The US Open Cup is back, with or without certain teams we mostly won’t mention. Round One pops off this week and could prove to be a rather interesting beginning to The Cup, with professional sides and amateur teams clashing much earlier than usual - MLSNP will throw their lot into the mix with whichever NISA teams are still operating, USL League One, and a cornucopia of USL League 2, UPSL, NPSL, Open Qualifying teams and various other clubs from amateur ranks.

Don’t let people who understand neither the history or nomenclature of soccer in the United States tell you how to be a fan - your team matters, your league matters, and for the tens of thousands of you who will show up or login to support your local team… you matter too. This week is for you all, so let’s get stuck in!

Chattanooga FC (MLSNP) vs Miami United (Open Qualifier)

Tues, 03/19 - 3:00 pm PT / 6:00 pm ET at Finley Stadium, Chattanooga, TN

In a year where first round matchups often feature strangers, the game at Finley Stadium on Tuesday night will instead showcase somewhat familiar foes. Back in 2016, CFC and Miami Utd squared off in the NPSL South Region Final. The match, played in front of 10,104 fans, was highlighted by four yellow card, two red cards, zero goals in 120+ minutes of play, and CFC advancing on penalties, 5-3.
Since that game nearly eight years ago, CFC has moved to the professional ranks, first navigating the uncertain waters of NISA before landing in MLSNP this year.

Miami United left the NPSL after the 2021 season, but continues to boast teams in plethora of competitions for their tens of thousands (at least on social media) fans to watch them compete. The South Floridians not only achieved their place in the USOC through the qualifying rounds, they’ve picked up title trophies in the US Soccer League and the UPSL Winter Cup in the past few weeks. They’ll need all that talent, and a bit more luck, on their side if they’re going to seek out a treble with the Lamar Hunt trophy

Ryan Stallings - Protagonist Soccer / USL League 2 “The 2how”

Portland Timbers 2 (MLSNP) vs El Farolito (NPSL)

Tues, 03/19 - 7:30 pm PT / 10:30 pm ET at Providence Park, Portland OR.

Major League Soccer, for the most part, have pulled out of the Cup - while some MLS teams have been vocal about how much they valued being a part and lament not participating, the Portland Timbers organization is not one of them. They regularly throw T2 at games they don’t want to participate in, including large friendlies in the past like Newcastle United and FC St Pauli. El Farolito, who have actually won a US Open Cup in the past, are an esteemed and highly regarded amateur side from San Francisco. They’ve got their respective NPSL season off to a thumping start with a win last weekend and I expect them to take this game very seriously.

Josh Duder - Protagonist Soccer

Vermont Green (USL L2) vs Lexington SC (USL L1)

Tues, 03/19 - 4:00 pm PT / 7:00 pm ET at Virtue Field, Burlington VA

A historic matchup in the first round of the Open Cup, as 2 of the USL’s upcoming clubs face off. The match will mark the first time ever that a US Open Cup game will be played in Vermont, and Lexington will become the first professional soccer club to play a competitive match in the state. The Battle of the Greens, as some have begun to call it, should be one of the best matchups of the opening round.

Jon Hunt - Bluegrass Soccer Cast / Protagonist Soccer

SG Tormenta FC (USL L1) vs FC America CFL Spurs (USSL)

Tues, 03/19 - 4:30 pm PT / 7:30 pm ET at Tormenta Stadium, Statesboro, GA

The artists formerly known as Central Florida GOSA Spurs, formerly of (and returning to) the UPSL, the rebranded FC America CFL Spurs have punched their ticket to the USOC proper through the qualifying rounds by punching out their old Central Florida-based UPSL brethren in three straight matches. Looking to knock off a professional side in South Georgia Tormenta, in the confines of Tormenta’s home turf, will be completely different task for the Spurs as they venture outside the Sunshine state for the first time. They’ll need to scheme ways to spring their leading goal scorer, former professional player and “division 4” journeyman William Eyang, into scoring positions early and often.

This may be the best possible time for the Spurs to out-soar the Ibises, as the USL League 1 side is still finding their form in the young league season. A loss and a late rescue of a point in their last two matches, both at home, have Tormenta searching for some answers and possibly looking ahead of their amatuer-side opponents this week. An early deficit could take the Tormenta fanbase out of the match early and see FCACFLS storm out of Statesboro with a win.

Ryan Stallings - Protagonist Soccer / USL League 2 “The 2how”

Tulsa Athletic (NPSL) vs Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USLL1)

Tues, 03/19 - 5:00pm PT / 8:00pm ET at Hicks Park

There’s everything to love about an amateur club playing a professional side and especially when that amateur club is Tulsa Athletic. I’ve written pages and pages about this amazing club and I’ll probably do another couple of stories about them this year. But if an amateur club could advance, this is the one. Northern Colorado just kicked off its season so maybe they can be beaten…? Always root for the cupset!

Dan Vaughn - Protagonist Soccer

Chicago House AC (MWPL) vs Minnesota United 2 (MLSNP)

Wed, 03/20 - 5:00pm PT / 8:00pm ET at Elmhurst University

The Midwest Premier League’s Chicago House look to make another deep run ultimately falling 3-0 to the Fire in last year’s edition. Although league play has yet to begin for the MWPL, CHAC & Head Coach Matt Poland’s approach to development will surely have them in form and ready. MUFC 2 sit 14/14 in the Western Conference on GD after 1 game of the season, losing 4-1 to LAFC2 on 3-17.

Rich Schenck - Protagonist Soccer

Austin FC II (MLSNP) vs Foro SC (UPSL)

Tues, 03/19 - 6:00 pm PT / 9:00 pm ET at Palmer Field, Austin, TX

As far as longevity, and success, are measured in terms of lower league soccer club performance and survival in the United States, Foro SC out of Dallas, Texas is nearing royalty status in both categories. Foro is a consistent top club in the UPSL, making numerous appearances in the league’s final four in past Spring and Fall seasons, the outright 2021 title and the defending central region champs. They’re looking to burnish their image among the amateur elites with a deep run in the USOC. To do that, they’ll first sojourn deep into the heart of Texas to take on Austin FC’s formidable second team.

The b-side boys in green may have lost their season opener to Tacoma Defiance last week, but they didn’t reveal much weakness to exploit in defeat. The MLSNP team boasts an unblemished record in the elimination match play dating back to their 2023 league triumph and should feel right at home, while AT home, in their USOC debut.

Ryan Stallings - Protagonist Soccer / USL League 2 “The 2how”

Ballard FC (USL L2) vs Spokane Velocity FC (USL L1)

Wed, 03/20 - 7:30 pm PT / 10:30 pm ET at Memorial Stadium, Seattle WA

The 2023 USL League Two Champions will host Washington’s newest professional side from Spokane in what will actually be a pretty friendly tête à têt. These two sides would have no natural reason to play other than pre-season friendlies and in the US Open Cup - so here they are! Amateur teams, like Ballard, may be a little stretched having their first cup matches this early in the season and might be without some of their best talent, as they have not been released by their college programs quite yet. However, Ballard FC is well coached and well supported at home and this may be closer that one might expect.

Josh Duder - Protagonist Soccer

Asheville City SC (USL2) vs. One Knoxville (USL1)

Wed, 03/20 - 4:00 pm PT / 7:00 pm ET at Greenwood Soccer Field, Asheville NC

Separated by just 116 miles, the beauty of the Open Cup are connecting clubs and communities across the country, over one shared meeting on the pitch. The USL1 outfit, One Knoxville, will cross the Appalachian mountains for a match against Asheville City. The hosts will be playing in their inaugural USOC match, as One Knoxville lost in the second round to in-state opposition, Memphis, in last year’s tournament.

Ryan Allen - The USL Show

The magic of the Open Cup has brought together 2 former USL2 rivals as the Battle for the Boot will be waged again in the tournament's opening round. Asheville City and One Knox had been brief rivals during the USL1 side's 1-year stint in USL2, and the glorious cup has brought them back together in a match for bragging rights in the Smokies.

Jon Hunt - Bluegrass Soccer Cast / Protagonist Soccer

West Chester United SC NPSL vs Maryland Bobcats FC NISA

Tues, 03/19 - 4:30 pm PT / 7:30 pm ET at YSC Sports, Wayne, PA

West Chester United’s NPSL side (the club also fields a side in USL2) were well on their way to a second round meeting with the Maryland Bobcats in USOC 2023, up 1-0 against USL2’s Ocean City Nor'easters. But Ocean City stormed back to a 3-1 win and WCU would see a date with a professional side be forced to wait.

But the date has come, thanks to WCU’s NPSL fielded team again qualifying on the back of a run to the league’s 2023 semifinals and 4th place overall finish. Their efforts are rewarded with a first round visit from those very same Bobcats down south, as Maryland travels to Wayne, PA for their Tuesday night tilt. With the NISA season yet to kickoff and the Bobcats still in preseason form, their semi-pro hosts may just catch the favored visitors a bit rusty and make this match a must watch into the late minutes for even neutral fans to put eyes on..

Ryan Stallings - Protagonist Soccer / USL League 2 “The 2how”

Los Angeles Force (NISA) vs Redlands FC (USLL2)

Wed, 03/20 - 7:30 pm PT / 10:30 pm ET at Long Beach City College

After falling short to the eventual league champions last year, L.A. Force are loading up their roster ahead of what looks like a run at the NISA championship this season, adding all-league defenders Garrett Hogbin and Ayden Bowers in the last few weeks. Redlands FC opened eyes by filling the stands AND winning USL-2’s Southwest Division last season. Coach Cody Carlson’s roster will again feature some of the top talent from local collegiate programs, and expect the club’s supporters group - The I-10 Ultras - to be in full voice for their first USOC experience.

Dennis Pope - Protagonist Soccer / The Root & Branch Podcast

FC Folsom (UPSL) vs Central Valley Fuego (USL L1)

Wed, 03/20 - 7:00 pm PT / 10:00 pm ET at Folsom Lake College

Central Valley Fuego have started off their USL League One campaign under new Head Coach Jermaine Jones with a win on the road and a loss at home - they also have three goal scorers, Clayton Tor, Moe Espinoza, and Shavon John-Brown, who look dangerous. They travel 200 miles north, up I-5, to the UPSL’s FC Folsom. Folsom finished 3rd in the NorCal North division last fall with a +18 GD and get their Spring campaign going on Saturday the 23rd - they’ll be looking to surprise Fuego with a strong defense and likely pick and choose moments to spring a counter but I wouldn’t expect them to try to play an open game against a fully professional squad with players trying to fight for Jones’ attention.

Josh Duder - Protagonist Soccer

Opening written by Joshua Duder
Edited by Joshua Duder
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