2025 US Open Cup

2025 US Open Cup Semifinals Preview: Winner of Austin FC vs. Minnesota United will host Nashville SC

September 16, 2025 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

With the elimination of D.C. United and the Chicago Fire in the Quarterfinals, we’re guaranteed to have a first-time US Open Cup Champion in 2025. Minnesota United and Philadelphia Union have reached the Final before, only to fail to lift the trophy. For Austin FC and Nashville SC, this is the furthest they’ve gone in their short Open Cup history.

Nashville SC will host the Philadelphia Union on Tuesday, followed by the Minnesota United FC welcoming Austin FC to the Twin Cities on Wednesday.

UPDATE: Sam Surridge’s hat trick leads Nashville SC to first US Open Cup Final

TheCup.us will have live updates of both games as both games will be streamed live on Paramount+ and the CBS Sports Network. You can find those updates on X (Twitter) and Blue Sky.

The winners of these two Semifinal games will square off in the 110th US Open Cup Final, scheduled for Oct. 1. The game will be hosted by the winner of Austin FC and Minnesota United.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
Austin FC (MLS) at Minnesota United FC (MLS)
Allianz Field – St. Paul, MN
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
TV: Paramount+ / CBS Sports Network

It’s been seven years since Minnesota found themselves this far in the Open Cup. Just like in 2019, Minnesota has gotten past two fellow MLS teams to reach this point. For Austin this is brand new territory, having been bounced early in their previous two appearances in 2022 and 2023. They’ll have to manage without top scorer Brandon Vazquez, who tore the ACL in his right knee in the Quarterfinals. Vazquez is also the top scorer in the 2025 US Open Cup with four goals.

Brandon Vazquez of Austin FC celebrates after scoring a goal against El Paso Locomotive FC in the Fourth Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Laura Gallo

As an MLS club, Minnesota United are 5-0-1 in the Open Cup at home against other MLS teams. The lone draw also led to advancement, winning a PK tiebreaker against Philadelphia Union after a 3-3 draw in the 2023 Fourth Round.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Like Philadelphia and Nashville, Austin FC and Minnesota United have never met in the Open Cup. Their two MLS meetings both took place back in May.

The first meeting at Austin’s Q2 Stadium was won handily by Minnesota 3-0. The Loons opening goal was officially recorded as an own goal from Austin’s Ilie Sánchez, who slightly nicked a deflected a shot from Joaquín Pereyra that rolled through the legs of Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver in the 22nd minute. Thirteen minutes later, Minnesota would double the lead when Anthony Markanich headed home a cross from Jefferson Díaz. Austin looked to have made the score 2-1 in the 77th minute, but Guilherme Biro’s strike was nullified by an offside ruling. Austin were denied again in the 85th minute when Julian Gressel cleared Brandon Vázquez’s shot off the goal line while goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair was out of position. Minnesota closed the door in stoppage time when Joaquín Pereyra scored on a shot from outside the penalty area.

Just 21 days later the clubs met at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minn., playing to a 1-1 draw. Michael Boxall opened the scoring for Minnesota when Nicolás Romero redirected a Joaquín Pereyra corner kick to Boxall. Austin responded soon after Osman Bukari and Myrto Uzuni strung passes together to feed Žan Kolmanič, who hammered home his shot from the top of the box.

ROAD TO THE SEMIFINALS

Austin FC staged a stunning comeback to win their opening game. Down 2-0 to the El Paso Locomotive for the first 73 minutes, Brandon Vázquez began a run that saw Austin score three times in eight minutes. Myrto Uzuni followed with the game-tying goal (assisted by Vázquez), then three minutes later, Vázquez scored his second in the 80th minute for a 3-2 lead. Owen Wolff assisted on both of Vázquez’s goals.

Sang Bin Jeong of Minnesota United avoids a tackle in a Quarterfinal match against the Chicago Fire FC in the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Seth Steffenhagen - Northland Soccer Journal — Sang Bin Jeong of Minnesota United avoids a tackle in a Quarterfinal match against the Chicago Fire FC in the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Seth Steffenhagen – Northland Soccer Journal

Despite being outshot 20-10, Austin came away with a 3-1 win over the Houston Dynamo in the Round of 16. Goals from Brandon Vázquez, Osman Bukari and Ilie Sánchez built up a 3-0 lead that Houston was unable to overcome.

Austin’s match at San Jose came with good news and terrible news. The good, Austin advanced on penalties after a 2-2 draw. The terrible news was that leading goalscorer Brandon Vázquez tore the ACL in his right knee in the 70th minute, putting him out for the remainder of the season. It was Vázquez’s penalty shortly before his injury that tied the game at 1-1 and Myrto Uzuni converted another PK with five minutes left in extra time to make it 2-2. In the penalty tiebreakers, Austin made all four of their shots while Brad Stuver stopped two for San Jose’s to move Austin to the semifinals for the first time ever.

Despite being outshot 15-6, Minnesota United went to Kentucky and escaped with a 1-0 win over Louisville City FC (USL-C). Darius Randell scored the lone goal in the 65th minute. Minnesota traveled to St. Louis for the Fifth Round to face St. Louis CITY SC after jumping out to a 1-0 lead after ten minutes through Kelvin Yeboah, Minnesota fell behind 2-1 by the 65th minute. Along came Anthony Markanich to the rescue, scoring in the 85th and 88th minutes to give the Loons a 3-2 comeback victory.

Austin FC players celebrate after defeating the San Jose Earthquakes 4-2 in penalty kicks in the 2025 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Dario Cruz | FUTWRK

In Minnesota’s 3-1 extra time win over the Chicago Fire, it was Kelvin Yeboah turn to score two late goals. Robin Lod tied the game at 1-1 in the 47th minute, and in extra tine Yeboah scored in the 95th minute then again from the PK spot in the 120th, earning him TheCup.us “Player of the Round” honors.

CURRENT FORM

Minnesota has spread their six defeats through the season, never losing two in a row and always posting a run of a win or draw two games or more between defeats. The Loons started the season hot, going 4-2-4 in their first two months, and are currently on a four game unbeaten run including a 3-1 win this past Saturday over conference leaders San Diego.

Minnesota scored at least one goal in 13 of their last 14 games. Tani Oluwaseyi leads the team with 10 goals, one ahead of Kelvin Yeboah. Six other players have two or more goals. Joaquin Pereyra leads with 10 assists, and Oluwaseyi has 8.

Supporters celebrate after Minnesota United defeated St. Louis CITY 3-2 in the Round of 16 of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Steffenhagen Photography - Northland Soccer Journal — Supporters celebrate after Minnesota United defeated St. Louis CITY 3-2 in the Round of 16 of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Steffenhagen Photography – Northland Soccer Journal

Out of the four Semifinal clubs, Austin FC is the only one fighting for a spot in the MLS Cup, as the other three have their spot secured. Austin are currently in 7th, just two points clear of the two play-in spots, but they have a seven-point cushion over 10th place Real Salt Lake. Austin are 4-2-4 over their last ten games.

Austin has the lowest goals scored total among playoff teams, and are fifth-lowest in the entire league. Myrto Uzuni and Owen Wolff share the goalscoring lead with five goals apiece, and Wolff shares the assist lead with Osman Bukari with 7.

Austin FC
Major League Soccer | Austin, TX
3rd US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2021
Manager: Nico Estévez
Overall: 3-2-1 (1-0 PK)
Away: 0-1-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. MLS: 1-1-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: Fifth Round (2023)

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

Next to St. Louis CITY SC, Austin FC has the least experience in the Open Cup among MLS clubs, with just four games played. The City of Austin also has a limited history in the Open Cup. The highest profile team in the pre-Modern Era is perhaps the Austin Soccadillos, who entered the 1991 tournament, winning their group in USISL qualifying only to fall 3-0 to the other group winner in the USISL qualifying final, the Richardson Rockets, who would go on to reach the 1991 US Open Cup Final. In the Modern Era, six other teams represented Austin in the Open Cup. First up was the Austin Lone Stars of the USL D3 Pro League, appearing in three tournaments from 1997-1999, only posting a 2-3 record.

Amateur club Real Madrid won the USASA Region III qualifying tournament in 2002 but lost their lone Cup game.

In 2008, the Austin Aztex U-23s qualified through the PDL (now USL League Two), being eliminated on penalty kicks by the Atlanta Silverbacks after a 2-2 draw. The Aztex U-23s were the development team of the USL’s Austin Aztex, who would move in 2010 and become Orlando City SC.

The new Austin Aztex qualified as a PDL cub in 2013 and 2014 without much success, then again in 2015 when the club turned pro and moved up to the USL, reaching the Third Round where they lost 2-0 to the Houston Dynamo.

In 2019, the USL Championship’s Austin Bold matched the Aztex 2015 run, reaching the Third Round before also falling to the Houston Dynamo, this time 3-2.

Finally the only other team currently calling Austin its home is Austin FC II, who appeared in 2024 and were upset by amateur side FORO SC on penalties.

Minnesota United FC
Major League Soccer | Saint Paul, MN
13th US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2010
Manager: Eric Ramsay
Overall: 15-10-3 (2-1 PK) | 9-5-2 (2-0 PK) (MLS)
Home: 7-4-1 (1-0 PK) | 6-1-1 (1-0 PK) (MLS)
vs. MLS: 7-8-1 (1-0 PK) | 6-5-1 (1-0 PK) (MLS)
Best finish: Final (2019)

Since Minnesota joined MLS in 2017 they’ve had respectable results, reaching the Final in 2019 and going three games deep in 2022 and 2023. In MLS, the Loons have yet to win a championship but have reached the playoffs five of the last six seasons.

The Twin Cities were represented by the Minnesota Thunder earlier in the Modern Era, reaching the Semifinals in 2005. Thunder legend Johnny Menyongar is tied for second with three other players with 13 Open Cup goals in the Modern Era.

According to TheCup.us records, the first known team from Minnesota to enter the Open Cup was the Minneapolis Tigers in 1958.

Throughout the 1960s, teams like the St. Paul Blackhawks and Ukrainian SC would represent the region in Open Cup play but found little success.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Philadelphia Union (MLS) at Nashville SC (MLS)
GEODIS Park – Nashville, TN
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
TV: Paramount+ / CBS Sports Network
UPDATE: Sam Surridge’s hat trick leads Nashville SC to first US Open Cup Final

Could this be the year Philadelphia puts it together for a double? The three previous times they’ve reached the Open Cup Final (2014, 2015, 2018) they either missed the MLS Cup playoffs or were bounced early. Similarly, the three times Union finished first or second in the MLS standings (2020, 2021, 2022) the Open Cup either wasn’t played, or they were eliminated early. This year the Union find themselves on top of the MLS Eastern Conference and two wins away from winning the Open Cup for the first time.

Philadelphia Union players celebrate after scoring a goal against the New York Red Bulls in the 2025 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Lynelle Leinbach (@star_basker) for TheCup.us

Since their last visit to the Open Cup, Philadelphia’s three appearances up until this year (2019, 2022 and 2023) all ended after one game, all at the hands of MLS teams.

Like Austin FC, Nashville are making their first appearance in the Semifinals. Their previous best was reaching the Quarterfinals in 2022 where they fell to Orlando City on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Nashville is undefeated at home in Open Cup play, going 8-0-1 as a USL and MLS club, and are currently on a six-game unbeaten streak in home Open Cup games.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

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

Philadelphia and Nashville have never met in Open Cup play. In their two meetings this year in MLS, Nashville has won both.

Just four weeks into the season on March 16 in Chester, Pa., Nashville handed the Union their first setback with a 3-1 win. Sam Surridge scored his first goal of the season in the 15th minute to give Nashville 1-0 lead, but Jovan Lukić answered for Philadelphia 17 minutes later. Just one minute before the halftime whistle Ahmed Qasem put Nashville back in front for good.

In the 82nd minute, Hany Mukhtar extended the lead to 3-1 with a successful penalty conversion. Philly’s Olwethu Makhanya was sent off in second half stoppage time for hitting Nashville’s Jacob Shaffelburg with a thrown ball while out of bounds. Surridge was denied a possible hat trick in the opening half when a goal was called back due to a foul in the 16th minute and then hitting the upright in the 26th minute.

The second meeting came on July 5 in Nashville, and the hosts came out 1-0 winners, it marked the only time Philadelphia has lost back-to-back league games this year, following a 1-0 loss to Columbus. Goalkeeper Andre Blake and the upright kept Nashville off the board in the 15th minute. Hany Muhktar’s shot was stopped by Blake, then Mukhtar sent the rebound off the upright being a prone Blake. Nashville went a man down in the 63rd minute when Jonathan Pérez caught Philly’s Tai Baribo with a high boot to the face while going after the ball. Kai Wagner nearly gave Union a 1-0 lead when his 88th minute free kick hit the post. Nashville finally won it in stoppage time when Mukhtar was awarded a penalty through VAR after being fouled by Olwethu Makhanya. Mukhtar stepped to the spot himself and won the game for Nashville. The win was the last positive result in Nashville’s 12-game unbeaten streak, they would lose 2-1 to Inter Miami the following week.

ROAD TO THE SEMIFINALS

Both teams entered the competition in the Fourth Round and Philly’s opening game saw them taken to the limit by Indy Eleven of the USL Championship, surviving a penalty kick shootout after a 1-1 draw.

After taking a 1-0 lead in the 6th minute through Alejandro Bedoya, Indy tied the score right after halftime. Despite 33 shots, Philadelphia could not score the winner after 120 minutes. The Union converted all five spot kicks to win the shootout 5-4.

In the Round of 16, Philly knocked off the lone USL Championship club remaining, defeating the Pittsburgh Riverhounds 4-1, scoring two goals in each half to win the Keystone State derby.

Thanks to weather delays, the Union’s Quarterfinal match with the New York Red Bulls took over five weeks to complete. Heavy rain and lightning prevented the original kickoff on July 9, and on Aug. 13 lightning once again intervened, causing a two-hour delay. Philly and NYRB traded goals in the opening half and again the second. As extra time loomed, Olwethu Makhanya scored off a rebound in the 89th minute to end Union’s long-delayed return to the Semifinals.

In the Fourth Round, despite outshooting their opponents 14-3, Nashville only managed a 1-0 win over the Chattanooga Red Wolves from USL League One. Josh Bauer scored the lone goal in the 18th minute.

Jonathan Perez of Nashville SC celebrates after scoring a goal against D.C. United in the Quarterfinals of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Nashville SC

Their Round of 16 game at Orlando City was much closer. After drawing level after an Orlando City own goal, Ahmed Qasem gave Nashville a 2-1 lead minutes before halftime. Orlando pulled level 15 minutes into the second half, but with eleven minutes remaining, Wyatt Meyer scored the goal that eventually put Nashville in the Quarterfinals for the first time since 2022.

Nashville’s Quarterfinal affair at home versus D.C. United got off to a rocky start, with the home side trailing 2-0 after 24 minutes. From then on it was all Nashville who scored five unanswered goals, four in the second half, to prevail 5-2 and book their first ever Semifinal appearance. Team goalscoring leader Sam Surridge scored twice, and Jonathan Perez, Andy Najar and Walker Zimmerman provided the rest.

CURRENT FORM

Philadelphia Union players celebrate after scoring a goal against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the Fifth Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Matt Ralph - Philadelphia Soccer Now — Philadelphia Union players celebrate after scoring a goal against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the Fifth Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Matt Ralph – Philadelphia Soccer Now

Nashville used a 12-game unbeaten run to vault up the MLS Eastern Conference table and are currently seven points behind leaders Philadelphia, and are fighting to stay in the top 4, which would give them home field advantage in the opening round of the MLS Cup Playoffs. Nashville has hit a rough patch in league play, losing five of their last six games, including a loss to FC Cincinnati this past Saturday when Cincinnati scored the game-winner deep into stoppage time.

Nashville’s attack is led by Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar. Surridge leads MLS with 21 goals scored, and Mukhtar has 14. Mukhtar also leads the team with assists at 11, with Andy Najar behind him with 10.

Philadelphia became one of the first clubs in MLS to clinch a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs and now have their sights on the Supporters Shield. Like Nashville, Philadelphia had a lengthy unbeaten run during the season, playing 11 games (April 19-June 25) without a loss. The run ended with their only back-to-back losses of the year and has been followed by an ongoing 5-1-2 run. Union are coming off an embarrassing 7-0 loss at Vancouver this past Saturday with Thomas Muller leading the way with a hat trick. The seven goals were more than Philly had allowed in their last 14 games combined.

Gaston Brugman of Nashville SC dribbles against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC in the Fourth Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Nashville SC

Israeli international Tai Baribo leads the team with 16 goals, also good enough for 4th in MLS. Kai Wagner and Quinn Sullivan are the assist leaders, with 10 and 9 respectively. Goalkeepers Andre Blake and Andrew Rick have six clean sheets each.

Nashville SC
Major League Soccer | Nashville, TN
5th US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2018
Manager: B.J. Callaghan
Overall: 10-2-2 (0-2 PK) | 6-1-1 (0-1 PK) (as MLS)
Home: 9-0-1 (0-1) | 5-0-0 (as MLS)
vs. MLS: 4-1-0 (0-1 PK) | 3-1-1 (0-1 PK) (as MLS)
Best finish: Fifth Round (2018, USL) | Quarterfinals (2022, MLS)

In their first year as a USL club in 2018, Nashville knocked off the Colorado Rapids on their way to the Fifth Round. Once joining MLS they reached the Quarterfinals in 2022 and made another three-game run in 2023 while starting a round earlier. Last year, Nashville SC did not enter the competition.

The first notable club from the city of Nashville to participate in the Open Cup was the Nashville Blues in the late 1980s, though they didn’t have much success. In the Modern Era, the A-League’s Nashville Metros reached the Quarterfinals in 1997, upsetting the Kansas City Wizards (Sporting KC) 3-1 in the Third Round.

Philadelphia Union
Major League Soccer | Chester, PA
11th US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2010
Manager: Bradley Carnell
Overall: 18-6-8 (4-4 PK)
Away: 1-4-5 (3-2 PK)
vs. MLS: 9-6-6 (2-4 PK)
Best finish: Final (2014, 2015, 2018)

Philadelphia has one of the better Open Cup resumes without winning a title among MLS clubs, though recent tournaments have put a blemish on that. They’ve been to three Open Cup Finals (2014, 2015, 2018), but their last three appearances in the competition have been “one and done” appearances against D.C. United in 2019, Orlando City in 2022 and Minnesota United in 2023.

Prior to the Modern Era, clubs from Philadelphia have made nine appearances in the Open Cup Final, winning the Open Cup five times. Leading the way are the Ukrainian Nationals, who won the tournament four times (1960, 1962, 1963 and 1966).

2025 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Kelvin Yeboah of Minnesota United voted TheCup.us Player of Round

August 30, 2025 by Ashle Lynn Paige

Graphic: Phil Naegely | Photo: Seth Steffenhagen - Northland Soccer Journal — Graphic: Phil Naegely | Photo: Seth Steffenhagen – Northland Soccer Journal

After a messy 90 minutes of play with a ten-man Chicago Fire side, the match came down to an improbable period of extra time for Minnesota United FC in the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Quarterfinals.

Five minutes into the first half of extra time, Joaquín Pereyra sent a soaring long ball into the box that Carlos Harvey got his head to. Harvey headed the ball straight to Kelvin Yeboah’s feet, where he banged in a first-touch goal from close range.

That goal was all the Loons needed for the win but it wouldn’t be Yeboah’s only goal of the evening. Three minutes before the final whistle of the second half of extra time, Yeboah was fouled in the box.

Stepping up to the spot himself, Yeboah drove home the dagger, and secured himself a brace right at the dying seconds to give Minnesota a 3-1 home win. Those two goals in his 57 minutes of action after entering the game in the 63rd minute was all he needed to run away with TheCup.us Player of the Round honors.

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

He beat out Philadelphia Union’s Tai Baribo, who started and played a minute shy of 90 minutes, scoring an early equalizer (13th min.) and then assisting on a 74th minute equalizer by Milan Iloski in a 3-2 home win over the New York Red Bulls (MLS). Third place in voting was Nashville’s Jonathan Pérez who started and played all 90 minutes, scoring Nashville’s opening goal (25’) and assisted on two others in Nashville SC’s 5-2 home win over D.C. United (MLS).

Yeboah becomes the third Minnesota United player to earn Player of the Round honors. He joins Bongokuhle Hlongwane (2023 Fourth Round) and Mason Toye (2019 Semifinals). Darwin Quintero was also named 2019 TheCup.us Player of the Tournament, despite Minnesota finishing as runner-up.

For Yeboah, who has struggled at times this season in MLS league play, the US Open Cup has been the place where he’s shown brightest in 2025. The 25-year-old Ghanaian-Italian has scored 3 goals in 2 Open Cup games compared to 9 goals in 27 matches in league play. The other goal on his 2025 US Open Cup record came in the 10th minute against St. Louis CITY SC in a 3-2 home win in the Round of 16.

“Each game is important, and especially the Open Cup for us,” Yeboah said after Minnesota’s win over Chicago. “It’s also a very important competition and we want to win the games.”

2025 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Who should be voted TheCup.us Player of the Round?

August 16, 2025 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

Graphic: Phil Naegely | Photo: Don Robson - Philadelphia Soccer Now — Graphic: Phil Naegely | Photo: Don Robson – Philadelphia Soccer Now

The Quarterfinals of the 110th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is complete. There were a number of impressive individual performances over the round’s four games. But which one was the best?

Since 2006, TheCup.us has set out to honor the best individual performance of each round.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters, and select backers from TheCup.us’ Patreon. If you’d like to vote in this, or upcoming rounds, consider pledging $10 or more and help us continue to cover the US Open Cup and research its long history.

If you did have a vote, which player do YOU think should win?

Here are the finalists (in alphabetical order):

Player, Team (League)

Tai Baribo, Philadelphia Union (MLS)

Baribo started and played a minute shy of 90 minutes, scoring an early equalizer (13th min.) and then assisting on a 74th minute equalizer by Milan Iloski in a 3-2 home win over the New York Red Bulls (MLS)

Jonathan Pérez , Nashville SC (MLS)

Perez started and played all 90 minutes, scored the Nashville’s opening goal (25’) and assisted on two others in Nashville SC’s 5-2 home win over D.C. United (MLS)

Brad Stuver, Austin FC (MLS)

Started and played all 120 minutes, allowed two goals while facing 11 shots and making 9 saves. Also saved two of the four attempts in the penalty kick tiebreaker.

Sam Surridge, Nashville SC (MLS)

Surridge started and played 90 minutes, scored two goals (53rd min. PK and in the 72nd min.) in Nashville SC’s 5-2 home win over D.C. United (MLS)

Kelvin Yeboah, Minnesota United FC (MLS)

Yaboah entered as a sub in the 63rd minute, and scored both Minnesota goals in extra time in the 95th and 119th minutes in Minnesota United’s 3-1 home win over the Chicago Fire (MLS)

2025 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Philadelphia Union’s patience pays off with late rain-soaked winner vs. Red Bulls

August 14, 2025 by Zoe Schaedle

With threats of yet another weather-related postponement, the Philadelphia Union and the New York Red Bulls persevered through a two-hour kickoff delay and some light rain to decide who would advance to the Semifinals of the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Originally scheduled for 7:30, the game kicked off at 9:35 p.m.

After falling behind twice and equalizing twice, the game was decided in the 89th minute. In the late stages, Philadelphia center back Olwethu Makhanya scored off a rebound to give the Union a rain-soaked 3-2 win over the Red Bulls. The win sends Philadelphia to the US Open Cup Semifinals for the fifth time as the club seeks its first tournament title.

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Unlike the four previous US Open Cup meetings between these two teams, the first half was action-packed: two goals, two yellow cards and an early substitution for New York. Dylan Nealis replaced wingback Kyle Duncan, after he received an early yellow card following an altercation with a Union player. Dylan joined his brother Sean Nealis in the backline in just the 35th minute.

The Red Bulls were quick to strike, with a long-range shot from Wikelman Carmona in the 8th minute of play. The 22-year-old forward scored his first career USOC goal assisted by none other than goalkeeper AJ Marcucci. Only ten other goalkeepers have assisted on a goal in the tournament’s Modern Era (1995-present), the last coming in 2017 when Drew Shepherd of the USL League Two’s Michigan Bucks (now Flint City Bucks) assisted on a spectacular goal against Saint Louis FC (USL) in the Third Round.

However, the Union had other plans, making it 1-1 with a composed outside of the foot finish by Tai Baribo off of a lasered in-swinging cross from leftback Kai Wagner just five minutes later.

The Union attempted to build out of the midfield, looking to connect with forwards Bruno Damiani and Tai Baribo who is the Union’s leading goal scorer with 15 on the season.

However the Red Bulls thwarted their efforts, doubling the ball quickly and applying pressure at midfield. This restricted the creativity of Union midfielders like Indiana Vassilev, Quinn Sullivan and Danley Jean Jacques.

Meanwhile, New York midfielders Peter Stroud and Daniel Edelman looked to activate a junior attacking trident, the youngest being 17-year-old Julian Hall. Hall is the second-youngest homegrown signing in franchise history.

Typical experienced starters like forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and midfielder Emil Forsberg began on the bench, despite leading the team with 15 and nine goals on the season, respectively. Mohammed Sofo, New York’s third-leading goalscorer did not dress despite having a team-leading three goals in the Red Bulls’ Open Cup campaign.

The second half saw changes on both sides, but just one halftime substitution with Milan Iloski on for Indiana Vassilev. As the Union began to apply pressure, attacking down the wings, Red Bulls head coach Sandro Schwarz subbed in starters Choupo-Moting and Forsberg in an attempt to turn the tide in the 64th minute. Mikael Uhre later subbed in for Bruno Damiani in the 70th minute.

Photo: Lynelle Leinbach (@star_basker) for TheCup.us

Just seven minutes after entering the game, Choupo-Moting, the club’s designated player who last played for Bayern Munich, scored with a left-footed volley off of a cross from Dylan Nealis giving Red Bulls a 2-1 lead.

In the 74th minute, Union substitute Iloski equalized off of a cross from Baribo. A textbook finish sent the Union and the Red Bulls into a 2-2 deadlock. It was Iloski’s fifth career US Open Cup goal, with the previous four coming with Orange County SC (USL Championship).

Three minutes later, defender Nathan Harriel replaced Frankie Westfield, marking a “tactical shift” in the game according to Union head coach Bradley Carnell.

Players from the Philadelphia Union and the New York Red Bulls battle for the ball in the 2025 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Don Robson | Philadelphia Soccer Now

It looked as if the game was going to overtime, until a composed finish from Philadelphia’s centerback Olwethu Makhanya in the 89th minute gave the Union the edge. A free kick from Kai Wagner from outside forced a punch save from Marcucci, whose knee buckled upon landing. With the goalkeeper down, Makhanya was there for the rebound, took a touch and slotted the ball calmly into the far side netting.

Marcucci had to be substituted off after the play, replaced by backup keeper Carlos Coronel. The sideline official indicated five minutes of extra time that proved insufficient for a New York comeback.

With the win, the Philadelphia Union extend their home unbeaten streak in the Open Cup to 14 games. The last tournament loss in their home stadium came in the 2014 US Open Cup Final. The only penalty kick shootout loss (which is officially listed as draw) during that span came in the 2015 Final against Sporting Kansas City.

“It was a very tight game tonight. We’re a little sloppy in certain moments, and especially at the end of the game,” Carnell remarked. “We learn from these lessons,” he continued, commending the team on their energy and grit. “Everyone dug deep here. Everyone played a role.”

Captain and goalkeeper Andre Blake emphasized Carnell’s sentiments, adding that the team is in “a good moment right now.” Blake added that intensity in practice has contributed to the Union’s success this season as well as confidence.

Olwethu Makhanya of the Philadelphia Union scores a goal in the 89th minute against the New York Red Bulls in the 2025 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Don Robson - Philadelphia Soccer Now — Olwethu Makhanya of the Philadelphia Union scores a goal in the 89th minute against the New York Red Bulls in the 2025 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Don Robson – Philadelphia Soccer Now

“It’s momentum. It’s about moments, and the more we win these games, the more confidence that the guys gain,” concluded Blake.

The Philadelphia Union will travel to take on Nashville SC in the Semifinals of the US Open Cup on Sept. 16. The winner of that game will play on the road in the championship game against either Austin FC or Minnesota United FC.

2025 US Open Cup Quarterfinals Preview: Eyes on weather again as Philadelphia Union hosts NY Red Bulls

August 12, 2025 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

36 days after widespread lightning and near biblical rainfall flooded the Subaru Park pitch, the Philadelphia Union and the New York Red Bulls will attempt, should Jupiter Pluvius allow it, to play their Quarterfinal match in the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The winner will play Nashville SC in the Semifinals on Sept. 16. If Philadelphia wins, they will travel to Nashville, and the Red Bulls will host should they prevail. The other Semifinal will see Austin FC face Minnesota United FC at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minn. on Sept. 17.

Heavy rain and lightning at Subaru Park forced the 2025 US Open Cup Quarterfinal match between the Philadelphia Union and the New York Red Bulls to be postponed. Photo: John Perdicaro

As of Wednesday afternoon (12:45 p.m. ET), the forecast for Chester, Pennsylvania from weather.com calls for cloudy skies with the projected temperature at kickoff is at 82 degrees, with scattered thunderstorms. The percent chance of rain continues to drop from there. At 6 p.m., an hour before kickoff, there are heavy thunderstorms in the forecast.

Wednesday’s game will add another chapter in the regional rivalry between teams from Philadelphia and New York / New Jersey. Teams from these two regions have been squaring off for more than a century. (MORE: The greatest Eastern Pennsylvania vs. NY/NJ Quarterfinal games of all-time)

This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the Modern Era of the US Open Cup, which began in 1995. To celebrate, TheCup.us has been hopping in our time machine and looking back at that tournament. Check out our 1995 preview and then choose click on the score of the game you want in our 1995 results page to get the full story.

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Follow TheCup.us on Blue Sky @thecup.us and X (Twitter) @USOpenCup for live updates from our reporters who will be at the stadium and the game will be broadcast live on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo, you can find links to those below.

Philadelphia Union (MLS) vs. New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Subaru Park – Chester, PA
Kickoff: 7 pm ET
LIVE VIDEO: Paramount+ & CBS Sports Golazo

Philadelphia and the Red Bulls have five Open Cup Finals appearances between them but have yet to lift the trophy. Each made their last Final appearance right after the other, the Red Bulls in 2017 and the Union in 2018. Philadelphia are 16-2-3 (2-1 PKs) at home in Open Cup play and enter Wednesday’s game riding a 13-game home unbeaten streak. The Union’s last home loss in the Open Cup was a 3-1 extra time loss to the Seattle Sounders in the 2014 Final.

On the opposite end, the Red Bulls have a 13-14-1 (1-0 PKs) record in road Open Cup games, and their last road win against an MLS opponent was in 2022 when they defeated D.C. United 3-0.

PAST OPEN CUP MEETINGS

Of the four Quarterfinal games in this year’s Open Cup only New York and Philadelphia have any Open Cup history with one another. The clubs have met four times, each year from 2015-2018. Philadelphia have advanced in three of the games, two by outright win and another via penalties, while the Red Bulls lone triumph came in 2017 on penalty kicks on their way to the championship game.

2015 Quarterfinals

New York Red Bulls 1:1 (3:4 PK) Philadelphia Union

In the first meeting at Red Bull Arena, despite playing a man down from the 40th minute due to Conor Casey’s red card, Union took the lead in the 56th minute on Eric Ayuk’s goal from Vincent Nogueira cross. Three minutes into second half stoppage time Lloyd Sam scored a dramatic equalizer to send the game to extra time. After 30 minutes of scoreless play, Philadelphia prevailed on penalties 4-3 and would later make their way to their first Final appearance.

2016 Fifth Round

Philadelphia Union 2:1 New York Red Bulls

2016 saw another close contest between the rivals at Philadelphia’s Talen Energy Stadium. Mike Grella opened the scoring for the Red Bulls by hammering home a goal from a free kick sent into the penalty area by Sacha Kljestan. New York held the 1-0 lead until the 55th minute when Chris Pontius struck twice in five minutes off assists from Ilsinho.

2017 Fifth Round

New York Red Bulls 1:1 (5:3 PK) Philadelphia Union

Once again at Red Bull Arena, the Red Bulls struck first just before halftime when Sacha Kljestan scored from a Bradley Wright-Phillips assist. As the clock ticked down Roland Alberg collected a long pass from Jack Elliott and tied the game in the 85th minute. Just as in 2015 extra time was scoreless, but this time around the Red Bulls prevailed in the penalty shootout, converting all five attempts to advance to the Quarterfinals.

2018 Fifth Round

Philadelphia Union 2:1 New York Red Bulls

Talen Energy Stadium was the site of the fourth Open Cup meeting between the teams, and Philadelphia came out on top for a third time. Haris Medunjanin and Cory Burke gave the Union a 2-0 lead in the second half with Alejandro Bedoya assisting on both goals. Bradley Wright-Phillips reduced the lead to 2-1 in the 77th minute, but it wasn’t enough to stop Philadelphia, who would go on to reach their second Open Cup Final.

Once Subaru Park dried out Philadelphia and New York managed to play their MLS game on July 12, days after the weather-postponed their Open Cup game. The Union prevailed 2-0 on goals early in the opening half from Indiana Vassilev and Bruno Damiani. Interestingly, the two clubs are set to meet again in the weekend following this rescheduled Open Cup game, this time at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.

ROAD TO THE QUARTERFINALS

Both teams entered the competition in the Fourth Round and Philly’s opening game saw them taken to the limit by Indy Eleven, surviving a penalty kick shootout after a 1-1 draw. After taking a 1-0 lead in the 6th minute through Alejandro Bedoya, Indy tied the score right after halftime. Despite 33 shots, Philadelphia could not score the winner after 120 minutes. The Union converted all five spot kicks to win the shootout 5-4.

In the Round of 16, Philly knocked off the lone USL Championship club remaining, defeating the Pittsburgh Riverhounds 4-1, scoring two goals in each half to win the Keystone State derby.

Andrew Rick of the Philadelphia Union makes a deciding PK save against Indy Eleven in the Fourth Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Don Robson - Philadelphia Soccer Now — Andrew Rick of the Philadelphia Union makes a deciding PK save against Indy Eleven in the Fourth Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Don Robson – Philadelphia Soccer Now

The Red Bulls began their Open Cup run by traveling to a cold and rainy Colorado Springs to face the USL Championship’s Switchbacks, and left 4-1 winners. Mohammed Sofo scored twice in the first half, and Dennis Gjengaar and Sean Nealis added second half goals.

The Red Bulls had a more dramatic finish in their Round of 16 encounter with FC Dallas, tying the game 2-2 on Emil Forsberg’s second half stoppage time goal, then advancing via penalty shootout 4-3.

Anthony Marcucci (purple) of the New York Red Bulls celebrates after winning a PK shootout 4-3 over FC Dallas in the Fifth Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: John Perdicaro — AJ Marcucci of the New York Red Bulls celebrates after winning a PK shootout 4-3 over FC Dallas in the Fifth Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: John Perdicaro

CURRENT FORM

After spending much of the season near the top of the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia hit a bit of a cold spell, losing their last two matches after going on a 12-game unbeaten run in all competitions. Since the postponement of the Open Cup Quarterfinal, the Union have gone on a 3-0-2 run and reclaimed first place in the East.

Israeli international Tai Baribo leads the team with 15 goals, which is also good enough for a three-way tie for third-best in MLS. Kai Wagner has a team-leading nine assists, with Quinn Sullivan right behind him with eight.

The history of the US Open Cup is full of rivalries between cities. Los Angeles vs. San Francisco, St. Louis vs. Chicago, Philadelphia vs. New York. Put these games in the late stages of the tournament and some “instant classics” are created.

Chuck Nolan Jr. takes a look back at the biggest Eastern Pennsylvania vs. New York/New Jersey Quarterfinal games in US Open Cup history. CLICK HERE FOR MORE

The Red Bulls dropped a bit in the MLS table since July 8, going from eighth to tenth with a 2-3-0 league mark during that time. That leaves the Red Bulls tied with the Chicago Fire with 36 points for the final MLS Cup playoff berth, with Chicago holding the goal difference tiebreaker. The Red Bulls were also eliminated from the Leagues Cup, finishing with a 1-1-1 record.

Eric Choupo-Moting leads the team with 15 goals with Emil Forsberg behind him with nine. Forsberg also has the assist lead with eight, and goalkeeper Carlos Coronel has posted seven clean sheets in his 24 starts.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Philadelphia Union
Major League Soccer | Chester, PA
11th US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2010
Manager: Bradley Carnell
Overall: 17-6-8 (4-4 PK)
Home: 16-2-3 (2-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 8-6-6 (2-4 PK)
Best finish: Runner-Up (2014, 2015, 2018)

Philadelphia has one of the better Open Cup resumes without winning a title among MLS clubs, though recent tournaments have put a blemish on that. They’ve been to three Open Cup Finals (2014, 2015, 2018), but their last three appearances in the competition have been “one and done” appearances against D.C. United in 2019, Orlando City in 2022 and Minnesota United in 2023.

Prior to the Modern Era, clubs from Philadelphia have made nine appearances in the Open Cup Final, winning the Open Cup five times. Leading the way are the Ukrainian Nationals, who won the tournament four times (1960, 1962, 1963 and 1966).

New York Red Bulls
Major League Soccer | Harrison, NJ
24th US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 1996
Manager: Sandro Schwarz
Overall: 29-21-4 (2-2 PK)
Away: 13-14-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. MLS: 13-13-4 (2-2 PK)
Best finish: Final (2003, 2017)

As the MetroStars, the club reached the Semifinals three times (1997, 1998, 2000) and made one appearance in the Final (2003). After rebranding as the New York Red Bulls, another deep run did not come until a return to the Final in 2017. Then, in 2022, the Red Bulls made another Semifinal run.

In MLS play, the Red Bulls have yet to win a championship, reaching the MLS Cup Final twice (2008, 2024) and winning the Supporters Shield three times (2013, 2015, 2018). The 1923 Final between Scullin Steel and Paterson FC was played at Harrison Field, where a parking garage now stands near Sports Illustrated Stadium.

The Red Bulls hold a 13-6-3 record at home in the Open Cup, but also are just 12-13-4 against MLS opposition, and five of those six home losses have been to fellow MLS clubs.

2025 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Nashville SC explodes in 2nd half vs. D.C. United to reach 1st Semifinal

July 10, 2025 by Jed Henderson

Nashville SC advanced through the Quarterfinals of the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a 5-2 dismantling of visiting D.C. United. United scored twice in the first 25 minutes, but five unanswered goals from the home side were more than enough to advance as Nashville reach the Semifinals for the first time in club history.

D.C. United opened the scoring early with a sweet strike from Gabriel Pirani. Nashville defender Jack Maher scored an own goal as DC United went up 2-0. Jonathan Perez pounced on a poor clearance to give Nashville a goal before halftime. It was all Nashville in the second half. Sam Surridge converted a penalty and converted a cross from a few yards out to put Nashville in the lead. An impressive volley from Andy Najar and a header from Walker Zimmerman completed Nashville’s record scoring Open Cup outing.

It was Nashville’s highest-scoring US Open Cup match in club history. Prior to Wednesday night, Nashville had never scored more than three goals in a tournament game. As for United, they made history in the wrong way. The five goals were the most D.C. had ever given up in an Open Cup game. The previous high was DCU’s 4-3 extra time loss to the Charleston Battery in 1999, which is known as the Coffee Pot Game.

The announced crowd of 21,238 that witnessed the game was not only a club record, but, according to TheCup.us records, it is the 14th largest crowd in tournament history and the largest crowd to witness a Quarterfinal match.

A spot in the US Open Cup Semifinals was on the line on a hot Tennessee night. With the other match of the night between the Philadelphia Union and the New York Red Bulls postponed, all eyes were on the Music City. The two teams met a few weeks prior in league play as Nashville earned a 1-0 road win.

The visitors started the game with a low, compact block that earned them a clean sheet the last time they visited Nashville. “DC did a decent job of occupying the spaces that we wanted in the midfield,” Nashville assistant coach Michael Nsien commented after the game. “Their five and their two did a good job of protecting the space, which we really like to get into.”

D.C. United opened the scoring early through midfielder Gabriel Pirani. While Boris Enow earned an assist for restarting play with a free kick near midfield, it was Pirani that dribbled thirty yards, eased past several defenders, and unleashed a left footed strike from the top of the box. The Brazilian’s shot deflected off the underside of the crossbar, giving goalkeeper Brian Schwake no chance to maintain parity. With four minutes on the clock, United led 1-0.

It wasn’t one-and-done as chances continued to fall to both sides. Nashville’s high press and United’s clinical counter attacks provided end-to-end action. David Schnegg and Sam Surridge both saw headers go wide.

The next goal came in the 24th minute in the form of an own goal from Nashville defender Jack Maher. Under pressure from Christian Benteke, Maher turned David Schnegg’s cross into his own goal, putting his side behind by two goals.

With the deficit doubled, Nashville turned up the heat and responded within a minute. Under pressure in their own box, a DC United clearance took a wicked deflection off defender Lucas Bartlett. Goalkeeper Kim Joon Hong scrambled to cover his goal but Nashville forward Jonanthan Perez was first to pounce on the loose ball, volleying neatly from twelve yards out.

Having pulled a goal back, Nashville pushed with a series of chances through the rest of the half. Former MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar and former D.C. United player Andy Najar both forced saves, and a stoppage time strike from Najar missed by inches. Ultimately, United held on to the one-goal lead and the teams returned to the locker room with the visitors ahead by a score of 2-1.

Despite the halftime deficit, the hosts were unphased according to assistant coach Michael Nsien

“At halftime, everyone is calm, focused on the tactics and what was at hand. How do we improve the second half?”

As the second half got started, defensive woes plagued visiting DC United. David Schnegg picked up a yellow card for shirt pulling, and things got worse as the referee determined Aaron Herrera handled a cross in the box, gifting a penalty to Nashville.

The host’s number nine Sam Surridge stepped up to take the penalty. After stuttering to let the keeper dive, Surridge cooly placed his kick straight down the middle. Parity was restored after 53 minutes, 2-2.

Traffic quickly became one way as the floodgates opened for Nashville. In the 72nd minute, Jonathan Perez dribbled in from the touchline and delivered an inch perfect cross to Surridge in a crowded box. Surridge tapped in from two yards out to put Nashville ahead for the first time.

In the 81st minute, Nashville defender Andy Najar was waiting for scraps following a corner, meeting a headed clearance with a perfect volley. The keeper was rooted as the ball snuck in the side netting from 30 yards out. Nashville was up 4-2.

The final goal was perhaps the sweetest as Nashville captain Walker Zimmerman returned from international duty to score a goal and propel his team to their first ever Open Cup Semifinal. Gaston Brugman’s inswinging cross found Zimmerman’s perfectly timed run as the captain headed in the final goal in the 87th minute. It was Zimmerman’s first career US Open Cup goal.

“It was great to come back, get on the field for five or ten minutes, contribute with a goal,” Zimmerman commented after the game.

Cheers erupted around the stadium as the final whistle blew and Nashville confirmed their greatest ever victory in the Open Cup and a spot in the final four.

With Nashville now just two wins away from becoming the first Tennessee team to win the US Open Cup, the team is beginning to dream of silverware.

“It would be awesome,” said Zimmerman. “It’s something we’ve talked about from the beginning of preseason, we emphasized wanting to be not only the first soccer team, but the first professional sports team to win a trophy in Tennessee.”

Nashville SC will have to wait until Aug. 13 to find out their next round opponent. If the Red Bulls win, Nashville will travel to New Jersey, but if the Union advance, Nashville will host. The Semifinals are scheduled for the week of Sept. 16-17.

2025 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Severe weather postpones Philadelphia Union, NY Red Bulls match

July 9, 2025 by Zoe Schaedle

Wednesday night’s game between the Philadelphia Union and the New York Red Bulls at Subaru Park was postponed due to torrential storms. The match will now be played next month.

Photo: Don Robson | Philadelphia Soccer Now

The national anthem had just concluded when the game was delayed due to lightning in the area. What started as 20 minutes, soon became an almost two-hour delay.

Fans were advised to shelter in place along the stadium concourse. At approximately 8:45 p.m., the game was postponed due to unplayable field conditions and lighting storms.

Moments later, the Union announced that the game will be played on Wednesday, Aug. 13. The game will take place during an open week in the middle of the Leagues Cup.

2025 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Austin FC use pair of PKs, PK shootout to beat San Jose Earthquakes

July 9, 2025 by Connor Bunnell

Late night soccer in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on the West Coast is always a recipe for drama. It remained true at PayPal Park Tuesday night when Austin FC knocked out the San Jose Earthquakes on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the Quarterfinals.

Austin FC fell behind twice in the game, but each time managed to equalize with a goal from the penalty spot. After a 4-2 win in the penalty kick shootout, Austin FC earns the club’s first-ever trip to the US Open Cup Semifinals.

In the early going, it looked like San Jose might run away with it. The hosts came out firing on all cylinders and controlling all phases of the game, and they quickly got their reward.

In the 12th minute, Ousseni Bouda, who was a crucial playmaker on the wing all night long, dealt into the center from the right, and Chicho Arango struck it confidently into the top-right corner to put the Quakes on the board first. They’d maintain that lead well and threaten for more, but even though they didn’t double their advantage, 1-0 going into halftime was still a positive start.

Meanwhile, Austin looked to flip the 45 and catch the hosts on the B-side. Things started with modest improvement, as Los Verdes saw more of the ball and shot it more often, though San Jose maintained the edge in both categories.

In a one-score game, though, it only takes one little opening, and Austin found it when Earthquakes defender Max Floriani fouled Brandon Vázquez in the penalty area. A couple minutes later, Quakes keeper Daniel dove left, but Vázquez aimed to the right, and just like that, we were all square again.

On top of giving his team new life, it marked a significant individual achievement, as Vázquez brought his goalscoring total to a tournament-best four goals. It was also the US international’s 13th career US Open Cup goal, which bring him into a tie for second-most in the Modern Era (1995-present) with David Bulow, Kenny Cooper, Johnny Menyongar, and Jaime Moreno.

However, Vázquez wouldn’t get long to celebrate, because not even five minutes later, he fell untouched to the ground while the Quakes were on the attack. At first, the crowd assumed the Austin striker was just flopping to try and stop the flow of play, but when he continued writhing in pain and clutching his right knee after the sequence naturally ended, it was clear he was genuinely in pain. Vázquez ultimately left the pitch on a stretcher with his head in his hands, and Austin FC would have to figure out their way forward without him. (UPDATE: Brandon Vazquez suffers season-ending injury)

“As (Vázquez) was going off … all of us told him right then and there that we had him (and) we were gonna win the game,” said Austin’s captain and keeper Brad Stuver after the match. “He’s done a lot for us, and we wanted to make sure that he knew that we were all behind him.”

As both sides scrambled to score the all-important next goal, the refs’ standing with the home crowd plummeted. The fans objected particularly strongly just past the 80-minute mark when Cristian Espinoza, who had subbed on earlier in the half and taken the captain’s armband from a still-playing Chicho, got bowled over in the box, but the refs deemed it insufficient to award San Jose a penalty.

Whether they got the calls or not, the two teams pressed on and pressed hard, creating furious chances and denying each other scores. However, just before we were supposed to go to extra time, an extra twist of controversy hit.

In the 96th minute, as Espinoza was trying to deal with a midair ball around midfield, Austin defender Mikel Desler made a careless challenge and put his spikes straight into Espinoza’s right leg, leaving a gash so deep it took ten stitches to close. Despite both the severity of the injury and the fact that VAR was available as of this round, Desler got away with a yellow, and Quakes coach Bruce Arena was very quick to note that in the post-match press conference.

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

“That foul on is a straight red card,” Arena told reporters. “The officiating was comical.”

Espinoza, for his part, would try to soldier on as best he could, but Arena soon pulled him from the game to receive medical attention while Chicho retook the captain’s band. Meanwhile, eight minutes of stoppage time turned into 13 minutes actually played before the referees finally blew the whistle and officially sent things into extra time.

Galvanized by recent events, the Earthquakes charged hard out of the gate, once again asserting control of the match’s tempo. Just as it had in the first half of regular time, that paid off in a hurry. In the 98th and 99th minutes, the Quakes decided to fight Austin captain and keeper Brad Stuver with sheer volume, as a scramble in net saw four straight shots saved or blocked before substitute Benji Kikanović finally turned a rebound into a result, scoring a two-touch right-footer to put the California squad back on top.

Austin FC players walk back up the field after scoring a penalty kick goal against the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2025 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Dario Cruz | FUTWRK

However, Austin still had plenty of fight in them, and when they earned a corner just before the 105th minute, it seemed like they might do some damage with it. In a melding of substitute minds, Žan Kolmanič took the corner and placed it expertly, while Myrto Uzuni took the ball relayed to him and headed it into the net. Unfortunately for him, though, the flag went up for offside, wiping his goal from the record and ensuring San Jose went into the break with the lead.

All San Jose needed from here was to close out the final 15 and punch that ticket to the Semifinals, but Austin had other ideas.

With the Quakes now finally easing up on possession, Los Verdes got all the time they needed to set up and threaten to score. They’d get another golden chance to do so halfway through the period when Quakes ironman Mark-Anthony Kaye fouled Owen Wolff in the box, meaning yet another penalty for Austin. Naturally, this went over about as well as a teacher announcing recess was cancelled. The younger fans in the crowd chanted “Ref, you suck!”, adults chanted something a bit more vulgar, and the Earthquakes themselves tried to insist the foul had actually taken place outside the box. That complaint proved unpersuasive, to say the least, and although Daniel guessed the incoming penalty correctly this time, Uzuni made sure to put it out of reach.

After being denied by a flag minutes prior, the Albanian finally had his goal, and with the score sitting at 2-2, a penalty kick shootout was back on the menu. The Quakes tried their best to avert it, making a couple more shot attempts, but none of them got through. As such, the game became the 13th Open Cup match of 2025 to go all the way to a penalty shootout.

As “Enter Sandman” set the mood for the 10,754 fans in attendance, San Jose got the chance to shoot first. However, their fight started on a disastrous note when Stuver stuffed Chicho’s stop-go shot. Chicho immediately protested that Stuver had been off the line, and photographs from behind the net suggest the Colombian may have had a point, but the refs dismissed it as yet more arguing from a player who’d been jawing with them all night and refused to grant a retake. Diego Rubio immediately pounced on the opening, putting his shot past Daniel to give Austin the advantage.

Josef Martínez quickly tied things up with his shot, but Myrto Uzuni fired back to make himself 2 for 2 on the night and gave Austin a lead they’d never hand back. Stuver cemented that in stone on the following kick, diving to his right to stop DeJuan Jones’s shot to put a cherry on top of the Austin captain’s phenomenal day in net. Then, with Robert Taylor’s shot straight down the middle, the Texan side officially had San Jose on the brink of elimination. For the first time all night, the Earthquakes’ supporters sections, who usually sandwich the stadium with noise from both ends, fell quiet enough to let Austin’s small faction of traveling fans be heard.

Austin FC players celebrate in the locker room after defeating the San Jose Earthquakes in a PK shootout (after a 2-2 draw) in the 2025 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Austin FC

Ian Harkes scored to keep the Quakes alive, but the math was not on their side as Owen Wolff stepped up with both sides’ fates in his hands. The 20-year-old ran up and fired in one fluid motion, sending the ball to the bottom-left and Daniel diving in the wrong direction, and Austin officially clinched the shootout 4-2.

For Bruce Arena, it was a bitter way to waste what had been, in many respects, a strong performance from his side.

“Our team played very well,” Arena said. “Austin was not at all dangerous in the attack the entire evening, and we conceded two penalty kicks. That certainly is our fault, and we’re to blame for that, for sure.”

The Earthquakes’ Jamar Ricketts, who played a valiant 95 minutes as a right midfielder before subbing off with a minor injury, also found plenty to praise about his side’s effort despite the result.

“I think it’s great, honestly, how the team rallied up,” Ricketts said, “and we kept fighting all 120 minutes. Especially the players that came on the field, or the players that came off the field—like, when Cristian was hurt, he was on the sideline yelling, coaching. I think it’s just great to know that somebody’s got your back. If somebody got beat, the next person was stepping up … We can take it to the next game knowing we have something to prove, and that we’ll rally behind every single player on the field.”

Meanwhile, for Los Verdes, it was a cathartic and hard-fought victory to put the club closer to its first trophy than ever before.

“Everyone that stepped on the field today brought something to help the team,” said Austin coach Nico Estévez, “and I think those nights are a big deal for the fans to enjoy. There is some magic on those type of nights.”

With this win, Austin now have an all-time Open Cup record of 3-2-1, with a 1-0 record in penalty kicks. More importantly, they’re in the Semifinals for the first time in team history, blowing all their previous appearances out of the water. Austin will travel up to St. Paul, Minn. the week of Sept. 16-17 to face Minnesota United, with the right to host October’s Open Cup final hanging in the balance.

2025 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Minnesota United needs OT to overtake 10-man Chicago Fire

July 9, 2025 by Ashle Lynn Paige

Kelvin Yeboah of Minnesota United fires a shot against Chicago Fire FC in the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Seth Steffenhagen - Northland Soccer Journal — Kelvin Yeboah of Minnesota United fires a shot against Chicago Fire FC in the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Seth Steffenhagen – Northland Soccer Journal

Minnesota United FC and the Chicago Fire FC opened up the Quarterfinals of the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in dramatic fashion on Tuesday night in St. Paul, Minn. An early red card to Chicago followed by an immediate goal for the Fire on a penalty had the visitors on the front foot despite being down a man.

An early second half goal for the Loons changed the entire tone of the match. The Fire held out through 90 minutes, forcing extra-time, but it was not to be for the visitors. Kelvin Yeboah scored the go ahead goal for Minnesota five minutes into extra-time, before getting the dagger on a penalty kick in the dying seconds to push the Loons through the Fire and into the Semifinals for the second time in club history.

With fixture congestion being an issue at this point in the season, both teams went with a similar construction of their starting eleven and matchday eighteen. The Loons playing their third game in four days, put together a mixture of regular starters and players looking for more minutes. Chicago, while only playing their second match in the same span, used the same philosophy choosing their squad for the trip to the North Star State.

The opening quarter hour of play was relatively mundane as both teams started off extremely slowly in a feeling out process. Minnesota dominated possession in the first 15 minutes and came close to getting a good chance, but Chicago was able to push the ball on the cross out of touch. Bongokuhle Hlongwane got the only shot off in what would be nearly the first 30 minutes of play.

The match turned on its head in the 25th minute, when Chicago’s Omar González was issued his first-ever straight red card and the first card of any kind in his Open Cup career. While trying to create some space between himself and Julian Gressel, Gonzalez struck the US international in the face while making a run across the penalty box. The call was made after a video review.

“It’s a little bit tricky when the opponent has a red card, because you kind of feel some kind of false security that the game’s going to be easy,” said Minnesota midfielder Robin Lod. “I think we could have been a little bit more patient with the ball, because we had the whole 45 minutes to chase it and score, but lucky to get another 30 minutes and we sealed the deal.”

Just two minutes after the red, Minnesota’s Wil Trapp fouled Philip Zinckernagel inside the box, handing the Fire an opportunity on a silver platter. Brian Gutierrez took that opportunity and used it, scoring a low shot into the bottom left corner while goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair went the other way.

After handing out two cards in two minutes, referee Ekaterina Koroleva continued to issue cards like candy, issuing a total of four in 12 minutes. MNUFC’s Carlos Harvey was handed one after fouling Tom Barlow from behind, while Chicago’s Jack Elliott was also given one, putting a stifle to a potential Tani Oluwaseyi breakout attack.

“The coach initially wanted me to play on the right-hand side as a ten, and that was the formation,” said Minnesota’s Kelvin Yeboah. “And that information was from Cam (Assistant Coach Cameron Knowles) was to score a goal, so I did what he asked me to do.”

Each side made some changes to start the second half. Chicago Fire with a one goal lead and down a man, brought on just one player. Eric Ramsey, on the other hand, brought on the troops with a triple sub at the half. That triple substitution paid off quickly for Ramsey’s Loons with Robin Lod scoring in the 47th minute on a play starting with a Tani Oluwaseyi ball to Anthony Markanich, who sent a low cross to Lod.

Drawn level at 1-1, the play began to resemble the opening 15 minutes, constant passes but with a slow-crawling attack. Minnesota dominated possession and did get a few good shots off that forced Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady to make a couple fantastic saves to send the match into extra time and one step closer to the Fire overcoming that early red card.

In extra time each team is provided a sixth sub, something Eric Ramsey took advantage of immediately. That sub paid off quickly as Joaquín Pereyra sent a pass into the box that Carlos Harvey headed over to Yeboah, who finished the play with one touch goal putting the hosts in the lead just minutes into extra time. Minnesota continuously tried to put the dagger in, but up until the dying moments just could not find the back of goal.

“I think he did great. And if there is a silver lining to there being an extra half an hour, it’s that he gets a chance to get another goal, a couple of really good moments on top of the moments that he had,” Minnesota United Eric Ramsey said about Kelvin Yeboah.

As the seconds ticked away, Kelvin Yeboah broke out on a solo run down the pitch and after a 50+ yard run was fouled inside the box by Leonardo Barroso, handing Minnesota a penalty. Yeboah scored on the penalty goal and immediately following the PK, Ekaterina Koroleva blew her whistle ending the match and sending Minnesota to the Semifinals.

With the victory, Minnesota United will head back to the US Open Cup Semifinals for the first time since the 2019 season. They will host Austin FC the week of Sept. 16-17.

2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament expands; El Farolito qualifies as first John Motta Trophy winner

July 8, 2025 by Josh Hakala

Graphic: Tom Arnison | Photo: J. Derick Fox

The Open Division Qualifying tournament for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup has expanded and a new format is coming for the 2026 competition. The United States Soccer Federation made the announcement just hours before the Quarterfinals of the 2025 US Open Cup is set to begin (Preview here).

The Open Division Qualifying tournament is a single elimination competition which was open to any amateur club affiliated with US Soccer, except for teams in the “national leagues”, which are USL League Two (USL-2) and the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). Now, all US Soccer-affiliated teams, including USL-2 and NPSL are able to compete. The teams that advance the farthest are awarded a spot in the following year’s US Open Cup. Last year, 14 teams punched their ticket to the tournament. Next year, that number has increased to 16. This is the most teams entering from the qualifying tournament since the competition was created 10 years ago.

For the 2026 US Open Cup, 32 Open Division teams will take part in the tournament. After 16 entries from the Open Division qualifying tournament, here are how the remaining 16 teams will be determined:

Going forward, US Soccer’s Open Cup Committee will decide which leagues and competitions will be worthy of a bye into the tournament. This includes national leagues (like USL-2 or NPSL), cup competitions, or local leagues.

As the federation transititions to this new format, 13 of the 16 remaining spots will be awarded to USL-2 and the NPSL. Nine of them for USL-2 and four of them to the NPSL. This is based on league membership numbers.

Three more teams will receive automatic entries into the 2026 US Open Cup: The 2025 USASA Amateur Cup champion (find our coverage of that tournament here), the 2025 champion from the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) Spring season, and the winner of the newly-created John Motta Trophy, awarded to the Open Division team that advanced the furthest in the US Open Cup. Since El Farolito SC won the $50,000 prize money by reaching the Third Round of the 2025 US Open Cup, they are the first club awarded the John Motta Trophy and have officially qualified for the 111th edition of the Open Cup next Spring.

With 16 entries from the Open Division qualifying tournament and 13 teams from USL-2 and NPSL, the Amatuer Cup and UPSL champion and the John Motta Trophy winner, that brings the total number of Open Division clubs to 32.

Registration for the Open Division qualifying tournament closes on Aug. 4.

The match windows for the qualifying tournament are as follows:
September 13-14, 2025
October 11-12, 2025
November 1-2, 2025
November 22-23, 2025

The John Motta Trophy was created by the U.S. Soccer Federation Adult Council. It is named for John Motta who is a member of the US Soccer Board of Directors. Motta was previously the president of the US Adult Soccer Association (USASA) from 2014-2024, the president of the New Hampshire Soccer Association from 1988-1998, and U.S. Soccer Vice President from 1998-2000.