The U.S. Open Cup format has changed immensely from past editions, and the pairings for the first two rounds of the tournament have been released.
The first round, which will be played in two weeks, contains all amateur teams from PDL, NPSL, USASA and U.S. Club Soccer, and the matchups are based on regional and geographical location.
Those winners will advance to the second round, where they will meet teams from the second and third divisions of U.S. Soccer, NASL and USL Pro. Those games will be held on May 22.
MLS teams have yet to be drawn into the tournament bracket, but all 16 U.S.-based teams in the league will be entered in the May 29 third round as opposed to past years in which six automatic entrants and two MLS qualifiers were entered into the tournament proper. The Round 2 winners will each advance to play against an MLS opponent. An MLS team has won the Open Cup in all but one year of the league's existence. The Seattle Sounders have won the last three tournaments and are preparing to make a run for an unprecedented fourth title in a row.
Here are the matchups for the first two rounds of the tournament:
U.S. OPEN CUP PAIRINGS
FIRST ROUND
Jacksonville United (NPSL) at Orlando City U-23s (PDL)
Long Island Rough Riders (PDL) at FC Sonic (NPSL)
Carolina Dynamo (PDL) at Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (USASA)
Jersey Shore Boca (USASA) at Michigan Bucks (PDL)
Mississippi Brilla FC (PDL) at Georgia Revolution (NPSL)
Brooklyn Italians (NPSL) at GPS Portland Phoenix (PDL)
N.Y. Greek Americans (USASA) at Reading United AC (PDL)
Croatian Eagles (USASA) at Chicago Fire PDL (PDL)
Des Moines Menace (PDL) at Milwaukee Bavarians (NPSL)
ASC New Stars (USASA) at Laredo Heat (PDL)
K.C. Athletics (USASA) at Real Colorado Foxes (PDL)
NTX Rayados (USASA) at El Paso Patriots (PDL)
Fresno Fuego (PDL) at Stanislaus United Turlock Express (US Club Soccer)
USASA Region IV Club (TBD) at Portland Timbers U-23s (PDL)
USASA Region IV Club (TBD) at Kitsap Pumas (PDL)
Ventura County Fusion (PDL) vs. Fullerton Rangers (NPSL)
SECOND ROUND
Jersey Shore Boca (USASA)/Michigan Bucks (PDL) at Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO)
Long Island Rough Riders (PDL)/FC Sonic (NPSL) at Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO)
USASA Region IV Club (TBD)/Kitsap Pumas (PDL) at Wilmington Hammerheads (USL PRO)
USASA Region IV Club (TBD)/Portland Timbers U-23s (PDL) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
Fresno Fuego (PDL)/Stanislaus United Turlock Express (US Club Soccer) at Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL)
K.C. Athletics (USASA)/Real Colorado Foxes (PDL) at Orlando City Soccer Club (USL PRO)
N.Y. Greek Americans (USASA)/Reading United AC (PDL) at Charleston Battery (USL PRO)
Brooklyn Italians (NPSL)/GPS Portland Phoenix (PDL) at Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO)
Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) at Jacksonville United (NPSL)/Orlando City U-23s (PDL)
Carolina Dynamo (PDL) at Richmond Kickers (USL PRO) or Richmond Kickers (USL PRO) at Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (USASA)
Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) at Georgia Revolution (NPSL) or Mississippi Brilla FC (PDL) at Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL)
ASC New Stars (USASA)/Laredo Heat (PDL) at San Antonio Scorpions (NASL)
Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO) at Chicago Fire PDL (PDL) or Croatian Eagles (USASA) at Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO)
Minnesota Stars FC (NASL) at Des Moines Menace (PDL)/Milwaukee Bavarians (NPSL)
Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO) at NTX Rayados (USASA)/El Paso Patriots (PDL)
Ventura County Fusion (PDL)/Fullerton Rangers (NPSL) at Los Angeles Blues (USL PRO)
—————————
Which potential second-round matchups do you have your eye on? Think a non-MLS team has what it takes to win the Open Cup? Are you a fan of the new format?
Share your thoughts below.