Chattanooga Derby, MLS All-Stars, and burritos: a 2025 U.S. Open Cup Second Round preview

After an exhilarating First Round that brought us *SIX* Cupsets coming from semi-pro and amateur underdogs against professional squads, we’ll now see the winners from the opening round face off over the next two days. The next sixteen winners will advance through to the Third Round, where they’ll be matched with one of sixteen USL Championship sides.

Here, we’ll dive into a few of our “must watch” storylines from both the regional and national perspective, and give you the schedule breakdown with links to each live stream so you won’t have to miss a second of Open Cup magic.

Chattanooga FC vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC

April 2nd, 7 P.M. ET; Finley Stadium, Chattanooga, Tennessee

You really can’t highlight any other match first, right? This is the one so many have been waiting for for over half a decade. Years of tension, pettiness, you name it, too much to fill you in on here; it all finally culminates on the pitch with this matchup. A huge crowd, the largest for an Open Cup match in Chattanooga FC history, is expected for the first ever Battle for Chattanooga Wednesday night.

Both sides narrowly advanced into the Second Round against amateur opponents, with Chattanooga FC needing extra time to beat Corpus Christi FC and the Red Wolves going all the way to penalty kicks against the New Jersey Alliance. This Scenic City showdown is already full of all the Cup drama you could wish for, it’s anyone’s guess as to how the two sides take it from here.

Greenville Triumph SC vs. One Knoxville SC

April 2nd, 7 P.M. ET; Paladin Stadium, Greenville, South Carolina

Another regional (albeit further apart) rivalry kicks off at the same time over in Greenville, South Carolina, as an inter-league matchup between the Greenville Triumph and One Knoxville promises fireworks in a rematch from last year’s Second Round. Greenville was taken to penalties by Asheville City last round, while One Knox handled the sasquatches of Appalachian FC 3-0.

The two USL League One sides are even at four points in the early stages of the regular season, however, Greenville has dominated the all-time series with a 5-1-1 record. In the previous edition of the Open Cup, the Triumph left Knoxville victorious after extra time, winning 3-2 behind a goal in the 117th minute. Will One Knox get their revenge this time around?

South Georgia Tormenta FC vs. FORO SC

April 1st, 7 P.M. ET; Tormenta Stadium, Statesboro, Georgia

One of the earlier matches of the round, Tormenta FC welcomes their second amateur opponent of their campaign tonight in UPSL side FORO SC out of Dallas. The Texan club already has one professional USL League One side under their belt, defeating newcomers Texoma FC 2-1 in the First Round after extra time. The Ibises from South Georgia will be looking to qualify for the Third Round for a fourth consecutive year, comfortably beating Melbourne, Florida based Harbor City FC last round 3-0. Will they make it, or will the amateurs from Texas (who, fun fact, feature U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team player Braden Anderson) spoil the party?

Des Moines Menace vs. Union Omaha

April 2nd, 8:30 P.M. ET; Valley Stadium, Des Moines, Iowa

After pulling out a win in a frigid match against Sporting Kansas City II, the focus of the MLS retieree All-Stars playing for amateurs Des Moines Menace now turns to a familiar foe in Union Omaha. The Owls knocked the Menace from the tournament in the 2022 and 2024 editions, but this time, with a home field advantage (no more “AARP” chants!) and with an even stronger roster that boasts names Atlanta fans may be familiar with- Dax McCarty, Ozzie Alonso, Justin Meram, Mikey Ambrose- will the Sacha Kljestan-led Menace finally prevail against their Nebraskan nemesis?

It’ll be a tall order against the League One champions and a team familiar with upsets of their own, having beaten two MLS sides before as well as taking SKC’s first team to extra time last year. But hey, that’s the Magic of the Cup, right?

Other underdogs to keep an eye on: NY Pancyprian Freedoms, who beat FC Cincinnati 2 in a shootout, up against new pro side Westchester SC; El Farolito, everyone’s favorite burrito-shop giant killers, travelling to USL Championship side Monterrey Bay; and the Little Rock Rangers, fresh off a huge 1-0 upset over the Birmingham Legion, travelling to Naples, Florida to take on the current top dogs of USL League One.

Of course, you can’t really go wrong with any Open Cup match- that’s the beauty of it. Expect the chaos. Revel in it, even. Take a look at the full schedule for the next couple days below, chime in on what you’re tuning in to, and don’t forget to enjoy.

Full U.S. Open Cup Second Round Schedule: