A few things have changed compared to last year, More MLS teams are in the mix (16, up from last year’s 8). Eight teams from the USL Championship will start in Round 1, a change from last year when all 24 clubs for the USL’s top pro league entered in Round 3. This means the opening round will feature pro vs. amateur clubs in each matchup, with the survivors battling it out in the Second Round (April 1-2), and the Second Round winners facing the remaining 16 USL Championship clubs in the Third Round the week of April 15-16. All 16 MLS teams await the Third Round winners the week of May 6-7 in the Fourth Round.
A total of 25 teams are making their Open Cup debuts, all entering in the First Round. Three of those opening round games pit debuting clubs against one another. Nine former champions are in this year’s field: Chicago Fire FC, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, New England Revolution, Orlando City, Richmond Kickers, New York Pancyprian Freedoms and El Farolito (then known as CD Mexico), with the Chicago Fire seeking their record-tying fifth Open Cup title. For the first time in the Modern Era, the defending Open Cup winners will NOT defend its championship, as Los Angeles FC will be represented by its MLS NEXT Pro team LAFC II, due to Los Angeles FC’s participation in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Wednesday is the busiest day of the First Round, featuring 13 matches, with nine teams making their debut (5 pro and 4 amateur).
Follow TheCup.us on X (Twitter) @USOpenCup throughout the weekend for live updates from our reporters who will be at every stadium and with every First Round game being streamed online via YouTube, you can find links to those below.
Like millions of other users, we are transitioning over to BlueSky and we will have updates there as well.
Below you will find a preview of the 13 games kicking off on Wednesday:
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19
New York Renegades (UPSL) at Columbus Crew 2 (MLS NEXT Pro)
Lower.com Field – Columbus, OH
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube
New York Renegades
United Premier Soccer League | Hicksville, NY
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Drew 1-1 (aet) with Lansdowne Bhoys in Round 4 of Open Division Qualifying
Founded: 2019
Manager: Christian Turizon
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A
This is one of three opening round games this year between debuting clubs.
The Renegades had a stellar year in the UPSL spring season, finishing 10-0-0 and reaching the Quarterfinals of 2024 Spring UPSL national playoffs. They were one of just three teams to go unbeaten and untied in 2024 UPSL Spring season. The Renegades finished 8-2-0 in the UPSL fall season. Forward Reneau Rances led the UPSL fall season with 28 goals.
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A total of 25 teams are making their Open Cup debuts, all entering in the First Round. Three of those opening round games pit debuting clubs against one another. Nine former champions are in this year’s field: Chicago Fire FC, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, New England Revolution, Orlando City, Richmond Kickers, New York Pancyprian Freedoms and El Farolito (then known as CD Mexico), with the Chicago Fire seeking their record-tying fifth Open Cup title. For the first time in the Modern Era, the defending Open Cup winners will NOT defend its championship, as Los Angeles FC will be represented by its MLS NEXT Pro team LAFC II, due to Los Angeles FC’s participation in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Wednesday is the busiest day of the First Round, featuring 13 matches, with nine teams making their debut (5 pro and 4 amateur).
Follow TheCup.us on X (Twitter) @USOpenCup throughout the weekend for live updates from our reporters who will be at every stadium and with every First Round game being streamed online via YouTube, you can find links to those below.
Like millions of other users, we are transitioning over to BlueSky and we will have updates there as well.
Below you will find a preview of the 13 games kicking off on Wednesday:
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19
New York Renegades (UPSL) at Columbus Crew 2 (MLS NEXT Pro)
Lower.com Field – Columbus, OH
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube
New York Renegades
United Premier Soccer League | Hicksville, NY
1st US Open Cup appearance
How they qualified: Drew 1-1 (aet) with Lansdowne Bhoys in Round 4 of Open Division Qualifying
Founded: 2019
Manager: Christian Turizon
Overall: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
vs. Div. 3: 0-0-0
Best finish: N/A
This is one of three opening round games this year between debuting clubs.
The Renegades had a stellar year in the UPSL spring season, finishing 10-0-0 and reaching the Quarterfinals of 2024 Spring UPSL national playoffs. They were one of just three teams to go unbeaten and untied in 2024 UPSL Spring season. The Renegades finished 8-2-0 in the UPSL fall season. Forward Reneau Rances led the UPSL fall season with 28 goals.
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