By COLE KELLOGG
The Seattle Sounders were always certain to have a rough go of retaining their U.S. Open Cup title, but a fourth round draw against the Portland Timbers will make it all the more difficult.
On Thursday evening, U.S. Soccer released the possible matchups that will largely be determined by the outcome of the third round of games, which will take place on May 27.
15 MLS teams were placed into geographic regions that correspond specifically to a third round matchup. With two more MLS teams than third round matches, though, the Sounders were picked to play the Portland Timbers on June 16.
Another scintillating matchup could be a standoff between Peter Wilt’s old club in the Chicago Fire and his new one in Indy Eleven.
The remaining exciting match possibilities include a possible derby between the New York Cosmos and New York City FC, Minnesota United against Sporting Kansas City, the San Antonio Scorpions versus the Houston Dynamo, and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers against Orlando City SC.
The possibilities are as follows:
On June 16…
NYCFC (MLS) at New York Cosmos (NASL), 7 pm
or Jersey Express (PDL) at NYCFC (MLS) 7 pm
Rochester Rhinos (USL)/Harrisburg City Islanders (USL) at Philadelphia Union (MLS), 7:30 pm
Atlanta Silberbacks (NASL)/Chattanooga FC (NPSL) at New York Red Bulls (MLS), 7:30 pm
Minnesota United FC (NASL)/Saint Louis FC (USL) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS), 7:30 pm
Louisville FC (USL)/Indy Eleven (NASL) at Chicago Fire (MLS), 7:30 pm
Oklahoma City Energy (USL)/Tulsa Roughnecks (USL) at FC Dallas (MLS), 8pm
Austin Aztex (USL)/San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) at Houston Dynamo (MLS), 8pm
Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL)/Real Monarchs SLC (USL) at Colorado Rapids (MLS), 7pm
Chula Vista FC (USASA)/Sacramento Republic FC (USL) at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS), 7:30 pm
Portland Timbers (MLS) at Seattle Sounders (MLS), 7:30 pm
On June 17…
Orlando City (MLS) at Charleston Battery (USL), 7:30 pm
or Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) at Orlando City (MLS), 7:30 pm
Charlotte Independence (USL)/Carolina Railhawks (NASL) at New England Revolution (MLS), 7:30 pm
Columbus Crew SC (MLS) at Richmond Kickers (USL), 7pm
or Columbus Crew SC (MLS) at Jacksonville Armada (NASL), 7:30pm
D.C. United (MLS) at Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL), 7pm
or D.C. United at Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL), 7:30 pm
Portland Timbers 2(USL)/Seattle Sounders 2 (USL) at Real Salt Lake (MLS), 8pm
PSA Elite (USASA)/Ventura County Fusion (PDL) at LA Galaxy (MLS), 7:30 pm
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What do you think of the U.S. Open Cup fourth round draw? Which matchups stand out to you?
Share your thoughts below.
That stadium was packed…
Wow, only if we had a serious USA soccer pyramid this tournament would be the biggest sport tournament in the US. Imagine how many small towns and tiny towns would get ready for this and how many messis and Ronaldos would come out.
No matter what,cosmos needs to keep advancing 🙂
I wanted cosmos vs red bull but versus nycfc should be good enough.
I don’t see how having a pyramid or not makes this any more or less exciting. We actually do have a pyramid and in fact, in theory at least, the fact that NASL has no spending cap could potentially make this even more exciting down the road.
Well Said Rory!
Yep this tournament is fun now.
NYCFC vs the Cosmos should be crazy. I really think the Cosmos will light them up. I wonder what David Villa will say about against Raul and Marcos Senna.
I’m loving these regional matchups. It should be some fun MLS vs non-MLS teams. Obviously it won’t be full strength MLS squads for the most part, but the lower league teams will be playing like there is no tomorrow.
There seems to be a slight uptick in the play and the hype for this years Open Cup… With the new expansion teams that entered D1,D2, & D3 year there are a lot of very interesting pairings which definately generates more interest from casual fans as well as the hardcore… This ain’t yer Dad’s US Open Cup.