The US 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 in what has come to be referred to 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. 

Tomorrow, the tournament rolls into the Round of 32 with five games from Washington state to D.C., and a further 11 matches on Wednesday. It can be slightly overwhelming to follow, but find your local club and embrace this chaotic, fantastic tournament. The competition is organized geographically to keep participation affordable while also allowing local rivalries to grow and flourish. 

Below is the full slate of games from the Round of 32, with those involving teams within 50 Miles of a Soccer Post location in bold.

Tuesday, May 6

North Carolina FC (USLC) vs Charlotte FC (MLS)

The week kicks off with an intense in-state rivalry from North Carolina. The hosts are making their second consecutive Round of 32 appearance, matching their best-ever Open Cup run. On the other hand, Charlotte will look to equal their deepest run in the competition with a win after not participating in 2024.

6 p.m. CDT at WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, NC

Visit Soccer Post Cary and Raleigh to Support Local Soccer!

DC United (MLS) vs. Charleston Battery (USLC)

DC United are three-time Open Cup Champions, most recently in 2013. However, they’ve struggled in the competition since then, never making it past the Round of 16, and this year, they have just 12 points from 11 games. By comparison, Charleston sits third in the USL Championship with 15 points in seven games. If Juan David Torres and Cal Jennings can continue their good form, a Cupset could be on the cards.

6 p.m. CDT at Audi Field, Washington, D.C.

Visit Soccer Post Arlington, Crofton, Annapolis, Leesburg, and Towson to Support Local Soccer!

Nashville SC (MLS) vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USLL1)
7 p.m. CDT at GEODIS Park, Nashville, TN

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USLC) vs. New York Red Bulls (MLS)

By quite some margin, these two teams are the furthest geographically speaking, and playing at home in Colorado could benefit the defending USL Championship Champions. Last season, the Red Bulls ended as MLS Cup runners-up and are still hunting for their first major trophy. In the Open Cup, the club finished second-best in 2003 and 2017, but never doubt New York in a knockout competition.

8:30 p.m. CDT at Weidner Field, Colorado Springs, CO

Visit Soccer Post Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and Kearny to Support Local Soccer!

Tacoma Defiance (MLSNP) vs. Portland Timbers (MLS)

The high-flying Portland Timbers will face the last remaining MLS Next Pro side in the Tacoma Defiance for a spot in the Open Cup Round of 16. En route to this pseudo rivalry tie, the Seattle Sounders’ affiliate took down the Washington Athletic Club, Spokane Velocity FC, and most recently, Oakland Roots SC, so don’t write off these underdogs, especially at home.

9 p.m. CDT at Starfire Sports Complex, Tukwila, WA

Visit Soccer Post Seattle and Everett to Support Local Soccer!

Wednesday, May 7

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USLC) vs NYCFC (MLS)

Along the Monongahela River overlooking downtown Pittsburgh, the Riverhounds live for nights like this. As recently as 2023, they managed to take down not one, but two MLS sides, including the Columbus Crew, to reach the quarterfinals. This year, NYCFC stands in their way. The Pigeons have only made it as far as the quarterfinals in their short history, so they’ll need to see off a dangerous away day to make that happen. 

6 p.m. CDT at Highmark Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA

Visit Soccer Post Pittsburgh, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and Kearny to Support Local Soccer!

Louisville City FC (USLC) vs. Minnesota United (MLS)

Louisville City comes into this tie in great form. They boast the second-best record in the USL Championship with 12 goals scored and just four conceded through seven games. They’ll host Minnesota United, who have 19 points from their first 11 matches, and love an Open Cup run. In 2019, the Loons made it to the final, where they lost to Atlanta United, while a win for Louisville would equal their best-ever Open Cup finish.

6:30 p.m. CDT at Lynn Family Stadium, Louisville, KY

Visit Soccer Post Clarksville to Support Local Soccer!

Philadelphia Union (MLS) vs. Indy Eleven (USLC)

Under new manager Bradley Carnell, the Union are flying and will look to carry that momentum into their Open Cup match against last year’s surprise semi-finalists, Indy Eleven. Though they eventually lost to Sporting Kansas City, Indy managed to beat Atlanta United in Georgia, but this season, they’ve struggled in their first six games.

6:30 p.m. CDT at Subaru Park, Chester, PA

Visit Soccer Post Wilmington, Berwyn, Huntingdon, and Cherry Hill to Support Local Soccer!

Rhode Island FC (USLC) vs. New England Revolution (MLS)
6:30 p.m. CDT at Centreville Bank Stadium, Pawtucket, RI

Tampa Bay Rowdies (USLC) vs Orlando City SC (MLS)
6:30 p.m. CDT at Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, FL

St. Louis City SC (MLS) vs. Union Omaha (USLL1)
7 p.m. CDT at Energizer Park, St. Louis, MO

Chicago Fire (MLS) vs. Detroit City FC (USLC)

The Open Cup holds special meaning for these two teams, so we could see some robust lineups to start. Keep an eye on the attacking talent in this tie. Chicago’s Hugo Cuypers is the MLS joint-top scorer, while Darren Smith of Detroit City FC is the outright leader in the USL Championship.

7 p.m. CDT at SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview, IL

Visit Soccer Post Melrose Park to Support Local Soccer!

FC Dallas (MLS) vs. AV Alta FC (USLL1)

AV Alta is enjoying a thrilling inaugural campaign thanks, in large part, to a strong Open Cup run that’s seen them win three straight games against Ventura County Fusion, LAFC 2, and Orange County SC for their first-ever Cupset. Their reward is a trip to Texas to face the FC Dallas, who are two-time winners of the tournament, most recently in 2016.

7 p.m. CDT at Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX

Visit Soccer Post Keller to Support Local Soccer!

Austin FC (MLS) vs El Paso Locomotive FC (USLC)
7:30 p.m. CDT at Q2 Stadium, Austin, TX

Phoenix Rising FC (USLC) vs. Houston Dynamo FC (MLS)

Phoenix Rising needed penalty kicks to see off fellow USL Championship side FC Tulsa in the third round. That tight result stands out from their season thus far as one of the lone bright spots as they sit 10th in the Western Conference. They’ll need to maximize their home-field advantage to see off the visiting Houston Dynamo, who themselves are enduring a frustrating start to the season, with just two wins in their first 11 games. 

9 p.m. CDT at Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium, Phoenix, AZ

Visit Soccer Post Arrowhead, Rice Village, Missouri City, Copperfield, and Spring to Support Local Soccer!

San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) vs. Sacramento Republic FC (USLC)

Both San Jose and Sacramento sit near the middle of their respective tables in MLS and the USL Championship, so a cup run could be the defining moment of their season. The Earthquakes have never won the tournament, but have made it to the semifinals twice, most recently in 2017, while Sacramento Republic’s run to the quarterfinals last season became the club’s benchmark. 

9:30 p.m. CDT at PayPal Park, San Jose, CA

Visit Soccer Post Alameda, El Cerrito, Lafayette, San Carlos, Pleasant Hill, Dublin, San Jose, and Fair Oaks to Support Local Soccer!

This fascinating tournament will continue through the American soccer season, so make sure to keep up with your local teams after the Round of 32 and visit your local Soccer Post store to continue supporting local soccer!