Sixteen teams were knocked out in Round Two and sixteen new teams enter Round Three. We lost all but one of the amateur sides, with El Farolito FC earning the purse for longest-lasting non-pro side. Only two MLSNP teams remain and the rest of the USL Championship get’s loaded into the fray. This is the last round of games before MLS gets involved and we’ll see which 2nd and 3rd division pro teams get to that draw.

Now, our Protagonist Podcasters, Writers, and our favorite guests, pick out a game or two from this round and tell you what to look for in these Round Three USOC clashes.

Columbus Crew 2 (MLSNP) vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USLC)

Tues. 04/15, 3:00pm PT / 6:00pm ET at Lower.com Field in Columbus, OH

The meeting between the USL Championship’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Columbus Crew 2 of MLS Next Pro features a pair of organizations that are increasingly familiar with each other in recent years. These two specific sides saw each other in the 2025 preseason, where the Hounds secured a 1-0 victory at Highmark Stadium back in February. Meanwhile, the Hounds and the Crew’s MLS first team have met twice in recent years - first in 2019 when the Crew ended the Hounds run in Columbus in the fourth round, and then again in 2023 when the Hounds exacted revenge at Highmark to advance to the quarterfinals for the second time in club history.

The Riverhounds have gotten off to a middle-of-the-road start to their USLC campaign after some uncharacteristically splashy off-season moves - including revamping their anemic 2024 offense with the addition of veteran forward Augustin Williams and former Rapids 2 attacker Bertin Jacquesson. Where the Hounds thrive, however, is their league-leading defense - off to a hot start again in 2025, and led by returning 2024 Golden Glove winner Eric Dick in net. Fending off a Crew 2 attack with explosive capabilities will be key if the Hounds are to advance to the Round of 32.

The Capybaras, meanwhile, have suffered an up-and-down start of their own in 2025 league play after an atypical down-year in 2024 - in which neither they nor the first team participated in the Open Cup at all. However, that doesn’t mean they’re to be taken lightly. In their Round 2 match in this year’s USOC, the Crew 2 put the hammer to another USLC side - Lexington SC - demolishing them at Lower.com Field, 3-0. Between teenagers Christian Ortiz, Che Adams, and Brent Adu-Gyamfi, the Capybaras have potent attacking options and the ability to drop multiple goals in the blink of an eye. An early lead could see an easy night against a Hounds attack still finding its footing.

The Hounds should be favorites, but there’s big upset potential with the Crew 2 at home and the Hounds in the midst of a month-and-a-half long road trip that could prove distracting.

Colton Coreschi - Pittsburgh Soccer Now (PSN)

Louisville City FC (USLC) vs Loudoun United (USLC)

Tues. 04/15, 4:00pm PT / 7:00pm ET at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, KY

The flag bearer of the USL is set to host the hottest team in the league in a win and you move-on matchup. Loudoun’s sole loss of the season was just over a month ago at the hands of LouCity back in March, but can the boys in purple hold off the high flying Pegasus a 2nd time with the weight of chance to host MLS competition on the line for the next round? We will see, but this matchup on paper has all the makings of a USL playoff vibe.

Jon Hunt - BlueGrass SoccerCast

Charlotte Independence (USLL1) vs North Carolina FC (USLC)

Tues. 04/15, 4:00pm PT / 7:00pm ET at Mecklenburg Sports Complex in Matthews, NC

It’s a fight every time these two teams meet. This will be their 1st of 2 meetings in a span of 2 weeks, the other being interleague tournament Jagermeister Cup. A chippy and historic rivalry, it’s always a fight when they play each other. The last time these two met was the USL League One final, and if you don’t know how that ended, just check the star over NCFC’s crest. It’s sure to be intense on and off the field. NCFC took their talents back to Championship, and with the new Pro/Rel announcement, look to not only take bragging rights for the state, but also make a case for D1 in 2027 when it’s time to align

Eboni Christmas - Walkin’90 Podcast

Portland Hearts of Pine (USLL1) vs Rhode Island FC (USLC)

Tues. 04/15, 4:30pm PT / 7:30pm ET at Franklin Athletic Complex in Lewiston, ME

Another cup match in the neo-soccer hotbed of Lewiston, Maine? Yes, please. Rhode Island FC makes the trip up I-95 from Pawtucket as the 2024 USL Championship runners-up join the U.S. Open Cup in its Third Round. Wicked good soccer has been lacking in the early matches as RIFC has struggled to match its goal scoring from last season. But, Portland Hearts of Pine has also struggled to score in the opening matches of its inaugural season.

No matter the scoreline, Lewiston High School will be rocking as a SRO crowd hopes for another USOC win.

Dan Creel - Protagonist Soccer / This Week In Soccer

Charleston Battery (USLC) vs SG Tormenta FC (USLL1)

Tues. 04/15, 4:30pm PT / 7:30pm ET at Patriots Point in Mt Pleasant, SC

For the third time in four years, South Georgia Tormenta the Charleston Battery will clash in the US Open Cup. Tormenta won in 2022 and Charleston needed a last minute goal in extra time to come away with a 3-2 victory in 2024 to end South Georgia’s run in the tournament. Tormenta is in the third round by virtue of two wins over amateur sides (3-0 over Harbor City in Round 1, 3-2 over FORO SC in Round 2). Since 2022, Tormenta is 4-1 against USL-C sides in the Open Cup with last year’s defeat at Charleston their only blemish. Is revenge in the cards for Tormenta?

Luke Martin - The Storm Watch

Union Omaha (USLL1) vs San Antonio FC (USLC)

Tues. 04/15, 5:00pm PT / 8:00pm ET at Caniglia Field in Omaha, NE

USL1 v USLC in a first-ever meeting for the two. SAFC has started the season 4-0 in a team-best start, and they are firing on all cylinders. Union is 1-1 with limited matches. Can they punch above their weight class is what viewers want to know? Cupsets are the foundation of this tournament and will this be one?

Danielle Gawronski - Protagonist Soccer / The Super Show

AV Alta FC (USLL1) vs Orange County SC (USLC)

Tues 04/15, 7:00pm PT / 10:00pm ET at Lancaster Municipal Stadium in Lancaster, CA

Orange County SC will enter the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, April 15th. This year, their first match in the historic tournament will be on the road against brand new club AV Alta FC, who are now the closest USL team to Orange County. During pre-season, the two Southern California clubs faced off and had a well-fought battle, with Orange County narrowly coming out on top with a 1-0 victory. However, with only one win, Orange County hasn’t had the best start to their regular season. Early injuries and poor results have left fans concerned that AV Alta could produce a potential cupset and knock OCSC out of the cup early.

The keys to victory will be on the shoulders of two players who have recently returned from injury: Lyam Mackinnon, the 2024 USL League One Player of the Year, and Bryce Jamison, the young star who is now on loan with OCSC after transferring to MLS Club Colorado Rapids. If these two players can return Orange County to the offensive dominance they showed during their first match of the season, AV Alta will need to play their absolute best to have any hope of keeping back a barrage of goals.

DK Jenks - Orange & Black Soccercast

Tacoma Defiance (MLSNP) vs Oakland Roots SC (USLC)

Tues 04/15, 7:30pm PT / 10:30pm ET at Starfire Soccerplex in Tukwila, WA

The vibes were low for Oakland Roots before Saturday's win over Tulsa, making Tuesday a chance for Roots to stack good performances on top of each other to create some positive momentum. It won't be a walkover match for Oakland at 1-1-4 with Tacoma having scored multiple goals in all six of its matches so far this season. Roots have already allowed 13 goals this season, which is only ahead of Phoenix Rising's 14. I'm curious to see the team Roots bring, they have good depth at several positions and could start Swiss GK Raphael Spiegel for the first time, along with 21-year-old striker EJ Johnson getting his first start since Game 2. I'd also expect some academy products from Project 51O to make appearances.

Jonathan Comeaux - Oakland Roots Blog

FC Naples (USLL1) vs Tampa Bay Rowdies (USLC)

Wed 04/16, 4:00pm PT / 7:00pm ET at Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples, FL

In their inaugural season, FC Naples have started extremely positively, blowing away competition in the USL League 1 while shrugging off two pesky amateur sides in the US Open Cup. Their biggest challenge yet still awaits, as the much more established Tampa Bay Rowdies now come to town. The USL Championship club hasn’t started 2025 on the best note; but, they do seem to be finding their feet. Naples will want to withstand the higher tier side in their first ever meeting, one that will help set the tone for each team’s campaign.

James Knowles - RBLR Sports

Detroit City FC (USLC) vs Westchester SC (USLL1)

Wed 04/16, 4:00pm PT / 7:00pm ET at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, MI

This is a perfect game for Westchester. Win? It's an epic cupset for a young club! Lose? They get the exposure from a big game in an incredible environment. The first-year USL League One side is leaving the NYC metro for the first time in the competition and will be looking towards Juan Carlos “J.C.” Obergon Jr. to keep his scoring streak alive. However this will be the team’s first game since April 5, a road loss in league play to fellow expansion side AV ALTA FC. On the other side, Detroit City needs to avoid making this a trap game. Currently third in the Eastern Conference and riding a two-game unbeaten streak, DCFC are going to play their first game of the USOC. City has beaten MLS competition in two of the last three Open Cup tournaments. It's going to be important for the USL Championship side, including leading goal scorer Darren Smith, to not overlook Westchester at home.

Mike Battista - Hudson River Blue

Indy Eleven (USLC) vs THE Miami FC (USLC)

Wed 04/16, 4:30pm PT / 7:30pm ET at Michael A Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis, IN

These two have already played each other in 2025 with Indy beating Miami 3-1 in Miami but it was a tale of two halves in that matchup. Will we see the more aggressive Eleven from the first half that scored 3 goals or the better looking Miami from the second half that looked locked in defensively and scored a goal? After a few frustrating matches, can Indy finally get their first home win of the season and sure up the defense late in the match? Can the home side tap into their magical USOC run from 2024 and do the same again to kick start their 2025 season?

Brett Mullenix - The USL Show / KIT SZN Podcast

FC Tulsa (USLC) vs Phoenix Rising FC (USLC)

Wed 04/16, 5:00pm PT / 8:00pm ET at Hurricane Track in Tulsa, OK

These USL Championship Western Conference foes have matched up 14 times; Phoenix have won 6; Tulsa have won 5, and they’ve drawn 3 times - going all the way back to when it was the Tulsa Roughnecks vs Arizona United. This will, however, be their first pairing in the US Open Cup, so the two league veterans are still blazing new trails.

FC Tulsa have had a longer route to the Third Round; first, they had to knock out amateur darlings Tulsa Athletic1-0, then they knocked out everyone’s favorite lawn flamingo team, 3-1 in the Second Round. Now the pantomime villains are hosting Phoenix, who skipped the first two rounds and are just dropping into the tournament now.

Phoenix are second-bottom in the USLC Western Conference and host a very tough Sacramento Republic in the league on Saturday - FC Tulsa also have a league fixture on Saturday, as they travel to Las Vegas. It's entirely possible both head coaches, Luke Spencer for Tulsa and Pa-Modou Kah for Phoenix, make slight changes to their lineups and give playing time to a few backups. This game may end up pretty cagey at moments, with both sides more interested in not losing than they are in ruling the day.

Joshua Duder - Protagonist Soccer / One League Under the C / The C

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USLC) vs One Knox SC (USLL1)

Wed 04/16, 6:00pm PT / 9:00pm ET at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs, CO

In what appears to be the very first matchup between the 2024 USL Championship Champions, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and the USL League One outfit, One Knoxville SC, we are going to get a straight up banger. Switchbacks entered and left last year’s tournament in the Round of 32; Switchbacks entered and were knocked out in the Second Round in 2023… just as they were in 2022. This year they hope to do better in this prestigious competition; however, they have started the regular season a little rough with just one win from their first five played and a -1 GD. They host El Paso in league play on Saturday and Head Coach James Chambers may make a few extra changes to give his starters some rest before going into that matchup.

One Knox, on the other hand, entered this year’s USCO in the First Round and knocked out Appalachian FC 3-0; then they knocked Greenville Triumph out in Round Two, 3-1. While they are 4th in the League One standings, they’re actually tied at the top if we went by point per game; averaging 2.33 ppg but with the fewest games played in the table. They’re looking really good early on and I think Head Coach Ian Fuller may be more willing to just go for it and play the likes of Kempes Tekiela and Mark Doyle from the start. If they can score a goal early and hold on tight, they might be able to help the Switchbacks continue their pattern of going one-and-done in the US Open Cup.

Joshua Duder - Protagonist Soccer / One League Under the C / The C

New Mexico United (USLC) vs El Paso Locomotive (USLC)

Wed 04/16, 6:30pm PT / 9:30pm ET at The UNM Soccer Complex in Albuquerque, NM

This is a derby match, regardless of the competition, and this season El Paso looks so much more improved in league and Cup play. After years of losses in the USOC, El Paso is carrying over their form from the regular season to the Open Cup. Two matches, two wins, but now they face their regional rival on the road. Love this match!

Dan Vaughn - Protagonist Soccer

Sacramento Republic (USLC) vs El Farolito FC (NPSL)

Wed 04/16, 7:00pm PT / 10:00pm ET at Heart Health Park in Sacramento, CA

There’s a lot to love about soccer in Northern California, and both of these clubs have been tournament darlings over the last few years. Republic FC advanced to the USOC Final in 2022, becoming the first finalist from USL in more than a decade, and remain the only non-MLS side to make a final since. The team has been bolstered by the return of captain Rodrigo ‘RoRo’ Lopez from last year’s season-ending injury. El Farolito has pocketed that $50k and shows no signs of slowing, with some corners questioning whether this club may actually be the giant killer. Goal scorer Dembor Benson continues to prove his value, and a win here would put the ‘Flying Burrito Bros.’ on a course with a matchup against an MLS team in the Round of 32.

Dennis Pope - Independent Journalist / Root & Branch Podcast

Las Vegas Lights (USLC) vs Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USLL1)

Wed 04/16, 7:30pm PT / 10:30pm ET at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, NV

In a matchup between teams from two different levels, it’s hard to read how they will face this challenge. Red Wolves are coming off a win against their hometown rival, CFC, while this is the opening USOC match for Las Vegas this year. LVL has started their season in Championship with two wins out of four and I’d expect them to win this match with a League One opponent.

Dan Vaughn - Protagonist Soccer

by Protagonist Staff and Guests - Thank you all, we cannot do large projects like this without you!