After a thrilling slate of First Round matches to kick off this year’s edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, we’re back in full force to preview the more local pairings of those winners in the next knockout round of their quest for the oldest trophy in American soccer.
The opening slate from two weeks ago brought all the Open Cup magic and drama you could’ve wished for, with a number of fierce challenges from amateur and semi-pro sides against their professional opponents. Seven of those managed to succeed, producing brilliant stories from teams like El Farolito, Vermont Green, Des Moines Menace, and more. Check out our regional recap from the previous round’s matches here.
The Second Round of the tournament will take place over the course of two days, with six matches kicking off today of the sixteen total, and the remainder taking place on Wednesday. No new teams have been added to the mix yet, but the winners of this round will be joined by sixteen USL Championship clubs in the Third Round.
As a reminder, all matches in the tournament are available to watch for free through one of USSoccer.com, USLSoccer.com, or MLSSoccer.com, depending on the host team.
April 2nd
Charlotte Independence (USL1) vs South Carolina United Heat (UPSL), 7:30 PM, American Legion Memorial Stadium
South Carolina United Heat added their name to the list of Open Cup darlings in the First Round, while also adding Charlotte FC affiliated Crown Legacy FC to the list of four MLS Next Pro teams to get bounced in the opening stage of the tournament. Two late penalties decided the match, one for Crown Legacy in the 88th minute that skied over the bar was responded to by SC United Heat burying their own with just seconds of stoppage time remaining to complete the Cupset. They’ll now head back up to Charlotte to face the Independence, who were able to progress past …gimmie a second here… Vereinigung Erzgebirge (phew!) by a score of 2-0 despite being held scoreless for a majority of the match. We’ll see if another Cupset is in the cards in Charlotte for SC United Heat, who will be in for a challenge against a finalist of last year’s USL League One Final.
April 3rd
South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL1) vs Savannah Clovers FC (NISA), 7:00 PM, Tormenta Stadium
Now here’s what the Open Cup is all about. Thanks to both teams being able to progress past their semi-pro opponents (1-0 over FC America CFL Spurs for Tormenta and 2-0 over Brave SC for Savannah), we are now treated to the inaugural “South Georgia Showdown” as the Statesboro side hosts the Clovers in the first ever meeting between the area’s two professional soccer clubs. Despite both organizations launching around the same time nearly nine years ago, the two have yet to cross paths. According to thecup.us, this is only the third all-Georgia matchup in the Open Cup since 1995, and the first to not be between the late Silverbacks and the Georgia Revolution. The two Division 3 sides will compete in what should be a hotly-contested match to lay claim to the region and for bragging rights in the first local derby.
One Knoxville SC (USL1) vs Greenville Triumph SC (USL1), 7:00 PM, Regal Stadium
Not every pairing can produce inter-league excitement, and that’s the case between familiar foes One Knox and Greenville Triumph. A knockout round pairing will only add more fuel to the fire between the two close proximity sides in USL League One, who have met three times previously, with Greenville 2-0-1 head to head all time in the series. One Knox was able to overcome another familiar foe, USL2’s Asheville City, winning 2-0 on the road, while Greenville played nearby South Carolina United Bantams and narrowly escaped from Columbia with a 1-0 result.
Vermont Green FC (USL2) vs Carolina Core FC (MLSNP), 7:00 PM, Virtue Field
Vermon Green FC was one of the headlines of the First Round, coming out on top of a thrilling 4-3 win over professional opponent Lexington SC in front of a packed and energetic stadium in Burlington. They’ve been rewarded with yet another pro side set to visit in Carolina Core, an independent Next Pro expansion team out of High Point, North Carolina. Carolina Core made their way through with a come from behind victory against another USL2 team, NoVa FC, scoring twice in the second half to win 3-2. Expect lots of eyes on this one, and some tremendous lower division scenes as well.
Apotheos FC (NPSL) vs Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL1), 7:30 PM, Silverbacks Park
This is the good stuff. Local coffee roaster affiliated Apotheos FC gets their Open Cup showing at last, hosting an Open Cup match at Silverbacks Park (you love to see it) against the Chattanooga Red Wolves after advancing via forfeit by NISA’s Georgia Lions. The Atlanta-based NPSL national finalists make their Open Cup debut by welcoming USL League One’s Red Wolves, who went the distance last round with UPSL club Brockton FC United, winning 4-2 after the Boston club scored twice late to take the match to extra time. This one’s got all the right ingredients for some Open Cup magic to unfold.
Let us know which Second Round match you’ll be tuning into, either in person or through live stream, and give us all your reactions in the comments below throughout the schedule!
Photo: ussoccer.com
[…] soccer fans in the Southeast, we have already been blessed with some quality matches and intriguing storylines from the Second Round. The Third Round will see the victorious 16 teams from the first two rounds advance to face 16 new […]