US Open Cup

2026 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Marcel Hartel of St. Louis CITY SC voted TheCup.us Player of Round

May 29, 2026 by Tim Thomas

Graphic: Frank Lanham | Photo: St. Louis CITY SC

After a performance where he went a full 120 minutes, scored a brace that accounted for all his team’s goals, and converted his shootout attempt, Marcel Hartel of St. Louis CITY SC has been awarded TheCup.us Player of the Round for the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Quarterfinals. He was a key factor in the Mound City club finishing with a 2-2 draw against the Houston Dynamo and advancing 4-2 in the PK shootout.

Hartel is the first-ever player from St. Louis CITY SC to receive the award, beating out teammate Ben Lundt and Brian Ojeda of Orlando City SC for the honor.

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Lundt was the breakout hero of the match, coming off the bench in the 26^th minute for injured starting goalkeeper Roman Bürki, he secured the first ever shootout win in club history. However, Lundt would not have been able to take a staring role with his heroics without the yeoman’s work put in by Hartel. That work secured Hartel the votes to win.

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

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

Hartel’s first goal would come in the first half as the result of some chaos in the box. A long cross was played in by CITY’s Chris Durkin. The ball bounced off three different players before it fell to Hartel, who swiftly deposited the ball into the back of the net and put St. Louis up 1-0.

The remainder of the first half would see St. Louis lose its starting goalkeeper/captain in Bürki, then lose the lead and fall behind 2-1. Hartel was handed the captain’s armband at the half and tasked with leading his team in a come-from-behind victory.

“I appreciate that I got the captain band I’m very proud,” Hartel said after the game. “First, I am very sad for Roman that he had to go out with an injury. But then I was very proud to be captain.”

Hartel would soon get his chance. In the 49^th minute, CITY’s Sergio Cordova was pulled down in the box by Houston’s Agustin Resch.

With the game in the balance, Hartel was called upon to take the penalty kick and tie the game. Hartel stepped up and scored with a determined single-mindedness.

“Try to help the team,” said Hartel. “Just one thing in my head score the goal, take the 2-2, and go for the next one.”

Hartel’s goal would tie the match at 2-2 and that scoreline would hold through the rest of regulation and the 30 minutes of added extra time.

The game proceeded to shootouts, where Hartel would be called upon to make a second attempt against a goalkeeper who had already faced him from the spot earlier. Hartel was not concerned about the possibility that Houston’s Jonathan Bond was prepared for revenge.

Marcel Hartel of St. Louis CITY SC celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Houston Dynamo in the Quarterfinals of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: St. Louis CITY SC

“I guess that the other goalkeeper looks at how we are shooting if penalties are coming up. Probably he saw me before as well, but I saw him too,” said Hartel.

It was of no concern, as Hartel beat Bond for the second time on the night and St. Louis beat Houston in the shootout 4-2.

This competition has gone better for Hartel than his previous experience in the DFB-Pokal his home country Germany’s version of the Open Cup.

2026 TheCup.us Player of the Round winners
R1 – Ben Fall – Asheville City
R2 – Joshua Yoder – FC Naples
R3 – Denis Krioutchenkov – One Knoxville
R16 – Maxi Moralez – NYCFC

TheCup.us award winners 2006-2025

“We went also to the quarterfinals, and I missed two pens in a row in the penalty shootout” he said.

Hartel is just the second German-born player to win the award, joining Phoenix Rising goalkeeper Peter Rakovsky who won the award last year in the Third Round.

With a Player of the Round Award in hand and a better Quarterfinals experience than his previous one, Marcel Hartel will look to repeat his performance in the Semifinals against the Colorado Rapids on Sept. 16 in Commerce City, CO.

2026 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Colorado Rapids blank Earthquakes to reach first Semifinal since 1999

May 21, 2026 by Andrew Mosier

Darren Yepi of the Colorado Rapids celebrates after scoring a goal against the San Jose Earthquakes in the Quarterfinals of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Colorado Rapids

For the first time since its inglorious 1999 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup run, the Colorado Rapids are through to the Semifinal round with a 2-0 win over San Jose Earthquakes at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

Darren Yapi and Rafael Navarro scored goals in the waning minutes of the first half to put the Rapids through to host St. Louis CITY SC in the semifinal round the week of Sept. 15-16.

“It’s great to be in the semifinal, but of course we’re not satisfied with that,” Rapids head coach Matt Wells said. “We’ve got a lot of talent in our dressing room. This is where I expect us to be. This is the standard I want going forward.”

In the first quarter of an hour San Jose tested Rapids’ goalkeeper Nico Hansen three times, including twice from close range as the Rapids defenders struggled tracking the Quakes late runs into the box.

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

The Rapids answered—or thought it had—in the 22^nd minute after San Jose failed to fully clear a Paxten Aaronson free kick. Josh Atencio ran down the ball on the left wing and found Rafael Navarro at the far post. Navarro pushed the ball past the flailing Daniel at the far post.

After the pyrotechnic smoke had cleared referee Fotis Bazakos was summoned to the replay screen at midfield, where he determined that defender Rob Holding was offside on the initial free kick—without directly being involved with play—nullifying the goal. Unlike earlier Open Cup rounds, VAR was implemented in the quarterfinal round.

“It’s something we’re going to have to take a close look at,” Wells said. “Rob was in an offside position but not contesting for the ball.”

Already degenerating even before the VAR decision, the game further degenerated as both teams took turns knocking the other to the ground as Bazakos waived his yellow card at the back of the offending players. A total of five yellow cards were shown before all was said and done.

With five minutes to play in the first half Darren Yapi banged in a goal that VAR could not take away off a Dante Sealy cross that began with a short corner. Yapi did everything he needed to connect with Sealy’s driven cross a yard from goal to put the ball past Daniel, who was then hit with a bottle from the stands as he fished the ball out of the net. Daniel’s assailant was escorted out by Commerce City Police in handcuffs. The goal was Yapi’s first in Open Cup play.

“That was straight off the training ground,” Wells said. “It was a brilliant delivery from Dante .”

VAR gave the Rapids a second goalscoring opportunity eight minutes into first half added time when Bazakos whistled San Jose defender Reid Roberts for an awkward handling of the ball. Bazakos awarded the free kick just outside of the penalty area. After a long look, Bazakos awarded the Rapids a penalty kick after video showed Roberts was inside the ball when he handled the ball.

Captain for the night, Rafael Navarro took the ball and stood on the penalty spot while San Jose made the requisite protests, slotting his shot to Daniel’s right to put the Rapids up 2-0 ten minutes into second half added time.

“Rafael put in a great effort tonight, his selflessness, the way he helped the team,” Wells said. “It is a benchmark for him, to build and improve. When we do that, we’ve got a top player. It was a great performance for me.”

As the second half wore on it was clear it was not going to be San Jose’s night. The Rapids did all it needed to hold onto the lead—almost adding to it, making Daniel save from close range. When San Jose did have opportunities: shots were either skied over the crossbar or blasted well wide.

Colorado Rapids players celebrate with their fans after a 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes in the Quarterfinals of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Colorado Rapids

“We needed to suffer in the second half as a team,” Wells said. “Every single player was participating, focused, putting in the effort.”

With a quarter of an hour left San Jose made its last push, forcing Hanses to save twice to keep the scoresheet clean as a visibly frustrated Bruce Arena stood on the touchline with his hands in his pockets.

Wednesday night’s win was the Rapids’ first Open Cup win versus an MLS opponent in 20 years—a 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake in 2006. It snapped a seven-game losing streak against fellow MLS teams.

The Rapids will host St. Louis CITY SC in the Open Cup Semifinals at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park the week of Sept. 15-16. It will be the first Semifinal the Rapids have hosted in team history and the first time they have reached the final four since 1999, the year that they reached the championship game, but ultimately fell to the Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League).

2026 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Max Arfsten goal, solid defense leads Columbus Crew past NYCFC

May 21, 2026 by Tyler Fisher

Max Arfsten of the Columbus Crew dribbles the ball against New York City FC in the Quarterfinals of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Carlos Hernandez – Black Cat Photography – IG @black_catphoto

For the first time in 16 years, the Columbus Crew have advanced to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Semifinals, securing a 1-0 win over New York City FC at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.

Max Arfsten delivered the decisive moment in the 59th minute of a match that lacked consistent attacking rhythm. Following a patient buildup in the attacking third, Nariman Akhundzada found Arfsten in space and finished past the NYCFC goalkeeper, giving the Crew the breakthrough they needed. His goal energized the home supporters and secured Columbus a place in the tournament’s final four.

“I don’t know. I feel like I’m just a bit more confident in front of goal as the games go on, and Open Cup is a fun tournament, and I just wanted to do whatever I could to help us get the win, and I just saw the moment to cut inside, and I saw a little bit of space, and it went in,” said Arfsten.

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

The first half was characterized by strong defensive organization and few scoring opportunities. Columbus controlled possession at times but struggled to create chances in the final third, while New York City was unable to break through Columbus’s defense. Most of the opening 45 minutes were contested in midfield, with neither team establishing sustained attacking momentum.

The match became more open after halftime, particularly following Arfsten’s first career US Open Cup goal. New York City increased its pressure in pursuit of an equalizer, committing more players forward and forcing Columbus into a defensive posture late in the match. Despite this, the Crew’s back line remained composed and consistently disrupted dangerous passes into the box.

“I feel like we were calm,” said Arfsten.

“I think one main difference from tonight was even though we were winning 1-0, we still had the ball, and we’re being a bit daring and bold with the ball.

“We didn’t just give them the ball and sit back and kind of hope for our lives, like sometimes at the end of games. That’s what I think helped us a lot, was like we actually kept the ball, even though we were up 1-0.”

NYCFC created several tense moments late in the match, but Columbus delivered one of its strongest recent defensive performances. The Crew closed down shooting lanes, won key aerial duels, and prevented New York City from finding a clear opportunity to equalize.

In the end, Crew goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen his second clean sheet of the tournament without having to make a save. Hagen, a Guatemalan international, has only allowed one goal in three Open Cup games and has made a total of four saves during that span.

Columbus Crew players celebrate with Max Arfsten after he scored a goal against New York City FC in the Quarterfinals of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Carlos Hernandez – Black Cat Photography – IG @black_catphoto

This victory is a significant milestone for Columbus, marking its first US Open Cup semifinal appearance since 2010. That year, they lost in the championship game to the Seattle Sounders FC. After weeks of inconsistent league form, the result provides a much-needed confidence boost as the club balances MLS play with knockout competition.

Next, the Crew, who won the 2002 US Open Cup, will host Orlando City SC in the Semifinals the week of Sept. 16-17, with a place in the tournament final at stake.

2026 US Open Cup Quarterfinals Review: Home teams shine as World Cup break approaches

May 21, 2026 by TheCup.us Staff

The home teams all advanced in the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Of the four teams that advanced to the Semifinals, none of them have won multiple US Open Cup titles, and two of them have never lifted the trophy at all.

On Tuesday, Orlando City dominated rival Atlanta United with four goals in the first half helping the 2022 US Open Cup champs move on. St. Louis CITY SC needed penalty kicks to eliminate the Houston Dynamo to punch their ticket to the Semis for the first time in club’s limited history.

Wednesday saw a pair of shutouts with the Columbus Crew holding off New York City FC, and the Colorado Rapids returning to the final four for the first time in 27 years with a 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes.

For fans of the tournament, they will have to exercise some patience because the Semifinals will not take place until the week of Sept. 15-16 because the competition will take a break with the United States co-hosting the FIFA World Cup this summer.

When those Semifinal games take place, the Colorado Rapids will host St. Louis CITY in a battle of teams seeking their first Open Cup title. In the other game, the Columbus Crew will host Orlando City SC with each team seeking a second tournament championship. The winner of Columbus and Orlando will host the 111th US Open Cup Final on Oct. 21.

Below you will find a brief summary of each game with links to the full game recap and video highlights.

TUESDAY, MAY 19

Orlando City SC (MLS)
4:1
Atlanta United FC (MLS)
Inter&Co Stadium – Orlando, FL

By: Connor Bunnell

The quarterfinals opened on a laugher of a rivalry match, as Orlando City demolished Atlanta United.

The two teams had played to a 1-1 regular season draw in the same stadium just four days prior, but this second verse was not the same as the first. City looked like absolute world-beaters in the first half, starting their rampage in the 5th when David Brekalo headed home a cross from Braian Ojeda. Eleven minutes later, Iván Angulo lured Atlanta keeper Jayden Hibbert all the way to one side of the net, then dished to Griffin Dorsey on the other side. Dorsey easily tapped it in for his second goal of this tournament and his third consecutive game with a goal overall.

Hibbert would add to his own misery eight minutes after that by making a terrible clearance that effectively just fed the ball to Orlando’s Tiago Souza. The Brazilian then sent Hibbert diving the wrong way to extend the Lions’ lead. Orlando still weren’t satisfied, getting two additional phantom goals that were ruled offside before finally making it four in first-half stoppage time when Ojeda found Souza, giving the former two assists and the latter two goals.

Emmanuel Latte Lath did eventually deny a clean sheet, scoring in the 84th, but the much quieter second half did nothing to change the outcome. Orlando are now back to the Open Cup semis for the first time since 2022, the year they won it all, and whoever they face there, they’ll have Atlético de Madrid icon Antoine Griezmann in their corner.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)

St. Louis CITY SC (MLS)
2:2
Houston Dynamo FC (MLS)
St. Louis CITY SC advances, 4-2 on penalty kicks
Energizer Park – St. Louis, MO

By: Tim Abbott

A wild opening 11 minutes saw a goal for each side. First it was Marcel Hartel for the hosts but almost immediately, Mateusz Bogusz equalized as CITY captain and keeper Roman Bürki slipped and gave away the ball in his penalty area. With only 26 minutes played, Bürki was forced to leave the field of play as a result of his slip, with Ben Lundt taking over. Lundt has 13 MLS games in his entire career.

In the 50th minute, Agustin Resch took all of Sergio Cordova in the penalty area and Hartel scored the resulting penalty kick. Neither side could gather a go-ahead in the rest of regulation, although Becher missed a golden assist opportunity when he decided to shoot instead of passing to Sang Bin.

Guilherme nearly scored in the opening five minutes of ET, but he could not complete. His corner then went out of play. In the 102nd minute, Artur’s curler was palmed wide by Lundt. Dante Pulvara extinguished a Linger chance with a chase back block on his shot with virtually the last touch of the first half of ET.

With nothing much changing, the balance of numbers tipped the way of STL, as Lawrence Ennali was shown a second yellow card which looked very reviewable – but this is pretty much the last game where second yellows are not reviewable by VAR.

Nonetheless, the game was eventually settled from the spot, with St Louis CITY’s Lundt saving two of the four kicks aimed his way in the shootout.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20

Columbus Crew SC (MLS)
1:0
New York City FC (MLS)
ScottsMiracle-Gro Field – Columbus, OH

By: Ashle Paige

Wednesday night two clubs on completely different trajectories met for a spot in the Open Cup Semi-Finals. The visitors in New York City FC were eyeing their first appearance in that round and were 3-1-1 in their last five. Columbus Crew on the other hand only had three league wins in fourteen matches and recently dismissed their manager. One goal from the hosts put the Crew over the top and sent them to their first semi-finals in a decade and a half.

A relatively dull first 40 minutes gave way to a Columbus dominated final half plus the end of the first half. In that span Columbus Crew outshot New York City FC 11 to 3 in the final fifty minutes of football. Sometimes a single goal can change the match and the Crew were the side able to score. With the clock ticking closer to the hour mark Columbus was able to break out from their own end with a pass to Nariman Akhundzada at midfield. The 22 year old whipped a through ball downfield to the left side that Max Arfsten picked up and took into the box. Just a step or two into the eighteen Arfsten fired a shot into the bottom corner to score the first goal of the evening.

The single 59th minute goal from Arfsten ended up being the only goal of the match. New York City FC only managed only two more shots through the remainder of the night, both of which were blocked and the visitors finished with five shots on the night. Columbus who just recently sacked Henrik Rydström following five wins in their first sixteen matches won their first match under the helm of caretaker manager Laurent Courtois in his first match in charge.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)

Colorado Rapids (MLS)
2:0
San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
DICK’s Sporting Goods Park – Commerce City, CO

By: Andrew Mosier

For the first time since 1999, the Colorado Rapids advanced to the semifinal round of the U.S. Open Cup with a 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park Wednesday Night.

Darren Yappi and Rafael Navarro scored goals in the waning minutes of the first half to put the Rapids through to host Saint Louis City SC in the semifinal round September 15 or 16.

In the 22^nd minute after San Jose failed to fully clear a Paxten Aaronson free kick, Josh Atencio ran down the ball on the left wing and found Rafael Navarro at the far post. Navarro pushed the ball past the flailing Daniel at the far post. The goal was disallowed when Rob Holding was ruled offside on the initial free kick—without directly being involved with play—nullifying the goal. Unlike earlier Open Cup rounds, VAR was implemented in the quarterfinal round.

With five minutes to play in the first half Darren Yappi banged in a goal that VAR could not take away off a Dante Sealy that began with a short corner. Yappi did everything he needed to connect with Sealy’s driven cross a yard from goal. The goal was Yappi’s first in Open Cup play.

VAR reared its ugly head again eight minutes into first half added time when Bazakos whistled San Jose defender Reid Roberts for an awkward handling of the ball. Bazakos awarded the free kick just outside of the penalty area. But a closer look had Roberts handling the ball inside the penalty area. After a long look, Bazakos awarded the Rapids a penalty kick. Rafael Navarro took the ball and stood on the penalty spot while San Jose made the requisite protests, slotting his shot to Daniel’s right to put the Rapids up 2-0 ten minutes into second half added time.

[+] FULL MATCH REPORT (with video highlights)

2026 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Ben Lundt comes off bench to help St. Louis CITY eliminate Houston in PKs

May 20, 2026 by Tim Thomas

After an early injury to St. Louis CITY SC starting goalkeeper Roman Bürki, the day was saved by backup keeper Ben Lundt as CITY advanced over the Houston Dynamo 4-2 in a penalty shootout. After 120 minutes of heated back-and-forth play ended all square 2-2.

In a game that often felt like a bout between heavyweight fighters, in no small part because of a combined ten yellow cards including two assessed to the benches, Lundt would come away the hero and help send his club to its first Semifinal appearance in the club’s short history.

“I’m more proud of being the guy to step in when there’s an opportunity,” Lundt said. “I don’t really try to judge myself on one performance. It doesn’t really matter how it could have went today bad game, good game doesn’t really matter. I am proud that I show up every single day in training.”

St. Louis came out swinging, battering the Houston defense and keeping the pressure on early. CITY would hit paydirt with a pinball play in the 9th minute. An audacious cross field pass by Chris Durkin bounced off Houston defender Felipe Andrade, CITY defender Tomas Totland, and Houston goalkeeper Jonathan Bond before it landed at the feet of Marcel Hartel.

Hartel slammed it home to give CITY an early 1-0 lead.

The lead would not last as Houston struck back with the help of a little luck. After receiving a back pass from Durkin, CITY keeper Roman Bürki attempted to play the ball out. As he was handling the ball in the box Bürki slipped and fell leaving the ball unattended. Houston Dynamo player Mateusz Bogusz was there to collect the loose change and deposit it back into the net to bring the scoreline even and score his second goal of the tournament.

Things began to snowball from there for CITY. After having to retreat and defend an intercepted pass out of the back Bürki signaled to the bench that he needed help. It would be the end of the night for Bürki and Lundt was called into action. While unfortunate, it seemed that the injury to Bürki did not come as a complete surprise.

“We knew he had something lingering for the past day or two. He knows his body, he’s a good pro. He’s been doing it for years now. He thought, we thought he could go through the game. He felt like a little something a little bit in the warmup and he wanted to try,” St. Louis CITY coach Yoann Damet said. “We’ll see, we’ll evaluate him and see where he’s at.”

With their starting keeper and captain out of the match, CITY began to waver as Houston gained momentum. The Dynamo began to push more aggressively on the beleaguered hometown team; it came to a head in the 42nd minute.

A short corner kick found its way to Houston midfielder Artur via Jack McGlynn. Artur struck it from well outside the box. The ball traveled through some traffic and beat a diving Lundt to the far corner giving Houston the lead.

“It’s been over a year since I played my last game for CITY and that is a long time,” said Lundt. “So, it was tough for me to come in. First shot was a goal. I don’t think I looked great on it. But that’s my job to play the game and see what the game gives me.”

St. Louis wouldn’t let the lead last for long in the second half. At the 49th minute Conrad Wallem delivered a pass to Sergio Cordova who was pulled down in the box by Houston’s Agustin Resch.

After the requisite wailing and gnashing of teeth that comes with any foul in the box Marcel Hartel stepped up to take the kick. He drove home the game tying goal and secured himself a brace for the evening.

BIG BEN!!!! 🧤 pic.twitter.com/zzkgYF54Ce
— St Louis CITY SC (@stlCITYsc) May 20, 2026

The final minutes of regulation would see quality chances for both sides. CITY’s Simon Becher had a point-blank shot saved by goalkeeper Jonathan Bond. While Guilherme nearly won it for Houston with a free kick that banged off the woodwork. In the end, 90 minutes was not enough to decide the game.

Extra time got off to a cracking start with Lundt making a leaping save with his right arm outstretched over his body in the 103rd minute. The game almost did not make it to the penalty shootout without some heroics from St. Louis’ Dante Polvara.

In the 105th minute Houston had a lone player on a breakaway. Lundt attempted to come out and make a play but was dribbled around. It was one Houston player and a seemingly wide-open CITY net.

The end of the game was in sight until Polvara came flying in to make a sliding save.

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

“It speaks to the mindset of the guy. I think I said that earlier in the season. In those moments it’s more unconscious than conscious,” Damet said. “When you keep going and you don’t stop. You are speaking about one split second of still believing. Running, sprinting, and making the tackle. It goes a lot with something unconscious and the belief the guys have and how much they care about the team.”

Polvara’s split second of still believing made it so that Lundt could repay that faith in the net. The game would be decided from the spot and Lundt would have to stand tall.

Lundt’s first save would be on the first shot he faced. Leaping to his left Lundt stopped a shot by Houston’s Guilherme. The second shot was a replay of the first. Lundt saved Héctor Herrara’s attempt with a diving save to the keeper’s left. All the CITY SC shooters converted on their opportunities.

Just like that, St. Louis had won and Lundt had written himself into the history books as the first keeper in the club’s short history to win a penalty shootout.

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

“Feels great, we’ve been talking in the locker room with the coaching staff about a lot of new firsts. Beating LAFC for the first time. Going to Colorado and getting a result. So many firsts, the club is young. But again, to be part of this and in general being part of this group is great,” Lundt said.

This is the first time in the Modern Era that a St. Louis team has advanced to the Semifinals of the US Open Cup. The last local team to make it into the Quarterfinals was Saint Louis FC of the United Soccer League when they upset FC Cincinnati in 2019. The last Mound City club to reach the Semifinals was Busch SC who would go on to win the US Open Cup in 1988.

In a coming full circle moment that Cincinnati team was coached by none other than current CITY coach Yoann Damet. Before the commencement of the match with Houston, CITY honored Sam Fink the man who struck down Damet’s Cincinnati team with a towering stoppage time header. The moment served as a way to remember past Open Cup glory and honor a player who was synonymous with Saint Louis FC.

Sam Fink of Saint Louis FC celebrates his goal against FC Cincinnati in a Round of 16 match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Saint Louis FC

“When I was a pro I always dreamed of putting on a CITY shirt and stepping foot on that field. Falling short of that dream was something that I really struggled with for a while after retiring,” said Fink, who was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round during that Cup run. “To pull on a CITY shirt with my name on it and walk onto that field in a completely different capacity felt like a beautiful closure to a missed dream that once hurt quite deep. Extreme gratitude is the only work I can come up with to explain tonight. Gratitude to the club for including me, gratitude to the supporters for keeping memories like my Open Cup goal alive, and gratitude for every person and teammate along my journey that is just as deserving as me to be honored tonight.”

In September, St. Louis CITY SC will play the winner of the San Jose Earthquakes and Colorado Rapids match. If San Jose wins, CITY will host the match, but if the Rapids win, St. Louis will have to travel to Colorado.

Where Sam Fink and St. Louis FC fell short in the Quarterfinals, they can now pass the torch on to the next generation. That generation will carry it into uncharted territory for modern St. Louis teams. St. Louis is onto the semifinals.

2026 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Orlando City dominate first half, cruise to win over Atlanta United

May 20, 2026 by Taylor George

Iván Angulo of Orlando City SC celebrates after scoring a goal in the first half against Atlanta United FC in the 2026 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Orlando City SC — Iván Angulo of Orlando City SC celebrates after his team scored a goal in the first half against Atlanta United FC in the 2026 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Orlando City SC

Orlando City SC kept its Lamar Hunt US Open Cup run alive Tuesday night at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando Florida to advance to the Semifinals with a 4-1 victory against Atlanta United FC.

In front of an energetic announced crowd of 14,254, the Lions dominated the first half scoring four goals (and had opportunities to score more) and never looked back to return to the semis for the third time in club history.

Orlando battled through an intense rivalry matchup that came just three days after the two sides drew 1-1 in MLS season play. Atlanta made seven changes to their starting lineup from last weekend’s game, while Orlando made just two.

Orlando started off aggressively in the opening minutes, pressing Atlanta high and forcing several turnovers in crucial areas. Scoring opened quickly in the fifth minute when David Brekalo gave Orlando an early lead with a header off of a cross from Braian Ojeda. Ojeda crossed the ball from the right wing and Brekalo broke free from his defender at the six yard box and headed it past Atlanta goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert who had no chance.

The early goal helped Orlando settle into the match as additional chances started developing for the Lions. Orlando doubled their lead when Griffin Dorsey had an easy tap in off a low cross from Ivan Angulo, whose speed and dazzling footwork lured the Atlanta goalkeeper in to leave Dorsey at the far post who beat a sliding defender to the ball.

Atlanta responded minutes later when Emmanuel Latte Lath struck the post with a powerful strike to deny the visitors a goal. But that would be the the best chance of the half for United.

It was a nightmare for Atlanta eight minutes later when Orlando punished Atlanta’s keeper who failed to clear possession. Hibbert received a back pass and tried to play the ball out wide but pressure from Ojeda forced him to make a bad pass right to Tiago Souza who dribbled in and beat the keeper to capitalize on the mistake and make it 3-0.

The Lions continued to dominate, collecting many chances, however several of those chances either missed the target or were ruled offside. The biggest was a 2-man breakaway in the 36th minute when a long ball was sent from Orlando’s own half. Thiago ran onto it and Hibbert came off his line to make an impressive save to keep the deficit at three.

Three minutes later, Ojeda was fed a through ball down the left wing and found himself 1-v-1 with the goalkeeper. Hibbert had the angle and got a hand to it with a diving save and the ball just barely missed the target.

Tiago would collect his brace to push Orlando’s lead to 4-0 in the final minute of stoppage time of the first half. An impressive through ball from Ojeda got in behind the defense on the left side which gave Tiago another breakaway. He curled the ball past Hibbert just inside the far post and into the back of the net. It was Ojeda’s second assist of the night and third of the tournament, which ties him for the lead in the competition.

Desperate to change the tide, Atlanta made four substitutions at halftime as the second half would become increasingly physical as both teams battled for control. Atlanta collected five yellow cards during the half while attempting to slow down the Lions’ momentum. The fresh legs helped them create most of the chances in the second half, but only one of them produced a goal.

Atlanta found its lone goal in the 84th minute when Latte Lath produced a brilliant individual effort, blasting a volley into the back of the net off a Saba Lobjanidze cross to make it 4-1. It ruined the shutout for Orlando’s Javier Otero, who only had to make three saves on the night, but it would be too little, too late for Atlanta.

Tiago of Orlando City SC reacts after scoring a goal against Atlanta United FC in the 2026 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Orlando City SC

After the match, David Brekalo credited the coaching staff for preparing the tactical approach that helped to limit Atlanta.

“I think I have to give credit to the coaching staff here, they prepared the plan really well, the main point was to either take the ball super high or super low and counterattack them,” said the Slovenian defender. “So it worked exactly like they planned.”

Orlando’s aggressiveness and willingness to break into space created many dangerous moments throughout the game. With this dominant victory, Orlando City SC advances to the US Open Cup Semifinals for the first time since winning their only US Open Cup title in 2022. The Lions will look to use the win to build momentum during a busy stretch of the season.

Orlando’s interim head coach Martin Parelman praised his players after the match for executing the game plan and emphasized the importance of staying focused on the match ahead.

“It worked because they did it,” Parelman said, “they put in the effort and made it happen and I am proud of the players, this is a good victory, this is a good step forward for us, for the club. But it’s just that, we need to maintain balance and now rest and prepare for the next game because we have a very important game.”

The 111th edition of the US Open Cup will now take a length break with the United States co-hosting the FIFA World Cup this summer. Orlando will travel to play the winner of New York City FC and the Columbus Crew in the Semifinals that are scheduled to take place the week of Sept. 15-16. The winner of that Semifinal match will host the 2026 US Open Cup Final, scheduled for Oct. 21.

2026 National Amateur Cup: All-Chicago in Midwest Final; Lansdowne vs. Los Toros set for Region I Final

May 20, 2026 by Josh Hakala

When the dust settled on the 2026 National Amateur Cup action this past weekend, four teams were left standing in the United States Adult Soccer Association’s Region I and II tournaments.

It will be an all-Chicago matchup for the Region II (Midwest) Final as Chicago House AC will take on RWB Adria. Both teams advanced to the championship game with wins over the weekend. Chicago House scored a late game-winner on the road against Drita SC to punch their ticket to the Final. The day before, RWB Adria also won a road game, defeating Green Bay Glory 3-0 with Tyler Bagley leading the way with a goal and an assist.

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Two-time Amateur Cup champions Lansdowne Yonkers FC held off Leros SC 2-1 to reach the Region I (Northeast) Final where they will face Club Atlético Los Toros, who beat Vereinigung Erzgebirge 4-2.

The Region I Final will take place on Saturday, June 6 at the Ukrainian American Sports Center in Horsham, Pa., near Philadelphia. The Region II Final is a week earlier on Saturday, May 31 at Ft. Wayne Sport Club in Ft. Wayne, Ind.

You can find a summary of each regional semifinals below:

Sunday, May 10

USASA Region I Semifinals
Leros SC (NY, APSL)
1:2
Lansdowne Yonkers (NY, APSL)
Breezy Field – West Hills, NY

Lansdowne Yonkers are heading to the Region I Final after a 2-1 win over fellow APSL side Leros SC. All of the scoring took place in the second half with Lansdowne striking first. Danú Bishop Kinsella and Eddie Speed scored a goal each in the 63rd and 67th minutes to give Lansdowne a 2-0 lead.

Leros SC cut the lead in half around the 80th minute thanks to Junior Rosero, but they would not get any closer. Lansdowne, the two-time Amateur Cup champions, move on to the championship game where they will face Club Atlético Los Toros.

Lansdowne Yonkers FC players huddle up. Photo: Lansdowne Yonkers FC

Goal scorers

Leros:

Junior Rosero 80′

LYFC:

Danú Bishop Kinsella 63′
Eddie Speed 67′

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS (New Logical)

Saturday, May 16

USASA Region I Semifinals
Club Atlético Los Toros (VA, APL)
4:2
Vereinigung Erzgebirge (PA, USLPA)
South Lakes High School – Reston, VA
Video highlights (s

After eliminating the defending Amateur Cup champions in the Quarterfinals, Club Atletico Los Toros continued their run with a 4-2 win over Vereinigung Erzgebirge, a Philadelphia-area club with decades of history behind it.

VE had two solid scoring chances in the first half hour of the game. After an 8th minute corner kick produced a reflex save from the goalkeeper from Los Toros, he came up big again in the 24th minute. After a throw-in near the corner flag on the left wing, a cross came in and found the head of a VE player at the edge of the six yard box. The header was put on frame and the goalkeeper was able to dive to get a hand on it and deflect it over the bar.

In first half stoppage time it was Los Toros who broke through in controversial fashion. A corner kick was delivered in from the right wing and was headed on goal near the far post. The ball took a deflection in front and headed toward the line where it appeared to be cleared at the last moment by a VE defender, but the referee ruled that the ball had crossed the line. Alejandro Neira appeared to be the player who got credited with the goal as protests from VE players and coaches were brushed aside.

The visitors pulled level in the 64th minute after another corner kick a ball was sent in from the left wing and got knocked around in crowded six yard box and ended up in the back of the net for VE’s first goal. It was later confirmed as an own goal.

Players from Club Atlético Los Toros celebrate after scoring a goal against Vereinigung Erzgebirge in the 2026 National Amateur Cup. Photo: Club Atlético Los Toros

Elliott Berg of Los Toros would regain the lead for the hosts in the 69th minute. Freddy Jovel crossed it in from the right wing and Berg lost his defender and connected on an acrobatic volley right in front of goal and the ball kissed off the far post and into the goal to give Los Toros a 2-1 lead.

About five minutes later (74th min.), Jovel made a run into the penalty area from the right wing and crossed the ball in front of goal. The VE goalkeeper reached out to get a hand to the low cross and left a juicy rebound right on the doorstep of his goal and Oswualdo Cruz banged it home to give them a 3-1 advantage.

In the 81st minute, VE showed that they still had a chance when they sent a low pass into the center of the box where the ball was laid off to Sebastian Krysztofowicz at the top of the box who fired a shot past the diving goalkeeper to make it 3-2.

Los Toros would put the game away in second half stoppage time with a header by Wassim Sassi from a corner kick to give them a two-goal advantage that they would hold onto until the final whistle.

Goal scorers

Toros:

Alejandro Neira 45+’ (Fredy Jovel)
Elliott Berg 69′ (Freddy Jovel)
Oswualdo J. Cruz 74′
Wassim Sassi 90+’ (Kichael Degrandez)

VE:

Own Goal 64′
Sebastian Krysztofowicz 81′

MATCH BROADCAST (DMV Sports Media)

USASA Region II Semifinals
Green Bay Glory (WI, MWPL)
0:3
RWB Adria (IL, MWPL)
Capital Credit Union Park – Ashwaubenon, WI

RWB Adria ended the run of dark horse Green Bay Glory, 3-0, to reach the regional semifinals.

The scoring opened in the 14th minute when Dani Mendoza played a long ball from midfield up to Tyler Bagley. The former Inter Miami II and Las Vegas Lights FC attacker ran on to the ball in behind the defense and beat the goalkeeper to give the visitors an early lead. It was the fourth goal in the last two tournament games for Bagley, who scored a hat trick in last round’s 4-0 road win over Goshen City FC.

RWB Adria celebrates after a 3-0 win over Green Bay Glory in the 2026 National Amateur Cup Region 2 tournament. Photo: RWB Adria

In the 21st minute, Green Bay was given a chance to tie the game when an attacking player beat his defender on the left wing and dribbled into the box. He was taken down and the referee pointed to the spot. The penalty kick taker stepped to the spot and RWB Adria goalkeeper Jerry Perez guessed correctly, diving to his right to make the save. He was unable to control the ball, so the rebound was loose on the other side of the goal. Perez scrambled across his goal with the penalty kick taker converging on the ball near the post, hoping to make amends for his miss, but ultimately Perez knocked the ball out of bounds and out of danger.

RWB added to their lead in the 70th minute when a Green Bay defender committed a foul just outside the penalty area. Alex Sanchez took the free kick and bent the ball around the wall and into the back of the net to give his team a 2-0 lead.

Adria finished the scoring late when they worked the ball through multiple players from the left wing to the right wing. The final pass came from Bagley who sent a through ball to Alex Steinwasher who was making a run into the box from the right side. Steinwasher blasted the ball past the keeper to put the game out of reach.

RWB Adria, winners of the National Amateur Cup in 2011 and 2013, will next play Chicago House AC in the Region II Final at a date and location to be determined.

Goal scorers

RWB:

Tyler Bagley 14′ (Dani Mendoza)
Alex Sanchez 70′
Alex Steinwasher 85′ (Tyler Bagley)

Sunday, May 17

USASA Region II Semifinals
Drita SC (MI, APSL)
2:3
Chicago House AC (IL, MWPL)
St. Paul’s Albanian Catholic Church – Rochester Hills, MI

Chicago House made the trip to Rochester Hills, Mich., to face APSL side Drita SC. Despite the rain, the team from the Windy City advanced in a back and forth match, 3-2, to reach their first-ever regional amateur cup final.

House took the lead early when a House attacking player was tripped as he dribbled into the penalty area. Veteran AR Smith stepped up to the spot and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to give the visitors the lead in the 11th minute.

House added to their lead in first half stoppage time as Nico Williams intercepted a pass in Drita’s defensive third. Williams immediately dribbled in and struck a low shot toward goal, but it took a deflection which froze the goalkeeper and ended up in the back of the net. The goalkeeper’s reaction to the goal and the fact that the ball went through the back of the net confused some of the fans in attendance and viewers at home, but Chicago would take a 2-0 lead into the halftime break.

Dritas would pull one back in the 60th minute off a corner kick. The home team sent the corner into the heart of the box and the ball was headed up in the air three times before falling to a Dritas player who volleyed it toward the goal. The ball struck a Dritas player and it fell to him and he quickly shot the ball in traffic and into (and through) the back of the net.

Dritas would level the match in the 74th minute after one of their attacking players was taken down in the penalty area. Vasel Gjonaj stepped to the spot and struck the ball to the left side and the ball found it’s way into the goal despite the goalkeeper guessing correctly.

The winning goal came in the 88th minute when Chicago House played the ball out of the back with a long pass along the ground to the edge of Dritas SC’s third of the field. House pushed the play out to the left wing and the ball was crossed low to the ground into the box where it found Kamran Tejumola who received it with his back to the goal. The former Loyola University Chicago player quickly turned and fired a shot into the roof of the net from close range to give House what would prove to be the winning goal.

Chicago moves one step closer to qualifying for the US Open Cup, a tournament they qualified for twice (2023, 2024) and upset a pro team for the first time when they knocked off Forward Madison (USL-1) in 2023.

Goal scorers

Drita:

Luis Lera 60′
Vasel Gjonaj 74′

CHAC:

AR Smith 11′ (PK)
Nico Williams 45+’
Kamran Tejumola 88′

MATCH BROADCAST (We Are Soccer)

USASA Regional Final Match-ups

(“home team” seeding not determined at this time)

USASA Region II Final
Saturday, May 31
Chicago House AC (IL, MWPL)
vs.
RWB Adria (IL, MWPL)
Ft. Wayne Sport Club – Ft. Wayne, IN.

USASA Region I Final
Saturday, June 6
Lansdowne Yonkers FC (NY, APSL)
vs.
Club Atlético Los Toros (VA, APL)
Ukrainian American Sports Center – Horsham, PA

2026 US Open Cup Quarterfinals Preview: MLS teams battle for spot in final four

May 18, 2026 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

The Final Four for the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup will be determined with two games each on May 19 and 20. Two clubs, New York City FC and St. Louis CITY SC are vying for their first ever Semifinal appearances, while the remaining six teams have a total of 15 appearances between them.

This marks the second year in a row, and the fourth time in the Modern Era (1995-present) that the US Open Cup Quarterfinals have been an all-MLS affair.

Once the Quarterfinals are complete there will be a 118-day break in play due to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the Semifinals kicking off on Sept. 15 and 16, and the Final scheduled for Oct. 21.

This will be the longest break in the competition since the 1948 US Open Cup when it paused for 161 days between the Semifinal and Final (May 9 – Oct. 17) to account for players representing the United States on the 1948 Olympic soccer team.

Follow TheCup.us on BlueSky @TheCup.us and X (Twitter) @USOpenCup throughout the round for live updates from our reporters who will be at every stadium.

All four games will be streamed live on Paramount+, with select two games also being shown on the CBS Sports Network.

Below you will find a preview of all four games with links to the live streams:

TUESDAY, MAY 19

Orlando City SC (MLS)
vs.
Atlanta United FC (MLS)
Inter&Co Stadium – Orlando, FL
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: Paramount+/CBS Sports Golazo Network
Winner plays at NYCFC or Columbus Crew in Semifinals

Heated Southern MLS rivals Atlanta United and Orlando City bring their animosity to the Open Cup for just the second time to see who gets to return to the Semifinals and continue their quest for a second Open Cup Championship.

The winner will travel to face the NYCFC/Columbus Crew winner in the Semifinals.

ESPN: Atlanta United-Orlando City ‘rivalry’ compensates for lack of history with a whole lot of bad blood

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The one and only Open Cup meeting between Orlando and Atlanta came in the 2019 Semifinals, as Atlanta won 2-0 on their way to winning the 2019 US Open Cup. Orlando was denied an early 1-0 lead when Dom Dwyer’s 5th minute goal was ruled offside. About ten minutes before halftime Atlanta took the lead when Eric Remedi’s saved shot from the top of the penalty area found Julian Gressel, who sent the ball back to a charging Remedi in front of the goal. Atlanta sealed the win in the 77th minute when Remedi passed to Franco Escobar when the tapped the ball to Emerson Hyndman for a point-blank shot on goal.

More recently, the clubs met in MLS play on May 16 and played to a 1-1 draw. Orlando struck first in the 18th minute when Griffin Dorsey received a Iván Angulo pass in the goalmouth and beat Atlanta goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos. Orlando held the 1-0 lead up to the 86th minute when Ajani “Jay” Fortune blasted a shot from the top of the penalty area past Orlando goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau.

ROAD TO THE QUARTERFINALS

Orlando City SC

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

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

Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United entered in the Round of 32 and overcame an early 1-0 deficit to cruise past Chattanooga FC 3-1, the lone MLS NEXT Pro club remaining in the tournament. Chattanooga struck first in the 6th minute, but Atlanta eventually took over on goals from Cayman Togashi (21’), Fafà Picault (64’) and Pedro Amador (75’). It was the only comeback regulation win of any match of the Third Round.

Atlanta’s Round of 16 encounter with Charlotte FC led to a 2-0 win. Alexey Miranchuk, who leads the team in scoring in MLS play, curled a shot inside the post in the 22nd minute for an early 1-0 lead. Over 25 minutes into the second half Cooper Sanchez provided some breathing room when Charlotte’s goalkeeper missed a sliding save, resulting in an easy goal.

LAST APPEARANCE IN THE QUARTERFINALS

Atlanta United FC

Five years removed from their 2019 US Open Cup championship, Atlanta United’s last appearance in the Open Cup Quarterfinals in 2024 found them the victims of a 2-1 upset by Indy Eleven of the USL Championship. Playing at their Open Cup “home away from home” at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Ga., Atlanta United outshot Indy 18-7 but it was Indy who scored first through Augustine Williams in the 31st minute. Atlanta did themselves no favors in the 83rd minute when Dax McCarty deflected an Indy pass into his own goal. Nic Firmino gave Atlanta a glimmer of hope with a goal in stoppage time, but it was too little too late.

Orlando City SC

The most recent Quarterfinal appearance for the Lions came in 2022 on their way to their lone Open Cup Championship. The game against Nashville SC was part of a championship run that saw Orlando play all six Open Cup games at home, and also the second straight game in which the Lions advanced via penalty kicks after eliminating Inter Miami in the Round of 16. After a scoreless first half, Hany Mukhtar put Nashville on top in the 52nd minute. Deep into second half stoppage time Orlando found the equalizer Rodrigo Schlegel knocked in the ball after a free kick. In the PK tiebreaker, both clubs were tied 5-5 when Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese saved the second sudden-death attempt.

CURRENT FORM

Orlando City SC (MLS)

Orlando City has been a goal scoring machine in their last four MLS games, finding the net nine times which resulted in a 2-1-1 mark in that period. It started with a 4-3 win over Inter Miami on May 2, in which they overcame a 3-0 deficit on the strength of a hat trick from Martin Ojeda. Orlando defeated Philadelphia Union 4-3 with Ojeda scoring two more goals. The run has crept Orlando to the outskirts of the playoff line at 4-8-2. Ojeda’s outburst put him on top of Orlando’s goal scorers with nine and Iván Angulo leads with seven assists.

Atlanta United FC

Since their win in the Round of 16, Atlanta finds themselves still near the bottom of the Eastern Conference at 3-8-2, managing to go 1-1-1 in the three games since. They possess the weakest offensive output in the East with just 14 goals scored. Aleksey Miranchuk leads the meager offense with five goals, and Cooper Sanchez has four assists.

Orlando City SC
Major League Soccer | Orlando, FL
15th US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2010
Manager: Martín Perelman (interim)
Overall: 24-13-5 (5-0 PK) | 12-7-5 (5-0 PK) as MLS
Home: 15-5-3 (3-0 PK) | 6-4-3 (3-0 PK) as MLS
vs. MLS: 7-11-4 (4-0 PK) | 5-5-4 (4-0 PK) as MLS
Best finish: Champion (2022)

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

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

Atlanta United FC (MLS)
Major League Soccer | Atlanta, GA
8th US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2017
Manager: Gerardo “Tata” Martino
Overall: 11-5-1 (1-0 PK)
Away: 4-2-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. MLS: 4-2-0
Best finish: Champion (2019)

Outside of their 2019 title win, Atlanta United’s Open Cup history has been rather ordinary, as they’ve been eliminated after two games in three of their five previous appearances. The last time Atlanta reached the Quarterfinals was during their 2019 championship run. After they needed extra time to beat the Charleston Battery in front of an empty stadium, they beat the Columbus Crew on the road before they defeated Saint Louis FC of the USL Championship 2-0. After shutting out Orlando City on the road, they edged Minnesota United 2-1 in the championship game in front of 35,709 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the largest crowd to ever witness a US Open Cup Final. It was the first time that a Final was held indoors and the first time that a Georgia team had ever lifted the trophy.

The city of Atlanta’s involvement in the Open Cup goes back to 1979. With enough clubs from the South showing interest, the field was split into four regions, Region I (East), Region II (Midwest), Region III (South) & Region IV (West), with the winner of each region getting a spot in the National Semifinals. Atlanta was represented early on in the final four by the Atlanta Wolves (1980) and Datagraphic (1981), but teams from the city were never able to reach the Final. The Atlanta Silverbacks were the first pro team to represent Atlanta, but their best finish was a run to the Quarterfinals in 2014. Finally, in 2019, Atlanta United not only reached the Final but also won the city’s first Open Cup championship.

St. Louis CITY SC (MLS)
vs.
Houston Dynamo FC (MLS)
Energizer Park – St. Louis, MO
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: Paramount+/CBS Sports Golazo Network
Winner hosts Colorado Rapids or plays at San Jose Earthquakes in Semifinals

The Houston Dynamo, the last Open Cup Champion to defend their title, take a trip north to face a St. Louis CITY team looking to restore their city’s Open Cup legacy.

The winner will either host the Colorado Rapids or play on the road against the San Jose Earthquakes in the Semifinals.

With 10 Open Cup championships, the city of St. Louis ranks behind only Los Angeles (11) and New York City (25), and Kutis SC’s 17 Quarterfinal appearances is tied with FC Dallas for the most all-time. However, the city has not had a team reach the Final since 1988, when Busch SC won the Open Cup over Greek American AC of San Francisco 2-1 in extra time.

The last time an Open Cup Quarterfinal was played in the St. Louis area was on May 31, 1992, when Scott Gallagher SC lost to the Indianapolis Inferno 2-0 at the St. Louis Soccer Park in Fenton, Missouri. The last time a team from St. Louis won an Open Cup Quarterfinal match was May 29, 1988 when Busch Soccer Club defeated Kansas City’s Udinese 4-0 on their way to winning the 1988 Open Cup championship.

ROAD TO THE QUARTERFINALS

St. Louis CITY SC

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

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

Houston Dynamo FC

Houston had no trouble with El Paso Locomotive, rolling over the USL Championship club 4-1 in the Round of 32. The Dynamo very quickly jumped in front on Ondrej Lingr’s 2nd minute goal, then were helped even more when El Paso was reduced to ten men due to a 25th minute red card. Mateusz Bogusz (46’), Nick Markanich (58’) and Ezequiel Ponce (80’) finished things for Houston with second half goals.

In the Round of 16, Houston avoided an upset with a last-minute goal to beat Louisville City 2-1 after extra time. With the USL Championship squad up 1-0 and looking to close the book on another MLS upset, Erik Sviatchenko scored with one minute remaining to force extra time. Eleven minutes into the extra session, Ezequiel Ponce put Houston on top for good. Hector Herrera assisted on both Dynamo goals.

LAST APPEARANCE IN THE QUARTERFINALS

St. Louis CITY SC

St. Louis CITY is the only team in this year’s Quarterfinal field to have never reached this stage of the Open Cup. The last team in the Modern Era to represent St. Louis at this stage was Saint Louis FC of USL Championship in 2019. The USL club got there by knocking off two MLS clubs, including a dramatic stoppage-time winner by Sam Fink to beat FC Cincinnati 1-0 in the Round of 16. The run ended at the hands of eventual 2019 Open Cup champions Atlanta United 2-0.

Houston Dynamo FC

Houston’s last Quarterfinal appearance was in 2023 on the way to winning the US Open Cup for the second time. The Dynamo rolled over the Chicago Fire 4-1 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Ill. Houston held a 2-1 lead at halftime on a 12th minute penalty kick from Amine Bassi and a goal from Ibrahim Aliyu 20 minutes later. Aliyu scored again in the 59th minute and Nelson Quinones added the cherry on top with the fourth goal in the 74th minute.

CURRENT FORM

St. Louis CITY FC

St. Louis stopped a five-game winless run with a 1-0 victory over Colorado on May 9. Since then they have defeated LAFC 2-1 and drew 1-1 with D.C. United. Though still in second to last at 3-6-4, the run has edged them to within shouting distance of the last playoff spot. CITY’s 13 goals are tied for worst in MLS with Marcel Harytelk leading the team with a mere three goals. Simon Becher’s four assists leads the team.

Houston Dynamo FC

In their last four MLS games, Houston has won three and lost just once, pushing their record to 7-6-0 and placing them just outside the top 4 in the Western Conference. The Dynamo are the only club in MLS without a draw. Guilherme leads the team with seven goals and is also the assists leader with five.

St. Louis CITY FC
Major League Soccer | St. Louis, MO
3rd US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2023
Manager: Yoann Damet
Overall: 4-2-0
Home: 3-0-0
vs. MLS: 1-2-0
Best finish: Fifth Round / Round of 16 (2025)

In the Modern Era, St. Louis’ Open Cup record has been a bit more modest. The St. Louis Lions of the PDL (now USL League Two) appeared in 2008 and 2009, failing to win a game. AC St. Louis was the first pro team in the Modern Era, making just one run in 2010, reaching the Third Round. The most successful club was Saint Louis FC of the USL, making five appearances from 2015-2019, making a run to the Quarterfinals in 2019, where they upset both the Chicago Fire (2-1) and FC Cincinnati (1-0) before losing to eventual champion Atlanta United FC 2-0.

The last St. Louis club to reach the Final was Busch SC in 1988. St. Louis was first represented in the Cup in 1920, with Ben Miller SC defeating Fore River FC 2-1 for the city’s first championship. St. Louis clubs would reach the final from 1920 to 1924. Stix, Baer & Fuller (aka Central Breweries and Shamrocks SC) reached the Final six straight times from 1932-1937, a feat unmatched in Open Cup history.

Houston Dynamo FC (MLS)
Major League Soccer | Houston, TX
18th US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2006
Manager: Ben Olsen
Overall: 28-13-3 (1-2 PK)
Away: 7-8-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 11-11-1 (1-0 PK)
Best finish: Champions (2018, 2023)

The Houston Dynamo are like the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. In 1996, the Ravens relocated to Baltimore from Cleveland and promptly won a Super Bowl. Houston left San Jose after the 2005 season, then won back-to-back MLS Cups in 2006 and 2007. The club has been looking for its third championship since then.

The Dynamo have had success in the Open Cup as well, winning championships in 2018 and 2023. Their 2024 title defense was stopped cold by Detroit City FC on penalties after a 3-3 draw. It was just the fourth time in the Modern Era that a defending champ was eliminated in their opening game the following tournament.

The city of Houston made a mark on the Open Cup before any of its clubs did. The 1983 Open Cup Semifinals and Final were hosted at Houston’s Delmar Stadium, and won by New York Pancyprian Freedoms in a 4-3 goal fest over St. Louis’ Kutis SC.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20

Columbus Crew SC (MLS)
vs.
New York City FC (MLS)
Scotts Miracle-Gro Field – Columbus, OH
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: Paramount+/CBS Sports Golazo Network
Winner will host Atlanta United or Orlando City SC in Semifinals

New York City FC travels to Columbus to try and advance to the Semifinals for the first time, while the Crew looks to end a 15-year drought of reaching the Final Four.

The winner will host the winner of Atlanta United and Orlando City in the Semifinals.

NYCFC suffered a major blow in league play in their 1-1 draw with Red Bull New York on May 16, as veteran midfielder Maxi Moralez suffered a torn ACL in his right knee, ending his season. Moralez was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round for his three-assist performance in NYCFC’s 3-0 win over Red Bull New York in the Round of 16.

This will be the first MLS opponent the Crew have played at home in the Open Cup since their 3-2 loss to Atlanta United in the 2019 Round of 16. The Crew and NYCFC have never met in the Open Cup, but Columbus has faced NYCFC’s rivals, under their old name, twice in the past. Columbus defeated the MetroStars 1-0 in the 1998 Semifinals, then again in the 2002 Quarterfinals 2-0.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The teams recently met on May 10 in MLS play, where NYCFC snapped a seven-game winless streak with a 3-0 win at Yankee Stadium. Hannes Wolf was the star of the game, scoring all three goals. Wolf struck twice in four minutes early in the game, scoring his first goal in the 12th minute when Augustin Ojeda broke away and dished off to Wolf. Four minutes later, Nicolas Fernandez and Nico Cavallo combined to find Wolf right in front of goal for a 2-0 lead. In the 66th minute, Wolf completed his hat trick with a blast from the top of the penalty area.

ROAD TO THE QUARTERFINALS

Columbus Crew

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

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

New York City FC

New York City FC avoided a third straight one-and-done Open Cup with a commanding 5-2 win at USL League One’s Westchester SC. NYCFC jumped out to a 4-1 halftime lead on two goals from Talles Magno and one each from Agustin Ojeda Arnau Farnós. Mango completed the 2026 tournament’s first hat-trick midway through the second half.

In the Round of 32, NYCFC finally won an elimination game over Red Bull New York, 3-1. Kai Trewin (9’) and Raul Gustavo (39’) scored in the opening half to counter RBNY’s lone goal, and Thiago Martins gave the winners some breathing room with a 57th minute goal. Maxi Moralez assisted on all three goals. NYCFC had been 0-5 in previous knockout games against the Red Bulls.

LAST APPEARANCE IN THE QUARTERFINALS

Columbus Crew SC

You have to go back to 2010 for the Crew’s last Quarterfinal appearance. Columbus had to fend off the upset-minded Charleston Battery 3-0. Emilio Renteria put the Crew up 1-0 in the first half, and Steven Lenhart and Eddie Gaven added second half goals. The Crew would go on to the Final where they would fall to the Seattle Sounders 2-1.

New York City FC

New York City FC’s last Quarterfinal appearance in 2022 resulted in a 3-0 loss to Hudson River Derby rivals Red Bull New York. At the time it was the third straight Open Cup exit at the hands of the Red Bulls. A total of 39 fouls were called and three red cards were issued, two of which went to NYCFC’s Thiago Andrade and Maxi Moralez

CURRENT FORM

Columbus Crew SC

The Crew are currently in a four-game winless run with their 1-1 draw with Philadelphia on May 16, the only game they’ve earned a point in. The slide leaves them at 3-7-4 and in 13th place in the Eastern Conference, but only four points out from the last playoff spot. Wessam Abou Ali and Diego Rossi share the team’s goalscoring lead with five apiece and Max Arfsten has four assists.

New York City FC

NYCFC snapped a seven-game winless streak in MLS with a 3-0 win over Columbus on May 10 and added a 1-0 win over Charlotte and a 1-1 draw with Hudson River Derby rivals Red Bull New York. NYCFC are currently 5-5-4 and in 5th place in the Eastern Conference. Nicolas Fernandez is the top scorer with nine goals and Maxi Moralez is on top of the assist list with six.

Columbus Crew SC
Major League Soccer | Columbus, OH
23rd US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 1996
Manager: Henrik Rydström
Overall: 27-18-3 (0-3 PK)
Home: 16-6-2 (0-2 PK)
vs. MLS: 9-12-2 (0-2 PK)
Best finish: Champions (2002)

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

New York City FC
Major League Soccer | Bronx, NY
9th US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 2013
Manager: Pascal Jansen
Overall: 6-6-2 (0-2 PK)
Away: 3-5-2 (0-2 PK)
vs. MLS: 32-4-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2019, 2022)

NYCFC began their Open Cup history with four straight one-and-done eliminations from 2015-2018. Finally, in 2019 and 2022, they broke the skid and reached the Quarterfinals. However, in 2023 and 2025, it was back to square one as they were ousted after just one game once again. In MLS play, New York City FC has missed the playoffs just twice in the past 11 seasons, winning the MLS Cup in 2021.

Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Vs.
San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
DICK’s Sporting Goods Park – Commerce City, CO
Kickoff: 10:00 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: Paramount+/CBS Sports Golazo Network
If San Jose wins, they play at Houston or St. Louis in Semifinals
If Colorado wins, they host Houston or St. Louis in Semifinals

Two clubs looking to end a long Open Cup Finals drought square off in the Quarterfinals as the San Jose Earthquakes visit the Colorado Rapids.

The winner will take on either Houston Dynamo or St. Louis CITY in the Semifinals (San Jose would play on the road, Colorado would host)

With 41 previous Open Cup appearances between them, San Jose and Colorado have reached the Open Cup Final just once. That one time was when the Rapids made unfortunate history as the only MLS team to lose a Final to a non-MLS team (2-0 to the A-League’s Rochester Raging Rhinos). San Jose has never made the championship game and has only reached the Semifinals twice (2004 & 2017), while the Rapids two Semifinal appearances came in 1996 and 1999.

Remarkably, not only have the Rapids and Earthquakes never met in Open Cup play according to TheCup.us records the cities of San Jose and Denver have never met in the Open Cup at all, though they have met in the National Amateur Cup a handful of times in the 1970s and 1980s.

ROAD TO THE QUARTERFINALS

San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)

On the strength of two early goals, San Jose was able to outlast a game Phoenix Rising team, 2-0. Nick Fernandez scored in the 3rd minute, then assisted on Jack Jacinski’s 23rd minute goal. The Earthquakes won despite Phoenix outshooting them 17-14 and going a man down on Jonathan González’s 39th minute red card.

In the Round of 16, San Jose overcame Minnesota United FC 4-2 with three second-half goals. Beau Leroux put the ‘Quakes up early with a 15th minute goal but Minnesota United went in front 2-1 early in the second half. San Jose exploded with three goals in a span of ten minutes through Jack Skahan (68’), Beau Leroux (73’) and Niko Tsakiris (76’).

Colorado Rapids

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

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

LAST APPEARANCE ON THE QUARTERFINALS

San Jose Earthquakes

San Jose was at the point last year and lost in a penalty nightmare to Austin FC. Austin scored both of their goals from the penalty spot in the second half and extra time, countering San Jose’s goals from Cristian Arango (12’) and Benjamin Kikanovic (99’). In the penalty kick shootout Austin made all four of their attempts while San Jose saw two of their kicks saved.

Colorado Rapids

The Rapids have not been this far in the tournament since 2007, and it was a result they would like to forget. Colorado traveled to the Northwest to face the Seattle Sounders, who were still with the USL, and they left with a 5-0 defeat. Seattle was up 3-0 by the half, and Colorado played most of the second half a man down after Facundo Erpen was sent off in the 49th minute. The result remains the largest loss an MLS team suffered at the hands of a non-MLS club in the Open Cup.

CURRENT FORM

Colorado Rapids

The Rapids have lost three of their last four league games, all by a single goal. They are currently 5-8-1 and just outside of the playoff cutoff. Rafael Navarro leads the team with eight goals and shares the assist lead with Paxton Aaronson and Wayne Frederick with four.

San Jose Earthquakes

After entering the Round of 16 with a 9-0-1 record, the ‘Quakes have stumbled a bit, going 0-2-2 in their last four. The two losses came on last minute goals. San Jose are still atop the Western Conference at 9-3-2, tied on points with Vancouver. San Jose’s 31 goals scored are tied for most in MLS. Preston Judd leads the way with nine goals and Niko Tsakiris has seven assists.

San Jose Earthquakes
Major League Soccer | San Jose, CA
21st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 1996
Manager: Bruce Arena
Overall: 21-15-9 (4-5)
Away: 7-10-5 (3-2 PK)
vs. MLS: 4-9-6 (1-5 PK)
Best finish: Semifinals (2004, 2017)

Outside of a 2017 Semifinal appearance, San Jose’s Open Cup record isn’t very impressive. 12 times they’ve been eliminated after just two games, and four of those were “one and done”. San Jose have the most Open Cup appearances of any MLS team (20) without making an appearance in the Final.

San Jose was once a powerhouse in MLS, winning the MLS Cup in 2001 and 2003 and the Supporters’ Shield in 2002. That all changed after the 2005 season, when the club left the Bay Area for Houston and became the Houston Dynamo. MLS awarded San Jose a new franchise, retaining the records of the original Earthquakes. The only ray of light was winning the Supporters’ Shield in 2013. Since the team was reborn in 2007, the ‘Quakes have reached the MLS Cup playoffs just five times.

The city of San Jose first dipped their toe into the Open Cup pool during the 1970 tournament, when the San Jose Latinos entered. Throughout the 70s, teams like the San Jose Portuguese AC, San Jose Grenadiers, and San Jose Lobos would be regular entrants and would make the occasional deep run. The San Jose Oaks won the Open Cup in 1992, 2-1 over Vasco da Game of Bridgeport, Conn.

The Earthquakes are managed by Bruce Arena, who led D.C. United to an Open Cup title in 1996. After falling short on penalty kicks with D.C. in the 1997 Final (to the Dallas Burn), Arena has not led a team to the championship game since 1997. Only two of his teams (2015 and 2016 LA Galaxy) have survived more than two games in a single tournament. Arena, one of American soccer’s all-time great coaches, has a career Open Cup coaching record of 20-10-3 (1-2 PKs). He has 11 US Open Cup Major titles (MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield, CONCACAF Champions Cup, US Open Cup) to his credit, which is tied with Sigi Schmid for the most.

Colorado Rapids
Major League Soccer | Commerce City, CO
22nd US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Automatic Bid
Founded: 1995
Manager: Matt Wells
Overall: 17-20-1 (0-1 PK)
Home: 10-2-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 4-10-0
Best finish: Final (1999)

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

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

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

2026 National Amateur Cup: Extra time drama in Midwest quarterfinals

May 11, 2026 by Michael Battista

The USASA Region II (Midwest) Amateur Cup field is down to four. A rare two-game quarterfinal round, where last season’s champion and finalist entered the competition, took place earlier this month. The defending champs cruised through to the Semifinals while the finalists lost in an extra time thriller.

Now two teams, Chicago House AC and Drita Soccer Club, will re-enter the regional competition to take part in the Semis.

The 2026 edition of the United States Adult Soccer Association’s top tournament will once again grant an automatic bid into the following year’s Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Meaning this is already 2027 US Open Cup qualifying.

Region II, which is made up of teams from the Midwest, is just starting, but the eventual champion will be the representative at the National Finals, alongside the other three USASA Regions.

Here’s a look at each of the seven Region II games played so far. Interested in how the Midwest’s controversial Second Round played out? Check out our recap here.

Sunday, May 3

Goshen City FC (IN, MWPL)
0:4
RWB Adria (IL, MWPL)
Techny Prairie Park and Fields – Northbrook, IL

The defending Region II Amateur Cup champions made a statement in their first game back in the competition. RWB Adria of Chicago beat hopefuls Goshen City FC, 4-0, to reach the regional semifinal later this month.

Former Inter Miami II and Las Vegas Lights FC attacker Tyler Bagley scored a hat-trick for Adria in an impressive display. Its sort of the norm for Bagley with Adria. In last year’s Region II final, the California native netted four goals en route to the title over Michigan Rangers FC. Dani Mendoza scored RWB’s other goal. Goalkeeper Jerry Perez held Goshen City off the scoresheet for the full 90 minutes in a clean sheet performance.

RWB Adria, winners of the National Amateur Cup in 2011 and 2013, will next play Green Bay Glory in the regional semifinals.

Goal scorers

RWB:

Tyler Bagley x3
Dani Mendoza

Green Bay Glory (WI, MWPL)
3:2
FC Milwaukee Torrent (WI, NPSL)
After Extra Time
Warrior Athletic Field – Fort Wayne, IN

Sometimes you find yourself with a banger when you never would have expected one. An all Wisconsin quarterfinal clash saw the underdog Green Bay Glory knock off the much larger FC Milwaukee Torrent, 3-2 AET, to reach the Region II Semifinals for the first time ever.

The Torrent, which don’t open their National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) season until Mid-May, took the lead in the 14th minute when a low cross from Brandon Kaup found Gabe Voung in front of net, who finished the shot off. A back and forth first half ensued, but Green Bay found the equalizer just before halftime. The visitors were given a free kick just under 10 years from the top of the box and captain Keven Sosa-Lassila stepped up for it. He curved around the three man wall and past a diving goalkeeper to put it into the net near the right corner.

With the score tied, Dennis Nyame took advantage of chaos early in the second half to give Green Bay its first lead. A shot off the Torrent crossbar saw the ball land in the box and at the feet of a Green Bay player. A Milwaukee player slid to clear, taking down the Green Bay player. The field looked toward the official, but Nyame played the still live ball from the left side of the box and shot into the net past a jumping keeper to make it 2-1. Torrent equalized in the 68th when a shot punched away by the Green Bay keeper fell to Max Ludwig, who curved a shot so well even the keeper didn’t flinch on it as it went into the goal.

The game stayed 2-2 until the end of regulation, meaning at least two more 15 minute halves. Green Bay took advantage of a seriously bad series of defense. A long ball from the Green Bay end saw Seth Schroeder running alongside and passing the backline. A failed sliding tackle, which would have been a DOGSO red, meant Schroeder only had the keeper to beat. He played around him and scored in the empty net to make it 3-2, which would stand as the final score.

Green Bay moves on to face RWB Adria in the next round in a battle of Packers versus Bears in the Amateur Cup.

Goal scorers

GBG:

Keven Sosa-Lassila 45′ – captain, free kick
Dennis Nyame 51′
Seth Schroeder 105′

FCMT:

Gabe Voung 14′ (Brandon Kaup)
Max Ludwig 68′

MATCH BROADCAST (FC Milwaukee Torrent)

USASA Region II, Semifinals Matchups

(Home team listed first)

Saturday, May 16
Green Bay Glory (WI, MWPL)
vs.
RWB Adria (IL, MWPL)
Capital Credit Union Park – Ashwaubenon, WI

Sunday, May 17
Drita SC (MI, APSL)
vs.
Chicago House AC (IL, MWPL)
St. Paul’s Albanian Catholic Church – Rochester Hills, MI

2026 US Open Cup Round of 16: Maxi Moralez of NYCFC voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

May 9, 2026 by Matt Mangam

Graphic: Frank Lanham | Photo: New York City FC

Maxi Moralez has consistently come up big in important games for New York City FC.

The 39-year-old midfielder was the star of NYCFC’s 3-1 win over Red Bull New York in the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Round of 16, totaling three corner-kick assists as his side got their first-ever win in an elimination game against their bitter rivals.

Moralez, who was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round, is the seventh player since 1995 — start of Modern Era — to record three assists in a single Open Cup game and the first since 2005.

Moralez is the seventh player from Argentina to win the award and the first since Lionel Messi who carried Inter Miami CF to the Final by assisting on two key goals and scored in the PK shootout that eliminated FC Cincinnati in the 2023 Semifinals.

“We train every single day the free kicks, the set pieces, and today we have three big chances, three scores,” Moralez said after the game. “We are so happy with this.”

Moralez got NYCFC started early with a corner kick in the ninth minute that was headed home by Kai Trewin, marking the first goal the club has scored against the Red Bulls in an elimination game.

After the Red Bulls’ 18-year-old wonderkid Julian Hall leveled things five minutes later, Moralez was influential on New York City’s final two goals, delivering the corner-kick crosses that were scored by Raul Gustavo and Thiago Martins.

Moralez beat out Eduard Löwen of St. Louis CITY SC for the award in what was a two-man race for the award. Löwen came off the bench in the second half, assisted on the equalizer, and then scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 road win over the Chicago Fire.

Those assists were Moralez’s fifth, sixth, and seventh all-time against the Red Bulls, a Hudson River Derby record. Additionally, Moralez’s five goals in the rivalry are tied with Taty Castellanos and David Villa for the most by a New York City player, trailing only Bradley Wright-Phillips’s 12 goals in the rivalry.

Beau Leroux of the San Jose Earthquakes — who scored two goals, including the game-winner in his side’s 4-2 win over Minnesota United — and Rafael Navarro of the Colorado Rapids — who assisted on both goals and scored in the penalty shootout victory over the Colorado Springs Switchbacks — finished in third in voting for Player of the Round.