US Open Cup

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

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 23^rd 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.

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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 32^nd 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

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

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.”

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.

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.

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

September 16, 2026 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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..

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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.

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

September 3, 2026 by Jake Sillick

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.

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

All eligible MLS NEXT Pro teams will enter, currently three: Carolina Core FC, Chattanooga FC, and Connecticut United FC
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:

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

2027 US Open Cup qualifying schedule, results

August 27, 2026 by Josh Hakala

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

Table Key
Associations	US Club Soccer (USCS)	US Adult Soccer Association (USASA)	US Specialty Sports Association (USSSA)	United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Associations	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 1	AWAY TEAM	Assoc.	TIME/SCORE	Assoc.	HOME TEAM	VENUE
Sept. 12	Oranje FC (DC Premier Lg.)	USASA	0:3	UPSL	DC Hyper (UPSL)	Prince George Community College; Largo, Md.
Sept. 12	SWFL SC (UPSL)	UPSL	1:5	USSSA	Naples United FC (SCL)	Seacrest Country Day School; Naples, FL
Sept. 12	Boca Jrs Miami FC (UPSL)	UPSL	3:2	UPSL	Florida Island United FC (UPSL)	Oak Grove Park; Miami, FL
Sept. 12	Steel City FC (USL-2)	USL	1:1 (4:3 PK)	USASA	Croatia Cleveland (NCSL)	Mentor HS; Mentor, OH
Sept. 12	MSI (UPSL)	UPSL	1:4	UPSL	Bowleys Athletic (UPSL)	Eastern Regional Park; Middle River, MD
Sept. 12	Red Force FC (PFL)	USASA	0:1	UPSL	Florida Badgers FC (UPSL)	Broward College; Pembroke Pines, FL
Sept. 12	Prima FC (APSL)	USASA	0:5	USL	Swarm FC (USL-2)	Marathon Soccer Park; Austell, GA
Sept. 12	New York Athletic Club (APSL)	USASA	0:1	USASA	Lansdowne Yonkers FC (APSL)	Tibbetts Park; Yonkers, NY
Sept. 12	Problems FC (NISA Nation)	USASA	0:5	UPSL	Temecula FC (UPSL)	Chaparral HS; Temecula, CA
Sept. 12	Ethos United (UPSL)	UPSL	1:1 (4:3 PK)	UPSL	Chicago Strikers (UPSL)	Marmion Academy; Aurora, IL
Sept. 12	Be Pro FC (SWPL)	USASA	0:5	USASA	STG Premier FC (SWPL)	Snow Canyon HS; St. George, UT
Sept. 12	Las Vegas United FC (SWPL)	USASA	1:2	USASA	Sin City FC (NISA Nation)	Mater Academy East; Las Vegas, NV
Sept. 13	Kalonji Pro-Profile (UPSL)	UPSL	5:4	USASA	Peachtree FC (APSL)	Mount Paran Christian School; Kennesaw, GA
Sept. 13	Mockingbird Valley Premier (OVPL)	USCS	3:1 (AET)	UPSL	Southern Indiana Guardians FC (UPSL)	Woehrle Athletic Complex; Jeffersonville, IN
Sept. 13	SC Vistula Garfield (APSL)	USASA	4:1	UPSL	Five Rivers SC (UPSL)	Joseph Medwick Park; Carteret, NJ
Sept. 13	Virginia Dream FC (UPSL)	UPSL	2:0	UPSL	Arlington SA Pro (UPSL)	Thomas Jefferson HS; Alexandria, VA
Sept. 13	Akron City FC (USL-2)	USL	4:3	USL	Lorain County Leviathan FC (USL-2)	ForeFront Field; Avon, OH
Sept. 13	Northern Virginia FC (APSL)	USASA	1:2	UPSL	Doradus FC (UPSL)	West Springfield HS; West Springfield, VA
Sept. 13	Tennessee Tempo FC (UPSL)	UPSL	6:0	UPSL	Tennessee United SC (UPSL)	Drakes Creek Park; Hendersonville, TN
Sept. 13	Terminus FC (ADASL)	USASA	6:0	USASA	UFA Lawrenceville (UPSL)	Bay Creek Park; Loganville, GA
Sept. 13	FC Denver (CPL)	USSSA	6:0	USASA	Timbers SC (MPL)	David A. Lorenz Regional Park; Highlands Ranch, CO
Sept. 13	American Soccer Club NY (NPSL)	USASA	2:3	UPSL	Osner’s FC (UPSL)	Floyd Bennett Sports Complex; Brooklyn, NY
Sept. 13	Patuxent FA (APSL)	USASA	1:10	USASA	Yinz United (SSL)	Langley HS; McLean, VA
Sept. 13	Shark Coast FC (USL-2)	USL	2:1	UPSL	FC Kanks (UPSL)	XL Lake Nona; Orlando, FL
Sept. 13	FORO SC (TLFC)	USASA	4:1	USASA	StrikerZ DFW (DSA)	McKinney Boyd HS; McKinney, TX
Sept. 13	Colorado Rovers (CPL)	USSSA	0:4	USASA	Peak Eleven FC (MPL)	Pinnacle Athletic Complex; Thornton, CO
Sept. 19	Potros FC (UPSL)	UPSL	10 a.m. ET	USASA	Buckhead 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 2	AWAY TEAM	Assoc.	TIME/SCORE	Assoc.	HOME TEAM	VENUE
Scheduled Oct. 3-4
































































Byes: None

ROUND 3	AWAY TEAM	Assoc.	TIME/SCORE	Assoc.	HOME TEAM	VENUE
Scheduled Oct. 31-Nov. 1
































Byes: None

ROUND 4	AWAY TEAM	Assoc.	TIME/SCORE	Assoc.	HOME TEAM	VENUE
Scheduled Nov. 21-22

2027 US Open Cup Qualifying: Record-setting 155 teams enter qualifying tournament

August 21, 2026 by Michael Battista

Players from Next Level Soccer celebrate after scoring a goal against UDA Soccer in the Third Round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Next Level Soccer

The US Soccer Federation has announced the 155 teams that will enter qualifying for the 2027 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. 16 teams will emerge from qualifying for spots in the First Round proper next March, joining 16 other amateur teams directly entered in the First Round for a total of 32 Open Division teams.

Teams will be paired against one another based on distance, unless a geographical match-up is impossible. Teams playing anywhere from 2-4 knockout matches to advance to the First Round, with announcements of teams receiving byes already distributed to qualifiers. Teams will play on the following weekends:

September 12-13, 2026
October 3-4, 2026
October 31-November 1, 2026
November 21-22, 2026

Last year, US Open Cup qualifying set a record with 146 teams being announced for the tournament. This year, its another new record with 155 teams across 29 leagues. For the second year this also includes USL League Two (USL-2) and National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) teams, for those that did not receive direct qualification into the First Round based on league performance.

UPSL once again leads the way with a staggering 63 teams entered from their league, three less than their all-time high of 66 that was set last year. In total, 29 states, plus the District of Colombia (D.C.), will be represented in qualifying, tying the record set last year.

The most clubs from any one state is California with 22, with Florida just behind with 19.

DIRECT ENTRIES

There will be 16 Open Division teams directly entered into the First Round proper next March. USSF has expanded what leagues and competitions get direct entries into the Open Cup based on performance.

2026 John Motta Trophy Winner (Open Division Prize Winner): Ashville City SC

2026 Hank Steinbrecher Cup champion & 2026 USL-2 champion: Vermont Green FC

2026 USASA Amateur Cup champion & 2026 NPSL champion: El Farolito SC

2026 The League For Clubs champion: Pensacola FC

2026 UPSL Spring Season champion: Deportivo Rose City FC

2026 UPSL Spring Season Finalist: Miami United FC

USL League Two (8): Ballard FC, Colorado Storm, Laredo Heat SC, Little Rock Rangers, Minneapolis City SC, Ocean City Nor’easters, San Francisco City FC

NPSL (3): Ambassadors FC Ohio, Bristol Rhythm AFC, New Haven United FC

(Due to Vermont Green and El Farolito qualifying for the tournament via other methods, the US Open Cup berths those teams earned as champions of their respective leagues went to the next eligible team. For USL-2 that was San Francisco City and for NPSL that was New Haven United.)

QUALIFYING ENTRIES

155 clubs from 29 leagues, 29 states, and D.C.

American Premier League / USASA (1)

Aegean Hawks FC

Washington D.C.

APSL / USASA (20)

Buckhead SC	Mableton, Ga.
Colonial SC	Blue Bell, Pa.
Jersey Shore Boca	West Creek, N.J.
KO Elites FC	West Hartford, Conn.
Lansdowne Yonkers FC	Yonkers, N.Y.
New York Athletic Club	New York, N.Y.
New York Greek American SC	Astoria, N.Y.
Nova FC	Centreville, Va.
NY Pancyprian Freedoms	Manhasset, N.Y.
Oaklyn United FC	Oaklyn, N.J.
Patuxent FA	Hollywood, Md.
Peachtree FC	Atlanta, Ga.
Philadelphia Soccer Club	Philadelphia, Pa.
Prima Football Club	Atlanta, Ga.
Real Central NJ Soccer	Pennington, N.J.
SC Vistula Garfield	Garfield, N.J.
Somerville United FC	Brighton, Mass.
Vereinigung Erzgebirge	Warminster, Pa.
Vidas United FC	Philadelphia, Pa.
WC Predators	Chester Springs, Pa.

Atlanta District Amateur Soccer League / USASA (1)

Terminus FC

Atlanta, Ga.

Austin Men’s Soccer Association / USASA (1)

ATX United

Austin, Tex.

Bay State Soccer League / USASA (3)

Atletico Boston	Andover, Mass.
CD Faialense	Cambridge, Mass.
FC Omens	Cambridge, Mass.

Colorado Premier League / USSSA (4)

Azteca FC 5280	Denver, Colo.
Colorado Rovers	Golden, Colo.
FC Denver	Denver, Colo.
Harpos FC	Boulder, Colo.

Cosmopolitan Soccer League / USASA (1)

New Amsterdam FC

New York, N.Y.

Dallas Soccer Alliance / USASA (2)

Master Joga	Carrollton, Tex.
StrikerZ DFW	Allen, Tex.

DC Premier League / USASA (1)

Oranje FC

Rockville, Md.

Houston Football Association / USASA (2)

ASC New Stars	Houston, Tex.
Aurora FC	Houston, Tex.

Metroplex Premier League / USSSA (2)

Inter Nova Havoc	Denton, Tex.
Sporting NTX	McKinney, Tex.

Midwest Premier League / USASA (4)

BOHFS St. Louis	St. Louis, Mo.
Chicago House AC	Elmhurst, Ill.
Green Bay Glory	Green Bay, Wis.
Woodland Football Club	Overland Park, Kan.

Milwaukee Premier League / USASA (1)

Milwaukee Bavarians

Glendale, Wis.

Mountain Premier League / USASA (2)

Peak Eleven FC	Superior, Colo.
Timbers SC	Denver, Colo.

NISA Nation / USASA (3)

Capo FC	San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
Problems FC	Long Beach, Calif.
Sin City Football Club	North Las Vegas, Nev.

North Coast Soccer League / USASA (1)

Croatia Cleveland

Eastlake, Ohio

NPSL / USASA (4)

American Soccer Club New York	Hicksville, N.Y.
FC Motown	Morristown, N.J.
Mint Hill FC	Mint Hill, N.C.
Oakland Stompers	Fairview, Calif.

NPSL-RL / USASA (1)

Charlotte County FC

Punta Gorda, Fla.

Ohio Valley Premier League / US Club Soccer (1)

Mockingbird Valley Premier

Louisville, Ky.

Premier Futbol League / USASA (2)

Dreamers AFC	Miami, Fla.
Red Force FC	Aventura, Fla.

San Francisco Soccer Football League / USASA (3)

International San Francisco	San Francisco, Calif.
Norcal Shockwaves	Sausalito, Calif.
SF Vikings SC	San Francisco, Calif.

Seattle Recreational Adult Team Soccer / USSSA (1)

Sharktopus FC

Seattle, Wash.

Southwest Premier League / USASA (7)

Be Pro FC	Las Vegas, Nev.
Chula Vista FC	Chula Vista, Calif.
DC Monsters	Redondo Beach, Calif.
JSC Jasa	Redwood City, Calif.
Las Vegas United Football Club	Las Vegas, Nev.
Legends SC	Sacramento, Calif.
STG Premier FC	St. George, Utah

Sunshine Conference League / USSSA (1)

Naples United FC

Naples, Fla.

Super Soccer League / USASA (1)

Yinz United

Washington, D.C.

The League for Clubs / USASA (11)

Capital City SC	Menchaca, Tex.
Central Texas Coyotes FC	Harker Heights, Tex.
CF San Rafael	Larkspur, Calif.
FC Monmouth	Fair Haven, N.J.
FORO SC	Dallas, Tex.
Iron Rose FC	Roseville, Calif.
Napa Valley 1839 FC	Napa, Calif.
Oklahoma United FC	Oklahoma City, Okla.
RGV Red Crowns	Harlingen, Tex.
San Ramon FC	San Ramon, Calif.
Tulsa Athletic	Tulsa, Okla.

United States Soccer League / USSSA (2)

Houston Lions FC	Spring, Tex.
Real Houston Futbol Club	Houston, Tex.

UPSL (63)

Arlington SA Pro	Arlington, Va.
Arkansas Wolves 2	Alexander, Ark.
Bay Area United FC	Rodeo, Calif.
Bellevue Athletic FC	Snohomish, Wash.
Boca Jrs Miami FC	Margate, Fla.
Bold City SC	Jacksonville, Fla.
Bowleys Athletic	Middle River, Md.
Briar United FC	Cary, N.C.
Brockton FC United	Brockton, Mass.
Bulldogs SC	Old Bridge, N.J.
Cape Coral City FC	Cape Coral, Fla.
Chicago Nation FC	Wheaton, Ill.
Chicago Strikers	Oswego, Ill.
Columbus Astray	Columbus, Ohio
CV United FC	Livermore, Calif.
DC Hyper	Washington
Detroit Metro FC	Novi, Mich.
Doradus FC	Alexandria, Va.
Ethos United	Lisle, Ill.
Fall River FC	New Bedford, Mass.
FC America CFL Spurs	Orlando, Fla.
FC Kanks	Orlando, Fla.
FCY New York	Buffalo, N.Y.
Five Rivers SC	Carteret, N.J.
Florida Badgers FC	Boynton Beach, Fla.
Florida Island United FC	Miami, Fla.
Grove United	Midlothian, Va.
Harbor City FC	Melbourne Beach, Fla.
Inter City FC	Bonita Springs, Fla.
Ironbound SCP	Kearny, N.J.
Irvine FC	Irvine, Calif.
Kalonji Pro-Profile	Dacula, Ga.
Kissimmee SC	Kissimmee, Fla.
Laguna United FC	Laguna Hills, Calif.
Lake Country United FC	Eatonton, Ga.
Los Toros	Sterling, Va.
MSI	Rockville, Md.
New Jersey Alliance FC	Lyndhurst, N.J.
Next Level Soccer Premier	Gilbert, Ariz.
NY Dash FC	Elmont, N.Y.
NY Renegades FC	Jericho, N.Y.
O’Shea’s FC	West Palm Beach, Fla.
Olympiacos CA	Huntington Beach, Calif.
Omaha Street FC	Bennington, Neb.
Osner’s FC	Meniola, N.Y.
Palm Beach Flames SC	Tequesta, Fla.
Pennsylvania Prime FC	New Tripoli, Pa.
Philadelphia Lone Star FC	Secane, Pa.
Pinellas County United Pelicans SC	St. Petersburg, Fla.
Potros FC	Powder Springs, Ga.
Red Hook Football Club	Brooklyn, N.Y.
San Diego Internacional FC	San Diego, Calif.
SCU Heat	Columbia, S.C.
Sonoma Valley United	Sonoma, Calif.
South Coast Union	New Bedford, Mass.
Southern Indiana Guardians FC	New Albany, Ind.
Stetson FA	DeLand, Fla.
SWFL SC	North Fort Myers, Fla.
Temecula FC	Temecula, Calif.
Tennessee Tempo FC	Nashville, Tenn.
Tennessee United Soccer Club	Hendersonville, Tenn.
UFA Lawrenceville	Lawrenceville, Ga.
Virginia Dream FC	Arlington, Va.

USL League Two (9)

Academica SC	Turlock, Calif.
Akron City FC	Akron, Ohio
Denton Diablos	Denton, Tex.
Lorain County Leviathan FC	North Ridgeville, Ohio
Shark Coast FC	New Smyrna Beach, Fla.
Stars FC	Phoenix, Ariz.
Steel City FC	Pittsburgh, Pa.
Swarm FC	Austell, Ga.
West Virginia United	Hurricane, W.Va.

2027 US Open Cup Qualifying: Open Cup-bound Deportivo Rose City wins first UPSL title

August 11, 2026 by Kathryne Padilla

Deportivo Rose City celebrates after defeating Miami United FC in the 2026 UPSL Spring championship. Photo: UPSL

An early goal at the start of the match drove the momentum for Deportivo Rose City to earn its first United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) championship. The Oregon side didn’t look back and earned a 3-1 win over Miami United FC in Sunday’s title game for the UPSL Spring Season championship.

The game was played at UCLA’s Wallis Annenberg Stadium in Los Angeles, with both teams having already earning the UPSL’s two automatic entries in the 2027 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup by reaching the championship game.

For Rose City, it will be their first-ever US Open Cup appearance, while Miami United qualify for the eighth time, after missing out on last year’s competition.

“We feel really good, we feel happy, we feel proud. We’re just enjoying this,” said DVO Rose City head coach Daniel Miranda. “It’s amazing after 10 seasons.”

Early in the 9th minute, Rose City’s Tristan Evans put his team in the lead. His team continued to hold possession for most of the half. However, that did not faze Miami United. The Open Cup regulars increased their intensity as they hunted for their first-ever UPSL title.

As the match continued on, an offensive push from Miami United left the back field open. In the 33rd minute, DVO Rose City accidentally evened the score as the ball rolled past one defender and slipped behind the keeper for an own goal – leaving the match tied at 1-1.

MATCH BROADCAST

In the second half, it was evident that both teams wanted to break the tie as soon as possible.

In the 57th minute, DVO Rose City’s Dustin Corea got that chance, putting them back in the lead with what would be the game winner. Corea notched a brace and made it 3-1 in the 74th minute. His late actions helped lift DVO Rose City to their first-ever league title.

“We had so many chances but those two goals made a difference,” Miranda said.

“I feel like we are one of the top teams, well it kinda proves it now, but we knew it all along in the beginning,” Evans’ said. “It feels amazing that everyone can see that we can be at this top level.”

The clubs also earned a spot in the 2027 U.S. Open Cup field. For Miami United it marks their eighth appearance in the Open Cup and their fifth in the past six editions. Deportivo Rose City will be making their Open Cup debut next year, after failing to qualify for the 2026 tournament through Open Division qualifying.

HOW THEY GOT TO THE FINAL

UPSL Spring Semifinal #1

Miami United 3:1 NY Renegades
Miami United – Luis Peralta 42’, Guido Cacciabue 67’, David Mizrahi 83’
NY Renegades – Junior Rosero 31’

SAVED PK – Sebastian Ruiz (NYR) saved by Franco Acerbi (MU) 62’

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Miami United are returning to the US Open Cup after missing out on the 2026 edition.

The now eight-time Open Cup qualifiers overcame a 1-0 deficit midway through the first half to win 3-1 at UCLA’s Drake Stadium in the opening game of the UPSL Spring National Finals. The win also puts them in Sunday’s UPSL Spring Championship against Deportivo Rose City. Miami United also gained a measure of revenge for a 3-0 loss to the Renegades in the 2025 UPSL Fall National Finals, denying the 2025 UPSL Fall champs back-to-back UPSL Championships.

United played the weekend with one of its players, Matias Alejandro Pourrain, who was detained by immigration officers in Miami while trying to fly to the finals. Something that sat with Miami all weekend.

After largely controlling the game for the first half hour, the Renegades got on the scoreboard when Open Cup veteran Junior Rosero scored in the 31st minute. Rodrigo Descalzo stole the ball at midfield then passed to an onrushing Rosero, who beat Miami United goalkeeper Franco Acerbi. Rosero’s Open Cup resume dates back to 2018 with the Long Island Rough Riders, followed by appearances with Oyster Bay United (2022), the New York Pancyprian Freedoms (2025) and last year with the Renegades.

The Renegades goal seemed to wake Miami United up, as they drew level in the 42nd minute. Santiago Fajardo’s shot from the top of the box was blocked and Luis Peralta collected the loose ball, juked Renegades defender Dillon Woods and calmly beat goalkeeper Eric Edwards to tie the game 1-1.

In the 62nd minute, the Renegades were handed an excellent chance to regain the lead when Rodrigo Descalzo was fouled by Miami United’s Juan Collazo at the penalty spot. The Renegades’ 2026 Spring goal scoring leader Sebastian Ruiz (16 goals) stepped up for the penalty, but Miami United goalkeeper Franco Acerbi repeated his heroics from two weeks ago by saving the spot kick, diving to his left but stopping the ball with his feet. In the UPSL Quarterfinals on July 25, Acerbi saved two penalty attempts in Miami United’s PK shootout win over SCU Heat. United very nearly scored on a counterattack following the save but United’s shot went wide.

Five minutes later, Miami United took advantage of a major Renegades gaffe when defender Cristhian Garcia and goalkeeper Edwards had a moment of confusion between them, allowing Guido Cacciabue to swoop in and score an easy goal to make it 2-1.

With five minutes remaining Miami United put the game away when David Mizrahi took a pass from substitute Ramiro Lizaso and dribbled into the penalty area, sending Edwards diving the wrong way with a shot just inside the left post.

Things got a bit heated in second half stoppage time, but cooler heads prevailed in the end with Miami United walking away 3-1 winners. If the Renegades are to make their third straight Open Cup appearance in 2027, they’ll have to navigate the Open Division qualifying tournament that starts in September 2026 and runs through November.

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UPSL Spring Semifinal #2

Deportivo Rose City 2:1 Central Kansas United
Deportivo Rose City: Luis Banegas 2’, Richard Stewart 90’+4
Central Kansas United – Juan Lozada 34’ (PK)

By Chuck Nolan Jr.

Portland, Oregon’s Deportivo Rose City earned their first ever berth in the US Open Cup with a dramatic 2-1 win over Central Kansas United in the UPSL National Finals at UCLA’s Drake Stadium.

Deportivo got off to a very quick start, scoring the opening goal with just 1 minute and 15 seconds elapsed. Former El Salvador international Dustin Correa took the ball near midfield, then played a through-ball to Luis Banegas inside the penalty area, who dribbled past CKU goalkeeper Santiago Pagnutti and shot past midfielder Emilio Rodriguez, who attempted to stop the shot at the goal line.

Pagnutti would keep the score 1-0 in the 28th minute when Correa sent a free kick towards goal that was headed for just under the crossbar, but Pagnutti was able to swat the ball up and over for a corner kick.

Five minutes later Central Kansas would get the equalizer. CKU’s Jose Escobedo was fouled just inside the top corner of the penalty area by Rose City’s Richard Stewart, and Juan Lozada put his shot just inside the post, beating goalkeeper Joshua Meza who dove in the right direction.

DRC Game winning goal (Instagram)

In the second half Deportivo controlled play, and twice midway through the half were denied a 2-1 lead by both Pagnutti and the upright. In the 57th minute, Pagnutti stopped a point-blank shot from Rose City’s Rogelio Uribe. Four minutes later Dustin Correa’s one-timer volley struck the far post.

With the score 1-1 and extra time looming, Kevyn Montano’s one-timer shot in the second minute of stoppage time flew just outside the post. Two minutes later Rose City hit the jackpot. Off a free kick taken from far outside the penalty area, center back Richard Stewart headed the ball down and past Pagnutti for a dramatic 2-1 lead.

No more than a minute of stoppage time elapsed before the final whistle was blown, giving Deportivo Rose City a spot in Sunday’s UPSL Spring Championship versus Miami United as well as their first ever US Open Cup appearance.

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