The U.S. Open Cup, which dates back to 1914, is the oldest and most storied trophy in American soccer history. It pits David against Goliath, and every year, without fail, David wins, often known as a "Cupset." MLS, all the way down to the amateur level, is welcome as the nation celebrates the sport with an embrace of the local game. The smaller, the better.
This week, the tournament kicks off in earnest with 31 games from Vermont to California. Yes, it can be slightly overwhelming to follow, but find your local club and embrace this chaotic, fantastic tournament. The competition organizes games geographically to keep participation affordable while also allowing local rivalries to grow and flourish.
Below is the full slate of games from the first round, with those involving teams within 50 miles of a Soccer Post location in bold.
Tuesday, March 17
Richmond Kickers (USLC) vs. Northern Virginia FC (USL2)
6:30 p.m. ET at City Stadium; Richmond, Va
Visit Soccer Post Glen Allen, Midlothian, Leesburg, and Arlington to Support Local Soccer!
Rhode Island FC (USLC) vs. CD Faialense (BSSL)
7 p.m. ET at Centreville Bank Stadium; Pawtucket, R.I.
Vermont Green FC (USL2) vs. Portland Hearts of Pine (USL1)
7 p.m. ET at Virtue Field; Burlington, Vt.
Visit Soccer Post Burlington and Freeport to Support Local Soccer!
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USLC) vs. Steel City FC (USL2)
7 p.m. ET at Highmark Stadium; Pittsburgh, Pa.
Visit Soccer Post Pittsburgh to Support Local Soccer!
Detroit City FC (USLC) vs. Michigan Rangers (NPSL)
7:30 p.m. ET at Keyworth Stadium; Hamtramck, Mich.
West Chester United SC (USLP) vs. Loudoun United FC (USLC)
7:30 p.m. ET at YSC Sports; Wayne, Pa.
Visit Soccer Post Berwyn, Wilmington, Leesburg, and Arlington to Support Local Soccer!
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USLC) vs. Azteca FC (UPSL)
8 p.m. ET at Weidner Field; Colorado Springs, Colo.
Visit Soccer Post Denver to Support Local Soccer!
Indy Eleven (USLC) vs. Des Moines Menace (USL2)
8 p.m. ET at Grand Park Events Center; Westfield, Ind.
Phoenix Rising FC (USLC) vs. San Ramon FC (LFC)
10 p.m. ET at Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium; Phoenix, Ariz.
Visit Soccer Post Arrowhead and Dublin to Support Local Soccer!
Wednesday, March 18
Chattanooga FC (MLSNP) vs. Kalonji Pro-Profile (UPSL)
6 p.m. ET Finley Stadium; Chattanooga, Tenn.
Visit Soccer Post Canton to Support Local Soccer!
Asheville City SC (USL2) vs. Greenville Triumph SC (USL1)
6:30 p.m. ET Greenwood Field (UNC Asheville); Asheville, N.C.
Charleston Battery (USLC) vs. Badgers FC (UPSL)
6:30 p.m. ET Patriots Point; Mount Pleasant, S.C.
Louisville City FC (USLC) vs. Southern Indiana FC (UPSL)
7 p.m. ET Lynn Family Stadium; Louisville, Ky.
Visit Soccer Post Clarksville to Support Local Soccer!
FC Naples (USL1) vs. Red Force (NPSL)
7 p.m. ET Paradise Coast Sports Complex; Naples, Fla.
Visit Soccer Post Fort Myers to Support Local Soccer!
FC Motown (NPSL) vs. Hartford Athletic (USLC)
7 p.m. ET Lubetkin Field (NJIT); Newark, N.J.
Visit Soccer Post Garwood, Kearny, and Franklin Lakes to Support Local Soccer!
SC Vistula Garfield (APSL) vs. One Knoxville SC (USL1)
7:30 p.m. ET Garfield HS; Garfield, N.J.
Visit Soccer Post Kearny, Manhattan, and Franklin Lakes to Support Local Soccer!
BOHFS St. Louis (MPL) vs. Union Omaha (USL1)
8 p.m. ET Lindenwood University; St. Charles, Mo.
Little Rock Rangers (USL2) vs. FC Tulsa (USLC)
8 p.m. ET Episcopal Collegiate School; Little Rock, Ark.
San Antonio FC (USLC) vs. ASC New Stars (HFA)
8:30 p.m. ET Toyota Field; San Antonio, Texas
Visit Soccer Post Rice Village, Missouri City, Copperfield, and Spring to Support Local Soccer!
New Mexico United (USLC) vs. Cruizers FC (NPSL)
9:30 p.m. ET UNM Soccer Stadium; Albuquerque, N.M.
Visit Soccer Post Modesto to Support Local Soccer!
Sacramento Republic FC (USLC) vs. El Farolito (NPSL)
10 p.m. ET Heart Health Park; Sacramento, Calif.
Visit Soccer Post Fair Oaks, Alameda, and El Cerrito to Support Local Soccer!
AV ALTA FC (USL1) vs. Valley 559 FC (UPSL)
10:30 p.m. ET Lancaster Municipal Stadium; Lancaster, Calif.
Visit Soccer Post Fresno to Support Local Soccer!
Ventura County Fusion (USL2) vs. Spokane Velocity FC (USL1)
10:30 p.m. ET Ventura College Stadium; Ventura, Calif.
Orange County SC (USLC) vs. Laguna United FC (UPSL)
10:30 p.m. ET Championship Soccer Stadium; Irvine, Calif.
Thursday, March 19
Carolina Core FC (MLSNP) vs. Virginia Dream FC (VSSL)
6 p.m. ET Truist Point; High Point, N.C.
Visit Soccer Post Arlington to Support Local Soccer!
Charlotte Independence (USL1) vs. Ristozi FC (NPSL)
6:30 p.m. ET Mecklenburg County Sportsplex; Matthews, N.C.
Visit Soccer Post Towson and Crofton to Support Local Soccer!
Flint City Bucks (USL2) vs. Forward Madison FC (USL1)
6:30 p.m. ET Don Batchelor Stadium; Grand Blanc, Mich.
Visit Soccer Post Madison to Support Local Soccer!
Lexington SC (USLC) vs. Flower City Union (NPSL)
7 p.m. ET Lexington SC Stadium; Lexington, Ky.
Westchester SC (USL1) vs. NY Renegades FC (UPSL)
7:30 p.m. ET Mount Vernon Memorial Field; Mount Vernon, N.Y.
Visit Soccer Post Westchester and Long Island to Support Local Soccer!
Tennessee Tempo FC (UPSL) vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL1)
8 p.m. ET Richard Siegel Soccer Complex; Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Laredo Heat SC (USL2) vs. El Paso Locomotive FC (USLC)
8:30 p.m. ET PEG Energy Stadium; Laredo, Texas
This fascinating tournament will continue through the American soccer season, so make sure to keep up with your local teams after round one and visit your local Soccer Post store to continue supporting local soccer!
