The Third Round of the US Open Cup has come and gone - while some of our favorite teams move on, it was the end of the road for others. This weekend we’ll see how a handful of those sides deal with the USOC hangover - do the thrive or do they dive? Our guest writers, panelists, and contributors have picked out a gaggle of games they think are must watch. From USL Championship grudge matches with a NISA history to the USASA National Amateur Cup. We check in with UPSL clubs and circle back to the SoCal Premier League. Let’s Get Stuck In!

Josh Duder Picks…
- Detroit City FC vs Oakland Roots SC - USL Championship
  - Sat, 04/20 - 1:00pm PT / 4:00pm ET
    at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, MI
  - This game has grudge match vibes - with a hazy NISA past, it feels like these two teams should have some sort of rivalry but every source I find says they have only played one another four times; twice in NISA, Detroit winning both, and twice in the USL Championship, both draws - Oakland Roots SC have never defeated Detroit City FC.
    Both are in vastly different runs of form as well; while Detroit City are perfect in league play so far, with 4 wins out of 4 plus a US Open Cup Round Two victory under their belt. Oakland nicked a win in a slug out with USOC darlings El Farolito and have been all over the place in league play, with three losses, a draw, and just two wins in the league so far.
    While Oakland did manage an away win at El Paso last week, Detroit give up far fewer opportunities and Keyworth is never a comfortable place to visit… what with all the noise and smoke, etc… The Roots might be in for a tough day at the office.

Ryan Allen Picks…
- Phoenix Rising FC vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC - USL Championship
  - Sat, 04/20- 7:30pm PT / 10:30pm ET
    at Phoenix Rising Stadium in Phoenix, AZ
  - The reigning league champions against the reigning regular season shield winners meet in the desert. In what is the closest we will get to an intraleague "super cup" for USL Championship this season, both sides have seen slow starts to the season. Pittsburgh have had an uncanny slow beginning under Lilley this year, still searching for its first win. Meanwhile, Phoenix has seen five of its six games played this season, end with a 1-0 scoreline. A match up that would make anyone want to take the under in total goals scored.

Alan Underwood Picks…
- Orange County SC vs Sacramento Republic - USL Championship
  - Sat, 04/20 - 7:00pm PT / 10:00pm ET at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, CA
  - Two teams that sit at the top of the west? An in state rivalry? What more can you ask for in this week's match between Orange County and Sacramento? These two teams have identical records and played to an entertaining 2-2 draw with Orange County’s goalkeeper Colin Shutler getting the equalizer deep into stoppage time. This is bound to have fireworks again.

Josh Duder Picks…
- Miami United FC vs Plantation FC - UPSL
  - Sun, 04/21 - 4:00pm PT / 7:00pm ET
    at Monsignor High School in Miami Gardens, FL
  - Miami United FC attempt to get back to business in the league as they host Plantation FC on Sunday. After going out, 0-2, to Memphis 901 in the US Open Cup, Miami look to improve upon their second place position in the UPSL, Florida South table. A win won’t take them above Rush Select Academy, but its a step in the right direction.

Michael Battista Picks…
- Michigan Stars Semi-Pro U23s (MWPL) vs Teranga Simbas (MWPL) - USASA Region II, Amateur Cup - Round 2
  - Sat, 04/20 - in Washington, MI
  - The 2024 National Amateur Cup, the top prize of the U.S. Adult Soccer Association, rolls on for a third straight weekend with the USASA Region II tournament. Michigan Stars FC U23, the semi-professional reserve team of the 2022 NISA champions, are coming off a near .500 season in the Midwest Premier League’s Great Lakes East Division.
    Their opponent is Teranga Simbas (aka Teranga Lions) of the Michigan Premier Soccer League. Since I started covering the Amateur Cup when it became a U.S. Open Cup qualifying method, the Lions have always entered the Region II tournament and lost its first game all four times (2019, 2021, 2022, 2023). The winner of this game moves on to play Inter Detroit, the defending MWPL Great Lakes East champion, in Round 2.

Ryan Stallings Picks…
- California Odyssey SC vs Napa Valley 1839FC - NPSL
  - Sat 04/20 - 6:00pm PT / 9:00pm ET
    at Reedley High School Field
  - A week after dropping a 2-1 heartbreaker at home to now Golden Gate table-topping El Farolito, Napa Valley 1839 FC makes the trek southward into the Valley to take on #2 California Odyssey. Napa will need to play sharper in the first half than they did last week to avoid allowing El Farolito to "beat them twice" and can keep within striking distance of the Burritos in the conference standings.
    The Odysseyans seem to be benefiting early on in the season from the league conference realignment. No longer contending with away wearying away days to Arizona and Nevada, and defending a new home turf in Reedley, CA has breathed life into the side, now unbeaten through three matches. A victory over a wounded Napa Valley could cement Odyssey, and not the Winos, as the most significant challenger to El Farolito.

Josh Duder Picks…
- El Farolito FC vs Sam Ramon FC - NPSL
  - Sat, 04/20 - 4:00pm PT / 7:00pm ET
    at Historic Matthew J Boxer Stadium in San Francisco, CA
  - El Farolito FC gave us all a reason to cheer - even the most jaded fell in love again. A giant thank you is deserved and given. However, now that they have your attention, won’t you support them in their chase for the NPSL 2024 title? Currently, they are table toppers in the Golden Gate Conference with 10 points from four played and a +12 GD. They have 8 games left in the regular season and have a nice little run, with four of their next five games at home. El Farolito get it kicked off this weekend as they host San Ramon FC who will be out to spoil the narrative. If you are able to get to historic Matthew Boxer Stadium in The City, I highly recommend standing with the Burrito Brava for this one!

Dennis Pope Picks…
- Rose City FC vs Monsters FC - SoCal Premier League, Div II
  - Sun, 04/21 - 4:00pm PT / 7:00pm ET
    at Arcadia City Hall Turf Field
  - Rose City FC, currently in second place in the SoCal Premier League Division Two Los Angeles Region, defeated third-place Monsters FC 3-0 back on Feb. 18, and needs another victory to keep pace with Playmaker FC ahead of their showdown next week.
    Monsters FC has the ability to spoil one team's playoff hopes, either Rose City FC this week or Playmaker FC on the final day of the regular season.

Ryan Stallings Picks…
- River Valley SC vs Arkansas Legacy - UPSL
  - Sat 04/20 - 6:30pm CT / 8:30pm ET
    at Veterans Park, Rogers, AR
  - After three straight trips to the UPSL postseason, the River Valley Bully's (of Fort Smith, Arkansas) took a hiatus for Fall 2023. That break hasn't slowed them down in Spring 2024, as the Bully's (named after the owner's pet pit bull) have cruised out the gate early to two comfortable wins over the Little Rock Ranger's youth academy and Tulsa's Side FC 92. They're making their first visit of the season, after two home matches, to familiar foe Arkansas Legacy.
    And while the rivalry may be familiar, the hosts have a new look to them.
    Consistent in mid-table finishes the past four seasons, the Legacy has acquired some serious offensive firepower in former NPLS's Ozark FC (RIP) and USL2's Charlotte Eagles' forward Jacob Zamarron. The former Houston Dynamo youth prospect has returned home to Rogers, Arkansas and is lighting it up already with four goals through two matches in what should be start to a serious golden boot campaign for him at the UPSL level.
    Look for the new Zamarron wrinkle to be the difference in this one, with Legacy pulling away late from Bully's..

Josh Duder Picks…
- Union Omaha vs Charlotte Independence - USL League One
  - Sat, 04/20 - 12:00pm PT / 3:00pm ET
    at Werner Park in Omaha, NE
  - Union Omaha are one of the most in-form teams within the three professional divisions in the United States; Los Buhos have ripped off three consecutive Open Cup wins, are unbeaten in 16 straight USL League One regular season matches and have just one loss dating back to July of last year. That loss… was to the Charlotte Independence who knocked them out of the playoffs by way of penalties in added on extra time.
    They sit 5th and 6th respectfully in the table and although Union Omaha only have the two matches played so far, they’ll be looking for a little revenge but also for a good professional win to help them rise up the table in this year’s competition. Put the past behind them and chase their second players’ shield in a row.

by the Protagonist Staff