Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – Round 3 Preview, Day 2 | OneFootball

Round 3 of the venerable U.S. Open Cup is upon us. The sixteen winners from the first two rounds of sixty-four join the sixteen remaining USL Championship teams for two nights of single-elimination ties to see who will advance. This article focuses on the Wednesday fixtures. Three of these are USL Championship match-ups, which leaves the remaining five as possible #cupset contenders.

Detroit City FC vs. Westchester SC

7:00 PM ET @ Keyworth Stadium – Hamtramck, MI Streaming on Paramount+Westchester SC is one of the two brand new USL-1 clubs who played their inaugural game in Round 1 of the Open Cup. And just like the other debutante, Portland Hearts of Pine, they have advanced into Round 3. This is, however, going to be a sterner test for the visitors. Their previous competition were both amateur clubs. Detroit City is decidedly not. Le Rouge are a disciplined, experienced squad sitting third in the Eastern Conference and riding high after a late come-from-behind victory over Phoenix last Saturday. Westchester, your run ends here.

FC Naples vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

7:00 PM ET @ Paradise Coast Sports Complex – Naples, FL Streaming on Paramount+With the current state of the Rowdies, and FC Naples ripping it up in the USL-1, I have to like the home team in this fixture. Since their opening draw to Chattanooga Red Wolves on March 8th, Naples have won six and drawn one more time in all comps. Tampa Bay have lost four of their five this year, and that sole win was against a 10-man Miami FC. ‘Nuff said.

Indy Eleven vs. Miami FC

7:30 PM ET @ Michael A. Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, IN Streaming on Paramount+Notwithstanding their anomalous victory over San Antonio, Miami FC have continued from last year’s abysmal form. If they were to win Wednesday, it would be the first time since August 2023 they would record consecutive victories. Not likely. Of course, Indy Eleven will have to do their part. They should be fully rested as their weekend fixture vs Hartford was cancelled. Their stand-out player, 33 year-old midfielder Aodhan Quinn, will once again need to step up. His 2 goals and 1 assist lead the team.

FC Tulsa vs. Phoenix Rising FC

8:00 PM ET @ Hurricane Soccer and Track Stadium – Tulsa, OK Streaming on Paramount+Both teams got punched in the nose last weekend in their league matches, and will be looking for redemption here. Despite falling to the Oakland Roots, Tulsa have had a decent 2025 campaign. They’re a tough, physical team who don’t concede easily; they also have a problem up front with scoring. The latter will need to be addressed if they want a chance against a Rising team that is prepared to win any shootout. They have already scored eleven goals in six matches, but conceded sixteen.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks vs. One Knoxville SC

9:00 PM ET @ Wiedner Field – Colorado Springs, CO Streaming on Paramount+It’s fair to say the defending USL champs Colorado Springs aren’t having a good start to 2025. Consistency eludes them, and dropping this cup tie to a lower division team would sting. And then some. One Knoxville is dropping in on a high. Since their opening game draw against Spokane it’s been nothing but wins for four straight, scoring nine and conceding one. Switchbacks had best be on their toes!

New Mexico United vs. El Paso Locomotive

9:30 PM ET @ UNM Track and Field and Soccer Stadium – Albuquerque, NM Streaming on Paramount+When these two met back on March 22nd, the Kings of Chaos (yes, that is one of their nicknames) eked out a 1 – 0 victory over a ten-man El Paso. Despite their moniker, New Mexico are actually a composed unit who wear down teams and score late (86% of their goals occur in the second half). El Paso are far more chaotic (and exciting to watch). They’ve scored eleven; given up twelve. and like to hit opposition nets early (64% scoring in the first half). Such a contrast in styles should prove exciting!

Sacramento Republic vs. El Farolito

10:00 PM ET @ Heart Health Park – Sacramento, CA Streaming on Paramount+Historically one of the dominant clubs in the West, Sac Republic do not lack confidence. But this season they’ve lost some of their swagger. They are languishing in 10th place, with only one win from their opening match. In contrast, El Farolito’s last loss was EXACTLY one year ago, in this same Open Cup fixture against the Oakland Roots. Read into that what you will, but this giant-killing has a real chance of happening.

Las Vegas Lights vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves

10:30 PM ET @ Cashman Field – Las Vegas, NV Streaming on Paramount+Chattanooga Red Wolves are the kings of the draw. Of their six matches in 2025, five have ended square. Two of these were Open Cup ties, which meant their victory came in the penalty shoot-out. What does this mean for Las Vegas? Don’t draw. Seriously. If ever there was a time for newly signed striker Johnny Rodiguez to get hot, this would be it.

Read the first day preview article here.