Beaman United) but falling short in 2024. Tennessee Tempo finished 11-1-0 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season and made it to the Round of 16 in the UPSL national playoffs.

Tennessee Tempo had no trouble in their First Round game versus UPSL rivals Tennessee United, coasting to a 6-0 win. Mario Rodriguez scored twice and Medina Scarlett, Omarian Obrian, Mike Rozkhov and Nico Riveros added single goals.


New Amsterdam FC (Cosmopolitan Soccer League / USASA)
vs.
New York Greek American SC (APSL / USASA)
York College – Jamaica, NY
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET

New York Greek American SC (Astoria, NY)

One of the legendary clubs of the U.S. Open Cup, four-time US Open Cup champions (1967, 1968, 1969, 1974) New York Greek American SC have had struggled to return to the competition proper. NYGA have qualified for the Open Cup six times in the Modern Era, but in their seven attempts since Open Division qualifying was revamped in 2016 they have won just one game outright. NY Greek American finished 17-4-1 in 2025-26 APSL Metropolitan Conference, two points ahead of second place Landsdowne Yonkers.

Josh Trott (No. 9) celebrates one of his two goals with his New York Greek American Atlas teammates in their 2-0 win over Ocean City Nor’easters. Photo: Paul Rudderow | PhillySoccerPage.net

New Amsterdam FC (New York, NY)

The former NISA club that folded in 2022 has been resurrected and will take part in 2027 qualifying. New Amsterdam FC has never participated in qualifying, although their reserve team took part in qualifying for the 2022 tournament. New Amsterdam will take part in the 2026-27 Cosmopolitan Soccer League Division 1 season.


South Coast Union (UPSL)
vs.
Fall River FC (UPSL)
Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical HS – New Bedford, MA
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET

South Coast Union (New Bedford, MA)

South Coast Union are making their debut in qualifying this year.  South Coast finished 4-1-5 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season

Fall River FC (Fall River, MA)

The Open Cup returns to one of its more historic cities when Fall River FC makes its qualifying debut. Home to such legendary team as the Fall River Rovers, Fall River Marksmen an Ponta Delgada, this will be the first time a club from Fall River will participate in the Open Cup in the Modern Era. Fall River FC finished the 2026 UPSL Spring season with a 3-5-2 record.

South Coast Union and Fall River FC faced each other twice during the 2026 UPSL Spring season. In the season opener on April 4 South Coast prevailed 2-0 on goals from Dominique Baessa and Jose Juarez. IN the final game of the season on June 6, Benjamin Novo scored the lone goal as Fall River won 1-0.


FC Omens (Bay State Soccer League / USASA)
vs.
Atletico Boston (Bay State Soccer League / USASA)
West Roxbury High School – West Roxbury, MA
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET

FC Omens (Cambridge, MA)

FC Omens are participating in their eighth qualifying tournament since 2016. Omens reached the final round of qualifying in 2016 and qualified for the Open Cup in 2017, where they made a run to the Third Round against the USL’s Rochester Rhinos. Omens also made the Open Cup field in 2013, 2014 and 2015. 

Recent attempts have been a struggle, being eliminated in their opening game the last three years. FC Omens finished 9-3-6 in the 2025 Bay State Soccer League season and are currently 5-2-3 in the 2026 BSSL season.

GPS Omens (white) defeated Boston City FC 2-1 in the Second Round of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Boston City FC
GPS Omens (white) defeated Boston City FC 2-1 in the Second Round of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Boston City FC

2017 Meet the Underdogs: Camaraderie spurs Boston-based GPS Omens to US Open Cup glory

Atletico Boston (Andover, MA)

Formerly known as Southie FC and Boston United, Atletico won promotion from the Bay State Soccer League 3rd tier up to the top league in 2022 and 2023. Renamed Atletico Boston, the club won the Massachusetts State Cup and the Massachusetts Soccer Champions Cup in 2024. As Southie FC they entered Open Division qualifying four times from 2016-2019, qualifying once in 2016. 

After three year absence (2022-2025) Atletico returned to qualifying last year, reaching the Third Round where they were eliminated via penalties by FC Lonestar GPSE after a 2-2 draw. Atletico Boston finished 11-0-7 in the 2025 Bay State Soccer League season and are currently 3-3-2 in the 2026 BSSL season and are in the Semifinals of the 2026 BSSL McKenzie Cup, which they won in 2025.

Protagonist Soccer: Under the Lights-Atletico Boston


Somerville United FC (APSL / USASA)
vs.
KO Elites FC (APSL / USASA)
Dilboy Stadium – Somerville, MA
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET

Somerville United FC (Brighton, MA)

Somerville United FC are making their qualifying debut this year. Somerville United FC finished 10-2-2 in the 2025-26 APSL Mayflower Conference.

KO Elites FC (West Hartford, CT)

KO Elites FC are making their qualifying debut this year. KO finished 11-1-0 in 2025-26 APSL Constitution Conference


Los Toros (UPSL)
vs.
Bowleys Athletic (MD / UPSL)
South Lakes High School – Reston, VA
Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET

Los Toros (Great Falls, VA)

Los Toros will hopefully make their qualifying debut this year. The club registered for last year’s qualifiers but ultimately withdrew. Los Toros finished 6-3-1 and reached the Round of 32 in the UPSL National playoffs. Los Torps reached the Region I final of the 2026 National Amateur Cup, losing to Lansdowne Yonkers 3-0.

Bowleys Athletic (Bowleys Quarters, MD)

Located a half hour to the East of Baltimore on the Chesapeake Bay, Bowleys Athletic are making their qualifying debut this year. Bowleys finished 8-1-1 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season.

Bowleys got their qualifying run started on the right foot with a 4-1 win over UPSL rivals MSI. Bryson Baker and Greg Adams had two goals each.

Bowleys and Los Toros met recently in the 2026 UPSL Fall season. On September 19, Los Toros won 2-0. Nelsar Castillo and Arjun Wente scored for Los Toros.


Philadelphia Lone Star FC (UPSL)
vs.
Pennsylvania Prime FC (UPSL)
John Bartram High School Stadium – Philadelphia, PA
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET

Philadelphia Lone Star FC (Philadelphia, PA)

Philadelphia Lone Star FC returns to qualifying for the sixth time after a three-year absence. Lone Star previously qualified for the 2017 Open Cup and reached the final round in 2022, where they lost to Brockton FC United 5-0. Lone Star finished 7-2-2 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season

Pennsylvania Prime FC (Allentown, PA)

Pennsylvania Prime FC are making their debut in qualifying. Prime finished 3-1-6 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season

Lone Star and Prime have met once in each of the 2026 Spring and Fall UPSL seasons. On May 23 Lone Star won 5-0 with Chrisofeso Simmons scoring twice and Mohamed Bility, Bill Walleekendeh and Alvin Dahn rounded out the scoring. Then on August 16 Lone Star prevailed again 4-2 with a hat-trick from Alvin Dahn and Patrick Singbah adding a goal. Nigel Griffitgh had both of the Primed goal\s.


Harpos FC (Colorado Premier League / USSSA)
vs.
Azteca FC 5280 (Colorado Premier League / USSSA)
Broomfield Commons – Broomfield, CO
Kickoff: 4 p.m. ET

Harpos FC (Boulder, CO)

This is the eleventh qualifying appearance for Harpos, having entered qualifying every year since 2016. They’ve compiled a record of 15-7-2 over that time, reaching the final round six times and qualifying three times. Last year Harpos had a disappointing effort, falling tp\oi Azteca 1-0 in the Third Round. In 2025 Harpos finally made it back to the Open Cup after their only other appearance in 2016. They also qualified for the canceled tournament in 2020.

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

Harpos FC finished 6-0-1 in the 2026 Colorado Premier League Spring season.

2015 Meet the Underdogs: Harpo’s FC

2016 Meet the Underdogs: Harpo’s FC

Azteca FC 5280 (Denver, CO)

Azteca are one of the grizzled veterans of Open Division qualifying, having entered every qualifying tournament except 2016 and 2019. Azteca qualified for the Open Cup in 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024 and 2026 and reached the final round of qualifying in 2020, 2023 and 2025. Azteca FC 5280 finished 6-0-0 in the 2026 Colorado Premier League Spring season.

2017 Meet the Underdogs: Azteca FC

2022 Meet the Underdogs: Azteca FC

The Open Cup eternal rivalry between Harpos FC and Azteca FC 5280. Besides playing in the same league the two clubs always manage to find each other in Open Cup qualifying. The Colorado Premier League rivals have met in each of the last three qualifying tournaments and six times overall.

Four of those games were in the final ‘Win and You’re In” round. Harpos holds the advantage at 4-2, though Azteca broke through to qualify for the 2025 Open Cup and eliminated Harpos last year on their way to qualifying for the 2026 Open Cup.

More recently, Harpos kicked off the CPL Fall season with a 5-1 win over the Azteca U23 team, and Azteca topped Harpos 3-1 in their Spring meeting on May 17.


Shark Coast FC (USL League Two)
vs.
Bold City SC (UPSL)
New Smyrna Beach Sports Complex – New Smyrna Beach, FL
Kickoff: 5 p.m. ET

Shark Coast FC (New Smyrna Beach, FL)

Shark Coast FC are making their qualifying debut this year and finished 2-6-4 in the 2026 USL League Two Southeast Division.

Shark Coast won their first ever qualifying game, defeating FC Kanks of the UPSL 2-1. Nathan Mansanto put Shark Coast up 1-0 after five minutes and Wade Stinson scored late in the game to secure the victory.

Bold City SC (Jacksonville, FL)

Bold City is making their second qualifying attempt after last year’s debut. Bold City reached the Third Round last year, falling to UPSL rivals Harbor City FC 3-2 after extra time. The name Bold City comes from one of Jacksonville’s nicknames. Bold City finished 7-1-4 in the 2026 UPSL Florida Central Spring season.


BOHFS St. Louis (Midwest Premier League / USASA)
vs.
Chicago Nation FC (UPSL)
Sport 360 – St. Charles, MO
Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. ET

BOHFS St. Louis (St. Louis, MO)

BOHFS had a successful debut last year, qualifying for the 2026 Open Cup by defeating Chicago Houser AC 3-2 in the Final Round. BOHFS finished 5-2-3 in the 2026 Midwest Premier League season.

BOHFS St. Louis celebrates after defeating Chicago House 3-2 in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: BOHFS St. Louis
BOHFS St. Louis celebrates after defeating Chicago House 3-2 in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: BOHFS St. Louis

Protagonist Soccer: Who Are Ya!: BOHFS St Louis

U.S. Soccer: BOHFS St. Louis in the U.S. Open Cup and the Enduring Spirit of Soccer in St. Louis

Chicago Nation FC (Chicago, IL)

Chicago Nation FC may be making their qualifying debut but they are one of the more accomplished teams in the UPSL. Nation finished the 2026 Spring UPSL season with a 9-0-1 record and reached the Eastern Final in the 2025 Fall UPSL season and the National Semifinals in the 2023 & 2025 Spring seasons.


Mint Hill FC (NPSL / USASA)
vs.
Briar United FC (NC / UPSL)
Queens University Sports Complex – Charlotte, NC
Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. ET

Mint Hill FC (Mint Hill, NC)

Mint Hill finished 3-1-6 in the 2026 NPSL season and are attempting to qualify for the Open Cup for the fifth straight year. In those attempted, they have yet to reach the Final Round. Mint Hill finished 9-3-0 in the North Carolina Soccer League and are playing in the UPSL for the Fall season.

Briar United FC (Raleigh, NC)

Briar posted a 6-1-3 record for the 2026 UPSL Spring season and are making their second qualifying attempt this year. Last year Briar reached the Final Round, losing 2-0 to Southern Indiana FC.


Detroit Metro FC (UPSL)
vs.
Akron City FC (USL League Two)
Legacy Center – Brighton, MI
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET

Detroit Metro FC (Novi, MI)

Detroit Metro are making their second qualifying attempt and will try to do better than last year’s 5-2 loss in the Second Round to Croatia Cleveland. Metro finished the 2026 UPSL Spring season with a 3-1-6 record.

Akron City FC (Akron, OH)

Akron City are making their second qualifying appearance after their debut last year. Akron City finished 6-1-5 in the 2026 USL League Two Great Forest Division

In their First Round game Akron jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead but had to hold on to beat USL League Two rivals Lorain County Leviathan 4-3. Tamas Nagy and Ali Alomari each had a pair of goals.


SCU Heat (UPSL)
vs.
Kalonji Pro-Profile (UPSL)
Southeastern Freight Lines Stadium – Columbia, SC
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET

SCU Heat (Columbia, SC)

South Carolina United Heat celebrate after defeating Crown Legacy FC 1-0 in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Forrest Wimberly
South Carolina United Heat celebrate after defeating Crown Legacy FC 1-0 in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Forrest Wimberly

2024 qualifiers SCU Heat return for their sixth go at qualifying. SCU reached the Final Round in their first three times in 2022, 2023 & 2024, while the last two have been one and done. SCU finished 9-2-0 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season and made it to the South region Final, losing to Miami United via penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Kalonji Pro-Profile (Dacula, GA)

Kalonji Pro-Profile are seeking to qualify for their second Open Cup in a row after making the cut in 2026. Despite losing the First Round match to Chattanooga FC of MLS NEXT Pro, Kalonji made headlines as 14-year-old Braiden Kalonji became the youngest goalscorer on record in the Modern Era of the Open Cup. Kalonji finished the 2026 UPSL Spring season with a perfect 10-0-0 record, allowing just four goals.

Kalonji survived a wild 5-4 shootout in the First Round with Peachtree FC. Former Jamaica Premier League forward Zain Hylton scored four of the five goals for Kalonji and Savik Morton had the other.


FC Denver (Colorado Premier League / USSSA)
vs.
Peak XI FC (Mountain Premier League / USASA)
Northfield High School – Denver, CO
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET

FC Denver (Denver, CO)

FC Denver has participated in every Open Division qualifying tournament except the first one in 2016. They qualified for the Open Cup in 2018 and 2019, and last year was the first time since 2022 that Denver failed to advance past their opening game. FC Denver posted a 3-1-3 record in the 2026 Spring Colorado Premier League season.

FC Denver defeated Timbers FC 6-0 in their opening game. After the Timber goalkeeper was shown a red card in the 36th minute, Denver began to score. Lorenz Hoover and Joshua Guzman had two goals each with Roque Flores Marko Isakovic adding goals.

Players from Peak Eleven (foreground) and FC Denver battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Brian Martagon De La Rosa (11_brian_mdlr on IG) with DT Sports (DTSportsTV on IG)
Players from Peak Eleven (foreground) and FC Denver battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Brian Martagon De La Rosa (11_brian_mdlr on IG) with DT Sports (DTSportsTV on IG)

Peak XI FC (Superior, CO)

Peal Eleven are making their sixth consecutive appearance in qualifying, beginning with their debut in 2022. Last year Peak snapped a string of three straight one-and-done affairs, though they were eliminated in the next round. Peak Eleven finished 1-2-5 in the 2026 Summer Mountain Premier League season.

Peak XI FC advanced to the Second Round with a 4-0 win over the Colorado Rovers of the Colorado Premier League. Miguel Camorlinga and Joseph Mandevani added to Taylor Smyser’s two goals.


FORO SC (The League for Clubs / USASA)
vs.
Inter Nova Havoc (Metroplex Premier League / USSSA)
The Highlands School – Irving, TX
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET

FORO SC (Dallas, TX)

Two-time qualifiers FORO SC will try to make up for a disappointing outing last year. FORO qualified in 2024 and 2025 and staged a memorable upset of Austin FC II in the 2024 Open Cup and followed up in 2025 by defeating USL League One club Texoma FC 2-1 after extra time. Last year, FORO crashed out last year in their opening game of qualifying. 

FORO finished 3-2-5 in the 2026 season in the League for Clubs Red River Northeast Conference, and their APSL team reached the APSL Championship.

Foro kicked off 2027 qualifying with a 4-1 win over StrikerZ DFW of the Dallas Soccer Alliance. Brayan Padilla, Sebastian Coronado, Jacob Tekle and Rafael Rodriguez scored for FORO.

FORO SC players celebrate during the club's extra time win over Texoma FC in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Jimbec Photography - IG @jimbec_photography
FORO SC players celebrate during the club’s extra time win over Texoma FC in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Jimbec Photography – IG @jimbec_photography

Inter Nova Havoc (Denton, TX)

Inter Nova Havoc are making their qualifying debut this year and finished 7-0-3 in the 2026 Metroplex Premier League season.


Yinz United (Super Soccer League / USASA)
vs.
Doradus FC (UPSL)
Oakton High School – Vienna, VA
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

Yinz United (Washington, D.C.)

Yinz United are making their third qualifying appearance in the last four years, having gone out in the opening round last year. While based in Maryland, the club was founded by a group from Pittsburgh is where the clubs’ black and gold colors and the team name originates. Yinz is slang in Western Pennsylvania for the term “ya’ll”.

Yinz United finished 7-2-1 in the 2026 Super Soccer League Virginia division and won the SSL Championship over Baltimore City FC.

Yins United posted the biggest score of the First Round, dismantling Patuxent FA of the APSL 10-1. Hamza Moosvi scored five times, Viktor Petrusevski netted two and Jeff Rosenberg, Malik Thom and Jose Noriega rounded out the scoring.

Doradus FC (Alexandria, VA)

Doradus FC are making their third ever qualifying attempt and second in a row. Last year they reached the Second Round before losing to Virginia Dream 2-1. Doradus finished the 2026 UPSL Spring season with a 7-0-3 record.

Doradus FC knocked off one of the better teams in qualifying, defeating Northern Virginia FC 2-1 after extra time. Collins Frimpong scored for Doradus in regulation and scored again from the penalty spot in extra time.


Real Central NJ Soccer (APSL / USASA)
vs.
FC Monmouth (The League for Clubs / USASA)
Mercer County Community College – West Windsor, NJ
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

Real Central NJ Soccer (Pennington, NJ)

Real Central NJ Soccer are entering qualifying for the fourth time, having gone on-and-done the previous three times. Real Central NJ finished 13-2-7 in the 2025-26 APSL Delaware River Conference.

FC Monmouth (Red Bank, NJ)

FC Monmouth returns for a second try at qualifying after an unsuccessful run last year, in which they went one-and-done. Monmouth played in the NPSL from 2018-2024 before joing The League for Clubs in 2025. FC Monmouth finished 4-1-3 in the 2026 season in the League for Clubs Conference.


SC Vistula Garfield (APSL / USASA)\
vs.
FC Motown (NPSL / USASA)
Garfield High School – Garfield, NJ
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

SC Vistula Garfield (Garfield, NJ)

SC Vistula Garfield are making their sixth qualifying appearance in a row, and came close to qualifying on their first try in 2022, when they were beaten by Lansdowne Yonkers 2-0 in the final round. Vistula finally made the cut last year with a 2-1 win over Oaklyn United.

Founded in 1952, Vistula have entered the Open Cup off and on since the early 1970s. Vistula finished 7-2-13 in the 2025-26 APSL Metropolitan Conference.

After spotting Five Rivers SC a 1-0 lead at the half, Vistula scored four unanswered goals in the second half to win 4-1 in the First Round. Emiland Elezaj, Gabriel Costa, John McGeechan and Martin Czovek all scored for the winners.

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

FC Motown (Morristown, NJ)

FC Motown enters qualifying for the first time since 2017, when they qualified for the first time as FC Motown. The club was founded in 2012 as FC Morristown and entered a working relationship with Clarkstown SC Eagles of the NPSL, who rebranded as FC Motown in 2017. Motown has qualified for every U.S. Open Cup tournament since 2017, mostly through the NPSL. This is the first time Motown did not qualify through the NPSL or USL League Two.

FC Motown finished 6-1-3 in the 2026 NPSL season, and 10-1-1 in the USL League Two season.


NY Pancyprian Freedoms (APSL / USASA)
vs.

NY Dash FC (UPSL)
Floyd Bennett Sports Complex; Brooklyn, NY
Kickoff: 2:15 p.m. ET

NY Pancyprian Freedoms (Queens, NY)

The three-time US Open Cup champions (1980, 1982, 1983) have entered qualifying every year since 2016 except for 2025, when they gained an Open Cup berth as National Amateur Cup Champions. The Freedoms have qualified twice since 2016, and six additional times in the Modern Era. The Pancyprian Freedoms finished 15-0-7 in 2025-26 APSL Metropolitan Conference.

Players from FC Cincinnati 2 (left) and NY Pancyprian Freedoms battle for the ball in a First Round match in the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Cortney Lesovoy/FC Cincinnati
Players from FC Cincinnati 2 (left) and NY Pancyprian Freedoms battle for the ball in a First Round match in the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Cortney Lesovoy/FC Cincinnati

NY Dash FC (Elmont, NY)

The NY Dash are competing in qualifying for the first time, and play in the UPSL Division 2, where they finished the 2026 Spring season 8-2-0.


Real Houston Futbol Club (United States Soccer League / USSSA)
vs.
ASC New Stars (Houston Football Association / USASA)
Azteca Soccer League Park – Houston, TX
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

Real Houston Futbol Club (Houston, TX)

Real Houston Futbol Club are making their qualifying debut this year and played in  USSL Texas.

ASC New Stars (Houston, TX)

2026 qualifiers ASC New Stars are making their third attempt at Open Division qualifying, having made the cut after topping the Denton Diablos via penalty shootout in the Final Round last year. ASC (Aria Soccer Club) are no strangers to the Open Cup, having qualified three times (2008, 2011, 2012) before Open Division qualifying was re-organized in 2016.

ASC New Stars celebrate after defeating Denton Diablos 4-3 in a PK shootout (after a 0-0 draw) in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: ASC New Stars
ASC New Stars celebrate after defeating Denton Diablos 4-3 in a PK shootout (after a 0-0 draw) in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: ASC New Stars

ASC New Stars finished 11-2-4 in the 2025-26 Houston Football Association season, and also reached the Region III Final of the National Amateur Cup in 2025.


Pinellas County United Pelicans SC (UPSL)
vs.
Kissimmee SC (UPSL)
Walter Fuller Soccer Complex – St. Petersburg, FL
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

Pinellas County United Pelicans SC (St. Petersburg, FL)

Pinellas County United Pelicans SC are making their second qualifying appearance after their debut last year. PCU Pelicans finished 9-1-2 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season

Kissimmee SC (Kissimmee, FL)

Kissimmee SC are making their second qualifying appearance after their debut last year, in which they exited in their opening game with a 6-0 loss to FC America CFL Spurs. Kissimmee finished the 2026 UPSL Spring season at 10-2-0


Potros FC (UPSL)
vs.
Terminus FC (Atlanta District Amateur Soccer League / USASA)
Marietta High School – Marietta, GA
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

Potros FC (Powder Springs, GA)

Potros FC returns to qualifying after nearly making the cut in their debut last year, in which they lost to Kalonji Pro-Profile 1-0 in the Final Round. Potros finished 2-4-4 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season.

Potros were the last team to advance to the Second Round, as their game versus Buckhead SC was postponed a week due to a waterlogged field. When the game was played a week later Potros were 3-1 winners, Porfirio Carrasco-Diaz, Danny Moreira and Marc “Dadynho” Bineau accounted for the Potros goals.

Terminus FC (Atlanta, GA)

Terminus are making their third qualifying appearance in the last four years and have yet to advance past the opening game. Terminus finished 16-1-4 in the 2025-26 Atlanta District Amateur Soccer League season.

Terminus rolled over the UPSL’s UFA Lawrenceville 6-0 in the First Round. Jean Malilo led the way with a hat-trick, Akani Agbaje added two goals and Colin Vogel had #6.


Swarm FC (USL League Two)
vs.
Lake Country United FC (UPSL)
Marathon Soccer Park – Austell, GA
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET

Swarm FC (Dallas, GA)

Swarm FC are making their qualifying debut this year and finished 7-5-0 in the 2026 USL League Two South Central Division.

Swarm FC won their qualifying debut 5-0 over the APSL’s Prima FC. Scoring for Swarm were Rodrigo Lopez, Matheus Brandao and Segun Afolabi, along with an own goal.

Lake Country United FC (Eatonton, GA)

Lake Country United FC are making their qualifying debut this year and finished the 2026 UPSL Division 1 Spring season at 8-0-1.


Palm Beach Flames SC (UPSL)
vs.
Harbor City FC (UPSL)
Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School – Wellington, FL
Kickoff: 7:45 p.m. ET

Palm Beach Flames SC (Tequesta, FL)

Palm Beach Flames SC are entering their third straight qualifying run after being eliminated in the first two in the Third Round. Palm Beach finished 7-0-6 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season.

Harbor City FC (Melbourne Beach, FL)

2025 qualifiers Harbor City FC are making their fourth consecutive qualifying run and have reached the final round the last two times. Harbor City finished 7-0-5 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season.


Dreamers AFC (Premier Futbol League / USASA)
vs.
Boca Jrs. Miami FC (UPSL)
Miami Dade College – Kendall – Miami, FL
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET

Dreamers AFC (Miami, FL)

Dreamers AFC are making their qualifying debut this year and finished 4-1-4 in the Premier Futbol League 2026 Spring season.

Boca Jrs. Miami FC (Margate, Fla.)

Boca Jrs. Miami FC are making their second ever qualifying attempt after their debut last year, which was halted after one game by a 3-0 loss to Miami United FC. Boca finished 6-2-5 in the 2026 Spring UPSL Division 1 season.

In the First Round Boca Jrs, Miami survived a comeback attempt to hold on for a 3-2 win over Florida Island United FC of the UPSL. Miami jumped put to a 3-0 lead and  Island United managed to pull two goals back but fell short. Douglas Silveira scored  two goals for Miami and Leonel Milano got the other.


Aegean Hawks FC (American Premier League / USASA)
vs.
DC Hyper (UPSL)
Langley High School – McLean, VA
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET

Aegean Hawks FC (Washington D.C.)

Aegean Hawks (named by club founders after Greek military helicopters) are well seasoned in Open Cup qualifying. They have entered nine of the first ten qualifying tournaments, skipping last year. While they have qualified for the Open Cup three times (2007, 2009 and 2012), they have failed to qualify since Open Division qualifying was revised in 2016. In 2025 qualifying they finally broke through to reach the Final Round, where they lost to Virginia Dream 2-1.

Aegean Hawks (black) take on Christos FC in a 2018 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Sean Maslin
Aegean Hawks (black) take on Christos FC in a 2018 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Sean Maslin

The Hawks finished 6-0-3 in the 2026 Spring American Premier League season.

DC Hyper (Washington, D.C.)

DC Hyper returns to qualifying after taking last year off. Their initial qualifying run for the 2025 Cup ended after their opening game. After taking the first half of 2026 off Hyper has returned for the 2026 UPSL Fall season.


Woodland Football Club (Midwest Premier League / USASA)
vs.
Omaha Street FC (NE / UPSL)
St. Joseph Athletic Field – Shawnee, KS
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET

Woodland Football Club (Overland Park, KS)

Entering qualifying for the third year in a row, Woodland are still looking for their first qualifying win. Woodland finished 3-3-4 in the 2026 Midwest Premier League season.

Omaha Street FC (Bennington, NE)

Omaha Street FC are making their second ever qualifying run after debuting last year, where they were eliminated by BOHFS St. Louis in the Third Round 4-2. Omaha finished 8-0-2 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season.


ATX United (Austin Men’s Soccer Association / USASA)
vs.
Capital City SC (The League for Clubs / USASA)
Round Rock Multipurpose Complex – Round Rock, TX
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET

ATX United (Austin, TX)

ATX United are making their qualifying debut this year and finished 14-0-4 in the 2025-26 Austin Men’s Soccer Association season

Capital City SC (Austin, TX)

Capital City SC are making their qualifying debut this year, and finished 8-1-1 in the 2026 season in the League for Clubs South Texas Conference


Stars FC (USL League Two)
vs.
Next Level Soccer Premier (UPSL)
Spirit Field Ottawa University – Surprise, AZ
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET

Stars FC (Glendale, AZ)

Stars FC are making their qualifying debut this year and finished 4-4-4 in the 2026 USL League Two Southwest Division.

Next Level Soccer Premier (Gilbert, AZ)

Next Level Soccer Premier are entering qualifying for a third year in a row. Last year they got all the way to the end, getting eliminated by Denver’s Azteca FC on penalties after a 3-3 draw. Next Level finished 7-1-2 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season, and made their way to the Western Final were they lost to eventual UPSL Spring Champions Deportivo Rose City 2-1.


Bellevue Athletic FC (UPSL)
vs.
Sharktopus FC (Seattle Recreational Adult Team Soccer / USSSA)
Bellevue College Soccer Field – Bellevue, WA
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET

Bellevue Athletic FC (Snohomish, WA)

Bellevue are making their fifth straight qualifying appearance and are also looking for their first win. Bellevue finished the 2026 UPSL Spring season 7-2-1, but fell to eventual UPSL Spring Champions Deportivo Rose City 2-0 in the UPSL National playoffs.

Kwame Appiah (left) and Jimmy Forde of Sharktopus FC celebrate after a 5-0 win over Bellevue Athletic FC in the Second Round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Sharktopus FC
Kwame Appiah (left) and Jimmy Forde of Sharktopus FC celebrate after a 5-0 win over Bellevue Athletic FC in the Second Round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Sharktopus FC

Sharktopus FC (Seattle, WA)

One of the more creatively named teams in Open Cup qualifying, Sharktopus FC is entering qualifying for the fourth time. Sharktopus FC finished 11-1-6 in the 2026 Spring & Summer SRATS seasons

This is a rematch of one of the more controversial qualifying games from last year. Bellevue initially thought they advanced with a 4-3 extra time win over Sharktopus FC. However, a protest was filed when it was discovered the match referee

 had previously played for Bellevue’s reserve team recently. A replay was ordered and Sharktopus took full advantage with a rain-soaked 5-0 win. The incident even garnered attention for ESPN.


Legends SC (Southwest Premier League / USASA)
vs. 
Iron Rose FC (The League for Clubs / USASA)
Mather Field Sports Complex; Mather, Calif.
Kickoff: 9:30 p.m. ET

Legends SC (Sacramento, CA)

Legends SC are making their qualifying debut this year and finished 9-2-2 in the 2026 Spring SWPL/Pacific Premier League season.

Iron Rose FC (Roseville, CA)

Iron Rose FC are making their qualifying debut this year. Iron Rose FC finished 8-1-1 in the 2026 season in the League for Clubs NorCal conference and were runners up in the League for Clubs playoff Final, losing to Pensacola FC 1-0

——————————————————————-

Filed Under: 2027 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, Feature - Qualifying, Featured Post - Main, Featured Post - US Open Cup Qualifying, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central, US Open Cup Qualifying Tagged With: 2027 US Open Cup, 2027 US Open Cup qualifying, Preview

2026 US Open Cup Semifinals: Santiago Rodriguez of Columbus Crew voted TheCup.us Player of Round

October 3, 2026 by Tyler Fisher

Photo: Mathieu Starke – Starke_Photo | Graphic: Frank Lanham

Santiago Rodríguez has been named TheCup..us Player of the Round following his standout performance in the Columbus Crew’s 2-1 victory over Orlando City SC in the Semifinals of the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Rodríguez played a direct role in both of Columbus’ goals, recording two assists as the Crew booked their place in the US Open Cup Final for the first time since 2010. He becomes the first Columbus player in history to win Player of the Round honors.

Rodriguez was the runaway winner of the award, followed by St. Louis CITY’s Simon Becher in second place, followed by CITY goalkeeper Roman Burki.

TheCup.us Player of the Round is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters and select backers (those that pledge $10 or more) from TheCup.us’ Patreon team.

The Uruguayan midfielder wasted little time making an impact.

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In the ninth minute, Rodríguez delivered an in-swinging cross into the penalty area following a Columbus corner. Josef Martínez found the service at the back post and calmly finished to give the Crew an early 1-0 advantage.

Orlando responded before halftime through Martín Ojeda, but Rodríguez once again provided the difference after the break.

Seven minutes into the second half, Rodríguez slipped a lofted ball into the penalty area for Brais Méndez, who timed his run perfectly before finishing first-time from inside the box to restore Columbus’ lead.

The assist was Rodríguez’s first for the Crew in just his fourth appearance since joining the club during the summer transfer window. He finished the semifinal with four shots, one shot on target and five crosses while playing the full 90 minutes.

More importantly, both of his assists directly contributed to the Crew advancing to the championship match.

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "We Want The Cup" shirt in your team's colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP - Columbus Crew
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

Rodríguez’s performance also highlighted the immediate influence Columbus hoped to receive when it acquired the 26-year-old from Botafogo. Alongside Méndez and Martínez, Rodríguez has become part of a revamped Columbus attack tasked with providing more creativity and production during the second half of the season.

The Crew will now have the opportunity to finish the job on Oct. 21, when Columbus hosts St. Louis CITY SC in the US Open Cup Final.

For Rodríguez, his Player of the Round recognition adds another milestone to what has already been an important start to his Columbus career.

Two assists against Orlando did more than earn individual recognition.

They helped put the Crew 90 minutes away from another trophy.

Filed Under: 2026 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, Featured Post - Main, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central Tagged With: Columbus Crew, Player of the Round

2026 US Open Cup Semifinals: St. Louis CITY blank Colorado Rapids, reach first USOC Final

September 17, 2026 by Andrew Mosier

Several St. Louis CITY SC fans made the trip to Commerce City, Colo. to cheer on their team during the 2026 US Open Cup Semifinal match against the Colorado Rapids. Photo: St. Louis CITY SC
Several St. Louis CITY SC fans made the trip to Commerce City, Colo. to cheer on their team during the 2026 US Open Cup Semifinal match against the Colorado Rapids. Photo: St. Louis CITY SC

The drought is over. After a 38-year absence, a team from St. Louis is back in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final. 

Following a rich history of St. Louis clubs, St. Louis CITY SC advanced to its first US Open Cup Final with a 3-0 win over the Colorado Rapids Wednesday night at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park. 

Jeong Sang-bin scored in the first half, and Simon Becher and Alexandru-Irinel Mǎtan added goals in the second stanza to put St. Louis into the Final on Oct. 21 against the Columbus Crew at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus. 

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“Tonight was a complete performance. The way we defended, the way we attacked. I’m really proud of the group,” Yoann Damet, St. Louis CITY SC head coach, said. “We’re writing history for this club. We’re playing in the first final in club history, the first game for a trophy. This is their reward for all the work they’ve put in, all the trust they have in each other.”

Busch Soccer Club was the last St. Louis-based club to appear in an Open Cup Final, beating San Francisco’s Greek American AC 2-1 at the fabled St. Louis Soccer Park to capture the 1988 US Open Cup title. St. Louis City will be the 23rd Missouri-based club to appear in the Open Cup final.  Out of the 110 tournament, a total of 10 teams from St. Louis have lifted the trophy. 

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

Wednesday’s win entended St. Louis’ unbeaten streak to 17 games across all competitions, a streak that started May 9 against the Rapids in Commerce City. 

There was no love lost between the two mid-table Western Conference clubs. Neither of the two fixtures between the two clubs this season—both 1-0 St. Louis wins—could be considered elegant, with 11 cautions and three ejections in the two matches, which also included words between the coaching staffs, not to mention St. Louis buying the Rapids captain Rafael Navarro for a club-record $12 million during the summer transfer window. 

Navarro had one goal in the Rapids run to the Semifinals, a penalty kick in the Rapids’ 2-0 quarterfinal win over San Jose. 

With even more at stake, the edge of the clubs’ two regular season matches carried over, with both sides looking to make boot-sized impressions on the other from the opening whistle. Referee Joe Dickerson had more than his handful six cautions, which included a VAR rescinded straight red card for what he judged to be a studs-up challenge the replay proved not to be.

It was the Rapids who had the first two chances—albeit slim ones—early in the match, failing to fully connect on crosses that sent City goalkeeper Roman Bürki scrambling across the face of his goal to see the ball safely out of play. In the eighth minute, Darren Yappi got in behind with a long run from midfield, but his touch failed him before he could turn to goal. 

St. Louis came right back at the Rapids, putting Mǎtan though the Rapids high defensive line, forcing Rapids goalkeeper Adam Beaudry to make a swatting save as Mǎtan tried to put the ball around him. 

The back-and-forth continued through the half-hour mark, when a howler from Beaudry, a homegrown player who spent much of the year playing for Loudoun United in the USL Championship, turned the tide of the game. Looking to slow the game, the Rapids played the ball back to Beaudry, who’s poor touch went straight into Sang-bin’s shins. Both players went to ground scrambling for the ball. Sang-bin was quicker to his feet and easily tapped the ball into the goal to put St. Louis on the board in the 32nd minute. 

“Sang-bin created that goal,” Damet said. “He made that mistake happen. His run, his starting position, his hard work. He made that goal happen. To score a goal like that, when you’re playing away, gives you a lot of confidence.” 

St. Louis carried the momentum into the second half when Simon Becher finished a ball played into the penalty area from Conrad Wallem on a quick break after the Rapids were dispossessed at midfield. After a lengthy review, Dickerson was called to the VAR screen to determine if a foul at midfield created the goalscoring opportunity. After multiple replays—and possibly a Friends episode—Dickerson let the 52nd minute goal stand. 

Simon Becher of St. Louis CITY SC celebrates with Conrad Wallem after scoring a goal against the Colorado Rapids in the 2026 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: St. Louis CITY SC
Simon Becher of St. Louis CITY SC celebrates with Conrad Wallem after scoring a goal against the Colorado Rapids in the 2026 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: St. Louis CITY SC

The game unraveled after that. 

Seven minutes later, Mǎtan made it 3-0, running onto a superb flick-on from Thomas Totland after a quick restart at midfield after the Rapids’ Paxten Aaronson picked up a petulant caution. As Mǎtan’s shot hit the back of the net, the 300 or so St. Louis fans in attendance began chanting “We want the cup.” 

The chant rang through the half-filled DICK’S Sporting Goods Park well after the final whistle blew and St. Louis players celebrated with the traveling fans.

“We are very happy we have fans like this,” Bürki, the team captain, who has been with the club since its inaugural season in 2023. “Everywhere we play, there are St. Louis CITY fans, and that means a lot to us. And yeah, we want the cup, too.”

1988 US Open Cup champions: Busch SC of St. Louis
1988 US Open Cup champions: Busch SC of St. Louis

With Wednesday night’s semifinal win, St. Louis CITY will travel to Ohio to face the Columbus Crew, where Damet was an assistant coach during the Crew’s 2023 MLS Cup winning run. 

“We want to make history for the club, win the first trophy for the club. There is a feeling of not being satisfied, wanting to push, wanting to keep fighting for one another. It’s the mindset this group has,” said Damet. “At the end of the day, these guys turn up ready every single day to work. Playing in a final is a reward for that hard work.”

Filed Under: 2026 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, Featured Post - Main, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central Tagged With: 2026 US Open Cup, Colorado Rapids, St. Louis City SC

2026 US Open Cup Semifinals: Columbus Crew beat Orlando City, reach 1st USOC Final in 16 years

September 17, 2026 by Tyler Fisher

Steven Moreira of the Columbus Crew reacts during Wednesday's 2026 US Open Cup Semifinal against Orlando City SC. Photo: Mathieu Starke - Starke_Photo
Steven Moreira of the Columbus Crew reacts during Wednesday’s 2026 US Open Cup Semifinal against Orlando City SC. Photo: Mathieu Starke – Starke_Photo

The Columbus Crew are one win away from lifting the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time in nearly a quarter century.

Columbus defeated Orlando City SC 2-1 Wednesday night at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, overcoming an equalizer before halftime, and held on through the second half to book its place in the club’s first US Open Cup Final since 2010.

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With the win, the Crew will host the tournament’s championship game for the first time since 2002, when they lifted the trophy named after the club’s original owner, Lamar Hunt. They will take on first-time finalists St. Louis CITY SC on Oct. 21.

It was a night that gave the Crew something that has been hard to find in the 2026 MLS campaign: a complete result when the stakes were highest.

Columbus wasted little time establishing a presence.

In the ninth minute, Santiago Rodriguez delivered a dangerous ball toward the back post following a Crew corner. Josef Martinez found himself in the right place at the right time, finishing the chance to give Columbus an early 1-0 lead.

For Martinez, it was his first goal since joining the Crew during the summer transfer window. It was the fifth career US Open Cup goal for the Venezuelan star, who is seeking his second US Open Cup title (2019 Atlanta United). The last time he scored a goal in the tournament was in the 2023 US Open Cup Final with Inter Miami CF.

Orlando, however, gradually worked its way back into the match.

Josef Martinez of the Columbus Crew avoids a tackle against Orlando City SC in the 2026 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Carlos Hernandez-Chavez - Black Cat Photography
Josef Martinez of the Columbus Crew avoids a tackle against Orlando City SC in the 2026 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Carlos Hernandez-Chavez – Black Cat Photography

The Lions found their equalizer in the 40th minute when Martin Ojeda collected a pass from Justin Ellis near the top of the penalty area and fired a low shot beyond Columbus goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen.

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "We Want The Cup" shirt in your team's colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP - Columbus Crew
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

The goal leveled the teams at halftime, 1-1, leaving the Crew with another 45 minutes to find a way through.

They didn’t have to wait long.

Just seven minutes into the second half, Rodriguez once again provided the dead ball.

The Uruguayan midfielder floated a ball into the penalty area, finding Brais Mendez running into space. Mendez met the service first-time from inside the box, beat Orlando goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, and restored Columbus’ lead.

It was Mendez’s fifth goal in all competitions since joining the Black & Gold, while Rodriguez ended the night with two assists.

Orlando City’s offense suffered a blow just a couple minutes after Columbus’ go-ahead goal when the Lions’ biggest summer signing, Antoine Griezmann, was subbed off due to injury. He was replaced by the club’s other big summer signing, US international Daryl Dike.

The last 35 minutes of the game were very physical, but the Crew’s defense keep the Lions off the scoreboard to secure the club’s fourth straight tournament win, 2-1.

“For me personally, it’s really a special moment,” said Crew head coach Laurent Courtois. “I hope we will make it a special moment for the club, but we have a lot of games before .”

The Crew have advanced to their first Open Cup final since 2010 and will host the championship match on Oct. 21 against St. Louis CITY SC.

Filed Under: 2026 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, Featured Post - Main, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central Tagged With: 2026 US Open Cup, Columbus Crew, Orlando City SC

1935 National Challenge Cup Semifinals: After 29 days, Central Breweries win 3-game Western Final

September 16, 2026 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

Photo: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The Western Final (National Semifinals) of the 1934/1935 National Challenge Cup featured one of Chicago’s best teams from the first 30 years of the tournament against a St. Louis team that would form their own dynasty while some of its players continued the dominance they began 1,100 miles to the East in Fall River, Mass. What was scheduled to be a best of three games series played over three consecutive weeks turned into a five-game marathon encompassing 540 minutes and 29 days and would be one of the more memorable US Open Cup Semifinals in the competition’s history.

The Wieboldt’s Wonderbolts were originally the Bricklayers club from Chicago. Formally known as Bricklayers and Masons FC, the club got its start in 1914. The club participated in the second edition of the National Challenge Cup (1914/1915), falling in a Second Round game played in what was known as White Sox Park. The Bricklayers quickly became one of the strongest teams in the Midwest, though they were only able to reach the National Challenge Cup Final twice in 1928 and 1931. In 1934, the Bricklayers took on the name of Wieboldt’s, a Chicago area department store. “Wonderbolts” is what the store referred to its sale items in their ads.

Central Breweries got their start in 1929 as Hellrungs, sponsored by the Hellrung & Grimm House Furnishing Company. The team had little success under the Hellrung name, and in late 1931 found a new sponsor in Stix, Baer & Fuller, a St. Louis-area department store. In 1932, they would reach the National Challenge Cup Final, losing to the New Bedford Whalers. The core of the Whalers (formerly the Fall River Marksmen) would move to St. Louis in 1933 to join Stix. Future Hall Of Famers Bill McPherson, Werner Nilsen, Billy Gonsalves and Alec McNab would win five straight cup championships together from 1930-34, and Gonsalves and McNab made it six straight in 1935.

The format of the Western Finals was the best-of-three games series, something that was adopted for the Western Final in 1931. Drawn games after extra time would be replayed, which would have a major impact on the length of this series. The best-of-three format was scrapped after 1935 in favor of a more traditional two-leg aggregate goal series.

The teams met before in the 1934 Western Final, with Central (then Stix, Baer & Fuller) coming out on top 2 games to 1. In a year’s time, Werner Nilsen and Bill Watson would leave Stix to defect to the rivals in Chicago. No fewer than six future Hall of Famers were on the field during 1935 series: Werner Nilsen for Wieboldt’s, Jimmy Roe, Bert Patenaude, Billy Gonsalves and Alec McNab for Central, and former Ben Miller FC stand out Jimmy Dunn as one of the linesmen in the games played in St. Louis.

Photo: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Game #1 – March 24, 1935 – Sportsman’s Park – St.  Louis, Missouri

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "Champions" shirt, honoring the five clubs from the pre-Modern Era (1914-1994) to win four or more US Open Cup titles. Visit THECUP.US SHOP
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “Champions” shirt, honoring the five clubs from the pre-Modern Era (1914-1994) to win four or more US Open Cup titles. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

Over 4,000 spectators filed into St. Lous’ Sportsman’s Park for the opening game that Central would win 2-1. Willie McLean and Bert Patenaude scored in the opening half to give Central a 2-0 lead at halftime. It would wind up being the first of three separate 2-0 leads Central would have in the opening half and the only one it would hold on to. McLean was the first to score at the ten-minute mark. Central goalkeeper John Hamm kicked the ball downfield, which found its way to Bert Patenaude, who then crossed to an unmarked McLean who sent a shot out of the reach of Chicago goalkeeper Julius Hjulian. Five years earlier, Patenaude made history as the first player to ever score a hat trick at the World Cup when he scored three goals for the United States against Paraguay in the inaugural tournament in 1930.

Twenty-five minutes later it was Patenaude on the receiving end of a pass, this time from Alec McNab. Patenaude took a shot from just outside the penalty area and into the corner of the goal. The Wieboldt’s avoided the shutout with four minutes remaining when Bob Thompson took a free kick which dipped over the heads of the Central defenders and just under the crossbar. The Central defense shut down Werner Nilsen to the point that he hardly influenced the game.

Game #2 – March 31, 1935 – DePaul Field – Chicago, Illinois 

Game two is what stretched the series out to last nearly a month. The first attempt at the second game was played at Chicago’s DePaul Field a week later. Alec McNab told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch after the first game some Chicago players told the Central players “…that they were going to mop up on us up there in Chicago.” While striker Jimmy Lillie returned to the Wieboldt’s lineup, the home squad were forced to play without two other star forwards, Clem Cuthbert and Jimmy Munro. Central’s lineup was boosted by the return of Jimmy Roe, who had missed the opener due to the death of his father.

The only goals of the game came in the opening half, just minutes apart. Chicago struck first in the 28th minute when Jimmy Lillie scored after working the ball up the field with Hugh Hill and Bob Walker. Two minutes later, Alec McNab scored the tying goal for Central. The Chicagoans had chances from the penalty spot in each half, but each of Bill Watson’s attempts were stopped by Central goalkeeper John Hamm.

Photo: Chicago Tribune

Game #2 Replay – April 6, 1935 – Walsh Memorial Field – St.  Louis, Missouri

Due to Sportsman’s Park being in use by the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, the replay of the second leg was set for an unusual Saturday night 8:15pm kickoff at Walsh Memorial Field in St. Louis. Davie Coutts of Wiebolt’s joined Cuthbert on the injured list, with Munro ready to return to action. Coutts injured a knee during the second game and had to be carried off the field.

Central raced out to a 2-0 lead midway through the first half when Bert Patenaude scored in the 28th minute, then sent a cross to Jimmy Roe a few minutes later to double the lead. About eight minutes before halftime Jimmy Munro crossed over to Bob Walker, who sent a hard shot past Hamm to halve the deficit.

Soon after the restart Jimmie Lillie tied the game off a pass from Werner Nilsen that left Lillie all alone in front of the goal when the Central defense was caught out of position. Central wasted no time regaining the lead when Billy Gonsalves intercepted a header from Hugh Davidson of Wieboldt’s and sent his shot past Chicago goalkeeper Julius Hjulian. Patenaude had a chance to score goal #4 for Central with a penalty kick but sent his shot well over the crossbar.

After assisting on the first tying goal, Nilsen did the honors to level the score once again. Just before full-time Nilsen took a pass from Bob Walker that left him two yards in front of goal, quickly taking a shot before a pair of Central defenders could close in. 30 minutes of scoreless extra time passed, and yet another replay would be needed for the second game.

Photo: St. Louis Globe Democrat

Game #2, Second Replay – April 14, 1935 – Sparta Stadium – Chicago, Illinois

The second replay of the second game was set for Sparta Stadium in Chicago, a pitch that was larger and in better condition than DePaul Field. One major change was that the game was to be played to a finish, meaning additional extra time would be played if the game was still deadlocked after 120 minutes.

Just as they did in the previous game Central jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening half. Billy Gonsalves struck first after 30 minutes, picking up a loose ball 25 yards out and blasting a shot past Hjulian. Bert Patenaude followed with a goal about ten minutes later after a high pass from Alec McNab which was close to being offside.

Wieboldt’s came back again in the second half, this time through a pair of penalty kicks. The first came after Bill Lehman pushed Jimmie Lilie, after which Jimmy Munrocut cut the Central lead in half. About 15 minutes later, Harry Hebbedrger was called for a handball, and Munro once again scored from the spot.

After a scoreless 15 minutes of extra time, Wieboldt’s jumped in front in the 110th minute. Hugh Hill drove a hard shot Hamm, which appeared to be redirected by Central’s Bob Gregg and into the goal. The Chicago club nearly had a fourth goal, but it was nullified by an offside call.

Game #3 – April 21, 1935 – Walsh Memorial Field – St.  Louis, Missouri

With each team holding a win in their pockets after 450 minutes of play over four matches the deciding game was finally at hand. Set for Walsh Stadium in St. Louis, the contest was once again ordered to keep going until one team won in an effort to end the marathon series.

Some off-the-field drama sprung up in the days leading up to Game 3. Wieboldt’s manager Billy Alexander claimed he was assaulted in the hotel room by Phil Riley of the Missouri State Football Association. Riley claimed the only other person in his room that night was his wife and no altercation took place. Referee Dave Evans was also attacked on the field after the last game. Talk of moving Game 3 to a neutral venue was put to rest by USFA Secretary James Armstrong, although police protection was promised for the Chicago club.

Both teams came prepared for a battle, and a battle it was. The St. Louis Star & Times described the game as one of the hardest-fought games seen in the Mound City, with a player knocked to the ground almost every five minutes. Central controlled most of the game, but the stout Wieboldt’s defense kept the Hall of Fame attack of Bert Patenaude, Billy Gonsalves, Alec McNab and Willie McLean at bay.

As the game continued scoreless midway through the second half, it seemed the teams would be destined to play forever. In the 68th minute, Bert Patenaude scored the goal that would ensure the marathon would end. With McLean to the left of the penalty area, he sent a high pass to Patenaude, who was waiting just in front if the goal. As goalkeeper Hjulian came out to try and kick the ball clear, Patenaude was able to outjump the netminder and deflect the ball with the back of his head into the corner of the goal.

Central held on for the remaining 22 minutes and after five games, 540 minutes and 29 days Central Breweries finally won the series two games to one and advanced to the Final, where they would have three more weeks of soccer ahead of them in defeating the Pawtucket Rangers to win their third championship in a row.

AFTERMATH

Wieboldt’s disbanded in mid-1936, and while a Bricklayers team would continue to compete in Chicago until 1947, the club bearing that name would never find prominence again.

Central Breweries would go on to win their third consecutive National Challenge Cup in 1935, defeating the Pawtucket Rangers of the ASL on a 7-6 aggregate over three games. The team would change names again to Shamrocks the following year, but their title reign would stop despite reaching the cup Final two more times in 1936 and 1937. Shamrocks would eventually disband in 1938, ending one of the most dominant runs in American soccer history.

Their run of six consecutive National Challenge Cup Final appearances is still a record, although the Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer came close to matching it with five straight Finals appearances from 2009-2014. St. Louis’ dominance of the Open Cup would lay dormant until the 1950s, when Simpkins Ford Kutis Soccer Club would return St. Louis to the limelight.

Filed Under: Feature - History, Feature - Main, Feature Right - US Open Cup History, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central, US Open Cup History Tagged With: 1935, Central Breweries

2026 US Open Cup Semifinals Preview: After World Cup delay, final four ready to square off

September 14, 2026 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

Photo: Orlando City SC | Graphic: Frank Lanham

After a long summer break for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2026 US Open Cup is ready to resume.

On one side you have two former Open Cup Champions looking for another title in the Columbus Crew and Orlando City SC.

On the other, St. Louis CITY seeks to restore Open Cup glory to a city that once was a regular participant in the Final. Their opponents are the Colorado Rapids, a team trying to reach the Final for the first time since 1999, and put an end to years of Open Cup failure.

The winner of Orlando City / Columbus will host the 111th US Open Cup Final on Oct. 21.

Below you will find a preview of both Semifinal matches:

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SEPTEMBER 16
Columbus Crew (MLS)
vs.
Orlando City SC (MLS)
ScottsMiracle-Gro Field – Columbus, OH
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
WATCH: Paramount+ / CBS Sports Network

The Columbus Crew, looking to return to the Open Cup Final for the first time in 17 years and claim their first championship since 2002, host Orlando City SC, a club who won the Open Cup in their one-and-only championship game appearance in 2022.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Orlando and Columbus met once this year in league play, playing to a 1-1 draw back on April 12 in Columbus. Orlando took a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute. After working the ball up field with a series of passes, Tiago Souza found Marco Pašalić in the middle of the penalty area, and the Croatian beat goalkeeper Patrick Schulte with a shot near the post. 

Orlando held the lead until the 80th minute when Taha Habroune and Diego Rossi teamed up for a give-and-go, with Rossi finishing with a shot to the back of the net.

The Crew and Lions have met just once in the Open Cup, in the 2015 Round of 16, in Orlando’s first MLS season. Brazilian legend Kaká made his Orlando City debut and gave his new team a 1-0 lead after Darwin Ceres stole the ball from a Crew defender, passing to Kaká who beat Crew goalkeeper Brad Stuver. The goal came a minute after Kaká’s free kick goal was nullified for offside.

Thirteen minutes later Carlos Rivas pushed the lead to 2-0 when a loose ball fell to his feet, allowing Rivas to smash a one-time shot past Stuver. In the previous round against the Charleston Battery, Rivas became the first Modern Era player to score three penalty kick goals in a single game

ROAD TO THE QUARTERFINALS

Columbus Crew

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "We Want The Cup" shirt in your team's colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP - Columbus Crew
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

After a two-year absence from the Open Cup, the Crew easily defeated the Richmond Kickers of USL League One, 3-0. Hugo Picard scored the first two Crew goals in the 42nd and 63rd minutes, and Jamal Thiaré finished with a 73rd minute goal.

To get to the Quarterfinals, Columbus dispatched 2025 USL League One champions One Knoxville 4-1. Early on, it seemed like Knoxville would be hard to handle as they tied the game one minute after Hugo Picard’s 10th minute goal. Picard scored again 13 minutes later to give the Crew a 2-1 halftime lead, then midway through the second half Dániel Gazdag and Chase Adams scored to put the game out of reach.

Columbus secured their spot in the Semifinals with a 1-0 win over New York City FC at Columbus. The lone goal came in the 59th minute when Nariman Akhundzada found Arfsten in space and finished past NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese.

Orlando City SC

With the lack of VAR until the Quarterfinals, Orlando City survived a possible upset bid by USL League One’s FC Naples and left with a 1-0 win. Tyrese Spicer scored the lone goal in the 17th minute, but it was in the 70th minute that controversy arose. After a corner kick, a shot from Naples’ Dominick Bachstein appeared to cross the line, but the referee disallowed it. With no VAR in place until the Quarterfinals, Orlando City were able to survive despite being outshot 20-17 by their lower league opponents.

Orlando went from a one-goal squeaker to a seven-goal pinball game in their 4-3 Round of 16 win over the New England Revolution. Orlando City recovered from one-goal deficits three times on goals from Lago Teodoro (31’), Griffin Dorsey (39’) and Justin Ellis (70’). Finally, two minutes into stoppage time Orlando City grabbed the lead when Tyrese Spicer fired a pass to Zakaria Taifi for a point blank shot on goal.

In the Quarterfinals, Orlando blew by their Southern rivals Atlanta United 4-1. The Lions started early with a 4th minute goal from David Brekalo, who headed home a cross from Braian Ojeda. In the 11th minute, it was 2-0 Orlando after Griffin Dorsey tapped in a low cross from Ivan Angulo. The score grew to 4-0 by halftime through a pair of goals from Tiago Souza. In the 24th minute Tiago took advantage of a fumbled clearance from goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert to easily score the third goal. In first half stoppage time, Tiago took a long through ball from Ojeda and easily scored. Latte Lath ruined the clean sheet for Orlando goalkeeper Javier Otero with an 84th minute goal.

LAST APPEARANCE IN THE SEMIFINALS

Columbus Crew

The last Semifinal appearance for Columbus was 16 years ago when the Crew topped D.C. United 2-1 after extra time in the 2010 US Open Cup. D.C. went up 1-0 on a 13th minute penalty by Pablo Hernandez, who was later sent off in the 59th minute. The Crew dramatically drew level in the 89th minute when Andy Iro’s shot deflected off United defender Matthew Burch for an own goal. In extra time Guillermo Barros Schelotto scored on a penalty kick in the 98th minute.

Columbus would go on to lose to Seattle Sounders in the Final 2-1 in what would be the second of Seattle’s three-straight Open Cup titles.

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "We Want The Cup" shirt in your team's colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

Orlando City SC

Of the four Semifinalists, Orlando has reached this point more recently. In 2022 made their second straight appearance in the final four, thrashing New York Red Bulls 5-1 on their way to winning their only Open Cup Championship.

After the Red Bulls took a 1-0 lead in first half stoppage time, the rest was all Orlando. The Lions tied the game just a couple minutes after the Red Bulls goal when Cesar Araujo scored off a corner kick. In the second half, the floodgates opened with goals from Mauricio Pereyra (47’), Araujo (62’), Facundo Torres (75’) 

CURRENT FORM

Columbus Crew

Columbus has been stagnant since the Quarterfinals in May with just three wins and one draw in the 11 MLS games since then. A 3-0 record in the opening stage of the Leagues Cup was followed by seven losses in their last eight games across all competitions. Diego Rossi leads the team with six followed by Wessam Abou Ali with five. Dylan Chambost, Max Afsten and Mohamed Farsi share the assist lead with four each.

Orlando City SC

Since the Quarterfinals, Orlando has moved from just outside the playoff field to 6th place in the Eastern Conference. They are the only club in either conferences’ top 7 with a negative goal difference, allowing 12 more goals than they’ve scored. Orlando is 6-2-2 since the World Cup break and are currently on a five-game unbeaten run. Martin Ojreda leads the way with 11 goals, followed by French star Antione Griezman, who has 8 goals after just 10. Justin Ellis and Ivan Angulo are the clubs assist leaders with 10 and 9 respectively.

The Columbus Crew celebrate their 2002 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup championship at Crew Stadium with the late Lamar Hunt, who the tournament is named after. | Photo: Columbus Crew

Columbus Crew
Major League Soccer | Columbus, OH
23rd US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 1996
Manager: Henrik Rydström
Overall: 28-18-3 (0-3 PK)
Home: 17-6-2 (0-2 PK)
vs. MLS: 10-12-2 (0-2 PK)
Best finish: Champions (2002)

Outside of the Crew’s three Open Cup finals appearances (1998, 2002 and 2010) and lifting the trophy in 2002, Columbus’ Open Cup history is not that great. They hold the third-longest streak in the Modern Era in exiting the tournament after two or fewer games (10, 2011-2022). The Crew return to the Open Cup after a two-year absence, and their last appearance in 2023 broke that string of 10 tournaments where they exited after one or two games.

Orlando City SC 
Major League Soccer | Orlando, FL
15th US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2010
Manager: Martín Perelman (interim)
Overall: 25-13-5 (5-0 PK) | 13-7-5 (5-0 PK) as MLS
Away: 15-5-3 (3-0 PK) | 6-4-3 (3-0 PK) as MLS
vs. MLS: 10-8-2 (2-0 PK) | 7-3-2 (2-0 PK) as MLS
Best finish: Champion (2022)

Orlando City started in 2010 as a USL club, winning USL Pro championships in 2011 and 2013, and finished first or second overall in all four years in the league. In 2015, the club joined MLS but has yet to find consistent league success.

Orlando City SC celebrate the 2022 US Open Cup championship after a 3-0 win over the Sacramento Republic. Photo: Mathieu Starke
Orlando City SC celebrate the 2022 US Open Cup championship after a 3-0 win over the Sacramento Republic. Photo: Mathieu Starke

Orlando City have tasted Open Cup success since their debut as a USL club in 2009, their best run coming in 2013 when they reached the Quarterfinals and upset the Colorado Rapids and Sporting Kansas City along the way. The highlight was the Sporting KC upset when Orlando was forced to play without four key players (including star forward Dom Dwyer), who were loaned to them by Kansas City. Even without those players, they still pulled off the cupset on the road. Open Cup glory continued in their MLS years, reaching the Semifinals in 2019, then finally winning it all in 2022.

SEPTEMBER 16

Colorado Rapids (MLS)
vs.
St. Louis CITY SC (MLS)
DICK’s Sporting Goods Park – Commerce City, CO
WATCH: Paramount+ / CBS Sports Network
Kickoff : 9:30 p.m. ET

St. Louis CITY SC will attempt to not only reach their first ever Open Cup Final but restore cup glory to one of the United States’ historic soccer cities. In their way are the Colorado Rapids, an MLS team who has historically been one of the most inept top tier clubs in the Modern Era.

After losing the 1999 US Open Cup Final to the Rochester Ragin’ Rhinos (A-League), the Rapids began a record streak of 17 consecutive tournaments (2000-2022) where they failed to advance beyond a second game, with eight of those appearances ending after just one game.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Colorado and St. Louis have met twice this season, with CITY winning both games 1-0. The first contest was on May 9 at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO. South Korean international Jeong Sang-bin scored the game’s only goal in the 26th minute after collecting a long goal kick from goalkeeper Roman Bürki. In the 51st minute, the Rapids Rob Holding was shown a straight red card after fouling Simon Becher. With three minutes remaining, St. Louis were reduced to ten men when Chris Durkin earned his second yellow.

The rematch came after the World Cup break on July 25 at Energizer Park in St. Louis. Rob Holding earned another red card in the 12th minute after bringing down Jeong Sang-bin. St. Louis scored the winner in the 83rd minute when Tomas Ostrak received a header from Tomas Totland and scored from the top corner of the penalty area,

ROAD TO THE QUARTERFINALS

Colorado Rapids

The Rapids returned to the Open Cup after a two-year absence and came way with a 1-0 win over the always dangerous Union Omaha from USL League One. Dante Sealy recorded the game’s only goal in the 21st minute, and Colorado held on to advance to the Round of 16.

The Rapids were pushed to penalty kicks in getting past the USL Championship’s Colorado Springs Switchbacks. The teams traded first half goals, with Alexis Manyoma striking first for the Rapids in the 25th minute. A scoreless second half led to extra time, where Georgi Minoungou eventually put Colorado up 2-1 in the 114th minute, only to see the Switchbacks draw level with a 120th minute penalty kick. In the PK shootout, the Rapids made their first four but missed on the fifth, forcing sudden death. After trading misses on attempt No. 6, the Rapids’ Keegan Rosenberry made the seventh after Rapids goalkeeper Nico Hansen saved the Switchbacks attempt.

St. Louis CITY SC

St. Louis CITY had no trouble defeating the visiting FC Tulsa 4-0 in the Third Round. Marcel Hartel (20’) and Jeong Sang-bin (36’) put St. Louis up 2-0 at the half and Mykhi Joyner (61’) and Tomás Ostrák (78’) closed out the scoring in the second half.

St. Louis CITY SC players celebrate with their fans after winning the PK shootout against the Houston Dynamo in the Quarterfinals of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: St. Louis CITY SC
St. Louis CITY SC players celebrate with their fans after winning the PK shootout against the Houston Dynamo in the Quarterfinals of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: St. Louis CITY SC

St. Louis gained their first ever trip to the Quarterfinals by ousting rivals Chicago Fire 2-1 in the Round of 16. After going down 1-0 in the 61st minute, Eduard Löwen assisted on Tomas Totland’s game tying goal in the 71st minute, 12 minutes after coming on as a sub. Löwen then scored the go-ahead goal in the 78th minute. Lowen’s performance earned him a runner-up finish in the voting for TheCup.us Player of the Round.

LAST APPEARANCE IN THE SEMIFINALS

St. Louis CITY SC

While St. Louis CITY is making their debut in the Open Cup Semifinals, the last time ANY team from St. Louis reached this point was in 1988 when Busch Soccer Club defeated the NY Pancyprian Freedoms 3-2. Greg Makowski, long-time member of the Kansas City Comets and St. Louis Steamers indoor teams, scored twice and Gary Amlong added a goal in between Makowski’s. Busch would go on to win the Final over Greek American AC of San Francisco 2-1 after extra time.

1988 US Open Cup champions: Busch SC of St. Louis
1988 US Open Cup champions: Busch SC of St. Louis

Colorado Rapids

How long has it been since the Rapids last reached the Open Cup Semifinals? Only five players on their current roster (Zach Steffen, Rob Holding, Keegan Rosenberry, Youssef Maziz and Reggie Cannon) were born the last time Colorado reached the final four. In 1999, the Rapids made their second ever (and last) Semifinal appearance by defeating the A-League’s Charleston Battery 3-0.

Played at a neutral site in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the clubs played a scoreless opening half before Colorado put three on the board after the break, with Jorge Dely Valdés scoring in the 55th and 87th minute and Paul Bravo in the 82nd. Colorado’s run would end in infamy, as they would become the only MLS club to lose an Open Cup Final to a team a league below them, falling to the Rochester Ragin’ Rhinos 2-0.

CURRENT FORM

Colorado Rapids

Like St. Louis, Colorado has improved their league standing since the Quarterfinals, though not nearly as drastically. The Rapids went from just outside the playoff field to seventh place in the Western Conference, going 6-1-4 in that span. Their 33 goals scored in the bottom half of the league but they have recorded six clean sheets in the eleven games since the Quarterfinals. Rafael Navarro leads the Rapids with 10 goals and Paxton Aaronson’s six assists is one more than teammates Wayne Frederick and Dante Sealy.

Colorado Rapids players celebrate after winning a PK shootout against Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the Round of 16 of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Isaiah J. Downing/Switchbacks FC
Colorado Rapids players celebrate after winning a PK shootout against Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the Round of 16 of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Isaiah J. Downing/Switchbacks FC

St. Louis CITY FC

When St. Louis CITY headed into the Quarterfinals back in May, they were 3-6-4 and in next to last place in the Western Conference. What a difference a summer break can make. CITY is currently on a 15-game unbeaten streak, their last defeat coming back on May 3. The 10 wins and 5 draws now have St. Louis within two points of second place Houston. St. Louis has only managed three clean sheets during the unbeaten run however. Simon Becher and Marcel Hartel lead the team with 7 and 6 goals respectively, and Becher is one assist behind team leader Conrad Wallen’s 6.

Colorado Rapids
Major League Soccer | Commerce City, CO
22nd US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 1995
Manager: Matt Wells
Overall: 18-20-1 (0-1 PK)
Home: 11-2-1 (0-1 PK) 
vs. MLS: 5-10-0
Best finish: Final (1999)

Colorado Rapids We Want The Cup shirt US Open Cup
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

The Rapids are the most snakebit MLS team in terms of Open Cup success. You could call it the “Curse of the Foxes”, since the Rapids Open Cup debut in 1996 was replacing the A-League Colorado Foxes mid-tournament. The Foxes had five players called up by Jamaica for World Cup qualifying and withdrew when they couldn’t get their Quarterfinal game with the Kansas City Wizards rescheduled.

At 16-20-1, they are the only MLS club with more than 20 Open Cup games played to hold an overall record below .500. The Rapids hold the Modern Era record for most consecutive tournaments being eliminated after two or fewer games at 17 (2000-2022). While the Rapids have reached an Open Cup Final in 1999, they are the lone MLS team to lose the Final to a lower division club, the A- League Rochester Raging Rhinos.

In MLS play, the Rapids have won one MLS Cup Championship in 2010 and were playoff regulars in their early years. Recent seasons have been a struggle, missing the playoffs three of the last four seasons.

St. Louis CITY FC 
Major League Soccer | St. Louis, MO
3rd US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2023
Manager: Yoann Damet
Overall: 5-2-0
Away: 1-2-0
vs. MLS: 2-2-0
Best finish: Fifth Round / Round of 16 (2025)

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In the Modern Era, St. Louis’ Open Cup record has been a bit more modest. The St. Louis Lions of the PDL (now USL League Two) appeared in 2008 and 2009, failing to win a game. AC St. Louis was the first pro team in the Modern Era, making just one run in 2010, reaching the Third Round.

The most successful club was Saint Louis FC of the USL, making five appearances from 2015-2019, making a run to the Quarterfinals in 2019, where they upset both the Chicago Fire (2-1) and FC Cincinnati  (1-0) before losing to eventual champion Atlanta United FC 2-0.

The last St. Louis club to reach the Final was Busch SC in 1988. St. Louis was first represented in the Cup in 1920, with Ben Miller SC defeating Fore River FC 2-1 for the city’s first championship. St. Louis clubs would reach the final from 1920 to 1924.

Stix, Baer & Fuller (aka Central Breweries and Shamrocks SC) reached the Final six straight times from 1932-1937, a feat unmatched in Open Cup history.

Filed Under: 2026 US Open Cup, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central Tagged With: 2026 US Open Cup, Preview

2027 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1 Review: Path to 112th tournament begins

September 14, 2026 by TheCup.us Staff

Graphic: Frank Lanham | Photo: Carlos Hernandez – Black Cat Photography – IG @black_catphoto

With the Semifinals of the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup approaching in a few days, the road to the 2027 US Open Cup already got under way over the weekend. The opening round of the Open Division Local Qualifying tournament for the 2027 competition kicked off with 26 games and one more that was postponed.

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The 26 winners have advanced to the Second Round which is scheduled to take place the weekend of Oct. 3-4.

The game between Potros FC (UPSL) and Buckhead SC (APSL) was supposed to kick off the qualifying tournament on Sept. 12 but heavy rain caused flooding at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Ga. The game has been moved to Sept. 19 at the same location.

Below you will find a brief summary of every game of the First Round.

Graphic by Frank Lanham

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

DC Hyper (UPSL)
3:0
Oranje FC (DC Premier Lg.)

Prince George Community College – Largo, MD
Match Broadcast (YouTube)

By Christian Collins

DC Hyper played a strong 3-0 win over Oranje FC for its first-ever US Open Cup qualifying victory on a cloudy afternoon in Prince George’s County, Md. 

Though the scoreline was lopsided, Oranje FC generated a strong amount of goal scoring opportunities and hit the post twice, but struggled mightily after going down a man in the 55th minute after a straight red card.

DC Hyper’s attack was consistently generating high-quality opportunities throughout the game, with the defense maintaining a clear sheet despite Oranje FC being able to hold large shares of possession and generating scoring chances of their own. Oranje FC goalkeeper Daniel Ordaz was frequently called upon to make saves, while Donatos Ndjami Ngcock was often dangerous attacking DC Hyper’s right side.

The first half started with a quick goal from DC Hyper in under three minutes, with Lucas Telles converting a close-range shot following the very first corner kick of the game. Despite the early concession, Oranje FC held the lion’s share of possession until DC Hyper scored again in the 15th minute. Waylon Vinicius made a quick run through Oranje FC’s defense and forced a save from Daniel Ordaz, but Gabriel Medina put his leg in the way of the Oranje FC clearance attempt just in time to deflect the ball into the net. 

Oranje FC’s day went from bad to worse during the second half. After thinking they scored in the 54th minute in a moment of chaos following a corner, the goal was waved off by the referee for a foul in the box leading to Nathanael Eggleston loudly voicing his displeasure at the official. The very next minute, DC Hyper scored their third goal after captain Luiz Garcia was played through the right side of the box and calmly converted his shot past Ordaz. Eggleston received a straight red card during the goal celebrations after continuing a profanity-laced tirade for the earlier disallowed goal. The game from there fizzled out as both sides had limited subs available, with DC Hyper failing to convert a number of follow-up chances while Oranje FC struggled to generate many opportunities with only 10 men.


Naples United FC (SCL)
5:1
SWFL SC (UPSL)

Seacrest Country Day School – Naples, FL

By Michael Anderer

It was a battle for Southwest Florida supremacy as Naples United FC defeated the newly-formed SWFL SC, 5-1, in the first meeting between the two sides. SWFL SC fielded a weakened roster as four of its key players did not qualify for the Open Cup due to recent US immigration policy changes regarding Haitian refugees. Naples United FC faced their own challenges as weather in the area limited their practice availability coming into the matchup. Naples United’s roster included two recent USL League One players from the inaugural season of FC Naples, in midfielder Chris Heckenberg and defender Gustavo Fernandes.

Both teams showed poise and confidence moving the ball and playing out of pressure in the early minutes of the game. In the 15th minute, Naples opened the scoring as Heckenberg laid a ball outside to Xavier Rimple. The former University of Pennsylvania standout cut inside and placed a strong strike into the bottom near corner past the dive of SWFL’s David Charlotin for a 1-0 lead.

Trailing early in the game was not the only challenge for SWFL as one of their starting midfielders, David Alexander, was forced to leave the game with a leg injury in the 18th minute.  Six minutes later, United captain Jonathan Gonzalez doubled the lead with his first of two goals.

Luck was clearly against SWFL as a save off a corner kick bounced off defender Dyvenson Decime for an own goal in the 30th minute. The home side took a comfortable 3-0 lead into the halftime break. Naples United FC’s coach, Vicente Sandoval, made his first change during the intermission replacing Gustavo Fernandes with Julio Da Costa De Silva.

Knowing their Open Cup run would end with a loss, SWFL SC pushed the game forward and challenged United’s defense but ultimately the risk exposed the SWFL defense. In the 80th minute they conceded a penalty with a tackle at the top of the box. Jonathan Gonzalez coolly stepped up and bested Charlotin with a firm shot down the middle from the spot to make it 4-0.

SWFL SC got a late goal in the 84th minute from their captain, Juan Garcia to bring the score to 4-1, but the celebration would not last long as the homeside netted its fifth and final goal as substitute Gabriel Pisotoni De Oliveira picked up a loose ball in the midfield and blast it into the top corner to seal the game in stoppage time.  

“The team played well, they came together when they needed to,” said Naples United FC’s General Manager, Felipe Pereira. “We have a competitive team and we’re excited about the next round.”

“It was an incredible win, our first win this year in the Open Cup,” said Naples goalkeeper Maykell Ortega. He added that, “unity and playing as a team, playing simple and being creative when they had to,” were keys to dominating the first battle of the region.


Florida Island United FC (UPSL)
2:3
Boca Jrs Miami FC (UPSL)

Oak Grove Park – Miami, FL

By Michael Battista

Boca Jrs Miami FC downed Florida Island United FC, 3-2, in the First Qualifying Round of the 2027 US Open Cup.

Boca got on the board early when Douglas Silveira opened the scoring in the sixth minute. He notched a brace midway through the first half, scoring in the 35th minute to make it 2-0. 

It wasn’t smooth sailing for Boca however. Goalkeeper Jonathan Gleason was shown a straight red card in the 20th minute, meaning a backup keeper needed to take his place. The man advantage didn’t last for Island United though, as they saw a player sent off with a red in the 30th minute as well. The game stayed 10 vs. 10 for the remainder of the match.

In the second half, Miami was graced by a goal from Leonel Milano in the 65th to make it 3-0. The three goals were just enough, holding back Island United after Florida scored two goals through 90 minutes, though they never led or were able to even tie the score. 

United’s inaugural USOC campaign comes to a disappointing end for a side that reached a conference final in the UPSL last season. Miami is ahead of their previous USOC run, with its inaugural campaign ending in one match after a 3-0 loss to Miami United FC.


Croatia Cleveland (NCSL)
1:1
Steel City FC (USL-2)

Mentor HS – Mentor, OH
Steel City wins 4-3 on penalties
Match Broadcast (YouTube)

By Tim Abbott

It took longer than they probably expected, but USL League Two Central Conference Semifinalist Steel City FC advanced in the playoffs at the expense of Open Cup veterans Croatia Cleveland for the second year in a row, winning 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. 

Croatia took the lead against the run of play through Marco Valentic just before halftime after stealing a clearance by Steel City goalkeeper Garret Watson, then outmaneuvering a Steel City defender to beat Watson.

Players from Steel City FC (right) and Croatia Cleveland battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2027 US Open Cup Qualifying tournament. Photo: Carlos Hernandez – Black Cat Photography – IG @black_catphoto
Players from Steel City FC (right) and Croatia Cleveland battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2027 US Open Cup Qualifying tournament. Photo: Carlos Hernandez – Black Cat Photography – IG @black_catphoto

The visitors only took two minutes after halftime to level the score through Sam Boehm. After stealing the ball at midfield, Nathan Prex dished off to Boehm who placed a shot just inside the post that left Croatia goalkeeper Marjio Musa frozen. 

Steel City dominated extra time without breaking through, as Watson started the penalty shootout on the right foot by saving the opening attempt by Croatia’s Marco Valentic. Each team then converted their remaining PKs. After each team made their next three, Croatia goalkeeper Marjio Musa stepped up to the spot, but his shot was saved by Watson. On Steel City’s final shot, Gabriel Norris converted to put his club into the next round.

PK Shootout summary

Croatia – Marco Valentic (SV), Ben Truax (G), Michael Derezic (G), Danny Kalic (G), Marijo Musa (SV)

Steel City – Nicholas Graeca (G), Anass Hadran (G), Cameron Territo (G), Owen Christopher (SV), Gabriel Norris (G)

Players from Steel City FC celebrate after defeating Croatia Cleveland in the First Round of the 2027 US Open Cup Qualifying tournament. Photo: Carlos Hernandez – Black Cat Photography – IG @black_catphoto
Players from Steel City FC celebrate after defeating Croatia Cleveland in the First Round of the 2027 US Open Cup Qualifying tournament. Photo: Carlos Hernandez – Black Cat Photography – IG @black_catphoto

Bowleys Athletic (UPSL)
4:1
MSI (UPSL)

Eastern Regional Park – Middle River, MD
Match Broadcast (YouTube)

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Bowleys Athletic made a statement in their Open Cup qualifying debut, cruising past their UPSL DMV North rivals MSI, 4-1.

Bryson Baker put Bowleys up 1-0 in the 8th minute after Peter Gansallo connected with him at the top of the penalty area. Bowleys extended the lead to 3-0 before halftime. In the 31st minute Blake Hoskins was brought down in the box after a pass from Gansallo, and Greg Adams stepped up to convert the spot kick. Three minutes later Adams fed Baker on a breakaway for Bowleys’ third goal.

Just after the break, MSI put themselves back in the game when Fomujang Chunga headed in a long pass to make it 3-1. Bowleys made the MSI comeback a short one when in the 69th minute Adams scored his second goal off a volley from Chee-Behn Wesseh, putting Bowleys up 4-1. The loss stops MSI’s bid of repeating last year’s run in which they reached the Final Round of qualifying before falling to Virginia Dream 2-0 after extra time.


Florida Badgers FC (UPSL)
1:0
Red Force FC (PFL)

Broward College – Pembroke Pines, FL
Match Broadcast (YouTube)

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

In a battle of 2026 Open Cup qualifiers, the UPSL’s Florida Badgers needed a single goal to end Red Force FC’s bid for a 6th Open Cup appearance. Florida won the game 1-0 in Pembroke Pines, Fla. 

After a scoreless opening half Dave Don blasted a shot from the top corner of the penalty area, leaving the Red Force goalkeeper motionless. Don recorded an assist in the Badgers near-upset of the Charleston Battery in the 2026 First Round this past March. 

Badgers goalkeeper Marc Barthelmy picked up the clean sheet and was also in goal in the game versus the Battery. The loss ends Red Force’s two-year streak of reaching the final qualifying round, while the Badgers move on in an attempt to return to the Open Cup after their debut in 2026.


Swarm FC (USL-2)
5:0
Prima FC (APSL)

Marathon Soccer Park – Austell, GA
Match Broadcast (YouTube)

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

In a battle of two clubs making their qualifying debut, Swarm FC of USL League Two dominated Prima FC of the APSL, 5-0.

Swarm jumped in front after 15 minutes on an own goal from Prima when a pass deflected off a defender and into the goal. Three minutes later, the lead grew to 2-0 when Daniel DeLeon buried a shot from the top of the penalty area. As stoppage time began at the end of the first half Rodrigo Lopez streaked past a couple Prima defenders and scored after his initial shot was blocked.

Handicapped by playing with no players on its bench, Prima was shown no mercy from the USL League Two side. In the 68th minute, second-half sub Matheus Brandao blasted a shot from about 25 yards out to make it 4-0 Swarm. The final nail in the coffin came at 75 minutes when Segun Afolabi snuck a shot between the legs of Prime goalkeeper Mitchell Barry.


Lansdowne Yonkers FC (APSL)
1:0
New York Athletic Club (APSL)

Tibbetts Park – Yonkers, NY
Match Broadcast (YouTube)

By Dave Einhorn

Lansdowne Yonkers defeated New York Athletic Club 1-0 on Saturday night in the opening round of the 2027 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. The game was deadlocked at 0-0 for much of the match. Both clubs had opportunities on breakaways, and each keeper made tremendous saves.

In the end, it was Seamus Keogh’s free kick that separated the two sides. It started with Musa Bala Danso’s distraction as he stood near the four-man wall in front of the New York Athletic’s goalkeeper, player and manager Vasilios Dimopoulos. Keogh placed his shot perfectly where Danso had been standing, and thus Dimopoulos went the wrong way and was tricked into letting it fly in untouched.

“I think I was fortunate that it went on target. I think we probably deserved it, but I don’t think we were anywhere up to our standards,” said goal scorer Seamus Keogh after the match.


Temecula FC (UPSL)
5:0
Problems FC (NISA Nation)

Chaparral HS – Temecula, CA
Match Broadcast (YouTube)

By Myles Hartwell

A very one-sided match saw Temecula FC cruise past Problems FC to keep the club’s qualifying dreams alive in a 5-0 win. Temecula dominated possession from the jump. All that time on the ball paid off with an early screamer of a goal from Beto Renteria in the sixth minute. The dominance continued throughout the first half.

In the 16th minute, Diego Valle made it 2-0 with a miraculous goal straight from a throw-in. Valle ended the first half with another goal to complete his brace and a 3-0 advantage.

Throughout the first half, the gap in quality was clear. Problems FC just couldn’t get a foothold in the game. They couldn’t retain possession and get out of their own half. Temecula’s press was relentless. Problems had to resort to the long ball, but even that couldn’t solve their on the ball issues. The second half was more of the same. Temecula kept up their press and Problems couldn’t figure out how to break it. Hoofing long balls to the halfway line wasn’t cutting it. The severe lack of ball retention plagued Problems for the rest of the match. Misplaced passes and mistakes in their own half did not help their efforts. 

Frustration set in for Problems. Fouls became more frequent in the second half. It eventually boiled over with a red card for Problem’s Anthony Caudillo. Once Problems went down to 10 men, it truly felt like the game had fully passed them by. All their fight and willingness to attack was gone. Temecula bagged two more goals in the second half via Noah Mabra and Ronaldo Fernandez.

Temecula was on a different level as Valle was the standout player. On top of his two goals, his creativity and work off the ball did not go unnoticed. Overall, a very imposing performance to build from as Temecula FC looks to overcome their 2024 heartbreak to reach the US Open Cup for the first time.


Chicago Strikers (UPSL)
1:1
Ethos United (UPSL)

Marmion Academy – Aurora, IL
Ethos United advances, 4-3 on penalty kicks
Match Broadcast (YouTube)

By Tom Arnison

It took Kicks from the Spot for Ethos United to advance past fellow UPSL Midwest Conference opponent Chicago Strikers in Round 1 of Open Division Qualifying.

Ethos would take the lead early in the contest after the ball took a weird bounce off the turf and struck a Strikers defender’s hand inside their own box. Forward Enrique Gudino would send the Strikers’ keeper the wrong way to put his side up 1-0. Continuing to press, Ethos would mount the pressure and create roughly twice as many attacking chances as the Strikers.

Momentum would shift briefly in the 20th minute when Strikers midfielder Parker Gawne would steal the ball in his offensive half. With a 4-on-2 breakaway, Gawne would feed left-winger Dominick Godde into the box. Gawne took one touch inside to create a better angle before curling the ball past the Ethos keeper and into the top right corner of the goal.

Ethos keeper Alex Ortiz would make a big save in the 27th minute, denying the Strikers’ right-winger with his feet from close range. The follow-up shot would be blocked by a defender before being cleared to safety.

Ethos’ early dominance would disappear in the second half with the game tied at 1-1. Parker Gawne and fellow midfielder Sergio Reyes would refine their tiki-taka approach, providing their side with the bulk of possession in the second half. Both sides served up plenty of crosses, but few resulted in any real chances. The match would head to extra time.

With tired legs on both sides, it would be the substitutes who provided some spark in the final 30 minutes. Strikers forward Danny Al-Fanek would provide good hold-up play for his side and nearly get on the end of a few crosses sent into the box. Ethos substitute left-winger Bryan Alvarez would provide pace down the touchline, putting Strikers defender Ryan Barry on skates on more than one occasion. Neither was able to give their side the lead, so the game would head to Kicks from the Spot to determine a winner.

The Strikers would shoot first in the shootout, but fail to capitalize. Sergio Reyes would shoot to Alex Ortiz’s right, with Ortiz making a fantastic diving save at full extension to give his side the advantage. Ortiz would also save the Strikers’ fourth kick, parrying the ball up into the air with an extended leg. After looping in the air, the ball would hit the turf and bounce backward toward the net, only to hit the post before falling behind the net. The final score of the shootout would be 4-3 in favor of Ethos.


STG Premier FC (SWPL)
5:0
Be Pro FC (SWPL)

Snow Canyon HS – St. George, UT

By Jim Coppock

In a battle of Open Cup debutantes, STG Premier FC and BePro FC, both from the Southwest Premier League, met in St. George, Utah Saturday evening. Hosts STG Premier are coming off a solid Spring season, finishing with 7-3-0 with one of those losses by forfeit to BePro FC. This match ended up a one-sided affair as STG Premier raced out to a 4-0 halftime lead en route to a 5-0 win.

Alvaro “Tito” Garcia got his side in front in the ninth minute from a loose ball in front. Issa Hamed Kone was 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper but lost possession. The ball found Garcia for the 1-0 lead and the first of his two goals.

Zack Trimming was the beneficiary of a parried ball from a Tyson Nguyen free kick to make it 2-0 in the 33rd; the first of his two goals. The last five minutes of the half saw the game get put out of reach. Garcia got his second goal in the 40th minute. Trimming settled a long ball out of the back and found Garcia who was running at goal to make it three. In the 44th, Kone ran onto a ball at the left post, outrunning a BePro defender and the goalkeeper, to tap home for 4-0 at the break.

Trimming completed his brace in the 50th minute from a long ball by Daniel Brubaker to make it 5-0. The rest of the game was a back and forth ground battle, but no serious chances by either side. BePro went down to 10 men in the 82nd, when Juan Luis Sanchez was shown red, but the hill was already much too big to climb for the visitors. 


Sin City FC (NISA Nation)
2:1
Las Vegas United FC (SWPL)

Mater Academy East – Las Vegas, NV
Match Broadcast (YouTube)

By Connor Bunnell

Saturday night ended in a battle of Open Cup qualifying debutantes, as NISA Nation side Sin City came down from suburban North Las Vegas into the city proper and took out the Southwest Premier League’s Las Vegas United, 2-1.

After a mostly unproductive first half in both directions, Sin City broke through first, with Frederico setting up Roberto Soto in the 43rd minute. United responded by storming out of the gate in the second half and forcing some close calls, which paid off in the form of a penalty earned in the 62nd minute. Three minutes later, Lamar Hayes successfully kicked it in, putting the Villarreal Academy LV affiliates back on level terms.

However, that itself only lasted another three minutes before Frederico found Soto again, doubling their respective assist and goal tallies for the night as Sin City got back in front. Despite Marthyn Herrera earning a red card in the 90th, forcing the suburbanites to knuckle down through stoppage time, the score held and Sin City advanced.


SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

Peachtree FC (APSL)
4:5
Kalonji Pro-Profile (UPSL)

Mount Paran Christian School – Kennesaw, GA
Match Broadcast (YouTube)

By Tim Abbott

In this metro Atlanta derby, it was the club from Gwinnett County that advanced from a back-and-forth slugfest, seeking to continue their journey towards a second consecutive US Open Cup berth.

Defense was optional. Kalonji Pro Profile scored first in the 7th minute with Zain W Hylton scoring the first of his four goals on the day. It was the second time he reached the mark in two matches. Pedro Marinho equalized for Peachtree in the 20th minute and then put his team ahead 10 minutes later.

Hylton equalized for KPP in the second minute of first half stoppage time to send the game deadlocked into the halftime break.

Hylton’s hat trick arrived, and with it another Kalonji lead, in the 65th minute. Only two minutes later it was 4-2 when Hylton scored his fourth. Peachtree FC pulled within one in the 77th minute but Savik Morton scored Kalonji’s fifth and final goal. PFC made it 5-4 from the penalty spot in the 85th minute but that’s as close as they would get in the first round’s 9-goal thriller.. 

Graphic: Frank Lanham

Southern Indiana Guardians FC (UPSL)
1:3
Mockingbird Valley Premier (OVPL)

Woehrle Athletic Complex – Jeffersonville, IN
After Extra Time
Match Broadcast (YouTube)

By Zach Allen-Kelly

Mockingbird Valley Premier crossed the river to bring home a 3-1 extra time win in their first-ever Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifying appearance Sunday against Southern Indiana Guardians.

The game started with a flurry of activity for the 2026 Ohio Valley Premier League champions, who were denied by the crossbar twice in the opening 20 minutes.  In what would be a theme for the night, the Guardians responded with a quick counter attack in the 21st minute, but the first shot of the afternoon for the home team was a bit wide.

A 39th minute penalty kick goal from former Louisville City wing Richard Ballard gave Mockingbird Valley the first lead of the night. The lead was short lived though, with the Guardians equalizing only two minutes later on a quick strike from forward Maximus LeRoy.

The game entered halftime even at 1-1 and not much would change in the next 45 minutes.  Mockingbird Valley continued to control possession, but were unable to break through the Guardians defense in the final third, and the home team were quick to capitalize on any Mockingbird mistakes with a counter.  In the end, defense won the day in the second half, with the 1-1 scoreline holding through the end of regulation and sending the game to extra time to determine who would make it to the next round.

After playing the first 90 minutes to a stalemate, Mockingbird was able to quickly put the game away in extra time with a pair of goals in the 91st and 96th minutes from Igor Ibrahimovic and Dylan Tufty. Guardians fought hard but the two goal lead was too much for the Jeffersonville side to overcome, sending Mockingbird on to the next round of qualification with a 3-1 victory.


Five Rivers SC (UPSL)
1:4
SC Vistula Garfield (APSL)

Joseph Medwick Park – Carteret, NJ
Match Broadcast (YouTube)

By Michael Battista

Four unanswered goals in the second half propelled SC Vistula Garfield past Five Rivers SC, 4-1, and into the Second Qualifying Round. On a humid evening in Carteret, playing on top of a sweltering artificial turf in front of just under 60 fans (57 total), the Polish heritage side overcame a much younger, hungrier group in a game that included a DJ blasting music in a public sports complex. The side from the American Premier Soccer League is one step closer to returning to the US Open Cup, after a solid performance earlier this year in a Round 1 defeat to One Knoxville.

Things didn’t start well for Vistula, who had players arriving late for the game. The team started the match with 10 men, as their eleventh, Emiland Elezaj, sprinted across the pitch just as the opening half was about to kick off (He entered in the fourth minute). That man advantage and their opponent’s weak warmup allowed Five Rivers to take early control of the match. While things settled, the home side still pulled ahead in the 40th minute thanks to a Corrado Carbone Jr. goal from right in front of the net.

After a passionate halftime heater from some of the players, Vistula turned it on. A foul in the Fall River box sent Elezaj to the spot in the 67th (hand motion), allowing him to convert and make it 1-1. Two minutes later in the 69th minute, a throw-in by Vistula made its way into the box where Gabriel Costa pulled off a sensational bicycle kick to score and put his team ahead, 2-1.

Five Rivers pushed their lines up looking for an equalizer but that allowed Garfield the chance to seal it. Goals in the 86th and the second minute of stoppage time by John McGeechan and Martin Czovek, respectively, put the game out of reach for the home side.

“It’s a huge confidence boost,” player coach Christopher Karcz said after the game. “The past few years, historically, we’ve kind of gotten off to a slower start than normal. You saw today, it kind of happened in the first half, but, a real great second half, fighting coming down from 1-0. Like a game that really matters – you know, one loss and you’re done.

“(The guys) showed great, great character, some quality in the second half, so yeah, amazing, amazing boost for our confidence.”

Highlight

SC Vistula Garfield’s Gabriel Costa pulls off a bicycle kick to put his team ahead of Five Rivers SC in the 2027 US Open Cup First Qualifying Round | Credit: Five Rivers SC

Arlington SA Pro (UPSL)
0:2
Virginia Dream FC (UPSL)

Thomas Jefferson HS – Alexandria, VA
Match Broadcast (YouTube)

By Evan Konigsberg

Virginia Dream continued its recent dominance in US Open Cup qualifying on Sunday night, defeating Arlington SA Pro 2-0 in a battle of UPSL teams. The win was the Dream’s sixth win from six US Open Cup Qualifying Round matches.

Virginia cashed in from a set piece early in the first half. A deep free kick from Diarra Zoumana found Jake Campbell who headed home to give Dream a 1-0 lead. The visitors kept Arlington at bay for the rest of the first half. 

Dream doubled the lead in the 73rd minute after a bit of controversy. The ball went out wide, and Arlington defenders pulled up thinking the ball had gone out of bounds. The linesman did not raise his flag and Dream played on, scoring from the chance they went on to create. Emmanuel Akinkoye received a lay off from Zoumana, finishing off the post and in to double the lead as they held on to the clean sheet.


Akron City FC (USL-2)
4:3
Lorain County Leviathan FC (USL-2)
ForeFront Field – Avon, OH
Match Broadcast (YouTube)

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

In a battle of USL League Two Great Forest division rivals, Akron City seemed to end the game before it started, only to see the Lorain County Leviathan stage a near comeback.

Akron City wasted no time in putting Lorain County in a deep hole, racing out to a 2-0 lead on a pair of goals from Tamas Nagy. Thirty seconds into the game, Lazar Ivanis stole the ball from a Leviathan defender then sent a pass into the middle of the box for Nagy to easily beat goalkeeper Zoltan Nagy, Just three minutes later, Jannis Schmidt dribbled into the box with multiple Leviathan defenders around him and managed to pass to Nagy for his second goal in three minutes. In an interesting twist, Leviathan goalkeeper Zoltan Nagy is Tamas’ brother and both played with the NPSL’s Cleveland SC in 2025. Akron extended its advantage to 3-0 when Ali Alomari slipped a shot past a sprawling Nagy, who got a touch on the ball but could not stop the shot

In the 61st minute, Lorain County began its comeback when Ryan Sommerfield stole a pass in the Akron City end and found a streaking Julien Freeman who shot past goalkeeper Paval Majerle. Tamas Nagy had a golden opportunity for goal #3 in the 66th minute when he found himself one-on-one with his brother Zoltan, but stumbled before he could get a shot off. In the 73rd minute, the lead was cut to 3-2 when Landon Kuhn received a pass that kept him just onside and Kuhn was able to easily put a shot in goal.

Freeman almost had the equalizer for Lorain County in the 77th minute when he found himself one-on-one with Majerle, but Freeman’s shot went straight at the goalkeeper. In the 81st minute, the Leviathan had a close call followed by disaster. Akron’s Julio Espinoza got past a charging Zoltan Nagy, and his header seemed destined to cross the goal line until defender Elek McDonald was able to make a sliding clearance. On the ensuing throw-in, Ali Alomari managed to dribble across the penalty area and slot home a shot to make it 4-2.

Unwilling to concede defeat. Lorain County clawed back yet again in the 87th minute when Freeman received a through ball that kept him onside and got his shot past sliding Majerle. In the end it was too little too late as the clock ran down on Lorain County’s efforts to find an equalizer and force extra time. For the second year in a row, Akron City advanced past their opening game.


Doradus FC (UPSL)
2:1
Northern Virginia FC (APSL)

West Springfield HS – West Springfield, VA
Match Broadcast (YouTube)

By Clement Williams

On a wet night in West Springfield, the UPSL’s Doradus FC and APSL’s Northern Virginia FC battled through a back-and-forth and often contentious intrastate US Open Cup qualifier.

Torrential pre-game rain gave way to a rainbow just before kickoff, and yet, the turf’s wet condition continued to set the stage for the thrills and spills we would see across the 120 minutes of regular and extra time.

NoVa FC tended to control possession from the back and through the midfield. On the other end, Doradus FC’s direct play, particularly through their right winger and captain Collins Frimpong, continually kept the visitors’ defense occupied.

As far as difference-makers, Eleven was apparently the lucky number on the day. Both sides’ number 11s scored the goals and were instrumental to their team’s respective attacks. 

It was the aforementioned Doradus #11, Collins Frimpong, who opened the scoring, albeit against the run of play. His impressive run down the right wing was topped off with a clinical finish. Meanwhile, after a few NoVa chances went uncapitalized, a tough tackle in the box yielded a penalty, at the cost of sidelining NoVa’s Alton West. It was then #11 and continual dangerman Gyuwon Chong who leveled the score from the corresponding spot kick.

Thereafter, there proved not much to split the two sides. The second half’s assorted fouls, injuries, substitutions, and various controversies proved enough to carry the tense affair into extra time. 

Some remarked it seemed inevitable the game would come down to penalties, a prophecy that proved at least half-true, when five minutes into extra time, NoVa FC keeper Theodore Kolasky had no chance but to bring down Doradus’ counter-attacking forward David Cole. Frimpong, Doradus’ captain, dispatched the corresponding penalty to top off an impressive performance: one unfortunately punctuated with acute cramping towards the final whistle after his 100+ prior minutes of hard running. 

NoVa FC will go home feeling perhaps a little hard done by, having had so many unrealized opportunities: most notably, a disallowed bicycle kick. In the end, however, it was ultimately Doradus’ determination that got them over the line and into the next round.

Doradus FC v NoVa FC (Northern Virginia FC) 2027 Qualifying Round 1 match with a rainbow during pregame.
A double rainbow on a US Open Cup Qualifying gameday? Can’t get much better. | Credit: ???

Tennessee United SC (UPSL)
0:6
Tennessee Tempo FC (UPSL)

Drakes Creek Park – Hendersonville, TN

By Josh Hakala

The battle of Tennessee in the opening round of the Open Division qualifying tournament for the 2027 US Open Cup was a one-sided affair. Tennessee Tempo FC defeated Tennessee United 6-0 in Hendersonville.

Tempo FC didn’t take long to take control of the match. About 15 minutes in, Omarian Obrian delivered a corner kick and Medina Scarlett scored at the near post. Not long after, Mario Rodriguez made a run down the left wing, cut inside to the right and beat the goalkeeper just inside the near post to give Tempo FC a 2-0 lead.

Obrian would score a very similar goal to give his team a three-goal lead around the 33rd minute, followed by a half-volley from about 30 yards out by Mike Rozkhov.

After halftime, Nico Riveros chested a ball down to a volley outside the box. Mario Rodriguez would add his second goal to round out the scoring.

With the win, Tempo FC advances to the next round as the 2026 UPSL Spring champions seek to qualify for the US Open Cup for the second straight year.


Graphic: Frank Lanham

UFA Lawrenceville (UPSL)
0:6
Terminus FC (ADASL)

Rhodes Jordan Park – Lawrenceville, GA

By Josh Hakala

Terminus FC earned their first US Open Cup qualifying win in three tries with a 6-0 victory over UFA Lawrenceville.

Akani Agbaje opened the scoring for Terminus with two goals in the first 34 minutes (9’, 34’). Colin Vogel added a third in the 37th minute as the visitors went into the halftime break with a 3-0 lead.

Jean Malilo would put the game away in the second half with a hat trick.  


Timbers SC (MPL)
0:6
FC Denver (CPL)

David A. Lorenz Regional Park – Highlands Ranch, CO

By Ian McClintock

FC Denver turned a tight opening-round contest into a rout Sunday night, defeating Timbers SC 6-0 in the first round of the 2027 US Open Cup qualifying tournament.

The match shifted decisively in the 36th minute when the Timbers goalkeeper was shown a red card, leaving his side to play the remainder of the night with 10 men. FC Denver capitalized just before halftime as Roque Flores broke through in the second minute of stoppage time, sending Denver into the break with a 1-0 advantage.

The floodgates opened almost immediately after the restart. Marko Isakovic doubled Denver’s lead in the 47th before Lorenz Hoover made it 3-0 nine minutes later. Joshua Guzman joined the scoring in the 72nd minute, then struck again in the 80th minute to complete his brace and put the result beyond doubt.

Hoover added his second goal in the 89th minute, completing a six-goal performance that sent FC Denver comfortably into the next round of qualifying. Denver maintained its composure after the pivotal red card, pairing a clean sheet with five second-half goals in a commanding start to its US Open Cup journey as the club seeks a third trip to the competition and the first since 2019.


Osner’s FC (UPSL)
3:2
American Soccer Club NY (NPSL)

Floyd Bennett Sports Complex – Brooklyn, NY
Match Broadcast (YouTube)

By Connor Bunnell

After a valiant back-and-forth Brooklyn brawl, UPSL side Osner’s FC emerged victorious in a 3-2 result over NPSL side American Soccer Club NY.

There was plenty of action from the jump, including a near clearance-turned-goal moment in the 11th, but the first breakthrough came in the 27th minute when an Osner’s free kick by Haitian defender Denilson Pierre deflected into the net. Nine minutes later, American deployed a mix of speed, power, and placement to level it again, keeping things where they’d be for the rest of the first half.

In the 56th, Osner’s took the lead once again with a rocket of a strike towards the far post by Sully Corneille. But they’d enjoy that lead for only four minutes, as American scored a free kick of their own, this one going in by itself. The deadlock held for most of the rest of the half, with some heroic work from ASC’s man in net, but in the 86th minute, another Osner’s banger, this time by Joel Favard, went past, the near post, and that proved to be the game winner.


Yinz United (SSL)
10:1
Patuxent FA (APSL)

Langley HS – McLean, VA
Match Broadcast (YouTube)

By Jim Coppock

Yinz United hosted Patuxent FA on Sunday in McLean, Va. with both teams taking part in their third qualifying attempt. It would be the hosts who would continue on to the next round, powered by Hamza Moosvi and his five-goal performance in a 10-1 victory. After kickoff was delayed by 38 minutes, the teams took their allotted 15 minutes of warm up and lined up, just to have the lights fail. The lights needed 15 minutes to cool down before relighting.

Hamza Moosvi started the night off with a 24-minute first half hat trick. His first in the 9th minute from a short tap-in, assisted by Fares Tello. The second in the 23rd minute, another tap in, this time from Malik Thom. His first half scoring would finish nine minutes later from the penalty spot after Malik Thom was brought down by the Patuxent Keeper, David Pawlowski. Malik Thom rounded out the scoring in the 42nd minute. Patuxent’s Ralph Garner misplayed a ball in front of his own goal, Thom raced in and slotted it home for the four-goal buffer. It was one-way traffic from there on.

Halftime sub, Jeff Rosenberg, made an immediate impact with a goal and an assist in the first five minutes of the second half. Not before, however, Patuxent put a scare into the hosts, scoring 50 seconds after the restart. Tesfaye Solomon headed home a cross from Abdul-Kadril Adeniji Jr.to cut the deficit to three. Just over two minutes later, Rosenberg raced up the left side and fed Hamza Moosvi at the back post for his fourth goal. Just 73 seconds later, Rosenberg ran on to a bouncing ball that split the Patuxent defense in half, to chip the keeper from the edge of the penalty area and make the score 6-1. Jose Noriega tallied in the 57th on a 29-yard chip shot from Jake Bannon for 7-1. 

Rosenberg got his second assist of the night when he again fed Moosvi for his fifth goal, in the 60th minute, a carbon copy of the 49th minute goal to make it 8-1. Viktor Petrusevski came off the bench and added two goals in the 75th and the 87th. The first a 60-yard run and pretty, bending, low shot after receiving from Michael Kozlovski to go 9-1 up. The nightcap goal came from a breakaway. Moosvi received a pass out of the back, but the keeper forced his run wide. A quick look up saw Petrusevski wide open in front of goal, Moosvi’s pass was tucked away for a 10-1 final score.

Hamza Moosvi had 5 goals and an assist; Viktor Petrusevski had 2 goals and Jeff Rosenberg added a goal and 2 assists on the night. Patuxent is one and done for the third time in three attempts. David Pawlowski had 15 saves in a losing effort. 


Shark Coast FC (USL-2)
2:1
FC Kanks (UPSL)
XL Lake Nona – Orlando, FL

By Taylor George

Shark Coast FC opened up its US Open Cup qualifying debut, edging FC Kanks 2-1 in a competitive first round matchup. 

The Sharks wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. Around the fifth minute forward Adam Benrahou delivered a dangerous freekick to the backpost that Nathan Mansanto converted to give the Sharks an early lead. That advantage held through halftime, sending the Sharks up 1-0. 

FC Kanks came out into the second half hungry and found an equalizer around the 50th minute when forward Blair Dorman found the back of the net to bring Kanks level. 

The match turned scrappy as both teams worked for the winning goal and Wade Stinson emerged as Shark Coast’s hero. His goal in the final minutes of the match secured Shark Coast a memorable victory as they head into the second qualifying round.


StrikerZ DFW (DSA)
1:4
FORO SC (TLFC)

McKinney Boyd HS – McKinney, TX
Match Broadcast (YouTube)

By Josh Hakala (IN PROGRESS!)

FORO SC took the first step toward qualifying for the US Open Cup for the third time in club history with a 4-1 road win over StrikerZ DFW.

It was the home team took the lead in the 8th minute when they were gifted an own goal by Surafel Anks.

Late in the second half, FORO SC equalized, took the lead and ran away with the game. The Dallas-based club scored four straight goals to put themselves into the second round. Brayan Padilla tied the game in the 73rd minute on an assist by Jorge Delgado.

The loss is the third straight one-and-done appearance in the qualifying tournament for StrikerZ.

7:27 OG Surafel Anks

112:30 Brayan Padilla
A- Jorge Delgado

135:33 Sebastian Coronado
A- Brayan Padilla

137:33 Jacob Tekle
A- Daniel Escorcia

141:13 Rafael Rodriguez
A- Daniel Escorcia


Peak Eleven FC (MPL)
4:0
Colorado Rovers (CPL)

Pinnacle Athletic Complex – Thornton, CO
Match Broadcast (YouTube)

By Andrew Mosier

Peak Eleven FC advanced to the second round of US Open Cup qualifying for the second consecutive year on the strength of a Taylor Smyser brace in a 4-0 win Sunday night at a windswept Pinnacle Athletic Complex in Thornton, Colo. 

Miguel Camorlinga and Joseph Mandevani added goals for Peak Eleven FC in the win. 

Smyser put the host side up 1-0 in the 20th minute off a threaded pass from Mandevani which found Smyser streaking to the far post for his first of two goals on the night. 

Camorlinga made it 2-0 in the 35th minute after pinballing into the Rovers penalty area, finishing to the far post from eight yards out. 

Smyser tallied his second of the night in the 61st minute thanks to the hard work of Mandevani, who fought through a hard challenge to find Smyser unmarked in the right channel, who finished coolly to the far post for his brace.

Mandevani took advantage of the numbers Rangers were throwing forward in the final quarter of an hour, leading a two person counter attack with Smyser. Mandevani drew Rovers goalkeeper Ambrose Bryson off his line, deftly chipping from the top of the penalty area to put the game out of reach in the 74th minute. 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
Potros FC (UPSL)
3:1
Buckhead SC (APSL)

Agnes Scott College – Decatur, GA

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Match Broadcast (YouTube)
In the final match of the First Round, postponed from September 12 due the field at Agnes Scott College being too soggy, Potros FC came away 3-1 winners over Buckhead Sc of the American Premier Soccer League.

Potros got the scoring started in the 18th minute when Pedro Valenzuela fed Porfirio Carrasco-Diaz, who then lofted a 25-yard shot which caught the Buckhead goalkeeper off-guard. Just before halftime Potros doubled their lead, Valenzuela was the assist man again, finding Danny Moreira down the left side and then dribbled across the penalty area and placed a shot in the top right corner of the goal.

Buckhead wasted no time after the restart pulling themselves back into the game. In the 49th minute Daniel Duran Gonzalez collected the ball at midfield and sent a pass to a steaking Elad Khaleef Bogle, who touched it past onrushing Potros goalkeeper Cameron Verona, and placed his shot into an empty net.

Potros gave themselves some breathing room in the 80th minute. After a sequence where the ball pinballed in front of the Buckhead goal, Fidel Mba Nsi sent a long pass into the box for Marc “Dadynho” Bineau, who collected it and sent it post the Buckhead goalkeeper for a 3-1 lead.

Potros will face another Atlanta area APSL club in Terminus FC in the Second Round on October 4 at Marietta High School in Marietta, Georgia.

Filed Under: 2027 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, Feature - Qualifying, Featured Post - Main, Featured Post - US Open Cup Qualifying, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central, US Open Cup Qualifying Tagged With: 2027 US Open Cup qualifying

2027 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1 Preview: 27 games kick off tournament this weekend

September 10, 2026 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

Steel City FC players celebrate after scoring a goal against Croatia Cleveland in a 2026 US Open Cup qualifier. Photo: Randy Werner
Steel City FC players celebrate after scoring a goal against Croatia Cleveland in a 2026 US Open Cup qualifier. Photo: Randy Werner

A record 155 teams from 29 states and the District of Columbia are taking part in the Open Division qualifying tournament to determine which 16 teams will join the 16 clubs who have already earned their spot in the 2027 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The 2027 field tops the 146 teams entered in 2026 qualifying, which was a record then as well.

A total of 54 teams will face off in the First Round, with 13 games on Saturday Sept. 12 and 14 on Sunday Sept. 13. The 127 winners from the First Round will join the 101 clubs that received a First Round bye in the Second Round on Oct. 3-4, 2026. The Third Round will take place on Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2026, and the 16 qualifiers will be determined on Nov. 21-22, 2026.

TheCup.us will have live updates, including video links where available from every game of the round on X (Twitter) and Blue Sky.

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

Potros FC (UPSL) 
vs.
Buckhead SC (APSL)
Agnes Scott College – Decatur, GA
Kickoff: 10 a.m. ET
NOTE: This game has been postponed due to the field at Agnes Scott College being flooded.

Potros FC (Powder Springs, GA)

Potros FC returns to qualifying after nearly making the cut in their debut last year, in which they lost to Kalonji Pro-Profile 1-0 in the Final Round. Potros finished 2-4-4 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season

Buckhead SC (Mableton, GA)

Buckhead are making their qualifying debut this year. Buckhead finished 6-1-9 in the 2025-26 APSL Terminus Conference.


Oranje FC (DC Premier Lg.)
vs.
DC Hyper (UPSL)
Prince George Community College – Largo, Md.
Kickoff: 4 p.m. ET

DC Hyper (Washington, D.C.)

DC Hyper returns to qualifying after taking last year off. Their initial qualifying run for the 2025 Cup ended after their opening game. After taking the first half of 2026 off Hyper has returned for the 2026 UPSL Fall season.

Oranje FC (Rockville, MD)

Oranje FC are making their second qualifying appearance after debuting last year, which ended after losing their opening game. Oranje FC finished the 2026 DC Premier League Spring season 8-0-2, and won the DCPL playoff Final.


SWFL SC (UPSL)
vs.
Naples United FC (SCL)
Seacrest Country Day School – Naples, FL
Kickoff: 5 p.m. ET

SWFL SC (North Fort Myers, FL)

SWFL SC are making their qualifying debut this year. SWFL SC took part in the UPSL Florida Summer Cup and began play in the 2026 UPSL Fall season.

Naples United FC (Naples, FL)

Naples United return to qualifying after a year off. Their previous appearances in 2023 and 2025 ended after just one game. Naples United played in the NPSL from 2017-2025. The club played in the Sunshine Conference Soccer League this past summer and began play in the 2026 UPSL Division 1 Fall season.


Boca Jrs Miami FC (UPSL)
vs.
Florida Island United FC (UPSL)
Oak Grove Park – Miami, FL
Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. ET

Boca Jrs. Miami FC (Margate, Fla.)

Boca Jrs. Miami FC are making their second ever qualifying attempt after their debut last year, which was halted after one game by a 3-0 loss to Miami United FC. Boca finished 6-2-5 in the 2026 Spring UPSL Division 1 season.

Florida Island United FC (Miami, FL)

Florida Island United FC are making their qualifying debut. Island United played in the United States Soccer League during the Spring & Summer of 2026, reaching the South Florida Final. The club is playing in the 2026 UPSL Division 1 Fall league in the same division as Boca Jrs Miami FC.


Steel City FC (USL-2)
vs.
Croatia Cleveland (NCSL)
Mentor HS – Mentor, OH
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET

Steel City FC (Pittsburgh, PA)

Steel City earned their first Open Cup bid in 2024 their performance in the 2023 NPSL season and secured a spot in the 2026 tournament with a 3-2 win over Croatia Cleveland. Steel City moved to USL League Two in 2025, In their first three seasons, Steel City played under the name Pittsburgh Hotspur. Steel City finished 9-3-0 in the 2026 USL League Two Great Forest Division and reached the Central Conference Semifinals.

Nick Graeca and Sam Boehm of Steel City FC celebrate after scoring a goal against Croatia Cleveland in a 2026 US Open Cup qualifier. Photo: Randy Werner

Croatia Cleveland (Eastlake, OH)

Croatia Cleveland are back in qualifying for a second year in a row. Known alternately as American Croatian and Croatian Rebels over the years, Croatia Cleveland got its start in 1957 and was a regular participant in the Open Cup from the 1960s to the 1990s Croatia’s most successful Open Cup run came in 1975 when they reached the national semifinals, falling to Inter Giuliana of New York City 1-0 after extra time. Croatia Cleveland will be looking for revenge after losing to Steel City in the Final Round last year.

MORE: Checkered Roots and Family Ties: Croatia Cleveland’s U.S. Open Cup Renaissance (US Soccer)


MSI (UPSL)
vs.
Bowleys Athletic (UPSL)
Eastern Regional Park – Middle River, MD
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

MSI (Rockville, MD)

MSI are making their third consecutive qualifying run. Last year MSI reached the final round where they lost to Virginia Dream FC 2-0 after extra time. MSO finished 6-3-1 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season.

Bowleys Athletic (Bowleys Quarters, MD)

Located a half hour to the East of Baltimore on the Chesapeake Bay, Bowleys Athletic are making their qualifying debut this year. Bowleys finished 8-1-1 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season.

Bowleys and MSI are two teams who are very familiar with one another, having met three times since April in UPSL play. The first game was on April 25 with Bowleys coming out 3-0 winners. Game #2 came a month later and this time MSI took the honors with a 4-2 victory. Finally near the beginning of the Fall season, on Aug. 22 Bowleys took the rubber match, 4-2.


Red Force FC (PFL)
vs.
Florida Badgers FC (UPSL)
Broward College – Pembroke Pines, FL
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

Red Force FC (Aventura, FL)

Five-time qualifiers Red Force FC are making their ninth qualifying appearance and third in a row. Red Force has qualified for the 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2026 tournaments

Red Force FC celebrates after beating City Soccer FC 4-1 in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Red Force FC
Red Force FC celebrates after beating City Soccer FC 4-1 in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Red Force FC

In 2013 they lost their opening match to fellow Florida club Ocala Stampede of the Premier Development League (now USL League Two). In 2014 Red Force picked up their first cup win, edging the Colorado Rovers (USSSA) on the road by the score of 2-1. The run would end in Round 2 with a rough and tumble 2-1 road loss to the PDL’s Laredo Heat. The match saw a fight break out and five red cards handed out.  Red Force finished 7-0-2 in the Premier Futbol League 2026 Spring season.

Florida Badgers FC (Boynton Beach, FL)

The Badgers are making their second qualifying run after finding success last year in their debut, defeating Miami United 5-3 after extra time to qualify for the 2026 US Open Cup. The Badgers finished 11-1-1 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season, reaching the Round of 32 in the UPSL National playoffs.

The Florida Badgers celebrate after defeating Miami United FC 5-3 in extra time in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Florida Badgers
The Florida Badgers celebrate after defeating Miami United FC 5-3 in extra time in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Florida Badgers

Prima FC (APSL)
vs.
Swarm FC (USL-2)
Marathon Soccer Park – Austell, GA
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET

Prima Football Club (Atlanta, GA)

Prima Football Club are making their qualifying debut this year. Prima finished 12-2-2 in 2025-26 APSL Terminus Conference, and reached the APSL National Semifinals were they were eliminated by champions WC Predators via penalties after a 4-4 draw.

SSA Swarm FC (Dallas, GA)

SSA Swarm FC are making their qualifying debut this year and finished 7-5-0 in the 2026 USL League Two South Central Division.


New York Athletic Club (APSL)
vs.
Lansdowne Yonkers FC (APSL)
Tibbetts Park – Yonkers, NY
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET

New York Athletic Club (New York, NY)

New York Athletic Club are making their qualifying debut this year. The New York Athletic Club was founded in 1868. NYAC finished 7-0-15 in the 2025-26 APSL Metropolitan Conference.

Lansdowne Yonkers FC (Yonkers, NY)

Four-time qualifiers Lansdowne Yonkers FC are making their 10th qualifying appearance

Lansdowne have qualified three times through Open Division qualifying (2016, 2018, 2024) and again in 2022 as National Amateur Cup champions. They’re looking to return to the Open Cup after a three-year absence. Lansdowne finished 17-2-3 in 2025-26 APSL Metropolitan Conference, just two points behind leaders NY Greek Americans. Lansdowne finished runners-up in the 2026 National Amateur Cup, losing to El Farolito 3-1 after extra time.

Lansdowne and NYAC met twice during the 2025-26 APSL season. On September 6, 2025 Lansdowne defeated NYAC 4-1, and prevailed in the second game on March 8 5-2. 


Problems FC (NISA Nation)
vs.
Temecula FC (UPSL)
Chaparral HS – Temecula, CA
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET

Problems FC (Long Beach, CA)

Problems FC are making their qualifying debut this year and finished 3-0-7 in the 2026 NISA Nation Spring season.

Temecula FC (Temecula, CA)

Temecula FC returns to qualifying after a two-year absence. Temecula’s last appearance was in 2024 qualifying where they reached the final round before losing to Irvine Zeta FC 3-1.

Temecula FCfinished 7-1-2 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season.


Ethos United (UPSL)
vs.
Chicago Strikers (UPSL)
Marmion Academy – Aurora, IL
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET

Ethos United (Lisle, IL)

Ethos United previously competed as United SC and have entered qualifying for the 2025 and 2026 Open Cups, each time being eliminated after one game. After sitting out the 2026 UPSL Spring season, the club is returning for the Fall session. Ethos also fields a team in the Greater Chicago Soccer League, where they went 9-1-2 in the Premier Division.

Chicago Strikers (Oswego, IL)

The Strikers are making their fourth qualifying attempt and have yet to advance past their opening game. The Strikers finished the 2026 UPSL Spring season 3-3-4.


Be Pro FC (SWPL)
vs.
STG Premier FC (SWPL)
Snow Canyon HS – St. George, UT
Kickoff: 9:30 p.m. ET

Be Pro FC (Las Vegas, NV)

Be Pro FC are making their qualifying debut this year and finished 2-1-7 in the 2026 SWPL / Nevada Premier League spring season.

STG Premier FC (St. George, UT)

STG Premier FC are making their qualifying debut this year and finished 7-0-3 in the 2026 SWPL / Nevada Premier League Spring season.

Be Pro and STG were scheduled to meet twice in the 2026 Spring season but only played once. Their game on May 2 resulted in a 3-3 draw, while on May 9 Be Pro were awarded a 3-0 forfeit win.


Las Vegas United FC (SWPL)
vs.
Sin City FC (NISA Nation)
Mater Academy East – Las Vegas, NV
Kickoff: 11 p.m. ET

Las Vegas United FC (Las Vegas, NV)

Las Vegas United FC are making their qualifying debut this year and finished 7-0-3 in the 2026 SWPL/Nevada Premier League Division 2 Spring season.

Sin City FC (North Las Vegas, NV)

Sin City FC are making their qualifying debut this year and finished 8-0-2 in the 2026 NISA Nation Spring season. Sin City also reached the Region IV Final of the 2026 National Amateur Cup.


SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

Kalonji Pro-Profile (UPSL)
vs.
Peachtree FC (APSL)
Mount Paran Christian School – Kennesaw, GA
Kickoff: 4 p.m. ET

Kalonji Pro-Profile (Dacula, GA)

Kalonji Pro-Profile are seeking to qualify for their second Open Cup in a row after making the cut in 2026. Despite losing the First Round match to Chattanooga FC of MLS NEXT Pro, Kalonji made headlines as 14-year-old Braiden Kalonji became the youngest goalscorer on record in the Modern Era of the Open Cup. Kalonji finished the 2026 UPSL Spring season with a perfect 10-0-0 record, allowing just four goals.

Kalonji Pro-Profile celebrates after defeating Potros FC 1-0 in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Kalonji Pro-Profile
Kalonji Pro-Profile celebrates after defeating Potros FC 1-0 in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Kalonji Pro-Profile

Peachtree FC (Atlanta, GA)

Peachtree FC are making their qualifying debut this year and finished 9-3-4 in 2025-26 APSL Terminus Conference.


Mockingbird Valley Premier (OVPL)
vs.
Southern Indiana Guardians FC (UPSL)
Woehrle Athletic Complex – Jeffersonville, IN
Kickoff: 4 p.m. ET

Mockingbird Valley Premier (Louisville, KY)

Mockingbird Valley Premierare making their qualifying debut this year and finished 9-1-0 in the 2026 Ohio Valley Premier League season.

Southern Indiana Guardians FC (New Albany, IN)

Southern Indiana Guardians FC are making their third attempt at qualifying after two one-and-done performances in 2025 and 2026. The Guardians finished 0-0-10 in the 2026 NPSL season and are fielding a team for the UPSL fall season.


SC Vistula Garfield (APSL)
vs.
Five Rivers SC (UPSL)
Joseph Medwick Park – Carteret, NJ
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET

SC Vistula Garfield (Garfield, NJ)

SC Vistula Garfield are making their sixth qualifying appearance in a row, and came close to qualifying on their first try in 2022, when they were beaten by Lansdowne Yonkers 2-0 in the final round. Vistula finally made the cut last year with a 2-1 win over Oaklyn United.

Players from SC Vistula Garfield celebrate after scoring a goal against Oaklyn United in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Matt Ralph | Philadelphia Soccer Now
Players from SC Vistula Garfield celebrate after scoring a goal against Oaklyn United in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Matt Ralph | Philadelphia Soccer Now

Founded in 1952, Vistula have entered the Open Cup off and on since the early 1970s. Vistula finished 7-2-13 in the 2025-26 APSL Metropolitan Conference.

Five Rivers SC (Carteret, NJ)

Five Rivers FC are making their qualifying debut this year and finished 3-1-7 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season. The club touts itself as the first Sikh-American semi-pro soccer club.


Virginia Dream FC (UPSL)
vs.
Arlington SA Pro (UPSL)
Thomas Jefferson HS – Alexandria, VA
Kickoff: 5 p.m. ET

Virginia Dream FC (Arlington, VA)

Two-time Open Cup qualifiers Virginia Dream are out to make it three in a row this year. Making the cut in 2025 and 2026, Virginia Dream has yet to lose a qualifying game in 5 starts. Virginia Dream finished 8-2-0 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season

Arlington SA Pro (Arlington, VA)

Arlington SA Pro makes their third qualifying appearance after attempts in 2024 and 2026. Last year they reached the second round, losing to MSI Pro 1-0. Arlington SA finished 8-2-0 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season.

Virginia Dream FC and Arlington SA Pro met twice earlier this year during the UPSL Spring season, resulting in a 1-1 draw on May 20. Arlington eliminated Virginia Dream from the 2025 UPSL Fall playoffs 3-2 on Nov. 9, 2025.


Akron City FC (USL-2)
vs.
Lorain County Leviathan FC (USL-2)
ForeFront Field – Avon, OH
Kickoff: 5 p.m. ET

Akron City FC (Akron, OH)

Akron City are making their second qualifying appearance after their debut last year. Akron City finished 6-1-5 in the 2026 USL League Two Great Forest Division

Lorain County Leviathan FC (Avon, OH)

Lorain County Leviathan are making their qualifying debut this year, and finished 6-1-5 in the 2026 USL League Two Great Forest Division.

Akron City and the Lorain County Leviathan faced each other twice this year during the USL League Two season. The first game on June 13 resulted in a 4-1 home win for Lorain County, but the return game in Akron on June 27 went to Akron City 4-0.


Northern Virginia FC (APSL)
vs.
Doradus FC (UPSL)
West Springfield HS – West Springfield, VA
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET

Northern Virginia FC (Centreville, VA)

NoVa FC (aka Northern Virginia FC) is entering qualifying for the fifth time, making the cut in 2022 and reaching the Final Round in 2023 and 2024. NoVa was able to avoid qualifying last year by earning a spot via their USL League Two team. NoVa appeared in the Open Cup as a pro team in 1999 and 2000. Nova finished 14-0-0 in the 2025-26 APSL Mid-Atlantic Conference.

Northern Virginia FC Nova FC 2022 US Open Cup First Round
Northern Virginia FC celebrates after the club’s 3-1 win over Lynchburg FC in the First Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: NoVa FC

Doradus FC (Alexandria, VA)

Doradus FC are making their third ever qualifying attempt and second in a row. Last year they reached the Second Round before losing to Virginia Dream 2-1. Doradus finished the 2026 UPSL Spring season with a 7-0-3 record.


Tennessee Tempo FC (UPSL)
vs.
Tennessee United SC (UPSL)
Drakes Creek Park – Hendersonville, TN
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

Tennessee Tempo FC (Nashville, TN)

Qualifying in 2026 as the 2025 UPSL Spring Champions, Tennessee Tempo are back in the qualifying mix after failing to defend their championship. In their previous two qualifying attempts Tennessee reached the Final round each time, qualifying in 2023 (as Beaman United) but falling short in 2024. Tennessee Tempo finished 11-1-0 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season and made it to the Round of 16 in the UPSL national playoffs.

Tennessee United SC (Hendersonville, TN)

Tennessee United are making their second run at qualifying after their debut last year. Tennessee United finished 6-2-4 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season

Tennessee United and Tennessee Tempo met three times during the 2026 UPSL Spring season, with the Tempo prevailing in all three. On March 21 Tempo pounded United 6-2, and on June 13 Tempo won 4-2. In the KY-TN Division playoff Final on June 27, Tempo advance via penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw.


Terminus FC (ADASL)
vs.
UFA Lawrenceville (UPSL)
Rhodes Jordan Park – Lawrenceville, GA
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

Terminus FC (Atlanta, GA)

Terminus are making their third qualifying appearance in the last four years and have yet to advance past the opening game. Terminus finished 16-1-4 in the 2025-26 Atlanta District Amateur Soccer League season.

UFA Lawrenceville (Lawrenceville, GA)

UFA Lawrenceville are making their qualifying debut this year and are a branch of the United Futbol Academy in Georgia. UFA Lawrencevillefinished 3-0-7 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season


FC Denver (CPL)
vs.
Timbers SC (MPL)
David A. Lorenz Regional Park – Highlands Ranch, CO
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET

FC Denver (Denver, CO)

FC Denver has participated in every Open Division qualifying tournament except the first one in 2016. They qualified for the Open Cup in 2018 and 2019, and last year was the first time since 2022 that Denver failed to advance past their opening game. FC Denver posted a 3-1-3 record in the 2026 Spring Colorado Premier League season.

Players from FC Denver and Midland-Odessa Sockers FC (blue) battle for the ball in their First Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Midland-Odesssa Sockers FC
Players from FC Denver and Midland-Odessa Sockers FC (blue) battle for the ball in their First Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Midland-Odesssa Sockers FC

Timbers SC (Littleton, CO)

Timbers SC are making their qualifying debut this year and finished 10-2-6 in the 2026 Spring and Summer Mountain Premier League seasons.


American Soccer Club NY (NPSL)
vs.
Osner’s FC (UPSL)
Floyd Bennett Sports Complex – Brooklyn, NY
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET

American Soccer Club New York (Hicksville, NY)

American Soccer Club New York makes their second qualifying appearance after a one-and-done debut last year. ASCNY finished 4-4-2 in the 2026 NPSL season.

Osner’s FC (Meniola, NY)

Osner’s FC are making their second ever qualifying run after debuting last year, where they were eliminated by Zum Schieder FC in the Second Round 07-3 after extra time. Osner’s finished 6-2-2 in the 2026 UPSL Spring season.


Patuxent FA (APSL)
vs.
Yinz United (SSL)
Langley HS – McLean, VA
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET

Patuxent FA (Hollywood, MD)

Patuxent FC are back for their third qualifying attempt, and will look to improve upon the one-and-done efforts of the first two. Patuxent finished 9-3-4 in 2025-26 APSL Terminus Conference

Yinz United (Washington, D.C.)

Yinz United are making their third qualifying appearance in the last four years, having gone out in the opening round last year. While based in Maryland, the club was founded by a group from Pittsburgh where the clubs’ black and gold colors and the team name originates. Yinz is slang in Western Pennsylvania for the term “ya’ll”.

Yinz United finished 7-2-1 in the 2026 Super Soccer League Virginia division and won the SSL Championship over Baltimore City FC.


Shark Coast FC (USL-2)
vs.
FC Kanks (UPSL)
XL Lake Nona – Orlando, FL
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET

Shark Coast FC (New Smyrna Beach, FL)

Shark Coast FC are making their qualifying debut this year and finished 2-6-4 in the 2026 USL League Two Southeast Division.

FC Kanks (Maitland, FL)

FC Kanks are back for their second attempt at qualifying after an unsuccessful debut last year, where they lost in their opening game 3-0 to Harbor City FC. Kanks finished 2-1-8 in the 2026 UPSL Division 1 Spring season.


FORO SC (TLFC)
vs.
StrikerZ DFW (DSA)
McKinney Boyd HS – McKinney, TX
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET

FORO SC (Dallas, TX)

Two-time qualifiers FORO SC will try and make up for a disappointing outing last year. FORO qualified in 2024 and 2025 and staged a memorable upset of Austin FC II in the 2024 Open Cup and followed up in 2025 by defeating USL League One club Texoma FC 2-1 after extra time. Last year, FORO crashed out last year in their opening game of qualifying. 

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

FORO finished 3-2-5 in the 2026 season in the League for Clubs Red River Northeast Conference, and their APSL team reached the APSL Championship.

StrikerZ DFW (Allen, TX)

StrikerZ DFW are making their third straight qualifying appearance after their first two resulted in one-and-done results. StrikerZ DFW won the 2026 Summer Open 1 division of the Dallas Soccer Alliance.


Colorado Rovers (CPL)
vs.
Peak Eleven FC (MPL)
Pinnacle Athletic Complex – Thornton, CO
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET

Colorado Rovers (Denver, CO)

The Colorado Rovers have entered every qualifying tournament since 2016 but have yet to make the cut. They came closest in 2020, reaching the final round where they lost to FC Boulder Harpos 4-0. The 2020 Open Cup tourney ultimately was canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic. Rovers finished the 2026 Spring season of the Colorado Premier League 1-2-3.

Players from Boulder United (left) and the Colorado Rovers battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Boulder United
Players from Boulder United (left) and the Colorado Rovers battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Boulder United

Peak Eleven FC (Superior, CO)

Peal Eleven are making their sixth consecutive appearance in qualifying, beginning with their debut in 2022. Last year Peak snapped a string of three straight one-and-done affairs, though they were eliminated in the next round. Peak Eleven finished 1-2-5 in the 2026 Summer Mountain Premier League season.

Filed Under: 2027 US Open Cup, Feature - Qualifying, Featured Post - US Open Cup Qualifying, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central, US Open Cup Qualifying Tagged With: 2027 US Open Cup qualifying

2027 US Open Cup Format: All MLS teams return to the competition

September 3, 2026 by Jake Sillick

Colorado Rapids players celebrate after winning a PK shootout against Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the Round of 16 of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Isaiah J. Downing/Switchbacks FC
Colorado Rapids players celebrate after winning a PK shootout against Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the Round of 16 of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Isaiah J. Downing/Switchbacks FC

US Soccer has announced the format for the 2027 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tournament proper and it will feature all 27 US-based MLS teams for the first time since 2023, with a total of 64 pro teams and 32 Open Division teams. There have also been numerous changes to operations of the cup, with the hosting priority rules expanding from the last two years to include both the Round of 64 and the Round of 32. The dates have also drastically changed for 2027, with most of the rounds happening after Labor Day and the Final happening on December 15.

TOURNAMENT COMPOSITION

Entering with the 32 Open Division teams in Round 1 will be 32 lower division (Division II and Division III) professional teams between the three total leagues in those divisions (USL Championship, USL League One, and MLS NEXT Pro.) Those 32 match winners in Round 1 will advance to the Round of 64 which will feature the entry of the 27 US based MLS teams and five high performing USL Championship teams. Only teams that have played in their league’s season that started prior to Jan. 1, 2027 will be eligible. This effectively means that no professional “expansion teams” will be eligible for the Open Cup. Along with the “one club, one entry” rule, which makes most teams in MLS NEXT Pro ineligible, this leaves 72 eligible professional teams for the 2027 edition of the tournament.

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For the First Round, to determine the 32 lower division pro teams that will enter the competition, it will be

  1. All eligible MLS NEXT Pro teams will enter, currently three: Carolina Core FC, Chattanooga FC, and Connecticut United FC
  2. The remaining spots will be split amongst USL Championship and USL League One, using the 2026 season standings to determine who will enter if there are more teams than slots available. As of publication, a total of eight teams from this pool will not participate in the 2027 US Open Cup

The five USL Championship Teams that will enter the Second Round/Round of 64 with all MLS teams are:

  1. The 2026 Players Shield winner (best regular season record)
  2. The 2026 USL Championship league champion
  3. The 2026 Prinx Tires USL Cup champion (only USL Championship teams remain)
  4. The highest seeded Eastern Conference team that is not a trophy holder.
  5. The highest seeded Western Conference team that is not a trophy holder.

As of publication, it is unclear who will fill a spot if a USL Championship team wins multiple trophies this year.

HOSTING PRIORITY

For the past two editions of the tournament, the Round of 32 has featured half of the 16 MLS teams that are in the Open Cup to be given priority to hosting the Round of 32 match only, with no priority given for any other round. The remaining matches in that round gave the lower division team priority to host the match. 

For 2027, this has expanded to all 32 teams entering in the Round of 64 (27 MLS and 5 USL-C). Each will be given priority to host that Round of 64 match. To give Round 1 teams another chance to host, any team that enters Round 1 and makes it into the Round of 32 will have hosting priority for the Round of 32 match. The First Round and then from the Round of 16 to the Final hosts will all be done in a random fashion, should both teams desire to host the match with a suitable venue.

NEW DATES FOR 2027

Major League Soccer and MLS NEXT Pro are undergoing a transition in 2027 to a season that starts in July/August and ends in May/June, when for the entire existence of their leagues, the season would normally run from February/March and end in December. This new season schedule for MLS and MLSNP will also feature a winter break starting in late December and ending in late January.

Because of this major change to the only Division I league in the country, the US Open Cup schedule has been adapted to fit. It will still run on a calendar year basis, but will not have rounds for most of the summer, and the final five rounds of the tournament, from the Round of 32 to the Final will all happen after Labor Day in 2027.

  • First Round: April 13-14 and 20-21, 2027
  • Round of 64: July 8-11, 2027
  • Round of 32: Sept. 14-15, 2027
  • Round of 16: TBC
  • Quarterfinals: Nov. 23-24, 2027
  • Semifinals: Dec. 1, 2027
  • Final: Dec. 15, 2027

With the Round of 64 during what is presumably the MLS preseason, the match dates revolve around a weekend for, as far as our records say, the first ever time in the Modern Era. This also has the Quarterfinals on the two days prior to Thanksgiving. The Final will likely be one the last games on the MLS schedule prior to their winter break, making it possibly even more of a marquee match with little to no games on or around it.

Generally, this schedule still fits around USL Championship and USL League One schedules too, with their seasons beginning in March and ending in November. Only the final 3 rounds of the tournament may extend seasons for teams from those two leagues, typically 1-2 teams a season.

MLS ROSTER CHANGES FOR US OPEN CUP PLAY

In Major League Soccer’s press release, it states that gameday roster sizes will expand from 18 to 20 for 2027. This would apply to all teams in the tournament proper. They also state that “MLS clubs may select from any contracted first team, MLS NEXT Pro, and academy players.”

As of the last publication and update on their website, US Soccer policy requires teams to use their official league roster for the basis of all matches in the US Open Cup. This has been the policy for the existence of the US Open Cup. There are no provisions to combine official league rosters for another team they own in a different league, nor any youth league rosters. It has to go through official league processes to be on a league roster for any league, and verified by the league’s registrar to US Soccer.

There has also never been a numerical limit to professional team roster sizes for the US Open Cup, and a long time policy of limiting professional team match day rosters to 5 players on foreign visas was removed in late 2019.

What MLS is likely talking about is more towards their internal league rules surrounding rostering players for US Open Cup matches. This is governed and guided by the CBA with the MLS Players Association. Currently there are provisions in the CBA regarding how often a player from MLS NEXT Pro or an academy may be put on the first team roster, for how long, and how many players can be on a first team roster at one time. Therefore, this is most likely a rule that was agreed upon with the MLSPA, which may be announced by MLS in the future.

Filed Under: 2027 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, Featured Post - Main, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central, US Open Cup Qualifying Tagged With: 2027 US Open Cup

2027 US Open Cup qualifying schedule, results

August 27, 2026 by Josh Hakala

Photo: Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn Images

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

Twitter, not X (#USOC2026) | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Flickr | Reddit

Table Key
Associations

US Club Soccer
(USCS)
US Adult Soccer Association
(USASA)
US Specialty Sports Association
(USSSA)
United Premier Soccer League
(UPSL)
United Soccer League
(USL)
   
Leagues

American Premier League
(APL)
American Premier Soccer League
(APSL)
Atlanta District Amateur Soccer League
(ADASL)
Austin Men’s Soccer Association
(AMSA)
Bay State Soccer League
(BSSL)
Colorado Premier League
(CPL)
Cosmopolitan Soccer League
(CSL)
Dallas Soccer Alliance
(DSA)
DC Premier League
(GSSL)
Houston Football Association
(HFA)
Metroplex Premier League
(MPPL)
Midwest Premier League
(MWPL)
Milwaukee Premier League
(MKEPL)
Mountain Premier League
(MTPL)
NISA Nation
(NISAN)
North Coast Soccer League
(NCSL)
National Premier Soccer League
(NPSL)
National Premier Soccer League-Regional League
(NPSL-RL)
Ohio Valley Premier League
(OVPL)
Premier Futbol League
(PFL)
San Francisco Soccer Football League
(SFSFL)
Seattle Recreational Adult Team Soccer
(SRATS)
Southwest Premier League (SWPL)Sunshine Conference League
(SCL)
Super Soccer League
(UPSL)
The League for Clubs
(TLFC)
United Premier Soccer League
(UPSL)
United States Soccer League
(USSL)
 USL League Two
(USL-2)
   
ROUND 1AWAY TEAMAssoc.TIME/SCOREAssoc.HOME TEAMVENUE
Sept. 12Oranje FC (DC Premier Lg.)USASA0:3UPSLDC Hyper (UPSL)Prince George Community College; Largo, Md.
Sept. 12SWFL SC (UPSL)UPSL1:5USSSANaples United FC (SCL)Seacrest Country Day School; Naples, FL
Sept. 12Boca Jrs Miami FC (UPSL)UPSL3:2UPSLFlorida Island United FC (UPSL)Oak Grove Park; Miami, FL
Sept. 12Steel City FC (USL-2)USL1:1 (4:3 PK)USASACroatia Cleveland (NCSL)Mentor HS; Mentor, OH
Sept. 12MSI (UPSL)UPSL1:4UPSLBowleys Athletic (UPSL)Eastern Regional Park; Middle River, MD
Sept. 12Red Force FC (PFL)USASA0:1UPSLFlorida Badgers FC (UPSL)Broward College; Pembroke Pines, FL
Sept. 12Prima FC (APSL)USASA0:5USLSwarm FC (USL-2)Marathon Soccer Park; Austell, GA
Sept. 12New York Athletic Club (APSL)USASA0:1USASALansdowne Yonkers FC (APSL)Tibbetts Park; Yonkers, NY
Sept. 12Problems FC (NISA Nation)USASA0:5UPSLTemecula FC (UPSL)Chaparral HS; Temecula, CA
Sept. 12Ethos United (UPSL)UPSL1:1 (4:3 PK)UPSLChicago Strikers (UPSL)Marmion Academy; Aurora, IL
Sept. 12Be Pro FC (SWPL)USASA0:5USASASTG Premier FC (SWPL)Snow Canyon HS; St. George, UT
Sept. 12Las Vegas United FC (SWPL)USASA1:2USASASin City FC (NISA Nation)Mater Academy East; Las Vegas, NV
Sept. 13Kalonji Pro-Profile (UPSL)UPSL5:4USASAPeachtree FC (APSL)Mount Paran Christian School; Kennesaw, GA
Sept. 13Mockingbird Valley Premier (OVPL)USCS3:1 (AET)UPSLSouthern Indiana Guardians FC (UPSL)Woehrle Athletic Complex; Jeffersonville, IN
Sept. 13SC Vistula Garfield (APSL)USASA4:1UPSLFive Rivers SC (UPSL)Joseph Medwick Park; Carteret, NJ
Sept. 13Virginia Dream FC (UPSL)UPSL2:0UPSLArlington SA Pro (UPSL)Thomas Jefferson HS; Alexandria, VA
Sept. 13Akron City FC (USL-2)USL4:3USLLorain County Leviathan FC (USL-2)ForeFront Field; Avon, OH
Sept. 13Northern Virginia FC (APSL)USASA1:2UPSLDoradus FC (UPSL)West Springfield HS; West Springfield, VA
Sept. 13Tennessee Tempo FC (UPSL)UPSL6:0UPSLTennessee United SC (UPSL)Drakes Creek Park; Hendersonville, TN
Sept. 13Terminus FC (ADASL)USASA6:0USASAUFA Lawrenceville (UPSL)Bay Creek Park; Loganville, GA
Sept. 13FC Denver (CPL)USSSA6:0USASATimbers SC (MPL)David A. Lorenz Regional Park; Highlands Ranch, CO
Sept. 13American Soccer Club NY (NPSL)USASA2:3UPSLOsner’s FC (UPSL)Floyd Bennett Sports Complex; Brooklyn, NY
Sept. 13Patuxent FA (APSL)USASA1:10USASAYinz United (SSL)Langley HS; McLean, VA
Sept. 13Shark Coast FC (USL-2)USL2:1UPSLFC Kanks (UPSL)XL Lake Nona; Orlando, FL
Sept. 13FORO SC (TLFC)USASA4:1USASAStrikerZ DFW (DSA)McKinney Boyd HS; McKinney, TX
Sept. 13Colorado Rovers (CPL)USSSA0:4USASAPeak Eleven FC (MPL)Pinnacle Athletic Complex; Thornton, CO
Sept. 19Potros FC (UPSL)UPSL3:1USASABuckhead SC (APSL)Agnes Scott College; Decatur, GA
Byes (101): Academica SC, Aegean Hawks FC, Arkansas Wolves 2, ASC New Stars, Atletico Boston, ATX United, Aurora FC, Azteca FC 5280, Bay Area United FC, Bellevue Athletic FC, BOHFS St. Louis, Bold City SC, Briar United FC, Brockton FC United, Bulldogs SC, Cape Coral City FC, Capital City SC, Capo FC, CD Faialense, Central Texas Coyotes FC, CF San Rafael, Charlotte County FC, Chicago House AC, Chicago Nation FC, Chula Vista FC, Colonial SC, Columbus Astray, CV United FC, DC Monsters, Denton Diablos, Detroit Metro FC, Dreamers AFC, Fall River FC, FC America CFL Spurs, FC Monmouth, FC Motown, FC Omens, FCY New York, Green Bay Glory, Grove United, Harbor City FC, Harpos FC, Houston Lions FC, Inter City FC, Inter Nova Havoc, International San Francisco, Iron Rose FC, Ironbound SCP, Irvine FC, Jersey Shore Boca, JSC Jasa, Kissimmee SC, KO Elites FC, Laguna United FC, Lake Country United FC, Legends SC, Los Toros, Master Joga, Milwaukee Bavarians, Mint Hill FC, Napa Valley 1839 FC. New Amsterdam FC, New Jersey Alliance FC, New York Greek American SC, Next Level Soccer Premier, Norcal Shockwaves, NY Dash FC, NY Pancyprian Freedoms, NY Renegades FC, O’Shea’s FC, Oakland Stompers, Oaklyn United FC, Oklahoma United FC, Olympiacos CA, Omaha Street FC, Palm Beach Flames SC, Pennsylvania Prime FC, Philadelphia Lone Star FC, Philadelphia SC, Pinellas County United Pelicans SC, Real Central NJ Soccer, Real Houston FC, Red Hook FC, RGV Red Crowns, San Diego Internacional FC, San Ramon FC, SCU Heat, SF Vikings SC, Sharktopus FC, Somerville United FC, Sonoma Valley United, South Coast Union, Sporting NTX, Stars FC, Stetson FA, Tulsa Athletic, Vereinigung Erzgebirge, Vidas United FC, WC Predators, West Virginia United, Woodland FC
ROUND 2AWAY TEAMAssoc.TIME/SCOREAssoc.HOME TEAMVENUE
Oct. 3Philadelphia Soccer Club (APSL)USASA1:8USASAVereinigung Erzgebirge (APSL)Vereinigung Erzgebirge Clubhouse; Warminster, PA
Oct. 3IIrvine FC (UPSL)UPSL1:3UPSLOlympiacos CA (UPSL)Pleasant View Park; Huntington Beach, CA
Oct. 3Inter City FC (UPSL)UPSL1:0USASANaples United FC (SCL)North Collier Regional Park – Naples, FL
Oct. 3FCY New York (UPSL)UPSL1:5USLSteel City FC (USL-2)UPMC Graham Field; Pittsburgh, PA
Oct. 3Vidas United FC (APSL)USASA1:3USASAColonial SC (APSL)Victory Field; Plymouth Meeting, PA
Oct. 3Ironbound SCP (UPSL)UPSL1:2UPSLNew Jersey Alliance FC (UPSL)Athenia Steel Park; Clifton, NJ
Oct. 3O’Shea’s FC (UPSL)UPSL0:5UPSLFlorida Badgers FC (UPSL)Broward College; Pembroke Pines, FL
Oct. 3Charlotte County FC (NPSL-RL)USASA3:0UPSLCape Coral City FC (UPSL)William & Mary Ann Smith Sports Complex; Babcock, FL
Oct. 3Brockton FC United (UPSL)UPSL2:3 (AET)USASACD Faialense (BSSL)Malden Catholic HS; Malden, MA
Oct. 3Oaklyn United FC (APSL)USASA0:3USASAWC Predators (APSL)Scott Auto Field; West Chester, PA
Oct. 3Jersey Shore Boca (APSL)USASA4:7UPSLBulldogs SC (UPSL)Geick Park; Old Bridge, NJ
Oct. 3Virginia Dream FC (UPSL)UPSL2:1UPSLGrove United (UPSL)River City Sportsplex; Midlothian, VA
Oct. 3Chicago House AC (MWPL)USASA2:1 (AET)UPSLEthos United (UPSL)Lions For Hope Sports Complex; Chicago, IL
Oct. 3Stetson FA (UPSL)UPSL0:4UPSLFC America CFL Spurs (UPSL)Lake Mary HS; Lake Mary, FL
Oct. 3Milwaukee Bavarians (MilPL)USASA2:1USASAGreen Bay Glory (MWPL)Aldo Santaga Stadium; Green Bay, WI
Oct. 3Denton Diablos (USL-2)USL2:1 (AET)USSSASporting NTX (MetroPL)Paul Quinn College; Dallas, TX
Oct. 3Arkansas Wolves 2 (UPSL)UPSL3:2 (AET)USASAMaster Joga (DSA)JJ Pearce B Field Stadium; Richardson, TX
Oct. 3NY Renegades FC (UPSL)UPSL2:0UPSLOsner’s FC (UPSL)Floyd Bennett Sports Complex; Brooklyn, NY
Oct. 3Red Hook FC (UPSL)UPSL0:3USASALansdowne Yonkers FC (APSL)Tibbetts Park; Yonkers, NY
Oct. 3Central TX Coyotes FC (TLFC)USASA1:3USASARGV Red Crowns (TLFC)Harlingen Field; Harlingen, TX
Oct. 3Tulsa Athletic (TLFC)USASA1:2USASAOklahoma United FC (TLFC)Chad Richison Stadium; Edmond, OK
Oct. 3Houston Lions FC (USSL)USSSA2:1USASAAurora FC (HFA)Matias Almeyda Training Center – Houston, TX
Oct. 3Bay Area United FC (UPSL)UPSL0:3USASANapa Valley 1839 FC (TLFC)Justin Siena HS; Napa, CA
Oct. 3Academica SC (USL-2)USL2:4USASASan Ramon FC (TLFC)Tiffany Roberts Field; San Ramon, CA
Oct. 3Temecula FC (UPSL)UPSL1:4UPSLLaguna United FC (UPSL)La Paz Sports Park; Laguna Niguel, CA
Oct. 3JSC Jasa (SWPL)USASA20:1USASANorcal Shockwaves (SFSFL)Crocker Amazon Soccer Fields; San Francisco, CA
Oct. 3SF Vikings SC (SFSFL)USASA2:1 (AET)UPSLCV United FC (UPSL)Robertson Park; Livermore, CA
Oct. 3Sonoma Valley United (UPSL)UPSL0:2 (AET)USASAOakland Stompers (NPSL)Antioch HS; Antioch, CA
Oct. 3STG Premier FC (SWPL)USASA1:3USASASin City FC (NISAN)Mater Academy East; Las Vegas, NV
Oct. 3CF San Rafael (TLFC)USASA1:0USASAInternational San Francisco (SFSFL)Crocker Amazon Soccer Fields; San Francisco, CA
Oct. 3DC Monsters (SWPL)USASA2:0USASACapo FC (NISAN)Vista Hermosa Sports Park; San Clemente, CA
Oct. 3Chula Vista FC (SWPL)USASA0:3UPSLSan Diego Internacional FC (UPSL)Mission Bay HS; San Diego, CA
Oct. 4Tennessee Tempo (UPSL)UPSL4:0USCSMockingbird Valley Premier (OVPL)Mercy Academy – Louisville, KY
Oct. 4New York Greek American SC (APSL)USASA14:0USASANew Amsterdam FC (CSL)York College – Jamaica, NY
Oct. 4Fall River FC (UPSL)UPSL8:2UPSLSouth Coast Union (UPSL)Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical HS – New Bedford, MA
Oct. 4Atletico Boston (BSSL)USASA1:3USASAFC Omens (BSSL)West Roxbury HS – West Roxbury, MA
Oct. 4KO Elites FC (APSL)USASA1:0USASASomerville United FC (APSL)Dilboy Stadium – Somerville, MA
Oct. 4NY Dash FC (UPSL)UPSL0:1USASANY Pancyprian Freedoms (APSL)Floyd Bennett Sports Complex; Brooklyn, NY
Oct. 4Bowleys Athletic (UPSL)UPSL5:2UPSLLos Toros (UPSL)South Lakes HS – Reston, VA
Oct. 4Pennsylvania Prime FC (UPSL)UPSLL:W (Forfeit)UPSLPhiladelphia Lone Star FC (UPSL)John Bartram High School Stadium – Philadelphia, PA
Oct. 4Azteca FC 5280 (CPL)USSSA3:4 (AET)USASAHarpos FC (CSL)Broomfield Commons – Broomfield, CO
Oct. 4Bold City SC (UPSL)UPSL0:5USLShark Coast FC (USL-2)New Smyrna Beach Sports Complex – New Smyrna Beach, FL
Oct. 4Chicago Nation FC (UPSL)UPSL5:2USASABOHFS St. Louis (MWPL)Sport 360 – St. Charles, MO
Oct. 4Briar United FC (UPSL)UPSL1:4USASAMint Hill FC (NPSL)Queens University Sports Complex – Charlotte, NC
Oct. 4Akron City FC (USL-2)USL4:3UPSLDetroit Metro FC (UPSL)Legacy Center – Brighton, MI
Oct. 4Kalonji Pro-Profile (UPSL)UPSL1:4UPSLSCU Heat (UPSL)Southeastern Freight Lines Stadium – Columbia, SC
Oct. 4Peak XI FC (MTPL)USASA1:5USSSAFC Denver (CPL)Northfield HS – Denver, CO
Oct. 4Inter Nova Havoc (MetroPL)USASA1:3USASAFORO SC (TLFC)The Highlands School – Irving, TX
Oct. 4Terminus FC (ADASL)USASA0:5UPSLPotros FC (UPSL)Marietta High School – Marietta, GA
Oct. 4ASC New Stars (HFA)USASA5:0USSSAReal Houston Futbol Club (USSL)Azteca Soccer League Park – Houston, TX
Oct. 4Doradus FC (UPSL)UPSL0:5USASAYinz United (SSL)Oakton HS – Vienna, VA
Oct. 4FC Monmouth (TLFC)USASA3:2USASAReal Central NJ Soccer (APSL)Mercer County Community College – West Windsor, NJ
Oct. 4FC Motown (NPSL)USASA3:5 (AET)USASASC Vistula Garfield (APSL)Garfield HS – Garfield, NJ
Oct. 4Kissimmee SC (UPSL)UPSL3:4 (AET)UPSLPinellas County United Pelicans SC (UPSL)Walter Fuller Soccer Complex – St. Petersburg, FL
Oct. 4Lake Country United FC (UPSL)UPSL1:8USLSwarm FC (USL-2)Marathon Soccer Park – Austell, GA
Oct. 4Harbor City FC (UPSL)UPSL4:0UPSLPalm Beach Flames SC (UPSL)Dr. Joaquin Garcia HS – Wellington, FL
Oct. 4Boca Jrs Miami FC (UPSL)UPSL0:1USASADreamers AFC (PFL)Miami Dade College – Kendall – Miami, FL
Oct. 4DC Hyper (UPSL)UPSL3:0USASAAegean Hawks FC (APL)Langley HS – McLean, VA
Oct. 4Omaha Street FC (UPSL)UPSL2:1USASAWoodland FC (MWPL)St. Joseph Athletic Field – Shawnee, KS
Oct. 4Capital City SC (TLFC)USASA0:1USASAATX United (AMSA)Round Rock Multipurpose Complex – Round Rock, TX
Oct. 4Sharktopus FC (SRATS)USSSA0:4UPSLBellevue Athletic FC (UPSL)Bellevue College Soccer Field – Bellevue, WA
Oct. 4Iron Rose FC (TLFC)USASA8:0USASALegends SC (SWPL)Mather Field Sports Complex; Mather, CA
Oct. 4Next Level Soccer Premier (UPSL)UPSL4:0USLStars FC (USL-2)Spirit Field Ottawa Univ. – Surprise, AZ
N/AWest Virginia United (USL-2)USLL:W (forfeit)UPSLColumbus Astray (UPSL)N/A
Byes: None
ROUND 3AWAY TEAMAssoc.TIME/SCOREAssoc.HOME TEAMVENUE
Scheduled Oct. 31-Nov. 1
Byes: None
ROUND 4AWAY TEAMAssoc.TIME/SCOREAssoc.HOME TEAMVENUE
Scheduled Nov. 21-22

Filed Under: Feature - Main, Feature - Qualifying, Featured Post - US Open Cup Qualifying, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central, US Open Cup Qualifying Tagged With: 2027 US Open Cup, 2027 US Open Cup qualifying

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U.S. Open Cup History

1935 National Challenge Cup Semifinals: After 29 days, Central Breweries win 3-game Western Final

The Western Final of the 1934/1935 National Challenge Cup featured one of Chicago’s best teams from the first 30 years of the tournament against a St. Louis team that would form their own dynasty.

  • 1995 US Open Cup: Rob Ukrop of Richmond Kickers voted TheCup.us Player of the Tournament
  • 1995 US Open Cup Final: Jeff Causey of Richmond Kickers voted TheCup.us Player of Round
  • 1995 US Open Cup Final: Richmond Kickers survive heat, beat El Paso Patriots in PKs to win title
  • 1995 US Open Cup Final Preview: El Paso Patriots hosting amateur Richmond Kickers in “El Sauna”
  • 1995 US Open Cup Semifinals: Jake Arrambide of El Paso Patriots voted TheCup.us Player of Round

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