Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2024 US Open Cup

2024 US Open Cup Round 1: Vermont Green upset Lexington as tournament debuts in Green Mountain State

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Players from Vermont Green FC celebrate in a First Round match against Lexington Sporting Club in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Vermont Green FC
Players from Vermont Green FC celebrate in a First Round match against Lexington Sporting Club in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Vermont Green FC

The “Cupsets” have begun.

In its first match of the season, it was USL League Two side Vermont Green FC building a big lead and holding on to knock out USL League One side Lexington Sporting Club with a 4-3 Round 1 win in the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

“Well, it’s a little surreal moment … the boys were so confident,” said Vermont coach Adam Pfeifer. “The guys were able to keep grinding, They battled their asses off,”

Despite the frigid temperatures in Burlington, Vermont, things were heating up at Virtue Field early as Vermont scored three times in the first half and withstood a furious late Lexington charge to advance to Round 2 of the tournament and become the first Vermont club to win an Open Cup game.

Vermont Green part-owner Pat Infurna had nothing but admiration for the Vermont faithful, which was a sell-out crowd of more than 2,500 who witnessed the first-ever tournament game to be played in the Green Mountain State.

“This club belongs to the community. We simply wouldn’t exist without them,” Infurna said. “They’re the heartbeat of this club, and I’m just so proud that the boys were able to put on a show tonight and come out with a win in front of this sold-out crowd.”.

Vermont wasted no time generating its first opportunity, as Nick Lockerman’s corner found Zach Barrett at the far post. Barrett got a head to the ball and slotted it past Campuzano to put the Green up 1-0 just five minutes in.

The corner game worked well for Vermont Green in the 10th minute as Yaniv Bazini’s corner found the head of Lockerman, who headed the ball into the net to give the Green a 2-0 lead.

Lexington Sporting Club — unbeaten through two matches this season —  was not going to go down without a fight as it cut the deficit in half in the 20th minute.

It started when Jayden Onen slotted the ball to Issac Cano, who slotted a left-footed shot into the net to shrink Vermont’s lead to one.

Gerardo Castillo got the Green offense rolling in the 24th minute when he drove up the left flank and cut the ball back to Jacob Labovitz, who tapped a right-footed shot into the net to push the Green lead back to two.

Vermont Green’s scoring continued into the second half when a corner kick in the 50th minute led to the ball pinballing inside the box. Jake Ashford fought off the defensive pressure and got onto the loose ball, as he drilled a right-footed shot into the net to make it 4-1 Vermont.

Lexington captain Cameron Lancaster put the squad on his back in the 60th minute after a foul by Moussa Ndiaye led to a free kick in a dangerous position. Lancaster stood over the ball and lobbed a right-footed shot to the upper-left corner of the net to shrink the deficit to 4-2.

Lancaster continued to help Lexington claw back into the match in the 78th minute. Modesto Mendez headed a ball to Lancaster, who struck a right-footed down the center to shrink Vermont’s lead to 4-3.

Despite Lancaster’s efforts, Vermont Green held off just enough to advance.

 

2024 US Open Cup Round 1: Christian Chaney’s “tidy” brace sends Forward Madison past Duluth FC

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Christian Chaney of Forward Madison celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Duluth FC in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Forward Madison
Christian Chaney of Forward Madison celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Duluth FC in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Forward Madison

Christian Chaney scored a pair of one-touch goals to pace Forward Madison past a scrappy Duluth FC side, 2-0, and into Round 2 of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Madison’s No. 9 opened the scoring in the 10th minute, running onto a long ball that defender Jake Fuderer sent all the way from the back and chipping it over Duluth keeper Ezekiel Foltz.

He then sealed it with a one-touch right-footed shot from the middle of the box in the 53rd minute, converting a low cross from halftime substitute Ferrety Sousa.

“Overall, I thought the professionalism was there,” said Madison head coach Matt Glaeser. “The quality was okay. The mentality was good … I thought we did a better job tonight of seeing the game out and getting a win.”

Glaeser said he was pleased to see Chaney at full strength after he came on as a sub in the club’s opening league game at South Georgia Tormenta on the weekend.

“It was nice to get your No. 9 on the score sheet early in the season and get his confidence up,” Glaeser said. “He’s coming back from a little injury, so to get him significant minutes tonight, I was really pleased to get him back out there for two really tidy finishes.”

Chaney called the goals “long-awaited.”

“I’ve been waiting since the preseason to score some goals,” he said. “It feels really good to get back on the score sheet tonight.”

Duluth FC, the 2023 regular-season NPSL champions, threatened Martin Sanchez’s goal rarely, forcing only one save while putting two shots over the bar and one header just wide.

With the win, the Mingos avoid the early exit they suffered last year at the hands of Chicago House AC, who came back from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 after extra time.

Chaney said the chilly weather didn’t have much impact on the contest.

“We’re warriors, you know,” he said. “You come to Madison, you understand what’s going to come. It’s going to be cold.”

 

2024 US Open Cup Round 1: Savannah Clovers score early to earn first USOC win vs. Brave SC

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2024 us open cup first round recap graphic

Entering the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a fresh rebrand, Brave SC — the club formerly known as Villages FC — looked to carry the torch for USL League Two as last season’s Southern Conference champions. Savannah Clovers arrived in Central Florida looking to represent NISA and start the year off right.

One of them would leave disappointed.

Roddy Green and Vlad Jokic each scored a goal in the first half as Clovers shut out Brave, 2-0 in Tuesday night’s Open Cup opening round.

Right from the go, Savannah was on the attack. Green had multiple chances to give the Clovers an early lead but Brave goalkeeper Yago Darub was called into action and kept things at bay. Unfortunately for Darub, a miscalculation on a pass gave away the ball to Green which led to the opening goal of the match in the 29th minute.

Just before halftime, Jokic latched on to a rebound for a second-chance goal that doubled Clovers’ advantage.

Clovers had a decisive physical advantage over Brave SC, and the game turned cagey as physical challenges from both squads saw a total of seven players booked (four for Brave; three for the Clovers), mostly in the second half.

Clovers brought just three players on their bench and managed the lead against a Brave squad which had twice as many options in reserve.

Michael Florian made his Brave SC debut on the high school senior’s home field, expressing gratitude during the postgame press conference for the opportunity to make his Open Cup debut.

2024 US Open Cup Round 1: Miami United FC edge Chattanooga FC to earn first pro upset

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Miami United FC celebrates after upsetting Chattanooga FC in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Miami United FC
Miami United FC celebrates after upsetting Chattanooga FC in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Miami United FC

For the first time in club history, Miami United FC have claimed their first upset of a professional team. The amateur side from the United States Soccer League traveled north to Tennessee to edge Chattanooga FC of MLS NEXT Pro 1-0 in the opening round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Tuesday night.

With cold temperatures settling over the Tennessee Valley, there could be only one thing that would make for a grueling evening for the so-called “Chattahooligan” faithful: a stonewall defense by Miami.

The wing backs and defenders of Miami forced opportunities by Chattanooga to be few and far between, with most chances coming within the final minutes as desperation settled in. The defense — two defenders with an assisting midfield defender and two wingbacks — was all a part of Miami head coach Claudio Frean’s plan.

“We saw a lot of games of Chattanooga FC where they liked to go through their wings, so we focused all week on closing out the backdoor,” Frean said. “We just closed the circuit. They could not come forward.”

Frean’s plan frustrated the likes of Chattanooga FC’s Milo Garvanian, whose runs would be countered by two defenders clamping down or offside traps by the aggressive defense.

As the Chattanooga offense struggled to poke through the defense, Miami seized the early opportunities to generate an early lead. Following a couple of shots, Miami was awarded a free kick in the 12th minute.

Miami’s Jhon Pajoy stepped up for the free kick and, from what seemed like a quarter-mile out, rocketed off a shot with his left foot. The ball, springing above the ball and descending like a knuckleball, framed itself in the upper-left corner of the net.

Great goalkeeping by Chattanooga’s Jonathan Burke was met with a jaw-dropping strike and Pajoy winning the battle for his first career US Open Cup goal.

Players from Chattanooga FC (left) and Miami United FC battle for the ball in a First Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Chattanooga FC
Players from Chattanooga FC (left) and Miami United FC battle for the ball in a First Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Chattanooga FC

Miami played like they had a cushion for the rest of the match by relying on their steadfast defense.

The defense could be best described as a python — constricting upon any threat. With no ability to advance the ball, Chattanooga was forced to play out the back of their two defenders. Thus, beginning the long, dreadful spiral of an offense — like watching a trainwreck unfold.

“When they passed to their wingers, we pressured them into passing to their center (defenders),” Frean said. “We had to be smart. Instead of playing their game, we went out and won it.”

With the win, Miami advances to the Second Round for the first time since 2022.

2024 US Open Cup: USSSA has representation in US Open Cup for 10th year in a row

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Azteca FC celebrates after qualifying for the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

There is no greater example of the constant winds of change in U.S. soccer than the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup about to get underway. Lost amongst the gallons of ink that has already been spilled regarding the participation—or lack thereof—of Major League Soccer clubs, and the U.S. Soccer Federation’s inability or unwillingness to hold MLS to sanctioning terms that require participation in the tournament, is the proliferation of qualifying amateur teams playing under the umbrella of the United States Specialty Sport Association (USSSA). This year, three clubs—a record one-quarter of the teams in this year’s Open Cup that came through local amateur qualifying—compete in USSSA-sanctioned leagues.

Miami United FC, FC America CFL Spurs are Florida’s two amateur representees in this year’s tournament. Both clubs competed in the two-year-old United States Soccer League (USSL) with teams across Florida and Texas. Azteca FC, representing the Colorado Premier League, also returns to Open Cup play after a missing out in 2023. The fact that all three clubs qualified while playing in USSSA-sanctioned leagues marks a considerable shift from when adult amateur soccer was dominated almost exclusively by teams under the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) umbrella since the early 1980s.

“One of the things that gets lost in all the Open Cup hubbub is the fact that there are a record number of USSSA affiliated teams,” said Erick French, USSSA’s national soccer director. “There is a lot more going on with amateur soccer than what people think.”

The balance of amateur teams that came through local amateur quaffing for the 2024 Open Cup are from the USASA (three), and UPSL (five). Two clubs, winners of the USASA National Amateur Cup and USPL 2023 Spring Season received automatic berths into the tournament proper.

Miami United and CFL Spurs both play Tuesday, March 19: United is on the road versus the independent MLS Next Pro side, Chattanooga FC, and Spurs face South Georgia Tormenta FC of USL-1 in Statesboro. Ga.

Miami United celebrate after qualifying for the 2024 US Open Cup.

 

How They Got Here

Miami United FC

Miami United is no stranger to the demands of Open Cup play. This year makes the club’s fifth appearance since it began playing competitively in 2013. The club returns to the tournament for a second consultive year as a member of the USSSA-affiliated USSL. They kicked off qualifying in the second round with a 9-0 trashing of fellow USSL side, Soccer Paradise FC, beating another USSL club, Miami Soccer Academy 4-0, and then City Soccer SC 3-1 to secure entry into the tournament proper. Their first-round opponent, Chattanooga FC, has qualified for the Open Cup nine times in its history, six times while playing in the NPSL and twice in while in NISA before making the jump to MLSNP for the 2024 season.

The club’s first Open Cup appearance came in 2015, earning one of the NPSL’s 12 automatic berths into the tournament proper, beating PDL side SW Florida Adrenaline 2-1 in the first round before falling to the USL Championship’s Charleston Battery, 1-0 on the road in round two.

United returned to the Open Cup in 2017, again receiving an automatic NPSL berth, topping local qualifier Boca Raton FC 2-1 in the first round before falling to the Jacksonville Armada FC of the now defunct second iteration of the NASL. The next year was United’s most successful Open Cup run, cruising past local UPSL side, FC Kendall, 5-2, then topping fellow NPSL sides Miami FC 3-1 and Jacksonville Armada 2-0 to advance to the fourth round, drawing MLS side Orlando City SC at home, where United’s Cinderella story ended with a 3-0 loss.

United returned to the Open Cup for the final time as a NPSL side in 2022, beating local qualifier City Soccer from West Palm Beach before falling to Miami FC from the USL Championship 3-0.

In 2023 United moved to the upstart USSL, which did not provide an automatic berth into the tournament proper. United waltzed through qualifying, topping fellow USSL side Florida Brothers 3-1, UPSL side International Soccer Association 5-0, USSL foe City Soccer FC 3-2, and UPSL club Naples City FC 2-1 to qualify, where they fell in the first round to NPSL side Jacksonville Armada U-23 in penalty kicks.

 

2023 US Open Cup Qualifying: UDA Soccer vs. Azteca FC
Photo: UDA Soccer

Azteca FC

The Denver-based Azteca FC are no strangers to the Open Cup either, having qualified for the tournament in 2017, 2018, 2022, and 2024.

Invigorated for the 2024 qualifying campaign, Azteca kicked off qualifying with an empathic 7-0 win over Peak Eleven FC, followed by wins over league rivals Harpos FC (2-1) and FC Denver (2-0) to set up a rematch of the epic 2023 ‘Win and You’re In’ match that saw UDA Soccer of the UPSL advance in penalty kicks. Azteca exacted its revenge, winning in Las Cruses 2-1 to return to the tournament proper.

Azteca face the Colorado Rapids 2 side that won both the Western Conference and overall standings of the MLS Next Pro regular season before falling in penalty kicks to MLS Next Pro playoff winners, Austin FC II, in the conference finals.

Over its four Open Cup appearances, Azteca has yet to advance beyond the first round. In 2017, the club lost to NPSL side FC Wichita 1-0 in extra time, and fell to league rival, FC Denver, 4-2 the next year.

Returning to the tournament in 2022, Azteca drew Tulsa Athletic of the NPSL, falling 3-0 on the road.

 

FC America CFL Spurs celebrate after qualifying for the 2024 US Open Cup

FC America CFL Spurs

The 2024 Open Cup marks the debut of the Orlando-based club, which joined the USSL for the 2023 season from the UPSL. It was the Spurs first qualifying attempt.

“Qualifying for the Open Cup was really big for the club,” said head coach, Akeem Flemmings. “It kind of put us on the map as one of the top amateur teams in the region.”

Spurs face USL-1 side, South Georgia Tormenta. This is Tormenta’s first Open Cup match as a full-professional club against an amateur side. They are 0-1-0 in league play, having lost at Fresno Fuego FC 2-1 last Saturday.

With a bye in the first round, Spurs opened the second round with an emphatic 8-0 win over UPSL side, Deportivo Lake Mary. Round three opponent, Harbor City of the UPSL proved to be tougher competition, with Spurs winning 1-0 to advance to face Leg-AZ World FC from the UPSL. The 4-1 Spurs win put them through to the tournament proper.

Why the USSSA?

Founded in 1968 as the United States Slowpitch Softball Association, the USSAA now governs 13 sports, with a membership of more than 3.7 million participants. Soccer was added in 2001, with the first USSSA National Champion crowned in 2011.

Erick French just happened to be head coach of the first USSSA National Champion side, the Colorado Rovers. His club holds three USSSA National Championship: 2011, 2012, and 2018.

It is also no surprise that French’s Rovers were the first USSSA-affiliated club to qualify for the Open Cup in 2013, and again in 2015. Since, at least one USSSL-affiliated club has qualified for the Open Cup—the majority of which hailed from the Colorado Premier League, which French helped found after organizational issues with the state’s top amateur league at the time forced teams to find an alternative. The USSSA proved to be the most viable governing body for the upstart league. Today, the Colorado Premier League is the USSSA’s flagship soccer league.

“So many leagues are fixated on just looking good. I’m more concerned with the nuts and bolts of how things run,” French said. “It helps when you have a bunch of good teams that want to play in the most organized, professionally run league available. At the end of the day, they just want to go play soccer and Sunday and not have to worry about the organizational stuff.”

Part of USSSA Soccer’s mission is to develop and expand the game in the U.S. by providing more playing opportunities. When USSL founder, Miguel Romero, was looking for a governing body for his new league.

“The USSSA was the best fit for us in regard to player and team registration,” Romero said. “We’re trying to keep expenses down as much as possible, so teams can survive. By keeping administrative costs at a minimum, we are able to draw more teams to our league and keep the teams we already have.”

In just its second year, the USSL has more than 40 teams over three division in Florida, and 15 teams in Texas. The USSL features promotion and relegation over the league’s three divisions, and Romero takes great pride that USSL games are streamed, with commentators, a service of great value for the teams.

“It’s a great way to show the quality of the league,” he said. “In just two years we’re quickly becoming the top amateur league in Florida. It is a great privilege to say that the USSL has the only two amateur teams from Florida that qualified for the Open Cup.”

Miami United (USSSA/USSSL) at Chattanooga FC (MLS NEXT Pro)
Finley Stadium – Chattanooga, TN
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

FC America CFL Spurs (USSSA/USSL) at South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1)
Tormenta Stadium – Statesboro, GA
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

Azteca FC (USSSA/CPL) at Colorado Rapids 2 (MLS NEXT Pro)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park– Commerce City, CO
Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

2024 US Open Cup Round 1 Preview: 109th tournament kicks off with three matchdays this week

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2024 US Open Cup First Round graphic
Graphic by Phil Naegely

The 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup first round kicks off on Tuesday with three nights of action, featuring 31 matches across 12 different leagues. 

There were originally 32 games on the schedule, but the Georgia Lions (NISA) have withdrawn from the competition, which gives Apotheos FC (NPSL) a free pass into Round 2.

Overall 95 teams and a total of 94 games will take place during the 109th edition of the most storied US soccer event with all 31 opening round games featuring amateur sides against professional teams.

However, this year’s edition looks a bit different than most US Open Cup fans are used to in recent history. After negotiations between Major League Soccer, US Soccer and other US Open Cup partners, only eight MLS teams will participate and enter in the round of 32 of the single-game, elimination-style tournament. As a result, MLS-owned MLS NEXT Pro teams return to US Open Cup action in 2024.

Additionally, 24 USL Championship teams participate as well, 16 teams enter in Round 3 and 8 teams entering in the Round of 32.

The opening round this week features all of the amateur clubs that have qualified and all of the third division pro teams. This week’s winners will advance to the Second Round which is scheduled for the week of April 2-3.

All matches stream on US Soccer’s website for free as the first round action exclusively pits amateur teams against professional teams.

TUESDAY, MARCH 19

Miami United (USSSA/USSSL) at Chattanooga FC (MLS NEXT Pro)
Finley Stadium – Chattanooga, TN
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

Travis Wars Chattanooga FC Memphis 901 FC 2022 US Open Cup
Travis Ward of Chattanooga FC celebrates after scoring a 29th minute goal against Memphis 901 FC in the Second
Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Joseph Dycus @joseph_dycus

Chattanooga FC are by far the most experienced MLS NEXT Pro team as far as the Open Cup is concerned, having made eight previous appearances. Starting out as an NPSL club, Chattanooga’s deepest run came in 2015, when they advanced past the Ocala Stampede and Wilmington Hammerheads on penalties, only to lose in extra time to the NASL’s Atlanta Silverbacks 2-1. During their time in the NPSL, Chattanooga finished as league championship runners-up four times.

The club transitioned to a professional team to join NISA in 2019, where they became one of that league’s more successful teams despite not winning a league championship. Markus Naglestad,who led NISA in goals scored in 2022 and 2023 with 19 and 15 tallies, is not returning with the club for the 2024 season. Chattanooga have played seven of their 14 Open Cup games at home in Finley Stadium, where they are 2-3-2, with the two draws resulting in penalty tiebreaker wins. This will be the first time Chattanooga has faced a team who has gone through the Open Division qualifiers in Open Cup play.

MORE: USSSA has representation in US Open Cup for 10th year in a row

Miami United make their third consecutive appearance in the Open Cup, bringing their total to six overall. The previous four times Miami United qualified through their NPSL club while in 2023 and 2024 it was their National Soccer League (NSL) team navigating Open Division Local qualifying. The NSL rebranded this past offseason, changing its name to the United States Soccer League.

Their most successful stint came in 2018 when they reached the Fourth Round (just 17 amateur teams have done it in the Modern Era) after defeating FC Kendall, Miami FC 2 and Jacksonville Armada to earn a game with Orlando City SC of MLS, which they lost 3-0. Miami United have played a team from Division 3 just once in the Open Cup, a 1-0 loss to the Charleston Battery in the 2015 Second Round.

Chattanooga FC (MLS Next Pro)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
9th US Open Cup appearance (2011, 2013-2017, 2022-2024)
Overall: 3-6-5 (3-2 PK)
Home: 2-3-2 (2-0 PK)
vs. Amateurs: 1-1-3 (2-1 PK)
Best finish: Third Round (2014-2016, 2022-2023)

Miami United FC (USSSA / United States Soccer League)
How they qualified: Open Division Local Qualifying (defeated City Soccer FC 3-1 in final round)
6th US Open Cup appearance (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022-2024)
Overall: 6-4-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 2-2-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. Div. 3: 0-1-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2018)


Savannah Clovers FC (NISA) at Brave SC (USL-2)
G. Morse Stadium – Middleton, FL
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

Daniel Oliveira the villages vs orlando fc wolves 2022 us open cup
Daniel Oliveira of The Villages SC dribbles the ball against Orlando FC Wolves in their First Round match in the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: The Villages SC

Playing under their third name in team history, Brave SC have made their way back into the Open Cup after missing out in 2023. The absence broke an eight-tournament run for the club, the second-longest streak in USL League Two history. The Brave SC have yet to advance past a second game in their Open Cup history, although they looked to have made their way to the Third Round in 2016 when they got by the Charleston Battery on penalties after a 2-2 draw. They were later disqualified for using an ineligible player. Brave SC are 0-3 against Division 3 opponents in the Open Cup, and the last time they faced an opponent from that level was the 2016 forfeit loss to the Charleston Battery.

Brave SC began as a youth team, and in 2016 acquired the USL League Two operating license from Ocala Stampede. Brave SC reached the USL-2 semifinals in 2023, falling to Lionsbridge FC on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

The Savannah Clovers started in 2016 as a UPSL club, and as the team continued to grow successfully on the field, it was decided to turn the team professional and join NISA in 2022. The club is owned and operated by its supporters. The Clovers made their US Open Cup debut last year, falling 4-1 on the road to the Charleston Battery (USL-C). Savannah’s initial foray into NISA did not go as well as they would have liked either, finishing 8th in the nine-team circuit. (MORE on the Savannah Clovers here)

Brave SC (USL League Two)
How they qualified: Finished 8-3-1 in USL League Two Southeast Division
9th US Open Cup appearance (2013-2019, 2022, 2024)
2013-2015 as Ocala Stampede, 2016-2022 as The Villages SC
Overall: 3-7-2 (1-1 PK)
Home: 2-2-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-3-0
Best finish: Second Round (2016, 2019, 2022)

Savannah Clovers FC (NISA)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2023, 2024)
Overall: 0-1-0
Away: 0-1-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2023)


Duluth FC (NPSL) at Forward Madison FC (USL-1)
Breese Stevens Field – Madison, WI
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

Forward Madison vs Cleveland SC 2022 US Open Cup
Players from Forward Madison push forward against Cleveland SC in their Second Round match in the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Forward Madison FC

One of the many clubs started by Peter Wilt, Forward Madison will look to forget about last year’s 3-2 extra time upset at the hands of Wilt’s current club, Chicago House AC. Madison will instead look to match their initial Open Cup outing in 2019 in which they beat 2018 National Amateur Cup champions Bavarian SC and upset USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive to reach the Third Round.

Breese Stevens Field has seen plenty of Open Cup action in the past, having been used as a home venue by the Madison 56ers during the 1980s and 1990s. Forward is the state motto of Wisconsin, and the flamingo in their logo represents the official bird of the city of Madison, a flamingo lawn ornament.

Duluth FC make their return to the Open Cup after missing out on the last two tournaments. Duluth began in 2015 in the Duluth Amateur Soccer League, and by 2017 had joined the NPSL. Duluth posted a 11-0-1 record in NPSL play last season, but were upset 2-1 in extra time by Med City in the playoffs. Duluth FC is unique in the sense that it requires its players and supporters to follow certain rules when it comes to match day behavior, requesting that both avoid swearing and other forms of offensive language.

While Duluth has yet to win an open Cup game in three tries, they have advanced once via penalty tiebreaker, outshooting the Dakota Fusion after a 4-4 extra time goal fest in their Open Cup debut in 2018.

Forward Madison FC (USL League One)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
4th US Open Cup appearance (2019, 2022-23)
Overall: 3-3-0
Home: 1-2-0
vs. Amateurs: 2-1-0
Best finish: Third Round (2019, 2022)

Duluth FC (NPSL)
How they qualified: Finished 11-0-1 in NPSL North Conference
3rd US Open Cup appearance (2018, 2019)
Overall: 0-1-2 (1-1 PK)
Away: 0-0-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2018)

Lexington Sporting Club (USL-1) at Vermont Green FC (USL-2)
Virtue Field – Burlington, VT
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

For the first time in US Open Cup history, a tournament game will be played in the state of Vermont. The Vermont Green will be the second team from the Green Mountain State to appear in the US Open Cup proper, but when they take on Lexington Sporting Club, they will be the first to host. (In 2014, the Vermont Voltage lost a road game to the New York Red Bulls U-23s) The club was recognized as USL League Two Organization of the Year and has built a strong following. Vermont has already sold out their allotment of 1,300 season tickets for the 2024 season. Last year, they finished with a 10-1-3 record, but missed out on the postseason. They are one of two USL League Two qualifiers (NoVa FC the other) to miss the 2023 playoffs.

MORE: Being Vermont Green – Saving the planet and building a mini soccer superpower one game at a time

Lexington’s inaugural season in USL League One saw them finish ninth, eleven points from the final playoff spot. One bright spot during the 2023 season was Senegalese forward Ates Diouf finishing third in the league with 15 goals scored. Midfielder Tate Robinson finished tied for third in the league with eight assists. Lexington has one Open Cup game to their credit, a 1-0 loss to Louisville City FC in the Second Round in 2023. Lexington was picked in the USL League One preseason prediction poll to win this year’s championship.

2024 Season Preview: Lexington SC

Vermont Green FC (USL-2)
How they qualified: Finished 10-1-3 in USL-2 Northeast Division
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Lexington SC (USL-1)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2023)
Overall: 0-1-0
Away: 0-1-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2023)


Maryland Bobcats (NISA) at West Chester United SC (NPSL)
YSC Sports – Wayne, PA
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

Players from the Maryland Bobcats during their 2023 US Open Cup match vs. Ocean City Nor'easters. Photo: Maryland Bobcats
Players from the Maryland Bobcats during their 2023 US Open Cup match vs. Ocean City Nor’easters. Photo: Maryland Bobcats

If you have a soccer league in the United States, odds are West Chester United has qualified for the Open Cup as a member. WCU has the unique distinction of qualifying for the Open Cup four times in row under three different league banners. The run started in 2019 through the Open Division from the United Soccer League of Pennsylvania. The NPSL team qualified for the 2020 tournament only to see it canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When the Open Cup resumed in 2022 their USL League Two team qualified. In 2023, the USL of PA team made the cut again, and now their NPSL team steps into the spotlight for 2024. 

MORE: ‘Legend’ Blaise Santangelo Fueling Dreams in West Chester

The Maryland Bobcats got their start as an amateur club in the Washington D.C. area as World Class Premier Elite, winning the 2018 Spring Season in both the Washington Premier League and Maryland Major Soccer League. WCPE nearly made it into the 2019 Open Cup, falling in the final round of qualifying to amateur side Virginia United on penalties. The team moved to the UPSL in 2019, and later that year took on the name Maryland Bobcats, and in 2020 made the move to NISA as a professional team.

Players from West Chester United and Vereinigung Erzgebirge (green) battle for the ball in their Third Round Open Division Qualifier for the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Matt Ralph | BrotherlyGame.com
Players from West Chester United and Vereinigung Erzgebirge (green) battle for the ball in their Third Round Open Division Qualifier for the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Matt Ralph | BrotherlyGame.com

Two of the Bobcats three Open Cup games have been against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, both 2-0 losses in the 2022 Second Round, and the 2023 Third Round. Their one win came in a 3-2 extra time triumph over Ocean City Nor’easters (USL-2) in the 2023 Second Round. It was a thrilling game as Ocean City scored a stoppage time equalizer to send the game into extra time, only to see Phillip Brown of the Bobcats score the game winner on what would prove to be the final kick of the game in stoppage time of extra time. Their cup run would end in Pittsburgh with the Riverhounds scoring two goals in the final 10 minutes. 

In league play, Maryland finished with an 11-3-10 record last season. The Bobcats’ season came to an end in the quarterfinals of the NISA championship. The 2024 NISA season has been postponed until April.

West Chester United SC (NPSL)
How they qualified: Finished 7-0-3 in NPSL Keystone West Conference
5th US Open Cup appearance (1st for NPSL team, 3 for Open Division Local team, 1 for USL-2)

Overall: 0-0-0 (0-4-2 (2-0 PK) all teams)
Home: 0-0-0 (0-1-0 All teams)
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0 (0-1-0 All teams)
Best finish:  Second Round (2016, 2019 in Open Division Local)

Maryland Bobcats FC (NISA)
How they qualified: Automatic bid
3rd US Open Cup appearance (2022-23)
Overall: 1-2-0
Away: 0-2-0
vs. Amateurs: 1-0-0
Best finish: Third Round (2023)


FC America CFL Spurs (USSSA/USSL) at South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1)
Tormenta Stadium – Statesboro, GA
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

South Georgia Tormenta FC players celebrate after scoring a goal against Rio Grande Valley FC Toros in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: South Georgia Tormenta FC
South Georgia Tormenta FC players celebrate after scoring a goal against Rio Grande Valley FC Toros in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: South Georgia Tormenta FC

The Orlando area-based club originally registered as “CFL GOSA Spurs” but later changed their team name to “FC America CFL Spurs” prior to their opening game of the Open Division Local qualifying tournament. They started as a youth club in 1991, FC America’s most famous alumni is former Sporting Kansas City and U.S. Men’s National Team winger (and three-time US Open Cup champion) Graham Zusi. As CFL GOSA Spurs, the team reached the Round of 16 in the UPSL Spring season playoffs. CFL Spurs won the 2023 USSL Orlando Elite Division.

South Georgia Tormenta FC (or just Tormenta FC) started as an amateur club in the PDL (USL League Two) in 2016. After three seasons they turned pro to join the newly created USL League One, although they still maintain a team in USL-2. Tormenta won the 2022 League One championship, defeating the Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 2-1 in the Final. Tormenta finished an agonizing one-point shy of reaching the USL League One playoffs in 2023.

MORE: USSSA has representation in US Open Cup for 10th year in a row

Tormenta have made three appearances in the Open Cup, with their best run coming in 2022 when they upset a pair of USL Championship teams (Charleston 1-0 & Birmingham 2-0) to reach the Third Round where they dropped a 3-1 decision to Inter Miami. Tormenta have never played an amateur opponent in Open Cup play, with all six of their games being against professional opposition.

MORE: South Georgia Tormenta FC 2024 season preview

South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1)
How they qualified: Automatic bid
4th US Open Cup appearance (2019, 2022-23)
Overall: 3-3-0
Home: 1-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2022)

FC America CFL Spurs (USSSA/USSL)
How they qualified: Open Division Local Qualifying tournament (Defeated Leg-AZ World FC 4-1 in final round)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A


Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL-1) at Tulsa Athletic (NPSL)
Athletic Field at Hicks Park – Tulsa, OK
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

Players from Tulsa Athletic and FC Tulsa battle for the ball in their 2023 US Open Cup match. Photo: Tulsa Athletic
Players from Tulsa Athletic and FC Tulsa battle for the ball in their 2023 US Open Cup match. Photo: Tulsa Athletic

Tulsa Athletic will make their third straight Open Cup appearance and sixth overall this year. 2023 was Tulsa’s best showing in the Open Cup, winning the “Tulsa Derby’ against USL Championship’s FC Tulsa in the Second Round, earning a game against Sporting Kansas City in the Third Round. After finishing as runner-up in 2021 and reaching the final in 2022, Tulsa finally broke through to win the NPSL championship on penalties over fellow Open Cup qualifier Apotheos FC.

MORE: Tulsa Athletic & the Magic of the Cup

The Hailstorm will have a huge hole to fill on offense as Trevor Amann , who set the USL League One single season record with 23 goals scored in 2023, departs for Sacramento Republic. The team will also be without league assists leader Arthur Rogers, who signed with Tulsa FC. One player who is staying put is goalkeeper Lalo Delgado, who posted a league high 13 clean sheets. The Hailstorm have also added a couple of young international players to their roster. 21-year old midfielder Brahima Ouattara is currently part of the Ivory Coast U23 team, and 21 year old MF Real Gill has earned 6 caps with Trinidad & Tobago.

MORE: How Tulsa Athletic became the toast of USOC world

Northern Colorado’s best Open Cup performance came in 2022, when they knocked off in-state rivals Colorado Springs Switchbacks 1-0 in extra time in the Second Round, and then upset Real Salt Lake 1-0 in the Third round, scoring on their only shot on goal. The run ended with a 2-0 defeat to fellow USL League One upstarts Union Omaha. Northern Colorado has yet to play at home in the Open Cup. In league play, the Hailstorm are coming off a successful 2023 campaign where they finished three points shy of the regular season championship (3rd overall) and reached the league semifinals, falling to eventual champion North Carolina FC.

MORE: Are Northern Colorado Hailstorm better without Amann, Rogers, and Cornwall? They think so


Tulsa Athletic (NPSL)
How they qualified: Finished 7-1-2 in NPSL Heartland Conference
6th US Open Cup appearance (2014, 2015, 2017, 2022-2023)
Overall: 3-4-1 (0-1 PK)
Home: 3-1-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. Div. 3: 0-1-0
Best finish: Third Round (2023)

Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL-1)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
3rd US Open Cup appearance (2022-23)
Overall: 3-2-0
Away: 3-2-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2022)


FORO SC (UPSL) at Austin FC II (MLS Next Pro)
Parmer Field – Austin, TX
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

Austin FC II are the defending champions of MLS NEXT Pro, defeating the Columbus Crew in last season’s championship game. AFC II will look to make a better showing than their parent MLS club Austin FC, who have only managed one win in three Open Cup games in 2022 and 2023.

FORO SC will make their US Open Cup debut in 2024 after punching their ticket through the Open Division Local qualifying tournament. They defeated a pair of fellow UPSL sides to qualify starting with a 2-0 win over Tenfifteen FC. In Round 2, Athletic Katy FC forfeited and then FORO clinched their first Open Cup berth with a 4-0 home win over Alamo City SC. FORO won the 2021 UPSL Fall season playoffs with a 1-0 win over Chicago Nation FC. In 2023, FORO SC finished second to 2022 Open qualifier D’Feeter Kicks in the Texas North division. In the Fall season Foro FC reached the UPSL final four, losing to eventual champion Chiriaco FC, 2-1


Austin FC II (MLS NEXT Pro)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

FORO SC (UPSL)
How they qualified: Open Division Local qualifying (defeated Alamo City Soccer Club 4-0 in final round)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A


El Farolito (NPSL) at Timbers2 (MLS Next Pro)
Providence Park – Portland, OR
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

Daniel Buitrago (10) of El Farolito holds off Nikolai Littleton (7) of Inter SF in a US Open Cup first round match at Ohlone College in Fremont, Calif. on Mar. 22, 2023. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman | SoccerBayArea
Daniel Buitrago (10) of El Farolito holds off Nikolai Littleton (7) of Inter SF in a US Open Cup first round match at Ohlone College in Fremont, Calif. on Mar. 22, 2023. Photo: Douglas Zimmerman | SoccerBayArea

In 2015 when Timbers2 were part of the United Soccer League, MLS affiliated reserve teams were allowed to play in the Open Cup. That year the Timbers 2 won their Opening Round game on the road against the Michigan Bucks 2-0, then fell in a reserve team battle to the Seattle Sounders 2 in extra time 2-1. Shortly after, the US Open Cup decided to exclude MLS reserve teams from the competition. Now, the reserve sides compete in MLS NEXT Pro and T2 and 10 other teams from the league are now taking part in the 109th tournament due to a change in format forced by MLS refusing to let all of their clubs enter. In league play, Timbers2 finished 10th overall in the MLS NEXT Pro’s Western Conference last season, missing the playoffs.

El Farolito is one of two (Richmond Kickers the other in 1995) former Open Cup champions among the first round entrants, having won the US Open Cup in 1993 (under the name CD Mexico). The club also reached the Final of the 1991 National Amateur Cup. El Farolito competed in the San Francisco Soccer Football League and California Premier Soccer Association for most of their existence before switching to the NPSL in 2018. In fact, El Farolito would have been making their fourth Open Cup appearance this year instead of their third but were disqualified in 2018 for switching leagues in the middle of the competition. (The club was the subject of TheCup.us’s “Meet the Underdogs” series back in 2017.)

Last season, El Farolito finished second in the NPSL, and topping the table in the Golden Gate conference with a 9-0-1 record. They would fall short in the postseason with a loss to Crossfire Red in the West regional final.

Timbers2 (MLS NEXT Pro)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2015)
Overall: 1-1-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 1-0-0
Best finish: Third Round (2015)

El Farolito SC (NPSL)
How they qualified: Finished 9-0-1 in NPSL Golden Gate Conference
3rd US Open Cup appearances (2017, 2023)
Overall: 2-2-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 1-1-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: 1993 US Open Cup champions (as “CD Mexico”)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20

Christos FC (USASA/MMSL) at Richmond Kickers (USL-1)C (USASA/MMSL)
City Stadium – Richmond, VA
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

Players from the Richmond Kickers celebrate after scoring a goal against Cleveland SC in the Second Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography
Players from the Richmond Kickers celebrate after scoring a goal against Cleveland SC in the Second Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography

One of two Open Cup Champions in the First Round, the Kickers make their 19th straight appearance. Aside from their Championship win in 1995, Richmond has one Semifinal appearance (2011) and three trips to the Quarterfinals (2001, 2004, 2007) on their Open Cup resume. Since that Semifinal run in 2011, the Kickers have advanced to a third game just four times and have faced MLS opposition seven times without success. Richmond, who were founded in 1993, have lost to amateur opposition just twice in 19 games, the last time coming at the hands of Christos in 2017 at City Stadium in Richmond. The Kickers experienced a very disappointing 2023 season, finishing second to last in the 12-team USL League One.

After a five-tournament absence, Christos FC return to the Open Cup for a third time. Their debut in 2017 caused quite a stir as they made a run to the fourth round for a date with D.C. United. The amateurs went viral the next morning after they jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute, and held on to a 1-1 tie until the 81st minute. (Christos was the subject of TheCup.us’s “Meet the Underdogs” series back in 2018). Christos have won the Rowland Cup (Maryland State cup) 8 times and are 11-time champions of the Stewart Cup (Maryland Amateur Cup)

Richmond Kickers (USL-1)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
24th US Open Cup appearance (1995, 1997, 2000-2002, 2004-2023)
Overall: 34-21-4 (2-2 PK)
Home: 27-8-1 (0-1)
vs. Amateurs: 16-2-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: 1995 US Open Cup champions

Christos FC (USASA/Maryland Major Soccer League)
How they qualified: Open Division Local Qualifying (defeated NoVa FC 1-0 in final round)
3rd US Open Cup appearances (2017, 2018)
Overall: 3-1-1 (0-1)
Away: 3-1-1 (0-1)
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: Fourth Round (2017)


Club de Lyon FC (NISA) at AS Frenzi (UPSL)
Daytona State College Soccer Stadium – Daytona Beach,  FL
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

AS Frenzi became the first club to take advantage of an Open Cup berth being awarded to the UPSL Spring champions, defeating Sporting Wichita SC 2-1. 16-year-old Yan Diomande, who also has represented the Ivory Coast Under-17 national team, scored both goals with the second coming with just five minutes remaining in extra time.

Club de Lyon’s only Open Cup game was a 2-1 extra time loss to San Antonio FC (USL Championship) in the Second Round of last year’s competition.

Just as Irvine Zeta did this year, Club de Lyon initially qualified for last year’s tournament through the Open Division, and then announced its entry of a professional team in NISA. In its initial season in NISA, Club de Lyon missed out on the playoffs by five points.

Club de Lyon (NISA)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2023)
Overall: 0-1-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2023)

AS Frenzi (UPSL)
How they qualified: 2023 UPSL Spring champions (Defeated Sporting Wichita SC 2-1 in the Final)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Greenville Triumph SC (USL-1) at South Carolina United FC (USL-2)
SCUFC Southeastern Freight Lines Soccer Complex – Columbia, SC
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

Photo: Chandler Jarrell @chandlerjarrell

Also known as SC United Bantams, the team has a working relationship with Bradford City, whose nickname is The Bantams. The team have lost both Open Cup matches they’ve played in, but in 2022 they suffered a double defeat. After losing a first round game to the North Carolina Fusion U-23s (now Salem City FC) 3-1 in extra time, the game later officially went down as a forfeit as the Bantams were found to have used multiple ineligible players.

MORE: New Greenville Triumph coach looks for seamless transition at the top

The Greenville Triumph have been one of the more successful clubs in USL League One. In its five years in the league, Greenville have made the playoffs every year, finishing as championship runners-up in 2018 and 2021, and winning the title in 2020. Only one of Greenville’s five Open Cup games have been away from home, and that came last year with a cross-country trip to face USL Championship club Phoenix Rising in the Second Round. 

South Carolina United FC (USL-2)
How they qualified: Finished in 10-1-1 in USL-2 South Central Division
3rd US Open Cup appearances (2017, 2022)
2017 and 2022 as SC United Bantams
Overall: 0-2-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-2-0
Best finish: First Round (2017, 2022)

Greenville Triumph SC (USL-1)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
4th US Open Cup appearance (2019, 2022, 2023)
Overall: 2-3-0
Away: 0-1-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: Third Round (2022)


One Knoxville SC (USL-1) at Asheville City SC (USL-2)
Greenwood Field – UNC Asheville – Asheville, NC
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

Asheville City SC began in 2016 as a member of the NPSL. After three seasons the team switched to USL League Two. After finishing second in the South Central division in 2022, Asheville City won the division in 2023 with a 10-1-1 record, nosing out SC United Bantams on goal difference. Asheville City fell in the Conference semifinals to The Villages SC (now Brave SC) 1-0.

MORE: Asheville City SC: Half an idea to full-fledged family

One Knoxville began as an amateur team in USL League Two with the intent to eventually move to League One. After registering a 11-1-2 record and reaching the League Two Quarterfinals in the 2022 season, One Knoxville made the move to League One for 2023. The club had a fairly successful debut season, finishing five points from reaching the playoffs. Sean Lewis won the League One Golden Glove for best goalkeeper, registering eight shutouts and maintaining a 1.04 goals against average. 

One Knoxville has just one Open Cup game under their belt, a 2-1 extra time loss to Memphis 901 FC.

MORE: One Knoxville SC (2024 season preview)

Asheville City SC (USL-2)
How they qualified: Finished 10-1-1 in USL-2 South Central Division
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

One Knoxville SC (USL-1)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
2nd US Open Cup appearances (2023)
Overall: 0-1-0
Away: 0-1-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2023)


Chicago City SC (USL-2) at Chicago Fire FC II (MLS Next Pro)

SeatGeek Stadium – Bridgeview, IL

7 p.m. CT
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

2024 marks the second Open Cup tournament in a row to feature an all-Chicago matchup. Last year Fire II’s parent MLS club defeated Chicago House AC 3-0 in the Third Round. Chicago Fire II will have to go a long way to match their parent club’s Open up success. Last year the Fire reached the Quarterfinals, and the absence of the Fire in 2024 will delay by another year their chance at winning a fifth Open Cup title to join Bethlehem Steel, Maccabee AC and the Fall River Marksmen with five.

Chicago City fielded a womens team first, joining the WPSL in 2018. The men’s team began play in USL League Two in 2022. Last season they won the Heartland Division with a 11-0-1 record and reached the Conference Semifinals. Chicago City and the Fire II are the ninth and tenth teams from Chicago outside the Chicago Fire to participate in the Open Cup since 1995.

MORE: Chicago City SC gives local college players, aspiring pros a chance to shine

Chicago Fire FC II (MLS NEXT Pro)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Chicago City SC (USL-2)
How they qualified: Finished 11-0-1 in USL-2 Heartland Division
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Georgia Lions (NISA) at Apotheos FC (NPSL)
Silverbacks Park Stadium – Atlanta, GA
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

UPDATE: Georgia Lions have withdrawn from the competition. Apotheos FC advance to Round 2 via forfeit

In just their second year of existence, Apotheos FC have put themselves on the map as a team to watch. After winning the NPSL Southeast Conference with a 6-1-3 record, Apotheos won five games to reach the NPSL National Championship game versus fellow Open Cup qualifier Tulsa Athletic. Apotheos appeared to have the championship in hand when Junior Sandoval scored with 10 minutes remaining. Chris Taylor then tied the game for Tulsa in stoppage time and the championship was eventually decided by penalty kicks. Each team converted their first five attempts, and Apotheos finally missed in round 9 to open the door for Tulsa to win the shootout 8-7. Club founders Anthony Catalano and Dale Hughes also operate Apotheos Roastery in the Atlanta area. The name apotheos is derived from “apotheosis,” a word that suggests elevating something to its most divine form.

The Georgia Lions began as East Georgia FC. The Lions are co-owned by Surat, India native Sunita Patel, making the club the first professional soccer team to be owned by a woman of Indian descent in the United States..

Apotheos FC (NPSL)
How they qualified: Finished 6-1-3 in NPSL Southeast Conference
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Georgia Lions (NISA)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Hudson Valley Hammers (USL-2) at New York Red Bulls II (MLS NEXT Pro)
Pittser Field (Montclair State Univ.) – Montclair, NJ
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

The New York Red Bulls 2 fielded seven academy players in their 2015 Round 2 loss to the Jersey Express (PDL). Photo: Bob Larson

In 2015 when the Red Bulls 2 were part of the United Soccer League, MLS affiliated reserve teams were allowed to play in the Open Cup. That year the Red Bulls II lost their only Open Cup game 1-0 to the PDL’s Jersey Express. Unlike this year, the reserve teams did not replace their parent MLS clubs in the tournament.

Red Bulls II played in the USL Championship from 2015-2022, winning the league title in 2016. Red Bulls II left the USL Championship in 2023 with the remaining MLS reserve teams to play in MLS NEXT Pro.

The Hammers were founded in 2020 as an initiative led by AFC Bournemouth and United States Men’s National Team midfielder Tyler Adams, a native of Wappingers Falls, New York. Hudson Valley finished the 2023 season second in the Metropolitan Division of USL League One, six points behind leaders Long Island Rough Riders. The Hammers reached the Conference Semifinals, losing to the Ocean City Nor’easters 2-1 on a 90th minute stoppage time penalty kick.

New York Red Bulls II (MLS NEXT Pro)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2015)
Overall: 0-1-0
Home: 0-1-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-1-0
Best finish: Second Round (2015)

Hudson Valley Hammers (USL-2)
How they qualified: Finished 10-1-3 in USL-2 Metropolitan Division
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

MNUFC2 (MLS NEXT Pro) at Chicago House AC (USASA/Midwest Premier League)
Elmhurst University, Langhorst Field – Elmhurst, IL
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

Photo: Chicago House AC

Peter Wilt’s Chicago House return to the Open Cup after making an impressive showing in their debut last year. After a 1-0 win over fellow Midwest Premier League club Bavarian United, House knocked off Forward Madison (another club Wilt helped start) 3-2 after extra time. House’s AR Smith Jr. earned Player of the Round honors from TheCup.us after scoring the tying and game winning goals. That led to a third round showdown with Wilt’s original club, the Chicago Fire, and while House lost 3-0, their debut performance will be a challenge they’ll be eager to match.

Chicago selected their team name in quite a unique way. 68 different names (out of over 400 submitted) were put together in a tournament for fans to vote on dubbed “Moniker Madness”, and on February 23, 2021 “Chicago House” was announced as the winner. The name House refers to Chicago house style of music.

The Twosies will be looking to continue the run of Minnesotan lower-division pro sides that includes Minnesota Stars run in 2012 which included upsetting MLS side Real Salt Lake, the formerly professional Chicago House will be an intriguing matchup for the Loons reserve side. MNUFC 2 barely missed the playoffs in 2023, finishing at 43 points with Houston Dynamo 2, but losing out on tiebreakers. Teams from Chicago and the Twin Cities have met just twice since 1995, both involving PDL (USL League Two) club Chicago FC United (formerly Chicago Fire Reserves) and the Minnesota Thunder of the USL. The Thunder came out on top both times, 2-1 in the 2005 Second Round, and 4-0 in the 2009 Second Round.

Chicago House AC (USASA/Midwest Premier League)
How they qualified: Open Division Local qualifying tournament (Defeated Valhalla FC 3-1 in final round)
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2023)
Overall: 2-1-0
Home: 1-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 1-0-0
Best finish: Third Round (2023)

MNUFC2 (MLS NEXT Pro)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Central Valley Fuego FC (USL-1) at FC Folsom (UPSL)
Folsom Lake College – Folsom, CA
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

Central Valley Fuego 2022 US Open Cup Villyan Bijev
Villyan Bijjev of Central Valley Fuego dribbles the ball against El Paso Locomotive FC in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: CV Fuego FC

FC Folsom finished third in both the Spring and Fall seasons in the UPSL NorCal North Division. In the spring Folsom reached the national playoffs but fell in the divisional playoffs in the fall.

Central Valley have struggled in their two seasons in USL League One, missing the playoffs both years and finishing last in 2023. During the offseason Central Valley hired former U.S. Men’s National Team defender Jermaine Jones as head coach.

All three for Central Valley’s Open Cup games have been against USL Championship teams. Their lone win was a 4-1 upset at home vs. El Paso Locomotive in the Second Round, and Villyan Bijev was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round after scoring two goals in the win. The Fuego pushed Monterrey Bay to extra time in 2023 before falling 3-1.

FC Folsom (UPSL)
How they qualified: Open Division Local Qualifying tournament (defeated Inter San Francisco 4-2 in final round)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Central Valley Fuego FC (USL-1)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
3rd US Open Cup appearances (2022-23)
Overall: 1-2-0
Away: 0-1-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: Third Round (2022)


Irvine Zeta FC (NISA) vs. SC MesoAmerica (Liga Deportivo Morazan)
Championship Soccer Stadium – Irvine, CA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

MesoAmerica are the fifth club to gain entry into the Open Cup through winning the National Amateur Cup since the spot was allocated to the champion in 2018. MesoAmerica nearly won the National Amateur Cup in 2019, losing out 2-1 to Horizon FC (Houston, TX) in the semifinals. The club would win the third-place game 6-2 over Chicago’s RWB Adria. The team MesoAmerica beat to win the 2023 Amateur Cup, Newtown Pride FC, went on to win the Amateur crown in 2019. MesoAmerica finished first in Liga Morazan with a 18-1-2 record, and Rene Santillan won the league scoring title with 18 goals.The club is known also as “MesoAmerica FC” and “MesoAmerica-San Carlos FC”

2024 will be a year of first for Irvine Zeta FC. IVFC’s professional team are set to make their Open Cup debut less than 12 months after being approved to play in The National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) in 2024. The club previously fielded a semi-professional team that will also compete simultaneously in the first round of the 2024 tournament. Led by club President Cary Lyu, Irvine Zeta are the first Chinese-founded professional club in the United States. The team’s inaugural NISA season has been delayed until April, but in the meantime they will host the Amateur Cup champions at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, Calif.

Irvine Zeta FC (NISA)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

SC MesoAmerica (Liga Deportiva Morazan)
How they qualified: 2023 USASA Amateur Cup Champions (defeated Newton Pride FC 2-1 in the Final)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Des Moines Menace (USL-2) at Capistrano FC (NISA)
Jserra Catholic High School – San Juan Capistrano, CA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

Des Moines Menace 2022 US Open Cup
The Des Moines Menace celebrate scoring a goal vs. Minneapolis City SC in the First Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Jose Calderon @digitaljose

Capistrano FC (commonly known as Capo FC) returns to the Open Cup after qualifying last season through the Open Division Local Qualifying tournament as a member of NISA Nation. Established in 2006 as a youth club, Capo joined the UPSL in 2021, NISA Nation in 2022, then USL League Two in 2023. After the 2023 season the club announced it was joining NISA as a professional team, while maintaining their USL-2 club. Capo’s lone Open Cup appearance began with a 4-1 win over fellow amateurs Ventura County Fusion, and ended being overwhelmed 5-0 by Orange County SC. This is actually the fourth time San Luis Obispo has been represented in the Open Cup since 1995. Preceding last year’s appearance by Capo FC, the amateur Central Coast Roadrunners played in the Open Cup in 1997 and 2001. In ‘97 they upset two pro teams to meet the San Jose Clash of MLS (now San Jose Earthquakes) in the Third Round, whom they lost to 5-2. The game versus the Menace will be the first Open Cup game played in San Luis Obispo since the Roadrunners defeated Mexico SC on penalties in the First Round in 2001 at Mustang Stadium (Cal Poly University).

Appearing in their fourth Open Cup in a row, the Des Moines Menace are one of the great lower league upset darlings of the Open Cup. The Menace have 14 Open Cup wins, and seven upsets of professional opponents, both of which are the second most among all amateur teams in the Modern Era (1995-present). Only the Flint City Bucks (15 wins, 10 pro upsets) have more in both categories. The Menace have missed out on just three Open Cup tournaments since 2010, and of the three amateur clubs in this year’s field with 10+ appearances, Des Moines are the only ones not to have played as a professional club. The 1,832 mile trip the Menace will take to San Luis Obispo easily doubles the distance traveled in their previous longest Open Cup road trips to Rochester, NY in 2002 (910 mi.) and Clarkson, Ga. in 2005 (920 mi.). The Menace are currently on a nine-season streak of finishing either first or second in their division in USL League Two.

Capistrano FC celebrates after the club's PK shootout win over Orange County FC in the 2023 US Open Cup Qualifying touranment. Photo: Josiah Sanders
Capistrano FC celebrates after the club’s PK shootout win over Orange County FC in the 2023 US Open Cup Qualifying touranment. Photo: Josiah Sanders

The headline for the Menace entering First Round matchup is the signing of former US international Sacha Kljestan. The 38-year-old who announced his retirement last year before transitioning to being a commentator brings a career resume that includes 21 US Open Cup matches, five goals and four assists. He will be joined by Euan Holden, the younger brother of another former U.S. international, Stu Holden.

The Menace have advanced past their opening game in 10 of their previous 13 appearances. 2005 was Des Moines most successful run, defeating two pro teams (Charleston Battery 3-2, Atlanta Silverbacks 5-1), setting up a meeting with the Kansas City Wizards (Sporting KC) in the Fourth Round, which the Menace lost 6-1. They would meet the Wizards again in the 2006 Third Round, narrowly losing 2-1 on a 90th minute goal.

MORE: Des Moines menacing the big boys since 1994

Capistrano FC (NISA)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2023)
Overall: 1-1-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 1-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2023)

Des Moines Menace (USL-2)
How they qualified: Finished in 10-0-2 in USL-2 Heartland Division
14th US Open Cup appearance (2002-03, 2005-06, 2010, 2012-13, 2015-2017, 2019, 2022-23)
Overall: 8-6-3 (3-1 PK)
Away: 6-6-0
vs. Div. 3: 2-3-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2005)


Redlands FC (USL-2) at LA Force FC (NISA)
Long Beach Community College – Long Beach, CA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

The LA Force finished third in the 2023 NISA season, but were bounced from the playoffs by eventual champions Flower City Union 4-2. The Force have played just two Open Cup matches in their history, both Second Round losses to USL Championship teams. In 2022 the Force lost to Orange County SC 5-2, and in 2023 Las Vegas Lights bested them by a 4-0 scoreline.

Redlands won the USL League Two Southwest Division by a single point over Ventura Fusion and FC Tuscon. The club was tripped up in the opening round of the playoffs by San Francisco Glens 2-1 on a goal eight minutes deep into second half stoppage time.

MORE: Inland soccer notes: Redlands FC preparing for second season, U.S. Open Cup competition

LA Force FC (NISA)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
3rd US Open Cup appearance (2022-23)
Overall: 0-2-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2022, 2023)

Redlands FC (USL-2)
How they qualified: Finished in 8-2-2 in USL-2 Southwest Division
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Spokane Velocity (USL-1) at Ballard FC (USL-2)
Memorial Stadium – Seattle, WA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

Ballard FC are the defending USL League Two champions, having defeated Lionsbridge FC in the championship game 2-1 on a dramatic goal in second half stoppage time. The club was founded and is owned by former Seattle Sounders star Lamar Neagle. Their head coach is another former Sounder, James Riley, who spent three seasons in Seattle and is one of the most successful players when it comes to the US Open Cup in the history of the competition. He is one of two players in the Modern Era (1995-present) to lift the trophy five times (New England Revolution in 2007, Seattle Sounders FC 2009-11, D.C. United in 2013).

The city of Spokane returns to the Open Cup for the first time since 2004, when the Spokane Shadow the PDL (now USL League Two) dropped a first round game to the Sacramento Knights (USASA/NPSL). The team’s name and crest reference the Spokane River, which runs through the city. The club also has a team in the USL W League, the Spokane Zephyr FC, set for their debut season as well in 2024. This actually will be the second time a team from Spokane visits Memorial Stadium for an Open Cup match. The Spokane Shadow made the trip in the Second Round of the 1999 tournament to play the Seattle Sounders (then in the A-League). The Shadow lost 3-1.

The Velocity have signed midfielder and former MLS player Luis Gil, whose nine assists with Union Omaha was good for second in USL League One in 2023. Also joining the Velocity is midfielder Andre Lewis, who has appeared in 100 games with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks and Hartford Athletic from 2020-2023. Up front Spokane will feature forward Romain Métanire, who logged 77 games with Minnesota United from 2019-2022, and has 27 caps for Madagascar.


Ballard FC (USL-2)
How they qualified: Finished 10-1-1 in USL-2 Northwest Division
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Spokane Velocity (USL-1)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

 THURSDAY, MARCH 21

 Michigan Stars FC (NISA) at Steel City FC (NPSL)
Ambrose Urbanic Field – Pittsburgh, PA
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

Steel City reached the NPSL Quarterfinals in 2023, losing 2-1 after extra time to eventual champions Tulsa Athletic. Steel City are the first amateur club to represent Pittsburgh in the Open Cup since Tartan Devils Oak Avalon in 2017.

MORE: Steel City FC ‘buzzing to get after’ US Open Cup debut despite turmoil at top of US Soccer ladder

The Michigan Stars, the 2022 NISA champions, nearly made it two in a row, but were upset in the championship game by Flower City Union. The club got its start in 1998 as the Windsor Spartans FC in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Moving to the Metro Detroit area in 2013 the team joined the NPSL, and in 2019 made the move to the newly formed NISA.

The Stars have only played two Open Cup games in their history, both in the Second Round against USL Championship teams. In 2022 they fell to former NISA rivals Detroit City FC 2-0, and in 2023 the Stars took Indy Eleven to extra time before falling 3-1.

Steel City FC (NPSL)
How they qualified: Finished 10-0-2 in NPSL Great Lakes Conference
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Michigan Stars FC (NISA)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
3rd US Open Cup appearance (2022-23)
Overall: 0-2-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2022, 2023)


NYCFC II (MLS NEXT Pro) at FC Motown (NPSL)
Pittser Field (Montclair State Univ.) – Montclair, NJ
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

FC Motown 2022 US Open Cup AC Syracuse Pulse
Federico De Olivera of FC Motown celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against AC Syracuse Pulse in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Peter Bonilla

FC Motown are making a habit of qualifying for the Open Cup, making their fourth consecutive appearance and their sixth out of the last seven. This string of Open Cup appearances means they have been one of the strongest clubs in the NPSL, compiling a 28-5-6 record over the last four seasons, as well as winning the NPSL playoffs in 2022 and finishing second in 2018. Heading into the 2024 season, FC Motown hired MLS veteran Dilly Duka to fill the role of manager. Duka had played a handful of games for Motown in 2018 after concluding his MLS career. Motown’s most successful run in the Open Cup came in 2022. After defeating pro club AC Syracuse Pulse 1-0 after extra time, they reached the third round where they played Rochester New York FC of MLS Next Pro to a 2-2 draw only to lose in a penalty shootout.

FC Motown have faced a team affiliated with an MLS club before in Open Cup play. In the 2018 First Round, Motown defeated the New York Red Bulls U-23s 2-1. The teams met again the following year, this time the U-23s advanced via penalty shootout after a 4-4 draw.

MORE: Truck Drivers vs Abu Dhabi: FC Motown’s “Cinderella” matchup with NYCFC II

After years of having loose affiliations with USL clubs, New York City FC finally fielded their own reserve team with the formation of MLS Next Pro in 2021. NYCFC II’s first season saw them miss the playoffs by a single point. Forward MD Myers finished 2023 in a three-way tie atop the league’s goalscoring chart with 19 goals.

FC Motown (NPSL)
How they qualified: Finished 8-0-2 in NPSL Keystone East Conference
7th US Open Cup appearance (2016-17, 2019, 2022-2023) / 2016 & 2017 as Clarkstown SC Eagles
Overall: 3-4-2 (0-2 PK)
Home: 3-2-0
vs. Div. 3: 1-0-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Third Round (2022)

New York City FC II (MLS NEXT Pro)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A


Brockton FC United (UPSL) at Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL-1)
CHI Memorial Stadium – East Ridge, TN
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

The Red Wolves have yet to win an open Cup game in their three appearances, the closest they’ve come to a win was a 1-0 loss to Louisville City in 2022 in the Second Round. Chattanooga’s time in USL League One has been up and down, missing the playoffs in 2019 and 2020 followed by reaching the semifinals (2021) and the Final in 2022 then crashing to 10th place in 2023.

Brockton FC United reclaim a spot in the Open Cup after missing out last season when they dropped a penalty kick shootout loss in the dark to fellow 2023 Open Division qualifier Chicago House AC. This time Brockton avenged a loss to the Freedoms in the final round of 2020 qualifying, a rain-shortened 1-0 defeat. The qualifying rematch looked destined to go to extra time tied 0-0, but a chaotic 10 minutes of stoppage time saw Brockton come away 3-1 winners. Brockton has won the UPSL New England division Spring and Fall seasons five of the last six times. Brockton was the subject of TheCup.us’s Meet the Underdogs series in 2022. Brockton’s lone Open Cup appearance ended after one game, a 2-0 loss to the Western Mass Pioneers.

MORE: World Cup to Open Cup: The wild, winding road of Brockton’s Wuilito Fernandes

Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL-1)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
4th US Open Cup appearance (2019, 2022-23)
Overall: 0-3-0
Home: 0-1-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-1-0
Best finish: Second Round (2022, 2023)

Brockton FC United (UPSL)
How they qualified: Open Division Local Qualifying tournament (defeated NY Pancyprian Freedoms 3-1 in final round)
2nd US Open Cup appearance (2022)
Overall: 0-1-0
Away: 0-1-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: First Round (2022)

South Carolina United Heat (UPSL) at Crown Legacy FC (MLS NEXT Pro)
Mecklenburg County Sportsplex – Matthews, NC
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

Crown Legacy is the MLS NEXT Pro team of Charlotte FC. The Legacy finished the 2023 season in first place of the Eastern Conference by 10 points over New England Revolution II, but were eliminated in their first playoff game by eventual finalist Columbus Crew 2.

The South Carolina United Heat are not to be confused with South Carolina United Bantams of USL League Two. After two qualifying attempts in 2022 and 2023 fell frustratingly short at the last step, South Carolina United Heat finally managed to clear the final hurdle and claim an Open Cup berth. In 2022 SCU were forced to forfeit their final qualifying game due to positive COVID-19 tests throughout the team. In 2023, the Heat were minutes away from an Open Cup spot when Club de Lyon converted a penalty kick in second half stoppage time and then won it in extra time. SCU were runners-up for the UPSL 2022 Spring championship. In the past six Spring & Fall UPSL seasons, the Heat have amassed a 51-3-5 record.

Crown Legacy FC (MLS NEXT Pro)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

South Carolina United Heat (UPSL)
How they qualified: Open Division Local Qualifying tournament (defeated Tennessee Tempo FC 4-2 in final round)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Union Omaha (USL-1) at Western Mass Pioneers (USL-2)
Lusitano Stadium – Ludlow, MA
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

Union Omaha players celebrate after scoring a goal against El Paso Locomotive in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Trev Hellman | @trevhellman
Union Omaha players celebrate after scoring a goal against El Paso Locomotive in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Trev Hellman | @trevhellman

Ludlow, Mass. has a long history in the US Open Cup. The first known appearance of a Ludlow club in the tournament was on Dec. 19, 1937, when Gremio Lusitano defeated Springfield 3-0 in the second round of qualifying for the 1938 US Open Cup. Ludlow Lusitano and Gremio Lusitano also saw Open Cup success in the 1950s. The Pioneers call Lusitano Stadium their home, a venue that first featured Open Cup action in the 1950s.

The Pioneers made their first six Open Cup appearances as a professional team, switching to the PDL (now USL League Two) in 2010. Cup success has eluded Western Mass over the years, as they have yet to advance to a third game in their 13 appearances. The Pioneers also have never defeated a professional team as amateurs or pros.

MORE: From Lusitanos to Pioneers: An Old Mill Town’s Enduring Passion

Making their third appearance in the Open Cup, Union Omaha has a high bar to duplicate their best showing in the tournament. In 2022 the Owls knocked off two MLS clubs (Chicago Fire & Minnesota United) to reach the Quarterfinals. The run ended with a 6-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City, but the scoreline did not diminish Omaha’s feat of becoming the first team from Nebraska to reach the Quarterfinals and the first third division team to do so since 2013. Omaha saw their cup run end abruptly last year with a 5-1 loss to St. Louis City in front of a third-round record 22,423 fans at St. Louis.

Union finished the 2023 USL League season in first place but were upset by the Charlotte Independence in the playoff semifinals on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw. Dominic Casciato was named USL League One Coach of the Year for the 2023 season. During the offseason, Omaha signed Victor “PC” Giro, a midfielder who spent the last three seasons with San Antonio FC, and defender Mechack Jérôme, a veteran who has made 78 appearances for the Haitian National Team. Departing are Noe Meza, JP Scearce, Joe Brito and Luis Gil. The four players combined for 25 of Omaha’s 64 goals in all competitions in 2023. Gil also had nine assists, good for second in USL League One.

MORE: Union Omaha owners, city officials announce soccer stadium plans

Western Mass Pioneers (USL-2)
How they qualified: Finished 10-3-1 in USL-2 Northeast Division
13th US Open Cup appearance (1998*, 2004-05*, 2007-09*, 2011, 2014-15, 2017-18, 2022)
* as a pro club
Overall: 7-8-3 (0-3 PK) (2-3-2 (0-2 PK) as amateur)
Home: 6-5-2 (0-2 PK) (2-2-2 (0-2 PK) as amateur)
vs. Div. 3: 0-4-1 (0-1 PK) (0-3-0 as amateur)
Best finish: Third Round (2005)

Union Omaha (USL-1)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
3rd US Open Cup appearance (2022-23)
Overall: 4-2-1 (1-0 PK)
Away: 1-2-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. Amateurs: 1-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Charlotte Independence (USL-1) at Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USASA/USL of PA)
Cairn University – Langhorne, PA
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

Players from Vereinigung Erzebirge (left) and Philadelphia Lone Star FC battle for the ball in a 2023 US Open Cup qualifier. Photo: Carl Gulbish | @carlgulbishpho1
Players from Vereinigung Erzebirge (left) and Philadelphia Lone Star FC battle for the ball in a 2023 US Open Cup qualifier. Photo: Carl Gulbish | @carlgulbishpho1

While this is only VE’s second appearance in the Open Cup proper since 1995, the club has been around since 1931, and playing in the Cup since at least 1958 (according to TheCup.us records).

In the 22 years that have passed since VE’s lone Open Cup appearance, their opponents in the one cup game they played back then have since changed their name twice (South Jersey Barons—Ocean City Barons—Ocean City Nor’easters). Vereinigung is a German word that means combining or uniting, while Erzgebirge is the German word for the Ore Mountains, which are in Eastern Germany along the Czech-German border. VE finished the 2022-23 USL of PA season in second place and are awaiting the resumption of the current season with a 4-0-1 record. In the 2022-23 season VE finished second to West Chester United.

MORE: Pennsylvania’s historic Vereinigung Erzgebirge on verge of cup return

Charlotte has the second longest Open Cup history of all the USL League One teams with seven appearances. The club’s high point was a run to the Fifth Round in 2015, when they upset the New England Revolution 1-0 in the Fourth Round. The Independence fell short of reaching the Quarterfinals, dropping a 3-1 decision to the Chicago Fire. Captain Jorge Herrera was voted Player of the Round by TheCup.us for his performance against New England. Charlotte has outright lost only one Open Cup game in seven played against amateur competition, a 3-1 loss to the Ocean City Nor’easters in the 2018 Second Round. The next year in the same round Charlotte were ousted by Florida Soccer Soldiers on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

2023 Season Preview: Charlotte Independence

Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USASA/USL of PA)
How they qualified: Open Division Local Qualifying tournament (defeated New Jersey Alliance on PKs (4-2) after a 0-0 draw in final round)
2nd US Open Cup appearance in Modern Era (2002)
Overall: 0-1-0
Home: 0-1-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: First Round (2002)

Charlotte Independence (USL-1)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
7th US Open Cup appearance (2015-19, 2022-23)
Overall: 6-6-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 4-4-0
vs. Amateurs: 4-2-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Fifth Round (2015)

Northern Virginia FC (USL-2) at Carolina Core FC (MLS NEXT Pro)
GNCG Soccer Stadium – Greensboro, NC
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

Northern Virginia FC NOVA FC Districtonia Futbol 2022 US Open Cup Qualifying
Northern Virginia FC celebrates after scoring a goal against Districtonia Futbol in the Final Round of the Open Division Local Qualifying tournament for the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Sean Maslin

The Carolina Core are one of two independent MLS NEXT Pro teams, along with Chattanooga FC. Former U.S. Men’s National team defender and D.C. United standout Eddie Pope serves as the Chief Sporting Director, and USMNT teammate Roy Lassiter serves as the club’s head coach.

MORE: Carolina Core Soccer Team Ready To Kick Off Season

Northern Virginia FC have been around since 1998, but have a very limited Open Cup history. In 1999 and 2000 as the Northern Virginia Royals of the D3 Pro League the team went one and done each time. The club turned amateur in 2006 and dropped down to the PDL (USL League Two). In 2022 NoVa qualified through the Open Division and reached the Second Round, losing 1-0 to the Richmond Kickers. NoVa finished runners-up in the 2022 National Amateur Cup, and also lost in the final round of Open Division qualifying. NoVa initially looked to have missed out on the 2024 Open Cup, having missed the cut in USL League Two and falling short again the the final round of open Division qualifying to Christos FC. However, the late withdrawal of Salem City FC opened a spot of another USL League Two team, and NoVa was thrown an Open Cup lifeline. (NoVa FC was featured as part of TheCup.us’s “Meet the Underdogs” series in 2022.)

Carolina Core FC (MLS NEXT Pro)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Northern Virginia FC (USL-2)
How they qualified: Selected to replace Salem City FC
4th US Open Cup appearance (1st as USL-2, 1999-2000 as pro team, 2022 as USASA team)
Overall: 0-2-0 (1-1-0 as USASA)
Away: 0-1-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: Second Round (2000) as Pro Team, (2023) as USASA team

Arizona Monsoon FC (NISA) at Lubbock Matadors (NPSL)
LCU Soccer Field – Lubbock, TX
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

The Arizona Monsoon are making their debut in NISA this season. The Monsoon are the fourth professional team from Phoenix to play in the Open Cup since 1995, along with Arizona Sahuaros (1998-99 in D3 Pro League), Phoenix FC (2013 USL Pro) and Phoenix Rising (USL Championship)

On July 15, 2023, 5,842 fans saw the Matadors play Brownsville NPSL at Lubbock’s Cooper Pirate Stadium, ranking among the top ten in single-game attendance figures in NPSL history, and the club averaged around 4,000 for six home games in the 2023 season.  Head coach Paul Gilbert was named NPSL Coach of the Year for the 2023 season.

MORE: Lubbock Matadors celebrating as soccer club prepares to play in and host U.S. Open Cup

Lubbock Matadors SC (NPSL)
How they qualified: Finished 11-0-1 in NPSL Lone Star Conference
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Arizona Monsoon FC (NISA)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A


Azteca FC (USSSA/Colorado Premier League) at Colorado Rapids 2 (MLS NEXT Pro)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park – Commerce City, CO
Kickoff: 9:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

Photo: Azteca FC

This is not the first time that a reserve team of the Colorado Rapids has competed in the US Open Cup. The Rapids U-23 team that played in the PDL (USL League Two) participated in the 2004 Open Cup, reaching the Third Round before losing to the Minnesota Thunder 2-1 in sudden death extra time. Fast forward to last season, the Rapids 2 finished first in the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference, nine points clear of second place Tacoma Defiance, but were eliminated in the Conference Final by eventual champions Austin FC II. Rémi Cabral’s (on loan to Phoenix Rising) 19 goals were good for a three way tie atop the league leaders, and midfielder Marlon Vargas led the league in assists with 10 and Yosuke Hanya finished right behind him with nine.

MORE: USSSA has representation in US Open Cup for 10th year in a row

Azteca FC return to the Open Cup for a fourth time after missing out last year. To get in, Azteca defeated UDA Soccer 2-1, avenging a penalty kick loss last year that sent UDA to their Open Cup debut.  “5280” in Azteca FC’s crest signifies the elevation in feet of Denver, Colorado. Azteca finished the 2023 Colorado Premier League Fall season with 5-0-3 record, good for second place finish behind league winners Colorado Rovers.

Azteca was the subject of TheCup.us’s Meet the Underdogs series in 2017 and again in 2022. Azteca hasn’t had any success in their three previous Open Cup appearances, losing each time in their opening game. Azteca FC also fields a team in the First Division (3rd tier) of the San Francisco Soccer Football League.

MORE: Somos Azteca: Denver’s best amateur soccer team

Colorado Rapids 2 (MLS NEXT Pro)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Amateurs: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

Azteca FC (USSSA/Colorado Premier League)
How they qualified: Open Division Local Qualifying tournament (Defeated UDA Soccer 2-1 in final round)
4th US Open Cup appearance (2017-18, 2022)
Overall: 0-3-0
Away: 0-3-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: First Round (2017-18, 2022)

Irvine Zeta FC 2 (UPSL) at Ventura County FC (MLS NEXT Pro)
Dignity Health Sports Park Track & Field Facility – Carson, CA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: USSoccer.com

Ventura County FC, formerly known as LA Galaxy II (or “Los Dos”) actually have history in the US Open Cup dating back in 2014 and 2015. Back then, MLS reserve teams playing in the USL were granted entry into the Open Cup for those seasons. In 2014, LAG II reached the Third Round, where they fell to amateur club PSA Elite on penalties. The following year, they lost their opening game to Ventura County Fusion 2-1. The Galaxy II played in the USL Championship until 2022, when MLS NEXT Pro was started. Galaxy II finished the 2023 season last in the Western Conference, allowing a league high 74 goals in 28 games.

As Yogi Berra once said, “it’s deja vu all over again”. Just as NISA’s Club de Lyon did last year, Irvine Zeta qualified through the Open Division qualifiers, then later announced they would field a team in NISA, whose clubs are granted automatic entry into the US Open Cup. Zeta’s debut in the UPSL saw them finish second to eventual Fall champions Chiriaco FC in the Del Real Foods SoCal North Division. Zeta also fell to Chiriaco in the division playoff final.

Ventura County FC (MLS NEXT Pro)
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
3rd US Open Cup appearance (2014-15)
Overall: 1-1-1 (0-1 PK)
Home: 1-1-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. Amateurs: 1-1-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Third Round (2014)

Irvine Zeta FC 2 (UPSL)
How they qualified: Open Division Local Qualifying tournament (defeated Temecula FC 3-1 in final round)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A

2024 US Open Cup Handbook: Hosting fees based on match revenue, more travel money, “ringer” rules

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New Mexico United fans. File photo by New Mexico United
New Mexico United fans. File photo by New Mexico United

After many months of negotiations, the US Soccer “Board Open Cup Subcommittee” has come to an agreement with the professional leagues, mostly Major League Soccer, on the format for the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

As reported by many other media outlets, these changes also included increased travel reimbursements for visiting teams and a new structure for tournament hosting fees. TheCup.us has recently gotten a copy of the 2024 US Open Cup Tournament Proper Handbook which outlines both of these items in detail, along with many more organizational and operational items that have been changed from 2023.

Hosting Fees

For a majority of the US Open Cup’s Modern Era (1995 to present), teams paid a fee for hosting a match to the Open Cup operation budget. This covered the tournament prize money, referee payments, and the travel reimbursements. Typically, this was a set amount of money based on the round of the competition and then a percentage of net event revenue above a certain threshold.

This process has been greatly simplified going forward, with the first three rounds only having a set fixed fee, and then rounds afterwards based on all Event Net Revenue. See the table below for changes. Event Net Revenue is defined as Gross Ticket Revenue less State & Local Taxes. Gross Ticket Revenue is all money paid for admission, including but not limited to standard tickets, premium/suite/hospitality tickets or a pro-rated portion of a season ticket package or membership.

Round2023 Fees2024 Fees
First Round$750 + 15% of Event Net Revenue above $100,000$1,000
Second Round$2,500 + 15% of Event Net Revenue above $100,000 $1,000
Third Round$5,000 if match did not involve a MLS team, $12,000 if it did + 15% of Event Net Revenue above $100,000$5,000
Round of 32$18,000 + 15% of Event Net Revenue above $100,00030% of all Event Net Revenue
Round of 16$25,000 + 15% of Event Net Revenue above $100,00040% of all Event Net Revenue
Quarterfinals$50,000 + 15% of Event Net Revenue above $100,00040% of all Event Net Revenue
Semifinals$100,000 + 50% of Event Net Revenue above $150,00040% of all Event Net Revenue
Final$325,000 + 50% of Event Net Revenue above $375,00040% of all Event Net Revenue

Travel Reimbursements

Going forward, the changes from the hosting fees (shown above) will allow for larger travel reimbursements for visiting teams, with larger limits set deeper into the tournament (See the table below for full changes). Also, keep in mind the traveling party for 2024 is 28 individuals, up one from 27 individuals in previous years (more about that below)

Round2023 Reimbursement Limit2024 Reimbursement Limit
First Round$15,000 $20,000*
Second Round$15,000 $20,000*
Third Round$15,000 $25,000*
Round of 32$15,000 $45,000*
Round of 16$15,000 $45,000*
Quarterfinals$15,000 $60,000*
Semifinals$15,000 $60,000*
Final$30,000 $90,000*


In addition, if any traveling club hits their cap for a match, additional reimbursement may be issued if the tournament total Gross Ticket Revenue is above $6.75 million dollars. 30% of all money above that amount may be given out until teams are whole or no more money is left.

Example: If tournament Gross Ticket Revenue is $7.75 million, then $300,000 (30% of $1,000,000) is added to the reimbursement pool. Teams that hit the cap for the round will be given extra reimbursement on a pro-rated basis if they were not made whole.

Additional changes include: Allowing for charter flights to be reimbursed, which are still subject to the maximum limit per team per round, and an increase in meal per diem maximum from $75 per person to $100 per person (still a max of 2 days / 6 meals)

Flights will only be reimbursed if the distance of the flight itself from origin to destination is more than 250 miles one way. This is an increase from 200 miles in 2023.

Hotels and meals will only be reimbursed if the trip is at least 150 miles one way. This is an increase from 120 miles in 2023. Ground transportation is covered regardless.

Teams may also apply for a hardship waiver to have more than the maximum limit covered if the rates for hotels and flights are “excessive due to market conditions”.

Increase in bench staff

The number of team staff members allowed on field on the team’s bench has been increased from nine (9) persons to 10. Each team will be allowed to select not more than seven (7) staff members, two (2) certified athletic trainers and one (1) team physician on the bench for a total of 10 individuals. Previously, there was no specification on the types of staff members on the bench, as in all nine staff members could be coaches.

Roster Rules

Two major roster rules have been changed for 2024, one for the Open Division teams from Local Qualifying, and one for the MLS NEXT Pro reserve teams.

Teams that entered via the Open Division Qualifying Rounds (fall qualifying) have had rosters expanded from 25 to 30 players.

For MLS NEXT Pro teams which are owned by or roster materially managed by a higher division MLS team, there have been special rules added for loans from the first team to the reserve team.

Normally, short term loans from other U.S. clubs (defined as less than 90 days) are not allowed in the Open Cup except when the loan comes from a foreign club, or comes from a reserve pro team up to the first team.

With reserve teams now back in the tournament, but no corresponding first team that is also playing, US Soccer set some additional rules for loans that come from the first team down to the MLS NEXT Pro team playing in the Open Cup. These are important because while the loan still has to be at least 90 days, there is no provision against recalling and ending that loan early at any point.

  • In addition to the eligibility rules noted above, players on contracts with MLS first teams may play for their club’s MLS NEXT Pro team only in the following circumstances:
    • The loan (of at least 90 days) must be confirmed to U.S. Open Cup staff and announced by the team and/or league no later than 2 p.m. CT the day prior to the match.
    • Player must not make a salary above the MLS first-team league maximum salary budget charge (unadjusted for allocation money, designated player status or any other roster mechanism).
    • Player must not be averaging more than 15.0 minutes per game in MLS first-team league matches up though the Match Day immediately preceding an Open Cup match.
    • No more than seven (7) players on loan from an MLS First Team to an MLS NEXT Pro team can be included in an 18-player game-day roster for an MLS NEXT Pro team. In the event of hardship, MLS NEXT Pro teams may apply to the Commissioner to include more than seven (7) players.

Procedure of Draws

With the new format, the draw procedure for each round has been adjusted.

First Round: Teams were paired geographically with the restriction that teams from the same Division (Division III) cannot be paired to play each other. Instances where a logical geographic fit doesn’t exist will be resolved by random selection. If three or more teams are from the same proximity, pairings for these teams will be made by random selection.

Second Round: The 32 teams advancing from the First Round will be paired geographically, with no restrictions. Instances where a logical geographic fit doesn’t exist will be resolved by random selection. If three or more teams/pairings are from the same proximity, pairings for these teams will be made by random selection.

A note for the first two rounds: In a random selection scenario, the random selection will be completed so that teams that faced each other in the previous edition of the competition avoid being paired in back-to-back editions.

Starting in the third round is when the draw groups come into play.

Third Round: There will be geographic groups of 4 to 6 teams, with exactly 50% of each group being USL-C teams entering in the Third Round. All USL-C teams will be drawn to face a Second Round winner and not another USL-C team. Any teams who are precluded from playing each other until the Final will not be placed in a group where they could be paired. Instances where a logical geographic fit doesn’t exist in determining the groups will be resolved by random selection.

Round of 32 and Round of 16: This is where the 4 team “mini brackets” come into play. There will be 8 mini brackets of 4 teams, and each bracket will have exactly 1 MLS team, 1 SEEDED USL-C team that enters in the Round of 32, and 2 winners from the Third Round. Groupings from the Third Round will have no bearing on this draw. The brackets will be as geographic as possible. Within the brackets, there are no restrictions on matchups. The Round of 16 match-up will be the winners of the two games within the bracket.  Instances where a logical geographic fit doesn’t exist in determining the bracket groups will be resolved by random selection. Any teams who are precluded from playing each other until the Final will be placed in different bracket groups. In the event not all teams apply to host in the Round of 16, bracket groups will be constructed and teams will be drawn in the Round of 32 so that there is a viable host for the Round of 16. If viable brackets are not possible, the Round of 16 draw will be held separately after the Round of 16.

Quarterfinals to the Final: There will be NEW, made from scratch, four team mini brackets made at the Quarterfinals, with no restrictions besides geography (East and West). Quarterfinal and Semifinal matchups will be within those brackets, with the winners from the East bracket and the West bracket facing off in the Final. Any teams who are precluded from playing each other until the Final will be placed in different brackets.

Finally, the hosting determination for ALL matches in the tournament remains unchanged from past years. If both teams apply to host and meet venue requirements, which are also materially unchanged from previous years, then the selection is random, either by coin flip, or the draw itself (H1 vs. A1, H2 vs. A2 in the four-team mini brackets, with H1 vs. A1 winner hosting the next round in the mini bracket)

The Final will have a separate draw to determine hosting, following the same process as previous years where the four semifinal teams are drawn to determine hosting priority for the Final.

Governance Changes

As reported by other media outlets and now confirmed in this handbook, the Board of Directors at US Soccer appointed a “Board Open Cup Subcommittee” to negotiate these 2024 Open Cup changes with the pro leagues, mostly MLS. The governance of the Open Cup is outlined in the “National Championship Policy” of US Soccer’s policy documents, Policy 102(4)-1.

For the 2024 competition only, the Subcommittee has fully replaced the normal Open Cup committee and all duties they have, including temporarily changing this Policy for just this year. The US Soccer website has now removed the page for the Open Cup Committee, seemingly confirming this. 

One of the sections of Policy 102(4)-1 accounts for emergencies.

Section 107. Matters not provided for and emergencies
The Committee may determine any matters not provided for in this policy. The Committee may also act to change matters included within this policy when emergency circumstances require and report the changes to the National Board of Directors of the Federation. An action of the Committee under this section is final.

The Committee is now the Board Open Cup Subcommittee and this section above could, according to one source, possibly explain why the Subcommittee can make these temporary changes without full approval of the board.

The full temporary changes made by the Board Open Cup Subcommittee are listed below. 

 

Team Eligibility (Section 201)
For the 2024 U.S. Open Cup, the professional league members with teams registered in a Division I, Division II and Division III league may determine which teams from their league which qualified by sporting merit for the 2024 tournament proper with an allowance for teams competing in Concacaf Champions Cup in 2024 to opt out of the tournament, and were approved by the Subcommittee.

Team Eligibility (Section 202 (e) )
A team owned by a higher-level Outdoor Professional League Team may participate in the competition, provided that the higher-level team failed to qualify for the 2024 tournament proper or are competing in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Role of the Committee (various)
The Board Subcommittee will fill all roles of the Open Cup Committee provided for by U.S. Soccer Policy regarding the 2024 U.S. Open Cup.
• Section 103: Provide direction to the Commissioner.
• Section 104 / Section 306: Appoint the Adjudication and Disciplinary Panel, and serving as the appeals body for Adjudication & Discipline Panel. The Commissioner will lead Adjudication and Disciplinary Panel meetings, but will not have a vote.
• Section 107: The Board Subcommittee will address matters not provided for and emergencies. regarding emergencies/matters not provided.

Things that have not changed

Despite all of these changes, many things remain unchanged from previous tournaments.

  • Prize Money is unchanged from 2023: $300,000 to the champion, $100,000 to the runner-up, and then $25,000 to each furthest advancing lower division team by division (Division II, Division III, Open Division)
  • Venue requirements remain unchanged materially, with some minor changes made for an additional team bench spot, and a provision for having enough restroom facilities at a venue.
  • VAR is still in place for the Semifinals and Final, with the possibility of expansion into the Quarterfinals. Our sources tell us that VAR can be implemented at (almost) any venue, and is not tied to any venue requirement. This includes lower division stadiums that normally don’t have VAR for their league matches.
  • As mentioned above, there isn’t any changes to how hosting is determined for any match of the tournament.
  • Matches will still have up to 7 allowed substitutes on a bench, for a maximum of 18 players on a match day roster. Substitution rules also remain unchanged, with 5 allowed in regular time and an additional substitution in extra time. The concussion sub trial is still in place as well.
  • Entry fees and Performance Bond amounts remain unchanged
    • All teams: $1,500.00 for a performance bond, returned within 60 days of a team’s elimination AND after they have met all financial and administrative responsibilities.
    • Entry Fees: $200 for Open Division, $400 for Division III, $600 for Division II, and $700 for Division I
  • Cooling Breaks and Ramadan Fast Breaks are still in place for this year.
  • The champion will still receive a spot in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup, with the runner-up qualifying if the champion qualifies in a different way (Leagues Cup, MLS Supporters Shield, MLS Cup, etc). If both finalists qualify from other ways, it will default to the next best team in the MLS Supporters Shield standings.
    • However, one caveat is that CONCACAF has final say over the entries to its tournament, (see the CCC regulations) and may designate the MLS first team to qualify in place of the MLS NEXT Pro team if they were to win. Nothing official has been stated to this effect, but multiple sources have confirmed this with us.

2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Results

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2022 US Open Cup Final trophy
Photo: Mathieu Starke

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

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League Abbreviation Key
Colorado Premier League
(CPL)		 Liga Deportiva Morazan
(LDM)		 Major League Soccer
(MLS)		 Maryland Super Soccer League
(MSSL)		 Midwest Premier League
(MWPL)
MLS NEXT Pro
(MLSNP)		 National Independent Soccer Association
(NISA)		 National Premier Soccer League
(NPSL)		 United Premier Soccer League
(UPSL)		 United Soccer League of Pennsylvania
(USLPA)
United States Soccer League
(USSL)		 USL Championship
(USL-C)		 USL League One
(USL-1)		 USL League Two
(USL-2)		  

ROUND 1AWAY TEAMSCOREHOME TEAMVENUE
March 19Miami United FC (USSL)1:0Chattanooga FC (MLSNP)Finley Stadium – Chattanooga, TN
March 19Savannah Clovers FC (NISA)2:0Brave SC (USL-2)H.G. Morse Stadium – Middleton, FL
March 19Duluth FC (NPSL)0:2Forward Madison FC (USL-1)Breese Stevens Field – Madison, WI
March 19Lexington Sporting Club (USL-1)3:4Vermont Green FC (USL-2)Virtue Field – Burlington, VT
March 19Maryland Bobcats FC (NISA) 2:0West Chester United SC (NPSL)YSC Sports – Wayne, PA
March 19FC America CFL Spurs (USSL)0:1South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1)Tormenta Stadium – Statesboro, GA
March 19Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL-1)4:1Tulsa Athletic (NPSL)Athletic Field at Hicks Park – Tulsa, OK
March 19FORO SC (UPSL)2:2 (4:3 PK)Austin FC II (MLSNP)Parmer Field – Austin, TX
March 19El Farolito (NPSL)2:1Timbers2 (MLSNP)Providence Park – Portland, OR
March 20Christos FC (MSSL)0:1Richmond Kickers (USL-1)City Stadium – Richmond, VA
March 20Club de Lyon FC (NISA)3:2AS Frenzi (UPSL)Daytona State College Soccer Stadium – Daytona Beach, FL
March 20Greenville Triumph SC (USL-1)1:0South Carolina United FC (USL-2)SCUFC Southeastern Freight Lines Soccer Complex – Columbia, SC
March 20One Knoxville SC (USL-1)2:0Asheville City SC (USL-2)Greenwood Field (UNC Asheville) – Asheville, NC
March 20Georgia Lions SC (NISA)L:W (Forfeit)Apotheos FC (NPSL)Silverbacks Park Stadium – Atlanta, GA
March 20Hudson Valley Hammers (USL-2) ">1:5New York Red Bulls II (MLSNP)Pittser Field (Montclair State Univ.) – Montclair, NJ
March 20Chicago City SC (USL-2)0:6Chicago Fire FC II (MLSNP)SeatGeek Stadium – Bridgeview, IL
March 20MNUFC2 (MLSNP)3:0Chicago House AC (Midwest PL)Langhorst Field (Elmhurst Univ.) – Elmhurst, IL
March 20Central Valley Fuego FC (USL-1)2:1FC Folsom (UPSL)Folsom Lake College – Folsom, CA
March 20MesoAmerica FC (LD Morazan)0:1Irvine Zeta FC (NISA)Championship Soccer Stadium – Irvine, CA
March 20Redlands FC (USL-2)1:2LA Force (NISA)Long Beach Community College – Long Beach, CA
March 20Spokane Velocity FC (USL-1)1:0Ballard FC (USL-2)Memorial Stadium – Seattle, WA
March 20Des Moines Menace (USL-2)2:2 (5:4 PK)Capo FC (NISA)Jserra Catholic High School – San Juan Capistrano, CA
March 21Michigan Stars FC (NISA)1:0Steel City FC (NPSL)Ambrose Urbanic Field – Pittsburgh, PA
March 21NYCFC II (MLSNP)3:0FC Motown (NPSL)Pittser Field (Montclair State Univ.) – Montclair, NJ
March 21Brockton FC United (UPSL)2:4 (AET)Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL-1)CHI Memorial Stadium - East Ridge, TN
March 21South Carolina United Heat (UPSL)1:0Crown Legacy FC (MLSNP)Mecklenburg County Sportsplex – Matthews, NC
March 21Union Omaha (USL-1)4:0Western Mass Pioneers (USL-2)Lusitano Stadium – Ludlow, MA
March 21Charlotte Independence (USL-1)2:0Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USLPA)Cairn University – Langhorne, PA
March 21NoVa FC (USL-2)2:3Carolina Core FC (MLSNP)UNCG Soccer Complex – Greensboro, NC
March 21Arizona Monsoon FC (NISA)1:2 (AET)Lubbock Matadors (NPSL)LCU Soccer Field – Lubbock, TX
March 21Azteca FC (Colo PL)0:3Colorado Rapids 2 (MLSNP)Dick's Sporting Goods Park – Commerce City, CO
March 21Irvine Zeta FC II (UPSL)1:2Ventura County FC (MLSNP)Dignity Health Sports Park Track & Field Stadium – Carson, CA
ROUND 2AWAY TEAMSCOREHOME TEAMVENUE
April 2
Maryland Bobcats (NISA)
2:5Richmond Kickers (USL-1)
City Stadium – Richmond, VA
April 2South Carolina United Heat (UPSL)
0:0 (3:4 PK)Charlotte Independence (USL-1)
American Legion Memorial Stadium – Charlotte, NC
April 2New York Red Bulls II (MLSNP)
2:4NYCFC II (MLSNP)
Belson Stadium – Queens, NY
April 2FORO SC (UPSL)
0:2Lubbock Matadors (NPSL)
LCU Soccer Field – Lubbock, TX
April 2Michigan Stars FC (NISA)
2:0 (AET)MNUFC2 (MLSNP)
Allianz Field – St. Paul, MN
April 2El Farolito (NPSL)
2:1Central Valley Fuego FC (USL-1)
University of California Merced - Bobcat Field – Merced, CA
April 3Club de Lyon FC (NISA)
0:2Miami United FC (USSL)
UPSL Stadium – Pembroke Pines, FL
April 3Savannah Clovers FC (NISA)
0:4South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1)
Tormenta Stadium - Statesboro, GA
April 3Greenville Triumph SC (USL-1)
3:2 (AET)One Knoxville SC (USL-1)
Regal Stadium – Knoxville, TN
April 3Carolina Core FC (MLSNP)
2:1Vermont Green FC (USL-2)
Virtue Field – Burlington, VT
April 3Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL-1)
1:0Apotheos FC (NPSL)
Silverbacks Park Stadium – Atlanta, GA
April 3Forward Madison FC (USL-1)
0:2Chicago Fire II (MLSNP)
SeatGeek Stadium – Bridgeview IL
April 3Des Moines Menace (USL-2)
1:3Union Omaha (USL-1)
AL F. Caniglia Field – Omaha, NE
April 3Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL-1)
3:2 (AET)Colorado Rapids 2 (MLSNP)
Dick's Sporting Goods Park – Commerce City, CO
April 3Irvine Zeta FC (NISA)
3:0Ventura County FC (MLSNP)
Dignity Health Sports Park Track & Field Stadium – Carson, CA
April 3LA Force (NISA)
0:1Spokane Velocity FC (USL-1)
ONE Spokane Stadium – Spokane, WA
ROUND 3AWAY TEAMSCOREHOME TEAMVENUE
April 16Rhode Island FC (USL-C)4:4 (4:5 PKCharlotte Independence (USL-1)American Legion Memorial Stadium – Charlotte, NC
April 16Greenville Triumph SC (USL-1)1:3Louisville City FC (USL-C)Lynn Family Stadium – Louisville, KY
April 16Michigan Stars FC (NISA)0:1Detroit City FC (USL-C)Keyworth Stadium – Hamtramck, MI
April 16Lubbock Matadors (NPSL)1:3New Mexico United (USL-C)Rio Rancho High School – Rio Rancho, NM
April 16El Farolito (NPSL)1:2 (AET)Oakland Roots SC (USL-C)CSUEB Pioneer Stadium – Hayward, CA
April 17Loudoun United FC (USL-C)0:0 (5:4 PK)Richmond Kickers (USL-1)City Stadium – Richmond, VA
April 17NYCFC II (MLSNP)3:2 (AET)Hartford Athletic (USL-C)Trinity Health Stadium – Hartford, CT
April 17Carolina Core FC (MLSNP)0:1North Carolina FC (USL-C)WakeMed Soccer Park – Cary, NC
April 17Miami United FC (USSL)0:2Memphis 901 FC (USL-C)AutoZone Park – Memphis, TN
April 17South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1)4:2Miami FC (USL-C)FIU Soccer Stadium – Miami, FL
April 17Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL-1)2:4 (AET)Birmingham Legion FC (USL-C)Varsity Soccer Field (Univ. of Montevallo) – Montevallo, AL
April 17El Paso Locomotive FC (USL-C)0:0 (3:5 PK)Union Omaha (USL-1)Werner Park – Papillion, NE
April 17Indy Eleven (USL-C)1:0Chicago Fire FC II (MLSNP)SeatGeek Stadium – Bridgeview, IL
April 17Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL-1)1:2FC Tulsa (USL-C)University of Tulsa Soccer and Track Stadium – Tulsa, OK
April 17Irvine Zeta FC (NISA)1:2Monterey Bay F.C. (USL-C)Cardinale Stadium – Seaside, CA
April 17Spokane Velocity FC (USL-1)1:2 (AET)Las Vegas Lights FC (USL-C)Cashman Field – Las Vegas, NV
ROUND OF 32AWAY TEAMSCOREHOME TEAMVENUE
May 7FC Tulsa (USL-C)1:0Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL-C)Highmark Stadium – Pittsburgh, PA
May 7Charlotte Independence (USL-1)0:3Atlanta United FC (MLS)Fifth Third Bank Stadium – Kennesaw, GA
May 7Detroit City FC (USL-C)3:3 (10:9 PK)Houston Dynamo FC (MLS)Shell Energy Stadium – Houston, TX
May 7Memphis 901 FC (USL-C)0:1FC Dallas (MLS)Toyota Stadium – Frisco, TX
May 7Oakland Roots SC (USL-C)0:1San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)PayPal Park – San Jose, CA
May 7Loudoun United FC (USL-C)2:1Orange County SC (USL-C)Championship Soccer Stadium – Irvine, CA
May 7Monterey Bay F.C. (USL-C)0:2Sacramento Republic FC (USL-C)Heart Health Park – Sacramento, CA
May 8South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1)2:3 (AET)Charleston Battery (USL-C)Patriots Point Soccer Stadium – Mount Pleasant, SC
May 8San Antonio FC (USL-C)0:2Indy Eleven (USL-C)The Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl – Indianapolis, IN
May 8Phoenix Rising FC (USL-C)2:1 (AET)North Carolina FC (USL-C)WakeMed Soccer Park – Cary, NC
May 8Birmingham Legion FC (USL-C)4:6 (AET)Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL-C)Al Lang Stadium – St. Petersburg, FL
May 8Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USL-C)0:1NYCFC II (MLSNP)Belson Stadium – Queens, NY
May 8Sporting Kansas City (MLS)2:1 (AET)Union Omaha (USL-1)Al F. Caniglia Field – Omaha, NE
May 8Real Salt Lake (MLS)2:4New Mexico United (USL-C)Isotopes Park – Albuquerque, NM
May 8Los Angeles FC (MLS)3:1Las Vegas Lights FC (USL-C)Cashman Field – Las Vegas, NV
May 8Louisville City FC (USL-C)2:2 (4:5 PK)Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)Starfire Sports Complex – Tukwila, WA
ROUND OF 16AWAY TEAMSCOREHOME TEAMVENUE
May 21Atlanta United FC (MLS)0:0 (5:4 PK)Charleston Battery (USL-C)Patriot's Point Soccer Stadium – Mount Pleasant, SC
May 21New Mexico United (USL-C)3:0NYCFC II (MLSNP)Belson Stadium – Queens, NY
May 21FC Tulsa (USL-C)0:4Sporting KC (MLS)Children's Mercy Park – Kansas City, KS
May 21San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)3:4 (AET)Sacramento Republic FC (USL-C)Heart Health Park – Sacramento, CA
May 21Loudoun United FC (USL-C)0:3Los Angeles FC (MLS)BMO Stadium – Los Angeles, CA
May 22Detroit City FC (USL-C)0:3Indy Eleven (USL-C)Michael A. Carroll Stadium (IUPUI) – Indianapolis, IN
May 22FC Dallas (MLS)2:1Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL-C)Al Lang Stadium – St. Petersburg, FL
May 22Phoenix Rising FC (USL-C)1:2Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)Starfire Sports Complex – Tukwila, WA
QUARTERFINALSAWAY TEAMTIMEHOME TEAMVENUE
July 9Indy Eleven (USL-C)2:1Atlanta United FC (MLS)Fifth Third Bank Stadium – Kennesaw, GA
July 9Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)2:1Sacramento Republic FC (USL-C)Heart Health Park – Sacramento, CA
July 10FC Dallas (MLS)1:2 (AET)Sporting KC (MLS)Children's Mercy Park – Kansas City, KS
July 10New Mexico United (USL-C)1:3Los Angeles FC (MLS)BMO Stadium – Los Angeles, CA
SEMIFINALSAWAY TEAMTIMEHOME TEAMVENUE
Aug. 27Indy Eleven (USL-C)0:2Sporting KC (MLS)Children's Mercy Park – Kansas City, KS
Aug. 28Los Angeles FC (MLS)1:0Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)Starfire Sports Complex – Tukwila, WA
FINALAWAY TEAMTIMEHOME TEAMVENUE TBD
Sept. 25Sporting KC (MLS)1:3 (AET)Los Angeles FC (MLS)BMO Stadium – Los Angeles, CA

Commentary: US Soccer denies MLS’ attempt to ruin Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

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Photo: Houston Dynamo FC

After a Major League Soccer Board of Governors meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 13, the league announced on Friday evening, December 15,  that they were “planning” to be represented by their MLS NEXT Pro teams in the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. MLS stated that they would then reevaluate their participation for future years at a later date.

Five days after MLS announced their decision, U.S. Soccer stated “after thoughtful consideration,” that MLS’ request for a waiver to use MLS NEXT Pro teams would be denied. This decision came at the “recommendation of U.S. Soccer staff and adopted by the Pro League Task Force.”

Both organizations have stated they will continue to work together to enhance and improve the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Needless to say, this news came as a shock to the staff at TheCup.us, a media outlet that has been covering the US Open Cup extensively for the last 20 years. Most would argue that removing MLS teams from the competition  would have done significant damage to the Open Cup, which is open to all professional and amateur teams under the US Soccer umbrella. The tournament, which has been the United States’ only true national championship since it was launched in 1913, would have denied all lower division professional and amateur teams from competing on the field with the country’s top division. Imagine if Premier League teams like Arsenal or Liverpool pulled out of the FA Cup.

Aside from those MLS fans not being able to see their team compete, it would also deny lower division clubs the opportunity to face off against MLS teams. This format is unique in American sports. What would an event whose primary draw is the David vs. Goliath matchup be without Goliath?

On top of that, taking away the teams that draw the most fans and replacing them with reserve teams that rarely draw more than a couple thousand fans per game, at most, would have been a blow to the tournament’s bottom line and the relevance of the tournament. (MLS NEXT Pro does not publish attendance figures)

Since MLS first entered the tournament in 1996, it has been no secret that there are teams in the league that value the US Open Cup more than others. There are teams, who would likely not compete in the tournament. However, this tournament has always featured starting XI lineups as teams get through playing lower division teams and into the latter stages of the tournament. Teams are not playing a mostly reserve based roster from even the Quarterfinals.

The number of starting XI players playing for a MLS team vs. a USL team is no different than a Manchester United or Chelsea playing against a team from EFL Championship or League One. This happens worldwide and it’s done because managers feel that they can risk a less-than-top starting XI and still win the match, which would result in a reward of getting those same starting players a needed break.

This risk and reward equation is done consistently across all countries and their cup competitions on a yearly basis. It can result in upsets (or “cupsets”) which create great storylines, of course, but are devastating for the fans of the MLS team that is upset. When MLS managers get this equation wrong, they are accused of not taking the cup seriously, when it’s just a misjudgment of their team’s depth and/or a USL team’s quality. That is not the same thing and it’s unfair to call any team that doesn’t play a less than starting XI lineup against a USL team as not taking the cup seriously. The way to eliminate being upset for an MLS team is to have quality beyond the starting XI in a roster, not by demanding a starting XI against “inferior” competition. Playing in multiple competitions simultaneously is a part of this sport and teams manage it worldwide.

The Timeline of Events

Based on our sources within US Soccer, MLS and the federation began discussions in August of 2023 on how to improve the US Open Cup in a way that would make both organizations satisfied. While no details of these discussions have been made public, it’s clear now that MLS first team’s participation was part of the discussion points.

Within a month or two of that, longtime Open Cup committee member and MLS Executive VP Todd Durbin resigned from the committee. That departure left the committee without MLS representation, something that remains as of the publication of this article. The Open Cup committee generally implements the US Open Cup policy as approved by the US Soccer Board of Directors and then ratified by the general membership body (called the National Council). They also direct US Soccer staff on how to operate the tournament. This includes deciding what dates the tournament is played on and lots of other particulars of the tournament. (Here is an archive of the same page linked above from June 2023 with Todd Durbin listed)

UPDATE: US Soccer has confirmed to us that Todd Durbin was replaced by recently hired MLS EVP of Sporting Product & Competition Nelson Rodriguez and confirmed at the September board meeting, the website just hadn’t been updated yet.

At the end of the qualifying rounds for the 2024 US Open Cup just prior to Thanksgiving, US Soccer also announced the schedule for the 2024 tournament proper. This remained largely unchanged in terms of the number of rounds and the dates of the competition.

2024 LAMAR HUNT US OPEN CUP SCHEDULE
First Round: Tuesday, March 19 – Thursday, March 21
Second Round: Tuesday, April 2 – Wednesday, April 3
Third Round: Tuesday, April 16 – Wednesday, April 17
Round of 32: Tuesday, May 7 – Wednesday, May 8
Round of 16: Tuesday, May 21 – Wednesday, May 22
Quarterfinal: Tuesday, July 9 – Wednesday, July 10
Semifinal: Tuesday, Aug. 27 – Wednesday, Aug. 28
Final: Wednesday, Sept. 25

Based on US Open Cup policy, the deadline for entering next year’s Open Cup for professional teams is at the end of each calendar year (Dec. 31) although our sources indicate that US Soccer was pushing the pro leagues to have their paperwork in sooner so the tournament staff could begin scheduling and conducting draws for the competition at least two months prior to its start in March 2024. The deadline for all teams to get their paperwork in for the 2023 US Open Cup was on Dec. 20, 2022.

Reasons for MLS to make this decision

Fixture congestion

MLS has routinely stated that there is too much fixture congestion on the schedule. The US Open Cup takes up 6 potential scheduling windows during the season.

However, since the US Open Cup is a single elimination tournament, MLS regularly schedules makeup dates on US Open Cup dates as teams are eliminated and those midweeks become available.

With 26 MLS teams in the tournament, by the Round of 16 a minimum of 10 will be eliminated, and only playing 1-2 US Open Cup games. This does not include any upsets. By the Quarterfinals, 18 teams will be guaranteed to be eliminated, playing only 2-3 US Open Cup matches.

Contrast that with the Leagues Cup where the entire league is scheduled at least two matches, with many essentially guaranteed at least a third game. The Leagues Cup also completely breaks the MLS schedule for the tournament, while US Open Cup is interspersed into the season, finishing before the MLS Cup playoffs begin.

MLS would also prefer to not schedule matches during major international tournaments in the summer. Each MLS team is scheduled for 5-6 matches during the 2024 Copa America played in the United States.

Getting time for younger players in meaningful matches

MLS’ goal of having a pipeline from academy to their first team includes getting meaningful minutes against similar competition in US Open Cup matches for their reserves and academy players. MLS feels that the US Open Cup is too restrictive in that regard and they would rather just enter their MLS NEXT Pro teams directly.

However, the US Open Cup policy and handbook contradict this notion.

These roster rules have been in place since 2017, and have only gone through one minor revision in the pandemic. In January 2021, the US Open Cup policy was amended and removed a provision limiting the number of international players on any gameday 18-man lineup (starters and substitutes combined) to a maximum of five. The removal of this rule thereby defaulted any international player rules to the rules of the professional league the team belonged to.

If there are any restrictions to roster sizes or loans or international players beyond these listed above, they are done only at the league level and are either decided by MLS themselves or through collective bargaining with the MLS Players Association.

In fact, MLS teams have already regularly used MLSNP players, with an extreme case that happened in the 2023 Round of 32 on May 10. Los Angles FC traveled to Monterey Bay FC (USL Championship) and in that game, 10 of the 11 starters in that game were players loaned from LAFC 2 of MLS NEXT Pro.

Money

Sources at MLS state that they are unhappy with the general economics of the tournament, namely three things: the prize money given out for the competition, the take of the hosting fees that come into US Soccer to support this, and the amount of the travel reimbursement given out to the visiting teams.

Prize Money

Prize money for the US Open Cup winner and runner-up are roughly equivalent to the prize money given out to the MLS Cup winners and runner-up. Both champions receive $300,000, the US Open Cup runner-up receives $100,000 and the MLS Cup runner-up receives $150,000.

Beyond the finalists though, the prize money differs a lot more, as MLS Cup playoffs awards a total of $1.1 million dollars while the US Open Cup only has a total of $475,000. Of that US Open Cup total prize pool, $75,000 is prize money specifically reserved for non-MLS teams.

It would be great to see the prize money increase overall for this tournament, but to believe that the prize money for the US Open Cup is somehow that much more paltry compared to the other major domestic cup competition in this country is just not based in the facts, and certainly not at the very top for the finalists. To say that the prize money is the reason “teams don’t take it seriously” is ridiculous on its face, because why should MLS teams take MLS Cup seriously by that argument?

Hosting Fees

US Soccer takes a flat hosting fee from every match of the tournament, ranging from $750 for a first round match to $325,000 for the Final. On top of that, US Soccer takes a percentage of event net revenue (event gross revenue minus sales tax) after an amount is met, similar to a standard deductible on your income taxes. This ranges from 15% of all sales above $100,000 for matches from the start to the Quarterfinals, 50% of all sales above $150,000 for the Semifinals, and 50% of all sales above $375,000 for the Final.

US Soccer has for many years treated semifinals and finals as similar as possible to a US Men’s National Team or US Women’s National Team game, where the entire operation is theirs, from the on-field MC, to the PA announcer, to the TV crews, to the advertising and scoreboard operations. For those games, the home team provides what they normally would for a national team game, such as security and other stadium staff.

This would be similar to a NCAA Tournament game held on a school’s field or court, where it is a “neutral” game that just happens to be hosted by one school.

Beyond those three final games of the tournament, very few other matches meet the standard deductible of $100,000 in ticket sales, meaning US Soccer mostly only takes the flat hosting fee the rest of the tournament. Even sold out matches early in the tournament do not meet this threshold. The exact amounts per game are not disclosed, however, nor is the entire total amount taken in each season. Only the total revenue and expenses for the Open Cup in a given Fiscal Year is released by US Soccer in their audited financial statements (see below)

In addition, referee pay is no longer the responsibility of the home team as of the 2023 US Open Cup and their pay is instead baked into the hosting fee. The referees are then paid directly by US Soccer. Referee pay for US Open Cup games is collectively bargained between PRO (the referee assignment organization owned jointly by US Soccer, the Canadian Soccer Association, and MLS) and the referee union, PSRA.

Travel Reimbursements

All teams that travel in the tournament proper of US Open Cup receive a travel stipend from US Soccer with a maximum limit of $15,000 per match, doubling to $30,000 for the Final. This stipend can be used for flights, ground transportation, hotels, and meals on a per diem basis. Teams must show all receipts from traveling to receive this money. From talking with team officials, this amount of money is generally sufficient if only ground coach transportation is required to travel for a match. Once flights are required, this amount stops being enough to cover everything.

This travel stipend is a major reason for the regionalization of matchups and draws for the tournament, as any travel overruns above the stipend are the responsibility of the team, and also if a match is hyper local, such as two teams from the same city, US Soccer will not have to provide the maximum amount of the stipend.

The Overall US Open Cup Budget
Fiscal Year Revenues Expenses Profit
4/1/2021-3/31/2022 $26,700 $168,720 -$142,020
4/1/2020-3/31/2021 $645,223 $25,602 $619,621
4/1/2019-3/31/2020 $1,496,683 $1,489,753 $6,930
4/1/2018-3/31/2019 $1,075,674 $1,192,013 -$116,339
4/1/2017-3/31/2018 $1,501,411 $1,138,863 $362,548
4/1/2016-3/31/2017 $999,962 $922,519 $77,443
4/1/2015-3/31/2016 $1,327,523 $1,072,601 $254,922
4/1/2014-3/31/2015 $1,080,298 $1,002,711 $77,587
4/1/2013-3/31/2014 $1,193,912 $959,038 $234,874
4/1/2012-3/31/2013 $1,120,596 $593,886 $526,710
4/1/2011-3/31/2012 $629,978 $377,678 $252,300
4/1/2010-3/31/2011 $442,772 $371,151 $71,621
4/1/2009-3/31/2010 $404,705 $429,963 -$25,258
4/1/2008-3/31/2009 $351,981 $423,748 -$71,767
4/1/2007-3/31/2008 $300,252 $408,892 -$108,640
4/1/2006-3/31/2007 $236,402 $439,801 -$203,399
4/1/2005-3/31/2006 $188,004 $402,911 -$214,907
4/1/2004-3/31/2005 $182,202 $414,143 -$231,941
Total $13,204,278 $11,833,993 $1,370,285

To break this all down even further, listed above are the actual Revenue and Expenses for the Open Cup as reported in the federation’s yearly audited statements. Such revenues and expenses that would be a part of this would include:

Revenues:

  • Hosting fees
  • Entry fees
  • Forfeited performance bonds
  • Fines

Expenses:

  • Prize money
  • Travel stipends
  • Tournament operating costs
  • Referee pay (new, and not shown in this table, yet)

This does not include any revenue from sold marketing rights for the tournament, including any TV deals. That is a separate line item on US Soccer’s statements.

Prior to 2023 for the last 20 years, US Soccer sold all commercial rights to Soccer United Marketing (abbreviated SUM, a marketing company wholly owned by Major League Soccer) and this includes the US Open Cup. Since the Open Cup is mixed into the national team’s TV money, it is hard to quantify how much money the US Open Cup brought in, even from the 2019-2022 deal with ESPN+ that was specifically sold by SUM. If MLS has had an issue with how much money the Open Cup has brought in, their own marketing company could have used the 20 years they had the tournament as their client to bring it to better heights.

On the whole, it makes no sense for US Soccer coming from MLS that they want to decrease the revenues on this budget (hosting fees) while also increasing expenditures (travel reimbursements) for a tournament that runs on a mostly balanced budget for the operations of the tournament. US Soccer is under no obligation to run this tournament at a major loss. If MLS doesn’t want US Soccer taking in so much in hosting fees, a grand way to do to that is to not host the games in the first place. Nobody is making them host. Yet, they continue to do so, for obvious reasons, as hosting is a big advantage to winning vs. the lower divisions. If they have an issue with how much US Soccer takes for semifinals and finals, then US Soccer is also free to go back to neutral site finals, which would result in likely just a lump sum payment for the facility use, similar to a US National Team game, and all the ticket proceeds go US Soccer.

One more note regarding the financial aspect of the US Open Cup: The federation’s ability to increase the prize money and to improve travel reimbursements is centered around its ability to market the tournament, and therefore attract sponsors. More specifically a much talked about title sponsor. If US Soccer wants to make the tournament more financially lucrative for the teams involved, they need to attract sponsors. However, MLS’ attempt to remove their teams from the competition would appear to be counterproductive because MLS teams (which have the largest fan bases and are the Goliath in the “David vs. Goliath” matchups, which are the main draw of the competition) exiting the Open Cup would severely handicap the federation’s ability to sell the tournament to potential sponsors.  

Reasons US Soccer have to deny this waiver

Professional League Standards

US Soccer Professional League Standards is the document used to govern the sanctioning of all professional soccer in this country. FIFA grants US Soccer exclusive authority over the professional and amateur game in the United States, although Congress only grants that authority specifically over the amateur game and selecting national teams per the Ted Stevens Amateur Sports Act as written in 1978 and modified in 1998.

While that authority over the professional game is being challenged in court by NASL in an antitrust lawsuit, US Soccer still maintains that control as of now and does so in part through this document. The PLS document is authored and modified by the Professional League Standards Task Force, which is then sent to the professional leagues for review and feedback before being submitted for approval by the Board of Directors at US Soccer.

The most recent revision of this document was ratified by the board March 17, 2023 and can be found here. As stated in the first section for Division I Men’s Outdoor Soccer, of which MLS is the only league sanctioned as such, all teams are required to participate in US Soccer and CONCACAF competitions for which they are eligible for.

US Open Cup team eligibility rules

US Soccer also requires the same thing of Division III leagues as well, of which MLS NEXT Pro is one of three leagues sanctioned at this level. However, Open Cup policy specifically makes any professional team who is owned by a higher division professional team ineligible. As the rule currently is, the teams that fall under this rule are the 25 MLS NEXT Pro teams that are owned by MLS teams. The remaining two teams, Chattanooga FC and Carolina Core FC, are independently owned and are still eligible for the U.S. Open Cup. D.C. United is the only United States based MLS team without a MLS NEXT Pro team, so if this plan would have been approved, D.C. United would have not had any representation in the tournament at all.

This rule was enacted before the 2016 U.S. Open Cup as the second, lower division teams owned by MLS was growing from 5 to 9 in USL Championship (named USL Pro at the time).

The Open Cup committee has a policy that two teams with either an affiliation or shared ownership in the competition must be separated at all times in the competition, until it is impossible to separate them in the Final. This is easily accomplished with a few of these pairs of teams in the competition, but would become increasingly difficult as the number of pairs increase, while still maintaining regionalization of the pairings and limiting travel costs.

In fact, a different restriction is the reason the Second Round of the 2022 and 2023 US Open Cup has had a cross country match each time. The early rounds of the tournament are supposed to be as local as possible, but the additional restriction implemented by the committee is that teams from the same entry pool may not face each other immediately in the round that they enter the tournament. Because of this, Division II teams could not face Division II teams and Division III teams could not face Division III teams in the Second Round of those two tournaments. Because of the lack of enough Division III teams in the Western US and the lack of enough Division II teams in the southeastern United States, the leftover Division II teams in the west and the leftover Division III team in the Southeast would face off.

There were five matches where the two teams were 1000 miles or more apart in the Second Round. This included a 2200 mile road trip between Oakland Roots of USL Championship traveling to Greenville Triumph of USL League One. These matches were ONLY the result of the restriction placed by the committee that prevented teams from the same division level from facing off in the Second Round.

It can be shown, therefore, that travel lengths and costs go up as more restrictions are placed on who can face off in the U.S. Open Cup in a given round.

To compensate for these teams for being ineligible, the following year in 2017 the rule was added to allow unlimited loans from ineligible teams to their parent organization. This enabled these players to be cup tied to the main MLS team and not the reserve team.

As far as we can tell, no major soccer playing country currently allows reserve teams in their cups. Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands all used to and have famous stories about those second teams, but they have since been restricted from playing in the Copa del Rey, DFB Pokal, and KNVB Cup, respectively. The largest European country we can find that still allows them is Poland in the Polish Cup.

Commercial value

Name of the competition

The US Open Cup policy used to state that the “competition shall be known as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup”, but was recently changed during the pandemic by the Board of Directors of US Soccer to state “The competition name shall be determined by the Federation’s Board of Directors and has been known since 1999 as the “Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup”. This may seem like a subtle wording change, but it opens up the avenue for the U.S. Open Cup to have a title sponsor of the competition (similar to the The FA Cup being titled as the Emirates FA Cup). While we cannot say how close the federation is to obtaining a title sponsor, but TheCup.us has confirmed that this is something that US Soccer has been working on since this change was made during the pandemic.

As mentioned earlier, US Soccer may feel that the commercial value of the title sponsor would be negatively impacted without MLS’ first teams in the tournament.

TV value

Prior to 2019, the U.S. Open Cup had no TV contract except for the Final, which bounced around from Fox Soccer Channel and its properties, to ESPN and its properties, to even Gol TV. Starting in 2019, the entire competition was played on ESPN+ from the First Round to the Final. US Soccer would partner with, and pay a production company, VISTA Worldlink to produce all of the games in 2019. However, our sources confirmed that all production costs for that year were paid by US Soccer through their own budget, and not by ESPN. The deal was initially for four years, but the pandemic canceled two of those years. In 2022, not all matches were shown on ESPN+ in the first round, but US Soccer covered the remaining matches on their YouTube channel at their cost.

After the federation’s deal in 2023 with Warner Bros. Discovery, Bleacher Report’s YouTube channel would show select matches, with CBS obtaining a sublicense to show even more matches throughout the tournament, including both Semifinals and the Final. Again, just like with ESPN+, the broadcast costs were done at US Soccer’s expense, but now they had multiple broadcasters to show the matches. Once Lionel Messi started playing for Inter Miami CF and would be playing in the Semifinal match at FC Cincinnati, US Soccer was also able to secure a Spanish language broadcast on NBC Universal’s Telemundo.

Between all of these extra deals, including the money gained from having Lionel Messi in just one match, as he was injured for the Final, our sources state that the money that came in from that allowed them to, for the first time, provide much more in travel stipends for the qualifying rounds this past fall. In prior years, US Soccer would NOT pay for any travel in qualifying matches, with the lone exception being if a flight was required, of which US Soccer would cover $200 per person on the traveling party for the flights.

Without MLS teams in the tournament, US Soccer may not be able to get as much money from any TV deal they would negotiate for the tournament.

What happens now

From here, US Soccer and MLS have continued their discussions and negotiations, but any discussions would include MLS’ full participation with their first teams in the tournament, per sources close to the situation. We expect in January to early February for the final list of participating teams to be announced and the first two rounds to be drawn and the schedule fully released.

Based on the composition currently of the professional leagues and statements already announced: We expect Division III teams to enter in the First Round scheduled for March 19-21, while Division II teams will remain entering in the Second Round (April 2-3). This also adds up with the 32 amateur Open Division teams already announced entering in the First Round.

Also, because only 32 Open Division teams were announced and not more, we are also expecting more MLS teams to be seeded into the Round of 32 than in 2022 and 2023. In those two years, 8 MLS teams were seeded, while for 2024, as many as half the league (13) could be seeded into that round, with the other half entering in the Third Round. US Soccer has already announced that at least the 9 US-based CONCACAF Champions Cup teams will enter in the Round of 32.

Whatever happens this month, US Soccer does have an interest in making the U.S. Open Cup as big as it can be, especially now with all marketing done in house. Changes don’t happen overnight, but this tournament is trending in the right direction in a lot of areas and is increasing to a new record size every year. MLS’ complaints are easily refuted by facts in some places, but if they truly want their younger players to get more minutes, they can change their own rules to accommodate. But taking the teams out completely kills any chance of the competition being what they are asking for, let alone what US Soccer wants it to be.

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