It’s that magical time of year!
We’re not talking Pumpkin Spice, trick-or-treating or the impending year-end holidays – but instead the Qualifying Rounds of the upcoming U.S. Open Cup. And while we’ve heard some soccer fans don’t pay attention to the Cup till we’re in our Tournament Proper, with the big name professional clubs facing off, there’s much excitement and drama to savor in this portion of the competition.
For the amateur clubs participating, the qualifying pathway is long and arduous. Yet the allure and the Magic of the Cup is so strong and vibrant that this year saw the largest number of amateur clubs sign up for the Qualifying Rounds in the Modern Era (1995 to today).
A full 114 teams are ready to battle it out for just 14 slots in the Tournament Proper. Odds are low for the likes of familiar faces CD Faialense, Roc City Boom and SF Vikings SC – but spirits are sky-high.
Because of the uneven nature of applications in the various regions of our massive USA, there will be a large number of First Qualifying Round byes. That limits the number of the clubs in action on Weekend One (October 5-6) to 64 teams and 32 games. But there’s still plenty of meat on the bone for any fan of amateur American soccer.
One of the interesting aspects of this first weekend is the number of teams from the same leagues playing each other in straight knockout play. On the East Coast, two of the early matchups will come out the United Soccer League of Pennsylvania. For those unfamiliar with the USLP, some of the legacy clubs of Pennsylvania soccer play there, including Vereinigung Erzgebirge.
The club has history as long as your arm, founded in the early 1930’s by German immigrants. When they aren’t gathering for social events, they’re supporting their soccer team, who’ll face league mates Colonial SC this weekend.
Last season, VE (as they’re often known for obvious reasons) finished just above Colonial SC in the USLP standings.
One of the darlings of competitions past, Chicago House AC will face fellow Chicagoland opponent, Edgewater Castle FC in a hunt for a return to the Tournament Proper. Both teams play in the Midwest Premier League, but in different divisions. Two years ago, Chicago House qualified for the tournament, then shocked the watching world with two wins (one against USL League One pros Forward Madison) before exiting in the Third Round against MLS’ Chicago Fire.
House is, of course, run by the incomparable Peter Wilt. A former Open Cup-champion executive from his MLS days, he knows a thing or two about this competition. And it’s no coincidence that his newest club has qualified for three consecutive Open Cup tournaments via these torturous Qualifying Rounds.
The Mid-Atlantic qualifying bracket features plenty of well-known teams, including a First Round clash between Steel Pulse FC and Maryland Bobcats II. These clubs have a deep history facing each other through the years. EPSL powerhouse NoVa FC will also have a match this weekend, squaring off against United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) side VA Revolution Pro.
The schedule reads like a who’s who of amateur soccer in the United States – no exception out West.
On the West Coast, clubs from one of the oldest and most prestigious city leagues in the country will go head-to-head. The San Francisco Soccer Football League (SFSFL) has been in continuous operation since 1902 and its clubs have hoisted the Open Cup trophy no fewer than four times.
SF Vikings SC were founded in 1922 and are a soccer institution in the Bay Area, while their opponent, fellow SFSFL side International San Francisco, were founded in 2021. The contrast between the club’s respective histories couldn’t be starker, but since the game won’t be played in the history books, the action should be fierce – and the result very much up for grabs.
When you compare the opening rounds of Qualifying to the Open Cup Final we saw ten days ago, there’s plenty of differences. The matches played this weekend won’t hold a candle to the lights and grandeur of the Decider in LA. The clubs that played in that Final were highly-paid professionals, used to fancy dressing rooms and the finest hotels. The teams that begin battling to qualify this weekend will be leaving their day jobs on Friday to prepare for their matches on Saturday and Sunday.
That’s the beauty of the Open Cup and one part isn’t better than the other.
After scoring a goal in the Open Cup Final, Kei Kamara – who first came to know the Open Cup not under its brightest lights, but with the all-amateur Orange County Blue Stars 20 years ago – spoke about the importance of the competition and the need to preserve it.
“The Open Cup is for everyone and that’s what makes it special,” said the two-time Champion and fierce advocate for our tournament’s history and heritage. “It would be wrong to try to take that away. Think of the lower-league teams, the amateurs, you kill their dream like that.”
This weekend is for all the dreamers and it’s something we can all celebrate.
FC Omens vs. Project Football
Playmaker FC vs. Independente Los Angeles Futbol Club
City Soccer FC vs. Miami Soccer Academy
Chula Vista FC vs. Desert FC
Kensington Soccer Club vs. Vidas United FC
Patuxent FA vs. MSI Pro
Alloy Soccer Club vs. Oaklyn United FC
West Chester United SC vs. United German Hungarians
South Carolina United Heat vs. Mint Hill FC
Chicago House AC vs. Edgewater Castle FC
Lansdowne Yonkers FC vs. KidSuper Samba AC
New York Greek American SC vs. NY Renegades FC
Acoreano Sport vs. Real Galt FC
Valhalla FC vs. Southern Indiana FC
Colonial SC vs. Vereinigung Erzgebirge
Atletico Miami Internacional FC vs. Hodler Miami FC
Roc City Boom vs. FCY New York
Steel Pulse FC vs. Maryland Bobcats II
Peak Eleven Football Club vs. FC Denver
Guerrilla FC vs. Alexandria Reds
Boulder United FC vs. Azteca FC
Timbers SC vs. Colorado Rovers
Dalton United vs. Pre-College Development Academy
SF Vikings SC vs. International San Francisco
Boston Street FC vs. CD Faialense
Zum Schneider FC 03 vs. Central Park Rangers FC
VA Revolution Pro vs. Nova FC
Washington Athletic Club vs. Bellevue Athletic FC
Leros SC vs. NY Empire FC
Bowling Green FC vs. Southern Indiana Guardians FC
Aegean Hawks FC vs. DC Hyper
New Jersey Alliance FC vs. SC Vistula Garfield
Dan Vaughn is a veteran soccer journalist and the founder and editor of Protagonist Soccer. Follow him at @TheDanVaughn on Twitter/X.