U.S. Open Cup Round of 32: MLS Teams Enter the Fray

In-Depth Analysis

The U.S. Open Cup, the country’s oldest soccer tournament, is now in its 110th edition. This year’s Round of 32 promises intense matchups between MLS teams and lower-league professional clubs. Several Division III teams have emerged as potential Cinderella stories, adding excitement and unpredictability to the tournament. Key matchups include:

• **Charleston Battery (Div. II) vs. D.C. United (Div. I):** A rematch of the 2008 Final.
• **North Carolina FC (Div. II) vs. Charlotte FC (Div. I):** NCFC returns to Division II after three seasons.
• **Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (Div. III) vs. Nashville SC (Div. I):** Chattanooga looks to continue their penalty shootout success.
• **Tacoma Defiance (Div. III) vs. Portland Timbers (Div. I):** A Cascadia Derby hybrid match.
• **New York Red Bulls (Div. I) vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks (Div. II):** The Red Bulls seek their first non-Supporter’s Shield trophy.
• **Rhode Island FC (Div. II) vs. New England Revolution (Div. I):** Played in Pawtucket, the birthplace of the U.S. Open Cup.
• **Tampa Bay Rowdies (Div. II) vs. Orlando City SC (Div. I):** An all-Sunshine State clash.
• **FC Dallas (Div. I) vs. AV ALTA FC (Div. III):** FC Dallas aims to avoid an upset.
• **Chicago Fire FC (Div. I) vs. Detroit City FC (Div. II):** Chicago seeks their fifth Open Cup title.
• **Phoenix Rising FC (Div. II) vs. Houston Dynamo FC (Div. I):** Houston faces a tough road draw.
• **St. Louis CITY SC (Div. I) vs. Union Omaha (Div. III):** Union Omaha, known for cupsets, visits St. Louis.
• **Pittsburgh Riverhounds (Div. II) vs. New York City FC (Div. I):** Pittsburgh aims to repeat their 2023 quarterfinal run.
• **Louisville City FC (Div. II) vs. Minnesota United FC (Div. I):** Louisville seeks to match their best-ever Open Cup finish.
• **Philadelphia Union (Div. I) vs. Indy Eleven (Div. II):** Indy Eleven looks to replicate last year’s semifinal run.
• **Austin FC (Div. I) vs. El Paso Locomotive (Div. II):** An all-Texas showdown.
• **San Jose Earthquakes (Div. I) vs. Sacramento Republic FC (Div. II):** Sacramento has knocked out San Jose in two of the last three Open Cups.

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FAQ

Takeaways

• The U.S. Open Cup provides a platform for lower-division teams to compete against MLS clubs, creating opportunities for upsets.
• Streaming options on Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network, and CBS Sports Network make it easy to follow the action.
• Keep an eye on Division III teams like Union Omaha and Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, who have a history of Open Cup success.

Discussion

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Disclaimer

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