The U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 kicks off on Tuesday with several All-MLS matchups taking center stage as teams aim for a spot in the next round.
Sixteen MLS teams meet each other in the Round of 32 with a pair of Eastern Conference rivals facing off at Audi Field. The New York Red Bulls and D.C. United renew their rivalry in a knockout match, which is the first of three meetings this season across all competitions. The Seattle Sounders host the San Jose Earthquakes after falling 4-3 to San Jose in MLS league play just two weeks prior. Orlando City is coming off a tough 4-1 loss to CF Montreal over the weekend, but has the chance at some redemption in hosting the Philadelphia Union.
Lower-division clubs such as Detroit City FC, Union Omaha, San Antonio FC and Colorado Hailstorm FC scored upsets in the previous round, and will vie to continue the improbable runs that make the Open Cup entertaining.
Tuesday night’s slate brings one of the best Open Cup matchups between non-MLS teams. Louisville City FC and Detroit City FC are sitting in first and third place respectively in the USL Championship. Detroit City progressed from the previous round with an upset of the Columbus Crew.
Another non-MLS matchup to keep an eye on will be Union Omaha vs. Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC. Hailstorm FC, a USL League One team debuting in 2022, beat Real Salt Lake in the previous round, while Union Omaha triumphed over the Chicago Fire in penalties.
Here is a look ahead to this week’s U.S. Open Cup Round of 32:
D.C. United vs. Red Bulls
7:30 p.m. Tuesday (ESPN+)
This should be an excellent clash of longtime MLS rivals, with both clubs are faring well in league play. The Red Bulls have gone five matches unbeaten in all competitions, while D.C. United have won three of their last four in all competitions.
D.C. United’s Taxi Fountas just scored two goals to beat the Houston Dynamo over the weekend, while the Red Bulls’ back line is excelling due to the play of Aaron Long and John Tolkin. The Red Bulls’ unbeaten league road form bodes well for this cup matchup, but the question is whether both teams will play high-powered lineups with a short turnaround from last weekend’s MLS matches.
The Red Bulls have some strong depth options, with Homegrown players Daniel Edelman, Dru Yearwood and Serge Ngoma earning minutes already in MLS this season.
Houston Dynamo vs. San Antonio FC
8:30 p.m. Wednesday (ESPN+)
The Houston Dynamo have lost three straight games in MLS, and this Open Cup draw does not make things much easier. San Antonio FC is second in the USL Championship’s Western Conference, and defeated Austin FC 2-1 in the Round of 64.
The Dynamo’s designated player forward Sebastian Ferreira seems to be picking up in form with two goals in two matches, but the Dynamo’s attack has produced little elsewhere, scoring only two goals in the previous three MLS games.
San Antonio FC forward Elliot Collier is the club’s top offensive threat. Collier has scored four goals in his first eight USL Championship matches with San Antonio. after previously playing three seasons with the Chicago Fire.
Orlando City vs. Philadelphia Union
7 p.m. Tuesday (ESPN+)
Orlando City has alternated results in each of its last four matches in all competitions, most recently losing 4-1 to CF Montreal on Saturday.
Oscar Pareja’s side have conceded nine goals in their past four matches, allowing three to the New York Red Bulls and four to CF Montreal. 17-year-old Thomas Williams earned his first MLS start against CF Montreal and could remain in the starting lineup to gain more experience in his young career. Jake Mulraney could push to start after being acquired from Atlanta United.
Jim Curtin’s Union played out a 2-2 draw with LAFC on Saturday and now hits the road for a midweek clash with Orlando City. The Union have drawn each of their last three matches, but still remain top of the Eastern Conference due to results elsewhere. Curtin confirmed Monday that several young players will start on Tuesday including Homegrowns Paxten Aaronson, Jack McGlynn, and Quinn Sullivan.
Here is a full schedule of this week’s U.S. Open Cup action. You can watch every U.S. Open Cup match on ESPN+.
Tuesday
7 p.m. – Orlando City vs. Union
7:30 p.m. – D.C. United vs. Red Bulls
7:30 p.m. – Detroit City FC vs. Louisville City FC
8 p.m. – Inter Miami vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC
8:30 p.m. – Sporting KC vs. FC Dallas
10:30 p.m. – LAFC vs. Timbers
Wednesday
6:30 p.m. – Richmond Kickers vs. Charlotte FC
7 p.m. – NYCFC vs. Rochester NY FC
7 p.m. – Revolution vs. FC Cincinnati
8 p.m. – Nashville SC vs. Atlanta United
8 p.m. – Minnesota United vs. Rapids
8 p.m. – Union Omaha vs. Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC
8:30 p.m. – Dynamo vs. San Antonio FC
10 p.m. – Sounders vs. Earthquakes
10:30 p.m. – Sacramento Republic FC vs. Phoenix Rising
10:30 p.m. – California United Strikers FC vs. LA Galaxy