Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Day 2 Preview

Hooligan Soccer

·19 March 2025

Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Day 2 Preview

Columbus Crew 2 (MLS Next Pro) vs. NY Renegades FC (UPSL) 3:00 PM @ Lower.com Field, Columbus, Ohio Renegades were rock bottom in the Long Island Soccer Football League in 2024, yet miraculously won three straight in qualifying rounds. I don’t think they’ll overcome Columbus Crew’s academy team.
Chattanooga FC (MLS Next Pro) vs. Corpus Christi FC (USL-2) 3:30 PM @ Finley Stadium, Chattanooga, Tennessee Chattanooga is Nashville’s academy affiliate, and not to be confused with the Red Wolves (who won last night). Corpus Christi is the wrecking ball of the USL-2 Lone Star division. They went 10W – 1D – 1L last season with a +31 goal differential. I smell an upset, but at minimum, a solid match.
Appalachian FC (NPSL) vs. One Knoxville (USL-1) 4:00 PM @ Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex, Boone, North Carolina Seriously… Appalachian FC features a sasquatch on their crest. The club was founded during the pandemic when local college Appalachian State dissolved their varsity sports teams. Despite their youth they are Open Cup veterans, with a win in the first round back in 2023. They also went undefeated in the NPSL East Region Southeast Conference in 2024. I’m curious how many Scruffs (the supporters group from Knoxville) will back the journey over the mountains to Boone, N.C. for this game.
Inter Miami CF II (MLS Next Pro) vs. Miami United FC (UPSL) 4:00 PM @ Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida This is a juicy local derby. Do you think Messi will watch?
Richmond Kickers (USL-1) vs. Virginia Dream FC (UPSL – VSSL) 4:00 PM @ City Stadium, Richmond, Virginia Virginia Dream had two byes in the qualifying rounds, and enter their first ever Cup on two straight victories. Their opponents, the Richmond Kickers, are a venerable institution in U.S. soccer, founded back in 1993. They won the Open Cup in 1995.
Lexington (USL-C) vs. Southern Indiana FC (UPSL) 4:30 PM @ Lexington SC Stadium, Lexington, Kentucky This is a mismatch, which means it’s also an opportunity to see a giant killing! I’m pulling for Southern Indiana!
Sporting Kansas City II (MLS Next Pro) vs. Des Moines Menace (USL-2) 4:30 PM @ Children’s Mercy Victory Field, Kansas City, Missouri That Des Moines crest absolutely kills me. But given that the club was founded in 1994, it’s also completely on brand with that era. I love that they’ve kept it. I think the Menace are going to take this one.
Little Rock Rangers (USL-2) vs. Birmingham Legion FC (USL-C) 5:00 PM @ Episcopal Collegiate School, Little Rock, Arkansas The Stags normally play in the largest venue in the USL-2 division, a 54,000+ War Memorial Stadium. But today they won’t. Little Rock went undefeated in the Mid South League 2 division in 2024, so they could be very tough.
El Paso Locomotive FC (USL-C) vs. FC Boulder Harpos (USASA) 6:00 PM @ Southwest University Park, El Paso, Texas Harpos punched their ticket by defeating two fellow Colorado teams in the qualifiers. They’ll travel down to El Paso, who haven’t won a game in their home stadium this year. They haven’t lost one either, but tonight that will change.
Real Monarchs SLC (MLS Next Pro) vs. El Farolito (NPSL) 6:30 PM @ Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman, Utah El Farolito (they are named for a famous burrito restaurant in San Francisco’s Mission District) has a history of knocking out MLS Academy teams. Last year they shocked Portland Timbers’ academy in this round and moved on to play the Oakland Roots. Real Monarchs, the academy affiliate of Real Salt Lake City, will be desperate to avoid the same fate.
Monterey Bay (USL-C) vs. Inter San Francisco (UPSL – SFSFL) 7:00 PM @ Cardinale Stadium, Seaside, California The SFSFL (San Francisco Soccer Football League) is the oldest continuous soccer club in the United States, founded back in 1903. Because of this rich history, the winner of their league gets an automatic berth in the Open.
Ballard FC (USL-2) vs. Spokane Velocity FC (USL-1) 7:30 PM @ Interbay Stadium, Seattle, Washington Ballard is a new club out of Seattle, with only three seasons under their belt. This is their second trip to the Open Cup. Spokane was founded in the same year, but in the 2024 Open Cup made it all the way to the third round.
LAFC 2 (MLS Next Pro) vs. FC Arizona (NPSL) 7:30 PM @ Titan Stadium, Fullerton, California Strict coin-toss for this matchup.

Big shout out to the team over at TheCup.US, who have the most comprehensive site relating to this competition around. They have great content. Go check it out.