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

There are sixteen teams to wrap up this opening round today, and it’s all USL-1 and lower leagues representing (including five amateur clubs).

Portland Hearts of Pine (USL-1) vs. CD Faialense (UPSL – BSSL)

3:30 PM @ Franklin Athletic Complex, Lewiston, MaineCD Faialense is a 100% amateur side out of Boston who play for pizza and beer. I’m not making this up, there’s an article about it. All their players have full time jobs; most have families as well. Hearts of Pine is a Maine soccer club so new, they haven’t even played a single competitive match. That’s right, their first game is an Open Cup elimination match. No pressure, lads. And for what it’s worth, this game right here is the best reason for a competition like this to exist.

Forward Madison FC (USL-1) vs. Duluth FC (NPSL)

4:00 PM @ Breese Stevens Field, Madison, WisconsinForward is one of the best known USL-1 teams due to their creative and frequently viral social media campaigns. Their mascot is a bovine named Rose Cowbelle (a nod to Wisconsin’s Rose Lavelle of the USWNT). They design outrageously wild kits, and they sell briskly. They can also ball, finishing third in last year’s league. Duluth FC is owned by curling legend and gold-medal winner John Shuster. I guess that’s who the curling-soccer crossover fan will be supporting.

Long Island Rough Riders (USL-2) vs. Charlotte Independence (USL-1)

4:00 PM @ Mitchel Athletic Complex, Garden City, New YorkYou can tell from their crest that the Rough Riders have been around awhile, 1994 in fact. They qualified for the Open Cup for the first time since 2018; their best finish was elimination in the quarterfinals in 1997. Charlotte comes into the Open Cup with plenty of experience. They’ve qualified every year since their founding in 2014 (excluding pandemic years). Last year they advanced to the Round of 32.

South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1) vs. Harbor City FC (UPSL)

4:00 PM @ Tormenta Stadium, Statesboro, GeorgiaHarbor City FC won their slot in the Cup on December 7th, 2024 by defeating local rivals FC America CFL Spurs in PKs at the Melbourne High School field in Florida. This will be the amateur side’s Open Cup debut. They face Tormenta FC, who have advanced out of the first round the past three years running. This will be a tough match for the Floridians.

Carolina Core FC (MLS Next Pro) vs. Soda City FC (UPSL)

4:30 PM @ Truist Point Stadium, High Point, North CarolinaSoda City were the second team to qualify for the Open Cup, winning the autumn UPSL trophy back in Sep. 2024 (the UPSL has two distinct seasons in a year and both winners qualify). Carolina Core is an anomaly in the MLS Next Pro league as they are not affiliated with any parent MLS club. Former USMNT defender Eddie Pope is their General Manager.

FC Cincinnati 2 (MLS Next Pro) vs. New York Pancyprian Freedoms (EPSL)

4:30 PM @ NKU Soccer Stadium, Cincinnati, KentuckyFC Cincinnati’s reserve team won the MLS Next Pro league last year and thus punched their Open Cup ticket. This season hasn’t started particularly well, as they sit in last place after two games played. The unusually named New York Pancyprian Freedoms arrived here after winning the 2024 National Amateur Cup. They normally play in (and dominate) the all-amateur Eastern Premier Soccer League.

Flatirons FC (USL-2) vs. Union Omaha (USL-1)

6:00 PM @ Stermole Soccer Stadium, Golden, ColoradoFlatirons (formerly known as Colorado Rush) is making a maiden appearance in the Open Cup. Union Omaha is one of the stronger USL-1 sides. They won the league in 2024, and also advanced into the Open Cup’s Round of 32. Expectations will be high.

Tacoma Defiance (MLS Next Pro) vs. Washington Athletic Club (UPSL – SRATS)

7:00 PM @ Starfire Sports Stadium, Tukwila, WashingtonTwo interesting stories here. Tacoma Defiance is taking over the slot normally reserved for their parent club Seattle Sounders, who are already committed to the Club World Cup over the summer and the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Washington Athletic Club is an actual amateur team sponsored by the very chic (and very private) self-same institution. This is as anomalous and odd a scenario as you’ll see in this round. WAC play in a league called Seattle RATS. That’s also cool. Read more about them here.