By MATT STYPULKOSKI
After the conclusion of the U.S. Open Cup’s third round on Wednesday, the competition heats up as MLS teams enter the fold.
The fourth round, scheduled for June 16 and 17, includes a slew of MLS vs. USL matchups, with NASL teams New York Cosmos and Atlanta Silverbacks also thrown into the mix.
PSA Elite, a squad from the USASA, is the only non-professional team still standing in the competition. As a reward, the Irvine, Calif.-based club has earned a trip to the StubHub Center and a date with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
There is also one all-MLS matchup in the fourth round, as Cascadia rivals Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers square off in Tukwila, Wash.
Here is a complete list of the U.S. Open Cup’s fourth round matchups (after the jump):
June 16:
Philadelphia Union (MLS) vs. Rochester Rhinos (USL) – 7:30 p.m., PPL Park
New York Red Bulls (MLS) vs. Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) – 7:30 p.m., Red Bull Arena
Sporting Kansas City (MLS) vs. Saint Louis FC (USL) – 8:30 p.m., Sporting Park
Chicago Fire (MLS) vs. Louisville City FC (USL) – 8:30 p.m., Toyota Park
FC Dallas (MLS) vs. Oklahoma City Energy FC (USL) – 9:00 p.m., TCU Soccer Stadium
Colorado Rapids (MLS) vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL) – 9:00 p.m., Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
Real Salt Lake (MLS) vs. Seattle Sounders FC 2 (USL) – 10 p.m., Rio Tinto Stadium
San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) vs. Sacramento Republic FC (USL) – 10:30 p.m., Avaya Stadium
Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) vs. Portland Timbers (MLS) – 10:30 p.m., Starfire Sports Complex
June 17:
Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL) vs. D.C. United (MLS) – 7:00 p.m., Highmark Stadium
Richmond Kickers (USL) vs. Columbus Crew (MLS) – 7:00 p.m., Richmond City Stadium
New York Cosmos (NASL) vs. New York City FC (MLS) – 7:30 p.m., Shuart Stadium (Hofstra)
Charleston Battery (USL) vs. Orlando City SC (MLS) – 7:30 p.m., Blackbaud Stadium
New England Revolution (MLS) vs. Charlotte Independence (USL) – 7:30 p.m., Soldiers Field (Harvard)
Houston Dynamo (MLS) vs. Austin Aztex (USL) – 9:00 p.m., BBVA Compass Stadium
LA Galaxy (MLS) vs. PSA Elite (USASA) – 10:30 p.m., StubHub Center
What match are you most looking forward to? How will the MLS clubs stack up against NASL and USL sides? Planning to attend any of the games?
Share your thoughts below.
Humiliated – USL Humiliated NASL.
At least they didn’t lose to any amateur teams this year.
Anyone heard yet how many weeks ManCity’s minor league affiliate was taking off from league competition to prepare for the COSMOS?
Why isn’t Dallas playing in Frisco?
Some great match-ups. I think we are going to see plenty of “upsets.”
Im picking Atlanta, New York Cosmos and Sacramento. Longer odds on Richmond, Charleston and Pittsburgh.
NY Cosmos vs NYCFC!
Cosmos will dominate New York!!
When do all the other NASL teams join the Cup, I thought they would be in by now but I can’t find them in the schedule?
LOL
They must be joining in the final round, because the MLS haters said they would be there.
quite sad that in all the NASL vs USL matchups in the previous round… USL won all of them.
Maybe NASL were right, they arent div 2.
theyre div 3.
Burn!
Let me take 48 seconds to take a wild stab at the best game.
The 90th meeting of the Timber and Sounders. Not even close. That game could draw more than all the other games combined if they didn’t hold it in the minor league stadium.
NYCFC v NY Cosmos in the “First to Fold” Bowl.
Nah, NYCFC is a clown club but MLS and its ownership will make sure it survives. They’re half owned by one of the biggest football clubs in the world and half by the flagship franchise in American sports. Hempstead Cosmos on the other hand…not sure what the point is really.
Can anyone see any chance at all for NYC to win this?
12-0 Hempstead
If you’re spotting 12 goals, I’ll take that bet. NYCFC has an MLS quality roster. They’re just going through usual expansion team growing pains. But unlike other MLS teams who sometimes rest starters and otherwise look past these Open games, NYCFC will definitely not want to be embarrassed in this one. In some ways, this wasn’t a good draw for the Cosmos.